News

May 2006 - Pennine Landscaping Solutions
 
Holmsfoot Bingsteads
An Historical Site for Pennine Environmental Solutions.
 
David and Natasha got more than they bargained for at a local auction recently when they were the successful bidders for a small plot of land at Nenthead, some 4 miles away from their Alston office.

The parcel of land which the couple plan to use as a storage site for much of the companies equipment has a history dating back over 250 years. 'Holmsfoot Bingsteads' was once a storage point for lead ore.
 
A 'bing' is a measurement of ore equal to 8cwt, thus a bingstead is where you store your bings.

The Greenwich Hospital for Seamen (bold) After the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion the estates of the Earl of Derwentwater, which included Alston Moor, were forfeited to the Crown. In 1735 the estates were given to the Commissioners of  The Royal Hospital for Seamen in Greenwich.
 
 
The Lead Ore
The Hospital, as owners of the mineral rights of Alston Moor, claimed a portion of all the lead ore raised. The duty varied for different mines, usually between 1/5 and 1/7 of the ore. Initially they sold the ore, but in 1768 they decided to smelt their duty ore and built a smelt mill at Langley near Haydon Bridge.

In about 1826 the Hospital built 3 collection centre on Alston Moor for their duty ore, at Nenthead, Hudgill and Alston. The Nenthead Bingsteads Receiving House or Holmsfoot Bingsteads collected the duty ore from the surrounding Nenthead mines. There are 6 bingsteads in the enclosure which were necessary as ore from the different mines had to be kept separate. Ore from the mines was tipped down the chutes into the bingsteads. A paved area in front of the bingsteads was used to weigh the ore as it was loaded onto carts to take it to Langley Smelt Mill. There may have been a small building within the enclosure - probably used as an office where records were kept, and there could well have been a stable building too.
 
 
The Roads
Transporting large quantities of ore from Nenthead to Langley Smelt Mill, a distance of over 16 miles, over high country was always a problem before the improved road system was built. The ore was carried in 'pokes' (sacks) on carrier ponies. During the winter and in times of wet weather the tracks became impassable.
The Commissioners and the various interested mine owners were keen to promote turnpike acts to reduce their transport costs, and construction of roads started in about 1778 with the Hexham to Alston Turnpike Act. A road from Nenthead to Alston was created in 1794. Once the new roads were available the duty ore was transported in small, one horse, two wheeled carts.

David and Natasha plan to restore the site, it will be a monumental task, but it will be a great asset to the heritage of the area.

Watch this space for up dates and progress
 
For more on Alston Moor's fascinating Lead Mining history visit the North Pennines Heritage Trust at www.npht.com
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