November 2015

Apply to play at Indietracks 2016!

The application window is now open for bands, artists and DJs interested in playing at Indietracks on the weekend of 29-31 July 2016 in Derbyshire, UK.

It will be our 10th festival, and we’ll have up to 50 bands playing across four stages, as well as DJs for our evening discos.

We’d encourage applications from any interested artists and DJs, so if you fancy playing, please get in touch. Also, if you know a band that might like to apply please let them know that we’re inviting applications.

Double Celebration for Mayfield Bowls Club

Mayfield Bowls Club’s successful crown bowls season has results in more silverware for their trophy cabinet and the chance to support a local charity.

The crown bowls club, which is sponsored by family-owned funeral directors G.Wathall and Son Ltd in Derby and Ashbourne, won another batch of trophies in the Uttoxeter League this season.

This included the singles title for Dave Mitchell, best averages for Mark Jennings, mixed doubles title for Doug Jennings and Winnie Fernyhough with runners up going to Mark Jennings and Rita Blood.

Déda Announces Circus Residency

Derby-based Déda has announced its first recipient of a residency grant to create new, innovative dance and circus choreography that will be performed across the UK.

The regional dance house in Chapel Street was chosen by the National Centre for Circus Arts as one of four venues in the UK to support applications for funding under the Lab:time2 programme. 

Lab:time2, also supported by the Esmeé Fairburn Foundation, aims to bring venues and artists together to develop new presenting work.

Merrill Academy Student Raises Awareness of FGM

A sixth form student at

Merrill Academy in Alvaston is sharing her knowledge of Female Genital Mutilation with fellow students at the Derby school as part of her bid to raise awareness of issues that affect women across the world.

Ayaan Yusuf (18) from Alvaston recently completed training in the issue and is now assisting staff in raising awareness of this issue with students at Merrill Academy.

Bumper Fringe Boosts Local Economy

With Buxton Fringe 2016 opening for entries on December 1, this year’s audience and entrants’ surveys estimate that 2015’s event contributed a total of nearly half a million pounds to the local economy.

The biggest Buxton Fringe to date with 174 entries resulted in some £58,000 being spent by performers during their stay in Buxton. Meanwhile estimates show that audiences spent a total of £401,000 on food, accommodation and ticket sales for shows from local performers.

Turn back time with new android app

Android users can now travel back in time and explore Derbyshire and the Peak District in a whole new light.

But you don’t need a flying DeLorean or Dr Who’s police box. Just download the new ‘Discover Derbyshire & Peak District’ Android app that features self-guided walking trails with historical photos from private collections and the public domain.

Derby City Council Pledges Further Support For Business Growth

Derby City Council has announced that a further £12.5 million will be available in 2016 to support business innovation and growth under the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund (DEGF).

The £20 million DEGF,  supported by the Regional Growth Fund, has already been administered to businesses in Derby and the surrounding area through grants and loans.

With around 65% allocated in loans, there will be £12.5 million due to be repaid to the Council available next year to support more business’ innovation, expansion and job creation plans.

Students Union President Aims To Give Students a Greater Voice

The President of Derby College Students Union (DCSU) has been elected to join the National Union of Students (NUS) National Executive Committee where she will be involved in developing and influencing policy that affects the 4.1 million Further Education learners in the UK.

Charlie Baker (19) was elected for the one-year post to lead DCSU after completing her Health and Social Care course at the College with triple distinctions stars.

Charity Carwash Supports Family’s Cuddle Cots Bid

Staff at family-owned funeral directors G.Wathall & Son have raised £270 with a charity carwash to raise money for a local family’s bid to buy specialist equipment for Royal Derby Hospital.

The Saturday morning event at Macklin Street was in aid of Derby mum Kerry Stanley’s efforts to buy a cuddle cot for the hospital.

G Wathall & Son handled the funeral of her stillborn daughter Autumn Amelia.  They pledged their support for the family to buy another cot for the hospital which will help other bereaved parents to have much needed time to say their goodbyes.

Full House at Buxton Fringe AGM

A full house including performers, venue hosts and Fringe Friends attended Buxton Fringe’s new-look AGM on Wednesday 11th November with several new people coming forward to become committee members. Keith Savage was once again voted in as Fringe chair alongside vice-chair Maria Carnegie, treasurer Barbara Wilson and secretary Pam Mason. With the Fringe due to open for 2016 entries from December 1st, Keith praised the “hundreds of people who worked tirelessly” to make this year’s Fringe a “genuinely awesome event”. Picture shows Barbara Wilson (standing), Pam Mason and Keith Savage.

Open Studios and Festive Craft Fair 2015

Long Eaton Art Room are holding their Festive Craft Fair and winter open studios event on Saturday 21st November and Sunday 22nd November 10-4 each day

 

This year will be the biggest event ever with over 30 stalls.  The perfect place to find  locally handmade Christmas gifts.

 

TWO GLOBAL COMPANIES SIGN UP TO ‘MADE IN DERBYSHIRE’ CAMPAIGN

Fine bone china manufacturing specialist Royal Crown Derby and aerospace giant Rolls-Royce are the latest members to sign up to the ‘Made in Derbyshire 2015’ campaign celebrating everything that’s great about the county.

Derbyshire County Council is a lead partner in the campaign working with other local councils, cultural groups and tourism organisations to promote and boost the local economy through its products, culture, festivals and sporting events.

Cathedral Quarter Prospectus Highlights Investment Opportunities

Derby Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a high-quality prospectus as part of its objective to attract new businesses and increased investment into the city centre.

The Cathedral Quarter Derby Prospectus showcases the strengths of the Cathedral Quarter and includes details of development and investment opportunities as well as providing an overview of the wide range of office and retail accommodation available to businesses in the area.

WOMEN ONLY TRY-DIVE DECLARED A SUCCESS AS 54 LADIES TAKE ‘THIS GIRL CAN’ PLUNGE

THE UK’s biggest ever women only scuba and snorkel try-dive has been declared a success after 54 ladies and girls took the plunge, as part of the inspirational This Girl Can campaign.

There were hugs and smiles all round as grandmothers, mothers, sisters, grand daughters and friends showed true girl power, at the event organised by the British Sub Aqua Club’s East Midlands regional team.

Festive Leaflet Offers Prize Draw Bonus

Derby’s Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have joined forces to produce a comprehensive leaflet showcasing the variety of entertainment and events taking place in the city centre this Christmas.

Beginning with the Christmas lights switch on event on Saturday November 14, there will be a huge range of street entertainment, markets, concerts and church services on offer as well as theatre performances, films and exhibitions throughout both BID areas. Much of this entertainment will be available free of charge.

New Employer Academy Launches With Community Appeal

The latest Employer Academy to launch at Derby College aims to provide young people with the multi skills they will need in the changing construction industry.

MBS, a Derby-based construction company which employs 30 plus staff across all the construction trades, has teamed up with the College to launch the MBS Construction Skills Academy.

One of the first projects that the students will be involved in is the MBS’ annual Christmas community project  – offering a deserving individual or family the chance to get a project completed in their home free of charge.

Zack Gears Up For National Skills Competition

A former Construction apprentice at Derby College will take part in a national skills competition next week with his sights set on qualifying for the UK team.

Zack Lysaczenko (21) from Chellaston won a place in the three-day UK Skillbuild final at Birmingham’s NEC National Skills Show (Thursday November 19 to 21) after representing the College in the regional competition earlier this year.

He will compete against students and apprentices from colleges throughout the UK in an intricate brickwork challenge to test accuracy, creativity and time management.

Television Star Visits Hodgkinson Brickwork Academy at Derby College

Television star Nick Knowles has visited Construction students at the Hodgkinson Brickwork Academy at Derby College’s Ilkeston campus to thank them for their involvement in the recent BBC DIY SOS Big Build project.

A group of nine students joined Ian Hodgkinson from Hodgkinson Builders in Derby for the recent televised project which renovated a street of houses in Manchester for former services personnel.

Mr Knowles was working on a new project nearby and visited the students to thank them and see them in action at the College.

risual Microsoft Academy creates second Centre of Excellence for Digital Skills at Derby College

Derby College has teamed up with Microsoft’s UK Country Partner of The Year 2015, risual Limited, to open the East Midlands’ first risual Microsoft Academy.  This will offer Microsoft qualifications for learners across the College, IT apprentices and employees at businesses across the region.

The risual Microsoft Academy at Derby College will offer digital skills training for students and business employees using the latest Microsoft technology and industry experts in order to improve digital literacy skills and bridge the gap between industry and education.

India Visit Prompts Next Stage of International Arts Project

Arts organisations in Derby are forging ahead with their plans to set up an innovative international exchange with counterparts in India following a successful exploration visit.

Representatives from regional dance house Déda, Normanton-based visual arts charity Artcore and the University of Derby spent ten days meeting with artists, organisations and university leaders in Vadodara, thanks to a £30,000 Arts Council England (ACE) grant.

Young Singers Join Viva For Annual Gala Adventure

Young people from Derby’s Big Adventures Youth Theatre Company will share the stage with celebrated regional orchestra Sinfonia Viva at the annual New Year’s Eve Gala Concert at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall.

 

Big Adventures have previously performed alongside Viva at the annual Darley Park concert and will join the Orchestra in Nottingham on Thursday December 31 for a programme full of Hollywood and Broadway glamour.

 

A 20-strong choir made up of young people aged 12 to 18 will perform a selection of seminal vocal smash hits.

 

Former Student Returns To Derby College To Train Staff

A former Motor Vehicle student has returned to Derby College to train the lecturers who previously taught her in the latest automotive industry education software technology.

Catherine Treanor (21) from Duffield studied at the College as part of her Motor Vehicle apprenticeship at Station Garage in Belper.

In search of the Arctic’s Northwest Passage

A local actor and musician are joining forces in aid of Friends of the Peak District to tell a tale of one man’s journey in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Human interest in the Arctic goes back centuries and this fascinating story, though dating back nearly 200 years, releases secrets from the unknown land that are still relevant today.

 

Post Office revamp brings first class apprentice opportunities

A major post office makeover could lead to a first class career for two Derby College apprentices.

Raj Mohan, 41, subpostmaster at Kirk Hallam in Derbyshire, is joining forces with the College as he gets set to take on further responsibility for the post office across the border in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

Work starts this week (NOV 4) on a major revamp at Eastwood, with Raj ploughing in his own cash to improve the retail side of the store.

Derbyshire farm shop Croots launches annual festive charity fundraising

Croots Farm Shop is launching its annual festive fundraising effort in aid of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre with a special event on Thursday 12th November.

The farm shop, based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, will be staging a Christmas taster evening, with a range of producer demonstrations and sampling sessions.

Derby College Student Supported By the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust

A Derby College Music Technology student is due to feature on a BBC Lifeline television programme next week (Sunday November 8) – highlighting the support he has gained from the charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Curtis May (18) from Swadlincote joined the Trust’s Get on Track programme two years ago to help him overcome the challenges that he faced at school and home.

The youngster is now a student at the College’s Joseph Wright Campus in Derby and continues to compose and perform his rap-style music.

Ashby Interiors launches V for Victory Range

Ashby Interiors, a new small business run by Martin and Rachel Ashby and based in Derby, are proud to announce that they have launched their V for Victory range in support of the Royal British Legion.

This remembrance period (and up to 31 December) Ashby Interiors will be donating 5% of the sale price for all items sold from their Ashby Aero range.  

The company manufactures luxury, decorative items made from genuine aero salvage World War II Spitfire and Hurricane Aircraft.