Matlock Bath, Royal Cumberland Cavern c.1955

Photo ref: M47042

in the early 60s I was a guide down here, based in the shed at the entrance I would take parties down using Tilley lamps by then but had to clean the glass after every trip, I lived at Southlands North Parade and loved every part of growing up in Matlock Bath, selling programmes for the illuminations, being involved setting up the set pieces and lighting and in the firework displays and listening to Remo Tinti. many more memories still there

I remember the cabin at the entrance to to show cave with a stag's head over the door. I used to cut candles in half for the guide and put them in candle holders for the tourists. Sometimes I would go down to Jacobs well at the bottom of the cave and wait for the tourists to come down and give them half a candle to get back out with. I used to get a bottle of ice-cream soda and a packet of smiths crips as ...see more