UNDER THE EDGE INCORPORATING THE PARISH MAGAZINE GREAT LONGSTONE, LITTLE LONGSTONE, ROWLAND, HASSOP, MONSAL HEAD, WARDLOW No. 115 August 2008 50P ISSN 1466-8211 Longstone Church Fete The Great Longstone Church Fete went ahead in spite of the weather. As soon as the band struck up it took a turn for the better and the rain clouds receded! For good measure the stalls were all accommodated inside the school, apart from the plant stall, which received a heavy downpour prior to the opening so the plants were all in great shape! This years well dressing was stunning, reflecting the time when Longstone was a tropical lagoon, the side panels depicting the subsequent fossil remains from 300million years ago! The Queen and attendants with their beautiful bouquets looked a picture. The cakes were tempting as ever and the teas with accompanying sounds of the Cressbrook brass band made for a quintessential village occasion. Well done to all those involved in organising the event. Final Farewell for Mr Pryor It has been an emotional week for their mid twenties), parents, staff and showing off”; when it came to this David Pryor, Head of Longstone School. friends. Jean Gledhill, the Chair of occasion he found it hard to find his Having made such a huge impression on Governors, spoke of David’s huge words. Fortunately he did! He thanked the lives of so many local children and contribution, his dedication and love for everyone for a wonderful last few days, their parents he wasn’t going to be the school. How he has inspired so the spell binding music concert, his last allowed to quietly slink away! A whole many young people with his “can do song filled assembly and this final party. series of events had been organised in attitude”, nurturing confidence and self- He had fulfilled his lifetime ambition of his honour and as an old parent, or esteem. How he had created a unique becoming a head teacher and expressed should I say parent of older ex pupils, I school, of great diversity and talent. how lucky he had been to do it at went along on Friday evening to the David was presented with a gift voucher Longstone School, such a fantastic place, presentation night. The school hall was for a week’s holiday in a vintage VW with its strong sense of community. He packed with pupils of all ages (some in campervan, with spending money! A had been blessed with wonderful further gift of a beautifully sculptured governors who had let him follow limestone block, with the very apt through his ideas and dreams; an inscription “Grow Old Learning New amazingly supportive staff and of course Things”, was presented to him by its the best children to teach! He recognised sculptress. She explained how the that the job had taken over his whole footsteps carved into the stone life and so finished by apologising to represented the transformation of the Janet (his wife) for being tired and infant through childhood to adulthood, grumpy sometimes when he got home! a celebration of life’s journey, and she The whole audience rose in a wished David well on the next stage in spontaneous standing ovation. Finally his life! everyone got down and boogied to the David spoke about how in spite of Latin rhythms of Salsa! doing a job which “basically involved Sue Walker Letters to Under the Edge Dear UTE Rather than challenge this fact, it would because they are vulnerable or at risk. As you will recall a couple of months appear the PC have accepted this as usual. Services provided will include fire risk ago I submitted to UTE a letter that So imagine my concern that in this assessments, security checks, energy outlined in detail concerns in respect of months issue of ‘INSIGHT ‘there is an efficiency advice and practical the footpaths. article that states clearly that household tasks. First of all may I thank you for (paraphrased) ‘We (The County Council) In order for the service to be publishing the letter and also to the have listened to the public regarding their successful in an area like the Parish Council (PC) for considering its concerns over roads and Footpaths . As Derbyshire Dales we strongly believe content. a result we have put an additional £2.2 that it is necessary to have the support That said, The Parish Council have not million into the budget for repairs this and commitment of the town and parish really acted as requested. If you recall, I financial year.’ councils, as you are often best placed did ask that the Council publish a This is over and above the millions of to identify where the service is most strategic risk assessment and plan as to £’s in the original budget. needed. As part of this support we are how this matter was to be resolved. That This in itself provides more evidence also looking for a small number of has not happened. for the Parish Council to use and act upon volunteers from parish and town So as to keep the Community updated immediately. councils to help to set up a management this is what has happened thus far; How many times are they going to take committee to oversee the service. It The letter was discussed at the Parish ‘no ‘for an answer when clearly there are would be advantageous if this Council meeting. One Councillor funds available? representation broadly reflects the apparently stated that he did not think it The PC is the best placed body to geographical spread of Derbyshire was a matter for the Parish Council at all secure the money for the repairs. This is Dales District Council area. I would ? now two occasions in as many months therefore, appreciate it if On that point, Please can the Parish that the Derbyshire County Council are representatives could be nominated Council state what it is they are prepared publicly saying there is money available. from all regions of the district to help to consider and deal with on behalf of On this basis, I request that the PC with this important service to our the community they have been elected rather than send yet another letter residents. by and to serve! outlining the fact that the footpaths are If there are any queries or if you An Act of Parliament many many years in dire need of repair…………. actually do require any further information, please ago called the Representation of the something more positive. do not hesitate to contact me. People Act, does I believe, make clear One option may be to task an individual Yours sincerely what the duties of an elected Parish Parish Councillor to resolve this issue Karen Carpenter Council are. I am pretty confident my as a matter of urgency…in person [email protected] request fits the criteria. perhaps? (01629 761316) The PC kindly supplied to me a copy How about actually trying to arrange a The second letter is from Les Warren of all the letters submitted to the County meeting at County Offices with a copy of about the Derbyshire Dales Sports Council to date. Insight to hand and actually discussing Awards: The letters /dialogue starts back in and challenging the decision makers Following the success of the last two 2001. Yes 2001. direct? years Sports Awards, I am pleased to Now depending upon how cynical you Come on Great Longstone Parish write to you to give you details of this are, you can look at this in two ways. Council ………….Lets see what you are year’s event. This is an opportunity to Yes, it is clear that efforts have been capable of achieving. celebrate people across Derbyshire made without success or another view As they say ….It’s on a plate for you ! Dales who have made a significant could be that the PC has simply rolled The funding is there for the taking. Go contribution to sport in a variety of over on every occasion. At least 7 years and secure it for the Community you have ways whether as a player, a coach or a of funding opportunities missed. You do been elected to serve !!!! volunteer. We would like to find these the maths folks!! Thank you people and reward them for their The Parish Council when they Rick Gooch contribution to sport across the supplied to me the file, included a The Parish Clerk has passed on a District. covering letter in which they suggested couple of letters from the Derbyshire The last two years’ Presentations that, I drum up village support and Dales District Council. The first have been great events and we hope this contact the County Council direct. I am notification is from Karen Carpenter, year it will be even better. The panel happy to do that, but isn’t that the point Environmental Health Officer, about the will select the winners and runners up here………..What are the PC doing about new Handy Person service: who will be invited to attend an Awards the issue? I am writing to announce that the new Ceremony in October 2008. The They did send my last letter that handy van for Derbyshire Dales will soon Derbyshire Dales Sports Awards feed outlined the funding streams available be out on the road and providing help to directly into the Derbyshire Sport (as stated in the Insight paper) to the vulnerable and older people of our Awards and the winners from the Derbyshire County Council. district with the aim to support people Derbyshire Dales Sports Awards will They duly wrote back to the PC as they living independently in their own homes, automatically be put forward for these have done for the past 7 years and said for longer.