A RELATIVE of a former Carlisle vicar and friend of LS Lowry is in Cumbria trying to research more of her family.

Gaynor Arrowsmith is the great niece of Geoffrey Bennett, banker, artist and, eventually ordained minister at Rockliffe in 1962 and then Carlisle.

His friendship with Lowry meant, that on his own death in 1991, Mr Bennett left a bequest for Carlisle Cathedral and diocese which included 17 Lowry originals, which were shown around Cumbria before being sold at auction at Christies in London in 1995.

Mr Bennett started his working life as a bank in Salford and then Manchester. He attended lunchtime concerts in the centre of Manchester, and much admired Alice, a mezzo-soprano singer who he married in 1933.

They moved to West Cumbria in 1939, where Mr Bennett worked in banks in Whitehaven, Maryport and Cleator Moor.

By this time, through his own art and following the work of LS Lowry, the men became friends. Lowry stayed with them in Cleator Moor.

The banker retired in 1961 and a year later was ordained as minister at Rockcliffe and then Carlisle.

When Lowry died, the Rev Bennett participated in his funeral service. A year later Mr Bennett lost his wife.

Gaynor Arrowsmith has carried out a lot of research into the life of Mr Bennett and his singing wife but is in Cumbria trying to catch up with people who might know more than she.

She can be contracted by email at: gaynor.arrowsmith@gmail.com

Anyone who knew Rev Bennett and wife Alice is asked to get in touch with Mrs Arrowmith by emailing: gaynor.arrowsmith@gmail.com