Revisiting 1982: when Cumbrians weren't shy of putting on a show

They were dressed for a parish review to mark the church’s golden jubilee, bravely billing themselves as Shapes & Sizes.
The women certainly seem to be enjoying themselves and don’t look a bit self-conscious as they pose in leotards and strange headgear.

Another memorable performance that year was staged at Austin Friars School and a picture shows two of the principals in front of a line of guards who seem to be struggling to keep straight faces.
Perhaps it’s the fake beards.

More of the cast are shown in another image which suggests the production was on quite a scale.

Cast members of a mystery production at St Cuthbert’s School, in Wigton, look a lot more serious as they line up for a dress rehearsal.

A show of a different kind took place in Wigton and Deb Smith appears to be communicating with her dog ahead of judging. Who knows what she might be saying?

Meanwhile, life went on as normal in Penrith, where a woman is shown weighing goods at the Penrith Toffee Shop.

The bad weather didn’t dampen spirits at Carlisle Great Fair and, in typical British style, women and children are shown huddled under umbrellas.
A few even manage to smile.

The opening of Longtown Community Centre was prestigious enough to attract the mayor, and a plaque states that the ceremony was performed by Mary Lady Graham on March 27.
Another plaque refers to a donation from Longtown Womens’ (sic) Work Party in memory of those who gave their lives in the Second World War.

It’s unclear what it involved, but the donations to a Blue Peter appeal at Caldew School are laid out on a table, with what look like coins spelling out the words ‘Blue Peter’.