News and events
Meetings in 2013
Early Days - January to March
An impromptu conversation between three members of the village with an interest in local history led to the suggestion of reforming a history group in Baslow after a gap of some 30 years. Seventeen potential members attended an inaugural meeting on 7th January where the idea was enthusiastically supported. An animated discussion of personal interests in local history, the resources available and possible topics to discuss resulted in the formation of a steering committee to get it off the ground.
The steering group developed a draft constitution and structure to oversee the project, set up arrangements for meeting venues, insurance, bank account, etc. and produced an outline programme for the year. These proposals were ratified at a second general meeting in March when subscription levels were also agreed and committee members elected. After this important but, perhaps, tedious business, David Dalrymple Smith gave a talk on the old Baslow Gas Works and Ian Mailer led the group (in the dark!) to inspect the remains of the installation in what is now the car park next to the Village Hall. The Baslow History Group was up and running!
Early Days - January to March
An impromptu conversation between three members of the village with an interest in local history led to the suggestion of reforming a history group in Baslow after a gap of some 30 years. Seventeen potential members attended an inaugural meeting on 7th January where the idea was enthusiastically supported. An animated discussion of personal interests in local history, the resources available and possible topics to discuss resulted in the formation of a steering committee to get it off the ground.
The steering group developed a draft constitution and structure to oversee the project, set up arrangements for meeting venues, insurance, bank account, etc. and produced an outline programme for the year. These proposals were ratified at a second general meeting in March when subscription levels were also agreed and committee members elected. After this important but, perhaps, tedious business, David Dalrymple Smith gave a talk on the old Baslow Gas Works and Ian Mailer led the group (in the dark!) to inspect the remains of the installation in what is now the car park next to the Village Hall. The Baslow History Group was up and running!
May: A Walk around Bubnell - David Dalrymple Smith
David led members and guests around Bridge End and Bubnell village pointing out any number of facts of historical significance from the architecture of the church and the importance to the development of the village of the Old Bridge (the oldest surviving stone bridge anywhere on the Derwent), to the tenant farmers of Bubnell and the changes wrought by the Duke of Devonshire in establishing his 'model farm' in the 1870s. He emphasised the strong contrast but interdependence between Bubnell, a hamlet of wealthy gentlemen-farmers but with no shops or tradesmen and Baslow, the more commercial village with its public houses, coaching inns and tradesmen. He also highlighted the research he had done on the families who had occupied some of the properties for many generations.
Note: further details of the walk are included on the 'History Walk' page of this website and the family histories of the farmers of Bubnell are at http://baslowhistory.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/c2a7bub-history1.pdf.
David led members and guests around Bridge End and Bubnell village pointing out any number of facts of historical significance from the architecture of the church and the importance to the development of the village of the Old Bridge (the oldest surviving stone bridge anywhere on the Derwent), to the tenant farmers of Bubnell and the changes wrought by the Duke of Devonshire in establishing his 'model farm' in the 1870s. He emphasised the strong contrast but interdependence between Bubnell, a hamlet of wealthy gentlemen-farmers but with no shops or tradesmen and Baslow, the more commercial village with its public houses, coaching inns and tradesmen. He also highlighted the research he had done on the families who had occupied some of the properties for many generations.
Note: further details of the walk are included on the 'History Walk' page of this website and the family histories of the farmers of Bubnell are at http://baslowhistory.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/c2a7bub-history1.pdf.
June: Archaeology around the Robin Hood and Gardom's Edge - Ian Mailer and Justin Ayres
This area that is full of archaeological significance. On this visit we were shown evidence of the old Baslow Coal Mine, field evidence for ploughing (with the differences between ox- and horse-drawn ploughing explained), remains of a Bronze Age house, standing stones, defensive walls of the Gardom's Edge settlement, 'cup & ring' markings and the remains of a ring-cairn. Maps of the areas visited are reproduced below.
This area that is full of archaeological significance. On this visit we were shown evidence of the old Baslow Coal Mine, field evidence for ploughing (with the differences between ox- and horse-drawn ploughing explained), remains of a Bronze Age house, standing stones, defensive walls of the Gardom's Edge settlement, 'cup & ring' markings and the remains of a ring-cairn. Maps of the areas visited are reproduced below.
July: Big Moor and Barbrook Stone Circles - Stella McGuire of the Eastern Moors Partnership
The group visited Barbrook Stone Circles One and Two and an adjacent burial mound, all dating from the Bronze Age. The significance of stone circles in general remains contentious, favoured theories being for religious use or to act as a form of calendar. The remains of a Bronze Age field system were also visited as were two early 18th century stone guide posts, the latter now badly chipped by rifle target-practice of the Baslow Home Guard during World War II.
August: Some Botanic and Historic Features of Chatsworth Park - David Dalrymple-Smith
This was a visit held jointly with the Baslow Garden Society. The historic aspects covered included:
- The Malthouse - originally a simple malt store, the owner of which built an adjacent brewery to use it and then a pub to sell the brew - the Barrell, renamed the Devonshire Arms in the mid 1800s
- The Bridge over Bar Brook - replacing a ford, the surface of which is still visible below the bridge
- Bar Brook Cottages - built in the 1770s
- The Jubilee Stone to commemorate Queen Vicvtoria'a Jubilee
- The conversion of agricultural lands and diversion of the original Chesterfield Turnpike to make the north part of the Park when the Duke of Devonshire desired to create an impressive entrance (The Golden Gates) to his estate.
September: Great Derbyshire Houses - Pat McLaughlin
Pat is a local historian who worked for many years for the housing departments of two local councils and developed a particular interest in historic buildings and grand houses. He spoke about Peveril Castle (Norman), Haddon Hall (Mediaeval Manor House), Hardwick Hall (Elizabethan), Bolsover Castle (Stuart) , Chatsworth (covering many generations) and Renishaw (recently refurbished with restored gardens). His talk was illustrated by a large number of high quality photographs and stimulated discussion of places to include in the programme for future visits.
Pat is a local historian who worked for many years for the housing departments of two local councils and developed a particular interest in historic buildings and grand houses. He spoke about Peveril Castle (Norman), Haddon Hall (Mediaeval Manor House), Hardwick Hall (Elizabethan), Bolsover Castle (Stuart) , Chatsworth (covering many generations) and Renishaw (recently refurbished with restored gardens). His talk was illustrated by a large number of high quality photographs and stimulated discussion of places to include in the programme for future visits.
October - The First Annual General Meeting
The Chairman reported that the Group's membership had increased to 26 after nine months of existence and reviewed the programme so far. The annual accounts were approved, officers appointed for 2013-14 and subscriptions for 2013-14 agreed.
David Dalrymple-Smith gave a short illustrated talk on Three Historic Baslow Families, the Kitchens, the Gardoms and the Marsdens.
The Chairman reported that the Group's membership had increased to 26 after nine months of existence and reviewed the programme so far. The annual accounts were approved, officers appointed for 2013-14 and subscriptions for 2013-14 agreed.
David Dalrymple-Smith gave a short illustrated talk on Three Historic Baslow Families, the Kitchens, the Gardoms and the Marsdens.
November: A 'Ghost Walk in Bakewell - Nicki Crewe
In keeping with the spirit of the approaching Christmas season, members were guided around the historic centre of Bakewell while Nicki discussed architectural features and recounted ghostly stories associated with the buildings. There were tales of apparitions in the Jacobean building that is now Dunn's chemist shop; mysterious entrapment in the old grocer's, now the Edinburgh Woollen Mills; footless figures in the graveyard, sightings of a white lady in the town museum and a disappearing coachman on what is now the A6. There was more documentary evidence for the story of the Bakewell witches.
In keeping with the spirit of the approaching Christmas season, members were guided around the historic centre of Bakewell while Nicki discussed architectural features and recounted ghostly stories associated with the buildings. There were tales of apparitions in the Jacobean building that is now Dunn's chemist shop; mysterious entrapment in the old grocer's, now the Edinburgh Woollen Mills; footless figures in the graveyard, sightings of a white lady in the town museum and a disappearing coachman on what is now the A6. There was more documentary evidence for the story of the Bakewell witches.
December: Visit to the Derbyshire Records Office, Matlock
Karen Millhouse, one of the County Archivists gave a general introduction to the history, contents and services of the Record Office followed by a guided tour of the building and an opportunity to look at a selection of records specific to Baslow. The Office holds records for the County Council, City of Derby and the Derby Diocese of the Church of England. Some records are of international importance (e,g, relating to the slave trade, coal and mining industries), others of national interest (e.g. a diary of Anne of Cleves) and many of local interest. There are the equivalent of '5 miles' of shelves, and over 3 million items in 7000 collections plus access to on-line resources. 80% of users are family historians.
Karen Millhouse, one of the County Archivists gave a general introduction to the history, contents and services of the Record Office followed by a guided tour of the building and an opportunity to look at a selection of records specific to Baslow. The Office holds records for the County Council, City of Derby and the Derby Diocese of the Church of England. Some records are of international importance (e,g, relating to the slave trade, coal and mining industries), others of national interest (e.g. a diary of Anne of Cleves) and many of local interest. There are the equivalent of '5 miles' of shelves, and over 3 million items in 7000 collections plus access to on-line resources. 80% of users are family historians.