Remembering 1958: year of the Octocentenary and the Queen

The city was marking 800 years since being granted a charter in 1158 and as part of the celebrations, none other than the Queen was scheduled to visit.
But there was a problem - she became ill and was unable to attend, so the Duke of Edinburgh came in her stead, reading a message from her promising a visit in the near future.

She was true to her word, and when she arrived in October for the delayed Octocentenary pageantry, she was greeted by thousands, who lined the streets around the Old Town Hall, cathedral and Market Hall.

Another significant event that year was Workington playing Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup at Borough Park.
The match was especially poignant as it came just before the Munich air disaster in which several of the United players lost their lives.

A young lad from Crosby, Alan Lyall, was making his name in sport, winning both the Keswick and Grasmere 200 yard races at the age of 15.
He went on to compete in the All England competitions in Southampton, also representing Cumberland in athletics and schoolboy rugby.

A portrait of girls at Distington School gives a fascinating insight into the fashions of the time.
Every single one has short hair and is either wearing a dress or a calf-length skirt.
All but one of the front row are in white ankle socks.
At the back, from left to right, are Mary Messenger, Jean Fulton, Sheila McDowell, Phylis Lamb, Anne Simpson, Elizabeth McAvoy, Jennifer Reynolds and Celia Rogerson.
Sitting in front are Maureen Simpson, Carol Taylor, Hazel Bell, Vera Cowan, Elaine Kennedy, Nora Hope, Kitty Wilson and Thelma Clare.

Alfred Barrow School’s under-15 soccer team are pictured marking their 1958-59 season and some of the cast from a play staged at Millom School in July 1958 are shown onstage.

It isn’t clear what the production is but the costumes are intriguing.

The final picture shows Barrow police station in 1958.