Kielder

Kielder is thought to take its name from the Cumbric language, comprising words whose modern Welsh forms are caled 'hard' and dwfr 'water'. The name must originally have denoted a river, one of several in Britain called River Calder.Bethany Fox, '[http://www.heroicage.org/issues/10/fox.html The P-Celtic Place-Names of North-East England and South-East Scotland]', The Heroic Age, 10 (2007), [http://www.heroicage.org/issues/10/fox-appendix.html appendix].

There was early settlement around Kielder Castle, a hunting lodge built by the Duke of Northumberland in 1775. Previous settlements were expanded in the 1950s by the Forestry Commission who constructed housing to accommodate the workers employed in the planting of Kielder Forest. Most of this housing has now been sold back to the private sector.

Kielder is in the parliamentary constituency of Hexham. Until 1 April 2009 it was within Tynedale local government district, but following local government restructuring in Northumberland the county is now covered by a unitary authority, Northumberland County Council.{{UK SI |year = 2008 |number = 494|title = The Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008 |isbn = 978-0-11-081017-1|made = 25 February 2008 |laid= 17 December 2007 |force=26 February 2008}}

It is claimed that Kielder has the lowest level of light pollution in England{{cite web |title= Observatory boasts darkest skies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7366394.stm |publisher=BBC |date=25 April 2008 |access-date= 1 April 2009}} – hence the construction nearby of Kielder Observatory. The Ordnance Survey recognises separately the villages of Kielder and Butteryhaugh.{{Cite web |title=Kielder, Northumberland - area information, map |url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/kielder-northumberland/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=OS GetOutside |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Butteryhaugh, Northumberland - area information, map |url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/butteryhaugh-northumberland/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=OS GetOutside |language=en-gb}} The two were linked by a {{Convert|24|m|ft|adj=on}} span road bridge constructed in November 1979 over the River North Tyne at its confluence with the Kielder Burn.{{Cite news |date=21 November 1979 |title=Closer together thanks to bridge |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19791121/067/0005 |url-access=subscription |access-date=31 January 2024 |work=Newcastle Journal |page=5 |via=British Newspaper Archive |issue=41,490}}

As with most low-lying locations in the British Isles, Kielder experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. There is a Met Office weather station at Kielder Castle. Since 1960, reported temperatures have ranged from {{convert|-21.7|C|F}} in January 1982{{Cite web | publisher = KNMI | url= http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1982&indexid=TNn&stationid=1836 | title = 1982 temperature}} to {{convert|34.0|C|F}} recorded during the 2022 European heat wave.{{Cite web | publisher = World Weather Online | url= https://www.worldweatheronline.com/kielder-weather-history/northumberland/gb.aspx3 | title = Kielder Record High Temperature}} This record high temperature broke the previous record high by more than 5 °C (9 °F).{{Cite web | publisher = BBC | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63244353 | title = 2022 temperature}}

{{Weather box

|location = Kielder Castle: {{convert|201|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–2019

|collapsed =

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 12.9

|Feb record high C = 15.0

|Mar record high C = 21.9

|Apr record high C = 23.6

|May record high C = 26.6

|Jun record high C = 28.2

|Jul record high C = 29.7

|Aug record high C = 30.0

|Sep record high C = 25.2

|Oct record high C = 21.1

|Nov record high C = 16.5

|Dec record high C = 13.5

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 5.5

|Feb high C = 6.0

|Mar high C = 8.5

|Apr high C = 11.5

|May high C = 14.8

|Jun high C = 17.2

|Jul high C = 19.1

|Aug high C = 18.5

|Sep high C = 16.0

|Oct high C = 12.1

|Nov high C = 8.2

|Dec high C = 5.9

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 2.6

|Feb mean C = 2.9

|Mar mean C = 4.6

|Apr mean C = 6.8

|May mean C = 9.8

|Jun mean C = 12.4

|Jul mean C = 14.3

|Aug mean C = 13.7

|Sep mean C = 11.6

|Oct mean C = 8.4

|Nov mean C = 5.0

|Dec mean C = 2.7

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -0.3

|Feb low C = -0.3

|Mar low C = 0.6

|Apr low C = 2.1

|May low C = 4.6

|Jun low C = 7.5

|Jul low C = 9.4

|Aug low C = 8.9

|Sep low C = 7.1

|Oct low C = 4.4

|Nov low C = 1.8

|Dec low C = -0.6

|year low C =

|Jan record low C = -21.7

|Feb record low C = -18.3

|Mar record low C = -17.1

|Apr record low C = -10.0

|May record low C = -6.1

|Jun record low C = -2.8

|Jul record low C = -1.7

|Aug record low C = -2.0

|Sep record low C = -3.8

|Oct record low C = -7.8

|Nov record low C = -11.7

|Dec record low C = -17.2

|year record low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 170.7

|Feb precipitation mm = 136.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 108.7

|Apr precipitation mm = 88.6

|May precipitation mm = 84.7

|Jun precipitation mm = 85.4

|Jul precipitation mm = 99.9

|Aug precipitation mm = 111.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 98.7

|Oct precipitation mm = 142.2

|Nov precipitation mm = 152.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 170.3

|year precipitation mm =

|Jan precipitation days = 18.6

|Feb precipitation days = 14.7

|Mar precipitation days = 15.3

|Apr precipitation days = 13.6

|May precipitation days = 12.8

|Jun precipitation days = 12.4

|Jul precipitation days = 14.2

|Aug precipitation days = 14.5

|Sep precipitation days = 13.5

|Oct precipitation days = 16.6

|Nov precipitation days = 17.9

|Dec precipitation days = 17.3

|year precipitation days =

|source 1 = Météo Climat{{cite web

|url= http://climate-datas-weather.dynalias.org/listenormale-1991-2020-3-p183.php

|title= United Kingdom climate normals 1991-2020

|publisher=Météo Climat

|access-date=8 April 2024}}

|source 2 = KNMI (extremes){{cite web

|url = https://climexp.knmi.nl/ecatmin.cgi?id=someone@somewhere&WMO=1836&STATION=KIELDER_CASTLE&extraargs= | title = KNMI - Kielder Castle minimum temperature time series | access-date = 8 April 2024 | publisher = KNMI}}

}}

{{Weather box

|location = Kielder Castle 201m asl, 1971–2000, Extremes 1960–

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 12.9

|Feb record high C = 15.0

|Mar record high C = 18.3

|Apr record high C = 23.6

|May record high C = 26.3

|Jun record high C = 28.2

|Jul record high C = 34.0

|Aug record high C = 30.0

|Sep record high C = 25.2

|Oct record high C = 21.1

|Nov record high C = 15.8

|Dec record high C = 12.9

|year record high C = 30.0

|Jan high C = 4.8

|Feb high C = 5.4

|Mar high C = 7.6

|Apr high C = 10.4

|May high C = 14.2

|Jun high C = 16.5

|Jul high C = 18.9

|Aug high C = 18.5

|Sep high C = 15.1

|Oct high C = 11.6

|Nov high C = 7.6

|Dec high C = 5.7

|year high C =

|Jan low C = -1.1

|Feb low C = -0.8

|Mar low C = 0.1

|Apr low C = 1.3

|May low C = 3.7

|Jun low C = 6.7

|Jul low C = 8.9

|Aug low C = 8.5

|Sep low C = 6.6

|Oct low C = 3.9

|Nov low C = 1.0

|Dec low C = -0.5

|year low C =

|Jan record low C = -21.7

|Feb record low C = −18.3

|Mar record low C = −17.1

|Apr record low C = −10.0

|May record low C = -6.1

|Jun record low C = -2.8

|Jul record low C = -1.7

|Aug record low C = -2.0

|Sep record low C = -3.8

|Oct record low C = -7.8

|Nov record low C = -11.7

|Dec record low C = −17.2

|year record low C = −21.7

|Jan precipitation mm = 149.02

|Feb precipitation mm = 118.87

|Mar precipitation mm = 119.67

|Apr precipitation mm = 80.15

|May precipitation mm = 80.49

|Jun precipitation mm = 77.54

|Jul precipitation mm = 86.08

|Aug precipitation mm = 96.06

|Sep precipitation mm = 99.44

|Oct precipitation mm = 125.95

|Nov precipitation mm = 139.92

|Dec precipitation mm = 157.91

|year precipitation mm =

|source 1 = Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI{{cite web

| url =http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=**&indexid=FD&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=0&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-925714.285714&miny=-5052380.952381&maxx=807619.047620&maxy=-3752380.952381&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=241&mainmap.y=82&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom | title = Kielder Climate | access-date = 7 November 2011 | publisher = KNMI}}

|source 2 = World Weather Online{{cite web

| url =https://www.worldweatheronline.com/kielder-weather-history/northumberland/gb.aspx | title = Kielder Historic Climate | access-date = 2 October 2022 | publisher = WWO}}

|date=October 2022

}}

The population of Kielder in 2001 was 207.{{cite web|title=Kielder & Falstone: Short term housing needs study |url=http://www.tynedale.gov.uk/residents/showdesc.asp?id=230 |publisher=Tynedale District Council |format=pdf |date=May 2007 |access-date=19 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621220415/http://www.tynedale.gov.uk/residents/showdesc.asp?id=230 |archive-date=21 June 2011 }}

The economy of Kielder has relied on forestry but now also incorporates tourism. Prior to the 20th century the economy of Kielder revolved around sheep farming. The use of the area as a hunting ground by the Dukes of Northumberland added an extra element to the area. Due to its location close to the border with Scotland, there was a black economy concerned with the smuggling of whisky from Scotland to England.{{cite web |first=Dean |last=Grindle |title= Reivers cycle route |url=http://www.reivers-guide.co.uk/kielder.htm |publisher= Dean Grindle |year=2005 |access-date=19 May 2009 }}

The Forestry Act 1919 established the Forestry Commission with a purpose of forming a strategic reserve of timber for the country. The first plantings at Kielder were in 1926 when {{convert|800|ha|sqmi|0}} of coniferous trees were planted.{{cite book |last1=Read |first1=Helen |last2=Frater |first2=Mark |others=Jo Wright |title=Woodland Habitats |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rx3FXryJVxMC |access-date=19 May 2009 |series=habitat guides |date=10 June 1999 |publisher= Routledge |isbn= 978-0-415-18090-0 |page= 123}} A further {{convert|19000|ha|sqmi}} were purchased in 1932 and today {{convert|62000|ha|sqmi|0}} of forest are under Forestry Commission control.

Although timber production remains an integral part of the forestry operation, it also has the aims of encouraging the public to use the forest as an educational resource and to sustain and enhance wildlife conservation. Over 50% of the red squirrel population of England is now found in the forest.{{cite web |title=Kielder Water and Forest |url=http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/site/highlights/the-icons/kielder-water-and-forest-park |publisher= Northumberland Tourism Ltd |year=2009 |access-date=19 May 2009 }}

With the creation of Kielder Water in 1982{{cite web |last=Simpson |first=David |title=North Tynedale |url=http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/NorthTynedale.htm#KIELDER |publisher=talktalk.net |year=2006 |access-date= 19 May 2009 }} great strides have been taken to develop the area as a tourist destination with the establishment of facilities such as Leaplish Waterside Park by Northumbrian Water, which offers both accommodation and recreational facilities,{{cite web|title=Visit Kielder |url=http://www.nwl.co.uk/Planyourbreak.aspx|publisher=Northumbrian Water |year= 2009 |access-date= 19 May 2009}} the Kielder Observatory and various artworks in the landscape, such as the Kielder Skyspace.{{cite web |url=http://kielderartandarchitecture.com/art-architecture/cat-cairn-the-kielder-skyspace.html |title=Cat Cairn: The Kielder Skyspace |author= |website=Kielder Art and Architecture |access-date=23 January 2019}}

Kielder was served by Kielder railway station on the Border Counties Railway which linked the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, near Hexham, with the Border Union Railway at Riccarton Junction. The first section of the route was opened between Hexham and Chollerford in 1858, the remainder opening in 1862. The line was closed to passengers by British Railways in 1956.{{cite book |last1=Sewell |first1=G W M |title= The North British railway in Northumberland |year=1991 |publisher=Merlin Books |location=Braunston, Devon |isbn= 0-86303-613-9 |page=71}}

The station building, now a private house, still stands here by the 'Station Garage'. The station was renamed Kielder Forest in 1948.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/north-easts-lost-railway-stations-8941567|title = The North East's lost railway stations tell the story of our region's history|date = 29 March 2015}} The Kielder Reservoir now floods much of the route eastwards to Falstone, but a very fine castellated viaduct near Kielder Castle still stands. About {{convert|1/2|mi|m|0|abbr=off}} east from here the line is obliterated as its route is now reservoir and some scouring and embankment removal has removed the traces of its course. Slightly further east its course would be below today's water level.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Kielder Primary School and Nursery is a community school in Butteryhaugh, catering for a small number of children aged 3 to 11.{{Cite web |title=Kielder Primary School and Nursery |url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/122233 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk |language=en}} Its roots go back to 1849 when Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland founded a school in the village. Northumberland Education Authority took over the school in 1939 and added two timber-built classrooms. From 1950 senior pupils were transferred to the newly built Bellingham County Secondary School.{{cite journal |last1=Brown |first1=W. M. |title=Kielder County Primary School |journal=Journal of the Forestry Commission |date=1964 |issue=33 |pages=176–178 |url=https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/1964/03/fcjo033.pdf |access-date=31 January 2024}} The school building is described as "new" in 1964 by headmaster, W.M. Brown in an article published in the Journal of the Forestry Commission. It was built under the auspices of Northumberland County Education Committee. Attached to the school was a three-storey community centre, containing a Northumberland County Library branch and reading room; the first floor had facilities for teaching art, woodwork and needlework. Between 2002 and 2015 the community centre building was utilised as Kielder Youth Hostel, but had been demolished by March 2020.{{Cite news |date=2002-03-13 |title=Ten youth hostels to close doors |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1870294.stm |access-date=2024-01-31 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=James |date=2020-03-13 |title=Protests over school plan to charge for use of hall |url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/18300995.protests-school-plan-charge-use-hall/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Hexham Courant |language=en}}

Children aged 9 to 13 attend Bellingham Middle School and from 13 to 18, Haydon Bridge High School. As the high school is a considerable distance away the option to board at the school exists.{{cite web |title=Boarding at Ridley Hall |url=http://haydonbridgehigh.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=46 |publisher= Haydon Bridge High School |date=22 June 2007 |access-date= 19 May 2009 }}

Kielder lies within the Anglican parish of Falstone with Greystead & Thorneyburn.{{cite web |title=A church near you |url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/parishmap.php?x=-2.5801563262939453&y=55.23183752710242 |publisher=Church of England |year=2008 |access-date=19 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525193020/http://www.achurchnearyou.com/parishmap.php?x=-2.5801563262939453&y=55.23183752710242 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Within the village there is a pub, shop, petrol station, garage and a post office.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Kielder, Northumberland}}

• [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Kielder.htm Northumberland Communities] (Accessed: 11 March 2009)

{{authority control}}

Category:Villages in Northumberland

Category:Northumberland places with etymologically Brittonic names