Ironville & Park Newsletter Local news, events, articles and more. October 2019 Welcome to Issue Number Eleven We hope that you continue to find our village newsletter of interest and enjoy its articles and other contents. If you would like to get in touch please write to the editor - Andy ([email protected])

This Newsletter came to you via “Unicorns,” a local voluntary group celebrating and promoting the rich heritage and culture of our village through social events and effective communication. For further information why not visit our web site: http://unicorns.comli.com/Index.htm

News From Ironville and CODNOR CASTLE EVENTS

Codnor Park Primary School

Open every second Sunday of each month 11am until 3pm

 01773 602936

What a whirlwind summer term we have ALL WELCOME. On offer are guided tours of the castle, had! This half term started with the with refreshments, battle re enactment training with fabulous news that Mrs Grundy, our medieval Team Falchion, children's activities, dressing up Head teacher, had given birth to a beau- costumes and much more. This is a great opportunity to tiful baby girl, Martha Rose. learn more about the history of this very special castle, once Our Year Six pupils have been busy with their transition days in their new visited by kings and the powerful De Grey family who once school as well as completing fabulous lived there. (Sorry no parking). art projects of their choice. Merchandise is also for sale: the Codnor Castle booklet, replica gold noble coins, tea towels, fridge magnets and key rings.

Private booking are available for We have been involved in numerous groups, schools and colleges. external sports events over the last few Please contact the Codnor Castle weeks where our pupils have demon- web page for more details. Link: strated what amazing sportsmen and www.codnorcastle.co.uk women they are, gaining many bronze, Also for more info about the Trust, silver and gold awards. you can log on to our face book page. Our Year One and Two pupils enjoyed a visit around the local area, where they visited the reservoir and local nature reserve and thoroughly enjoyed a day in the great outdoors. Luckily the sun shone too!

If you would like to see any future photo- Team Tree graphs of what our pupils have been up Scarecrow to, please visit our school website: Challenge www.ironvillecodnorpark..sch.uk See page 17 Parish Council Report by Kath Gruber, Parish Clerk Since the last newsletter there have been 3 Parish Council meetings, all of which were well attended by residents who continue to highlight issues to improve the village. In addition, there has been an election which saw:

Your Parish Council Following the election in May some Parish Councillors left the Council and others joined. The current Parish Councillors are: Councillor Pam Cope (Chair); Councillor Liz Holgate (Vice Chair); Councillor Pete Clark; Councillor Rob Tailby; Councillor Rachel Daniel ; Councillor Teresa Bowler; Councillor Rachel Mitchell; Councillor Caroline Gent ; Councillor Paul Smith (also Borough Councillor and Derbyshire County Councillor). The Parish Council welcomes the new Councillors and gives thanks to Jack Brown, Kath Brown, Kath Whitehouse and John Bates for all their hard work as Councillors.

Village Plan The Council will be seeking your views in October to find out what you would like to see in a Village Action Plan. The aims of this Village Plan are to be:  inform what facilities and improvements are required in the village;  inform community groups and voluntary groups about what additional services are wanted in the village;  provide evidence to support funding bids; and  be used to press for improvements in services provided by the County and Borough Council. Two consultation sessions are being arranged – one will be on a weekday evening and another on a Saturday – these will take place sometime in October so please look out for the dates

Improvements to Ironville and Codnor Park  The village annual litter pick went extremely well (5th year) and the Council thanks all those who take part.  The Council’s Smarten our Village initiative continues to aid improvements such as graffiti removal, cleaning of dirty signs, fixing of broken fences and removal of fly tipped items. The Council monitors eyesores that let the village down to ensure they are given time and persistence to get them sorted. If residents notice any issues let your local councillors know.  Volunteers have offered to paint the vintage lamp posts on Station Road  Another successful skip event was held on 12 January 2019

Parish Council Grants: The Parish Council issued the following grants: £300 to Team Tree; £100 to Friends of Belper Parks; £100 to Friends of Ironville & Codnor Park

Christmas in Ironville & Codnor Park The Parish Council continues to improve the look and festiveness of the village at Christmas and has agreed the following:  To purchase a 20 foot tree again  To purchase 4 sets of 100 LED lights and transformers to be put on the trees near the church  To support the Christmas Light switch on 30 November 2019

More discussions will take place at the next Parish Council meeting on 16 September 2019 Defibrillator The Council was successful in securing a grant for a defibrillator, which will be installed shortly with some training on how to use it being arranged.

L to R: Cllr Elizabeth Holgate (Vice Chair), Cllr Teresa Bowler, Cllr Pam Cope (Chair), Cllr Paul Smith, Cllr Rachel Daniel, Cllr Rachel Mitchell, Cllr Rob Tailby, Cllr Caroline Gent & Cllr Pete Clark

Ironville & Codnor Park Community Association

Securing the Future of our local Youth Club There can be few, if any, who have not heard the news that the youth club that has met at the Railway Carriage all these years, has closed. And yes, that is so; but perhaps not every- body is aware as to how and why this has come about. So perhaps a proper explanation of the situation is in order. Some twenty years ago the Community Association obtained the railway carriage as a unique venue for the benefit of the young people of the village to meet socially – in other words a youth club. The Association own and maintain the premises together with the ad- jacent floodlight, hardcore play area. In turn, over the years Derbyshire County Council have leased the premises in order to provide their own programme of youth facilities under the direction of their paid youth workers; but now the Authority, in their so called “wisdom?” have chosen to withdraw support for youth provision, with Ironville being no exception, and that is why the closure has come about. But it’s not all bad news, indeed far from it. The doors of the Carriage are to re-open. YES, there is going to be a youth club, this time under the direct control of the Community Association. Regrettably, because of the necessary procedures that have to be undertaken for this to come about, (the appointment of qualified youth workers, paid by the Associa- tion, being but one important issue,) it will unfortunately take a few weeks before the doors of the Carriage can be flung open again. On a very bright, albeit breezy Thursday evening in mid-August, Pam Cope, Chair of the Community Association, accompanied by colleagues Paul Smith, Andy Cadman and Michael Blount, visited one of the youth club sessions in order to explain to the members exactly why they are being denied the facilities enjoyed for so long, whilst at the same time telling them of the Association’s exciting plans for the future, including retaining the services of the much valued sports worker. By making this approach and having the conversation with the young people they now understand the situation, and as such are more appreciative of what lies ahead for them.

Youth club members listen with a serious interest as Cllr Paul Smith with Michael Blount and Cllr Pam Cope explain how the Community Association plan to keep the Youth Club open in spite of DCC cuts. So YES!! A youth club will “rise again from the ashes”. Derbyshire County Council may no longer have any interest in providing valuable facilities for the young folk of Ironville but the Community Association most certainly do. As soon as everything is in place the opening of the “new” youth club (11 to 18 year olds) will be well advertised and everyone will be made The final session before most welcome. closure - Aug 29th 2019

THE ANVIL CLUB

The Anvil Club is open every evening between 8.00pm and Midnight (Tuesdays & Fridays 7.30pm to 12am - Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 12am) The Anvil Club is the perfect place for your functions. Where you

can celebrate those

special times or hold important meetings. A cosy place, to enjoy a pint of good bitter ale with a welcoming atmosphere. A great place for a game of Pool too. With Your host Maria serving ales clear and

bright. There is a children’s games room too with Pool and Football, tables. Tuesdays & Wednesdays Free Pool Contact Maria McCormack on 01773-689559 or 07816-439881 The Anvil Club, Casson Street, Ironville, Nottingham, NG16 5NN “Brilliant beef Sunday dinner, very tasty and love the homemade Yorkshire puddings brilliant value for money and kids get free ice cream, definitely worth a visit”

in the Church Hall The Crooked Line Club Tues - 7.30-10.00pm Friday - 7.30 pm - 10 pm (every 2nd week on Fri.) ( Daz 07967760065 or Steve 07419323705)

News from the Forge During January, February and most of March until the weather changed we started work on clearing self-set and coppiced trees and bramble from the area above the lake. Thanks to Mick and his friends, Shirley and Taffy this area has been alive with butterflies throughout the spring and summer. Unfortunately early in the year I also broke my ankle and that put the “brakes” on me for a while. In between the regular Sunday work parties there were Thursday work parties too, when we planted 1000 bluebell bulbs, planted alder buckthorn trees for the brimstone butterfly and sowed some wildflower seeds. As a change of activity we put in a pipe to form the basis of a footpath across the stream running down to the lake. Apart from the work on the Forge, Deb and I have been making use of more inclement weather by making jams, chutneys and marmalade for sale at the many dog shows Deb and Mick run and which we also sell at local events like the recent summer festival at the Crossings Club. These sales raise funds for the management and development of The Forge for wildlife, (and humans too). More recently Deb and I have been working on the more legal side of things and have been working on grant funding to improve access to the area. We have so far put in for funding for kissing gates benches and steps and are hopeful this will be granted. © Sharon Lishman Last year we recorded the fourth highest level of butterflies seen on a transect in the whole of Derbyshire including the Clouded Yellow. This year another butterfly has made us their home, the marbled white and on July 25th we saw that the clouded yellow was back courtesy of the very warm weather that came up from the continent.

.STOP PRESS: The Friends of Belper Parks have been successful in securing a grant of £10,000 through the Amber Valley Health Partnership Scheme for access to the Forge site. This will include kissing gates, benches, and notice boards and more. Excellent News for all who visit the Forge.

If you would like to become involved with our work parties on The Forge please ring Sally (074347814165) or Deb(07737699584) to find out when these will be taking place.

Community Transport has been operating in this area for over 30 years offering transport services to the local community. At Derbyshire Community Transport we run services aimed at getting people out and about. All our staff are focussed and passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access transport services which are suitable for their individual needs. Derbyshire Connect The service provides a once-a-week trip to your local supermarket or town centre. The day of the week, time and destination depends on where you live. For Ironville and Codnor Park the service runs every Friday Derbyshire Connect is for people of any age who are unable to use conventional bus services because of mobility difficulties or because they live where bus services may be limited. All our vehicles are wheelchair accessible and Derbyshire Gold Card holders can travel free of charge, the current charge for non-card holders is £3.80 return. Lunch Clubs Passengers are picked up from their home address and taken to a local pub for a meal over the Lunchtime period. The Lunch Club gives passengers an opportunity to get out of their house, meet up with other people to chat and enjoy a meal together. Transport is charged at £5.50 and passengers may spend as much or as little as they like at the venue. Most pubs offer lunchtime special deals or two for one offers. Day Out Trips Once a month we arrange day trips out for our passengers mainly to local places of interest but sometimes further afield. Recent trips have visited: Garden Centres, Shopping Centres, Chatsworth, , Peak District Tours, Trentham Gardens, Burton upon Trent, National Memorial Arboretum Group Transport Group Transport is there to help our community to get out and about. It’s aimed at the voluntary organi- sations, sports clubs, community or faith groups, schools and charities and so on of Derbyshire. The only people who can't book a minibus are commercial organisations and individuals booking for themselves. For more information on all our services our office can be contacted on 01773 746652 Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm or email [email protected]

Produce from the Lock Keeper’s Garden was shared amongst the members at the OAP Community Centre on

th August 6 2019

" Had a lovely time with my son. He loves being outside. All the " Really loved spending time with my daughter. Loved every minute of it!" children had a great time." Kestrels Class First Visit to the Lock Keepers Garden On May 15th Ironville Primary School (Kestrels Class) paid a visit to the ''Lock Keeper's Garden’’ at Lock 4 on our local Cromford Canal. The object of the visit was to sow several different varie- ties of radish and discover which is the best one to grow. Different varieties will yield different results. After 6 weeks the children paid a second visit to harvest their crops and return to school to count, weigh, assess and taste the different varieties. This therefore also becomes a

Science, Food Technology and Maths lesson too. On each visit the children learnt all about the different plants there and how they grow. The history of the canal and local wildlife also formed part of each lesson. The Second visit on July 2nd written up by Kestrels Class We were very excited to grow our own radishes. We planted 9 varieties at the Lock Keeper’s Gar- den with Andy and it only took 6 weeks for them to grow. We harvested them along with some sweet pea, mint and blackcurrants! Here are our results: Variety Length Width Flavour Crunchiness Total (mm) points (mm) (0-5) (0-5) Cherry 38 53 5 5 101 Belle Amethyst 31 27 0 3 61 Mooli 68 33 2 5 108 Icicle 52 20 1 3 76 Sparkler 3 29 28 3 4 64 Scarlet 34 34 0 4 72 Globe French 50 30 0 5 85 Breakfast

Saxa 29 28 0 3 60 Ping Pong 30 34 0 2 66 Conclusion:

The best variety to grow would be Mooli because it scored the most points overall for size, flavour and crunchiness. To improve results next time we could:

Include weight in our final assessment.

By Marie Brown

On August 31st the Cromford Canal & Codnor Park Reservoir Committee celebrated with supporters at the unveiling of the restored Humpy Bridge in Jacksdale. Ice Creams and ribbon cutting finished off the celebrations in style and over 80 people attended.

The project, which at first seemed like a bridge too far, had come together beautifully in under a year and, thanks to the skills of stonemason Robert Shacklock, was completed on schedule. The Aviva Community Fund granted the group just over £14,000 in December last year and little did they know how much this would enable the whole community to come together. Every day Robert was on the bridge, along with his wife Valentina, people would gather to learn about the traditional tools and skills used. Robert gave regular updates on the Facebook page and answered questions from passers by and visitors A TRUE CRAFTSMAN AT WORK Photo: DAVE WILSON who came to see how Humpy was fairing. We also have to say thanks to the resident guard dog Scruffy, who checked in on humpy every day thanks to his owner Ar- thur making sure he took his daily walk along the canal path. There was a little problem at the start of the project with some vandalism but offers of cameras, all night vigils and overnight camping trips by supporters ensured that the work could con- tinue. The pathway has become a beacon for dog walkers as they all changed their walking route to check in daily, some- times very late at night. Photo: Arthur Richards Andrew Moon, Chair of the group said “We could never have imagined what interest this project would create, and we will be forever grateful to Robert and his wife for the work they have put in. It was far and be- yond what we asked of them and it has renewed interest in the area we are trying to care for. We are so grateful for everyone that kept him company and engaged with his craftsmanship and too for everyone that supported the group over the last few months” The group have also installed 2 interpretation boards along the canal and another 2 are being printed ready for installation before Christmas. Trees, plants and flowers have been planted and the area, now completed is going PICTURE OF BOARD by Marie Brown to look fantastic for generations to come. The time capsule, buried in a secret location within the structure of the wall included entries from the competition winners Sophie Roberts, Lottie Hall and included a poem ‘The Ballad of Old Humpy’ which was written by Andrew J Wilshaw, a local supporter. Photograph left: Members of the committee with the Time Capsule competition winners, Sophie and Lottie by Marie Brown The group continue to “make a distinct and measurable impact on the environment and the wildlife”. Pictured below on another cracking volunteer day on 9th May. 80yds of path stoned up. If you would like to get involved or simply get in touch, our contact details are on the bottom right.

Get in Touch: E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: Cromford Canal & Codnor Park Res Instagram: CromfordCanal&CodnorParkRes

The Ballad of Old Humpy by Andrew J Wilshaw

You know, it’s not so long ago They looked at me and laughed You wouldn’t think it these days though. Young Shacklock’s worked his craft! My back was bent, my hat was gone My shoulders rough and lumpy A mockery. A rockery! They’d lost their love for Humpy. They’d scarce recall the years I served Before it went to rot But that’s an old man’s curse, they say; My greatest years - forgot. Seen half a dozen monarchs crowned? Seen empires rise and fall? Seen countryside get lost and found? Old Humpy’s seen ‘em all. I’ve stood astride the water. Helped the Forge-men come and go. Helped the mothers and the daughters. (They’re the grafters too, you know.) Stood sentry all the seasons round Amid the din and smoke. Seen Iron Work - St. Pancras bound And pots come down from Stoke. And then I blinked. And all was gone. No industry, no noise. No need for Humpy then, you see? No jobs left for the boys. Seen waltzes, jigs and jitterbugs? Seen hem lines rise and fall? Seen vandals, thugs and litterbugs? Old Humpy’s seen ‘em all. I watched the foundries turn to dust, The paths get overgrown. Saw junk fill up the water As I stood here all alone. Grew old and cracked, but never frail Shed stones, but never fell. Then one day… workers on the trail. I know their boot sounds well. They came with happy stories. Told me tales of what they’d planned; A return to former glories. Old Humpy, strong and grand! No-one’s years are endless, duck. Old Humpy knows the score But bless my friends, and grant me luck I’ll stand a thousand more. Photo by Mark Anthony The Community Allotment Project It all started when Natasha Taylor had the idea to create a community allotment for the village. This would give the opportunity to families who wish to help grow, take home and eat what’s chosen to be grown. However this project needed the community to help maintain it too. This project is based on voluntary support. Natasha was open to suggestions from the start as she believed the project would be good for the children in the village, teaching them skills and also enabling them to watch their produce grow at the same time a being involved with their families. There's so many benefits - it will contribute to a healthy lifestyle by: providing fresh, safe, affordable vegetables, helping to relieve stress and increase sense of wellness, getting people active, which im- proves overall physical health. Two fund raisings Days were organised to help provide funds for the project on 25th May & 27th July:

£335 £225 raised raised

A season’s Progress . . . Wed. Mornings 10am - 12pm in the Church Hall All you crafters come and join us  Pam 01773 689414 for further details for a morning of crafting of your own choice . . . or why not learn a new one. We enjoy helping each other. We do anything from felting, quilting, crochet, knitting and any other craft that we can think up! Then there’s tea and biscuits and conversation too.

+ Dominoes too

“Tootsies” Footcare - Affordable Footcare

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire and NHS Derbyshire County are working together to offer an affordable, long-term footcare solution for people aged 50+.

th th In Ironville Church Hall, Casson St. on Wednesday 9 Oct. and Wednesday 20 Nov.

To book an appointment please call 01773 766922 (More dates are to follow) Julian's Column

On 21st Sept every year the church remembers St Matthew the Apostle who wrote one of the Gospels. Being a tax collector Matthew was hated by his fellow Jews because not only did he work for the Roman occupying force collecting what was seen as exorbitant taxes, but also tax collectors were notorious for lining their own pockets by collecting for themselves more than was required in tax. But nevertheless, Jesus saw through his outer appearance and called him to be one of his main helpers.

In society today we seem to be very quick to “write someone off” as a bad lot or a trouble maker or condemn them by their outward appearance. But Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus saw an inner goodness in Matthew and gave him a chance, one that paid off.

Perhaps next time that we want to “banish someone to the bin” we take time out and try to see the good in them, or find out what makes them tick. As Jesus himself says: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. Rev. Julian Penfold

Clowns Children's Centre Here we are in the summer term trying our own greens we grew at our nursery. We picked and of course washed, some of our peas and lettuce out of our garden. We took it in turns as groups to try and say what we thought. Our broccoli has nicely grown as well and we tried it a few days later. We spoke about how it is important to keep trying new foods and how broccoli and other vegetables are good for our bodies. If you would like to find out more about the activities we do and are inter- ested in a place for your child please contact the nursery on 01773 540050. We would be happy to show you around so you can see how much fun the children have learning through play. We offer places for children who are eligible for 2 year funding and for all 3 and 4 year olds. News from the Train - Will the last person in the Train please turn out the lights!

Sad times at the Train as all the Derbyshire County Council staff are made redundant and no longer work at the Train. I have enjoyed my 16 years at the Train immensely, I have met some wonderful and interesting people. I have given out lots of support, advice and words of encouragement over the years but I’ve also wiped lots of tears away, sang lots of songs ( loudly and badly) danced ( again badly) and been kicked in the head by the football ( you know who you are ). But I would- n’t have changed any of it for the world! I will miss the loud, busy and noisy sessions, the freezing in winter and boiling in summer in the Train, the 1001 questions asked by young people, the gallons of tea and the mountains of toast I’ve made, and the football on the courts, but most of all I will miss each and every one of the young people whose lives have impacted on mine as much as I have on theirs. Work- ing in Ironville has been a pleasure and I have made memories that will last a lifetime. On a brighter note, the numbers of young people attending the Train have been good, with young people coming from sur- rounding villages to attend the sessions, some have even biked it over 6 miles to come, quite an achievement I think. During the sessions we have talked about keeping safe online, sexting , drugs and alcohol, and with some young people waiting for their GCSE results we have been looking at further education, college, and apprenticeships, we try to give them as much information and support as possible to enable them to make an informed decision about their next step. The Thursday night sports on the courts continued to be popular, again with some young people travelling in from sur- rounding villages to take part. The sessions run by Andy the sports engagement worker from Derby County Community Trust are very well attended, Andy is an excellent worker he has built up great relationships with the lads who play football and as helped to address bullying on the pitch and racism, and he has supported young people with depression and mental health issues. Getting young people to engage in a sporting activity is a challenge in itself, but there are so many positive out- comes from playing sport and we felt it was important to young people in Ironville to have the chance to play football on a weekly basis, the staff at the Train forged very strong links with Derby County Community Trust and appreciated everything they did for us, not just sending us excellent workers but the free tickets to the Derby matches, the tour around Pride Park and the generous festive donations. Sadly at the time of going to press, Andy’s sessions could finish at the end of August. We really hope that this will not be the case as he would be really missed by lots of young people, not just for his footballing skills but just because he was there on the courts every Thursday regardless of the weather always reliable and consistent and that meant a lot to us. I wish for a bright future for all the young people in the village, one where they can receive all the help, advice and support they need to realise their full potential. From - Michelle Goodall

Ironville Strollers The group meets every Thursday morning. On the first Thursday of the month members travel by car in order to enjoy a stroll a little further away from Ironville. and on the third Thursday of the month the stroll is even further afield, travelling by Community Transport vehicle to the designated locality; which means that on the second and fourth Thursday members assemble in Ironville Parish Church for the “local” strolls traversing the footpaths (highways and byways) in and around the village. Strolls are arranged for us to 2 / 21/2 miles distance with due consideration always given to each person’s ability. For more information appertaining to the group, and its programme, please contact Elliott Hughes, email: [email protected] or telephone 01773 540245 © Moray Stewart During August the Strollers paid a visit to one of the new information boards in the village, just past Lock 4 and underneath the railway bridge (See page 10 for further information). “An excellent design, very attrac- tive and informative on the local wildlife.” Local 1919 Celebration Mug a request for help from Giles Penman I am a researcher at the University of Warwick. I am studying First World War British ceramic items which depict Roman and Ancient Greek images. I am currently researching the Ironville and Codnor Park Peace Day Celebration Mug (pictured) produced by the Denby Pottery Company in 1919. I am looking for any photographs of the Peace Day Celebration held in Ironville and Codnor Park on 19th July 1919 and for any family stories relating to this mug presented on the day. Did anyone in your family receive this mug and is it still in your family? I would be very grateful to hear from anyone with any information or photographs of the mug and the Peace Day itself. Please contact the Editor ([email protected]) with any information or photographs. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ironville Post Office Mon - Sat : Open 7am - 8 pm

We are very lucky to have in Sunday: Open 8 am - 2.30pm Ironville our own Post Office  01773 605472 and General Store at the heart of our community. The store not only provides a top class postal service, but also news- papers, magazines and most general household needs.

Above: The children from Ironville & Codnor Park Primary School, Kestrels Class visit our local Post Office. Helping our children to understand and respect money from an early age will help them manage it better when adult. The visit to the Post Office enhanced our children’s financial skills, knowledge and confidence through being actively involved. At a time of high youth unemployment, squeezed wages and rising costs for young adults, having the tools they need make informed financial decisions has never been more important.

What an amazing response to Team Tree’s challenge. Numerous amazing scarecrows sprang up all over our village, receiving praise from far and wide. What a lovely testament to everyone in our community working so hard to make a difference.

Perfect day, fabulous atmosphere and good company. The Crossings Club did a fantastic job with the food and supported Team Tree brilliantly in their fund rais- ing. However, the local community are what count in making this happen too - A big thanks to everyone here too who helped to raise £1236.47. This support will help to light up the village at Christmas! 12th May 2019

Day at Codnor Castle

Phenomenal: that's the only word to describe the Robin Hood-themed open day! Over two hundred arrived on foot to join in a day of colour and fun and living history. Team Falchion, as ever, excelled themselves with a stupendous display of weaponry skills, while their encampment brought the sights and sounds of medieval Codnor back to life. Guided tours were given by Trust Secretary Sheenagh Rothwell and Membership Secretary Dorothy Baxter.

Circa 1970 Taking Care of Our Environment at Ironville & Codnor Park Primary School by Ella Tuxford, Early Years Foundation Stage Co-ordinator

Hello! I hope you are all had a lovely summer and enjoyed the sunshine and warmth! Last term the children in Wrens class began work on a very current topic - our environment. This was met with an enormous amount of passion and intrigue and when we started to research this more the children were fascinat- ed by the facts and ideas of how to help and protect our environment. We started by looking at what our environ- ment can provide for us and explored a range of fruit and vegetables and where they came from. As the topic progressed Wrens looked at the issues our environment is currently facing including plas- tics, people not recycling and littering. The children decided to tackle some of these problems them- selves and through discussions and circle times the children came up with the following ideas. They made their own recycling bin and decorated it for the class, they carried out activities to know what ma- terials were recyclable and which were not, and brought in recyclable mate- rials from home to put in the recycling. As the topic went on the children were becoming much more aware of their surroundings and their environ- ment and during a circle time discussion a child started to talk about the rubbish which was building up outside our school. The children all decided that this was a problem and wanted to help to fix it so they went out litter picking and did a great job of tidying up the environment! The final part of our topic was having fun in our environment, the children loved this and explored lots of different ways to do so. We planted new grass plants in tyres, jumped and had fun in puddles and the rain and went on mini beast hunts where they found lots of different insects. Overall the children had a fantastic time learning about our environment and their passion to help and protect it shone throughout the topic and after it. As a final message from the children please remember to recycle and pick up your rubbish – it is for their future environment after all! As a final message from myself we are looking forward to welcoming all our new children in Wrens class after the summer holidays! If you have not found a school for your child and think you might be interested in Ironville and Codnor Park Primary then please do get in touch.

IRONVILLE NEW CEMETERY - Just recently, the task began of redraw- ing the plan of the New Cemetery. The original was becoming difficult to read and was out of date, with very little research having been carried out since the 1990s. To begin, it seemed a good idea to cross check the Burial Registers from 1934 onwards against the plan and other available records to centralise all information and to determine exactly where eve- ryone is buried. However, it has proved very difficult to find the graves of over 250 people! Can you help us find the resting place of your loved ones, relatives or friends? [Please come along to the Heritage Day on 28th September and help us update the plan] Friends of Cromford Canal (FCC) Update Registered Charity number 1164608 Work Party Report - Spring & Summer 2019 by John Guyler During the Spring and Summer, the Friends of Cromford Canal work parties have been out on all sections of the 14 mile route. Four working days have been lost due to bad weather.

One of the jobs in the Spring was to assist the Waterway Recovery Group (North West) at Sawmills in preparing and laying a new towpath/ footpath on the southern edge of the gauging narrows. This is in preparation for the main towpath being temporally closed in 2021 for rebuilding the northern wall of the narrows. The work we had to do was assist in clearing the narrows of large pieces of stone and the wall of vegetation. The narrows were blocked with a bund at each end with pipes running through to assist in storm water to flow. The equipment was supplied and paid for by the FCC and the billeting arrangements were also organised by the FCC. The following week after the work, a skip was delivered on site and the

FCC cleared all the rubbish unearthed during the project. We had 4 work parties at Cromford / to do further work on Phase 3 of the coir roll project. We transported clay filled bags and coir rolls to different sections where a survey had identified remedial work required. Most of the initial transport was by wheel barrows but we re-floated the work boat and used it to carry 45 clay filled bags and 9 coir rolls, much easier. Altogether we put 26 coir rolls, 60 clay filled bags and numerous steel rods.

In the Ironville area, we have had work parties removing over growing vegeta- tion and litter picking. We went down to Golden Valley on two separate days, cutting back and litter picking from the Eastern Portal of the Butterley Tunnel back towards the Codnor Park Reservoir. Over the two 2 working days we picked eight bags of rubbish. The main task at Ironville has been pulling the Himalayan Balsam from the channel near the Reservoir overspill. The problem we have in doing this job is that we are very restricted with timing and methods of removal because of guide lines from the Canal & River Trust Ecologist. We had groups there over 3 working days and removed a large amount of balsam, some of it very difficult to pull out. Looking at the area four weeks later and the The trouble with Balsam!! Balsam is back with a vengeance. Strimming and litter picking has taken place at the path through from Casson Street to the Pinxton Arm bridge. Cutting back vegetation and litter pick- ing along the whole adopted section from the railway bridge at Lock 5 to the Lock 1 site has taken place. It has been recorded by some of the FCC volunteers who live locally, of damage to the base of fence posts, which is making some sections of the fence liable to become unstable. The suggested cause of this damage is being investigated by the Canal & River Trust. Replacing the posts will probably be a winter job.

At Pinxton Wharf, earlier this year we continued clearing along the opposite bank to the towpath and opening up the area and clearing reeds from the main channel, when we completed at the beginning of April the channel was open all the way from the Wharf and the Boat Inn down to the weir. It was noticed that a Mallard with chicks was able to travel all the way through to the weir. We have since been back at the request of the DCC Ranger to clear newly grown reeds from the channel and clear the vegetation around the weir in preparation of remedial work in September.

More work to do! Since the last FCC work party report, we have picked Reed clearing 17 bags of litter and given 1280 voluntary hours. Just a note about how the FCC works at Ironville, the C&RT do require work to be done to their specific work plan, which varies from season to season, any extra work and methods we wish to do has be approved, that is why some areas may look overgrown.

If you feel you like the idea of the occasional cakes, to go with the tea & coffee provided every week and also enjoy the company of great group of folks, please contact John Barker (work party leader) 01773 760358 or [email protected]

My thanks, to all in the work parties, who sent reports to me. Safer Neighbourhood News

In this edition of the Ironville and Codnor Park newsletter we would like to share with you some advice about parking around schools, as the children are due to start a new year in September. Inconsiderate and irresponsible parking in the area during school pick-up and drop-off times is some- thing which we find causes concern for the local community, and can potentially put the safety of children, and other road users, at risk.

We appreciate that being able to park close to your own property, place of work or the school when drop- ping off or collecting children at peak times is convenient, especially when we lead busy lives and park- ing spaces are limited, but all we ask is to please be considerate to other road users and pedestrians. When parking, please:  Respect the Highway Code, and parking regulations in the area (e.g.. single and double yellow lines, white zig zag lines, double white lines)  Do not block entrances, dropped kerbs or garages  Do not park in a way that would stop someone with a pushchair or wheelchair from using a pave- ment. If they are unable to get past, they have to walk on the road to get around and this puts their safety at risk.  Do not block access for emergency services to get through  If you have a garage or driveway, use the space in front of your garage, and extra driveway spaces as well as the garage.  Leave room for people to get on and off their driveways  Encourage visitors to park in your spaces, and responsibly and considerately

We will be carrying out patrols and if problems are reported to us then both the police and civil enforcement officers from the council will be able to work together to tackle any issues, which would include further visits to the area and enforcement.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Our message is simple, think before you park, be considerate to others, observes the rules and don’t face a fine. We wish all our local youngsters best wishes for the new school year. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us, about this or any other policing issues you may have.

There are a number of ways you can contact us: Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us. Phone – call us on 101. Also, don’t forget you can follow the work of the Safer Neighbourhood policing teams in and around the area on Facebook, www.facebook.com/AlfretonSNormantonPinxtonSomercotesRiddingsSNT or on Twitter, follow @SomercotesSNT. PC Lauren Shurki and PCSOs Kevin Butler, Matt Thompson and Scott Hunt make up the Somercotes and Riddings Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, covering the Somercotes, Swanwick, Ironville, Riddings and

Leabrooks areas. Community Diner - Our Super Kitchen

A place for people to eat a meal: affordably, socially and for environmental benefit. This event takes place in the Church Hall, Casson Street, lronville on Wednesdays between 4pm and 6pm. Adults £4.00 / Children £3.00 / Families £12.00.

Project leaders Tina & Rachel welcome you all to come and dine with us. You can contact Rachel on 07727 141216 to find out more.

Delivery for local pensioners only is available for a small charge of 50p - Ring Tina on 07510 646224

We would like to thank the village and users for their regular support. We would also like to thank Pete and Kristen for their loyal support in helping us to thrive. Also to Jack, Pauline, David, Carol and Jen for stepping in to help whenever needed.

CODNOR PARK Christ Church RESERVOIR Fishing in well

stocked water

 Alan Birks:

07941 824374 Rev Mark Taylor  Eddie Harvey:  01773 833280 07598395679 Rev Julian Penfold

 07932 564888 WATERS EDGE Warden: BURGER BAR David Fearn Drinks, hot and  01773 605447

cold food available. Services: Open Wed - Sun Sunday at 11.00am: Morning Service 7.30am -1 pm

Holy Communion: Angie Harvey: (BCP) at 9.30am, 07899 095758 (2nd Wed. monthly)

Crossings Club Monument Lane

 01773 602346

Bingo (Various Saturdays); Snooker & Pool; Snacks; Licensed Bar; Games Machines; Live Acts & Groups; Breakfasts (Saturday 9am); Free Function Room for those special occasions; Live Sports on Big Screen; Thurs - Food - 5.30pm - 9pm; Band Night (Fri. pm); Sunday - meat and beer draw and a Poker School .

Ironville Church & Church Hall

Christmas Tree Festival

& Bazaar Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December (Trees in place until Wed. 4th December) Display of trees - Lots of stalls, with many offering seasonal gifts - Grand Prize Draw -

Raffles—Tombola - Cakes - Saturday 28th September 2019 -10.00—4.00 Preserves - Refreshments (Hot and cold food) Live Music & much more. For further information, please ring 605447 A CIRCULAR WALK AROUND IRONVILLE (THREE WALKS IN ONE) visiting an historic model village and a medieval castle First a short “potted” history of the area (red numbers in the text link with walk directions, red letters are on the map below): Ironville is possibly Derbyshire’s best example of a mid-nineteenth century model village. The village itself was mainly created between 1834 and 1860 by the Butterley Company to house its iron workers. The model village won much national acclaim, with its large gardens, a rural setting well away from the ironworks and the overall spacious layout compared with other industrial villages. The physical and spiritual welfare of the employees of the Company was reflected not only in the provision of a church and a school by the Company, but also with the provision of a complete range of public services for the village. These included its own gas and water works, a Mechanics' Institute (now Butterley Court and labelled “Club” on the map below) containing an artisans' library and swimming bath. The village in the nineteenth century boasted its very own brewery, a pottery and a brick works. In the twentieth century there was for a time, an oil well producing 400 gallons of oil per day (1921). Much of this model village has now gone, replaced by council terraces in the 1970’s as a result of decisions taken in the late 1960s, when the old Butterley Company folded and the then local authority took over the village. If this had happened in 1978, instead of 1968, the chances are that the model village would have been conserved in some form as happened so happily at nearby Golden Valley. There was little in the King William (1) Street of the 1950s to betray the fact that one was in the twentieth century: gas lights, the Co-op’s horse-drawn milk floats, the original shop fronts in uniform green, the humped-back canal bridge and the original cast-iron street signs together combined to give an air of timelessness. Those who take this walk today will have to decide what to make of a village that is now very much, a combination of de-chimneyed, pebble-dashed Victorian terraces, and stereotyped 1970’s style council housing. A walk around the village, and the old Forge site, in the present day inevitably involves a great deal of what was rather than what is, but it nevertheless remains a place full of interest and whatever changes may have occurred to the fabric, the community spirit that developed in a model village where almost everyone worked for a single employer remains.

Map from1900 (left) showing the Short and medium walks, (see B A page 28). Although many buildings have disappeared and new ones added, the actual route has changed little in over one hundred years. We hope from this map that you will spot the many changes that have taken place over the past fifty years. C

D Vicarage Lane →

E Now “The Park” E Road today) (Called Station

Furnace Row (now long demolished) The axial street of the original village, King William Street, was built in 1834. It has now disappeared com- pletely but the name has been perpetuated in the re-aligned street of the 1970’s development. The houses followed the basic pattern already established in Furnace and Foundry Rows (now long demolished) and were built by local builders at a cost of around £40 each. The bricks were supplied from the Butterley Company’s own brick works which were scattered over its property at this date. The original cast-iron street signs “4” - made, of course, by the Butterley Company - were rescued at the time of demolition and were reinstated after the rebuild to provide at least one real link with the past. The building of the other rows of the original model village followed shortly. Victoria Street “2”, as its name implies, was added in 1837 and the three rows at right-angles to it, The Big Six - A on map (demolished) Albert Street, Tank Street and Meadow Street, had been completed by 1842. The original village was completed by the building of the distinctive ‘Big Six’, a row of three storey houses between Tank and Meadow Street. The ‘Big Six’ (“A” on map) and the oddly named Tank Street (“B” on map) were demolished as part of the 1970s improvement scheme but Albert, Victoria and Meadow Street were retained. Although trimmed of their chimneys and pebble-dashed, they remain recognisably Butterley houses and the Elizabeth Park “3” development with which they were integrated, was designed to harmonise with them. A public house, appropriately called the King William IV, was an integral part of the original street. It initially survived the 1970’s rebuild but has since been demolished. In the 1850s and 1860s the houses around the Market Place - never used as such - were added, but this was the last significant change for a century, for, as mentioned earlier, the village remained an unaltered, if battered, monument to the Industrial Revolution until the late 1960s So what is still here? The much-altered remains of the model village we have already mentioned. The school and church are still there in their original form. Ironville House a grade 2 listed former doctor’s surgery. A grand house built of slag lump circa 1860, remains, as does the first vicarage, the former Mechanics Institute (Now Butterley Court) and the tiny canal-side pottery (1820 - 1865 and “C” on map). Nearby, but still within the parish of Ironville is Codnor Park formally an ancient Deer Park. At the historically renowned Codnor Park Iron Works (demolished in the 1970’s, opencast, landscaped and now a nature reserve, bottom left on 1900 map), cannonballs were made for Waterloo, armour plate & deck beams were made for the very first iron-hulled warships such as The Warrior & The Black Prince (circa 1861). During World War II the works also produced sterns for 57 “Loch” class frigates, and 51 large bridges, each with a 150-foot span, which were used for crossing the Rhine and Italian rivers. In addition, the company manufac- tured tracks for Churchill and Cromwell tanks as well as many other important products for the war effort. Lime Kiln Row (demolished) The first houses in Codnor Park actually built by the Butterley Company in 1802 for workers at the newly built Lime Works. The row of houses was originally called Measham Row, later Lime Kiln Row, and now long demolished. This row was situated near to present day lock 6 - “D” on 1900 map. The ironworks at Codnor Park formed part of the famous Butter- ley Company. During the 19th century the Company became a thriving success. In 1862 there were seven furnaces at Butterley and Codnor Park which produced one-fifth of the total output of iron in Derbyshire. Later in the 19th century the production of ironstone declined locally, but the Company still remained a major force in the iron industry. It was heavily involved in the expansion of the railway industry, by the manufacture of track and wagons at its foundry and engineering works, and the Butterley Company was famously used for the huge arched roof of St Pancras Station in London, one of the wonders of Victorian engineering. Throughout its history the Company was heavily involved with the production of bridges, heavy structural steelwork, mining equipment and machinery, presses, castings and overhead cranes. In the past a walk through the Forge was a spectacular sight with sparks flying when the puddling forge was in full operation. Now only a tiny part of the outer wall bordering the canal re- mains. A whole series of sidings of the Butterley Company’s private railway formerly crisscrossed this area. The keys to the development of Codnor Park were the formation of the Butterley Company, and the opening two years later of the Cromford Canal of which William Jessop was chief engineer. The company began their activities in Codnor Park in 1795 when they leased all the coal rights on the Codnor Park estate from the Rev. Legh Hoskins Master, the absentee owner of the estate. One of the last puddlers at the local Forge. Before the Codnor Park iron works had been constructed, coal and iron stone had been mined in the area for hundreds of years. Records go back to the De Grey family having coal mines in the area in the fifteenth century. In 1599 Thomas Shorter married Elizabeth Bradway, in Heanor Parish Church. Thomas’s address was given as living “at Codnor Park by the Furnace.” Before Ironville Parish Church was constructed Cod- nor Park was an 'extra parochial liberty' referring to the fact that the area did not at that time come under any parish. Couples in those days had to travel as far as Heanor, Eastwood and Alfreton to get married. Codnor Park was once part of the Manor and Castle of Codnor and was mentioned in Domesday Book. Close to the village is one of only two medieval castles retaining its original medieval architecture in the whole of the county of Derbyshire. The only other being in the Peak District. Codnor Castle has a very rich history and the castle site dates back to the 11th century. Castle in 1727 The castle was the home and power base for one of medi- eval England’s most powerful families for 300 years - the De Grey family, also known as the Baron's Grey of Codnor. This medieval fortress was once grand enough to play host to royal visits including that of King Edward II in 1342. The Castle is open to the Public every second Sunday of the month throughout the year. When Channel 4’s Time Team visited they quite literally struck gold. Excavations at Codnor Castle in Derbyshire unearthed a gold coin which presenter Tony Robinson said was one of the most valuable single items ever found on Time Team. Their discoveries revealed far more than anyone ever expected. In the bottom of Codnor Castle’s moat they found a Gold Noble coin which dates back to the time of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt. Their excavations also uncovered the remains of a massive round tower and one of the first drawbridges ever discovered in the programme’s 15 year history. Near to the castle are two well-known local landmarks - the Jessop Memorial & Hall. The monument was built in 1854 by public subscription by Butterley workers as a monument to William Jessop II, son of the founder, who developed the company after the death of his father in 1814. The monument and grounds once upon a time proved to be a popular attraction for Galas, and Sunday school outings and picnics. Whit Monday Band of Hope Fetes were also held there, with local Bands marching through the villages before finally ending up at the monument. The Monument Hall in later years was used as a Rola-Rena. (Look out for the Jessop Memorial, marked “Monument” on the OS map as you pass the castle on the walk) Codnor Park Reservoir 5, built originally to top up the canal is a popular spot for walking and fishing, with good access for disabled anglers, also a haven for a variety of birdlife. The full length of the Canal in Iron- ville is rich in wildlife including protected species like the white clawed crayfish and the water vole. Less than two miles to the west of the reservoir is Swanwick Junction, part of the Midland Railway Trust which commemorates one of the major railway companies of its time. It has a superb collection of steam and diesel locomotives which may be seen powering trains on the line or on display in the museum. The Golden Valley Light Railway (GVLR) and Butterley Park Miniature Railway are based here too. Well worth a visit but not featured on the walks that follow. Three Historic Walks around Ironville & surrounding area (1, 2 or 4 miles fit in with time available, physical ability or individual interests)

As you take the short and medium walks look at the map and text on pages 25 –27.

Start point: War Memorial (grade two listed and made from Cornish granite), Ironville Church, Casson Street, Ironville (car park to rear of church).

From the church use the dropped kerb to cross Casson Street , named after the village’s first vicar.

Continue with the school on your right onto Victoria Street, cross King William Street (1) then cross Victoria Street (2) again using dropped kerbs double back to the telephone box.

Take the wide footpath to Eliza- beth Park (3) and continue to meet the infilled Pinxton Arm of the Cromford canal. Turn left to pass under the low bridge and pass the church on your left. Our route goes through a car park then continues on a well walked path under a foot bridge. Main Route (Long Walk) ©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 030/19

At Codnor Park Reservoir (5) the path turns left. The line of the infilled canal is to the left and was cleared of vegetation in 2018. At the stone bridge which carried the towpath of the Cromford canal over the Pinxton arm turn left. Follow this path for a short distance to Boat Dock Lock. Do no pass under the bridge, take the path up to the road cross the road and turn right onto the footbridge.

Short walk - 1 mile (do not continue across the bridge, see all walks finish below)

Middle and Long walks Continue across the bridge, (looking left as you cross to see the former Pottery C), ignore Parkside Drive then bear left along Vicarage Lane (note the old toll gate post on the right on Coach Road), passing the Crossings Club and Railway Row to Station Road at the far end of Forge Row (6).

Middle Walk - 2 miles Turn left through a gap to the right of the gates (Information about Forge site can be seen to your right just before your pass through the gap), cross the railway bridge then turn immediately left over the metal barrier to follow the rail line on your left. Note the site of the former station from the map, (page 25) “E”.

Pass the site of the long demolished Forge Manager's House down a slope through the wood, then turn left to pass under a rail bridge. Follow the track passing the Lock Keeper's garden and turn left at Lock Cottage, onto Adelaide Walk. See from Butterley Court on next page. N.B. Some short parts of the middle walk are not official public footpaths however, the public are normally permitted to use them., (see page 31) . REMEMBER: Always take care when crossing roads. Long Walk - 4 miles (N.B. You can adapt or start the walks from a point to suit your needs)

Turn right up Station Road which becomes Monument Lane a public bridleway but private road. At the junction look left (Sharon’s corner) to see an information cabinet displaying information about the village.

The climb finally ends at Castle Hill by Codnor No 2 reservoir. Take the track ahead passing a cottage on the left. Views are now to the left into Nottinghamshire, Ratcliffe on Soar power station is straight ahead, a landmark but for how much longer?

Eventually well surfaced track comes in from the right, continue for a few yards then take the stile in the left hedge and walk over to the stone ruins. This is Codnor Castle (see page 27).

Ready to move on? With the castle and Castle Farm (the 17th century farm cottage was built with stone from the castle), behind you head north east dropping down the field to a metal gate, turn right down the track, or follow down the field further where a stile also leads onto the track. Follow the track down hill into the valley with a wood on the left, (site of the former Codnor park Colliery that closed 1853). A gate then leads into scrubby woodland, take the fork right, follow the well walked path to locate a footbridge, use this to cross the railway line. After the bridge it is often a bit messy (muddy). At the foot of the bridge take the left fork then left at the next junction then right to arrive at the canal.

Turn left along the towpath with the reed covered canal on the left and open fields on the right, eventually coming to a newly restored stone bridge. Notice the wildlife Information display to the side before cross- ing, afterwards as you continue look to the other side of the canal to occasionally see segments of brick- work - this is all that remains today of the original ironworks buildings (see page 26 & 27).

The path sweeps gently left. Before passing under a rail bridge, notice the wildlife interpretation board and continue to lock 4 Smiths which has the Lock Keepers garden. At the next stone bridge leave the canal and cross the bridge this is Adelaide Walk and Butterley Court. (At the main entrance on pillars facing the road, see the information cabinets displaying the history of Codnor Park Ironworks and Butterley Court).

From Butterley Court

Walk up the side of Butterley Court on your left then turn right into Parkside Drive with Pottery Cottages on your right, (a “nod” to the past). Turn right again onto the footbridge over the canal.

The area around Butterley Court is where an early settlement was established in Codnor Park circa 1800, consisting of stables (now Leyland House) , a brewery (where Butterley Court now stands), a Pottery (stone bottle factory), operating 1820 to 1865 and a small group of cottages known as the Pottery Yard. Note the former Pottery “C” through the metal gates just past the end of Pottery Cottages.

All walks finish From the footbridge take the tree lined avenue, Cinder Bank back to the church passing Ironville House, (See page 26). Forge Row 6 - The first On your walk 13 cottages were built in look out for the 1809 by the Butterley original cast Company but almost iron street completely rebuilt in signs, 4. This 1863. They were built one can be from a waste slag product found on the as can be seen in a number of examples side of number around the village, with 1 in the present the houses on Forge Row day King being an extant example. William Street.

With thanks to Ken Brockway who put this walk together in association with the editor. The original idea for this walk came from “Local History Trails - No 17 Ironville” published by the Arkwright society in 1975, who have given their kind consent to reproduce the line drawings. Also “Canal Circular Walks - 3 Ironville” published in “Portal” issue 69 (Summer 2019), the journal of Friends of Cromford Canal. Another important source was “Ironville” by Dudley Fowkes ( published in 1984). N.B. This is an abridged version of the walk to fit into this Newsletter, it is hoped to publish an extended eight page version later in the autumn.

Invented in Codnor Park

Pictured below at Codnor Park Wagon Works are the inventors of the first all steel rail- way wagon circa 1922. They got the idea for the seams from baked bean tins! The prototype, a pit tub is illustrated below, George Jowett is shown on the right and Ben Jowett in the centre.

Many thousands were built at the Works for the home and continental markets. Produc- tion had to be maintained on a large scale to meet these various demands. The Compa- ny’s interest in the coal industry required a fleet of many thousands of railway wagons, which were all built at Codnor Park in addition to the large numbers supplied to outside undertakings. Timeline by Bruce Jowett, (son of Ben Jowett, below): 1870’s Sid Jowett (Engineer) laid out ALL Butterley & Codnor Park internal railway lines. These lines connected via sidings to the main line. 1890’s Son George Jowett completes apprenticeship with the company and leaves Codnor Park for Wagon Builders in Earlstown, Lancashire. 1904 George returns to Codnor Park as a junior Foreman. 1920’s Now Senior Foreman, he invents the All Steel Wagon which was patented by the Butterley Company. As a result he was given a large house to rent on Monument Hill. He retires in 1938. 1938 Son Ben Jowett is appointed works Superintendent.

1940 Manager of the M.U .G. shop at Codnor Park making anti-aircraft guns. 1945 Manager of the “Sunshine” department at Codnor Park, making farm machinery in part- nership with Sunshine Harvesters of Australia. Subsequently on closure of the Sunshine department he became site manager for instal- lation of Tonnage oxygen plants- A partnership of Butterley and Air Products, USA. WALK ON WALKING GROUP All of our walks are free of charge and are led by qualified walk leaders. New walkers are always wel- come. There is no need to book - just turn up in sen- sible shoes. Our local walks begin at Jacksdale car park at 10am on Tuesday mornings. We have two levels of walks, one for people who want to walk for the exercise, but cannot cope with stiles etc. This walk lasts 1 hour. The longer walk takes around 2 Visit to see “old humpy” in hours. It’s surprising how many different walks are the process of restoration available from Jacksdale. We have back markers to allow all to walk at their own pace (no fear of being left behind). We are a very sociable group; it is a good way of meeting new friends as you walk and talk. The community centre is open for coffee, tea and snacks on a donation basis for charity when we return. We are always made very welcome and the choice of food is amazing. We also walk on Mondays and Wednesdays from various venues. A programme is available with all venues and meeting points (including post codes for sat navs). Bus trips are organised three times a year. We do not organise walks on these days out, they are just pleasure trips for you to choose to do whatever you prefer.

Our group enjoys walking across the local “Forge Site”. There are two designated rights of way across the site that we use regularly, (see below). However, neither of them connect to a legal right of way (see photographs below). Would the appropriate responsible officer(s) at Derby- shire County Council please get this anomaly sorted and designate the appropriate paths as rights of way, as a matter of urgency. Boardwalk from Forge site – IS NOT a legal right of way

This Footpath across the Forge site IS a Down the lane and over the railway legal right of way. bridge IS NOT a legal right of way. IT This footpath from This footpath connecting Butterley Court IS NOT to the Forge site IS a legal a legal right of way right of way

This footpath following on from the previous photograph

This footpath connects with IS a legal right of way. This leads to the next photograph . . . route over railway bridge which is not! CHRIST CHURCH – CLOCKS By David Fearn

This is a story a pair of CLOCKS – and of what might have been if only………. THE CLOCKS……….Christ Church is home to two historic clocks. The TURRET (TOWER) CLOCK was made in 1841 by II of Derby. On the clock frame is cast the inscription Whitehurst Derby, whilst the brass time wheel bears the engraving Whitehurst Derby AD1841. Before being converted into the present church in the late 1840s, the central, rectangular nave of Christ Church (without its transepts) had been built around 1840/1 by the Butterley Company as its new village school, so it is safe to assume that the clock was made specially for that new build- ing. As there are no records to tell us where it was placed, we can only guess that it would have been somewhere outside overlooking the present main road, but – Could it have been inside? The clock is “double-framed” (sometimes called an “armchair” frame) with a deadbeat escapement. It is set to strike the hours, with a single strike on the half hours, and will run for eight days between windings. Sometime after the consecration of the new church in April 1852, the clock was installed in the tower connected to a dial on the south side. Although the tower was built with apertures for three dials, the experts are of the opinion that the clock movement is probably not powerful enough to drive more than one, and so, in 2019, we still have just that one dial. Old photographs show the clock face - a cast iron skeleton frame, over five feet in diameter and filled with opaque glass - looking very dark and sombre. In the clock room on the third floor of the tower, a substantial wooden cabinet made of pine, on three levels and with a platform and various access hatches, supports and encloses the clock movement. The pendulum, over five feet in length, passes through two levels of the cabinet. In the frame, there are two “trains”, one for the going and one for the striking, which are linked by lines and pulleys to the two weights which travel 24½ feet in a weight shaft through two floors of the tower. The weight for the striking is a large, solid and extremely heavy cylinder of cast iron. It is quite frightening to imagine a line breaking and a runaway happening, but a gaping hole in the clock room floor suggests that this has happened at least once! A series of wire rods and levers transfers the striking mechanism from the clock into the belfry to operate the hammer on the outside of the one and only bell. Church records reveal that there was a restoration of the dial (“painting and gilding”) in 1922 - incidentally, the year electric lighting was installed in church - and electric lighting to the clock face was fitted in January 1946, when the new lights were switched on by Mrs C.E. Hook, wife of the manager of Codnor Park Forge. At the same time, the dial was again reno- vated. Today, the dial is back-lit by bulbs controlled by a 365-day, lunar time clock. At the present time, there are plans to carry out another restoration – painting, glazing and gilding – of the clock dial. The GALLERY CLOCK at the west end of the nave in Christ Church is another historic clock which could possibly date back to the building of the original school in 1841. It is an eight-day, non-striking clock in a wooden case, but, unfortunately, the dial no longer carries its maker’s name and it has long since lost its glass cover. However, it does have one distinguishing feature – a FUSEE movement – which although popular at one time, went out of fashion at the end of the nineteenth century. (Please search Fusee for more information!)

Ironclads, HMS Warrior and Codnor Park Forge (or 'The part our local Forge played in the downfall of Napoleon III 's navy! )

FCC talk in Ironville Church Hall on October 16th at 7.30 pm by Tim Castledine (£2.50)

The talk explains how the development of the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the 19th century brought about a fast response to Napoleon III's (Bonaparte's nephew) naval threat in the 1860's. This was in the form of ironclad battle ships, the first being HMS Warrior. She is now restored and on display in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard alongside HMS Victory and Henry VIII's Mary Rose.

Codnor Park Forge played a significant role in Ironclad development especially with respect to Butterley Bulb deck beams and armour plating. This must have kept HMS Warrior the men very busy particularly as in the 1860's they were also rolling wrought iron for many other projects including St Pancras Station.

The talk also covers the design and construction of Warri- or with particular emphasis on its armour plating, power systems and fighting capability. The fact that she never fired a shot in anger proves that she was, in reality, a formidable deterrent as were the nuclear submarines and 'V' bombers of the 20th century. Puddling at Codnor Park Forge

D - Day and Codnor Park Wagon Works During World War Two, the local Wagon Works was very much involved in supporting the war effort, (See page 25). As the anniversary of D-Day was remembered in June earlier this year, it is also worth remembering here that just one example of the war work at Codnor Park was the production of pon- toons used to support the floating bridge between the offshore Mulberry Har- bour caissons and the shore on Gold and Omaha beaches after D-Day in 1944. As was the case with much of the war work, no one knew what the fabrications were and where they were going, all being revealed as events unfolded.

Bridge pontoons-typical of those used on Omaha & Gold Beaches, D-Day June 6th 1944, (the two left photographs were taken at Codnor Park)

Woodside Farm Nature Reserve Ironville Strollers on a visit to the Reserve In 2018 Derbyshire Wildlife Trust were fortunate to be awarded £43,189 to enhance the access and facilities both for people and wildlife at Woodside Farm Nature Reserve, nr Shipley. Kate Lemon, Erewash Valley Regional Manager explains more “Making our nature reserves a better place for all is a constant ambition at DWT and it is the conversations with our visitors that help us know what to do next. Our work grazing and breeding our own livestock on the reserve is a popular talking point and we like any opportunity to get to know the local people better and talk to them about the work we are doing; hence we were confident that the need for the project was great and the support from the local community high”. People have had relatively unhindered access across the reserve for many years with it lying adjacent to Shipley Country Park and having the Nutbrook trail running right through the middle. Since DWT bought the land in 2010 we have tried to get to know many of their visitors on a personal basis and understand their motiva- tion for visiting and their needs. We strive to provide the very best visitor experience that we can whilst putting the conserva- tion and preservation of wildlife at the heart of all we do. Our aim is to see easy access for all visitors, to connect them with their natural surroundings, to help them interpret what they see and to engage them in the importance of what we do and the need for continual protection of wild spaces and habitats. Woodside Nature Reserve is a popular place with many visitors using existing trails throughout the year. However we knew that many passed through without stopping to enjoy the wildlife around them or connect with the natural environment. We wanted to improve visitor access to more of our land there and create opportunities for people to slow down and enjoy the site. Whilst the majority of our visitors are local, chances to see rarer wildlife such as grey partridge, skylark and a wide range of butterflies and dragonflies brings in those from further afield or with a specialist interest. The WREN funded project had 10 key elements, the first addressing the need for better and more signage around the re- serve. We designed and created new orientation panels to help visitors find their way around and improved signage to draw people off the beaten track to areas of interest such as our wildlife watching pond, bird viewing tower and wildlife garden, giving people the chance to slow down and pause to take in the natural surroundings. We already had some wildlife themed sculptures on the reserve but they were dotted about with no signage and were often overlooked so we commissioned three more and placed them in strategic locations which created a circular trail for visitors to follow and explore the site. We installed benches for rest and quiet contemplation, enhancing our visitor’s mental wellbe- ing and catering for those less physically able. Essential resurfacing works on the most heavily used paths now allow all year round access regardless of physical ability. We changed three stiles to kissing gates to allow better access to our fields and steps up one particularly steep section of path. All our paths have had new way marker signs and main points of interest such as the viewing tower or picnic area are signed and easy to find now. We wanted to create a woodland glade learning area for visitors to enjoy a peaceful forest setting and enhance their wellbe- ing through observation and interaction with wildlife via use of bird and bat boxes, hibernacula for reptiles and mammals and feeding stations for birds and invertebrates. Specialist trail cameras and recording equipment to place in bird boxes were purchased to allow insight into the secret world of wildlife and we have a TV monitor we put out in the covered picnic area to see what is going on in the boxes. This woodland learning area is now being utilised for learning sessions where families take time away from electronic devic- es and other distractions and spend time together learning simple bush-craft skills, cooking over an open fire and assorted natural crafts. We were able to invest in equipment such as a fire pit, Kelly kettles, green woodworking tools, tarpaulins and wet weather gear for all participants too. Much of this work was carried out by specialist contractors but supported by our existing volunteers, made up of many local people. During this project we started a new weekend team, with people of all ages now contributing to the care and upkeep of the reserve and engendering a sense of ownership amongst young people. The funding helped support our dedicated volun- teers by providing essential personal protective equipment and new tools to make their work safer and more effective including a chainsaw, brush- Learning about grasses at Woodside Farm. cutter, bowsaws, loppers, gloves, a first aid kit and other small hand tools A Base line survey before enhancement such as hammers, fencing pliers and wood saws. My visit to Ironville & Codnor Park Primary School (June 2019) by Jordan Clark

Ironville & Codnor Park Primary school asked me to provide the pupils with a full day’s PE lessons of martial arts. For many of the students this was something brand new and gave them an insight to what martial arts is and its many benefits. Everyone at the school from the receptionist to the pupils gave me the warmest welcome and I felt very grateful to be able to showcase and teach my mar- tial arts skill set. During the sessions we covered lots about the background of martial arts, why we do it, the im- portance of when we should and shouldn’t use it, as well as lots of physical techniques such as blocking, kicking and punching. I was extremely impressed with the confidence and attitude of the pupils, as well as the support offered by the teaching staff. Trying something new can often be daunting for children, and unless offered sup- port to try new experiences, they often end up missing out, which leads to feeling low in confidence. Martial Arts is a brilliant vehicle to be used to teach life skills such as respect, discipline, confidence and anti-bullying to name a few. A little background on myself; I’m a 3rd degree black belt in Wado Ryu karate which is a Japanese style. I also hold the rank of 1st de- gree black belt in kickboxing. I run a local club called Benefit Martial Arts & Fitness which have classes in Ripley & Alfreton, starting from the ages of 3. I believe everyone can benefit (pardon the pun) from martial arts, whether it be for improving confidence, fitness, skill, co- ordination, respect or whatever your personal reason is, martial arts can help. I am on a mission to inspire as many people as I can using martial arts, especially the younger generation as these are the peo- ple who I think need it the most in today’s world as well as being the driving force to a more positive happier world to live in. Another goal of mine Is to remove any perceived conception that martial arts is all about violence. Mar- tial arts teach the art of self-control, because when we aren’t in control of ourselves that is when nega- tive actions happen such as getting in a fight etc. Learning the skill of self-control from an early age with help aid a positive development throughout school life all the way into adulthood and the work place. This is why I was so grateful to be given the opportunity to teach in schools and pass this message on to the pupils. Children are the future for the village. I believe my visit shows how dedicated all the staff are at Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School to making sure the pupil’s develop- ment is their main priority. Being a school full of open-minded people, introducing new and exciting things to the pupils will have such a positive impact not only to the pupils themselves but also to Ironville, Codnor Park and surrounding areas. The photographs on this page some of our little ninjas working hard at one of my classes. Apollo 11 by Chris Hook

July 21st was the fiftieth anniversary of the Moon landing by Apollo 11. A few of my friends have asked me some rather odd questions as they had difficulty resolving fact from myth, so I thought I’d provide a few facts that people may be unaware of about the mission:- In 1961 when President Kennedy pledged to ‘land a man on the Moon and re- turn him safely’. At that time America did not have the necessary rocket in place, it had no idea how to achieve this goal and it didn’t even have any astronauts! The Saturn V rocket was (and remains to this day) the most powerful rocket ever built. 90% of its formidable 323Ft length (Taller than Westminster Tower of Big Ben) is fuel. The Saturn V needed to achieve a speed of 7 miles in one second (2520 mph) to break free of Earth’s gravity, the ride for the astronauts was not particularly smooth as the computer controlled guidance system kept swivel- ling the five huge engines in order to maintain their vertical position, a bit like trying to balance a pencil in the upright position on the end of one’s finger. If Michael Collins had failed to remove the Lunar Lander (Eagle) from the body of the last remaining stage of the Saturn V and docket it with the command module (Columbia) the mission would have been aborted. The Apollo 11 patch seen above was altered at the last minute, originally the eagle carried the olive branch in its beak, leaving it’s talons exposed. That was thought to be too threatening, so the branch was moved. Armstrong and Aldrin were separated from Columbia in order to land on the moon leaving Collins to orbit alone. Collins was the only person alive that was able to save the Lunar lander had anything gone wrong but he could do nothing once the Eagle had landed. When Eagle undocked from Columbia the air lock was not fully depressurised, causing Columbia to gently push Eagle away, this caused eagle to fly slightly faster that programmed, a fact Armstrong realised when they were seen to arrive at known craters earlier than they expected. This meant they encountered a very rocky surface with boulders the size of cars, Armstrong also had to fly over an ‘additional’ crater in order to find a smooth surface. The most up to date computer was flying the lander, but by today’s standards there is 20,000 times more computer power in an iphone. There was too much information pouring into its small memory and it ‘crashed’ with a 1202 alarm. It took mission control 16 seconds to realise exactly what the 1202 alarm was, and they overruled the alarm. Armstrong took manual control, it was imperative to land flat as they had to take off vertically. They also had a fixed amount of fuel, Armstrong was us- ing more fuel than anticipated whilst looking for a smooth area. Mission control rules stated that they must abort the landing if fuel became dangerously low. They heard the 60 second fuel warning – followed by the 30 second warning. They landed with 15 seconds of fuel remaining! Eagle had to be as light as possible and many parts were physically shaved in order to lose extra weight. Electrical cables were changed for lighter materials and even the fuel pipes were shaved until they were almost transparent. (Engineers were seen patching up holes that had developed whilst Eagle was on the launch pad). The cabin which held the crew was shaved down to the thick- ness of a can of coke, the astronauts reported that the walls of the cabin physically swelled under the air pressure. Eagle had no seats, the astronauts were strapped to the floor, the door had no outer handle – so if they slammed it they couldn’t get back in! When they did finally sleep in Eagle, Aldrin wrapped himself around the lift off engine on the floor, and Armstrong curled up in the only space remaining, there were no beds or even hammocks - they didn’t sleep well. Armstrong landed the Eagle so gently that the telescopic legs did not fully engage, that’s why the ladder is so far from the moon’s surface, and when you see Armstrong take his first step – it’s actu- ally a jump! Aldrin jumped back up the ladder when he stepped out, just to ensure he could get back in. Before they left the surface they jettisoned anything they didn’t need to bring home . This included space suit back packs, very expensive Hassenbland cameras (the film removed of course) and waste bags – containing astronaut poo! When they set the circuit breakers prior to blast off, they found one switch broken off. N.A.S.A. at- tempted an expensive ‘work around’ in order for the astronauts to by pass the switch. Aldrin was more pragmatic and pushed a felt tip pen in the hole, which enabled the circuit to operate. There was no rescue mission for Armstrong or Aldrin and if they had been stranded on the surface N.A.S.A. were told to cut communications and leave the astronauts to their own devices. They only had a few hours of air supply with them, so asphyxiation would have been the result. N.A.S.A. only really believed the astronauts had a 50:50 chance at a safe landing and return at the first attempt. The government therefore did not insure the crew; they had to do that themselves by signing docu- ments and photo’s for their families to sell. They also had to make out a Will prior to launch. Conspiracy theorists need to ask the Russians if America landed on the moon, for they watched them all the way and would have been the first to release tracking data to prove they hadn’t landed. The footprints on the Moon will remain for thousands of years, the flag, which was blown over by Eagle’s lift off blast, could not be seen from Earth, even if it was still vertical. Pete’s Page by Pete Clark

RED PHONE BOX (Coach Road) this is now all but finished and we plan to put Xmas lights inside the box in December in support of Team Tree’s splendid initiative in the heart of the village. Do please support TEAM TREE who have ‘grown’ to a group of 12 residents, all ladies, who are giving up their own free time to raise funds for more Xmas Lights in our village.

MEADOWS - Our village is blessed with more green open spaces than many villages, a happy legacy of the Butterley Company who built our original village 150 years ago. Meanwhile, in the UK country- side, sadly, the last 70 years has seen a huge reduction in our rich, colourful meadows. This loss is mostly caused by modern efficient farming methods, and housing developments, this progress has had a negative impact on our precious wildlife. In fact 95% of the meadows that existed when I was born have gone.  The impact on bees and butterflies has been huge, about 15 species of butterfly have become extinct, and huge reductions in many of the remaining species. When I was a kid, if you drove through the countryside in the summer your windscreen got covered in insects, not any more. It is therefore so important that all opportunities to create little (and large) patches of ground to help bees and butterflies. Pleased to say that our Borough Council are allowing the creation of a small Wildlife Meadow in our village, allowing butterflies to benefit from the many wildflowers that will grow. Already the difference is enormous. I have surveyed the area, and compared it to the area next to it which is still mowed. Results: - New Meadow area = 120 butterflies (11 species). Mowed area = 19 butterflies (4 species). Enough said!

VILLAGE FLOWER BORDERS “Team Ironville” care for these and have got 2 new ones going this year. These are mostly around the Parkside Drive area, which is the first impres- sion one gets of the village when driving from Ripley direction. We also help the efforts of Victoria St. residents. We get so many positive comments from passers-by and on the Facebook Group, it helps us get out there come rain-or-shine every week of the year. We love doing it and have a good old bit of banter at the same time. New volunteers always welcome including occasional ones.

“Friends of Ironville & Codnor Park”

Collage by Roger Breen. Key: Top Row. Common Blue butterfly, Common Buzzard, Mallard duckling. Centre Row. Lesser Whitethroat, Emperor Dragonfly. Bottom Row. Reed Warbler, Essex Skipper butterfly, Cygnet. All of the photographs were taken locally.

Tues - Crooked Line Club - 7.30-10.00pm Clerk: [email protected]  07595515154 Dancing with Daz just for fun - free door prizes All meetings take place at The Community Room,

Daz 07967760065 or Steve 07419323705

Victoria Crescent, Ironville, starting at 7.00 pm . Wed am - Crafty Crafters & Dominoes (See website: ironvilleparishcouncil.co.uk)

10am - 12pm  Pam 01773 689414 (see page 13 ) Every meeting includes a period for Public Participa-

Wed pm - Community Meals - 4pm to 6pm tion at which local residents are invited to attend- a Social Eating Events - Adults £4.00 / Children £3.00 time allocation of 15 minutes at the beginning of the Rachel & Tina  07727141216 (see page 23)

meeting. The next two meeting dates are:

Thurs - Lauren Monk’s School of Dance th Monday Nov 18 2019 Cllr Pam Cope (Chair) Children’s Ballroom & Latin Classes th 5 .30 - 6.00pm up to 8 yrs ALSO 6 - 6.45 8+yrs Monday Jan 20 2020

Lauren Monks - 07812994066

Thurs - Taekwondo - 7 to 8.30 pm

For all the family - adults and children.

Dave Gregory 01773 609626

Here local residents have the opportunity to meet Cllr Friday - Line Dancing - 7.30 pm - 10 pm Paul Smith - County, Borough, & Parish Councillor Crooked Line every 2nd week with ...... together with Cllr Pam Cope (Parish Councillor) at their surgeries to raise any issues or concern. Daz.  07967760065 & Steve  07419323705

Forthcoming dates:

The Friends of the Cromford Canal Talks:

An Update on Beggarlee Extension at Langley Mill th On Mon 16th September at 7.30pm George Rogers Sat Nov 9 th will update members on the latest situation on the Sat Jan 11 planning application, followed by a Q & A session with George and the Chair.  Cllr Smith: Home: 01773 540345 or 07713 265670

Ironclads, HMS Warrior and Codnor Park Forge for further details. The Surgeries are at the OAP Com- On Mon. 21st Oct. at 7.30pm Tim Castledine investi- munity Centre, Victoria Crescent, Ironville between gates the Forge's part in the downfall of Napoleon 11:15am and 12:15pm III's navy. (See page33) “Picturing the Past” On Mon 18th Nov. starting at 7.30pm FCC Archivist Hugh Potter looks through some recently acquired Victoria Crescent- Bookings  Pam Cope 01773 606454 photographs of the Canal. Mon: Gentle Movement - 10am - 11am The admission charge for talks is (Chair based exercise  Miriam 07937 3495408) £2.50 with a Bar, Raffle & Sales Stand. All Welcome at both talks. Mon: Coffee Morning & Bingo - 11am - 12pm

Tues: Money Bingo 7.30pm - 9pm Bookings Maria McCormack Friday - Prize Bingo 7.30p.m. - 9.00pm 01773-689559 or 07816-439881 (Do come along and join in with these community events)

Ideas and local information, news or events please e-mail:

Andy: [email protected] or text Tracey on 07555584913

This Newsletter has been supported by the D.C.C. Community Leadership Scheme

via Councillor Paul Smith The next issue is due TBC - Deadline TBC The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Unicorns Editorial Team. We also make it clear that we reserve the right to refuse or edit items that are sent in.