News from producers around Derbyshire

The chance to chat to published authors, hear Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner talk about his life in politics and pick up some tips from Derbyshire Poet Laureate Helen Mort are just some of the attractions on offer at Derbyshire County Council’s Literature Festival in May.

Tickets are now on sale for more than 40 festival events which will run in libraries and community venues from Friday 8 May to Sunday 17 May.

Derby Cathedral Quarter’s programme of Saturday entertainment continues on Saturday April 18 with a day of live entertainment on a St George’s Day theme and a showcase of handcrafted delights.

CQ Saturdays Knickerbocker Glorious will change venue for this month only – with the stage located in the Cornmarket between 11am and 3pm.

Meanwhile, CQ Saturdays Handcrafted at the Cathedral Quarter will be held under the Guildhall Arches between 10am and 4pm.

Media opportunity: Wednesday April 15, 8.30am, McDonalds, St Peters Street, Derby

Representatives from businesses across the St Peters Quarter area of Derby city centre will hold their first tidy up event of the year on Wednesday April 15.

The initiative is part of the Business Improvement District’s (BID) objective to improve the visitor experience in the area which is the core retail heart of the city centre between the Cathedral Quarter and Intu Derby shopping centre.

Home to the famous literary ‘trio’ - Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell – Renishaw Hall in north Derbyshire will support the 2015 Derbyshire Literature Festival by hosting its own literary weekend featuring special tours of the hall focusing on the Sitwell family’s literary works and connections, and a creative writing workshop with the county’s Poet Laureate, Helen Mort.

Made in Derbyshire literally comes to life in this month's poem by Sian Tower.  Through its vivid use of language  we are reminded of the power of the River Derwent driving both the looms and the lives of the factory workers.

In her introduction Sian writes:

'Cromford in Derbyshire has been the subject of many of my poems. Bend in the River is about how the valley and river, which attracted industrialist Richard Arkwright to this area in 1771, have survived his endeavours. 

The Markhams were an old Northampton family, chiefly associated with the practice of law.

Chesterfield born artist Paul Cummins is well known for his work producing ceramic flowers for landscape art installations.  Starting out at Chesterfield College Cummins went on to be a maker of architectural models, leading to studying ceramics at the University of Derby’s College of Arts.

Organisers of an art exhibition in Hathersage in June are calling on local artists to help them boost their fundraising campaign.

The team behind the Heart For Hathersage initiative, which is aiming to create a multi-functional vibrant open space in the centre of the village, is planning an art exhibition in June at the Memorial Hall, to raise funds for the ambitious £400,000 project.

Calling all ‘Made in Derbyshire’ members, Derbyshire artists, crafts people, musicians and artisans. The Derbyshire Eco Centre Summer Fair 2015 will be a celebration of adult learning and all that is ‘Made in Derbyshire’; from food to crafts to musical acts and all that is in-between!

The Old Station Gallery have had a huge response to our call out for exhibitors for our inaugural Arts Festival this Spring Bank Holiday. There is still time to apply as the deadline for applications is 31st March.

For further information visit the website at: 
https://theoldstationgallery.wordpress.com/gallery-events/