Winster


Winster is a village in the English Derbyshire Dales about from Matlock and from Bakewell at an altitude of approximately. It was formerly a centre for the lead mining industry. The village lies within the Peak District National Park and The Peak District Boundary Walk runs through the village.

History

Winster has many listed buildings, including Winster Market House which was acquired by the National Trust in 1906. The 2021 census shows a population of 551, down from 633 in 2001 and 600 in 2011. The village has a primary school, two churches, two pubs, a village hall and a village shop which includes a post office. Winster was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 when it was owned by Henry de Ferrers.
A workhouse at Bank Top was opened in 1744. It had a rule that forbade any relief outside of the workhouse. By the 1770s it could house 40 inmates.

Winster Wakes

[Image:Winster queen 262564 03a053b6.jpg|left|thumb|upright|The Winster King and Queen tour with the Morris men]
Winster's parish church is the Church of St John the Baptist, and a week-long annual carnival called Winster Wakes starts on the first Sunday on or after 24 June. Main Street is closed briefly on the Sunday for the Wakes Parade, and for much of the following Saturday afternoon, when there are stalls and entertainment in the street.

Fatal duel

As reported in The Times on 2 June 1821, a local surgeon, William Cuddie, was courting Mary, the daughter of the wealthy Brittlebank family of Oddo House in Winster. In May 1821 one of her brothers, William Brittlebank, tried to end their association. On the evening of 21 May Cuddie and Brittlebank quarreled violently. The doctor later received a note:
Cuddie refused to reply to the letter. The following afternoon three of the Brittlebank brothers and a mutual friend, Edmund Spencer, arrived in his garden with two loaded pistols. Cuddie reluctantly accepted one of the weapons. William Brittlebank walked away, turned and fired. Two shots were heard but only Cuddie was hit. He died a few hours later.
Two of the Brittlebanks were tried in Derby in August 1821, but were found not guilty of murder, while their brother William fled with a £100 reward on his head. It is thought that he went to Australia but evidence is lacking.