The clang of hammers on iron, the hiss of steam escaping from colossal machinery, and the acrid tang of coal smoke hanging heavy in the air – these were the sounds and smells that filled Josiah Timmis Smith’s world. Born in 1823, amidst the rolling hills of Derbyshire, his life’s journey would lead him to
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March 31, 2024
Josiah Timmis Smith: The Man Who Forged a Town in Iron and Fire
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March 30, 2024
St Cuthbert’s: A Sensory Journey Through History
Tucked away near the whimsically named Lady Moyra Incline, St Cuthbert’s Church beckons you to step back in time. More than just a place of worship, it’s a sensory experience that immerses you in the rich history of Kirkby-in-Furness. Imagine the echoes of ancient footsteps on worn stone floors, the cool touch of ancient stone
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March 30, 2024
Market Place: From Royal Seal of Approval to Medieval Mall
Forget fancy shopping centres – Market Place was THE place to be in Dalton-in-Furness back in 1239. King Henry III himself basically said, “This town needs a killer marketplace,” and BAM! Royal charter granted. Imagine a mediaeval mosh pit of commerce – farmers hawking cabbages louder than rock stars, the air filled with the earthy
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March 29, 2024
All Aboard! A Journey Through Time at Ulverston Station
Ulverston Station wasn’t always the grand dame it is today. Picture the scene in the blustery 1850s: a lone platform, its wooden planks bleached and splintered by the relentless sun and the bite of the salty sea winds, stood stark against the slate-grey sky. Patches of rust stained the rails like dried blood. This was
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March 29, 2024
Groovy Time Warp: When Barrow-in-Furness Was Wrapped in Cellophane Magic
Buckle up, because we’re going on a groovy time warp to #1957BarrowinFurness. Forget poodle skirts and jukeboxes, because the coolest thing in town was the brand new British Cellophane factory, setting up shop near Sandscale Haws. This wasn’t your average factory, no sir! Imagine a place that pumped out invisibility film – well, not exactly
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March 29, 2024
Part 2: The Rise and Fall of the Iron Giant, and a New Chapter
The mid-18th century brought a dramatic twist to Askam’s story! WHAM! The discovery of vast iron ore deposits in the 1850s transformed the landscape. Imagine the excitement and upheaval as Askam boomed into an industrial centre! Mines became the heart of the village, drawing in hundreds of miners from across the country, each with their
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March 29, 2024
Part 1: Askam in Furness – From Idyllic Beginnings to Industrial Boom
Ever heard of a place that went from moo-ing cows to clanging factories practically overnight? That’s the fascinating story of Askam in Furness! Our journey begins in the 1700s with Ireleth, Askam’s peaceful older sibling. Imagine the sun glinting off the Duddon Estuary, its waters reflecting the vibrant hues of the sky. Rolling green hills,
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March 29, 2024
The Mummy’s Hand: Fact or Fiction? The Plot Thickens!
The wind howled off the Irish Sea, rattling the windows of the Barrow Library Museum—or rather, the building that once housed it. For within those walls, now repurposed, a legend was born: the tale of the Mummy’s Hand. It was said to reside amidst the hushed whispers of visitors and the creaking floorboards, bathed in
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March 29, 2024
Myles the Metal Man: The Askam Enigma
Myles Burton Kennedy, the iron and steel magnate of Furness, with his sharp gaze and determined stride, expanded his industrial influence in the early 20th century. The year was 1904, and the air was thick with the scent of coal smoke and iron ore that clung to the damp, woolen coats of the miners. The
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March 28, 2024
A Royal Visit
The crisp air of a May morning in 1917 carried the echoing clang of shipyard work as Barrow-in-Furness, then part of Lancashire, awaited a momentous occasion. King George V and Queen Mary were arriving on a visit – not a leisurely one, but a wartime endeavour to bolster the spirits of those toiling tirelessly at
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