Derbyshire Victoria County History

21/07/2025

We've just received this link to the new digital brochure for guided tours at Sheffield Museums. Perhaps some of our followers might be interested in sharing this with their own local history groups.

https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/learning/adults/group-visit/

The Museums point out: "The tours always get great feedback, we have friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, and it’s a great way to find out more about what’s on display, for a fun day out for members and to learn a little about the collections we have here in Sheffield. For example, I thought your History Trust members might be interested in many of our tours, such as J G Graves and His Gallery at Graves Gallery to learn about the history of art of one of the most significant entrepreneurs, public benefactor and art collectors of South Yorkshire and the surrounding counties; Highlights at Kelham Island Museum to learn about the area’s Industrial History; Highlights at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet to find out more about the industry-changing invention of the crucible steel method; or Highlights at Weston Park Museum to explore the Social History of Sheffield and its surrounding areas, and our museums' archaeology collections, a lot of which can be traced back to Derbyshire antiquarian Thomas Bateman."

From free self-guided visits, to guided tours and bespoke workshops, there are lots of way your group can make the most of your trip to the museums. 

30/06/2025

One of our followers, Rob Wilson, asked if we knew where this photograph was. A quick post on the Derbyshire Archaeology Society's page elicited a rapid response; it's Wingfield Manor. It was alledgedly taken in C19 by a Mr Richard Keene, a royal photographer.

30/06/2025

An aerial view of our VCH and Derbyshire Record Society stands at Saturday's local history fair held at the Strutts Centre in Belper. Attendance was excellent, despite the warm weather. Thanks to the DAS for their photograph.

24/06/2024

As part of our 2024 AGM on Saturday 29 June, there is a free talk by Dr Richard Gaunt on the 'Wilmots and their World: Rediscovering Emma and Edward Wilmot'. The talk is due to start around 2.30pm at the Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, Matlock, DE4 3NL.

To find out more about the Wilmots there's a factsheet available by following the link below. But briefly Emma was an accomplished but largely forgotten artist. She was married to Edward Woollett
Wilmot in 1842. He was a Land Agent to the 4th Duke of Newcastle of Clumber House in Nottinghamshire.

Everyone is welcome to attend the talk, with light refreshments available afterwards.

20/06/2024

Sounds an interesting topic for Chesterfield Library’s next local history talk.

Thorne's of Leeds- A Chesterfield Story
This beautiful illustration of a swallow is part of our "Woodhead Collection" available to view in Chesterfield Library Local Studies and thought to be a decorative "tea wrapper".
Come and hear the fascinating story of how Woodhead's grocery empire was connected to Thorne's toffee and chocolate makers of Leeds and why so many toffee tins can be found in Chesterfield !
Talk by Andrew Littlewood in Chesterfield Library Theatre- Thursday 27th June at 10am. This event is free, and no booking is required. For more information call 01629533400

20/06/2024

Many thanks to Philip Morris and Rev Jo Morris for arranging to open St Barnabas New Whittington and St Bartholomew Old Whittington for our VCH members and research group on Wednesday 19 June.

It was great to take a look first hand at two of the churches we are researching as part of our forthcoming history of Whittington VCH spin-off publication.

15/06/2024

Our latest website post takes an overview of railways in the former north Derbyshire coalfield. It gives a short history of the various lines - many now disappeared - which served the area and includes this map of their routes. (The map can’t btw show every branch or tunnel). There's also a document to download about the filling of the tunnel at Bolsover and select list of railway station openings and closures.

To visit the blog follow the link below

https://derbyshirevch.org/2024/06/

24/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PcucURRCAUU5Xu6n/

History has a habit of repeating itself and complaints about potholes in roads around Wingerworth are nothing new.

14/05/2024

Pop and see us and many other family and local history organisations at this Saturday’s (18 May) event at the Arkwright Centre.