Seep stealing was reported in Troutbeck (Gazette, August 2, 'Gangs target Lakes farms').

This is nothing new. My grandfather John Wightman began his farming career at Long Greenhead at Troutbeck in the 1890s. He left in 1899 because sheep stealing was rife and lambs for market kept disappearing.

I was told this by mother, but it was also reported in an article about his son, Edmund Wightman, by Joanna Wates, which I believe was printed in the Gazette some years ago.

George Wadsworth

Heversham