Auld Will. Ritson of Wasdale Head

The subject of these lines was born in 1808 at Row Foot, Wasdale Head, then a small farmstead, which he afterwards inherited from his grandfather, a Bill Ritson, the property having originally come into the family by purchase from the Tysons.

Ritson used to say he could remember being christened, and this might be quite true; for in those days of periodical christening services, it was not uncommon for children to be several years old when baptised. It is on record that when the time came for taking him to church he had bolted, had to be hunted for and run down; also that when the parson did the sprinkling the boy responded with remarks which were much more personal than courteous or respectful.

Of Ritson’s early youthful days not very much is to be gleaned, but he grew into a fine type of dalesman, tall, muscular, heavy boned, and athletic. In the wrestling rings of West Cumberland he was known as a powerful local champion and exponent of the ever popular Cumberland and Westmorland sport. His prowess had to be reckoned with in many a doughty tussle. His favourite pastime was undoubtedly hunting, of which he was passionately fond. At a comparatively early age he was appointed huntsman to Mr. Rawson, of Wasdale Hall, and subsequently to Mr. Huddleston, of Gosforth, both gentlemen renowned for their love and enthusiasm for the local chase. Later in life, when Ritson entered on the duties of landlord of the Huntsman’s Inn, he was a keen enough hunter to form and maintain an effective pack of fox hounds of his own, and never were mountain hounds more deftly handled than were his. Even on his death-bed he expressed a wish to get up and see a run by the Blackcombe Beagles, then hunting in the locality.

Ritson’s hunting proclivities and experiences gave him a complete knowledge of the West Cumberland fells and foothills, a knowledge which in later years he turned to excellent account, for he became one of the most trusted and popular guides in the district. His services and good company were eagerly sought for by the few tourists who pioneered the passes and peaks in the days when mountaineering as a pastime was in the first stages of its infancy.

As a “‘statesman” farming his own land, he had the reputation of being a shrewd and industrious manager and worker, ever foremost in all weathers to take his share alike of the arduous fell shepherding, or the easier but equally necessary home work of his dalehead holding.

Interesting and creditable as are the foregoing brief details of the famous dalesman’s youthful career, it is his later record as landlord of the Huntsman’s Inn, afterwards the Wastwater Hotel, which has caused his memory to be treasured and will keep it green to posterity. Prior to Row Foot becoming a licensed house (about 1856) the building was small and very Primitive. When Ritson, who had by this time married his wife Dinah - one of the Fletchers of Netherwasdale - Conceived the idea of supplying tourists with ham and eggs, etc., he built at the south end of the farm a small wing, which he believed would provide ample accommodation for all the tourists and travellers ever likely to come his way. He had now reached a mature age, and with the assistance of his hardworking help-mate the Inn rapidly grew in custom and popularity. Several of the Lake Poets and other eminent men of letters, students, etc., found Wasdale to be an unspoiled place in a situation of uncommon grandeur. They took delight in the old-time primitive methods of the people. They revisited the valley many times, and in Ritson always found a willing aider and abetter of their sports and frolics. Amongst the dalesfolk he held the sway almost of a local potentate. He was looked up to as their philosopher. Never was he at a loss when appealed to on any conceivable subject. Be the topic under discussion agricultural, sporting, or political, the landlord was ever ready with the last word, which was given at times with perhaps a little more emphasis than authenticity.

A member of the climbing fraternity wrote:- “The old, quaint, wooden benched kitchen of the Inn was a popular rendezvous of farmers, shepherds, guides and stray wayfarers, and not infrequently of the local parson. Here in the broadest sou’-west Cumbrian dialect the topics of the day, local and general, were discussed. Ritson reigned supreme. He was landlord, waiter, and customer by turns. As the nights wore on the fun became fast and furious, the company being kept in fits of laughter by his quick-witted jokes, banter and racy stories. It was on such an occasion I first beheld Auld Will, and well I remember his characteristic reply to an inquiry about the crags on Great Gable: “What’s makk’n ye chaps fash ye’r sels’ seah mich aboo’t crags noo-adays, isn’t t’ fells gud eneuf for ye? ” He was then well up in years, it is true, but hale and active, full of fun, and the faculty for creating it when in the humour, but brusque, blunt and even uncouth enough when out of it. During the last six or eight years of his occupancy it was my good fortune to visit the inn frequently. On those occasions we had many interesting “cracks” together. More than once out of the season we appeared to have the house to ourselves, save for old Dinah, who went quietly about her work and said nothing.”

Nev.Ramsden, December 2008