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Wasdale Head
Wasdale Head photos
Displaying the first of 3 old photos of Wasdale Head. View all Wasdale Head photos
Wasdale Head maps
Historic maps of Wasdale Head and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Wasdale Head maps
Wasdale Head area books
Displaying 1 of 10 books about Wasdale Head and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Wasdale Head
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Wasdale Head.
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Sketch of This Church in 1881
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.
Cumbria memories
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 lived in The Hill, near Millom, and stayed from Monday to Friday at Brook House which was owned by the Sim family. Billie Sim also ran the local bus service which went to Whitehaven every Thursday.
The Post Office was run by Mary Nolan, who appeared as a guest on one of the early This is Your Life shows. In the next door farm were Arthur and Florrie Irving and her mother Rosa Dugdale.
Cyril Porter used to deliver bread and cakes, Tom Parker delivered meat, Jack Roberts delivered the milk and Jack Woodall was the local grocer. I used to travel with Tom when he went... Read more
Character Training Course
Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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I was at the OBMS in May of 1953. I particularly remember this time as it was when Hillary climbed Everest with Ten-zing. We had been sent on a three day expedition and on the second day I developed an infection in my right heel and was forced to return to base. At the time Edmond Hillary's son was staying in the house. I think he may have been bored at the time and invited me if I would like to explore the main house with him which we did, going up to the top of the castellated flat roof and looking at the view from it. However all was well at this time except that we came down a different way to the way we went up, unbeknown to me it led to matron's bedroom. On questioning he said it would be ok to go through, which we did very quickly, however somebody must have seen us because I was pulled by my patrol instructor to be severely... Read more
The Dreaded Whimsey
Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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1963 ish....My early morning dip - each morning we donned shorts and pumps to run around the Tarn where we jumped down a large hole, then our sadistic instructors released a gush of freezing stream water, soaking every inch. After circling 3 times we ran back to our dorm for a welcome hot shower. Long hikes in the fells, a 4 day mountain expedition and the solo over-night desaster, they all have thier tales to tell, good and bad. I have revisited Eskdale with my wife and was made very welcome, so much has changed, but I did meet my instructor of Young patrol, Mr Puttiman, who retired and lives not to far away. No, he didn't remember me!
The Lake
Rock Climbing Instruction, Outward Bound Mountain School c1955
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Does anyone remember having to run twice round the lake at 1am for being noisey in the Dorm???
OUCH
Pelham House
I was at Pelham House from 1951 to 1953. I woul love to hear from anyone else who was there in those years.
Holidays in Egremont
I only have good memories relating to Egremont and its people. I lived in Manchester, but spent all my school holidays in Egremont. I stayed with my uncle and aunt, George and Nell Faron (and cousins Gerald and Marion), they lived at 7 Beck Green. Oh happy days, ice cream from Hartleys, swimming in the beck, tending to my uncle's smallholding, he kept pigs, hens and ducks.Going to Fergie's Field picking mushrooms, raspberries, crab apples, whatever was edible all went into the bag (no plastic carriers then). Days out at St Bees or anywhere within walking distance, and to Whitehaven on the bus. To me, every day the sun seemed to shine. Special days were coach trips to the Lakes, cream teas, trips on the Ratty. Heaven on earth. Memories fade regarding names, but I remember Jim Savage and family were great friends of the Farons. My Uncle Harry moved to Cumbria in the 1970s, he married a Cumbrian girl, Pat Walsh. They lived at Collier Gate, Lamplugh. My wife and myself... Read more
