EILEEN HEALEY DIARIES

© J A D Healey 2014

VOLUME 3: 1933B

SECTION 1

1933, AUGUST 25-SEPTEMBER 10:

LONGSHAW HOUSE, GRINDLEFORD

1.1 1933, August 25 (Friday)

We got up at 6.30 and started at 8.45.

We saw part of the old Roman walls when we were near a lake in which there was some bathing. We also saw the cathedral, the nave of which is the longest in the world. It is mainly Norman and early English, although Roman material is used in the tower. We then saw the "Fighting Cocks Inn", which is supposed to be the oldest inhabited house in the world, and the belfry.

Stayed for the night at the "Peacock Hotel".

1.2 1933, August 26 (Saturday)

We left at 9.42 and passed through:

In the evening we first explored and then watched the ping-pong.

In the common room, the Secretary took the evening and we had: "Funiculi, Funicula", "Drink to me only with thine eyes", and "Cockles and Mussels". After this some of the new guests sat in a horseshoe and whispered to the one on their left what they would do in an emergency; the Sec. now asked them questions and they gave as an answer what they had been told. Daddy had as a question, "What would you do if your wife ran away?". His answer was "Get on the right side of the hostess". Another horseshoe was then formed and these had to think of a popular saying or proverb and then say it adding "In a pretty little pair of pale pink pyjamas". One was "All's well that end's well … in a pretty little pair of pale pink pyjamas". We then had some more songs: "A Roving,", "Volga boat song", :Come to the fells" and we ended with "Good night".

1.3 1933, August 27 (Sunday)

In the morning we went round the estate with a warden, starting at the back of the house and worked round over Burbage Brook and through Padly Woods to the Surprise View and back for dinner.

At noon we went round again with another warden, arriving at the Surprise View by a different route, and back in time for tea.

In the evening, we walked through the estate and then down the road to the Froggat Guest House and back the same way.

After supper we had some hymns and then the discussion "How should Sunday be spent?".

1.4 1933, August 28 (Monday)

After having the photo taken (we had to wait some time for the photographer), we started the same way as we had done the previous evening and then crossed the Derwent by Froggat Bridge and kept along by the river for some way until we came to Stony Middleton, from where we started to ascend, where we met 'B' party, who had ridden there by coach. We then passed the Dirty Rake and continued on to Wardlow. In a field near the church, there was a cow which was all skin and bones and, as the Sec. said, you could count its ribs by the shadows they cast. We then had lunch at the Bull's Head. As it was very hot indeed, I couldn't possibly get enough to drink. We continued along the road and then took a footpath to Monsel Dale to the Wye Falls where, after I had cooled down, I bathed. Yesterday we had been warned that there was only swimming because there was only sixteen or twenty feet of water, but I was hopeful and took my things. I found a shallow place. It was lovely to get into the cold water, as it was a boiling hot day. After this we ascended to Monsel Head, where we had tea, and rode home, seeing Haddon Hall and Chatsworth.

In the evening, after dinner, Dick or Mr. Wilkinson arranged an evening of games: passing the orange on the legs, passing some pennies, walking on two books (without sliding) and, finally, sardines, with the Sec. as the sardine. We hunted in couples, so I was with Frank. The sardine was in a little cupboard and he let six in and then these barricaded the door.

1.5 1933, August 29 (Tuesday)

We rode to Edale where 'A' party ascended Mam Gap (there were dozens of ladybirds) and continued along Rushup Edge where we had good views on both sides. To the north there were the southern parts of The Peak (Kinder Scout) and to the south the Winnats. We then dropped down to Edale where we had lunch at the Church Hotel. We now continued on by footpath to Grindsbrook Booth, Nether Booth and Jaggers Clough; then along a Roman road where we saw Hope Cross. It leans over very much and spells Sheffield with one 'F'. We had tea in Hope and rode home (stopping at Tideswell Church which is also named "The Cathedral of the Peak".

In the evening, Phyllis Warham, the only pianist for the week taught some country dances, some were "Gathering Peascods", "Butterfly" and "Rufty Tufty". There were also some songs and Dick and Mr. Coates sang (Mr. Wilkinson did not like Dick and Mr. Coates).

We had put our names down for the optional excursion to Buxton and so there was a committee meeting outside our door between the Host, Sec. and Daddy (who was in his pyjamas). They wanted him to take us in "the Grid" - just over a "chara" full wanted to go (Daddy agreed).

1.6 1933, August 30 (Wednesday)

Passed Grindleford, Calver and Hassop on the way to Buxton, where we arrived just before "the chara". The Sec. said that this was his day off and that he was now going off. When we asked about the lunch, he said we had it "here" and for a long time wouldn't talk sense, but at the end he said "usually" you look round till 1 o'clock, when you get back to the coach where you have lunch, and if you want anything to drink you get it yourself. In Buxton we saw some people getting the water from St. Anne's Well (we thought what a dry place Buxton was).

After lunch we walked through Chee Dale where we heard some blasting from a nearby quarry; we also ate some watercress which was growing in the water.

We had tea in Millers Dale where we saw a water mill working. We rode home, passing under the longest stretch of cable in England; it stretches of Millers Dale.

In the evening it was supposed to be a dance with fancy head-dresses, but Phyllis did not know any dance music and there wasn't any sheet music there, so they had to have the gramophone and it wasn't very nice.

1.7 1933, August 31 (Thursday)

Every-one was sleepy at first (they said it was the Buxton air). We started by walking over Stanage Edge and along the Roman Road to a pole where the Sec. stopped and began (in the usual manner), "Ladies and Gentlemen, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking". He then went on to say that it marked the boundary of Derbyshire and Yorkshire (I was on the Yorkshire side). It used to divide Northumbria from Mercia.

We continued on (in Yorkshire) to Redmires, where we had lunch at the Grouse and Trout, which is near a reservoir. After this, 'A' party descended a pretty wooded ravine where a stream trickled. I followed Frank and he went the opposite side of the stream to the path, and when the path crossed over, we did and we found we kept taking short cuts. We then came to another reservoir, from where we went up the road a little way (very pleased to see an ice cream man). Frank started talking to Cobb about windmills.

We now struck off across the moor to where the steep sides used to be shot at with cannons from behind the "Three Jolly Boys" (Ed.: Eileen will here mean the “Three Merry Lads”). We saw Sheffield in the distance and continued on to Ringinglow where we had tea in the garden of the "Norfolk Arms" (which is opposite an old toll house). We returned along the old road above the "Fox House". There was a fire on the left ('A' party 16 miles). When we finished, I felt twice as energetic as when we started.

In the evening, some of the actors who were to entertain us introduced themselves by a verse of song (especially written for the occasion) which fitted into some different well known tune, such as "All through the Night" and "Cockles and Mussels". Six (mummy was one) now came in wearing bonnets with a face drawn at the back; they did exercises (all doing something different). When they were told to turn to the right to lead out, they all faced in different directions. (All the time we couldn't stop laughing.) Some mannequins (they were men) now came in, telling us about the ladies clothes they were wearing. Some more men now came in as ballet dancers. The Host sang some comic songs. There were also some plays; in one there were a lot of lunatics from Longshaw. Some screens were put up with some chairs behind; the Sec. now sang the verses of "Widdicombe Fair" and at the chorus eight heads came up above the screens and sang their names. Two came in under a sheet as the ghost of the horse; part of the time even the Sec. couldn't help laughing.

1.8 1933, September 1 (Friday)

When we first started, until about lunch time, it was very misty and almost raining. We walked through the woods of the estate to Padly Chapel. It is an old chapel where, in Elizabethan times, two Roman Catholic priests were found hiding and were hung, drawn and quartered, and so every year there is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage to that spot. Until quite recently it has been used as a barn, but now the Catholics have acquired it and are restoring it. A 14th century altar-stone has been found.

We now followed the river for a little way until we cut across the moor to Eyam, where we had lunch at the "Miners Arms". We continued on to Stony Middleton, where we watched some blasting. Had tea at the Grouse (where everyone groused because the tea was thin). Most now rode home, but we walked through Grindleford and up through the woods.

In the evening the first thing was the ping-pong final, which Miss Pollard won. We now had the very popular game of "stick and bucket"; once I made a beautiful swipe at Frank and missed him completely. Next we had a treasure hunt, but it was a bit of a muddle, as no-one thought of putting the clues back where they were found and one of the first things to be found was the treasure. As this was a box of sweets, these were scattered everywhere.

For the next game, there were two teams and one from each had to go down in turn in a different manner and if they did the same step again or couldn't think of another, they were out. Most of the team I was in got out quickly, so myself and another (who were left in) had to think quickly. This looked like going on indefinitely so it had to be stopped.

1.9 1933, September 2 (Saturday)

'"Dick's Farewell". In the morning there was a gibbet on top of the chapel roof and hanging from it was a pair of stuffed white shorts with a black skull and cross-bones painted on them (later a ladder was borrowed to get it down. We trespassed to Carls Wark (it is preserved for game) where we saw the walls which were made by the Ancient Britons. We then continued on to Higger Tor, seeing the keepers cottage and plenty of butts. We also saw Stanage Pole on the skyline (it was miles away, so now I believe that we went some way on Thursday).

In the afternoon we went to Sheffield. The houses in the suburbs are very nice indeed and so are the shops in the main streets, but the houses in the manufacturing districts are certainly not nice. After tea, Frank and Daddy (on whom I put a bright red rubber apron) helped with the washing up. Frank and I now explored the estate and found the "natural arch" which is a cave; it has a fireplace (with a fire laid) and a stool and a table.

In the evening we had songs and games, the same as last week (Frank wished he had been in the "pyjamas thing" because he would have said "Ladies and Gentlemen, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking …. in a pretty little pair of pale pink pyjamas"). One of the questions the Sec. asked in the "what would you do in an emergency" game, was "What would you do if you found one of your essential articles of clothing hanging from the flagstaff". In the "Pretty little pair of pale pink pyjamas" game, Frank wishes he had said "Ladies and Gentlemen, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking…".

We also had a game in which you had to burst paper bags. In another, we had to hit a balloon with a walking stick and (without letting it touch the ground or touching the balloon with our hands) get it into a basin. Only one person succeeded in doing it. (I did not try because when I asked they said it did matter which end of the stick was used and the balloon was not to be pricked). The Sec. now went out of the room "On behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Paper Bags".

1.10 1933, September 3 (Sunday)

There was no Warden to be found. A little party that wanted to go round the estate collected. Frank and I led them to the "Natural Arch" (Frank led and as I was in the front with him, I said that I helped too). From this, Frank and Daddy (again Frank did most of the work) led the way through Padly Woods and over Burbage Brook to the Surprise (eating cranberries) where Daddy pointed out the different places of interest. We then continued onto the Toad's Mouth and then straight home.

Since soon after we left the cave, a dog followed us and we couldn't get rid of him. When we got home, we looked at its collar (which broke as soon as it was touched, so the Hostess tied it together with a piece of string) and found that it came from the suburbs of Sheffield. When the bell went for dinner, it led the way from the common room to the dining room, but it was soon shut out.

In the afternoon we went round the estate with the Chief Warden. We passed "Little John's Well and, as we were going along a footpath, he explained that once the owner of the estate tried to close the footpath, but of course the people objected. In the end, he couldn't, because there were some slabs of stone put down and they were hollowed into a shape that could only be made by feet walking over them for thousands of years.

We also learned how the National Trust acquired the estate. When the Duke of Rutland sold the estate, the Sheffield Corporation Waterworks bought it, but they did not want it all and so sold on what they did not want. An American millionaire wanted to build a hotel and have pleasure gardens etc. at the Surprise View, but the Sheffield Ramblers Federation acquired it. They raised the money by various means; one was to ask all who crossed it to subscribe. When there was only just over £300 more to pay, it was given to the National Trust, who were so pleased, that they paid the rest.

We continued on to the Surprise View and then down the Packhorse Track. The Warden explained that when the gate at the end needed repairing, a stile was going to be made, but there is an old law which said that a gate must be put on a Packhorse Track and so a gate was put there. At Owler Tor, we saw the brass tablet that had to be erected because a lady had given the money to buy 25 acres of land round Owler Tor, on condition that the brass tablet was erected in honour of her husband.

In the evening I paddled across to the centre of the ornamental pool, where someone had placed a windmill, and Frank and I then put it on top of the Chapel roof. I tried to play tennis with Ethel and then Frank. The discussion was "What kind of a world would you like to live in". (I went to bed early.)

1.11 1933, September 4 (Monday)

We rode to Hope from where we walked to Castleton (saw Peveril Castle) and "the Peak Cavern". We each had candles and went in through the Great Cavern, Roger Rains House, the Natural Arches and Bell Chamber to the Great Chimney and back. The river that runs through it is nicknamed the Styx and this summer it is the lowest on record. Often the whole place is flooded and so stalactites haven't much chance to form. There are a few little ones and one large one in a chimney. Twenty feet are visible and there is much more of it. It is supposed to take about a thousand years to form an inch, so this one must have taken ages to form. There are always drippings in Roger Rains House; there was also an example of the boring power of a drip of water, for it had bored a hole right through a solid piece of rock.

The whole of the caverns are natural except about six yards, where a way was blasted through as visitors objected to lying flat in a boat. The Styx disappears suddenly and straight to the entrance it is only about one sixth of a mile, but some coloured water took ten hours to get from there to the entrance. We had lunch at the "Cheshire Cheese" in Castleton.

After this we went up the Winnats (and left those who wanted to go to the Blue John Mine). I wanted to, but I thought I would prefer to go up Mam Tor, which is also called "The Shivering Mountain", because the shale, of which the whole mountain is composed, slides down one side. There was not even a breeze in the Winnats, where there is supposed to be always a gale blowing. We then ascended Mam Tor and continued along the ridge, to Lose Hill. With valleys to the left of us and valleys to the right of us, "we saw (as the Sec. put it) Mr. Earl doing a spot of blasting in his quarry". He counted 20 between the puff and the bang once. At the top we added a stone to the top of the pile and then descended. We had tea in Hope from where we rode home.

In the evening, there were games (not as good as last week).

1.12 1933, September 5 (Tuesday)

We followed the Green Drive over Burbage Moor to the Upper Burbage Bridge, and then under Stanage Edge to Bole Hill, where we had lunch in the open (Hurrah!) by a stream. Afterwards we saw a grouse the other side of the wall and however much noise we made, it wouldn't fly away, so I climbed over the wall and wormed my way towards it and had a close view until Frank came and we both rolled down on top of where it was. It flew away and we noticed how beautifully it glided.

We continued on, seeing Win Hill in front of us. We noticed a deep ravine running down it. 'A' party now proceeded to climb it, while the 'Bs' continued on by the river (paddling) to Bamford. We had a very pleasant breeze on top and then descended and had tea with the 'Bs'. While we were waiting for the train, Frank hung on with his knees on a lamp post, but when I started to try to play about on it, I only succeeded in putting on the gas light. There was also some country dancing. When the train did arrive, I left my haversack with my mack on the platform, so when we got to Grindleford Daddy telephoned and they said they would send it on.

In the evening, first there was a treasure hunt, where we hunted in couples (I was with Frank). We thought we had to write down what the clue said, as well as where it was, but we didn't have to, so we wasted a great deal of time. (For those outside, I found my torch very useful.) When the first finished, we had only the last two to do out of the fourteen. (If Frank had been with someone sensible, I expect he would have been first.)

The next thing was the game of Murder. I drew a blank and sat down by the side of the table on the first floor (there was someone already underneath it); the scream came very soon and in the common room the detectives questioned everybody and, as it was getting late and they couldn't find out who it was, they asked in the end, and it was the Host.

1.13 1933, September 6 (Wednesday)

We rode to the beginning of Dovedale, where we got out and started to walk through it; half way through, we crossed the river and had lunch. As the Dove divides Derbyshire from Staffordshire, we had lunch in Staffordshire. At the end, we saw the Sec. (who had been with Mr. White) and Mr. White fast asleep, so everyone crept up to take a snap and christened it "Sleeping Beauty". We spent about an hour in Matlock before riding home, having had a 46 mile ride.

In the evening after dinner, there was a general serviette throwing and the chief detective was just underneath the basket so he got some of the serviettes.

The Northern Light entertained us; it was very good indeed.

1.14 1933, September 7 (Thursday)

"The Sec. had a new pair of shorts". We walked through the estate to Froggatt and over bridge and hill to Eyam where we had lunch at the "Miners Arms". We then ascended Eyam Edge and then dropped down to Bretton Clough. On the way, the path curved round a little mound; the Sec. went over this mound and, when asked why, he said it was a short cut, but we got some lovely hazel nuts there. We had tea in a rose garden, from where we rode home.

At Longshaw we got out of the windows that faced west and then out onto the tower and watched the sheep dog trials. The sheep dogs had to fetch the sheep from some way away and make them go through hurdles etc. When there were two dogs, they had to divide the sheep and, while one dog was looking after half the sheep, the other dog made the rest go through hurdles.

In the evening, we (The Southern Nights) entertained the rest. Daddy was in several things. I was in one charade.

1.15 1933, September 8 (Friday)

We all walked (or ran) to Grindleford station. I followed Frank, and the Sec. (who was behind) led the main party the same way as Frank led me. We rode to Bamford (the Sec. had a pile of about 30 tickets. We walked along a little way up Win Hill, where we had lunch by the ravine we saw on Tuesday. In it there were ferns instead of the brakes there usually are.

We then proceed on to Ashopton from where the 'As' walked to the Derwent Reservoirs or at least to the first dam, by the old railway track which had brought the stone to build the dam. Where the water came in, there seemed a mere trickle but we were told that three million gallons a day went in, and sometimes there are three hundred million gallons. After tea in Ashopton, we walked to Bamford from where we rode home.

In the evening I joined in all the country dances and Frank and Daddy did in some. In the game of "Stick in Bucket", they kept making new sticks as they were necessary. Once, after I had been hit, I hit the person back with a pile of newspapers.

1.16 1933, September 9 (Saturday)

Very sad, everybody said goodbye and took addresses.

1.17 1933, September 10 (Sunday)

TOTAL 259 miles (coming home).

1.1 1933, August 25 (Friday)

1.2 1933, August 26 (Saturday)

1.3 1933, August 27 (Sunday)

1.4 1933, August 28 (Monday)

1.5 1933, August 29 (Tuesday)

1.6 1933, August 30 (Wednesday)

1.7 1933, August 31 (Thursday)

1.8 1933, September 1 (Friday)

1.9 1933, September 2 (Saturday)

1.10 1933, September 3 (Sunday)

1.11 1933, September 4 (Monday)

1.12 1933, September 5 (Tuesday)

1.13 1933, September 6 (Wednesday)

1.14 1933, September 7 (Thursday)

1.15 1933, September 8 (Friday)

1.16 1933, September 9 (Saturday)

1.17 1933, September 10 (Sunday)