An occasional blog from Peak Holidays

 

Sustainable Youlgrave

Sustainable Youlgrave began in 2006 to discuss ways in which we could all do our bit in the village to combat climate change and at the same time make our rural community fully sustainable. They are exploring a range of initiatives which covers renewable energy generation, educational and energy-saving projects, plus related themes such as promoting local shops and services. 

A recent initiative is the Sustainable Youlgrave jute, 100% sustainable, Fair Trade shopping bag which we hope will eventually help achieve a plastic bag free Youlgrave. Peak Holidays are pleased to be sponsoring the jute bags, and now include a free bag as part of the welcome pack for guests staying at Church Corner Cottage.

  

---

Llamas Stan and Brian have moved into one of the fields near Clipshead Farm Cottage. Llamas are members of the South American camelid family and are mostly found in the high altiplano regions of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They are the domesticated cousin of the wild guanaco and are extensively used by the Andean people and in the past by the Incas, as beasts of burden, for food, for fibre and their hides used as leather.

 

---

We found some old pictures of Hillocks Cottage in Kniveton dating from the early 1900's and they showed a Clematis growing up the front of the cottage. So we thought it would be nice to plant a new Clematis at the cottage in 2010. 

For the gardeners, it is Clematis Rebecca - The Chelsea feature for 2008 and named after Raymond Evison's eldest daughter. Clematis Rebecca has stunning large red flowers and flowers freely over a long season.

  

---

Over the 2010 winter months we have taken the opportunity to make a few improvements at the cottages, including;

• Re-decoration of bedrooms at both Church Corner and Hillocks Cottage
• A new 'glass fronted' log burning stove at Church Corner Cottage
• Increased the height of the wall on the right hand side at Hillocks Cottage, to make it more enclosed for dogs.

  

---

The winter weather has been severe this year. The roads around the Peak District have remained, in the main, passable thanks to the work of Derbyshire Dales and their gritting teams.  

Guests have managed to enjoy their winter breaks with the added snow. But as one commentator said: Snow is like having your aunt stay for Christmas - it's nice for a few days but it can be wearing after that!

These pictures were taken at the National Trust Longshaw Estate.