GenUKI Contents | Yorkshire | North Riding, Yorkshire |
[Transcribed information mainly from the early 1820s]
"COVERHAM, a parish in the wapentake of Hang West, and liberty of Richmondshire; 1½ mile SW. of Middleham. Here was a priory, of the order of the Proemonstratenses, founded by Ralph, son of Robert Lord of Middleham, about the 14th year of King John. The ruins of the Abbey are scattered about in Coverdale, so called from the river which runs through it. The Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a neat structure, the living a curacy; patron, the Rev. S. Hardcastle; incumbent, the Rev. William Otter; officiating curate, the Rev. James Law. It is worthy of remark, that, though the church-yard contains little more than an acre of ground, yet, from a sudden descent along the SE. side of it, a person stationed in this part of the burial ground can neither see the church nor hear the bells; the sudden rise of the churchyard, entirely obstructing the view of the church, and the noise of a waterfall drowning the sound of the bells. Pop. with Agglethorpe, 131."
Information on the following places in this Parish is contained on a supplementary page.
- Agglethorpe
- Arkleside
- Arundel Grange
- Ashgill
- Blackrake
- Borkesgill
- Bracken Gill Lodge
- Braidley
- Caldbergh
- Carlton
- Cotescue
- Cover Bridge
- Coverham Abbey
- Coverhead
- Gammersgill
- Hindlethwaite
- Horsehouse
- Melmerby
- Pen Hill
- Pickle
- Saint Simons' Chapel
- Sowersett
- Swineside
- Tupgill
- West Scrafton
- Woodale
They say "I know it is cheeky to contact you in this way, but we are desperate. It would be a tragedy for future generations if such a lovely ancient building were lost from the community."
If you know of anyone at all who may be able to help in any way, please let
them know.
Many thanks,
Anne Readshaw (September, 1999)
Mrs A. Readshaw
Secretary, Coverdale Churches' Committee
School House
Horsehouse
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4TS