The ancient dovecote at Codnor Castle, known to date back to the 17th Century and possibly even to the 13th Century, is in a "shocking and dilapidated condition".  Heanor U.D.C. Finance Committee heard on Monday.  The committee refused to take any action, however, and refused to accept a suggestion that the council surveyor Mr JH Garside should inspect it.

    The dovecote is on a provisional list of buildings of architectural or historical interest now being considered by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.  It has a Norman wall and was at one time believed to be perhaps the oldest dovecote in Derbyshire.  Historians now believe, however, that it is not contemporary with the 13th century castle but from the 17th century, when the adjoining farm was built from the stone of the ruined castle.  The birds entered (the dovecote) through a wooden lantern at he top.

    At Monday's meeting, Coun. Stan Mellors who is vice-president of the Derbyshire Area N.U.M. said, "It is symbolic of an age of our history that we can do well to forget".  Coun. A Lee said that the dovecote was "just an old building" as far as he was concerned.  4th January 1963.