Hedge Laying in Upper Derwent Valley

We have just finished our hedgelaying for 2012. This year we’ve been laying the hedges at Ashes Farm and Old House Farm in the Upper Derwent Valley totalling 200 metres.

It has been great to finish the hedges at Old House as I can remember fencing and planting back in 1999 and I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the job through to laying.

I was finishing the last few metres just before Christmas on a busy Sunday and it was fantastic just how many people stopped to ask questions despite me wielding a very sharp billhook and looking quite scary. It was a great opportunity for me to chat about not only hedgelaying but the diverse range of work we rangers get involved in and all of the work of the National Trust in the Upper Derwent Valley.

This year our working holiday group spent their weekend learning the craft of hedgelaying and it was wonderful to see a diverse range of people, young and old, enjoying learning a new skill and getting a sense of achievement. We started the first planting of hedgerows in the Upper Derwent Valley about 20 years ago and the first hedgelaying began in 2003. Over 2 kilometres of hedgerows have been planted and 1.5 kilometres of hedges have been laid so far.

Our hedgerows are invaluable habitat for our wildlife and the continued management is vital for nesting birds and small mammals to thrive. Every October it is time to sharpen up my billhook and start on the next hedge. So look out for us and have a chat if you’re out and about in the Upper Derwent Valley during autumn.

Andy Houldsworth

Ranger

Sheffield Moors Partnership Update

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Sheffield Moors consultation which is now closed.

We have had a fantastic response to the consultation on the draft masterplan, and have talked to nearly 700 people out and about in the landscape, as well as receiving plenty of formal responses from the public and interested organisations like the Ramblers, Ride Sheffield, Sheffield Bird Study Group, Friends of the Peak District and many other organisations and interested parties

We are currently studying the comments and looking at how they will influence changes to the final document. More information on this will be provided in the New Year through the website

It is hoped to finalise the strategy early in 2013, and public events to celebrate the launch of the completed strategy are planned for early Spring 2013.

Thanks again for taking part and sharing your views http://www.sheffieldmoors.co.uk/

 

Happy Birthday Kinder 12/12/12

National Icon Celebrates 30 Years with the National Trust

On 12 December 2012, it will be 30 years to the day that the National Trust took ownership of Kinder Scout.

Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District, is loved by locals and visitors alike and attracts over 100,000 people a year. It is perhaps best known as the site of the Mass Trespass in 1932 but it is also an area of huge importance for wildlife as a National Nature Reserve. 

 

The Kinder Plateau is characterised by large expanses of blanket bog (peat bog) but over the years this has been severely eroded by a mixture of air pollution, wild fires and other factors.

Since 1982 the Trust has undertaken a huge amount of conservation to reverse the effects of this damage. This has included collaborations with universities and other organisations to research and develop conservation techniques; investments have been made in specialised fire fighting equipment; and Trust rangers and estate teams have skilfully tackled problems such as moorland path erosion, fixed miles of drystone walls flanking Kinder as well as developing over 20 new woodlands through planting native broad leave trees.

Currently the Trust, supported by United Utilities and Natural England, is two-years into a five year, £2.5 million project to restore this iconic landscape.

Over 70 hectares (approx. 172 acres) of bare peat is being restored, using a range of techniques, including heather spreading, the planting of over 500,000 cotton grass plants and increasing sphagnum moss coverage by over 100%. Gully- blocking is also an essential part of this work. This slows the flow of water off the plateau when it rains and helps keep peat where it should be, on the top. This also improves the quality of water flowing into the reservoirs, helping reduce the need for increasing treatment.

A temporary 15 kilometre (9 mile) fence has been erected, with regular visitor access points, around the plateau to keep the area free from grazing animals and allow the newly planted vegetation the opportunity to get established, while maintaining open access to Kinder Scout for walkers and other visitors.

The nature of peat bog means it is capable of storing huge amounts of carbon. When these habitats are healthy, and peat is actively forming, they continue to increase the amount of carbon they store, so as well as being rare and threatened habitats, vitally important for a wealth of wildlife, peat bogs also have an important role to play in helping to combat climate change.

“Kinder is a truly special place,” comments Tom Harman, Kinder Catchment Project Officer. “It played a major part in how we access open country in England and its wild and awe-inspiring scenery has influenced generations, and continues to do so.

The work of the Trust, both now and over the last 30 years, has prevented the loss of something incredibly important to both our heritage and future.”

If you’d like to find out more about the project as it progresses please visit www.kinder-scout.co.uk

Christmas Tree Sales at Ilam

National Trust christmas tree sales start on the 1st December at the Ilam caravan site which is located in the main National Trust car park.

Head towards DE6 2AZ then follow the christmas tree signs or signs for Ilam Hall and country park

Tree are on sale for the first three weekends in December, 10:00am - 4:00pm

We have a selection of premium grade cut trees with sizes from 5 ft - 8 ft.

Tree types are:

• Nordmann Fir
• Fraser Fir
• Lodgepole Pine 

Also available are tree stands, seasoned hardwood logs and "log candles".

All our trees and stands are sold at competitive prices and all profits go towards essential Peak

District conservation work.

Call in and see us!

Christmas Tree Sales at Longshaw

National Trust christmas tree sales start from 24th November from the main Longshaw car park. Head towards S11 7TZ then follow the brown signs which will lead you straight to the car park.

 

We have a selection of premium grade trees of all sizes from 2 ft - 15 ft.

 

We have cut trees, potted trees and rooted trees where you can dig your own.

 

Tree types are:

 

• Nordmann Fir
• Fraser Fir
• Blue Spruce
• Lodgepole Pine
• Norway Spruce

 

All our trees and stands are sold at competitive prices and all profits go towards essential Peak District conservation work.

 

Call in and see us!

 

Coming up in the Peak District

Here’s a summary of events and activities coming up over the next couple of months.  For events marked B booking is required – call 01433 670368 or email peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk with booking enquiries.

Halloween Family Trails     

Longshaw

Until 4 Nov, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Ilam Park

Until 4 Nov, 11am - 4pm

Pick up a trail sheet from the shop and spot the spooky signs as you find your way around the haunted grounds of Ilam Park and Longshaw. 50p/ trail

Drop in Conservation Day - Rhododendron Clearing

Longshaw

Sat 3 & Wed 14 Nov, 10am – 3pm

Meet at the Visitor Centre at 10am, or follow the signs from the Visitor Centre to the site throughout the day. Wear outdoor clothing and stout boots and bring gardening gloves if you have them, and a packed lunch if you like.

Science in the Park

Sat 3 Nov: Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate, S11 7TZ – 10.30am - 4pm

Sat 10 Nov: Bakewell Town Hall, DE45 1BT - 10.30am - 4pm

Science is happening all across the Peak District National Park so come and take a scientific adventure at two FREE family events. Fun, hands on activities for children and adults alike, (outside if the weather is good), or quiz the experts on their field of expertise.  Free refreshments.

Displays include:

Uncovering 2,000 year old skeletons

Radio monitoring Northern Hairy Wood Ants

Conserving rare crayfish and adders

Monitoring the landslide on Mam Tor (The shivering Mountain)

Tackling climate change and Moorland restoration

Take part in:

Bug Hunting

The Hairy Wood Ant Trail

Some social or scientific investigations

Orienteering - Come and Try It

Ilam Park

Sat 10 Nov, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Orienteering is an adventure sport for the whole family using a detailed map to navigate a course. Come and try it, with Derwent Valley Orienteers. Adult £3, child £1.50

Remembering the War Years

Longshaw Estate

Wed 21 Nov, 2pm - 4pm

Longshaw Lodge was home to many wounded soldiers during the First World War. Our local history expert shares her research and the memorabilia from this time, followed by a delicious cream tea. £7 B

Christmas Wreath-making Workshop

Ilam Park

Sat 17 Nov, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Make a wreath with our expert. Some equipment provided, but please bring your own secateurs and any special decorations/ foliage. £20 B

Christmas Tree Sales at Longshaw

Sat 24 Nov - Fri 21 Dec,

Daily, 10am - 4pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work.  Sustainably sourced British trees of different sizes and non-needle drop varieties.

Late Night Christmas Tree Sales

Wed 12 Dec, open until 8pm – Christmas crafts from 4pm – 6pm, & carol singing at 6pm, and refreshments on sale in the Moorland Discovery Centre.

Christmas Tree Sales at Ilam Park

Weekends of 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16 December. 

10am – 4pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work.  Sustainably sourced British trees of different sizes and non-needle drop varieties.

Ilam Christmas Festival

Ilam Park

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, 11am - 4.30pm

Meet Santa and his helpers and join in the festivities at Ilam this Christmas.

Festive music, food, fun activities for all the family and a chance to do some Christmas shopping. Buy your sustainably sourced Christmas tree from us and support our work in the Peak District. Delicious teas in the Manifold Tea-room. £2 activities

Magical Christmas Crafts Weekend

Longshaw Estate

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Dec, 10am - 4pm

Get into the festive spirit at the Moorland Discovery Centre, with fun and simple natural & recycled decorations to make. Christmas shopping, festive music and meals in the tea-room. £2 activities.

Christmas Tree Sales

Castleton

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, 11am - 3pm

Buy your tree from us and support our conservation work in the Peak District.

Walking routes are available from Ilam Park and Longshaw shops during opening times, and geocaching trails are available all year round.  For more information about our places, visit:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw/

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-peak/

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dark-peak/

Great British Walking Festival

I’ve been doing a lot of walking on Kinder Scout recently. When I’m not volunteering for the National Trust I work as a Conservation Works Officer for the Moors for the Future Partnership. They, as well as the National Trust, carry out restoration work on the blanket bogs and heather moorlands of the Peak District.

Some of the footpaths on Kinder Scout have been badly eroded leading walkers to veer off the path, damaging the nearby vegetation and widening the muddy scars still further. Lately we’ve been busy repairing the footpaths on Trust land on the hill and it’s my job to liaise with the contractors and check their work. The work near Grindslow Knoll has now been completed, which will help walkers cross difficult patches while preserving the adjacent vegetation.

We’re just starting work at Crowden Tower, Ringing Roger and The Nab and I’m really looking forward to re-visiting these sites and observing the progress made. Come and see for yourself (but please be careful while the works are in progress – the staff on site will guide you past any difficulties).

Starting from Edale, you could follow this fine National Trust walk which will take you up the valley and back along the high edges past  Crowden Tower:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/local-to-you/midlands/view-page/item536605/

Alternatively, Moors for the Future offer an excellent audio trail which takes you from Edale to The Nab:

http://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/visiting-moors/audio-trails/edale-struggle-access

Listening to this as you walk along the new footpath will help you to appreciate just how lucky we walkers are today!

Steve Maynard

For more information on the National Trust's Walks: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/activities/walking/

Tour of Britain Passes Through The White Peak...

...and members of the NT Peak District team were on hand to give the riders a welcome as they cut through the middle of the Dovedale Property!

Stage two of the race took in several climbs, one of which was the Cat1 climb from Lode Mill to Alstonefield, after 51km, and it was here that the race passed through part of our Estate.

The video below was taken from opposite the top of Lode Plantation and shows the main group heading up the hill towards Alstonefield.  If you have trouble spotting Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in the pack, have a look at the pictures below and see if you can spot them there!

Before the climb the riders followed a fast descent down Pinch Bank, an area of NT land with steep grassland on one side and steep woodland on the other; a neat snap-shot of the two major elements of the Dovedale Property!  Crossing the River Dove at the bottom of the valley just north of Milldale, the riders also passed from Derbyshire into Staffordshire.  The river is the County Boundary and, as such, Dovedale is virtually split in half between the two counties.  The climb to Alstonefield up Lode Lane passes Lode Plantation, another piece of steep woodland in the Trust's care.  At the top of Lode Plantation, in a small roadside field, we put up our flutter flags to show our support and welcome the riders.  We also placed banners here and at the top of Pinch Bank to remind spectators of The Hidden Peak Sportive which we are hosting on Sunday October 14th, starting at our Ilam Park Property.  If all the cycling throughout this summer of sport has got you motivated, why not enter and have a go yourself? The Hidden Peak has three routes - 37k, 63k and 130k - so whatever your ability, there's a route to suit.  And, what's more, you'll get to see some of the stunning, less explored areas of the White Peak Area of the Peak District. Find details at www.votwo.co.uk/events-1/hidden-peak-sportive

Another great day in the Peak District! Afterwards, the team posed for the photograph below:

'Team NT' out there on the day: Rangers, Anna & Simon; Head Ranger, Jim; Events Manager, Jenny; Administrator and cycling fanatic, Pat.