No. 100 Autumn 2024
NEWSLETTER
Number
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100
Editor: Mark Benjamin
Tel: 07879 263848
newsletter@hexhamhistorian.org
Autumn
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2024
(Final) Thoughts from a Chair – Mark Benjamin
Some 34 years ago, I was approached to help in launching the Society’s annual journal, the Hexham Historian, as I had some (limited) experience in publishing, having been involved in the County Library’s publishing programme. Although initially only on the Editorial Board, as is often the way I was gradually absorbed into the running of the Society until Tom Corfe, the original editor, decided that it was time for him to step back.
For several years, I edited both HH and this Newsletter but, three years ago, managed to persuade others (first Liz Sobell and now jointly Helen Rutherford and Julia Grint) to take over the task of editing HH – now all I have to do is to find someone to take over the Newsletter! In the meantime, I somehow ended up serving as Chair for the last two years but, enough is enough and it is time for me to step down from the committee.
With my departure, HLHS faces a period of both transition and opportunity. We remain the largest local history group in the county; with a programme of talks that regularly attract audiences of 80 and over; 3 summer visits, a thriving website, and a publication programme of 3 issues of this newsletter, our prize-winning annual journal, the Hexham Historian, and the Occasional Series of monographs.
However, recent years have seen a considerable turnover in committee membership, with many long-serving members stepping back. I am sure that HLHS will survive to see its 60th birthday in 2026 but, this will not happen without people to do it, and the decreased number of committee members cannot be expected to maintain such a programme. At present we have vacancies for someone to organise HLHS group outings and also for someone to take over the task of identifying, booking & hosting speakers for the 2026 programme. The programme of talks is sorted for 2025, but we will need a volunteer to start working on the 2026 programme soon, and in the absence of a volunteer to organise Group Outings it seems unlikely that we will be able to offer any summer visits in 2025.
Individually, most of the tasks undertaken by committee members are fairly straightforward. We are fortunate that the five most onerous (Treasurer, Secretary, Membership, HH Editor and Webmaster) are in safe hands, but they cannot be expected to do everything else. You do not have to be an expert historian to join the committee; most of the tasks require merely a reasonably organised mind, some administrative skills and the ability to communicate!
Please do volunteer to help HLHS continue to thrive in the future.
Lastly, the recent death of our Vice-President, Ian Hancock, has meant that we have been robbed of a much-appreciated and very active member of the committee. As Ian had been closely involved in the proposed change to CIO status, it has been decided to place this on hold for the time being.
Ian Hancock
It is with great shock and sadness that we have to announce the sudden death of our Vice President, Ian Hancock. Although Ian had had some heart problems in recent years, he had seemed to be restored to good health and, indeed, was in line to step up as President for the coming year.
Although not a professional historian, Ian’s interest in forestry produced several articles on this important industry in the area’s history; one of which was awarded the prize for the best article by the British Association for Local History, and another was shortlisted for the same prize several years later. An industrious transcriber of the Reading the Past group, Ian was closely involved in the A Pack of Idle Sparks transcription project. He was a key member of the Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers project steering group and for many years the vice-chair of HLHS. None of this you would ever know from chatting with him, nor that he was a renowned microbiologist at Newcastle University, and a very good artist, for he was as unassuming as he was amiable and helpful.
Ian was greatly involved in the proposed transition to CIO status and, accordingly, it has been decided to postpone this change whilst we regroup.
Ian’s last contribution, a book review, is printed below. His calm demeanour and gentle humour will be greatly missed at both talks and committee meetings and we extend our sincere condolences to Helen and the rest of his family.
AGM 2024
| Chair | Christine Hanley | Vice Chair | Jane Harrison |
| Secretary | Julia Grint | Treasurer | Mark Hatton |
| Webmaster | Steve Tinkler | Publications Officer | Terry Eccles |
| Visits Organiser | Vacant | Talks Organiser | Vacant |
Dates for your diary
| Day | Date | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | November 2nd | Hadrian’s Wall Archaeology Forum 14: Talks on recent excavations at Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Milecastle 46 near Carvoran, and the Carlisle bathhouse as well as one exploring the way geology shaped the design and construction of the Wall and the Vallum and supplied the natural resources exploited by the Roman Army. | Queen’s Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham. 9.45am-4.15pm Further information and tickets @ £19.00, from Queen’s Hall Box Office https://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/hadrians-wall-archaeology-forum |
| Saturday | November 9th | Introduction to Manors & Manorial Documents | Haltwhistle Library, 10.30-12.45. Free tickets email archives@northumbeland.gov.uk |
| Tuesday | November 12th | HLHS AGM, followed by The Cramlington Train Wreckers – Ed Waugh | Trinity Church Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS. 7.30pm |
| Friday | November 15th | Many happy returns!: our century of stories. Theatre Sans Frontiers | Bellingham Town Hall, 7pm £7 tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/our-century-of-stories-3522409 |
| Thursday | November 21st | Many happy returns! | Allendale Village Hall, 2.30pm Tickets as above |
| Friday | November 22nd | Many happy returns! | Haltwhistle Library, 7pm..Tickets as above |
| Tuesday | January 14th | Vindolanda 2024: recent finds at the site – Marta Alberti | Trinity Church Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS. 7.30pm |
| Tuesday | February 11th | The rise & fall of the House of Dacre: Power and loyalty in the Anglo-Scottish Borderlands – Maks Loth-Hill | Trinity Church Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS. 7.30pm |
| Tuesday | March 11th | Grainger Town: the rise and fall (and rise again) of Richard Grainger – John North | Trinity Church Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS. 7.30pm |
| Tuesday | April 8th | At the feet of the Angel, Birtley: The growth of an industrial community in the 19th century – Bob Hull | Trinity Church Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS. 7.30pm |
AGM: Membership Report – Julia Grint & Yvonne Purdy
We are fortunate to live in an area crammed with interest from many historical eras, and to be part of the vibrant community which Hexham promotes. Both of these contribute to the success of the HLHS, which continues to thrive. Our membership stands at about 300, most of whom live locally and are therefore able to enjoy our speakers and outings. Please do mention the society to your family, friends and neighbours, and encourage them to come along.
AGM: Treasurer’s Report – Mark Hatton
The Accounts of the Hexham Local History Society for the year ended 31 December 2023 show that the society continues to maintain a healthy financial position. However, the surplus of £950 made in the year was significantly lower than the prior year’s surplus of £2,556. This was a result of cost inflation and a decrease in the value of book sales. Cost inflation has continued to be experienced in 2024, with printing & postage costs in particular rising considerably. Faced with increasing costs the Committee have reluctantly decided that the membership fee will need to be increased. The annual membership fee has been maintained at £10 for many years, but for 2025 the annual fee need to be increased. We would like to thank Dr Howard Forrest for again auditing our accounts.
Northumberland Manorial Records website launched
A manor was a unit of land with the landowner being the Lord of the Manor. The Lord of the Manor had the right to hold a manorial court that exercised jurisdiction over the tenants of the manor. There were two main types of manorial court, the Court Baron and the Court Leet.
The Court Baron dealt with changes of tenancy on the manor, infringements of the customs (rules) of the manor, disputes regarding the use of land within the manor, and minor civil pleas.
The Court Leet dealt with breaches of the peace and public order, other minor ‘criminal’ offences within the manor and issues regarding the sale of goods etc within the manor. Some of these functions were picked up by Local Authorities in the 19th century.
Hexham and surrounding manors are included in a major transcription project supported by HLHS, undertaken under the auspices of the Northumberland Archives and involving many HLHS members, the results of which can now be seen at the project’s impressive website https://northumberlandarchives.com/learn/property-history/manorial-records/
For future reference, this site will be added to the Links page in our own website.
Group visit to Catcleugh Reservoir, 14th July – Mark Benjamin
Having viewed the reservoir and its very impressive and ornate stonework, all of which was sourced from local quarries and carried up on specially-installed narrow-gauge railways as what we now know as the A68 was then little more than a track, we were astonished to learn that, in addition to the visible stonework, the entire reservoir is paved! We then re-traced our steps and travelled a short distance to Byrness Church. Built in 1768 by a French cleric, almost certainly on the site of an earlier medieval chapel, this tiny church is primarily of interest for its two stained-glass windows which commemorate those workers killed in the construction of the dam. As a rare example of windows dedicated to the workers, the church is often traditionally visited by Labour and Trade Union leaders passing along the A68.
If you’d like to learn more about the building of the reservoir, have a look on the Northumberland National Park website where there is a very informative video.
Our century of stories, 1924-2024
This year marks 100 years of the County Library Service in Northumberland. In August 1924, the Northumberland County Council adopted the Public Libraries Act (1919) and, with the aid of a Carnegie United Kingdom Trust grant, library centres were established in the rural communities.
We will be celebrating our centenary by sharing stories and memories of what the library service has meant to people in the county.
Share your stories
We would love to hear your memories. Was there a special first visit to your local library? Is there a book that stands out? Or a librarian? Do you remember an exciting activity or event?
Within each of our libraries there will be a space where you can write down your memories or you can let us know via email: mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk.
Planned celebrations
We are partnering with local drama group, Theatre Sans Frontieres, to put on a production celebrating the library service. The performance will be at the following four venues in the autumn: Bellingham, Haltwhistle, Allendale and Rothbury. For details of performances, see Dates for your Diary above
As part of the celebrations, we will be working with Northumberland Archives to put on an exhibition to showcase 100 years of the library service. There is content in the collections at the archives that will form part of the exhibition, with old photographs and documents mapping the history of the service. This exhibition will take place in the autumn.
Recording oral histories
We are going to be recording oral histories of people who remember the early days of the service. These recordings will be deposited with Northumberland Archives and will also be available to listen to in the various libraries. Do you have a story to share about the early days of Northumberland Libraries? If you would like to find out more about being interviewed for our oral history project, please contact mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk.
More about the history
- Read more about the history of the service here: Northumberland County Council – Libraries turn 100 – Our century of stories
- Learn more about the first County Librarian, Miss Ruth Baker: Northumberland County Council – Pioneering County Librarian
Please send any queries about our centenary celebrations to mylibary@northumberland.gov.uk
Do you know the answer?
James Ferris asks via the website: Curious if anyone might recognise this building; my great great great grandparents, James & Ann Armstrong, lived in Hexham in the 1870’s. I had reason to think it was at 2 Skinnersburn (now Eastgate), but modern and historical photos don’t seem to match that address. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
It has been suggested that it could be one of the houses near the old Middle School site, demolished to make way for the Kings Mews development. The handwritten inscription of Chapeltown is is a bit of a puzzle, though!
If you can shed any light on this, please respond via the Notes & Queries page on the website or by contacting the Editor.
Book Review – Helen Rutherford
Hull, Robert At the feet of the Angel, Birtley: the growth of an industrial community in the Nineteenth century (Durham County LHS, 2024) ISBN 9780902958364 £15
Birtley, located at the southern edge of Gateshead Borough, lies just south of Low Fell and Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North (the Angel referenced in the book’s title). The settlement is bordered by the A69, and you may have passed it without a second thought on your way south from Gateshead. In the nineteenth century, Birtley sat alongside the Durham to Newcastle turnpike, the Great North Road, making it ideally positioned to take advantage of transport links both north and south. At the Feet of the Angel, the latest publication from the Durham County Local History Society, vividly chronicles the rise of Birtley and the neighbouring villages of Urpeth and Ousten as a thriving industrial hub in the nineteenth century. It presents a compelling case for Birtley’s significance in the history of industrialisation.
The author, Robert Hull, was born in Birtley before studying at Leicester and Manchester Universities, eventually becoming a senior EU official. His deep connection to the area where he spent his early years is evident throughout the book. The foreword is written by Gormley whose sculpture, Hull points out, represents the past, present and future of the area: ‘the past in the mining, the present in symbolising transition from an industrial age… and the future as a focus for all our revolving hopes and fears’.
The driving force behind Birtley’s development was the exploitation of coal reserves. By 1810, five collieries were employing local men. Eventually, the Birtley Iron Company and the Pelaw Main collieries, under astute management, transformed the area into an ‘industrialised village.’ At the heart of this transformation was engineer and entrepreneur Benjamin Thompson, initially hired to manage the colliery at Urpeth by London entrepreneurs who saw potential in the previously struggling mine. In collaboration with the Perkins, Thackrah, and Hunt families, Thompson, Hull argues, propelled Birtley to the forefront of technological advancements in coal, iron, and railways.
The book explores the intricate connections between the Birtley Iron Company and the community that developed around it. It broadly covers the period from 1810 to 1914, bookended by a brief history of earlier developments up to the late eighteenth century and a note on more recent history. Detailed descriptions of the growth of the mines and associated industries in the early years are interwoven with information about the key figures and families involved.
As the records of the Birtley Iron Company have been lost, Hull has skilfully woven together vestry and council records, maps, images, and numerous secondary sources (with a comprehensive bibliography) to create a fascinating history of a community that played a significant role in the emerging industrial society of the nineteenth century.
Book Review – Helen Rutherford
Quin, Joyce & Kilkenny, Moira Angels of the North, Vol 2: More notable women of the North East (Tyne Bridge, 2024) ISBN 9781739223335 £20
Angels of the North – More Notable Women of the North East, Volume 2 continues the important work begun in the first volume, discussing the lives and contributions of notable, but often overlooked, women from the North East of England. The collection introduces readers to 35 women who made significant contributions across diverse fields, including politics, aviation, architecture, science, the arts, and education. While the first volume, released in 2018 to celebrate the centenary of women’s suffrage in Britain, focused on more well-known figures, this second instalment sheds light on lesser known but equally inspiring women.
Authors Baroness Joyce Quin and Moira Kilkenny, notable figures in their own right, use their extensive experience in politics and education to highlight the achievements of the women they have identified. Quin, a former MP and member of the House of Lords, and Kilkenny, who worked in education for over thirty years, bring depth and context to the stories they present. The result is a collection that not only celebrates individual accomplishments but examines the social and historical conditions that shaped women’s lives.
One of the strengths of Angels of the North is the variety of women it highlights. Figures such as Susan Mary Auld from Tynemouth, the first woman in the UK to receive a degree in naval architecture. Auld’s expertise in ship design during World War II was so highly regarded that the British government sought her advice on how to involve more women in the shipbuilding industry. Norah Balls, a suffragette and advocate for women’s education, made significant contributions to the Girl Guides Association and the Electrical Association for Women, which educated women about science and the benefits of electricity. Her efforts, alongside those of other trailblazers like Dame Annie Maud Burnett, the first female mayor of Tynemouth, and Ellen Richardson, an anti-slavery campaigner and promoter of education for poor and working-class families, arguably helped pave the way for greater female participation in public and political life.
The authors touch on personal stories of perseverance and courage, such as that of Mary Elsworth Greaves, a pioneer of disability rights, and Mary Ann Macham, an escaped slave who built a new life in North Shields after fleeing Virginia. These stories bring to light the often forgotten or undervalued contributions of women who, despite societal barriers, made lasting impact on their communities and beyond.
Through these narratives, Quin and Kilkenny reveal not only the strength and determination of individual women but also the broader context of women’s history in the region. Education is a recurring theme, with many of the women using it as a tool to overcome societal limitations and achieve success for themselves and others.
Angels of the North – Volume 2 is an engaging and enlightening read that uncovers the rich, often untold stories of the North East’s women. It serves as both an inspirational account of individual achievement and a broader reflection on the importance of preserving women’s stories. My only quibble is with the title. Referring to these remarkable women as ‘angels’ feels somewhat limiting and diminutive, especially when the women featured were anything but ethereal or passive. They were strong, active agents of change, deserving recognition not because of their gender but because of their contributions to society.
This book is a valuable addition to both women’s history and the broader history of the North East, and I highly recommend it—whether as a compelling cover-to-cover read or as a fascinating source to dip into.
Book Review – Ian Hancock
Winchester, Angus J L Common land in Britain: a history from the Middle Ages to the present day (Boydell Press, 2022 pbk 2024) ISBN 9781837651320 £25.99
Although this book is a scholarly, deeply researched study, it is written most engagingly, with an infectious enthusiasm for the subject. The book is a good read at any level and satisfyingly rich in authoritative information. The author is Emeritus Professor of local and landscape history at Lancaster University, and President of the Surtees Society, ensuring that there is no ‘southern bias’ in his material, and the reader will find information relevant to every location and type of common.
The modern popular concept of common land sees it as ‘open-access’ land, conserved in a ‘wild’ state for the benefit of everyone. As the book makes clear, historically this is a mistaken view in almost every respect, created by 19th century romantics who mourned the flood of parliamentary common enclosures of the previous 100 years, seeing them as theft of common rights that had sustained the poor, propertyless peasants of the countryside. As the book explains, with fascinating examples from all over Britain, use of common land was a highly restricted and fiercely protected right within a manor and the extent to which poor cottagers or labourers had access varied enormously from place to place depending on local tradition and the rule of the manorial court. It also points out that the existing commons, surviving as common pasture (such as Newcastle’s Town Moor) and parks, or even as heath or moorland, are by no means ‘wild’ natural places but are environments that people have shaped and modified over centuries of planned use.
The book is divided into two parts. The first reviews the history of commons from early medieval times – how the commons developed under the manorial system, how they were managed, the wide variation in the way they were used as ‘communal’ spaces and the extent to which the poor benefitted from them. The author looks in some detail at the 18th and 19th century enclosure movement and the real effects of this ‘improvement’ on the former commoners and those who had no common rights. How this led to the present day legal framework surrounding surviving common land and its use, and the extent to which it has succeeded in protecting the land, forms a particularly interesting section. Those with an interest in Hexham’s commons will find plenty of background information relevant to the East and West Commons, enclosed in the 1750s and Hexhamshire and Allendale Common, partly enclosed and partly remaining open but stinted, in the 1790s, though neither is referenced directly.
The second part of the book consists of eight case studies of individual surviving commons, chosen from all over mainland Britain, from Assynt in North West Scotland to the New Forest in Hampshire. These take in every type of environment, from wild mountain and moorland scenery to Wimbledon Common. The two northern examples are Wasdale Common in Cumbria and Cockfield Fell in County Durham, the latter a stinted common that has been affected by centuries of industrial exploitation.
The book is copiously illustrated with maps, photographs and old images, and these are very well reproduced, considering the paperback style. It has first rate references and bibliography and a decent, though by no means comprehensive, index. Highly recommended.
Other recent publications
Fawdon, Ian Too Far North – Musical Scenes from the North East (Tynebridge, 2024)
ISBN 9781739223342 £14.99
The North East is famous for many things – its friendly people, its passion for football, and its industrial heritage. But has it had its own recognisable music scenes? This is one of the key questions asked by author Ian Fawdon when he set out to interview some of the most important figures in the region’s musical history.
London, Liverpool and Manchester are all celebrated for the artists and genres that define those regions, but has the North East had something similar? Ian sat down with over 30 artists to find out what it means to be a musician from the North East. Starting with some of the key figures associated with The Animals and the 1960s scene and, after a detour into the worlds of Heavy Metal, Folk, and Indie, he ends the book chatting with one of the modern day’s most exciting talents, Nadine Shah
Breeze, David – ed Hadrian’s Wall in our time (Archaeopress, 2024) ISBN 9781803277349 £24.99
The cutting down of the tree in Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall in September 2023 caused widespread shock in Britain and beyond, and for many was felt as a personal loss. Since its appearance in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991, the tree has become the iconic view of Hadrian’s Wall. In a positive response to this sad event, David Breeze, author of several books on Hadrian’s Wall, invited 80 friends and colleagues to nominate their favourite view of the Wall. The views are presented in a visual celebration with photographs and specially commissioned line drawings, each accompanied by personal reflections. The wide-ranging contributions are testimony to the affection many hold for this evocative Roman frontier.
Buchanan, Anne Middle Marches: The Dorothy Dunnett Guide (Dorothy Dunnett Society, 2024) 84pp, £8.00
An 84pp guide to the historical locations that feature within Dunnett’s books – some of which, The Lymond Chronicles, cover the Middle Marches, an area (in Dunnett terms) that ranges from Biggar in Scotland to Newcastle in England. Hexham is mentioned throughout the book as a family, who play a significant role in the narrative, live in a manor house near the town. The Abbey then becomes the location for a dramatic scene. Available from: https://dunnettcentral.org/fondaco/
Jermy, Roger The Wansbeck Railway: Morpeth to Redesmouth (Oakwood Press, 2024) £24.95
This book describes the history of the ‘Wannie Line’ and its relations with the lines to Rothbury and Bellingham, including its building, operation and eventual demise. Chapters include those on the Royal trains on the line, railway accidents, military trains and the effects of the sometimes harsh local weather. In its 350+ pages there are copious photographs, plans and diagrams.
Author Roger Jermy, who lives in Alnwick, has written several previous books for The Oakwood Press including The Jedburgh Branch, The Eyemouth Branch and the four-volume series Northern Northumberland’s Minor Railways.
And Finally – another claim to fame for Stan
Who knew that Dr Stan Beckensall MBE, world-famous expert on rock-art, former committee member of HLHS and the author of many books on Hexham and Northumberland, was one of the first students to graduate from Keele University? As part of its 75thAnniversary, the university has produced a short interview with Stan recalling his days there, viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxwyM438UY Eagle-eyed viewers may also spot a very young Stan on one of the group photos!