By Steve Orme ‘Think of the greatest songwriting duos of all time and you’ll probably come up with Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lennon and McCartney, and maybe even Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Among that list must surely come Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.’ Sir Tim Rice has had a stellar career, […]
The Peacock at Rowsley
A Historic Gem Reborn in the Heart of the Peak District Nestled within the picturesque Peak District National Park, The Peacock at Rowsley is a venue that beautifully balances the old and the new. Originally built in 1652, this historic four AA Silver Star hotel and three AA Rosette restaurant has long been a destination […]
Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Old Walton Hall, Chesterfield
The present Walton Hall, built in the closing decade of the 18th century as a fairly substantial farmhouse, nowadays survives entirely surrounded by modern housing, its lush farmlands lost to a succession of extractive industries followed by the SW expansion of Chesterfield, which gobbled the unpretentious village of Walton up towards the close of the […]
Derbyshire Makers – Wheeldon Homes
When it comes to established Derbyshire companies, not many have the pedigree of Wheeldon Homes. With a proud heritage dating back over 157 years, Wheeldon has remained a house builder of choice for many local house purchasers across the East Midlands for generations. As a company they have an excellent reputation for the quality, design […]
Derbyshire Makers – John Stevenson Jewellers
A Derbyshire Tradition of Trust and Quality From heirloom pieces to modern masterpieces, John Stevenson Jewellers offers personalized service and exceptional craftsmanship. For more than 50 years the name Stevenson has been synonymous in Derbyshire with not only quality jewellery but also trust. And the number of people returning throughout their lives to the Chesterfield […]
Derbyshire Makers – Heldrich
“A Lifetime of Craftsmanship: Derbyshire’s Neil Heldreich Reflects on the Timeless Art of Antique Furniture Restoration” After nearly 40 years in the trade as an antique furniture restorer I have seen many fashions in collecting come and go, but one thing that always remains consistent is the recognition of the skills required to create these […]
Dining Out – The Boat Inn, Pinxton
The Boat Inn at Pinxton demonstrates the importance of legacy, why rebirth doesn’t have to mean revolution, and how the perfect setting is best served water-side. The quaint village of Pinxton, running alongside the two Derbyshire mammoths, the M1 and A38, is used to its fair share of travellers and passersby. Housing its own Pinxton […]
Walk Derbyshire – Calton Lees, Chatsworth to Rowsley
There are some beautiful walks around Chatsworth as the river there is so pretty and, attracts many people each year for picnics and walks. We decided to head out from Chatsworth for some panoramic high up views of the valley from Calton Lees car park up into Rowsley. I’m sure you have visited Chatsworth […]
Celebrity Interview – Pam Ayres
by Steve Orme “…the loss of control was heartbreaking. I was very naïve. I was signed up to London agents and they put me on stage in great big theatres for which I was ill-equipped.” She’s been described as a “poet for the people” with a wicked sense of humour who deals with subjects not […]
The Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Kirk Hallam
by Maxwell Craven Kirk Hallam was originally a small hamlet atop the ridge that overlooks the Nut Brook and the homonymous canal as one travels east towards Little Hallam and Ilkeston. It takes its name from the Old Norse hallr (= a hill) + kirk (= church) which perfectly describes the settlement, even as it […]