Buy from ebayThrough The Ages - The Story of Nenthead
Louise M. Thain
Published, printed, re-published, and re-printed again and again, this book is by far the most popular in the series, written by the late Louise M. Thain.Part One: A History
The village of Nenthead, as the name implies, is situated near the source of the River Nent, a tributary of the South Tyne. Although comparatively unknown, it is by no means a
"lowly" place. Nestling in the bowl of the surrounding hills, it rises from 1,460 ft. above sea level to a height of 1,600 ft., and is the highest village in England. The main road through the village crosses the borders of Cumberland and Durham at a height of 2,056 ft. and is the highest carriageway, the late Primitive Chapel was the highest chapel, while Elba Farm, at a height of 1,600 ft., is the highest occupied dwelling house. (Could the person who named this farm have imagined he was as isolated as Napoleon when he was exiled on the island of the same name!): Situated in the South East of Cumberland, and less than two miles from the borders of Durham and Northumberland, it is no wonder that the dialect spoken in the village is a mixture of all three counties. Perhaps due to the influence of radio, this dialect is gradually dying out, and it is only in a few of the older generation that a true " Nenthied " tongue can be heard.
By the geographical features, it seems only logical that Alston Moor, of which Nenthead is a part, should be in Northumberland, and at one time it was. The churches in the district still are included in the Newcastle Diocese. The village of today can be divided into five distinct sections, these being Whitehall, Hilltop, Holmesfoot, Overvater and Hillersdon Terrace. The village may be divided, but not the inhabitants, who are of a friendly disposition, always ready to help each other. Despite the fact that,, throughout the whole of its life it has been a mining village, much beautiful scenery and many pleasant walks can be found in and around Nenthead.
Early days in Alston Moor
Unfortunately there is no written proof and very little tangible evidence that Nenthead, as a village, existed before the middle part of the eighteenth century. It is not shown on Speeds map of Cumberland (1610) but that there were some dwelling houses then is certain as the deeds of several properties in the village are dated in the early 1600s.
That a race of men roamed the moors and probably hunted wild animals at a very remote period appears certain for a polished stone hatchett was found in a bed of clay at Nenthead. Some implements of flint have also been discovered.
Recently a fossil was discovered near Hilltop by Mr. E. Richardson and this was identified as part of a tree and was estimated to be 6,000,000 years old. It can be seen in the Tullie House Museum at Carlisle.
The village of Nenthead, as the name implies, is situated near the source of the River Nent, a tributary of the South Tyne. Although comparatively unknown, it is by no means a
"lowly" place. Nestling in the bowl of the surrounding hills, it rises from 1,460 ft. above sea level to a height of 1,600 ft., and is the highest village in England. The main road through the village crosses the borders of Cumberland and Durham at a height of 2,056 ft. and is the highest carriageway, the late Primitive Chapel was the highest chapel, while Elba Farm, at a height of 1,600 ft., is the highest occupied dwelling house. (Could the person who named this farm have imagined he was as isolated as Napoleon when he was exiled on the island of the same name!): Situated in the South East of Cumberland, and less than two miles from the borders of Durham and Northumberland, it is no wonder that the dialect spoken in the village is a mixture of all three counties. Perhaps due to the influence of radio, this dialect is gradually dying out, and it is only in a few of the older generation that a true " Nenthied " tongue can be heard.
By the geographical features, it seems only logical that Alston Moor, of which Nenthead is a part, should be in Northumberland, and at one time it was. The churches in the district still are included in the Newcastle Diocese. The village of today can be divided into five distinct sections, these being Whitehall, Hilltop, Holmesfoot, Overvater and Hillersdon Terrace. The village may be divided, but not the inhabitants, who are of a friendly disposition, always ready to help each other. Despite the fact that,, throughout the whole of its life it has been a mining village, much beautiful scenery and many pleasant walks can be found in and around Nenthead.
Early days in Alston Moor
Unfortunately there is no written proof and very little tangible evidence that Nenthead, as a village, existed before the middle part of the eighteenth century. It is not shown on Speeds map of Cumberland (1610) but that there were some dwelling houses then is certain as the deeds of several properties in the village are dated in the early 1600s.
That a race of men roamed the moors and probably hunted wild animals at a very remote period appears certain for a polished stone hatchett was found in a bed of clay at Nenthead. Some implements of flint have also been discovered.
Recently a fossil was discovered near Hilltop by Mr. E. Richardson and this was identified as part of a tree and was estimated to be 6,000,000 years old. It can be seen in the Tullie House Museum at Carlisle.