Burton in Lonsdale


Burton in Lonsdale is a village and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England, close to the border with Lancashire and Cumbria. It is in Lonsdale. According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 621, decreasing to 579 at the 2011 Census. The parish is approximately 1,500 acres in area and has many farms - dairy, beef and sheep. Little is grown, except grass to feed the animals.
Formerly famous for country pottery, it is now a quiet village situated between two national parks and by the side of the River Greta.

History

The village contains a motte that is the remains of Burton in Lonsdale Castle.
In his will of 1593 Henry the 4th Earl of Derby bequeathed his manor of Burton In Lonsdale to his second son the Hon William Stanley who less than two years later became the 6th Earl after the poisoning of his older brother Ferdinando the 5th Earl.
Stoneware and earthenware pottery was produced between about 1650 and 1944, in a total of thirteen potteries, using locally available clay and coal. It is said Burton was known as 'Black Burton' because of the amount of smoke produced by the kilns' fires when firing pots. The firing was carried out over several days at a time, on a regular basis. No doubt the quality of the coal was to blame for the amount of smoke. Burton pottery is notoriously difficult to identify; only one producer, Kilburn, marked his products. However, it has a distinctive rustic 'feel' about it, and can be found at auctions, although one has to be careful and not assume a piece is automatically Burton Pottery.

Modern village

The village has a community run shop where local goods such as meats, cheeses and vegetables are available. In December 2007 the shop won "Best shop / PO" in the North West Best Rural Retailers award.
In August 2014 the village founded a road cycling club called Lonsdale Wheelers CC. The club meets on the first and third Sundays of every month with a 10.00 start from the village shop.
The Village Hall hosts a number of regular clubs and events, details on the Village Hall page. Events include circuit training, a monthly music night, a WI group and karate.
Also for the 2014–15 season a football club, Burton United F.C, was formed and admitted into the North Lancashire and District Football League. The club however folded at the end of the 2015-16 season. The club played their home games at Burton recreation ground.