Dore to Door internet edition

Book Reviews - Summer 2002

Historic Hallamshire; Hidden Derbyshire; Curious Cures of Old Yorkshire; Born and Brewed in Yorkshire; Footpath Walks in and around the Peak District National Park; Discovering the Peak District; Walking in Staffordshire; Heart of England Walks; Holiday Walks in Normandy.

We may all feel familiar with the name Hallamshire and have experience of a host of its derivatives including our parliamentary constituency of Sheffield Hallam and Hallam FM radio. But how many of us know where it is or anything about its history?

A major new book by David Hey, Emeritus Professor of Local and Family History at the University of Sheffield, sets out to answer these questions and in the process provides a fascinating guide and insight into the areas history.

The name Hallamshire is first recorded in a 1161 charter, but the Domesday Book refers to Hallun, and the area was the most southerly administrative district of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. It covered, (or covers!), an area matching the parishes of Sheffield and Ecclesfield, plus the chapelry of Bradfield. Not Dore, which was in Derbyshire until the 1930s.

In its nine chapters, the book covers, and illustrates with ample black and white photographs and maps, the countryside, buildings, people and history which make up the character of Hallamshire. Beauchief Abbey gets a whole chapter, as does the Dragon of Wantley, you know the legend and ballad based on Wharncliffe Crags. Well written and carefully researched, with a comprehensive bibliography, Historic Hallamshire published by Landmark Publishing in hardback makes fascinating and enlightening reading. Price £19.95 ISBN 1-84306-049-3

The county of Derbyshire has a rich vein of well known historic treasures, but there is still much to be found if you look in its hidden corners for unfamiliar places, people and curiosities. Hidden Derbyshire, by Richard Stone, sets out to throw some light on these treasures from Alderwasley and its Georgian hall to Youlgreave with its Thimble hall, just one up and one down with each room 8 feet square. Full of snippets of history and anecdotes you can read about a row of stone pigsties at ‘One Ash Grange’ near Monyash or nearer home, that the name ‘Unthank’ derives from old English and translates as ‘not granted’ suggesting land acquired by a squatter rather than legitimately. Published by Countryside Books with 160 pages, this is a book to accompany exploration of Derbyshire on foot, car or the comfort of your armchair. price £9.95 ISBN 1-85306-715-6

Ancient medical cures and folk remedies hold a widespread fascination, and just maybe some clues to future modern day treatments. For some years Dulcie Lewis has been collecting these from people across the county and they are now brought together in her book Curious Cures of Old Yorkshire. How to treat warts - rub frog spit onto it; to the use of leeches - there is a small castellated building at Aiskew once used for storing leeches. There are even 10 pieces of advice such as "More people are slain by late supper than by the sword" - sounds logical to me! Altogether 112 pages with plenty of black and white pictures and irresistible to hypochondriacs and the rest of us. Published by Countryside Books, price £7.95 ISBN 1-85306-694-X

I guess there are plenty of real ale drinkers in Bradway who will need no introduction to the ‘Pump Clip’. A way of distinguishing one ale from another, these often elaborately designed signs have become collectors items. Rosie Walker has brought together 46 designs in colour and black & white, written a little about each - the brewery, the brew and its history, then added a poem to cheer you thoughts. Born and Brewed in Yorkshire is a heady mix! Published by Wharncliffe Publishing price £9.99 ISBN

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but in some cases the same is true of its size. Footpath Walks in and around the Peak District National Park, is truly pocket size, but within its 64 pages are packed an excellent choice of 18 circular walks of 6 to 8 miles. At the beginning there is an overall map showing the locations of the walks and an index of key information. Each walk is then accompanied by a clearly drawn and easy to follow map in colour, directions to the start, a description of the walk (helpful in deciding if this is one for you) and precise route instructions. Authors Pat and Peter Tidsall are experienced walkers and contribute a County Walk every month to Derbyshire Life and Countryside magazine. Footpath Walks... is published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd, price £3.25 - real value for money. ISBN 0-85100-135-1

For those slightly more energetic souls looking for longer walks, Discovering the Peak District, by Brian Herd, provides a selection of 14 circular walks of 6 to 12 miles. None are too strenuous, but you would be wise to take the appropriate OS map to supplement the sketch maps provided. There is a good spread of walks across the area with varying terrains and a particular strength of the book is the information provided on places along the route. 64 pages in a slightly larger format, Discovering the Peak District is also published by Derbyshire Countryside Ltd, price £3.95, ISBN 0-85100-133-5

There can be few walkers who do not own a Cicerone Guide, from one of the best known publishers of walking books, with literally hundreds of titles to chose from covering all the UK and other areas of the world. Two new books are typical examples of what is available.

Walking in Staffordshire by Julie Meech is part of their County Walking Series. Its compact pocket friendly 224 pages contain details of 40 walks varying from 3 to 10½ miles. There is a generous introduction to the different areas of the county from the Staffordshire Peak around Longnor and Hartington, to Cannock Chase, and as far south as Stourbridge. Key information is provided on each walk, distance, OS maps, terrain, transport, parking & refreshments. There is a brief sketch map, a summary of the area and walk, instructions on the route and a selection of black and white and colour photographs throughout. Whether planning a day out in north Staffordshire or a weekend away, this book provides a tempting introduction to a surprising range of scenery from wild moorland to canal and riverside strolls. ISBN 1-85284-317-9.

Heart of England Walks by Roger Noyce covers a far wider area in the same size format, with 50 walks of 3 to 9 miles in an area from just north of Oxford to Stoke on Trent and from Shropshire to Leicestershire. The key information includes excellent sketch maps with plenty of colour and black and white photographs. Hills, castles, waterways, historic towns and villages, it is all here to explore. This book provides an excellent introduction to the range of walks available in this sometimes overlooked area of the country. ISBN 1-85284-325-x. Both books are published by Cicerone Press price £10.

Crossing the channel to France has its own particular attractions, not least the food, wine, weather, historic countryside and towns. Normandy happens to be one of the nearest parts of France, with close historical associations with England. It also happens to be excellent walking country. Holiday Walks in Normandy by Judy Smith, will get you out exploring the countryside and towns and provide an excellent introduction to this gastronomic paradise overlooked by those tourists seeking the sunny south. Each walk has an introduction to the area, detailed instructions on the route, a well drawn map, along with suggestions for other walks in the area and places of interest nearby. 26 walks varying from 4 to 22 km (2½ to 13 miles) will give you plenty of chance to burn off any indulgences. Holiday Walks in Normandy is published by Sigma Leisure and costs £9.95 for its 176 pages. ISBN 1-85058-736-1