News
Snow, the second chapter of audio artwork Voices From The Peak is to be launched online in December. Voices From The Peak is the poetic soundscape that is being created to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Peak District National Park, on 17th April, 2021. Recording artist Mark Gwynne Jones says: “The first chapter, Burning Drake, tells the story of forces underground that have shaped not just the landscape but also its people. It includes the story of lead, how miners tracked and found lead through ancient methods such as plant lore and dowsing, and occasionally by spectacular means such as a ‘Burning Drake’ or shooting star. “Chapter two is all about snow and features people’s stories and memories
of big winters in the Peak. Such as the Big Freeze in ’61 when Fernilee Reservoir froze feet deep for weeks on end; or the massive snowfalls of ’48 when livestock perished. We also hear how some were forced to access their homes through bedroom windows: ‘sliding down drifts into the yard ‘cos all around the house was buried’. We hear how people survived, what they did and what resources they drew upon. So get your scarf and gloves, this is going to be a winter adventure!” The work is supported by Arts Council England, Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council. You can listen to chapter one: Burning Drake at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ voicesfromthepeak Headphones recommended! Chapter two: Snow will
PHOTO: MARK GWYNNE JONES
Snow is on the way
Voices From the Peak chapter 2 Snow audio artwork is available in December.
be available to download in December. Chapter three: Kinder will be available in April 2021. To contribute a story or audio clip to support the new chapters of the Voices From The Peak, or to be informed when they are released and future performances, please email: alison.riley@peakdistrict.gov.uk
A Moors for the Future Partnership case study has calculated the carbon cost of an accidental fire at the Roaches, Staffordshire which happened in August 2018. The blaze was started by a campfire that got out of control and burned 61 hectares of precious blanket bog habitat and a deep layer of carbon-rich peat. It burned for days and required 12 fire appliances and a helicopter to put it out. It is estimated that the fire released over 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to running 1,426 homes for one year – that’s about the size of a town like Bakewell. You can read more here https://bit.ly/3nUpFKv Unfortunately accidental moorland fires have occurred too often, with devastating impacts on the peat and wildlife. With the National Park receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors since lockdown eased, and many people visiting the countryside for the first time, we need everyone’s help to keep the moors safe from fires. Here are three easy rules everyone should follow to prevent fires: 1. Do not light campfires or barbecues in the countryside. 2. Do not drop lit cigarette ends or throw them from your car. 3. Do not leave glass bottles. Take your litter home. For more advice on visiting the National Park, go to www.peakdistrictproud.co.uk and be #PeakDistrictProud 4
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
PHOTO: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND
No moor fires
You can comment on proposed plans to improve traffic flows.
Have your say on A57 link roads Highways England wants to hear your views on the A57 Link Roads scheme, part of the Trans Pennine upgrade to improve journeys between Manchester and Sheffield. The wider Trans-Pennine Upgrade project aims to improve key bottlenecks on the existing route connecting the M67 at Mottram, in Longdendale, to the M1, north of Sheffield. This consists of the Westwood roundabout and technology scheme near Sheffield, which is already being delivered, and the Trans Pennine Upgrade – A57 Link Roads, which includes the creation of a new single carriageway link from the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the
A57 at Woolley Bridge. The community-wide consultation will take place from 5th November to 17th December, 2020. It will focus on changes to the A57 Link Roads scheme since the last consultation in 2018, including: improvements to the design and anticipated environmental impacts. The Highways England preliminary environmental information report will be available online as part of the consultation material to assist well-informed responses to the consultation. For more information visit: www.highwaysengland.co.uk/ A57-upgrade
