Junction Arts

https://twitter.com/JunctionArts1/status/668797078081019906 This looks like a load of boxes in the back of a van, but trust me - it's much more than that.  This is the archive of Junction Arts, an arts organisation based in Chesterfield, soon to celebrate its fortieth anniversary.  The papers in the boxes represent decades of highly-regarded (and fondly-remembered) work by …

Mini Explore: ‘Coal not Dole!’

Until the last decade, coal mining was once one of the biggest industries in the East Midlands, especially in Derbyshire which had many mining communities when the industry was at its height. Just a few of months ago, the UK's last deep pit coal mine closed for the last time. Another deep pit mine will close in December (Kellingley, …

Mining the Archives exhibition

If you've been following Clare's posts about the conservation work she's been doing on lead mining related documents, you'll be interested to know that our current exhibition features this project.  You can see how Clare has carried out repairs and we even have some of the pieces of 18th century lead we found tucked away …

A day at the archive issue desk…

Every day the search room staff produce a wide range of documents, differing not only in the information they provide, but also the dates they were created, how and why they were created, how and why they will be used. All documents are collected and returned through the issue desk so we can ensure the …

Bills, bills, bills…

Roger is one of a number of cataloguing volunteers who have been putting a great deal of work into collection D769, deriving from the practice of Taylor Simpson & Mosley, Solicitors, of Derby.  The collection includes a large number of maps which have been listed and available for many years, and an ever larger number of …

Remembering the Second World War

People are now once again wearing their poppies with pride as we remember those who have lost their lives in conflicts fought around the world. One of the Local Studies Library's long standing users, Keith Taylor for over ten years now has dedicated much of his free time to commemorating Derbyshire men who fell during the First and …

Remembering Past Times in Chesterfield

I was delighted when staff at Chesterfield Library invited us to take part in their half-term reminiscence event, promoting the record office and our collections through craft activities with children and young people. So, last Tuesday I loaded up the car with a selection of craft materials, templates of trees, a large bundle of old …