Community

Previous to 1897, an old thatched cottage belonging to Mr. Atkinson, Vicar, was used as a reading room by the men of the village. This was felt to be inadequate, and at a public meeting on 29th March, 1897, it was decided to build a reading room with concert hall behind, on the site of the old cottage, if sufficient funds could be raised. A committee consisting of the following was formed: J. D. Halmshaw, J. Lancaster, G. Hanson, J. Huddart, W. B. Lancaster, W. Noble, R. Stamper, W. J. Sewell, T. Sowerby and T. Hindson. It was decided to open a subscription list and hold a bazaar to raise funds. At a meeting held on 1st April, it was decided that J. D. Halmshaw, W. B. Lancaster and Thompson Hindson should try to raise £100 at 3 per cent. as a mortgage on the new building.

Richard Sewell was asked to draw plans and all the ladies of the village were invited to help with the bazaar. A week later, W. B. Lan- caster offered to lend £100 at 3 per cent. and this offer was accepted.

James Huddart was appointed Chairman of the Committee and he held this post until 1914. W. Noble undertook the post of Treasurer and Thompson Hindson, Secretary. Things went on apace. The committee advertised for tenders, and the following were accepted: Masonwork- R. Sewell; Joiner work-Messrs. Hindson; Plastering-W. Kitchen. The following ladies were appointed stall holders at the Bazaar: Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Atkinson, Miss Copley, Miss Stamper, Miss Eggleston and Miss M. J. Sowerby.

The building was completed by the middle of October. This was no mean achievement, for all the stone had to be brought with horses and carts from Crowdundale Quarry, and every stone had to be dressed. All the woodwork had to be done in the local joiner's shop; there were no ready-made doors, windows, etc., in 1897.

A bazaar was held on October 21st, and the Victoria Institute (so called because it was built in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year) was officially opened by Mrs. Boazman, Acorn Bank. Admission was one shilling each, children half-price. The ladies of the village had worked very hard, and there was tremendous enthusiasm which was shown by the heavily laden stalls. £188 was raised, which was a wonderful amount in those days. The estimated cost of the building was £300, so to raise more money a subscription list was opened. Several local gentry, landowners and others, subscribed generously and some village people lent money.

After the opening ceremony, work did not cease. A wall was built from Mr. Halmshaw's buildings (at Laurel House) to the reading room, and also a low wall and iron palings along the front of the building. By February, 1898, £40 owing to several lenders was paid back. The building was insured for £300. In the following February a caretaker, Mrs. James Huddart, was appointed at a wage of £4 10s. Od. per annum. She held this post until 1916.

To raise funds for the upkeep of the hall, reading room members paid a small annual subscription, and balls were held in October and at the New Year. Mrs. Thompson, Penrith, played the piano for the dances, and she always fortified herself with whisky during the evening. She was brought from Penrith by horse and trap. The piano was hired from Mr. Furness, Church House. Gentlemen were charged 1/6d., and ladies 1/-. As there were no cloakrooms, Mr. R. Sowerby, who now occupied Laurel House, was asked to lend a room for the ladies to use as a dressing-room.

Every now and again the rooms had to be painted and decorated. In 1902 Ernest Kitchen coloured the walls, whitewashed the ceilings and painted the windows for £2. In 1906 the outside of the Institute was painted (front door two coats) by Thompson Hindson for one guinea. For £4 Joseph Hindson painted the spouting, railings and windows (inside and outside), front door two coats, and the old paint burnt off, and whitened the ceilings of both rooms. Further expenses were a wooden coalhouse, platform and boiler. Later, in 1911, a brick coalhouse was built. This cost £6 10s. with set-pot. When W. H. Huddart came to the village as schoolmaster, he was very keen to have school and other concerts, and money was raised to built two ante-rooms, erect a stage, buy a carpet, curtains, etc. In 1914 six dozen chairs at 3s. 8d. each were bought. Prior to this, chairs for concerts were borrowed from most houses in the village. Someone had to go round with a horse and float and collect them.

In 1915, £100 was left to the Institute by Mrs. Jane Atkinson, wife of a former Culgaith Vicar. This was invested in Exchequer Bonds.

During the 1914-1918 War, several German prisoners and their two guards were quartered in the big room, with the use of the ante-rooms. The front room continued to be used as a reading room by the men of the village. The prisoners were hired out to local farmers to work on the land. They were a quiet, decent lot of fellows, all N.C.O.'s, and were known by name to most people in the village. When they left, another batch of prisoners came for a short time. For housing these prisoners the War Agricultural Committee was asked to pay £1 a week.

By the end of the War, the whole building was becoming very delapidated and needed re-slating. For a good number of years a billiards table was kept in the front room, and it was felt that this was not very satisfactory, as it occupied too much room. After a great deal of dis- cussion it was finally decided to build a reading-room over the front room, to knock down the wall between the two downstairs rooms and to erect a sliding partition in its place. W. Sewell's tender of £509 13s. for the job was accepted. To help raise money for this undertaking a bazaar was held in August, 1923, and the new building was formally opened in 1924 Electric light was installed by Joseph Stamper in 1923, at a cost of £50. 35

In 1930 the Institute was used as a Domestic Science Centre for the older girls of Culgaith School, and was so used until 1949.

The Institute has been kept solvent by members' subscriptions, whist drives, etc., but with the rapid rise in prices it has been impossible to do all that has been required. About £300 is needed for painting and decorating the building, for new tables, chairs, curtains, crockery, urn, etc To obtain these things, the secretary, John Whitfield, called a public meeting a few months ago, and it was decided to form a committee consisting of representatives from every organisation in the village, viz. : School, Church, Wesleyan Chapel, Football Club, Women's Institute, Reading Room, Recreation Ground and Social Club. This was done, and ways and means were discussed for raising money.

In a few months the following amounts were raised: £60 by house to house collection by Gordon Stamper; nearly £70 from the Football Club as the result of a raffle and from gate money, and about £45 from a "Sweep " on the village cricket matches. This last was organised by John Eastham. It is hoped to get a grant of £200 from the Carnegie Fund.

1960 This year the Institute has been painted outside, new tables, chairs, urn and curtain materials have been bought.

For many years there was no district nurse in Culgaith. People depended on the local doctors for medical attention and there has generally been at least one woman in the village to whom people could go in time of accident or illness. Then at one time certain people studied herbs from which they made remedies for various ailments. Such a person was John Oglethorpe.

In every generation there has been at least one woman who could act as midwife, and these women were often very capable, doing their work because they were interested in it. They often did their work without fee or hope of any reward. Sometimes they worked along with the doctors, and sometimes on their own. Elizabeth Richardson, Ellen Eggleston, Mary Jenkinson and Grace Hindson were some of these mid- wives, and very useful work they did.

As time went on, it was felt by many people that there ought to be a district nurse, and in January, 1931, a meeting was called to discuss the subject. Representatives attended from Culgaith, Skirwith, Ousby, Melmerby, Kirkland and Blencarn. It was decided to form a Nursing Association, and a committee was formed with Mr. Kewley (Vicar of Skirwith) as Chairman, Mrs. Edwards, President, and Mrs. W. Burne as Secretary and Treasurer. Each village in the Association had to raise a certain quota, viz: Culgaith £34; Skirwith, Ousby and Melmerby each £27; and Kirkland and Blencarn, £15. This was mostly raised by sub- scriptions, every village having collectors who called once a year on subscribers. Maternity or midwifery charges were also made, and some- times money was raised by means of whist drives, bring-and-buy sales, concerts, etc. Nurse Snowball was the first nurse appointed, at a salary of £140 per annum with £8 uniform allowance. She was provided with a bicycle and had to reside at Skirwith. In 1932 a motor-cycle was bought for her, each village providing a proportion of the cost. After a while a cottage was found for the nurse, at the foot of Wellgates, Culgaith. In 1937 the telephone was installed, and in the same year a car was bought for the use of the nurse. This cost £122 12s. 10d. In 1940 Gamblesby and Unthank joined the association, and that year Nurse Snowball resigned. She was succeeded by Nurse Carmichael, who lived at Skirwith.

By 1946 the Association was in a very sound financial position, having a credit balance of £102 19s. 5d. and £164 1s. in the Car Depreciation Account. Next year there was a debit balance of £33 6s. 4d., due to a substantial rise in the nurse's salary and large amounts spent on re- conditioning the car. This amount was transferred from the Car Depreciation Account. By this time the nurse's salary was £322 10s., with £15 uniform allowance. Sufficient money could not be raised voluntarily to run the Nursing Association, and various grants were made by the County and the Government.

Nurse Kitchen (nee Carmichael) resigned in 1947, and Nurse Middleton was appointed, but only stayed a few weeks. Nurse Jackson (Temple Sowerby) was then appointed.

In 1948 the National Health Service came into force, and the Nursing Association was taken over by the County. For a few months the Committee acted as agents for the County, but finally handed over in 1949. The final balance sheet showed a credit balance of £116 10s. 2d. and £164 2s. 1d. in the Car Depreciation Account. The Nurse's car was valued at £200. All assets were handed over to the Nurses' Benevolent Fund, which is used for helping those older nurses who have retired and have little or no pension.

A meeting of ladies was called on 13th October, 1927, to consider the question of forming a Women's Institute in Culgaith. Mrs. Nelson (Langwathby) explained the objects and work of the Women's Institutes, and it was decided to form one. Miss D. Graham was elected President, Miss E. Wilkinson, Secretary and Mrs. Stamper, Treasurer. In addition to these officers, a committee was formed consisting of the following ladies: Mrs. W. Burne, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Dodd, Miss Jackson, Miss Stamper, Miss F. Sowerby and Miss J. Dunlop. Nineteen members were enrolled, and of these only Mrs. F. Thompson, Mrs. Hogarth and Miss Stamper are still members.

The first meeting was held on 3rd November, when Miss Graham gave a demonstration on "Chair Seating." On January 3rd, 1928, a Whist Drive, Supper and Dance were held to raise funds for the Institute. For many years a similar event was organised each New Year, but of late years the dance has been omitted. Other money-making efforts were arranged, and during the years following, the W.I. acquired various properties, viz: piano, which cost £47 10s. ; cupboard, oil stove, 22 card tables, crockery, tablecloths, etc. These were handed over to the Victoria Institute in August, 1938, the W.I. to have the use of them, and to be allowed free use of the room for monthly meetings.

During the years, the W.I. has been a very useful institution in the village, helping the various organisations and raising money for charities. For the last few years the members have made a New Year Party for the older people in the village, and these have been much enjoyed.

The Institute has had its ups and downs and sometimes has nearly foundered. Today there are just over twenty members and it is one of the smallest in the County. Though small, the meetings are generally attended, the members are keen and the Institute is a very happy one.

A Group for 12 to 21 year olds was launched in the early 1960's using the School as a meeting place with a varied programme of activities organised, including a village newspaper. The first issue was published on 15th March 1962 when a competition was held to find a name for it. Several good suggestions were forthcoming, the best of which CYGNET (Culgaith Youth Group News Extra) was submitted by Mr. Joe Egglestone. Editor's Comments occupied the front page, mainly concerning local issues. There were reports on cricket matches and activities from Ullswater, Tynefield and Penrith Grammar Schools. There was Farming News and local resi- dents interviewed for Desert Island Discs. There was news from farther afield when Mrs. B. Simpson attended Wimbledon Tennis Championships to assist with refreshments.

In 1962 the Group decided the Field Day needed enlivening and set about it with great enthusiasm. Events were organised for the week prior to the Field Day i.e. Fashion Show and Beauty Demonstration when voting took place to choose a Queen of the Roaring Twenties and Miss Sheila Mallinson was chosen. There was a Canoeing Demonstration and Swimming Gala, with Children's Sports. It must be said that this was the best effort for quite some time, both financially and in every other way. The Group also organised occasional concerts in the Village Hall which drew good support from family and friends. In late September 1962 there was a change of officials and unfortunately the Group did not survive for many months more.

A new Group has recently been started using the Village Hall as its base and led by Mr. A. Neave with an age range of 8 years upwards.

In 1980 a Committee was formed with Chairman Mr. Ian Scott, Secretary Mrs. S. Logan and Treasurer Mr. W. A. Whitfield, to organise and run an Annual Horticultural and Industrial Show with classes for cut flowers, pot plants, vegetables, fruit and a wide-ranging Industrial and Handicraft Section, with classes for children, entries to be restricted to residents of the village. The Show was an outstanding success with entries in the region of 800. A small Photographic Section was also included. A total of six Trophies were presented by Mr. and Mrs. P. Ellwood of Howrigg, Blencarn at the Dance held in the evening. Prizes were sponsored by local business people and residents of the village. Funds raised were for the Recreation Ground towards much needed modernisation of the swimming pool and pavilion.

Over the past twelve years the Show has undergone some changes, classes for Floral Art have been included which are very popular and the Photographic Section much enlarged. The number of Trophies has been extended to twenty, varying in character, all donated by interested or former residents of the village.