Reflections Magazine October 2024

October 2024

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REFLECTIONS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024

Editor: Barrie Farnsworth, E: barrief@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Advertising: Mike Snow, M: 07966 445452 E: mikes@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Advertising: Helen Wragg, M: 07973 672582 E: helen@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Managing Director/Photographer: Robert Bannister, E: robert@bannisterpublications.com

Art Editor: Ben Fletcher-Bates, E: design@reflections-magazine.com

Social Media: Rebecca Bloomfield, E: hello@bannisterpublications.com

Accounts: Helen Holgate, E: admin@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Distribution: E: distribution@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Published by: Bannister Publications Ltd. Tel. 01246 550 488 (3 lines). Bannister Publications Limited, Office 2A Market Hall, Market Pl, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. S40 1AR. Reflections is published monthly and delivered directly to homes which fall into tax bands D to H and the following postcode

- 2, 3, 4, 5 / DE45 1 / S18 5 / S30 1 / S40 - 1, 2, 3, 4 / S41 0, S41 7, 8, 9 / S42 - 5, 6, 7 / S43 - 1, 2, 3 / S45 0, S45 9.

15,46 ‘Top Pet’ competition

The latest entries into our 2024 competition – and it’s YOUR votes that count!

16 Derbyshire has more than its share of ghosts and ghouls

It’s that time of year – and with so many historic buildings and tragic tales, the county has more than its fair share. Helen Shepherd reports.

22 Property of the Month 30,40,44,82 Countywide News

All that’s been happening in words and pictures across Derbyshire

34 The county has teenage world champions! Nicky Crompton meets a couple of world champions on the edge of Wirksworth.

48 Women in what used to be men(and boys)-only jobs!

Barrie Farnsworth talks to a female chimney sweep and a painter, plying their trade in Derbyshire

52 Pitcherwits

53 Crossword

54 The decimation of Derbyshire’s railways in the Sixties

Godfrey Holmes laments Baron Beeching’s decimation of our railways long after Labour came into power exactly 60 years ago.

58 Fashion

We look at what’s on offer from Henmores and Young Ideas

60 To dig or not to dig?

That’s the question!

Bakewell business Archaeological Research Services is working hard to implement cutting-edge techniques that change that, as Rebecca Erskine discovers.

64 Out & About

Fancy a pilgrimage – there are a couple of Derbyshire

66 Focus on Food & Drink

This month, Fiona Stubbs raises a toast to Derbyshire wines

68 Food Review: The Peacock at Rowsley

90 64 70 60

70 Chef’s Signature Dish From the Scotsman’s Pack, Hathersage

78 Antiques

Our expert Vivienne Milburn tells the story of how Chinese vases, from the collection of a Derbyshire entrepreneur, are now back in China

80 The magic that is sunrise and sunset

Readers’ magical entries into our 2024 ‘Derbyshire’s Lovely Landscapes’ photographic competition

84 A local mountain rescue teams has 62 active volunteers

One of the first of the Peak District teams is now celebrating its 60th anniversary, as Steve Brown reports

88 Don’t miss this musical in half-term

90 Artist of the Month: Walls have never looked so good!

Artist Gina Watkinson tells Dawn Anderson about her unique artwork

94 What’s On in October and early November

the little ark

Sustainable toys that don’t cost the earth!

SITUATED amidst the vibrant cluster of shops on Steeplegate in Chesterfield town centre lies The Little Ark, an exciting, independent, and eco-conscious toy store.

The Little Ark, founded in 2021, was the brainchild of Liz Telford-Sides, who whilst on maternity leave with her second child, was shocked by the amount of plastic used to manufacture and package toys.

So, Liz began investigating ecofriendly alternatives and started sourcing toys from beautiful brands that were sustainable with no plastic packaging.

Within months, an environmentally considerate, community minded, customer focused, planet-friendly, and ethically responsible toy store was born.

“Imaginative play is the best teacher,“ says Liz. “We believe that childhood is short and having time to play is special: it grows imaginations, fosters relationships, stimulates minds and helps children to express themselves, relax and have fun. Our sustainable mix of products are for children to enjoy for years to come and offer great value for money.”

The Little Ark is bursting full of original and inspiring wooden toys, gifts, games, puzzles, natural rubber teethers, and so much more. Everything here is made from sustainable sources, such as wood, natural rubber, organic cotton, and even sugar cane. All the toys are obtained from a select group of ethically minded, eco-friendly small toy makers, including Little Dutch, Lanke Kade, Orange Tree, Trixie, Jumani, Scrunch, Tikiri, ThreadBear Design, and Boppi.

There’s no better way to learn about life than through pretend play and

having fun. Fine motor skills, dexterity, balance, social skills, numeracy and language development are all nurtured through interactive and creative play. There is an educational component to all the toys, but the main focus is on letting children enjoy and express themselves.

Liz runs the shop alongside her dad, Gary, and shop assistants, Chrisoulla and Karen. “I think the enthusiasm of our staff is contagious,” says Liz. “And this is reflected in customer loyalty. We now have a popular Loyalty Card, which rewards people when they spend instore. Many regular customers visit us now with new ones coming on board all the time. We have had another feather in our cap recently by being awarded ‘EcoFriendly Children’s Toy and Gift Shop 2024 - Derbyshire’ by Lux Life as part of their ‘The Perfect Gift Awards 2024’. We are very proud of this accolade. Our sustainable mix of products are for children to enjoy for years to come and offer great value for money.”

Catering for babies through to children of around eight years, The Little Ark is the home of bright and stimulating toys –timeless treasures combining durability, educational value, and aesthetic appeal.

With Christmas lurking on the horizon, there’s no better place to seek out that extra special festive gift for children.

The Little Ark, 20-22 Steeplegate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1SA www.thelittleark.co.uk

E: hello@thelittleark.co.uk

Instagram: @the.little.ark

Facebook: /thelittleark.co.uk

LAY AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS

Why not pay a deposit and lay away a special Christmas gift?

CONTINUED

DERBYSHIRE HAS MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF ghosts and ghouls

It’s that time of year when the lanterns are lit and attention turns towards all things supernatural. Those feeling brave enough to seek out a spooky encounter this Halloween are spoilt for choice. With so many historic buildings, ancient sites and tragic tales, it’s no wonder that Derbyshire has more than its fair share of ghosts and ghouls. Helen Shepherd reports.

HIGHLOW Hall, near Hathersage, has been called ‘the most haunted house in Derbyshire’.

Now part of a private working farm, it was built for one of the most prominent local families, the Eyres. Its earliest ghostly tale dates from the 14th century. The dastardly Nicholas Eyre set out to seduce two sisters, interested only in claiming their fortune. When one of the young women discovered his true motive, she took her own life, later

Below: Highlow Hall, near Hathersage, has been called ‘the most haunted house in Derbyshire’.

making a dramatic reappearance in ghostly form to curse the entire Eyre family.

It seems Nicholas is personally responsible for creating a second spirit at Highlow. Another apparition seen there is that of a workman – possibly a stonemason – who Eyre allegedly ran through with his sword for shirking on the job. The unfortunate tradesman has been spotted a number of times over the years, as has the so-called ‘White Lady’. Believed to be the ghost of a woman who was murdered

at the house, she has been seen by many witnesses wandering the hall at night.

There are plenty of other haunted historic houses to explore in Derbyshire. The spirit of Dorothy Vernon – whose romance with John Manners has entered local legend – is said to walk the corridors of her ancestral home, Haddon Hall, and has even been seen fleeing down the steps that bear her name.

The Hagge at Nether Handley, Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Youlgreave Hall, Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall all have their

Above: The spirit of Catherine Mompesson, wife of the rector who encouraged Eyam villagers to quarantine themselves in 1665, has reportedly been seen wandering the parish churchyard, where she is buried.

Right: Peveril Castle, Castleton, with Mam Tor beyond. Courtesy of English Heritage.

own resident ghosts. At Hardwick, it is said that Bess herself stalks the building, no doubt keeping a very close eye on those visiting her precious home.

Given its well-known and oft-told history, it’s hardly surprising that the plague village of Eyam is said to be rife with paranormal activity. The spirit of Catherine Mompesson, wife of the rector who encouraged villagers to quarantine themselves in 1665, has reportedly been seen wandering the churchyard. Ghostly goings on

doors opening and closing, have also been attributed to its former resident Catherine.

The village’s ‘plague cottages’ are home to various spirits including a kindly-looking lady in a blue smock. A weeping boy has also been spotted on the road leading to the Riley Graves, where

family are laid to rest. The plague isn’t responsible for all the village’s spectres, however. Eyam Hall, built in 1671, is said to be haunted by the ghost of former servant Sarah Mills and an old man has been spotted staring through the window of an upstairs room. And be sure to keep an eye out for the phantom cyclist of Eyam Dale!

No ghost hunt around Eyam would be complete without a visit to the village’s most haunted spot, the Miners Arms. Among the spirits said to roam the 500-year-old pub are two young girls and a former landlady, murdered by her husband. Visitors often hear footsteps and unexplained noises, and ghostly activity in the bedrooms drives some guests to leave before the night is over.

An equally spooky spot is Castleton. It will come as no surprise that the medieval fortress of Peveril Castle is said to be haunted by spirits including a white knight, and a phantom horse and hound. Visitors have also heard footsteps and disembodied voices, and ethereal singing. The village’s Castle Hotel houses a number of ghosts including a jilted bride, a nurse, a soldier missing his legs, a man in a pin-striped suit and a lady wrapped in grey light.

Outside the village, Castleton’s famous caverns are reputed to have their own spooks, with reports of shadowy figures and unexplained noises. However it’s the

Left: Travellers crossing Longstone Edge were attacked and robbed by a highwayman known as Black Harry. He was caught, found guilty, and hanged and then gibbeted at Wardlow Mires. Now, some people report of ‘ghostly gallopings’ in Coombs Dale leading to Longstone Edge.

spectacular Winnats Pass that boasts the area’s most famous haunting. The story goes that in 1758 two young lovers, who had run away from their families and were on their way to be married, were ambushed and murdered on the road. Their bodies were discovered ten years later and reinterred at Castleton but it is said their screams of terror can still be heard, and their spirits are often seen wandering together along the pass.

Not all Derbyshire’s ghosts are to be found in ancient buildings. Magpie Mine in Sheldon is reportedly home to a phantom miner, spotted walking through a tunnel with a lighted candle before disappearing without trace. A photograph from the 1940s claims to have captured the image of another spirit. These spooky encounters may be related to a bitter dispute between workers at Magpie and the neighbouring Maypit Mine, which led to the deaths of three Maypit miners in 1883. The widows of the three men are said to have laid a curse on Magpie Mine which has never been lifted. Given that superstition was part and parcel of a life spent underground, supernatural tales are rife across Derbyshire’s mines. Ghostly apparitions

have also been reported at Sallet Hole Mine near Stoney Middleton, Goodluck Mine, Cromford and Hanging Flatt Mine, near Eyam.

If Magpie Mine and its curse sounds like a place to steer clear of this Halloween, the road between Great Longstone and Ashford in the Water is probably best avoided, too. Longstone Lane, also known as Shady Lane, is the site of a particularly ominous apparition. The eerie sight of 12 headless men carrying an empty coffin is said to appear on the road at dusk or dawn. Local legend says meeting this ghostly funeral procession is an omen of death; whoever sees the empty coffin will be the next one to need it. No wonder people avoid the place at night!

At Coombs Dale the sound of ghostly galloping heralds the approach of notorious highwayman Black Harry, preying on unsuspecting travellers. And if you see a shadowy figure moving around Bakewell’s market square at night it could be Anne Green, executed for witchcraft in the 17th century.

For sheer weight of ghostly numbers, it might be impossible to top the Crispin Inn at Ashover. The pub dates back to 1416 and is said to be home to no fewer than 17 spirits including monks, animals, children and former landlords. Pubs seem to be a popular hang-out for ghosts. As well as the afore-mentioned Miners Arms and Castle Hotel, the Eyre Arms at Hassop, the Blue Bell Inn at North Wingfield and the Sun Inn at Chesterfield are just a few of those with at least one departed resident. Clearly there are worse places to spend eternity than in a nice warm pub.

In fact if the stories are to be believed

Above: Magpie Mine, near Sheldon, is reportedly home to a phantom miner. Picture by Chris Drabble.

Left: Legend has it that Dorothy Vernon fled Haddon Hall to elope with John Manners. Dorothy slipped away and went down stone steps and over a footbridge where Manners was waiting for her, and they rode away to be married. No wonder it is now called Dorothy Vernon’s bridge! Below: The Crispin Inn, at Ashover, is said to be home to no fewer than 14 spirits! Picture courtesy of the inn’s Facebook page.

it’s almost impossible to go anywhere in Derbyshire without bumping into someone – or something – supernatural. So whether its railway pioneer George Stephenson enjoying a performance at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre, the screams of an executed man echoing across Baslow, a murdered peddler in Darley Dale or a phantom coach and horses outside Youlgreave, there’s plenty to discover on a Derbyshire ghost hunt.

T Nutt & Sons – Their World is at Your Feet!

Distinguished history

IN 1869, William Robert Nutt came to Derbyshire and set up a business at King Street in Clay Cross. William Robert, who is current Managing Director, David Nutt’s, great-grandfather, was a general dealer, but mainly in furniture and flooring. When William Robert died, his son Thomas took up the mantle and made a creditable success of the business his father had begun.

T Nutt & Sons would continue to diversify. Thomas’s sons, Thomas and his younger brother Robert, came into the business before the Second World War.

Thomas’s sons, Roy, David and Keven, along with Robert’s son, Patrick, later joined the company. As years progressed, the business gradually moved away from furniture and solely into carpets and flooring. Over the years, T Nutt & Sons has been recognised both locally and

nationally for its excellence in customer service and quality of products. Their reputation for providing customers with top-quality service, workmanship and fair, friendly, professional advice is unrivalled

Awards and accolades

T Nutt and Sons’ continued pursuit of excellence has resulted in a string of awards and accolades.

In 2011, an independent survey was carried out by The Carpet Foundation on customers of T Nutt & Sons. These customers were chosen at random. The responses spoke volumes about the highest levels of service and craftsmanship offered by this 155-yearold company. 100% customer satisfaction is unassailable and that is exactly what T Nutt & Sons achieved in this survey.

Always striving for excellence, Managing Director, David, made live television appearances on the BBC’s Working Lunch and DIY SOS, and David and fellow director, Keven, featured in the Carpet Foundation’s national advertising campaign. The Family Business Awards also recognised them. In 2011 they

became runners-up for ‘Best Small Family Business’, and in 2013 they were ‘Highly Commended for Retail Excellence’. In 2019 they proudly received the Which? Trusted Traders ‘Certificate of Distinction’.

Membership of the Greendale Buying Group

As members and major shareholders in the Greendale Carpets and Flooring Group, T Nutt & Sons can offer its customers the widest ranges of carpets, vinyl, wood, Karndean and laminate flooring – all at the absolute best competitive prices. From its early days in 1962 to the present membership, the Greendale Carpets and Flooring Group has progressed from what was an exclusive ‘club’ to a nationwide association of over 150 of the top independent retail carpet and flooring specialists.

With a purchasing power just as great or greater than that of the multiples, Greendale offers customers the best of both worlds: access to an unparalleled pricing structure and the excellent service offered by independent retailers.

Impeccable reputation and comprehensive range of stock

Managing Director, David, and fellow director, Keven, have always strived to ensure the hard-earned reputation of the business continues to be maintained. General manager, Andrew Gregory, who started as a Saturday boy 30 years or so ago. has learned all the various parts of the business to reach his prominent position there today. T Nutt & Sons employ all its own fitters, many of whom

have given loyal service over a number of years. None of the fitting is subcontracted out and all the employed fitters work to the most exacting of standards, notably BS5325 and the TSI Approved Code of Installation. Patrick Nutt won the National Institute of Carpet Fitters ‘On-Site Assessment Award’ for three successive years.

The company has on display carpets and floorcoverings from all the leading manufacturers, including carpets from Brintons, Alternative Flooring, Mohawk, Ulster, Axminster, Abingdon, Fells, Kersaint Cobb, and many other leading brands, as well as LVT from Karndean, Coretec, Lifestyle Floors, Tarkett, and Quickstep to mention but a few.

David says: “We always aim to be the best. Despite stocking the highest-quality carpets, laminates, real wood flooring from all the leading manufacturers, we are competitively priced in comparison with other retail outlets. We use Prostep heavy contract underlay all the time. Our service is better than advertising. You’ve got to be involved with the customers. We visit them to explain in detail where any seams are going to be and encourage them to take out samples. We not only get repeat business from existing customers, but we also get a lot of business from their friends as well. Generation after generation of the same family keep coming back to us time after time.”

Which? Trusted Trader Status

T Nutt & Sons has also been granted Which? Trusted Trader status. The Which? Trusted Trader scheme only awards this certification to the very best businesses, who maintain the highest professional standards. Director Keven Nutt said: “We are extremely proud of being Which? Trusted Traders. It means that our business has been vetted rigorously and gained full endorsement. Although we have been trading for over 155 years, it is still rewarding to receive recognition for our on-going efforts. It is also further reassurance to our ever-growing band of loyal customers that we are still attaining the same level of excellence.”

To top it all, T Nutt & Sons received a Certificate of Distinction from the Which? Trusted Trader Scheme in October 2019. The certificate is awarded to businesses that go the extra mile for their customers and receive

an ongoing stream of positive customer reviews on the Which? Trusted Traders website as well as outstanding complaint handling and complaint resolution.

Here are some recent glowing Which? Trusted Trader reviews:

4.9

“Fantastic firm! What a discovery!”

We found T. Nutt and Son Ltd after a very disappointing time with another dealer. Walking into the shop we were shown exactly the sort of carpet samples we needed - and their pricing was brilliantly simple. Ordering and measuring went through without any problems, and the fitting date was arranged. When it came to the time, the fitters turned up on time – a great team. They took care to look after the premises, even to moving a heavy piano –fitted expertly with attention to detail and left only after they were convinced that we were happy with their work – WHICH WE WERE! We cannot recommend T.Nutt & Sons Ltd highly enough. Thanks for your help. Customer in Derbyshire Posted on 16/07/2024, work completed 10/07/2024

“First class customer

start to finish”

Here is another glowing referral from another highly satisfied customer

Flawless service, work and follow up

We had a home visit to discuss and choose new carpet. This service was exemplary and made choosing new carpet so easy and stress free. We picked a carpet that was exactly what we were looking for, and a couple of weeks later, was fitted to three bedrooms, landing, stairs and hallway. The fitting was first class, those carpet fitters certainly know their craft. The fitting in all the corners is 100% perfect, it is incredibly neat and looks amazing. Really appreciated the home visit, and I hope T Nutt continues to offer this service. A very big Thank You to T Nutt for providing a first-class customer service and quality carpet.  Customer in Derbyshire Posted on 22/07/2024. Work completed 17/07/2024

We called at T Nutts without any idea what they were like, but called because they promoted a brand of carpet we were interested in. Having used national brands and other local high profile shops we were a little unsure as to how they would compare. On entering the shop, we were immediately met with the sort of high calibre of service and trade knowledge that we had long since given up expecting. All the staff were helpful, knowledgeable and intent on helping us to choose the right carpets for us rather than the carpet they might have wanted to sell us. We were overwhelmed with their help and obvious desire to let us take as many samples as we needed. When they came to measure up, the service and knowledge were still just as evident as when we were in the shop and then the fitting was exemplary. The fitters were careful not to damage any decoration and to be honest I have never seen a carpet fitted so exactly. They also didn’t even take a deposit and said they would only ask for payment when they were sure we were happy with the job. I gave up hoping businesses still existed like T Nutt years ago. Long may they stay that way and long may they stay in business. Just fantastic and FLAWLESS. Customer in Derbyshire

Work completed 24/03/2022

T Nutt & Sons, 43-47 High Street Clay Cross Chesterfield S45 9DX T: 01246 863148

www.nutt.co.uk

Left: David Manners, Duke of Rutland, President of Longshaw Sheepdog Trials 2024 (centre), with Caroline Murray (left) and Peter Clark (right) of Graysons Solicitors.

GRAYSONS SPONSORS TRIUMPHANT SHEEPDOG TRIALS FOR SECOND YEAR

Renowned Hope Valley legal firm, Graysons Solicitors, is delighted to have sponsored the recent Longshaw Sheepdog Trials for a second year.

NOW in their 126th year, Longshaw Sheepdog Trials are the oldest continuous trials in the country, having run from 1898 to today. They have been interrupted by only two world wars and the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

Now usually held during the last weekend of August, the first official trial took place on 24th March 1898 – when the first day’s events were abandoned due to a snowstorm! The second day attracted 16 competitors with total prize money of £19 on offer.

Growing popularity led to a second trial with large crowds in September of that year and 700 spectators were transported to the trials on a special train from Manchester. By 1901, crowds were up to 3000 and now the trials attract huge crowds of spectators and more than 50 participants.

The competition takes place over three days in Longshaw Pastures, near Grindleford, when competitors and their dogs work together to compete for a place to run in the championship on the last day.

The trials have been supported by the Duke of Rutland from the outset with the current Duke attending this year.

President-elect, David Richards MBE,

presented the cup to this year’s winner, David Wood and his dog Polly. David Wood also received an engraved teapot from Graysons.

Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons, said: “We are pleased to support Longshaw Sheepdog Trials - an event deeply rooted in the Hope Valley community. As a family firm, we are committed to engaging with and supporting local traditions, and this sponsorship aligns perfectly with our values.”

For further information about the trials, visit the website www. longshawsheepdog.com

Graysons provides the Hope Valley community with a full range of legal services, including estate and trust administration, wills, powers of attorney and lifetime planning, elderly client services, a bespoke private wealth service, Court of Protection, conveyancing and property, family law, personal injury, occupational injury and illness, and medical negligence.

Above: Local sheep farmer David Wood (left) receives his teapot sponsored by Graysons from President Elect Mr. David Richards MBE.

Countywide News

Rob hopes a new world record helps Help for Heroes

A ROYAL Navy Flight Commander, from Chesterfield, is attempting to set a new world weightlifting record while raising funds for the charity Help for Heroes.

Rob Guest, (31), a former pupil at St Mary’s, Chesterfield and now based at RNAS Yeovilton, in Somerset, will look to deadlift a staggering 600,000kg in a 24-hour period from 9am on Saturday, 9 November, at a Yeovil fitness centre.

He explained: “I wanted to do something to raise money and I happened to come across a video of the guy who had set the world record of more than 580,000kg, and thought

‘that seems reasonably challenging’. My target is a nice round 600,000kg.

“My best deadweight lift is 230kg. However, this is all about endurance, so, the weight is going to be minimal. My plan is to lift around 40-60kg for between eight to 12 reps, every minute, for about 50-55 minutes per hour, and to have a break every hour. I hope to raise £1 for every 100kg lifted.”

Rob studied engineering at university under the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. He joined the Navy full-time, as an engineer, aged 21, but soon changed tack.

He said: “Being an engineer wasn’t really for me. I saw the aircraft operating from the ship I was on and thought that looks way more fun. I transferred across to aircrew in 2016 and I’ve been doing flying training and front-line operations since.”

He’s now with 815 Naval Air Squadron and, fittingly, he’s timed his record attempt to coincide with Remembrance Day.

“I’ll begin at 9am on November 9, roll through to 9am on Sunday, 10 November 10, put on my uniform and then go to the remembrance service in Yeovil. That’s the plan, anyway...” he laughed. “I was looking for a challenge, but the main motivating factor was having a significant challenge and raising money for a great cause.”

The current 24-hour deadlift world record is held by Nick Riding, from Reading.

Help for Heroes champions the armed forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity has already supported more than 31,000 people.

To sponsor Rob, visit his Just Giving page; and follow him on Instagram at @ deadliftingforheroes To get support from the charity, visit helpforheroes.org.uk

Pollyanna’s ‘Wildwood’…

THE work of the internationallyacclaimed late wildlife artist, Pollyanna Pickering, is being celebrated in a new book featuring her paintings alongside the poetry of the late Richard Bonfield, poet-in-residence for the Born Free Foundation, in a tribute to their talents.

The book – called ‘Wildwood’ – will be launched at an exhibition in her private gallery at Brookvale House, Oaker, DE4 2JJ (AA Signposted) from November 2-10 inclusive (admission free).

Visitors will be able to view over fifty original paintings – many of which will be on display to the public for the first time – in a comfortable atmosphere.

Ten years ago, Pollyanna collaborated with Richard on the book ‘Wildness’.

Following the huge success of the book, the duo planned to create a follow-up volume focusing on British wildlife.  Richard had already composed a collection of poems, when illness prevented him from continuing.

Sadly, Richard passed away in 2021.

Now Pollyanna’s daughter Anna-Louise has returned to this poignant work to select over 50 pieces which she has paired with paintings from Pollyanna’s archive – many of which will be published for the first time.

Visitors will also be able to browse at leisure through the latest additions to Pollyanna’s ranges of greetings cards and fine art prints, and a variety of giftware. There will be over 150 Christmas card designs to choose from, and calendars for 2025. Find full details, and directions to the gallery, at www.pollyannapickering.co.uk

Below: The new book Wildwood, on sale at an exhibition in Oaker.

Above: Rob Guest, the Chesterfield man trying to break a world weightlifting record to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

Derbyshire’s teenage

Nicky Crompton meets a couple of teenage world champions on the edge of Wirksworth!

ON top of a hill above Wirksworth, you will find the hamlet of Breamfield, with its stunning views, often brisk wind and something quite unexpected – the Derbyshire BikeTrial Centre – an outdoor centre dedicated to the growing sport of Bike Trials, started and developed by champion riders Oliver and Eddie Weightman and their parents, Carl and Sarah.

During the summer months, the centre opens to the public. For the past five years, the centre has also hosted the Bike Trial Federation National Championships; an event where riders as young as nine compete on the same day as ‘elite’ international competitors.

Each age class competes on a course specially designed for them by Carl Weightman and Robin Morewood.

This summer, in response to increased demand, Eddie Weightman opened the centre for a camping weekend he named DBC Trials Jam; where riders from Bike Trials legend Hans Rey and multiple world champion Jack Carthy rode alongside youngsters on balance bikes.

But most days, brothers Eddie and Oliver have the place to themselves.  Eddie (15) and Oliver (18) both compete at the highest level in their sport.

Eddie’s highlight in 2023 was competing in Spain at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Youth Games. Eddie said: “Going out to Spain my expectations were low, but when I qualified for the finals, I was over the moon.”  However,

Eddie’s good luck took a dip going into the final, when on the first lap he pulled his back. “I was taken into the medic tent and they did this hot roller thing. I was still in pain, but I really wanted to get back out and finish. I only had 15 minutes left to complete the sections and be in with a chance.” With a time penalty, Eddie still came an incredible third.

Eddie added: “For us, the British riders, we are all self funded. Trials bike riding is a much bigger sport in places like Spain and France, so their teams are often much bigger and funded.  They are all staying in the same hotel and have their trainers with them and have matching kit.”

To support  their sport, the brothers regularly appear in displays

and stunt shows at Truck fests and county shows where people outside the Bike Trials community awe at the ease with which they control their bikes and leap on and off objects.

Last year, Oliver competed at the largest cycling event seen in Britain: the UCI Cycling World Championships. Every four years, the UCI bring together cyclists across disciplines for their world championships.  Last August, the championships were held in Glasgow. Oliver said: “It was great to have such a huge event so close to home.

Left: Eddie Weightman (15) won the Youth Cadets national championship at the Derbyshire BikeTrial Centre above Wirksworth.

The British crowd were all cheering for us. We had not experienced that before.”

For Oliver, Glasgow was a culmination of years of training that led to him competing for Great Britain in the world championships. “For us (Trials bike riders), it was an event that everyone was talking about. All the cycling disciplines coming together in one of the biggest cycling events Great Britain has ever hosted.” But at the end of 2022, Oliver’s chances were put in doubt when he broke his leg, causing him to miss months of training and that year’s world championship in Abu Dhabi.  Even with his leg in a cast, Oliver did not lose sight of his goal, keeping up his fitness, then getting back on a bike as soon as he could.

He added: “At the start of 2023, I was on my bike, training every day to get back up to the level I had been at.  Throughout the year, my placings in competition got better and by the time Glasgow came around, my chances were looking good.”

“There was a lot of pressure on me. I was in the final. I knew what I had to do and I went out and did it.”

I went out and did it.” Oliver had ridden second to last and was in first position as the final contestant, from Finland, took to the course. It was only as the Finnish rider completed that Oliver knew he had won gold and had become the world champion. Trials Bike riding does not have the same profile as some of the other cycling disciplines. Oliver said: “With Great Britain coming top of the medal table in Glasgow, Trials got a bit lost. Celebrations were overshadowed by the success of higher profile events like road and mountain biking.”

His brother Eddie, still in full-time education, reflected on juggling school and his sport. “It’s harder in winter as it’s difficult to train in the evenings when the days are short. But the summer is fine, we can be outside and the competitions are worked around the school holidays, with us only needing to take a day off here and there for travel.”

This season, they both moved up into a different category of competition.

Eddie now competes in ‘Youth Cadets’ for the first time and is the national champion; came third in the UCI World Youth Games in Germany, and won the Bike Trial International Union (BIU) World Championships in Italy.

“There was a lot of pressure on me. I was in the final. I knew what I had to do and

Despite this, a British rider, Jack Carthy, has won been world champion eleven times. Oliver said: “I can remember, growing up, watching riders like Jack Carthy, Charlie Rolls and Adam Morewood, I really looked up to them. Without role models like these, I would not be where I am. It’s really odd now as I am the one getting little kids coming up and asking for autographs or selfies, but it does not feel long ago that I was the little kid.”

Oliver has moved into the ‘Men’s Elite’ category for the first time; and moved from riding bikes with 20in wheels to 26inches. So far it seems to be suiting hime, as he came fifth in his first international competition; third at the first of four World Cup events in Norway and fourth in the second world cup event in Poland.  Oliver is currently ranked ninth Elite rider in the world before the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in December. This summer, Oliver competed in the Bentonville Bikefest in Arkansas, USA. He qualified for the finals – but the entire competition came to an abrupt halt when seven tornadoes swept through the area, destroying the site and surrounding area. Born and bred in Derbyshire, being

Right: Eddie Weightman wins the BIU under-16 World Championships in Italy. Far right: Oliver Weightman wins the Men’s Elite 2024 BIU World Championship in Italy.

Left: Oliver Weightman (18) practising at the Derbyshire BikeTrail Centre.

forced to take refuge in a basement  was something Oliver was not prepared for, but coming home safe became the priority. The tornadoes claimed the lives of at least eight people and injured many others.

Back in Derbyshire, the brothers reflect on what they would like to see from their sport. Eddie’s answer is quick: “If we had one wish, it would be that the sport was better recognised.  A slice of the funding other disciplines receive could mean access to an indoor centre of excellence like those we have seen in Spain, then the sport could grow.” Oliver agrees and adds: “In Glasgow last year we did not have riders in all the categories but the team still achieved bronze. It would be great to see more girls in the sport, then we would be stronger as a national team; but this needs funding and at the moment the only financial support comes from parents.”

Editor’s Note: Want to find out more? Follow, subscribe, befriend Oliver and Eddie on their socials: Tiktok: @ oliver.weightman,@eddie_weightman Youtube: @oliverweightmn1714,@ eddieweightman9828. Instagram: oliver. weightman,@eddieweightmantrials.  Follow ‘Derbyshire Biketrial Centre’ on Facebook to find out when they are open, come along to a training session and give it a try, train alongside some of the world’s best.

Watch out for more episodes from Cromford Mills!

TOP BBC programme, The Antiques Roadshow, filmed at Cromford Mills on May 28 – which attracted over 2,500 visitors – and the first episode from their filming there was shown on September 1. The episode featured a fascinating array of items, from a rare silverware collection to a plate with a Picasso design.

Presenter Fiona Bruce delved into the history of Cromford Mills, the world’s first successful waterpower cotton spinning mill. Now watch out for two more episodes which will be broadcast over the coming months.

For more information about Cromford Mills, visit www.cromfordmills.org.uk

Local scheme shortlisted for national award

A LOCAL scheme that aims to reduce alcoholrelated crime and provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff has been shortlisted for a national award.

Chesterfield Pubwatch is in the finals shortlist at the National Pubwatch Awards, which will take place on October 22 at the House of Lords.

Chesterfield Pubwatch has been operating for over 22 years and is run by local business owners, with support from Chesterfield Borough Council’s licensing team, Derbyshire Constabulary and other local partners.

Chesterfield Pubwatch has delivered an

upgraded digital radio communications network across the town – allowing licensed premises to communicate effectively with each other and the Police. This system is instrumental in maintaining safety and security in the town.

New health centre open

THE new £11m Newholme Health Centre and ambulance station in Bakewell opened its doors to outpatient care on September 23 – and the ambulance station also became operational that day.

Services to be located in the new building include: East Midlands Ambulance Service, audiology, children’s services, complex wound care hub, continence clinic, diabetes education, diabetic retinopathy, health psychology, integrated community team: community nurses and community therapy, older people’s mental health, Parkinson’s clinic, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal services, podiatry and speech and language therapy.

The 19th century listed Newholme Hospital building, which started life as a workhouse, was earmarked for closure. The hospital site was sold in February to a private developer.

Appeal for new members…

MATLOCK Area u3a is holding an Open Morning at Matlock Town FC on Monday October 7, from 10.30am to 12noon, to welcome new members.

If you are no longer in full time employment, want to develop new interests or to continue learning with others, Matlock Area u3a could be for you. For just

£10 per year, you can join over 600 other members and have the opportunity to join any of over 40 existing interest groups. These range from history to archaeology, from bowls and walking to tap dancing, and outings to gardens and theatre. Have a look at our website matlockareau3a. org.uk. If your particular interest isn’t there we may be able to help you to set up a new group. Our latest addition is Pickleball, which was an immediate hit.

The meetings take place during the day, often in members’ homes or other convenient venues, including village and church halls across the area.

So, why not join the group for coffee at Matlock Town FC on Monday October 7? Come and see what they have to offer.

New MP opens upgraded housing

THE recently-elected MP for Derbyshire Dales, Labour’s John Whitby, officially opened upgraded housing in Matlock at River Network charity, recognised for its innovative housing projects.

The Cromford Mills-based charity has recently expanded its efforts to include houses of multiple occupancy, providing stable accommodation for up to seven residents. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance community welfare and combat crime in the area.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the MP said: “It’s inspiring to see how River Network charity is not only providing housing but also creating a supportive environment where residents can thrive. This is a perfect example of how community-led solutions can address complex social issues. It’s essential that you give people another chance, in a place where they can thrive!”

The housing projects implemented by River Network have demonstrated remarkable success in reducing crime rates in and around their facilities.

Jill Eckersley, a key figure at River Network Charity, said: “I’m so proud of what’s being achieved here. It’s an honour to witness hope, lives and families being restored through our collective efforts.”

Above: The Antiques Roadshow presenter, Fiona Bruce, delved into the history of Cromford Mills, for the episode on September 1.

Above: Members of the International Folk Dancing Group at an event in Hall Leys Park in Matlock.

Embrace the Elegance and... LET THE LIGHT FLOOD IN!

New State-of-the-Art Glass Conservatory Roofs by HeatGuard

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Self-cleaning Properties

The self-cleaning products have been certified to EN 1096-5, the new European Standard for self-cleaning glass. Maintaining the pristine appearance of your roof has never been easier.

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Despite their ethereal appearance, glass conservatory roofs are remarkably resilient. They are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, from heavy rain to snowstorms.

Maximising Light and Space

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One of the unique pleasures of a glass conservatory roof is the opportunity to stargaze without braving the elements. Similarly, during the day, you can enjoy panoramic views of your garden or the passing clouds.

More success for John…

THERE was more success for local bowler John Turner, who was a winner for the second year running in the annual Robinson Bowls Doubles Trophy, a competition which is traditionally held each year at Walton Dam on Chairman’s Day, August 25.

This year, John Turner with his new partner Jeff Kitts, were the winners of this round-robin event which pairs experienced league players with newer club members; to give everyone a fair chance of winning. The runners-up were members Val Swan and Linda Stewart. For more information, check out Robinson Bowls Club on Facebook.

Railway links to blue plaques

CHESTERFIELD and District Civic Society have recently unveiled two blue plaques featuring the town’s railway history.

One has been fitted to the exterior of the Portland Hotel, New Square, sponsored by East Midlands Railway Community

Fund, with the help of Wetherspoons. It commemorates both the hotel, finally opened in 1899, and the lost railway station of the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway (LDECR), opened in 1897 and closed in 1951. This station was situated next to the popular public house and hotel until demolished in 1973.

Another plaque, also sponsored by East Midlands Railway Community Fund, replaces an inaccurate one on North Midland House – the home of Spire Insurance – at the entrance to the railway station forecourt on Malkin Street.

This corrects a local tradition that the building was a remaining part of the original North Midland Railway station building, which was opened in 1840 and designed by Francis Thompson. This is not correct. In fact, it appears that North Midland House was actually built from reclaimed masonry from that first station, which had been demolished when the more direct line to Sheffield we know today was opened in 1870.

Community hospital opens doors

CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of NHS community-based healthcare, is ready to welcome patients for cataract surgery after officially opening the doors at its Rowland Hill House site in Chesterfield. The facility will help reduce NHS waiting times and increase patient choice by providing access to ophthalmology services.

With ample free parking, the new facility is equipped with a state-ofthe-art ophthalmology theatre. Now accepting referrals, CHEC Chesterfield is supporting the NHS to reduce waiting times by treating patients for conditions including cataracts within four weeks.

“We’re proud to collaborate with NHS partners nationwide, helping to keep waiting times to a minimum while delivering the very best quality of care,” explains Emily Greaves, hospital

manager at CHEC Chesterfield. To learn more about accessing the services CHEC provides at its Chesterfield site, contact engagement@chec.uk

Julie and friends complete marathon walk

ONE of the Chesterfield Samaritans branch volunteers, Julie, walked a marathon with friends last month, starting and finishing at Carsington Water. They raised in excess of £1,700.

The Chesterfield branch is based at Saltergate and has around 50 volunteers. They are totally selffinancing and have been supporting people in distress for over 50 years.

Around 100 people die by suicide in this area every year, and in the past few months alone, there have been tragic reports of

people taking their own life, jumping from multi-storey car parks and off footbridges onto busy roads. Chesterfield Samaritans is there for anyone struggling to cope, and their volunteers answer telephone calls, webchats and emails day and night.

Lickpenny Caravan Park sold

THE Caravan and Motorhome Club has bought Lickpenny Caravan Park, high above Tansley.  Now known as Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite, it offers spacious pitches and top-notch facilities.

The 16-acre park was built on the site of an old nursery, and has over 120 hardstanding pitches, suitable for caravans, motorhomes and campervans. Every pitch is supplied with 16amp electric; some are serviced pitches, with their own water, drainage and electricity. There are also a couple of electric vehicle charging points.

The campsite has showers and toilets in two centrally-heated utility blocks. Day-to-day amenities include a veg prep and washing-up area, and laundry rooms. There is a centrally-located play area, and the woodland walk is ideal for dogs.

Prices for stays at Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite start from just £31 per night, based on two adults and a standard pitch. To find out more, visit camc.com/lickpenny

Above: The Robinson Bowls Doubles Trophy presented by chairman Geoff Mitchell (centre) to Jeff Kitts (left) and John Turner (right).

Above: Julie, second left, and friends after completing their marathon walk at Carsington Water.

Below: The blue plaque now outside the Portland Hotel in Chesterfield.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at tom@ smarthomes electrical. com to arrange your free detailed survey and find out more about the benefits of solar energy.

WOMEN IN WHAT USED TO BE MENONLY JOBS…

Women are increasingly doing what used to be male-only jobs, and BarrieFarnsworth talks to a female chimney sweep and a painter plying their trade in Derbyshire.

AFORMER Old Brampton man, Mick Smith, who has been running AS Chimneys since 2010 from his home near Kirk Langley, took on a young woman, Rhiannon HammondWright, as a chimney sweep last summer. There are no apprenticeships yet in chimney sweeping – or stove installation, which is another integral part of the business – but there is now an NVQ Level 2, which Mick passed when the qualification

Below: The AS Chimneys team, from left, Josh Brockley – who is doing an NVQ Level 2 for stove installation – Mick Smith with beloved dog Ginny – office manager Corinne Everington and Rhiannon.

was set up two years ago… and he is about to be a ‘guinea pig’ for a new NVQ Level 3.

But now Rhiannon (29) has been judged by an NVQ assessor, who watched her clean several chimneys recently and then interviewed her three times to test her knowledge of the sweeping business. The good news is that she has met the required standard, and is waiting for her certificate now.

It is worth noting that all chimney sweeps and stove installers should be either NVQ qualified or working towards that qualification.

Mick said: “With the drive to improve air quality leading to the adoption of eco-design stoves that emit much less smoke, it is

now more important than ever that sweeps are properly qualified and that stoves and chimneys are swept and serviced regularly.”

Rhiannon had lots of jobs before joining AS Chimneys, including spells in McDonalds, Tesco, even funeral arranging – “I was stuck in a branch on my own” – and domiciliary care, none of which she really enjoyed.

But she loves sweeping chimneys – even though she says she gets the ‘odd look’ from people who cannot believe it’s a woman’s job.

“I have been doing this job for over a year now and I still get the odd look when I turn up to sweep their chimney,” Rhiannon said. “Still, I get a lot of compliments when

Left: Rhiannon Wright cleaning a stove.

I have finished – especially from women.”

“I particularly love using the tools of the job – always a drill – and sometimes a jigsaw and a grinder,” she added.

What is most surprising is that Rhiannon is not the only female chimney sweep in Derbyshire, as Mick explained: “I know of at least three women, including Rhiannon, doing the job around Derbyshire.”

AS Chimneys does lots of work for the National Trust in Derbyshire – Rhiannan recently helped Mick clean three chimneys in the family wing of Kedleston Hall – with properties at Hardwick Hall, Calke Abbey, Ilam and Sudbury Hall also on the firm’s ‘sweeping list’. But perhaps its biggest customer is the

Left: Sue Ready of This Girl Can Paint.

Right: Mick Smith of AS Chimneys hard at work at Sudbury Hall.

Duchy of Lancaster, with around 100 properties near Tutbury Castle needing their chimneys swept regularly.

Sue Ready, founder of This Girl Can Paint in Chesterfield, started her career 20 years ago working behind the trade counter of a local builder’s merchant, but then decided to set up her own business, which turned out to be just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “I’ve always loved painting, decorating, art and just being creative. Deciding to become my own ‘boss’ was the scariest thing ever but I also had this feeling of being an imposter within a very male-dominated sector.”

This hasn’t held her back as the business has gone from strength to strength. “I haven’t taken on any new apprentices yet, that’s my next step as I move into 2025,” she added.

Does she get the ‘odd look’ any more? “Not any more, but in the early days I used to get looks of disbelief when I’d turn up to quote; I’d get asked if I have a ladder or if I’ll work that high up,”

Sue added: “I want to encourage other women and girls who have a dream and a passion, to go chase it and turn it into reality. You can do anything you set your mind to, and if you get to work doing something you love, it will never feel like work again!”

Editor’s Note: To find out more about AS Chimneys, go to www.aschimneys.co.uk or

Facebook aschimneysweeps email info@ aschimneys.co.uk or call 01332 824212.

To find out more about This Girl Can Paint, go to Instagram and Facebook accounts: @thisgirlcanpaint.co.uk or the website www.thisgirlcanpaint.co.uk

Sue’s email is hello@thisgirlcanpaint. co.uk or call 07851 204094.

Integrity: The key to lasting success

Chesterfield-based Holywell Carpets believe that honesty and trust are integral to meeting and exceeding customers’ expectations.

AS can usually be expected from a long-established family business, Holywell Carpets has stood the test of time through displaying the hallmarks of unparalleled customer service, uncompromising integrity, and unswerving reliability. Brothers Reg and Steve Hinde took over Holywell Carpets in 1989. Steve now manages the business in conjunction with long-standing and loyal employee, Martin Howroyd. Together, Steve and Martin have been working together at this highly reputable carpet company for 33 years. Previously, Steve had worked elsewhere in the carpet trade in a fitting capacity for ten years. Martin was at the company three years before Steve’s arrival. It’s fair to say that they know the business inside out. And they have done the hard yards! Both are

trained fitters and have many years fitting experience between them, Steve was ‘on the tools’ for 20 years and Martin 25 years.

Traditional values

Steve is proud of the old-fashioned values which have underpinned the success of Holywell Carpets. “If I wouldn’t have a particular carpet in my home, I won’t put it in yours,” said Steve. “Martin and I always tell customers the truth. Our business is based on a high moral code and honesty and truthfulness are at the very core of this.”

Carpet Foundation Membership

The Carpet Foundation is the UK carpet industry’s lead body. As a member of the

Carpet Foundation, Holywell Carpets is bound by a Code of Practice approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The Code gives customers peace of mind that they are dealing with people they can trust. Carpet Foundation retailers are audited annually by the TSI to ensure compliance.

These are the benefits of buying from a Carpet Foundation retail member:

• Written quotations

• Deposit safeguards

• Written terms of business

• Impartial professional advice

• Free extended guarantees

• A free installation guarantee

• After sales procedures

Better Prices through Associated Carpet Group Membership (ACG)

With over 320 members, ACG is a national buying group dedicated to supporting independent flooring retailers. With a massively increased buying power, the ACG can secure the best trading terms with the best selection of flooring suppliers. This means that carpet retailers like Holywell

Carpets can pass on the savings to customers, making their prices much more competitive. ACG membership has a good number of benefits for Holywell Carpets, including enabling them to trade on equal or better terms than members of other groups or multiple outlets.

Derbyshire Trusted Trader Membership

Being a Derbyshire Trusted Trader tells customers that they are dealing with a fair and reliable business, which follows a code of practice. The scheme also establishes a vetting procedure and a framework for stringent quality standards.

Premium quality carpets and flooring from all the

leading

manufacturers

Whilst catering for a wide range of tastes, preferences, and budgets, Holywell Carpets uses most of the highest-quality suppliers of carpets and flooring.

When it comes to carpet displays in the showroom, Cavalier, Adam, Westex, Ulster, Abingdon, Penthouse, Cormar, Whitestone Weavers, Hugh Mackay, and Brockway are all well represented.

Steve is keen to point out that there are quality ranges for each of these suppliers. “I can show customers the difference in quality even within the Ulster range,” said Steve. “The key measurements they need to know to assess a carpet’s durability are its density, that is how closely knitted together its fibres are, and its pile height. In general, short, dense, heavy carpets

are more durable and hard-wearing than those with loose, shaggy fibres.

LVT flooring is ever more popular these days and Holywell Carpets has certainly got this covered. With premium brands like Camaro and Distinctive, backed up with vastly experienced and highly knowledgeable fitters, customers can rely on an immaculate finish to their superb new floor.

Holywell Carpets also stocks and fits quality ranges of vinyls, laminates, and carpet tiles.

11 widths of carpets – how to save money and avoid waste

Measuring floor space and estimating the amount of flooring or carpet needed is a skill. “Customers should never really buy a carpet until a room has been professionally measured,” said Steve. “We can save customers hundreds of pounds by using carpets which come in smaller width sizes. With eleven widths of carpets now available, choosing the most cost-effective width option can make a whole load of difference. Selecting the optimum width of carpet available in a given carpet range can minimise waste and save a small fortune!”

Giving genuine, objective, and honest advice is at the heart of everything they do at Holywell Carpets. “If we can save our customers some of their hardearned cash, we’ll do it,” said Steve. “With our price quotations, we also include the often-hidden extras. With us, underlay, grippers, doorplates, and fitting is always included in the cost.”

Customer reviews and feedback speak volumes

Here is a recent glowing review on Google: capabilityblack

A week ago

Holywell Carpets provided a great service in measuring and ordering our new living room carpet. They let us know when it had arrived in store and kept it for us until we were ready for fitting as we were in the middle of decorating. Steve was friendly and offered us advice on how to care for our new carpet which is an 80/20 wool blend. Dale the fitter was great, and worked around the speaker and TV cables that come up through the floor. A great service from start to finish.

If an honest, reliable, and courteous service is what you’re after, look no further than Holywell Carpets.

Holywell Carpets, 40 St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, S41 7TH T: 01246 272 835  M: 07733 889430

E: enquiry@holywellcarpets.co.uk www.holywellcarpets.co.uk

1 March like a wally, watching antics of obtuse pet (2,3,2,4)

5 You plan to go and rest on it (3,4)

14 Do a show so that the bonfire remains (7)

1 Parent, with interruption of heartbeat (2,1,6,2)

4 Siderunners, taking on the streetscape (11)

6 Give in to second harvest, say (5,2)

15 Get set forerunner, using your grades? (2,4,5)

7 Old Asian country in the air pathway (7)

2 Leers so, round leg being pulled (5) 3 Use them for hair or sugar (but not simultaneously!) (5)

Only some of the crowd yelling makes it noisy (5)

say, by being set on? (5)

relative is frequent (5)

Theatre worker, sure he could go to hospital (5)

ACROSS

6 Tasty sort of blade end? (4)

8 Timing born of desperation in Chesterfield parish (10)

9 Disregard ogre in fantasy state (6)

10 All he may contrive to make top spot in plague village (4,4)

12 Paints with turned over soil (4)

13 West of Clay Cross, it could make me trill too! (10)

16 Helene, to set out on a flip chart, North of Buxton. (6-2-2-5)

20 Hallmark has but one kilo to work with in Ilkeston (4,6)

23 Land bridge just below the head? (4)

25 Immunity from tertiary ed.? (3)

26 Paddle, if a bit clumsily, above Glossop (8)

29 Doctor at her career’s pinnacle? (4)

30 Tree remains after the fire (3)

31 Prima donna coming across as greedy (4)

32 And 24 down. Felt rack to be broken if in the cavern (5)

33 Garnett, not a gemstone but an old bigot! (3)

Name:

Prize Crossword

1 Six-pack of villages W of Bolsover? (8)

2 Scale down as bale is opened up (6)

3 Women’s Circle done badly with inessential changes (4,5,6)

4 From Icarus comes a bit of rock (4)

5 Fencing gear of oily origins (4)

7 Slogs over small operation at gateway to the peak (7)

11 Noah’s son’s worst act? (3)

14 Capital social science place is a bit of a bull’s eye! (1,1,1)

15 Throw off floating cereal (3)

17 Melodic sort of atmosphere? (3)

18 Pasture village? (3)

19 Hall that’s built from a washer, in for repair (8)

21 Take a firm stand, without the maitre d’s cloak (6)

22 Background sound from Hormuz (aka the less) (5)

24 See 32 across (5)

27 Related to making it from the middle (4)

28 Little newts, with their own wriggle-fest (4)

We will give a prize of £25 to a randomly-drawn correctly completed crossword. Cut out the completed puzzle and send by October 13th, 2024, to: Bannister Publications Limited, Office 2A Market Hall, Market Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AR. The solutions for the September 2024 crossword can be found on page 98 of this issue.

Crossword by Prof Rebus

THE DECIMATION OF

IN THE SIXTIES DERBYSHIRE’S RAILWAYS

Godfrey Holmes laments Baron

Beeching’s

decimation of our railways long after Labour came into power exactly 60 years ago.

IT wasn’t supposed to be this way. After all the Labour Party had won the General Election of October 15, 1964, under the leadership of Harold Wilson, after 13 years of Tory rule. And it was a longstanding Conservative Minster of Transport, Ernie Marples, who had commissioned ICI’s Richard Beeching to ‘re-shape’ Britain’s ageing railways: to axe 5,000 miles of track; to close almost 2,500 stations – and, most important of all, to make the then nationalised railways of Britain profitable. Prior to that wafer-thin election victory, Labour had promised to halt Beeching and to preserve socially necessary railway lines. First big mistake: until Christmas 1965, the Minister of Transport was Scottish miner and trade unionist Tom Fraser, who too obediently shut 1,071 miles of railway including the Oxford to Cambridge line: a line too important for even the

newly-ennobled

Beeching to chop.

Second big mistake: not the promotion of Chesterfield-born Barbara Castle to become an assiduous Minister of Transport, replacing Fraser, but her failure to halt, or stall, Beeching’s cruel axe pending a re-examination of what “loss-making” means; also what new benefits diesel multiple units might bring.

Thus it was that, despite Castle’s sage reprieve for the Hope Valley line, direct from Sheffield to Manchester, through part of the Peak District – the new Minister recklessly permitted the shutting of the from Matlock to Buxton main line onward

to Manchester, through another part of the Peak District, regardless of its unrivalled tourist and excursion potential.

So it was that Darley Dale, Bakewell, Hassop, Millers Dale, also Buxton Midland – and unbelievably, Matlock Bath too –became ghost stations from March 1967 on. The truncated spur: Ambergate to Matlock Town would almost certainly have closed as well were it not for Derbyshire County Council making Smedley’s Hydro its HQ in Matlock.

Some coal lines like the Erewash Valley only survived at the cost of Clay Cross, Langley Mill, Alfreton & South Normanton, and Ilkeston Junction & Cossall Stations all lifted just after New Year, 1967.

Ilkeston’s sizeable population had to wait no less than 50 years for a reopening; the citizens of Alfreton just six years, provided their humble station also drew Mansfield’s 100,000 stranded residents onto its remodelled platforms.

Elsewhere in Derbyshire, Tutbury & Hatton, snow-bound Dronfield, and possibly the world’s oldest rural railway station, Wingfield, lost all their stopping services by the close of year 1967.

Clearly, Wilson’s second administration can join Tony Blair PM, 1997, Tony Blair II, 2001, and Gordon Brown PM, 2007, in history: paying greater lip-service to taking cars off congested roads, their occupants onto railway carriages, than actually achieving that sensible goal.

In conclusion, all political parties boast about the 4,000 miles of cycleways and public footpaths they have created where a more junior Richard Beeching did his trainspotting: High Peak, Tissington, the Sett Valley & Monsal Trails among their number!

Below: Matlock Bath railway station closed in 1967, and was reopened in 1972.

Above: Wingfield railway station, built by Francis Thompson and possibly the oldest station in the world, was closed in 1967.

Left: Chesterfield-born Barbara Castle, who became Minister of Transport in late 1965.

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Oversized coat – knitted felted wool with Polaire lining on the upper back and front panels. Knee-length with an overcoat shape and fitted long sleeve featuring dropped shoulders, single button fastening and welt pockets.

4. COACH LEAH LOAFER – £225.00

TO DIG OR NOT TO DIG? THAT IS THE QUESTION

When it comes to archaeology, ground-breaking can be as literal as it is figurative. Bakewell business Archaeological Research Services is working hard to implement cutting-edge techniques that change that, as Rebecca Erskine discovers.

THE office space above Roly’s Fudge Pantry is perhaps an unlikely home for an internationallyrenowned heritage company – but humble surrounds belie the ambition of the team of innovators at Archaeological Research Services (ARS). What started out 20 years ago as a solo endeavour by managing director Clive Waddington, is now a thriving business of some 70 staff. Its efforts received Royal recognition last year when it was one of only two Derbyshire recipients of the 2023 King’s Award for Enterprise.

In very simple terms, this is a business that ‘digs holes and finds stuff’. It also offers archaeological consultancy including impact assessments, building recording and conservation plans; and specialist services such as geospatial and remote sensing and artefact imaging. It is also committed to dissemination and value creation whether through academic publications, public talks or reconstructions such as the furnace for a ‘show & tell’ at this year’s Bakewell Show. The business is continually pushing to do more, and better, but innovation is problematic when it comes to archaeology.

“Archaeology is very conservative by nature. It wishes to leave the environment untouched to enable archaeologists of the future to see the full archaeological period.”

As Will Throssel, ARS’s Chief Operating Officer, describes: “Archaeology is very conservative by nature. It wishes to leave the environment untouched to enable archaeologists of the future to see the full archaeological period, including our time, who might have better investigative tools. At the same time, it seeks to make records, material and reports available to researchers and future generations. There needs to be a careful balance if archaeological research is to respect these two conflicting precepts.”

Above: The team at ARS after being presented with their King’s Award, together with, centre, the LordLieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill, CBE, and Scott Knowles (chief executive, East Midlands Chamber).

Left: ARS was started 20 years ago as a solo endeavour by managing director Clive Waddington.

and renders this technique useless. Dronebased surveys play an important part, too, and their ability to capture information invisible to the naked eye provides useful data in understanding what lies beneath.

Typically, work on a large project starts with desk-based assessment which evaluates previous spot finds and records nearby. A geophysical survey is often used to map contrasts between the physical properties of buried archaeological remains and the soil in which they sit. The survey often includes magnetic techniques but this has limitations in that it does not suit some geologies and some archaeologies do not leave a footprint in the same way. Green waste spread on farmland is one such example since it dominates the signal

Targeted trench evaluation is then undertaken but can prove problematic in some instances. Stone Age settlements, for example, had a much smaller footprint on the landscape which generally cannot be identified without a full excavation.

Developing the innovation to avoid unnecessary digs is a key objective for ARS. A suite of different techniques provides the team with a greater understanding of what lies beneath the surface before the first spade cuts the ground. It means analysis can start earlier than might otherwise be possible, particularly on agricultural land where a dig might have to wait until a crop is harvested. There are commercial benefits, too, to this approach since there is a greater pinpointing of where the dig should take place. This is important not only for the preservation of the site but there

A LiDAR image (laser imaging, detection, and ranging) showing a line of cairns, in the middle of the image) that are hidden by bracken on the Peak District moors. The traditional way of finding and mapping these features would be a walked survey but it’s very time consuming and difficult to achieve amongst all of the vegetation. This survey located more features than had been previously identified because of the innovative methodology employed.

is a two-fold advantage when it comes to carbon reduction – not only fewer carbon emissions from reduced excavator time but less carbon release from the soil itself (which happens every time it is disturbed).

There is a further human benefit, too, as Will says: “Reducing the amount of time an excavator is at work creates a much safer environment.”

HS2 WORK A CATALYST FOR INNOVATION

Projects at ARS are varied. Working on the London to Birmingham leg of HS2 was the catalyst for some of the innovation the company is now employing. If nothing else, it demonstrated, at scale, what might be possible.

Closer to home, the business has worked on countless quarries as well as local heritage sites, including the fort of Navio (meaning ‘on the river’) on the Hope

Valley. Lead – in plentiful supply in this area – was favoured in Roman times for weaponry, aqueduct pipes, drinking vessels and jewellery. The Romans constructed a number of forts throughout the valley during the 1st century AD to guard this most precious of resources, including Navio, near Brough. In 2019, ARS started to investigate the vicus (widely understood to mean a small settlement such as a street, village or neighbourhood) and uncovered the remains of homes and workshops associated with the fort, as featured on the BBC’s ‘Digging for Britain’ programme.

Winning a King’s Award for Enterprise, in the highly competitive Innovation category, is testament to ARS’s pioneering approaches to archaeology, especially when it comes to non-intrusive techniques that not only improve site detection and locate “hard to find” archaeology but also improve safety, reduce carbon emissions

and costs, and accelerate delivery.

The award has had a significant impact on the business. As Will says: “Everyone loves to win an award, particularly one of such international significance. It has been a source of great pride to the team that our work has the royal seal of approval, particularly as it was the first King’s Award for Enterprise (or Queen’s Award as it was previously known) to be awarded to archaeology. There are undoubtedly commercial benefits too. Our award was certainly valuable in opening up discussions in Saudi Arabia, where we have won a contract to undertake fieldwork for Neom, a new linear city of some 26,500 km² being constructed at the northern tip of the Red Sea.

“As importantly, I think it has helped others in our sector adopt a similar growth mindset. What else might be missed? Should we challenge the way we’ve always

done things? These are really important questions for us all when it comes to accelerating that innovative spirit.”

BAKEWELL: THE BIRTHPLACE OF BRITAIN?

Export ambitions aside, the company is firmly rooted in Bakewell. It is a fitting location since the surrounding area offers so much archaeological significance – from the Neolithic henge monument Arbor Low to Derbyshire’s Roman forts through to the birth of the Industrial Revolution in the Derwent Valley. The plethora of quarries – owing to the fact that Derbyshire is more mineral-rich than any other county – means there is much to keep the team busy without the need to travel too far.

There is one project in particular that has piqued local interest and, if assumptions are found to be true, could be a significant boost to the Derbyshire Dales economy.

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, King Edward ‘the Elder’ commanded a burgh (or town) to be built in Bakewell in AD 924. There is an explicit reference to the kingdoms of the time – including the Scots, the dwellers of Northumberland, the Danes of England and the Strath-clyde Britons –choosing Edward ‘for father and for lord’.

As Will explains: “The reference to ‘father’ implies the other kingdoms accepted

Christianity and Edward as their head, and ‘lord’ their acceptance of his laws. Identifying the location of the burgh is, in fact, identifying the birthplace of Britain.

“We have a strong hunch as to where this site lies and are working with the Town Council, All Saints’ Church, and Bakewell and District Historical Society to explore how we might investigate this further, including through a community dig.”

Could such a find achieve for Bakewell what the discovery of Richard III’s body achieved for Leicester? (The year following

Above: This image uses infra-red to assess the “greenness” of vegetation. Effectively where plants are “stressed” due to changes in the soil conditions (eg, thinner or drier) this can often show where archaeology remains are. Normal aerial pictures might show crop marks – the same principal – but they need very dry conditions that make them visible.

the discovery recorded a £45 million boost to that city’s visitor economy.) Only time – and the land itself – will tell. Editor’s Note: Information boards about ARS’s excavation of the vicus are on display at Bakewell and Castleton’s information centres.

Fancy a pilgrimage?

WHILE

pilgrimages may sound as much a part of history as the Black Death and witchcraft trials they are, in fact, booming in popularity. For example, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela – Europe’s most popular pilgrimage to the shrine of the Apostle James in north west Spain – was completed by a record 442,073 people last year.

For Brits who can’t spare the (many) days needed to complete a full European pilgrimage, in the UK several ancient pilgrim trails to historic spiritual sites are also flourishing. From Canterbury to Ilam in the Peak District, there

are a number of pilgrimage sites that date back centuries and appeal to walkers and those seeking a spiritual adventure.

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from monasteries.com, said: “Canterbury Cathedral, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was martyred in 1170, was already an old pilgrimage route by the time Geoffrey Chaucer

Left: Ilam’s Holy Cross Church, where St Bertram is buried.

Right: The cover of Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

wrote The Canterbury Tales in around 1400. His colourful band of pilgrims set out from the Tabard Inn in Southwark, London. It’s called the Becket Way from Southwark to Canterbury, and it’s 90 miles.”

The actual Pilgrims’ Way covers 136 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Canterbury, going across the North Downs, where the Becket Way meets it.

The 130-mile North Wales Pilgrims’ Way takes walkers from Basingwerk Abbey, which served as a hospital for pilgrims going to Holywell, in Flintshire – which did have a holy well and was also a pilgrimage site for centuries – to Bardsey Island off the Lleyn Peninsular, walking through part of Snowdonia.

Locally, to mark the 350th anniversary of the Eyam Plague, the people of Eyam Church designed a Peak Pilgrimage route from Ilam, which used to be a famous pilgrimage site since the days of the Saxon, St Bertram, a

Left: A map of the Peak District Pilgrimage, drawn up to mark the 350th anniversary of the Eyam Plague in 2015, from Ilam to Eyam.

Right: Bardsey Island off the Llyn Peninsular, where walkers on the North Wales Pilgrims’ Way are headed. It has been an important religious site since the 6th century.

former King of Mercia who renounced his title to dedicate his life to Christ, and lived in a cave at Ilam. He is buried at Ilam Holy Cross Church.

The 39-mile Peak Pilgrimage walk normally takes four days and goes through Hartington, Monyash, Bakewell, Edensor and onto Baslow before reaching Eyam.

In 2020, the same Eyam team also designed a 29-mile Hope Pilgrimage, going from Edale, Castleton, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage to Eyam Church.

Find out more about these two walks at peak pilgrimage.org.uk

On that website are these words: Eyam has a sense of being a holy place because of the sacrifice of its people in 1665 when they refused to flee in the face of the plague that arrived from London in a consignment of cloth for the village tailor. Led by the rector, their self-sacrifice motivated by their Christian faith saved the surrounding area but cost about a third of them their lives.

Raising a toast TO DERBYSHIRE WINES

Move over Bordeaux, Marlborough and Mendoza… English wines are enjoying a major moment. And, as Fiona Stubbs discovers, Derbyshire vineyards are producing some fine vintages.

HIGH on a Peak District hillside, under the gritstone gaze of Stanage Edge, lie rows of pristine vines. Walkers are often stopped in their tracks when they stumble across Hope Valley Vineyard – a beautiful, yet surprising, enterprise more than 900ft above sea level.

The family-run vineyard at Carr Head Farm is lovingly nurtured by Michael and Mary Bailey. It’s an idyllic spot, with sweeping views of the Hope Valley and the village of Hathersage – famous for its Charlotte Bronte connections – nestling in the valley below.

Michael says: “At this height above sea level, the altitude works against us but the south-west facing slopes work in our favour, absorbing the sun’s rays and ensuring the soil is well drained.”

The vines may also benefit from a unique ingredient, as Michael reveals: “Carr Head means ‘edge of the marshes’. The vines are fed from the area’s natural spring water.”

Carr Head was once a hamlet consisting of five dwellings, each with a parcel of land. It dates back to the 1600s. Mary’s family has lived in the area for generations and both she and Michael have fascinating stories to share.

The vineyard began as a retirement project for the couple. Michael, a former mechanical engineer, took a course in

viticulture at Plumpton College in Essex and extensively researched the types of grapes most suited to the northern hemisphere.

As a result, four types of grape are grown at Carr Head: Solaris, Madeleine Angevine and Seyval Blanc for white wines and Rondo for reds.

After planting in 2014, Carr Head celebrated its first vintage in 2016. It now produces four exquisite award-winning wines: a medium bodied, lightly-oaked red with autumn berry flavours; a dry, crisp and fruity white; a light sparkling white and a delicious, summery sparkling rose – a combination of Seyval Blanc and Rondo grapes. All are produced in Staffordshire by the professional winemaker of Halfpenny Green vineyard.

The 1.5-acre vineyard has 31 rows of vines, with a rose bush at the end of each row. Michael explains: “The roses were

a compromise with Mary. She initially wanted to grow lavender in the field, whereas I thought a vineyard was a bit more adventurous! Mary said that if there was a rose at the end of each row, then we could go with the vineyard.

“She has dedicated all of the roses to someone or something. Many people have planted their own rose.”

While the roses add colour and interest to the vines, there’s a scientific benefit too, says Michael: “Roses are prone to similar disease as vines but sometimes show signs of them a couple of weeks earlier.”

The vineyard occupies a special place in the heart of the Hathersage community… not least around harvest time.

Grape-picking is both a family and community affair, with renowned cook Mary’s harvest lunches and post-harvest parties a significant attraction. There’s another temptation, too. “At harvest, people can drink what they picked last year,” grins Mary. “We have a wonderful mix of people from the village who help – the locals have been amazing in their support.”

For the last nine years, Carr Head has

Top: Carr Head Wines by Hope Valley Vineyard. Picture by Fiona Stubbs.

Left: Michael and Mary are joined by members of their family when they harvest the grapes each year.

Above: Michael Bailey inspects some of the grapes in the couple’s vineyard. Picture by Fiona Stubbs.

hosted the annual Vineyard Challenge, originating from an inspiration from grandson Charlie, and organised by the Fat Boys running club. A group of local men and women run up and down every row of vines to raise money for charity.

“They describe themselves as a drinking club with a running problem,” adds Mary.

Throughout the vineyard, there are references to people close to Mary and Michael, who have contributed to its charm. These include a rustic sculpture of the vineyard logo, initially created by grandson Fraser and featuring a triangle – the delta sign for change – with horseshoes forming a bunch of grapes. The sculpture is made from metal and covered with lead to reflect the area’s wealth, which grew out of lead mining.

A watercolour sketch of the vineyard, painted by an Australian friend, hangs in the licensed bottom stable on the farm where wines are tasted and sold – and also features on the labels of Carr Head wines.

The retirement adventure clearly suits Michael and Mary, who exude warmth and enthusiasm for their craft.

While they have no plans to expand or to sell to wholesalers, Michael sees great potential for wine production in the UK.

He says: “About one million new vines are planted in the UK each year and between 10 and 20 million bottles of English wine are produced annually. But in the UK we drink an estimated 1.7 billion bottles per year – so there are substantial opportunities for producers.

“Personally, I enjoy the physical side of it – it’s good to be out in the fresh air. It’s nice to work all summer and to have created something. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved – it’s very fulfilling.”

Tours of Hope Valley Vineyard are by appointment. Go to www. hopevalleyvineyard.co.uk

Discovering other Derbyshire vineyards

WINE production is being hailed as the UK’s fastest growing agricultural sector. Figures released in July by WineGB – the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry – revealed the number of UK vineyards has this year exceeded 1,000 for the first time with 1,030 now registered. Sales of English and Welsh wines also rose by 10% in 2023.

While the majority of UK vineyards are in the south, the Midlands has been producing wine since the 1970s… and, from the Hope Valley to the south of the county, Derbyshire can boast some fine examples.

Amber Valley Vineyards, Wessington

A family-run vineyard and orchard; grapes and apples are grown to regenerative agricultural principles, helping soil to capture and store more carbon and to harness beneficial ecosystems for the vines. Its wine list includes a signature ‘orange’, which goes by its ancient name, Amber Wine. In addition to its award-winning wines, the business also released its first cider, in 2023. Events are held throughout the year, including monthly summer markets, dinners in the orchard, vineyard tours and tastings. Learn more at www.ambervalleyvineyards.co.uk

Renishaw Hall, English Wine Project

PLANTED in the grounds of Renishaw Hall in 1972, this was recognised as the most northerly vineyard in the country until 1986.

In 2011, the vineyard was taken over by award-winning winemaker Kieron Atkinson, owner of The English Wine Project. It hosts public tours on selected Sundays. For details, visit www.englishwineproject.co.uk

Matlock Wines, Cuckoostone Valley Vineyard

LAUNCHED in 2019, by Pete Walden and Andy Page, this 1.5 acre, steeply sloping, southfacing vineyard sits more than 800ft above sea level, in the heart of Cuckoostone Dale. It grows three grape varieties: Rondo, Pinot Precosse and Seyval Blanc, all of which thrive in cool climates. Learn more at www.matlockwines.co.uk

Left: A view of Riber Castle from the Cuckoostone Valley Vineyard of Matlock Wines, near to Matlock Golf Club.

Scaddows Vineyard, Ticknall, South Derbyshire

OWNED by a farming family originally specialising in soft fruits, the business has diversified into viticulture and now has an established vineyard producing award-winning wines. For details of vineyard tours and tastings and Cellar Door Shop, visit www.scaddowsfarm.co.uk

The Peacock at Rowsley: Sitting Proudly for nearly 400 years!

ORIGINALLY known as Rowsley Manor, The Peacock at Rowsley had been built as a residence for John Stevenson, a steward on the Haddon Hall Estate, whose name is carved in the semicircular pediment above the front door.

When a 19th century traveller described the Peacock as ‘the beau ideal of a snug English country hostelry’, the building had only been serving as a hotel since 1832. It soon gained renown for being one of the prettiest hotels in England.

When writing about Derbyshire in his King’s England series, Arthur Mee waxed lyrically about the hostelry as ‘a joy to see, a study of gables and mullioned windows dating from 1652’.

Over the years, many well-known people have been guests at the Peacock, including Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement, who stayed there in 1907 during a fishing trip undertaken with his brother. The painter and sculptor Edwin Landseer, best known for creating the lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square, stayed there with his family in 1868.

Famous actors who have spent time at the Peacock include Douglas Fairbanks, who visited with Mary Pickford in 1924 whilst she was making the silent film Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall, and Lillie Langtry, the actress who was the mistress of the Prince of

Wales, later King Edward VII. More recently, Dame Judi Dench was a guest during the shooting of scenes from Jane Eyre at Haddon Hall, as was Keira Knightley when she was filming Pride and Prejudice. Jude Law also dined there during the filming of ‘Firebrand’.

Lord Edward Manners made The Peacock part of the Haddon Estate again by buying it back in 2003. They embarked on refurbishing it the following year.

With more than three centuries of history under its belt, the Peacock has character in spades. From the outside it’s all country charm with lattice windows and the river Derwent babbling along past the bottom of the garden. The interior, however, has been tastefully renovated to retain the rustic elegance of such a delightful iconic building, whilst catering for the luxuries and comfort needed for modern-day hospitality. ‘Mousey Thompson’ furnishings and antique oil paintings are juxtaposed with modern lighting and contemporary art.

The Peacock bar is an historic sanctuary lit by storybook lanterns and flickering logs. The 19th-century cock-fighting chair

retains pride of place, and the walls are adorned by the most majestic of paintings.

Head chef Dan Smith, who trained with Tom Aikens, serves up inventive, multi-layered dishes that make good use of locally produced, seasonal ingredients. Wherever possible, the Haddon Estate is used as the source for the ingredients – the venison from there is not to be missed!

A Michelin-trained chef, Dan, together with his team, including Sous Chef, Simon Shardlow, have earned The Peacock a place in the top 10% of restaurants in the country with 3 AA Rosettes.

The front-of-the-house team is headed by General Manager, Laura Ball, and Restaurant Manager, Valentine Blain, who have been at The Peacock for 20 years and 7 years, respectively. They are ably supported by restaurant supervisors, James and Poppy.

Shown into the dining room after pre-dinner drinks, we were seated under the watchful eyes of Lord Robert Manners (the portrait of course), who was killed on April 12, 1782.

The two starters were beautifully prepared by a true artist, with flavours balanced with skill and care. The seasonal shift from summer to autumn was captured brilliantly –both in terms of added warmth and richness of colour. The smoked salmon tartare, with bagel crisps, cream cheese, and beetroot provided a rainbow of tastes and colours. The tenderness, freshness, and smokiness of the salmon was harmonised with the creaminess from the cheese and given a flavour shot from the acidity and sharpness of the beetroot and the crunch of the crisps.

The poached Saint Ewes egg, with wild mushrooms, rosti potato, hazelnut, and watercress velouté also followed the changing seasons. Rich and comforting, yet not overpowering, this dish also

mastered the art of balance. The richness from the yolk, the texture from the mushrooms, the crunch from the hazelnut – everything counterbalanced beautifully.

Next up were the main courses. The Haddon Estate venison leg, with king oyster mushroom, Swiss chard, and crushed pumpkin was a masterpiece in contrasting and complementing tastes. The venison was tender and cooked to perfection - you barely needed to press the knife down to cut it! The orange and dark green colours reflected the arrival of the Fall, and every ingredient served a purpose on the plate. You could taste the attention to detail in all the ingredients. The palate doesn’t lie. You could taste the thought process through every single morsel.

The fish of the day was Stone Bass, which was served with black olives, fennel, octopus, potato, roasted black garlic, and Provençale sauce. The fresh, mild, sweet taste of the fish was nicely complemented by the crispiness of its skin and the warmth of the other ingredients, and further reinforced and enhanced by the roasted black garlic.

After a nice break, we were served with our desserts – chocolate orange trifle and salted caramel parfait.

The trifle boasted a stunning mingling of flavours. The richness and warmth of the chocolate was nicely matched with the

lightness of the mousse, the bounciness of the sponge, the freshness and zinginess of the orange, and a certain cheeriness and texture from the peel. Perfect harmony!

The salted caramel parfait with apple compote, caramelised pastry, and vanilla cream was equally satisfying. The elements of sour and sweet worked perfectly, as did the lightness of the parfait against the texture of the apple. Truly scrumptious!

A masterclass in using quality, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, and letting them shine, this is a culinary experience not to be missed. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and the wine and drinks menu are a feast for the eyes of any would-be sommelier. Impressive and homely, without being ostentatious or flouncy, The Peacock

provides a relaxed and cosy ambience, backed up with excellent cuisine. The sotto voce service treads a lovely line between formal and friendly.

With 15 comfortable rooms, The Peacock is also a mecca for anglers, who can fish by the side of the River Derwent, which spumes along at the foot of the hotel and is the only river in Britain with wild rainbow trout.

Whether you’re a local, a walker, a tourist, a day tripper, or a fisherman, The Peacock at Rowsley is most certainly the place to visit.

The Peacock at Rowsley, Bakewell Road, Rowsley, Derbyshire, DE4 2EB

T: 01629 733 518

e: reception@thepeacockatrowsley.com www.thepeacockatrowsley.com

Oxtail-stuffed Doughnuts and Blue Cheese Sauce

OUR signature dish this month comes from Charlie Uwins, the head chef of The Scotsman’s Pack, at Hathersage

– and what a lovely dish it is.

The Scotsman’s Pack was Pub of the Year in the 2023 Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards – and the food is simply stunning.

Ingredients

1kg oxtail

2 carrots, finely diced

1 onion, finely diced

Thyme, 8 sprigs

Garlic, 5 cloves

Celery: one stick, finely diced

Bay leaf x 3

Red wine x 250ml

Beef stock

1 litre Henderson’s Relish 50ml Oil 50ml

Method

1. In a heavy base pan, heat oil. Season oxtail and brown off.

2. Add chopped vegetables, herbs and garlic, brown off.

3. Deglaze with wine.

4. Add Hendersons and stock.

5. Place in preheated oven @ 160 degrees, cook for 2-3 hours until meat falls off the bone.

6. Remove meat from bones and reduce on stove until reduced and chill.

Doughnuts Ingredients

250g bread flour

30g caster sugar

7.5g yeast

2 eggs

1 tsp salt

70g butter

75g milk

Doughnuts Method

1. Weigh out all dry ingredients and mix in a mixer with dough hook.

2. If using instant yeast, do not activate.

3. Add warm milk and eggs for eight mins.

4. Slowly add room temp butter, mix on high speed for four mins.

5. Cover and proof until doubled in size. Knock back and stuff with a large spoon of oxtail mix, proof on a floured tray, leave to double in size.

6. Cook on 180 degrees oil for two to three mins each side.

7. Place in oven on 160 degrees for 10 min or until inside reaches 75 degrees

Blue Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

100g stilton; 200ml white wine; 400ml cream; 1 shallot finely chopped; 1 thyme; 1 garlic clove; 20g butter

Blue Cheese Sauce Method

1. Melt butter and cook shallot until soft, add the garlic

2. Deglaze with wine

3. Add cream and reduce by half

4. In blender blend with stilton

TO PLATE

1. Remove dough from oven. On a cooling rack, pour over blue cheese sauce.

2. Place on plate and you’re ready to go.

Above: The Scotsman’s Pack at Hathersage.

Above: Charlie Uwins, head chef at The Scotsman’s Pack.

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What’s brewing at Peak Ales?

Visiting Peak Ales is an education. From the moment you drive up to the large purpose built brewery and distillery, the whole experience is a learning curve.

LOCATED in the picturesque village of Ashford in the Water, it’s a beautiful and fitting setting for a business intent on supplying high quality produce with a local provenance.

All this is a far cry from those early days nearing on 20 years ago, when owners Rob and Debra Evans took the life-changing decision to sell their house in the Midlands, uproot their family, leave secure jobs, and set up a microbrewery in the Peak District.

Rob and Debra knew they only had one chance to get this right, working hard to find premises suitable to fit in with their dream. Chatsworth suggested they look at Cunnery Barn on the Chatsworth Estate; the barn buildings were in disrepair, but the potential was obvious; the perfect location for a microbrewery had been discovered.

Back in 2005, Peak Ales did just one brew a week. The first cask ales produced by the business were Bakewell Best, so named to

exploit a growing trend for local provenance, and Swift Nick, named after a historic highwayman who was thought to have robbed locals on their return from Bakewell market.

The business has grown significantly ever since. This is a family business and boasts all the associated hallmarks: integrity, commitment, personal service, and meticulous attention to detail. A team spirit and togetherness pervade the entire workforce.

Peak Ales went on to develop its most popular beer Chatsworth Gold, which is crafted with honey. Today, some 7,000 pints of Chatsworth Gold are consumed each week locally.

Due to steady and sustained expansion, an upgrade in premises was vital. In 2014, the move to the expansive premises at Ashford-in-the-Water became the springboard for future developments and more enterprising initiatives. The association with Chatsworth, however, remained forever strong, with Chatsworth Gold being their signature beer, Chatsworth Gin and Chatsworth Rose Pink Gin.

With a combined knowledge and experience of over 100 years, the Peak Ales team has certainly made an indelible mark on the world of brewing fine craft real ales. Brewers, Tom Neale and Thom Bettney, seem to possess an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things brewing related.

Watching the two brewers in operation and listening to their words of wisdom sheds light on the intricate process of getting from the raw ingredients to the highly quaffable Chatsworth Gold or Bakewell Best in the local pub.

“Malted barley, hops, yeast and water form the basis of all our beers,” says Thom. “We don’t use any preservatives or other nasties. Our processes are fundamentally traditional although we do use several more modern techniques to maximise the flavours and aromas extracted from our hops.”

The video on the Peak Ales website of the brewing process is an illuminating watch and highlights the skill and expertise which the two brewers have at their fingertips. Even the water must have the exact mineral consistency! Malt blending, mixing, mash, sweet worts, boiling, adding hops, fermentation, maturation, and constant quality checks… the whole process is a work of art!

With such talent and proficiency on hand, it’s small wonder that Peak Ales has picked up so many accolades for their real ale craft beers. Chatsworth Gold is top of the pile with its latest of many awards being ‘2023: Champion Beer of East Midlands competition Gold’. Bakewell Best won a bronze award in the Cask British Bitter category at the 2022 SIBA Regional Beer Competition. And, to top it all, the IPA, a strong 6%er, won gold at the World Beer Trophy Awards 2021. The portfolio

of regular brews is completed with ‘Swift Nick’, ‘Black Stag’ – a delicious dark beer – a gluten-free ‘DPA’, an ever more popular ‘Dark Mild’, and ‘Noggin’ Filler’. Over time, the brewers have experimented with over 40 different brews, which are presented to the ever more discerning marketplace as and when the time feels right.

In 2018 a new string to their bow was formed; the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire asked if there was anyone on the estate who could produce a London Dry Gin. With the brewery having moved to Ashford in the Water, Peak Ales knew that they would be able to respond. So, about five years ago, the gin still was installed into Cunnery Barn.

Between them they have won medals at the Great Taste Awards, International Spirits Challenge, London Spirits Competition and International Wine and Spirits Challenge. These awards from an already award-winning Brewery and Distillery show Peak Ales ability to produce high quality, popular, craft beverages.

“they have won medals at the Great Taste Awards, International Spirits Challenge, London Spirits Competition and International Wine and Spirits Challenge.”

A beautiful piece of German engineering, the still was named ‘Isobel’ by the team.

Celebrating Chatsworth Gin’s 5th year anniversary last month, The Chatsworth Estate has been the source of select botanicals that help create a unique flavour for the gins.

This year Peak Ales launched their own range of London Dry Gins: Pink Grapefruit with Hibiscus and Bilberry London Dry Gin.

Peak Ales say that enquiries for branded corporate bottled beers and gin have increased in popularity and the whole range of Peak Ales can be personalised, not only for businesses but for customers looking for gifts for birthdays or special occasions. Other gifts on offer are Beer Experiences. Their Brew with a Brewer Experience Day includes a Brewers Breakfast, Ploughman’s Lunch, a pint or two and at the end a case of beer to takeaway, with a Peak Ales pint glass. How good does that sound?

The vibrant and dynamic Peak Ales team (pictured opposite, bottom left) comprises Rob and Debra, of course, their son Matt; the three brewers, Tom, Thom and Matt, Sales and Marketing staff, JoJo, George and Natasha; Logistics Manager, Ian; Delivery Driver James; and Office Manager Louise.

Peak Ales

3-6 Park Farm Industrial Units, Longstone Lane, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, Derbyshire. DE45 1NH.

Open Monday – Friday 11am to 4pm.

T: 01246 583737

E: info@peakales.co.uk  www.peakales.co.uk

China to Derbyshire –and now back to China!

By Vivienne Milburn FRICS Independent Antiques Auctioneer & Valuer

THE strength of the market for Asian items such as porcelain and works of art continues to be very strong. The changing economic climate in China, together with the live Internet bidding facility at specialist auctions, means that Asian items continue to sell well. From the collection of a Derbyshire entrepreneur, the pair of 18th Century Chinese meiping vases we have pictured, decorated in muted polychrome enamels, of a domestic interior with a figure attended to in bed –the interpretation of the scene is lost in the translation somewhere from China to Europe. The vases measure 24cm high, with a six-character mark for the Qianlong reign – 1736 to 1795

Left: The maker’s mark on the bottom of the vases, which adds to the authenticity –and, probably, the price!

Below: A pair of 18th Century Chinese meiping vases, decorated in colours with a figure attended to in bed. They made £4,550 in a recent auction – ten times the original estimate.

(one of the ten reigns during the great Qing dynasty which lasted from 1644 to 1912.) Meiping vases are traditionally used to display branches of plum blossoms. Estimated at £300 to £500, they made a staggering £4,550 and are now on their way back to China. China is rich in the raw materials needed for making porcelain and it is so identified with China that it is still called ‘china’ in everyday English. Chinese ceramics, even pieces of the finest quality, were made on an industrial scale and few names of individual potters have been recorded. Many of the most renowned workshops were owned by, or reserved for, the Emperor, and large quantities of ceramics were

exported as diplomatic gifts or for trade from an early date. The most desirable in today’s market is still the sophisticated Chinese porcelain wares made for the imperial court. The price of these vases was helped by the fact they are painted in colours. A great deal of Chinese imported porcelain was decorated in an underglaze blue, which affected the fashion for blue and white ware in the market. English manufacturers had produced delftware in the 17th Century, technically it was the best imitation of the fine Chinese white porcelain that we could manage, but such English pottery lacked the

magical translucence of the Chinese originals. Because these originals commanded such high prices, there were many early attempts to copy it and it wasn’t until the mid-18th Century when William Cookworthy started to produce porcelain that we saw a flourishing market for its production in England. Editor’s Note: Perhaps you also have Asian antiques and collectables that might be valuable? If so, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess them. For further information, contact Vivienne on 07870 238788 or go to www.viviennemilburn. co.uk or email vivienne@ viviennemilburn.co.uk

The magic of sunrise and sunset

SUNRISE and sunset can be a magical time for many photographers – and our readers are no exception, judging by the entries into our ‘Derbyshire’s Lovely Landscapes’ competition this year.

We have had five crackers this month, starting with this sunrise shot over Derwent Edge at 6.45am on August 30. Lorraine Baker, of Matlock, who took this image, says: “Just me, the birds and peace and quiet!”

Next, a sunset shot of The Salt Cellar, a tor on Derwent Edge, taken on August 10 by Peter Keeble, of Matlock Bath.

Russ Teale, of Newbold, took a sunset stroll on Big Moor on August 1, and took this picture.

The last rays of evening sunshine reflecting off Linacre reservoir on August 30, taken by Guy Pinder, of Stonegravels, Chesterfield.

Two walkers on Curbar Edge enjoying the sunset over the Derwent Valley in early September, taken by Brian Smith, of Upper Newbold.

Climbers queue at the base of Stanage Edge to tackle the rock face in this image taken by Lisa Hands, of Sheffield, on a July day.

A view of the beautiful gardens at Chatsworth this summer, taken by Alison Parker, of Clay Cross.

Brian Smith, of Upper Newbold, took this picture from Bubnell on August 20 in the late evening sun, just before the approaching dark clouds enveloped the sky completely and delivered a heavy downpour! “It sort of sums up our summer weather this year,” he says – and he’s right!

“A lovely morning up at Ladybower in early August,” says Ian Moorcroft, of Hollingwood, about this picture.

Jane Alderson, of Chesterfield, took this image of Sutton Scarsdale Hall in July.

L.H B.S

PICTURE COMPETITION

Peeking at the topiary in the gardens of Thornbridge Hall was Heather Reddish, of Brimington.

A picture that sums up autumn next: Russ Teale, of Newbold, took this near Clodhall Lane on September 13, which had a beautiful autumnal morning.

The John Darley II trip boat on the Chesterfield Canal, pictured by Ian Moorcroft, of Hollingwood.

This is your last chance to enter the competition – as the closing deadline for entries is noon on October 16, 2024.

The picture(s) you send in for the competition must be taken in 2024 and must be in Derbyshire. You can enter as many times as you like. We do not want entries from commercial photographers; and drone images will not be accepted.

Please email your entries to barrief@bannisterpublications. co.uk, giving your full name and address, a contact telephone number and a description (including the date it was taken) of the image, which should be attached as a high-res jpeg.

The winner will receive a meal for two at a top local restaurant, plus the chance to have a selection of their images published in Reflections.

COUNTYWIDE NEWS

Can you support the Derwent Survival Plan?

DERBYSHIRE Wildlife Trust (DWT) has launched the Derwent Survival Plan, an urgent appeal to restore the river and create thriving habitats for native species on the brink of extinction.

As Derbyshire’s largest single ecosystem, the river is home to some incredible species, from white-clawed crayfish and otters to Atlantic salmon. But beneath the tranquil surface of the water, the health of the river is in rapid decline.

Thousands of unique habitats, and the scores of Derbyshire’s native species that depend on them, are moving closer to extinction every day. Pollution, increased fluctuations in water levels, and largescale felling of riverside trees are just some of the threats the waterway faces.

To help save this precious ecosystem, the Trust has launched the Derwent Survival Plan and is calling on the public to raise £195,000 before winter arrives, to help the team focus on the most urgent projects for nature’s recovery across Derbyshire.

With support from generous members and supporters, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s expert teams will take action to help nature recover on the water and surrounding landscape –projects such as planting riverside trees to stabilise riverbanks and provide shade, reedbeds to slow water flow, creating habitats for birds like bitterns, and help to remove pollutants before water enters the Derwent.

Projects to bypass weirs will allow fish passage for species like Atlantic salmon, and leaky dams will be added in other parts of the river system to slow the flow for the benefit of wildlife.

Jennifer Kril, Living Rivers Officer at DWT, said: “White-clawed crayfish are at risk of extinction, lamprey are red listed, otters are red listed, water voles are endangered, and Atlantic Salmon are under threat. We are committed to restoring the habitats these, and other plants and animals, need to survive, but we cannot do this alone. We urgently need donations so that together we can restore and protect the river Derwent’s natural habitats.

“We are so grateful for the support we have already received and hope our appeal is successful in allowing us to focus on the most pressing issues along the river this autumn.”

A LOCAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM HAS 62 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS

One of the first of the Peak District Mountain Rescue Teams is celebrating its 60th anniversary, as Steve Brown reports.

AN injured walker or climber in the Peak District a hundred years ago would probably have waited for hours for even the news of their predicament to reach the ears of those in authority, who could then organise assistance.

With luck, the local police may have been able to gather a band of volunteers willing to turn out with rudimentary equipment and first aid. Now a simple call on a smartphone can initiate a response from a welldrilled organisation to bring life-saving treatment and state-of-the-art recovery equipment to the remotest of spots, often within an hour of such a call.

This transition has been gradual but has been driven by the increasing numbers of visitors to the Peak District National Park and by the harnessing of more sophisticated technology in communications, patient care and transportation by the selfless volunteers who continue to form the backbone of the mountain

rescue teams in the area. These are people who, like many of the casualties they help, are often lovers of the hills and know well the places where they can rescue someone.

There are seven such teams covering the Peak District and affiliated to the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO); one of these is the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team and, this year, they are celebrating their 60th anniversary.

It was the death of three rover scouts on Bleaklow in March 1964, while participating in the Four Inns walk, and the problems in organising the search for and recovery of the victims which led to a radical change in how mountain rescue was set up in the Peak District. Until this time, there were a large number of organisations and clubs purporting to be able to put out a rescue team. Perhaps it was the formation of the PDMRO in September 1964 and the basic qualifications then required for affiliated teams which led

Above: The Buxton MRT volunteers are a close-knit team and trust each other to look out for them, as well as any casualties.

Bringing a casualty off a stretch of Peak District moorland.

Vigorous training and exercises are held by all mountain rescue teams, including Buxton.

to a coalescence of numbers – but the Buxton team was one of those which remained and which continues to the present day.

It was Eric Langmuir, principal of the White Hall Outdoor Centre located on Long Hill, who suggested to one of his instructors, Howard Hodgkinson, that a formal rescue team be organised in Buxton using the expertise of the centre’s instructing staff and the equipment at the centre. Howard took up the proposal, contacted various outdoor clubs in and around Buxton for prospective team members and, as team leader, set up the initial organisational meetings which took place in the Eagle pub on Buxton Market Place.

At the outset of the team’s existence, members used their own clothing, hill gear and transport but by 1972 they had raised enough money to buy an exmilitary ambulance for team use, known affectionately as “The Pig” due to its lack of power steering(!), to add to the other equipment the team had gradually acquired.

In 1974, Ted Burton took over as team leader, further training continued apace and by 1976 the team had acquired sufficient medical expertise to be accepted as a Division of St John Ambulance, the first mountain rescue team in the country to achieve such an accolade.

However, by 1977, the team were in urgent need of proper accommodation to store equipment and were fortunate enough to

secure a rent-free garage and storeroom in a quarry at Dove Holes. Small and cramped by today’s standards, with an ever-present film of quarrying dust, it nevertheless provided a base for the team until 1990 when its proposed redevelopment led to the team building a new base on a free 99-year lease in Dove Holes, thanks to the local Community Association and an intensive period of fundraising and publicity. It was opened in June 1990 by Diana, Princess of Wales, and remained as the team’s main base until March 2003, when a new and larger purpose-built building was opened by The Duke of York, following another successful fundraising effort. Not only were funds raised for the new building, but two team vehicles were replaced, a mobile control trailer acquired and all the team’s operational clothing was renewed. In that same year the team received the “Queens Award for Volunteers in the Community” and in 2007 the team were recognised by Derbyshire County Council with an “Excellence in the Community” award.

serious deficiencies were recognised in communication, organisation and within the teams themselves. Stretchers were few and far between, sleeping bags were being used instead of casualty bags and some younger team members were wandering about Bleaklow in plastic macs and shoes.

“Many team’s areas meet on and around the Kinder Scout plateau, so much so that there is a welldeveloped search plan for this popular area.”

A significant chapter in the history of mountain rescue took place in 1971 when, after a large-scale exercise on Bleaklow,

To provide a better response to incidents, four teams were recognised by the PDMRO as having the right training standards, equipment levels and allround ability to act as “Initial Response Teams” – the first to be called in the event of a missing person – with other teams providing back-up as necessary. Buxton MRT, along with those from Glossop, RAF Stafford and Edale, were one of the four. Glossop and Edale still remain with Buxton within PDMRO, the four other teams now affiliated to the modern day PDMRO being Oldham, Kinder, Derby and Woodhead. Buxton’s area now covers some 400 square miles of countryside, from the south side of Kinder Scout down onto the Goyt Valley moors, through Macclesfield Forest and surrounds to the craggy ridge of The Roaches in the south west. Many team’s areas meet on and around the Kinder Scout plateau, so much so that there is a well-developed search plan for this popular area so that searches

and rescues can be properly coordinated and smoothly conducted without undue delay.

The 1971 exercise also drew attention to serious deficiencies in communications, both in calling out team members and when on the site of an incident. This was as much a reflection of technology at the time as of human deficiencies but fortunately it was not too long before the advent of a complete radio network, including licensing and servicing, was provided for the PDMRO and rescue teams by Derbyshire Constabulary. Each team received portable handsets and a base radio and this continues to this day with the Police Control Room at Ripley being the initial receiving point for almost all emergency calls requesting ‘Mountain Rescue’ in the Peak District. Calling out team members in the 1970s still revolved around multiple calls to home telephones which could take a long time but nowadays with the advent of digital technology and the ubiquitous smartphone, a single phone call can alert all team members at once in respect of a call-out and elicit an almost instant response as to who is available and making their way to an incident. The latter has also led to the discontinuation of the interim “snatch squad” system, whereby team members from various teams who lived and/or worked near known hotspots for accidents could be quickly summoned and organised into a rescue party to effect a rapid response.

At present, the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team has 62 active members with a further 12 in training and a support team of 15-20 to take care of the many administrative tasks and fundraising needed to keep a modern team running smoothly. It takes some £45k per annum to be operational and much of that comes from public donations as well as grants from local government, private companies and community grants.

“It takes some £45k per annum to be operational and much of that comes from public donations as well as grants from local government.”

The Buxton team now has two operational bases, one at Dove Holes and one at Buxton Police Station, with two vehicles located at each, enabling rapid response to all parts. Training of new members takes up to two years, taking into account any relevant experience of first aid and hillcraft. Training sessions take place every Thursday plus occasional weekends in addition to actually attending call-outs to observe. It reflects the incredibly high standards expected of, and displayed by, the team during a call-out, working in conjunction with the emergency services, other MRTs and the air ambulance. Above all, aspirant members must learn to work as part of a close-knit team where everyone can be trusted to look out for each other in any circumstances.

Buxton MRT’s call-outs often involve searches for missing persons as well as recovery of injured walkers and climbers. Any

emergency call requesting ‘Mountain Rescue’ should be made to the Police and is directed to the Derbyshire Police Communications Centre at Ripley, who then contact the Duty Network Controller for the PDMRO. The latter then decides which team/s to contact and will alert the key contacts in each. The controllers know the area and the teams well and will be aware, for instance, if any are out on exercise. Each team is then called out using just one message and those members able to respond and attend reply via the same system almost immediately. It is clearly vital to know who is attending, what equipment is being taken and from where, their time of arrival and the rendezvous spot – and modern digital communications have made this so much easier than in the early days featured earlier in this article.

Mountain Rescue Team members do not judge those who call for and receive help; they are there to afford help when it’s needed and offer it selflessly. However, they can offer advice to those going onto the moors and crags to help visitors enjoy their experiences in safety.

Neil Carruthers, team leader, says: “Plan your day, think about the weather, what clothing and equipment you need for the route you are taking. Look at the experience of your group and do your research before you set off. Accidents do happen so, remember, if you are in a remote area of the Peak District, dial 999 and ask for Police and then Mountain Rescue.

Above: A Buxton MRT ambulance stands by to take any call-out casualties.

MUSICAL DON’T MISS THIS THIS HALF-TERM

IF a ukelele-playing gecko and a flamboyant bat can’t make you smile, then a mischievous monkey, a wise old owl and a cynical camel are sure to amuse you. Meet the characters in Mountains of the Moon, the latest offering by the creators of the captivating Crooked Spire musical, Ashgate Heritage

Arts (AHA), coming soon to venues across Chesterfield and surrounding areas from Saturday 26 October – Friday 1 November, writes Kate Dawson.

Audiences will enter a mythical world, where the unlikely five-some find themselves in dire straits unless they can find a way to get the rain to fall and replenish the river which has dried up, so they can drink. A number of hairbrained schemes are hatched before Owl remembers a story that grandmother once told, and suggests they find the ‘Honeybird’ whose song can make the Rain God cry.

The hour-long show is packed with songs, witty banter and plenty of laughs as the animals reveal their foibles and unique personalities. The show was conceived by Martin Coslett, AHA producer, when he was studying for an MA in Writing Musicals at Mountview Theatre School, London, six years ago. Martin wrote the music and script for the show together with Thomas Forbes Briscombe and

it was arranged by musical director Harry Style, who previously worked on The Crooked Spire.

The story draws upon the myths and fables around the Honeybird and its relationship with the Rain God, which exists in various cultures.

Martin explained: “In African storytelling, water is the source of all life and mankind has a spiritual connection with the natural world. As we contend with the current climate crisis, there’s something we can learn from that.

“There’s also a positive message about how the animals put aside their differences (and primal instinct to eat each other) and work together for the common good!”

The show is packed with powerful songs and lively choreography, with director Frazer Deakin cleverly employing props to create the magical world.

Frazer said: “The show has a playful energy and sparks the imagination. It has a poignant message woven throughout, but the colourful characters and brilliant music also provide a fantastic hour of fun.”

The show was successfully previewed at the Buxton Fringe in 2023, where it won two awards for Best Children’s Show and Best Youth Actor, scooped by Chesterfield’s own Eddie Waller, then aged 12.

Left: The cast of Mountains of the Moon, from left, Drew Sinclair as Bat; Rachel Roberts as Owl; Laura Mae Mellor as Monkey; Eddie Waller as Gecko; and Simon Lewington as Camel.

Eddie describes his character, Gecko, as “strong minded, smart and very funny – he can be serious when he needs to be serious, but he’s also funny at the right time.”

Earlier in the year, Eddie spent ten weeks filming the lead role in a feature film alongside a well-known actress. The film is set for general release in 2025, but further details are under wraps until the official publicity starts.

Eddie says it was the Crooked Spire which really helped him hone his craft and he can’t wait to perform in ‘Mountains’: “I’ve been acting as long as I can remember and always loved it. It just makes me feel happy. Being part of this smaller cast gives me a chance to move around the stage and interact with the audience more. I can’t wait to get back out there!” he enthused.

Another local cast member is Drew Sinclair who has been touring the UK with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company.

The show has been arranged by musical director Harry Style, who previously worked on The Crooked Spire medieval murder-mystery musical with AHA.

Frazer said: “The people of Chesterfield are incredibly fortunate to have access to such high-calibre musical productions in their community. Having these shows locally not only enriches the cultural life of the area, but also provides a

space where the community can come together to share the joy, emotion and artistry that musicals offer.”

Thanks to funding from Chesterfield Borough Council, via its Community Fund, the production is being performed at eight local community venues across the area.

SHOW DATES ARE:

Sat 26 Oct, 2pm: Church of Jesus Christ, Stonegravels, Sheffield Road, S41 7GZ.

Mon 28 Oct, 1.30pm: Loundsley Green Community Centre, Cutthorpe Road, Chesterfield, S40 4QU.

Tues 29 Oct, 2pm: Speedwell rooms, Inkersall Road, Staveley, S43 3JL.

Wed 30 Oct, 11am: Chesterfield College Theatre, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 7LL.

Wed 30 Oct, 6pm: Bakewell Town Hall, The Square, Bakewell DE45 1BT.

Fri 1 Nov, 6pm: Matlock Bath Grand Pavilion, South Parade, Matlock Bath, DE4 3NR.

Sat 2 Nov, 2pm: Whittington Moor Methodist Church, Scarsdale Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, S41 8NA.

Sun 3 Nov, 2pm: Rose Theatre Chesterfield Studios, Eastwood Buildings, Rose Hill, Chesterfield, S40 1LW.

Tickets start at £10, with discounts at some venues. Check the venue for details. Box office: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ ashgateheritagearts or 0333 666 3366 Editor’s Note: To find out more, go to AshgateHeritageArts.co.uk or Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/ashgateheritagearts/

Above: There is even some shadow puppetry in Mountains of the Moon.

thanks to Gina!

Walls have never looked so good,

Walls never looked so good! Artist Gina Watkinson tells Dawn Anderson about her unique artwork.

USUALLY I end up meeting artists in their studios or workshops, but this time I met Gina Watkinson, not in the garden shed that she uses to create some of her paintings, but at the beautiful Oakhill Cromford (www.oakhillcromford.co.uk), a gem of a Georgian house which serves as a hotel, restaurant, bar and wedding venue.

Oakhill is just one of the commercial projects that Gina has worked on, using her expert skills and techniques to create unique statement walls and individual pieces of art which adorn some of the other walls. Her paintings in their luxurious gold frames perfectly complement the atmosphere of the place; if this was a gallery it could not be better at showcasing her work.

Gina is understated (despite her bright yellow trousers!), thoughtful and authentic. I can see the sparkle in her eyes when she shares her love of art. She is multi-talented, producing artwork using a mix of media from oils and acrylics to Venetian plasters and luxury paints.

Her pieces are highly original and she works on canvas, board or directly onto walls. “When people ask me how I would describe myself as an artist, I usually say that I create fine art and murals,” she says and then we both laugh when she tells me that people frequently call them ‘murials’. Those of you, who are a certain age, will smile here when reminded of Hilda Ogden, a character from Coronation Street many years ago, who had her ‘murials’.

As well as producing murals, she also creates feature walls using Venetian plastering, a specialised technique involving plaster and paint. This process uses fine plaster to create unique effects which can be burnished to create stunning results. The method used is so niche, that she recently attended an exclusive course in Venice, learning from Italian experts.

Gina grew up in Derbyshire, and is now based here. As a child, she was always happiest with crayons and paper; not drawing on walls at this stage, I ought to add! She initially did a formal course at Chesterfield College but found herself working in film and theatrical makeup at Shepperton Film Studios in Surrey. She then worked as a photographer’s

Above: A wall in the Aspire Creative salon, created by Gina.

Above: Gina at Oakhill Cromford.

assistant, eventually moving back to Derbyshire, where she continued her work in photography while bringing up her two boys (now aged 24 and 18). Her own creative journey had taken a back seat but came more to the fore as she delighted in creating murals for her own children and gradually focused more and more on her route to becoming an artist. Word of mouth led to increased commissions, and she even diversified slightly to be able to prep the walls that she was going to paint. She also produced lots of individual pieces; she now has an extensive portfolio of work including large landscape paintings of dramatic moorlands and oriental-inspired decorative pieces with exotic birds and flowers.

“I find myself drawn to the huge expanse of sky and space and the way that light shifts and changes with the weather,” she tells me, referring to her textured semi-abstract landscapes. We both agree that Derbyshire has some fantastic landscapes to draw inspiration from.

Now a full-time artist, she balances her time between painting individual pieces and transforming walls. She can frequently be found up a ladder with a trowel or paint brush in hand. One of her current projects is a revamp of Barrington’s restaurant in Darley Dale (www.barringtonspub.co.uk).

“It has been so lovely to be able to extend the project to include both the choice of colour scheme and furniture.” she says. The results will be officially

launched in October, so keep an eye out. Another recent example of her work is Aspire Creative hair and beauty salon in Matlock (www.aspirecreativehair. co.uk). Here you can experience the sumptuous walls that she has created.

These are just two of the places in Derbyshire where you can find examples of her work. Alongside commercial projects she also does works in private houses, often in bathrooms and kitchens. Her framed work was recently exhibited at the Wirksworth Festival and you can find a selection of it to buy online on her website.

Gina at work.

Editor’s Note: Gina’s website is www.ginawatkinson.co.uk her Instagram is ginawatkinsonartist and Facebook: Gina Watkinson Artist

Left: Gina created this mural on the wall of a child’s bedroom.

Above: A mixed media landscape by Gina.

Right: Gina’s painting of two young Japanese women.

MARTINS WORLD TRAVEL TEAMS UP WITH FIRST CLASS HOLIDAYS TO PRESENT THE ICONIC

Far Eastern destination of Japan

PLANNING a vacation in Japan is an exciting opportunity to experience a unique blend of tradition, modernity, natural beauty and vibrant culture. Martins World Travel offers personalised trips to Japan, allowing clients to customise their itinerary according to their preferences. This includes options for stopovers, twin destinations or add-on packages.

Japan is a beautiful country, with endless unique sights. From large cities with their ultramodern buildings and busy crowded streets, to the unspoilt countryside with a quiet, traditional charm, there is much to explore. Japan comprises over 14,000 islands, but the five main islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa – are the ones to explore.

There is no better way to experience the sights and sounds of this amazing country, to absorb its culture and learn about its history and people, than on one of the bespoke escorted tours. New places and experiences unfold each day. The experienced tour guide ensures that guests see all the sights, enjoying on the way the best photo stops and the best places for coffee or lunch.

DISCOVER JAPAN –ESCORTED TOUR

12 days Selected dates from March to November

This tour is the perfect introduction to the fascinating country of Japan, where skyscrapers give way to paddy fields and crowds disperse into the tranquillity of serene gardens. Visitors will discover the delights of futuristic Tokyo, admire breath-taking Mount Fuji, experience the speedy bullet train, get a glimpse of Buddhist life in Koyasan and explore the vibrant city of Osaka.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

TOKYO

Tokyo is the ultimate 24hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and there are plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. It’s worth beginning at the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan, before wandering through the old district of Asakusa, maybe stopping to seek out the tranquillity of the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest. The Imperial

Palace Plaza, the classical landscapes of Hamarikyu Gardens and a relaxed dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay are all part of the exciting itinerary.

MOUNT FUJI

Guests will take the super-fast bullet train to Odawara. They will then enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ashi for spectacular panoramas of this beautiful area before venturing up the Komagatake Ropeway. Next, comes the 2,000 metres ascent up Mount Fuji to the 5th Station (weather permitting) where there are breathtaking views over the Fuji Five Lakes area below.

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

Guests then transfer to Matsumoto, where they can explore the formidable 16th century Matsumoto Castle. It’s

also known as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its intense black exterior, Stop at a Miso House.

TAKAYAMA

Takayama, nestled high in the mountainous Hida region, is also known as the Japanese Alps. Visitors can browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market and wander past some of the lovely traditional houses. There follows opportunity to visit several of the excellent local museums – including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya.

SHIRAKAWAGO AND KANAZAWA

Guests can get a glimpse of rural Japan at the World Heritage Listed village of Shirakawago which is famous for its

farmhouses built in the unique gassho-zukuri architectural style. Onward travel to Gokayama gives opportunity to have a go at washi paper making. In Kanazawa, there’s chance to meander through the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

KYOTO

Capital for 1,000 years, until 1869. Today, Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Guests visit Ryoanji, the ‘Temple of the Peaceful Dragon’ and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’. They will then head to a restored Japanese wooden town house and try their hand at origami and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony with a Tea Master.

NARA

Nara is a relaxed and charming town virtually untouched by the ravages of modernity. Another former capital, Nara, also has a huge cultural legacy with many archetypal pieces of early art and architecture.

KOYASAN

The holy mountain of Koyasan is home to a cluster of over 100 monasteries nestled in a valley enclosed by peaks said to resemble a lotus flower. Arguably the most sacred mountain in all

of Japan, Koyasan is the heart of Shingon Buddhism and the resting place of Japan’s bestknown Buddhist, known as both Kukai and Kobo Daishi.

OSAKA

What better way to start the day than exploring Osaka Castle, which is one of Japan’s most famous. Next follows a short cruise along the Yodogawa River and a stroll through Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca, where guests can sample the local delicacies for lunch.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE TOUR IDEAS:

TOKYO & HAKONE – SHORT STAY PACKAGE

Tokyo – Bullet Train – Hakone Departs daily – January to December – 7 days

BEST OF OSAKA, KYOTO AND HIROSHIMA – SHORT STAY PACKAGE

Osaka – Kyoto – Hiroshima

Bullet Train Journeys Departs daily – January to December –7 days

For culture, nature, or modern attractions, Japan offers a diverse and enriching travel experience. The friendly staff at Martins World Travel will be delighted to create a tailor-made package to include individual and exclusive requirements.

CALL AND DISCUSS YOUR TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS WITH OUR FRIENDLY AND EXPERT TEAM ON: 01246 220020 or 01246 823763

Martins World Travel, 46 Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, S40 1RQ T: 01246 220020

Martins World Travel, 25 Market Place, Bolsover, S44 6PN T: 01246 823763

martins-world-travel.co.uk www.1st4Cruises.co.uk

Oct 20

ENJOY THE ‘CHAMPIONS OF BRITISH MUSIC’

PEAK Music’s second concert of the 202425 season features the Villiers Quartet, one of the leading string quartets in the UK. They are currently Quartet-in-Residence at the Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building at Oxford Universiity and have been hailed as ”champions of British music”.

For Peak Music, their programme will include works by Haydn, Fung and Beethoven.

The concert takes place at the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, at 7.30 pm on Monday, October 14. Tickets for non-members are available at £25 (£5 for those in full-time education) and can be purchased at www.peakmusicsociety.org.uk

TheVilliersQuartet.

SHEFFIELD CITY HALL

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

WINDING WHEEL

Ben Portsmouth: This is Elvis

‘LORD OF MISRULE’ AT HARDWICK!

HARDWICK Hall has unveiled its plans for the festive season ahead.

The National Trust will be inviting visitors to step back in time and experience Wintertide; a season of Elizabethan magic. Between November 17 and January 5, 2025, visitors will be able to explore the 16th century hall which will be brimming with twinkly lights and decked out with foliage displays and decorations.

Visitors will be able to look out this year for the Lord of Misrule, an Elizabethan figure who was appointed to oversee revelries and mayhem! They will be able to follow the Lord

of Misrule around the mansion by lantern light and delight in his topsy-turvy ways.

Hardwick Hall will also be extending Wintertide into the evenings on certain dates. The hall will be open through to 7pm on November 29 and 30, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21. There’s no need to book in advance as there will be freeflow entry between 12pm-7pm. The festivities will extend into the new year with the Feast of Fools taking place on New Year’s Day, 2025..

5 Music at Duffield presents Katherine Jenkinson and Friends. At 7.30pm at St. Alkmund’s Church, Church Drive, Duffield, DE56 4BA. Individual tickets are available at the door or from Caroline Morgan (Tel: 07977 091171) and also online at www.musicatduffield. com or www.wegottickets.com

11-13

Other Events

with many venues in

city including Quad, Derby Museums, Derby Theatre and Derby Libraries. Supported by Arts Council England and Derby City Council

2 Holymoorside Horticultural Society. ‘Behind the scenes in Chatsworth’s Production Garden’, an illustrated talk by Mick Brown. 7.45pm in the Holymoorside URC meeting room

Derby Folk Festival. The festival is located in the city’s Cathedral Quarter. Enjoy a mix of concerts and lively entertainment all weekend. All concerts will be held in the Old Bell Hotel, and there is a great line-up of familiar and new faces. The weekend will also have singing, dancing and more in the city’s streets and in venues

12-20 A Taste of Christmas at Chatsworth Farm Shop. Start your Christmas shopping at our new event in the festive marquee at the Farm Shop, full of gifting inspiration. Enjoy tastings and local festive gifts, while meeting our suppliers and hearing their stories. The event is from 10am to 4pm (11am to 4pm on Sundays). This is a free

Above: The ‘Lord of Misrule’ will be at Hardwick Hall for the festive season. IllustrationbyJonScrimshaw, courtesyoftheNationalTrust.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024

event located in the marquee next to the delicatessen, accessed via the shop

19 Medieval parkland walks at Haddon Hall. The Medieval Park is a rare treasure, comprising 187 hectares of ancient pasture, woodlands and water meadows. For more information please visit: www.haddonhall.co.uk

19 Peak Performance present a concert in aid of Ashgate Hospice at Whittington Moor Methodist Church at 2.30pm. Tickets £8, pay on the door or ring Mike to reserve: 0748 4169003

21-31 Half-Term at the Frights of Abraham. Meet our friendly Halloween scarecrows, taste the witches brew in the café and head down to the enchanted Rutland Cavern to hear the legend of the caves from your Victorian guide. Toast your own marshmallows outside the tavern and browse the spooky gift shop for that perfect Halloween souvenir. Tickets now on sale and you need cable car tickets for your Halloween visit. Email: office@heightsofabraham. com or call 01629 582365

26-Nov 3 Halloween Half-Term at Bolsover Castle. 10am - 4pm. Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. For tickets or more information, please call: 01246 822844

26-Nov 1 Fang-tastic Halloween Festival at Matlock Farm Park. The return of our pumpkin patch, for children to pick their own pumpkin and carve at our carving station. Free pumpkin for each child entry ticket holder! A daily spooky trail to follow in our forbidden forest, with riddles galore! For more information, please visit: www.matlockfarmpark.co.uk

BOOK IN OCTOBER FOR SANTA SPECIALS

THE two local Chesterfield Canal trip boats will be running the popular Santa Specials again in December –and booking opens on October 1.

The narrowboat, John Varley II, runs trips from Tapton Lock in Chesterfield and the trip boat Madeline runs from Hollingwood Hub.

The charge is £10. Found out more, and to book, go to chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk

NOV

1-2 Fireworks Night at The Midland Railway Butterely. 5pm-9:30pm. Join us for our spectacular Fireworks Night 2024 at the Midland Railway – Butterley. Again in 2024, due to popular demand, Fireworks will be over two evenings on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November. Fireworks are at 7.30pm on both Friday and Saturday evening. For more information please visit: www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk

FILM NIGHT AT LOUNDSLEY GREEN

LOUNDSLEY Green Community Centre is a real hive of activity; it serves as a base for many community organisations and a venue for events.

The board of the Community Trust decided to try out  cinema evenings and they have proved popular.

Next up is a great film entitled ‘The Boys in the Boat’ and appropriately it has an Olympic theme. It’s on Thursday, October 3 (6.30pm for a 7pm start) and will cost you just £4, with refreshments included.

Turn up on the night or – to guarantee your seat – email borrellhm@yahoo,co.uk

SUBMIT YOUR LISTING OR EVENT

Please email your information including dates to whatson@reflections-magazine.com before October 14th, 2024, to appear in the November 2024 issue.

You can help Animate Chesterfield!

LOCAL people are being invited to get involved in a new art project which will help bring Chesterfield town centre to life during the ongoing regeneration work.

Lucie Maycock, (pictured), has been appointed as the ‘artist-inresidence’ for the first project of the new public art programme, Animate Chesterfield.

A series of workshops – aimed at both children and adults – will be running in the project’s base in New Square, form now until December 2024. There will be a range of activities on offer including printmaking, storytelling, photography and much more.

Lucie is a Chesterfield-based, multi-disciplined freelance artist. She said: “There are many ways you can get involved with the residency programme in Chesterfield. Dream and imagine a future for your town through creative arts, crafts, photography, printmaking and much more.

You can find out more about Animate Chesterfield and see all the upcoming events by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/animate