More Treats On Offer...

Further to recent posts, here's few other things to look out for:

1. A reminder that Grains Bakehouse (01457 862346) and Village Greens (01457 852456) will be outside the Pack Horse again this Saturday, 10-12.00p.m. with their delicious produce. Village Greens advise they've had a great response of orders for their £10 veg box and a good number of orders for their £5 'veg essentials' bags. They're also bringing along some select cheeses, fresh cranberries and a selection of natural Xmas wreaths for sale on the day. If you want to be sure you get what you want, why not order direct from either supplier, and collect on the day?
2. News that should appeal: a new zero waste shop has just opened in Buxton - Day Zero! Based at 30 High Street in Higher Buxton, it was opened by Ruth George MP on Saturday and is open through the day pretty much every day (save the obvious) this month and even 12-4.00p.m. Sundays. They have a full range of wholefoods, liquid refills and gifts on offer. Being zero waste, they hope you'll bring containers for your purchases but they also have free recycled paper bags and they can sell jars, made from recycled glass. They've a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dayzeroshop) and will have a website They've apparently got off to a great start and would be delighted to see Sustainable Hayfield supporters at their premises. Why not pop in on one of your trips to Buxton? This, we hope, could be a truly sustainable addition to the retail arena, which puts the environment at its heart;
3. For lovers of wildlife and the outdoors, a reminder that, on Tuesday, 11th December, the local branch of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have got their pre-Xmas shindig at Bradbury House, Glossop, 7.30p.m. Entitled 'Wildlife and Wild Places', the evening features short, informal, illustrated talks on Derbyshire, the UK and abroad. And there's a light-hearted quiz, complete with mulled wine and mince pies. £3 to all;
4. Closer to home, and exactly a week after the switch on Hayfield's own Xmas lights, Little Hayfield is hosting its own Xmas Tree Light Switch On and get-together, on Friday 14th December, at 7.00p.m., in the park area down Slack Lane. This will be accompanied by Chapel Band and traditional carols followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Lantern Pike. So, wet weather or dry, there's an evening to be made of it as the local community comes together.

It's That Time of The Year...

Events come thick and fast at this time of the year. Here's a few closish to home which may interest you:

• Friday 30/11, Hayfield Primary School (or rather, its PTA) has organised its 'Christmas Cracker', from 3.20-5.30p.m. in the school hall. There's lots going on at what is always an exuberant event: gift and produce stalls, Xmas crafts, an 'elf trail', tombola, free Xmas cinema, pupil enterprise stalls, and chiilis and nachos for adults. Entrance is £2, and it's an event worth supporting;
• After another very successful outing last Saturday (queues at 10.15a.m.!) this Saturday, 1st December, it's worth reminding you that Grains Bakehouse and Village Greens will again be outside the Pack Horse 10.00-12.00p.m., selling their delicious produce. There's rumours of a gazebo this time, but the weather may frustrate that...but don't be frustrated yourself in finding they've sold out of what you want before you get there. You can place orders on 01457 862346 (Grains) or 01457 852456 (Village Greens), and collect;
• the following day, Sunday 2nd December, Birch Vale Café, Station Road, Birch Vale, is having its Christmas Cheer event, from 10.00-4.00p.m., featuring local arts and craftspeople Jenny Rothwell, The Thread Mill, Elin Price, Scruffy Dogs, Sweet Charity Cookies, Nell’s Designs, The Textile House and Steve Hogarth selling their wares outside the café, as well as tempting you with their own culinary delights inside. A poster's attached to whet you appetite...
• on Thursday, 6th December, there's the familiar indoor Farmers' Market at Buxton Pavilion Gardens, 9.30-2.30p.m., featuring much locally-grown fresh produce and some interesting crafts, perhaps with some interesting Xmas twists, and
• on Sunday, 9th December, Hayfield Singers are delivering their 'Xmas Concert' at St Matthews Church from 7.30p.m., featuring serious works by the renowned Leonard Bernstein, a delightful contemplative piece by Gerald Finzi, and other Christmas music, with the chance to join in with some traditional carols. Tickets are £10 (unrestricted view) or £8 (restricted view), available from choir members of Hayfield Pharmacy.

Treats to Come...

1. Thanks to everyone who made last Saturday's initial 'mini market' with Grains bakers and Village Greens outside The Pack Horse the success it was. Both exhibitors declared themselves well satisfied with proceedings … and have learned for the future.

   James from Grains Bakehouse all-but sold out which meant some folk missed out on his delicious croissants, baguettes and some breads...…..so he's bringing more tomorrow! But to be absolutely sure you get what you want, why not place an order via 01457 862346.....then pick up on the day!

   Village Greens were delighted with the interest shown in their veg boxes, but know they're not for everyone, and, listening to customer feedback, will now bring some smaller, and cheaper (at £5) 'veg and fruit essentials bags' for tomorrow....good news for many of us, especially in smaller households. Again, if you want to order in advance, contact them on 01457 852456.

   So... here's to a further 'mini market tomorrow, outside The Pack Horse, 10-12.00p.m.. And we've all been reassured, for the future, that in the event of bad weather (heavy rain etc), The Packhorse will welcome stallholders and customers alike inside its doors. Yet more good news! Why not make this convenient Saturday event a regular part of your shopping?

2. A reminder that Hayfield Artists' winter exhibition (and sale) is also taking place at The Packhorse on both Saturday - just as the market finishes - and Sunday from 12-6.00p.m. I understand that around a dozen artists' work will be on display, so there should be plenty to cast your eye over, with a view to gracing your house or that of someone close to you.

3. And also on Saturday and Sunday, Home Made Hayfield is holding its Xmas spectacular, featuring around 50 exhibitors displaying and selling uniquely crafted goods, of a wide variety, to tickle your palate or again adorn you or your home, or of those dear to you. It's all at the Royal Hotel, inside and out, and runs from 11-5.00p.m.

It's a good weekend to venture out in Hayfield!

Memories... and promises

1. You cannot but have noticed the adornments being made to the village ahead of this weekend's Remembrance commemorations. Now the war memorial has been graced by its own motif, in the style of the well dressings, painstakingly assembled. And from Saturday 6pm til 11pm, the plan is to have images of World War 1 and its times projected onto the eastern end of St Matthews Church. This all promises to make this centennial commemoration of the end of fighting in WWI rather special.

2. We're also delighted to confirm that the promised new service, of a pop up artisan baker and a high quality fruiterer and greengrocer, will make its first appearance outside the Pack Horse pub next weekend, Saturday November 17th, 10.00-12.00 noon, courtesy of our colleagues Grains from Glossop and Village Greens from Charlesworth. Please note that, for logistical reasons, the date has been moved from Friday, as originally notified, to Saturday, and every Saturday thereafter. You may have already received, or will receive, an information leaflet about the new village facility through your door advertising the service. And it looks lovely! This means you'll have direct access to mouthwatering breads and wholesome, healthy fresh veg, all on your doorstep. We're delighted these two very successful businesses have chosen to branch out to Hayfield village, where we're sure they'll be assured of a warm welcome. We hope you'll go along and sample the delights on offer.

   You'll note that Village Greens are emphasising their £10 and £20 'veg boxes', orders for which can be made - by next Thursday - by phone (01457 852456), and then be ready for collection. But, if you're not ready to commit to that in advance, they'll also have other supplies for you to buy on the day. Here's hoping this joint enterprise by Grains and Village Greens will be an attractive and sustainable addition to Hayfield's 'retail offer' (as they say)!

3. Back to memories.........do you recall reel to reel recorders? Might you still have one? If so, might you loan it temporarily to Sustainable Hayfield supporter Keith Brisley, who's wanting to retrieve something from a reel to reel tape? He'd be delighted - and very grateful - if you would. Keith's on 01663 749807 and at keith22@brisley-associates.com. Thanks!

And thanks for your continuing support and interest.

Coming Up...

A few reminders of some things coming up:

• tomorrow night, Wednesday 24th, the Civic Trust is hosting a talk at the Village Hall, entitled 'Potty About the Peak District'. It starts at 7.30p.m. Admission £2, includes tea and biscuits;
• a week on Saturday, November 3rd, Sustainable Hayfield's Food Group will be holding a further working session at the library garden 11.00a.m. until 1.00p.m., to ensure the garden is in good order and ready for a new growing season. Just turn up, if you're interested in helping;
• the following day, Sunday, November 4th, is the date of the annual sheepwash clean-up, just below Booth Farm, from 10.00a.m. until noon, led by Hayfield Civic Trust. Since its renovation some years ago, villagers have helped ensure the sheepwash, part of local agricultural history, is kept free of obstacles and in generally sound fettle. The work usually consists of clearing the surrounding area of the season's overgrowth, some weeding of the approach ramp, and clearing 'the wash itself' of any accumulated flotsam, the latter requiring good length wellies! Outdoor wear, and gardening gloves, are the order of the day. There's limited parking in the vicinity but lifts can be arranged. The event is not suitable for children. If you'd like to help out, or know more, contact Ann Lyon at annlyon@hotmail.co.uk.

Apple Day Thanks

Thanks to all those of you - and your friends - who came along to Saturday's Apple Day, and helped make it the success we think it was.

The weather, specifically the winds, meant we had to extemporise a good deal. We assembled twice to put up the usual marquees, but could not proceed. That meant we had to move some activities indoors. Some stallholders understandably cancelled because of fears about the integrity of their tents/gazebos/displays in the gusting winds. So we had a slightly reduced - but still good - 'offer', from that which we had planned, but probably still the equal of previous events. It was gratifying to see so many of you there and apparently enjoying yourselves. Thank you.

Apple Day is a significant event for us. It provides us with some funds to do what we do through the rest of year. So it's doubly heartening when supporters turn out, in not the easiest of circumstances, to support our 'Apple Day'.

Sustainable Hayfield Autumn Newsletter

The Autumn newsletter from Sustainable Hayfield is now available to download. We hope you find it of interest.

This issue gives some predictable prominence to Apple Day, being held - tomorrow! At the moment, the forecast is a little damp, and breezy (but much less windy than today), and rather warm for the time of year. We hope this won't deter/will encourage you to come along, where we have probably our widest display range of attractions on offer, an almost complete A-Z of attractions and events. If you can think of attractions we might feature in future, (particularly with the missing letters!), please let us know.

As you probably know, Apple Day is Sustainable Hayfield's main source of fundraising in the year, enabling us to do what we do.....so we hope to see many of you at Apple Day, 1-4.30p.m., at the school!

But the newsletter also brings you up to date with what's happening locally and more widely, of interest to our core purpose, and we hope that there's something in its pages for you!