Awhle arid Hauxiey. By J. C. Hodgson. 115 



Until 60 years ago there was a herony in the park or south 

 pasture, and there is a rookery at the Hall. 



At the beginning of this century the hall was occupied by 

 one of the Surtees fatnily,^^ a partner in one of the unfortunate 

 Newcastle banks : so fearful was he of arrest, that he only 

 emerged on Sundays ; and in one of the outer doors of the 

 hall was a small shuttered lattice, through which a caller could 

 be reconnoitred and his credentials examined. 



In the early days of the century, sea-board folk thought 

 it was an ill winter that brought few wrecks to their shore ; 

 after a longer interval than usual, an old fisherwife is re- 

 membered to have shut her cat up in her cupboard, to bring 

 better luck. 



The Mill. — That any mill had ever existed has been 

 forgotten, but in 1663 Hauxiey Mill paid 2s yearly in lieu of 

 tythe to the vicar of Warkworth.^' Mr Dand identifies its site 

 in a field called Mill field, now belonging to Col. Leslie's 

 Trustees, about half-a-mile west of the village. 



Industriks. — Until the beginning of this century, the in- 

 habitants of the township helped their livelihood by preparing 

 and burning kelp.*' The system is thus described : — The algse 

 cut from the rocks at low water during the summer months was 

 carried in panniers on back of horses and ponies to the link and 

 dried in the sun. A hollow was dug in the ground 3 or 4 feet 

 wide, and around its margin was set a circle of stones : on them 

 was the seaweed placed and fired, quantities of the weed were 

 continually added, and from it exuded a liquid, which dropped 

 into the hole below. This in the evening was worked into a 

 uniform consistence with iron rakes, and on cooling consolidated 

 into a heavy dark coloured alkaline substance. In this state it 

 was sold to the glass manufacturers, who put it through a 

 refining process, under which it became transparent. It was 

 then ready for use. It was also used in the manufacture of 

 toilet soap.*' 



*s 1810. Mary, wife of Albone Surtees of Hauxiey, and daughter of 

 Roger Altham of Doctors Commons, buried. — Warhworth Registers. 



S9 Terrier dated 23rd October 1663.— Warkworth Parish Chest. 



^ The women earned about 28 6d per day. 



'^ The laminaria sheds its upper part in broken weather, about the end 

 of month of May — this, when washed ashore, is known as ' May-tops ' : 

 — the stems themselves become detached from their rocks about October, 

 and are locally named ' belks ' or ' wassal.' 



