The Beginnings of Beeswing
“If you want money, you’ll have to make it yourself…”
– Thomas William Carruthers
Our Story Begins In 1924…
Thomas William Carruthers, born 2nd March 1924, was a handsome, six-foot farmer from Whiskershiel, Elsdon when he met and married the beautiful and feisty, five-foot Mary Jane Hedley in October 1947.
He had a gentlemanly nature and a dry sense of humour. Mary, born 22nd May 1926, was from the nearby Linshiels, Alwinton and was just 21 when they married. She was kind and ambitious.
Together, they were a dynamic duo. Just over 6 months later, on the 12th May 1948, they came to live and farm at Dunns Farm, situated two miles from Elsdon, adjoining Billsmoorfoot and opposite Billsmoor Park. Dunns Farm, Billsmoorfoot and Billsmoor Park were rented from the Orde’s of Nunnykirk Estate.
Acquiring Beeswing
One day, when rent was due, Mary asked David Orde if he would consider selling, to which he replied, ‘hum, I might.’ He subsequently did sell Billsmoorfoot and Billsmoor Park, which included a small barn to Thomas and Mary. That small barn was to become Beeswing.
While this was a great acquisition for the young Carruthers couple, farming wasn’t the most profitable of livings. They worked hard but had very little money.
Mary Makes Her Own Money
Soon after moving to the Dunns Farm, Mary approached Thomas as he worked in the farmyard one day and asked him for some money, to which he replied, ‘I haven’t got any. If you want money, you’ll have to make it yourself’. Mary stomped away in quite the fettle, muttering to herself, ‘Right! I’ll show you!’ And indeed, she did.
Mary began to diversify the offerings of the farm. Firstly, with the hens and selling eggs. She then began baking and selling her cakes locally. After that came a B&B, and morning coffees and afternoon teas. And then holiday cottages rentals, Billsmoorfoot house being her first.
As Mary made her way in the world, Thomas did too, becoming one of Northumberland’s most respected farmers and black face sheep breeders.
Why Beeswing?
William Orde, the original owner of Billsmoorfoot and Billsmoor Park established a stud farm and he and his nephew enjoyed huge success breeding racehorses. One of the most victorious was a mare called Beeswing.
She was so successful in fact, that she became quite famous. Entering 63 events, she won an astonishing 51 times and was placed lower than second just once. She won the Ascot Gold Cup of 1842, the Newcastle Cup six times and the Doncaster Cup four times.
A small village in Dumfries and Galloway even changed their name from Lochend to Beeswing in her honour. Even today, Beeswing’s legacy lives on. The last Saturday in July each year is ‘Beeswing Ladies’ Day’ at Newcastle Racecourse and of course, Mary converted that small barn into Beeswing holiday cottage in 1993.
The Women of Billsmoor
From the formidable Mary to Nicola’s vision and the success of the racehorse Beeswing, the women of Billsmoor have shaped this landscape for more than a century. Their determination, creativity and care for the land have kept Billsmoor’s wild beauty and character alive through every chapter of its story.
Following her father Thomas’s death in 2002, Nicola, his youngest child, inherited Billsmoor Park. She has since transformed Beeswing into a beautiful cottage and now runs both the cottage and Billsmoorfoot Country Park, continuing the family’s long connection to the land.
Mary, who passed away in September 2023 at the remarkable age of 97, was very much the heart of Billsmoor. Before she died, she left behind her little red book of instructions, even writing her own eulogy!
Her ashes rest on the hill above Beeswing, beside the dogs she adored, with a small natural stone marking the spot so she can, in her own words, “keep an eye on what’s going on.”
The story of Beeswing wouldn’t be what it is without the spirit of the women who shaped it. So come and see for yourself the spectacular landscape they called home.
Stay at Beeswing Lodge
The idyllic cottage, made for restful retreats and heart-warming holidays in heart of Northumberland