1 October 2014 buoyant summer’s trading, but the change in the weather Goat Secures will herald a downturn in sales of cake and tea, which (believe it or not) have proved to Shop Future be the backbone of our village economy. All those miles of ped- Thanks to the 400-plus riders who alling and sore legs have ensured that took part in the Grindleford Goat cy- we, the people of Grindleford, can pop clo-sportive on 13th September, our down the road for a loaf of bread even Community Shop heads into the win- as the Derwent Valley Heritage Way ter with £9000 stuffed down the back lies buried under the Christmas snow. of its sofa. The shop has enjoyed a Read all about the Goat inside… -Ed. 2 Goat Riders Secure Future of Community Shop Establishing a new business and nurturing it through the ups and downs of early trading takes a lot of investment and a great deal of faith. “That’s even more difficult when you are launching a community business,” says Alan Fairbrother of Grindleford Community Shop. “The faith we have in bucket loads, because we’ve secured help from the local church to allow us to set up our fledgling shop in the choir vestry at St Helen’s Church. More difficult has been getting the hard currency to support our venture.” That’s where the Grindleford Goat comes in. It’s a cycle sportive—a ride, not a race—through some of the most dramatic scenery this part of the Peak District has to offer. Last year was the first attempt and the 200-plus riders who took part gave it rave reviews. This year over 400 riders signed up and raised over £9000 to help ensure Grindleford’s village shop will have a long term future. “Although our new shop measures just 15 square metres, it’s astonishing what you can get into such a small space with careful planning and a good under- standing of what your customers need,” says shop manager Sarah Battarbee. “But a small space brings its own limitations on how much income can be gen- erated.” 3 “We have converted the village to the wonders of fresh arti- san bread supplied by a local baker in Froggatt, daily fresh fruit and veg come from Peak Fruits at Hathersage and fresh dairy produce from Middletons. Cooked meats, pies and pasties come twice a week from Critchlow’s in Bakewell. In this way we can not only supply groceries but also fresh, quality produce which our customers want at attractive pric- es,” says Sarah, “and all without getting into the car.” The shop is staffed almost entirely by volunteers under the guidance of just three part time staff, and is comfortably exceeding all its trading targets to date, particularly thanks to the kind summer weather this year and the resulting trade from walkers and cyclists passing through the village. It’s a stunning atmosphere and all the volunteers enjoy helping run the shop. “However, the winter will be a different story,” says Sarah. “This is only the first stage in an ambitious plan to restore a full time village shop in purpose built premises, and to do that we have to demonstrate to everyone that even such a tiny shop can survive in adver- sity. The income from the Grindle- ford Goat will give us a great deal of security. The whole village got behind it and the ride was entirely run by volunteers. I’m so grateful but not surprised that residents will go the extra mile to put the heart back into this community through securing its village shop.” “We have ambitious plans for future years to move to larger, permanent premis- es, and with successes like the Grindleford Goat I have a feeling we’re going to get there,” confirmed Alan. Matt Heason 4 Grindleford Horticultural Society So the show is over for another year. manager also. Who can fill Maria’s able Many thanks to everyone who contrib- shoes? Maria and Mick have both uted to making it a wonderful show demonstrated the art of having cool this year. Extra special appreciation heads under pressure: we are really goes to our retiring show manager, going to miss them. Mick Green, who has steered the show for over a decade. Mick will be much missed and we are waiting for another able person to volunteer to try their hand at the job. Could it be you? Maria Pearson too has advised that 2014 was her last year at taking charge of the refreshments. Maria stepped in some years ago when the W.I. ladies bowed gracefully out, and she has mar- shalled some excellent helpers to en- sure we have delicious cakes and scones to get through a very busy af- ternoon. So, not only are we looking for a show chairman, but a catering 5 Thanks too to Alan Jacques who ing. On 21 October Don Whitton opened the show, the carnival princess speaks on ‘Top Ten Gardens.’ Our and her helper, to Frank Galbraith, the AGM falls on 25 November. This will judges, stewards, committee stalwarts, be followed by a social evening. All Stephen Blowen, and all those who evening meetings are held at the Bish- helped with marshalling cars, people, op Pavilion at 7:30pm. plants, art and crafts in their many Do consider becoming a member. We guises, the people and businesses who must be one of the best value societies donated to the raffle, advertisers, stall around. (Membership for 2014 was holders and of course to everyone who only £3!) We have a wide-ranging pro- entered and turned up on the day. gramme of talks and outings and we Congratulations to all the prize win- are friendly and welcoming to new ners! members, plus members receive a dis- And now, we’re in autumn mode. The count on plants at Calver Sough nurse- September meeting was addressed by ry and with RHS membership. Come Mike Davey, who gave an excellent and and meet us! informative talk on allotment garden- Kay Allinson Grindleford WI In July our speaker was Maureen S. Taylor, whose talk was entitled ‘Garder Robes, Grime and Leeches.’ She wore a strikingly appropriate costume to take us back some centuries as she told us tales of the discomforts of living in those times. From the sewers which ran through the streets to the application of leeches to relieve the sick, as the evening progressed we became more and more grateful for our 21st-century lifestyles. We do not meet in August, although we do run our monthly Lunch Club. We did not know quite what to expect from our September speaker, who had kindly agreed to step in at short notice—‘The Railway from Sheffield to Edale’ could have been anything. What we did not realise was that we were in for a splendid treat. Stephen Gay’s enthusiasm for his subject as he led us along this very familiar route was infectious. He introduced us to his skills as a poet by reading us some of his own compositions and delighted us with his wonderful photographs, familiar scenes but seen through the eyes of an expert photogra- pher. It was an evening to be treasured. Kay Beeston 6 Exploring Longshaw Changes Afoot... Longshaw’s history as a well-loved venue for fresh air and exercise is renowned. Members of the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Local Scenery rat- tled tins on street corners in Sheffield in the 1920s to raise money to buy the Duke of Rutland’s former shooting estate for public benefit and to prevent the grounds being developed—a golf course and luxury housing were possible uses that were suggested at the time of the disposal. We know from visitor surveys that people are having a great time when they visit Longshaw, and developments like the boggart-themed natural play and re- cent toilet refurbishment have been warmly received. That said, we need to plan for the future, ensure that changes and improve- ments happen in a coordinated way and deal with some long-standing issues— like the fact that Woodcroft carpark can’t cope on busy days, and when it’s wet people are parking in puddles. We’d also like to make sure that Longshaw is a great place for everyone to visit, whether they come for their daily dog walk, a fantastic piece of cake, to paddle in Padley, or as a starting point for their fell run. The first project we’d like to implement is an improvement and expansion of Longshaw’s main car park, Woodcroft. We’ve had initial conversations with the Peak District National Park Authority Planning Officers and Highways officers from DCC and SCC. The main aims of the project are To increase the car parking capacity Woodcroft To provide better bay demarcation so as to make better use of the available space Promotion of alternative ways to visit Longshaw – train, bus, cycle, walk/ run Safe coach access enabled to Woodcroft Opportunity for groups going to the Moorland Discovery Centre to be dropped off safely in the car park Provision of cycle and motorcycle parking Restrictions on parking on the roads leading to the entrance to Woodcroft car park 7 A quality sense of arrival and the delivery of a consistent welcome to visi- tors to Longshaw. If you would like any further information about this project please contact the Project manager, Sophie Milner on 01433 631757 or so- [email protected].