LOOKING BACK: What made the news in High Peak 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

Council rents to rise: Pensioners and homeless families will be the hardest hit by a package of council rent increases approved by High Peak Borough Council’s housing committee on Monday.

The increased charges, blamed on rising costs and falling government subsidies, include an average rent rise on council houses of £2 per collectable week.

Gardens parking fees: Car parking charges in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens are also set to rise from April.

High Peak borough councillors voted to adopt new charges of 30p for up to one hour, 60p for up to two hours, £1.20 for up to four hours, and £3 for more than four hours.

Cllr John Hallsworth suggested that the rate for short stays could be lower if a higher rate for long stays was introduced.

“We’re talking about Buxton. We’re talking about a tourist attraction. If you compare it to other tourist attractions, £4 for a full day’s car parking is not an unreasonable amount to pay.”

Kids’ leisure bus bid: Leisure-starved children in Chapel could be taken by bus to use centres in other parts of the High Peak.

Chapel Parish Council decided to look at the possibility of providing such a service after members had once again deplored the lack of facilities in the town.

50 YEARS AGO

Wye Street car park: A £100,000 six-deck car park may be a possibility in Buxton in the not too distant future, with room for 388 cars.

At their meeting last Wednesday, members of the Highways Committee of the borough council discussed the viability of the scheme, and decided to move on to the next stage.

The borough surveyor said he had got out a scheme for the proposal to have a multi-storey car park at Wye Street, with four floors in addition to a ground floor and the use of the roof.

The present car park could accommodate about 100 cars.

Councillor Beadle said it was an excellent scheme “but it’s a heckuva lot of money”.

Verandah plea: A letter from the High Peak Conservative Women’s Association, Buxton Branch, has expressed concern over the demolition of the Thermal Baths verandah.

The letter stated that under the verandah was an excellent place for people to shelter while waiting for buses, and was ideal for elderly people who wanted a rest.

Spa Hotel liquor auction: Two hundred and seventy three bottles of beers, cider, lagers and soft drinks went for a grand total of £15 2s at an auction on Saturday.

The liquor was being sold by order of the county court and was seized last month at the now closed Spa Hotel.

100 YEARS AGO

Cattle Market decision: A well-attended meeting was held on Monday afternoon at the Roebuck Inn, Market Place, Chapel, the business being to form a company on a dividend-paying basis to establish and direct an auction mart.

Mr W Hobson said the farmers had watched the market gradually disappearing, and thought it was high time something was done to stop it going down entirely.

War items: To be buried in a dugout for four days, without food, before being rescued, is the startling experience of Sgt. Jack Holmes, serving in France.

His many friends will be please to hear of his lucky escape.

Private W. Bennett (Ladmanlow) of the Northumberland Fusiliers, and Private C Carson RFA, are both now home enjoying a well-earned rest from the toils of war on the Western Front.

Private Bennett has seen service both in Egypt and France

Weighing of bread: Sir, owing to the shortage and high prices of all foodstuffs, I think the time has arrived when the authorities should compel bakers to weigh all bread sold (delivered or over the counter).

What would the bakers say if the millers delivered the flour to them at short weight in proportion to that which they are selling bread to the public?

Yours, A Working Man.