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Mappleton memories

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

Walks to Mappleton

My family moved to Ashbourne in 1942 when I was 6. My father was the engineer at the Nestle factory in the town and we lived in a big company house on the rising ground to the North of the town. There were two houses - mock Tudor - they are still there though more houses have been built on what were extensive gardens. There were two girls in the other house a little older than me and we went to the same school. We had Wednesday afternoons off school and our passion and delight was country walks. We used to walk regularly to Mappleton, collecting wild flowers along the way and spotting rabbits. I particularly remember the woodlands on the right hand side of the road and the violets in spring and the wood anenomes. I used to think it was a long way to Mappleton - my legs would get tired. One memory I have of our walks is encountering... Read more

Where it All Began!

My great grandfather John Plant (known as Jack) was the grave digger at Mappleton church, St Mary. He married Francoise Chevenia, a coloured lady bought over from Mauritius to work as a maid at the Manor House in Mappleton. They lived at Rose Cottage for about 13 years. Their son, John Frederick (Freddie), was born after the war in 1920. Although Francoise met an early death in 1928 John and Freddie remained at Rose Cottage. Freddie even brought his Yorkshire-born wife to live here. They lived there for several years but were forced to move because the house was to small for their growing family. My mother Patricia was born at Rose Cottage like her father before her, and still to this day feels a sadness at having to leave. One of her earliest memories is of her and her grandfather walking to the Post Office to collect his pension and get some sweets, her weekly treat.
I recently went to stay at the Bed & Breakfast in Mappleton and... Read more

Memories of Derbyshire

An Ashbourne Childhood

My family moved to Ashbourne in 1942 when I was 6. I went to school at what must have been the last of the old "Dame" schools run by an elderly lady called Ethel Hunter. The school was at the top of a big house in Church Street, owned by a dentist: Mr. Bligh. It was a small school, not more than a dozen children and we were all in the one classroom. We used to have Wednesday afternoons off school, Wednesday was half day closing day. This left us free to explore Ashbourne and the surrounding countryside. We walked everywhere and collected wild flowers which we pressed in books. I used to go home for lunch, running up Smith's yard and down again after lunch. One of the charms of Ashbourne - still there, I've been back - are the yards which connected the town with the upper roads - they are quite steep. At the top of Smith's yard... Read more

The 1950s

I was born at the maternity hospital in 1951, we lived at 3 St Oswalds Crescent and my granny and grandad lived close by on Park Road. I attended St Oswalds C of E School - I had a lady head teacher whose name escapes me before moving up to Parkside Juniors - Mr Lawton was Headmaster. We used to play Shrovetide at school but it was banned for beeing too exuberant. Joined the Church Choir - C Daly Atkinson - organist and choimaster. Open air swimming pool, school dinners. Joined the Cubs - was the first cub to get Leaping Wolf at New Scout Hut. We went to Butlins at Skegness in 1958 - first holiday I remember. Shrovetide - with boarded windows, Woolies and Boots next to it, the gingerbread shop, 2 cinemas - the Empire - saw the Incredible Shrinking Man, The Elite. Left in 1963 - going back Saturday with brother Mick to taste the nostalgia.

Mathers of Kniveton

My grandad was Thomas Richard Mather (b 1890) he married Emma Ann Twigg (b 1890 Parwich).  His mother kept the Post Office at Kniveton and was a dressmaker, Esther Mather.  His brothers were blacksmiths and wheelwrights.  His cottage was next to the Red Lion in James Lane.  I have several photos I can share.

Gwen

R. Garey

Sorry Rachel, I am unable to get into the link to contact you - I understand you are interested in Mathers of Kniveton - please try again. Gwen

Kniveton

My ancestor William Bagshaw born 1742 was the Parish Clerk at Kniveton for 30 years. The family lived at The Breck and were farmers, corn dealers and shopkeepers in Kniveton. I would love to hear from anyone who has ancestors around that time and anyone who may have photo's of The Breck or the local shop.
The family also lived at Ridding Park Farm, Kniveton and one of the daughters married a Matthew Beeson.

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