{{Short description|Village in Cumbria, England}} {{Use British English|date=January 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox UK place | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|54.553|-3.462|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Rowrah | population = | population_ref = | civil_parish = [[Arlecdon and Frizington]] | civil_parish1 = [[Lamplugh]] | unitary_england = [[Cumberland (unitary authority)|Cumberland]] | lieutenancy_england = [[Cumbria]] | region = North West England | constituency_westminster = [[Whitehaven and Workington (UK Parliament constituency)|Whitehaven and Workington]] | post_town = FRIZINGTON | postcode_district = CA26 | postcode_area = CA | dial_code = 01946 | os_grid_reference = NY0518 | london_distance = | static_image_name = Weclome to Rowrah Please drive SLOWLY.jpg | static_image_caption = | pushpin_map = United Kingdom Copeland | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Copeland Borough }}
'''Rowrah''' is a village in [[Cumbria]], England, and spans the [[civil parish]]es of [[Arlecdon and Frizington]] and [[Lamplugh]]. The majority of Rowrah is within Arlecdon and Frizington. The parish boundaries are formed from the Windergill Beck and Colliergate Beck: as such nine properties, Rowrah Hall Farm, Rowrah Hall, Ainsdale House, Rowrah Head, four properties on Pheasants Rise and Rowrah Station technically fall within Lamplugh.
Until 1974 Rowrah was part of the county of [[Cumberland]]. Like many of the towns and villages in Cumberland, Rowrah is not mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] as in 1092, the date of the book, the majority of [[Cumberland]] was within the kingdom of [[Scotland]].<ref name=barrow>{{cite book |title=The Kingdom of the Scots: Government, Church and Society from the Eleventh to the Fourteenth Century, 2nd edition |last=Barrow |first=G W S |year=2006|publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=0-7486-1803-1 }}</ref> Cumberland, and therefore Rowrah, did not permanently become part of England until 1273 with the signing of the [[Treaty of York]].
==General== Rowrah consists of two main residential roads, Rowrah Road (A5086) and Pasture Road. Pheasants Rise was built in 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/rowrah/pheasants-rise/|title=Sold house prices in Pheasants Rise, Rowrah, Frizington }}</ref> by Swift Homes in between Edgars Garage and Rowrah Head, this was the first major build in Rowrah for over 100 years. The majority of houses in Rowrah are terraced and a few still have the original frontage that reflects the architecture of the time. There is a small row of houses on the approach to the old Railway Station. Rowrah Hall, Rowrah Head and Rowrah Hall Farm, until the construction of Ainsdale House in 1992, were the only buildings to the south of Rowrah Road. The A5086 Rowrah Road becomes Arlecdon Parks Road as it turns towards [[Arlecdon]], approximately 20 yards of Arlecdon Parks Road falls within the village boundary of Rowrah. <gallery class="center"> File:Rowrah Road.JPG|Rowrah Road, Rowrah as viewed from the corner with Arlecdon Parks Road File:Typical terraced houses, Rowrah Road, Rowrah.JPG|Typical terraced houses, Rowrah Road, Rowrah File:Rowrah Road and Arlecdon Parks Road.JPG|Rowrah Road and Arlecdon Parks Road join each other with approximately 20 yards of Arlecdon Parks Road being in Rowrah. </gallery>
==Geography== Rowrah is situated in a minor valley with an east–west direction and is part of the [[Drainage divide|watershed]] between the [[River Ehen]] and the [[River Derwent, Cumbria]]. To the west flows the Windergill Beck contributing to the [[River Ehen]], the source of Windergill Beck is located within the grounds of Rowrah Hall. To the east flows the Colliergate Beck contributing to the [[River Marron]] which in turn contributes into the [[River Derwent, Cumbria]].
Rowrah is 169m above sea level.
== Railways ==
===Connections=== {{multiple image|direction=vertical|width=220 |image1=Cleator Moor, Parton, Rowrah & Whitehaven RJD 075.jpg|caption1=All four routes into and out of Rowrah are clearly shown on this map dated 1904 and 1914. |image2=Map of Rowrah circa 1920.jpg|caption2=A composite map of Rowrah circa 1920 the map clearly indicates the complexity of the track work that served the three lines. }}
Before the formation of [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]] on 1 January 1923, Rowrah was connected by three separate railway companies, two of which terminated in Rowrah thus giving four separate lines into and out of Rowrah for the conveyance of passengers and goods.
# The Rowrah – Marron junction line connecting with Workington and Cockermouth line, part of [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]] under the ownership of [[Furness Railway]] # The Rowrah – Workington Branch Via Arlecdon and Distington, part of the [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]], sometimes referred to as Track of the Ironmasters. # The Rowrah – Whitehaven line, part of [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]] under the ownership of [[Furness Railway]] # [[Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway]], sometimes referred to as "Baird's Line" [[File:The Rowrah Railway Yard, now disused.JPG|thumb|The Rowrah Railway Yard, now disused. Towards the rear of the image the small car park for C2C cyclists is visible.]]
===Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway=== {{main|Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway}} On 1 February 1864 Rowrah was connected by the [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]].<ref name="cumbrianrailwaysassociation.org.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbrianrailwaysassociation.org.uk/?The_Railways_of_Cumbria_-_A_History:West_Cumberland |title=The Cumbrian Railways Association, West Cumberland}}</ref> Rowrah station, located on Pasture Road, can be seen using [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=106830292399681303740.000492ef7aca6abc2ff48&ll=54.553645,-3.45486&spn=0.000952,0.002473&z=19&layer=c&cbll=54.55373,-3.454941&panoid=22hXzTjJ2AlH2FKzIzNDPQ&cbp=12,238.51,,0,5.79 this view from Google Street View]. At the top of Pasture Road Rowrah had two hotels, The Railway Hotel and The Stork Hotel.
The line was further extended to Wrights Green ("The Lamplugh Extension") and on 2 April 1866<ref name="cumbrianrailwaysassociation.org.uk"/> the line was connected with the [[Workington]] and [[Cockermouth]] line at using a [[Wye (rail)]] (triangular track) arrangement at Marron Junction thus creating the [[Whitehaven]] and Marron Junction branch line.<ref>Cumbria Industrial History Society Bulletin, April 2008</ref> At the opening of the "Lamplugh Extension" it was also announced that an [[Electrical telegraph]] had been installed on the line at the demand of the [[Iron ore]] companies at a grand cost of £56.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumberlandarchives.co.uk/content/view/239/48/1/6/ |title=Furness Railway, page 7 of 15}}</ref>
By 1875 Rowrah had become a sufficiently complex junction that it was deemed to require its own signal box, this resulted in the opening of Rowrah No1. Signal Box.<ref name="signalbox.org">http://www.signalbox.org/gallery/lm/rowrah.htm The Signal Box website</ref>
===Cleator and Workington Junction Railway=== {{main|Cleator and Workington Junction Railway}} The [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]] was founded in 1876 and was given the nickname of "Track of the Ironmasters"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/cleator-moor-railway.htm |title=Visit Cumbria, The Railways of the Cleator Moor area of West Cumbria.}}</ref> due to the fact that its primary purpose was to transport trucks of [[iron ore]] down from mines located at Knockmurton and Kelton (via Rowrah) to the Iron works at Workington, Cleator Moor and Distington.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Cleator_and_Workington_Junction_Railway |title=Graces Guide, Cleator and Workington Junction Railway}}</ref>
On 1 May 1888 a joint application was made for a "[[tramway (industrial)|tramway]] on the Rowrah Estate", this was between Thomas Dixon (the owner of Rowrah Head Quarry<ref name="ReferenceA">Bulmer's History & Directory of Cumberland, 1901</ref>) and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon of Rheda and the [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]].<ref>Cumbria County Council Archives, ref. YBSC/8/1/2/7</ref> A further application was made on 1 October 1906 in respect to extension of lines to be constructed on the Rowrah Hall Estate between 1) the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway Company and 2) Thomas Dixon, Rheda and Anthony Joseph Steele Dixon, Lorton Hall.<ref>Cumbria County Council Archives, ref. YBSC/8/1/2/8</ref>
Initially the [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]] only carried goods, specifically [[iron ore]] and [[coal]] but it was later extended to carry passengers. Rowrah continued to have a passenger service until 1931<ref name="cumbrianrailwaysassociation.org.uk"/> at which point both the [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]] and [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]] withdrew their service in the face of increasing competition from the bus service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbrianrailwaysassociation.org.uk/?The_Railways_of_Cumbria_-_A_History:West_Cumberland |title=The Cumbrian Railways Association, West Cumberland|quote=Bus competition also became severe in the late 20s... closing to passenger traffic of the whole of the Cleator & Workington system and the Joint Line from Moor Row to Marron Junction in April, 1931.}}</ref> Many of the local older residents have memories of reasonably frequent school services, charter trains, [[Railtour]]s and various specials from Rowrah into the 1950s and 1960s.
===Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway=== {{main|Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway}} Rowrah was also the terminus of the 3{{frac|1|2}} Mile [[Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway]] that was constructed to reduce the cost of the conveyance of [[Iron ore]] and [[Limestone]] from the Knockmurton and Kelton mines. Prior to the construction of the railway the cost of transport via road to Rowrah / Wrights Green was three and six a ton (17.5p).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennerlampkirk.org.uk/heritage/historyPage4.htm |title=The Parish Website of Lamplugh, Kirkland, and Ennerdale – Heritage, Mines and Quarries}}</ref> A single locomotive of the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was preserved by the [[Scottish Railway Preservation Society]] and can be seen at their [[Falkirk]] Museum located at the [[Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway]]. The Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway was opened in January 1877 and the track eventually lifted in 1934, the route was only ever used for the carriage of goods, specifically [[Iron ore]].
===Railtours and special services=== Visiting [[Railtour]]s that came to Rowrah after 1931 include:-
====West Cumberland Railtour, 5 September 1954==== : Organiser: [[Stephenson Locomotive Society]] and Manchester Locomotive Society<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/50s/540909sl.html |title=S.L.S. / M.L.S. West Cumberland Rail Tour}}</ref> : Traction: [[Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0]] No. 52494 : Traction: [[Furness Railway Class D5 0-6-0]] No. 52501 : Formation: 5 carriage . : Route: [[Sellafield railway station|Sellafield]], [[Egremont, Cumbria|Egremont]], [[Moor Row]], [[Cleator Moor|Cleator Moor Goods]], Birks Bridge Jn, Eskett Jn, '''Rowrah''', Ullock Jn, Marron Jn, [[Workington]] Bridge Jn, Derwent Jn, [[Workington]], Derwent Jn, Siddick Junction, Dock Jn, Calva Jn, [[Seaton, Cumbria|Seaton]], Buckhill, [[Seaton, Cumbria|Seaton]], Calva Jn, Cloffocks Jn, [[Workington]] Central, [[Harrington, Cumbria]] Jn, [[Distington]], Moresby Parks, [[Cleator Moor]] Jn, [[Moor Row]], Mirehouse Jn, Corkickle, [[Whitehaven]] (Bransty)
====The Solway Ranger Railtour, 13 June 1964==== : Organiser: R.C.T.S. (West Riding Branch)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/steaming-around-cumbria-1.223189?referrerPath=2.1786 |title=Steaming Around Cumbria}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/640613sr.html |title=The Railtour Files}}</ref> : Traction: [[LNER Class D40]] [[Great North of Scotland Railway]] No. 49 'Gordon Highlander' : Traction: [[Caledonian Railway Single|Caledonian Railway Single 123]] : Traction: [[SR Merchant Navy class]] No. 35012 'United States Lines' : Traction: [[LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0]] No. 45394 : Traction: [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0]] No. 46426 : Traction: [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0]] No. 46458 : Traction: Unknown [[Diesel multiple unit]] : Route: Leeds City South, Shipley Leeds Jn, Keighley, Snaygill, Skipton, Hellifield, Settle Jn, Clapham, Wennington Jn, Carnforth East Jn, Carnforth F & M Jn, Carnforth No.2 Jn, Carnforth Jn, Oxenholme, Tebay, Shap Summit, Penrith No.1, Penrith, Blencow, Penruddock, Threlkeld, Keswick, Braithwaite, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cockermouth Jn, Derwent Jn, Workington Main ( [[Diesel multiple unit]] replaces steam), Moss Bay Iron Works, Whitehaven Bransty, Corkickle, Moor Row, '''Rowrah (14.23a ~ 14.38d)''', [[Moor Row]], [[Egremont, Cumbria]], Beckermet Mines Jn, [[Sellafield railway station]], Nethertown, St Bees, Corkickle, Whitehaven Bransty, Moss Bay Iron Works, Workington Main, Aspatria, Wigton, Carlisle No.8, Carlisle (Steam replaces [[Diesel multiple unit]]), Carlisle No.3, Canal Jn, Drumburgh, Silloth, Drumburgh, Canal Jn, Carlisle No.3, Carlisle, Petteril Bridge Jn, Lazonby & Kirkoswald, Appleby West, Ais Gill, Blea Moor, Settle Jn, Hellifield, Skipton, Snaygill, Keighley, Shipley Leeds Jn, Leeds City South
====Solway Railtour of West Cumberland by brake van, 7 May 1966==== : Organiser: The Railway Enthusiasts Club of Farnborough, Hants<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/660507re.html|title=Railway Enthusiasts Club, The Solway Railtour}}</ref> : Traction: [[LMS Ivatt Class 4]], 43006 : Route: [[Workington railway station]] (main), Siddick junction, Calva junction, Buckhill RNAD (the Dump), Siddick, [[Parton railway station]], No 4 pit siding (Lowca), [[Parton railway station]], [[Whitehaven]] (Corcickle), [[Moor Row]], '''Rowrah''', [[Moor Row]], [[Sellafield railway station]], [[Millom]], [[Workington railway station]]
====Steam Hauled Railtour of Ravenglass and Rowrah, 15 March 1969==== : Organiser: [[Stephenson Locomotive Society]] and Manchester Locomotive Society<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/690315sl.html|title=S.L.S. / M.L.S. Ravenglass & Rowrah Tour}}</ref> : Traction: Unknown : Formation: Unknown : Route: [[City of Lancaster]], [[Carnforth]], [[Grange-over-Sands]], Plumpton Jn, [[Conishead Priory]] Branch, Plumpton Jn, [[Ulverston]], [[Dalton-in-Furness]], [[Askam and Ireleth]] (Askham), [[Foxfield railway station]], [[Millom]], [[Sellafield railway station]], [[Egremont, Cumbria]], [[Moor Row]], Rowrah Jn, [[Arlecdon]], '''Rowrah (14.02a ~ 14.12d)''', [[Moor Row]], Corkickle, [[Whitehaven]] Preston Street Jn, [[Whitehaven]] Preston Street Goods, [[Whitehaven]] Preston Street Jn, Corkickle, [[St Bees]], [[Ravenglass]], [[Dalegarth for Boot railway station]], [[Ravenglass]], [[Carnforth]], [[City of Lancaster]]
===Rowrah Station and staff=== Such was the ad hoc passenger traffic and special services that [[Rowrah railway station]] continued to be staffed until 1967, 36 years after passenger services officially ceased.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk"/> Identified railway staff from Rowrah include:
* George Stoddart was the last station master at Rowrah serving from 1947 to May 1967, leaving into retirement.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/forget-the-consultants-council-and-ask-us-what-our-town-centre-needs-1.389999 |title=FORGET THE CONSULTANTS, COUNCIL, AND ASK US WHAT OUR TOWN CENTRE NEEDS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401224312/http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/forget-the-consultants-council-and-ask-us-what-our-town-centre-needs-1.389999 |archive-date=1 April 2012 }}</ref> * Samuel Hastings, railway clerk, married Miss Mary Ann Yates both of Rowrah – 18 March 1882<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cumberlandbirthmarriagedeaths.yolasite.com/marriages.php|access-date=25 October 2010|title=CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND BIRTHS ~ MARRIAGES ~ DEATHS }}</ref>
===Closure=== The line to the north of Rowrah (Wrights Green – Marron Junction) was lifted in 1964.
The route of the old [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]] ceased [[coal]] and [[coke (fuel)|coke]] traffic, for the general public on 14 August 1967, and regular goods, from 15 August 1966.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk" />
The signal box remained operational until 1967 at which point traffic had become so low that the whole of the line between Rowrah and Whitehaven was deemed as a single block (see [[British absolute block signalling]]) with point switching being carried out by the train driver / guard. The Rowrah No. 1 Signal box was the last surviving box of the [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]].<ref name="signalbox.org"/>
A stretch of the [[Cleator and Workington Junction Railway]] remained until October 1980 as the [[backshunt]] into Rowrah Hall quarry for the remaining goods traffic on the old route of the [[Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway]]. The [[backshunt]] ran from Rowrah almost as far as [[Arlecdon]] Station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/forget-the-consultants-council-and-ask-us-what-our-town-centre-needs-1.389999|title=FORGET THE CONSULTANTS, COUNCIL, AND ASK US WHAT OUR TOWN CENTRE NEEDS|quote=buffer stops almost at Arlecdon Station House|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401224312/http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/forget-the-consultants-council-and-ask-us-what-our-town-centre-needs-1.389999|archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref>
The line to the south of Rowrah continued to serve the Rowrah Hall / Eskett Quarry as the primary way to move [[Limestone]] until 23 March 1978 when the last Rowrah [[Limestone]] was sent to the [[Blast furnace]]s at Workington Ironworks.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk"/> All private siding movements were suspended on 1 April 1978.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk"/> The line was officially closed to traffic on 2 February 1980<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/steaming-around-cumbria-1.223189 |title=Steaming Around Cumbria}}</ref> and remained in place until October of the same year. The quarry remained open for two years after the departure of the railway with all [[Limestone]] being transported by road.<ref>The Whitehaven News, 30 October 1980</ref> During the rail removal process the track was lifted and loaded on to a train, the track being lifted behind it as it travelled back to Whitehaven. The train formation consisted of a [[British Rail Class 25]] locomotive (25202 and 25036), two rail wagons and BR/LMS guards van. 25036 was the last locomotive to ever visit Rowrah.
==Mines, quarries, and natural resources== Rowrah is built on a large and very pure deposit of Limestone and from 1888 until the 1980s Limestone was quarried from at least one of the four quarries in Rowrah.
# Rowrah Head Quarry (1888<ref name="ReferenceA"/> to the 1980s) # Kelton Head Quarry ( to 1950<ref name="Irving">{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/home/edgars-continue-karting-dynasty-1.388760 |title=Edgars Continue Karting Dynasty |first=A |last=Irving | date=16 March 2006 |publisher=The Whitehaven News |quote=where the last lump of rock had been quarried in 1950}}</ref>) # Salter Hall Quarry ( to 1927<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbria-railways.co.uk/rowrah_kelton_mines.html |title=Rowrah & Kelton Fell Mineral Railway – Mines|publisher=cumbria-railways.co.uk |quote=Salter Hall Quarry ceased production in 1927}}</ref>) # Stockhow Hall Quarry ( to 1909<ref name="www.cumbria-railways.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbria-railways.co.uk/rowrah_kelton_mines.html |title=Rowrah & Kelton Fell Mineral Railway – Mines|publisher=cumbria-railways.co.uk |quote=in 1909 when the Stockhow Hall Quarry was closed}}</ref>)
The remnants of all the quarries of Rowrah and the connecting trackbeds is clearly visible in [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=54.54984,-3.455973&spn=0.014685,0.027595&t=h&z=15&msid=106830292399681303740.000493382a5407fa92abb this google map overlay]
===Rowrah Hall Quarry=== Rowrah Hall Quarry, later called the Rowrah Quarry, was owned by Thomas Dixon of Rheda and at its peak employed 24 men with an average yield of 130 tons of limestone per day.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Although owned by Thomas Dixon the quarry was leased to various parties throughout its productive life, some of the leases in date order are:- * 5 January 1910, Lease of Rowrah Hall Limestone Quarry between 1) Thomas Dixon, Rheda and Florence Dixon, Lorton Hall and 2) the Workington Iron and Steel Company Limited<ref>Cumbria County Council Archives, ref. YBSC/8/1/2/10</ref> * 13 June 1939, Lease of the Rowrah Hall Quarry, Lamplugh, between 1) Henry Raven Courtenay Musgrave, Highbury, Stocksfield, Northumberland and Vera Owen Musgrave, Redcroft, Moor Crescent, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne and 2) the [[United Steel Companies]] Limited<ref>Cumbria County Council Archives, ref. YBSC/8/1/2/13</ref>
In the 1980s Rowrah Quarry was (owned? and) operated by Eskett Quarries Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rowrah Quarry|url=http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/r803.htm#creditpic|publisher=The Durham Mining Museum|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref>
====Incidents==== * 1 March 1897 – Accident with Explosives – 1 injured. The man was engaged in firing "pop" holes. He had lighted the fuse and retired to a safe distance. He was returning to the place after the shot had exploded, thinking all was safe, when he was struck on the head by a small stone.<ref>{{cite book|last=J. L. |first=Hedley|title=Mines Inspectors Report (C 8819), Newcastle District (No. 3)|year=1897|publisher=H.M. Inspector of Mines}}</ref> * 19 January 1898 – Accident with explosives – 1 injured. Accident due to injured person's own reckless conduct. A vertical hole, 7 feet deep, was charged with gelatine dynamite with the view of merely "cracking" the rock. The shot-firer lit the fuse, and then proceeded to pour in some fine stemming, ramming it down with a copper tube. Explosion probably caused by this stemmer coming in contact with the detonator.<ref>{{cite book|last=J. L.|first=Hedley|title=Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Newcastle District (No. 3)|year=1898|publisher=H.M. Inspector of Mines}}</ref> * 20 February 1900 – Accident with Explosives – one man injured. The injured man had moved away about 100 yards from the quarry face, and was watching the shot. It was snowing at the time, and this prevented him seeing clearly. (Gunpowder.)<ref name="Hedley 1900">{{cite book|last=Hedley|first=J. L.|title=Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 536), Newcastle District (No. 3)|year=1900|publisher=H.M. Inspector of Mines}}</ref> * 23 February 1900 – Accident with Explosives – two men injured. A hole 10 feet deep, and containing a charge of 10 lbs. of powder, had missed fire on the previous day. The presumption is that the two men were unramming the hole when the explosion occurred. (Gunpowder.)<ref name="Hedley 1900"/> * 6 March 1914 – Fatality: Gilmore, Thomas, 6 March 1914, aged 38, Shot Firer. After firing a "shaking" shot on a ledge 12 feet from the quarry top, deceased returned to recharge the hole, and while in a stooping position a mass of rock, weighing several tons, fell from the quarry face and struck him, killing him instantly<ref>{{cite web|title=Rowrah Quarry|url=http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/r803.htm#creditpic|publisher=Durham Mining Museum|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref>
===Kelton Head Quarry=== Kelton Head Quarry is located one mile to the east of the Rowrah, this was in active use until 1950.<ref name="Irving"/> In the early 1960s Kelton Head quarry was purchased from the owner, farmer Joseph Wren, for £300 by Iredale Edgar<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/home/edgars-continue-karting-dynasty-1.388760 |title=Edgars Continue Karting Dynasty |first=A |last=Irving | date=16 March 2006 |publisher=The Whitehaven News |quote=For the princely sum of £300 the quarry was purchased from local farmer Joseph Wren}}</ref> for the purpose of converting it into the new home of The Cumbria Karting Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/home/edgars-continue-karting-dynasty-1.388760 |title=Edgars Continue Karting Dynasty}}</ref> <gallery class="center"> File:The Karting pits area Rowrah. - geograph.org.uk - 97267.jpg|The Karting pits area Rowrah. – geograph.org.uk – 97267 File:Kart racing at Rowrah - geograph.org.uk - 546522.jpg|Kart racing at Rowrah – geograph.org.uk – 546522 </gallery>
===Salter Hall Quarry=== Salter Hall Quarry (to 1927<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbria-railways.co.uk/rowrah_kelton_mines.html |title=Rowrah & Kelton Fell Mineral Railway- Mines|publisher=cumbria-railways.co.uk |quote=Salter Hall Quarry ceased production in 1927}}</ref>) was used for the quarrying of [[limestone]] and was served by the [[Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway]]. The quarry was owned by Salter Quarry Co. Ltd.<ref name="Salter Hall Quarry Limestone">{{cite web|title=Salter Hall Quarry (Limestone)|url=http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/s803.htm|publisher=The Durham Mining Museum|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref>
In 1922 it employed 47 people (36 workers, 11 office)<ref name="Salter Hall Quarry Limestone"/>
Although Rowrah Hall Quarry and Salter Hall Quarry were entirely separate, later quarrying activity and the eventual flooding of both has resulted in them now appearing as one single entity when viewed from the air. Although there is no documented evidence many locals are aware of the remnants of two tunnels between the two quarries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tunnelsuk.com/site_visits/2010/may/28_cumbria/cumbria_index.html |title=Tunnels UK, Rowrah Hall Quarry}}</ref> The earlier of the two tunnels had a narrow gauge track and the latter was sufficiently wide to allow the passage of road wagons. Eventually the two tunnels were used to create the open space between the two quarries. <gallery class="center"> File:Salterhall Quarry, part of Rowrah Quarry - geograph.org.uk - 92808.jpg|Salterhall Quarry, part of Rowrah Quarry – geograph.org.uk – 92808 </gallery>
====Incidents==== * 14 June 1900 – Accident with Explosives – one man injured. He was sheltering behind a bogie when he was struck by a stone, which rebounded from an angle of the quarry face. (Gunpowder.)<ref name="Hedley 1900"/>
===Stockhow Hall Quarry=== Stockhow Hall Quarry ( to 1909<ref name="www.cumbria-railways.co.uk"/>) was used for the quarrying of [[limestone]] and was served by the [[Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway]]. The local name for Stockhow Hall Quarry was "Bainsey Wood Quarry".
===Other geological interest=== The soil in Rowrah often has a reddish colouring due to the high concentration of iron-ore. [[File:Soil in Rowrah.jpg|thumb|The soil in Rowrah, the red colouring is due to high concentrations of naturally occurring iron ore.]]
== Cycling == The disused railway in Rowrah now forms part of the 140-mile [[Sea to Sea Cycle Route]] (C2C) Cycle Route, Britain's most popular "challenge" cycle route<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/long-distance-rides/england/sea-to-sea-c2c |title=Sea to Sea (C2C)}}</ref> which is route 71 of the National Cycle Network. The cycle route between Rowrah and Whitehaven follows the disused railway line for its entire length, making it an excellent traffic free and gentle bike ride with a selection of local sculptures to keep the casual cyclist entertained. <gallery class="center"> File:C2c signpost rowrah.jpg|C2C (Route 71) Sign Post showing Whitehaven 91/2 Miles (all downhill), Keswick 21 Miles and Sunderland 120 Miles File:C2c milepost rowrah.jpg|C2C Milepost showing Rowrah, Arlecdon, Frizington, Cleator Moor, Moor Row and Whitehaven. At the top of the post is a depiction of a quarry rail cart used to move iron-ore and limestone. File:Sculpture on the C2C cycle route at Rowrah.jpg|A typical sculpture on the C2C cycle route at Rowrah File:A stone with Cumbrian Dialect writing, Rowrah.jpg|A stone with Cumbrian Dialect writing, Rowrah on the route of the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway. "and then among t'herdwicks ah've oft heard it sed she could hannel a tip just as weel as owld Ned. She culd tell gimmer...." </gallery>
==Notable buildings==
===Rowrah Hall=== [[File:Rowrah Hall Frontage.jpg|border|left|480x480px]] '''Brief History to Present Day'''
Rowrah Hall is a fine, imposing Grade II listed building, originally built in 1703 during the reign of Queen Anne, and was the home of John Skelton. The property was extended in 1729 and the next few generations made it their home. At some point c.1800's, the Skelton's left to live in London and the Hall saw various tenants, before being sold by the family in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Birdsall|first=Jean|title=Arlecdon and other Acres - Volume 2|publisher=Arlecdon History Group|year=2022|location=Cumbria, England|language=English}}</ref>
The Hall and estate were bought by a local farmer, but its upkeep was neglected and for a number of years, it lay derelict. It was bought and renovated in the 1980s when it became a field centre, until 2001. Later it was completely renovated and was transformed into a charming guest house. The adjoining cottage, The Old Hayloft, which is within Rowrah Hall's curtilage, was given a separate title c.2003 and later converted to boutique holiday cottages.
The property remains in private ownership, having been sold in 2021 and continues to flourish under its new stewards. The building is almost in its original "as built" form and can be seen from the C2C Cycle Route at Rowrah, which runs alongside the Hall's three-acre estate. Over 7,000 tulip bulbs were planted in 2021, creating a spectacular display in the Spring time. The gateway to Rowrah Hall was originally located directly on the main road but was altered in 1861 with the arrival of the railway. Access to Rowrah hall is via two disused railway bridges that were underfilled in the 1990s.
'''Natural Water Source'''
A natural spring within the grounds, feeds two ponds and is the source of Windergill Beck, feeding into the River Ehen, which supports the largest '''freshwater pearl mussel ''Margaritifera''''' population in England, and is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).<ref>{{Cite web|title=JNCC - RIver Ehen (SAC)|url=https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/site/UK0030057|website=JNCC}}</ref>
'''Grade II Listing'''
Rowrah Hall was given Grade II listed status on 9 March 1967<ref>{{cite web|title=ROWRAH HALL, A5086|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1336042?section=official-listing|website=Historic England}}</ref> and is a traditional Cumberland farmhouse design of five bays, made of rendered limestone, with local slate roof and originally had sandstone mullions and transoms to the windows throughout. The Listing gives its building as 1705, from a date on the barns (now gone), but from the evidence of a carved oak cupboard, it was probably built in 1703. It had two large inglenook fireplaces, one of which survives, and a comparatively large number of windows (expensive at the time).
'''Queen Anne to King George'''
The extension in 1729 was built in part, to accommodate Richard Skelton's growing family and there is a marked contrast in style between the Queen Anne design of the original house and the Georgian style of the newer. Richard was the eldest son of John, and also built the massive gate piers (also listed), with large acorns on top, and the walled garden. At the time, there was a long drive straight up to the main road, where the entrance was marked by two beech trees (cut down about 1980). Richard died in the late eighteenth century, while his wife Deborah lived on into her late 90's.
The original Ordnance Survey maps of the coincided with the building of the first railway in the 1805's: the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont. It shows that "Rowrah" is simply Rowrah Hall, Rowrah Hall Farm and Rowrah Head. It is possible that Rowrah Hall was the only building in Rowrah during the early 1700s.
{{multiple image | direction = horizontal | width = 220 | image1 = Rowrah Hall Frontage.jpg | caption1 = Rowrah Hall with The Old Hayloft and Walled Garden (August 2021). | image2 = C2c cycleway rowrah.jpg | caption2 = C2C Cycle Route with access to Rowrah Hall on the right. | image7 = Rowrah Hall Mullion Windows.jpg | caption8 = Rowrah Hall as viewed from the C2C cycle route / access road (April 2007) | image8 = Rowrah Hall.jpg | caption7 = Original sandstone mullion and transom windows (August 2021). | image5 = Rowrah Hall - From Above.jpg | caption6 = Rowrah Hall, looking up to C2C Cycle Route (August 2021). | image6 = Rowrah Hall - Driveway and Garden Walls.jpg | caption5 = Rowrah Hall from Above (August 2021). | caption4 = Rowrah Hall from C2C Cycle Route (Aug 2021). | image4 = Rowrah Hall - Driveway.jpg | total_width = 1000 }}
===The Shop=== Located at 9 Rowrah Road the shop was the last general retail premises in Rowrah, now closed and a private residence. Previously it was a Fish and Chip shop. [[File:The Shop, Rowrah Road, Rowrah.JPG|thumb|The shop on Rowrah Road, now a private residence. The premise was previously a Fish and Chip shop. The bus stop to the right is no longer used.]]
===The Doctors House===
The doctors house is one of the largest houses in the original row of terraced houses on Rowrah Road, it is detached and set back from the other houses in the row. [[File:The Doctors House, Rowrah.JPG|thumb|The Doctors House, Rowrah. Now a private residence.]]
===Rowrah Chapel=== In 1895 a 300 capacity Wesleyan Chapel was constructed from part rendered local sandstone, now a private residential property.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
===The Cooperative=== The Cooperative building has had many uses. As the Cooperative it was a funeral parlour. In the mid-1970s it was used as a jewellery shop called Magnus Maximus Designs. It is now a private residence under the name of Magnus House. [[File:The old Cooperative, Rowrah.JPG|thumb|The old Cooperative, Rowrah. Now a private residence.]]
===The Railway Hotel=== The Railway Hotel, located at 49 Rowrah Road, was the property of the [[Jennings Brewery]], Cockermouth. The property was leased to various landlords throughout its life under [[Jennings Brewery]] ownership, some of the tenants included:-
* Joseph Cameron Boyd: Railway Hotel, Rowrah – 1924<ref>National Archives, document ref:YDB 28/1/10/67</ref> * William Joseph Brough: Railway Hotel, Rowrah – 1928<ref>National Archives, document ref:YDB 28/1/10/87</ref>
The Railway Hotel underwent alterations in 1955–1956<ref>National Archives, document ref:DWM 12/198/5</ref> while remaining under the ownership of the [[Jennings Brewery]].
Additional National archive records, held in Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library, Whitehaven, indicate the sale of The Railway Hotel in 1956<ref>National Archives, document ref:DWM 12/159</ref> The Railway Hotel is now a private residence. [[File:The Station Hotel, Rowrah.JPG|thumb|The Railway Hotel, Rowrah. Now a private residence]] After nearly 160 years, following the death of Noreen Dockeray, (owner of 40 years), The Railway Hotel and its Ostler's cottage are now separate properties and owned by 2 separate families.
===The Stork Hotel=== [[File:The Stork Hotel, Rowrah - geograph.org.uk - 1500521.jpg|thumb|The Stork Hotel, was the last remaining public house and hotel in Rowrah. The white building to the left of The Stork Hotel is The Railway Hotel, now a private residence.]]
The Stork Hotel Rowrah is located on the corner of Rowrah Road and Pasture Road.
There are archive records regarding The Stork Hotel as follows:- * Sale particulars, copy deeds and papers relating to the acquisition of the Stork Hotel, Rowrah – 1932–1933<ref>National Archives, document ref: DWM 12/193</ref>
The Stork Hotel was the last remaining public house and hotel in Rowrah, when it closed in January 2022. It is now a private residence.
==Notable people== * [[Paul Dale]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/news/rowrah-man-paul-lands-top-itv-job-1.745070 |title=Rowrah Man Paul Lands Top ITV Job |first=Andrew |last=Clarke |date=29 July 2010 |publisher=The Whitehaven News |quote=A top job with ITV has gone to a man with Rowrah roots. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815211338/http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/news/rowrah-man-paul-lands-top-itv-job-1.745070 |archive-date=15 August 2010 }}</ref> the first<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/jul/29/itv-paul-dale-cto |title=ITV names Paul Dale as chief technology officer |first=Mark |last=Sweeney |date=29 July 2010 |work=The Guardian|quote=This is the first time ITV has had a CTO on its management board |location=London}}</ref> [[Chief technology officer|CTO]] to be appointed to the management board at [[ITV plc]], biggest commercial television network in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/aboutitv/ |title=About ITV |date=23 April 2008 |publisher=ITV |quote=ITV is the biggest commercial television network in the UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409164721/http://www.itv.com/aboutitv/ |archive-date=9 April 2011 }}.</ref> * Derrick Bird, the gunman responsible for the [[Cumbria shootings]] in 2010,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10219655 BBC News]</ref> lived at 26 Rowrah Road.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Thom |title=HOME OF CUMBRIAN KILLER DERRICK BIRD SOLD FOR £35,000|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/home-of-cumbrian-killer-derrick-bird-sold-for-35-000-1.769255|publisher=News & Star|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gunman Derrick Bird's house to be sold at auction|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11429585|publisher=BBC News|access-date=28 October 2010|date=28 September 2010}}</ref>
==Religion== Rowrah for many years was a religious hub for the surrounding area and in 1895 a 300-capacity [[Wesleyan Methodist Church (Great Britain)|Wesleyan]] chapel was constructed.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> This chapel later became a [[Methodist Church of Great Britain|Methodist]] church for the local community until declining numbers forced the closure and sale of the property. The chapel is now a private residence.
Many of the [[Wesleyan]] meetings were documented and some have been transcribed available online.
The Reading Room was established in 1896; the members, who numbered about 40, subscribed for 2d. weekly.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
4 items from the "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah" are part of the local historical collection housed at The Beacon in [[Whitehaven]]. These items are:- # BWHHMG:1997.47.5, Cup, White china tea cup, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around rim. # WHHMG:1997.47.6, Saucer, White china saucer, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge. # WHHMG:1997.47.7, Plate, White china tea plate, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge. # WHHMG:1997.47.8, Plate, White china dinner plate, black transfer printed inscription "Wesleyan Chapel Rowrah", thin gold band of decoration around edge.
==Wildlife== {{multiple image|direction=vertical|width=220 |image1=Red squirrel spotted in rowrah.jpg|caption1=A rare Red Squirrel spotted raiding a bird table in Rowrah, Cumbria |image2=Daffodil at Rowrah.jpg|caption2=During March, like many Cumbrian villages, Rowrah is awash with the bright yellow of Daffodils }}
Rowrah is a rural village and has diverse wildlife, including wild deer, [[cuckoo]], [[Barn-owl|barn owl]], [[fox]], [[red squirrel]], [[smooth newt]], [[hare]], and [[rabbit]]. Rowrah has a pair of nesting [[peregrine falcon]]s, in April 2009 they made the national headlines when a pigeon laced with poison was used in an attempt to poison them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Attempt to poison bird of prey|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/8078573.stm|publisher=BBC News|access-date=26 October 2010|date=2 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Attempt to Poison a Nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/8078573.stm|publisher=Raptor Politics|access-date=26 October 2010|date=2 June 2009}}</ref>
To the south-east of Rowrah, along the C2C cycle route prior to Sheriffs Gate there is [[High Leys]], which has been designated a [[national nature reserves in England|national nature reserve]]. The status of national nature reserve was awarded to [[High Leys]] due to its meadow status and the traditional hay-making and grazing methods employed during the land's working lifetime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Template|url=http://www.cumbria-wildlife.org.uk/westCumbria.html|publisher=Cumbria Wildlife|access-date=26 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316062200/http://www.cumbria-wildlife.org.uk/westCumbria.html|archive-date=16 March 2011}}</ref>
In 2010 there were sightings of a large black cat,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/mystery-big-cat-spotted-1.739122 |title=Mystery Big Cat Spotted |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=The Whitehaven News |quote=The cat – described as the size of a Labrador dog – was spotted on Steel Brow}}</ref> local myth often refers to such unknown creatures as "Boggles".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/07/30/the-return-of-the-boggle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802044811/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/07/30/the-return-of-the-boggle/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2010 |title=The return of the Boggle |first=Alan |last=Clever |date=30 July 2010 |work=The Independent|quote=Cumbrians there's no doubting what it is: It's a boggle. |location=London}}</ref>
==Post Office== The nearest [[Post Office]] is at [[Arlecdon]].
==See also== {{portal|Cumbria}} *[[Listed buildings in Arlecdon and Frizington]]
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Rowrah}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Villages in Cumbria]] [[Category:Cumberland (unitary authority)|Cumberland]]