Liverpool cowkeepers from westmorland

18/3/2017

Did my first talk in Cumbria last week, for the Bateman Club in Ings. I included information from the 1881 and 1911 census records about the Liverpool cowkeepers who had originated from Westmorland. Family names included: Barnes, Beck, Berk, Bowman, Brownrigg, Coward, Crag, Fallowfield, Gaddas, Heslop, Kidd, Mason, Richardson, Sowerby, Stickland, Tennant, Whitwell and Woof. Afterwards, I had a fascinating exchange of information with a descendant of the Gilpin family - including a lovely account of cows being herded along the country roads from Crook to Kendal railway station, there to be loaded onto cattle wagons bound for the family's cowhouses in Bootle. Looking forward to future bookings in Cumbria.

10 Comments

Maureen Hatton

6/6/2017 11:47:44 am

I lived in Beckenham avenue, on the bottom end of Penny Lane. Dairy 33on the corner of Briardale road was owned by Coulthwaites from at least 1950 to 1960s.They delivered our milk every day. You could also buy milk from the dairy. They had Friesian cows which were walked over Penny Lane railway bridge every morning and evening . They went down to Greenbank road entering the fields directly opposite the bottom of Penny Lane to graze during the day. They closed when the University bought the land and built Dale Hall , hall of residence for the students of Liverpool University.

Dave Joy

16/7/2017 10:12:12 am

Hello Maureen. That's very interesting. A branch of the Joy family kept cows at Calton Dairy (Calton Avenue, at the top end of Penny Lane) and I have often wondered what grazing would have been available in the Penny Lane area.
From the railway bridge you can still see the yard/building to the rear of Briardale Road where the cows used to be kept/milked. It must have been a lovely sight, seeing them being herded to and from pasture for milking twice a day. In my book there is a photo of cows being herded along Aigburth Road to Dugdale's Farm in Grassendale Road - it was taken in the 1950s. It is fascinating to know that this activity was being practised within living memory.
If you have any other information or memories I'd love to hear more. Thanks. Dave.

Paul Ryan

18/8/2019 07:33:42 pm

Hi Dave

I have only just read this information. I now own the former Penny Lane Dairy and love the history and trying to find more information and photos if anyone has any ? We have converted the barns and buildings into a residential home with many original features.
Paul

Dave Joy

19/8/2019 12:44:38 pm

Hi Paul. Thanks for making contact. Have you seen the 'Then and Now' photo of Briardale dairy on my 'A (Milk) House Through Time' page? There is also a short list of previous occupants. I'd love to see the premises. Perhaps we could arrange something next time I am down in Liverpool? You can email me on: davejoy-author@hotmail.com

Cheers, Dave.

David Karr

9/5/2020 06:00:46 pm

I do not have any photos but somewhere I have a copy of an old article about the cows (which put the fear of god into me the first time I saw the cows). If I can find it I will let you have a copy. I gave a copy to the Penny Lane Society in their offices in Penny Lane.

David Karr

9/5/2020 05:55:20 pm

I think the grazing land as I remember it was where now is the University Halls of residence was. It used to be fields and there was outbuildings in Greenbank Lane that is now owned by the university.??

Elaine

23/12/2019 12:44:24 pm

Hi Dave, I am a descendent of the Gilpin family of Westmorland, if you have any pictures you could share that would be great.
Thanks

Dave Joy

24/12/2019 02:44:17 pm

Hello Elaine,

Thanks for getting in touch. It just so happens that I have today added a new picture to my 'A (Milk) House Through Time' gallery and it is of Gilpin's Salisbury Dairy in Bootle:
http://www.davejoy-author.com/a-milk-house-through-time.html

If you would like me to send you the original image, just drop me an email: davejoy-author@hotmail.com

Cheers, Dave.

Mel wells link

16/7/2020 11:40:48 pm

Hello Dave, just reading the comments about the dairy which property you now own, if I’ve got that right.

My Auntie Girlie used to work at the dairy. She used to speak fondly of her days there, she lived in the houses at the back of Edge Hill..a very nice large house and later she moved to Tarbock which is near to Gatacre. That was many years ago, I have some good and silver pencils with the dairy’s engraving on them ...this is how I came to read your blog. Hope I get a reply all the best .

Dave Joy

23/7/2020 03:57:38 pm

Hello Mel,

Thanks for getting in touch. No, it's not me who owns the old dairy, it's Paul Ryan (see his comment above). I am hopeful of being able to visit the premises next time I'm in Liverpool and once lockdown has been relaxed.

Your pencils sound absolutely fascinating! Could you send me a picture? My email address is: davejoy-author@hotmail.com

Thanks, Dave.

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