Askerton

Years Gone By

Moved to Roadhead 1949, from 19 Netherby St, Longtown. Dad was Rendall Colling [Policeman], we lived at the Police House, until 1954 when we moved to Frizington, West Cumberland. Went to school at the Baily. Brother Cuthbert was born 1949 in the Police House.
Mother Amy took ill 1951 and was in the Isolation Ward @ Border Hospital Long Town, where she passed away, and is interred @ Bewcastle Church, under the Yew tree just inside the gate on the left hand side. I remember the post office was run by Mrs Foster and she had a daughter Elizabeth. The farm opposite the Police House was run by the Phillips family. Recently came across the Bewcastle site, and seen the marvellous aerial shots of the church and the Lime Kiln [one of dad`s favourite watering holes] along with the pub at Blackpool Gate, long gone, and the Drove Inn.

Evacuation During WW2

My Mam was evacuated to Hallbankgate, Brampton for a short time during the Second World War. She stayed (with her little sister Marina and my Grandma) on the farm of brother and sisters Willy, Maggie and Betty Blaine (could be spelt Blain or Blane). They then kept in touch until Betty died (the last of the three). I can't remember the name of the farm and wonder if anyone in the area has any information?
Thankyou,
Jane Gallagher

Murder

Readers may be interested in learning that Fenton was the scene of a murder in 1858 when 85 year old Robert Irwin was killed by Jacob Skelton.

Alan Bryant
Author 'Biography of Sir John Dunne,First Chief Constable of Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary 1857-1902

Halton Lea Gate Farm

Woolen Mill

My grandparents George and Sarah Ruddick lived in Heads Nook. He worked as a guard on the railways, she worked in a small room repairing woollen blankets in the Mill. They lived in Glenn Terrace, Heads Nook. I have many happy memories of visiting them. I believe we used to go to the village hall for some functions, as well as attending the village church. Having lived in the USA for some years I have lost all photos of the village. Anne Hirst, daughter of Isaac Ruddick, their only child.

Longtown High Street

High Street c1955
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My great-great grandfather was George 'Dood' McKie and he lived in a house about six doors beyond the Graham Arms Hotel which is shown in the Francis Frith photo number L203002.  He was one of those Longtown characters who are now almost gone.

For many years he was a roadman, which meant he would go along the road to where piles of stones had been left and by 'knapping' them, i.e. breaking them up with a hammer, he created a rough form of gravel which was used to full up any potholes. Eventually he went blind and the cause was blamed on having repeatedly been hit on the eye by small pieces of flying stone. Faced with the workhouse, he decided to saw logs for a living. He would have a cartload of timber delivered 'in the round' and would carry it to his outhouse where he had a saw-horse built. He could put the timber on the sawhorse in his blind state and he measured a log by... Read more

Memories of 1961-63

Does anyone remember the Lochinvar Cinema? It was sixpence and a different film every night! Paul Bass (my father) now living in Wigan does, he used to stay at his auntie's house, Ina Benson Newsagents. He has great memories of the Polish boys and girls he became good friends with, namely, Bolic, Rumec, Jon Boyko and his sister Sheila, Charlie Putsini. Best wishes also from his older brothers, Tommy and John.