Journal entry – John Grey – 26 Feb 1835

Thursday 26th



       The Weather having become a little more settled, I took Mr Hunt into the Langley district - visited the small Embankment now in progress on the Tyne at Woodhall Mill, & though in an unfinished state, was glad to find no damage of consequence had been done to it by the late heavy floods.  Proceeded to Haydon Bridge, examined a number of Gates in the Wood yard that had been made by Contract at a cheap rate for that district.  To Tenants entering upon Farms, I supply them gratis, as they are afterwards bound to maintain them, but on giving them out to others, they are required to pay the expense of making them. 

       Proceeded to Lees & marked out  new line of Road leading to the Farm Offices, which will be easier & shorter, the present one being bad & inconvenient.    The tenant is to take up & restore the old Road to the Fields & lead all materials for the new one.  Mr Hunt will give notice at Haydon Bridge of his intention to meet Workmen there on a certain day to describe the Road & receive offers for making it, which being only for the use of the Farm, need not be wide or thickly laid, & will not cost many Pounds.  Returned by Woodhall & Bagraw Farms, where some new fences are being made & at the latter, some plantations bring thinned Mr Hunt having gone by Elrington to inspect & measure off some draining.   Heard from Lowbyer & other places of the destruction of Slates in the late tempest.  Received a List of Subscribers towards the establishment of a Friendly Society at Garrigill, in the heart of the Hospitals mining Country, with a request to forward & recommend it to the support of the Commissioners.  It is necessary to remark upon the benefit & utility of such institutions, if founded upon right principles and conducted with regularity.   After their first establishment however, they ought not to require or depend upon any adventitious support.

[marginal pencil annotation:] If we give £20 for a donation I think it will be enough