The township of "Stokesfeld" was first mentioned in 1242, and was part of Bywell St Andrew's parish. The origins of the name are uncertain, but it may be derived from the Old English for "open land belonging to an outlying hamlet".[2] in 1673 Birches Nook was home to Ann Armstrong, a "notorious witch-finder" whose accusations caused a great sensation throughout the county.[1]
For Local Government purposes it belongs to Northumberland Council a unitary authority. At a local level it is governed by Stocksfield Parish Council. On 11 January 2019 the name of the parish was officially changed from "Broomley and Stocksfield" to Stocksfield, reflecting developments in the area and changes in population over the years.[3]
Demography
In the 2011 census the median age in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh was 49 years. 98.6 per cent of the population had white ethnicity and 68.8 per cent were Christian. No other religion exceeded 0.3 per cent with 23.9 per cent having no religion.[4]
Stocksfield is linked to Newcastle upon Tyne and the A1 by the A695 which passes through the village. It is also linked to Leadgate and Stamfordham by the B6309. The A695 and B6309 meet near the railway station. The village is served by the 10 bus service operated by Go North East running from Hexham (25 minutes away) to Newcastle (1 hour).
Education
Stocksfield has a school, Broomley First School, which is part of the Whittonstall and Broomley First Schools Federation.[6] Stocksfield lies in the catchment area for Ovingham Middle School and Prudhoe High School.[7]Mowden Hall School is a private prep school near Newton, north of the river.[8]
Religious sites
There are four Christian places of worship in Stocksfield: a Church of England Church, Quaker Meeting House, Baptist Church and Methodist Church.[9] Nearby are the twin churches of St Peter's and St Andrew's in Bywell.[10]
Public services
Amenities in Stocksfield include two post offices, an Essopetrol station, Spar store, garage, newsagent, three hairdressers, chemist, day nursery, first school, convenience store, pottery and studio, ice cream parlour, doctor's surgery and veterinary surgery.[citation needed]
Stocksfield Community Centre is owned and managed by Stocksfield Community Association (formerly SICA) which is a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Association's objectives are to promote the benefit of the all inhabitants of Stocksfield and its neighbourhood, without distinction by associating with local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities, in the interests of social welfare for recreational and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for residents. The Community Centre is available for hire by local groups and individuals for events, activities, meetings and private functions.[citation needed]
Sports and Recreation
Stocksfield boasts many sporting facilities including a cricket club, tennis club,[11]golf club.[12] and a running club known as Stocksfield Striders. There are also two play areas and a well-utilised Community Centre. In 2012, Stocksfield was one of the official stop off points for the Olympic torch before it made its way to the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
^ abDavis, A. E. L. (23 September 2004). Hardcastle, Frances (1866–1941), mathematician. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/64021.
