ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT’ TO MUSEUM SERVICE SAYS COUNCIL LEADER
There is `absolute commitment’ to supporting Buxton Museum and Art Gallery and securing the future of the service says Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis.
Derbyshire County Council’s museum and art gallery was temporarily closed on 1 June following the discovery of dry rot in structural timbers and floor joists which needs further investigations that cannot be carried out with the building open.
While no timescale has been put on investigation and remedial work, it is likely to take some time to complete, and alternative ways to deliver the service are currently being explored while the work is carried out.
Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said today that although temporarily closing the building, which is part of the Peak Buildings complex, was very disappointing, he was determined the museum and its collections would be supported and was working with officers to ensure the future of the service in the longer term would be secured.
Councillor Lewis visited the museum and art gallery in Terrace Road to speak to affected staff earlier this week, assuring them of the council’s commitment to the service.
He said: “Closing the museum and art gallery was a great disappointment but necessary so that this vital investigation work can be carried out. Until this is done we will not know the extent of the issues and what we are facing with regards to the building.
“However, there is an absolute commitment to supporting the museum and securing the long term future of its collections.
“This will not be easy but we will do all we can to protect this valuable asset which has so many benefits to the local community, residents of Derbyshire and much further afield.”
Work is already underway to ensure the safe removal of artifacts and exhibits to suitable storage so that areas can be cleared for the in-depth structural investigations to begin.
Museum staff are working hard behind the scenes with colleagues from across the council to help with this, as well as ensuring the service continues to have a strong presence online.
The temporary closure has led to the cancellation of the annual Open Art Exhibition which was due to open later this month.
While the museum is closed people are being encouraged to go online and visit its main web page at www.derbyshire.gov. uk/buxtonmuseum which has a selection of information about collections, virtual exhibitions and a regular blog. They can also follow the museum on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates. The addresses can be found on the main museum web page.
LAST FOUNDERS DAY SERVICE AND LUNCH BY WIRKSWORTH OLD SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION
Invitations are being issued to the last Founders’ Day Service and lunch to be organised by the Old Wirksworthian Association.
The Anthony Gell School was originally founded in 1576 as a grammar school, becoming a voluntary controlled school in 1944 and, later, a comprehensive secondary school in 1965.
The Association was formed in 1926 and for almost 100 years has celebrated, with the School, its founding at an annual Founders’ Day Service in St Mary’s Church at Wirksworth.
Any past scholar could join the association but most memberships date from its grammar school days so many members are now well over 70 and, at a special general meeting last November, they took the sad decision to close the association at the end of this year.
There will, however, be a final Founders’ Day Service at 11am on 12th July followed by a buffet lunch at Wirksworth Cricket Club where there will be an opportunity to renew old friendships. Present students and staff take part in the service with an amazing array of musical and spoken contributions.
Membership of the association has been free but there will be a charge of £12 to cover the costs of the day. Any funds remaining at the end of the year will be transferred to the Anthony Gell School Foundation, a charitable trust which exists to benefit the school and its pupils.
All will be welcome but please let us know if you wish to attend the lunch by contacting either our secretary,Eileen Chadwick on 01773 550063 or at jwechad @btinternet.com or alternatively uur chairman, Pete Widdeson on 07480 794320 or at pete.widdeson@gmail .com
Tideswell Cinema
Mustang
Tideswell Cinema is taking us to a remote Turkish village, the setting for this month's film, ‘Mustang’, to be shown at 7.30 pm on Thursday 27th July in the Community Hall, Church Lane. Five orphaned sisters are confined to home after being seen playing innocently on the beach with some boys. Their conservative guardians proceed to arrange forced marriages for each one. But the girls find ways of getting round the restrictions. With Turkish subtitles, ‘Mustang’ was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Before that we have a treat for all ballet lovers! On Thursday 13th July at 7 pm we are privileged to be showing Rudolph Nureyev, regarded as the greatest male ballet dancer of all time, performing in ‘Don Quixote. It is the 50th anniversary of this masterpiece, filmed in 1973 and now re-mastered, restored and re- orchestrated. Booking and pre-payment for this is essential. Tickets are £16 and £13 concession; please email mail@tideswell cinema.com.
Please let us know in the same way to book ‘Mustang’ - payment is on the door for this (£6 ).
The return of Fizz, Friends and Fashion Show
Adele Taylor and Heather Mason are the organisers of a fashion show titled, “The Return of Fizz, Friends and Fashion Show” for Ashgate Hospice, taking place Friday 14th July 2023.
Held at Matlock Town Football Club in the Shorts lounge and starting at 7.30pm, where a glass of fizz and canapés will be served, models will be walking the catwalk around 8pm.
All clothes have been kindly donated by family and friends and are high quality, nearly new and new clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories and include many well known brands. There are sizes to suit everyone.
All clothes modelled and those on the racks will be available to buy on the night both card and cash will be accepted.
Tickets prices are £15, which includes entry to evening and a glass of Prosecco and canapés.
Shops, restaurants and friends have kindly donated prizes for the raffle which will be held in the interval. The licensed bar is open during the evening and special thanks to Vikki and staff at Matlock Town for hosting.
Adele says, “I lost my husband Richard to cancer in December 2021, Ashgate were amazing, they made our last few months together so much easier, with their considerate care and support. Richard helped in the last fashion show and we will be doing this in his memory and hope to raise as much money as we can to help support other families like us at a time when they need it.”
Tickets can be purchased online at Matlock Town FC website under events, or alternatively contact Adele Taylor on 0776 9647126.
Do your bit to help prevent wildfires this summer
With summer now well and truly upon us, High Peak Borough Council is reminding people that lighting fires, barbecues, fireworks and Chinese lanterns has been banned to help prevent wildfires at high-risk locations in the High Peak.
In 2021, the Council approved the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering land owned by the Council and all parts of the Borough that lie within the boundary of the Peak District National Park that are open to the air and to which the public have access.
Smoking in open countryside and discarding cigarettes can also cause fires so the Council is asking everyone to be mindful of the possible consequences and to act responsibly.
Councillor Godfrey Claff, Executive Councillor for Community Safety, said: “Fires have such a devasting impact on our countryside and can be so difficult for firefighters to tackle.
“Most wildfires are the result of careless behaviour and are, therefore, preventable. The measures we’ve put in place should help people avoid unintentionally starting a fire and I would urge everyone to comply with the ban.
“As well as helping to stop fires, we hope that by raising awareness of the dangers everyone coming to enjoy the High Peak landscapes will think twice about their actions and play their part in protecting our special natural environment.”
As fires impact on climate change, the environmental cost is also high. Peatlands are an important carbon sink – in the Peak District alone 20 million tonnes of carbon is stored in the peat. Healthy peatlands store more carbon than they release whilst those in poor condition release carbon into the atmosphere.
The order is in place for a period of three years. Find out more about the wildfires PSPO.
Fundraising Fashion Show is coming to Bakewell
Friday 11th August, 7:30pm at The Medway Centre, New Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DY
Age UK Derby and Derbyshire are well known for our Fashion Shows in Derby City Centre, recently in Matlock Bath and now we are coming to Bakewell on Friday 11th August. We are looking forward to holding a Fundraising Fashion Evening at The Medway Centre.
Join us for an evening of fun and shopping with high street brands at discounted prices. Your ticket price of £7 will include a glass of wine which you can enjoy whilst watching the catwalk show.
Pre-booking tickets is advised as it can get very busy on the night and numbers are limited.
Please email us at fundraisingteam@ageukdd.org.uk and we will be happy to send you a link to book.
Beth Mills, one of the fundraising coordinators says ‘Everyone always enjoys the Fashion Shows. They are fantastic fundraisers for the Charity and also an excellent evening out with your friends or family’.
This is a charity event for Age UK Derby & Derbyshire and the profit from the event will benefit local older people.
To book tickets Contact Beth Mills –fundraisingteam@age ukdd.org.uk or call 01773 766922 or 07907 274884.
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