An Emotional Meeting

Article by Chris Butterfield

I founded the Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia Facebook Group seven years ago to connect with fellow Wainwright enthusiasts. Our community has grown to over 11,600 members, many of whom have been avid collectors for years. One such member, Shane Wilkinson from Huddersfield, has an impressive Wainwright collection, including the prized signed No.6 of the limited-edition Westmorland Heritage from 1975.

Shane, aware that I own the signed No.1 book, proposed a unique idea: to reunite our rare single-numbered books at Wainwright’s Yard in Kendal, their original production site, for the first time in nearly 50 years. Excited by this prospect, I invited Andrew Nichol to join us, adding an element of surprise for Shane and making our meeting even more memorable.

Previously, the General Printing and Book Publishing Manager at the Westmorland Gazette, Andrew Nichol, played a crucial role in producing the Westmorland Heritage, even storing all 1000 copies in his office. He was intricately involved in who received book No.1 book.

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On the day of our meeting in Kendal, Andrew and I arrived early, planning to meet Shane by the Kendal Civic Society’s green Wainwright plaque on the Gazette’s wall. The intense sun accompanied our walk to Wainwright’s Yard, where the yard’s cool shade was a welcome relief. Andrew waited at Stricklandgate, joining us shortly.

I found Shane quickly; our shared passion for Wainwright instantly united us. Then, a soft voice inquired from behind, “Are you Shane Wilkinson?” It was Andrew. Shane, visibly thrilled, confirmed, and Andrew soon joined our conversation about Wainwright. When Shane showed his Westmorland Heritage No.6, Andrew, holding it carefully, admired its excellent condition and mused about its significant value.

Finally, I brought out the signed No.1 book. It was like a family reunion, having the two books together with Andrew outside the Gazette after all these years. All his memories came flooding back, which was emotional for him. Wainwright gifted the No.1 book to Paul Wilson, the Lieutenant of Westmorland, along with a personal letter thanking Paul for giving him the idea of Producing the Westmorland map in 1974, which led to the book. Shane was fortunate to acquire a scarce First Edition map signed by Wainwright and Paul. It became a poignant moment for us, remembering these two gentlemen no longer with us.

Following our meeting, we continued to Booths café, which is historically significant as the original site of the Gazette’s printing works. This was the very place where all the Pictorial Guides were printed and bound, adding a layer of historical resonance to our lunch.

Over the meal, Andrew became a living link to the past, sharing numerous anecdotes from his tenure at the Gazette. He gestured towards various parts of the café, illustrating where the books’ printing, binding, and storage occurred, even pointing out where his office once stood. Our lunch at Booths turned into a journey through time, vividly bringing to life the history of the place and its connection to the Wainwright legacy.

Andrew, despite his modesty, has much to be proud of. His contributions significantly impacted Wainwright’s legacy, reviving public interest in Wainwright’s work and preserving numerous jobs in the book publishing department. He cherishes the nearly ten-year period he worked with Wainwright, up until Wainwright’s passing in 1991, as a highlight of his career.

As our memorable day drew to a close, Shane presented a copy of Andrew’s 2012 book Behind the Scenes with Wainwright. Andrew happily signed it, adding a special touch to an already delightful day. This gesture encapsulated the sense of camaraderie and shared appreciation that had defined our gathering.