Colby

Township in Appleby St Lawrence parish, East ward, Westmorland. Colby CP, created 1894, covered larger area than township.

Acreage:

1,181 acres [478 ha] before boundary changes; after 1894 CP covered 1,402 acres [567 ha]. Colby Moor (360 acres [146 ha]) and Colby Pasture enclosed 1854.

Population:

around 140-150 in period 1821-51; 178 in 1861; had fallen back to 121 by 1891 (last census year before boundary changes). Population of Colby CP fell to 79 by 1961 but had risen to 120 by 2001.

Landownership:

held by Colby family 12th century to c.1400, when passed by marriage to Warcops who held it until c.1660, when most of tenants enfranchised.

Economy:

predominantly agricultural; small-scale quarrying and lime-burning mid-19th century. Tourism by early 21st century: caravan park at Hawkrigg Farm.

Places of worship:

mission room (‘iron church’) built later 19th century; in use 1938. United Methodist chapel built 1874; closed; rebuilt as dwelling 2002.

Schools and other Institutions:

village hall established 1990s (building formerly a school classroom elsewhere).