THIS month’s display at the Centre for Local Studies at Darlington library features a few of the postcards, blown up so you can see them properly, from its vast collection.
Most of them date from the Edwardian heyday of the postcard, and the views on the front are often fascinating – but the messages on the rear are even more tantalising.
For example, this view of two girls standing near the sundial at Polam Hall, which was sent from Mabel, who was obviously a pupil at the school, to her mother, Mrs Potts in Ilkley.
On the front, Mabel has written: “The girl on the right died early this year at the early age of 18.”
On the rear, “as an afterthought”, she added: “Please can you bring with you the following:
1. My scale book.
2. A duster
3. My alpaca white skirt
4. The black bike pump in the tool box
5. The lingerie I am needing at present!
6. Enough cash for some to remain behind as Whit & Old Scholars is expensive
7. As big a quantity of home-made toffee as possible or Pan Caramels, I don’t mind which.
8. The Peter Pan collars I sent home to be washed decently.
9. Anything else that you busy brain-boxes can think of that would be nice and acceptable."
This is all just an afterthought! The exhibition is on until September 30.
And who can tell us about the sundial at Polam? Is it still there?
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