Latest News

Campaigners support new ecohouses in Youlgrave

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:03:28 +0000

Countryside campaigners are celebrating the Peak District National Park Authority’s decision today to give planning permission for two new “super-green, super-screened” houses in Youlgrave.

The houses will be built into the side of Bradford Dale on the edge of the village. They will be screened from view by the slope of the Dale and by trees. Their design includes modern sustainable features including efficient insulation, passive solar heating, photo voltaic cells, green roofs, and rain water harvesting.

The Authority’s Planning Committee gave the go-ahead for the earth sheltered dwellings against the recommendations of its own planning officers. The people applying to build the houses already live in the village – and this caused some controversy because the National Park Authority’s planning policies state that new houses can only be built for, and occupied by, local people in need of housing.

John King, planning officer from local countryside charity Friends of the Peak District1, spoke at the National Park Authority’s planning committee today.

“We know this is potentially a tricky one, but actually it means that four local needs dwellings will be added to Youlgrave’s housing stock. The applicants already live in Youlgrave and they want to move into the new houses. But they are willing to sign a legal undertaking to say that the two new houses - and the two houses that they are moving from – will comply with the National Park Authority’s local occupancy rules. So building these two new houses will reap four properties ring-fenced for local people in the future,” said John King.

The scheme is supported by other people in Youlgrave including the Parish Council, and there were no objections to it.

“We think this is a great scheme. The applicants have lived in the village for over ten years and are respected members of the local community. The houses have brilliant green design features, and they won’t have any significant impact on the landscape. But best of all, it means more houses for local people, so we think the National Park Authority has made the right decision,” said John King.

As the proposal is contrary to the Authority’s planning policy which prevents new dwellings if the occupier isn’t in need of accommodation, the decision must be ratified at the next Full Authority Meeting.

For more details please visit: www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

Kilimanjaro Calling!

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:01:00 +0000

David - The Large Outdoors Gofer... A few months ago Large Outdoors gofer David (some of whom you'll have met and know!) accepted a challenge of not only physical stamina, but of mental resolve too! 'A weekend away with Large Outdoors?’ I hear you ask...not quite...Kilimanjaro awaits!

David will be embarking on a trek to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the highest Mountain on the African continent and the highest freestanding mountain in the world at 5,895 meters or 19,341 feet above sea level. On completion of this trip he hopes to have raised significant funds for the deafblind charity Sense.

David said:

"Sense is an amazing charity and I have been involved with fund raising for them in the UK. We live in a visual and sound filled world, and I love photography and music. I just can't begin to imagine living with a visual or hearing impairment, let alone both, can you?”

"Being able to help Sense to continue to enrich peoples lives is going to be so rewarding. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and meeting the team, this will be a truly amazing experience and it's going to be emotional."

If you’d like to follow David on his pre challenge training he has set up a facebook page..please 'LIKE" and a twitter account..please follow!

For those of you who would like to contribute to his Sense fund he has set up a JustGiving page.

David said:

"Your generosity will be greatly appreciated and help enrich the lives of those affected with deafblind conditions. Thank you so much!"

Follow David on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/MountainMico-Challenge-2012-Trekking-Kilimanjaro-for-Sense/208937769195396

On twitter:
@mountainmico

And donate to Sense via David's Justgiving Page:
www.justgiving.com/MountainMico

Surf's up - Gower surf lessons online..

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:28:57 +0000

Join us on the Gower Coast as we try out surfing... Surf lessons for beginners starting Sunday 20th May. .

Book now using the link below:

http://www.largeoutdoors.com/event-diary/2012/5/20/gower-coast-learn-to-surf-session.html

This event is also part of the Gower Coast Walking Weekend...

http://www.largeoutdoors.com/event-diary/2012/5/18/social-outdoor-activity-weekend-gower-coast.html

Charity calls for off-roading ban at Long Causeway

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:03:35 +0000

Countryside campaigners are demanding that Derbyshire County Council takes action and closes an iconic Peak District green lane to damaging traffic.

Derbyshire County Council has just announced that Long Causeway is to be legally classified as a Byway Open to All Traffic, or BOAT. The historic three-mile track is part of a centuries-old former packhorse route. It has never been classified before and has therefore always been legitimate for motor use. This new status will continue to give off-roaders the legal right to use it.

Long Causeway crosses Stanage Edge and spectacular moorlands that are highly protected areas for wildlife. It is one of four priority Peak District routes that Friends of the Peak District1 has identified as needing the most urgent action.

“In some ways this is good news, because it means that the whole question of protecting this iconic green lane is being raised,” said John King, planning officer at Friends of the Peak District. “We can’t argue with the new classification – clearly Long Causeway has been used by horses and carts for centuries so unfortunately, vehicles today have rights there too. But we want this changing! Recreational 4x4 drivers and trail bikers are ripping up this lane, as well as ruining the peace and enjoyment of other people.”

Friends of the Peak District held a protest rally at Long Causeway last summer, demanding that both Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park Authority took action to close the Peak District’s most sensitive tracks to off-roaders. Both authorities are responsible for managing green lanes in the National Park. As a result the Peak District National Park Authority will be looking at vehicle regulation for Long Causeway later this year. The charity wants Derbyshire County Council to follow suit.

“We want to see Long Causeway closed to off-roaders for good. Derbyshire County Council has the power to serve a Traffic Regulation Order here, and that’s what needs to happen,” said John King.

The charity has been also lobbying Derbyshire County Council to close Bradley Lane at Pilsley and School Lane at Great Hucklow. Instead of this, the Council has repaired the surface of the lanes.

“We are really very disappointed that Derbyshire County Council decided to only repair Bradley Lane and School Lane. It’s a short term and unsustainable solution and they are throwing good money after bad! There are compelling reasons for closing them, and we hope that Derbyshire County Council will do the right thing in the long term for all our of our precious green lanes,” John King said.

Join the Barefoot Shepherdess, living off the view

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:41:25 +0000

Join Friends of the Lake District for an open farm day on Saturday 5 May at Shacklabank, a small traditional hill farm near Sedbergh with magnificent views over the Howgill Fells.

The day’s events include a dry stone walling competition and training day, as well as a chance to meet Alison O'Neill, better known as the barefoot shepherdess, who will share her love of farming and passion for the landscape by leading leisurely yet informative walks around the farm.

The dry stone walling competition and training course will take place throughout the day as part of Friends of the Lake Districts’ 'Work the View' project. Work the View is about teaching the skills to restore, create and manage landscape features including walls, hedges, and hay meadows. Aimed at people working in the farming, food and forestry sector, the training events also allow the public to learn more about the nature and management of these important landscape features.

Alison is well aware of the rewards that can be gained from work relating to these landscapes. Having arrived at Shacklabank as a tenant 13 years ago with just £60 and a rucksack, she has worked hard to run a successful farm and always remembered what her Grandma had said to her: 'you'll never live off the view!' However, Alison, proving her Grandma wrong, believes this is exactly what she has achieved. To subsidise her income from the farm, Alison leads guided walks, often barefooted, hence the nickname and has also developed her own range of tweed clothing. The tweed is woven by hand in the Outer Hebrides and the garments created in Cumbria. Alison's long-term aim is to create tweed out of the wool from her own flock of rough fell sheep.

The tweed clothing will be on display at the open day together with displays from other organisations such as walking stick makers, the Fell Pony Society and Dry Stone Walling Association. There will also be the chance to see working dog demonstrations, enjoy your picnic under cover and some refreshments will be available.

For more information please contact Friends of the Lake District on 01539 720788 or email: carol-douglas@fld.org.uk

Still saying no to Hartington Cheese factory plans...

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:28:26 +0000

Countryside campaigners are urging local people to carry on opposing plans to redevelop the former creamery at Hartington.

Friends of the Peak District1 and local people in Hartington celebrated when the Peak District National Park Authority unanimously refused planning permission for a development of 39 new houses on the site at Stonewell Lane in January. The charity successfully argued that this number of new buildings would spill out on to greenfield land beyond the original area of the cheese factory site, and would dominate Hartington.

However the developers, Cathelco of Chesterfield, then appealed to the Government against this decision. The Planning Inspectorate will now make a final decision at an informal hearing, probably in the summer. The Planning Inspectorate is taking comments about the appeal until Thursday 26 April.

“We’re disappointed that Cathelco is carrying on with its plans. Back in January we were part of a terrific groundswell of local opinion against this development because it is so out of scale with this Peak District village. The developers may be making an appeal, but nothing has changed!” said John King, planning officer at Friends of the Peak District.

The charity wanted to see the scheme scaled down, integrated better with the rest of the village and including more affordable houses for local people. A village survey showed that a large majority of residents opposed the scheme but would support up to 20 houses with community facilities.

“We’ll make sure that we will be at the hearing - and fighting for this scheme to be refused. We need as many people as possible to let the Planning Inspectorate know before 26 April how badly it will damage the landscape and character of Hartington,” he added.

People can comment on the appeal by writing to the Planning Inspectorate, 3/10C Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN or at www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs quoting 2172196.

Singing for the Peak District

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:25:41 +0000

A Peak District choir is giving a concert in the heart of the Peak District – in order to raise funds to protect the Peak District!

The early music chamber choir, Renaissance Voices, is performing an evening of choral music in Taddington on Saturday 19 May. Money raised from ticket sales will go directly to Friends of the Peak District1, the local charity that protects the landscapes of the National Park.

Shirley Foster is a member of Renaissance Voices, and a former trustee of Friends of the Peak District. She has been singing with the choir for 12 years.

“We’re delighted to be putting on this evening of beautiful choral music in a splendid church in the heart of the Peak District - and in aid of a great charity that looks after the Peak District,” said Shirley.
There are around 24 singers in Renaissance Voices, which was established in 1989. It brings together musicians from a wide area of the Midlands and Northern Counties to promote performances of Renaissance and Baroque music from its base in the Peak District. The choir's repertoire includes English and Italian Madrigals, French Chansons, Tudor Anthems, Latin motets, masses and psalm settings, mostly performed a cappella.

The concert is taking place in Taddington’s historic St Michael and All Angels Church.
“It’s going to be a glorious programme including English and European works. St Michael’s and All Angels is a fourteenth century church with lovely views across the countryside from the churchyard, so it really is a beautiful setting for a choral concert. All proceeds will go towards Friends of the Peak District’s vital work protecting the Peak District’s precious landscapes, so people will have a wonderful evening whilst also helping to raise funds for a really worthwhile local cause,” she added.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from Friends of the Peak District. Please ring 0114 266 5822 or see www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

Challenge Training: 1). Goal Setting

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:23:52 +0000

Over the coming weeks we’ll be running a series of articles covering Hillwalking Challenges, ofwhich the UK boasts a great number. Focussing on training, nutrition, kit choice and injury prevention, we think you’ll find some valuable advice whatever your ambitions in the hills. This week we look at the importance of goal-setting and how to get yourself constitutionally prepared for a big day in the hills.

Whether you’re aiming for Olympic Gold or hoping to climb your local hill without getting out of breath, goal-setting is the key to pushing yourself. A clear vision of success gives you something to aim for, and something to keep you striving when the going gets tough. Setting yourself a challenge is a symbolic act, what you do after is purposely different to what has gone before.

For a lot of people, the spur to take on a challenge is to raise money for charity. Whether it’s through an employer’s relationship with a chosen charity or for personal reasons, challenging yourself to raise money for a good cause is motivational and ennobling, and can help you lift your game. That said, even the most prolific and energetic fundraisers fall short on challenge day due to lack of physical and mental preparation. So for whatever reason you choose to take on a challenge, as an old Blues man once said: it’s your little red waggon and you’ve got to pull it.

Whatever leads you to attempt a hillwalking challenge should re-contextualise and re-energise your regular walking. Training for the increased physical demands of a challenge walk is important, but you should also aim to use your training walks to learn about yourself: What equipment works best for you? Which foods satisfy your taste buds and meet your energy needs? What ailments are you prone to? And how do you manage, or preferably, prevent them? If you think carefully about your comfort, you’ll be constitutionally prepared as well as physically prepared.

Those of you accustomed to walking in the hills by yourselves or with family & friends, will probably assume responsibilities such as navigating or caring for other members of your group, such as children. You find hillwalking relaxing and enjoyable, but you’re used to concentrating: you’re thinking about the comfort of your companions, modifying the goals or the pace to suit the group; you’re thinking about the time, the weather, or if you’ve brought enough food and clothing for everyone.

This attentiveness is an asset that can help you prepare for a challenge. For example, on your next walk, consider how fast you walk. Measure a fixed distance on the map – 500 metres or 1 kilometre – and time how long it takes you to cover it at your normal, comfortable walking pace. You can repeat the same exercise with climbing: find a path that crosses, say, 5 map contours over a 500 metre or 1 kilometre distance. The results will help you visualise how much harder (if at all!) a challenge walk would be for you, as well helping you plan your own walks. Your challenge may be a leap in to the unknown – so the better you know your own capabilities the more comfortable and confident you’ll be.

Another great unknown is our weather: When do you go out for a training walk? This question is about more than finding the time to fit walking into your busy schedule. Runners know the benefit of striking out at race time. Your start time on race day is fixed; you can’t put it off until the rain has stopped. The act of heading out in less than clement weather is a big step for some – but a valuable and emboldening one, and one that will give you some all-important resolve ahead of a challenge.

Most upland areas of the UK bear the brunt of our prevailing South Westerly weather. British weather is famously unpredictable – varied at best, foul and spiteful at worst. Who hasn’t thought the weather malign when it chooses to pour down just as you take your water-proofs off? Or when the wind manages to still be in your face even after you’ve turned around?

Be safe, always check the weather forecast beforehand, but make our varied climate work for you.

Our weather may suggest a clue as to why British Mountaineers punch above their weight in international terms. A Summer Alpinist may not experience the same random, varied (for that, read terrible!) conditions in comparison to a British Summer, let alone a British Winter.

Preparing yourself mentally and constitutionally frees you to enjoy the challenge and to support your fellow walkers. Cheerfulness in the face of adversity pays dividends, for you and those around you.

Finally, while goal-setting is good, don’t forget to reward yourself. For me the well-earned pint tastes that much sweeter - so here’s to you having a go,

Cheers!

Stephen Barker

Why not join on our main Challenge Training Events...

Not just a day walk - Francis House gets help!

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:49:33 +0000

Just another day walk?...not for Graham and Richard who joined us on day walk to the nine standing stones on Stanton Moor, Derbyshire. The lads hoped their efforts would raise around £400 for Francis House Childrens Hospice. If you would like to support this charity or a charity of your choice by taking on a challenge, why not drop us an email. See what charity events we have going on, or just tell us what you're hoping to do with us and hopefully we can help out! info@largeoutdoors.com

Countryside campaigners cheer Peak District plans for action on off-roading

Gareth Williams (Admin) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:45:52 +0000

Images courtesy of John Beatty
Plans published on Friday to save Peak District green lanes from off-roading damage are being welcomed by local campaigners.

The Peak District National Park Authority has committed to work on 27 routes in the National Park, including making repairs on some and consulting on road closures on others.

“This is great news! We’ve been campaigning for the National Park Authority to get on with protecting our most sensitive and damaged lanes, so it’s really heartening that it has listened to local people’s concerns and is putting its money where its mouth is,” said John King, planning officer with Friends of the Peak District1.

In particular, the action plan identifies five lanes where it will consult with the public about what it calls “vehicle regulation”:

·         Long Causeway at Stanage Edge

·         Cherpit Lane at Great Longstone

·         The Roych near Chapel-en-le-Frith

·         Brough Lane above Bamford

·         Brushfield, near Monsal Head

“Long Causeway and the Roych are the current top two lanes we’ve been lobbying to save as part of our Take Back the Tracks campaign. Work on these is really urgent because the damage is so terrible, and the landscapes here are particularly environmentally sensitive,” said John King.

However, the action plan does not specify what kind of vehicle regulation the National Park Authority will be consulting on.

“The National Park Authority may suggest a number of options including seasonal restrictions or just making lanes one-way. We want bold action – and the most sensitive lanes closed to all recreational vehicles for good! Our precious green lanes need saving properly, and permanently,” added John King. “This is by no means a done deal. If you care about your countryside, please look out for the consultations and have your say.”

The consultations are due to start this summer.