Albert Keir, a veteran who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazi occupation, has died at the age of 100. Albert Keir was part of the D-Day naval crew which assisted American troops landing on Omaha Beach in France on 6 June 1944. Albert was awarded the Freedom of Derbyshire on 12 February 2025 in recognition of his service and achievements. Albert had been working as a painter and decorator after leaving school at the age of 14, and was a member of the Local Defence Volu

Weaddow Lane, an ancient road that links Middleton to its Smerrill Pastures The roads of our Peak District village and parishes have unique histories which are often reflected in the roads that run through them. This is certainly the case in Middleton and Smerrill; it not only boasts a 4000 year old Neolithic highway which became a Roman Road and is now the parish boundary, but also roads that underwent a radical restructure at the time of the 19c. enclosures and the arrival

Wirksworth once again celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight, after a break of many years. First accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade Town back in 2009, in recent years this status has lapsed. A Wirksworth Fairtrade Town Team of local people has recently come together to build on the foundations already laid, re-invigorate Fairtrade in Wirksworth, and win back Fairtrade Town status. Fairtrade Fortnight (September 22 – October 5) celebrates the farmers and workers be

The autumn festival of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient celebration of Samhain. This was believed to be the time that the souls of the dead returned home – so people lit bonfires and wore scary costumes to keep spirits away. In the eighth century, the first day of November was designated All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, by Pope Gregory III. It's likely this move was an attempt to shift the focus away from the pagan festivities of Samhain, creating a Christian

On 22nd November, Irish folk band Whiskey in the Jar play St John's church in Bamford as part of a series of final farewell concerts, having played together for almost forty years. The four piece band feature fiddle, banjo, whistles and bodhran, as well as guitar and a wide repertoire of great ballads and traditional songs. Support on the night comes from the highly talented Seb Stone, who has been making a name for himself on the folk club circuit and at numerous folk festiv

Roger Flint (Chairman), Jack Baddams, Nigel Carabine (Treasurer) At the October meeting of Matlock Probus Club the Chairman, Mr Roger Flint, welcomed members and introduced our Speaker for the day, Mr Jack Baddams. Jack entertained us by telling us how he became interested in birds and wildlife. He became interested in bird watching as a young boy and this interest never left him. At the age of 16 he worked hard to obtain his Licence to become a Bird Ringer. He then attende

I’ve been with Nellie to the back of beyond! We began our glorious walk in Flash where for a donation of £4, it is possible to park at the village hall when not in use. Flash is a lovely little village with a very strong community spirit. Its friendly residents still uphold a traditional parade in June that was established in 1846 by the Flash Loyal Union Society, known as the Teapot Club. It was created as a ‘Friendly Society’ that you paid into when you could and made a re

British Grown Flowers was the theme for this month’s meeting of Derwent Valley Floral Art. The demonstration by Helen Chambers of Evolve Flowers was entertaining and informative with a large selection of British flowers. All the pieces were in water rather than oasis foam which showed members and guests how this method could be used for all types of floral art. Members who won these pieces in the raffle were very happy. Our next meeting is 6th November with Kath Williams giv

Matlock Music Society continues its exciting 2025/26 season on Friday 7th November with a recital given by the Lumas Winds quintet. The group was established in 2018 and evolved through friendships formed at the National Youth Orchestra, resulting in a very strong bond between its members. The group has featured in many prestigious festivals around the UK and made its Wigmore Hall debut in 2023 and Kings Place debut in 2025. They have been described as an “effervescent wind q

Two concerts are planned for October at All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell. On Saturday, 4 October there will be another coffee concert...

Florence Nightingale Memorial Hall, Holloway Sunday 19th October at 7.30 pm Written by a Croatian playwright, this timely play explores...

Photograph © @sharri The legendary Monsal Hill Climb returns for its 95th race on Sunday 5th October. Supported once again by VeloViewer....

Come and celebrate the burning of the legendary Eyam Rat and help to raise invaluable funds for Eyam School! From 5.30pm the...

We have just enjoyed the hottest summer on record but the nights are now drawing in, mornings and evenings are becoming cooler and our thoughts must, inevitably, turn towards Christmas! The seventeenth Festival of Christmas Trees will take place at All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell between 11 and 21 December 2025. The church will be full of Christmas trees, mainly “real”, some artificial or created, but all decorated in such a way as to celebrate different aspects of our B

Parts of this fascinating expedition took Nellie and I on a walk through woodland in the throes of being decorated for autumn in shades...

Peak Music Society’s second concert of the new season features an all-female trio, whose debut concert in 2023 was described as “ beguiling”. The Portrait Players specialise in bringing 17th and 18th century music to modern audiences and their choice of instruments from that musical era make for a different musical experience compared with the more usual chamber ensembles. Claire Ward (soprano), Kristina Watt (theorbo/lute) and Miriam Nohl (cello/viola da gamba) are in the

It seems members of Matlock trefoil are improving their throwing skills! Last month they were throwing axes and this month lifelines....

The winner, Tim Spray, being presented with the cup by Kathryn Bistany who organised the tournament On Saturday 20th September members of...

Children at Rowsley CE Primary School have expressed their thanks to Bakewell Rotary Club, who, via a grant to the school’s PTFA, made...

Boat builder Paul Lil’s spectacular peacock-themed boat at this year’s Matlock Bath Illuminations has won him a top prize. Paul, from...