Cockermouth Businesses

[emmsthheight]

Hi Bob

Yes, I can remember that too.

We used to go to Cockermouth and to Central cafe quite regularly.  That's why I was so surprised there was still as much chaos - ie vehicles/pedestrians/ bikes diving out in front of you/ double parling etc.  I will try and get a photo though in the next few days, and make the effort to go through instead of round Cockermouth.

I'll also look up the burials and try the W Cumberland Pacquet on film in the library.

By the way, it was early one morning in 1964, when the statue met it's demise - a petrol tanker smashed into it.  By some miracle;e the driver wasn't injured, but the statue was decapitated, and apparently his scar remains if you look closely!

Best wishes

Emms.

[bobgraham]

Spoken to mother!
The girl that worked/owned the Central Cafe in the 50's was the daughter of the owners of the Scotch Bakery in Jane st, Workington. She was called Margaret and we are working on the husbands name. But this is how all our conversations go. "She married so and so and lived on the Brow Top and xxxxxx". But we get there in the end. She does very well for 85
bob

[emmsthheight]

Gillian, Bob & Others.

Just a little input to add for the moment.  A quick visit to the library, after a couple of Jobs, today!

I asked for the first box of old telephone directories.  I could have done with the second as well but ran out of time!  There isn't one for every year, but a good spread of dates Frem 1967 back to 1938.

I worked backwards and each year, had P Robinson & Co Ltd Joiners & Undertakers, until 1938 when I got P Robinson Furnishers!  Change of emphasis or change of business? 

Also, they were still there in 1967!  I thought the cafe was there by then, so maybe it isn't that building or my memory is going!  Probably!

No  number for Central Cafe but it could be under the proprietors' names.  None for the other shop, but they might just have had one phone.

I will look up the marriages when I go.  I'm itching to see them myself!

Best wishes
Emms

By the way Bob, thank you for the info on the old directories sight.  My mate and I are making good use of it for other purposes!!



I worked backwards each year

[emmsthheight]

PS Sorry, I forgot to post the list!  Here goes!

Old Cumberland Telephone Directories.

1938  Robinson P & Co Fnshts, 64 Main St, Cockermouth 32

1946       ,,         P & Co  Joiners& Undertkrs, 64 Main St,  Cockermouth 32

1959       ,,          ,,         ,,   ,,                  ,,           ,,                     ,,           2232

1963        ,,         ,,        ,,      ,,                 ,,          ,,                        ,,2232

1967         ,,        ,,         ,,          ,,             ,,         ,,                       ,,         2232.
Regards Emms.

[Gigi]

Hi Emms,

Thanks for the info. I didn't realise that the company was there as late as 1967! I think Palmer Robinson died in 1909 (freebmd) and I don't think he had any children. I wonder who carried on the business.

Thanks again.

Looking forward to seeing those marriages too!

Gillian

[bobgraham]

From memory, in the directories site there are old telephone directories. You may be able to find when they were "posh" enough to invest in a phone!!
bob

[emmsthheight]

Hi

I wont forget about the marriages, but there may be a couple of other things depending what they left.

There may be sales particulars for the business if someone bought it, and kept the successful name.  There may be a will, or we may just get to the bottom of any nephews or nieces through church recprd to see who carried it on.  They should be in electoral registers too.

Frederick?

There's bound to be something!  I'll keep you posted when I get up there.

Emms

[emmsthheight]

Hi Gillian

Were your family always so elusive?

Only kidding.  I'm enjoying following their clues.

Yesterday, I went through Cockermouth Main Street for the first time in years.  It was fascinating - thank you for the excuse!  And also revealing!

I tried to drive round the short block I thought was there, to discover someone had put a one way section, and also traffic lights - the nice variety to test you, when it quietly jumps back to two way, and you have to quickly dodge lanes!  I noticed in time, but was glad it was a quiet Sunday!

As for shops, well they've also kindly annihilated most of the numbers which were on them!

However, I think I got the right place.  There was a number about a dozen shops away, and I think I counted correctly.  Most of the fronts have been replaced, but looking at the upstairs windows, they seem to be the same buildings.

However where I remember a row with cake shops, cafe, book shop, gift shop etc, there seem to be only betting shops, computer/video shops and  similar, and I THINK your Robinsons is a Drink Shop now!  The front wasn't the same, more modern windows, but I think about the right size!

I did notice that buildings most including this one did have alleyways leading to more premises behind, which I think they'd need for their activities.

The only problem was - photographs!  My camera was pinched in a bag which was stolen recently, and I'd been lent one.  The sun was very bright for the display but I think I used it correctly.

I stood at Mayo's feet and got the shop from close up, and in situ, with Mayo and without him, and was quite pleased - but I kid you not, all the photo's I took at home came out, but the ones by Mayo did not!

Either it was me and the camera or Mayo is having his revenge and jinxing the camera!!

(By the way, be is absolutely level with this shop, back between two lanes of traffic, but protected by a foot or two or innocent looking flower beds which are actually hefty concrete which will repel any wandering vehicles before they get to Mayo!

Seriously though, I enjoyed my Little wander and will be definitely be back for more, and we will have a photo!!!

I'll get back about my last trip to the record office.  Some interesting ommissions I'm afraid but all is not lost!

Best wishes.

Emms

[Gigi]

Hi Emms,

I'm pleased to give you an excuse to wander round Cockermouth! I have not been there since about 1995 when my auntie Florrie Ellwood died. I had a number of Ellwood relatives in Cockermouth and some of my mum's cousins still live there.

I have remembered that my parents have a book about Cockermouth. I'll have to have a look at it when I go and visit my parents at Christmas. There may be some pictures in it.

Don't worry if the photos don't come out! It was a nice thought!

Regards,

Gillian