The Cursing Stone – Carlisle

Since the installation of the ‘Cursing Stone’ in Carlisle it has become the focus for many things going wrong or for events of biblical magnitude in the local area.

Installed as part of the Millennium Gallery underneath Castle Way, the granite art work has been blamed for the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, the Carlisle floods and many other local tragedies.

Cursing Stone in Carlisle

The artwork  was made by Andy Altman and  designed by artist Gordon Young.

It sits at the end of an 80 metre path which bears the names of all the Reiver families.

Gordon was born in Carlisle and is from an ancient Reiver family.

It features just over 300 words from a 1,069 word curse which dates back to the 16th Century,  a curse made against robbers, blackmailers and highwaymen who blighted the area 500 years ago.

This text comes from what is said to be one of the worlds longest curses.

The curse was first invoked by the Archbishop of Glasgow, Gavin Dunbar, in 1525 against cross border families, known as the “reivers”, who lived by stealing cattle, rape and pillage.

It is known as the ‘Monition of Cursing’.

Priests in all of the parishes of the border lands were required to read out the curse.

During 2005 Carlisle City Council discussed the removal of the stone to outside the City boundary or even to destroy it.

It is not clear how much the stone weighs as reports vary from between 7-tons and 14-tonnes.

Further information

Wordsworth drinking fountain- Grasmere

Little seems to have been published on the internet about this drinking fountain in Grasmere. Read more

Josefina de Vasconcellos – in Cartmel

Cartmel is a small village in South Cumbria, with it’s own racecourse, a large school and in places narrow winding streets in South Cumbria.

St Michael the Archangel battling his way through the jaws of the dragon.

The Priory at Cartmel was founded over 800 years ago by William Marshall, Baron of Cartmel, and Earl of Pembroke.

Amongst the wooden pews and warm welcome from the vicar and volunteers are a number of pieces of Art by the international sculptor Josefina de Vasconcellos.

Daughter of a diplomat, she lived with her adopted sons and husband in Little Langdale for many years. She was awarded an MBE in 1985.

Josefina died in 2005 at 100, leaving behind fine examples of her work throughout the world.

A number of her works are on display within Cartmel Priory.

More of her works can be found within Cumbria in the following places.

Ambleside
Workington
Carlisle
St Bees
Greystoke
Haverigg
Rydal
Maryport
Kendal
Keswick

Josefina studied at the London Polytechnic, the Royal Academy Schools, in Paris under Antoine Bourdelle, and in Florence. 

Age 20, she gained her first large commission, to create many items including an alter in the Church of St Valerie at Varengeville, Normandy.

She was also a  gifted musician, composer, poet, dancer and inventor.

Heavily influenced by her experiences of two World Wars she is responsible for many works of remembrance.

At St Bees’ School a work called The Hand was commissioned in 1955.

A very tactile statue - They fled by night - Mary and Joseph and the Holy Child. Cartmel Priory.

They fled by night – Mary and Joseph and the Holy Child, is an ideal sculpture for children, or those with limited sight or mobility to engage with.   Being only a few feet high and made of solid resin bronze you can pass your hands over the work easily without risk of damage.

The latest work featured in The Priory is The Young Martyr.

The Young Martyr

Within the base of a solid stone plinth is a lighted candle in a red glass holder. Topping the sculpture is a head behind solid bars. 

On one of the sides are words carved into the stone. They are the names of the Martyrs of Cartmel from 1537

As part of the BBC Cumbria Telling Lives series Linda, a retired Civil Servant,  tells here story of meeting Josefina in 1990 and the resulting sculpture.

The Story of Booths

A new book which tells the remarkable history of Booths has been launched in stores this autumn.

The story of Booths

The Story of Booths (1847-2008) delves into the hidden archives of one of the region’s oldest and best loved retailers to chart the rise of this family-owned company.

Written by Frank Bamford, the book provides a real insight into 19th century Lancashire and reveals the dynamics of the Booths’ family. It includes many rare photographs and personal correspondence between family members.

The story begins in June 1847 when tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth borrowed £80 to open a tea shop called The China House in Blackpool. It ends 160 years later with the thriving company owning 26 stores across the North of England.

Graham Booth says: “It’s amazing to look back and see Booths grow from its humble roots to the successful company it is today. So much has changed, but in many ways the company remains the same.

“Booths is still run by the same family and its values remain constant – to offer customers the best quality products in attractive stores run by welcoming staff. It’s a recipe that worked in 1847 and continues to work in 2008.”

Much of the book focuses on characters such as Edwin Henry Booth who at the age of 10 was left by his mother and forced to fend for himself.

Edwin clearly had a head for business and soon repaid his £80 debt before opening another tea shop in Chorley in 1855. This was followed in 1859 with the completion of Booths’ first Preston store.

It took many months for writer Frank Bamford, who has written a number of local histories, to trawl through the company’s vast archive.

He explains: “It was a fascinating process. There is a huge volume of correspondence which was retained by the first Mr John Booth, the founder’s son, which gives a real flavour of the personalities involved and helps us to understand how the whole Booths ethic and philosophy was formulated.” 

The book also examines the social and political history of the times and looks at the impact the two wars had on the company.

Booths progressed steadily throughout with new branches opening in places like St Annes, Longton, Blackpool, Kendal and Penwortham.

The final chapter focuses on the modern era of change and development when the new Mr John Booth took over as chairman in 1970.

Booths broadened its territory by opening shops in the likes of Windermere, Ulverston, Kirkby Lonsdale, Knutsford, Ilkley and Settle.

Today, with Edwin Booth at the helm, the company continues to grow. Recent developments include the completion of a new store and Artisan restaurant in Lytham.  Two new stores will be opening at Ripon and Garstang in 2009.

The Story of Booths is available from most Booths stores and is priced at £4.99.