Friday’s sunset over Parwich. David G
Archive for the ‘Environment’ Category
Last Rays
Posted in Environment, Photography, Weather on Saturday November 23, 2013| 1 Comment »
Time to check the heating oil tank?
Posted in 2013, Environment, Oil, Parish Council, Posts of Note on Saturday November 16, 2013| Leave a Comment »
We have received this reminder from the Environment Agency, as passed onto us by the Parish Council.
The Environment Agency is concerned to prevent heating oil tank pollution incidents, as they are aware of a number of recent spills, especially from smaller domestic tanks. They are seeking to raise awareness of this issue before the winter sets in, as failures of heating oil tanks and associated pipe work happen most often during the cold snap. “The consequences to groundwater, and rivers for that matter, can be devastating“, they tell us.
For more information on groundwater protection policy, follow this link, and download this PDF.
Shale Gas in the Peak District?
Posted in 2013, Environment, Local government, Posts of Note on Monday October 14, 2013| 2 Comments »
The Government has listed areas with potential for shale gas extraction. The website wrongmove, set up by Greenpeace has a facility to identify from your postcode whether your house is in an area potentially included.
Unsurprisingly with shale beneath us, the site, in response to our local postcodes, suggests we are in one of these areas. However this does not necessarily mean that there will be any shale gas extraction and associated fracking here. For any new extraction sites there would have to be a long process of identifying commercial viability, getting agreement from landowners and/or the holders of mineral rights and obtaining necessary planning consents.
So there are no concrete plans for our area, and nothing could happen quickly, however Greenpeace consider it worthwhile for objectors to register their objections sooner rather than later.
Secondary double glazing?
Posted in Environment on Monday August 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »
With the increased interest in alternative forms of energy and energy saving measures, David G thought our readers might like to see this photos taken in Bradbourne: “Everest develops new waterproofing system for cottages“.
Click on images to enlarge
Field Barns
Posted in 2013, Environment, Farming, History, Photography, Posts of Note on Sunday August 11, 2013| 3 Comments »
Field barns are an important feature of the White Peak landscape that surrounds our villages. As patterns of land holdings have changed (the village farm houses serving scattered fields are now gone, replaced by larger farms with houses and farm buildings on the land being farmed) and farming methods have improved, these fine buildings have become redundant, with many falling into disrepair. Here are some of the field barns that can be seen around Parwich Hill (just these local photos by Peter T):
A new book entitled “Field Barns of the Peak District” by Sheila Haines celebrates these buildings and challenges us to find new uses for them before they are irreparable ruins. Parwich.org would welcome any further photographs of the barns in our local parishes, perhaps to created a gazetteer and photographic record of those in Parwich, Eaton & Alsop and Ballidon.
For more information on Sheila Haines’ book (more…)
Look out for shooting stars
Posted in Environment on Saturday August 10, 2013| 3 Comments »
Over the next few nights (10th to 13th August), visibility permitting, we will have the chance to see some exceptional meteor showers. It is thought they will be most frequent on Monday night, when there could be between 50 and 100 meteors an hour. Now that is a challenge for our enthusiastic local photographers to get shooting star photos for the Blog.
An unreasonable suggestion?
Posted in 2013, Environment, Flora, Parish Council, Posts of Note on Friday August 9, 2013| 22 Comments »
The avenue of chestnuts at Nether Green was planted for the Queen’s Coronation, as well as the cherry trees given to each member of the WI, only a few of which remain (there is one outside Hallcliffe on Church Green), and the now very fine copper-beech also on the Green. This was part of a wave of tree planting for decoration rather than utility starting in the 1950s and 1960s.
Nearly everyone that knew these chestnuts was sad when, in ones and twos, they had to be cut down because of disease. The Parish Council undertook a very well advertised poll of the village in January and February of this year to decide what to do next. There was strong support for replanting an avenue of trees (see Parish Council Minutes for March of this year: “The results were: 13 votes for no replacement trees, 3 votes for trees only on the Nethergreen side and 37 votes for an avenue of trees on both sides.“).
It has been resolved to replant in September, with the Peak Park reimbursing the Council for the cost of the actual trees, but not the cost of the work. The Peak Park insist that the one surviving chestnut tree remain. From subsequent Minutes I am not sure if the new avenue is to be Alder, as initially resolved, or Lime trees, as advised by the Peak Park’s tree officer.
What follows is very much my personal view and does not in any way reflect the opinions of the Blog or the Blog Team, further it is in no way intended as a criticism of the Parish Council, who have put a lot of work into striving to reach the right decision for the Village:
I hesitate to raise again the issue of the avenue of trees at Nether Green, it having been clearly decided by a community vote. Having voted myself for the trees to be replanted on both sides of the road, I was at the time strongly in favour of the avenue being replanted. However over the intervening months, I have found myself increasingly valuing the open space left by the loss of the chestnuts. Several people have also said the same to me, and that it is a return to the open views so characteristic of the Village as seen in old photographs, prompting me to write this.
School’s Eco Committee Coffee Afternoon
Posted in Environment, School on Monday May 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The children of Parwich School’s Eco Committee are holding a Coffee Afternoon in the Memorial Hall tomorrow between 2.30 and 4.30pm, do come along to support it.
Mysterious tracks on Parwich Hill
Posted in 2013, Environment, News, Ornithology, Posts of Note on Monday April 1, 2013| 3 Comments »
Some intriguing tracks have recently been found in the snow at the top of Parwich Hill. They were clearly made by some type of bird, but what could have made them? The tracks suggest a waddling gait, but all of our resident ornithologists were stumped. We therefore sent the photographs to Twycross Zoo, to see if they could help.
The response was instant, and very perplexing. “We recognised them immediately,” said a spokesman from the zoo, “as the marks are identical to those made by our Humboldt Penguins.”
“We have no idea how the penguin got to Parwich. It is certainly not one of ours, as we have counted them and they are all present and correct. As Humboldt penguins are known for burrowing, it is likely that yours has been living on the hill for a while, only making itself known after the recent heavy snowfall.”
“The Humboldt Penguin is a South American penguin, which breeds in coastal Peru and Chile. Its nearest relatives are the African Penguin, the Magellanic Penguin and the Galápagos Penguin. Have any of your residents visited any of these locations recently and perhaps smuggled one back?”
“They are certainly very resourceful birds. Last year, a Humboldt penguin escaped from Tokyo Sea Life Park by scaling the 13 feet high wall and through the fence into Tokyo bay. It then thrived in Tokyo Bay for 82 days before being recaptured.”
Whether our penguin has escaped or been stolen, we will never know. Climate change has been dramatic lately, but perhaps never this dramatic.
In Memory …
Posted in 2013, Environment, Parish Council, Photography, Posts of Note on Saturday March 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The chestnut avenue planted to celebrate the Queen’s coronation is now gone, but for one tree; let us hope that the Parish Council are able to find a suitable alternative that will survive all the tree diseases that now threaten. Thank you to John F.S. for this photographic eulogy:
Street Light Consultation Ends Soon
Posted in 2013, Environment, Local government, Posts of Note, Roads, Services on Sunday March 24, 2013| 2 Comments »
There continues to be strong support for some form of reduction in street lighting (86%), with the largest group in favour of making a decision on a light by light basis. So far the individual street light polls in general suggest some lights remain on all night in Main Street (including Chestnut and Sycamore Cottages) and Shaw Lane, through routes, including some that the County Council propose part night, but there is a split vote in relation to Smithy Lane, also a through route. In contrast for the rest of the village the polls support all lights being part night, more than proposed by the County Council, with the exception of Kiln Lane where there is support for the Council’s proposal to turn some lights off completely.
Parwich Parish Council have set up a sub-committee to forward their views, and will be taking these poll results into account on Wednesday. The County Council’s community engagement runs to the 2nd of April, so you can still contact them directly. The polls here at PARWICH.ORG will continue open until next Sunday (31st March), so those who have not done so already can still vote:
Polls for individual Parwich street lights: (more…)
Sustainability and Planning in the Peak Park
Posted in Environment, Peak Park on Friday March 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The Peak Park Authority has adopted new guidelines on sustainable building in the National Park (click here for the Supplementary Planning Document). It is not a quick read, but does contain guidelines for traditional and historical buildings, for new builds and for low-carbon/renewable energy, as well as flood risk and drainage. Anyone planning building work or considering more sustainable energy use should read it. (more…)
Interim Street Light Results
Posted in 2013, Environment, Local government, Posts of Note, Services on Wednesday March 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Here are some interim results from the polls at PARWICH.ORG on the County Councils proposals for part night street lighting in Parwich village, which are being discussed at tonight’s Parish Council meeting.
Although there is a wide range of genuinely held opinions, so far there seems to be strong support for some reduction in street lighting (86%) with the largest group in favour of making a decision on a light by light basis.
- Decide on a light by light basis – 53%
- Turn all lights off for part of the night – 23%
- Turn street lights off altogether – 10%
- Keep all lights on all night – 14%
Looking at the individual polls (see Draft Interim Report for the workings out), PARWICH.ORG readers so far disagree with the proposals for 14 lights, have not reached a consensus for 4 lights, and agree with the proposals for 15 lights. (more…)
Part Night Street Lighting in Parwich – Have your say
Posted in Environment, Local government, Roads, Services on Thursday March 7, 2013| 6 Comments »
The poll in our previous post is so far indicating a majority support some form of part night lighting in Parwich. This further post contains individual polls for each street light in the Village.
You can have your say on which street lights are turned off for part of the night and which remain on by contacting:
- Derbyshire County Council directly by Tuesday 2nd April 2013 on their Parwich consultation page or by post to Street Lights, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG
- Parwich Parish Council prior to their next meeting on Wednesday 20th March 2013, by speaking to a councillor, by emailing the Clerk on sandra.hampson@hotmail.co.uk, or by attending the open section of their meeting.
or here at
- PARWICH.ORG by completing the polls below and adding comments. We will then forward poll results and any comments to the County Council prior to the close of the Parwich consultation on the 2nd April.
The County Council’s rationale in deciding their proposals can be seen on their website, but they will not understand as well as us how we might be effected, so please fill in at least the polls for the lights outside your house.
There should be a separate poll below for each Parwich street light (based on plan circulated by Derbyshire County Council): (more…)
Solar Panels in the Park
Posted in Environment, Peak Park, Planning on Wednesday February 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The Peak Park Authority, in consultation with the other National Parks, has issued a pamphlet on the design and siting of solar panels for the National Park (click on the image to the right to see the leaflet on line).
For an overview of alternative energy sources click here for Jane B’s excellent review.
Do note that for most domestic buildings solar panels are permitted development and do not need planning consent. However for listed buildings planning will be required, so this leaflet should be very helpful.
For more information on the Peak Park’s guidance (more…)
Stream Management Update
Posted in Environment, Parish Council on Thursday January 31, 2013|
This week Derbyshire Dales District Council, on behalf of the Parwich Parish Council, have been carrying out general maintenance on the sections of the watercourse that are the responsibility of the Parish Council. They will be back to restore the grass at the Sheep Wash and level out the ruts in the overgrown area beyond the football pitch.
The Parish Council is aware that County are also looking at the various culverts in the village.
Parwich Parish Council.
Contact details – Parwich.Parish.Council@gmail.com
Monsdale in the snow
Posted in Environment, Photography, Weather on Monday January 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Planning permission granted for two wind turbines at Hill Top Farm
Posted in 2012, Environment, Farming, Peak Park, Planning, Posts of Note, Sustainability on Tuesday December 11, 2012| Leave a Comment »
According to details on the PDNPA website, planning permission has been granted for two wind turbines at Hill Top Farm, each at a tower height of 24.5m, with a further 9m rotor radius. This is smaller than the originally rejected proposal, which measured 48.4m from base to blade tip. Note also that this is a time-limited consent, which expires after 25 years.
Click here to read the letter of notification, and click here for links to all the publicly available documentation.
Report ash woodlands locations in the Park
Posted in Environment, Flora, Peak Park on Tuesday November 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »
So far there have been no incidences of ‘ash dieback disease’ in the Peak Park, but the Authority is collecting information on ash woodland, specifically new plantations, where trees have been planted in the last 6 years. If you have any new ash trees or for general information on how to respond to the current situation please read on for the Peak Park Authority’s advice: (more…)
Renewables for Businesses
Posted in Environment, Peak Park, Planning, Sustainability on Monday November 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »
| Free business workshop on renewables and climate change |
| Business people wanting to future-proof against climate change and learn about energy-saving can go along to a free half-day training workshop.
Business Peak District is holding the workshop at Beechenhill Farm, Ilam, near Ashbourne, whose environmentally-friendly farming and holiday business has just been shortlisted for a Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism award. People who attend the workshop will learn about key steps to saving energy, installing renewable technology and how to make their businesses more resilient to climate change. (more…) |
Recycling on You Tube and lots of possible days out for Graham!
Posted in Environment, Local government, Services on Tuesday September 25, 2012| 4 Comments »
Recycling roadshow tours the Derbyshire Dales
The roadshow is the latest element of an awareness campaign that includes an introductory leaflet that is being posted this week to all 33,000 homes in the Dales and online information at http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/including a list of Frequently Asked Questions and a YouTube video guide.
Available soon will be an online postcode search facility, and detailed instructions and a collection calendar will be delivered with the new containers by the District Council’s new contractor Serco Ltd early in October.
The information roadshow was launched in Bakewell this Monday (24 September) and the mobile unit moves into Wirksworth on Tuesday, Matlock Sainsbury’s on Wednesday and Ashbourne Market Place on Thursday from 9.30am to 3pm each day. (more…)
Could your business earn an EQM?
Posted in Environment, Peak Park on Monday September 24, 2012| 2 Comments »
|
How the Environmental Quality Mark can help your business |
| Local businesses that are passionate about the Peak District can learn how to stand out from the rest by earning the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark award.Organisers of the scheme are inviting businesses to a free Environmental Quality Mark (EQM) event to find out about its benefits and how to apply.
The event is on Tuesday October 2, 10am-2.30pm (to include networking lunch) at the Peak District National Park Authority office, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE. The award, run by a community interest company, recognises businesses that care about the Peak District and its people – businesses with a low environmental impact and high commitment to the local area, its economy and communities. (more…) |
Anyone seen any glow worms?
Posted in Environment, Peak Park on Wednesday June 6, 2012| 1 Comment »
There is currently a survey of glow worms taking place and the Peak Park eccologists would like to hear from anyone in the National Park or the rest of Derbyshire who has seen them.
Glow worms in the Peak District (photo by Nick Moyes)
For the full National Park Authority press release (more…)
Stream & Pond – Thank you
Posted in 2012, Environment, Parish Council, Posts of Note on Saturday May 26, 2012| 1 Comment »
Thank you to those that turned out for the Stream & Pond clearing, Pat & John Barnett, the Peat family, Ben Ingham, Alan Purvis, Ben Bennett, Paul O’Connell, Owen Bradbury & Councillors Robert Bunting, Caroline Healy, Jane Bennett & Matt Harrison.
We have worked in conjunction with the appropriate Agencies and followed their advice. The main purpose was to remove old debris and not current summer growth. There were several particularly bad choke points, which are now freed, this will now allow any significant amounts of water to flow down the stream course and out of the village.
Jane Bennett
Volunteers needed tomorrow
Posted in Environment, Music, Parish Council, Quiz on Friday May 25, 2012| 4 Comments »
Stream & Pond Clearance – Volunteers Needed
Posted in Environment, Parish Council on Tuesday May 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Please spare a couple of hours on Saturday, 10.30-12.30pm
Parwich Parish Council would like to ensure that the streams and ponds in the village are kept clean and clear, this will make them look more attractive and reduce the risk of flooding. Volunteers are needed to help with the clearance; this will help to save money.
Meet at the Memorial Hall at 10.30am. Please wear suitable footwear and bring along some appropriate tools. Children are welcome but must be with an adult at all times.
Volunteers Needed – Stream & Pond Management
Posted in Environment, Parish Council on Sunday May 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Trees and Insurance
Posted in Environment, Gardens, Housing on Sunday April 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »
In our current unseasonal dry season, and with increasing concern about insurance issues, it has been pointed out to us that we may not think about trees in relation to our buildings insurance. Trees are a potential factor in subsidence but also failure to disclose ‘relevant’ information even if not relevant to a specific claim can invalidate your policy.
Thank you to Terry P for the following information, about the potential impact of trees on insurance:
Just recently I have been renewing insurance policies for buildings in my ownership, and these days I have a little more time to study the ins and outs of all the excess paperwork the insurance companies send with your renewal notice. One thing to look out for, is when you accept their terms, conditions and quote you will also be accepting their PROPERTY OWNERS’ STATEMENT OF FACT which has more than one or two exclusions in there. One thing I picked up on, is the distance of mature trees from a building that are likely to cause Heave or Subsidence, (more…)
Scanning the Stars
Posted in Environment, Peak Park on Friday February 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The Peak District Darker Skies Group are asking people to help monitor light pollution in the Peak District, by looking at Orion and associated stars later this month.
If you are interested in being involved, either go to the Peak Park website or first read their full press release below. (more…)
Chrome Hill & The Roaches – Video
Posted in Environment, Films, Photography, Walks & Rides on Saturday January 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Two rather lovely YouTube videos, from Peak District TV & Peak District OnLine, were sent into the Blog.
On a misty morning in the Peak District, the mysteriously named Chrome Hill and its neighbour Parkhouse, near Longnor, are brought to life. Like a weary dinosaur, Chrome Hill appears to be sleeping. The spines on its back are grit stone, tough and hard wearing, but ready for the fight. Both hills have views to die for and the scenery is simply breathtaking.
The majestic Roaches, on the western edge of the Peak District, north of Leek, rise out of the mists revealing a walker’s eye view from the top. The contorted stones are contrasted against the warmth of the sun, the heather a warm burnt amber amongst the bleak grey of the rock, a super area to walk.
Wind turbine proposal ‘too tall’ for national park
Posted in 2012, Environment, Farming, Peak Park, Planning, Posts of Note, Sustainability on Monday January 16, 2012| 3 Comments »
The following statement was issued today by the Peak District National Park Authority. This relates to the recent planning application for a wind turbine at Hill Top Farm. (more…)
The Eco Committee & 150 Year Anniversary Garden Update
Posted in 2011, Environment, Gardens, Photography, Posts of Note, School, Young people on Monday December 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »
For a large-sized, printer-friendly version of these photos, please open the current school newsletter PDF.
Chance to explore stones and stars in the Peak District
Posted in Environment, Events, Peak Park on Thursday November 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Would-be archaeologists and stargazers are invited to meet the experts to explore ancient history and the night sky from a prehistoric stone circle on Sunday December 4th.
Nottingham Trent University in partnership with the Peak Park are offering 60 free places for people to find out more about the Nine Ladies stone circle, on Stanton Moor, both on the ground and in the night sky.
Three two-hour sessions will take place on Sunday December 4, at 12noon, 2pm, and 4pm, starting at the Village Hall in Stanton in Peak, near Bakewell.
The events will include a short talk on the history of the stone circle, what to look out for in the night sky in December, a planetarium session and a 15-minute walk to the stone circle. The 4pm session will include a look at the night sky through telescopes (weather permitting).
Booking is essential as each session is limited to 20 people. A waiting list will be used to prioritise bookings for future events. Dogs are not allowed. To book call 0115 8483518 or email daniel.brown02@ntu.ac.uk (more…)
Peak ParkWatch – next meeting
Posted in Environment, Opinion, Peak Park on Monday November 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Thursday 17th November 2011
at 8pm, Calver Village Hall
Please visit our website. Contact us by email: info@peakparkwatch.org.uk or 01433 631436
“Peak ParkWatch are an independent organisation, and the opinions expressed on their website do not necessarily represent the opinions of the PARWICH.ORG blog team.”
Help – What am I?
Posted in Environment, Photography on Friday September 30, 2011| 4 Comments »
Hill Top Farm – Wind Turbine Planning Application
Posted in Environment, Farming, Opinion, Peak Park, People, Planning, Sustainability on Tuesday September 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The planning application from Robert Gosling at Hill Top Farm has been registered with Peak District National Park. Application number: NP/DDD/0911/0933 Proposal: Erection of a single wind turbine and stone build plant rooms.
All the planning documents can been seen on the National Park website or by visiting the Peak Park at Bakewell.
Mysterious White Powder?
Posted in Environment on Saturday September 3, 2011| 1 Comment »
A reader asks:
Does anyone know what the small piles of white powder around the village are for?
The children are obsessed with what it is and one tried to taste it.
Could you post and find out for me.
The Big Butterfly Count
Posted in Environment, Gardens on Wednesday July 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »
As this year’s Big Butterfly Count is about to get underway, here is some more information about the project, which might appeal to anyone with an interest in nature conservation.
The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey, which aims to help in assessing the health of our environment. 10,000 people took part last year, counting 210,000 butterflies and day-flying moths across the nation.
According to the Big Butterfly Count’s website:
Butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment, which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses. That’s why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature. The count will also assist in identifying trends in species that will help plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understanding the effect of climate change on wildlife.
This year’s count runs between 16th and 31st July.
To take part, simply count butterflies for fifteen minutes during bright (and preferably sunny) weather, at any time between 16th and 31st July. This can be done anywhere: gardens, fields, school grounds and so on. You also should try to identify the species of each butterfly you see.
Then register your findings on the Big Butterfly Count website: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
The website contains all the information that you will need about the Big Butterfly Count – including an illustrated chart, which you can print off and use while you’re counting.
Free Walk with the experts on wildflowers and water voles – Monday
Posted in Environment, Events, Peak Park on Sunday July 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »
A free guided walk through wildflower-rich hay-meadows, and the chance to search for the elusive “Ratty”, is on offer on Monday July 4th in the Bletch Brook Valley, between Parwich and Tissington. Meet at 6.30pm outside The Sycamore
Peak District National Park ecologists and experts from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will lead the walk, looking out for rare species including the water vole, known as “Ratty” in Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows. One of the UK’s most threatened species, the water vole has disappeared from 90 per cent of sites it occupied over the last 60 years. But it does survive in pockets of the Peak District National Park – including the Bletch Brook Valley.
The two-hour walk starts from two meeting places, both at 6.30pm on July 4th: outside the Sycamore Inn in Parwich, and in front of Hand’s Well in Tissington. There is no need to book. Dogs should be on leads. If you have any questions, please call 01298 84992.
Local business wins Environmental Quality Mark
Posted in Environment, Local Links, News, Peak Park, Sustainability on Saturday June 25, 2011| 1 Comment »
Congratulations to John and Marion F-S, who have been awarded a Peak District Environmental Quality Mark for Tom’s Barn and Douglas’s Barn.
Click here for the full news story, and click here for Marion’s report of the awards ceremony on the Tom’s Barn blog.
Contact the blog team
Latest Comments
-
-
-
You can follow @parwichblog on Twitter, and you can also "like" us on Facebook.
-
Recent Posts
PARWICH.ORG 