Cummersdale

Township in Carlisle St Mary’s parish, Cumberland ward, Cumberland.

Acreage:

2,014 acres [815 ha] before loss of northern part of township to Carlisle MB (Caldewgate CP) 1894, which reduced Cummersdale CP to 1,798 acres [728 ha]. Further loss of territory to Carlisle 1951. Common land at Cummersdale and Carlisle Moor (1,350 acres [546 ha], straddling boundary with Carlisle) enclosed 1770.

Population:

rising from 382 in 1801 to 659 by 1851 and 909 by 1891 (last census year before boundary changes). Population of reduced CP stood in range 550-650 across 20th century.

Landownership:

part of bishop of Carlisle’s barony of Dalston (q.v.).

Economy:

largely agricultural until 19th century; Dalston Estate Small Holdings (part of Land Resettlement Scheme) from 1920s. Clay pits for brick-making on former common. Cotton dyeing and bleach works at Holme Head works, part of Ferguson brothers’ factories, opened 1824; closed 1991. Cluster of water-powered mills on River Caldew near High Cummersdale: corn mill recorded from 1268; commercial flour-milling for Carlisle until 1905; demolished 1970s. Cotton spinning mill established 1780s by Forsters of Carlisle; operated by Fergusons from c.1830 and by John Dalton & Son from 1848; closed 1903; sold to Edmund Stead 1905 and converted to hand block printing department of Stead McAlpin; closed 1978. Print works built by Forsters 1801; bought by Thomas McAlpin 1835; now Stead McAlpin & Co. Dye works established by Ferguson brothers 1782; taken over by Lowthian and Parker 1849; purchased by Stead McAlpin 1901; closed 1911; demolished 1970s. Bacon curing works in High Cummersdale later 19th and early 20th century. Pirelli tyre factory built at Low Cummersdale 1966-9.

Places of worship:

St James’ Church, St James Road, built 1865-7, serving Denton Holme district of Carlisle; daughter church, St James’, High Cummersdale, converted from factory building mid-20th century. Mission hall (former school) at Newby from late 19th century; closed and converted to dwelling. St Luke’s Church, Morton, built 1958-60. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Langrigg Road, built 1967. St Edmund’s RC Church, built 1972-3; rebuilt 1981. Carlisle Cemetery, with Anglican and nonconformist mortuary chapels, opened 1855; expanded south of Fairy Beck late 19th century; crematorium dedicated 1956.

Schools and other institutions:

National school at Newby built 1833; had closed by 1890s. British school at Holme Head works built 1841; closed 1884. Factory schools at Cummersdale print works and cotton mill (from 1860s; closed c.1914; building used as joiner’s shop; demolished 1993). Board school at High Cummersdale opened 1884; now Cummersdale Primary School. In outer suburbs of Carlisle: New Laithes Junior School opened 1963; adjacent Infant School opened 1965; Morton Secondary School (now Richard Rose Morton Academy) opened 1968. Embassy Club, High Cummersdale, converted from bacon-curing works 1920s as community building with reading room, dance hall, billiards and games rooms; now village hall.