Question: When did the Heights of Abraham cable ride first open?

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At the beginning of March I remembered a significant anniversary – it’s 35 years since I moved to Glossop. I’m not sure whether that entitles me to call myself a Glossopian! But I’ve been doing a spot of reminiscing which I’d like to share with you.

Thinking back to that time in the 1970’s when my desire to learn as much as I could about holistic medicine and complementary therapies was really strong, one memory really stands out, and that was the day I took my first steps in learning to meditate with a local teacher of Transcendental Meditation, or TM as it was known.

The first time I meditated I had a wonderful sense of expanding beyond my usual boundaries combined with a great feeling of peace and happiness. As I continued to practice each day my energy levels increased, my health improved, and stress and anxiety reduced as my mind became calmer and clearer. That time spent twice a day in silence doing a simple practice has continued to be a great help in coping with the ups and downs of life, including the rigours of chemotherapy in 2009.

The benefits of meditation are well documented in scientific studies: many doctors are in favour, and will recommend it to their patients.

Sitting quietly for even five minutes with your spine upright, just breathing in and breathing out, watching the spaces in between, and letting your thoughts go, can make a profound difference to how you feel about life and experience each day. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There are many ways to meditate, classes take place at different venues around the Glossop area, and there’s plenty of information on-line.

I wish you ever-increasing peace and happiness, and all the joys of Spring!

Ronnie

Creating Health & Happiness through Complementary Therapies
www.ronniewilliams.co.uk

One new approach to creative writing has been exciting teachers around the country, initiated by the educational consultant Pie Corbett. Schools using the new approach have bucked the national trend. Nationally level 2B is the expected norm for a 7 year old and just 12% of children attaining level 3. One school using the Pie Corbett approach achieved 62% at level 3.

The creative writing scheme for youngsters is based on the idea that story telling is the key to good story writing. The children are fully immersed in the imaginative world so they can tell a story orally before they are expected to write it. Creative writing activities build up over a 3 week period, sharing picture books or retelling the story orally in a set pattern. They will talk about the story for a short time each day and throughout the week until they can fill in parts of the story for themselves. A multisensory approach is used to make the story more memorable, by creating a pictorial map of the story and adding actions to promote kinaesthetic learning. By the end of the week most children are able to retell the whole story with actions using visual clues from the map.

The next step is drama sessions and cross-curricular activities to bring the story to life even more. Only then are the children asked to write it and every child feels a huge sense of achievement because they can confidently record a whole story.

The invention stage is when key characters, events or themes from the known story are changed so they can create their own unique story. The children have a clear story pattern in their head which helps their confidence to write something new. This helps to build a bank of story patterns that they can change and adapt. The system can get progressively harder using a range of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation as they work their way through school.

Find out more about Pie Corbett at www.piecorbett.com

Derived from the Welsh verno meaning “place where alders grow” and low, an old northern word for hill, the area has considerable historic lineage. In ancient times chiefs worshipped the sun at Werneth Low and later, when the Romans invaded, the local Brigante tribe fought valiantly – though unsuccessfully – to keep them from seizing the area. In more recent times Judge John Bradshawe (who signed the death warrant of Charles I) liked to ride his horse across the Low while the Victorians opted to build a racecourse on the top of it!

Despite its popularity among political and military leaders over the years, the area’s beauty has been well-preserved. This is largely due to a public appeal in 1920 that raised £14,013 14 shilling and 8 pennies that enabled the War Memorial Committee of Hyde Borough Council to purchase Lower Higham Farm and its land. It was proposed that the land should be protected for the benefit of the community and that it should serve as a monument to the 710 men of Hyde who died in the First World. On 25th June 1921 the main memorial was unveiled.

Today this enchanting area is jointly administered by the Hyde War Memorial Trust and Tameside Council.

Werneth Low Country Park

Officially opened in 1980 by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester and covering 200 acres across the northern and western slopes of Werneth Low, the Werneth Low Country Park is as picturesque as its cenotaph is poignant.

Wildlife: Home to flower-rich hay meadows, heathland and wooden cloughs, it’s a haven for wildlife and grazing farm animals all year round. Twitchers can expect to see lapwings in the spring and summer, redwings in the winter and the occasional kestrel. The winter migration of wild geese from the park is a spectacle worth wrapping up and getting out for.

Amenities: The Lower Higham Visitor Centre itself dates back to the 17th Century although archaeological excavations suggest a considerably older building once stood on the site. It provides the respite facilities you’d expect including restrooms and refreshments as well as souvenirs and information about the park and surrounding area. Outside is a delightful picnic area, herb garden and orchard.

Activities: The Tameside and Trans Pennine Trails both run through the park and with plentiful picnic areas en route, it makes a fantastic location for walkers and cyclists of all abilities. Try a hilltop walk taking in the beauty of Pipers Clough or a circular walk via historic Gee Cross. There’s horse-riding a plenty and the Low has become a popular spot among kite-fliers – single line only mind!
For more information go to www.tameside.gov.uk/countryside/events

For a day out that offers peace and relaxation or the option to get your pulse racing if you prefer, Werneth Low is a real contender. However you spend your day, the stunning panoramic views, plentiful wildlife and enchanting sense of history will leave the whole family feeling on top of the world.

Even if you arrive by car, it’s worth taking a look at the railway station in Matlock Bath. Built in 1849 it was designed around a Swiss chalet because the Victorians thought Matlock Bath resembled Switzerland, with its steep gorge and fast flowing river. The building is also home of the Whistletop Countryside Centre (admission free) open 10-5pm between 1st April – 31st October and noon – 4pm at weekends the rest of the year.

You can easily spend a whole morning strolling from the North to South Parade (main street). One side of the road is full of interesting souvenir shops, amusement arcades and cafes tempting you with slices of homemade cakes and coffee. This is also the site of the original thermal baths, which now houses Matlock Bath Aquarium and Hologram Gallery. This is an eclectic collection of cold water, tropical and marine fish as well as a petrifying wall and gemstones. For more information contact 01629 583624. The other side of the road follows the River Derwent from where High Tor, the 390 foot high limestone cliff rises.

Peak District Mining Museum

The Peak District Mining Museum situated in The Pavilion is worth a visit as it shows the history of lead mining throughout the Peak District. Visitors can operate rag and chain pumps and climb shafts to experience what life was like in the mines. Light refreshments are available and a large gift shop with an extensive selection of mining and industry archaeology books. For more information and opening times visit www.peakmines.co.uk

Gulliver’s Kingdom

Matlock Bath is also the location of Gulliver’s Kingdom, the popular family theme park, particularly if you’ve got younger children. But you’ll need a day just at Gulliver’s itself as there’s so much to do. There’s plenty of accommodation choice in Matlock Bath if you want to make a weekend of it. Find out more about Gulliver’s Kingdom at www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlock-bath

East Lodge Hotel

Timeless, elegant, memorable and one of the best country hotels and restaurants. That’s how visitors describe East Lodge. With 12 luxury ensuite bedrooms and an award winning restaurant with 2 AA Rosettes and just outside of Matlock Bath, it’s the perfect retreat to relax for lunch or an overnight stay. For more information visit www.eastlodge.com or call 01629 734474.

Heights of Abraham

By far the most popular attraction in Matlock Bath is the Heights of Abraham. Many will know of it as the spectacular cable ride high above the Derwent Valley, which opened in 1984, but it has grown into a unique attraction across 60 acres and all included in the price of your cable car ticket! Don’t underestimate how much time you can spend at the Heights of Abraham, there’s a lot to do and you could easily spend the whole day there.

The Heights of Abraham is in fact the Peak District’s oldest tourist attraction, first opening back in 1780 as a Savage Garden when visitors would make the climb from the valley floor. With the opening of the cable car getting to the top is much easier but the reward is the same breathtaking view. And you can still wander around the woodland trails and picnic on this hill top park. There are two exciting play areas, Explorers Challenge and Woodland Adventure for children to enjoy and the Terrace Coffee Shop and Summit Bar serve lunches, snacks, cakes and coffee.

But it’s not just above the ground you can explore, you can join the Great Masson Cavern and Rutland Cavern tours, retracing the footsteps of the lead miners underground and the spectacular caverns they left behind. For those who cannot or do not wish to go underground, there’s now a 12 minute film called ‘Through the Lens’ so everyone can experience the caverns.

For more information about opening times and prices visit www.heightsofabraham.com or call 01629 582365.

So what’s their secret? Fig Creative works closely with their clients, agreeing marketing objectives and spend over an annual period but spreading that cost on a monthly basis. In challenging trading conditions the benefits of the programme outweigh the investment involved: it allows easy and accurate management of marketing spend, provides access to a team of marketing professionals with broad experience across a range of disciplines, gives focus and momentum to marketing activity and delivers tangible financial results.

Helen Duncan, MD of Fig Creative said “We work with many High Peak companies, providing design, print and web services and we will continue to offer great quality for great value. But we know that no one marketing activity will transform a business. Our new Marketing Partner Programme blends a variety of targeted marketing activities to give local companies the support they need to grow their businesses – and it really works.”

The friendly Fig Creative team is now 8 strong and offers a full range of marketing services including branding consultancy, PR, design & print, copy writing and internet and social media strategy. Their work can be seen all across Glossop and the High Peak, in particular at Peak Active Sport and at Revive Coffee Lounge. Steve Brackenridge, Director of PAS said, “I believe the main benefits of working with Fig Creative is the constant support we get for our business. They manage our website and all of our promotional activities. The whole team is supportive and we get to deal with just one company.”

Fig Creative win major branding project at Bradbury & Son

Fig Creative’s latest piece of work has just been unveiled at the headquarters of Bradbury & Son in Buxton. Bradburys invited five creative companies to pitch for the major rebranding project, but it was local company Fig Creative who wowed the board. Chris Chisnell, Marketing Director at Bradburys said,

“Fig Creative completely understood what we were looking for. This was an important step for us as we are a traditional company, but as one of the largest and fastest growing cheese distributor businesses in the UK, we wanted to demonstrate our vision, our passion and our innovation in the industry. We are delighted with the work that Fig Creative has produced. They have been easy to work with and helped us at every stage of the project.”

For further information contact the team at Fig Creative on 01457 857111 or www.figcreative.co.uk

Michael Heyman has an established understanding of traditional Chinese diagnostic theory as well as Tui Na techniques and methods. Tui Na is a healing massage, used for thousands of years for a wide variety of problems. It’s like acupuncture without the needles. To find out more about Michael and Tui Na vist his website www.tui-na.co.uk.

Hitting the right notes

Claire Surman, professional singer and qualified teacher, has set up the Glossop Singing Studio, providing expert tuition for all ages. She works with those at any level from nervous beginners to seasoned pros. Thinking of entering either X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent? Why not give Claire a call as she can help you with your audition preparations. Visit www.glossopsingingstudio.com for more information.

Treat Your Feet

Situated near Lloyds Bank on Victoria Street, Fish ‘n’ Feet is a new business providing fish pedicures that can stimulate acupuncture points, helping to regulate the nervous system, relax the body and relieve fatigue. While there why not treat yourself to some retail therapy as well with handbags, jewellery, scarves and accessories available to buy.

New business? Then why not get in touch with us and you could see your business in the next issue!

The need to provide shelter for the poor and out of work around Glossop in the early 19th century grew with more and more people coming into the area to work in the cotton industry. A system of Parish Poor Relief provided much needed support for those in need, but in 1834 the Poor Law Amendment Act reduced provision for only the old and sick. Relief for the poor was to be provided by workhouses run by local union boards. These workhouses purposely set out to be harsh places to reduce the burden on the Poor Rates.

In Glossop, a union workhouse for local paupers was built at Shire Hollin in 1834 and opened in 1835. It stood in a bleak, exposed position and its gaunt line and stone walls gave it a forbidding appearance. In 1859 there were around 45 in the workhouse, but by 1842 1,165 millworkers were unemployed, and by 1862 Glossop workhouse was full to overflowing according to Mollie Carney’s account in ‘Memories of Glossopdale and Longdendale’ ‘Roses in December’, which gives us an insight into what life was like for those unfortunates.

“The workhouse was the very last resort, when all other help failed and the last of the family belongings had gone. They had to resign themselves to the great shame and the indignity of becoming pauper inmates.”

“The paupers were brought in by the Relieving Officer who had to be a tough character. He worked on a commission basis that formed part of his own income. It satisfied the cost-conscious Guardians that he would leave no stone unturned to extract as much money from the family of the proposed inmate. In Edwardian days, sons and daughters were financially responsible for their aged parents. Many took their parents into their own homes at first until sickness or poverty befell them as well. 70% of Glossopdale’s population worked for ‘King Cotton’ and his fortunes could fluctuate from year to year.”

“On admission, new inmates were taken to the ‘Receiving Ward” where they were searched. Their clothes were taken away to be fumigated with foul smelling sulphur candles, and they were given a bath in the ‘Casual’ ward, providing they were not ill. Their clothes were placed in a labelled sack and stored in the ‘Inmates own clothing’ store until such time that the inmate would seek their discharge. There followed an examination by the Medical officer, Dr Bowden, who gave them their ‘Classification’.

“Next they were given workhouse uniforms, stamped on the inside, and admitted, either to the house or to the infirmary, depending on their state of health. The master would see the new inmates on admission and allocate them a job or task. The fit inmates worked daily from 9am until 4pm. Refusing to do their job could mean a prosecution. Refusing to do their job on medical grounds meant an examination by the medical officer to see if the refusal was justified.”

Mollie Carney has some moving memories from people who spent periods at the workhouse:

“At ten years old Alice became an orphan, and until she was adopted she stayed for a year in the workhouse. She took away with her a hatred of the children’s breakfast, memories of having to have her milk allowance in the form of stale bread and hot skimmed milk, called ‘Pobs’ and the only breakfast allowed. Alice found little to praise, remembering long dull days and jeers from the village children when she walked in a crocodile to the school ‘outside’ of the workhouse, down in the village of Old Glossop – the workhouse children were easy to distinguish because of their workhouse clothing.”

“The food was dull and the monotonous regularity must have made it appear even duller to a child of ten. She also remembers the grumbles of the adult inmates. Alice says as a result of the workhouse, when she grew up she was always satisfied with small amounts of food. She finally went into service and became an excellent servant. She was lucky to be adopted so soon into a good home. If they were not fortunate enough to be adopted by families ‘outside’, the children had to wait patiently until they were old enough to be sent out into the world to fend for themselves. The girls were taught housework and many of them went into domestic service.”

Thank you to Mike Brown and the Glossop & District Heritage Trust for helping us to source photographs and information. Mollie Carney’s book is out of print but a copy sits with Glossop & District Heritage Trust.

*Source:www.derbyshire.gov.uk

Challenging in places and unsuitable for young children, this walk will reward you with some fantastic views. In wet weather it can be boggy and the grass pretty slippery on the descent back, so be prepared to get dirty and take care!

Key Facts

Distance: 6 miles
Minimum time: 4hrs
Ascent/gradient: 1,500ft (460m)
Level of difficulty: Hard
Paths: Un-surfaced tracks and moorland paths, a few stiles
Landscape: High peat moor
Suggested map: aqua3 OS Outdoor Leisure 1 Dark Peak
Start/finish: SK 043947
Dog friendliness: Access agreement land, dogs should be kept on leads

This fantastic walk into the hills starts at the bus turning circle at the top of Shepley Street, Old Glossop. Follow Shepley Street as it narrows away, keeping the river to the right of you. Continue until the partially wooded dome of Shire Hill appears on the right, with the slopes of Edge Plantation on the left.

1. As the path bends towards Mossy Lea Farm, leave the path to the left crossing over a stile to a clearly marked footpath at the foot of a steep incline. The path climbs on a pastured spur (quite sharply at first) but the burn on your legs is worth the view of Glossop at the top. Try to resist the temptation to look back ‘til you’ve been climbing for a while! Beyond a second stile, the by now well-defined path continues to climb through bilberries before rising over the heather of Upper Lightside.
2. A narrow stony path continues high above Yellowslacks Brook to the right. It continues to the right of a dilapidated wire fence before joining the cliff edges of Yellowslacks and Dog Rock. There are some spectacular rock formations in this area and the crags close in to form the channel of Dowstone Clough. Follow the now intermittent path, staying close to the stream.
3. As the clough shallows and the stream divides, aim for Higher Shelf Stones by crossing the main stream and following its southbound tributary – you can usually follow the boot or paw prints of other walkers and their furry companions. The path winds through a series of peat hags in a southbound direction and as you approach the summit of Higher Shelf Stones, the channel shallows and widens before the trig point comes into view.
4. Having reached Higher Shelf Stones, a bold summit with a distinctive mountain shape, take a moment to appreciate the glorious view before beginning the loop back which starts by tracing the brow of Shelf Moor towards Lower Shelf Stones then on to James’s Thorn. Walk around the peat beds on the left to find the grassy channel that descends just north of west and forms a reliable and reasonably dry course down over Shelf Moor to the boulder strewn edge above Ferny Hole.
5. Although there’s no path from here, once you start down the grassy spur to Shelf Brook’s Clough the Doctor’s Gate track will soon come into view on the left. Continue the gradual descent down to the grassy shelf west of the James’s Thorn Rocks, passing a small pool to meet the track.
6. Doctor’s Gate passes through the moorland clough of Shelf Brook before passing through the fields of grazing sheep at Mossy Lea Farm. It meets the road near the start of the walk to take you back to Old Glossop.