What is the name of the cave near Castleton with a rather rude nickname, and why?

A significant moorland wildfire erupted near Snake Pass Summit on Thursday evening, scorching almost one million square metres of Peak District moorland.

Fire crews from Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire, along with specialists from the Peak District Fire Operations Group, local gamekeepers, landowners, and Derby Mountain Rescue, battled the flames throughout the night.

Three wildfire units and a helicopter were deployed to control the blaze.

The A57 between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir was closed due to a significant smoke plume, but has now reopened after crews returned to inspect for lingering hotspots.

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation wildfire risk index is now at red for all moorland across England and Wales, highlighting growing concerns.

The High Peak has been identified as the nation’s most wildfire-vulnerable constituency, with conditions leading experts to call 2025 "by far the worst year" for moorland fires.

Residents nearby are advised to keep windows and doors closed until smoke fully clears.

Six years after the emergency evacuation of 1,500 homes in Whaley Bridge, Toddbrook Reservoir has finally started refilling, signaling a major milestone for the High Peak community.

The reservoir, constructed in 1840, narrowly avoided disaster in August 2019 when a section of its spillway collapsed after intense rainfall.

An RAF helicopter was deployed, dropping hundreds of bags of aggregate to stabilize the dam as residents were forced out for several days.

The extensive repairs included a brand-new, reinforced concrete overflow spillway, finished in December 2025, and earned final approval for refilling in April 2026.

The water is being added in carefully monitored stages over at least twelve weeks, aiming to safely restore the reservoir’s key role in supporting the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals.

Plans also feature restocking the reservoir with fish, reinstating the dam walkway with a new bridge by autumn, and enhancements to local parkland and playgrounds.

Bakewell is set to welcome a major new hotel development, with plans advancing for a 72-bedroom property on the northern edge of town.

The proposed four-storey hotel, known as Riverside Works, will overlook the River Wye along the A6 and form part of a broader regeneration led by Litton Properties.

The site has been under transformation since 2019, following the demolition of historic mill buildings.

Savills has been appointed to find a hotel operator, with potential for an additional 17 bedrooms subject to planning approval.

Tom Cunningham, regional director at Savills Manchester, highlighted the development as a unique chance to boost Derbyshire’s hospitality scene.

Bakewell’s growing popularity as a tourist destination underscores the hotel’s importance, with expectations for increased local jobs and further bolstering of the town’s vibrant visitor economy.

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that pushes back the history of human settlement on the High Peak hills to the Roman era, several centuries earlier than previously believed.

Exciting details about the discovery were shared at ‘Shining a Light on Sheen’s Past,’ a public open day at Under Whitle Farm in Sheen village.

Lead archaeologist Dr Ian Parker Heath revealed that while earlier studies confirmed medieval farming from the 11th to 16th centuries, new findings indicate that people were farming the land as early as the 4th century.

The site is owned by Elspeth Walker, whose family’s curiosity started decades of research, involving locals and Buxton Community School students.

Further investigations using scanning technology are planned, potentially opening the door for a full excavation and deeper insight into the area’s Roman heritage.

Derbyshire’s first-ever red routes are being introduced at Castleton and Mam Tor, aiming to tackle inconsiderate parking at the heart of the Peak District.

Double red lines, which prohibit stopping at any time, will soon appear on Old Mam Tor Road, the route to Blue John Cavern, Rushup Edge Road, and Winnats Pass to Sparrowpit.

Installation starts after 5 May, with £70 fines for violators, halved if paid within 14 days.

Within Castleton village, new double yellow lines will also be painted on streets like How Lane, Weaving Avenue, and Castle Street, addressing long-standing parking frustrations for residents and emergency services.

These changes follow a public consultation, making Derbyshire County Council one of the first outside London to use red route designations.

The 55 parking bays at the end of Old Mam Tor Road and several lay-bys will remain free and open.

Bridge 42, a small independent bistro on Whaley Bridge High Street, has earned two prestigious AA Rosettes while keeping its prices accessible to locals.

Opening its doors in late 2025, Bridge 42 quickly made an impact by offering "notable excellence" and top-tier cooking in a friendly, neighborhood setting.

The warm, stylish interior features herringbone floors, cozy lighting, and soft green walls, creating a welcoming spot for solo coffee breaks or relaxed dinners with friends.

Menu highlights include brunch classics and a weekly evening à la carte selection, showcasing quality local produce and seasonal flavors.

Coffee is sourced from Ground Effect, while the wine list is varied and carefully curated, adding to the overall appeal.

Bridge 42 is open Tuesday to Sunday, with extended evening hours on weekends. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining.

Edwin Wild & Son is more than a local butcher - it’s part of Whaley Bridge’s character, serving the community for over 125 years from its Old Road shop.

Currently run by third-generation butcher Byron Rowbottom, the store continues the family tradition of offering high-quality meat sourced directly from their own farm.

The shop’s approach remains unchanged: locally reared meat, excellent customer service, and familiar faces behind the counter.

Byron’s commitment shone during the 2019 Toddbrook Reservoir dam crisis, when he worked tirelessly to save stock and reopen quickly after a town-wide evacuation.

Now, as the reservoir and local amenities are restored, the butcher’s resilience stands as a symbol of Whaley Bridge’s enduring community spirit.

Edwin Wild & Son, 16–18 Old Road, Whaley Bridge, SK23 7HR. Tel: 01663 732180.

Peak Cavern is known locally as the "Devil's Arse" because of the flatulent-sounding noises heard inside the cave when flood water drains away.