What's with the warnings? Ashbourne's got it wrong!

The following extract from a Derbyshire based website suggests that prospective road law abusers should come to Ashbourne.

"Defects were found on school buses during a safety crackdown in Ashbourne.

Operation Safedrive took place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and involved police officers and other agencies.

The team inspected 15 buses and coaches as they arrived at school and found two buses with defects that needed to be fixed as soon as possible.

Another bus had to be towed back to the depot for immediate repairs after officers found two wheel nuts which had sheared off.

The team then set up outside Ashbourne Fire Station and handed out a mixture of warnings, notices and fixed penalty notices to:

*6 drivers for using their mobile phone while driving

*3 drivers for having tyre defects

*2 for number plate offences

*1 driver for not being in proper control of the vehicle

*1 for not having a valid MOT

Twenty-eight drivers were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt.

In addition, VOSA issued five immediate and two delayed prohibition notices for defects on vehicles which seriously affected their roadworthiness.

Seven vehicles were also found to have no road tax."

PC Ian Salsbury said: “The check was extremely positive, reassuring the people of Ashbourne of our and our partners commitment to road safety. I would like to thank all the agencies involved in the checks.”

When parking offences carry an unavoidable and substantial fine imposed by lowly wardens, how can it be right that our expensive police force spend time giving "warnings" to motorists?
Surely, the crimes drawn to our attention here require instant and punitive action.

"Book 'em Danno"

Grade II listed Derbyshire rest home sold for redevelopment

Leading global property consultants, Knight Frank, has announced the sale of the prestigious Birdsgrove House, a Grade II listed mansion set in extensive grounds alongside the River Dove, in Mayfield, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

A residential developer has purchased the freehold buildings with approximately 13,710 sq ft of accommodation and 11.3 acres of grounds for £2m.

This commanding Grade II listed mansion been used as a convalescent and rest home since 1946 until its closure in 2005. The entire estate includes the mansion house with former coach house (and garages), a separate two bedroom cottage, orchards, extensive lawns, woodland, 4.15 acres of pasture land and single double bank fishing rights on the River Dove and Bentley Brook.

Birdsgrove House is suitable for continued use as a rest home, refurbishment or redevelopment for a range of alternative uses including reversion to a magnificent private house or for example use as a hotel, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

Emma Cleugh, partner, Knight Frank, comments: “Prestigious properties in rural settings with potential for redevelopment such as this, are difficult to come across. As such, the sale of Birdsgrove House has attracted a tremendous amount of interest, with several offers above asking price highlighting the demand for this type of property. The estate represents a number of opportunities for the developer, whether they chose to refurbish into a desirable family home or change its use entirely into separate dwellings or even a hotel.”

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 10:32:12

Ashbourne Slogan result gets closer

Like a long running series of the X Factor the contest to find a new slogan for Ashbourne is now down to the last two.

You must be on the edge of your seats just waiting for the result. Will it be Pride of the Peak – or Gateway to Dovedale?

100 people bothered to suggest a new slogan and mine were ignored.

Following consultation with anyone that could stay awake long enough and through a string of meetings, the Ashbourne Partnership has shortlisted two possible slogans for the new signage, which is due to be installed at key points around the town.

Now the Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne must decide to either stay with what we've got in Gateway to Dovedale or adopt Pride of the Peak. Which is surely against the Trades Descriptions Act, since Ashbourne is not in the Peak District.

Just like the X Factor - a complete and utter waste of time and money.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-04 13:15:50

Ashbourne Shrovetide ball up for auction

What is thought to be the oldest Shrovetide ball still in existence is to be sold at auction.

The 1883 ball, currently on display in the reception at Bagshaws in Church Street, was thrown up on Shrove Tuesday, and was goaled by Down’ard Henry Hurst.

It is currently owned by an Ashbourne family who are moving out of the area and want the piece of Ashbourne history to stay in the town.

Bagshaws fine art valuer Neil Grenyer said: "It is very hard to value such an unusual item, but to go with my instinct, I would say somewhere between £300-£500.

"Having said that, it could go either way. If you have two wealthy businessmen competing for it on the sale day, there’s nothing to predict how high it will go."

Younger balls have been valued at £1,000 or more in the past, and one was even rumoured to have fetched £15,000 at auction.

It is due to go under the hammer in Bakewell on September 5, by Bagshaws' partner, Wintertons Fine Arts unless they balls it up.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-28 12:54:48

Ashbourne slogan shortlist

You may remember some time ago that the Ashbourne Partnership were wanting to change the current Ashbourne slogan of Gateway to Dovedale.

Partnership manager Andrea Cross said: "We decided to invite residents and businesses to think of a possible replacement for ‘Gateway to Dovedale’ because a number of people felt it didn’t reflect what Ashbourne really is about.

"Many people thought it almost implied we didn’t have much to offer in the place itself.

"It’s very important if we’re to have a slogan that it’s one which residents and local business can ‘own’ and relate to. But it’s also vital it conveys a meaning to potential visitors too.

"We can use the slogan in many ways. For example, on town welcome signs, on visitor information leaflets, on websites, on promotional material and so on."

The shortlist is as follows:-
Georgian Ashbourne
Pride of the Peak
Town of tradition
Historic market town
Historic home of Royal Shrovetide football
Gateway to Dovedale (existing slogan)

To help pay for the new signage, an offer has also been thrown open to Ashbourne businesses that might be interested in a sponsorship deal.

Here are some new suggestions based on potential sponsors.

Bargain Booze- Ashbourne for alcoholics
Homebase- DIY Capital of the Peak
MacDonalds- Big MacAshbourne
Pipsqueakmedia- Ashbourne in the middle of nowhere on the way to everywhere
John Fell Opticians- Ashbourne Blink and you miss it

Gateway to Dovedale doesn't sound to bad now, does it.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-13 06:03:34

DIY Ashbourne

The Waterside Park development in Ashbourne has it's first tennant in Homebase, the DIY chain, who will have a 28,000 sq ft superstore on the site.

Cedar House Investments is spearheading the £25 million regeneration scheme and managing director Chris Carlisle said: “We are delighted to have secured such a high-profile and well-respected retail operation which has seen the potential of investing in Ashbourne.

“It’s great news for the town and it marks a significant step forward in what is planned as a major transformation of a 36-acre site.

“Construction work is scheduled to start immediately on the retail phase. A further 8,000 sq ft is already under offer and the interest the development has attracted illustrates the way Ashbourne’s potential is being viewed by retail operators.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ashbourne Town Partnership, manager Andrea Cross said: "We know there are concerns among some retaillers about an out-of-town retail park, but we knew this was on the cards.

"We are now looking forward to working with these new applicants to improve Ashbourne and use their store to attract new people to the town.

"The Partnership is fully aware that Waterside Park is being designed to be visually pleasing, and we have to harness the appeal the finished site will have for the good of the town."

Interest in the land on the other side of the bypass is also said to be strong, with half the site already under offer for a family public house and hotel.

Other outlets are expected to include a petrol station and a drive-through restaurant.

In addition to the shopping area, Waterside Park will offer a 50,000 sq ft business park and residential, leisure and community facilities, and affordable housing.

Mr Carlisle said: "Waterside Park will provide businesses with the sort of facilities the commercial property market in Ashbourne hasn’t been able to offer in the past.

"It will certainly boost the prospects for both retaining jobs in the town and creating a significant number of new employment opportunities.

“An initial development of 10,000 sq ft of superior office units will be completed by autumn 2007 and it is already attracting a substantial number of enquiries.

“Once again, this element of the scheme is attracting national interest from well-known companies who recognise the town’s position as a gateway to the Derbyshire Peak District.

“Overall we are extremely pleased with the way in which our plans for this exciting venture are coming together.

"The scheme is set to breathe new life into part of the town and it will play a significant role in boosting Ashbourne’s economy in the future.”

At least I won't have to go to Belper for a MacDonalds now.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-13 05:28:02