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Memories of school TapTone House (Grammar School, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, 1931 Through 1991) Home of George Stephenson
From the Romans to the railways – and a little further
Malcolm Handford R – The 1958 Taptonian
Reference to the past TapTone in all the usual work of local history are very few, and the more we go again become scarce. In recent times, however, much has been said and written about TapTone and their possible connections with the Romans.
Local tradition says that in TapTone Castle Hill – the big mound of land west of the Casa TapTone – You can find the site of a Roman camp. Near it the old Roman road from Derby to York was supposed to have worked. The latter theory has been widely discredited but the former remains a vague possibility. It is possible that Chesterfield was a trade center under the Romans. The discovery of coins bearing the heads of dead ago Caesars long gives weight to the theory that the sons of Rome, once occupied our modest tomb – now clothes with trees – but just enough to justify the assumption of its historical accuracy.
Chesterfield Saxon name (ie the area of chester or castle) seems to imply that in our time Saxon's old city was dominated by the ramparts of a castle. TapTone Castle Hill (once known as Windmill Hill) – is now preserved by the Ministry of Works as an ancient monument – that because of its dominant position, be an obvious choice of the site for the construction of any fortification. History of Ford Chesterfield (Published in 1839) seems to regard this as a historical fact and speaks of "the old castle of which may even now the foundation is back." In the absence of other evidence to support that claim, and given that the book in question is fraught with inaccuracy, the possible existence of a castle at the gates of TapTone (almost literally) should also remain no more than an attractive theory.
Domesday Book – That the action inevitable local historian – provides the first milestone in the course of recorded history TapTone. At the time of the great Domesday survey (1086) Tappetune was one of six villages berwicks or Lordship of Newebold (Newbold). TapTone because of the limits of Scarredele Worpentake (Scarsdale), and as such, belonged to the king.
In the reign of King John (1199-1216) TapTone emerges as belonging to William of Briwere. Briwere said one of the favorite real TapTone was granted with all Worpentake Scarsdale by John, the king. It is next recorded as having passed into the possession of the Durrants, an ancient family of Chesterfield.
The stone may Elizabethan TapTone Field House was partly demolished in the late seventeenth century as a result of a misunderstanding that had arisen from a poorly drafted will. The remaining section with its roof stone chimney stacks and mullioned windows robusta can still be seen. Located in a well preserved condition, though somewhat modernized in part, and is located in a hollow a quarter of a mile SE of TapTone House.
But if TapTone Manor claims to the distinction in the annals of antiquity is TapTone House that attracts tourists with an eye for a story.
The house is of no great architectural importance, although its elegant façade and many windows can not fail to please the curious. This battery handsome brick and soft stone rests – when free of this prison! – Perhaps dreaming of the days when coaches would welcome bringing guests instead of cars and teachers. Only grudgingly handed over to those who thought – still think, I guess – which is more suitable to house a school than anything else.
Built in the late eighteenth century, TapTone House is proud in the middle of a large trailer park and gardens that are the pride of the men who planned and tend them.
About his early career there are still many opportunities for speculation. The first owner of the House that we can record TapTone is surely Isaac Wilkinson. Wilkinson was a wealthy banker from Chesterfield and has been suggested that this was for him the house was built. At his death in 1831, wanted the house to a Ricketts George Yeldham that later took the name of Wilkinson. This gentleman was not with his visits TapTone and appear to have been few. Ricketts is believed that later "disposed of TapTone as part of a contract coal mine lease. "The new owner was George Stephenson. The coal seams discovered near that first attracted him to TapTone and not the house.
But Stephenson soon realized the benefits of TapTone house as a residence and made it his home. The extensive gardens and the opportunity to enjoy their favorite pastime, the horticulture undoubtedly exerts no little influence. Extensive gardens may have been, but had been neglected and was covered a lot. Stephenson was determined to rethink and put them on. One of his first acts was to cut down a forest trail to the southwest of the House. The road, although much has changed, is still in use today. It was' The old George's Delight your guests to challenge a race on the steep path and was very disappointed if until now!
In Pictures Grundy of the past tells us it is 'a belief Stephenson, except steam and coal and iron was in the gardens of his'. There many glass houses built (one of them can still be seen in the gardens behind the house) and spent much of his time cultivating fruits of many varieties, but especially peaches and pineapples. One of his distinguished friends was Sir Joseph Paxton (Crystal Palace fame) must have visited the House TapTone more than once.
Stephenson's great love for animals and birds remained with him throughout his life, as evidenced by the long list of pets that keeps TapTone. After read a paper on the fallacies of the rotary engine in Birmingham in July 1848 suffered a severe attack of fever. The disease seemed to be happening when had a sudden relapse and died on August 12, 1848, at the age of sixty-seven. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity, where a simple GS "1848" marks his grave.
The next we hear of TapTone is like a boarding school run by two spinsters, the Misses Pocock and Walker. Little is known about the initial progress of this company, except that it was here that the mother of Miss Violet Markham received part of their education. His initials and those of his sister on a tree in the desert " behind the gardens. There seems no written reference to the subsequent career of this school.
In his autobiography, Return Passage (1953) Miss Violet Markham wrote that "TapTone had been unoccupied for some time and had fallen into considerable neglect before my parents took possession of it. "Markham Losing parents had previously lived in Brimington Hall, a Jacobean house within three miles of Chesterfield. His father, TapTone bought home and he and his family moved to TapTone in New Year's Day 1873. TapTone fortunately escaped most extreme bad taste of the time Victorian. In fact, Carlos's wife, Rosa, we owe the old beauty salon, or drawing room, which now houses the school library.
The Markham family continued to live at TapTone for many decades, have a strong interest in the affairs of Chesterfield and win the respect of the people of the municipality. Miss Violet Markham, however, is known to a wider audience, both as a writer of average capacity and not as a teacher.
In 1925 Mr P Charles Markham TapTone gave House and its extensive grounds the people of Chesterfield, suggesting it could be used as a museum or a public school. A local museum collection started and stay for a while.
But here ends the history of TapTone known to antiquity and the House TapTone which meant the home of two noble families. Here, too, a story begins, the story of TapTone House, the school. However, it is the intention of the author of this book to establish the history of that school. Maybe someone else will take the abandoned pen and continue the story of TapTone farther and farther away.
Reviews of the book:
1) Really thank you very much for your work on TapTone House, which I received yesterday. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate all the work they have done to their collection.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Jennings, Sheffield, wife of the director from 1953 to 1959
2) Attention Len Thompson,
I was delighted to receive Memoirs from the House TapTone school "as a Christmas gift and since then have read it from beginning to end several times. I was a student from 1950 to 1956 and could give some input if you are considering a second edition. I have a vivid memory of this great place of learning.
My time has not helped me immensely as before their standards for My own interest in the world of international trade.
Still I have a copy of the 1956 Memorial Day, I am sure be of interest-what which includes the Charter School that I must believe prominently in any future publication.
Also I have a photograph from 1953 shows a part of Athletics team that had a successful meeting in the Inter school sports.
Looking forward to hearing from you and congratulations on a masterpiece.
Sincerely, Terry Ward, Chesterfield, OT 1950-1956
About the Author
Len Thompson – Autobiographical, Social and Industrial History AuthorBooks written:
Life Down t’Lane 1997 ISBN 0953508404 - Review by Tony Benn, MP for Chesterfield 1984-2001
Memories of Tapton House School 1999 ISBN 0953508412 - Foreword by the Duchess of Devonshire. Review by Gerald Haigh – Times Educational Supplement
A History of Tapton House 2001 ISBN 0953508420 - Foreword by Robert Stephenson Roper – Relative of George Stephenson. Review by John Kenworthy-Browne, London, Author of ‘Guide to Country Houses’.
A Rough Diamond in South Africa 2008 ISBN 9780952567837 – Foreword by Pat Symcox all-round South African test cricketer 1993-1999. Review by Ingrid Henrici Chairperson – N Cape branch of LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa).
For more details or to purchase a copy of any of these books click here
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