'Messages'
Catriona Stamp
2006
Screen-printed accordion-fold book,
with ink-jet inserts.
Limited edition - 10
£270

(Story 1) - June 1867 - Silverdale
Monday
Exciting journey - my first! - by train from Greenodd
Station to Silverdale with Susan, to stay at Challan Hall.
How I am looking forward to our Botanising Expedition.
Tuesday
Very delightful walk. Susan found several Specimens of Interest, which she pressed at once for the Barrow Naturalists Field Club. I collected a few myself, and
spent the afternoon sketching a Portrait of one Specimen. Pleasant evening conversation with the Murgatroyds.
Wednesday
Made a Pilgrimage to Lindeth Tower, where we paid Homage
to the memory of Mrs Gaskell. How I would
have loved to meet her and her Daughters there. Alas
that it cannot be. If only I had could have come earlier.
Found some more Specimens on the Cliffs and
Foreshore close by.
Thursday
Completed another Plant Portrait, and Susan was kind
enough to praise my poor Talent, and indeed, offered
to send some of my Sketches to Walter Fitch, with whom
she has some Acquaintance. It would be such an Honour
if some of my Work could be included in one of his Publications.
Friday
Our last day here is over and I must return home to
Ulverstone. Susan has been so generous with her
Botanical Knowledge, and I have learnt so much. Our
Hostess has been so kind during our stay, making all
available to us. So forgiving too, of our Infatuation with
Plants, which meant that we somewhat neglected her
Society.

(The message in the bottle.)
Whoever finds this, remember me. Tomorrow I am to be
married, and am to forget all my ‘Botanising Nonsense’.
Anna Swinfen

 

 

 

I am often asked if the stories are true.

All are based on some core of fact which intrigued me, and a story built around it.
In story 1, there really was a Barrow Naturalists Field Club, Mrs Gaskell was in the habit of staying at Lindeth Tower during the summer, Walter Fitch was a publisher of botanic illustrations, and the train stations are correct for the time.

Story 8 is based on a report of someone falling off the Central Pier dance floor, before they had railings, and the rest grew from the workers’ trips from the cotton towns to Morecambe, with its traditional attractions. By this time the cotton industry was in trouble and mills were closing.

(Story 8) - 1936 Morecambe
Jenny and Molly were standing by the Gipsy stall.
“So what did she tell you?”
“She says I shall spend the rest of my life in Morecambe! I don’t know how that’ll come about. I’ld be glad to get out
of Elm Street Mill, but what would I do here?”
“You could make up a clog dance routine, and ask to be put on at the Winter Gardens. That would be a laugh.”
“Yes, to you, it would! I’ld do it too, but only if you were up there as well, for everyone to gawk at.”
“Come on, let’s go on a boat trip. It’s a shilling a ride to Grange-over-Sands and back. Maybe we’ll meet some handsome sailors.”
1989 Morecambe
James Knipe is telling his grandchildren a bedtime story.
“Well, I was dancing with a girl on Central Pier, before the war. You may laugh, but I was a grand dancer then. Ballroom… not today’s poor excuse. We could hardly move for the crowds that day. So we went to the edge for some space. And then we were pushed and shoved in the crush until we fell off the side and into the water. My girl was furious. Shouted at me as if it was my fault, and never talked to me again. But as I was wading back to the shore, I found a bottle floating. I just grabbed it. Inside, I found a letter. So I wrote off, for a laugh. And next summer when she came on her holidays again from Burnley, we met up and we clicked. By the end of the week, we were going out. And when the war started – that made our minds up. So that is how I met your gran. But we only ever go on coach trips. That’s what I promised her. You remember that, and always keep your promises.”

(The message in the bottle.)
I’ve a mind to move to Morecambe. I’ll consider any good offers. But only if you promise never ever to make me go on a boat again in my life. Molly Streatley, 31 Kirkgate, Burnley.

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