Quote:
Originally Posted by janwhin
Interesting article in the Morpeth Herald of 28 January 1905 reporting on a lecture given at Amble by a Mr JT Fordy of Warkworth;
".....In 1765 the river changed her course to near the present outlet. Prior to that the river came more south and doubled back to the north and passed into the ocean at the grey stone of Helsay. Helsay Point ran out quite close to the brickyard........The river bed of the 19th Century was easily traced. There seemed evidence that the river formed a great marsh land designated the goatess.... Wild marsh abounded, and a portion of the river land near the Beal Bank still retain the name of Goose Island......Another gaunt spot was the Hangman's Acre, a small croft adjoining the new town lands or allotment field, through which was the road to the golf course and the beach. It was assumed that at some period the fisher folk and sailors had their habitations here, and their haven was immediately below, in the Valley of the Sand Hills......"
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Leslie mentioned the New-Town fishermen having their boats on the Coquet. They must have been around the old river mouth. Just down the hill for the New Town folk.
I have not seen the Greystone of Helsay, but think it lines up with the straight boundary we have been discussing, on the other side of Helsay. It is shown on some maps, I'll see if I can find one.
I had heard recently that the stone had been removed but I cannot see why that would happen. I think is was enormous as well.