How Staveley has survived tough times?

Throughout this, however, it is the town’s ‘old-fashioned’ values of tradition, community and solidarity have helped them through.
And it is this resilience - coupled with ‘green shoots’ of economic recovery - that is now leading some to look to the future with greater confidence.
The imposing Miners’ Welfare building on Market Street is a case in point.
Yvonne Pinnock - who runs the club with her husband Derrick - says it was due to close two years ago until they stepped in.
“Clubs like this have been vital to the survival of places like Staveley,” she says.
“That sense of belonging that comes from being a part of things like the football and cricket clubs.
“Years ago all the miners’ welfares used to take families on trips to the seaside.
“When the clubs started to struggle it stopped, but we are hoping to start them up again this year.
“As well as that we raise a lot of money for different charities - the people of Staveley are very generous.
“We collect for Help for Heroes and Ashgate Hospice and lots of others as well - we have a lot of jars on the bar.
“And everyone who comes in contributes.”

Behind the welfare, the market place is a bustling centrepiece to the town - filled with independent shops and markets traders.
Vicki Kendall, 47, owner of the Spoilt for Choice sandwich shop on the Market Place said Staveley’s sense of community was what stood out most.
“Everybody knows everybody,” she said.
“We know all their business - sometimes we feel a bit like we are social workers.
“I like coming to work for that and seeing all our customers - they are really nice people.”
Vicki said her business - which she has had for 17 years - was ‘doing well’.
“There are a lot of older people who live round here and they are our most loyal customers,” she said.
“They would rather shop here than in Morrisons - they prefer little shops over supermarkets.
“People here are old-fashioned and like their traditions - and that is deep rooted.
“I think the mining history still has a big effect on it - because it is such a tight community, they don’t forget.”

Two doors down, Max Nixon in the town’s famous old butchers, D Stanley, agrees.
“People still like traditional shops - it means they can have that social interaction,” he said.
“Being an ex-mining community - Staveley is very close knit.
“Everyone knows everyone - and everyone’s else’s business.
“So what you can’t do is upset anyone because if you do, it travels around very quickly.”

If it is these traditional values which have kept Staveley going, what might the town look like in the future?
Mark Evans, clerk at Staveley Town Council, has been busy working on this since he started in his role last year.
“There are certainly green shoots of recovery,” he said.
“The canal basin, Markham Vale and Staveley Hall - that is where we are starting to see regeneration.
“We are beginning to turn things around.”
The recent £4.8m refurbishment of the grade II listed Staveley Hall is a key part of their plan.
They have let seven of the nine available offices within the first three weeks of being open and are already taking bookings for the downstairs space as well.
In addition, Mark says another of their buildings - the Speedwell Rooms on Inkersall Road - is now taking in ‘record’ levels of income. 
But, as well as the economic changes they want to see, Mark says there are social changes that are just as important.
“One of the big agendas the council is getting involved in is the idea of health and wellbeing,” he says.
“Last year we started doing free activities at the healthy living centre - things like swimming lessons, soft play and rock climbing.
“We had a thousand children take it up last year and this year at Easter we’ll have another two weeks - I am very proud of that.”

As I leave their offices, Mark tells me to head towards the church, making sure I keep my eyes up as I walk through the town’s historic heart.
The beautiful buildings that line the road tell the story of Staveley over seven centuries - including its glorious industrial past.
They are still standing, and so is Staveley.

What makes staveley such a tight-knit community? Let us know by emailing comment@derbyshiretimes.co.uk.