CHARNEY HALL Merry Christmas!
This year my ‘Christmas card’ is a photograph and not a painting and is taken from the Glebe, looking north towards High Wray, Waterhead and the head of the lake.
The Glebe’s waterfront has been subjected to considerable redevelopment since our time at Charney Hall. The magnet known as Bowness Bay now attracts 1000s of visitors in the summer months and there is also a constant demand for accommodation over the winter period. The Lake District National Park is now open for business 365 days of the year!
In the good old days a sail boat 25 feet long was considered more than adequate for such a thin stretch of water whereas now there are many more jetties, all occupied by much larger (and considerably more expensive) motor cruisers and yachts, some over 40 feet in length.
The timber ticket pavillions, the string of quaint lock-ups at the northern end of the strand and the quays for the traditional lake steamers are still there. But sadly the boat houses where they built the classic Windermere yachts have long since disappeared. Some, to the south overlooking Parson Wyke, close to the car ferry landing, have been sensitively converted into holiday apartments.
Only Shepherds recognised an opportunity to redevelop their site at Bowness Bay with a multi-use building providing facilities for boat owners, tourists and retailers.
M V Tern is the oldest steamer still in operation. She was built by Forrest & Son, Wyvernhoe, Essex in 1891. 145 ft in length she sports a ‘canoe’ bow and is registered with National Historic Ships UK.
Credit : Windermere Lake Cruises
The only evening outing at Charney that I can remember was to see ‘The Gondoliers’, a Gilbert and Sullivan light opera performed by the Windermere Light Opera Society*. This was most probably my first experience of a semi-professional performance and I remember the sense of anticipation and occasion, the casts’ aggravated stage make-up, the bright footlights and not least, the music.
Credit : John Hassall artist
The boys enjoyed the evening, so much so that for weeks after many were still humming Arthur Sullivan’s catchy melodies, some even remembering great portions of Gilbert’s lyrics.
* or was it the touring D’Oyle Carte Opera Company?
IN RETROSPECT
Another year has almost passed and since the first posting of this blog in May 2019, there have been a total of 21895 hits with a monthly score averaging over 250. The latter appears to have been quite consistent throughout the year and one wonders whether numbers will increase or decrease in years to come.
Undoubtedly the most popular post is ‘School Year/Team Photographs’ followed closely by ‘School Lists’ - perhaps both being quite predictable. There is also a consistent fascination for the ‘Swimming Pool’ - I’m not quite sure why! The ones that I had hoped would provoke more interest are the posts relating to individuals - teachers and former pupils, some of whom have led unbelievable lives.
If anyone comes across any photographs or remembers a tale or two please send them to me and I will post them.
Merry Christmas!
Windermere Jetty Museum - a brilliant venu, free 4hr parking with a receipt from the restaurant, located
on Rayrigg Road, a 10 minute walk to Bowness - well recommended and perfect for reminiscing!
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