MELANDRA CASTLE, DERBYSHIRE. I9 



or two exceptions, have taken very little interest in Melandra 

 Castle. There was scarcely one inhabitant in a hundred, until a 

 few weeks ago, knew that such a place existed ; however, the 

 Vicars of Glossop, Whitfield, and Dinting, and a few other 

 local gentlemen, are bestirring themselves, and if we could prevail 

 upon some gentleman from this Society to come to Glossop and 

 address a public or select meeting, on the advantages and 

 importance of such societies as the Derbyshire Archaeological and 

 Natural History Society, there is no doubt you would have more 

 support from the Glossop end of the county, and be the means of 

 a local branch being formed, the members of which would always 

 be alert to any find, and on the look-out for any fresh information 

 relating to the history of the district and county. Reparation 

 would then be made for our past neglect, and eventually lead to a 

 thorough and exhaustive search being made, not only of the site, 

 but also of the surburban buildings which evidently existed round 

 Melandra Castle. The present is a most opportune time for 

 excavating, as the tenant of the land is giving up his tenancy this 

 month, and I am sure that the lord of the manor, who is a 

 member of this Society, would willingly give his consent, providing 

 the work was done under the direction of a competent person. 

 Why should not an effort be made for this to be done ? If this 

 Society and the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society 

 were to join hands, assisted by a local committee, I am sure 

 funds could be raised for the carrying out of this project. Much 

 remains to be known of this ancient place, which only a careful 

 and systematic search of the site will reveal. 



I am sorry that an abler person than myself is not addressing 

 you ; my only excuse for my presence is that I am interested in 

 these matters, and contribute my mite in the hope that someone 

 with more time, ability, and resources will be aroused to take that 

 interest in the antiquities of Glossop that they deserve. Should 

 such be the case I shall feel amply repaid for my slight and 

 humble effort in trying to explain to you what Melandra Castle is 

 and has been. 



