The Post Office at Blubberhouses: A Glimpse into Rural Yorkshire History

 In an age when we communicate instantly via email and text, there's a certain romantic charm in looking back at the humble, foundational infrastructure of communication: the rural Post Office. This lovely sepia postcard from my collection features the former Post Office at Blubberhouses in the Yorkshire Dales.

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The Post Office, Blubberhouses

The Scene: Blubberhouses, Yorkshire

The photo captures a substantial stone cottage, typical of the Yorkshire vernacular architecture, which once served as the village post office.

• Architectural Clues: The building has thick stone walls, a slate roof, and two prominent chimney stacks. The windows are small, and the overall impression is one of solid, centuries-old utility.

• The Post Office Sign: Clearly visible on the right-hand side is a projecting sign that reads, "POST OFFICE." Below this, another sign advertises "STATIONERY & SWEETS"—a classic combination for a small village shop that served as a vital community hub.

• A Place to Rest: In the foreground, a simple wooden bench rests against a dry-stone wall, shaded by a large tree. This wasn't just a place to send a letter, but a social spot where people gathered and rested.

• The Name: The village name itself—Blubberhouses—is a point of interest. Located near the Washburn Valley and Fewston Reservoir, the name is likely derived from the Old Norse word for bubbling or gushing water, referring to a spring or peat bog, not, as sometimes joked, to blubbering.

A History of Connectivity

While the postcard itself is undated, the sepia tone and the style suggest it was produced in the early 20th century, likely between 1900 and 1920. This was the golden age of postcards, where the Post Office was the vital link connecting remote communities like Blubberhouses to the rest of the world.

A rural post office like this was the village nerve centre:

• It was where letters and parcels arrived.

• It was the place to draw a pension or collect a telegram.

• It offered small essentials like stationery and, crucially, sweets for the children.

This postcard is more than a scenic view; it's a quiet tribute to the rural life and the dependable, community-focused service provided by the Post Office before the motorcar and telephone completely reshaped the Dales. Although the Blubberhouses Post Office may have changed use since this photo was taken, the enduring charm of the building and the landscape remains.

A Day by the Lake: Golf, Tennis, and the 1980's Lake District

 There's something wonderfully nostalgic about a holiday postcard that captures a simple, perfect day. This postcard from my collection features Bowness Bay, Windermere in the heart of the Lake District, and it's a great snapshot of British domestic leisure in the early 1980's

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Bowness Bay, Windermere, Lake District

The Front: Bowness Bay, Windermere

The image itself is a classic "Colourmaster International" print, vibrant and full of life, showing Bowness Bay on a beautiful summer's day.

• The centrepiece is the iconic pier and the pleasure cruiser, likely one of the Windermere Lake Steamers, which is still a major attraction today.

• The surrounding hills rise up from the tranquil water, with small sailboats dotting the lake.

• The colours and the boat's design instantly anchor this card in the later 20th century, before the digital age completely changed photography and printing.

The Message: A Perfect Holiday Scorecard

The real charm lies in the detailed message, written from 'Phil' to 'Peter' (and addressed to Peter Cooper in Westhoughton, Bolton). The postmark is slightly indistinct but appears to be from July 1982.

Phil's update reads like a very satisfying itinerary of a relaxed holiday:

"weather has been okay so far and very good today. The guest house is very good. Played loads of golf on the pitch and putt course - Tonks has beaten me every time except once. We played tennis this morning and went to Ambleside this afternoon. You never let me know how your driving test went. Phil."

 Highlights of the Eighties Holiday

• The Pursuit of Golf: The focus on the "pitch and putt course" highlights the casual, accessible nature of holiday activities.

• The Rivalry: The competitive streak with a friend named 'Tonks' adds a wonderful touch of personality and typical holiday banter.

• Classic Sightseeing: A trip to Ambleside, a traditional Lake District market town, shows they were sticking to the classic tourist route.

• A Personal Query: The sign-off—asking about a friend's driving test—grounds the card firmly in the reality of their everyday lives back home.

This postcard is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Lake District: good weather, easy sports, beautiful scenery, and the simple joy of sending a note to a friend back home to let them know you're having a brilliant time (even if you are losing at golf!).

A Duchess's Portrait and the Duke's Home: An Edwardian Postcard Mystery

 Postcards are little fragments of history, and sometimes they offer a fascinating, tantalizing glimpse into aristocratic life and Edwardian artistic tastes. This recent find in my collection is a perfect example: a striking portrait postcard dated December 16, 1908, bearing a cryptic handwritten note.

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Iris Serie 1557

The Portrait: Iris Serie 1557

The front of the card features a stunning colour portrait, likely a reproduction of a painting, enclosed in an oval border against a pale blue background. The woman wears a large, fashionable hat—possibly a Gainsborough or Georgian style, very popular for portraiture at the time—with a wide green bow and voluminous, stylish hair.

A closer look at the reverse side, printed in Germany by Meissner & Buch, Leipzig, reveals the series title: "Iris Serie 1557." This places the card firmly in the era of high-quality color printing, often reproducing famous works of art for the mass market.

The Message: "The Duke of Sutherland's home"

The handwritten message is short, but packed with historical context:

"The Duke of Sutherland’s home Trentham Hall is full of such pictures as these are. P. Dec. 16 '1908"

The Context: Trentham Hall

• The Duke of Sutherland: In 1908, the 4th Duke of Sutherland, Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, held the title. The Sutherland family was one of the wealthiest in Britain, owning vast estates, including Trentham Hall.

• Trentham Hall: Located in Staffordshire, Trentham Hall was the principal family seat. It was a spectacular Italianate palace, famous not just for its architecture and gardens (designed by Capability Brown), but for its legendary art collection.

• "Such pictures as these are": The writer, signing off simply as 'P.', suggests this postcard portrait is representative of the works lining the walls of Trentham Hall. The Sutherland collection was renowned, containing masterpieces by artists like Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Van Dyck—masters of the very style the postcard reproduces.

What Does It Mean?

The postcard suggests that 'P.' had either visited, or was writing from, Trentham Hall just before Christmas 1908. Perhaps 'P.' was a guest, a member of the staff, or a visitor to the famous gardens. The note acts as a miniature commentary on the Duke's extravagant collection, implying the house was filled with grand, beautiful portraits like the one on the card.

Tragically, just a few years after this card was sent, the history of Trentham Hall took a dramatic turn. Due to persistent environmental issues related to the River Trent and pollution from nearby industry, the magnificent house was mostly demolished in 1911. The postcard, therefore, is a tiny artifact from the very end of the Hall’s life as one of England’s greatest stately homes.

This simple card gives us a marvellous peek into the opulence of the Edwardian aristocracy and the fleeting nature of their grand estates.