 | Frances Cooney as she looks today! |
When the BBC Bus visited Walney, Frances brought her collection of historical documents, projects and photos to show Suzanne. Many generation of Frances' family have lived on Walney Island. Before the development of Vickerstown, Biggar and North Scale were the only settlements. Frances knows everything there is to know about Biggar!  | Left: Frances pictured in Biggar with her son Gordon and his friends Stuart Lauderdale (at the back) and Elsie Lynn. Right: A schedule for the Walney pool's gala. The pool was demolished. Click here for a larger version of this image |  |
 | Left: Outside Frances' house in Biggar Village. If you look closely, you can just see her mother cleaning the front step! |
 | Left: Frances' maternal grandparents, Agnes Anne Woodburn and Samuel Gilliland. Agnes was born in 1878 and Samuel in 1863. Right: Receipt written by the 'Grave' for Biggar who collected money owed by the villagers under the feudal system. Click here for full size version. | 
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| Right: Frances' parents, Annie May and Thomas Watkinson. Annie was born in 1905 and Thomas in 1904. | 
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BBC Radio Cumbria recorded Frances and her friend Ronnie talking about life on Walney Island. You can listen online - click here.
Comments
Came to live in Carr lane aged two.Grew up on Walney. Attended Ocean Road School. Later worked in The Queen's Arms Hotel Biggar Village, also on a farm. During the war1 940 aged 20 years was called up to work in Barrrow Steel Works. Later worked in West shop Vickers-Armstrong as milling-machinist making bomb-door brackets and pivot bolts for Wellington bombers. Parents were bombed-out of their new council house in Barrow Blitz 1941, then came back to Walney Katie Percy |  | |
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 |  |  |  | | | Walney Voices
Introducing the BBC's newest venture in Cumbria.
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What is Voices?
Capturing the stories, concerns and aspirations of those unheard voices across the UK.
Find out more here.
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 | BBC Cumbria website, Annetwell Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8BB
phone: 01228 592444 | e-mail: cumbria@bbc.co.uk | |
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