Allendale Square - Circa 1950
Tar barrel procession – Lancie Bell (1882-1955). Lancie (Lancelot) is famed for lighting a small (covered) barrel during the New Year’s Eves of the Second World War. Thus keeping the tradition of the NYE fire alive whilst adhering to blackout restrictions. He is pictured here post-war.
Might this be Lancelot Robson Bell? If so he was my Great Uncle. I am Joyce Bell’s son. My notes say he died 24 May 1955 so it could have been the tar barrel procession at that new year or maybe a year or so previous? I don’t recall meeting him and was 7 yrs old that year. I think there is a strong family resemblance to Joseph Hodgson Bell, his son who had the joiner’s workshop on Leadgate.
We visited (travelling from Ulverston) my nanna Ethel Bell (nee Glenwright) regularly and I loved every minute of it over the years. My Great Aunt Edie was a favourite relative in Allendale – always had a big jar of black bullets to dip into. She used to manage the Rose & Crown with her brother Robert as had their father, Lancelot Bell, before that until she married William Shortridge in 1923. I could go on about that part of the family tree! There were nine Bell children of Lancelot and Jane (nee Graham). But I don’t know much about that older generation.
You’re correct, Geoff – this is the Lancelot Robson Bell who died in 1955. He was my great-granduncle through his sister Hannah.
Great to hear your memories of visits from Ulverston!