Leisure

Four ladies and two men, all in summer attire, have boldly climbed to the top of the Bowder Stone in Borrowdale, Cumbria. Now they sit at the top to have the achievement recorded for posterity. The Bowder Stone weighs approximately 2,000 tones and is 30 feet (9.1m) high. There has been a ladder or staircase to the top since 1798 when a Mr Pocklington purchased the site and turned it into a tourist attraction.

Blackpool beach and passengers are boarding a sailing boat for a trip out to sea. The sea is quite choppy and it must have been quite a thrill just getting into the boat. The passengers had to negotiate a wheeled gang plank while it and the boat were held as steady as possible by attendants on the shore and in the water. I wonder if many fell in?

It’s a chilly winter's day, so cold in fact that the Steelworks reservoir in Ormsgill has frozen over. Not missing an opportunity for some fun though, people have come out in force to go ice skating and have a curling match.

A little girl is having a ride on a donkey, a popular attraction still enjoyed today, but there does not seem to be much enjoyment in this picture; the participants and onlookers all look a bit serious.

Jackets off, this is going to be hot work. A wheelbarrow race is in full swing. One team is doing well while the second has collapsed in a heap, much to the amusement of one young man spectating.

A portrait of the Third Prize winner in the Men's Washing Competition. The Advertising Board says the competition is sponsored by Barrow Steam Laundry. Admission 3d to 'watch the soapsuds fly', and exhorts 'Be a man and do the wife's job for once.' Naturally, the men are wearing suits.

As far as entertainment goes this takes the biscuit (cake)! In a twist to the traditional bob apple game played at Halloween, our competitors race around on motorcycles before taking a bit out of the hanging doughnuts.

Bathers and non-bathers enjoy the pool and poolside bar at the Norbreck Hydro Swimming Baths.

A very busy Blackpool beach during the annual holiday season. A large group stand in a circle in the foreground and another to the left. Many of those in the foreground group are holding books or papers, perhaps this is a religious meeting. All the people are dressed in their Sunday best clothes and are wearing hats - even those playing in the sand.

Another busy Blackpool promenade and beach scene. On the beach children and adults are enjoying relaxing or playing in the sand; digging pits appears to be a favourite pastime – some things never change. It is obviously a warm day as in this scene the ladies are wearing blouses or summer dresses; the men are still in suits with jackets though.

In this Blackpool beach scene the tide is in and the upper sea defence slopes are packed with people. A few of the youngsters have been allowed to roll up their pants or dresses and go for a paddle. One lady clings onto her little girl’s coat while trying to keep herself dry. Passengers are disembarking from a sailing boat after a trip out. They are using a wheeled portable gangplank.

Many people of all ages in the Furness Abbey grounds and exploring the ruins. Always a popular destination for a day out, it is obviously very busy in this picture. Perhaps there was a special event taking place?

The Greasy Pole. Crowds of onlookers watch from the shore, and from the stern of the barge, from where the Greasy Pole competition is taking place. A long pole covered in grease has been fixed to the side of the barge and young men are attempting to walk along it. The farthest along before falling in is the winner.

As towns became ever more industrialised and built up, public parks became increasingly important as areas of open green spaces available for recreation. Barrow Park was designed by Thomas Mawson in 1908, and was constructed in stages between then and 1924. This picture shows Barrow Park during the early years of its construction.

Messing about in boats. Six boats out on the park lake all heading in roughly the same direction. There is a large group of people watching from the bridge, perhaps this is a race. The boy at the stern of the canoe takes a break from paddling and gives the photographer a smile while his mate attempts to correct their course.

The Pierrots are in town and are giving a performance on a small stage set up in the James Dunn Park, Walney Island. A reasonable crowd has gathered to watch the performance, although the children on the grass banking at the back seem to be more interested in the photographer.

A now nearly complete and busy Barrow Park, it’s a fine sunny day and several men's bowls matches are in full swing - as is the band playing in the band stand, They must be a good band as they have certainly attracted a large audience.

A crowd of people standing along the beach look on as bathers, mostly children and young people, swim in the sea.

Children, and at least one grown up, take a break from their play and sit on the roundabout to pose for the photographer.

Holidaymakers queue for the various attractions and rides at the Blackpool Pleasure Park including Noah’s Ark and the Dodgems.