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Talk of the Dales

Updated: May 4, 2023

A selection of articles from our 24th April edition



DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LAUNCH UNLIMITED BUS TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTY FOR AS LITTLE AS £6 A DAY

New tickets which offer unlimited bus travel across the county from £6 a day are now available, thanks to a scheme organised by Derbyshire County Council.

These new tickets, called the Derbyshire Wayfarer, are part of a range of improvements for bus travel in the county, funded by the Government. All bus operators in Derbyshire are offering the new tickets.

Day tickets can be bought on all buses, or can be bought online and loaded onto special Wayfarer smartcards. Several options are available, including weekly and group tickets. Wayfarer cards will also be available in libraries and tourist information centres.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said: “These new tickets are great news for everyone who currently uses the bus. We hope they will tempt more people to give the bus a go.

“For a small sum of money you can travel all across the county, making it cheaper and easier to get to work, to visit some of our wonderful tourist attractions or perhaps pop to see friends and family.”

“This new discounted travel scheme is one of a large number of improvements that we will be making to bus travel in Derbyshire and we are grateful for the financial support from the Government.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said, “People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided Derbyshire County Council with £47 million to boost its bus services.

“Supporting all bus operators in Derbyshire with providing unlimited bus travel for as little as £6 is great for local residents, who will now benefit and be able to make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities Derbyshire has to offer.”

The Wayfarer tickets available are:

• One day for an adult – £8

• One day for a young person aged up to 16 –£6

• One day for a group of up to 2 adults and 3 children – £15.50

• Seven days for an adult – £33

• Seven days for a young person aged up to 16 – £24.60

Wayfarer smartcards can be bought online at sytravelmaster.com. These prices are set for the next six months as an introductory offer.

The current Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket will become the Derbyshire Wayfarer Bus and Train ticket.

The council was awarded £47m from the Government to improve bus services in Derbyshire, after submitting a Bus Service Improvement Plan. This amount was one of the largest awarded in the country. The new Wayfarer tickets are being funded from this money.



 


Their small town by the sea

Left behind yet unforgotten

for another year,

The faces of those who live here

will seem to disappear,

As though locked away forever,

But freed the day we reappear

To chat about the weather,

Precious moments shared together –

As though they may remember

our fortnight last September

In their small town by the sea.

And as the years sketched by

In lines upon those faces,

Scribbled as a pencilled-time

First draws and then erases,

Their numbers will decline –

But our memory still embraces

Those people who would welcome us

To their small town by the sea.


Richard Crabtree



 


Derbyshire Dales residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May


For the first time, residents in the Derbyshire Dales will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections on Thursday 4 May.

The new requirement to show photo ID at a polling station was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time next month.

Derbyshire Dales voters can check if they already have acceptable ID on the District Council’s website at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/VoterPhotoID, where they can also apply for free ID by 25 April.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport, a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Photo ID is not however needed for postal voters. The deadline for new postal votes is 5pm on 18 April.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: “Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.”

Paul Wilson, Returning Officer at Derbyshire Dales District Council, said, “With district, town and parish elections taking place here in the Derbyshire Dales on 4 May, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. Checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to our electoral services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team at electoral@ derbyshiredales.gov. uk or call 01629 761 335.”

Anyone who wants to have their say in the May elections must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/ register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.



 

MATLOCK PROBUS CLUB


At a meeting of Matlock Probus Club on Thursday 6th April, Mr Nick Locket presented a talk and slides entitled “Newspapers to Art Galleries, the Journey of a Photographer”.

Nick entertained the members with stories which were illustrated with wonderful photographs taken during his time as a freelance photographer. He travelled all over the world catching images depicting events over the past 50 years of his career.

We heard how he had worked as chief photographer for ITV, freelanced for advertising companies and magazines. He also teaches photography and lectures at Staffordshire University.

The members saw photographs he had taken in areas such as Northern Ireland in the time of the troubles and a photograph he took in the aftermath of a bomb exploding in a school in Palestine. We heard that in conflict zones the photographers placed yellow and white tape around their lenses to ensure that people, soldiers and police in the area didn’t mistake the camera lenses as gun barrels.

There were amazing photographs of the miners’ strike, poll tax riots and Notting Hill riots. As a freelance photographer, Nick never knew where he would be sent to next – could be Buckingham Palace or somewhere abroad. He had many photographs of stars such as: Sean Bean, Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp. Also Prime Ministers – Theresa May, David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

His photograph prowess was also demonstrated by photographs of the Peak District taken both in the daytime and at night, using clever techniques to enhance our beautiful Derbyshire countryside and historical sites.

There are few words to describe the amazing photographs shown by Nick from all over the world. A thoroughly entertaining and riveting illustrated talk. Nick has contributed to a book about The Portway which is a prehistoric pathway running from North Africa through to Ireland, part of which runs through Derbyshire.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Marion Ball.

If you would like more information about Matlock Probus Club please contact Clive Robinson, Chairman on 01246 582938 or Nigel Carabine, Treasurer on 01629 823581.



 

PhD opportunity to study Philosophy and Landscape Change in the Peak District National Park


The Peak District National Park Authority, with the Philosophy Department at the University of Sheffield, is offering a PhD studentship in Understanding Landscape Change.

Starting in October, the doctoral research position is to be funded by White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH).

The project will support the Peak District National Park Authority’s work in protecting the landscape and promoting understanding.

Anna Badcock, Peak District National Park cultural heritage team manager, said: “Landscape change is a fact of life, but the present climate crisis means that such change is unprecedented in speed and scale. We have undertaken to monitor landscape change in the National Park and want to better understand how people appreciate evolving landscapes. The student will work closely with us in carrying out the research and, ultimately, the results will directly influence how we understand, define and communicate landscape change to diverse audiences, and contribute to the development of national policy.”

Dr Megan Blomfield, from the University of Sheffield’s Philosophy Department, said: “We need to reconsider landscape conservation objectives in light of climate change. This is a truly significant challenge that will require us to critically question our existing ideas and understandings of landscape. We need new tools to enable us to better articulate and evaluate these difficult choices. This project will enhance our understanding of landscape change by formulating a definition of landscape change that can be used by practitioners and policymakers in the UK land sector; and by designing principles to evaluate different kinds of landscape change.”

Interested individuals should submit an Expression of Interest, with an academic CV and covering letter, to WRoCAH by 5pm on Wednesday 26 April.

For more details on how to apply, visit bit.ly/CDA_Projects



 

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LAUNCH UNLIMITED BUS TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTY FOR AS LITTLE AS £6 A DAY


New tickets which offer unlimited bus travel across the county from £6 a day will be available from 24 April 2023, thanks to a scheme organised by Derbyshire County Council.

These new tickets, called the Derbyshire Wayfarer, are part of a range of improvements for bus travel in the county, funded by the Government. All bus operators in Derbyshire are offering the new tickets.

Day tickets can be bought on all buses, or can be bought online and loaded onto special Wayfarer smartcards. Several options are available, including weekly and group tickets. Wayfarer cards will also be available in libraries and tourist information centres.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said: “These new tickets are great news for everyone who currently uses the bus. We hope they will tempt more people to give the bus a go.

“For a small sum of money you can travel all across the county, making it cheaper and easier to get to work, to visit some of our wonderful tourist attractions or perhaps pop to see friends and family.”

“This new discounted travel scheme is one of a large number of improvements that we will be making to bus travel in Derbyshire and we are grateful for the financial support from the Government.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said, “People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided Derbyshire County Council with £47 million to boost its bus services.

“Supporting all bus operators in Derbyshire with providing unlimited bus travel for as little as £6 is great for local residents, who will now benefit and be able to make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities Derbyshire has to offer.”

The Wayfarer tickets available are:

• One day for an adult – £8

• One day for a young person aged up to 16 –£6

• One day for a group of up to 2 adults and 3 children – £15.50

• Seven days for an adult – £33

• Seven days for a young person aged up to 16 – £24.60

Wayfarer smartcards can be bought online at sytravelmaster.com. These prices are set for the next six months as an introductory offer.

The current Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket will become the Derbyshire Wayfarer Bus and Train ticket.

The council was awarded £47m from the Government to improve bus services in Derbyshire, after submitting a Bus Service Improvement Plan. This amount was one of the largest awarded in the country. The new Wayfarer tickets are being funded from this money.

 

SOME BIRD FLU RESTRICTIONS LIFTED BUT MEASURES STILL NEEDED


Poultry and captive birds can be kept outside again from next week as the risk of bird flu eases across the country.

Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards officers are keen to get the message out to bird keepers that the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss has announced that from Tuesday 18 April the mandatory housing order for poultry for England and Wales will be lifted, and birds can be kept outside unless they are in a protection zone or captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone.

In Derbyshire a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone remains in place in the Bakewell area following an outbreak of bird flu in January, and birds in that zone must still be housed until these specific restrictions are lifted. For the latest information on the Bakewell situation residents should go to Bird flu: near Bakewell, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire (AIV 2023/08) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

All bird keepers must continue to follow strict biosecurity measures despite the lifting of national housing restrictions.

The decision to lift the housing restrictions nationally means that from 18 April, eggs laid by hens with access to outside range areas can return to being marketed as ‘free-range’ eggs.

The county council’s trading standards team are advising that people who are intending to let their birds go outside after the restrictions lift should start preparing their outside areas for their birds’ release, including cleansing and disinfecting hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroducing wild bird deterrents.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “Bird keepers across Derbyshire will welcome the lifting of these mandatory housing measures but it’s really important they keep up the good work and continue to be strict with their biosecurity measures as this will help to keep their birds safe.

“I know that bird keepers, our trading standards officers and all the partner agencies have been working hard to keep flocks safe and it’s been a difficult time due to the number of outbreaks across the country, with five outbreaks in Derbyshire in the past 12 months.

“It really shows that it’s more important than ever for bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease, maintain high standards of biosecurity and try to prevent future outbreaks.”

For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/ bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england#latest-situation

 

Coffee concert at All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell


Saturday 13 May

On Saturday, May 13 All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell will welcome the musicians of St Anselms school to give a concert in church.

The Newark Room will be open for coffee from 10.30am and the concert will begin at 11.15am.

Admission is free, but donations towards the organ restoration fund would be welcome.

Please come along and enjoy music produced by a talented group of young people.



 

CROMFORD WI


At our April evening members enjoyed a very interesting talk by Shami Mitra about how he met his wife at a Nurses Ball in the 50s and how they eventually got married having faced quite a few hurdles to do so. Shami had come to England and was living in Derby when his boss asked some of the Apprentices to attend a Nurses Ball at the request of the hospital. Intensive dancing lessons were required, he lost touch with Janet, found her again, dealt with resistance from family and his Wedding Day was certainly an unusual one.

This is the second time we have heard him talk about his life he will be asked to come back again to continue his story.

There was a competition for a Wedding Photograph and there were quite a few unusual and interesting ones brought along for Members to see.

There are lots of events in the near future. A visit to Maynell Langley in May to see their beautiful garden, A group of members are visiting Pickford House to see the 1960s Men’s Fashion Exhibition and others are attending a WI Group Meeting to hear Ashley Franklin Speak. Derbyshire Federation of WIs has many events planned which our members will take part in and there is a Dabble Weekend planned where three different crafts can be experienced. Each month we have a Knit and Natter afternoon and undertake a walk.

We are a very friendly group. Why not come and join us? You will be made very welcome. We meet on the First Wednesday of each Month at the Cromford Community Centre. Our meetings start at 7.15pm.


 

FIORI MUSICALI at All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell


Fiori Musicali with His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts are to make a welcome return to All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell on Saturday, 29 April,2023.

Founded in 1983, Fiori is one of the UK’s principal providers of classical and early music concerts outside London. Fiori’s passion is to bring to life the music of the past, making it accessible to all.

Prior to the concert, at 11.45am, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts are to hold an open brass workshop in the church. Entry to this event is free. Come along to learn and experience all about old English instruments.

The concert – “Music for His Majesty” – will feature music to celebrate the accession and coronation of King Charles III. The concert will commence at 5.45pm and tickets are available at the cost of £20 (front three rows £25) online from www.fobpc.org, from the Medway Centre, from Maxwells bookshop or from Bakewell Church (Dot Bushen – 01629 814496). All profits are to go to the Organ Restoration Fund.


 

Good Friday Rock in Cressbrook


A tradition in Cressbrook on Good Friday is listening and watching on the village green, Cressbrook Silver Band playing above the village on Good Friday Rock (Bull Torr), followed by a social gathering in the village club for lunch.

This year, a fabulously warm, sunny day brought everyone out to take part, including many walkers passing by for this annual event which is always a wonderful effort from our Cressbrook Community. From the marvellous Cressbrook Silver Band players who climbed the hill and played their hearts out, Caroline and John Butler who organised the whole seamless event in the club plus the team of 4 delicious chilli makers, 20 or so cake and bread makers who put on an amazing spread to Bake-Off standard, plus the 15 plus setters up, bar volunteers, servers and clearer uppers and a village artist who donated Ukraine glazed coloured ceramic pots made especially for this event. The sunshine and lovely atmosphere, added up to a special day to remember for everyone.

Sadly, the war in Ukraine is still raging and affecting the lives and futures of so many Ukrainians, and our thoughts are with them. Thanks to everyones efforts and generosity, £500 was raised for the Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal to help Ukrainian refugees.


 

HUSTINGS


Monday 24th April

Bakewell Town Hall

Join local residents for a hustings for the District Council election on May 4th 2023. Bakewell, Ashford-in-the-Water, Over Haddon and Sheldon – ask them directly.

Come and put your questions about our area to your candidates for the May 4th elections.

The event starts from 7:30pm. Please arrive from 7pm if you wish to submit questions.


 

HAS LAMP POST CHARGING SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES? – REGISTER NOW


Residents in Derbyshire interested in having an electric vehicle charging point installed on the street near their home are being asked to register their interest.

Earlier this month, Derbyshire County Council agreed to install up to 500 charge points connected to the electricity supply for street lights in areas of the county where residents have no off-road parking.

Now residents are being asked to come forward to help identify where charge points could be installed by registering their interest online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/evsurvey

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “This is a new initiative for Derbyshire to support local motorists to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles to help cut carbon emissions.

“We know a huge proportion of Derbyshire homes do not have off-road parking which means that switching to an electric vehicle is not an easy option for many residents at a time when electric vehicles are entering the second-hand market making them a more affordable option for some.

“If you live in Derbyshire and believe that on-street vehicle charging would make it possible for you to change to an electric vehicle then we want to hear from you. Please visit our website at www.derby shire.gov.uk/evsurvey and register your details.”

The initiative is part of the county council’s wider plan to install more vehicle charging points across Derbyshire, working with operators and partners such as district, borough, town and parish councils to fit charge points in public car parks.

The county council is in the process of appointing a supplier to provide and operate the on-street charging points.

It is intended that the supplier would fully finance and manage the installation, operation and maintenance of the charge point at no cost to the council.


 

New Buxton charity shop to help fund end of life care for families in town


Shoppers can fill their bags with quality bargains as Ashgate Hospice brings its 15th store to Buxton’s high street.

The shop officially opened in the picturesque market town at 9am on 14th April.

The hospice, which cares for patients across Buxton and the High Peak, has taken over the former TUI travel agents building on Spring Gardens in the town.

Five new jobs have been created and the shop is appealing for new volunteers to join its team to help with the running of the shop.

Around 100 patients living in the Buxton area accessed the hospice’s services last year – from clinical care at home or at its Inpatient Unit to occupational support and physiotherapy.

The charity says good quality pre-loved clothes, books, games and other items are on sale – and donations are welcome.

Shoppers who support the new store in Buxton will be helping to raise the £8 million needed to pay for the hospice's care across North Derbyshire – as only a third of its services are funded by central Government.

Laura Stevens, Head of Retail Operations at Ashgate Hospice, added: “We’re delighted to open our first shop in the beautiful town of Buxton.

“Not only will shoppers who visit us get their hands on plenty of bargains, but they’ll be helping to fund care and support for people like Mick when they desperately need it.”

To find out more about Ashgate Hospice’s new Buxton shop and its wider retail network go to www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/our-shops


 

Postal Charity Quiz for Buxton Mountain Rescue


Quiz 18 which closes on 31st October 2023 is available now by sending a SAE, or to save on postage, an email address plus cheque for £1 made payable to 'Mrs G. Halliday' to ‘Lorien’, Main Road, Stickney, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 8AG. The quiz is also available by using PayPal which will cost £1.40p and includes their administration fees. To obtain the necessary PayPal link, log on to Buxton Mountain Rescue website: http://www. buxtonmountain rescue.org.uk/ or visit the Answerbank quiz site: https://www.the answerbank.co.uk/ Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Question182 7191.html

Applications come from the length and breadth of Britain and my last quiz which raised £266 and included extra donations was handed over to the team. The two prize winners came from Ross-on-Wye and Chesterfield, Derbyshire who each received £10 and £5 respectively.


 

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TO REPAIR SECTION OF POPULAR PEAK DISTRICT ROUTE


Work to repair a 0.6 mile long section of the Pennine Way, at Lee Farm in the Vale of Edale started recently on 12 April.

The work, being carried out by Derbyshire County Council, will involve filling potholes and repairing drainage to provide a smoother, drier surface for walkers and riders.

At the same time the National Trust will replace the gates along the route, which will improve access.

The work will take around four weeks to complete, with gritstone being used from a nearby quarry. The cost is £65,000, with £45,000 coming from Natural England grant funding, managed and distributed by the Pennine National Trails Partnership with the rest from Derbyshire County Council.

Further work will take place on Jacobs Ladder, adjacent to this stretch, in September after the bird nesting season.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal said: “This is a very popular place for walkers and cyclists and I’m pleased to see it being repaired.

“We are very grateful for the money from the Pennine National Trails Partnership which is helping to fund the work, and to the National Trust for their work to replace the gates along the route.”

Craig Best, General Manager at National Trust in the Peak District said: “Together with the improvements we are making to install gates which are easier to operate, the path repairs on this well-loved and iconic route should help make this area of the Peak District more accessible for people with a range of interests and abilities to enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature.”

Heather Procter, Pennine National Trails Partnership Manager, said: “The Pennine National Trails Partnership is pleased to support the work of Derbyshire County Council to improve accessibility along this well used section of the Pennine Way.

“Whilst the Pennine Way is well known as a long distance walking route it also provides many options for day walks, some of which are also suitable for cyclists, horse riders, and less able people who may be using mobility aids. Once works are complete, the section from Lee Farm to Jacob’s Ladder will be a great example of this. “

The route will remain open during the work.

The Pennine Way stretches for 268 miles across England’s wild northern uplands, from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

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