I'm on a mission . . .

. . . now! Having started the search for the Artistic Plaques placed in the Carlisle Flood Defences, and encouraged by some of you lovely people, I am continuing with the quest. A few more found today around the Brunton Park area of the city, where Carlisle United Football Club have their ground.

The Football pitch was heavily waterlogged in the 2005 floods and this plaque tells the story of a goldfish called Billy, who was rescued from the water. The fish was spotted in the goalmouth, just before the huge industrial pumps were switched on to start clearing the water from the pitch. Named Billy, it was used as a lucky mascot for the club (quite successfully some might say).

The more observant amongst you will now be asking - why Judy then? Well, the fish was recognised as the pet of Ashleigh aged 4 who lived nearby. His mother said he was a she and her name was Judy. She agreed to let the Club keep the fish and they bought Ashleigh a replacement.

Judy died in 2010, an event well-recorded in the local paper!

Actually it was stories like this, trivial as they seem, that helped to keep spirits up in the city during some very dark times, just after the flood devastation.

The picture shows the plaque (damaged sadly) in the flood wall with the football stand in the background. The car park is slightly wet at the moment after all the rain of the last few weeks.

Pleased again that I was accompanied in my search, especially as the sight of one plaque required climbing a fence and wading through a swamp. Not accessible from a public footpath - how mad is that!!

Plaques found: 21/40