Fire away! New Mills business woman to walk over hot coals for charity

A kind-hearted business owner from New Mills, who is usually found caring for people’s feet, is set to walk bare foot over hot coals in the name of charity.

Caroline Murphy, qualified foot health practitioner and owner of The Hub on Albion Road in New Mills, is taking on a fire walk for the Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance service.

The unique challenge on Friday 12th November will see Caroline walk over burning ashes that will have a temperature measurement of around 800 degrees Celsius.

As well as providing services including piercing, massage and waxing at The Hub which she’s owned for 10 years now, Caroline is trained to care for fungal nails, corn and callus removals, in-growing nails, and toe nail reconstruction.

Caroline, who is a member of the College of Foot Health Professionals and the British Association of Foot Health Professionals, said: ‘I am passionate about my job and foot heath care will be of upmost importance when I attempt the fire walk. As the name suggests, this is a bare foot walk over red-hot embers; no tricks, no special effects. Not only will I be completing an incredible life achievement, but also raising vital funds for a lifesaving service.

‘When I saw the fire walk challenge, I knew that I would have to take part. It reflects my business. I am passionate about foot care. I will be stepping out of my comfort zone quite literally. I know that for some people, the idea of someone touching their feet is a big no, no, and it is a huge step to even make an appointment. Please do not be embarrassed about your feet. I have a passion about the work I do and get great satisfaction with the results I deliver. You too can step out of your comfort zone.’

Critical care paramedics, doctors and pilots from the Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance service attend an average of ten rescue missions a day. The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations to raise the £1,700 it needs for each mission. Find out more.

Sponsor Caroline for her incredible challenge by calling in at The Hub during open hours, or donating via her Just Giving page.

Ed bids fond farewell to New Mills volunteers after eight years

The longstanding manager of New Mills and District Volunteer Centre isn’t planning on putting his feet up anytime soon, as he retires after eight years at the helm.

Ed Mountifield has worked at the Union Road centre since September 2010, after starting on a six month temporary contract.

There’s no rest for the wicked though as the High Peak resident is looking forward to a busy retirement. Ed explained: “I’m my wife’s carer so she is my priority, but I’m going to be taking up dog walking for The Cinnamon Trust and will be enjoying lots of walks in the High Peak that I’ve never had time to do.

“My fondest memories of being at the volunteer centre will always involve the people; I’ve cried at three people’s funerals since I have been here. It’s the nature of the job as most service users and volunteers have reached ‘maturity!’ I’ll never forget Nellie, Norman and June in particular.”

Prior to his role at the centre, Ed was Head of Research for Zephus in Manchester, a database company that records global mergers and acquisitions activity, before they’re sold to international investment bankers.

After his formal last day on Christmas Eve, the centre certainly won’t be seeing the back of Ed anytime soon. He added: “I will be back to volunteer once I’ve had a break and have let the new manager settle in, I don’t want to be an overbearing ex-manager… nothing worse!”

Did you know that despite the value of the UK voluntary section, there was a 15% decline in the total number of frequent volunteered hours between 2005 and 2015 (Community Life Survey). If you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved in helping local elderly, vulnerable or disabled members of the community, call the centre on 01663 744196 or visit the website.

New Mills ‘wall girl’ is national radio hit

The High Peak’s Nikki Ayrton is a celebrity in her own right after being seen by the likes of both real and music royalty, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Jay-Z and Justin Bieber.

Unbeknown to Nikki, a giant-sized poster of her face has graced the wall of the BBC Radio 1 studios in London for more than six years after being taken at a festival. Every presenter, staff member and celebrity guest has walked past the photo to get to the studios and offices.

The discovery was made as Radio 1 breakfast show host, Greg James, uploaded a video to his Instagram story exiting the lifts at the studio, and telling the poster version of Nikki on the wall to ‘shut up.’

This was spotted by Nikki’s sister, Katie, who promptly got in touch with the DJ, and Nikki was asked to speak to Greg live on the radio.

Following the telephone conversation, a BBC team decided to take down the festival wall scene, and replace it with a more current backdrop, meaning Nikki was being discarded.

However, the life-size poster did not go down without a fight, as Greg invited Nikki to the Radio 1 studio on Tuesday 30th October, to tear down the image for herself.

BBC newsreader, Simon McCoy provided the commentary and a choir serenaded listeners as Nikki – wearing the same clothes and sunglasses she was pictured in all those years ago – pulled the print from the wall.

Nikki, 27, who has affectionately become known to radio listeners as ‘Wall Girl,’ said: “My sister first spotted the image on Greg James’ Instagram account and then so many friends got in touch to let me know I was there.

“I had absolutely no idea that I’d featured on the wall of Radio 1 for so long, and that the photo had even been taken at the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Hackney in 2012. This whole experience has been absolutely surreal and something I’ll never forget. I’d like to thank everyone involved for making it happen.”

BBC staff member, Marc Parish tweeted: “For years now I’ve been greeted by this face every day when rocking up to work as it is plastered on a poster by our lifts and now we now who it is!” (sic)

Radio 1 presenter, Adele Roberts added: “I shall miss seeing Nikki every day. Met her today (in the toilets) panicked and didn’t ask her for a selfie.”

You can listen to the programme until 28th November 2018 via the BBC iPlayer.

Reading and Leeds Festivals await for New Mills musicians

Two musicians from New Mills are getting ready to perform alongside the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kings of Leon and Fall Out Boy, at one of the UK’s top rock music festivals.

Callum Smith, 27, and Arthur Davies, 26, make up psych-rock band WUZI, alongside bandmates Tom Baker, 27, and Elliot Marsters, 26.

WUZI won the Futuresound Events Emerging Competition this month, with the prize being a slot on the bill at both Reading and Leeds Festivals over the Bank Holiday weekend. 

They’ll perform on the BBC Music Introducing Stage on Friday 24^th August in Reading, then in Leeds on Saturday 25^th.

Ahead of the big performances, the band is releasing new single Compromised Host this Friday (17^th); the first single to be taken from their forthcoming EP, Severed Head.

Guitarist and vocalist, Callum, said: “I can only just put into words how excited and ecstatic we are to have a place on the BBC Music Introducing Stage at one of the UK’s biggest festivals. Reading and Leeds are festivals that the whole band has grown up to love and admire, especially the musicians that get to perform there. We’re absolutely over the moon to have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the greatest artists in rock music, and continue on this amazing journey together.”

Alan Raw from BBC Music Introducing has tipped the band as “ones to watch.”

WUZI first burst onto the music scene in 2016 and shortly afterwards they headlined Indie Week Canada in Toronto after winning the Indie Week Europe competition. They’ve since gone on to play memorable shows including Live at Leeds and Liverpool Sound City, sharing the stage with other up and coming UK bands like Strange Bones, Fangclub and The Moonlandingz. 

Reading and Leeds Festivals have a total capacity of 160,000 people.

See an exclusive preview of the Compromised Host single and video.  

Keep up to date by following WUZI on social media:

• Facebook  
• Instagram 
• Spotify
• Bandcamp
• Twitter

Free art classes for senior members of the New Mills community

Two New Mills organisations are joining forces to bring art and engagement to local elderly people, in a bid to beat social isolation.

High Peak Community Arts and New Mills and District Volunteer Centre are hosting weekly ‘Together through Art’ sessions, starting on Wednesday 7th March.

Funding for the new initiative comes from generous shoppers at the town’s Co-op store on Church Road.

The aim of the sessions is to help local elderly people get out of the house to meet new friends, have fun and be creative.

Artist, Amanda Whewell who is from New Mills, will be leading activities, to create a wall-hanging which will take pride of place in the volunteer centre.

Ed Mountifield, centre manager, said: “We want to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people in our community. When the opportunity arose to work alongside another local organisation to do this, we were delighted to be involved. We’d like to say a big thanks to Co-op members and shoppers, who’ve raised the funds for the sessions to take place.”

Alison Bowry is creative programme manager at High Peak Community Arts, based at High Lea Park. She added: “We know that being creative, getting involved in arts and crafts is great for our health and wellbeing, and a wonderful way to relax and engage with other people. We always love doing collective projects – everyone working together to make a work of art; so teamwork plays a large part in what we do.”

Together through Art will run for 10 weeks, taking place at the Volunteer Centre on Union Road in New Mills.

The centre can provide transport services for local people to get to and from the sessions.

To find out more, please call Alison on 01663 744516, or email her on: alison@highpeakarts.org.

 

 

£10,000 grant gives New Mills service a face lift

New Mills and District Volunteer Centre is set to launch its new and contemporary website, thanks to a £10,000 grant.

Money from National Lottery Awards for All has allowed the centre to re-design its branding, including website and social media pages. Flyers have also been produced for distribution across the High Peak, and new computers purchased for service users.

 The fresh branding incorporates a new logo showcasing people holding hands in a circle. This alludes to the centre’s ethos, of offering a helping hand to residents who need it most, including those who’re elderly, vulnerable or disabled.

The dark royal blue colour of the centre’s website and social media pages has been discarded, replaced with bright and refreshing purple, orange, pink and green. The branding revamp has been undertaken by local marketing and design agency Quick Response Marketing.

Ed Mountifield, Centre Manager, said: “I am so pleased that we received the funding and we’ve been able to bring the centre into the 21st century with the upgrade. Our ancient technology was beginning to creak through old age and was becoming virtually unusable!

“The services provided by the volunteer centre have changed. We’ve moved on from being ‘just a volunteer centre’ and now provide a wide range of essential frontline preventative services.”

The National Lottery Awards for All offers funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities. Organisations including registered charities, schools and social enterprises can apply for cash.

See the simple new website: www.nmvc.org

You can also find the refurbished social media pages on Facebook: New Mills and District Volunteer Centre, and Twitter: @NMandDVC.

 

 

New Mills jogging group celebrates first anniversary

Photo credit: New Mills Jolly Joggers

A New Mills group set up to give people a friendly introduction to jogging has celebrated its first birthday.

More than 25 local people turned out on Sunday 5^th November to commemorate the Jolly Joggers milestone, with a 4k jog/ walk to Buxworth’s Navigation Inn for refreshments and cake.

The beginners group was set up by Birch Vale resident Elinor Doherty, after she was inspired by another local group in Disley and undertook a Leader in Running Fitness course.

Elinor said: “I never imagined when I set up the Jolly Joggers that it would be as successful as it has been. We welcome around 15 people to jog with us every Sunday morning and it’s just amazing to see new people come to join the bunch that’ve been around from the start.

“We had a fantastic time on Sunday, with party outfits and face paint – thank you to everyone who came along. We enjoyed a delicious cake decorated with llamas to commemorate one of our favourite jogging routes passed Goytside Farm in The Torrs, where the llamas live!

“I would encourage anyone who is thinking of giving jogging a go, to come along and try it with us. You may feel nervous but please don’t be! We’re a friendly group and the point is, we are all getting out enjoying the fresh air and meeting new, likeminded people who grow to become our good friends.”

The Jolly Joggers meet at the start of the The Torrs, next to Ensor Way (in-between the Co-op store and bus stop), at 10.30am on Sundays.  For more information, find New Mills Jolly Joggers on Facebook or email Elinor on elinor1982@hotmail.co.uk.

New volunteers needed for vital New Mills shopping service

A food shopping service that helps High Peak people who are housebound is on the lookout for new volunteers.

There are currently just four volunteers who support New Mills and District Volunteer Centre with this service, and organisers are on the lookout for more helping hands.

Sandra Oates, Social Groups and Volunteer Coordinator at the centre, said: “This service is invaluable to a number of residents in New Mills and beyond who are not able to get out and about as freely as others. We’re urgently seeking some more kind-hearted local people who’ve got some time to spare, to help out.

“If you have a car and you are free for two to three hours on either a Wednesday morning or a Thursday afternoon, please get in touch with me. The role involves either or both shopping collection and delivery.”

Volunteers will need to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they’re able to take up this role, which the volunteer centre will arrange.

For more information, contact Sandra by phone: 01663 744196 or email: sandra@nmvc.org.

New Mills woman to see dream come true as she opens new beauty salon

A local woman is looking forward to next month as she’s set to open her own business; a new beauty salon in Hayfield.

Beth Hay-Chantler, from New Mills, will be hosting a launch event at ‘Hay Gorgeous’ on Saturday 6th May.

The new high-end salon is situated underneath the popular Clippers hairdressers on Church Street.

Beth, 28, who has been a beautician for a decade, said: “I am very excited to be opening the Hay Gorgeous doors next month. I have been so busy with my supportive family getting everything ready and seeing my dreams turn into reality.

“I am so proud to be able to offer luxury treatments in a relaxing environment, including threading, tinting, waxing and massage. I’ll be using a range of high-class products including Jessica Geleration for manicures and pedicures; Environ Skincare to treat conditions including acne, rosacea and pigmentation, as well as helping to maintain a youthful and glowing look. I’ll also be using and retailing Delilah makeup which is sold in the likes of Harvey Nichols, Fortnum and Mason, and used in luxury spas.”

“I am really looking forward to seeing the faces of my regular clients who I’ve got to know over many years, as well as welcoming new clients to enjoy relaxing treatments in a welcoming environment and with affordable prices!”

The Hay Gorgeous launch event is taking place from 10am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome to bob in and enjoy demonstrations, goody bags, treatment offers and prizes.

To find out more or to book an appointment, call Beth on 07564628819 or find ‘Hay Gorgeous’ on Facebook.

Thanks to the Buxton Advertiser for coverage 

£9,000 grant from the Co-op to boost community services in New Mills

Staff and volunteers at New Mills and District Volunteer Centre are celebrating after being awarded more than £9,000 from the Co-op.

The cash comes from the Local Community Fund and is the Co-op’s way of giving back to millions of members and their communities – providing funding to local causes that members care about.

Staff from the town’s Co-op went along to the Volunteer Centre on Wednesday 19th April to meet the team and find out more about how the money will make a huge difference to the local area.

Centre Manager, Ed Mountifield, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to receive this money from the Co-op and it will go such a long way in supporting local people.

“I’d like to thank Tim Booth, manager of New Mills Co-op, and all the staff for their continued support, as well as members of the Co-op for their generosity.”

The Volunteer Centre is one of more than 4,000 causes across the UK that have benefitted from the Local Community Fund.