Grindleford Bridge with its railway station and its quarries in full work and employing a great number of workmen, is rapidly going ahead, and as in other villages round, great changes have taken place of late.

The opening of the Dore and Chinley line, eight years ago,^[1] has been the means of bringing not only Grindleford, but the surrounding country villages in touch with the outside world, and although many old familiar features and interests have disappeared there is springing up on every hand something of an encouraging nature to take its place. One of the old industries was the old tannery, which was owned and carried on by Wm. Smith, who did a large business, both in tanning and currying for a great number of years. At Mr Smith's death the business became the property of the late Thomas Booth, of Leam Hall, and under the management of the late Mr James Garlick and Mr Joseph Wainwright, it did a lucrative trade. But at Mr Booth's death trade dwindled and it eventually closed. But it is at the present day recovering again, and is giving great promise under the occupancy of Mr Lucland.

Next to the tannery was the old currier's shop, where the late Mr Joseph Andrew succeeded Joseph Willis, currier and leather merchant, and together with his sons, did a large business for over 60 years and realised considerable wealth. Mr George Cooper, of Padley, who owns the property, recently converted the old currier's shop into two substantial dwelling-houses, and is, I am informed, intending erecting one or two more adjoining. Mr Frederic White, of Eyam, is the contractor.

We miss also the old joiner's shop, as well as its joiners. The place occupied by old James Outram is now converted into a dwelling-house on the road from the village to the tannery. James was always interesting company, and his stock of anecdotes were very numerous. The old sawpit just above has also disappeared.

The village also had its complement of cordwainers. I remember old Thomas Simpson and Francis Hancock, but these have long ago joined the great majority. James Kenyon and John Kenyon, the butter hucksters, who regularly attended the Tideswell weekly markets, were also well-known residents. Mr James Kenyon at one time was the village schoolmaster.

The “Blue Bell” formerly was at the bottom of the steep hill loading up to the village on the Sheffield Road, but It was removed up to the village, where the post office is kept by Miss Kenyon at the present day. From there its removal again took place to where Mr Wm. Kenyon, waggonette and carriage proprietor, resides. Here it was kept by Nicholas Green, and was subsequently removed across the road, and kept by Tom Green, after which the late Mr John Kenyon succeeded Green and at its restoration and enlargement had its name changed to the Commercial Hotel, its present name. It is now in the occupation of Mrs Outram.

The “Old Red Lion”, a very commodious wayside inn, had to go on account of the erection of the Maynard's Arms, the license being transferred to the Maynard's Arms. This old inn was familiar to most of the Peak country folks. In William Hallam's days it did a great business, and I remember what a treat it was to the country farmer's sons to attend the sheep-washing in the River Derwent. Sometimes as many as three and four hundred sheep were washed in a day. Afterwards the washers and friends adjourned to the Red Lion for refreshments and to change their clothes. This old Red Lion is now in the occupation of Mr Thomas Crossland. who is agent for The Derbyshire Times. Mrs Thomas Crossland was the eldest daughter of the late Mr James Garlick. who was the manager of the tramway at Goatscliff for a long period of years.

The Wesleyan Reform Chapel is on the eve of being renewed or replaced by a new one with more accommodation for Grindleford's fast increasing population. The present building was erected by Mr William Willis, of the Back Top Farm, up to the first floor, at his own expense. Afterwards it was finished by voluntary subscription. Grindleford has now its voluntary National Schools and Church of England Mission Room, under the Rectorship of Eyam, the Rev H.J. Freeman, service being held every Sunday, and conducted by Mr S.H. West, licensed lay reader.

I have not space to go further into these reminiscences in this issue. but I shall in the future have something further to say in regard to the Grindleford stone and slate quarries. I am indebted to Mr Rodger Bowering, who is over 70 years of age and in robust health, a native of Grindleford, for his assistance in this short compilation of local reminiscences.

One of a collection of transcriptions by Rosemary Lockie from various sources, 2000-2021.

Reference