This is a work of rare quality as timeless as its subject. John Tams
The fascinating quest of the poet Mark Gwynne Jones. An array of audio odysseys… and some marvellous Derbyshire reflections… The Times
There’s a remarkable testimony in these artworks, of old mineral miners… It works beautifully! Samira Ahmed, Front Row, BBC Radio 4
A must-listen for all folklorists interested in tradition, belief, and material culture… Dr David Clarke
It’s a story of how the landscape influenced its people, turned into audio folklore. Vera, Virgin Atlantic
Catch Voices From The Peak – Live!..
For more events, see Event page
Sat 4th Oct, 2025 – Whitworth Park, Darley Dale – A performance walk. Setting off from The Whitworth terrace at 11am with a repeat at 2pm. FREE event courtesy of Darley Town Council.
Wed 2nd July, 2025 – Ashbourne Arts Festival – For details and tickets click HERE
Fri 16th May, 2025 – Leek Festival, Foxlowe Arts Centre
Sat 5th Oct, 2024 – New Mills, Spring Bank Arts Centre [SOLD OUT]
Sat 13th July, 2024 – Buxton Fringe, High Peak Bookstore & Cafe – 7pm Doors; 7.30 Show. Tickets £12 via Opera House: Tel 01298 72190 [SOLD OUT]
Sat 23rd March, 2024 – Baslow Village Hall – 7pm. For tickets £12 tel: 07754 176 362 [SOLD OUT]
Drawing on childhood experiences and encounters with poachers, shepherds, and mineral miners – Mark evokes a landscape rich with both beauty and danger.
If you’re interested in booking a show at a venue near you, email: voicesfromthepeak@gmail.com or visit our Contact Page.
Voices From The Peak – Live!.. won the award for ‘Excellence in Spoken Word’ at the Buxton Festival Fringe. To read the show review, click here.
Voices From The Peak, Volume One – Burning Drake
In a sense it all comes from the earth… the energy and vibrancy of this strange and beautiful land of contrasts…
The story of forces underground that have shaped not just the landscape but also its people. Including the story of lead, how miners tracked and found lead through ancient methods such as plant lore and dowsing, and occasionally by spectacular means such as a ‘Burning Drake’ or shooting star.
Voices From The Peak, Volume 2, Snow!
Video montage by MGJ, Alex Ivanov, and Anna Kerr. Pictures courtesy of www.picturethepast.org.uk
Voices From The Peak, Volume Two – Snow!
Will our stories of big winters be the stuff of folklore for our grandchildren? Or, are we due some heavy snowfalls? Join us for a magical, Peakland journey through the white stuff and beyond!
Voices From The Peak, Vome Three – Kinder Scout
For the 70th birthday of the Peak District National Park – here is an evocative re-telling of the Peak Park’s creation story. From the world’s first water powered cotton spinning mill, to the Kinder Trespass, the creation of the UK’s first National Park, and the now vital battle to heal the moorlands.
Pic: Kinder Downfall ‘the blowback’ (PDNPA)
Voices From The Peak, Vol 4, Nine Ladies
‘The legend of the Nine Ladies stone circle explored in this fascinating episode of Voices From The Peak by Mark Gwynne Jones. Full of insights provided by folk: nine ladies and a fiddler! – who visit and interact with this ancient monument and its landscape. Very inspiring and evocative and a must listen for all folklorists interested in tradition, belief, and material culture.’ Dr David Clarke, Contemporary Folklorist, Sheffield Hallam University
Voices From The Peak, Vol 5, The Blessing of Water
A celebration of water and well dressing in the Peak District. From the first trickle of the River Derwent on Bleaklow, to the origins of well dressing on the limestone plateau. A farmer in the White Peak recalls the scarcity of water before mains supply, here too are the sounds of kids puddling clay onto the display boards by the River Bradford at Youlgrave, and a well blessing ceremony at Tissington.
Voices From The Peak, Vols 4-6 come as bonus digital downloads on purchase of Voices From The Peak, Vols 1-3.
Voices From The Peak, Vol 6, Raven Tor
The return of Ravens to the Peak District. From the ‘Witch of Wildboar Clough’ condemned for talking with ravens, to their persecution as egg thieves – our relationship with this most intelligent and charismatic bird is complex and violent. In the Peak District ravens inspired numerous place names: Ravensnest, Raven Tor, Raven’s Clough – yet by the 1850’s they were hunted to extinction. In this audio we hear first hand accounts of their return; vivid descriptions from the young poets of Buxton Junior School; thoughts on the wider ecology of the Peak District; and the voice of Fable the Raven.
Ringing For The Ghosts
When you’re given the key to the church tower and told not to ring the bells… What’s the first thing you want to do?
Drawing on some Derbyshire legends, and its ghosts both past and present – this is an evocative film centering on the tower and bells of the ancient church of St Mary’s, Wirksworth.
A film by Gavin Repton, written and performed by Mark Gwynne Jones. (Wirksworth Team Ministry, November 2020)
Voices From The Peak is supported by the Peak District National Park | Derbyshire County Council | & Arts Council England
The Story of Stoney Wood
A walk through Stoney Wood up to the StarDisc, Wirksworth.
Here is the story of how a large, abandoned quarry in Derbyshire, became an otherworldly sculpture trail and much-loved, community woodland. New film by Mark Gwynne Jones and Gavin Repton.
The World Famous Inland Seaside Resort of Matlock Bath
Featuring: MG Jones (words); Nick the Hat (banjo); Deb Rose (keys); John ‘Beano’ Thorne (drum). Filmed by Gavin Repton. Produced by Glassball.
Shared here in loving memory of John Beano and Deb Rose.
Listen to Mark’s conversation with Samira Ahmed on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row:
BBC Breakfast interview Mark on the Seven Wonders Of The UK
Voices From The Peak is recognised by the International Year Of Sound and The UK Acoustics Network
The International Year Of Sound is a global initiative to highlight the importance of sound in all aspects of life on earth, promoting better understanding of sound related issues. The vision of The UK Acoustics Network is to bring together the internationally leading but disparate UK acoustics research community, promoting the work of acoustics in the UK and providing a single point of access to acoustics research.
Voices From The Peak – Credits:
Written and recorded by Mark Gwynne Jones
Produced by Mark Gwynne Jones & Paul Hopkinson
Project Manager: Anna Kerr
With music by PsychicBread; Dave Sturt; The Wyns Tor Singers; Sjal; Robert Dimbleby; Esther Swift; Hannah James; Ashley Hutchings; Ruth Angell; Talking Elephant Records;
Special thanks to Tom Marshall; Ali Riley; Alison Foote; Nick the Hat; Alex Ivanov; Alan Swain; Russell Sims; Jo ‘Spice’ Blackwood; Louise Swain; John Tams; Dave Goodway; Nigel Christy; Gavin Repton; John Barnatt; Sue Stones; Nicky Crewe; Martyn Gillie; Doreen Buxton; Roly Smith; Roger Waddington; Chris Dean; Simon Wallwork and Christine Gregory.
Voices from the Peak is supported by Arts Council England; The Peak District National Park; Derbyshire County Council; and Cromford Mills.
Further Information
Read the articles by Ann Treneman in The Times: here and here
Follow the story by joining Voices From The Peak on Facebook
Support Mark’s work by purchasing a book or CD: Publications
Further Press
70 People, 70 Years, highlights those that have contributed to the Peak District’s legacy, from John Dower – father of the UK’s National Parks – to Mark Gwynne Jones, Poet of the Peak. The i Paper
Mark doesn’t seek to draw conclusions in the film, Snow!… It is instead an encyclopedia of the human experience. Tom Ingall, BBC Look North
This is a work of rare quality as timeless as its subject. I’ve spent decades producing radio dramas and documentaries and my indisposition to what I hear currently, is now – overturned. Bravo! John Tams
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