It is hard to realise that this idyllic part of rural Derbyshire once harboured a group of men who in desperation tried to form an association along the lines of a self-help union. They were driven to this by the conditions of the time, two hundred years ago when rising prices of even the most […]
Lichfield Town
Over to our right as we drove down the A38, the three graceful spires of Lichfield’s cathedral brought about a change of plan. As we had never been to Lichfield and were not in any hurry, we decided to make a diversion as Michelin Guides would have it, and spend a couple of hours exploring […]
Restaurant Review – The Bay Tree at Melbourne
Melbourne, just south of Derby, is an elegant, historically rich, town; the narrow streets that slow the traffic down to a steady pace makes wandering around the sites and the many independent retailers, a pleasurable experience, as was the short walk from the free car park to the centre of town; where, on the corner […]
Walton Old Hall – Lost Houses of Derbyshire
Walton-on-Trent always strikes me as a pleasant place, and sufficiently off the beaten track to have survived into the 21st century rather well. It is also known for its clockmakers, too, having been the home, almost right through the 18th century, of the Rea family, Thomas Rea (1719-1782) leaving a number of sons, of whom […]
Tried & Tested – Paul Mitchell
Infused with natural sugar, Neon™ is a little sassy and a little sweet, setting the standard for emerging trends. Made primarily for Generation Z, Neon™ focuses on inclusiveness, individuality and building self-esteem. Sugar Cleanse Shampoo RRP £10.95 300ml Obsessed with… clean! This total clean freak has a one-track mind: leaving hair fresh and ready […]
Restaurant Review – The Thorn Tree
Memory and the passage of time can play wicked tricks. Many months ago, when the prospect of balmy sunny days to come was heralded by a warm day in April, I bravely suggested that we – myself, Susan and our dachshund – spend a day by the sea in my old holiday haunt of Mablethorpe. […]
Local People – The Mystery of Les’s two Tests
By general consent Les Jackson is enshrined as the greatest of all in Derbyshire’s long line of home-produced fast bowlers. During his career, 1947-63, he took 1,733 wickets in first-class matches at a cost of 17.36 each. His 1,670 (860 at home, 810 away) for Derbyshire at 17.11 (1,578 in the Championship) are county records […]
Product Test – Charlotte Tilbury
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Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Thornhill, Kingsway, Derby
This impressive Regency villa was built on an elevated site in the district of California, Derby, looking south but with an easterly vista across The Rowditch towards the town, but one later spoilt by the erection of two brickworks on the west side of the brook. It is one of three such houses, which Stephen […]
Restaurant Review – New Bath Hotel, Matlock
Built around 1745, the Grade 2 listed New Bath Hotel stands proudly overlooking the Derwent Gorge and on to the Tor in Matlock Bath, it has been welcoming visitors for well over 250 years. Situated on the edge of Matlock Bath makes the New Bath Hotel an ideal place from which to walk into town […]