To Master M. Macdonald, 17 Portland Square, Carlisle (1909)...

Dear Malcolm,

Many thanks to you and Ian for photos, they were very good. I hope you had a jolly Xmas and that you will all have a very happy New Year. tell Ian I will send him a P.C. soon I shall be very pleased to see James, Ian and yourself. Any time after next Monday. I will be away from home till then. love to all from Jeannie

Hope you are all well.

A Christmas and New Year greeting, sent from Dalston to Carlisle in December 1909. A search of the 1911 census tells me that the recipient, Malcolm Macdonald, was born in 1898, the son of Dr James Macdonald. He, and his other son, Ian, born in 1901, are also mentioned in the greetings.

Published by W R & S Ltd (Reliable Series 187/8)

Postmarked: December 1909

To Mrs L. Ansell, 73 Foundry Rd, Yapton, Arundel, Sussex (1964)...

Dear Pat & Jan.

 Just to let you know that we are on our way home, I am writing this at Burnley on Friday. We have had a fairly good journey except for a few showers today.

Hope all are well. Love Mum & Dad.

A view that's little changed since this postcard was sent almost 50 years ago, although many of the businesses have changed hands since then. It's a reminder that Botchergate, now lined with pubs and clubs, was once a thriving shopping street with awnings lining the road as far as the eye can see. At the top of the street both The Cumberland Tailors and the Midland Bank (where I had my first bank account) are now both bars, Bar Solo and The Griffin (named after their predecessor's famous logo). The Red Lion Hotel is now the County Hotel and you can just make out the Army Recruiting Office (below the hotel's flagpole). In the centre, a mainstay of so many 1960s images, the ubiquitous Morris Minor!

Published by Millar & Lang Ltd., Glasgow

Postmarked: Rochdale, 7th August 1965