A seemingly quiet street in a quiet village you'd bypass without a thought. There is so much history in this spot including an old church, a well and a workhouse!
Belford Community Club started life as "The Scotch Church"
Northumberland County History, 1893, states;
"The Scottish church, situated in the West Street of Belford, is in connection with the Established Church of Scotland, and was built in 1776 by subscription on the site of a former meeting house, which bore the name of the "Protestant Dissenting Meeting House".
The building contains seats for three hundred persons. The minister previous to the building of the church was the Rev. John Walton, who died on the 9th of October, 1809.
The present minister, the Rev. Elias Henderson, was appointed in 1871, and by his exertions the church has been renovated at a cost of £600. In 1843, when the Free Church party seceded from the Established Church of Scotland, the movement penetrated across the Border, and a separate congregation was formed in Belford, which bore the name of the
"Free Church in England" until a union with the United Presbyterians changed the title to that of the "English Presbyterian Church"."
Today it is a very popular community social club.
In front of the club stand the grade II listed war memorial (erected 1922) and built by local mason's Messrs Tully and Sons, whose descendants still reside in the village. It honours the 54 local men who fell in the first world war and 29 from world war 2. A well attended remembrance ceremony is held on armistice day with blessings and readings from both St Mary's C of E Church and The Erskine United Reformed Church. An interesting Grade II listed well also stands next to the memorial but don't get too curious, locals say it's a gathering place for adders.
Across from the Club on West Street stands Bell View Centre, a day care centre which is a hub of activity helping the elderly in the vicinity to lead independent lives for longer by providing activities and support. Bell View was originally Belford's Work House, the most Northerly in England which opened in 1839 You can find out more of the fascinating history of this building in the excellent book by local historian J.M. Bowen - A Poor Little House. Also more information at www.workhouses.org.uk/Belford/
Notable residents of the village include: