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| Azzabuv Quote | Reply | This message was updated on 9/29/2004 4:04:45 PM by Azzabuv | The Dumbles posted on: 9/23/2004 5:32:07 PM In the late 1940s, the Dumbles was an exciting, very adventurous Wilderness to several inquisitive 10 to 12 year old Heanor lads. From the top of Glew/Glue Lane, you walked/ran down the two fields to the Red River. Snake country. Immediately to your right, following the sometimes swift, sometimes placid running river/stream across the edge of the field brought you to the smaller of the two Egreave's ponds, or Everick, as it appeared to be named then. To us it was simply 'The Swamp'. Highly exciting and if you continued to follow the river's sluggish course through the thickets, you came out at Loscoe, across from St. Luke's 'Church'. Tame country. Slightly to your right, lay the larger Everick pond, better known as Dead Dog pond, for obvious reasons. Somebody obviously saw our group of innocents slowly approaching once and left a dog's lead lying mid-way across the old tree trunk pathway, the collar in the water under the trunk. We soon found that the collar was worn by a largish dog seemingly trapped under the water beneath the log and the old brick walled sluice/weir. So, in a frenzy to help free it, we tugged and pulled on the lead, to stare sickeningly as suddenly the lead flew up in the air and over our heads and still round the dog's neck - minus the body. The sudden accompanying stench quickly told us the dog had obviously been 'trapped' for some time. Still, we must have given someone a good belly laugh. If you went straight on, partway across the field, near the stile, you came to the old hollowed out, round the base, large 'Witch's Tree'. Room enough for two boys to climb inside. Why it was called that, no one knew. Carrying straight on from the stile, after a few fields you could explore the ruins of a house in the thickets at Robeyfields. (Not Robeyfields Farm, that lay to the S.W.) From there, swinging slightly to the right across the fields, you entered Denby Common to the left of Mirey Leys. Straight on instead, brought you out at Mid-Denby Common. From the original Red River location, from the Glew Lane start, you could instead turn left, climb up the small hillock and going through the long wood to your left, follow the Red River to eventually arrive at 'Table Top Mountain', the lonely hillock surrounded on two sides by the split Red River. A lovely spot for a quiet Sunday afternoon's picnic. To your left across the field is Sough Wood, long, narrow and quiet. All roads from the Dumbles lead to the 'Four'. Heanor, Smalley, Denby or Loscoe, no chance of getting lost. From the Red River stile, you could also go to the second field on your right. Nature purposely created this long, steep sloping field for our party of young innocents, so that on long, cold Winter Moonlit nights, we could sledge swiftly and endlessly from the top to the edge of the Red River, the compacted deep snow slowly turning to a nice, wide, shiny, slippery, icy surface. All pure enjoyment till the clock chimed at ten. To day, of course, an housing estate is slowly encroaching the Dumbles from the Heanor side, and commercialism is creeping in at Loscoe. The true Wilderness is not now what it once was. Ah well, there's always the charabanc to Matlock, i suppose. The name 'Dumbles' means small valley(s). Azzabuv. |
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RMMee
Moderator Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 9/24/2004 3:29:02 AM I've had a recent enquiry about The Dumbles from Matt T. I have asked him to have a read of your post, and hopefully to add his comments - if he doesn't, I'll copy his email to me onto the forum. |
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Azzabuv
Quote | Reply | This message was updated on 9/24/2004 12:14:38 PM by Azzabuv |
The Dumbles
replied on: 9/24/2004 12:11:19 PM Hi, Robert. Yes, it'll be interesting to see what information comes through, one way or the other? I was beginning to think the Dumbles were a taboo subject or something. By the way, doesn't the Dumbles, or at least part of them (the Smalley part) belong to the church in someway. Canterbury based, i believe i read or heard somewhile ago. Azzabuv. |
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RMMee
Moderator Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 9/25/2004 4:58:39 AM Out of interest, before we get the info from Matt, why did you think that the Dumbles might be a taboo subject? Is there something odd about the area? It's not a place I've ever been, though I'm intending doing a walk along Glew Lane to Smalley some time, just to see. |
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Azzabuv
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The Dumbles
replied on: 9/25/2004 11:57:10 AM No, i meant that nothing was being said on the site about such a fairly large area of inviting open countryside which is surrounded by four built-up population areas. BUT, as you asked the question about something being unusual about the Dumbles - well the following incident is from the 'horses mouth', as they say and was related to me some years ago. A courting couple were taking a stroll in the direction of Robeyfields Farm one weekend in 1937. Just before the trackway to the farm, a small baseball shaped self- luminous pale blue ball skitted out of the grassy area to their left, floated slowly over the path in front of them, continuing its journey down the other field and that was that. There's also the rumours about something having occurred in the top end of the wood which is just prior to the blue ball incident. Advice for your future trek through that area. Your digital camera and oh - those plimsolls? It is very nice countryside to idle a few hours away in though, on a nice slow walk. Azzabuv. |
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Azzabuv
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The Dumbles
replied on: 10/1/2004 9:26:05 PM For Robert and anyone else who doesn't know any Dumbles walks. From the end of Glew Lane, head directly straight down to the Red River, cross over and turn sharp left up the hillock. Climb over the style. This will give you the gist of the Dumble area. Smalley is roughly to the S.W. Table Top Mountain is in the general direction to the left also. For a longer walk, head straight ahead in the general direction of Robeyfields Farm. To the right, straight ahead, eventually lies Denby Common. Azzabuv. |
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Azzabuv
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The Dumbles
replied on: 11/2/2004 11:52:02 PM Robert. Have you managed to find the time for a Dumbles stroll yet? Have you still got Matt Ts. Email concerning the Dumbles or will he ever reply? In the words of the song - "Take me back to the Red River Valley". Is there another ex-Dumbles Patriot somewhere? Azzabuv. |
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suzard
Researcher Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 12/10/2004 12:38:56 PM There must have been "Dumbles " in Shipley, as my grandfathers address in 1871 was The Dumbles Shipley |
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Azzabuv
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The Dumbles
replied on: 12/10/2004 3:08:33 PM That's a new one on me, Suzard. The only likely place i can think of, is at the bottom of Thorpes Rd; where it enters Slack Lane. There's a narrow shallow valley, running N. to S. there. (Just before the old railway route). Have you got any further information concerning your Grandfather's address at that time period? Azzabuv. |
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suzard
Researcher Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 12/13/2004 12:26:51 PM His addresses between 1871 and 1881 were(all in Shipley) The Dumbles, Shipley Rd Cottages, Hassock Lane Cottages, and Noons Cottages (there was also Noons farm).I imagine the Dumbles to be somewhere near Hassock Lane-as almost every house on there was inhabited by some member of the family. |
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Jennypeg
Researcher Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 12/13/2004 5:13:14 PM Hi, I've found a photo in the Ripley and Heanor April 15th 1966 its of the 1921 strike, "A private mine worked at the back of Fletcher's Factory, Dumbles, Commonside, Heanor. The picture shows miners from Shipley Woodside and Shipley Coppice Collieries. kneeling against bucket Bob Fowkes and "Sambo"Sutton. others known : Stirland, Fletcher, Gillott, Stafford, Bestwick, Len Fowkes, Bob Fowkes, nephews boys, Poole, Eley, Hunt. Benjamin Eley and his family lived at the last house on Thorpes Rd I think the house was knock down when the factory was built. Jenny |
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Azzabuv
Quote | Reply | This message was updated on 12/31/2004 2:14:37 PM by Azzabuv |
The Dumbles
replied on: 12/31/2004 2:03:12 PM Aye, i remember that old house which was knocked down. As nippers, we used to play among the ruins of it. The old brick/concrete copper used to make a grand hiding place when needed. A small boy could just fit inside it nicely - pull the top cover over the circular entrance and all was well. I know most of the names which you mention. Well, the sons anyway and a few of the men. It could be that 'private' mine was actually the many small coal diggings on what was/is known as 'The Delves'. Eventually its grassy surface resembled the cratered surface of the Moon. There was literally dozens of small/medium sized holes dug all over it, a few even having brick lined arched roofs and entrances and they were still prominent in the 1940s and 50s. Azzabuv.  |
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paulcliff
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The Dumbles
replied on: 1/10/2005 1:54:17 AM Its very interesting about JENNYPEG's post regarding the Miners Strike. I am currently researching my family history. Two of the names in my family tree are Fowkes and Sutton (realted by marriage). I was wondering if you had any more details about the people on the photo? I would also be grateful if you could also let me know where I could locate a copy of the photo or whether I would have to nip over to Ripley library? Many Thanks Paul |
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RMMee
Moderator Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 1/10/2005 5:34:12 PM I'll post a copy of the photo from the paper onto here, hopefully thiw evening, but certainly this week. The Ripley & Heanor is available on Microfilm at Ripley Library and Heanor Library, and possibly at the Derby Local Study Library (possibly also at the Local Study Library at Matlock). |
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RMMee
Moderator Quote | Reply | |
The Dumbles
replied on: 1/10/2005 10:00:37 PM 
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paulcliff
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The Dumbles
replied on: 1/11/2005 12:32:05 AM Thanks very much for that, its much appreciated. Paul |
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