MATLOCK TREFOIL

Although we meet in Darley Dale our members come from Matlock, Cromford, Wirksworth and some even further afield so we felt it was time to find out more about Darley Dale itself.

On a pleasant evening in April we heard about the work of the Darley Dale in Bloom group. They are a band of hard-working volunteers who do just, that put the blooms in Darley Dale. They have planted and nurtured flower beds and borders in Whitworth Park, as well as planters and pots all around the area. In this long dry spring the dedicated volunteers have put in endless hours keeping everything watered and cared for. During our evening we were taken on a really interesting and informative tour of the park then back to our meeting place for an illustrated talk on the history and story of the group, which has won many awards. They do a great job brightening up the town and it’s all done on a shoestring by volunteers – not by the council. Quite an eye opener.

In May we continued the theme by visiting St Helens Church. We toured the church itself then the graveyard where we found Darley Dale’s only war grave and visited the tomb of the Whitworth family. Sir Joseph Whitworth was born in 1803 and was undoubtedly one of the great Victorian mechanical engineers, ranking alongside great men such as George Stephenson, and Brunel. He made his fortune in engineering and devised the British Standard Whitworth system, which created an accepted standard for screw threads. He died at the age of 83 in Monte Carlo, where he had travelled in the hope of improving his health, and was buried at St Helen's Church. He directed his trustees to spend his fortune on philanthropic projects, including the Whitworth centre and park, which is still there today for all to enjoy.

Our next meeting will be further afield – to Sudbury prison. But hopefully they’ll let us out again!

New members are always welcome, to find out more about the Trefoil Guild visit www.trefoilguild.co.uk or call Ann on 07790 123429.