The Mudlarks is a group of volunteers who carry out
regular practical conservation work for the National Trust on the Longshaw and High Peak Estates in North Derbyshire.
The group was formed at Longshaw on Sunday 1 April 1990 following publicity
features in local Sheffield and North Derbyshire newspapers. A good number of people turned up for the inaugural meeting at Longshaw Visitor Centre. There was an introductory talk and walk followed by the first day’s conservation work – repairing walls, erecting fencing near White Edge and resurfacing the path from the Lodge up to the Fox House Inn.
Two months later the work clearing out drainage ditches at Greenwood Farm was so
muddy that the group became known as the ‘Mudlarks’. Originally set up to work on Longshaw Estate, it was decided in April 1993 to divide the Mudlarks’ work days up between Longshaw and High Peak Estates alternately each month. This changed in 2012 and the work is now shared between the two estates irregualarly.
Mudlarks continue to meet every first Sunday in the month.
Some members carry out additional work mid-week on one or two days each month.
Occasionally the opportunity arises to help other organisations such as the YHA
and the Friends of the Porter Valley.
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