Archaeologists and Roman experts may have to re-write history due to finds in Cumbria during a recent excavation.

The excavation, on land adjacent to the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport,  has yielded results which overturn the theory of the annual ritual burial of Roman altars at Maryport.

Tony Wilmott holding the altar fragment. Pic Hadrian's Wall Heritage

If the new theories are correct, experts will need to to re-evaluate similar theories at other Roman sites.

Led by Professor Ian Haynes and field archaeologist Tony Wilmott, the excavation of the remains of the Roman fort and civilian settlement was commissioned by the Senhouse Museum Trust.

These new excavations used documentation and physical evidence found during work undertaken on the site in 1870, which found Britain’s largest ever cache of Roman altars.

Camp Farm – Maryport

During the excavation work on Camp Farm, adjacent to the Senhouse Museum, a number of Roman pits have been excavated.

In the antiquarian fill of one of these pits a fragment of the corner of an altar was found. It featured a six-petalled rosette on one face and a circle on the other.

Members of the team compared the fragment with the altars in the nearby museum, and realised that it was from one of the stones dedicated by Marcus Maenius Agrippa, tribune of the first cohort of Spaniards, during the reign of Hadrian (RIB 823).

This altar stone was first recorded by John Horsley in the garden of Netherhall, where it was being used as the base of an ornamental sundial in 1725.

The presence of the fragment in the pit makes experts believe that the  altar was originally found in Maryport,  transported to Netherhall, without the small fragment, and then back to Maryport.

Senhouse Roman Museum overlooks Camp Farm

Changing context

Given the position of latest find, within the depth of the pit excavations, leads experts to think that the altar had been reused as packing around a wooden post.

Although the archaeologists have not discovered the original context in which the altars stood when in use, they have shown the circumstances of their burial.

If this theory is proven, it raises some interesting new questions regarding the site, including what was a large timber structure doing on the top of this very prominent hill?

Peter Greggains, chairman of the Senhouse Museum Trust said: “The excavation has really brought the site to life.  The altars excavated in 1870 are an internationally important find because of the information they provide about the lives of commanding officers in the Roman empire.  Now we are beginning to see how the site here at Maryport developed too.”

Other discoveries

Fragments of two more altars not currently part of the collection in the museum, pottery from the late second to early third centuries AD and a few coins have also been found.

The team began work on site at the end of May, and will be excavating until Wednesday, 20 July, 2011.

Two street artists have helped celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Lake District and the launch of the Lakes Alive’s summer season of outdoor shows, by performing on top of a Cumbrian mountain.

Jem Famous, who lives in Ambleside staged the show with fellow performer Campbell Innes.

Campbell Innes and Jem Famous performing on High Street - Pic Stewart Smith

The two street artists gave the UK’s highest outdoor show earlier today, on a Lakeland mountain where a traditional summer fair took place in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The annual shepherds’ meet was held each year on High Street on the 12th July up until 1835.

People from surrounding valleys would gather on the mountain, then known as Racecourse Hill, to take part in games and wrestling.

They would also take the opportunity to return stray sheep to their owners.

High Street, which is 2,700 feet high, was also a Roman road between Ambleside and Penrith and is popular with fell walkers.

The pair performed a show called ‘Grow Your Own’ which features juggling with a sickle and Peter Rabbit’s daring escape from Mr McGregor’s sack.

Jem Famous said: “It was an extraordinary day of performing, even by our standards.  Everyone up on High Street had a big surprise and a lot of fun.  In fact it was the first show we’ve done where not one person walked past without stopping to watch.

Lakes Alive is Cumbria’s unique contribution to the Legacy Trust UK programme, which was set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The Lake District National Park was established on 13th August 1951 and is England’s largest National Park, covering 2,292 square kilometres.

Hethersgill Vintage Club 27th Annual Rally Craft fair and Auction Sale will be held at Carlisle Airport, Cumbria on 1st May 2011.

This popular event promises some wonderful old steam engines, such as the 2009 attendance of Marshall I from Cumbria.

There is always plenty to see and do with craft marquees, old curiosities and of course the famous auction.

More information

Hethersgill Vintage Rally article 2009.

Carlisle Airport

About half way along an alleyway not really used in our modern times, is possibly one of the best preserved ghost adverts in Carlisle.

Ghost sign: British Paints, Carlisle

Painted on old wooden gates, the advert for ‘British Paints’ is in very good condition given it’s age.

Gold capital letters spell out the brand with the customary black shadow, giving the lettering a feeling of depth.

A green background to the wooden doors and surrounds compliments the whole decoration.

It is thought that the gates were once on a depot or distribution point for the company in the city.

British Paints

The history of British Paints goes back to Newcastle in the north east of England.

According to the website – The Friends of the Old Paint Company – the original founding member was a James W Adamson.

Through acquisitions, mergers and  other business methods, the company expanded until the outbreak of war when, as a patriotic gesture it seems, it changed name to The British Paints Ltd.

The timeline for this British company moves to the USA in the mid 1960′s, following the retirement of Jimmy Anderson.  At the same time the detailed history also becomes a little vague.

British Paints moves to New Zealand

According to the British Paints website in New Zealand in 1969 the British Paints Company was purchased by Bergen Jenson and Nicholson.

In 1970 Bergen Jenson and Nicholson was purchased by Hoeshast.

In 1986 Hoeshast sold Bergen Jesnon and Nicholson Australasia to ICI Paints.

British Paints is now owned by Dulux New Zealand, which is a division of Dulux Group.

More information

Due to the quality of this sign we have not disclosed the full location, in a bid to try and protect it from vandalism.

Can you add to the history of this sign on a gate near the centre of Carlisle.  Maybe you painted it or worked for the company and can say when it appeared?

Let us know via the comments section below.

Capturing a moment in advertising history, long before neon or lcd computer screens, product adverts were painted on to buildings and walls.

In a recent article Phil Coomes, BBC News website picture editor, featured the work of Tom Bland.

For years Tom has been interested in the many layers of design within the very public artworks.

Typography, colour and the craft of painting them, onto often a very large brick canvas, made Tom feel that these artworks should not be lost and so he began to photograph and record them.

Throughout the world a growing number of people are now realising that many of the hand painted vintage mural advertisements are being lost to the weather, the developer or simply painted over.

Gallery

Here is our collection of ghost ads.  We will add to this gallery as we spot them on our travels, so keep coming back.

Maybe you know of a ghost advert in your neighbourhood. Let us know about it in the comments or send us a picture for inclusion in the gallery via the contact us form.

Further information

BBC Cumbria ghost ads - A collection of ghost ads from around Cumbria

BBC Nottingham – Nottinghamshire historian Anne Jeffery is part of an online project which seeks to photograph, research and archive hand painted wall advertising in the UK.

Fading Ad Blog – The Fading Ad Campaign began as a photographic project documenting vintage mural ads on building brickfaces in New York City spanning nearly a century.

Old painted adverts – Painted roadside adverts

Ghost signs – This is the home of the ghostsigns project, a collaborative national effort to photograph, research and archive the remaining examples of hand painted wall advertising in the UK and Ireland.

The History of Advertising Trust Ghostsigns Archive - Advertisements painted by hand directly onto the brickwork of buildings were once a common sight in cities, towns and villages across the country. The rise of printed billboards soon led to their decline but many still survive, often faded, clinging to the walls that host them. These ‘Ghostsigns’ provide a window into the past and evidence of the craftsmanship that once went into their production. However, they are disappearing fast, often due to weathering but also as a result of property development and demolition.

Portland Building ads – Over three years of work has gone into this snapshot of ghost adverts in Portland, Oregon.

Opened in the Summer of 2001 the subway linking the grounds of Carlisle Castle with the Tullie House side of Castle Way in Carlisle is filled with items from an industrial past.

Attached to a 40 meter long and 3m  high steel wall running along one side of the underpass are steel and metal objects that relate to the industry and people of Carlisle and its surrounding areas .

The work, by Russell Coleman, was commissioned by Carlisle City Council in conjunction with the Millennium Commission.

Each of the items has a number nearby. Download a copy of a list of the items and see how many of them you identified.

The underpass also contains a clock and the Cursing Stone.

St Michael’s church in Shap, Cumbria, was built in 1140 AD, predating Shap Abbey and the site is known to have had a church since 750 AD.

St Michael's Church, Shap, Cumbria

Complete restoration of the church took place in 1898 and of the 12th Century building, only the interior Norman pillars and lower parts of the walls and windows on the north side remain.

The earlier chancel built in 1765 was replaced and a new tower was built in 1820.

At the same time the Vestry was rebuilt, an Organ Chamber added and the South Aisle extended westward to form the Chapel

The double Aisled church contains some fine late victorian glass and carving and a 13th Century font.

Norman Columns from the earlier building

A monument commemorating the deaths of rail workers during the construction of the Shap section of the Lancaster and Carlisle Railways in the 1840′s, is to be found in the church yard to the North of the building near the main gate.

Millenium Window

The latest addition of the Millenium window, the work of Huddersfield artist, Adam Goodyear, involved members of the community to produce a piece of artwork that reflects the heritage and local environment.

Dedication of the window took place on 29th September, 2000 by the Revd. Canon Gervase Markham M.B.E., M.A.

St. Michael’s, Shap, is one of a group of five churches on the High Westmorland Parishes Trail, stretching from Ravenstonedale in the upper Lune Valley to Bampton near the Haweswater dam. A distance of around 35 miles.

Ordnance Survey – NY 564154

Kirkby Stephen, situated a few miles off the main A66 in the Upper Eden Valley has a long heritage and a number of things to look out for if you visit.

Charter Stone - Kirkby Stephen. Cumbria

Towards the southern end of Market Street is the Charter Stone.

Situated outside a food store, to the left as you travel south, is a circular stone embedded into the pavement edge from where the start of Luke fair was proclaimed.

A plaque, possibly made from brass, stands alongside and reads.

CHARTER STONE
Luke Fair ( Oct 27) established 1350
Proclaimed from here.

The plaque beneath the Charter Stone

The Kirkby Stephen Town Luke Fair Charter, reaffirmed in 1605 by James l, granted the right to hold a fair on 27 October, ‘the eve and the morrow’ each year and a market each week.

The fair is so named because of it being held  St. Luke’s day.

St Luke’s day is celebrated on the 18th October. It is traditionally a day when girls could have some insight into their future marriage prospects. 

He was one of the four Gospel writer’s and is the patron saint of doctors.

Laying midway between the twin villages of High and Low Lorton in Cumbria, lies an unassuming and modest little church with a history dating back to the 9th Century.

Lorton Church December 2008

To the inquisitive and knowlegeable eye, it is possible to discern the traces of the original, circular churchyard boundary.

Over the centuries, both the church building and its boundaries has changed to become what we know today. Originally belonging to the Parish of Brigham (with the mother church in Brigham), the church belonged to the Diocese of Chester, later becoming part of the diocese of Carlisle in 1883 with Lorton becoming a parish in its own right.

The layout of the land would suggest that at one time, the chapel or church would have been the centre of one village, but there is evidence that the village was in two distinct parts by the twelfth Century.

Some of the earliest documented records of a church at Lorton are in the PRO Pipe Rolls 1198-1200, giving evidence of church “Clerks” (almost certainly Churchmen or Priests).  In a record of debts to the treasury, Michael, Chaplain at Lorton is noted to have owed two Marks in 1198 and after paying some of his tax, still owed 16s 8d in 1200.  After this he disappears from the records and the next noteable is John De Lorton in 1267, who was killed by Simon de Crostwik during a politically motivated brawl at Keswick.

No more is heard of the church or its churchmen until 1524 when Lorton enjoyed the presence of a Curate, Alan Peyll with the help of three Chaplains; Henry Wyslon, Peter Hudson and Alan Crakplace.

They were almost certainly local men who, like the majority of the parishoners, would also have farmed and worked in the village.  Strength is given to this supposition from writings of a visitation on 1571 where it states; “they have no servyce but as they provide themselves”.

A full list of churchmen/priests from 1198 to present day is displayed in the church.

The earliest known dedication of the church to St. Cuthbert is in 1416 and up until the eighteenth Century, the church as was also used as a school.

In Medieval times, burials were only allowed at the “mother church”, hence the existence of the so called “corpse-roads“, such as that from Loweswater, through Holm Wood and on to St. Bees.  There are noted to be burials at Lorton since 1538, but most of the earliest remaining gravestones in the  churchyard now date from the mid 1700′s. The earliest of all, is that of Edward Thompson, which reads “who died February 16th 164 1/2, (This is the only known record of double dating of old and new calendars in the parish records).  There is no known record of a burial within the church itself.

In 1552 King Edward VI ordered a full inventory of church goods.  Following the dissolution, there had been much unathorised personal plundering of church property and Edward wanted this in the Royal Treasury rather than in private hands.  The resultant inventory recorded silver chalices, brass candlesticks and cross, bells and alterclothes, but it is believed that these records were falsified, as there was evidence much earlier of more superior furniture which was likely hidden away.

Records in 1690 – 1711 state that the church was “modestly but decently furnished with a stone font and cover, communion table with rails before it and a fair linen cloth, a reading desk and a pulpit with a cushion and covering fit thereto”.  For administration of sacraments, there was a “flaggon of pewter and a decent Bason”.

The assembled congregation would have been everybody except the bedridden sick, “hearing lessons and prayers from King James verson of the Bible and a “common prayer book of the largest volume”.  Churchgoers would have stood or knealt in groups (there were no pews until much later). Roughly made benches, arranged around the walls, would have been used by the sick or frail, hence that saying “the weak go to wall”.  The coarse woollen cloaks and shawls would have offered little benefit in the unheated, stone walled and stone flagged building.

The church fell into disrepair in the late 1700′s with the Curate writing to the Bishop saying “the villagers take their life in their hands by entering the building” and in 1806 the question was to rebuild or substantially repair!

It would appear from markings that later appeared on the walls and from the layout of the gravestones, that major repair rather than replacement took place.  The church was now fitted with pews.  The present Chancel was added around 1880 and in 1903 the west window, made by Mayer of Munich, was inserted as a bequest of Steele-Dixon of Lorton Hall.

1911 saw improvements to the Chancel; the Altar was replaced as a gift by Mrs Burrows of Broomlands and was carved by Hawtle of Southport.  The panelling was the work of James Mirehouse living at Fernwood and in 1912 was enhanced by four panels carved by George Pallister, Vicar.

The current building has fine accoustics had has played host to top ranking instrumental performers.  These concerts have become almost an annual event of note in the district.  In 1992, the new, state of the art, electronic organ was inaugurated at a concert given by the Carlisle Cathedral Organist, Ian Hare.

The crowning glory of this little church came in 1994 when a dedicated group of valley ladies, designed and worked the beautiful kneelers, spanning the full length of the pews, each individual in its design but totalling some 4,600 hours of detailed needlework.  A notebook relating to their story is kept in the church for the benefit of visitors.

To call the population to church “two bells hung in an open bell-case”.  These bells weighed around 10 stone and would continue to be used until 1870 when the church underwent major reconstruction.  These were replaced by the single , second hand bell from Bridekirk which is still used to this day.

The graveyard can lay claim to artistic fame, as a gravestone raised to the family of Edward Nelson of Gatesgarth, is an early (and probably unknown) work of the now internationally renowned sculptress, Josefina de Vasconcellos, who was a friend of the family.  Edward was a shepherd and at the top of the headstone is carved a ewe with two lambs.

Thanks must go to the benevolence and hard work of the local villagers past and present, who’s dedication has preserved this local piece of history.

The details are taken from the Church booklet written by Ron George of High Lorton in 1995.

Parish records are now held at the Carlisle Records Office (CRO).

Just five miles South of the City of Carlisle, lies the small village or Wreay (pronounced Ree-a).

 It is thought that the name refers to its position on the river Petteril and originates from the old Norse Vra, meaning secluded nook or corner of land.

Varied spellings over the years have included Wrea, Wrey, Wray and of course Wreay, as it is known today.

Wreay information board

The roads in, lead directly to a neat village green displaying a well presented notice board detailing the many interesting features of the village.

St, Mary’s Church flanking one side of the green may at first appear to be just another parish church, but a venture inside reveals breathtaking, architecture, carving and stone masonry.

Wreay Church

The church was rebuilt in 1840-1842 by Sarah Losh as a memorial to her sister Catherine and her parents, reflecting her love of Italian and French architecture combined with an exuberant imagination.

A water pump opposite the church reveals a history dating back to Roman times.

During excavations at the church a tiled watercourse was discovered, the waters of which flowed all the way to Carlisle Cathedral.

St. Ninian, when traveling through Carlisle had remarked on the wonder of the fountain and the source of the water at Wreay.  

The aquafer below Wreay dictated the position of the crossroads around which the village has grown.

Water Pump

The villagers collected their water from this pump until the early 1930′s when the houses were connected to a mains water supply.

In 1988 the villagers replaced the pump with the one seen today, but sadly the water no longer meets health standards and the pump is chained.

Of the many trees around the village, the majority would appear to be oak and small signs around the village warn us to be careful as this is one of the rare habitats for the red squirrel.

Red squirrels live here

A footpath from Wreay leads to Wreay Woods Nature Reserve,  following the course of a red sandstone gorge of the River Petterill.

The reserve is owned by Carlisle City Council and is managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

It is a semi-natural ancient woodland of mainly native broadleaved trees.

The river bank is mostly alder and in spring is covered with a bright carpet of wild flowers. A variety of bird species inhabit the reserve, including blackcap and long-tailed tit, dipper, grey wagtail and kingfishers.

Red squirrel and roe deer may also be sighted. A riverside footpath runs through the woods and continues up to Carlisle.

Around half a mile North East of the village stand the remains of a Roman fort on the banks of the river Petteril.

Rail line

A public footpath through the village offers some picturesque views over the valley and leads over the railway, possibly the West Coast main line.

An interesting, detailed entry from Bulmer’s History & Directory Of Cumberland, 1901 can be found at the following website.