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> Derby Guestbook 2002 |
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Guest book entries for December 2002 |
Dear Andy, The keys to the city sound like a just reward for the way you've put Derby on the world map. I'm so glad to know that you're being appreciated for the wonderful devotion you have shown towards this huge project of yours. I read the Derbyshire Life article with interest and was surprised that you were just a regular, every-day kind of guy with a camera when you started out. I figured, judging by the beautiful shots you have on your site, that you had more of an artistic background, and that you were a very experienced photographer looking for a showcase for your work. To think that you were basically a novice starting out, really amazes me. I guess it was a hidden talent that grabbed hold of you and hasn't let you go. What really comes
through on your site, besides the beauty of Derby and her surroundings,
is your love of your home city. And it is this quality that makes your
site mesmerizing, whether it is being viewed by expat's who view the pictures
with homesick eyes, or by people like me, who have a dream to one day
walk her streets and pathways and look on all these places with their
own eyes. Either way, you have shared your own piece of the world with
the broader world, and have done it in a thorough and competent way. I am so pleased that
you are keen on maintaining and developing this site further. I also appreciate
the novel ways you have presented your images, such as the panoramic shots,
the then-and-now's, the night shots, the So as you toil away night after night working on your site, and spend most of your free time going place to place taking photos, know that you are very much appreciated. Take care. Cynthia |
Great
site, looking forward to having a good look round, I sent all my Christmas
e-cards from here, so easy to do, fantastic photos. I sent the Xmas photos
to relatives that used to live in Derby, give them a nostalgic look of
Derby also to relatives that live abroad and never been to Derby, so they
can see what Derby is like. |
Hi
Andy, |
Great website, especially for someone out of county and trying to find out about the place. I have been told my
relatives used to come to Repton (had family local) to have their photos
taken on a cross there, is this the Boot Hill monument. I can't quite
make out what shape it is? |
I
enjoyed the site very much. I was born in Derby, 1934. in Elton road.
moved to richmond Rd just after, spent my young days at Pear tree School.
left in 1950 and joined the army as a soldier. |
Congratulations
on a very good collection of excellent local photographs. |
A
great set of photographs and a grand web site. I came across the site
while looking for anything relating to Windley where I was born some 67
year ago and left when six months old and much to my loss have never been
there since. I tried a "Google Advanced" search, but came up
with nothing, so I would be very pleased to hear from anyone with pictures
of Windley. (I do now, see here!) |
Guest book entries for November 2002 |
Hello
Andy, my wife, Valerie Greene (nee Smith) found your site through her
brother and nephew [Chris Lemon]. We spent several hours yesterday enjoying
ourselves. Val is from Derby, Chaddesden, and remembers many things that
you show. She and her family used to visit Chad church every Sunday when
they were small. We both are 69 now. Enjoyed seeing Aston on Trent, my
Fathers family came from there. |
I
just found your excellent website whilst searching for panoramic photographs
of England using Google. |
I
came across this site quite by chance. All I can say is "well done". |
As
recommended by a friend, I have been on a couple of ghost walks, The Town
Centre and Friargate area, both with Richard Felix. I am currently trying
to arrange another one for my work colleagues, perhaps we'll try the Tutbury
one this time. They are absolutely facinating, made even better by the
enthusiasm and excitement of Richard Felix. |
Guest book entries for October 2002 |
Andy Peter Wylie |
Hi
Andy, |
Hello Andy |
I have been very pleased to find & view your web site - very informative. I am currently doing
some research into my family history & would like to get hold of some
pictures of streets in the past. Specifically I am looking for images
of Russell Street, Litchurch Street and Otter Street. Regards |
I
enjoyed seeing your photos. I was in Derby last year to visit Shirley Village,
and by chance I saw Mackworth Castle on the way. I took a few photos of
Mackworth, but since it was late in the day the photos were quite dark and
did not show the wall details clearly. I enjoyed seeing the ones you took in direct light. Nice work - all your photos. Paul Shirley Easley, South Carolina USA |
My wife and I
have just returned to NZ after five months in the UK, during which time
we toured extensively. When we drove down through the Peak District, the
weather wasn't the best, and I wasn't able to take any photographs. In fact,
even had it been better, the traffic wasn't conducive to stopping, as a
lot of commercial vehicles seem to go over Snake Pass. It has been wonderful to find your excellent photographs on the net, which has helped us to relive part of our trip. Many thanks for this wonderful web site. Kind regards Daphne and Mike Hogg Auckland, New Zealand. |
I'm Steve Aitkenhead, I live in California Gully, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia which is a long way removed from Egginton. We did live there briefly, for six months or so, in the early sixties. Our family emigrated to Australia in 1954 but apparently due to my fathers serious illness returned to the UK in 1962. We lived in "Hall Gardens" Fishpond Lane at my Aunty and Uncles home. This backed on to the large (to an 11 year old) park the remains of the mansion property, which when viewing aerial photos via BritMap still seems fairly big? My uncle had a part of the brick wall knocked out so that access to the park was easier. I attended Egginton Primary (Miss Flack?) and passed my 11 plus. Then went to John Port School in Etwall before our family headed south to Welling in Kent. We returned to Australia in 1965, after my fathers death. While at the Primary I showed an exhibition of souvenirs of our journey back to the UK at the school fete. It was reported in one of the local papers - I still have the clipping from the paper - I just have to find it to give you the date! Might be able to get that scanned if you are interested. I remember the old
ruins of the mansion and exploring what once must have been glorious gardens.
I seem to recall an old bridge across an ornamental lake or am I just
dreaming that? Also large rhododendrons growing there. Kind regards Steve |
A friend sent me your
web site some couple of months back and I must admit to being very disappointed
to see that BORROWASH and OCKBROOK were not at that time on the site.
I wanted to send the site to my cousins in USA and Canada who were talking
of visiting us in the New Year and thought it might be nice for them to
see the location. |
Dear Andy, Just wanted to say
thank you for the pictures of my father's birthplace in Derby. What a
joy for my sister and me to finally get a look at our dad's home. As we
live in different parts of California and may never have the Please share my comments
with all who may have an interest. |
Hi, |
My
mother Mary Frances Ballington nee pearson lived on Church street Alvaston,
her father william pearson was a bell ringer from 1894 till 1954 at the
church at the top of the street he was in the horse cavelry in the 1914-18
war and a member of the derbyshire yeomen. Does anyone remember? Frank Ballington Glossop, Derbyshire |
Guest book entries for September 2002 |
Andy you are awesome!!! Pamela loykowski |
Guest book entries for August 2002 |
I found your site
and I think it is great. I especially liked the Aston on Trent pictures
as I am researching my fathers family of WHYMAN, so far I have got back
to 1611, and I am trying to find out more about which old houses still
survive in and around Aston as the Whyman's in those days owned property
and land, John Whyman in particular in the 1700's was a land surveyor,
land agent for a few notable people, and also a school master in Aston.
Janet Whyman |
Thank-you so much
for the picture of the Strutt Arms, it has brought back fond memories
for me and my friends. We were in the area in May and got lost and found
the Strutt Arms and just loved it there. |
Love the Derby web site. Born and raised in Derby, left for the States in 1968. Have lived In Indiana USA-California USA and now for the past 13 years Oregon USA. I come home to Derby every winter and spring to spend time with family and old friends. I like some of the new things that have happened in Derby, but I also think a lot of important old buildings have been destroyed. I feel sad when I visit because the street I lived on isn't their anymore, the school I went isn't their anymore. The parks mostly still look great. The Eagle Center is great and the Eagle Center Market. Don't think they should change the bus station, it is an old art deco building and should be simply cleaned up and modified a bit. how can you replace such a grand old building. Even though it is a bit dowdy and definatly dirty, no reason to just destroy it. I like the flowers
around the town in the spring, don't see them in summer. But I think a
lot of good improvements have been made around the town center. [lets
not talk about the water feature] it's okay but what were they thinking
?? There is a book by Susan Bourne, called "Memories of Frairgate Station " I love the book as it is full of pics and info and extremely interesting. tells about a family who lived at the station way back when. but I collect all books about Derby, have you heard of a book by Derek Palmer called "the demolition of Derby" facinating book, with tons of wonderful old pics. even my old school is in it, ABBEY ST GIRLS SCHOOL. I have such fond memories of my childhood growing up in Derby, life was simple then, life was hard, but you didn't seem to mind as everybody was in the same boat. bet you don't remember the PIG BINS !!!! it was during wartime, I was only a wee baby then, but well up to about 1950 I believe we still had them, you had to take all your potato peelings and stuff like that and put in the bins. then they were taken I guess to the farms to feed the pigs. I remember sitting
on the river garden steps as a kid and eating my sweets from my portion
of the sweet allowence from the ration book. also going shopping for my
mom at a place I cannot remember the name where their had these things
they put your money in and it went on a wire thing above the shop and
then came whizzing back with your change. oh I think it was called "the
home and colonial" they would whisper to you Anyway enough ramblings, I could go on and on, I am always saying one day I will write a book. but one day seems never to come keep up the good work. |
A great site which
is giving me a lot of pleasure and ideas as I browse throught it. |
Just wanted you to
know how your photos of Derby brought back many happy memories to me I
was born in Derby and lived there for twenty years prior to immigrating
to Canada. |
Just stumbled across
your website. For many years I lived at the rear of the "Blue Peter"
in Alvaston. Peter Kazmierczak |
Guest book entries for July 2002 |
I have just spent
a very enjoyable hour looking through your pages. Colin Grace |
Hi there!! Keep up the great
work. |
Hi Andy, I think its
great that you take a real interest in the culture of your area and share
it with other people I too often hear negative comments about towns
or cities from people who know nothing about the history of the place
or have no intention of searching out their heritage, so it is good to
see the Derby Photos website being visited frequently and appreciated
by other users. Mark Bowers |
Hi Andy, A great resource for people seeking some wonderful visuals and information on Derby, Derbyshire and the Midlands. Thank you! |
A brilliant web site. |
Hi, looked at the
photos on this web site they are very good also the help you gave me about
pubs with fishing thanks keep nup the good work. Mick Tyler |
Andy |
I really appreciated
access to the map via the mapping site. And although I have never been,
you have captured the essence of the culture and countryside in your photos.
|
Guest book entries for June 2002 |
It is indeed a pleasure
having the opportunity to see photographs from such a beautiful part of
the world. Glynis Sequeira |
I left Derby in 1977
and friends told me I wouldn't know the place anymore. How right they
were. |
Hello Andy |
This is a very cool
site. I'm attempting to move to Derby sometime, and this is a great place
to see what I love it over there! Each city is so different from one another. Heidi Schrag |
Andy, noticed your
excellent site with some photos of the Wilne Church. Other photos around
Derby/Long Eaton area were also great to see. PS. The map link on your web page is terrific - now I know where everything is in relation to Derby etc. Brent Walker |
Guest book entries for April 2002 |
I found your website
when I was looking for pictures of Derby to show someone how bad it looks.
|
A fantastic site, brought back a lot of memories. I left Derby in 1975 to join the Army. I returned for about 18 months in 1988. I've been in Australia since 1990. I enjoyed the whole
site but mainly the Darley Abbey part, it brought back memories of my
childhood, sledging down the "Humpy Dumpty" hill at Darley Park
and the Chester Green area where I used to live, New Chester Street which
is, I last heard, a car park now. My parents are now living in the St
Mary's Wharf road area. It's amazing how much
it's changed. Well done, an excellent site Once again thankyou. Nowra |
Hi Andy great pictures
of Glossop, any chance of seeing some more pics of Glossop, Hadfield and
especially ruff fields in Hadfield...Im home sick and hopefully moving
back to Derbyshire in July. Bev Livesey |
Hi Andy, I was born in 1962
and lived in Ripley until I went to Manchester University, got a Ph.D.
in High Energy Phsyics and worked for a software company in Stockport
for 10 years before moving here to work at Microsoft. Your photographs of Cromford, Derby, and so on are very good, and I enjoyed the time-lapse pictures too. Best regards from |
I am a 39 year old
female and a friend of mine I met on the internet who lives in Derby showed
me your website and I was awestruck by it. |
Great site Andy, It is nice to return
back to Derby once in a while even through photographs. Keep up the good work Andrew and Teresa
Dawe |
Andy, I really like
the picture of The Old Bell Hotel at dusk (or dawn is it? Not all that
sure =). Edward Jovan Quinlan |
Andy, What a great
site,I have gathered alot of insite to my gandmothers family beginings
from your site . p.s found your site
via google.com and just entered Green lane ,west derby and it came up |
Guest book entries for March 2002 |
Andy, You deserve
a knighthood for your site. I especially liked the night scenes of downtown. They are really terrific and make Derby look great. I have lived here 22 years and I'm never been so homesick in my life, and its all down to you. We were back at Christmas
when you took some of the pictures, so it really brings back the good
memories. Keep up the good work and I hope you're enjoying it. ps my wife has a Canon G2 digital camera and she is very envious of your great photography. The Clays |
Guest book entries for February 2002 |
Dear Andy, I was Born in Derby in 1956 Cavendish. Moved to Allestree in 1960. Age 4 Very good pictures
of Derby which I have been looking for to remind me of home. I am currently
living in the Caribbean with my wife. I was born in Derby in the mid 50's
and moved to Allestree in 1960. You can't imagine
what it's like to look at local home pictures when your 4,000 miles away
and have not been there for a few years. Thanks for the pictures of Allestree
Park, and the village. I see the area around the old church has been changed
too. If you ever go up to Vicarswood. There is a good view of Allestree
from there. In the 60's, Blenhiem Drive did not run all the way from Woodlands road up and round to Allestree Lane, but stopped by Woodlands school. That is my first memory of the area. No houses to the east of woodlands until down to where Portway is. There was a huge old Oak tree by the Woodlands School which was right in the centre of what is now the main road there. Kedleston Hotel (Bath Farm). I used to play in it years ago. It was derelict and a great place to explore. Old Church near to Quarndon. (Now cleaned up) Used to be straight out of a horror film. Spooky /Haunted. Well up near to Quarndon Church. There is also what we think used to be an old coach road running through the centre of 'Big Wood' at the top of Woodlands Road. You have to know where to look to find the stone walled part hidden deep in the woods. Allestree village ( Alereds tree) as there is a tree in the old village churchyard named after the man. Apparently where Allestree got its name. Derbyshire was Deobyscir* ( Deer Park).*Not sure of actual spelling.* And down at the Duffield Road junction by a restaurant near to Allestree Village is the place where the trolley buses used to turn around. (Before you cross over into Darley Abbey Village.) Anyway I will try
to dig out some of my own pictures and send them. I found the map quite
interesting as I was able to look at where my parents are now. Most people
would not find the actual streets of much interest although they do change
over time. For example Crabtree Close did not go right across into the
fields until the late 70's as we all used to sledge down that field. I
really wish I had photo's taken before they built on that field. It overlooks
Kedleston road junction where it splits off up to Quarndon. It used to
be a cow field and full of wild flowers in the summer where we all went
for picnics |
Hi Andy What a great
site, Gillian Beck |
Regards Sydney |
Louise Moos |
Guest book entries for January 2002 |
Andy, |
Hi
Andy
Congratulations on
a first class Derbyshire site. With best wishes from Raymond Beardsley Melbourne |
Brilliant
brilliant brilliant site Andy ! I found it via the Google search engine, one of my International student friends had returned to France and needed some photos of Derby for a presentation he was doing. So I typed in "photos of ashbourne road", and your site came up. Now I point out your site to anyone who wants to see what Derby looks like as it is so comprehensive and impressive. I hope you have more
time to create some new "before and after" photos ? Andy Barsby |
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