The High Peak

This is a sculpture of Brigantia, on show in Castleton Tourist Information Centre, which houses a museum.
The information about it says that it was found near Russett Well, and is thought to be connected to the practices of fertility.
It dates from approximately 1000 years B.C.E., and had been used as part of a garden wall!
I took this photo because I'm fascinated by ancient carvings; by archaeology; and by ancient belief systems.
This particular sculpture also resonated for me, because the Brignatian tribes-people were found in West Yorkshire, where I live, and where I come from.

The High Peak

This is a gravestone found in the churchyard at Castleton. It looks as if it is that of a man who was a mason.
There are many masonic symbols; the set square and compass; the eye and sunrays coming from it; the moon; the key; the stars, including the Star of David.

The High Peak

In the mouth of the cave called 'The Devil's Arse' (or more politely 'Peak Cavern'!) was the remnants of the ropemaking industry in Castleton.
A handmade rope for use as a washing line was given to all new brides, right up until the 1970's when the last ropemaker retired.

The High Peak

Rose Cottage Tea Room in Castleton is part of a cruck barn built around 1450.

When we went for some dinner there, we found some information about its' history in the menu. The waitress very kindly gave me a copy, when she saw me copying it out. It reads;

'Rose Cottage is built on an ancient track that was used by people from the village of Edale. They used it when they walked to Castleton Church for services, or to bring their dead for burial. It was the custom to keep one of the doors at Rose Cottage unlocked as it was the legal right of way, existing from at least the C12th until the 1970's when it was legally closed.

The North Door of the church, or the Devil's Door, was the entrance by which the people from Edale, living and dead, entered the church. Until Edale became a parish separate from Castleton, church goers had to walk the 3 mile track over Hollins Cross, down the hollow way, along Hollowford Lane, round the back of Millbridge Farm, over the river, and then through what is now Rose Cottage.

The coffin party entered the church through the narrow gap, the Devil's Entrance. The coffin party would have paid a toll to enter the churchyard. Only some people from Edale were allowed to enter the North Door, lepers from the leper hospital which was situated somewhere on Hollowford Lane or just over the ridge in Edale, were restricted to the churchyard.'

The High Peak

On our walk up Mam Tor, we passed a number of 'markers', set into the pathway. They were representations of objects from the Iron Age; because at the top of Mam Tor there had once been an Iron-Age fort.

I particularly liked this one, which is an image, etched into metal, showing what an Iron-age fort may have looked like.

I wished I'd have had some sheets of paper and a big stick of graphite with me, so I could have done some rubbings from the metal casts of the markers.

I had to make do with a photo.

The High Peak

A vein of Blue John

Whilst on holiday in the Peak District last week, we visited some of the mines and caves of the Hope Valley. This is a cavern where the Blue John mineral is mined. One of only 2 mines in the area that still mines for Blue John.

Derbyshire Peak is the only place in the world where Blue John is found.

This photo was taken in Treak Cave.

There were some wonderful stalagtites and stalagmites, and fossils when we went on the cavern visit. We were encouraged to take photos......so I did!

The High Peak

From Mam Tor you can see over to the valley of Edale.

The sun was shining hot on us when we walked up to the top of Mam Tor. Clouds would pass overhead, and we'd get cold. The wind was blowing, and we had to put our waterproofs on.

But this changing light meant that our views of the land were dappled with bright sunlight, and dark shadows, always changing.

Edale was more green of grass, and less of the darker green indicating trees and undergrowth. There was also more purple heather on the uplands. Apart from the other people on the hill, and the wind, the only sounds were the occasional thrum of vehicles climbing up the roads from the Hope Valley.

Beautiful clear air; beautiful quiet.

The High Peak

Atop Mam Tor

Last night we got back from a few days away in the Hope Valley in Derbyshire.
In between sunshine and showers, we saw wonderful museum displays in Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, and sat at the top of Mam Tor ('Mother Hill') looking down the valley at the lush, green landscape.
On the one side, the Hope Valley, is limestone; on the other side, Edale, is shale and millstone grit.
Visible differences in the make-up of the land.
A noticable reminder that whatever is below the land determines the shape of it upon the surface.