Papcastle
| Papcastle | |
| Cumberland | |
|---|---|
 Papcastle House | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NY109315 |
| Location: | 54°40’8"N, 3°23’6"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 385 (2011) |
| Post town: | Cockermouth |
| Postcode: | CA13 |
| Dialling code: | 01900 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Cumberland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Workington |
Papcastle is a village in western Cumberland, which is now effectively a northern extension of Cockermouth, which stands to the south of the River Derwent. It had a recorded population of 385 at the 2011 Census.
The village lies within the Parish of Bridekirk for Church of England purposes.
The name of Papcastle is said to be a compound formed from Old Norse and Old English papi+cæster, meaning 'hermit's (or priest's) fort'.[1]
Remains of Roman Derventio
It has been known for some time that there was a Roman presence at Papcastle.[2] It was the site of a Roman fort called Derventio, which was originally built in timber and rebuilt in stone.[3] There was also a civilian settlement (vicus).
The remains of the forts and part of the vicus were designated an ancient monument in 1992. The major flood of 2009 led to the discovery of Roman remains on the south side of the River, including well-preserved foundations of a watermill. This led to a three-year archaeological programme on both sides of the river, finding several bathhouse phases, mansio, and eventually the remains of the bridge.[4]
Village hall
Papcastle Village Hall was built as a reading room for men only in 1895, donated by local resident, Honora Wybergh, who lived at The Mount, a large house now demolished to make way for the modern Mount housing estate. Originally run by trustees, a new management scheme set up in 1940 by the Charity Commission is still in force. The hall is run by the Council of Management.
The hall has gone through several phases of popularity and decline. In 2006 it underwent major refurbishment with the help of major grants from a number of local organisations and is again enjoying a surge in use with a new kitchen, disabled access and facilities. It can comfortably seat 80 people for presentation events and somewhat more for informal occasions such as buffet style events.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Papcastle) |
References
- ↑ Derventio
- ↑ Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society (R G Collingwood) 13, 1913 Page(s)131-141
- ↑ The name is known from the Ravenna Cosmography. See Esmonde Cleary, A., DARMC, R. Talbert, S. Gillies, S. Vanderbilt, R. Warner, J. Becker, T. Elliott. "Places: 89165 (Derventio)". Pleiades (pleiades.stoa.org). http://pleiades.stoa.org/places/89165. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ↑ Papcastle Village
