Peaks and Dales Weddings are holding their sixth wedding show at The Devonshire Dome in Buxton on Sunday 17th February.  The show will take place between 11am and 4pm and entrance is free.  All visitors will receive a complimentary goodie bag.  During the day there will be two choreographed fashion shows featuring dresses from four bridalwear suppliers and also showcasing bridal hair and make up.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet many suppliers to weddings, venues etc. all under one roof thus taking lots of the legwork out of planning a wedding!  For more details visit Peaks and Dales Weddings website.

On Thursday 24th January 2013 Buxton Town Team hosted a celebration of its first project, The Christmas Shopping Crawl, at The Green Man Gallery in the town's high street.  Thirty independent businesses in Buxton had featured on the crawl map and had enjoyed meeting and greeting dozens of new customers in the crucial six week period prior to Christmas.  Although feedback forms are still being gathered, statistics so far show that on average each shop stamped 40 maps, 58% of 'crawlers' were new to the business and 21% of 'crawlers' purchased something on that first visit.  The businesses on the crawl have definitely agreed that it is was worthwhile participating in the event.  Colin Sykes was Master of Ceremonies at the awards ceremony at which the Town Team gathered the businesses, organisations and individulas who had helped to make the crawl such a success.  The first prize of £1000 cash and vouchers donated by the businesses who featured in the crawl was won by Joanne Hibert of Gretton Road, Buxton.  Second and third prizes were awarded to Claire Stamp from Chapel-en-le-Frith and Pauline McGowan of Mill Cliff, Buxton respectively.

                                             The winners and Colin Sykes.

Buxton Festival’s newly appointed Executive Director Randall Shannon and his team are working with local, regional and national artists, authors, musicians, organisations and businesses to ensure the 2013 Festival attracts record audiences.   Randall brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked as an Arts Manager and Consultant to a variety of arts organisations and film and television companies. Randall and Stephen Barlow, the Festival's Artistic Director, are currently putting the finishing touches to a dynamic programme which will feature a high quality opera, music and literary series.

Due to the growing needs of the festival, the original Festival team of Lee Barnes, Claire Barlow, Mary Jarvis and Louise Potter has been joined by David Heugh as the new Director of Fundraising, Liz Mackenzie as PR and Press Manager and Robbie Carnegie as Marketing & Web Manager.

                                                                                   Buxton Festival Team

Thanks to generous funding from Derbyshire Community Foundation, the Bingham Trust and the Round Table, Transisition Buxton is offering a full programme of workshops in 2013.  The workshops aim to beat the recession and simultaneously help the environment.  The first workshop will take place on Saturday 26th January from 3pm-6pm and is a step-by-step, hands on session teaching every stage of the process of wine making (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information or to book your place).  A series of cookery workshops will commence on Sunday 3rd February from 2pm-4pm encouraging participants to cook their own delicious meals using cheap ingredients.  In collaboration with Buxton Film Club there will also be films showing at the Paupers' Pit, Old Hall Hotel at 7.30pm on Thursday 21st February ('The Shock Doctrine') and Thursday 21st March ('Growing Change').  For more details of all these events and to learn more about Transition Buxton please visit www.transitionbuxton.co.uk

Four-Four Time, Buxton's annual festival of live music, will take place from 16th - 24th February at Buxton Opera House and the Pavilion Arts Centre.  This year's line up includes Cast, Heidi Talbot, Juan Martin Flamenco Dance Ensemble, Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion, Heaven 17, Ruby Turner and Canon, Campbell, Watchorn and O' Connor of The Dubliners.

For further information and to buy tickets please visit www.buxtonoperahouse.co.uk or call the box office on +44 (0)1298 72190 or +44 (0)845 127 2190.

In 2013 tourists will be able to tour Buxton from a Victorian-style tram named the Wonder of the Peak.  The tram which has been converted from a milk float has a top speed of 12 miles an hour and can carry eight people.  From March tours will take place every hour taking in the Crescent, the Dome, the Opera House, the Market Place and other sights before arriving at Poole's Cavern.  The tram is the brainchild of local couple, Netta and Nick Christie, and they are looking forward to introducing locals and visitors alike to the tram on some initial tours which will take place in January and February.

To find out more please visit www.discoverbuxton.co.uk

Buxton’s reputation for excellence in the arts is set to grow with the opening of a new community arts space in the town. The Green Man Gallery at 55 High Street (the Fiveways junction) is set to open its doors on Saturday the 8^th of December after an exciting collaboration between Buxton organisations.

The ‘Unit 8 Art Collective’ was approached by Julie Collins of Vardells Limited who saw an opportunity to compliment the growing independent shopping in Higher Buxton.  Along with collective member and fellow Vision Buxton director Neil M Scowcroft, the two secured an exciting agreement that will lease the former corner furniture shop ‘Alexander's of Buxton’ (owned by a subsidiary of Vardells) to the group.

“We’re going to have some interesting neighbours in a changing part of the town,” Neil explains. “Some of the most interesting independent shops and enterprises are appearing in Higher Buxton and I want to see this continue.”

Channel Theatre Company and Buxton Opera House are presenting the pantomime of 'Peter Pan' from 12th December 2012 until 1st January 2013.  The production stars Louis Emerick (Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine) as Captain Hook and Glen Davies (Mr Prank in CBBC's Bear Behaving Badly) as Smee.  The part of Peter Pan is to be played by Matt Kennedy who comes to Buxton direct from the West End production of We Will Rock You. Newcomer, Olivia Hutchinson will take on the role of Wendy.  The panto is promised to contain favourite songs, stunning dance routines and plenty of comedy.

To book tickets telephone the Opera House's box office on +44 (0)845 127 2190 or click here to book tickets online.

Real ale fans are raising a glass to a new project aimed at boosting Buxton’s town centre trade.  A map highlighting 17 pubs and bars serving up real ales and bottled beers from local brewers and further afield has been published by High Peak Borough Council.  Buxton Real Ale Trail was launched at the fourth Buxton Beer Festival, part of the Great Peak District Fair held in October 2012.

“We hope that, by launching our own Real Ale Trail in Buxton, we will raise the profile of our local producers and boost trade in our town centre all year round,” says Godfrey Claff, executive councillor for regeneration.  “All 17 pubs and bars along the trail have something different to offer and, while some are traditional pubs which are rich in heritage, others are modern, quirky establishments.  Many offer the opportunity to dine but, most importantly, they are all packed with character.”

All the venues on the trail are within walking distance of one another and take drinkers past some of Buxton’s finest historic buildings and architecture.  The leaflet also includes local shops selling bottled real ales.  To download the Real Ale Trail map please click here.

Article kindly contributed by Steve Caddy of Pure Buxton.

The long-awaited start on the Crescent’s rescue has sparked a fresh wave of interest in the £35m hotel and spa scheme - with local retailers in the forefront.

Developer Trevor Osborne says there has been significant interest in the eight boutique retail units which will line the Grade I-listed building’s colonnade when it opens in Spring 2015.  “Many people have approached us wanting to be represented in the colonnade. We are keen to support local businesses and we favour high-quality independents.”

Groups and organisations have also been lining up to take advantage of Crescent tours led by Trevor and council conservation expert Richard Tuffrey.  “We had so many students from the University of Derby’s interior design course that we had to split them into two tours,” says Trevor. “They are now working on their interpretations of what the interiors should look like. Elements may end up in the final designs."

Meanwhile, all asbestos has now been removed - along with the building’s air of neglect. “The Crescent is transformed already. It feels drier and no longer feels as though its rotting away beneath our feet.”

From 1st - 23rd December 2012 you can visit Father Christmas at Poole's Cavern on every Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.  Bookings must be made in advance.  All tickets cost £5.00.  Telephone: +44 (0)1298 26978.

Thirty independent businesses in Buxton have come together to promote the wide spectrum of excellent independent shops and businesses in the town by organising a Christmas Shopping Crawl.  Each business has contributed cash or vouchers to provide a first prize of £1000 for one lucky winner and second and third prizes worth £200 and £100 respectively.  To enter the prize draw you need to take a Crawl Map and visit each participating business which will stamp it for you (some may give you a little reward just for popping in) and then hand your completed map in to one of the businesses featured in the Crawl.  No purchase is necessary to enter.  The deadline to enter the draw is 4pm on Sunday 6th January 2013 and a prize presentation evening will take place on 24th January at The Green Man Gallery.

Neil Scowcroft, who is helping to organise the iniative on behalf of Buxton Town Team, explained, "This is the perfect time to give independent businesses a boost.  For every £1 spent in a locally owned business, approximately 80p stays in the local economy; this compares with only 20p from £1 spent in a large national chain."

Co-organiser, Jean Ball, added, "We have some really wonderful independent businesses here in Buxton offering great value and choice, that are all too easy to neglect.  The Christmas Crawl is a fun way for people to discover the abundance available, and to support the hard-working entrepreneurs who are part of our local community."

Crawl Maps can be obtained from participating businesses (see list on our Shopping Page).

A pdf file of the crawl map can be downloaded by clicking on this link!

Buxton's Christmas illuminations will be switched on at 6.30pm on Friday 23rd November 2012 at the bandstand in Pavilion Gardens, St. John's Road, Buxton SK17 6BE.  The lights are funded by Buxton Sparkles, a community group which also organises a lantern procession which will wind its way around the gardens prior to the switch on. This year the lights willl be switched on by actress Ruth Madoc of Hi-De-Hi.

Special events will take place from 2pm until 8.30pm in Pavilion Gardens that day including a Grand Bazaar with 70 Christmas stalls selling seasonal food and drink, Christmas gifts and decorations, handmade jewellery and crafts.  The Pavilion Gift Boutique and 'Gallery in the Gardens' will also be open until 8pm for late night shopping.  Attractions for children include fairground rides, Santa's Grotto and, from 5pm, train rides with the Snow Queen.  Festive food and drink will be available indoors and outside on the promenade.

Don't forget to pick up your Buxton Christmas Shopping Crawl map if you haven't already done so!

Switch-On Programme

2pm             Grand Bazaar in the Octagon opens

5pm-7.30pm Father Christmas in his grotto and children's funfair

5pm-7pm      Ride the minature train with the Snow Queen (cost: 50p to charity)

5.05pm         Performance by St. Anne's RC Primary School

5.20pm         Performance by Mini Billerettes

5.30pm         Performance by Kettleshulme St. James School

5.45pm         Performance by Buxton Community School

6pm              Lantern parade led by the Ice King and 2517 (Buxton) Squadron Corps of Drums

6pm              Carols and community singing with St. Thomas Becket Parish Church Choir

6.30pm         Countdown to switching on of the lights with Ruth Madoc

6.40pm         Performance by Fairfield Brass Band

8.30pm         Grand Bazaar closes

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, in conjunction with Buxton Film, is presenting the inaugural Buxton Film Festival from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th November 2012.  A total of 17 films from every corner of the globe will be screened across the four days in the Pavilion Arts Centre, St. John's Road, Buxton and Paupers Pit Theatre, Old Hall Hotel, The Square, Buxton.  All tickets cost £4 (discounts: 50p off) with Special Paupers Pit double-bill tickets available at £6 (discounts: £1 off).

To book call +44 (0)845 127 2190 or +44 (0)1298 72190 or go to www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.  For more information also see our Festivals page.

The Weekend Shopping Company is organising its third Christmas Shopping Weekend at The Dome, Devonshire Road, Buxton on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November from 10am until 4pm on both days.  The event is billed as 'All you need for Christmas under one roof' and there will be over 60 different stallholders offering a diverse range of quality goods from speciality food to homeware and gifts.  The Dome cafe will be open throughout the event serving mulled wine, mince pies, coffee and cakes and lunch.  Admission is £1.00 for adults (free for children) supporting Peak District Friends of Cancer Research UK and also includes entry into a free prize draw.  For more information about the Christmas Shopping Weekend please click here.