Nestled in the scenic heart of Cumbria, St Mary and St Michael’s Church is more than just a place of worship; it is a living testament to the rich history of the region. The very air inside the church seems to hum with the whispers of centuries past. Its walls, windows, and foundations hold stories
blog grid - Furness Whisper - Page 2
January 27, 2025
St Mary and St Michael’s Church: A Timeless Tapestry of Faith and Art
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
January 4, 2025
Fashion Felons, Grab Your Magnifying Glasses! The Curious Case of Frank Wood’s Hat Shop!
Imagine strolling down the cobbled streets of Barrow-in-Furness in the late 1800s, the crisp sea air whipping through your hair and the cry of gulls echoing overhead. Amidst the bustling crowds and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, a handsome storefront beckons: Frank Wood’s Hat Shop. For over 90 years, this establishment reigned supreme, its windows
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
December 19, 2024
The Fateful Hand of Dissolution: Southwell, Holcroft, and Furness Abbey’s Lost Legacy Part 3
In our quest to uncover the fate of Furness Abbey’s lost stained glass, and perhaps even find surviving pieces crafted by the master glazier John Petty, we must confront a turbulent chapter in the abbey’s history: the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This era of upheaval, instigated by King Henry VIII, not only brought an end
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
December 12, 2024
Following the Threads: John Petty’s Will and the Search for Furness Abbey’s Stained Glass (Part 2)
Imagine the clang of a hammer against a chisel, the scent of beeswax and lead filling the air, and shards of coloured glass catching the light of a medieval workshop within Furness Abbey. A skilled craftsman, John Petty, meticulously pieces together a vibrant stained glass window, his hands guiding each shard into place. Sunlight streams
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
December 11, 2024
A Family’s Legacy: St Mary’s Hospice
The muted light of a winter’s day filtered through the windows of the hospice café, casting soft shadows across the room. The gentle hum of conversation mingled with the clinking of teacups, creating a soothing symphony of everyday sounds. I settled into a chair, appreciating the warmth radiating from the nearby radiator as I gazed
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
December 8, 2024
Furness Abbey’s Lost Legacy: Could Two Churches Hold the Key? part 1
Local Historian Gill Jepson Suggests a Wider Search Imagine standing amidst the haunting ruins of Furness Abbey, the wind whispering through the crumbling arches, the scent of damp earth and ancient stone filling your nostrils. Can you hear the echoes of chanting monks and feel the chill that lingers in the shadows of this once-majestic
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
November 20, 2024
A Dark History: Mental Health Treatment in Furness – Unearthing the Shadows
#MentalHealthHistory #Furness #Cumbria #AsylumHistory #Madhouses #SocialStigma #CommunityCare The history of mental health treatment in Furness is a haunting symphony of suffering and resilience, etched against the dramatic backdrop of the Cumbrian landscape. It’s a story whispered on the windswept fells, echoing through the crumbling walls of forgotten institutions across the peninsula, and etched in the
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
May 31, 2024
Beneath the Streets: Where Victorian Ladies Gathered
In the heart of Barrow-in-Furness, beneath the everyday hustle and bustle, once existed a hidden social hub for Victorian women. This underground lavatory, built around 1889 (give or take a few years), was a far cry from its modern counterparts, offering a space for more than just practical needs. It was a place for gossip,
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
April 27, 2024
Unveiling the Intrigue of Bow Bridge: A Factual Journey Through Cumbria’s Red River
Trek with us where a seemingly unremarkable bridge murmurs secrets of an age long past. Snug amidst Cumbria’s rolling hills and chuckling brooks sits Bow Bridge, a humpbacked relic, its weathered stones arching in a timeworn grace over the babbling Mill Beck. But this gentle stream once bore a name far bolder—Red River—a moniker steeped
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments
April 26, 2024
Fascinatingly Forgotten Polymath: Dr. William Close
In the quaint market town of Dalton-in-Furness, where the rolling Cumbrian hills embrace the remnants of medieval stonework and the salty tang of the Irish Sea drifts inland, once lived a man of boundless ingenuity: Dr. William Close. Though his name has faded from common memory, between 1775 and 1813, Close was a force of
- By: Furness-Whisper
- No Comments