So you want to protect Elvaston’s wildlife, you want to make sure all of the buildings are restored, that the meadows, footpaths and woodlands are kept open to the public… but more importantly you want Elvaston to have a secure future without having to become a members only golf club and exclusive hotel.

What Can You Do?

Write to your MP. (http://www.writetothem.com/)
Write to the Derby Evening Telegraph.
Write to the Derbyshire County Council.
Write to the Derby City Council.

Support:

The Friends of Elvaston visit www.friendsofelvaston.co.uk, you might be surprised to learn that there is something you can do… like attend a fund raising cake sale!

Finally:

Simply tell your friends… and visit Elvaston Castle!

q) Does Derbyshire need any more Golf Courses?

a) ?

Environmental Damage:

Golf Courses require a vast amount of irrigation, the land seleceted for the course are well established meadows and areas of natural beauty, as well as destroying them the impact on surrounding wildlife will be unrepairable.

Guests Only:

Large areas of Elvaston will be closed to you unless you plan on playing golf or spending a night in the hotel.

Because there is a better way:

We admit it… the Golf course is the fastest way out. And no doubt will make the Council a fair penny or two… to begin with.. But just imagine an Elvaston Castle that re-opened the agricultural museum, opened a restaurant, a craft village, a gift shop, a garden centre, an animal rescue centre, a wildlife centre, educational centres and vocational training centres, offered horse and trap rides, nature walks, re-introduced open air theatre, concerts, art exhibitions. Which would you prefer?

The Freinds of Elvaston have a little more to say about the environmental impact that a Golf Course would make in their article Tearing up the Fairway

a) That Derbyshire County Council allowed it to be turned into an exclusive Hotel and Golf Course for a period of 150 years resulting in the loss of wildlife, the closure of many the parks footpaths and grounds, the closure to you of the Castle, the courtyard and it’s immediate grounds to the public.

 or…

b) Allow a trust to run Elvaston whose long term aims are to restore the buildings and footpaths and to open amenities and services such as:

• Craft Village
• Garden Centre
• Farm Shop
• Gift Shop
• Restaurant
• Working Agricultural Museum
• Business Centre
• Nature and Agricultural Education Centres
• Vocational Training Centre (14-16 yrs)
• Animal Sanctuary and Children’s Farm

Whilst at the same time keeping car parking fees to a minimum and all of the footpaths and treasures of Elvaston Castle open and free?

The Grottos and Follies of Elvaston Castle have been the favoured playground  for almost three generations of Derbyshire and Derby City people. In 150 years time when the Hotel and Golf Course’s lease runs out this little girl’s Great, Great Grandaughter might wonder why her ancestors did nothing to save Elvaston Castle.

Join in the fight – Friends of Elvaston Castle.

25 Metres of Red Calico, 25 Metres of Red Rope, 25 Red Tags, 25 pieces of Red String… 150 years until you can see what’s hidden underneath the wrapping?

Lease Elvaston Castle and allow it to become a members only Golf Club… or bring in fresh new ideas that accommodate a free haven for all and provide financial security for the park… the Friends of Elvaston have a few ideas

Who in your family will still be able to remember the days when a walk around the park was free?

Elvaston Castle’s “Golden Gates” originally hail from Versailles. Today they are not so Golden after being allowed to rust and ruin. To learn more about the state of your heritage read the Friends of Elvaston website

To save your country park from becoming yet another golf club write to your MP! 

A. You.

Commissioned by by the Earl of Harrington as a tribute to his wife Maria, the Moorish Temple was originally set within the Alhambra gardens.

Today it silently crumbles to ruins while the council wait to lease off the land as a golf course and hotel.

You! Is Allowing Elvaston Castle to be leased for a 150 years and turned into a Golf Course in your best interests?