© Haltwhistle Walking Festival

Isaac Holden

A tall, dark bearded, lonely man in black

Was Isaac Holden, walking farm to farm,

He’d sell us tea and bearing Godly news

Would spur men on to fight the Good Lord’s fight.

Not only that, he’d hawk his picture too,

“A goodly cause for use throughout the dales,”

Was all he’d ever tell us of his aim,

And hold his reasons secret in his heart.

The work that he had done ensured our trust,

His savings bank and poor folks’ clothing store,

With Isaac’s well, fresh water for the town,

We’d gladly give our penny to his fund.

In 1856 two Ninebanks schools

Were opened, one for boys and one for girls,

When Isaac stole their thunder, standing tall

He proudly claimed his secret all complete.

An idea struck him on his lonely walks,

The Allen valley needed its own hearse

To ease the passing dead toward the grave,

Not jostled shoulder-high across the moors.

Isaac himself survived just one more year,

And crowds turned out to see his cortege pass,

A black plumed stallion pulling his shiny hearse,

Fit tribute for a kind and thoughtful man

©Stephen Middleton 18 10 2009

Isaac’s Tea Trail

Wednesday 28th 2010

This walk started at Ninebanks and ended at Alston. En route, a portion of the famous Isaac’s Tea Trail was walked, as always with great enjoyment. Panoramic views over the moors towards the Cheviot Hills and the East Coast were enjoyed before we dropped down to the beautiful South Tyne valley and the Roman Fort at Whitley.

Click here to see more photos of the walk