Burradon Tower (Pele), Northumberland

A short visit to the fortified pele (tower) in the Northumberland village of Burradon. According to Wikipedia (May 2013):
"Burradon Tower is a ruinous tower house at Burradon, North Tyneside, England which is both a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed building. The Manor of Burradon was acquired by John Orde in 1441 when due to the devastation wrought by the Scots and the poor quality of the soil it was valued at only 20 shillings a year. The tower, originally a three storeyed single square bay, was probably built about 1553 by Bertram Anderson, a nephew of Orde.
The property passed in 1569 to the Ogle family by whom it was extended and improved. A fireplace bears the date 1633 and the initials LO, thought to represent Lancelot Ogle who was resident at that time.
Following the marriage of Jane Ogle to her cousin James Ogle of Causey Park House the tower was abandoned and by 1769 it was reported to be derelict. In the 19th century the structure was incorporated into a farm building."
From: burradon-camperdown.co.uk/65.html
"It is a typical tower house, if not slightly small. It was described by Pevsner as tiny. The external measurements are, twenty-five feet three inches by twenty feet six inches. The tower is three storeys in height, with an entrance facing east; this is a low, round arched doorway, with a crude attempt at decoration on its lintel stones. On entering the tower, above your head, is a parapet with spaces to fire arrows, or other missiles through (machicolations), to repel any unwelcome visitors. The ground floor is described as being a slightly pointed vault, with a small slit at the north end giving light and ventilation."

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I recall playing there as a child, long before the metal gates were in place to stop vandals.
My friends and I would go up the (tiny) stairs to the second floor and sit around the fireplace recalling (oh dear) the Battle Of Bannockburn and Scots raiders.
I would imagine there is no access to this site anymore, which is probably left to the elements and decay.
We are watching an historic monument decompose, and no one seems to care?