*80th Anniversary of VE Day

Occurring
for 15 mins
Venue
St Cuthbert Bewcastle
Address
Bewcastle, CA6 6PS, United Kingdom

Dedicating the plaque honouring animals in war

Occurring
8 May 2025, 11:30 a.m. for 15 mins
Venue
St Cuthbert's Bewcastle
Address
Bewcastle, CA6 6PS, United Kingdom

This community, like many rural communities throughout the UK, had horses, mules, even donkeys requisitioned for war service in WW1.

The Animals in War Group, Carlisle generously donated a plaque made of Lakeland slate that has been secured to the museum wall.

Bishop John will dedicate the plaque.

We joined in with the International Animals in War initiative in 2024 on the 24th of February. Bishop John who lives in the parish led us in a short service to reconise the day, the residents from Bewcastle who served in animal-associated regiments and the animals from this community.

St Cuthbert Bewcastle

Key the name "Bewcastle" into any search engine and it immediately suggests you mean "Newcastle"!

So where on earth is it? Located within Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, yet not on the wall, and just a few miles from the Scottish border, the church is Grade II* and dates from the 13th century with building material from the Roman fort in which both the church and the medieval castle sit; the tower was added in the late 18th century. However, there has been a Christian community here since the 7thC, possibly associated with St Cuthbert, the great saint of Northern England and one-time bishop of these parts. We are in remote north east Cumbria.

The 8th century Bewcastle Cross, a scheduled monument in the churchyard, is ranked by Pevsner as one of the 12 most important monuments in Britain - and, along with the Ruthwell Cross, it is one of the oldest Christian monuments in Britain (excluding gravestones).

In the churchyard is a small and easy-to-visit museum outlining life in Bewcastle from prehistoric times up to the present.

Tellingly recently was this comment in the visitors’ book “Apart from Iona, I know of no place with such a “Wow” factor!” Was the visitor referring to the impact of the cross, to the museum, to the location or perhaps to the peaceful, contemplative atmosphere inside the church, which is open every single day of the year during daylight hours? Come and see for yourself!

Find us nine miles north of Brampton and the A69, fifteen miles east of Longtown; National Grid Ref NY 5654 7456, or put CA6 6PS in your satnav, or "visions.dried.swanky" in what3words.

Get in touch

Revd Dr Robert Brown

Greenholme
Bewcastle

CA6 6PW
Priest in Charge
016977 48438
Allison Roberts Warden
016977 48311

Our website

What's on

*80th Anniversary of VE Day

Occurring
for 15 mins
Venue
St Cuthbert Bewcastle
Address
Bewcastle, CA6 6PS, United Kingdom

Dedicating the plaque honouring animals in war

Occurring
8 May 2025, 11:30 a.m. for 15 mins
Venue
St Cuthbert's Bewcastle
Address
Bewcastle, CA6 6PS, United Kingdom

This community, like many rural communities throughout the UK, had horses, mules, even donkeys requisitioned for war service in WW1.

The Animals in War Group, Carlisle generously donated a plaque made of Lakeland slate that has been secured to the museum wall.

Bishop John will dedicate the plaque.

We joined in with the International Animals in War initiative in 2024 on the 24th of February. Bishop John who lives in the parish led us in a short service to reconise the day, the residents from Bewcastle who served in animal-associated regiments and the animals from this community.