Mam Tor and the Transit of Venus

Introduction

On 6th June there will be a very rare astronomical event: a transit of the planet Venus across the face of the Sun. The last transit of Venus occurred on June 8th in 2004, and the next one visible from the UK will occur on 8th December 2125 (although there is another transit in 2117 which won't be visible from the UK). The 2012 transit of Venus will be in progress by the time the Sun rises in the UK at 4:50am, and will be over by 5:55am. This means that only the very final stages of the transit will be visible from the UK, weather permitting.

So what is a transit? Well, roughly every 105 years the orbits of the Earth and Venus align, and some lucky Earthlings are able to see, having taken necessary precautions, the silhouette of the planet Venus moving from one side of the Sun to the other. Be under no illusions, whilst this sounds like an amazing spectacle (and it is), in reality most observers will see a black dot on a orange/white background and wonder what all the fuss is about. But, there is a very good reason for observing the transit of Venus: precise timings of when the transit starts and stops from two different locations on the Earth can give information about how far the Earth is away from the Sun. These days we can use much more accurate methods to determine the distance to the Sun, but in the 18th and 19th Centuries this was the only way of measuring this distance with some accuracy.

Event Information

The National Trust has given permission for representatives of the Peak District National Park Authority's Dark Skies<http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/darkskies> project to observe the 2012 transit of Venus from the summit of Mam Tor. Several astronomers will be on hand from 4:30am with telescopes and special glasses to allow members of the public, weather permitting, to view the transit of Venus.

Please note that this event is not guaranteed as the smallest amount of cloud on the Eastern horizon will prevent the transit from being visible. Also, as the transit occurs at sunrise (i.e. in the dark), members of the public should ensure that they take every precaution to ensure their safety. Please bring along a torch, warm waterproof clothing, and sturdy footwear.

WARNING

DO NOT look directly at the Sun. Looking at the Sun without using special equipment will cause damage to your eyes and may lead to permanent blindness. The transit of Venus can be observed with total safety if any of the following are properly used: undamaged eclipse glasses, number 14 welding goggles or higher, pin hole projection, a Solar telescope.

The National Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority accept no responsibility for any damage/injury caused to any person(s) who do not heed this warning.

Links

http://www.transitofvenus.org/
http://www.britastro.org/transit2012
http://transitofvenus.nl<http://transitofvenus.nl/

Edale Boggarts!

Edale Boggarts!, a set on Flickr.

Photos of the Boggart Party we created at the Edale Folk Festival on Saturday. 100s of the mischievous creatures enjoyed the beautiful music, moorland views, and the good company of their makers and fellow Boggarts.

Your Moors Your Ideas Report Update

The workshop report is now available on http://www.high-peak-moors.co.uk/public-consultation/.  The National Trust will be providing an initial response to the comments we've received in June and a draft plan will be out for consultation in September. 

For updates and the latest news on the project please visit http://www.high-peak-moors.co.uk/. 

If you'd like to be added to our mailing list to receive further information about the High Peak Moors Master Plan project please just let us know by emailing peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk.

What a difference 60 years makes!

Sunday 27th May 11am -5pm Derwent Dam
A celebration of 60 years of access and conservation work undertaken in the Derwent Valley.

FREE Event with hands on activities for the whole family, including drystone walling and woodland crafts.

Come and meet the National Trust team and find out what we have been up to. This event is being run in conjunction with the Peak District National Park Authority and Severn Trent.

The Hidden Peak

This year the National Trust in the Peak District has teamed up with Votwo and Pete Collins to bring you The Hidden Peak, a new and exciting cycling sportive…

The 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 to before. From the stunning green valleys of the White Peak to the atmospheric gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, riders can take in some of the most fantastic 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 13 April.  For further details about The Hidden Peak routes, charges and entry details please visit www.votwo.co.uk/events

Routes 

Starting out against the backdrop of the National Trust’s Ilam Hall, all routes take riders up to Thorpe where you ride past the strangely perfect Thorpe Cloud hill and then through Tissington where riders will need to cross the village ford. Shortly after Tissington the short route breaks for a beautiful ride through the villages of Parwich, Biggin and Hartington to rejoin the long & medium route back to Ilam.  The long route continues from Tissington over to the architecturally beautiful village of Winster. The route then carries on to Elton where a quiet, narrow road winds its way to Middleton where riders are warned to look out for geese crossing the road from the local farm. From Middleton riders drop down into the village of Youlgrave and head down to Conksbury where a short but very sharp climb awaits.

The medium route breaks and heads up to Over Haddon and through the lanes of Haddon Grove before joining the long route on its return trip through Monyash. The long route continues down to Ashford in the Water and takes the road straight to Calver. Here starts the longest climb of the day up Froggatt Edge to Fox House where riders will head down towards Sheffield before starting the climb up to the edges of Burbage and Stanage. Be sure to take in the view of the Hope Valley on the descent from Burbage. From the feed station at Longshaw it’s a descent down to Grindleford and then up to the Plague village of Eyam and the Hamlet of Foolow. Riders then head towards Monsall for a tricky descent down to breathtaking Monsall dale.

At Cressbrook Mill take one of the most rewarding climbs in the peak to the village of Cressbrook with its impressive hairpin bend. This road heads into Litton and on to the next climb out of Millers Dale. Riders then head through the villages of Chelmorton, Flagg and Monyash. From Monyash it’s a rolling ride over to the incredible decent down Crowdecote. From here riders work their way across one of the most impressive ridge roads in the Peak District over to Sheen. From Sheen it’s a steady ride through more picturesque lanes with a fantastic downhill descent back to Ilam Park to finish.

The start line opens between 8am & 10.30pm, depending on the route riders choose.  Limited camping is available for riders on Saturday 13^th October at Ilam Park. For camping details and bookings please email peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk. 

We hope to see you for this fantastic new event on October 14.  Please help us spread the word! 

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.