The first expedition of the Society for the past year was held 

 on Saturday, June nth, to Wirksworth and Kirk Ireton. The 

 party left Derby at 1.40, in saloon carriages attached to the 

 train for Cromford, whence brakes conveyed the visitors to 

 Wirksworth Church. Here they were received by the Vicar, 

 the Rev. W. H. Arkwright. Dr. Milnes conducted the party 

 over the building and gave an exhaustive address upon its 

 history, architecture, and various interesting details, calling 

 special attention to the brasses and sculptured monuments to 

 members of the Blackwall and Gell families ; and to the 

 ancient font now again in use, and with the restoration of 

 which this Society had somewhat to do a year or two since. 



After a thorough inspection of the Churcii the visitors 

 were most hospitably entertained at tea at the Nether House 

 by the Vicar and Mrs. Arkwright : after which the drive 

 was continued to the church of Kirk Ireton. The Vicar, 

 the Rev. W. Hombersley, received the party and conducted 

 them over his small but very interesting Norman .Church, 

 describing its history and details. From Kirk Ireton the party 

 drove to Idridgehay station and returned to Derby by special 

 train. 



A second expedition was held on Wednesday, August loth, 

 to.Bolsover and Hardwick. The party left Derby in special 

 saloon carriages attached to the 11. 10 a.m. train for Ches- 

 terfield, where luncheon was taken at the Angel Hotel. 

 Brakes conveyed the visitors to Bolsover Castle, where the 

 Rev. Chas. Kerry read an interesting paper, tracing the history 

 of the ancient castle, and its changes of ownership from the 

 Crown, through Cavendishes to its present owner, the Duke 



