Long sunny days in the Spring and Summer of 2025 were the backdrop to a wonderful year for birds both in the woodland on Froggatt Edge and the wetland in Lincolnshire which Brian manages as mini nature reserves. A lot was going on – Pied Flycatchers, Marsh Harriers and Barn Owls all had a successful breeding season. Accompanied by photos and videos the Group’s chairman will describe how the year unfolded very differently in the two places. From March to August there were bir

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

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

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

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.

The Peak Music season continues after the Christmas break with its familiar programme of world-class concerts and a special offer for 2026. With three concerts still remaining, the society is offering a special half-season membership for only £45, including entry to all three performances. New members are guaranteed music which is unlikely to be available outside the major cities in the welcoming atmosphere of the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, on the Chatsworth Estate. At £15 per

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