Bampton and District Local History Society

The Bampton and District Local History Society aims to record and investigate the physical and social history in the Bampton area. Our programme of meetings is primarily focussed on specifically local subjects, with an emphasis on seeking out Bampton's history 'on the ground'. We do undertake specific projects and will aim to record their proceedings here online, as well as build up a physical archive.

Bampton is on the east side of the Lake District near Shap and Penrith in Cumbria, England, UK - map. Our area primarily includes Bampton, Bampton Grange, Burnbanks, Rosgill, Butterwick, Knipe and Mardale. Nearby areas include Shap, Swindale, Helton, Whale and Askham.

We have produced two books: "Ploughing in Latin" and "Cast Iron Community". These are available for purchase locally or by mail order as described below.

Tinclair's Library is sited in Bampton Grange - this is usually open the first Monday evening of every month.

"Cast Iron Community" book - a History of Burnbanks, Haweswater

Published in December 2006, this book is the culmination of our Burnbanks project, our record of the Haweswater dam-builder's settlement at Burnbanks. The book is available for £12 + P&P:

• Mail order. One book £14 inc P&P to the UK. Please send cheques made out to "BDLHS" to:
  Bryham House, Low Knipe, Bampton, CA10 2PU, "burnbanks who is at bampton-history dot org dot uk"
• Bampton Village Stores
• Bluebell Bookshop, Angel Sq, Penrith, CA11 7BP. 01768 866660, bluebell@gn.apc.org

First prize at the Lakeland Book of the Year 2007 in the Business and Industry section

"Cast Iron Community" was awarded first prize in the Business and Industry section of the Lakeland Book of the Year 2007 competition at a special literary luncheon held at the Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere on Tuesday June 26. Bob Dickman (President), Jane Gregg (Editor) and Pat Garside (Burnbanks Project Coordinator) received a gold framed certificate and cheque for £125 on behalf of BDLHS.

Pat Garside said later: "Heartfelt thanks to all of you who participated in the Burnbanks project and whose contributions helped us to produce the prizewinning 'Cast Iron Community'. It was a sustained community effort that enabled us to tell the remarkable story of Burnbanks."

Press release PDF from Cumbria Tourism The competition is organised by Cumbria Tourism and celebrity author Hunter Davies.

Bampton Tithe Map

The Bampton Tithe Map of 1838-9 and its apportionment schedule shows how much tithe was due from each farmer each year. The Tithe Map parchment originals are very large and delicate - one is kept in the Kendal Record Office and another in the National Archive at Kew, London.

In a recent project using an Awards for All grant, Bampton and District Local History Society transcribed the tithe map entries into a database - view the tithe map agreement, schedule and database online.

August 2007: We have just updated the tithe map database with an extra field containing current property names. This information was painstakingly collected by John Stacey and is a good addition to the database as it is probably what people will search on first!

Programme 2009-2010

Unless otherwise indicated, meetings commence at 7.30 pm and are held in the Small Hall, Bampton. Members £0.50, Visitors £2.

Tuesday 6th October 2009, 7.30 pm

AGM 2009 plus Memories of Bampton with Doris Bowman, Yvonne Grundy, Margaret Lightburn and Jamie Fisher

Tuesday 3rd November 2009, 7.30 pm

The History of Fell Ponies by Sue Millard, Fell Pony Society

Tuesday 1st December 2009, 7.30 pm

History of Cumberland and Westmoreland Wrestling - Roger Robson

Tuesday 2nd February 2010, 7.30 pm

The 2nd World War: Local Perspectives - Society Members

Tuesday 2nd March 2010, 7.30 pm

The Stainmore Line - Before and After by Mark Keefe

Tuesday 6th April 2010, 7.30 pm

Weavers Wills and Inventories - Replacement to be announced

Tuesday 4th May 2010

Local Walk details to be announced

Tuesday 15th June 2010

Annual BBQ at Walmgate Head

List of all BDLHS meetings