PROJECTS PAST AND PRESENT

We are happy to consider suggestions for new projects which we may be able to tackle which would contribute to the preservation of the historic fabric or environment of Hayfield. Please e-mail us at info@hayfieldcivictrust.org.uk with your ideas.

The Hayfield Civic Trust organised a picnic for July 15th to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Kinder Reservoir. Several touches reminiscent of the opening day featured in the proceedings. Residents were invited to bring a picnic, a reminder that originally the ladies had picnicked outdoors whilst the men had feasted in the filter house. (Unfortunately access to the filter house is no longer safe.) Period dress was optional and prizes were awarded for the most convincing outfits.

Some participants walked the route of the Kinder supply railway led by Derek Brumhead, who provided a commentary on its history. Others arrived by a more direct route. All were greeted by a celebratory arch replicating that erected at the original event. A siren signalled the start of the proceedings and a welcome address was delivered by the 'works manager' Mr McKenzie (aka John Crummett) and Mrs McKenzie (Sylvia Crummett) awarded the prizes for the best costumes.

As a permanent reminder of the importance of the reservoir in providing safe drinking water, both then and now, an information board was erected at the viewpoint on the path above the reservoir out to William Clough. The content of the board was devised by The Hayfield Civic Trust and its production and installation was funded by United Utilities.

The Hayfield Civic Trust would like to thank United Utilities for their assistance in staging this event and, in particular, for allowing access to the site.

The Hayfield Civic Trust successfully nominated Arthur Lowe of Dad's Army fame for a Derbyshire County Council commemorative plaque. Fellow actor from the series, Ian Lavender ('You stupid boy') unveiled the blue plaque at Arthur's birthplace on Spring Terrace. Members of the family attended and both the BBC and Granada television covered the event for the evening news. Refreshments were served in the library where the Civic Trust had prepared a small exhibition about Arthur's career. Many reminiscences were exchanged.

The Garside family were well known in Hayfield, keeping a newsagents shop where the accountant's office is now. They were also keen local historians and between the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries James, Luke and Sam kept scrapbooks of news cuttings connected with the area. There are 14 volumes and many of the articles relate to Hayfield. The originals are held by New Mills Local History Society and are in poor condition. In 2011 the history society set up a project to digitise them as PDFs and to have them available from their website for all to consult. The Hayfield Civic Trust agreed to contribute funds to this project, which was completed in 2013. The scrapbooks may now be accessed via the New Mills History Society website: www.newmillshistory.org.uk

Since 2008 The Hayfield Civic Trust have dressed the well on Swallow House Lane, as part of the Hayfield Well Dressing Festival. The well served Lucas Terrace and had been restored as part of the Calico Trail project.

In 2008 The National Lottery Awards for All agreed to fund the restoration of the five wrought iron kissing gates marking the field boundaries at the start of the Snake Path in Hayfield. The Snake Path was the first success in 1897 for the newly formed Peak and Northern Footpath Society whose mission it was to secure public access to the moors.

Time, livestock and large backpacks had not been kind to the gates and all were suffering damage of corrosion and dislocation of components. The gates were completely restored and repainted by Dorothea Restorations in Whaley Bridge, conserving as much original material as possible and using traditional forge techniques and in 2009 they were re-installed with the help of Peak Park Rangers.

An ongoing project to look at the changing way of life in and around Hayfield through its buildings and artifacts, based on photographic records and original documentary sources.

To join in email info@hayfieldcivictrust.org.uk

For a more detailed historical chronology visit our history website www.hayfield-village.org.uk