Breckon Hill / Woods / Forge

Breckon Woods is accessed from Bournmoor via a public footpath from the A1052, opposite Floater's Mill pub.

It is believed that the village of Bournmoor was named after the Moor(s) Burn which flows through Breckon Woods and on to the River Wear in Chester-le-Street. This burn flows through Bournmoor from Herrington Country Park and Hetton-le-Hole. It is an ancient burn and woodland. The path through Breckon Woods nowadays is quiet and peaceful and used mainly by walkers and for general leisure purposes.

Unbeknown to many these days, this is a very historic area. In days-gone-by this simple path was an important route for people, especially workmen, when it was the quickest way of walking between the neighbouring villages of New Lambton, Bournmoor, the Lumleys, Breckon Hill and even Chester-le-Street. As explained later, industry made use of the now-peaceful burn and the woods would have rung to the noise and activity of industry two hundred+ years ago.

The woods were, and still are, well-known for their impressive displays of bluebells and other wild flowers in springtime and the banks of the burn were popular in summer for picnic and leisure spots as far back as Victorian times, though the quality of the water in the burn, even then, was questionable. What made it attractive to bathers, such as those pictured below, is that it had been warmed during its journey through the colliery workings.

Above: bathing in the Lumley Park burn, around 1910

Today, the burn is much cleaner than in the past when it was heavily polluted from contaminants from several sources, including collieries, cokeworks and even sewage works. Urban developments such as landfill, illegal fly-tipping and poor drainage systems have all contributed to the problem of pollution. Even today, some of these remain an issue; mining pollutants for example are still visible in the burn in the form of orange discharge from pipes on the banks of the burn and fly-tipping is a constant problem along the length of the burn. Mr Alan Vickers, in 2003, carried out a study into minewater and other discharges into the Lumley Park Burn and its tributaries. His findings are as follows:

The following are the discharges that are known to have been made into the Lumley Park Burn or its tributaries. The list is probably not complete:

Minewater from Elemore Colliery (closed 1974) - to Hetton Burn

Minewater from Hetton Colliery (closed 1949) - to Hetton Burn

Minewater from Houghton Colliery (closed c 1981) - to Houghton Burn

Minewater from Nicholsons Pit (ceased pumping c 1996) - to Moors burn

Minewater from Annabella Pit – probably (closed c 1830s) - to Moors Burn

Minewater from North Pit (closed c 1830s) - to Moors Burn

Minewater from Hutton’s Moor Pit (listed as working as part of Newbottle Colliery in 1762) - to Moors Burn

Minewater from Ellison’s Shaft (listed as working as part of Newbottle Colliery in 1762) - to Moors Burn

Effluent from Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works - to Moors Burn

Minewater from Morton Engine Pit – records indicate that there was pumping from c 1728 - to Moors Burn

Minewater from Lambton D Pit (closed 1965) - to Moors Burn

Minewater from Herrington Colliery (closed 1985) - to Herrington Burn

Minewater from Dorothea Colliery (closed ???) - to Herrington Burn

Minewater from William Henry Pit, sunk c 1799 when a Boulton & Watt steam pumping engine was erected - to Lumley Park Burn

Minewater from New Lambton Shaft (currently called Lumley 6th (ceased pumping c 1996) There was a salt industry established here in 1815 to extract salt from the water pumped from the shaft - to Lumley Park Burn

Minewater from Morton Hill Pit. There was a Newcomen steam pumping engine working here from c 1760s - Lumley Park Burn

Minewater from Lumley 6th Pit (closed 1966) - to Lumley Park Burn

Minewater from a series of staple shafts in Lumley Park recorded as having been pumping from c 1676. A Newcomen steam pumping engine is known to have been working here from 1729 - to Lumley Park Burn

Alan Vickers

31st December 2003

After joining the path opposite Floater's Mill, the path closely follows the course of the burn as it meanders through a natural, often deep, ravine. In places, there is evidence of small-scale quarrying mid-way between Floater's Mill and Breckon Hill. As the path approaches Breckon Hill, which today is also the site of the imposing flyover supporting the A1(M) motorway, the sound of the traffic rushing by overhead overwhelms the natural sounds of the burn and its wildlife.

The settlement of Breckon Hill existed before an iron works or forge (known as Breckon Forge) was established close by in c.1778 by Lord Scarborough of Lumley Castle. The Breckon People page of this website gives census information on the people who inhabited this area over the years.

In the mid- to late-1700's there was demand for iron from the landowner, Lord Scarborough and this spot, on the Lumley Park Burn was assessed and found to be a good place to establish an ironworks due to several factors amongst which were a plentiful supply of running water and suitable proximity to the castle - not too far away to present transport difficulties but not too close that the noise of such a works would impact significantly on life in the castle. There were "road" links from here to the north - to Houghton Gate (in the direction of today's hairpin-bend) - and to the south where the other Lumley Pits lay.

Below is a chronology of events relating to the Breckon Hill area. The earliest "official" reference found to date regarding an ironworks at this site dates from 1778:

1778:

A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.29

In May 1778, Lord Scarborough visited the works and said that he would like it known that he wished to have an ironworks set up at Lumley to use his own coal. Todd asked one of the Walkers of Rotherham on his way home from Newcastle, to look at the site, He proclaimed it eligible. Another member of the family called later and advised on the need for a new dam on the Wear; the existing fishery dam was too small. If he undertook to develop an ironworks, he would need a long lease as the outlay would be expensive. Longridge were later to have a forge at Lumley but there were to be no rolling and slitting mills, as the Walkers had envisaged, though the site was 11 acres in extent.

1779:

A biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland, 2002

William Hawks Jr. (1730-1810) was the eldest child, one of twelve, of William Hawks (1708/1709-1755) and his wife, Jane England and was born in Gateshead, being baptised there on 29 June, 1730. In 1779, Hawks, along with Thomas Longridge, began operating a forge at Lumley and, two years later, again with Longridge, purchased the Bedlington Ironworks.; both works were subsequently extended. He continued the philosophy of his former employers in extending his works to places where water power could be harnessed.

1780:

The Monthly chronicle of North-country lore and legend: v.1-5; Mar. 1887-Dec. 1891, Volume 1

About the year 1780, William Hawks got Robert Fenwick of Sunderland, to join him in buying Lumley Forge, where the very best description of iron for Government purposes was then made and, an intelligent manager for that concern ...

1789:

(from book by J. Sykes, 1824) Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events

July 22 and 23. The River Wear rose so high as to overflow the low land contiguous to it and much damage was done to the corn, grass and other lands, by it and the rivulets in that neighbourhood. The iron forge mill, belonging to Messrs Hawks and Co. situate on a small rivulet at Braken-Hill near Chester-le-Street, was entirely swept away by the rapidity of the flood. A skin-mill adjoining the forge was at the same time swept away; also a new bridge, built by the Earl of Scarborough, across the same rivulet, near Lumley Castle. The inhabitants of the lower parts of the town of Chester-le-Street were thrown into great consternation. Several of the houses were flooded with water to a great height and the passage of the bridge was stopped for some time.

1804 & 1811:

A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.203

Another use for timber was as an allowance to tenants in effecting repairs. ‘Rough timber’ allowed was a frequent allowance in leases by the landlord. It could too be used as an inducement to a tenant to take premises, as when Bassett promised an allowance of wood for the building of a new house at Lumley forge in 1804 for Hawkes and Company, and in 1811, when new stable stalls were required by the tenant, Lumley wood was cut to provide them.

1820:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, April 29, 1820; Issue 7490

Died. On the 19th inst. at Lumley Forge, Mr Wm. Smith, aged 29, much respected

1826:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, June 3, 1826; Issue 7808

Died. On the 29th ult. at Lumley Forge, age 54, Eleanor, wife of Mr John Wright

1827:

(from book by J. Sykes, 1833) Local records or, Historical register of remarkable events, which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Berwick upon Tweed, from the earliest period of authentic record, to the present time; with biographical notices of deceased persons of talent, eccentricity, and longevity, Volume 2

June 14: A fire broke out in a joiner’s shop at Lumley Forge near Chester-le-Street, which destroyed the building and its contents.

1827:

John Wight and Lumley Forge were involved in the construction of the locomotive Royal George, designed by Timothy Hackworth. The scope included boiler work and castings. Production of castings was delayed when a fire at Lumley Forge destroyed wooden patterns made at Shildon by John Thompson and Thomas Serginson.

1828:

History, directory, and gazetteer, of the counties of Durham and Northumberland: and the towns and counties of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Together with Richmond, Yarm, and detached places appertaining to the bishopric and palatinate of Durham; including copious lists of the seats of nobility and gentry, and a variety of commercial, agricultural, & statistical information

Breckon Hill, a village in the township of Little Lumley 1 1/2 miles E. of Chester. Its inhabitants are mostly employed in the Lumley Iron Forge, where a great variety of heavy articles and nails are manufactured. The Independents and the Methodists preach alternately in a room in this village.

Lumley (Little)

Dennison, Robert, corn miller, Flotters Mill

Jackson, Ralph, farmer, Woodston House

Loraine Wm. Esq., Lumley Park

Lumley Forge Co., Iron and Brass Founders, mfrs. of anvils, bar iron, shovels, nails, chalus &c., Breckon Hill; John Wight, acting partner

Mowbray, Thos., butcher, Breckon Hill

Scarborough, Rt, Hon Earl of, Lumley Castle,

Sheraton, John, farmer, Lumley Park

Smith, John, schoolmaster, Breckon Hill

Taylor, Rt. R., farmer, Lumley Park,

Wight, John, vict. Board, Breckon Hill

Wight, Robert, principal clerk at Lumley Forge, Breckon Hill

Wight, Thomas, grocer, Breckon Hill

1828:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, December 13, 1828; Issue 8030

In the night of Thursday week, the shop of Mr Thos. Mowbray, butcher, Lumley Forge, was broken into and a quantity of meat stolen therefrom.

PRE 1828:

An article in 'Engineering', dated 25th Sept 1903, described a surviving example of an early punching and shearing machine believed to have been made by Lumley Forge. It was bought secondhand 75 years previously, i.e. made before 1828.

1829:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, February 7, 1829; Issue 8038

Died. On the 3rd inst. at Lumley Forge, Mrs Jane Wight, mother of Mr John Wight, aged 84

1832:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, April 21, 1832; Issue 8204

Died. At Lumley Forge, Robert Robinson, son of Mr Thomas Mowbray, butcher, aged 22 months.

1834:

An historical, topographical, and descriptive view of the county palatine of Durham: comprehending the various subjects of natural, civil, and ecclesiastical geography, agriculture, mines, manufactures, navigation, trade, commerce, buildings, antiquities, curiosities, public institutions, charities, population, customs, biography, local history, &c, Volume 1

Lumley Forge Manufactory, where, besides an iron and brass foundery, bar-iron, anvils, shovels, nails and chains are made. The acting partner, Mr Wright, and most of the workmen, reside in an adjoining hamlet called Breckon Hill

1834:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, January 4, 1834; Issue 8293

The owners of Lumley Forge, having this day amicably dissolved their Partnership, all Persons indebted to the Concern are requested to pay forthwith the Amount of the respective Debts to Addison Fenwick Esq., at the Sunderland Glass Works, who is duly authorised to receive the same and who will also settle all claims against the said company. The concern will, in future, be carried on under the Firm of the Lumley Iron Company, who respectfully solicit a continuance of those favours conferred on the former proprietors – Lumley Forge, Jan 1, 1834

1835:

A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.129

The Durham tenants were not only outspoken but analytical in the petition of 1835 when they asked for a rent reduction. They had laboured under great difficulty for 12 years as their land was “chiefly in tillage” and as it was cultivated for wheat as the soil was suitable for it, they had suffered through the low price for grain. An alternative source of income they claimed had dried up recently. “Until lately, a facility for the sale of dairy produce was found at Lumley and Lumley Forge; the latter is now wholly laid and the workmen removed”

1835:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, January 31, 1835; Issue 8349

Died. The 26th, at Lumley Forge, Mr John Wright

1836:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, October 15, 1836; Issue 8448

Mr John Wight’s Dividend. The Trustees under the Deed of Assignment made on the 6th day of February, 1834, by John Wight, late of Lumley Forge, in the County of Durham, Ironfounder and Grocer, of all his Estate and Effects, for the equal benefit of his Creditors, intend to meet at the office of Messrs M. and J. Forster, Solicitors, Westgate Street, Newcastle, on Friday the 21st day of October Instant, at 11 o’clock in the Forenoon, to make a dividend of the said Estate and Effects. The creditors of the said John Wight, who shall not then have executed the said deed, will be excluded the benefit of the said dividend. The said Deed of Assignment lies at the office of the said Messrs Forster, for the signature of those of the Creditors who have not yet executed the same.

1840’s:

A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.140

The iron forge, occupied by Hawkes, Longridge and Company, consisted of 11 acres, nine cottages, some gardens and the forge buildings and was valued at £160 a year. Though it stood near a fine stretch of water about a mile above the castle, its buildings were in decay. The tenants had underlet to Lord Durham who had again underlet to a John Ward at £80 a year for the forge premises. He had used them for grinding barley and charcoal and he put in his own machinery. Downes thought that a more profitable arrangement could be made when his lease expired in 1846. In 1856, Hawkes, Longridge were still there at the same rent.

1842:

The railways of Great Britain and Ireland practically described and illustrated, by Francis Whishaw

No. 5. Royal George. This engine was built by White, of Lumley Forge, near Durham, about twelve years ago, with four cylinders; but being found not to answer, was remodelled by T. Hackworth. It has six wheels (as No. 1); vertical outside cylinders of 11¼ inches diameter, with a 20-inch stroke; single return-tube, which decreases from 26 inches at the furnace end to 18 inches in diameter at the chimney-end

1845:

The Newcastle Courant, Friday, October 10, 1845; Issue 8914

Deaths. At Lumley Forge, on the 24th ult., aged 71, deeply regretted, Mr John Ward

1845

A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.54

The other industrial tenant in 1845 was Hawkes Longridge and Co., who occupied 11 acres valued at £84 a year for the forge site. The premises contained nine cottages as well as the forge buildings. Standing "on a fine stretch of water" about a mile above the castle, the buildings were by 1845 in decay. The whole occupation was let to Hawkes Longridge for £160 a year but they had assigned it to Lord Durham, who had let it to a John Ward, who had converted the premises into mills for grinding barley and charcoal.

1850:

The Newcastle Courant, Friday, September 13, 1850; Issue 9171

Marriages. At Chester-le-Street, on the 26th ult., Mr George Jackson, farmer, Lumley Thicks, to Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Mr John Ward, Lumley Forge.

1855:

(from book by John Latimer, 1857): Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events, which have occurred in Northumberland & Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed: with biographical notices of deceased persons of talent, influence, &c., in the district. 1832-1857. Being a continuation of the work, under the same title, published by the late Mr. Sykes

1855, February 21: This evening, a fire broke out in the mill occupied by Miss Ward at Lumley Forge, Chester-le-Street, which resulted in the entire destruction of the premises. The damage was estimated at nearly £1,500.

1855:

The Newcastle Courant, Friday, February 9, 1855; Issue 9401

Deaths. At Lumley Forge, on the 25th ult., aged 77, Elizabeth, widow of the late Mr John Ward, of Lumley Forge

1857:

The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham:

comprising a condensed account of its natural, civil, and ecclesiastical history, from the earliest period to the present time; its boundaries, ancient, parishes, and recently formed parochial districts and chapelries, and parliamentary and municipal divisions; its agriculture, mineral products, manufactures, shipping, docks, railways, and general commerce; its public buildings, churches, chapels, parochial registers, landed gentry, heraldic visitations, local biography, schools, charities, sanitary reports, population, &c, Volume 2

Lumley Forge, where, besides an iron and brass foundry, bar-iron, anvils, shovels, nails and chains were made, is now discontinued

1858:

Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Volumes 3-4

The SIXTH, and, as was then intended, the LAST FIELD MEETING of the season, was held on the 23rd of September, at Lambton, Lumley, and Durham. I was again unable to be present, and am again indebted to Mr. Mennell, our Corresponding Secretary, for his notes of the meeting. The appearance of the weather was very unfavourable, notwithstanding which, ten members met at the Pensher station, and proceeded thence by Biddick Hall to Lambton Park, free access to which was kindly granted to them. The luxuriant growth of ferns on the banks of the river Wear, opposite Lambton Castle, attracted attention; and though no rare species were noticed, the unusual fineness of several of the more common kinds (Aspidium lobatum, Lastrcea Jilix mas, fcemina and multi/lora, and Scolopendrium vulgare) was well worthy of remark. Crossing the river, the party visited the castle and deep regret was expressed at the damage which this noble mansion has suffered from the falling in of the pit-workings below. The works in progress for the repair of the mischief were inspected, and the curious effects of the subsidence of the foundation upon different parts of the building were particularly noticed. From Lambton park the party directed their course to the neighbouring castle of the ancient family of the Lumleys. On their way they noticed the remains of Lumley Forge, once a place of great activity, but now dismantled

1869:

Notebook of Richard Nelson (1825-1911), First Sexton of Great Lumley Parish Church

16th June 1869 - A Funeral - Douglas - son - Lumley Forge. John Thomas Douglass of Brecon Hill aged 10 yrs.

1872:

Local Records of Northumberland and Durham, T, Fordyce, p.202:

1872 (March 29): This day, the foundation stone of a new Wesleyan Chapel was laid at Breckon Hill, County of Durham, by Mrs T. Robson, in the presence of a large number of spectators. The chapel, which will seat upwards of 200 persons, is built of fire bricks, with coloured brick quoins and string courses and forms the most striking object in the village. After the ceremony, 250 sat down to an excellent tea and in the evening, a public meeting was held in the chapel.

1877:

The Primitive Methodist magazine for the year of our lord 1877:

Margaret Jackson, the beloved wife of Mr George Jackson, was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne in the year 1816 and died at Lumley Forge in the Hetton Circuit, February 13th, 1876

1877:

The Newcastle Courant, Friday, January 26, 1877; Issue 10544

Marriages. Lumley, Christ Church, on the 23rd inst., Robert Ward Jackson, Lumley Forge, to Elizabeth Chapman, Lumley.

1879:

The London Gazette, January 10, 1879

Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Elizabeth Ward, spinster, and George Jackson, in the trade or business of coke charcoal and blacking manufacturers at Lumley Forge, in the County of Durham, under the firm of Ward and Jackson , has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. All debts due and owing to and from the said firm will be received and paid respectively by the said Elizabeth Ward, by whom the business will in future be carried on in conjunction with Robert Ward Jackson, under the same style of Ward and Jackson – Dated this 13th day of December, 1878

Elizabeth Ward

George Jackson

1879:

THE POST OFFICE DIRECTORY OF DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND

There is a charcoal manufactory at Lumley Forge in this township

1884:

Northern Echo (Darlington, England), Wednesday, July 9, 1884; Issue 4491

Serious accident to Dr Heath of Newcastle. Yesterday morning, a serious accident happened to Dr Heath of Newcastle. The doctor, who resides at Cocken Hall, was driving through to Newcastle accompanied by two ladies. After leaving Lumley, the horses took fright and, despite Mr Heath’s efforts, they dashed at a tremendous pace down the steep bank at Brecon Hill. The road at the bottom of the bank turns sharply towards the bridge which spans Lumley Burn and, in making the turn, the carriage ran against the boundary wall throwing the occupants violently to the ground. The accident was witnessed by Mr Ward of Lumley Forge, who, along with his workpeople and others, was speedily on the spot and rendered every assistance in their power. Mr Ward rode over to Chester-le-Street for Dr Morris, who was speedily in attendance. Dr Heath was removed to Cocken House, having several of his ribs broken and other internal injuries. The ladies were removed to one of the houses in the vicinity, one of them, a patient of Dr Heath’s, being too ill to be removed. The runaway horses, with the broken conveyance, were captured near Houghton Gate.

1885:

Northern Echo, Monday, March 30, 1885; Issue 4712

Situations, Agencies, &c. Vacant. Miller (steady)wanted. Apply to Ward and Jackson, Lumley Forge, Blacking Mill, Fence Houses.

1887:

The Monthly chronicle of North-country lore and legend: v.1-5; Mar. 1887-Dec. 1891, Volume 1

About the year 1780, William Hawks got Robert Fenwick of Sunderland, to join him in buying Lumley Forge, where the very best description of iron for Government purposes was then made

1894:

London Gazette, October 9, 1894

Robert Ward Jackson, deceased.

All Creditors and Others having claims against the estate of Robert Ward Jackson, of Lumley Forge, Fence Houses, in the County of Durham, Blacking Manufacturer (who died on 7th April 1894 and whose will was proved in the Durham District Registry on the 10th May 1894), are to send their claims to the executors at our offices on or before the 11th November, 1894; the executors after that date will be at liberty to distribute the assets of the deceased, or any part thereof, having regard only to the claims of which they shall then have had notice – dated 4th October, 1894.

Dees and Thompson, 117 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Solicitors for the Executors.

1898:

The Newcastle Weekly Courant, Saturday, November 5, 1898; Issue 11677

Deaths. Ralph Ward, eldest son of the late Robert Ward Jackson, of Lumley Forge, Fence Houses

1907:

The Victoria history of the county of Durham, Volume 2

About 1780, Hawks bought the Lumley Forge, where excellent iron was made for ordnance purposes. This forge is said to have been dismantled because the hammers disturbed Lumley Castle

1923:

Timothy Hackworth and the locomotive, Robert Young

The boiler itself was merely the shell, and was sent by Hackworth to John Wight, of Lumley Forge, to be enlarged in diameter and lengthened. Hence Whishaw actually credited "John White, of Lumley Forge, near Durham," as being the ...

2002:

A biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland

The earliest map I have discovered to date which shows Breckon Hill is that by Andrew Armstrong dated 1768 - below.

Above: 1768 map by Andrew Armstrong

On the above map, which pre-dates any of the articles previously mentioned on this page, there is a "mill" at this location. It is very likely that a mill (corn?) did exist here prior to the establishing of the iron works but the iron works either replaced the mill or was built and operated in conjunction with it. On the above map, also note the nature of the "road" which ran from Houghton Gate (where a pit was later established in 1801) in a southerly direction to the Great Lumley area, past Breckon Hill. There is no "hairpin bend" at that time. Due to the steep nature of the bank immediately north of Breckon Hill as the road climbs out of the Lumley Park Burn valley towards Houghton Gate, the hairpin bend came into being c.1820 as the Christopher Greenwood Map (further below) below shows its outline. On this same map it is possible to see the route of the original "road" to Houghton Gate which today remains, but as a steep footpath.

Above: 1801 map, author unknown

Above: 1801 map by John Cary

Above: 1804 map, author unknown

Above: 1811 map, John Cary

Above: 1813 map, Robert Rowe

Above: 1818 map, Thomas Dix

Above: 1820 map by Christopher Greenwood

The above map is the first to show the "hairpin bend" but it is also easy to see the straight line that the "road" took originally from Breckon Hill to Houghton Gate. It also shows a possible deviation of the Lumley Park Burn to the north of the main watercourse, to the east of the hairpin bend. Could this be a mill race? It also shows buildings/structures to the south of the Burn but west of the forge area which do not exist today but some traces do remain behind the 'Castle Dene' area.

Above: 1840 Lumley Tithe Map

The above 1840 map is the first very detailed map of the "forge" area and some of the settlement of Breckon Hill, clearly showing the layout of the site down to building-level. Note the arrangement of the sluices. The flow of the burn is from right to left on all these maps and this map (1840) shows a possible three sluices.

Above: 1843 map by John Thomas William Bell

Above: 1857 OS Map, 1st Edition 25 inch.

The above 1857 map further elaborates on the detail of the1840 tithe map but the arrangement of the sluices has changed. The natural course of the burn seems to be via the top ("north") of the map. Modern pictures of the northernmost sluice is further below (figures 6 and 7). The southernmost (and most well-known) is shown in figures 1 and 2. Note also on the above map the introduction of a "mill dam" to the east (upstream) of the forge area, presumaby to channel the burn more effectively into the sluices. This mill dam is also clearly marked on the map below.

Above: 1860 OS map, 1st Edition 6 inch

The above 1860 map, as well as showing the forge, also shows a "charcoal and barley" mill in operation.

Above: 1898 map, 2nd Edition 25 inch. The mill dam is no longer marked.

Above: 1920 map, 3rd Edition, 25 inch

Above: 1938 map, 3rd (revision) Edition, 25 inch

Above: Taken c.1905, the above picture shows many more buildings at Breckon Hill than exist today. In the foreground is Lumley Forge Bridge over the Lumley Park Burn and the building centre-left is connected to the forge and is shown on many of the old maps above.

Above: Taken around the same time as the previous picture, the above picture shows a forge building next to the road and Lumley Forge Bridge - taken looking north towards the hairpin bend / Houghton Gate.

Above: This 'waterfall' is part of the forge complex of buildings and structures. As the burn approaches the forge, it is either chanelled through the stone sluice, or, if this is closed, it is directed to the right at a right-angle down a (man-made) channel and down this waterfall before it disappears under the road-bridge. Below is a modern picture of the same waterfall.

Above: Modern-day picture of the path north of the Old-forge area, uphill following the suspected-line of the old road

The Forge Area Today

In mid-2012, the old forge area was redeveloped. The following photographs were taken before and after the work was carried out and each carries a brief description.

Before Development:

Above: Fig 1: The stone sluice, looking downstream. Note the old timber remains to the left. The floor of the sluice is of smooth brick, the walls of stone but brick has been used in places as repair material

Above: Fig 2: The stone sluice looking upstream. The Burn pours over the sluice and falls into a circular "plunge pool"

Above: Fig. 3: the circular "plunge pool". The burn flows out of this pool to the left of the picture. Note the large flat block protruding out into the pool on the right. This has been identified as a possible machine base and measures 1.5m x 0.85m x 0.48m. In the foreground is a scatter of stones - demolition rubble. Though not visible in this picture, there is also a small stone arch in the bank of the pool to the left of the sluice as pictured.

Above: Fig. 4: the burn flows north out of the "plunge pool", round a "S" bend and onwars under the road bridge

Above: Fig. 5: the sluice (right), plunge pool and bends - the burn in flood

Above: Fig. 6: the second (northernmost) sluice, looking downstream. Not many people are aware of this, because nowadays the majority of the water flows over the (southernmost) sluice nearest to the path

Above: Fig. 7: stone work of the second (northernmost) sluice. Note the gate-slot in the stonework and submerged woodwork. The stone work looks to have been undermined by the burn and later repaired

Above: Fig 8: stonework remains

During and After Development:

Above (Fig 9)/Below (Fig 10): the A1(M) motorway bridge is visible in the background and edge of the circular "plunge pool" at bottom-right. Vegetation is cleared revealing more of the stonework remains of the buildings which once stood here

Above: Fig. 11: sandbags and a thick metal plate are used to restrict water flow through the (southernmost) sluice while works are carried out just downstream in the circular "plunge pool" area (see below).

Above: Fig. 12: construction under way in the area of the circular "plunge pool"

Above: Fig. 13: construction complete and full flow retuned to the Burn. Sluice is at centre-top

The Northumbrian Mills Group

The following picture was published in July 2001 by the Northumbrian Mills Group courtesy of Mr John Crawford. It is a pencil drawing, drawn by Mr Crawford's grandfather, also Mr John Crawford (1851-1932), a "gentleman farmer" of Lumley Park House. It is believed to show the mill that stood in the area of Breckon Forge.