Crich scoops awards

A POPULAR tourist attraction in Crich is celebrating after landing two accolades at the prestigious Derbyshire Heritage Awards.

Crich Tramway Village, which is home to the National Tramway Museum, was named winner in two categories at the awards last week at the Silk Mill in Derby.

It triumphed in ‘Best Exhibition’ and ‘Working with Children and Young People’.

The first award was for the new Stephenson Discovery Centre exhibition, while the second was for the centre’s Learning Department for its work on the Renaissance East Midlands-funded ‘MuBu’ project ‘Hear All About It’.

Dovedale Loos at Risk

Ideas are being sought to help avoid the closure of public toilets at a Peak District beauty spot visited by about a million people each year.

The Peak District National Park Authority, which faces budget cuts of £1.7m by 2015, said the toilets at Dovedale cost more than £17,000 a year.

It wants to hear suggestions from local people and organisations by the end of October.

The toilets are likely to shut in March 2012 if a solution is not found.

They are situated within Dovedale‘s car park, which is privately owned, with the surrounding land belonging to the National Trust.

Elsewhere the park authority own other facilities nearby, such as car parks or snack kiosks which help support the associated toilets, but in Dovedale this is not the case.

Residents of the nearby village of Thorpe, which many visitors pass through on their way to Dovedale, have raised concerns that the closure could increase the numbers using their public toilets.

The answer to me is straight forward. The owner of the car park who collects £00000000000?s a year should provide the toilets as a matter of courtesy. Problem solved.

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.

Model's cash appeal to enter Miss World

DALES model Hannah McCuaig is hoping to fulfil her ambition of representing England at a prestigious modelling competition later this year.

Hannah, 24, from Whatstandwell, has been handpicked by the organisers of Miss Model UK to go through to the national Miss England Final 2007 – England's entry to Miss World.

But Hannah now desperately needs £1,250 sponsorship to cover her entry into the competition.

She said: "I would like to participate in Miss England 2007 as it is one of the only contests in the country that focuses on internal beauty and charity, rather than just physical beauty.

"This competition is a chance for me to better myself, both physically and personally.

"It is a chance for me to meet other girls from all over the country who have the same goals and aspirations as me, like minded models and other young women who also have something else to offer to society.

"Winning Miss England would mean the world to me. I have represented the UK at every other major international pageant apart from Miss World, and being able to attend would be a life-long dream come true for me."

Modelling is not Hannah's only talent however, she is due to study a Masters in Digital Media Production at Oxford Brookes University this autumn.

Having a feminist mother who burnt her bra to protest against pageants in the 70s, Hannah is used to people criticising beauty contests, calling them out-dated and sexist.

In her personal opinion however, it is modern society that is at fault, as it seems pre-occupied with attaining physical perfection.

Hannah said: "Contests such as Miss Great Britain do little to quash the stereotype of women being nothing more then boobs and no brains, and hardly help to dispel rumours of beauty contests being little more than a cattle market.

"Miss World on the other hand, focuses a lot more on charity and the contestant's personality – hence the slogan Beauty with a Purpose.

"The bikini element of pageants has always been controversial and has now been scrapped from the Miss England contest due to changing times, but many contests still maintain the original concept that the bikini is not there to give the guys in the audience a nice view, contestants are asked to wear bikinis to demonstrate their inner confidence.

"It's about showing the judges that you are fit, healthy and look after yourself."

In return for a sponsor paying the £1,250 fee they will get a variety of publicity including two complimentary tickets to the live grand final of Miss England 2007, their sponsor logo and web link on ModelUK.com, their logo in the Miss England programme and logo and web link on the Miss England website.

If anyone can help out with sponsorship they can contact Hannah at Hannah_Lewis1982@hotmail.com or visit www.hannahmccuaig.com

Still prefer the boobs no brain approach personally.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-28 06:42:55

Viking Village Closed-Permantly

The man behind a failed tourist attraction in Derby said that its final closure was a "crying shame".

It was revealed yesterday that the Derventio Heritage Village in Chaddesden, which was shut temporarily in February, would not reopen.

The Viking centre, off Nottingham Road, was the brainchild of Chaddesden resident Ed Buckley, who worked to bring the vision of a major tourist attraction for Derby to life.

It featured a visitor centre, a Roman fort, three Saxon houses and two Celtic roundhouses but was closed six months after opening because it failed to attract enough visitors or funding.

The village cost just under £900,000 and was funded mainly through Derwent Community Team, which is in charge of allocating £42m to the New Deal area of Chaddesden.

In December, Derwent Delivers stepped in to see if it could save the failing attraction but decided it should close to save money while it considered a rescue plan.

But it has now been determined that the village would not be financially viable if it reopened.

Karl Walkinshaw, director of Derwent Community Team, said: "A range of options have been looked at and we have spoken to community, private and public sector partners.

"It's clear from our discussions that there is not enough capacity or funding to keep Derventio open as a Heritage Site and there is no confidence that an attempt to reopen Derventio would be sustainable in the long term.

"As a result, we are now looking at some other exciting options to take the site forward."

Mr Walkinshaw said his team was looking to maximise the use of what is on the site already and would not demolish any of the buildings until a decision had been made on what the site would be used for.

What I would like to know is how £900k was given to a project that lasted only a few months. Is anyone accountable? On the basis of this I wouldn't trust the Derwent Community Team with my son's pocket money let alone £42million.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-27 10:57:58

Bank helps Churnet Valley railway get back on track

Churnet Valley Railway is expanding and developing its visitor facilities after switching its banking to Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank.

Anthony Hancock, Chairman of Churnet Valley Railway said: “We are planning to develop the railway by extending platforms, create additional visitor facilities and ultimately extending the current line to Leek. Our visitor numbers are increasing year on year and the developments are required not only to maintain the railway, but also to enable us to offer a great day out for our thousands of visitors each year. Switching toAlliance & Leicester Commercial Bankhas enabled us to put our plans into action and even saved us money in the process.”

The Churnet Valley Railway is the second most popular tourist attraction in the region, carrying nearly 60,000 people a year through Staffordshire’s beautiful Churnet Valley. The route runs between Leekbrook Junction, Cheddleton, Consall and Froghall bringing tourism to the region and boosting the local economy.

Craig Iley, Senior Business Banking Manager at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank said: “The Churnet Valley Railway has been lovingly restored over the last 35 years, thanks to the dedicated support of its volunteers, shareholders and Directors, who contribute vast amounts of time, money and equipment in order to maintain the railway. This deal will not only help Churnet Valley Railway to expand and develop its service, but will also secure its future for future generations to enjoy.”

Craig Iley continues: “We are delighted to lend our support to such an important historical attraction. Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has experience helping heritage railways to expand and achieve their full potential, having supported the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to secure their long term future.”

Churnet Valley Railway once formed part of the North Staffordshire Railway, which was the old main line between Manchester and London. The line first opened in 1849 and went on to play a key role in the Second World War by being one of the main transport routes due to the line being largely hidden from view. The line continued running until the Beeching review in the 1960’s.

In the mid 1970’s, the local authority acquired Cheddleton Station and had started to dismantle it, when the North Staffordshire Railway Society stepped in to preserve the station building. In 1978 the North Staffordshire Railway Company Ltd was formed to provide limited liability for its members. In 1992 a light railway order was granted and the Churnet Valley Railway was born. In 1995, Churnet Valley Railway purchased the line from British Rail and since that time, the line has been lovingly restored and gradually brought back into use.

Anthony Hancock continues: “The Railway now runs a full service and caters for weddings, special events and ghost trains. Our long term plan is to extend the line into Leek, the main town in the region and build an educational visitor centre, so people can learn more about the railway and the region’s history. The deal with Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has enabled us to kick start these plans and our continued relationship with the bank will secure the long term future of this historic railway.”

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 10:47:07

Lamb spotting at Hardwick Hall

Families are being given the chance to enjoy a spring walk and see newborn lambs at an historic Derbyshire stately home.

A farmer will show people the new lambs at Hardwick Hall, on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission to the hall is £8.17 for adults, £4.08 for children or £20.44 for a family. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Call 01246 858400 for information.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-10 07:34:04

Easter Jollies at Crich Tramway Museum

The Trams at Crich Tramway Village will be back on the tracks during the Easter Holidays, ready for a fun and action packed year of great days out and special events.

There will be an egg trail each day and craft workshops including rabbit and chick mask making.

Cara Marchant, marketing coordinator said: "The Easter events offer something for everyone where children of all ages will find lots to keep them entertained. Even the grown-ups can join in."

There's also the 'Discovery Depot' – a huge indoor play area with ball pits, 'snakes' to weave through and soft shapes for the toddlers to enjoy safe play. While the more adventurous take to the outdoor adventure playground.

Another highlight of the Easter break will be the 1940s Weekend which will take place on Easter Sunday and Monday, April 8 and 9.

Crich Tramway Village is open at weekends in March then daily from March 31 until October 29 and weekends in November and December. It is situated near Matlock, Derbyshire, eight miles from M1 junction 28. Admission prices: adult £9.50 senior £8.50 child (3-15) £5 family (two adults, three children) £26.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-04 12:12:12

Season starts for windmill

Heage Windmill, on the Chesterfield Road, will reopen at 11am this Saturday.

People will be able to buy souvenirs and enjoy guided tours each weekend and on bank holiday Mondays until October.

Admission to the mill, which includes a guided tour, is £2.50 for adults, £2 for concessions, £1 for children and free for under-fives.

Check it out at - www.peakdistrictview.com

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-28 12:45:59

Alton Towers in Court

Stephen and Suzanne Roper are challenging a decision to reduce a fine given to the owners of the theme park, Tussauds Theme Parks Ltd, after they complained about noise. They live near the Staffordshire attraction.

The company was fined at £5,000 at Stafford Crown Court in 2004 and was hit with a wide-ranging noise abatement notice.

But the fine was later cut to £3,500 after the firm appealed to the crown court and the terms of the noise abatement notice were made less strict.

The Ropers' counsel, Mr Stephen Hockman QC, told the court yesterday that the conservation area around the attraction was "predominantly rural" and local residents were entitled to a "greater expectation of quiet" than city dwellers.

Mr Hockman said the crown court had "struggled manfully" with the case, but had allowed itself to be influenced by irrelevant "commercial considerations".

The Judge is expected to give his judgement today.

But is the issue here the noise or the traffic?

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-23 03:48:08

Moggy Minor Weekend at Crich

Crich Tramway Village, is extending an invitation to Morris Minor owners to attend its annual Morris Minor Day on Sunday April 22.

The Morris Minor Day will play host to vehicle displays, club stands and trade stands.

Timed vehicle parades will also feature in the event, with Morris Minors driving through the Village's period cobbled street, under the elegant Bowes-Lyon Bridge and weaving in and out of the vintage tram service.

Marketing Coordinator, Cara Marchant said: "Crich Tramway Village provides a unique atmosphere for vehicle rallies with its recreated village street and rides on vintage trams.

"The events are always very well attended and much loved by vehicle owners, there really is an authentic air of yesteryear."

Entry for drivers of pre-booked Morris Minors is free.

For more details contact Crich Tramway Village on 01773 854321, or visit www.tramway.co.uk to download a booking form.

Make a mental note-avoid the A6 that weekend.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-22 10:52:51