Goyt Valley miscellaneous
These posts don’t fit easily within the existing sections of the website – which is why I’ve called them miscellaneous. They’re a bit of a pick and mix collection – but interesting just the same. Simply click on the ‘Read more’ links to view any story. All contributions would be very gratefully received. To get in touch, simply use the site contact page.
Above: A rare photo of Mary and Genevieve Grimshawe pictured at the opening of Fernilee Village Hall.
Three new views
Three recently-discovered postcards dating back over a century show the wonderfully picturesque hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge before it vanished below the waters of Errwood Reservoir.
Goyt Valley Story #1
The first chapter of Clifford Rathbone’s ‘Goyt Valley Story’ describes a walk he made in the summer of 1955 from the Cat & Fiddle to Goyt’s Bridge, before the flooding of Errwood Reservoir.
John & Hannah Butler
Captain John Butler has always fascinated me. He was the Master of the Grimshawe’s ocean-going yacht, The Mariquita, and is buried in the hill-top cemetery above the ruins of Errwood Hall.
Fernilee west walk video
Hot on the heels of the video for walk 17 comes the one for walk 18; a very easy 2.5 mile circular walk around the west of Fernilee Reservoir. There are some wonderful views from the upper section.
Foxlow Edge walk video
I’ve just added the video for walk 17: a short, 1.5 mile circular stroll along Foxlow Edge, returning along the narrow footpath which runs between the ruins of Errwood Hall and St. Joseph’s Shrine.
Castedge spring; then & now
A new ‘then and now’ fade features one of my favourite photos of the Goyt Valley; Kathleen Nall collecting water at the natural spring outside her family home, Castedge Farm Cottage.
New valley panorama
A newly-dicovered photo across the Goyt Valley dating back to the 1920s reveals some fascinating detail – Errwood Hall in the far distance and a possible ice cream kiosk beside Errwood Bridge.
Discovered; a lovers’ walk
In 1880 a writer described “a footpath high above the carriage-way… a lovers’ walk; a deep-green wooded way made for Phillida and Corydon”. My thanks to James for pointing me in the right direction.
Anyone seen a puma?
Alan asks whether anyone has seen a puma in the Valley. I seem to remember someone saying they’d seen one a few years back. I think it was more likely to be a large feral cat. But who knows?
A birds’ eye view
Top of my Santa wish-list is a drone to capture the Valley from the air. But I’m not confident about persuading my good lady wife that it’s worth the hefty price tag. Wish me luck!
ITV visits the valley
My fleeting moment of fame! A couple of minutes on ITV’s Calendar programme chatting about the history of the Goyt Valley. But I can’t see me making a career of it!
Fernilee path reopens
It’s taken almost a year, but the footpath between Fernilee and Taxal, past the old pump house, has finally reopened. But I hadn’t realised the old building was to completely vanish from the landscape.
Errwood Farm; then & now
Samuel Grimshawe stayed at Errwood Farm to oversee the construction of Errwood Hall in the 1830s. This composite image shows the attractive farmhouse in today’s landscape.
Loveliest of Derbyshire drives
The road through the Goyt valley was described as “one of the loveliest in Derbyshire”. But Mrs Grimshawe once closed it due to the “disgraceful conduct of a char-a-banc party”!
Goyt’s Moss to Taxal
From Derbyshire Bridge in the south to Taxal in the north, this series of ‘then & now’ fades show how the Goyt Valley has changed since the construction of the twin reservoirs.
Goyt’s Lane Shrine
Another little gem from Buxton Museum’s art collection. Most regular visitors to the Valley will recognise this lonely shrine which always seems to be decorated with fresh flowers.
Goyt’s Bridge painting
A wonderful painting of Goyt’s Bridge just discovered in Buxton Museum’s collection. We know the name of the artist – GM Brown – but nothing more, including the date.
Comparing old and new
A wonderful website provides side-by-side views of old Victorian maps with today’s satellite images. It’s fascinating to see how the twin reservoirs completely changed the Goyt Valley landscape.
A winter walk in 1884
The Goyt Valley in winter can be a truly magical place. A poem written in 1884 celebrates a walk from a ‘lone hostel on the barren moor’ which must have been the Cat & Fiddle Inn.
Ode to the Dale o’ Goyt
In previous times the Goyt Valley was known as ‘The Dale of The Goyt’. Written in 1908, this poem describes the natural beauty which inspired poets, writers, photographers and painters.