ParkLife Issue 31 - Autumn/Winter 2020

Issue 31 | Autumn/Winter 2020

The Peak District National Park Magazine

TOP OF THE BILL

ICK L C A Y e AWtA onlin c Perfe t ideas gif

FREE for you to enjoy

Colourful birds to look out for and brighten your day

EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

How local companies and communities have come together to tackle the pandemic

TOADSTOOL TALES

The astonishing fungi finds hidden amongst our autumn grasslands

A year like no other

Facing up to the challenges of coronavirus

• Events • News • Your stories

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Britain’s Original National Park Started by You, Supported by You Established 17 April, 1951 following decades of campaigning. We’re still as passionate about the place today. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/donate

Contact us: customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk 01629 816200 Peak District National Park, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AE

@peakdistrict

/peakdistrictnationalpark /peakdistrictnationalpark

Issue 31 | Autumn/Winter 2020

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

The Peak District National Park Magazine

FREE for you to enjoy

TOP OF THE BILL

Colourful birds to look out for and brighten your day

ICK A CL AY AW

online Perfectideas gift

EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

How local companies and communities have come together to tackle the pandemic

TOADSTOOL TALES

The astonishing fungi finds hidden amongst our autumn grasslands

A year like no other

Facing up to the challenges of coronavirus

• Events • News • Your stories

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

ON THE COVER: The instantly recognisable fly agaric is the quintessential ‘toadstool’ in the fungi family. Their unmistakable bright colours provide an instant warning of danger to any wildlife – or humans – contemplating picking them. Photo by Alex Hyde.

Unless otherwise stated, views expressed in this magazine may not be those of the Peak District National Park Authority.

Editorial team: Alison Riley, Fiona Stubbs, Liam Benson, Tom Marshall Design: Sheryl Todd

parklife@peakdistrict.gov.uk All images and content © Peak District National Park Authority 2020 unless stated otherwise.

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From the chief executive

or many of us, this autumn/winter edition of ParkLife is just as likely to be enjoyed on a computer or tablet, as in hard copy, as we take our first steps out of a second period of ‘lockdown’ and back into a system of coronavirus tiers. Although further restrictions on our lives is something few of us wished to see, we now have the prospect that innovative research and vaccine development could see a return to some form of normality in the months ahead.

While the challenges of this year will last long in the memory, one constant has remained – our national parks.

Whether it be the strain of the spring lockdown, or our current period of government measures, thousands of us have gone on to seek sanctuary and wellbeing in the Peak District when the time was right.

It’s at this point I’d like to express my thanks and gratitude to all those who have dug deep into their love and commitment of the UK’s first national park to help them continue caring for it during these unprecedented times, whether it’s our own staff and volunteers, front-line workers keeping us safe, or those for whom the Peak District landscape is a lifeblood. Without such dedication the rest of us would not be able to reap the benefits. I encourage you to take a look at just a handful of these people in the following pages, bringing the same pioneering spirit to our tackling of the coronavirus pandemic as the Peak District’s early years as a national park.

Whether at a local level as simply as helping communities, or casting our net globally to think about how we tackle climate change with the collective weight of 15 UK national parks, these landscapes remain engines of innovation for recovery of the nation.

These landscapes remain engines of innovation for the recovery of our nation As the inevitable financial recovery for the country may also be at the forefront of our minds, our ‘green’ recovery can equally play a pivotal role. We have seen a fundamental recalibration of how we live our lives both professionally and as individuals throughout the pandemic, and there remains an opportunity to be grasped so we do not miss the chance to make change for the better.

Here in the Peak District, we continually aim to lead from the front. That’s why we have recently added more electric vehicles to our fleet; this time for those colleagues taking care of the all-user trails so many of you have made use of following lockdown.

It now seems fitting that even when travelling across the National Park looking after these routes, we’re helping to maintain a clean local environment for everyone.

I’m also delighted that these new vehicles are adorned with our simple but powerful message for those coming to the area, to be ‘Peak District Proud’. The ask here remains one of small but impactful actions; to take home what you bring, be considerate to our communities through careful use of roads and parking, and to respect the landscape and all that make a home there.

This is no longer just a message for the spring and summer, but one that should have resonance throughout the year. As we very tentatively look towards what may be more positive times ahead – not least our 70th anniversary year in 2021 – I have confidence that our national parks will remain at the heart of our lives and truly somewhere to be proud of.

Chief executive Sarah Fowler @peakchief sarah.fowler@peakdistrict.gov.uk Coronavirus (COVID 19) At time of writing (November 2020), the coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on both the daily lives of our staff and visitors, and on our operations across the National Park. Due to the constantly changing nature of the situation, we will be providing updates via a dedicated webpage and on our social media channels. We will be aligning our activity and actions closely with government advice and that of our local public sector partners throughout.

White Peak Distillery’s Team Spirit sanitiser produced for key workers and our rangers.

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PHOTO: HARRIET SALTIS

We used our know-how to take some of our alcohol planned for gin and divert it into making sanitiser

Contents FEATURES

Local Plan – how you can help shape community development ....................................32 5 minutes with... – globetrotting ranger Rob on why there’s no place like home ...........37

Coming together during Covid – reflecting on a remarkable and unprecedented year ...... 7

Chair’s diary – the Peak District as a place for everyone ...............................................38

All for one – Peak District businesses turning to innovation and communities in a time of crisis ......................................................10

INSPIRATION

Glorious grasslands – getting up close and personal below the blades in the South West Peak ...............................................12

It’s a wrap – gift ideas made easier with our brand new online shop .......................24

Beak of perfection – vibrant finches to look out for this autumn ..................................15

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES

Wild about school – bringing nature into the classroom...................................................23

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PHOTO: TIM MELLING

Our round-up of a busy year; from unexpected feathered visitors to looking ahead to a big anniversary, and audio soundscapes perfect for long winter’s evenings ...................... 4

My Peak District – with Mosaic champion, Rhyddi Chakraborty ...............................................30

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PHOTO: TOM MARSHALL

NEWS

Map – our A3 map of the National Park ..........20

A good Foundation – charity news ...................26 Best foot forward – an access anniversary .....28 Page turners – books to whisk you away, plus your chance to WIN copies ........................34 Recipe – irresistible warming winter bakes, plus book copies to WIN .........................35

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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News

Snow, the second chapter of audio artwork Voices From The Peak is to be launched online in December. Voices From The Peak is the poetic soundscape that is being created to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Peak District National Park, on 17th April, 2021.

Recording artist Mark Gwynne Jones says: “The first chapter, Burning Drake, tells the story of forces underground that have shaped not just the landscape but also its people. It includes the story of lead, how miners tracked and found lead through ancient methods such as plant lore and dowsing, and occasionally by spectacular means such as a ‘Burning Drake’ or shooting star.

“Chapter two is all about snow and features people’s stories and memories

of big winters in the Peak. Such as the Big Freeze in ’61 when Fernilee Reservoir froze feet deep for weeks on end; or the massive snowfalls of ’48 when livestock perished. We also hear how some were forced to access their homes through bedroom windows: ‘sliding down drifts into the yard ‘cos all around the house was buried’. We hear how people survived, what they did and what resources they drew upon. So get your scarf and gloves, this is going to be a winter adventure!”

The work is supported by Arts Council England, Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council.

You can listen to chapter one: Burning Drake at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ voicesfromthepeak Headphones recommended! Chapter two: Snow will

PHOTO: MARK GWYNNE JONES

Snow is on the way

Voices From the Peak chapter 2 Snow audio artwork is available in December.

be available to download in December.

Chapter three: Kinder will be available in April 2021.

To contribute a story or audio clip to support the new chapters of the Voices From The Peak, or to be informed when they are released and future performances, please email: alison.riley@peakdistrict.gov.uk

A Moors for the Future Partnership case study has calculated the carbon cost of an accidental fire at the Roaches, Staffordshire which happened in August 2018. The blaze was started by a campfire that got out of control and burned 61 hectares of precious blanket bog habitat and a deep layer of carbon-rich peat. It burned for days and required 12 fire appliances and a helicopter to put it out. It is estimated that the fire released over 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to running 1,426 homes for one year – that’s about the size of a town like Bakewell. You can read more here https://bit.ly/3nUpFKv Unfortunately accidental moorland fires have occurred too often, with devastating impacts on the peat and wildlife. With the National Park receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors since lockdown eased, and many people visiting the countryside for the first time, we need everyone’s help to keep the moors safe from fires.

Here are three easy rules everyone should follow to prevent fires: 1. Do not light campfires or barbecues in the countryside.

2. Do not drop lit cigarette ends or throw them from your car.

3. Do not leave glass bottles. Take your litter home.

For more advice on visiting the National Park, go to www.peakdistrictproud.co.uk and be #PeakDistrictProud 4

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

PHOTO: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND

No moor fires

You can comment on proposed plans to improve traffic flows.

Have your say on A57 link roads Highways England wants to hear your views on the A57 Link Roads scheme, part of the Trans Pennine upgrade to improve journeys between Manchester and Sheffield.

The wider Trans-Pennine Upgrade project aims to improve key bottlenecks on the existing route connecting the M67 at Mottram, in Longdendale, to the M1, north of Sheffield. This consists of the Westwood roundabout and technology scheme near Sheffield, which is already being delivered, and the Trans Pennine Upgrade – A57 Link Roads, which includes the creation of a new single carriageway link from the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the

A57 at Woolley Bridge.

The community-wide consultation will take place from 5th November to 17th December, 2020. It will focus on changes to the A57 Link Roads scheme since the last consultation in 2018, including: improvements to the design and anticipated environmental impacts.

The Highways England preliminary environmental information report will be available online as part of the consultation material to assist well-informed responses to the consultation.

For more information visit: www.highwaysengland.co.uk/ A57-upgrade

NEWS

OBITUARY:

JOHN FOSTER CBE

The Trespass Walking Group.

It’s our milestone birthday – help us celebrate!

Next year will mark 70 years since the Peak District was designated as the first of the UK’s now 15 national parks. Whilst we’ll be blowing out the candles ahead of anyone else on 17th April, we share our anniversary accolades with the Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor national parks too.

To help us reflect on the last seven decades, we’ll be celebrating this milestone birthday with a series of monthly themes across the year and by bringing together a very special range of stories from the people behind the Peak District.

Although there remains some

uncertainty over the type of events we may be able to hold in the months ahead, we hope to meet with as many of you as possible throughout 2021.

GET INVOLVED

As we head towards our birthday celebrations, we’d love to hear your stories from the last 70 years of the Peak District; maybe your memorable first visit, a job you loved, a thrilling wedding proposal or a treasured family photograph. Send your stories to media@peakdistrict.gov.uk (please note we may be unable to receive very large attachments by email, so please use file drop services where possible).

Grant supports plans for ‘virtual supermarket’ Plans to trial a ‘virtual supermarket’ in the Hope Valley have been supported with a £550 Communities Small Grant through the Peak District National Park Authority.

The ‘virtual supermarket’ is being planned by Hope Valley Green Ventures

to help traditionally shopfront-based local businesses provide a new combined shopping and delivery service, using electric vehicles.

Hope Valley Green Ventures is a Community Benefit Society.

John Foster CBE, former Peak District National Park Director and Planning Officer (equivalent to Chief Executive today) died aged 99, on 6th July, 2020. He worked for the National Park John Foster CBE. from 1951 to 1968.

Here is an extract of an interview with John Foster (ParkLife, 2011): “In the 1950s we were national park pioneers, breaking in new legislation that had never been used before. Rural car parks, picnic sites and information booths were all new and important, as even then the Peak District was a busy place. National park visitor centres were unheard of until Fred Heardman set up a big table and filled it with information in the best room of his pub, the Nags Head, in Edale in 1954. ‘People management,’ as it was called, had never been used before in the countryside; we take it for granted now and expect certain facilities to a standard, but then it was new.”

John Foster left the Peak District National Park to become the first Director of the Scottish Countryside Commission, where he remained until he retired in 1985.

Tree felling to tackle disease Visitors to the Goyt Valley are being asked to observe any temporary closures to footpaths as work gets underway to remove trees affected by Phytophera.

The disease – which has impacted both larch and sweet chestnut trees – cannot be treated, and infected specimens must be felled and removed or cut-back to avoid future damage to adjacent healthy trees.

The work is a legal requirement under a Statutory Plant Notice, and will be undertaken by Forestry England, with the National Park Authority working with teams to minimise impact on the area and support re-planting schemes that continue to compliment the landscape features of the area in the future.

As other areas within the Peak District are surveyed, additional felling to safeguard local woodlands from Phytophera may also get underway.

More information can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/faqs www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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NEWS

We’ve joined Staffordshire police, the RSPB, Natural England and others in calling for information from the public that will support a police investigation after four separate bird of prey poisoning incidents in and around the National Park earlier this year. Following the cases, involving peregrines (pictured) and a buzzard, the RSPB have also offered a £1,000 reward. Analysis of the birds affected in the incidents found all four were illegally killed with the same pesticide - with at least two of the incidents involving pigeon bait laced with the poison.

Condemning the actions of those responsible, Peak District National Park chief executive Sarah Fowler said: “The nature of poisoning witnessed in these cases is deeply worrying for species both within and outside our National Park boundary. These incidents are particularly concerning in a year where many birds of prey – including the peregrine falcon – have successfully bred in other areas.

We will continue to support the police in their investigations, and welcome any information from the public that may help capture those involved and bring them to justice.” Anyone with information is urged to contact the police via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

PHOTO: CARINA HUMBERSTONE

PHOTO: TIM MELLING

RAPTOR REWARD OFFERED

Junior Rangers hard at work building a stone wall, led by PPCV’s Harriet Saltis.

Looking after landscapes with our Junior Rangers Covid-19 restrictions may have limited their work this year, but the Peak District’s junior rangers have still played a part in looking after our landscapes.

During the summer, two junior rangers were in consultation with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), giving feedback on potential messaging. The junior rangers gave valuable input about litter. Their suggestions included: • Teaching about litter and respect for the environment as part of the National Curriculum in both primary and secondary schools; • Revitalising/improving the popular 1970s Wombles anti-litter messages;

Raising the roof at Millers Dale station Despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, work has continued on the Millers Dale Goods Shed renovation, with the roof structure now fully installed and the painstaking work of bringing the stonework back to its former glory almost complete.

The coming weeks will see the reinstallation of the huge access doors, as the building finally begins to enter a new chapter that echoes to the sounds of its past as a crucial part of the bustling Millers Dale railway hub. Although some uncertainties remain due to Covid-19, we hope to welcome visitors to the Goods Shed once again during 2021, as we celebrate our anniversary year.

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• Encourage families and young adults to take their litter home.

Junior rangers also joined Peak District National Park ranger Rob Kenning for a socially-distanced walk and talk event above Monksdale, enjoying views across Chee Dale.

Meanwhile, a Junior Ranger Plus event gave teenagers an introduction to dry stone walling and the chance to build a practice wall at Marsh Farm at Meerbrook, near Leek.

Junior Ranger Plus brings together junior rangers, aged 16 to 18, from Peak District National Park and partner organisations to increase their knowledge, widen experiences and look at leadership skills.

Find out more at: https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ learning-about/junior-rangers

VISITING VULTURE PROVES A HIT The Peak District Bird of Prey Initiative’s (BoPI) interim report of September announced encouraging news on the 2020 nesting season for several species in the National Park’s uplands.

Collaboration between landowners, gamekeepers and raptor workers saw peregrine falcons record their best year in a decade with 14 fledged young, including at new sites. Up to 17 fledged goshawks was a rise on 12 young from 2019, whilst merlin numbers continued to remain relatively stable.

Despite having a breeding presence in

the Peak District in recent years, hen harriers were not recorded as nesting during the summer this year.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season, however, was the arrival of a bearded vulture or lammergier – the largest bird of prey ever to grace Peak District skies.

Understood to be a female from a breeding programme in the Alps who had made her own way to our shores, the remarkably rare visitor delighted crowds in both the Upper Derwent Valley and Longdendale, before finally making her away across to the east of the country in early autumn.

FOCUS

A year we’ll never

FORGET

From barbecue bans to extreme litter picking, virtual adventures to a visiting vulture, Fiona Stubbs looks at the challenges – and opportunities – the Peak District National Park Authority has faced so far during this unprecedented year.

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Bringing the Peak District to your home with the #StayHomeStayWild campaign.

urging coronavirus cases in March forced the UK into lockdown, with everyone told to Stay Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives.

For the Peak District and other national parks, it meant having to share the sort of message we could never have previously imagined – asking people to stay away and to exercise instead close to home.

Easter arrived in a wave of warm April sunshine and, after three weeks of lockdown, we again urged people not to be tempted to break government measures.

Instead, we asked everyone to use a bit of imagination and bring the Peak District into their homes through our #StayHomeStayWild campaign. The

challenge to virtually tackle the step counts of some of our most iconic locations – from the back yard to the stairs – was a huge hit with our tens of thousands of followers on social media.

As the UK’s sunniest spring on record continued, so did lockdown... with a further three-week extension announced. We ‘celebrated’ our 69th birthday in April by asking people to share with us ‘a quiet one at home’.

Restrictions eased in May and visitors naturally began to return to the Peak District to enjoy the outdoors again. There were new challenges as a combination of hot, dry, sunny weather and an increase in visitor numbers led to a spate of fires in the www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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PHOTO: HARRIET SALTIS

Clockwise from top: Edale fire aftermath in May with burned remnant of disposable BBQ packaging; Extreme litter picking between huge rocks in July; Our teams busy carrying out conservation work throughout the summer; The Stay At Home message in March. national park. Many of these were attributed to careless use of disposable barbecues, dropped cigarette ends or litter, such as glass bottles.

Moorland landowners were quick to help in reducing fire risks, voluntarily agreeing not to carry out moorland burning this year.

And, in June, the National Park Authority called for retailers across the region to voluntarily remove disposable barbecues from retail sale, which was quickly backed by a number of businesses and MPs. Momentum grew as blazes at Bamford Edge, Dovestone and Swineshaw – all within a week – were believed to have started from discarded or unattended barbecues.

Fire and rescue services were joined by national park rangers, the Peak District Moorland Group, farmers, gamekeepers, water companies and conservation charities in tackling fires.

It led to major landowners, including the National Park Authority, joining forces to make clear that barbecues and open fires are not permitted anywhere in open countryside throughout the Peak District.

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Meanwhile, the Peak District National Park Foundation launched its Fire Fund to support fire prevention messages, volunteer costs and restoration work with moorland partners.

Our traffic-free trails witnessed record-breaking increases in the numbers of people using them The return of visitors post-lockdown led to a huge increase in demand for car parking across the National Park.

As disruptive parking began to create challenges for local and emergency access, we joined a number of other national parks in developing an online ‘car park alert status’ which, by the end of summer, had been viewed over 80,000 times.

Another month, another challenge... litter! July saw national park rangers engage in extreme litter picking – targeting hotspots in some of the Peak District’s most challenging terrain – leading to media interest around the region.

Full-time and volunteer rangers set to work clearing litter – such as broken bottles, food packaging, camping equipment, cans and dirty nappies – from some of the hardest to reach areas, including rock formations, caves and upland streams.

Throughout the summer, our rangers engaged with thousands of visitors, including first-time visitors and others returning to the Peak District after many years.

With such a range of new and diverse communities, face-to-face surveys gave us a unique opportunity to understand more about our visitors. We were heartened to learn that nine out of 10 visitors were aware of the Peak District’s status as a National Park, while challenges remain in other areas, such as land ownership.

One summer visitor brought a sense

FOCUS

Clockwise from top: Rap artist KMT shoots his video in the national park in August; Bike hire and visitor centres reopened in the summer with Covid sanitising in place; Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers joined rangers for a socially distanced litter pick in August; Record numbers visit our trails throughout the summer months.

of joy and wonder to nature lovers, who flocked to the Peak District for a glimpse of one of Europe’s most rare and magnificent birds.

The bearded vulture, a bird of prey generally found in the Alps or Pyrenees and larger than anything previously witnessed in the Peak District, made itself very much at home in our national park. It stayed throughout the summer – dazzling observers for weeks as it soared above the A628. It eventually flew eastwards and is now believed to have returned to France.

Our traffic-free Monsal, Tissington and High Peak trails witnessed record-breaking increases in the numbers of people using them. On some of their busiest days, these accessible, family-friendly routes for walking, cycling and horse riding saw twice as many visitors, compared to 2019.

Our bike hire and visitor centres reopened, providing Covid-secure settings for people to enjoy – and learn more about – the Peak District National Park.

We also launched a brand new online shop, with new ranges celebrating iconic

locations like Stanage Edge proving an instant hit.

And, throughout the spring and summer, our rangers and Countryside Maintenance and Project Team were busy looking after the national park, carrying out repair and conservation projects.

We returned to the theme of litter – in a more fun way – when we teamed up, in August, with rap artist KMT and other partners to shoot a video in key locations around the national park. KMT reflected our messages by adapting his existing L.I.T.T.E.R rap – https://bit.ly/PDNP-Litter – urging us

all to ‘pick it up, pick it up, pick it up’ and to be #PeakDistrictProud.

Also in August, Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers joined rangers for a socially distanced litter pick – followed by a picnic– as part of a new TV series to be screened early next year.

The bearded vulture brought a sense of joy to nature lovers this summer.

Thank you With uncertainty over Covid-19 remaining as we head into autumn and winter, we’d like to say a huge thank you to our key workers, rangers, visitor services teams, partners and everyone who has done their bit to care for and help protect our national park during this incredible and unprecedented year.

The continued demands placed on both the National Park Authority and our partners in caring for the landscape has highlighted the immeasurable value in working with others, especially across the 555 square miles of the Peak District.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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PHOTO: VISIT PEAK DISTRICT AND DERBYSHIRE

Ralph and Lauren Wilson run Peak District Deli.

Surviving &

THRIVING Local companies reveal how they adjusted to the challenges posed by the coronavirus – and were able to offer a vital response to their communities.

Peak District Deli

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PHOTO: VISIT PEAK DISTRICT AND DERBYSHIRE

he online deli, run by Ralph and Lauren Wilson, promotes high quality, locally produced food and drinks. It also caters pop up suppers, weddings and private dining events and supplies hampers to holiday cottages.

When Covid-19 caused an instant and dramatic swing to its business, Peak District Deli focused on its food delivery service across the Peak District and beyond.

Owner Ralph Wilson explains: “With over 100 Pop-Up Supper Club tickets sold and multiple weddings booked for this year – alongside private dining events - the sudden and complete loss of revenue due to the pandemic was shattering.

“The other side of our business provides an online shopping and delivery service

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selling exclusively Peak District produce. As the supermarkets struggled in the opening weeks of lockdown, our services quickly became diverted to reaching as many people as possible with food and drinks from the area.”

Peak District Deli travelled across all areas of the national park, visiting hundreds of customers and increasing its orders with producers – benefitting local communities and the local economy.

Ralph adds: “Many of our regular customers were in isolation during an incredibly difficult time. For some, we were the only people they saw or spoke to. For the producers, to be able to absorb the incredible demand placed on them was unprecedented. There has been a huge collective effort to meet everyone’s needs and take care of those in our communities who needed it most.”

BUSINESS

Fischer’s Baslow Hall

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he country house hotel and restaurant quickly adapted to offer an array of new services during the pandemic, including the launch of a wholesale delivery business.

Offering locally sourced fruit, vegetables and meat - via its premium “Baslow Beef Co” – to the local community in and around Baslow, the service was soon picked up and used by people living in the area.

The Fischer’s team also re-launched its “Max Packs” business – selling pre-packed quality meals directly to customers, as well as serving gourmet street food outside The Prince of Wales village pub and restaurant.

Director Neil Fischer explains: “The situation allowed us to diversify into other areas that we had talked about, but never

White Peak Distillery

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Featherbed Tales

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used our know-how to take some of our alcohol planned for gin and other spirits, and divert it into making sanitiser.”

The company’s ‘Team Spirit’ hand sanitiser is produced to World Health Organisation formulation and the majority has been donated to key workers including the NHS, RSPCA, community nurses, schools, doctor surgeries, care homes and Peak District rangers.

“Following the overnight loss of trade, tourism and retail sales, we very quickly had to focus our main business around online sales and offering a local delivery service,” adds Claire. “Once lockdown restrictions were relaxed, we then launched an open air shop from the distillery main car park on Saturdays, for people to buy using click and collect on the website, or to come along and purchase safely. We will be working to support people to be able to shop safely and buy local in the run up to Christmas.”

lossop-based tech start up entrepreneur Caroline England (pictured) is helping children to feel connected with loved ones who cannot be with them, due to Covid restrictions or other reasons, through a family-friendly reading and story-telling app called Featherbed Tales.

An increase in digital awareness during lockdown – and a surge in demand for online products which enabled families and friends to feel connected – became the catalyst for Caroline to quickly scale up her plans for the series of recordable children’s digital storytelling books.

There are six tales in the current series of illustrated Featherbed Tales digital books, each featuring the fictional lives of wildlife characters as they have fun exploring the outdoors and nature. Parents, carers and relatives can narrate the stories themselves, using an app via the Featherbed Tales website.

Caroline says: “The aim with Featherbed Tales is provide smiles across the miles.

Children find comfort and take delight in having books read to them, especially at bedtime. With so many family members and relatives living apart or across different households, Featherbed Tales offer children an enduring connection with the people they love most.”

NHS healthcare staff and play workers at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Evelina London Children’s Hospital at Guy’s and St Thomas’ are also planning to use Featherbed Tales digital books with children in their intensive care and high dependency units.

PHOTO: HARRIET SALTIS

he craft distillery, based in Ambergate, specialises in handcrafted, small batch distillation of spirits, including whisky and gin.

As the Covid crisis led to shortages of soap and sanitiser, White Peak Distillery adapted its spirits production premises to make hand sanitiser for key workers, including Peak District National Park rangers.

Brand manager Claire Vaughan says: “We can honestly say that hand sanitiser was not in our product development plans for 2020! But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK, it quickly became obvious that there was a severe shortage of all PPE, including hand sanitiser, for many key and front-line workers.

“With access to the main ingredient – ethanol – and the requisite licences, we

done. We had time to think and develop the business in more areas than we’d had the chance to do before – and to cover costs in the situation Covid-19 had left us in.

“As the company continues to evolve, we are pleased to say we will continue to offer these services to the local community.”

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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Volunteers help survey sites for fungi.

Autumn is fabulous for

FUNGI

Fairy clubs, waxcaps, pinkgills, and earthtongues are just some of the rare and colourful grassland fungi we’re finding in unimproved fields and meadows.

Alison Riley speaks to fungi expert Neil Barden to discover more.

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eptember to November are the best months for finding fungi,” says mycologist Neil.

He is passionate about the fungi kingdom, which includes everything from yeast and mould to mushrooms. And yes, he’s heard all the ‘fun guy’ jokes. Over several seasons, Neil’s surveys, with help from trained volunteers taking part in the South West Peak Landscape Partnership’s Glorious Grasslands Project, have revealed that some unimproved fields and meadows are strongholds for rare grassland fungi species, such as parrot waxcaps.

He puts it down to the area’s rugged terrain: “There’s a mix of rock types and places where the fields are inaccessible for machinery, so these are being farmed traditionally and aren’t being fertilised or improved which is sympathetic to fungi.

Although the grass is not as productive in these places, the presence of fungi tells us that there is high biodiversity in the soil.

“The surveys are important so that we can inform land managers what they have

PHOTO: NEIL BARDEN

“

Waxcaps vary in shape and size.

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on their property. Conserving habitats helps preserve the fungi we’ve got. Restoring habitat for fungi, invertebrates and plants would help prevent local extinctions and increase biodiversity.”

The South West Peak is a haven for grassland fungi In 2019, Neil surveyed 12 farms and found 25 waxcap species, 6 earthtongue species, 10 fairy club species and 20 pinkgill species. Three sites were found to be of international importance, six were of national importance for their waxcaps, and one site was nationally important for earthtongues. The 2020 season results so far show more species are being found on some of these sites, increasing their level of importance.

This work is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

SOUTH WEST PEAK NEWS

Fungi facts • Fungi are neither plants nor animals.

They absorb nutrients from other organisms and have an important role as ecological decomposers.

• Fungi and mushrooms are the ‘fruit’ of the mycelial body, the equivalent of apples on a tree.

• The top 10cm of soil, the humus layer, can be 70% mycelial body – if it were a tree this would be its trunk and branches.

• Some fungi found in the Peak District are descendants of fungi that were growing in the soil when the ice melted after the last Ice Age, 11,000 years ago.

• The largest known mycelium in the world is a honey fungus (Armillaria solidipes), found in Oregon, US, measuring 2.4 miles across.

Fussy fungi

What to look out for

Fungi need soil that is neither too wet nor too dry, they don’t like disturbance, they hate fertiliser or muck, and they don’t like vehicles and livestock compacting the soil.

The main body of the fungus, the mycelium, can survive within the soil and not produce its fruiting body for several years if conditions aren’t right, so they can be hard to find.

Fungi can be tricky to appreciate. Neil says: “It is only when the fruiting body pops up above ground that we get to see these curious and often colourful organisms.

Not only do they mostly live out of sight under our feet in the soil, some types are best seen under a microscope – and for some that is the only way to identify them as their differences are subtle. If you have a good field key then you should be able to identify most fungi.”

Waxcap fungi have a waxy cap! Shapes and sizes vary. Colours: butter, golden and citrine waxcaps are all yellow in colour; crimson, scarlet and splendid waxcaps are red; the parrot waxcap is reddish green.

Fairy club species are coral-like, they barely poke their heads above the grass.

Earthtongues are tiny and tricky to spot. They look like tiny blackened tongues poking out of the ground.

• If you find an unusual fungus in the South West Peak area, please take a photo of it and report where you found it to SWP@peakdistrict.gov.uk For other areas, contact your local natural history society. It could reveal an unsurveyed site.

Fungi Q&A Q: Are fungi poisonous?

A: Some are, most are not. Don’t eat them if you’re not sure! As many are rare it’s best to leave them where they are to keep growing. They are a valuable food source for wildlife. Some invertebrates lay eggs on them and other minute things live on them.

Top: Parrot waxcap (front) with scarlet waxcaps.

PHOTO: KAREN SHELLEY-JONES

Centre: Fairy club species are coral-like white, apricot, yellow or even shocking pink fungi.

Bottom: Plain earthtongue (Geoglossum umbratile). PHOTO: NEIL BARDEN

Did you know?

• Some fungi emit scents of coconut, garlic, honey, cedar or leather.

• Fungi in woodland tends to be mycorrhizal, in other words it benefits the tree and plants it grows with. Fungi in grassland is saprobic, which means it uses up dead material in grasses and plants.

Q: What’s special about grassland fungi?

A: 97% of waxcap fungi are on a red data list. They like low nutrient grasslands but since World War 2, muckspreading, fertiliser and nitrogen from vehicles in the air have all increased nutrients in fields, reducing habitat and killing off the fungi. Grasslands rich in fungi indicate healthy undisturbed soil which is beneficial for other wildlife and plants.

Q: Is it ok to pick fungi?

A: Over-picking can be an issue, as it can damage the underground mycelial body, as can trampling, but some picking can help spread fungi spores so more may grow.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

13

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Derbyshire Scout Morgause Lomas at Arbor Low.

New archaeology badge for Scouts

T

he Derbyshire Archaeology Badge is a new award for young people in Scouts to achieve. Scout Morgause Lomas from Chelmorton, a recent archaeology graduate, came up with the idea having been inspired by the Peak District’s wealth of archaeological sites.

Morgause says: “I wanted to highlight how much amazing archaeology there is in Derbyshire and inspire youngsters to take an interest into the history of their own county; many might not realise sites like Arbor Low (a Neolithic henge) and Peveril Castle are on their doorstep.

“As a keen member of Derbyshire Scouting, I saw a great opportunity arise within the Scouts of the World Award, which allows Scout Network members, aged 18 to

25, to do a project of their choice and take action on their chosen issue. This led to the creation of the Derbyshire Archaeology Badge.”

The Derbyshire Archaeology Badge gives all Derbyshire Scouting sections, aged 6 to 25, the opportunity to explore archaeology within Derbyshire. Activities range from taking part in excavations, creating Stone Age tools and running community outreach projects.

Morgause adds: “I want to inspire a new generation of archaeologists within Derbyshire, as well as show people that archaeology is so much more than just digging holes and can be used to address greater issues within our modern world.”

More information will soon be available at www.derbyshirescouts.org

Catch up on peatlands heritage Peatlands offer fascinating insights into how our ancestors lived and died. Our human heritage is explored in the Heritage & Peatlands webinar, available now. Hear from the experts as they uncover the stories that make peatlands environmentally and historically significant, and what threats they face. Hosted by Moors for the Future Partnership and Europarc Atlantic Isles, speakers include: Abbi Flint and Ben Jennings, Bradford University and the Wet Futures Project; Anna Badcock and Natalie Ward, Peak District National Park Authority; Chris Atkinson, Pennine Prospects; and Chris Fry, Moors for the Future Partnership.

You can listen to the webinar at http://bit.ly/peatlands-webinar

Recent reports in the media, including The Guardian and The Irish Times, have suggested that there is a link between Vermeer’s 17th century painting, ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ (pictured left), and the Peak District.

People have been captivated by the enigmatic figure for many years but recently researchers at The Mauritshuis, Netherlands, where the painting is housed, have been using modern imaging techniques to examine the work. In collaboration with Professor Chris Loveluck and researchers from the University of Nottingham, they believe the lead used to make the white paint that forms the pearl earring is from the Peak District.

You can read more online at http://bit.ly/pdnp-pearl-earring 14

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Bronze Age cup and ring marked stone, near Baslow.

PHOTO: PDNPA

What has one of the world’s most famous paintings got in common with the Peak District?

WILDLIFE

PHOTO: NATUREPL.COM

The waterside pines of the Upper Derwent Valley, Langsett and Longdendale are well-known hang-outs of the crossbill.

Beaky

finders To make it through a Peak District autumn and winter, our resident and visiting birds need to be tough and adaptable. Tom Marshall takes a look at the tools of the trade of our resident and visiting finches, and shares where to track them down on your next visit.

W

hen a beak and what you do with it can be the difference between survival and going hungry, then one group of birds can really show how it’s done. Well-known for their garden appearances and colourful attire, the finches can bring plenty to the table when it comes to making the most

of autumn and winter’s bounty of feeding opportunities in the countryside.

Sometimes brute strength and size is what it’s all about (more on that later), but to kick off let’s take a look at one of our smaller diners, the siskin. Striking in its canaryyellow breast, striped belly, bottle green back and black cap, the siskin is a bird well worth looking out for to brighten a cold and dull

winter’s day. Siskin are often found feeding alongside goldfinches and sometimes redpolls, and riverside alder trees and the pine plantations of the Upper Derwent Valley are among their favourite haunts.

Their finely-pointed and delicate bill acts as a bespoke item of cutlery, allowing it to make short work of small seeds, out of reach of those with less dainty options. Once a regular www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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Crossbill

PHOTO: TIM MELLING

Brambling

PHOTO: TIM MELLING

PHOTO: NATUREPL.COM

Hawfinch

on red-netted peanut feeders, they’re now equally content with the black sunflower seeds on offer at feeding stations such as those on the Longshaw Estate.

Whilst siskins are best looked for dangling acrobatically in the tree canopy, there’s still plenty to be had on the ground below, and a real winter treat can arrive in the shape of the brambling. A visitor from Scandinavia dropping in from November onwards, it’s easy at first glance to overlook the brambling as ‘another chaffinch’. When flocks take flight, however, their bright white rump

Redpoll PHOTO: TIM MELLING

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sets them easily apart. Add to this a rather more orange plumage and, with early arrivals or late spring hangers-on, an almost all-black head, they can soon stick out amongst the flurry of feathers.

The seeds of mature beech trees or ‘mast’ are particular favourites, so scrutiny of ravenous mid-winter finch flocks may bring just rewards.

Another sought-after member of the finch family has become something of an enigma due to its rare and secretive nature, but those lucky enough to spot one in the leafless trees of winter will be confronted with an unforgettable sight. Our largest finch, the hawfinch also sports one of the most spectacular beaks, capable of exerting pressure equivalent to 150lbs per square inch. This nut-cracking prowess is thought to be capable of cracking cherry stones, although you’re equally as likely to see one skulking amongst the evergreen needles of yew trees, or hornbeams. Capable of appearing anywhere during harsh weather

– including Bakewell gardens and the canal sides of the Cromford mills – their bold size and prominent white wing bars can be a useful giveaway in flight.

The aptly-named crossbill is peerless when it comes to feeding on the Peak District’s pine cones When it comes to being ‘top of the bill’, however, there is surely only one winner.

With their unique crossed mandibles – the upper and lower parts of the beak – the aptly-named crossbill is peerless when it comes to feeding on the Peak District’s pine cones. This specialised tool allows the crossbill to prise open the cones, enabling them to access the seeds inside. Although

WILDLIFE

PHOTO: TIM MELLING

The siskin’s finely-pointed and delicate bill acts as a bespoke item of cutlery, allowing it to make short work of small seeds Siskin

such a feeding technique often finds them high in the tree tops, their seed-dominated diet also becomes thirsty work, demanding regular visits to pools, ponds or even rainfilled tracks.

The waterside pines of the Upper Derwent Valley, Langsett and Longdendale are wellknown hang-outs, and on sunny days the cherry-red of the males and alternative subtle green of the females can be an unexpected thrill above your head, or as you stumble across a group grabbing a quick drink ahead of you. With a strong seasonal reliance on the pine cone crops of northern Europe, in exceptional years our home-grown common crossbill can be joined by the super-sized beaks of the parrot crossbill, or the even rarer two-barred crossbill who have both found themselves at home in the National Park in recent years.

Where to go Upper Derwent Valley (Fairholmes): Look out for siskins and the occasional redpoll in the waterside alders in winter, and carefully scan the finch flocks feeding between the visitor centre and the dam for bramblings. Crossbills can be found amongst the pines throughout the valley or dropping down to drink on track-side pools.

National Trust Longshaw Estate: Bird feeders by the café are a regular stop off for wintering bramblings and siskin.

Langsett, Yorkshire Water: Crossbills often feed amongst the pines here, including close to the car park, and the mixed woodlands around the reservoirs may also reveal siskins and perhaps the occasional brambling.

Cromford Canal: Just outside the National Park, an early morning winter’s walk along the canal networks of Cromford could bring the treat of a hawfinch, but these striking finches can turn up almost anywhere with mature trees, with yew and hornbeam particular favourites.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

17

SOUTH WEST PEAK NEWS

AFTER

PHOTOS: PDNPA

BEFORE

Bridleway at Butterton, before repair.

Bridleway at Butterton, after CMPT’s repairs.

Our Countryside Maintenance and Projects Team (CMPT) worked with Staffordshire County Council, our ecologists and rights of way team to repair two sections of a bridleway.

At Butterton, the bridleway crosses a watercourse, exceptional for its water quality and wildlife. An old board walk and stepping stones, which were almost unusable, were replaced with a new flagstone crossing. It will help protect wildlife in the brook. A newly installed bridlegate and drainage works will mean

the bridleway is fit for use for years to come.

At Grindon, the team created two new crossings over ecologically important watercourses. They cleared scrub to restore the bridleway’s original line and installed new signs and gates along the 2km route.

The team built a stone-bridged culvert over a wet area, previously almost impassable, and created new wetland to increase habitat. They also made a ford for horses to cross the brook safely, maintaining an existing footbridge to keep walkers’ feet dry!

Financial support is available to farmers and land managers in the South West Peak to help improve water quality and natural flood management of the Upper River Dove, River Hamps, River Churnet and Meerbrook.

The Upstream Thinking project includes a range of work to help reduce pollution, remove invasive non-native species, and create new habitats.

Farms eligible for the Upstream Thinking project could benefit from a farm water and soil plan, and capital works to improve water quality.

Grants are available until September 2021, supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the South West Peak Landscape Partnership (complementing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund).

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

PHOTO: SWPLP

Upstream thinking for cleaner water

Farm Link Workers discuss water quality with the landowner.

• To find out more, please email SWP@peakdistrict.gov.uk, or phone Andy Farmer on 07973 848384 or Dave Cooper on 07970 312531.

PHOTO: SWPLP

Bridleway repairs benefit riders, walkers, wildlife and water quality

Old field barns are distinctive landscape features.

Minor repair grants for field barns Small grants are currently available for minor repairs to conserve traditional field barns in the South West Peak. To be eligible, barns must be in agricultural use, structurally sound, and built before WW1.

The aim is to stop their deterioration before barns require full restorations at a much higher cost.

Minor repairs may include work to doors, windows, rainwater goods, minor roof repairs like slipped tiles, and repointing.

The deadline for applications has been extended to 30 November 2020.

For more information, please contact Catherine Parker Heath, the South West Peak Landscape Partnership’s cultural heritage officer, email: SWP@peakdistrict.gov.uk, or phone: 01629 816279 or 07970 237129.

VISITING

WINTER OPENING HOURS More time to cycle It is safe to say we have had one of our busiest years on record, welcoming thousands of you to our traffic-free trails. We have provided bikes for all sizes, ages and abilities and as we approach the Winter season, we want to continue the good spirit and extend our opening hours longer than ever before. So whether you’re planning a weekend excursion, or perhaps looking ahead to Christmas and New Year activities, we’re here for you.

ASHBOURNE BIKE HIRE CENTRE

DERWENT BIKE HIRE CENTRE

Time

Days

Open from Open until

Time

Days

Open from Open until

10am-3.30pm/4.30pm*

Thu-Sun

2 Dec**

26-29 Nov

10am-3.30pm/4.30pm*

Weekends 2 Dec**

19-20 Dec

10am-3.30pm/4.30pm*

Sun-Mon 27 Dec

28 Dec

10am-3.30pm/4.30pm*

Daily

31 Dec

27 Dec

*Dependent on daylight hours. Please confirm with a member of the team when hiring. ** Or in line with Covid-19 government lockdown restrictions.

ASHBOURNE Mapleton Lane, Derbyshire DE6 2AA 01335 343156 ashbourne.cyclehire@ peakdistrict.gov.uk

PARSLEY HAY nr Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 0DG 01298 84493 parsleyhay.cyclehire@ peakdistrict.gov.uk

DERWENT Fairholmes car park, Derwent, Bamford S33 0AQ 01433 651261 derwent.cyclehire @peakdistrict.gov.uk

MANIFOLD VALLEY Hulme End, Hartington SK17 0EZ 01298 687399 manifold.cyclehire@ peakdistrict.gov.uk

Look out for 2021 opening hours: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/bikehire More visitor information on page 22 www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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Some of our visitor and bike hire centres have seasonal opening hours during autumn and winter – please check the website below or contact us before you visit.

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VISITING

Christmas gifts and more...

Bakewell

With Christmas around the corner, our visitor centres are here to help you make the most of your visit with advice, tips, festive goodies and our popular Peak District collections.

Edale

To keep up to date with the latest opening times: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ visitorcentres

Derwent

Cas tleton

LAST DELIVERIES! Stay tuned to our social media channels for the last deliveries in time for Christmas: https://shop.peakdistrict.gov.uk

BIKE SALE! After the phenomenal demand earlier in the year, we are back with more bikes for our end of season ex-bike hire sale.

Save up to 54% off the RRP Reputable high street brands Specialist advice A free service check-up after 8 weeks

20% off your first 12 month service An option to try before you buy (we will refund any bike hire fee if you decide to keep the bike)

Mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, e-bikes and tandems suitable for both adults and children available while stocks last.

For more information: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/bikesforsale 22

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

SOUTH PEAK NEWS

Going

WILD

for school Yasmeen pressed flowers and grasses into a notebook with identification notes.

With schools closed due to the pandemic, the Wild About Your School project could have been a casualty until quick-thinking staff stepped in to help students take part at home.

T

his summer, Year 8 students and science teachers at New Mills School were due to study wildlife and the environment where they live. Originally designed to use in school, Wild About Your School was adapted to provide activities youngsters could follow from home.

Jackie Wragg, South West Peak youth engagement officer, says: “We were keen to help the students and teachers learn more about nature in their area, so we quickly adapted the project so that it could be carried out at home. They mapped their own gardens and local habitats, spotted different species, surveyed plants, completed conservation activities to create small habitats, and took part in national surveys such as the big butterfly count.

They shared their achievements online.”

The students are working towards achieving John Muir awards, which recognise individuals’ connection to wild places and their conservation activities towards them. John Muir (1838-1914) was the ScottishAmerican naturalist, also known as the ‘Father of National Parks’.

Student Yasmeen

enjoyed completing activities for the project, including pressing wildflowers and grasses into a notebook with identification notes. It helped her convince her dad to leave a bit of their lawn unmown for wildlife.

She wrote to the Highways Agency about hedgehog decline and management to reduce hedgehog deaths on roads. She also visited John Muir’s birthplace in Dunbar.

Yasmeen says: “I really enjoyed doing my John Muir Explorer award because I learnt about lots of different habitats, plants and animals in my garden and went on some wild walks.

I spent a lot of time outside instead of inside on my laptop “My favourite bit was building my own mini pod and using my Dad’s security camera to record garden visitors. The best one was a fox but I have seen frogs, toads, snails, bees, magpies, woodpigeons, robins and even a baby kestrel.

“I spent a lot of time outside instead of inside on my laptop and managed to collect a lot of wildflowers which I pressed to make a Herbarium.”

Jackie Wragg is helping youngsters discover wildlife at home.

• For more information about Wild About Your School, please contact: Jackie.Wragg@peakdistrict.gov.uk • Wild About Your School is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the South West Peak Landscape Partnership. Visit www.southwestpeak.co.uk

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

23

SUPPORT

We’re here for you We are delighted to share with you the launch of your new online Peak District shop. https://shop.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Stanage Sunrays T-shirt, £20.

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Monsal Dale T-shirt, £19.

Designed to a tee If Monsal Dale and Stanage Edge hold a soft spot in your heart, you’ll just love our new t-shirts. Supporting two unique designs, the former is a classic silhouette of the sweeping White Peak landscape, £19, whilst the latter chimes a retro feel with bursting sunrays, £20 (pictured left).

#PeakDistrictProud Tote Bag, £4.50.

So, what’s new?

• Bigger and better imagery – making for a better browsing experience • Mobile friendly – so you are free to browse on-the-go!

• A secure payment system – equipped for handling GDPR requirements Free delivery is available on all orders over £50 and if you are not satisfied, returning an item is easy. Ensure you include the original packaging and receipt and simply return via post, or free by dropping into one of our visitor centres.

Visit https://shop.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Lates t news & offers Sign up now to be the first to receive emails containing exclusive offers and latest news from our visitor and bike hire centres across the National Park and camping at North Lees. It only takes a few moments and you are free to customise your preferences.

• Sign up at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/signup NEW IN... Keep an eye out also for our new cycling jersey, fresh from the designers – as well as gift vouchers for our bike hire centres.

Peak District Jute Bag, mini £5.50, large £5.95.

It’s in the bag!

For when you are out and about shopping, show you are #PeakDistrictProud with our new 100% organic cotton tote bag, £4.50 (above left), or support our iconic Fairtrade millstone design, mini £5.50; large £5.95 (above) and support the fight against single use plastic. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

PHOTOS: LIAM BENSON

From Ordnance Survey maps and interesting reads, to cycling jerseys and our exclusive tartan collection, our new online shop is here to help you make the most of your visit to the Peak District, or for something to remember it by.

What’s more, we understand your passion for the environment. We share this.

Which is why we are working with suppliers in delivering you the most innovative and environmentally conscious products available – and where plastic and waste can be minimised, the better.

With every purchase you make, you will be helping us to keep this inspirational landscape special and help support various projects from across the National Park. Just £10 for instance lets us inspire the next generation of Peak District guardians in our Junior Ranger programme.

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Meeting challenges

TOGETHER Junior Rangers will receive funding for new uniforms.

In these unprecedented times, getting close to nature is more important than ever for our health and wellbeing. It’s also vital that we all play our part in looking after our precious landscapes – and the Peak District National Park Foundation is leading the way.

We are in reach of our #70kfor70 target

W

e ’d like to start with a huge thank you to all our amazing supporters who have helped us to be within reach of our #70kfor70 target! The campaign set out to raise £70k ahead of the Peak District’s 70th anniversary – in April 2021 – as the UK’s original national park.

And, thanks to your donations, hard work and some great fundraising ideas, we’ve not only reached our target, but we’re already funding some great projects.

These include:

Mosaic members enjoy a mindfulness walk.

• Uniforms on the way for Junior Rangers • Changing Places fully accessible toilet facility at Millers Dale Station, working with Accessible Derbyshire • Working with Peak District Mosaic to train Champions to make the Park more welcoming to marginalised communities • Landscape conservation work through the South West Peak Landscape Partnership & Moors for the Future 26

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Foundation chair Jen Lowthrop says: “We can’t thank you enough for all your support in what has been a very challenging year for everyone.

“One of the key things we’ve learned in 2020 is the importance of being able to access the countryside and get close to nature for both our physical and mental health. With your support, we can look after this precious resource for our own

and future generations.

“Every penny of the money raised for #70kfor70 is going straight into projects to care for our beautiful Peak District.

“And, as we celebrate the Peak District’s milestone birthday in 2021, there’ll be many more ways to support our amazing national park. Keep up the good work!”

Find out more at: www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

FUNDRAISING Foundation trustee Alex Waddington raised £1,500 and collected 10 bin bags of rubbish during an epic 17-hour, 108-mile Spin and Bin challenge around the Peak District in June.

Our 2021 calendar – a great gift idea and you’re supporting the Peak District National Park too.

It’s time to play your part By supporting the work of the Foundation you can help to fund projects that care for every aspect of the Peak District National Park. We’re building on the success of #70kfor70 by focusing on three key areas after our birthday in April: • A National Park for everyone • Conservation and habitat restoration • Preparing for a future climate We need your help to achieve ambitious goals in these vital areas. Check out our website to see the ways you can play your part. You could:

Join our Peak Partners – Open to Business scheme

We’re helping businesses to be climate positive. We can work together to help the planet – and achieve your net zero aspirations – with nature based solutions.

If you’re looking to give something back locally, demonstrate your company’s green credentials, or you’re interested in a larger Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Opportunity to join board of trustees Do you have a passion for the Peak District and a head for numbers?

The Peak District National Park Foundation is looking for a treasurer to join its board of trustees – and to help shape the financial and fundraising strategy for the benefit of the national park.

For more details, please email hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

proposition, there’ll be a package that works for you.

When you join the Peak Partners scheme you can choose whether you donate via visitor giving or opt for one of our set packages. All packages are flexible and we will work with you to suit your goals. https://www.peakdistrictfoundation.org. uk/peak-partners/

Give a monthly donation

If you have a little cash to spare each month, why not help to look after our special landscapes for everyone to enjoy? To donate, please go to https://peakdistrict. enthuse.com/donate

Take on a fundraising challenge

It could be a run, a walk, an epic adventure, a cake sale... the choice is yours! Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or just fancy a bit of fun, we love to see the enthusiasm and creativity of our super supporters. To find out more, go to: https:// www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk/ support-us

Keep in touch • Sign up to the e-newsletter – www.peakdistrictfoundation.org. uk/contact/ • Donate – Text ‘Donate peak 1’ to 88802 you will receive a text back asking you to confirm how much you would like to give • Follow us on social media twitter.com/pdnp_foundation facebook.com/ peakdistrictfoundation/ instagram.com/ peakdistrictfoundation

Giving back this Christmas Christmas is coming... and we have a few ideas for including the Peak District National Park in this year’s celebrations.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is coming! One donation, twice the impact!

Starting on #GivingTuesday 1st December for one week only, every donation you give will be doubled as part of the Big Give Challenge. Keep a look out on our social media and website to find out more.

Happy to see the end of 2020 with all the challenges presented by Covid-19?

Then why not look ahead to (hopefully) better times with the new official Peak District National Park Foundation calendar produced

by Phil Sproson. Visit https://www. peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk/ calendar_2021/. As a member of our Peak Partners scheme, a donation will be made back to the Foundation from every calendar sold.

Instead of sending Christmas cards this year, you could make a donation to the Foundation and let your friends know that you are supporting the National Park for the future.

We all have at least one family member who is difficult to buy for at Christmas. This year why not give them the gift of nature by making a donation on their behalf to the Peak District National Park Foundation? Go to https://peakdistrict.enthuse.com/ profile for more information.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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Cycling at Derwent Dam.

We all need a

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM If you like being active outdoors then you’ll love a LAF (Local Access Forum). Did you know, the Peak District Local Access Forum has just turned twenty?

PHOTO: TOM MARSHALL

P

Miles Without Stiles is a guide to accessible routes in the Peak District available from National Park visitor centres and online shop.

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

ossibly one of our least well known volunteer groups, the Local Access Forum deals with access and rights of way developments and improvements. It is the important link between people who actively enjoy the countryside and the National Park Authority and highways authorities, like Derbyshire County Council.

An independent advisory group, the Local Access Forum helps local authorities make better informed decisions about access to land, open air recreation and public rights of way, for everyone’s benefit.

Its 22 members are passionate about the many forms of public access in the Peak

District, whether that is walking, biking, climbing, running, or access to water.

Each brings to the table their specialist knowledge and experience. Some are land managers, some are farmers, some are in business, and some work for partner organisations. All are keen to ensure that opportunities are as well managed as possible and open to everyone.

John Thompson, who chairs the Peak District Local Access Forum, says: “Without the Local Access Forum there would be little opportunity for people who are enjoying the National Park to engage with the people who are managing it – whether they be the authorities or landowners. The LAF provides

ACCESS FOR ALL

Miles tones

PHOTO: DAVID CUDWORTH

• 2000 The Peak District Local Access Forum was the first in England, set up by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.

• 2004 facilitated new access rights to open country.

• 2005 dedications of Peak District National Park Authority owned woodlands as open access.

• 2006 hosted Local Access Forum regional event.

Clockwise from top: John Thompson, who chairs the Peak District Local Access Forum; horse riders can enjoy 400km of bridleways and trails in the National Park; Local Access Forum members are all volunteers committed to better public access; A ranger-led guided walk (pre-pandemic).

• 2007 advised on Derbyshire County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

• 2008 implemented actions for recreational motorised vehicles.

• 2009 reviewed long-term access restrictions.

• 2010 contributed to the Peak District National Park recreation strategy.

• 2011 supported the re-opening of the Monsal Trail tunnels and launched the Black Harry Trails.

• 2012 advised on the statement of action for Derbyshire County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

• 2013 focused on work with volunteers.

• 2014 celebrated Wild Side anniversary and launched the Access Fund for access improvements.

• 2015 focused on disabled access issues.

• 2016 input to Derbyshire Cycling Plan launch.

The LAF has a crucial role in giving independent advice to the National Park Authority and county councils on improvements to public access for people’s enjoyment an opportunity that enables a better understanding on all sides of why things are managed as they are.

“The Local Access Forum has a crucial role in giving independent advice to the National Park Authority and county councils on improvements to public access for people’s open air recreation and enjoyment.

“Our approach is one of consensus and understanding, which helps us address

issues of conflict and advise on ways to resolve these, whether it’s access issues such as motor vehicle recreation, mountainbiking or water-borne recreation, or land management concerns such as wildfire risk or control of dogs.”

The Local Access Forum usually meets every three months, in Bakewell, and the public are able to attend.

You can find out more at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

• 2017 input to Derbyshire’s Key Cycle Network and Derbyshire’s 2026 project on Lost Ways.

• 2018 celebrated Access For All and the first twenty Miles Without Stiles routes.

• 2019 key partner for the Peak District Management Plan and Landscapes review.

• 2020 Peak District Local Access Forum 20th anniversary.

Roll call of Local Access Forum chairs Andrew Critchlow ........... 2000-2004 Andrew McCloy............... 2004-2010 Edwina Edwards.............. 2010-2017 John Thompson............ 2017 to date

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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My Peak Dis trict Dr Rhyddhi Chakraborty She grew up against a backdrop of the Himalayas, but it was the Peak District’s dramatic landscapes which really won the heart of Dr Rhyddhi Chakraborty, as Fiona Stubbs discovers...

Dr Rhyddhi Chakraborty is a Peak District Mosaic champion. She splits her time between her home in Sheffield and Uxbridge, Middlesex, where she is based for work.

I

first came to England in 2015, after marrying my British Asian husband, Swagata Chatterjee. My first impression of the country was of blue skies and greenery and I was already enjoying the picturesque English countryside, with its horses, foxes, birds and seasonal flowers, when my husband introduced me to the Peak District that summer.

As we drove through the hills, I was mesmerised by the beauty of the National Park and started to wonder how I could visit the place more often!

One of Rhyddhi’s favourite places is Stanage Edge.

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

I was really impressed by the differently coloured hills which are actually very accessible. Being Indian, I was very much used to seeing the magnificent mountains of the Himalayas and was aware that the Himalaya Range is young fold (formed by the folding of the earth’s crust due to tectonic activity). I found myself wanting to learn more about the history and geography of the Peak District’s hills.

In 2016, I was making frequent trips to Sheffield for work but was increasingly frustrated that I had hardly any chance

to be close to nature in the Peak District.

Then, one of my previous professors from the USA visited England for a conference and introduced me to another delegate, who happened to be a Peak District Mosaic champion and volunteer ranger alongside her academic job.

Peak District Mosaic is a registered charity which encourages people from Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) groups living in Sheffield, Manchester and Derby to explore the National Park and help in its conservation.

Gradually, I became a Mosaic champion, training in map navigation, leading guided walks and learning more about nature,

PROFILE

Dr Rhyddhi Chakraborty

Born: Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Rhyddhi (left) leads a walk for Peak District Mosaic.

Family: Husband Swagata Chatterj ee Career: Rhyddhi is currently leading the Higher National Diploma programmes of Busi ness and Healthcare at the Global Banking Scho ol in London.

She is also pursuing a Masters degree in Healthcare Management through Anglia Ruskin University. She is a Fellow of Advance HE, which wor ks to improve and support equality and diversity for staff and students in higher education across the UK. She is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Institute of Philosophy.

Background: Rhyddhi has a Masters degree in Bioethics and Global Public Health, through a USA blended learning programme. She has a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology in Khar agpur, India.

Favourite place: Bakewell, for its rich cultural heritage.

Ambition: To introduce more people to the natural beauty and conservation of the Peak District National Park.

wildlife and farming. What impressed me about Mosaic is that it enables you to become knowledgeable about the Peak District.

I was very much drawn to the charity by the efficient and effective leadership of Yvonne Witter and her ideas for navigating and exploring new geographical locations in the Peaks. The Mosaic Peak Wise People training programme, offering a hands-on experience of the many tasks of National Park rangers – and being able to work with actual rangers – was an added advantage to me.

I feel that at least one walk in nature during the week can help to boost both physical and mental health Being a nature lover and working in health and social care, I feel that at least one walk in nature during the week can help to boost both physical and mental health, especially for people who live in towns and cities.

I plan to involve more students from BAME communities studying at

Rhyddhi’s advice for enjoying the great outdoors

Rhyddhi with her mentor, ranger Terry Page.

all campuses of my college – London, Birmingham and Manchester - to visit the Peak District.

Also, when the Covid-19 pandemic is over, I plan to conduct more studies into the health benefits of getting closer to nature.

I love the Peak District’s contrasting landscapes – there’s so much variety in one National Park. In the Dark Peak, I love the heather and the changing colours but I cannot ignore the glittering White Peak, especially in the sunshine. One of my favourite places is Stanage Edge, from where I can glimpse the whole range of the Dark Peak. In the White Peak, I like Bakewell, for both its easy accessibility and its rich cultural heritage.

Take a long breath, decide your target destination and keep on walking. Wear comfortable clothes and take your litter home. Plan regular walks and spread awareness of national park conservation and sustainability among your friends and colleagues.

Rhyddhi loves Bakewell for its rich cultural heritage.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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Contour House.

It’s all in the

PLANNING Climate change ✓ Nature recovery ✓ Sustainable communities ✓ Low carbon transport ✓ These are just a few of the big ticket challenges the National Park is facing, and the list goes on...

T

he planning process is vital in addressing such issues and works best when local authorities, local communities and developers work together creating effective partnerships to achieve positive outcomes.

Planning matters: this is why, when we produce plans and policies, we ask everyone to take part in the consultation.

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Q: What is a Local Plan?

A: It is a plan for the future development of the local area, drawn up by the Local Planning Authority – that’s the Peak District National Park Authority for this area.

Q: What does a Local Plan do?

What matters to you?

Planning matters which is why everyone can take place in the consultation.

We are currently reviewing the Peak District National Park Local Plan. It is a document we write and implement in close consultation with you.

We use the planning policies we develop in the Local Plan to make decisions on the hundreds of planning applications we receive each year. To make the right

decisions we need your help to decide what goes into the Local Plan and that will guide development in the National Park over the next 20 years.

Please complete the survey at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/localplan and find out more about the Local Plan review.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

A: It provides a positive vision for the future of the area and a framework for addressing housing needs and other economic, social and environmental priorities, and guides planning decisions.

More information: www.gov.uk/ guidance/local-plans

COMMUNITIES

Top: Chatsworth Stickyard by Peak Architects.

Back Dane Cottage.

Left: Design for an elegant living space, Hayfield, by John McCall Architects.

If you have a view on the future development of the UK’s first National Park, we want to hear from you.

Andrew McCloy, who chairs the National Park Authority, explains: “In producing the new Local Plan, we want to hear from you to help identify what we are doing right, things we can improve Andrew McCloy on and how we need to adapt to existing and new challenges in our role as guardians of the National Park.

“It’s important that we engage all parties in an open and forward-looking debate.

Parish councils will be getting involved with this but we want as many people to join in as possible. Whether you are a resident, in a community group, run a business or you’re an employee, are a visitor or just love the landscape, we’d like YOU to take part in the survey to help shape the future of your National Park.

“You don’t need any prior knowledge of planning, but you will need an enthusiasm

for helping the Peak District National Park flourish; a keenness to see its sustainable communities thrive and grow; and a desire to protect and conserve its natural beauty, heritage and landscape now and for future generations.”

Your views will help guide future planning decisions “Your suggestions will help us ask the right questions and cover the correct topics as we update our policies in the Local Plan. And we’ll use these policies to assess and make decisions on planning applications.”

To complete the survey and find out more about the Local Plan review process, including timescales, background information and how to get involved, visit www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/localplan Survey results will be published online.

These will influence the next stage in the formal consultation, ‘Issues and Options’.

The Local Plan Review can: • protect and conserve the natural beauty, heritage and landscape of our national park; • help us adapt to climate change; • support the right development in the right place; • support local affordable housing; • support rural farming and business; • support increased biodiversity.

The Local Plan Review can’t: • provide access to funding; • address complex issues alone.

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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BOOKS

Curl up with a good book...

Whether your interests are in art, fantasy or walking, discover more about different aspects of the Peak District National Park by winning one of these fascinating books!

The Isolation Chronicles

by Sue Prince (pictured) £34, www.sueprinceartist.co.uk The beautiful illustrations in this hardback book record the daily highlights of life for Peak District artist Sue Prince during the Covid-19 lockdown. Sue created 84 small, egg tempera paintings – one a day from 23rd March to 15th June, all presented in the book. The pictures capture everyday happenings on her White Peak farm. They offer an insight into this artist’s appreciation for events in daily life that took on greater significance during lockdown, which readers will relate to. Sue is a storyteller who celebrates rural life and comments on society through her artwork.

She makes her own egg tempera paint, a technique learned in Sweden where she helped revive this form in its native place.

Tales from the Trig Points – The Discovery

Book giveaways We have a signed copy of The Isolation Chronicles to give away. For a chance to win, please answer the question:

WIN!

Q: What organic product does Sue use to make the paint for her paintings?

We have a review copy of Tales from the Trig Points – The Discovery to give away.

For a chance to win, please answer the question:

WIN!

Q: What fictional creatures live inside the Trig Points?

by Delyth Swann (pictured) Olympia Publishers, £4.99, www.olympiapublishers.com ‘Thousands of people all over the world have walked to trig points on top of hills and mountains and never given a thought to the purpose they serve, other than to mark a point of reference on an Ordnance Survey Map. Many are now being demolished as satellites are used in their place.’

So says author Delyth Swann as she sets out in her fictional story to shed light on ‘a far more important reason for their existence. It not only exposes the vulnerability of the Trignomes who live within them, but could help to ensure their very survival’.

Walking in the Peak District – White Peak East

by Paul Besley Cicerone, £12.95, www.cicerone.co.uk This pocket-sized book contains 35 day walks and 7 longer walks and trails including Bakewell, Matlock, Stoney Middleton, Tissington, Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Historic sites along the way include stone circles and Cromford Mill. The walks follow well-waymarked public rights of way, suitable for year-round walking, with notes on history, geology and art. The walks provide a full range of options from short day walks to multi-day excursions.

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

We have one copy of Walking in the Peak District – White Peak East to give away. For a chance to win, please answer the following question:

WIN!

Q: Which historic hall gets a mention in this book?

• Please email your answers – with your name, address and telephone number – to: parklife@peakdistrict.gov.uk • Write either The Isolation Chronicles, Tales from the Trig Points, or White Peak East in the subject line.

• The closing date for entries is Friday 15th January, 2021.

Winners will be selected at random after this date. The competition is open to everyone except PDNPA paid staff.

Taste of

autumn

FOOD

Baking is one of life’s great home comforts... especially during challenging times. So why not treat yourself with these mouth-watering recipes from Flavours of England: Baking? The Hereford Apple Cake is ideal for autumn when apples are plentiful, while the Lincolnshire Plum Bread has a quirky appeal – it actually contains no plums!

Lincolnshire Plum Bread Ingredients

PHOTOS: ©HUW JONES ©RECIPES: GILLI DAVIES

• 450g strong white bread flour • Pinch of salt • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • ½ tsp nutmeg, freshly grated • 2 ½ tsp fast-action yeast granules • 4 tblsp soft light brown sugar • 120g butter, diced • 100ml milk • 2 eggs, lightly beaten • 225g mixed dried fruit

Hereford Apple Cake Ingredients • 100g butter • 110g soft light brown sugar • 2 medium eggs • 1 lemon, rind and juice • 225g wholemeal self-raising flour • 1 tsp cinnamon • 4 eating apples, peeled, cored and sliced • honey or golden syrup, to glaze Makes one cake 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

Butter a 20cm square, 450g loaf tin or 23cm diameter round tin.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together, beating hard, and always for longer than you anticipate.

3. Add the eggs with the lemon juice and rind.

4. Fold in the flour and cinnamon, giving a fairly stiff consistency, and put the mixture into the tin.

5. Arrange apple slices all over the top of the sponge mixture so that they stick up rather like bristles on a hedgehog. Flick a little water over the top.

6. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a sharp knife inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

7. Dribble honey or golden syrup over the top to glaze and serve hot or cold.

Makes two loaves 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

Grease and line two 450g loaf tins.

2. Mix the flour, salt and spices and stir in the yeast and sugar.

3. Add the egg mixture and dried fruit to the flour and mix well to form a dough.

Divide the dough into two and shape to fit the loaf tins.

4. Cover loosely and leave in a warm place for half an hour to rise.

5. Cook the loaves for 30-40 minutes until golden.

6. Leave in the tins for 10 minutes before turning out and cooling on a wire rack.

7. Serve sliced thickly and well buttered.

WE HAVE THREE COPIES OF FLAVOURS OF ENGLAND: BAKING TO GIVE AWAY

For a chance to win, simply tell us why the Lincolnshire Plum Bread is so quirky. Please email your answer – with your name, address and telephone number – to parklife@peakdistrict.gov.uk and write Flavours of England: Baking in the subject line. The closing date for entries is Friday 15th January, 2021. Winners will be selected at random after this date. The competition is open to everyone except PDNPA paid staff. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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YOUR NATIONAL PARK

Keeping it

Best for places to visit and things to do Peak District National Park

Monsal Trail, High Peak Trail, Tissington Trail, Stanage, bike hire, camping at North Lees, car park information, visitor centres, online shop and much more. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk /peakdistrictnationalpark /peakdistrictnationalpark @peakdistrict #PeakDistrictProud #BeKindOutside #NationalParksProduce #KnowBeforeYouGo

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

The official tourist board for the area. Find what’s on, where to go, things to do, places to stay or eat. www.visitpeakdistrict.com @vpdd #UniqueDistrict #TimetoPlanAhead #PeakDistrictProud

Peak District National Trust

Best for news & views

/peakdistrictnationalpark – top site for Peak District National Park news and comments. @peakdistrict – main twitter channel for the Peak District National Park. @PeakChief – follow Sarah Fowler, chief executive, Peak District National Park Authority. @PeakMcCloy – follow Andrew McCloy, chair, Peak District National Park Authority.

Best for South West Peak South West Peak Landscape Partnership Delivering projects to benefit people, communities, natural and cultural heritage in the south west area of the National Park. www.southwestpeak.co.uk /swpeak @SouthWestPeak

Best for showing support for the National Park Explore. Enjoy. Support. Help care for our National Park for everyone to enjoy forever. www.peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk @pdnp_foundation #ExploreEnjoySupport #70kfor70

Chatsworth

Moors for the Future Partnership

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Best for countryside code advice Peak District Proud

Whether you’re returning or are a brand new visitor, check out this site’s advice on making your trip safe, easy and enjoyable. www.peakdistrictproud.co.uk @peakdistrict #PeakDistrictProud #TakeHomeWhatYouBring #ShareWithCare

Best for more National Parks UK National Parks

Pictures, news and adventures from across the UK’s 15 National Parks. www.nationalparks.uk @uknationalparks #BreathingSpaces #GreenGym #MentalHealth PA R K A N D P R O T E C T

Peak District National Park Foundation

The National Trust look after about 12% of land in the Peak District as well as 2 cafés, 2 shops, 5 car parks, 3 holiday cottages and 2 bunkhouses. www.nationaltrust.org.uk @PeakDistrictNT #PeakDistrictProud #Longshaw #KinderScout Home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Discover the house, garden and farmyard. www.chatsworth.org @ChatsworthHouse #PeakDistrictProud

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l a i c o s

Love to keep up to date with what’s happening in your No.1 National Park?

Here’s a round-up of useful websites, channels and hashtags for you to follow.

Best for moorland conservation Landscape-scale restoration, conservation and research on Peak District and South Pennines moorlands. www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk @moorsforfuture #Bogtastic #SphagnumMonday #StayHomeStayWild

Consider other people in the park and use the car parks provided. Think about exploring less congested location at busy times, and come by public transport to reduce

PROFILE

5 minutes with...

He’s travelled the world, yet National Park ranger Rob Kenning finds his native Peak District still has the power to surprise.

B

efore joining the Peak District National Park I was an expedition leader, taking students and adults on adventures and volunteer projects in different countries around the world, predominantly in the global south.

I grew up in the White Peak. As a kid, I’d go sledging in the winter at Chatsworth and, later on, I pulled pints at the Stable Bar at Monsal Head. I got married here as did both my sisters, so the Peak District holds lifelong memories for me. I just never expected to have the chance to be back working here in my 30s! I feel very lucky.

I love the variety that each day at work brings. In any week, I could be working with partners on collaborative projects, doing a litter pick with volunteers and speaking with residents and visitors about local issues and points of interest. Of course, I have a fair wedge of desk time as well to make plans and respond to issues via email. Every day is different and that is important to me.

The least exciting part of my job is filling in spreadsheets – for example, keeping records of access monitoring completed by volunteers or recording Rights of Way issues.

But I try to break it up, helped by a cup of tea and listening to some Red Hot Chili Peppers to get in the flow. And, let’s be fair, is there anything more satisfying in life than a completed spreadsheet?

People might be surprised to learn that ranger work in 2020 is more computerrelated than they might expect. A lot of issues and resolutions come via email these days, so you just need to plan your time to make sure you are keeping up with the demands from the desk and the dale!

I recently discovered my new favourite spot in the Peak District National

Park. I was checking out signage with an experienced volunteer ranger colleague and we stopped at a fabulous spot at the top of a small patch of woodland just north of Millers Dale Station. I had never been – a reminder that the Peak District can keep surprising you even after several years.

My advice for getting the most out of the Peak District National Park is to have a plan before you visit. Some research about the place you want to visit, the walk or ride you want to do and how to get there will really help. There’s also some countryside etiquette to follow, so knowing the Countryside Code (#peakdistrictproud) will help you stay safe and enjoy your visit more. The Peak District National Park website has lots of info and our visitor centres (in Bakewell, Castleton, Edale and Upper Derwent) are well worth a visit. And, of course, our friendly rangers are here to help – look out for the ‘green shirts’!

Rob enjoys the fact every day is different and is still discovering areas of the Peak District he hasn’t visited before.

Rangers receive some strange questions and comments at times. Recently someone complained about the amount of ‘sheep poo’ there was in the National Park – it’s a living landscape with a lot of sheep around, so that’s a given in many areas I’m afraid.

If I could be anywhere else in the world, it would be Peru. I have some family there and every time I visit I see a different landscape. From coastline and desert to jungles and 6000m peaks, Peru has incredible diversity. I think that’s why they have literally thousands of types of potato... another great reason to go!

Bakewell tart or Bakewell pudding? I confess I’m a tart guy every time. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

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PHOTO: TOM MARSHALL

THE CHAIR

The National Park offers a chance to find peace, freedom, open air exercise

and that all-important connection with nature.

Working together to keep the National Park a welcoming and safe place for everyone

A

Chair’s blog – Andrew McCloy

lthough we are still in the midst of the pandemic there are some Andrew McCloy important lessons for us to learn when it comes to understanding the role of the National Park and shaping our response.

From the outset we have been acutely aware that this is a place where 38,000 or so people call home, many in very small communities and where there are a significant number of shielding and vulnerable older residents.

We recognise that some local people have been anxious about the impact of visitors and we continue to work with local organisations, including parish councils, to encourage mutual understanding and responsible behaviour. But we also know that national parks were set up to play a national role, and now more than ever when the

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www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

wellbeing of the wider population is under the spotlight.

Because of our geographical location many people from surrounding cities and urban areas look to the National Park’s open green spaces for their physical and mental good health, seeking a chance to find peace, freedom and open air

Many people from surrounding cities and urban areas look to the National Park’s open green spaces for their physical and mental good health exercise, or simply that all-important connection with nature.

These are such unprecedented times that it’s natural for us to be anxious,

even fearful, but we have to accept that national parks like the Peak District benefit us all, wherever we live and whatever our background, so long as we work together and show kindness and understanding, tolerance and respect.

Not only have we been working closely with local authorities and partner organisations behind the scenes, but our Ranger teams have been out in the National Park engaging audiences and promoting the #PeakDistrictProud message of protect, respect and enjoy – from responsible parking and avoiding littering to following government guidance over social distancing when in our towns and villages.

We want the National Park to remain a welcoming place, but we also need it to be safe for everyone. That’s ultimately down to us all.

Follow our chair Andrew on Twitter @PeakChair

Cllr Andrew McCloy Parish Member

Cllr David Chapman Council Member

01629 816323

01298 85067

Mrs Penny Secretary o Member 01629 8163

Mr Paul Ancell Secretary of State Member 01625 613995

Peak District National Park Authority Members 4

Cllr William Armitage Council Member

Cllr Jason Atkin Council Member

01246 590486

01629 258834

Mr James Berresford Cllr Jason Atkin Secretary of Council Member State Member 07810 01629528460 258834

3

Cllr Patrick Brady Mr James Berresford Parish Member Secretary of State Member 01298 85798 07810 528460

2

5

Cllr Mike Chaplin Cllr Doug Birkinshaw Council Member Council Member

Cllr Patrick Parish Mem

0114770770 273 5380 01226

01298 857

5

5 6

Cllr David Chapman Council Member

Cllr Charlotte Farrell Council Member

Cllr CllrChris ChrisFurness Carr Council Member Parish Member

CllrMike Andrew Gregory Cllr Chaplin CouncilMember Member Council

01298 85067

01433 651523

01433 01335621811 390342

01629549790 816352 07789

Prof Janet Haddock-Fraser Cllr Chris F Cllr Tony Favell Secretary of Parish Member Council Me State Member 01629 816352 01433 670281 01433 6218

7

7

1 6

Ms Annabelle Harling Secretary of State Member 01629 816352

Mr Zahid Hamid Secretary of State Member 0114 2366332

Cllr CllrAndrew AndrewHart Hart Council CouncilMember Member

Cllr Gill Gill Heath Heath Cllr Council Member Member Council

01782 01782379431 379431

01538 381601 381601 01538

7

4

Cllr Carolin Council Me

07800 819

6

Cllr Ian Huddlestone Council Member

Cllr Barry Lewis Council Member

Cllr McLaren CllrColin Barry Lewis Council CouncilMember Member

Cllr Jamie Andrew McCloy Cllr Macrae Parish Member Council Member

Cllr Kath Potter Cllr Colin McLaren Parish Member Council Member

Cllr Jim Pe Council Me

01663 747048

07920 484207

0161 6274197 07920 484207

01629 807367 816323 07872

01629 734320 0161 6274197

01298 8129

7

This information was correct at time of publication.

Robert Helliwell MrMr Robert Helliwell Secretary Secretary of of State State Member Member 01433 670250 01433 670250

Cllr Ginny Priestley Parish Member

Cllr Ken Richardson Council Member

01629 816352

01226 773555

Miss Lydia Slack Cllr Lesley Roberts Secretary of Parish Member State Member 01629 816352 01538 388900

5

Mr Ken Ken Smith Smith Mr Secretary of of State Secretary State Member Member 01629 816382 816352 01629

6

Cllr Peter Walker Tapping Cllr Robert ParishMember Member Council

Cllr John W Council Me

01629 816352 01484 221000

01433 650

To find more information about our Members go to:

Cllr Robert Walker Council Member

Mrs Caroline Waller Parish Member

Cllr George Wharmby Council Member

01484 221000

01629 816352

01457 856905

To find more information about our Members go to:

Ms Yvonne Witter Secretary of State Member 01629 816352

www.peakdistric

Cllr Becki Woods Council Member 07970 741890

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/members

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

39