"Alnwick Castle"

Northumberland is the northern-most county of England. The Alnwick area is central to Northumberland, one of the largest Districts in England (375 square miles) and is known as "The Heart of Northumberland". This 'heart' of the county lies about 40 miles north of Newcastle and 70 miles south of Edinburgh. The magnificent coastal border of the Alnwick district runs from above Low Newton by the sea southwards, to Hauxley - and the western boundary runs through the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park. The town of Alnwick is situated on the River Aln about 5 miles from the Heritage Coast and is the home of the Duke of Northumberland who resides in the magnificent Alnwick Castle. The earliest parts of the present Alnwick Castle were erected by Yves de Vescy, the first Norman Baron of Alnwick who became the owner of the town soon after 1096. Alnwick was besieged by William the Lion, King of Scotland in 1172 and 1174 . On the second attempt, the Castle was

"Alnwick Central"

recaptured. It has been in possession of the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309, when it was bought from the Bishop of Durham by Henry Percy who began a major renovation. Percy rebuilt the shell keep by enlarging it with seven semicircular towers added in a form called cluster donjon. From 1404 to 1405 Percy rebelled against Henry IV and the castle was taken for a time. In the nineteenth century Alnwick was restored to its original medieval appearance by the architect Anthony Salvin. The rugged medieval exterior belies the richness of the interior, which was refurbished in the classical style of the Italian Renaissance. This replaces the Gothic decoration carried out by Robert Adam in the 18th century. It is now the second largest inhabited Castle in England after Windsor.

"Gerringong"

Extracts from the Royal Australian Historical Society Vol. 28-29 Kiama. "Michael Hindmarsh applied for 100 acres of the township site in 1831 and was informed that all vacant land there was measured for a township. P.230. Broughton (south of Kiama) - Michael Hindmarsh was 640 acres on 2 Jan 1827 and the grant issued on 30 May 1840. Michael Hindmarsh called his property Alne Bank. P.203. In 1835, Michael Hindmarsh and others addressed a memorial to the Magistrates at Wollongong complaining that whole acres of corn had been swept away by the blacks at night." NSW Census for 1828: Hindmarsh of Illawarra, landholder. Michael aged 28 - Arrived by ship "Minerva" in 1822. Cecilia S aged 21 - Arrived in "Minerva". George John aged 1 (BC - born in colony) P.216. Michael Hindmarsh was on the Prestbyterian Church Committee at Kiama 10 Feb 1840. P.372. Michael Hindmarsh also did some roadmaking and cleared a line from near Gerringong to Kiama.

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