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.
Northumberland County Council (NCC) have been asked by Morpeth Town Council (MTC) to conduct a Community Governance Review, with a view to amending the MTC boundaries with Hebron, Hepscott and Mitford Parish Councils. This will commence on Thursday 9th January 2020 until Friday 28th February 2020.
Please see the documents Terms of Reference and Maps for further information.
Tuesday 3rd December
The Plough Inn – Buskers Night
Wednesday 4th December
7.30pm – Parish Council Meeting, Village Hall, Mitford
Friday 6th December
12.00 noon – Coffee and a cake – Café des Amis, Morpeth
Saturday 7th December
Christmas Wreath making workshops – 10.00am and 2.00pm – Mitford Village Hall
Tuesday 10th December
7.30pm – Historical Society – “Members and Friends evening”
Friday 13th December
6.30pm – Beer & Carols – The Plough Inn
Sunday 15th December
6.00pm – Carols for all – Mitford Church
Monday 16th December
Road closure begins on St Leonard’s Lane from 8am – 4pm daily
Tuesday 24th December
4.00pm – Family Nativity Service – Mitford Church
11.00pm – Midnight Holy Communion – Mitford Church
Wednesday 25th December
10.30am – Family Christmas Communion – Mitford Church
Every Tuesday
10.00am – Pilates class in the Village Hall – only £5 per session or £24 for a six-week block
Every Wednesday
7.00pm – 9.00pm – Table tennis in the Village Hall – new members always welcome
Every Thursday
7.00pm – 8.00pm – FitSteps fitness/dance class in the Village Hall – £4 per session and with a loyalty card, the 10th class is free or £34 for a block of 10 weeks.
It’s anticipated that St Leonard’s Lane, Mitford, will be closed for several days from week commencing Monday 16th December 2019 between the hours of approximately 8am – 4pm, to allow road improvements and repairs, including at the bypass junction.
A meeting of the Parish Council is to be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 4 December 2019 in the Village Hall, Mitford.
Download :
Agenda Minutes
Supporting Docs
Supporting Docs 2
A meeting of the Parish Council is to be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd October 2019 in the Village Hall, Mitford.
Download : Agenda Minutes