Bankswoodberry, the Hadfield music festival, is to make a return.

The two day event, which this year is simply Bankswood Music Festival, is held in Bankswood Park and will be held on 31st August and 1st September. Organisers will be hoping there is no repeat of last year when it was cancelled due to poor weather forecasts.

As a new addition this year, there will be a “battle of the bands” held at The Oakwood on the 4th July. The winner of this will get a slot on the festival bill and the chance to have time in the SSR Recording Studios in Manchester.

Festival organisers say the aim of the band battle is to “promote young, up and coming bands in the area” and anyone who is interested in competing should email bands@bankswoodmusic.com with a link to their music.

The event has been running since 2010 and relies on donations and sponsorship to run. For more information on the previous line ups and history visit the website. To keep up to date with 2013′s festival, visit the Facebook events pages.

St Luke’s Primary School is to host a pamper night this May.

Organised by their PTA, the event will take place on Friday 17th May and included in the £5 entry fee will be refreshments, a fashion show and several fitness demonstrations.

Also available on the night are various treatments and massages, including foot, leg and back massages, reflexology, nail file and polish and gel nails. Full details and prices of treatments are available on the St. Luke’s website. The evening does not have a license to sell alcohol but the PTA poster does encourage visitors to “bring your favourite tipple to enjoy with friends during the evening.”

Anyone wishing to book a treatment is asked to call 01457 854293 or email tomandjane@sky.com. Tickets for the evening are available at Bay Tree Books, from the school office and from Fielding’s Jewellers on Glossop High Street.

Cliffe Road in Glossop is to shut for two weeks to allow Derbyshire County Council repairs.

The closure will take place between 13th May and 1st June to “to facilitate retaining wall repair works” and the alternative route suggested is “ via Highfield Lane – Gladstone Street – A624 – A57 and Vice Versa.”

Access is to be allowed, when possible.

The council apologies for the inconvenience and advises that “anyone needing further information should ring Call Derbyshire 08456 058058.”

Derbyshire County Council have confirmed roads in and around Glossop were gritted as promised, after commuters took to Twitter to complain about tailbacks on the 4th and 5th February.

Users on the social media site claimed that they had “had to give up getting to work”, that some roads were “treacherous” and also said that there was heavy traffic on Mottram Moor that stretched back towards Hattersley roundabout and the motorway.

Despite the council tweeting that “We gritted secondary routes 3pm yesterday, primaries 8-11pm and 1-4am. Primary routes being done now. This includes Glossop” there were suggestions that the snow and a lack of grit on the main roads, was the cause of the severe congestion.

After enquiries by Glossop.com, they confirmed that the roads had indeed been gritted and also explained that the slow traffic may have been down to drivers being extra cautious in the slippery conditions.

A Government planning inspector has granted planning permission to a company who wish to use the old Finlay McKinlay chemist as a bookmakers.

Despite opposition from High Beak Borough Council, Madison Commercial convinced inspector Harold Stephens to side with them and allow the creating of an office or betting shop in the grade II listed building.

The council were hoping that the inspector would deny planning permission based on their arguments that the plans would “deaden the open frontage of the building” and “impact on the vibrancy” of the area.

Instead Inspector Stephens found in favour of the plans and explained his decision by saying:

“External alterations do not form part of the appeal proposal. From the evidence that is before me the proposed use would still require a large window display and the frontage to the street would not be blanked out.”

He also added: “I consider the proposal would not adversely affect heritage assets.”

Geoffrey Claff of the Council’s regeneration team responded to the decision, commenting:

“The shop in question is the old Finlay McKinlays and I think that a lot of people will be highly critical of it turning into a bookies. The planning inspector’s decision to allow office and other uses, including a betting shop, went against the decision of High Peak Borough Council on appeal.”

Madison Commercial now have three years in which to act upon on the granted permission.

Image courtesy of Flickr’s Papalamour

Glossop’s police force are offering free windscreen scrapers to drivers in a bid to keep motorists safe.

Icy roads and cold weather often means people use their car’s internal heater to clear their windscreen. The problem this causes is that sometimes drivers don’t wait till the whole of their windscreen is clear, leaving their view partially obstructed.

This can be a lethal hazard – blocking out other motorists and pedestrians from view.

Thieves sometimes also benefit from the cold weather, stealing cars that have been left unattended with the engine running to melt ice.

To stop the bad weather becoming a major problem for Glossop drivers,  free windscreen scrapers will be available to collect from the Glossop Enquiry Centre on Ellison Street.

PC Julian Gallagher of Glossop Safer Neighbourhood team said: “In the freezing weather we will be getting, it’s absolutely paramount that drivers are as prepared as  possible before setting off, especially when the roads are icy. Windscreen scrapers are one of the  best ways to solve the problem and that’s why we’re giving them away to local  drivers.”

For more information on the scheme contact Derbyshire Police on 101.

Image courtesy of Flickr’s Smi23le.

Willow Wood Hospice is running a Christmas tree recycling scheme as part of its fund-raising plans.

The move which is being organised in conjunction with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council gives people a quick, easy and environmentally friendly way to get rid of the tree when Christmas is over – whilst helping out the hospice too.

The hospice, which has a shop on Glossop high street, is based in Ashton under Lyne and provides palliative care, the majority of which is paid for from public donation.

Those who wish to have their tree collected can arrange a collection by ringing 0161 330 7788, emailing appeals@willowwood.info or filling out on of the application forms which will be distributed to houses. Bookings are being accepted until the 20th December.

The donation required to remove a tree of under 6 feet is £5.00, a tree over 6 feet will cost £7.50 and the cost for a tree of over 10 feet will be agreed when the application is received. Payment must accompany the application and will not be accepted on collection of the tree.

Trees will be collected on the following dates:    

Glossop: 5-6th January

Mossley – Monday 7th January

Stalybridge – Monday 7th January

Hyde  – Tuesday 8th January

Dukinfield – 8th – 11th January

Audenshaw – Wednesday 9th January

Denton – Wednesday 9th January

Droylsden – Thursday 10th January

Ashton – Friday 11th January

John Fellowes, head of fundraising said: “We are extremely grateful once again to Tameside MBC for helping the Hospice with this campaign. With the number of trees we now collect and recycle it is doubtful that we could cope without the Council’s help.

Although the number of artificial trees increase every year, we still raise vital funds from this scheme and every penny goes to help local people in need of our care.”

A local vets surgery has announced the start of its 2012 Christmas appeal for donations of pet food.

Victoria Vets, which has surgeries in Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith, are for the twelth year running asking kind-hearted locals to help them with their “Be a pal to a pet” campaign. The number of pets left unwanted at rescue centres rises around the Christmas period and the vets want to ensure that they can spread a little “foody cheer.”

They are asking people to donate food and bedding for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs so they can distribute it to three local centres before Christmas. The donations will be sent to: Manchester Dog’s home, Dove Cat Sanctuary in Dove Holes and Tameside Rabbit and Guinea Pig rescue.

Anyone who has something they wish to donate can do so by calling into Victoria Vets on Victoria Street anytime before Christmas Eve.

The practice is open 8:30am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday and then 9:00am to 1:00pm on a Saturday.

Gill Barnes, head receptionist at Victoria Vets in Glossop says that: “Every year we can’t believe how generous local people are, times are hard and we appreciate every donation large or small which is given to the ‘Be a Pal to a Pet’ appeal. Please just pop into the surgery and put your gifts under our Christmas tree which is ready and waiting in reception.”

For more information on Victoria Vets or the campaign contact them on 01457 852367 or visit their website.

Santa is taking to his sleigh and travelling the streets of Glossop to help raise money for Glossop Mountain Rescue Team.

The rescue outfit rely on donations to carry out their important work on the peaks around Glossop and so they will be guiding Father Christmas around several routes in an effort to generate some funds.

Santa and his Mountain Rescue buddies will also be present at:

The Glossop Christmas Lights Switch On, on the 30th November.

Glossop Garden Centre on Saturday 1st December.

Norfolk Square on Saturday 22nd December.

They will be greeting shoppers in the hope of vital donations. As part of their efforts they will also be selling their famous teddy bears, local beer and useful stocking fillers.

Santa’s sleigh tour will take in the following routes, all between 19:00 and 20:00:

Tuesday, 4th Dec – Hadfield: Padfield, Tintwistle Railway Station, The Moorlands, Sutton Way , Platt Street, Post Street, Temple Street, Padfield Main Road, Brosscroft, Bankbottom,  Waterside, The Croft, Peter Street, Goddard Lane, New Road, Conduit Street, West Drive, Manchester Road, Old Road.

Thursday, 6th Dec – Hadfield: Railway Street, New Shaw Lane, Green Lane, Higher Barn Rd, Hadfield Road, Wharncliffe, Watkin Ave, Woolley Bridge Rd, Etherow Way, Merseybank Road, Ridings Road, Chapel Lane, Hadfield Road, Stanyforth Street, Queen Street, South Marlow Street, Salisbury Street, Bank St, Kiln Lane.

Monday 10th Dec – Hadfield: Thorncliffe Road, Fernlea Close, Wheatcroft, Southbrook, Pinfold, Lawnfold, Springfield Close, Ivycroft, Lower Barn Road, Green Lane, Oakfield Road, Roundhill Close, Shawfield Road, Shaw Lane, Spring Tavern Estate.

Wednesday, 12th Dec – Glossop: Edward Street, Surrey Street, Shrewsbury Street, A57 High Street West, Primrose Lane, Longclough Drive, Turnlee Rd, Barratt Estate, Simmondley New Rd, Overdale Drive, Earls Way, Turnlee Rd, Turnlee Drive, Turnlee Rd

Friday, 14th Dec – Glossop: Sheffield Road, Shirebrook Park, Manor Croft, Croft Manor.

Monday, 17th Dec – Glossop: North Rd, Spire Hollin, Dinting Rd, North Rd, Heath Road, Talbot Road, Spire Hollin, Fauvel Rd, Howard Street, Charles Street, Fitzalan Street, Norfolk Street, Lord Street, Fauvel Rd, Hall Meadow Rd, Church Street, Manor Park Rd, High Street East.

Wednesday, 19th Dec – Simmondley: Simmondley Lane, Charlesworth View, Brockholes, Foxlea, Swallow Fold, Swift Bank, Ravens Close, Valley Road, Whitley Walk, Heron View, Valley Road, Hunters Lane, Green Lane, Greenbank, Meadowbank, Storth Bank, Storth Meadow Road, Simmondley New R. Pennine Road, Longmoor Road, Tarnside Fold, Melanie Close, Werneth Road, Pennine Road, Kinder Close, Brendon Close, Burwell Close/Arundel Grange, Bowland Road.

Friday, 21st Dec – Glossop: Victoria Street, St Marys Rd, Duke St, Hadfield St, Princess St, Shaw St, Summer St, Tredcroft Street, Sunlaws Street, Hugh Street, Queen Street, Pikes Lane, Hollincross Lane, Victoria Street, Whitfield Avenue, Gladstone Street, Whitfield Cross, Gladstone Street, Wood Street, Kershaw Street, King Street, Collier Street.

Image courtesy of Glossop Mountain Rescue Team.

A popular theatre talent contest is coming to Glossop – and a former Coronation Street actor is on the judging panel.

The Ovation Awards which aims to give upcoming and talented writers a helping hand into the theatre industry will this year hold its final at The Partington Theatre in Glossop on Saturday, 20th October.

Theatre is a notoriously difficult industry to break into and as result, entries flooded in from all over the country from places such as Hull, London, Oxfordshire and of course from Derbyshire!

The final will run from 7:00pm to 9:45pm and each piece gets a 7 minute slot to impress the judging panel. This year’s judges will be Steve Huison – who played Eddie Windass in Corrie and Lumper in The Full Monty – alongside actor and theatre agent Phillipa Howell and Rumpus Theatre Company Artistic Director John Goodrum.

On the night, there will be three awards handed out – Best Director, Best Production and Best Actor – two of the winners will be selected by the judging panel with the remaining category being judged by the audience!

This is the competition’s third year having started in Whitby two years ago and then visited Halifax last year. Glossop’s Partington Theatre was chosen after it impressed Planet Rabbits Productions who are organising the final.

Tickets for the event are £9 and can be purchased from Les Hewitt on 07736 152348. For more information on all the judges and contestants who are taking part in final please visit the Ovation Theatre Awards website.

Derbyshire County Council have unveiled plans to build a new library in Glossop.

The new building which was designed by the Council’s own architects will replace the current adult learning site on Talbot Road. They say it will incorporate more books, a new dedicated children’s and teenager’s library and computers with free internet access. Proposals as they stand also include plans for outside space for people sit and read.

£2m has been put aside for the project and the single storey building is about to be put in front of the County Council’s planning department.

If the initial consultation with the planning department is postive then the Council expect to start a full application process within weeks and hope that building work could start in the spring and be finished by the summer of 2014.

Derbyshire County Council leader and cabinet member for culture Councillor Andrew Lewer said of the news:

“A new library is long overdue for Glossop and this purpose-built facility will provide a much-improved service for the people of the town and surrounding area,” he said.

“It has been a long search but it will be worth it to give the people of Glossop the best possible library service.”

To plans can be seen on the Derbyshire County Council website.