Cockermouth News Archive

Town escapes B&M Mega store Threat

The town has been spared (7/1/2020) an out of town centre B&M Mega store. A government inspector has endorsed the views of Allerdale councillors who refused planning permission for the giant B&M store opposite the Fitz.
Allerdale councillors had last year over ruled their own planning officers and voted 7-4 to refuse permission for a B&M superstore in Low Road.
But the applicants had appealed against the council for a final ruling.
Not only was the appeal rejected but all the costs claimed by the applicant will have to be paid by the applicants , not Allerdale.
The hearing took place at the Wave, Maryport on September 24th 2019.

For some reason the planning officers had recommended ignoring the council's own policy local plan documents: namely that the land is not zoned for retail; the land is in high risk flood risk Zone 2; the threat to the Heritage of the Fitz and that the council should protect the future of town centre shops.
The Town Council, Civic Trust and Chamber of Trade and Allerdale ward councillor Joan Ellis had all opposed the plans.

The Train now standing at Bassenthwaite Station!

Steam train at Bass
A great new tourist attraction has landed just five miles from Cockermouth. The former Bassenthwaite Lake Station has lain derelict since the closure of the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway in April 1966. Now a developer plans to open a cafe and restore the old station buildings. And the icing on the cake is a giant steam engine and Orient Express style carriages...The giant engine is a full size replica of an SNCF Class 241, the last mass produced French locomotive before electrification and mainly used to haul large goods trains. The Lake District planners have wisely approved the development plans. Details of the Plans
Lady Egremont
Read this obituary and tribute to the Dowager Lady Egremont.
Pamela, the Dowager Lady Egremont, died November 4 2013 aged 88.
Lady Egremont was the first president of the district’s Hospice at Home charity in 1987, when it was founded. She started training as a nurse, but during World War Two worked at the vital code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park. She regularly did hands-on nursing work for victims of landmines in Cambodia, and was actively involved with a medical foundation that she and her late husband founded which provides eye surgery in remote parts of India. She left behind her three children Max, who is Lord Egremont, Carlyn and Harry, several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.


June 2014: Planning application started for The M-Sport Evaluation Centre (MEC) and a 10-year masterplan which could also see a top-class 60-bedroom hotel and 25 homes built on the edge of the estate.

Tour of Britain whips through Cockermouth

Pic: Viv Austin from Percy House
Taste Cumbria Food Festival
: A sunny weekend saw some 25,000 visitors enjoy the 28-29 th September 2013 event.
Find out more & link to official site here
The Kirkgate Decision
Read what former Copeland planning officer, Bern Hellier had to say on his decision to grant approval for the controversial Kirkgate Centre Extension. Read the report here.
New Shop gets the Allerdale 'Welcome'

Charlie Carlin opened Voodoo in Market Place this week with the aim of bringing something fresh to men and women’s fashion. Then Allerdale planners objected to his shop sign and now there is a Facebook campaign of support.

Election for Cumbria Council
Votes on May 2 2013 were....Cockermouth North: Eric Nicolson (Cons)759,Leonard Davies (Lab)663,Felicity Crowley (Green)167,Juliet Hnederson (LibDem)94.
Cockermouth South:Alan Kennon (Cons)594,Rebecca Hanson (LibDem)412,James Sampson (Lab)387,Suzanne Greenhill (UKIP)266,David Bober (Green)108.

Mega Trucking Show

The Rotary Club of Cockermouth staged the town's first
Touch a Truck Show on Sunday May 5th 2013 attracting a thousand visitors to the event.
Find out all about the show.

June 21 2012 Olympic Torch Relay passes through town

Queens Diamond Jubilee Street Party....
Hundreds turned out to give the Queen their loyal toast in Cockermouth Market Place (Sunday June 3 2012) in a street party organised by Cockermouth Rotary Club and the Chamber of Trade.


Kirkgate Expansion Plans
See details here.

Flood Defences Approved
October 2011:The town has voted on whether to increase the council tax precept to help fund flood improvements. Results were: Yes 1,394, No 448, Spoils 17, Total return 1,859. 4,153 forms were distributed to each household in Cockermouth. This represents a 44.76% return rate.

Meanwhile letters also sent to the Prime Minister highlighting failing in river dredging and maintenance prior to the floods.

Top of the Table for Cockermouth in Parking Fines-2011
This is the response to a Freedom of Information request from Cockermouth.org.uk:The number of Penalty Charge Notices issued in the past 12 months for each town is:
Keswick: 3,269
Cockermouth: 4,591
Workington: 3,811.

2011 Election results
The winners and losers of the poll in May 2011.

After the Floods

Children in Need Show 12 months after the Floods...
Cockermouth and the Floods
Roman Cockermouth?
August 2010


Mark Graham, of Grampus Heritage and Training, and volunteer diggers have been uncovering possible remains of Romano-British settlements alongside the River Derwent at the western end of Cockermouth. After last November's floods a number of clearly defined archaeological features came to light. There is extensive evidence of Romano-British activity, including a road, ditched enclosures, a metal working site and buildings. Volunteers for Reflections’ Unlocking Hidden Heritage project are working throughout August to uncover some of the 2,000 year-old history.Mark said that flood damage to a field south of the river had led to some important finds of Roman pottery and masonry. (Pictured are intriguing remains with Papcastle in the distance.)

More Details of the archeological effort......
More information about the Romans in Cumbria

Cockermouth's new Food Fests Read on
Environment Agency starts Planning Objections to residential Cockermouth in flood areas.

July 2010

July 18 Main Street full of hundreds of runners for the West Cumbrian Run to Workington in memory of PC Bill Barker who died when bridge collapsed under him as he tried to keep public off the bridge. Run was in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance.

The Prince of Wales came to Cockermouth(Wednesday 31st March 2010) to tour the James Walker factory, meet staff and attend a meeting of local business representatives on flood recovery. The Prince of Wales, President, The National Trust, also visited the Wordsworth House Museum, tour the building and plant a tree to commemorate the opening. Lord Melvyn Bragg also came to support the town's traders.
Pic Dave Siddall
The floods created fields of gravel over parts of the Derwent valley.
Pic Dave Siddall
The town gradually revived after the floods through 2010
SONGS OF PRAISE

BBC in town to film Songs of Praise.
BBC film crew working on filming
Songs of Praise from All Saints, Cockermouth TV programme to be screened February 21.
See the Service on BBC I Player.
2009

Rotary Club helps with Floods aid

Cockermouth Rotary Club's Flood Appeal has already been helping in the aftermath of the floods. The Club has used its own Charity Funds to make an immediate award of £10,000 to the Cockermouth Cricket Club.
They have also made the following donations so far from the club's flood appeal fund; £6,000 to Mountain Rescue Team, £5,000 to Citizens' Advice Bureau to enhance their presence, particularly with reference to help and advice on Insurance Claims, £1,100 to The Childrens' section of the Library to replace the childrens' furniture and equipment which was lost and uninsured, £4,700 to Impact Housing to fund the provision of 10 packs of White Goods through the Store in Workington. These packs and the services of the store are available to anyone affected by the floods in Cockermouth. Earlier...Cockermouth climber Jim Fairey gave an illustrated talk in November at the Kirkgate Centre on the history and development of Via Ferrata climbing. The event was a complete sell out on the night and raised £509 for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team.

Said Jim Fairey “After the events of November 19th and the following 5 days and nights it is even more pleasing to make this contribution to the Team. For 2 days they provided vital search and rescue work followed by 3 days of securing and monitoring the safety of others such as the bridge surveyors and engineers who were inspecting the flood damaged bridges and properties. The team members are all unpaid volunteers but the work they performed demonstrates that they are not just about rescuing lost walkers or those hurt in accidents on the fells or rock faces, but a vital part of the emergency services for our community in general.”

The Floods Nightmare of November 19 2009
Flood pics

On Thursday 19th November 2009, the rivers Cocker and Derwent, which join in Cockermouth, rose to a level that flooded much of central Cockermouth, leaving huge amounts of destruction, and most of the shops, restaurants and pubs in the town centre completely wrecked.

At midday the river was high, but the Main Street was dry. By three pm - the water was a foot deep in the main street. At its peak the water was about 8 feet deep in places.

However - despite this Cockermouth is still open for business. See the Chamber of Trade website

Flooding across Cumbria left more than 250 people sheltering in rescue centres in Cockermouth and Keswick. Some 750 properties were flooded in Cockermouth alone.
What MPs said about our Floods

Cockermouth School is housing 110 evacuees and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town has 100 people. Keswick Convention Centre has 36 people and the Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph’s school in Keswick have eight and five people respectively.

More than 1,400 homes are also without power in many areas and with the county still in a ‘blue light’ phase, the recovery phase timetable has still yet to be decided.

Members of the public are continuing to be urged not to use bridges as vantage points to view the flood waters. This could be extremely dangerous and the public are advised to stay away from bridges and use caution and common sense.

The bridge at Braithwaite at Keswick has collapsed with water being diverted by rubble across the A66.Camerton bridge at Workington and a small suspension bridge between Pooley Bridge and Dalemain is also down.

As mentioned earlier following the collapse of two bridges including Navvies footbridge and Northside Bridge and the closure of Southside Road Bridge, members of the public are continuing to be urged not to use bridges as vantage points to view the flood waters. One of the hundreds of Cumbrian police officers working through the crisis night died as the main bridge at Workington collapsed beneath him.


Gordon Brown at Armathwaite Hall 2009
In early August 2009 Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided to treat his family to a holiday in the Lake District and stayed in the Cockermouth area. His visit included boating on Derwentwater. See a recent video of Mr Brown addressing students in Oxford in July 2009.

July: Both Woolfest and Cockrock prove big crowd pullers for the (edge of) town.


Just one of the bands...Arockalypse Now (apologies for picture quality!)


June 2009: Voting on June 4 2009. The Conservatives held both county council wards in Cockermouth. Votes were:East; Eric Nicholson (Cons) 1228, Mark Hayhurst (Lab) 413,Juliet Henderson (LibDem)510. West; Alan Kennan (Cons) 1167, Bill Bacon (Lab) 388, Diane Standen (Green) 383.

Malcolm Wilson, the managing director of Cumbrian motorsport firm M-Sport Ltd, has been awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The 53-year-old has been honoured for his services to British motorsport which span a 30-year career.

THE headteacher of Cockermouth School Stuart Reeves is to leave the school at the end of the autumn term and take up a new post as head of a school in Kent. He became acting head during the illness of former head Mike Wilde, and he was appointed headteacher in January last year(2008).

The Fruit Market on the Market Place closes down (April 2009)...Fruit Market, owned by Steven Hamilton and Jackie Johnston, opened eight years ago but Steven said that a lack of parking following the area’s revitalisation had put off customers.
Waterloo Street and Sands Lane residents demand better flood protection after flooding earlier in year.


Malcolm Wilson Rally 2009 was marred by theft of a £140,000 Hyundai Accent rally car, one of only six in the country, taken from Deer Orchard Close before the race start. A box of spare parts to the value of £25,000 was also stolen from car’s trailer, known as a race shuttle in the industry. Its owner, Brian McGillin, had journeyed from Ireland to take part in the annual race in the Lake District forests.

Probably the ugliest town centre building in Cockermouth gets demolished . The covered market hall is demolished to make way for social housing .

Allerdale heeds public concerns and votes for car parking price freeze. At the meeting of full Council on 4 March 2009, Councillor Stuart Moffat, Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive member with responsibility for Finance, announced that the charges to park in Council car parks would be frozen at last year’s prices.

The Castle Bar, in Market Place, formerly the Ship Inn, opened on Christmas Eve and is now run by Sean and Jayne Cusack.

Police have donated £250 to the Cockermouth After-School Scheme to buy new outdoor equipment for the youngsters.


On Wednesday, January 7, PC Sue Wheelhouse, of Cockermouth Neighbourhood Policing Team, gave the group a tour of a Police van before presenting the cheque to group leader Hilary Standage.
New era for Higham Hall as chairman of Higham Hall College Trust, Gareth Kelly, received the keys to the building tomorrow (January 6) from Cumbria County Council.The residential adult education college situated next to Bassenthwaite Lake has been sold for £1m, a figure previously agreed by the county council's Cabinet on January 8th 2008. The sale price strikes a careful balance between the need to maximise the public return on the hall and the need to provide the new Trust with a sound footing to enable the continued development of a business which makes an important contribution to the local economy. Cumbria County Council had owned the former country house at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake since 1955. Gareth Kelly, Chairman of the Higham Hall College Trust, said: "It's a new dawn for Higham Hall. A tremendous effort has gone into securing its future as a charitable educational trust and this status now makes Higham a true community asset which all of us in Cumbria can be very proud of. Our overall vision is to further Higham Hall as a hub for creative enrichment and learning. To achieve this, it's important that local people support this asset and its wider use, so we are keen to hear from anyone with ideas on how to fully utilise Higham Hall’s use into the future. Thanks to all the staff, tutors, trustees, the Friends of Higham, customers and Cumbria County Council for their support and continued commitment to making this new era a success."
2008
December

Christmas switch on 2008...


George flips the Big Switch
The man who makes the big switch on possible, George Todhunter.

THE NEWLY restored Market Bell will soon ring out loud in Cockermouth for the first time in nearly a century. The ringing of the ancient bell, which traditionally opened and closed Cockermouth's weekly market days, will round off an afternoon of celebrations in Market Place on Saturday, December 6 2008. The bell dates from at least 1679, and was last used to open and close the market in 1910. It is also known as the 'butter bell.


'Hundreds turned out to sing carols to music from the Mechanics Band as the Market Place was officially opened again. Local children made paper lanterns for a procession through the town.

September,October, November

THE NEWLY restored Market Bell will soon ring out loud in Cockermouth for the first time in nearly a century. The ringing of the ancient bell, which traditionally opened and closed Cockermouth's weekly market days, will round off an afternoon of celebrations in Market Place on Saturday, December 6 2008. The bell dates from at least 1679, and was last used to open and close the market in 1910. It is also known as the 'butter bell.'

Cockermouth Rock Festival finalised charity donations from the
proceeds of CockRock 2008. They are to donate a fantastic £7,000 to be equally distributed
between the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue and the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance.
The Cockermouth Rock Festival
committee commence planning CockRock 2009 (18th & 19th July) shortly after.
Torrential rain and storms leave over 1,000 competitors in Mountain Marathon needing temporary shelter at Cockermouth School. The same weekend (Oct 23)sees homes in High Sands and Waterloo Street on flood alert but the new Cocker flood defences just held and saved much of the lower town from serious floods.



Pic Chris Freer

New Town Clerk: The new Town Clerk, who took over from Wednesday 12th November, will be Mrs Sheila Brown. Sheila’s office will be in the Town Hall and the correct postal address is as existing i.e. Cockermouth Town Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9NP. General line 01900 821869.

After last year's strange decision to move the town's firework display to the A66, police raise health and safety concerns and the event is cancelled for 2008.
Malcolm Wilson of Cockermouth based M-Sport Ltd is voted Cumbria Director of the Year:

 

July&August

COCKERMOUTH town clerk David Bertram retired after 30 years in the post.
Mr Bertram, who will retire from his position on October 31, has worked in local government for nearly 50 years. Known locally as 'Mr Cockermouth', he set up the town's twinning partnership with Marvejols in France 25 years ago; is president of the Cockermouth Rotary Club; received an MBE from the Queen; and organises the town's fireworks displays and the summer festival.



Npower renewables is supporting Cockermouth Mountain Rescue team by sponsoring its new Land Rover(18 August 2008). The new vehicle, a Defender 110 XS station wagon, replaces the team’s aging 15 year old Land Rover. It will be used as the team’s first front-line rescue vehicle, carrying equipment and manpower to the nearest road location to any incidents. To aid members of the team during rescue operations the vehicle is fitted with state-of-the-art lighting and radio systems. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team Chairman, Steve Brailey said, “We would like to thank npower renewables for the generous donation which enabled us to replace our previous vehicle with the new Defender. This ‘Mobile 1’ will be the first vehicle to leave the base during a call-out.”Jools Holland and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra headlined the 2008 Maryport Blues Festival on the last day. Sunday celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Maryport Blues Festival, featuring some of the artists who have appeared at the festival over the last decade. Jools headlined the third festival in 2001.

For the weekend, the Allerdale Court Hotel in Cockermouth was fully booked for Jules Holland and his entourage, some of whom are pictured below with the hotel owner and staff.

June

Isel fashion using Herdwick wool
Hundreds visted Woolfest 2008 at the auction mart. The event grows each year in popularity with its out of town parking and shuttle bus into Cockermouth.
Alpacas at Woolfest 2008

Lakeland Shears Competition – 5th July 2008
On Saturday the annual Lakeland Shears was held at the Lakeland Livestock centre, Cockermouth. 116 shearers shore approximately 1100 Herdwick sheep at this, the 6th Lakeland Shears competition. The competitors had travelled from all over England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and the Falkland Islands.
The Blade shearing was well supported by local shearers with father and son David Bland, Thirlmere and Peter Bland, Grasmere competing. Peter once again, came second in the final. This year’s exciting test match between England and Wales saw England come out on top by a fraction of a point. Adam Berry from Endmoor, South Lakes and Andrew Percy from North Yorkshire were the English shearers. The new international relay was very successful with New Zealand being the eventual winners. The other teams to compete were Scotland, Wales, England and The Islands (a combination of Ireland and the Falkland Islands!) The climax of the day, the open final, saw Scottish shearer, Gavin Mutch take first prize of £500 having shorn 20 sheep in 12 minutes 52 seconds, an average of 39 seconds per sheep
The other finalists also completed their 20 sheep in 15 minutes or less, with Hamish Mitchell (Scotland) second, Wyn Jones (Wales) third, local Cumbrian, Steven Capstick fourth and last year’s winner Johnny Kirkpatrick (New Zealand) fifth.

CONSERVATIVE Alan Tyson has won the All Saints by-election for Allerdale council, which was held June5 2008 Mr Tyson was one of five candidates standing in the ward, which became vacant when former councillor Strephen Coates resigned due to ill health.Mr Tyson won with 587 votes. Labour's Christine Smith was second with 536 votes.Paul Stafford, standing for the BNP, had 99 votes; Helen Graham, of the Green Party, got 58 votes and former council car parks manager Eddie Woodthorpe, standing as an Independent, got 25 votes

May

Rally driver Matthew Wilson’s form in this years World Rally Championship is delighting his team boss and dad Malcolm. The Stobart VK Ford driver has scored 10 points in this year’s championship, two behind his overall haul of 12 last year and with eight rallies still to go. Only 21, Matthew is ninth in this year’s championship and has finished in the points three times this year.
He came fifth in Jordan, and sixth in both Mexico and Greece.

Georgian Fair 2008 a huge success and blessed with sunshine and 90% of the Market Place regeneration completed in time.

Visit our Georgian Fair photo page -
http://www.cockermouth.org.uk/album.php?aid=15
LABOUR councillor Isabel Burns has been installed as Cockermouth’s mayor.
Isabel, 48, has been a town councillor for 26 years. She is best known for her work with the town’s carnival committee and ran it single handedly for a number of years.
Her mayoress is best friend and carnival committee member Julie Laidlow.
A NEW 60-bedroom care home is being planned for Cockermouth.
Developers G&J Seddon are ear marking land on Europe Way, east of the existing Lamplugh Road petrol station and new Travelodge for the new care home.


PLANS for affordable housing in Cockermouth are up for approval by Allerdale council next week.
Impact Housing wants to demolish the Market Place depot and build eight terraced houses on the site.
Cockermouth Town Council recommended that the plans should be refused because it felt the area was the last available space for community use in the town and that better sites could be found for affordable homes.

James Walker and Co, currently in its first year of the new development plan, has seen annual sales grow to £32 million.
And in an attempt to take business to the world wide market offering a world class performance, James Walker and Co will undertake a third three-year plan, Restoring the Pride.
This aims to raise sales even further and push the awareness of James Walker and Co at an international level.

Cumbria County Council has now completed the sale of its Sullart Street depot in Cockermouth, which has been the Allerdale home of Cumbria Highways, the highways maintenance partnership between Cumbria County Council, Capita Symonds and Amey Infrastructure Services. The partnership will be relocated to a new £1.25m depot at Lillyhall, with the move scheduled to be completed by mid-July. Adlington has purchased the 1.89 ha (4.66 acre) Sullart Street site with outline planning permission for residential development for an undisclosed sum. The asking price had been £3.5 million.Sullart Street has been home to the men and women looking after parts of Cumbria's highways network for many years - Cumbria County Council inherited the site in 1974 when the council began its life. But its predecessor, Cumberland County Council, had by then been using it for some years.

January & February

COCKERMOUTH has become the first town in the North West to receive the Cittaslow award which recognises the town as one that has a good quality of life at a relaxed pace. The Italian idea of Cittaslow is an international idea and Cockermouth is the seventh such designbated in the UK.


Upheaval reaches its height as Cockermouth Market Place is dug up for its regeneration and partial pedestrianisation in January 2008. At this low ebb Coun Alan Smith resigns from the Partnership group.
Tragic death in River Derwent of well known coal merchant Michael Renney, 59, of Papcastle Road, Cockermouth. In January David Winkworth of the Printing House museum and the town's bookshops passed away.

Stuart Reeves, 39. was chosen to be head of Cockermouth School following untimely death of Mike Wilde. Mr Reeves joined the school in September 2005 as deputy head, and became acting headteacher last year when Mike Wilde died.

2007

December

COCKERMOUTH’S fire headquarters has been saved from moving to Penrith in the near future. The county council planned to move the headquarters to make it more central to the county. But fire chiefs have decided not to recommend relocating the service’s Cockermouth headquarters to Penrith at this time.
Impact Housing has submitted a planning application to Allerdale council to build flats, which will be rented out , on the site of the old Market Hall building below All Saints Church. Margaret Jackson, Allerdale councillor for Christchurch, said that the town council had wanted some kind of community building to be built there. Labour's Alan Smith welcomed the plan but Tory Eric Nicholson was opposed. Meanwhile area suffers some traffic chaos as contractors Mayfield, from Lancashire install Chinese paving stone to revamp the Market Place area.

 

 

 

 

October/November

CUMBRIA Fire Service HQ in Cockermouth would be sold off under a radical plan unveiled to staff within the county council run service.The authority has drawn up proposals that would see the Station Road HQ moved to Kemplay Lane in Penrith and the town’s fire station in Bridge Lane, Penrith, would be moved to the same site. The new Penrith base would also house the county’s emergency planning unit, currently at Carlisle Castle.There are around 50 people working at the Cockermouth HQ, but the control room operation within the centre is due to merge with the regional headquarters in Warrington by 2011, say bosses.

 

A COCKERMOUTH hotel has gone wireless in an attempt to attract visitors.The Trout Hotel has become the first hotel in the area to install a wireless internet connection. The system, operated by MyZones, means that customers can now use laptops in their rooms, public areas and in the gardens without plugging in.

GEORDIE FOOTBALL legend Peter Beardsley opened six new football pitches at Cockermouth School in memory of former headteacher Mike Wilde, who died of cancer in August.

Beardsley, 46, who played for England and a string of top clubs including Liverpool and Newcastle United, was joined by Mr Wilde’s widow Janet and two daughters Sally and Katy.

The £500,000 project was funded by the school with a £326,969 grant from the Football Foundation.

Acting headteacher Stuart Reeves said: “We are delighted with the new football pitches.

“The quality of play has improved noticeably. The pitches have become the centre for football in the area and we are very grateful to the Leconfield Estate for the use of the land and to the Football Foundation and Cumberland FA for all their support, funding and encouragement.”

The pitches are to the east of the school, on land made available by the Leconfield Estate with support from Lady Egremont.


August

Huge turn out for the funeral of Cockermouth School’s headteacher Mike Wilde at Christ Church, Cockermouth. Mr Wilde had kept running the school despite a cancer diagnosis four years. The head teacher's ashes were scattered on Sale Fell. Len Cockcroft, chair of governors of Cockermouth School, said in the 11 years Mr Wilde had been headteacher at the school, he had achieved more than anyone had thought possible. He added that he always had time for people and pushed them to do their best.

*Cockermouth's famous son, Fletcher Christian in the news as replica of HMS Bounty, the Black Pearl in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, spends three days in Maryport. Built in 1962, the ship is due to replicate its namesake's ill-fated 1789 trip to Tahiti, which saw Fletcher Christian lead a mutiny.

*After consultation the Cockermouth Partnership opt for limited pedestrianisation of the Market Place in a facelift aimed at boosting the popularity of the Castle end of town.
*Cockermouth Show is cancelled just 24 hours before the date after Foot and Mouth outbreak in Surrey leads to ban on all livestock movements.

A Cockermouth man who saved a man from drowning in a raging river Cocker is to receive a bravery award, with a royal seal of approval. Michael Timney, 47, dived into the icy River Cocker at Cockermouth and plucked a 57-year-old man onto dry land. The Royal Humane Society has awarded him a testimonial, personally signed by its president, Princess Alexandra.



June


Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth is responded to a 28% increase in demand by installing three new 150 barrel fermenters.
The equipment, which represents a £250,000 investment, means that Jennings can step up its brewing capacity by 40%, from 1,150 to an estimated 1,650 barrels each week.
Head Brewer Jeremy Pettman (pictured) said: “This is a fabulous development for Jennings and will take our brewing levels to over 50,000 barrels per year. The decision to invest so substantially was taken following a steady upsurge in demand for the Jennings range, in particular our Cumberland Ale, and I am confident that this will help to further establish our brand both within our Cumbrian heartland and across the UK.”
While the new fermenters will mainly be used to increase the production of Cumberland Ale they will also increase Jennings ability to develop new guest ales.
Carnival Fun
This year's Carnival is asuccess despite cloudy skies. See our page of action pictures.

Travelodge
Work started this month on the £1 million plus Travelodge on land near Oakhurst.
Sweeping powers to remove a lot of car parking from Cockermouth town centre residents and extend double yellow lines around many streets have been passed by Cumbria County Council Local Area Committee.

New plans for the low cost housing.

Social landlord Impact Housing want to build a 15-property estate at Strawberry How. People will be able to buy a share of their home and pay rent to Impact on the other portion. Impact want to build two-and three-bedroom houses and apartments.

Councillor Alan Smith, who has been campaigning for affordable housing on the site of the former Sullart Street depot, said: “This is excellent news for the town and I hope it is the first of many for low cost homes.” Margaret Jackson, deputy leader of Allerdale council and representative for Christchurch, said: “We are all for affordable homes. It has got ridiculous in this town and I think it should be supported.”

 

 

 

May
Elections

Cockermouth Town Councillors

Voted in at the 2007 town council elections were: Isabel Burns, Stephen Coates, Eric Nicholson, Alan Smith, Christine Smith, Alan Tyson, Margaret Jackson, Alan Kennon, Les Lytollis, Derwent Newton, Sam Stanage and Maureen Wood

In Cockermouth the following Allerdale Borough councillors were elected: All Saints ward; Stephen Coates (Conservative), Sam Standage (Conservative) and Alan Smith (Labour).
Christchurch ward; Margaret Jackson and Les Lytollis (both Conservative).
An Allerdale Borough Council spokesperson said: “Following the recent election, it is likely that Allerdale Borough Council will in future be led by the Alliance Group, made up of Conservative, Liberal Democrat and a number of Independent members.

“It will be proposed at the Council’s Annual General Meeting next Thursday (May 24) that Councillor Joe Milburn should be Leader and Councillor Margaret Jackson Deputy Leader. The remainder of the Executive is expected to be confirmed at that meeting.

“The proposed Executive members, in addition to Councillors Milburn and Jackson, are Councillors Bob Hardon, Stuart Moffat, George Scott, David Wilson, Sam Standage, Mike Davidson and Chris Garrard.

“The opposition Labour group will be led by Councillor Alan Smith and the Deputy Leader of the opposition will be Councillor John Ardron.”

 


Details of the All Saints Parish vote.


The full parking ban details

Sweeping powers to remove a lot of car parking from Cockermouth town centre residents and extend double yellow lines around many streets have been proposed by Cumbria County Council.

Details of the plans should be at Cockermouth library Objections must be sent to; Head of Legal Services, The Courts, Carlisle CA3 8LZ by June 1 2007...mark letters with ref. KB/4.4.710

However plans to cut disc parking to just 30 minutes in parts of the town appear to have been dropped after petition with over 1,200 signatures objected. On the committee making these decisions:Mr A J Markley (Chair) Miss E Barraclough Mr A Barry Mr J Buchanan Mr A Caine Mr W Cameron Mrs BA Cannon Mr A Clark Mr J Crouch Mr D S Fairbairn Mr T M Fee Mr T Heslop Mr G Humes Mr K Little Mr E W Nicholson

 

April
Wordsworth House

A new harpsichord has been installed at Wordsworth House.
Find out more...

Plans afoot for Cockermouth Rock Festival, a non profit festival set up to help raise
money for two great local causes, the Great North Air Ambulance and
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue as well as to encourage and promote local bands
and musicians.
It's very worthy of your support and encouragment.
Please read the attached press release and visit their website at
www.cockermouthrockfestival.com

Allerdale Court Hotel, in Market Place, goes on the market for £1.1 million. John and Kay Carlin set to retire after a decade as mine hosts.

 

cockermouth Market Place
Easter Saturday country market proved busy as sunshine attracted visitors to the town.

March

MALCOLM Wilson is the first person to receive a Special Citizen Award in Cockermouth.The award will be given to people who the town council thinks deserve recognition for their work and achievements. He was presented with the award by the town mayor, Margaret Jackson, during the Malcolm Wilson Rally on March 3.

 

February:

 

POLICE in West Cumbria will show parents recorded footage of their teenage troublemakers in a new clampdown on nuisance behaviour. The move comes as a new operation is launched in Cockermouth to tackle youth disorder and boy racers. Police will use camcorders to film yobs.
Property market reaches new heights in Cockermouth as land for just four homes in St Helens Street goes on the market priced at £250,000 just for the land.

Allerdale cuts its household waste crunch service. Now only at Wakefield Road car park starting March 17 9am to 2pm.

PLANS for a housing development on Cockermouth’s Sullart Street have been given the go-ahead. The depot site, owned by the county council and worth more than £3 million, has been put up for sale after Allerdale council gave outline consent for the scheme. The highway maintenance department, which uses the depot, is expected to move to Lillyhall at Easter. About 25 per cent of the site, which has room for 100 homes, will be used for affordable housing.
Britain’s youngest full time World Rally Championship driver, Matthew Wilson, is confirmed for the Scottish Motor Sport Show which will take place at Lanark Agricultural Centre on February 24-25 2007

 

The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team driver – the youngest person to score a point in the WRC drivers’ championship and win a World Rally Championship stage – will be driving the same Ford Focus RS WRC 06 that he is rallying around the world this year.

Wilson’s attendance at the show fits into his busy WRC season which started in January with Rally Monte Carlo and runs until December’s Wales Rally GB. He will come to the show having contested Rally Norway the weekend before.

January

Cockermouth School scores High

The National Childbirth Trust launched drop in sessions for parents, babies and toddlers at the Kirkgate Centre .

The classes give parents a chance to meet other people and for children to socialise with each other. Babies and toddlers, up to the age of three, can play with toys, crafts and games.The trust’s breastfeeding counsellor is also on hand to answer questions and give encouragement to breast-feeding mothers.

The sessions will be held every Thursday from 10am to 11.30am. Snacks and drinks are available for £1.50 per family. For more information about the trust or the new sessions, contact Ann-Marie on 01900 821719.
In the January GCSE league tables the top performing state school in West Cumbria was Cockermouth School, where 68 per cent of pupils achieved the grades; followed by Wigton’s Nelson Thomlinson on 58 per cent and Keswick with 54 per cent. Public school St Bees achieved 79 per cent.

In AS and A level rankings, Keswick comes out top of the local schools with a score of 218.4 points; followed by Nelson Thomlinson with 204.8 and St Benedict’s Catholic Sixth Form at Whitehaven, with 204. Cockermouth scored 196.8; Netherhall 197.8 and Workington Sixth Form, College 171.4.

THE £15,000 MEMORIAL to the founder of Mitchell’s Auction is being removed from the centre of Cockermouth after being vandalised at least 11 times.

The statue of Robinson Mitchell was put up outside Sainsbury’s supermarket in 2002. But since then it has suffered continuous vandalism, which has become too costly to repair.

Mitchell’s chairman, Peter Greenhill, whose wife is the great-niece of Robinson Mitchell, said he thought the vandalism was the work of young people who gathered in the area and had been drinking.

 

2006
December

Merry Xmas
to all our Browsers!


The Best Christmas lights in West Cumbria are once again Cockermouth's. Despite foul weather the town bravely turned out to cheer on the big switch on Sunday November 19.
Morris dancing before the skies opened
MC Billy Bowman and BBC Radio Cumbria’s Joe Costin and Tony James joined the mayor to light the illuminations.

Grey Goat
Traditional warm and friendly inn, The Olde Grey Goat Inn re-opened on Friday, December 15 in St Helens Street.


November

 CHEERS

Cockermouth beer festival 2006 at Kirkgate

Rotary Fellowship
Rotary Club Charter night at Hundith Hill
For contributions to Rotary International PP David Kerr. PP Ronald Tunstall & PP Nelson Chicken have all been made Paul Harris Fellows. Seen at the Cockermouth Clubs annual charter at Hundith Hill.

Aldi decide to expand their store from 760 square metres to 940 square metres if planning permission is granted. The Shell filling station will close and be demolished for the expansion plan.

COCKERMOUTH youngsters will be driven away from gathering outside Sainsbury’s supermarket by a sounds device that allegedly only they can hear. Used by police, the Mosquito machine emits a sound that those under 20 years old can hear and officers hope it will deter teenagers from hanging around outside the South Street supermarket. The Mosquito, will be installed before Christmas.
Latest plans for a regeneration of the Market Place are revealled....
October

JOANNE Kerswell and Dominic Fowler open Seven, a new restaurant in King’s Arms Lane. They have taken over the premises which used to be Thyme, run until recently by Simon McDowell, who is taking a break after more than 20 years as a chef.

 RESIDENTS have vowed to fight a plan to build a speedway track next to the national park boundary in Cockermouth.

Workington Comets owner Tony Mole wants to host Conference League meetings at Tarn Close sports ground featuring a Comets reserve side, Cockermouth Cats.

The move comes after plans to develop the club’s Northside practice venue in Workington were blocked.

August

A £100,000 plan to make Cockermouth’s Jennings Brewery a major tourist destination has been outlined. New owners Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery (W&DB) hope to build a riverside walkway and cafe at the site, which already runs popular brewery tours. The scheme will be part of the town’s flagship Market Place development, the key plank of a regeneration of the town centre.

Alistair Darby, W&DB managing director of brands, said work could start this winter 2006. Mr Darby said the money had been committed from the firm’s budget for next year and did not require board approval.

W&DB took over Jennings last year in a £45.8 million deal, inheriting Jennings’s 128-pub portfolio. But the wider plans need North West Dev Agency apoproval and have not tackled any potential car parking issues.
July

Tragic food poisoning outbreak affects customers at the Hundith Hill Hotel. The cases are all linked to a chocolate dessert.

Jennings' head brewer is toasting his retirement after 45 years in the industry.

Peter Laws, 65, the man responsible for the quality and consistency of the Jennings pint for nine years, has passed on the reputed head brewer's mantle to his successor, assistant brewer Jeremy Pettman.


Cockermouth was host to Britain's unique Woolfest. It was held at Mitchell’s Lakeland Livestock Centre on Friday and Saturday. Top knitting designers, Sasha Kagan, opened the celebration of the sources and products of natural fibres.

There were more than 100 stalls from all over the country to choose from, selling woollen fleeces, tops, dyes, yarns and spinning and weaving equipment.

Vendors included Cumbria Institute of the Arts, UK Alpaca Ltd, Scottish Fibres, Craftsman magazine, Nottingham-based rug maker Cilla Cameron, Sheffield woodworker Michael Williams, and Ardalanish Organic Farm and Weaving Mill of the Isle of Mull. A display of fibre-producing animals showed off more than 10 sheep breeds, angora goats, alpacas and angora rabbits. Farmers could see hand and power sheep shearing demonstrations, while knitting fanatics took part in workshops on weaving without a loom, long draw spinning and Lithuanian folk styles. Experts in the craft gave lectures on the use of wool in Viking times, the rescue of Estonian native sheep, and the primitive sheep of Northwest Europe.Woolfest – the only festival of its kind in the UK – was organised by The Wool Clip, a group of 15 Cumbrian farming and craft women. It is sponsored by the Fells and Dales Leader programme.
Roxy was in Town


Seen pulling the drinks at the Market Place Front Room is Roxy Pallett from Emmerdale.

JUNE


Cocklermouth school head Mike Wilde was named the top headteacher in the north. Mr Wilde, of Cockermouth School, won the secondary school category in an event at the North East and Cumbria regional finals of the teaching awards at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.In its most recent Ofsted report on Cockermouth School, inspectors said Mr Wilde offered “outstanding leadership.”


COCKERMOUTH’s brewers, Jennings has unveiled plans which could see beer production more than triple in the coming years.
Jennings is set to install three new fermentation tanks at the Cockermouth brewery, which will take production from 30,000 barrels a year to 50,000.
Jennings was bought in June 2005 by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (WDB) in a £45m deal.
WDB today confirmed that the three new tanks will be installed around Christmas this year.
April


Georgian Fair was a huge success in 2006..
THE future of Cockermouth’s Georgian Fair has been safeguarded thanks to a new group which will run and raise funds for the popular event. Organisers called on the people of Cockermouth to help them determine whether or not another fair should be held in the town after this year’s financial failings. It was revealed at a public meeting that the fair, which took place in April, made a loss of £400. But, despite this, locals and organisers decided that the festival will continue, with the next one taking place in 2008.

 

March


West Cumbria Motor Cycle Action Group swamp the town on their Easter Egg run 2006

 

February


Cockermouth has two new recycling facilities to help Allerdale Borough Council reach recycling figures of 29% and therefore smashing its 2005/6 recycling target of 25%.

Following high customer demand from residents in Cockermouth, keen to do their bit for the environment by recycling more of their waste, new glass and can recycling banks have been installed at the Evolution Centre (the old Highfield Club) and at Kirkgate car park in Cockermouth.


HOTEL chain Travelodge state they plan to build a £3 million, 43-bedroomed hotel in Cockermouth before the end of the year.

The hotel would be built on Marvejols Park on land behind the Esso Oakhurst Service Station, close to the A66. The land is owned by the Northwest Development Agency.

Ideas, such as making Kirkgate corner one-way (upwards) to traffic and creation of a new community facility on land occupied by the Riverside gardens and car park had a mixed reception at a public meeting of 70 on February 16 at Kirkgate Centre. Consultants are starting to prepare options for a bid for £1/2 million NWDA grant assisted works to breathe fresh life into the Market Place and its surrounding area. Fuller details here on Cockermouth.org as consultation continues until April before final plans are submitted.

January

County Council's highways depot land at Sullart Street is to be auctioned off in May 2006 for possible 76 homes.

COCKERMOUTH flood victims have vowed to fight for flood defences and emergency strategies to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastation.

A group of residents from Waterloo Street, High Sand Lane and Cockton’s Yard this week formed a committee which will lobby local authorities and the Environment Agency.

For the past year they have been campaigning individually for assurances but now believe that standing together is the only way to get results. Meanwhile Allerdale Borough Council has set up a grant scheme to help towards the cost of installing floodwater barriers. Demountable barriers seal against doorways and airbricks to prevent the entry of floodwater and offer far better protection than sandbags. The grant scheme offers aid of up to £100 per household to owner/occupiers who wish to apply and who have suffered damage in the past. But the money available is limited and will therefore be targeted at properties that are at most risk.

Floods in 2005

2005
December



CONSULTANTS from Scotland have been appointed to draw up possible schemes to attract new investment to the Market Place part of town. Currently at the planning stage, over £1million of investment has been earmarked for this project and over half of that total has been pledged by the North West Regional Development Agency for 2007-08.

ANOTHER 2,000 NHS patients face losing their dentist after Cockermouth's Meredith Bell, who got the MBE for services to dentistry, pulls out of treating NHS adult patients. Meredyth Bell’s St Helens Dental Practice will no longer see adults on an NHS basis after March 31, 2006.

The decision is understood to affect 2,200 adults of the 8,000 patients on the books at the practice. Mrs Bell says that the new NHS contracts scheduled to start on April 1 next year would compromise the standard of care her practice already offers its patients. Mrs Bell, who was awarded an MBE in 2000 for her services to dentistry, says the practice of four dentists will continue to treat children on the NHS.

November

CONSERVATIVE Chris Garrard has been elected to represent the Dalton ward on Allerdale Borough Council. Coun. Garrard overcame the challenge of Labour candidate Bill Bacon at a by-election on Thursday, November 24, to claim the seat vacated by Simon Greenwood (Conservative), who resigned earlier this year. The result was:
Chris Garrard (Conservative) 220 votes,
Bill Bacon (Labour) 83 votes.
Turnout: 22.12 per cent.
Coun. Garrard, 63, is a retired wine merchant and lives at Eaglesfield, near Cockermouth. Dalton is a large rural ward that lies between Workington and Cockermouth and includes villages such as Eaglesfield, Greysouthen, Dean, Deanscales, Branthwaite and Ullock. The political make up of Allerdale Borough Council following that result is now:Labour 27;
Conservative 18;
Independent Alliance 5;
Liberal Democrat 3;
Independent 3.

Cockermouth Cottage Hospital faces a closure threat by the Primary Care Trust.

It provide care for convalescing patients, freeing up beds at the two main hospitals for the seriously ill. Nigel Woodcock, chief executive of the North Cumbria Primary Care Trust, said: “They might not continue to be hospitals in that traditional sense but they would provide other help like create specialist centres of care such as a rehabilitation centre that we need in Cumbria. Also GPs are looking to co-locate and the mental health trust needs more bases.” A statement from the PCT staff unions said: “The staff are in a state of shock as this will leave our vulnerable patients without the care they need.“We urgently ask for our MPs and the local community to protect our local NHS services from these devastating cuts.”
Rally driver Matthew Wilson swapped his car for a rowing machine to help launch Cockermouth's revamped sports facilities. Cockermouth Leisure Centre, off Castlegate Drive has revamped its gymn.

And to celebrate their gyms’ new looks, Matthew – son of rally legend Malcolm Wilson – and fellow sportsmen joined forces to cut the ribbons. Matthew, 18, will now be visiting the Cockermouth centre to keep in shape for the British and World Rally Championships. Former manager Barry Johnston is now responsible for the fitness training of the Dovenby-based Ford team and plans to use the gym to train drivers. Also at the launch were several other local sportsmen, including Jamie Law, the 2004 Motocross champion; downhill mountain biker Stuart Jenkinson, ranked 25th in the world; and karting champions Justin and Jason Edgar. The revamp of the gyms has been conducted by Carlisle Leisure, which manages them for Allerdale Council. In Cockermouth, the split-level gym has been brought down on to one floor for better access and more floor space.

 

Cockermouth’s Phil and Maggi Edgar are bringing tango to town. The Challoner Street couple have been dancing Argentine tango for the last 3 years and have danced in venues from Edinburgh to Barcelona. They have commissioned international tango team of Carlos ‘El Tordo’ and Liliana Tolomei, who live in Barcelona and are from Buenos Aires, as tutors for the monthly sessions, which start in December. The monthly classes will be held in All Saints Church Rooms on Kirkgate in Cockermouth and start on Sunday 4 December from 2pm until 5pm. The session will consist of 1/2hr welcome and introduction followed by a two hour lesson and for the dedicated - a final half hour of practise. The cost is £15 per person and there will be a video recording made of the important aspects of the first session and a free DVD will be sent to all participants to study at home between classes. For further information contact Phil on 01900 825407 or through the website www.tangocumbria.co.uk

October

Cockermouth’s Phil and Maggi Edgar are bringing tango to town. The Challoner Street couple have been dancing Argentine tango for the last 3 years and have danced in venues from Edinburgh to Barcelona. They have commissioned international tango team of Carlos ‘El Tordo’ and Liliana Tolomei, who live in Barcelona and are from Buenos Aires, as tutors for the monthly sessions, which start in December.

 

"Many of our friends and contacts have shown an interest in tango and have encouraged us to establish a local basic/beginners class," said Phil who with Maggi took part in a tango festival in Sitges near Barcelona earlier this year. "These are basic classes for beginners and we will welcome anyone – of whatever age - who is interested in Argentine tango or simply a new activity. There also will be the opportunity to take part in workshops and balls with live tango bands."

 

The monthly classes will be held in All Saints Church Rooms on Kirkgate in Cockermouth and start on Sunday 4 December from 2pm until 5pm. The session will consist of 1/2hr welcome and introduction followed by a two hour lesson and for the dedicated - a final half hour of practise. The cost is £15 per person and there will be a video recording made of the important aspects of the first session and a free DVD will be sent to all participants to study at home between classes. For further information contact Phil on 01900 825407 or through the website www.tangocumbria.co.uk

 

The first sightings of the invading Grey Squirrels spotted in the Cockermouth area. How long before the Reds are squeezed out of the local countryside?

The town escaped major flood threat as a night of torrential rain washes away a bridge and floods homes in nearby Bridgefoot.

Planning has started towards the 2006 Cockermouth Georgian Festival is to be held between Sunday 23rd and Saturday 29th April during a week when a wide range of events will take place.

August

COCKERMOUTH’s 20-year-old toy museum is facing closure.

Owner Rod Moore said he would probably close the award-winning business at the end of November because he can no longer afford to run it. “I already operate on a shoestring. I only ever break even. By the end of this season I was £2,000 in the red. I don’t think I have any choice but to close,” Mr Moore said.

The Cumberland Toy Museum has won awards, been seen on television and featured on popular videos including a series on Hornby trains. But it has continued to struggle. Mr Moore said: “This museum has always operated on a shoestring, living almost constantly on a hand-to-mouth basis. I built the museum by myself and run it single-handedly seven days a week as I cannot afford to pay even a 16-year-old the minimum wage.”

July

COCKERMOUTH has been given a £265,000 cash boost to upgrade and improve the town centre. After six years of work the Cockermouth Partnership, a Market Town Initiative, will finally be able to investigate options to revitalise the town and especially Market Place.

However the £265,100 grant is mainly to fund consultants, as any applications for real projects needs detailed planning. Alan Smith, chairman of the partnership and town mayor, said this money is only part of what Cockermouth hopes to receive from the agency. It will allow a full feasibility study into the proposed projects. "It is going to make some of our plans a reality," he said. "A big relief," was how partnership secretary Sue Hannah greeted the grant. She added: "Four years ago, when about 50 per cent of the shops in Market Place were empty, a lot of people said that we need to do something to turn the area around. She said the heart of the Market Place project was an attempt to attract new businesses and support existing ones. A master plan for Market Place could be started as early as October. The funding will also mean the partnership can pay for a part-time marketing officer and part-time administration support as well as its full-time project co-ordinator.
A MAN has been jailed for 27 months for biting off a large chunk of another man’s nose in a fight on Cockermouth’s Main Street. Richard Crook, 27, was also ordered to pay his victim David Nash, 34, £1,000 compensation.

Crook, who lives in Somerset, pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court to unlawfully wounding Mr Nash, although he denied the prosecution’s allegation that he, not Mr Nash, had started the trouble.
June

PLANS for a Cockermouth Georgian Fair in 2006 have been given a £31,000 boost but it will not go ahead unless more volunteers can be found. The Local Heritage Initiative, which gave £25,000 this year, has pledged extra cash on the strength of this year’s event and a free booklet that was made available to town residents.

Chris George, a Cockermouth Partnership member who will co-ordinate the next event, said the offer from Local Heritage Initiative was a huge boost and confirmation that the providers felt their grant had been well spent.

But he said a crucial meeting was to be held on Tuesday when decisions about the future will be made and it will be up to the people of Cockermouth to decide.

He said: “We have to have people who will help or the fair will flounder.

“We have already decided we would like to have another fair or festival but we cannot do it with out an organising group,”

It was essential to have people willing to help set up and manage a street market, help with advertising and the programme, deal with marketing and publicity, co-ordinate artist booking, to deal with the funders and develop the discovery walks which were a highlight in April.

Mr George added: “Bob Pritchard, who co-ordinated last year’s fair, has decided to take a back seat this time. We are going to need people and the support at Tuesday’s meeting will be our first indication of how many might be prepared to help.”

Mr George said it was planned to hold the next festival slightly later, perhaps May or June, to try and catch some better weather.

He would also like to see Market Place used more.

“Last year everything concentrated on Main Street and the Memorial Gardens. Market Place was left out. We are looking at perhaps having a bigger fun fair this year and putting it in Market Place,” he said.

The community meeting will be held at the Kirkgate Centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday.


May
Jennings has already started slashing jobs following the sad news of the recent takeover.

Giant four wheel drive fun as the Daredevils put on a show in the Fitz parkland .

April

Full marks to Bob Pritchard and all the volunteers and actors who went the extra mile to organise the first Georgian Fair. Sadly wet and blustery weather put a damper on much of the fun, but Willy Wordsworth would have been proud of the town.

Potentially Grim news for the town as Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries made what seems to be a successful takeover bid for Jennings Brewery. Jennings shares jumped 25% on the news.
WHAT local councils have singularly failed to enforce at Skinner Street, looks set to come about by redevelopment of the eyesore garage land as future housing.
March

The Malcolm Wilson Rally comes to town again in chilly wintry weather.
Malcolm Wilson Rally 2005 sets off in Main Street
February

Council tax payers' funds look set to be passed through to creditors of the Grassmoor Centre.

The centre was built thanks to massive public funding from the Lottery.

According to the Times and Star :"Grasmoor Sports Centre, Cockermouth, has fallen into severe debt, owing around £220,000 to creditors. A new committee took over to try to save the community facility but despite their good work, the centre’s future remains in doubt. Its only hope is to sell off some of the land – possibly for housing – to ease the financial pressures. But if it does, 50 per cent of the profit will have to be fed back to the county council, because of a clause in the original sale contract. However, the county council this week agreed to lift the covenant, waiving 40 per cent of its share. This means that instead of getting half the cash, the Grasmoor will get 70 per cent of the sale price. Secretary Bill Ford said it really is touch and go for the sports centre, which is ultimately facing closure. He said: “The more of a discount they give, the more chance we have of keeping the club going.” Mr Ford said he was pleased the county council was supporting them but said the 40 per cent discount may not be enough."

January

There was a big turnout for a meeting at Kirkgate Centre as planning advanced towards the 2005 Cockermouth Georgian Fair. Bob Pritchard informed the meeting of the week long build up of events towards the Georgian Fair on Saturday April 9.
Redcoat soldiers, fun fairs, hilarious sedan chair races are just a few of the events to take place both in Main Street and the Memorial Gardens.
The meeting urged more volunteers to come forward to start acting training to take the part of Georgians in authentic 18 century costumes.
Events will also focus on Wordsworth House .
Included in the week's historic fun are: a screening of Vanity Fayre on Monday April 4, Coffee House entertainments on the Tuesday, guided tours with enactments, an 18th century pantomime on the Friday and as a finale on Saturday evening all five musical societies in the town share the billing for a grand concert at All Saints Church.
If you want to get involved please contact Bob on 01900 822238


Seven inches of rain over 36 hours and the town held its breathe on Saturday January 8 2005 as the new flood prevention measures on the river Cocker just held, but some homes and shops did suffer as the Derwent topped its banks.
December

Dreams of another Eden Project at Broughton Moor (The Dump) evaporated as North West Development Agency pulled plug on possible grant aid .Despite the NWDA, with the Ministry of Defence, paying almost £2 million for consultants’ reports and studies to be carried out into the viability of the site. This news soon after the people's support for regional assemblies shown to be very low in a NE vote.

Allerdale’s original grant application was for £5 million in 2000 to pay for the clean-up of the site, but it has risen to £23 million because it also includes work on infrastructure, roads and landscaping and the creation of a visitor centre.

THE proposed closure of the fire service control room in Cockermouth would lead to job cuts, push up council tax and put lives in danger, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

The FBU has obtained a confidential Government report which outlines plans to close all 46 fire service control centres in England. The plan is to create nine regional control rooms * including one in London * at a cost of £754.5 million with a staff of around 40 people in each control room. The FBU says the idea has a "very high risk" of "total project failure".

Last year, telephone operators in Cumbria's fire service control room in Cockermouth launched a campaign to save their jobs * and save lives. They say the safety of people across the county will be put at risk if the Government goes ahead with plans to set up one regional centre for the North West. This could mean that Cumbria's 999 calls could be answered as far away as Warrington.

NOVEMBER

Allerdale helpd the Reef
The Reef café in Cockermouth -received a grant of £5000 towards the cost of rent from the Allerdale Community Fund.

The youth café is a place where young people can come and go and where they can feel welcome and safe. The café area not only provides hot and cold drinks and various snacks, but also contains computer games, table football, a computer with Internet access, and a chill out lounge with magazines and music.

The building also houses an information centre. This provides young people with information on drugs, alcohol, telephone helplines and advice on youth issues. Plans to set up a Job Link board to advertise jobs for young people out of work are in progress. In addition, a notice board containing information about training courses at the Lakes College and Carlisle College will be available.
M Sport
Welcome news that M Sport have been able to secure a four year contract with Ford to cary on with their Dovenby based operation.

Out of Town Moves

Mitchells seeks planning consent to expand retail trading on greenfield land south of the A66.
The town's Dorothy Wordsworth statue is on display once again after being stolen and then found buried in a garden.The bronze statue of Wordsworth's sister as a child was on display in Harris Park for a century before it was stolen in 2000. It was found buried in a Keswick garden and has been in storage ever since while Allerdale Council decided what to do with it. It used to be attached to a drinking fountain but now its function is purely aesthetic.
OCTOBER

High Rise?
Property Developers are seeking planning conset for a large four storey block of appartments on the site of the old original town fire station in Lorton Road. But Allerdale Council has planning concerns.

Spellbinding performances of Janacek, Schumann and first performance of new work by Pulkkis by Finnish pianist Antii Siirala at Jennings Celebrity Concert thanks to Cockermouth Music Society.

November 27th sees Brahms at All Saints thanks to the Harmonic Society.

SEPTEMBER

Regeneration LATEST
The Cockermouth Partnership held its first AGM in the Victoria Hall on Tuesday September 7 2004. The meeting included representatives from Cockermouth Town and Allerdale Councils plus the Chamber of Trade and public. The meeting gave a warm welcome to Alastair Wyllie as newly appointed Project Manager. Mr Wylie's previous record included working as Town Centre Manager for Dumfries.
The meeting also welcomed on board Mr Malcolm Clarke as a new director. Mr Clarke holds several posts in the town and is accountant with Jennings Brothers Brewery.
The Partnership heard that despite the "frustrations" caused by the sudden departure of previous manager, Mr Tony Walker, the objectives of some 47 projects for the town attracting North West Development Agency aid were still achievable. But the meeting was told that the final bid documents had to be finalised by a December 2004 deadline.
|| Among the many schemes being included in the bid are Market Place regeneration, sports and youth schemes, an astronomical clock, skateboard park and Georgian Fair.
|| The Partnership is based on the Lakeland Business Park Tel.1900 326120.
Does Cockermouth's CCTV system actually Work?

FIVE people arrested when baseball bats were used in a fight in Cockton's Yard, Cockermouth. Police said this was one of several incidents in the town at the
weekend, despite intensive efforts by police in recent months to clean
up the streets at weekends.

There was also spate of car crime throughout the town centre.

The Swan wins CAMRA award. Cockermouth publicans and Jennings stalwarts Glenn and Beryl Ireland have just notched up their second CAMRA award. In 2000 they were voted Pub of the Season by the Furness branch of CAMRA for the Bay Horse in Ireleth. Four years on they have received the same award from the West Cumbria and Western Lakes branch for the Swan in Cockermouth’s Kirkgate. Glenn started his 43 years in the beer trade as assistant brewer at Hartley’s in his home town of Ulverston, and worked his way up before moving to a technical services role for Guinness. Twelve years ago he and Beryl took on their first pub and have never looked back. The Swan is part of Cockermouth’s rich heritage, possibly its oldest pub. The present building dates back to the early 1700s but it seems there was a Swan back in the 1660s. Inside the pub retains much of its original character.
RATHER that use the appropriate Town Hall building, Allerdale has pressed ahead with a new information centre at Fairfield. The Opening of Allerdale's new Customer Service Centre took place at Monday, 20 September
Fairfield Car Park, Cockermouth. It will open from 8-45am to
5-15pm Monday to Thursday and 8-45am to 4-45pm on Friday and we will not
close at lunchtimes.

THE FORMER arms depot Broughton Moor could provide the training ground for Great Britain's future Olympic champions. An £80 million training academy could be created at Derwent Forest, the new development name for the 1,000-acre MOD site formerly the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Broughton Moor.
JULY

Cockermouth enjoyed sunny skies for its annual agricultural show down at the Fitz. Bumper turn-out on a beautiful sunny day at between 10,000 and 12,000.
Traffic warden attacked in the town centre as parking tensions rise...town centre shopping still bears parking cost penalty while edge of town auction company development benefits.

Manufacturing good news for the town. Walkers factory in Gote Road invests £2.4 millions and creates 45 extra jobs for the area.
Backers of a revival of the Penrith, Keswick and Cockermouth railway have so far been pledged £300,000. Project has attracted support to revive the rail link from Penrith to Keswick.

Eco centre for Cockermouth School gets planning consent from Cumbria County Council. Allerdale councillors are not directly consulted.

JUNE

Cockermouth is to re-advertise to try and attract a suitable person to act as Regeneration Manager for the town.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how a thief who raided a Cockermouth garage found nearly £14,000 in an unlocked safe. Michael Maughan, 21, from Crewe, is accused of taking the money during a burglary at the Oakhurst petrol station in February last year. He is unfit to plead to the charge because of mental illness so a jury is having to hear evidence to decide whether or not he did it.
May

THE former chief executive of Allerdale council was made a scapegoat when sacked for gross misconduct following the disastrous Keswick timeshare scheme, according to comments made at his industrial tribunal. An industrial tribunal has ruled that Tony Perry was unfairly dismissed and the tribunal castigates the council for failing to act like a reasonable employer when it investigated the Keswick timeshare fiasco. Mr Perry, 75, of Bassenthwaite, was awarded only £15,000.

ROUSING chorus as Mitchells allows an exciting Proms performance of such classics as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory in the auction rink at Cockermouth. The group playing - are all famous musicians in their own right, who play together in this format mainly in period costume! The singer was the lead singer from the Royal Opera House in London! And their leader is one of two patrons of Annie Mawsons Sunbeam Trust

Local man allegedly has his nose bitten off by two men in their twenties from Somerset in incident on the Main Street.Kirkgate Cockermouth
Proposals for a one-way system along Kirkgate are rejected by the majority of people at a meeting to discuss the idea.
April

THE row over banning ladies from Cockermouth Conservative Club hits the headlines. The club has barred women from becoming full-time members -the justification given by the men being the risk of bad language being overheard by the ladies. Cockermouth Conservative Club has voted against allowing women to join for the second time because male members would need to moderate their language in the bar. Despite other Tory clubs in Cumbria allowing women to join, Cockermouth’s true blues are holding on to their men-only environment. A vote last year also barred women, which means they cannot join the club’s committee or vote on issues.
March

BUDGET store chain Wilkinson opens a store in Cockermouth. The firm has confirmed that it is to move into Walter Willson's on Lowther Went. Chamber of Trade has warned that the arrival of the large store could threaten the viability of small, independent traders. The 25 staff at the Alldays shop, which was bought by the Co-op last year, were told of the takeover on Tuesday afternoon. All have been promised interviews for positions in Wilkinson's. Walter Willson's will stop trading on April 3 and Wilkinson will officially take over the premises on April 23.

Thousands of children celebrate Wordsworth's poem The Daffodils. Meanwhile, as so often the case, Wordsworth House closed to the public as it awaits its major refit.

AFTER years of allowing dumping of scrap cars Allerdale Council MAY at last be acting to sort out Skinner Street.
The eyesore may be redeveloped as a small housing estate. Landowner David McAllister has applied for planning permission to build seven houses on a Skinner Street site that has caused neighbour complaints for several years. Cockermouth town councillors is recommending that Allerdale approves the plans with conditions. But understandably they were also concerned about the provision of off-street parking.


The town welcomes hundreds of motor sport enthusiasts once again for another successful Malcolm Wilson Motor Sport Rally.

Malcolm Wilson Rally pictured in 2002
February

Continetal Market 2003, but why not in the traditional Market Place?
Jennings, announces that the positive trading trend reported in the Interim Announcement of 30th October 2003 has continued into the second half year, which ends on 28th February 2004. "Turnover for the total business for the five months to January 2004 has increased by 8.5% versus the comparative period of the prior year. Like-for-like beer sales turnover to our InnVentures pub business has increased by 4.4% over the same timescale. Since the half year end, we have purchased a further four quality pubs, bringing the total number of pub acquisitions for the year to nine, and the total number of pubs to 126. Terms have additionally been agreed to acquire a further three pubs. Sales of our own brewed beer brands continue to grow. Total volumes increased by 8.4% over the five month period to January 2004 versus the prior year, with sales of our lead brand, Cumberland Ale, growing by 27%. In our Interim Statement in October 2003, we announced an agreement to brew and distribute Wards Best Bitter, a long established ale brand in South Yorkshire. This announcement has been welcomed by both the media and the licensed trade in the Wards’ heartland. Wards Best Bitter will be officially launched next month with an advertising campaign entitled “It’s back - Re-Wards yourself”. The product will be available to the trade from late-March and, encouragingly, we have achieved listings with one of the major pub operators as well as with wholesalers in the South Yorkshire area.The Board anticipates that pre-tax profits for the year ending 28th February 2004 will be in line with market expectations, and expects Jennings to make further progress in the new financial year.

FULL marks to the police for taking the initiative and getting grafitti vandals to get out a scrubbing brush and remove the offending damage.

A new footbridge across from the River Derwent is just one of the possible ideas that the Cockermouth Partnership hopes to ask consultants to consider as part of a Market Town's Initiative to bring fresh vitality to the Market Place area of the town. Some 25 people attended a meeting at Kirkgate centre on February 11 to help finalise a Brief to go to consultants. Chair coun Margaret Jackson said the Partnership hoped top have the brief to consultants by the end of March and responses by July. The departure of Tony Walker had not reduced the partnership's commitment. Also at the meeting was Allerdale's coun Alan Smith who agreed that moving continental Markets (pictured) to the Market Place would be welcome.

January

Topical as there have been many sightings of Red Squirrels in Cockermouth (See our message board) is this news...Calls for a cull of grey squirrels in Cumbria are being considered. The Lake District National Park Authority will look at the issue for the first time. The move is a bid to protect endangered red squirrels which are under threat from grey squirrels. The number of grey squirrels in England, which were introduced from North America more than 100 years ago, massively outnumber the red squirrels. Jason Reynolds from the campaign group Red Alert said it is a tough but necessary decision. He said: "We are in an unfortunate situation here in the Lakes that we are now at the last stand of the red squirrel and we have to keep England's native red going.

Partygoers at the Hundith Hill Hotel in Cockermouth last month found that instead of the expected jokes and paper hats, there were hand-written insults scrawled in ballpoint pen on pieces of paper. The guests included 40 staff from Allerdale Council's finance department. Among the messages were: *You're a fat b*******, and *You've not won anything so **** off*.

KIRKGATE residents call for a radical one-way system around the town.

THE MAN in charge of Cockermouth's regeneration has quit after just six months. Project manager Tony Walker was appointed by the Cockermouth Partnership in September to take forward the town's action plan. His job was to secure funding for the various projects outlined through the Market Towns Initiative, over a three-year period. But Mr Walker announced his shock resignation before any projects got under way.

JENNINGS is to spend £5 million buying and upgrading pubs over the next 12 months. Jennings shifted its focus from managed houses to Innventures, its leased and tenanted division, two years ago. The brewer, established in 1828, has over 120 pubs across northern England.

2004 is the 20th anniversary of merger of Derwent School and Cockermouth Grammar School...In 1991 the school closed its Strawberry How campus.

Mile Craine 42, takes over the Cockermouth Post from founder Mrs McDonald.

Former Cellar 5 building on Main Street, derelict for many years, has been bought for re-development by Tony Green of the Green Design Partnership. The frontage will be offices for the firm.
2003
December
 Merry Christmas to all our viewers....fun on these houses at Bellbrigg Lonning...well done

October-November

Cockermouth Conservative Club failed to cast the necessary 70% vote at an egm to allow full membership for their ladies section.

 Since 1995, house prices in Cockermouth have leapt by 205 per cent according HM Land Registry figures. Flats and maisonettes are selling for an average £96,100 while detached houses go for an average £254,208.

Wordsworth House, the visitor attraction that is closed more than it is open...will be transformed to look just as it did in the 18th century, when the poet was a boy. The revamp will take all winter and

Staff hope the museum will be open again by the end of June next year, although they have not set a firm date, so don't hold your breath!

 West Cumbrian builder JJ Lattimer has applied to develop land, next to the Lakeland Business Park.The application, which will be discussed by Allerdale council early next year, is for a car showroom with customer parking, facing on to the road. The firm also wants to build eight business units.

September

Taxpayers are to fund a £650,000 plan for an Eco Centre alongside Cockermouth School. According to media reports the Department of Education thinks the centre, complete with compost toilets, "will free teachers from the burden of administrative tasks.''
Quite how is not explained.
Jennings: Jennings brewery raised their glasses this weekend at one of the biggest birthday parties Cockermouth has ever seen. The brewer celebrating its 175th anniversary opened its doors of its Castle Brewery for a range of activities, including a chance to sample the famous beer at a free bar happy hour.


Broadband starts to be installed in Cockermouth...is your club or business on the web and ready to benefit? If not, get in touch with Cockermouth.org or Lakestay.co.uk

August


Housing market in Cockermouth still rising and 48 new homes planned for the former RU ground at Low Road..meanwhileA Hearthstone Homes will appeal against a decision by Allerdale council to reject a multi-million pound housing scheme in the town. The former grammar school at Strawberry How was used for business units until last year but owner Hearthstone Homes claims it is no longer suitable for commercial purposes and wants to turn it into 30 apartments. But the authority's development panel refused the proposal by 12 votes to four.

Cockermouth Show enjoyed the hot August weather and a turnout of some 10,000 at the Fitz showground.

Tony Walker is appointed as the town's Regeneration Manager...plenty of potential for development Tony!
July



French market blocks half Main Street while Allerdale allows the true market in the Market Place to wither and die.

Former Co-op checkout girl Callie Rogers, from Highfields celebrates winning £1.8 million on the National Lottery. The 16-year-old soon bought a new home a £180,000 bungalow at Flimby Brow, near Maryport

June


Gas alert as streets sealed off when another lorry crashes into Kirkgate corner tearing gas pipe off the wall.
Strawberry How set to become a residential style development.
Co-operative store starts to expand into the Walter Willson store . Plans for a new footbridge across the Derwent still being promoted.

Cockermouth Turned out in force to enjoy a sunny Carnival


MOBILE phone company plans to install a transmitter disguised as a street light in Cockermouth town centre - but councillors are launching strong opposition. Following a local survey, a number of potential sites were identified - the most desirable being at 69 Main Street, opposite the United Reformed Church.

Cockermouth watercolour artist Jim Binns gets to show his works in new exhibition at Percyhouse Gallery.

May


Cockermouth Festival events will include street entertainers each Saturday in July....Carlisle Brass Band on 5th, Lazy River Jazz Band on 12th, Folk Band on 19th.

Chamber of Trade's Sue Hannah urges common sense over Continental Market plan for July 20th and supports call for the Market to be in the traditional Market Place rather than cutting off Main Street shops.

New Mayor Maureen Wood urges all to enjoy Cockermouth Festival planned for toewn from June 28 to end of July.
Cockermouth still awaits selection of a Regeneration Manager despite an initial swell of support for the move from the public.

Coun Tim Heslop from Cockermouth has been voted onto the Cabinet of Cumbria County Council.

Election details
All Saints, six seats: Isabel Burns, L, 653; Phillip Graham, L, 624; Dianne Moyes, L, 624; Eric Nicholson, C, 658; Alan Smith, L, 719; Christine Smith, L, 613. Not elected: David Cape, C, 479; Stephen Coates, C, 599; Helene Hargreaves, C, 529; Margaret Lawson, C, 533; Alan Tyson, C, 542.
Christchurch, six seats: Margaret Jackson, C, 573; Alan Kennon, C, 519; Les Lytollis, C, 493; Derwent Newton, C, 501; Sam Standage, C, 524; Maureen Wood, C, 389. Not elected: Laurence Mansfield, L, 353.

 LABOUR gets fingers burned in the district elections.MARK FRYER was ousted from Allerdale Borough Council in the biggest Labour backlash in 12 years. The authority's leader was among several Labour veterans beaten by Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Independent candidates. No one political group is now in overall control of the council. Although Labour still has the biggest group sitting at 27, the other parties combined have 28 councillors. SELLING off 12 of its largest public houses boosted profits at Brewers Jennings. Sales at Jennings Brothers tumbled from £30.3m to £16.4m last year in the wake of the brewer's decision to quit the managed pub business. But profits excluding exceptionals jumped from £1.4m to £2.6m for the year to March 1, reflecting a fall of almost £1m in the interest charge to £850,000 and a £400,000 reduction in operating costs. Mike Clayton, managing director, said the results clearly vindicated the change of strategy.
*James Walker moves its head office and southern manufacturing plant to the town. The seal and gasket maker said yesterday that it is to stop manufacturing at Woking, where it employs about 200 people.

April
 In the latest traffic plan the possibility of Kirkgate being made one-way is now being considered.
Don't forget Saturday June 21 is set as this year's Carnival date.. To get involved contact is Isabel Burns Tel. 01900 824173


Easter visit by West Motor Cycle Group on charity ride

 PLANS by Town Council to buy the town hall and council chamber from Allerdale are moving closer after more than 10 years of negotiations.

The town council wants to take on the building for the people of Cockermouth rather than renting it and paying large maintenance sums.

March

As the nation divides over War on Iraq...At Cockermouth School, pupils who are members of the Amnesty Group have sent a bouquet dubbed "protest flowers of peace'" to the Prime Minister. Stop the War grafitti is swiftly cleaned off road signs.

Saturday June 21 is set as this year's Carnival date.. To get involved contact is Isabel Burns Tel. 01900 824173

Suspension-cracking humps in lower Gallowgate are removed...

 Plans to turn the former Cold War weapons dump at Broughton Moor into a £60 million eco visitor centre aiming to rival the huge Eden Project in Cornwall.
If the scheme to the West of Cockermouth takes place it could attract an estimated 1.25
million visitors a year to the area. Making this vision possible would be massive grants on offer from the North West Development Agency trying to swing voters behind the Labour government's vision of Regional local government.
Malcolm Wilson brings his Rally into his home town...event is a success despite wet weather.Malcolm Wilson Rally pictured 2002

February

Chris & Ghislain Smithson announce that they are now the new Landlord & Landlady of "The Huntsman" on Cockermouth Main Street.


Car Parking at Fairfield (next to Sainsburys) has been relaxed with three hour parking now available. First hour can be free if more than £10 spent at Sainsbury's and some other stores(Pay for parking first then reclaim from the store checkout).

 GRANT-chasing scheme for "Eco House" at Cockermouth School now includes ugly wind turbine according to Cockermouth Post report.

RESIDENTS gave a largely positive response on Wednesday to proposals to revive Cockermouth under the Market Towns Initiative.
The meeting heard a radical proposal of an extra footbridge over the River Derwent as a possible eye-catching proposal for the town.
Len Cockcroft, Co-ordinator on the project addressed the 40 strong meeting at the Kirkgate Centre.
Mr Cockcroft said there were a series of projects that could be taken forward and attract grant support. He mentioned a *possible idea of an extra bridge across the River Derwent.** He also said a skatepark for teenagers was also *high on the agenda.**
Sue Hannah said the partnership was from January 27 of this year a non- profit making limited company .

Well known manager of the Taste of India Faz Rahman was fined £15,000, plys £4,000 costs after he was found guilty of knocking down a Listed barn in Tallentire without planning consent. Mr Rahman denied the offence saying the barn was becoming dangerous and had to be made safe.

 

Spread of Cockermouth out of town continues as Mitchells introduces retail units at their vast new auction mart development.

January
Highways planners cause more problems by attempt to turn Kirkgate into a motorway by making it the main alternative to frequent traffic gridlocks at Gallowgate traffic lights. Hers&Sirs hair stylists have signs knocked from the wall by traffic making the Kirkgate turn. MALCOLM Wilson's M Sport team from Dovenby were jubilant after posting 4th and 7th places in one of the world's toughest rallies to claim a double-point finish in Monte Carlo.
Markko Martin finished fourth in the opening round of the FIA World Championship.Team-mate Francois Duval scored their first-ever points by finishing seventh for the Dovenby-based M-Sport team. Both pairings had to battle through patches of ice in the treacherous French Alps.
*Strange plans for Earth Toilets for Cockermouth School are pursued by grant-seeking Eco project group.

2002
weeks ending December 2002
Regeneration document for Cockermouth now on the web
 
Once again Cockermouth has the greatest Christmas lights display in the West!
Full marks to all concerned and also to shopwindow display winners Anika.
If only Allerdale could help out and prevent the lingering death of our Market in the Market Place!

weeks ending November 2002

The Manor House hotel changes hands and the Trout Hotel push on with expansion plans.

Fireworks display another big success but this year display located on fields to the east of Derwent Mill industrial estate.

 Hopes rise that Farmers Markets might come to Cockermouth market place after a row between Allerdale's private partner Market Initiatives and Made in Cumbria. Cockermouth market has been allowed to shrink almost to the point of extinction.

weeks ending Oct 2002
 Angry public meeting over the new traffic system failes to prompt any major changes, £40,000 to be spent on widening the pavements in Station Street. Another possible nail in the coffin for business at Walters (Nisa) with plan to move town's Post Office to the Co-op store.

weeks ending Sept 2002
 The Outback nightspot landed in court after Allerdale council took legal action against licensees for employing unregistered door supervisors and failing to keep a register. Peter and Helen Brown, of the Globe Hotel, Cockermouth, admitted the charges at West Allerdale and Keswick magistrates' court on Monday and were fined £100 with £50 costs.  
August 28 2002
 Brigadier Alex Birtwhistle officially opens new Mitchells Auction on greenfield site on edge of town.  

Weeks ending August 2 2002
 Malcolm Wilson gets planning green light to develop hotel and homes at Dovenby  Marquees go up for Cockermouth Show this year at the Fitz

w/eJuly 25

 Residents might face a £30 a year bill just for the priviledge of parking their cars outside their homes!

While the MSport team see their man win the Kenya Rally ,Allerdale Planners dither over whether to allow Malcolm Wilson to expand his MSport base at Dovenby to include a hotel and more up-market homes.

Hells Angels escape prosecution over a Bank Holiday flare up in Fletcher Christians pub.

Haunting Russian Orthodox choral music as Cockermouth Harmonic Society give superb performance of Rachmaninov Vespers. Check out details of their programme at
www.cockermouthharmonics.org.uk

ws/e June 21
 Plans for a astrological clock design get approval for the Market Place...This is the basic design proposed for the Fallows Clock.(Pictured right)
 The town also saw an outbreak of patriotic fervour and St George flags on every street as the World Cup and Jubilee celebrations coincide..Beckham shirt on Mayo statue.
weeks ending May 15

 The chaotic traffic situation planners have overseen reached the ultimate finale when a lorry for Sainsbury's ended up in collision with the historic house at the junction of Kirkgate and the Market Place. The driver was soon after sacked by Sainsbury's.

Meanwhile Mitchells new auction centre is ready for its opening at the end of May.

  

weeks ending May 8
 One hour parking at Sainsbury's prevents town generating the fullest benefit from the new store. Traffic lights problems also bring traffic to a crawl at peak periods as planners fail to get traffic flows into Gallowgate.
New Mitchells Auction Mart up and ready for opening at the end of May.		  Visiting Hells Angels provides extra "Local Colour" on the Main Street over the Bank Holiday weekend. Police make attempts to get publicans to close their doors in line with licensing laws.(In contrast to normal weekends!)
weeks ending May 1 2002
A new art gallery brings a new lease of life to one of Cockermouth's oldest town houses, Percy House built in 1598. To find out more check out www.percyhouse.co.uk

weeks ending April 9 2oo2
 SIXTEEN thousand customers passed through the tills at Cockermouth's new Sainsbury's store during its first week. But traffic snarls ups to the Gallowsgate corner traffic lights cause problems.  Vicar of Dibley's Dawn French and Lenny Henry spotted shopping in Cockermouth during a Lakeland holiday.

weekending March 12 2002
Malcolm Wilson Rally start in CockermouthMalcolm Wilson Rally in town

Proposal launched for an Astro Clock to become an unusual feature in the Market Place. The plan is porposed by the Fellows Society, Civic Trust and Astronomical Society (One council document described this as the Cockermouth Astrological Society-possibly in error!)		 Allerdale Council votes through a hike in after midnight taxi fares by 50%.
Lights blazing at night as staff start to stock up the new Sainsbury store due to open at the end of March...Fletchers, the fairground operators make a plea to be allowed to carry on with the traditional Fairfield fairs despite proximity to Sainsbury's.
week ending January 7 2002
 PLANS for traffic lights, a one-way system and mini-roundabout in Cockermouth came under-fire from councillors. The proposals, which would see traffic lights erected at the Lorton Road junction, will be put into place before the Sainsbury store opens in April. Other changes will seeStation Street become one-way, southbound from Main Street, and a roundabout created opposite the Shell garage on Station Road. But councillors said this week that they
have had numerous complaints from people since the plans were unveiled last week		 FORMER Cockermouth flanker Phil Skillen is heading for international RU honours...Follow this link to find out more..
LIVE shows will re-start at the Sheep and Wool
Centre, in March once re-stocking and training is complete. Last April, its star attraction, performing sheep, were killed because the centre was in a foot and mouth infected area.

Cockermouth news archives 2000&2001

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