New Hartington Village Trail to be Announced by Town Crier

Not forgetting to take your ear plugs, you may want to turn up at the village pump at the Peak District village of Hartington at 2.00pm on Saturday 30th March, where the local town crier will be giving you some news in his own inimitable way.  Pausing only to take the occasional breath, he will announce the launch of a new Village Trail.

Peak District National Park Authority chair Tony Favell and Hartington Parish Council, who obviously care little for the well being of their ear drums, will unveil new information panels, while leaflets, local history displays, tea and cakes and a Village Trail prize draw will be available from 12noon to 4.30pm in the Village Hall.

Hartington Village Trail

Villagers themselves have been the driving force in helping to create the new Village Trail that leads visitors back in time and encourages them to support local businesses for the future. The trail leaflet has a self-guided map, illustrations that have been done by local schoolchildren, and eleven points of interest assembled by community groups, exploring the village’s rich heritage from the 1200s to the present day.  Aimed at families, adults can enjoy the fact-packed potted histories, and children, led by “Detective Duck,” can test themselves on a treasure-trail of questions.

Hartington Parish Council, community groups and Hartington Primary School worked alongside the Peak District National Park and Derbyshire Dales District Council staff to produce the leaflets and two information panels.  The pupils, who have been heavily involved in studying village history, produced artwork for the panels, one on a plinth built by local master dry stone waller Trevor Wragg in the centre of the village, the other on the school wall.

Peak District National Park ranger Rose Clarke, who helped steer the project, said: “We wanted to produce a guide that would be fun for families, help them learn about the Peak District’s special qualities, and encourage them to stay longer and visit local shops, cafes and pubs. People can pick up the free leaflet from March 30 in and around Hartington, or in national park visitor centres, and use it to explore the village in greater depth.”

This is a pilot project for a series of new Peak District Village Trails produced by villagers themselves. There was funding by the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Hartington Parish Council and local businesses.

Hartington Village Trail will be available online at http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/villagetrails from March 30.

http://www.hartingtonvillage.co.uk/Home/Index2

http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/about-the-area/the-national-park.aspx

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/rangerwalks