Country Images Magazine North Edition September 2017

Above The Derwent PART TWO Holloway, Lea, Dethick & Riber Strictly Littlemoor Brook, but better known as the Lea Brook, in its short life before joining the Derwent, ﬂ ows through countryside that has seen historic events, both political and industrial. Brian Spencer continues his exploration of the attractive villages built across the Derwent hillside. The climb up to Holloway from Whatstandwell was followed quite unannounced by Florence Nightingale on her return from the Crimea in 1856. Following a brief rest in London, she took an early train from the newly built St Pancras Station, little realising that she was the most talked-of woman in Europe. Breaking the barriers of military red tape, her no-nonsense methods laid the foundations of modern nursing techniques. Th e house she headed for at the top of her climb was Lea Hurst, the summer home of the wealthy Nightingale family. Originally a 17 th Century gabled manor house, it was extended by Florence’s father Edward Nightingale. In her youth Florence, named aft er her Italian birthplace, developed the latent skills of nursing by looking aft er her aged aunts and neighbours. Although it was not their main residence, Florence loved spending summers at Lea Hurst. Th e balcony outside her bedroom was her great joy, commanding a view of the garden with its stone terraces massed with fl owers, and of a meadow beyond, losing itself among the trees running down to the Derwent. She would have been happy to see Lea Hurst used as a care home as it was until recently, but it is now a private house. Entrance to Riber Hall Holloway village spreads along the wooded rocky hillside, with stone houses lining steep narrow side lanes. At one time the village had a pub and thirty shops, but all including the Yew Tree pub have closed, with one notable exception. At a time when village stores are struggling to survive, it comes like a breath of fresh air to fi nd somewhere where customers happily drive miles in order to buy best quality meat and bakery products. Th e shop has been run by Robin Maycock and his wife Glynis since 1977, when they took over from the Th omas Walker family who had run the butcher’s shop since 1850. Specialising in excellent quality, personal service and good value, Maycock’s butchers and bakers are worth supporting. Lea Rhododendron Gardens are a riot of colour from early March until the end of June CountryImagesMagazine.co.uk | 13

Country Images Magazine North Edition September 2017 | Page 13