Journal entry – John Grey – 23 Jun 1834

Monday 23rd June



Having settled some matters in the Office & sent Mr Hunt to look after draining & the state of Tillage in the Coastley district, & having no particular engagement, I took an excursion through the Woods on Snokoe & Dipton Fells & those of Dilston Park, observing such as is sold & being cleared away, such as is in want of thinning, the state of the fences etc.  There is always something to be looked after in this department,& commonly a good deal to remark upon & rectify, many parts of the Woods being difficult of access & only to be explored in dry weather. There is in Corbridge Church a toofall & small Gallery, containing two pews which belong exclusively to the Hospital & has always been kept in repair by it.  The Pews have been occupied by the Tenants of Thornbrough Town & High Barns Farms.  The Church Warden applied to me to have the Roof of the Toofall repaired as it admitted rain and caused dampness in that part of the Church.  This it cost but two days works of a Slater to do, but on examination I found the Pews in bad condition, being old & the Wood much decayed.  This I have had occasion in part to renew and as the two Farms of Thornbrough are now united, & either of the Pews sufficient by large to accommodate Mr Scott’s family, I have thought it advisable to appropriate the other, that it may in future belong to the occupier of the Receivers House, which could not otherwise be provided for, so conveniently or at so little expense.