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Did you know - before the Second World War Hermann Goerring the German Luftwaffe Chief threatened to come over to Broomhead Moors and show the English how to shoot grouse, Broomhead at the time held the record for the largest number shot in a day 9 guns killed 2743 in one day and fat Hermann fancied himself as a sporting gun!!!!
Langsett means long side or slope and refers to the practice of taking the cattle up to the summer grazings.
Midhopestones refers to the stepping or leaping stones near the ford by Dike Side Farm,that were submerged a century ago when Underbank Reservoir was created.
The annual rental for Brook House Farm which was abandoned when Langsett Reservoir was built and is situated at the head of the reservoir close to the bridge ( Brook House Bridge )used to be a Red Rose at Christmas and a snowball in summer, very romantic sounding but the only person able to provide them would be the Lord of the Manor - Godfrey Bosville.Nothing remains of Brookhouse Farm now but an open clearing.During the 16th and 17th Century it was owned by relatives of William Wordworth
Lieutenent Commander Eugene Kingsmill Esmonde VC. DSO . was born in Thurgoland Grid Ref.SE 28500130 on the first of March 1909 and died on the 12th February 1942 leading the attack by six Fairey Swordfish sea planes of 825 Sqdn. Fleet Air Arm against the German Battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNIESENAU.
covering over 53 sq. miles Bradfield Parish is one of the largest in the country.
the keyhole shaped fields on Mossley Road - Grid Ref.SE 24200100 were an experiment by William Payne Lord of Langsett during the enclosures of Langsett Township 1811 -1814 to provide high walls and therefor shelter in bad weather for cattle and sheep. Payne was a Quaker and a noted Agricultural Improver
another mass trespass took place after the famous Kinder Mass Trespass of 24/5/32 - this was to take place on The Duke of Norfolks Road actually a Bridleway which became a footpath starting on Broomhead Moor and terminating in the Derwent Valley at Abbey Grange, the date was 18/9/32 - the route had long been a disputed right of way, however this trespass wasn't organised by the The British Sports Federation as the Kinder one had been.
200 ramblers took the tramcars to Malin Bridge Terminus and then walked the 3.5 miles to the start in a " cheerful & determined mood " well aware of the reception that may await them after the battles & resulting gaol sentences from Kinder.
The first sign of the formidable opposition awaiting them was a keeper perched on a rock who shouted at them to " keep off you are not allowed on here " & then cycled off down the track warning other lookouts.
- no serious resistance was met until they reached Abbey Brook where some hundred or so keepers, -regular and temporary - armed with pick handles and a few police officers including an Inspector clashed with them, the keepers raining blows on the ramblers heads & shoulders - fearing serious injuries the police advised that the keepers aim for the legs.
After rebuffing the assault & regrouping the ramblers leaders instructed them to get out their sandwiches & flasks whilst they discussed what to do next as they feared a serious situation might arise, the objective of walking along the forbidden right of way had been achieved so the leaders recommended turning back but a dozen or so didn't & set off for Howshaw Tor which was private land & then onto Bradfield Gate Head & returning down Foulstone Delph
along the 3 mile return journey the police were constantly egged on by the keepers to make arrests but the police were well aware from which quarter the violence came & didn't want another fiasco like the one caused by the Kinder Trials at Derby- the only injury on their side was a constable who on bending down to tie his shoelace was tipped into the peat by a female rambler much to everyones amusement, also G.H.B.Ward had established a right of way - so the Inspector bid them good day.
The keepers poor intelligence gathering had caused them to assemble at the wrong end of the track & therefore they had had a long uphill walk to meet the trespassers,their excessive numbers was also another difference between this and the Kinder Trespass
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