The Ghosts of a Drowned Village - Derwent & Ashopton Derbyshire
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2022
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The Ghosts of a Drowned Village - Derwent & Ashopton Derbyshire
Ever since the Village of Derwent was flooded & drowned to make way for Derwent & Ladybower Reservoirs, long hot summer spells occasionlly allow the water levels to drop so low as to reveal the hidden and long lost secrets of the Derwent valley & her two vilages of Derwent & Ashopton. Join me as i walk around Ladybower Reservoir uncovering lost history and traces of long lost communities.
Featuring extensive drone footage and historical stills.
Music by Scott Buckley.
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#derwent #village #reservoir #flood #dam Additional Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0.
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A great video, and rather poignant for me. After returning from the horrors of the "Great " War, and suffering from the effects of mustard gas, my grandfather took on a chicken farm at Ashopton. To think that he would have walked those roads and worshipped in the church, sends a shiver down my back.
My grandad worked on the dam, he lost his dog 'carl' down one of the overflows
Amazing story ,,,!! Cheers 🍻
That's incredible to think about Rich. He really would've walked that very place. Wow.
When I was younger me and my late grandparents used go to the Dronfield Contact Club every Sunday. They got to know a few locals we used to sit with a lady who in her younger years used to walk in the Peak District and Derwent Valley was one of her favourite spots. Nora was born in 1912 she would get on the bus and get off at Ashopton Inn I think she used to go in the pub sometimes. She did mention Derwent Hall at that time it was used by the Youth Hostel Association you could visit it, later the Hall was used by a girl's school after they got bombed out. They stayed for a few years before returning back to Sheffield. I got the impression Nora never really approved of the flooding of the valley she visited once after the dam was completed she never went back.
The mysterious road at about18 minutes in could be the old drovers road, where they brought sheep from further afield on the way to market. There is (or was) an old drovers bridge right up the valley where the path gets steeper. The church tower was originally left standing, but was blown up after people started to swim out toit for a dare. Back in the 1960s there was another drought, and the photographs that I had from that time showed the valley with a lot less water than today. The ghostly shape at 20 minutes looks like an old garden. There is obviously nearest the camera a cross with a ring. The map quite clearly shows some gardens there, and it matches with my original 1920s/1930s map of the area, which states that this is either the site of Derwent Hall or Hollinclough Farm, not sure which because of the scale.Why it is marked Waterhouses I'm not sure, but it could be because after the building of Howden Dam, Sheffield Corporation did buy some houses in the area for water board staff to live in. The steps and wall could be part of a tiered garden scheme, rather than a loading bay. Also in that area was Dabbey Grange, and Howden House. There are various small streams, Abbey Brook, separating Dabbey Grange and Howden House and Cranberry Clough, opposite Slippery Stones, although I think these were covered by the Howden Dam. The whole area was a training ground for the Lancaster Bombers that made up the Dam Busters in the 2nd World War. If you want a scan of the map, please let me know.
I’d agree with you about the gardens, and what clearly appears to be the remains of a great house or hall. Ditto with the idea of a tiered garden area. The area is pretty silted up too. Pretty amazing to see thing that are normally underwater under the sunshine.
That path looks like it follows the boundary between farm area and woodland. Heads dead straight then turns left as it approaches the old river. I'm just looking at old maps though.
Remember going u in 76 when the water went reet down. Sbeen down enough to view since.....
Drovers roads generally followed contours of the land. I'd say it was very unlikely that this was such a road considering the way it cuts across the valley.
Interesting. Criminal that such history & society / community is drowned.
It really is a sad loss. Thank you for watching
What a beautiful area but also a sad sight to see the remains of what was once a thriving and beautiful Village
I agree. Thanks so much for watching :)
To fully understand the landscape you need to study the 1900, the 1920's and the 1940's OS maps, The building you call pump houses are manual valve houses to control flow. Notice no power input. The submerged one is for the pre Ladybower pipe line from Derwent reservoir which was duplicated to its current position near the old railway line track bed, so it was not underwater as Ladybower filled. The pipeline goes through the road bridge structure. A57. I had a great uncle who had to move from his farm near the Ashopton railway viaduct as the dam was started. His whole farm equipment and animals where moved by train to Ashbourne - Derby road. He lost half his farm to the RAF when they built Ashbourne airfield in the early 40.s.
One of your best so far ! I was lucky enough a few years ago to fly at low level between those two towers on the Dam in a Faulke Motor Glider ( VW beetle engine ) from Camp Hill. You never realise what was once under that expanse of water. Great work !
Thanks very much John for your kind words. Also I bet that was an amazing experience
Very interesting, but so sad, the ghosts of people’s lives
That’s incredible, it’s like those gardens have come to life again as the grass seed has regrown … amazing
I see the church spire was still standing before it's demolition in 1947, and the water level is about the same as it was on your visit. Kind of blows away the argument that it's global warming that is responsible for the low water now, when it was at least as low 80 odd years ago.
Hi Ant. It must be said, this is one of your best videos to date. Full of history, mystery and intrigue, A well taken opportunity to investigate a site not often seen by folk. Beautifully presented in your usual uncomplicated way. Thank you my friend, thoroughly enjoyable. Bob
Thanks very much for your kind words Bob. I intend to return next week and follow this up 🙂🙂
I live not far from there and I walked into that building at 33:43 back in the early 90s.... back when we got really long and hot summers (and long and cold winters.)
Excellent video. The ending was very touching.
Cheers Martin. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Another excellent video, I went there back in 2018 when the levels were even lower and the old pump house was high and dry. It's also sad to think the remains of Ashopton village will never be seen again
Thankyou. I'm planning on going back in a couple of weeks before the levels begin to increase again
Now its happening too England ONLY THIS time its migration that's foulding the identity of England into a memory?.
Aye, been theere when t'owd halls proof of existence has been exposed to view.
Fantastic video very enjoyable so very interesting 👍 keep them coming.
Thanks for watching Craig 🙂🙂
i swam out to the church in 1976 with some friends . the church was still standing back then, and the water was low after a hot summer
Ant, another epic walking tour/explore enjoyed from the comfort of my laptop. I hope you realise what love there is out here for your sheer hard work, enthusiasm and inspiration that comes over. Oh, and a great playlist selection as usual - all Shazam'd for further listening . Thanks so much and keep 'em coming 👏👏👏
Thanks so very much for your kind comment. I'm glad you enjoyed them. There is a part 2 coming very soon
Love these types of videos all that history forgotten in time All memories gone
Very interesting video. I was also there in 1976 with my Dad and two younger brothers. It was very low then and you could see a lot of the Ashopton foundations. The famous Derwent church spire had gone by them although my Dad told us about it as he had seen it many times before I was born.
Interesting how all those plants/weeds that have laid dormant for decades have suddenly sprung to life given some sunlight.
Wow Ant that was amazing to see, i loved the drone footage as you could clearly make out formal gardens possibly allotments or animal enclosures. Hope you enjoyed your walk of the Midland and great Northern railway in Norfolk there are many more hidden gems along the route some of which I recovered including chairs an original 1880s sleeper with rail fixing and gradient post arms. Whitwell and Reepham station is worth a visit and the ramains of the old wayside station at Honing. Keep up the great videos and look forward to the next one.
Hiya.
The remains seen just coming out of the water are those of Derwent Hall. All the paths further on were part of the Waterhouses gardens. This is where they grew all the crops etc for the Hall. Hope that clears up the mystery 🙂
Amazing thanks very much. Apparently the hall is more visible now so I need to pop back 😀
I went up 2 weeks ago and there was more visible. If you can get your hands on The Silent Valley book by Vic Hallam it tells you about the village and there's loads of old photos. I was lucky to see the village in 2018 when levels dropped really low. 😊
Lovely piece of film and music choice... very moving to watch what was originally there.
Thank you.
Thanks very much I'm glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 is in the works 🙂
Such a sad vid when you see those B&W photos. Looks like they actually demolished the buildings before flooding it?? Loving the drone work showing what looked like a formal garden layout. Another one of your enthusiastic vids, thanks Ant👍👍👍👍
Yes,they demolished nearly all of the buildings
@@davidknowles3459 Why did they demolish them? It seems unnecessary it would have been an interesting experiment to see how long they lasted submerged in water.
Lovely video, the melancholic music evoking a sadness of times past. Thanks for exploring and showing us along with the old photos what it was like. Thant amazing submerged bridge! shame...
Thanks very much for watching and your kind comment :)
What a fantastic upload. Fascinating indeed. My grandfather help build the reservoir early 1930s or thereabouts. As kids we played under the bridge at the ladybower pub. New subscriber Richard. Thank you for this upload.
Beautiful vidio. Thank you for sharing this amazing bit of history. So sad that they destroyed what looked like a beautiful village
Another great & fantastic video of The Ghosts of a Drowned Village - Derwent & Ashopton Derbyshire!.💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Thanks for watching Michael 🙂🙂🙂
What a fantastic programme thoroughly enjoyed it mate,, love history,,, and its on my door step😍👍❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧
Thanks so much Stephen. I've already been back to film and walk a follow up
Lovely if poignant video.Thankyou for sharing.
Thanks very much I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂🙂
I walked around Ladybower last week and also noticed the area around Water Houses 20:26. The stones used to mark out these squares are single stones laid on edge, it's not like they are the remnants of foundation stones, the area looks more likely the remains of a kitchen garden. They are also extremely clean, like they were laid yesterday, no build up of sediment or moss. What I also find fascinating is how the weeds are growing prolifically in the square's yet hardly at all on the paths, in other words after all these years under water the soil within the square is still so much more fertile than on the path.
The old photos and music really brought the history to life 💞
Thanks so much Frank
A real great video, Ant. It's really fascinating to see the remains of a lot of the old building foundations and walls now that the water in the reservoir is so low. The maps and the old photos that you show, really compliment the history of the drowned hamlet that was there before being flooded over. The stone bridges are in totally excellent condition considering that they are normally covered over. A very enjoyable production, packed full of interest, and so, many thanks.
They drowned a small village when they built the dam that created Ruislip Lido, (as it is called now), and the foundations are still there. At 15:35, someone needs turn the tap on, and bluidy quick.
Very interesting Ant, brilliant commentary, drone footage was brilliant,and to finish with the Hymm was very fitting,,another video well done xx
Superb footage and very informative .Many Thanks looking forward to the Derwent episode.
Thanks very much Tony I'll hopefully be up there again very soon 🙂🙂
What a magnificent video. Thank you so much for sharing this with us - gave me real tingles! The aerial shots of the gardens near Water Houses were sublime. I've never seen that before. Hope you go again in October/November and film Derwent Hall and the school. Once again, massive thank you for a brilliant video.
Well Ant you’ve done it again. Excellent video and like all your videos like this we all can just imagine living in that era through your videos. Great works and keep it up 👍
Excellent video. I've been waiting for this one.
I was there a few weeks ago, but I didn't have time to go where you were and explore, so your film shows what I have missed.
I've been interested in these villages since I had a photo book a few decades ago. It showed the ruins of the Hall in '76. Amazing that the water was even lower then, given that the top of Ladybower where you walked is just a small stream at this time.
A great document of this 2022 drought.
Your drone footage was amazing, especially showing the old garden and it coming back to life too, incredible.
Brilliant video Ant, I once did a delivery to kilder scout camp but as I was trying to find it I was following a small lane which suddenly ended and disappeared down into the water, it was quite eerie, a road that once went down to the village I guess, hence I had to back up this lane to get out as I was in a truck
The detail you go into is amazing, even down to the last Hymn. Amazing piece of work, Ant. Congratulations. It's absolutely stunning. I really do appreciate the upload.
A church spire used to poke out of the dam when it got low, but people kept swimming out to it and it was decided to remove it before there was a fatal accident in the last few decades
I think the RAF blew it up from the air.
The church spire was in the reservoir - not the dam.
@@charlesrenniemacki thats my bad engligh as we always refer to them as the dams, but yes i meant from the volume of water rather than the retaining wall
Good video; I hope you return before the winter comes as the level will continue to drop.
I became fascinated in the lost villages during the drought of 1976. I've seen and walked amongst the ruins of Derwent in 1989, 1996 and 2018.
Re what look like ornamental gardens, you can picture where glass houses probably stood.
Thanks very much David. I plan to return in a couple of weeks :)
A real quality watch, thank you Ant for putting that film together. I saved it especially for this evening when I had more time on my hands to enjoy it, it didn’t disappoint.
Thanks very much John it means a lot. Part 2 is on it's way 🙂
@@TrekkingExploration Can’t wait 👍👍
Being from sheffield at school we used to do sponsored walks around Derwent and Ladybower, some kids got done for swimming across lol
Absolutely fascinating video Ant. The reservoir showing its past, thank you. 👌
Like looking back in time! It's amazing what is revealed when the water is so low. Certainly ghosts of the past. At around 20:26 when your showing the aerial view, it looks like the remains of some grand garden - the type of thing a hall or manor house might of had. Certainly very formerly laid out. Would love to find some old photos of the garden at it's prime. I can almost imagine the gardeners doing their work, pruning the roses and trimming hedges. Lovely to get a glimpse of the past like this.
EDIT - Did you know that the famous 617 squadron - the dam busters, used derwent dam for practice sorties prior to their flights over to Germany during WW2. Must have been quite a sight seeing Lancaster bombers flying in low across the dam, and then out over the valley that once contained the village of Derwent. Just so much history!
Very interesting Ant and neatly edited. The N.L.S. maps are such a fantastic resource. It's weird, looking at the side-by-side maps, how there's nothing in the modern map - just water.
Really looking forward to the next chapter.👍😁
Another great video Ant. What I find amazing with this reservoir particularly is how quickly it both fills and drops in levels. Back in March this year a lot of Snake Pass was under water and the reservoir virtually full and yet only a couple of months before that it was really low again.
I remember in 2018 it was very low for Months then a few days of rainfall and cold temperatures it was soon filling and full a few weeks later
@@TrekkingExploration It was very low in 1976, but I seem to remember more remains of buildings being visible back then. My dad took us round in whatever clapped-out jalopy we had back then, as it was the dryest & hottest summer on record at that point We've surpassed that several times since I believe, though that's nothing to brag about. Was followed by a cold winter with more snow than I had ever seen, & my dad said it reminded him of winter in 1947 in Edinburgh (apparently it was a bad one with snow drifts yards high).
Absolutely brilliant thanks Ant. Such an awesome place, love going there once in a while.
Thanks Brendan. I'm hoping to get back before levels rise as there is more to see
Hi Ant, top notch video, nice history and excellent choice of music. Thank you.
Thanks very much Philip 🙂🙂
A wonderful well thought-out tour of the resavoirs at Derwent and what was once Derwent and Ashopton village's.
I'm pleased you enjoyed it and thankyou so much for watching
I've been fascinated by the sad demise of Ashopton and Derwent villages for a long time. Your detailed video is excellent and certainly does the history of these villages justice. Its one of the most comprehensive videos I've seen on the subject. I'm so glad you was able to do this, when the water level was so low.
Thanks so very much. There is a shorter second part coming very soon 🙂
Really enjoyed that video thank you for making it. My father used to like a run out to Derwent Reservoir whenever the reservoir was low and we could see remains of the village then sticking out of the water. I remember seeing the spire sticking out of the water, they blew it up because they were worried about safety issues.
As a local lass this is one of the best documentaries I've watched on rhe Derwent. Thankyou, this was such an enjoyable watch from start to finish. Never had chance to experience it so dryed out.
Oh wow thank you very much for such a kind comment. I was back yesterday doing a second part and shall return Friday hopefully for a third as long as the weather is good. Thank you ❤️
@@HolyFreakinDragonSlayer I've tried to find you as The Rambling Rose however the only one that comes up is from Australia
@@HolyFreakinDragonSlayer found you 🙂
The water was lower than this in 1976, but I remember there being more building and wall remains back then.
Great video - i was there last week and was astounded by the no drone signs - But you really delivered a great informative video and I enjoyed it..
Great video! I was lucky enough to be there when the water level was even lower in 2018 and was intrigued by the fireplaces and gate posts of what I’d assumed was Derwent Hall. It’s great to put what I saw in context from all your research!
Same here, there is loads more than this.
2018 was dryer in the first have of summer but I didn't think the dry spell lasted long enough to drop reservoir levels lower than now.
Maevellous video! From the ghostly old photo's and magnicent aerial shots to the informative maps and fascinating exploration of the normally submerged relics, this was a joy to watch and learn something of what was lost a century or so ago. Looking forward to your video on the dam - what a superb structure. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it Malcolm. Thankyou for watching and your kind comment
Super video, Ant! Well done, very interesting 💪🏻👍🏻
Thanks so much Frank
Thank you Ant, found that very interesting, love the map comparisons. Take care.
Thank you very much Christine
Good job Ant, I'm loving your enthusiasm for the subject. Thanks for sharing it with us all. ; - )
Thanks very much for your kind words 🙂
Brilliant informative video Ant, it's stunning there isn't it? I've never seen the water that low before. Still find it amazing there was once a beautiful village & church plus the stunning Derwent Hall there before it 'drowned'. Thanks again Ant. ❤😊
Fantastic video, very informative and even my kids enjoyed watching this one. Keep up the brilliant work. 😀👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks very much John. Part 2 is currently in the works
@@TrekkingExploration that’s great news, can’t wait for it. 👍🏻😀👍🏻
That was a great vlog. Even my misses was hooked on it. I like the railway walks you do but this was great 👍👍
Thanks very much Carl that's much appreciated 🙂🙂
Another brilliant presentation. I love your enthusiasm and of course your Nottingham accent. Keep them coming.
Thanks very much Phillip. Much appreciated
Thanks for the video, Ant! A sad video, but truthful. 😢
Fantastic filming Ant. Great history lesson. Looking forward to Howden too.
Thanks very much Mick. I plan to do a few of these walks over the Winter :)
Wonderful video, Ant!
Thank you so much Michael
Wonderful. Been there many times but never when the water level was so low.
I love your choice of music, particularly the use of the piano but also the historical research and the sensitivity in which you handle your material - magic.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Haven't seen any other stuff of yours. Loved the background music. You have an instant covert and new subscriber. Thank you for making my day.
Thanks so very much Steve I've just been back this morning to do a follow up 🙂
Incredible film. Very moving. The ending had me in tears. Very powerful documentary. So interesting to see before and after. Found. It scary to see the drought. Hope we can get enough rain soon to fill it all up. Wow wow wow Ant. You deserve an award for this film. Thank you.
Thankyou Shirley that means a lot. I loved that i could add the song at the end :)
Fabulous video which just popped up on my YT suggestions.I found this really interesting so now I am going to watch some of your others.xx
Thanks very much Gillian 🙂🙂
Thanks for a entertaining program. So sad that todays paranoia about cameras will not show our history to future generations. Those old photographs of buildings, vehicles, people and the clothes they wore back in time are priceless.
Gorgeous vid, Ant. Really lovely work. I actually saw a programme on the tv that touched on this subject.
Awww brilliant I'm so pleased you enjoyed it
Excellent vlog and great footage & detailed. You put a lot of effort in to all yr vlogs Ant. All yr vlogs are Fan Tas Tic 5*. The drone footage is excellent to. Love all the history and effort put into this. We will never know how many hrs & editing it takes to produce just great vlogs.... Keep up the great work
This is amazing!! Thank you so much for the time and effort gone into this. If only it could tell the lives of the people who were once there. Just fabulous 👏👏👏
Thank you very much Trevor. Have a look at the others if you get chance. I've just released a new one this evening with Ladybower at it's lowest
Brilliant mate I used to go fishing there about 30 Years ago .First class explorer.
Thanks very much for watching. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂🙂
I remember visiting Derwent during the drought of 95 people were having picnics on the valley floor, there was no water at all where the village used to be the Lady Bower viaduct had no water at al under it. I saw a man walking under it like he was strolling down a deserted motorway, i took lots of pictures that day and returned the following year to take more after the reservoir had filled up.
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you, I really enjoyed this and your choice of music made ne feel the past
A bumper year for aerial archeology, stuff showing up in fields everywhere. Nice video thanks.
Superb and well researched video - you deserve all the credit you get. Brilliant
Very Cool
Thanks very much 🙂🙂
Fantastic video, very interesting and well produced. 👍
Thanks so very much. Glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 is in the works 🙂🙂
A wonderfully researched video - thank you so much for all your hard work so important to remember such things.
great video well done driven past it many times always wondered what was there before
Thanks so very much. I'm currently working on part 2 🙂
Thank you that was very interesting and fascinating
Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
Ant this is absolutely beautifully filmed and very interesting. I have never visited the area but from your videos feel I must come and see the reservoir's next year (obviously hopefully full of course!) but the surrounding countryside looks wonderful. Thanks for posting them.
brilliant and informative video. a great watch.
Thank you very much 🙂
Superb video,thank you
Thanks very much Simon
Excellent presentation
Been here on many occasions live over the border in Notts and when I was a young girl in the 70s you could see a few more structures than today always wished they would have made it more of tourist attraction with a museum sharing all the photos and stories of the wonderful village greatvideo
Mate, those gardens, ruins are what's left of the Hall.
34.15: there's same type pump houses visible and approachable at Lea, bout 3/4's mile above Smedleys Mill buildings.
I've seen the LADY BOWER far LOWER than this we'd consider that very good affter the hot summer months .
I've seen it's lower now than when I did this 3 weeks ago. I'm going back in the next week or so. Thanks for watching
Excellent documentary 🥇
Been this area many a time, and Derwent Edge hiking
Cheers Steve. It one of my favourite places, one i'd love to wild camp at too
Wow, what a tremendous video
Thanks very much 🙂🙂
Fantastic video. I loved the beautiful closing hymn, said to have been sung at the final service of the old Methodist chapel... Very moving... and that's from me, an old, life-long Atheist.
Great video. Very interesting
Thanks very much Trevor
What a fascinating documentary and sad at the same time, very professional Ant with excellent footage. I have seen a few videos of you with ALW Research and think with Martin Zero as well. Keep up the great work.
What a very interested video, but I wonder what the connection are between the Derwent dam and Howden village to the new Howden in East Yorkshire just east of Goole now even that has a street leading up to school call Derwent road.
It maybe nothing but there's alot of connections with naming.