Announcement
After many years of serving the community with art workshops, breakfasts and cellar bar sessions, the Laughing Badger Gallery is now closed. But fear not, Sean and Joanie have headed on over to the Howard Town Brewery in Glossop where the art workshops and Cellar Bar Sessions continue in the breweries tap room! Check it out!
After many years of serving the community with art workshops, breakfasts and cellar bar sessions, the Laughing Badger Gallery is now closed. But fear not, Sean and Joanie have headed on over to the Howard Town Brewery in Glossop where the art workshops and Cellar Bar Sessions continue in the breweries tap room! Check it out!
The Laughing Badger Gallery
Ask a Padfield resident or visitor what makes the village so special and you will probably be told many different things. It might be its post-industrial character, the stone terraced cottages or even the unique green spaces the village accommodates in this tranquil little corner of the High Peak landscape.
With the Longdendale Trail and the Peak District National Park on its doorstep, Padfield certainly doesn't fall short of a certain charm. But with its lack of the traditional village shop and post office, what does the village have to offer other than one drinking establishment to quench a thirst on a hot summer's day? Well, there is the Laughing Badger Gallery, of course.
With the Longdendale Trail and the Peak District National Park on its doorstep, Padfield certainly doesn't fall short of a certain charm. But with its lack of the traditional village shop and post office, what does the village have to offer other than one drinking establishment to quench a thirst on a hot summer's day? Well, there is the Laughing Badger Gallery, of course.
What is the Laughing Badger Gallery?
Those who have been before need no introduction. Those that have not yet stepped over the threshold should read on. The Laughing Badger Gallery is uniquely situated. First and foremost it is an artist's gallery; but it is also a place where people can meet. Put the two together and you soon get a mixing pot of something very different indeed. Frequented by locals, walkers and cyclists, it also supports the community by providing a space where anyone can come along and enjoy what it has to offer. It is the perfect place to chat with friends or even make new ones, and if you do drop by then why not say hello and maybe have a bite to eat. The food is tasty, freshly prepared on site using good quality products and is usually served with a hint of quick-fire comedy by the host and "man in the apron," Sean Wood, a character of all proportions. He always welcomes you with a smile and makes you feel instantly at home. This was recognised in 2011 when the Gallery and Sean won the title of Best Hidden Gem Tourism Award in the East Midlands, beating Belvoir Castle into second place!
At the Laughing Badger you can tease your tastebuds with a filling breakfast, attend regular workshops, book business meetings, functions and special occasions and even enjoy a drink or two in the licensed gallery bar. In addition to this, every few months the Laughing Badger hosts an open day of selected works from a local artist, where you get the opportunity to meet and talk to the artist, local residents and other people with similar interests. It's also a great opportunity to try some wine and Sean's legendary fruit or lemon scones.
The icing on top of this particular indulgent cake is the Badger's Cellar Bar, a cosy space below the gallery adorned with all things intriguing, and you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the West Coast of Ireland. Usually an invite-only event, musicians play a captivating selection of Irish folk (but not exclusively so) for one night a month, where there is always much merriment to be had. The fiddle, acoustic guitar, bodhran, flute and accordion have, in various combinations, tickled spectators ears; a real musical treat if ever there was one, enjoyed further with a Guinness or real ale made locally by Howard Town Brewery in Glossop.
At the Laughing Badger you can tease your tastebuds with a filling breakfast, attend regular workshops, book business meetings, functions and special occasions and even enjoy a drink or two in the licensed gallery bar. In addition to this, every few months the Laughing Badger hosts an open day of selected works from a local artist, where you get the opportunity to meet and talk to the artist, local residents and other people with similar interests. It's also a great opportunity to try some wine and Sean's legendary fruit or lemon scones.
The icing on top of this particular indulgent cake is the Badger's Cellar Bar, a cosy space below the gallery adorned with all things intriguing, and you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the West Coast of Ireland. Usually an invite-only event, musicians play a captivating selection of Irish folk (but not exclusively so) for one night a month, where there is always much merriment to be had. The fiddle, acoustic guitar, bodhran, flute and accordion have, in various combinations, tickled spectators ears; a real musical treat if ever there was one, enjoyed further with a Guinness or real ale made locally by Howard Town Brewery in Glossop.
The Laughing Badger provides:
- A welcoming, relaxed and informed environment;
- Great food and a place to have a drink and chat with friends, neighbours and passers-by;
- A community space for workshops, private functions and special occasions;
- Exhibitions from local artists and a forum to discuss the artist’s work;
- An opportunity to promote self-expression and to gain experience and support from local artists;
- By arrangement, special celebration lunches, dinners and buffets;
- Promotes the local community and environment.
Meet the owner, Sean Wood
Sean has lived in Padfield since 2008 when he bought the old Co-Op on Platt Street, the very building that was to become his workshop, business and home. Before that he spent 28 years at Bleak House in Crowden, just a few miles down the road, and with the Longdendale Valley as the backdrop in this beautifully remote location, it is easy to understand that the High Peak area has played a big part of his life.
Since 1977, Sean has established countless friendships and professional relationships with the local and wider community. He has an extensive knowledge of wildlife and has been a wildlife columnist for various newspapers, including The Sunday Times, for the last 40 years. Recently, he has also researched and produced a Heritage Trail for Haughton Green in partnership with Irwell Valley Housing Association. Sean, a well known figure in the local sporting community, has been a member of Glossop Rugby Club since 1978, and President for the past four seasons.
Since 1977, Sean has established countless friendships and professional relationships with the local and wider community. He has an extensive knowledge of wildlife and has been a wildlife columnist for various newspapers, including The Sunday Times, for the last 40 years. Recently, he has also researched and produced a Heritage Trail for Haughton Green in partnership with Irwell Valley Housing Association. Sean, a well known figure in the local sporting community, has been a member of Glossop Rugby Club since 1978, and President for the past four seasons.
This introduction, however, would not be complete without a mention of Sean's passion for music. Being an accomplished musician in the guise of The Curragh Sons, Sean and the Band, including fiddle player Paul Newland who lives on Post Street, and Paul Higham of Hadfield, have played all over the UK, Ireland and Europe for the past thirty years or more, providing much-loved entertainment, dynamically belting out original and distinguished Irish music, whilst rhythmically beating the bodhran, cracking a joke or two and appreciating Arthur Guinness' contribution to the world many times over. 2016 sees the boys playing Hawkshead Brewery in the Lake District, the Dubliner in Oslo and Sextons Bar in Kinvara, County Galway, the village where the band have played two festivals a year since 1999.
Kinvara, is also the location of the stunning Dunguaire Castle, a 16th Century tower house standing majestically on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay; incidentally, the setting of Sean's wedding back in 2003. He is certainly no stranger to this particularly beautiful part of Ireland, especially having also organised six joint tours with the Band and the Rugby Club; "three gigs and one match in three days....hectic, but legendary" as he says.
When he is not cooking for functions at the rugby club, or busy with his workshops, most other times you will usually see Sean sitting in the gallery musing over something or writing away on his laptop, waving to his Padfieldian neighbours as they walk by.
You can read more about Sean and his Padfield Dawn Chorus, on the Local Wildlife page.
Kinvara, is also the location of the stunning Dunguaire Castle, a 16th Century tower house standing majestically on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay; incidentally, the setting of Sean's wedding back in 2003. He is certainly no stranger to this particularly beautiful part of Ireland, especially having also organised six joint tours with the Band and the Rugby Club; "three gigs and one match in three days....hectic, but legendary" as he says.
When he is not cooking for functions at the rugby club, or busy with his workshops, most other times you will usually see Sean sitting in the gallery musing over something or writing away on his laptop, waving to his Padfieldian neighbours as they walk by.
You can read more about Sean and his Padfield Dawn Chorus, on the Local Wildlife page.
The Cellar Bar Photo Gallery