Love the Peak District? If so please help care for its incredible landscapes this April and take part in Friends of the Peak District’s Magnificent Charity Walk

The walksStarting and finish at the private and stunning Thornbridge Hall near Great Longstone. There are three magnificent walks to choose from to challenge, inspire or relax you:

Chatsworth House

1. The 21 Mile Challenge - taking in some of most the iconic places of the Peak District including Chatsworth Park, Derwent Valley Heritage Way, the Monsal Trail and Frogatt Wood. £12 entry (£6 for under 16s);
2. The Magnificent 7 Miles - a whistle stop tour round some of the most inspiring views and places in the Peak District including Monsal Dale, Litton, Cressbrook, Little Longstone, Great Longstone and Brushfield. £12 entry (£6 for under 16s);

Thornbridge Hall

3. The Three Cake Challenge - a short relaxing walk, suitable for even the smallest of feet, with 3 cake stops on route. Taking in the Monsal Trail and exclusive access to gardens of Thornbridge Hall.  £6 entry (free for under 5’s).

To take part visit www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk/What’s_on/Events/Magnificent_Charity_Walk/

For more information telephone 0114 266 5822 or email danny@friendsofthepeak.org.uk

The Charity

It is so easy to take the Peak District for granted. Despite being a national park it remains fragile and vulnerable. It is the 2^nd most visited national park in the world, and its location (unique for a national park) between so many major towns and cities, puts huge pressure on its space, land and wildlife.

Friends of the Peak District is the only charity dedicated to caring and protecting the Peak District countryside. We campaigned for it to be Britain’s first national park 60 years ago and are recognised as the national park charity. You can learn more about us at www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk.

The old farmhouse - Holestone Moor Barns holiday cottages

Each year it’s a bit of a guess … when will people ask about next year? Of course we’re happy when they do … and blimey it was early this year!

So, thinking caps on – we’ve decided that our 2013 prices will remain the same as our 2012 prices. It’s tough for all of us and we feel that a stay Holestone Moor Barns holiday cottages should remain as affordable as possible.

Visit our Prices page.

Coppicing in the woodland

Steve has been busy down in our little woodlands – it’s a good time of year for coppicing and tidying lower branches on the Goat Willows.  It’s so early in the year that the sap isn’t rising yet, so the wood will be seasoned more quickly.

Lower branches chopped

These trees in our wood have had some branches thinned out. Just one branch is left and that will become the main trunk of the tree.

Woodland path

Large branches are sawn into logs for us to use on the house and cottages wood burners. Smaller branches are put through the chipper, and the clippings are used for the paths through the wood.

Cheryl Webster talking about me!

Cheryl presenting my certificate

Earlier this month I was thrilled to be presented with a Long Service Certificate for my 20 years of volunteer work at Treetops Hospice.

My certificate was presented to me by Cheryl Webster who is the Volunteer Services Manager for Treetops.

Other Treetops related articles.

I’ve been fortunate to live on the edge of Derbyshire and the Peak District for almost all of my life … so I know that it’ gorgeous!

If you’ve not been as fortunate as me then you might not be aware … so, take a look at this (the lovely people at Visit Peak District made it):

Here’s a picture that one of our regular guests, John Morris, sent to the Cambridge News … lovely John – thank you!

Extract from Cambridge News - the frosty courtyard

For my part … I work with Vicki on all things website and computery …

I thought I’d tell you about a couple of things that’ve happened recently in and around Matlock …

Pennies in the Park

Pennies in the Park 2011 was a fabulous celebration of all things cycling inHall Leys Park, Matlock. Hall Leys Park celebrates its centenary this year and all manner of activities have been taking place. The highlight of the Pennies day was a massed start Penny Farthing race!

Other activities and races included bicycle powered smoothie making, a unicycle race, Go-ride races for youngster and a Victorian photo booth! The early autumn weather was mostly favourable … except for the short sharp shower just to remind us we’re in Derbyshire!

Pennies in the Park 2012 will be held as part of a bigger festival of cycling at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire.

More info: http://penniesinthepark.co.uk

Leisure Centre

The other big news locally is the lush new leisure centre … just 10 minutes down the road there’s a fab new Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool complex that Lord Seb Coe came to open the other day!

Read the local paper’s write up about the opening: Matlock Mercury website

More ARC Leisure Centre info: ARC Leisure Centre website

5 Star self catering accommodation

Enjoy England Gold Award

At the start of September 2011 we had our annual Quality in Tourism (QiT) assessment at Holestone Moor Barns holiday cottages.  This week we got our results!

We got 5* Gold again!

A big thank you to Louise & June for our mark of 100% for cleanliness.  We occasionally had help from ‘the Cavalry’ (otherwise known as David, June’s husband)!

We also got 100% for Administration – which is down to Vicki!

We’re chuffed to bits.

Angela arrived in their VW Camper Van (called Matilda), along with her mum and dad and two bridesmaids.  Our youngest son, Neil was the Best Man and Andrea, whom Angela has known since she was 3 was the Chief Bridesmaid!

Lisa was the second Bridesmaid and Phil was the Usher .

As Angela walked down the aisle towards Adam, there were tears from the mums.  Angela cried when she read her vows, which started Adam off, then Neil, then most of the congregation I think.  Neil said a fly flew in his eye!  .. yeah, right!! After the ceremony and whilst photographs were being taken, everyone enjoyed champagne and canapes on the terrace of the Castle.

Photos done, and Adam drove Matilda down to the bottom of the hill, where the Reception was taking place in teepees, in the grounds of the castle.  They were just lovely .. so different.  There were 2 fire pits which were lit in the evening .. fairy lights round the dance floor .. a buffet of lovely barbecue type food .. a bar, apart from the wine which was already on the tables .. and a chocolate fountain.

As it grew dark, the castle was lit up, as was a trail of tealights which led the way to the mobile toilets.  A superb band played until after 11pm, and the ‘oldies’ headed back to their hotels and bed.

It was a wonderful, wonderful occasion, and won’t be forgotten for a long long time!