EyamPeak District Derbyshire, DE45, United Kingdom, 0845 166 8022, info@peakdistrictonline.co.ukEyam Factshttp://www.letsgo-eyam.co.uk18:25 09-Sep-20102001 census recorded population as being 926 Geology – Eyam is situated on the borderline of gritstone and limestone, the latter being rich in galena (lead ore) and fluorspar, whilst small quantities of oil can be found in the bituminous shale below Eyam Edge. A type of galena found at Hay Cliff Mine near Eyam called ‘Slickensides’ was said to have very dangerous properties – a scratch with a pick or blow from a hammer being sufficient to explode the rocks to which it was attached. The hillside beneath Eyam is said to be honeycombed with natural caves and caverns as well as mine workings. Plague Graves: The Taylor Graves are below Eyam Edge Road but situated on private land. There are two horizontal stone slabs marking the graves of Margaret and Alies Taylor who both died in 1666. The Riley Graves are at Top Riley which is located about half a mile to the east of Eyam up a drive from New Road which heads to Grindleford. Here lie the bodies of all but two of the Hancock family. Mrs Hancock buried seven of her family in one week and when the plague was over, left the village with her only surviving child to live in Sheffield. The graves of the Talbot family are close by, buried in an orchard at Riley House Farm. In the Lydgate Graves just off Mill Lane is an enclosure containing the graves of George Derby and his daughter Mary. Bull Ring – Outside the bakers shop at the Town End is a stone slab with bullring attached where bulls would have been tethered before being baited by dogs in the belief that it tenderized the meat! This was normal practise over a century ago but fortunately has now been abolished. |