Yet another dilapidated stone barn with corrugated iron sheeting, stacks of slate, old doors, hurdles and various generations of Polish farm machinery. This one is on the Limestone Way, just behind the Miners Standard pub. I guess it's just about waterproof. Big stones hold down the tin roof. I met a shepherd who told me how the Peak District national park aren't in favour of renovating barns so that people can live in them. But, with property prices rising and rental at tourist prices of £500 a week, it's almost impossible for young working people to stay in the area and consider working the land. And the school's hardly viable now. It's a short-sighted policy which will eventually change the landscape from a managed one to one that's abandoned. Then no one will be able to come and enjoy the park. |