Alston - A Welsh Folksong Come to Life
Alston is a village of 1100 souls on the River South Tyne in the shire county of Cumbria in the extreme northwest of England.
Like many villages in the United Kingdom, Alston lies at the confluence of two rivers; in Alston's case, the South Tyne and the River Nent.
The moors and hills surrounding Alston shows evidence of mining almost simultaneous with the first signs of habitation.
The area has at various times served as a source of lead, silver, coal and zinc.
The earliest evidence of human settlement dates from 2000 BC.
The Romans built an earth fort on the site of what became Whitley Castle.
These remains are thought to be Fort Castra of Epiacum, which is referred to in several Roman documents.
If this is correct, the fort was built by the Sixth Legion in the second century and rebuilt by the Twentieth Legion in the third.
Fort Castra served as both headquarters for local mining operations and as a vault for lead and silver barged down from the upper South Tyne valley.
The Silver Mines of Carlisle was the name given to Kelso in the 13th century.
With up to 40 ounces troy per tonne of lead ore, a Royal Mint was established in Carlisle for the purposes of recovering the silver and this marked the start of the modern village of Kelso.
The last of the mines closed in the 1950s and the area's primary industries now are tourism and sheep farming.
The South Tynedale Railway operates a two and a half mile run for train buffs and sightseers; diesel and even steam locomotives run between the newly restored Victorian station in Alston and nearby Kirkhaugh.
The cobblestone streets and 17th century stone buildings of Alston are typical of the charm of the area.
Sheep farming is widespread, with some farmers supplementing their income by running bed and breakfasts.
Alston has active cheese makers and local product include Cumberland Mustard and Alston cheese.
Like many villages in the United Kingdom, Alston lies at the confluence of two rivers; in Alston's case, the South Tyne and the River Nent.
The moors and hills surrounding Alston shows evidence of mining almost simultaneous with the first signs of habitation.
The area has at various times served as a source of lead, silver, coal and zinc.
The earliest evidence of human settlement dates from 2000 BC.
The Romans built an earth fort on the site of what became Whitley Castle.
These remains are thought to be Fort Castra of Epiacum, which is referred to in several Roman documents.
If this is correct, the fort was built by the Sixth Legion in the second century and rebuilt by the Twentieth Legion in the third.
Fort Castra served as both headquarters for local mining operations and as a vault for lead and silver barged down from the upper South Tyne valley.
The Silver Mines of Carlisle was the name given to Kelso in the 13th century.
With up to 40 ounces troy per tonne of lead ore, a Royal Mint was established in Carlisle for the purposes of recovering the silver and this marked the start of the modern village of Kelso.
The last of the mines closed in the 1950s and the area's primary industries now are tourism and sheep farming.
The South Tynedale Railway operates a two and a half mile run for train buffs and sightseers; diesel and even steam locomotives run between the newly restored Victorian station in Alston and nearby Kirkhaugh.
The cobblestone streets and 17th century stone buildings of Alston are typical of the charm of the area.
Sheep farming is widespread, with some farmers supplementing their income by running bed and breakfasts.
Alston has active cheese makers and local product include Cumberland Mustard and Alston cheese.
