Countryside views a hit with Dutch walkers

Members of the Dutch Rotary Club of Hoorn de Compagnie and their partners paid a flying visit to the valley to mark the 10th year of links between the two clubs.

A group of 16 Dutch visitors, led by President Rotarian Han Sluis, made the trip - the largest number since the link was forged.

Highlights of the two-day visit included supper in the Stables Restaurant at Eyam Hall, a walk on Curbar Edge and a salmon and strawberries lunch in Stoney Middleton.

The visitors also enjoyed a tour of Tissington Hall and gardens, a visit to the Millstone Country Inn at Hathersage and a trip up to the Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath.

Hope Valley President Rotarian Alisma Clark was even made a member of the celebrated 'Klompenklub' - meaning wooden shoes - club, of Hoorn. And President Sluis was inducted into Hope Valley's Silver Spoon Club - which recognises cultural awareness and international understanding.

"The Dutch visitors specially asked for this visit to feature as much of the Derbyshire countryside as possible," said twinning officer Jane Weightman.

"They were extremely impressed by the beauty of the scenery in both the Peaks and Dales and could not stop talking about it."