Books with Steve Matthews of Bookends

Revelations in Percy’s work of art letters

In May 1983, when he was 65 and living in Norfolk, Percy Kelly wrote to Mary Burkett: “As you may have guessed, I am a very complicated individual with never two days alike. My health and sensitive and creative nature is almost too much to bear. Were it not for your concern and Joan David’s too I would never have emerged from the black pit.”

Last updated 18 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

What fascinating insights into the tortured soul of a great artist

IN MAY 1983, when he was 65 and living in Norfolk, Percy Kelly wrote to Mary Burkett: “As you may have guessed, I am a very complicated individual with never two days alike. My health and sensitive and creative nature is almost too much to bear.

Last updated 18 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Secrets of Carlisle past unearthed

When archaeologists were digging on the site of the new Debenham’s store in Rickergate some 13 years ago, they found 61 shoes.

Last updated 2 September 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

A hoard of walks minus the hordes of walkers

Wordsworth described a twisty road that “mounts... in mazes serpentine”. Today, the road over Dunmail Raise is a broad highway of cars battling for position after the restraints of the road up past Thirlmere.

Last updated 26 August 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

A walk through turn of the century Caldbeck

Speaking of Caldbeck, not the dormitory village in the Northern Fells that offers a quaint and pleasant stop for the urgent tourist, but the working village of farmers, cobblers and carriers of a hundred years ago, Richard Greenup writes: “Next door lives Mary Pearson, a well known maiden vendor of sweets, pots, groceries and soft goods and a devoted Wesleyan. Mary by her motherly ways and her liberal pennyworths is a great favourite with the children, she declares that the merry antics and comic sayings of the wee folks lend a charm to her life.”

Last updated 24 June 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Charting unspoilt natural treasure

Few places in Britain can equal the Solway Estuary for bird watching. John Miles finds it a wild and wonderful location, “a truly magical place”.

Last updated 31 December 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Charting our unspoilt natural treasure

Few places in Britain can equal the Solway Estuary for bird watching. John Miles finds it a wild and wonderful location, “a truly magical place”.

Last updated 31 December 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Floods: In our own words

The map says it all. Everywhere from Hope Park to Portinscale and from Upper Fitz Park to Crosthwaite – the football and rugby grounds, the camp sites, the bus station, Booth’s supermarket, all the houses around Limepots Road and Glebe Close – all are coloured blue.

Last updated 29 October 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Book provides guiding lights

The rotating flashing light on St Bees Head, the most substantial headland on the whole north-west coast, can be seen from 20 miles away.

Last updated 20 August 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Times cannot be forgotten

The building of the Settle to Carlisle Railway was an heroic but foolhardy venture.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

You can use Peter’s loaf!

Anyone who knows Peter Sidwell’s bistro, Good Taste in Keswick will know how fanatical he is about his bread.

Last updated 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

So near yet so far away. War’s grip on a Lakes town

Few places in England were further removed from the theatre of war in Europe than Cockermouth. Nevertheless, the people of the town took extraordinary precautions to avoid being a target for German bombers.

Last updated 20 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

History is all around us

One of Whitehaven’s most prized possessions is the Beilby Slavery Goblet. This exceptionally beautiful glass was made in Newcastle in 1763. On one side there is an engraving of a slave ship and on the other the words “Success to the African trade of Whitehaven”.

Last updated 30 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Memories with a sad ending

There was a time when a headmistress’s rule was total: “Pupils are forbidden to wait for one another at the school gates, to loiter in the streets or elsewhere, either before or after school hours, or to walk aimlessly about the streets at any time. In the streets not more than two should walk together.”

Last updated 30 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Ready for Hitler, in every hill, dale, village and town

In 1935 a giant Zeppelin, the Hindenburg, flew so low over Barrow that locals were able to wave at the Germans on board. Even though it was “a courtesy visit” the batteries of cameras on board and the way it hovered over the Vickers dockyards suggested that its purpose was far from peaceful.

Last updated 16 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Joss the legend, running for his life

Joss: The Life and Times of the Legendary Lake district Fell Runner and Shepherd Joss Naylor by Keith Richardson. River Greta Writer. £25

Last updated 9 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

The jewel in west Cumbria’s cultural crown turns gold

There can be few theatres in the country that have felt the tread of such distinguished feet. The boards have responded to the regal touch of the Queen Mother and of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon.

Last updated 2 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Edwardian utopia versus Bolshevism. Ransome‘s dilemma

Arthur Ransome created his own geography. Windermere and Coniston Water became one. There were real-life equivalents of Cormorant Island, Wild Cat Island and Houseboat Bay. They weren’t quite where you might expect them to be. In fact, when Ransome visited the Lakes in his later years, he experienced a sense of momentary dislocation.

Last updated 25 September 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk