History of Roeburnscar, Backsbottom Farm and Wray
The oldest maps show the site of Roeburnscar as a ruin. We believe that it may have been inhabited by monks as an adjacent field is called Abbey Holme and the nearby wood is Hill Kirks Wood. There are records of a monk from Roeburndale who was hung for killing a deer in the 1700's!
The farm woodland used to be coppiced on a 10 year cycle for oak and 30 year for alder. These provided woodland products for the village. Swill oak baskets, alder clog soles, alder top hat blocks and various timber used for broom and brush heads were produced
Charcoal was made in the old pitsteads. These circular areas are common in the woodland.
Backsbottom Quarry which was closed around 1920, was considered the best roofing flag quarry in England
Wray was a hive of industry in the 1800's with top hat factory. silk mill, nail making, felt hats, clogging and basket making.
David Kenyon's book Wray and District Remembered is a great illustrated view and shows details of the farm and Quarry. This is available at Bridge End tea rooms.
Rural Industries of the Lune Valley edited by Michael Winstanley gives a fascinating incite into the history of the area.
For more information about the Roman roads in this area please click for Dr. Keith Horsefield's research where he writes in detail about where to follow them.
In his book "An Old Road from Lancaster to Ingleton: A Possible Roman Route?" he mentions an old track through Backsbottom and Roeburndale .
The oldest maps show the site of Roeburnscar as a ruin. We believe that it may have been inhabited by monks as an adjacent field is called Abbey Holme and the nearby wood is Hill Kirks Wood. There are records of a monk from Roeburndale who was hung for killing a deer in the 1700's!
The farm woodland used to be coppiced on a 10 year cycle for oak and 30 year for alder. These provided woodland products for the village. Swill oak baskets, alder clog soles, alder top hat blocks and various timber used for broom and brush heads were produced
Charcoal was made in the old pitsteads. These circular areas are common in the woodland.
Backsbottom Quarry which was closed around 1920, was considered the best roofing flag quarry in England
Wray was a hive of industry in the 1800's with top hat factory. silk mill, nail making, felt hats, clogging and basket making.
David Kenyon's book Wray and District Remembered is a great illustrated view and shows details of the farm and Quarry. This is available at Bridge End tea rooms.
Rural Industries of the Lune Valley edited by Michael Winstanley gives a fascinating incite into the history of the area.
For more information about the Roman roads in this area please click for Dr. Keith Horsefield's research where he writes in detail about where to follow them.
In his book "An Old Road from Lancaster to Ingleton: A Possible Roman Route?" he mentions an old track through Backsbottom and Roeburndale .
