HISTORIC FARM BULDINGS GROUP CONFERENCE
15-16 SEPTEMBER 2018, THE PEAK DISTRICT
The conference this year will look at the historic buildings in the context of the landscapes in which they developed and how they are changing now and into the future. The Peak District has benefited from the recent completion of the Peak District Farmsteads Project, supported by Historic England, which has provided guidance, following mapping of the historic character and survival of farmsteads and field barns across the National Park – see
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/living-and-working/farmers-land-managers/historic-farmsteads-guidance
This work shows that, whilst the Peak District has much in common with other upland landscapes of northern England, it has very distinctive patterns of farmsteads and buildings which developed to serve the needs of its own and surrounding communities. These developed in the framework of fields, limestone heaths and gritstone moorland which all retain evidence for their use from the prehistoric period.
The conference is organised along similar lines to other recent HFBG events. We shall have a morning of lectures followed by visits to an exciting range of buildings and sites, focused on the Chatsworth estate.
Please note that we shall not be hiring a bus but visiting sites on a ‘car sharing’ basis. The nearest train station to the start of the conference at Beeley, is Matlock. From Matlock to Beeley is about 10 minutes in a car. However, at the time of the conference, the trains to Matlock will be replaced by a bus service from Derby. From Matlock there is a local bus service to Beeley.
PROGRAMME
SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Venue: Beeley Parish Church – Postcode DE4 2NT
Time: 10.00 for 10.30am start
Introducing the Peak and its Farmsteads
Setting the scene
10.30 Ken Smith Introducing the Peak District
11.00 Jeremy Lake Peak farms and their landscapes
Managing change
11.10 Anna Babcock The National Park and farmsteads
Cultural Heritage Team Manager, Peak District National Park
11.30 Suzanne Fowkes Countryside Stewardship - past and present
Countryside Stewardship Officer, Peak District National Park
12.00 Adam Bench New works and conversions
Adam Bench Architects
12.30 Lunch
13.00 Beeley Village and Calton Lees. Guided walk to take in farm buildings in the context of an historic village dating from the 16th century - a cruck-framed barn; an 18th century hay barn of the type which developed around the hay meadows of the Derwent; the late 18th century Duke’s Barn; Chatsworth estate houses converted from farm buildings in the 19th century; and the early enclosures around the village with their field barns. We shall also visit Calton Lees with a fine example of an 18th century hay barn and other buildings.
16.30 Beeley Parish Church. Tea and cake, followed by the AGM.
EVENING OPTION AND GET-TOGETHER: We are looking to book some space for an evening meal in a nearby pub or café. There would be an additional cost for this. Please confirm on the booking form if this would interest you.
SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER
10.00 Meet at Chatsworth House car park
10.15 Depart for Park Farm. Tour of late 18th-19th century model farm in land enclosed from moorland on the edge of Chatsworth Park, built to an overall classical design with historic apotropaic marks and other features.
11.30 Coffee followed by visit to Bubnell. An estate farm which has traces of the medieval hamlet that it developed from, with a wide range of building types.
13.00 Pilsley. Visit to the Brewery Barn, with LUNCH, followed by a walk to its field barn landscape, model farm of 1910 and to converted farm buildings.
15.00 Edensor. Walk to its field barn landscape, where the Chatsworth Estate has been active in the restoration of field barns for continued use and for their amenity and habitat value. Conference concludes with tea in the model village.
The cost per person is:
Members: £20 per day or £40 for the whole conference
Non-members: £35 per day or £60 for the whole conference
The booking form is available from:
