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@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 10:40 AM

Did you ever ‘go in luxury and comfort’ on the Blue Buses in and around Willington? This #ModeShift month why not leave the car at home and take the bus? Tailey and George Ltd formed in 1937; they operated their Blue Bus service until the mid-1970s.

#Bus

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 9:50 AM

Is balancing on a big balloon an easy way to get from London to Paris?? In this caricature, George Woodward was probably depicting the French dancer Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, who danced at the London Opera House in the 1780s.

#ModeShift

A coloured drawing on stained paper. It depicts a dancer standing on a balloon; in his right hand he holds a hat with streamers and in his left a moneybag. He stands with his left leg at a right angle. The balloon has a balcony around it upon which are moneybags and a violin.

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 18, 2026, 10:25 AM

When you think of donkeys you often imagine them at the seaside giving rides to children. This one worked in Ripley, belonging to John Wood, landlord of the Albion Inn. Children used to sneak rides on the donkey, which lived in a field behind the pub.

#PhotoFriday #ModeShift

A donkey stands with a cart behind. A man with a moustache, dressed in a suit stands by the side. A woman in a white blouse, long dark skirt and large hat stands by the donkey’s head holding the reins, while another lady in a long black silk dress stands by the man’s side.

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 9:15 AM

If #ModeShift month has made you curious about how transport has developed, then have a delve into this fascinating book in our #LocalStudies collection. ‘Carriers & Coachmasters’ shows us how people travelled before the road networks that we have today.

#LocalHistory

The cover of the book 'Carriers and coachmasters: trade and travel before the turnpikes' by Dorian Gerhold. The cover shows an engraving by Hogarth of 1747 of a stage coach in an inn yard. A large lady is being helped inside.

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 10:15 AM

If you're looking for a stylish alternative to get about, the archive of Holmes & Co, Royal Carriage Makers, may provide you with inspiration: recordoffice.wordpre...
We wouldn't mind going on an office outing in the big carriage!

#ModeShift #Victorian #Carriage

Hand painted carriage design for a large open-top horse-drawn carriage that can seat up to seven people. It has two large wheels at the back and two smaller ones at the front and is painted in red and black.

Hand painted carriage design for an enclosed horse-drawn carriage for two people, with the driver sitting at the front, outside. It has been painted in burgundy and black.

Hand painted carriage design for a small open-top horse-drawn carriage for one person, who is also the driver. It has been painted in yellow and black.

Hand painted carriage design for an enclosed horse-drawn carriage which can seat four people inside. It also has three seats on top of the carriage and a seat for the driver. It has been painted in red, green and black.

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 11, 2026, 10:05 AM

If you’re looking for an unusual form of transport how about a hot air balloon? This one is preparing to wow the crowds at Pimlico Recreation Ground, Ilkeston, in 1907, when it takes off into the air.

#PhotoFriday #ModeShift #1900s

A large hot air balloon floats in the air with its basket on the ground. People stand in the basket with a small group standing around them. Behind them stand a massive crowd of spectators waiting for it to lift off.

@derbyshiredro.bsky.social Sep 8, 2026, 10:05 AM

If #ModeShift month has made you reach for your bicycle, you could start a cycling diary, like our #ArchiveOfTheWeek from Ashton E. Mosley in 1884. Probably better not to fall off and break the handlebars though!

#bicycle #Victorian