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.”
Posted in Peak Park, Planning on Friday October 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »
People who cannot get to Peak District National Park HQ during normal office hours can speak to planners at an evening planning surgery on Wednesday November 2.
The National Park Authority has organised the planning surgery from 5pm to 8pm at its head office, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE.
People may seek general advice about a development they have in mind, or discuss one that affects them, or suggest ideas on how planning could help communities.
They can either book 20-minute appointments on 01629 816200 or customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk or they can just drop in and be prepared to wait.
Senior planning officers will be available along with John Herbert, chair of the authority’s planning committee.
John Herbert said: “We want to make it easier for residents to have a face-to-face discussion about a planning issue that concerns them. It’s often difficult for people who have other responsibilities during the day to speak to officers in normal office-hours.
“Officers will be there to advise on individual planning cases which as an authority member I cannot discuss, but I do want to hear residents’ views about planning in general. We’re very keen, as we make improvements in the planning service, that we have as many links with people in local communities as possible.”
Anyone who needs planning advice during office hours can contact the authority’s customer service team or they can see a duty planning officer any weekday between 9.15am and 12.45pm at Aldern House. Phone 01629 816200 or email customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk .
Posted in Local government, Peak Park on Friday October 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) is one of two national park authorities that have been chosen by the Government to pilot direct elections. The PDNPA is now recommending that all 22 of its council and parish members should be considered for election.
This would not affect the eight remaining members that are appointed directly by the DEFRA Secretary of State, as DEFRA have already ruled this option out.
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.
Posted in History, Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Tuesday August 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Families, residents and holidaymakers are invited to join a guided cycle ride to celebrate 40 years of the Peak District National Park Authority’s Tissington Trail.
This free event on Tuesday August 30th will explore the history of this popular traffic free trail – one of the first of its kind in the UK when it first opened in 1971.
The ride will be led by national park staff and is suitable for people of all ages whether new to cycling or experienced pedal-pushers.
One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the Hartington signal box.
The ride starts at 11am. Meet at Parsley Hay cycle hire centre (SK17 ODG for satnavs). There is no need to book, people can bring their own bike or hire one from the cycle hire centre.
Property Manager, Abi Ball, who manages the Tissington Trail, said: “This year, visitors will be able to see conservation management in action, as for the first time sheep grazing will take place on the sides of the trail.”
The sheep will graze at Fenny Bentley Cutting and Parsley Hay Cutting from late summer and over winter, eating this year’s grass growth and helping to control the spread of scrub, for the benefit of next year’s wild flowers, such as orchids, bistort, knapweed and cowslips. Both cuttings will be fenced to keep the sheep in. This work has been funded by the SITA Trust which supports projects that make lasting improvements to the natural environment and community life.
Click here for a Brief history of the Tissington Trail.
Posted in History, Peak Park, Young people on Thursday August 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Although a bit of a distance from our area and not on a direct transport link from Parwich, the following press release from the Peak Park Authority might be of interest to some of our teens:
11 August 2011 – Keen teens needed to bring moorland lore to life
Young people are invited to act out scenes from moorland history to help create a short film in a free five-day drama workshop (August 22-26).
The Moor Memories Project has been recording the recollections of people who lived, worked or walked on the Peak District moors as far back as the 1930s to create a unique archive of moorland life.
Now young people aged 11-16 are invited to re-enact those stories in drama and film-making sessions with professionals from the Point Blank Theatre Company.
The drama workshops will brings scenes like this to life – Peak District National Park warden Ken Drabble and a friend rescuing a sheep in 1955.
Moor Memories Project officer Julia Shergold explained: (more…)
Posted in Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Monday August 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
A survey will be held on four recreational trails in the Peak District National Park to get views on how they could be improved in the future.
Trails Saturday is being organised by the Peak District National Park Authority on Saturday 20 August to ask users what they most like about the trails and to get their ideas on what would make them even better.
Staff will be collecting the views of walkers, cyclists and horse riders between 10am and 4pm at:
• Ashbourne Cycle Hire Centre on the Tissington Trail, a 13-mile route from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay
• Parsley Hay Cycle Hire Centre on the High Peak Trail, a 17.5-mile route from High Peak Junction, near Cromford, to Dowlow, six miles south of Buxton
• Millers Dale Station on the Monsal Trail, a 9-mile route between Bakewell and Wye Dale
• Carr Lane car park on the Thornhill Trail, a route which goes from Ladybower Dam towards Bamford station.
Abi Ball, who manages the trails for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “All four trails are well used because they are easy access routes along old railway lines in beautiful national park countryside that is rich in wildlife and historic interest.
“The recent opening of the former railway tunnels on the Monsal Trail has really generated a lot of interest and use of all of the trails.
“We want to build on that interest by preparing a five year management plan for the trails. Because of their importance to locals and visitors alike, we would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to feed their views directly into the process.”
Anyone who is unable to visit the survey points on Trails Saturday can still give their views by completing a short online survey.
The survey will be available until the end of August. All ideas given in the survey and on Trails Saturday will shape the new management plan.
For further information, please email Abi Ball at abi.ball@peakdistrict.gov.uk or ring 01629 816345.
Posted in 2011, Farming, Flora, Peak Park, Posts of Note, Walks & Rides on Tuesday July 5, 2011| 1 Comment »
More than 20 people from Parwich and Tissington met up in the Bletch Brook Valley with representatives from the National Park, to look at the wild flowers and find out about the elusive water vole.
Some of the best wild flower meadows are owned by Parwich United Charities (see photo below) and wonderfully managed by local farmers who over recent years through positive husbandry have brought back mixed hedgerows and increased the number of flowers dramatically. The reddish brown hue is bentgrass which follows the ridges of the ridge and furrow system in this field. One farm alone in the valley has over 200 mature trees, including 17 different species, this is considered remarkable for such a small area.
Thank you to Lynn Burrow, our local ranger for organising last night’s delightful free walk and to the experts, for their fascinating insight to the area and to all the farmers who look after this valley.
Photos – JaneB & Patti
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.
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.
Posted in Environment, Events, Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Thursday June 23, 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.
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 4: 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.
Posted in Environment, Peak Park on Thursday June 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Anyone with views on how the Peak District National Park should develop over the next five years and beyond is being encouraged to have their say during a public consultation.
The Peak District National Park Authority began the Join Our Conversation consultation on a draft new National Park Management Plan in April and has received more than 80 responses already. But the authority is keen to hear from even more people before the deadline on 1 July.
The plan will be the main policy document that guides what will happen in the national park between 2012 and 2017.
A draft plan has been produced by a range of organisations including farmers and land managers, local businesses, charities, voluntary and community groups, parish councils, tourism organisations, recreation user groups, local councils, public organisations and the Peak District National Park Authority.
The public consultation is intended to get the views of an even wider group of people and continue the conversations that will lead to a final plan being approved later this year.
Among the main changes in the draft new plan are:
• Doing more to support the local economy and communities
• Giving a bigger emphasis to supporting and promoting farming and land management
• Ensuring that climate change issues and managing the reduction of carbon emissions is integrated into all areas of work in the national park
• Maintaining the emphasis on protecting and improving biodiversity, cultural heritage and recreation opportunities
• Recognising the interaction of people, the landscape and the economy.
Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “We are pleased with the response we have had to the survey so far but want to make sure that everyone who wants to has the opportunity to respond before the 1st July deadline.
“The National Park Management Plan is not an authority plan. It is designed to bring together all the people, businesses, charities and organisations that live, work or operate in the national park and get agreement on how we will all work together to make the area an even better place to live in, work in and visit.”
The consultation document and an accompanying questionnaire can be seen by clicking here.
Other documents:
Join our Conversation – a consultation documents of thoughts so far.
Short Questionnaire – online opportunity for you to submit your views on the ideas in the document
Longer Questionnaire – a longer and more detailed online survey
Deadline is Friday 1st July.
Posted in Peak Park on Wednesday May 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The third meeting of Peak Park Watch is tomorrow, Thursday night, 8pm at Calver Village Hall, Calver.
Please come along and bring anybody else who has concerns with the Peak District National Park Authority’s lack of democracy, transparency accountability etc. We must keep up the momentum.
Posted in 2011, Out & About, Peak Park, Posts of Note, Walks & Rides on Saturday May 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Four former railway tunnels are ready to re-open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, following a major renovation project. Transport minister Norman Baker will officially open them on Wednesday May 25th. Update: Norman Baker will not be attending the opening after all.
The tunnels – Headstone, Cressbrook, Litton and Chee Tor – each measure between 400 and nearly 500 metres. They run from south of Bakewell to approximately three miles south of Buxton. Having been shut to the public when the Midland Railway closed in 1968, they have now been cleared out, repaired and resurfaced, with new lighting installed.
Nearly 1.5 miles of extra public access has been created. This extends the existing Monsal Trail, which runs from Bakewell to the edge of Buxton.
The project has been undertaken with the needs of cyclists in mind. Two new cycle hire businesses, at Blackwell Mill and Hassop Station, have been set up along the Monsal Trail to cater for those who wish to explore the new routes. Information panels and audio listening posts have also been provided.
Click here for more information, including maps and leaflets.
Posted in 2011, Alsop, Environment, Offers, Out & About, Peak Park, Posts of Note, Walks & Rides on Friday May 13, 2011| 1 Comment »
PARWICH.ORG has been contacted by Steve Garidis of the Electric Bicycle Network, which is part of a major initiative to create a network of electric bikes and charging points across the Peak Park, copying similar schemes in Switzerland and Germany etc. Steve says:
Have you seen cyclists whizzing past, seemingly unconcerned about hills and headwinds? If so, they are probably on one of the new electric bicycles available for hire from hotels, self catering cottages, campsite and cycle hire centres around the Peak District.
Part of the Electric Bicycle Network launched in the Peaks this Spring. This new technology means that pretty much anyone can get into the great outdoors on two wheels. Why not give it a try? Bikes are available to hire at Carsington Water and our own Rivendale Camping and Caravan Park in Alsop-en-le-Dale.”
To promote this new initiative, two electric bikes have been made available for free trial at Carsington Water, exclusively to PARWICH.ORG readers, in return for a review on this site. This offer is strictly on a first come, first served basis.
If you’d like to try one of these bikes out, and if you’re happy to write a review of your experience for PARWICH.ORG, then please e-mail the blog team and we’ll put you in touch.
Posted in Peak Park on Sunday May 8, 2011| 3 Comments »
Details of this meeting, their third, have been sent in by organisers of Peak Park Watch, they have informed us that 100 people turned up to their first meeting and almost 200 to their second meeting.
The next Peak Park Watch public meeting will be held on the Thursday, 19th. May at Calver Village Hall, Calver, at 8pm. Please come along and bring anybody else who has concerns with the Peak District National Park Authority’s lack of democracy, transparency accountability etc. We must keep up the momentum.
Posted in Events, Farming, Local government, Local Links, Peak Park, People on Friday April 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Businesses of all sizes in the Peak District are being given a strong new voice with the creation of a group to promote the area as a place to do business.
Called Business Peak District the group will be led by a wide range of representatives from the business community. It will represent all businesses in the area covered by the Peak District National Park and the High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales districts or boroughs.
All businesses are being invited to join an event to find out about the group and its plans at Thornbridge Hall, near Great Longstone, on Monday 16 May, 5-8pm. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is. Maybe you are even thinking of starting a new business.
The group hopes to: (more…)
Posted in 2011, History, Peak Park, Posts of Note on Tuesday April 19, 2011| 2 Comments »
Skeletons of women and children found buried during a 2 year community dig revealing crucial new evidence on Iron Age hill forts, the first discovery of its kind in Britain.
This grisly discovery, which will be of interest to many history buffs in Parwich, has been made at Fin Cop and sheds new light on Iron Age hillforts and the history of our ancient ancestors. The remains of women, babies, a toddler and a single teenage male have all been uncovered. This is the first time a selective massacre of women and children has been found on an Iron Age hillfort in Britain.
Archaeologists believe the people at Fin Cop died after the hill fort had been attacked and captured. The women and children died of flesh wounds that have left no trace on the surviving bones, and were then flung unceremoniously into the ditch at the foot of the hillfort. There are no remains of any adult males in the ditch suggesting the men at the hillfort were sold on as slaves or pressed into military service. So far only 10 metres of ditch, out of 400 metres, has been excavated and it is likely that hundreds of skeletons are still buried there.
(more…)
Posted in Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Thursday March 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Sketch pads and pencils are needed for the next guided cycle ride on the Monsal Trail.
The Tour de Sketch ride, organised by the National Park Authority’s Pedal Peak District project, is to take place on Sunday March 27, 10am-3pm. Booking is essential, as spaces are limited, on start@pedalready.co.uk or 0114 2412775.
Pedal Peak District’s Carol Parsons said: “The Tour de Sketch ride is designed to encourage people to use their bikes for reasons other than for travel and fitness. This guided ride will be at a leisurely pace along the Monsal Trail with international ‘Sketch Crawl’ artist Lynne Chapman and her roving sketchers.
“The ride will give people the opportunity to explore the architecture and landscape of the former railway line between Bakewell and Thornbridge by pedal and with their pencils!”
The event is free of charge but places must be pre-booked. Participants need to bring a sketchbook and pencil as well as their own bicycle. The event will start from the car park at Hassop Station café and bookstore (DE45 1NW).
Pedal Ready trainers will be on hand to offer cycling advice and tips during the day.
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The Peak District National Park Authority is improving the existing Monsal Trail between Bakewell and Wye Dale by opening new sections through the tunnels for cyclists, walkers and horse riders to use.
The work is part of the £2.25 million Pedal Peak District project, which has also included a marketing campaign to encourage more people to go cycling in the Peak District National Park.
The new route through the former railway tunnels is expected to open to the public in May or June, this year
Posted in Peak Park, Planning on Thursday March 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Peak District National Park residents can talk about planning issues with senior planning managers on Tuesday March 29th.
The Peak District National Park Authority has organised a planning surgery at Cliff College, near Calver. Residents can book 20-minute private appointments between 4pm and 8pm to discuss planning cases or suggest ideas on how planning could improve communities.
Any national park resident can book an appointment by contacting the authority’s customer service team on 01629 816200 or customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk before Friday March 25th. The sessions will be held in the Chatsworth Room at Cliff College, off the A623 Baslow Road.
John Herbert, chair of the authority’s planning committee said: “This event is an opportunity for any national park resident to have a 20-minute private appointment talking about a planning issue and for us to also learn lessons from past planning cases.
The authority is also keen to hear about past cases or how people think planning can improve community life.
Posted in Peak Park on Saturday January 15, 2011| 2 Comments »
We have been asked to post the following message from Terry P so local people can attend the meeting if they wish:
I have received a letter regarding a meeting at Calver Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday 20th of January. The meeting is for people who have had dealings with the Peak Park Planning Authority and who feel aggrieved at their treatment, and finally the decisions that the Peak Park Authority have come to regarding planning applications that have been submitted. I believe that one of the things to be discussed is the non-uniform way in which different people are treated regarding planning.
Posted in Peak Park on Friday December 17, 2010| 1 Comment »
What to look out for – the shape of Orion.
The Peak District National Park are asking for help monitoring light pollution. They want people to observe Orion between New Year’s Eve and the start of February. To participate go to the Peak Park website, or for more information read their following press release:
PR 726: 16 December 2010
Help needed to go star-spotting in the Peak District
People are being asked to get starry-eyed this New Year as they scour the heavens for Orion the hunter over the Peak District. (more…)
Posted in Peak Park, Pikehall, Roads on Monday November 22, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Hope this helps solve the mystery of the exact location of Green Lane – thanks to Lynn Burrow at Peak Park for responding to our request for help.
Click on the map to enlarge.
Posted in Peak Park, Pikehall, Roads on Friday November 19, 2010| 9 Comments »
Update on Green Lane, Pikehall
I recently wrote an article about green lanes and motor vehicles in Parwich parish magazine and on the Parwich website. I now wish to update you on the situation relating to Green Lane, Pikehall.
We have recently been informed by Derbyshire County Council that the claim to have this lane registered as a By Way Open to All Traffic (BOAT) has been closed. This means that the status of Green Lane will be unclear for the immediate future but it can no longer be used by public motor vehicles (excluding mobility scooters).
Signs will be erected on Green Lane in the near future to state that motor vehicles are not permitted (landowners and tenants with access are still permitted to use the route to access their fields) and we will monitor the situation with vehicle loggers. Should it be necessary we may ask the police to hold an Operation Blackbrook day at Pikehall to help explain to motor vehicle users about the confirmed new status of the route. Please leave any actions and enforcement to the appropriate authorities and bear in mind that this status has only just been confirmed by DCC and vehicle users may well be using the route unaware of the resolution of the routes status at the present time.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, then please don’t hesitate to call me on 01298 84992.
Lynn Burrow, Area Ranger, Peak District National Park Authority
Posted in Peak Park on Saturday November 13, 2010| 2 Comments »
Defra has launched a consultation on National Park governance, that is how the National Park Authorities take into account people’s views. You can find out more about this consultation at the Defra website or at the Peak Park website, and can respond to either or both.
Defra say:
Defra’s draft Structural Reform Plan published on 16 July delivers the coalition agreement commitment ‘to review the governance arrangements of National Parks in order to increase local accountability’.
Although the majority of the National Park Authorities have broadly similar governance arrangements, it is felt that the most effective way to undertake the Review is for each Authority to consult locally on potential changes which would work best for their areas, whilst at the same time reflecting the status of the Parks as national assets. This consultation does not therefore contain proposals for any particular structures or arrangements, but instead provides a remit for the Review on which each Authority will base local consultation.
This consultation invites comments from any organisation or individual who wishes to respond. Comments should in the first instance be directed to Defra who will forward copies to the relevant Authority for consideration. If comments are not specific to any individual Authority, these will be considered directly by Defra.
If anyone feels a collective response from our area would be useful please leave your comments below. The consultations runs to 1st February 2011, and for the Peak Park’s press release on this (more…)
Posted in News, Peak Park on Monday October 18, 2010| 1 Comment »
This post is perhaps not strictly with the remit of parwich.org but I am sure most people gain great pleasure from seeing the hares in our area, and may be interested in this book, published today. If anyone has seen it do post your reaction in a comment. Information on the book is contained in the following Peak Park press release: (more…)
Posted in Peak Park, Roads on Thursday September 30, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Thank you to Lynne Burrow, Area Peak Park Ranger, for information relating to a voluntary restriction for motor vehicles on Gallowlow Lane, south of Mininglow over the winter and the erection of drive with care signs on Green Lane near Pikehall. It also explains how the action being taken on these lanes links to wider work that the National Park is carrying out to address problems caused by motor vehicle activity in the Peak District, which may also be of interest. The restriction/signs refer to motor vehicles and not pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders:
Issues relating to Green Lanes near Parwich.
The use of the Peak District landscape by 4x4s, quad bikes, trail bikes and other motorsport enthusiasts is one area that often arouses strong emotions. Concerns often centre around motorsports causing:
The National Park understands these concerns and are working with all the agencies involved to try to resolve problems that may arise. We are working on a variety of areas. Two of these are: (more…)
Posted in Events, Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Monday September 6, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Free events will encourage new or nervous cyclists to get out and about in the Peak District National Park this autumn. Pedal Peak District, a cycling project run by the Peak District National Park Authority, is putting on guided rides, cycle skills training and bike maintenance workshops for residents and visitors.
Booking is essential on 01629 816331 or e-mail pedal@peakdistrict.gov.uk
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Thur Sept 9: Women on Wheels – 6- 8pm from Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
A 10-mile sociable ride through impressive scenery to Biggin and beyond. The ride will use fairly flat traffic-free trails and quiet roads. It aims to build confidence and fitness for new or nervous women cyclists. Bike-hire available. Bring money for a drink stop. Maximum 15 spaces.
Basic bike maintenance
Wed Sept 22, 1.30-4pm at Ashbourne cycle hire centre,
and Thur Sept 23, 10am-12.30pm at Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
Does the thought of getting a puncture put you off cycling? Do you know how to adjust your brakes? Book yourself onto a free basic bike maintenance course with an experienced cycle mechanic on the cycle hire team. This introductory course covers lubrication, brake pads, gears and punctures. Bring your own bike in a clean condition to work on. Reserve a place.
Wed Oct 13: Get into cycling – beginners cycle training
1-3pm from Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
Traffic-free cycle sessions aimed at beginners and people of all ages and abilities, especially lacking in confidence and cycle skills. It will cover balance, control and offer advice about cycling on local roads, equipment and accessories. Bikes are available for hire. Limited places available.
Event organiser Carol Parsons said: “All the events have a relaxed and sociable atmosphere aimed at building beginners confidence. We’ve had people come along who had never ridden a bike before and they’ve learned how to ride within a few hours.” All the events have friendly, expert cycle guides to provide advice and support, and all are free (though normal charges apply for bike-hire).
Carol said: “The rides, training sessions and maintenance workshops are proving popular. People are finding that the events are a great opportunity to build their cycling confidence and learn new skills.”
Posted in Events, Peak Park, Walks & Rides on Saturday August 28, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Free events will encourage new or nervous cyclists to get out and about in the Peak District National Park this autumn. Pedal Peak District, a cycling project run by the Peak District National Park Authority, is putting on guided rides, cycle skills training and bike maintenance workshops for residents and visitors.
Booking is essential on 01629 816331 or e-mail pedal@peakdistrict.gov.uk
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Thur Sept 9: Women on Wheels – 6- 8pm from Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
A 10-mile sociable ride through impressive scenery to Biggin and beyond. The ride will use fairly flat traffic-free trails and quiet roads. It aims to build confidence and fitness for new or nervous women cyclists. Bike-hire available. Bring money for a drink stop. Maximum 15 spaces.
Basic bike maintenance
Wed Sept 22, 1.30-4pm at Ashbourne cycle hire centre,
and Thur Sept 23, 10am-12.30pm at Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
Does the thought of getting a puncture put you off cycling? Do you know how to adjust your brakes? Book yourself onto a free basic bike maintenance course with an experienced cycle mechanic on the cycle hire team. This introductory course covers lubrication, brake pads, gears and punctures. Bring your own bike in a clean condition to work on. Reserve a place.
Wed Oct 13: Get into cycling – beginners cycle training
1-3pm from Parsley Hay cycle hire centre.
Traffic-free cycle sessions aimed at beginners and people of all ages and abilities, especially lacking in confidence and cycle skills. It will cover balance, control and offer advice about cycling on local roads, equipment and accessories. Bikes are available for hire. Limited places available.
Event organiser Carol Parsons said: “All the events have a relaxed and sociable atmosphere aimed at building beginners confidence. We’ve had people come along who had never ridden a bike before and they’ve learned how to ride within a few hours.” All the events have friendly, expert cycle guides to provide advice and support, and all are free (though normal charges apply for bike-hire).
Carol said: “The rides, training sessions and maintenance workshops are proving popular. People are finding that the events are a great opportunity to build their cycling confidence and learn new skills.”
Posted in Events, Out & About, Peak Park, Young people on Thursday July 22, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Children can try being a lead miner, meet characters from the past, and enjoy things that go boom, bang or squelch at a free archaeological family fun day at the 270-year-old Magpie Mine, Sheldon, on Saturday July 31, 10.30am-3pm.
Peak District National Park rangers and the Peak District Mines Historical Society are staging “Magpie Mayhem,” with activities for adults and children alike.
The event is part of the Festival of British Archaeology and National Parks Week, and will include a guided tour of the site by the National Park’s senior survey archaeologist, John Barnatt.
The Peak District Mines Historical Society, which owns and manages Magpie Mine, will display scale models and genuine mining artefacts to help explain the archaeology and will talk about their work on site.
National Park area ranger Lynn Burrow said: “Magpie Mine has a really colourful history, including conflict and tragedy in the 1830s as rival groups of miners tried to smoke each other out. We’ll be helping families explore their local history with an interactive discovery trail, and children can become a lead miner, meet historical characters, make “bradder” hats and enjoy games and activities. Families can bring a picnic and make a day of it.”
No need to book, just turn up on the day. Magpie Mine is a mile or so from Monyash, so about 20 minutes from Parwich.
Posted in Peak Park, Sport, Young people on Thursday May 27, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Following the recent post on cycle safety, families might be interested in going to one of the two sessions for families at Parsley Hay on Tuesday. For more detailson this and other cycling events see the Peak Park’s press release below:
PR 678 – 27 May 2010
Take off on two wheels with Pedal Peak District
It’s take-off time for beginners wanting to ride a bike in the Peak District, with Pedal Peak District training sessions and leisurely rides throughout June and July – all free.
Tuesday June 1
Cycle Skills for Families (suitable for children 5+)
Two sessions: 10am – 12noon, and 1pm-3pm at Parsley Hay Cycle Hire Centre.
Free cycle skills training on traffic-free trails suitable for children aged five plus. Open to all abilities and lots of fun. Children must with an adult. Bring your own bikes or hire them (normal hire-charges).
Booking essential on 01629 816297 or e-mail pedal@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Posted in 2010, Environment, Flora, Peak Park, Posts of Note on Sunday May 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Several escaped garden plants are a nuisance in the Peak Park, including Japanese knotweed, rhododendron and Himalayan balsam.
Locally there is Japanese Knotweed in Parwich churchyard which fortunately was spotted in time. Once established, Japanese knotweed is virtually indestructible. (Neither weed killer nor digging it up help. About all you can do is plant trees to hide it.) Next to the shed in the churchyard, the Parwich plant has been cut off every time it shows above ground for several years. Now, although it continues reappearing, it is looking much less vigorous.
A Japanese knotweed plant keeps sending up shots just before the wall, here in Parwich churchyard. If you see any shots please snap them off.
Do you know of any other sites these plants grow in Parwich, Alsop, Ballidon or Pikehall?
The Peak Park Authority have sent a request for volunteers to help with their campaign to control Himalaya balsam that is taking over some river banks in the Park. Although it is an attractive pink flower with exploding seed pods that children love, it completely smothers the native plants.
For more on their plans to combat Himalayan balsam read the Peak Park’s full press release – (more…)
Posted in Peak Park, Sport on Monday May 10, 2010| 4 Comments »
A PARWICH.ORG reader mentioned that it was good to see so many village children out on their bikes.
However they expressed concern that both motorists and cyclists need to look out for each other especially at the blind bends and junctions in the village. Please take care.
Do let us know if there is any interest in the Police running a cycle safety session in the village.
Co-incidently a press release came from the Peak Park today on some free cycling events, the first being on Bike Maintenance at the Ashbourne Cycle Hire Centre this Saturday. (more…)
Posted in Eating Out, Farming, Peak Park on Friday April 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The Environmental Quality Mark has been awarded to the Bluebell Inn and to Hoe Grange Farm and to Bent Farm. Congratulations to all three (more…)
Posted in Peak Park on Thursday February 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The Peak Park Authority has set its budget for 2010/11, following an increase in its grant from Defra. This includes £200,000 to distribute to local community projects through the Sustainable Development Fund. The fund supports environmental, educational and social projects across the Peak District.
Click here to find out more about their Sustainable Development Fund, and for more on their budget see below (more…)
Posted in Peak Park on Tuesday February 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »
We have received the following information from the National Park’s Live Work & Rural Team on free training for voluntary groups/social enterprises or businesses in the Peak Park:
Dear Live & Work Rural Business
We have responded to high demand for additional FREE LOCAL training around the use of websites to improve your business performance and are working with the Derbyshire Enterprise Agency (DEA) to run the following workshops.
We anticipate demand to be high, so please book early. We have some places reserved for you as L&WR businesses, but it is also being promoted via the DEA website.
You can either phone June Ogterop on 0845 603 8370 or go directly on line www.ebusinessclub.biz to book your place and more details of the contents of the course can be found on the website.
Planning a Successful Website – Action Planning Workshop
Dates:
Posted in Peak Park on Monday January 18, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Despite Defra and the National Park Authority’s opposition to direct elections to National Park Boards, the Peak Park Authority has been looking at how they can improve their local consultation. Following a survey of residents and pilot schemes, including their visit to Parwich a year ago, the Peak Park Authority is proposing some changes to how they keep residents of the Park informed and involved: (more…)
Posted in 2009, Environment, Peak Park, Posts of Note on Tuesday December 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Thank you to our local Peak Park Ranger for this update on the maintenance of the Weather Way, a fantastic footpath along an ancient holloway going south up from Alsop Lane onto the Flatts. If you don’t know it, it is well worth a visit. (Click here to find out more about some of the ancient routes near by.)
Photo by Rob F taken in 2000, after the previous restoration
Peak Park Rangers and volunteers have been out recently to try and clear Parwich footpath number 36 that runs south from Flaxdale Holding. This was repaired several years ago but had become overgrown and rather quagmirey.
We cut back much of the tree growth to discover the path is actually quite wide, but we left enough young saplings to form a hedge at the top of the sunken route. We also installed some new wider gates to make it a little easier to get through this area.
About 15 volunteers came out to help with the work and we used the excuse of burning the brash to enjoy a hot baked potato or two in the fire at the end of the day.
Despite this work the path still remains wet (though perhaps this isn’t surprising given the recent wet Autumn). We’ll be keeping an eye on the water level on this path and hopefully improve the drainage at the bottom of the path in the summer when conditions improve.
If you would like to help with conservation tasks like this in the Parwich area feel free to contact me at lynn.burrow@peakdistrict.gov.uk with your contact details. I’ll give you a call next time we are heading in the Parwich direction.
Merry Christmas to you all
Lynn Burrow
Area Ranger
Peak District National Park
Posted in Peak Park on Wednesday November 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Peak District National Park Authority is asking people to help choose a £5,000 legacy to mark the 60th anniversary of UK national parks legislation. On December 16 it will be exactly 60 years since the post-war Government voted to protect the country’s most precious landscapes with the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. You must vote by December 11th. Please note that you can only click on “View the shortlist and vote for your favourite” once, so if you don’t vote then you will not be able to access it again, except on a different computer.
Peak District residents and visitors are being asked to vote for one of six projects to create a lasting reminder of the significance of national parks for people, for wildlife and for the nation’s heritage. The choices for the £5,000 legacy are: (more…)
Posted in 2009, Environment, Memorial hall, Peak Park, Posts of Note on Monday November 2, 2009| 4 Comments »
This week, drilling begins for the installation of the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) for the new Memorial Hall. Without wishing to bore you (sorry) with too much technical information about GSHPs (and I could, I really could), I thought this would be a good time to provide a little background about what they are and what they do.
The new hall has been designed to maximise energy efficiency. To this end, renewable energy will be used, as opposed to burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil. The GSHP provides a way of heating the hall by making use of the renewable energy stored in the ground. As such, it is now regarded as one of the most energy efficient ways to heat buildings.
So how does it work? A GSHP works a bit like a fridge, but in reverse. If you hold your hand at the back of your fridge, you will feel heat coming out. That is because the fridge is effectively pumping heat from inside the fridge to the outside air, thereby making the inside of the fridge cold. A GSHP works by pumping heat that is stored in the ground into the water pipes of the building’s heating system.
In order to do this, pipes are sunk deep into the ground, usually up to 100 metres down – hence the drilling this week. When the system is completed and operational, water is circulated through these pipes to extract heat from deep underground. which is then used to heat the hall.
GHSPs provide constant heat to a building with low running costs. An oil-fired boiler would cost considerably more to run, and electric heating would be at least three times as expensive.
There are no hazardous gas emissions, no flammable oil, LPG or gas pipes, no flue or chimney and no unsightly fuel tanks. GSHP systems have absolutely no site emissions. There is no need for regular servicing or annual safety checks and maintenance is very low.
For these reasons, GSHPs are becoming increasingly popular within the Peak Park. Over Haddon’s new village hall will use a GSHP for its heating, for example. The Peak Park has also installed GSHPs in the new Moorland Centre in Edale, the new cycle hire centre at Parsley Hay, and at the Bushy Heath Farm training barn in Tideswell.
Our GSHP has been financed by a generous grant from the Peak District National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund.
Click here to see photos and video footage of the work actually taking place in Parwich.
– Kevin S.
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