County Durham 400297 223860954 2008-07-06T05:25:57Z MRSC 66197 rvv {{redirect|Durham county||Durham County}} {{Infobox England county | name = County Durham | motto = | map = [[Image:EnglandDurham.png]] | status = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial]] and (smaller) [[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England|Non-metropolitan]] county | origin = [[Historic counties of England|Historic]] | region = [[North East England]] | arearank = [[List of ceremonial counties of England by area|Ranked 19th]] | area_km2 = 2676 | adminarearank = [[List of non-metropolitan counties of England by area|Ranked 23rd]] | adminarea_km2 = 2226 | adminhq = [[Durham]] | Largest City = [[Durham]] | iso = GB-DUR | ons = 20 | nuts3 = UKC14 | poprank = [[List of ceremonial counties of England by population|Ranked {{English cerem counties|RNK=County Durham}}]] | popestdate = {{English statistics year}} | pop = 493,470 (2001 census) | population (2001 census) = 493,470 | density_km2 = {{English cerem counties|DEN=County Durham}} | adminpoprank = [[List of non-metropolitan counties of England by population|Ranked {{English admin counties|RNK=County Durham}}]] | adminpop = {{English admin counties|POP=County Durham}} | ethnicity = 98.6% White | council = [[Image:Arms-co-durham.jpg|127px|Arms of Durham County Council|{{deletable image-caption|1=Monday, 3 March 2008}}]]<br />Durham County Council<br />http://www.durham.gov.uk/ | executive = [[Labour]] | mps = * [[Hilary Armstrong]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Roberta Blackman-Woods]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Phil Wilson]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Frank Cook]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[John Cummings (politician)|John Cummings]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Helen Goodman]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Kevan Jones]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Alan Milburn]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Dari Taylor]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] * [[Iain Wright]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]] | subdivmap = [[Image:Durham Ceremonial Numbered.png]] | subdivs = # [[City of Durham]] # [[Easington (district)|Easington]] # [[Sedgefield (borough)|Sedgefield]] # [[Teesdale (district)|Teesdale]] # [[Wear Valley]] # [[Derwentside]] # [[Chester-le-Street (district)|Chester-le-Street]] # [[Hartlepool (borough)|Hartlepool]] (unitary) # [[Darlington (borough)|Darlington]] (unitary) # [[Stockton-on-Tees (borough)|Stockton-on-Tees]] (unitary)<sup>*</sup> <small>* Only the part of the borough to the north of the River Tees is within the ceremonial County Durham.</small> }} '''County Durham''' is a [[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England|non-metropolitan county]]<ref name="BCfE">{{cite book|author=[[Boundary Commission for England]]|title=Mapping for the Non-metropoltian Counties and Unitary Authorities; fifth periodical report|publisher=Boundary Commission for England|date=2007|isbn=0101703228}}</ref> of [[Historic counties of England|historic origin]]<ref name=aspects>{{cite book|author=Her Majesty's Stationary Office|title=Aspects of Britain: Local Government|date=1996|publisher=Stationery Office Books|isbn=0117020370}}</ref><ref name=hampton>{{cite book|last=Hampton|first=W. |title=Local Government and Urban Politics|date=1991|isbn=0582062047}}</ref> in [[North East England|North East]] [[England]]. The [[county town]] is [[Durham]].<ref name=imperial>John Marius Wilson, ''[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=805350&word=NULL Durham]'', Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales, (1870-72). Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> The county has an industrial heritage and its economy was historically based on coal and iron mining.<ref name=durham_heritage>Durham County Council - [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/History+and+heritage+-+History+and+heritage+of+county+durham History and Heritage of County Durham]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]]. </ref> It is an area of regeneration and promoted as a tourist destination.<ref name=durham_heritage/> ==Etymology== Many counties are named after their principal town, and the expected form here would be ''Durhamshire''.<ref name=imperial/> The county is commonly known as ''County Durham'' but is officially named ''Durham'' and this was last reconfirmed in legislation passed in 1997.<ref name=lieutenancies>OPSI - [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997023.htm Lieutenancies Act 1997]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> The [[former postal county]] was known as "County Durham" to distinguish it from the [[post town]] of Durham. Durham is the only English county name to be prefixed with "County" in common usage - a practice more common in [[Ireland]]. ==Divisions and environs== The area under the control of the county council, or [[shire county]], is divided into seven local government districts.<ref name=map>Durham County Council - [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/8025694D002ACDA4802571C3003C7D75?opendocument Districts of Durham map]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> They are: *[[City of Durham]], including [[Durham]] city and the surrounding areas *[[Easington (district)|Easington]], including [[Seaham]] and the [[new town]] of [[Peterlee]] *[[Sedgefield (borough)|Sedgefield]], including [[Spennymoor]] and [[Newton Aycliffe]] *[[Teesdale (district)|Teesdale]], including [[Barnard Castle]] and the villages of Teesdale *[[Wear Valley]], including [[Bishop Auckland]], [[Crook, County Durham|Crook]], and [[Willington, County Durham|Willington]], and the villages along [[Weardale]] *[[Derwentside]], including [[Consett]] and [[Stanley, County Durham|Stanley]] *[[Chester-le-Street (district)|Chester-le-Street]], including [[Sacriston]] [[Hartlepool (borough)|Hartlepool]] and [[Darlington (borough)|Darlington]] are unitary authorities which form part of the county for various functions such as [[Lord Lieutenant]] but do not come under county council control. Part of [[Stockton-on-Tees (borough)|Stockton-on-Tees]] that is north of the [[River Tees]] is also within County Durham for this purpose.<ref name=lieutenancies/> [[Durham Constabulary]] operate in the area of the shire county and Darlington.<ref name=police>Durham Constabulary - [http://www.durham.police.uk/durhamc/about_us.php Force Geography]. Retrieved [[1 December]] [[2007]].</ref> The [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]], the area including the unitary authorities, borders [[Tyne and Wear]], [[North Yorkshire]], [[Cumbria]] and [[Northumberland]] and forms part of the North East England region.<ref name=assembly>North East Assembly - [http://www.northeastassembly.gov.uk/page.asp?id=348 About North East England]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> ==History== ===Ancient origins=== The territory that became known as County Durham was originally a liberty under the control of the Bishops of Durham. The liberty was known variously as the "Liberty of Durham", "Liberty of St Cuthbert's Land" "The lands of St. Cuthbert between Tyne and Tees" or "The Liberty of Haliwerfolc".<ref name="scammell">[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-8266%28196607%2981%3A320%3C449%3ATOALOT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X Jean Scammell, ''The Origin and Limitations of the Liberty of Durham'' in ''The English Historical Review'', Vol. 81, No. 320. (Jul., 1966), pp. 449-473.]</ref> The bishops' special jurisdiction was based on claims that King [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria]] had granted a substantial territory to [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|St Cuthbert]] on his election to the [[Episcopal see|see]] of [[Lindisfarne]] in 684. In about 883, a cathedral housing the saint's remains was established at [[Chester-le-Street]] and [[Guthfrith, King of York]] granted the community of St Cuthbert the area between the [[River Tyne|Tyne]] and the [[River Wear|Wear]]. In 995 the see was moved again to Durham. Following the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman invasion]], the administrative machinery of government was only slowly extended to northern England. In the twelfth century a shire or county of Northumberland was formed, and Durham was considered to be within its bounds.<ref>[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%281984%295%3A34%3C113%3ATMONAE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C W. L. Warren, ''The Myth of Norman Administrative Efficiency: The Prothero Lecture'' in ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'', 5th Ser., Vol. 34. (1984), pp. 113-132]</ref> However the authority of the sheriff of Northumberland and his officials was disputed by the bishops. The crown still regarded Durham as falling within Northumberland until the late thirteenth century. Matters came to a head in 1293 when the bishop and his steward failed to attend proceedings of [[quo warranto]] held by the justices of Northumberland. The bishops' case was heard in parliament, where he stated that Durham lay outside the bounds of any English shire and that ''"from time immemorial it had been widely known that the sheriff of Northumberland was not sheriff of Durham nor entered within that liberty as sheriff. . . nor made there proclamations or attachments"''.<ref>C. M. Fraser, ''Edward I of England and the Regalian Franchise of Durham'' in ''Speculum'', Vol. 31, No. 2. (Apr., 1956), pp. 329-342</ref> The arguments appear to have been accepted, as by the [[fourteenth century]] Durham was accepted as a liberty which received royal mandates direct. In effect it was private shire, with the bishop appointing his own sheriff.<ref name="scammell"/> The area eventually became known as the "County Palatine of Durham". [[Sadberge]] was a liberty, sometimes referred to as a county, within Northumberland. In 1189 it was purchased for the see but continued with a separate [[sheriff]], [[coroner]] and court of pleas. In the [[14th century]] Sadberge was included in [[Stockton-on-Tees|Stockton]] ward and was itself divided into two wards. The division into the four wards of, Chester-le-Street, [[Darlington]], [[Easington (district)|Easington]] and Stockton existed in the 13th century, each ward having its own coroner and a three-weekly court corresponding to the [[Hundred (division)|hundred]] court. The [[diocese]] was divided into the [[archdeacon]]ries of Durham and Northumberland. The former is mentioned in 1072, and in 1291 included the deaneries of Chester-le-Street, Auckland, [[Lanchester]] and Darlington. The term ''palatinus'' is applied to the bishop in 1293, and from the 13th century onwards the bishops frequently claimed the same rights in their lands as the king enjoyed in his kingdom. ===Early administration=== At its [[Historic counties of England|historic]] extent, Durham included a main body covering the [[water divide|watershed]] of the [[Pennines]] in the west, the [[River Tees]] in the south, the [[North Sea]] in the east and the Rivers [[River Tyne|Tyne]] and [[River Derwent, North East England|Derwent]] in the north.<ref name=vision_map>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10134626&c_id=10001043 Durham historic boundaries]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> The county had a number of [[exclave]]s: [[Bedlingtonshire]], [[Islandshire]]<ref name=vision_islandshire>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10030675&c_id=10001043 Islandshire] ([http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10030675&c_id=10001043 historic map]). Retrieved [[1 December]] [[2007]].</ref> and [[Norhamshire]]<ref name=vision_norhamshire>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10174958 Norhamshire] ([http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10174958&c_id=10001043 historic map]). Retrieved [[1 December]] [[2007]].</ref> within Northumberland, and [[Crayke|Craikshire]] within the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 1831 the county covered an area of 679,530 acres<ref name=vision_acres>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_AREA_A&u_id=10134626&c_id=10001043&add=Y Durham (Ancient): area]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]]</ref> and had a population of 253,910.<ref name=ns_durham>National Statistics - [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/bicentenary/pdfs/durham.pdf 200 years of the Census in... Durham]. Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> The historic boundaries were used for parliamentary purposes until 1832, and for judicial and local government purposes until the coming into force of the [[Counties (Detached Parts) Act 1844]], which merged most remaining exclaves with their surrounding county. Until the 15th century the most important administrative officer in the palatinate was the [[Steward (office)|steward]]. Other officers were the sheriff, the coroners, the [[Chamberlain (office)|Chamberlain]] and the [[chancellor]]. The palatine exchequer was organized in the 12th century. The palatine assembly represented the whole county, and dealt chiefly with fiscal questions. The bishops council, consisting of the [[clergy]], the sheriff and the [[baron]]s, regulated the judicial affairs, and later produced the [[Court of equity|Chancery]] and the courts of Admiralty and [[Marshalsea]]. [[Durham|Durham city]] was captured by a [[Normans|Norman]] army in 1069. There was a rebellion against the new Norman earl [[Robert de Comines]], who was killed. However, County Durham largely missed the [[Harrying of the North]] that was designed to subjugate such rebellions.<ref name=douglas>Douglas, D.C. ''William the Conqueror: The Norman Impact Upon England''</ref> The best remains of the Norman period are to be found in [[Durham Cathedral]] and in [[Durham Castle|the castle]], also in some few [[parish]] churches, as at Pittington and Norton near Stockton. Of the [[Middle Ages|Early English period]] are the eastern portion of the cathedral, the churches of Darlington, Hartlepool, and St Andrew, Auckland, Sedgefield, and portions of a few other churches. The [[prior]] of Durham ranked first among the bishop's barons. He had his own court, and almost exclusive jurisdiction over his men. There were ten palatinate barons in the 12th century, the most important being the Hiltons of Hilton Castle, the Bulmers of [[Brancepeth]], the Conyers of Sockburne, the Hansards of Evenwood, and the Lumleys of Lumley Castle. The Nevilles owned large estates in the county. Raby Castle, their principal seat, was built by John de Neville in 1377. [[Edward I of England|Edward I]]'s [[quo warranto]] proceedings of 1293 showed twelve lords enjoying more or less extensive franchises under the bishop. The repeated efforts of [[the Crown]] to check the powers of the palatinate bishops culminated in 1536 in the Act of Resumption, which deprived the bishop of the power to pardon offences against the law or to appoint judicial officers. Moreover, indictments and legal processes were in future to run in the name of the king, and offences to be described as against the peace of the king, rather than that of the bishop. In 1596 restrictions were imposed on the powers of the chancery, and in 1646 the palatinate was formally abolished. It was revived, however, after the [[English Restoration|Restoration]], and continued with much the same power until [[July 5]], [[1836]], when the Durham (County Palatine) Act 1836 provided that the palatine jurisdiction should in future be vested in the crown.<ref>Durham (County Palatine) Act, 1836 (6 & 7 Will.4 C.19)</ref> During the [[Wars of the Roses]], [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] passed through Durham. On the outbreak of the [[English Civil War|Great Rebellion]] Durham inclined to support the cause of the [[Parliament of England|Parliament]], and in 1640 the high sheriff of the palatinate guaranteed to supply the [[Scotland|Scottish]] army with provisions during their stay in the county. In 1642 the [[William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne|Earl of Newcastle]] formed the western counties into an association for the kings service, but in 1644 the palatinate was again overrun by the Scottish army, and after the [[Battle of Marston Moor]] fell entirely into the hands of the parliament. In 1614 a [[Bill (proposed law)|bill]] was introduced in parliament for securing representation to the county and city of Durham and the borough of [[Barnard Castle]]. The movement was strongly opposed by the bishop, as an infringement of his palatinate rights, and the county was first summoned to return members to parliament in 1654. After the Restoration the county and city returned two members each. By the [[Reform Act 1832|Reform Act]] of 1832 the county returned two members for two divisions, and the boroughs of [[Gateshead]], [[South Shields]] and [[Sunderland]] acquired representation. The boroughs of Darlington, Stockton and [[Hartlepool]] returned one member each from 1868 until the Redistribution Act of 1885. ===Modern local government=== [[Image:High Force waterfall.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[High Force]] waterfall on the [[River Tees]]]] The municipal boroughs of Durham, Stockton on Tees and Sunderland were reformed by the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]]. In 1875 Jarrow was incorporated as a municipal borough,<ref name=vision_jarrow>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10027214 Jarrow MB]. Retrieved [[1 December]] [[2007]].</ref> as was West Hartlepool in 1887.<ref name=vision_west>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10041946 West Hartlepool MB/CB]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> At a county level, the [[Local Government Act 1888]] reorganised [[local government]] throughout England and Wales.<ref name=bryne>{{cite book|last=Bryne|first=T. |title=Local Government in Britain|date=1994|publisher=Penguin|isbn=0140267395}}</ref> Most of the county came under control of the newly formed Durham County Council in an area known as an [[administrative county]]. Not included were the [[county borough]]s of [[Gateshead]], [[South Shields]] and [[Sunderland]]. However, for purposes other than local government the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs continued to form a "county of Durham" to which a [[Lord Lieutenant of Durham]] was appointed. Over its existence, the administrative county lost territory, both to the existing county boroughs, and also due to the municipal borough of West Hartlepool becoming a county borough in 1902<ref name=vision_west/> and Darlington in 1915.<ref name=vision_darlington>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10136829 Darlington MB/CB]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> In 1967 the former area of the borough of Hartlepool was removed from the administrative county when it merged with West Hartlepool to form a new county borough of Hartlepool. The county boundary with the North Riding of Yorkshire was adjusted: that part of the town of Barnard Castle historically in Yorkshire was added to County Durham,<ref name=vision_n_riding> Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10186110&c_id=10001043 Yorkshire, North Riding]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> while the portion of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees in Durham was ceded to the North Riding.<ref name=vision_stockton>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10153876 Stockton on Tees]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> In 1968, following the recommendation of the [[Local Government Commission for England (1958–1967)|Local Government Commission]], Billingham was transferred to the county borough of [[Teesside]], in the North Riding.<ref name=vision_billingham>Vision of Britain - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10084362 Billingham UD]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> In 1971 the population of the county including all associated county boroughs (an area of 634,000 acres)<ref name=ns_durham/> was 1,409,633 and the population outside the county boroughs was 814,396.<ref>[[UK Census]], 1971</ref> In 1974 the administrative county and the county boroughs were abolished by the [[Local Government Act 1972]] and County Durham was reconstituted as a [[Shire county|non-metropolitan county]].<ref name=bryne/><ref name=gazetteer>{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the old and new geographies of the United Kingdom|author=[[Office for National Statistics]]|publisher=Office for National Statistics|date=1999|isbn=1-85774-298-2}}</ref> The reconstituted County Durham lost territory<ref name=aspects/> to the north east (around Gateshead, South Shields and Sunderland) to [[Tyne and Wear]]<ref name=arnold_baker>Arnold-Baker, C., ''Local Government Act 1972'', (1973)</ref><ref name=young>{{cite book|title=Guide to Local Administrative Units of England: Northern England |last=Young|first=F.|publisher=Royal Historical Society|date=1991|isbn=0861931270}}</ref> and to the south east (around Hartlepool) to [[Cleveland, England|Cleveland]].<ref name=arnold_baker/><ref name=young/> At the same time it gained the former area of [[Startforth Rural District]] from the [[North Riding of Yorkshire]].<ref name=logo>Durham County Concil - [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/Council+and+Democracy+-+Durham+County+Council+logo About Us: Council Logo]. Retrieved [[1 December]] [[2007]].</ref> The area of the [[Lord Lieutenant]] of Durham was also adjusted by the Act to coincide with the non-metropolitan county<ref name=elcock>Elcock, H., ''Local Government'', (1994)</ref> (which occupied 745,995 acres in 1981).<ref name=ns_durham/> In 1996, as part of the [[1990s UK local government reform]], Cleveland was abolished<ref name=cleveland_county>OPSI - [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19950187_en_1.htm Cleveland (Structural Change) Order 1995]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> and its districts were reconstituted as unitary authorities.<ref name=cleveland_district>OPSI - [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951747_en_1.htm Cleveland (Further Provision) Order 1995]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees (north of the River Tees) were returned to Durham for the purposes of Lord Lieutenant. In 1997, Darlington became a unitary authority and was separated from the shire county. The change in area for Lord Lieutenant to include all these places was reconfirmed by the [[Lieutenancies Act 1997]].<ref name=lieutenancies/> Cleveland was adopted as a postal county in 1974 and by the time of its abolition, Royal Mail had abandoned the use of counties altogether;<ref name=mail>Royal Mail, ''Address Management Guide'', (2004)</ref> the County Durham [[Postal counties of the United Kingdom|former postal county]] therefore has not been adjusted to the new ceremonial boundary. ==Future of local government== The [[Communities and Local Government|Department for Communities and Local Government]] has announced, that as part of the [[2009 structural changes to local government in England]], the seven district councils and the County Council will be abolished and a new unitary authority for the whole of the existing County Council area will be created.<ref name=durham_review>Durham County Council - [http://www.durham.gov.uk/lgr/usp.nsf/pws/Local+Government+Review+-+Home+Page Local Government Review in County Durham]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> The changes are planned to be implemented no later than 1 April 2009.<ref name=communities_review>Communities and Local Government - [http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/proposalsfuture Proposals for future unitary structures: Stakeholder consultation]. Retrieved [[30 November]] [[2007]].</ref> The successful Durham County Council bid referred to the new authority as [[County Durham Council]]. ==Climate== {{climate chart|County Durham |0.6|6.2|56.2 |0.8|6.7|38.8 |2.1|9.0|51.1 |3.3|11.2|52.0 |5.7|14.5|49.5 |8.5|17.2|54.8 |10.7|19.8|44.5 |10.6|19.6|61.3 |8.6|16.7|57.5 |6.0|13|56.9 |3.1|9.0|61.5 |1.5|7.0|59.2 |float=right |source=<ref name="DH Climate">[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/durham.html Durham 1971-2000 averages], [[Met Office]]. Retrieved on [[2007-08-20]].</ref> }} The following climate figures were gathered at the Durham weather station between 1971 and 2000. <table align="center"> <td>{{Durham weatherbox}}</td> </table> ==Demography== ===Population=== [[Image:County Durham Population.png|thumb|500px|Historic population of the current area of County Durham between 1801 and 2001]] At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]], Easington and Derwentside districts have the highest proportion (around 99%) of resident population who were born in the UK.<ref name=ns_ethnic>National Statistics - [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/commentaries/ethnicity.asp Census 2001 - Ethnicity and religion in England and Wales]. Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> 13.2% of County Durham residents rate their health as ''not good'', the highest proportion in England.<ref>National Statistics - [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=298&Pos=1&ColRank=2&Rank=192 Health Of The Nation]. Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> This table shows the historic population of the current area of County Durham between 1801 and 2001. {| class="wikitable" |- !Year!!Population!!<!---blank--->!!Year!!Population!!<!---blank--->!!Year!!Population |- ! 1801 |<center>59,765 |rowspan="7" | ! 1871 | <center>273,671 |rowspan="7" | ! 1941 | <center>511,590 |- ! 1811 | <center>64,781 ! 1881 | <center>329,985 ! 1951 | <center>504,943 |- ! 1821 | <center>74,366 ! 1891 | <center>360,028 ! 1961 | <center>506,070 |- ! 1831 | <center>86,267 ! 1901 | <center>419,782 ! 1971 | <center>509,307 |- ! 1841 | <center>121,602 ! 1911 | <center>492,503 ! 1981 | <center>501,639 |- ! 1851 | <center>161,035 ! 1921 | <center>503,946 ! 1991 | <center>505,625 |- ! 1861 | <center>217,353 ! 1931 |<center>518,581 ! 2001 | <center>493,470 |- | colspan="8" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"|''Source: A Vision of Britain through Time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10032933&c_id=10001043&add=N |title=Durham: Total Population|author=A Vision of Britain through time |accessdate=2007-12-01}}</ref> |} ===Employment=== The proportion of the population working in agriculture fell from around 6% in 1851 to 1% in 1951; currently less that 1% of the population work in agriculture.<ref name=ns_durham/> There were 15,202 people employed in coal mining in 1841, rising to a peak of 157,837 in 1921.<ref name=ns_durham/> As at 2001, Chester-le-Street district has the lowest number of available jobs per working-age resident (0.38%).<ref name=ns_work>Hastings, D., ''[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/labour_market_trends/Local_area_article.pdf Local area labour market statistical indicators incorporating the Annual Population Survey]'', National Statistics - Labour Market Trends, (2006). Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> ==Economy== ===Economic history=== {{Unreferencedsection|date=December 2007}} [[Image:County Durham GVA.png|thumb|305px|Graph showing unadjusted [[gross value added]] (GVA) in County Durham across 3 industries at current basic prices from 1995 to 2004.<br>'''Legend''' {{legend|#ffff00|Agriculture, hunting and forestry}} {{legend|#9c3100|Industry, including energy and construction}} {{legend|#000084|Service activities}} {{legend|#000000|Total}}Source:<ref>[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/NUTS3_Tables_1-12.xls NUTS3 GVA (1995-2004) Data], [[Office for National Statistics]]. Retrieved on [[2007-08-31]].</ref> ]] The economic history of the county centres round the growth of the [[mining]] industry, which at its heights employed almost the whole of the non-agricultural population, with large numbers of pit villages being founded throughout the county. [[Stephen of England|Stephen]] possessed a mine in Durham which he granted to Bishop Pudsey, and in the same century [[Coal miner|colliers]] are mentioned at Coundon, Bishopwearmouth and Sedgefield. Cockfield Fell was one of the earliest Landsale collieries in Durham. [[Edward III of England|Edward III]] issued an order allowing [[coal]] dug at Newcastle to be taken across the Tyne, and [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] granted to the inhabitants of Durham licence to export the produce of the mines, without paying dues to the corporation of Newcastle. Among other early industries [[lead]]-mining was carried on in the western part of the county, and [[Mustard plant|mustard]] was extensively cultivated. Gateshead had a considerable [[tanning]] trade and [[shipbuilding]] was carried on at [[Jarrow]]. ===Economic output=== The chart and table summarise unadjusted [[gross value added]] (GVA) in millions of [[GBP|pounds sterling]] for County Durham across 3 industries at current basic prices from 1995 to 2004. {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan=2 | !! colspan=3 | [[Gross value added|Gross Value Added (GVA)]] (£m) |- ! 1995 !! 2000 !! 2004 |- | Agriculture, hunting and forestry || align="center" | 45 || align="center" | 33 || align="center" | 48 |- | Industry, including energy and construction || align="center" | 1751 || align="center" | 1827 || align="center" | 1784 |- | Service activities || align="center" | 2282 || align="center" | 2869 || align="center" | 3455 |- | '''Total''' || align="center" | 4078 || align="center" | 4729 || align="center" | 5288 |- | '''UK''' || align="center" | 640416 || align="center" | 840979 || align="center" | 1044165 |} ==Culture== [[Image:QESFC.jpg|thumb|170px|The [[Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College]] in [[Darlington]]]] The culture of coal mining found expression in the [[Durham Miners' Gala]], which was first held in 1871,<ref name=advice>Miner's Advice - [http://www.minersadvice.co.uk/yourview22_moving_on_seamlessly.htm Moving on seamlessly...].Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> developed around the culture of trade unionism. Coal mining continued to decline and pits closed. The [[UK miners' strike (1984–1985)|UK miners' strike of 1984/5]] caused many miners across the county to strike. Today no deep-coal mines exist in the county and numbers attending the Miners' Gala have decreased significantly over the period, although recent years have seen numbers increase, and more banners return to the Gala as former collieries restore former banners.<ref name=advice/><ref name=heritage>Heritage Lottery Fund - [http://www.hlf.org.uk/English/MediaCentre/Archive/Durham+Miners+Gala.htm Durham Miners' Gala].Retrieved [[2 December]] [[2007]].</ref> There have been calls for several years now, that the labour leader follows tradition and attend the event. Despite being an MP with a constituency in the area, [[Tony Blair]] resited calls to stand on the balcony of the Royal County Hotel as his peers have done. [[Gordon Brown]] has yet to buck the trend set by his predessor. ==Settlements== {{Details|list of places in County Durham}} ==Education== {{Unreferencedsection|date=December 2007}} {{see also|List of schools in the North East of England}} Durham [[Local Education Authority|LEA]] has a comprehensive school system with 36 state secondary schools (not including [[sixth form college]]s) and three independent schools (two in Durham and one, [[Barnard Castle School]], in Barnard Castle). Easington district has the largest school population by year, and Teesdale the smallest with two schools. Only one school in Easington and Derwentside districts have sixth forms, with about half the schools in the other districts having sixth forms. The [[University of Durham]] is based in [[Durham]] city. ==Places of interest== <div style="float:right;"> {{EngPlacesKey}} </div> * [[Auckland Castle]], [[Bishop Auckland]] [[Image:HH icon.png|Historic house]] * [[Barnard Castle]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]] [[Image:HH icon.png|Historic house]] * [[Beamish Museum]], in Stanley [[Image:UKAL icon.png|Accessible open space]] [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum (charges for entry)]] [[Image:HR icon.png|Heritage railway]] * [[Bowes Museum]], in Barnard Castle [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum (charges for entry)]] [[Image:HH icon.png|Historic house]] * [[Causey Arch]], near Stanley * [[Durham Cathedral]] and [[Durham Castle|Castle]], a [[World Heritage Site]] * [[Escomb Church|Escomb Saxon Church]], near [[Bishop Auckland]] * [[Finchale Priory]], near [[Durham|Durham city]] [[Image:EH icon.png|English Heritage]] * [[Hamsterley Forest]] [[Image:FC icon.png|Forestry Commission]] * [[Hardwick Hall Country Park]] [[Image:CP icon.png|Country Park]] near [[Sedgefield]] * [[High Force]] and [[Low Force]] [[waterfall]]s, on the [[River Tees]] [[Image:UKAL icon.png|Accessible open space]] * [[Killhope Wheel]], part of the North of England Lead Mining Museum in [[Weardale]] [[Image:Museum icon (red).png|Museum (charges for entry)]] * [[Newton Hall]], Once the biggest housing estate in Europe, located on the west side of Durham. * [[Shildon Locomotion Museum|Locomotion]] railway museum, in [[Shildon]] [[Image:HR icon.png|Heritage railway]] [[Image:Museum icon.png|Museum (free entry)]] * [[No Place]], near Stanley * [[Pity Me]] * [[Raby Castle]], near [[Staindrop]] * [[Tanfield Railway]], in [[Tanfield, Durham|Tanfield]] [[Image:HR icon.png|Heritage railway]] ==List of people from County Durham== * [[Alan White]] is the drummer of the English [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)| Yes]] ==References== *{{1911}} {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commonscat|County Durham}} * [http://www.durham.gov.uk Durham County Council] * [http://www.visitnortheastengland.com/site/guides-and-brochures One North East guides & brochures] * http://www.myersnorth.co.uk * [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/Walking+and+Cycling+-+Cycling+and+Walking+Events Guided Walks Programme from Durham County Council] * [http://www.visitcountydurham.com/ Visit County Durham] <br> {{Durham}} {{England counties}} [[Category:County Durham|*]] [[zh-min-nan:County Durham]] [[bg:Дърам (графство)]] [[ca:Durham]] [[cy:Swydd Durham]] [[de:County Durham]] [[es:Durham]] [[eo:County Durham]] [[eu:Durham]] [[fr:Durham (comté)]] [[hi:काउंटी डरहम]] [[id:County Durham]] [[is:Durhamssýsla]] [[it:Durham (contea)]] [[kw:Konteth Durham]] [[la:Dunelmensis comitatus (Anglia)]] [[lv:Daremas grāfiste]] [[lb:Grofschaft Durham]] [[nl:Durham (graafschap)]] [[ja:ダラム (カウンティ)]] [[no:Durham (grevskap)]] [[pl:Durham (hrabstwo w Anglii)]] [[pt:Durham (condado)]] [[ro:Durham (comitat)]] [[ru:Дарем (графство)]] [[simple:County Durham]] [[sk:County Durham]] [[fi:County Durham]] [[vo:County Durham]] [[zh-yue:對衡郡]] [[zh:達勒姆郡]]