Discover Derbyshire and the Peak District

The Internet is growing very rapidly and is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of communities. It provides the means of re-generating and adding to community spirit through newsletters, notice boards, email facilities and other features. It is also a wonderful tool for archiving people's memories and stories of life, that otherwise might be lost.

One of the optional categories for the prestigious Calor Village of the Year Competition is Information Technology, when the following questions are asked.

1. Does your village have a web site? How does it work and how does it benefit the community? Do local people know about it - and how do they use it?

2. Do you have a village email directory to put local users in touch with one another?

4. How easy is it for local residents to learn IT skills? Can they train locally?

There are many excellent town/village websites in Derbyshire and the Peak District, some have been launched by local community groups and councils and others by enthusiastic and dedicated individuals. The sites contain a wealth of fascinating information and whether you are familiar with the town or village you visit you are bound to find something of interest.

A list of the sites that I have found to date are shown below. I would like to hear from anyone with details of any other suitable site to add to the list.

Alfreton - Provides a shopping guide and other useful information, including events and places of local interest.

Ashbourne - Comprehensively detailed site dedicated to Ashbourne and the surrounding villages and towns.

Ashover - Attractive website containing local information, history and genealogy details.

Aston-on-Trent - Expanding community website, includes village history and tour, images, and details of community life and events.

Bakewell - Virtual guide to Bakewell, including details of events, weather forecasts and visitor information.

Barlow - A website providing useful information for visitors and local people on events in the village.

Belper - Apart from local parish business, a what's on guide, newsletter, and photographs are included on this site, plus links to other local sites.

Bolsover - This council site provides all the information you would expect for local people, but the visitor is well served with an excellent tourism section.

Bradwell - Community, historical and general information about this pretty, unspoilt Peak village. Excellent 'Then and Now' images.

Brassington - The site evolved as a Millennium 2000 project to transcribe the Parish Records, to which has been added historical and community information.

Buxton - A friendly independent, and very easy to use web site with excellent pictures and loads of interesting information about the spa town.

Buxworth - Once known as Bugsworth, the village is popular with visitors who come to see the Bugsworth Basin, once Britain's largest inland port.

Chesterfield - Entertaining community site with lots of local information, there is even a 'Problem Page.'

Clay Cross - Council website, with local information, details of events and an interesting historical review.

Crich - Comprehensive village website with accommodation an attraction details, plus heritage and genealogy sections.

Cromford - Crammed with well illustrated information, this is a site you must not miss if you intend visiting Cromford.

Darley Dale - Website containing a wide range of information, including council business, history photographs, events and tourism information.

Dronfield - The website provides community and visitor information and includes a list of nearby places of interest.

Duffield - A very attractive and detailed website, with information on about everything relevant to Duffield and general tips and advice.

Eckington - History of the village with photos dating back to the early 1900's - is a great resource for local people and visitors.

Edale - This website provides historical details of the development of the Edale Valley and also includes an accommodation guide.

Etwall - Community site with information, articles and local features including well dressings.

Eyam - Historical information with a special page recalling the Eyam Plague, also includes an accommodation guide.

Glossop - Comprehensively detailed community site, with a tourism information section.

Old Glossop - Website dedicated to people of 'Old Glossop' with local information and an interesting map of the area dated 1897.

Great Longstone - Website provides information and links of use to residents of Great Longstone and surrounding hamlets.

Hartshorne - A well documented, award winning community website with a picture gallery and discussion page.

Hayfield - Interesting parish website supplying community information, that also takes a look at the future.

Heanor - well documented site covering local history and news - with a good collection of photographs.

Ilkeston - A super, regularly updated site that concentrates on providing a pictorial view of the town and surrounds.

Leek - An excellent well illustrated website full of information about Leek, there is even a weather forecast supplied.

Longdendale - Local site for Longdendale, provides information about the villages in the area.

Long Eaton - All the usual community information, but with a 'Pets lost and found' section and a games zone, this website provides that little bit extra.

Matlock - An exceptionally detailed website of the local history and genealogy of Matlock and Matlock Bath.

Melbourne - Look out for the interesting old Shell Poster on the home page of this well documented site.

Monyash - Attractively designed website which will be of interest to visitors and local people - good photography.

New Mills - A colourful website with an immense amount of local information in the 600 plus pages.

Peak Forest - Information for visitors wishing to stay and eat in the village, plus parish council notes.

Ripley - Provides a shopping guide and other useful information, including events and places of local interest.

Shirebrook - Entertaining site with lots of information and some good 'old and new' photographic comparisons.

South Normanton - Included in the local information is a Parish Profile and Photo Tour, plus details of nearby attractions.

Spondon - Community Association website - comprehensive details of village matters, plus news items and photographs.

Swadlincote Community Site - Local community website for Swadlincote, Derbyshire, England. Contains News and Local Information.

Swadlincote - Brief details about the town, with an helpful map showing how to get there and where to park for private transport users.

Swanwick - Colourful site with plenty of information and an interesting bygones gallery.

Tansley - A delightful website containing not only local information and history, but also some stunning photographs.

Tibshelf - Parish Council website, includes 'Past and Now' pictures, business details, sport and tourism.

Ticknall - Community website with local information, including a potted history and events programme.

Ticknall (2) - A personal site by Barry Thomas with a particularly good tourism section.

Tideswell - A visitor friendly site with event and accommodation details and a good selection of images, plus a comprehensive business section.

Whaley Bridge - Community website initiated and supported by Whaley Bridge Town Council and of interest to visitor and local person alike.

Willington - One of the first, if not the first village website in Derbyshire, contains plenty of interesting information/pictures.

Wingerworth - Parish Council website that includes an history section as well as photographs, public transport and footpath information.

Winster - Comprehensibly detailed website, with sections on Activities, Attractions, Facilities, Images and Information.

Beehive - Derbyshire's online network devoted to the county's community groups. ***

For more information on Melbourne, including an Heritage Trail and a pleasant walk of just over four miles, click below.