Many people have their memoirs or diaries tucked away at the back of a drawer.
And sadly that's where most of them stay even though they contain rich tales of days gone by - and valuable information for the local historian.
Fortunately Viv Hales' detailed reminiscences of life in Lamplugh at the turn of the 20th century have been rescued from the back of that drawer and have now been published making them accessible to historians - and those who just love a good read about those days when life seemed simpler.
Viv's grandson, Simon Carter, liaised with Lamplugh and District Heritage Society to get his late grandfather's notes published and the book, An Edwardian Childhood, is now on sale in bookshops.
Lamplugh Society chairman Stan Buck said: "These notes largely relate to the Edwardian period, but life changed very little in Lamplugh and similar villages for many years after that.
"Iron ore mines closed after WWI and large forests were planted, but few if any new dwellings were built between the Victorian era and the 1950s.
"Tractors didn't appear regularly until after WWII and mains electricity didn't reach Lamplugh until 1958.
"Viv's recollections of how life was are therefore familiar to many people still with us today."
Viv was born in 1902 and was the son of Charlie Hales, headmaster of the village school and a key figure in other Lamplugh organisations. Viv himself went on to become a teacher and head teacher.
His own memories of his schooldays at Lamplugh Parochial School are included in the book and he points out religious instruction was an integral part of school life in those days.
The school has long since been demolished but Viv recalled the lighting was by oil lamp, the heating by coal fires and the row of toilets was in the playground.
Viv writes: "I loved the playground, especially on those odd days when my father was too busy at his desk to call us in after playtime's allotted period and so left us at play. This cause for joy was so rare and so dearly loved that it became known as 'playtime till dinnertime'."
The book includes memories of the major religious festivals throughout the year including Christmas: "There were preliminaries, days if not weeks before, such as the making of mincemeat and Christmas puddings, with all available hands watching and stirring; the tying-up of the puddings in basins, with great white cloths over a flour-paste covering and the ten hours of boiling in that great metal bowl sunk in a brick structure over a coal fire."
One of the highlights of Christmas Day was the visit by Lamplugh Temperance Brass Band to the village. And then the family headed to church.
The Christmas dinner was roast goose.
"And in the evening a party," writes Viv "often with visitors, and a feast with much reduced appetites".
Farming was one of the main industries at the start of the 20th century around Lamplugh.
Milking of cows was by hand with the day's yield taken to the dairy and poured into wide, shallow bowls where it stood until the cream had risen.
"This was skimmed off," write Viv "and taken to the churn where it was made into butter.
Other chapters recall the village entertainments, shows, fairs, domestic life, roads and transport, shopping and sports.
"An Edwardian Childhood - memories of a Lamplugh schoolboy" is published by Lamplugh & District Heritage Society and is £7.50 from bookshops. It will be officially launched at Ennerdale Show on Wednesday, August 31.
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