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Langthwaite

Langthwaite maps

Historic maps of Langthwaite and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Langthwaite maps

Langthwaite area books

Displaying 1 of 10 books about Langthwaite and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Langthwaite

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Cumbria memories

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

Market Square And Moot Hall 1951
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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

Ritsons Boot Makers, Station Street, Keswick

Joseph Ritson was my great-grandfather, he started the shop in the 1900s and the shop was still there in the1980s. I'm researching my family tree, does anyone have any information or photos? I would be very grateful.

Fell Walking in The Lake District

Hope Memorial Camp c1960
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Memories of Hope Memorial Camp--Easter 1958--thirty of us second year pupils (age 14) six fourth years and four teachers travelled from our school in Hertfordshire by coach to London Euston to go by train to Penrith.
Quite an adventure, I was bitten by a dog on the train, never told my mum.
At Penrith we changed trains and went on to Braithwaite, on arrival it was getting dark as we pushed our luggage on the station cart up through the village to the camp.
It was dark when we arrived and after such a tiring journey we snuggled into our sleeping bags and settled on the floor of the larger hut and went straight to sleep.
In the morning we looked out of the windows--snow, lots of it, at least two feet deep.
We had to clear our way to the toilet block before breakfast, only cold water in there--I am sure I did not have a proper wash.
After breakfast we explored the area and found an old wooden... Read more

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

Sketch of This Church in 1881

Wasdale Church c1880
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In a sketch I have dated October 1881 there is a cord hanging down from the bell down the outside wall with a hand pull. The name on the sketch it is Wasldale church. Possibly by Beatrix Potter or E Rawnsley.

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