Whitwell, Derbyshire
Encyclopedia
Whitwell is a small village
located in Derbyshire
, England
.
Although Whitwell celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in the 'Whitwell 1000' Celebrations of 1989 it is much older than this celebration suggests.The earliest written references to Whitwell are from the Anglo-Saxon charters however many of its historical sites pre-date this period. Within the parish is the biggest wood in Europe, as well as several Iron Age
burial mounds, an Iron Age fort and settlement, the remains of a Roman villa, medieval field systems, and both a Norman and Saxon church, the world heritage site of Creswell Crags
was until recently within the Parish. Whitwell Old Hall
is a medieval manor house.
Whitwell won the 'Best Kept Village in Derbyshire' Award in 1988.
Whitwell is a thriving village with strong community spirit. The village has many active clubs and societies including: Whitwell Scout and Guide Group, Local History Group, Whitwell Players, Whitwell Brass Band and junior band, C of E, Methodist and Poplar churches, Natural History Group, green bowls club, cricket club, and football club.
Although being quite a small village, Whitwell has six public houses. It previously had as many as 11 and held the record for most number of licensed premises per capita. The current pubs are Holmefield Arms, The Jack Ups (Whitwell Working Men's Club), New Middle Club, The Boot And Shoe, The Half Moon and The Royal Oak. Whitwell also has three take-aways. One called Pizza Time on Station Road opposite the "Jack Ups", a "Chinese", situated on Welbeck Street, called Go-Ming and a Chip Shop called "Chip Inn", on Hanger Hill next to the corner of Fox Road.The Biggest employer just outside the Village is La Farge Works (formerly Steetley Company) which run a quarry which supplies Limestone and other products all around the world.
In a field bordering the eastern edge of Whitwell Wood is the Three Shires Oak
, a tree where the county borders of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire
, and Yorkshire
meet. Whitwell Wood's southern fence borders the A619 (Chesterfield-Worksop road), and is approximately 5km from Junction 30 of the M1.
, world snooker and Billiards champion from the 1920s to the 1940s. His Whitwell home (on Welbeck Street) bears a plaque commemorating him.
Les Jackson
, England
cricketer and Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1959, played for Whitwell Cricket Club and came to watch their games on a Saturday afternoon until his death in 2007.
Also from the village are Chris Adams, the Sussex
and England
cricketer and Ian Bennett, a professional goalkeeper who currently plays for Huddersfield Town, whose family still lives in the village.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
located in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Although Whitwell celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in the 'Whitwell 1000' Celebrations of 1989 it is much older than this celebration suggests.The earliest written references to Whitwell are from the Anglo-Saxon charters however many of its historical sites pre-date this period. Within the parish is the biggest wood in Europe, as well as several Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
burial mounds, an Iron Age fort and settlement, the remains of a Roman villa, medieval field systems, and both a Norman and Saxon church, the world heritage site of Creswell Crags
Creswell Crags
Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge on the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, England near the villages of Creswell, Whitwell and Elmton...
was until recently within the Parish. Whitwell Old Hall
Whitwell Old Hall
Whitwell Old Hall is an early 17th century manor house at Whitwell, Derbyshire. It is a Grade II* listed building.The manor of Whitwell was purchased in the 16th century by Sir John Manners of Haddon Hall . He was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1585 and rebuilt the old manor house...
is a medieval manor house.
Whitwell won the 'Best Kept Village in Derbyshire' Award in 1988.
Whitwell is a thriving village with strong community spirit. The village has many active clubs and societies including: Whitwell Scout and Guide Group, Local History Group, Whitwell Players, Whitwell Brass Band and junior band, C of E, Methodist and Poplar churches, Natural History Group, green bowls club, cricket club, and football club.
Although being quite a small village, Whitwell has six public houses. It previously had as many as 11 and held the record for most number of licensed premises per capita. The current pubs are Holmefield Arms, The Jack Ups (Whitwell Working Men's Club), New Middle Club, The Boot And Shoe, The Half Moon and The Royal Oak. Whitwell also has three take-aways. One called Pizza Time on Station Road opposite the "Jack Ups", a "Chinese", situated on Welbeck Street, called Go-Ming and a Chip Shop called "Chip Inn", on Hanger Hill next to the corner of Fox Road.The Biggest employer just outside the Village is La Farge Works (formerly Steetley Company) which run a quarry which supplies Limestone and other products all around the world.
Whitwell Wood
The freshwater Ginny Spring is located in the northern section of the wood.In a field bordering the eastern edge of Whitwell Wood is the Three Shires Oak
Three Shire Stone
A Three Shire Stone is a marker point where three counties meet. The term is used in the United Kingdom.Some notable Three Shire landmarks are:*Three Shire Stone...
, a tree where the county borders of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, and Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
meet. Whitwell Wood's southern fence borders the A619 (Chesterfield-Worksop road), and is approximately 5km from Junction 30 of the M1.
Famous Whitwellians
One of Whitwell's most famous sons was Joe DavisJoe Davis
Joe Davis, OBE was a British professional player of snooker and English billiards....
, world snooker and Billiards champion from the 1920s to the 1940s. His Whitwell home (on Welbeck Street) bears a plaque commemorating him.
Les Jackson
Les Jackson
Les Jackson was an English cricketer. A fast or fast-medium bowler renowned for his accurate bowling and particular hostility on uncovered wickets, he played county cricket for Derbyshire from 1947 to 1963, and was regularly at, or near the top of, the English bowling averages...
, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
cricketer and Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1959, played for Whitwell Cricket Club and came to watch their games on a Saturday afternoon until his death in 2007.
Also from the village are Chris Adams, the Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
and England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
cricketer and Ian Bennett, a professional goalkeeper who currently plays for Huddersfield Town, whose family still lives in the village.