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Longhorsley Tower Ordnance Survey Map Reference NZ 145946 The village of Longhorsley is situated on a branch of the River Coquet, astride the Coldstream to Newcastle road. The village has a long history. In 1196 it is referred to as Horsieg, which means a "woodland clearing where horses are kept" - although it was said to be a pretty tough place for a horse. One traveller, Eneas Mackenzie (1778-1832), described it in his view of the County of Northumberland, as "the prolific source of contagious disorders incident to cattle, and of little real use in its present state". The manor of Longhorsley was owned by the Gospatricks who gave it to the Merlays, and then it pa…

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An old postcard of Preston Tower, recently added to my collection.

An old postcard of Hazelslack Tower, recently purchased.

From the BBC Website, 10th May 2007 Work to protect medieval castle A medieval Cumbrian castle will be stripped to its roof timbers in a bid to solve a long-term damp problem. Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, where the Strickland family have lived for more than 700 years, is to be renovated at a cost of £1.3m. The famous Boston Ivy will be removed from the building's 14th century Pele Tower during the English Heritage and National Trust project. Care will also be taken not to disrupt the castle roof's bat population. The roofs of the south and north wings will be re-covered, mainly in Westmorland Green Slate from a Cumbrian quarry, while the central tower roof will…

From the BBC Website, 10th June 2011 Somerset's Nunney Castle targeted by vandals Vandals have removed more than 30 coping stones from the perimeter wall of a Somerset castle. The 14th Century Nunney Castle was targeted in the past two days, the parish council said. It is not known what happened to the stones, but it is thought they might have been thrown into the moat. Parish councillor Jeremy Gaunt said that while a few stones had disappeared in the past, thefts had been nothing on this scale. The French-style castle, built in 1373, is managed by English Heritage which does not charge an entry fee. Councillor Gaunt condemned the vandalism. "It's difficult to be…

From the BBC Website, 3rd May 2005 Castle closes after roof leaks Colchester Castle has been forced to close for most of May to repair a leak in its roof. Water began filtering through the plaster ceiling and leaked inside the building. All rare and valuable items, including Roman artefacts, are being packed up for safe keeping. The Essex castle will shut until 28th May. The Norman castle, in Britain's oldest recorded town, was built on Roman foundations. Colchester Borough Council's marketing officer Marie Taylor said: "It is sad to see the castle close, but the work has to be done."

From the BBC Website, 28th February 2011 Eardisley Castle in Herefordshire gives up its secrets A dig at Eardisley Castle in Herefordshire is being funded by a £50,000 Heritage Lottery grant. Professional archaeologists will be working alongside volunteers at the 11th century motte and bailey castle. Malcolm Mason, chair of Eardisley History Group, said: "There are still many questions to be answered about how the castle was built, and how it changed over time." The group have already commissioned two surveys using ground-penetrating radar. The geophysical surveys, carried out by the Herefordshire-based firm Archaeophysica, have provided targets for the dig, whic…

From the Dorset Echo, 20th August 2007 Bridge may be replaced at gardens A timber footbridge could be replaced at Weymouth's Sandsfoot Castle Gardens. Members of Wednesday's Weymouth and Portland Borough Council planning and traffic committee will be told that the new footbridge would provide 'a significant improvement' in access across Sandsfoot Gardens by linking the ornamental gardens to the Grade II-listed Sandsfoot Castle. A report on the scheme says: 'The existing main footpath through the ornamental gardens currently leads to a sudden drop where the previous old footbridge once existed. Although the four original stone pillars remain, the bridge itself has …

For those who can receive TV channel BBC2, there is a programme at 8pm tonight called "Save Lullingstone Castle".