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

Event - All aboard for Ashfield heritage tour (Ashfield)

HAVE always known that Ashfield is a place that is steeped in history - the countryside inspired both Lord Byron and D. H. Lawrence, while Nuncargate was home to cricketing icon Harold Larwood.

But after taking a trip on the Ashfield Heritage Bus Tour on Friday, I discovered much more about the district, including the fact that Sutton has its very own stone windmill close to the Leamington estate.

The windmill, known as Lindley’s Mill, is one of only two stone mills in Nottinghamshire, the other being in Warsop. It is owned by the council and bosses there are planning to use it as an exhibition space.

The bus route travelled through Kirkby and Annesley, where passengers discovered how the area had grown up in the 1800s when mining had come to the area.

We found out, for example, that the Nag’s Head pub on Station Street was actually built before the colliery was sunk in anticipation of all the thirsty miners.

Sutton resident Linda Hoggard had come on the tour to find out more about the area.

She said: “I was born in Kirkby and my husband was born in Jacksdale. I like going round places like Annesley Hall - it’s got a lot of history to it.”

One of the most interesting parts of the tour was a stop-off at Annesley Hall, where we were greeted by historian Dick Starr.

Mr Starr began working for the powerful Chaworth-Musters family as a teenager and is an expert on the hall, which now stands in ruins.

He said: “Byron used to stop here in the early 1800s. He fell in love with his cousin Mary Chaworth.”

But the young romance soured when Mary took an interest in another man - which caused Byron to fire a pistol at the oak door of a piggery in the grounds, The door has now gone, but the bullet marks around it are still visible.

Across from Annesley Hall is the historic ice house which was used to store ice from the frozen lakes for desserts and to preserve meat. Nearby is the countryside which is said to have inspired Eastwood writer D.H. Lawrence’s novel The White Peacock.

Other places on the tour included old Kirkby, which was the original, pre-mining village close to Kirkby Cross, Selston, Jacksdale, Skegby and Teversal.

The second bus tour will take place on Friday and leaves at 9.30am from Ashfield District Council’s offices in Kirkby. For more details or to book a place call Mansfield 457426 or search for it on www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/all_aboard_for_ashfield_heritage_tour_1_3764149

Event - Ashfield Heritage Bus Tour (September)

8th/10th & 16th September

A rare opportunity to visit interesting and exciting historic sites across Annesley, Kirkby, Selston, Skegby, Sutton and Teversal with a running commentary. The tour includes several stops and a lunch break at Teversal. You can bring your own picnic lunch or purchase a snack at the Teversal Trails Visitor Centre. It is essential to book a place as there are limited spaces on the minibus. FREE

Ashfield Heritage Bus Tours are organised by Ashfield District Council and last for about six hours and take you through the main heritage aspects of the district with the exception of Hucknall. Check our Events Guide or our Events Page for dates and further information or email tourism@ashfield-dc.gov.uk or phone 01623 457426 for more details

From: http://www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/cfusion/events/more2.cfm?more=1922