Destination Carlisle...

M.CASTELYNN

55 AMBERLEY WAY

ROMFORD

ESSEX

RM7 8BT

Another competition entry postcard (by the 1980s it seems we'd lost the art of correspondence altogether), but I've chosen it for today's post as it's a rare self-published advertising postcard showing the Swallow Hilltop Hotel, once the epitome of luxury.

News came this week that businessmen Simon Harrison and Robin Graham have delayed their opening of the new boutique hotel, The Halston, while they demolish the newly acquired eyesore that was once the Lonsdale Cinema, and convert it into a car park. It's an ignominious end for a building that was an integral part of many of our childhoods. I was one of many who thought that the Lonsdale was worth saving, either as a cinema, a theatre, a music venue or similar but even I'll now admit that after years of decay, this is now the best thing for it. What is really disappointing is that the site will become a car park, which will certainly pay back Messrs. Harrison and Graham for their outlay in acquiring the site at auction, but is a sign of the lack of investment and forward thinking which Carlisle so desperately needs.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud Harrison and Graham for having the vision to make swingeing changes to the city, and we need more like them, who are ready to put their hands in their pockets and regenerate the sites that have fallen into disrepair, but they admit that they bought the site due to it's proximity to their hotel and the detrimental effect it would have on their business. The car park option is a quick fix and it's just a shame some other like-minded businessmen didn't snap it up to create something a little more inspiring.

Back to the matter at hand.... this is the second hotel themed postcard I've blogged recently and whilst I was reading about the plans for The Halston it struck me that Carlisle is now awash with places to stay. It's always been a city for tourists, but I do wonder nowadays who the clientele are. I stay in hotels whenever I come home, and The Halston will be the third to open in the last ten years (after the Travelodge on Cecil Street, and the Ibis on Botchergate). Much has been said about Carlisle becoming a 'destination' but there's very little in the city itself that now warrants more than a day out. I expect the target audience are those using the city as a starting point for discovering The Lakes, the Borders or the sites along Hadrian's Wall. But I have to admit that the number of hotels in the city now seems a little over-enthusiastic considering what we have on offer. I shall continue to bleat on about an arts venue until someone puts their hands in their pockets, or I win big on the Euromillions.

The Swallow Hilltop Hotel is one of the many that are still soldiering on. When I was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s this, along with the Crown and Mitre in the city centre, were what we considered to be the luxury places to stay. Not that we ever did , of course (the only time I ever set foot in the place was for a record fair in the conference suite). The Swallow's reputation as the "Ritz" of the city was cemented in my mind when Kylie Minogue stayed there in the 1990s. It's location, out of the centre on London Road, always made it feel somewhat exclusive, and this 1980s multiview postcard shows some of that star treatment: a spa, a swimming pool and a couple of swanky bars. I'm afraid that this was probably it's heyday and reviews on Trip Advisor suggest it has lost most of it's charm these days. With new hotels opening I can only see stalwarts like the Swallow Hilltop fading away, and I doubt there'll be a campaign to save it.

Publisher: unknown

Postmark: illegible

To Miss E. Middleton, Alma Terrace, Selby, Yorkshire (1910)

2 Thirlmere St, Currock, Carlisle

Dear F. Just arrived in C. after a most lovely sail which I enjoyed right well. I found them all in the pink at home! they all wish to be remembered to you. Willie & I are just off out for a walk so I shall be allright [?][?][?] J.J. shall probably call & see Mary tonight.

Yours [?] Jack

Here's a great real photographic postcard, posted in 1910, which seems about right for the image too. This is one of the first sights for most visitors to Carlisle, standing directly outside the railway station. Confusingly, 100 years ago this was the County Hotel, however, that name now applies to another hotel a few yards to the left of this picture, at the top of Botchergate. 

The hotel pictured here is still in use and is now part of the Hallmark chain, but, apart from the name change very little has altered in this view over the last century. Sure, the horse-drawn carriages have been replaced, but the buildings remain remarkably intact, the central archway leading to Collier Lane is still in use and, on the far left you can see the edge of the former Midland bank (now The Griffin pub).

I'd be interested to know more about the hotel itself, when it was built and any history surrounding the buildings, so please leave a comment below if you have any information.

Published by W. R. & S 

Reliable Series 187/29

Postmarked: Carlisle, 13th September 1910

To Consort / The Asda Magasine, PO Box 144, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 1AX (1997)

CARD NUMBER 6330 1174 4000 5127

MRS V BELL

13 WATER GARTH

BARROW-IN-FURNESS

CUMBRIA LA14 3YL

From a deltiologist's point of view, I find this postcard rather sad. It is the newest postcard I have in my Carlisle collection and, to me, it epitomises the 'death of the postcard'. The idea of sending a greeting has given way to a faceless competition entry. This was a common use for postcards as we approached the end of the 20th century and the medium has gone from boom to almost bust.... but they aren't dead yet and I'm pleased to report that sites like Postcrossing and DIY postcard apps such as Touchnote are keeping the tradition going.

Most of my postcards come from auction sites or fairs, and they do tend to be early 1900s. I would be really really interested in receiving any cards from Carlisle which cover the 1970s to the present day. Their value is usually nothing, but to me they're an important omission from my collection as they fill in the gaps and bring me up-to-date. If you're ever having a clear out don't throw those postcards away, get in touch and send them my way!

The postcard itself was posted in 1997, but this picture goes back a bit further than that. Over on the right you can see the Scotch Street shops before The Lanes shopping centre was built, which dates this to pre-1986, but the flares are the biggest giveaway. The statue is that of James Steel, who was a newspaper editor, later councillor and Mayor of Carlisle in 1845 and

1846. The statue, by sculptor William Frederick Woodington is a Listed Building and was moved from this location to the top of Bank Street in 1989, sadly not without injury - his right hand was severed in transit. 

Published by Photo Precision Limited, St Ives

Colourmaster International series (LK2204)

Postmarked: South Lakes, 1- January 1997

To Miss Lonsdale, Rose Hill, Carlisle (1903)

I saw Mr Manchester to-day He says he will come out tomorrow afternoon if you will let him know what time you could see him. The ladies room is not done yet, but will be so, before you have to pay your next visit A.L.

This is a quite fantastic, and rare, map card from 1903 showing Carlisle's eastern outlying villages extending all the way into Northumberland, with some wonderful details. I've mentioned previously (in this post) about Carlisle's claim as the largest city in the England, and in this card you can see all the way from Longtown in the north to the city's most easterly point, Gilsland, which also serves as the boundary between Cumbria and Nothumberland.

Published by John Walker & Co. Ltd.

No.192 Geographical Series

Engraved by J. Bartholomew & Co.

Postmarked 6th May 1903

To Mr & Mrs Bell, 11 Wavertree Road, South Woodford, London E18 (1966)

Everything OK. We had a pleasant, steady journey + arrived 6.30. All well here + enquiring for you. Sunshine wonderful, so we lap it up 'doon the watter!'

Love to all J.

A classic multiview here, showing English Street, Botchergate, the Citadel, the Cathedral and the Castle.

Published by Millar & Lang Ltd., Glasgow

Postmarked: Longtown, May 1966

To Mrs Wilson, Imperial Buildings, 32 Seagate, Dundee (1904)

Mrs Wilson, Yours to hand what are yours [?] for small [?][?] for wife & self. I stayed with you when I was in Dundee with [?]. Hoping you are keeping alright.

I am yours etc. Fred Skinner

This is a superb postcard from the early 20th century showing the Carlisle Fair, which I was minded to post as the resurrected fair is now taking place (renamed the Carlisle Pageant). The city was first granted a Royal Charter to hold a Great Fair in the summer of 1158, when market stallholders set up shop to sell fruit and vegetables, meat, leather, wool and cloth. In 1352 Edward III then granted the city the right to host the fair annually and the tradition has held ever since. 

Over the years the fair, or pageant has included, in addition to the market, a procession or re-enactment of historical events, and during the 1970s and 1980s I remember the fantastic procession of floats that made their way from Bitts Park into the town centre. In recent years the fair was scaled down, although an international food fair took its place, with traders selling their wares in the town centre, as they have done for centuries. This year the pageant was reinvigorated with a week long series of events, including a puppet parade and talks and exhibitions in venues across the city.

This postcard shows the Carlisle Fair around 1904 - it may not be the Great Fair itself - and it's a lively scene. This picture was taken on The Sands, and the Turf Tavern can be seen in the background. The detail is tremendous, and whilst there has been a little Edwardian 'photoshopping' going on, you can still make out faces and attractions. I especially like the chap in the bowler hat posing for the photo on the extreme left.

Published by Lochinvar (N & C Series)

Postmarked: Aberdeen 21st September 1904

To Monsieur A. Chéré, 23 rue Steffen, Arnieres, France (1912)

Mon cher Alfonse, 
M. et Mme Adam seront à Paris vendredi soir à 7h. mlle Rainaud vient d'en être avisée par une lettre du Sieur Bluté, auquel les Adam ont envoyé seulement une dépêche pour le prévenir de leur départ et le prier de vouloir bien faire retenir leur appartement à l'hôtel de la gare St Lazare.
Nous n'avons pas d'autres explications. Peut-être une lettre viendra-t-elle ce soir ? En tous cas puisqu'il vivait à Paris si près de vous, je pense qu'il y aura entente pour le reste de l'arrangement de leur séjour. A par la lettre reçue de Mme Adam ce soir, nous n'avons reçu que des dépêches en réponse à nos lettre explicatives, donc je ne sais pas la cause de leur voyage précipité. C'est vous qui en [saurez plus ?]
Bien à vous,Louis

My Dear Alfonse, Mr and Mrs Adam will be in Paris Friday evening at 7pm. Miss Rainaud has been notified of it by a letter of old Bluté to whom the Adams have sent only a telegram to notify him of their departure and to request to book their apartment at the St Lazare Station Hotel. We don't have any more explanation perhaps a letter will arrive this evening? In any case they will be in Paris near you. I think that you will see them and there will have an understanding of the rest of the arrangements of their stay. Aside from the first letter received of Mrs Adam we only have received telegrams in answer to our letters of explanation. Well, I don't know the cause of their hasty journey. It is you that will have this information. Kisses, Louis.

A generic view of the castle here, published by Valentine's, but the mystery (for me at least) lies in the message - is there anyone out there who'd care to take a stab at deciphering this handwriting and translating this message?

Thanks to everyone who sent me translation for this message, which I have now added, above.

Published by Valentine's

Postmarked: Carlise, 24th January 1912

To Miss R. J. Musgrove, c/o Mrs Thornburn, The Louin, Marlborough Gds, Stanwix, Carlisle...

Dear Ruth I now send you PC as asked for don't you wish you were here I think you might come out by two train on sunday twenty nineth seeing that it will be the last sunday all is very quiet here I got home safely on sunday night about eleven thirty five pm had company all the way to warwick bridge. have you been locked out any more see what is under the stamp

My favourite quiz question is... what's the largest city in England by area? The answer: Carlisle. I've hosted a few pub quizzes in my time and that one gets them every time (unless I'm in Carlisle, in which case everyone knows).

I share this tidbit with you because this card shows a chocolate box view of one of the city's outlying villages, Wetheral, which is in Carlisle. I have only a few cards from rural Carlisle, but it's an area I want to explore more. I've chosen this postcard for April Fool's Day as it has a coded message, too.

The card is a painting by a local artist, Thomas Bushby. The 'chocolate box' analogy is very apt as Bushby came to Carlisle in 1884 to work as a designer for Hudson Scott & Sons (aka the Metal Box) and his work adorned Victorian biscuit tins a-plenty. Carlisle's superb Tullie House museum also holds a great collection of his art work. This painting of Holly Cottage is signed and dated 1907, the year in which it was posted.

Wetheral today is still a picture postcard village, with village green, pub, shop, tea room etc. There are some great walks to be had in the surrounding Wetheral woods, and the railway station, perched precariously high above the River Eden, with the adjacent Corby Bridge is well worth a visit for the superb views.

This postcard has been written in a simple code, with backwards handwriting, and a mirror is required to read it comfortably. Writing in codes such as this was fairly common at the time, but they rarely included anything particularly juicy in the gossip stakes! Here the message is a fairly normal one of greeting, but I can't help but marvel at the neatness of the handwriting. There's some skill involved here!

What I'd like to know is..... what's underneath the stamp?!

Publisher: Chas. Thurnam & Sons, English Street, Carlisle

No. 1 in the CUMBERLAND COTTAGES series

Printed by Hudson Scott & Sons, Ltd., Carlisle

Postmarked: 8th September 1907

To A. Mackenzie, Esq. The Lindens, Market Drayton, Shropshire (1934)...

Eskvale, Longtown 29/5/34

The weather has been cold until to-day; it is now certainly warmer. You will know this bridge very well - 'the Gateway to Scotland'. You would have a busy time last week.

Cheerio!

Very kind regards to you all

I've been prompted to post this particular postcard today after reading that the Eden Bridge Gardens have been vandalised and daubed with graffiti and somewhat contradictory symbols of Nazism and anarchy. It's highly unlikely that those who were bored enough to do this have any idea of the meaning of their scribbling, let alone the history of the gardens.

The card above is the earliest I have in my collection which shows the gardens. The photo was clearly taken just after completion as there is very little to see in the way of foliage or decoration. It was sent in May 1934, five months after the gardens were officially opened by the Mayor of Carlisle, E.B. Gray, on 21st December 1933. 

Eden Bridge Terrace

In 1932 a scheme to widen the existing bridge over the Eden, known by all (and this sender) as "The Gateway to Scotland" was finally, after over 10 years, completed.  Where the gardens stand today there was a row of terraced houses, Eden Bridge Terrace, which were demolished to make way for the new, wider bridge and in their place the council decided upon a grand entrance to Rickerby Park, designed by Edward Prentice Mawson and executed by Percy Dalton. The workforce was made up of local unemployed men and much of the materials were recycled from the old bridge and the houses which once stood on the same spot. There's a fantastic description of the site from the original report which you can read here. I have spent many a contemplative hour or two here but I didn't know that one of the buildings was once a rest room for those unfortunate to be caught out in the rain, or that the other was a 'retiring room for ladies only'. I've always thought this was one of the city's best kept secrets, this place of solitude so close to thousands of passers-by each day and yet so far away from the rush.

One of the mysteries of these gardens is the name itself - originally they were called simply the 'Eden Bridge Gardens'. Over time they came to be known to locals as the Italian Gardens, due to their Italianate style, a regular feature of Mawson's designs. Less obvious is how, by the time I was playing there in the 1970s and 1980s, they had become known as the Chinese Gardens - there is nothing Chinese about them! 

It's ironic that these gardens should be daubed with Swastikas now, opened, as they were, in 1933, the year of the Reichstag fire and the year that Hitler began his rise to power.  It's telling that the unemployed men who laid the paving stones and erected the pergolas chose to use their time to create this space for others to enjoy, whilst those in a similar position today appear to have chosen to destroy it. A sign of the times?

Postcard info

Publisher: Valentine's

Postmark: 30th May 1934

Don't tell anybody you got this...

I've been collecting Carlisle postcards for a few years now and I don't have any specific criteria for choosing what to buy and what not to buy - except the obvious: cards have to be used, and posted from Carlisle.

Whilst the photos provide interest, there's always going to be a finite number of views to see. It's the messages that intrigue me more, the written word of someone who passed through or lived in the city holds stories, secrets, inanities. One can only imagine how the recipient felt to receive a note from a loved one, a family member, a friend.

Some messages are banal, most are entertaining whilst a few others are just plain mysterious. Today's card is the latter....

I picked this one up from Ebay; posted in September 1902, it's one of the earliest cards I have in my collection, and the only one with this view.

This is English Street at the turn of the 20th century. Very nice photo of a tram in the centre (advertising "James" Cycles - read more about the company on this wonderful blogpost at OldBike) and you can see J. Gibson's shop on the right. Is that a police constable standing right in the centre of the picture, too? Or just a fellow with hat on?

The message is an intrigue. It's more interesting for what it doesn't say than what it does.... simply:

"Don't tell anybody you got this".

That's it. There's no name, signature, or initials of any sort. The recipient is  Miss McGowan, Royal Restaurant... where? I can't make out the lettering for the final destination either but the Royal must've been fairly well-known for the card to have got there.*

So, who is he? A clandestine lover, a young suitor, a man on the run? We'll never know. This 110 year old mystery remains as enigmatic now as when the postcard was first sent.

*Thanks to the commentators, and some sleuthing Twitter users, it's been suggested that the lettering on the address side is "Dfs" and this likely stands for Dumfries. This seems very likely, being so close to Carlisle. A quick Google search indicates that there was a Royal Dumfries Restaurant there (in 1924 at least). So, now to find Miss McGowan....

Greetings from Carlisle...

For a number of years I've been collecting postcards from home. Home, for me, is Carlisle, Cumbria where I was born and grew up. I started my collection of postcards from Carlisle when I found a box of said cards at a car boot sale. I was intrigued by the idea that there is an ever-growing and neverending historical record of the city in photographs and short messages from those just passing through and those who lived and worked in there. These cards have been sent from Carlisle to all parts of the world and now I'm gathering them back together in one place.

Postcards offer a unique insight into a place and a time. They live beyond their brief moment of 'wish you were here' and narrate a continuous story of the life of a city, it's people, it's visitors and their times. I only collect used cards. To me, an unused postcard is like an unworn jumper or an unplayed record - purposeless and pointless.

Enjoy the cards and the messages.

Craig