Denby Footpaths Group

05/06/2026

It's hard to imagine Denby without the Pottery. With over 200 years of history, heritage and local significance, it won't be forgotten.

Yesterday, on the same site where our pottery began 217 years ago, the final pieces of Denby made their way to the kiln for firing. Centuries of making pottery at Denby may be coming to a close, but the love and soul poured into each piece will live on. In the memories of our skilled craftspeople, in the feel-good moments our loyal collectors enjoy with their Denby, both here and around the world, and in the hearts of the whole community who have stood together and tried their hardest to in our hour of need. Of course, there will definitely be Denby in many peoples’ homes for years to come, it was always made to last after all…

Denby would not have been able to continue for this long without generations of dedicated, skilled people, from the kilns to customers’ homes and all the pairs of hands in between, thank you to every member of staff, past and present, for playing your part in taking care of this piece of history. The future is always uncertain and whilst it’s hard to comprehend what things may look like in the next weeks and months, we are so hugely proud of everything this Derbyshire pottery has achieved, it's not and has never just been about the pots.

*Featuring Roger who has worked at Denby for 54 years.

01/06/2026

The Little Eaton gang road went through Denby, passing by Hilltop Farm at the top of the incline, before coming out at St Mark's church then down bedlam hill to the wharf at the pottery.

Kilburn Road, was historically known as "Bedlam Hill". The steep, narrow route was notorious for chaotic conditions when horse-drawn carts struggled to navigate its sharp bends, giving rise to the colloquial name.
The picture must be just after 1900 because my Great Grandfather had just built 2 new semi detached house shown in the picture on the right, and if you look closely there is a pile of bricks on the left where the old Gangway track had previosly been and there is a mark across the road where wheelbarrows had been moving the bricks. He also owned a small field opposite the new houses, where he kept his horse and cart. He built several other new houses on that same piece of land and also the family ran a chevening workshop in the back garden and he took chevening outwork to other families in the area and collected the finished items. I didn't realise when I was younger how important the chevening business was, but my Great Grandmother and one of their daughters even travelled to Ireland in the early 20th Century because of the chevening where there was a good market for the fine needle work on mens stocking and socks and ladies gloves etc in the Edwardian period. We did inherit 2 large framed samples of the families chevening work, but unfortunately when I was in my 20's and not realising the family connection with chevening and there importance at that time, I let them go to the tip and it still annoys me when I think about it now. And when I was a child and stayed at my Grandparents house during school holidays, I slept in the front bedroom and there was a large glove making machine stood in the corner covered up and for some reason it gave me bad dreams as I thought something was hiding under the sheet, so my Grandfather got the scrap man to take the machine, and that should really have gone into a museum. Information Johnny Blodwyn

31/05/2026

🦋 Large skippers are on the wing in Denby 🦋 Meadow browns have started to make an appearance too 😊

29/05/2026

👷Find out about the redevelopment plans for John Flamsteed school at a drop in event there on Monday 8th June, 15.30 - 19.00 👷

26/05/2026

🔉Volume up for this one
Save Denby Green Belt

25/05/2026

Perfect for a pit stop if you're out walking ☕🍰

☕🎉 Join us for a morning of coffee, cake and community spirit! 🎉☕

Come along to our Chatterbox Cafe on Friday 29th May, from 10am–12 noon at Kilburn Village Hall.

Enjoy coffees, teas, delicious cakes, savoury nibbles and take part in our raffle — all while supporting a fantastic cause 💙💛

Every cuppa helps support Your Local Air Ambulance, helping them continue their lifesaving work in our community.

Bring your friends, neighbours and family — everyone is welcome! 😊

17/05/2026

💙 Common blues are appearing in Denby 💙
They're actually not common at all anymore!

15/05/2026

🦋 Which one's your favourite? 🦋

Butterfly Conservation poll is open until 7 June with choice of 60 species from small tortoiseshells to purple emperors

06/05/2026

No tick, no tock, just the dandelion clock.

04/05/2026

Here's an extract from our Chair's latest annual report:

As a body, Denby Footpaths Group has remained steadfast and positive. We have, as volunteers, installed, replaced and maintained gates and stiles, cleared overgrowth and other obstacles, stoned problem areas of paths, instigated new paths and routes, led walks on lesser known routes, reported issues to the Highways Department, liaised with landowners, and increasingly engaged with councils where footpaths and bridleways have been threatened with closure or seriously otherwise impacted.

In conclusion, the past year has highlighted both the value and the vulnerability of the Denby footpaths network. Continued maintenance, clear signage and strong collaboration between volunteers and local
authorities remains essential to preserving safe and accessible routes for all walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
The progress we have achieved reflects the dedication of those involved but there is still much vital work to address ongoing challenges and future demands. By sustaining our collective commitment we can ensure that
Denby’s footpaths and bridleways remain a well-kept and valued resource for the whole community.