Newton Reigny

Township in Newton Reigny parish, Leath ward, Cumberland. Absorbed into Catterlen CP 1934

Acreage:

1,013 acres [417 ha]; including 141 acres [58 ha] of commons, enclosed 1819.

Population:

rising from 128 in 1801 to 151 by 1831; then fluctuating in range 150-175 across rest of 19th and early 20th century; stood at 168 in 1931 (last census pulation:year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

manor of Newton Reigny held by Reigny family in 12th and 13th centuries but in hands of Robert Burnell, bishop of Bath, by later 13th century; sold by Burnell to Hugh de Lowther 1290 and descended through Lowther family to earls of Lonsdale.

Economy:

predominantly agricultural.

Places of worship:

medieval parish church of St John (roof dated 1585); rebuilt 1876.

Schools and other institutions:

parish school was in Catterlen township (q.v.). Agricultural college at Newton Rigg established 1896 as Cumberland and Westmorland Dairy School and Farm; school of forestry added 1960s. Merged with University of Central Lancashire in 1990s; then University of Cumbria 2007; from 2011 part of Askham Bryan College. Village hall (Nichol Memorial Hall, in memory of F. G. Nichol, rector of Newton Reigny) built 1912.