Treak Cliff Cavern is a genuine wonder in the heart of the Peak District. Treak Cliff Hill is the only place in the world where Blue John Stone, a rare form of fluorite with beautiful colours occurs naturally. The self-guided audio tour explains how Blue John Stone was formed, how miners in the 1700s constructed a tunnel using only hand tools to reach the Blue John Stone deposits within the hill, and you can see incredible veins of the stone across the cavern roof and walls.

Cast rehearsing Knight Fever Yes, Christmas needed attention, and snow is distracting – but all that carbohydrate complexity and journey planning has passed (hopefully) and we’re on to the next event: Baslow’s February Pantomime, ‘Knight Fever’. It is hoped you’ve already got your tickets to avoid disappointment (some nights do sell out). ‘Knight Fever’, written by TLC, on an Arthurian theme is full of infectious laughter, tales of quests, magic and medieval come-uppance. Th

Tuesday, 10th February, 7.3pm in Baslow Village Hall The Manners family left Haddon Hall for Belvoir Castle in around 1720. The Hall remained unoccupied by the family until the 1920s when the 9th Duke of Rutland returned to restore it. Haddon had been described as the best preserved mediaeval Manor House in England. Margie’s talk will explore Haddon’s fascinating history dating back 900 years and focus on the Duke’s work using material from the Haddon archives. Visitors £5

Charlotte Spruit and Angus Webster – violin and piano 6th February Matlock Music Society continues its successful 2025/26 season with a recital on 6th February to be given by the exciting Dutch violinist Charlotte Spruit, accompanied by pianist Angus Webster. Charlotte started her violin studies aged 4, continuing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Royal Academy of Music with Rachel Podger. She is a soloist and chamber musician and has received internatio

It seemed strange to return to the location of my previous walk as normally each issue has a very different whereabouts, as I randomly pick and choose where to go. However, this new series is definitely different to the norm and will feature both circular and linear walks and make use of some well-established long distance walking routes along the way. Nellie seemed surprised when she emerged from the car to be back at Darley Bridge. I could swear there was a look of deja vu

The annual party in full swing. Inset: Dave Rawson in the party spirit Yet again the Bakewell Rotary Club held their very successful Old Folks Christmas Party at the Methodist Church in Bakewell. Over 85 local people were on hand to enjoy the food, wonderfully prepared by the kitchen helpers who all donated their time and effort to put on a party spread. It was a very festive event with Santa putting in an appearance. As usual we must thank the local businesses who were so

The Mayor of Wirksworth, Councillor Andy Pollock, had a successful, if not entirely enjoyable skydive in September and has raised £5,000 for his chosen charities… so far! Andy hopes to carry out more fundraising events in coming months and to push his total during this year long-term to over £6,000. The funds will be split between children’s charities Wirksworth Young Futures Fund and Seashell Trust.

The Matlock Raft Event is roaring back this Boxing Day, following last year's hugely successful day. The 2025 event promises an unforgettable experience, with organizers dedicated to going above and beyond to create a safe, thrilling, and memorable day for all. The Matlock Raft Event is a quirky, long-standing tradition held in Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford, Derbyshire, UK. Every year on Boxing Day (December 26th), brave participants take to the chilly River Derwent on

A position has just opened in our More-than-Human Resources Department! As the heroic head of the hiring committee for the divine pantheon, it's up to you to put together a team of sacred scribes, astral accountants and celestial problem-solvers. Tim has got the candidates for you to consider. With the right team of Godly governors in place, this incorporeal corporation is going places! Bureaucracy, administration and record-keeping are not modern phenomena. They've been a p

Laura Cowan, Head of Private Client Team at Graysons Solicitors A stark new warning has been issued to unmarried couples after national research revealed that most cohabitees have little idea what would happen to their partner – or their home if one of them dies without a will. According to figures from the Will Aid campaign, two thirds of cohabitees misunderstand the law surrounding intestacy, and a quarter wrongly assume their estate would automatically pass to their partn

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Edwards Every year about this time children (and parents and grandparents) will be anticipating one of the high points of the year-Santa Specials on Steeple Grange Light Railway. Not surprisingly because as well as a gift from Santa in his Grotto there will also be mince pies, a hot drink and a ride on one of the railway’s small but real trains. This year the Specials will run on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, one mile north of Wirksworth by

A truly wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by all members and visitors who braved the terrible rain pouring down like stair rods to listen to guest speakers Janet and Paul Barrass, who spoke and sang with passion and laughter about one of their special subject lectures ‘Past Traditions of Christmas’. To back this they brought along an extensive array of vintage festive items which took everyone back to their childhood memories of bygone christmases. All in all this was one of t

The River Network Woodland Project is proud to announce its latest initiative aimed at supporting homeless shelters and supported housing projects through the creation of planters and raised beds. A dedicated team of service users recently came together to lend their skills and expertise, fostering community development and leadership along the way. This project not only addresses the immediate need for green spaces in urban areas but also empowers individuals facing homeles

The picturesque village of Tissington lies embedded into a historic landscape fashioned and farmed by man going back centuries and beyond. A surrounding gridwork of drystone walls enclose rich pasture with evidence of medieval ridge and furrow field systems. The village itself is a time warp of quintessential Englishness that melts my heart with its prettiness and character. And so it was that Nellie and I headed off from Tissington station car park for a wander along the tr

Believed to be the Peak District’s only hotel and restaurant with this status, the Hope Valley venue doubles down on inclusive, seasonal, locally-sourced dining.  The Maynard, one of the Peak District’s most popular hotel and restaurant destinations, has been officially accredited by Coeliac UK - a milestone that recognises the team’s dedication to safe, inclusive and flavour-led dining for guests who are coeliac and those who eat gluten-free.   The Coeliac UK Gluten Free Acc

Wirksworth Community Choir are a small, but perfectly formed, four part choir and we are looking for new members. All voice parts are very welcome….especially tenors. We have a variety of abilities and our well known musical director, Adam Green, encourages everyone’s best, to produce great choral singing. We have no audition but the ability to read music is a plus, though not a necessity. We have performed in and around Wirksworth for 40 years and sing anything from Britten

Imperial Rooms, Matlock – Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th November, 7.30pm Pay What You Can Matinee: Saturday 29th November, 2.00pm The High Tor Players return to the stage this November with Arthur Miller’s timeless classic The Crucible, performed at the Imperial Rooms, Matlock, from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th November at 7.30pm each evening. Founded in 1937, the High Tor Players are a long-established Matlock-based theatre group known for their high-quality, community

Children at Rowsley CE Primary School brought their World War II topic alive last month, as they entered school on 24th October 1942 for a World War II day. Year 5 and 6 dressed in 1940s clothes, made a ration cake, and took cover during air raid sirens. Class teacher Mrs Hewitt taught wartime lessons throughout the day, Chair of Governors, Mr Thornhill read Biggles to the class and Rowsley Craft Club visited school for a ‘make do and mend’ session.

The next Rotary Club of Bakewell Repair Café is being held at the Bakewell Methodist Church Hall on Saturday 29th November from 10am to 12.30pm (last jobs taken 12 noon). Our usual team of repairers will be on hand to try and save your items from the scrap heap using their brilliant repair skills. Items previously repaired successfully include vacumn cleaners, radios, stools, and our bicycle repairer is coming too. We will also be holding a special Darning Workshop at the sa

Residents in the Hope Valley and Derbyshire Dales are invited to get into the festive spirit while supporting families affected by life-limiting illness this Christmas. Blythe House Hospice is set to host a series of wreath making workshops in Bamford, Ashford-in-the-Water, and Matlock - with every penny raised helping local people receive expert end-of-life care at home. Funds raised through the events will directly support hospice services including the Roaming Car. The t