Memories of Cockermouth

Achille Ratti hostel

In 1953 I was a boy scout with St Patrick's 17th Widnes troop when we had our annual camp in The Lake District. I remember getting off the steam train at Windermere station where there was an old single decker bus waiting for us to take us on to our destination, after loading all our kit the bus set off and chugged through Ambleside and Grasmere and on to Dunmail Raise where we alighted at the "Achille Ratti" hostel which is still standing to this day along with the AA box that was close by. After settling into our bunks in the domitory that night we were given a fright by a loud banging on the wire mesh which covered the windows, when we plucked up the courage to have a look outside we were confronted by figures covered with white sheets that had us scuttling back to our bunks and diving under the covers, we didn't get much sleep that night! It turned out to be some of the leaders having a bit of fun frightening the lives out of us.
During the following 2 weeks we were allowed time to take a trip into Keswick so three or four of us jumped on a bus and sat there in wonderment looking at the mountains for the first time and the water rushing down the hills. On arriving in Keswick we set about buying presents for mums and dads from the local gift shops and I can remember seeing a pennyfarthing bicycle outside of one establishment. Of course we missed our bus back and had to wait for the next one, making us late for our evening meal, meaning that we were in "court" before the leaders who sentenced us to fatigues the next day while the rest of the troop climbed Helm Crag, fondly known as the "Lion and the Lamb". Fatigues meant that we had to clean the old stoves down while looking longingly at the fells across the way and our mates making their way up, but after a while one of the leaders took pity on us and allowed us to go after them. Crossing a stream and making our way waist deep in ferns we eventually caught up with them and arrived at the summit (my first peak!). The hob nails we had been advised to hammer into our black boots had served us well! Helm Crag has held a special place in my heart ever since, not the highest of mountains but one that I have a great affection for, indeed I have told my sons that when I shuffle off, then I would like my ashes to be taken up there.

Jennings Brewery

The buildings in front of the Castle are part of the famous Jennings brewery, built in 1887 and still thriving, albeit no longer independent, but part of the Marstons empire.

BRIGHAM CHURCH

Brigham is a village a couple of miles west of Cockermouth. Much of the church at Brigham is Norman, dating to 1080 and has connections to the Wordsworth family. At the time the church was built Cockermouth was part of the Brigham Dioscese. My connection with the church and the village is that I was christened there in 1942, grew up as part of the choir and for a short time deputised as stand-in organist when Elsie Beattie was unavailable. It is a beautiful church close to the River Derwent.

Hundredth Anniversary of Wordsworth's Death

I was born in Bridge Street and went to Fairfield School, or "Fairfield Junior Mixed" as it was called when it became Co-Ed in about 1948. I remember the whole class having to walk up to Harris Park and stand round the fountain shown in the picture. Unfortunately we had to hold a daffodil during the walk and then recite Daffodils when we were round the fountain. I noticed when I was in Cockermouth a few weeks ago that the fountain has moved onto the Main Street  into the Memorial Garden opposite Wordsworth House. The Garden is on the site of my grandparents house and the Wordsworth tavern.