Copt Hill 13 March 2011

COPT HILL13TH MARCH 2011

SCR was represented by Peter Fairer, Ann Huntley, Ken Woodrow and Laurence Andrews.

15 people and 1 dog turned out on a slightly damp morning.

The walk started at the Co-op, which is situated on the site of Mautland Square, I introduced ourselves and gave a brief description of the old town of Houghton-le-Spring and the Church. Discussions here were kept short due to the light rain. We left the Co-op and headed for Sunderland Street. The Buffs Club was covered in scaffolding and I pointed out the approximate site of the old Union Workhouse and the fact that it was not far from its modern counterpart, the Job Centre. Proceeding along the Broadway we passed the church and went on to the Brewery. This is now modern flats (someone suggested I call them by their proper name – apartments. I agreed to compromise and called them tenements! On we went, along Durham Road to the Mill public House. We crossed the road and went along the side of the burn, looking at a spectacular display of Snowdrops and looking out for Kingfishers (none of).

Next stop, Hetton Houses Wood and the site of several water mills. One lady who seemed to think we were walking too slowly left us here. The mill pond was heaving with mating frogs. I pointed out the site of the mills and one or two other items of interest before we went on through Hetton Bogs and into Hetton Park for a welcome coffee (or whatever) stop. Here, I found I had forgotten to bring a cup. Quit a problem with a flask of hot coffee! – But more of that later. One chap fancied a go on the kid’s slide, but backed off when I reminded him I had a camera! As we walked on, I pointed out the site of Hetton Hall.

I managed to procure a comfort stop at Hetton Sports Centre after someone dropped a hint earlier.

Our route continued through Hetton and along the Stephenson Trail. This was Stephenson’s first railway and ran from Elemore to the Staithes at Sunderland. At the foot of Copt Hill, we stopped for bait and were watched by a curious Kestrel. Here, I caused a bit of a stir; having forgotten to bring a cup, I emptied my bait box and poured my coffee into that much to everyone’s amusement.

Copt Hill is also known as The Seven Sisters and is a Neolithic burial mound. There were seven big trees here, but one died and was replaced by a much younger specimen.

Just before Seaham Road, near to the Copt Hill Pub, I pointed out the site of the Fever hospital and told of the railway lines here, of how Lord Londonderry dug a tunnel under the Stephenson line in order to avoid wayleave costs. The Londonderry line ran from the Rainton area via Copt Hill then on to Seaham. I also related a couple of Ghost Stories, one about the pub itself and another about a phantom faceless cyclist. (Makes a change from headless horsemen.)

Crossing the road, we passed the pub and encountered a problem. At the foot of the slope, near the site of White House Farm there is a rather high and badly designed stile. Some people had difficulty here, but one arthritic lady really struggled. Further problems were encountered near the Market Place where there are two rough but serviceable stiles, the area between and around these however, was a sea of mud churned up by horses.
Crossing the Seaham Road we passed Kirklea, then went down Church Street, through the churchyard and back into Houghton.

A pleasant and very successful walk, enjoyed by all, the rain had stopped by the time we reached Hetton Park and there was plenty of feedback from the audience and some good-natured heckling of the storyteller, including a ticking-off for using a seat as a stage whilst wearing muddy boots!

See you on the next walk,
Peter the Storyteller.