Royal lions

This carved representation of Appleby’s crest stands outside Riverside Building which houses the Medical Centre. Originally this was the site of the town’s fire station and, when it was demolished, the stones used in its construction were reused in the boundary flood wall. Presumably this crest was rescued and placed in a decorative plinth.

It certainly looks a bit the worse for wear but it is still possible to make out the three lions which represent Appleby’s former status as a Crown Possession. It could do with a bit of care and attention I think.


Apparently Appleby’s first fire-engine was horse-drawn, with a steam-driven pump. If the route to a fire was rocky, it was not unknown for the fire in the fire-box to go out. Then the engineer would stop at the next house, rush inside and help himself to fire from the grate.

A warm day, with some sun, but very windy.