SOME NEWS ITEMS FROM MARCH
County wants more tax – page 1
Local taxation levied by Derbyshire County Council will rise by 3.75% next month to contribute towards a 2023/24 spend of £675 million. It means an extra 80p per week for an average band D household. The County claims that the council tax rise will be among the lowest nationally.
Having a ball for charities – page 3
Tideswell based #Challenge Derbyshire held its annual ball at Buxton's Devonshire Dome in February and raised £165,000. This means that £1.6 million has been gathered so far by #Challenge Derbyshire, all going to end-of-life charities Ashgate Hospice, Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen's Trust.
Sustainable Peak District travel – page 9
Quieter roads, well-used bus routes and more walking and cycling were among topics discussed at recent deliberations about achieving sustainable travel in the Peak District. Agenda items included better public transport promotion, super-fast bus routes, park and ride, car-free schemes and road charging.
Council tax on second homes – pages 16 & 17
Dales residents have been asked to respond by March 22nd to a consultation document about a proposal under new powers to charge double council tax on homes that are not main residences, often referred to as second homes. The online link is surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DDDCsecondhomes.
Community fundraiser – page 22
Tideswell & District Community Association's popular 200+ Club will be back in April for a new season. Membership is £1 per month and the prizes range from £50 bi-monthly and monthly £25 to £5. Money raised goes towards running events and supporting local organisations and projects.

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A GLANCE AT FEBRUARY'S EDITORIAL
Co-op planning new store – page 1
Tideswell Co-op wants permission to build a single-storey convenience store alongside the business zone on Whitecross Road, leading out of the village towards the A523. There would be 471 square metres of shopping and storage space, with 27 parking bays. The current, centrally-situated shop would close.
Councillor vacancy – page 7
There is a casual vacancy for a Tideswell parish councillor. The contact for anyone interested in taking up this important voluntary function is clerk Hannah Owen, telephone 07738 076902, or send an email to clerk@tideswellparishcouncil.co.uk.
Band aid – page 16
Tideswell Band would like the return of instruments. Some of them have been out of circulation for a long time, but that doesn't make them any less valuable to the group. There is an amnesty for all items linked to the band, with no questions asked. Call Libs Slattery on 01298 871259.
Food preparations – page 16
Planning for this year's Tideswell Food Festival and Makers' Market is well underway. The date has been changed in order to avoid a clash with the coronation of King Charles III, which will be televised worldwide. The Food Festival is scheduled for Saturday May 13th.
Opera House voted best in England – page 24
Beating off the Royal Shakespeare Company and three others in the final round, Buxton Opera House has been named the best theatre in the country. The honour came in a recent national competition run by women's website "Muddy Stilettos", which has 1.2 million monthly followers.

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NEW YEAR MATERIAL SUMMARISED FOR YOU
Staying warm – page 3
A new scheme called "Stay Warm Tideswell" is underway. Heated venues in which all are welcome will operate until March. Initial warm spots are The Merchant's Yard restaurant on Tuesdays, Nicholson Court, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the Community Hall, Fridays, all 10.30am to 3pm.
New MRI scanner – page 10
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner with all the latest technology and costing £1.5 million has been installed at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, serving all of north Derbyshire. It is estimated that over 16,000 patients per year will be treated.
Services changes accepted well – page 16
Reactions to the switching of St John the Baptist Tideswell church services to the nearby Old Grammar School have been positive, according to the vicar, Reverend Simon White. The move has been caused by large rises in heating costs but people "understand why it is happening and see the sense in it".
Promoting strong communities – page 25
Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service held its annual general meeting in December. The organisation exists to promote strong, sustainable and healthy communities through voluntary action. For 2021/22 it was reported that there were 317 advice sessions for 200 Dales groups and individuals.
Bucks' valiant FA Cup run – page 32
This season's Emirates FA Cup started with 732 clubs and by the Second Round Proper only 40 remained, including Buxton. They could not have had a tougher draw, away to EFL League One front-runners Ipswich Town, but they put up a valiant show for their 600 travelling fans, going down 4-0.

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