Gawthwaite, Cumbria

Red Lion Inn

My father ran this pub around 1952 - 53 when I was a small child. It was taken over by the Walkers who were running it when this photo was taken. Bill Livsey (spelling?) owned the farm. We still have an original Frith postcard of this scene. In 1954 we left the UK and I have lived overseas ever since. I... [more]

Hodgson/Braithwaite family

I do not have a memory exactly but have found out that my Grandma Braithwaite was born in Spark Bridge and a lot of her family of Hodgsons also lived there.  Her father James Braithwaite was a blacksmith and a lot of the family of Hodgsons worked in the Bobbin Mill that used to be there.  I just wish I could... [more]

Grandmother lived in Penny Bridge manor

My grandmother Sarah Hewitt was supposed to have lived in Penny Bridge manor and had a sister, I think, who drowned crossing the river - before the bridge was put in, maybe? - but I cannot find any information on her or her family. I would really appreciate any information.
What a beautiful place!!

My mothers was evacuated to Penny Bridge during WW2

My mother Iris Woods was evacuated to Penny Bridge during WW2. She first stayed at Penny Bridge House with the Stanley sisters - Franny & Alice? She then was moved to Mrytle Cottage to live with Fred & Ellen Stanley.

She has very fond and happy memories of her time there. I'm trying to trace some information... [more]

My Childhood

This mill is owned by my Aunt and Uncle. I spent many happy holidays up in Beckside and will always have fond memories of the beautiful old mill. Although I was always scared of the "ghosts"! This photo is before my time though, I wasn't born until 1977.

Family connections.

The gentleman with the scythe over his shoulder was my grandfather. His name was Joseph Jackson, born in 1849 at Bootle in Cumberland. He spent most of his life as a tenant farmer, first at Canleton Farm near Egremont also in Cumberland. He then moved to Lane Ends Farm at Haverthwaite in what was then Lancashire owing to... [more]

The Whitewater Hotel at Backbarrow, near Newby Bridge

I stayed in Backbarrow for several days at the Whitewater Hotel which has been converted from a former mill building by the river. The lobby of this lovely "spa hotel" has display cabinets of memorabilia from its industrial heyday in the last century which was interesting and I recommend a visit.

My wife Elizabeth and I used this... [more]

First Trip to Father's Hometown

My father Leslie Edgar Simpson Smith was born in Askam-In-Furness at Greenscoe Cottages in 1902 and he passed away in Canada in 2003. My grandfather William Smith was also born in Askam in the Vulcan Hotel which his father and mother, Hezekiah Cook Smith, and Hannah Simpson Smith ran.  My two sisters and myself came there in May of 2004 to... [more]