Chair's introduction
Dear Supporter
The joy of volunteering is not just in the help you give to the organisation but in the comradery that develops with other volunteers.
I witnessed this first hand when a group of us assembled in Leeds to start our cycle ride back to Derby along the original route of the North Midland Railway to raise money towards the creative re-use of Wingfield Station to ensure it has a secured sustainable future (see the article in this newsletter).
We had not all met previously, but our common passion for rescuing heritage, the fresh air, and the effort of cycling soon created a bond between us. From very different backgrounds and circumstances we swapped life stories, shared interests and generally egged each other on!
Surprisingly much of the route was along dedicated cycleways and took us past many areas of heritage interest in addition to the station sites we visited. By the end of the ride, on our second day, we felt as if we had been together as a group for years and agreed we had enjoyed every moment.
Not everyone has the time to volunteer. For those that have, I would encourage them to get involved, and, as can be seen from this newsletter, there is much to do. For those that are too busy, you can still assist us by donating via the cycle ride link (see article)
Thank you for your continued support
Yours ever,
Derek Latham, Chair of DHBT
Cover Photo: Alstonefield Hall (September 2022 - Lucy Godfrey)
all change at wingfield station
We've recently appointed Bill Bevan and Rachel Costigan of inHeritage to co-ordinate the public engagement projects at Wingfield Station.
We asked Bill and Rachel some questions about the role:
What interested you in the role?
We are impressed by the work of DHBT and would like the opportunity to work with such a dedicated organisation that has had such a significant impact on the county’s heritage. We both live in Wirksworth so have direct experience of the benefits that restoring historic buildings brings.
Engaging people in local heritage is what we do because we fundamentally feel that the experience and understanding of heritage benefits people – emotionally and intellectually. Wingfield Station is such a wonderful project with great conservation aims and we want to see the importance and stories of the station shared with as many people as possible. We enjoy the challenge of helping people understand the value of unappreciated heritage.
Having worked on various railway heritage projects, such as the DVMWHS, Monsal Trail, Severn Valley Railway and Stockton and Darlington Railway, we are familiar with the human impact that the development of the railways had as part of a global and local transport revolution.
What are you looking forward to doing?
The exciting part about projects like this is the passion people have for the history, and the affection that surfaces for the building. It’s inspiring to work with people who have this sort of enthusiasm, and the different strands of this project gives us lots of opportunities to help people pass on their knowledge, skills and memories.
What will you be doing?
We are currently getting to know who is involved in the project and contacting individuals and groups who said in 2021 they would like to be involved. We will work closely with the local community, including South Wingfield Local History Group, and local railway heritage groups to facilitate community led research, interpretation, guided tours, maintenance and wildlife habitat restoration at the station. Part of our role is to help deliver public events, talks and tours – including a programme of activities to tie in with the completion of construction work in autumn 2023.
We’re going to give students opportunities to be involved in finding out about conservation building works by working with local colleges and universities. Schools will have the chance to find out about their local history. We’ll set up some CPD opportunities for architects through Derbyshire Historic Building Trust’s academy, to help increase understanding of heritage restoration processes.
We’ll be getting Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Broomfield College involved in tending to the patch of land the station is set in, improving it’s benefit for wildlife and visitors.
You can find out a bit more about Rachel and Bill here.
New Volunteer Opportunities
As we launch into the next stage of work at Wingfield Station we are reaching out for help from the local community and beyond, to support us in a number of areas. We’re looking for people who would be willing to help out on site; with tidying up the land around the station for new signage and helping to care for the patch of woodland. It’s a great chance to get out with a team of people and keep active over the winter.
If you prefer something more desk based, we also have some opportunities to get involved with recording oral histories and researching information about the station and the line. It’s a lovely way to get to know your local area better and share reminiscences. Finally, as the restoration work comes to an end in the summer, we would love some friendly faces to help us greet visitors, support our public events and activities and potentially lead our popular guided tours too! You’ll be making people feel welcome and sharing our delight at rescuing this significant building.
Bill and Rachel are currently co-ordinating these roles. Please contact Bill Bevan if you are interested in historical research.
Contact Rachel Costigan for other opportunities and general questions about volunteering.
turning over old stones to uncover new information
Whilst attending a tour of the Station, one of our supporters, Louis, noticed a number of the stones on site had holes in them. He has since gone on to undertake some fascinating research, which confirms that these are in fact stone 'sleeper' blocks!
Used up until the late 1830s, the stone blocks were later replaced with long, wooden sleepers because the individual stones moved and changed the gauge as locos got heavier, causing derailment. As one of the earliest stations, we should, perhaps, not be surprised to find these at Wingfield, as the very early rails would have been laid on them.
The stones were dug out by the contractors, ASBC, when they were excavating next to the retaining wall earlier in the year. It would seem feasible that they had been used as fill, when no longer required on the line.
Our avid researcher then also noticed that on some of the stones, the holes show that the cast iron 'chair' (used to hold the rails in position) would have been fitted diagonally (the others were square). It transpires that this was because the stones were set diagonally or 'diamond-wise', the corners almost touching to form a practically continuous line, to make the four sides of each block more easily accessible for ballasting and maintenance.
The use of traverse timber sleepers was developed by Joseph Locke, Railway Engineer. At the age of 18 he was articled as a pupil engineer to George Stephenson and assisted in the construction of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the Liverpool and Manchester. At the opening of the latter, he was driving the Rocket locomotive, which knocked down and killed the MP William Huskisson. He was not held to blame.
Locke developed the idea of the double headed wrought iron rail in cast iron chairs mounted on wooden transverse sleepers in 1830, which became the norm. This leaves us wondering why the NMR was still using stone bocks for part of the line - maybe they produced a lot excavating Clay Cross Tunnel? However, stone blocks cracked under the weight of heavier trains, and did not retain the gauge as they were not restrained, so were superseded with timber sleepers.
We know that there was a disagreement between Stephenson and Locke over the choice of sleepers. The compromise being; stone sleepers in the cuttings and timber for sleepers on the embankments. George was not prepared to pay for the kyanising (treating the wood with a solution of mercuric chloride to prevent decay) of the timber sleepers. George had a lot of stone available from excavating the tunnels and this way (his way!) reduced the risk of early rot.
Our thanks to Louis Heath for his continued research and interest in the project.
Forthcoming Wingfield Events - Book now to avoid disappointment
Project Update Meeting - 7th November, 7pm - South Wingfield Social Club
Join the project team (including the Project Architect, James Boon, and DHBT Trustees) to hear more about the plans for the next 12 months and ask any questions you may have. Rachel and Bill will also be outlining the volunteering opportunities. All welcome to this FREE event - tea, coffee and cake will be served.
Zoom talk about the Wingfield Station Project - work to date and future plans - via Zoom - 8th January 2pm
Learn more about the project from the comfort of your own home - wherever that may be! Places are free, but please book on via Eventbrite to access the Zoom link.
recent events
Heritage Walk, 16th October - 'From where the stone to building Wingfield Station came'
Many thanks to Tony Wood from the Peak District Mines Historical Society for leading a walk for our supporters.
The heritage walk, which focused on the quarries at Stanton Moor, was inspired by the research that DHBT volunteer, Paul, has been undertaking - looking at where the stone to build Wingfield Station came from.
The group met at Birchover and took a circular route that encompassed some of the industrial and archaeological heritage of the area.
This included the abandoned millstones and the Nine Ladies Bronze Age stone circle. The stone circle, and it’s associated King Stone, are composed of the local Ashover Grit sandstone.
Alstonefield Hall, 25th September 2022
Back in September we spent a wonderful afternoon over the county border in Alstonefield, Staffordshire, exploring Alstonefield Hall.
Many thanks to the distinguished historian and archaeologist, Tom Addyman, for leading the visit.
Tom is advising the restoring owner on the history of the building and was able to share some of his knowledge and findings to date with us today.
The Manor House was built, or rather rebuilt, in 1587 by John Harpur, the son and heir of a wealthy London judge and ancestor of the Harpur Crewes of Calke Abbey.
The Hall gradually went down in status over several centuries until modern times when it was last occupied as a working farm - with only one part of the building used, with the majority of the rooms remaining as they had been for centuries.
The Hall is Grade II* listed and awaits planning consent to undertake a major programme of restoration.
We can’t wait to return following the restoration!
We spotted some possible ritual protection marks - although some think that these could just be wood knots.
Scribed onto the woodwork near to entrance ways, these witches’ marks were used in the belief that they would protect a building and its occupants from evil spirits.
They were particularly common from the mid 16th to the early 18th century. Fear of witches was particularly widespread during this period.
Barlborough Hall, 21st August 2022
The programme of monthly DHBT visits sometimes provides the opportunity to see places not normally accessible. A visit to Barlborough Hall in August was one of these. This little known Elizabethan house is one of the County’s greatest treasures.
The Hall now provides accommodation for the preparatory school for Mount St Marys College, an independent, co-educational, day and boarding school situated at Spinkhill, Derbyshire, founded in 1842 by the Society of Jesus and has owned the Hall since 1939.
The Hall was built by Francis Rodes, a wealthy London Judge.
It is dated 1583 on the porch and 1584 on the over mantle of the chimney piece in the Great Chamber.
Clare Hartwell in her recent revision of the Pevsner ‘Derbyshire’ makes the point that the building is remarkably intact. It was either designed by Robert Smythson (the architect of Hardwick Hall) or by someone influenced by him.
The Trust is indebted to the school’s Head Teacher for allowing the visit during the summer vacation and to the distinguished historian Maxwell Craven MBE who led the visit.
Ogston Hall, 7th August 2022
Many thanks to the owners of Ogston Hall for generously hosting a very interesting visit back in August.
Ogston Hall is a situated at Brackenfield, near Alfreton, and is a Grade II* listed building.
In 1768 William Turbutt altered and extended the house by adding a five-bay south east wing to a design by architect Joseph Pickford.
Further work was done for Thomas Turbutt by TC Hine in 1851, including a five-storey castellated tower.
In the mid-1800s, Gladwin Turbutt (1823–72) arranged for additional modifications.
After World War II, the building was rented to various groups for use as schools and religious worship before going into private ownership.
'resurrection ride' success - leeds to derby Cycle Ride
On Friday 19th August, trustees and supporters of DHBT donned their Lycra and helmets and participated in a two day cycle ride in support of the vital restoration project at Wingfield Station.
The DHBT have used the ride as an opportunity to raise public awareness of and funds for Wingfield Station, near Alfreton, which is possibly the oldest surviving rural railway station in the world. Built in 1839/40, the station is one of sixteen originally along the 'new' North Midland line from Derby to Leeds. Today it's the only one left and - until recently - was nearly derelict. The route is what inspired the cyclists to plan their own 90 mile fundraiser.
The team, including DHBT Chair, Derek Latham, the trustee project lead for Wingfield, Peter Milner, and the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Mike Copestake, set off on Friday morning from the Royal Armouries, Leeds. After 12 miles or so, the group had a quick break at Normanton Station.
From there, the group headed towards Thrunscoe Park for lunch and had an amusing bite to eat alongside a colourful gorilla in the flower park!
Thankfully, the weather was good and the team had a dry ride to their hotel, the Ibis at Barlborough, via the Rother Valley Country Park and Killamarsh Station.
After recharging their batteries (both bike and human ones!), Saturday got off to a fantastic start with a delicious breakfast at Renishaw Hall!
From there, the next destination was, of course, Wingfield Station, but with quick stops at Chesterfield Station and Spital Chapel (a building that DHBT have assisted with - see more here) on the way!
Despite aching muscles, Peter couldn't resist going into 'tour guide mode' at Wingfield and made sure all the riders were up to speed with the urgent repairs that have happened to date, the interesting finds around the old goods platform and what work still needs to be done (and where all the funds from this event will be spent!).
Thanks, at this point, must go to Tony Edwards and Ben Milner. Tony has recently started volunteering with the DHBT and played a critical role with the ride, by organising most of the logistics and driving the support van. Peter would not have been able to participate without Ben coming along too.
With weary legs, from Wingfield it was on to the final destination - Derby Station and the Brunswick Inn for a much needed pint!
We're very grateful to everyone who supported the riders - some of whom hadn't been on a bicycle for over 40 years - with a donation. To date, the ride has raised an amazing £15,000. It isn't too late to donate here. We'd love to be able to reach our target of £20,000 to help secure the longevity of this internationally significant building. Every penny raised will directly go towards the project.
Take a look at the range of ways in which you can support Wingfield and the DHBT here.
Read Peter Milner's review of the ride, for a fascinating account of the event from a cyclist's perspective!
forthcoming events
Cromford Canal - Heritage Walk - 6th Nov, 2pm
The Cromford Canal is one of the most picturesque elements of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, as it slowly meanders from Cromford Wharf along to High Peak Junction and across the Derwent Aqueduct towards Whatstandwell and Ambergate.
The DHBT presents a walking tour along this section of the canal with an exploration of the built heritage of this unique inland waterway, intertwined with the story of how and why it was built.
The walking tour will take around two hours and will cover the distance of about 3 miles, stopping off at the recently restored Aqueduct Cottage.
The tour will set off from the car park near Cromford Wharf at 2pm and should take around 2 hours to complete. There is Pay & Display car parking at this location.
'Gentry Violence in Wirksworth' - 11th December, 2pm (via Zoom)
Barry Joyce MBE, one half of the 'Architectural Oddities' duo will present Episode 3: 'Gentry Violence in Wirksworth', which is a short pre-recorded film.
The film tells of the goings-on of the man who built the 1631 house at the bottom of Greenhill in Wirksworth, restored by the DHBT in the 1980s, and of the turbulent times in which he lived. A particularly scandalous part of the story is his unholy relationship with the rapacious Vicar of St.Mary's Wirksworth.
Barry will present the film and take live questions afterwards.
Save the date
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, to be performed as a DHBT fundraiser. Location TBC - Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December.
Francis Thompson: Architect of Stations and Station-style Cottages
An article researched and written by DHBT volunteer, Paul Thompson.
Having been overseas for the best part of two and a half years due to the pandemic, I’m still catching up with the reading of various society publications. One in particular caught my attention, in the Midland Railway Society journal, winter 2020, and inspired the writing of this article. It was entitled “John Loudon and Francis Thompson” and explained that Loudon had invited Thompson to submit cottage designs for his “Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture and Furniture” (1846) based upon his North Midland Railway station designs. Thompson submitted four cottage designs including one based on Wingfield Station shown below. There were two variants in the design, one with and one without an additional bed-room floor. The floor plan also contained a separate building to the rear (not shown) which included a piggery, cow house, coal room, privy, liquid manure tank, and a dairy.
Thompson’s three other cottage designs were for Ambergate, Belper and Eckington and these are shown below, right, compared to the actual stations, left, as depicted in Samuel Russell’s lithographs kindly provided to me by Dave Harris of the Midland Railway Society.
Seeing this begs the question whether any of Thompson’s cottage designs were ever built and, as far as I’m aware, this is not known. The other question that came to my mind was what happened to Thompson’s Ambergate, Belper and Eckington stations. Again, with help from Dave Harris of the Midland Railway Society, I have tried to answer this question.
All of them were either rebuilt, or repurposed or demolished within 40 years.
Thompson’s Ambergate Station survived the least time in its original form and was rebuilt in 1863 when the station was relocated from the north junction to the south junction. Interestingly, at the urging of Sir James Paxton, parts of Thompson’s station were used in the building of the new station and the southern end of the new station especially bears a striking resemblance to the original station (see below).
However, the plan view of the two buildings was quite different with the original having an oblong shape and the rebuilt station of 1863 having a triangular shape.
Although Ambergate survived the least time in its original form, in its 1863 rebuilt form it survived the longest time and was only demolished in 1971. When Ambergate’s perhaps most famous station, the triangular station, was built in 1876, the 1863 rebuilt station had become the Midland Railway Estate Agent’s plan store. Perhaps had DHBT been formed a few years sooner, the 1863 rebuilt station could have been saved?
Thompson’s Belper Station survived the longest time fulfilling its original purpose and was only repurposed as a goods station when the passenger station at Belper was relocated to a more convenient location for the town, to the north, in 1878. Ordnance survey maps show that, as a goods station, Thompson’s station perhaps survived until the 1920s (see below) but an aerial photograph shows it had certainly been demolished by 1931. Surely, with it surviving into the twentieth century, there must be a photograph of Thompson’s Belper Station somewhere?
Thompson’s Eckington Station survived until 1874 and appears to have been demolished at this time and was neither rebuilt in the same style nor repurposed. It’s only claim to fame is that it appeared in a French publication from the mid-1840s alongside Slough and Reading for some strange reason. This publication contained front, rear and side profiles of the station and these are shown below in a “repaired” form:
bonsall field barn project
The Bonsall Field Barn Project has received a private donation to restore two field barns on Horsedale, Bonsall. One will become an outdoor classroom in the summer for the village children to learn about wildflowers, insects and eco-systems. A floor will be put in the hay loft for children to play in and store equipment, and the ground floor will be used by cattle as a shelter during the winter months.
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