Helvellyn memories
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Memories of Cumbria
Schooldays
During the Second World War my family lived in Liverpool. My parents decided it was much too dangerous for me so I was evacuated to a small school being run in an old house called Kelbarrow overlooking the lake. My best friend there was a girl called Eva. I loved every minute there. We went walks on the fell behind the house, and around the village. Because it was wartime there were no tourists coming to the village and it was quiet and peaceful.
We went to church every Sunday, and always sat in the pews underneath the pulpit,which we didn't like as the vicar sprayed us with spittle when he got excited during the sermon!! I remember one Palm Sunday sitting on the church wall with other village children waving palms
Whenever I am in the Lake District I am tempted to go back and visit Grasmere but am always dissapointed by the crowds and traffic. However a visit to the gingerbread shop to buy a good stock... Read more
Memories of 'Beckside'
On a recent visit to Martindale - beautiful as it is - I was saddened to find out that the 'Beckside' I remembered had changed. In the 1970s we would stay there during the summer holidays - it accommodated 10/11 people at that time and was a wonderful 'base' for those who enjoyed walking and exploring the Lake District. We would 'shop' in Penrith, and once our larder and 'fridge was stocked - we would settle in for our two week stay. The children loved the house and the 'beck' running beside it into Lake Ullswater - they would play on the lake shore or scrambling up the fellside behind the farmhouse - the fact we did not have a television was a blessing, as in the evenings family games were played, and when the evenings were rather cool we would light the log fire in the large grate and the snacks were brought out and the adults enjoyed their glasses of fruit wine. Oh happy days!
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).
ROYAL OAK HOTEL / GEORGE HOTEL
In 1964 I was (as Jim Wright) fortunate enough to move to Keswick to work as the assistant manager at the then Royal Oak Hotel, just past the Moot Hall on the far left corner in this photograph. The Royal Oak and George Hotels, across the street from each other, were then owned by Sir Percy Hope, a local dignitary. I lived in my own room in the hotel, then managed by Mr Peverett and his wife. I recall having hardly any freetime ever and earning 12 a week only! On my few days off I escaped the even then 'madding crowds' and would hike the fells by myself all day, never seeing hardly any living thing other than sheep! This was so wonderful and I vividly recall finding a spot in the tufts of grass out of the wind, taking a bag lunch break above Stickle Tarn and writing poetry, being caught in a hair-raising lightning storm near Wastwater, struggling in the high winds on Helvellyn's knife edge or being... Read more
Memories of A Painter
I used to go to Keswick quite a lot as a child, to visit my great-uncle, David Dickson. He was born in North-Shields, but lived in Keswick for a good number of years, from about 1928-1967until he died. He used to paint pictures in water colour, I think he must have painted all the lakes in the Lake District. His paintings were so good that some of them ended up in Keswick Art Gallery. This would have been around 1930, up until he died in 1967. He lived in a cottage in a little road off the main street of Keswick. Does anyone remember Mr David Dickson? If so I would love to hear from you.
Thankyou.
Brenda
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