Search under way for missing Hope Cross capstone

UPDATE: The capstone has now been found - dumped in a passing place on a road near Bradwell, Hope Valley.

Article on BBC news website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-16782092

The capstone was taken sometime after Christmas

Rangers in Derbyshire's Peak District are urging anyone who knows where a missing historic landmark may be to come forward.

The capstone from the 270-year-old Hope Cross, which marks the boundary of the villages of Hope and Edale, disappeared just after Christmas.
National Trust senior warden Shane Bates said after a month of searching there was no trace of the capstone.
Anyone with information about the stone should contact the National Trust.
"We have been around the surrounding area, in the woodland and up and down the trackway to see if people have tried to move it, then got rid of it because it was too heavy," Mr Bates said.
He believes the Grade II listed piece of stone, which forms the top of the Hope Cross, may have been taken at night.
The value of the stone was more historical than monetary, he added.

The Longshaw Trail was our Choice Today...

Here's a poem written by visitor Sarah Harmer who completed our Longshaw Geocache Trail. Come to the Longshaw shop to borrow our two GPS devices and have a go for yourself! Locations for all of our Peak District Geocaches can be found here: http://bit.ly/vRPfbm

The Longshaw trail was our choice today
Five series' caches and one more along the way.
With georellies we set out just before ten
By 2.00 we'd be back at the Lodge again! (for our free cuppa!)

The walk was fantastic over different types of terrain
And although it was cloudy it did not rain.
All five caches were easy to find
We examined the contents and each log we signed!

There was heather, bilberries and bracken too
There were trees of all species to frame each view.
We saw several cows and lots of sheep
Most were eating but some were asleep!

This is a wonderful circuit of less than five miles
We crossed bridges, forded streams and climbed several stiles.
For the series a favourite point we definitely award
And for us, four hours of fun was our reward!

From the lodge it wasn't far to cache number one
We looked for the TB but sadly it was gone.
We found the ice house, an interesting site
And set off for cache 2 on the route that was right!

From cache number one it was about a half mile hike
Along the sort of terrain we really like. (i.e. easy!)
Having located the cache, we enjoyed the view
And learning about the location was interesting too!

It wasn't hard to find cache number three
We punched our log for that free cup of tea.
We learned about the quarry and the millstone grit
And mile-a-minute and Commander H agreed this walk was a hit!

It didn't take long to locate this cache
But with gnats all around we had to dash.
There was just time to measure the tree (before we got bitten to death!)
And with cachers before us, an age of 56 years, we agree!

On the route from cache four we spied THAT van
And the most junior team member to this he ran. (he's forty something...!)
But as he was first he had to pay for us all
And we licked our ice-creams as we leaned on the wall!

This final cache was too easy to find
As it was very exposed so we hope you don't mind,
We've hidden it better but in the same place
So others will still find it easy to trace!

For the views of Carl Wark and Higger Tor
For such a wonderful walk we are awarding you once more.
A favourite point, and we just have to say
We will be back to enjoy the walk again on another day!

By Sarah Harmer
Visitor to Longshaw Geocache Trail on 30/08/2011

Software Company does some Hard Graft

On Tuesday 18^th October, 14 staff members from Tessella Technology and Consulting met our Estate Team at Bowden Bridge in Hayfield for a day of volunteering. 

With changeable weather and a biting wind, the group readied themselves for a day of gully blocking on top of Kinder with an air of anticipation, enthusiasm and only slight concerns about the blackening skies. 

After a quick and bumpy ride in the Land Rovers to the bottom of Kinder Low, the group began to ascend the steps to eventually reach the shelter of the rocks on the plateau. 

Whilst admiring the incredible views across to the Kinder Downfall, the spray of which was blowing upwards to look like smoke, Steve Lindop, the Estate Team Supervisor, told the group about the techniques that the National Trust had employed over the years to lay the paths that they had been walking on.  Steve also gave the men a fascinating overview of the history and archaeology of the mountain; however it was during this talk that the threatening weather front finally hit the group and brought with it a mixture of hail and sleet.    

Sheltering in their hoods (and, in one case, an umbrella!), the group walked on, battling the winds and ice, to eventually see Kinder’s trig point appear out of the gloom.  It was at this moment that they finally spotted the work site in the distance.

Heading towards the bright white bags of stone, the group members were advised to walk with caution since they had left the safety of the path and were now on open moorland. 

Negotiating a route through the squelchy peat, the men wove their way through the complex network of gullies to eventually arrive at the site near Noe Stool.     

Without hesitation, they donned their work gloves and, after a quick demonstration, began to unload the half ton bags of stone into the gullies.  The purpose of gully blocking is to slow the run-off of water down the mountain, which in turn reduces the amount of peat that ends up in the reservoir below. 

As the men worked they witnessed their efforts beginning to pay off with water pooling quickly behind their stone dams.  An unexpected upshot of getting a group of software engineers to do this task was that their professional eye for detail resulted in some of the neatest blockades on the mountain!   

Ninety minutes later, with 40 bags unloaded, the weather had worsened and yearnings for a pub lunch were growing stronger, so the decision was taken to head down the mountain, past Swinesback and Edale Cross and into the comfort of the Land Rovers.

Needless to say, we would like to thank Tessella for all their help that day and for braving the atrocious weather to make a real difference to the National Trust’s work on Kinder.

By Cathryn Hamer, Volunteer Programmes Manager

Christmas at Ilam

Get festive in the Peak District at Ilam Park’s new Christmas Festival!

Christmas at Ilam will be full of festive magic and visitors from near and far are invited to experience the winter wonderland of Ilam Park in the Peak District, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, from 11am – 4.30pm.   

On the second weekend in December, the courtyard and the Tea Rooms at Ilam will be transformed into a magical Christmas Market, with beautiful, sustainably sourced Christmas Trees and some local hand made crafts for sale, as well as musical entertainment provided by Ilam School and other local musicians.  There will be children’s games and Christmas craft activities to take part in, with festive face-painting, the chance to make Christmas decorations, and a warming cup of free mulled wine (for grown ups) in the Tea Rooms!  Stall holders in the stable yard will include: Taste of the Moorlands, On a Wick & Prayer, Yumma Gumma Pickles, Woodland Crafts, Holly Wreaths, Hand Painted Cards & Pictures and many more.

Part of the National Trust’s Peak District Estate, Ilam Park is nestled next to the Manifold Valley, and offers stunning walks amongst majestic woods and open parkland.  Visitors are invited to enjoy the peace and beauty of the area, and to celebrate the festive season with National Trust staff and volunteers at this new event. 

Engagement and Events Officer, Jenny Gerrans says: “The atmosphere at Ilam Park will be one of festive enjoyment for all the family.  Ilam is a beautiful place to share time with family and friends, enjoy some fresh air and try some of our delicious home made food.  It’s the first time we’ll be holding our annual Christmas Market, so with all the plotting and planning, we’re really looking forward to creating something very special for everyone.  I can’t think of a more magical place to buy a Christmas tree!” 

Christmas at Ilam runs on Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December, from 11am – 4.30pm.  The event is free, and is part of an annual programme of events with the National Trust in the Peak District.  For more information please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/peakdistrict.

Christmas in the Peak District

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

Ilam: Sat 19 November 10:30 - 15:30
Longshaw: Sat 26 November 10:30 - 15:30

Make a beautiful Christmas Wreath with our expert at the Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw. Equipment provided.

Christmas Tree Sales - Longshaw
Sat 26 November - Wed 21 December from 10am-4pm

Buy a Christmas tree from us and support our conservation work at Longshaw.
Call 01433 631757 for details

Christmas Crafts at Longshaw

Sat 3, Sun 4, Sat 10, & Sun 11 December, 10.30am - 4pm
Make fun and simple decorations at the Moorland Discovery

Centre. Enjoy festive music and meals in the tea room.

 

Christmas Festival at Ilam

10 & 11 December

11am to 4:30pm

Enjoy a family day out with tree sales, market stalls,

 craft making, singing, music and entertainment at Ilam Park.

For a list of all of our events in the Peak District please go to http://peakdistrict.nationaltrust.org.uk/whats-on

KINDER SCOUT

Iconic Kinder plateau

Dark glowering peaks of granite stone

Frown down on the melancholy land.

The mist blows in from distant shores

And sits forlornly on the giants shoulders.

The mountain plays hide and seek from swirling clouds

Hiding its macabre beauty, in a sombre cloak.

How different from the balmy summer days

When the sun basks the plateau in golden light,

Catching the purple glow of heather in all it’s magisterially splendour

A mountain where trampling boots made history

Where freedom to roam was won up on high

The mass trespass sweeping aside, decades of pious rule.

A treasure now for posterity, to keep and cherish

A burden upon the mantle of the National Trust.

As the clouds unfurl, it reveals a teardrop on the cheek of Kinder

Mermaids pool, a tear lamenting the waning of former glories

Kinder a fast decaying wasteland, a mocking travesty of once proud bog moorland

But now only endless hags of peat, and dark unforgiving groughs.

The bane of walkers, hands clutching to their lifeline ‘the compass’.

And yet here, still, where the white hare coarses

Where swoops and glides the curlew and the plover

Where creeps the spongy sphagnum

The bubbling stream that is Kinder river, which cascades over the downfall

Only to be thrown back on high by unseen giant hands, the upside down waterfall.

Here amongst the tormented rock, twisted into evocative shapes.

The hardy strength of bilberry, and crowberry, which clings tenaciously to life

Here where tranquillity, is found in the isolation and solitude

The majestic beauty of a mountain that can still define

The inspiration and aspirations of all who visit

‘Kinder’ the heart and soul of our Peak District

Steve "Blade" Lindop

Estate Team Supervisor



National Trust Walking Festival

Walk with us and discover the great outdoors in the Peak District with the following events or with one of our downloadable walks from the website:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-walks/w-visits-walks_midlands-2.htm

Twilight Walks at Longshaw, Ilam Park and Edale

24, 25 & 26 October 2011
Take a stroll into dusk with one of our wardens, and find out about
some of the wildlife of these special places, after a bowl of seasonal
soup at the visitor centre/ tea room. 5 - 7.30pm.
£8 adult, £5 child. Booking essential.

Health Walk in Edale

27 October 2011
Join us for a Health Walk in Edale, as part of our programme of
Health Walks in the Peak District. 1.30 - 4pm, Free. Booking not
essential.

Drop in Walk at Ilam Park

28 October 2011
Join us for a stroll around Ilam park, on one of our regular drop-in
walks. Meet at 11am at Ilam Park shop. Free. Drop in.
Call 01433 670368 for bookings and information.

Marsh Heritage Award

Question: What does Longshaw’s Kitchen Garden have in common with a stately home in Northumberland, a restored Victorian glasshouse in Norfolk and a cider-making project in Dorset?

Answer: A dedicated team of volunteers whose commitment has won them a national award!

Every year the Marsh Christian Trust and the National Trust present The Marsh Heritage Award for volunteer groups that have added value, made a difference and inspired others. The Awards are the brainchild of Brian Marsh OBE, chairman of the Marsh Christian Trust, who set up the charity in 1981 in order to recognize the “unsung heroes” working in conservation, science, the arts, heritage, literature and volunteering. For more information visit http://www.marshchristiantrust.org/



Longshaw Kitchen Garden Volunteers Dave Bone, Jill Beckett and Diane Gourley

are presented with a certificate and cheque for £250 by Brian Marsh OBE, Chairman

of the Marsh Christian Trust.



Last December teams of volunteers across the country applied for the Marsh Heritage Award and a panel of judges then sifted through the applications to whittle them down to 3 winners. This year, however, there are 4, as Longshaw Kitchen Garden achieved joint 3^rd place with Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, winning £250 to spend on the project.

The award ceremony took place on 21^st July at Corfe Castle on the Purbeck Estate in Dorset, near to where the winning team of cider makers, The Old Volunteers, are based. It was a beautiful setting for the event, which was held in a marquee at the foot of the Castle. Representatives from each team of volunteers gave a short presentation to Brian Marsh of the Marsh Christian Trust, Sue Wilkinson, Director of Supporter Development, National Trust and other staff and volunteers from the winning properties. Volunteers Diane Gourley and Dave Bone joined me in an overview of the last 18 months in Longshaw’s Kitchen Garden, demonstrating how, with a lot of hard work and dedication, a neglected lawn could become an incredibly productive organic garden.

As proof of the pudding is in the eating, we’d taken along some goodies from the garden, including a selection of salad leaves and vegetables, together with blackcurrants and strawberries which went very well with the mini clotted cream scones provided by the catering team at Corfe. The Purbeck Team gave us a demo of their apple press and we sampled the resulting juice, which was delicious. We were also given a bottle or two of the winning cider to take home and share with the rest of the team.

Longshaw Kitchen Garden has a fantastic team of truly dedicated volunteers who have worked really hard over the last year and a half to make this project happen, so it was wonderful for our team to receive this award and gain national recognition of our achievement. We’re now planning what to do with our prize money, as we’d like to use it on a specific project, which we could develop over the winter – Longshaw’s Gardeners are always on the go!

This year, despite the disappointing weather, we’ve had another bumper harvest and our new raised bed has produced exceptional crops of salad leaves and lettuce. The fruit has done particularly well with masses of strawberries and blackcurrants which Longshaw’s Catering Supervisor, Sue Dunster, used to create a delicious cheesecake recipe earlier in the summer. This autumn our apples are looking good too. All our produce is organic and used in Longshaw’s Tea Room so why not come along and sample it for yourself.