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PEAK AREA Parkhouse Hill. Photo: Cath Lee. NEWSLETTER September 2016 [email protected] Rocking Chair some for it, others against it, and a great Rob Greenwood many just indifferent. However, controversy aside, I expect the forthcoming meeting – There are undoubtedly which will be attended by CEO Dave two words on people’s Turnbull, President Rehan Siddiqui and lips in the lead-up to the next meeting: vice-presidents Emma Flaherty and Climb Britain. Rupert Davies – to encourage a ‘lively’ In the week that followed the debate amongst the wider membership.The announcement on the rebranding/ message coming from HQ is very much ‘it renaming of the BMC there was something isn't a done deal’, and this meeting, which is of an online storm: talks of an EGM, votes part of a nationwide consultation process, of no confidence, and generally discontent will be the best opportunity to express amongst the masses (or a vocal minority?). your views. In the weeks that have followed I have That said, attention will not exclusively discussed the matter with a great many be directed towards the rebranding, as that people and opinions varied wildly, with is only one of the many issues here in the Next meeting: Wednesday 14 September, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford, S32 2HE Derwent bouldering. Photo: John Coefield. Peak area, with a lot going on in terms of Access News access.This includes a major re-organisation Henry Folkard within the Peak District National Park Authority, the future of Stanage hanging in Stanage North Lees the balance (again!), and further Once again Stanage developments within the National Trust’s headlines my report, though paradoxically it proposed ‘outdoor activities licensing’. is difficult to know quite what to say. And, as if all that wasn't enough, there The National Park Authority (PDNPA) is to be a discussion on the future of the is in the throes of a major and fundamental Peak area ‘outreach’ meetings. While I have reorganisation. No stakeholders have any always been a firm supporter of the input into this, nor of course is PDNPA principle, poor attendance in recent years under any obligation to extend to partners has called that principle into question. the common courtesy of asking what any What is best for the area as a whole? proposed reorganisation looks like to them Attend and have your say. – from the outside looking in as it were. I look forward to seeing you all there. Since this is being treated as an internal matter only – though PDNPA funding comes from the public purse, that is to say you and me and stakeholders – staff are not at liberty to discuss anything. Roll on open government you might say, but your request would be in vain. There are ways and ways of doing things. I guess no one would deny that organisations (including the BMC?) need to restructure from time to time to meet 2 Peak Area Newsletter September 2016 new – and at the moment very challenging – on the damaged section of the Derwent circumstances. Current arrangements, both Edge track that caused so much concern. internally and from the point of view of The Foulstone work will also begin soon. partners, may not be ideal, but neither are This will reinstate the definitive line of the they all bad. They have produced good bridleway to a width of four feet. Some results for the environment and the public’s action will be taken to restore the badly enjoyment of it. Suffice it to say that such eroded desire line adjacent to the proper vibes as the BMC has been able to pick up way. Imported materials will not in the main are almost entirely negative. The name of be used. Any that are will be sourced locally the game seems to be to give primacy to from a quarry on the estate.The design is commercial opportunity, as directed by for a long-duration solution, with minimal Aldern House (Peak Park HQ), rather than maintenance implications, but as with all the landscape, how we look after it and how new track work there will be some short- we enjoy its special qualities. term adverse impact. We were concerned when conservation During a recent site visit a number of and planning were paired in one directorate, concerns were raised and addressed, and while commercial development and some, perhaps more about principle than the outreach were allocated to another. actual work, are yet to be resolved. Hopefully I certainly perceive the proper motivation Natural England, which is funding the work for outreach to be more about a public duty through Higher Level Stewardship because it and service than commercial opportunity, is seen as creating conservation gains, will be while taking conservation outside the able to provide answers to questions that purview of those who enjoy the special have been put to them. The BMC is familiar qualities of the national park would seem with the work of the chosen contractor to be the antithesis of the approach the from elsewhere in the country, and has BMC has been championing, of inculcating a every confidence in him and his team. sense of shared responsibility for nurturing Work on Dukes Road is ongoing and the precious, but expendable, resource of will go as far as the paved section across the landscape, its wildlife, and living together Cartledge Flat. To my eye what is being with other users. The BMC, in the interests done effectively changes a bridleway into of its members, may need to reconsider its a more substantial highway that is less in working relationship with PDNPA. keeping with the landscape. It will certainly ease access for larger estate vehicles. High Peak and Derwent Moors There is no resolution as yet on the Three bridleways leading up to or across Midhope matting – which does not follow Derwent Edge from the Strines side – any right of way. However we are aware of Cutthroat, Foulstone and Dukes Road – certain ongoing discussions aimed, we hope, have caused a lot of concern this year, as at securing its removal. has work on the main path along the edge. It has been widely reported that the The Cutthroat contract has very recently National Trust has terminated the shooting been let, and work will commence soon. tenancy agreement on an area of moorland, Archaeological investigations revealed roughly speaking between Little Hayfield nothing of interest, so it will be easier to and the Snake, but going across the Snake hold to the established line of the track. too towardsYellowslacks. This followed an This contract includes some remedial work incident in which Police concerned with http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 3 wildlife crime were involved, though no I have not seen any definitive figures) but prosecution resulted. the Stanage/Burbage area bucked this trend Much of the clough woodland planting by holding its own, even though it must envisaged in the High Peak MoorsVision far and away be the breeding site most and Plan has been completed – if my figures frequented by people. There will be a are right, which they may not be, roughly copy of Kim’s Eastern Moors and Burbage 100,000 new trees planted over three years. reports, prepared for the Eastern Moors While this has necessitated erecting seven Partnership, at the area meeting. kilometres of temporary fencing, four kilometres of old fencing has actually been Mountain Biking removed, and more will go. BMC was one of a number of organisations The Howden fire, on Oaken Bank, did invited by PDNPA to a meeting following serious damage to about 100 acres, including complaints of bad behaviour by mountain newly planted land, though mercifully it was bikers having negative impact on the a fairly cool burn. A charred barbecue tin enjoyment of others. All outdoor recreation was found amidst the ashes. gets a bad press, and deservedly so, from bad behaviour even where this is by a small NationalTrust Licensing Proposals minority. Bad behaviour costs access. Ride Three Peak access and hill walking reps Sheffield, to which many BMC members were joined by Rob Dyer for a meeting with also belong, is abreast of the issue. the National Trust and others regarding their The meeting did also acknowledge that licensing proposals. This was a positive, open the provision of bridleways in the Peak is and constructive meeting. It is proposed a not good, and neither is the availability of distinction will be drawn between what is bespoke sites, like the crowdfunded site described as ‘activity’, and what is called championed by Ride Sheffield at Lady ‘events’ – these being larger scale and often Cannings Plantation. Along with others, attracting an entrance fee. Regarding activity, the BMC urged more positive action where which is what BMC members and local there would seem to be scope in creating instructors/guides do, there will be no change better bespoke provision, and in reviewing or charge, though hopefully a way to facilitate the status of some footpaths which might a better exchange of information between reasonably be upgraded to bridleway status. NT and providers who use their land will be devised, to each other’s mutual benefit. Postscript The word ‘licensing’ will no longer be used. This report just gives an overview on selected topics, so do feel free to ask for Ring Ouzel Breeding Season more detail, or for more on things that Kim Leyland has been writing up the have not been included, at the area meeting. results of this year’s intensive monitoring In the spirit of asking questions, here is of breeding across the Sheffield Moors one for the BMC: Given the apparent dearth Partnership area, and will additionally be of funding, post Brexit, for environmental putting together an evidence-based paper imperatives and for informal recreation as for the BMC to give a better focus for how enjoyed by the great majority of ordinary to target restrictions in the future.

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