To coincide with International Grandparents’ Day, Lowther Castle is running its first Memories of Lowther event – on Sunday 6th October 1.00-5.00pm in the newly refurbished Sculpture Gallery.
The event is aimed at anyone who has memories or associations with Lowther Castle as it was, before demolition in the 1950s. Grandparents or great-grandparents perhaps who were staff or tenants, visitors or neighbours or friends of the family.
Charlotte Fairbairn, coordinating the event, said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has a memento or a memory of events or people attached to the Lowther Estate of old. Did you have a relation who worked at Lowther? On the estate? In the park? In the castle? Were you or a member of your family posted at the castle during WWII? Did you go to the demolition sale in 1956? Or even better, the contents sale in 1947? Perhaps you have an item that a relative bought from that sale.
“Our plan is to assemble as many stories as we can and as many artefacts as we can that are associated with the Lowther Estate before the castle was demolished. Artefacts could be anything from photographs to newspaper cuttings, from wooden spoons to cooks’ hats. The artefacts we will display on the day and, with the owner’s agreement, put them on show for a limited time in The Story of Lowther exhibition. Stories will be garnered and saved as future exhibition or guidebook material.
“Anyone who brings a story or a memento or both will be offered free admission* to the Castle & Gardens for that day. We will also invite memory-bringers to be interviewed in the Sculpture Gallery and share their story with the assembled audience. Tony Rumsey, a Lowther Castle volunteer and former head photographer at English Heritage, will be on hand during the day to scan photographs and material, if required. There will be a powerpoint display of old photographs of Lowther. And the Carlisle Archives Centre will have a stand explaining their services to members of the public and letting them know how, for example, to go about family research.
“So if heritage and the history of the local community are your passion, then please come. And if you think you know people with stories to share, please spread the word. Or if you yourself have a story to tell, please get in touch.
“The Memories of Lowther day will be a lovely opportunity to come and hear some of Lowther’s past come to life. And for those who have prized memories to share, it will be a wonderful chance to do so with interested parties.”
*Tickets to Lowther Castle on 6th October are free for memory-bringers but should be reserved in advance by ringing 01931 712192 and speaking to either Ben Melling or Charlotte Fairbairn. Lowther Castle is open 10.00am-5.00pm. The event itself will take place in the Sculpture Gallery from 1.00-5.00pm.
