Friends of the Peak District's Magnificent Charity Walk!

Help raise funds and protect the beautiful Peak District Countryside with our annual magnificent charity walk. 
 

We start 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:

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.
 

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.
 

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.  

All walks return you to Thornbridge Hall where you can rest your weary feet, enjoy a well deserved drink or snack (provided by Hassop Station Cafe) and take a rare opportunity to look round the grounds of this private home.

To register and take part

Entry for the 21 mile and 7 mile walks is £12 (£6 for under 16s). Entry into the Three Cake Challenge is £6 (free for under 5s). Dogs are welcome - although it will be lambing season so please be responsible.

Click here to book online for the 21 Mile Challenge

Click here to book online for the Magnificent 7 Miles

Click here to book online for the Three Cakes Challenge
 

You can also book by download a booking form  and posting it back to us or contact Danny 

Help care for the Peak District you love 

The aim is to raise funds to protect and care for the Peak District countryside. Our charity relies entirely on voluntary donations so please raise any sponsorship that you can. You can raise sponsorship online here or by downloading a sponsorship form.

Please get in touch with Danny if you have any questions.

Kindly supported by Large Outdoors and Let's Stay Peak District

 Peak Walking Adventures and Thornbridge Hall

We're  working with the Peak District National Park Authority and local electricity suppliers identifying overhead power lines that are suitable for putting underground. 

Look at the difference putting 2.5 kilometres of high voltage electricity cables between Perryfoot, Eldon Hill and Peak Forest underground alongside the road in Perrydale made. Electricy North West did this work in 2008 and the result is a real improvement to views of Mam Tor, Rushup Edge and Eldon Hill.  
 

Tell us where else!

We're working in close partnership with Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid, Western Power and the Peak District National Park Authority to find the most suitable power lines to put underground. We need your help! Tell us about other countryside and village locations that would be improved by having power lines placed underground. 

• Fill in the form below
• Contact Andy Tickle
• Talk about it on Facebook

Other successes

Northern Powergrid (formerly Yorkshire Electricity), Electric Northwest and Western Power Distribution (formerly Central Networks) have completed schemes at

• Blacka Moor (near Sheffield)
• Hope
• Rowland
• Sheldon
• Tissington
• Tunstead
• between Wardlow Mires and Litton
• Wheston (near Tideswell)

All the work is paid for using an allowance from the electricity regulator OFGEM. It provides money for electricity companies to put unsightly poles and wires underground in scenic areas like national parks. The need for the allowance was strongly supported by electricity customers and over £2 million has been allocated for the Peak District between 2010 - 2015.

Phone masts

We're also concerned about siting phone masts in natural and sensitive landscapes - so the only fly in the ointment is that telephone wires are not covered by the scheme. We are trying to influence BT Openreach to get involved and do their bit. Also see our Telecoms policy.  To find out more, please get in touch with Andy Tickle.

We've had a great response to our campaign so far. Lots of people have asked us questions about what we're doing, so have a look at our answers...

Why?

We campaign against people destroying land and disturbing tranquillity with off-road 4x4 vehicles, trail motorbikes and quad bikes. We focus on the most environmentally sensitive routes in the Peak District.  

Most off-roading happens on lanes and paths where cars should not have the priority. There are various categories for different routes which can be confusing. Some are BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) and others are unclassified. Some off-roading is legal, but damaging; some off-roading is completely illegal.     

Apart from ruining people's quiet enjoyment of the countryside, off-roaders are causing serious erosion and destroying precious wildlife areas, including some which are nationally and internationally important.

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who came and supported our Take Back the Tracks rally at Stanage Pole in July. We sent a clear message to the Peak District National Park Authority that it needs to get tough on off-roaders.

Houndkirk - job done!

We've been campaigning for three years against 4x4 drivers and trail bikers carving up Houndkirk near Sheffield. Houndkirk Road itself is a legitimate byway and open to motor vehicles. However, off-roaders often drive too fast and recklessly, damaging the road especially in wet weather when it is already really boggy. 

 
Our main concern at Houndkirk though, was that 4x4s created a trials circuit on an area of open moorland at the highest point on the road (just above Parson House Farm) that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This was illegal, an eyesore and an invitation for drivers to go further out onto the moor. 

We raised awareness of the damage with Natural England, the Peak District National Park Authority and Sheffield City Council to look at ways to stop off-roaders and protect the land. Last year a team from Moors for the Future have fenced off the area, repaired the battered ground, and helped the heather to regenerate. They have also put in stiles so that walkers can still use the two footpaths there.

In March 2011 Sheffield City Council resurfaced an eastern section of Houndkirk Road with gritstone aggregate. Large boulders were dotted along the edges to stop vehicles widening the road. The response from some users has been negative. We have serious concerns about the lack of consultation, but we'll wait to see how the work beds in and how effective it is.

Washgate Lane

Washgate Lane, in Hartington Upper Quarter, has a listed pack horse bridge and some lovely tranquil countryside around it. Cars and bikes are eroding the lane and disturbing the peace here, and in March 2011 Derbyshire County Council proposed a ban on vehicles over one metre wide. Along with other user groups, we're pushing for a full ban.

Pin Dale

Pin Dale is near Castleton and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its nationally important limestone geology. It also has historic lead working remains, and rare habitats for unique plants and flowers. It's particularly vulnerable because it has an unsurfaced track that is legal for cars and trail-bikes. The problem has been irresponsible drivers and riders who have used it as a race-track or rubbish dump - and driving off road. The good news is that English Heritage, working with Natural England and Lafarge, have now fenced and blocked off the sensitive areas.

The Roych

The Roych is an unsurfaced road close to the iconic Rushup Edge near Chapel-en-le-Frith. It has been badly eroded by the 600 4x4s and trail-bikes that go there every month, mainly at weekends. So we cautiously welcomed the Peak District National Park Authority introducing a voluntary one-way system there. Trail-bikers and 4x4 drivers are alos being asked to follow a Code of Conduct. We're a bit sceptical about how effective these voluntary arrangements will be and will keep an eye on how things are going. If it doesn't work, then some more serious restrictions will have to be put in place...

Chapel Gate

Chapel Gate is a green lane that skirts Rushup Edge, the beautiful high ridge between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Edale. We've been campaigning with local people to get Chapel Gate closed and start saving this iconic landscape from more damage. We were pleased when the Peak District National Park Authority served an experimental 18 month ban on 4x4s and trail bikes - they are now monitoring how  effective the repairs and restrictions are. We want to see this temporary ban made permanent. 

School Lane

School Lane crosses Great Hucklow Wood, an ancient and protected woodland site. Trial bikes and 4x4s are damaging the woodlands as well as the character of this track, and making it difficult for other people to use. Part of the route is an access to the local primary school, so there are serious concerns about the safety of children and parents too. At the end of 2010, Derbyshire County Council consulted on plans to close School Lane to all traffic, which we supported. DCC still hasn't decided!

What are we doing elsewhere?

Throughout the Peak District, we are campaigning to stop the destruction of landscapes in other places, and to preserve routes for quiet enjoyment by foot, horse or bike. Have a look at our off-roading policy for more information. We're lobbying for

• the most sensitive routes to be closed to 4x4s and trail bikes 
• the police to take firmer action against illegal off-roading
• innovative solutions such as developing dedicated, less sensitive areas for off-roading    
   

Absolutely FAB...

We've been working with these other groups

• FAB (Forum for Ancient Byways) - set up to bring together local parishes and communities affected by off-roading in and around the Hope Valley to take action more effectively together.  
• The Peak District Green Lanes Alliance - an action group against irresponsible off-roading in the Peak District, made up of local parishes and recreational users.
• Rocking the BOAT - the action group for the Longstone Edge area (see Rocking the BOAT's photos of erosion and environmental damage on high priority routes caused by 4x4s and trail bikes). 

What you can do

• Get in touch with John King, our planning officer, if you are concerned about off-roading in a place that's important to you
• Write to or email the Peak District National Park Authority or Derbyshire County Council about off-roading
• Report actual incidents of illegal off-roading to your local police (but make sure you don't put yourself in any danger)

Annual and strategic documents 

• 2010 annual review
• 2010 annual accounts
• 2008 - 2013 strategic plan

Peakland Guardian

• Summer 2010
• Winter 2010 
• Summer 2011
• Winter 2011

Reports

• Ticking timebombs? 
  The threat of old mineral permissions in national parks, written by Green Balance for Friends of the Peak District and the Campaign for National Parks
• Peak Power
  Our research into potential sites for small scale hydro electric power in the Peak District

Sorry, nothing at the moment.

Volunteering

We're currently looking for people to lots of exciting and useful things for us - please have a look at our volunteer page.

Flexible and free!

Being a Peak Pound Partner costs you nothing. Every quarter we'll write to remind you to collate and send us any donations (and we'll send you a receipt). The scheme is very flexible and you can choose how you work it to suit you. For instance, some businesses 

• have a tick box on customers' bills to show that they wish £1 to be added - both online or on paper
• mention it to customers as they pay in person
• simply have a collection tin in reception or accommodation areas with our leaflets

Some of our supporters match the support of their customers pound for pound, and double the money we receive!

As a local business we'll offer you promotional opportunities, including a link on our website, because we believe support goes both ways.

Please contact Danny Anderson if you want to get involved.

Our Peak Pound Partners  

• Ashbourne Heights Park
• Beechenhill Farm
• Blue Lagoon Holiday Cottages 
• Buxton Hilbre B&B
• Dovedale Cottages 
• Hoe Grange Holidays
• Callow Top Holiday Park
• Common Barn Farm
• Let's Stay Peak District
• Losehill House Hotel & Spa
• Large Outdoors
• Nice Nosh
• Oaklands Country Lodges
• The Old Furnace
• Padley Farm
• The Peacock at Rowsley
• Peak Mountaineering
• Peak Walking Adventures
• Riverside House
• Top Eccles Farm
• Upper Booth Farm and Campsite
• Shatton Hall Farm
• Shaw Farm Holidays
• The Spook, Winster
• The Studio at Adders Green Farm
• Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages 
• Yorkshire Bridge Inn

The Government has published a draft National Planning Policy Framework: the biggest shake-up of planning for over 50 years. We believe it will place all of our countryside - including the Peak District National Park - under increasing threat.

The consultation on the draft NPPF has now closed, but there is still some time before the final document is published, and MPs can still make suggestions for changes and improvements. So it's still worth lobbying for a radical rewrite, in order to save our countryside. 

Why it's wrong

The NPPF does not commit to the principle that the countryside should be protected for its own intrinsic character, beauty and heritage. Instead, it will place the countryside under increasing threat and leave local communities and planning authorities largely powerless in the face of developer pressure. See CPRE's useful frequently asked questions for more information.

We have grave concerns that pressure on the Peak District from damaging development will grow due to

• weakening of policies that currently strictly control major developments in national parks
• changes to Green Belt policy which would allow building which would previously have been restricted on the borders of the national park 
• loss of emphasis on brownfield regeneration - as a result of the removal of the national brownfield target and failure to promote efficient use of land
• the creation of new neighbourhood forums that will have the power to give planning permission but will be set up in such a way that they could be dominated by businesses rather than local residents
• weakening of the 'town centre first' policy by removing office development from the sequential test which prioritises the use of land in towns and cities first
• pressure for increased car use - by removing the requirement to set maximum parking standards for non-residential parking in major developments
• abolition of exceptions policy which allows small scale affordable housing to be built in rural settlements, which is likely to add to pressure for market housing and reduce the supply of affordable housing
• weakening of controls over outdoor advertisements, including no mention of billboards being inappropriate in the countryside

Write to your MP now!

MPs tell us that the most effective letters are those written by individuals, so it's best to write from the heart telling them how your local countryside could be affected by these proposed changes. If you prefer, you can edit or use the model letter - but please try to personalise it.

A real threat to the places you love

You may have read in our recent Peakland Guardian magazine about our concerns over the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system.

If the draft National Planning Policy Framework goes ahead as it is, no longer will there be an agreed priniciple that the countryside should be protected for its beauty and character. There will be a default ‘yes’ in favour of developments.

In the Peak District National Park this will mean a greater risk of developments that previously would have been rejected as unnecessary. The Peak District countryside outside the remit of the National Park will be at even greater risk.

Help us meet new challenges

It is clear that over the next year our charity and this landscape are going to face many new challenges - at a time when we are also facing increased pressure on our income.

We are hugely grateful for the support we receive from our friends. We ask if you could give a bit extra and help us to continue to protect this incredible area.

Ways you can really help to make a difference

• Please make a donation – perhaps as way to say thank you for the landscapes you have enjoyed in 2011, its 60th year as a national park.
   
• Buy a gift membership for someone who loves the area. You get a great membership pack with landscape cards, badge, goody bag, magazine and  discounts.
   
• Upgrade your membership to become a Peak District Guardian for less than £2 a month.

Thank you. Your support is really important to us.
 

Our Corporate Partners who support us at £1000 a year

	Let's Stay Peak District - Friends of the Peak District's Accommodation Partner  As a local company, Let's Stay Peak District appreciates the work that Friends of the Peak District is doing to keep our environment beautiful. Our accommodation providers rely on organisations like this to protect this area so that visitors will continue to yearn for its peace, tranquility and beauty.
	East Lodge Derbyshire Hotel East Lodge, set in 10 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, is the nearest hotel to Chatsworth House, recently voted Britain’s finest stately home, and was originally linked to Haddon Hall the traditional Derbyshire seat of the Duke of Rutland.

Our Corporate Guardians who support us at £250 a year

	HLM Architects Architecture, landscape & urban design, interiors and environment.
	Tennyson Insurance Charity Insurance Experts. Tennyson aim to bring excellent service and prices to all types of charities and community groups - 2,500 organisations currently buy their insurance from them.
	Royal Crown Derby 194 Osmaston Road, Derby DE23 8JZ; 01332 712800  Every piece of Royal Crown Derby porcelain is crafted using skills and experience handed down through generations. Visit our museum for stunning views of the Peak District hand painted on ceramic.
	Callow Top Holiday Park Buxton Road, Sandybrook, Ashbourne DE6 2AQ; 01335 344020  Callow Top is a popular family holiday park just north of the market town of Ashbourne. We are just the place for a weekend away or your annual family holiday.
	The Peacock at Rowsley Derbyshire, DE4 2EB; 01629 733518 Built in 1652 and a hotel since 1820, The Peacock has 16 bedrooms and three dining rooms and has been awarded 3 Red Stars and 2 rosettes from the AA.
	Peak District Premier Cottages We are a passionate co-operative of 19 owners managing a collection of nearly 70 four and five star independent self-catering holiday properties. We welcome everyone from a solo guest to groups of 40 with a choice of family, accessible and pet friendly self-catering cottages throughout the beautiful Peak District National Park and surrounding areas. Phone 01298 83139.
	Peak District Farm Holidays Peak District Farm Holidays is a welcoming group of 35 traditional working farms providing superb quality holiday accommodation in the heart of the Peak District countryside.

 Our Corporate Friends who support us at £50 a year

	Bookstore Brierlow Bar Ashbourne Road, near Buxton SK17 9PY; 01298 71017 The largest bargain bookshop in the country, now a destination venue for bookbuyers throughout the north and midlands, our range of titles and subjects unrivalled elsewhere. Open 7 days a week.
	Riverside House Litton Mill, Derbyshire; 020 8886 6324 Stunning holiday house in the Peak District. Spacious and recently modernised, 4 star rating, sleeps 9+, child and pet friendly. Spectacular walks, attractions nearby, peaceful riverside location.
	Graham Walton Independent Financial Adviser PHFS Limited, 160 Baslow Road, Sheffield. S17 4DR; 0114 2353500 Working with individuals, families and small businesses providing financial planning advice. Specialising in Green Investments, Ethical Investments, and Socially Responsible Funds.
	No 6 The Square Buxton, Derbyshire; 01298 213541 Morning coffee, light meals or a traditional afternoon tea are served in the elegant Georgian surroundings of our tearooms – opposite the Pavilion Gardens & Opera House. Local produce used where possible.
	Simply Classic Websites 64 Braithwell Road, Ravenfield, Rotherham; 01709 540710 Email margaret.gray@simplyclassicwebsites.co.uk Simply Classic Websites (owned and operated by Classic Promotion Services) provides affordable web design and graphics packages for small businesses, charities and non-profit making organisations.
	Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages Earl Sterndale, Derbyshire; 01298 83219 Eight award-winning, 4 star self-catering cottages in the heart of the Peak District. Singles, couples, families, groups and dogs welcome. Eco-friendly holidays in a stunning, unspoilt landscape. The perfect place to unwind and explore.
	Bolehill Peak District Cottages Monyash Road, Bakewell DE45 1QW; 01629 812487 Eight attractive award-winning stone cottages, sleeping two to five in a traditional courtyard setting. Situated two miles from Bakewell in grounds of 20 acres and overlooking Lathkill Dale. Dogs welcome.
	Will4adventure.com Will4Adventure offers a range of adventure holidays into the outdoors, together with Rock Climbing Courses, Hill Skills and Navigation Courses and much more.
	Large Outdoors A Nationwide Outdoor Pursuits and social group offering you the chance to meet new people, try new sports or participate in outdoor activities you already enjoy with other like minded people.
	Chris Charlesworth Photography Visit Peak District's official photographer

 
Our other corporate supporters who help us with things like advertising, sponsorship and donations

• The AGA Shop
• Blue John Cavern 
• Chestnut Centre Conservation and Wildlife Park
• Cocoa Dance
• Cotswold Outdoors Bakewell
• Derby and South Derbyshire Ramblers
• East Lodge Country House Hotel
• Eyam Museum
• Haddon Hall, Bakewell
• Hassop Station Cafe
• Hope Valley Ice Cream
• Magna Science Adventure Centre
• Outside
• Peak District National Park Authority
• Peak Mountaineering
• Peak Wine Direct
• Renishaw Hall and Gardens
• Living Art
• Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre
• Tissington Hall
• The Peak and Northern Footpaths Society
  
  Please contact Danny Anderson to find out more.

Please note - if you're wanting to buy a membership in time for Christmas, then please get in touch with Saskia before Friday 16 December!

Membership Benefits

• 10% off all purchases at Cotswold Outdoors Bakewell and Peak Mountaineering
• Discounted attractions including:
         - Blue John Cavern, Castleton
         - Magna Science Centre
         - Tropical Butterfly House and Wildlife Centre, Anston
         - Renishaw Hall and Gardens
         - Eyam Museum, Eyam
         - Haddon Hall, Bakewell
         - The Chestnut Centre, Chapel-en-le-Frith
         - Tissington Hall, Tissington

• Regular magazine - Peakland Guardian
• FREE walks organised by Large Outdoors and talks
• Campaign updates and news
• Friends of the Peak District merchandise
• Practical conservation opportunities
 

			Download Direct Debit
Friends of the Peak District Membership
Individual	£27.00
Joint	£42.00
Under 25	£13.50
Silver Guardian	£100
Gold Guardian	£250
Life (60 and over)	£350
Life (under 60)	£600