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Boot memories

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

An Idyllic Childhood

I moved to Boot in 1952 when I was one. My father, John Heap, was the manager of the Burnmoor Inn, which was owned in partnership by his mother, Ruth Hargreaves, and Sid Cross. They also owned The Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. I attended Eskdale High School with my brothers William & Timothy. Jean Hodgson was the school teacher. She lived in The Hill, near Millom, and stayed from Monday to Friday at Brook House which was owned by the Sim family. Billie Sim also ran the local bus service which went to Whitehaven every Thursday.

The Post Office was run by Mary Nolan, who appeared as a guest on one of the early This is Your Life shows. In the next door farm were Arthur and Florrie Irving and her mother Rosa Dugdale.

Cyril Porter used to deliver bread and cakes, Tom Parker delivered meat, Jack Roberts delivered the milk and Jack Woodall was the local grocer. I used to travel with Tom when he went... Read more

Memories of Cumbria

Character Training Course

Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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I was at the OBMS in May of 1953. I particularly remember this time as it was when Hillary climbed Everest with Ten-zing. We had been sent on a three day expedition and on the second day I developed an infection in my right heel and was forced to return to base. At the time Edmond Hillary's son was staying in the house. I think he may have been bored at the time and invited me if I would like to explore the main house with him which we did, going up to the top of the castellated flat roof and looking at the view from it. However all was well at this time except that we came down a different way to the way we went up, unbeknown to me it led to matron's bedroom. On questioning he said it would be ok to go through, which we did very quickly, however somebody must have seen us because I was pulled by my patrol instructor to be severely... Read more

The Dreaded Whimsey

Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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1963 ish....My early morning dip - each morning we donned shorts and pumps to run around the Tarn where we jumped down a large hole, then our sadistic instructors released a gush of freezing stream water, soaking every inch. After circling 3 times we ran back to our dorm for a welcome hot shower. Long hikes in the fells, a 4 day mountain expedition and the solo over-night desaster, they all have thier tales to tell, good and bad. I have revisited Eskdale with my wife and was made very welcome, so much has changed, but I did meet my instructor of Young patrol, Mr Puttiman, who retired and lives not to far away. No, he didn't remember me!

The Lake

Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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Does anyone remember having to run twice round the lake at 1am for being noisey in the Dorm???
OUCH

Sketch of This Church in 1881

Wasdale Church c1880
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In a sketch I have dated October 1881 there is a cord hanging down from the bell down the outside wall with a hand pull. The name on the sketch it is Wasldale church. Possibly by Beatrix Potter or E Rawnsley.

The Past

My aunt and uncle used to own the Langdales Hotel, Mr and Mrs Bob Smith, until 1957. The hotel is now called the Wainright. All holidays I stopped there with my mum and dad.
There were busses called Mallinsons from Windermere which stopped at the hotel for afternoon tea, and when they left to go to Dungeon, Gill my cousin and I went on the bus and picked brambles, on the way back the driver dropped us off at the hotel and the cook made fantastic pies with them. There are all sorts of memories, good ones at the hotel, but unfortunately you can't bring back the past (oh how I wish).

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