Voices from the Peak
[photo credit: Dave Sturt]
Voices from the Peak soundscape
Voices from the Peak is a series of audio artworks by poet and recording artist Mark Gwynne Jones. Audio chapters one to three were created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Peak District National Park (April 17, 2021). Audio chapters four to six, released in October 2023, complete the series.
The new audios
Three new audio chapters: Nine Ladies, The Blessing of Water and Ravens Tor will be released in October 2023. Headphones are recommended to experience the full sound quality.
Chapter 4 Nine Ladies - due Tuesday 3rd October. Listen to the story of nine ladies turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath and discover what still draws people to visit our ancient stone circles.
Chapter 5 The Blessing of Water - due Tuesday 10th October. Hear about the story of water upon which life depends, and discover the art of creating welldressings.
Chapter 6 Ravens Tor - due Tuesday 17th October. Ravens are intelligent, playful birds whose 'cronking' sound can be heard around the Peak District's rocky crags. Discover folklore and more.
Click on the links above to be taken to the author's website to hear these fascinating audio chapters.
2023/24 performances
Catch Voices From The Peak – Live!..
Join Mark Gwynne Jones on one of the following dates:
- Sat 30th September, 2023 – Whitwell, Whitwell Library. A one hour Show at 11.30am. It's a free event but please reserve tickets on
01629 533988 - Tue 3rd October, 2023 – Derby, Dubrek Studios. Show 7pm. Performance and open mic event. Tickets £6.50 from www.derbypoetryfestival.com
- Sat 14th October, 2023 – Bakewell, The Medway Centre. Doors 7pm; Show 7.30pm. Tickets £12 from Bakewell visitor centre or direct from the Medway Centre on
01629 813638 - Sun 15th October, 2023 – Repton, Repton School. Doors 3.30pm; Show 4pm. Tickets £12 from www.reptonfestival.co.uk
- Fri 1st December, 2023 – Taddington, Village Hall. Doors 7pm; Show 7.30pm. Tickets £12 from
07929 151 688 or01298 85384
Mark delivers a funny and absorbing in-person presentation drawing on childhood experiences and encounters with poachers, shepherds, and mineral miners – here is a landscape rich with both beauty and danger. An award-winning show that rediscovers the stories that connect us to the land.
In 2022, the pilot show Sold Out at the Town Hall, Wirksworth; the Cat Asylum Brewery, Newark; The Whitworth, Darley Dale; and at the High Peak Bookstore & Cafe, Buxton.
If you’re interested in booking a show at a venue near you, please contact: voicesfromthepeak@gmail.com
If you would like to be informed about Voices from the Peak and when future performances take place, please email: alison.riley@peakdistrict.gov.uk. We will keep your email securely and will only use it for the purposes of letting you know about the Voices from the Peak project. You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing alison.riley@peakdistrict.gov.uk. If you would like to know more about how we look after your information, please view our privacy notice.
The earlier audios
You can listen to extracts of the first three audio chapters: Burning Drake, Snow! and Kinder Scout, of this poetic soundscape via the links below.
Burning Drake, Snow! and Kinder Scout are available in full on a double cd to buy from Bakewell visitor centre, or direct from Mark Gwynne Jones.
"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
“The fascinating quest of the poet Mark Gwynne Jones… an array of audio odysseys…” - The Times
Mark Gwynne Jones is currently developing three more chapters (Ravens, Stone Circles and Water) and a tour of Peak District village halls is in the pipeline for 2023, see Performances below.
Voices from the Peak is supported by the Arts Council England; the Peak District National Park Authority; and Derbyshire County Council.
Downloads
Voices from the Peak: a journey through the Peak District in word and sound - enjoy the extracts from the first three audio chapters featuring the atmospheres, wildlife and stories of this strange and beautiful land of contrasts. Headphones recommended!
Chapter 1 - Burning Drake [extract] (MP3 file, 3.2MB) 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.
Chapter 2 - Snow! [extract] (MP3 file, 5.1MB) Will our memories and stories of big winters in the Peak District 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!
Also, to accompany this chapter... rarely seen yet wonderful images of Peakland winters and the voices and stories of those who lived through them. Photos courtesy of Picture the Past.
Chapter 3 - Kinder Scout [extract] (MP3 file, 6.7MB) An evocative re-telling of our 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.
[photo credit: Sam Johnson]
Credits
Chapter 1 Burning Drake: Produced by Mark Gwynne Jones and Paul Hopkinson. Written and recorded by Mark Gwynne Jones. With music from PsychicBread - https://markgwynnejones.com/psychicbread-the-show/; Dave Sturt - www.davesturt.co.uk ; The Wyns Tor Singers - http://www.winster.org/pages/the-wyns-tor-singers.htm; and, Sjal - http://medeltidsbandetsjal.se. Special thanks to Tom Marshall; Alison Riley; Anna Kerr, Alan Swain; Russell Sims; Jo ‘Spice’ Blackwood; John Tams; Dave Goodway; Nigel Christy; Gavin Repton; and, John Barnatt.
Chapter 2 Snow!: Written and recorded by Mark Gwynne Jones. Produced by Mark Gwynne Jones and Paul Hopkinson. With music by PsychicBread - https://markgwynnejones.com/psychicbread-the-show/: Robert Dimbleby - http://dimble.by; Esther Swift - https://www.estherswift.co.uk; Hannah James - https://hannahjamesmusic.com; Ashley Hutchings - http://ashleyhutchings.co.uk; Ruth Angell - https://www.ruthangell.com; Talking Elephant Records - http://www.talkingelephant.co.uk. The poem ‘Thoughts of Snow’ was written and performed by Alison Riley. Special thanks to: Louise Swain; Tom Marshall; Alison Riley; Alison Foote; Anna Kerr; Christine Gregory; Sue Stones; and, Gavin Repton.
Peakland winter slideshow: Written and recorded by Mark Gwynne Jones. With music by PsychicBread; Esther Swift; Ashley Hutchings; and, Hannah James. Produced by Mark Gwynne Jones & Paul Hopkinson. Video montage by MGJ, Alex Ivanov, and Anna Kerr.
Chapter 3 Kinder Scout: Featuring: poet, Jo ’Spice’ Blackwood; local historians: Martyn Gillie; Nicky Crewe; Doreen Buxton; and, Roly Smith; former Virginian slaves Aunt Phoebe Boyd and Fountain Hughes former mill worker, Kitty Weston; evacuee Jean Johnson; rope splicer, Jim Driver; shepherd, Bill Brocklehurst; artist, Russell Simms; and key figure of the Kinder Trespass, Benny Rothman; members of Bakewell Youth Theatre: Arthur Johnson, Lilly Goodwin, & Alex Abrahams; volunteer ranger, Roger Waddington; and Chris Dean of Moors for the Future Partnership. The singer is Anna Kerr - with music by Nick the Hat; Alex Ivanov; Esther Swift; Ewan McColl; and Henry Hall. Special thanks go to Christine Gregory; Ali Riley; Tom Marshall; Alison Foote; and Simon Wallwork. Voices From The Peak is written and recorded by Mark Gwynne Jones; and produced by MGJ and Paul Hopkinson. With the kind support of the Peak District National Park; Derbyshire County Council; Cromford Mills; and Arts Council England.
Further information
- Visit Mark Gwynne Jones' website or email psychicbread@gmail.com.
- Read the 'My Peak District' interview with Mark Gwynne Jones in ParkLife.
