Messenger brings good news
Last updated 21:52, Wednesday, 21 May 2008
London Wednesday Afternoon The Committee met at Two o’clock The LANGHOLM LINE IS PASSED, and the LIDDESDALE Scheme THROWN OUT Mysteries of the Border Esk. The Border Esk has long been well known as a good angling stream, and this season promises to be in every way equal to and in some respects better than previous years.Judging from the comments we have heard from those who were present at the “Scottish Magazine” broadcast in Buccleuch Hall it would appear that everybody was well pleased with this typically Langholm half hour.Monday of this week saw the inauguration of a transport experiment which puts Langholm once more on the railway maps.
BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH
Langholm, Wednesday Night.
This has been an anxious day here, the intense excitement which pervaded all classes of the community as to the decision of the Committee on our Railway Bill, seemed to wax as the day waned, and at eight p.m. when the messenger who brought the despatch appeared in the distance with red ribbons flying at his horse’s ears, the scattered groups who were assembled at every neuk and corner of the streets pressed eagerly forward in front of the Crown Inn, and cheered the welcome bearer before he had time to deliver his dispatch.
It is almost superfluous to say that the reading of the news was received with most intense enthusiasm and prolonged cheering by the immense concourse of the inhabitants of the town and district who were anxiously awaiting the expected telegram.
LANGHOLM ANGLERS’ SPORT WITH HOOPS, FENDERS, GIRDLES, & C.
The opening of worm flying has again shown the great advantage to anglers of having an ash depot at the river side, and several good “takes” have already been recorded.
Fish have been scarce, but that is a trifle, and this drawback has been more than balanced by the abundance of material on which the angler can test his rod and tackle.
Variety is said to be the spice of life; it may also be said to be the spice of angling below Langholm.
When the anglers’ hooks are fast he has all the glorious uncertainty of sport in not knowing whether he has to wrestle with the end of an iron bedstead or only a hearthrug.
It matters little, it is a case of “pull devil, pull baker”.
Or it may be only a fender, a girdle, or a bundle of floorcloth, or even an iron hoop half silted up with mud and gravel that he has to “land”.
For the benefit of strangers it may be pointed out that a hoop or a few yards of wire make an excellent substitute for a fish – the yield it gives to the pull of the rod is most fish-like and realistic, and can be confidently recommended.
THE BROADCAST
The consensus of opinion appears to be that the high-light of the evening was the appearance – all too brief – of the Flute Band.
Most of those present stated that they never heard the Flute Band play ‘so harmoniously nor did they ever hear it sound so tunefu’.
Probably the reason for this is that the Flute Band, for the first time in its history we would imagine, played inside a hall.
But as one Common Riding enthusiast remarked to us, “oh aye, it soonded gran’ but gie mei the soun’ o’ the Flute Ban’ comin’ doon Copshaw Road on the Common Riding morning an’ playin’ Wull Ye No Come Back Again”.
Perhaps he is right.
However, the Flute Band has created a precedent.
Is there any hope that we might hear them again giving a selection in Buccleuch Hall?
SCOTTISH BORDERS RAIL LINK
This new coach service which links Scottish Borders to Carlisle is a unique joint venture, the first of its kind in Great Britain to be initiated by a local authority.
The project, which is designed to provide better co-ordination between bus and train, is supported by the Border Regional Council, Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council, British Rail and the Scottish Bus Group.
At a meeting of the Regional Roads and Transportation Committee last week, Councillor Eddie Armstrong welcomed the new scheme as the fulfilment of wishes expressed in Town Council days when he had sought such a service following the demise of the Waverley Line.
And on the inaugural run on Monday morning, Mr. Armstrong and W N Alexander, Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive and Chairman of the still busy Bus Transport Working Group, represented the Regional Council, joining the coach and representatives from the Borders in Langholm.
On their arrival in Carlisle, members of the party were greeted by the Divisional Manager of the London Midland Region of British Rail, and later attended a Reception and Buffet Lunch in the Cumbrian Hotel.
A look at the new timetable shows that Langholm once again enjoys an excellent service with Carlisle, there being no fewer than six journeys in each direction.
All buses go to and return via Carlisle Railway Station and the express runs (1345 South and 1435 North) are being monitored to see if additional pick-up points can be provided in, for example, Canonbie.
