Goyt Valley Guestbook

Pressure of work meant that I had to put this website on one side for a couple of years, but I’ve now managed to find the time to come back to it – and hopefully breathe fresh life into it. It’s always great when fellow lovers of the Valley get in touch – it makes the effort worthwhile. So please don’t be shy – get in touch and let me know I’m not talking to myself! To read any of these guestbook entries in full, simply click on the ‘Read more’ link.

Littering the valley

Littering the valley

Andrew writes: “I’ve been visiting the Valley for many years and having just returned I was utterly appalled. I’ve collected around 60 plastic bottles, 40 glass bottles and various other trash from the car park.”

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Errwood Hall interior

Errwood Hall interior

James asks whether there are any floor plans of Errwood Hall, or interior photos. And whether anyone has a copy of the auctioneers catalogue for the final sale. Please get in touch if you can help.

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1930s Goyt Valley photos

1930s Goyt Valley photos

“I was going through some old photos dating to 1930/31 and there are several taken at Goyt Bridge. I have never been there myself but my father was involved with it at the time.”

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The ‘blacked-up’ band

The ‘blacked-up’ band

The ‘blacked-up’ faces of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mill’s brass band provide a fascinating glimpse into a time and place which are now completely lost. What can it all mean?

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Is this Goyt’s Bridge?

Is this Goyt’s Bridge?

Cathy emailed all the way from Australia to say: “I have an old photo from 1930. I can’t remember where I picked it up. I was taking it out to re-frame as it was falling apart when I just thought I would check and see exactly what the story was.”

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The Gaskells of Ingersley Hall

The Gaskells of Ingersley Hall

Bridget Franklin writes: “I live in Rainow and have been researching the Gaskells of Ingersley Hall for some time. Although the family has not died out, most old letters and photos etc were destroyed after the last permanent resident Anne Theodora Gaskell died in 1923.”

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Errwood Hall gamekeeper

Errwood Hall gamekeeper

Mel Rogerson writes: “I’ve recently discovered that one of my ancestors was a gamekeeper at Errwood Hall throughout the 1800s and wondered whether you have the dates for the staff photos?”

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Shining Tor to Pym Chair

Shining Tor to Pym Chair

John writes: “Today I walked up to Shining Tor, down and along the valley back to Pym Chair. It is a beautiful area with spectacular scenery and I tried to imagine it as it was before the reservoirs were constructed and the pine forests planted.”

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Cycling through the Goyt

Cycling through the Goyt

Peter Jourdain writes: “I found your lovely website and Youtube videos on the Goyt Valley after having searched on the web. I am an American, and have never been to the Goyt, but am a cyclist and cycling historian, with a primary emphasis on the golden era of British cycling clubs and cycletouring in the 1920s and ’30s.”

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Can anyone identify this bridge?

Can anyone identify this bridge?

Chris Belton writes: “I’m trying to identify a 1958 photo from my late father’s collection entitled ‘Goyt Holiday’. The photo shows a bridge over a stream but seemingly not Goyt’s Bridge. I can sort of remember it, it was a delightful place, the sort my parents sought out for picnics.”

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Walking the Cromford & High Peak Railway

Walking the Cromford & High Peak Railway

Bill Reid writes: “Thanks for the great videos and information on the Goyt Valey and the Cromford & High Peak Railway. I have used your Walk no.12 to find my way along the old railway between Whaley Bridge and Burbage.”

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Fishing the Goyt at Taxal

Fishing the Goyt at Taxal

John Sutcliffe writes: “I was very pleasantly surprised indeed to watch the old cine film of the Goyt Valley, which, needless to say, I didn’t even know existed! For my part, I am now 75 years of age, but my memories of the Goyt Valley, as a then 12-year-old boy, are as clear to me now, as if it was only yesterday when I was last there.”

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Locating Errwood Farm

Locating Errwood Farm

Sarah Dugdale writes: “I was looking at your website and I believe I have some old photos of the area. My Grandparents were living in the area before the war and were re-located to Whaley Bridge. The whole story is a muddle in my head as my dad who could have helped greatly died in November 2000.”

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The Carter family

Michael Mitchell writes: “My 2x great grandmother was Elizabeth Carter and was born at Errwood Hall 18 Jun 1862. Her father was John Carter who was a butler at the hall in the 1850s. In the 1860 census he is listed as a retired butler, but still living on the property. In 1871 he is living in Castedge and is listed as the farm bailiff.”

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Goyt Valley maps

Goyt Valley maps

Rob Stephen writes: “I was looking at your videos of your walks and I must say that I am really impressed with your website. But I think to make your website better you could add a detailed map of all the Goyt Valley walks and paths so it is easier to plan where you want to go.”

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‘Fantastic’ walks

‘Fantastic’ walks

Alex Evans writes: “I’ve just come across your website and what a pleasure. I was originally looking for some pictures of when the resovoir is low so you can see the remains of the village but then I got distracted (pleasantly) by your website.”

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Paul Mason

Paul Mason

Paul Mason writes: “Firstly, what a great job you’ve done with this site – lovely to see. I’m the son of the late Winefred and John Mason who built and ran the ‘Dish & Spoon Cafe’, just past the ‘Cat & Fiddle’ pub (photo above). My great-grandfather was a farmer in the valley, and my grandfather was game keeper for Lord Derby.”

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Brenda Hewitt

Brenda Hewitt

Paul Mellor writes: “I’ve just been watching your Errwood Hall & family graves walk video on YouTube and thought you might be interested to know that my mother, Brenda, is one of the daughters of Jack Hewitt who you mention in the video.”

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Goyt Valley Romance book

Goyt Valley Romance book

Susan George writes: “Could you please send details of how I can purchase a copy of the Goyt Valley Romance book? Your web site is fascinating. The Goyt Valley is my favourite place to walk in.”

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