ONCE again, the weather denied us the potential of another engrossing final day's play at the County Ground.
Three weeks after the Leicestershire fixture was washed out when all results were possible at the end of the third day, Derbyshire's LV County Championship game against Middlesex suffered a similar fate yesterday.
That was a pity because, even though the whole of the first day was lost to the rain, both sides showed every willingness to make a game of it and when Derbyshire dangled a rather large carrot under Middlesex's noses, a close contest was in prospect.
With a lead of 159 overnight, Derbyshire allowed themselves the first session to get that advantage up to a total they could feel comfortable with, while at the same time allowing enough time to bowl their opponents out.
Middlesex were also in need of points to help them get away from the bottom of Division Two.
They had indicated a willingness to chase whatever score they were presented with in however short a time and can only have been delighted by being set a sporting 280 to win in 68 overs.
Derbyshire declared on 258-7 after Wayne Madsen and Dan Redfern took their third-wicket stand to 69 in the morning to maintain the home side's control on the timing of their early exit.
Madsen, who had a fine home debut, scored 71 and Redfern 43. Wickets were sacrificed willingly the closer we came to lunch but it was a good session for the batting side.
The declaration was on the generous side, from Derbyshire's perspective – little more than 4.1 per over on a wicket that had become an easier batting surface – and Middlesex set out with purpose.
However, their target became stiffer when a heavy shower knocked another 18 overs out of the equation before they had the chance to put a run on the board and suddenly the asking rate was 5.7.
Undeterred, Nick Compton evoked the spirit of his grandfather and did all he could to deny Derbyshire the early wickets they needed.
There was no recklessness about his attacking play but he and Sam Robson put on 86 for the first wicket in 20 overs.
Derbyshire surely did not believe it would take them so long to claim their first wicket as they put attacking fields in place and they may have been starting to fear Middlesex could take the initiative as Owais Shah strode to the middle to replace Robson, who was run out for 29 by smart work from Chris Rogers.
Shah showed what he was capable of with his unbeaten 129 in the first innings and pushed up the scoring-rate from the start as he raced to 23 off 13 balls.
With Compton on 62 and 159 more needed in 26 overs, another heavy shower blew in and this time there was no chance of getting back on the field, which was a real shame.
Both teams deserve credit for their intentions but there was only one winner this time.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Holiday ideas at family fun day
A FAMILY fun day will be held in and around Derby's Tourist Information Centre.
The event will take place on Tuesday to give people a chance to find out what to do and where to go during the summer holidays.
There will also be a number of activities, plus various offers available, including discounts for Alton Towers.
Centre staff will be available to help people with their inquiries and to plan the best activities to keep youngsters entertained.
A small charge will apply for some of the activities, which take place between 10am and 4pm.
The event will take place on Tuesday to give people a chance to find out what to do and where to go during the summer holidays.
There will also be a number of activities, plus various offers available, including discounts for Alton Towers.
Centre staff will be available to help people with their inquiries and to plan the best activities to keep youngsters entertained.
A small charge will apply for some of the activities, which take place between 10am and 4pm.
Hilary Benn hails law to protect parks
ENVIRONMENT secretary Hilary Benn was in Derbyshire yesterday to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of legislation establishing National Parks.
The MP took a walk around Dovedale to meet countryside volunteers before moving on to Ilam Youth Hostel, which has benefited from a £2m upgrade.
He then moved on to the Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate, where he met volunteers creating a moorland garden in the grounds.
Mr Benn said: "The Peaks – the first National Park to be designated – was chosen for its unique and outstanding natural beauty. Sixty years on from the National Parks Act, the parks are places where people live, work and relax – supporting everything from recreation and tourism to conservation and farming.
"More than ever before, we are aware of the environment around us and our responsibility to it.
"This is a huge opportunity for our National Parks to be a beacon – they should be leading the way to a prosperous and sustainable future."
The MP took a walk around Dovedale to meet countryside volunteers before moving on to Ilam Youth Hostel, which has benefited from a £2m upgrade.
He then moved on to the Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate, where he met volunteers creating a moorland garden in the grounds.
Mr Benn said: "The Peaks – the first National Park to be designated – was chosen for its unique and outstanding natural beauty. Sixty years on from the National Parks Act, the parks are places where people live, work and relax – supporting everything from recreation and tourism to conservation and farming.
"More than ever before, we are aware of the environment around us and our responsibility to it.
"This is a huge opportunity for our National Parks to be a beacon – they should be leading the way to a prosperous and sustainable future."
Natural England will consider wind farms in national parks
The UK currently has 2,500 onshore wind turbines.
However the Government want to build thousands more across the country as part of meeting climate change targets.
Many of the turbines will have to be built in wind swept spots considered important areas of natural beauty.
However Natural England said society needs to move beyond the "knee jerk nimbyism" that rejects wind farms in any areas of the countryside and even consider areas such as Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Parks.
Campaigners vowed to fight any developments that will ruin the view or threaten wildlife.
At the moment there are no major wind farms within national parks. Even developments close to national parks such as four proposed wind turbines on the borders of the Peak District National Park have caused outrage. The development was opposed by the Peak District National Park Authority but is due to go ahead after a recent ruling by the High Court.
Last week Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Minister, set out future plans for more renewable energy to built in the UK including 6,000 onshore wind turbines.
Many of the wind turbines will need to be built in remote rural areas famous for their natural beauty and face stiff local opposition.
However Helen Phillips, Natural England's Chief Executive, said local communities need to start accepting wind farms in the countryside.
"As a society, we have to move from knee-jerk nimbyism to an informed consensus that there are landscapes where sustainable renewable energy infrastructure is desirable and should be encouraged, just as there are landscapes that should remain sacrosanct and free from development," she said.
Andrew Wood, Executive Director for Evidence and Planning, said national parks will be expected to play their part.
"We need onshore wind farms and we should be open to the idea that some of that will be in protected landscapes," he said.
Angela Kelly, Chairman of the Country Guardian group that campaigns against wind farms, said local communities in national parks will never accept wind farms.
"Wind farms should not be in national parks. What is the point of putting something aside for its natural beauty and then industrialising it?" she asked.
Dustin Benton, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said any developments would be unlikely to pass the planning process.
"Major wind farms would be very unlikely in a national park because the reasons we have these areas is to protect the beauty of Britain – which automatically makes it difficult for development of any sort," he said.
However a spokesman for the British Wind and Energy Association said it was not just natural beauty which is taken into consideration when planning wind farms.
"Wind farm planning decisions are not based just on landscape impact criteria, but take into account other factors such as reducing carbon emissions, benefits to local community and potential of the renewable sector to create employment," he said.
However the Government want to build thousands more across the country as part of meeting climate change targets.
Many of the turbines will have to be built in wind swept spots considered important areas of natural beauty.
However Natural England said society needs to move beyond the "knee jerk nimbyism" that rejects wind farms in any areas of the countryside and even consider areas such as Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Parks.
Campaigners vowed to fight any developments that will ruin the view or threaten wildlife.
At the moment there are no major wind farms within national parks. Even developments close to national parks such as four proposed wind turbines on the borders of the Peak District National Park have caused outrage. The development was opposed by the Peak District National Park Authority but is due to go ahead after a recent ruling by the High Court.
Last week Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Minister, set out future plans for more renewable energy to built in the UK including 6,000 onshore wind turbines.
Many of the wind turbines will need to be built in remote rural areas famous for their natural beauty and face stiff local opposition.
However Helen Phillips, Natural England's Chief Executive, said local communities need to start accepting wind farms in the countryside.
"As a society, we have to move from knee-jerk nimbyism to an informed consensus that there are landscapes where sustainable renewable energy infrastructure is desirable and should be encouraged, just as there are landscapes that should remain sacrosanct and free from development," she said.
Andrew Wood, Executive Director for Evidence and Planning, said national parks will be expected to play their part.
"We need onshore wind farms and we should be open to the idea that some of that will be in protected landscapes," he said.
Angela Kelly, Chairman of the Country Guardian group that campaigns against wind farms, said local communities in national parks will never accept wind farms.
"Wind farms should not be in national parks. What is the point of putting something aside for its natural beauty and then industrialising it?" she asked.
Dustin Benton, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said any developments would be unlikely to pass the planning process.
"Major wind farms would be very unlikely in a national park because the reasons we have these areas is to protect the beauty of Britain – which automatically makes it difficult for development of any sort," he said.
However a spokesman for the British Wind and Energy Association said it was not just natural beauty which is taken into consideration when planning wind farms.
"Wind farm planning decisions are not based just on landscape impact criteria, but take into account other factors such as reducing carbon emissions, benefits to local community and potential of the renewable sector to create employment," he said.
Award for Peak museum
A PEAK District museum has been named as the county's finest in a prestigious competition.
The Old House Museum scooped Museum of the Year 2009 at the Derbyshire Renaissance Heritage Awards.
Judges praised the commitment and enthusiasm of the over 100 volunteers who help at the Bakewell heritage site.
Manager Anita Spencer said: “This museum simply could not open without the aid of its volunteers.”
The Old House Museum scooped Museum of the Year 2009 at the Derbyshire Renaissance Heritage Awards.
Judges praised the commitment and enthusiasm of the over 100 volunteers who help at the Bakewell heritage site.
Manager Anita Spencer said: “This museum simply could not open without the aid of its volunteers.”
Disappointment at Carsington wind farm appeal decision
Joint News Release from Derbyshire Dales District Council and The Peak District National Park Authority
A High Court Judge has today determined that proposals for the erection of four 102m wind turbines on land at Carsington Pastures can proceed.
Derbyshire Dales District Council originally rejected the proposals, however, following a Public Inquiry, they were given the go ahead in September last year by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.
Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Peak District National Park Authority subsequently lodged a joint appeal to the High Court challenging the Secretary of State’s decision on the grounds that the developers, Carsington Wind Energy Limited, failed to have regard to alternative sites in the locality which would not have such an adverse impact upon the Peak District National Park.
The appeal was subsequently considered in the High Court by
Lord Justice Carnwath who has ruled that, whilst there are statutory provisions and policies relating to the National Park and Conservation Areas which require that special regard should be paid to their protection, there was not a positive obligation to consider alternative sites which may not have the same effects as the proposed development.
In the absence of any specific national or local policy guidance requiring consideration of alternatives, Lord Justice Carnwath determined that the Planning Inspector approached the matter in an appropriate way. Accordingly, the appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision was dismissed.
The leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council, Councillor Lewis Rose, said: "I am very disappointed with the decision.
The district council has never questioned the desirability or need to promote renewable energy sources, however, there is a clear need to undertake a balanced assessment of such proposals. Unless developers are required to consider alternative sites which may have less impact, such a balanced judgement cannot be reached."
Councillor Hilda Gaddum, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority's planning cmmittee, said: "We made this joint appeal because it is our duty to fight threats to the national park landscape.
"We are disappointed with the judgement as we feel it is important that alternative sites are always considered first before making a decision to locate a wind farm 1.5 miles from a national park boundary.
"The authority has approved a micro hydro power site at Alport Mill, solar panels and individual wind turbines in appropriate locations within the national park and will continue to support measures to provide more renewable energy. However, applications must also continue to be judged against the need to protect the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park landscape.
"We need to spend time reading the judgement in detail to fully understand the implications for the future."
A High Court Judge has today determined that proposals for the erection of four 102m wind turbines on land at Carsington Pastures can proceed.
Derbyshire Dales District Council originally rejected the proposals, however, following a Public Inquiry, they were given the go ahead in September last year by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.
Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Peak District National Park Authority subsequently lodged a joint appeal to the High Court challenging the Secretary of State’s decision on the grounds that the developers, Carsington Wind Energy Limited, failed to have regard to alternative sites in the locality which would not have such an adverse impact upon the Peak District National Park.
The appeal was subsequently considered in the High Court by
Lord Justice Carnwath who has ruled that, whilst there are statutory provisions and policies relating to the National Park and Conservation Areas which require that special regard should be paid to their protection, there was not a positive obligation to consider alternative sites which may not have the same effects as the proposed development.
In the absence of any specific national or local policy guidance requiring consideration of alternatives, Lord Justice Carnwath determined that the Planning Inspector approached the matter in an appropriate way. Accordingly, the appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision was dismissed.
The leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council, Councillor Lewis Rose, said: "I am very disappointed with the decision.
The district council has never questioned the desirability or need to promote renewable energy sources, however, there is a clear need to undertake a balanced assessment of such proposals. Unless developers are required to consider alternative sites which may have less impact, such a balanced judgement cannot be reached."
Councillor Hilda Gaddum, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority's planning cmmittee, said: "We made this joint appeal because it is our duty to fight threats to the national park landscape.
"We are disappointed with the judgement as we feel it is important that alternative sites are always considered first before making a decision to locate a wind farm 1.5 miles from a national park boundary.
"The authority has approved a micro hydro power site at Alport Mill, solar panels and individual wind turbines in appropriate locations within the national park and will continue to support measures to provide more renewable energy. However, applications must also continue to be judged against the need to protect the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park landscape.
"We need to spend time reading the judgement in detail to fully understand the implications for the future."
New conference facilities
TWO new conference suites have been created at a Derbyshire reservoir.
Carsington Water, owned by Severn Trent, is now hiring out the new rooms at its visitor centre. The suites include audio equipment, DVD players and flip charts plus catering.
Carsington Water, owned by Severn Trent, is now hiring out the new rooms at its visitor centre. The suites include audio equipment, DVD players and flip charts plus catering.
Bid to raise the profile of parks
AIMS to raise the profile of Derby's parks and involve the community in them more have been set out by Derby City Council.
The authority has produced a parks strategy, which outlines its goals to make parks more secure, engage residents in them more and let more people know about them.
The plans will go before the council's cabinet for approval on Tuesday.
After that, an action plan will be drawn up to achieve the aims set out in the strategy.
The authority has produced a parks strategy, which outlines its goals to make parks more secure, engage residents in them more and let more people know about them.
The plans will go before the council's cabinet for approval on Tuesday.
After that, an action plan will be drawn up to achieve the aims set out in the strategy.
Wind farm case puts public out of pocket
Wind turbines have been given the go-ahead at Carsington – but campaigners say the appeal has been a huge drain on the public purse.
The Peak District National Park Authority joined forces with Derbyshire Dales District Council to lodge an appeal to the High Court after a Planning Inspector ruled that four 102m wind turbines should be built at the Dales beauty spot.
But last week Lord Justice Carnwath, sitting in the High Court in London, said the wind farm should be built.
The appeal has cost the two authorities just over £34,000, with the Peak Park paying 85 per cent.
Laura Stevens of Matlock Climate Action Forum said: "I'm very angry and think the authorities were ill advised. They were just gambling with our money.
"There was no consultation to see if residents were happy for them to go-ahead and spend our money."
Stephen Salt, planning and development director for applicants West Coast Energy, said the wind farm would make an important contribution to the East Midlands renewable electricity target.
He added: "The council's action has now resulted in significant cost to local ratepayers and it is hoped that we can now draw a line under this matter and work with the council to deliver the benefits of the development to the local community at the earliest opportunity."
But a Peak Park spokesman said the decision to lodge an appeal was based protecting the national park landscape.
He added: "Given that national parks have the highest level of protection under planning law, we believed alternative, less harmful sites should have been considered. It was an informed decision by the district council and ourselves to go to appeal based on advice from a QC that there were strong grounds for challenge."
Jan Southway of Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group added: "It is disappointing. We've been fighting this for a long time.
"The local planning system is set up to make sure planning decisions made at a local level are fair for local people.
"They were absolutely right to challenge it and say that it was not right for the region."
but since when has Carsington been in the Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park Authority joined forces with Derbyshire Dales District Council to lodge an appeal to the High Court after a Planning Inspector ruled that four 102m wind turbines should be built at the Dales beauty spot.
But last week Lord Justice Carnwath, sitting in the High Court in London, said the wind farm should be built.
The appeal has cost the two authorities just over £34,000, with the Peak Park paying 85 per cent.
Laura Stevens of Matlock Climate Action Forum said: "I'm very angry and think the authorities were ill advised. They were just gambling with our money.
"There was no consultation to see if residents were happy for them to go-ahead and spend our money."
Stephen Salt, planning and development director for applicants West Coast Energy, said the wind farm would make an important contribution to the East Midlands renewable electricity target.
He added: "The council's action has now resulted in significant cost to local ratepayers and it is hoped that we can now draw a line under this matter and work with the council to deliver the benefits of the development to the local community at the earliest opportunity."
But a Peak Park spokesman said the decision to lodge an appeal was based protecting the national park landscape.
He added: "Given that national parks have the highest level of protection under planning law, we believed alternative, less harmful sites should have been considered. It was an informed decision by the district council and ourselves to go to appeal based on advice from a QC that there were strong grounds for challenge."
Jan Southway of Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group added: "It is disappointing. We've been fighting this for a long time.
"The local planning system is set up to make sure planning decisions made at a local level are fair for local people.
"They were absolutely right to challenge it and say that it was not right for the region."
but since when has Carsington been in the Peak District National Park
Sunday, July 19, 2009
DOME OF CREATION
PEAK District Products (PDP) stages its second annual Great Dome Art Fair next Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.
Last year was the first time its full 60-plus membership had come together to exhibit under one roof. It was a huge success, drawing more than 6,000 visitors, and culminated in PDP winning the Best Visual Arts award at Buxton Festival Fringe.
The venue is the Great Devonshire Dome, in Devonshire Road, Buxton. The town campus of the University of Derby, it has the largest unsupported roof in Europe, bigger than St Paul's in London. Admission to the event is free and work on display this year will include paintings, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, fashion, photography, stonework, sculpture, stained glass, precious metals, calligraphy, woodcarving and mosaics.
There will also be a series of demonstrations and a programme of illustrated talks in the Lecture Theatre by PDP members, including textile artist and author Verina Warren.
Check the website for the full programme. This year, there is a display of work "Inspired by the Dome", including pieces by jeweller Lucy Palmer, silversmith Brett Payne, photographer Bridget Flemming, furniture maker Chris Fleming and ceramicist Catherine Rooke.
More details at www.peak-districtproducts.co.uk
Last year was the first time its full 60-plus membership had come together to exhibit under one roof. It was a huge success, drawing more than 6,000 visitors, and culminated in PDP winning the Best Visual Arts award at Buxton Festival Fringe.
The venue is the Great Devonshire Dome, in Devonshire Road, Buxton. The town campus of the University of Derby, it has the largest unsupported roof in Europe, bigger than St Paul's in London. Admission to the event is free and work on display this year will include paintings, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, fashion, photography, stonework, sculpture, stained glass, precious metals, calligraphy, woodcarving and mosaics.
There will also be a series of demonstrations and a programme of illustrated talks in the Lecture Theatre by PDP members, including textile artist and author Verina Warren.
Check the website for the full programme. This year, there is a display of work "Inspired by the Dome", including pieces by jeweller Lucy Palmer, silversmith Brett Payne, photographer Bridget Flemming, furniture maker Chris Fleming and ceramicist Catherine Rooke.
More details at www.peak-districtproducts.co.uk
Cloudbursts force council to pull plug on Highland attractions
ORGANISERS of the Ashbourne Highland Gathering have told of their disappointment at having to cancel the event for the first time in its 25-year history.
The anniversary festival – one of the biggest outside of Scotland – was due to take place tomorrow, attracting about 10,000 spectators from across the UK.
But 20mm of rain fell in the 24 hours up to yesterday evening, leaving the town's recreation ground, where it was due to be held, waterlogged.
And Met Office forecasters are predicting more showers after this week's "unusual" summer downpour evoked memories of freak weather in 2007.
Bernie Brown, of the festival's organising committee, said: "It rained all night Thursday and we knew it was going to rain more, so we had no choice but to call it off.
"We didn't want to wait until the 11th hour, particularly with people coming from Scotland, Wales and all over England.
"It's the first time in 25 years it's been cancelled and we're extremely disappointed, but there's nothing we can do about the weather."
Officers from Derbyshire Dales District Council visited the Cockayne Avenue site, where the Highland gathering is held, yesterday morning. After an inspection they told the event's organisers that it could not go ahead on the council-owned land.
An open-air concert by rock bagpipe band the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, planned for tonight next to the recreation ground, will still go ahead, though.
The financial blow from cancelling it should not impact on next year's event, Mr Brown said.
In 2007 the festival was blighted by rain which churned up the ground.
After that council officials and organisers decided to draw up an "emergency procedure", which led to yesterday's early inspection.
Derby's Caribbean Carnival – with a parade to the city centre today and a music festival in Osmaston Park tomorrow – was still going ahead as of last night.
But Nezrine Hudson, from the West Indian Community Association, said they were checking the weather forecast to decide whether it might have to be scaled back.
Met Office forecaster Andrew Kimber warned of more bad weather to come.
He said: "There will be more showers this weekend, not particularly heavy or prolonged, but it will be pretty cool and cloudy."
Mr Kimber said 10mm of rain or more could fall on Tuesday alone.
The anniversary festival – one of the biggest outside of Scotland – was due to take place tomorrow, attracting about 10,000 spectators from across the UK.
But 20mm of rain fell in the 24 hours up to yesterday evening, leaving the town's recreation ground, where it was due to be held, waterlogged.
And Met Office forecasters are predicting more showers after this week's "unusual" summer downpour evoked memories of freak weather in 2007.
Bernie Brown, of the festival's organising committee, said: "It rained all night Thursday and we knew it was going to rain more, so we had no choice but to call it off.
"We didn't want to wait until the 11th hour, particularly with people coming from Scotland, Wales and all over England.
"It's the first time in 25 years it's been cancelled and we're extremely disappointed, but there's nothing we can do about the weather."
Officers from Derbyshire Dales District Council visited the Cockayne Avenue site, where the Highland gathering is held, yesterday morning. After an inspection they told the event's organisers that it could not go ahead on the council-owned land.
An open-air concert by rock bagpipe band the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, planned for tonight next to the recreation ground, will still go ahead, though.
The financial blow from cancelling it should not impact on next year's event, Mr Brown said.
In 2007 the festival was blighted by rain which churned up the ground.
After that council officials and organisers decided to draw up an "emergency procedure", which led to yesterday's early inspection.
Derby's Caribbean Carnival – with a parade to the city centre today and a music festival in Osmaston Park tomorrow – was still going ahead as of last night.
But Nezrine Hudson, from the West Indian Community Association, said they were checking the weather forecast to decide whether it might have to be scaled back.
Met Office forecaster Andrew Kimber warned of more bad weather to come.
He said: "There will be more showers this weekend, not particularly heavy or prolonged, but it will be pretty cool and cloudy."
Mr Kimber said 10mm of rain or more could fall on Tuesday alone.
High Court backs wind farm plan
A plan to build four huge wind turbines overlooking a reservoir in Derbyshire has been backed by the High Court.
In September, planning inspector Robin Brooks said the project near Carsington Water could go ahead.
But the Peak District National Park Authority decided to appeal against the decision, claiming the wind farm would have "a major impact on the landscape".
But a judge at the High Court in London said he could find "no error of law" in the inspector's ruling.
Carsington Wind Energy, which is behind the project, said the turbines would produce much-needed energy for about 5,500 homes.
The 102m (335ft) turbines - nearly twice the height of Nelson's Column - are planned for Carsington Pastures, between Matlock and Ashbourne.
Although the wind farm would not be inside the Peak District National Park it would be near the boundary.
The proposal from Carsington Wind Energy, part of West Coast Energy, was initially approved following an eight-day public inquiry in July 2008.
Derbyshire Dales District Council joined the park authority in the appeal to the High Court to block the development.
Steve Salt, from West Coast Energy, said: "We have other projects in Derbyshire where there is a lot of support from local people.
"But there is also an anti-group and those tend to get publicised more than the supporters - but now we have received a major boost."
In September, planning inspector Robin Brooks said the project near Carsington Water could go ahead.
But the Peak District National Park Authority decided to appeal against the decision, claiming the wind farm would have "a major impact on the landscape".
But a judge at the High Court in London said he could find "no error of law" in the inspector's ruling.
Carsington Wind Energy, which is behind the project, said the turbines would produce much-needed energy for about 5,500 homes.
The 102m (335ft) turbines - nearly twice the height of Nelson's Column - are planned for Carsington Pastures, between Matlock and Ashbourne.
Although the wind farm would not be inside the Peak District National Park it would be near the boundary.
The proposal from Carsington Wind Energy, part of West Coast Energy, was initially approved following an eight-day public inquiry in July 2008.
Derbyshire Dales District Council joined the park authority in the appeal to the High Court to block the development.
Steve Salt, from West Coast Energy, said: "We have other projects in Derbyshire where there is a lot of support from local people.
"But there is also an anti-group and those tend to get publicised more than the supporters - but now we have received a major boost."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
MPs Hoping to Repeat Mountain Rescue Fundraising Success
Three Peak District MPs will get lost this weekend – all in a good cause. High Peak’s Tom Levitt, Staffordshire Moorlands’ Charlotte Atkins and Angela Smith from Sheffield Hillsborough will be somewhere near Kinder Scout on Sunday (19 July). No fewer than four mountain rescue teams will be deployed – as part of a training exercise – to rescue them and transport them back to safety.
If a mountain rescue team is required for a genuine emergency during the exercise, which could last up to six hours, they will be diverted accordingly.
Two years ago Mr Levitt raised over £1,600 for Buxton Mountain Rescue Team and he hopes to repeat that success this weekend. This time the beneficiary will be the umbrella body, the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO).
“This rescue service is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded almost entirely from donations,” Mr Levitt explained.
“This is not just a celebration of their work but a significant contribution to their essential running costs.” The local MPs have supported campaigns in Parliament and elsewhere to give extra support to mountain rescue – such as they get in Scotland and Wales – without losing their essential voluntary nature.
People who would like to donate to this worthy cause by sponsoring the MPs should contact Tom Levitt’s Buxton office for a sponsor form or visit www.justgiving.com/tomlevitt2. All funds raised will go direct to PDMRO.
If a mountain rescue team is required for a genuine emergency during the exercise, which could last up to six hours, they will be diverted accordingly.
Two years ago Mr Levitt raised over £1,600 for Buxton Mountain Rescue Team and he hopes to repeat that success this weekend. This time the beneficiary will be the umbrella body, the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO).
“This rescue service is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded almost entirely from donations,” Mr Levitt explained.
“This is not just a celebration of their work but a significant contribution to their essential running costs.” The local MPs have supported campaigns in Parliament and elsewhere to give extra support to mountain rescue – such as they get in Scotland and Wales – without losing their essential voluntary nature.
People who would like to donate to this worthy cause by sponsoring the MPs should contact Tom Levitt’s Buxton office for a sponsor form or visit www.justgiving.com/tomlevitt2. All funds raised will go direct to PDMRO.
Villagers to re-enact plague tale
EYAM has gone down in history for the heroic sacrifice its villagers made when the Great Plague struck the small Peak District settlement.
They bravely decided to cut themselves off from the world to avoid the further spread of the deadly disease across the north of England – a decision that effectively sentenced many of them to death.
Now, nearly 350 years later, the current residents of the village are retelling the story of their forebears in a promenade version of Don Taylor's play 'The Roses of Eyam', using the actual locations where the historic events happened as the setting.
Director Nicola Wright said that this is the first time that the play has been performed in such a way and it has brought the sense of history alive.
She said: "It's very emotive even just rehearsing it in the churchyard and outside the plague cottages.
"It makes it quite unique."
The production, which is part of the Buxton Festival Fringe, is a community effort with the majority of the cast living locally.
And for cast member and lifelong Eyam resident Joan Plant, being in the play is even more poignant.
She discovered several years ago that she is related to plague survivors the Blackwell family, who were made famous by Margaret Blackwell who is said to have recovered from the illness after drinking bacon fat.
Joan (63) said: "It's history, it actually happened, we know all that, but actually to be part of it, knowing your family survived and what they must have gone through, it's quite a deep feeling.
"It's very emotional and you think about it in a different way."
The events of 1665/6 are very much part of Joan's life in her work as parish administrator at Eyam church and she is proud of her heritage.
She added: "Everything that happens in this play, I know now that I am part of it which is a very emotional thing.
"Sometimes I cannot get my head round it. I feel honoured and privileged and feel proud of them for what they did."
The play runs from Wednesday to Saturday this week and Nicola hopes that having overcome the challenges of staging a play without an actual stage, the way that it weaves around the audience and moves from location to location will have viewers captivated.
"I am hoping the audience will get really involved not only because the events are taking place in the situation they originally took place in, but because the cast is coming through the audience," she said.
"It creates a sense of being there and being part of it."
Tickets for 'The Roses of Eyam' are still available priced £7.50 for adults and £5 for children by calling Eyam Hall on (01433) 631976 or Buxton Opera House on 0845 127 2190.
Performances start at 7pm on Church Street.
They bravely decided to cut themselves off from the world to avoid the further spread of the deadly disease across the north of England – a decision that effectively sentenced many of them to death.
Now, nearly 350 years later, the current residents of the village are retelling the story of their forebears in a promenade version of Don Taylor's play 'The Roses of Eyam', using the actual locations where the historic events happened as the setting.
Director Nicola Wright said that this is the first time that the play has been performed in such a way and it has brought the sense of history alive.
She said: "It's very emotive even just rehearsing it in the churchyard and outside the plague cottages.
"It makes it quite unique."
The production, which is part of the Buxton Festival Fringe, is a community effort with the majority of the cast living locally.
And for cast member and lifelong Eyam resident Joan Plant, being in the play is even more poignant.
She discovered several years ago that she is related to plague survivors the Blackwell family, who were made famous by Margaret Blackwell who is said to have recovered from the illness after drinking bacon fat.
Joan (63) said: "It's history, it actually happened, we know all that, but actually to be part of it, knowing your family survived and what they must have gone through, it's quite a deep feeling.
"It's very emotional and you think about it in a different way."
The events of 1665/6 are very much part of Joan's life in her work as parish administrator at Eyam church and she is proud of her heritage.
She added: "Everything that happens in this play, I know now that I am part of it which is a very emotional thing.
"Sometimes I cannot get my head round it. I feel honoured and privileged and feel proud of them for what they did."
The play runs from Wednesday to Saturday this week and Nicola hopes that having overcome the challenges of staging a play without an actual stage, the way that it weaves around the audience and moves from location to location will have viewers captivated.
"I am hoping the audience will get really involved not only because the events are taking place in the situation they originally took place in, but because the cast is coming through the audience," she said.
"It creates a sense of being there and being part of it."
Tickets for 'The Roses of Eyam' are still available priced £7.50 for adults and £5 for children by calling Eyam Hall on (01433) 631976 or Buxton Opera House on 0845 127 2190.
Performances start at 7pm on Church Street.
Safety boost for Peak firefighters
AROUND £600,000 has been invested in new personal protective equipment (PPE) for Derbyshire's firefighters.
The new workwear, which will be worn when tackling fires and other operational duties, is lighter than the old kit.
The fabric is designed to breathe, leaving the body as comfortable as possible during high temperatures.
Now in red and grey, and with reflective markings, the kit features a shaped collar to integrate with the helmet, under arm gussets, a radio pocket with torch facility, and extra material around the knees so the trousers don't tighten up and stick in a fire situation.
It also comes with detachable badges and has been designed with female firefighters in mind.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sean Frayne said: "We are determined to ensure that our firefighters will have comfortable, fit for purpose, lightweight, smart, modern, professional kit that will enhance their safety."
The new kit came into service on Monday.
The old PPE is being donated to the Nottinghamshire Police Aid Convoys to kit out firefighters in Albania.
The new workwear, which will be worn when tackling fires and other operational duties, is lighter than the old kit.
The fabric is designed to breathe, leaving the body as comfortable as possible during high temperatures.
Now in red and grey, and with reflective markings, the kit features a shaped collar to integrate with the helmet, under arm gussets, a radio pocket with torch facility, and extra material around the knees so the trousers don't tighten up and stick in a fire situation.
It also comes with detachable badges and has been designed with female firefighters in mind.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sean Frayne said: "We are determined to ensure that our firefighters will have comfortable, fit for purpose, lightweight, smart, modern, professional kit that will enhance their safety."
The new kit came into service on Monday.
The old PPE is being donated to the Nottinghamshire Police Aid Convoys to kit out firefighters in Albania.
Pub set to hold its own Oktoberfest
Plans are underway to turn Belper into a mini-Munich for a beer festival in October.
The George and Dragon pub, in Bridge Street, is planning to host an Oktoberfest-style event to tie in with the annual beer festival in the German city.
Landlord Craig Tennick said he wanted to put up marquees in the beer garden, and have bands performing to add to the atmosphere.
The pub recently held its first real ale festival, where almost 30 real ales and ciders were put on for Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, to tie in with rugby and tennis games on the pub TVs. The bar sold out both nights.
Craig said: "I wanted to offer a bit of something different because Belper hasn't really got any real ale pubs with a good range.
"It was brilliant."
The George and Dragon pub, in Bridge Street, is planning to host an Oktoberfest-style event to tie in with the annual beer festival in the German city.
Landlord Craig Tennick said he wanted to put up marquees in the beer garden, and have bands performing to add to the atmosphere.
The pub recently held its first real ale festival, where almost 30 real ales and ciders were put on for Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, to tie in with rugby and tennis games on the pub TVs. The bar sold out both nights.
Craig said: "I wanted to offer a bit of something different because Belper hasn't really got any real ale pubs with a good range.
"It was brilliant."
Sustainable development in the Peak District
Community groups and businesses in the Peak District have won £1,000s to develop renewable energy, organic gardening, energy efficiency and wildlife projects.
The Peak District Sustainable Development Fund has handed out grants to organisations as part of its community work.
Recent grants include £41,600 to Parwich Memorial Hall Committee to help develop its new village hall with renewable energy technology; £12,500 to the South Yorkshire Energy Centre, to help train Peak District groups in energy efficiency and conservation for older buildings; and £7,100 to Peak Organics, an allotment-based project run by JJM Learning, to run organic gardening workshops for people to learn how to do it at home.
The Fund channels nearly £200,000 a year from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs into environmental, educational and social projects across the Peak District.
Its panel of local independent assessors decides on larger grant applications four times a year.
The Peak District National Park Authority, which manages the fund, has just appointed a new panel chairman, Harry Bowell, and deputy chairman Cllr Tracy Critchlow.
Mr Bowell said: "It's heartening to see such far-sighted schemes being developed all across the Peak District.
"We are delighted to be able to help local groups and businesses who are prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and help safeguard the long-term future of our area."
The authority thanked previous panel leaders Anne Ashe and John Herbert.
To find out about the Sustainable Development Fund or get general advice on any sustainable development project, call 01629 816312
The Peak District Sustainable Development Fund has handed out grants to organisations as part of its community work.
Recent grants include £41,600 to Parwich Memorial Hall Committee to help develop its new village hall with renewable energy technology; £12,500 to the South Yorkshire Energy Centre, to help train Peak District groups in energy efficiency and conservation for older buildings; and £7,100 to Peak Organics, an allotment-based project run by JJM Learning, to run organic gardening workshops for people to learn how to do it at home.
The Fund channels nearly £200,000 a year from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs into environmental, educational and social projects across the Peak District.
Its panel of local independent assessors decides on larger grant applications four times a year.
The Peak District National Park Authority, which manages the fund, has just appointed a new panel chairman, Harry Bowell, and deputy chairman Cllr Tracy Critchlow.
Mr Bowell said: "It's heartening to see such far-sighted schemes being developed all across the Peak District.
"We are delighted to be able to help local groups and businesses who are prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and help safeguard the long-term future of our area."
The authority thanked previous panel leaders Anne Ashe and John Herbert.
To find out about the Sustainable Development Fund or get general advice on any sustainable development project, call 01629 816312
Chatsworth secrets prove hit with visitors
AN exhibition of some of Chatsworth House's previously unseen treasures is proving a hit with visitors.
A variety of unusual and historical items, on display for the first time, includes a telephone presented by inventor Alexander Graham Bell to the 9th Duke of Devonshire in the early 20th century.
Also on show is a mahogany personal weighing chair used by the 6th Duke to weigh his guests, including Russian Tsar Nicholas 1.
And the garden reveals a grotto built by Duchess Georgiana, lined with crystals of copper ore discovered in a local mine
Hundreds of people have already visited the exhibition, which runs until August 31. For more information visit www.chatsworth.org.
A variety of unusual and historical items, on display for the first time, includes a telephone presented by inventor Alexander Graham Bell to the 9th Duke of Devonshire in the early 20th century.
Also on show is a mahogany personal weighing chair used by the 6th Duke to weigh his guests, including Russian Tsar Nicholas 1.
And the garden reveals a grotto built by Duchess Georgiana, lined with crystals of copper ore discovered in a local mine
Hundreds of people have already visited the exhibition, which runs until August 31. For more information visit www.chatsworth.org.
Historic hoard of coins goes on show at British Museum
PART of the largest hoard of historic coins ever discovered in the UK, found at Tutbury Castle, has gone on display.
Unearthed from the bed of the River Dove, the Tutbury Hoard originally comprised 360,000 silver coins believed to have belonged to Thomas Earl of Lancaster.
It is thought the coins were buried as the Earl fled the Staffordshire castle following his rebellion against King Edward II in 1322.
They were discovered by Duchy of Lancaster in 1831 and were separated but are now to be reunited for the exhibition at the British Museum called Ruin and Rebellion: Uncovering The Past at Tutbury Castle.
Lord Shuttleworth, chairman of the Duchy of Lancaster Council, which manages the castle, unveiled the exhibition.
The hoard forms the centrepiece of a display of artefacts and documents about the castle's history.
Dr Gareth Williams has been working with experts from Tutbury Castle and the University of Birmingham for the last seven years.
Dr Williams said: "Of particular interest is the rebellion of Thomas of Lancaster in 1322 which resulted in his defeat and attempted escape. It is here we believe £1,500 was taken from the castle and buried in the river bed – around 360,000 coins in all.
"Over the years, individual pieces have turned up in various places. We are delighted to have been able to bring together coins and related material to create the largest ever display of coins from this important cache. Even so, this is only a tiny fraction of the original Tutbury Hoard."
Unearthed from the bed of the River Dove, the Tutbury Hoard originally comprised 360,000 silver coins believed to have belonged to Thomas Earl of Lancaster.
It is thought the coins were buried as the Earl fled the Staffordshire castle following his rebellion against King Edward II in 1322.
They were discovered by Duchy of Lancaster in 1831 and were separated but are now to be reunited for the exhibition at the British Museum called Ruin and Rebellion: Uncovering The Past at Tutbury Castle.
Lord Shuttleworth, chairman of the Duchy of Lancaster Council, which manages the castle, unveiled the exhibition.
The hoard forms the centrepiece of a display of artefacts and documents about the castle's history.
Dr Gareth Williams has been working with experts from Tutbury Castle and the University of Birmingham for the last seven years.
Dr Williams said: "Of particular interest is the rebellion of Thomas of Lancaster in 1322 which resulted in his defeat and attempted escape. It is here we believe £1,500 was taken from the castle and buried in the river bed – around 360,000 coins in all.
"Over the years, individual pieces have turned up in various places. We are delighted to have been able to bring together coins and related material to create the largest ever display of coins from this important cache. Even so, this is only a tiny fraction of the original Tutbury Hoard."
Team effort brings title
STAFF at a Derbyshire garden centre have been celebrating after helping to scoop a top accolade in an online poll by Gardeners' World Magazine.
Findern Garden Centre, in Burton Road, is part of the Wyevale group, and helped the firm win the Best Garden Centre accolade.
More than 7,900 gardeners rated the 122 garden centres in the group, including Findern Garden Centre, as best for value for money, service, choice, quality and overall performance.
Marc Haigh, manager at Findern Garden Centre, said: "We are delighted to have helped the group win the title.
"It is a testament to how hard our staff work and I would like to thank the team for helping win this top accolade."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-07-14 12:59:39
Findern Garden Centre, in Burton Road, is part of the Wyevale group, and helped the firm win the Best Garden Centre accolade.
More than 7,900 gardeners rated the 122 garden centres in the group, including Findern Garden Centre, as best for value for money, service, choice, quality and overall performance.
Marc Haigh, manager at Findern Garden Centre, said: "We are delighted to have helped the group win the title.
"It is a testament to how hard our staff work and I would like to thank the team for helping win this top accolade."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-07-14 12:59:39
Town at its floral best
A DERBYSHIRE town was today welcoming judges from a national flower competition.
For the last three years Belper has won the silver award in the East Midlands in Bloom Competition's large town category.
This year organiser Belper Town Council is hoping the town will scoop the gold award and, with judges arriving today, is urging everyone to get involved by placing flowers outside their properties and even picking up litter.
Judges will be meeting at St John's Chapel, in The Butts, at 10am and then going on a tour of the town, visiting the Memorial Gardens, King Street, Wyver Lane nature reserve, Belper Cemetery, and the former Herbert Strutt School.
For the last three years Belper has won the silver award in the East Midlands in Bloom Competition's large town category.
This year organiser Belper Town Council is hoping the town will scoop the gold award and, with judges arriving today, is urging everyone to get involved by placing flowers outside their properties and even picking up litter.
Judges will be meeting at St John's Chapel, in The Butts, at 10am and then going on a tour of the town, visiting the Memorial Gardens, King Street, Wyver Lane nature reserve, Belper Cemetery, and the former Herbert Strutt School.
Wind farm ruling delay
A controversial decision which could see giant turbines built on Carsington Pasture has been delayed – but authority chiefs say they are expecting the High Court outcome any day.
Last week the Peak District National Park Authority joined forces with Derbyshire Dales District Council to ask Lord Justice Carnwath, sitting at the High Court in London, to block plans for the 102m turbines.
The application was given to go-ahead after West Coast Energy took its case to the Planning Inspectorate.
A spokesman for the Peak Park said they were expecting the decision last week but the process was taking longer than expected.
He added: "The early indication was that it was only going to be a day or so but they are wanting to think about it for a bit longer.
"Initially people thought it would be so quick because it appeared a fairly clear cut decision one way or the other."
l The Politics Show East Midlands will be live from Carsington on Sunday to discuss the wind farm plans.
The BBC1 show, presented by Marie Ashby, will look at arguments for and against the turbines and will be speaking to campaigners and residents.
Last week the Peak District National Park Authority joined forces with Derbyshire Dales District Council to ask Lord Justice Carnwath, sitting at the High Court in London, to block plans for the 102m turbines.
The application was given to go-ahead after West Coast Energy took its case to the Planning Inspectorate.
A spokesman for the Peak Park said they were expecting the decision last week but the process was taking longer than expected.
He added: "The early indication was that it was only going to be a day or so but they are wanting to think about it for a bit longer.
"Initially people thought it would be so quick because it appeared a fairly clear cut decision one way or the other."
l The Politics Show East Midlands will be live from Carsington on Sunday to discuss the wind farm plans.
The BBC1 show, presented by Marie Ashby, will look at arguments for and against the turbines and will be speaking to campaigners and residents.
Traders anger at road closure plan for Hathersage
FURIOUS businesses fear they could lose thousands of pounds in trade if council bosses go ahead with a road closure through a popular Peak District village at the height of the tourist season.
Derbyshire County Council issued warning letters to stores, pubs, tea shops and banks in Hathersage just this week, warning that Main Road will be closed from Monday for two weeks for resurfacing.
Boss Fran Beardon, of outdoor pursuits store Outside, on Main Road, said: "We're fighting recession and they've decided in their wisdom to select a tourism destination for road works during our busiest period.
"We've been looking forward to July to safeguard businesses and jobs and the fact the council is riding roughshod over this lifeline beggars belief."
The council visited shops and, on Tuesday, sent letters outlining the road closure, from School Lane to Station Road, with diversions and additional work, under traffic controls, further along Main Road, near Barnfield Drive.
It apologised for potential noise, disruption and inconvenience and asked for co-operation and understanding.
But businesses including Outside, North Face, Outside Cafe, Coleman's Deli, Paul Bowyer's butcher's, Hathersage Lido organisers, Barron's filling station, the Spar shop and more have raised concerns, according to Mr Beardon.
Mr Beardon is campaigning for people to call the council and request the work be postponed for a suitable period or to alter plans to allow traffic in and out.
He added: "It's such short notice we're running out of time so all we can do is phone and write to the council to postpone this plan.
"Roads need to be maintained but this is not an emergency and Hathersage is a key area for the Hope Valley and a main thoroughfare that needs to stay open during July and August."
A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: "Work starts to resurface the main road in Hathersage next week. We realise this will be inconvenient for local people and businesses but this road needs resurfacing.
"We've avoided the main summer holidays and will keep disruption to the minimum possible."
Derbyshire County Council issued warning letters to stores, pubs, tea shops and banks in Hathersage just this week, warning that Main Road will be closed from Monday for two weeks for resurfacing.
Boss Fran Beardon, of outdoor pursuits store Outside, on Main Road, said: "We're fighting recession and they've decided in their wisdom to select a tourism destination for road works during our busiest period.
"We've been looking forward to July to safeguard businesses and jobs and the fact the council is riding roughshod over this lifeline beggars belief."
The council visited shops and, on Tuesday, sent letters outlining the road closure, from School Lane to Station Road, with diversions and additional work, under traffic controls, further along Main Road, near Barnfield Drive.
It apologised for potential noise, disruption and inconvenience and asked for co-operation and understanding.
But businesses including Outside, North Face, Outside Cafe, Coleman's Deli, Paul Bowyer's butcher's, Hathersage Lido organisers, Barron's filling station, the Spar shop and more have raised concerns, according to Mr Beardon.
Mr Beardon is campaigning for people to call the council and request the work be postponed for a suitable period or to alter plans to allow traffic in and out.
He added: "It's such short notice we're running out of time so all we can do is phone and write to the council to postpone this plan.
"Roads need to be maintained but this is not an emergency and Hathersage is a key area for the Hope Valley and a main thoroughfare that needs to stay open during July and August."
A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: "Work starts to resurface the main road in Hathersage next week. We realise this will be inconvenient for local people and businesses but this road needs resurfacing.
"We've avoided the main summer holidays and will keep disruption to the minimum possible."
Walk back in history
HISTORY lovers can discover just what the Normans did for us on a walk to the remains of Pilsbury Castle in the heart of the Peak District National Park on Tuesday July 28.
The easy-going walk, entitled '1066 And All That', starts at 10am as part of the nationwide Festival of British Archaeology.
Booking is essential on 01298 84992, and there is a £2 charge for transport back to Hartington. The walk finishes around 4pm and includes some high stiles. Walkers need a packed lunch and sturdy shoes.
The easy-going walk, entitled '1066 And All That', starts at 10am as part of the nationwide Festival of British Archaeology.
Booking is essential on 01298 84992, and there is a £2 charge for transport back to Hartington. The walk finishes around 4pm and includes some high stiles. Walkers need a packed lunch and sturdy shoes.
Biker rescued after 40 ft plunge
Mountain rescue teams in Derbyshire have helped to bring a 20-year-old man to safety after he lost control of his motorbike and plunged 40ft (12m).
The biker, from north Wales, was travelling along the A54, southwest of Buxton, on Friday night when the accident happened.
It is thought he hit a metal barrier and was then catapulted down a ravine.
Rescue teams used a rope pulley to bring the man to safety.
He was treated by paramedics for a severe leg injury.
He was then taken by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.
Mark Williams of Buxton Mountain Rescue said: "We quickly realised the casualty was in a precarious location on the very steep ground, together with those personnel on site.
"The rope pulley system was needed to recover everyone safely."
The road was closed for a while as a result of the incident.
The biker, from north Wales, was travelling along the A54, southwest of Buxton, on Friday night when the accident happened.
It is thought he hit a metal barrier and was then catapulted down a ravine.
Rescue teams used a rope pulley to bring the man to safety.
He was treated by paramedics for a severe leg injury.
He was then taken by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.
Mark Williams of Buxton Mountain Rescue said: "We quickly realised the casualty was in a precarious location on the very steep ground, together with those personnel on site.
"The rope pulley system was needed to recover everyone safely."
The road was closed for a while as a result of the incident.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
As for the rest of them
MARK TODD South Derbyshire
Total second home allowance claims in 2007-8 of £19,023. Mortgage payments, bills, plumbing work and £25 a month food. Contributions towards kitchen units, lighting replacement and carpet. Furniture including table, chairs and sideboard. Full details on his website, "hopefully" by early June.
LIZ BLACKMAN Erewash
Second home allowance claims of £22,588 in 2007-8 – just under the maximum allowed – which paid for flat rental fees. Has not claimed any mortgage interest. Bought household items for rented flat with the approval of Commons authorities.
PATRICK McLOUGHLIN West Derbyshire
Thousands of pounds for maintenance and repair work at Derbyshire home, including £3,000 towards new windows and £1,268 for decorating sitting room, bedroom and en suite bathroom. Said he was not planning on repaying any of the money back. Mr McLoughlin is to chair a committee that will review all expense claims of his party's MPs.
DAVID TAYLOR North West Leicestershire
Has claimed for council tax, estate service charges, utility bills, furniture, fittings. Is paying back all money for furniture. Said he would also apply other interim rules retrospectively. Admitted daughter uses London flat when she is working in the capital. Receipts will be published online by mid-June.
JANET DEAN Burton
In 2007-8 claimed £17,261 for second home in London – £14,400 rent for flat used since 1997. Other expenses include council tax £1097.88, water charges £266.13, insurance £181.25. All receipts to be published "soon".
DENNIS SKINNER Bolsover
Says in the past five years his expenses are the lowest for all MPs and, in 39 years as an MP, he has never claimed a penny in mortgage payments or money for foreign travel. His total expenses in the last five years were £500,000 less than the highest claim. Said his expenses details were available for anyone who wanted to see.
TOM LEVITT High Peak
Claimed mortgage interest payments for 12 years on his council flat, which he said did not even have a garden, but mistakenly over-claimed for six months. All of the money was repaid. Claimed for furniture, some of which was second hand. About £25 a day for petty cash and food when he was in London. Details online in June; future claims will be published month by month.
PAUL HOLMES Chesterfield
Claimed rent on his second home flat for eight years. Received £20,500 from his second home allowance in 2008-9, 90% of which was paid on rent to a commercial company. He did not think any of his claims had been excessive.
MARGARET BECKETT Derby South
Total second home allowance claims in 2007-8 of £16,974. Claimed £1,920 for a new pergola and plants for her Derby constituency home. Commons staff thought it was excessive and disallowed £600 for plants from the bill.
She said her full allowance details would be released with the cabinet's in the next few weeks.
"Over the years what is acceptable has changed and we need to change now too," she said.
Total second home allowance claims in 2007-8 of £19,023. Mortgage payments, bills, plumbing work and £25 a month food. Contributions towards kitchen units, lighting replacement and carpet. Furniture including table, chairs and sideboard. Full details on his website, "hopefully" by early June.
LIZ BLACKMAN Erewash
Second home allowance claims of £22,588 in 2007-8 – just under the maximum allowed – which paid for flat rental fees. Has not claimed any mortgage interest. Bought household items for rented flat with the approval of Commons authorities.
PATRICK McLOUGHLIN West Derbyshire
Thousands of pounds for maintenance and repair work at Derbyshire home, including £3,000 towards new windows and £1,268 for decorating sitting room, bedroom and en suite bathroom. Said he was not planning on repaying any of the money back. Mr McLoughlin is to chair a committee that will review all expense claims of his party's MPs.
DAVID TAYLOR North West Leicestershire
Has claimed for council tax, estate service charges, utility bills, furniture, fittings. Is paying back all money for furniture. Said he would also apply other interim rules retrospectively. Admitted daughter uses London flat when she is working in the capital. Receipts will be published online by mid-June.
JANET DEAN Burton
In 2007-8 claimed £17,261 for second home in London – £14,400 rent for flat used since 1997. Other expenses include council tax £1097.88, water charges £266.13, insurance £181.25. All receipts to be published "soon".
DENNIS SKINNER Bolsover
Says in the past five years his expenses are the lowest for all MPs and, in 39 years as an MP, he has never claimed a penny in mortgage payments or money for foreign travel. His total expenses in the last five years were £500,000 less than the highest claim. Said his expenses details were available for anyone who wanted to see.
TOM LEVITT High Peak
Claimed mortgage interest payments for 12 years on his council flat, which he said did not even have a garden, but mistakenly over-claimed for six months. All of the money was repaid. Claimed for furniture, some of which was second hand. About £25 a day for petty cash and food when he was in London. Details online in June; future claims will be published month by month.
PAUL HOLMES Chesterfield
Claimed rent on his second home flat for eight years. Received £20,500 from his second home allowance in 2008-9, 90% of which was paid on rent to a commercial company. He did not think any of his claims had been excessive.
MARGARET BECKETT Derby South
Total second home allowance claims in 2007-8 of £16,974. Claimed £1,920 for a new pergola and plants for her Derby constituency home. Commons staff thought it was excessive and disallowed £600 for plants from the bill.
She said her full allowance details would be released with the cabinet's in the next few weeks.
"Over the years what is acceptable has changed and we need to change now too," she said.
Engel: All claims for costs 'directly incurred by me'
NORTH East Derbyshire MP Natascha Engel claimed for a herb-chopper, can opener, tool kit and more than £1,500 of white goods, in total expenses of £63,431 from 2005 to 2008.
In August and September 2005, she claimed for a dishwasher, fridge freezer, washing machine, microwave and kettle at a cost of £1,666.75.
Three months later she got £2,308.95 for furniture from John Lewis. In the next three months to the end of March 2006, she received £504 for kitchen utensils.
She also claimed £2,900 for a John Lewis three-piece corner sofa – but was only given £2,000 – and £235 on a drain survey.
A £79.99 cool box to carry the contents of the MP's fridge between her second home in Derbyshire and London home each week was also claimed.
Since September 2006, Ms Engel has only claimed for mortgage interest, utilities, council tax, phone bills, cleaning, home insurance and water bills. She has never claimed for food and put details of her expenses on her website. Ms Engel said: "I furnished some of my house in Barrow Hill but never claimed for costs not directly incurred by me."
In August and September 2005, she claimed for a dishwasher, fridge freezer, washing machine, microwave and kettle at a cost of £1,666.75.
Three months later she got £2,308.95 for furniture from John Lewis. In the next three months to the end of March 2006, she received £504 for kitchen utensils.
She also claimed £2,900 for a John Lewis three-piece corner sofa – but was only given £2,000 – and £235 on a drain survey.
A £79.99 cool box to carry the contents of the MP's fridge between her second home in Derbyshire and London home each week was also claimed.
Since September 2006, Ms Engel has only claimed for mortgage interest, utilities, council tax, phone bills, cleaning, home insurance and water bills. She has never claimed for food and put details of her expenses on her website. Ms Engel said: "I furnished some of my house in Barrow Hill but never claimed for costs not directly incurred by me."
MP Mallaber a bit more like it
AMBER Valley MP Judy Mallaber has shown the Derby Telegraph her expense claims since 2004.
Her main expense was her mortgage interest. Between 2004 and 2008 she claimed a total of £15,584.02, with £3,891.94 of that received in 2007-08.
She also claimed £1,598.01 for a burglar alarm in those years for her constituency home, for when she was staying in London.
Other expenses were £3,240 for cleaning and £1,800 for service and maintenance costs, including £70.50 for a boiler service.
The Labour MP claimed only for food in 2005-6, when she received £2,000. She said it "did not feel right" claiming for food and has not done so since.
She said she did not feel the total £3,240 bill for a cleaner for her constituency home was excessive. A TV licence was also paid for from the public purse.
Mrs Mallaber said: "I'm a bit embarrassed it (the expense claims) is so low. But I had a national job before I was elected and had a base in London, so only needed a home in Amber Valley. Many other people have done it the other way round."
Her main expense was her mortgage interest. Between 2004 and 2008 she claimed a total of £15,584.02, with £3,891.94 of that received in 2007-08.
She also claimed £1,598.01 for a burglar alarm in those years for her constituency home, for when she was staying in London.
Other expenses were £3,240 for cleaning and £1,800 for service and maintenance costs, including £70.50 for a boiler service.
The Labour MP claimed only for food in 2005-6, when she received £2,000. She said it "did not feel right" claiming for food and has not done so since.
She said she did not feel the total £3,240 bill for a cleaner for her constituency home was excessive. A TV licence was also paid for from the public purse.
Mrs Mallaber said: "I'm a bit embarrassed it (the expense claims) is so low. But I had a national job before I was elected and had a base in London, so only needed a home in Amber Valley. Many other people have done it the other way round."
Hoon 'stuck to letter of law and spirit of the rules' Yeh, yeh, yeh
GORDON Brown was forced to defend two more of his Cabinet ministers yesterday.
The Prime Minister insisted there was "no problem" with financial arrangements that meant Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, who lives in Derbyshire, and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell did not pay capital gains tax on second homes.
The PM has branded the behaviour of Communities Secretary Hazel Blears in avoiding £13,000 of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as "totally unacceptable".
But he insisted the cases of Mr Hoon, who lives at Breaston, and Mr Purnell were different.
Neither paid CGT when selling London homes because the taxman considered them to be their main residence – even though they had been designated as second homes to claim Commons expenses.
Downing Street insisted Mr Hoon and Mr Purnell had stuck to the "letter of the law and the spirit of the rules".
It was reported Mr Hoon did not pay CGT on an estimated £300,000 profit from the sale of his London home in 2006. Mr Hoon said he rejected "any suggestion of wrongdoing".
The Prime Minister insisted there was "no problem" with financial arrangements that meant Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, who lives in Derbyshire, and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell did not pay capital gains tax on second homes.
The PM has branded the behaviour of Communities Secretary Hazel Blears in avoiding £13,000 of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as "totally unacceptable".
But he insisted the cases of Mr Hoon, who lives at Breaston, and Mr Purnell were different.
Neither paid CGT when selling London homes because the taxman considered them to be their main residence – even though they had been designated as second homes to claim Commons expenses.
Downing Street insisted Mr Hoon and Mr Purnell had stuck to the "letter of the law and the spirit of the rules".
It was reported Mr Hoon did not pay CGT on an estimated £300,000 profit from the sale of his London home in 2006. Mr Hoon said he rejected "any suggestion of wrongdoing".
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Double dose of water fun
VISITORS to Chatsworth House will be able to enjoy a water spectacular at the stately home this summer.
Over the coming weeks the Emperor Fountain will reach twice its normal height to around 200ft.
Water will also come pouring out of the mouths of stone fish and hidden water jets will come out the floor of the Cascade House and in the glade around the Willow Tree fountain.
The Water Spectacular will take place along with the usual playing of the fountains each weekend from Saturday, May 2, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.
More information on the stately home is available at www.chatsworth.org
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:51:42
Over the coming weeks the Emperor Fountain will reach twice its normal height to around 200ft.
Water will also come pouring out of the mouths of stone fish and hidden water jets will come out the floor of the Cascade House and in the glade around the Willow Tree fountain.
The Water Spectacular will take place along with the usual playing of the fountains each weekend from Saturday, May 2, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.
More information on the stately home is available at www.chatsworth.org
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:51:42
Richest people in Derbyshire see wealth plummet
DERBYSHIRE entrants on the latest Sunday Times Rich List have been revealed.
But in line with the rest of the country's wealthiest people, their fortunes have fallen over the last 12 months.
John Kirkland and his family, owners of Heage-based construction group Bowmer & Kirkland, have seen a massive 58% dip compared to 2008, losing £160m to £115m.
John Bloor, owner of the Triumph motorcycle business and Swadlincote house building firm Bloor Holdings, is worth 42% less than in 2008 at £275m.
The Duke of Devonshire is one of only two millionaires in the East Midlands top 20 whose wealth has not changed, remaining at £500m.
JCB owner Sir Anthony Bamford and Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft also appear on the list, despite falls in their wealth.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:35:27
But in line with the rest of the country's wealthiest people, their fortunes have fallen over the last 12 months.
John Kirkland and his family, owners of Heage-based construction group Bowmer & Kirkland, have seen a massive 58% dip compared to 2008, losing £160m to £115m.
John Bloor, owner of the Triumph motorcycle business and Swadlincote house building firm Bloor Holdings, is worth 42% less than in 2008 at £275m.
The Duke of Devonshire is one of only two millionaires in the East Midlands top 20 whose wealth has not changed, remaining at £500m.
JCB owner Sir Anthony Bamford and Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft also appear on the list, despite falls in their wealth.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:35:27
New homes plan for old cheese site
AFFORDABLE houses could be built on the site of a former cheese making factory which has closed with the loss of 150 jobs.
A master plan is being drawn up to secure a new future for the Hartington plant after the announcement by Long Clawson Dairy it was to close.
The company, which bought the factory in September last year, has switched production of Stilton making to its other factories in Leicestershire.
The company has agreed to appoint a consultant to work with the Peak District National Park Authority, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derbyshire County Council and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership to look at possible options for the site.
They include, six affordable house, a playground and a site for a new village cemetery.
Click here!
Attempts will also be made to keep some employment on the site.
Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "All the authorities have agreed to work with Long Clawson to look at all the needs of people in Hartington and see what is possible on the site when the cheese making factory closes.
"We would like to secure the future of this site as quickly as possible given the current economic climate. The local community will be consulted as proposals are made.
"Our planning officers are already working with Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Peak District Rural Housing Association to look at a proposal for six affordable houses, but this will be part of a larger master plan for the whole site."
Hartington Creamery has been making cheese since 1875.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:33:04
A master plan is being drawn up to secure a new future for the Hartington plant after the announcement by Long Clawson Dairy it was to close.
The company, which bought the factory in September last year, has switched production of Stilton making to its other factories in Leicestershire.
The company has agreed to appoint a consultant to work with the Peak District National Park Authority, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derbyshire County Council and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership to look at possible options for the site.
They include, six affordable house, a playground and a site for a new village cemetery.
Click here!
Attempts will also be made to keep some employment on the site.
Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "All the authorities have agreed to work with Long Clawson to look at all the needs of people in Hartington and see what is possible on the site when the cheese making factory closes.
"We would like to secure the future of this site as quickly as possible given the current economic climate. The local community will be consulted as proposals are made.
"Our planning officers are already working with Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Peak District Rural Housing Association to look at a proposal for six affordable houses, but this will be part of a larger master plan for the whole site."
Hartington Creamery has been making cheese since 1875.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-26 10:33:04
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Calke Abbey opens doors to its curious treasure collection
Throughout the range of grandly-furnished rooms, Calke Abbey has been alive with activity as staff prepare to reopen to the public for the summer season. Antiques have been dusted, the final touches have been put to new displays and, outside, the estate's gardeners have been toiling beneath the spring sun. Lynne Dixon reports.
THANK goodness there were not any feng shui experts around in Victorian times urging people to clear out their clutter.
After all, if the Harpur Crewe family at Calke Abbey had decided to go all minimalist in the 19th century, there wouldn't be the mind-boggling array of almost 13,000 stuffed birds and mammals, butterflies, fossils, minerals, shells, artworks and general curiosities left for us to marvel at now.
Today, this fascinating National Trust mansion, nestling peacefully in the secluded hollow of a historic deer park in the pretty South Derbyshire village of Ticknall, is a beautifully preserved time warp; its contents and interiors almost unchanged since the 1880s.
The Harpur Crewes were an eccentric family of collectors, who simply never threw anything away. They were inveterate hoarders, which explains the vast and amazing collection of extraordinary treasures on show at Calke Abbey to modern day visitors.
The wonderfully named Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, who lived between 1846 and 1924, was probably the family member with the greatest passion for the natural history of the Calke Abbey park and estate.
He amassed an enormous collection of stuffed birds and mammals, trophy heads, shells, minerals, birds' eggs, grasses and antiquities of every kind which can be seen in the house today.
It all helps to make this imposing baroque country house, dating from 1704, the most perfect example of faded grandeur, or "shabby chic" that you are ever likely to come across. Yes, it is constantly lavished with care and attention by its devoted team of staff but, despite that, Calke retains its air of decidedly faded glory.
This, of course, is exactly how it's meant to be because Calke is the House that Time Forgot.
That's just how the National Trust wants it to stay, explains house manager John Parkinson. "Calke is a vivid example of a great house in decline and it's presented as it was when the Trust took it over in 1985. We have stopped it getting any worse but we don't want it to get any better either. It's a fine balance."
Over the past few months, before the house reopened to the public for the new season recently, the housekeeping team got stuck into a major spring clean to ensure everything was shipshape for the expected influx of visitors.
But not too shipshape, of course. That wouldn't be at all in the spirit of Calke Abbey – which, incidentally, never was an abbey at all, despite being built on the site of a 12th-century Augustinian priory. As a matter of interest, the house was not even named Calke Abbey until 1808.
To give you a brief rundown of its history, Calke Abbey was founded by Richard, 2nd Earl of Chester, a wealthy landowner. But the independent religious community at Calke was not to stand the test of time and, by the mid 1100s, religious activity was reduced to serving as a cell to the nearby priory at Repton. This state of affairs lasted until Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.
From then on, Calke passed through many different hands until it ended up with the Harpur family in 1622. The Harpurs held on to the house until Henry, the last family resident – grandson of Sir Vauncey – handed it to the National Trust in 1985, although he continued to live in a small corner of it until he died in 1991.
But Henry passionately wanted this great and "secret" house to be preserved for the nation and, to this end, the dedicated staff at Calke beaver away endlessly to retain the mansion's unique "unpolished" look, dubbed the "Calke shabby effect".
John Parkinson heads up the housekeeping team, consisting of assistant house steward Nigel Jackson, Jenny Fahy, Gill Mitchell, Yanni Simpson and Neil Hall, who have all been trained in specialist methods of cleaning and conserving a stately home.
Over the past months it has been all hands to the pump to prepare Calke for its spring opening, as Jenny Fahy will testify.
"All the team know not to over-clean," she says – which, of course, is trickier than it sounds. Nevertheless, years of experience have taught these dedicated workers just how little elbow grease to use!
Their recent spring cleaning operation was carefully planned, as Jenny and her colleagues drew up a plan of work on a logical room by room basis.
"But things never go according to plan," Jenny laughs. "There are always challenges along the way, like the year we were having the underground Elizabethan drains replaced and discovered a load of skeletons!
"We had to bring in an archaeologist to assess the site and he confirmed that it was an old burial ground, Calke being situated on the site of a former priory. It was fascinating to see the skeletons as they were all positioned to reflect their hierarchy. They were left undisturbed and the new drains were installed along a different route!"
Part of Calke's annual spring clean involves the team going round each room to "relax" the curtains.
Jenny said: "This simply means taking off all the tie-backs and drawing the curtains closed so the material can hang freely, allowing some of the creases to fall out"
The team lay the curtains on huge tables, cover them with net then carefully vacuum the dust off with a specialist appliance, ensuring no snagging of threads.
Jenny adds: "Each room is then emptied before we carry out a "high clean" from the top of scaffolding and ladders, doing the chandeliers and cornices first."
As wall-mounted hunting trophies are a key part of Calke Abbey, the housekeeping team take care to keep them in good condition.
"We brush the deer heads down in situ using soft natural hair brushes and specialist vacuum cleaners. We have to be careful and wear rubber gloves and masks for cleaning the taxidermy because it's preserved with an arsenic solution," said Jenny.
Calke's other taxidermy displays are all enclosed in glass cases, so generally do not need cleaning – unless any insect infestations are spotted. "As soon as we see any sign of this, we call in a conservator who freezes the animal to kill off any bugs," Jenny said
"All taxidermy is preserved using toxic chemicals, so this always requires professional handling."
For more information on the opening of the house, park, garden and church at Calke Abbey, telephone Derby 863822, e-mail calkeabbey@national trust.org.uk or visit www.nat ionaltrust.org.uk/calke
New for 2009 are daily behind-the-scenes conservation tours of the house (except for Thursdays and Fridays when it is closed). The tours are from 11am-12.30pm and are included in the price of admission to the house.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:37:35
THANK goodness there were not any feng shui experts around in Victorian times urging people to clear out their clutter.
After all, if the Harpur Crewe family at Calke Abbey had decided to go all minimalist in the 19th century, there wouldn't be the mind-boggling array of almost 13,000 stuffed birds and mammals, butterflies, fossils, minerals, shells, artworks and general curiosities left for us to marvel at now.
Today, this fascinating National Trust mansion, nestling peacefully in the secluded hollow of a historic deer park in the pretty South Derbyshire village of Ticknall, is a beautifully preserved time warp; its contents and interiors almost unchanged since the 1880s.
The Harpur Crewes were an eccentric family of collectors, who simply never threw anything away. They were inveterate hoarders, which explains the vast and amazing collection of extraordinary treasures on show at Calke Abbey to modern day visitors.
The wonderfully named Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, who lived between 1846 and 1924, was probably the family member with the greatest passion for the natural history of the Calke Abbey park and estate.
He amassed an enormous collection of stuffed birds and mammals, trophy heads, shells, minerals, birds' eggs, grasses and antiquities of every kind which can be seen in the house today.
It all helps to make this imposing baroque country house, dating from 1704, the most perfect example of faded grandeur, or "shabby chic" that you are ever likely to come across. Yes, it is constantly lavished with care and attention by its devoted team of staff but, despite that, Calke retains its air of decidedly faded glory.
This, of course, is exactly how it's meant to be because Calke is the House that Time Forgot.
That's just how the National Trust wants it to stay, explains house manager John Parkinson. "Calke is a vivid example of a great house in decline and it's presented as it was when the Trust took it over in 1985. We have stopped it getting any worse but we don't want it to get any better either. It's a fine balance."
Over the past few months, before the house reopened to the public for the new season recently, the housekeeping team got stuck into a major spring clean to ensure everything was shipshape for the expected influx of visitors.
But not too shipshape, of course. That wouldn't be at all in the spirit of Calke Abbey – which, incidentally, never was an abbey at all, despite being built on the site of a 12th-century Augustinian priory. As a matter of interest, the house was not even named Calke Abbey until 1808.
To give you a brief rundown of its history, Calke Abbey was founded by Richard, 2nd Earl of Chester, a wealthy landowner. But the independent religious community at Calke was not to stand the test of time and, by the mid 1100s, religious activity was reduced to serving as a cell to the nearby priory at Repton. This state of affairs lasted until Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.
From then on, Calke passed through many different hands until it ended up with the Harpur family in 1622. The Harpurs held on to the house until Henry, the last family resident – grandson of Sir Vauncey – handed it to the National Trust in 1985, although he continued to live in a small corner of it until he died in 1991.
But Henry passionately wanted this great and "secret" house to be preserved for the nation and, to this end, the dedicated staff at Calke beaver away endlessly to retain the mansion's unique "unpolished" look, dubbed the "Calke shabby effect".
John Parkinson heads up the housekeeping team, consisting of assistant house steward Nigel Jackson, Jenny Fahy, Gill Mitchell, Yanni Simpson and Neil Hall, who have all been trained in specialist methods of cleaning and conserving a stately home.
Over the past months it has been all hands to the pump to prepare Calke for its spring opening, as Jenny Fahy will testify.
"All the team know not to over-clean," she says – which, of course, is trickier than it sounds. Nevertheless, years of experience have taught these dedicated workers just how little elbow grease to use!
Their recent spring cleaning operation was carefully planned, as Jenny and her colleagues drew up a plan of work on a logical room by room basis.
"But things never go according to plan," Jenny laughs. "There are always challenges along the way, like the year we were having the underground Elizabethan drains replaced and discovered a load of skeletons!
"We had to bring in an archaeologist to assess the site and he confirmed that it was an old burial ground, Calke being situated on the site of a former priory. It was fascinating to see the skeletons as they were all positioned to reflect their hierarchy. They were left undisturbed and the new drains were installed along a different route!"
Part of Calke's annual spring clean involves the team going round each room to "relax" the curtains.
Jenny said: "This simply means taking off all the tie-backs and drawing the curtains closed so the material can hang freely, allowing some of the creases to fall out"
The team lay the curtains on huge tables, cover them with net then carefully vacuum the dust off with a specialist appliance, ensuring no snagging of threads.
Jenny adds: "Each room is then emptied before we carry out a "high clean" from the top of scaffolding and ladders, doing the chandeliers and cornices first."
As wall-mounted hunting trophies are a key part of Calke Abbey, the housekeeping team take care to keep them in good condition.
"We brush the deer heads down in situ using soft natural hair brushes and specialist vacuum cleaners. We have to be careful and wear rubber gloves and masks for cleaning the taxidermy because it's preserved with an arsenic solution," said Jenny.
Calke's other taxidermy displays are all enclosed in glass cases, so generally do not need cleaning – unless any insect infestations are spotted. "As soon as we see any sign of this, we call in a conservator who freezes the animal to kill off any bugs," Jenny said
"All taxidermy is preserved using toxic chemicals, so this always requires professional handling."
For more information on the opening of the house, park, garden and church at Calke Abbey, telephone Derby 863822, e-mail calkeabbey@national trust.org.uk or visit www.nat ionaltrust.org.uk/calke
New for 2009 are daily behind-the-scenes conservation tours of the house (except for Thursdays and Fridays when it is closed). The tours are from 11am-12.30pm and are included in the price of admission to the house.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:37:35
Get taste of Tudor-type food with TV star Ruth
COOKING Tudor-style will be the lesson of the day at an event at Haddon Hall.
The stately home in Derbyshire will host a Tudor Cookery Weekend, with BBC presenter Ruth Goodman from the show A Victorian Farm.
The TV star will help prepare an authentic Tudor feast.
It will be served in the hall's banqueting room, which has been used for entertaining and dining since the 15th century.
Visitors are invited to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor cookery first hand at the sessions, which will take place this Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4pm.
For more information visit www.haddonhall.co.uk
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:36:24
The stately home in Derbyshire will host a Tudor Cookery Weekend, with BBC presenter Ruth Goodman from the show A Victorian Farm.
The TV star will help prepare an authentic Tudor feast.
It will be served in the hall's banqueting room, which has been used for entertaining and dining since the 15th century.
Visitors are invited to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor cookery first hand at the sessions, which will take place this Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4pm.
For more information visit www.haddonhall.co.uk
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:36:24
County caravan park's UK award
A DERBYSHIRE caravan park has won a national award for customer service.
The Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park, in Amber Valley, has won the British Holiday and Home Parks Association's Exceptional Service Award.
Park owner Darren Fretwell said: "I am delighted we have been acknowledged at a time when more and more people are choosing to holiday within the UK.
"Delivering consistent high-quality service is one of the best ways to attract people and keep them coming back."
The business has earned praise from the Country Land and Business Association.
CLA spokesman Tim Barnes-Clay said: "The Golden Valley Caravan Park certainly deserves this award."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:29:13
The Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park, in Amber Valley, has won the British Holiday and Home Parks Association's Exceptional Service Award.
Park owner Darren Fretwell said: "I am delighted we have been acknowledged at a time when more and more people are choosing to holiday within the UK.
"Delivering consistent high-quality service is one of the best ways to attract people and keep them coming back."
The business has earned praise from the Country Land and Business Association.
CLA spokesman Tim Barnes-Clay said: "The Golden Valley Caravan Park certainly deserves this award."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:29:13
Mark England's day with pride
FOR too long, any celebration of our English identity has been attributed to racism or fascism.
Even our own Labour government wallows in the hatred of all things English.
At last, the tide of feeling is turning. Interest in St George and his cross is enjoying a long-awaited revival.
Let us all join in this revival and, on April 23, celebrate our Englishness. Let us all defy the politically correct brigade and put them in their place once and for all by proudly flying the red and white cross of England's patron saint.
We have much to be proud of in our great country. Let us celebrate the best of all things English. We have given the world so much in political and social values, art, modern and classical music, technology – the list is endless.
I love my country and am sick and tired of press and politicians talking it down.
We must all congratulate Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who plans to use St George's Day as a festival of Englishness. Let us all follow his example.
The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots all celebrate their national day, some with a holiday.
Let us get away from the feeling that our national day is an embarrassment. It should be a day of jubilation and flag-waving; a day when to be reminded of our greatness.
Keith Furnival,
Derby Road,
Wirksworth.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:26:24
Even our own Labour government wallows in the hatred of all things English.
At last, the tide of feeling is turning. Interest in St George and his cross is enjoying a long-awaited revival.
Let us all join in this revival and, on April 23, celebrate our Englishness. Let us all defy the politically correct brigade and put them in their place once and for all by proudly flying the red and white cross of England's patron saint.
We have much to be proud of in our great country. Let us celebrate the best of all things English. We have given the world so much in political and social values, art, modern and classical music, technology – the list is endless.
I love my country and am sick and tired of press and politicians talking it down.
We must all congratulate Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who plans to use St George's Day as a festival of Englishness. Let us all follow his example.
The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots all celebrate their national day, some with a holiday.
Let us get away from the feeling that our national day is an embarrassment. It should be a day of jubilation and flag-waving; a day when to be reminded of our greatness.
Keith Furnival,
Derby Road,
Wirksworth.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-21 09:26:24
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Reservoir takes community and conservation awards
FOREMARK Reservoir has won top community and conservation awards.
The Severn Trent Water site won the awards for its contribution to the community and conservation in this year’s British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) challenge.
The BTO announced winners of the trust’s British Energy Business Challenge 2008 — the bi-annual competition to find the country’s best industrial and commercial sites for birds.
The South Derbyshire reservoir won two of the three prizes for large wetland sites including first place in the community category and first place in the conservation category.
Foremark Reservoir ranger Wayne Ball said: "We are pleased about winning these awards; it shows that all the hours of hard work that the rangers and volunteers have put in have really paid off.
"Conservation and biodiversity is really important to Severn Trent Water. These awards recognise the impact that we’ve had on the local area."
The challenge accounted for all the conservation and community initiatives completed by the Foremark team over the last two years including hedge-laying projects, scrub habitat management and a barn owl project, which was completed with the support of local business Urban Wildlife Solutions.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 21:30:40
The Severn Trent Water site won the awards for its contribution to the community and conservation in this year’s British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) challenge.
The BTO announced winners of the trust’s British Energy Business Challenge 2008 — the bi-annual competition to find the country’s best industrial and commercial sites for birds.
The South Derbyshire reservoir won two of the three prizes for large wetland sites including first place in the community category and first place in the conservation category.
Foremark Reservoir ranger Wayne Ball said: "We are pleased about winning these awards; it shows that all the hours of hard work that the rangers and volunteers have put in have really paid off.
"Conservation and biodiversity is really important to Severn Trent Water. These awards recognise the impact that we’ve had on the local area."
The challenge accounted for all the conservation and community initiatives completed by the Foremark team over the last two years including hedge-laying projects, scrub habitat management and a barn owl project, which was completed with the support of local business Urban Wildlife Solutions.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 21:30:40
At long last . . . at-risk Mansion to be restored
ONE of Ashbourne’s architectural treasures is finally to be restored with an ambitious programme of work expected to take a year to complete.
London-based architect Paul Mannouso, owner of The Mansion, in Church Street, bought the property in 1995, and admits its declining condition in recent years has been ’a disgrace’ — but says he hopes to nurture it back to its former glory by March next year.
The 300-year-old Grade I-listed building was once home to Rev Dr John Taylor — who was known as ’The King of Ashbourne’.
It was subsequently used as a boarding school but is now on English Heritage’s Buildings At Risk register.
The school closed in 1992, and the house remained empty until Mr Mannouso snapped it up three years later.
Mr Mannouso’s housekeeper, Martin Kyslun, carried out a variety of small jobs around the house before his sudden death in November last year, but this will be the house’s first big overhaul in decades.
Exterior work to inspect wear and tear to the house’s windows is under way, and scaffolding is in place allowing contractors to repair pointing, guttering and and leadwork.
Mr Mannouso has also hired a gardener to renovate the once stunning gardens, which have become overgrown after years of neglect, and work is currently ongoing to restore an old pond.
The owner is currently suffering from an undisclosed illness which he says is preventing him from returning to Ashbourne, but he has enlisted a ’representative’ to ensure all goes according to plan.
His architect is currently waiting for consent from English Heritage before work can start on the house’s interior.
Mr Mannouso, who has been paying regular visits to the mansion since the death of Mr Kyslun, said: "Recently, the condition of the house has been a disgrace, rather resting on me I’m afraid.
"But I decided that Ashbourne was an incredibly nice place and this house is beautiful, so I thought to myself, ’I’ve got a real jewel there’.
"As an architect myself, I am passionate about beatiful old buildings and I’m keen to see it restored as soon as possible.
"I think it will take until at least next March before I can move into it, so it’s a pretty big business. It was in a shambolic state when I went in to it, but I hope it will be beautiful again when it is finished."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 21:19:30
London-based architect Paul Mannouso, owner of The Mansion, in Church Street, bought the property in 1995, and admits its declining condition in recent years has been ’a disgrace’ — but says he hopes to nurture it back to its former glory by March next year.
The 300-year-old Grade I-listed building was once home to Rev Dr John Taylor — who was known as ’The King of Ashbourne’.
It was subsequently used as a boarding school but is now on English Heritage’s Buildings At Risk register.
The school closed in 1992, and the house remained empty until Mr Mannouso snapped it up three years later.
Mr Mannouso’s housekeeper, Martin Kyslun, carried out a variety of small jobs around the house before his sudden death in November last year, but this will be the house’s first big overhaul in decades.
Exterior work to inspect wear and tear to the house’s windows is under way, and scaffolding is in place allowing contractors to repair pointing, guttering and and leadwork.
Mr Mannouso has also hired a gardener to renovate the once stunning gardens, which have become overgrown after years of neglect, and work is currently ongoing to restore an old pond.
The owner is currently suffering from an undisclosed illness which he says is preventing him from returning to Ashbourne, but he has enlisted a ’representative’ to ensure all goes according to plan.
His architect is currently waiting for consent from English Heritage before work can start on the house’s interior.
Mr Mannouso, who has been paying regular visits to the mansion since the death of Mr Kyslun, said: "Recently, the condition of the house has been a disgrace, rather resting on me I’m afraid.
"But I decided that Ashbourne was an incredibly nice place and this house is beautiful, so I thought to myself, ’I’ve got a real jewel there’.
"As an architect myself, I am passionate about beatiful old buildings and I’m keen to see it restored as soon as possible.
"I think it will take until at least next March before I can move into it, so it’s a pretty big business. It was in a shambolic state when I went in to it, but I hope it will be beautiful again when it is finished."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 21:19:30
From Bankers to W*nkers
A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.
That has always been true but today i think the follow poem found on Myspace.com blogs by Alan Shepherd sums it up!
Bankers, wankers,
Easy rhyme.
Others pay
For all your crimes.
Bankers, wankers,
If you please,
You brought this country
To its knees.
You played a game
Just like roulette
Put all our money
On your bet.
But when you lost,
We paid the price,
Bankers, wankers,
Cold as ice.
Bankers, wankers,
Know no shame.
Bankers, wankers
Who’s to blame?
All the others
Pay the costs.
Bankers, wankers,
Keep their yachts.
Bankers, wankers,
Watch your backs
Don’t think that we’ll
Forget the facts.
You screwed up jobs,
You screwed up lives,
We’ll know just where
To sink the knives.
And now it seems,
That we own you.
We bail you out,
What do you do?
Skip your bonus?
Don’t be daft!
Just screw us for
Our overdraft.
You thought that things
Would always be
The way that you dictated
When the tide goes out
It’s then we see
Just who’s been swimming naked.
I hope I live
To see the day
When Justice calls
To make you pay
The tables turned,
Your assets none,
Your fingers burned,
Your friends all gone,
You’ll reap the harvest
That you’ve sown.
You killed our hopes,
And your last loan
Is mortgaged on
Your heart and soul.
Bankers, wankers
On the dole.
The reason for this piece? - Don't Ask!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 15:35:09
That has always been true but today i think the follow poem found on Myspace.com blogs by Alan Shepherd sums it up!
Bankers, wankers,
Easy rhyme.
Others pay
For all your crimes.
Bankers, wankers,
If you please,
You brought this country
To its knees.
You played a game
Just like roulette
Put all our money
On your bet.
But when you lost,
We paid the price,
Bankers, wankers,
Cold as ice.
Bankers, wankers,
Know no shame.
Bankers, wankers
Who’s to blame?
All the others
Pay the costs.
Bankers, wankers,
Keep their yachts.
Bankers, wankers,
Watch your backs
Don’t think that we’ll
Forget the facts.
You screwed up jobs,
You screwed up lives,
We’ll know just where
To sink the knives.
And now it seems,
That we own you.
We bail you out,
What do you do?
Skip your bonus?
Don’t be daft!
Just screw us for
Our overdraft.
You thought that things
Would always be
The way that you dictated
When the tide goes out
It’s then we see
Just who’s been swimming naked.
I hope I live
To see the day
When Justice calls
To make you pay
The tables turned,
Your assets none,
Your fingers burned,
Your friends all gone,
You’ll reap the harvest
That you’ve sown.
You killed our hopes,
And your last loan
Is mortgaged on
Your heart and soul.
Bankers, wankers
On the dole.
The reason for this piece? - Don't Ask!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 15:35:09
New sponsor for Bakewell show
Historic Bakewell Show has welcomed a new sponsor.
Torne Valley Ltd, which supplies everything from agricultural and equestrian products to DIY and electrical goods, is the main sponsor for this year's event, which takes place on August 5 and 6.
The company, which has a branch in Bakewell but is based in Tickhill near Doncaster, was founded 19 years ago.
Proprieter and managing director, Kevin McDonald, said: "Bakewell Show is one of the longest-established country shows – one which I have enjoyed on many occasions over the years – and we are delighted to be able to play a part in securing its future.
"Torne Valley serves a broad section of that community and this is a good way to give something back to the people who support our business."
Show director Brian Bakel said: "This new partnership with Torne Valley will give us a much-needed boost and ensure that the show continues to flourish over the coming years."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:59:36
Torne Valley Ltd, which supplies everything from agricultural and equestrian products to DIY and electrical goods, is the main sponsor for this year's event, which takes place on August 5 and 6.
The company, which has a branch in Bakewell but is based in Tickhill near Doncaster, was founded 19 years ago.
Proprieter and managing director, Kevin McDonald, said: "Bakewell Show is one of the longest-established country shows – one which I have enjoyed on many occasions over the years – and we are delighted to be able to play a part in securing its future.
"Torne Valley serves a broad section of that community and this is a good way to give something back to the people who support our business."
Show director Brian Bakel said: "This new partnership with Torne Valley will give us a much-needed boost and ensure that the show continues to flourish over the coming years."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:59:36
Villager slams car rally
VILLAGERS claim they had a rude awakening when a fleet of rally cars passed through their village in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Matlock Motor Club hosted its 35th overnight Derbyshire Rally – with a section of the 130-mile competitive route including parts of Bonsall.
Resident Valerie Spowart said loud exhausts and 'boy racers' antics had disturbed her family.
"We were woken up at about 12.45am by all the noise and cars stopping at the junction opposite our house.
"My husband flagged down one of the cars to ask what on earth was going on. We thought it was local boy racers."
Mrs Spowart said they had not been given prior warning about the race.
She added: "If we had known beforehand we would have not been worried and just thought that is the rally going by."
But clerk of the course Steve Harris said households had been informed by a public notice which had been put up in the village.
The race, which has raised substantial amounts for charities including Chesterfield's Ashgate Hospice and the Air Ambulance, follows a different route in the county each year.
Mr Harris said officials from the Motor Sports Association carried out strict noise tests on each vehicle.
He added: "People should be driving as carefully and quietly as possible.
"I really can't understand why anyone would have been making a noise there. It is quite frustrating because there should not have been a problem at all."
He said drivers were usually aged around 40 and held the race overnight, mostly on farm tracks, to avoid disrupting the traffic.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:57:29
Matlock Motor Club hosted its 35th overnight Derbyshire Rally – with a section of the 130-mile competitive route including parts of Bonsall.
Resident Valerie Spowart said loud exhausts and 'boy racers' antics had disturbed her family.
"We were woken up at about 12.45am by all the noise and cars stopping at the junction opposite our house.
"My husband flagged down one of the cars to ask what on earth was going on. We thought it was local boy racers."
Mrs Spowart said they had not been given prior warning about the race.
She added: "If we had known beforehand we would have not been worried and just thought that is the rally going by."
But clerk of the course Steve Harris said households had been informed by a public notice which had been put up in the village.
The race, which has raised substantial amounts for charities including Chesterfield's Ashgate Hospice and the Air Ambulance, follows a different route in the county each year.
Mr Harris said officials from the Motor Sports Association carried out strict noise tests on each vehicle.
He added: "People should be driving as carefully and quietly as possible.
"I really can't understand why anyone would have been making a noise there. It is quite frustrating because there should not have been a problem at all."
He said drivers were usually aged around 40 and held the race overnight, mostly on farm tracks, to avoid disrupting the traffic.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:57:29
Derbyshire's new High Sheriff appointed
Sir Henry Every has been appointed High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
Sir Henry's name was approved by the Queen at a traditional ceremony in March before he was sworn in at a private ceremony at his home this month.
The new High Sheriff is expected to name his Under Sheriff as Richard Bullock, a partner in the Derby firm of solicitors Freeth Cartwright.
Sir Henry, who works at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants and holds the Freedom of the City of London.
Sir Henry (62), said: "I am very much looking forward to serving the people of Derbyshire over the next year and to finding out more about the contribution made to the life of the county by the very many statutory bodies which contribute to the richness of Derbyshire."
He is the seventh person in his family to take up the role and replaces Lord Ralph Kerr, of Melbourne Hall.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:55:59
Sir Henry's name was approved by the Queen at a traditional ceremony in March before he was sworn in at a private ceremony at his home this month.
The new High Sheriff is expected to name his Under Sheriff as Richard Bullock, a partner in the Derby firm of solicitors Freeth Cartwright.
Sir Henry, who works at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants and holds the Freedom of the City of London.
Sir Henry (62), said: "I am very much looking forward to serving the people of Derbyshire over the next year and to finding out more about the contribution made to the life of the county by the very many statutory bodies which contribute to the richness of Derbyshire."
He is the seventh person in his family to take up the role and replaces Lord Ralph Kerr, of Melbourne Hall.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:55:59
Hats off to museum's exhibition
A Peak District museum has opened its doors for the 2009 season, with new rooms, exhibits and outdoor areas on show.
Staff at the Old House Museum in Bakewell have renovated the building and its grounds as part of a Heritage Lottery Project.
Exciting new costumes – including a Victorian dress, a First World War Land Girl uniform and a Tibetan outfit from the 1933 Everest expedition – have replaced the award-winning wedding dress display.
Museum manager Anita Spencer said: "We have got new exhibitions, more internal work and a lovely new gallery with a beautiful new courtyard which is almost finished."
The lottery-funded renovation project will be completed next year.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:54:05
Staff at the Old House Museum in Bakewell have renovated the building and its grounds as part of a Heritage Lottery Project.
Exciting new costumes – including a Victorian dress, a First World War Land Girl uniform and a Tibetan outfit from the 1933 Everest expedition – have replaced the award-winning wedding dress display.
Museum manager Anita Spencer said: "We have got new exhibitions, more internal work and a lovely new gallery with a beautiful new courtyard which is almost finished."
The lottery-funded renovation project will be completed next year.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:54:05
Lottery funds historical dig
A PEAK District history group is hoping to unearth the mysteries of a local beauty spot thanks to a lottery-funded archaeological dig.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £49,000 to the Longstone Local History Group to help members find out more about the unknown past of the area around Monsal Head.
An ancient settlement site lies near the car park at the popular tourist attraction and the lottery cash will enable members to explore what happened there in the past by funding archaeological surveys, an archaeological dig and archive research.
Ann Hall, project manager for the Longstone group, said they were pleased to announce that local resident and nationally-renowned archaeologist Dr Clive Waddington would be guiding the research team.
Dr Waddington said: "The Peak District is home to many settlement sites that we think date from the Iron Age but, because there have been no systematic investigations, we know very little about these monuments.
"This investigation by Longstone Local History Group provides a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the date, character and scale of these sites and I look forward to helping the members find out about the history of their area."
English Heritage, the Peak District National Park Authority and Natural England have all said they will help the group piece together the area's past.
Sarah Whiteley, from the National Park Authority, said: "We're very excited about this project as the fieldwork will reveal the state of preservation of the monument.
"This will help us to advise on the most appropriate long term management of the site."
The archaeological project will also involve local community members, with pupils from Longstone Primary School set to help with test pitting and young people from Cornerstones Youth Group and Great Longstone Youth Choir filming a DVD charting the project's progress.
The Ashford Art Group will organise community art activities around the site and will show their work at the Great Longstone Art Show in August.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:52:35
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £49,000 to the Longstone Local History Group to help members find out more about the unknown past of the area around Monsal Head.
An ancient settlement site lies near the car park at the popular tourist attraction and the lottery cash will enable members to explore what happened there in the past by funding archaeological surveys, an archaeological dig and archive research.
Ann Hall, project manager for the Longstone group, said they were pleased to announce that local resident and nationally-renowned archaeologist Dr Clive Waddington would be guiding the research team.
Dr Waddington said: "The Peak District is home to many settlement sites that we think date from the Iron Age but, because there have been no systematic investigations, we know very little about these monuments.
"This investigation by Longstone Local History Group provides a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the date, character and scale of these sites and I look forward to helping the members find out about the history of their area."
English Heritage, the Peak District National Park Authority and Natural England have all said they will help the group piece together the area's past.
Sarah Whiteley, from the National Park Authority, said: "We're very excited about this project as the fieldwork will reveal the state of preservation of the monument.
"This will help us to advise on the most appropriate long term management of the site."
The archaeological project will also involve local community members, with pupils from Longstone Primary School set to help with test pitting and young people from Cornerstones Youth Group and Great Longstone Youth Choir filming a DVD charting the project's progress.
The Ashford Art Group will organise community art activities around the site and will show their work at the Great Longstone Art Show in August.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:52:35
Wind farm bid flaws claim
A BARRISTER has claimed major flaws have been included in plans to build five 126-metre wind turbines on Matlock Moor.
Richard Honey, from Francis Taylor Building barristers, said West Coast Energy's application underestimated the farm's noise and landscape impact, and its effect on tourism.
In a report for Action Against Matlock Moor Windfarm Proposal (AMP), Mr Honey added the application broke planning guidelines and overstated the development's carbon-saving potential.
Mr Honey said: "I consider the application documents in this case, including the environmental statement, to be unreliable and of poor quality.
"There are a number of important omissions or failures in relation to compliance with the environmental impact assessment regulations.
"It would be unlawful to grant planning permission based on the environmental statement submitted."
He said parts of the Peak District National Park would suffer, despite Matlock Moor being outside the park boundary.
Mr Honey said: "It will be possible to see this wind farm along with others from a number of positions in the national park, giving the impression the park is surrounded by a number of wind farm developments.
"The application site itself is on a ridge, in a highly visible position. The wind farm would appear to me to be out-of-keeping with this complex and varied landscape, which has a timeless quality.
"A planning decision-maker would conclude that there were substantially adverse landscape effects arising from this development," he added.
AMP said it was a "damning assessment" of the Matlock Moor development.
But West Coast Energy rejected Mr Honey's fears after studying his report.
Director Matthew Hayes said: "Our initial view is that we do not accept the various criticisms expressed by Mr Honey in the report.
"We are currently taking advice from counsel on the matter and insofar as we consider it necessary to do so, a formal response may be issued in due course."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:49:27
Richard Honey, from Francis Taylor Building barristers, said West Coast Energy's application underestimated the farm's noise and landscape impact, and its effect on tourism.
In a report for Action Against Matlock Moor Windfarm Proposal (AMP), Mr Honey added the application broke planning guidelines and overstated the development's carbon-saving potential.
Mr Honey said: "I consider the application documents in this case, including the environmental statement, to be unreliable and of poor quality.
"There are a number of important omissions or failures in relation to compliance with the environmental impact assessment regulations.
"It would be unlawful to grant planning permission based on the environmental statement submitted."
He said parts of the Peak District National Park would suffer, despite Matlock Moor being outside the park boundary.
Mr Honey said: "It will be possible to see this wind farm along with others from a number of positions in the national park, giving the impression the park is surrounded by a number of wind farm developments.
"The application site itself is on a ridge, in a highly visible position. The wind farm would appear to me to be out-of-keeping with this complex and varied landscape, which has a timeless quality.
"A planning decision-maker would conclude that there were substantially adverse landscape effects arising from this development," he added.
AMP said it was a "damning assessment" of the Matlock Moor development.
But West Coast Energy rejected Mr Honey's fears after studying his report.
Director Matthew Hayes said: "Our initial view is that we do not accept the various criticisms expressed by Mr Honey in the report.
"We are currently taking advice from counsel on the matter and insofar as we consider it necessary to do so, a formal response may be issued in due course."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:49:27
Celebrating St George's day in Belper
Belper will be transformed into a sea of red and white for this year's St George's Day celebrations.
Belper Town Council plans to spend £400 kitting the town centre out with flags and bunting to commemorate the English patron saint's day on Thursday, April 23.
It is hoped shops in King Street and Bridge Street will fly the red and white England flag in the week leading up to the St George's Day parade on Sunday, April 26.
Belper councillor John Nelson, who came up with the plans, said: "I want to turn Belper into a big celebration for St George's Day. We should fly the flag."
Belper Town Council agreed to fund the plans at its latest meeting.
The money will go towards bunting, which will be put up around the town centre and in Milford, small England flags and larger display flags, which will be on sale to traders and members of the public.
Cllr Nelson said: "Everybody seems to be against St George's Day, and it's time somebody made the effort and made Belper really enthusiastic about it. It's a time to celebrate the best of everything English, and raise the profile of our patron saint."
The week will end with a parade by hundreds of beavers, cubs, scouts, brownies and guides through the town on Sunday, April 26, ending at St Peter's Church, on Chesterfield Road, at 2pm, and Belper Central Methodist Church, on Chapel Street, at 2.15pm.
St George, who was named as the patron saint of England in the 14th century, is also the patron saint of scouting.
Ten-metre lengths of bunting and 5ftx3ft flags will be available to buy from the town council at £7.50 each by calling 01773 822116.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:45:31
Belper Town Council plans to spend £400 kitting the town centre out with flags and bunting to commemorate the English patron saint's day on Thursday, April 23.
It is hoped shops in King Street and Bridge Street will fly the red and white England flag in the week leading up to the St George's Day parade on Sunday, April 26.
Belper councillor John Nelson, who came up with the plans, said: "I want to turn Belper into a big celebration for St George's Day. We should fly the flag."
Belper Town Council agreed to fund the plans at its latest meeting.
The money will go towards bunting, which will be put up around the town centre and in Milford, small England flags and larger display flags, which will be on sale to traders and members of the public.
Cllr Nelson said: "Everybody seems to be against St George's Day, and it's time somebody made the effort and made Belper really enthusiastic about it. It's a time to celebrate the best of everything English, and raise the profile of our patron saint."
The week will end with a parade by hundreds of beavers, cubs, scouts, brownies and guides through the town on Sunday, April 26, ending at St Peter's Church, on Chesterfield Road, at 2pm, and Belper Central Methodist Church, on Chapel Street, at 2.15pm.
St George, who was named as the patron saint of England in the 14th century, is also the patron saint of scouting.
Ten-metre lengths of bunting and 5ftx3ft flags will be available to buy from the town council at £7.50 each by calling 01773 822116.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:45:31
Fears as wine bar gets go-ahead
The owner of a new Bakewell wine bar and music venue has moved to allay residents' fears over vandalism, noise and violence.
Worried residents urged Derbyshire Dales District Council to refuse Helen Hartley's license application for The Bakewell Pudding Parlour on Water Lane, but a licensing committee approved it on Monday.
Ms Hartley said she was pleased with the decisADVERTISEMENT
ion and added that residents had nothing to fear as there would be CCTV, a strict door policy and only low-level noise.
She said: "If people are concerned they should come and have a look around. They'd only need to see it to realise it's not that sort of place at all – we just want a nice clientele.
"It's a cafe bar and restaurant with a wine bar upstairs which's really different for Bakewell and something quite new."
Seven residents wrote to councillors, pleading for the application to be blocked.
Riverside Crescent resident Joyce Jennett wrote: "Bakewell is such a lovely town, it shouldn't be spoiled by noisy folk coming in of an evening, getting in a bad way with drink and shouting at all hours.
"We will very likely be troubled with fighting and mindless vandalism."
Granby Croft resident Stephen and Marilyn Lomax said it was
an "inappropriate" location.
And Mr and Mrs D Macdonald from Riverside Crescent wrote: "The wrong type of people will inevitably be drawn to this facility and the licensees will not be responsible for their departing clients who go on to cause disruption, nuisance and noise in an otherwise peaceful surrounding area."
Derbyshire Police Authority withdrew concerns about noise, nuisance, crime and disorder after agreeing conditions with Ms Hartley.
The Bakewell Pudding Parlour can serve alcohol and play music until 11pm each day, with dancing from Thursday to Sunday.
Entertainment and drinking can continue until midnight on six days a year.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:43:50
Worried residents urged Derbyshire Dales District Council to refuse Helen Hartley's license application for The Bakewell Pudding Parlour on Water Lane, but a licensing committee approved it on Monday.
Ms Hartley said she was pleased with the decisADVERTISEMENT
ion and added that residents had nothing to fear as there would be CCTV, a strict door policy and only low-level noise.
She said: "If people are concerned they should come and have a look around. They'd only need to see it to realise it's not that sort of place at all – we just want a nice clientele.
"It's a cafe bar and restaurant with a wine bar upstairs which's really different for Bakewell and something quite new."
Seven residents wrote to councillors, pleading for the application to be blocked.
Riverside Crescent resident Joyce Jennett wrote: "Bakewell is such a lovely town, it shouldn't be spoiled by noisy folk coming in of an evening, getting in a bad way with drink and shouting at all hours.
"We will very likely be troubled with fighting and mindless vandalism."
Granby Croft resident Stephen and Marilyn Lomax said it was
an "inappropriate" location.
And Mr and Mrs D Macdonald from Riverside Crescent wrote: "The wrong type of people will inevitably be drawn to this facility and the licensees will not be responsible for their departing clients who go on to cause disruption, nuisance and noise in an otherwise peaceful surrounding area."
Derbyshire Police Authority withdrew concerns about noise, nuisance, crime and disorder after agreeing conditions with Ms Hartley.
The Bakewell Pudding Parlour can serve alcohol and play music until 11pm each day, with dancing from Thursday to Sunday.
Entertainment and drinking can continue until midnight on six days a year.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:43:50
New hope for disused sites
A scheme which gives rundown rural buildings a new lease of life has been extended.
The Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme, which is run by Derbyshire County Council, will now continue until March 2011.
Rundown buildings in market towns and rural areas across Derbyshire are eligible to apply.
The scheme offers grants of 25 per cent of the full cost to owners of redundant or derelict buildings who convert them for business use.
People interested in applying for a grant towards work this year can find out more by calling Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 and quoting Redundant Building Grant.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:41:02
The Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme, which is run by Derbyshire County Council, will now continue until March 2011.
Rundown buildings in market towns and rural areas across Derbyshire are eligible to apply.
The scheme offers grants of 25 per cent of the full cost to owners of redundant or derelict buildings who convert them for business use.
People interested in applying for a grant towards work this year can find out more by calling Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 and quoting Redundant Building Grant.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:41:02
Rams agree talks on Clough/Taylor statue
A STATUE of former Derby County manager Brian Clough and his assistant, Peter Taylor, will come a step closer to reality next week during a meeting with club bosses.
Fans have been calling for some time for a tribute to the pair to be installed at Pride Park.
Last year an online petition was set up by Littleover Community School pupil Ashley Wilkinson calling for such a statue, with 2,000 people adding their signatures so far.
During a recent Fans First Forum, the idea was raised again, with club president and chief executive Tom Glick saying it was something the club had discussed.
He added: "It is a matter of what it looks like, where it goes and when the right time would be to install it. It is an important subject for us."
Next week Derby County representatives will meet with four fans – Andrew Hearnden and Adrian Pacey, who raise the issue at the forum, Ian Hayes, who led the campaign for a bust of Steve Bloomer to be made and Kal Singh Dhindsa, who has been supporting the petition.
They hope the meeting will lead to a committee being formed to bring the idea to life.
Peter Taylor's daughter, Wendy Dickinson, has agreed to support the campaign.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:34:41
Fans have been calling for some time for a tribute to the pair to be installed at Pride Park.
Last year an online petition was set up by Littleover Community School pupil Ashley Wilkinson calling for such a statue, with 2,000 people adding their signatures so far.
During a recent Fans First Forum, the idea was raised again, with club president and chief executive Tom Glick saying it was something the club had discussed.
He added: "It is a matter of what it looks like, where it goes and when the right time would be to install it. It is an important subject for us."
Next week Derby County representatives will meet with four fans – Andrew Hearnden and Adrian Pacey, who raise the issue at the forum, Ian Hayes, who led the campaign for a bust of Steve Bloomer to be made and Kal Singh Dhindsa, who has been supporting the petition.
They hope the meeting will lead to a committee being formed to bring the idea to life.
Peter Taylor's daughter, Wendy Dickinson, has agreed to support the campaign.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:34:41
Railway enthusiasts complete hand-built track after 18 months of dedication
DEDICATED railway enthusiasts have finished the construction of a 300-metre railway line after almost two years of hard work.
Railway association volunteers spent 18 months hand-building the Stone Line, a £40,000 narrow-gauge track, at Wirksworth station.
The two-foot wide line, which operates a 10-minute round trip within the station yard, allows passengers to see some of Wirksworth's historic railway sites.
The track, along with the platform, was built by 25 volunteers from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, which supports Wirksworth Station projects.
The volunteers also raised £20,000 to help fund the line's construction, with the rest of the cash coming from Derbyshire Environmental Trust.
Neil Ferguson-Lee, director of Wyvern Rail plc, which runs Wirksworth Station, said the service provided a new way to see the area.
He said: "It is a nice ride with an historic background and, in that respect, it bridges the gap between history and pleasure.
"The journey is an ideal diversion for parents and children and, already, it has proven very popular.
"It runs within the station yard but there really is plenty to see because the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful."
The train which runs on the line, known as Lesley the Lister, was built more than 60 years ago and frequently used by engineers in sewage works.
The carriage was once used in the Woodhead tunnels, which provided railway links between Manchester and Sheffield.
Passengers using the service will visit the Dale Quarry Tunnel, which linked Wirksworth Station to a nearby quarry, and the Cemetery Lane Bridge.
The line was opened by Patrick Strange, vice-chairman of Derbyshire Environmental Trust – an independent body which seeks grants from landfill operators to help finance environmental schemes.
Mr Ferguson-Lee said: "The average age of the volunteers who built the track was around 65 and they certainly put in a lot of hard work and effort.
"Not only will the passengers get a feel for the industry of the area but they will also see places not normally open to the public.
"This includes a 100-year-old man-made waterfall which hasn't been seen by the public for a very long time."
The Stone Line project is part of a decade-long restoration of railway lines in Ecclesbourne Valley.
A 3.5-mile route from Wirksworth to Idridgehay, which had not carried passengers for 60 years, was completed last year. A number of train companies also use parts of Wirksworth Station and its lines to carry out railway testing.
Mr Ferguson-Lee said: "About 90% of our business comes from railway testing and we have done some highly prestigious projects through this."
"Next year, we're also looking to extend services to other parts of the country, including London. This is something that hasn't been done since 1947, so there are a lot of exciting things happening at the station."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:29:54
Railway association volunteers spent 18 months hand-building the Stone Line, a £40,000 narrow-gauge track, at Wirksworth station.
The two-foot wide line, which operates a 10-minute round trip within the station yard, allows passengers to see some of Wirksworth's historic railway sites.
The track, along with the platform, was built by 25 volunteers from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, which supports Wirksworth Station projects.
The volunteers also raised £20,000 to help fund the line's construction, with the rest of the cash coming from Derbyshire Environmental Trust.
Neil Ferguson-Lee, director of Wyvern Rail plc, which runs Wirksworth Station, said the service provided a new way to see the area.
He said: "It is a nice ride with an historic background and, in that respect, it bridges the gap between history and pleasure.
"The journey is an ideal diversion for parents and children and, already, it has proven very popular.
"It runs within the station yard but there really is plenty to see because the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful."
The train which runs on the line, known as Lesley the Lister, was built more than 60 years ago and frequently used by engineers in sewage works.
The carriage was once used in the Woodhead tunnels, which provided railway links between Manchester and Sheffield.
Passengers using the service will visit the Dale Quarry Tunnel, which linked Wirksworth Station to a nearby quarry, and the Cemetery Lane Bridge.
The line was opened by Patrick Strange, vice-chairman of Derbyshire Environmental Trust – an independent body which seeks grants from landfill operators to help finance environmental schemes.
Mr Ferguson-Lee said: "The average age of the volunteers who built the track was around 65 and they certainly put in a lot of hard work and effort.
"Not only will the passengers get a feel for the industry of the area but they will also see places not normally open to the public.
"This includes a 100-year-old man-made waterfall which hasn't been seen by the public for a very long time."
The Stone Line project is part of a decade-long restoration of railway lines in Ecclesbourne Valley.
A 3.5-mile route from Wirksworth to Idridgehay, which had not carried passengers for 60 years, was completed last year. A number of train companies also use parts of Wirksworth Station and its lines to carry out railway testing.
Mr Ferguson-Lee said: "About 90% of our business comes from railway testing and we have done some highly prestigious projects through this."
"Next year, we're also looking to extend services to other parts of the country, including London. This is something that hasn't been done since 1947, so there are a lot of exciting things happening at the station."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:29:54
Events at Donington Park postponed
RACE events at Donington Park over the next five weekends have been postponed due to safety fears.
The circuit has failed to secure a license due its ongoing £100m revamp ahead of the track staging the Formula One grand prix next year.
In a statement released today, a Donington Park spokesman said: "Following ongoing liaison with motorsport's organising bodies and media speculation surrounding track licence issues, Donington Park has today confirmed changes to its 2009 event calendar and issued a full apology to competitors, enthusiasts and organisers affected by the changes.
"This weekend's Formula Palmer Audi is the first event that will not run in 2009, following a full cancellation by the event organisers.
"Next weekend's British F3/GT Championships has been postponed with an agreement to work toward a new event date later in 2009.
"Meanwhile, the May Bank Holiday Brtitcar series and the Aston Martin Owners Club event on 4 May have been cancelled.
"The cancellations and postponements have been agreed as a result of safety concerns raised by some of the event organisers following work on a new tunnel between McLeans and Coppice at the Leicestershire parkland circuit.
"Staff at Donington Park are continuing to liaise with all relevant parties to ensure that there is no further disruption to the 2009 calendar and to try to agree solutions for re-scheduled events.
"Plans to address the run off areas surrounding the track above the tunnel have already been submitted to the FIA and feedback is expected later this week."
Simon Gillett, Chief Executive, said: "Firstly, I would like to apologise wholeheartedly to anybody affected by these cancellations and postponements.
"As a motorsport enthusiast myself, I understand how disappointing it is to miss out on an event that you've been looking forward to for months. I also understand the level of work and financial commitment from organisers.
"I am working extremely hard with my team to minimise any disruption to this year's calendar and to provide solutions where possible."
Sally Warrener, owner of Melbourne View Hotel, which accommodates visitors to Donington Park, said the news was "devastating" to her business.
"This is going to cost us at between £20,000 and £25,000 in lost revenue," she said.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:25:43
The circuit has failed to secure a license due its ongoing £100m revamp ahead of the track staging the Formula One grand prix next year.
In a statement released today, a Donington Park spokesman said: "Following ongoing liaison with motorsport's organising bodies and media speculation surrounding track licence issues, Donington Park has today confirmed changes to its 2009 event calendar and issued a full apology to competitors, enthusiasts and organisers affected by the changes.
"This weekend's Formula Palmer Audi is the first event that will not run in 2009, following a full cancellation by the event organisers.
"Next weekend's British F3/GT Championships has been postponed with an agreement to work toward a new event date later in 2009.
"Meanwhile, the May Bank Holiday Brtitcar series and the Aston Martin Owners Club event on 4 May have been cancelled.
"The cancellations and postponements have been agreed as a result of safety concerns raised by some of the event organisers following work on a new tunnel between McLeans and Coppice at the Leicestershire parkland circuit.
"Staff at Donington Park are continuing to liaise with all relevant parties to ensure that there is no further disruption to the 2009 calendar and to try to agree solutions for re-scheduled events.
"Plans to address the run off areas surrounding the track above the tunnel have already been submitted to the FIA and feedback is expected later this week."
Simon Gillett, Chief Executive, said: "Firstly, I would like to apologise wholeheartedly to anybody affected by these cancellations and postponements.
"As a motorsport enthusiast myself, I understand how disappointing it is to miss out on an event that you've been looking forward to for months. I also understand the level of work and financial commitment from organisers.
"I am working extremely hard with my team to minimise any disruption to this year's calendar and to provide solutions where possible."
Sally Warrener, owner of Melbourne View Hotel, which accommodates visitors to Donington Park, said the news was "devastating" to her business.
"This is going to cost us at between £20,000 and £25,000 in lost revenue," she said.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:25:43
Gipsy camp may become caravan park
IT'S abandoned and strewn with rubbish - but this derelict gipsy camp on the edge of Sheffield could be reborn as a tourist facility if a city businessman gets his way.
Harry Peck, managing director of fishing tackle supplier Bennetts of Sheffield, said the site off Tinsley Park Road could be used as a caravan park.
He has called for a park to be established for people to site their mobile homes in the area, or even to provide a place for tourists to park caravans while visiting Sheffield and the Peak District.
Mr Peck said: "At the moment the site is an absolute tip. It's been left like a health hazard and not been used for several years but the council must have spent a fortune building it and it's just standing idle.
"All the buildings and infrastructure necessary for a caravan park are there and it's a site with good access. It seems a shame to waste it."
Mr Peck added there are few suitable sites for a caravan park elsewhere in the city.
Building the facility from scratch would be more costly than re-using the one at Tinsley because new roads, drains and buildings with washing facilities would be needed, he said.
Les Sturch, Sheffield Council's director of building services, said: "We are always happy to hear people's suggestions about ways to improve their city.
"A city park for motorhomes, caravans and camping is a good idea, because of the potential benefits for tourism, but it warrants some fresh thinking as in the past no permanent solution for a suitable site was found.
"It's far too early to say anything yet about specific sites, particularly as there are no concrete proposals, but we will work on a way forward to progress this for Sheffield."
He made no specific comment about the future of the Tinsley Park Road site.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:09:11
Harry Peck, managing director of fishing tackle supplier Bennetts of Sheffield, said the site off Tinsley Park Road could be used as a caravan park.
He has called for a park to be established for people to site their mobile homes in the area, or even to provide a place for tourists to park caravans while visiting Sheffield and the Peak District.
Mr Peck said: "At the moment the site is an absolute tip. It's been left like a health hazard and not been used for several years but the council must have spent a fortune building it and it's just standing idle.
"All the buildings and infrastructure necessary for a caravan park are there and it's a site with good access. It seems a shame to waste it."
Mr Peck added there are few suitable sites for a caravan park elsewhere in the city.
Building the facility from scratch would be more costly than re-using the one at Tinsley because new roads, drains and buildings with washing facilities would be needed, he said.
Les Sturch, Sheffield Council's director of building services, said: "We are always happy to hear people's suggestions about ways to improve their city.
"A city park for motorhomes, caravans and camping is a good idea, because of the potential benefits for tourism, but it warrants some fresh thinking as in the past no permanent solution for a suitable site was found.
"It's far too early to say anything yet about specific sites, particularly as there are no concrete proposals, but we will work on a way forward to progress this for Sheffield."
He made no specific comment about the future of the Tinsley Park Road site.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 12:09:11
Campaigners' update on quarrying future
Quarry campaigners will discuss the future of their fight to save a Peak District hillside at a public meeting.
Save Longstone Edge Group will update guests on the Court of Appeal's decision in March to place strict limits on quarrying at Backdale Quarry and Wagers Flat, near Calver.
And members want to look at how to safeguard the picturesque hillside, during the meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday April 23.
Chairman John Lambert said: "While we are cautiously optimistic about the future, we still need to keep up pressure to ensure a long-term solution.
"We also need to make sure that the judgment is properly enforced and consider our next steps," he added.
Mr Lambert called on the Peak District National Park Authority to revoke the 1952 planning permission which has allowed quarrying to continue at the edge.
Story courtesy of Matlock Mercury.
Save Longstone Edge Group will update guests on the Court of Appeal's decision in March to place strict limits on quarrying at Backdale Quarry and Wagers Flat, near Calver.
And members want to look at how to safeguard the picturesque hillside, during the meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday April 23.
Chairman John Lambert said: "While we are cautiously optimistic about the future, we still need to keep up pressure to ensure a long-term solution.
"We also need to make sure that the judgment is properly enforced and consider our next steps," he added.
Mr Lambert called on the Peak District National Park Authority to revoke the 1952 planning permission which has allowed quarrying to continue at the edge.
Story courtesy of Matlock Mercury.
MP demands action against illegal road racers on A515
WEST Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin has asked highways chiefs to address speed safety measures along the A515 — including measures to combat illegal road racing.
A letter has been sent to the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council to ask about action to tackle speeding vehicles along Buxton Road.
The Tory MP also claims to have anecdotal evidence that the owners of high powered motorcycles and performance cars are travelling to the area specifically to see just how fast their vehicles can go.
Mr McLoughlin said: "I have spoken to a number of local people about this stretch of road, who have all expressed concerns about the speed at which cars and motorcycles are travelling at on the road.
"Some cars and motorcycles are travelling in excess of 120mph. This particular route is being used as a deliberate speeding location, with people travelling to this road with the intention to drive as fast as they can.
"I appreciate that improvement s have been made at the junctions, but this is a problem on the straight parts, so I have written to the cabinet member for highways at the county council and the chief executive of Peak Park to clarify about how they are tackling this, and what they are doing to deter people from excessive speeding."
Story courtesy of Ashbourne News Telegraph.
A letter has been sent to the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council to ask about action to tackle speeding vehicles along Buxton Road.
The Tory MP also claims to have anecdotal evidence that the owners of high powered motorcycles and performance cars are travelling to the area specifically to see just how fast their vehicles can go.
Mr McLoughlin said: "I have spoken to a number of local people about this stretch of road, who have all expressed concerns about the speed at which cars and motorcycles are travelling at on the road.
"Some cars and motorcycles are travelling in excess of 120mph. This particular route is being used as a deliberate speeding location, with people travelling to this road with the intention to drive as fast as they can.
"I appreciate that improvement s have been made at the junctions, but this is a problem on the straight parts, so I have written to the cabinet member for highways at the county council and the chief executive of Peak Park to clarify about how they are tackling this, and what they are doing to deter people from excessive speeding."
Story courtesy of Ashbourne News Telegraph.
Peak Park map highlights planning breach claims
The Peak District National Park Authority has drawn a map of the 14 highest priority sites where it claims planning laws have been breached.
Its monitoring and enforcement team will show members the map – which includes sites at Bakewell, Winster, Sheldon, Middleton-by-Youlgrave, Monyash, Stanton Moor and Eyam – at a meeting tomorrow in Bakewell.
In its report, the team said it was preparing legal cases against landowner Bill Clay, for alleged failure to comply with three enforcement notices at the Pinfold Site on Monyash Road in Bakewell.
Officers are also involved with ongoing legal challenges over alleged illegal vehicle storage and unauthorised track building at Home Farm in Sheldon.
And they revealed they may use "direct action" to remove cars being stored without authorisation at Tor Farmhouse in Middleton-by-Youlgrave. The team is currently dealing with 305 outstanding enforcement cases.
To view the map and report, click here and here.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 11:24:02
Its monitoring and enforcement team will show members the map – which includes sites at Bakewell, Winster, Sheldon, Middleton-by-Youlgrave, Monyash, Stanton Moor and Eyam – at a meeting tomorrow in Bakewell.
In its report, the team said it was preparing legal cases against landowner Bill Clay, for alleged failure to comply with three enforcement notices at the Pinfold Site on Monyash Road in Bakewell.
Officers are also involved with ongoing legal challenges over alleged illegal vehicle storage and unauthorised track building at Home Farm in Sheldon.
And they revealed they may use "direct action" to remove cars being stored without authorisation at Tor Farmhouse in Middleton-by-Youlgrave. The team is currently dealing with 305 outstanding enforcement cases.
To view the map and report, click here and here.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 11:24:02
High-tech bid to net new county tourists
Tourism businesses have been learning how to make the most of new technology – in a bid to beat the credit crunch.
Over 250 delegates met for the Tourism Fair and Literature Exchange and learned how to make the most of popular websites such as YouTube and Facebook.
Communications chief Helen Rydzyk said: "It offered an invaluable opportunity to work together to boost tourism and share ideas in the ongoing quest to attract more visitors to the area and beat the credit crunch."
Popular workshops included Getting Visitors on the Web and Advanced Online Marketing Techniques.
Visit Peak District and Derbyshire also launched its new visitors magazine – called Welcome – which aims direct tourists to the area's top attractions.
The event was moved to Buxton's Pavilion Gardens – a larger venue than previous years to allow more business leaders to swap ideas and prepare for the 2009 season.
Visit Peak District and Derbyshire bosses reminded delegates that research shows holiday-makers will be looking closer to home this year, to beat the recession and weak exchange rates.
Well guess what folks we've been doing it for years. Wakey wakey Visit Peak District and Derbyshire!!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 11:55:51
Over 250 delegates met for the Tourism Fair and Literature Exchange and learned how to make the most of popular websites such as YouTube and Facebook.
Communications chief Helen Rydzyk said: "It offered an invaluable opportunity to work together to boost tourism and share ideas in the ongoing quest to attract more visitors to the area and beat the credit crunch."
Popular workshops included Getting Visitors on the Web and Advanced Online Marketing Techniques.
Visit Peak District and Derbyshire also launched its new visitors magazine – called Welcome – which aims direct tourists to the area's top attractions.
The event was moved to Buxton's Pavilion Gardens – a larger venue than previous years to allow more business leaders to swap ideas and prepare for the 2009 season.
Visit Peak District and Derbyshire bosses reminded delegates that research shows holiday-makers will be looking closer to home this year, to beat the recession and weak exchange rates.
Well guess what folks we've been doing it for years. Wakey wakey Visit Peak District and Derbyshire!!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-16 11:55:51
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
'Clough factor' boosts income
Derby County are sure the Nigel Clough factor is one of the main reasons behind them selling 17,700 season tickets already for next season.
The early bird deadline for renewals closed on Monday night and the figure for tickets sold is 1,100 up on the same stage last year.
And more than 700 new season-ticket holders have purchased tickets for the 2009-10 campaign.
Derby can boast the biggest season-ticket base in the Championship and all the signs point to them matching or beating the current figure of just over 22,000.
“There has been a tremendous response,” said president and chief executive, Tom Glick.
"It is very positive and we are thankful to supporters.
“We are encouraged that we can start next season with a similar season-ticket base, which would be terrific.”
Clough’s appointment as manager has caught the imagination of supporters and raised hopes of improved fortunes on the pitch next season.
The 22 points from 16 League games under Clough have taken Derby to the verge of safety in the Championship.
“Wherever I go in the community and the country, his arrival as manager has been a big topic of conversation,” said Glick.
"People are excited. They have a lot of belief and hope and rightly so.
“I think Nigel has a lot to do with it. I think he has helped bring it all together,”
Derby’s average gate for the eight home League games played under Clough is 30,101 and the biggest crowd of the season at Pride Park Stadium, a sell-out 33,079, watched Saturday’s defeat by leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Glick is expecting the final two home fixtures against Reading and Charlton to sell out.
“We are at almost 31,000 for Reading and almost 32,000 for Charlton,” he said.
“We are working hard on every aspect of the club to make it stronger, more exciting and a better experience for the fans.”
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 16:10:01
The early bird deadline for renewals closed on Monday night and the figure for tickets sold is 1,100 up on the same stage last year.
And more than 700 new season-ticket holders have purchased tickets for the 2009-10 campaign.
Derby can boast the biggest season-ticket base in the Championship and all the signs point to them matching or beating the current figure of just over 22,000.
“There has been a tremendous response,” said president and chief executive, Tom Glick.
"It is very positive and we are thankful to supporters.
“We are encouraged that we can start next season with a similar season-ticket base, which would be terrific.”
Clough’s appointment as manager has caught the imagination of supporters and raised hopes of improved fortunes on the pitch next season.
The 22 points from 16 League games under Clough have taken Derby to the verge of safety in the Championship.
“Wherever I go in the community and the country, his arrival as manager has been a big topic of conversation,” said Glick.
"People are excited. They have a lot of belief and hope and rightly so.
“I think Nigel has a lot to do with it. I think he has helped bring it all together,”
Derby’s average gate for the eight home League games played under Clough is 30,101 and the biggest crowd of the season at Pride Park Stadium, a sell-out 33,079, watched Saturday’s defeat by leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Glick is expecting the final two home fixtures against Reading and Charlton to sell out.
“We are at almost 31,000 for Reading and almost 32,000 for Charlton,” he said.
“We are working hard on every aspect of the club to make it stronger, more exciting and a better experience for the fans.”
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 16:10:01
Derby County 2 v 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
If a game captured Derby County’s frustrating season in 90 minutes, it was this.
They were good and bad in patches, putting supporters in the biggest crowd of the season at Pride Park Stadium through a roller-coaster of emotions.
There was the high of leading against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Championship’s front-runners, and the low of being pegged back.
And then there was the final, crushing disappointment of losing in the closing minutes.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said he was not sure how his side had won a lively contest.
“We were hopeless, we could not play any worse but we won,” added McCarthy.
Those who follow Derby know how Wolves took the three points to put them within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League.
All three of the visitors’ goals were avoidable.
Stung by criticism after conceding eight in two away games, the Rams responded by keeping a clean sheet against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.
But their miserly mood did not last.
Andy Keogh, twice, and Matt Jarvis struck to give Wolves another win at the home of the Rams. They are unbeaten in eight visits and have won five.
Przemyslaw Kazmierczak’s free kick cancelled out Keogh’s early opener and Mile Sterjovski fired Derby in front 10 minutes after the break to delight the majority in the fourth consecutive 30,000-plus gate at Pride Park.
They could have gone further ahead but some of the decision-making and the final ball or attempt at goal let them down.
“They (Derby) should have been out of sight,” said McCarthy, while Rams boss Nigel Clough pointed to poor decisions and poor defending for the reasons why they lost.
Wolves exposed the faults as Jarvis equalised and Keogh headed a winner.
It is the first time Derby have lost at home this season to one of the leading sides, having beaten Sheffield United and Bristol City and drawn with Birmingham City, Cardiff City, Burnley, Preston North End and Swansea City.
Defeat, coupled with home wins by Norwich City and Southampton as well as Nottingham Forest’s point at Sheffield United, have left Derby still needing a few points to make absolutely certain of safety.
Victory at Hillsborough had pushed Derby to the verge of safety and they made four changes to the team to face Wolves.
Andy Todd replaced Lewin Nyatanga. Sterjovski came in for Barry Bannan, Robbie Savage returned for John Eustace and Kazmierczak made his first start under Clough.
Kazmierczak was in for Stephen Pearson, who was not in the 16 after completing his first 90 minutes in more than six months.
Wolves were without the injured strike duo that had hit more than 40 goals between them, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo, but they still went ahead after only seven minutes.
There was no obvious danger when Christophe Berra hoisted the ball forward but rather than being positive and dealing with the situation, Martin Albrechtsen let the ball drop and was caught out as Keogh nipped in to hook a volley across Stephen Bywater.
Keogh can be pleased with his finish but Albrechtsen handed him the chance.
There was the suggestion of a push but the Rams defender should have been stronger.
Derby have conceded too many poor goals this season and this was another to add to the catalogue.
Kazmierczak sent a couple of long shots wide. Those efforts were clearly sighters because he found the net for Derby’s equaliser on the half-hour mark.
Hulse was checked by Karl Henry for a free kick in a central position 25 yards out.
Kazmierczak is capable of striking the ball cleanly and had shown his ability at set-pieces on a handful of occasions since joining the Rams on a season-long loan from Porto.
On this occasion, he produced his best yet, curling the ball left-footed and low around the Wolves’ wall and beyond Wayne Hennessy’s dive.
It was a sweet moment for the Polish midfielder who has not found it easy to make the transition to English football.
Wolves had played much of the football and had been rarely ruffled before the goal but Derby went at the visitors with more purpose in the final 15 minutes of the half.
Jody Craddock, at full stretch, did well to clear a centre from Kris Commons and Gary Teale’s drive stung the hands of Hennessy.
Jay McEveley limped off with a foot injury just before the break and Kazmierczak stayed off at half-time due to a dead-leg.
Nyatanga went to left-back and Eustace, who did well against Cardiff and Sheffield Wedneday, joined Savage in the centre of the midfield.
Both goals led a charmed life at the start of the second half.
The advancing Hennessy blocked Hulse’s effort and then Sterjovski raced clear but, rather than finishing, he tried to go round Hennessy who dived and knocked the ball away from the Rams player.
At other end, Kevin Foley’s right-foot effort beat Bywater and rebounded off a post and then Henry found time and space at the back post only to lift his shot high over.
Given such wastefulness, it seemed that neither side wanted the lead.
But Derby accepted the next opportunity to go ahead after 55 minutes.
Commons pulled a corner back to the unmarked Sterjovski, whose controlled side-foot volley from 15 yards found the net.
Hennessy’s fingertips denied Hulse as Derby went for a third but Wolves levelled with 16 minutes left.
Savage tried to play his way out and then Derby struggled to clear the lines.
Substitute Marlon Harewood made his presence felt in the scramble and the ball broke to Jarvis, who drilled it in at the near post.
The visitors grabbed the lead for a second time in the game after 87 minutes.
Nyatanga joined in a Derby attack that broke down and Wolves countered down their right. Harewood drove in a cross and Keogh’s close-range header flashed into the net in front of the ecstatic Wolves fans.
The points belonged to Wolves, the disappointment to Derby.
It was hard to escape the feeling that they had played a big part in their own downfall.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:54:57
They were good and bad in patches, putting supporters in the biggest crowd of the season at Pride Park Stadium through a roller-coaster of emotions.
There was the high of leading against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Championship’s front-runners, and the low of being pegged back.
And then there was the final, crushing disappointment of losing in the closing minutes.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said he was not sure how his side had won a lively contest.
“We were hopeless, we could not play any worse but we won,” added McCarthy.
Those who follow Derby know how Wolves took the three points to put them within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League.
All three of the visitors’ goals were avoidable.
Stung by criticism after conceding eight in two away games, the Rams responded by keeping a clean sheet against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.
But their miserly mood did not last.
Andy Keogh, twice, and Matt Jarvis struck to give Wolves another win at the home of the Rams. They are unbeaten in eight visits and have won five.
Przemyslaw Kazmierczak’s free kick cancelled out Keogh’s early opener and Mile Sterjovski fired Derby in front 10 minutes after the break to delight the majority in the fourth consecutive 30,000-plus gate at Pride Park.
They could have gone further ahead but some of the decision-making and the final ball or attempt at goal let them down.
“They (Derby) should have been out of sight,” said McCarthy, while Rams boss Nigel Clough pointed to poor decisions and poor defending for the reasons why they lost.
Wolves exposed the faults as Jarvis equalised and Keogh headed a winner.
It is the first time Derby have lost at home this season to one of the leading sides, having beaten Sheffield United and Bristol City and drawn with Birmingham City, Cardiff City, Burnley, Preston North End and Swansea City.
Defeat, coupled with home wins by Norwich City and Southampton as well as Nottingham Forest’s point at Sheffield United, have left Derby still needing a few points to make absolutely certain of safety.
Victory at Hillsborough had pushed Derby to the verge of safety and they made four changes to the team to face Wolves.
Andy Todd replaced Lewin Nyatanga. Sterjovski came in for Barry Bannan, Robbie Savage returned for John Eustace and Kazmierczak made his first start under Clough.
Kazmierczak was in for Stephen Pearson, who was not in the 16 after completing his first 90 minutes in more than six months.
Wolves were without the injured strike duo that had hit more than 40 goals between them, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo, but they still went ahead after only seven minutes.
There was no obvious danger when Christophe Berra hoisted the ball forward but rather than being positive and dealing with the situation, Martin Albrechtsen let the ball drop and was caught out as Keogh nipped in to hook a volley across Stephen Bywater.
Keogh can be pleased with his finish but Albrechtsen handed him the chance.
There was the suggestion of a push but the Rams defender should have been stronger.
Derby have conceded too many poor goals this season and this was another to add to the catalogue.
Kazmierczak sent a couple of long shots wide. Those efforts were clearly sighters because he found the net for Derby’s equaliser on the half-hour mark.
Hulse was checked by Karl Henry for a free kick in a central position 25 yards out.
Kazmierczak is capable of striking the ball cleanly and had shown his ability at set-pieces on a handful of occasions since joining the Rams on a season-long loan from Porto.
On this occasion, he produced his best yet, curling the ball left-footed and low around the Wolves’ wall and beyond Wayne Hennessy’s dive.
It was a sweet moment for the Polish midfielder who has not found it easy to make the transition to English football.
Wolves had played much of the football and had been rarely ruffled before the goal but Derby went at the visitors with more purpose in the final 15 minutes of the half.
Jody Craddock, at full stretch, did well to clear a centre from Kris Commons and Gary Teale’s drive stung the hands of Hennessy.
Jay McEveley limped off with a foot injury just before the break and Kazmierczak stayed off at half-time due to a dead-leg.
Nyatanga went to left-back and Eustace, who did well against Cardiff and Sheffield Wedneday, joined Savage in the centre of the midfield.
Both goals led a charmed life at the start of the second half.
The advancing Hennessy blocked Hulse’s effort and then Sterjovski raced clear but, rather than finishing, he tried to go round Hennessy who dived and knocked the ball away from the Rams player.
At other end, Kevin Foley’s right-foot effort beat Bywater and rebounded off a post and then Henry found time and space at the back post only to lift his shot high over.
Given such wastefulness, it seemed that neither side wanted the lead.
But Derby accepted the next opportunity to go ahead after 55 minutes.
Commons pulled a corner back to the unmarked Sterjovski, whose controlled side-foot volley from 15 yards found the net.
Hennessy’s fingertips denied Hulse as Derby went for a third but Wolves levelled with 16 minutes left.
Savage tried to play his way out and then Derby struggled to clear the lines.
Substitute Marlon Harewood made his presence felt in the scramble and the ball broke to Jarvis, who drilled it in at the near post.
The visitors grabbed the lead for a second time in the game after 87 minutes.
Nyatanga joined in a Derby attack that broke down and Wolves countered down their right. Harewood drove in a cross and Keogh’s close-range header flashed into the net in front of the ecstatic Wolves fans.
The points belonged to Wolves, the disappointment to Derby.
It was hard to escape the feeling that they had played a big part in their own downfall.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:54:57
Village is hoping to revive carnival
VILLAGERS are hoping to revive a carnival.
Councillor Juliette Blake has now arranged a meeting in the hope of bringing back Heage Carnival next year.
The event last took place in 2002 and Mrs Blake hopes that reviving it will inject community spirit into the village.
Residents are welcome to attend the meeting on Friday, April 24, at 7.15pm at the Park Crescent Community Centre, in Park Crescent
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:47:57
Councillor Juliette Blake has now arranged a meeting in the hope of bringing back Heage Carnival next year.
The event last took place in 2002 and Mrs Blake hopes that reviving it will inject community spirit into the village.
Residents are welcome to attend the meeting on Friday, April 24, at 7.15pm at the Park Crescent Community Centre, in Park Crescent
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:47:57
Debut for track
A RAILWAY line built by volunteers has been officially opened.
On Friday, the first train took to the tracks of the Stone Line at Wirksworth Station.
The 300-metre narrow gauge railway was built by volunteers from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association with cash from Derbyshire Environmental Trust. It was opened by the Trust's Dr Patrick Strange.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:46:01
On Friday, the first train took to the tracks of the Stone Line at Wirksworth Station.
The 300-metre narrow gauge railway was built by volunteers from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association with cash from Derbyshire Environmental Trust. It was opened by the Trust's Dr Patrick Strange.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:46:01
Parlour approval
A CAFE in the Derbyshire Dales will be able to sell alcohol and hold music events after councillors voted in favour of granting a licence.
Helen Hartley, owner of the Bakewell Pudding Parlour, in Water Lane, Bakewell, will now be able to sell alcohol from 10am until 11pm, seven days a week and hold music events up to six times a year.
The council's licensing sub-committee unanimously voted in favour of the application.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:42:07
Helen Hartley, owner of the Bakewell Pudding Parlour, in Water Lane, Bakewell, will now be able to sell alcohol from 10am until 11pm, seven days a week and hold music events up to six times a year.
The council's licensing sub-committee unanimously voted in favour of the application.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:42:07
Solicitor accused of theft from Shrovetide Committee in court
THE case of a solicitor charged with 10 financial offences, including false accounting and theft, from Ashbourne’s Royal Shrovetide Committee, will now be handled by Nottingham Crown Court.
Dawson John Hanson, 74, of Back Lane, Hollington, has pleaded not guilty to the offences.
This morning, at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, Hanson was told his case will next be dealt with at Nottingham Crown Court in June.
Hanson has also pleaded not guilty to 12 financial offences alleged to have been committed while working as a solicitor in Ashbourne.
Most of the Shrovetide offences were allegedly committed between January 1, 2002 and August 4, 2007, while Hanson was secretary of the games committee.
They are four acts of theft totaling £20,473.77, four counts of false accounting and two Fraud Act charges.
The remaining alleged offences involve the accounts of clients at the solicitors’ firm where he was a partner.
He is accused of committing them between January 4, 2004 and September 17 last year.
They are six counts of possessing criminal property worth a total of £164,050 and six further counts of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property worth a total of £97,362.
It is understood Hanson worked for Ashbourne firm Eddowes, Simms and Waldron, in Church Street, but is no longer employed there.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:27:18
Dawson John Hanson, 74, of Back Lane, Hollington, has pleaded not guilty to the offences.
This morning, at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, Hanson was told his case will next be dealt with at Nottingham Crown Court in June.
Hanson has also pleaded not guilty to 12 financial offences alleged to have been committed while working as a solicitor in Ashbourne.
Most of the Shrovetide offences were allegedly committed between January 1, 2002 and August 4, 2007, while Hanson was secretary of the games committee.
They are four acts of theft totaling £20,473.77, four counts of false accounting and two Fraud Act charges.
The remaining alleged offences involve the accounts of clients at the solicitors’ firm where he was a partner.
He is accused of committing them between January 4, 2004 and September 17 last year.
They are six counts of possessing criminal property worth a total of £164,050 and six further counts of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property worth a total of £97,362.
It is understood Hanson worked for Ashbourne firm Eddowes, Simms and Waldron, in Church Street, but is no longer employed there.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2009-04-15 15:27:18
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