On Eyam Moor (bah 'tat)

Yet another sunny Tuesday, so we must be going for a walk. Simon led us this week and took us for a 7 mile (or so) trip around Eyam - via Bretton and its Clough, Stoke Ford, Leam, then back to the Miners Arms via Eyam Moor - passing Ladywash Mine and Sir William Hill on our way. Makes me thirsty just writing about it!

Here are a few photos of our day.

We started in the car park opposite Eyam Museum which has a weather vane featuring a rat.

Much has been written about Eyam, its history, the plague, the mines etc. The village has also been a source of intellects, scholars, writers and poets. John Nightingale, an author as early as 1350, Anna Seward, a gifted poetess in the 18th century, Rev. Peter Cunningham who wrote verse, Peter Furness known as the Peak Poet, and William Woods the historian as well as Clarence Daniel, a lifelong resident of Eyam who wrote a number of books and left a collection of his work to Eyam Museum.

Further details about Eyam can be found on the village website:  http://www.eyamvillage.org.uk/

On our way to Bretton

Best of friends

Now there's a wonderful sight - but unfortunately it wasn't open

The Barrel Inn in Bretton dates back to 1597. It claims to be the highest pub in Derbyshire.

In about 1830 Bretton had its own foot race – it is reputed that a ram was covered with soft soap to make it slippery and the runners had to catch it as it raced along the road towards Grindleford.

I was trying out my new navigation "toy" - a Garmin Etrex h. I think I switched it on while we were still travelling to Eyam in the car, which may explain why our top speed for this walk was 37.6 mph!

At least Stuart and Steve thought it was amusing

Then to Bretton Clough, where in 1745 the farmers of Eyam drove their cattle to hide them from Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Highlanders who had invaded Derbyshire on their way south.

At Stoke Ford

Above Highlow Brook

On Eyam Moor

Ladywash Mine was a mixed ore mine which exploited the Hucklow edge veins until its closure in 1979. Much of the main buildings are still intact and the shaft, although grid sealed and fenced off, can be clearly seen. Also on the site there is a large boulder pile from which the odd fluorite or calcite specimen can be obtained

On leaving the Moor we followed the track up Sir William Hill. The name Sir William Hill is said to date back to at least 1692, and there are several theories as to the naming of it. Sir William Saville was at that date Lord of the Manor of Eyam, but Sir William Cavendish owned Stoke Hall. The Sir William Hotel was known as The Commercial Hotel until earlier in the last century, but Sir William Bagshawe portrayed on the signboard was not born until 1771. I prefer the rumour that he was the founder of betting on horse races.

Back to Eyam via the alpacas

Stuart explained that on a previous visit he had met an alpaca called "Eric" - could this be him?

Allegedly it is not only sheep that have one in the family

The home of Eyam FC

They play in the Hope Valley Amateur League B Division. Last weekend they lost at home to Calver (1-2) but hope to fare better this weekend (5 March) when they entertain FC United Tideswell. A win would see them improve on their mid-table position.

Then to Eyam Church

"Harry the Umpire" (Harry Bagshaw, 1859-1927) who, at his own request, was buried wearing his umpires' coat and with a cricket ball in one hand.

He was born Henry Bagshaw at Foolow, near Tideswell, Derbyshire, on 1 September 1859, was a celebrated cricketer and umpire. He died on 31 January 1927, aged 67.

Harry Bagshaw played cricket for his home county Derbyshire and for MCC. He first came to the attention of Derbyshire County Cricket Club in 1880, and made his first-class debut in 1888. He played for Derbyshire until 1902.

He was ambidextrous - a left-handed batsman and right-handed medium-paced bowler. In 125 first-class matches he scored 5456 runs scored at an average of 26.1, with a highest score of 127. He took 73 wickets at an average of 29.02 runs per wicket, and held 36 catches.

He achieved even greater fame after he had finished playing, becoming a first-class umpire from 1907-1924 and standing in over 200 matches.

His gravestone incorporates at its apex an upraised hand and single finger - the umpire's signal for 'out' - pointing skywards. At the base of the vertical tombstone are three stumps and a pair of bails being split asunder by a ball which has clearly beaten the bat.

For more details about Harry see - http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DBY/Eyam/HarryBagshaw.html

The famous Celtic Cross dating from around the 8th century

Then off for a welcome pint