We have been involved in many wonderful things over the years, and here we look back at some of our events, findings and memorable moments of our time at Codnor Castle.
Two days, and two different walking groups…
Yesterday we played host to Derby Merlin 41 Club, with a guided tour by our resplendently-costumed membership secretary Dorothy Baxter. Today we greeted the annual walk led by Robert Mee of Heanor & District Local History Society as part of the Autumn Footprints walking festival.
Yesterday we played host to Derby Merlin 41 Club, with a guided tour by our resplendently-costumed membership secretary Dorothy Baxter. Today we greeted the annual walk led by Robert Mee of Heanor & District Local History Society as part of the Autumn Footprints walking festival.
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Brambles growing on a Scheduled Ancient Monument such as Codnor Castle can be positively detrimental. We were joined by the probation service's Community Payback team up at the castle for a spot of grounds maintenance, removing some of the more persistent brambles from the curtain wall. The photos show the then chairman Rokia Brown, and trustee Irene Oxley.
We're not allowed to show the faces of the Community Payback team - apart from their supervisor, Phil - but we would like to record our deep appreciation of the excellent work they did. Without them, the castle would be all but inaccessible.
We're not allowed to show the faces of the Community Payback team - apart from their supervisor, Phil - but we would like to record our deep appreciation of the excellent work they did. Without them, the castle would be all but inaccessible.
The Community Payback Team, under their leader Phil, helped carry out grounds maintenance at the castle.
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We were at the Codnor Fete again this year with all our goodies, which you can buy from our online shop Click here
We were deeply saddened to learn the passing of Bill Woollacott, manager of Castle Farm from 1950, when the castle was owned by the Butterley Company.
He eventually took on his own farm, and he and his daughter Janet finally retired from farming in 2012. A Devonian by birth, and a former Royal Marine, he was 95 years old, and is survived by his daughter.
In February 2017, trust chairman Rokia Brown and trustee Trevor Middleton interviewed Bill and Janet Woollacott at their home near Codnor Castle for an ongoing oral history project. here it is, with the kind permission of his daughter.
He eventually took on his own farm, and he and his daughter Janet finally retired from farming in 2012. A Devonian by birth, and a former Royal Marine, he was 95 years old, and is survived by his daughter.
In February 2017, trust chairman Rokia Brown and trustee Trevor Middleton interviewed Bill and Janet Woollacott at their home near Codnor Castle for an ongoing oral history project. here it is, with the kind permission of his daughter.
Codnor Community Primary School visit to the Castle
We were always happy to welcome school trips to Codnor Castle, and it's especially gratifying if they're local children learning about their area's rich history.
We had the pleasure of meeting pupils, staff and parents from Codnor Community Primary School. It's a school with which we had a long and proud association, and their visits had become an almost annual event.
As the group was fairly large, they were split into two for the guided tours given by Rokia Brown (Chairman) and Sheenagh Rothwell (Secretary), followed by the second group with Dorothy Baxter (Membership Secretary). After the guided tours, the weather held (but only just!) for a picnic lunch, followed by the always popular medieval costume fitting session with Rokia and Dorothy.
Another tradition of the Codnor Community Primary School visits is that they walked to the castle and back, and this visit upheld that grand tradition.
We were always happy to welcome school trips to Codnor Castle, and it's especially gratifying if they're local children learning about their area's rich history.
We had the pleasure of meeting pupils, staff and parents from Codnor Community Primary School. It's a school with which we had a long and proud association, and their visits had become an almost annual event.
As the group was fairly large, they were split into two for the guided tours given by Rokia Brown (Chairman) and Sheenagh Rothwell (Secretary), followed by the second group with Dorothy Baxter (Membership Secretary). After the guided tours, the weather held (but only just!) for a picnic lunch, followed by the always popular medieval costume fitting session with Rokia and Dorothy.
Another tradition of the Codnor Community Primary School visits is that they walked to the castle and back, and this visit upheld that grand tradition.
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Pictures from our fantastic Robin Hood Day event
Sheenagh Rothwell Putting Up Security Tape
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Rokia Brown Chairman doing a great job cleaning up.
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Team Falchion setting up for Robin Hood Day. Falchion Team with David Williams and Rokia Brown. After all the hard work the Trustees had a well earned tea break.
The Castle always attracted a lot of interest and with thanks to the talented Paul Bobrucki, the site was used for an early-morning photo shoot with Nottingham band Wolvencraft, for their album 'Of Bark And Ash'.
We always like to accommodate anyone. And we welcomed Stuart Chapman, a castle enthusiast who visited us all the way from Essex. He was unable to make it to Derbyshire for our open days, so we opened up for him for a guided tour by Trust Secretary Sheenagh Rothwell.
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The days of a trustee of Codnor Castle are were nothing if not varied.
The Probation Service's Community Payback Team, under their supervisor Phil, made a welcome return.
It is their grounds maintenance work that allowed our open days to go ahead with the castle looking pristine, and the grounds safe to walk in.
We were not allowed to show any of their faces, but we're grateful for the work they did.
We also welcomed another walking group - this time a local one, from South Derbyshire - to the castle.
The castle attracted visitors on foot in all weathers, and we were always happy to open up the site
The Probation Service's Community Payback Team, under their supervisor Phil, made a welcome return.
It is their grounds maintenance work that allowed our open days to go ahead with the castle looking pristine, and the grounds safe to walk in.
We were not allowed to show any of their faces, but we're grateful for the work they did.
We also welcomed another walking group - this time a local one, from South Derbyshire - to the castle.
The castle attracted visitors on foot in all weathers, and we were always happy to open up the site
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We're (51st) Most Haunted…
It's seemed that word about the haunted farmhouse was spreading! We were named 51st most haunted location in the UK in this survey: 51. Codnor Castle, DerbyCodnor Castle near Derby is a medieval castle which sits right on the border...
Read more at https://www.higgypop.com/news/uk-most-haunted-places/
It's seemed that word about the haunted farmhouse was spreading! We were named 51st most haunted location in the UK in this survey: 51. Codnor Castle, DerbyCodnor Castle near Derby is a medieval castle which sits right on the border...
Read more at https://www.higgypop.com/news/uk-most-haunted-places/
We had the great pleasure of a visit from a living descendant of the de Grey family, Dale Gray of Nova Scotia. Like his de Grey ancestors, Dale served with the military in his native Canada, reaching the rank of captain.
He was accompanied on his tour of Codnor Castle by his compatriot John Johnson, himself a former Troop Sergeant of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards. They were given a guided tour by our chairman, Rokia Brown, and served refreshments by trustee Irene Oxley.
We very often wish the castle walls could talk. We suspect if they could, they'd have welcomed the return of a military presence, a garrison long being part of the Codnor Castle household in the de Grey years (c. 1194-1496).
Dale Gray: "I want to thank the Codnor Castle Trust for taking the time out of their personal lives in showing my mate and I around the Castle. Their knowledge and enthusiasm is a credit to what the Trust is doing. There are few occassions in ones life where you could have spent days walking over the grounds and discussing the history, They should be proud of the monumental work they do. Thank You once again for preserving the History of Codnor. Capt (Ret) Dale K Gray".
He was accompanied on his tour of Codnor Castle by his compatriot John Johnson, himself a former Troop Sergeant of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards. They were given a guided tour by our chairman, Rokia Brown, and served refreshments by trustee Irene Oxley.
We very often wish the castle walls could talk. We suspect if they could, they'd have welcomed the return of a military presence, a garrison long being part of the Codnor Castle household in the de Grey years (c. 1194-1496).
Dale Gray: "I want to thank the Codnor Castle Trust for taking the time out of their personal lives in showing my mate and I around the Castle. Their knowledge and enthusiasm is a credit to what the Trust is doing. There are few occassions in ones life where you could have spent days walking over the grounds and discussing the history, They should be proud of the monumental work they do. Thank You once again for preserving the History of Codnor. Capt (Ret) Dale K Gray".
We also took Codnor Castle out on the road to various events
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Trustee Irene Oxley, Trust Secretary Sheenagh Rothwell, Chairman Rokia Brown, and Membership Secretary Dorothy Baxter at the Heritage Day, Christ Church, Ironville. — at Ironville Church Hall.
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Trust Chairman Rokia Brown with George Eyre. George took part in the first (amateur) archaeological dig to take place at Codnor, in 1960, paving the way for the Trust's existence.
Our events days were always a big success and enjoyed by all
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Sometimes random things happen:
We were checking the @codnorcastle Twitter account when Dan Snow - @thehistoryguy - popped up to say he'd be in the Derby area shortly, and what should he see? Well, we had an idea or two, so we invited him over. A little over an hour later, we were showing Dan Snow round Codnor Castle! Here are the results…!
We were checking the @codnorcastle Twitter account when Dan Snow - @thehistoryguy - popped up to say he'd be in the Derby area shortly, and what should he see? Well, we had an idea or two, so we invited him over. A little over an hour later, we were showing Dan Snow round Codnor Castle! Here are the results…!
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New projects at the castle were always being thought up, one was using fly tipped tyres, recycled cow manure and donated plants to create a series of planters around the site. These planters are designed to protect vulnerable areas of the site from the damage done by scrambling feet, which is causing significant deterioration of some walls.
Pictured are Irene Oxley (trustee) and Reece Evans, working with the chairman of Codnor Castle Heritage Trust, Rokia Brown.
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Was the young Henry VIII destined to grow up in rural Derbyshire? Evidence suggests he was - only for tragedy to intervene. Nathaniel Fearn
Many of you ask us about the gold coin found during the Time Team dig at Codnor Castle in June 2007.
At present it's held by Derby Museum, who very kindly allowed us to photograph it up close. If you'd like to view it yourself, it's in a display case with other medieval artefacts, in the same room as the Hanson Log Boat. Our thanks are due to Spencer Bailey, Collections Manager at Derby Museums, and his colleagues for making us welcome.
At present it's held by Derby Museum, who very kindly allowed us to photograph it up close. If you'd like to view it yourself, it's in a display case with other medieval artefacts, in the same room as the Hanson Log Boat. Our thanks are due to Spencer Bailey, Collections Manager at Derby Museums, and his colleagues for making us welcome.
Spencer Bailey, Collections Manager, and colleague.
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Codnor Castle Heritage Trust Chairman Rokia Brown with the coin.
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Reverse of gold noble, showing a cross, plus the legend IHC AUTEM TRAN(S)IENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
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We're in the paper again!
There was a story in the Ripley and Heanor News about our successful bid for Architectural Heritage Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund. Our thanks went always to Ed Dingwall for helping us get the word out!
There was a story in the Ripley and Heanor News about our successful bid for Architectural Heritage Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund. Our thanks went always to Ed Dingwall for helping us get the word out!
We always liked to welcome education groups, whether they're preschool or (as in this case) university students, with accompanying staff.
We welcomed a party of around 80 students and staff from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University.
The students' brief was to measure the site, in preparation for designing a conjectural building to integrate with, and enhance, the existing ruins.
We welcomed a party of around 80 students and staff from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University.
The students' brief was to measure the site, in preparation for designing a conjectural building to integrate with, and enhance, the existing ruins.
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More good news saw Codnor Castle Heritage Trust apply for joint funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as part of its ongoing project to '…increase understanding of an important heritage asset and explore options for the future use of Codnor Castle, consisting of the castle ruins, farmhouse and outbuildings'.
The results of the AHF and HLF funding were that our applications were successful! Thanks to a Resilient Heritage grant of £17,600 from HLF, and AHF Project Viability Funding of £2,500.
Thanks were due to Chairman, Rokia Brown, and Secretary, Sheenagh Rothwell, for their unstinting efforts in preparing the bid, and also to Howard Bristol of the National Trust's External Partnerships Team for his invaluable advice and guidance, which went above and beyond the call of duty.
The results of the AHF and HLF funding were that our applications were successful! Thanks to a Resilient Heritage grant of £17,600 from HLF, and AHF Project Viability Funding of £2,500.
Thanks were due to Chairman, Rokia Brown, and Secretary, Sheenagh Rothwell, for their unstinting efforts in preparing the bid, and also to Howard Bristol of the National Trust's External Partnerships Team for his invaluable advice and guidance, which went above and beyond the call of duty.
We love our Grand Heritage Weekend, which featured our lovely re-enactor guests, Team Falchion (the medieval lot) and the Claymores (the Jacobites). They're a dedicated bunch, but sometimes it can get a bit silly, as you can see!
James Williamson Derbyshire Youth Offending Service.
Codnor Castle provides the perfect environment for community based reparation. The young people here gain many new life skills, such as enhanced social skills, a strong work ethic whilst also learning and developing positive interests.
Each young person takes a trip back through history and learns about the De Gray's of Codnor and their influence on British history, from the signing of the Magna Charta to the Battle of Agincourt and their relationship with King John of England.
The young people are often mesmerized during one of the many castle tours and battle re-enactments that the Codnor Castle Heritage Trust provides.
RN 11/5/17 "I have learnt more about history during one day at Codnor Castle than i have throughout school."
The Young people leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of such projects and the hard work they do to preserve our history for the sake of posterity.
Codnor Castle provides the perfect environment for community based reparation. The young people here gain many new life skills, such as enhanced social skills, a strong work ethic whilst also learning and developing positive interests.
Each young person takes a trip back through history and learns about the De Gray's of Codnor and their influence on British history, from the signing of the Magna Charta to the Battle of Agincourt and their relationship with King John of England.
The young people are often mesmerized during one of the many castle tours and battle re-enactments that the Codnor Castle Heritage Trust provides.
RN 11/5/17 "I have learnt more about history during one day at Codnor Castle than i have throughout school."
The Young people leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of such projects and the hard work they do to preserve our history for the sake of posterity.
Article about our Victorian Picnic in the Ripley & Heanor News.
The 7th Cavalry set up their camp in preparation
for the grand Victorian Picnic Heritage Weekend that we put on.
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We were always keen to share the news about what we were doing with our elected representatives. Here (from left to right) are Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills, Kyrgyz Deputy Ms Elvira Surabaldiyeva, and CCHT chairman Rokia Brown, during a guided tour of the site. Ms Surabaldiyeva has been in the UK on a fact-finding visit from the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)
One of the most rewarding projects the Trust got involved with, was Reece Evans being awarded a certificate for completing a course - devised by the chairman, Rokia Brown - based around the history and surroundings of Codnor Castle. Here's the coverage of the story in the Derbyshire Times.
Reece Evans Presentation of Certificate Sensory History Project
Reece was a pupil at Ecclesbourne Lodge, Duffield. He successfully completed a 10 week Voluntary Sensory History Project at Codnor Castle under the expert guidance of Rokia Brown, Chairman of Codnor Castle Heritage Trust.
Reece was presented with his certificate on 30 January 2017 at Codnor Castle in the presence of Trust members, his family, fellow pupils and staff from his school.
We held a small celebratory party after the presentation.
Reece was a pupil at Ecclesbourne Lodge, Duffield. He successfully completed a 10 week Voluntary Sensory History Project at Codnor Castle under the expert guidance of Rokia Brown, Chairman of Codnor Castle Heritage Trust.
Reece was presented with his certificate on 30 January 2017 at Codnor Castle in the presence of Trust members, his family, fellow pupils and staff from his school.
We held a small celebratory party after the presentation.
Reece and Rokia Maintenance at the Castle 1. Reece Gardening 2. Reece giving a guided tour 3. Reece giving a guided tour 4.
Reece with Certificate, brother and grandparents 5. Reece with his brother and teaching assistant 6. Reece's Work 7-9
Reece with Certificate, brother and grandparents 5. Reece with his brother and teaching assistant 6. Reece's Work 7-9
The later life and sad fate of the Codnor Castle Dovecote…
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Our Victorian picnics always attracted a lot of visitors
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Edward Szyszlak was a final-year student at the University of Derby when he visited, and as a result was able to produce these detailed architectural drawings reconstructing the castle as it might have appeared during the 14th-century.
GHOST WALK 2015
It was always a pleasure to welcome other societies with similar interests to ours, and it was a particularly pleasant experience showing members of the Kirkby & District Archaeological Group (KDAG) round the Castle site. The guided tour, given by Charlie Glenn and our chairman Rokia Brown, was followed by refreshments and lively conversation in the farmhouse. We also – as the photos show – took the opportunity to carry out a bit of much-needed maintenance.
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We loved showing anyone around the castle, but there was always something special about showing a party of schoolchildren round and watching their imaginations catch fire.
We had a visit from Year 1 at Codnor Whitegates Primary School, who had a lovely time being shown round by our chairman, Rokia Brown, and one of our trustees, Dorothy Baxter.
Here are a few photos (some supplied by Becky Deans) of what was an extremely enjoyable morning.
We had a visit from Year 1 at Codnor Whitegates Primary School, who had a lovely time being shown round by our chairman, Rokia Brown, and one of our trustees, Dorothy Baxter.
Here are a few photos (some supplied by Becky Deans) of what was an extremely enjoyable morning.
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Photos by Jacquie Maxted
George Eyre
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George Eyre with his son Colin and Daughters Jane and Brenda
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Photographs, Mercian Archaeology Conference, at the Nottingham University Lakeside Arts Centre, University Boulevard
Rokia and Martyn at their presentations to the conference hosted by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC on 'The Quatrefoil' discovery and Portland Path project respectively at Codnor Castle in 2014.
Rokia and Martyn at their presentations to the conference hosted by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC on 'The Quatrefoil' discovery and Portland Path project respectively at Codnor Castle in 2014.
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Martyn at his presentation to the conference hosted by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC on the ' Portland Path project.
Result of 5T Tree Surgery's (voluntary) hard work in the South Court. The Canadian Maple they removed was threatening the structure of the wall against which it was growing: we're now able to undertake consolidation work on the wall.
The Ripley & Heanor News (dated Thursday, March 19, 2015) picked up the story about our new noticeboard in the free car park on Alfreton Road, Codnor, opposite the Poet & Castle.
We wish to express out deepest thanks for the support they have shown us. Pictured from left to right are: David Baxter, Councillor Steve Freeborn, Irene Oxley Trustee, Councillor Paul Jones, Councillor Celia Cox, Rokia Brown Chairman, David Williams Treasurer, Dorothy Baxter Trustee, Sheenagh Rothwell Secretary and Charlie Glenn Trustee.
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Thursday 26th February 2015 DCC have very generously donated funds towards the erection of an Information Board about Codnor Castle. The Board has been placed in the car park in the centre of Codnor opposite the Poet and Castle on Alfreton Road.
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Tree-ring Dating (second visit) 09-01-2015
Tree-ring Dating (second visit) 09-01-2015: more photos taken during the return visit of Robert Howard, from Nottingham University's Dendrochronology Lab, in the attic of Codnor Castle farmhouse.
The return visit of Robert Howard, from Nottingham University's Dendrochronology Lab, to take further samples for tree-ring dating.
The return visit of Robert Howard, from Nottingham University's Dendrochronology Lab, to take further samples for tree-ring dating.
interim dendrochronology report
Codnor Castle In The Snow,2014
St Nicholas Celebration at Codnor Castle 2014
"The Thurrock Connection"
We were lucky enough to meet Mike and Carol from Buckinghamshire, who were researching their family history, and had found a link to the Greys of Codnor. We were only too happy to show them round.
Derbyshire Archaeological Society Field Trip 20-09-2014
National Citizen Service Volunteers at Codnor Castle – 02-09-2014
Annesley Vampire - filming on location at Codnor Castle.
Codnor Castle became a movie location back in 2014, as a group of local filmmakers moved in to shoot scenes for a movie to be released in September 2014…about vampires in Annesley.
Based on real-life events, the Annesley Vampire movie dramatises the story of a group of coalminers and railwaymen in 1960s Annesley, whose passion for moviemaking led them to produce not one, but two, vampire movies: 'Spawn of the Vampire' and 'Prince of Darkness'.
(Our thanks go to Dave Hague for the location photographs).
Based on real-life events, the Annesley Vampire movie dramatises the story of a group of coalminers and railwaymen in 1960s Annesley, whose passion for moviemaking led them to produce not one, but two, vampire movies: 'Spawn of the Vampire' and 'Prince of Darkness'.
(Our thanks go to Dave Hague for the location photographs).
The discoveries continue at Codnor Castle!
On one of the Maintenance Days, it might have been an unseasonably grey and wet one, but it witnessed the uncovering of more evidence of the Castle's structure:
The pictures here show the west side of the south curtain wall, part of which was exposed during maintenance by the cutting back of its covering of ivy. A possible window opening has been revealed in the west corner tower and the junction between the tower and the later west wall of the Lower Court is clearly readable too.
It seems that each Maintenance Day brings us more new discoveries, reminding us of the Time Team producer's comment that it was as though the Castle had been waiting, for all these years, to tell us its story. We look forward to many more revelations!
On one of the Maintenance Days, it might have been an unseasonably grey and wet one, but it witnessed the uncovering of more evidence of the Castle's structure:
The pictures here show the west side of the south curtain wall, part of which was exposed during maintenance by the cutting back of its covering of ivy. A possible window opening has been revealed in the west corner tower and the junction between the tower and the later west wall of the Lower Court is clearly readable too.
It seems that each Maintenance Day brings us more new discoveries, reminding us of the Time Team producer's comment that it was as though the Castle had been waiting, for all these years, to tell us its story. We look forward to many more revelations!
Remembering the Quatrefoil Dig 2013
The Codnor Castle Heritage Trust had been working with Mercian archaeology during the summer unearthing what is believed to be a early 13th Century gothic quatrefoil.
During the summer of 2013, Mercian have been offering the Trust valuable advise and support during our on going conservation work around the castle site and devising a plan for future archaeological projects.
HW. Martin. [ landowner ] had kindly given the Trust permission for proposed excavations and archaeological surveys on the Castle site.
Meeting with English Heritage took place at Codnor Castle with the Chairman Rokia Brown and Vice Chairman Charles Glenn along with Andy Gaunt and Ben Crossley, Mercian Archaeology on 10th March 2014.
English Heritage had granted approval and are really pleased with the projects and on going work on site that the Trust is doing.
During the summer of 2013, Mercian have been offering the Trust valuable advise and support during our on going conservation work around the castle site and devising a plan for future archaeological projects.
HW. Martin. [ landowner ] had kindly given the Trust permission for proposed excavations and archaeological surveys on the Castle site.
Meeting with English Heritage took place at Codnor Castle with the Chairman Rokia Brown and Vice Chairman Charles Glenn along with Andy Gaunt and Ben Crossley, Mercian Archaeology on 10th March 2014.
English Heritage had granted approval and are really pleased with the projects and on going work on site that the Trust is doing.
We were lucky enough to have a Codnor Castle Sign at the start of Goose Lane.
Rob Shacklock Stone Mason, Jon Ward, Charlie Glenn, Irene Oxley, Rokia Brown, Martyn Taylor-Cockane, Maureen Taylor, David Williams, Chris Emmas-Williamsockane, Maureen Taylor, David Williams Treasurer, Chris Emmas-Williams
We had 15 students and 2 tutors from Derby College, are working at Codnor Castle grounds, clearing as part of the National Citizenship Programme.
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