News

Ashover Light Railway

Richard Booth, Chairman of the Ashover Light Railway Society, will give a presentation about the history of this former narrow gauge freight and passenger line, part of which ran through the Amber Valley, from around 1925 to 1950. There are remnants of the track bed submerged under Ogston Reservoir.

Brackenfield Heritage Cafe

Social get togethers for the over 50s with a focus on local history. Meetings usually take place at Brackenfield Church Hall, from 10:30am to 12:30pm, with a guest speaker. Admission is £3.00 per person on the door and includes refreshments. Open to residents of Brackenfield, Wessington and the surrounding areas. Please get in touch if you would like to come along, so we know how much cake we need!

Contact details:

07940 510531

secretary@brackenfield.org

Martha Jasko-Lawrence, Curator of Archaeology at Museums Sheffield, brought some fascinating examples of mediaeval Brackenfield Pottery to show the group. These were all finds from the kilns which were excavated in 1972 after local farmer, Mr Prue, found some pottery sherds in his fields. The collection has moved round several museums over the past forty years and is now stored in the archives in Sheffield, so it was good to give some pieces an airing. One member of the group took part in
the dig and was delighted to see the finds again after forty six years. Thanks to Stuart Band for additional photographs.

Feedback was as follows: "Lovely opportunity to meet local people and find out about local history" & "Very interesting and friendly, pity it's only once a month"