(GR 336 483 )

Directions to point G (GR 336 479)

After pausing at the spring continue up the hill and take the first turning on the left into the village of East Rainton. This is the older village which originally was built around a small village green. Continue walking towards the small chapel at the far end.

(Point G) QR Code or link to information

Point F A spring by the roadside near the bottom of Rainton bank, once saved the life of a former Rector of Houghton-le-Spring. In 1558 Bernard Gilpin was appointed Rector of a much wider parish of Houghton than it is today. He determined then that his life’s work was to care for the people of the north, whether the church was under Protestantism or under Papal Authority. The time came when he had to declare his religion, and since he preferred the reformed church he was summoned to go to London to face trial and almost certain execution. Accordingly he dressed himself in a suitable outfit for such a long journey and set out. He decided to water his horse at the well by he roadside and, when dismounting fell and broke his leg. This was to him a terrible tragedy and he was forced to return to his own rectory. Before his leg was reset and healed, Queen Mary, who was a Roman Catholic, had died and Queen Elizabeth, who was a Protestant was acclaimed Queen of England and his life was saved. So he continued to save souls, and to eliminate the evil from their souls. He was a man of wealth much of which he gave to the poor of a wide area in the north.
Some years later, Lord Burghley, the Lord Treasurer, called personally upon Gilpin to offer him the Bishopric of Carlisle. Lord Burghley and his staff were entertained in a fitting manner by Bernard Gilpin, but he refused the Bishopric offered to him because of his attachment to his work in the northern parishes. After taking their leave of him Burghley and his staff rode as far as the top of Rainton bank then looked back towards Houghton, and remarked, “ There is the enjoyment of life indeed. Who can blame that man for not accepting the Bishopric. What more doth he want to make him greater or happier or more useful to mankind.”

An old picture of the water troughs on Rainton Bank. It was here that Bernard Gilpin had his accident while watering his horse.