Rothbury.co.uk

The site was first launched in 1998 as a project by Rothbury Computer Club. It was designed to promote Coquetdale, and was one of the first of its type in the area.

The early days were interesting, as access to the web was by dial-up telephone lines. This was expensive as well as erratic, and free access to the computer club was restricted to the cognoscenti who shared a single key.

The Rothbury site was originally hosted by Duncan Elson (Photographer) on www.rothbury.com before passing to John Rayner on www.rothbury.co.uk and then to Colliedog Computers.

Initially the site was for promoting local events and businesses, but then developed to one that concentrated on easily-digested history, focussed on Rothbury. For instance:

The Heritage Trail was based on a leaflet published by Peter Dawson and the Rothbury and District Amenity Society.
Around About Rothbury is based on the author's interest in walking and wandering.
A Short History is based on an original work by Jeff Reynaulds.

Michael Hodgson, the site coordinator, retired at the end of 2014 and handed over the hosting and running of the site to Mike Todd. The intention was to tidy up the existing content, but also to make the site more dynamic and more of a focus for locals and visitors alike.

Sadly, Michael died in February, 2016, but his work and legacy continue and it is hoped that the site will continue to be a source of interest and continue to freely support the local community and its visitors.

If you are a group, business or tradesman serving Rothbury and/or the Coquet Valley and would like to be listed (or even given a free web page or two) please contact me.

Michael believed that all items were in the public domain, including the booklets and videos, but please let me know if there are any concerns.