Editorial

Can you guess which well-known local landmark Robert Brogdon, a Haydon Bridge newsagent and author, is describing in 1900?

‘We pass from the dusty road to the well-kept footpath with overhanging trees. After a short descent where we catch pretty glimpses of the river beneath we emerge by the side of the Tyne. Here a scene of rustic loveliness presents itself. The river flows somewhat rapidly on its winding course amongst the boulders which bestrew its banks and bed. The sloping hillside is covered with flower and foliage whilst away in front spreads the woods of Brokenheugh and Capons Cleugh.’

In the early 1900’s the beauty and benefits of this walk were publicised across the North of England. Those village people seeking to promote their businesses, took advantage of its popularity by mentioning it in their publicity material.

Haydon Bridge was a regular stopping off point for those visitors from the town or, ‘Doon Bye’ who availed themselves of the wonderfully scenic journey on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway. Postcards of the time depict views of a pristine scene. An immaculate white painted post and rail fence bordering a beautifully kept path, painted iron railings and coursed natural stonework. The whole fitting perfectly with its natural surroundings.

You will have guessed by now.

YES! It’s the Haydon Spa, or the Spa Well as it’s more likely to be called by Haydonians. Along with Langley Castle, the Derwentwater Cross, Geeswood Waterfall and Haydon Old Church, our most popular attraction for tourists and locals alike in the first half of the twentieth century.

It had been known for many years that a natural Sulphur Spring ran out of the hillside about a mile east of our beautifully situated village. It wasn’t until 1863 however, that an organisation called the Haydon Bridge ‘Picnic Committee’ got permission from the Receiver of the Greenwich Hospital Estates to tidy the area and build a basin to collect the water. The small well provided a focus for the pleasant walk from the village.

Funds were raised privately and a stone lintel was inscribed and placed above the basin. That stone, with a simple but attractive curved soffit, is still visible today and it provides us with the date of the first improvements. 6^th June 1863. The ‘Picnic Committee’ continued to maintain the basin, and access to it, for many years.

Towards the end of the 1800’s the picnic spot was suffering from neglect. The earth had slipped down from the bank above the spring. The path was almost impassable and the basin was covered. The water continued to run however, and Robert Brogdon, who commenced business on Church Street about 1888, described the scene. ‘For years there was nothing more than a rude hole scooped in the bank-side to catch the water’

1897 was the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Ten years earlier Haydon Bridge had celebrated her Golden Jubilee in fine style and provided a permanent reminder with the new ‘Double Dial’ clock in our Church Tower. (see my reference in the Haydon News - May 2000).

Towards the end of April 1897, the Haydon Bridge Parochial Council appointed a committee to determine how the day would be celebrated in the village. It was also agreed to provide a permanent memorial to the Queen’s reign. Ideas included the ‘old chestnut’ which had been proposed ten years earlier, and for which we are still waiting, one hundred and fourteen years later! A public park or public recreation area, but also on this occasion the restoration and improvement of the Spa Well.

The official Jubilee celebrations on 22^nd June 1897 were a great success. Almost every house in the village displayed bunting and there was a procession which stretched one quarter of a mile long. The route this procession took in was from Church Street to Ratcliffe Road, John Martin Street, Whittis Hill, Smith’s Terrace and then to Crook Hill Field where sports and various events took place, and a ‘knife-and-fork’ tea was provided free for all parishioners.

The day ended with fireworks on Crook Hill and a bonfire on the horizon at The Tofts

The committee continued to work towards providing a permanent memorial. Mr. Straker of ‘The Leazes’, now the owner of the land, gave his support to a scheme to restore the Spa Well that would make its ‘curative waters comfortably accessible to visitors and residents alike’

Six shillings was spent on an investigation. The well was cleaned and the stone lintel with its original date was found. There was still an excellent supply of water.

By November 1897 it was agreed that the restoration of the Spa Well would be the village’s permanent memorial to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and a committee was empowered to carry out the improvements. W.S. Walton, Irving Reay, Peter Scott, Joseph Lawton and J. Hamilton set about their task.

A balance of £1-13-0 remained from the Jubilee celebrations and this opened a public fund which was to reach almost £100 in cash and kind. Three hundred circulars were sent out to people living in the district. Greenwich Hospital’s representatives refused to contribute but this didn’t deter the committee and donations included £5 from Mr. Straker, £2 from W.D. Cruddas MP, £1 guinea from C.J. Bates, a promise of a subscription from Hon. F. Bowes Lyon and promises of a loan of carts and horses for carting.

A Diamond Jubilee Social held in the Shaftoe School on 16^th December 1897 when, ‘dancing continued until the early hours of the morning!’ raised £4.

By February 1898 Mr. E. Davidson had prepared the plans for widening the path from the main road, reducing the gradient, tapping the Spring at its source and bringing the water to the surface in metal pipes. The committee was instructed to receive tenders for the work.

Mr Irvine Reay supervised Messrs. O. Lee, J, Nelson and J, Reed who were the workmen responsible for the restoration and they started their task in the first week of March. They were paid three shillings and sixpence a day.

The village people appear to have been genuinely excited by the project. Many of them visited the Spa Well and watched the work being done. The businessmen were full of hope that Haydon Bridge would match the success that Gilsland Spa was experiencing as a rural retreat.

The work was completed by the third week in May. ‘A well-made footpath laid and railed off from the high road to the Well and a substantial stone erection with a cemented square enclosed with a metal paling.’

The grey granite plaque with inscribed gold letters, which you can read today, was built into the wall as was the stone lintel from 1863. Immediately below was a tablet of wood, long since rotted away, extolling the virtues and purity of the waters as determined by scientific analysis.

On Whit Monday, 30^th May 1898, the Opening Ceremony was performed by Mrs. J.C. Straker. Councillor Davidson informed those present that there had, ‘been no lack of personal testimony from gentlemen and ladies too, who had taken the water in past years and were able to speak of its good qualities’ And that, ‘some people had gone on to prophesy that Haydon Bridge would become a second Harrogate’. This was treated with some scepticism by the gathered throng, perhaps they were aware that Harrogate was dispensing over 2000 glasses of sulphurous water a day at that time. That there was a demand for its properties there seems little doubt and our councillors can be forgiven for being a touch over optimistic. Mr. Davidson continued, telling them that there was no reason why it should not ‘equal rural Gilsland!’

It was pointed out that Haydon Bridge did not have a Popping Stone which was (and still is) an attraction at the Cumberland Spa made famous by Sir Walter Scott who wooed and proposed to his wife Charlotte Carpenter there. But it was agreed, amid laughter, that there were plenty of young people in the village who could find one!

Neither of course did Haydon Spa have an hotel. Gilsland Spa Hotel had been built in the 1700’s. If Cllr. Davidson’s vision had been realised, maybe the Woodhall Mill site would have looked much different than it does today. Come to think of it, a residential home of sorts was built just across the road. The hostel which housed the Land Army Girls supporting the War Effort. If the Popping Stone was ever found I don’t doubt that it was well used in those days!

An inscribed silver cup, in a handsome case, was presented to Mrs. Straker from which she drank the waters of the Well and then formally declared it open.

The vicar, the Rev. J.H. Mandell, moved a vote of thanks and said that Haydon Bridge had aspirations to be looked upon as a health resort and with this in mind weekend tickets for visitors were to be granted by the North East Railway Company.

In 1863 the Opening Ceremony had taken place in a thunderstorm. On this occasion the sun shone, Haydon Bridge Brass Band played the National Anthem numerous times and everyone adjourned to a marquee for tea.

In the evening a dance was held and no doubt the village hostelries would be filled with revellers.

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The only difficulty I have found in recounting the various speeches and votes of thanks in 1898 are the vivid and probably accurate references to a ‘handsome erection’ at Haydon Spa, made by councillors blissfully unaware that a local history researcher over one hundred years later would find such a phrase a touch risqué for a family News Sheet. Unless it was hidden away in the Health Centre notes of course. Maybe part of ‘Steve Ford’s Fertility Feature!‘

Our readers in the year 2001 will probably be aware that the path has suffered a major collapse in two places and now it is impossible to visit the Spa Well without scrambling down the over-grown bankside from the old Hexham Road.

I still take this arduous route but do not recommend it to others. I sit on the seat built in the memory of Raymond McVay, a great friend to the village and the Spa Well, who died in 1988. I revisit old memories. Plodging with arms outstretched to keep our balance on the stony bed. Splashing about in shallow pools, hoping to catch Minnows or ’Beardies’ while Leonard’s dad, Henry, pulled Salmon or Trout out of the river on a line almost at will. A skill Leonard himself learned with great success, leaving me to my crumbs of bread in a jam jar with a hole punched in the lid. Moving large stones in the hope of seeing a Trout or an Eel. The Eel, if caught, would be taken home in an old tin can to last only a few days. How cruel this seems now. Swimming and diving off the shelf of rock further downstream and more recently watching the Kingfishers in the sandy banks opposite, prepared for their home by the late-lamented Billy Tait.

The Sulphurous water was never an attraction to me nor to my friends and it isn’t now. In any case the old iron cup has disappeared. As children we were told that the water was good for us but I don’t ever remember those who told us, drinking it themselves!

What is of concern to me now, as I write these ‘notes’ sitting on Raymond’s seat on a simply beautiful July evening, is that the landowner and those responsible for the decision making will deem it an unnecessary expense to repair or renew access to the Spa Well. Recent Council reports do not fill me with confidence. It appears all too easy to write off this place of beauty and solitude.

I will continue to visit here, with or without the easy access, but I hope that our elected Councillors and business people are far-sighted enough to recognise that one of the main attractions in our Parish are the wonderful walks, which can be undertaken by young and old alike, and if managed adequately provide an enviable basis for Haydon Bridge as a rural resort.

A few appropriately placed seats and judicious grass cutting isn’t too much to ask from our Council Tax is it? This is not a provision which need involve hours of meetings, pages of reports, architects drawings, complicated planning permission and teams of administrators etc, etc.

I can picture a return to the values of yesteryear. A reduction in the number of administrators and a return to village people, employed through our taxes, tending with pride their own length of country road or path would be a good start.

Perhaps I should partake of the waters of which a cupful is supposed to increase life expectancy, prevent flatulence, cure diseases of the skin and Kidneys. Indigestion and Ulcers, Gout and ………… far-fetched notions brought on by too much sun!!!!

THE END

Dennis Telford

Present throughout were: 8 Councillors (apologies from 3), the Parish Clerk and 4 members of the Public. Representatives from Shaftoe Trust First School and the Showfield Estate were present for part of the time.

1.     Mrs Cooper and representatives from Class One of the school gave a small presentation concerning the children's points of view on the need for a Playpark in the village. Backed up by facts and figures taken from recent research the children had produced a Project Book and this was presented to the Chair of the Parish Council who accepted it with thanks. At this point the group left the meeting.

2.     Residents were very vocal in expressing their disgust at the overall state of parts of Haydon Bridge. Concerns over rubbish, litter were voiced as were continuing worries over the state of the Old Bridge and Church Street. On walking around the village, some residents felt that parts of the estate were almost immaculate (gardens, pathways etc.) whilst others, including Church Street, were atrocious! If the HERS scheme was going to make such a difference why was this street in such a state? It just seems as if the village is being ‘fobbed off’ and there is not one person who seems to be co-ordinating the whole scheme. WHY?

Suggest that a very strong letter be written to Tynedale District Council.

3.     Some Showfield residents had attended the meeting as they felt that something had to be said about the proposals to construct a Playpark in the area (as mentioned in the notes of last month’s Haydon News).

The Chair had contacted the landowner of the particular bit of land who had, in essence, no objections to the scheme. However, he had suggested that part of the school’s football field would be better. Residents expressed their concerns about access and the crossing of the busy roads. Other parties would have to be contacted including Shaftoe Trustees but the Chair assured those present that they should have no fears for the time being as nothing had been decided yet. But he did recognise their concerns. At this point the residents also left the meeting.

Presentation by “2 Castles Housing Association” The Principal Housing Officer for TDC made introductory remarks regarding the Housing Strategy for Affordable Housing and the Planning Processes and how funding has to follow a Grant Regime. He then introduced the development Manager for “2 Castles”.

He opened by stating that they had no specific site in mind but that people should have a feel for what is appropriate for the needs of a rural community.

Tenure Options: Looking at 2/3 bedroom properties with rents £56/£61 weekly, Shared Ownership or Leasehold for the Elderly (over 55!). At this point Cllr Fletcher pointed out that perhaps it should be ’older’ people and not ’elderly’

There must be seen to be a need for such housing and the political support of the Parish Council in allocation of suitable sites, its acquisition and procurement going through to Completion and being ready for occupation. This is not a quick process!

Categories of Need: Newly married, those leaving a Tied property, on retirement etc. and perhaps for those needing to live close to the community as regards work.

The Chair asked if a ‘needs’ survey had been done in Haydon Bridge by TDC? Yes was the answer. And? Well, indications from the recent survey seemed to show that about 100 people had expressed a need! Equating to something like 30 units. Makes you think about the Innerhaugh development, doesn’t it!

If there is seen to be a need then the way forward has to be undertaken by a partnership including the Parish Council, District Council and the Housing Corporation.

The Chair thanked both contributors and they left.

Minutes of the previous meeting were deemed accurate.

Matters Arising: 1.     The Village Appraisal Meeting scheduled for Wednesday 18^th July had to be postponed as the date clashed with another important meeting, strangely enough, about the same type of concern. A Regional Appraisal which needs to be carried out and completed in a very short time. Cllr Charlton would undertake the passing on of information, and its collation, to fellow Councillors

A re-arranged VILLAGE APPRAISAL meeting is now scheduled for WEDNESDAY 15^th AUGUST beginning at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.

2.     The Tree Planting went very well. It looks nice and the children were very enthusiastic in carrying out the task. Well done! (Good picture in the Courant)

3. The Clerk informed the meeting that a new Dog Bin had been ordered direct from Glasdon. £133.98 + VAT. A post also. Expensive!

Tynedale     Council Minutes. Nothing exciting to report as there had been a short meeting.

Highways/Bypass: The meeting was informed that this was now back on the agenda. Cllr Charlton said that it had never been OFF the agenda contrary to what others had believed.

The footpath on North Bank is in a dangerous condition. Chippings recently laid have now got on to the pavement as traffic passes by.

The footpath alongside the A69 out of the village is overgrown and needs cutting back.

The Council is to be informed on both matters. However, it was suggested that as Road Link now ‘look after’ the A69 perhaps they should be contacted.

Anyone with concerns about the A69 should contact:

‘Road Link (A69) Limited’

Stocksfield Hall, Stocksfield,

Northumberland, NE43 7TN

TELEPHONE: 01661 842 842

Planning Applications: Single storey extension at Standalone and extension to Haydon Bridge High School. Also the Innerhaugh development.

An up-date was given on the Innerhaugh. As the new plans have to be discussed by the 3^rd week in August it is highly unlikely that they will get to the Planning meeting by then.

Issues over land ownership, the raising of floor levels, the type of stone to be used for facing the road-side houses are being addressed. The Water Board feels that the flow for sewage is OK but that the pumping station is to be improved. There were some mutterings of disagreement on these two last issues. Only recently, the sewage pipe had to be rodded/jetted again because it was blocked. Putting another 48 houses on the same pipe won’t cause problems????

Councillors felt that the scheme was far too big and unsuitable.

Correspondence: Briefly these included arrangements for the Auditing of Accounts, CrimeFree Initiative (see also page 8), Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Plan and Local Agenda 21.

AOB. Councillor Parkin enquired about process of getting Brown Tourist signs for placing on the approaches to the village. How? Who? Cost?

Finally. Our Parish Clerk (Susan Batey) has tendered her resignation from the post to take effect September/October.

Any gallant soul fancy the job?

RADS

THANK YOU

Maurice and Betty of ‘The Haydon Hotel’ would like to take this opportunity to thank all customers, Pool, Darts, Quoits and Football Teams for their continued support over the last twenty years.

Also a very big thank you to Jeff who we couldn’t have managed without.

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Many thanks for all the things you have put in print. I hope you have enjoyed them. At the moment I am busy with a short story about Adult Learning. Its short-comings, pitfalls etc. The competition closes at the end of the month and assessed in August. The winners will be announced the first of September. I have no doubt I will win. Because if I do not believe that no one else will. I will let you know the outcome and send you a copy of the final proof. If you wish to print it you may do so. It’s very funny.

I hope you have made some progress with Major General Gordon? It has certainly caused a flurry of activity at ‘Gordons School’. Roy Newman almost fell off the end of the phone when I told him. Makes life a bit more interesting. So, I hope everyone is making a bit of headway in solving the mystery. It’s great to have the Haydon News back on the internet again and I am pleased your health is improving. There is nothing worse than feeling ill all the time. Keep up the good work. Weather here has been unbelievable. We are well into Winter and still the sun shines. We do have quite cold weather in Victoria – June, July & August and quite often snow. But usually it only lasts a day or so.

If there is anything the Haydon News would like me to write about, or short stories you would like written on a particular subject, feel free to ask. It will be no problem. I love writing but I must admit my English is no great shakes. Never-the-less it is readable. My motto is: “obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal”

G’Day, Yours sincerely

Harold Humble.

PS. I would love to hear from anyone who feels like writing. My address is:

26, Wheatley St. Kyneton. 3444

Victoria. Australia

The Lake District lies in the far north west of England. It is renowned for its beautiful mountains and lakes. It was here that William Wordsworth wrote some of his best poetry. It was also here that Beatrix Potter wrote many of her beautiful children’s books which are known throughout the world and have been translated into some fifty languages. It is not always the best place to find the sun but the scenery, lakes and mountains are breath-taking and it is a must for anyone holidaying in the U.K.

Myra Bowen

On Monday 16^th July we had a very enjoyable evening with our friends from Throckley. Forty-four of them and forty-three of our members. The dance floor was quite full. A lovely spread for the supper bags of food and plenty left for Kevin the caretaker’s bait the next day. Forty Raffle prizes with the visitors taking home quite a few.

Thanks to all for giving to the Supper and to the Raffles.

The new Music system is working well. Costing £600 it should do!

Incidentally, half the money was raised by our two Dances. The rest out of the Club Funds. Having paid for them, on behalf of the Club, I handed the receipt over to Iris to give to whoever has to do with obtaining a grant towards half the cost of the equipment. She was told that we should have applied for the grant before buying the equipment!!!!

It seems we have missed out somewhere yet there are hundreds of pounds waiting to be claimed.

Can anyone suggest something to help other than MORE dances?

The sunshine and high temperatures which have bathed the Kielder area last month have been more akin to that of the Mediterranean than North West Northumberland. So the timing could not have been better to unveil the latest addition to the Kielder Art and Architecture programme, the Italian Tower.

As part of Year of the Artist in the Northern Region, the Kielder Partnership’s Art and Architecture programme, have commissioned Scotsman Nathan Coley to create the temporary work. The Italian Tower is located opposite Leaplish Waterside Park, just off the north shoreline of Kielder Water and close to the route of the Kielder Ferry. It is expected to remain a feature of the landscape until mid-September 2001.

Nathan Coley’s residency aims to explore the unusual nature of the area, using locations that will lead to strong interaction between the artist and the visiting and resident population.

Curator Peter Sharpe said, “Our intention to create a sculpture that would be constructed in a very public place has been highly successful. Nathan Coley’s Italian Tower attracted a great deal of attention as it was being constructed at Leaplish Waterside Park. Now complete, the Tower has become an elegant temporary addition to the landscape and also to the Art and Architecture at Kielder’s growing collection of contemporary art.”

Following the public construction stage, in a careful operation spanning four days, the Tower was dismantled and transported by pontoon to its final location.

The Italian Tower is the latest addition to the visual arts programme which has already established thirteen (13) pieces of artwork throughout Kielder Water and Forest Park, including the award winning Kielder Belvedere and the highly acclaimed Kielder Skyspace, by American artist, James Turrell. Plans are already well advanced to add further pieces of art and architecture, including a contemporary Maze to be located at Kielder Castle.

Art and Architecture at Kielder is promoted by the Kielder Partnership, which is concerned with developing the area as a major sustainable tourism resource, thus boosting the local economy. Established in 1994, it has worked on a number of successful development and marketing projects. To deliver these projects it has gained substantial external funding awards from funding bodies including the European Regional Development Fund, the Rural Development Programme and the Arts Council.

The Kielder Partnership’s core funding partners are Northumbrian Water, Forest Enterprise, Tynedale Council, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and the Northumbria Tourist Board.

For further details contact: