Probably taken in the early 1950s, this card shows a piece
of Matlock Bath history that is easy to miss. You will need
to look hard, though.
There is a fish food dispenser next to the railings on the
edge of the pond furthest from the camera, close to the angled
corner. To the left of it is lamp with a very thin supporting
pole. Directly below this lamp post, and level with the water
surface, is a large stone. This is Matlock Bath's milestone
which dates from 1801 (see enlargement below). The milestone
was moved here when the Fishpond Stables were demolished to
make way for the Pavilion. Julie Bunting[1] says
the stone is no longer visible following the remodelling of
the pond.
Incidentally, the
zebra crossing was moved from this position, possibly about
1955. |
