Shilbottle

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name = Shilbottle
latitude= 55.3721
longitude= -1.6915
population = approx. 1,300
shire_district = Alnwick
region = North East England
shire_county = Northumberland
constituency_westminster = Berwick-upon-Tweed
post_town = Alnwick
postcode_district = NE66
postcode_area= NE
dial_code = 01665
os_grid_reference = NU422607

Shilbottle (ancient name Shilbotel) is a village in Northumberland, north-east England, located 3 miles south-east of Alnwick, and 5 miles from the coast and Alnmouth. The village stands close to the A1 (Britain's longest road, connecting Edinburgh to London).

History

Coal mining began in the district around 1728; by the end of the 18th century six shafts were operating around Blue Lodge Farm (a.k.a. Colliery Farm). [ [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Shilbottle.htm Communities] (accessed 27 December 2006)] In the early 20th century, Shilbottle Colliery was bought for £50 by the English Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS), a federation of consumer co-operatives, who upgraded the mining site: a new village of 170 houses was built, including some cottages for aged miners. [ [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Shilbottle.htm Ibid.] (accessed 27 December 2006)] Furthermore, Shilbottle Colliery was the only pit in the area where workers were given a week's holiday with pay, and a pension scheme. The National Coal Board took over after the Second World War; production continued until a decline in the 1970s. The pit closed in 1981, and the workforce transferred to nearby Whittle. [ [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Shilbottle.htm Ibid.] (accessed 27 December 2006)]

Church

The local Anglican church of St. James was built in 1885 , at a cost of £4,000. It is in the Early English style, but stands on the site of an earlier church; the church register dates from 1681. [ [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Shilbottle.htm Ibid.] (accessed 27 December 2006)]

ign Defacement

The signs listing Shilbottle are often the subject of vandalism as vandals often change the first 'l' to a 't' to form an obscenity.

References

External links

* [http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/Shilbottle.htm Northumberland Communities: Shilbottle (history)]
* [http://www.shilbottleskillscentre.org.uk/ The Shilbottle Skills Centre] , opened 2000.