Earlier today I was checking on the web for the date of this year’s Westmorland County Show when it came back to me that it was a silver cup won by my great-great-grandfather in September 1871 that first got me interested in the history of my family.

Actually, at the time I didn’t know that Richard Taylor, whose name is inscribed on the cup, was my direct ancestor. Neither was my mother, who had inherited it from an elderly relative, certain who he was. She asked me if I could find out. A bit of detective work including visits to the Kendal Library and the County Record Office (this was back in the 1970s) quickly solved the case. The “Rd. Taylor of New House” who was considered by the Westmorland and Kendal District Agricultural Society that year to have “the best general stock of store cattle” was my grandmother’s grandfather.

I can’t claim great knowledge of the show in more recent years. In fact, living at quite a distance from Westmorland, my visits to it have been few and far between. I am, however, reliably informed that Thursday, 11th September 2008 promises to be a great day out. It has been running since 1799, is one of England’s oldest agricultural shows, and now attracts up to 25,000 people. I’m going to try to make it this year.

In 1999 Roger Bingham wrote a fascinating 192-page history of the show under the title, From Fell and Field. A History of the Westmorland County Show 1799-1999 (Published by Cicerone, Milnthorpe; ISBN 1-85284-290-3). I bought mine when it first came out, but copies now seem to be getting to be few and far between (and often quite pricey). I checked today on Amazon and found a few available, so thought it worth putting up the link here. Click on the book picture for more details.

As for the show itself, don’t forget – 11th September 2008, at Lane Farm, Crooklands, Kendal; 8:00am until 5:30pm.

- David Murray -
England’s Lakes

The English Lake District is well-known for its water and its mountains, but maybe less known for its gardens. And yet this “most beautiful corner of England” contains some magnificent gardens of many different varieties.

I recently came across a book that I’d missed noticing when it was first published. (Obviously my eyesight must be going in addition to my hearing, as apparently it has been well displayed in bookshops – and not only in Cumbria).

Gardens of the Lake District, by Tim Longville, is published by Frances Lincoln, 2007 [ISBN: 0711227136] and is a book not to be missed by anyone with an interest in either Lakeland or gardens. It is superbly illustrated with pictures of some magnificent gardens, many of which are open for visiting by the general public.

Next time you’re planning a visit to the Lakes use this book to help choose which gardens to visit, and if you’re too far away to visit in body let the book transport you there in mind.

Clicking on the book image above will take you to Biblio, an international network of online book dealers. You’ll be able to check there what is available, both as new and used copies, in your part of the world and order on-line.

- David Murray -
England’s Lakes