A STONE slab on the Hoad, a church tower and the top of a office block were among the high spots tackled by intrepid South Cumbrian abseiling enthusiasts to raise funds for good causes.

The Mail, on June 8, in 2000, noted: “A 74-year-old man with a knee replacement was among the Furness Morris Men who abseiled down Hoad Slab in Ulverston last night.

“Bruce Wilson, a founding member of the organisation, was taking part in what could well be the first morris men abseil in the country.

“Steve Wilding said it was certainly the first time morris men had played their music and danced in such a precarious position.

“The sponsored abseil aimed to raise money for the Furness Tradition Folklore Festival, being held in Ulverston in July.”

The article noted: “Ten morris men took part, wearing helmets under their flowery headgear as they hung off the crags high above the A590.”

The Mail, on Tuesday, June 20 in 2020, noted: “Brave charity abseilers had more than just an 80ft drop to contend with at a sponsored event in Barrow

“The 27 daredevils faced an angry seagull who had set up her nest in the roof of Craven House on Sunday.

“The fundraisers scaling down the building on Michaelson Road were met with fierce shrieks and a swooping seagull fearing for her nest.

“They were performing the daring drop to raise cash for the Royal National Institute for the Blind.”

In March 2000 Millom mayor Christine Lovell went to Haverigg to wish good luck to Joanne Wilkinson and Joan Hobbs before they went to Newcastle to abseil from the Tyne Bridge in the Daffodil Drop to raise cash for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust.

The Mail, on Saturday, June 24 in 2000, noted: “Abseilers walked from the top of a church tower in Kirkby to raise funds for a community project.

“Among the 14 men and women taking part was the vicar of St Cuthbert’s Church, the Reverend Gwyn Murfet, who was the first over the top. The abseilers were raising funds for for the Kirkby Community Centre car park project.”