News from producers around Derbyshire

For over twenty years soprano Rebecca Knight and Derbyshire born Karen England  have performed across the world as the OperaBabes. Having taken a break, the duo return to the concert stage at St. Peter's Church, Belper on 19 November.

Derby City Council launched a 12-week consultation today encouraging people to share their views on a proposal to change the way we currently provide discretionary home to school or college travel assistance for eligible sixth form learners by instead of arranging taxis and minibuses, or paying fuel reimbursements, the Council proposes to replace them with personal travel budget payments, together with new and enriched Independent Travel Training service to help and support more young people to become independent travellers.

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots has won the title of Shop of the Year in the Great Food Club Awards 2022/2023.

The farm shop has previously been a finalist in the awards run by Great Food Club, which shines a light on and celebrates the East Midlands’ best food and drink independents.

Now Croots, based just outside Duffield on Wirksworth Road, has scooped the number one title.

Tickets have gone on sale for the autumn edition of the Derby Book Festival which is being headlined by TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Dan Walker.

The city’s popular literary event will run from November 4th to 6th and names including Sunday Times bestseller Raynor Winn have already been announced.

Tickets can be booked for individual events and this year a Festival Pass is available providing access to multiple events.

Dozens of people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds will come together for two flashmob performances - bringing the magic of Bollywood to Belper and Derby as part of the Derby Season of Light (DSOL) family festival.

A new exhibition and project lab - History Makers: A celebration of Derbyshire women and gender diversity - opens this week at Derby Museum and Art Gallery and will run until February 2023.

Content for the exhibition has been years in the making, developed from feedback from visitors, volunteers and community members about the lack of representation for both women and gender diversity within the museums’ galleries.

One of the city’s most historic schools has appointed a new head teacher who has pledged to serve the school and its community and commit to breaking down communication barriers.

Paul Burrows has been announced as the new head teacher of Royal School for the Deaf Derby, in Ashbourne Road, after current head teacher Helen Shepherd stepped down at the end of the last academic year.

Come and celebrate Eyam Village Bonfire and Firework Display on Saturday 5th November.  Entertainment starts in the village square from 5.30pm.  The torch-lit music-led procession of the infamous ‘Willow RAT’ leaves at 6.15pm, carrying it through the village to the chants of ‘Burn the Rat’ up to the playing fields.  The RAT is laid on the spectacular bonfire which is then followed by our fabulous firework display.

Live & Local’s Autumn/Winter 22/23 season will be a special one: they have been bringing exciting and awe-inspiring shows to a village hall or community venue near you for 30 years. To celebrate, the National Portfolio Organisation has launched a brand-new website - liveandlocal.org.uk. The upcoming season begins on 1^st October. Expect professional exciting theatre, enthralling, award-winning music and exhilarating shows for all ages in community venues across Derbyshire.

Derbyshire artist Kelly Herrick is hoping her artwork will provide inspiration to those with mental health conditions across the county.

The contemporary landscape artist, based in Ripley, has gifted an original painting Harbour View to Derbyshire counselling provider Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS).

The 1m x 1m painting of Staithes in North Yorkshire will be hung in the charity’s waiting rooms and the artist hopes it will fuel positive and optimistic thoughts for those benefiting from DRCS’ services.