Liversage Trust

28/08/2026

A glimpse into the Trust’s history…

There’s something rather special about old books and records – especially when they have been carefully preserved for generations.
This is a photo of our Board Room along with photos for some of the books taken from the safes, before the building works started on London Road.

The books were carefully removed from the safes and transferred to the Derbyshire Records Office in Matlock .

For many years, records such as these would have been used as part of the day-to-day running and administration of the Trust, recording the people, properties and decisions that have helped shape its history.

And just look at the beautiful bindings!

The marbled edges on many of the books are particularly striking. Before modern printing and binding techniques, marbled paper was a popular decorative feature of books, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. Each intricate pattern was individually created, making every book slightly different.

Among the records are Rent Books dating back to 1883 – meaning some of these books have survived for well over 140 years!
Just imagine the stories contained within their pages: the names of residents, details of properties, rents paid and the everyday administration of the Trust more than a century ago.

It’s fascinating to think that records which were once handled regularly in rooms such as our Board Room have now been carefully moved into the safe hands of the Derbyshire Records Office, where they can continue to tell the story of the Trust for generations to come.

From the Board Room to the archives – another little piece of our history preserved.

#1883

25/08/2026

🐾 Meet Noah! 🐾

Hi everyone! My name is Noah, and I’m a two-year-old dachshund who lives on Alice Street with my human, Lynne.

I do enjoy going for walks, although I much prefer it when it’s not raining – I absolutely hate getting wet! One of my favourite things to do is rip my new toys to shreds. I do have one favourite toy that I actually play catch with, though… although how long it survives is another matter.

Because I’ve got such little legs, Lynne has a ramp at home so I can easily get up onto the sofa. And when we’re out and about, Lynne sometimes treats me to a dog-friendly ice cream – and let me tell you, they are absolutely yummy! 🍦🐶

Don’t let my small size fool you – I can be very vocal, especially when I’m on my lead.

I’ve made a few friends on the Key Street Estate, including Ernie and Albert, and of course that big furball Apollo – he’s a real gentle giant. I love seeing Apollo because his human, Alan, gives me treats. Lynne gives Apollo treats too, so I think that’s a very fair arrangement.

So, if you see me out and about on the estate, make sure you say hello. But be warned… if you have food, I WILL know about it! And obviously, it would be very rude not to share…

21/08/2026

Another little piece of history uncovered at London Road, not quite as exciting as the note and bottle but equally interesting…

You never quite know what you might find when carrying out work on an old properties.

One of the builders working on our London Road Estate recently made an interesting discovery when he found an old packet of Wild Woodbine ci******es tucked away under the stairs.

Made by W.D. & H.O. Wills of Bristol and London, Woodbine was one of Britain’s best-known cigarette brands. The distinctive packaging on this packet dates from the early-to-mid 20th century, and similar packets held in museum collections have been dated to around the 1930s–1950s.

Woodbine itself dates back to 1888, and the brand became particularly associated with working-class Britain. It was also widely smoked by servicemen during the World Wars.

And there’s an intriguing wartime connection too… British Army chaplain Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy became known as “Woodbine Willie” because he famously handed out Woodbine ci******es to soldiers alongside offering spiritual support.

So, how did this little packet end up under the stairs at 105 London Road?

Perhaps it was simply dropped or deliberately tucked away by a former resident many decades ago. Whatever the story, it’s a wonderful little glimpse into everyday life from another era - and a reminder that old buildings often have stories hidden in unexpected places.

We’ll be keeping hold of this little piece of London Road history.

17/08/2026

🐾 Meet Apollo!
Hi everyone! My name's Apollo. I'm a 12-year-old Tomaskan and, as you can probably tell, I'm very fluffy!

I live with my humans on Alice Street and absolutely love going for walks. Every spring, my human, Alan, gives me a good brush on the park (yes... I really am that fluffy!). The best part is that the birds and squirrels collect my fur to use as nesting material. I think that's pretty amazing.

Some of my favourite things are snow (when we're lucky enough to get it!) and water. Although, if I'm honest, I'd much rather lie in a nice shallow puddle than dive in head first.

I'm a very friendly boy. One of my best buddies is Kodee, who featured on our page a few weeks ago. I'm also good friends with Noah the Dachshund- hopefully you'll get to meet him soon.

I do have one rather unusual habit... If I really like you, I'll gently take your hand in my mouth because I'd love to take you for a walk! Don't worry - I'm always very gentle.

I'm also on good terms with a few of the officers from Derbyshire Police. They seem like really nice people.

So, if you spot me out and about, please come and say hello. And if you happen to have a dog treat with you... well, I certainly won't say no! 🦴🐶❤️

03/08/2026

Hi everyone!

I'm Duke – yes, I was named after John Wayne because my hooman is a huge fan! 🤠 And we live on the Keys Street Estate.

I'm a 2-year-old Cockapoo with lots of energy and an even bigger personality! I get so excited whenever I see people, and if you come to visit, be prepared for a serious case of the zoomies!

I love going on two long walks every day, making new doggy friends, and I even get along with cats! 🐶🐱

One of my favourite things is squeezing into my little bath tub when my hooman, Lorraine, gets it out for me. 🛁 I also have a special chair by the back window so I can keep an eye on her whenever I pop outside for a toilet break. 👀❤️

Oh… and if I get a new toy, it won't stay fluffy for long! I absolutely love pulling all the stuffing out until the house looks like it's been snowing. 🤭☁️

If you ever see me out and about, please come and say hello – I'd love to meet you! 🐾💙

Love Duke ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

29/07/2026

A little piece of history uncovered on the London Road estate

During the recent building works on the London Road estate, the builders made a fascinating discovery - what appears to be a workman’s note hidden away in 1959.

Almost like a message in a bottle from the past, the note gives us a small glimpse into everyday life more than 65 years ago.

Even more intriguingly, the note wasn’t written on ordinary paper - it was written on the back of a packet that would have originally contained a small mesh invisible hairnet. A tiny everyday item from the 1950s that has now become part of our local history.

Alongside the note, the team also discovered an old whiskey bottle dating back to the 1940s, adding even more mystery to the find - and hinting that this small hidden space may have been something of an informal time capsule left behind by workers of the era.

The writer dated the note 12 October 1959 and explained that it had been hidden shortly after the 1959 General Election, recording that “the Conservatives got in by a 101 majority.”

They also captured the world around them at that moment in time, commenting on the weather, noting that it was raining in Derby for the first time since around April after a “first-class summer”.

For local football fans, the note also recorded the match result from that day: Derby 1, Portsmouth 0 -along with a comment about Derby County’s form during that season.

At the very top of the note, the writer appears to have left a message for whoever might one day discover it, beginning with:
“The best of luck…”

Sadly, some of the writing has faded over the years and parts of the note are too faint to read, but enough remains to give us a wonderful snapshot of a moment in time.

It’s amazing to think that someone working on the estate in 1959 took a few minutes to leave behind a little piece of themselves, and a small reminder of everyday life at the time - never knowing who would eventually find it.
A true time capsule from our community’s past.

27/07/2026

🐾 Hi everyone! We’re Ernie and Albert… two very handsome Chihauhau gentlemen! 🐶🐶

We live on the Keys Street Estate with our lovely hooman, Maggie. Some of you may have spotted our sister Beatrice the other day on Facebook. 🐾

We’re both rescue dogs, and although we’re getting a little older now, we’re still full of personality, cuddles, and plenty of cheekiness. Maggie says we’re super cute and funny (we already knew that 😉).
Apparently, Ernie is “a little bit dim” according to Maggie… but he prefers to think he’s just wonderfully unique! He may not always know what’s going on, but he definitely knows when it’s treat time! 🦴

These days we don’t venture too far on our walks, but that’s okay because Maggie makes sure we’re spoiled with lots of delicious treats and plenty of love.
When the weather turns chilly, you’ll usually find us snuggled up warm with Maggie and Beatrice, enjoying the cosy life.

Lots of fluffy love,
🐾 Ernie & Albert ❤️ ❤️

15/07/2026

On 24 May 1920, history was made on our London Road estate.

Residents Mr Matthew Dibbs and Mrs Mary Ellen Gregory became the first recorded couple ever to marry at the almshouses -an event the Derby Mercury described as "the first recorded in the history of the institution."

Although both bride and groom were "somewhat advanced" in years, the newspaper remarked that "the latter years of both will undoubtedly be brightened by the union."

The wedding service was conducted by Rev. F. Harris Gibson at St Peter's Church, with trustees of the Liversage Charity in attendance. Afterwards, the happy couple returned to the almshouses, where fellow residents gave them a warm welcome, showering them with confetti as they arrived home.

What makes this story even more remarkable is that, as far as anyone knew in 1920, no previous marriage had ever taken place involving two residents of the Liversage almshouses. More than a century later, there is still little evidence that another wedding followed, making Matthew and Mary Ellen's marriage a unique chapter in the nearly 500 year history of the Liversage Trust.

It's a wonderful reminder that love can blossom at any stage of life - and that some of Derby's most touching stories are hidden away in the pages of old newspapers.

13/07/2026

Meet Beatrice!

Hello, I’m Beatrice - a fabulous 16-year-old feline with plenty of confidence and a personality all of my own.

I’m not what you’d call a fussy cat (although I do have excellent taste when it comes to treats). I’m very independent and love nothing more than wandering around my neighbours’ gardens, keeping an eye on everything and making sure the estate is running smoothly.

One of my favourite hobbies is bringing special gifts home for my hooman, Maggie, who lives on the Keys Street Estate. My treasures are usually of the “found in the garden” variety… including the occasional mouse 🐭. I like to think of it as my way of showing her I care.

Every now and then, I’ll allow Maggie the honour of a cuddle and a lap visit. Of course, I need to remind her who’s boss -especially when she brings home delicious new treat, so I may give her a little playful nibble to get her attention. A girl has standards, after all.

I also share my home with two rather annoying brothers, Ernie and Albert (both dogs 🐶🐶). They’ll be introducing themselves on Facebook soon… although I’m sure they’ll have a lot to say…

Love,
Beatrice xx

10/07/2026

A beautiful glimpse of our London Road estate captured back in 1981, a wonderful reminder of its history and the memories made here over the years.

Liversage Almshouses taken in 1981 on London Road.