Also, if you are planning on attending with a large number of friends, it would be worth checking with us in advance about car parking availability.
Sunday 28th April – Heritage Walk: the Matlock Cable Tramway.
Leader: Paul Chandler.
This is an ALL DAY walk. Meet at Darley Bridge car park and picnic site on the B5057 (grid ref SK270622, nearest postcode DE4 2JY), on the B5057 just before the Square & Compass Inn if you are coming from the A6.
Party size is limited to 15. For meeting time, further details or to book your place(s), please contact Paul Chandler, either by email:
meets@pdmhs.com or phone: 07908 607513 (Mobile/Text is best).
This is a relatively easy walk, with a total length of 7.51 miles. There is one gradual ascent to Farley Moor, and a steep, becoming more gradual descent into Matlock. Finally, nice and flat back to Darley Bridge! Enroute, paths, field paths, tracks, a few stiles, woodland, pavements, steep steps, tarmac roads – quite a variety!
Matlock once had a cable tramway, similar to the one still operational in San Francisco. On our arrival in Matlock, we will walk the full route of the tramway from Matlock Bank down to Crown Square, viewing an unusual shaped stone building & picturesque tram shelter (both associated with the tramway). Paul will be bringing copies of two amazing photographs showing the operational tramway, plus an informative article!
Other features of interest on this walk are two old mills (both in use, but not working), Warney Mill and Dakeyne Flax Mill. The Dakeyne brothers are perhaps best known as the inventors of the disc engine which was installed in the 1830s beneath Bateman’s House in Lathkill Dale. There is also a short, gritstone mine level to explore.
The walk route is as follows: Darley Bridge – Two Dales – Ladygrove – Farley Moor – Hurker Wood – MATLOCK – Derwent Valley Heritage Way – Darley Bridge. Distance: 7.51 miles.
A packed lunch & drink is optional, as various food outlets are available in Matlock, where lunch is planned. Bring usual walking equipment, a torch (optional) & camera. A copy of the walk route map is available from Paul on request. Dogs must be kept on leads. Optional drink after walk at the Square & Compass Inn, Darley Bridge.
The walk will be repeated for Society members who are unable to attend on this date.
More information about the Dakeyne engine can be found in PDMHS Newsletter No. 140, October 2011 – Book Review “The Romping Lion: The Story of the Dakeyne Disc Engine”.
Tuesday 7 May – Underground trip into Peakshole Sough, Castleton.
Leader – Adam Russell
Meet at the Visitor Centre Car Park, Castleton, at 7pm. 8 places available. To reserve your place, contact meets@pdmhs.com. Prior booking and BCA insurance is essential.
The sough level leads to interesting pipe workings and there is an intact planked walkway at the far end. There are climbs on fixed ladders in upper levels to the upper levels where there are tight crawls so this trip is not suitable for complete novices, the water in the sough may be over welly depth depending on weather.
More details are available in Bulletin vol.9 no.3.
Trip by kind permission of Peak Cavern.
Tuesday 11th June – Mining Heritage Walk to Magpie Mine, Sheldon.
Leader: Paul Chandler.
This is an EVENING walk of less than 5 miles. Meet in Ashford village, near the packhorse bridge, where there is a small car park & street parking.
Party size is limited to 15. To book your place(s), and for the meeting time or further details, please contact Paul Chandler, either by email:
meets@pdmhs.com or phone: 07908-607513 (Mobile/Text is best).
The walk includes a mini surface tour of Magpie Mine site, plus various features of mining interest on the way.
The walk route is as follows: Ashford – Little Shacklow Wood – Sheldon – MAGPIE MINE – Sheldon – Great Shacklow Wood – Ashford. Total distance: 4.74 miles (approx).
It involves a gradual ascent to Sheldon, including a short rocky/muddy section through woodland. Also an optional stepped descent in woodland on the return route, plus short road sections, field paths, stiles and tracks. Optional drink afterwards at the Bulls Head Inn, Ashford.
Bring usual walking equipment, a torch for viewing shafts & levels and a camera.
A copy of the walk route map is available on request. Sorry, no dogs on this walk.
Advance Notice – trip to Zip World Titan, Blaenau Ffestiniog – Interested?
Sit back and zip away as you and your friends fly down Europe’s largest zipping zone! Take flight on 3 exhilarating zip lines and soak up the amazing quarry views during the experience of a lifetime (Info from website). SUMMER Availability April – October. How many Zips? 3. How far? 1890m. Starting height 482m above sea level. Duration 2 hours. Cost? £50. WINTER Opening – £30, but only two Zips. Note: VELOCITY 2 is the scary/fast ZIP at Penrhyn Quarry, North Wales.
Here are some photos from PDMHS member Rob who went on the underground zip-wire trip in 2015 and reports it as well worthwhile (and safe!).
Organiser: Paul Chandler – It is intended that TITAN will form part of a walking/adventure weekend, I am planning in North Wales, possibly in May 2019. If interested, please register your interest (without obligation at this stage) with Paul. Email: paul.derbyshirecaver@btinternet.com or Tel: 07908-607513 (Mobile/Text is best) / 01246-220773 (Landline).
Despite atrocious weather conditions on the 11th of February, six members of the PDMHS UEG made it to Pikehall for a trip into Mouldridge Mine. It was considerably warmer and drier underground than outside!