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Although Whitwell celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in the 'Whitwell 1000' celebrations of 1989, it is much older than this celebration suggests. The earliest written references to Whitwell are from the Anglo-Saxon charters. However, many of its historical sites predate this period. Within the parish are several Iron Age burial mounds, an Iron Age fort and settlement, the remains of a Roman villa, medieval field systems, and both a Norman and Saxon church, the world heritage site of Creswell Crags was until recently within the parish. Whitwell Old Hall is a medieval manor house.
Whitwell won the 'Best Kept Village in Derbyshire' Award in 1988.
Whitwell is a thriving village with strong community spirit. The village has many active clubs and societies, including Whitwell Scout and Guide Group, Local History Group, Whitwell Players, Whitwell Brass Band and junior band, C of E, Methodist and Poplar churches, Natural History Group, green bowls club, cricket club, and football club.
Although being quite a small village, Whitwell has six public houses. It previously had as many as 11 and held the record for most number of licensed premises per capita. The current pubs are Holmefield Arms, The Jack Ups (Whitwell Working Men's Club), New Middle Club, The Boot And Shoe, The Half Moon and The Royal Oak. Whitwell also has three take-aways. One called Pizza Time on Station Road opposite the "Jack Ups", a "Chinese", situated on Welbeck Street, called Go-Ming and a Chip Shop called "Chip Inn", on Hanger Hill next to the corner of Fox Road. The biggest employer just outside the village is La Farge Works (formerly Steetley Company), which run a quarry which supplies limestone and other products all around the world.
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