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We're very excited to have teamed up with the Derbyshire Village Games, High Peak Borough Council and the University of Derby's newly opened Outdoor Education Centre to put on a host of exciting outdoor activities for kids and families both days during the festival.

More details and tickets here.

Double Celebration for Peak District Outdoors Lovers as BAF backers Derby University Buxton Open New Outdoor Pursuits Centre to Kick off Buxton Adventure Festival Weekend Contact: Lissa Cook - 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791 / [email protected]? Press release:  EMBARGOED 00.01 Thursday 13th September 2012 Heason Events are proud to announce that Buxton Adventure Festival backers the University of Derby Buxton are hosting a double celebration to mark both the formal opening of their new 58 acre outdoor pursuits centre and the launch of the town?s latest festival.  ??On Friday 19th October - the evening before the festival starts - Kenton Cool, one of the world?s best climbers who has summited Everest a remarkable ten times, will be the University?s guest of honour at a joint reception at the Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre. Dr Peter Dewhurst, Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton, said: ?All of the improvements to Oaklands Manor and its 58 acres of surrounding land will be unveiled as we officially open the centre with help from a very big name in the adventure world, Kenton Cool.? ?A great deal of work has been going on at our new outdoor pursuits centre over the summer to make sure it?s in fantastic shape for our Adventure, Countryside and Outdoor Management students returning to Buxton or starting their studies with us in September.  We hope that many of our students and members of the Buxton community will join us on Friday 19th of October to celebrate.? Peak District events consultant Matt Heason, Heason Events, the team behind the annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) and who co-organise Sheffield?s summer outdoors festival Cliffhanger, says he?s been bowled over by Buxton?s enthusiastic response to the town?s brand new festival:   Matt Heason says:  ?It?s overwhelming just how much support we?ve had.  We were originally planning a low key event to test the water and have been delighted with the positive reaction from the University and High Peak Borough Council, as well as from our new patron Mike Tomlinson and all our sponsors.  The facilities at the Oaklands Outdoors Centre are superb and will allow us to put on a brilliant afternoon of activities for our younger audience inspired by our Young Adventurers? morning sessions.?? Leader of High Peak Borough Council, Cllr Caitlin Bisknell says they are keen to harness the festival?s visitor potential, especially in light of the future transformation of the Crescent into a five star hotel spa.  She says:  ?The festival will strengthen Buxton?s reputation as a festival town and cement our credentials as a major adventure destination in the heart of the Peak District.  The festival?s timing couldn?t be better as it helps to extend the tourist season and fits well with council plans to attract retailers specialising in outdoor sports and leisure equipment, as part of a wider campaign to bring a range of new shops into Buxton."

Dr Peter Dewhurst (centre) at Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre

SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS The University of Derby Buxton came on board with a three year title sponsorship deal as soon as they heard about the new festival.   Visit Peak District and Derbyshire are running a new two-day walking festival with a dozen walks around the Peak.   Derbyshire Village Games will be supporting the University of Derby to provide activities for families and children in the afternoons.  Details tba. Local outdoor clothing and equipment company Rab have already signed up as Event Sponsors and sponsor our speaker adventurer Squash Falcolner. The Old Hall Hotel is an event sponsor providing speaker accommodation. The Buxton Advertiser and High Peak Radio are our media partners as Event Sponsors. Mike Tomlinson, trustee of Jane?s Appeal, who launched their Peak District Walk for All in the spring, readily agreed to be the festival?s first patron. Retail sponsor is outdoor clothing company Hawkshead who will be opening a new store in Buxton. Programme sponsors are the John Muir Trust, Trek and Mountain magazine and Osprey Packs. Thanks to the team at Hammer Web for our logo and for their continued support. The festival programme of illustrated lectures followed by short films will be packed with speakers from the world of adventure, travel, photography and sport.  Headline speakers include downhill mountain bike World Champion Danny Hart (interviewed by ITV Cycle Show presenter Anna Glowinski) and the Queen?s Olympic Opening Ceremony stunt-double Gary Connery who this summer became the first person to jump from a helicopter without a parachute.   The weekend feature some of Derbyshire?s finest adventurers and athletes including Derby born adventurer Squash Falcolner who climbed Everest and was the first British woman to paraglide from the top of Mont Blanc.  There?ll be talks from Bamford?s internationally renowned travel photographer John Beatty and Belper writer Gordon Stainforth - who?ll be talking about his latest book ?Fiva - An Adventure that Went Wrong? chronicling he and his twin brother?s brush with death on a teenage climbing expedition.  Other speakers include author of cult fell running book ?Feet in the Clouds? Richard Askwith (interviewed by adventure sports writer Nik Cook); Director of the Outdoors Swimming Society, Kate Rew; and award-winning cave-diver and film-maker Gavin Newman. And on Saturday and Sunday mornings they?ll be two special Young Adventurer sessions with stunt mountain biker Danny Butler and Castleton?s very own 17 year old Paralympic basketballer Maddie Thompson, fresh back from the 2012 Games, followed by an afternoon of activities. ENDS Click here to download a pdf version of this press release

Notes to Editors: Please note, Friday night?s reception will be an invitation only event.  Kenton Cool is not speaking as part of the main festival weekend.  For media enquiries or invitation requests please contact Joanna Colburn on [email protected] or 01332 593004. For Buxton Adventure Festival press enquiries please contact Lissa Cook at [email protected] or 07818 411 791. Images:  ??For high resolution Buxton University Outdoor Pursuits Centre and Kenton Cool photos click here. For Buxton Adventure Festival images (web res and high res) visit our press room. When?  Saturday 20 - Sunday 21 October 2012? Where? Pavilion Arts Centre, part of the Buxton Opera House? Tickets? From Buxton Opera House. Adults: £10 for 1 session (or multi-buy savers - £18 for 2, £24 for 3, £28 for 4, £30 for 5) Full Time Students & Under 16s: £5 for 1 session (or multi-buy savers - £9 for 2, £12 for 3, £14 for 4, £15 for 5).? Family saver ticket: (2 adults and 2 under 16s): £20?www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk

Buxton Adventure Festival speaker Gordon Stainforth has been short-listed for the prestigious 2012 Boardman-Tasker Prize- the Man-Booker of the mountaineering world - for his new book "Fiva - An Adventure That Went Wrong."  The winner will be announced at the Kendal Mountain Festival on November 16th. Gordon told Heason Events:  "It's a great honour.  It?s the Booker award really of the climbing literature world.  I?m thrilled to bits.  You have to accept that even if you don?t win it?s still like getting a bronze medal at the Olympics.  People say you?re exaggerating when you say that, but all I can say is they haven?t written a book if they think it?s trivial!" In response to Joe Simpson, best-selling author of 'Touching the Void' calling 'Fiva' a "wonderful, nostalgic, gripping, classic epic yarn with great humour [that] deserves to win many many awards", Gordon told us:  "I know Joe quite well, though he?s not exactly a close friend - so to have people like that respond and say nice things is very encouraging." He added:  "It's extremely satisfying to have good reviews from great climbers like Stephen Venables and Chris Bonington but what is almost equally satisfying - possibly more - is when non climbers have come to me and said how much they?ve enjoyed the book.  That to me makes it almost more satisfying and successful - that it gets through to anybody and it?s not just a specialist mountaineering story."
You can hear Gordon's illustrated talk followed by two excellent short climbing films (50 Years in the Mountains and Samsara) at 5pm on Sunday 21st October.  Tickets are available to buy now from Buxton Opera House. Belated post holiday congratulations from the Heason Events Team to Gordon!  Below is my review of the book.  You can read lots more and buy a copy of Fiva on Amazon.  FIVA, An Adventure That Went Wrong by Gordon Stainforth, review by Lissa Cook I need to preface this review with a) a declaration of interest and b) a declaration of incompetence. Author Gordon Stainforth is one of the speakers at Heason Events? latest venture - the Buxton Adventure Festival (October 20-21 www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk).  I do Matt Heason?s PR so it?s in my self-interest to big up Gordon?s book.  I confess if I?d hated this book, I?d have kept my mouth shut.   I should also point out that, though I do the PR for an adventure sports events company and am married to an adventure sports journalist, I?m possibly the least adventurous person I know.  I?m an omniphobe and though I overcame my fear of heights last year with the help of a brilliant neuro-linguistic programming course (run by Will4Adventure) i?m the least likely person to be found a few thousand foot up a sheer rock face.  A 50ft climb on Stanage is likely to be the summit of my climbing achievements. So I picked up the book after a run on Saturday thinking I was being dutiful and getting a bit of PR research under my belt.  Fast-forward 6 hours, a bag of toffee and numerous cups of tea later and I?d had one of those holy grail of reading moments - a truly unput-downable read. Fiva (pronounced Fever) is the tale of the near-death experience Gordon and his twin brother John had on Store Trolltind - the highest mountain in the Romsdal region of Norway back in 1969.  A 40th anniversary return trip prompted the belated comparison of log-books and reconciliation of often differing memories.  Gordon chose to write in the first person as his 19 year old self.  I confess I was very dubious about this, thinking it was a bit of a pretentious device and would inevitably end up sounding contrived.  Two pages in and I was totally immersed.   I don?t want to spoil the story - save to say that you know when two climbers set out on a trip on a Sunday morning leaving a note saying they?ll be back by dinnertime and only take three cheese sandwiches and a couple of fruit and nut bars between them that - in true Hollywood style - it?s all bound to go horribly wrong.  It does.   What?s refreshing is that you?re swept up in their youthful, naive enthusiasm and enjoy their close rapport and silly in-jokes.  The story?s tinged with sadness because of their mother?s recent death from cancer and their father?s obvious desire to give his boys a taste of freedom to help them deal with their bereavement.  The description of their feelings of guilt and shame at the torture they will put their father through the moment when it appears they aren?t going to get down the mountain are truly touching. My other concern was that this first person, historical narrative would mean the adventure had no context.  So John?s afterword was unexpected and welcome, giving me an interesting insight into his perspective on what had gone wrong and reflections on lessons learned. I really can?t recommend the book highly enough.  If you loved Joe Simpson?s Touching the Void, you?ll love this.  And, forgive the plug, but I really can?t wait to hear Gordon?s illustrated talk in Buxton in the autumn followed by two classic climbing films - Mountain Equipment?s historical retrospective ?50 Years in the Mountains? and Samsara - Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk?s account of the first attempt on this Himalayan face.

Matt Heason, Festival Director said: "We've been bowled over by the great local support we're getting for the festival in its first year.  It's brilliant to have a local company like Rab on board - all the more so as they're renowned for pushing the boundaries of climbing and mountaineering - designing and producing equipment and clothing for the most extreme conditions in the world."

Nikki Skinner, Marketing Manager at Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd said:  "As a Derbyshire based company Rab® is delighted to be the Event Sponsor for BAF and have no doubt that this experience organised by Heason Events will become an established celebration of all things adventurous. This jam-packed weekend of lectures and films looks set to be interesting and fun with a programme that has something for everyone including up-and-coming young adventurers!"

Follow Rab on facebook and @Rab_outdoorgear on twitter.

The brand new Buxton Adventure Festival programme is announced today with speakers from the world of adventure, travel, photography & sport including mountain bike downhill World Champion Danny Hart and stuntman Gary Connery?s first talk since his wingsuited, parachute-free jump from a helicopter.??

The weekend will be packed with some of Derbyshire?s best adventurers and photographers:

• Internationally renowned nature, travel & adventure photographer John Beatty who lives in Bamford in the Hope Valley
• Gordon Stainforth - writer, photographer, film editor, philosopher and experienced climber who lives in Belper.
• Derby?s Squash Falcolner - who climbed Everest last year and was the first British woman to solo paraglide from the summit of Mont Blanc;
• There?s also two special Young Adventurer sessions with inspiring talks by 17 year old Hope Valley Paralympian basketballer Maddie Thompson and stunt mountain biker Danny Butler who lives in Stoke but whose favourite training spot is the Peak District Roaches.

BAF builds on the growing popularity of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival combining the magic of live lectures and cinema into ten different two-hour sessions each with talks followed by adventure films - all right in the heart of the Peak District.?? 

Heason Events are proud that Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, has agreed to be patron of the new festival.  We are also delighted to announce that the event will be supported for the next three years by the University of Derby, Buxton.

Festival Programme Director Matt Heason said:  "We've been bowled over by the growing popularity of our annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.  Our aim is to combine the excitement of live lectures by some of the world's best athletes, travellers, writers and photographers with the magic of seeing adventure films on the big screen.  And where better a venue than Buxton - right on the doorstep of some of the country's best climbing, running, biking, walking and caving?"  

Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said:  "I'm delighted to have been asked to be patron of the new Buxton Adventure Festival.  Though I'm a Yorkshire man, the Peak District's always been close to my heart as Jane and I used to holiday in Castleton.  Our first Jane's Appeal Peak District Walk for All was a huge success despite the weather and we've already got next year's event scheduled for April 28th.?  

"Jane inspired countless people with her courage and determination.  She proved that you don't have to be an elite athlete to have an adventure.  Defying the odds and public perception of cancer she took on endurance challenges like the Florida Ironman and a 2,500 mile bike ride across America, raising £1.85m for charity.  Since her death in 2007, Jane's Appeal has raised a total of £4m."

"I hope the speakers and films at the Buxton Adventure Festival will inspire people to enjoy the outdoors - no matter what their age or ability and encourage them to set themselves challenges - no matter how big or small."    

Buxton Adventure Festival PR Lissa Cook said:  "It's a privilege to have Mike supporting the festival.  I was lucky enough to have work with him on a BBC documentary investigating the postcode lottery in cancer care a few years ago.  He's no stranger to madcap adventures himself having recently completed an 8 day epic running the Paris Marathon, then cycling six days via the Appeal's Home turf of Hull to complete the London marathon with Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington."

"The Jane Tomlinson Appeal is a great cause raising money for a range of children's and cancer charities as well as other partner charities including Edale Mountain Rescue, the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice and Friends of the Peak District and Yorkshire charities Cash for Kids and Heart Research UK." 

Dr Peter Dewhurst, Dean of Faculty, University of Derby Buxton Campus said:  ?The University has a proud tradition of delivering high quality outdoor education and we are also committed to supporting the local economy. We are extremely pleased to be the principal sponsor of the Buxton Adventure Festival for the next three years and hope that by working closely with Heason Events we can grow the Festival into a leading national and international outdoor event.?

ENDS

Click here to download a pdf version of this press release
Contact: Lissa Cook - 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791 / [email protected]?
Press release:  Immediate, Thursday 19th July 2012

Notes to Editors:

• What?  Five two-hour sessions each combining a speaker followed by film(s).
• Where? Pavilion Arts Centre, part of Buxton Opera House, Peak District, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN.
• Tickets? Tickets will soon be on sale from Buxton Opera House Box Office (Adults: £10 for 1 session, £18 for 2, £24 for 3, £28 for 4, £30 for 5.  Full Time Students & Under 16s: £5 for 1 session, £9 for 2, £12 for 3, £14 for 4, £15 for 5.  Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16s): £20)
• Who? The full programme of films & speakers is here:
  
  About The Jane Tomlinson Appeal
• The Jane Tomlinson Appeal was set up by a very determined Yorkshire woman to help children's and cancer charities across Yorkshire, the UK and the globe.
• Before her death in 2007, Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85 million for children?s and cancer charities through a series of physical challenges including her Ride Across America. Jane knew her life was limited but wanted to create a vehicle which would allow others across communities the opportunity to raise money for good causes close to their own hearts and to share in the excitement and fulfilment that she had experienced through her own fundraising events.
• Since the inaugural Leeds 10K in 2007, Run For All has continued to grow and now has three highly successful, well established 10K runs in Yorkshire as well as a swimming festival and three walking festivals including a walk in the Peak District.
• Launched back in 2002,the Jane Tomlinson Appeal to date has raised over £4million for charity and over the years the Appeal has supported a range of charities both local and nationally, helping to fund refurbishment projects and purchase vital medical equipment.
• With 2012 marking the Appeal?s 10th Anniversary we are hoping to mark these celebrations by reaching our fundraising target of £5million.
• Watch a short video about Jane?s fundraising challenges.

The brand-new Buxton Adventure Festival programme is announced today with speakers from the worlds of adventure, travel, photography & sport including mountain bike downhill World Champion Danny Hart; stuntman Gary Connery?s first talk since his wingsuited, parachute-free jump from a helicopter; and Everest mountaineer Squash Falcolner - the first British woman to solo paraglide from the summit of Mont Blanc.  There are also two special Young Adventurer sessions with inspiring talks by 17-year-old Paralympian basketballer Maddie Thompson and stunt mountain biker Danny Butler followed by action-packed adventure sport films. 

BAF builds on the growing popularity of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival combining the magic of live lectures and cinema into ten different two-hour sessions, each with talks followed by adventure films - all right in the heart of the Peak District.?? 

Heason Events are proud that Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, has agreed to be patron of the new festival.  We are also delighted to announce that the event will be supported for the next three years by the University of Derby, Buxton.

Festival Programme Director Matt Heason said:  "We've been bowled over by the growing popularity of our annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.  Our aim is to combine the excitement of live lectures by some of the world's best athletes, travellers, writers and photographers with the magic of seeing adventure films on the big screen.  And where better a venue than Buxton - right on the doorstep of some of the country's best climbing, running, biking, walking and caving?"  

Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said:  "I'm delighted to have been asked to be patron of the new Buxton Adventure Festival.  Though I'm a Yorkshire man, the Peak District's always been close to my heart as Jane and I used to holiday in Castleton.  Our first Jane's Appeal Peak District Walk for All was a huge success despite the weather and we've already got next year's event scheduled for April 28th.?  

"Jane inspired countless people with her courage and determination.  She proved that you don't have to be an elite athlete to have an adventure.  Defying the odds and public perception of cancer she took on endurance challenges like the Florida Ironman and a 2,500 mile bike ride across America, raising £1.85m for charity.  Since her death in 2007, Jane's Appeal has raised a total of £4m."

"I hope the speakers and films at the Buxton Adventure Festival will inspire people to enjoy the outdoors - no matter what their age or ability and encourage them to set themselves challenges - no matter how big or small."    

Buxton Adventure Festival PR Lissa Cook said:  "It's a privilege to have Mike supporting the festival.  I was lucky enough to have work with him on a BBC documentary investigating the postcode lottery in cancer care a few years ago.  He's no stranger to madcap adventures himself having recently completed an 8-day epic running the Paris Marathon, then cycling six days via the Appeal's home turf of Hull to complete the London Marathon with Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington."

"The Jane Tomlinson Appeal is a great cause raising money for a range of childrens' and cancer charities as well as other partner charities including Edale Mountain Rescue, the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice and Friends of the Peak District." 

Dr Peter Dewhurst, Dean of Faculty, University of Derby Buxton Campus said:  ?The University has a proud tradition of delivering high quality outdoor education and we are also committed to supporting the local economy. We are extremely pleased to be the principal sponsor of the Buxton Adventure Festival for the next three years and hope that by working closely with Heason Events we can grow the Festival into a leading national and international outdoors event.?

ENDS

Click here to download a pdf version of this press release
Contact: Lissa Cook - 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791 / [email protected]?
Press release:  Immediate, Thursday 19th July 2012

Notes to Editors:

• What?  Five two-hour sessions each combining a speaker followed by film(s).
• Where? Pavilion Arts Centre, part of Buxton Opera House, Peak District, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN.
• Tickets? Tickets will soon be on sale from Buxton Opera House Box Office (Adults: £10 for 1 session, £18 for 2, £24 for 3, £28 for 4, £30 for 5.  Full Time Students & Under 16s: £5 for 1 session, £9 for 2, £12 for 3, £14 for 4, £15 for 5.  Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16s): £20)
• Who? The full programme of films & speakers is here:
  
  About The Jane Tomlinson Appeal
• The Jane Tomlinson Appeal was set up by a very determined Yorkshire woman to help childrens' and cancer charities across Yorkshire, the UK and the globe.
• Before her death in 2007, Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85 million for children?s and cancer charities through a series of physical challenges including her Ride Across America. Jane knew her lifespan was limited but wanted to create a vehicle which would allow others across communities the opportunity to raise money for good causes close to their own hearts and to share in the excitement and fulfilment that she had experienced through her own fundraising events.
• Since the inaugural Leeds 10K in 2007, Run For All has continued to grow and now has three highly successful, well-established 10K runs in Yorkshire as well as a swimming festival and three walking festivals including a walk in the Peak District.
• Launched back in 2002,the Jane Tomlinson Appeal to date has raised over £4 million for charity and over the years the Appeal has supported a range of charities both local and national, helping to fund refurbishment projects and purchase vital medical equipment.
• With 2012 marking the Appeal?s 10th Anniversary we are hoping to mark these celebrations by reaching our fundraising target of £5million.
• Watch a short video about Jane?s fundraising challenges.