Showing Curious and surprising Victorian Derbyshire by Glyn Jones

Derbyshire is a picturesque county - but it has a many a tale to tell. Locals and thousands of visitors often stroll past buildings and landmarks unaware that these were once the focus of intense drama and intrigue. The nineteenth century transformed life in Derbyshire. The rapid growth in urban areas caused much distress as well as prosperity. Drinking led to violence which, in turn, often led to murder. Quaint settlements such as Beeley, Smalldale, Whatstandwell and Brackenfield were not immune. Decisions made by Magistrates give some shocking insights into the plight of some women in Victorian society. There are tales of Napoleonic officers on parole in Chesterfield, a short-lived, but intense, local fascination with velocipedes and many other strange stories. All social classes play their part. The grand Palmer-Morewood family in Alfreton provide a dramatic episode which, literally, assumes international proportions. Events at Wigwell Grange eventually involve the Home Secretary. However, a downtrodden 'Comicle Article' from the desperate 'Yards' area of Chesterfield paints a picture much closer to home. The Vicar of Crich plays a prominent role but, probably, wished that he did not. Glyn Jones ranges over many of the most intriguing and sometimes disreputable aspects of Derbyshire's Victorian past to reveal an unexpected history - amusing, tragic, ironic and occasionally downright shocking!