Every picture tells a story, with Derek Kingwell.

Kendal was home to a major exhibition opened by HRH the Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne, on Thursday August 27, 1891, to an “enthusiastic reception”.

More than 1,000 competitive entries were on show in the Industrial Arts and Crafts Exhibition - but it could have been so different, according to an earlier report in The Westmorland Gazette of July 25.

Arrangements were indeed going to plan but with one important exception - “We regret to have to state, however, that up to the present time articles of Kendal manufacture, specimens of local industries, etc, having direct connection with the very raison d’être of the exhibition have been conspicuous by their absence.” Thankfully, the eventual variety and merit of the productions reflected the “highest credit upon the borough of Kendal.” A catalogue of the event gives some idea of the diversity of exhibits, describing a selection of the participants as: “Mr C. Kipling, of Finkle Street, Kendal, exhibits a case of boots and shoes of various patterns made by the exhibitor. Gentleman’s shooting boots and waterproof walking boots and ladies boots of various kinds and colours are shown. Some ladies dancing slippers in gold and silver are very delicate and pretty in appearance, and the other exhibits are of a high class of workmanship.

“A very handsome and artistic exhibit is that of Mrs Horner of Penrith. It consists of two Queen Anne tables decorated with ‘Aspatria’ work, in a design of ferns showing much taste.

“An exhibit of a very different character, but interesting as an illustration of combined mechanical and scientific skill, is the patent ‘thermodote’ of Messrs Isaac Braithwaite and Son, of Kendal. The ‘thermodote’ is an improved water heater for supplying hot water to baths and lavatories, by means of gas. It is conducted so as to consume gas only when water is drawn, and by an automatic arrangement it lights its own gas as soon as the hot water is turned on and extinguishes as soon as the water is turned off.

“Mr William Holmes, of Ulverston, exhibits some good specimens of lithography and colour printing and an exhibit of bookbinding by Messrs Thompson Bros of Kendal, contains specimens of ledger work and chamber binding of various styles.

“An interesting exhibit is that of Messrs Gilkes & Co of Kendal who exhibit a vortex turbine coupled to a dynamo, which runs at about the rate of 1,300 revolutions a minute when working. The light it gives in working is about 4,000-candle power, and it will work at nine-horse-power, requiring a fall of about 20 feet of water.

“No collection of local industries would be complete without the examples of the ancient Kendal industry of weaving, and these are furnished by Messrs J.J. & W. Wilson, Castle Mills, Kendal. They exhibit a hand-loom which is in use at their mills, and with which demonstrations are given in hand-loom weaving. On Thursday a ‘Princess Louise tartan’ was woven on this loom.” The Princess travelled from Levens Hall, up Kirkland, along Highgate to the town hall, where an address was given by the Mayor and Corporation in front of the town hall.

The whole of the town’s decorations were placed in the hands of Mr George Wells, of 61 Highgate, in conjunction with Messrs Dixon and Nuttal, of Blackburn.

The entire route was “tastefully decorated with Venetian masts every 20 to 25 yards, with spaces for shields, banners and etc., also several floral arches and one noble structure on Cross Bank in the shape of a castled arch reaching across the street and parapets, with good carriageway and side for foot passengers.” It was also reported that at numerous places on the road from Levens Hall to the entrance to Kendal, several triumphal arches and other forms of decorations were on show.

The Princess made a speech at the town hall: “As I passed through the streets of Kendal this morning I saw this inscription ‘Wool is Our Bread’: Ladies and gentlemen, I do not think wool in its unmanufactured condition would be a very pleasant kind of bread. I do not think it would be easy of digestion. I do not think it would be pleasant to the taste or that it would have those nourishing qualities which we attribute to bread. Now, what must be done with wool? It must be manufactured with success and that you may be able to sell your wool when it is manufactured, you must apply both art and craft to the manufacture of it. Therefore, it seems to me that it is a logical conclusion that the progress of Kendal depends very much on the encouragement of art and crafts among the inhabitants. Therefore, this Exhibition is a useful one; not merely an exhibition of ornament, but one which will commend itself to every person who wants to work up above the advantages which are brought to work in Kendal.”