Doddington, Northumberland

Doddington
Population	146 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	NT997325
District	Berwick-upon-Tweed
Shire county	Northumberland
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WOOLER
Postcode district	NE71
Dialling code	01668
Police	Northumbria
Fire	Northumberland
Ambulance	North East
UK Parliament	Berwick-upon-Tweed

The village and parish of Doddington is situated on the south side of the Milfield Plain, approximately 2 miles from the town of Wooler in the county of Northumberland. Notable buildings in Doddington include Doddington Hall, and the Anglican Church of St Mary and St Michael, which was built in the 18th century on the site of an original 12th Century place of worship. Wooler Golf Course is also situated near to Doddington

History and Cultural Significance

In 1734, the village was described in George Mark's Survey of a Portion of Northumberland as remarkable for its largeness, the badness of its houses and low situation, and perhaps for the greatest quantities of geese of any in its neighbourhood. At about the same time, the tune Dorrington was written down in the William Dixon manuscript. It is the most complex and elaborate of the pieces in that early source for Northumbrian music. The last tune played, on his deathbed, by the celebrated piper Will Allan, who died near Rothbury in 1779, was Dorrington Lads. A rhyme has survived

Dorrington lads is bonny and Dorrington lads is canny

And I'll hae a Dorrington lad, and ride a Dorrington cuddy.

This rhyme fits the old tune.

Demography

The 2001 UK Census shows a population of 146, with a 50:50 male:female split.

Economy

Besides farming, there was formerly a sandstone quarry in the area, and coal mines. A well known business currently in Doddington is the Doddington Dairy farm, a producer of organic cheeses and ice creams.[1]

External links

• GENUKI (Accessed: 10 November, 2008)
• Northumberland Communities (Accessed: 10 November, 2008)