Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

Last modified: March 03, 2004

The North Pennine Moorland

Graeme Peacock

The rolling moors south of Hadrian's wall which blend into the Northern Pennines on either side of the South Tyne Valley through Allendale and Allenheads are an attractive site all year round.

On the top of the moors one can see lonely chimneys standing alone in the wind, these are the end of the flumes from the lead smelters in the valley below in some cases two miles away. These flumes are constructed of brick and large enough for a man and cart to walk through have been buried in earth and not always obvious to the eye.

The flumes have a few useful reasons firstly to extract to smoke from the fires from the valley while causing a draft to stoke the smelters and secondly the silver in the fumes which would normally be lost to the atmosphere, condensed on the walls and could later be removed.

Allendale

Tar Barrel Celebration

The Northumberland Village of Allendale celebrate the New Year with a unique Pagan ceremony at mid night each year, with a colourful procession through the town to the Baal fire.

A selected hereditary team of 45 barrel carriers known as Guisers dressed in fancy dress carry flaming whiskey barrels through the streets to the town centre where they are used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire, as everyone shouts "Be Damned to He Who Throws Last"

The barrels which can weigh 15 kg (30 lbs) filled with burning hot tar are carried by the Guisers on their heads, the flames leaping up to the dark night skies with sparks giving a spectacular sight.

The Guisers some of whom have held their right to carry the flaming barrels for more than half a century had the honour passed from their fathers and intend to pass it on down through the family.

Without documentary evidence of the roots to the centuries old festival local folklore gives theories of being Viking in origin with possible Paganism roots in fire worship.

Allendale nestled in the North Pennines, south of the Tyne attracts spectators from far and wide each year for The Tar Barrel Festival, so book accommodation early and wrap up well.

Allenheads Heritage Centre

Most of the villages in the area have a connection to the days of lead mining with old mine chimneys in the hills around Allenheads Heritage Mining Centre with portrays the history of the local lead mines and its existence since the last mine closed in 1896.

Click here for

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

on November 5th 2002

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Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

The North Pennine Moorland

Graeme Peacock

The rolling moors south of Hadrian's wall which blend into the Northern Pennines on either side of the South Tyne Valley through Allendale and Allenheads are an attractive site all year round.

The flumes have a few useful reasons firstly to extract to smoke from the fires from the valley while causing a draft to stoke the smelters and secondly the silver in the fumes which would normally be lost to the atmosphere, condensed on the walls and could later be removed.

Allendale

Tar Barrel Celebration

The Northumberland Village of Allendale celebrate the New Year with a unique Pagan ceremony at mid night each year, with a colourful procession through the town to the Baal fire.

A selected hereditary team of 45 barrel carriers known as Guisers dressed in fancy dress carry flaming whiskey barrels through the streets to the town centre where they are used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire, as everyone shouts "Be Damned to He Who Throws Last"

The barrels which can weigh 15 kg (30 lbs) filled with burning hot tar are carried by the Guisers on their heads, the flames leaping up to the dark night skies with sparks giving a spectacular sight.

The Guisers some of whom have held their right to carry the flaming barrels for more than half a century had the honour passed from their fathers and intend to pass it on down through the family.

Without documentary evidence of the roots to the centuries old festival local folklore gives theories of being Viking in origin with possible Paganism roots in fire worship.

Allendale nestled in the North Pennines, south of the Tyne attracts spectators from far and wide each year for The Tar Barrel Festival, so book accommodation early and wrap up well.

Allenheads Heritage Centre

Most of the villages in the area have a connection to the days of lead mining with old mine chimneys in the hills around Allenheads Heritage Mining Centre with portrays the history of the local lead mines and its existence since the last mine closed in 1896.

Click here for

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker
Please report any Problems or Enquiries to:
admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk

LOCAL WEATHER

©Copyright 2004

Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more Relevant Information

The North Pennine Moorland

Graeme Peacock

The rolling moors south of Hadrian's wall which blend into the Northern Pennines on either side of the South Tyne Valley through Allendale and Allenheads are an attractive site all year round.

The flumes have a few useful reasons firstly to extract to smoke from the fires from the valley while causing a draft to stoke the smelters and secondly the silver in the fumes which would normally be lost to the atmosphere, condensed on the walls and could later be removed.

Allendale

Tar Barrel Celebration

The Northumberland Village of Allendale celebrate the New Year with a unique Pagan ceremony at mid night each year, with a colourful procession through the town to the Baal fire.

A selected hereditary team of 45 barrel carriers known as Guisers dressed in fancy dress carry flaming whiskey barrels through the streets to the town centre where they are used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire, as everyone shouts "Be Damned to He Who Throws Last"

The barrels which can weigh 15 kg (30 lbs) filled with burning hot tar are carried by the Guisers on their heads, the flames leaping up to the dark night skies with sparks giving a spectacular sight.

The Guisers some of whom have held their right to carry the flaming barrels for more than half a century had the honour passed from their fathers and intend to pass it on down through the family.

Without documentary evidence of the roots to the centuries old festival local folklore gives theories of being Viking in origin with possible Paganism roots in fire worship.

Allendale nestled in the North Pennines, south of the Tyne attracts spectators from far and wide each year for The Tar Barrel Festival, so book accommodation early and wrap up well.

Allenheads Heritage Centre

Most of the villages in the area have a connection to the days of lead mining with old mine chimneys in the hills around Allenheads Heritage Mining Centre with portrays the history of the local lead mines and its existence since the last mine closed in 1896.

Click here for

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker Please report any Problems or Enquiries to: admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk

©Copyright 200 4

This Web Site was Created without Banner or Pop Ups Adverts by Northern Walker
Please report any Problems or Enquiries to:
admin@Northern-Walker.co.uk www.Northern-Walker.co.uk