How Michael

The mystery of gilt keys and a suitably inscribed tennis racquet

VULCAN Park was officially declared open on June 4, 1925, a Thursday afternoon, by John McMullen, the then Mayor of Workington. Before entering the park he was presented with a gilt key to the park gates by veteran Labour alderman Paddy Walls. This is where I usually ask if anyone has any idea what happened to that key. But in this case, we know.

Last updated 11 March 2010
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Grand exhibition to breathe some life into art and industry

HARRINGTON was trying to raise its profile back in November 1889.

Last updated 4 March 2010
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Aspirin – much more versatile than just curing your headache

ASPIRIN. It’s something we all know. Is there any one of us who hasn’t, at some time or other, taken an aspirin tablet or two? It’s a medication we’ve grown up with. Before the market was flooded with alternatives, if you had a headache, you took an aspirin.

Last updated 25 February 2010
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In this ‘green’ age the rag and bone man should be making a comeback

GYPSY Creams seem to have vanished off the face of the earth.

Last updated 18 February 2010
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Dancing in the moonlight on the sea brows, until the skates arrive

DANCING in the moonlight! I don’t know about you, but just reading those words is enough to set my feet a tapping. What a romantic notion. Not that I’ve ever tried it. Would you want to prance the light fantastic at midnight in the open air by the silvery Solway? I suspect not. Not with our weather.

Last updated 11 February 2010
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The short-lived story of a small town natural history museum

HAVE you ever seen a Tragopan, a Chemut Jacana or a Kroo-kroo?

Last updated 4 February 2010
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A move to North East league is fatal for Workington Reds

“PILA Pedalis” was so unhappy at the state of local football in Workington that he wrote to the The Workington Star & Harrington Guardian to let the local populace know what he felt about Workington Reds’ directors’ plans for their club. This was in 1910.

Last updated 21 January 2010
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Reds versus Manchester City – rain, congratulations and tobacco smoke

MANCHESTER City 1, Workington Reds 1. In the first round of the FA Cup. This was in 1910, on January 15 to be exact, and it was only the score at half-time.

Last updated 14 January 2010
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Foxhounds,wartime black-outs and clearing up snow and ice

WORKINGTON Hall’s pack of foxhounds was discontinued in 1915. The Curwen pack was no more.

Last updated 7 January 2010
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Efforts to keep greyhound racing on track despite local protests

DID Flimby go to the dogs in the 40s? Greyhound racing was being planned there in 1948, on its own greyhound track. This would have set it apart from earlier greyhound races which had been held elsewhere. Like Aspatria, which had the dogs running on a 320 yard straight track, a temporary arrangement, chasing a hare of local design. It was a pretty Heath Robinson affair.

Last updated 30 December 2009
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Uncompassionate bantlings and the tail of a mistreated pet cat

WHAT would you do if you came across a youth, aged about 15, whirling a cat around his head by its tail and hurling it over a stone wall?

Last updated 24 December 2009
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Any news of the all-women skiffle group from the British Legion?

WHO supports the American war effort? A topic hotly debated in the media and in public, by those with a keen interest in the conflict.

Last updated 17 December 2009
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Our poltergeists and spectres and some ghostly goings-on

PICTURE the scene! You’re out taking a solo stroll one late afternoon in Workington’s Hall Park.

Last updated 10 December 2009
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Time for another Lake District Popularisation Association Ltd

VISITORS aren’t coming to Keswick and other Lake District tourist spots any more and those that do turn up don’t stay for long, charging off to other holiday destinations with seemingly indecent haste and taking their holiday money with them.

Last updated 3 December 2009
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Immigration was a hot topic over 100 years ago

THE population of Britain is growing rapidly. Much too rapidly, according to some experts.

Last updated 26 November 2009
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Lucky or unlucky, it’s the day to rake over your superstitions

FRIDAY the 13th! It’s here again. Third time this year. This last happened in 1987.

Last updated 12 November 2009
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Dances, balls, orchestras and bands - the heart of social life

ARE YOU a Strictly Come Dancing fan? Will Saturday night find you perched in front of your TV?

Last updated 5 November 2009
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From Drowsey’s Hank, beerage to peerage and fetching washed vetch

HOW DID you get on with last week’s little quiz? Are you one of those annoying people who can effortlessly remember everything? Did any of you access the Times & Star website to help you find answers? And were your answers all correct?

Last updated 22 October 2009
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