Ghostly goings on at Bolsover Castle

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s Hallowe’en events at Bolsover Castle, English Heritage is promising even more ghostly apparitions and gruesome tales from the grave for its biggest ever Hallowe’en event.

Hallowe’en week will see family activities during the day and two evening openings when Bolsover Castle’s ghostly secrets will be revealed with special illuminations, ghostly effects and costumed actors.

Time Travellers Go…Ghosts and Ghouls 

From Monday 24 to Friday 28 October, special children’s activities are on offer with Time Travellers Go…Ghosts and Ghouls. Let your little horrors scare themselves silly this Halloween with creepy crafts, spooky activities and ghost hunting galore! Take part in a knee trembling trail around the grounds to find the hidden tomb and discover who lies within. Create your own terrifying decorations in our craft area and wander the grounds with our very own ghost hunter as he tells gruesome tales of times gone by! Adult £7.80/Conc £7.00/Child £4.70/Family £20.30. EH members free entry. Plus £1 for every child (members and non-members)

The Ghostly Castle at Night

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October Bolsover Castle will open its gates at 6pm for two nights of spooky Hallowe’en fun. Have you got what it takes to brave the castle after dark? Find out about some of Bolsover’s more horrific happenings and ghostly goings on, then explore the site by torchlight and meet some the castle’s previous residents: they are dying to meet you.

The Castle at Night Hallowe’en event is from 6pm- 9pm (last entry 8.15pm) on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October. Booking tickets is recommended as places are limited. Adult £10.00, Concessions £9.00, Children £6.00. Purchase tickets online at www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsovercastle or by calling 0870 333 1183.

Public Support Chesterfield Canal Project

A STAGGERING 13,000 people have backed a petition to show there is support for restoring Chesterfield’s canal.

Less than a year ago the Heritage Lottery Fund reportedly said the waterway’s mammoth rennovation did not hold much heritage value or public support.

Now that has been proved otherwise by the Chesterfield Canal Trust petition.

The canal stretches from the River Trent to Chesterfield, through tranquil countryside to what will be the multi-million pound Waterside development.

In total restoring 20 miles, with nine left to close the gap, will cost around £32m. Funding is being sought in chunks and the petition will help bids by showing how much support there is for the massive initiative.

Latest progress includes a 200m stretch being rennovated at Mill Green and Staveley’s new canal basin.

The Heritage and Lottery Fund said discussions are ongoing about the project’s development and support that may be offered in future.

Over £91.4m has been awarded for more than 215 projects on canal or river navigations by the fund.

Pleasley colliery shortlisted for award

PLEASLEY’S historic former colliery has been shortlisted for one of the country’s most prestigious heritage awards.

Members of the Pleasley Pit Trust have worked tirelessly to preserve the iconic headstocks and winding house at the site, while the old colliery spoil heaps have become a thriving nature reserve.

Now all the hard work has been honoured by English Heritage with a nomination in its Angel Awards, which were launched by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

They celebrate the work of individuals and groups who have saved a significant historic site which was at risk of being lost forever.

The Pleasley trust is one of 16 local groups which have been chosen to go forward to the finals on 31st October.

It is one of four sites shortlisted in the ‘The Best Rescue of an Industrial Building or Site’ category.

The project began with work on the land and development of the site, including landscaping and construction of a car park.

Phase two focused on the conservation of the site’s key features, including the remaining colliery engine houses and the head gears, along with other Grade II listed structures.

Work has been supported with investment from East Midlands Development Agency via the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Coalfields Programme.

The restoration project cleaned up the derelict industrial landscape following the closure and demolition of the colliery in the 1980s.

It also created a landscaped gateway entrance to the Pleasley Pit Country Park.

The Land Trust provide the Pleasley Pit Trust with advice and support on the management of the historic site.

English Heritage experts met recently to sift through more than 200 applications for the Angel awards, looking for passion, perseverance and imagination, as well as the scale of the challenge and how well it had been tackled.

The nomination marks a double celebration for the site after 90 hectares of the country park was designated as a Local Nature Reserve this summer.

It allowed members to press ahead with turning it into a top attraction.

Heage Windmill to open for free!

HEAGE Windmill is to open for free as part of National Heritage Weekend.

The 200-year-old, Grade II listed six sail windmill – which was restored in 2002 – will open on September 10 and visitors won’t have to pay a penny.

I've been, and it's well worth a visit (even when you have to pay).

There is adequate parking on the site, off Chesterfield Road, in Heage.

Heritage open days celebrate the country’s architecture and culture by offering free access to properties.

Derby Cathedral takes hand of grant

Windows at Derby Cathedral will undergo essential repairs this summer, thanks to a grant of £27,000.

Head verger Tony Grantham said that the money, from English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation, would be used to repair six large windows overlooking College Place.

He said: "It's great that we have received this money as the window panes are beginning to fall out."

The work will take six months and each window will also be fitted with a new grate.

Dr Anthony Streeten, of English Heritage, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to double the amount available for repairs by pooling our resources with the foundation, a major grant-making charity."

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-10 07:36:07