Recent Posts
Irving – Simpson arms
Irving – Simpson arms. When I wrote my book, Port Carlisle, a history built on hope, I drew up a rough idea of the Irving-Simpson arms. That is, the coat of arms accorded to Peter Irving and his... Read More
Yanwath Hall
Yanwath Hall – answers on a postcard! Cumbrian Characters is heading off-piste this week, to the lovely county of Devon. With a little mystery. Namely: why did the writer of this postcard wish to se... Read More
Christopher Alderson – an unexpected hero
Christopher Alderson is buried at Beacon Edge cemetery, Penrith, with his wife Isabella. In looking to find out something about them, he turned out to have a story of bravery in his past. The grave Ch... Read More
Dockray Hall
‘Dockray Hall in Penrith is being sold for £500,000…’ So read the story in the News and Star a few days ago. The pub: ‘comprises two bars, with separate, snug dining areas, all traditio... Read More
The rebel and the conman (part 2)
Frederick Hawkes Nottage In the first ‘guest post,’ I looked at George Nottage, whose one-man protest over a new bylaw caused a stir in Ipswich in 1839. I mentioned how, in 1814, he married Emma ... Read More
The rebel and the conman (part 1)
The story of George Nottage Cumbrian Characters is featuring two ‘guests’ over two posts – a father and son who have no connection to the north west, but whose stories jumped out from research. ... Read More
Coronation Day in Kendal
Coronation Day, Kendal ‘Coronation Day. Kendal, though somewhat tardy in its movements on public occasions, will not, we are glad to find, let the Coronation Day pass over unnoticed.’ No, not that... Read More
Port Carlisle baths
Port Carlisle baths – a puzzle solved Port Carlisle baths – or Victoria baths, to give their full name – opened in 1844, as an attempt to make the village ‘the most-popular of all the bathing ... Read More