RYDAL AND LOUGHRIGG.

1655/6 February 11. A letter from John Bancks, the faithful factotum to young squire Daniel Fleming at Hutton Hall concerning the appointment of a minister for Rydal. Also particulars of the scene that occurred in the Church on the Lord's Day between the clerk and Mr. Turner of Ambleside (Hist. MSS. Com., 12th Rep. p. 22), "who would not suffer Mr. Turner to read in the usuall place soe I wished Mr. Turner to goe into the pulpit and officiate But the Clarke begun to read a Chapter and I bid him give over but he would not, Soe I shutt the booke soe Mr. Turner read a Chappter and sung a Psalme and begune to preach." Armitt, Church of Grasmere, 87

1671 7 October. Memorandum that on 22 July, 22 Charles II, John Phillipson, of Calfgarth, yeo., came before Daniell Fleming and Robt. Phillipson, esqrs, at Rydall and gave information and upon proof by the oaths of several witnesses that Reginald Holme and his wife of Loughrigg, Francis Benson of the same, Bernard Benson and his wife of the same, Francis Benson the younger, Will. Wilson of Langdall and his wife, Michall Wilson of Elterwater and his wife, John Benson of Waytwayte in Langdall, John Dixon of Sidehouse in Langdall, Will. Harrison of Harry Place in Langdall, Geo. Brathwaite of High Wray, parish of Dalton, Edw. Rigg of High Wray, Jas. Grave of Tackhowe parish of Dalton, Isabell Forrest of Tackhowe, spr., Will. Becke of Longthwayt, parish of Dalton, Will. Sathurthwayt of Colthouse parish of Dalton, Charles and Edward Saturthwait of Colthouse, Geo. Holme of Colthouse, Thomas Pennington of Hawkshead, Geo. Brathwayte of Feildhead, parish of Dalton and Giles Walker of Walker ground parish of Dalton, yeomen, each of them being aged 17 or more were present, assembled and unlawfully congregated in the house of the said Reginald Holme with other evildoers and disturbers of the King's peace unknown, to the number of 20 persons besides the family of the said Reginald, there under colour and pretext of exercising religion otherwise than allowed by the Liturgy of the English Church and against the King's peace, his crown and dignity, and against the form of the Statute in such case made and provided; wherefore the said Reginald Holme and theother evildoers are convicted, wherefore the said Justices impose upon the said Reginald Holme a fine of £20 and upon each other person there a fine of 5 shillings for their assent, according to the form of the Statute, etc. K. Indictment Book, 1669–1692.

1681 14 September. At widow Harrison's house in Rydal ninety-four Quakers took the Test or Declaration before Sir Daniel and William Fleming. Hist. MSS. Com., 12th Rep. 183.

1691 9 October. Reginald Holme of Loughrigg, yeo. stands indicted for that he on the 1 September with force and arms on the common called Beckgreen, parcel of Loughrigg Common, did erect a certain wall and hath encroached on the common to the nuisance of the inhabitants. Order that the nuisance be removed and abated. K. Order Book, 1669–96.

1693 28 April. Whereas John Holme of Skelwith bridge end in Loughrigg stands indicted with Francis Holme of the same, yeoman, that on 24 April, 5 William and Mary, he hath stopt and obstructed the common highway leading from Beckgreen common through Ackening Loneing to a common called Little Loughrigg and that the same is a common nuisance, order that the said nuisance be removed by the inhabitants of Loughrigg. Order that a nuisance be removed by the same, of which John Holme of Beckgreen and Jane Holme of the same place stand indicted for that on 10 February, 4 William and Mary, they encroached on part of the Beckgreen common and planted trees thereon. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1694/5 18 January. Rev. Hen. Fleming of Rydall, clerk, Tho. Barbon, clerk, vicar of Burton and others took the oaths and subscribed the Test. And on 5 April following, Sir Daniel Fleming, kt., Mr. Daniel Fleming, Geo. Fleming, clerk, and Mr. John Brougham, took the oaths and subscribed the Test. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1702/3 15 January. Presented that Pelter Bridge near Ambleside is a public bridge and much out of repair; ordered that Mr. Will. Johnson, high constable, and Leonard Beneson of Langdall view and contract for repair or rebuilding of the same. (K. Order Book, 1696–1724). On 9 April following it was ordered that Geo. Bateman be joined with Joshua, Will. and Rob. Robinson, wallers, in the rebuilding of Pelter Bridge according to agreement for £29 15s. Ibid.

1707/8 16 January. Presentment that Pelter Bridge between Rydal and Loughrigg is out of repair; order to the chief constable to view and repair the same if at a reasonable cost, otherwise to consult with workmen what the charges will be and report at the next Sessions. (Ibid.). At the Court held on 16 April following, the chief constable of Kendal Ward exhibited the proposals made by Will. Thompson of Hartsopp, Arthur Dixon of Highhouse, Christ. Johnson of Armebeth, and Will. Sharpe of Grasmere, severally produced to this court touching the rebuilding of the public bridge called Pelter Bridge, now very ruinous; order that if Will. Robinson and partners will rebuild the bridge 11 yards in length 3 yards in breadth from outside to outside and battlements 2 feet high with conveniences for passing and repassing at each end thereof and give security for upholding the same for 7 years, the chief constable may contract with them, if not to contract with Christ. Johnson and his partners for £23. (Ibid.). On the 14th May, 1708, William and Robert Robinson signed a deed to pull down all and every part of the Common or County bridge called Pelter Bridge and erect and build a new firm stone bridge in the same place to consist of one bend or arch to the dimensions given above excepting that the width is stated to be 7 foot within the ledges or battlements. And complete the same on or before the 1st day of August next ensuing. In consideration whereof Lancelot Thompson, the high constable, covenants to pay the sum of £25, i.e. the sum of £10 at the keying of the said new arch and the remainder at the completion of the work. Browne MSS., vol. xiv, p. 284.

1712 2 May. The charge for 3 yards of ledges, priming up and limeing the Westmorland end of Skelwith Bridge is estimated at £1. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724; Browne MSS., vol. i, n. 221.

1713/4 15 January. Presentment that the causeway between Rydal and Pelter Bridge is out of repair. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1718 25 April. Order to the high constable to view the highway between Pelter Bridge and Rydal Bridge where a person was lately drowned and report. (Ibid.). On 4 June, 1718, Robert and William Robinson entered into an agreement to amend the highway. First to firmly pin up and secure all the old wall from Pelter Bridge down the water for some 100 yards or thereabouts to an Ash Tree that is standing in the bank or brow of the river. Then from an oak stubb some 26 yards below Pelter Bridge to build a firm strong new wall down the water some 74 yards to the said Ash Tree, laying the foundations very low in the sand and 4 feet broad all along where the highway is strait and narrow, being 34 yards. And all the said new wall to be well walled with long stones and stopped with moss; the old wall not to be broken or pulled down at any place but at the high end about two yards in order to piece and bind with the new wall. A firm wall and battlements one yard high above the level of the highway must be set upon the said work from Pelter Bridge to the Ash tree and great stones must be trailed and laid in the bottom of the river close to the foundations to prevent the river underpinning the said work. The Robinsons undertook the work and its maintenance in good and sufficient repair for seven years for the sum of £13 5s. Browne MSS., vol. iii, n. 187; vi., nos. 173, 174.

1718/9 16 January. Order for the repair of Rydal Bridge. (K. Order Book, 1696–1724). Specification of the work required, dated 26 February, 1718/9. The Bridge must be set down water as it is marked out and must be 10 yards betwixt the springers and 4 yards broad, the battlements or ledges to be 2 feet 6 inches high above the pavement on each side, on the north side so far as a water hole in the Round Close. On the south side from the way that goes into a place called the Allans a wall must be set on the outside of the cawsey all along to the new wall end. The undertaker must pave and make the road easy for all passengers and uphold the same for 14 years. He must also with all speed throw two or three trees over that end of the bridge which is now fallen and plank them over to secure the same that passengers may safely go over till the said bridge be pulled down. (Browne MSS., vol. ii, n. 44). On 27 May, 1719, William and Robert Robinson entered into a bond to pull down all and every part of the common or county bridge, called and known by the name of Rydal Bridge and erect and build in the same place a new firm stone bridge and maintain and keep the same in good and sufficient repair for 14 years, etc. (Browne MSS., vol. iii, n. 189). On 11 September, 1719, Robert Robinson, free mason, gives receipt for £14 10s. being the remainder of £24 10s. for building a new stone bridge called Rydal Bridge near Rydal Hall. Browne MSS., vol. i, n. 253; ii, n. 170.

1745/6 17 January. Order that the two high constables view Rydall and Pelter bridges and report thereon at the next Sessions. K. Order Book, 1738–1750.

1754 16 July. Presentment that from the time whereof the memory of man is not to the contrary, there was and yet is a certain common and ancient highway leading from the township of Langdale towards and unto the market town of Ambleside and that a certain part of the same King's highway in the township of Loughrigg beginning at a gate on the south end of Langdale Common and from thence along the lane leading to the market town to the dwelling house now or late of Tho. Roberts, containing in length 2 miles and in breadth 8 feet, was and yet is very ruinous, etc., and that the inhabitants of Loughrigg ought to repair and amend the same. (K. Indictment Book, 175060). A certificate that the highway was in repair was submitted to the Court on 17 January, 1755, when the indictment was discharged. Ibid.

1769 9 January. Presentment that Skelwith Bridge to the middle thereof is one of the public bridges and that the said bridge and 88 yards of the highway at the northern end is in great decay, etc., and ought to be repaired at the public expense of the county. Ordered that the two high constables view and report the condition thereof at the next Sessions. (K. Indictment Book, 1760–70). On 3 April, 1769, the high constables were ordered to forthwith repair the same. K. Order Book, 1760–70.

1769 3 April. Petition of the Surveyor of highways within the townships of Rydal and Loughrigg that the highways there are greatly out of repair and that the 6 days labour is not sufficient to effectually repair the same; ordered that an assessment of 6d. in the pound be levied upon the several inhabitants owners and occupiers; and that in case of refusal or non payment within 10 days of demand, levied by distress and sale of goods, etc. (K. Order Book, 1760–70). On 27 April, 1772, a similar petition and order was issued. K. Order Book, 1770–80.

1773 19 April. Presentment that Rydal Bridge is one of the public bridges and is in great decay, etc., and ought to be repaired at the public expense of the county. (K. Indict. Book, 1770–80). Order to the two high constables to view and report the condition thereof Ibid.

1796 15 January. Presentment that Pelter Bridge and 300 ft. of the road at the west end and 15 ft. at the east end of the bridge, are in great decay and ought to be repaired at the public expense of the co. of Westmorland. K. Order and Indictment Book, 1786–98.

1823 5 July. The foundation stone of Rydal Chapel to be erected and endowed by Lady le Fleming was laid on Wednesday last. (Local Chron., 55). It was opened for public worship on Christmas Day, 1824 (Ibid., 60) and consecrated by Dr. Bloomfield, bishop of Chester, 26 August, 1825. Ibid., 63.

1826 13 January. Fletcher Fleming, curate of Rydal took the oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy and Abjuration, made the declaration against Transubstantiation and subscribed the same according to law. K. Indict. Book, 1824–34.

1857 23 October. Rev. John Tatham took the oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy and Abjuration and made and subscribed the Declaration in lieu of the Sacramental Test on his appointment to the Perpetual Curacy of Rydal. K. Order Book, 1839–76.

1890 10 July. In order to widen Rydal Bridge the Surveyor proposed to do so parallel with the north side, but in order to avoid a very awkward turn at the Ambleside end he proposed to further increase the width at this end by 3 ft. 6 ins. C.C. Minutes, 1889–94.

1890 1 October. Skelwith Bridge was almost completely washed down by the flood. It had been a double bridge and only a small portion of the original pack-horse bridge at the Westmorland end remained. The Surveyors of the two counties submitted plans for the rebuilding, showing a bridge with two arches of 32 ft. 9 ins., and 31 ft. 9 ins. span and a roadway of 18 ft. in the clear. They reported that on the Westmorland side the approach is awkward by there being a reverse curve which interferes with the proper view of approaching traffic, but this might be improved by the removal of an old shed belonging to Mr. Balme. (C.C. Minutes, 1889–94). The Committee recommend that Mr. Balme's offer to allow the road, opposite to the Inn, to be widened be accepted. Mr. Grisenthwaite's estimate of £970 15s. was also accepted. Ibid.

1899 2 June. The Lancashire County Council having shown on a plan the boundary of the township of Skelwith extended so as to include a portion of the Lake, and being remonstrated with replied that their sub-committee have consented to alter the line on the plan, but "it must not be considered in any way as an admission on their part that this portion of the Lake is in the County of Westmorland, or as in any way affecting the boundary of the two counties in Lake Windermere." C.C. Minutes, 1899–1900.