Doddington, Northumberland
| Doddington | |
|---|---|
| Population | 195 (2011 census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NT997325 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WOOLER |
| Postcode district | NE71 |
| Dialling code | 01668 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament | |
The village and parish of Doddington is situated on the south side of the Milfield Plain, approximately 2 miles from the town of Wooler in the county of Northumberland. Notable buildings in Doddington include Doddington Hall, and the Anglican Church of St Mary and St Michael, which was built in the 18th century on the site of an original 12th Century place of worship. Wooler Golf Course is also situated near to Doddington.
History and Cultural Significance
In 1734, the village was described in George Mark's Survey of a Portion of Northumberland [1] as remarkable for its largeness, the badness of its houses and low situation, and perhaps for the greatest quantities of geese of any in its neighbourhood. At about the same time, the tune Dorrington, also known as Dorrington Lads, was written down in the William Dixon manuscript.[2] It is the most complex and elaborate of the pieces in that early source for Northumbrian music. The last tune played, on his deathbed, by the celebrated piper Will Allan, who died near Rothbury in 1779, was Dorrington Lads. A rhyme has survived, which fits the tune:
- Dorrington lads is bonny and Dorrington lads is canny
- And I'll hae a Dorrington lad, and ride a Dorrington cuddy.
In The Denham Tracts, compiled in the mid-19th century, [2] another rhyme about the streets of the village is found:
- Southgate and Sandgate and up the Cat Raw,
- The Tinkler's Street, and Byegate Ha'!
The Tinkler's Street was where itinerant hawkers sold their wares. This association with travellers is not surprising, as Doddington is close to Kirk Yetholm, the main base of the Border Gypsies.
Demography
The 2001 UK Census shows a population of 146, with a 50:50 male:female split.
Economy
Besides farming, there was formerly a sandstone quarry in the area, and coal mines. A well known business currently in Doddington is the Doddington Dairy farm, a producer of organic cheeses and ice creams.[3]
References
- ^ "Parish population 2011". Retrieved 3 July 2015.
- ^ The Master Piper – Nine Notes That Shook the World, William Dixon (1733), edited Matt Seattle 1995, Dragonfly Music, ISBN 1-872277-23-3; 3rd edition, edited Matt Seattle 2011, ISBN 978-1-872277-33-2.
External links
- GENUKI (Accessed: 10 November 2008)
- Northumberland Communities (Accessed: 10 November 2008)
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