Thank you Jane for another wonderful read. The last hole in the wall oatcakes shop (up Hanley) closed a few years ago I think, but there are apparently still around 40 oatcake bakers in the Potteries, and no sign that younger generations are any less keen on oatcakes than their forebears. I’m told you can even buy a filled oatcake at London’s Borough Market these days, at a price.
For some strange reason lately, I have been attracted to writers, artists of all kinds who, after some reading, background investigation all have links with Stoke on Trent/Staffordshire (where I was born). I met an artist here in Yorkshire who came from the same village (Trentham), we went to the same grammar school, same art college and took up the same career (all without knowing her till we met at age 70). At least five creatives I have followed on Instagram all turn out to be from Stoke or Staffs and now here you are talking about oatcakes! I often forge links with people in search of oatcakes, I have to get mine online. Love your stories, your style and your sense of humour, please keep WFH
Didn't know about a Landmark Trust building in central Manchester despite being a local! I was brought up in a Hampshire Town, also called Alton, which had a stone built stationmaster's house now demolished. I believe my Alton Station has a sign pointing out it's not the stop for Alton Towers.
Back in the day the National Westminster bank manager lived with his family above the bank in the High Street with a lovely walled garden behind it.
Jane, thanks so much for a wonderful read. I do so love all these historic buildings. In my younger days I often thought about living in and renovating an old church or fire station . No chance of a train depot here as most of things old get torn down. It’s so nice to see a place where they value the old instead of replacing, unlike what happens in the USA, especially here in southeastern Virginia.
You are such an inspiration for WFH AND I love your exploration of the wonderful legacy of railway station masters' houses (it made me think of canal lockkeepers homes too). So evocative. A great Sunday morning read.
Lovely newsletter to read on a rainy morning. Thank you. I, too, saw Patrick Grant last Sunday and confess I was more excited to see the fantastic Alex Clark - she’s so good! She was on the Times Literary Festival at Sea in December 2022 and was a real highlight of the trip for me!
I've worked from home officially for the last 14 years and unofficially for at least 26 if you count the years that my sole employment was as a stay at home mother :) You have the distinction of having one of those Substacks that have comments that are almost as fun to read as the actually story.
What a lovely long read, thank you so much. I’d like some of those oat biscuits to nibble on……. Your own recipe?
It's in 'Talking About Cakes' (1973) by Margaret Bates.
Thank you Jane!
Thank you Jane for another wonderful read. The last hole in the wall oatcakes shop (up Hanley) closed a few years ago I think, but there are apparently still around 40 oatcake bakers in the Potteries, and no sign that younger generations are any less keen on oatcakes than their forebears. I’m told you can even buy a filled oatcake at London’s Borough Market these days, at a price.
An enjoyable read. I also love old stations.
For some strange reason lately, I have been attracted to writers, artists of all kinds who, after some reading, background investigation all have links with Stoke on Trent/Staffordshire (where I was born). I met an artist here in Yorkshire who came from the same village (Trentham), we went to the same grammar school, same art college and took up the same career (all without knowing her till we met at age 70). At least five creatives I have followed on Instagram all turn out to be from Stoke or Staffs and now here you are talking about oatcakes! I often forge links with people in search of oatcakes, I have to get mine online. Love your stories, your style and your sense of humour, please keep WFH
Didn't know about a Landmark Trust building in central Manchester despite being a local! I was brought up in a Hampshire Town, also called Alton, which had a stone built stationmaster's house now demolished. I believe my Alton Station has a sign pointing out it's not the stop for Alton Towers.
Back in the day the National Westminster bank manager lived with his family above the bank in the High Street with a lovely walled garden behind it.
The old stations…. Yes!!
Jane, thanks so much for a wonderful read. I do so love all these historic buildings. In my younger days I often thought about living in and renovating an old church or fire station . No chance of a train depot here as most of things old get torn down. It’s so nice to see a place where they value the old instead of replacing, unlike what happens in the USA, especially here in southeastern Virginia.
You are such an inspiration for WFH AND I love your exploration of the wonderful legacy of railway station masters' houses (it made me think of canal lockkeepers homes too). So evocative. A great Sunday morning read.
Thank you!
Lovely newsletter to read on a rainy morning. Thank you. I, too, saw Patrick Grant last Sunday and confess I was more excited to see the fantastic Alex Clark - she’s so good! She was on the Times Literary Festival at Sea in December 2022 and was a real highlight of the trip for me!
I've worked from home officially for the last 14 years and unofficially for at least 26 if you count the years that my sole employment was as a stay at home mother :) You have the distinction of having one of those Substacks that have comments that are almost as fun to read as the actually story.