The countdown is on to this year’s 2018 Christmas Lights Switch-On presented by Derby LIVE, Derby City Council’s entertainment arm, and hosted by Smooth, who are the official radio station for the event. The traditional Christmas celebration will be held on The Market Place on Saturday 17 November, with a stage show from 3:15pm and a festive parade from The Spot to The Market Place at around 4:30pm.

Derby Theatre will kick off 2019 in spectacular style with a stunning programme of shows, a spring season which promises something to suit all theatrical tastes.  
 

Cromford Mills has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the Best Major Regeneration of a Historic Building or Place category of the 2018 Historic England Angel Awards. WOOHOO to them.
 
This award is sponsored by Selectaglaze. It recognises projects that have seen large scale investment, probably in excess of £5 million pounds, put into saving, rescuing or regenerating a building or place.
 
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AngelAwards18
 

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots has been put forward for the title of Farm Shop Large Retailer of the Year in the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2019 – and is asking customers and local people for support.

Croots, which is based just outside Duffield on Wirksworth Road, is celebrating ten years of being in business and has won numerous accolades and awards during that time.

A father and daughter from Derbyshire have invented a novel alternative to the growing worldwide phenomenon to hang a love lock padlock on bridges and railings.

Retired engineer Ken Massingham (68) from Church Broughton and his daughter Caroline (41) who is a graphic designer from Littleover have spent the past year and £20,000 of their own money designing the ‘Love Lock Tree’.

The 5m high structure is inspired by the shape of an evergreen tree which symbolises the wonder of life.

Eleven new life-size steel figures have been unveiled as part of a memorial to miners who lost their lives at Markham Colliery. 

The figures were unveiled as part of the ‘Walking Together’ memorial – led by us – which will eventually feature 106 figures stretching between the village of Duckmanton in Chesterfield and the former pithead.

Each figure is part of a walking trail which symbolises a miner’s journey to the pit and back home again and represents the 106 men who lost their lives in 3 accidents at the site.

Repton Village is celebrate its literary roots in a new 3 day programme of events from 26th October - 28th October 2018.

Repton Literary Festival is the first of a new annual festival - telling stories and bringing engaging speakers to this historic Derbyshire village.

Politician, journalist and writer Lord Roy Hattersley opens the festival and will discuss his latest book ‘The Catholics’.

The idea is to provide an inclusive, fun social evening that appeals to more mature folk. Carers and their partners will be particularly welcome and volunteer dancers and foot tappers will take to the dance floor with any guests.

The first event was held on Weds 26th September at The Shoulder in Hardstoft; for more information about “Still Dancing” call Karen on 07817191272 or email: karen.waldram1@btinternet.com   

People from near and far flocked to our 18th annual Woodland Festival at the weekend in the grounds of Elvaston Castle Country Park.

The weather improved as the weekend got underway and 10,000 visitors enjoyed a weekend of traditional and contemporary woodland crafts, including wild food demonstrations and survival crafts.

Two new attractions this year – the recreation of a Viking village and entertainment from an 18 foot tall tree puppet were very popular.

Our Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Simon Spencer said: