Mitford, meaning a place between two rivers, boasts a proud history with its fine medieval church, Mitford Hall, and castle remains. Recorded history of the village appears to have begun at about the time of the Norman conquest, a mere 945 years ago, but there is evidence of much older occupation of the valley and the surrounding countryside. A 1968 aerial survey showed two Romano-British fortlets, or fortified farmsteads, between Mitford Steads and Gubeon, and two others at High House.
The settlement after the Roman exodus appears to have been on higher ground nearer Gubeon and known later as Aldworth to the villagers who had moved down to the more easily defended site near the river where the first Saxon castle was probably built on the small natural hill currently occupied by the remains of the Norman castle.
Built between 1150 and 1170 by William Bertram, Mitford castle was one of Northumberland's largest fortifications at the time. The castle was "knocked about a bit" by King John in 1216 and besieged by the Scots the following year; it was abandoned in the late 14th century and has suffered badly over the centuries from looting of stones for building.
St. Mary Magdalene Church dates from about 1135 and is possibly on the site of an earlier, simpler Saxon church. King John's troops burned the church down in 1216 in revenge for Roger Bertram having been one of the barons who forced the King to sign Magna Carta the year before.
It was again burned in 1705 when the heating stove caught fire and the roof was destroyed and the church reduced to a ruinous state. In 1874 a great restoration took place, adding a tower and steeple and was completed in 1885.
The squire at the time, Col. J.P.O. Mitford, undertook the work at his own expense. Inside are splendid, massive Norman pillars and an interesting effigy to Bertram Revely.
Saturday September 28th
Come and join us for the MACMILLAN coffee morning in the Village Hall from 10am to 12 noon. There'll be tea or coffee + a biscuit for £1 with cakes and other goodies available to purchase from the Home Baked stall. Hope to see you there to help raise funds for this worthwhile charity.
The new Historical Society programme is available by clicking here
Do you have any ideas about how to brighten up the village - perhaps planters, chairs or something else? If so, the Parish Council would like to hear them. Meetings will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 23rd July in the Village Hall or Wednesday 24th in the Pegasus Centre, Tranwell. And there's free cake for your efforts. Hope to see you there.
A meeting of the Parish Council is to be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 4th September 2019 in the Village Hall, Mitford.
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Agenda Supporting Docs
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A meeting of the Parish Council is to be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 3 July 2019 in the Village Hall, Mitford.
Download : Agenda Minutes
Supporting Docs