March 2021

Beyond The Spectrum: Autism Writing Project

Beyond The Spectrum was a pilot project connecting professional, autistic poets and authors with autistic people from age 11 upwards across the East Midlands.

The project began with a series of eight free, weekly creative writing workshops, which ended in March 2021. The workshops were for autistic writers from beginners upwards, with separate groups available for younger writers and adult writers living in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all workshops were online.

Derbyshire County Council: Easter activities 2021

We are holding some Easter events despite the ongoing restrictions. Many of these are online and all our activities are COVID-secure and follow the latest Government guidance.

Countryside events

If you’re local to our country parks at Elvaston or Shipley, you might want to join one of the self-led trails we have organised for the Easter weekend. There’s the Golden Egg, Hopping Mad Trail and Odd Egg Trail to choose from.

Safe and Sound Launches Wider Exploitation Programme

Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has launched a new far-reaching programme in response to the increased vulnerabilities amongst children and young people to wider exploitation.

The charity says that increased isolation, online grooming and pressure on family finances during the pandemic has led to a rise in the number of children and young people becoming vulnerable to exploitation. 

Safe and Sound’s own workload has increased 50% in the past year and this, it fears, is only the tip of the iceberg.

Haarlem Artspace: The Entanglement

The Entanglement, a new Haarlem Periodical, features work by Victoria Lucas inviting us to the non-human world.

Lucas uses technology to remap, embody and entangle the material strata of landscape, a process where female subjectivity is reimagined and reclaimed in place. This new multimedia Periodical will be live from 28/03/21 -27/04/21 only. 

Dronfield Heritage Trust: Thank you, Maria!

Saying a fond farewell to our Activities and Interpretations Manager...

As some of you may have already heard, we’re sad to announce that our long-time Activities and Interpretations Manager, Maria Smith, is leaving the Dronfield Heritage Trust this week after seven highly successful years.

YAAS QUEENS! RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Tour is coming to Derby Arena

Hot on the very high heels of Season 2 of the must-watch TV show, Derby LIVE is delighted to spill the T and announce that the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: The Official Tour is coming to Derby on Friday 25th March 2022 at 7.30pm!

Join the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK for an evening of endless eleganza extravaganza, and witness all the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of your favourite queens LIVE on stage as they sashay into Derby Arena.

Dronfield Hall Barn: Spring 2021 Newsletter - Available Now!

We're officially into spring, which means our first newsletter of the year is available now!

Whilst the Barn has been closed to the public since January, you can still find out what we've been up to recently in this newsletter. Just some of the stories available in this issue include a look back at the snow we had at the beginning of the year, usual features including 'From the Archive', memories of the first five years since the Barn first opened, and a tribute to Maria, who is leaving the Dronfield Heritage Trust after seven years.

Timms Solicitors Strengthen University Links For The Derby Ram Trail

Long-established law firm Timms Solicitors have expanded their relationship with the University of Derby by teaming up with a former graduate as part of The Derby Ram Trail.

Timms are sponsoring one of the ram sculptures which will create a walking tour of the city centre this summer. Rescheduled from last summer, The Derby Ram Trail is being brought to the city by Derby Museums, in partnership with Wild in Art and is an amazing public art sculpture event with 30 individually painted 5ft tall Rams, threading through the city centre between May 27 and August 22.

FORMAT News: How to build a photography festival in 10 weeks

Photo by Federico Estol

FORMAT21 is open all day, every day so do come along and browse through the virtual galleries and discover the amazing photography curated for this year's festival. You can access the virtual exhibitions on any desktop, tablet or mobile device, in any web browser, without registering, downloading or configuring anything.

Dronfield Heritage Trust: One year on...

It is strange to think that this week marks one year since the Barn had to close its doors to the public as a result of the first national lockdown in March 2020. But, whilst the last 12 months may not have gone as we planned, we have continued to remain busy, and we would just like to thank you for your continued dedicated support of the project.

Job Opportunity at Dronfield Hall Barn

Creative Manager (Events, Interpretation, Volunteers)

Dronfield Hall Barn

The Dronfield Heritage Trust, Dronfield Hall Barn, High Street, Dronfield, S18 1PX 

£24,000-£28,000 per annum dependent on experience. 

Full-time, permanent 

Flexible working available. 

Some weekend/evening work required.

The closing date is 11th April.

Healthwatch Derbyshire Supports GP Registration Drive

Patient health and social care watchdog Healthwatch Derbyshire is taking a lead role in ensuring that people across the county are registered with a local GP and do not miss their chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

It is estimated that up to 5% of the population nationally are not currently registered with a GP for a variety of reasons.

Come & Work for us! We’re looking for a new Digital Marketer

Destination Digital Marketing in Bakewell are looking to fill a digital marketing role that would suit someone who has graduated within the last 3 years.  Destination Digital are a digital marketing agency with an office in Bakewell, Derbyshire that offers a range of digital marketing services such as SEO, AdWords, social media management, email marketing, web design and traffic analysis to a range of clients from different industries across the UK. 

Shine A Light Community Heroes Crowned

Heroes Portraits all credit Liv Auckland 2021

A young artist, volunteer motorbike riders, and food parcel co-ordinator are amongst eleven community members crowned Shine a Light Community Heroes by local arts charity First Art.  These heroes are the subject of a series of portraits and new film to honour them. The awards recognise the efforts and extra mile these people and organisations have gone for communities in Ashfield, Mansfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are seeking an inspirational, talented and technically trained dance teacher to join our friendly team!

Our fabulous Performing Arts School is in the centre of beautiful Bakewell and has been established for over 30 years. We have a reputation for our standards of training, performance work and inclusiveness.

We are seeking a part- time, Saturday morning teacher to work with our lower Grade level and pre School pupils, aged 3 to 10. This may develop to further to higher grades if desired.

Lockdown Entrepreneurs Spearhead Virtual Office Surge

Oberoi Business Hub in Derby’s Pride Park reports a steady surge in demand for virtual office support – particularly from start up businesses launched during this and previous national lockdowns.

Founder and managing director Kavita Oberoi explained that 90% of recent new enquiries had been from start up businesses who were keen to create the right first impression for their new ventures but did not yet require physical office space.

InDerby: Line up confirmed for Derby Folk Festival 2021

The full line-up has been confirmed for Derby Folk Festival, which takes place in the heart of the city centre from Fri 1 to Sun 3 Oct. 

Joining O’Hooley and Tidow, Kitty Macfarlane, Ninebarrow, India Electric Co. and Home Service are old friends and new faces alike. Concerts will take place throughout the weekend on the Mick Peat Stage in the Market Place, named in honour of the festival’s co-director who sadly died in January, and in Derby Cathedral on Sat 2 Oct. 

One year from the first lockdown, new bursary to support creative artists opens for applications

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.

NEW DATE: SIGNALS Festival, Crich - Derbyshire

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.

Summer Outdoor Theatre & Cinema Season returns for 2021

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.

One year on and Derby Active at Home is going strong

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.

Wathall’s Signs Sponsorship Support For Clifton CC

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.

Derbyshire Peak Oddfellows - Always Room for more Friendship

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.

Call Out for Artists: Project eARTh for projects September 2021 onwards

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.

Artist working in any art-form for project in schools

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. 

Healthwatch Derbyshire Asks Public For Vaccine Take Up Feedback

Patient health and social care watchdog Healthwatch Derbyshire wants to hear from local people about why they won’t or can’t have the Covid-19 vaccine.

People can either fill in the five-minute online survey or telephone Healthwatch Derbyshire with their views or issues they have faced.

Feedback will be shared anonymously with Derbyshire Public Health Services and the Clinical Commissioning Group who are coordinating the county’s vaccination programme.

Tideswell Theatre: Take part in our Online Play Readings

Tideswell Players are planning to have regular play readings on Zoom, starting later this month. Plays that might be performed one day and plays we'll never do!

We'd love it if other people joined in to read or listen. There are not performances and are not open to the public generally, just a chance to get together to check out some plays.

We Have Lift Off! New Brand but not new to the Digital Marketing Scene

We’ve been busy beavering away setting up a new brand to help us kick-start 2021 and wave goodbye to 2020. Introducing Destination Digital; a new brand, but a digital marketing agency that’s not new to the scene.

Led by Managing Director Debbie Porter who has over 25 years’ experience in the Internet industry, Destination Digital is a digital marketing agency that specialises in consumer facing brand marketing with an enviable list of clients across the UK and Europe.

Necklace of Stars 2021

Photo by Lois Blackburn.

Arts Derbyshire’s Necklace of Stars project is recruiting for its last phase of participatory workshops in embroidery. Over the last 12 months, we have worked with almost 70 individuals offering one to one workshops in embroidery and creative writing, over the phone.

Funded by Arts Council England and supported by Derbyshire County Council Public Health and Derbyshire Libraries, Necklace of Stars was established to provide a positive creative engagement for older adults experiencing social isolation or who were housebound.

Project Delivery across the nation launched by Derby’s doughnut makers

A Derbyshire artisan bakery is taking its wildly decorated doughnuts nationwide delivering to sweet-toothed individuals across the country for the very first time.
 
Project D, which has provided handcrafted doughnuts to the likes of Amazon, Love Island and Coca-Cola, is introducing a postal delivery service covering England and Wales. The ambitious plans follow the company’s recent expansion into a larger bakery and the recruitment of almost 100 additional staff.

Safe and Sound Marks National Day With Report On A Year of Challenge and Progress

Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has expanded its work over the past year to provide a lifeline of emotional and practical support to some of the most vulnerable children, young people and their families across Derbyshire.

The charity’s annual performance report has been published this week ahead of National Child Exploitation Awareness Day (Thursday March 18) and highlights the impact of the pandemic on its work.

Local Breakfast Club Wins Kellogg’s Prize

A Derby businesswoman is appealing to fellow companies to step up their support for an initiative whose goal is to ensure that no child in the city goes to school hungry, following one of the schools winning a national award.

Kavita Oberoi OBE instigated the Breakfast Club Scheme in 2017, working with Derby City Council, Derby County Community Trust and local businesses. It currently supports 17 schools across the city to provide funded breakfasts for vulnerable school children who would otherwise go hungry.

Wathall’s Reveal Sneak Preview Of Ram Trail Sculpture

Wathall’s, which is Derbys longest-established independent funeral directors, have revealed a sneak preview of the sculpture which the company has sponsored as part of this summer’s Derby Ram Trail.

Family-owned Wathall’s has dedicated its sculpture to members of its Dandelions Bereavement Support groups in Derby and Ashbourne and to the families who have lost a loved one in the past year.

StraightCurves: March in the loop

Make it in March! Spring into action and take one of our creative virtual courses.

It has to be said I feel a lot like this little daffodil at the moment in many ways. The world feels a little upside down and harder to get through but there is still plenty of opportunity to bloom, enjoy the sun and stand tall. 

Event Call Out for Derbyshire Open Arts In Windows

There have been lots of ways to take part in Derbyshire Open Arts Online 2021. We hope you’ve been able to participate in and benefit from our interviews, videos, tutorials, socials and our social media campaign.

Last year we could not even consider organising a physical event, as the Covid situation seemed to be changing from day to day, but we all know that the thing that makes Derbyshire Open Arts so special is sharing our work with visitors, inviting people into workspaces and homes, talking about our work and, well, you know, making sales. 

InDerby: Songs and rhyme in your own time

Derby Libraries’ Rhymetimes are back in a new format. The popular nursery rhyme sessions for pre-school children and their parents and carers are back as a series of online videos, created by Derby Theatre, to watch and follow at home.
 

The Community Cinema Mini Conference Online, 27 March

Cinema For All is excited to announce our upcoming event - the Community Cinema Mini Conference - which will be held online on Saturday 27 March!

We'll be looking at the key issues surrounding reopening community cinema/film society doors, how to make an attractive series of online film screenings, maintaining a community throughout lockdown and much more. We'll end the conference with the chance to see a fantastic film preview, as well as a much needed chance to catch up - meeting friends old and new.

May release calendar gears up for reopening of cinemas

Vertigo announces May 21 release date for My New York Year.

Following news that the UK Government had targeted May 17 as the date when cinemas in England should be able to reopen, the film release calendar is beginning to show signs of life. Vertigo was quick to announce May 21 as the release date for My New York Year (pictured above), starring Sigourney Weaver and Margaret Qualley. The film is based on the book (and was originally titled) My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff, and premiered at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival.

Feel better dancing with Deda

 

Deda Derby has launched a series of new classes to help you take care of both your physical and mental wellbeing – from acrobatic skills to yoga.

Derbyshire Open Arts: Live Interview with Sue Allenson and New Artists' Video

Sue Allanson Sculptures

If you are walking along Gorsey Bank on the edge of Wirksworth you may be intrigued by a tap-tapping sound and the chink of a chisel striking stone. It will mean you have stumbled across the home of sculptor Sue Allanson who works beneath a modest shelter in her garden. Listen this week as she discusses her work with Pete Singer on Instagram and Facebook. She is interviewed on Saturday by Pete Singer.

FORMAT News: 2 weeks to go

Join us for one, some, or all of the amazing events taking place during FORMAT21. The Opening Night, Festival Conference, artist talks and films are just some of the activities you can log into via our digital venue New Art City and steaming services.

  • FORMAT21: Opening Night

Date: 11 March 2021
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Location: FORMAT21 Digital Venue - New Art City
Tickets: FREE

Mainframe Newsletter - March 2021

Spring is finally in the air and we've plenty planned to help put a creative spring in your step over the coming month.

We've not one but two CreativeMornings for you including the first ever UK wide event, plus Andrew Davis is on hand to help us put a much needed 'so what' into our social media.

Hannah Lobley: Collect 2021

I'm feeling more optimistic for 2021 and excited to keep you all informed of the developments in my work. Even with galleries closed, great things are still happening in the art world as everyone adapts to the new ways.

Collect 2021

Dronfield Hall Barn: Walking in the local area?

Walking in the local area? Purchase the Dronfield Rotary Walk guide!

With the weather beginning to warm up, some of you may be wanting to get out on walks in the local area again. If so, why not consider purchasing our guide for the Dronfield Rotary Walk? These have recently been reprinted and are available on our website, and can be delivered to you even whilst the Barn remains closed!

Bossing It ’21: How To Boss It In The Cultural Sector, 22 March

The First Art Bossing It event is taking place on ONLINE on Monday 22 March 2021. This is aimed at anyone aged 16 or over interested in setting up their own cultural enterprise in Ashfield, Mansfield, Bolsover or North East Derbyshire. 
 
We’ve brought together four people with great stories to share of their experiences setting up cultural enterprises. They are:

InDerby: New dates for three shows

New dates have been announced for three shows which were due to take place soon in Derby.

The promoters for Lady Boys of Bangkok – Flight of Fantasy have confirmed that they have rescheduled their tour. The show was due to land in Derby later this month but is now due to arrive in July. There is no need to contact our Sales and Information Centre if you have tickets, as Derby LIVE will be contacting all customers.

Celebrate St George’s Day at home with your own dragon

Just as St George would not be beaten by a dragon, so Derby is refusing to let the COVID pandemic get the better of its annual St George’s Day celebrations this year. To keep everyone safe in line with current restrictions, all the quintessentially English frolics are happening online, with citizens called upon to play an active part from the comfort of their own homes.
 

Sinfonia Viva Online Performances Showcase County Jewels

Sinfonia Viva, the Grammy-nominated Orchestra of the East Midlands, has recorded a series of 45-minute chamber performances at three iconic Derbyshire venues which will be available online for classic music lovers to enjoy.

Members of the Sinfonia Viva String Quartet, directed by Orchestra leader Sophie Rosa, have recorded their performance in the chapel at Chatsworth House and the beautiful surroundings have inspired an evocative programme of classics.

DCG Students Step Up To Support Vaccination Programme

A group of Public Services students from Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall are to carry out important marshalling duties at Derbyshire’s largest Covid-19 vaccine centre.

The 22 students will be working at Derby Arena over the coming months as part of their study programme to gain work experience and an insight into some of the roles within the emergency services.