Clowne memories
Here are memories of Clowne and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Clowne or a Clowne photo.
Mill Street Clowne. 1950
The gentleman pushing a cart in the foreground of this picture is my grandfather, Ernest Pearce (1895-1970). The cart was used to transport bundles of sticks that he cut for sale as firewood. They were sold for 4d a bundle. This was used to supplement his wages when he was a miner and later, as in the photo, during his retirement.
The history of wood cutting in the family goes back to his father, James Herbert Pearce, who used to lease a plot of land at Whitwell Woods and cut wood for sale from his horse and cart.
Grandad was a sniper in the First World War. He was very lucky as he was shot in the head! We were allowed to feel the metal plate that had been inserted to treat the injury. This is incredible when you consider that there was no modern surgical techniques or antibiotics at that time.
Before the Great War grandad used to play football for Sheffield United. He often walked... Read more
Memories of Derbyshire
Barlborough Hall
I have been told that my Great Uncle or Great-great uncle worked as head gardener at the Hall in the 1800s. They were both called Robert Holdgate so I am not sure which uncle it was.
A Treasured Link To My Family
It is with a great sense of humility that I am now able to share a connection to others who have memories of Barlborough Hall. Geneological data regarding my Mother's family revealed that I am a direct descendant of Justice Francis Rodes, who built Barlborough Hall.
Four generations later, in about 1695, Charles Rodes, grandson of Sir Francis Rodes (d.1645) who was grandson of Justice Rodes, emigrated to Virginia (United States) where he settled and married. Through more generations, and at the time of the War of 1812, our Rodes family finally settled in what is now West Virginia. My Mother is Mary Elizabeth Rodes.
You may be interested to know that, at least according to my data, Justice Francis Rodes is a descendant of Gerard de Rodes, of Horn Castle in Lincolnshire in the 12th Century. 7 generations later, (Justice) Francis Rodes was born to John Rodes of Stavely Woodthorpe. John Rodes was the High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
While I did not do this research myself,... Read more
Barlborough Hall
I was a pupil at Barlborough Hall School from Jan 1955 to July 1959. I then went to the senior school, Mount St Mary's, just a couple of miles away, until July 1965. Just above the main entrance is a small rectangular hole. Just behind this is a secret room called a priests hidey hole where a person could hide. The Rhodes family were secretly Catholics and had a live-in Jesuit priest. If Jesuit priests were captured they were executed such as Edmund Campion, as well as Wright and Pole. From this hole you have an excellent view of the main drive to get sufficient warning of trops approaching. This gave time for the priest to enter the very small room. The entrance was covered by a flagstone and on top of this a large chest. There was no evidence of a priest ever being discovered there, otherwise the Rhodes family would probably have been dispossessed.
Beightonfield Priory
My father, who died in 1985, was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire. Recently I was going through some of his old papers, and I found a clipping from a newspaper. It is an advertisement for the sale by auction of Beightonfield Priory, Barlborough, Derbyshire, on April 23, 1968 at the Law Society's Hall, 8 Campo Lane Sheffield. The solicitors are Broomhead Wightman & Reed, George St Sheffield 1, and the auctioneers are Henry Spencer & Sons. My father's name is Anthony Hugh Winfield, and I am his daughter, Rev. Wanda Winfield. He moved to Canada in 1950 and I was born & raised here, and still live in Ontario. I have no idea why this property was significant to him. Can anyone provide some information?
Barlborough Hall (School)
Barlborough Hall School celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, and I am trying to collect memories of anyone who has had an association with the school during this time. The parents' association then hope to publish a collection of the memories to raise funds for the school, and all the memories collected will be used as a unique educational resource for present and future pupils. If you can help, there is a special email address - bhsmemories@hotmail.co.uk. This is a celebration, so we are looking for memories that help to celebrate the school. IF you think you can help, please get in touch.
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- Rhydyfelin, Mid Glamorgan
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- Chedworth, Gloucestershire
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