A PICTURE of a happy band of K Shoes employees enjoying a trip to the Isle of Man in the 1930s has sparked memories for readers, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

The photograph, printed in The Westmorland Gazette, prompted people to get in touch as part of their contribution to capturing memories of Kendal's proud shoe-making history.

As previously reported, the Gazette has launched a K Shoes Reunited campaign to encourage people to come forward to share their memories and help towards the creation of a new heritage centre at the redeveloped K Village in Kendal.

Kendal Riverside Ltd and the team behind the heritage centre would also be pleased to receive any mementoes, tools or other items, that former K workers wished to loan, or donate, for the centre.

In the first K Shoes Reunited feature, the picture of the outing to the Isle of Man was a surprise for Bryan Thewlis of Kendal, who immediately recognised his aunt, Mary Tebay, née Thewlis, and her husband, Jack Tebay.

And when Mary Knowles visited Kendal for the day from her home in Wetherby, a friend told her that her parents, Harry and Belle Major, had been featured in the Gazette.

They were already identified in the charabanc photograph, along with their friends, Bobby and Kate Henderson.

Mrs Knowles's great grandfather, Thomas Lightfoot, worked at K Shoes for more than 50 years.

Her father, Harry Major, worked at K Shoes for 50 years as a passer, which is where he met her mother, Belle, whose maiden name was Dawson, and who worked on a machine. When Mr Major retired, he had been a final inspector for seven years.

Mrs Knowles also worked for K Shoes, and met her husband, John, at Low Mills. Her brother, John Major, and his son, Anthony Major, also both worked for K Shoes.

See March 30 Westmorland Gazette for full story and picture of charabanc on Isle of Man outing.