A group from Derby will visit Vadodara in India next week to discuss how artists in the two cities can work together to produce new and innovative work.

Representatives from regional dance house Déda, Normanton-based visual arts charity Artcore and the University of Derby will head to India on Saturday October 17 for a ten-day visit with counterparts in Vadodara.

They aim to link together visual and dance artists in Derby and India’s fastest growing city to create work that would be exhibited and performed in both cities.

Women and girls aged 12 and above are being invited to try scuba and snorkelling at a free taster day on Saturday October 31 at Lonsdale Pool in Mickleover, Derby.

There are 100 places available for the afternoon’s series of 15 minute sessions and more than half the places have already been taken with ages ranging from 12 to 72.

Derbyshire women’s chorus DaleDiva is saying a huge thank you to its fans and supporters as it sets off to compete in the World Championships next week.

Following more than a year fund-raising events the award-winning group is off to take on the world at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Divas won gold in national competition last May which earned them the opportunity to represent their region and their country in the USA this year.

Capita Travel and Events has celebrated the achievements of a group of Derby based apprentices in its first graduation ceremony. 

The celebration was used to recognise 17 employees who have successfully completed studies for a qualification; commonly referred to as an NVQ and now known as an apprenticeship. 

After a career that has taken her from transport and logistics, and via one of the East Midlands’ oldest bakeries, Helen Yates is now on the road with a new enterprise following the launch of handbag retailer Nellie-Jane.

Helen, who was previously MD at Sherwood Truck & Van before becoming a director at Luke Evans Bakery, is fulfilling a dream to own her own business.

And the idea came to her during her summer holiday as she wandered the streets of Venice and chanced upon a shop selling beautifully designed, quality handbags.

Traditionally, singing groups specialise in one type of music: it might be Renaissance church music, or 19^th century part-songs, or arrangements of popular songs. 

The New Chamber Choir was formed deliberately to explore and sing the whole of the choral repertoire. The challenge for the singers is to master a variety of choral styles so they constantly surprise the audience.

Their next concert is in aid of Friends of the Peak District and will be performed at the All Saints Church in Curbar on Saturday 24 October.

Derby College has expanded its Employer Academy programme by teaming up with a Derby web and software development company to boost IT students’ skills.

iBox Security in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter specialises in website and software development for a wide range of industry sectors and currently employs 11 people.

QA Associates have three vacancies available for Apprentice Nursery Assistants within Derbyshire.

The jobs will be based in Ripley, Clay Cross and North Wingfield.

Interested parties can complete the application form on the website:

http://www.qa-associates.co.uk/we-are-recruiting-for-apprentice-nursery-assistants/

A double wedding celebration sparked a new business idea for husband and wife team Steve and Kay Croot.

The couple, who run Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire, celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on 1^st September. This came two weeks after Kay’s parents Jim and Sue Yates marked their golden wedding anniversary.

When planning a joint celebration at the farm near Duffield, the couple decided that it was such an ideal place to hold a wedding reception that they should open it up to others.

A double wedding celebration sparked a new business idea for husband and wife team Steve and Kay Croot.

The couple, who run Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire, celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on 1^st September. This came two weeks after Kay’s parents Jim and Sue Yates marked their golden wedding anniversary.

When planning a joint celebration at the farm near Duffield, the couple decided that it was such an ideal place to hold a wedding reception that they should open it up to others.