March 2020

Motion Vehicles Gear Up To Support For Safe and Sound

Vehicle leasing specialists Motion Vehicles have joined forces with specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound to support its work across Derbyshire.

Motion Vehicles, based in Hilton, has pledged support for the charity in a number of ways including donating vehicles at the end of their life through the national ‘Giveacar’ scheme; working with partners and members of the public locally who want to do the same; as well as donating to the charity in return for referrals to them for vehicle leasing agreements.

Marketing Derby COVID-19 statement

Here at Marketing Derby, as with all SMEs, we are doing our best to navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by Covid-19.

We will continue to operate over the coming weeks and months but there will be some fundamental changes to our activity.

We are following advice on reducing contact and social distancing whenever possible in order to protect our team, business colleagues, Bondholders and the wider community.

A Window into the Amazing

Marketing Derby has launched a new magazine to showcase the creativity and success of business in Derby and Derbyshire.

Innovate brings together stories aimed at three key markets, Bondholders, businesses and investors.

New brand following Pattonair merger

A new brand identity has been revealed by the recently merged Wesco Aircraft and Bondholder Pattonair - the new company will be called Incora™.

The new company is one of the world’s leading providers of comprehensive supply chain management services to the aerospace, defence and other industries.

We're bringing our music into your living room with 'A Little Live Music'

Following the unfortunate cancellation of our concert ‘A Little Night Music’ that was due to take place this week at Derby Cathedral, Sinfonia Viva is launching ‘A Little Live Music’ coming to Facebook this Wednesday. 

Featuring members of our orchestra, these will be short personal performances from that will be premiered on Facebook every Wednesday at 8pm.

Derby Live Important event information during COVID-19

In response to the Government’s latest guidance concerning the COVID-19 virus, and in the best interests of our visitors and staff, Derby LIVE regret to announce that our events programme will not be going ahead for at least the next 12 weeks.

We are working with event organisers to postpone as many as possible, and to reschedule new dates as soon as we can. Here is a list of everything affected. We will update this list when new information becomes available.

City centre events:

Dronfield Barn Shop Now Closing

Following the advice from yesterday evening, we have decided to close our shop at the Barn. We will be open today (Tuesday 24th March) 10 to 2 for people to collect their orders, and if anyone would like any of our fresh stock we will be selling it off between those times.

We will continue to be available for deliveries Monday to Friday, with fresh stock and will adapt this for NHS and essential workers. We will post updated order forms with more items available including fresh meat, pies, eggs, bacon, cheese, milk,etc.

Derby Museums are closing for a while...

In response to the government’s latest advice regarding the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, we have taken the decision today to close all of our museum sites to the public with effect from Wednesday 18 March 2020, until it is safe for us to re-open. This closure applies to all of our sites at the Museum & Art Gallery, Pickford's House and the Silk Mill.

Last Chance - MPDD Business Impact Survey closes 23:59 today

As the full impact of the Coronavirus affects us all, we understand that everyone in our sector is facing serious challenges, both immediate and in the coming weeks. We are working hard to ensure that you have support in place, both now, and once this crisis is over, so that we can all survive and then start to rebuild and recover as quickly as possible once we are able to welcome visitors to this wonderful part of the country.

Fleet Arts statement concerning Covid 19

With the current, escalated seriousness and Government advice on social distancing/hygiene with regards to Covid 19, it is with a heavy heart that we have paused all project workshops and events, both outside and inside of our venue, until further notice. 
 

We have done this in the best interests of protecting staff, all the people who use our venue and/or attend our or others’ activities.

Important information about Derby City facilities during COVID-19

This is a difficult time for us all, but the welfare of our visitors and staff must always come first. Derby Active will temporarily close its doors to the public in response to the government’s latest advice concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This means Derby Arena, Queen’s Leisure Centre, Springwood Leisure Centre, Moorways Stadium, Allestree Park Golf Course and the Steve Bloomer ATP pitch at the Racecourse will be closed from and including Thursday 19 March 2020, for at least 30 days.  

Important information about our libraries during COVID-19

In response to the Government’s latest guidance concerning the COVID-19 virus, and in the best interests of our visitors and staff, Derby Libraries will be closing their doors temporarily after business hours on Saturday 21 March. This will be for at least four weeks.

A Note From Haarlem Artspace

It's a very strange time just now, and we haven't sent out a 'Covid19 update' or a 'Gallery closed' email or even a ‘Support us during this time' email because I'm sure you must be bombarded with these sorts of emails, and just now, we really don't want to ask anything of you at all other than connection.

In amongst the uncertainty, we just want to extend a hand virtually and your well wishes and good vibes would be gratefully received.

Dronfield Hall Barn Produce Shop - Open from Monday!

Following Government advice, we regret to inform that the Barn café will be closed till further notice. But we recognise that these are tricky times for many of our regular customers who live in the local community, and we want to do our bit to help you in any way we can.

Announcement – our library service

All 45 of our libraries, the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery and the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock are to temporarily close at 5pm today (Friday 20 March) to protect staff and customers using the services from the risk of coronavirus and to help to prevent its spread.

UK Creative Community Fellows - applications now open!

Derby Museums is accepting applications for UK Creative Community Fellows, a brand new online and in-person programme for cultural trailblazers to be part of something bigger, to learn life-changing skills, and to see dreams become reality.

Beginning in October 2020 and running through January 2021, artists, community organisers, administrators and entrepreneurs from around the United Kingdom will explore new tools and frameworks to successfully drive positive change in their communities through arts and culture projects.

Artcore Newsflash

We here at Artcore wanted to reach out and hope that everyone is keeping safe and healthy in these very trying times. It is times like this when the arts and our community have needed to band together to get through it. While most of you are probably in self-isolation for the next two weeks or so and are in need of some beautiful arts and culture! As you might know, both our Albert Street and Charwood Street buildings are currently shut. We are trying to think of new and exciting ways to move all our activities online in a way that is engaging, reflective and thought-provoking for you.

Covid19 Update from the Anvil Gallery

In response to the latest developments with the Covid 19 crisis and in an effort to prioritise the well-being of ourselves and our visitors we have taken the decision to temporarily close Anvil Gallery to the public from today, Saturday 21 March 2020.

We will continue to correspond with you by email, telephone, Facebook and Instagram.
 
 All of our works are still available to view on our website and if you have any enquiry regarding a specific piece or artist feel free to contact us via Facebook/email and we will endeavour to respond in a timely fashion.

Buxton International Festival Announcement 2020 Season

It is with great regret that for the first time in forty years we must cancel the Buxton International Festival in July 2020.

This is an enormous disappointment but the health and well-being of our audience, our volunteers, the BIF team and all the artists involved is of primary concern.

Sinfonia Viva Shares The Positive Power of Classical Music Online

Grammy-nominated Sinfonia Viva, the orchestra of the East Midlands, has lined up a weekly programme of online solo performances by some of its top players to put a spring in the step of classical music fans – particularly those who are having to self-isolate.

Starting on Wednesday March 25, a Sinfonia Viva player will each week perform a ten-minute solo from home using Facebook live at 8pm.

FORMAT International Portfolio Review New Date: 18th July 2020

Due to the ongoing situation and evolving nature of Covid-19 in the UK and worldwide we have made the difficult decision to postpone the FORMAT Off Year 2020 and accompanying FORMAT Off Year activities, including the FORMAT Portfolio Review.

The health and safety of our visitors is the top priority, and we feel this is in the best interest of protecting our guests, our customers, our staff, and our community.QUAD, FORMAT HQ is currently closed to the public but our staff continue to work at home and in the building.

Local Band Supports Sing Viva Carers’ Choir

Derwent Valley Wind Band have presented a cheque for £305 to regional orchestra Sinfonia Viva to support its innovative Sing Viva Carers’ Choirs in Derby and Chesterfield.

The community wind band, which has members of all ages and abilities, raised money from a raffle at their Christmas concert at Ecclesbourne School in Duffield. The concert also featured pieces performed by Sing Viva.

Derwent Valley Wind Band chairperson Charlotte Moore said: “Having sung with the choir for two years, I have seen first hand the difference it makes to carers’ lives and their families.

School Pupils Complete Construction Skills Challenges

Pupils from local schools competed in Derby College Group’s annual Schools Skillbuild competition held at DCG’s Construction Academy at the Roundhouse Technical and Professional Skills college.

The event was organised by the College’s 14-16 Schools team who coordinate vocational programmes at the College for years 10 and 11 school pupils as part of an extended curriculum offer.

Derby College Group Covid 19 Update

The Prime Minister and Education Secretary have announced that all colleges will close for most students after Friday until further notice. 

However, The Education Secretary has recognised the vital civic role that colleges can, and do, play with a request to help key workers to stay in work and support vulnerable students.  

GT Couriers Coronavirus Statement

Regarding the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are following government advice and updates as well as implementing our own procedures with a common-sense approach.

GT Couriers is committed to providing our clients with the best possible service at all times.

The recent events surrounding coronavirus will no doubt put pressure on our resources, with the need to balance our clients’ expectations whilst also protecting our staff and the wider public from the spread of the virus.

LoveLit events news in light of Coronavirus

Due to the recent statement about Coronavirus all LoveLit events are currently cancelled up to the end of May 2020. We apologise for any disappointment caused and we will be monitoring the situation  over the coming weeks. 

Whitney – Queen of the Night Derby Arena 18 March 2020

In line with Government guidance we can confirm that Whitney - Queen of the Night at Derby Arena will not be going ahead tomorrow. The event has been re-scheduled for Thursday 8 October 2020 and existing tickets can be transferred for this date. Refunds will also be available and we will be in touch with Derby LIVE customers. For all other customers please contact your ticket provider.

An update from Junction Arts on Coronavirus

In light of the recent Government advice regarding Coronavirus we have taken the decision to postpone our workshops and events until the end of April. We will review the situation regularly and hope that the majority of our delivery can go ahead with revised timetables.

Derbyshire Events Coronavirus Update

Many of the events listed on this website will have been cancelled due to the novel Coronavirus - Covid-19.  Please check with events organisers for more information if you planned attending any of the events you find on this website.

Change is in the air as Lubrizol UK appoints new general manager Alison Fisher

Specialty chemical company Lubrizol UK has announced the appointment of Alison Fisher as general manager of its national headquarters in Derbyshire.

Alison has taken over the most senior position at the company’s Hazelwood HQ, near Belper, from Simon Griffiths and will fulfil the role alongside her other position as general manager of Europe and Africa sales.

Covid-19/Corona Virus People Express Update

Following Government guidance we have set up preventative measures at our office, and for now our staff are continuing to work from the office. If possible please contact us by phone or email rather than in person.

People Express is aware that worry and potential isolation could affect people’s health and well-being. If it would help to talk to someone give us a ring -

Julie Batten 07702 9909206
Hema Mistry - 07803 779088 
Kalila Storey - 07739 088066

Broomfield Hall Lambing Sunday cancelled - March 29 2020

Due to the Government’s advice being given out regarding COVID-19, Derby College Group has cancelled the Lambing Sunday event due to be held on Sunday March 29 at Broomfield Hall in Morley.

Emails will be sent to everyone who has booked tickets on Eventbrite regarding refunds

Amber Valley Residents Survey for Arts Project

A consortium of organisations, led by the University of Derby, is seeking to apply to Arts Council England's Creative People and Places fund.  If you live in Amber Valley, please help their research by filling in this survey before 20th March

Straightcurves is closing until further notice due to Coronavirus

Sadly we are classed as non-essential social contact

We will be closed for all events until we have differing advice from the government. Until we know more we are not able to reschedule dates. Obviously this is going to involve a large amount of administration so please bear with us while we contact you all individually about the specifics.

GT Couriers Expand Fleet with New Mercedes and DAF Vehicles

At last, the new GT Couriers fleet vehicles have arrived on-site and are looking pretty snazzy if we do say so ourselves! The new kit has been issued, security modifications installed and signwriting completed so they’re all road ready for your next delivery.

First to arrive were the new facelift Mercedes Sprinter panel vans, which boast an impressive load area of:

Treat your Mum this Mother’s Day with In Derby

Mother’s Day is coming up on the 22 March, and In Derby has plenty of ways for you to treat your Mum. Whether you’re celebrating on the weekend itself, or booking a treat to look forward to, we have just what you need to show your Mum how much she means to you.

A season of Florence Nightingale events

Image: 'The Mission of Mercy: Florence Nightingale receiving the Wounded at Scutari' by Jerry Barrett, 1857 © National Portrait Gallery, London

A season of Florence Nightingale events

Marking the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth

Mother's Day Pop Up Card Making in Derby

Saturday 21st  March 12pm-2pm

Get creative this Saturday! Join artist Connie Burley at the Artcore shop to learn different pop up card techniques. Then make your own beautiful Mother's Day card! This session is for children and adults.

No need to book in advance. Just drop in and pay £5 at the reception.
Click here to view details

Oily Cart in Derby 7-8 April with JAMBOREE

Oily Cart presents

JAMBOREE

7-8 April: Derby Theatre, Derby

For young people (12+) labelled as having profound and multiple learning disabilities

IT’S TIME TO MAKE SOME NOISE WITH OILY CART’S JAMBOREE

Jamboree is a vibrant and fully interactive experience, created for and with young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The show features Balkan-inspired tunes that can be heard in surround sound and a series of sensory events, all within a colourful Spiegeltent-inspired set.

Art Jam at Artcore

Art Jam launches next Friday, 20th March, 5pm-7pm and will happen every other Friday of the month.

Art Jam is an initiative to create new platforms of sharing and experiencing and we have some unique and exciting events planned for you!

The first is a talk by John Walmsley exploring 'The Essentials Of Surviving As A Freelancer’. We will also have an open mic and urge you to sign up if you are a poet, musician or performer!

Artist Residency Callout : Error & Power

Artcore invites an Expression of Interest for an artist residency– Error & Power
Deadline: Thursday 2nd April


The aim of the residency is to understand how error is used by artists, for what purposes, and with what outcomes, and its relationship to technological and political power, the characteristics of which are control regulation, prevention, and normalization.

Click here to view details

Derby Folk Festival is back for October 2020

The much-loved Derby Folk Festival is back in full this year, with weekend tickets on sale from today giving access to ALL the events ALL weekend. And very early birds can buy a discounted weekend Super Supporter ticket! 

This year’s festival, produced by Derby LIVE, runs from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October with Derby Cathedral, The Old Bell Hotel and QUAD playing host to artists including Lucy Ward, John Tams and Barry Coope, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, and Kitty Macfarlane. 

Déda Appoints New Director

Derby-based Déda has appointed a new director to drive forward its development as a cultural organisation that enriches people’s lives through dance and the arts.

Steve Slater is a well-known and respected arts leader with 30 years’ experience working with companies across the UK including the internationally-renowned Tramway arts venue in Glasgow and Citymoves Dance Agency in Aberdeen.

Born and educated in Wirksworth Steve has returned to the county to live and work and said that he is excited to re-engage with the regional cultural arts community.

Matlock Storytelling Café returns on Friday the 3rd of April

Matlock Storytelling Café returns on Friday the 3rd of April with tales from two excellent tellers. Rachel Murray, resident storyteller at the Cafe and well known to our regular audience members, and Lucy Lill a new teller to Matlock who’s making the journey north from London to share her mesmerising story.

Arts Council England Funding Uplift Secures Viva Expansion

Grammy-nominated Sinfonia Viva, the orchestra of the East Midlands, has expanded its creative projects team thanks to an uplift in funding from Arts Council England (ACE).

Derby-based Sinfonia Viva has received an additional £3,500 from Arts Council this year – bringing its total financial support to £195,641.

The uplift has enabled the Orchestra to recruit Ellie Martindale to the new post of education project assistant initially part time and then full time when she graduates from the University of Nottingham this summer.

Ground-breaking Integrated Performance Brings Stories To Life

Award-winning professional orchestra Sinfonia Viva has developed a ground-breaking performance of two well-known narrated children’s classics that is fully integrated to make it equally enjoyable for audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Sinfonia Viva’s matinee performance of ‘Paddington Bear’s First Concert’ and ‘Peter and the Wolf’ at Derby Theatre on May 3 will take accessibility to a new level thanks to a collaboration with actress and writer Rebecca-Anne Withey who is, herself, profoundly deaf.

Wirksworth Festival Call Out to Artists

Apply to exhibit at one of the UK's leading rural arts festivals with over 4,000 visitors over one weekend in our beautiful and buzzing Derbyshire market town.

This year's Art & Architecture Trail is taking place on Sat 12 - Sun 13 September 2020.

We're looking for artists and designer-makers from all disciplines to show their work during our trailblazing event.

Fabric of the North Exhibition at Cromford Mills 7 - 23 May

Fabric of the North brings together works by members of the British Tapestry Group, in a range of styles and techniques, large and small, with a single theme: our Northern heritage. The exhibition is in two fabulous locations: Cromford Mills in May; and Kirkleatham Museum in October. 

  • Cromford Mills, Derbyshire, 7 - 23 May
  • Kirkleatham, Teesside, 3 - 30 October

Find out more about this exhibition over on the Fabric of the North website: https://www.fabricofthenorth.org/ 

It’s lambing season for Derby Museums!

As the sun rose over Derby this morning, Bo Peep and her flock of lambs (and a crew of Derby Museums staff!) waited expectantly for their first delivery of ram sculptures to arrive at the intu centre, ready to be painted by artists for the Derby Ram Trail, coming to the city in June.

The Derby Ram Trail is a spectacular free discovery trail coming to Derby in the summer of 2020. From 19th June to 28th August, a flock of fabulously colourful and unique ram sculptures, each decorated by a different artist, will take you on a trail around the beautiful city of Derby.

Art Events in April at St John St Gallery

April 2: Sue Lewis-Blake 'Art Appreciation talk - Materials and Processes' 5:30-6:30pm.

April 9: Wendy Darker 'Chickens'

April 20-22: Lewis Noble ‘Painting & sketching the Derbyshire Landscape’ 

April 28 & 29: John Connolly 'Trees, Woodlands and Forests Workshop'

 

A brochure with all our workshop dates for 2020 is available at the gallery, make sure you collect one next time you visit!

Movements of Spring, a special exhibition

Exhibition: Colin Halliday ‘Movements in Spring’ 3rd – 28th March: A selection of Colin’s work from sweeping, cloudy skies to delicate daffodils and bluebells, portraying the robust arrival of spring.
 
Colin is passionate about painting the landscape and prefers to paint outdoors on location. His love for nature is reflected in his painterly style, using a palette knife to apply generous amounts of thick, pure oil paint to create interesting textures with vibrant colours.

OFF THE PRESS - Opens 15th March

Caravan Fragments by Rob Chapman (above)

Our next exhibition 'Off the Press' opens on 15th March from 11-5pm.
After some thought I have decided to change the format of the shows opening and most curated shows will now open, to the general public, on a Sunday from 11-5pm.

FT features Derby

The Financial Times, which has a global audience of over 1m readers, has today included an eight-page Special Report - a 'Business Guide to Derby'.

Bondholder releases Coronavirus test

Derby-based rapid diagnostics, and laboratory screening company Bondholder SureScreen Diagnostics, has launched a rapid test for the Coronavirus.

The product is easy to use - needing only finger prick capillary blood to function - and provides a result in 10 minutes, a significant improvement compared to laboratory testing methods currently being employed.

Shining a light on Derby

Bondholder intu Derby has brought together colour psychologists, light artists and designers to help boost the mood and wellbeing of its shoppers, by creating 'The Light House Experience'.

A study conducted by intu shows yellow makes us happiest, with blue and green helping to ease anxiety, and this has been transposed into three glowing 'light houses' launched in Derby on 24th February, which will visit 12 other intu centres around the UK.

City election cycle

Residents and businesses of Derby are being asked by Bondholder Derby City Council to give their opinions on how the city runs its local elections.

A consultation is underway to consider moving from the current ‘Elections by Thirds’ model, where elections are held three times in every four years, to the 'Whole Council Elections’ model, with an election held once every four years.

Derby Conference Centre leading the way with 2020 zero landfill plan

Having partnered with award-winning waste management company ACM Environmental, The Derby Conference Centre has put an ambitious plan in action to reach a 0% landfill goal by the end of this year.

At a time when many companies are still in the early stages of reviewing their environmental impact, this unique and versatile Derby venue is already tackling the issue head on and making real changes in its day-to-day operation.

AFRESH: paintings by Rex Preston at gallerytop

Our new exhibition AFRESH opens on 14 March and includes a group of paintings by Rex Preston.

 

Rex Preston has been painting the British landscape for many years, developing a highly individual vision of iconic locations including Cornwall and the Lake District, but particularly the Derbyshire Peak District. He has achieved a national reputation for his paintings:

 

Wedding Open Day at Dronfield Barn

Sunday 22nd March,

10am-3pm

FREE ADMISSION

Thinking of holding your wedding at the Barn? Then make sure you join us on Sunday 22nd March for our Wedding Open Day. 

See the Barn and our beautiful gardens for yourself, chat with our local wedding suppliers, and meet our friendly hospitality team. Free admission - and no advanced appointment necessary. 

For further details, contact our Hospitality Manager, Pauline, on 07971928459.

Brassica Productions presents The Devil in the Belfry

Buxton Fringe Thurs 2nd July - 8.30pm (Ground Floor 86a) Fri 3rd July - 8.00pm (Workshop Room 86b) Wed 8th July - 8.30pm (Ground Floor 86a)  Fri 10th July - 8.30pm (Ground Floor 86a)  Sat 11th July - 8.00pm (Workshop Room 86b)  The Green Man Gallery Hardwick Hall Hardwick Square South Buxton SK17 6PY £10/£8  
 
 

Art Trail 2020 - Entries Now Open! Plus Roving Crows - Fundraiser & Call for Events #NMF2020

New Mills Festival is delighted to invite applications from artists from all backgrounds for the return of the festival Art Trail and Arts Big Weekend for 2020! The Trail is growing in reputation and forms part of New Mills Festival, taking place from the 11th to the 27th September. Submissions are now open to artists wishing to take part in the two-week long trail and will close at midnight 26th April 2020. The Art Trail turns the town into a gallery, with more than seventy local businesses hosting artists' work in their windows and premises each year.

Maker Open Call for the Museum of Making

Opening September 2020 the Museum of Making will celebrate the makers of the past and will be designed to empower makers of the future. Within the museum will be a dedicated retail space to showcase the work of the country’s most exciting and dynamic makers.

Akeim Toussaint Buck presents Windows of Displacement at Déda

Akeim Toussaint Buck aka Toussaint To Move brings a performance to Derby that addresses issues surrounding migration, home, borders and identity in his new solo dance theatre show: Windows of Displacement.

Déda are proud to introduce an emerging artist with an electric performance that explores crucial contemporary issues through dance, song and spoken word to explore personal narratives in an accessible, thought-provoking and immensely uplifting style.

Ton-up for Buxton Fringe following early bird deadline!

Buxton Fringe has reported a whopping 100 entries at the close of the discounted early bird deadline at the end of February.

The figure is going up all the time with participants still able to take advantage of a discounted entry fee of £70 if they get in by the end of March. The final deadline for the printed programme is April 19.

Join us for the launch of FORMAT20 Off Year

FORMAT is delighted to announce the FORMAT OFF International Portfolio Review at QUAD in Derby on 25th April 2020.

More than 30 international photography and art experts will offer advice, constructive feedback and networking opportunities and the review day will conclude with an awards event and dinner. Among the reviewers – photo editors, festival directors, curators and publishers from over 10 different countries – is Azu Nwagbogu, Founder/Director of LagosPhoto Festival and African Arts Foundation who joins FORMAT for the first time.

New Employer Academy Address Future Skills Shortages

A leading local timber merchant and importer has joined forces with Derby College Group to highlight career opportunities for Joinery students and address future skills gaps in the industry. 

Family-owned Harlow Bros have been established for more than 90 years and specialise in the manufacture and merchanting of timber, engineered timber and manufactured buildings. 

Local Apprentices Gear Up for National Hair Competition Final

Two local apprentices have secured their place in their national final of a new national competition for trainee hairdressers and barbers.

Sally Heyes (19) from Ockbrook and Sam Winson (20) from Allestree won their categories in the regional heat of the Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year 2020.

Information Event Highlights Travel and Tourism Career Opportunities

Current and former Travel and Tourism students at Derby College Group have been sharing their experiences of work placements during a special information event.

The event focused on opportunities available to students who progress onto Level three Travel and Aviation study programmes through partnerships with East Midlands Airport, Capita Travel and Events in Derby, Euro Camp and Tui.

National Recognition For DCG’s Student Support

Derby College Group (DCG) has been officially recognised by a national charity for its commitment to support the personal development of its students.

DCG has gained ‘Innovator’ status with UK Youth as part of the charity’s overall aim to ensure all young people are empowered to build bright futures – regardless of their background or circumstances – with high quality support and services.

DCG Students Wins Physics Gold

An A level student at Derby College Group’s Joseph Wright Centre has won a top award in a national science competition.

Sukhbir Singh (18) from Normanton won a Gold medal in the British Physics Olympiad examination which was sat by thousands of students across the UK.

Pilot Programme Hailed Success

The first group of students at Derby College Group have graduated from a special programme designed to help them cope with the pressures of working life.

The eight-week Positive Behaviours for the Workplace programme was piloted with a group of 18 Hospitality students based at the Roundhouse technical and professional skills college in Pride Park. Plans are now underway to replicate this with other student groups across DCG.

Stainsby Festival 2020 Tickets on Sale NOW!

Recent visitors to the Stainsby website would have experienced our very own Back to the Future moment. For highly technical reasons - usually known as a cock up - the Home and News pages took a trip back to May 2019 and were doing a great job of advertising last year's festival! Not to worry, our trusty DeLorean has got us back to the present. Web code and time travel really really don't mix.

Dronfield Arts Festival

The Dronfield Arts Festival is coming soon - and you can make sure you look the part for the weekend by purchasing some our special commemorative merchandise, which is
available for order now!

Latchepen at Spital Arts

Spital Arts are delighted to host a 'Live and Local' event with Latchepen on Friday March 27th at 7.30pm in St Leonard's Church, Hartington Road/Valley Road, Spital Chesterfield S41 0HA. Doors open at 7pm.

Latchepen are a thrilling Gypsy Jazz and Swing Band influenced by the wonderful Django Reinhardt.

Led by Scottish jazz violinist Matt Holborn accompanied by Kourosh Kanani and Jeremie Coullon on Guitars with Simon Read on double bass this promises to be a sensational evening of acoustic gypsy jazz.

Beat the Street from Derbyshire Libraries

An exciting game is coming to Chesterfield! Earn as many points as possible for you and your team by walking, running or cycling between Beat Boxes across the town

The free walking and cycling game ‘Beat the Street’ has been commission by Chesterfield Borough Council and will be taking place between 26th February – 8th April.

The following Libraries will be distribution points

UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to visit Belper Library

We're delighted to welcome the UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to the new Belper Library ahead of its official opening! 

Simon will be reading from his new book `Magnetic Field: The Marsden Poems’ and telling brief stories around the poems before taking questions from the audience.

Women's History Month at Derbyshire Libraries

Throughout March we'll be sharing our favourite stories written by women writers, as well as some fantastic non-fiction titles that help celebrate some of the most influential women in our history.

We're also paying tribute to the influence that so many female colleagues have had on our library service throughout the years. Angela from Chesterfield Library (pictured) has worked for us since 1978, and says that her three favourite books are:

Mini Ram Trail competition launched for Derby schools

As part of the Derby Ram Trail taking place this summer, Derby Museums together with Education sponsors Rolls-Royce, are inviting Derby city schools (Primary, Secondary and SEND) to take part in a cross-school art competition, giving pupils the opportunity to get their own mini ram on a trail around the Museum and Art Gallery.

First artists announced for Indietracks 2020!

We're so excited to say that Los Campesinos!, Whyte Horses, Pip Blom, Rozi Plain, Shopping and Josie Long are among 42 artists confirmed today for this year’s Indietracks festival!

They're joined by Nervus, The Just Joans, Tigercats, Ex-Vöid, Erica Freas, The School, Otis Mensah, Martha Ffion, Fortitude Valley, Breakup Haircut and Melby.

Community hub shortlisted for prestigious award

Three months after its relaunch, the community hub housing the new Normanton Library has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The refurbishment of St Augustine’s Community Centre in Almond Street has revived the building by bringing local services together, improving community space and incorporating the neighbourhood library.

Volunteers make fast work of an ancient hedge

Volunteers have restored over 100 metres of boundary hedge around Chaddesden Wood in quick time – meaning the remaining four scheduled sessions are no longer needed.

Work on the project was expected to take ten sessions, but after only six totalling over 600 volunteer hours, the traditional hedges leading to the Cherrybrook Drive entrance have been restored, improving the woodland habitat for wildlife.

The work was carried out by Derby Parks Volunteers, Derby Parks and members of the Friends of Chaddesden Wood, with new members learning the ancient craft of hedgelaying.

Local Communities Raise Vital Funds For Safe and Sound

Local people in Littleover, Mickleover and Chellaston have helped Rotary Club of Derby raise £2,500 for specialist Derby charity Safe and Sound.

Volunteers and Rotary Club members took their Santa Sleigh across the local communities – collecting donations from generous residents.

The money will go towards Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal which is raising money to expand the work that the charity does to support children and young people who are victims of or at risk of exploitation.

Brave Fundraisers Take Leap of Faith for Local Charity

A 32-strong group of fundraisers abseiled 80ft off Miller’s Dale Bridge in the Peak District to raise money for the local charity that supports children and young people in Derbyshire who are victims or at risk of child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation and County Lines.

Powerful Creative Project Focused On Saving The Planet

A group of young people have performed alongside professional musicians from Derby-based regional orchestra Sinfonia Viva after joining a creative project tackling the emotive subject of global warming.

Students from Becket and Firs primary schools, The Bemrose School and Derby College took part in ‘Energy’ – the latest in the award-winning Orchestra’s series of projects aimed at bringing science, maths and technology subjects to life through music.

Purple Pledge Marks National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

A local charity is asking everyone to wear something purple on Wednesday March 18 to mark National Child Exploitation Awareness Day and focus attention on the dangers facing children and young people of being groomed both online and in local communities.

Safe and Sound is part of the NWG national network which spearheads the awareness raising day every year and #CEADay20 aims to highlight the rising tide of child exploitation including sexual exploitation, coercion to run drugs through County Lines, trafficking and modern slavery.

Titanic Experience awaits diners at The Old Bell Hotel

The final hours of the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic will be re-created at a unique theatrical dining event at The Old Bell Hotel in Sadler Gate, Derby, on Sunday April 26.

The Lost Boys theatre company will narrate the final hours of the cruise liner before it sank in the North Atlantic ocean with the loss of around 1,500 people.