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Tunstead Dickie’s skull
The mystery of Tunstead Dickie’s skull, as told by Clifford Rathbone in 1955. This mysterious artefact, accredited with ghostly properties, seems to have completely vanished.
Joe Brown’s Numbers
Joe Brown died last year, acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest mountaineers. In the early ’60s Joe created an orienteering course in and around the Goyt Valley, known as ‘Joe Brown’s Numbers’.
‘Goyt Valley Story’ pdf
Clifford Rathbone’s ‘Goyt Valley Story’ was first published in 1955 as a collection of articles written for the Macclesfield Express. The complete book is now available to read in full as a pdf.
Found starved to death
The sad story of how Robert Edge, a worker at Goytsclough Paint Mill, came to lose his life on his way home from Buxton in 1860. The coroner recorded a verdict of ‘Died from the inclemency of the weather’.
‘Goyt Valley Romance’ pdf
For anyone who’s tried in vain to track down Gerald Hancock’s ‘Goyt Valley Romance’, it’s now available to read in full on this website. Along with his slightly shorter first edition.
Wildside valley walk
Professional photographer Neil O’Connor has just posted a stunning video of a Goyt Valley walk from Pym Chair on YouTube. Just a pity about the grey-haired bloke that appears about half way through!
Taxal Church memorial
A memorial to Anne and Samuel Grimshawe in Taxal Church poses some interesting questions. Had their son and daughter fallen out over Samuel’s conversion to Catholicism?
The shooting party
Fredrick Upton Gaskell was Samuel Grimshawe’s nephew, and appears in this series of four photos of an annual shooting party taken near Errwood Cottage during the 1880s.
Fernilee construction gallery
A new photo gallery records the construction of Fernilee Reservoir through to its opening in 1937 and includes some fascinating detail – from navvies in their pub to small steam engines.
Searching this site
Topic tags should make searching for information on this website a lot easier, now that there are over 250 posts, covering everything from coal mining to the suspension bridge.
Powder Mill Bridge
A recently discovered photo shows the Powder Mill Bridge which now lies under Fernilee Reservoir. It would have been an important crossing point over the Goyt for local workers and families.
Protect the rhododendrons
The recent news that the Forestry Commission will be removing what remains of the rhododendrons around the ruins of Errwood Hall is a great shame. But I’m not sure what we can do about it.
Shawstile holloway
The felling of the fir trees above Fernilee has opened up some wonderful views across the valley. I was curious about some tracks running up from the path along the opposite side of the reservoir.
Fernilee footpath reopened
Great to see the footpath along the western shore of Fernilee has finally reopened. And the clearing of large swathes of densely-packed fir trees has revealed some well-hidden features.
ebay postcard gallery
I’ve added a new image gallery to the website, showing some of the old postcard views of the Goyt Valley that regularly pop up on ebay. It makes a fascinating visual record of this wonderfully scenic spot.
Clearing the views
What a wonderful transformation the tree-felling has made to the views across Fernilee Reservoir. I think it’s the best thing that’s happened in the valley for a very long time.
The ‘loveliest drive’
I managed to solve the question of whether the road from Goyt’s Bridge to Fernilee went through the gunpowder mill. But posed another with a photo of the mill entrance that just doesn’t seem right.
Farming in the valley
Bill Brocklehurst has lived and farmed in and around the Goyt Valley for most of his life. A recently published book includes a brief profile of a man who knows the land like the back of his hand.
Fernilee: a video history
Just uploaded to YouTube – a brief history of the construction of Fernilee Reservoir, including film of the 1932 inauguration ceremony, the gunpowder mill, suspension bridge and lost farmhouses.
Errwood Hall drive
A rare discovery: a postcard from the early 1900s shows the drive from Goyt’s Bridge up to the Grimshawe family’s grand country house, Errwood Hall. It’s a very different scene today!
Recording a brutal murder
Macclesfield’s Talking Newspaper brings to life the story of William Wood’s brutal murder on the road between Whaley Bridge and Disley in 1824. The culprits narrowly escaped capture in the town.
Fernilee footpath closed
The footpath along the western shoreline of Fernilee Reservoir has been closed for forestry work. It’s not likely to reopen before mid-November. So I’ve had to update a few of the walks on this website.
Young lady drivers
A photo of two young ladies dressed in mourning posing on an early motor car outside Errwood Hall has always intrigued me. A ‘Then & Now’ fade shows the scene today.
PRoW campaign update
A bulging folder of evidence forms shows there’s considerable support for the campaign to have a section of the old Cromford & High Peak Railway track recognised as a public right of way.