The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Barbon memories

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

Greenside

The Bridge c1900
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I used to live in the house to the right of this photo [not shown] in the 1960s. It was a big river to a 9yr old and the fun my sisters and I used to have was in my mind a lot better than p/stations. It was a super village and I hope it still is. Best regards - Bill.

Memories of Lancashire

Town End Farm in High Casterton

My family owned Town End farm in High Casterton from (at least) the mid 1600s to 1878. It was originally owned by Nicholas Hynde, but was inherited by his daughter Jane who married Joseph Baylie/Bayley, and was handed down through the family until it was sold by James Bayley in 1878.

I'd appreciate any information available about life in old Casterton, or about Town End farm (corner Well Lane and Chapel House Lane) in particular.

Horse Riding Holiday

My first holiday without my parents! Horse riding and being lucky enough to stay at the Royal Hotel. There were stables at the back. At 11 years old and being with boys and girls older than me it was a shock! Oh, you don't dip your bread in your soup! And you are using your dessert spoon! Pooooo, not to mention the apple pie bed they made, top sheet folded! My first kiss on the cricket field, being pushed in the very cold river at Devels bridge. Falling in the river with my horse Simon, a little white pony with an attitude! I put the girth on too loose! Loved it! Kirby Longsdale will always be my best holiday without my mum and dad!

Dent School

In 1946-7 I lived at Peggleside. I can remember the German POWs (who were billeted at Sedbergh Workhouse) clearing the snow off the road to Dent with shovels. Not sure how often the school taxi got us to school but I can remember sitting in class with our overcoats on. There were 3 teachers, Miss Clark (seniors), Mrs Smith (juniors) and Mrs Lilley (infants). I remember one year (1947?) starting school after the summer holidays. In the garden at the end of the boys' playground was a plum tree covered in ripe plums, just out of reach. I can still recall Tupper Gardner poised on the top of the wall and then leaping off and grabbing one of the main branches of the plum tree before plunging to the ground with a crash complete with branch and plums. The next morning there was a rather irate gentleman at the school demanding to know who the culprit was. I can't remember what the outcome was.

Racing The Flood

This story was related to me over 60 years ago. I have never had it verified,
so how true it is I don't know.
One day a family was haytiming up river from Sedbergh when they saw a wall
of water coming down the river. Realising that the workmen building Birks dam
(Mill Weir) would be caught by the flood one of the family jumped on his penny farthing
bike and raced the flood to Birks. He just had time to warn the workmen who scrambled clear just before the flood swept away their barrows and tools.
I wonder if this might be related to the massive cloudburst that hit Grizedale all those
years ago? Perhaps someone could see if the dates of the cloudburst and the building of
the dam coincide


Sedbergh, Foster's Mill 1891.

Fosters Mill 1891
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

This mill was built by my ancestor, Robert Foster.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,815 memories of 5,943 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

I Remember When

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Barbon > Memories of Barbon

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.