Kirknewton, Northumberland
Encyclopedia
Kirknewton is a Northumbrian village to the north of the county of Northumberland
, about 6 miles (10 km) from the town of Wooler
and roughly the same distance to the Scottish Borders
. The village lies in the valley of Glendale
, which takes its name from the River Glen
, whose source at the confluence of the Bowmont Water and the College Burn lies at the west end of the village.
of Kirknewton is one of the geographically largest in the United Kingdom, but one of the smallest in terms of poulation, with a count of 108 residents (56 female, 52 male) in the 2001 UK Census. Most residents live in the villages of Kirknewton, Westnewton
and Hethpool, with the remainder scattered in remote farms and steadings, many of which are now holiday properties.
or Berwick-upon-Tweed
or are retired. The area has a reasonable tourist industry due to the Northumberland National Park
which borders the village, and the area's outstanding natural beauty.
.
times, and it is famous for a carving of the Adoration of the Magi. The carving, on the wall of one of the oldest parts of the church, depicts the Magi in kilts! However, Christianity
has been worshipped here long before this. In the 5th Century, Saint Paulinus
baptised Anglo-Saxon
King Edwin of Northumbria
and many of his followers in the River Glen at Gefrin, nearby. A monument, known as the Gefrin Stone is erected at this location. The churchyard of St Gregory is also the final resting place of Josephine Butler
, a well known Victorian social reformer.
, the social reformer, was born at Milfield House
, about six miles from Wooler
. This woman, who did so much valuable work in the nineteenth century to combat the social evils of the day, is more generally known by her married name of Butler
. At the end of her long life she returned to her beloved Northumberland and is buried in Kirknewton
churchyard under the shadow of Yeavering Bell.
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, about 6 miles (10 km) from the town of Wooler
Wooler
Wooler is a small town in Northumberland, England. It lies on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, by the Cheviot Hills and so is a popular base for walkers and is referred to as the "Gateway to the Cheviots"...
and roughly the same distance to the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. The village lies in the valley of Glendale
Glendale, Northumberland
Glendale is the name of a valley in North Northumberland that runs from the Cheviot Hills at Kirknewton onto the Milfield Plain, formed by the River Glen. However, the name is generally taken to indicate the area around the town of Wooler....
, which takes its name from the River Glen
River Glen, Northumberland
The River Glen in Northumberland, England is a tributary of the River Till. The College Burn and Bowmont Water, both flowing out of the Cheviot Hills, meet near Kirknewton to form the River Glen...
, whose source at the confluence of the Bowmont Water and the College Burn lies at the west end of the village.
Demography
The parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Kirknewton is one of the geographically largest in the United Kingdom, but one of the smallest in terms of poulation, with a count of 108 residents (56 female, 52 male) in the 2001 UK Census. Most residents live in the villages of Kirknewton, Westnewton
Westnewton, Northumberland
Westnewton is a small hamlet comprising around 8 houses and a manse to the west of the village of Kirknewton. It is situated in the parish of Kirknewton, in the County of Northumberland.- Governance :...
and Hethpool, with the remainder scattered in remote farms and steadings, many of which are now holiday properties.
Economy
Employment in Kirknewton is mainly based around agriculture, although following decline in this industry, most residents either work in the local towns of WoolerWooler
Wooler is a small town in Northumberland, England. It lies on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, by the Cheviot Hills and so is a popular base for walkers and is referred to as the "Gateway to the Cheviots"...
or Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
or are retired. The area has a reasonable tourist industry due to the Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park is the northernmost national park in England. It covers an area of more than 1030 km² between the Scottish Border in the north to just south of Hadrian's Wall. It is one of the least populated and least visited of the National Parks...
which borders the village, and the area's outstanding natural beauty.
Transport
The village of Kirknewton used to be a station on the Alnwick to Cornhill railway, run by LNER. This branchline carried passengers and goods until the 50's, when it became uneconomical to run due to dwindling passenger numbers, a competing bus service, and a number of storms which had destroyed parts of the line. The station itself and the station master's house still stand and are used as private residences.Education
Kirknewton School originally stood near the church and catered for 4-9 year old boys and girls. Opened in the late 19th century, the school was supported by the church. The original building was vacated for a new school next door in the 1970s when it became a village hall, and was eventually knocked down and replaced with a new hall in 2001. The school, sadly, did not survive much longer. Despite fierce campaigning over the years by parents, the school eventually closed in 2004, with the 4 remaining pupils going to nearby Ford First School. The school building still serves young people as an outdoor centre for the Girl GuidesGirlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
.
Religious sites
The church of St Gregory the Great is situated in the middle of the village. Parts of the church date back to NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
times, and it is famous for a carving of the Adoration of the Magi. The carving, on the wall of one of the oldest parts of the church, depicts the Magi in kilts! However, Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
has been worshipped here long before this. In the 5th Century, Saint Paulinus
Saint Paulinus
Saint Paulinus may refer to:*Paulinus of Antioch, first Bishop of Lucca*Paulinus of Nola, who is also known as Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus*Paulinus of Trier , bishop of Trier and a supporter of Athanasius in the conflict with Arianism...
baptised Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
King Edwin of Northumbria
Edwin of Northumbria
Edwin , also known as Eadwine or Æduini, was the King of Deira and Bernicia – which later became known as Northumbria – from about 616 until his death. He converted to Christianity and was baptised in 627; after he fell at the Battle of Hatfield Chase, he was venerated as a saint.Edwin was the son...
and many of his followers in the River Glen at Gefrin, nearby. A monument, known as the Gefrin Stone is erected at this location. The churchyard of St Gregory is also the final resting place of Josephine Butler
Josephine Butler
Josephine Elizabeth Butler was a Victorian era British feminist who was especially concerned with the welfare of prostitutes...
, a well known Victorian social reformer.
Notable people
One of Northumberland's most notable daughters, Josephine GreyJosephine Butler
Josephine Elizabeth Butler was a Victorian era British feminist who was especially concerned with the welfare of prostitutes...
, the social reformer, was born at Milfield House
Milfield
Milfield is a village in Northumberland, England about northwest of Wooler. The A697 road passes through the village.- History :Milfield is the likely location of the Northumbrian royal settlement of Maelmin, given "mael" is a Brythonic word meaning "field"...
, about six miles from Wooler
Wooler
Wooler is a small town in Northumberland, England. It lies on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, by the Cheviot Hills and so is a popular base for walkers and is referred to as the "Gateway to the Cheviots"...
. This woman, who did so much valuable work in the nineteenth century to combat the social evils of the day, is more generally known by her married name of Butler
Josephine Butler
Josephine Elizabeth Butler was a Victorian era British feminist who was especially concerned with the welfare of prostitutes...
. At the end of her long life she returned to her beloved Northumberland and is buried in Kirknewton
Kirknewton
-Places:England*Kirknewton, NorthumberlandScotland*Kirknewton, West Lothian*RAF Kirknewton, a Royal Air Force station in West Lothian...
churchyard under the shadow of Yeavering Bell.
External links
- GENUKI (accessed: 20 November, 2008)
- Northumberland Communities (accessed: 20 November 2008)