Derbyshire lifestyle magazine – Country Images Magazine

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The Workhouse at Southwell

January 26, 2017 BrianSpencer

The grim mill-like building stands on the outskirts of Southwell, a place that still strikes fear into the hearts of people old enough to remember when it was a shelter of last resort. Brian Spencer traces the history of the by-gone system of caring for the poor and dispossessed. Up and down the country, roughly […]

Dining Out

The Horse & Jockey

January 9, 2017 Dave Dykes

Back in the mid 1960s the Sunday afternoon picnic was something to look forward to. Family and food packed into the Morris Oxford and my father at the wheel conducting us on his own, very special, mystery tour. It could be to Clumber Park and long walks through the woods or to Dovedale; over the […]

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Neil Heldreich – Celebrates 30 years in business

November 28, 2016 Alistair Plant

Derbyshire has always been home to fine craftsmen and one of them, furniture restorer Neil Heldreich, is celebrating his 30th anniversary in business. It’s a milestone reached thanks to help from the Prince’s Trust, which this year marks its 40th anniversary. Traditional furniture restorers and French polisher, Heldreich, based at Hollington, near Ashbourne, has come […]

Dining Out

Dining Out at The Sanam

November 24, 2016 Steve Orme

Cooking in a traditional Bangladeshi way has always been the ethos at the Sanam, on King Street Alfreton. Their philosophy of providing quality food at a fair price has stood the test of time and they are immensely proud of their track record. The Sanam offers a mouth-watering tasty menu. Whilst enjoying our popadoms and […]

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Into the Realm of the Ice Bear

November 24, 2016 BrianSpencer

Part Two by Brian Spencer It took us all night to sail north with the G Expedition in order to meet the polar ice flow, a weird fog shrouded bleak mass with no other humans for at least a thousand miles. Even Ursus Maritimus, (ice or polar bears) were not around, so it was decided […]

Lost Houses

Lost Houses – Swarkestone Old Hall

September 28, 2016 Alistair Plant

If you drive along the road from Swarkestone Bridge to Chellaston you will notice, just as you turn east after passing the Crewe & Harpur Arms, a pair of sturdy stone gatepiers topped with large ball finials. Those not having to concentrate upon the road ahead will also see, in the field beyond the gate […]

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Exploring New Mills

July 17, 2016 Katie Jobling

The end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago saw massive floods careering down what became the Sett and Goyt valleys. The power generated by the force of billions of gallons of flood water carved a deep gorge, around which the town of New Mills now stands. This water was a heaven-sent opportunity […]

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Derbyshire’s Homegrown Cricketing Heros

July 4, 2016 Alistair Plant

IDEALLY, county cricket’s trophy winners are saluted by an ecstatic home crowd or by a full house at Lord’s. Four of Derbyshire’s five major honours fit this category: the NatWest and Benson and Hedges finals of 1981 and 1993, the Sunday League title clinched at Derby in 1990 and promotion and the Second Division championship […]

Dining Out

Dining at The Black Swan, Ashover

July 4, 2016 Katie Jobling

Kate Morrison, the new manageress at the Black Swan Ashover, has embarked on a fresh venture that has come to fruition after working for many years in the food and restaurant industry. Their new chef was in the kitchen on our visit on June 15th, he comes with a great reputation and has years of […]

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The Battle of Chesterfield 1266

April 29, 2016 BrianSpencer

Town centre violence at weekends when the pubs close in Chesterfield and the drunks spill out, is no different to most other towns and cities up and down the land. Usually it is put down easily by the police, but had they been around 750 years ago on May 15th 1266, the situation would have […]