Gransnet forums

Meet ups/where are you?

Derby

(13 Posts)
FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 12:20:00

Hello! ?
I’m being a bit cheeky really, as I’m not currently interested in a physical meet up (mobility issues).
Not only cheeky, but also nosy.
Is anyone in Derby or it’s environs?
I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning Derby.
There was recently a ‘meet up’ thread about Matlock / Matlock Bath, but nothing much came of it.
I’m originally from the Black Country, but have lived here for over twenty years, minus a couple of years when I lived in York.
I look forward in anticipation to hearing from you!

Trixii Mon 23-Aug-21 12:31:57

Hello Fanny Cornforth. Good to hear from you in Derby! I live in Barton under Needwood the other side of Burton on Trent, but I was born in Chaddesden, Derby, and very interested in any news from Derby. I used to attend Derwent primary school and went to Mayfield Road Methodist Church. I remember being in the Girls Life Brigade.
I can't do a physical meet up either but would like to keep in touch. Is there a way of private messaging on Gransnet? Best wishes

Alima Mon 23-Aug-21 12:35:31

It is my home town although I left there 58 years ago. Was last there 10 days ago visiting my brother and sister in law and having a general mooch around. Love the effort made with the Derby Rams dotted around the town and all the beautiful street planters full of flowers. I follow several Derby-related Face Book groups and many are in despair about how run down the town is. I think that if you bother to look there are good bits around the town.
All my Dad’s family came from Derby/Derbyshire and I love wandering round the town seeing where they lived all those years ago.

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 12:51:13

Hello Trixii and Alima, thanks for replying, I’m pleasantly surprised smile
Trixii if you want to send a message, click on the three little dots at the bottom right if a poster’s message.
It will open up the messages window. You can also change the name of the poster who you want to contact there as well. I hope that this makes sense!

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 12:54:22

Trixii my husband was born in Chaddesden.
I’m not sure which school he went to (I definitely should know!) I will ask him.

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 12:58:53

Alima it is extremely sad what has happened to Derby. I’ve always felt that it doesn’t blow its own trumpet enough.
It’s got lots of history, but has never really made much of itself.
I think that it is a crying shame that Bennett’s has closed down. It was the worlds’ very first department store.
The Cathedral Quarter used to be so beautiful. Even the Weathespoons (The Standing Order, used to be the Nat West) is special.

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 13:03:43

It was the Westfield Centre (or whatever name it currently goes by) that was the beginning of it all. Those out of town type places have caused so much damage.
I remember when I was growing up, and the Merry Hill Centre was built. It literally killed Dudley Town Centre. It is still an absolute dump, and it used to be so nice.

Polly99 Mon 23-Aug-21 13:29:51

I am finding this interesting as my son and family are currently relocating to Derby (to live nearer to in-laws). They are certainly getting a much larger property for the money than they had before (just outside Oxford). I don't know anything about the area but apparently they will be living in one of the nice parts of the city. Anyway we will have a chance to visit soon. smile

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 13:39:20

Polly the suburbs of Derby are very nice. Also we are just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Peaks.
The biggest downside for me about living in the Midlands is being so far from the coast

Crocus5 Mon 23-Aug-21 13:51:06

I’m in Sheffield, about 45 minutes on the train to Derby. Originally from Bristol and been in Yorkshire for 40+ years now. Happy to meet up.

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 15:06:57

Trixii DH did go to Derwent, as did his many siblings!

FannyCornforth Mon 23-Aug-21 15:07:36

Forgot to add, I will send you a message

spottybook Mon 23-Aug-21 17:46:42

Another Derby girl here although I left when I was 21. I now live in Cambridge but my roots are still firmly fixed in Derby. You can take the girl out of Derby but not Derby out of the girl. Very interested in any news of the old city.