UNDER THE EDGEiNcoRpoRaTiNG THE paRiSH MaGaZiNEGREAT LONGSTONE, LITTLE LONGSTONE,

ROWLAND, HASSOP, MONSAL HEAD, WARDLOW

No. 189 December 2014 www.undertheedge.net ISSN 1466-8211 60p

The members of the ‘rockingtheBOAT’ committee are delighted to inform you that, at a Peak District National Park Authority ARP Committee Meeting on Friday 7th November, it was decided that a full and permanent Traffic Regulation Order is to be issued for Leys (aka Chertpit) Lane from the farm to the picnic site. When operational this will mean that the lane will once again be free of all recreational vehicles and will hopefully revert back to the delightful, peaceful and safe green lane it used to be.

PDNPA committee members had walked up the lane the previous day and we were greatly heartened by individual accounts of their experiences. One slightly disabled committee member decided to drive her vehicle instead of walking and reported that it was a terrifying experience and she felt completely irresponsible when she reached the end. Joyce Poulter and Hilary Stephens spoke passionately on behalf of our organisation and Chris Woods on behalf of The Green Lanes Alliance; and the voting in favour of a full Traffic Regulation Order was almost unanimous.

The ‘rockingtheBOAT’ committee wish to thank all our supporters for their valuable support during the past four years since the inquiry. We thank you for your presence at the meetings you attended and we thank you for spending time writing letters on behalf of our campaigns.

Thank you all once again. We couldn’t have managed without you.

The ‘rockingtheBOAT’ Committee

Leys (Chertpit) Lane Latest News

[Dedicated to the memory of John Poulter]

Some good news on the farm this week! Dan and Gemma have a baby daughter, Eva Rose, born on 16th November and weighing 8lbs 1oz. Mother and daughter are doing well and we look forward to seeing Eva growing up over the coming years.

We now have three granddaughters:

Ella 7, Isla nearly 3 and newborn Eva. They have been a joy to watch from year to year and we feel very lucky to have them live near us. Ella loves to get her overalls on and help on the farm so we will have to see if they want to be farmers as they get older.

Roger Cox

Farming Notes

Dan, Gemma and Eva Rose

Our thanks to everyone for the many gifts and good wishes we received as we left the parish, and for the farewell parties in Longstone and Wardlow.

The move to Devon was quite an adventure: the van managed to get stuck down a farm lane for half a day before a tractor could pull it out. In pulling it out the back axel was damaged so it had to stay at the bottom of our drive for the night and limp away the next day to be towed back by a breakdown truck. Eventually we got everything into our cottage: we are still surrounded by

cardboard boxes!The area is even more beautiful than

we had thought. You can hear the Becca brook from our cottage, owls at night but no traffic at all. We can see the rocks of Greator from the kitchen, Hound Tor, where there is excellent climbing, is 15 minutes walk away, and Black Hill rocks only just up the hill. We do miss having Cox’s farm next door; the nearest shop for milk is five miles away.

Many thanks once more and our very best wishes to everyone.

Fr Christopher and Clare Benson

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Lilian Yates has died. After breaking her hip two years ago Noel had looked after her at home, where she died on 14th November.

Lilian was born in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire in 1930. She trained in Sheffield as a nurse at the old Royal Infirmary Hospital and worked in hospitals in Sheffield after qualifying.

While still in Sheffield, Lilian (nee Foster) met Noel, and after their marriage they lived in Longstone, on Spring Bank, before moving to their home at Pennycroft.

Lilian took an active part in village life. She led the local Girl Guides in the 1950s, and in the 1960s was a keen bell-ringer. She was also well-known for making cakes for celebrations, and many will remember her excellent cake making skills.

She was an energetic person. She was a home-maker, bringing up her daughters Barbara and Lesley at Pennycroft while working to support Noel’s building business. In her spare moments she found time to pursue hobbies such as glass-engraving.

Lilian was feisty and courageous and maintained a lively sense of humour, which she kept even through the illness and adversity of the last couple of years. This year she still managed to get out and about and she could be seen with Noel around the village, enjoying the sunshine and visiting familiar places in her wheelchair, and getting further afield in Noel’s specially adapted wheelchair car.

Noel and Lilian were married for 63 years, and while the family’s loss is unthinkably huge, many in the village will miss Lilian and remember her with real and deserved affection.

Dave Hepworth

Lilian Yates28 April 1930 – 14 November

2014

The usual deadline date, the penultimate Thursday of the month, has been extended to 31st December 2014 for the January 2015 issue (delivery about the 9th January) due to our printers closing for the festive period.

Please send us you Christmas photos, articles and details of events in January 2015 to the usual contacts: editor.ute@gmail.com or via Haven Cottage, Main Street, Great Longstone (Pam’s home).

Thank you.

I would like to compile a list of all the groups/clubs/societies/organisations etc. that meet within (or thereabouts) the distribution area of Under the Edge magazine (Great and Little Longstone, Hassop, Rowland Monsal Head and Wardlow) for inclusion in February or March 2015 issue. From Astronomy to Zoology, big or small, a choir or book club; please let me know.

If you would like you your group to be included please send us the details of what, where, time, frequency, costs and contact details to either editor.ute@gmail.com or Haven Cottage, Main Street, Great Longstone or telephone 01629 640087.

Copy Date Deadline for Under the Edge – Jan 2015 issue

What’s Going On?

Messages from the Editor...

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You are all invited to drop into Sally B’s to view the wonderful seasonal selection of goodies we’ve assembled for your delight. As always, we’ve kept our margins to a minimum, enabling you to purchase quality items for near supermarket prices.

The final day for fresh food orders is 13th December, so drop in your list of requirements as soon as possible and we’ll get it ready for the day and time of your choosing.

We’ve had a really great time getting to know so many customers since opening in March, but we’re sure there’s still many people who still haven’t ventured into Sally B’s, so please feel free to call in and say hello. You may be surprised at what there is, and how keen our prices are. And remember, the shop will only remain open through your support

Cheers and seasons greetings to everyone

Sally and Keith

Well, here we are; Christmas is almost with us

Currently Available!

With winter soon upon us, the cold weather will soon be setting in and the heating bills will be starting to increase.Dales Housing currently have some vacancies of over 55’s property in the following villages:Birchover, Grindleford, Doveridge, Bakewell and Hathersage.We also have Sheltered Housing available in Matlock, Bakewell, Two Dales and Wirksworth.

If you are considering a move to a warm and lower maintenance property, then please contact Dales Housing on 01629 593200 for further information.You will need to be registered with Home Options. Applications can be made online at www.home-options.org or an application form can be sent to you via post.

For all Gardeners

Dobies Seeds are offering 40% off all seeds and 15% off all other items. I have a few 2015 catalogues for anyone interested. Alternatively the catalogue can be viewed on line. Ordering is easy: by post (cheque or credit card), by phone or online using PayPal, credit or debit card. You will however need to quote an Order Code for LDHGA (the Longstone & District Horticultural & Garden Association) to claim the discount. I can give you this if you would like to get in touch.

Jennifer RowsonTel No. 640023Email jmrowson@live.co.uk.

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Wednesday evenings 7:45-8:45pm

We had an amazing response to the first ever photographic competition in the Village Hall. There were 97 entries in five different categories.

Rafe Gill won the children’s category with his lovely picture of a hedgehog. The weather section was won by Steve Riley with an atmospheric picture of the ‘Frozen River Derwent’. Andy Hanna won Something Funny with his seasonal ‘Pumpkins Beware’ photo and Chris Waddington won first and second prize in the Abstract/Detail category with lovely close up compositions entitled ‘Ribbons’ and ‘Starburst’. She also won Best in show with her picture entitled Pens at the Ready’.

Throughout the weekend, visitors could vote for their favourite photo in the Village Life Section. Roger Cox was

the resounding winner with his photo ‘Cows Coming Home’.

Chris Gilbert, local Cressbrook photographer, judged the entries at the Saturday Preview Evening. The exhibition was open on Sunday to visitors who were very enthusiastic about the event and came and sampled some delicious homemade cakes.

Thanks very much to everyone who submitted photographs and to all the helpers and cake bakers. Thanks also to Mad4ink in Bakewell who donated a fabulous prize for the best in show.

With such enthusiastic feedback, you can be sure that we will hold another competition next year. In the meantime, get your cameras out and get snapping!

Jane Littlefield

Great Longstone Photography Competition and Exhibition

Starburst by Chris Waddington

Many thanks to all who attended this event at The Crispin. Your donations enabled a cheque for £150 to be sent to The Stroke Association.

Thanks also to all who took part and to Paul and Joanne at The Crispin and their staff for accommodating us again.

Simon Unwin

The Giant of Fin - 4th November

LOGS FOR SALE

We have some lovely logs from the Beech tree that came down in The Willows last

year. They have been split and dried and are in large builders’ tote

bags.£60 delivered.

Please contact Vic Holmes

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or Dan Cox 07968 804765

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The Packhorse InnLittle Longstone

David and Lorraine welcome you to The Packhorse.

Small parties catered for! Excellent hand-pulled ales and quality home cooked food are

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Sales this month totalled a very respectable £1,423 helped by £40 at the Farmers Service, £64 at the All Saints' Church Sale, £68 at the Oxfam Christmas Sale and £260 at the Great Longstone Sale.

Two new products to tell you about this month. For a long time the only Traidcraft gluten-free item has been the Rice Cakes. Now, at last, we have gluten-free Geobars in four varieties: Carrot and Ginger, Cocoa and Beetroot, Cocoa crunch and Banana and Walnut. I have been so frustrated at having to tell the many people who ask, 'No, sorry, very little is gluten free’. Now there are some really tasty products for me to offer and you to try.

Cookies have always been a great favourite and very popular. The range is being re-launched with palm oil replacing butter as one of the ingredients, which will not only make them healthier, but also increase their shelf life meaning they will stay fresh longer. Most biscuits contain palm oil but call it vegetable oil, though this will change next year when new regulations will compel manufacturers to declare the type of oil which is used. Try the new chocolate and new ginger cookies and also the new chewy fruit and oat cookies which will replace the fruit and nut.

Don't forget to use the catalogue for your Christmas shopping, but don't leave it too long. Merry Christmas.

Peter Bird01629 813087pabird@gmail.com

Traidcraft

We have recently initiated a monthly Forum for the residents and their relatives at Thornhill House. As well as having the opportunity to discuss anything that might concern them, we also look at different topics which might be of interest.

Christmas. The staff at Thornhill House make a huge effort to help the residents to anticipate and enjoy Christmas. The Christmas Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday 29th November, starting at 10am and finishing at midday. The proceeds this year will go towards buying ‘sensory’ equipment for the residents. There will be home-made cakes, a tombola, home-made cards and more including our annual Christmas hamper raffle. All are welcome.

There is great excitement when the time comes to put up Christmas decorations. Many of the residents enjoy helping the staff and some are planting hyacinths in time to flower

for Christmas. The home always looks stunning and extremely festive for the season!

The Christmas Party is an event not to be missed! A pantomime company will perform Peter Pan for the residents and Santa will be visiting us as usual. All the residents will receive a gift from Santa. Great care is taken choosing each gift specifically for each resident’s own personal taste. Friends and relatives are welcome especially children who might even receive a present from Santa (particularly if their parents let Santa know to expect them!)

There will be a Carol Service in the home for residents together with their friends and relatives to join in. The visit of the local schoolchildren is always a highlight and Oscar, the Pat Dog, is another welcome guest.

On Christmas Day relatives are invited to join their loved ones in the home for Christmas lunch. Staff members take a great pride in making this an extra special occasion. Some residents are taken out for lunch by their relatives.

All the staff are presented with either a voucher or a Christmas hamper in appreciation of all their hard work and devotion, not only at Christmas but all year round.

Lucy Wright

Life at Thornhill House

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Parish Council NotesThe following is my interpretation of Great Longstone Parish Council Meeting held on 12th November 2014. The official minutes can be read on the notice board in front of Longstone School.

Public CommentsThe public, consisting of two

parishioners and myself , were reminded that this part of the meeting was not an opportunity for discussion, just to make a statement. One parishioner asked if the amount of money in the reserve account could be made public, he also stated the Cricket Club had been in touch with Baslow Football Club and they would be using the facilities next year, agreement would be made to pay per week/per match and would be negotiated yearly. The PC agreed this was good news. He confirmed that Longstone Cricket Club allows players from other villagers to play and there was not a junior club.

The meeting officially opened at 7:38pm. Present were Councillors Caroline Briggs, Wendy Long and Peter Thompson with apologies from Councillors Hugh Wright and James Cox. There were no declarations of business interests and the minutes of the previous meeting on 10th September were approved and signed.

Inspection of Council Owned Land

This was done on the 28th September and all Councillors had had a copy of the report. This is a brief summary: the Japanese Knotweed at the quarry had gone as had the ivy at the bus shelter, the litter bin near the bus shelter to be discussed later, the staff at the nursery had been made aware of the sign, the grit bin was full. The low branches on the tree on The Cross to be cut off to prevent the opportunity for children to swing on them, the new tree on the War Memorial green requires a stronger stake. The trees on the Long Green need someone to have a look at them with a view to pollarding them. It was noted the ditches had been cleared on Longreave Lane/Beggarway Lane and at Rowland but flooding was still occurring in the dip by the Business Park, it did look like work was still in progress but DCC would be contacted to see where they are doing up to. On

West Green the wall in the corner was collapsing, quote to be sought from a local person. Two of the allotments were in a poor state (this will be discussed later). Memorial seats – someone had asked about a memorial seat, the idea of a seat around a tree in West Green was discussed. The PC are looking at getting plastic seats and putting plaques on (see separate letter from Cllr Briggs). The path required a suitable topping. On Croft Road the ‘telephone manhole’ was in bad repair, on the Rec the large tree in the corner required crowning, the hedge had been actioned. In the netball hoop area there was a small hole in need of repair. Tennis Court – an amended new sign was up to accommodate the school use, the tennis club and school are liaising well to use the court. The tennis club is actively seeking new members, the nets were up on the court, the nettles had been sorted. Play Area – on the Jumbolander a foothold was missing, this had been found in a hedge bottom by a resident and will be put back on, the slats had been strengthened, staining/painting is required and this will be put on the agenda for next year. The igloo had been cleaned out, the swings need staining. On the nest swing the rope at the top had worn and a very sharp wire is poking through, this has been taped in the short term but the contractor will be approached to see what the best advice is. The price of a new rope will be found. Nellie is ok but she keeps turning round! There are some very strong people in Longstone or is she just bored with the view?! The notice board has been coated with Danish Oil but probably needs more, keep a check on this. The black covers on the swing need looking at, ask the contractor when he comes out. All council owned benches that have not been stained will be done next year, some benches on the Rec have long slats that need replacing in plastic. It was proposed and seconded that all the necessary work was to be actioned

Recreation Ground Wo r k o n J u m b o l a n d e r ro o f

completed. The trial is going ok, court well used but the weather has been good. The tennis club would like to liaise with school for other sports.

The Clerk is to check the insurance covers the changes made. Football Pitch – Baslow Football Club does the name need changing so people know it is our local Junior Football Club? Communications between the Cricket Club and Football Club has opened. Letter sent to Baslow Football Club. There were discussions re the agreement in 1921, when the land was given to the village, that when cricket was not being played the land should be used for suitable recreation in other areas. There was confusion as to the exact definition, it was decided this needed looking at and probably updating. The item will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. The football club moved the football posts as the pitch was being eroded and made the pitch smaller for the under 12s, all agreed the football club should have said beforehand what they intended to do but the PC don’t object in principle.

Maintenance A recycled plastic option was

being looked at for the benches, the Clerk had visited the company and brought a sample which all were quite impressed by. The PC are looking to dedicate a specific memorial bench, the plastic benches can have plaques screwed on to them. All thought this a good idea but wanted parishioners’ comments, a letter to be put in UTE.

Village GreensThe lease on the bus shelter that

expires in July 2015 is ongoing. There has been a request by two parishioners to share an allotment, which as two are untidy could be an alternative but the PC did not want to set a precedent, Cllr Thompson asked what would happen if one person leaves? Would they find someone else? That would not be fair for those on the waiting list. It was agreed to alter the tenancy agreement to state “if one party leaves the tenant(s) are to come back to the council for approval”. Following the inspection and the untidy allotments a mechanism needs to be in place to remind tenants that they are responsible for the up keep of the allotment and if it becomes too much they should contact the PC as others are on the waiting list.

Footpaths and RoadsNo progress regarding Station

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Great Longstone Parish Council Meetings

Wed 14th January 2015 Wed 11th March 2015

Wed 13th May 2015Wed 8th July 2015

Wed 9th September 2015Wed 11th November 2015

Contact: Sarah Stokes, Clerk to the Great Longstone Parish

Council, Longstone Byre, Little Longstone DE45 1NN

Tel: 01629 640851

Email: parishcouncil@greatlongstone.net

Road verges, a letter of complaint regarding Moor Road verges has been passed to an assistant director at the Transport department via County Councillor Judith Twigg and is awaiting a response. The charges for snow ploughing and gritting will be found from the local person and a larger organisation that sent a letter to the PC. The grit bins are full. The moving of the litter bin by the bus shelter will be chased.DefibrillatorThere were discussions as to the

best place to site the defibrillator, the telephone box or the Village Hall, there are pros and cons for either. The PC decided upon the telephone box as it would be more visible, make use of the phone box and a dedicated 999 line may be able to be retained, plus, an added bonus, BT give you a free tin of paint! I believe that if the first responder is not available, or another trained person, the defibrillator would still be accessible by dialing the emergency number, a code is given and the defibrillator is released, instructions are then relayed from the machine. The costs for training, servicing (checks are made on line), and the cost to reset once used were unknown but all in the meeting felt it was a necessity for a rural village and once it was installed more people would take an interest and get trained.

Council AdministrationLand registration of the village

hall, the filing and archiving are still ongoing. No changes necessary to Financial Regulations, standing order or code of conduct for Councillors, documents are retained as per the retention policy. The Annual Parish Meeting and village week 2015 to be discussed at next meeting. The Clerk had completed a ‘local development plan’, a map to show public playing fields, play grounds, schools etc. was passed round for approval.

Financial MattersThe bank reconci l iat ion for

September and October 2014 was shown and approved, The deposit account stands at £36,239.18 at the end of October, payments for the Clerks salary, training at DALC, the British Legion for the wreath and the cricket club for mowing were all approved. The Precept for the year 2015/2016 will be on the agenda for

the next meeting, the official rate of inflation will be found to ensure this rate is not exceeded when setting the increase. The Christmas tree erectors have requested a box of spare bulbs be purchased, the lights etc are stored safely at Hassop, the erectors have been advised when the tree, sponsored by the White Lion, will be delivered. A local Auditor is being sought, Ashford PC have given the name of the person they use and DALC have sent an accredited list which is convenient as the present Auditor has advised she can’t do it any more.

Planning MattersThe following applications have

all been granted; Conversion of flat roof garage to two storey extension at Moor View, Main Street; Velux roof lights at Carreg Byw, Barn Furlong; Replacement roof at Crackendale View, Furnall Avenue; Alterations and extension at Stone Rake, The Close; Extension at Forge House and alterations at a listed building called Rose Cottage. The PC consulted over the planning application from Five Acres Farm, Narrowgate Lane, Wardlow (lies within Great Longstone Parish) for the ‘use of the yard for parking two lorries, in addition to retention of use of yard for agricultural purposes’. The Councillors couldn’t really find a reason to object and queried the details on the Vehicles’ Operators Licence, they decided they would object due to “previous planning history”.

Police MattersNothing to report.CorrespondenceA letter from the Peak Park

concerning the cycle race held on the Monsal Trail said the organisers were apologetic and didn’t know they needed permission. They stated it was unlikely further races would be permitted. A letter from a resident stating the PC accounts for the last three years were missing from the website, this has now been corrected. Letter regarding feedback from the Eroica Britannia has been forwarded to the village hall committee. The PDNPA have sent a letter regarding a proposed TRO on Leys Lane but no formal report as yet. Thanks to be sent to Rocking the Boat via a letter or UTE.

The meeting closed at 9:10 pm.Sally Kehr

I joined the Parish Council earlier on in the year, and it was to my amazement that I found that we have 20 benches in this parish to look after. Some of them are classed as memorial benches, in memory of loved ones, and although this sentiment is wonderful we are left with the ongoing maintenance. Not only do we not have much space to position more of them in suitable places but the ongoing maintenance must be factored in too.

Therefore I have come up with a proposal: on West Green there is a large tree which would suit a bench around its trunk; this would be in plastic, so no ongoing maintenance problems. I propose that people could pay a set amount and have a plaque fixed to the bench in the memory of a loved one(s).

I have spoken to a few people in the village about this and the proposal seems to be a success, but as I state it is just a few people so I would love to hear your comments good or bad, or any alternatives that you may come up with. Please email me on Briggs43@talktalk.net with your comments.

The benches are made by a local firm in Wirksworth and can be viewed on their website which is: www.tdp.co.uk.

Thank you.Caroline Briggs

Memorial Benches

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We had our Remembrance Service at Little Longstone Chapel on 9th November. A “good do” as they say; a participatory event for which four of us did something.

Heather Reeves read from her wonderful father’s diary – “Terrible barrage above Ypres. Heavy losses in Pachendale”. Jean Gledhill talked about how animals were used in the First World War – by 1917 the British Army had half a million horses in service. I related the memories of residents of the first home for older people I managed in the early 1980s; they talked of the absolute dread at seeing the telegram boy at the top of the street during the First World War – which house was he going to? Tom, our minister from the United States, talked of his elder brother going off to war after Pearl Harbour.

Each of our short stories hid ten thousand others.

A few years back I had a long work contract in North East Lincolnshire. (The first thing you learn about working in Grimsby is that you don’t say you are working in Grimsby. You say you are working in ‘North East Lincolnshire’, it sounds posher).

I joined Lincolnshire Oil Engine Club as a temporary member as bygone machinery is an interest of mine. I am the proud owner of a vintage tractor

and several old farm engines. The difficulty is that I have no mechanical aptitude or real knowledge. This makes for an ‘interesting’ hobby. It’s rather like a really enthusiastic rock climber who has an inherent fear of heights.

The club were a really friendly lot but like any specialist group the conversation could sometimes get, shall we say, a little focused:

“Do you happen to know when the Lister CS1 three horse power model finished production? 1954 you say. Are you sure, I always thought it was 1953? Definitely 1954! To think I’ve been wrong all these years! ”

To ensure the group retained a wider perspective their enterprising secretary ensured that the programme

of speakers was varied. One chap who came to speak to the club was passionate about keeping alive the history and memory of the Second World War Lincolnshire airfields where a very substantial part of Bomber Command was based.

I well remember the hushed silence as he told us the fatality statistics. 55,000 airmen lost their lives throughout the war. Their chances of surviving more than four missions were less than 25%. The speaker emphasised that these young men were fully aware of the tremendous risks involved, and yet still they went.

It is hard to envisage such sacrifice and commitment.

Keith Adamson

Ramblings of a Sinner

Our two chapel porch memorials.

There are two men with the same name

of James Renwick Timm. They were uncle and nephew

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Dear Friends,The Christmas season has come round once more, and in a few weeks we shall be listening to, or seeing in dramatized form, the Nativity Story; the visit of the Shepherds and the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. These two accounts of Jesus’ birth are to be found in St. Luke’s and Matthew’s Gospel respectively. St. John, however, the writer of the fourth Gospel, offers a different approach to the Christmas Event than his fellow scribes. St. John endeavours to interpret andprovide forourbenefit somethingof themeaningandsignificanceofJesus’ birth.

He writes, “The real light which enlightens everyone was even then coming into the world.”

L - LoveAt Jesus’ birth the light of love came into the world. The prophets of old

glimpsed now and then in the light of revelation, the love present in the heart of God. But in the birth of Jesus we see clearly and fully the loving nature of God. “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son”. (John 3 v 16). The Son like the Father has a heart of love, and by His example and teaching revealed to us the way to fullness of life. He said, “Love one another as I have loved you”. (John 15 v 12).

I – IdealismJesus came into the world to set us free from sins. All sins will shrivel up

our personality and prevent us from growing in the way of perfect love. But forgiven and set free from our sins in Jesus’ name we begin to grow. Just as the tight bud of a rose slowly unfolds in the light of the sun, so in the light of Jesus’loveourpersonalityslowlyblossomsandreflectsthelightofChrist.

G – GloryThere is nothing sentimental in the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

It is faithfulness, justice, peace, obedience and kindness, all taken to their highest degree where they become light. The light shone forth from the face of Jesus. “His face shone like the sun”. (Matt. 17 v 2). This same light we can see in the faces of saintly people of our day. Such light is the glory of heaven breaking in upon earth.

H – HopeThe light of the glory of heaven here on earth is not only a sign of hope of

the wonder of life that awaits us beyond death, but is also the assurance that in the saintly people of God active in love, there is hope of heaven on earth.

T – TimelessnessJesus, the Eternal light, subjected himself to time and came and dwelt in

this dark world, but people because their deeds were evil, tried to extinguish the light. However the light broke through the darkness of death, and shines on in our world.

“The light shines on in darkness and the darkness has never mastered it”. (John 1 v 5).

With this message of love, hope and light I wish you all joy at Christmas.May Gladwin(Methodist Minister)

A Christmas message from Great Longstone Methodist ChurchThe annual Nearly New Sale is the main

fundraising event of the year for Great Longstone Preschool as well as being a popular fixture in the calendar for thelocal community.

The event this year was masterminded by Georgie Swift who organised articles in the local press, put out signs across the area, sent letters home with all school and preschool children and attended various other sales and baby events to try and spread the word. Her efforts at promoting the event clearly paid off as, on the morning of the sale, we looked up from setting everything up to see a queue forming outside the School Hall and several eager faces pressed against the glass. As usual we were bowled over by both the quantity and quality of the items on offer and there were some real bargains to be had.

In just an hour and a half, we took a little over £1,700; raising £1,058.33 for our sellers and £661.53 for the preschool (including the money from the door, cake stallandraffle). Wealsodonatedeightbags of clothing to Bags2School and several items towards the annual Toy Service at St Giles’ Church. The majority of the unsold and donated items went to a charity initiative called ‘Families Together’ which is based in Sheffield andworkswith disadvantaged families and provides counselling, information and support.

There is a huge amount of work which goes in to making the sale a success and, alongside Georgie, was a small army of volunteers. On behalf of the preschool, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped out, whether with the setting up, the sale itself or the clearing away and also to all those who baked for the cake stalland/ordonatedprizesfortheraffle.A special mention should go to Hilary Clark who has supported the preschool for many years and attends every meeting and lends a hand at every event held; her efforts are much appreciated.

Jo Elliott

Pre School Sale Success

10

Dear Friends,

Notes from St Giles’

Possibly the best part of the Daily Telegraph is the letters page. And on the 3rd of November was a good example. I quote:

Sir,I have just been in the first shop of the

season playing Christmas music. The staff were dressed as witches and there were fireworks on sale. The only product missing was Easter eggs.

A friend of mine showed me the letter and it soon led to a discussion (or shared complaint) about chocolate Advent calendars: about how sad it was that those beautiful sparkly calendars showing a scene of Bethlehem, with a star or an angel or a robin or a drum beneath the flap of each window, until finally you reached the last window and opened it to see Mary and Joseph and the Child in a manger . . . how sad it was that they’d been overtaken by Star Wars or the Simpsons or . . . well, you’ve seen them, too, and there’s little point in depressing ourselves further with more examples.

All this set me to think: why are these calendars, hot cross buns, and Easter eggs from about December 27th, etc. so irritating?

It’s not that Christian symbols and the secular world are meeting. After all, when Pope Gregory sent Augustine here just before 600 A.D. he told him to take the pagan rituals he found (like harvest and fertility rites) and use them to bring people to Christ.

Christmas itself is a Christianisation of the Roman pagan festival of mid-winter light. Nobody really knows what time of the year Jesus was born in – but as the Light of the World, why not say December? and let the world know that the true light we long for is him.

As for Christmas carols, a great number are secular, even very secular songs, taken over and given words celebrating Jesus’ birth and resurrection.

But in our time it’s not that the Church is wisely meeting people where they are in order to bring them to Christ, using, if you like, secular things for sacred ends. No, it’s that the secular world is taking the Christian faith and using it for its own ends.

Now, if you’re a fan of consumerism, of stuffing chocolate daily into children in some kind of meaningless ritual (because what does it have to do with Advent?), or feeling that’s it a good idea to buy the wonderfully pagan symbol of eggs for the Christian Feast of Easter while losing the point entirely as it’s lost by the makers of Galaxy, Mars, or Bounty, then fine.

But if you think Easter is about the Resurrection which is our promise of a reason for this life and of hope for the next, a day in which all Creation rejoices: a feast with eggs, bunnies, and everything good, but with and because of Jesus and only with and because of him . . .

And if you think that Christmas is the Feast of Jesus’ birth, the incoming into the world of God himself in an act of divine and immense love to be greeted with joy and awe, and prepared for by waiting (yes, waiting) and wonder, as with those old traditional Advent calendars . . .

. . . then in your own life and in your families and despite the pressures of supermarkets and the consumer-driven expectations of children or grandchildren, use the customs and rituals, the Advent calendars and hot cross buns, the times and seasons, to grow in the knowledge and love of God. In the long run, maybe even in the short one, your children and grandchildren will thank you for letting them know what the festivals of Jesus are all about.

Yours with the prayer that you may all have a blessedly expectant Advent and a joyous and happy Christmas.

Lida

I am sure that all of us who attended the Act of Remembrance on Sunday 9th November at the village war memorial, were moved by the commemoration even more than usual due to the fact that it is 100 years since the start of the First World War. Certainly most of us have been overawed by the special commemoration at the Tower of London. Those who managed to visit London to see this fantastic memorial have been overwhelmed by the poignancy of the display. All those who lost their lives in war must not be forgotten but we can only keep praying for peace throughout the world. A special thank you to Dave McDonald for the great clean up round our memorial on the day.

The Service of Light at 6:30pm at St Giles’, also on the 9th, was very special for all who attended; helping and comforting all of us who were remembering loved ones.

On 23rd November, in the morning, we celebrate the end of the church year giving thanks to Christ the King, and, at evensong on the Sunday before Advent, also affectionately known as Stir Up Sunday. This name referred to the collect (set prayer) of the day and also the practice of preparing and stirring the

family Christmas puddings ready to cook them. The puddings seemed to steam for hours. Everyone in the family had to have a stir, and did making a wish come into it somewhere? Children, start getting your letters ready for Santa Claus.

On 30th November we start the new year of the church with Advent Sunday and the countdown to Christmas begins.

Sunday 7th December incorporates the toy services, both at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Wardlow, and at St Giles’. All gifts, wrapped with labels to signify the age and whether appropriate for a girl or boy, are taken to Calow Hospital and distributed from there to sick and needy children. This does remind us that Christmas is for giving, which sometimes gets forgotten at this busy time.

As everyone prepares for the festivities we also use Advent as a preparation for the coming of Jesus, God’s special gift to us, of his son. If this momentous gift had not been given, we would not have reason to celebrate and give thanks on the 25th.

The Church of the Good Shepherd, Wardlow are having their Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday 14th December.

St Giles’ choir are busy preparing for our carol singing at Hassop Hall on Saturday 20th December and also the Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols to be held at 6:30pm on Sunday 21st December. This is one highlight of the year and a very enjoyable way to start the countdown to Christmas Day. At St Giles’ at 3pm we have ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’, a regular Christmas Eve feature, led by June Fawcett, for our toddlers, especially those who attend ‘Play and Praise’ in the village hall on Tuesday mornings during school term time. The main event starts at 11:30pm at St Giles’, the Midnight Service. Christmas has arrived, and if you miss that service you can join us at 11am on Christmas morning when our Archdeacon will be Celebrant.

I hope all our children who are getting ready to entertain parents and friends at school will enjoy performing, and their teachers will, once again, bring out the best in all of them. They will all be ready to enjoy the holiday after all the jollifications.

Spare a thought for those who will be working over Christmas, particularly those caring for others who can’t look after themselves. They all do a wonderful job.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends.

Pam Smith

11

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Great Longstone Methodist Chapel

Local minister Revd. David BriggsTel. no 812195

7th Dec. - 10.30 amImogen Rush

14th Dec - 6.30 pm

Carols by Candlelight - Revd. May Gladwin

21st Dec - 10.30 am

David Humphries

28th Dec - 10.30 amLocal Arrangement

On the first Wednesday of every month between 9am and 10am

there is a quiet Prayer Meeting in the Chapel. Anyone is welcome to

come and go for as long as they wish to stay during this time.

Roses - Prepare established beds for winter, shorten long shoots 2.5 ft (75cm) to stop wind loosening plants. Collect and burn fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot disease. Complete new planting if conditions allow.Dahlias - Continue checking stored tubers for signs of rot and treat as needed.Sweet Peas - Cover frames with matting after frosts to avoid rapid thawing of autumn seedlings.Herbaceous - Continue tidying borders and digging between plants. Order plants or seeds for spring planting or sowing.Lawns - Dig over areas to be seeded in the spring, clean and overhaul machines and equipment.Vegetables - Continue winter digging leaving ground rough. Prepare site for next year’s runner beans. Lift rhubarb and chicory for forcing.Fruit - Continue pruning and planting in suitable weather. Spray all fruit bushes with winter wash when dormant.Trees and Shrubs - Plant deciduous trees and shrub in mild weather. Firm soil around the roots. Tie branches of young conifers together with sacking to prevent heavy snow breaking them down.General tasks - Check tubes, corms, onions and other dormant bulbous plants and stored roots and fruits before severe frosts. Provide adequate protection, beware of mice, trap or poison them. Lag outdoor water pipes and taps.

Sunday 7th DecemberAdvent 2

8:00 Holy Communion9:00 Morning Worship, Toy

Service (Wardlow)11:00 Morning Worship,

Toy Service18:30 Evensong

Sunday 14th DecemberAdvent 3

11:00 Parish Eucharist15:00 Service of Lessons &

Carols (Wardlow)18:30 Evensong

Sunday 21st DecemberAdvent 4

8:00 Holy Communion11:00 Parish Eucharist18:30 Service of Nine

Lessons & Carols

24th DecemberChristmas Eve

23:30 Midnight Mass

25th DecemberChristmas Day

9:00 Parish Eucharist (Wardlow)

11:00 Parish Eucharist

Sunday 28th DecemberChristmas I

11:00 Parish Eucharist(No Evensong)

Martin

B&W 2x5

Section: Coming Events

ACC:

No. of issues 1

1st issue date: 4.8.14

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A Note From The EditorThank you to all the readers who submit material for publication and especially to those who regularly send in their articles.

The deadline for copy for the next issue is 5pm on Wednesday 31st December. Please include your name and contact details. Failure to do so may mean we cannot publish your copy. Please also note that issues of Under The Edge are uploaded to the Internet.

The editors and management committee do not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in articles and adverts.

Subscriptions are available. Enquiries and correspondence to: Haven Cottage, Main Street, Great Longstone, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1TS.

www.undertheedge.net EMAIL: editor.ute@gmail.com

What’s On

Bakewell Medical Centre01629 816636

www.bakewellmedicalcentre.co.ukNormal Surgery Opening Times

Mon 8am to 8:00 pm (unless it’s a bank holi-day), Tues 8am to 6:30pm, Wed 7am to 6.30pm,

Thurs and Fri 8am to 6.30 pm. We do not close for lunch.

Christmas and New YearThe Surgery will close its doors for Christmas at 4:30 on December 24th however we will

remain open for phone calls and emergencies until 6.30pm that day. We will not re-open

until Monday 29th December at 8.00am. The Surgery will also close at 4.30pm on the 31st

December for New Year, however we will remain open for phone calls and emergencies

until 6.30pm that day. We will re-open on Friday 2nd January 2015 at 8.00am.

Remember to order medications early (48 hrs notice required) so you do not run out over

Christmas/New Year. The surgery wishes all our patients a Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Baslow Health Centre01246 582216

Church Lane, Baslowwww.baslowhealthcentre.co.ukNormal Surgery Opening Times

Monday (07:30 until 19:30) Tuesday to Friday 08:00 to 18:30

(Closed Bank Holidays)

Surgery ClosuresOur next half day closures for training are: Wednesday afternoons 21st Jan, 18th Feb

and 18th Mar 2015.

GP AppointmentsThese can be booked up to 2 weeks in

advance via the internet and 1 week in ad-vance via telephone/reception. Nurse ap-pointments can be booked up to 3 months

in advance, via telephone/reception.Email

Please contact the reception and give us your email address if you would like to

have the option of being contactable via email and receive the Practice and the Patient Participation Group newsletter.

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11th-21st December - Bakewell Christmas Tree Festival.Christmas is due to begin in sparkling form when the annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to Bakewell Parish Church on December 11th. The Festival opens with a short service at 7pm on December 11th and will then be open daily from 10am to 5pm (Sunday, noon to 5pm).

Wednesday 14th January - Meeting of the Great Longstone Parish Council - GL Village Hall, 7:30pm

22nd–24th January - Shoestring Players: ‘Dick Whittington’.Bakewell’s Community Pantomime Company is now under new direction and with a brand new script written specially for us. This is a traditional family pantomime. Tickets at £6.50 adult and £3.50 under 14s are on sale from the beginning of December at The Bakewell Bookshop