Carlisle Times & Crimes

When a large box addressed to Mrs Louden was delivered to the Bush Hotel in 1859, it remained unclaimed for a year. When the hotel staff eventually opened it, they discovered a child's body in a coffin inside.

This incredible story takes us around the north - Carlisle, Newcastle, Hartlepool, Glasgow, Greenock and Paisley as well as across the other side of the world to New Zealand. Will the authorities be able to solve the Carlisle ...

When an MP's visit to a Shaddongate constituent descends into a riot, three people are left dead after the military open fire on those gathered. Were the authorities justified for using military force, or was this a heavy-handed response to working class anger? And would anyone be held responsible for the deaths of three civilians? 

This riot prompted the creation of the Carlisle Police Force. But when the new Chief Constable a...

This lighthearted episode tells the tale of Adam Bell, Clym of The Clough and William of Cloudslie, three medieval outlaws living in Inglewood Forest. This Royal Forest once thrived between Penrith and Carlisle. 

After six months in the forest, William attempts to see his wife in Carlisle but is caught and faces the noose. 

Will Adam and Clym be able to rescue their brother? And to what ends will these men g...

Daniel McCrory was a known rogue suspected of several robberies and burglaries. In 1813, an act of mercy during one burglary would be his downfall. 

However, Daniel McCrory's ultimate fate would assure him of his place in Carlisle's history of crime and punishment. 

Join me as we tek a deeks at The Two Executions Of Daniel McCrory. 

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With people looking forward to their holidays, I thought it would be interesting to look at some first impressions of Carlisle made by early notable tourists.  

First, we go back to 1698, when Celia Fiennes travelled to Carlisle on side saddle. Fiennes can be considered the first travel writer, although her diary entries documenting her trips weren't published until the 19th century as "Through England on Side Saddle (In T...

When the 34th Regiment entered Sevastopol in September 1855, Private Joseph Carruthers took a large, gilded, wooden double-headed eagle from the  ruins of the opera house as a war trophy. However, by the time the eagle arrived in Britain, and in the years following, Sergeant Edward Baker seemingly took credit for capturing the eagle. 

We'll follow the eagle's journey through the decades as it appeared as a prized possessio...

On the 8th September 1887, William Hunter, Mary Steele, and Mary's three year old daughter, Isabella, set out from Wigton to walk around 13 miles to Carlisle. They had been tramping round the county all summer. Poor Isabella would not make it to the city alive. 

Find out what happened that day as we tek a deeks at "The Raffles Murder - The Death Of Isabella Steele".

This episode contains descriptions of violence ...

As Scots around the world prepare to celebrate Burns Night, I take you back to 31st May 1787, when Rabbie Burns entered Carlisle, and spent the night at the Malt Shovel pub in Rickergate. I'll tell you what he got up to, and the wisecracking poetic words that Burns spoke in the city, forever being etched into Carlisle lore. 

Also in this episode, I bring you the creation of what I believe to be the first Carlisle Burns Club in ...

It's Christmas, and, like Jacob Marley, I bring you three ghosts of Christmas past.

The clock strikes One: The first Ghost takes us back to 1843, where we will see how the wealthy and poor celebrate Christmas as Charles Dickens' festive classic was released.

The clock strikes Two: The second Ghost of Christmas past shows us Charles Dickens in Carlisle in 1861, as he performed his works on stage.

The clock strikes Three: Finally, the t...

In 1653, George Fox arrived at Carlisle to preach his new vision of worship. Charged with blasphemy, and thrown into the dungeon, would the gallows be Fox's divine destiny? Then, two years later, Dorothy Waugh, a follower of Fox's religion, suffered the humiliation of the Scold's Bridle, a barbaric device designed to keep women silent, after also preaching in the town centre. Join me as I explore Carlisle's cruel role in the early ...

In this bonus Halloween episode, we travel back to the days before the railways, and one woman's terrifying experience in the Botchergate area, where Carlisle's Citadel Station now stands.  Also in this episode, we are teased with another equine-related ghost story from 19th century Botchergate. 

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In 1889, a 53-year-old woman's body is discovered at the side of a muddy road with all evidence pointing to a sexual assault taking place before her death. Will the prime suspect be found guilty? Or will the investigation of the facts lead to an acquittal? Join me as we tek a deeks at the Dalston Road Murder.

WARNING - This episodes contains references to  and descriptions of sexual assault. 

You can see photos of Sebra's g...

A shocking discovery at Carlisle Castle in 1819, gives birth to Carlisle's most famous ghost story - the mother and baby found bricked up in the castle walls. But all is not as it seems... Also in this episode, the Victorian obsession with ghosts leads to some terrified soldiers on guard in the dead of the night...

Join me in Carlisle as we take a deeks at the Bones In the Castle

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