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.
There’s a new gentle country dance class now on at Mitford Village Hall on Monday mornings from 10.30am until 12 noon.
The cost is £5 per session, with the option to pay termly – and the first session is free. It’s a small and friendly group and no partners are needed as everyone swaps around; no special clothing or footwear is needed either. Come and have a go and see if you like it!
The Village Hall has undergone extensive refurbishment over the past few months. See here for the latest pictures. The Hall is open again for activities, classes and general bookings.
Monday 28 June at 7.00pm in the village hall
With appropriate COVID arrangements, the Village Hall AGM will take place as above. The current Management Committee will be depleted by the retirement of the secretary, from that date. This leaves the committee seriously down on personnel as they are already working with too few members. If no one comes forward to join the committee, then there may be little alternative but to close the hall, albeit temporarily, until new personnel are recruited. As there is currently good usage of the hall, this would be detrimental to the village and surrounding areas as well as the groups who have supported the hall by using it on a regular basis.
PLEASE, if you are reading this, give some thought to volunteering for the Village Hall Committee. It is not an onerous task! Meetings usually take place monthly, but may not be required each month. The hall has been almost fully refurbished in recent years with a new floor laid this year and Fast fibre broadband has also been installed. There will undoubtedly be maintenance requirements from time to time as is usual for any building. Plans are in the pipeline for concertina doors to divide the main all into two to enable more small groups to use it at the same time. This will increase the usage and also the revenue. Accounts show the hall is financially sound, therefore fund raising is not required at present. One less task for the committee!
Finally, please do support the Village Hall by coming to the AGM; if you can let us know of your attendance in advance, that would be useful.
Mitford Parish Council – Monday 4th October 2021 at 7.30pm
A meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Monday 4th October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Mitford.
Download :
Agenda Minutes
Supporting Docs
Mitford Parish Council – Wednesday 1st September 2021 at 7.30pm
An electronic meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 1st September at 7.30pm.
Download : Agenda Minutes
Supporting Docs