Talk of the Dales

SPRINGWATCH BACK IN DARLEY DALE AN ILLUSTRATED TALK BY JACK BADDAMS MONDAY 20TH APRIL Last year Jack Baddams, a researcher and presenter on the Springwatch programme gave a talk about the early years of the programme. On April 20th he will return to tell us how the programme has developed since its first appearance on 30th May 2005 It is the BBC's largest outside broadcast programme with a crew of 100 and 50 cameras. He will explain how the programme is made and how the team

Soprano soloist, Olivia Thompson and mezzo-soprano soloist, Tabitha Smart Bakewell Choral Society are holding their Spring Concert on Saturday, 25th April at Bakewell Parish Church starting at 7.30pm. The programme consists of three very much-loved Choral Works, Gloria by Vivaldi, Magnificat by Rutter and Magnificat by Pergolesi. The concert is conducted by Alan Eost, and is accompanied by the South Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Bakewell Choral Society has a policy of encour

The Bakewell Day of Dance is a much loved free dance festival, that for 21 years has been the opening event for Bakewell Carnival. It is a wonderful celebration of dance from around the world and attracts many visitors from far and wide. Setting the town alive with music, dance and colourful costumes, it fills the town with a vibrant carnival atmosphere, ready for the busy week ahead. With continuous performances at six outdoor venues around the town there is plenty to watch

New Wildfare Engagement Officer, Damien and the Froggatt Edge wildfire, May 2025, photograph courtesy of Villager Jim The British Mountaineering Council’s (BMC) charity, the BMC Access & Conservation Trust has funded a Wildfire Engagement Officer for the Sheffield Moors area. This is because a staggering 81.22 hectares (114 football pitches) of Peak District peatland has been devastated by more than 12 wildfires in the Peak District’s Sheffield Moors area since 2018, at an es

Tim Robinson For Tim Robinson, a 46-year-old peak district farmer, a typical day involves the rugged reality of life in the Staffordshire Moorlands—often finding himself ‘wet, cold, and trying to rinse hay seeds’ out of his eyes while tending to his cattle. But recently, Tim swapped the quiet solitude of his field barn for the deafening roar of a national audience, securing an historic Golden Buzzer on the 19th series of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT). As a member of the Hawkst

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.