|
Welcome to Healeyfield Parish Council - Serving Castleside and District - Short History The Healeyfield Parish encompasses the Castleside village area, which is situated two miles south west of Consett and one mile south of the river Derwent, straddling the A68. Because of its location on this main road, it is a popular resting place for tourists heading to and from Scotland. The parish sits on the Coalfield Upland Fringe and the Coalfield Valley. Castleside is situated on the western section of the latter. The Parish also includes Rowley, parts of Knitsley and several outlying farms. Historical Origins The spelling of the name ‘Healeyfield' has taken many forms over the centuries, including Heleie, Heleya de sato, Elemos, and Heley Aleyn however the general consensus seems to be that all relate to an area of land that has been cleared or that is in a clearing. There is more than one explanation of the origin of the name of Castleside. The first tenant of a farmhouse built in the then Lanchester Parish in around 1773 was named ‘Castle'. In addition the attached farmland was on the north side of the old Watergate-Stanifordham Road between the farm and the Lane Ends Inn, now the Horse and Groom Pub. The combination of these some say is the origin of Castleside. Another theory is that the area, now called Castleside, was the part of the original village, which was on the ‘castle' side, and referred to the view of the castle-like ruin of Muggleswick Monastic Grange. Industrial Heritage Lead mining was an important industry in Healeyfield parish for many years. Healeyfield lead mine was situated at Dene Howle, about half a mile west from the crossroads at Castleside. The mine closed in 1891 after a long history dating back some 800 years, and yielded not only lead but also large quantities of silver. It was owned by the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral, pre-reformation called the Benedictine Priory of Durham and was a supplier of silver to its Mint. In addition to the various mines, a mill for smelting lead ore was built before 1800 in the Castleside area. The former site of the smelting mill is the starting point for the Healeyfield Parish Walk with the Healeyfield Smelt Mill Flues recognised as an archaeological site.
|