JOINT MEETING WITH BUXTON BUSINESS CLUB

Palace Hotel, Buxton 12 June 2026

Sometimes a meeting is just pure pleasure – great networking in an attractive environment with breakfast and fascinating speakers. So it proved as we welcomed in the summer in the beautiful public room of the Palace Hotel, at our first joint meeting with the newly-formed Buxton Business Club.

Our speakers are both important contributors to the local economy, both recognized in their fields, but from opposite ends of whichever spectrum you care to choose. Both have had to use imagination and persistence to make their enterprise a success, yet they’re modest men who prefer to stay largely under the radar.

Sir Richard FitzHerbert has just finished a busy year as High Sheriff of Derbyshire, proudly following his grandfather, great-uncle and earlier relatives. The FitzHerberts trace their history back almost a thousand years (he didn’t say so, but the “Fitz” implies that Herbert the Norman knight’s son was born the wrong side of the blanket). A charter for lands granted in 1127 by Henry II still survives; Tissington Hall near Ashbourne became their home in the 15th century, the baronetcy arrived under George II in the 18th century. He’s not a Lord, he pointed out, “merely a baronet”.

So how to maintain a large baronial mansion, with 2,000 acres and around 50 cottages, workshops and farm buildings, an entire village of people dependent for employment on him? When he inherited in 1989 he quickly put everything into a Trust – the only way now to preserve a large estate. The first priority for the neglected house was the entire roof! Then gradually he started renovating buildings, some as holiday lets (with names like Butler’s Retreat and Nurse’s Cottage), others repurposed for commercial use: an old butcher’s is now a smart hairdressing salon, a former carpenter’s now houses a 3D printing company for a young designer producing items for military hardware. He has constant dealings with the Peak District National Park planning authority but says he has found them helpful. Perhaps he should chat with Jermy Clarkson about how to use charm rather than bombast..

The Trust arrangements mean the park and house with its lovely garden must be open to the public 28 days a year. Events listings can be found on their website https://tissingtonhall.co.uk/events.php, with the most important being the annual Well-dressing to which thousands will flock, with tea at “Herbert’s café” being part of the fun. Mother’s Day prosecco tea in the main hall sounds wonderful and private tours with refreshments can also be arranged. Inevitably Tissington has also become a popular wedding venue, but this, he said, is unlikely to continue – wedding guests can get a little too enthusiastic with the Chippendale furniture. And perhaps, like most of his predecessors, Sir Richard prefers a quieter life.

We asked if the Hall or the “picture postcard” village is used for film sets and he laughed slightly ruefully – when London location bookers arrive in Derbyshire they head for Chatsworth first, then Haddon Hall and Hardwick, owed by the National Trust. Tissington might get a look in at the end of the day. Chatsworth, a much bigger business and internationally known, is often closed for three days in a week to allow filming – they have all the facilities.

Our second speaker was Paul Bohan, the CEO of Zink charity in Buxton. I first came across him in 2022 when I hosted a family of Ukrainian refugees; Zink was recommended as dealing competently with fiendish bureaucracy, though their translator’s Moscow accent at first had my refugees very scared (he was also a volunteer and became a stalwart friend). Zink started as the High Peak Food Bank, but it soon became clear to the practically-minded Trustees and Paul that either they could keep people in the difficulties that led them to come, or they could help them change. A hand-up rather (or as well as) a handout. There’s no template for this work; they’ve used considerable imagination to figure out how to do it, such that their micro-jobs project is now attracting national attention and some small government contracts. Much to their surprise, in November 2025, having been nudged into entering, they won the “charities Oscar” of the Centre for Social Justice, beating over 600 applicants.

How is it done? By identifying with the service user what the problems are, and supporting them with persistence and compassion. Addiction, PTSD, mental illness, abandonment, helplessness of various kinds – each person’s programme is tailored to them, each is invited to make a start with a few hours’ volunteering at Zink itself, whether in the kitchens, the café, or the numerous other activities from swimming to crafts to IT. Raising self-confidence is the key for many – improving their appearance, time-keeping, social interaction and skills, or often refreshing skills from an earlier life. When they feel ready, work coaches will guide them. Over 600 people who have come through the scheme now have jobs, including some who work for Zink itself as the operation has grown – a success rate of over 45%. This increases to 67% for those who undertake micro-jobs first.

Just before Covid the Trustees considered how to use the reserves they are required to hold to satisfy the Charity Commission. A pressing need was decent accommodation, so the charity started buying up properties in Buxton, doing them up (more micro-jobs) and letting them to service users, helping guarantee a future income stream. Unlike many commercial landlords Paul said they have had little trouble, and plan to do much more in this field. I was reminded of the comments of Timpsons who said their ex-con employees do very well. That feeling that somebody cares makes all the difference.

Paul gave us many examples of success: taking a party to the Dragon Boat Festival races in Salford, having to practice on chairs in the car park – yet coming 20th ahead of Manchester City’s team; and this will be a repeat exercise. The single mother of five children who was taken shopping for interview clothes by staff, and for the first time felt that someone was taking a genuine interest in her. She got back into employment, and so did her two eldest children. The retired man who offered to help with the “Zink or Swim” swimming lessons, only to reveal he had gold medals for the Special Olympics decades ago, and hadn’t swum since his thirties. The recovered addict who works with others trying to shake off addiction, and so on.

More than one listener present has made contact with Zink since to offer assistance, and that’s what networking is all about. We also made a donation to thank Paul for coming – while Sir Richard got a pot of Gentleman’s Relish.. of course..