SEEING the world through googles was part of the half-term fun 20 years ago as lessons in snorkelling replaced the usual sums, science and spelling.

As South Cumbria's schools are taking a break from this Friday afternoon until Monday morning on February 23 we are taking a look back to some of the events held in 2000 to keep youngsters occupied.

The Mail, on Wednesday, February 16, noted: "Youngsters have been enjoying a different kind of swimming at Ulverston Leisure Centre throughout the week.

"Every morning groups of children have been going along to the pool to learn the art of snorkelling.

"The children, who range in age from six to 13, have been wearing all the necessary equipment and the only requirement is that they can swim 100m.

"Qualified snorkelling teacher Casson Gleaves instructs the children in how to wear a mask and a snorkel, together with flippers."

The Lakes Aquarium, at Lakeside, hosted a week of conservation and wildlife activities featuring everything from different types of bird boxes, to bark rubbing and a chance to meet Toby the nine-month-old tawny owl.

There were also dance workshops at the Forum, on Duke Street, Barrow, and badminton and five-a-side football at Barrow's Park Leisure Centre.

The Mail, on Thursday, February 17, noted: "A group of plucky Barrovians have been taking on some of the toughest challenges Cumbria can throw at them this week.

"The 20 young people are taking part in a course to prove that they can do anything from refurbishing a community centre to joining the army.

"The young men and women, all aged between 16 and 26, have been selected for a gruelling 10-week course which has been organised by the Prince's Trust.

"And this week they have been pitched into a week-long initiation course which involves them learning team-building, communication and cooking.

"The first week of the course is based at the YMCA Lakeside Centre on the shores of Windermere.

"Activities include caving, mountain walking, death slides and an army-style obstacle course.

"And each day a team or two or three of them will be required to cook up a meal for the rest.

"Six of them on the course are potential service recruits -recommended by the army recruitment office at Barrow's drill hall, on Holker Street, as part of an informal arrangement.

"After the team building week they will have to carry out a community service project, which could include refurbishing charity shops, pensioners' centres, hostels for the homeless, or laying out public gardens.

"This part of the project is based at the Salvation Army citadel on Abbey Road, Barrow."