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Belper memories

Here are memories of Belper and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Belper or a Belper photo.

Belper

Herbert Strutt School c1955
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The Whiskin family lived in Belper until 1903.  (William Whiskin-Jane Sharp)

Memories of Derbyshire

Holbrook Maternity Hospital

Today in 2010, I am researching information for my daughter who will be 50 on October 2nd 2010. She was born in Holbrook Maternity Hospital. At the time of her birth my wife and I lived in Peet Street, off Uttoxeter Road in Derby. Since my daughter (Susan) was our first born, NHS determined that she be delivered "in a hospital." I do not know to this day how Holbrook was the hospital of choice, but then again bureaucracy has its own way of doing things. On October 1 we had to contact Derby Ambulance Service for transportation to Holbrook. Since I had no independent transportation I had to leave my wife in Hiolbrook so I could get a ride back to Derby with the ambulance crew. I knew Trent Motor had a bus route to Holbrook but I also knew it was infrequent. At the time I worked for Rolls-Royce and I was friendly with a Mr. Tony Slater who lived in Duffield Bank House. He... Read more

Foggy Night

My first daughter was born in Holbrook Jan 1958. The doctor I was registered with was in Somercotes, Derbyshire, but I lived in Westwood, Nottinghamshire. Problem at 11 oclock at night, I went into labour and called for the ambulance. The Derbyshire service could not pick me up as I was living in Notts.11 30 on a cold thick foggy night I was picked up by a Notts ambulance to be taken to Holbrook. Problem was, the driver had not been there before and was totally lost and I wonder if any residents remember being woken up to give directions to the hospital? I did get there eventually. Also to any ladies who were in the hospital, our theme song was 'April Love'. Sylvia

Return of The Native

I am now 63 but it wasn't till a couple of years ago that looking at my BC I actually took in that I was born at the Holbrook Maternity Home June 30th 1947. I'd always put down Belper as my place of birth as I'd only glanced at the BC which showed Belper Road as the address of the Maternity Home, which throughout my adult life had been good enough for me...until now that is. So last year I made up my mind that I was going to go to this Holbrook, the place which I had never heard of nor as said had it previously registered with me but where in fact I was born. I currently live in Kent so it was not going to be a 30-min drive away but curiosity meant that a diversion was called for on my next trip north. Holbrook is one of those places which are a cross between a small town and a large village, a Villown or a... Read more

Purchase

Seeing an advert for sale of The Old School Lower Hartshay began an exciting voyage of discovery. 1884 now anchors my hold on local history and family research. Many have been the times when passers by have been invited in and have been told stories of their school days and life in the village. Prompted by these we began monthly meeting collecting data to publish "HARTSHAY HISTORICAL" which, yes, became histerical at times! Having repaid the loan from Derbyshire County Council and made a donation to Friends of Ripley Hospital I was persuaded to have even more copies printed and now intend to renew interest using data I have continued to gather over the intervening years. My intention is to make it available to be tapped into, by those with an personal interest. To this end I would like to store family histories on individual sites to be made into distict C.D.s which could be available for future generations to access and add to. There is a B.&... Read more

My Time in Little Eaton

I was born in Derby but lived in Little Eaton from 1959 to 1974 when we moved to Morley. My mother is Mrs Ruth Howe, nee Humphries, my father was Mr Ronald Humphries, now sadly passed away in 1965 and he is buried in the churchyard.We lived at 5 Barley Close. My father was manager of the local football team in 1961. If anyone can remember me, or has any photos of the football team from then, please contact me by email at: williamhumphries193@btinternet.com or telephone me on 01246 853752. Thank you.

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