Damage to the new paths on The Meadows

Wirksworth Town Council is sorry for the delay in reopening The Meadows. As advised by our contractors before Christmas, this was unplanned and due to a variety of factors. The project is being carried out at a difficult time of year in order to avoid the busier summer months. Unfortunately this has meant the weather has impacted the ability to work at times and also the material. The contractor is on a fixed term contract, so delay is in no-one’s interest.

The council has been shocked by the number of people continuing to access the site. As the paths come to completion, the damage caused by unauthorised access, throughout Christmas and beyond, continues to delay work and potentially cost money. The Longcliffe self-binding gravel needs time to set, and once it does it sets like concrete. This takes longer at this time of year and footprints and bicycle marks impacting the surface now could set and result in a very poor final finish (see pictures below). Currently, each time this happens the contractor is filling and re-rolling and the setting process has to begin again. At some point they will have to stop doing this.

The footpaths have been legally closed, there is signage at each entrance and the fence is a clear barrier; there is no excuse for anyone to be walking across what is an unsafe, unfinished, often water laden site.

At times residents have moved the fence but as shown below, even when the fence is in situ some residents have climbed around. The longer walk caused by the closure would presumably not be a problem for those capable of climbing and moving fences, so this anti-social behaviour just serves to extend the delay in opening. Any further damage to the surfacing going forward will reduce the lifespan of paths resulting in additional costs to the Town Council and the residents of Wirksworth.

It is requested that going forward all residents desist from entering the site until it is officially open.

Stoney Wood

Stoney Wood is Wirksworth’s Millennium woodland planted in the area recovered from Stonecroft Quarry. The land on which the wood is planted was donated by Tarmac Ltd to Wirksworth Town Council. The original planting was started by Tarmac but later sections were planted by local adults and children in a project …

Hiring the Hall

We have two buildings with rooms to hire on an hourly basis, and the newly renovated Fanny Shaw’s Community Building (FSCB) which is operated on a key loan system.

Town Hall:- The Main Hall is large, suitable for a variety of uses – dance, exercise, large meeting space, wedding reception, family parties, musical events, etc, whilst other rooms – the Club Room, Ante Room, Council Chamber, are suited to smaller classes/groups. All rooms are available for hire during the day & evening during week days & weekends.

Memorial Hall:- the Hall & Kitchen are available to hire for meetings, parties, fayres, events and classes/groups, during the day & evening during week days and weekends.

Fanny Shaw’s:- Community building key available free of charge for use by groups such as: parents, schools, nurseries, scouts & not-for-profit groups holding events on the park.

Council Meetings

Environment & Town Affairs
(Usually held on the first Monday of the month)
Finance, Buildings & Personnel
(Usually held on the second Monday of the month)
Town Council Meeting
(Usually held on the third Monday of the month)