The Coal Strike of 1912

The Coal Strike of 1912, although only just over a month long, was a breakthrough in terms of the wages of miners. Prior to the Coal Mines Minimum Wage Act, that was passed as a direct result of the strike, miners wages were based on what was known as a price list. These price lists …

On this Day: ‘The Week’s Sports’

From the Alfreton and Belper Journal, 2nd December 1892: The Week's Sports The football shown on Saturday by the different clubs was surprising and goes to show that football (like cricket) is a game upon which you cannot place much confidence as to the results, as the different matches lately played tend to show... ...Last Saturday …

Creepy House: creative models of Wingfield Manor

This week we have delivered the first of our 13 kids activity sessions as part of this year's Summer Reading Challenge. In line with this year's theme, Creepy House, the typically enthusiastic children and just as enthusiastic parents in New Mills and Glossop created some fantastic and eery models of Wingfield Manor. All sessions are …

On This Day: ‘District News’

From the Derby Mercury, 12th October 1881: DISTRICT NEWS CHESTERFIELD Chesterfield was on Saturday night, for the first time, illuminated by the electric light.  The experimental operations proved very successful; and as the Corporation are hopelessly in conflict with the local gas company, it is probable that the electric light will be a permanent institution …

Latest recipe from Clara: Lobster Curry

Lobster Curry Get fresh boiled lobsters and take as much of the meat, spawn, and head as weill be about a pound. Melt a table spoonful of butter in a stew pan, and add to it the lobster and two table spoonfuls of fish curry paste to be had of the oilmen (not powder) and …

Recipes from Clara for the Jubilee

Why not try some of these recipes from Clara's book to help you celebrate the Jubilee this weekend. Here is a recipe for marmalade, keep an eye out for a light sponge cake and ginger beer Orange Marmalade Cut the oranges in two, not throught the poles, but across, then with a spoon scrape out all …

Third recipe from Clara: An excellent recipe for gingerbread

"Two quarts of flour, half a pound of butter, half a pound of sugar rubbed in the flour, with two ounces of Ginger pounded, a little grated lemon peel sweetmeats, a Glass of brandy, one pound & half of treacle - Miss Bilber"  (click image to enlarge) Don't forget to let us know if you try …

Another recipe from Clara’s recipe book: Rabbit Soup

"To four quarts of Water, put a couple of old Rabbitscut into small pieces, the lean part of a neck of mutton, a shank of ham a few Turnips, a bunch of sweet herbs, or [unknown], season it with a very little Mace, Cayenne Pepper. Thicken it with butter and Flour and as much cream …

Early Bakewell Pudding Recipe

Here is the recipe for a Bakewell Pudding discovered in the recipe book of Clara Palmer-Morewood, one time resident of Alfreton Hall. Dated as it is in 1837 it is possibly the first ever documented version of the almond dessert which local legend claims was invented by accident in the 1860s. Why not have a go at making the …

The Female of the Derbyshire Species: A History of Women in Derbyshire

New online exhibition available on our website featuring original archives relating to Derbyshire's women, and heroines, including Florence Nightingale and Joan Waste. Let us know what you think http://bit.ly/oz15DW