Your local paper, for local people, promoting local business for 43 years.

THE PEAK ADVERTISER is an independent, locally produced paper for the Peak District area, including Bakewell, Baslow, Hope Valley, Tideswell, Matlock, Matlock Bath and Wirksworth.

Published since 1982, we distribute over 23,000 copies every fortnight.

23,000 copies distributed fortnightly
Your local paper, for local people, promoting local business for over 43 years.

THE PEAK ADVERTISER is an independent, locally produced paper for the Peak District area, including Bakewell, Baslow, Hope Valley, Tideswell, Matlock, Matlock Bath, and Wirksworth.

Current publication:

Monday 3rd November 2025

Distributed from:

Thu 30th October

Next publication is:

Monday 17th November 2025

Which will be printed:

Tuesday 11th November

Distributed from:

Thu 13th November

Booking deadline:

5pm Thursday 6th November

What's On?

Find out what's happening in the Peak District, Matlock and Wirksworth. See also Coming Events Listings >

LIVE AND LOCAL CELTIC FUSION SHOW SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH

Well Dressings and Carnivals

Forthcoming Well Dressings ~ Read more >

WORMHILL WELL DRESSING 23-31 AUGUST 2025

FOOLOW WELL DRESSINGS

STONEY MIDDLETON WELL DRESSINGS SATURDAY 26TH TO SUNDAY AUGUST 3RD

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Open Gardens in the Peak District

Forthcoming Open Gardens ~ Read more >

LONGNOR CELEBRATES ITS HIDDEN GARDENS

SECRET GARDENS OF WINSTER 19th-20th July 2025 1.30pm to 5.30pm

LONGSTONE OPEN GARDENS SATURDAY 12TH AND SUNDAY 13TH JULY

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Music in the Peaks and Dales

Forthcoming live music events and concerts Read more >

LIVE AND LOCAL CELTIC FUSION SHOW SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH

MUSIC IN THE HIGH PEAK 22ND NOVEMBER

MATLOCK MUSIC PRESENTS LIVE MUSIC IN THE DALES 2025-2026 LUMAS WINDS – WIND QUINTET FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

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Talk of the Dales

Local stories and contributions from writers in the Peak District, Matlock and Wirksworth.

WALKS WITH NELLIE! Brassington

After a ‘back of beyond’ walk for the last issue, this was more of a ‘back to the future’ kind of ramble. I parked in the free car park up Wirksworth Dale just off Dale End at the top of Brassington, then walked back down the village to a footpath sign just before the lovely Tudor House on Dragon Hill. Built in 1615, this is said to be the oldest dated property in the village. A datestone shows the initials of Thomas Westerne its builder and his wife Anne, although the words

LITTLE GREEN SPACE ~ BY PENNY BUNTING

The autumn festival of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient celebration of Samhain. This was believed to be the time that the souls of the dead returned home – so people lit bonfires and wore scary costumes to keep spirits away. In the eighth century, the first day of November was designated All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, by Pope Gregory III. It's likely this move was an attempt to shift the focus away from the pagan festivities of Samhain, creating a Christian

BAKEWELL REMEMBERS – Bakewell Remembrance Parade: Sunday 9th November and Bakewell Remembrance Day Events: Tuesday 11th November

Albert Keir of Bakewell, a veteran who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazi occupation, who sadly died last month at the age of 100 Bakewell Royal British Legion (RBL) would like to invite all veterans and local residents, to join in or attend our two Remembrance Events. The 11th of November each year is marked as a day of remembrance, to mark the end of World War I (WWI) in 1918. The guns fell silent at 11am on this date, which has become known as Armistice Day, or Reme

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BAKEWELL REMEMBERS – Bakewell Remembrance Parade: Sunday 9th November and Bakewell Remembrance Day Events: Tuesday 11th November

Albert Keir of Bakewell, a veteran who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazi occupation, who sadly died last month at the age of 100 Bakewell Royal British Legion (RBL) would like to invite all veterans and local residents, to join in or attend our two Remembrance Events. The 11th of November each year is marked as a day of remembrance, to mark the end of World War I (WWI) in 1918. The guns fell silent at 11am on this date, which has become known as Armistice Day, or Reme

WALKS WITH NELLIE! Brassington

After a ‘back of beyond’ walk for the last issue, this was more of a ‘back to the future’ kind of ramble. I parked in the free car park up Wirksworth Dale just off Dale End at the top of Brassington, then walked back down the village to a footpath sign just before the lovely Tudor House on Dragon Hill. Built in 1615, this is said to be the oldest dated property in the village. A datestone shows the initials of Thomas Westerne its builder and his wife Anne, although the words

British Flowers Rock!

You don’t have to stop enjoying your British flowers just yet. The days have got shorter; the trees are doing their best to steal the show; how about a last forage round your garden for some goodies to make yourself an autumn inspired wreath for your door? I like to make my wreaths from natural ingredients so that they can go straight on the compost heap when I’ve finished with them in January. You can easily keep tweaking your wreath to take you from autumn abundance throu

Bakewell Methodist Academy Become Part of the Parkrun Primary initiative

A group of enthusiastic pupils, parents and teachers from Bakewell Methodist Academy, joined the parkrun community at Monsal Trail on Saturday 18th October. Mrs Owens, the headteacher and Mrs Donovan a class teacher ran with the children from the school along the 5km trail. Bakewell Methodist Academy are proud to now be a part of the Parkrun Primary family and will be encouraging pupils and staff to join the Parkrun Primary initiative once a month at Monsal Trail Parkrun. On

BASLOW WI DARLINGS

Peter Burgess-Allen “Fuel Poverty” Keeping Warm and Safe at Home We’d no speaker! Peter “stood in” at very short notice and was brilliant. Well, so was Mandy who found him for us. Questions were fired at him throughout his talk – no one fell asleep. I think we all picked up some valuable tips. How deep is your roof insulation? Have you got a chimney balloon? What about curtains with a thermal lining ? We’re on it darlings, we’ll be queuing up at the DIY stores tomorrow mornin

RECORDS FALL AT THE 95TH MONSAL HEAD HILL CLIMB

Andy Nichols Monsal Hill Climb Winner The 95th running of the iconic Monsal Head Hill Climb took place on Sunday, 5th October, with 214 riders tackling the famous 675-yard ascent at one-minute intervals. Despite breezy conditions lingering after Storm Amy, riders produced a series of blistering performances and record-breaking runs. Finley Hudson (Harrogate Nova Race Team) set a new junior record, while Ezra Batema (Clifton CC York) smashed the youth open record by an incred

CHELMORTON FIVE CHASE RACE SEPT 28TH

The Windross Shield awarded to Gemma Cox for first lady over the line There was a good turn out for Chelmorton Chase running race four miles north of Bakewell this year, the local winner was Harry Mosley Gemma Cox was awarded the Windross Shield for first lady home and first male runner, holding front place from the starts was Thomas Oliver in 31 minutes 34 seconds. The was a bumper breadth of club entries form Long Eaton to Belper, Buxton AC, Matlock Soul Mates and moor.

BAKEWELL TOWN & COMMUNITY TRUST MISSING MURAL DISCOVERED

Stephen Coates, President of Bakewell & District Historical Society and Bakewell Old House Museum giving a detailed presentation of John Blake and his work On Thursday 18th September at Bakewell Town Hall, dignitaries and guests learnt about the ‘Mystery of the Missing Mural’. In 1945 Private John Blake, an Army soldier who had been stationed in Bakewell during WWII, painted a huge mural on the rear wall of the Assembly Room in the Town Hall, the Mural was some 30ft wide by

LIVE AND LOCAL CELTIC FUSION SHOW SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH

Step into a world where Celtic traditions meet modern flair with Serena Smith & Friends, a captivating four-piece instrumental Celtic fusion band that redefines folk music. Featuring the incredible talents of Serena Smith, a classically trained fiddler with 30 years’ of experience, this band combines fiddle, guitar, bass, and drums to create a truly unique sound. Serena Smith & Friends bring a refreshing twist to traditional folk music with their innovative arrangements and

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR THE NEW ‘HOPE VALLEY ART TRAIL BY RAIL’ FESTIVAL

Children attending the first Hope Valley Art Trail By Rail event. A MAJOR new arts festival centred around Hope Valley and its railway stations got off to a flying start when it was launched earlier this autumn. More than 150 people attended the inaugural ‘Hope Valley Art Trail by Rail’ event, which aims to encourage both residents and visitors to explore the very best of the area’s art and culture by train – as well as on foot and by bus. Visitors were able to hop off at k

Albert Keir 26/06/1925 – 05/10/2025

Albert Keir, a veteran who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazi occupation, has died at the age of 100. Albert Keir was part of the D-Day naval crew which assisted American troops landing on Omaha Beach in France on 6 June 1944. Albert was awarded the Freedom of Derbyshire on 12 February 2025 in recognition of his service and achievements. Albert had been working as a painter and decorator after leaving school at the age of 14, and was a member of the Local Defence Volu

The Roads and Trackways of Middleton and Smerrill An exhibition by Charles Monkhouse

Weaddow Lane, an ancient road that links Middleton to its Smerrill Pastures The roads of our Peak District village and parishes have unique histories which are often reflected in the roads that run through them. This is certainly the case in Middleton and Smerrill; it not only boasts a 4000 year old Neolithic highway which became a Roman Road and is now the parish boundary, but also roads that underwent a radical restructure at the time of the 19c. enclosures and the arrival

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT CELEBRATIONS IN WIRKSWORTH

Wirksworth once again celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight, after a break of many years. First accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation as a Fairtrade Town back in 2009, in recent years this status has lapsed. A Wirksworth Fairtrade Town Team of local people has recently come together to build on the foundations already laid, re-invigorate Fairtrade in Wirksworth, and win back Fairtrade Town status. Fairtrade Fortnight (September 22 – October 5) celebrates the farmers and workers be

LITTLE GREEN SPACE ~ BY PENNY BUNTING

The autumn festival of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient celebration of Samhain. This was believed to be the time that the souls of the dead returned home – so people lit bonfires and wore scary costumes to keep spirits away. In the eighth century, the first day of November was designated All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, by Pope Gregory III. It's likely this move was an attempt to shift the focus away from the pagan festivities of Samhain, creating a Christian

MUSIC IN THE HIGH PEAK 22ND NOVEMBER

On 22nd November, Irish folk band Whiskey in the Jar play St John's church in Bamford as part of a series of final farewell concerts, having played together for almost forty years. The four piece band feature fiddle, banjo, whistles and bodhran, as well as guitar and a wide repertoire of great ballads and traditional songs. Support on the night comes from the highly talented Seb Stone, who has been making a name for himself on the folk club circuit and at numerous folk festiv

MATLOCK PROBUS CLUB

Roger Flint (Chairman), Jack Baddams, Nigel Carabine (Treasurer) At the October meeting of Matlock Probus Club the Chairman, Mr Roger Flint, welcomed members and introduced our Speaker for the day, Mr Jack Baddams. Jack entertained us by telling us how he became interested in birds and wildlife. He became interested in bird watching as a young boy and this interest never left him. At the age of 16 he worked hard to obtain his Licence to become a Bird Ringer. He then attende

WALKS WITH NELLIE ~ FLASH ~ BY SALLY MOSLEY

I’ve been with Nellie to the back of beyond! We began our glorious walk in Flash where for a donation of £4, it is possible to park at the village hall when not in use. Flash is a lovely little village with a very strong community spirit. Its friendly residents still uphold a traditional parade in June that was established in 1846 by the Flash Loyal Union Society, known as the Teapot Club. It was created as a ‘Friendly Society’ that you paid into when you could and made a re

DERWENT VALLEY FLORAL ART

British Grown Flowers was the theme for this month’s meeting of Derwent Valley Floral Art. The demonstration by Helen Chambers of Evolve Flowers was entertaining and informative with a large selection of British flowers. All the pieces were in water rather than oasis foam which showed members and guests how this method could be used for all types of floral art. Members who won these pieces in the raffle were very happy. Our next meeting is 6th November with Kath Williams giv

MATLOCK MUSIC PRESENTS LIVE MUSIC IN THE DALES 2025-2026 LUMAS WINDS – WIND QUINTET FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Matlock Music Society continues its exciting 2025/26 season on Friday 7th November with a recital given by the Lumas Winds quintet. The group was established in 2018 and evolved through friendships formed at the National Youth Orchestra, resulting in a very strong bond between its members. The group has featured in many prestigious festivals around the UK and made its Wigmore Hall debut in 2023 and Kings Place debut in 2025. They have been described as an “effervescent wind q

CONCERTS AT ALL SAINTS’ IN OCTOBER

Two concerts are planned for October at All Saints’ Parish Church, Bakewell. On Saturday, 4 October there will be another coffee concert...

Discover the Peak District

Attractions, experiences, activities, dining, and places to visit in the Peak District, Matlock and Wirksworth

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

DINING IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

SUMMER IN THE PEAKS AND DALES MAGAZINE

Read the Peak Advertiser online

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Back issues

Your local paper, for local people, promoting local business for 43 years.

23,000 copies distributed fortnightly Your local paper, for local people, promoting local business for over 43 years.

What's On?

Well Dressings and Carnivals

WORMHILL WELL DRESSING 23-31 AUGUST 2025

FOOLOW WELL DRESSINGS

STONEY MIDDLETON WELL DRESSINGS SATURDAY 26TH TO SUNDAY AUGUST 3RD

Open Gardens in the Peak District

LONGNOR CELEBRATES ITS HIDDEN GARDENS

SECRET GARDENS OF WINSTER 19th-20th July 2025 1.30pm to 5.30pm

LONGSTONE OPEN GARDENS SATURDAY 12TH AND SUNDAY 13TH JULY

Music in the Peaks and Dales

LIVE AND LOCAL CELTIC FUSION SHOW SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH

MUSIC IN THE HIGH PEAK 22ND NOVEMBER

MATLOCK MUSIC PRESENTS LIVE MUSIC IN THE DALES 2025-2026 LUMAS WINDS – WIND QUINTET FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Talk of the Dales

Local stories and contributions from writers in the Peak District, Matlock and Wirksworth.

WALKS WITH NELLIE! Brassington

LITTLE GREEN SPACE ~ BY PENNY BUNTING

BAKEWELL REMEMBERS – Bakewell Remembrance Parade: Sunday 9th November and Bakewell Remembrance Day Events: Tuesday 11th November

BAKEWELL REMEMBERS – Bakewell Remembrance Parade: Sunday 9th November and Bakewell Remembrance Day Events: Tuesday 11th November

WALKS WITH NELLIE! Brassington

British Flowers Rock!

Bakewell Methodist Academy Become Part of the Parkrun Primary initiative

BASLOW WI DARLINGS

RECORDS FALL AT THE 95TH MONSAL HEAD HILL CLIMB

CHELMORTON FIVE CHASE RACE SEPT 28TH

BAKEWELL TOWN & COMMUNITY TRUST MISSING MURAL DISCOVERED

LIVE AND LOCAL CELTIC FUSION SHOW SUNDAY OCTOBER 26TH

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR THE NEW ‘HOPE VALLEY ART TRAIL BY RAIL’ FESTIVAL

Albert Keir 26/06/1925 – 05/10/2025

The Roads and Trackways of Middleton and Smerrill An exhibition by Charles Monkhouse

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT CELEBRATIONS IN WIRKSWORTH

LITTLE GREEN SPACE ~ BY PENNY BUNTING

MUSIC IN THE HIGH PEAK 22ND NOVEMBER

MATLOCK PROBUS CLUB

WALKS WITH NELLIE ~ FLASH ~ BY SALLY MOSLEY

DERWENT VALLEY FLORAL ART

MATLOCK MUSIC PRESENTS LIVE MUSIC IN THE DALES 2025-2026 LUMAS WINDS – WIND QUINTET FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

CONCERTS AT ALL SAINTS’ IN OCTOBER

Discover the Peak District

Read the Peak Advertiser online

23,000 copies distributed fortnightly
Your local paper, for local people, promoting local business for over 43 years.