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Mitford is a pretty village in the borough of Castle Morpeth in the Wansbeck parliamentary constituency, in Northumberland, approximately 2 miles west of Morpeth.
The village lies within the Stannington & Mitford ward of Castle Morpeth Borough Council (represented by Cllr Robert Michael Jeans, Conservative, and Cllr David James Towns, Conservative) and the Ulgham Division of Northumberland County Council (represented by Cllr David James Towns, Conservative). From April 2009, Northumberland County Council will be replaced by a new Unitary Authority, based on the existing County Divisions. From April 2009, the six district Councils of Northumberland, including Castle Morpeth Borough Council, will be abolished and the Unitary Council will assume their functions. In addition to these changes, the Boundary Commission has recently unveiled proposals to transfer the village into the Hexham parliamentary constituency, although the proposals have been put on hold until local government reorganisation is completed.
Mitford Castle was built in the 11th century by William Bertram but by 1323 was no longer used. Today it is in picturesque ruins, and has recently undergone a major programme of structural support works.
The Mitford family held the Manor from Norman times. The ruins of their Manor House stand on the eastern side of the River Wansbeck. In about 1823 they abandoned the old Manor House for a new mansion house, Mitford Hall, which was designed by the famous Northern architect, John Dobson, and which was built on the opposite bank of the river and surrounded by woodland and a small deer park.
The ancient church of St Mary Magdalene was rebuilt in 1875, but has preserved its Norman south arcade and 13th century chancel.
Mitford was once a far greater market place for local people. Morpeth's market soon grew in prominence and Mitford fell from grace. However, even today's loyal Mitfordians recant the old rhyme: "Mitforde was Mitforde when Morpeth was none, and Mitforde shall be Mitforde when Morpeth is gone".
In Light from Heaven, the last instalment of American author Jan Karon's contemporary Christian "Mitford Years" novel series (which is set in a fictional town in western North Carolina bearing the same name), the series' setting and the Mitford of this article become "sister villages."
Coordinates: 55°09'N, 1°43'W
(Source: Wikipedia) |