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ILKESTON AND DISTRICT HERITAGE

INTRODUCTION
Following an initiative by former Curator of Erewash Museum Julie Biddlecombe in 2000, a group of local historians agreed to produce brief notes on sites of particular local interest within the Borough of Erewash. These notes were grouped into five categories, of which the following four: Archaeology (see below), Architecture, Industrial Archaeology and Architecture and Local History, are detailed.
Only the details relating to sites which come within the Erewash area and within the criteria of the IDLHS as being 'district' or 'local' have been included. A full copy of the information can been seen or obtained from the Erewash Museum.

ARCHAEOLOGY

DALE ABBEY
(Private Property and Grade 1 and scheduled Ancient Monument) SK 387437.
It is the site of of a former Premonstratensian Priory founded in 1196. Surviving features include the East window of geometric early English design (1250-1260) and portions of former fabric incorporated into subsequently erected buildings within Dale village. Excavations by the Derbyshire Archaeological Society in the 19th and 20th century revealed most of the ground plan of the Abbey and noted that several building modifications had taken place before the final form of the 16th century and following the Dissolution in 1538 it was demolished in stages. Finds from the excavations are on display in the private museum on the site of the former chapter house and at Erewash Museum. Earthworks to the east of the Abbey and the south of Tattle Hill are though to be former fish ponds and possibly a mill pond used by the canons.
A hermits cave exists in the sandstone ridge to the south of the Abbey which is believed to have been constructed in 1130 by the original hermit. The small church attached to the farm contains a wall painting dated to about 1300 and is believed to have originated as the private chapel of the Gomme of Dale in the 12th century. The Abbey and its immediate environs are scheduled. See also A Brief History of Dale Abbey

DALE ABBEY: MALT HOUSE
(Private Property) SK 438381
Reputedly the malt house of Dale Abbey. The present 18th century structure is now unstable and no archaeological work has yet been carried out. Parts of the building may be earlier.

DALE ABBEY: BOYAH GRANGE FARM
(Private Property and Grade 2) SK 443381
Situated on the site of a former Grange of Dale Abbey and on a hamlet, it was first recorded in the 13th century. The present farm house, built in the 18th century stands within a still partially visible Medieval moated enclosure. During recent building work stone foundations of earlier buildings were revealed near the present out buildings and beneath the farm yard.

DALE ABBEY: DESERTED HAMLET OF BOYAH
SK 443382
The existence of Boyah was first recorded in 1160 when Serlo de Grendon, Lord of Ockbrook, granted all his land of Boyah to the canons of Dale. His son William, however, retained all the serfs and the Mansion of Boyah, it was later recorded. Eventually the entire site passed into the ownership of Dale Abbey who converted it into a Grange farm. The site of the former hamlet is now believed to have existed in the pasture field to the immediate north of Boyah Grange Farm where in 1994 the Derbyshire Archaeological Society surveyed still visible earthworks which consisted of hollow ways, banks and platforms first noted by John Ward during the 19th century.

DALE ABBEY: BALDOCK MILL
Originally constructed in the late 12th century AD by the canons of Tupholme during their short-lived tenancy of Dale, it was then known as Le Parke Mylne. After the dissolution of Dale Abbey in 1547 it was sold off and in 1555 became known as Baldock Mill after Henry Baldocke. The mill structure was extensively modernised during the late 18th or early 19th century but ceased to function by the 20th century and was demolished in 1930. The mill-pond and sections of the inflow leat and water control sluices are, however still visible.

ILKESTON: ROMAN COIN SITE AT COTMANHAY
SK 469437
A Roman bronze coin of Gratian (367-383 AD) was found by Mr Birch in a mole hill on rough ground alongside the canal and River Erewash off Sleaford Way, Cotmanhay.
(On display at Erewash Museum)

ILKESTON: NEOLITHIC FLINT KNIFE SITE AT COTMANHAY
SK 459442
A splendid example of a late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age plano/convex flint knife was discovered by Mr John Procter of Langley Avenue, Cotmanhay, whilst digging a bean trench. Its location near a prominent hill-top and its unusually good condition suggest that it was not far from its original site and possibly part of a burial collection.
(On display at Erewash Museum)

ILKESTON: NEOLITHIC AXE-HEAD
Two Neolithic greenstone axe-heads were discovered by a gardener, Bill Stevenson, with Erewash Borough Council on Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. One had been damaged but the other survives intact.
(On display at Erewash Museum)

ILKESTON: FORMER VICARAGE OF ST.MARY'S
(Private property)
A combined Ilkeston and District Local History Society and Erewash Museum excavation revealed evidence of stone carved sections of the William de Cantelupe tomb and St.Mary's church east window along with stone foundations of the Tudor barn. Sections of the Medieval Priest's House with pieces of Medieval painted window glass and pottery sherds dating from the 14th to 19th centuries were also uncovered. A Medieval stone-lined gutter (sough in the vernacular) and a Victorian summer house were among features excavated. The excavation is ongoing. See also Ilkeston's Archaeology

MORLEY CHURCH CROSS
(Grade 2) SK 396409
Believed to date from the 17th century, it was restored in 1916, when the present stepped platform was constructed from stones retrieved from the demolished manor house and an effigy of the Madonna and Child was placed on the original shaft. Excavations in 2000 by the Derbyshire Archaeological Society revealed a lime-mortared stone platform beneath the present structure. Thought to be evidence of the former Butter or Barter Cross which is recorded as once existing at Morley.

MORLEY EARTHWORKS NEAR CHURCH
(Private Property) SK 396409
Until 2001 a mound and wall alignments were visible to the west of Morley churchyard. The mound was probably a conery, whilst the walls were the remnants of the former Hall demolished during the 18th century.

MORLEY: BRONZE AGE AXE-HEAD SITE
(Private Property) SK399419
A corroded but complete example of a middle Bronze Age socketed and flanged axe head was discovered by James Knifton whilst ploughing on Smithy Farm, Morley. Its survival on a previously open cast area is extremely fortunate. On display at Erewash Museum.

STANLEY GRANGE MEDIEVAL IRON WORKINGS
(Private Property) SK 427406
The site of a medieval iron working centre presumed to have been in the ownership of Dale Abbey. It was excavated in 1997 by the Trent and Peak Archaeological Unit to reveal 8 hearths dated by archaeomagnetic methods and associated pottery types from mid 13th to early 14th century. Evidence of ore crushing, smelting and bloom refining was also discovered. The excavated site has now been destroyed by open cast coal extraction.

STANLEY GRANGE
SK 427405
Now a farm, this is the site of the former Grange of Dale Abbey, dating from the 14th century and possibly earlier. In 1903 an oak coffin containing a skeleton and glass phial was discovered. Thought to be Roman at the time, it is now suspected as being Medieval. Traces of the 17th century buildings survive in the present farm structures.

WEST HALLAM MOATED SITE
(Private Property) SK439405
This is a scheduled site, parts of which are still visible south east of West Hallam Storage Depot. It was possibly the home of the Cromwells of West Hallam during the 13th century.