About the author
Rosalind Mitchell is a crime writer and all-round computer geek who was born in Barrow, was taken away when just a toddler, and returned in 2006. She is no longer in the first flush of youth but nevertheless is in pretty good shape.
She is owned by a cat called Tosca and enjoys walking by the sea and in the fells, photography, books, classic films and music, not necessarily in that order.
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Pie and Mushies 
Hello Rosie!
I see you have joined in with this daily photo lark as well – which is funny because it did occur to me to write to you and draw your attention to it, thinking that it might appeal.
I started my own daily photo blog thing http://ashton-under-lyne.blogspot.com/ back in the New Year, thinking it would add another dimension to my other web sites, and it certainly generates interest and comments.
I have added a link to you. Perhaps you may care to add one to me in return?
A pity you missed the “theme day” on Water, of which there is plenty around Barrow, but there are others coming up (May is “Numbers”). You can sign up at http://citydailyphoto.com/ under Members – Theme Days.
Anyway, welcome to the “club” and I look forward to seeing more photos of Barrow. It’ll help keep you busy when you’re not playing bridge!
best wishes,
Martin Clark (umrat)
Comment by Martin Clark— April 7, 2008 #
You are a great writer, I enjoyed your photos and postings.
Comment by Wendy— April 13, 2008 #
Thank you Wendy! Now, if you’ll excuse me while I go and have a look at Wichita, Kansas…
Comment by enitharmon— April 13, 2008 #
Dear Roasalind,
I got to this site from The Write Idea- I’m all in favour of these kind of blogs that seem to want to leave a trace of the past.
Comment by Eva Ulian— May 9, 2008 #
Dear Rosalind,
came across your blog and enjoy the daily read, many thanks.
You mentioned the Bridge Club does a certain Lady Called Barbara Welch (nee Moore) go there, if so tell her I send my regards please.
We have lost touch but go back a long long way (not the street though).
Keep up the good work. Best Wishes
Comment by Malcolm Richards— May 30, 2008 #
I am currently reading the diaries of Nella Last and enjoy looking at the pictures of Barrow. She talks alot about the town. Nice website and lovely pictures.
Comment by Debra— June 23, 2008 #
Dear Rosalind,
I think you are funny. The dry humour that often accompanies your fine pictures always bring a smile to my face and I love to visit daily.
Keep up the good work
Best Wishes
Comment by Ashtonian— August 21, 2008 #
I have enjoyed your view(s) of Barrow-in-Furness. I sometimes can picture myself strolling down a Barrow street!
Comment by David— October 8, 2008 #
Hi,
I’ve just stumbled across your photographic blog, which I think is fantastic by the way, whilst trying to find information about the history of the building with the tall chimney stacks on Abbey Road that is now the citizen’s advice bureaux. As it happened I also discovered fascinating facts about many others too.
I have found myself gaining interest intently in the town’s buildings since making the reluctant move here from Ulverston this year. I have to say, learning to love it has been easier than I anticipated!
I hope you will keep up the good work with your pictures and info. on the town!
Christina
Comment by Christina Howker— October 22, 2008 #
Hi–I came across your site while researching my husband’s family history and wonder if anybody can answer a question for me. Back in the 1920’s, my late father-in-law lived at 16 Longway Roose in Barrow. I see both Longway and Roose Roads and am not sure if it is either. Can anyone help? We plan on visiting the area for the first time in June. He had family in Barrow, Dalton and Askam.
Comment by Susan Dixon (USA)— December 19, 2008 #
I’m a cousin of another Susan Dixon and son of Florence nee Dixon who was born in Harrisburg. Would your late father-in-law have been Albert ?
Comment by Brian Postlethwaite— November 8, 2009 #
Dear Susan
The address would be 16 Longway, Roose, Barrow-in-Furness.
Hope you have an enjoyable trip to Barrow.
Julie
Comment by thebarracudas— December 27, 2008 #
Hello from New York. You have very nice photos.
Comment by mike— January 2, 2009 #
I’m almost temped to plagarise the Barrow logo and make Love Barack buttons and badges.
Comment by Ashtonian— January 24, 2009 #
Dear Rosalind, I am worried about you because you haven’t updated your site for nearly a month. I love your photos, writing and Thought For the Days. Please let your followers know you are OK. Looking forward to hearing from you when you can come back to us. Take Care 🙂
Comment by Snap Happy— March 12, 2009 #
This gave me the idea of making my own version of day by day. Dont worry Im not plagarising you just doing my own version.
Comment by gfwspacezilla— March 24, 2009 #
As an exiled Barrovian, I really enjoy visiting this site. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Roger— April 21, 2009 #
My son in Colorado found this great site – he was borin Barrow (as was I). The biggest shock was seeing what has happened to the “Co-op” – as the author says it was the hub of our town life. The photos are lovely and the commentaries very interesting. I used to work in the library on Ramsden Square. I did laugh at the Walney Beach scene – brings back many shivering moments!
Living in Canada for over 40 years now but still miss my hometown.
Comment by irene— May 1, 2009 #
Thanks a lot for your photographic portrait of barrow in furness.A lot of changes and improvements . I studied at Barrow in furness college of FE from 1980 to 1983. I like to see pictures of my old college at howard street, houses at st Vincent street and Barrow train station.TQ
Comment by Matt far east— May 3, 2009 #
I stumbled on your lovely photos when I was looking for something else in Barrow. I was born in Barrow, but emigrated to Canada in 1966 just after I was married. I visited Barrow briefly last year, and didn’t have time to check out all the wonderful buildings, so thank you so much for showing so many. I have to say that when I left, I didn’t quite appreciate what I was leaving.
Please continue with your blog.
Comment by Lesley Tulloch— June 6, 2009 #
I have just spent a happy hour going through your pics.Brought up in Carnforth I now find that I really do not know much about the Furness side of the bay. Your site has been really informative, and your pics lovely,thank you.
Now I must declare my interest. I am in the middle of researching my fourth heritage film, called Morecambe Bay-Our Heritage. I have been gradually working my way around the coast from Fleetwood and I am getting very close to Dalton and Barrow. Have done all my aerial filming of Morecambe Bay and its towns and villages, plus Walney and Furness Abbey. However, what is infuriating about your site and its pictures is that I am going to have to go back and redo some of my video footage because I seemed to have missed a lot out!
Ah well, only another twelve months of research and filming to go. That is providing I do’nt look at your website again.
Keep up the good work.
Chris Abram
Comment by Chris Abram— July 2, 2009 #
christina/re your search for info on the building on abbey road with the tall chimney stack it might have been the swimming baths, hope that helps.
stan
great blog Rosalind as an ex barrovian may I thank you for the views and yuor coments
stand
Comment by stand— July 9, 2009 #
Dear Rosalind,
I’m putting together an album for some friends of mine who met 40 years ago at the repertory theatre in Barrow. I was working there earlier this year, and took some very grim photos of the town – grim because it was raining heavily. Of course, the theatre has been pulled down – it’s now a factory. I think it was called His Majesty’s theatre – is that right. I don’t want to check with my friends as this may make them a tad suspicious. Anyway, I was wondering if you knew of any photos, or sites, or people, that may have photos of that theatre in its pomp.
Any other photos from the late sixties would also be very welcome.
I hope this finds you well,
Best wishes
Peter Thomson
Comment by Peter Thomson— July 26, 2009 #
Hi Rosie – how are you?
I’m not into Twitter and miss your wonderful photos, please are you able to start putting them on this site again?
Take care – hope you are OK.
Kind regards, Snap Happy 🙂
Comment by Snap Happy— September 2, 2009 #
Hi Rosie,
I left a message a few weeks ago re the film that I am researching.
I have now spent a lot of time around Barrow butI never knew the town was like an old fasioned Stalag Luft once you get any where near any submarines or associated buildings.I have travelled to many countries but have never, ever had the police called out to me for filming an old Victorian bulding! Not nucleur submarines, just an old building to match up with some 1900 film that I have of Vickers staff pouring out of their gateways in their thousands. It appears that the miniature men from the reliant robin security guarding association do not like you taking film of their old buildings!
Never again will I ever go back to Barrow in Furness and because of the pathetic attitude of those jobsworth gentlemen so you be assured that the town will certainly not be the nicest in the film.
Goodbye Barrow, for ever, and I feel really sorry for all the nice tourist information staff that have to put up with this.
Comment by Chris Abram— September 2, 2009 #
Dear Rosalind
Like your photos of Barrow. I’d like to get in touch re: a radio programme we are making.
best wishes
Bob
Comment by bob dickinson— January 29, 2010 #
Bob – if you’re still watching, email me at steampunk@golgonooza.co.uk
Comment by enitharmon— February 16, 2010 #
It’s great to see a website with someone who both knows the English language, Barrow-in-Furness and has a keen sense of humour. A very well done for a fascinating insight into Barrow of today and yesterday.
I was evacuated to my Nan’s (Florence Fryer)house on Barrow Island (44 Abercorn Street) in 1944 due to the heavy bombing in London. In the early 50’s I spent a magical Summer there with my sister, playing in the streets with the kids, swimming in Biggar Bank Lido, seeing ship launchings at the docks, watching ‘flicks’ in all the wonderful picture palaces (and they WERE palaces) including my favourite, ‘The Lecky’….aka The Electric Cinema. Drinking pints of Sassparilla at the Temperance Bar in Dalton St with my Uncle Bob (Bob McAthur played Rugby League for Barrow and Great Britain)…and the architectural magnificence of it all. The Tea-House, The Coffee-House and the Indoor Market, the steam trains running through the streets of Barrow Island. Buying ‘Gallaghers Bogey Roll’….it was a tobacco believe it or not….for my Uncle.
I have nothing but an abiding love of Barrow and all things Barrovian, except of course those ghastly little swine who have destroyed so much of it, may they rot wherever it’s best to rot.
I saw the great Willie Horne lift the Rugby League Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1955, with my brother Barry and I cheering fit to bust.
I was introduced to such exotic stuffs as Barm buns, Kali…we called it Sherbet in London, American Cream Soda, Sassparilla and Dandelion and Burdock. It was a wonderful time, in a wonderful place.
I am a professional Artist who has lived 30 years in Andalucia, Spain, and now reside in the Limousin, France, but I’d give anything to be transported back to those days and in that place. In the meantime….thank you very much for such an important website Rosalind.
PS. I could really kill for a plate of Pie and Mushy Peas.
Comment by Roger Shantz— May 26, 2010 #
Dear Sirs
My name is Carlo Cesani from Monza Italy ( where F1 grand prix today )
Please how i can find tecnical data , or more information , about Barrow big hammerhead crane now demolished
best regards
Carlo Cesani
Comment by Carlo Cesani— September 11, 2011 #
I worked at His Majesty’s Theatre in 1965 and 1966. I am looking for any photographs of the old theatre in Albert St (?) for a memoir I am researching. Can you be of any help? I would much appreciate any help. I have happy memories of my time in Barrow.
Comment by James Hayes— January 25, 2012 #