Morpeth, Northumberland
{{Short description|Town in Northumberland, England}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Morpeth
| type = Town
| country = England
| region = North East England
| static_image_name = Morpeth montage.png
|static_image_alt = A montage of images from Morpeth, which are images of the River Wansbeck, Morpeth Castle, Morpeth Clock Tower, Morpeth Chantry and Morpeth station. Clicking on an image in the picture causes the browser to load the appropriate article.
rect 0 0 580 425 River Wansbeck
rect 581 0 1200 425 Morpeth Castle
rect 581 428 1200 1201 Morpeth Clock Tower
rect 0 428 581 1201 Morpeth Chantry
rect 0 1203 1200 1809 Morpeth station
| static_image_caption = Clockwise from top: River Wansbeck at Carlisle Park, Morpeth Castle, Morpeth Clock Tower, Morpeth station and Morpeth Chantry
| population = 14,017
| population_ref = (2011){{NOMIS2011|id=1170219946|title=Morpeth Parish|access-date=21 March 2018}}
| os_grid_reference = NZ2085
| london_distance_mi = 261
| london_direction = SSE
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 80
| edinburgh_direction = NW
| language = English
| post_town = MORPETH
| postcode_area = NE
| postcode_district = NE61
| dial_code = 01670
| constituency_westminster = North Northumberland
| civil_parish = Morpeth{{cite web |title=Morpeth Town Council Website |url=https://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/ |website = Morpeth Town Council |access-date=13 October 2022}}
| unitary_england = Northumberland
| lieutenancy_england = Northumberland
| coordinates = {{coord|55|10|3|N|1|41|27|W|display=inline,title}}
}}
Morpeth is a historic market town in Northumberland, England, lying on the River Wansbeck. Nearby towns include Ashington and Bedlington. In the 2011 census, the population of Morpeth was given as 14,017, up from 13,833 in the 2001 census.{{NOMIS2001|id=1543510106|title=Morpeth Parish|access-date=9 November 2018}} The earliest evidence of settlement is believed to be from the Neolithic period, and some Roman artifacts have also been found.
The first written mention of the town is from 1080, when the de Merlay family was granted the barony of Morpeth. The meaning of the town's name is uncertain, but it may refer to its position on the road to Scotland and a murder which occurred on that road. The de Merlay family built two castles in the town in the late 11th century and the 13th century. The town was granted its coat of arms in 1552. By the mid-1700s it had become one of the main markets in England, having been granted a market charter in 1200, but the opening of the railways in the 1800s led the market to decline. The town's history is celebrated in the annual Northumbrian Gathering.
Morpeth is governed by Northumberland County Council and Morpeth Town Council. The town is split into three wards – North, Kirkhill and Stobhill – for the purposes of parish elections. In 2008, the town suffered a severe flood, which was repeated in 2012, resulting in the construction of new flood defences. Morpeth railway station is on the east coast line and a curve to the south of it has caused several rail crashes. Several sports teams compete in Morpeth, with Morpeth Town A.F.C. having been the winner of the FA Vase in 2016. The town hosted its own Olympics from 1873 to 1958. Two middle schools, a high school and seven first schools are situated in Morpeth, as well as several churches of Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Reformed and Methodist denominations. Morpeth's Carlisle Park, the recipient of several awards, contains one of the four floral clocks in England.
History
Morpeth was founded at a crossing point of the River Wansbeck.{{cite web|url=http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N13457|title=Local History for Morpeth (Northumberland), Ref No N13457|website=Keys to the Past|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203040456/http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N13457|archive-date=3 December 2007|access-date=6 March 2019}} Remains from prehistory are scarce, but the earliest evidence of occupation found is a stone axe thought to be from the Neolithic period. There is a lack of evidence of activity during the Roman occupation of Britain, although there were probably settlements in the area at that time. The first written reference is from 1080 when William de Merlay was rewarded for his part in suppressing a rebellion in Northumbria with "the Barony of Morthpeth stretching from the Tyne to the Coquet".{{Cite book|last=Gubbins|first=Bridget|title=Juliana and Ranulph of Morpeth Castle}} The name derives from Old English morð pæð and literally means "murder path";{{cite book|last=Ekwall|first=Eilert|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names|date=1947|location=Oxford|publisher=The Clarendon Press|page=316|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.184064/page/n361}}{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of British Place Names|last=Mills|first=David|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2011|isbn=978-0-19-960908-6}} writing in 1666, the antiquarian John Stainsby attributed this moniker to "the many robberies and murders in those parts committed".{{cite journal |last=Trevelyan |first=W. C. |date=1844 |title=Observations in a Northern Journey, taken Hill. Vaccon. 1666, by John Stainsby, of Clement's Inn, Gent. From the original in Ashmole's MSS., Vol. 834, Art. 6. |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/details.xhtml?recordId=3210427 |journal=Archaeologia Aeliana |publisher=The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle |volume=3 |page=120 |doi=10.5284/1059327}}
The barony of Morpeth was granted to the de Merlay family in around 1080, and by 1095 a motte-and-bailey castle had been built by William de Merlay. It is uncertain whether there was any settlement at Morpeth at the time that the barony was created, and documents relating to the foundation of an abbey in 1137 refer to the "new town of Morpeth". Newminster Abbey, located on the outskirts of Morpeth, was founded in 1138 by William's son, Ranulf de Merlay, lord of Morpeth, and his wife, Juliana, daughter of Gospatric II, Earl of Lothian, as one of the first daughter houses of Fountains Abbey.{{cite web |url=https://www.dhi.ac.uk/cistercians/abbeys/newminster.php |title=Cistercian Abbeys: NEWMINSTER |work=The Cistercians in Yorkshire |publisher=Sheffield University |access-date=10 November 2009 }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EI9cAAAAcAAJ&q=Ranulf+de+Merlay+father&pg=PA301 |title=The English Baronetage Containing a Genealogical and Historical Account of All the English Baronets |date=1741 |volume=1 |page=301}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-book-explores-young-girls-11568917 |title=New book explores a young girl's journey to Morpeth and an arranged marriage |date=5 July 2016 |first=Tony |last=Henderson |work=Chronicle Live}} King John granted a market charter for the town to Roger de Merlay in 1200.{{cite web|last=Vincent|first=Nicholas|date=12 April 2021|title=The Magna Carta Project|url=https://magnacartaresearch.org/read/original_charters/Notification_of_the_King_s_grant_of_an_annual_fair_at_Morpeth__Northumberland__to_Roger_de_Merlay_|access-date=12 April 2021|website=The Magna Carta Project|publisher=|page=}}{{Cite web|title=Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales to 1516|url=https://archives.history.ac.uk/gazetteer/gazweb2.html|access-date=2021-04-12|website=archives.history.ac.uk}}{{Cite journal|last=Pohl|first=Benjamin|date=2019-07-03|title=An original charter of King John at Ushaw College, Co. Durham (Ushaw MS 66)|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/0078172X.2019.1627790|journal=Northern History|volume=56|issue=1–2|pages=138–151|doi=10.1080/0078172X.2019.1627790|hdl=1983/7e3a9d24-ed08-435d-91e3-c53afd090a3b |s2cid=197810250|issn=0078-172X|hdl-access=free}} It became one of the main markets in Northern England by the mid-1700s and by the mid 18th century was one of the key cattle markets in England selling cattle driven by drovers over the border from Scotland; however, the opening of the railways made transport to Newcastle easier in the 19th century, and the market accordingly declined. The market is still held on Wednesdays.{{cite web |url=https://www.sandersonarcade.co.uk/media/cmsFiles/SA%206pp%201-3A4%20leafelt-finalprint.pdf |title=Morpeth Markets |website=Sanderson Arcade |date=2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/morpeths-monthly-farmers-market-catering-13254128 |title=Why Morpeth's monthly farmers' market will be catering to those with a sweet tooth |date=28 June 2017 |first=Jane |last=Hall |work=Chronicle Live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/county-town-row-grows-4506575 |title=County town row grows |date=15 April 2008 |first=Brian |last=Daniel |work=The Journal |access-date=27 January 2019}}
File:Morpeth Castle Gatehouse.jpg
The town was badly damaged by fire set by the barons in 1215 during the First Barons' War, in an attempt to block the military operations of King John.{{cite book|title=A Topographical Dictionary of England|date=1848|via=British History Online|publisher=Samuel Lewis|location=London|pages=345–350|chapter=Morley - Morton-upon-Lug: Morpeth (St. Mary)|access-date=5 March 2019|chapter-url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp345-350#p7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201051421/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp345-350|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=dead}} Whilst it is common report that the motte-and-bailey castle was burnt down by King John in 1216{{NHLE |num=1017376 |desc=Motte and bailey castle on Haw Hill |date=26 January 2000 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}{{cite journal |url=http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N11068 |title=Haw Hill (Morpeth) |website=Keys To The Past |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=13 November 2018 |archive-date=13 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113210440/http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N11068 |url-status=dead }} and a new Morpeth Castle was built later in the 13th century by Ranulph de Merlay, to the south of Haw Hill, there is no firm evidence that King John destroyed the castle and an alternative narrative suggests that the second castle was in fact "completed by William de Merlay (the 2nd) in the year of his death" ({{Circa|1170}}). In the 13th century, a stone bridge was built over the Wansbeck in Morpeth,{{NHLE |num=1020744 |desc=Morpeth Old Bridge: 1020744 |access-date=2 December 2018}} to the west of the current bridge, replacing the ford previously in use in Morpeth.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/crossing-the-wansbeck-1-4878793 |title=Crossing the Wansbeck |date=2 September 2012 |access-date=2 December 2018 |work=Morpeth Herald}} For some months in 1515–16, Margaret Tudor (Henry VIII's sister) who was the Queen Consort of Scotland (James IV's widow), had laid ill in Morpeth Castle, having been brought there from Harbottle Castle.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/morpeth-in-the-middle-ages-and-a-royal-visitor-calls-1-5868388 |title=Morpeth in the Middle Ages – and a Royal visitor calls |date=21 July 2013 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oZOqDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA79 |title=Queen Margaret Tudor: The Story of a Courageous but Forgotten Monarch |first=Stuart |last=McCabe |page=79 |date=9 May 2016 |publisher=Mereo Books|isbn=9781861516145 }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0pjACwAAQBAJ&q=Morpeth%20castle%20Margaret%20Tudor&pg=PA12 |title=The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox |publisher=Random House |date=25 February 2016 |first=Alison |last=Weir |page=12|isbn=9780099546467 }} The only remains of the castle are the inner gatehouse, which was restored by the Landmark Trust, and parts of the ruined castle walls.{{NHLE |num=1155642 |desc=Morpeth Castle|access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/morpeth-castle-9482 |title=Morpeth Castle: Restoration |website=The Landmark Trust}}
In 1540, Morpeth was described by the royal antiquary John Leland as "long and metely well-builded, with low houses" and "a far fairer town than Alnwick". During the 1543–51 war of the Rough Wooing, Morpeth was occupied by a garrison of Italian mercenaries, who "pestered such a little street standing in the highway" by killing deer and withholding payment for food.{{cite book |title=12th Report & Appendix, Duke of Rutland |volume=1 |date=1888 |publisher=Historical Manuscripts Commission |pages=44–45}} In 1552, William Hervey, Norroy King of Arms, granted the borough of Morpeth a coat of arms. The arms were the same as those granted to Roger de Merlay, but with the addition of a gold tower. In the letters patent, Hervey noted that he had included the arms of the "noble and valyaunt knyght ... for a p'petuall memory of his good will and benevolence towardes the said towne".{{cite book |first=A. C. |last=Fox-Davies |title=The Book of Public Arms |edition=2 |location=London |date=1915 |publisher=T.C. & E.C. Jack |page=526 |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofpublicarms00foxd/page/526}}
Morpeth was a borough by prescription, but received its first charter of confirmation from Charles II. The corporation it created was controlled by seven companies: the Merchant Tailors, the Tanners, the Fullers and Dyers, the Smiths, the Cordwainers, the Weavers and the Butchers. This remained the governing charter until the borough was reformed by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2T5aMzyhvwC&q=borough+reforms+morpeth+1835+charter&pg=PA449 |title=The Parliamentary Gazetteer of England and Wales |publisher=A. Fullarton and Company |date=1847 |volume=3 |page=449}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/a-hole-lot-of-history-about-meeting-place-1-7502331 |title=A hole lot of history about meeting place |access-date=2 December 2018 |date=13 October 2015 |work=Morpeth Herald}} During the Second World War, RAF Morpeth, an air-gunnery training school, opened at nearby Tranwell.{{cite web|url=http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/5043/raf-morpeth/|title=RAF Morpeth - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives|website=Forces War Records}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/the-flyers-who-never-lived-to-see-their-homeland-free-again-1-1534881 |title=The flyers who never lived to see their homeland free again |date=7 March 2002 |work=Morpeth Herald}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KIDFCQAAQBAJ&q=air-gunnery+training+school+morpeth&pg=PA92 |title=The Last British Dambuster: One Man's Extraordinary Life and the Raid That Changed History |date=4 June 2015 |first=George Johnny |last=Johnson |publisher=Random House |page=92|isbn=9780091957759 }}
The town and the county's history and culture are celebrated at the annual Northumbrian Gathering.{{cite web|url=http://www.northumbriana.org.uk/gathering/index.htm|title=Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering|website=Northumbriana}} The gathering is held over a weekend in mid-April and includes the Border Cavalcade and Pageant.{{cite news |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/whats-on/a-special-gathering-at-morpeth-1-6578361 |title=A special gathering at Morpeth |date=25 April 2014 |newspaper=Northumberland Gazette |access-date=6 December 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/morpeths-olympics-links-recalled-northumbrian-4411308 |title=Morpeth's Olympics links recalled at Northumbrian Gathering. |date=13 April 2012 |work=The Journal |first=David |last=Black}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/whats-on/arts/abundance-of-characters-in-gathering-pageant-1-7219155 |title=Abundance of characters in Gathering pageant |date=20 April 2015 |work=Morpeth Herald}} The 50th gathering took place in 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/morpeth-is-all-set-for-a-golden-gathering-1-8492580 |title=Morpeth is all set for a golden Gathering |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=Morpeth Herald |date=15 April 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/whats-on/music/barn-dance-to-bring-to-an-end-golden-year-celebrations-1-8859247 |title=Barn dance to bring to an end golden year celebrations |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=Morpeth Herald |date=16 November 2017}}
Governance
Morpeth has two tiers of local government.
The lower tier is Morpeth Town Council, which has 15 members. Morpeth is a civil parish{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Northumberland-Knowledge/NK%20place/Parishes%20and%20towns/NlandParishMap.pdf |title=Northumberland Parish Map (Morpeth is 113) |website=Northumberland County Council}} with the status of a town.{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Northumberland-Knowledge-and-JSNA/Our-Community-and-Place/Area-profiles-and-Census-Fact-Sheets.aspx |title=Statistical Profiles and Census Fact Sheets: Northumberland Towns |website=Northumberland County Council}} For the purposes of parish elections the town is divided into three wards: North, Kirkhill and Stobhill, each returning five town councillors. Each ward also elects one County Councillor. In May 2021, the political make up of the Town Council was ten Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats, two Green and one Labour member.{{cite web |url=http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/councillors/ |title=Councillors |publisher=Morpeth Town Council |access-date=12 October 2018}}:
- {{cite web |url=http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/councillors/north-ward/|title=North Ward Councillors |publisher=Morpeth Town Council |access-date=7 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/councillors/kirkhill-ward/|title=Kirkhill Ward Councillors |publisher=Morpeth Town Council |access-date=7 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/councillors/stobhill-ward/|title=Stobhill Ward Councillors |publisher=Morpeth Town Council |access-date=7 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-county-council-election-results-12917274 |title=Northumberland local elections results IN FULL - council held by Tories in 'straw draw' drama |website=Chronicle Live |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=19 January 2019 |first1=Mike |last1=Kelly |first2=Michael |last2=Muncaster}}{{Update after|2021|6|reason=County Council elections took place in May 2021}}
The upper tier of local government is Northumberland County Council, which meets at County Hall in Morpeth.{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/17m-vision-northumberland-county-hall-14172502 |title=The £17m vision for Northumberland County Hall is unveiled - which you'll be paying for |first=Michael |last=Muncaster |date=18 January 2018 |work=Chronicle Live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/hexham/16613464.cancelled-northumberland-county-council-hq-move-cost-55m/ |title=Cancelled Northumberland County Council HQ move cost £5.5m |date=6 June 2018 |work=Hexham Courant}} Since April 2009, the county council has been a unitary authority.{{cite web |url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/575159 |title=Green light for five flagship Unitary Councils |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107061130/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/575159 |archive-date=7 January 2008 |date=5 December 2007 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |website=communities.gov.uk}} Previous to this there was an intermediate tier, the non-metropolitan district of Castle Morpeth, which has been abolished along with all other districts in the county.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6916276.stm |work=BBC News |title=District councils to be abolished |date=25 July 2007}}{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=2008 |si=The Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008 |number=494 |section=4}} The county council has 67 councillors,{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/News/2017/May/Local-elections-4th-May-2017.aspx |title=Local elections Results |date=5 May 2017 |publisher=Northumberland County Council}}{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Councillors.aspx |title=County councillor information |publisher=Northumberland County Council}} of whom three represent Morpeth, one each from the electoral wards of Morpeth Kirkhill, Morpeth North and Morpeth Stobhill.{{cite web |url=http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/councillors/ |title=Councillors |publisher=Morpeth Town Council |access-date=12 October 2018}} The 2017 and 2021 County Council elections both elected three Conservative councillors for the three wards.{{cite web |url=http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Vote.aspx |title=Northumberland County Election Results 2017 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |access-date=5 May 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-county-council-elections-2021-20361628 |title=Northumberland County Council local election results 2021: How every candidate scored |first=Hannah |last=Graham |access-date=17 May 2021}}{{Update after|2025|6|reason=County Council elections took place in May 2025}}
Climate
Cockle Park, located slightly north of Morpeth, contains a Met Office weather station, founded in 1897.{{cite web|url=http://artefacts.ceda.ac.uk/badc_datadocs/surface/station_lists/midas_stations.html|title=UK Surface Data - Detailed List of Met Office surface stations|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141138/http://artefacts.ceda.ac.uk/badc_datadocs/surface/station_lists/midas_stations.html|archive-date=29 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate-network/#?tab=climateNetwork|title=UK climate - Synoptic and climate stations|publisher=MET Office}}
{{Weather box
|location = Morpeth, Cockle Park (1991–2020), record highs and lows (1971–2000)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 13.8
|Feb record high C = 15.6
|Mar record high C = 20.0
|Apr record high C = 22.1
|May record high C = 24.1
|Jun record high C = 27.8
|Jul record high C = 29.6
|Aug record high C = 32.6
|Sep record high C = 25.1
|Oct record high C = 21.7
|Nov record high C = 17.2
|Dec record high C = 14.6
|year record high C = 32.6
|Jan high C = 6.6
|Feb high C = 7.1
|Mar high C = 9.1
|Apr high C = 11.3
|May high C = 14.1
|Jun high C = 16.9
|Jul high C = 19.3
|Aug high C = 19.0
|Sep high C = 16.5
|Oct high C = 12.8
|Nov high C = 9.1
|Dec high C = 7.0
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 1.4
|Feb low C = 1.7
|Mar low C = 2.5
|Apr low C = 4.0
|May low C = 6.3
|Jun low C = 9.0
|Jul low C = 10.8
|Aug low C = 11.0
|Sep low C = 9.3
|Oct low C = 6.7
|Nov low C = 3.9
|Dec low C = 1.5
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = -12.0
|Feb record low C = −12.8
|Mar record low C = −8.9
|Apr record low C = −6.1
|May record low C = -2.7
|Jun record low C = 0.1
|Jul record low C = 3.3
|Aug record low C = 2.8
|Sep record low C = 0.0
|Oct record low C = -2.4
|Nov record low C = −9.0
|Dec record low C = −11.6
|year record low C = −12.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 58.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 49.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 48.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 56.5
|May precipitation mm = 50.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 66.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 71.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 68.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 61.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 69.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 83.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 64.7
|year precipitation mm =
|source 1 = Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI{{cite web |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TN&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=18&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-925714.285714&miny=-5052380.952381&maxx=807619.047620&maxy=-3752380.952381&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=266&mainmap.y=83&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |title=Morpeth Climate |access-date=7 November 2011 |publisher=KNMI |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223101732/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TN&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=18&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-925714.285714&miny=-5052380.952381&maxx=807619.047620&maxy=-3752380.952381&MapSize=560,420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=266&mainmap.y=83&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT%23bottom |archive-date=23 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}
|source 2 = http://climate-datas-weather.dynalias.org/{{cite web |url=http://climate-datas-weather.dynalias.org/listenormale-1991-2020-5-p183.php#ss |title=Météo climat stats #124; Moyennes 1991/2020 / Données Météorologiques Gratuites |date= |website=climate-datas-weather.dynalias.org }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
|date = Jan 2021
}}
=2008 and 2012 floods=
File:Telford Bridge 6 September 2008.jpg]]
{{main|2008 Morpeth flood}}
On 6 September 2008, Morpeth suffered a severe flood,{{Cite Hansard |house=House Of Commons |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081023/debtext/81023-0017.htm#08102334000003 |title=Flooding (Morpeth) |column_start=535 |column_end=536 |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=7 November 2018 |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |speaker=Mr. Denis Murphy}} causing damage to 1,000 properties and leading 400 residents to be evacuated.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/sep/08/flooding.communities |title=Flood damage to cost 'tens of millions' |date=8 September 2008 |access-date=7 November 2018|first1=Matthew|last1=Weaver|first2=Martin|last2=Wainwright|work=The Guardian}}{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/sep2008 |title=Heavy rainfall early September 2008 |access-date=7 November 2018 |date=29 October 2012|publisher=The MET Office}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7601742.stm|title=Morpeth a 'scene of devastation'|date=7 September 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=13 May 2010}} The town's flood defences were breached after 12 hours, when a month's worth of rain fell on Morpeth.
In September 2012, flooding occurred again, causing damage to properties, although floodwaters were reportedly {{convert|3|ft|m|0}} shallower than in 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19731095|title=Morpeth: Anger over second flood in four years|date=26 September 2012|work=BBC News}}
=Flood defences=
Work on flood defences started in 2013 in response to the 2008 floods. New flood defences were built in the town centre and a dam with a storage reservoir was built on the Mitford Estate.{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/flood-defences-morpeth-hold-out-10695170 |title=Why did flood defences in Morpeth hold out while those in Corbridge failed? |work=Evening Chronicle |date=6 January 2016 |access-date=12 October 2018}} A second £27{{nbsp}}million dam was completed in May 2017 to reduce flooding from the Cotting Burn and marked the completion of the Morpeth flood defence plan.{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/work-27m-morpeth-flood-defence-13359563 |title=Work on £27m Morpeth flood defence scheme has been completed |work=Evening Chronicle |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=12 October 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-07-21/final-part-of-morpeths-multi-million-flood-defences-are-complete/ |title=Final part of Morpeth's multi-million flood defences are complete |work=ITV News |date=21 July 2017 |access-date=12 October 2018}}
Transport
= Roads =
The A1, the longest numbered road in the UK, used to pass through the town until the Morpeth Northern Bypass was opened in 1970.{{cite book |last1=Maddison |first1=J.D. |title=A1 Morpeth Bypass northeastern cutting slope failure, preventative maintenance |url=https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1680/ecsmge.60678.vol4.230 |via=ICE Virtual Library |series=Conference Proceedings |date=January 2015 |volume=1-7 |pages=1567–1572 |publisher=ICE Publishing|doi=10.1680/ecsmge.60678.vol4.230 |doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 |isbn=9780727760678 }} This was a project to decrease traffic congestion in the town centre and decrease journey times from Pegswood, Ashington and Newbiggin to the A1 and beyond. It follows on from the Pegswood bypass at Whorral Bank Roundabout, continuing to St George's Roundabout, Northgate Roundabout and St Leonard's A1 Junction. The project was completed in 2017, which has allowed increased connectivity to south-east Northumberland and beyond.{{Cite web |date=April 2017 |title=Morpeth North Bypass |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/new-30m-morpeth-bypass-officially-12845748.amp}}{{Cite web |title=Morpeth new St Leonard's Junction |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5042992}}
Other roads that pass though the town are: A192, A196, A197, B1337, B6343 and the B6524.
= Railway =
Morpeth's railway station is a stop on the East Coast Main Line, which connects {{rws|London King's Cross}} and {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}}. It is served by five train operating companies: CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express; these connect the town with destinations across England and Scotland.
To the south of the station is a sharp curve which has been the scene of several train crashes.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/tracking-the-history-of-town-s-railway-1-8815002 |title=Tracking the history of town's railway |date=31 October 2017 |work=Morpeth Herald}}{{cite hansard |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1984/jun/25/railway-accident-morpeth#S6CV0062P0_19840625_HOC_192 |house=House of Commons |date=25 June 1984 |volume=62 |title=Railway Accident (Morpeth) |column_start=688 |column_end=688 |position=The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport |speaker=David Mitchell}} A non-passenger line operates between Morpeth and Bedlington.{{cite web |url=http://www.northeastfreightpartnership.info/reports_meetings/reports/pdf/RailFreightAssessment_Final.pdf |title=Rail freight assessment |page=13 |publisher=Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership |date=April 2009}} A former line, closed in 1966, ran west from Morpeth to Scots Gap (from where there was a branch line to Rothbury),{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/remember-when-battle-bring-railway-5719930 |title=Remember When: Battle to bring railway to Morpeth |first=David |last=Morton |date=14 August 2013 |newspaper=Chronicle Live}} then west to Redesmouth{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/wannie-line-celebrated-exhibition-bellingham-4455735 |title=Wannie Line celebrated in exhibition at Bellingham |first=Tony |last=Henderson |date=2 June 2010 |access-date=24 November 2018 |work=The Journal}} and lastly south to Hexham.{{cite news |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/rail-historian-recalls-the-old-rothbury-line-1-1357057 |title=Rail historian recalls the old Rothbury line |date=14 April 2005 |work=Northumberland Gazette |access-date=24 November 2018}}
=Buses=
Arriva North East is the main operator of bus services in the town, with services connecting the town with Pegswood, Guide Post, Ashington, Bedlington, Newcastle, Alnwick, Amble, Berwick and Widdrington.{{Cite web |title=Bus travel in Morpeth |url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/bus-travel-in-morpeth |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Arrivabus.co.uk}}
Education
The local state school, King Edward VI School, was originally founded as a chantry school in the early 14th century and was located in the Morpeth Chantry. The school was refounded in 1552 by royal charter as the Free Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth,{{cite book |title=The Story of Morpeth Grammar School |last=Kennedy |first=G. |publisher=The Old Boy's Association |date=November 1951 |page=19 |edition=1}} being commonly referred to as the Morpeth Grammar School by locals.{{cite book |title=The Story of Morpeth Grammar School |last=Kennedy |first=G. |publisher=The Old Boy's Association |date=November 1951 |page=22 |edition=1}} The school was renamed to King Edward VI Grammar School by 1947{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/morpeth-historian-dies-at-81-1-1533678 |title=Morpeth historian dies at 81 |date=22 November 2001 |work=Morpeth Herald}} and in the 1970s lost its grammar-school status, becoming a comprehensive under the current name.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/friends-from-the-school-yard-to-50-1-1817800 |title=Friends from the school yard to 50 |date=6 October 2010 |work=Morpeth Herald}}
The town has two middle schools, Newminster and Chantry, which are built next to each other.{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/fears-safety-morpeth-schoolchildren-pupils-6500519 |title=Fears for safety of Morpeth schoolchildren as pupils cross busy road unaided |date=13 January 2014 |first=Brian |last=Daniel |work=The Journal}} It also has several first schools: Abbeyfields First School in Kirkhill, Morpeth First School in Loansdean to the south of the town, Stobhillgate First School in the Stobhillgate housing estate, and Morpeth All Saints' Church of England-aided First School in Lancaster Park, north of the town.These references are in order of their mention in the article:
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137748/morpeth-newminster-middle-school |title=Morpeth Newminster Middle School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137747/morpeth-chantry-middle-school |title=Morpeth Chantry Middle School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/144181/abbeyfields-first-school |title=Abbeyfields First School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/122210/morpeth-first-school |title=Morpeth First School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/122246/morpeth-stobhillgate-first-school |title=Morpeth Stobhillgate First School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/122297/morpeth-all-saints-church-of-england-aided-first-school |title=Morpeth All Saints Church of England Aided First School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}} Additionally, St. Robert's R.C. First School, a primary school for Roman Catholics, is located in Oldgate, Morpeth.{{cite web |url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/122312/st-robert's-roman-catholic-voluntary-aided-first-school |title=St Robert's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided First School |website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk |access-date=9 November 2018}}
Religious sites
=Church of England=
The ancient Church of England parish church of Morpeth is St Mary's at High Church,{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 25 (section 4.1). |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}} Source supports "High Church", because the church subsection is in the "South of the Wansbeck" section and the nickname for the "South of the Wansbeck" is "High Church" as stated in the source. which was the main Anglican place of worship in the area until the 1840s.{{cite web |url=http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stmary.htm |title=The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin |publisher=Parish of Morpeth in the Diocese of Newcastle |access-date=10 November 2009}} The church is mostly in the 14th-century style.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofnortpt202hodguoft#page/390/mode/2up |title=A History of Northumberland: Part 2 |volume=2 |pages=390–94 |date=1832 |first=J. |last=Hodgson|publisher=Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Printed by T. & J. Pigg }}{{NHLE |num=1042763 |desc=Church of St Mary |access-date=24 November 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 16 (section 3.2.4) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}} The grave of Emily Wilding Davison lies in St Mary's graveyard.{{cite news|title=Miss Davison's Funeral|work=Votes for Women|date=20 June 1913|page=553}}{{cite book|last1=Sleight|first1=John|title=One-way Ticket to Epsom: Journalist's Enquiry into the Heroic Story of Emily Wilding Davison|date=1988|publisher=Bridge Studios|location=Morpeth, Northumberland|isbn=978-0-9512-6302-0|page=100}}{{cite news|title=Miss Davison's Funeral: Impressive London Procession|work=The Manchester Guardian|date=16 June 1913|page=9}}
In 1843 a public meeting was called to address the lack of attendance at the church, and it was found that the walk to the current church, then on the southern edge of the town, was too much for many of the parishioners.{{cite web |url=http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames/h01.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142328/http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames/h01.htm |archive-date=12 June 2018 |title=History of St James the Great}} As a result of this meeting it was decided to build a new church in the town centre{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gKk2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA353 |title=Events of the Month: Northumberland |magazine=The British Magazine and Monthly Register of Religious and Ecclesiastical Information, Parochial History, and Documents Respecting the State of the Poor, Progress of Education |date=1844 |volume=26 |first=J. |last=Turrill |at=p. 353, section 'Northumberland'}} and accordingly the church of St James the Great was consecrated for worship on 15 October 1846.{{cite magazine |title=Local Events of the Year 1846: October |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PAkIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA119 |magazine=Local Collections; or Records of Remarkable Events connected with the Borough of Gateshead in 1846 |date=1847 |volume=8 |at=p. 119, section 'October' No. 15}} Benjamin Ferrey designed the church in a "Neo-Norman" style,{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=33 (section 5.5.3) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}}{{cite magazine |title=Anglo-Norman Church Built at Morpeth, Durham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2K_trqLGrpoC&pg=PA573E |magazine=The Builder |date=1846 |volume=4 |number=178 |page=373}} based on the 12th century Monreale Cathedral, Sicily.{{cite web |url=http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames/h02.htm |title=The Architect: The Church of St James the Great |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210040322/http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/stjames/index.html |archive-date=10 February 2013 |title=The Church of St. James the Great in the Parish of Morpeth |year=2004 |publisher=Morpeth Parochial Church Council |access-date=10 November 2009}}
A third parish church, St Aidan's, was founded as a mission church in 1957, on the Stobhill estate on the south-east of the town.{{cite web |url=http://www.parishofmorpeth.org.uk/staidan.htm |title=St Aidan's Church |publisher=Parish of Morpeth in the Diocese of Newcastle |access-date=10 November 2009}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/church-plans-a-new-beacon-1-6495267 |title=Church plans a new 'beacon' |date=13 March 2014 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=30 November 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/church-revamp-proves-a-big-hit-1-7702291 |title=Church revamp proves a big hit |first=Andrew |last=Coulson |date=30 January 2016 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=30 November 2018}}
=Roman Catholic Church=
Morpeth's Roman Catholic Church, St Robert of Newminster Church, was built off Oldgate on land adjacent to Admiral Lord Collingwood's house. It was consecrated on 1 August 1850 by the Right Reverend William Hogarth, Bishop of Samosata (later Bishop of Hexham).{{cite news|title=Local Intelligence - New Catholic Church of St Robert at Morpeth|work=North & South Shields Gazette and Northumberland and Durham Advertiser|date=16 August 1850}}{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 33 (section 5.5.6) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}}{{NHLE |num=1156182 |desc=Roman Catholic Church of St Robert |access-date=24 November 2018}} Collingwood House is now the presbytery (residence) for the priest in charge.{{NHLE |num=1042740 |desc=Collingwood House |access-date=9 November 2018 }}
=United Reformed Church=
Morpeth has had a Presbyterian ministry since 1693. Their first service was held in a tannery loft in the town in February 1693 and in 1721 a chapel was built in Cottingwood Lane,{{NHLE |num=1042761 |desc=Kirkville |access-date=2 December 2018 }} which still exists as a private home. The construction of St. George's United Reformed Church began in 1858 and the first service in the new building was held on 12 April 1860.{{cite web |url=http://www.stgeorgesurcmorpeth.org/history-of-st-georges.html |title=Our history |publisher=St George's United Reformed Church Morpeth |access-date=9 November 2018}} The Church stands immediately to the north of the Telford Bridge{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XBqoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40 |title=The Lambton Worm: The Definitive Guide to Angling in North East England |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |date=15 August 2011 |first=Pete |last=McParlin|isbn=9781445625867 }} and is in the style of the early English era, containing a stained glass rose window and an octagonal spirelet.{{cite web |url=http://www.urc-morpeth.org.uk/page1.html |title=St. George's United Reformed Church, Morpeth |publisher=St. George's United Reformed Church, Morpeth |access-date=10 November 2009}}
=Methodist Church=
The present Methodist Church in Howard Terrace was opened as a Primitive Methodist place of worship on 24 April 1905.{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 34 (section 5.5.9) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}} Designed by J. Walton Taylor, it was built from local quarry stone. Although the Primitive Methodists were united with the Wesleyan Church to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain in 1932,{{cite journal |doi=10.1093/ehr/cex245 |title=The Origins of Primitive Methodism |first=Sandy |last=Calder |url=https://academic.oup.com/ehr/article-abstract/132/558/1351/4034728 |page=1351 |journal=The English Historical Review |volume=132 |date=14 December 2017 |issue=558|url-access=subscription }} a separate Wesleyan Church continued to function in Manchester Street until 1964, when the congregations were united at Howard Terrace.{{cite web |url=http://www.morpethmeth.org/history |title=History of the Methodist Church in Morpeth. |publisher=Morpeth Methodist Church |access-date=10 November 2009}} The former Wesleyan Church (built in 1883) is currently used as the Explorer Scout headquarters.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/fascinating-history-of-the-brigade-hall-1-7017563 |title=Fascinating history of the brigade hall |date=28 December 2014 |access-date=13 October 2018 |work=Morpeth Herald}}{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 33 (section 5.5.5) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}}
Sport
Morpeth Town A.F.C.,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/22/morpeth-towns-45-year-old-chris-swailes-becomes-oldest-scorer-in/ |title=Morpeth Town's 45-year-old Chris Swailes becomes oldest scorer in a Wembley cup final, two years after 'being killed three times' |date=22 May 2016 |first=Sean |last=Gibson |work=The Telegraph}} Morpeth RFC{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/amateur-rugby/morpeth-rfc-juniors-bags-land-6398289 |title=Morpeth juniors bags Land Rover Cup finals spot at Twickenham |date=12 December 2013 |work=Evening Chronicle |access-date=5 December 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/other-sport/morpeth-hoping-lucky-longhirst-sevens-4435377 |title=Morpeth hoping to be lucky in the Longhirst Sevens |date=27 April 2011 |work=The Journal |access-date=5 December 2018}} and the Morpeth Golf Club{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/trophies-for-club-s-successful-juniors-1-6140449 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102236/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/trophies-for-club-s-successful-juniors-1-6140449 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 December 2018 |title=Trophies for club's successful juniors |work=Morpeth Herald |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=5 December 2018 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/getting-ladies-on-the-greens-1-6635542 |title=Getting ladies on the greens |date=24 May 2014 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=5 December 2018}} play competitively within Morpeth. In addition, the Morpeth Harriers compete in athletics.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/morpeth-harriers-in-top-50-list-1-1536118 |title=Morpeth Harriers in top 50 list |date=2 January 2003 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/morpeth-harriers-finally-synthetic-track-4406649 |title=Morpeth Harriers finally get their own synthetic track |date=16 July 2012 |access-date=9 November 2018 |first=David |last=Black |work=The Journal}} The town also offers opportunities to play sport on a non-competitive basis through facilities such as Carlisle Park, the common for playing golf and football,{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/planning%20policy/Morpeth-Neighbourhood-Plan-Made-May-2016.pdf |title=Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan |at=p. 20 section 5.3.4 |publisher=Northumberland County Council}} and the Riverside leisure centre for swimming, indoor sports and fitness gym activities.{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/planning%20policy/Morpeth-Neighbourhood-Plan-Made-May-2016.pdf |title=Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan |at=p. 54 section 9.1.3 |publisher=Northumberland County Council}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/northumberland-county-council-unveils-multi-million-8136936 |title=Northumberland County Council unveils multi-million pound spending plans |date=19 November 2014 |first=Brian |last=Daniel |work=The Journal}} Morpeth Town A.F.C. was the 2016 winner of the FA Vase.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Alan|title=Morpeth come back to win FA Vase and crush Hereford's Wembley dream|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/22/hereford-fc-morpeth-town-fa-vase-match-report|access-date=7 August 2017|work=The Guardian}}
The Morpeth Olympic Games, a professional event consisting mainly of athletics and wrestling, were staged from 1873 until 1958, barring interruptions during the two world wars. The Games were held on the Old Brewery Field until 1896, then at Grange House Field until the First World War. After two years at the town's cricket pitch at Stobhill (1919–20), the Olympics moved to Mount Haggs Field until 1939, and then back to Grange House Field after the war until the end of the games in 1958.{{cite web|url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/when-morpeth-had-its-very-own-olympics-1-3487463|title=When Morpeth had its very own Olympics|work=Morpeth Herald|access-date=10 November 2018|date=16 June 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sport-event-recall-morpeth-olympic-4435657 |title=Sport event to recall Morpeth Olympic Games |date=30 April 2011 |work=The Journal |first=Tony |last=Henderson}}
In 1730, a racecourse was built for horse racing, which was used until 1854, when the racetrack was replaced with St. George's Hospital.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/ten-interesting-facts-about-morpeth-1342145|title=Ten interesting facts about Morpeth|date=1 January 2012|work=Evening Chronicle|access-date=8 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N11197 |title=Race Course (Morpeth) |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Keys to the Past}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/morpeth-hospital-s-fascinating-history-1-1513181 |title=Morpeth hospital's fascinating history |work=Morpeth Herald |date=18 August 2008 |access-date=6 March 2019}}
The town was the start point of the Morpeth To Newcastle Road Race. This road running race was held annually on New Year's Day from 1902 to 2004, when insurance and policing costs became prohibitively high, and winners included Commonwealth champion Jack Holden and Olympic medallist Mike McLeod.{{cite web|url=https://www.arrs.run/LongRunR.htm|title=Longest Running Road Races|publisher=Association of Road Racing Statisticians|access-date=9 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.arrs.run/HP_MNc14.htm|title=Morpeth to Newcastle Half Marathon|publisher=Association of Road Racing Statisticians|access-date=9 May 2019}}
Media
Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. Television signals are received from the Pontop Pike and local relay transmitters.{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Pontop_Pike|title=Full Freeview on the Pontop Pike (County Durham, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=27 September 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Morpeth|title=Freeview Light on the Morpeth (Northumberland, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=27 September 2023}}
Local radio stations are BBC Radio Newcastle, Capital North East, Heart North East, Smooth North East, Hits Radio North East, and Koast Radio, a community based radio station.{{Cite web |url=https://www.koastradio.co.uk/ |title=Koast Radio |access-date=27 September 2023}}{{secondary source needed|date=October 2024}}
The Morpeth Herald is the town's local weekly newspaper.{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-ne/morpeth-herald/|title=Morpeth Herald|date=8 June 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate=27 September 2023}}
Landmarks
The historical layout of central Morpeth consisted of Bridge Street, Oldgate Street and Newgate Street, with burgage plots leading off them. Traces of this layout remain: Old Bakehouse Yard off Newgate Street is a former burgage plot, as is Pretoria Avenue, off Oldgate.{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |at=p. 18 - 19 (sections 3.3.2 to 3.3.5) |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}} The town stands right on what used to be the Great North Road, the old coaching route between London and Edinburgh.{{cite book |title=The Great North Road: The Old Mail Road to Scotland|volume=2|first=Charles George|last=Harper|date=1901|page=32|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46716/46716-h/46716-h.htm}}
File:Carlisle_Park_and_Coat_of_Arms_-_geograph.org.uk_-_943732.jpg
File:Emily Wilding Davison Statue Morpeth (cropped).jpg commemorating 100 years since women were given the right to vote]]
Carlisle Park is located on the southern bank of the River Wansbeck in Morpeth. The park has the William Turner Garden, one of the only four floral clocks in England,{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/launch-event-to-mark-reinstated-floral-clock-in-park-1-9219544 |title=Launch event to mark reinstated floral clock in park |date=24 June 2018 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040554/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/launch-event-to-mark-reinstated-floral-clock-in-park-1-9219544 |archive-date=10 November 2018 |url-status=dead }} a statue of Emily Wilding Davison,{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/emily-wilding-davison-sculpture-story-15138830|title=The story behind the new statue of Morpeth's suffragette hero|first=Hannah|last=Graham|date=11 September 2018|work=Chronicle Live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/gallery-new-statue-honours-morpeth-heroine-1-9344683 |title=GALLERY: New statue honours Morpeth heroine |date=11 November 2018 |first=Jane |last=Coltman |newspaper=Northumberland Gazette}} as well as other facilities and attractions.{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/ParksandGardens.aspx |title=Northumberland County Council: Parks & Gardens |access-date=1 March 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/morpeth-paddling-pool-open-summer-14631490 |title=When is Morpeth paddling pool open? Outdoor visitor spot set to be popular this summer |date=24 June 2018 |first=Simon |last=Duke |newspaper=Chronicle Live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/refurbished-courts-are-looking-ace-1-6890543 |title=Refurbished courts are looking ace |date=14 October 2018 |publisher=Morpeth Herald |access-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115195027/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/sport/more-sport/refurbished-courts-are-looking-ace-1-6890543 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=dead }} Morpeth's Mafeking Park, at the bottom of Station Bank, was unsuccessfully put forward by locals to be listed as the smallest park in the world in the Guinness Book of Records.{{cite web |url=http://newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=7968 |title=Park Mafeking South Africa 1899-1902 Station Bank: Memorial Details |website=North East War Memorials Project |access-date=2 December 2018}}
Other landmarks are:
- Morpeth Clock Tower, a free-standing 17th century clock tower
- Morpeth Town Hall, originally designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (rebuilt 1869)
- Collingwood House, the Georgian home of Admiral Lord Collingwood
- Morpeth Chantry, a 13th-century chapel that now houses the town's tourist information centre and the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314063055/http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N11533|title=All Saints Chantry (Morpeth)|website=Keys To The Past|url=http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N11533|archive-date=14 March 2007|access-date=6 March 2019}}
- Morpeth Castle, which stands on a hill to the south, is now operated by the Landmark Trust as holiday accommodation{{cite web |title=Morpeth Castle |url=https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/morpeth-castle-9482 |website=Landmark Trust |access-date=2 January 2019}}
- A nuclear bunker located underneath Morpeth County Hall
- A gateway on High Stanners framed by a whale's jawbone{{cite web |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/lifestyle/some-triumphant-and-tragic-tales-of-the-sea-1-5538329 |title=Some triumphant and tragic tales of the sea |date=3 April 2013 |publisher=Morpeth Herald}}
- Ruins of Newminster Abbey, a former Cistercian abbey about one mile to the west of Morpeth{{cite web |url=https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Morpeth.pdf |page=14 |access-date=10 November 2018 |publisher=Northumberland County Council |title=Morpeth: Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey |date=2009}}{{NHLE |num=1155952 |desc=Newminster Abbey|access-date=10 November 2018 }}
- Morpeth Court, former courthouse and prison, now converted into apartments{{NHLE|num= 1303244 |desc=The Court House|access-date=6 April 2023}}
Notable people
- Bill Rutherford (1955–), Professor and Chair in Biochemistry of Solar energy in the Department of Life sciences at Imperial College London.
- Lawrence William Adamson (1829–1911), High Sheriff of Northumberland, who died at Linden Hall near Morpeth in 1911{{cite book |title=Longhorsley, Past and Present |first=Kristina Robyn |last=Rogerson |chapter-url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/NBL/Longhorsley/Past_Present |date=May 1990 |chapter=Tourist Attractions: Linden Hall}}
- James (Jim) Alder (born 1940), athlete, who spent his childhood in Morpeth after being adopted by the Alder family{{cite news |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/news/scottish-news/the-sunday-posts-hon-man-gave-scots-marathon-hero-his-family-back/ |title=The Sunday Post's Hon Man gave Scots marathon hero his family back |date=16 February 2014 |work=The Sunday Post |access-date=22 November 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/athletics-morpeths-man-of-steel-1177443.html |title=Athletics: Morpeth's man of steel |date=11 October 1998 |first=Simon |last=Turnball |work=The Independent |access-date=22 November 2018}}
- Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge (1817–1892), founder of Bainbridge Department Store – the first such store in the world – in Newcastle upon Tyne, who, from 1877, lived near Morpeth at Eshott Hall{{subscription required}} Anne Pimlott Baker, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/56163 Bainbridge, Emerson Muschamp (1817–1892)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004), accessed 24 April 2008.
- Arthur Bigge, 1st Baron Stamfordham (1849–1931), born at Linden Hall, near Morpeth, who became private secretary to Queen Victoria and George V{{subscription required}} William M. Kuhn, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/31883 Bigge, Arthur John, Baron Stamfordham (1849–1931)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004; online edition, Jan 2008), accessed 24 April 2008.
- Robert Blakey (1795–1878), radical journalist and philosopher, born in Manchester Street, Morpeth{{cite ODNB|first=Roger|last=Hawkins|id=2595|title=Blakey, Robert (1795–1878)}}
- Luke Clennell (1781–1840), engraver and painter, born in Morpeth{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/tale-of-a-talented-and-keen-artist-ends-in-tragedy-1-8601153 |title=Tale of a talented and keen artist ends in tragedy |date=24 June 2017 |work=Morpeth Herald |first=Roger |last=Hawkins |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119011104/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/tale-of-a-talented-and-keen-artist-ends-in-tragedy-1-8601153 |url-status=dead }}
- Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood (1748–1810), Royal Navy Admiral. He lived at Collingwood House in Oldgate and once said "Whenever I think how I am to be happy again, my thoughts carry me back to Morpeth".{{cite episode |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northeast/series7/collingwood.shtml |title=BBC Inside Out North East: Collingwood - Forgotten Hero |date=28 February 2005 |network=BBC One |series-link=Inside Out (2002 TV programme) |series=Inside Out |website=bbc.co.uk |first=Chris (host) |last=Jackson}}{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/salute-to-morpeth-hero-1-1538623 |title=Salute to Morpeth hero |date=29 December 2004 |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=13 December 2018}}
- Emily Wilding Davison, a suffragette who was killed when she fell under the King's horse during the Epsom Derby in 1913.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/26/emily-davison-suffragette-death-derby-1913 |title=Truth behind the death of suffragette Emily Davison is finally revealed |date=26 May 2013 |first=Vanessa |last=Thorpe |access-date=24 November 2018 |work=The Guardian}} Following her funeral in London, her coffin was brought by train to Morpeth for burial in St Mary's churchyard.
- William Elliott, Baron Elliott of Morpeth (1920–2011), Conservative politician born in Morpeth{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/a-kind-and-courteous-man-1-3417917 |title=A kind and courteous man |date=26 May 2011 |work=Morpeth Herald}}
- Toby Flood (born 1985), rugby union player for Leicester Tigers and England, who attended Morpeth Chantry School{{cite web |url=http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandElite/TobyFlood.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102735/http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/tobyflood.aspx |archive-date=7 April 2014 |title=Toby Flood England profile |publisher=RFU.com |access-date=5 October 2009}}
- Hamish Turnbull (born 1999), Cyclist representing British Cycling and Great Britain.
- John Cuthbert Hedley (1837–1913), Benedictine monk and Roman Catholic Bishop of Newport born at Carlisle House, Morpeth{{subscription required}} Alban Hood, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/48462 Hedley, John Cuthbert (1837–1915)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004), accessed 24 April 2008.
- Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle (1669–1738), MP for Morpeth in 1689–1692{{cite web |url=https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:1600a2e7-97a2-4cb2-b4a8-e77ac17ee02f/download_file?safe_filename=601848722.pdf&file_format=application%2Fpdf&type_of_work=Thesis |page=258 (268 through pdf) |first=Andrew I. M. |last=Duncan |title=A Study of the Life and Public Career of Frederick Howard, Fifth Earl of Carlisle, 1748-1825 |date=1981 |publisher=University College, Oxford}}
- Robert Morrison (1782–1834), translator of the Bible into Chinese and first Protestant missionary in China, born in Buller's Green, Morpeth{{subscription required}} R. K. Douglas (revised Robert Bickers), [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19330 Morrison, Robert (1782–1834)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004; May 2007 online edition), accessed 23 April 2008.
- John Peacock ({{circa|1756}}–1817), piper, born in Morpeth{{cite web |url=http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/8262/1/Dissertation-Pendlebury-030315.pdf |title=Jigs, Reels and Hornpipes: A History of "Traditional" Dance Tunes of Britain and Ireland |first=Celia |last=Pendlebury |date=February 2015 |publisher=Department of Music, University of Sheffield |page=152}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.northumbrianpipers.org.uk/uploads/NPS%20magazine%20archives/1991.pdf |title=Northumbrian Piper's Society Magazine |date=1991 |volume=12 |page=15 |website=northumbrianpipers.org.uk |publisher=Northumbrian Piper's Society |issn=0261-5096}}
- John Urpeth Rastrick (1780–1856), railway engineer, born in Morpeth{{subscription required}} G. C. Boase (revised M. W. Kirby), [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23153 Rastrick, John Urpeth (1780–1856)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004; Jan 2008 online edition), accessed 23 April 2008.
- Joe Robinson (1919–1991), footballer, born in Morpeth, who played for Blackpool in the 1948 FA Cup Final{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8461003.stm |title=FA Cup medal stolen from Blackpool player's family |date=15 January 2010 |work=BBC News}}{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=6811 |title=Soccerbase: Joe Robinson |access-date=22 November 2018 |website=soccerbase.com}}
- Walter Trevelyan (1821 – 1894), first-class cricketer and barrister, born in Morpeth{{cite book |title=The Harrow School Register, 1801-1893 |date=1957 |publisher=Longmans, Green |first=Reginald Courtenay |last=Welch |page=104 |url=https://archive.org/details/harrowschoolreg00schogoog/page/n118 |language=en |access-date=28 March 2019}}
- William Turner (naturalist) (c. 1508 – 13 July 1568), an English divine and reformer, physician and natural historian.{{subscription required}} Whitney R. D. Jones, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/27874 Turner, William (1509/10–1568)] in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004; Jan 2008 online edition), accessed 23 April 2008. The William Turner Garden is situated in Carlisle Park, Morpeth.{{cite news |url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/friendship-for-a-famous-son-to-raise-funds-and-awareness-1-7199382 |title=Friendship for a famous son to raise funds and awareness |date=13 April 2015 |first=Anna |last=Smith |work=Morpeth Herald |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123022625/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/friendship-for-a-famous-son-to-raise-funds-and-awareness-1-7199382 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/happy-birthday-father-botany-1469397 |title=Happy birthday to the 'father of botany' |date=26 April 2008 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |access-date=22 November 2018}}
- Dr N. T. Wright (born 1948), Anglican theologian and author, born in Morpeth{{cite news |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7042842.Our_friend_from_the_North/ |title=Our friend from the North |date=12 February 2003 |access-date=22 November 2018 |work=Northern Echo}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/bishop-durham-dr-tom-wright-4461217 |title=Bishop of Durham Dr Tom Wright to retire |date=28 April 2010 |access-date=22 November 2018 |work=The Journal}}
See also
- Viscount Morpeth, the heir apparent to the Earl of Carlisle.
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References
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External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Morpeth, Northumberland}}
{{Northumberland}}
{{Morpeth, Northumberland}}
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Category:Market towns in Northumberland
Category:Towns in Northumberland