Memories

Fellow blipper PaulaJ recently posted a picture of the Citadel in Carlisle, the view as you walk out of the station. The memories came flooding back. I remember the days when a street photographer would be there with his camera taking posed or random shots, and knew that we had still had photos somewhere. How we got the pictures I’ve no idea, I don’t remember my parents ever buying them or even knowing that they had been taken.

Well there are 3 taken in the early 1950’s and one (bottom right) taken late ‘50’s. The top left photo is me with my best friend Joan. We both lived on Warwick Road and the back gate from her garden opened out on to Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United Football Club. 

I spent most of my school holidays at her house as my mum worked. We had great fun playing on the football pitch as being little and skinny we could crawl under the enormous double wooden gates that were used for vehicles. It was the days when Bill Shankly was manager (1949-51). He was a lovely bloke, they never objected to us being there as long as we didn’t get in anyone’s way and behaved ourselves, there were only the two of us. When I was in my early teens I used to go to watch the matches with my Dad. 

The elderly lady, bottom left, was Miss Curry, who lived in the same house as us on Warwick Road, but closer to the city centre. We could see the playing fields of the High School for Girls from my bedroom window. In this post war period lots of large houses were converted into flats. I remember spending time with her, she babysat me when my parents were out. 

I don’t know what I looked like in my winter outfit with the obligatory kilt, always wore one in the winter, the layers and the beret!!! I looked happy and warm. 

I’m amazed that the photos have survived this long. I’ve found others taken in different parts of the country that are significant in my memories.