Rowrah
Encyclopedia
Rowrah is a village in Cumbria
and spans the civil parish
es of Arlecdon and Frizington
and Lamplugh
. The majority of Rowrah is within Arlecdon and Frizington. The parish boundaries are formed from the Windergill Beck and Colliergate Beck: as such nine properties, Rowrah Hall Farm, Rowrah Hall, Ainsdale House, Rowrah Head, four properties on Pheasants Rise and Rowrah Station technically fall within Lamplugh.
Until 1974 Rowrah was part of the county of Cumberland
.
Like many of the towns and villages in Cumberland
, Rowrah is not mentioned in the Domesday Book
as in 1092, the date of the book, the majority of Cumberland
was within the kingdom of Scotland
. Cumberland
, and therefore Rowrah, did not permanently become part of England until 1273 with the signing of the Treaty of York
.
and the River Derwent, Cumbria
. To the west flows the Windergill Beck contributing to the River Ehen
, the source of Windergill Beck is located within the grounds of Rowrah Hall. To the east flows the Colliergate Beck contributing to the River Marron
which in turn contributes in to the River Derwent, Cumbria
.
Rowrah is 169m above sea level.
on 1 January 1923, Rowrah was connected by three separate railway companies, two of which terminated in Rowrah thus giving four separate lines in to and out of Rowrah for the conveyance of passengers and goods.
. Rowrah station, located on Pasture Road, can be see using this view from Google Street View. At the top of Pasture Road Rowrah had two hotels, The Railway Hotel and The Stork Hotel.
The line was further extended to Wrights Green ("The Lamplugh Extension") and on 2 April 1866 the line was connected with the Workington
and Cockermouth
line at using a Wye (rail) (triangular track) arrangement at Marron Junction thus creating the Whitehaven
and Marron Junction branch line. At the opening of the "Lamplugh Extension" it was also announced that an Electrical telegraph
had been installed on the line at the demand of the Iron ore companies at a grand cost of £56.
By 1875 Rowrah had become a sufficiently complex junction that is was deemed to require its own signal box, this resulted in the opening of Rowrah No1. Signal Box.
was founded in 1876 and was given the nickname of "Track of the Ironmasters" due to the fact that its primary purpose was to transport trucks of iron ore down from mines located at Knockmurton and Kelton (via Rowrah) to the Iron works at Workington, Cleator Moor and Distington.
On 1 May 1888 a joint application was made for a "tramway on the Rowrah Estate", this was between Thomas Dixon (the owner of Rowrah Head Quarry) and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon of Rheda and the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
. A further application was made on 1 October 1906 in respect to extension of lines to be constructed on the Rowrah Hall Estate between 1) the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway Company and 2) Thomas Dixon, Rheda and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon, Lorton Hall.
Initially the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
only carried goods, specifically iron ore and coal
but it was later extended to carry passengers.
Rowrah continued to have a passenger service until 1931 at which point both the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
and Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
withdrew their service in the face of increasing competition from the bus service. Many of the local older residents have memories of reasonably frequent school services, charter trains, Railtour
s and various specials from Rowrah in to the 1950s and 1960s.
that was constructed to reduce the cost of the conveyance of Iron ore and Limestone
from the Knockmurton and Kelton mines. Prior to the construction of the railway the cost of transport via road to Rowrah / Wrights Green was three and six a ton (17.5p). A single locomotive of the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was preserved by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society
and can be seen at their Falkirk
Museum located at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
. The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was opened in January 1877 and the track eventually lifted in 1934, the route was only ever used for the carriage of goods, specifically Iron ore.
Identified railway staff from Rowrah include:-
Rowrah continued to have a manned station until 1967, 36 years after passenger services officially ceased.
The route of the old Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
ceased coal
and coke
traffic, for the general public on 14 August 1967, and regular goods, from 15 August 1966.
The signal box remained operational until 1967 at which point traffic had become so low that the whole of the line between Rowrah and Whitehaven was deemed as a single block (see British absolute block signalling
) with point switching being carried out by the train driver / guard. The Rowrah No. 1 Signal box was the last surviving box of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
.
A stretch of the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
remained until October 1980 as the backshunt
in to Rowrah Hall quarry for the remaining goods traffic on the old route of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
. The backshunt
ran from Rowrah almost as far as Arlecdon
Station.
The line to the south of Rowrah continued to serve the Rowrah Hall / Eskett Quarry as the primary way to move Limestone
until 23 March 1978 when the last Rowrah Limestone
was sent to the Blast furnace
s at Workington Ironworks. All private siding movements were suspended on 1 April 1978. The line was officially closed to traffic on 2 February 1980 and remained in place until October of the same year. The quarry remained open for two years after the departure of the railway with all Limestone
being transported by road. During the rail removal process the track was lifted and loaded on to a train, the track being lifted behind it as it travelled back to Whitehaven. The train formation consisted of a British Rail Class 25
locomotive (25202 and 25036), two rail wagons and BR/LMS guards van. 25036 was the last locomotive to ever visit Rowrah.
The remnants of all the quarries of Rowrah and the connecting trackbeds is clearly visible in this google map overlay
In the 1980s Rowrah Quarry was (owned? and) operated by Eskett Quarries Ltd.
and was served by the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
.
The quarry was owned by Salter Quarry Co. Ltd.
In 1922 it employed 47 people (36 workers, 11 office)
Although Rowrah Hall Quarry and Salter Hall Quarry were entirely separate, later quarrying activity and the eventual flooding of both has resulted in them now appearing as one single entity when viewed from the air . Although there is no documented evidence many locals are aware of the remnants of two tunnels between the two quarries. The earlier of the two tunnels had a narrow gauge track and the latter was sufficiently wide to allow the passage of road wagons. Eventually the two tunnels were used to create the open space between the two quarries.
and was served by the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
. The local name for Stockhow Hall Quarry was "Bainsey Wood Quarry".
, Cockermouth. The property was leased to various landlords throughout its life under Jennings Brewery
ownership, some of the tennants included:-
The Railway Hotel Rowrah underwent alterations in 1955/1956 while remaining under the ownership of the Jennings Brewery
.
Additional National archive records, held in Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library, Whitehaven, indicate the sale of The Railway Hotel in 1956 The Station Hotel is now a private residence.
There are archive records regarding The Stork Hotel as follows:-
The Stork Hotel is the last remaining public house and hotel in Rowrah.
Many of the Wesleyan meetings were documented and some have been transcribed available online.
The Reading Room was established in 1896; the members, who numbered about 40, subscribed for 2d. weekly.
4 items from the "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah" are part of the local historical collection housed at The Beacon in Whitehaven
. These items are:-
, barn owl
, fox
, red squirrel
, smooth newt
, hare
, and rabbit
. Rowrah has a pair of nesting peregrine falcon
s, in April 2009 they made the national headlines when a pigeon laced with poison was used in an attempt to poison them.
To the south east of Rowrah, along the C2C cycle route prior to Sheriffs Gate there is High Leys
, which has been designated a National Nature Reserve
. The status of National Nature Reserve
was awarded to High Leys
due to its meadow status and the traditional hay-making and grazing methods employed during the land's working lifetime.
In 2010 there have been sightings of a large black cat, local myth often refers to such unknown creatures as "Boggles".
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
and spans the civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
es of Arlecdon and Frizington
Arlecdon and Frizington
Arlecdon and Frizington is a civil parish in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England. The parish includes Arlecdon, Frizington, Rowrah and Asby. It has a population of 3,678....
and Lamplugh
Lamplugh
Lamplugh is a scattered community and civil parish located in west Cumbria on the edge of the English Lake District. It is the starting point for a number of walks, and is on the Sea to Sea / C2C / Coast to Coast Cycle Route....
. The majority of Rowrah is within Arlecdon and Frizington. The parish boundaries are formed from the Windergill Beck and Colliergate Beck: as such nine properties, Rowrah Hall Farm, Rowrah Hall, Ainsdale House, Rowrah Head, four properties on Pheasants Rise and Rowrah Station technically fall within Lamplugh.
Until 1974 Rowrah was part of the county of Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
.
Like many of the towns and villages in Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, Rowrah is not mentioned in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as in 1092, the date of the book, the majority of Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
was within the kingdom of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, and therefore Rowrah, did not permanently become part of England until 1273 with the signing of the Treaty of York
Treaty of York
The Treaty of York was an agreement between Henry III of England and Alexander II of Scotland, signed at York on 25 September 1237. It detailed the future status of several feudal properties and addressed other issues between the two kings, and indirectly marked the end of Scotland's attempts to...
.
Geography
Rowrah is situated in a minor valley with an East-West direction and is part of the watershed between the River EhenRiver Ehen
The River Ehen is a river in Cumbria, England. It is a designated Special Area of Conservation.The river's source is at the west end of Ennerdale Water: it runs west through Ennerdale Bridge where it is joined by Croasdale Beck...
and the River Derwent, Cumbria
River Derwent, Cumbria
The Derwent is a river in the Lake District of the county of Cumbria in the north of England. The name Derwent is derived from a Celtic word for "oak trees"....
. To the west flows the Windergill Beck contributing to the River Ehen
River Ehen
The River Ehen is a river in Cumbria, England. It is a designated Special Area of Conservation.The river's source is at the west end of Ennerdale Water: it runs west through Ennerdale Bridge where it is joined by Croasdale Beck...
, the source of Windergill Beck is located within the grounds of Rowrah Hall. To the east flows the Colliergate Beck contributing to the River Marron
River Marron
For the article on the river in British Columbia of a similar name, see Marron River.The River Marron is a river of Cumbria, England.Rising near the village of Asby, Copeland at the confluence of Colliergate Beck and Scallow Beck, the Marron travels north past Ullock and Branthwaite, picking up the...
which in turn contributes in to the River Derwent, Cumbria
River Derwent, Cumbria
The Derwent is a river in the Lake District of the county of Cumbria in the north of England. The name Derwent is derived from a Celtic word for "oak trees"....
.
Rowrah is 169m above sea level.
Connections
Before the formation of London, Midland and Scottish RailwayLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
on 1 January 1923, Rowrah was connected by three separate railway companies, two of which terminated in Rowrah thus giving four separate lines in to and out of Rowrah for the conveyance of passengers and goods.
- The Rowrah - Marron junction line connecting with Workington and Cockermouth line, part of Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayWhitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayThe Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
under the ownership of Furness RailwayFurness RailwayThe Furness Railway was a railway company operating in the Furness area of Lancashire in North West England.-History:The company was established on May 23, 1844 when the Furness Railway Act was passed by Parliament... - The Rowrah - Workington Branch Via Arlecdon and Distington, part of the Cleator and Workington Junction RailwayCleator and Workington Junction RailwayThe Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
, sometimes referred to as Track of the Ironmasters. - The Rowrah - Whitehaven line, part of Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayWhitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayThe Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
under the ownership of Furness RailwayFurness RailwayThe Furness Railway was a railway company operating in the Furness area of Lancashire in North West England.-History:The company was established on May 23, 1844 when the Furness Railway Act was passed by Parliament... - Rowrah and Kelton Fell RailwayRowrah and Kelton Fell RailwayThe Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was a standard gauge mineral railway in Cumberland, England, which was operated by William Baird and Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It opened in 1877 and closed in 1926 .-Route:...
, sometimes referred to as "Baird's Line"
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
On 1 February 1864 Rowrah was connected by the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayWhitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
The Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
. Rowrah station, located on Pasture Road, can be see using this view from Google Street View. At the top of Pasture Road Rowrah had two hotels, The Railway Hotel and The Stork Hotel.
The line was further extended to Wrights Green ("The Lamplugh Extension") and on 2 April 1866 the line was connected with the Workington
Workington
Workington is a town, civil parish and port on the west coast of Cumbria, England, at the mouth of the River Derwent. Lying within the Borough of Allerdale, Workington is southwest of Carlisle, west of Cockermouth, and southwest of Maryport...
and Cockermouth
Cockermouth
-History:The Romans created a fort at Derventio, now the adjoining village of Papcastle, to protect the river crossing, which had become located on a major route for troops heading towards Hadrian's Wall....
line at using a Wye (rail) (triangular track) arrangement at Marron Junction thus creating the Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
and Marron Junction branch line. At the opening of the "Lamplugh Extension" it was also announced that an Electrical telegraph
Electrical telegraph
An electrical telegraph is a telegraph that uses electrical signals, usually conveyed via telecommunication lines or radio. The electromagnetic telegraph is a device for human-to-human transmission of coded text messages....
had been installed on the line at the demand of the Iron ore companies at a grand cost of £56.
By 1875 Rowrah had become a sufficiently complex junction that is was deemed to require its own signal box, this resulted in the opening of Rowrah No1. Signal Box.
Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator and Workington Junction RailwayCleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
was founded in 1876 and was given the nickname of "Track of the Ironmasters" due to the fact that its primary purpose was to transport trucks of iron ore down from mines located at Knockmurton and Kelton (via Rowrah) to the Iron works at Workington, Cleator Moor and Distington.
On 1 May 1888 a joint application was made for a "tramway on the Rowrah Estate", this was between Thomas Dixon (the owner of Rowrah Head Quarry) and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon of Rheda and the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
. A further application was made on 1 October 1906 in respect to extension of lines to be constructed on the Rowrah Hall Estate between 1) the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway Company and 2) Thomas Dixon, Rheda and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon, Lorton Hall.
Initially the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
The Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
only carried goods, specifically iron ore and coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
but it was later extended to carry passengers.
Rowrah continued to have a passenger service until 1931 at which point both the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
The Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
and Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
withdrew their service in the face of increasing competition from the bus service. Many of the local older residents have memories of reasonably frequent school services, charter trains, Railtour
Railtour
A railtour is a special train which is run in order to allow people to experience rail travel which is not available using timetabled passenger services...
s and various specials from Rowrah in to the 1950s and 1960s.
Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
Rowrah was also the terminus of the 3 Mile Rowrah and Kelton Fell RailwayRowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was a standard gauge mineral railway in Cumberland, England, which was operated by William Baird and Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It opened in 1877 and closed in 1926 .-Route:...
that was constructed to reduce the cost of the conveyance of Iron ore and Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
from the Knockmurton and Kelton mines. Prior to the construction of the railway the cost of transport via road to Rowrah / Wrights Green was three and six a ton (17.5p). A single locomotive of the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was preserved by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society
Scottish Railway Preservation Society
The Scottish Railway Preservation Society is a charity, whose principal objective is the preservation and advancement of railway heritage in Scotland. The Society was formed in 1961, and it has been actively collecting and displaying railway artifacts of Scottish significance ever since...
and can be seen at their Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
Museum located at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway is a Heritage railway in Falkirk, Scotland. It is operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, and operates some 5 miles of track, virtually the entire Slamannan and Borrowstounness Railway that became part of the former North British Railway on the Firth...
. The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was opened in January 1877 and the track eventually lifted in 1934, the route was only ever used for the carriage of goods, specifically Iron ore.
West Cumberland Railtour, 5 September 1954
- Organiser: Stephenson Locomotive SocietyStephenson Locomotive SocietyThe Stephenson Locomotive Society was founded in the UK in Autumn 1909 for the study of rail transport and locomotives.It was originally named The Stephenson Society in honour of George Stephenson. In late 1911 the professional engineers seceded from the Society to form the Junior Institution of...
and Manchester Locomotive Society - Traction: Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0The Furness Railway 1 class 0-6-0 was a class of nineteen 0-6-0 steam locomotives designed by W. F. Pettigrew and built between 1913 and 1920...
No. 52494 - Traction: Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0The Furness Railway 1 class 0-6-0 was a class of nineteen 0-6-0 steam locomotives designed by W. F. Pettigrew and built between 1913 and 1920...
No. 52501 - Formation: 5 carriage .
- Route: SellafieldSellafield railway stationSellafield railway station serves the nuclear facility of Sellafield in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Some through trains to the Furness Line stop here...
, EgremontEgremont, CumbriaEgremont is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England, south of Whitehaven and on the River Ehen. The town, which lies at the foot of Uldale Valley and Dent Fell, was historically within Cumberland and has a long industrial heritage including dyeing, weaving and...
, Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Cleator Moor GoodsCleator MoorCleator Moor is a small town and civil parish in the English county of Cumbria and within the boundaries of the traditional county of Cumberland....
, Birks Bridge Jn, Eskett Jn, Rowrah, Ullock Jn, Marron Jn, WorkingtonWorkingtonWorkington is a town, civil parish and port on the west coast of Cumbria, England, at the mouth of the River Derwent. Lying within the Borough of Allerdale, Workington is southwest of Carlisle, west of Cockermouth, and southwest of Maryport...
Bridge Jn, Derwent Jn, WorkingtonWorkingtonWorkington is a town, civil parish and port on the west coast of Cumbria, England, at the mouth of the River Derwent. Lying within the Borough of Allerdale, Workington is southwest of Carlisle, west of Cockermouth, and southwest of Maryport...
, Derwent Jn, Siddick Junction, Dock Jn, Calva Jn, SeatonSeaton, CumbriaSeaton is a civil parish and one of the largest villages in England, housing 4,861 people. Historically a part of Cumberland, it is situated next to the town of Workington and the village of Camerton along the River Derwent and dates back at least to Medieval times. It forms part of the Borough...
, Buckhill, SeatonSeaton, CumbriaSeaton is a civil parish and one of the largest villages in England, housing 4,861 people. Historically a part of Cumberland, it is situated next to the town of Workington and the village of Camerton along the River Derwent and dates back at least to Medieval times. It forms part of the Borough...
, Calva Jn, Cloffocks Jn, WorkingtonWorkingtonWorkington is a town, civil parish and port on the west coast of Cumbria, England, at the mouth of the River Derwent. Lying within the Borough of Allerdale, Workington is southwest of Carlisle, west of Cockermouth, and southwest of Maryport...
Central, Harrington, CumbriaHarrington, CumbriaHarrington is on the Cumbrian coast south of Workington and north of Whitehaven. Its industrial history, which largely ended in the late 1930s, included an iron works, coal mining, and steel making. It once had five railway stations...
Jn, DistingtonDistingtonDistington is a large village and civil parish in Cumbria, England, south of Workington and north-northeast of Whitehaven.Historically a part of Cumberland, the civil parish includes the nearby settlements of Common End, Gilgarran and Pica...
, Moresby Parks, Cleator MoorCleator MoorCleator Moor is a small town and civil parish in the English county of Cumbria and within the boundaries of the traditional county of Cumberland....
Jn, Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Mirehouse Jn, Corkickle, WhitehavenWhitehavenWhitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
(Bransty)
The Solway Ranger Railtour, 13 June 1964
- Organiser: R.C.T.S. (West Riding Branch)
- Traction: LNER Class D40LNER Class D40The London and North Eastern Railway D40 class is a type of 4-4-0 steam locomotive inherited from the Great North of Scotland Railway . It consisted of GNSR class V and GNSR class F...
Great North of Scotland RailwayGreat North of Scotland RailwayThe Great North of Scotland Railway was one of the smaller Scottish railways before the grouping, operating in the far north-east of the country. It was formed in 1845 and received its Parliamentary approval on June 26, 1846, following over two years of local meetings...
No. 49 'Gordon Highlander' - Traction: Caledonian Railway Single 123Caledonian Railway SingleCaledonian Railway Single No. 123 is a preserved Scottish steam locomotive. The unique 4-2-2 was built by Neilson and Company in 1886, works No. 3553 as an exhibition locomotive. In 1914 it was placed on the Caledonian Railway duplicate list, and renumbered 1123...
- Traction: SR Merchant Navy classSR Merchant Navy classThe SR Merchant Navy class , was a class of air-smoothed 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives designed for the Southern Railway of the United Kingdom by Oliver Bulleid...
No. 35012 'United States Lines' - Traction: LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0The London Midland and Scottish Railway's Class 5 4-6-0, almost universally known as the Black Five, is a class of steam locomotive. It was introduced by William Stanier in 1934 and 842 were built between then and 1951...
No. 45394 - Traction: LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for light mixed traffic.-Design:...
No. 46426 - Traction: LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for light mixed traffic.-Design:...
No. 46458 - Traction: Unknown Diesel multiple unitDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
- Route: Leeds City South, Shipley Leeds Jn, Keighley, Snaygill, Skipton, Hellifield, Settle Jn, Clapham, Wennington Jn, Carnforth East Jn, Carnforth F & M Jn, Carnforth No.2 Jn, Carnforth Jn, Oxenholme, Tebay, Shap Summit, Penrith No.1, Penrith, Blencow, Penruddock, Threlkeld, Keswick, Braithwaite, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cockermouth Jn, Derwent Jn, Workington Main ( Diesel multiple unitDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
replaces steam), Moss Bay Iron Works, Whitehaven Bransty, Corkickle, Moor Row, Rowrah (14.23a ~ 14.38d), Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Egremont, CumbriaEgremont, CumbriaEgremont is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England, south of Whitehaven and on the River Ehen. The town, which lies at the foot of Uldale Valley and Dent Fell, was historically within Cumberland and has a long industrial heritage including dyeing, weaving and...
, Beckermet Mines Jn, Sellafield railway stationSellafield railway stationSellafield railway station serves the nuclear facility of Sellafield in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Some through trains to the Furness Line stop here...
, Nethertown, St Bees, Corkickle, Whitehaven Bransty, Moss Bay Iron Works, Workington Main, Aspatria, Wigton, Carlisle No.8, Carlisle (Steam replaces Diesel multiple unitDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
), Carlisle No.3, Canal Jn, Drumburgh, Silloth, Drumburgh, Canal Jn, Carlisle No.3, Carlisle, Petteril Bridge Jn, Lazonby & Kirkoswald, Appleby West, Ais Gill, Blea Moor, Settle Jn, Hellifield, Skipton, Snaygill, Keighley, Shipley Leeds Jn, Leeds City South
Solway Railtour of West Cumberland by brake van, 7 May 1966
- Organiser: The Railway Enthusiasts Club of Farnborough, Hants
- Traction: LMS Ivatt Class 4LMS Ivatt Class 4The LMS Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive primarily designed for medium freight work but also widely used on secondary passenger services. The London Midland and Scottish Railway built 162 of this type between 1947 and 1952, but only three were built by the LMS before...
, 43006 - Route: Workington railway stationWorkington railway stationWorkington railway station serves the town of Workington in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line south west of Carlisle. Some through trains to the Furness Line and to Sunderland stop here. It is operated by Northern Rail who provide all passenger train...
(main), Siddick junction, Calva junction, Buckhill RNAD (the Dump), Siddick, Parton railway stationParton railway stationParton Railway Station serves the village of Parton in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line south east of Carlisle, operated by Northern Rail who provide all passenger train services...
, No 4 pit siding (Lowca), Parton railway stationParton railway stationParton Railway Station serves the village of Parton in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line south east of Carlisle, operated by Northern Rail who provide all passenger train services...
, WhitehavenWhitehavenWhitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
(Corcickle), Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Rowrah, Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Sellafield railway stationSellafield railway stationSellafield railway station serves the nuclear facility of Sellafield in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Some through trains to the Furness Line stop here...
, MillomMillomMillom is a town and civil parish on the estuary of the River Duddon in the southwest of Cumbria, England. The name is Cumbrian dialect for "At the mills". The town is accessible both by rail and an A class road...
, Workington railway stationWorkington railway stationWorkington railway station serves the town of Workington in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line south west of Carlisle. Some through trains to the Furness Line and to Sunderland stop here. It is operated by Northern Rail who provide all passenger train...
Steam Hauled Railtour of Ravenglass and Rowrah, 15 March 1969
- Organiser: Stephenson Locomotive SocietyStephenson Locomotive SocietyThe Stephenson Locomotive Society was founded in the UK in Autumn 1909 for the study of rail transport and locomotives.It was originally named The Stephenson Society in honour of George Stephenson. In late 1911 the professional engineers seceded from the Society to form the Junior Institution of...
and Manchester Locomotive Society - Traction: Unknown
- Formation: Unknown
- Route: City of LancasterCity of LancasterThe City of Lancaster , is a local government district of Lancashire, England, with the status of a city and non-metropolitan district. It is named after its largest settlement, Lancaster, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Morecambe, Heysham, and Carnforth, as well as...
, CarnforthCarnforth- References :...
, Grange-over-SandsGrange-over-SandsGrange-over-Sands is a town and civil parish by the sea – with a wide tidal range, hence the "sands" name – in Cumbria, England. Historically, Grange-over-Sands was part of the County of Lancashire until 1974, when Cumbria was created under Local Government re-organisation which absorbed the area...
, Plumpton Jn, Conishead PrioryConishead PrioryConishead Priory is a large Gothic Revival building on the Furness peninsula near Ulverston in Cumbria. The priory's name translates literally as 'King's Hill Priory'.-History of the site:...
Branch, Plumpton Jn, UlverstonUlverstonUlverston is a market town and civil parish in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria in north-west England. Historically part of Lancashire, the town is located in the Furness area, close to the Lake District, and just north of Morecambe Bay....
, Dalton-in-FurnessDalton-in-FurnessDalton-in-Furness is a small town of 8,394 people, north east of Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, England.-History:Dalton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, written as "Daltune" as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun held by Earl Tostig. Historically, it was the capital of Furness...
, Askam and IrelethAskam and IrelethDuring the Middle Ages, the entire area was controlled by the Cistercian monks of Furness Abbey. During this time, Ireleth was little more than one of many farming communities in Furness. The iron ore developments of Askam largely bypassed Ireleth, and the village developed slowly, housing farmers...
(Askham), Foxfield railway stationFoxfield railway stationFoxfield Railway Station serves the villages of Foxfield and Broughton-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a request stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Some through trains to the Furness Line stop here...
, MillomMillomMillom is a town and civil parish on the estuary of the River Duddon in the southwest of Cumbria, England. The name is Cumbrian dialect for "At the mills". The town is accessible both by rail and an A class road...
, Sellafield railway stationSellafield railway stationSellafield railway station serves the nuclear facility of Sellafield in Cumbria, England. The railway station is a stop on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line. Some through trains to the Furness Line stop here...
, Egremont, CumbriaEgremont, CumbriaEgremont is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England, south of Whitehaven and on the River Ehen. The town, which lies at the foot of Uldale Valley and Dent Fell, was historically within Cumberland and has a long industrial heritage including dyeing, weaving and...
, Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Rowrah Jn, ArlecdonArlecdonArlecdon is a village in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England, near the town of Whitehaven. It has an historic Grade II listed church, first built in 1829, which contains a stained glass window dedicated to Isaac Fletcher of Frizington. In 1904 the church was remodelled, with the addition...
, Rowrah (14.02a ~ 14.12d), Moor RowMoor RowMoor Row is a village situated in North West England. It is in Cumbria and is located on a minor road off the A595 road south of Whitehaven.Moor Row is a residential community situated between Whitehaven and Egremont on Cumbria's coastal plain...
, Corkickle, WhitehavenWhitehavenWhitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
Preston Street Jn, WhitehavenWhitehavenWhitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
Preston Street Goods, WhitehavenWhitehavenWhitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
Preston Street Jn, Corkickle, St BeesSt BeesSt Bees is a village and civil parish in the Copeland district of Cumbria, in the North of England, about five miles west southwest of Whitehaven. The parish had a population of 1,717 according to the 2001 census. Within the parish is St...
, RavenglassRavenglassRavenglass is a small coastal village and natural harbour in Cumbria, England. It is the only coastal town within the Lake District National Park...
, Dalegarth for Boot railway stationDalegarth for Boot railway stationDalegarth for Boot railway station is the easterly terminus of the 15" gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway in Cumbria. It has a café and shop for passengers, along with a run-round loop, turntable and siding for trains...
, RavenglassRavenglassRavenglass is a small coastal village and natural harbour in Cumbria, England. It is the only coastal town within the Lake District National Park...
, CarnforthCarnforth- References :...
, City of LancasterCity of LancasterThe City of Lancaster , is a local government district of Lancashire, England, with the status of a city and non-metropolitan district. It is named after its largest settlement, Lancaster, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Morecambe, Heysham, and Carnforth, as well as...
Rowrah Station and staff
Such was the adhoc passenger traffic and special services that Rowrah continued to have a manned station until 1967, 36 years after passenger services officially ceased.Identified railway staff from Rowrah include:-
- George Stoddart was the last station master at Rowrah serving from 1947 to May 1967, leaving in to retirement.
- Samuel Hastings, railway clerk, married Miss Mary Ann Yates both of Rowrah - 18th MARCH 1882
Closure
The line to the north of Rowrah (Wrights Green - Marron Junction) was lifted in 1964.Rowrah continued to have a manned station until 1967, 36 years after passenger services officially ceased.
The route of the old Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
ceased coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
and coke
Coke (fuel)
Coke is the solid carbonaceous material derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Cokes from coal are grey, hard, and porous. While coke can be formed naturally, the commonly used form is man-made.- History :...
traffic, for the general public on 14 August 1967, and regular goods, from 15 August 1966.
The signal box remained operational until 1967 at which point traffic had become so low that the whole of the line between Rowrah and Whitehaven was deemed as a single block (see British absolute block signalling
British absolute block signalling
The principle of the British absolute block system of railway signalling is to ensure the safe operation of a railway by allowing only one train to occupy a defined section of track at a time...
) with point switching being carried out by the train driver / guard. The Rowrah No. 1 Signal box was the last surviving box of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
The Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
.
A stretch of the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
Cleator and Workington Junction Railway
The Cleator & Workington Junction Railway was located in West Cumberland in Northern England, serving the towns of Cleator Moor and Workington and intermediate villages...
remained until October 1980 as the backshunt
Backshunt
* A backshunt is a railway track configuration in situations where a change in direction is required and a traditional curve cannot fit.There are two main applications of a backshunt....
in to Rowrah Hall quarry for the remaining goods traffic on the old route of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway
The Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway was a standard gauge railway in Cumberland, England. It opened for goods traffic in 1855 and for passenger traffic in 1857.- Route :...
. The backshunt
Backshunt
* A backshunt is a railway track configuration in situations where a change in direction is required and a traditional curve cannot fit.There are two main applications of a backshunt....
ran from Rowrah almost as far as Arlecdon
Arlecdon
Arlecdon is a village in the Borough of Copeland in Cumbria, England, near the town of Whitehaven. It has an historic Grade II listed church, first built in 1829, which contains a stained glass window dedicated to Isaac Fletcher of Frizington. In 1904 the church was remodelled, with the addition...
Station.
The line to the south of Rowrah continued to serve the Rowrah Hall / Eskett Quarry as the primary way to move Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
until 23 March 1978 when the last Rowrah Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
was sent to the Blast furnace
Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a type of metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally iron.In a blast furnace, fuel and ore and flux are continuously supplied through the top of the furnace, while air is blown into the bottom of the chamber, so that the chemical reactions...
s at Workington Ironworks. All private siding movements were suspended on 1 April 1978. The line was officially closed to traffic on 2 February 1980 and remained in place until October of the same year. The quarry remained open for two years after the departure of the railway with all Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
being transported by road. During the rail removal process the track was lifted and loaded on to a train, the track being lifted behind it as it travelled back to Whitehaven. The train formation consisted of a British Rail Class 25
British Rail Class 25
The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives were also known as Sulzer Type 2 and nicknamed Rats, as it was alleged they could be seen everywhere in Britain, and hence were "as common as rats"...
locomotive (25202 and 25036), two rail wagons and BR/LMS guards van. 25036 was the last locomotive to ever visit Rowrah.
Mines, quarries, and natural resources
Rowrah is built on a large and very pure deposit of Limestone and from 1888 until the 1980s Limestone was quarried from at least one of the four quarries in Rowrah.- Rowrah Head Quarry (1888 to 1980s)
- Kelton Head Quarry ( to 1950)
- Salter Hall Quarry ( to 1927)
- Stockhow Hall Quarry ( to 1909)
The remnants of all the quarries of Rowrah and the connecting trackbeds is clearly visible in this google map overlay
Rowrah Hall Quarry
Rowrah Hall Quarry, later called the Rowrah Quarry, was owned by Thomas Dixon of Rheda and at its peak employed 24 men with an average yield of 130 tons of limestone per day. Although owned by Thomas Dixon the quarry was leased to various parties throughout its productive life, some of the leases in date order are:-- 5 January 1910, Lease of Rowrah Hall Limestone Quarry between 1) Thomas Dixon, Rheda and Florence Dixon, Lorton Hall and 2) the Workington Iron and Steel Company Limited
- 13 June 1939, Lease of the Rowrah Hall Quarry, Lamplugh, between 1) Henry Raven Courtenay Musgrave, Highbury, Stocksfield, Northumberland and Vera Owen Musgrave, Redcroft, Moor Crescent, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne and 2) the United Steel CompaniesUnited Steel CompaniesThe United Steel Companies were a steel making, engineering, coal mining and coal by-product group based in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.-History:...
Limited
In the 1980s Rowrah Quarry was (owned? and) operated by Eskett Quarries Ltd.
Incidents
- 01 Mar 1897 - Accident with Explosives - 1 injured. The man was engaged in firing "pop" holes. He had lighted the fuse and retired to a safe distance. He was returning to the place after the shot had exploded, thinking all was safe, when he was struck on the head by a small stone.
- 19 Jan 1898 - Accident with explosives - 1 injured. Accident due to injured person's own reckless conduct. A vertical hole, 7 feet deep, was charged with gelatine dynamite with the view of merely "cracking" the rock. The shot-firer lit the fuse, and then proceeded to pour in some fine stemming, ramming it down with a copper tube. Explosion probably caused by this stemmer coming in contact with the detonator.
- 20 Feb 1900 - Accident with Explosives - one man injured. The injured man had moved away about 100 yards from the quarry face, and was watching the shot. It was snowing at the time, and this prevented him seeing clearly. (Gunpowder.)
- 23 Feb 1900 - Accident with Explosives - two men injured. A hole 10 feet deep, and containing a charge of 10 lbs. of powder, had missed fire on the previous day. The presumption is that the two men were unramming the hole when the explosion occurred. (Gunpowder.)
- 06 Mar 1914 - Fatality: Gilmore, Thomas, 06 Mar 1914, aged 38, Shot Firer. After firing a "shaking" shot on a ledge 12 feet from the quarry top, deceased returned to recharge the hole, and while in a stooping position a mass of rock, weighing several tons, fell from the quarry face and struck him, killing him instantly
Kelton Head Quarry
Kelton Head Quarry is located one mile to the east of the Rowrah, this was in active use until 1950. In the early 1960s Kelton Head quarry was purchased from the owner, farmer Joseph Wren, for £300 by Iredale Edgar for the purpose of converting it in to the new home of The Cumbria Karting Club.Salter Hall Quarry
Salter Hall Quarry ( to 1927) was used for the quarrying of limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
and was served by the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was a standard gauge mineral railway in Cumberland, England, which was operated by William Baird and Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It opened in 1877 and closed in 1926 .-Route:...
.
The quarry was owned by Salter Quarry Co. Ltd.
In 1922 it employed 47 people (36 workers, 11 office)
Although Rowrah Hall Quarry and Salter Hall Quarry were entirely separate, later quarrying activity and the eventual flooding of both has resulted in them now appearing as one single entity when viewed from the air . Although there is no documented evidence many locals are aware of the remnants of two tunnels between the two quarries. The earlier of the two tunnels had a narrow gauge track and the latter was sufficiently wide to allow the passage of road wagons. Eventually the two tunnels were used to create the open space between the two quarries.
Incidents
- 14 Jun 1900 - Accident with Explosives - one man injured. He was sheltering behind a bogie when he was struck by a stone, which rebounded from an angle of the quarry face. (Gunpowder.)
Stockhow Hall Quarry
Stockhow Hall Quarry ( to 1909) was used for the quarrying of limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
and was served by the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway
The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was a standard gauge mineral railway in Cumberland, England, which was operated by William Baird and Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It opened in 1877 and closed in 1926 .-Route:...
. The local name for Stockhow Hall Quarry was "Bainsey Wood Quarry".
Other geological interest
The soil in Rowrah often has a reddish colouring due to the high concentration of iron-ore.Cycling
The disused railway in Rowrah now forms part of the 140 mile C2C Cycle Route, Britain's most popular "challenge" cycle route which is route 71 of the National Cycle Network. The cycle route between Rowrah and Whitehaven follows the disused railway line for its entire length, making it an excellent traffic free and gentle bike ride with a selection of local sculptures to keep the casual cyclist entertained.Rowrah Hall
Rowrah Hall was built in 1705 and extended in 1722 is now under private ownership and the building is almost in its original "as built" form. The gateway to Rowrah Hall was originally located directly on the main road but had to be moved in 1861 with the arrival of the railway. Access to Rowrah hall is via two disused railway bridges that were underfilled in the 1990s. Rowrah Hall was given Grade II listed status on 9 March 1967Rowrah Chapel
In 1895 a 300 capacity Wesleyan Chapel was constructed from part rendered local sandstone, now a private residential property.The Railway Hotel
The Railway Hotel, located at 49 Rowrah Road, was the property of the Jennings BreweryJennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery was established as a family concern in 1828 in the village of Lorton, between Keswick and Cockermouth in the Lake District, England. The brewery was started by John Jennings Snr, son of William Jennings . Jennings brewed exclusively in Lorton until 1874 when its present home, the...
, Cockermouth. The property was leased to various landlords throughout its life under Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery was established as a family concern in 1828 in the village of Lorton, between Keswick and Cockermouth in the Lake District, England. The brewery was started by John Jennings Snr, son of William Jennings . Jennings brewed exclusively in Lorton until 1874 when its present home, the...
ownership, some of the tennants included:-
- Joseph Cameron Boyd: Railway Hotel, Rowrah - 1924
- William Joseph Brough: Railway Hotel, Rowrah - 1928
The Railway Hotel Rowrah underwent alterations in 1955/1956 while remaining under the ownership of the Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery was established as a family concern in 1828 in the village of Lorton, between Keswick and Cockermouth in the Lake District, England. The brewery was started by John Jennings Snr, son of William Jennings . Jennings brewed exclusively in Lorton until 1874 when its present home, the...
.
Additional National archive records, held in Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library, Whitehaven, indicate the sale of The Railway Hotel in 1956 The Station Hotel is now a private residence.
The Stork Hotel
The Stork Hotel Rowrah is located on the corner of Rowrah Road and Pasture Road.There are archive records regarding The Stork Hotel as follows:-
- Sale particulars, copy deeds and papers relating to the acquisition of the Stork Hotel, Rowrah - 1932–1933
The Stork Hotel is the last remaining public house and hotel in Rowrah.
Notable people
- Paul DalePaul DalePaul Dale was announced in July 2010 as the first CTO to be appointed to the management board at ITV plc, biggest commercial television network in the UK. Dale regards his family home to be Rowrah...
, the first CTO to be appointed to the management board at ITV plcITV plcITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
, biggest commercial television network in the UK. - Derrick Bird, the gunman responsible for the Cumbria shootingsCumbria shootingsThe Cumbria shootings was a killing spree that occurred on 2 June 2010 when a lone gunman, Derrick Bird, killed 12 people and injured 11 others before killing himself in Cumbria, England....
in 2010 lived at 26 Rowrah Road.
Religion
Rowrah for many years was a religious hub for the surrounding area and in 1895 a 300 capacity Wesleyan Chapel was constructed. This chapel later became a Methodist church for the local community until declining numbers forced the closure and sale of the property. The chapel is now a private residence.Many of the Wesleyan meetings were documented and some have been transcribed available online.
The Reading Room was established in 1896; the members, who numbered about 40, subscribed for 2d. weekly.
4 items from the "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah" are part of the local historical collection housed at The Beacon in Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
. These items are:-
- BWHHMG:1997.47.5, Cup, White china tea cup, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around rim.
- WHHMG:1997.47.6, Saucer, White china saucer, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge.
- WHHMG:1997.47.7, Plate, White china tea plate, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge.
- WHHMG:1997.47.8, Plate, White china dinner plate, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge.
Wildlife
Rowrah is a rural village and as such it has lots of diverse wildlife, including wild deer, cuckooCuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
, barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
, red squirrel
Red Squirrel
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia...
, smooth newt
Smooth Newt
The Smooth Newt, also known as the Common Newt, Lissotriton vulgaris is the most common newt species of the Lissotriton genus of amphibians. L...
, hare
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
, and rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
. Rowrah has a pair of nesting peregrine falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
s, in April 2009 they made the national headlines when a pigeon laced with poison was used in an attempt to poison them.
To the south east of Rowrah, along the C2C cycle route prior to Sheriffs Gate there is High Leys
High Leys
High Leys is located to the south east of Rowrah in Cumbria , along the C2C cycle route prior to Sheriffs Gate.The status of National Nature Reserve was awarded to High Leys due to its meadow status and the traditional hay-making and grazing methods employed during the land's working lifetime....
, which has been designated a National Nature Reserve
National Nature Reserves in England
National Nature Reserves in England are managed by Natural England and are key places for wildlife and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most important areas of habitat and of geological formations...
. The status of National Nature Reserve
National Nature Reserves in England
National Nature Reserves in England are managed by Natural England and are key places for wildlife and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most important areas of habitat and of geological formations...
was awarded to High Leys
High Leys
High Leys is located to the south east of Rowrah in Cumbria , along the C2C cycle route prior to Sheriffs Gate.The status of National Nature Reserve was awarded to High Leys due to its meadow status and the traditional hay-making and grazing methods employed during the land's working lifetime....
due to its meadow status and the traditional hay-making and grazing methods employed during the land's working lifetime.
In 2010 there have been sightings of a large black cat, local myth often refers to such unknown creatures as "Boggles".