Woodhorn

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Woodhorn
Northumberland
Location
Grid reference: NZ2958
Location: 55°11’20"N, 1°32’17"W
Data
Post town: Ashington
Postcode: NE63
Dialling code: 01670
Local Government
Council: Northumberland
Parliamentary
constituency:
Wansbeck

Woodhorn is a village in Northumberland about two miles east of Ashington. The village is sometimes identified with Wucestre, granted to St Cuthbert by King Ceolwulf of Northumbria when he gave up his throne in 737 to become a monk at Lindisfarne. A mediæval bell at Woodhorn, inscribed "Ave Maria", is said to be one of the oldest in existence.[1]

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary.[2]

Mining

In former days, the main employment of Woodhorn was at the coal mine. The mine has since closed and the site has been landscaped incorporating a lake and known as Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. Some of the mine buildings have been retained and are used as a visitor centre.

About the village

Woodhorn Colliery Museum is in a country park with a 40-acre. With sound effects, models, paintings, working machinery etc., the museum gives an insight into life in a local coal-mining community.[1]

The site of the old pit is now the location for Northumberland Record Office, a purpose-built building having been constructed to replace the two previous buildings at Morpeth and Gosforth.

Outside links

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("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Woodhorn)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Linden Hall". http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/lindenHall/outings/townsandvillages.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-11. 
  2. Purves, Geoffrey (2006). Churches of Newcastle and Northumberland. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Tempus Publishing Limited. pp. 178. ISBN 0-7524-4071-3. http://www.tempus-publishing.com.