THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S GALLERY OF SHAME AT ELVASTON By Excalibur

Derbyshire County Council has the phrase "Improving Life For Local People," underneath it's logo. On the Cultural and Community page of the Council's web site, it trumpets on with civic pride about some of the museum attractions in the north of the county, in places such as Buxton, and Castleton. Although I would always support anything which protects our heritage, I can only rage at the bare, two-faced hypocrisy of the Derbyshire County Council and the damage and destruction that they are responsible for here in the less fashionable south.

The County Council not only presides over the loss of priceless farm equipment at Elvaston, part of English heritage and rural history, it is actively engaged in the wilful destruction of what is left. It seems that, in it's rush to trick the electorate out of what rightfully belongs to them, Derbyshire County Council will stop at nothing to clear the estate of anything which might hinder the developer, Tanya Spilsbury, (Brian Ashby's daughter), through his/her company Highgate Sanctuary, from building a hotel and golf course at Elvaston Castle and Park.

This has resulted in the SECRET BURNING OF SEVERAL FARM CARTS OVER THE LAST WEEK (October 12th - 18th 2004), OUT OF SIGHT OF THE PUBLIC. These, morally reprehensible (if not illegal) acts, MUST cease forthwith! Amongst the exhibits which the County Council thinks are so worthless as to be nothing better than bonfire material are priceless showman's carts, tractors, traps, balers and threshing machines. One of the biggest tragedies of all is a baler, circa 1920, made by William Foster and Co., of Lincoln. This company made the British Army tanks that were used during the First World War, the first tanks in the world.

When both the City Council, who bear an equal responsibility for this disgraceful state of affairs, and the County Council, first opened the Working Farm Museum at Elvaston Castle, this machine was in full working order, and was used for demonstrations at holiday times. It is reported that Derbyshire County Council are to auction off what is left very shortly, using sealed bids as the means. If you get the chance, protest as vehemently as possible to the County Council via their leader Councillor John Williams, at County Hall, Matlock.

Just so that you, the readers, can see for yourselves, please view our picture gallery of shame. You can see where one lot of the farm carts were burnt. Note the 'tank' logo on the William Foster baling machine. The majority of the pictures, were taken by our photographer Bunny a few weeks ago, those with the long grass! The others were taken by Bunny, October 18th. WHO DO YOU THINK IS TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT ELVASTON? LOOK AT THE DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S GALLERY OF SHAME AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES!

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