Celebrated local author Alan Garner has published a new book with a chapter explaining the dark background to his award-winning ‘Thursbitch’ novel and its links to the John Turner memorial stone.
Valley of the Demons
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Topic tags: Books & booklets...
Hot off the press!
After years of collecting photos and stories for this website, my book ‘Errwood Hall & the Drowned Hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge’ has arrived from the printers – 52 full-colour pages of photos and maps.
Ranger records #2
With the deadline fast approaching, I’ve managed to complete the final batch of scans of the records kept at Derbyshire Bridge Rangers’ hut – some 88 pages in two folders.
Ranger records #1
I’ve finally made a start on scanning a fascinating collection of photos and documents which were once displayed in the Derbyshire Bridge Rangers’ hut. Here’s the first batch…
Goyt Recollections part III
The final part of Crichton Porteous’s ‘Goyt Recollections’ provides a fascinating picture of the valley in the mid 1950s, describing the area all the way from Goyt’s Bridge to Taxal.
Goyt Recollections part II
In part two of Crichton Porteous’s ‘Goyt Recollections’, he writes about Errwood Hall, the hill-top graveyard and the coal mine. He also talks to an old estate worker about the Grimshawe sisters.
Goyt Recollections part I
Crichton Porteous was known as ‘the Thomas Hardy of Derbyshire’. This is the first of three parts reproducing a chapter from his popular 1954 book, Peakland, and titled ‘Goyt Recollections’.
A ghostly encounter
A brief extract from a 1963 book includes a report of a ghostly encounter at Errwood Hall: “It beckoned with its long arms to me, and, pointing up the path, it ran with its hollow eyes holding me spell-bound”.
A most romantic location
A description of Errwood Hall in a popular coffee-table book says it’s “probably the most romantic location in Derbyshire”. It contains some fascinating details, but quite a few inaccuracies.
Pictures in colour
I recently came across a book called ‘Pictures in Colour of Buxton and the Peak District’. Published in the early 1900s, it includes three photos taken in and around the Goyt Valley.
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.
‘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.
‘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.
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.
Goyt Valley booklet
Published in the late 1970s, this pocket guide to the Goyt Valley contains some fascinating information, with topics ranging from rock formations to the Chilworth Gunpowder Mill.
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.
The mushroom cloud
“Machinery was twisted into all shapes and huge beams splintered. Pieces of iron had been thrown high up on the hills and one piece of machinery weighing well over a ton was flung into the water.”
The John Turner Stone
A mile or two southwest of Jenkin Chapel stands an intriguing stone memorial to John Turner. But who was the mysterious lady who left a single footprint beside his frozen body?
Castedge Coal Mine
Old OS maps show a ‘Coal Pit’ between Errwood Hall and Castedge Farmhouse. The entrance to the mine has long since been blocked and is now covered by thick undergrowth.
The Moon of Gomrath
The Morrigan captures Colin and imprisons him in Errwood Hall, which her magic restores into a building, which except in moonlight teleports into a lightless magic realm.
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.”