New Years Eve at the Church Inn Chelmorton - 2011 New years fancy dress theme was Comedy Heros, party 7.30 till late.

Christmas Day Angels St Johns Chelmorton 2011. December 25th and not a sign of the preceding weeks snow in Chelmorton.  Christmas day hosted by John Fountain and David Race in the church of St John the Baptist was supported by soft sunshine for a perfect winters morning to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.. . From Harvest Festival 'Crop of Angels' came an idea for the village children to sign up to a better world, they gave photos and signatures to a giant white angel. Everything a secret from parents, Vicar John Fountain organised the unveiling of the Christmas angel on Christmas morning to a church full of children and villagers. Carols sung to the strings of violins, percusion on the triangles and even parents signed up for signatures of angel support in a service to touch the soul of Christmas season. Childrens engagement was a testomony of the youngsters pews with standing room only.

Readings and Carols for thw week before Christmas Village children had practiced Monday evenings ready for this service, they had a hand bell treat ready for a packed church. Soft ice snow covered the Main Street. Hollinsclough Silver Band filled the Lady Chapel, David Race and John Fountain took the service. Children dressed in Nativity paraded the length of the isle to arrive as a tableu at the front of the church. There was a ornet solo for Once in Royal Davids City. Carol, poem and reading set the tone for a special Christmas feeling to the afternoon, David Race focused poems on the Iona community. Mathew Fountain read the Mathew reading and then the children delivered their bell work to the carol of Silent night. Christmas in Chelmorton, snow, song, children in church and the whole event finished with mulled wine, chocolate buiscuits and mince pies organiesed by Irene Ottey and Anne Mayo.

7th December Village film Circle (Bridesmaids) . 7.30, second Wednesday of the month in the village institute, December  mince pies & mulled wine for a showing of Bridesmaids on the big screen.January 11th is targeting the showing of 'One Day' if not released it will be 'Jayne Ayre'

4th December First snow. Warm sunshin afternoons but gritter trucks out and about on the High Peak roads, the first light covering of snow formed a dusting for the top of the hills Dec 4th. First Sunday of the month and first snow all together for family service in St Johns Chelmorton, youngsters all set for the coming Christmas nativity which will be Sunday Dec 18th at 3pm, a special practice organised for the little ones the day before.

1 3th November, remembernce service left the church for the second year in a row to be held at the village institute where the war memorial lies. War memorial institute chairman Harry Mayo congratulated Lucilla Marsden on reading the poem of a soldier, Anne Mayo and Ellie Bagshaw read the psalm. Harry Mayo aounonced the recently formed joint committee of the Parish Council and Institute will hold an open meeting in January to accept suggestions and arangements for the celebrations to be held in June to celebrate the Quens Jubilee.

7th October Air Ambulance fund raiser for Church Inn Chelmorton. Justin and his team at the Church Inn pub, Main Street Chelmorton organised a late Indian summer hog roast on Friday October 7th. The Hog roast  raised more than a thousand pounds for the Derbyshire Air Ambulance, a well attended and enjoyed event, funds from the fell race were put into the same donation for the air ambulance.

2nd October Harvest Festival 'A crop of Angels' & Monday dinner. Bells rang out into the sunshine of Main Street for harvest festival church service combined with first Sunday of the month for a ten am family service with the church full of children. Many adults jumped ship for the Skegness seventies weekend trip form the village and that left vicar John Fountain set for a fun filed game of Harvest charades. Children were asked to portray harvest fruit and angels in a child focused church event that was dubbed a crop of Angels. Sadly former church warden Howard Clark had a fall but was in good hands and soon taken to Macclesfield Hospital, Olwyn Kirkwood expertly adapted the organ tunes and everyone wished Howard well. There was time for everyone to sign a birthday card for another church warden, Margaret Morgan. The children then took harvest gifts to the alter which was adorned with fruit and local produce. Pub meal will take place on Monday evening at the Church Inn to auction the harvest produce. Almost out of season as sunshine rolls down for a late Indian summer and second grass cut in the fields of Chelmorton for a special Harvest festival 'Crop of Angels'

30 September Carol Allcocks Mc Millan sunshine. Late September dark evenings and then an Indian summer sunshine Friday arrived to bless Carol Allcocks Macmillan coffee morning, raffle tickets ran out and stalls full to overloaded. Green balloons marked the way to the village institute for folk arriving as Main Street was as full as the stalls for a perfect sunshine event raising funds for Macmillan. Unfortunate timing as waggons rolled in,  traffic came to a hault as the coal delivery truck arrived followed by the bin wagon and the blue bag truck but it was all in a great cause and congestion inside was releaved by the sunshine that found stalls in the fresh air of the rear yard.

25th September Chelmorton Chase one thousand foot fell race.

Chelmorton Chase One thousand feet 5 Mile Fell Race,  Sunday 25th September.

Sunshine held back the rain for a mega bumper turn out for the 2011 Chelmorton Chase that raised funds for the Debyshire Air Ambulance,Andy Wiltons record held against an outstanding field of top runners.

Fencing damage on the Low to Roger Ardens land by catlle of the Allen family spooked by the runners caused a shadow over the future of the event. A bill for damages raised by Roger Arden was paid by Tracey Worth, Lady of Hollinsclough.

Near 200 runners took silence as Chelmorton Vicar John Fountain blessed the race. Part of the Fell Running Association calendar it has gained a reputation for attracting top names but remains a hugely friendly affair where local runners compete against the hill, well marshalled with many villagers taking their yellow jackets to locations they have made their own to cheer the runners through. Bernard Hulley has more than a decade of service on the Five Wells style crossing. Tracey Worth Lady of Hollinsclough  flagged the race away at eleven thirty. Meddle secretary Dawn Atkins  again organised meddles for the first one hundred runners home, all engraved and hung on 2011 red white and blue ribbons.

Near 200 adult runners, Andy Wilton 'International Cross Country Star' still holds the record under thirty minutes for the five miles that covers one thousand feet of accent in a local party atmosphere that sees main Street in Celebration to welcome home the winning runners from their mountainous toil on Chelmorton Low, cover the course under an hour and you still have respectable time for the thousand feet of ascent. 2011 medical cover was again provided by Andy Toogood and his team.

Carl Egdell of Dark Peak took the fifty pounds first prize in Dark Peak Colours with a time of 34.37, Jamews Wood Congelton Harriers was second in 34.46 and Rick Houghton of macclesfield Harries took third place in 34.48 for a close finish of the top men. The results secured Dark peak a team win for which they have gained a great reputation over the last few years.

First local from Taddington was Peter Stubbington in a Buxton AC vest, another veteran local runner Jane Denby swapped running jumper for marshalling jacket to help on the Waterloo turn. Junior under sixteen's took a go at the big hill, James Melor from Derby took gold and Morgause Lomas Repton school bagged first girl junior. Alice Duncan ran in Cambridge University colours to take third female, Diana Lee for Matlock was second in 41.35 and Kath Lamplugh, Staffordshire Moorlands came back to add her name as lady winner a second time to the Joan Windross memorial shield in a time of 40.47.

There were glass awards for all top places, certificates for all the under sixteen's and medals for the first 100 finishers. Derek Wood and timing team alongside Judith Mellor and the sign on administrators coped with the bumper field of entries in their stride which was fit the fell race its-self. More than just a fell race, the village event had a special car park at the head of the village, tea coffee and biscuits from beginning to end courtesy of Buxton Girl Guides and a formal lunch followed to replenish the marshalling team who had taken to the hills of Chelmorton to see everyone home safe.

Fifty pounds   prize to first runner over the line went to Carl Egdell of Dark Peak.34.37

The Joan Windross memorial shield awarded to the first lady runner Kath Lamplugh Staffordshire Moorlands

Glass trophy prizes were given for all the winning categories.

First Lady Kath Lamplugh, Second Lady Diane Lee & third lady Alice Duncan Selwyn College University of Cambridge.

Second male James Wood, Third Male Rick Houghton.

First Local Peter Stubbington.48.04

First Junior Boy James Mellor of Derby. First Junior Girl Morgause Lomas, Foremarke Hall Repton School.

First Team went to Dark Peak taking first, second and a run of places in the first ten of   the field to hold the team winning first of the last few years.

CLOWNE from Chesterfield who made it part of their championship series, were the first newcomer team.

Junior race gave the younger athletes a go at the big hill, access permission kindly provided by the Allen family, the Bagshawas, the Whealdons and Arden families. The youngsters go just before the adults, using the same start line but miss the Taddington and five wells loops. Chelmorton Chase has also gained some reputation for photos as a small team of snappers sit about the course getting pics of the runners that are then put to CD and sent to the deserving athletes of the big hill.

18th Sept Church led thefts. . Some bad news for the church grew during the week, sadly long time warden Howard Clarke had a fall and found himself in Macclesfield hospital, then a great deal of led was stolen from the Lady Chapel section of the church of St John in Chelmorton. Best was made of it for a full house Christening on Sunday 18th. To great suprise the culprits returned late in the evening of the 18th but alarm was raised. Police Cars all about Chelmorton Main Street and the thieves of the church roof led were caught. A full team of Irene Ottey and Trish Simonds rallied again for the church on Monday morning for the Bakwell coffee morning which had good fortune to find the arrival of a tourist coach and a good income for the mornings work.

31st July 40 years of ordination, a ruby wedding and a 65th birthday. . Folk from Chelmorton Parish joined forces for the trip to Monyash for a special joint service of multiple celebrations in a joint benefice service to recognise the exceptional efforts of retiring Vicar John Goldsmith & his wife Cannon Mary. Party to celebrate John 65 years old, 40 years of ordination, 40 years Ruby wedding anniversary to Mary. Chelmorton not alone, all the benefice from Taddinton to Earl Sterndale had turned out. The church was dressed with flowers in the same colour as John & Mary had for their wedding, the hymns were almost the same and a splendid cake of white and red icing awaited the party to follow. A board of memory photos greeted the congregation, every spare stacker chair was stuffed into the sides of the church for a full house that only left room for the buffet tables weighed down by local bakery and produce fit for a St John the Baptist feast. Mary opened the service with warm words of her life with John. His early photo in school life at New House Repton, a snap caught when John was in the winning team of the 1961 Steeple Chase. John himself taking the sermon, fresh out of two local Saturday weddings at Hartington and Chelmorton. Johns words of sermon were an inspiration of God, 'Sparks of Gods Glory, not just for vicars but for all, God is on our side, God is to be responded too.' The feast followed the service with so many happy memories of the Goldsmith time in the Diocese of Taddington and it was no surprise that God had blessed the whole event with lashings of sunshine.

16th July Chelmorton float in Buxton Carnival' Stair rods of rain did not stop the  2011 Buxton carnival  float entry return for Chelmorton, sound system abbondened in the water but still prize winning with a yellow ticket for Very Highly Commended. The last Chelmorton float themed Elvis was  replecated with a 2011theme Elvis returns. A smart red tractor provided by David Bagshaw and driven by Tracey Worth Lady of Hollinsclough. Paul Bagshaw sorted the flatbed trailer and John Gould did the traditional square straw bails for the sides of the float. Many village children from the family Church services got their fancy dress theme sorted, adults also from across the village  participated in the splendid summer event as the carnival twisted through Buxton to finish over the Markey Place fun fare area.  

3rd July  High Peak Road Race, BikeboxAlan Grand Prix Massed start road race chelmorton    Chelmrton village institute wilas HQ  for a massed start cycle racealong the village roads in a route about Flagg, Monyash and the Sheldon boarders. The event was a joint promtion of Sheffield Cycle clubs between Sharrow CC, Whirlow Wheelers and Sheffrec CC. Joint organisers, John Collinsand Peter Dungworth can be contacted on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   There was 250 pounds of prizes, the course just over seven miles long and has 5 and three quarter laps to complete 41.8 miles, The winner was Steven fidler from Cheshire (team Elite) in a time of 1hour 50mins 11 seconds. Dianne Lee (Zepnat) won the ladies category, she finished 17th overhaul. Diane ic current World & European Triatholon Chamion and lives in Chelmorton. Event organiser John Collins commented 'The race provided extra competition for the riders and also a a free and fast moving spectacle for the spectators and local residents.'

3rd July  Focus on the future mission for Vicar John Goldsmith   Watch the cycle race and then dash for the steps of the church for family service. Vicar John Goldsmith will be taking the family service for July and has asked for input from the youngsters that he can add to the church mission policy for the years ahead. A tremendously strong engagement has taken place spanning a good number of years that sees many of the little ones in the village at family service, teenagers thin on the ground but still many in the village so all inspiration for attendance ane engagement welcome.

5th June Together for Ascension  Summer sunshine for the week of half term and a little rain for the fields made for a perfect week, many children away but still a good number for the first Sunday of the month family service, focus was Ascesion, 'Imagine the light' was the theme. David Race had the yougsters take five minutes silence, he inspired thoughts with chosen words and got a whole six minutes out of them. Well done David, two marriage bands read. Sunshine all around as the childrens service youngsters made all speed for the childrens play park, Gill Fountain had tea, coffee and buiscuits awaiting the adults.

19th May,sad loss Neil Lambert Not well for many years, there had been prayers in St Johns for Neil Lambert on a regular basis. He died at Hope hospital near Manchester in the early morning hours of Thursday 19th. Neil Lambert a life long resident of Chelmorton, lived on the Ditch Chelmorton, His funeral at St Johns Chelmorton had standing room only, the reception followed at the Church Inn Pub where many people had special memories to share. ..

17-18th May Village Birthdays for Howard Clarke and Shirley Bagshaw St Johns Church warden Howard Clarke celebrates 85 years young on Tuseday 17th May, the following day Shirley Bagshaw celebrates her birthday too.

15th May Irene Ottey prayers for grandson joining the army. In a service reflecting from the previous week on fullness of life the congregation took time under Vicar John Goldsmith to give prayers for the grand son of Church Warden Irene Ottey who joins the British army as a ew soldier this week.

8th May Year since the rescue Souther Ocean yacht rescue was centre of a full church in the St Johns service in Chelmorton on Sunday May8th, one year to the day when villagers Carl Lomas and Tracey Worth, Lord and Lady of Hollinsclough calledmayday to be rescued by the Royal Navy from the Southern Ocean. Six Cape Horn sailors were amongst the congregation where Tracey Worth, Lady of Hollinsclough gave words of life.Thanks toRN Warship  HMS Clyde were given to God and the hymn 'All Things Bright & Beutiful' was sung with vigour by amongst others Shirley Duggan, Warden of St Marks.   Since the rescue, a variety of BBC coverage, latest filming is for a new science programme called Ice, Carl & Tracey have delivered motivational lectures on their ordeal across the community from schools to Girl Guides, local clubs and Young Farmers groups.

5th May David Chapman un-oposed for election David Chapman was unopsed for election to councilor, the Village Institute was opened for the day as a polling station to take ballot on the vote system but no papers for councilor as David, resident of Chelmorton was un-opoosed for office.

5th May Annual Parochial Church Meeting and vestry elections Annual Vestry meeting for the Election of Churchwardens at St John the Baptist, Chelmorton with Flagg willbegin seven pm.Present wardens are Irene Ottey and Howard Clarke, services of Howard Clarke were recognised at a celebration by Derbyshire County Council at the Dome in Buxton last year. The annual parochial church meeting will follow, all parishioners are invited to attend, those on the electoral role are entitled to vote at the meeting. Anyone not on the electoralroll and wishing to attend to it, please contact the secretary, David Race, 01298 85460

April Bell ringing request for helpers and best days for practice. With the spire of St John the Baptist church fully repaired the bells can be rung again.Debbie Race is encouraging people to join the small but loyal band of existing ringers as this will make it easier to get enough ringers for all occasions when the bells are wanted. It does not matter wheater you are a total novice or an experienced ringer wanting to refine your skills, you will all be welcome. Because of the weight of the bells no children under eleven can ring. Practices are normally in an evening from seven until eight thirty but there is no settled practice night yet. We are checking with everyone as to the best evening to start again. If you are intrested please email anme and best evening of availabilty to Debbie Race This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Sandra Cooper at Holmfield on the Ditch.

29th April 'A right royal knees up' A double kiss for the newly wedds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as Lancaster bomber and spitfire fly above the Mall, sunshine and flags.Chelmorton celebrations focus on a  Ceilidh in the village Institute during the evening of Royal Wedding holiday Friday.Supper and bar, tickets five pounds from Nigel Denby at Homleigh (next door to the institute) 8pm start.

21st  April  Maundy Service starts a sunshine Easter weekend.   Thursday 21st was an evening to remember as Vicar JohnGoldsmith took Maundy service. A joint service with members of neighbouring parishes from Taddington toEarl Sterndale in St Johns Chelmoron. The ceremonial washing of feet took place with six of the parisheners, Chelmorton wardens Irene Ottey and Howard Clarke amongst the six. David Race read the closing words as the alter was stripped and the service closed in Maundy tradition. For Easter Friday there was a joy to the ears with the St Johnspire sparkling in mid day sunshine the bells rang out for all to hear. Easter Sunday children at church were treated toan Easter Egg hunt and that fine sunshine lasted across the whole bank holiday.

2011 hot air balloon unexpectadily  in the village, CAA inspector aboard. A week ofsunshine bathed holiday cottaage tennants in perfect tourist weather. A  hot air balloon  out of Bakwell carying Virgin logos landed unexpectadily at the bottom of the village with the national CAA ballon inspector, Ian Chadwick aboard and twelve commercial guests. The balloon with Virgin logos on was operated by Martin Collinson of East Coast Balloons and the pilot of the day was Niel Perry. Senior CAA offical Chris Finigan reported the balloon was registered number 213 and confirmed it was operated by East Coast Balloonns.

2011 10th April Lily Grace Almond christened St Johns Chelmorton Sunshine in Main Street Chelmorton, cars linned the road for a full church service at St Johns Chelmorton. Lilly Grace Almond and her parents from Chapel en le Frith are a line of multi generations christened back to great grand parents at St Johns. Vicar John Goldsmith took the service, Church warden Irene Ottey cleverly warmed the font water for no screams on the moment. A reception followed at the Church Inn pub with locals invited to join the family and freinds for the celebration of the baptism.

2011 3rd April Cake & Flowers for Mothers Day at St Johns. Mothers Day and the first Sunday of the month of April meant one thing for Chelmorton village, a packed church for family service below the golden locust of the spire of St John the Baptist church. The scafolding from save the spire work is long gone and with lambs in the fields the church did look a treat. Sufice to say it was of course a Mothers Day service and delivered by vicar John Fountain in his traditional way of youngster involvement that has seen the pews packed to full. April 3rd was no exception with nearly 3 dozen on the main church pews bucking the trend of declining attendance. Nothing like Lord of the Dance to stir the youngsters before a talk on family, values and love around a painting and a giant red heart. Gill Fountain and Irene Ottey got practical to organise floral skills and flower arrangement class, each and every youngster made a bouquet for Mum. Congregation smiles as petals and buds lined the isles for distribution to the diserving village mums on their special day. Greek yogurt was the secret ingredient for the enourmous chocolate cup cakes that followed, with little room left for Sunday lunch youngsters marched their Mums down the Main Street of Chelmorton resplendant with posies and pride for a job well done. Family service at Chelmorton remains an outstanding success and is a great credit to John Fountain, David Race and their helpers.

2011 March Presentation and ceremony for vicars and the children.      February saw the last of the snow on Main Street, then shrove Tuesday pancakes signalled lent. March 10th was best frocks for a celebration of children and church, villagers from Chelmorton rallied to the call to celebrate John Fountain and David Race who were recognised by councilor Jennifer Radford, Chairman of the Derbyshire Dales District Council for their astonishing efforts to break a trend of declining church numbers and bring youngsters into the church of St Johns Chelmorton. Over the last few years John and David have delivered an astounding variety of childrens events at St Johns. The measure of their success is in the attendance, the family service on the first Sunday of the month at ten am  has become standing room only as almost every youngster in the village attends. These services have seen numbers rise in a time of decline across the diocees but more astonishing is the numbers are youngsters. These family services have seen numbers run of the rails as the little ones get involved and spread communication across the core of the village. John and David were nominated for their efforts and took home the glass prizes from Councilor Radford, the audience supported with gusto. The chairman vowed to attend a family service first hand to experience the community spirt and wishes to champion the success story wider across Derbyshire.

2011 January All together below the golden guilding of Chelmorton locust. Softer weather from the big December freeze, tractors muck spreading and short shoots of bulbs each side of the church path by the last days of January. Joint benefice service for last Sunday of the month on the 30th January. Cars up the hill of Main Street for guests from all about the benefice, Monyash, Biggin, Taddington and Hartington to take their hymn books from warden Howard Clarke. Vicar Mary Goldsmith took the service, news and events with word of a Rusian priest for Lent groups in Bakwell. Prayers by David Race and sermon by Vicar John Fountain. Lots of talk about the Arch Deacon of Chesterfield and her new numbers to identify five schools in the diocese area which accounts for as many as you get. This moves to the possibly allocation of funds for a half post to the church. John & Mary retire September, their duo will be sadly missed but a one and half step may aid the future, John cautioned the issue of funding and PCC from Monyash confirmed figures to be raised additionally around seven thousand two hundred pounds equating to about twelve hundred pounds for each church. With the joint service came a good number of congregation supported well to the organ notes of James Kirkwood who mustered the notes for a hearty run of hymns to warm the hearts with Margaret Moran and Olwyn Kirkwood leading the choir. The view outside the church was that of the less scaffolding and the new golden guilding to the locust of St Johns dancing in the sunshine that was aired with a chill of February wind. Folk were warmed for the walk home with the efforts of Irene Ottey who provide scones and cake to compliment the tea and coffee post communion get togetherer.