Darley Heritage Group was formed in 2008. It originally worked within Darley in Bloom to research a Heritage Trail and then, following a short Age Concern project in the village, the Group widened its scope. Its projects so far have included Darley Heritage Trail and three books - Darley Remembered, Darley Celebrations and Darley Memorial Hall.

In October 2009, the Darley Heritage Trail Leaflet was published, with 3500 copies having been distributed since then. The book 'Darley Remembered' was also published at that time, including many old photos of the village and its people from early 1900s to around 1960.  Older residents also contributed their memories of that time, which were woven into the book.  In November 2013, the book is almost out of print, having sold 1000 copies.

A DVD based on the old photos, together with some other modern photographs, was launched in November 2011. This has a musical backing of music played by the Dacre and Summerbridge Silver Prize Band (Conductor Arthur Layfield (now deceased)).

The Group continued to meet each month, and others brought forward more photos during 2011 and 2012, so that another book was compiled and published in November 2012. 'Darley Celebrations'  shows how the village, its people and its organisations have celebrated special public and private events during the twentieth century and beyond.  Photos of events from the 1920s right up to October 2012 are included. A third book, Darley Memorial Hall, was published in November 2017. (Click here for details of its launch)

The Leader of the Group is Sue Welch, from whom copies of the Trail, the books and the DVD may be purchased.  There are currently no regular meetings as the Group is taking a break, but it may well become active again, so do get in touch if you are interested in local history or have old photos or memories of Darley. Old photos and newspaper cuttings are still being scanned and saved into the Darley Archive.

Sue can be contacted on 780970 or via swelch@darleygreenacres.net

Darley Memorial Hall had been in use in Darley for 70 years in November 2017!

It started life as the Canteen for workers at the Scar House Reservoir in the 1920s, and was dismantled, transported to Darley on the back of a low-loader, and rebuilt to serve as a recreational hall in memory of those who lost their lives in the wars. It opened on 15th November - with around 600 people present at a Whist Drive and Dance.

With help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Darley Heritage Group has been researching the life of the Hall over the years and a book was published in November 2017 charting the story of the Hall and the many groups who have been part of its life.  This is now available from Darley Shop or from Sue Welch 01423 780970.

A week of celebrations was held for the 70th Anniversary Week, from 11th November, 2017, including an Exhibition and Book Launch (by Rt Hon Julian Smith, MP), Sequence Dancing, Remembrance Event, Bowls, Snooker, Tea Party, Country and Western Evening and a grand Dance Through the Decades as the final party on Friday 17th November.