Talk of the Dales

My name is Lee Webb, and I’m the founder and managing director of Birchover Reclamation Ltd. My journey in the stone industry began at Penine Paving, Newhaven, where I spent 17 years learning the trade from the ground up. Those years gave me a real appreciation for the craftsmanship, hard work, and relationships that make this industry so special. After almost twenty years in the trade, I decided it was time to take the plunge and build something of my own. I found a small y

– Advertorial – Including paintings by Kristan Baggaley, Mark Preston, Tim Hulley and Pauline Rignall The Derwent Gallery, in Grindleford in the Hope Valley, has been selling fine art paintings of the Derbyshire Peak District during it’s thirty years years history, attracting artists and visitors from a wide area, and always have a diversity of painting styles and media. The exhibition features the changing of the season with burnt ochres of heather and bracken and dramatic

The Mayor of Wirksworth, Councillor Andy Pollock, had a successful, if not entirely enjoyable skydive in September and has raised £5,000 for his chosen charities… so far! Andy hopes to carry out more fundraising events in coming months and to push his total during this year long-term to over £6,000. The funds will be split between children’s charities Wirksworth Young Futures Fund and Seashell Trust.

The Matlock Raft Event is roaring back this Boxing Day, following last year's hugely successful day. The 2025 event promises an unforgettable experience, with organizers dedicated to going above and beyond to create a safe, thrilling, and memorable day for all. The Matlock Raft Event is a quirky, long-standing tradition held in Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford, Derbyshire, UK. Every year on Boxing Day (December 26th), brave participants take to the chilly River Derwent on

A position has just opened in our More-than-Human Resources Department! As the heroic head of the hiring committee for the divine pantheon, it's up to you to put together a team of sacred scribes, astral accountants and celestial problem-solvers. Tim has got the candidates for you to consider. With the right team of Godly governors in place, this incorporeal corporation is going places! Bureaucracy, administration and record-keeping are not modern phenomena. They've been a p

Once again at Bakewell Methodist Church we are celebrating the Christmas story with a Festival of Nativities. The invitation is to everyone to come and see the meaningful story of Christmas pictured through beautiful Nativity crib scenes, including a life-size scene with all the characters around the crib. Come and discover again how the birth of Jesus came about and why that brings so much to celebrate in this season! The Festival is open every day from 1st to 22nd December

Laura Cowan, Head of Private Client Team at Graysons Solicitors A stark new warning has been issued to unmarried couples after national research revealed that most cohabitees have little idea what would happen to their partner – or their home if one of them dies without a will. According to figures from the Will Aid campaign, two thirds of cohabitees misunderstand the law surrounding intestacy, and a quarter wrongly assume their estate would automatically pass to their partn

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Edwards Every year about this time children (and parents and grandparents) will be anticipating one of the high points of the year-Santa Specials on Steeple Grange Light Railway. Not surprisingly because as well as a gift from Santa in his Grotto there will also be mince pies, a hot drink and a ride on one of the railway’s small but real trains. This year the Specials will run on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, one mile north of Wirksworth by

• Saving fuel and car parking charges. Reducing pollution, less traffic thus improving the environment. • You may get a better deal – for instance local bakers, greengrocers, butchers could reward regular custom. • Good advice; butchers could advise on how to cook certain cuts of meat and what size joint you might need for a family get together. • Shopping at your local butchers cuts down on food miles and stress on the animals, therefore better quality meat. Plus traceabil

The Wirksworth Fairtrade Town Team celebrating at the town sign and Siddhraj and Rukvi Odedra showing some of the Fairtrade products in their shop, Dip's Place The Wirksworth Fairtrade Town Team is delighted to announce that Wirksworth has won back its Fairtrade Town status. The town was first accredited as a Fairtrade Town back in 2009, but in recent years this status has lapsed. Now, however, the Fairtrade Foundation has updated Wirksworth’s Fairtrade status for a further t

The ladies of Darley Dale WI concluded a very interesting and enjoyable programme for 2025 when they met recently. President, Sue Lamb welcomed everyone to the meeting including visitor, Kath. Fellow member, Jayne Hayward provided greenery and trimmings for the making of Christmas wreaths. After a deft demonstration by Jayne everyone soon got into the spirit and produced original decorations. Several members had attended the Autumn Celebration event at the Winding Wheel in

As a small, vibrant charity, The Farming Life Centre relies entirely on diverse funding streams to deliver life-changing projects — every pound goes straight back into supporting farming and rural communities across the Peak District. The Farming Life Centre is delighted to announce that they have received generous funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the National Lottery Community Fund to expand their much-needed Rural Befriending Project. This funding wi