Dore to Door internet edition

Book Reviews - Autumn 2000

Although the Peak District has its fans, it can be crowded at times. Yet some of the adjoining Derbyshire countryside, while not perhaps as dramatic, is rich in history and can provide enjoyable walks in its own right. Newly published Discovery walks in North East Derbyshire by Elaine Burkinshaw, provides suggestions for 30 walks in the area enabling you to explore its history and heritage from early man at Cresswell Crags to the age of steam at Clay Cross. Castles, stately homes, and birthplaces of the industrial revolution are all here encouraging a healthy blend of discovery and exercise.

The book starts with a useful historical overview, and there are also introductions to the periods covered by each of the sections. The walks range from 4-9 miles, each with detailed route instructions, information on points of interest and simple maps. In passing Cartledge Hall in Holmesfield I read that it was built by John Wolstenholme in 1492 and that his grandson was a founder of the Virginia Company and has an island in Baffin Bay named after him. One of his sons, a Royalist officer was killed in the civil war on the way to Marston Moor.

Discovery walks in North East Derbyshire is published by Sigma Leisure, price £ 6.95. It is a pleasant way to discover more about the areas history.

Grave Tales from South Yorkshire by Giles Brearley sets out, as the title suggests, to introduce us to the final resting places of the famous, rich or infamous sons and occasional daughters of South Yorkshire. Covering Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster & Sheffield, the book identifies 94 individual or group memorials. From civil war soldier - Robert Portington at Arksey, killed by an ape bite, to champion cyclist - Tony Simpson at Harworth who died on the Tour de France in 1967. From Benjamin Huntsman at Attercliffe, inventor of crucible steel making, to the Cholera Burial Ground at East Dene.

Each entry provides a pocket history to the person or circumstances remembered with appropriate illustrations and epitaphs. Fittingly the last entry is of Dore Village Green, where contrasting monuments in the form of the war memorial and King Ecgbert Stone, commemorate events more than a thousand years apart. Overall this book provides an interesting reminder to the history we all share. Grave Tales from South Yorkshire is published by Wharncliffe Books, price £9.95.

They lived in Sharrow and Nether Edge has some thing for everyone with an interest in local history and in particular this area of Sheffield. Produced by the Nether edge Neighbourhood Group and recently republished by ALD Design & Print, the book sets out the origins of Sharrow and Nether Edge before reproducing a miscellany of articles covering families and individuals who lived in the area, some personal memories and reflections on change. Famous murderer Charles Peace, Thomas Jessop chief benefactor of Jessops Hospital, industrialist John Brown , just a few of what seems more than the area's fair share of fame. With lots of old black and white photographs and illustrations this 72page A4 book is available from the publishers on 268 6269, price £ 4.95.

Alistair Lofthouse of ALD Design & Print has published a number of Sheffield books all available direct from them or from local bookshops. Shiny Sheff is the story of the three fighting ships to have borne the Sheffield name from 1937 through the Second World War, from 1975 until the Falklands and from 1988 to the present day. Specifications, action and history, all in 160 pages price £ 8.95.

Then and Now, Sheffield is a collection of old photographs and present day comparisons featuring locally Dore & Totley Station, The Hare & Hounds Dore and Limpets Cottage on Causeway Head Road. A nostalgic reflection on how things used to be and the extent of change over the years. Price £ 4.95.

Finally few in Sheffield can not have heard of the Sheffield Flood which took place in 1864 when the Dale Dyke Dam collapsed. Drawing on eye-witness accounts, The Sheffield Flood traces the dramatic events in detail and the human tragedy created as the water swept downstream from Bradfield towards the Don. With some 100 well illustrated pages, some in colour, the book costs £ 6.95.

Alan Faulkner Taylors latest book Naturalist's Third Eye - memoirs of a Wildlife Photographer/artist was previewed in our spring edition. Copies are currently on display in Jimmy Martin's shop. Specially autographed copies can be ordered from the author on 236 5979.

The Mystery of Carl Wark by Mick Savage was reviewed in our spring edition and almost immediately sold out. It sets out to explore what we do know about the site and some of the conjectures. Now reprinted, it is available direct from the author on 236 9002 price £ 4.95.