Shotley Bridge
Encyclopedia
Shotley Bridge is a village in the Derwent
Valley, adjoining the town of Consett
in County Durham
, England
. Shotley Bridge was once the heart of Britain's swordmaking industry.
The origins of swordmaking here dated from 1691. A group of Lutheran swordmakers from Solingen
in Germany
settled in Shotley Bridge, allegedly in order to escape religious persecution, though in practice their departure was prompted by their breaking of guild oaths. Shotley Bridge was probably chosen because of the rich iron deposits in the area and because of the fast flowing waters of the River Derwent, which were ideal for tempering swords. Another factor may have been the remoteness of the area, as the swordmakers were keen to preserve their trade secrets, those that they had illegally taken with them from Germany. The swordmakers were able to employ the services of the famous local engraver Thomas Bewick
. Swords are no longer made in the Shotley Bridge district. Before the last remaining cottages occupied by the swordmakers were torn down, there was an inscription over the door of one reading "Das Herren segen machet reich ohn alle Sorg wenn Du zugleich in deinem Stand treu und fleissig bist und tuest alle vas die befolen ist". Today, the village is best known for the local hospital
, which was a major centre for medical care in North East England
until the opening of the University Hospital of North Durham
in 2001, when its size and services were scaled back.
Parts of the hospital are now disused and are in the process of being demolished. The village has grown in recent years to accommodate a growing population, with new housing estates by the river Derwent
, around the old hospital site and on Queen's Road under construction. Old mill buildings by the river are being converted into housing.
Notable buildings include the Gothic
town hall, St Cuthbert's Church, designed by John Dobson
, and many pretty sandstone cottages. The village is set in very attractive countryside, surrounded by woodland. Shotley is believed to be a corruption of Scotley and is thought to mean the ley, or woodland clearing of a Scotsman or clearing where pigeons are to be found. The name Derwent comes from Brythonic/Old Welsh and means "oak river".
England
Test cricket
er Paul Collingwood
played for Shotley Bridge Cricket Club in his youth where he learned his trade under the tutelage of the great CG Stephenson. Professional footballer Ben Clark
was also born in Shotley Bridge as was England Rugby Union international Mathew Tait
.
Derwent
Derwent derives from the Brythonic term Derventio, meaning "valley thick with oaks". It may refer to:-Places:Australia* Derwent River * Derwent Valley Council* Electoral division of Derwent, TasmaniaUnited Kingdom...
Valley, adjoining the town of Consett
Consett
Consett is a town in the northwest of County Durham, England, about southwest of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is home to 27,394 .Consett sits high on the edge of the Pennines. In 1841, it was a village community of only 145, but it was about to become a boom town: below the ground was coking coal and...
in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Shotley Bridge was once the heart of Britain's swordmaking industry.
The origins of swordmaking here dated from 1691. A group of Lutheran swordmakers from Solingen
Solingen
Solingen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the northern edge of the region called Bergisches Land, south of the Ruhr area, and with a 2009 population of 161,366 is the second largest city in the Bergisches Land...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
settled in Shotley Bridge, allegedly in order to escape religious persecution, though in practice their departure was prompted by their breaking of guild oaths. Shotley Bridge was probably chosen because of the rich iron deposits in the area and because of the fast flowing waters of the River Derwent, which were ideal for tempering swords. Another factor may have been the remoteness of the area, as the swordmakers were keen to preserve their trade secrets, those that they had illegally taken with them from Germany. The swordmakers were able to employ the services of the famous local engraver Thomas Bewick
Thomas Bewick
Thomas Bewick was an English wood engraver and ornithologist.- Early life and apprenticeship :Bewick was born at Cherryburn House in the village of Mickley, in the parish of Ovingham, Northumberland, England, near Newcastle upon Tyne on 12 August 1753...
. Swords are no longer made in the Shotley Bridge district. Before the last remaining cottages occupied by the swordmakers were torn down, there was an inscription over the door of one reading "Das Herren segen machet reich ohn alle Sorg wenn Du zugleich in deinem Stand treu und fleissig bist und tuest alle vas die befolen ist". Today, the village is best known for the local hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
, which was a major centre for medical care in North East England
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
until the opening of the University Hospital of North Durham
University Hospital of North Durham
The University Hospital of North Durham , provides acute services for the north of County Durham, north east England; including Durham, Chester-le-Street and the former district of Derwentside. The hospital is operated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The Chief Executive is...
in 2001, when its size and services were scaled back.
Parts of the hospital are now disused and are in the process of being demolished. The village has grown in recent years to accommodate a growing population, with new housing estates by the river Derwent
River Derwent, North East England
The River Derwent is a river on the border between County Durham and Northumberland in the north east of England. It broadens into the Derwent Reservoir, west of Consett. The Derwent is a tributary of the River Tyne, which it joins near the MetroCentre...
, around the old hospital site and on Queen's Road under construction. Old mill buildings by the river are being converted into housing.
Notable buildings include the Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
town hall, St Cuthbert's Church, designed by John Dobson
John Dobson (architect)
John Dobson was a 19th-century English architect in the neoclassical tradition. He became the most noted architect in the North of England. Churches and houses by him dot the North East - Nunnykirk Hall, Meldon Park, Mitford Hall, Lilburn Tower, St John the Baptist Church in Otterburn,...
, and many pretty sandstone cottages. The village is set in very attractive countryside, surrounded by woodland. Shotley is believed to be a corruption of Scotley and is thought to mean the ley, or woodland clearing of a Scotsman or clearing where pigeons are to be found. The name Derwent comes from Brythonic/Old Welsh and means "oak river".
England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
Test cricket
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
er Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
played for Shotley Bridge Cricket Club in his youth where he learned his trade under the tutelage of the great CG Stephenson. Professional footballer Ben Clark
Ben Clark (footballer)
Benjamin "Ben" Clark is a professional footballer who plays for Conference National side Gateshead.-Manchester United:...
was also born in Shotley Bridge as was England Rugby Union international Mathew Tait
Mathew Tait
Mathew Tait is an English rugby union footballer. He is an outside centre, a fullback or wing...
.