News from producers around Derbyshire

Many hours of work go into every piece that leaves the Curiousa & Curiousa studio, with our lighting designs being hand made by skilled artisans to the highest of standards.

Derby-based Sinfonia Viva – the East Midlands’ professional orchestra – has announced that Nottingham’s award-winning and hugely talented musical family, the Kanneh-Masons, have become the first patrons of the orchestra.

The exciting announcement of their patronage for the Grammy-nominated Orchestra was officially made by Sinfonia Viva Principal Conductor Frank Zielhorst during an orchestral performance at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on November 1.

Family-owned Wathall’s funeral directors with branches in Ashbourne, Derby, Alvaston, Borrowash and Burton, have sponsored Ashbourne RFU’s under-12s team for the coming season.

Since sporting the new kit provided by the company under the sponsorship deal – the squad of 22 young players have been undefeated in their Sunday morning friendly fixtures against other youth teams in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

Bec Wathall, sixth generation of her family to work in the business and PA to managing director Helen Wathall, visited the team to present them with their new kit.

A Derby charity fundraiser is preparing for his ultimate challenge to raise money for local charity Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal.

Simon Barcz (39) from Oakwood has already raised more than £10,000 for Derby-based Safe and Sound which specialises in grassroots work across the county to transform the lives of children and young people who are victims of or at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Festive events, activities, exhibitions...
It’s due to be a busy winter here at Dronfield Hall Barn, with plenty of events, activities and workshops taking place over the next couple of months. We’re delighted to be able to confirm the details of our 2019 Winter Festival – see below for further information.

EXHIBITIONS

Two premium womenswear brands, Hobbs and Whistles have announced that they will be opening new stores at Bondholder intu Derby, following the opening of HUGO BOSS.

Hobbs is expected to open before Christmas and will offer its full collection of British fashion, with Whistles due to open its doors early next year, housing its womenswear collections, including footwear and accessories.

More than 125,000 people have visited the Knife Angel sculpture in October whilst it has been displayed at Bondholder Derby Cathedral.

Rachel Morris, Diocesan Secretary and Cathedral Chapter Steward says: “We have been delighted with the success of the Knife Angel in achieving our goal to raise public awareness through engagement and education."

Nearly 700 people attended a jobs fair at Ilkeston Community College organised by Derby College Group (DCG) and Job Centre Plus on Tuesday (October 29).

The event was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Erewash Cllr Donna Briggs (pictured, left, with DCG Chief Executive Mandie Stravino).

Employers in attendance with information about jobs opportunities including East Midlands Airport, Derbyshire Police, Trentbarton and Nottingham Community Housing Association.

Lishui International Photography Festival
presents FORMAT19 

8th - 12th November 2019

To celebrate a major new partnership between FORMAT and Lishui International Photography Festival in China, Director of FORMAT, Louise Fedotov-Clements, has curated Sleight of Hand, an exhibition presenting work by six artists – Brian Griffin; Regine Petersen; John Angerson; Yvette Monahan and Jan Stradtmann, plus Max Pinckers (curated by Tim Clark), at Lishui Art Museum.

With Fran Dorricott
Thursday November 14^th, 7pm-9pm

Creating a convincing main character is one of the most essential parts of writing fiction. They are, after all, the voice that will make or break a reader's connection with your story. Using a mixture of discussion, advice and guided writing exercises, this interactive workshop will help to uncover the ways in which we can build the best characters for our plots.