“Bono” hits the Legion?

Thanks to Dennis Laycock for supplying this information, on behalf of the Parwich Royal British Legion.

We are looking forward to welcoming Paul Curtis, Vocal Artiste, to the Legion on Saturday April 19th at 8.45 pm.

Paul is a Vocal Artiste who has appeared on Stars In Their Eyes as ‘BONO’.
He sings a wide range of classic songs, from the 1960s to the present day.
There should be something in his programme for everyone to enjoy.

Everyone is welcome to this event. (It is NOT restricted to Legion Members.)
Admission is FREE.

Parwich over 60s mystery trip.

Our thanks to Denis Laycock for providing us with this post.

Parwich Over Sixties began their new season of visits with a mystery trip. 37 members set off at 6 o’clock with our driver, as usual, keeping very quiet as to our destination.

We soon found ourselves up on the A515 and heading towards Buxton. We were rewarded with some excellent views across the Staffordshire Moorlands as the sun slowly sank in the skies: beautiful shades of green in the fading light.

From Buxton some of us were in ‘new territory’: the A5004 along Long Hill, overlooking the Goyt Valley and then via Kettleshulme to Macclesfield and eventually our destination, The Knot Inn at Rushton Spencer. Several of us had seen a number of hares as we were travelling, and near Kettleshulme a couple of red deer were seen in the woodlands. At The Knot we ejoyed an excellent evening repast before returning home under starlit skies with a beautiful crescent moon (Brrr….more frost!) Back in Parwich just in time to get the heat on in the garden frame after another lovely trip.

Thanks to our driver David, who somehow always finds somewhere new to take us.

Our next visit is Castle Howard near York on May 13th. At present we have spare places on this trip which may be available to non Members. The coach leaves the Green at 8am.  Contact Alan Lowes (tel. 279) to reserve a place, the cost will be £8-50 entry to Castle Howard plus the coach costs.

First Responders say thank you

The First Responders asked us to post the following:

A THANK YOU FROM PARWICH FIRST RESPONDERS … AND WHY NOT JOIN US???

We have been rather busy over the last few weeks and we would like to thank all those villagers who have helped when someone has become unwell – you know who you are – and the community spirit in this village is fantastic – thank you.

For those of you who don’t know about Parwich First Responders we are a group of 15 or so villagers who have been trained by East Midlands Ambulance Service. They ‘employ’ us and insure us – after a 999 call has been received from our immediate area, if they feel it is appropriate, they call us and we respond. Continue Reading »

Close fought victory for Bowls Team

Despite the cold, the showers held off and the setting sun was visible at Ashwood Park in Buxton last night. The Tuesday Team had a close run match taking two games out of the four. However they won the match with an overall score of 74 to 72. Congratulations on a very promising start to the season.

Carolyn’s Corner (No. 1)

Many thanks to Emma Spence (Pond Cottage) for supplying us with this post.

A huge amount of support and genuine concern has been expressed by people from all over the village relating to Carolyn. Most know by now that Carolyn suffered from a stroke last Wednesday and is currently recovering in the Derby Royal Infirmary.

With so many people asking after Carolyn it was thought (following agreement from Howard) that a good way to keep her friends updated on her progress would be to make use of our community website. One of the main ideas behind this is that Howard can keep us informed by sending updates to be posted on the website. Another purpose for this is that we can use the “comment” facility to leave messages that Howard can take and read to Carolyn to help her recovery. We can also use the comment facility to ask questions. A few of the questions you might have wanted to ask are answered below.

Although perhaps an unusual way to use our website, I hope this is useful to many of you and not considered inappropriate.

Howard has asked me to say thank you to everyone who has sent cards to Carolyn. He and Carolyn have opened and read each one together during his daily visits.

Some questions answered: Continue Reading »

Ploughed On Despite Snow.

Our thanks to Di Turnbull for submitting this article.

Following the resurfacing and refurbishment of the hard play area on Parsons Croft, the P.A.R.C. committee arranged a working group to complete maintenance tasks, before the official reopening on 20th April 2008, at 11a.m.

What we didn’t expect was a fall of snow that very morning!

Undeterred, we all met, completing the necessary repairs. This involved replacing some of the posts and boards and beginning to form a planted area on the perimeter path.

It turned out to be a beautiful sunny morning. We worked hard but also had lots of fun. In four hours, the job was done. Amazing what can be achieved with a few tools, some cement, a bit of muscle and a packet of chocolate biscuits!

Thanks go particularly to the Tennis Club, whose members made up the majority of the volunteer workforce.

We all look forward to using this superb village facility in the years to come.

Bradbourne

This morning Ben & I went over to Bradbourne to support Flo at the Haven Grange Club Coffee morning in the Church Hall. They raised £103.65. It was a nice little affair, with Flo manning the bric a brac and the cake table.

I asked Flo what the Club was all about. Apparently the Church & Social Services set it up 11 years ago and it is an opportunity for elderly people to get together for coffee & then lunch. A bus comes to Parwich every Tuesday to collect members and returns during the afternoon. It is an ideal opportunity for anyone who is feeling lonely, would like some company and make new friends.

If you are interested or know someone that might benefit from this service, please ring Flo on 390619.

Whilst we were there we wandered over to the Church, but unfortunately it was locked. However over the Bank Holiday Weekend, in aid of the Church roof appeal there will be a flower festival and an affordable arts exhibition with refreshments. We’ll post more details nearer the time, but it will be a great opportunity to see & support the Church and admire those fantastic views of Parwich from the churchyard.

Bradbourne Church Flower Festival And Arts Exhibition
Thursday 1st May – Monday 5th May
10am-4pm
Refreshments available

Continue Reading »

My sources have informed me that illicit dumping of garden rubbish etc has been taking place in St. Peter’s churchyard.  The scale of this is probably very small, and I would not be surprised if the items concerned have merged seamlessly with the pile of authentic churchyard rubbish.  Nevertheless, I am wondering whether we should display a good-humoured notice warning those concerned that they have been seen and gently saying that we would like them to stop.

Any suggestions for suitable wording? 

 

Bowling Season starts today

Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club’s 2008 season starts today. They have two teams that play regularly through the summer, as well as informal sessions. The team in the Matlock Tuesday League has its first match this evening away at Ashwood Park in Buxton. The team in the Matlock Friendly League (over 50s) has its first match on Thursday evening away at Chatsworth. Best wishes to the two teams who will have to wrap up warm this week. Let’s hope they escape the April showers; snow showers that is.

Don’t forget the Club is having an open session at the Bowling Green, Parson’s Croft this Sunday afternoon 13th April from 1-30pm onwards. Bowls and refreshments provided. Continue Reading »

National Trust at Ilam & Tea

I decided this afternoon that I ‘needed’, sorry wanted to up my intake of calories, so where to go? I headed off westwards & over the county boundary into Staffordshire & to the delights of Ilam. I did a brisk but short circular walk along the river near the church & cut back across the fields to the tea rooms. It is a walk ideal for anyone, even the slightly infirm (as Ben can vouch using one crutch). We were amazed to see that amongst the swathes of wood anemones, the first bluebells open, whilst frolicking lambs played to our left.

Usually we sit outside & I have to say that the views from the tea garden are probably the best anywhere – overlooking Thorpe Cloud and the start of Dovedale. I am delighted to say that the National Trust has purchased many more chairs & tables so even more of us will be able to sit outside & soak up the views. We were too late for lunch this time, but I do highly recommend it, however the tea & chocolate cake were delicious. The tea rooms are open every day except Wednesday’s & Thursdays, but in the summer they open daily.

Ilam Park N.T is an ideal place to pop down to as it is so local, so if you haven’t been recently or got friends or family coming down to stay, do go and visit.

Ilam Park N.T

PARWICH.ORG notes with amusement – and no small measure of pride – that the Diocesan Office in Derby were well and truly spoofed by last week’s “Ring Tones for Parwich Church” post.

Having contacted the office to seek “fast track approval” for the project, our vicar was surprised to receive a totally genuine reply – complete with an application form for the new system, and a list of meeting dates at which the application could be considered.

“Is the direction in which they want rural churches to go?”, he wondered, as the prospect of “Crazy Frog” calling Parwich parishoners to prayer edged closer to reality.

This morning, a rather embarrassed second e-mail arrived from the same office, admitting their mistake. (“In their defence, they said that they hadn’t thought this kind of system was very typical of Parwich!”)

With the same story having been picked up by the Ashbourne Evening Telegraph, it all goes to show that a little light-hearted blogging can go a long way.

In which case, we appear to have a rather powerful tool at our disposal!

Volunteer Centre

Debbie Webster has asked us to post information about the Volunteer Centre (Derbyshire Dales South). Based at the Ashbourne Business Centre in Dig Street, the Volunteer Centre provides a central co-ordinating point for volunteers, potential volunteers and voluntary groups in this area. So if you are thinking about volunteering get in touch with them. Also if you are a local group it is worth discussing registering with them as they may have access to volunteers or training that will support your activities.

Volunteer Centre
Derbyshire Dales South

Ashbourne Business Centre
Dig Street
Ashbourne
DE6 1GF
tel: 01335 218604
www.vcdd.org.uk

Further, they run two volunteer schemes themselves: one, a Car Scheme to help people access medical or therapeutic services or visit relatives in hospital; and the other, Readycall to befriend and support the vulnerable disabled or elderly. Look at their website to find out more. Alternatively just have a nosey to check up on Debbie’s work.

Bus timetables

We have now added full bus timetable information to this site.

Click here to look up timetable information for daily journeys to Ashbourne and Derby, fortnightly journeys to Bakewell, and a variety of other local destinations.

For further bus timetable information, visit Traveline East Midlands.
To view detailed timetables for the county and a route map, go here.

For future reference, you can access the timetables through the USEFUL INFO link at the top of this page, or via the LINKS section on the right hand column.

Eating at the Horns

In danger of becoming Little Parwich in Ashbourne, at the Horns, the Jewitts provide familiar friendly faces for those of us visiting the big city. An old Ashbourne pub on Victoria Square (known locally as the Butchery), it is at the bottom of the market place, and has over the years been extended into neighbouring shops.

They have been running it for some months now, with Richard heading up the Restaurant and son Cameron the Bar. Having gone there with Brian F for Sunday lunch, I thought I should add it to our Out and About series. The menu is traditional good cooking, with main meals served in generous helpings. Continue Reading »

We have had several comments on the potholes appearing in Smithy Lane as it approaches Townhead Green, at the edge of the village. A lot of water runs down the Dale road and the Hilltop road, and also there seems to be a collapsed drain in the middle of the road adding to the water on the road. There is the perennial problem of ice here in winter on a blind bend, but the recent wet weather has meant a significant deterioration in the road surface. There is a danger now that drivers will be worrying about avoiding the potholes and not concentrating on whether anyone else is coming the other way.  We have emailed this information to the County Council (http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/).

However, what are your thoughts?

Coffee Morning at the Sycamore

Here is another date for your diary.

10-30am to 12 noon
Wednesday 23rd April
Coffee & Cakes at the Sycamore

A one off informal event; come along for a pleasant relaxing morning, visit the new shop and chat with fellow villagers.  No charge for coffee or cakes.  Who knows, if it is popular, more similar events might be organised.

Horticultural Society Update

Firstly, here is a reminder for the Horticultural Society trips planned for this summer; non-members are welcome, though if they are oversubscribed members will be given priority. Also don’t forget that the Society’s two season tickets for Lea Gardens are available to members (contact Peter Trewhitt tel. 287).

Wednesday 21st May
with a 9am departure from The Green
A visit to Sheffield Botanical Gardens
(Cost approximately £10 per person, including travel and guided tour. Please contact Dot Hart tel. 456, or Peter Trewhitt to book a place.)

Friday 25th July
if there is sufficient demand there will be at trip to
Tatton Park Flower Show
(Let Dot or Peter know if you are interested by the end of April. We nearly have the numbers, so if you are thinking of going get in touch soon so we can book a coach)

Parwich Primary School Competitions & Children’s Horticultural Show

The School geraniums will be given out at the end of lessons on Friday 25th April, and we hope that this year Stepping Stones will also be included. Next year we are thinking about using a different plant; does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable plant that the children can bring on into flower, starting after Easter, in time for the Show in late June. Continue Reading »

Parwich is in the Ashbourne Telegraph twice this week.

Firstly, there is a comment on our two posts, about the new quarry and the new bells (1st April 2008).  PARWICH.ORG makes the news!

Secondly there is a longer feature on the new shop at the Sycamore.  Well done Janet and Steve.

Coffee Morning at Bradbourne

Next Tuesday there is a coffee morning raising money for Haven Grange Day Club, a facility used by people from our area too.  If you can, please support it.

Coffee Morning
10-30am Tuesday 8th April
Bradbourne Church Hall

Of buses and beer.

While researching bus routes for a forthcoming “Public Transport” section on this site, I made an interesting and useful discovery, which I thought was worth sharing with fellow pub-goers and reluctant drivers.

For anyone who enjoys a lunchtime pint (or three), and who fancies a change of scenery, but who doesn’t relish the thought of having to drive there and back (particularly the latter), it turns out that we have a few bus-based options at our disposal.

Fancy a trip to The Gate or The Miners Arms at Brassington? If so, then a bus leaves Parwich at 12:14 daily (except Sundays), arriving at Brassington church at 12:25. The return journey departs from the church at 13:47, arriving back at Parwich at 13:58.

Alternatively, how about spending a leisurely lunchtime at the Bentley Brook? Catch a bus from Parwich at 11:53, arriving at 12:04. Leave the Bentley Brook at 14:12, and arrive back at 14:19. Again, buses are daily except for Sundays.

(OK, so that’s quite a long lunch break – but it also gives you time to pop over the road to the Leatherbritches Nursery, or to wander down to the Coach and Horses at Fenny Bentley.)

Full bus timetable information will be appearing on this site over the next few days… if I can stay out of the pub long enough.

Tonight, Friday there is a committee meeting for the Horticultural Society – 7.30pm at Nia’s.

Tonight is film night

Don’t forget 7.45pm tonight is film night in the Memorial Hall. For more details click here. Also:

Alternative Films Night?

Parwich Film have been discussing the idea of a second film night in the month showing less commercial films. This could include classics of the cinema, foreign language films or art films. Do let them know what you think of this idea, whether you would want to attend, or what you might like to see?

Remember this Saturday is the morning for the Rubbish Collection. The times are approximate and all details are from DCC website.

Parwich
Sycamore Road – 0900 . 0920
Village Green – 0925 . 0945
By old shop, village top – 0950 . 1010
Croft Avenue – 0900 . 0920
Next collection 7th June

Eaton and Alsop
o/s Church Alsop en le Dale – 0745 . 0830
Opposite No 1 Alsop Moor Cottages – 0840 . 0915
Next collection 5th July

Pilates in Parwich

Pilates classes will be starting in the Memorial Hall from Wednesday 23rd April, 6-7pm. Initially there will be 4 sessions which will run up to and including the 21st May, but there will be no class on May 7th. Payment will be in advance for these 4 sessions, a total of £28. You need to bring along a mat and a towel that can be rolled/folded and placed under your neck.

These classes are already full, so only come along if you have been contacted & sent a medical form. If you are interested in future sessions there is a waiting list so contact Rebecca on 390318. It is open to men & women.

Pilates for life

Pilates is an invigorating form of exercise for your mind and body that can improve your strength, flexibility and overall mobility. It helps restore your body to balance. As a result, your posture will change and you will move more efficiently. You’ll achieve a strong core, develop longer, leaner muscles and improve your overall sense of well-being. And, if you are a sports enthusiast, Pilates can help improve your game. Pilates is a safe and effective exercise method that will enable you to look – and feel – your very best. Best of all, because it gives you such a wonderful sense of well-being, you’ll want to do Pilates for the rest of your life. Pilates Foundation

Thank you to Rebecca for her work in finding a qualified instructor & organising the classes.

I have just been onto Derbyshire County Council again, with regard to the not so ‘temporary’ traffic lights. I have spoken to David Nicholson (01629 580000 extn 7685) and the lights will be present for at least another 12 months minimum. Apparently a new wall has to be built, but so that it is not undermined by the river, (“a unique problem in Derbyshire”) then the barrier is added to comply with current standards. Their design teams are looking at the problem and the cost will be in excess of £300,000 (cynically- is this the real problem). I did suggest that maybe the problem wasn’t unique in the country & do their designers contact other authoritities to share information & ideas? The reply was “No”.

The reason that the lights do not always work is because according to DCC someone is regularly tampering with them!

This blog can also be found with the comments in the blog below, but I felt this information was important enough to stand alone.

Temporary Traffic Lights!

Can anyone help?

How long have the temporary traffic lights been on the B5056, just past Bradbourne Mill. I am sure they must have been up at least 6 months, any ideas on how we can get the work moving? Also have you noticed how much the road has slipped returning from Ashbourne just past The Bentley Brook, it must be a couple of inches (5 cms) and they only patched that again recently.

(update 3/4/08 – I have reported it to DCC – they have to report back – may take several weeks just for this to happen – see comments below for more details)

The Annual Open Meeting is at 7pm Thursday 3rd of April in the Memorial Hall. Come along! Although it is possible for parishioners to attend the ordinary Parish Council meetings, which are held on the first Thursday of each month, this is the one time in the year for local groups and villagers in general to get together and share information with the Parish Council and each other. Also it is your chance to meet your local parish councillors, as well as the district and county councilors representing us. PC Cooper, the Police Constable responsible for our area, also hopes to attend.

Continue Reading »

Film Night this Friday

april-showing-small.jpg

Don’t forget that Friday is Film Night.  Admission is free and refreshments will be available.  Also don’t think because it is just a cartoon it is only for kids, it is recommended for grown ups too.  It is based on detailed research in French restaurants, and had excellent reviews.

To find out more click here:  Continue Reading »

Bowling Season Starts Soon

Parwich Bowling Club starts its 2008 season next week (Tuesday 8th April). Also they will be holding an open session for anyone interested in joining the Club or just having a go:

Parwich Bowling Club Open Day
1-30pm Sunday 13th April
at the bowling green, Parsons’s Croft
All welcome; bowls and refreshments provided

Parwich in the Sunday Telegraph.

PARWICH.ORG notes with pleasure that our village has once again attracted the attention of the national media. In last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph Travel section, Tom’s Barn was nominated as one of “the UK’s best cottages for lovers” – although, as its owners are quick to point out on their website:

“We do stress that both our cottages are perfect for all couples at all ages and stages of their relationship.”

Click here to read the article. Tom’s Barn is mentioned on Page 3.

For a full list of the many fine holiday cottages in our area, please look at the “Holiday Lets” section on the right hand side of this page – and if you know of any omissions from the list, then please e-mail us or leave a comment.

Report from AGM – March 26th 2008

The Carnival Committee held a successful & well attended AGM in the Royal British Legion last Wednesday, March 26th.

Chairman Denis Laycock welcomed a full complement of existing committee members together with newcomers Sharon Swindell (making a welcome return after an absence of several years) and Louise Laycock. He was able to report on a successful Wakes Week last year. In spite of adverse weather our only losses to planned events had been the Village market on Wakes Saturday and children’s sports on the Monday. We had certainly been more fortunate than many villages organising similar events. Other events druing the year had included a successful November 5th bonfire and the annual ‘Carols on the Green’, both of which had been well supported.

None of this would have been possible without the hard work of committee members and several long standing supporters who always make themselves available when needed. We owe them all a big ‘thank you’.

Treasure Roger Cundy was able to report a satisfactory bank balance. The accounts – kindly audited by Peter Rawlins – showed that Wakes had make a slight profit, due to an excellent collection of £190 on the Saturday, and the very successful ball race. Profits go towards the village bonfire and the carol evening.

The elections showed all existing committee members willing to stand again and with newcomers we now have a good sized committee, with a good balance of age groups. We are however always keen to welcome any newcomers. Wakes Week itself is very demanding, and to be honest, we cannot have too many members! Roger Cundy and Sandra Chadfield were re-elected as Treasurer and Secretary, and Denis Laycock remains as Chairman.

The first Committee Metting followed on from the AGM when we began making arranges for this year’s Wakes Week. After all, it is only 12 weeks away!

Thank you to Denis Laycock for submitting this report.

New Parwich quarry alarm.

Warning: As befits its date of posting, what you are about to read is 100% false. We hope that you enjoyed our momentary lapse into April Foolery. Normal service will now be resumed.

Our sources have informed us that planning consent is being sought for a new quarry between Parwich and Tissington. Geologists have confirmed that in this area limestone of particularly high quality is located, and early indications are that the planning authorities will be persuaded that this quarry will provide a much needed boost to the local economy. Local landowners were not available to comment, however, and it remains to be seen what impact this quarry will have on the competitive position of other quarries in the area.

Villagers are being urged to express their views, initially through this website, following which a co-ordinated submission to the planning authorities will be made.

youvebeenfooled.jpg

Warning: As befits its date of posting, what you are about to read is 100% false. We hope that you enjoyed our (second) momentary lapse into April Foolery. Normal service will now be resumed.

From next Sunday, a new church bell system will be installed in St Peter’s church, replacing our existing set-up.

Taking full advantage of Internet technology, the new system will allow us to download bell patterns from a central database of over 10,000 “ring tones”, thus removing the need for manual intervention.

As Christopher Harrison says, “With such a wide range of ring tones available, including many much loved “tracks” from the “hit parade”, I see this as a great opportunity to bring Parwich church into the 21st century.”

To mark the occasion, we are asking readers of PARWICH.ORG to help select the inaugural ring tone for Sunday morning. Please take a look at the list below (as selected by members of the PCC), and vote for your favourite in the comments box.

The tone which picks up the most votes by the end of today will be “ringing out” over Parwich on Sunday morning, on our new “state of the art” 20,000 Watt sound system.

(To help you make your selections, click on each song name to listen.)

Option 1: You’re Beautiful (James Blunt)
Option 2: When You Believe (Leon Jackson)
Option 3: Shine (Take That)
Option 4: Never Gonna Give You Up (Rick Astley)
Option 5: Axel F (Crazy Frog)
Option 6: Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who)

Parwich Village Action Group

This evening the coordinating committee of the Village Action Group met.  Chair, Peter Trewhitt said “Despite our previous achievements, over the last year we have been in danger of being seen as the Village Inaction Group.  However that is to change“.  The committee have organised the following:

8pm Monday 21st of April
Sycamore Inn
A meeting of the Environment Group
This is an open meeting for all to discuss how we want to see the village environment be maintained and protected, also to specifically discuss our response to the Peak District National Park Authority’s appraisal of the Parwich Conservation Area

8pm Wednesday 21st May
Sycamore Inn
A meeting of the Affordable Housing Group
The movement to provided more affordable housing serving Parwich and the neighbouring hamlets has lost momentum.  If you need or may need in the future affordable housing or if you are interested in helping the cause, come along and have your say.

Parwich Film wins Oscar

derby-film.jpg

On Saturday night (29th March) there was a bash at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale to celebrate the work of Derbyshire Film. The project is finishing in its current form, having helped establish 12 local film groups including Parwich Film. Also various ‘Oscars’ were presented by Derbyshire Film to mark the occasion. Arnold, Sandra, Martin and Jean represented Parwich on the evening, and Arnold Chadfield received the ‘Oscar’ awarded to Parwich Film for Best Sound System.

oscar.jpg

Arnold and Martin with the ‘Oscar’ for Best Sound System

Continue Reading »

All day Derbyshire breakfast

Yesterday, I met friends for lunch in Byways Tearooms in Bakewell. Inspired by Jane B’s ‘Well and truly replete’ post, I thought I would report back on the experience. I have been before, otherwise Byways is easy to miss, off the main street in Water Lane, and then up what seems quite a steep stairway. All the staff are efficient and friendly, and the couple who own it are local; Mr Swindell was brought up in Friden and has a brother and sister living in Parwich. The tearooms at the front retain their original Georgian panelling and character, but, with their mixture of different chairs and tables, they have not been over prettified. There is a newer larger room at the back as well.

The menu is straightforward, but the food excellent. Main meals range from All day Breakfasts, which I had to jacket potatoes and salads. Then there are sandwiches, cream teas and a good range of cakes. When talking later to Jane B about it, she said “Yes that is the place with the great tea, don’t they get a special blend from somewhere.”

Well, I was hungry and enjoyed my good Derbyshire breakfast, and, though it is not haut cuisine nor would they claim such, it is excellent food in relaxing and pleasant surroundings.

‘Parwich’ as a Surname

I was ‘surfing the net’ looking at relevant links for the Parwich Film section, got sidetracked and came across a film director called Pete Parwich (not Big Pete and not Posh Pete, but Pete Parwich). The site for Nordic Film Days Lübeck in northern Germany (http://www.luebeck.de/filmtage/99/program/filme/120.
html
) says the following about him:

After studying in Vienna and Dublin, Peter Parwich, born in 1969, found a credo in the words of his theatre teacher, George Tabori: “Humor is the absence of perfection.” Whilst this credo was a perpetual threat to the success of his studies in film directing at the Hark Bohm Institute, Hamburg, his present collaboration with the Schleswig-Holstein Film Workshop appears to have secured him in his mission to carry the Irish spirit out into the world.

‘So what’, you say. Well, I had been doing some research into the de Parwich family or families, possibly a junior branch of the Alsops of Alsop, who held land in Parwich in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Some locally orginating surnames like Alsop/Allsop/Allsopp/etc have spread and prospered, however, until now, I had not found Parwich occurring as a surname later than the fifteenth century, the latest occurrence being a Nottingham merchant. Is this Pete Parwich a descendant of the same family?

So if anyone knows of any other occurrences of Parwich as a surname do leave a comment, or email me at parwich@hotmail.co.uk, or contact the Local History Society.

Parwich on Facebook.

Those of you who are registered with Facebook might be interested in joining a group called “I come from a place called PARWICH“.

Aiming “to re-unite the people that spent their youth in the small village of Parwich”, the group currently has 35 members – most of whom are “ex-pats” – and is adminstered by Ben Laycock.

Note: if you’re not registered with Facebook, then you won’t be able to view the page.

Direct Bus to Derby Stops

The direct bus service from Parwich to Derby that went every other Friday has been discontinued (as of 23rd March 2008). For the people that used the service this is a big loss. Now if people want to get to Derby by public transport (as well as to anywhere else) they have to change at Ashbourne. There is quite a good bus service from Ashbourne to Derby, but the Parwich bus does not always connect with it, potentially meaning that a 20 mile journey can take 3 hours or more, not ideal for a shopping trip or visiting friends and family in hospital. To commute to anywhere other than Ashbourne by public transport is an impossibility.

The 449 to Bakewell, which runs alternate Mondays continues as normal, which, unlike the Derby service, is not an essential journey for most of our bus users.

There have also been changes to who provides the 411 service to Ashbourne, so check for any timetable changes.

We are planning a section on the site covering transport links, so do let us know abut any public transport, taxi or other relevant information you have to share, or want to find out about. Also share any praises of or grips with the public transport serving Alsop, Ballidon, Parwich and Pikehall. Alternatively if you don’t use public transport tell us why not.

Do post your comments!

We are getting lots of positive feedback on the site both in emails to the team and face to face. This is great, but we would be even more chuffed if you put your comments in the comments section under the relevant post or on the relevant page. This is a community website, but it will reflect the community more if as many people as possible leave their thoughts and ideas on the site.

You won’t be coerced into joining the team if you leave a comment, though we would welcome anyone who want to get more involved. You don’t have to have your name published with the comment, you can always use a pseudonym.