In Autumn 1979 a Swedish author Sven Lindqvist wrote an article in Oral History (Vol 7, No 2), ‘Dig where you stand’, which became something of a slogan for local studies in the eighties. There was no need to travel long distances or seek out the extraordinary to understand the world.
By exploring your local community, its history and culture, its housing and workplaces and the relationships between people and places, you could learn not only about where you lived but also about society and politics more generally. The idea led to lots of local research and pamphlets in the Nordic countries and the UK.
‘Dig where you stand’ is advice as relevant to the Thornthwaite and Cumbria of today as anywhere. There are farms and cottages worked by generations of families, lead mines and mineral deposits all over the wooded fellsides and evidence – if you look – of the social and economic changes that have taken place over the years. What can you tell for instance from the etching above of Seldom Seen in the 1790s?
One man who knows more about this local community than any was born in Braithwaite and moved to Seldom Seen when he was one year old. He lives still in the same house. 84 year old Victor Gardiner has been a forester, member of the Home Guard, naval gunner in the war, firefighter, taxi driver and parish councillor; and his grandfather was headmaster of the local primary school. He has one regret that he signed up for the navy only weeks before the land girls came to work in Thornthwaite Forest.
His knowledge of generations of local people, farming and land holdings, buildings, businesses and general gossip could fill volumes. (See his photo opposite with his dog Flossy). He has another distinction too.
He and his brother Harry, who owns the adjoining house, inhabit the oldest buildings in Seldom Seen, Nos 3 and 4 The Ravine beside the fast running Comb Beck. They were initially an office, living space and woollen mill dating back to the 1780s.
The photo opposite shows the back of the house, where the remains of what was the original woollen weaving shed abut the dwelling. If you are interested in finding out some more of the history of the area, give Victor a ring (Tel: 017687 78284) and arrange to go round to see him. He’s always happy to have a chat.
This week I have had a lovely surprise. It was receiving this short letter from Hannah enclosing a small part of a game (see photo opposite) from a set of building blocks, which we have for visitors to The Larches. Thank you Hannah for returning it to us and for such a nicely written note.
