Kirknewton, Northumberland

Kirknewton
Northumberland
Kirknewton from Yeavering Bell
Location
Grid reference:	NT912303
Location:	55°34’1"N, 2°8’24"W
Data
Population:	108  (2001)
Post town:	Wooler
Postcode:	NE71 6
Dialling code:	01668 2
Local Government
Council:	Northumberland
Parliamentary constituency:	Berwick-upon-Tweed

Kirknewton is a village to the north of Northumberland, about six miles from Wooler and roughly the same distance to Kirk Yetholm. The village lies in the valley known as 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.

The parish of Kirknewton is one of the geographically largest in the United Kingdom, but one of the smallest in terms of population, with a count of 108 residents at the 2001 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.

Parish church

The parish church is dedicated to St Gregory the Great. The church stands in the middle of the village.

Parts of the church date back to Norman 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, Christian worship has been conducted here long before this: in the 5th Century, St Paulinus baptised King Edwin of Northumbria and many of his followers in the River Glen at Gefrin, nearby (Yeavering). A monument, known as the Gefrin Stone is erected at this location.

The churchyard is also the final resting place of Josephine Butler, a well known Victorian social reformer.

Economy

Employment in Kirknewton is mainly based around agriculture, although following decline in this industry, most residents either work in the local towns of Wooler 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.

Kirknewton School

Kirknewton School originally stood near the church. It was one of the earliest schools to be purpose built in Northumberland. It dated from 1794 (the vestry minutes showing the decision to build the school can be viewed in the archives at Woodhorn) and enabled some education to be available for young children. The school was enlarged in 1886 possibly to cater for the larger numbers of children who would need places after the railway came through Kirknewton. There was a stationmaster with his family and three railway cottages together with a railway cottage at Yeavering, all with families and within the school catchment.

Built on part of the glebe land in the late 18th century the school always had connections with the church. In 1964 a new school opened and the old school became the village hall. The new school operated as a Church of England Aided Primary School for 4-11 year olds until 1981, after which - in the county of Northumberland's shift to a three-tier education system - it became a 'First' School, for 4-9 year olds, causing a sudden and dramatic fall in pupil numbers. The old school was eventually knocked down in 1999 and replaced with a new hall which opened 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 Guides.

Notable people

For such a small place, Kirknewton has had a great impact on Britain. Josephine Butler (born Josephine Grey), the social reformer, was born at Milfield House, about six miles from Wooler, and after an active life combating the social evils of the nineteenth century city, she returned to her beloved Northumberland and is buried in Kirknewton churchyard under the shadow of Yeavering Bell. Josephine Butler College at the University of Durham was named after her.

Ann Katharine Swynford Lambton PhD FBA OBE (8 February 1912 – 19 July 2008), usually known as A K S Lambton and locally as Nancy Lambton, was a British historian and leading figure on mediæval and early modern Persian history, Persian language, Islamic political theory, and Persian social organisation. She was an acknowledged authority on land tenure and reform in Iran, Seljuq, Mongol, Safavid and Qajar administration and institutions, and local and tribal histories. Prof. Lambton was a lay reader and took services at the church of St Gregory the Great, Kirknewton and others in the Glendale Group.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Kirknewton, Northumberland)

• Information on Kirknewton, Northumberland  from GENUKI
• Northumberland Communities