I love roads which are gated. I remember, as a child, playing at being the level crossing gate keeper at Eggardon Hill in Dorset. Today I leapt out of Susan’s car, presumably no self-respecting bull would argue with the Vicar!
St Cuthbert’s church (NY890892) lies next to Dere Street, the old Roman road, up above the River Rede. Traditionally it one of the resting places of Cuthbert in 875. I have just found a blog about him – www.saintcuthbert.net – and remembered that Cuthbert’s body was taken from Lindisfarne by the monks when the Vikings arrived. They carried him round for seven years – eventually ending up at Durham. The Dere Street is an obvious route south. The plain chancel arch is probably the only surviving feature of the Norman church, and there are various other lumps of stone that certainly date back quite a few centuries.
The East End window is pretty naff Victorian – the altar frontal is lovely. Made by the boys of the Sunday School – which isn’t a phrase you often hear.
The prayer cross – place a stone at the base of the cross – is obviously popular.
Memorials inside and out. What a gorgeous space to lie for eternity.
I was watching the third episode of the ITV series Vera. At the end, I suddenly saw a church I knew of well, Corsenside St. Cuthbert. My maternal second great grandfather Sylvanus Wear is buried there and is marked with a stone along with ancestor Gabriel Hedley. I’ve passed through that gate several times, the first being during the hoof and mouth outbreak in 2001 where we had to disinfect ourselves both ways.
Trying to find church records? Ancestor vicar 1591 William wann?
Try Northumberland Archives – http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/collections/. (PS “Please” is an attractive word)
Each time I’ve come from Australia to the UK I visit the church and graves of my ancestors Potts Family at St. Cuthberts, Corsenside. I find it so peaceful there and each time I think of the lives my family must have had there. I will be visiting again next month for a last time as the time and distance is getting beyond me. I often wonder if there are still members of the Potts family in the Northumberland area or if any ever visit the graves.I always find the graves outside the entrance to the church in such good condition I feel they are being well looked after by the parish for this I thank you.
Hello my name is Pat Potts my husband is a Potts his family have members buried in the church yard a friend told me about your request at the weekend I will be more than pleased to help you out if I can I am on ancestry as I enjoy researching family history. Awaiting your reply Pat
Pat I will find you on Ancestry thank you.
Thank you to your friends.
Hello Pat, Thank you for your reply I would like to get in touch with you I am also on Ancestry will try to find you.
Thank you to your friends for passing on my message. Judy.
Pat Sorry I cannot find you on Ancestry have contacted several Pat Potts none have been you so I am putting up an email address I can be reached on hunterjudith44@gmail.com would love to hear from you.
Greetings,
Does anyone know where the name Corsenside came from?
Could it be that there was a person by that name?
Or why the church is named St. Cuthbert’s church in particular?
This area makes my heart sing!
Thank you.
Hello Valerie. The church is dedicated to Cuthbert as it is one of the places his body is said to have rested on its journey from Lindsifarne to Durham. http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N13013 gives a possible derivation of “Corsenside”. It is a lovely area
The pointed memorial in the last picture is to the Miller family who are our relatives, I have visited this beautiful church and resting ground and was amazed to find a grave so well preserved. If anyone locally knows anything of the Miller or Hedley families I would love to hear from you.
I am no longer local, but I hope someone else may read this and know more. Cheers, Peter