Land

Some of the old field names have been forgotten, but here are some of them that are still in use: Sourbriggs, Goosepits, Hag End, Hesley, Craker, Edmund Croft, Pez Bank, Dyke Neuk, Carmoor, Williekeld, Pattison Moor, Copley Moor, Cunnygrunds, The Parks, Pithel, Shepherd Moor, Smith Moor, Bramlands, Gate Pot, Splashwhol, Miller Croft, Mawty Croft, Mawty Moor, Greens, Forty Yaccre (a very tiny field), Gibb, Greenhouse Croft, Tofts, Crosslands, Cornbrough, Cawston Ling, Shed Field, Brownbank, Mires, Gowling Moor, Russian Park, Kit Moor, Crosshowe, Ryebrows, Stainbriggs, Doe Holme. Many of these fields have been named after former owners, most of whom are now forgotten. Today many hedges and walls are being removed, thus making two or three small fields into one. In this way, many of the names of small fields are being lost. Some old names of roads, etc., are almost forgotten. For instance, the old lane from the end of Hanson's Lane to the station and continuing to meet the Pea Road, was at one time called Scawgates. After the railway station was opened, the new road which was built was known for years as the New Road. The Pea was called Peagollic, and the little bridge up the Pale was Sam Brig.

At one time Culgaith must have been a very small village, consisting of four or five farmhouses and a few cottages with crofts behind. The village was surrounded by waste or common land, on which the in-habitants of the village could feed their sheep and cattle. In 1773 an Act was passed" for dividing and inclosing the Common and Waste Grounds within the Manor or Township of Culgaith." A petition was sent to the king asking that Joseph Nicolson of Hawksdale, in the Parish of Dalston; John Moore, Kendal; Thomas Heelis, Appleby Castle, and their successors should be elected Commissioners for dividing and allotting the Common and Waste Grounds, and for putting the Act into execution. The Commissioners had to take an oath, viz: 

"I,(A.B.) do swear that I will faithfully, impartially, and honestly, according to the best of my skill and judgment, execute the trusts reposed in me as a Commissioner, by virtue of an Act of Parliament, for dividing and in- closing the Common and Waste Grounds within the Manor or Township of Culgaith in the County of Cumberland, without favour or affection, prejudice or malice to any person whomsoever."

A survey of all the waste lands, which amounted to 1,586 acres, had to be made. This had to be put into writing, and a plan made of all the Waste Grounds, "with acreage named and buttals and boundaries marked."

The Commissioners allotted to William Norton, Acorn Bank, and his heirs that part of the Stone Quarry called Crowdundale, lately worked by him and containing twelve yards in front, breast or breadth, and fifty yards in length or backwards.

They set out and appointed the Pond or Tarn and as many more places as they thought necessary for stone quarries, gravel pits, clay pits, and watering places for the common use and benefit of all the owners and occupiers of houses and lands within the Manor of Culgaith. The Pinfold was one of these places. At one time it was three perches, but much of this has since been enclosed. At one time there was a high wall in front, and the entrance was through a high, arched gateway. Any stray sheep or cattle were put in the Pinfold until their owners claimed them.

The Commissioners also set out public highways over the waste land; also private ways, bridges, drains and watercourses. These were to be made and kept in repair by the owners or occupiers in such a way as the Commissioners thought proper.

Sixty acres of the Waste Lands had to be sold and the money used towards the expense of passing the Act, any claims made, etc.

One hundred acres on Culgaith Moor had to be inclosed and fenced in - Culgaith and Blencarn to share the cost-and a proper house for the School of Literature" built for use of both villages. This became known as Howrigg School. This land had to be mortgaged to raise money to erect a convenient Farmhouse and outbuildings, and to make interior fences. The land was let, and after paying interest on the mort- gage, the residue of the rent was used for paying the schoolmaster's salary.

Owners of all dwelling-houses which had been inhabited for above twenty years immediately preceding the passing of the Act, were to receive five acres of the waste land, exclusive of such further share any of them were entitled to. The more land a man owned, the more waste land was appointed to him.

For eight years no more than half tithes had to be paid on any of the land allotted to landowners. Full tithes had to be paid after that period.

After the passing of the Act, "no person or persons whomsoever should cut, dig, grave, flay or carry away any turves, flacks or sods in, upon, off or from the said Common or Waste Grounds without written permission from the Commissioners."

The Commissioners had to settle any disputes. Landowners could exchange land, if more convenient, with the permission of the Commissioners.

After the Commissioners had finished the division of the Common Land, a survey had to be made, stating acreage of each allotment, description of situation, and boundaries, hedges, fences, ditches, private and public highways, bridges, gates, stiles, drains, watercourses and quarries. Rules had to be inserted for electing Trustees and Schoolmasters of the School. A plan of the Common and Waste Lands had to be made. This survey and plan had to be left in the custody of William Norton, and a duplicate lodged in the chest proper for the purpose in the Chapel, so that any person interested might have access to it and, at their own expense, make copies. All the survey had to be enrolled by the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Cumberland. Any person could inspect it on payment of one shilling.

If any person should think himself aggrieved by anything done in pursuance of the Act he could appeal to the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace.

Strangers to Culgaith might well ask how the following houses got their names : "Tarn House,' "Tarn Side," "Tarn Villa," and "The Tarn," for today there is no sign of a tarn or pond. At one time it was a great feature in the life of the village. It covered three or four acres of land, and in wet weather spread quite a long way over the Green. It was enclosed on three sides by stone walls, but the other side was not enclosed. In wet weather it covered this space of land, except at the south- ern side, which was rather higher land and was called Stock Hill. Presumably the stocks were kept there at one time. As there was no water laid on in the fields in those days, the Tarn was very useful as a watering place for horses and cattle. Some people living near also kept geese and ducks. 

In dry summers the Tarn completely dried up and was covered with rushes, or "seeves," as the children called them. It was still a good place in which to play, and the big girls used to make whips, umbrellas, aprons, etc., with the rushes. 

If the summers were not so dry, the Tarn remained more or less intact, and was then full of frogs. Every evening they croaked, making a great din. Strangers passing through the village would stop and ask what the noise was. It has been said that the frogs could be heard on Whinfell on a quiet night. This croaking of the frogs was often referred to as Mawty Band." "Mawty" was so called because his father made" mawt," or malt. He was a simple sort of fellow who lived in a tiny cottage opposite the Tarn. He objected to the noise of the frogs and used to take out his gun and fire over the Tarn, out of which the frogs' heads could be seen.

The worst feature of the Tarn was the mosquitoes which bred there in summer. People who lived in houses nearby were greatly pestered by them. Children, especially, were bitten by these horrible insects. After piped water was brought to the village (1908), and the Tarn was no longer needed as a watering place, it was drained, much to the disappointment of the children. Stock Hill was levelled off, the soil from there being used to fill in the low-lying land in the middle. A fence was erected from each side of Tarn House to the nearest wall, thus forming a pasture field. This belongs to the Parish Council and was let on a yearly lease at first, but Mr. T. Edmondson has been the tenant for a number of years, paying an annual rent of £15. In 1951, this field had to be drained again, at a cost of £81 7s. 6d. ; a Government Grant paid half of this amount.