Posts by
Bryan Smith
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The Wheel Inn, Ticknall
Perhaps most peoples favourite Ticknall pub some years ago, it has now been closed for some time. Time will tell if it can survive. If you become the proprietor of the Wheel Inn, please get in touch so that we can update this page for you. By the way, just in case you were wondering,…
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The Trouble with Democracy
Democracy. What other system of government could you even think of? We Brits love our parliamentary democracy and we are fiercely proud of our ‘Mother of Parliaments’, a model of democratic government that has been exported over much of the world. However, few of us would argue with Winston Churchills assertion that “Democracy is the…
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Ticknall Tramway – The Video
The Ticknall Tramway was a primitive form of horse tramway which was born in the Canal Age and survived long into the Railway Age. For a distance of 8 miles, it wound its way through the rural areas of North Leicestershire and South Derbyshire. As much of this area is woodland or pasture, many remains…
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The Chequers Inn, Ticknall
The Chequers Inn, Ticknall is the oldest pub in the village and is very much the stereotypical traditional country village pub. With thick stone walls and small windows you just know that there will be a warm welcome inside, and indeed there is, thanks to hosts Tony, Claire and family. The Chequers Inn Ticknall dates…
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Ticknall Walking Routes
There are so many alternative routes in the area around Ticknall that it is not easy to decide which particular route to take. Those visiting Ticknall for the first time may wish to just enjoy learning about the village by following the Ticknall Trail. Visitors who are new to the Ticknall area may wish to…
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Indoor Bowls Club
The Ticknall Short Mat indoor Bowls Club has now been in operation since 1995 and has been very successful. The Club meets in the Village Hall each Monday from September through to the end of April, from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Indoor Bowls is an easy game to pick up and provides gentle exercise…
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Barbara Bagley and an image of Ticknall
After a very brief period as a primary school teacher, Barbara Bagley went back to her true passion, to paint full time. She now works from a shed at the bottom of the garden which masquerades as her studio. “It’s a very nice shed, if not a bit messy,” she tells Ticknall Life. Originally from…
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Time Out in Ticknall
For readers who have never had the opportunity to visit Ticknall, Patrick Leach has made a video which gives a taste of Ticknall parish and surrounding areas. The video has a running time of 20 minutes and includes visits to Swarkestone, Foremarke and Staunton reservoirs and Calke Park as well as some local walks. On…
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Knowle Hill
Like many properties rescued by the Landmark Trust, Knowle Hill is a fragment, an intriguing memory of something once larger and finer. The fragment here is not just of a building, but also of a most interesting garden. Historical and archaeological research shows that in the two converging valleys which make up Knowle Hill we…
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Where’s yer bin?
“Where’s yer bin?” heralded the punchline of a very old joke, but it’s no joke for Ticknall residents whose refuse wheelie bins went missing on collection days during the past eight weeks. One of those affected was Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Barry Hanson who had one of his brown bins taken, complete with painted-on house number.…
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Memorial Plaque for Sgt John Smith VC Unveiled
The band played and church bells rang out on Sunday, 18 May 2014 in honour of one of Ticknalls best known sons Sgt. John Smith VC. Ticknall Parish Council hosted an event to unveil a plaque in honour of Sgt. John Smith VC of the Bengal Sappers & Miners. The plaque is the only one…
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Scaddows Farm Caravan Park
Our caravan site is located in a quiet and secluded area with extensive views looking out across the heart of the National Forest. We are situated in a wonderful area surrounded by many places of interest. Our site is currently a 10-van site, £5 per night and is adults only. If you would like more…
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Ticknall Tramway
The Ticknall Tramway was a primitive form of horse tramway which was born in the Canal Age and survived long into the Railway Age. For a distance of 8 miles, the Ticknall tramway wound its way through the rural areas of North Leicestershire and South Derbyshire. As much of this area is woodland or pasture,…
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Sgt John Smith VC
John Smith, the son of a shoemaker, was born in Ticknall in 1814, and lived in a cottage between 57 and 69 Ashby Road. The cottage is no longer on the site, which is now a field between the two houses. John Smith went to India and joined the Bengal Sappers & Miners, and saw…
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Humanists
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.
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The Staff of Life, Ticknall
The Staff of Life is now managed by Jane Walls and John Pankhurst, offering style in a relaxed atmosphere with great people who will work hard to really look after you. In the heart of Ticknall, next door to Calke Abbey & Park. About 10 mins from Donington Race Circuit, 10 miles from both Derby…
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Own Goal
Today I received a “free” newspaper with the “Derbyshire FIRST” masthead. Yes, that’s it in the picture. I say “free” in quotes because I quickly realised that it was my money (and yours) that was being used to produce it. And think, ‘produce’ means not just writing the content, taking the pictures, creating the layout,…
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History of Ticknall School
Anyone interested in the history of Ticknall School may be pleased to know that a large collection of information and photographs has been collected, recorded and bound into a document by Teresa Johnson. It goes under the title of ‘Happy as Larks’ – this being a quote from one past pupil who summed up her…
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New Decade?
The media is full of references lately to the ‘New Decade’. Every time I see it mentioned I think to myself “How can this be?” This is another of those times when I feel like I am the only one in step. Surely, if you start from ‘time zero’ the first decade would comprise years…
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You Have Mail
Being the sad and lonely nerd that I am, I look forward eagerly to receiving emails from my many contacts around the world – well, South Derbyshire mostly. You may have noticed that I usually respond quickly if you are rash enough to email me. That’s because I sit here all day constantly checking my…
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Secularism
Secularism is a principle that involves two basic propositions. The first is the strict separation of the state from religious institutions. The second is that people of different religions and beliefs are equal before the law. Separation of religion from state The separation of religion and state is the foundation of secularism. It ensures that…