December 2009 50P ISSN 1466-8211 Wet Weather Fails to Dampen Spirit of Crispin Walkers Crispin/Thornhill Charity Walk Day - Almost £2000 Raised
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UNDER THE EDGE INCORPORATING THE PARISH MAGAZINE GREAT LONGSTONE, LITTLE LONGSTONE, ROWLAND, HASSOP, MONSAL HEAD, WARDLOW No. 131 December 2009 50P ISSN 1466-8211 Wet weather fails to dampen spirit of Crispin walkers Crispin/Thornhill charity walk day - almost £2000 raised The skies darkened further so I decided to press on into Tideswell Dale eventually reaching Litton Mill where Tim Biddlecombe had been strategically posted to warn walkers of the dangers of choosing the high-level, 'alpine' path above this stretch on such a miserable, damp day. Sensibly, everyone opted for the easy-walking, riverside path down to Water-cum-jolly-Dale before the short climb onto the Monsal Trail, up to Monsal Head and back, via Little Longstone, to the rejuvenating liquid refreshments and pie & peas available at the Crispin. With most walkers now returned from the day's duties, even more funds were raised by way of a The charity walkers (morning clan) gather outside the Crispin This year's winners of the most moneyraffle of raiseddonated through prizes. Sponsorship The day (Saturday Oct 24th) began, Moor. As we climbed, however, the mist were Bob and Esther Stewart with a disappointingly, with grey skies, rolling thickened and visibility dropped to just remarkable £500+ total. Last year's mist and light rain falling steadily a few metres. winner, Pig Rowlinson (a pure white, over Great Longstone - hardly ideal So, I decided that I needed to hold dog-like creature who lodges at the conditions for a charity walk and back and ensure that those already pub), was unavailable for comment! the inclement weather surely had behind didn't get lost as conditions Walking times (10 miles) ranged a negative effect on the number of were deteriorating rapidly. Once from 3 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours, participants for the Crispin organised onto Longstone Moor itself, visibility participant ages from 10 years (Richard event, this year in aid of Thornhill dropped even further and I waited Hollins) to 71 (Ted Fraser-Smith) and House, the nursing and residential until all walkers were safely directed everyone got completely soaked into home in the village. onto the route proper at an 'easy to the bargain! Nonetheless, around 30 hardy souls miss' junction of paths. Descending Thankfully, it was all in a good cause (and 2 dogs) turned up for the start towards Wardlow, the mist thankfully and Crispin hosts Paul and Joanne of the longer of the day's walks; the began to clear, good visibility was Rowlinson offer their thanks 10 and the 6 milers. Later in the day, restored and I strode off after the Continued overleaf... 14 walkers headed off in pouring rain towards Rowland for the 2 mile course. back-markers would have no further At 10.30, the morning walks began groups ahead, confident that the with 23 individuals (including Penny were armed with both a clearly marked Edwards of Thornhill House) choosing mapnavigational and detailed difficulties instructions. given that they to take part in the longer of the two As the rain continued to fall I options . This route followed Moor made my way, carefully, down into Road as far as the turn for Dale Farm Cressbrook Dale followed by a steady and then took the track up towards climb up Tansley Dale and across the Chertpit Lane before crossing a stile Cheque for £2000 being presented at of Litton. Thornhill House delightful field paths into the village to skirt the western flank of Longstone and appreciation to the generosity Success for Local Dressage Rider the following individuals who helped For the last 18 months Robert has makeof all who the day donated possible raffle and prizes successful: and to been working with Nicola on a daily Neil Stephenson (marshalling duties), basis to bring on her youngsters and to Steve and Jill Glossop (graphic design/ compete her more established horses. advertising posters), Dave Hellings Recent successes include qualifying (road-safety posters), Pam Edwards the talented 4 year old Active S and Joyce Poulter (signing-in), walk Express for the Dressage Deluxe leaders, Mike Cummins, John Poulter National Dressage Championships and Jean Gledhill (assisted by Lydia where S Express went on to become Rowlinson), Tim Biddlecombe the 3rd best 4 year old in the country! (photographs and stewarding), Tracey Through his close work with Nicola Biddlecombe (emergency waitressing at Active Equestrian Robert has gained a vast amount of experience. compere and local stand-up). This means that he has not only been duties)Finally, and the Greg biggest Saunders thanks (rafflego, of able to improve his own riding skills course, to the spirited walkers who but has also increased his knowledge braved the elements in order to do their in all aspects surrounding the care bit in supporting a worthwhile, local & development of elite competition community cause - not forgetting those horses. Robert is now passing on his who couldn't make the day itself but knowledge to others by teaching not who contributed nevertheless. Good only in the local area but also at clinics effort guys, see you next year?! Robert Waine (21), talented Dressage throughout the South of England. P.S. We want YOUR ideas for 2010. Rider, from Little Longstone has For more info on Active Equestrian Who or what would you like to see recently been selected by the British visit their website on www. Equestrian Federation to join the World activeequestrian.com or for enquiries of the charity walk next year? It must Class Foundation Squad, funded by the about training from Robert don’t bebenefit a local from cause a financial but other boost than courtesy that National Lottery through UK Sport, a hesitate to contact him on: waine_ there are no conditions, so please let [email protected]. us know! All ideas considered - please coming talented young riders that show email [email protected] or theprogramme potential specifically to secure medals aimed atfor up Great and call Crispin landlord Paul on 01629 Britain now and in the future. 640 237. Through this programme Robert Mike Cummins will receive coaching from world class trainers as well as access to the professional support network for top athletes including Vets, Nutritionists, Sports Psychologists and Physiotherapists. Robert started his riding career with the successful local dressage trainer Sonia Webster, to whom he credits his solid foundational skills. This allowed Robert to move forward and get a riders position at the Buckinghamshire based The Packhorse Inn Active Equestrian, which is owned and Little Longstone medallist Nicola McGivern. David and Lorraine welcome run by Olympic and European Bronze you to The Packhorse. Small parties catered for! White Peak Farm Butchery Excellent hand-pulled ales and High Class Butcher quality home cooked food are Poulterer, Organic Specialist and available from 12 – 3.00pm and Game dealer 6-9.00pm daily. Quiz night on Wed..........8.45am--2.00pm Thursday with ‘A Bingo Twist’ at Thurs.......8.45am--4.00pm 9.00pm with proceeds going to Fri.............8.45am--4.00pm Sat.............9.00am--1.00pm Air Ambulance. Children, dogs and walkers are ‘Meat at it’s Peak’ all welcome in the pub and beer Main Street, garden. Great Longstone. Telephone 01629 640471 Prop: Richard Hobday 2 Local School Children Survive Encounter with Lathkill Wendy’s Wooftie Walk Minibeasts A Longstone Primary School trip as happily and clutching our lunch in our told by two intrepid explorers... rucksacks as we bumped along. As soon as we got there, we set off on our expedition. I found, on our “At Lathkill Dale we did loads of minibeast hunt, three arachnids; one exciting things that were really good. spider and two mites. The arachnids First we went down to where the river were hiding under heavy stones so was and talked about what habitats that they could go to sleep. Florence there were and we were talking about and Hannah found a ladybird. We Gordon, Joanne, Mandy and all the mines and we found lots of them. We moved farther along the path, then we family would like to send a special even went down one that had been saw the main entrance to the disused thankyou to all who joined the walk blocked off. After we had done that we mines where quarrymen went in to on 4th October and those who made went down to a damp place where we work each morning except weekends, donations towards the Helen’s Trust studied the buds on the trees to work a long time ago. charity. So far we have raised a out what type of tree we’d found: ash, It wasn’t long before I was feeling staggering £2,009.50 this year. elder and sycamore. Then we went on quite peckish and wishing that I had If you would still like to donate, to the minibeasts. We were given some brought my chocolate bar but I had left it’s not too late; please send any pots and a spoon. The pot’s lid had a it in my bag. On the other hand I was contributions to Gordon Bowering, magnifying glass in it so that we could thinking how pretty the colours were Chert Cottage, Great Longstone and see the minibeasts. I found a slug and of the falling leaves. We stamped back make cheques payable to ‘Helen’s a big scary spider and it was very big. hungrily to the coach. Trust’. Although the ground was still wet we Lunchtime at last. It was super Once again, many, many huge thanks. did go and see the main entrance to the duper. Mum had packed tomato soup, Joanne Fawcett mine, however it was blocked off with cheese sandwiches, caramel chocolate metal bars so we couldn’t get in.