by Maxwell Craven “The design that emerged and which Thorburn built from 1863, centered upon an impressive covered hall with an iron roof made by local founder, J. & G. Heywood & Co. at their Phoenix Foundry, which covered an area of 220 x 110ft.” From Medieval times, Derby was a flourishing market town. Indeed, […]
The Art of Conservation
Around 70km north of Hanoi, Vietnam a beautiful Asiatic moonbear stretches to his full height and climbs up onto a high platform to examine a fresh bunch of wild grasses, leaves and branches. But for the first seven years of his life, this bear had spent his days in a dark cramped cargo container […]
Lost Houses of Derbyshire – Old Radburne Hall
By Maxwell Craven One of the most delightful, sequestered and ancient parish churches in the county is that of St. Andrew, Radbourne, set beside the Radbourne Brook (effectively a tautology: the clue is in the name, the ‘red bourne’, or stream) in a hamlet which hardly seems to exist, despite being barely four miles from […]
Arctic Cabins & Cabin Master
Derbyshire is a county that produces some of the country’s greatest products and each month we feature one of Derbyshire’s best independent producers. Arctic Cabins and Cabin Master, based in Derbyshire, have quietly built a reputation for quality, craftsmanship and community over the last two decades. From beautifully hand-built garden rooms to authentic BBQ cabins, […]
Walk Derbyshire – Matlock to Bonsall
This walk takes in views over Matlock and Bonsall, winding country paths, a quarry, bluebell woodland and farms. It is a little undulated but quite an easy walk with plenty of places to stop along the way and rest if you need to. There were sheep expecting their beautiful babies so hopefully you will be […]
Celebrity Interview – Sir Tim Rice
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 […]