From No. 10. October, 1890 - Church Choir Outing
On Saturday, September 13th, through the kindness and liberality of C.J. Bates, Esq., of Heddon Banks, the Church choir had a most delightful excursion to Langley Castle. The Route taken was via Ridley Hall and Planky Mill, where a splendid luncheon was provided and games indulges in.
The Castle was reached about 5 o'clock and after looking through the building the whole party sat down to tea in one of the Spacious rooms. The weather was all that could be desired, and a most enjoyable day was spent.
From No.4 April, 1888 - Origins of Heddon on the Wall
Heddonon the Wall consists of the six townships of Heddon on the Wall, East and West Heddon, Eachwick, Whitchester, Houghton and Close House. It has been shown with great probability by C.J. Bates, Esq., that the first-named of these is the place referred to in the history of the Venerable Bede under the appellation of "Ad Murum".
If this be correct Heddon must have been a place of some note, as the seat of the court of Oswry, King of Northumbria. Here were baptized by Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, two Saxon princes, Penda of Mercia and Sigebert of Essex; "so that this spot has the honour of being the spiritual birthplace of two southern princes, both of whom became the means of introducing Christianity into their own dominions." If a church existed here in those early days (the middle of the 7th century), it was most likely built of wood and covered with thatch.
The present church stands on an eminence 425ft above sea level. The eastern portion is evidently of ancient date and architectually very interesting. It is divided into two parts by a well-cut zig-zag arch, curiously flattened in the centre. The eastern bay of the chancel is covered by a groined roof, and is one of the very few specimens of this kind of archictecture now left in the north of England. This chancel was erected, it is supposed, about 1120, and at first constituted the whole church. "It would appear, however, that, towards the year 1200, an enlargement became necessary, and a nave was built, with, in the first instance, a north aisle only.
After some years the south aisle was added, and the existing chancel arch and south windows are of the same date." About 45 years ago the church was further enlarged to its present dimensions. The church is well worthy of a visit by those who are interested in ancient ecclesiastical architcture, and also by those who like to see proofs of the long existence of the Church in our land.