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Fenton memories

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

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

Memories of Cumbria

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.

Wetheral Folly

The Village c1955
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I still have memories of living in Wetheral Folly, I was only very young, 3/4yrs old. I remember opening the large gate and the drive through a field full of cows to get to the front door. The toilet was actually in the woods...a very long walk it was too. I would love to see some pictures or history on the Folly, I wish it hadn't been demolished as from what I can remember it was 'unique'.

Thoburn

In 1937 Albert & Gladys Thoburn took possession of Townfoot Cottage, the second house in the village. In 1940 Albert went to India and Thomas was born in March 1940. After the War when Albert returned home he met his son for the first time. He was then 5. In 1946 James was born. He attended Piperstile School then Brampton White House. Thomas left Carlisle and lived in Swindon where he died in 1985. Albert & Gladys remained at the same property for the whole of their married life. Albert died in 1981 and Gladys in 1989. The village has been developed by building houses so the old country life is not the same.

Family History

My name is John Coulthard. I live in Scottsdale, Arizona U.S.A. My father Alfred John Coulthard spent his whole life researching the family's history back to the mid-1100s, He left me all his research including a book "A COULTHARD" which includes about 150 family genealogy charts and includes original material related to Cumwhinton. This starts with some background on a Richard Coulthard who apparently moved from Hallburn to Cumwhinton in 1750. It provides significant detail about his son Robert Coulthard and his sons, one of whom ran away to Gretna Green to marry an Elizabth Milburn. Robert at one time had the title of Yeoman of Cumwhinton. The documents include hand drawn maps, wills and genealogy charts of descendants who lived in Cumwhinton or left for other parts of the U.K. I wonder if there is anyone still living in Cumwhinton who is either a Coulthard or a descendant of Richard Coulthard who would be interested in these documents?

School House

My first memory is that my father's parents lived in the school house which is at the junction where the road forks to go into the village of Cumrew.
William and Ann Thoburn, both born in 1878 and died in the 50’s.
All of the boys Albert, Ernest and Fred worked as road men for CCC. Albert(my father) took over his father’s length which was from Carlatton to Newbiggin. Fred took the length from Carlatton around the block via Cumwhitton. Ernest was killed in 1952 when the dumper he drove fell over the edge.

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