Egremont’s Story Wall
By Edna Branthwaite

 

	When Brian Capstick and his Lakeland Construction team rebuilt the retaining wall between Mill Cottage and the River Ehen in August 2011 they used only the materials they found on site. Many townsfolk stopped to admire the beautifully built wall but none realised that the team had built a story into it. One day during their lunchtime Brian found an old woodworm-riddled cricket bat and a tennis ball in his lorry and they decided to have an impromptu cricket match on the bridge. It was short-lived because one of the team smacked the ball too far up the river to be retrieved. Someone witnessed this and reported them but it was their lunchtime and anyhow the game was soon over. The lads decided that they would build the story into the wall and if you look closely you can see three stumps with the bail knocked off and the ball off to the side. To the left of that you can see the cricket bat and ball. The job was held up time and again by heavy rainfall so they incorporated a cloud with raindrops falling from it. If you have never noticed them stop and look at the south-facing wall because once you know they are there they are easy to identify. On the north-facing side Brian found an old bottle and created a window in which to place it. The story will be there for all to see as long as the wall remains standing. The lads have incorporated their humour into the wall and it makes me smile each time I pass by.

  Colourful Birds on Show
By Edna Branthwaite

The Egremont and District Caged Bird Society held their annual show at the Parish Rooms on Sunday 14th November. Despite its name it drew exhibitors from as far afield as Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle. Show Manager Fred Downton explained that the birds shown were mainly canaries and budgerigars. They were in fine feather of every shade of pastel colour imaginable.
Alan Rogers, Secretary of the Society, said that there were 350 birds in the show and seven different varieties of canaries. He explained that the Society used to be called the Egremont Jubilee Caged Bird Society but since 1986 it has operated under its present name and meets every month. The judges were from Broughton Moor, Flimby and Maryport but can be drawn from all corners of the county.
Derek Borrowdale won with his best Fife canary and David Branthwaite won first prize for the best unflighted bird, a Norwich canary.