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Armathwaite memories

Here are memories of Armathwaite and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Armathwaite or a Armathwaite photo.

Good Old Days

My parents raised me and my two sisters at Vicarage Farm, Armathwaite, which was located outside the village, just up the hill on the right on the way to the A6. I lived and farmed with my parents at home until I married in 1965, I then moved to Low Hestket. My parents continued to live at the farm until they retired, I believe it was 45 years at Vicarage. Armathwaite was a great place to be brought up. I have only fond memories of the old place, I now live in Ontario, Canada, looking back would I have chosen to grow up in a different place - "NO".

Memories of Cumbria

Pretty Little Ainstable

The Roads End c1949
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I was brought up in the white cottage mid-left, by the roadside, by my grandparents.
The Crown Inn at the middle of the picture in the distance was run by Jim and Winnie Tuer, and I was friends with their daughter Ruth. The white cottage on the right was the shop, and later also became the post office.  The original one was in the white cottage to the left and was run by Mrs Rowlands until her death.
I think this photo was taken about 1955, as council houses were built about then in the field near the pub, and they are not in the picture. The village school was on the right past the pub, and when I attended, pupils were taught with the aid of a radio, by Mrs Glaister and later with Miss Jopson too, who taught the younger children.
At the side of my grandparents' cottage there was a tap, where some villagers had to collect their water in buckets as they had no water... Read more

Roadside Cottage Ainstable

To the lady who lived in the white cottage on the roadside central to the picture of the village of Ainstable: My grandfather lived in that cottage with his grandmother, Ann Dixon, his mother, Mary Dixon and his aunt, Bessy Dixon. His name was Tom Dixon and he was born 5/1897, went to the school in the village, died 8/1966 and is buried with my grandma Susan Margaret in the church along with his direct Dixon ancestors. My maternal great-grandparents lived on the opposite side of the road in Ghyll Foot. They were the Hoggarths and are also buried in Ainstable church.

Thoburn

In 1937 Albert & Gladys Thoburn took possession of Townfoot Cottage, the second house in the village. In 1940 Albert went to India and Thomas was born in March 1940. After the War when Albert returned home he met his son for the first time. He was then 5. In 1946 James was born. He attended Piperstile School then Brampton White House. Thomas left Carlisle and lived in Swindon where he died in 1985. Albert & Gladys remained at the same property for the whole of their married life. Albert died in 1981 and Gladys in 1989. The village has been developed by building houses so the old country life is not the same.

School House

My first memory is that my father's parents lived in the school house which is at the junction where the road forks to go into the village of Cumrew.
William and Ann Thoburn, both born in 1878 and died in the 50’s.
All of the boys Albert, Ernest and Fred worked as road men for CCC. Albert(my father) took over his father’s length which was from Carlatton to Newbiggin. Fred took the length from Carlatton around the block via Cumwhitton. Ernest was killed in 1952 when the dumper he drove fell over the edge.

Croglin 1958

The Village c1955
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When my husband and I married in March 1958, he bought the cottage nearest the camera on the left; no electricity, no bathroom......it cost the  princely sum of £300!
The building at the end of the street is the pub, and behind the trees on the right is the church and graveyard.  The trees have been felled now.  
In the other photo showing an oddly painted phonebox, the building just behind it was the shop and post office combined.  Vans came round from the co-op every week, and Jimmy Cranston the butcher came round too; he made wonderful sausages and brawn, and killed pigs locally.  Until the law stopped home butchering. When I last went there in 1988, I saw a van with his name on it, so the business was still going.  Roberstons bakers from Carlisle used to deliver bread and cakes, and the Lakeland Laundry man was a regular too; no washing machines, no fridges.  I had a copper boiler in the back scullery - the... Read more

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