We'd always assumed that 2 Castle Street was an amalgamation of numbers 2 and 4. Number 4 appears in the 1939 Census with records of people living at the address but by the 1970s this was no longer there and there was space for the extension to be built onto the side of number 2. So our question now is what happened to Number 4 Castle Street?

The current questions we are trying to find answers for are:
- does anyone have any memories of Number 4 Castle Street being demolished?
- who built the extension in the 1970s?
- are you an ancestor of of the Davis or Knighton family who we know were butchers at 2 Castle Street?
​
Please do get in touch if you have any information or memories to share.

The Teddy Tombola was a big success raising some much needed funds for local units.

It's certainly been a funny few days, as much as we are trying to carry on with 'business as usual' at Old Bolsover Yard we are having to adapt to the changing times as a number of businesses are. We are still open Monday - Saturday 10 - 3 but will obviously keep you updated if this changes.

Both The Ropery and The Tackle Shop will be opening on Saturday so do come and pop in and say hello if you are out and about. The grand opening for The Ropery is being delayed until later in the year.

We have taken the difficult decision to cancel all events planned at Old Bolsover Yard until the end of April but will review the following months in due course. This means that the Makers Market on 5th April has been cancelled with the next event now planned for 5th July. Workshops at The Fabric Den have been postponed until further notice and our 2nd Birthday celebrations for Old Bolsover Yard over Easter Weekend will now be virtual instead.

It's important that we all stay safe in this increasingly difficult times.

Until next week

​Sarah x

Today marks the start of National Butchers Week which seems rather fitting as we are putting together the final plans for our Show and Tell event next Saturday. The banners and flyers are being delivered on Wednesday so will arrive just in time for our event which is looking to hear from those of you who remember when the site which we know and love today as Old Bolsover Yard was a butchers shop. We've already been able to establish that Howard Knighton was the butcher on the site from around 1911 and in the 1950s we are aware of S Davis specialising in home-made sausages, pickled beef, brawn, potted meat and ox tongues. What else are we still to discover?

​Do come and join us at Old Bolsover Yard from 10am on Saturday - bring your photos and share your memories with the team.

We have another new business moving into Old Bolsover Yard in the coming weeks. Rick Wainwright is opening The Tackle Shop which will be stocking some new and second hand fishing tackle from carp fishing to match fishing or just for fun. So whether you are looking for reels, feeder rods, float rods or a seat box Rick is likely to have just what you are looking for in stock. We'll keep you up to date with opening times in the next few weeks. The Tackle Shop is currently looking to open Monday 30th March.

Another aspect of our Heritage Lottery Project is to engage with young people in the area. Bolsover District Guiding are working with us and we can't wait to welcome the girls to the community dig later on in the year. Before that though they will also be joining us on Saturday to tell us all about the great work that they are doing inspiring young girls.

If you would like to find out more about getting your daughter involved in Guiding in the area or are interested in becoming a volunteer come and see Lisa and the other volunteers between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 14th March in our Courtyard.

I'll be back again next week with further updates about 'life in the yard'.

Until next time

​Sarah x

Saturday 14th March - Show and Tell Old Bolsover Yard Lottery Project - What are your memories of Old Bolsover Yard - do you remember the offices, shops, butchers that were here previously. Bring your photos and show and tell us all..... 

I'll be back again next week with more updates.

Until next time......

​Sarah

Since we moved into Old Bolsover Yard and began working on renovating the site one of the things that was apparent was the history that surrounded the buildings. All our renovation work to date has been done sympathetically to try and retain the character of the area.

We know that the yard was once the town slaughter house with a meat processing area, with a butchers shop on Castle Street. Our Heritage Lottery Project is funding more work in finding out about those who lived and worked at Old Bolsover Yard before we came and turned it into a Craft Courtyard. 

As you can see a timeline is starting to develop for 2 Castle Street but we still need your help in filling in some of the blanks. Come along to our Show and Tell event being held on Saturday 14th March to help us further with finding out about those who lived and worked at Castle Street. Extra points if you've any photos, adverts or other documents that help to build a picture of the history of Old Bolsover Yard.

In another exciting development I'm please to say that Unit 4 will soon be welcoming a new tenant to Old Bolsover Yard. Thomas Taylor, Historical Interpreter & Ropemaker will be moving in in March with events and demonstrations already being planned for April. I'll be bringing you more details in the coming weeks.

If you'd like to join us at Old Bolsover Yard then we do still have one unit available to rent - pop in to Old Bolsover Yard to see the space and find out more or email Sarah at oldbolsoveryard@gmail.com

Stall bookings are starting to come in for our Makers Markets that are going to be held throughout the year. Our first market will be Sunday 5th April and we're hoping that it will be the start of a great series of events.

If you are a crafter, artisan, maker and are interested in joining us for this or any of the other markets then please get in touch. 

Until next week........

Sarah 

What are your memories of the building?

Or even the neighbours?

Even better if you have photos to share too......

Show and Tell Events are being held on Saturday 14th March 2020 and Saturday 25th April 2020.

Don't forget to put the date in your diary NOW!

National Fiver Fest is Live in over 100 towns across the country and the great news is that BOLSOVER is one of those towns with many individual businesses within the town getting involved.

Here at Old Bolsover Yard we are loving the opportunity to celebrate all the small independent businesses that we are lucky enough to work with.

Whether you are looking for Honey Soap, Face Scrubbies, Bottle Openers, Coasters, Hand Painted Cards, Fabric or Yarn we've got offers on all these things which will only cost you a fiver!

After all that shopping you can pop into The Coffee Cup to see Sally and the Team who are running a number of different offers throughout the fortnight that Totally Locally National Fiver Fest is running. You've still plenty of time to get involved as we take part until 29th February 2020.

Last week we announced the dates for our Makers Markets which will be held at Old Bolsover Yard over 4 separate dates throughout the year. They start on Sunday 5th April with our Spring Makers Market. Thank you to all those who've booked a space but don't panic if you haven't got your application in yet as we've still got some availability left. To find out more email Sarah at oldbolsoveryard@gmail.com

​Until next week............

When starting to develop Old Bolsover Yard one of the key parts of our vision was to help and support small businesses as they develop. Having ran a small business for a number of years Damion, from Ethos Upcycling, knows from experience how difficult it is to find somewhere to showcase your business. It was during the hunt for a workshop to make the move from working from home for Ethos Upcycling that the idea for Old Bolsover Yard was born. 

In 2020 we are looking to extend how we support small businesses and so we are going to introduce Old Bolsover Yard's Makers Market. The aim of the market is to show the best that Bolsover and surrounding area has to offer, whether it be pickles and chutneys to jewellery and leather work.

The dates for this years Makers Markets are: 
- Sunday 5th April
- Sunday 5th July
- Sunday 6th September
- Sunday 15th November

We will be looking for stall holders for these events in the coming weeks so if you would like to be involved then get in touch via email to oldbolsoveryard@gmail.com

In the meantime don't forget to follow BolsoverFiverFest on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news.

Until next time......

​Sarah

You can follow Helen on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to tell all your friends too.

Last week I mentioned that we had been fortunate to secure some Heritage Lottery Funding to work on an exciting project to uncover the past of Old Bolsover Yard. We had found out that the site used to be a Butcher's shop to the front with a slaughterhouse and meat preparation areas to the rear. Time to find out more about 'The Butchers of Bolsover'.

The heritage project will focus on the working lives of the Towns butchers and ancillary businesses that provided the community with its meat and food. Little is known about this area so we are seeking to uncover more of the stories from the community.

We are also going to explore what lies beneath the yard by offering a community dig looking to work with Children from a local school.

If you've any memories, pictures or information to share do get in touch.

Until next time

​Sarah

​

Don't forget to ask for yours next time you pop in, although I have a feeling Sally and her team will tell you all about it. The Coffee Cup is open Monday - Saturday 9am - 3pm.

Why not come and join us?

We currently have two workshop units to let which are ideal for small businesses looking to expand their craft business in 2020.

Rent starts from £37 per week, including electricity. Unit 3 is 1.98m (width) x 3.33m (depth) and Unit 4 is 1.98m (width) x 3.48m (depth).

Feel free to pop in Monday - Saturday 10-3 when we are open to have a look or email Sarah at oldbolsoveryard@gmail.com for more details.

Until next time......

Sarah

The good news is if you're missing Cup & Saucer too their shop in Clay Cross is officially opening on 8th February. Based at 132 Market Street, Clay Cross you'll find hand blended loose leaf teas and tisanes, teawares, vintage china, tea hampers & tea inspired gifts. At the opening there will be free tea sampling as well as goody bags for the first 20 customers.

Good luck with the opening Gail - can't wait to hear all about it.

​Until next week..........

​Sarah x

Come in we're open............

Thursday 9th January saw the cafe re-open its doors. After lots of hard work Sally and her team are pleased to welcome you to The Coffee Cup.

Located on Castle Street, Bolsover, The Coffee Cup sits at the front of the Old Bolsover Yard complex. The Cafe opens daily from 9am - 3pm Monday to Saturday with the menu offering something for everyone, served in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

I hope you'll all join me in wishing Sally all the best with her new venture.

Last week I told you about the units that we have to let at Old Bolsover Yard, perfect if you are looking to expand your business in 2020. We've had some enquiries but nothing confirmed yet so do please get in touch if you think that Old Bolsover Yard could be the home for your business this year.

The Courtyard Programme was our programme of special events last year that ran from April through the Summer. We learnt a lot during that time and I'm pleased to say that planning has now started for this years programme of events. Our aim is still to showcase all sorts of traditional crafts but also continue with our support for local community groups.

If you have any ideas and would like to get involved in 'taking over our courtyard' for an event then please get in touch with Sarah via email to oldbolsoveryard@gmail.com

Until next week........