Welcome

Sunday 4th October

 An interesting circular walk from Embleton village via Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club. We then headed onto the beach and then returned to Embleton to visit the church and view the Pele Tower

Photographs by Alison, Angela, Dave and Roger

Christon Bank Lime Kilns

This is an example of a double unit lime kiln. Christon Bank was once a small farming hamlet named after the Cryston family who lived here in the late 1500s. The farm, which existed here for many years, expanded in the 1800s and still thrives today. Following the success of farming here, commercial lime production was set up and one of the two kilns was built in the early 1800s, with the other being built later that century.

Producing lime in kilns involves heating limestone (calcium carbonate) to over 900°C, a process called calcination, which drives off carbon dioxide to create calcium oxide known as quicklime or lump lime. Traditionally, this was a batch process using alternate layers of coal and limestone.

The lime produced here was used as fertiliser for local farms, as it counteracted soil acidity. Where we have had lunch was the quarry where the limestone was extracted and is now flooded. There are also bell pits (shallow coal mines) in one of the fields nearby, which may have provided the coal used to burn the lime inside the kilns.

In 2005, Defra - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - awarded funding to Peter Bridgeman, landowner of Fallodon Estate, to help repair and preserve the kilns. A grant was also provided by Alnwick District Council. Vegetation was cleared from the kilns and stonework was repointed to help preserve the kilns for future generations.

Sunday 20th September

 A low level fields and riverside walk around Ingram and Powburn, with a couple of slow steady inclines, one at the start, the other towards the end. We forgot the hills you normally see and fear at Ingram, the climbs were babies by comparison.

Photographs by George and Roger

Sunday 17th May Bluebell Circular in the Bothal Woods

Our members express their feelings at encountering a footpath diversion on the walk

 Photograph by Dave Haddon