An award-winning Derbyshire sustainable business making outdoor furniture from recycled plastic is helping tell the stories of those who have passed on, with a highly innovative new memorial bench digital platform.

Wirksworth-based TDP Ltd, recently crowned with a coveted King’s Award for Sustainable Development, is launching ‘My Place and Story’ this month.

The platform will allow those who buy one of TDP Ltd’s commemorative benches in memory of a loved one to add a QR code so that anyone sitting on it can scan the code and read the life story of the person commemorated.

Members of the public and company employees are having a wellbeing boost with new eco benches and picnic tables made by a pioneering Derbyshire furniture company.

Darley Dale Town Council and Garnalex aluminium company of Heage are two of the latest organisations to invest in public and employee wellbeing by buying outdoor seating from TDP Ltd – a King’s Award winning business making furniture from recycled plastic.

The arts trail will be held in Bonsall over the weekend of 29 and 30 June 2024. Artists are invited to apply for space to exhibit and sell their artwork from 1 September. Closing date for applications is 31 January 2024.

For more information artists can visit www.bonsallartstrail.org.

The Music for All's current funding round features awards for community-based groups and individuals with a deadline of 27th October 2023.

Dara - Tree of Life ended on Saturday and I have to share that it was a such a beauty of a show - full of diversity, shared experiences and colour! With so many visitors to the gallery and plenty of red dots too! A true delight to exhibit work by so many artists.

THE GREAT NORTHERN CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR 19-22 OCTOBER 2023

Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester

Celebrating craft in all its contemporary guises

This Autumn sees the return of one of the UK’s biggest and most prestigious craft shows, The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Sunday 23rd July 2:30pm

Long Eaton-based More Than Loft Ladders has opened its first High Street premises to raise the profile of the specialist services it offers locally and to provide a base for its UK-wide franchise.

More Than Loft Ladders in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire is now headed up by Kelly Hobbs whilst her husband, entrepreneur Liam Hobbs, is focusing on expanding the franchise network. Both are now based in the High Street, Long Eaton.

Mr Hobbs said: “These are exciting times for More Than Loft Ladders both in this area and across the franchise network.

Applications for the 2024 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards will officially open on Friday 14^th July 2023 – providing local tourism businesses with the unique opportunity to gain prestigious national recognition.

Organised by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in collaboration with Visit Derby, the awards will celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement across the tourism sector.