Rydal Village Coronation Party held in the Reading Room, Rydal on Coronation Day
Although the village seems largely unspoiled, there have been many changes, largely invisible, between 1953 and 2022. In particular, the relentless marketing of the lake district as a tourist flesh pot has had a big impact behind the scenes. This has dramatically affected house prices and the number of homes which are available to rent has been greatly and adversely affected by the death duties levied after deaths of owners of the Rydal Estate.
The incomes of many local people are low, and house prices have been steadily pushed upwards by people (often from outside the area) buying for second homes, investment and holiday letting.
This can be clearly seen by comparing the list of attendees at the coronation evening party in 1953 with occupancy at the time of writing in 2022.
In both Black & Grey are the houses which in 1953 were fully occupied.
In Grey are ‘ghost’ houses which in 2022 are not permanently occupied, being either holiday lettings or second homes. (By 2022 of course, the names of the occupants have changed).
Note: There are a small number of other houses in the village which are not represented in this list, because of non-attendance at the party. These would largely also be in Grey!
1 Laura Gibson 2 Cote How Cottage
2 Lily McPhee Hallbank Cottage
3 Name not known
4 John McPhee Hallbank Cottage
5 Mrs Cox 3 Mount Cottages
6 Lena Flitter 2 Steps End
7 Amy Gibbs Bank Foot Cottage
8 Ralph Gibbs Bank Foot Cottage
9 Jim Thompson Hart Head Farm
10 Mr Wood 4 Steps End Cottages
11 Dora Dixon Park Gates Lodge
12 Fred Bell 1 Rydal Cottages
13 Mr Stoddart 2 Rydal Farm Cottages
14 Syd Gibson Glen Rothay Cottage
15 Edward Chapman 3 Rydal Farm Cottages
16 Colin Stoddart Rydal Farm Cottages
17 Anthony Chapman Rydal Farm Cottages
18 Mary Walker 2 Mount Cottages
19 Eileen Stephenson Garden Cottage
20 Mary Rigg Nab Farm
21 Frances Gibson Glen Rothay Cottage
22 Jack Walker 2 Mount Cottages
23 Ernie Bainbridge 1 Mount Cottages
24 Connie Thompson Hart Head Farm
25 Joe Thompson Hart Head Farm
26 George Walker 1 Cote How Cottages
27 Hilda Bainbridge 1 Mount Cottages
28 Betty Backhouse Scandale Bridge Cottage
29 Tom (Eddie) Gibson Cote How Cottage
30 Len Stephenson Garden Cottage
31 Elizabeth Walker 1 Cote How Cottages
32 Emily Walker Pull Wyke (Not in Rydal)
33 Ray Gibson 2 Cote How Cottage
34 Annie Chapman 3 Rydal Farm Cottages
35 Nellie Graves Hart Head Farm
36 Murial Walker 1 Cote How Cottages
37 Mrs Palfreman 1 Steps End
38 Name Not known Connected with Park Gates
39 Jack Palfreyman 1 Steps End
40 Betty Palfreman (Bates)** 1 Steps End
41 Margaret Walker (Woodhouse) * 1 Cote How Cottages
42 Barton Woodhouse* Low Wray Farm (Not in Rydal)
43 Norman ?? Coniston
44 Ursula Porter Undermount
45 Des Bates** Langdale
46 Margaret Porter (Fuller) Undermount
47 Rhoda Porter Undermount
48 Arthur Gibson Glen Rothay Cottage
* Engaged couple
** Engaged couple