Alistair Plant

Walks

Walk Derbyshire – A Walk to the Bull Ring at Snitterton

February 2, 2023 Alistair Plant 0

By Rambler Before I begin my description of this walk, I must put in an explanation of what I mean by Bull Ring. First and foremost I have no intensions of sending walkers all the way down the A38 in order to walk round Birmingham’s busy Bull Ring commercial district. The bull ring (notice the […]

MC Village 1 5 HARDSTOFT 12 6 22 1 OF 3 COTTAGES ON THE GREEN

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Places Pevsner Forgot – Hardstoft & Astwith

February 2, 2023 Alistair Plant 0

Hardstoft and Astwith lie atop a pair of west-east ridges, with the Dawley stream rising in between and running down to the Doe Lea, above which towers Hardwick old and new halls, which visually dominate both hamlets from the east. We first made the acquaintance of Hardstoft around 1980, when, with my colleague Mick Stanley […]

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Haddon Hall – A Sleeping Tudor Beauty

February 2, 2023 Alistair Plant 0

by Brian Spencer “What we see today is basically the unaltered fortified manor house developed between the late 12th century, and 1620 when the last and minor ‘improvements’ were made” One autumn evening a few decades ago, driving home along the A6, just short of the entrance to Haddon Hall I was stopped by a […]

Lost Houses

The Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Hearthcote House, Swadlincote

February 2, 2023 Alistair Plant 0

by Maxwell Craven Hearthcote House was a deceptively ancient and complex building by the time of its demolition in 1980. At first glance, it appeared to be an eighteenth century two storey L-plan brick farmhouse, lit by sash windows both conventional and side opening (the latter usually called York sashes), under cambered heads and with […]

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Images 2023 BIG Quiz

January 12, 2023 Alistair Plant 0

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Derbyshire’s National Heritage Corridor

December 31, 2022 Alistair Plant 0

by Brian Spencer It is wrong to suggest that the Industrial Revolution began in and around the Derwent Valley, but even so the new order was given a massive push forward by the innovations of two mill owners, Richard Arkwright and Jedediah Strutt. They were, as the saying goes, ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’. […]

X9 RGB Calendula All Purpose Balm 25 g Composite

Female

Tried & Tested with Weleda

December 30, 2022 Alistair Plant 0

All Purpose Balm 25g £7.95 The tiny tin with big benefits! This neat little pot contains a soothing balm with a multitude of uses – to intensively nourish or protect any dry patches, chapped skin or dry lips. Ideal to pack in a changing bag when out and about. Made with nourishing organic sunflower and […]

BS WALK Winter Warmer Cromford 5246 Jan23

Walks

Walk Derbyshire – In the footsteps of Florence Nightingale – The Lady with the Lamp

December 30, 2022 Alistair Plant 0

Following her sterling work amongst wounded soldiers in the Crimea, Florence Nightingale returned to England. After spending a few days in London, she boarded the London to Manchester train at St Pancras Station. Leaving it unannounced at the tiny halt serving Whatstandwell, she set off to walk quietly along the hillside road, climbing steadily to […]

Celebrity Interviews

Celebrity Interview – George Telfer

December 30, 2022 Alistair Plant 0

At the age of 61 many people may be starting to think about retirement. But not Derbyshire actor George Telfer. He’s working on one of the most exciting productions that’s been seen in the West End for many years and regards it as a “huge opportunity”. George is understudying four roles in the new version […]

MC Jan STAPENHILL HALL FROM KITCHEN GDN c 1905

Lost Houses

Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Stapenhill Hall

December 30, 2022 Alistair Plant 0

By Maxwell Craven Derbyshire lost more parishes to Staffordshire than it gained under the local government reforms of 1887 and thereafter: Clifton Campville, Croxall, Edingale, Winshill and Stapenhill among them. The desire of the Borough Burton-upon-Trent to increase rating revenue, for instance, added to a sort of municipal tidy mindedness, resulting in the transfer in […]