Series two, Episode one: The Craftsmen of Calke Abbey

Suzannah and her guest Sandy travel to the not-so-stately home of Calke Abbey in Derbyshire to discover Sandy’s family’s longstanding connection to the estate and its early Baptist congregation. Calke Abbey has undergone many transformations in its long history, moving from religious priory to sprawling stately home, and forming the core of the community in all its guises for hundreds of years. Sandy discovers that her family were skilled workers and faithful retainers, who honed their crafts over generations and were rewarded for their expertise and dedication by their wealthy patrons. Over 200 years, members of the family were embedded in the fabric of this community, enjoying the employment opportunities and patronage offered by Calke Abbey. Sandy also learns of their non-conformist beliefs, at a time when Baptism was on the rise among skilled working classes, and how this threatened the established order.Where will your past take you? Discover your own story for free on Findmypast at www.findmypast.co.ukWith huge thanks to Karen Kreft atticknalllife.co.uk, and Julie Griffith and Alanna Rasen of the National Trust for all their help with this episode.Music: March For The Derbyshire Cavalry Regiment by J. Haydn (All efforts have been made to establish copyright for this recording. Please get in touch if you believe that you are the owner). /