‘There probably isn’t a more relevant place in the UK today as Eyam’.

As schools have remained closed there are those who have truly embraced home education over the past 3-4 months and there are those who have possibly struggled. Whichever camp you fall into there is a small village just outside Buxton that has an amazing story to
tell. We can all learn from this story as there probably isn’t a more relevant place in the UK today as Eyam.

Here we are in 2020 and Eyam is quite possibly the most significant and poignant village to visit. In 1665 a consignment of cloth was delivered by George Viccars from plague hit London. It was soon discovered that the damp cloth was flea-infested and residents of the village were soon struck down by the plague. The villagers looked for leadership and this was provided by Reverend William Mompesson who took the brave decision for the people of the village to self isolate (sound familiar?)

They were risking their own lives in order to protect others living outside of the village. The familiarity to today’s events continues – the Earl of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth arranged for food parcels to be left on the edge of the village. In total 260 people died. In 2020 we have seen the unfortunate circumstances of families being unable to attend the funerals of loved ones. In contrast in Eyam in 1665 people were asked to bury their own dead. Just as we have stood outside our homes every Thursday at 8.00pm applauding the NHS the people of Eyam gather together outside on the final Sunday in August with an open air service to show their gratitude for the self sacrifice taken by the villagers of Eyam some 350 years ago.

Sometimes we learn history and at other times we learn from history.
Look at our rates and availability for the rest of August so that you can take advantage of visiting this
most significant village.