Shabby chic stools

We inherited 2 ancient wooden stools with the cottage, and these came in handy for standing on for painting, using as work benches for cutting wood etc.
They have now been "up-cycled" and refurbished..they may survive a few more years and come in useful

Before

After

Wow - Four thousand page views!

TOTAL PAGEVIEWS

4008

a HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VIEWERS!

History of Etherley - around the time the cottage was built

At the time of the 1851 census the majority of the working population was employed locally,

primarily in coal mining and agricultural work. Before this time few traces of coal mining

activity were evident and the scattered farms were characteristic of the predominant occupation

in the area. 

Early in the 19th century there were three local pits in operation, owned by the Stobart family, these being

the Mary Ann Pit, the Jane Pit and the George Pit. The Mary Ann is said to be the oldest of the three collieries. 

At that time transportation of coal was expensive and inefficient and in 1821 an act of parliament was

authorised to begin construction of what was to become the World’s First Passenger Railway: The Darlington/Stockton Railway. In 1825 the Jane Pit was used as the terminus for the line which started at

Witton Park Colliery, followed the inclines at Etherley and Brusstleton, continued via Shildon and Darlington and ended on the banks of the River Tees at Stockton. 

Shortly after 7.00a.m. on 27th September 1825, twelve wagons of coal left the Phoenix Pit and were hauled up Etherley Incline by a stationery engine at the top. They were then lowered to St.Helens and joined by a further wagon loaded with sacks of flour. The wagons were led by horses across the flat and hauled up to the Brusstleton Engine House and finally lowered into Shildon.
Waiting at the Masons Arms Level Crossing was ‘The Locomotion’ and the wagons from Phoenix Pit and
Witton Park were added to the train. Although provision for only 300 passengers was made, upwards of 500 people boarded the train. On arrival at Darlington, six wagons were detached and coal was distributed to the poor of the town, two further wagons were added to the train and it continued to Stockton to complete the day’s festivities.
By 1843 the rail line had extended in such a way that coal was then transported by locomotives via Bishop
Auckland therefore the need for the original inclines no longer existed and Etherley Incline was finally closed.

******************************

An interesting tale……In the 17th Century, Etherley

had an evil reputation down to the activities of a

certain ‘Sir William’. During this time Sir William led

a resident band of marauders both male and female -

this band were in the habit of blackmailing

neighbouring landowners and actually ventured to

despoil some of the burgesses of Bishop Auckland. It

would appear that Sir William imitated the ways of

‘Robin Hood’ and frequently ensured that property

taken from poorer inhabitants of the parish was

returned to them. After being imprisoned for a time,

Sir William returned to Etherley where he was again

captured, tried at Newcastle and was finally brought

to the gallows for his deeds

***********************

On 15th August 1940 residents of the Parish had first

hand experience of the Second World War when the

German Luftwaffe visited the region. During the

exercise 60 explosive bombs and 100 incendiary

bombs were dropped in the area. Sadly one person

was killed and one house hit and a number of cattle

killed in the surrounding field

Pubs in the village

Originally it is known that there were 6 Public Houses in Etherley and Toft Hill villages.



 The Sportman’s Arms, The Three Tuns, The Blue Bell Inn,
The Dog and Gun, The Crossed Keys and the Black
Bull as well as a Workmens' Club situated at
Toft Hill.






At the time of writing, there is only one remaining Public House in the village..

The Dog and Gun

Recently taken over by new tenants, unfortunately this pub is also for sale

Just recently closed, The Three Tuns