Gamblesby

Township in Addingham parish, Leath ward, Cumberland. Absorbed into Glassonby CP 1934.

Acreage:

9,810 acres [3,970 ha] excluding Glassonby Fell, a detached portion of rough fell land (706 acres [286 ha]) in Glassonby township, which was added to Gamblesby CP 1888. Gamblesby Low Fell and Viol Moor (1,480 acres [599 ha]) enclosed 1860; Gamblesby Fell (1,720 acres [696ha]) enclosed 1868.

Population:

rising from 222 in 1801 to peak of 301 in 1831, followed by downward trend to 197 in 1931 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

descended with Glassonby (q.v.) until Edward I granted Gamblesby-with-Unthank to William, 2nd Lord Latimer (d. 1326), subsequently passing by marriage to Nevilles in later 14th century. Reverted to Crown 1471; then descended with honour of Penrith (q.v.).

Economy:

pastoral farming. Coal and lead mining on Hartside, recorded from 1688. Ironstone mining, quarrying and lime-burning in 19th century. Only Woolhead and Hartside quarries remained open by 1898.

Places of worship:

Wesleyan Methodist chapel built 1784; replaced by new chapel on same site 1864; still in use. Congregational chapel built 1824; replaced by larger chapel 1864; closed 1930s; converted to dwelling by 1955. St John’s Church (Anglican chapel-of-ease to St Michael’s, Addingham) built 1868; closed 2002 and converted to dwelling.

Schools and other institutions:

schoolhouse by 1751, when John Wesley preached in it. Board school built on new site, opened 1877; closed 1970; used as village hall until 2001 (when closed, as structurally unsound); hall rebuilt and reopened 2007.