Osmotherley

Township in Ulverston parish, Lonsdale hundred, Lancashire North of the Sands. Combined with Egton with Newland and Mansriggs CPs 2003.

Acreage:

1,929 acres [781 ha], including 750 acres [304 ha] of common land on Osmotherley Common, enclosed 1862.

Population:

rising from 218 in 1801 to peak of 474 in 1881; then falling across 20th century to 224 in 1981; stood at 234 in 2001.

Landownership:

manor of Osmotherley held by Osmotherley (‘Asmunderlaw’) family from Redmaynes of Levens from 13th century to c.1480s. In hands of earls of Derby in 16th century.

Economy:

predominantly agricultural; small-scale quarrying (slate; flagstone) in 19th century. Sickle mill at Broughton Beck mid-19th century.

Places of worship:

chapel of ease of St John the Evangelist built 1874 (services previously held in school, using portable altar rails). Wesleyan Methodist chapel recorded 1831; no trace survives.

Schools and other institutions:

school built near Broughton Beck 1770; became public elementary school; closed 1927. Village hall at Broughton Beck (serving Osmotherley and Mansriggs), converted from water mill, donated to parish 1937.