Over the years there have been three Crich beacons situated at Crich Stand. The first was at the top of the Tower.
Ripley and Heanor News 3 July 1925
Wednesday in this week was one of the nights on which the beacon light on Crich Stand shone out, it being the anniversary date of the greatest battle on the Somme in 1916. The official records show that in this stubborn action against impossible odds the gallantry of the British troops was so universal, and so absolute that it was impossible to select units for special mention. Men performed the incredible in every mile of front, and amongst them were Sherwood Foresters. The next time the beacon will be lighted is on the last day of this month – July 31 – our success had the third Battle of Ypres.
Ripley and Heanor News 20 February 1926
We have been asked to state again the date on which the commemoration beacon is lighted on Crich Stand. They are as follows: –
March 10, when the Sherwood bore a valiant part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle
April 6, the storming of Badajoz in the Peninsular War
May 24, Empire Day
June 15, Piave, when the Sherwoods and Italians routed the Austrians
July 1, battle of the Somme
July 31, battle of Ypres
September 20, Alma of the Crimea and the Aisle
September 25,Loos
September 29, St Quintin Canal
November 11, Armistice Day
November 20 battle of Cambrai, when tanks were employed on a large-scale period
Derby Daily Telegraph 22 November 1926
The beacon on Crich Stand was lighted by electricity on Saturday evening for the first time. Crich Stand is the most prominent landmark in Mid-Derbyshire, and has been re-erected and dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 18 November 1927
To commemorate the signing of the armistice the Beacon light of the Sherwood Foresters War Memorial was lighted on Friday evening November 11. Armistice Day was observed at the Council Schools and also the Church of England Schools at Crich, Crich Carr, and Whatstandwell. The Boy Scouts laid flowers upon the memorial, and the eldest scholars from Whatstandwell schools visited the graves of the soldiers who lie in Crich Churchyard had also placed flowers upon the memorial. Poppy Day was a great success. The sellers were out early in the morning and did quite a good trade, close upon £20 being realised.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 13 April 1928
On Good Friday the beacon light of the Sherwood Foresters War Memorial on Crich Cliff was lighted to commemorate the Battle of Badajos in 1812, in which the 1st Battalion (then the 45th Foot) took an active part. Quite a large number of visitors visited Crich during the Easter holidays and many made a pilgrimage to the War Memorial on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 22 June 1928
The beacon lamp of the Sherwood Foresters War Memorial at Crich was lighted last Friday to commemorate the Battle of Piave (Italy) 1923, in which the Foresters greatly distinguish themselves.
[note: the 1923 date recorded is a mystery, the second Battle of Piave occurred in 1918]
Derbyshire Times 28 July 1928
As has already been stated in this column, the tower is 1000 feet above sea level, and has a beacon light at the top.
The current Crich Beacon, situated in the Crich Memorial Tower grounds was first lit 3 June 2002
THIS BEACON
ON THE SITE OF
MANY PREDECESSORS
WAS COMMISSIONED
BY
CRICH PARISH COUNCIL
TO COMMEMORATE
THe GOLDEN JUBILEE
OF
HER MAJESY THE QUEEN
AND WAS FIRST FIRED
3 JUNE 2002
It was was also lit to mark the nintieth birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on 21 April 2016,
Photo Roger Phipp
Photo Lucy Clarke
View of the beacon from the top of Crich Stand
A previous beacon in 1982 (photo Brenda Adderson)
To see a guide to Crich Stand with panoramic map: click here
To see the programme for the opening in 1923: click here
To see the memorial inscriptions around the site: click here