Eskdale, Cumbria

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... [more]

RAILWAY WAGON EXPLOSION AT BOOTLE

ON 22ND OF MARCH 1945 MY FATHER HERBERT NORMAN STUBBS WAS THE FIREMAN ON AN AMMUNITION TRAIN.  A WAGON FULL OF DEPTH CHARGES CAUGHT FIRE, SO MY FATHER UNHOOKED IT AND PUT DETONATORS ON THE LINE TO WARN A TROOP TRAIN, WHICH WAS DUE.  THE DEPTH CHARGES EXPLODED AND HE WAS THROWN THROUGH THE AIR.  UNFORTUNATELY THE DRIVER HAROLD GOODHALL WAS... [more]

Pims at the White Mare

The White Mare used to serve Pims No1, No2, No3, No4 and No.5
3-card brag parties were Thursday nights.

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... [more]

Happy & Horsey Holidays

I have the fondest memories of childhood holidays spent in Ennerdale and a deep and lasting love of the valley, brought about not only by the remote beauty but also the many, very happy times that I have spent there with those closest to me.
Residents of Blackburn, Lancashire (Wainwrights home town!), my parents and two brothers spent most of... [more]

Staying at the Boat House

I first visited Silecroft in 1957, with my mother and father. It was August and we were on holiday for a week. I fell in love with the village at first sight and that love has lasted a life time. We stayed in the Boat House on the shore. Our first night was very windy and I remember walking to the... [more]