Birney Hill

One year on and there is still a huge backlog of fallen trees to clear.

Hedchester Cottage is not to be confused with the ruined farmhouse of Hetchester located to the south-west NY9479 : Hetchester Two adjoined cottages are shown here on the 2nd Edition 25" Ordnance Survey map published in 1896. A Tile Works and Clay Pit are shown in this location on the 1st Edition 6" map published in 1866, with the original cottage(s) on the roadside possibly part of the same enterprise.

"Firstly, at the east of this part of the area, is a limekiln [site 12] which is also marked on the Thockrington Tithe Map of 1844. No kiln is marked on the site in the Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1898) - indicating that it was disused by that date - but the map indicates a quarry adjacent and to the east of the site of the limekiln. This quarry would have been the source of limestone when the kiln was operating. Today, the limekiln appears only as a grassy mound, although the ramp which was used for loading the kiln is evident on the south side. No arch (from which the lime was drawn) is now visible, but it is likely that at least one drawing arch was originally located at the foot of the north side of the kiln, facing the modern tarmac road." A Field Survey at Quarry House and North Heugh Farms, Northumberland. P.C. Sellers and D.H. Prothero (1991). Northern Archaeology Vol.11 p.57-72.

See description here NY9680 : Site of lead mine, north of Quarry House

The mine shaft, blocked by dumped rubbish, lies within the fenced enclosure (now wooded). The area of stones in the foreground may have been part of the mine spoil heap although the 2nd Edition map does show a small building nearby. These features were all within a larger enclosure. Just south of what is now an unfenced road, west of the shaft, the map indicates a small pond probably part of the infrastructure for the lead mine. "The second feature marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map is an old lead mine. A brief history of this site is given in the Northumberland county history (Hodgson, 1897). A lease was issued in 1736 by the local landowner, George Delaval, for 'John Lee of Calf Gapp' and some other persons to work for lead on this site. The outcome of this enterprise is unrecorded, but in 1828 the site was worked again by Messrs Milner and Featherstone, who found it unproductive. Greenwood's county map of 1828 identifies a 'lead mine' on this site. From the county history entry, it appears that the site was disused after about 1828 ..." A Field Survey at Quarry House and North Heugh Farms, Northumberland. P. C. Sellers and D. H. Prothero (1991). Northern Archaeology Vol.11 p.57-72. The mine was reopened in 1874 with the formation of the Quarry House Lead Mining Company with three shafts sunk into limestone and shales 20-30 fathoms below the Whin Sill. The vein was described as varying in width from a narrow string to 60cm. Shares were sold with the benefit of an optimistic prospectus and descriptions of distinguished mining engineers, but no returns appear to have been made. R A Fairbairn (2000) British Mining No 65. Allendale, Tynedale and Derwent Lead Mines. Northern Mine Research Society.

A roughly semi-circular high dry-stone wall, open on the west side. It is marked on the 2nd Edition 25" OS map as a 'Bield'. "This is a Cumbrian dialect word for a shelter or animal den, from the Old English belde. Goose bields, found in Cumbria, are designed so geese penned in cannot escape and foxes cannot get in. These are circular shelter with high walls overhanging on the inside (to stop the geese) and outside (so as to stop the foxes). The word is also used for a general livestock shelter." Keys to the Past, glossary: Link

Heading west through moorland to the A68 and, beyond, Redesmouth. The land on the right is open access land - there is a small sign on the gatepost. Turning 180 degrees would produce this view: NY9583 : Country road near Kirkwhelpington (2).

Looking north-west towards Kirkwhelpington. Turning 180 degrees would produce this view: NY9583 : Country road near Kirkwhelpington (1).