Cark, The Railway Station 1903

Photo ref: 50095

I attended Holker School between 1959 and 1963 and can recall the Rowes quite clearly. I made a habit of knocking at their door most morning play times when we were able to buy small packets of peanuts for two old pence from them. They were a friendly couple. I can also remember Mr Rowe performing his ventriloquist act at Christmas times. Fond memories of life in a small and supportive environment!

The house in this photograph is Lawn Cottage, Cark-In-Cartmel. It was the home to my great-great-grandfather Alfred Jackson Caton and his wife Mary. Alfred Jackson died in 1910, and it would seem from the census that by 1911 his wife and daughters were self sufficient, running a laundry and dress making service from the house.

My maternal grandma, Mrs Rowe, lived at school house as caretaker for about 40 years until she died in 1978. My mum Edith was brought up here, as were her sisters, Irene, Dorothy and Marjorie and her brother Alfred better known as" Sonny". We all, i.e. aunties, uncles and cousins, used to stop at Nanna Rowes for a few weeks in the summer holidays and I have nothing but happy memories of all the lovely people and places. ...see more

This photograph was probably taken at some time in 1967-68, a bit later than 1965, when the first council houses were built. My gran is in the photo, talking to the woman and girl. The adjacent houses where Alf Thompson lived weren't built until a year or so later than the ones shown.