[D]o you know an intriguing fact about Cumbria’s History?
Cumbria County History Trust (CCHT) and Lancaster University’s Regional Heritage Centre are asking members of the public to nominate interesting facts about Cumbrian History.
As part of the Victoria County History of Cumbria project, the two organisations have created a website that is a key resource bank for Cumbrian history. The website is now being revamped, and the front page will feature a ‘Did you know?’ section to showcase fascinating facts.
Renowned Cumbrian broadcaster Melvyn Bragg – Lord Bragg of Wigton – has nominated the William Pit Disaster of 15th August 1947, which he remembers vividly from childhood. 104 men died, but only 14 were killed by the actual blast itself.
Sir Chris Bonington, a Patron of CCHT and Chancellor’s Ambassador of Lancaster University, has nominated the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell by Siegfried Herford in 1914. This was years ahead of its time and was one of the greatest jumps forward in the history of British Rock climbing.
In 1924, Mabel Barker, born and bred in North Cumbia, made the first female ascent.
CCHT volunteer and historian Dr Bill Shannon notes that the name Cumbria comes from the same root as Cymry, the Welsh word meaning ‘fellow countrymen’. The name reveals the Celtic roots of the region in the early medieval period.
The Project’s Director Dr Fiona Edmonds of Lancaster University said: “This initiative will help us to convey just how varied and fascinating Cumbria’s history has been over the last two millennia.”
For further inspiration, visit the project’s website at http://www.cumbriacountyhistory.org.uk/ where you can find brief histories of every Cumbrian township.
You can tweet any facts that you would like to nominate to the project’s research team at @VCH_Cumbria, or use the Contact page on the website.
The Cumbria County History Trust aims to stimulate interest in the history of Cumbria and encourage volunteers to publish their findings, under the guidance of academics at Lancaster University. The Victoria County History of Cumbria project is part of the national Victoria County History, a renowned project to write the history of every place in England.
