DARLEY ABBEY HISTORICAL GROUP
NEWSLETTER
June 2023. No. 129
Chairman & Editor :- Alan Bradwell (Tel. 557203)
Meetings
The Events and Programme of Talks for 2023, arranged by Marie, is on our website; or pick up a paper copy at the next meeting.
Our Talks Programme, for the near future is :-
16 JUNE 2023 – ‘Cromford Mill.’ by Cliff Lea.
21 JULY 2023 -,’The History of Tea Drinking.’ by Maggie Slingsby
NOTE :- This meeting will be held at The Church Fellowship Room, Darley Abbey Drive, due to the Village Hall being double-booked.
18 AUGUST 2023 – Committee Meeting only.
Events
1 The Book / Plant / Transport Exhibition Fayre went well on Saturday 10th June in the Village Hall from 10 to 12 noon. The weather was good, and the Scouts had their Fayre locally on New Rd., which helped to bring lots of people into the Village Hall. Thanks to Marie and Team for organising, Maureen for her plants, and to Anne and Helen & Team for the delicious food from the kitchen, and to all the helpers who turned up to set up and take down the Exhibition so efficiently. John says the day earned £80 for Group funds, so well done all round.
2 Buxton Local History Group’s proposed visit to Darley on Wed. 21st June is cancelled due to lack of support by them for that date.
3 The Village Hall Lawn Hole will have a geophysical resistivity survey done by Andy Austen on a Tuesday in the near future, to get more information about the depth and possible cause of the hole. This will be followed by a JCB excavation when we have raised the necessary funds. Andy conducted Resistivity tests on the Scout-Hall yard as a training session for the Scouts last week; the results are compatible with our Dowsing results about the possible location and layout of the ‘lost’ Abbey.
“Memories”
Another article from Liz Lockwood; this time it’s a newspaper review from 1975 for Nellie Deans, which was the first restaurant in the former Darley Mills canteen. It later became Rheinlander, Da Armandos and then the original Darleys opened by David Pinchbeck in 1988. Can you remember eating out at Nellie Deans or at any of the later restaurants ? Does anyone have any menu cards from any of these restaurants ?
Opening of Nellie Deans 01 May 1975 Burton Observer and Chronicle
Nellie Deans Overlooks Darley Weir
Nellie Deans, a new restaurant in Derby has just been opened by two businessmen Keith Hornby Priestnall and Doug Petrie both directors of Salesprint and Display Ltd
The aptness of the name will be understood when you know that the restaurant has been created in part of the Darley Abbey Mill at Darley Abbey where the original beams lend authenticity to the red upholstery and polished wood décor.
The owners have been meticulous in ensuring that alterations to the existing mill building have been kept in the style of the original architecture and have achieved a happy blend with the surrounding scenery.
Approached over a toll bridge (patrons don’t have to pay) Nellie Deans sits overlooking the Darley Abbey weir on the Derwent and has delightfully peaceful views from both the Riverside Cocktail Bar and Dineing area. The sparkling waters of the Derwent rush past at what appears to be only an arms length.
Keith Priestnall emphasised that the restaurant policy will be to concentrate on country style fresh foods at reasonable prices. A three course lunch can cost as little as £1.55 including VAT and service. Home made soups and pate will always be on the menu together with an attractive choice of sweets made on the premises. There is a special feature of International Salad Bar and a daily selection of hot dishes.
Initially Nellie Deans is open only for luncheons Monday to Friday but the premises are ideal for private parties and functions and the proprietors anticipate that this magical setting will be much in demand for wedding receptions.
The Music Hall theme of the name has been carried throughout the enterprise and photographs of Gertie Gitana the star famous for singing Nellie Dean are on display together with an original copy of the music. Doug Petrie explained how he had been lucky enough to discover that miss Gitana’s husband Don Ross is still alive in the South of England He has taken and interest in the project and we are proud to have received from him a tape of an original recording of Gertie Gitana performing the song.
Nellie Dean is now open and there is ample parking space. As the proprietors say “where else can you enjoy lunch in the heart of the country with only three miles from the centre of Derby.”
Please get in touch and share your memories.
Books etc. …..
We have an ever-growing archive of books, Reports, maps and other memorabilia.
An updated book list will be issued in due course and made available electronically too.
Members (only) to note that any item can be borrowed by contacting Barrie through the group email address.
As you know all Booklets can be purchased from Graham’s Village Shop and via the website. These sell at the current Booklet price of £2.50 each (plus p & p, if required).
Use our DAHG email address to get in touch.
darleyabbeyhistoricalgroup@gmail.com
All emails are appropriately distributed.
Visit our website at: https://darleyabbeyhistoricalgroup.wordpress.com
Alan Bradwell, Chair – 12 June 2023
DARLEY ABBEY HISTORICAL GROUP 