Village Organisations

Bradwell is home to numerous organisations which are all very active. Information about several of the groups can be found in this section.

Youth Activities Group

Bradwell youth activity group was set up and started in April 2017, several months after the Bradwell youth club was closed. This new group was established to give the youth of Bradwell an opportunity to explore challenging outdoor activities, rather than the usual sort of youth group which often meets in an indoor location and is not necessarily focussed on group achievement. Loraine Sowerby and Martin Salvage, two members of Bradwell Parish Council at the time decided to set up this new group and to run it. Martin has worked with outdoor activities in the past and knows many people who work in the outdoor activity centres around Derbyshire. Edale YHA were approached, as they are one of the local activity centres, with Nick Willis the centre manager an old friend of Martin. One of the instructors, a young man called Robin Heath, decided to take on the B.Y.A.G. and organise the various activities. Initial funding was provided using some residual funds remaining after dissolution of the original youth club, with additional funding from donations by local businesses. The activities are varied, including Caving, Night Hiking, Abseiling, Orienteering, Weaselling, Archery, Climbing , Canoeing, Stream scramble, High Ropes and Bush crafts. The group also enjoyed two full day outings – one being the full round trip in Giants cave and a trip canoeing down the river Derwent from Darley Dale to Matlock. The original group, comprising mostly young girls, have moved on in life and have included on their CV their experiences with the youth group as life changing experiences. They have found many of the experiences helped them gain life skills in challenging their fears and working as a team, supporting and encouraging each other to grow and develop more confidence. The big challenges and team building exercises provided by their group experience would not have been available anywhere else. The Bradwell Youth Activity Group had to cease activities during the global Covid pandemic as the activity centres were unable to take groups out. But as soon as it was possible the group restarted, under the guidance of Martin Salvage and Alison Taylor, and with the help of Whitehall Activity Centre thanks to manager, Robin Heath and their instructors. The group now have a full complement of young teenagers who are enjoying all the fun provided by the different challenging activities. The group is always looking for funding for this key initiative. Funding contributions during the time the group has been operating has been provided by Local Businesses such as Breedon, Bradda Dads, Eden Tree campsite, Carbolite, Bradwell chip shop, The Bakehouse, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derbyshire County County Council, Bradwell Co-Op and several fund raising activities created by the youth group themselves. If you feel you would like to join the group you can contact the parish council via the parish clerk (parishclerk@bradda.org).

St. B’s Baby and Toddler Group

The group meets every Tuesday morning, including half-term weeks, and we are open for you to drop in from 10-11.30am at St Barnabas Church on Church Street. We are a friendly and informal group, where children can play with lots of toys and carers have a chance to chat, relax and meet people over a cup of coffee. Fruit is provided for the children. The cost is £1 per family group. For more information, please contact Jane on 01433 621172/via Facebook, or email: churchwarden.stb@gmail.com

Bradwell Historical Society

BRADWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY Bradwell Historical Society was formed in 1994 to encourage local people to become involved in the history of the village and the area, and to build up a local archive. However, the Society does not confine its activities to this and has welcomed speakers on a wide range of historical topics. They meet on the third Tuesday evening of every month (except July, August and December) at 8.00 pm in the Methodist Hall, Towngate. The varied programme includes illustrated lectures given by visiting speakers or by members of the Society with a specialist interest or who have researched a particular topic. In July and August (or at others times) the Society arranges reciprocal village tours with other local history groups, and daytime visits to a range of venues of historical interest. In the recent past these have included visits to Bugsworth Basin, Cresswell Crags, and the Holocaust Museum at Laxton. In 2006 the Society was awarded a grant by the “Local Heritage Initiative” and a large group, including non-members, began producing an illustrated history of Bradwell in the 20th century, plus material for use in schools. In August 2008 the Society published ‘After Seth. Bradwell into the 21st Century’. A 272 page account of life in the village over the last 100 years. It is generously illustrated and has 20 pages of index including many local family references. It is on sale at Bradwell PO and local bookshops at £10 per copy or by post from the society at £10.00 plus £2.50 (UK) or as appropriate abroad. Contact – Steve Lawless on telephone 01433620329 To contact the Historical Society by e-mail please use bradwell.historical@gmail.com Visit our Website at www.bradwellhistoricalsociety.org.uk The Society has in hand a number of projects, some of which have been completed others are ongoing. One project recently completed is: Production of a DVD containing newspaper cuttings about Bradwell between 1883 and 1951, collected by Cyril Evans. The DVD is now available and costs £5. Contact Andy Smith (phone 01433 620100) or Brian Gillham 01433 623345 The Society has accumulated a large range of artefacts relating to Bradwell life (books, photographs, pamphlets, local wills etc) and has a project in hand to catalogue these items and place them in the Archive. A group of members have met on a Saturday morning from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Methodist Hall to add to the archive. Other ongoing initiatives: Collecting together information about all the Bradwell people who served in two World Wars, most especially the history of the men who died in the two great conflicts. This will has led to the production of a pamphlet. An important project currently being coordinated by Andy Smith is called ‘The House I Live In’. Information is being gathering about who has lived where in Bradwell over the years. Information collected, written, oral and photographic is being attached, house-by-house to a map of the village. The work on this so far can be viewed on our Website (see above). The Society has approximately 50 members and the annual subscription is £10. Everyone is welcome to join and there are no age limits. Members also receive monthly copies of the newsletter that focuses on the history of the village and informs members of up-coming events. Visitors may attend up to two of the Society’s talks on payment of a fee of £5 for each. Having paid twice thereafter they will become a full member for that year. New members receive a free copy of ‘After Seth’ 2025 Programme 21st January AGM and viewing of archival material 18th February The James Webb Space Telescope – what have we learned so far? – Paul Downing 18th March The story of Buxton’s Crescent – Trevor Gilman 15th April Journeys of discovery – Jayne Borrowdale and Julia Bigley 20th May Women of Antarctica – Andy Smith 17th June The Pentrich Revolution – England’s last armed rebellion – Sylvia Mason 15th July No Meeting 19th August No Meeting 16th September Why did Henry Frederick Stuart not become King Henry IX? – Brian Gillham 21st October A return to tales of the toybox – The stories behind some more popular toys and games – Richard Cornish 18th November Geology and landscape evolution in the White Peak – Dan Hamer 16th December Christmas Meal

Bradwell Community Library

Hello and welcome to Bradwell Community Library, we are a small local village library run and maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers. We opened our doors on November 20 2021 thanks to the generosity of Breedon Cement, Bradwell Coop and many book and cash donations. Our library holds a vast range of books including popular fiction and non fiction topics. We welcome members of all ages, young and old and you don’t need to be a Bradwell resident to join. We ask for a £1 donation which gives you life time membership and you can use your card to borrow books. We are open 5 days a week on the following sessions Monday 10am-Noon, Tuesday 6pm-7pm, Wednesday 10am-Noon, Thursday 3pm-5pm and Friday 10am-Noon and you can find us nestled inside Bradwell War Memorial Hall. We offer tea, coffee and a warm place to come along to read, chat or socialise. We hope to see you soon! Check us out on Facebook, Instagram or drop us an email at bradwellcommunitylibrary@gmail.com

Bradwell Wildflower Group

The Bradwell Wildflower Group came into being in early 2021 when a small group of residents of the village approached the Parish Council seeking support for a project to add small wildflower sections to existing land either managed directly by the council or by Derbyshire Dales District Council. After discussion by the Parish Council, there was majority agreement to support the project and to enable it with a small seed fund secured via an S137 funding grant. The Bradwell Wildflower Group project then took shape under the wing of the Hope Valley Green Ventures organisation which provided it with a bank account, indemnity insurance, and advice on seeking the small amount of additional funding required. The Bradwell Wildflower Group have been allocated 5 separate, discreet sites across central, ie widely accessible, areas in the village (with the approval of the Parish Council) to monitor, maintain and establish wildflowers. Aims and Objectives: • To make our village more colourful and wildlife friendly and thus improve biodiversity; • To raise awareness and understanding of the value of native wildflowers to our village and the rest of the natural world; • To provide the opportunity to share identification skills for wildflowers and wildlife and to enrich lives; • To enthuse and encourage as many people as possible to take part in growing and planting wildflowers from locally sourced seed. The Bradwell Wildflower Project members are feeling extremely positive about the project to date. This is as a result of the strong support shown by the village, both directly by attending talks & walks and indirectly by passers by, social media posts and other channels. Further to this, the engagement of the Infant and Junior schools, the other village groups, other valley parishes, DDDC and the national conversation in general have reinforced the sense that we are, as a village, on the right track in this area, and we are not only developing a strong sense of community involvement with the project, but also presenting a forward thinking and engaged sense of the village, its residents and the Parish Council to the world at large. We are involving local people in sowing local seeds and raising plants by: • organising seed collection activities for adults • providing growing materials and advice on raising seeds for future planting out on the sites • encouraging local children to take an interest in sowing seeds and raising wildflower plants through contact with local schools and the cooperation of the Plant Exchange scheme in the village • providing an opportunity to adults and children visiting Bradwell Carnival to plant seeds to cultivate at home We are always on the look out for more volunteers to assist in the on-going maintenance of the sites, so if you can help out in any way, please contact us via Facebook.

Neighbourhood Watch

The Bradwell Neighborhood Watch (NHW) scheme covers all homes in the village and we hope you will join. Bradwell NHW was re-established in 2019 and is operated by Stewart Adshead and Jayne James. As NHW co-ordinators Stewart and Jayne have agreed to act as points of contact for the Police and with the national organisation, to pass information from the Police to residents in our Watch and to report to the Police any suspicious behaviour. All you need to do is be neighbourly and vigilant and if you see anything suspicious report it to the Police. You can report non urgent issues using any of the contact information shown below. Welcome packs are available for all new residents of the village and it is suggested that you join the Bradwell NHW “WhatsApp” Group so you can be alerted to any issues. Contacts for more information are: Stewart Adshead Stewartadshead@aol.com Tel: 07882 975719 Jayne James Jayne.a.james@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07761 563788 Derbyshire Police – to report an incident or suspicious activity: Online: www.derbyshire.police.uk/contactus Facebook: DerbyshireConstabulary Twitter: @DerPolContact Phone: 101 Subscribe to Derbyshire Alert to receive information from Derbyshire Police on crime issues: www.derbyshirealert.co.uk/ To Join Bradwell NHW WhatsApp Group: text Stewart with your name and address and he will add you to this group. Peak District Neighbourhood Watch Facebook Page: this covers all Peak District villages and saves us duplicating information. Bradwell Hope Valley Community Forum Facebook Page to keep you up to date on local issues.

Rebellion Knoll Women’s Institute

Rebellion Knoll W.I. was formed in 1975 and 2015 was their 40th Anniversary. Sadly, in 2023 they were no longer able to continue as they had no President or Secretary. A big thank you to all those ladies who have been President and Secretary in the past for leading the WI in the village for the past 48 years. If you are looking to join a WI there are groups in Abney (who meet in Hope), Castleton and Edale – all of whom would be delighted to welcome new members. If there is anyone out there who would like to restart a WI in the village Derbyshire Federation WI would be delighted to hear from you and can give you support. If you are interested in joining one of the available WIs please go to Derbyshire Federation Of Women’s Institutes | Derby | Facebook where you will find contact details and more assistance.

St Barnabas Parish Church

Bradwell St Barnabas – About Us Welcome! At St Barnabas we feel privileged that the church and its churchyard have been part of community life in Bradwell for many generations. We treasure our connections with the community, through traditional services such as Christmas and Remembrance, as well as through activities like Community Cafés, Ladies’ Fellowship Group and the popular St B’s Baby Group. Whether you have just moved to the area, are a visitor to the village or have lived in Bradwell all your life, we hope you will feel welcome at St Barnabas. We meet most Sundays in church for worship, and share our Vicar, Louise, with St Peter’s, Hope and St Edmund’s in Castleton. Our worship style is fairly traditional; most services include communion. However we have introduced a Worship Together service on the first Sunday of each month, that is short, relatively informal, and encourages interaction. This service is still evolving, and we’d love your feedback. We also have one service a month, on the fourth Sunday, that is a Benefice Celtic based service, which takes place outdoors from April to September and indoors in chilly months. We seek to extend a warm welcome to all those who visit, whether joining us for worship or simply taking time to enjoy the peace and tranquility of St Barnabas during the week. We pray that all those who visit will find something of God in our church community, in the building itself or in its surrounding grounds. The church is open every day from 10am-4pm. We feel strongly that St Barnabas belongs to everyone, as God welcomes all. If you have suggestions about how we could improve our service and witness to the community, or could better meet your needs, we would love to hear from you. If you would like to receive our Benefice weekly newsletter via email, which contains details of services, news and notices, please email Jane (Churchwarden) on: churchwarden.stb@gmail.com or phone 01433 621172. You can also use the links below to find out details of our service times and all our events. Monthly letter from our Vicar. LOUISE’S MESSAGE – SEPTEMBER 2025 DEEPLY ROOTED Two news stories have caught my attention recently. One is the various accounts about ‘autumn coming early,’ and the experts’ response. The other is accounts about the impact of solar farms on agriculture. Both of these caught my attention because as I reflected on them, I also found myself reflecting on my faith. I’m sure most of us will have noticed ‘signs of autumn;’ trees dropping their leaves, blackberries ripe, or even mostly over, and so on. In the vicarage garden, we have a very mixed picture. Some plants, like runner beans, chard, chillies and tomatoes, are producing the best harvest we’ve had since we came to Bradwell. Others, like rhubarb, raspberries and blackberries, are doing poorly or finishing early. Experts are saying that what we are seeing is not an ‘early autumn,’ (autumn changes are triggered by changes in daylight length) but is the result of plants being stressed by the very hot and dry spring and summer we’ve had. But what really resonated with me was their comment that the plants that have coped best with this year’s challenging weather are those that are deep rooted. I am reminded of the many passages in the Bible urging hearers to be ‘rooted’ in God’s love. From Psalm 1, saying that those who ‘delight’ in the ways of God are like trees rooted by streams of water, never withering and continually bearing fruit, through to many passages in the letters written by the apostle St Paul to early Christian churches. For example, in Colossians chapter 2 and in Ephesians chapter 3, Paul urges believers to let their ‘roots’ grow deeply down into the love of Christ, so that they may be filled with the ‘fulness of God,’ and God may work through their lives. And throughout Christian history there are countless examples – maybe, like me, you’ve seen some of them – of people who have a deep faith showing strength and resilience in times of difficulty, and being able to offer support to others experiencing burdens of many kinds. But what about the solar farms? Well, there has been a lot of research showing that crops produce higher yields when grown under solar panels, but the latest that caught my attention was research from France showing that grape yields increase by between 30% and 60% when vines are grown under solar panels. And I found myself reflecting that, just as crops benefit from shade and shelter, we all have times too when, however deep our roots, we need shelter and protection. And again, the Bible urges us to seek the protection we need ‘under the shadow of God’s wings,’ The Bible is full of imagery of God as protector and safe space. So my prayer for all of us this month is that, however we understand God, we might each seek to live our lives deeply rooted in love, finding the protection and care that we need ourselves, and being able to ‘bear fruit’ by offering love and care to others. Yours in Christ, Louise Petheram rev.louise.p@gmail.com 01433 621918 If you would like to sign up to receive the regular newsletters from churches and Christian groups across Hope Valley, please go to https://mailchi.mp/f29b1286b3df/2t1gk3uwy2 or email me and I can sign you up.

Sports Club

Bradwell is set in the heart of the beautiful Peak District amongst outstanding scenery providing the back drop for recreation. Established in 1947 with the purpose of providing sport for all we continue today to offer the facilities required for all to enjoy. We are an open club with no membership fees or commitments other than enjoying yourself using our facility. We offer a wide range of sports including football, tennis, and multi sports using our new facilities. The 4 ½ acre site provides a full size football pitch, multi-use games area and pavilion. Check out the new event website of fell races organised in Bradwell.

Tuesday Walkers

Bradwell Tuesday Walkers meet every Tuesday on Town Lane at 10am for a local walk of typically between 4 miles and 6 miles. We are a friendly bunch of around a couple of dozen villagers, and we take it in turns to plan and lead the walks. Sometimes we walk from the village but usually we share cars to the starting point. It is customary for passengers to offer the driver £1 towards petrol costs. Occasionally we take the bus and walk back to Bradwell. The numbers walking on any given Tuesday vary but would typically be around 10, and as Tuesday is a working day most of us are retired or semi-retired. If you fancy joining us, just turn up. Bring a picnic lunch as we always have a lunch break. The history of the group, which was founded in 1985, is in the book “After Seth”, pages 163-165.

Teddy Bear Club

Bradwell Teddy Bear Club (Teddies) welcomes all parents and carers with babies/children from bump to starting infant school. We are a friendly, relaxed group which meets on Fridays during term time from 0930 to 1130 in the Methodist Hall, opposite the White Hart pub. There are lots of toys, books, music and craft activities each session and it’s not only for children to have fun and mix with other children but for parents/carers to share thoughts, worries, ideas and inspirations with other adults. The cost is £2 per session. If you are new or are a bit unsure about coming to your first session please contact us on bradwellteddybearclub@gmail.com.

Community Orchard Group

Our aim is to create, develop and sustain an orchard in Bradwell for the benefit of the community. A community orchard is a place where local and other varieties of fruit are grown by and for local people. Providing fruit to share and places to enjoy, they show how well we can live with nature as friend and collaborator. We had our first meeting in July 2009, and in early 2011 we planted 40 different fruit trees, including old and local varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry. Bradwell’s Junior and Infant schools have been involved planting trees and studying the wildlife in the orchard. Many local people contributed by sponsoring trees while other funds came from the Co-op Community Fund and the Parish Council. Pluscarden Abbey, in the north of Scotland, sent us several trees too. We have planted a mixed species hedge with trees given by the Woodland Trust. Michlow Orchard can already be enjoyed as a special place. When visiting, we ask that you keep the gate shut to stop trespassing sheep, and not to exercise your dog there. Please keep the site clear of dog dirt. Thank you! Please come and join us! We normally meet on the second Sunday of the month at 10am to work in the orchard, and welcome all to join us there. We also hold events such as apple days and a midsummer picnic. To keep up to date with our activities, head to our web pages at bradwellcommunityorchard.blogspot.com, search “Bradwell Community Orchard” on Facebook (you do not need to be a Facebook user to view our page) or use the links below. For more information, or to become a member, please contact us using the details below. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 18; the annual subscription is £5.

Methodist Chapel

Bradwell Methodist Church is a leading Church in the Bradwell section of the extensive rural Peak Methodist Circuit. It is a Grade II listed building within the Bradwell Conservation Area.

War Memorial Hall

The War Memorial Hall was built in 1923 to commemorate the ‘village lads’ who had lost their lives in the First World War. The Hall was built using money raised by public subscription to provide a facility for use by local residents. In the early years the main activities were dances, film shows and even ballet performances. Bradwell War Memorial Hall is a registered charity (Charity Number 517226) run by a small group of committee members and we are dedicated to keeping the hall up and running so that it can be enjoyed by all villagers present and future. We rely on grants and incomes to preserve our wonderful little hall for everyone. We welcome bookings for all kinds of events and we have a number of rooms to suit every need. Please contact our hall manager for more information. We thank you for reading about us and for choosing to book your event with us. Like us on Facebook and look us up on Instagram for up to date information.

Guides, Brownies and Rainbows

For girls aged from 5 to 7 years (Rainbows), 7 to 10 years (Brownies) and 10 to 14 years (Guides).

Community Land Trust

The Bradwell Community Land Trust is a not for profit organisation, operated by volunteers on behalf of, and for the benefit of the local community. The principal objective is to maintain or improve the physical, social and economic infrastructure within the Parish of Bradwell. Its first major project is the provision of permanently affordable housing for local people, but the future scope can be widened to include other developments of benefit to the community such as meeting spaces, work spaces, retail premises and allotment gardens. The trust was established to create local developments which are maintained at permanently affordable levels and which will benefit the community in perpetuity.

Bradwell Centenary Players

The 2025 Pantomime production will be the jacktastic Jack and the Beanstalk Fi fi Fo Fum I smell the blood of an Englishman. Not wanting to spill the beans, but will Jack manage to climb the giant beanstalk to slay Blunderbore and rescue Princess Jill? Meanwhile, Slap and Tickle are counting the beans for Windy Bottom’s Mayor and Dame Dally is missing her Cow Pat. Bean there, done that? Performances will run from Wednesday 19 February to Saturday 22 February 2025. There are lots of giant jokes waiting to be shelled so come along, join in the fun and sing your pod out. In the beantime, rehearsals are well underway and continue in the new year on Mondays in the Methodist Hall and Thursdays and Sundays in the Memorial Hall. If you would like to get involved in any of the off-stage beaning around, please contact us by stalkmail at bradwellcp@gmail.com or pick on a member of the Players.

Bradwell News

Every month this excellent little publication keeps the people of Bradwell informed about what has been going on in their village and the surrounding area. This area provides links to all editions of the newsletter, from the first edition all the way up to the present day. The Bradwell News is normally posted on this website a week before it hits the streets, so stay in touch by logging in.

Bradda Dads

Bradda Dads is an organisation open to fathers in Bradwell having sons and/or daughters and who live in the Parish. Their objective is to raise funds for and provide assistance to people or organisations within the village, where needed and for the general benefit of the village. One of the group’s first fund raising events ever was on Boxing Day 1999, when they held the now familiar Duck Race down the brook. Examples of the good work done by this active and much respected group are: helping the local schools with lighting and stage equipment for theatrical productions raising funds for numerous local organisations and groups running the annual Village Fireworks Display and Bonfire in November providing a free Christmas Lunch for village pensioners

Carnival

Carnival day in Bradwell is held on the first Saturday in August. There is a procession which leaves Beggar’s Plot playing field at 2pm and travels along Netherside, down Brookside and returns to the field approximately 45 minutes later. There are stalls and attractions on the field and the event typically closes at about 5pm. Dogs are not permitted on the field as it a children’s play area.

Bowls Club

Bradwell Bowls Club has a Club house and superb green at the north end of the village, opposite the Samuel Fox Inn, and we are presently upgrading our facilities. We welcome experienced bowlers or beginners and offer introductory coaching for those new to the sport. Come and experience social bowling, with friends, in our Club competitions and/or league play in our 6 league teams. Junior membership, under 17 years, is free. Barbecues and other social and charity events are held throughout the year, culminating in our Annual Dinner and presentation in November.

Bradwell Community Website