This page from the 1910 Land Valuation book identifies particular properties in Wark on Tyne. Entry 84 relates to a house and shop situated west of the Town Hall. The occupier and owner is identified as grocer Thomas Civil. The gross annual value of the property is £40 [approximately £1,680 at today's value] while the rateable value is £32 [approximately £1,344 at today's value]. The Duke of Northumberland was lord of the manor and the Reverend James Allgood of Nunwick Hall was one of several chief landowners in Wark during this period.The 1910 Finance Act introduced a new form of taxation on property in England and Wales. The value of many properties had increased because of the introduction of new public amenities such as road or drainage systems. In such cases the property owner was to be taxed on any profit made as the result of selling that property. The tax was short-lived - it was withdrawn in 1920. By this time the Inland Revenue had assessed all properties in England and Wales. Some of the records relating to this valuation are held at the Public Record Office However, valuation books and maps which were prepared as part of the valuation process are held in County Record Offices. These comprise large scale Ordnance Survey maps and accompanying volumes that record basic details re. each property. The maps and volumes relating to many properties in Northumberland are held by Northumberland Archives Service.
