Recent Posts
Thomas Gibson Cant : a fishy tale
Thomas Gibson Cant, a Penrith solicitor with strong convictions about Justice, stood up for ‘the ordinary man’ against Penrith police. Part one of his story can be read in this post, but it ... Read More
Shrove Tuesday customs
Shrove Tuesday = Pancake Day. That is pancakes as in crêpes, not American-style. Served with sugar and lemon juice. Or maybe Nutella, if you have a sweet tooth. Or flambéed with alcohol, for the gro... Read More
Debauchery in Penrith
Debauchery in Penrith is part 1 of a series on a local Victorian solicitor, but also the story of a young woman shabbily treated by her boyfriend. Thomas Gibson Cant Thomas Gibson Cant, a Penrith soli... Read More
Penrith Pong old and new
Stepping off the bus in Penrith one day last summer, my first thought was: “Ewww!!” And it wasn’t ‘just me’. A bill board outside the Spar near the bus station, bore the words ‘Penrith Pon... Read More
New Year’s Eve 1859-1867
New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time for Reviews of the Year. Partly because people do like to reflect back on the previous 12 months, as they prepare to welcome in the next. But mainly because it... Read More
Christmas Eve
After labour’s long turmoil, Sorry fare and frequent fast, Two-and-fifty weeks of toil, Pudding-time is come at last… This post is set to appear on December 24. So, while it will remain ‘o... Read More
Wilson Towers – two curious deaths
Wilson Towers isn’t as rare a name as you might think. This one was a stone mason, born at Tallentire about 1843-45. In the space of four years, he was to be charged with manslaughter twice. Later, ... Read More
Robert Gate preacher and saddler
Robert Gate took me on a surprising journey when I looked into the history of a battered piece of luggage… The leather-coated wooden trunk I keep my jumpers in is a family heirloom. I was told i... Read More