Digital Hearing Aids Dronfield – Derbyshire Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids Dronfield – Derbyshire Digital Hearing Aids 

It is thought the name of Dronfield has a connection to bees!  It is said to mean ‘the land of the male bees or drones’.  Dronfield is set on the River Drone which rises near Sheffield and eventually merges with Barlow Brock near Chesterfield and goes on to join the River Rother.  Which came first, the name of the river or the name of the town?  There seems to be no documentation about how the river got its name ... maybe the town was named after the river?

Certainly the river has been very important to the town over the centuries.  Many of the early manufacturers here used it in the production of their goods in the form of water wheels.  But more of that later.

Trade through the centuries
Little is known about Dronfield’s early history but it is mentioned in the Domesday Book, though not in any detail.  In the mid 17th Century Charles II granted Dronfield a market charter and for a hundred years or more trade flourished.  Then with the larger, nearby market towns of Chesterfield (six miles away) and Sheffield (just over seven miles away), the market stopped trading.

Coal mining in the area also flourished at this time and into the 19th Century.  Several pits opened in the area; mining at Stubley was mentioned as far back as the 16th Century, Hill Top in the 17th Century and pits in Dronfield in the 18th Century.  None of them are still working today of course.

The area was also known for lead mining and the related grindstone industry which was carried out in the nearby Peak District.  These industries certainly helped to make the local Rotheram family rich.  John Rotheram also held the post of High Sherriff of Derbyshire and bought Dronfield Manor.

Dronfield was also known for wool production supplied by local sheep farmers.  Many people in the area were involved in spinning and weaving this product.  Another big industry was soap making which set up and used the river in its production.  Leather tanning formed another section of the local industries.

Today there is still a working iron foundry manufacturing products mainly for the car industry.  It is also home to AMETREK, once Land Instruments International, who produce infrared measurement equipment.

Changing over time
Have you noticed a change in your hearing ability?  Loss of hearing can happen to anyone and it can be gradual or sudden.  A gradual loss is often harder to realise but if you have any doubts about the quality of your hearing, why not let us get yours tested by a professional audiologist.  We can arrange this for you – take a look here.  If you’d like further information, give us a call on 01782 698090.

Dronfield Manor
Dronfield Manor, now the Grade II listed Dronfield library, had originally been given to William Briewer by King John but had several owners between Briewer and the Rotheram family.  John Rotheram acquired the Manor in 1750.  He left it to his son; on his death it passed to his sister.  She bequeathed it to Joseph Cecil.  It was the Cecil family who occupied it until it came into the hands of the local council in the 1930s.  It wasn’t until the late 1960s that it became home to Dronfield’s library.

St John the Baptist Church
It is the Gothic architecture and its stained glass windows that first make this 12th Century church stand out.  Or perhaps the fact that its spire can be seen from all places in the town.  Inside it hides a couple of secrets too – two misericords.  A misericord is a shelf-like seat found below a folding seat.  It is used as a perch by those who find standing for long periods difficult during prayers.

What is unusual about the two in St John the Baptist is that they were only added last century.  Misericords were a common addition when attendees were expected to stand for long periods particularly during medieval times.

The Peel Monument
Standing at the top of the High Street is a monument to Sir Robert Peel.  The monument was built in 1854 to honour Peel’s repeal of the Corn Laws some ten years earlier.

The Green Dragon Inn
This public house dates from the 14th Century when its use was more sedate.  It was the hall of the chantry priests (priests paid to sing) and the location where the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary was formed.  When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the hall became a public house and has remained one ever since.

Rumour, legend or truth?
Close to the Peel Monument on the High Street is a 16th Century home known as The Cottage.  It is believed locally that it was Lord Byron’s home at one time, though there is no evidence to substantiate this.

Speaking of the well-known ...
There are other well-known even famous people who definitely have connections with Dronfield.

·         Actor Vinnie Jones lived here when he played football for Sheffield United

·         It was also home to several other football players, some of whom played for the same club such as Howard Kendal (now retired), Kevin Gage now retired and running the historic Green Dragon Pub in Dronfield, Tony Currie and Paul Tomlinson

·         Other footballers connected with the area are Mel Sterland, Kevin Pressman and the late Peter Springett who all played for Sheffield Wednesday

·         The late Roy Goodall, who captained England 12 times during his footballing career, was born in Dronfield

·         As was current Chelsea player, Gary Cahill

·         Author and travel writer Bruce Chatwin started life at his grandparent’s home in Dronfield.  He went on to become a famous author and was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial prize for his book On the Black Hill in 1982.  He was the first high profile person known to die of an AIDs related illness in the UK in 1989 at the age of 48

·         Musician Dave Berry came from the area.  His hey-day was in the 1960s with hits such as The Crying Game and Little Things

·         Rick Allen, the drummer with Def Leppard, was born in Dronfield.  He overcame losing his left arm in a car accident and continued to perform as a drummer – no mean feat

Don’t stop the rhythm
If you’re struggling to hear the cheers from the sidelines or get the rhythm of the drums, then perhaps you need your hearing checked.  There are many reasons why hearing loss can occur including of course a deterioration with age.  There’s no need to suffer in silence though!  Get in touch with Digital Hearing Aids today – you know we can help.  Call us on 01782 698090.