A drive across the moors to Bamford

Recently we took a drive down to Ladybower Reservoir going over our local moor so that we could see the heather which is in flower at the moment. 

a view across the village of Bamford roof tops to the hills
 overlooking Hope Valley

We had planned to go further into the Peak District National Park, but instead decided to return home for lunch.  However, we did stop off in the village of Bamford and had a coffee in what has become to be known as the Angler's Rest Community Hub.  This former pub was another one of the amenities in this village threatened with closure. Then a group of villagers had the idea of buying it from the company that owned it for use as a community facility. After much negotiation this happened in 2013 and with further improvements to the building the venture proved to be so successful that there is now The Rest Café, The Rest Bistro and a post office. The usual stationery items can be bought there and it's also an outlet for local artisans' work. Once a month a farmers' market is held in the car park. 

a seating area in front of The Angler's Rest Hub

The Methodist Church, one of three churches in the village,
 the others being Anglican and Roman Catholic.

Bamford is one of the highest villages in the Upper River Derwent Valley. The surrounding area is  popular with walkers and climbers as it's located on the slopes of the gritstone escarpment of Bamford Edge. 

Castleton, Derbyshire

Yesterday we spent most of the day in and around Castleton, Derbyshire which is an area that we often go to as it's a fairly short distance from where we live.  It was a cold, bright day when we started out, but we took it slowly as we knew that we would find ice and some snow as we drove towards Castleton.

Castleton, Derbyshire

This weekend was the last opportunity to visit St. Edmund's Church

for the Festival of Christmas Trees organised by the Friends of St. Edmund's,

a group dedicated to preserving this old church.

 There were 50 trees, many of them real and these had been given by the National Trust.

Each tree had been decorated by a local organisation and it was obvious from

those that were represented that each one enriches the life of the village

and surrounding area.

St Boniface, an English monk who was sent to Germany as a missionary in the 7th century chose a fir tree to explain the everlasting love of God.  Speaking to the people he indicated a small fir tree and said,

"This little tree, a 'young child' of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of the fir.  It is a sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green.  See how it points upward to heaven.  Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness."

In medieval times in Germany the tree was decorated with apples and referred to as 'The Christmas Tree'.  The tradition spread and when Prince Albert came to be married to Queen Victoria he introduced the Christmas Tree and it has become a popular feature of Christmas ever since.

Here are some of the trees on display that caught my eye.

The Girl Guiding Movement

The local primary school

The Mothers' Union

The Women's Institute

Hope Valley Medical Aid Fund

The Samaritans

The Blue John Mines and artisan workshop

Treak Cliff Cavern

The needlecraft group

The local geological society

Local choir groups

St Edmund's flower arrangement group

The Castleton Historical Society

The theme for this year

'Christmas Cards of WW1'

Box pews with date 1676

The Advent Wreath

stained glass window dedicated to Dorcas
 and St. Edmund 

When we came out of the church the weather had changed to sleety rain so we went into the visitors' centre and museum, a gift shop and then it was time for a welcome hot drink and a teacake in one of family-run restaurants in the village.

   Roast chestnuts and a hot drink anyone?

'An old-fashioned Christmas' display in the Museum

Winnat's Pass

Treak Cliff and Mam Tor (Mother Hill or
 Shivering Mountain)

Treak Cliff Cavern entrance

I walked up Treak Cliff to take a look at the view over
towards Edale before we drove home.

Treak Cliff in September when we visited the caverns with
 our grandson who enjoys hill walking.