News from producers around Derbyshire

Derby Book Festival has announced today (29 August) the appointment of Vicky Dawson as their new Festival Director.  She will join the team from 1 September on a part-time basis, continuing in her current role at Buxton International Festival where she is Book Festival Director.   

Our Vision: A childhood made up of rich, varied experiences that include exposure to and participation in arts and cultural education builds the foundations for a happy and healthy life. An equality of access that effectively negotiates personal barriers, social stigma and geographical challenges means no one misses out or goes unheard.

We're back putting some Art into Alfreton Town next month - so get these dates
scribbled in your diaries so you can come along and enjoy the FREE fun on

Autumn is set to be a fabulous season of entertainment at Derby Arena.  Professor Brian Cox OBE kicks off the season when he returns with his Universal World Tour following his previous sell-out fixture in Derby earlier this year. Fans of Tina Turner will be wowed with the spectacular  “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” tribute show and the superb talents of Michael Jackson will be showcased  at the “Michael Starring Ben – the Magic of Michael Jackson” show.

Monoprints created by people at Ilkeston-based project Growing Lives will be exhibited as part of the Art and Architecture Trail at Wirksworth Festival on 7^th and 8^th September 2019.

Run by Derventio Housing Trust, Growing Lives gives people opportunities to develop their self-confidence, gain new skills, reduce social isolation and improve their health and wellbeing.

Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th September 2019
at Haarlem Artspace, Derby Road, Wirksworth DE4 4BG

British Airways has taken delivery of its first A350 aircraft, powered by engines made in Derby by Bondholder Rolls-Royce.

The airline has ordered a total of 18 aircraft, all of which are powered by Trent XWB engines designed, developed and built in Derby, and got its hands on its first A350-1000 at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France.

As part of his new role as High Sheriff of Derbyshire for 2019/20, Lord William Burlington has worked with Bondholder Foundation Derbyshire to select five local causes to have a dedicated space in the popular Chatsworth House shop. 

Bondholder Derventio Housing Trust has been selected to showcase bird boxes, trugs and decorative wooden birds made by people supported by the charity.

Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust are delighted to announce that Pump Room Live will return with a weekend of free daytime music performed on the Pump Room roof on the 21 and 22 September. The weekend has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England who are funding a programme of arts events and workshops inspired by the town’s water from September to January 2020.

Three agoraphobic women have left their houses for the first time in years to go to a jumble sale organised by their social workers. But as the afternoon progresses, the distinction between the social workers and the women becomes less and less clear.  This play is the story of 5 women bound together by their fears and seeking a solution to make their lives better.