Photograph courtesy of Robert Booth Derbyshire Swift Conservation is to hold a public event to celebrate the second year of grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save Derbyshire’s Swifts by protecting and creating nesting sites keeping our summer skies alive with their calls for future generations. The celebration will see workshops for families and a talk from renowned Swift expert, Edward Mayer. There will also be the opportunity for the public to learn

This section of my boundary challenge made my spirits soar as Nellie and I walked to what felt like the top of the world. It brought tears to my eyes from a combination of wonder and cold wind! The history of Onecote dates back to at least 1199 when the settlement was first recorded. A monastic grange was established here by Croxden Abbey in 1223. Onecote is probably more well-known to motorists however for its former turnpike road running straight through its heart, now the

The Fishpond Choir will be hosting a ‘Come & Sing’ on Saturday, 18th April at The Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale. DE4 2EQ They will be learning two fabulous contemporary pieces from scratch: An arrangement of ‘The Skye Boat Song’ by Bob Chillcott; and ‘Chorale Elegia’ by Karl Jenkins. It’s a great chance to give choral singing a go. If you’re already in a choir it’s an opportunity to meet and join with fellow enthusiasts in a beautiful venue. The fee is £15 which includes p

Severn Trent is hosting a week of community events in Matlock to unveil a major new £20m investment in the town – and to listen to feedback from residents. The company is staging a series of drop-ins from 13th April when staff can talk through the proposals, answer questions, and hear what local people think. The plans include a major upgrade for Matlock Sewage Treatment Works which will boost site capacity to serve future generations, plus improve the health of the River D

This annual free public festival not only celebrates the town’s vibrant food and drink scene but also serves as an important fundraising event for local charities. Over the years, the festival has helped raise significant funds to support community projects, while also boosting the local economy and morale in Bakewell. Sample the best of local and regional produce, artisan food, and drinks whilst supporting charities and local causes through festival participation. Come and

Hawthorn Blossom A mature hedgerow, blooming with blossoms in spring and laden with nuts and berries in autumn, is one of the delights of the British countryside. Hedgerows are a fantastic habitat for all sorts of wildlife – but they are highly beneficial to us humans too. Hedges capture carbon to help tackle the climate crisis; they can also reduce soil erosion, and lessen the risk of flooding. As many hedging plants have prickly, thorny branches or leaves, they can deter u

Step into history with the Peak District Mines Historical Society and T’Owd Man as they revive the annual miner’s holiday at the legendary Magpie Mine near Sheldon. Explore the mine's site with expert guides and dare to peer down the shafts if you’re brave enough. Browse stalls from PDMHS, Wirksworth Mines Research Group, and Goodluck Mines Preservation Society. Chat with specialists, discover mining artefacts, and uncover the fascinating stories behind our local heritage.

Children with headteacher, Sue Myhill and Lion President, Colin Turnbull in the polytunnel showing off their new tools Matlock Derwent Valley Lions Club were approached by Ashover Primary School who were starting a school garden project and looking for support in getting the necessary equipment. From the list of things needed the Lions decided they would supply trugs, trowels and forks and a wheelbarrow to assist with getting things off the ground. These were presented to the

Two years ago, Connect Fibre began connecting homes and businesses across Wirksworth with a simple mission: to deliver broadband that is faster, fairer, and truly flawless. Since then, thousands of households have experienced the difference that full fibre broadband can make. From seamless streaming and lag-free gaming to reliable video calls and smart homes that just work, better broadband has quietly become an essential part of everyday life. At Connect Fibre, we believe e

Bamford Sheepdog Trials and Fell race will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May at Bamford Recreation Ground. Gates open at 9am and the fell race starts at 1pm. This historic, traditional event is always a brilliant day out and offers a great atmosphere for all the family. It is amazing to watch the dogs and handlers at work and watch the teamwork between man and dog that has been built up over years of training. These are skills that have been passed over the generation

Local band Third Quarter and Mark Bradshaw A charity concert… ALL proceeds will be going to Ashgate Hospice as everyone involved has given their time for free. Local band ‘Third Quarter’ deliver a fabulous mix of rock, jazz and blues from across the decades, providing a rich mix of music from toe tapping dance numbers to laid back blues, including many of the songs that you know and love, but have possibly long since forgotten. Lead vocals and percussion: Gary Hannan. Lead

L-R: Hugh Wright and Club Chairman, Paul Davies It is now over two hundred years since the Napoleonic Wars raged across much of Europe but, remarkably, a collection of artefacts associated with one of the campaigns of that conflict has survived for all that time in the custody of one of our local families. At a meeting of the Bakewell and District Probus Club, member Hugh Wright brought several examples of these artefacts. They had been handed down through generations of his

Torne Valley has built its reputation on supplying reliable garden machinery backed by practical, knowledgeable support. With a long history serving both domestic and professional customers, the business focuses on providing equipment that performs well in real working conditions, whether that’s a small garden or a larger commercial setting. Our range of garden machinery covers everything most users are likely to need, including lawn mowers, ride-on tractors, chainsaws, hedg

Business is continuing as usual at Helen Atkin Group Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), where all riding and carriage driving sessions remain unaffected by forthcoming changes at Buxton Riding School. “Both I and my fellow trustees would like to reassure all our riders, parents, carers and supporters that we are operating as normal after the announcement that riding lessons will no longer be available at Buxton Riding School from the end of March,” said Group Chairper

Aquabox – Colin Petty Of course I’ve heard of Aquabox. But I’d no idea how ingenious they are nor how hard the volunteers work to provide a package fit for survival. All the contents are ethically sourced, bought in bulk and excellent value for money. We were impressed. The Great British Spring Clean We’ll be there, picking litter in our own home areas and any of our favorite countryside spots. Plus a WI group litter picking session in the Village Hall area before our Defibri

Would you like to meet new people, make new friends, learn new skills and come to fascinating talks and demonstrations? If so, Bakewell Ladies Group is the place for you. They are a group of 20-30 ladies of all ages and backgrounds and will be meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, at the Friends Meeting House, Bakewell, at 7.30pm, starting on Tuesday, 21st April. They are calling themselves ‘Bakewell Ladies Group’, and will enjoy a range of speakers, pot luck suppers, cra

Forget Henry VIII and his gargantuan appetite, it's time to have a look at what ordinary people would have been eating in Tudor times. This talk looks at the food and drink of ordinary Tudor people together with how it was cooked and how it was eaten. What foods were available? What contribution did different foods have to diet? Did they have enough to eat? Talks are held in the Peveril Centre, Methodist Church, on Buxton Road, Castleton, at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome. Fur

Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood Following on from the tremendous success of the recent afternoon concert featuring Connaught Brass, Peak Music returns to its evening slot for the final event of the 2025/26 season. Appearing at the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, will be renowned vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, the daughter of jazz legends John Dankworth and Cleo Lane, accompanied by pianist and composer Charlie Wood. Like her parents, Jacqui is best known as a jazz performer, but she

Don Witton and family with Society President Jenni Wedgwood (right) and a selection of RHS Award of Garden Merit plants Two AGMs in one night sounds like tough going, unless, of course, you are a member of Hathersage Horticultural Society! The first AGM was despatched with customary efficiency by President, Jenni Wedgwood who outlined another packed year, thanked retiring vice president and committee member, Wendy Ellicock for her considerable contribution and welcomed Mary

As spring finally edges its way back, many of us start looking to our gardens as places to unwind, reconnect, and make the most of the lighter evenings ahead. But creating an outdoor space that truly lasts through every season, every downpour, and every burst of unexpected British weather means choosing materials that are as durable as they are beautiful. TDP turns UK recycled plastic into premium outdoor furniture built to endure real British weather. Each bench, seat, plan