Journal entry – John Grey – 10 Mar 1834

Monday 10th March 1834

Heard from the Tenant at Outchester that the Drains that I had marked out for improving a boggy field were finished & ready to be examined & measured, which I wrote desiring my Son to go over & do forthwith, that the ploughing of the field might be proceeded with. Directing him at the same time to apprize the Tenants in that quarter, that I should be at Belford to receive the Rents on the 8th April.  Went to the Park Farm & met Mr Walker, the Lessee of the Brick Ground, to fix the site & line of road to communicate with the Turnpike. Also to instruct the Arbitrators between him & the tenant, upon the principle they should Assess the damage of ground etc.  Went afterwards to the people employed in making & fencing the new road at Dilston Hall & to those making the plantations.   Had some Ivy & ever-greens planted around the ruins of the old Castle & Chapel - the latter has a good leaden roof but I discovered in getting to the top of the roofing that the parapet Walls are decayed & in danger of falling, from the want of cement, in the joining of the Stones, & some other repairs.  As I presume it is intended to preserve the Chapel as heretofore, I must take the opportunity of a good season for making the necessary Repairs.