iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 7h

Our latest #NewAccession are papers not only of the Tupton Hall estate, but a network of estates throughout Scarsdale from The Hill at North Wingfield to Pratt Hall, Brampton. Owners from Yorkshire became owners moving to Paris. Tupton Hall became Clay Cross Secondary School in 1936.

A table filled with dozens bundles deeds, dating from 1568 to 1892.

0133

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is the library of Frederick Strutt (1843-1909) who bequeathed his entire collection of books on local subjects, including this lovely tourist guide published by William Bemrose & Sons of Derby. #LocalStudies #LocalHistory

Front cover of 'Bemroses’ Guide to Buxton, Castleton, High Peak, Eyam, Dovedale', illustrated with engravings showing scenery.

061

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A 1930s photograph of Ashopton Village and the Ashopton Inn, taken just before they were erased by flooding for Ladybower Reservoir. Work on the dam began in 1935 and continued through WWII. The reservoir now supplies water to Sheffield, Derbyshire, Leicester, and Nottingham. #EYAErased #1930s

Black and white photograph, taken on a road junction, with another road coming in from the left. Down the road on the left hand side are a number of houses and a pub.

1133

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This lion at Chatsworth House has been on duty since 1823 so he deserves a nap. We hope he is having some sweet dreams. Better not wake him to ask though! #PhotoFriday #WorldDreamDay #lion

A stone carved sleeping male lion. His large head and mane rests on his crossed paws.

0162

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Mary Wiltshire and Sue Woore’s ‘Monastic Granges of Derbyshire’ explores how different religious orders utilised gifted land to support their communities, before the dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century changed everything. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #LocalHistory

Front cover of the book ‘Monastic Granges of Derbyshire. A Gazetteer with maps, illustrations and historical notes’, by Mary Wiltshire and Sue Woore. It features a colourful hand drawn plan from 1528, showing various plots of land and a river.

030

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Woodworm and wood weevils can turn any document into a fine mesh of losses, which is why archives have policies and procedures in place - such as quarantining new accessions - to stop pests getting into the stores. #EYAErased #ArchiveConservation

A stack of small paper documents, held open with a glass weight. The paper is riddled with insect damage and impossible to read.

0185

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Did you ever ‘go in luxury and comfort’ on the Blue Buses in and around Willington? This #ModeShift month why not leave the car at home and take the bus? Tailey and George Ltd formed in 1937; they operated their Blue Bus service until the mid-1970s. #Bus

140

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Lead has been mined in Derbyshire since the Romans were here. Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek, this diary from John Naylor, provides a surprisingly readable glimpse of the life of an 18th century lead miner near Bakewell. #LeadMining #18thCentury

Photograph of John Naylor's diary for 19 Apr to 21 May 1790. The 18th century handwriting is quite familiar to the modern eye. Entries include 19 April: Margaret has Been 3 1/2 shifts this week over work; 28 April: walling for Richard Skidmore at Bleakmore at New mine; 30 April Measurd 24 Load 4 dish Eleven Lots 4 Fyths - 1 mear dish; 13 May: Ascension day No mining; 18 May: at mine by ourselves knocking

0126

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Is balancing on a big balloon an easy way to get from London to Paris?? In this caricature, George Woodward was probably depicting the French dancer Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, who danced at the London Opera House in the 1780s. #ModeShift

A coloured drawing on stained paper. It depicts a dancer standing on a balloon; in his right hand he holds a hat with streamers and in his left a moneybag. He stands with his left leg at a right angle. The balloon has a balcony around it upon which are moneybags and a violin.

041

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

When you think of donkeys you often imagine them at the seaside giving rides to children. This one worked in Ripley, belonging to John Wood, landlord of the Albion Inn. Children used to sneak rides on the donkey, which lived in a field behind the pub. #PhotoFriday #ModeShift

A donkey stands with a cart behind. A man with a moustache, dressed in a suit stands by the side. A woman in a white blouse, long dark skirt and large hat stands by the donkey’s head holding the reins, while another lady in a long black silk dress stands by the man’s side.

092

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If #ModeShift month has made you curious about how transport has developed, then have a delve into this fascinating book in our #LocalStudies collection. ‘Carriers & Coachmasters’ shows us how people travelled before the road networks that we have today. #LocalHistory

The cover of the book 'Carriers and coachmasters: trade and travel before the turnpikes' by Dorian Gerhold. The cover shows an engraving by Hogarth of 1747 of a stage coach in an inn yard. A large lady is being helped inside.

0184

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Another #NewAccession from the Women’s Institute collections — this time from Tintwistle! Includes Tintwistle WI Songs, capturing the musical spirit of the group 🎶 Women's Institute

Various typed documents, including one with lyrics of a song.

041

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

If you're looking for a stylish alternative to get about, the archive of Holmes & Co, Royal Carriage Makers, may provide you with inspiration: recordoffice.wordpre... We wouldn't mind going on an office outing in the big carriage! #ModeShift #Victorian #Carriage

Hand painted carriage design for a large open-top horse-drawn carriage that can seat up to seven people. It has two large wheels at the back and two smaller ones at the front and is painted in red and black.

Hand painted carriage design for an enclosed horse-drawn carriage for two people, with the driver sitting at the front, outside. It has been painted in burgundy and black.

Hand painted carriage design for a small open-top horse-drawn carriage for one person, who is also the driver. It has been painted in yellow and black.

Hand painted carriage design for an enclosed horse-drawn carriage which can seat four people inside. It also has three seats on top of the carriage and a seat for the driver. It has been painted in red, green and black.

0154

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

If you’re looking for an unusual form of transport how about a hot air balloon? This one is preparing to wow the crowds at Pimlico Recreation Ground, Ilkeston, in 1907, when it takes off into the air. #PhotoFriday #ModeShift #1900s

A large hot air balloon floats in the air with its basket on the ground. People stand in the basket with a small group standing around them. Behind them stand a massive crowd of spectators waiting for it to lift off.

2121

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Roy Palmer’s ‘The Demolition of Derby’ provides an overview of a how the city evolved over the 20th century, highlighting lost buildings and streets, and their histories. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #EYAErased #Derby #LocalHistory

Cover of the book 'The Demolition of Derby' by Derek Palmer. It features several sepia tinted photo's of old buildings.

092

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This exquisitely produced account of 'The Guards and Batterys in Gibraltar' was an unexpected find in a #NewAccession to the Turbutt family of Ogston collection. #Gibraltar #18thCentury

Highly decorated yellow, red and black table recording number of Guards, Subbs, Serjeants, Corporalls, Drumms, Men, and other military statistics for the various Guards and Batterys in Gibraltar. The document is undated, but may date to the 1730s or 1740s given the reference to G'l Hargraves Regiment. William Hargrave was Colonel of Hargrave's Regiment of Foot 1731-1739 and Governor of Gibraltar 1740-1749.

0102

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If #ModeShift month has made you reach for your bicycle, you could start a cycling diary, like our #ArchiveOfTheWeek from Ashton E. Mosley in 1884. Probably better not to fall off and break the handlebars though! #bicycle #Victorian

Open double page of a lined copybook. The date for each entry is on the left, with the handwritten text on the right. The entry for Tuesday 15 April reads "Bicycled to Derby in the morning, had lunch at Thornhill, came back at 3.30, had a fall in Etwall smashed the handles. After tea went with Arty round the Common. Took the bicycle to R. Woodward's. Very cold, windy and showery."

052

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A curious register entry from 3 June 1923 shows an unrecorded amendment: originally written as Leslie Clare, later altered to Carl. A descendant confirmed in 2023 that “Clare” was correct. The change was likely made by Leslie himself, while he was a churchwarden at Twyford. #EYAErased

Photograph of a baptism register entry with the surname Clare changed to Carl.

042

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

On #NationalDoodleDay why not put pen to paper? Don’t worry if its not quite as ambitious a piece of art as these students in their Still Life Class, at the School of Art, Derby, in the 1890s are aiming for. It’s still fun! #PhotoFriday #art #Victorian

A woman sits on a plinth in a room. Two women and a man face her, each standing in front of an easel as they draw her. The ladies are dressed in white blouses and long black skirts. The man is in a smart suit. The lady on the plinth is dressed in flowing robes.

0122

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This photograph shows why all archives are wary of silverfish, which thrive in damp conditions: most of the image has been devoured, leaving only the linked arms of this - presumably - bride and groom. #EYAErased

The remnants of a black and white photograph, stuck to a piece of card. Silverfish have devoured most of the image, leaving small patches throughout and a central larger patch showing the linked arms of a woman in a white dress and a man in a suit.

0259

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Lumpy Tums, Thar cake, Bakewell Pudding, Sage Derby and Stilton & Beer are just some of Derbyshire’s regional fare explored in this book by food historian Mark Dawson, which is now in our #LocalStudies library. #FoodHistory #LocalHistory

A softback book. The front cover is a photo of a stone built Derbyshire cottage with a thatched roof which was the former Cock and Pynett Inn in Whittington (also known as Revolution House). This is overlaid by the book title, 'Lumpy Tums Derbyshire's Food and Drink', by Mark Dawson. Inset above the title are three smaller photos showing images of Thor (Thar) cake; Derbyshire oatcakes; the iron hanging 'bakestone' in Bakewell Old House Museum.

1110

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This week’s #ArchiveOfTheWeek features the records of John Poyser, Regional Manager for JW Walker Organ Builders. During a long career he tuned, built, repaired, maintained and relocated hundreds of church and chapel organs across Derbyshire.

Features a colour photograph of a man sat in a dinner jacket and a woman in a dress sat at a table and pages of various reports.

191

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Are you doing something fun this Bank Holiday? You could have gone to the Wirksworth Hospital Carnival on the August Bank Holiday in 1936: a whole day of entertainment laid on! #BankHoliday #1930s #Wirksworth

Cover of the programme for Wirksworth Hospital Carnival of Bank Holiday Monday, August 3rd, 1936. It features a black and white image of a court jester.

Typed page from the programme, with the title 'Carnival Day Attractions'. It gives an overview of times and events from 8am to 1.45pm, including the 'Annual Sports Meeting'.

Typed double page of the programme, continuing with events from 2.30pm 9.30pm. The day ends with the 'Carnival Ball in the Town Hall'.

091

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Would it surprise you to find a lion in the Derbyshire village of Bonsall? Well if you were there in 1987 you could - at least as part of this colourful well dressing! #PhotoFriday #EYASurprise #WellDressing #1980s

A colourful well dressing - a picture made out of flowers. It shows a jungle scene with lion, flamingo and giraffe.

0121

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

You can find this delightful guide to Castleton from 1948 in our #LocalStudies library. It has been beautifully illustrated with pen sketches by the Rev. S. J. Heald. #LocalHistory #1940s

Front cover of a pamphlet called 'About Castleton' by Eric S. Evans. It was published by The Kinder Press. The cover is illustrated with pen and ink drawings of various people throughout the ages, such as a knight on horseback, a woman in a Victorian pink dress and a man wearing a 1940s suit, sitting in a armchair, reading a book.

062

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Before smartphones and social media, there were postcards and souvenir pamphlets! Booklets like these 19th-century photographic views of Chatsworth House and Buxton Crescent helped Victorian holidaymakers share memories of their Derbyshire #summer adventures. #DerbyshireHistory

020

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is this little pattern book made by Elizabeth Clark in 1826 with these delightful designs. We can't make up our mind if these are for #lace or #embroidery - what do you think? #textiles #crafts

A small home-made paper-bound book, open, with drawings in pen and ink displayed. The drawings are of floral designs and look like either lace or embroidery patterns for edgings.

081

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Anyone fancy an ice cream? Then why not try making a 1980s recipe from Hayfield Primary School for Lemon Ice Cream Surprise. An ice cream cake with lemon and chocolate? Yes please! 😋 #EYASurprise #HistFood #1980s #IceCream

Cover of the booklet 'Hayfield School Recipe Book'. It features images of various sweet and savoury dishes, drawn in black pen.

Typed recipe with heading 'Lemon Ice Cream Surprise'. It lists ingredients such as egg whites, lemons, sugar and chocolate, as well as instructions for how to make the ice cream.

0103

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

This ginnel between High Street and Back Hills, Bolsover is locally called Surprise View. You can see it suddenly steeply drops away and was a popular spot for sledging in the early 1900s. Good fun as long as someone wasn’t walking up at the same time! #EYASurprise #PhotoFriday

A very narrow passage between stone walls and buildings which suddenly drops away steeply downhill in front of us.

0183

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Summer in Derbyshire means one thing: Wakes weeks and carnivals! Eyam has a long tradition of letting its hair down — and these clips from the 1965 Eyam Carnival prove it! From colourful costumes to community spirit, it’s a brilliant snapshot of village life in full celebration mode. #LocalHistory

041

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Would it surprise you to know we have a collection of Western novels in our #LocalStudies library? Derbyshire is not known for its cowboys, but librarian Geoff Sadler was a fan. Writing under the name Jeff Sadler, we have his novels, drafts and typescripts. Yeehaw! 🤠 #EYASurprise

The cover of the book' Return of Amarillo' by Jeff Sadler. A black horse rears on its hind legs with a cowboy sitting astride being thrown backwards, hat falling off. Another cowboy is in the background having just shot his pistol. The sky and ground are orange.

041

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

This week’s #NewAccession comes from the West Leys Group of Women’s Institutes — a fantastic set of meeting minutes, financial statements, and newsletters charting their community activities over the years.

050

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is a surprise find: a while ago, we found a playing card subbing as a bookmark in a 17th century manor court roll recordoffice.wordpress.com/2016/02/… Any #cartophilists or #ludologists out there who can shed light on its age?

An old 9 of diamonds playing card, with 4 diamonds running vertically along each edge and one diamond in the middle.

2100

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We don't often come across a 12th century seal that still looks so clear and vibrant! It was the seal of William, Earl Ferrers and this deed from 1167 details the sale of a mill and some land from Ralph of Seale to Ralph of Gresley, William's son. #EYASurprise #seal #medieval

Close-up of a dark-red, round, pendant seal. It features a rider on horseback.

A small parchment deed, with text written in black ink. A large pendant seal is attached to the bottom of the deed - it is smooth and red, the reverse side of the first image.

2378

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

With a panoramic view of the Hope Valley, Surprise View just outside Hathersage is well worth a visit. The road surface may look a little different now, but the view is much the same. #PhotoFriday #EYASurprise #PeakDistrict

A dirt track road winding below some cliffs with a charabanc and a early style motor car approaching each other. In front and to the left is a view of rolling hills stretching into the distance.

1113

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This inventory from the late 1910s shows the contents of Elvaston Castle at the time. The many pictures listed seem like a who's who of royals, courtly figures and the Stanhope family. But oh dear - someone has cast doubt on the Gainsborough! #EYASurprise

Typed list entitled 'Tapestry Room'. 170- Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia; 173- James Crichton with a lance; 174- Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I; 175- Sir Walter Raleigh (Zuchero); 241- George, Duke of Buckingham; 176- Philip II of Spain; 171- Henry, Prince of Wales; 152- Portrait of a boy, time of Charles II, in a handsome dress.

Typed list of three other paintings from elsewhere in Elvaston Castle. 325- Sir William Stanhope, aetat 62, 1764, Gainsborough (includes a later added handwritten note 'early work and very inferior, probably a pupil of Gainsborough); 327- Mary Queen of Scots; 328- Earl of Harrington, Lieutenant of Ireland.

083

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Now a spa hotel in the heart of NE Derbyshire, the secrets of the former country mansion known as ‘Southgate House’ and its inhabitants are revealed in this fascinating book. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #LocalHistory #HouseHistory

Front cover of the book 'Southgate House. A Derbyshire country mansion and its inhabitants through the centuries', by Christiane Müller-Hazenbos. It features a newspaper clipping about the house superimposed on a black and white photo of the mansion.

030

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Thank you to @sampopewriter.bsky.social for reminding us that we do have a mention of a total solar eclipse in our archive, in this document written in 1814. Hopefully tonight's near total eclipse will also be "wonderfully sublime"! #eclipse

191

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A #NewAccession from Clowne Parish Council is typical of the difference between the length of most meeting minutes before and after computers - 61 years (1894-1954) in 12 volumes versus just 27 years (1982-2008) in 20 files. #archives

Photograph of a pile of paper on the left, consisting of 20 files of minutes 1982-2008 and a pile of A4 books on the right consisting of 12 volumes of minutes 1894-1954.

093

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is not one of "ours". The Liam McCarthy archive at The east Midlands Oral History Archive includes an interview with Satvinder Rana who hosted BBC Radio Derby's flagship Asian programme "Aaj Kaal" for over 40 years: archives.le.ac.uk/Ca... #SouthAsianHeritage

Screenshot of East Midlands Oral History Archive catalogue entry for the interview with Satvinder Rana on 8 September 2017. It reads: Document Reference Number (Click this to browse the collection catalogue) - EMOHA39/44; Title - Satvinder Rana interviewed by Liam McCarthy, 8 September 2017; Description - Oral history interview with Satvinder Rana, b.1959. Presenter of the Asian programme at BBC Radio Derby. Talks about getting started at Radio Derby as the programme was switched from Hindustani to English in 1981, the lack of support from the station and the way the show helped build the Bhangra revolution.

020

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

At the start of #AfternoonTeaWeek, why not bake yourself a treat by following Clara Palmer-Morewood's 1837 recipe for making a Bakewell Pudding. Our manager explains on our blog how she got on when she had a go and we can all confirm the result was delicious! recordoffice.wordpre... #HistFood

recordoffice.wordpress.com

The Original Bakewell Pudding recipe?

Ask most people to name a dessert from Bakewell and they’ll say Bakewell tart. Now Bakewell tart is delicious – if you’ve never tasted it, it consists of flaked almonds, frangipane, jam and s…

295

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Will you be visiting your local pub on #InternationalBeerDay? If so we hope you have as much fun as these regulars at the Bees Knees Public House, New Mills in 1975. Even the Mayor and Mayoress have popped in for a spot of refreshment. #PhotoFriday #pub #1970s

A black and white photo of a crowded bar with smiling and laughing customers. A man with a mayor's gold chain and a lady with a flower patterned dress sit at the bar while a barman serves drinks.

151

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Why not decorate your bicycle to make cycling to work more fun? You could copy the Rider family from Dronfield's 1900s design. We think they deserved a prize at the Dronfield Fancy Dress and Cycle Parade! #CycleToWorkDay #bicycle #1900s

Black and white photo of an elaborately decorated bicycle, made to look like a white carriage. A small boy and a woman are proudly standing in front of the spectacular bike.

0101

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

‘Tideswell, People and Places, Past and Present’ by Tony Hill shines a spotlight on some of the fascinating people who have lived in Tideswell, as well as highlighting some interesting events in Tideswell’s history. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #LocalHistory

A softback book comprising 170 pages of text and images. The front and back covers are green in colour. On the front cover the title appears in black ink and reads 'Tideswell People and Places Past and Present' below which is an inset collage of images of people and places within the Tideswell area. Below this is the text in black ink with the name of the author which reads 'Tony Hill Tideswell Local History Club'.

040

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Our latest #NewAccession is a book of plans from the 1930s about the county's bridges. This plan features the bridge in Cromford, which literally means 'a ford on a river bend', which was a vital crossing point, linking routes to Starkholmes and Matlock, plus the road to Lea Bridge. #LocalHistory

There are two black and white photos of the complete Cromford Bridge stuck to the left hand side of the plan; one in the top corner and another in the bottom corner. The plan itself (Drawing No. 132) shows the elevation of the bridge above the river. Together with the scale there is a note stating that the County Council are liable for the repair of the structure and 100 yards of approach on each side.

090

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is the Kilburn Methodist Church, which includes this brief history of Methodism in Kilburn, celebrating the centenary of the Church. It tells the story from the first Chapel opening in 1836 through to what was then the present day, and features photos of Preachers and Members.

Inside cover of the booklet, showing a photograph of the façade of the Church, with the title 'The Story of Methodism in Kilburn 1836-1936', above. The author's name, Elizabeth Cooper, is below the photograph , with the printer's name, Tom Brown, under a line at the bottom of the page.

Open double page of the book. The left side features several black and white portraits of various men and the right side is a printed text with the heading 'The Sunday School'.

043

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A throwback to February 1933 to help everyone cool off: snow drifts at Fox House and at the “Surprise” Rocks between Fox House and Hathersage reached a massive 15 feet deep! An incredible Peak District winter scene. #EYASurprise #snow #1930s

Black and white photograph of seven men standing on what looks like a snowy hill, but is actually the top of a very high snow drift.

0101