Little Clifton
| Little Clifton | |
| Cumberland | |
|---|---|
 Little Clifton, Cumberland | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NY055529 |
| Location: | 54°38’38"N, 3°27’50"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 480 (2011) |
| Post town: | Workington |
| Postcode: | CA14 |
| Dialling code: | 01900 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Cumberland |
Little Clifton is a little village in Cumberland, immediately to the south of Bridgefoot, the two being barely separated, if at all. It is on the edge of the Lake District. The River Derwent runs by roughly a mile north of the village.
In 2011, Little Clifton had a recorded population of 480, in 207 households.
In 1887 John Bartholomew described Little Clifton as a township of 489 persons within a parish 3½ miles SE of Workington.[1]
Parish church
The site of St Luke's Church dates back to Norman times and has various Norman artefacts such as a Norman archway and Norman cross shaft in the graveyard. The current church dates back to 1901 and contains some superb stained glass windows and other furnishings donated by local families. The church regularly holds concerts, events and open days.[2]
History
There are signs of human inhabitancy as early as 5000 years ago with stone circles discovered under 20 miles east of Little Clifton at Long Meg and Castlerigg amongst other places. The early settlements are in areas suitable for crafting tools such as stone axes and became the source for quarrying in the area.
Mining
Mining in Cumberland was once of great economic importance. The first documented mining in the county area was in Bigrigg mine roughly 15 miles south of Little Clifton in the parish of Egremont. It is believed that Romans mined this area and later on by early British and Norse settlers.[3]
In 1881, 31% of the inhabitants of Little Clifton were involved in mineral extraction, the highest single occupation in the parish at that time.[4] Force Crag mine in Keswick was the closest mine to Little Clifton which was mined for lead, zinc and barytes from 1839 to its closure in 1991. Force Crag mine is now run by the National Trust and opened to the public.[5]
Punderland Farm
Punderland farm featured on the BBC,[6] amongst other British news media, due to a 'tragic mistake' which caused the unnecessary slaughter of 200 ewes, 300 lambs and a pet pig. The mishap occurred because of a grid reference error of one digit during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001. The intended farm for destruction was in Durham 100 miles away. No more compensation was granted than the standard for loss of livestock at the time and no legal firm would go to court for what would be a costly battle.[7]
The farm and its associated barn are the only listed building in the parish, being designated at Grade II. It is dated 1739, the farmhouse is roughcast with a green slate roof, and has two storeys and three bays, and there is a lower right-angled barn to the right.[8]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Little Clifton) |
References
- ↑ Historic Description of Little Clifton in 'A Vision of Britain'
- ↑ "St Luke's CofE". www.ctfc.org.uk. http://www.ctfc.org.uk/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=2&sobi2Id=287&Itemid=83. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ↑ "Early Mining". www.cumbria-industries.org.uk. http://www.cumbria-industries.org.uk/ironmining.htm. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ↑ "Occupational Statistics". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_page.jsp?data_theme=T_IND&data_cube=N_OCC_ORDER1881&u_id=10220063&c_id=10001043&add=Y. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ↑ "Force Crag Mine". www.visitcumbria.com. http://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/force-crag-mine.htm. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ↑ "Accidental Mass Slaughter BBC". news.bbc.co.uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1289049.stm. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ↑ "Accidental Mass Slaughter NWEM". www.nwemail.co.uk. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/1.344826. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1327184: Plunderland Farmhouse and adjoining barn