So much to amaze us in Derbyshire Dales even if the weather is unkind
DALES MP Sarah Dines says everything is green and alive and summer is a great time to get out and about
AUGUST is one of my favourite months in the year. Usually we have the hottest weather, although it may not feel that way at the moment, in fact I’m writing this whilst the Derbyshire rain pours outside my window.
The crops in the fields are maturing, ready for harvest in September, and everywhere you look the countryside is green and alive.
August is also statistically the busiest month for tourism across the UK.
The school summer holidays paired with the relaxing of lockdown has meant that tourism in Derbyshire Dales is booming and the streets of Ashbourne and our villages are filled with residents and visitors alike.
It is absolutely fantastic to see our tourism destinations busy once again and restaurants and pubs trading at a fantastic rate.
There are so many brilliant family days out to be had in Derbyshire Dales and last week I attended the opening of the Maze 52, the maize maze in Ednaston and it was certainly ‘amazing.’
Diversification of our countryside into attractions such as this, is a brilliant idea and I know that thousands of people, from near and far will enjoy trying to solve the maze this year.
It is brilliant to have so many young entrepreneurs such as the
Maze 52 owner, Phylly Goodall, in the Derbyshire Dales. I love to see local businesses thinking outside the box and providing attractions that become unique to our area. I was so pleased to see queues of people outside many of our local shops such as the Ashbourne Gingerbread Shop last week and this does appear to be a sign of things getting better economically for our area.
I recently learned that Ashbourne Gingerbread has a very interesting history. Legend goes that the recipe came from a French prisoner of the Napoleonic wars who made his home in Ashbourne.
We really do have some special shops in our area, but there is no denying that the pandemic has hit the High Street and our local economy hard and we all must do our best to support local shops when we can.
I also recently attended the Dovedale Sheepdog Trials. The Dovedale Sheepdog Trials is a longstanding competition held in Derbyshire.
The actual competition is held just over the Derbyshire border at the Okeover Estate, but I was delighted to attend this year as many of my constituents take part and hold integral roles within the organisation.
The dogs and their handlers were so impressive and incredibly skilled. We have so many fantastic organisations in our area working to preserve our much-loved British traditions, which bring so many visitors to our area and in turn benefit our local economy.
Recently I had my first opportunity this year to visit a Derbyshire summer fete. Last year, most of the summer fetes were cancelled due to the pandemic, so it felt like a real treat to see everyone at the Longford Church Fete.
The event took place at the beautiful The Grange in Longford and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet residents and catch up with those I had met before.
It was wonderful to see Father Giles Orton a local vicar in action and so many wonderful raffle prizes available to win.
After a year and a half of predominantly virtual surgeries, it is so lovely to be regularly meeting constituents face to face again, and in the last couple of weeks I have met so many residents in person.
It has been truly wonderful, and it does feel like we are on our way to getting back to normal.
As we open up and start socialising with each other, I ask that we all continue to look out for one another, that we use our common-sense to stay safe and that we enjoy this time as we come back together physically.
I hope to see you all out and about soon.
The school summer holidays with the relaxing of lockdown has meant tourism in the Dales is booming.