Book - Chad’s new Tourist Trails book promoting Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire tourism now on sale

AUTHOR Stephen Thirkill will be visiting libraries across the area to promote the launch of Chad’s brand book ‘Tourist Trails - in and around Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire’.

The 80-page book has been penned by Chad journalist and first-time author Stephen Thirkill and features in-depth tours around seven prominent tourist hotspots and beauty locations across the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

During his tours, Stephen delves behind the headlines to bring you many unusual and interesting tales about the places and people who have helped create the life and soul of Hardwick Hall, Teversal Trails, Chatsworth House, Southwell Workhouse, Newstead Abbey, King’s Mill Reservoir and Clumber Park throughout the centuries.

During the book, which has been published to accompany Chad’s popular audio guide tourism CD, Stephen takes a step back in time to learn about the success of a national social experiment at Southwell Workhouse and what made the world-famous Lord Byron tick during a special behind-the-scenes visit to Newstead Abbey.

Stephen also explores the magnificent Chatsworth House to discover why the attraction is proving so popular with film-makers.

He also learns about the fascinating life of Bess of Hardwick, who became the second richest lady in the realm behind the Queen with Hardwick Hall a lasting legacy to her fame and fortune.

And nature lovers are also in for a treat as Stephen tours the picturesque King’s Mill Reservoir to discover its Royal connections, the beautiful Teversal Trails, which is playing a key role in the district’s regeneration, and Clumber Park, where he learns all about the battle to conserve, preserve and thrive.

The book, which is priced at £9.99, includes a wide range of colour images, opening times, facilities and interesting facts and timelines from each venue as well as an in-depth tour.

Tourist Trails is out on 21st April and can be purchased by calling Stephen Thirkill on 01623 450292, from all Chad receptions, via Amazon and Waterstones.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/chad-s-new-tourist-trails-book-promoting-nottinghamshire-and-derbyshire-tourism-now-on-sale-1-4363020

Book - Chad’s new tourist book promoting Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire set to go on sale

A BRAND new local tourism book which accompanies the popular Chad Audio Guide series is to go on sale.

The 80-page book has been penned by Chad journalist and first-time author Stephen Thirkill and features tours around seven prominent tourist hotspots and beauty locations across Mansfield and Ashfield.

The venues included are Hardwick Hall, Teversal Trails, Chatsworth House, Southwell Workhouse, Newstead Abbey, King’s Mill Reservoir and Clumber Park - the same attractions featured in the Chad Audio Guide series.

The book, which is priced at £9.99, includes a wide range of colour images, opening times, facilities and interesting facts and timelines from each venue as well as an in-depth tour.

Said Stephen: “The current audio guide CD has been a success so far and hopefully the book will enjoy a similar response.

“Mansfield and Ashfield has a lot of beauty spots and attractions to be very proud of.

“It also has many passionate people who give up their time as volunteers to make these attractions the success story they are today and to help preserve the area’s history and heritage.

“This book will give the volunteers the credit they deserve, the attractions the attention they require and hopefully help to inspire more people to play their part in the region’s thriving tourism industry.”

In the book Stephen takes a step back in time to learn about the success of a national social experiment at Southwell Workhouse and what made the world-famous Lord Byron tick during a special behind-the-scenes visit to Newstead Abbey.

Stephen also explores the magnificent Chatsworth House to discover why the attraction is proving so popular with film-makers.

He also learns about the fascinating life of Bess of Hardwick, who became the second richest lady in the realm behind the Queen with Hardwick Hall a lasting legacy to her fame and fortune.

And nature lovers are also in for a treat as Stephen tours the picturesque King’s Mill Reservoir to discover its Royal connections, the beautiful Teversal Trails, which is playing a key role in the district’s regeneration, and Clumber Park, where he learns all about the battle to conserve, preserve and thrive.

If you would like to pre-order your copy of Tourist Trails call Stephen Thirkill on 01623 450292 or visit Chad receptions.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/chad_s_new_tourist_book_promoting_nottinghamshire_and_derbyshire_set_to_go_on_sale_1_4260289

News - Rare book is sold for £5 million (Worksop/New York)

A PRECIOUS rare book which once belonged to Worksop landowner the sixth Duke of Portland sold for more than £5 million pounds at an auction in America yesterday.

The four-volume first-edition copy of The Birds of America, by John James Audubon, had been expected to sell for between $7m and $10m US dollars at Christie’s in New York.

In the end it sold for $7,922,500 - the equivalent of £5,149,625.

The book, which featured the Duke of Portland’s own ornate bookplate, was described as ‘the finest colour-plate book ever produced’.

Snapped up by an unnamed American collector, it was one of only 119 copies to have survived.

The Duke owned Welbeck Abbey at Clumber Park near Worksop and was not only a landowner but also a Conservative politician and racehorse breeder and owner. According to records, in 1911 he employed 29 live-in servants - one of whom was a 16-year-old Rotherham-born telegraph boy named George Taylor. The Duke died in 1943.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/rare_book_is_sold_for_5_million_1_4167503

News - Precious book to be sold at auction (Worksop/New York)

A RARE 170-year-old book once owned by a wealthy Worksop landowner is expected to sell for up to £6 million at Christie’s in New York tomorrow.

The copy of The Birds Of America by John James Audubon belonged to the sixth Duke of Portland. It is in four volumes known as the Duke of Portland’s Set and features his own bookplate. The tome has been given a pre-sale estimate of seven to 10 million US dollars - the equivalent of £4.5m to £6.5m.

It is one of only 119 copies of the 19th century book to have survived, and only 11 are held in private collections.

The book, published between 1827 and 1838, contains 435 hand-coloured, etched and aquatint prints, all of American birds - six of which are now extinct. It has been described as ‘the finest colour-plate book ever produced’.

The Duke of Portland lived from 1857 to 1943, and owned Welbeck Abbey near Clumber Park. He was a landowner, Tory politician and racehorse breeder and owner. Two of his horses won the Derby, in 1888 and 1889.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/precious_book_to_be_sold_at_auction_1_4156948?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Event - National Trust's leaders in talks (Nottingham)

THE National Trust has announced it will hold its annual general meeting in Nottingham.

There will be talks by chairman Sir Simon Jenkins and deputy chairman Sir Laurie Magnus. The event will also feature displays and a conker competition.

Visitors can also plant an acorn outside the venue, the Royal Concert Hall, which will be grown and then planted in the Peak District.

National Trust attractions in the county include Clumber Park, traditional grocer's home Mr Straw's House in Worksop and the Workhouse in Southwell.

Beccy Speight, Midlands regional director, said: "This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of what an amazing region the Midlands is, and how special Nottinghamshire is.

"Over 79,000 of our members are from this county and this is a chance to say thank you for their support."

The AGM takes place on Saturday, October 29.

It is open to members of the trust, who can register to attend by e-mailing agm@nationaltrust.org.uk or via their voting papers in the autumn edition of the trust's magazine.

 

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/National-Trust-s-leaders-talks/story-13620621-detail/story.html

CD - Exploring tourism with Chad CD guides (Nottinghamshire)

A CD which takes people on walks around the delights of the region’s premier tourist attractions and beauty spots is now on sale.

The Chad Audio Guides CD takes listeners on interesting and informative trips through the ages to bring you the sights, sounds and history of seven unique locations.

Each individual guide lasts between 25 and 40 minutes, with Southwell Workhouse, Newstead Abbey, Chatsworth House, Hardwick Hall, King’s Mill Reservoir, Teversal Trails and Clumber Park the featured attractions.

The show is presented by Chad journalist, and lover of all things outdoor, Stephen Thirkill.

Said Stephen: “Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire has a rich and vibrant tourist industry and many attractions and people to be very proud of.

“It was fantastic to find out so much more about all these places.

“What I loved the most was discovering all the stories behind the buildings and finding out about people such as Bess of Hardwick and Lord Byron who helped put these places on the map.

“It is stories and characters such as these that really help to bring the history of the region alive.

“The guides were so passionate and knowledgeable, it was a pleasure to be shown around by them.”

During the series Stephen takes a step back in time to learn about the success of a national social experiment at Southwell Workhouse and what made the world-famous Lord Byron tick during a special behind-the-scenes visit to Newstead Abbey.

Stephen also explores the magnificent Chatsworth House to discover why the attraction is proving so popular with film-makers.

He also learns about the fascinating life of Bess of Hardwick, who became the second richest lady in the realm behind the Queen.

And nature lovers are also in for a treat as Stephen tours the picturesque King’s Mill Reservoir to discover its Royal connections, the beautiful Teversal Trails, which is playing a key role in the district’s regeneration, and Clumber Park, where he learns all about the battle to conserve, preserve and thrive.

To listen to a sample episode, click on the link, http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/exploring_old_hardwick_hall_with_chad_s_audio_guides_1_3673312

This great triple CD is now on offer for only £7.99

So to get your copy call The Chad on 01623 456789 or email stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/exploring_tourism_with_chad_cd_guides_1_3864212

Event - Taste of past as estate garden reveals apple treasure trove (Clumber Park)

MORE than 70 varieties of apple have been picked by staff on a National Trust estate in readiness for a festival which will celebrate the fruit this weekend.

The apples have been grown in the Walled Kitchen Garden, at Clumber Park, near Worksop, and visitors will be able to sample several tastes which are not available in shops.

Garden staff said half of the varieties grown on the estate are from Yorkshire and the East Midlands and include Annie Elizabeth, Bess Pool, Sisson’s Worksop Newton and Yorkshire Aromatic.

Clumber’s Head Gardener said each of the varieties are not grown commercially and most are not available to amateur gardeners, meaning the estate’s focus on their conservation ensures that they are not “lost to cultivation”.

Mr Margrave added: “These old and regional varieties have tremendous historic interest. They are just as much a part of England’s treasure store as Drake and the Armada, a Lennon and McCartney song or the sounding of the final whistle at Wembley on July 30, 1966.

“Each variety brings with it its own stories, not just the obvious ones about how and what people ate, fascinating though these are, but also how communities worked and lived.”

For more details about the festival call 01909 544917.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/taste_of_past_as_estate_garden_reveals_apple_treasure_trove_1_3864494

Article - Gateway to the Dukeries (Worksop/Clumber/Rufford/Welbeck/Thoresby)

This months Worksop life is now out and on page 40 is an article on The Dukeries by David Cook of Priories Historical Society

To see the magazine  click on http://www.life-publications.com/worksop-life/magazine-viewer