John Stannard So what exactly is HIST ORY? Reflections on the WHO (not the band), WHAT, WHERE, WHY and HOW of history with a nod in the general direction of When! Ian Holmes 'The Hope Air Crash 15th February 1943' ..the story behind the plane crash 83 years ago which is commemorated by the plaque and maple tree on Castleton Road opposite Warehouse Lane. Amanda Grego Medieval 'doodles' within the Beauchief Abbey Cartulary The Beauchief Abbey Cartulary documents the privileges

Back by public demand. Macaws have vibrant plumage, which is suited to life in Central and South American rain forests, with their green canopies and colorful fruits and flowers. The birds have large, powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds, they also have gripping toes that they use to latch onto branches and to grab, hold, and examine items. The birds have graceful tails that are typically very long. Macaws are intelligent, social birds that often gather in flocks

February is always a special time in the Guiding calendar, but this year is particularly significant as members celebrate 100 years of World Thinking Day. World Thinking Day, held annually on 22nd February, was established in 1926. It is a day when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across the globe think of one another and celebrate their shared membership of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The date was chosen to honour Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of Scoutin

You could be running 5k in the stunning Peak District countryside with a group of new friends by June, even if you’ve never run before in your life. Tideswell Running Club (TRC) is launching a free new Couch to 5k programme, starting on 1 April 2026. TRC is known for being a friendly and inclusive club, where enjoyment of running is more important than how fast anyone goes. It has members of all ages from their 20s to their 70s, and organises a monthly ‘chip night’ where me

There are more than 4,000 species of beetle (Coleoptera) in the UK, from familiar and endearing ladybirds to spectacular stag beetles to luminous glow-worms. Many of these species are useful allies in gardens, allotments and community green spaces. Beetles can pollinate our crops and flowers, keep harmful insects like aphids under control, and improve the quality of the soil. Beetles are also a vital part of the food chain, contributing to a balanced ecosystem. Hedgehogs an

THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS A WALK GUIDE It was an early start for this ramble and I was the first car in Tissington Station car park. Nellie and I had the trail almost to ourselves as we ambled along to Thorpe. Birds were singing and there were catkin dangling from some of the trees. Beyond Thorpe Station we went over a field to Spend Lane then crossed to walk down a narrow lane beside The Firs, a very large red brick property. As we wandered down between neatly trimmed hedgero

Christ Church, Holloway, will be hosting a Come and Sing, Words and Music event at 6:30pm on Good Friday, 3rd April. This will be a celebration of the great liturgical and musical tradition of Good Friday, with a choir formed from singers throughout the area. Several well-known anthems will be sung, including Mozart’s ‘Ave verum corpus’ and Stainer’s ‘God so loved the world’; and the hymns will include ‘There is a green hill far away’, ‘Praise to the holiest in the height’, a

L-R: Robert Thornhill and Club Chairman, Paul Davies Most of the speakers at the Bakewell and District Probus Club meetings are members of the club itself but on occasion, a guest is invited to talk on a special topic. One such meeting was held recently when the speaker was Robert Thornhill of Great Longstone, the current head of a long-established farming family in the village. Robert described how his farming grandfather in 1912 had decided to concentrate on poultry produc

Boat dweller and storyteller, Ian Douglas has a storytelling career that spans 32 years. He was first inspired to begin his journey by the late great Scottish traveller, Duncan Williamson. Ian has held the prestigious title of ‘Fool of Muncaster Castle’ and was apprenticed to the renowned storyteller, Taffy Thomas MBE during Taffy's three year stint as Storytelling Laureate. Along the way Ian has collected many a tale and Matlock Storytelling Café are delighted that he is bri

At the February meeting of Matlock Probus Club our Vice Chairman, Mr Roger Flint, welcomed members. Our Speaker for the meeting was Mr Paul Newsham, Forensic Expert and a man who is knowledgeable about many subjects! His illustrated talk was “The Theatres of London”. A very fascinating insight into many of the Theatres in the West End of London and beyond. We learned that there are 38 Theatres in the West End such as The Adelphi which is situated in the Strand. This Theatre

Angela Hadfield was the winner of the Darley Dale/Onzain Twinning’s Valentines’ Day Grand Draw and the prize of a mixed case of premium French wines. Angela’s lucky ticket was the first one drawn out of the pot by Darley Dale mayor, Councillor Jason Farmer at lunchtime in the Whitworth Café as onlookers enjoyed their Valentine’s Day lunches. With almost 200 tickets sold, the Twinning Group’s chairman, David Tidd, said how pleased he was with the success of the draw and over £

Youth Theatre members celebrate their grant. Inset: Rita and John from Rotary present funds to Di and Jude The latest round of the Bakewell Rotary Club Small Grants scheme has seen two very local Bakewell groups see success with grants of £250 each. The Bakewell Youth Theatre were awarded a grant to support their upcoming season of 'Grease' which will be on at the Medway Centre in March. Supporting young people is a big part of how Rotary tries to work in the community and th

Winster Guisers would like to thank their friends, old and new, who supported them over the recent Christmas performances. £1,100 was raised by your generous contributions for charity, local and national. The money has been donated to the following: Winster and Elton Luncheon Club Winster Darby and Joan Club Winster School PTFA RNLI Air Ambulance Samaritans Mountain Rescue Kenya Rams We hope to see you all again next Christmas season.

Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic sights in South America, and the culmination of the magnificent Inca Trail trek through the Peruvian Andes. Join Blythe House Hospice in October 2027, as we trek this breathtakingly beautiful route through valleys and high passes, scattered with fascinating Inca ruins. Travel a path that weaves through cloud forests, mountain passes, and centuries-old ruins, culminating in your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu at sunrise. Marie,

Kitchen Lifestyle are a family-owned business who have been in Matlock for over 20 years and pride themselves on giving excellent service and a friendly approach. We offer a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary, and kitchens and bedrooms to suit all budgets. We pride ourselves on being the most competitive independent kitchen and bedroom company in Matlock, offering top quality at affordable prices. People often tend to think that being an independent kitche

The next dozen or so miles of my challenge walk could best be described as a pilgrimage, because this area of Derbyshire and Staffordshire contains a selection of quaint and historic churches. As early as 1663, Brassington had a King’s Highway passing through it. Inhabitants of the village had strict instructions to maintain and upkeep this important road. ‘Everie one everie yeare scowre their ditches adjoyieinge to the King’s highway before the first daie of May or else to

Improving an outdoor space doesn’t always require a major project. Sometimes, choosing the right materials can make the biggest difference. Here in Wirksworth, family‑run business TDP has spent years creating outdoor furniture that combines durability, thoughtful design, and genuine environmental responsibility. Using 100% recycled plastic, TDP transforms materials that would otherwise be discarded into benches, tables, planters and modular pieces built for everyday use. The

For classical music lovers in the Bakewell area, the Town Hall Chamber Series for 2026 offers a wonderful opportunity to hear some outstanding concerts performed by members of the Hallé, Manchester Camerata, and top free-lancers working all around the UK. The series opens on 1st March at 3pm with ‘French Connections’ - a wonderful programme of music for flute, viola and harp. This exotic combination of instruments lends itself to the rich and impressionistic sonorities of mu

The first thing in the new year is to sit and make yourself a coffee and get a chocolate biscuit while promising yourself not to break this year’s resolution yet again. 1. To eat more healthy. This can be achieved by growing your own. Nothing beats the taste of fresh, home-grown vegetables and herbs. Grow herbs in pots near the house for convenience. 2. Get more active. This can be achieved by getting outside in the sunshine (that’s if we get any this year), and if your tim

Peak Music’s concert at the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, on 7th March promises a stirring selection of classical pieces arranged for a brass ensemble. Connaught Brass may be known to classical music fans from their appearances on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme and they have performed at major concert halls throughout Europe. They are known not only for their technical ability and vibrant approach, but also for their warmth and accessibility, which leads to a unique connection w