LOST on Staindrop green, hidden beneath the boughs of a spreading chestnut tree with shiny conkers dropping on it, are the remains of a gas lamp. The top of the lamp is an ornate metal lance and the bottom are a couple of chunks of dressed stone, one of which has the date “1874” carved into it.

The remains of the gaslight on Staindrop greenIn the last week of September 150 years, several south Durham local newspapers carried a paragraph headlined “Steps in the right direction”.

It began: “During last years, attempts have been made – and invariably successfully opposed, to light the streets of Staindrop with gas. As a step towards this very desirable end, Mr William T Scarth JP, of Staindrop House, has placed in positions where they were much required, three lamps, also maintaining them with gas, during the past week. Mr Hanson has erected, on the site of the old Shambles and in the centre of the town, a very handsome lamp, standing on a massive stone pedestal, on which are cut the figures 1874.

150 years later, you can still make out the date on the gaslight“It is to be hoped the example will be followed, that protection may be afforded to the peaceably disposed inhabitants.”

READ MORE: WHEN STAINDROP HAD A MARKET ON ITS GREEN

Back in the summer (Memories 684, to be precise), we established that Staindrop had been allowed to hold a weekly market in 1378, and two rows of stalls were set up on a cobbled area opposite today’s Spar shop, known as the “shambles”, from a Dutch word for meat market. Animal markets were held on the lanes criss-crossing the green.

Staindrop on April 27, 1955, with the first gas lamp next to the lorryThis came to an end in 1857, when the cattle market was transferred to Barnard Castle and the other stalls fizzled out. Grass grew over much of the cobbles, although one stretch survives, and Mr Hanson’s handsome lamp is still there.

It seems wrong to let its sesquicentennial pass without a little note, which gives us the chance to wonder why ever did some Staindrop residents successfully prevent the village streets from being illuminated by gas for several years?

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