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| Day 4 |
Thurs. 30 Aug |
Morning |
Hike to "Old Rookland" |
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12:30 |
Lunch and refreshment at Clennell Hall Hotel, Alwinton |
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Afternoon |
Visit Alwinton Church and Harbottle |
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7 PM |
Burns Supper at Coldstream |
Entry last updated: 01 Jan 2008
We gathered at a gateway in Biddlestone near Alwinton in the morning. A Canadian and an Australian flag flew in a stiff breeze to show reunionists that they had reached the correct destination but some had trouble finding the place along the narrow winding roads. Walkers set off up the hill to the morning's destination - "Old Rookland'. Those that couldn't make the climb up the hill were conveyed up to the old farmhouse by a Land Rover. This conveyance and the driver were kindly supplied for us by the Northumberland National Parks Department. Thanks go to Judie Freeman, Community Enterprise Assistant with the NPD, for arranging this.
Up at Old Rookland about 70 people gathered and Ian Herbert was able to introduce some visitors to the attendees:
Tom Snaith, from the neighbouring farm at Biddlestone.
Elizabeth Elder, a Wanless descendant and fourth cousin to many in the group. Elizabeth is the sister of Sarah Nelson and has been in correspondence with Ian Herbert for a number of years, having met in Northumberland in 2003.
Margaret Sinclair and her brother Richard Hayes. Margaret has also corresponded with Ian for some time but this was their first face to face meeting. Margaret and Richard are descendants of Archibald Herbert, miller at great Tosson. Archibald was the brother of Cornelius immigrant Thomas Herbert (1798).
Old Rookland was farmed by the Dagg family in the 1930's up to the start of World War II and then fell into disrepair. Life on the farm was described in a small book written by Margaret Dagg that was made available to reunion attendees. Robert Herbert (1768), the father of Thomas Herbert (and Archibald) was the tennant farmer at Rookland from before 1827 to some time after 1831 ie at the time of the Cornelius voyage. It was here that Robert's wife Isabella Wanless died in 1831 and her body was conveyed back over to Scotland to be buried at Hownam. Tom Snaith was able to describe the rooms of the building to the group. It's in a lonely place, high in the Cheviot Hills. Farming here must have been terribly hard and it must have been especially difficult for Robert's wife Isabella.
After many photos and capturing the feel and remoteness of the place we departed for Clennel House Hotel back down in the valley near Alwinton. This could be reached on foot over the hills or by the use of the Land Rover and cars again. Clennel House is in a beautiful settting and was a great place for lunch and refreshments. For those contemplating a walking holiday in the region or furthering their family history research (or both) it would make an ideal base.
After lunch we travelled past the small village of Alwinton to Alwinton Church. This is a special place for Herbert descendants as it is here that three of Thomas Herbert's brothers are buried - Archibald, George and Robert - and a nephew Robert (son of Robert). Also buried here are two Wanless relatives. Where they all are on the family tree was explained to us by our guests Margaret and Richard who came prepared with charts for the occasion and we thank them for this. It's possible that Robert Herbert (1768) is also buried here though no legible gravestone can be found. We need to examine the old church records.
As an extra bonus a lady from the Church guild invited us to help ourselves to the tea making facilities in the church. This was much appreciated and we took the time to soak in the history of this old place of worship while enjoying a cup of tea and a place to sit. A 14th century crypt under the high stairs in the church was originally used by the Clennell family but was allotted to the Selby family in the 19th century. The Selbys were the landowners for whom Robert Herbert was a tennant farmer, their ancient seat being at Biddlestone. It should be noted that while the graves of our ancestors are in this churchyard, being a Church of England it was not their place of worship. They went on further on Sundays to the Presbyterian Chapel at Harbottle. Laws of the time and the absence of public cemeteries meant they had to be buried in the Church of England graveyard (or conveyed to Scotland in the case of Isabella).
The group then made their way back to Wooler and Ford, some taking the time to have a look at the small village of Harbottle with its castle ruin. Susan Herbert, a daughter of Archibald, was the postmistress in this village for over 50 years in the 1800s.
In the evening a special Burns supper was held for us by the Coldstream Robbie Burns Club. As quoted on the souvenir scotch whiskey bottles handed to the reunionists: "To mark the occasion of the visit of the descendants of Borderers who sailed for New Brunswick in the Year of our Lord 1837".
The evening started off with the piping in and cutting of the haggis before we settled down to an enjoyable dinner. The Coldstream club went all out for us with numerous amusing speeches, solos and recitations, such as the Tam O'Shanter -- all performed by men with wonderful Scottish brogue. In short the evenings entertainment was extraordinaire and will be long remembered by all in attendance. Lots of toasts and raised glasses.
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| Regional satellite image showing relative positions of Old Rookland Farm, Alwinton and various communities in the Clennell Valley. The imagery to the right of the photo is available at higher resolution and is of a different source. Source:Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
Higher resolution image showing topographic setting of Old Rookland Farm. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
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Helen Roe with the Patterson's big van on the approach to the Clennell Valley. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007.
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| The intrepid volunteer bus driver Mike Stenning taking a break during a stop in Rothbury stop by the mini bus during tour to Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Easy to find entrance to Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Fields of heather at Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Corinne Runions arriving at Rookland farm. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| The group at Rookland Farm. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Kathleen, Barb, Al and Linda at Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Ian Herbert giving a talk at Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Elizabeth Elder, a local Wanless descendant and distant cousin of many Harvey descendants lives in the Cheviots. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| The ruins of Old Rookland Farm near Biddlestone. Robert Herbert (1768 -1846) and his family were tenant farmers her. His wife Isabella (nee Wanless) died here in 1831. Her body was taken across the hills for burial at Hownam, Scotland. Source: Ian Herbert, June 2003. |
Ian Herbert at the entrance to the ruins of Biddlestone at Old Rookland Farm. Source: Ian Herbert, June 2003. |
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Biddlestone Farm buildings near Alwinton on the southern end of the Cheviots. Source: Ian Herbert, June 2003.
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| Higher resolution image showing track to Old Rookland Farm. Portion of image to right is from a different source and available at higher resolution. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
Higher resolution image showing ruins of Old Rookland Farm, currently used fields, some earlier walled structures in the area and some Medieval Ridge and Furrows immediately to the north of the farm house. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
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Highest resolution image available for Old rookland Farm showing the extent of the former farmstead. As described above the remains of medieval ridge and furrow plowing can be seen to the north of the ruins. These land forms are very common throughout Northumberland giving pasture fields an undulating, corrugated appearance. In most cases they mark the remains of medieval strip fields that were once under the plough.This pre-enclosure method of plowing is commonly identified by the broad reverse s-shaped undulations that were created by ox drawn plough as they cut and turned the soil over. The ox team needed plenty of space to turn at the end of each furrow. By ploughing in a slight curve the plough could start to turn before the furrow had been completed making it much easier to be turned and brought back around into the curve of the preceding ridge. Each ridge and furrow was about 11 yards (8 m) wide. The ridge was not accidental but was cast up to faciliate drainage. It can be seen here that the ridge and furrow predates at least part of the Old Rookland Farm structure as it can be seen to run under walls. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007.
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| Emily Jardine taking a break during the visit to Old Rookland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Colleen Whelan obviously enjoying her visit to Old Rookland. Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Leaving Old Rookland through a fern forest. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Corinne Runions at Clennell Hall Hotel. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Wendy Robison and family having lunch at Clennell Hall. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Mike Stenning and Megan Nowlin with the rest of the lunch group at the Clennell Hall Hotel. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Some of the Australian reunion contingent. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
A Scottish thistle in the Cheviots. They look surprisingly similar to Canadian thistles. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Aerial imagery showing relative position of Alwinton, St. Michael and Angel (C of E) Church and adjacent Cheviot Hills. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
Aerial photograph of St. Michael and Angel (C of E) Churchyard. There are estimated to be more than 5000 burials here. Remnants of Ridge and furrow plowing and be seen to the north of the church, which cuts later stone fence lines. Narrower 19th century ridge and furrows created by steam driven plows are seen in the field to the left. Source: Google Maps 31 Dec 2007. |
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| Heather covered hill on the outskirts of Alwinton. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
Close-up of the typical heather covered hills of the Cheviots, which contrasts sharply with the valley fill where the fields are found. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| Sign for St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
Distant view of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| UCLA graduate Tim Patterson in the lane way to St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
Very scenic view out the lane way from St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| Another view of UCLA graduate Tim Patterson in the church yard of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. It is in this part of the cemetery that several stones for Wanless and Herbert relatives are located. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
A similar view as in the image at left of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland, except lacking UCLA graduate Tim Patterson. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| Another similar view of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland, from a bit further back than the images above. Included here because the Canon G7 used to produce this starker image has a much different look that those produced by the Panasonic TMC DZ3 camera above. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
Close-up of a Wanless grave stone in the church yard at St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland,. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| Corrine Runions in the church yard of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Colleen Whelan, Aug 30, 2007. |
Colleen Whelan by the grave stone of one of her Herbert relatives. Source: Colleen Whelan, Aug 30, 2007. |
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| Interior view of a stained glass window in St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
Interior view of another stained glass window in St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Helen Roe, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| View of the roof of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. This church dates from at least the 13th century but went through periods when it fell into serious disrepair. For example during the 15th and 16th centuries there were periods when this church has no roof at all! Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
Interior view toward the chancel in St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. A unique feature of this church is the height of the chancel floor. It was raised in the early 14th century to provide a crypt for the Clennell family, later assigned to the Selby family. A close look reveals that the second step from the top has chamfered ends allowing it to be lifted out. Once this had been done, the rest followed providing a formal entrance to the burial chamber. This crypt is no longer in use. Old Parish Church. Source: Tim Patterson, 31 Aug 2007. |
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| View toward the rear of St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. The gothic arches are quite striking. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Tapestry of the Apostles Creed in St. Michael and All Angels Church of England Parish Church, Alwinton, Northumberland. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| The Coldstream (Smeaton's) Bridge spans the Tweed River proving a link between Scotland and England. It was also across this bridge that Robert Burns first crossed into England for the first time in 1787. Upon crossing the bridge he dropped to his knees and prayed: " O SCOTIA ! MY DEAR, MY NATIVE SOIL! FOR WHOM MY WARMEST WISH TO HEAVEN IS SENT ! LONG MAY THY HARDY SONS OF RUSTIC TOIL BE BLEST WITH HEALTH, AND PEACE, AND SWEET CONTENT." Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
The special Burns Supper for the Harvey reunionists took place at the Coldstream Royal British Legion Club. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| The piping in of the haggis. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Reverence to the Haggis. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| The Rev. Jim Watson. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
John Elliot . Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Hmmmmmm.... Haggis. Corinne Runions does not look so sure.... Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
The souvenir scotch bottles that everyone in attendance received. The label on the bottle reads 'To mark the occasion of the visit of the descendants of Borderers who sailed for New Brunswick in the Year of our Lord 1837'. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Lynn Herbert presents 'The Famous Grouse'. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
The Tam O'Shanter. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Corinne Runions, the lassie in a wee cutty sark! Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
The Haggis o' Private McPhee. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Our head table. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Bobby Hanlon and Kenny Hilsley performing a duet. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Barney and Adelia Robison. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Peter and Dianne Searle. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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| Bruce and Lynne Herbert. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
Alan Robison giving sincere thanks to our hosts a the end of a most enjoyable and memorable evening. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007. |
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The assembled company singing Auld Lang Syne. Source: Colleen Whelan, 30 Aug 2007.
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History
