1846 Goyt Valley plans

1846 Goyt Valley plans

Above: Fernilee Gunpowder Mill expanded significantly between 1846 and the late 1890s. The trees along the C&HPR track to the right also show that it had been abandoned. The detailed 1846 plans of the valley discovered by Alan Roberts for his research into the...
The two Alexanders

The two Alexanders

Above: Alexander Roos’s original drawing for Errwood Hall from the early 1840s (courtesy of Buxton Museum). Above: A Vanity Fair caricature of Alexander Beresford Hope. Click here to view his Wikipedia entry. Judging by the previous post (click to view),...
A most romantic location

A most romantic location

Above: The entry for Errwood Hall is headed by this fine photo, probably taken in the 1920s. This description of Errwood Hall is taken from a popular coffee-table book, The Derbyshire Country House, by Maxwell Craven and Michael Stanley. There are a few facts that...
Vault correction

Vault correction

Above: The only other photo I’d seen of the vault showed only one cross in the background, which I thought was the main one. Which is why I thought the vault was positioned to the left. Another recently discovered photo (below) has shown just how easy it is to...
Errwood Hall arch

Errwood Hall arch

Above: The arch is clearly visible on the right of this photo. Above: The full photo (click to enlarge). It’s a pity it’s such a poor-quality photocopy. I’d love to be able to track down the original. I recently came across a photo of Errwood Hall...
The Heathers

The Heathers

Above: The four Heather brothers in army uniform (from left): Fred (b.1891), Bert (b.1892), Joseph Harold (b.1893/4) and Arthur Percy (b.1895). Above: The five Heather sisters (clockwise from top left): Florence (Marie’s grandmother), Lily, Winifred, Genevieve...
Taxal Church memorial

Taxal Church memorial

Above: Anne and Samuel Grimshawe’s memorial in Taxal Church. Although it’s usually locked, Taxal Church is well worth a visit if you can get hold of the key. There are some fascinating memorials inside, including one to George II’s ‘Yeaoman of...
The shooting party

The shooting party

Above: Samuel Grimshawe’s cousin, Fredrick Upton Gaskell (circled), pictured in 1883 with members of the annual shooting party. These four very similar photos were among a collection that Gerald Hancock, author of ‘Goyt Valley Romance’, allowed me to...
Grimshawe vault sealed

Grimshawe vault sealed

Above: The Grimshawes’ family cemetery lies above the ruins of their grand country house, Errwood Hall. At one time there was a building to the left, with a vault below, which would have held the coffins of family members (above left). And it...
Samuel’s pseudo bishop

Samuel’s pseudo bishop

Above: The Grimshawe’s Catholic chapel was housed in the top floor turret at Errwood Hall. A light kept burning throughout the night was said to be visible throughout the valley. Above: Click to enlarge the press clipping. My thanks to Mike for sending this...