News from producers around Derbyshire

A treat for two or a feast for the family

A mum of two who is attempting to run the distance of the English Channel, Peru’s Inca Trail and Hadrian’s Wall for charity has smashed her fundraising target by raising 10 times the sum. 

Applications to The Mick Peat Drystone Bursary, to encourage and facilitate creativity in all its forms and bring people together, are now welcome.

The Covid-19 crisis decimated our creative industries and Drystone was formed in response to that; to build and rebuild our arts. Now, one year on from the first lockdown, The Mick Peat Drystone Bursary – created in tribute to one of Drystone’s founders – is open to anyone who wants to help make that happen.

After much consideration, we have taken the decision to postpone SIGNALS Festival until Saturday 11th June 2022. This has not been an easy conclusion to reach, and one we make with a heavy heart. We have looked at all the possibilities and agreed that waiting until next year, gives us the strongest chance to deliver the very best and safest Festival possible.

Pull up a camping chair and get your picnic ready – tickets are now on sale for Markeaton Park’s much-loved Summer Outdoor Theatre and Cinema Season which returns in June, July and August this year.

Derby LIVE and Derby Parks will bring audiences thrilling shows from Oddsocks Productions, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company and Babbling Vagabonds, as well as showings of award-winning films, all in the beautiful surroundings of Markeaton Park Craft Village. There is something for all ages.

Derby Active at Home celebrates its first birthday this week. Since it began as a response to the first lockdown, Derby Active’s online leisure service has become a thriving online community, massively increasing its membership and offering valuable support for mental health as well as physical fitness.

When Derby City Council’s leisure centres closed their doors on the evening of 18 March 2020, staff quickly adapted to set up an online fitness offer, using the In Derby website and the Derby Active Group Exercise Facebook group.

Family-owned funeral directors Wathall’s have agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with Clifton Cricket Club.

The company, which was established in 1858 and has an office in Ashbourne, will also feature on the club’s new kit which will be available for all senior players in the coming seasons.

Clifton Cricket Club marked its 150th anniversary in 2017 and celebrations included the opening of a new pavilion by former England player Sir Andrew Strauss.

Off the back of the government’s recent roadmap announcement, Derbyshire Peak Oddfellows are putting plans in place to re-start their face-to-face social events. While many of the group’s members can’t wait to get out again and re-connect, there are some who feel that their confidence and mental health have been knocked for six this past year.

High Peak Community Arts is looking for freelance artists to send in project ideas for Project eARTh, its programme for adults experiencing mental distress.

Project eARTh usually holds 2 groups per week, one in New Mills and one in Buxton. During the past year, we have instead used postal and home delivery arts kits, but are looking forward to face to face work in the near future. When this happens, we envisage still working in smaller groups (half of each group on alternate weeks) whilst covid restrictions necessitate.

Derbyshire Fly is an exciting new arts project to support young people in seven schools across Derbyshire to access support around sexual health and sensitive issues. Stigma around asking for help has a big impact on the well-being of children and young people.