RECENT Memories have been visiting the Teesdale village of Cotherstone to which Hannah Hauxwell retired in 1994, having famously farmed at Low Birk Hatt in the wilds of Baldersdale on her own since 1960.
COTHERSTONE: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME IN PICTURES
She was first discovered struggling on the remote farm, without electricity or running water, by a Yorkshire Post journalist in 1970, but her breakthrough came with the 1972 Yorkshire TV documentary, Too Long A Winter.
Hannah Hauxwell getting her water in 1972
“We’d seen the documentary a few times and, like many others, we were fascinated by Hannah's solitary life in Baldersdale,” say Mel and Anne Harland in Newton Aycliffe. “So in 1980, we decided to pay a visit to the area to see just how remote it really was.
“There was only one problem – we did not own a car!
“Being keen fell walkers and knowing that the Pennine Way passed by Low Birk Hatt Farm, we set off caught the United bus to Darlington. In those days, GNE ran a daily bus service from Darlington to Carlisle along the A66, so we boarded this and just west of Bowes alighted at Pasture End Farm where we joined the Pennine Way.
Hannah Hauxwell milking at Low Birk Hatt
“Heading north across the high moorland for four lonely miles we eventually reached Low Birk Hatt Farm situated less than 100 yards from Blackton Reservoir – which seemed ironic as the farm had no running water!
“On passing the farm, we could not believe our luck – Hannah was standing at the gate!
“Your article said that some people thought she was very reclusive, but we found the exact opposite. She greeted us with a smile and was interested in where we had come from and she told us that the longest journey she had ever made was to Barnard Castle!
Hannah Hauxwell with Anne and Harland in 1980
“We even talked ourselves related as both Hannah and I belong to the Teesdale Tallentire family.
“We found her a very intelligent and lovely lady who had a profound effect on both of us.
“On leaving Low Birk Hatt we walked for five miles along Baldersdale to Cotherstone where we caught a United bus to Barnard Castle, another to Darlington and yet another back to Newton Aycliffe! A day we will never forget.
Hannah Hauxwell at a signing session in Darlington's Dressers
“Nine years later we met Hannah again at a book signing at Dressers bookshop on High Row in Darlington. I gave her a copy of the photograph I took at the farm, and she signed a copy of her new book, Seasons of My Life, for us.”
Hannah Hauxwell leaves Low Birk Hatt Farm for Cotherstone
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