can anyone shed light on the strange pole stuck in the middle of a field in derbyshire.
it has a tourist sign on it saying "wooden pole".
is this some kind joke.
i went into the field (with a workmate, just in case) but it is what it says it is, a wooden pole.
it looks like it has been there a long time as it is a bit battered.
does it need doing up a bit, can it be replaced with a new wooden pole or is it special.
please let me know

hmmm... where abouts in derbyshire??? perhaps it's the local farmer having a bit of fun, bit like superglueing a pound coin to the floor maybe...

It's great isn't it:) We have wondered about it for years.
Google search reveals nothing......

On National Trust property I seem to remember.

yes the sign is a national trust sign
it is just past the fox house on the way to calver

Is it the one on the Longshaw Estate near the triangular junction where the road turns down to Froggatt and Calver? If it is, it's a packhorse route marker from the 1700's, marking the route up from Hathersage. The track in a hollow way just below it is the old road. It's not the original, but it's been there many years, and the place is now known as Wooden Pole.

Is that stanage pole? uuugghghh we walked all the way from a pole to castleton for my duke of edinburgh award.. i only did bronze lol.

yes thats sounds like the one.
thankyou for letting me know.
is it the only one or are they quite common.
just that i have never seen them before

Should we all trek out to visit it? It sounds like a good excuse to hike across bogs and heather. Where's a good spot to start walking from?

It won't be Stanage Pole as that is bizzarely enough on the stanage moor (can be walked too from Stanage Edge of from Redmires Reservoir in Lodge Moor). The pole in question is most probably that on the road to Calver (off from the Fox House) at the road junction that also leads back to Totley.

Both Stanage and "wooden pole" are historical waymarkers for old packhorse routes. If you go to Stanage Pole carvings in the rocks at the base date back until the mid C17th I believe one of the oldest dates is around 1636!

Must have been a little different around here back then!

Algy

You've got the one I think he means, near to Fox House.

My grandad always used to tell me (when I was a child) that there was a penny placed on top of the pole and that it was mine if I climbed up to collect it.

When my kids were younger I told them there was a £1 coin on top!

I always thought it was a boundary pole, marking the spot where Yorkshire becomes Derbyshire (or vice versa).

Originally posted by CJB444
It won't be Stanage Pole as that is bizzarely enough on the stanage moor (can be walked too from Stanage Edge of from Redmires Reservoir in Lodge Moor).

Also bizarre is that it's called Stanedge Pole, but Stanage Edge! Obviously a variation of the same name.

Originally posted by xltim
yes thats sounds like the one.
thankyou for letting me know.
is it the only one or are they quite common.
just that i have never seen them before
I'm not sure about other poles, but there are plenty of waymarkers from the period around. If you're interested there's a book called "The guide stoops of the Dark Peak" by Howard Smith that lists them and gives their exact locations, and another "Guide stoops of Derbyshire" by the same author. The moors between the road to Froggatt and the Baslow road from Owler Bar are criss-crossed by old packhorse routes, and there are quite a few stoops around. There's a good book by David Hey called "Packmen, Carriers and Packhorse Roads" about this area that's worth reading too. :thumbsup:

Yeah thanks for pointing that out, it was 12 yrs ago... but it does make it worse in that it means i walked further to castleton!!

This story reminded me of the time I was walking the Pennine Way, having travelled the best part of 200 miles from Scotland we were crossing Black Hill, a bleak boggy waterlogged plateau, when we spotted a sign in the distance.

Thinking this must be a way-marker we headed towards the sign, this was difficult as the clumps of ground above the waterline started to diminish but by edging around the worst bits and performing Herculean leaps we finally got to the edge of a lake, 100 feet across with the sign in splendid isolation at its centre.

Peering through the mist we made out the message: “Dogs must be kept on a lead”

Who said town planners don’t have a sense of humour?

What I can't understand is why 272 people have viewed a thread called 'Wooden Pole in a Field', myself included! While the thread content is quite good, there must be some awfully bored folk out there! :hihi:

K x

Originally posted by alchresearch
Also bizarre is that it's called Stanedge Pole, but Stannage Edge! Obviously a variation of the same name.

I thought Stannage Edge was the cliff face and line of rocks used by climbers about 500 meters away from Stannage Pole :?.

We used to go riding up there every Sunday, until i very nearly rode straight off the edge in some fog. If i didn't hear the sheep bleating at the bottom, i'd have been off! :o

Originally posted by Kristian
What I can't understand is why 272 people have viewed a thread called 'Wooden Pole in a Field', myself included! While the thread content is quite good, there must be some awfully bored folk out there! :hihi:

K x

You dont think i actually do any work at work do you!??

Originally posted by algy
Is it the one on the Longshaw Estate near the triangular junction where the road turns down to Froggatt and Calver? If it is, it's a packhorse route marker from the 1700's, marking the route up from Hathersage. The track in a hollow way just below it is the old road. It's not the original, but it's been there many years, and the place is now known as Wooden Pole.

Is this (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/cgksheff/Sheffield%20Forum/poleinfield.bmp) the location? (under the blue 'P' for carpark?)

Originally posted by Kristian
What I can't understand is why 272 people have viewed a thread called 'Wooden Pole in a Field', myself included! While the thread content is quite good, there must be some awfully bored folk out there! :hihi:

K x

Ah Kristian - the explanation is simple. Those who are bored having read this thread, and those who, (like you and me), have found it fascinating, are quite simply.....poles apart!
:heyhey: :)

Originally posted by xltim
can anyone shed light on the strange pole stuck in the middle of a field in derbyshire.
it has a tourist sign on it saying "wooden pole".
is this some kind joke.
i went into the field (with a workmate, just in case) but it is what it says it is, a wooden pole.
it looks like it has been there a long time as it is a bit battered.
does it need doing up a bit, can it be replaced with a new wooden pole or is it special.
please let me know

Is it like the North and South pole? :hihi:

Originally posted by cgksheff
Is this (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/cgksheff/Sheffield%20Forum/poleinfield.bmp) the location? (under the blue 'P' for carpark?)

Yes it is.

It's worth a look if you are passing, but I wouldn't make a special trip :)

Stanage... most likely comes from the old-english "Stang", meaning a pole. Their was an old folk custom in England known as "Riding the Stang".

The Stang was originally imported from Scandinavia... via Scotland, then into parts of England, with the May Poles there in scandinavia, known as- Majistang.

The old Riding poles originally used by Witches which later became the now distinctive broomstick, were know as stangs.

FFF(F).

Herne's Magister.

Since the edge predates the pole, perhaps a more obvious explanation would be that Stanage is simply a local version of 'stone edge', which certainly describes it, and the pole gets its name from the nearby edge.

Algy,

Wouldn't it make as much sense if it was Stang Edge, meaning, the Edge near the Stang (or pole) which has been declined to Stanage and then during (probably) Victorian times, the "Edge" was appended.

The Victorians did this many times as they tried to name everything in the middle england phraseology as was their wont.


For example how many Lakes are there in the Lake District?



One (Bassenthwaite Lake), all the others are Meres (Grasmere, Thirlmere etc) or Waters (Consiton Water).

The number of times I have corrected people who say Lake Windermere is very numerous.

i saw some red indians dancing round it it may be a totum pole :D

Originally posted by steevie/d
i saw some red indians dancing round it it may be a totum pole :D

Stangs were also used for torturing erm... adultering husbands!!! aka - "Riding the Stang"... there was a case in Eccelsefield.

Maybe the edge is where they practised the folk-custom of "Riding the Stang"?
There are also cases or were, in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, and in Cumbria...

There is a Stang Forest in Cumbria for that matter!!!

FFF(F).

Herne's Magister.

I thought the main idea was they'd still mark the way even in deep snow - like we don't seem to get any more..

An old gentleman that lived locally many years ago explained to me that the pole was one of many that were placed on the moor during the war years, to prevent the enemy gliding their planes down and landing their troops in this area - Hope this helps - Ex Hope Valley Taxi Driver.

The word "stannage" or "stanage" has meanings connected to tin and tin mining. From the latin "stannum". Symbol for tin = Sn.

I know that there were old tin mines closer to Matlock, but isn't it possible there was something going on here?

The moor is a bit "pitted" up there.

sorry stoney i can't see your explanation been right.
all the fields round there, i'm sure they could glide over and land in another one.
could even land a bit closer to civilization.

Litotes,
I see your point, but Stanage Edge is part of a long row of edges, most of which take their name from the village below, e.g. Curbar Edge, Froggatt Edge, Bamford Edge. In the case of Stanage, there is no village, so it's just Stone Edge. There are also other places in Derbyshire and elsewhere called Stanage, which as far as I know don't have a pole nearby. As to tin, are you sure about the mines cgksheff, I thought it was lead that was mined in the Peak? I've never heard of tin mining this far north.

Originally posted by Kristian
What I can't understand is why 272 people have viewed a thread called 'Wooden Pole in a Field', myself included! While the thread content is quite good, there must be some awfully bored folk out there! :hihi:

K x

Well I thought it was a thread about an oak statue of the Pope!

So there!!

:(

Originally posted by cgksheff
The word "stannage" or "stanage" has meanings connected to tin and tin mining. From the latin "stannum". Symbol for tin = Sn.

I know that there were old tin mines closer to Matlock, but isn't it possible there was something going on here?

The moor is a bit "pitted" up there.

It could be even simpler that that after all an old Scottish frod for stone is - 'Stane' and when a lot of the mines and quarries first open a lot of peole from Scotland and elsewhere came to England to work the mines and pits etc.

Stannage... could simply mean Stane or Stone Edge!

The name probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "stænr" - stony ground. It's highly unlikely to be of Scottish origin.

Originally posted by Ant
The name probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "stænr" - stony ground. It's highly unlikely to be of Scottish origin.

It would depend on the origins of the place! Which I do not know! I was only making suggestions to possibilities.

As we have discussed previous? It would depend on weither Stanage was in reference to the edge or pole?

Thus, either way... it would also depend on whom settled the village/town and then whom re-settled it? As place names and their meanings also change.

If it is in reference to pole then it is more likely that reference is what I mentioned earlier... Stan being short for - Stang. Which is originally from Scandinavia.

As for your Staenr... it most likely has the same origin as the Scottish word Stane. After all Germanic peoples also settled in Scotland as well as in parts of England.

Which is more likely? It was an Anglo-Saxon area, so it's far more likely - like the vast majority of place names surrounding it - to have an Anglo-Saxon origin. I can assure you, very few scots settled in that area. The Anglo-Saxon word for stone is stan. The word stane is a colloquial version of the same saxon name. There are countless place names in England containing "stan", all of which are Anglo Saxon in origin. Bringing the scots into the equation is needless.

Algy, you hit the nail on the head.

Originally posted by Ant
Which is more likely? It was an Anglo-Saxon area, so it's far more likely - like the vast majority of place names surrounding it - to have an Anglo-Saxon origin. I can assure you, very few scots settled in that area. The Anglo-Saxon word for stone is stan. The word stane is a colloquial version of the same saxon name. There are countless place names in England containing "stan", all of which are Anglo Saxon in origin. Bringing the scots into the equation is needless.

Algy, you hit the nail on the head.

Not necessarily... after all are the Anglo-Saxons are an emalgum of both Saxons (Saxens/Saxans) and Angles.

Both Germanic...

The Scots also have Germanic influence... after all look how many invaders came from Scandinavia into Scotland and the north of England.

What I stated isn't right or wrong... I don't know the area, I was just suggestiong possibilities!!!

What I meant originally by not necessarily is, that Stang... originally came to England via Scotland... and 1st from Scandinavia. So if Stanage had a trade route with the north then some northern Germanic influence is possible?

Just as Saxon influence had an effect in southern Scotland.

It's still highly unlikely, mate. The celtic scots had their own language at that time - germanic influence was negligable. Would they really stop using their own word for stone to adopt a foreign one? Er, no. I think not.

And Stanage would not adopt a name simply because it's served by a trade route. You could just as well argue that it was settled by Norwegians, but why bother? Accept the most likely. The scottish origin is highly unfeasable. It's an Anglo-Saxon name, in Northumbria - an Anglo-Saxon kingdom. 'Nuff said.

Originally posted by Magister666
Not necessarily... after all are the Anglo-Saxons are an emalgum of both Saxons (Saxens/Saxans) and Angles.

Both Germanic...

The Scots also have Germanic influence... after all look how many invaders came from Scandinavia into Scotland and the north of England.

What I stated isn't right or wrong... I don't know the area, I was just suggestiong possibilities!!!

What I meant originally by not necessarily is, that Stang... originally came to England via Scotland... and 1st from Scandinavia. So if Stanage had a trade route with the north then some northern Germanic influence is possible?

Just as Saxon influence had an effect in southern Scotland.

Which all in all is really besides the point in relation to the fact that we were originally talking about the Stanage Pole.

Wooden pole in a field - yup. But the origins of the name were an interesting diversion.

Originally posted by Ant
It's still highly unlikely, mate. The celtic scots had their own language at that time - germanic influence was negligable. Would they really stop using their own word for stone to adopt a foreign one? Er, no. I think not.

And Stanage would not adopt a name simply because it's served by a trade route. You could just as well argue that it was settled by Norwegians, but why bother? Accept the most likely. The scottish origin is highly unfeasable. It's an Anglo-Saxon name, in Northumbria - an Anglo-Saxon kingdom. 'Nuff said.

What makes you so sure... after all. The Jutes and Frisians were Germanic.

Yet the Frisians whom 1st settled im the Kent area, also had strongholds in what is now the West Midlands, north Lincs., and in Humberside area.

They also had strongholds in the Borders region of Scotland and in Aberdeenshire.

Some Scottish place names have just as many Germanic origins as some of the English place names!

Dumfries means Fort of the Frisians.

As for the Celtic Scot's they originally came from Ireland into what was Caledonia (now Argyll). Later integrating with the Welsh Britons and Picts whom lived in Scotland alongside the numerous Germanic races. There was 3 primary Celtic languages in Scotland (Irish-Scots Gaelic, Welsh-Gaulish tongue, and Ersk (now a lost language!) . Along with those there was also Norse, Anglo-Saxon and Frisian. And to boot the latin of the Romans.

As said I don't know Stanage as an area. And Yes, I agree it is more than likely, in fact probable that the area is most likely Anglo-Saxon. But people may have lived their before the Anglo-Saxons.

And the Anglo-Saxons were originally an amalgamation of the Saxens and Angles both of whom were foreign to Albion (England) and came from around the Danube River if I am not mistaken.

People would have lived in the area before the Anglo-Saxons, as the Anglo-Saxons were more renowned for farming, and the Celts were renowned for their metal work and as settlers around tin and iron mines. The native Celts of England were primarily of Welsh-Gaulish descent i.e. the Britons.

It would be highly likely that the area may have been settle 1st by Britons, then Anglo-Saxons, then other Germanic races as trade routes grew.

Thus the influence of the language and place name would have changed over the years.

But it means no an iota od different... as the thread was primarily concerned with the Stanage Pole and not the Edge itself!

Magister, are you fishing for an argument?

I could quote from the same text books as you as I've been a student of Anglo Saxon history since as far back as I can remember. No matter what you churn out, it's irrelevent. My ultimate point was The scottish origin is highly unfeasable. It's an Anglo-Saxon name, in Northumbria - an Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
And it still stands. It cannot get any clearer, or more obvious. You are needlessly making the issue FAR more elaborate than it probably is. How did you attain a university educaton with such woeful deductive skills?

But it means no an iota od different... as the thread was primarily concerned with the Stanage Pole and not the Edge itself!
- yup. But the origins of the name were an interesting diversion.

I know. I stopped discussing it two posts ago. If you're not happy discussing it (which you're obviously happy to do), then talk about the pole, there's a good chap.

Originally posted by Ant
Magister, are you fishing for an argument?

I could quote from the same text books as you as I've been a student of Anglo Saxon history since as far back as I can remember.

*** Indeed, then what of the Anglo-Saxons from Northumbria whom inherited lands in the Argyllshire area oh in arround the 11th/12th century?

No matter what you churn out, it's irrelevent. My ultimate point was And it still stands. It cannot get any clearer, or more obvious. You are needlessly making the issue FAR more elaborate than it probably is. How did you attain a university educaton with such woeful deductive skills?

*** I am only elaborating that times change, places change and so do cultures! Simple!!! And that change is not irrelevent, if it was then nothing would ever change and everything would be static and erm... boring!!!

- yup. But the origins of the name were an interesting diversion.

*** Agreed!!!

I know. I stopped discussing it two posts ago. If you're not happy discussing it (which you're obviously happy to do), then talk about the pole, there's a good chap.

*** Didn't say I wasn't happy, nor was I arguing... after all I did say that I agreed that Stanage was probably Anglo-Saxon, at a later period after the Britons.

am i the only one who thinks that this is getting a bit complicated

Strangely enough, no.

Originally posted by Magister666
Which all in all is really besides the point in relation to the fact that we were originally talking about the Stanage Pole. Not even that, we started by talking about the wooden pole at Longshaw!

Surely the pole was placed there hundreds of years ago by an evil magician, so they could travel into the future and laugh like a drain at our futile attempts to come to terms with the fact of its existence!

ITS A BIG TALL POLE ITS THERE SO YOU DONT GET LOST ON THE VILE MUDDY WET WINDY NASTY OUTDOORS MOOR AND DIE IN A MUDDY SHEEP RUT. Bearing in mind that OS maps and comms systems are a fairly recent event.

And if you're into the ancient language thread tell me this, how many different ways are there to say "oh ****, help me God I want to be at home right now, I can't see my own hands through the fog, can you eat sheep raw? Do they burn for long if you can get the soggy fleece alight?" I like a good walk but just now its a sore point in our house, there's a difference between a nice walk and a route march across barren wasteland fit only for sheep. Moors are good to look across from the edge, not for venturing into. My opinion is the pole is there so you can stay within 200 yards of it, because the carpark is out of view once you reach the top of the hill!

I know of a large pole in a field in Yorkshire, too.

It's on Emly Moor.

I love it, this reminds of when doing exam papers at school, you usally you have a blank page at the end of the questions that has written on it 'Blank Page' which makes it not a blank page....superb

Now I might be wrong grace, but do I detect a slight feeling of dislike for the moors?