The previous site

To-do list

This list isn't exhaustive, nor is there any guarantee that everything in the list will be done!

• Add river levels and flood warnings to home page

• Improve images on site (ongoing)

• Re-write calendar software

• Create improved Business Directory

• Optimise configuration/code for faster loads

• Re-create legacy pages to match style

What is CRAG?

The Caring for Rothbury Action Group is a group of people who want to be more active in steering the development of Rothbury and surrounding area.

Set up in the Spring of 2016, the group aims to contribute positively to protecting and enhancing the unique area of Rothbury.

It aims to scrutinise new planning applications for the area, where applicable and in consultation with relevant professional bodies and charities. CRAG opposes speculative developments where no need has been identified.

As the area is a major destination for visitors, CRAG seeks to preserve its rural feel and aesthetics, as well as to raise concerns regarding road safety, pollution (including light pollution) and other environmental issues. CRAG is strongly supportive of initiatives to plant more trees and to re-wild significant areas of the county.

Caring for Rothbury
Action Group

News of planning issues for Rothbury.

See the CRAG page for more details.

Updated: 26 Mar 2020

Coquetdale Lunch Club

Thropton War Memorial Hall

Fortnightly - on Thursdays from 12noon

PDF Leaflets

Most of these leaflets were prepared by the late Michael Hodgson.

They offer more detail on the everyday features of Rothbury than the site can - although eventually it is hoped to incorporate updated contents into the site itself.

If you just want to read a leaflet, click on the title - but if you'd like to download it to a PC, right-click and select save as

Rothbury - the name

The name appears in ancient sources as Rodeberia, Routha Biria, Robirie, Rathbury, Roebiri and Routhbiry. However, nobody really knows the true origin, and there are a number of documented suggestions.

Abraham Rees, in his 1819 Cyclopædia, suggests that it either comes from the British word rath, meaning a cleared area, or the Gaelic rath, meaning a place of safety.

In 1903, David Dippie Dixon wrote that bury would have meant a fortified settlement, but is more vague on the first part of the name, saying that it may have been a personal name or from some other British source, including the word rood meaning a cross, and that the question was unsettled.

Another suggestion is that it derived from the Anglo-Saxon, Hrotha (also spelt Routha, Rotha and Roth), whose tribes were believed to have lived in the area and some have written that the name was Routha Biria, or "Routha's Place".

In truth, the jury is still out.

Background

The story of Rothbury's church clock goes back to around 1750, when a west-facing clock was installed to replace the existing sundial.

This clock eventually fell into disrepair and in 1850 (when the old tower was being rebuilt) it was not replaced.

The present-day (3-face) clock was eventually installed in 189.

This article is largely extracted from the Parish Magazine of the time, and details some of its history.

Chronology

This chronology was originally compiled by the late Michael Hodgson from numerous sources such as:

Sykes History of Northumberland,

Rothbury Parish Magazine,

Fordyce Directory,

Mr J Reynaulds,

and books by:
David Dippie Dixon
& Paul Frodsham

Additional material has been added from books on "Extraordinary Events", directories and other archive sources.

Videos

There are a number of videos online featuring Rothbury and/or the Coquet Valley. They vary from simple slideshows with music, to silent films with incidental music.

All are on YouTube - just click on the pictures to view.

The Coquet Slides

In 2014, a couple of locals spotted a set of 46 lantern slides of the Upper Coquet Valley that appeared on eBay. Following an initiative by Duncan Glen on Facebook, the people listed below contributed towards a fund to buy these. Thanks to them the slides were returned to Rothbury and were cleaned, scanned and retouched by Mike Todd.

Subjects range from landscapes to individuals, but neither the photographer nor the dates are known, but they are believed to have been taken in the 1920s. The condition of the slides vary, with dirt and hairs trapped between the glass plates and imaged on the actual photo. It was considered inappropriate to dismantle the slides to clean them fully, so only the outside glass surfaces were cleaned and the remaining dirt has been removed on the computer.

One surprise was to find two slides shot in colour (slides 45 & 46 in the gallery). These were shot using an early colour system, but I'm still researching to find out which it was - possibly either the Ilford Dufaycolor or the German Agfa system.

For funding the purchase of the slides, thanks go to Bill Armstrong, Margaret Hedley, Michael Hodgson, Allan Murray, Ken Murray, Katie Scott, Michael Scott, Jim Smith, Mike Todd, Peter Tully, Freda Walker, Helen Walklett, Daf Wynne and, of course, Duncan himself

Current conditions

The data here is gathered from a small weather station at the top of Garleigh Road in Rothbury.

Wind and rain readings depend on location, and this one isn't ideal, so wind and rain are both likely to be on the low side.

The thermometer is enclosed in a proper temperature screen to avoid sun, wind and sky having a marked effect on reading. As a result, the readings may not agree with a normal/exposed thermometer.

The dials are updated every 20 seconds, and the latest statistics roughly every few minutes.

To see the trends for the past 24 hours, hover over the dial (or on mobile devices, touch the dial).

Heritage Trail

A walk around the centre of Rothbury to see some of its historic past.

The full walk is about 2km, but can be reduced to just over 1km if you prefer.

Demonstration
Silverton Lane

Saturday, 14th May 2016

Around 130 people turn up to demonstrate, and the local and national media took an interest.

The photos below show the line-up along the town boundary line.(click the photos to see full-size).

The Thrum Plates

This is a collection of old glass plate negatives that were discovered during the restoration of Thrum Mill in Rothbury.

They had been stored for as much as 100 years, and some were in an unsalvageable condition. However, with care and patience, 10 of the glass plates were cleaned, restored, scanned and retouched. Despite this work, some plates still had little visible image on them, but there was at least something, and these are included here.

Of particular interest was plate number 8, a fragment of which shows a sign saying "RAT PIT" and possibly a man leaning over, resting on the sign (perhaps a little clearer in the enlarged version). This is the first indication I can find that Rothbury had a rat pit, where rats and a Rothbury Terrier would be thrown together in a pit, with the aim of killing as many rats in as short a time as possible.

Another plate that was of interest was plate 6, a group of ladies and a dog. The image that remains is of very good quality (shown clearly in the enlarged section), but it required an unusual approach to restore it.

The photographic layer on the plate was curling and peeling, and each piece was removed, gently wetted in purified water, placed on a piece of clean glass and scanned. There were about a dozen pieces, some of which were badly distorted, and these were adjusted and re-assembled in Photoshop.

Disclaimer

This page is provided as a service for the group. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the site.

Something you'd like to see?

If there's something you feel the site needs, or you just want to correct something, please contact me.

Where to meet us in 2016

We will be at various local shows this year. Do come and talk to us if there is anything more you would like to know, or if you feel you can help us:

14th August

Simonside Fair

27th August

Bellingham Show

29th August

Elsdon Show

3rd September

Harbottle Show

10th September

Ingram Show

8th October

Alwinton Show

Chairman

Jeanne Casken

Secretary

Heather Lister

Red Reward

In 2012, Jeanne Casken, the Group's founder and tireless worker for its cause, was presented with the Northumberland National Park's "Distinctive Place" Award

The award recognised her dedication and energy in encouraging conservation of the red squirrel, and her ability to inspire others.

Chairman

Jeanne Casken

Secretary

Heather Lister

Red Reward

The Coquetdale Squirrel Group is delighted to report that Jeanne Casken, the Group's founder and tireless worker for its cause over the last four years, has been presented with a Northumberland National Park Award.

This recognises her continued dedication and energy in encouraging conservation of the red squirrel and her ability to inspire others to do likewise.

With a growing team of volunteers she has sought grant aid, raised funds and instigated programmes of monitoring red and grey squirrels in Coquetdale and trapping greys where appropriate to assist reds retain their stronghold.

The Awards were established in 2011 to draw attention to the work of individuals for their innovation, dedication and service to the environment and Jeanne's award is in the Distinctive Places category.

It highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the red squirrel so that Northumberland remains distinctive for being home to these increasingly rare and beautiful creatures.

Anglican

At Rothbury, Thropton, Hepple, Alwinton, Holystone and Alnham. Visit their web site for up-to-date information.

Catholic

The Catholic Church has 2 churches. One in Rothbury (St Agnes) and Thropton (All Saints). Although they don't have a web site, there is information on the Diocese web site.

United Reform Church (URC)

The URC church is in the heart of Rothbury. For more information, visit their web site.

Armstrong Hall Christian Fellowship

An evangelical church based in Thropton. More information on their web site.