MORECAMBE BAY LIVES People | Voices | Memories 2 3

Between 2015-2018 the Morecambe It is a real privilege to be invited CONTENTS Bay Lives project sought to bring into people’s lives and to record different generations together to their memories and we would celebrate the people and places of like to thank everyone who . In villages and towns contributed their time and Memories from a Time and tide wait all around the Bay, people met through stories during the Morecambe Morecambe Bay childhood for no man or woman reminiscence and oral history to share Bay Lives project. personal stories and unique insights. 4 John Murphy, Walney Island 15 Colin Midwinter & Harry Experiences of coastal industries, This booklet is a collection Roberts, Morecambe RNLI tourism, wartime, childhood, regional of ‘memory snapshots’ 5 David Hodgson, Morecambe traditions, hidden places and wonderful 16 Bruce Eastwood, drawn from the oral histories 5 Maisie Murray, Morecambe anecdotes of everyday Bay lives have recorded as part of the Sailing, Arnside been collected and preserved in an project. These extracts offer 6 John Murray, Overton archive for the future. The memories 16 Bruce Chattaway, an insight into the story of Inshore Rescue shared are at times, dramatic, poignant, this wonderful area but can 7 Denys Vaughan, informative, hilarious and most of all, only scratch the surface Barrow-in-Furness 17 Helen Loxam, full of Morecambe Bay spirit. of the diverse lives and Lancaster Port Commission 8 experiences of the people Jane Smith & Anne Johnson, An important aspect to the project was Foot, Ulverston engaging young people in discovering and of Morecambe Bay. 17 John Howell, Sailing, Arnside celebrating Morecambe Bay and their local heritage. Primary school children Everyone we’ve recorded around the Bay learnt oral history is connected through their techniques and invited ‘older’ people proximity to Morecambe Bay Fun in the sun Earning our daily crust itself; a place which I have from the community to their school to 9 Louie Carrick, 18 John Owen, share afternoon tea and swap stories come to respect and love in Aqualovelies, Morecambe Morecambe Tourism and memories before celebrating what equal measure. With its rich Super Swimming Stadium they’d discovered in art and song. mix of people, nature, industry 19 David Kettlewell, and history, Morecambe Bay 10 Evelyn Archer, Morecambe's Hyning Hall, Warton Over 120 people were recorded is a fascinating and beautiful Winter Gardens as part of the project creating a place and as one of the 19 Rex Lancaster, John Asplin lasting resource for the community. interviewees remarked one 10 Charlie Overett, Butchers, Grange The Archive is available at the which ‘we are so privileged Aqualoonies, Morecambe Archives (Barrow) and also online at to live in.’ Super Swimming Stadium 20 Keith Tassart, recordingmorecambebay.org.uk – a website created by Morecambe Emma Aylett 11 Eric Atkinson, Ulverston 20 Eunice Sampson, Bay Partnership to share historical Project Facilitator Morecambe/Ulverston information about Morecambe Bay. 11 Jill Atkinson, Grange Lido Some of the fantastic work created by 21 Graham Maclean, schools plus resources for teachers can 12 Ginny Marshall, Miss Great Heysham Port be found at morecambebaylives.org. Britain Competition 22 Sheila Drewery & Bryn Howell, The project was delivered by Morecambe 13 Edith Farrar & Freda Addison, Lakeland Laundry, Barrow Bay Partnership as part of its Headlands Front Cover image Leeds Children’s Holiday to Headspace Heritage Lottery Funded Grange Pool from an old Camp, Silverdale 23 Robin Reginald Beck, Landscape Partnership Scheme. Thank postcard (photographer Lakeland Laundry, Barrow you to all those who buy lottery tickets. unknown, E. Aylett collection) 14 Gillian Asplin, Grange Fell Golf Club 4 5 David Hodgson, born 1950s, remembers Morecambe David was born and bred in Morecambe where he still MEMORIES FROM A lives today. A local historian, he continues to research into the history of his home town. MORECAMBE BAY CHILDHOOD When I was a kid, all old information bureau. the promenade without around Morecambe There would be others being jostled. You couldn’t Bay every community having bonfires all the go in a shop without had a bonfire on the way along. So, if you queuing. So, what we beach. By community stood in the middle of tended to do was jump John Murphy, born 1940s, remembers Walney Island I don’t mean a town I Morecambe Bay you on a train and go up to mean little areas. could actually see all Heysham Harbour or go John was born and raised on Walney Island. Born with a ‘sense of adventure’ he joined the Merchant Navy at 16 but returned I lived where the the way around the to Carnforth. Like many Arndale Centre is now. Bay, bonfires. kids of my generation I when he married a ‘Barrow girl’. He became the Mayor of Barrow Those few streets all As a child, for four was in to trainspotting, in 2011-2012. A self-professed ‘Walney fanatic’ he leads guided got together every so I’d spend hours and walks on Walney and across to Piel Island. months of the year bonfire night and we the town wasn’t my own. hours sat by the rail line had a bonfire behind the in various locations. My playground as a Then there were the If the wind was in the You couldn’t walk down ten-year-old was Walney delights of winkling when east, you could hear Island so I had a twelve- we used to wander the ship yard band mile garden to play in. over the rocks just playing. The tune which Maisie Murray, born 1930s, remembers Morecambe My father used to say picking winkles. I remember with great you can go anywhere on fondness was Nimrod. Born and brought up in Morecambe, Maisie remembers being a the island as long as you Growing up was Watching for that first child in the town during WW2. As she recalled: “They were dark don’t go over the bridge. dominated by ship quarter of an inch days, but we were young and didn’t really appreciate what was building. I lived only movement and you knew Walney to me at the going on because our parents used to make it a fun time.” about two or three then the tugs would time was a very magical hundred yards from the start hooting and the I lived on Scott Rd which is near on and we would walk the visitors to place. I’ve very early top of Walney Channel. crescendo would build up Regents Park in the West End. some of the boarding houses. You memories of going up Launch day was a big until this ship entered the A very happy childhood; hard would get sixpence or something and the beach with my father day. The schools had channel. Then it would times because it was during the there were crowds of children doing or a brother and doing enough freedom then to send out a wash, a wave, war. Food wasn’t easy to come this. I can remember walking the things like crabbing. My allow us to go to the top a small tsunami of water. by and I have early memories of donkeys on the sand. You didn’t get father taught me the of Walney Channel and Mum coping with rations. paid for that, but you used to walk technique of getting watch these magnificent them along with the reins and take some really decent sized launches: it was an I always felt that Morecambe was a little toddlers and that was good fun. crabs from under the incredible day. wonderful place to be brought up in. rocks with our hands. We just played, we walked and we We got a pass for the baths ran. We went over Westgate into and ‘lived’ in the swimming pool. the fields: no fear. Crowds of children would run up there. We used to run along the Lots of visitors came to Morecambe piers, sometimes you would find Right just after the war and as children a ha’penny on the wooden deck it The Destroyer ‘Almirante Williams’ we used to go and meet the trains was like a treasure. No money but on the slipway, Barrow, 1958 coming in and offered to take their plenty of love and laughter. ©The Dock Museum VPA.0739 luggage. We had barrows with wheels 6 7

John Murray, born 1930s, remembers Overton John was born in Penrith. During WW2 his father became a security man at the Trimpell refinery at Heysham. The refinery played an important wartime role by producing aviation fuel for the Air Ministry. The family moved to the village of Overton to be nearer his father’s work.

I remember Overton so well, every Opposite The Ship was a smithy stone and every little lane. Overton and I could go out there and George had farms right on Main Street and Jackson, I can see him now, putting we were all involved with the farms. the red-hot shoes on the horses’ I can remember leading horses and hooves and all the acrid smoke coming haytiming: the hay being thrown up up: it was fantastic. I can remember right from the village street. Very when I worked at a farm called Downy Denys Vaughan, born 1930s, much a rural self-contained village. Field, which is half way between Overton and Middleton, they gave me remembers Barrow-in-Furness The children worked on the farms and this great big horse, (I was a big lad but Denys was brought up in Barrow. His first childhood home was I did until my teens. At 16 I was working it was a big horse), to take to George 10 Strand which was a ‘stone’s throw’ from Buccleuch Dock. He at a farm between Overton and Jackson in Overton which would have recalled that: “All little boys were terrified of falling in the dock”. His Middleton and was given big horses been a mile and half down the road. family moved to nearby Argyle place which offered more space. to lead: I had no experience really. We There was a raised platform where came in to Morecambe to deliver milk they put the milk kits, so I climbed up Argyle Place, in Barrow, really was out your plate or basin and she to the hotels. No wonder I grew to be and got up on the horse and I rode to a community. It was a very friendly would weigh out two or three flukes. six foot plus because at mid-morning Overton. It was shod and I took it back. neighbourhood from one end of the One fluke was a meal for a kid. break you were given a bottle of milk I was 15 perhaps. Incredible what you street to another – there were lots that had that much cream on the top. were entrusted to do. of kids and we all played with each Out came a stick with a cocoa tin on other. There was an ice cream man the end for the money. You would put who came from time to time ringing the money in the tin and she would his bell and shouting ‘ice cream’. This page pass your change down in the tin. Overton from Very rarely were we allowed to have an old postcard ice cream because it was a penny There was another caller called © Published by or tuppence. The milk man came potato buyer and he was around Raphael tuck & Sons night and morning with his horse Ltd, c. 1940 two or three times a week with a flat (Private collection) and cart and his big milk churn and cart. His call sign was: ‘come along Right doled it out into jugs. Then there now all you potato buyers’. We would The Strand, was an interesting woman called come out to watch him interacting Barrow, 1960s ‘Fish Maggie from Flookburgh’. She with the housewives. There was © The Dock Museum, had a pony and a wooden cart and a knife grinder he was fascinating BAWMS.09392.302 she had a basket of fish. Her call because you could see the sparks Right inset sign was ‘flukes, fresh flukes’ at the and he would sharpen everybody’s Barrow Street top of her voice and you would take knives. The knife grinder was fun. Trader Badge © B. Myers 8 9

FUN IN THE SUN

Right at dawn Louie Carrick, born1930, © S R Miller remembers Aqualovelies – Morecambe Super Swimming Stadium Jane Smith and Anne Johnson, born 1950s, remember Canal Foot, Ulverston Mrs Carrick had always loved swimming and she was determined to become an Aqualovely and perform with the synchronised Jane and Anne are sisters. They were brought up near Canal swimming act at Morecambe Super Swimming Stadium. She Foot in Ulverston. Canal Foot, which offers wonderful views across swam with them through the 1960s and continued performing the estuary and into Morecambe Bay, is located at the end of the as a synchronised swimmer until she was 42. Ulverston Canal. Although the canal gates are now locked the canal once performed an important function in transporting cargo from We had quite a few Sometimes we had the shore into Ulverston. spots. We had lovely packed audiences on a flowered hats on and lovely day. Other times Jane: Dad got a job at Anne: There were Anne: But you have different suits for each there would be a few the ironworks and later no restrictions. to have the knowledge. routine, so we had quick people under the café at Glaxo (in Ulverston) in A friend and myself, changes. We had to do out of the rain and we 1948 and Glaxo made Jane: There was a when we were about synchronised swimming. would think please don’t available some cottages railway line that went 13, thought that we Basically, we’d make come in it’s absolutely and mum and dad were to the Priory (it was could have a walk patterns in the water, pouring down. We still able to buy their first Glaxo’s line) we used to over to Chapel Island quite complicated so had to do a show even house on Ironworks Rd. walk through there to because the sand you had to be strong. if there was 6 in. We had a wondrous Priory Shore and you was all out. Suddenly childhood. could walk along from without warning we Each routine was We used to hear the there to . were covered up to different. One was music under the water. Anne: Everybody just here with water and a Spanish influence We used to have to Jane: As children we looked after each other. I don’t know how we or Greek, so we had listen to the music were always told, my to learn a little bit for when to come up. Jane: We spent all our got to the other side. mother went on and on of dancing on the It wasn’t very good days out in summer. and on, that we never stage then we would because I often got the We would be out from Jane: I don’t think if went on the sands and dive in and do the giggles and I would be morning until night; we mum knew you would I still cannot to this day synchronised swimming. under the water trying might take our jam have been allowed again. Above go far on to the sands. The water was freezing. not to laugh before I sandwiches with us. I did lose a shoe once in The Aqualovelies, The tide race is just Sometimes we didn’t came up. 1960 Photo by courtesy We wandered all the sinking sands. incredible. People have want to go in but we of Mrs Carrick. around here. Nobody always gone out to had to. Photographer unknown. worried where you Chapel Island for were. You were safe. a day out. 10 11

Eric Atkinson, born 1940s, remembers Ulverston Evelyn Archer, born 1940, Charlie Overett, People would come remembers Morecambe Eric moved to Ulverston when he was 12. born 1940s, remembers from Preston and Winter Gardens Aqualoonies – Morecambe During the summers of 1960 & 61, whilst he was a student training to become a PE the Fylde area and Super Swimming Stadium we would almost be Evelyn was born in Morecambe teacher, he worked as a pool attendant at touching each other on at the beginning of WW2. The Aqualoonies was a Grange Baths which is where he met his wife the foundation of that Morecambe’s Winter Gardens, diving and comedy act that Jill. Like many people living around Morecambe viaduct fishing for fluke. which saw the cream of British performed at Morecambe Bay Eric enjoyed being out in nature. Many would go back entertainment perform on Super Swimming stadium to Preston with whole its stage, was always close to along with the Aqualovelies I used to spend a lot Ulverston Viaduct – sackfuls of fluke. That Evelyn’s heart. In fact, she was a team of synchronised of time in the summer watch the tide coming was interesting especially one of the people responsible swimmers. As a boy, Charlie walking on the beach in and have to rush up when someone spotted from Ulverston almost the ladder to escape for saving the building from was invited to join the the tide coming down on to Barrow with my it. On Sunday morning, us and we all had to rush demolition and keeping it Aqualoonies and to ‘act friend. We used to look particularly at certain up, get out of the way open after its closure in 1977. the fool’ with them on the at all of the redshanks times of the year, there and get up by the railway diving board. and birds. We used to would be whole coach line before the tide I remember all the stars coming to go fluke fishing under loads of people. swamped the place. the Winter Gardens for the summer The Aqualoonies ended up putting season. I remember in 1958 my friend me in it. They said it’s a good idea and I were playing records up in her let’s put Charlie in it. From going bedroom and we looked out of the so often and talking to them they window and in the garden opposite made friends with us we were only Jill Atkinson, born 1940s, remembers Grange Lido was Morecambe and Wise: they had young lads and they were really rented the house for the season. nice guys. I was part of the act on a When she was three Jill moved to her Grandparents’ farm in Saturday, Sunday and a Wednesday Witherslack. Grange Lido (known locally as Grange Baths) was There were Sunday concerts. We had because we weren’t at school on a a popular place for people to spend their leisure time. It was all the top stars of the day come to Wednesday afternoon. They got me an open-air unheated salt water pool. The Baths closed in Morecambe: Tommy Steele and Cliff to sit down on the end of the diving 1993 but the structure is still present on Grange Prom. Richard and the Shadows – people like board. They would come along with that. Every Sunday night there used a plank and the plank would just We spent our teenage years at I was teaching at Cartmel, it was to be two shows one at quarter past nudge my head and I would just roll Grange Baths if you had a weekend my first teaching job and I was six and one at half past eight. So, we over into a dive. you were in The Baths talking to teaching PE. Once we got past always came to the last one because friends. It was a centre for young May half-term I would take a group I’d be eleven. My mum would be we thought that they don’t have to people. It was always full and it always of children, all from different years, down there watching me because rush off stage and we might get a little seemed that the sun was shining. to Grange Baths for swimming on Wednesday afternoon business more out of them. We sat up in ‘the There was an area of concrete steps every day until the end of term people would be off. I think the first gods’ and then when they had finished, between the paddling pool and the in July. Sometimes the water was time I was a little bit nervous, with all we ran all the way downstairs, through diving boards: this was the main area not warm and after five minutes these people. It was very, very simple. the back staircase, and waited outside for seating. So, you took your cushion swimming we had to come out They would knock me off and I’d go the back door for their autographs. or towel and it was just one hive of and some of them were a bit blue! up again and then I’d be finished and The last person that I saw, I couldn’t activity. It was a lovely place to be As it got towards June/July then then right at the end when we all fell forget it her nails were so bright red because everyone was happy. they stayed in a bit longer. and long, was Shirley Bassey. off, they would hold my hand up and chuck me back in again. 12 13

Ginny Marshall, born 1940s, remembers Miss Great Britain Competition Ginny moved to Morecambe when she was 6. For four summers during the 1960s, whilst she was a student, she worked as a lifeguard at the Morecambe Super Swimming Stadium. More that just a swimming pool, the Super Swimming Stadium was also a place of entertainment. There was a daily Aqua Cascades show to enjoy along with a weekly a heat of Left Leeds Children's the Miss Great Britain Competition. Holiday Home © E. Aylett Collection Wednesday They would wear very Mostly when they afternoons were high heel shoes with came for a season spectacular events stiletto heels and they they would be invited Edith Farrar and Freda Addison remember at the swimming pool would wobble around to come and help because at about half in those. They had judge such as Eric Leeds Children’s Holiday Camp, Silverdale past eleven in the the most beautiful and Ernie, Tommy Edith and Freda are lifelong friends. They were tireless fundraisers morning the bathing bouffant hairstyles – Steele, Frank Ifield. for the Leeds Children’s Holiday Camp located in Silverdale. For beauties would start mostly backcombed. arriving ready for When the competition over a 100 years, until its closure in 2016, the charity provided free the competition in started they would holidays at the camp for the under privileged children of Leeds. Up the afternoon. be given a heart until 2015, 60,000 Leeds children had holidayed there. There were shaped number lots of activities for the children, a swimming pool, outdoor space for Of course, they were each and they would the children to play and wonderful views across Morecambe Bay. all rivals and they all then come from the wanted to be Miss changing room and The children came from We had a little boy who The money that we Great Britain. They parade all around the the poorer quarters of got off the coach on raised would come from would wear one-piece swimming pool in front Leeds. The headmaster Monday and the tide various sources. We had swimming costumes of where the judges or mistresses was in. He could see a lot of money from our because obviously were sitting; smiling at recommended them it just over the field. coffee mornings. We the days of the bikini everybody and trying and sometimes social They were going to found that people from hadn’t arrived. to win the eye of the services recommended the swimming pool the Heysham were just They would be tanned judges. We had a lot them. The children following morning. He as enthusiastic about but they helped of famous judges. come in what they came out and stopped raising money as people the tan along. stood up in. When you dead in the middle of the from Silverdale. We held think of the children forecourt and he looked, a cross bay walk, annual that came to the camp, and he said, ‘Who’s dinner, Lancashire Right quite a large proportion pulled the plug out?’. He evening every year Programme for the final of the hadn’t seen a sheep didn’t realise that there and we gave talks. Miss Great Britain competition, 1957 or cow. was a tide and it went in Love of the children has © Lancaster City Museums (Lancaster City Council) and out. kept us fundraising. 14 15

Gillian Asplin, born 1930s, ‘TIME AND TIDE remembers Grange Fell Golf Club WAIT FOR NO As a child Gillian lived at High Fell in Grange-over-Sands later moving on to Holme Island. Gillian’s father, Mr Davy, was a MAN OR WOMAN’ local businessman who owned a road haulage business which transported milk and coal. He decided that he wanted to build a golf course – a venture which truly became a family affair. The Grange Fell Golf Club he created in 1950 is still a thriving club today.

There used to be as men. We got the My mother said she’d Grange Golf Club, but golf pro from Silverdale. have got divorced if she my father didn’t really On a Sunday all his hadn’t played golf; it Colin Midwinter and Harry Roberts, like that because it was drivers (who worked in was just the only thing born 1950s, remember Morecambe RNLI too flat for him, so he his haulage business) you thought of doing used to get on a train who liked it came Saturday and Sunday Colin and Harry are volunteers for RNLI Morecambe. every weekend and go and played. A lot of lunch. That was really They joined as crew in the 1970s and 80s respectively. through to Silverdale people like that weren’t what I loved about it They were both brought up in Morecambe. Golf Club. There had allowed to be members the feeling that we Colin: been a Fell Golf Club of clubs: golf was were all very much a The boat used to come in a Colin: We were always cold (in Grange) which had upmarket in those days. community doing it. I bag and we would have to blow it and wet, always. gone to rack and ruin. I remember my father became an avid golfer up ourselves. Harry: A lot of the time in summer saying that everyone and played golf all over Harry: We didn’t have dry suits we would grab a life jacket and jump My father along with should be able to play the country when I was at the time. The PPE (personal in the boat with a pair of shorts on other locals decided golf it’s a lovely game younger. We had lots protective equipment) we have and t-shirt and that was it and off that they wanted to and healthy. of juniors up at the club now is amazing to what we had you went. Now it’s completely against reinstate the Fell and my father used to then. We had three sets of waders regulations and all your PPE has to Golf Club. It was such a friendly, transport us all around which you wouldn’t wear in a boat be on before you go out there. friendly place. After my the country to junior He made this golf father died, we let the now anyway. competitions. Colin: We couldn’t wait to get back course mostly with his members buy their own Colin: All size 11. and have a cup of coffee but again land but taking in some golf course. of the upper fell land we didn’t have anywhere to make Harry: And three sets of oilskins that coffee. You were reliant on of the Cavendishes as and that was it. well. It was a very nicely Keith’s wife coming down with a flask designed golf course Colin: Our life jackets weighed and meeting us – very often with built on the hillside. We a ton once they were wet. a tot of rum in it. I remember one had a nice club house time she came down she picked the and my father wanted Harry: They were filled with wrong bottle up and put sherry in it. it to be the first golf straw – It’s changed incredibly. It tasted awful, but we were so cold course in those days we drank it anyway. that had women equal Top Yacht ‘Mabel’ sailing in the Bay, K. Willacy Collection. Photographer unknown. Left Old Postcard from the Bay, 1953 © E. Aylett Collection 16 Helen Loxam, Lancaster Port Commission, 17 remembers Plover Scar Bruce Eastwood, born 1930s, remembers Arnside Helen is the Chief Executive of the Lancaster was do we know how it Bruce lives in Arnside but was originally from Halifax. From the Port Commission which is based operationally was built? We went to 1960s Bruce and his family would come to Arnside at weekends, at Glasson Dock. The Commission looks after, the Archive Office and staying in a caravan or with friends, to sail with Arnside Sailing Club. and is responsible for, the navigation of the brought back some plans River Lune between the edge of the Lune for the lighthouse. They We were out one day It rolled straight over got swept up to Arnside didn’t look anything like and it was blowing a again. I heard a voice Viaduct; same problem Deeps and Lancaster. the lighthouse as built. hooley everywhere but say, ‘Get in the boat’. the wind was peculiar. We had a bit of an so there had to be a These plans were dated on the beach. On the I said, ‘Which boat?’. So, he had said to his incident a couple of corresponding shift 1846. I was contacted beach it was a good He said, ‘This one you son no problem we’ll years ago when a vessel below the water line. by the son of the last wind but not a wicked idiot’, and it was the go through the viaduct struck our lighthouse in The whole top of the lighthouse keeper. His wind. Ian was out on a Coastguard sitting next and it will snap the mast the river: the Plover Scar lighthouse had been wife had done some Flying Dutchman with to us. ‘We had been and we will drift up the Lighthouse. I went down shifted a foot one way. investigation and came his son and I was out waiting twenty minutes estuary; it didn’t, the on the pilot boat and I Quite frankly it was up with the indication on a skiff by myself. I you seemed to be mast stayed up and the was horrified, absolutely what do I do now? It that the lighthouse capsized because of coping quite well.’ boat snapped in half. horrified. There was a was new territory: it was had been reclad in the wind. I got the boat He came up in one half stone much later than Then we went and big hole in the side of unprecedented. It was a up two or three times and his son in the other. it had been built. but couldn’t hold it up. picked up Ian who had it. It was obvious that case of how are we going the lighthouse had to fix it and not only that We discovered that been pushed to one but how are we going there was actually a lighthouse inside Bruce Chattaway, born 1960s, remembers Walney Island side. The top layer of to get to it to fix it? One stone had been shifted of the first things the the lighthouse. Bruce was born in the Queen’s Arms in Biggar Village on Walney sideways about a foot contractors asked Island. Boats and going fishing and sailing with his dad were important parts of his childhood. Bruce is currently the Station Officer of John Howell, born 1930s, remembers Arnside Ulverston Inshore Rescue, a volunteer organisation established in response to a local tragedy. Being part of Ulverston Inshore, for Bruce Sailing has been a big part of John’s life. In the 1960s ‘means a lot to me to know we have done something for Ulverston.’ he joined Arnside Sailing Club which he describes as a ‘ friendly and very much a family club’. The club would Originally, I joined Walney While I was there, I got We were put forward organise sailing events. Coastguard: twenty three recommendations by members of other years ago now. I lived on and a Royal Humane societies and we were I thoroughly enjoyed years and it will silt over have the Outer Rock race. Walney. I had the local Society Award. The chosen to be awarded. It arranging these things. again. I used to walk If it was a good windy day pub (Crown Hotel) on award was for saving was one of the proudest Close to Holme Island across the estuary from it was an exciting race. the Island. The members three gentlemen on a moments of my life. To over at Grange there White Creek over to To go there and back of the team used to yacht which was running be recognised by other are three rocks Outer Outer Rock with toffees without capsizing. I think come and drink in the aground off Walney people and members of Rock, Inner Rock and one which I put in holes in the that one of the most pub and asked me if I Island. It was a gale my own team and other which is called Seldom rock and again families memorable days was in was interested in joining force ten. Myself and teams in the area – Seen Rock, but it is very would sail down and, if the late 60s early 70s. I Walney Coastguard, Simon we had to swim it meant a lot to me. seen at the moment the kids hadn’t eaten all remember counting 21 so I did. I was there for out, put a line on and and it changes over the the toffees before they sails on the water. That twenty years. bring three guys back. Right years. Until, I think, last came back, the one with was extraordinary I had Plover Scar Lighthouse, image year it probably hadn’t the most toffees was the never seen so many © Courtesy of Mr R. Parkinson been seen for twelve winner. We would always boats on the water. 18 19 David Kettlewell, Below Morecambe Crowds, born 1940s, remembers Hyning Hall, Warton EARNING YOUR c. 1950s, old postcard © E. Aylett Collection. Hyning Hall, near Warton, was once owned by Lord and Lady DAILY CRUST Photographer unknown. Peel (it is now a convent). David’s dad Edgar was the Peels’ head gardener from 1962. The garden was designed by the renowned designer Ralph Hancock and once included a vinery, peach house, John Owen, born 1950s, remembers Morecambe Town Hall iris garden, orchid house and rose garden. The family lived in a Shortly after leaving school in the late 1960s John found cottage on the estate. himself working in the ‘Publicity and Entertainment Department’ Dad was always at work. He would you can go and do the Red Walk and in Morecambe Town Hall. In the summer period the department always find some excuse to go around that would stretch from one side of organised and ran events, whilst in the winter months they dealt the gardens. It was his passion. It was the gardens right the way around with publicity for the resort. his life. He would be out there at 7 the edge: it was all a red shale path. o’clock in the morning. You would have I used to start at one end and go We used to do the I had some adventures was full. Particularly trouble getting him home for his dinner along with the edge trimmer. If you publicity and what in that. It had a big sun fair fortnight even though he was only 20 yards saw Lord Peel you used to go and you would call now on the top that was which was the last away. On a summer’s night he would hide in the bushes and turn your ‘marketing and knocked off in Glasgow two weeks of July. So, be there at 10 o’clock at night. back on him: he didn’t speak to staff. promotion’ in the once by being towed we put loudspeakers He was old school you were there to winter months. We under a low bridge on the publicity van The edging of the lawns was my job do the work. He would speak to my would produce 40,000 when we broke down! and we were asked in the holidays. My dad used to say dad, but only by appointment. copies of a guide It had light up panels to tour around the to Morecambe and on the side that said, residential streets of distribute them through ‘Go motorway to the town appealing Rex Lancaster, born 1920s, the winter. We would Morecambe’. It was a big to people to provide remembers John Asplin Butchers, Grange attend exhibitions. We thing in the 60s as they accommodation and had a Ford Thames had just built the M6. let some of their rooms Rex was born in 1927 in Grange-over-Sands. Rex’s family owned that we would take all to some of the holiday and ran the butchers ‘John Asplin’ on Main Street. When a family There was a time of our materials in. It makers turning up member died Rex’s mother, at the age of 15, took over the running was covered in slogans when there was no without pre-booked of the business. After WW2 Rex went into partnership with his for Morecambe. It was accommodation accommodation. bright yellow. available and the town mother and aunts. He retired in 1982. We used to get cattle down from shop door open as they always did. Scotland to Carnforth by train and then Two animals, large ones, walked into walk them from Carnforth to Grange. the top shop. There were pictures and When they got to Carnforth we were furniture everywhere. The cows walked there with our bicycles; twenty or so down the steps in to the next shop. Aberdeen Angus just think of it, Someone said: ‘Don’t make a noise just now coming along that A590! let them go’ and they walked down and out the bottom shop. Apart from one We had a wonderful furniture shop in opening its bowels as it left the shop… Grange, R and H Law. We were bringing that could have cost thousands. I will cattle up from Grange Station: ten of never forget that incident. them. The furniture shop had left the 20 21

Keith Tassart, born 1940s, Graham Maclean, remembers Lancaster Canal born 1940s, remembers Heysham Port keep catching something as they Keith worked for the British In 1990 Graham became the Director, General Manager and Waterways on the Lancaster are going past these telegraph poles. So, we had a fish around with dredger Harbour Master of Heysham Port. He had previously been Captain Canal during the 1960s. He had bucket and coming up was a cable of Hoverspeed Great Britain. Heysham is a cargo and ferry port. worked in farming but, finding – it was coming up like a serpent. When Graham was working there the Heysham to Isle of Man himself without a job, happened route would transport 20,000 motorbikes during TT week. to be walking down the banks of Pulling up the cable was pulling the canal one day when someone on the telegraph poles. When I started it was million pounds. We Foot and Mouth was a particularly steep had 120 staff. I didn’t one that gave us asked if he wanted to work with One of the poles swung back into learning curve for know anything about a big problem. The British Waterways. Keith took the position and one is still there at a crazy myself and the staff. I dredging before and government said that last boat through Tewitfield Locks angle. The fellow from the farm came think some of it was the that was a big issue, or any vehicles leaving out and he says by gads you lads don’t before they became unworkable. history of the place: the pilotage and suddenly the country should know how lucky you are it’s only two or office door was locked I had two contracted be washed. We drove One of foremen says that as you are three weeks ago since someone could and everybody was to work for us. I had a some through water coming into Carnforth there are some see this was going to happen and we mister. I had never been fleet of vehicles; I was baths, but the Isle of telegraph poles the other side and cut that cable off. We now have the brought up that way used to ship’s engines Man said that they they carry electric over to a farm. So, cable laid on the bottom of the canal yes, I had a rank but my yes, lorry engines no. preferred to have we duly found these telegraph poles. otherwise it would have killed you. Boats keep complaining that they name was Graham and When I went there, we vehicles washed so we if we were in private were carrying 250,000 washed every vehicle that’s what I was called. trailers a year and as it left the port. So, Eunice Sampson, born 1920s, remembers Morecambe/Ulverston taking 50 trailers off when you are talking I suddenly had and putting 50 on in in the year 400,000 Eunice now lives at Canal Foot, Ulverston but lived in Morecambe responsibility for the 4 hours. By the time I vehicles that was a lot during WW2. During the War, due to Morecambe’s relatively safe profit and loss of a left, they were putting of washing to do! location, the Government relocated various departments of the business that was 80 on and 80 off in Civil Service there requisitioning many hotels for office space turning just over 10 three hours. and accommodation.

My father died when I was 10 and we During the War all the hotels in moved to Morecambe. We moved to Morecambe were taken for offices. Morecambe because then mother When I left school, you were told to could earn a living and be at home go into this or that. I went into the because in those days you had to Civil Service that had moved into have someone to look after your Morecambe. I married a local boy who children. My mother talked about it lived at Heysham. Andy got a job at on the Thursday and by the following Glaxo, you just went where the work Friday we were in Morecambe, from was. I must have been about 30 when I Leeds. She had a boarding house and came here to Canal Foot, Ulverston. We everyone bought their own food. My moved in 1953. Everybody round here Right Heysham Port mother was an excellent cook she did accepted you; they already accepted © P. Sunderland, Lancaster City Museums, LM98.44/218, the cooking for everybody. everybody who worked at Glaxo. Wilmott collection 22 23

Below The Lakeland Laundry © Courtesy of B. Myers Robin Reginald Beck, born 1950s Sheila Drewery & Bryn Howell Lakeland Laundry, remembers Barrow Lakeland Laundry, remembers Barrow Reg was the last apprentice taken on at Lakeland Laundry in Lakeland Laundry was once a major employer in Barrow. Originally Barrow-in-Furness. He and his boss Frank made up the electrical a domestic laundry collecting dirty washing by horse drawn wagon department and were always on call to repair machines. it branched out into cleaning for the hotel and food industries. After his apprenticeship, and then 8 months at the Shipyard, Reg A place of innovation, it was the first laundry in the country to develop went on to spend 36 years at sea. a temporary laundry marking system replacing the need to indelibly In 1967 Barrow Shipyard at Lakeland Laundry. worked on a five-year mark items of laundry. could offer jobs to every I came down to the apprenticeship. male school leaver in laundry and entered by Sheila: I started as town who could all get the front door which was Afterwards, I went an office junior in an apprenticeship. It was a no-no for anyone who to the Shipyard for 1964 and left in 1976. a struggle getting people wasn’t the management. eight months but on Then employers into other jobs in town. the submarine, I was were different. Then The foreman took me on, there was 120 you had to show I’d been offered an into the factory which electricians. I once had them that you were apprenticeship as a was very warm and a job for a week, one of willing to go to night fitter and turner, but I steamy, full of people the most boring jobs I school to gain your didn’t want to go into the with all sorts going on. have ever done, glueing certificates I was Shipyard, so I had gone It seemed like a good Formica plaques by going to night school down to the employment job so in 1967 I started electrical fittings. 4 nights a week. office, who said that they work as an apprentice After eight months were after an apprentice electrician and I was bored silly. Bryn: I went to night school three nights a week for bookkeeping and accounting. Morecambe Bay Partnership celebrates and conserves; connects and I came up with. Each ‘Sheila will collaborates. From birds to beach cleans, from cycle ways to catching Sheila: Lakeland laundry company, I think you go and fill my car up fishing tales Morecambe Bay Partnership delivers projects that make Laundries Holdings paid at the time there were with petrol? great things happen for our communities for my postal course in 8 or 9, every month It was quite a big car and Our supporters make the Bay a better To find out more about what we do shorthand which was had to send in a big I was a nervous wreck. place, sharing skills, volunteering and or how you can help follow us at: Pitman’s. I attained 120 ledger of everything Every time he said that donating. Hundreds of local people wpm in shorthand. they had used in the I thought: ‘Oh no’. have contributed so that we can: @_MBay process from pins, the Bryn: I was in accounts. collar guards, the inks, It was a very family • look after special heritage sites @MorecambeBayPartnership Mr Watkins was the raw materials. I used to orientated place. We had and care for nature procurement officer Elsie who was a tea lady @mb_partnership analyse and cost all that. • create safe cycle routes and open and Jean was the with a trolley and by gum up access for disabled people to statistician. She had an Sheila: The only thing I she was wonderful. She enjoy the Bay morecambebay.org.uk/donate old Marchant calculating didn’t like about the job used to bring us treats machine she used to was when I learnt to drive and we would have a • bring great art and celebration put in all the figures Mr Hetherington decided: crack with her. to connect our communities. Grange pool 1961 © Eric Atkinson

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