wilder wirksworth buys a field

‘invEst in thE PlanEt’ was the theme for this year’s Earth Day – and the people of wirksworth have certainly made that possible, thanks to a wildly successful crowdfunding exercise. this has enabled wilder wirksworth to purchase a field, which will be managed for biodiversity and for the community to enjoy, at the end of summer lane.

In all, 126 different people pledged amounts from £5 to thousands. It seemed an impossible goal, but Wirksworth folk are not to be underestimated. Other anonymous donors, plus companies and local organisations, stepped up and made the purchase possible. The field is to be called Wild Maple Field, after an ancient, gnarled tree growing out of limestone. And 50 people braved the threat of rain on Sunday 23 April for the Earth Day Gathering, to celebrate the event. Earth Day started in California in 1970 to consider the soil, which has been billions of years in the making, and the planet, which is under strain through the climate emergency.

Goodwins expands

lEss than two yEaRs after opening in wirksworth, kitchen and bathroom specialist goodwins is expanding. owner Michael goodwin is taking over the adjacent shop in st John street, formerly occupied by Mimosa antiques.

There was cake, and paper leaves to write ideas on, and children and dogs ran around and enjoyed being outside. Rosemary Blenkinsop welcomed the visitors, and introduced the other members of the core group: Katie Gallagher, whose passion for wildlife is key; Jackie Carpenter, overseeing finances and fundraising; and Linda Dominique who steers the project.

The next step is to set up Wild Maple Trust as a charity to run the project, which will help with funding but will also take a few months. During this time, the group will develop a management plan. First, they will conduct close observations to learn from the land, and conduct ecology surveys of the soil, flora and fauna. This time will also be used to consult the local community and to seek advice from experts and other rewilding projects. The field will look very different this year; instead of being grazed down by sheep, the grass will be allowed to grow, with just a wildflower cut in the autumn.

Wild Maple Trust looks forward to welcoming everyone to use the field and enjoy its transformation. To find out more, ask questions, suggest ideas or offer help, contact the group by email on summerlanefield@gmail.com

Farewell to Cyclewirks

aFtER 10 yEaRs of keeping wirksworth’s cycling enthusiasts on the road, David Beacham has closed the doors at Cyclewirks for the last time.

The decision to close was partly personal and partly business. The cycle business is in disarray post-pandemic, with suppliers stressed financially, and one of David’s main suppliers went into receivership in March, leaving him wondering whether he would be able to obtain the spare parts needed to carry on.

He set up the workshop in Willowbath

Mill after 10 years working as a mechanic at Parsley Hay cycle hire – before that he was an engineer at British Rail. He told CF that there’s a possibility of selling the business as a going concern; the alternative will be to sell the remaining stock at auction. “But I’m keeping my tools,” he added.

For the immediate future, David plans to spend less time working on bikes and more time riding them. “I need to get out on my own bike more often,” he said. “It’s time for some ‘me’ time.”

“We’ll have more space for lifestyle settings,” he told CF. “The front display will be a bathroom, and it will be incredible. There’s quite a bit of work to do though – we should be finished by the end of August.” The new room is going to be called the Joshua Suite; a nod to Michael’s eight-year-old son Josh, who is apparently keen to get involved in the business.

The past two years has been a massive journey, he said. “But it’s all positive: customers passing on recommendations, and who are happy to make their new kitchen or bathroom available for other people to see. We’ve completed over 120 projects in our first two years – and we have jobs booked in until January next year.”

Two months ago, he installed a screen in store to show customers a virtual reality representation of their project, and Goodwins is now a member of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) and Trustmark. “That means we can provide deposit insurance, and reassure customers that we’re here to stay.

Michael has also entered for the annual KBSA Awards, the winners of which will be announced at the association’s conference in September. And he remains delighted with the welcome he has received in Wirksworth. “This town is great,” he said. “Opening up next door means we can expand without having to move – I love it here, and I don’t ever want to leave. This is me putting down roots.”