Cycling through the Goyt
Peter Jourdain writes: “I found your lovely website and Youtube videos on the Goyt Valley after having searched on the web. I am an American, and have never been to the Goyt, but am a cyclist and cycling historian, with a primary emphasis on the golden era of British cycling clubs and cycletouring in the 1920s and ’30s.”
Cycling the Goyt Valley (1932)
I passed Goyt’s Bridge Farm, which is to be demolished, and entered the lower stretch of the valley, where the second reservoir will be. They have already begun work by the Powder Mill.
Can anyone identify this bridge?
Chris Belton writes: “I’m trying to identify a 1958 photo from my late father’s collection entitled ‘Goyt Holiday’. The photo shows a bridge over a stream but seemingly not Goyt’s Bridge. I can sort of remember it, it was a delightful place, the sort my parents sought out for picnics.”
Walking the Cromford & High Peak Railway
Bill Reid writes: “Thanks for the great videos and information on the Goyt Valey and the Cromford & High Peak Railway. I have used your Walk no.12 to find my way along the old railway between Whaley Bridge and Burbage.”
Fishing the Goyt at Taxal
John Sutcliffe writes: “I was very pleasantly surprised indeed to watch the old cine film of the Goyt Valley, which, needless to say, I didn’t even know existed! For my part, I am now 75 years of age, but my memories of the Goyt Valley, as a then 12-year-old boy, are as clear to me now, as if it was only yesterday when I was last there.”
Locating Errwood Farm
Sarah Dugdale writes: “I was looking at your website and I believe I have some old photos of the area. My Grandparents were living in the area before the war and were re-located to Whaley Bridge. The whole story is a muddle in my head as my dad who could have helped greatly died in November 2000.”
The Moon of Gomrath
The Morrigan captures Colin and imprisons him in Errwood Hall, which her magic restores into a building, which except in moonlight teleports into a lightless magic realm.
The Carter family
Michael Mitchell writes: “My 2x great grandmother was Elizabeth Carter and was born at Errwood Hall 18 Jun 1862. Her father was John Carter who was a butler at the hall in the 1850s. In the 1860 census he is listed as a retired butler, but still living on the property. In 1871 he is living in Castedge and is listed as the farm bailiff.”
Goyt Valley maps
Rob Stephen writes: “I was looking at your videos of your walks and I must say that I am really impressed with your website. But I think to make your website better you could add a detailed map of all the Goyt Valley walks and paths so it is easier to plan where you want to go.”
‘Fantastic’ walks
Alex Evans writes: “I’ve just come across your website and what a pleasure. I was originally looking for some pictures of when the resovoir is low so you can see the remains of the village but then I got distracted (pleasantly) by your website.”
Paul Mason
Paul Mason writes: “Firstly, what a great job you’ve done with this site – lovely to see. I’m the son of the late Winefred and John Mason who built and ran the ‘Dish & Spoon Cafe’, just past the ‘Cat & Fiddle’ pub (photo above). My great-grandfather was a farmer in the valley, and my grandfather was game keeper for Lord Derby.”
Brenda Hewitt
Paul Mellor writes: “I’ve just been watching your Errwood Hall & family graves walk video on YouTube and thought you might be interested to know that my mother, Brenda, is one of the daughters of Jack Hewitt who you mention in the video.”
What can it mean?
I found an online translation service, but the results weren’t very promising: ‘To go forth sea breath very concursationem when thorough consideration if he is among silence tranquilliatem’.
Website update
It's now the end of March 2012 and we've been enjoying a mini-heat wave. The weather's been glorious and it's been ideal for exploring this truly magical part of the Peak District. It's good to see the water level in the two reservoirs back to normal from the low...
Errwood Hall reconstructed
A wonderful digital reconstruction of Errwood Hall by the Furness Vale Local History Society. I’d love to do something similar on Goyt’s Bridge – but wouldn’t know where to start!
Goyt Valley Romance book
Susan George writes: “Could you please send details of how I can purchase a copy of the Goyt Valley Romance book? Your web site is fascinating. The Goyt Valley is my favourite place to walk in.”
Identifying places – was it you?
Someone emailed me last week to say they could help identify places featured in the photo gallery. But like a fool, I somehow managed to delete the message and now have no way of retrieving it. So if it was you, please do get back in touch.
The guestbook
I've created a guestbook for visitors to add comments, suggestions and ask any questions. Click here to view it. Michael Mitchell is searching for information on his great, great grandmother who was born in Errwood Hall in 1862. Her father, John Carter, was butler at...
Goyt Valley photos
It's very sad that so many images are being lost which show the Goyt Valley before it vanished beneath the cold waters of the reservoirs. I spoke to an elderly lady the other day who told me that her father took a whole series of colour transparencies of the valley...
The Grimshawe family
The Grimshawes of Errwood Hall and their descendents were the main employers and land-owners in the Goyt Valley until the estate was sold to Stockport Corporation in 1935. I've just posted an excerpt from Gerald Hancock's 'Goyt Valley Romance' which details the...