Boxing Day Meet

The traditional Boxing Day meet of the High Peak Hunt was well supported in Bakewell this morning. Joint Master Ms J. H. Carr welcomed the members and supporters and reinforced the point that the HPH were hunting legally. She also urged all supporters to join the Countryside Alliance and support their campaign to repeal the hunting ban.

Irrespective of your views on hunting the spectacle and tradition of the meet is a great opportunity to view this long standing countryside activity and blow away a few of those Christmas cobwebs.

Porthole would like to wish all readers a...

Geseënde Kersfees, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Natal, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan, Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth, Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Kala Christouyenna!, Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova, Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket, Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Buone Feste Natalizie, Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!, Meri Kirihimete, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, Feliz Navidad, God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År, Nadolig Llawen

Midnight Tweeting

While walking past the Slopes at just past midnight the good lady porthole commented again on the “tweeting birds”. Having previously poo-pooed the concept of birds tweeting at midnight I was forced to stop and raise an ear trumpet to listen; and yes the good lady was right there was “tweeting”. This has left me pondering, which birds that reside or holiday on the Slopes tweet at night…? Answers via the comments and a left over Cadburys Celebration may be yours!

Buxton Safer Neighbourhoods

Those of you out and about town this morning may have come across PCSO Michaela Daniels and the Safer Neighbourhoods display in Spring Gardens. This morning PSCO Daniels was giving away goodies to help raise the profile of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. This valuable team are out there working to make Buxton a happier and safer place for residents and visitors alike.

They are currently working on three priorities:

• Nuisance behaviour in the town centre area at weekends.
• Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in and around the Pavilion Gardens.
• Inconsiderate driving and anti-social behaviour by motorists gathering in town centre car parks.

To continue with this important work Safer Neighbourhoods need our input; they hold regular meetings with residents and community representatives to decide on priorities, etc. The next open meeting will be held at the Dome on Thursday 15th January 2009 at 2pm.

For more information contact the Buxton Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 0845 123 33 33 or email them on buxton.neighbourhhos@derbershire.pnn.police.uk

Buxton Man Is Super Dad

66 year old Buxton man, Ian Ruddick has been voted as Britain’s Brut Dad of the Year 2008! Full story in today’s Daily Express. Porthole congratulates Mr Ruddick and wishes him and his family a very Happy & Peaceful Christmas.

Happy Hens Lay Good Eggs

One revelation that came to me from the aforementioned Carol Service is that Charis House run a farm project in the Goyt Valley. And on this farm they have some…Chickens (to steal a line from Old Macdonald). These chickens live a good life and are free range, the eggs are sold to raise funds for the project; I have seen the stall on the Tuesday market and at the Buxton Farmers Market but I had never linked the two. Eggs can also be brought direct from Charis House; they are tasty with delightful large golden yolks and whats more they are very good value. Porthole purchased a dozen XL eggs the other day at £2.40 and will certainly be buying all my eggs from there in future. Give them a try, top quality, excellent value for money and all helping a very good cause.

Buxton’s Biggest Carol Service

Over 900 people attended Buxton’s Biggest Carol Service at the Octagon last night. The Burbage Band where in fine form and led the carols with gusto. The Rector of Buxton, the Rev’d John Hudghton led the evening with contributions from Bob Marsden – Trinity Church and Tim Davies – Buxton Church in the Peak. An inspiring Christmas talk was given by Mick Allez from Buxton Community Church. A collection was taken on the door at the end of the evening with all monies given to Good News Family Care – Charis House.

This annual event is a fantastic way to start your Christmas festivities. What is more seasonal that carols led by an excellent brass band!

Buxton’s Biggest Carol Service 2008

Wednesday Dec 10th 7.30pm - 8.45pm
@ The Octagon, Pavilion Gardens

With a Christmas talk by Mick Allez
and featuring music by The Burbage Band.

Admission to the carol service is entirely free, all are welcome. A voluntary collection for charity will be held on the night.

The Carol Service has been planned and run by a group of local churches working in partnership. For more details, please call 01298 77856

Coffee for Africa

The Source coffee shop on Terrace Road is run by volunteers from the Buxton Church in the Peak and all profits made are donated directly to a community project in Clarens, South Africa. They are currently running ‘Coffee for Africa’ Saturdays offering all their usual Fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate at half price – and asking that you donate the other half straight to the Clarens project.

This clever idea has so far raised about a thousand pounds extra for Clarens. So go on enjoy your usual Latte, Cappuccino or Hot Chocolate and help a South African community project too.

The Source, 7 Terrace Road, Buxton. Open Tuesday - Saturday

Homeless in Buxton

Today the porthole was reunited with a homeless friend who is living on the streets of Buxton as you read this. One hardly thinks it possible that homelessness is in an issue in a respectable spa town like ours. But take my word for it, it may not be too obvious but it is there! As I was out in my down jacket taking photos in the snow last night, knowing I could go back to porthole towers with the central heating and a hot chocolate, I had forgotten that people where sleeping rough in these conditions too.

It matters not how they got into this situation or if even they are nice people. The fact is they are in distress and there, by the grace of God go we. Homelessness is not just for Christmas it is a 24/7 – 365 issue. Is there something you can do to help?

Buxton & the High Peak has a Night Stop project for homeless young people run at the United Reformed Church on Hardwick Square East – 01298 74788; they always need help. More basically just keep your eye open and offer help if you see a need. Spare a few coins or maybe buy a sandwich or portion of chips for someone in need.

Nationally Crisis will be getting a lot of coverage at this time of year but their work is constant and is invaluable too.

It's Snowing

Plenty of snow in Buxton today, making the town look very festive. The excellent Buxton Weather website tells us that “Some significant snowfall possible on Wednesday night, clearing during Thursday morning to sunny spells and blustery showers. Further showers on Friday and Saturday.” Oh well lets keep those hats and gloves handy.

Respect & Protect

More people than ever before are living with HIV in the UK and new infections continue. HIV is a serious long-term condition and people living with HIV often face discrimination. Whatever your HIV status, there is a role you can play in ending HIV prejudice and stopping the spread of HIV.

The UK theme for World AIDS Day 2008, "Respect & Protect", is inspired by the UNAIDS and World AIDS Campaign ongoing international theme, 'Leadership'. The international theme is developed as an overall theme which each country is encouraged to adapt to suit more specific issues around the epidemic in their region.

Respect & Protect inspires individuals to consider the different roles they can play:

• Show respect by always treating people living with HIV fairly, respecting their confidentiality and challenging prejudice wherever it occurs.
• Respect themselves and their partners by always practising safe sex to protect their sexual health.
• Find out the facts about HIV, spread the Respect & Protect message and encourage others to do the same.

Click the Red Ribbon to go to the "Respect & Protect web site for more information"