By Steve Orme Writers going back as far as Shakespeare have recognised that comedy can be found in tragedy. And that’s what chirpy Irish comedian Ed Byrne is aiming to demonstrate in his latest show. Tragedy Plus Time is about the death of Ed’s brother Paul. And Ed discovered that the show could work when […]
The Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Beaufort House, Derby
By Maxwell Craven “Some years ago, a friend who is a keen collector of local postcards, Don Gwinnett, sent me a copy of a postcard of a delightful house with Gothic windows, labelled Cowsley Fields. I loved the look of the house, and decided to try and identify it, which I may say I had […]
An Iron Bridge
Brian Spencer visits one of the industrial revolution’s longest lasting major relics Gouged out by the last ice age over 15,000 years ago, in the Industrial Revolution the Severn Gorge became a convenient means of moving coal and iron and general commerce, downstream to the burgeoning industrial areas surrounding the river estuary. Later on and […]
Celebrity Interview – John Tams
by Steve Orme When your work has been seen by an audience of 60 million people, you’ve appeared on stage with some of the finest actors in the country and you’ve made more than 80 albums, you might be forgiven for blowing your own trumpet. But not Derbyshire musician, composer and singer John Tams. Ask […]
Lost Houses of Derbyshire The Hough, Hulland
by Maxwell Craven The standing remains of the moated secondary seat of the de Bradbourne family no longer exist for me to share with you, but, like Brizlincote Old Hall, the site is marked by a well-preserved moat, and moated sites are relatively rare in Derbyshire, although many more are recorded in the sources than […]
We Are Derby
Just over 50 years since the legendary Brian Clough and Peter Taylor handed in their resignations at Derby County, fans have been speculating whether the good times will ever return. The view of one Rams legend is “never say never” but a media expert isn’t so sure because these days the game is dominated by […]
Cumbria and its Ancient History
by Brian Spencer Carlisle’s Crown and Mitre Hotel was our base for our visit to Cumbria with Slacks Travel. Overlooking the town square where Bonnie Prince Charlie mustered his bedraggled troops on his retreat from Derby, it was time for a quick look round this ancient Border city where captured Scottish Reivers (cattle rustlers) were […]
A Visit to White Peak Distillery
On a rainy day in October I was booked in with my wife to go on the White Peak distillery tour, I could not think of a better place to be, the thought of a nice whisky warming me from top to toe seemed just the tonic!! The tour lasts 1 hour and cost £15 […]
Dining at Binary, Derby
Binary Bar and Restaurant, Bespoke Inns newest addition, has continued to prove itself over the months to be a jewel in the crown by winning the coveted ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards. If you haven’t tried it yet then you’re missing a treat. We took the opportunity, over a […]
Dining at Fairways Chevin Golf Club
It was a very different day when we arrived at Fairways, Chevin Golf Club from over a year ago, the bright sunshine was replaced with a soft grey mizzle, but driving down the lane, the beautiful landscape that opened up still brought a smile to my face. We had last visited for a summer lunch […]