CORNFORTH

A number of places mentioned on this website were in the township of Cornforth and yet found in the neighbouring villages.   For example, the Toll-gate keeper's house, "Three Tuns" and "Seven Stars" public houses a Pottery and all those houses on the west side of the main road at Coxhoe, Thinford Mill, Thinford Colliery, Tursdale Colliery, Crow Trees Tile and Brick Works, all of Cornforth Lane were all part of Cornforth.

Cornforth was in the ecclesiastical parish of Bishop Middleham until 1865 when a separate parish was formed. The old township which included that part now known as West Cornforth and those mentioned above covered an area of 1,758 acres. From Stob Cross the boundary went to Hare and Hounds public house from which the present A 1 77 marked the eastern boundary as far as the bridge at the north end of Coxhoe, leaving by a bridle road behind the "Kicking Cuddy". Coxhoe, to Crow Trees house on the Tursdale road, as far as the bridge at Bowburn near the Community Hall.

The boundary followed the beck westwards crossing the Shincliffe railway to a point midway between this line and the Edinburgh to King's Cross line.  Crossing south the boundary joined the road east of Metal Bridge and from there the present road as far as Stob Cross marked the western boundary.  It is not known when or by whom the first village was built. It is likely that Cornforth was named after someone who once owned land in the area so that its meaning was Crane's ford. This later became Corn ford (the name of a waterway) which was a way through the water by means of a ford to the Manor mill on the beck which was the property of the Bishop Durham. It is interesting to see the various spellings Cornforth has had over the years : Corneforde 1183; Corneforth 1422; Cornfurthe 1558; Cornefurth 1590. The first written records are before 1180 when Alan de Chilton surrendered all rights to the village to Bishop Hugh Pudsey in return for the village of Healey.

In Boldon Book 1183 "William the baliff, holds in Cornforth 2 oxgangs for his service, and when he shall give up his office, he renders 4 shillings farm rent, and for a certain other oxgang, which he holds there, he renders 2 shillings. The mill renders 10 marcs. " As already stated, the mill belonged to the Bishop as Lord of the manor and all the tenants and vassals where bound to have their corn ground there, as was customary. The Bishop in those days had his principal residence at Middleham (hence called Bishop Middleham) where the remains of the castle can still be traced on the hill to the south of the church. The castle had been occupied from the Norman Conquest to the end of the 14th century when Middleham was deserted for Auckland, which since those days has been the principal residence of the Bishops. ln Bishop Hatfield's survey of 1377 we read "William Todd and eleven others, native villains of the lord, held each four oxgangs. They were bound every year if need be to build a house 40 feet long and 15 feet wide; and were entitled to erect a booth at St. Cuthbert's fair." The tenants also held in common a kiln 4d, and a bakehouse for 6s.8d. rent. These tenants were forbidden to bake their own bread at home and compelled to use an oven that belonged to the Lord of the manor which was rented to them. A milch cow for the Feast of St. Martin 6s. Water-mill rent £13.6s.8d. ln lieu of 100 loads of wood per annum at Feast of St. John 20s. Two hens at Christmas and ten eggs at Easter were rendered for every two oxgangs, Scatpennies 12d, for Averpennies 2s.8d.

The extent of a villain tenement was 2 oxgangs and there were twenty such tenements. Richard de Kellaw and Robert Usher were free tenants, and their possessions there afterwards united in the Shaw family. In 1470 John Fossour died and granted his lands in Cornforth, and five acres and a half of meadow near Thynford to William and Agnes Fossour for life. The monks at Finchale Priory received various expenses from the village of Cornforth and these appear in their accounts 1303 to 1519. The following are extracted from these accounts: 1303 Receipt for work done from the two villages of Middleham and Cornforth 22s.5d. 1315 Tithe from Cornforth made is for 29 marcs, 1347 Item from Finchale, Windgate and Cornforth for the threshing of corn. 1354 Item for tithe of corn to remain. 1422 Item from the lord's farm in Cornforth 2Os. 1461 From the tenants of Cornforth for a certain parcel of land more over a barn tithe in the same place 3s. 4d. 1519 William Gawthorpe, Prior of Finchale leased to Roger Lumley the tithe of corn at Cornforth from Holy Cross next for 10 years £7.6s.8d. In Bishop Middleham church registers references to the people of Cornforth frequently appear. Here are a few examples. Burials: "1590 September 26. A child of John Blaiye's, Cornefourth." "1591 May 10, A poore man of Cornefourth, having a decease in a legg." 1595 May 2. A poor child servant unto Cuthbert Bell of Cornefourth, dyed in the fields." Marriages "1683 June 5. Richard Smith and Ann Wrenn both of Cornforth." Baptisms: "1668 February 14. Susanne daughter of William Wilkinson of Cornforth."
 

TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS

The oldest trades are those of carpenter and blacksmith and at Cornforth there is reference to a blacksmith in the accounts of Durham Cathedral, "1508 Paid Robert Wilkinson at Cornforth for making and mending 6 axes and 6 small axes for our servants in our bakehouse, brewhouse and others 6s." At Bishop Middleham. "January 16, 1700. Baptism of Elizabeth daughter of Marmaduke Atys of Cornforth blacksmith" ln 1851 John Davison was a black and shoeing smith. 1865 Thomas Carr blacksmith had premises behind "Carr's Hotel". Later the blacksmith's shop was occupied by a man named Wilson. This building had no roof and he worked there wet or fine, conscientiously locking the door every night.

The reason for this was that he paid no rates! 1894 John Bulman blacksmith had premises behind the "Three Tuns Inn", who later in 1910 had premises opposite the "Slake Terrace Inn" and was to be the village's last blacksmith.  ln 1828 Thomas Dobbing was a cartwright and thrashing machine maker and Thomas lseton a joiner and cabinet maker. There are some interesting extracts from the account books of Thomas Iseton, joiner: "January 7, 1858. Mr Thos. Clarke, New bottom and growling in pose tub 2s.6d. January 17, 1856, Mr Robt. Lowe. A pole for hanging beast 1s.6d.. March 1857. The Rev. T.H. Williamson. Work done at Thrislington Hall. Window seat in Bedroom. 2 new shelves in Dairy 6s.3d. September 1863, Mrs Surtees, A Communion Table 18s. April 1864. Mr. Wm. Bulmer. 2 small coffins 5s. March 7 1872. Miss M. Robinson Mainsforth Hall. Oak and lead coffins £24." Joiners in those days cut their own timber from tree trunks using a saw pit, This was a deep trench over which the tree trunks were laid. A man stood on top of the tree trunks another in the trench below each grasped the ends of a long cross cut saw, sawing through the tree trunks to make planks.  We know there was a weaver in the village as records show a baptism took place at Bishop Middleham on February 2, 1700 of Thomas son of Francis Hansell a weaver of Cornforth.  In 1857 Mr Robert Lowe was a butcher and farmer: his butcher's shop long since demolished was between the "Square and Compass" and the "Three Tuns" public houses. ln 1894 J. Sanders was a grocer and mineral water manufacturer. Sometime later a mineral water and bottling business was started by J. Walton & Son, in a cellar of a building now demolished (once A. Johnson hairdresser) close to the present garage. On the site of the garage was a stable used by the aforesaid J. Walton, to be used later by Joseph Gardiner as a Photographer's Studio. ln 1907 West Cornforth Co-operative Society had opened a Butchering Department near the "Square and Compass."

 

PUBLIC HOUSES

The oldest public house in Cornforth is the "Square and Compass" and like many public houses over the years it has had a number of names, various landlords having their personal choice. The first reference to the above is in 1828 when the premises were in the ownership of Thomas lseton a cabinet maker and victualler and the public house was then named "Mason's Arms." ln 1851 this was renamed "Joiners' Arms" the owner being James lseton but by 1860 this had become the "Square and Compasses." The reason for this is fairly obvious: the instruments used by joiners and masons are a square and compasses. By 1865 this had become the "Square and Compass which it has remained to the present day.

ln 1851 the "Three Tuns Hotel" was owned by John Davison who had a blacksmith's shop in the yard behind. The above is now a private dwelling and is about 50 yards east of the "Square and Compass". This public house closed in 1933 the last landlord being Foster Marley. In 1863 "Carrs Hotel" was owned by Thomas Carr who had a blacksmith's shop at the rear of this building; no doubt this public house is named after the above owner. In the account books of Thomas lseton a local joiner the following entry appears "July 1877 Mr James Carr. A new bar counter, painting and repairing sign board, shelving for bar £10.2s.0d." The "Slake Terrace Inn," first reference as a public house is 1871 but how or when the name was first used is not known. lt passed into the ownership of J.W. Cameron & Co. Ltd in 1925. In 1863 "Tursdale Colliery Hotel" at Cornforth Lane was in existence. This with a row of houses known as Thinford Row was demolished when the motorway was built in 1969.


SCHOOLS

The first mention of schools is a baptism at Bishop Middleham "August 30 1702. Eleanor, daughter of John Colledge schoolmaster, Cornforth," In 1835 a school for boys, by public subscription, was erected on the "Green," This was enlarged in 1863 when the school became a mixed school. There was a bill for 10 shillings for colouring and whitewashing the school room in 1859, In 1865 a bill for £9 for making a bookcase, 6 desks, 4 forms and altering 5 forms, In 1865 before the church was built Divine Service was held every Sunday in the Boys School by the Rev. M. Duggan the resident minister, who was living at Brandon House. This school was the only building in which various functions could be held, there being no other building of comparable side. ln 1889 a free night school was started in the School Room for men and older boys. ln 1893 a reading room, where 3 morning papers and 2 evening papers were supplied. Also a Friendly Society was there, for payment on sickness or death of 3s.3d, subscription per year with the advantage that men could not spend money on drink as the premises was not a public house. ln 1851 a school was erected for girls. This stands a little below the church and is now in a ruinous condition. The school was built by Mrs Surtees of Mainsforth Hall and Charles Garthorne of Blue House Cornforth. Their initials appear on a dedication stone above the doorway. In 1864 a bill shows 12 shillings for colouring and white- washing the school room. When the school ceased as a place of education it was used as a Sunday School and a Choir Vestry. The "Green" was the play- ground for both the boys' and the girls' schools, The teacher stood at the door ringing a hand bell when it was time to start lessons. ln 1857 there was a day school at the mill. This was probably what was known as a Dame School, usually operated by single ladies or widows and held in one room in the house.


MILLS

lt is known that Cornforth Mill was in existence in 1183 when it belonged to the Bishop, who was lord of the manor and as was customary all tenants and vassals were bound to have their corn ground there. In 1377 the tenants paid £13, 6s.8d rent for the water mill. Elizabeth Wattson of Cornforth Mill was buried at Bishop Middleham on March 30, 1685. ln 1783 the mill was owned by James Eggleston, but by 1803 his son Thomas had taken over the mill. He was both a corn miller and a paper manufacturer, and with John Pearson were described as master paper makers, By then there were two buildings, the old corn mill and another building used for manufacturing paper, the later building being still in existence and now is a private residence. The exact date when the grinding of corn and paper making ceased at Cornforth is not known but paper making was still taking place up to 1851. ln 1861 a local joiners' account book records "50 oak wedges for Mill Bridge 2s. 1872. Roofing for mill and one window £2. 4s.0d. 28 Birch Mill cogs 10s.9d. ln 1882 James Eggleston of Cornforth Mill was a farmer, it seems that no milling was then being undertaken. ln the township of Cornforth there was another mill known as Thinford Mill. The name Thinford means a thin ford, which was the means of crossing the beck by a ford before a bridge was constructed near the mill. The water, making a mill race to drive the water wheel, was diverted from the beck then by means of a tunnel under the road near the top of the hill. The water turned the wheel at the east gable end of the mill, After driving the wheel, the water passed by means of a tunnel under the Tursdale road, returning to the beck. lt is possible that a Fulling Mill of Cornforth mentioned in 1358 and 1361 and in ruins about 1384 was on the site of the above mill. In a Fulling mill, wool was pounded by hammers and with the addition of fuller's earth produced a type of felt. The machinery used in the manufacture was driven by the water wheel. ln 1834 the mill was being used to manufacture paper. It is not known when the mill first ground corn, but it was classed as a corn mill in 1857 and in 1871 the miller was William Eggleston. The closing date of the mill is unknown. On New Year's Day 1920 the mill was opened as a club "Tursdale and Metal Bridge Working Men's Club." Shortly after closing, this was completely renovated and opened in 1988 as "The Olde Mill Inn."
 

BLUE HOUSE

The oldest house in the village, "Blue House", dates from early 17th century and was probably the manor house. Here the Hutchinson family resided; William Hutchinson of Cornforth married Anne Woodhouse in 1648, The following is extracted from the Will of Thomas Hutchinson, the elder of Cornforth buried November 18th, 1664. "To my eldest son, Richard, all ploughs and gear, bedsteads and feather beds, 1 pair of sheets, 1 blanket, 1 pillow, 1 bolster hangings. To my son, Henry, 1 black stirk 2 years old, 1 black stark 1 year old and £1. To my daughter, Catherine, 1 colt, 1 filly, 2 heifers, 2 cows, oxen and calves, 10 ewes, 1 acre of wheat and oats, 2 brass pots, bedclothes and other furnishings, mother's household utensils and £4;6s:8d. To Robert, Thomas and Agnes, £8 between them." He also left £12:6s:8d to the poor of the parish.
ln it's time the house has undergone many alterations, but one room contains early oak panelling. Some of the interior doors are originals and some interior wooden shutters remain. Outside are five carved stone capitals supposed to have come from Bishop Middleham Castle, also stone used in the building of this house.


THE PARISH CHURCH

Before the church was built Divine Service was conducted in 1865 at the Boys School on the "Green" by the Rev, M. Duggan B.A. the resident priest.  The foundation stone of the new church was laid March 1867. On Monday, 21st September, 1868 the building was consecrated and dedicated to "The Holy Trinity" by the Right Rev. Dr. Anderson late Bishop of Ruperts' Land, who was rector of Clifton and Chancellor of the Diocese of London. In his sermon he excused Bishop Baring of Durham not being present owing to family circumstances (his daughter had recently died). Afterwards a luncheon was held in the school room. The Vicar as chairman regretted that many young men who had been in the habit of attending Sunday School now worked at the neighbouring iron works and Colliery but could not attend church owing to having to work on Sundays. Also many had taken to drink, a great evil at Cornforth, The architect was Mr. J.P. Pritchett of Darlington, and the builders were Dobson and Foster of Stockton, Mr. Reed of Coxhoe being the sub contractor. There was seating for 320 adults. The building was of red pressed bricks, the dressings externally are Castleton, and internally Caen stone. The lighting was small coloured iron standards supporting paraffin lamps (when gas was introduced into the village these were turned into burners). Heating was provided by a stove at the west end of the church, later replaced by central heating with hot water pipes, the water being heated by a coke fired boiler in a boiler house under the vestry.

An edifice of the Gothic style, it consists of chancel, nave, vestry, south porch and a bell-turret at the intersection of the nave and chancel. The bell was cast by Warner of London. Mr Bulman, a blacksmith and landlord of the "Three Tuns" made the iron railings outside the church, The total cost £2,000 included the building of boundary walls. The interior at this time contained a pulpit, font and a reredos, with moulded faces, carved capitals and richly moulded arches all being of Caen stone, and the whole floor paved with mosaic tiles. The music was provided by a harmonium which was replaced by an organ dedicated on the 21st. February, 1891. This was built by M. Sagar of Leeds and cost £150. The present organ was given in 1967 by members of St. Mark's Primitive Methodist Church on the closing of their church. The new organ, being too large for the organ chamber in the choir, had to be installed at the west end of the church. The first Churchwarden was David Cusson of Blue House Farm. The first Baptism was Margaret Hardy, 27th September 1868. Burial: James Strange, aged 14 weeks, 10th November 1868. Marriage: James Willoughby and Elizabeth Hall, 30th January, 1869. When the church first opened it was said the church bell could be heard more plainly at Coxhoe than their own bell and from Ferryhill village it could be heard loud and clear. The church bell as well as calling people to church services, weddings and funerals, was wrung as a "Passing Bell" which was tolled when anyone died, at the end of the toll nine strokes for a man, six for a woman and three for a child. Then the years of the dead person's age would be tolled. In 1914 the reredos was reconstructed and sculptured panels added which depict the Annunciation, Internment in the tomb, Crucifixion, the Risen Lord and the Nativity. This was given as a memorial to Chapman Ward who had been a member of the choir for 40 years. The east window was installed as a memorial to the men of the village killed in the Great War 1914-19; the left light a figure representing "Faith" that on the right "Hope", and in the centre "Jesus walking on the water." ln the south wall of the sanctuary a modern stained glass window illustrates Peter's first encounter with the risen Lord, a memorial to the Dawson family, ln the south wall of the chapel is a modern stained glass window of Christ appearing to Mary in the garden, a memorial to Eliza Jane Kemp. On the south wall of the nave is a memorial plaque to John Doughty Bailey a previous churchwarden; also a memorial to the Rev. M.Duggan B.A. first vicar of the church. On the same wall a brass plaque is inscribed with the names of the fallen in the 1914-19 War. On the North wall an oak board listing all the vicars of the church was given in memory of Henry Lynn. On the same wall is a plaque in memory of John Joseph Furneis of Brandon House who was a churchwarden for 50 years. The window in the west end contains coloured glass and is a memorial to the Frisby family. Electricity was installed in 1949. The church is unique in having an ingenious system whereby church officials can observe the arrival of either a bridal or mourning party. From the vestry window the view to the east is blocked by buttresses. These have been pierced and drain pipes installed and by sighting through these openings a clear view is obtained.

In 1898 trees were planted in the churchyard to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria the year previously. On 3rd November, 1908, an extension to the churchyard was consecrated by the Bishop of Jarrow.
 

CHURCH BUILDINGS

A little below the church stands a building in a ruinous condition which originally was a school for girls. When this ceased as a school it was used as a Sunday School and a Choir Vestry. A wooden hut used as a Church Hall was erected in a field on the north side of the churchyard. This was replaced in 1937 with the present hall. The architect was the Rev. Fenton Fyffe vicar at that time and the builders a local firm, B.W. Cooke and Sons. The building "Cornforth Parish Church Furneis Hall" was named after J.J. Furneis in appreciation of his 44th year as churchwarden, In 1958 the hall was enlarged with the addition of a kitchen. The vicarage was erected at the same time as the church, and ceased to be a vicarage in 1987. This was offered for sale and after extensive alterations and additions was opened as a Residential and Nursing Home on 12th January, 1991 and named "Acorn Grange."
 

CHURCH ORGANISATIONS

In November 1888 a Band of Hope was started but this was finished in 1890 The first church magazine issued in January 1889 was called The Dawn of Day , the Cornforth Parish Magazine and Church Times " and cost one penny In 1891 the Sunday School had a Magic Lantern Show and tea in the school. The first sidesmen were appointed in 1892. A Bible Class was started by F. Taylor and T. Crowther and was first held in a room behind (Charlies) then later in a building still in existence, next to the Wesleyan Chapel. This had two billiard tables . In January 1901 Cornforth had a Drum and Fife Band also a Brigade in conjunction with Coxhoe: the curate of Cornforth C. H. Kirby-Turner Captain the curate of Coxhoe W J . Griffiths Senior Lieutenant Dr Hepburn of Coxhoe, Surgeon Lieutenant . The chaplains were the vicars of Cornforth and Coxhoe. The boys at this time used rifles in their drill and Mr Mann a local joiner made and gave a gift of a rack for the rifles. This company was not enrolled as a Church Lads' Brigade owing to the number and was an Independent Brigade having over 70 boys. By July 1902 the company seems to have fallen on hard times, the number being drastically reduced as several boys were dismissed due to lack of interest. Later in 1924 during the incumbency of the Rev. Fenton-Fyffe there was a Scout Troup which had a Drum and Fife Band. In 1931 a Church Lads' Brigade was inaugurated but this lapsed by 1978 when a second Scout Troop was formed which is still in existence. Before 1950 a troop of Brownies and Girl Guides were inaugurated. The Girl Guides lapsed by 1987 but the Brownies are still in existence.
 

POPULATION

Over the years the size of the village has not altered, the number of houses shown on a map of 1857 are very singular to those on a map of 1887 and for a number of years the population remained fairly static, In 1377 there were 20 tenements and in 1783 there were 28 tenants. In 1801, 325 inhabitants; 1811 327, 1821 330 ; 1831 353.

For many years the only means of illumination was by rush lights, then candles and later oil lamps. The greatest advance was the introduction of gas towards the end of the 19th century. Then to be followed by electricity early this century. The only water supply was obtained from wells and springs. There was a spring behind where Vicarage Road now stands. There was a well outside Pear Tree Cottage, one below the church, one close to the railway bridge near Cornforth Mill one in the Vicarage grounds; another on the "Green" in front of "Blue House', another in the yard of the same house, and one in the cellar of a house in Railway Terrace.  By 1897 water was laid on by the Weardale and Shildon Water Company.  The same company built a cottage for one of their employees in 1899 which is opposite the present school.

COAL MINES

The first mention of coal at Cornforth is taken from an entry in Bishop Middleham Church burial register.  "1596 March 8. A child found dead in Cornef. Pitte." (Cornforth Pit). As early as 1748 boring for coal was taking place on Cornforth Moor behind the "Kicking Cuddy."

A colliery was leased from the Bishop of Durham on 10th October 1837 to Messrs. Rippon & Co of Wather-Ville, North Shields, and by the middle of November 1838 the colliery was won.  On 1st July 1839 permission was sought to make a railroad, crossing the turnpike road at Coxhoe Bridge.  The pit was about a quarter of a mile south of this place.  The following is a newspaper account; "On 18th July, 1839, Thursday, a cargo of first rate coals was shipped at Hartlepool.  This cargo is the first to be shipped from the Hartlepool Junction Railway.  Many of the wagons were filled with specimens of coal so large that they would not "run" but had to be hoisted by ropes out of the wagons.  All the ships in the harbour displayed their colours on this occasion."  The above named Cornforth Colliery was better known as the "George" pit.  The colliery becoming unprofitable, owing to the nature of the seams with the coal falling 12 inches in every yard, was abandoned in 1841.

A colliery known as Thinford Colliery at Thinford Close was situated on the west side of the road from Cornforth Station a few yards before this road joins the Cornforth Lane to Metal Bridge road.  The dates of the opening and closing of the colliery are not known but it was operating between 1860 to 1880.  The following are taken from a local joiner's account books;

"1871. Mr. Geo. May Thinford Colliery.  To work at Colliery large tub for drawing water and coal tubs and a new Pump Bucket.  Altering Crank Pattern £4:1:0d."

"1873 The owners of Thinford Colliery 12 Cranketts 4s:6d."

"October 21, 1874 To glazing Engine House window £1:12:0d.  4doz. Turned Oak Pump Plugs 8s." The colliery was abandoned owing to flooding.

QUARRIES

Quarrying operations in the area date back to very early times.  The first mention of limestone is taken from the accounts of Durham Cathedral as follows:  1541-1548.  "Item paid to the tenants in Cornforth for four loads of lime to the storehouse in Elvet, 8s.  Item paid for eight loads of sand to the same house 2s.  Item paid to the same tenant for three loads of lime to the storehouse in the Bailey 6s.  Item paid for 3 loads of sand to the same 9d.  Item paid to the tenants of Cornforth 3 loads of lime to the storehouse in the Bailey 6s.  Item paid for three loads of sand to the same 9d."

In the registers of Bishop Middleham church the following entries appear: "1651, July 19. Elizabeth daughter of Henry Gastle, being slayn at Cornforth among the lime kilns, was here buried."  "1666, October 24. Thomas Haswell, of Cornforth slaine at a lime kiln October 23rd, was buried."

The limestone was burnt in kilns to make lime and with the addition of sand was made into mortar, the main material used in building before cement was introduced.  The lime by itself mixed with water made whitewash.  All houses at this time were constructed from rough pieces of limestone.  There were three areas at Cornforth where limestone was quarried.  The first was the "Hills and Holes" and no doubt this stone was used to build the old village at Cornforth.  The second a quarry close to the site of the late "Regent" cinema which had a lime kiln.  The site of this quarry is now used as garage sites.  Thirdly, there was a quarry at the crossroads close to Thrislington Colliery which also had a lime kiln.  In more recent times a quarry was opened on 2nd May, 1919 and the owners were FW Dobson & Sons.  This quarry was close to the "Hills and Holes" and was divided on the building of the new motorway, the present owners being Tarmac.  The limestone from this quarry was burnt in cupolas and used mainly by the steel industry as flux.  The majority of the production from this quarry was transported by rail.

A small sand and gravel quarry was opened shortly after the end of the 1939-45 war opposite the Tursdale Aged Miners' homes and the owner was R. Hepplewhite.

POTTERY

Below Coxhoe old vicarage stood a row of cottages at the south end of which were the "Seven Stars" inn, Cornforth Pottery and the Tobacco Clay Pipe manufactory.  This area is now occupied by modern bungalows.  All this property was in the township of Cornforth until 1868.  The first mention of Cornforth Pottery "Elizabeth Lammas daughter of Joseph and Mary Lammas of Cornforth Pottery, potter, baptised at St. Nicholas, Durham 1814."  In 1850 "William son of John and Jane Scales, potter, Cornforth Pottery."  In 1855 Mary Lammas leased the pottery to William Ball, to make brown ware pots, pot pipes, chimney pots.  The pots produced were of a coarse nature, brown earthenware bowls, used in cooking or baking, usually cream glazed on the inside and plain on the outside.  Local people may still possess some of these.  In 1851 William Row of Yarm was manufacturing clay pipes and he employed 2 men.  About 1865 this factory closed.  Living there in 1840 was a shoemaker, William Barrowfoot: In 1851, Sarah Murray a dealer of Togs, and James Kelly Marine Stores dealer.

BRICKWORKS AND TILEWORKS

There was a brick and tile works at Crowtrees.  A house bearing this name is on the Tursdale road about a quarter of a mile from the interchange at Bowburn.  These works were close to Peat Edge Farm and were known as Crow Trees or Cornforth Tilery.  The tiles made there were roofing tiles, much in demand before slates were introduced from Wales. These works are mentioned in 1834 and may have lasted until c1910.  In 1851 the owner was Thomas Birkett.  In 1846 Francis Field was brickmaker at Cornforth Pottery.  In 1856 William Field owned a brickworks at Cow Close where Coxhoe Sports Complex now stands.  In 1864 Goodyear of Durham opened a brickyard close to the road from Cornforth Lane to Metal Bridge near the level crossing of the Clarence railway.  Later this was known as Teasdale's brickworks.  During the 1939-45 war the site was used as a food storage depot and closed about this time.

TURSDALE AGED MINE WORKERS WAR MEMORIAL HOMES

The foundations stones for these homes were laid in 1920 and the homes opened by Colonel M.L. Bell C.M.G. October 15th, 1921.  In front of the homes there is a War Memorial, a granite plinth inscribed with the names of forty on workmen of Tursdale Colliery who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the War 1914-1918.  The plinth was surmounted with a marble sculpture of a soldier leaning on a rifle, head bowed in prayer.  A number of years ago this was vandalised and the head broken off.  Later the rest of the figure was removed for safekeeping.  At each end of the garden in front of the homes are the remains of gas standards, a relic of the days when the road had gas lights to Cornforth Lane from Metal Bridge.

BRANDON HOUSE

The oldest house in the area is Brandon House Farm.  This farm is opposite the above mentioned homes and is occupied by Mr J. Martin.  The house is mentioned in the baptism register of Bishop Middleham: "1602, October 30.  A child of on that dwellethe at Brandon House."  In 1644 Nicholas Woodhouse of Cornforth, Brandon House was classed a delinquent during the Civil Wars.  This was the family seat of the Woodhouses.  In 1865 the first Vicar of Cornforth the Rev. M. Duggan B.A. was then living at Brandon House.  This was the residence of Mr J.J. Furneis who was churchwarden at Holy Trinity Church for 50 years.

TURSDALE COLLIERY

As explained earlier Tursdale Colliery was in Cornforth township.  The village sprang up on the opening of the colliery.  Before then the area consisted of three farms, Brandon Hill, Hoggersgate and Standalone.  The colliery was to be called Hoggersgate but one of the owners, Bell Brothers, insisted it be called Tursdale, which is not strictly true, as the old medieval village of Tursdale was at Hett Mill.  The pit was sunk in 1859 and by 1860 was in production.  This was the first colliery in the north to have a fan for ventilation, in place of the furnace system.  An entry at this time in the accounts book of a local joiner was: "To making and lettering Rapper Signal Board.  A pair of doors with glass for Engine House £1:14s:0d."  In 1894 the colliery employed about 700 men and boys and had a battery of 211 Coke Ovens.  The output averaged about 760 tons per day, about half of which was converted into coke.  During the trade slump of 1931 the colliery closed and did not reopen on an upturn of trade in 1937.  Later it was used as a man riding shaft for Bowburn Colliery until 1968.

The first school in the village was built by the colliery owners in 1868 and could accommodate 200.  This was later replaced by a Council School.  A Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in 1892 with accommodation for 170 which cost £350.  At the north end of Ramsay Street (where the telephone box now stands) there was a small toll keeper's cottage.  Across the road, which was closed to traffic, was a gate opened only on the payment of a toll.