I’m Elspeth and I have lived at Under Whitle with my family for over 30 years. Ever since we moved here, I have been intrigued by the humps and bumps in landscape- what were they and who lived here in the past?

Exploring the wills and records of people who lived at Whitle as long ago as the 1500’s, has whetted my appetite to find out more about them and so I can’t wait for Peeling Back the Layers to start and hopefully reveal their secrets and what lies buried beneath the turf. Read more.

I am Pauline. I am currently the lead of the History Research Group.   Having always had an interest in history, on retirement I took a course in local history at Keele University and followed it up by attending a summer school on latin palaeography. Since joining the TFIG I been involved, with other members of the group, in investigating the fascinating history of Under Whitle and the local area.

I am Rose Clarke and I am an Area Ranger for the Peak District National Park, which means, as well as the many varied roles we have, I get to learn about, help interpret, look after and bring to life some of the landscape and social historical interest of the National Park. Though never a thespian in my younger years, I have taken quite a fancy to dressing up to help others understand local stories. I have become interested in reading the landscape through historical documents, landforms and archaeology etc.

I’ve been privileged to be part of the Tudor Farming Interpretation Group at Under Whitle which has now initiated this exciting project.

I’m Leila – alias Keziah Horrobyn when in Tudor guise. I enjoy the opportunity to get in costume and show visitors aspects of life back on the Tudor farm. I’ve always loved the countryside, so after moving to the Peak District I applied to join their Ranger Training course (albeit with some trepidation at first). Possibly one of the best things I ever did! As voluntary Patrol Ranger, I’ve since enjoyed leading guided walks for the public as well as becoming involved in themed events such as the TFIG’s  “Life on a Tudor Farm”. My background is in Primary Education but I now deliver outdoor educational activities to visiting school groups – helping them learn about the environment and to appreciate and enjoy this really special area . I love seeing ancient sites both at home and abroad so I’m now really looking forward to our new project – it’s a great opportunity to work and learn alongside the professionals,  experiencing history and real “LIVE” archaeology in action.

I’m Harry Ball, I used to have a day job working for the Peak Park Ranger Service but following retirement I am now a volunteer ranger and I help with guided walks and with the Tudor events. I’ve been a member of the TFIG for some years and I thoroughly enjoy helping children to raise their awareness of history and of the countryside. I’ve had a passion for studying the Anglo-Saxon period, in particular I study the origin and development of the English language. This has led me to learn to read the Anglo-Saxon language, more properly called Old English, and to acquire a little skill in writing Old English using a quill and parchment. The study of Old English texts is my main interest (an obsession according my wife) but I avidly read whatever I can about Anglo-Saxon history and archaeology and art and society and anything else. To further these studies I am a member of an Anglo-Saxon society, an Old English reading class and a living history group. With the latter I dress as a monk and demonstrate Old English writing at shows and events. I had no problem then in converting to Tudor costume for the Tudor project at Under Whitle although I do find the Tudor script more difficult to read than the much earlier Old English work. Clearly handwriting does not necessarily get better with time.

I am the newest member. I manage this website and play the plague doctor or quack. I came to the team through being a volunteer ranger where I mainly work with schools and young people.  I am interested in history and love the White Peak landscape. I particularly enjoy spending time at Under Whitle Farm with all it's nature in the beautiful Dove Valley.