Successful Hasland book launch

The evening of the 15 June, saw a successful launch for our new book on the history of Hasland.

Philip Riden, VCH County Editor, talking to a packed audience at the Devonshire Arms during the launch of a new book about Hasland’s history.

Launched at the Devonshire Arms in the village, it was a capacity audience of over 60 people who attended the event. Our County Editor, Philip Riden, explained about what VCH does and gave a brief overview of the history of this formerly large parish, which used to comprise Spital, Hady, Boythorpe, Grassmoor, Winsick, Birdholme and Corbriggs.

The beginnings of the township, its growth, economic history, religion, education, landownership and local government were amongst topics covered. Large-scale industry like the former Chesterfield Tube Works got a mention, along with the less well-known story of local mining and the Broad Oaks furnaces near Storforth Lane were mentioned.

Priced at £20 the book is of some 200 pages, with colour illustrations and maps. The A4 sized hardback book should hopefully soon be available at Waterstones in Chesterfield and the town’s Visitor Centre. It is also available from the VCH by using an online order form at https://bit.ly/HistoryofHasland and from Hasland Coop.

The Trust’s first publication in this VCH spin-off series, Chesterfield’s Streets and Houses, is still available. The next spin-off book should be an account of Temple Normanton and Calow.

Our thanks to everyone who attended and to the Devonshire Arms for providing the venue.

Philip Riden, Derbyshire VCH County Editor, far right, with some of the volunteer group who have contributed to the new book on Hasland. Holding the book, centre, is Lyn Pardo Roques, Chair of the Derbyshire VCH Trust.