6th November 1786

Rain.  At Matlock died Ann Clowes- the Dwarf of the Dales- a widow aged 103. She measured 3 feet 2 inches and weighed 44 lb. The house she resided in was as diminutive in proportion as herself containing only one room about 8 feet square.

 Celebrations of the Divine deliverance from the Gunpowder plotters were put in place today. Mr Grimley the publican from the Weasel took it on himself to direct the proceedings in his usual bustling way which the rest of the villagers find annoying. He was careful in the construction of the bonfire which took some time to assemble - it was thought that some of the wood came from the house of Adamson the village fool who had expired some days earlier. It had rained for most of the day and the timbers and spars were wet through. As the day continued Grimley was getting angrier and more trying than usual as he realised that the wood refused to ignite and that an outside agent was required, Simpering Ned- an adequate replacement for the position of fool following the death of Adamson- suggested that a small casque of gunpowder might assist. Grimley agreed and finally seemed to be content as day turned to night. At dusk boys began to throw squibs and fireworks into the streets and at length the effigies of the Pope and Wesley were bought out in procession to much public opprobrium and cheering. At a given signal a torch was applied by Grimley to the bonfire. It took a few minutes to blaze. Soon it caught the gunpowder. The resulting explosion blew the effigy of the pope over several fields. “Ah”, quipped I “a Roman candle” as the fiery pontiff lit up the night sky disappearing in the direction of the quarry. Grimly emerged blackened and slightly scorched.