Karen

@songthrush83.bsky.social

311 Followers 248 Following

History nerd. Nature lover. Cat magnet. Cemetery wanderer.

THE CHADDESDEN CHURCH HALL “GHOST” To the Editor Sir, There is no truth whatsoever in the statement that a ghost haunts the Memorial Hall. I have been grossly misrepresented in the “Derby Daily Express” when they publish an interview under my name to the effect that I heard mysterious noises in the hall. The only noises I heard were such as could have quite easily been caused by the opening of a door by the wind. Never in my life have I seen a ghost, and never in my life have I stated that there were “weird happenings” at the Memorial Hall. There was nothing mysterious whatsoever. It was probably caused by the weather. Signed, A. C. Davison.
Police hunt for second cheetah-like animal. Police in Barnet today hunted for “a cheetah-like animal” which frightened a dental mechanic and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Reboul, of Wood Street, Barnet, were woken today by screaming of cats. Mr. Reboul said he went into the garden and “saw a big black animal” in an apple tree trying to catch a ginger cat. It had a broad face, long teeth and dark fur. “Once it looked at me with big yellow eyes,” he said. “It quite put the wind up me.” On searching for the animal without success, a senior police officer said “We think it was foxes, unless the cheetah from Woolwich has come up on the tube.” Last week in Woolwich police mounted a large-scale search for an animal variously described as a cheetah or a leopard seen in the vicinity.
The Hayfield Resurrection is perhaps the most curious of the old Derbyshire legends as to these uncanny happenings. The story of it is told in a letter said to have been addressed by Dr. Clegg, at one time Presbyterian Minister at Chapel-en-le-Frith, to the Rev. Ebenezer Latham, of Findern, in which he avers that at Hayfield “several hundreds of bodies rose out of the open graves in the open day, to the great terror of several spectators…They deserted the coffin, and arising out of the grave immediately ascended towards heaven, singing in concert all along…They left a most fragrant and delicious odour behind them.” If this statement were really made by the rev. gentleman we imagine it would be by way of some sort of parable. It is not stated by whom the letter was actually ever seen.
Paperback copy of Taking Flight: How animals learned to fly and transformed life on Earth by Lev Parikian.
A most enjoyable evening was spent on Christmas Eve at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hubball, Hollywell Avenue. (Mr. Hubball has recently returned from the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, after a stay of some months, following an accident at Ormonde Colliery, in which he sustained a broken leg and other injuries.) During the evening Santa Claus (Mr. Edwin Sharp) presented each guest with a present. A collection was made and realised £1. 2s., which has been given to Codnor Red Cross Funds.
The cover of a paperback book Ghosts of Derbyshire. The title is in black text on a background of white, yellow and blue. There are sketchy images of a skull, a ghostly monk and the crooked spire of Chesterfield cathedral.
A slate headstone in Denby churchyard, close to the church. The inscription reads: In Memory of Vincent Fletcher Who departed this life August the 18th 1794 Aged 92 years Thou shalt come to thy Grave In a full age like as a Shock of Corn cometh in His Season
A headstone with the top part shaped like a cross. There is a colourful inlaid Christogram in gold on a blue background with a white crown at each corner, and a border of red with gold xs. The inscription reads: In affectionate remembrance of William son of William and Mary B. Righton Who died January 21st 1867 Aged 31 years
A headstone shaped like an anvil with a hammer resting on top, partially covered with soft, feathery moss. The inscription reads: The labours of a well-spent life end in great reward To A loving husband and father CHARLES COPNALL Died May 4th 1935 Aged 65 years Also of EMILY KATE COPNALL Died Dec 18th 1941 Aged 62 years Reunited
An invoice from James Beresford and Sons, Belper, monument makers. The total cost of the headstone, including the inscription and cemetery fees was £32 11s
A Victorian headstone partly shaded by the branches of the large yew tree that stands close to it. The inscription reads: In affectionate remembrance of Thomas Underwood Of Codnor Who died on the 12 day of December 1879 Aged 44 years He was an example of Christian integrity and usefulness, true and just in all his dealings, and one who, while not slothful in business was fervent in spirit while serving the Lord. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace.
A small stone effigy of a young boy sitting on a sculpted base which is made to look like natural rock. He is in a seated position with his ankles crossed. The boy is looking directly at the viewer and holds out his left hand where someone has placed a small soft toy dog. His right hand rests on the rock and holds a wilted flower. The inscription reads: In loving memory of John Peter beloved child of J & A Hodgkinson Who died Sept 24 1932 Aged 1 year and 2 months Some day, some day our eyes shall see the face we keep in memory.
A headstone decorated with carved lilies and a Christogram. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Joseph The beloved husband of Lydia Dring Died December 31st 1926 Aged 76 years Peace after pain Also of Lydia, wife of above Died August 17th 1937 Aged 82 years Grant her o Lord eternal rest Also of Ernest Dring Died December 1937 Aged 49 years At rest
A muddy path leading through a small pet cemetery. There are clumps of snowdrops growing next to the path. Small headstones mark where various pets are buried.
Clumps of snowdrops growing by the churchyard wall.
The wooden lychgates at Codnor Cemetery. Made of oak and decorated with carvings. There is a carved figure of the Risen Christ in the centre of the inscription “I am the resurrection and the life.”
A grave monument sculpted to look like a rock at the base topped with a cross, sculpted to look like it is made of wood. On the front of the cross is a detailed wreath.
A view of the path in Codnor cemetery with several headstones on each side. In the foreground on the right is a large headstone which reads: Our dear wife and mother Ada Wood Entering the other room in our Father’s house October 16th 1922 There awaits us, leaving us Her love faithful and true Then, now and forever Also of Colin Bradshaw Wood Husband of the above Died February 26th 1954 Aged 91 years Re-united Across the path, on the left, is a small headstone which reads: Arthur Floyde Pine 1861 - 1954 Headmaster of Crosshill C of E School Also Annie his wife 1874 - 1964
A portal-style headstone with classical columns on each side. The inscription reads: In memory of Sarah Ann Beloved wife of William Mills Who died 15th July 1934 Aged 79 years Time passes, shadows fall But love and remembrance outlast all From husband, sons and daughters Also of William Husband of the above Who died 15th February 1936 Aged 80 years Re-united
A paperback edition of The Haunted Shore by Neil Spring. The cover shows the silhouette of a young woman walking along a beach near an old wooden jetty under a gloomy cloudy sky. In the distance is a silhouette of a man.
A square pillar, which originally had a cross mounted on top, standing in a small burial ground surrounded by a brick wall. The inscription reads: This cross was erected to the glory of God and to commemorate the consecration of this burial ground October 25th 1920.
A large obelisk with an ornate base. The plaque reads: To the memory of William H Fletcher, Esq Surgeon Greenwich House, Ripley Who died March 22nd 1867 Aged 76 years
A white marble headstone in the shape of a heart, with the top right edge broken off. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Our dear mother Elizabeth Russell (late Mrs Clarke) Of Waingroves Who died September 26th 1914 Aged 48 years At rest Safely gathered in
A headstone standing against a wall, surrounded by ivy. The inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of Alpheus Robotham who departed this life the 26th June 1830 Aged 21 years
A photograph taken in Codnor cemetery, close to the wall that divides the cemetery from the churchyard. The wall runs through the centre of the picture, rising slightly diagonally to the right. On the left, in front of the wall, is a Victorian gravestone which is leaning forward slightly. Beyond the wall is Codnor church with a large yew tree standing in front of it. The ground in front of the wall is covered with ivy and fallen leaves.
The inscription on the tablet reads: This tablet was erected there to 22nd June 1897 in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and to mark the Queen’s Jubilee Oak planted in 1887
A white marble gravestone with a 3-tier base, topped with a cross. The inscription reads: In every loving memory of Sydney Alfred Severn Late Serg Maj M.M.G. Born July 17th 1891 Died June 19th 1921 Who plucked the flower, the Master, The gardener wept and was silent.
Close-up view of the top part of the headstone marking the grave of Isaac and Jemima Severn. It shows a relief carving of two clasped hands; the one on the left has a feminine lacy cuff while the other has a man’s shirt cuff.
A large pier-style grave monument decorated with classical-style columns at each corner and a relief carving of ivy in a semicircle at the bottom. The inscription on this side reads: In loving memory of Rebecca Woolley The beloved wife of George Woolley of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Notts Who died July 2nd 1908 Aged 75 years I know that my Redeemer liveth
A close up view of a slate headstone dating from the 18th century. At the top is a relief carving of an angel peering over its wings.
A slate headstone, close to the wall of Codnor church which has the following inscription: In memory of Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Slack of Codnor who departed this life November VIII MDCCCXLIX Aged XXVIII years (The Roman numerals translate as November 8th, 1849, aged 28 years)
A robin perched on top of a headstone in Crosshill Cemetery, Codnor. The stone stands in a large area of grass with leaves scattered around it.
A slate headstone standing in Codnor churchyard. The inscription reads: In Affectionate Remembrance of Elizabeth Buckley who died Sept 14th 1871 aged 34 years Farewell dear husband, my life is past My love was true while life did last Pray for me, no sorrow make, Love my children for my sake. A tender wife, a loving mother, It is hard to find out such another, In love she lived, in peace she died, She longed to live but God denied.
A headstone shaped like a rock with a cross on top, entwined with an anchor and chain. This is the grave of Arthur Enstock.
A closeup image of a worn gritstone headstone dating from the nineteenth century. The top of the stone has a roundel decorated with carved roses.
Two gravestones standing side by side, set on green grass.