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

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,

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

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

The Derbyshire Flower & Garden Show is an enchanting new event in the heart of Derbyshire, and invites garden enthusiasts, flower aficionados, and families alike to celebrate the beauty of nature and creativity. Taking place over a vibrant weekend, this show will feature stunning floral and vegetable display competitions, showcasing everything from intricate floral arrangements to the largest vegetables grown by local gardeners. Visitors can explore a diverse array of garde

Nottingham Victoria: no longer a railway station but unrecognisable as the Victoria Centre – Photo Robert Smyth Matlock Railway Club was formed in 1986. We have a varied programme that includes speakers in person and by Zoom, showing slides, photographs and video footage. Meetings are on Thursdays in the cosy Duke William pub at 91 Church Street high up in the historical centre of old Matlock from August to April. During the season of dark evenings we have been having afterno

Matlock Music’s 2025/2026 season continues on Friday 27th February with the annual opportunity to hear outstanding young musicians from the local area. The Sheffield Music Academy trains many of the best young musicians in and around Sheffield under the direction of Martin Cropper, its Music Director. It is a music education charity supported by the Department of Education as part of the network of only 15 Centres of Advanced Training. It started in 2006 with 13 students and

Derbyshire is about as far from the coast as it is possible to be in the UK. Yet the county has many connections with the sea, some of which might be expected, and others which are less widely known, beginning 330 million years ago, and ending in the present day. Visitors £5. Refreshments. Our talk in February had to be changed because of the late unavailability of our speaker. The replacement, “The History Of Haddon Hall” given by Margie Burnet, the archivist at the Hall,

Winster Traditional Pancake Race Tuesday 17 February at 2,15 in Winster Main Street DE4 2DJ Visitors, including children, who wish to take part should bring a small pan and pancake. Everyone welcome. Prizes for the children.

This year's Wirksworth book festival is on Saturday, 25th April. It's a fantastic day out for book lovers of all ages. There's loads of author talks, poetry events, outdoor book sales at the shops and a fabulous book fair and outdoor stalls. If you've written a book and would like to come to the book fair to sell your book, or would like a second-hand book stall, or help a charity with books to sell then get in touch !! There’s children's authors, horror, humour, crime and

Come and enjoy a heartwarming coffee morning fundraiser on 14th February from 10am-12noon at Hartington Village Hall, SK17 0AP where you will receive a warm welcome and delicious coffee/tea and cake plus the chance to win raffle prizes. All proceeds will support the Hartington & District Community First Responders to purchase vital equipment. Community First Responders make the difference when minutes matter. They are volunteers who belong to local schemes. They attend 999 e

Charlie's Place (Animal Sanctuary) An illustrated talk by Claire Robinson Monday 16th February Charlie’s Place is a rescue, rehabilitation and caring centre for a wide variety of animals. It has around 100 residents at any one time. Many of the animals have been rescued from the egg and meat industries, and at the sanctuary, they are given a second chance at life. Charlie’s Place rescues and rehabilitates many wild animals every year, from young hedgehogs to owls and badgers

Love the sight of old cars? Well on Saturday 7th March you’ll get the chance to see quite few as the Vintage Sports Car Club stages its annual Derbyshire hill trial for vintage (pre-1930) cars in the north of the County. Starting and finishing in Ashover, it’s one of seven national trials held annually by the Club. This trial has been going for over 50 years and 100 plus vintage cars will compete, drawn from across the UK. Hill trialling has been going since the 1930s and wa

Tissington has been overrun with parrots! Annie and Ed, owners of On A Wick & a Prayer in Tissington village, have been pondering ways to attract more visitors to the village. Tissington is a beautiful, unspoilt village, with its Hall dating back to 1609 (please check their website for open days). The village boasts 5 wells and enjoys its well dressing celebrations every year (this year from the 13 th to the 20 th  May), there is the well-known Tissington trail all very lov

Many of you will have driven past, or walked through, the quaint estate village of Edensor. Perhaps you have always wanted to know more about it. Satisfy your curiosity by coming to an illustrated talk given by Christine Robinson, Edensor resident and former Head Housekeeper of Chatsworth House. The talk will be given in St Peter’s Church, Edensor, DE45 1PH on Saturday, 21st February at 10:30am. Tickets, priced at £10 include light refreshments and are available on the doo

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

Dr Alan Fielding – Where Eagles Fly 9th February, 7.30pm Alan Fielding studied at Liverpool University in the 1970s and during his career as a lecturer he was active in golden eagle research including support of the re-introduction of golden eagles into Ireland and the very successful South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. In his presentation he will show how satellite tracking has enabled us to understand a great deal more about the lives of these wonderful birds. He is sti

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

Riber Castle today – from Crown Square in the centre of Matlock. The interior of Riber Castle under restoration with new roof and re-created galleries Following a sell-out presentation last November, a repeat talk on ‘The Story of Riber Castle’ will take place on Thursday, 12 February at 7.30pm in the Imperial Rooms, Matlock. The previous event attracted 150 attendees, with many turned away due to lack of space. The free event is organised by Matlock Civic Association and ad

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