Carlisle Times & Crimes

Carlisle - An Olde Travel Guide

With people looking forward to their holidays, I thought it would be interesting to look at some first impressions of Carlisle made by early notable tourists.   First, we go back to 1698, when Celia Fiennes travelled to Carlisle on side saddle. Fiennes can be considered the first travel writer, although her diary entries documenting her trips weren't published until the 19th century as "Through England on Side Saddle (In The Time Of William And Mary)". While in the north, Celia isn't impressed with her lodgings, or the Scots!  Then, in the early 18th century, the poet Daniel Defoe - a man of many talents - visited the city and left his memories in print in the three-volume "A Tour Through The Whole Island of Great Britain", published 1724-26.  Finally, in 1857, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins hope for a 'Lazy Tour' north, but are met with anything but. Find out what their alter-egos have to say about Carlisle. Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook for more stories of the city's past! You can donate to help running costs at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes where any and all help is greatly appreciated! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2529323/support]

Brawl On Botchergate - The Death Of Thomas Higgins

Plenty of fights have erupted over the years on Botchergate, Carlisle's drinking strip, but in August 1856, one fight resulted in the death of an innocent man.  Find out what happened that fateful night, as we tek a deeks at the Brawl On Botchergate - The Death Of Thomas Higgins. Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook You can buy me a drink at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2529323/support]

The Eagle Of Sevastopol - From Crimea To Carlisle

When the 34th Regiment entered Sevastopol in September 1855, Private Joseph Carruthers took a large, gilded, wooden double-headed eagle from the  ruins of the opera house as a war trophy. However, by the time the eagle arrived in Britain, and in the years following, Sergeant Edward Baker seemingly took credit for capturing the eagle.  We'll follow the eagle's journey through the decades as it appeared as a prized possession of the 34th, later the Border Regiment. Can we get to the bottom of this Crimean quarrel?  Join me as we tek a deeks at The Eagle Of Sevastopol - From Crimea To Carlisle. Help support the channel by rating, following and sharing. Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on facebook for more stories from Carlisle's past, where you can help support the page by subscibing for only 99p a month. You can also make a donation at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2529323/support]

The Raffles Murder - The Death Of Isabella Steele

On the 8th September 1887, William Hunter, Mary Steele, and Mary's three year old daughter, Isabella, set out from Wigton to walk around 13 miles to Carlisle. They had been tramping round the county all summer. Poor Isabella would not make it to the city alive.  Find out what happened that day as we tek a deeks at "The Raffles Murder - The Death Of Isabella Steele". This episode contains descriptions of violence to children and suicide. Help Support the Page: Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook You can buy me a wee drink at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2529323/support]

Burns' Night In Carlisle

As Scots around the world prepare to celebrate Burns Night, I take you back to 31st May 1787, when Rabbie Burns entered Carlisle, and spent the night at the Malt Shovel pub in Rickergate. I'll tell you what he got up to, and the wisecracking poetic words that Burns spoke in the city, forever being etched into Carlisle lore.  Also in this episode, I bring you the creation of what I believe to be the first Carlisle Burns Club in 1818, how Carlisle celebrated the centenaries of the birth and death of Burns, and the events of the Burns Federation's Annual Meeting that took place in Carlisle in September 1912. Finally, I recite  "Ode to Burns" by J. Steel, Carlisle, January 1819.  Apologies for my attempts at late 18th Century Scots dialect!  Follow Carlisle Times & Crimes on Facebook for regular stories of Carlisle's past.  You can also donate or buy me a wee dram at ko-fi.com/carlisletimescrimes Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2529323/support]