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derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Derbyshire Record Office
@derbyshiredro.bsky.social
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Free access to 900 years of history - Derbyshire, Britain and beyond: books, archives, maps, prints and photographs. Explore online or visit us in Matlock.

Website: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/recordoffice
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Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · Nov 15
Hello Bluesky 😀
We're the record office for Derbyshire, meaning we hold all the historic archives for the county of #Derbyshire and the city of #Derby. We're delighted to join everyone here! Follow us if you're interested in #history, #archives, old #recipes, historic #fashion and lots more...
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
St. Peter's Church Bell Ringers, Belper, Derbyshire c. 1955, ringing in the New Year! Ringing Bells at midnight on New Year's Eve was said to drive off evil spirits & bring good luck for the coming year.
A black and white photograph of a group of 8 church bell ringers standing holding the church bell ropes, all smiling and wearing 1950s style clothing
January 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
For our #PhotoFriday on #WorldIntrovertDay we give you an introvert’s nightmare. This is the reception line at Chatsworth, for Lord Hartington becoming 10th Duke of Devonshire in 1939. How many people to meet and greet? His poor hand must have ached after all that hand shaking.
#1930s
Outside a grand country house stands a man in a smart suit. Stretching out as far as they eye can see in front of him, is a line of people. All waiting to shake his hand.
January 2, 2026 at 11:05 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
‘The Master of these Marvels’ is a new biography of George Stephenson, which presents a year by year account of the railway pioneer’s activities. It also shows how he garnered a circle of influential people to help progress mechanical engineering. Now in our #LocalStudies library.
Front cover of the book ‘The Master of these Marvels. George Stephenson and his Circle of Genius', by Robert F. Hartley. It features a full colour rendition of the oil painting 'The birthplace of the locomotive - Killingworth Colliery' by John Lindsay Lucas. In the top right is a black and white inset, the portrait of George Stephenson by Henry Perronet Briggs.
January 1, 2026 at 2:35 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
🎉 Happy New Year from all of us at Derbyshire Record Office! 🎉
We hope this calendar from 1903 will still give you luck and joy in 2026...

#HappyNewYear
The front of a small calendar, which is meant to be sent as a new year's card. It is generally green in colour, with white and red flowers adorning the edges. The text reads 'Good Luck. A calendar for 1903'. The same calendar, unfolded. It is a long vertical strip, with the same green background and red and white flowers along the edges. The days of every month are printed inside a horseshoe each, giving 12 months of good luck.
January 1, 2026 at 10:35 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Our latest #NewAccession is thanks to Bakewell Town Council: we now have a complete set of minutes for Bakewell Urban District Council 1863-1974, as well as town council minutes 1974-2018. A full list of deposits from BTC can be found on our online catalogue.
Photograph of brown paper packets and volumes on shelves, being the records deposited by Bakewell Town Council ready for processing by the Conservation team after being catalogued.
December 31, 2025 at 11:35 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
As the temperature drops this #NewYearsEve who wishes they'd been gifted a nice new pair of gloves the Christmas? This advertisement for Ladies and Gentlemen's gloves is from the Long Eaton Advertiser December 1923 - we like the sound of lined wool with a fur wrist!

#archives
1920s newspaper advertisement for B. W. Granger, choice selection of Ladies and Gentlemen's Gloves for Xmas wear. Lists various types of winter gloves and their prices in news type lettering
December 31, 2025 at 10:48 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
The poems of Thomas Crofts of Belper (1815-1904) are our #ArchiveOfTheWeek. Included are poems for Christmas and the New Year, beautifully printed on card, some in gold lettering. We like to think he gave them to friends and family with good wishes for the year ahead.
Bundle of printed poems printed on cream and pink card. They have titles such as “New Year Wishes”. The last verse of the poem entitled “A New Year’s Greeting” reads “Permit me then to wish for you; A glad and bright New Year; Laden with every needful gift, To comfort, bless and cheer.” Its signed “T.C, The Orchard, Belper, Dec 28th 1899”.
December 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
When documents play hide and seek 😄
We thought this was quite sweet when we were looking for something else in the same box.

#SearchroomSurprise
Photograph of a brown file labelled "Bag C 587-(1) Reports on the Alport mines (printed) 1841-49, 1858; resolution 1843" and with a handmade pocket on the front labelled "Bag C 587 (1) - 1 in this pocket". Photograph of the same file, with a small parchment bound book poking out of the pocket labelled "Alport Reckonings 1806".
December 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
How many of you include going to a pantomime as one of your Christmas traditions? If you fancy some festive #EYASparkle see what’s being performed locally, like this production of Aladdin at The Playhouse Theatre, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton in 1968.

#PhotoFriday #1960s
The cast of the pantomime Aladdin pose dressed in sparkly costumes. As is traditional a woman plays Aladdin and is at the front with the lamp, while the rest of the cast look on with expressions of happiness, puzzlement and surprise.
December 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
To finish our #Railway200 extravaganza: a Midland Railway Company ticket issue book from 1870–1871, straight out of Dronfield Station. Imagine the journeys recorded in these pages—Victorian passengers, steam locomotives, and the golden age of rail…
A double page of a volume that has printed columns with titles such as 'Stations', 'Children' and 'Rate'. It has been filled in by hand.
December 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Did you know the “Christmas Pudding King”, Matthew Walker, came from Derbyshire? The business he started in 1899 in Heanor is reputedly the oldest Christmas pudding maker in the world. Find a copy of Derbyshire Life from December 2018 in our #LocalStudies library to find out more.
Image showing page 28 and 29 of the article in the Derbyshire Life magazine entitled 'The Christmas Pudding King. Peter Seddon turns detective in search of Matthew Walker'. It features a photograph of a Christmas pudding on a dining table and a photo of the Christmas Pudding King himself astride a horse.
December 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
To everyone who has visited, contacted us, followed, liked, and commented on our posts this year — Derbyshire Record Office wishes you a #MerryChristmas and a Happy New Year!

#ArchiveAdventCalendar
A Victorian Christmas card showing a painting of four small dogs. The text says: "Blessed are the merciful. Bow! Wow! We have come to say. We wish you a merry Christmasday. S. Herbert".
December 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Our #NewAccession is a diary of William Green, servant to Hugh Seymour Blane of The Pastures, Mickleover, Derby. This entry is from 24th Dec 1868 when Sir Seymour and Lady Blane saw the Christmas decorations at the County Asylum. The housekeeper's gift was sherry, the servants had rum.

#Victorian
Diary entry: 24 [December 1968] Thursday, Wind S.W. thermstat / day 48 rain more or less. Sir / Seymour + Lady Blane went / in waggonette to the County / Asylum to see the Decoration / for Xmas, Capt Blane returns from / London after Been there eight / or nine days, he got here about / ten minutes to Eleven oclock / PM Henry went out untill / Saturday morning. Sir Seymour / and myself put out presents all / Sherry for the Housekeepr[e]s Roam [room] and / Rum for Servant Hall
December 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Watch out! #Santa's on his way, cycling through the snow on his penny-farthing. Luckily Rudolph and the other reindeer are behind him to make sure he gets round the world on time…
#ArchiveAdventCalendar
A Victorian Christmas card showing Santa Claus riding a penny-farthing through a snowy landscape. He is wearing a rucksack full of presents and is holding a branch of holly in his right hand. Several reindeer are running behind him, all with baskets full of presents strapped on their backs.
December 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Who is dreaming of a White Christmas? This serene scene captured by a Peak Park photographer of snow-laden pines in Cressbrook certainly evokes a #WinterWonderland. You can almost hear the sleigh bells ringing! #ArchiveAdventCalendar #snow
A narrow country lane in Cressbrook, Derbyshire, blanketed in snow during winter. Tall evergreen trees on both sides are heavily laden with thick snow, creating an arch-like canopy over the road. A small car is parked on the left side of the lane, partially covered in snow. The scene is serene and peaceful.
December 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Someone who could be a little bit naughty, but was certainly nice and funny, was the comedian Victoria Wood. Here is a note she sent Buxton Fringe Festival to mark the 21st Fringe Festival, remembering a little mishap in a changing room!
#NaughtyOrNice #ArchiveAdventCalendar
One side of a handwritten note which states: “Dear Stephanie, my abiding memory of Buxton is the handle dropping off of the dressing room..." Handwritten note continued: "...door, locking me in, and someone had to hand me a screw driver through the window so I could let myself out! Best wishes Victoria Wood.”
December 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Deposited Plans are a great source of information. With the numbers on the plan, search the book of reference, which will state who owners, lessees, occupiers were and describe property and land. This is for New Mills 1829.
#Railway200
Scale hand drawn plan of railway line. Form with information added by hand with black ink.
December 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Sound asleep and dreaming of Christmas magic… Judging by the size of that stocking, someone had a very long wish list! 🎄

#FestiveTraditions #ArchiveAdventCalendar
A Victorian Christmas card with illustration of a young girl with blonde hair sleeping in a brass bed covered in a pink blanket. The bed sits on a multicoloured rug. At the end of the bed is a draped a very large white and blue stripped stocking. Written in the right-hand corner of the bed is the words “Hold to the light, and then you’ll find the stocking filled with toys of every kind.”
December 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Well doesn’t this look cosy? This is the students' common room at the Teacher Training College, Rockside, Matlock in the #1950s. Best put that fire out before Father Christmas visits though.
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #WarmFire
A roaring fire with armchairs around it and ladies sitting, reading and knitting.
December 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Are you going to a #ChristmasParty this festive season? This is the Devonshire Arms Fishing Club in South Normanton in 1949. He’s hard to spot but Father Christmas is lurking in the middle of the group. We’re sure he was jollier than he looks.

#PhotoFriday #ArchiveAdventCalendar
A large group in a marquee decked with paper streamers pose for a photograph. Young children are in the front rows and older people stand at the back. Father Christmas, a hooded figure sits in the middle, head slightly bowed.
December 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
This advert for a Locked Coil Rope featured in the March 1951 edition of Mine & Quarry Engineering. It also includes a fascinating insight into the draining levels of Wirksworth lead mines, in ‘The Soughs of Dove Gang’ by Nellie Kirkham. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library.
Full page black and white advert featuring a close-up photo of a coil rope. The headline reads: 'This is not a Christmas Tree'. Front cover of Mine & Quarry Engineering, dated March, 1951.
December 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Ever wondered how goods were tracked in the 19th century? Here’s a glimpse: an 1871 Midland Railway Company incoming goods invoice record book from Dronfield Station.
#Railway200
A book with printed columns, that has been filled in by hand using black ink.
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Send help! Our archive shelves have been invaded by #ArchiveElves! Are they using our boxes for presents, or writing wish lists on catalogue cards? Either way, we might need to start issuing reader tickets to the North Pole...🎄✨
#archiveadventcalendar
Rows of archive shelves filled with archival boxes, the shelves are decorated with festive garlands of greenery, red berries, and strings of warm yellow fairy lights. Three cartoon-style elves in green hats and outfits are playfully positioned among the shelves—one holding a gift box, another standing on a shelf, and a third appearing to wave.
December 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
A lovely hand drawn poster full of #ChristmasColours by Loscoe-born artist and illustrator Jack Bronson (d. 2006) for a Christmas Social of a Fellowship Group, possibly at Newthorpe, 1958.

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #1950s
Hand drawn poster illustrated in colour pencil. In the centre is a square outlined in red with details of a Christmas Social on December 30th 1958, written in a variety of elaborate fonts. To the left is the illustration of a cross outlined in a wide blue border. At the bottom right are green holly leaves with red berries and to the top right is an illustration of mistletoe.
December 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
derbyshiredro.bsky.social
Our latest #NewAccession is an addition to the papers of the Swanwick family of Whittington near Chesterfield. Eric Drayton Swanwick was an officer in the Sherwood Foresters (Nottingham & Derbyshire Regiment) during the #FirstWorldWar. He was also active in the Scouting movement.
A large certificate lays open. At the top is the name George (for King George V) in copperplate writing. Laying on top is a folded certificate with the title E D Swanwick Second Lieutenant Land Forces Temporary The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment). Next to this is a sepia photograph of Eric Drayton Swanwick likely in Scout uniform c1940s.
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM