Derby Cathedral

Derby is a relatively new city, granted city status in 1977. Like so many places in England, it was founded by the Romans. The Romans became the Saxons who became the Vikings. For a long time, it was a market town but it became one of the hubs of the industrial revolution. Then it also became a major hub for the railways and today is an advanced engineering hub as the home of Rolls Royce aerospace and other high tech companies.

My history with Derby goes back many many many years as it was one of the GPO’s, later British Telecoms, computer centres it held an LEO 326 and I’d have to visit Derby as part of my job supporting the telephone billing system.

The Cathedral Church of All Saints Derby was formerly a parish church that became a cathedral in 1927 when the diocese of Derby was created. There’s been a church on the site since the 10th century but the majority of the cathedral is 18th century built by James Gibbs. The tower dates back to the 16th century. There have been some relatively minor restorations and upgrades in the mid 20th and early 21st centuries. Most notably, the 2 stained glass windows.

Compared to medieval cathedrals, Derby is both smaller and less ornate. But it has a charm all of its own.

There’s a monument to one of the most remarkable women of the Elizabethan period, Bess of Hardwick. And some monumental brasses to some of her Cavendish family descendants.

Here are some photos of Derby Cathedral