Celebrating Cromford meeting
A meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10 July, at the Institute, to discuss this year's event and think about next year.
Pictures of Celebrating Cromford 2007

CROMFORD NEWS

Parish and District Council elections 3 May 2007
Elections are due to be held on Thursday 3rd May 2007 to the Cromford Parish Council and the Derbyshire Dales District Council.
Cromford is in the Masson ward of the DDDC with 2 representatives.
There are 6 candidates: Tony Davis, Conservative; Nicholas Elliott, Labour; Peter Hume, Conservative; John March, Labour; Tracy Steadman, Liberal Democrats; and David Wildgoose, Liberal Democrats.
The current councillors are Nicholas Elliott and John March.

ELECTED WERE: Peter Thomas HUME, Conservative, 403 Votes and
John Sanders MARCH, Labour, 427 votes
Derbyshire Dales District Council remains under Conservative control with 26 out of 38 seats, having gained one seat in Masson.

There will be no election to the parish council. There are 10 seats, but only 7 candidates who will all become councillors.
The 7 candidates are: Jeremy Beckett, Barbara Bowman, Arnold Crosby, Derek Roose, Raymond Taylor, Angus Watson and Michael Whitworth. All are sitting councillors apart from Raymond Taylor. Three more people will be opted on to the council to make a full set.
This is a repeat of the situation in 2003, when only 7 people stood for election.

The disused waiting room is at the left of the  picture. In the background is the station master's  house. Across the bridge but not shown is the  more photographed waiting room of Oasis fame.

Post Office, Scarthin. Semi-detached property with 4 bedrooms and self contained annex. Post Office business, cards, stationary etc.
Offers around £275,000. Agent Scargill Mann & Co.

A terraced cottage with shop front, 30 North Street is for sale at around £195,000. The 3-bedroom property is believed to date from the late 18th century.
Agent Fidler Taylor
SOLD, March 2007

The Old Blacksmiths, Market Place. A commercial development fully let. Guide price £250,000
For auction 15 March 2007 - agent Fidler Taylor.
SOLD for £285,000.

36 Market Place, a retail/investment property (part vacant).
Guide price £120,000+
For auction 15 March 2007 - agent Fidler Taylor.

Rose Cottage, 158 Derby Road, Cromford
This detached period cottage at the corner of Derby Road and Intake Lane is for sale for £300,000. Agent: Fidler Taylor Matlock.
SOLD, Feb 2007

Cromford Station House.  The Station House is for sale for around £425,000. The property includes the station waiting room which has planning permission for conversion to holiday accommodation. The grounds extend to 1.5 acres.
The house was built around 1855 and designed by G H Stokes, the son-in-law of Sir Joseph Paxton, in a French style. It was extended to the rear in 1911. The waiting room was built in 1860. In 1995 this building was pictured on the front of a single by the pop group Oasis.
Agent: Scargill Mann & Co, Derby

Boxing Day Raft Race.   26 December 2006

The annual Matlock to Cromford raft race on Boxing Day attracted hundreds of visitors, who watched the event at various vantage points along the route. Large crowds gathered on Willersley Castle grounds and on the bridge to see the finish at Cromford Meadows.
More than 40 rafts took part and only two disintegrated, although some tipped over on the weir.
The event was held in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and raised more than £6,000.

Right: Nearly there. The finishing line was just beyond the bridge

Cromford setting for new film.   October and November 2006

Right: Saturday 18 Nov - Colin Firth on Scarthin having completed filming scenes outside houses on Mount Pleasant.

Scenes from the forthcoming film "And When Did You Last See Your Father?", based on a book by Blake Morrison, are being shot at locations around Cromford and inside the Old Vicarage, off Intake Lane, where designers have recreated rooms from 1962 for inside scenes including a Christmas party.
The story is set in the 1960s and 1980s, with Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent
playing a father and son whose relationship is seen in
flashbacks when the father is dying. Juliet Stevenson and Gina McKee also have roles in the film.
Other Derbyshire scenes have been shot at Over Haddon, Kedleston and around Snake Pass.

Right: Saturday 11 Nov - extras playing mourners assemble for filming of the funeral procession down Scarthin.
 
 

Right: Saturday 18 Nov - One of the scenes outside a house on Mount Pleasant.

 
Disappointingly, the film did not call for Colin Firth to dive into Cromford Pond in a fetching lacy shirt!

Cromford Mill Aqueduct set to return.   August 2006
On 8th November 2002 a container lorry ran into the aqueduct over Mill Lane bringing it crashing to the ground. The cast iron aqueduct was torn from its fittings on the wall of the Mill and from the supporting stone pier across the road, and smashed into hundreds of pieces. The Grade 1 aqueduct, which dates from 1821, has been meticulously put back together using bolting and gluing techniques. When repairs have been made to the supporting stone piers the aqueduct will be put back in place.
It is to be hoped that measures will be taken to prevent a repeat of the accident which caused the damage.

Rock House Lodge, Derby Road.
This former lodge to Rock House has been extended to create the large property it is today. The house has a separate self contained flat, which the current owners presently rent out together with three bedrooms in the house as popular 'Bed and Breakfast' accommodation.
For sale at £525,000   Agent: Beechwood Estates, Matlock
SOLD

Tor Cafe, Cromford Crossroads.
For auction on 5 October 2006, with a price guide of £50,000.
Agent: Fidler Taylor, Matlock.
SOLD

Tree felling around Black Rocks.   July 2006
The Forestry Commission is undertaking a regeneration project on Cromford Moor in the Black Rocks area. In the early 1960s conifers were planted as part of the country's timber reserves. They are now ready to be felled, and so far 6000 conifers have been cut down on a 22 acre site which will be transformed into lowland heath. A further 15 acres will be planted with native species such as oak, beech and mountain ash.
The project will take years to complete, but already heather has begun to grow from dormant seed, and the introduction of sheep and cattle will help the transition from wood to heath.
Sustainable timber production is to continue and will help create a variety of habitats. Birds such as skylark, tree pipit and linnet will benefit, and the rare nightjar could eventually return to the area.

Closure of Children's Nursery.   5 July 2006
On Friday 30th June Cromford Bridge Hall Nursery closed without warning to parents and staff. Some parents were informed over the weekend but many turned up on the following Monday to find a note on the door saying it had gone into liquidation and closed down.
Although rumours of the impending closure had been circulating and it was known that the nursery had been up for sale, the manner of the closure caused anger and upset among parents. Many had paid the July fees in advance and may lose their money.
The owner Gavin Broadbent regretted the closure which he blamed on falling demand and environmental regulations. There had been no interest when the business was for sale at the asking price of £675,000. Smith Cooper Insolvency Practitioners are dealing with the liquidation.
The nursery has been operating for 16 years and was originally situated in Cromford Bridge Hall before moving to the present building nearby.
Mr Broadbent has also closed a playgroup which he ran at St Monica's House, Windmill Lane, Ashbourne.

Vacancy on Parish Council.   18 May 2006
A vacancy has arisen on the Parish Council following the resignation of Councillor Naylor. An election to fill the vacancy will be arranged if 10 electors give notice in writing to the Returning Officer requesting that an election is held.
If sufficient requests are not received the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.
Requests should be sent to David Wheatcroft, Returning Officer, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Town Hall, Matlock, DE4 3NN.
The closing date for receipt of the requests for an election is 2nd June.
As the requirements for holding an election were not met, the Parish Council members co-opted Janet Ede to fill the vacancy.

Howard's Bakery Closed.   2 April 2006
Howard's Bakery on the Market Place closed on March 31 following the retirement of the proprietors, Mr and Mrs Wright. The property has been sold and will not re-open as a bakery.
The new owner is planning to develop the building into two flats and two retail outlets.

Free travel for the over 60s.   16 March 2006
From 1st April all Gold Card holders will be entitled to free travel by bus anywhere in Derbyshire after 9.30am on weekdays and any time at weekends. You can also travel to some towns and cities outside Derbyshire.
It also entitles you to half fare travel on local trains at any time.
Before 9.30am half fares will still apply on buses.
Every resident over 60 and some disabled people can have a Gold Card.
If you already have a Gold Card you do not need to get a new one.
To apply contact your local council. Call Derbyshire 08456 058058 or visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/goldcard for more information.

Death of Philip Whitehead.   1 January 2006
Philip Whitehead died on December 31 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Rowsley. Mr Whitehead, who was 68, had been an MEP for the East Midlands for the last eleven years, and before that was Labour MP for Derby North from 1970 to 1983.
Born in Matlock Bath, and a former pupil at Lady Manners school in Bakewell, Mr Whitehead studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University, and went on to work as a journalist and television producer. He became editor of This Week and Panorama, and in 1974 he won an Emmy Award for his TV series "The World at War".
Tributes have been paid by friends and colleagues, including PM Tony Blair.
Bereaved are his widow Christine, three children and three grandchildren.

Death of retired milkman.
Peter Wells, of Bonsall, died suddenly in December while on holiday in Egypt. Peter, who was 62 years old, was well known in Cromford, Matlock Bath, Matlock and Whatstandwell where he delivered milk and groceries for 42 years until his retirement in September 2005. Peter also helped his wife Linda to run her garden centre and Hollies Farm Shop in Bonsall, studying horticulture at the University of Derby in Buxton to extend his knowledge.
Peter lived at Lea Bridge until his marriage to Linda in 1966, when the couple moved to Bonsall and opened the shop in 1971. Travel, wildlife and animal welfare were among his interests, and he and Linda were planning to go to Borneo to see the orang-utans this year.
Many cards and messages of sympathy have been sent to the family, reflecting how popular he was with his many friends and customers.
Cremation at Markeaton followed by a service of thanksgiving at Bonsall church took place on January 4.

Open Day at Alison House, Intake Lane.
Following the recent refurbishment of Alison House holiday and conference centre everyone was invited to an open day on Thursday, December 15th.
A good number of people attended and were shown around the centre. Mulled wine and other Christmas refreshments were served, and children from Cromford School sang carols.
Did you know you can have your wedding reception at Alison House, or even get married there? Visit the web site at  www.alison-house.co.uk for full details.

Cromford Bridge Hall for sale.   24 October 2005
Cromford Bridge Hall (formerly Bridge House), is on the market for £1,250,000.
The house has a long history, being built by the Wigley family of Wirksworth in the 17th century, although in the attics there is evidence of an earlier timber framed house. At that time the area was known as Senior Field. There have been later additions and alterations over the years.
It was at one time the home of Benjamin Haywood, whose horse famously leapt from Cromford Bridge into the river below in 1697. He was involved in developing the warm springs at Matlock Bath.
The house has also been in the ownership of the Nightingale family of Lea. Elizabeth Evans, great aunt of Florence Nightingale, lived there until her death in 1852 when the house was offered to Florence to turn into a hospital. She declined and went on to her nursing work in the Crimea.
When the house was sold in 1967 it went for £15,000, which included the old coach house.
This could be an opportunity for any new owners to change the name back to Cromford Bridge House, its historic name. It has only been known as Hall in recent years.
The agent is Cauldwell & Co, Tel: 01629 810018.
SOLD February 2006.

Florence Nightingale's childhood home, Lea Hurst at Holloway is also on the market for £875,000. The agent is Scargill Mann & Co, Tel: 01629 584591.