PEAK AREA Name the crag. Photo: John Coefield. NEWSLETTER

September 2017 [email protected]

Rocking Chair future of the crag but are not yet in a Rob Greenwood position to confirm plans. Finally, just to unravel one final loose end: we have had There is a lot going on three interested parties approach us behind the scenes at regarding the role of National Council the moment. representative for the Peak Area … but The organisational review is well none of them can actually make the next underway, with the first summary/report meeting … due … shortly after the next round of area On the bright side it looks like Simon Lee, meetings.Talks have taken place between the regular attendee of the Peak Area meetings National Park Authority and and recently appointed Commercial the BMC regarding the future of Stanage, Partnerships Manager at the BMC, has made after concerns were voiced at the last Peak tangible progress in acquiring a retail partner Area meeting; however a conclusion is likely and – in a completely unrelated note – to be reached – you guessed it – shortly rebolting at Horseshoe Quarry has now after the next area meeting. begun. If this isn’t enough, I’m sure there’ll Mountaineering Club, custodians be more to discuss on the night. of Aldery, have had a meeting regarding the For now – see you there.

Next meeting: Wednesday 13 September, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford, S32 2HE Wiimberry.. Photo::John Coefiielld..

Access News is to drive there. It used to be possible to Henry Folkard park in one or two informal lay-bys, but these have been blocked off by large Dark Peak boulders by persons unknown – presumably It is in the nature of the landowner. This is clearly against the access problems that they can take a while spirit of the CRoW Act, but not against the to resolve, especially on private land.This law which does not prevent a landowner can be frustrating. Where land is mapped from resisting what he/she may regard as as open access under CRoW, which allows unauthorised parking on his/her land. access on foot and for certain specified A similar situation not far away at activities, climbing included, theoretically Standing Stones was successfully resolved things are more straightforward. by national park officers, and suggestions But theory is not reality. from Mark Warwicker, but there was More and more the focus is on already an existing Highways Authority lay- accessibility rather than plain access. by there. Making one at West Nab could What’s the difference? One needs to be solve the problem – but that would need able to get on to open access land to be landowner consent. able to enjoy it, and that is what increasingly The national park authority has no seems to be a multi-faceted problem. powers to intervene in a case like this One example is at West Nab, a brilliant (nor can it take down the Private Land bouldering area, and somewhere local signs on open access land around at people like to go for a walk. It’s on open Standing Stones), and the boulders are moorland, relatively remote and lacking in not apparently seen as a problem by the public transport links. Thus the only Highways Authority.Again, it does not practical option, say for an evening visit, apparently contravene any stewardship

2 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 agreement with Natural , and towards ‘honeypot’ sites, where the pay repeated lobbying of local councillors by and display machines are.Yet it is precisely Mark has got nowhere.There have long this group the authority has a social been access problems around West Nab, responsibility to encourage to enjoy the but it has been possible to resolve some precious national asset of a national park. of these over time.Things change and those What kind of statement about national with whom an accommodation was reached parks, what kind of welcome, does a hefty previously have now moved on, while fine make? cutbacks to local authority staffing have The twin statutory purposes of national adverse impact on resolving problems of parks, loosely defined as conservation and this kind. enjoying their special qualities, seem to have It does not help either that quite so been effectively subsumed by an impetus to many statutory bodies could have a part become commercially entrepreneurial, either to play in finding a resolution to something through seeking commercial sponsorship which is clearly against the spirit of CRoW. (which only comes at a price) or by finding The buck does not actually stop with any more ways of charging the public – local of them. If accessibility to open access land communities and visitors alike – for use of was ever on the political agenda, it isn’t now, the park for whom it was created: the sense and perhaps this is something for the BMC of national pride and the common good in to take up centrally and nationally. the creation of national parks subsumed by Another aspect of the same problem authorities that perhaps need to think is really national parks wide, and it relates carefully about how they balance income to parking charges, accompanied by generation with the purposes for which enforcement and draconian penalty. These the parks were established. are reportedly going to be introduced by Do the recent job descriptions the Peak District National Park Authority. for PDNPA Members now emphasise This was said to be going to happen last commercial expertise above conservation, April, but is now said to be going to happen cultural heritage, community and the next year. Increased charges and penalties common good? Read them and make will apply to PDNPA car parks where there your own mind up. is already a pay and display machine. Accessing open access land by public Over the summer the assault on the open transport is progressively less and less of moorland landscape by the driven grouse an option, so for many venues, both for shooting fraternity through the creation visitors and local people, driving there is of vehicular tracks to grouse butts the only option unless you are blessed with continues unabated – and the cumulative unlimited time for a long walk. Hard-line impact here is particularly significant. Since and expensive parking charges make an the last newsletter three new cases have effective barrier to access by an authority come to light, reported by BMC hill walkers that is supposed to promote it, and indeed and others (notably fell runners). These are did by exemplary work in negotiating on Moscar on what is part public right of access agreements prior to the CRoW Act. way and part solely grouse butt access, in Moreover such a barrier can mitigate the vicinity of Torside Castle, and behind against the less affluent members of society High Neb. The work at Moscar has been who are perhaps more likely to gravitate called to a halt and is being reviewed by

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 3 national park planners in the wake of public The Eastern Moors Partnership has protest, and similar action is in hand seen a lot of staff changes recently – five staff regarding the track from the small reservoir members out of a complement of 8.4 full- near the head of Rivelin Brook that runs up time posts – though Danny remains at the to Crow Chin. We have not got anywhere helm, along with John Mead.A stakeholder yet with the Torside/Glossop Low area, group meeting is to be arranged in the next though it has been referred to the planners. couple of weeks. The public consultation on the Burbage, Louise is covering Stanage in this Houndkirk and Moors newsletter (page 6), and she and Dave Management Plan is scheduled for Turnbull will report at the area meeting October.As part of that consultation expect on the visit of the national park CEO, to see a roadshow display at Burbage North. Sarah Fowler, and one of her directors, If you have ideas you want to see taken on Simon Malcolm, to the BMC offices. board don’t hesitate to make your personal suggestions.The BMC has already submitted Suffice it to say here that I represented the its suggestions, and there will be a copy BMC at the funeral last month of Stella of what we said at the area meeting should Maguire who represented archaeological anyone want to read it. and cultural heritage interests (but not A Sheffield Moors Partnership commercialism) as a Member of the NPA, meeting is scheduled for the afternoon and was also their representative on the immediately before the area meeting, so Stanage Forum, the Eastern Moors feedback from that will be made at the area Partnership and the Sheffield Moors meeting. One proposal that will be on the Partnership. She engendered huge and well- table there will be to grant concessionary deserved personal respect, and indeed respect bridleway status to two ways. The first is for her authority, from stakeholders on those the footpath across Nell Croft, near Fox groups, even if she found herself, because of House, and the second, called the Cairn her integrity, at odds on occasion with the Track, is a desire line linking Houndkirk authority. Her legacy and her values will Road with Burbage’s Green Drive. Both will endure, as have those of earlier champions provide welcome links between existing of access, accessibility and appreciation of the bridleway-status ways. special sense of place of the Golden Frame, even though at a more personal level her Peter and I put some comments together loss is deeply felt, and very, very sad. for the Forestry Commission’s consultation on management of the Snake, At the time of writing no date has been Lockerbrook and West End Forests announced for Bill Gordon’s retirement, over the next 50 years.We had quite a lot except that it is imminent.There was, to say. It was the detail within the general incidentally, a particularly happy strawberries, approach that elicited our input: in broad cake and champagne celebration on the terms we were basically happy with the announcement of Bill’s award of the BEM overview and agreed very much that the held on Cattis Side with friends from the forests did not need any substantial Dark Peak Nature Improvement Area, the infrastructure development. Of the nine RSPB, NT and others.Adam, Louise and substantive comments we made the three I were there for the BMC. most salient related to a near total lack of

4 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 any recognition of the existence of, or potential for, recreation, be it facilitating desire lines for walkers or opportunity for new mountain bike routes; the lack of any review process before the 50 years was up; and a preference in respect of landscape for extending the moorland into the wooded areas rather than the proposed approach of extending the wooded areas into the moorland.A copy of our response, which went under Peter’s signature, will be available at the area meeting.

Another consultation where we have had input was the draft for the Peak Park Burbage.. Management Plan – an inevitably lengthy Photo::John Coefiielld.. document. BMC input was wrapped up in the submission from the Peak Local Access Forum (LAF), which again was somewhat Finally, a word about the Local Access lengthy, but then there was a fair bit to say. Forum (LAF): appointments are for two I chanced to see a draft of the response from or three years, but may be extended for the Peak Park Parishes Forum which made additional terms.They are made to two points very directly which echoed some individuals, not to organisations, jointly by of my own comments, and which I quote the national park authority and verbatim:‘The Forum is again disappointed County Council on the basis of a general that yet another consultation document is interest in, and personal knowledge of, presented in a far from friendly form. It is full access issues as these affect all parties. of “management speak”’, and ‘the Forum is Individuals may have representative roles identifying too many occasions when the in membership or statutory organisations, Authority says one thing and does another.’ some voluntary, some paid, but are there to address access issues in general rather that Rob Dyer and Gary Gibson had a positive to beat any particular drum. meeting with Luke Barley from In some areas LAFs have not been the National Trust on access arrangements particularly successful, but in the Peak the and crag maintenance for the White Peak LAF works very well and is directly effective. limestone in NT ownership – principally My current appointment (either my third or the Dove and Manifold valleys – so we can fourth) expires in August 2018 and I will not get it all absolutely right for the forthcoming be applying to renew it again: I think a guide.Thanks to all involved. Rob may have turnover is beneficial and volunteers should some update on the situation at Ravensdale not hang on till long after expiry of their at the area meeting where the current sell-by date. If anyone wants to know more approach to agreeing appropriate about the workings of the LAF and the restrictions worked to good effect this year. necessary time commitment please ask me, or contact the LAF Secretary, Mike Rhodes, at Aldern House.

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 5 Photo::JJohn Coeffiielld..

Stanage Forum Update manager who drove work on the Stanage Louise Hawson,Access Rep Sticker among many other things, left in April. Bill Gordon, estate warden for more The Stanage Forum is a consultative than 30 years (and recent star interviewee stakeholder body which advises on in Summit magazine), will retire this autumn. issues affecting the Stanage (North At the same time, we’ve welcomed a Lees) Estate.The vision of the forum new management team to North Lees, which is ‘to care for, enjoy and promote is now managed under theVisitor Experience understanding of Stanage-North Lees service within the new Commercial and in a sustainable way which respects Outreach Directorate.The new team and enhances wildlife, heritage and addressed a meeting of the steering group landscape for everyone, forever’. in July, and generally the impression was The BMC has been a member of the positive. However, while we welcome the steering group since its inception, along with broad strategy and vision, the reality of local residents, neighbouring landowners, Stanage tends to boil down to the physical conservation groups, recreation groups, nitty gritty – parking management, and representatives from the national park. investment plans for the campsite, path Henry stepped down last year after many maintenance, fencing etc. For these we will years as secretary, and currently Adam have to wait and see what happens.The good Long and I represent the BMC. news is that it is fairly certain that Bill will Over the last three months, the forum be replaced, and your Stanage Stickers will has been re-evaluating its role and its future remain valid until the end of this year. in relation to the national park in light of Prior to the meeting with the forum, changes in management and staff on the Dave Turnbull and I met with Sarah Fowler estate. Rebekah Newman, the project (PDNPA CEO) and Simon Malcom

6 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 (Commercial Development and Outreach Plantation car park may lead to an increase Director) at the BMC offices in July. Our in uncontrolled roadside parking around priority was to discuss issues around the Stanage, with associated impacts on traffic future of Stanage. Overall, the meeting flow and roadside habitats.We don’t yet was helpful in establishing a shared know what the plans are to mitigate this. understanding of what we are trying The national park is extremely enthusiastic to achieve, and communicating members’ and supportive of the ‘Mend Our Mountains: views and concerns to the authority. Make One £Million’ project, and work has It was amusing to note that of all of us in already begun on raising awareness with staff the room, Dave had the longest association and volunteers about the appeal for funds to with Stanage and the Stanage Forum, as he restore and improve the path over the Great was part of the North Lees Management Ridge around Hollins Cross. MOM is a great Group that created the forum 16 years ago, advert for the power of the BMC’s when he was BMC Access Officer. membership and its networks to come Dave reiterated how special Stanage is together to deliver real improvements in for climbers, not just locally but nationally the landscapes that we value. and globally. We recognised the investment Both Sarah and Simon were invited to that has been made, including the camping attend and to present their plans to the pods and the campsite facilities. However, Peak Area meeting.As I write, I don’t think we expressed our disappointment that the that they are able to attend the September Stanage Sticker was discontinued without meeting, but they know that the invitation consultation with us, even though we were remains open and they are keen to attend. a driving force behind the creation, We also hope that other national park staff promotion and distribution of the sticker, will come along to talk about their work and climbers were among the most active in future. users.The current position is that stickers will be respected until the end of 2017. 2017 Stanage Forum Open Meeting The intention is to subsume the ‘donations’ The 2017 Stanage Forum Open Meeting aspect into a new programme of fundraising and AGM will be held on Saturday 23 across the park.We will of course be September 2017 at 2 p.m. at the observing this process closely. Hathersage Methodist Church Hall (Main We also expressed concern that there Road, Hathersage). Everyone is welcome. is no longer an up-to-date management plan Come along to find out more about for Stanage (the current version expired in what’s been happening on the estate, and March 2017).A clear, shared management to hear from the new PDNPA management plan is vital to enable stakeholders and team about their plans for the estate. officers to work together to achieve our You can find the latest management objectives.This is something we will continue plans for Stanage-North Lees and minutes to raise through the Stanage Forum. of Stanage Forum meetings here: We raised the issue of parking fees. It www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking- is our understanding that fees are likely to after/projects-and-partnerships/stanage increase across all PDNPA car parks (they are currently a standard £4.50/day), and will be For info on all current parking fees see: enforced more rigorously. We raised concerns www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/parking that increased fees and enforcement at the

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 7 SquawkTraverse,,Dovestones Tor.. Photo::John Coefiielld..

Climbing News & Gossip year by repeating Hubble, so now has two Dave Parry of the ultra-classic hard Peak power routes under his belt. Apparently Evolution is a fair It’s been a great summer blah blah bit harder these days than when Jerry and blah, grit season upon us soon blah Malc did it back in the 1990s due to a crucial blah blah – OK I may as well cut to hold high up deteriorating; it may well be the big news first, the reason you’re very high in the grade. Maybe Mutation next all reading this; we have new problems for Will? The Bastard at Rubicon? Brandenburg at Sheffield’s premier urban Gate project? When you’re 18 and knocking movement laboratory: Bell Hagg. off F9a the Peak is your oyster, so definitely I know there are aficionados out there one to keep an eye on. (‘Haggsters’, if you will) so I’m sure both of At the other end of the Peak sport you will be keen to learn of the new lines grade – and dare I say quality – spectrum, done by Joe Harding on Newcastle Buttress. I gather that rebolting work has commenced It’s to the east of the normal approach over at Horseshoe, a crag which deserves to be the golf course, so one that most people will less popular than it is but always seems have missed.There are three new problems parked up when I drive past en route to in the Font 5–6 grade range, details on better venues.The work started mid-August UKBouldering.They look like great additions and will run for a few weeks and will mean to the embarrassment of riches which is the certain sections of crag are inaccessible, so Hagg’s high-quality bouldering portfolio. watch out for that if you’re planning a visit. See you down there. An alternative venue might be found in In more mundane news, in July teenager one of Gary Gibson’s latest additions. Will Bosi made a rare repeat of Evolution Crustacean Wall at Goddard’s Quarry (F8c+) at Raven Tor. Will made the news last (opposite Garage Buttress at Stoney)

8 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 offers some entertainment if you like bolted Mark Rankine has been busy this summer, routes in the F5-to-low-7 grades. Horse firstly with a new F8a in Tideswell Dale. It’s Thief Quarry, not far from Horseshoe, also on the first decent-sized buttress you walk looks like a good alternative. past when walking to the dale from the top On the subject of lowering off, Gary parking, on your left. Next to Mark’s F8a has also cleaned and added bolt lower-offs route from 2016 Pretty Peggy-O this new to some E2–3 trad lines at Drabber Tor route is described thusly:‘Climb Pretty Peggy- down in Wolfscote Dale. I am not familiar O to the good crimp round the roof then make with the nature of this particular crag and a wild leap rightwards for a jug on the lip, pull have done no research into it so I offer the up and then right to a glued jug and the belay following sentence where you can delete of All My Pegs. Low in the grade but very as applicable keywords to suit the reachy.’ Sounds like my kind of route. Mark prevailing mood regarding these additions: has also added a good-looking slab problem Traditionalists/Enthusiasts will be at Burbage South: Wenger Out at Font 6c, absolutely delighted/outraged by the bolted round past Pebble Mill. Hopefully this makes lower-offs sensibly/wantonly added to these a nice addition to the Burbage South slab existing trad routes, which enhance/ruin classics like Mad Llehctim, Bath House Pink, the character of the routes by providing Home Cooking Slab and the Welford slab at a much-needed/unwanted safe and the far end etc. convenient descent. Mark also reports that the Peak Bolt At Derwent, a crag definitely not cursed Fund has been active this summer, for with convenience, a few new bits and bobs instance Rhubarb Buttress in Chee Dale have been added. Andy Barker added a has had the treatment. The pick of the crop couple of new things at Back Tor (details is apparently The Day of the Long Knives on UKB) which I think it’s fair to say you (F7b+); fans of technical wall climbing will don’t want to walk up there specifically for, be happy with this one – get down there but they add to the overall bouldering while they’re dry and clean folks. package that Derwent has to offer. At Dovestones Tor your newsletter flunkeys Get in touch John Coefield and myself added what Send your Peak area news, gossip or article probably are new problems to the roof at ideas to me at: [email protected] the left side of the crag where the existing Squawk is.The traverse of Squawk has been finished without the jammed block indicated in the Burbage guide, and is actually excellent – as is the finishing arête on its own from a sit-start. Also a couple of direct lines into the traverse were done in the Font 6c–7a+ range, both really good. If anyone wants to put forward a credible retroclaim on any of these then send it written on the back of a £10 note to the usual address. Names to follow in the new guide, but ‘Kestrel Manoeuvres in the Dark’ is a favourite at present.

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 9 Hill Walking Notes The views across the GoytValley were also Peter Judd and Austin Knott tremendous, allowing us to pick up the intriguing curve of the old and BMC Peak Area Walk:August 2017 High Peak Railway between Bunsall incline A write-up of the walk from Buxton that and Burbage Tunnel. I (Austin) led with a little backup from Peter. Moving on across the old Buxton The starting point was the town’s Frank coalfields and accompanying turnpikes Matcham-designed opera house and twelve we walked up towards Thatch Marsh before of us were there at the appointed time. heading eastwards, enjoying a good lunch One reason for a town centre start was break with a rocky, sandstone outcrop the availability of public transport, and the acting as our windbreak.The group was proximity of the rail and bus stations to split roughly half BMC members, half the start point.The start time had been muggles, sorry, non-members.The stop picked to coincide with the arrival of the provided opportunity to talk about the Manchester train. work of the BMC and benefits of So much for planning. The train was membership, Peter advocating the work cancelled, leaving several BMC members of the Hill Walking Implementation Group. stranded and unable to make the start. It was then up to the trig point on Axe Subsequently it was discovered that the Edge and the views across the limestone train operating company, Northern, had landscape across the Dove and Manifold suffered staffing issues. More appropriately valleys, picking out the attractive outline of issues relating to the lack of staff! There’s . More distant the Wrekin, Long a delay repay compensation scheme for Mynd and Clee Hills were evident.There disappointed travellers; ironically those who was a lot more to be seen and picked out sought recompense through Northern’s as eyes scanned the 360-degree panorama, website were warned that there would be encouraging a longer stay than necessary. a delay in processing their claims because of Off again moving down towards Cistern’s a large number of outstanding applications! Clough and over Leap Edge as we made Moving on, unlike the train, to more our way to Harpur Hill and the HSE positive things, one participant who wasn’t establishment. deterred by the cancellation was Chris The CCTV cameras and clearly marked Stone, the hill walking representative from paths didn't dampen the group’s enthusiasm as the BMC’s London and South East Area, we followed a short section of the trackbed who hopped on the next train and managed of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. The to catch up with the group on the access association of Harpur Hill with the RAF and land on the way up to the trig point at the early days of mountain rescue were – good effort Chris! touched upon, before leaving the site past the I will admit to liking Ordnance Survey distinctive limestone shapes of Anthony Hill paraphernalia, whether it’s a nice Hotine trig and a breached reservoir. This led us to Grin point, or a benchmark such as a cut mark, Low Country Park and Solomon’s Tower pivot or rivet. I’m not sure that the rest of before dropping back into Buxton. the group were as enthused as me. Kindly, A good proportion of the group stopped they put up with me, easily distracted by for an après-walk drink, enabling Peter to the fantastic display of heather in bloom, distribute some BMC goodies. All in all a accompanied by its delicate aroma. sociable day out. Here’s to the next one.

10 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 BMC Peak Area Evening Walk: June 2017 Thanks to everyone who came along for our evening walk in June with the Moors for the Future Partnership. Partnership manager Chris Dean and his MFTFP colleagues took us on a fascinating journey of discovery, explaining how the moor tops became so damaged. Did you know, for instance, that there have been more than 400 significant and damaging fires on the moor tops since records were first kept? And that farmers long ago used to burn large areas annually to kill off sheep tick? There are five stages to their moorland restoration work: stabilising the bare surface with carefully harvested heather brash; reducing the acidity by adding lime; Three Shiire Heads.. distributing suitable seeds to restore once- Photo::John Coefiielld.. native species; performing strategic gully blocking to rewet the ground; distributing sphagnum moss beads to restore the very shortly. At the time of writing I (Peter) blanket bog – the icing on the cake. am acting chair of the group. While their work has already resulted in Early attention has been given to ‘The considerable regreening of once-bare areas Image Problem’ as highlighted in the Plan – of peat, the MFTFP team were keen to point Hill Walking’s representation in BMC media, out that many such areas still lack the in Summit in particular – with a constructive diverse range of plant species hoped for and meeting having already taken place with the are still very much a work in progress. President and Chief Executive. In addition, We also took the opportunity to take through conversation with the Access part in the Climate Coalition’s Management Group, attention has been given (www.theclimatecoalition.org – of which to looking at ways of effective engagement by the BMC is a part) #ShowTheLove campaign, the BMC with wider upland environment with BMC access officer Estée Farrar debate, especially in relation to important bringing along some of their green heart legislation changes in the policy areas such as badges for us to wear to highlight support. the environment and agriculture arising out We’d like to extend a big thank you to of Brexit preparation. Lastly plans for Mend JodyVallance of MFTFP and her colleagues our Mountains – Make One Million are well for facilitating such an enlightening evening. advanced with exciting projects planned in most national park areas around Britain Hill Walking Implementation Group: (including Scotland this time), with ambitious Progress Report plans for corporate and public fundraising set The BMC’s Hill Walking Implementation to begin towards the end of the year. These Group (tasked with steering through the last two feed into the the plan’s ‘Doing more BMC’s Strategic Plan for Hill Walking) has for the upland environment’ strand. held its first meeting, with another due Much more to come in future months.

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 11 Ring Ouzels Update Kim Leyland

Ring ouzels enjoyed another successful breeding season on the Eastern Edges this year. Following last year’s breeding surveys, this year effort was focused on nest monitoring and protection, with the help of an increased number of BMC volunteers – recruited through the Peak Area meetings and Summit magazine. Stalwarts Bill and Flo Gordon led the work at Stanage, while the Eastern Moors Partnership (EMP) provided extensive support and resources for the project. With the Burbage Moors tenancy now signed, the EMP has a significant proportion of the Eastern Edges ring ouzel population within its area (at least 12 pairs this year). Successful breeding at White Edge and Curbar this year indicates the potential for a southward expansion from the traditional strongholds of Stanage, Bamford and Burbage. While the Burbage area appears to rival Stanage for visitor numbers, fewer ring ouzel pairs here seem to come into conflict with climbers – only a couple of nests this year warranted climbing Photo::Kiim Leylland.. restrictions (at Burbage South and Millstone). Higgar Tor with its extensive group use is now a regular ‘signs required’ Productivity was good with an average territory – and a big thanks to all the of over three young fledged per pair, and responsible groups here as it has also been the primary cause of nest failures was one of the most successful in recent years. predation.Thanks to everyone who looks At Stanage, at least 10 pairs bred with out for, and follows, the signs during the eight successfully fledging at least one breeding season. Disturbance has remained brood and three of those fledging two. an infrequent occurrence, and the Six territories had climbing restrictions collaboration with the BMC is proving a real in place which were largely adhered to – success. Special thanks to nest monitoring though at least one nest was abandoned, volunteers Adam Long, Carey Davies, possibly through disturbance. Bamford held Hannah Kippax, Iain Murdoch, John Coefield, at least seven pairs, with five confirmed to John Horscroft, Louise Hawson, Luke Barley, have fledged at least one brood. Steve Coughlan and Tim Hill.

12 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 Peak District BoundaryWalk Castle MC is 50 Friends of the Peak District Castle Mountaineering Club

In November 1938, organisations Sheffield's Castle Mountaineering including the Campaign to Protect Club is undertaking an extensive Rural England, the Ramblers, and the programme of activities for its 50th Peak & Northern Footpaths Society, anniversary year, including a met at the Rambler Inn in Edale to celebratory dinner in October for all begin the campaign for the Peak current and past members, with a few District National Park. places still available.The club is keen Before this, a group of campaigners, led to hear from former members; by the Friends of the Peak District’s founder, further details can be found on the Ethel Haythornthwaite (then Gallimore), had club’s website: already drawn up a proposed boundary for a www.castlemountaineering.com national park in the Peak District which is President Linda McLeish said,‘It is a great almost identical to the one we have today. privilege to be president of the club during this After agreeing that national parks were very important year. There is much to celebrate not going to be ‘merely a national playground with a great history of exploration all over the for townspeople’ and that landscape world.What has always united members is their preservation, access, open-air recreation and love of the great outdoors, whether it is the protection of wildlife were equally important, countryside on our doorstep or adventures the campaigners examined maps, explored further afield, and sharing those experiences in the proposed boundary on the ground and them. Many lifelong friendships have resulted engaged in many discussions and disputes from membership of the club.’ before the boundary was finally agreed. Formed in 1967 at the Castle Inn in The new Peak District Boundary Walk, Bradway, it soon moved to a renovated barn conceived by the Friends of the Peak behind The Rising Sun on Abbey Lane, District, which follows existing paths, tracks Parkhead. Members of the club undertook and quiet lanes and never strays far from the most of the conversion works themselves official park boundary, celebrates not only and the building contains the first indoor the huge diversity of our first national park climbing wall in Sheffield. but also its historical significance. As with the original, there are likely to be Below: Club members c.1970, including many debates and disputes as to where the founder Alex Barclay. route for this boundary does and does not go. By its very nature it avoids the popular honeypots in the heart of the Peak District, but includes some spectacular, if less well- trod, scenery nonetheless. A guidebook, Peak District BoundaryWalk, includes Ordnance Survey maps and route directions, and articles about the issues and campaigns faced by the Friends of the Peak District and their predecessors. Find out more: www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 13 Photo: National Trust.

NationalTrust Update: August 2017 Luke Barley

Summer can be a funny time as a one compartment over the next few years, ranger.The hills are alive with tourists in areas of 0.1 hectare (a circle of about 35 and day trippers, and there’s lots of metres diameter).We’ll mainly be felling ash work to be done out in the sun – but in order to open up other native species we also spend some of those precious and improve their chances of reproducing sunny days squirrelled away in the naturally, and some of the work will also office with our minds on wintery work, simply improve the chances of the remaining planning our larger-scale habitat ash by decreasing the stress they’re under. management projects. Creating different light conditions in our In the White Peak we’re very much in woods is also just basic good management this planning phase, but champing at the bit that should improve the habitat for a wide for autumn and the chance to get cracking! range of woodland species. You may recall that we created a new plan The project to restore the ecological for our internationally important ravine condition of the River Dove – known as woodlands in order to try to mitigate the ‘Letting the Dove Flow’ – will also see its effects of ash dieback and ensure resilient, first practical work over the next few dynamic ecosystems for the future.We’re months.Working in close partnership with now finalising plans to fund that work and Natural England, the Environment Agency, will start cutting this winter.The work the Wild Trout Trust and local anglers, we’ll shouldn’t be too obvious to most visitors, be breaching a couple of weirs in September, but we may cut up to 15 per cent of any then installing ‘large woody material’ (fallen

14 Peak Area Newsletter September 2017 trees) into the river to improve habitat and create variation in the way the river flows. The weirs were installed for stocked fly fishing in the early part of the 20th century and have created ‘wet deserts’ where silt is deposited on the riverbed above them. River flies and the many other invertebrates we should see in the Dove need fast water over clean gravel to survive, and this is also where fish lay their eggs – so breaching the weirs will have a big benefit for fish spawning and the whole food chain.The two angling clubs involved now choose to fish for wild trout and don’t stock the river, so the work benefits them as it improves the habitat for wild fish.We also think the beauty of the valley will be improved as natural cascades will be revealed and the river renaturalised, as recorded on the many paintings of from before the weirs were installed. At Longshaw the summer has mostly been devoted to hay meadows – one of the sensory highlights of the season! Over 8,000 Photo::NatiionallTrust.. seeds of species like oxeye daisy, black knapweed and field scabious were grown on followed by sphagnum planting into the bare into ‘plugs’ and have been planted back into ground; sphagnum mosses are the building Yarncliff Barn Fields to improve their species blocks of the moorland habitat and the core diversity. Similarly, some of the hay cut from component of peat once they die, and getting existing high-quality meadows has been them back on the moors is a key element of spread around less diverse ones in order to the project. Sphagnum and the habitat as a improve them.The less glamorous side of whole also rely on being wet, so we’ve been hay meadow management is removing busy blocking more inappropriate drainage unwelcome species, so staff and volunteers gullies to hold the water up on the moors. have been hard at work pulling ragwort and Last but certainly not least, the bulk of the topping thistles. tree planting in the clough woodlands is now The huge MoorLIFE 2020 project complete, but there will be further trees to continues apace in the High Peak, with put in this winter and beyond to fine-tune rangers using a new ‘alpine’ tractor to cut the design of the woodlands in order to heather on the steep and uneven terrain. provide the best habitat and ensure they fit The cutting increases the age structure of in to the landscape. the heather, making it better for a wider If you have any queries about any of range of species, and will also create and these projects or would like more maintain firebreaks to restrict potential information, please email: wildfires. Some of the cutting work has been [email protected]

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 15 Peak Area Meetings

2017

13 September, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford

22 November, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford

Forthcoming Events BMC Peak Area Contacts http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak

BMC Peak Area Autumn Hill Walk Peak Area Chair: Rob Greenwood. 23 September, 10 a.m. [email protected] Join us for the BMC Peak Area autumn hill walk and see some of the best views Secretary: Becky Hammond. available from . This fantastic nine- [email protected] mile walk, led by Peter Judd, will start from the bus turnaround on Shepley Street in Peak Area Rep (your voice on the BMC Old Glossop. Please share details around National Council): your club too. Dave Brown. Find out more: http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak http://community.thebmc.co.uk/Event. aspx?id=3888 or email Peter: Access Reps Co-ordinator: [email protected] Henry Folkard. [email protected] BoardmanTasker Night, Buxton 11 October, 7.30 p.m. Peak Area Hill Walking Reps: Join Boardman Tasker Prize winners Andy Peter Judd. Cave and StephenVenables to celebrate the [email protected] lives, climbs and books of Joe Tasker and Austin Knott. Peter Boardman. [email protected] Find out more: http://community.thebmc.co.uk/Event. Peak Area Newsletter Editorial: aspx?id=3873 Dave Parry and John Coefield. [email protected]

Next meeting: Wednesday 13 September, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford, S32 2HE