PEAK AREA Neiill Kershaw consiiders The Angell''s Share.. NEWSLETTER Photo::JJohn Coeffiielld..

April 2017 [email protected]

Rocking Chair members from each area, voted to set Rob Greenwood up a working group to review the council’s governance.There is also to be an 2016 was undoubtedly independently chaired organisational a rocky year for the review process which will begin in April BMC; however, I – like many – believe 2017. In short, lessons have not just been the organisation came out stronger learned – they are being acted upon. and more focussed for it. If there is a However, by now many will have heard positive to be taken, it is that the of the motion of no confidence that has controversy surrounding the proposed recently been submitted for the AGM and name change gave members of the signed by 25 or so ‘luminaries’ against the National Council, Executive, and BMC BMC’s Executive Committee. If this goes head office a real indication of just through, all members of the Executive how much members care about the Committee, which includes the president organisation, and how much we should (Rehan Siddiqui), three vice-presidents, value and listen to their opinion. treasurer, two independent directors, three In light of this and several other matters, members of the National Council and the National Council, which includes elected Chief Executive Officer (Dave Turnbull) will

Next meeting: Wednesday 5 April, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford, S32 2HE Lees Moor Wood from Chesterfiielld Lane,, Rowslley..Photo::Biillll Bennett..

have to resign. I have thought long and hard Access News about how to word the following sentences, Henry Folkard whether to remain impartial or express my own opinion, but my feelings surrounding the matter are resolute: it is both non- constructive and damaging to the There has been a flurry of access organisation. relevant things since the last meeting, I welcome debate from an opposing so this report will be more about view through our next area meeting. headlines than details, but as ever if However, I see a great many shortfalls you want more by way of detail, please not only with the arguments already raised, do ask at the meeting. but also with their approach: those issuing First off, Stanage North Lees. At our the vote have not engaged in discussion February meeting Dave Turnbull was asked or debate, neither have they responded to write to Sarah Fowler, CEO of the Peak to my own emails regarding attendance at District National Park Authority (PDNPA), the next area meeting. It seems apparent to ask her to reconsider a decision made that their approach is one intended to unilaterally and without any stakeholder cause maximum damage. consultation to abolish the Stanage Sticker. As such, I very much hope that we can It is all the more ironic that this high-handed offer a resounding vote of confidence, but attitude came from an organisation which that is where I’ll stop. I urge you to vote says it believes in partnership and but it is up to you, the membership, at the consultation: actions speak louder than end of the day! I look forward to seeing words. By its actions PDNPA shows itself you all at the next Peak Area meeting, to be incapable of listening to those who for or against. would be its friends and supporters.

2 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 Dave duly wrote, and a copy of his letter, national park car parks, which, along the along with the unacceptably duplicitous Eastern Edges are at Stanage Plantation reply, will be to hand at the meeting. The (Hollin Bank) and SurpriseView. So, gist of the reply was that the sticker has welcome to the national park. It was set not been abolished but reinvented at £40 up for purposes of conservation and p.a. (instead of £15) and will be park-wide. enjoying its special qualities.The main This implies a total misconception of what focus now seems to be income generation the sticker was about, as a park-wide for the institution of the authority, and scheme already exists. It was about a key abandonment of dialogue with stakeholders, stakeholder group putting something back or any ability, despite the rhetoric on the into a place they cared about, and being told part of its senior management, to work how income generated was being spent at with stakeholders or community. They North Lees. will just tell us what is good for us, and The BMC actively promoted the scheme, we will dutifully comply – or will we? Outside in Hathersage helped, and a number PDNPA is also to set up a charitable of BMC volunteers, including our Peak Area trust along with a company limited by chairman, put a lot of effort into selling it. guarantee as part of its Giving Strategy. It was working: it was achieving what it set While the paper proposing this says how out to achieve and, as a bonus, because it PDNPA will benefit it says nothing about was transparent and reasonable, it nurtured how it will relate to charitable and non- a lot of goodwill. So I suppose it’s logical that government organisations which have to an allegedly cash-strapped authority with its rely on donations because they do not enjoy head in the clouds sees the way forward for a still-substantial grant from central Stanage North Lees as getting rid of a single, government, and yet do a terrific job for the approachable and accountable property Peak landscape, and our enjoyment of it – or manager who did a first-rate job for the does PDNPA want to corner the market on place and for the national park, and replacing Peak-inspired giving just for itself? her with three or four service managers, As a PS on Stanage, a booklet on the none of whom have overall responsibility history of the Stanage Pole will soon be for North Lees nor an overview of how available. It is produced by the Stanage the many aspects of its management are Forum and co-sponsored by the BMC and inter-related. All are on a higher salary Soaring Club. than the single site-specific property manager they replace. For them, Stanage The Spirit of Kinder Day is on 22 April, has seemingly ceased to exist as a special at 2.00 p.m. at EdaleVillage Hall – admission place. It’s just a series of piecemeal park- is free. Cakes (which are not free) are by wide management functions and has no Women’s Institute. Speakers include unique identity or value. Sheffield and its Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of the people do not exist either. National Trust, Stephen Trotter, director of The sting is in the tail. Beware. From Wildlife Trusts England,Vanessa Griffiths, the 1 April, along with the new ‘sticker’, will Ramblers new CEO, and Jon Stewart, come enforcement of pay and display general manager for the National Trust in parking by a company that generates its the Peak. Sheffield poet and songmaker income, in part at least, from the number of Sally Goldsmith will sing some of her songs, penalty fines it can impose. This relates to ending with the Manchester Rambler, while

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 3 the event will be introduced and hosted by on the Midhope (Cut Gate) matting, but are Rony Robinson of BBC Radio Sheffield. keeping an eye on progress. The day is themed around the Maintenance funding for national trails magnificent, and ongoing, restoration of like the Pennine Bridleway has been secured Kinder by the National Trust. It will also see in the short term.The current state of the the formal launch of a new book Clarion Call, Roych section is testimony to the which is based on a collection of glass plate effectiveness of this expenditure. slides of Sheffield Clarion Ramblers, and Within the context of the Derbyshire describes Sheffield’s place in the fight for Rights of Way Improvement Plan a review access – a fight necessarily continued by of the status of certain ways will be the BMC and its access team to this day. included, though work on the plan is Spirit of Kinder Day is organised jointly currently suffering from the draconian by the Kinder and High Peak Advisory cutbacks suffered by Derbyshire County Committee and the National Trust. Council (DCC). Some footpaths may be suitable for concessionary upgrade to The BMC has submitted its contribution bridleway status, though that should not be to the new management plan for taken to imply any widespread upgrade, and Burbage, Houndkirk and Hathersage will always be dependent on sustainability. Moors to the Eastern Moors Partnership, DCC is however developing its Key and a copy will be available at the meeting Cycle Network (KCN). While this will – along with that for the Eastern Moors. have more impact to the south of the On Burbage Moor, the BMC was county, it will also be relevant to an represented at a commemorative tree extent in the national park, and of course planting of a rowan near the Packhorse for people wanting to get to the national Bridge. A celebrated photograph of the park by bicycle. original rowan is featured in one of the Clarion handbooks, but it got shot to bits A new walk: Friends of the is during the war by the Canadians. Incidentally, developing a national park boundary walk. the old Canadian arms dump on the Carl The launch event is in on 17 June, Wark side of Burbage Brook has never been and a presentation of certain public rights cleared and still lurks there, decomposing in of way themed in respect of their geological the peat. interest, and supported by a booklet, is also being developed. See page 5. On the trails, Chapel Gate is again deteriorating.The road planings used is for sale, but so far as we are in the resurfacing a couple of years ago aware has yet to be sold. A bid by the have predictably started to wash out – National Trust was not accepted, but that exacerbated by lack of routine maintenance does not in this case imply that anything else of drainage culverts. Work is in hand on has, and National Trust remain in contact Clough, but is technically very with the vendors. complex. The mountain bike fraternity has put forward proposals on Cut Gate (see On the climbing front it’s bird nesting February 2017's newsletter), and is in season again. Besides the ring ouzel situation discussions about Hope Brink. We believe round Burbage and Stanage – which is well PDNPA will be taking enforcement action signed on site if any restrictions are deemed

4 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 necessary – the major issue, as ever, is with Peak District ravens and peregrines. In terms of overall Boundary Walk population both species are doing well and Julie Gough, Friends of the Peak District expanding, but they do rather nest on crags upon which we like to climb, and both Did you know that the current species are vigorously monitored by Peak District National Park boundary enthusiasts with a particular interest in is almost identical to the one drawn them. Incidentally, there are now 30 pairs of up and proposed by our founders – peregrines nesting in London. If you want to Ethel and Gerald Haythornthwaite – watch them, that’s where to go. almost 90 years ago? Peregrines in the White Peak suffered Friends of the Peak District has devised heavily last year from theft of eggs/fledglings a new 190-mile walk which never strays far and there are restrictions – or, to be more from that boundary and celebrates not only precise, discussions about restrictions – on the huge diversity of our first national park which Jon Fullwood is leading, at Beeston but also its historical significance. Tor, Shining Bank Quarry and Darlton Following existing paths, tracks and quiet Quarry. Police responsible for rural crime lanes the route enjoys a wonderful mix of are closely involved given what happened all that the Peak District has to offer, from last year so if you are thinking of visiting dramatic crags and open moorland to quiet these venues it would certainly be better woodlands and popular trails, with the space to wait a while and have a word with Jon to enjoy its tranquillity. And mile for mile it’s regarding the current state of play before hillier than the Pennine Way! you do visit. It’s a very delicate situation, One reason for devising the route was and there is room for quite a lot to go awry. to raise awareness of the Peak District’s At Millstone ravens were observed outstanding natural beauty and to encourage over a period when a pair was trying to people to cherish and protect it. Walkers nest, and eventually, after discussion, it was will find themselves away from the crowds decided restricting the area around Twikker and common hotspots of the Peak, in quieter, would be appropriate. It is possible, even less well-known corners of the national park. probable, that at this point in the season The Friends are also publishing a guidebook the birds will not actually lay so the to accompany the route, edited by local situation is being carefully monitored author Andrew McCloy and due out in June and the restriction will be lifted as soon 2017. This has been a collaborative project: as it can. There is a sign on site. after mapping the approximate route on paper, volunteers walked it on the ground and Finally, Derbyshire Police has unveiled a new made many improvements using their local rural crime taskforce. It’s not just about knowledge. They have also written articles breaking into outbuildings, thefts of quad for the book about conservation issues and bikes and 4x4s, sheep rustling and the like, campaigns which the Friends are involved with. but also covers poaching, illegal off-roading, The Boundary Walk will be launched at bird persecution, destruction of nests and 12 noon on Saturday 17 June at Buxton badger baiting. Town Hall by Emma Bridgewater, president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. That is a bit of what has been happening since the last meeting. www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 5 Ned Feehally on the Sharpcliffe arete project. Photo: Shauna Coxsey. Ned Feehallyon Arthur's Bulge, Mother Cap Quarry. Photo: Feehally Collection.

Climbing News & Gossip sure that one will be in a Different Class. Dave Parry Notching the grades up a few gazillion now, a young Irish lad David Fitzgerald Let’s start with a rant: is it me or has been over and repeated Ben Moon’s has this winter just been the worst testpiece and notorious skin-shredder gritstone season ever? Warm, wet, Voyager Sit Start.That’s 8b+ lest we forget, humid and generally unsettled. not a bad visitor's tick. Looks like he did it Then when the weather does improve the day before St Patrick’s Day, which is it manages to be amazing only on weekdays, unfortunate as it robs me of an opportunity and then reliably poor again on the weekend. to pad the column out by milking some If it carries on like this I may as well move to tenuous Irish link or indulging in some national somewhere with no decent gritstone on its stereotyping to be sure to be sure. I think this doorstep. I was thinking of Leeds. might be the same ‘Irish Dave’, as he’s Now on to the rather paltry smattering imaginatively known by at least one person, of recent happenings scraped from the who flashed Stuey Five Bellies at the School bottom of the news barrel. With that in Room last time he was over in Sheffield, mind let’s first mention a few new problems so obviously a man of exquisite good taste. at Rivelin courtesy of web forum magnate Speaking of good taste, and moving east and BMC marketing supremo Simon Lee and of the Peak, a venue that has inexplicably accomplices. Full details on UKB, but they managed to avoid being on the circuit for are in the general area of the left end of the top-level international jetsetting uberwads is crag near Master Kush, grades in the 5s and Earth Quarry at Conisborough. Well that is 6s.They look all right, although Simon did a soon to change as Mike Adams has done an new arête problem too with Pete Dalton 8c problem there. Yes that’s not a typo – (famed for starting the band Pulp) so I’m EIGHT CEE. Actual Font 8c. In a hole in the

6 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 ground in a former colliery village in Turnbull (not that one, the other one) has Doncaster. I tip my hat to Mike not only for repeated Nah’han E7/8 at Gardoms, but the physical difficulty of his Bordello problem, other than that it seems either weather or but for the vision to see past conceived fashion, I’m not sure which, has put the norms of aesthetic appeal and not to be kaibosh on the hard grit repeats this winter. worried about what sneering armchair Speaking of Hard Grit, this year marks 20 commentators such as myself will make of it. years since that iconic film was released. To be fair I’ve never been to the crag so There’s an event on commemorating the I have no idea if it’s as bad as it sounds or film at Abbeydale Picture House organised looks in videos or in photos, but the sheer by Grimer and Matt Heason. I wouldn’t difficulty of this new offering will surely put normally give a free plug to these things, but the crag on the map. Certainly if you want I’m fairly confident that this newsletter to combine 8c cranking with a visit to a won’t be out until after the event anyway. partially restored 11th-century castle then I assume it was a cracking night and a good you could do a lot worse (English Heritage time was had by all, a few deckouts were members get in free). relived, and many an amusing anecdote was Far from being typecast as a quality-blind told. Makes you think though how focus has mutant-strong quarry botherer Mike has shifted in 20 years; you look at the hard also added an extension finish to one of his routes getting done and repeated these days existing hard testpieces at Impossible Roof and really nobody is doing much that’s near Roche Abbey, a steep limestone crag significantly harder than what was being with, let's say, a more conventional aesthetic done 20 years ago, despite general appeal (i.e. you WOULD be seen dead bouldering standards skyrocketing. We’re there). Serenation is a variation finish on his probably due another hard grit renaissance, Serenata problem, and shows that while I maybe this 20-year anniversary will prompt moan about the weather, Mike is out there the next generation to get out there and knocking the 8c problems out like it’s going put up the next hard routes, the futuristic out of fashion. Nice work Mike. lines. Who will be the new Seb Grieve, and Back to grit and one of the best of the can anything tear them away from their handful of new problems to report is Ned latticeboards and weighted deadhangs? Feehally’s problem on the boulder perched Speaking of Seb Grieve, there are a few above Mother Cap Quarry, named Arthur’s new problems at the Moorside area of Bulge and graded 7c+. I have seen a video of Gardom's courtesy of the Hard Grit star this and it looks good, but does seem to himself. Decidedly less trouser-filling looking involve the full repertoire of Feehally tricks – than his exploits from the film, these problems toehooks, slopers, heels above your head, are on a boulder by the path beneath the locking off to your waist etc. Don’t expect Suavito boulder. Grades in the 4–6 range. No an easy ride. Ned also reports he’s done a mention of a shipwreck of a flake, but still for sit start to Small is Beautiful at Burbage full effect I recommend popping on your jeans, (conceivably may have been done before) polo neck and Anasazis and talking to yourself and also a 7a mantel problem by the File at all the way up. Where’s that Metolius mat? Higgar, amusingly named HiggarsWith Attitude. I’m not going to explain that one so don’t ask. Get in touch Not much to report on the hard Send your Peak area news, gossip or article gritstone route front again. I hear James ideas to me at: [email protected]

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 7 The BMC AGM: UseYourVote Chris Moor

So as winter finally turns to spring, the I would strongly advise everyone who clocks go forward and the midges start cares about the BMC to spend five minutes to hatch. It’s also time for the BMC’s reading these articles. One thing that is Annual General Meeting. This year it’s unclear, however, is what would happen if being held on 22 April at Plas y Brenin. the motion is passed. My guess would be It’s been a funny old year for the BMC that the Executive would feel compelled to and so it continues, with former president resign either immediately, or pending an Bob Pettigrew formally tabling a motion of Extraordinary General Meeting, in which all no confidence in the current Executive positions are up for election.The effect of Committee. leaving the BMC rudderless for this period The full wording of the motion can be is, of course, impossible to assess. found here: If you aren’t planning to go to the AGM, but want to ensure your voice is heard on www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-agm-agenda-- this crucial matter, then voting is simple. motion All BMC members should receive a voting card with their spring edition of Summit. It has to be said that the motion, which You must appoint a proxy to vote on your accuses the exec of poor governance and behalf, but this can be the chair of the withholding ‘future policy decisions’ from meeting and you can instruct them exactly last year’s AGM, is somewhat lacking in how to vote on your behalf. Alternatively detail. It would appear that some further you can nominate someone else to be your written arguments have been circulated proxy, although the only reason to do this is privately, and in some cases have made if you are undecided on the issue and want their way on to the usual online forums. your proxy to decide for you. Bob has been invited to the Peak Area More details on proxy voting, including meeting on 5 April in the hope that he can additional forms should you need them, can provide some substance to his accusations. be found here: The BMC has responded to the motion with two documents that can be found on www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-agm-proxy- its website. Firstly from the president: voting-explained www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-agm- presidents-statement-2017

And then from Martin Wragg, the BMC Honorary Solicitor: www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-agm-agenda-- motion

8 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 Mountain hare hiding in heather. Photo: Carl Bedson.

HaveYou Seen a Mountain Hare Recently? Carl Bedson

Seeing a mountain hare dashing it appears they do not occupy all the habitats across the heather is one of the available to them. Mountain hares may face delights we enjoy in the Peak District. threats including disturbance by humans, In winter, these small mammals lend changes in land use, roadkill and climate an Arctic appearance to the moors. change. They are also under pressure from They have bright white coats in winter, the European brown hare, which sometimes which turn brown in summer. competes with mountain hares for territory, However, did you know that mountain or even hybridises with them. hares had died out in the last Ice Age? To investigate these matters a study They were actually reintroduced to the is now taking place, co-ordinated by Peak District in the 1880s by a group of Manchester Metropolitan University landowners, who brought some down from and involving a number of wildlife and Perthshire. From those early translocations conservation charities. If you see either we now have a population of bunnies which a mountain or brown hare, please send hide amongst the cloughs of , information (six-figure OS map references), , Holme Moss, Saddleworth photos or anecdotes to me. Such observations and the Derwent Edges. will be used to help understand the status of Despite this apparent success mountain the mountain hares and how we may hares are vulnerable, enduring a harsh life safeguard them for future generations. upon the cold and exposed moors. Their distribution in the Peak District is patchy; Email: [email protected]

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 9 Hill Walking Notes District National Park Authority’s Mike Rhodes Peter Judd is currently considering putting in proposals based around two iconic Peak District paths A Strategic Plan for Hill Walking: with quite different characteristics: firstly a Latest News section of the hugely popular I’m delighted to report that February’s between and , and National Council meeting unanimously secondly, a contribution to improvements to approved the Hill Walking Working Group’s some of the most damaged sections of the (HWWG) Strategic Plan – fantastic news! Cut Gate bridleway that runs from the top As Dave Turnbull reported at our last area of Howden reservoir to Langsett. meeting, Sport England has shown interest The second of these is already the focus in the possibility of funding some of the of discussion amongst the mountain biking proposed developments too, at least for one community with Ride Sheffield and Peak year and possibly longer, though it is hoped District MTB.They have published a the proposed developments will eventually discussion document about this route, become self-sustaining through growing hill inviting collaboration with other users walker membership. So the HWWG has been groups. While there are tensions between wound up on an extremely optimistic note! some parts of the walking community and The strategy proposed the setting up of some MTBers it is also clear that both a HillWalking Standing Committee, however organisations mentioned are doing much to National Council has chosen to recommend a improve MTBer behaviour and reputation. short-term HillWalking Implementation So collaboration over Cut Gate might offer Group instead, to oversee the early stages of an opportunity for walkers and MTBers to making the strategy happen. It’s likely that improve further their relationship and gain a some of the HWWG’s membership will better understanding of one another. be invited to be part of this, so it’s quite What are your thoughts about these two possible that Peak Area will continue to proposals? Something to discuss at future be represented.Those of you who read area meetings I think! my article about the strategy last time will know that it’s bold and ambitious. It’s exciting Attention All Clubs to think that the first steps in implementing Austin and I would like to update our it are already being taken. records of any hill walking leads/ representatives within BMC-affiliated clubs Mend our Mountains 2 in the Peak Area and we will be using the Mend our Mountains (MoM) was a huge BMC database to contact clubs directly. success both nationally (over £100k raised However, I have done this in the past with plus an enormous amount of positive media limited success, attributing the limited attention) and locally (£17k going towards response to outdated records. If you could national park’s Ringing Roger path repairs). email [email protected] with any Thoughts have moved on to MoM2 with updated details of key contacts in your club an ambitious target of £1m (gulp!). Carey that would be really helpful. Davies held an open forum discussion about Our ambition is to set up a network of the Peak District’s involvement as part of the contacts; to find out what hill walking BMC’s contribution to ShAFF. National parks activity is going on at grassroots level in have been asked to propose projects. Peak clubs across the Peak; and to use the

10 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 network to help shape the implementation the BMC, especially in upland access and of the national hill walking strategy, as well conservation, with a few BMC leaflets, as helping support our local clubs. booklet and other giveaways. I have also volunteered to help with providing some of Peak Mountaineering’s the post clean-up activities too. Find out ‘Pick and Play’ Event more and express interest: Fancy being rewarded, for half a day’s www.peakmountaineering.com/blog/2 cleaning up of our countryside, by an 017/03/15/Peak_District_Pick__Play/ opportunity to take part in a supported For avoidance of confusion, please note: outdoor activity for a few hours, or know this event in no way replaces our own Peak someone who might? Local mountain Area crag clean-up that will hopefully take activities and training company Castleton- place again later in the summer (it’s aimed at based Peak Mountaineering has been a completely different audience). All being running their imaginative ‘Pick and Play’ one- well we’ll add a clean-up walk to that too! day clean-up event in the Peak for the past six years and will do so again this year – on Forthcoming Events Sunday 14 May, most likely operating out of Saturday 22 April: Spirit of Kinder Day, SurpriseView car park above Hathersage. EdaleVillage Hall, 2 p.m. start. An impressive This entirely FREE and family friendly range of speakers is promised, including event offers participants the opportunity to Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of make a difference by taking part in a clean- the National Trust (talking about NT’s role up, organised in conjunction with Peak Park as owner of much of Kinder).The BMC ConservationVolunteers, and then uses will have a stand too; come and say hello volunteer instructors (mostly local members if you attend! More info in Henry's access of the Association of Mountaineering news on page 3. Instructors) to offer reward activities. Late June or early July: BMC Peak Last year these included abseiling, climbing, Area weekday evening hill walk in bushcraft, navigation workshops and a association with Moors for the Future. Plans Ranger-led nature walk, all aimed at are at an advanced stage to go and look at beginner level and offering an opportunity some of the amazing moorland restoration for the curious to try something new. work done as part of the Moors for the While beginner-level rewards might not Future programme. Keep an eye on the Peak immediately appeal to experienced BMC Area Facebook page for more details. members (though some may fancy the Sunday 6 August: BMC Peak Area navigation workshops maybe?) many of us hill walk from Buxton heading up on to probably have friends or family members who Axe Edge. This walk will be led by volunteer care about the environment and, perhaps have rep.Austin Knott. More details in the next an interest in trying out one of the outdoor newsletter and on the Peak Area Facebook. activities they know we are so keen on. So Email Austin to express early interest: please point anyone you know, who might be [email protected] tempted, towards this excellent event. This year the BMC locally has a small involvement because I will be there as Hill WalkingVolunteer Rep. to help draw participants’ attention towards the work of

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 11 Wiin Hiillll and Lose Hiillll from Kiinder.. Photo::Austiin Knott..

Activist Profile: Peter Judd

Age? Describe what you did when you last 56. went out? A club walk around the ManifoldValley last Where do you live? weekend. Some ace views despite the rain, Sheffield. but unbelievably muddy underfoot!

Occupation? When and how did you get into University teacher, electronic engineering. walking? Huge thanks to a sixth-form teacher Where did you grow up? who took us walking in the Lakes every I’m a Geordie by birth but I spent most of Wednesday afternoon (got me out of my childhood and youth in south Cumbria, team sports too). I wonder how many that’s where my love of fell walking was of us have an inspirational teacher to born. The Lake District mountains will thank for introducing us to the outdoors? always have a special place in my heart. Drifted away from walking for a few years but visiting the Isle of Skye I saw Who do you go walking with currently? the extraordinary Cuillin range; that relit Mostly with my wife (we met in a walking my passion for mountains and I’ve not club; I’m forever grateful that I have a partner looked back since. I wasted my university who shares my biggest interest), often with years in Sheffield by not taking advantage local walking clubs, sometimes leading. of the wonderful Peak District on my

12 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 doorstep – I’ve been making up for that ever since!

What constitutes a good day out walking for you? Length, challenge, company, weather etc? Ten to twelve miles, somewhere new, a good ridge or edge to walk along, maybe a bit of scrambling, a summit or two and just my wife for company. Any weather will do (well, maybe not for the scrambling bit), nothing like a good battle with the elements to give you a glow of satisfaction at the end of the day! Some good cake in a decent tea shop at the end followed a good pub meal in the evening would Peter on the Great Ridge. round it off nicely thanks! Photo: Glynis Judd.

Do you have a favourite area minute of the training, the consolidation for walking in the Peak? period and the even the assessment! I love the Dark Peak, the spectacular weather-worn gritstone outcrops and What do think of the BMC? deep cloughs of the northern edges of I’ve been a member for years but had never Kinder Scout, Blackden Brook, Seal Edge, bothered to find out what the area meetings Fairbrook Naze are all a bit special. were all about until three years ago. I was amazed to discover the extent of the work What one piece of advice would of our Peak Area access volunteers and just you give anyone not from an outdoors how much of it is of value to Peak walkers, background who’s just getting into not just climbers. It has been a huge hill walking today? privilege to represent the Peak Area on the Find some experienced folk to hook up recently ended National Hill Walking with, and if you can’t find any then join a Working Group. I’ve met some fantastic and BMC club that includes walking amongst very able people amongst both the Peak its activities. Then commit yourself to Area activists and my fellow HWWG picking up as much knowledge and as members, not forgetting the various officers many skills as possible. It’s OK having I’ve dealt with, and not least our hill walking others always lead you round but it’s officer Carey Davies.The willingness of the much more fun when you become able organisation to step up to the challenge of to find your own way about and can take better representing hill walkers has been care of yourself.When I returned to fell very satisfying. Now we need to make sure walking after school I taught myself that many more adventurous hill walkers navigation using books as I was doing discover just how valuable – no, essential loads of solo walking and needed to be – the BMC is to them and bring them responsible for myself. I then decided to get on-board. Who else will stand up for the Mountain Leader award too, loving every our interests?

http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak 13 Curbar Edge. Photo: John Coefield.

NationalTrust Update: March 2017 Luke Barley

White Peak of coppice management – cyclical cutting of Our main focus in the White Peak this winter understorey species like hazel – to benefit has been finishing off scrub management and dormice. In preparation for this work we’ve fencing works as part of farm tenants’ agri- also been restoring some old dormouse environment grant schemes. nestboxes that were installed throughout Our big challenge here in terms of the valley a decade ago, and rejuvenating our biodiversity is balancing the grassland, survey effort. scrub and woodland habitats and with these Visitors to Ilam will have noticed that interventions we try to ensure we’re getting the ‘zigzags’ down from the garden to the that balance right; protecting the best bits of river are closed; Storm Doris felled an wildflower-rich grassland while still allowing enormous ash tree which destabilised scrub (which birds and invertebrates love) two of the steep paths and clattered lots to thrive elsewhere.We’ve also completed of railings as it fell in a singlehanded wave a plan for all our woodlands to ensure they of destruction. Contractors are currently remain in good condition in the face of the working to rebuild revetment walls and threat from ash dieback, and following we’ll have the paths open as soon as extensive partnership working with possible. Doris also rudely interrupted our Natural England and the Forestry project to lay a long hedge next to Bunster Commission, we’ll hopefully start the Hill, but we still got a few hundred metres practical work next winter. In the Hamps done. Hedgelaying is a traditional skill valley this will also mean some restoration where shrub species like hawthorn

14 Peak Area Newsletter April 2017 are ‘laid’ over while still partially attached, so they stay alive but form an impenetrable barrier to stock.As well as keeping the craft alive, laid hedges provide a better habitat for lots of small animals, birds and invertebrates.

Dark Peak We’re continuing to work hard on our MoorLIFE 2020 and Higher Level Stewardship projects to improve the ecological condition of the moors, which simultaneously improves their value for biodiversity and their ability to store carbon and provide clean drinking water. Some of the heavy work – like installing dams in The realliity off buiilldiing the new path at gullies or cutting heather – stops Longshaw iin the Peak Diistriict wiinter.. at this time of year to make sure we don’t Photo::Steve Liindop/NT IImages.. disturb nesting birds, but monitoring the effect of work to date and planning for its Longshaw resumption in the summer continues apace. If you’ve been to Longshaw recently you’ll We’ve got some shiny new equipment to have noticed a huge amount of work around cut heather, with the aim being to diversify the main visitor area. The main feature will the age structure and provide a better be a new path through the woods from the habitat that also allows other species to car park to the tea room; this will be colonise, like sphagnum mosses (which we’ll accessible for all and provide a really pleasant also introduce to the cut areas). Cutting short circular route. It should be open by heather also plays an important role in our May half-term. We’ve also planted a new management to guard against wild fires. hedge to create a safe play area near the You might notice a lot of helicopter Woodcroft car park. activity at the moment and this is a big The restoration of the wood pasture push to get old materials down off the continues with the planting of around 70 oak moors – we’ve been taking down redundant and hawthorn this winter; these are widely fences and clearing up other waste products. spaced and the oaks will grow to be We’ve also planted another 30,000 trees impressive landscape trees. Elsewhere in the in the cloughs this winter (on top of the woods, we’ll be doing bird surveys in areas previous year’s 50,000!) which will again we’ve been managing since 2011; they were hugely improve their habitat value while surveyed before the work started so it will also managing water well, and plays a key be fascinating to see how the bird populations part of our High Peak MoorsVision. have responded. A survey last summer of pied Last but not least, heavy rain has washed flycatchers using nestboxes provided a very some of our tracks and paths away so we’ve positive result as we observed 31 pairs raising got a big job on fixing them along with our 103 chicks following a brilliant effort in usual summer programme of maintaining woodland management, nestbox management, and improving the access network. and surveying by rangers and volunteers; a real conservation success story.

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

2017

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

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

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

Spirit of Kinder Day Peak Area Chair: Rob Greenwood. 22 April, EdaleVillage Hall [email protected] BBC Radio Sheffield's Rony Robinson hosts this year's event, which includes high- Secretary: Becky Hammond. profile speakers, cakes, music from Sally [email protected] Goldsmith and the launch of a new book, Clarion Call. More info on pages 3 and 4. Peak Area Reps (your voice on the BMC National Council): Pinnacle Club Open Meet Rob Greenwood and Dave Brown. 12–14 May, Bob Downes Hut, Froggatt http://community.thebmc.co.uk/peak The Pinnacle Club is a UK-based club of enthusiastic women climbers.This meet Access Reps Co-ordinator: provides an opportunity for prospective Henry Folkard. club members to see how a meet works [email protected] and to get to know the club. You must be able to safely lead climbs at whatever level Peak Area Hill Walking Reps: you climb at, so this is not a club for Peter Judd. beginners. More info on the BMC website. [email protected] Austin Knott. Friends of the Peak District [email protected] Annual Challenge Walk, 20 May, 9 a.m. onwards Peak Area Newsletter Editorial: A choice of three routes, all starting from the Dave Parry and John Coefield. Royal Oak in Wetton. Email Julie for more [email protected] info: [email protected]

Next meeting: Wednesday 5 April, 7.30 p.m. The Maynard, Grindleford, S32 2HE