Derwent Dams, Derbyshire, Birchinlee

[CoxDodd]

Anyone doing any research on families who worked on the Derwent Dams (Dambuster's fame) and who might have lived in the Navvy village of Birchenlee?

[pottoka]

Have you seen the sixth entry (by Penny Gallo) in this thread about abandoned communities?

http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39093

[Craftymare]

My paternal Great Grandfather was a navvy and lived with his family at Birchinlee from about 1902 - 1905. My Great Granfather died there 1905 but not due to any accidents. His son married and stayed on at the Dams after the rest of the family moved away. Not sure when he did finally leave the dams.

[CoxDodd]

You can book a place on a walking tour of the remains of the village either on the 26th April or 3rd Sept at the Peak District Warden shop at Derwent. The tour is taken by Professor Brian Robinson whose mother was born in the village.

I took my mother for a walk around and although we had been to the area many times we were very surprised to see how close it was to the existing road. We must have driven past it many times and just not realised!

[Craftymare]

Thanks for this info CoxDodd, might just see about going to the area again in September then. Did go there a couple of years ago and watched the water cascade over the Derwent Dam during a blizzard (which started after we got there). Went to the Church in Bamford to the Navvies grave. My Great Grandfather was reburied there, as all bodies in Dewent Church Yard were exhumed and re-buried in Bamford when Derwent Village was flooded. It's an awesome place is the Ladybower site and makes you feel so proud to know your ancestors had a helping hand in the contruction of it. It's a real shame that more isn't made of the Derwent Dams and of Birchinlee. Brian Robinson holds the few records that survived but it would be nice to think that some day a TV company could make a documentary.

[Jack Richards]

My wife and I are regular visitors to this area and always have an enjoyable lunch at the nearby 'Yorkshire Bridge' pub. We have no connection with these premises in any way other than as frequent diners. The food is excellent as is the choice of dishes and the prices are most reasonable. There is ample car parking, even at the busiest times, one can park on the roadside. Highly recommended.

Must get ourselves on the organised tour. Hitherto, we have relied on our knowledge to wander around the dams.

Hope this info. helps friends on this forum visting this lovely area of Derbyshire.

Regards

Jack