The Land of the Lune - Drakkar Press

64 Chapter 4: Upper Rawtheydale
Sea and waters to the west flow (via the Lune) to the
Irish Sea. The eastern boundary of Loyne forms the
national divide for about 8km, over Widdale Fell to
Great Knoutberry Hill and Wold Fell.
Needlehouse Gill runs in a narrow valley, over
waterfalls and past caves, by Needle House and
Uldale House, two of a line of farmsteads among the
small conifer plantations on the northern slopes of the
Rawthey. There are actually two rather fine houses at
Needle House and surely the only barn we’ll see with
a belfry. Uldale House farms 2500ha on Baugh Fell
Common and the farmer there, Harry Hutchinson, is
the chair of the Federation of Cumbrian Commoners,
formed in 2003 to help ensure that policy-makers
understand the importance and complexity of farming
on common land. Currently, there is concern that the
Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which pays farmers
to greatly reduce sheep numbers in order to enhance the
environment, will threaten the commons sheep grazing
tradition.
Rawthey Cave, in which have been found human
remains from about 1500 BC, is on the south bank of
the Rawthey, on the slopes of Bluecaster. The old track
across the flank of Bluecaster drops down to the river,
where, as you would expect, there used to be a bridge
– a bridge of some importance, it would seem, since in
1586 Queen Elizabeth wrote to those responsible for its
upkeep saying that “she marvels at their negligence in the
execution of her former orders concerning the rebuilding
of Rawthey Bridge.” Perhaps the word ‘execution’
spurred some action.
The old bridge is no more but there’s a fine newer
one 50m downstream, built in 1820 with a single semicircular
arch. There’s a minor puzzle here. It is said that
two children’s faces were carved in the bridge. There
seems to be space for a rectangular display on the
two sides of the bridge but perhaps the displays have
fallen out. On the west side there is a face, but that of a
bewigged gentleman, it seems to me. On the east side,
there are what, if viewed generously, could be two eyes
and a nose. What it means, if anything, is a mystery.
Just below the bridge the nicely named Sally Beck
enters the Rawthey.
Above: According to the OS map, this is Joseph’s
House on Swarth Fell (Joseph wasn’t in when
I called).
Left: Rawthey (or Uldale) Force.
This is Chapter 4 of The Land of the Lune (2nd edition), http://www.drakkar.co.uk/landofthelune.html, Copyright © 2010 John Self