1953 Wayleave Agreement

This a photocopy of a typed document of 6 pages and 2 plans, dated 27th April 1953.

It records a wayleave agreement relating to the supplies of water and electricity and right of way over the Rudchester Estate Heddon in the county of Northumberland between Christian Wilfrid James of Hawkwell Stamfordham in the County of Northumberland, Gentleman (hereinafter called the "Grantor") and Victor Leslie Benson of Rudchester House Heddon in the county of Northumberland Company Director (hereinafter called "The Grantee").

The agreement is for a new iron water pipe from the Rudchester Farm tank (previously on the first floor of Rudchester Barn) for "2 shillings per each thousand gallons" and an underground electricity cable passing through the existing hut (marked D on the map) for "the perpetual yearly rent of two shillings and sixpence", to the proposed Quarry House. To the best of our knowledge, the electricity cables never followed the agreed course and were never burried, and no rent has been paid. Today the cable is overhead and subject to damage from falling tree branches.

The plans include several interesting elements:
- the proposed course of the services, the Old Quarry Track (now Quarry House's driveway) adn the site of the propsed house
- confirmation of the location of the water tank in Rudchester Barn
- the altered outline of the Farmhouse (the same width (wider than Farm Cottage) but not as long as shown in the OS maps up to 1951
- the altered outline of the Bothy (additional building at its South West corner, similar to that shown on the OS map from 1919)
- the ex-RAF site to the East of the site (this may have been a lookout station, but we do not have any details)