Guest Book

Please complete the comment form at the bottom of the page if you wish to send us an entry:


Comments (86)

Annette Forster
Said this on 25-3-2013 At 10:20 pm
Anyone out there who can help us with our search for Forster/ Farrer family members
Miss Jane Forster b 1868, school mistress in Mardale Cumbria brought up her sister’s son John Williamson Forster. Her sister’s name was Mary Eleanor Forster b 1865 she gave birth to John Williamson out of wedlock but later married a William Farrer in 1890. Mary E had a daughter to W Farrer called Elizabeth Farrer any information greatly appreciated to tie up some loose ends
Kind regards
Annette Forster
Ken Smith
Said this on 16-2-2013 At 04:27 pm

Hi Alison, So sorry for the delay in replying.  My Grandparents owned the cottage, "WESTVIEW" which is on the lane going down to ""The Grange"  It got sold when they died (late 60's). Had many holidays there whilst on school holiday. Cousins Alma & Victor McCrea also came from Liverpool as well. Victor when he left school, trained up in farming at Uncles farm in Newton Reigney. He the had  farms in Cheshire, finally one in Saughall Massey, Chester. Sadly he passed away last December.

Val Mason
Said this on 1-2-2013 At 12:35 am
Hello All....I wonder if anyone remembers Minnie Gilpin (Mounsey) she maried John Wilson Slee in 1935, she was then living at South View Cottage...
She was my Grandmother, I never knew her, She died before I was born...I believe she "was at" Breckenber Lodge at some point but I cant find any info about Breckenber

I am doing my family tree...so would be so grateful for, even the tiniest scrap of info you may know....I am happy to share what I know also.

Many thanks for reading this...

Val
Ken Smith
Said this on 23-12-2012 At 08:07 pm

Came through Shap a couple of weeks ago, and stopped in tearoom opposite fire station. Was on way to Reagill where our family used to have a cottage. Nice to see pretty well things kept well. Used to spend school holidays there in 40's  & 50's. All the way  from Liverpool.

Alison Crossley
Said this on 17-1-2013 At 11:05 pm

Where in Reagill did you stay? My family from Reagill had Smith relatives in Liverpool

Ken Smith
Said this on 8-5-2013 At 06:48 pm

The property was called "Westview"  On the lane going towards "The Grange"

Ken Smith
Said this on 15-2-2013 At 08:08 pm

Hello Alison,

Sorry to be so longwinded in answering, My grandparents owned "Westview" a cottage on the lane going down to "The Grange"  Opposite Hall's farm. Used to love being up there, Cousin's Victor & Alma McCrea also from Liverpool came up as well, Victor onleaving school, went on to train as a farmer at relations farm in Newton Reigney. Sadly he passed away las December. He was still farming just outside Chester. Will go back up later this year to look at other places in the lakes.

steve boothroyd
Said this on 20-10-2012 At 10:43 am

Hi could anybody tell me when the summit memorial was erected, my father inlaw was a driver over shap for many years and for a surprise we want to take him and show him the memorial,I would appriciate it if anyone can give me as much imformation as possible my email address steboothroyd@live.com

thank you

Brian Fisher
Said this on 1-10-2012 At 07:50 pm

We recently had the pleasure of spending a week on holiday in Shap and would like to say what a wonderfull village you have. We stayed at Brackenber Cottage and looked forward to our walks into the village for shopping and coffee at the Greyhound Hotel. Hopefully we will visit again.

bill
Said this on 17-8-2012 At 09:59 am
its been a while since i lived in shap and i miss it.------ especially pearls of wisdom from Les Steadman. ----- even a pig nah's when its had enough was just one.
les
Said this on 29-8-2012 At 08:55 am

bill ?  is that Mr thirkle

Said this on 4-5-2012 At 09:26 pm

hi its emily im talking to every one i love shap how about u

Trey
Said this on 28-11-2011 At 12:23 am

I came through Shap when my brother and I did the coast to coast walk this summer.  We had a great time at the Greyhound with some folks from Shap.  Just wanted to thank yall for taking in a couple of travelers and treating us so well!

Shapley Hunter
Said this on 9-11-2011 At 09:39 pm

Hello. I just thought I'd let you know how much I enjoy your website. I enjoy reading the 'Shap Today' newsletter. The photos are great!

I stumbled on the site while doing a little Narcissurfing, and have returned periodically ever since.  I hope to visit, someday!

Shapley Hunter

Thebes, IL, USA

ROBERT WEYMOUTH
Said this on 29-6-2011 At 10:22 am

sir thank you for a nice web site...

i worked at Tebay loco for 2 ys in the steam days , i was on load from carlisle upperby 12b , i had some good times at the tebay with men and were good men to work with on the bankers , i was there in 1966 to steam finish , if some of the tebay people read this and you know some of the old locomen say hello for me to them all , i live in the philippines now i am 69 ys old , take care and thank you.

Greg
Said this on 26-5-2011 At 01:05 pm

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for a workshop in the shap area for my woodworking hobby, to either rent or buy, I need at least 30 square metres of floor area. Please contact me at greg@gplm.net

Regards

Greg

M.Greenall
Said this on 22-4-2011 At 11:21 pm

After stumbling across this website,

 i was wondering if anyone had any old photographs of an old army Willys jeep that was owned by 2 residents of Shap?They had it from 1947-1985, and they used it to get upto their cottage in winter.and regularily around the area. i think their surname might have been moreton.

mag1967@btinternet.com

Martin & Jenny
Said this on 29-11-2010 At 11:44 pm

Hi, we are trying to find our friend Helen who used to be the postlady in Shap. We were also her neighbour at one point in Shap. We think she moved away to study, and we also moved away and hence lost contact. It would be great to find her again and I am sure she would be interested to know how our children are. We live down South now, but her parents may well still live in their bungalow in Shap

jane elliman
Said this on 7-9-2010 At 09:37 am

I have recently purchased a lovely piece of pottery from a charity shop that had the remains of a sticker on it saying Shap Pottery - can anyone tell me anything about the potters who might have been located at Shap? Thanks

J
Said this on 5-7-2011 At 06:58 pm

The potter during the 1980s as Bob enwhistle, who then relocated to Bigate Mill at Appleby.  Not sure whether he is still making pots.

Said this on 11-10-2010 At 02:17 pm

Hello Jane

There is a rich and continueing pottery heritage in the village of Shap. your pottery is probably from the Fosters Pottery which was based at 3 Brackenber Lodge (the house with the elaborate tower at its centre to the south of the village) several decades ago. The gentleman who made it was Mr Foster who has long passed on. His daughter Mary still owns the house and keeps it as holiday home. My name is Steve Valentine and I have my ceramics workshop and studio based at 6 brackenber Lodge, so continueing the pottering history albeit handbuilt hope that helps

john foster
Said this on 5-8-2010 At 08:26 pm

     when i was a child i spent many of my summer holidays in shap on my uncles farm, these were very happy times for me and i will never forget them. i try to come to shap at least once a year as i have never found  more beautifull  country side as you have up there. the people are the most friendly people i have ever met and i always look forward to returning there when ever i can.

                               john foster

 

Pip
Said this on 6-6-2010 At 11:18 am

Living in Shap, Wiggins I ain't where did you go? happytwofeet

Alex Swadling
Said this on 6-3-2010 At 10:38 am

I dont recall actually being in Shap, but do recall me and my Dad driving to Scotland in an Austin 7 Ruby, it must have been around 1952/3, he told me we had to go up Shap Fell in reverse... haha. Well it sure looks lovely so i must try and come back for another look.

Alex Swadling

Perth Western Australia

Richard Scroggins
Said this on 31-1-2010 At 02:56 pm

Hello!

Greetings from Austin, Texas! We will be visiting from the U.S. May 13-15th, 2010 and were wondering how to contact any of the Shap Ramblers. We love walking/hiking and would like to come along if any walks are planned during those days.

I have distant cousins who live in Penrith and the Bampton area whom I've never met and am looking forward to seeing your beautiful country. My grandmother was born in Shap in 1902 but left for America at six months of age. We've kept up correspondence with our Cumbria cousins over the years.

If you would like to contact me please feel free to email me at the address provided.

Many thanks,

Richard Scroggins

Heather Thomas
Said this on 22-1-2010 At 05:27 pm

I wonder if anyone could help?  I am trying to contact Ruth Barker (I do not knoe her maiden name) - As I remember it, her Dad was a farmer in this area, and she grew up around there.  She married John Barker before moving to Welkom in South Africa.  I need her to contact me - as I have information for her which could be to her benefit.  If you can help it would be appreciated

Ruth
Said this on 24-7-2010 At 06:03 pm

Hi Heather

Someone just mentioned your post.  Know it quite a while ago.  Hope all well with you and hopefully speak soon.

 

Ruth

Barry McNeill
Said this on 22-7-2010 At 10:21 pm

Hi Heather,

Just noticed your comment on the site. Did you manage to get in touch with Ruth?. If not I could possibly put you in touch with her.

 

Regards, Barry

 

Said this on 15-12-2009 At 10:43 pm

Hello,

I am part of a group of enthusiasts who collect transfer sets from the 60's, 70s and 80s. My website includes a gallery of such sets. A friend of mine is writing a book on the subject. We believe we may have traced the extremely influential Dennis Knight to Shap (instrumental in publishing the much-loved Instant Picture Books and Activity Books of our childhoods). We would dearly love to interview Mr. Knight, were he agreeable, in relation to the forthcoming publication. Should anyone read this message who knows of Mr. Knight, please could you be so kind as to pass on my contact details and ask if he would be willing to parcticipate in an interview? We would be extremely considerate and respectful. Many thanks for your time.

Dean Munday

 

Ann Illingworth
Said this on 10-11-2009 At 05:37 pm

Hi my name is Ann Illingworth,for many years I lived at Old Shap Wells then later on at StoneyGhyll Farm ,we had a caravan on Kit Potters farm.  There was Richard,Darryl,Debbie.Maria,Claire and David the last 3 being delivered by District midwife Doreen Lee.   Was just wondering if there is anybody still there who remember us all.  Richard and Claire live in Australia with their respective families,Maria lives in Las Vegas and has 2 lovely sons,david lives on the Isle of Man and has 1 son,while Debbie and Darryl live in England One outside Bradford and the other in Newcastle upon Tyne,which was where we moved to when we left Shap.  I live in Cyprus where I retired to.

Will awai a reply from someone who knew us.

.

 

Geoff Potter
Said this on 18-11-2009 At 11:05 pm

Hi Ann, my name is Geoff Potter i remember you living at stoney gill, iam kits nephew, Bill my older brotther lives at stoney gill now,uncle kit died in 1986 . Ernie another brother moved you from stoney gill to Newcastle , often wondered where you were .

look forward to hearing from you.

 

Ann Illingworth
Said this on 8-12-2009 At 11:57 am

Hi There Geoff, Good to hear from you,you must have been at school with some of my kids,who are spread all over the world,in fact one of my daughters who was born at Old Shap Wells but now lives in Las Vegas,USA wants to come over in the summer and spend a couple of weeks in the Lake District with her kids,plus meet up with some of the other children who live elsewhere.

Do you or any one else know where we can rent a place that can sleep 6-8 people around Shap was thinking of asking Doreen Lee if she knows anyone as I will come over to,they could do a swap with my daughters house in Las Vegas complete with pool and jacuzzi. Ask around will you.  David who was also born in Old Shap Wells lives in the Isle of Man often comes over your way camping with him son. Where do you live?  Look forward to your reply.

Ann Illingworth
Said this on 13-3-2010 At 09:49 pm

Just put a message in somewhere else in this page. To tell you will be coming to stay in Shap at the Brackenber lodge cottage beginning of August and look forward to seeing you all.

Ann

Mikki Delci
Said this on 8-12-2009 At 07:06 am

Geoff, this is Maria here, Ann's daughter.  Not sure if you remember me.  Outside of Kit, the only other Potter I remember is David.  He and I were about the same age so everyone used to tease us saying we were boyfriend and girlfriend.  Although we were only about 7 at the time so that was the farthest thing from our minds. I've not been back to Shap in many, many years, in fact, I have very few memories of the place.  However, I do remember things like grouse hunting (not I, of course), looking for the lambs after a late snow, getting an occasional ride on Churchill and of course, Kit's little Jack Russell.  I talked to my Mum over the weekend and told her there was a response from you so you can expect to hear from her soon.

Good to hear from you!

Peter Clarkson
Said this on 25-10-2009 At 07:11 am

My name is Peter Clarkson and I am trying to trace Peter Lewis (or anybody who knew him ) who attended Whickers Gill school circa1954/55 and lived at Wet  Sleddle

Your information will be greatly appreciated

John McGenn
Said this on 2-8-2009 At 06:00 pm

It was a pleasure to see the photos on here. I remember walking up Sleddale and all the way over to Haweswater then we had to phone parents for a lift back. We had been all the way up Kidsty pike and High Street as well so we hadn't done too badly. Its a decent walk - especially without the things anyone would take with them these days like lots of water..

I lived at 9, Carleton Terrace until I was 19 in 1969 and left to join GEC in Coventry which is where I still live with my wife, 2 sons and daughter. I remember many of the names mentioned here and my mother Alice's sister Amy is still in Shap so we visit from time to time. As I have relatives at the wonderful Greyhound we'll be staying there. All much improved since I was a lad sneaking bottles of beer to drink up by the station while we climbed the bull wall or watched the steam trains. It seems strange being there where my dad Jack used to spend a good few hours on a Saturday night.

Nice to see the bowling club is there. Hope there are still bell ringers too - one of my other passtimes due to Billy Dowthwaite, along with Tucker Malinson, Richard Bland and John Iddon. New Years eve was always interesting in the belfry - followed by lots of 'first footing' which southerners seem to avoid for some reason.

I'll be back for more...

e Miller
Said this on 19-12-2010 At 07:01 pm

Dear John

I was just reading your comment on Shaps website in August 2009 and I read it with interest as my family who live in South London and Kent used to know an arm of the Mcgenn family, and I wondered if you knew them.  My mother was born in Shap Granite works and the family moved south when she was 14 years old in 1946.  My grandmother was very good friends with a Dot and Joe Mcgenn who followed them south and settled near them in Catford South London.  Dot used to have a sister Elsie Watson who lived at Carleton terrace and we visited her once when we went up to Shap. Just wondered if you knew them?

Kind regards

Elaine Miller

Said this on 15-12-2010 At 01:38 pm

John:  I dont know if you remember the Airey's.  My Dad was Norman, the postman and he & I also rang the bells at church.  I remember well Billy, Tucker and John Iddon.  I moved to the States in '68 & have only been back to Shap once when my parents emigrated to NZ, where sister Margaret lives.  I did chemistry for a zFrench Pharmaceuticsal co., but retired 5 years ago.  Married with 3 children and have 5 dogs!  Just got a Saint Bernard puppy last weekend.  Drop a line if you ever get a spare moment.

kathleen airey
Said this on 17-9-2012 At 10:38 pm
I was wondering if John could help me with our family tree.My husbands great uncle was Norman Airey born in Shap in 1899.We think he may have emigrated married and had a family but it would be nice to find out more.
John Airey
Said this on 20-9-2012 At 08:13 pm

Kathleen Airey, I'm not sure if this is the same Norman Airey you are inquiring about, but my father was born in 1898 in Shap.  He married Elsie Mitchell, had twin daughters, Margaret and Joyce and son John (me).  Margaret emigrated to New Zealand, married a Kiwi and has three daughters, all with families.  Joyce lives in London and has two daughters, while I live in the USA and have two daughters.  Both my parents emigrated to New Zealand in 1976 where they both lived happily until their deaths.  My father had a sister, Dorothy and Sally and a brother, Harvey.  Would these be part of your family tree?  Let me know ifyou need further information?

kathleen airey
Said this on 24-9-2012 At 08:29 pm

Hello John,

Thats great information John that helps me with our Airey family tree.I was wondering what had happened to Norman.My husband,Paul, is Harveys Grandson.My e mail address is kathleenairey2000@yahoo.co.uk and I would love any more information that would help fill in some of the blanks.

Best Wishes Kate

(Kathleen Airey)

chris ashcroft
Said this on 18-7-2009 At 11:01 pm

i used to work as a chef at shapwells but my best memories are going to the macc lads with john lowis jnr and playing football for shap. i loved the place and now live in hesketh bank and met up again with paddy who is now my postman . i hope everyone is ok and the footys doing well. i played for les steadman and along side his son mark.

 yours chris ashcroft

                                                                                          

zilla frith
Said this on 19-11-2009 At 12:55 pm

Hi, there Chris, long time no speak. Good to see that youre well. We have a site on facebook called "we did or are doing shapwells" and youll find loads of the old faces on there!!

 Keep in touch, Zilla x

chris ashcroft
Said this on 8-2-2013 At 09:50 pm

hi zilla

thanks for the reply will check out facebook hope you and everyone who used to work with you are ok, i do miss the place but it seems not many people leave shap so when i'm on my travels i will have a drive through and see if anyones knocking about. hope to speak soon look after yourself. chris

wicksy
Said this on 10-7-2009 At 09:52 pm

We are from liverpool and visit shap regularly, the place has a homely feel to it and have always had a warm welcome from all the good folks that live there from the all pubs to the Spar to the chippy and the age concern thank you all, and many more visits to come, have a look at our vid  of our pilgrimmage.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZoMei99reI

elaine sammons
Said this on 18-6-2009 At 08:11 pm

Hello everyone in Shap, Dont know if anyone remembers us, we lived in greencroft for a few years but had to move back down south for my husbands work. We will never forget how nice all the people of Shap were to us and we were very sad to leave. We havent been back yet but hope to come and stay for a few days this summer.  Look forward to seeing those wonderful views and friendly faces.

Stephen Gee
Said this on 6-5-2010 At 11:26 am

Hi Elaine - just seen your comment from last year! Good to hear you are both well and surviving down south. If you do pay a visit to Shap you must come and knock on our door, you'll be very welcome.

Your old neighbours, Steve & Bev & kids & dog

les steadman
Said this on 17-6-2009 At 08:03 am

hello everyone,i have just been looking on our shap website & guestbook and thought i should reply to some of the people that have been intouch with the guestbook. i moved to shap in 1948 when i was 6year old from kirby stephen to stepps hall which is a smallholding on the outskirts of shap,in about 1956 my father tommy took over a butching business, i remember michael& stephen howes at the police station,lenny borrowdale john airey from the snooker rooms&barely remember shelagh longstaff but i remember gary who i think was her brother from our cricketing days.
                                                      my regards to you all
                                                                           les steadman  shapite.

Said this on 22-10-2009 At 06:52 pm

to les steadman , i am researching my steadman family they lived at bampton 1840,s wondered if you may be related

les steadman
Said this on 11-11-2009 At 06:34 pm

hello jenny bomberg  as far as i know i am no relation to the steadmans of bampton, in bampton there is a gentleman called steadman bowness who owns a garage he may have had the name passed down.  p.s. in shap cemetery there is a seat donated in rememberance of a lady with a surname called steadman from bampton yours les steadman

Post a Comment
* Your Name:
* Your Email:
(not publicly displayed)
Reply Notification:
Approval Notification:
Website:
* Security Image:
Security Image Generate new
Copy the numbers and letters from the security image:
* Message: