Easter Egg Trails

Get out and about and enjoy the coming of spring with fantastic Easter Trails at Ilam Park 6-9^th April.

Explore the National Trust Ilam Park on the 6,7,8 and 9^th April 11- 4 and find the hidden painted eggs to win a prize. There will be family fun activities with face painting and colouring competition and even a chance to meet some fluffy chicks.There will be 2 trails for visitors to choose from. One taking in the wider estate and another shorter, buggy friendly trail. There will be something for all ages and the £3 charge per child includes all activities.

Booking for this event is not needed and the Easter Trails start at the Ilam Visitor Centre. Dogs on leads are welcome and parking is available in the Ilam Hall Car Park.

Government Has Listened to Public Concerns on Planning

In response to the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published yesterday, the National Trust welcomes improvements which have been made to the draft.

Beccy Speight, Director for the National Trust in the Midlands, said:

There are a number of important changes that have been made to the draft, responding to concerns that we and others raised.  These include:

• the primacy of the plan is confirmed, ensuring that development must be consistent with the plan
• a better definition of sustainable development, based on the 2005 sustainable development strategy
• the insertion of references to the use of brownfield land and the need to promote town centres
• removal of the incendiary default ‘yes’ to development where there is no plan
• reference to the ‘intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’, recognising the importance of countryside outside designated areas, which the vast majority of the beautiful countryside in the Midlands is
• confirmation that existing plans will remain in force while the new NPPF is introduced, and that there will be a one-year transition for the preparation of new plans

“All these changes improve the document and give it a better tone and balance. 

"Now the serious business of planning begins. The country needs huge effort at a local level to get plans in place that properly reflect the integration of social, economic and environmental goals, and protect places people value.

“The National Trust, along with many other organisations and people, will play our part and watch to see how it works in practice.

“Nationally over 230,000 people signed our petition against the draft NPPF and 25% of these signatures came from the Midlands – a sign of the huge public concern it generated.  I’m very proud that we in the Midlands made our voices for the countryside we love so strongly felt.  Now we owe it to those people and future generations to get good plans in place to deliver the improved ambitions set out in the new document.”

Log on to http://www.planningforpeople.org.uk/ or visit our blog http://ntplanning.wordpress.com/ for more information about the National Trust’s campaign. Follow the Planning discussion on Twitter (@nationaltrust) using the #planning4ppl hashtag.

Winster Market House - Open again with new display

Winster Market House opens it's doors again on Saturday 31st March after the winter to a new and exciting display. 

The Winster Twinning Association has raised funds and created a display which celebrates the village’s links to Monterubbiano in Italy.  This includes flags from Monterubbiano’s flag-wavers, who have performed in Winster, just as the Winster Morris have danced in Italy.

More information on Winster's twinning can be found on the Winster twinning web page here 

As you can see in the picture, the sign outside has also been redesigned and refurbished in a more modern style than the previous one, hope you like it.

Warning over moorland fire risk in the Peak District

Message from Peak District National Park Authority re moorland fire risk


Signs warning people to take extra care to prevent fires are going up this week on moorland sites in the Peak District.

Peak District National Park Authority rangers mount extra patrols during times of heightened fire risk but are asking the public to also be on the lookout for fires and to ring 999 immediately if they spot any.

People are also asked never to light barbecues or campfires when they visit the moors. They should also never drop cigarette ends (even if they think they are out) or leave glass.
Lack of rain in recent weeks has dried out the moors making them especially vulnerable to fires which harm wildlife, destroy rare plants and cause erosion, taking years to regenerate.
Sean Prendergast, head of field services at the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Moorland fires are especially tragic at this time of year when wildlife and farm animals are rearing young. Ground-nesting birds and lambs can be caught in the flames with horrific results.

“These are not empty places, they are areas of international importance for their wildlife and plants, and they absorb and store carbon which helps tackle global warming.
“Moorland fires undo many years of hard work in managing these rare environments. Most fires are caused by human carelessness, but some fires are suspected to be deliberate. If people see anyone acting suspiciously on the moors we ask them to report it to the police.”
Rangers along with land managers for the big estates are erecting fire warning signs at car parks and key locations used by the public.

The Peak District Fires Operations Group, which involves six fire and rescue services and major landowners along with the National Park Authority, is on standby to tackle any blaze in a remote area.

Cyclists invited to ride The Hidden Peak

An exciting new cycling event, National Trust's The Hidden Peak, will take place on the 14 October 2012 in the Peak District, starting and finishing in the picturesque village of Ilam. 

This new sportive has three fabulous routes, each going through some of England’s most stunning countryside and offering riders the opportunity to explore areas they may never have been before. From the stunning green valleys of the White Peak to the atmospheric gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, riders can take in one of the most stunning roads in the area on what promises to be a challenging and rewarding ride. 

The routes comprise of a 37k (23 mile) route in Staffordshire limestone country, ideally suited to those who might be doing their first sportive; a 63k (39 mile) route taking in the highlands of Over Haddon; and a hard 130k (81 mile) ride for the more experienced sportive rider, taking riders up to the edges of Burbage and Stanage.

The routes have been designed by Pete Collins, a National Trust volunteer and captain of Sheffield’s Sharrow Cycling Club.  Pete says: “The Hidden Peak has its own style and it promises to please those looking for something out of the ordinary. Want a new challenge? Want to ride some of the most stunning roads in the area? Then take on the real Peak, take on the Hidden Peak.” 

The event is organised in partnership with the leading UK events organiser, Votwo.

There is a 25% early bird discount for entries before Friday 6 April.  For further details about The Hidden Peak routes, charges and entry details please visit www.votwo.co.uk/events

Your moors, your ideas

We’re developing a ‘Master Plan’ in consultation with local people which will create a vision and guide the management of the High Peak Moors in the Peak District over the next 25 years.  The plan will cover the moorland areas centred around Kinder and Bleaklow which the National Trust cares for on behalf of the nation.  We’re committed to an approach that will provide better landscape, access, habitats and wider public benefits, such as improved water quality, with sustainable farm and land management businesses at the heart of delivery.   We believe that delivering this vision for the moors will help sustain related farm businesses and breathe new life into them.

A series of ideas gathering workshops with the local community and stakeholders is currently taking place and will form part of a wider consultation exercise to produce the ‘Master Plan.

There’s also a special website where you can learn more about the project and get involved with the consultation by answer a simple questionnaire to feed in your ideas - visit www.high-peak-moors.co.uk 

Get Eggcited about Spring on the Longshaw Estate this Easter

Get out and about and enjoy the coming of spring with fantastic Easter Trails on the Longshaw Estate 6-9^th April.

Explore the National Trust Longshaw Estate on the 6,7,8 and 9^th April 10.30-3.30 and find the hidden painted eggs to win a prize. There will be family fun activities with face painting and colouring competition and even a chance to meet some fluffy chicks.There will be 2 trails for visitors to choose from. One taking in the wider estate and another shorter, buggy friendly trail. There will be something for all ages and the £3 charge per child includes all activities.

Booking for this event is not needed and the Easter Trails start at the Longshaw Estate Visitor Centre. Dogs on leads are welcome and parking is available the Woodcroft car park on the Longshaw Estate.

Coppice Day at Longshaw



Den Building



On 26 February in partnership

with 'Transition Hope Valley' we held a Coppice Day in Froggatt Woods near Grindleford.

The day involved traditional woodworking



Working Heavy Horse

crafts including Cutting, Collecting,

Bodging, Childrens Dens, Wildlife, Charcoal, History, Woodland Art and much more. One of the main stars however was the working heavy horses.



Campfire



 









Delve into Derwent's Past

Discover some of the history, archaeology and current management of Derwent Moors, as the landscape changes with the seasons. Walk led by a National Trust archaeologist.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink. You will need to wear walking boots and should have waterproofs with you in case they are needed during the walk.

Please meet in the Peak District National Park Fairholmes Car Park Ordnance Survey grid reference SK173893. 

7 April & 29 September 2012

9.30am – 4pm, £3 per person

Booking is essential, please contact 01433 670 368 or peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk 

We promised you a herb garden

We promised you a herb garden- National Trust’s Rangers' Leap to action 

                                                                

The National Trust was pleased to mark the launch of its re-branded Peak District Ranger Team by helping the Enable Group to get their newly acquired Herb Garden at Hardstoft, near Tibshelf, ready for opening.    

Employees at the National Trust have been given Leap Day (29 February) off work to volunteer for a day in their local communities- a ‘Local Leap’. The National Trust’s Peak District Ranger Team has chosen to spend the time helping to prepare the garden for opening in March so that people with learning difficulties that Enable supports have a new resource to enjoy and develop. 

Simon Wright, Countryside Manager said: “The opportunity to support Enable through our Local Leap was great as it really fits with what the National Trust and our Rangers are all about.  In changing from Wardens to Rangers we want to stress that we are all about enhancing our visitors' experience and enjoyment of the fantastic countryside we care for in the Peak District.  We also want to increase awareness within our wider local communities of the role we play in the conservation of these internationally important areas in the Peak District and encourage people who haven’t yet discovered its delights to come.   But away from National Parks and places of national heritage the National Trust wants to encourage people to look after and discover their own special places.  We really hope the Herb Garden will be enjoyed by many and a success for Enable. 

The ‘Local Leap’ celebrates the importance of volunteering as the Trust, which itself enjoys the support of more than 62,000 volunteers, continues to build links with its local communities.  It also marks the centenary year of the death of one of the charity’s founders, Octavia Hill, who was passionate about the role volunteering could play within society.

Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust who will be volunteering with her local Riding for the Disabled stables, explained:  “The Trust knows first-hand how important volunteering is. We simply couldn’t function without our volunteers. The sheer spread of the places we look after means that we have close links with communities the length and breadth of the country. Through Local Leap we want to get to know our local communities even better, and build new relationships into the future.’’

The below is a press release for our Ranger's leap day. They had a great time and the charity 'Enable' are over the moon with what our team achieved. Cakes were good too!