Friday Rock A lasting memory of a walk four years ago was hearing strains of music on the top of Bull Tor high above Cressbrook. We soon spotted the band leading the procession through the village and realised it was the blessing of the wells. Situations were reversed last month on Good Friday as we congregated with others in an attractive new garden by the village green to listen to the band play from the tor. ( The garden was built by Severn Trent as a goodwill gesture following recent disruptive work. ) A Cressbrook resident told us that the tradition of the band playing on Friday Rock had begun in the 1930’s and it’s possible she had a childhood memory of this. The custom stopped during the war and was revived more recently. She emphasised that her husband, though unable now to manage the climb, is still a band member. Hymns were played for at least half an hour and ‘There is a Green Hill Far Away’ was especially poignant. Hot homemade food was ferried into the Club by villagers. As steam rose from one pot I felt entirely confident that whatever it contained would be delicious. We were served by someone well known from one of Tideswell’ s churches. During lunch we enjoyed chatting with band members one of whom was prize winner of the guitar cake in the recent village Bake Off. We sauntered back through Tansley Dale on what was one of the first spring-like days of the year. There have been many enjoyable walk but this was extra special. Helen Royle. 872507
