Country diary: Many layers of history in one spot | Susie White

Newbrough, Northumberland: Beneath the monuments to landowning families is a fortlet that predates Hadrian's Wall by decadesThe snowdrops in the churchyard of St Peter's are just starting to wane and, as with snowmelt, reveal patches of green once again. They have seeded themselves freely within and without the low walls that surround the graves, knowing no boundaries. This Victorian church stands a little west of Newbrough village and is probably the fourth to be built on this spot. A previous building was "in ruins and much decayed" during the days of the border Reivers (raiders from both sides of the Scottish border) in the lawless 17th century.The family names of Reivers persist. Some are inscribed in the lychgate stones to commemorate men who died in the first world war: Charlton, Bell, Hetherington and Elliott. These high quality sandstone blocks came from nearby Prudhamstone, a quarry that provided for many impressive buildings in Newcastle. Continue reading...