THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Derbyshire Life|April 2020
'Watching butterflies at Hoe Grange is a fantastic and rewarding experience'
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Derbyshire is a mineral-rich county that has been exploited for thousands of years by the hand, axe and explosives of man. Lead, flourspar, Blue John and limestone have all been and – particularly in the case of limestone and flourspar – still are worked to provide us with the raw resources that drive our hungry, modern world forward.

Limestone was first quarried by the Romans, who realised its tremendous value for both building stone and lime production. Quarrying continued in a spasmodic fashion across the county until the beginning of the 19th century when coal became far more available and the use of gunpowder allowed for blasting on a larger scale. Limestone was then used both as building stone and to produce lime to satisfy the growing demands of agriculture.

Today Derbyshire is still the UK’s most important limestone producer and its uses, which are numerous and include road building, cement, plastics, rubber, steelmaking, glass manufacture, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, really justify its designation as a multi-purpose resource.

However, there is a price to pay for mineral extraction. The most obvious is the huge scars on the landscape that result from working and workedout quarries. It is easy to rail against these, however, we must remember that not only do they boost the local economy and provide much needed employment, often in areas where it is in short supply, but that also, of course, we all use limestone regularly in our daily lives, even if we are often not fully aware of it.

Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Derbyshire Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Derbyshire Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA DERBYSHIRE LIFESe alt
Can Plants Hear?
Derbyshire Life

Can Plants Hear?

In the latest in his series on the intelligence of plants, Martyn Baguley analyses whether they have the ability to hear

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Peak National Park and Ride
Derbyshire Life

Peak National Park and Ride

Andrew Griffihs asks what the future holds for transport in the Peak National Park and talks to Julian Glover about his Landscapes Review

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Doubly thankful
Derbyshire Life

Doubly thankful

Mike Smith explores the village of Bradbourne, which has a particularly poignant tale to tell

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
What lies beneath
Derbyshire Life

What lies beneath

Exploring the hidden depths of Ladybower Reservoir, which conceals secrets of a fascinating past

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Battle for our birds
Derbyshire Life

Battle for our birds

Paul Hobson analyses our complex relationship with birds of prey and how these fascinating birds are fairing in Derbyshire

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Explore the Peak Forest
Derbyshire Life

Explore the Peak Forest

A walk through autumn fields and forests with far reaching views enriched by snippets of mystery, romance and the area’s industrial past

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Pictures to transport you
Derbyshire Life

Pictures to transport you

Chesterfield photographer David Keep continues his photographic journey, this time recalling his favourite landscape images from around the world

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
The magic of Christmas
Derbyshire Life

The magic of Christmas

Ideas for days out, gifts and where to find local produce in Derbyshire this festive season

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
PENNY for the Guy
Derbyshire Life

PENNY for the Guy

We take a look at Derbyshire’s bonfire tradtions through history

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
From hardship came happiness
Derbyshire Life

From hardship came happiness

Pat Ashworth speaks with Chesterfield based retired Colonel John Doody about his inspiring life, from a diffiult childhood to overcoming diversity and finding happiness

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020