Free admission – August 18, 2024, between 12-9PM
Acts including The Blooms, Alchemy, Charilies Angle, The Collide, Eighty Eight Miles, Statics, Jemma Johnson, Shay Ringland, Lara Elise Grant, The Novas, Araya, Freddie Halkon, Dorothy Ella, The Last Orders, Charlotte Moon.
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A Heanor firefighter whose stunning singing voice landed him a spot on prime time TV is helping launch the ‘Baton of Hope’ suicide awareness day which is coming to Derby for the first time this year.
The moving awareness day in September will see the Baton of Hope ceremonially passed around the city by local people touched by suicide.
“Singing fireman” Andy Quinn – who became an overnight sensation after singing a Les Mis number during the ‘secret’ slot on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show in 2016 – is launching the Derby Baton of Hope day with a concert at Landau Forte College in Derby on May 16.
Andy, whose TV appearance was watched by an audience of 6.5million, will be performing a special one-off ‘Songs of Hope’ night to raise funds for the September event.
Derby Baton of Hope organiser Claire Goring said it should be a night to remember.
“The Baton of Hope event is completely self-funded, so the Songs of Hope concert will be really important in raising funds,” she said. “It’s brilliant that Andy has agreed to do this performance to help launch the event and it’s fitting that he should be giving the concert during Mental Health Awareness Week. I really hope lots of people come along and enjoy the show. All profits go directly to helping us put on the Baton of Hope tour which we hope will raise vital awareness of the growing tragedy of suicide in the UK today.”
Andy said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the Baton of Hope coming to Derby by putting on a Songs of Hope evening. Mental health is something that’s very close to my heart and I’m delighted to be involved. I hope lots of people come along and enjoy it!”
The Baton of Hope initiative was started in the UK two years ago by two grieving dads who lost their sons to suicide.
The idea is that on each of its ‘tours’, the baton is held by those bereaved by suicide and passed on, much like the Olympic torch. It is being brought to Derby on September 13 by local lady Claire Goring, whose father Rob took his own life.
The UK’s largest ever suicide prevention initiative, the ‘baton’ itself has been beautifully made by Thomas Lyte, goldsmiths and silversmiths to the late Queen Elizabeth II and makers of the Emirates FA Cup.
This year the baton is travelling around the UK with a finale in London on October 10: World Mental Health Day.
In Derby, the baton’s tour starts at Elvaston Castle where it is set to be transported to The University of Derby by hundreds of riders from the Mental Health Motorbike charity.
There will be events throughout the day at points in the city including Cathedral Green, the cricket ground and Darley Park.
Claire said bringing the Baton of Hope to Derby was a labour of love and she wanted to help raise awareness of suicide having been hugely affected by the death of her dad, Rob, who took his own life just before she turned 21.
“My dad had been suffering,” said Claire. “He had had a bad back and had been redeployed from work. He just felt like he was useless.”
On the fateful day, Claire remembered raising the alarm with her mum after not being able to get through to her dad on the phone. Rob was found to have taken his own life that same day.
“He didn’t feel like he could stay,” said Claire. “For me, at that age, it was really difficult. I was very close to him so it was a huge loss and a real shock. I didn’t expect it. I never thought he would do that.”
The Baton of Hope day brings together many organisations in the area which are working to support people with their mental health, including Derby County Community Trust,
“It means a lot to me to organise the Baton of Hope in Derby and show people there are different ways of showing support,” Claire went on.
“For me, this is very personal. It’s about my dad. I want to make him proud. For me, it means everything to bring all these amazing people together who all have done something to save lives and try and take away the stigma surrounding mental health.”
Tickets for Andy Quinn’s “Songs of Hope” are £10 each. To book, see www.batonofhopederbyshire.co.uk/events/songsofhope
EREWASH council is to salute war hero Donald Rose – who is the UK’s oldest man – by granting the 110-year-old the Freedom of the Borough.
The tribute, which will be voted on when the full council meets on Thursday 15 May, follows VE Day celebrations across the nation to mark 80 years since the defeat of the Nazis.
Ex-Desert Rat Donald was shot in the leg during the Normandy Landings – and as the nation’s oldest World War Two veteran found himself repeatedly starring on TV during VE Day week.
A party for him at Ilkeston’s Canal Vue Care Home in the run-up to the big day was featured on The One Show. The Mayor of Erewash Cllr Kate Fennelly was there – along with TV comic Al Murray.
On VE Day itself – Thursday 8 May – BBC1’s national news filmed him attending an extravaganza at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It was hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin and the Royal British Legion – and saw a flypast by a Spitfire and a Hurricane fighter.
The citation for the veteran to get the Freedom of the Borough reads: “This Council wishes to place on record its high appreciation and recognises the debt of gratitude of all citizens of the Borough to Donald Rose and his generation.
“As the oldest resident of the Borough and the nation’s oldest veteran of the Second World War, the contributions of him and his generation have ensured the continuation of our values and democratic freedoms that we enjoy.
“In commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and in recognition of his service to the country, the Council hereby confers upon Donald Rose the Freedom of the Borough of Erewash.’’
Council leader James Dawson will propose the motion at Long Eaton Town Hall. Cllr Dawson said: “Donald fought for our freedom – so it is only fitting that we honour him this way.”
Phoenix Brickwork, a specialist in brickwork, scaffolding and steel frame systems (SFS), is delivering multi-trade support to help rebuild a school in Doncaster.
The business, based in Pinxton, Derbyshire, is supplying the brickwork, SFS, internal partitions and ceilings, and scaffolding packages at Ridgewood School to transform 12 tired and outdated buildings into a new three-storey, stand-alone learning space for 500 students.
This bespoke project for clients, BAM Construction, is part of the Government’s £1 billion schools rebuilding programme, which will overhaul 50 schools across the UK.
Christian Watson, Group Chairman at Phoenix Brickwork (UK) Ltd, said he was excited to deliver multi-trade construction solutions from brickwork, SFS and drywall to scaffolding on this project.
He said: “For quite some time, Phoenix Brickwork has been able to offer clients integrated and reliable construction solutions.
“We are experts in masonry, SFS and scaffolding, and can offer multi-trade support and solutions for an array of construction projects.
“By delivering multi-trade support at Ridgewood School in Doncaster, we have been able to streamline project delivery which has minimised delays and coordinated issues that can typically slow things down.”
Ridgewood School in Scawsby is a net-zero operation and makes the way for a new green biodiverse campus, boosting the educational prospects for future generations. Work started last month (FEB), after the Doncaster school was selected as one of only 50 schools in the UK for the Government’s £1 billion schools rebuilding programme.
Over the next few months, Ridgewood students will meet to choose a name for the new building and collect items to put in a time capsule. The foundations of the building have already been laid, and the steel structure of the building is now in place, marking a major step in the project’s completion.
Christian said: “Choosing a single contractor can streamline project delivery by consolidating responsibilities, leading to faster completion and better cost certainty.
“It can also minimise delays and create better coordination issues that could typically slow a site down.
“I am proud of how Phoenix can provide interfacing construction solutions from brickwork, SFS and drywall to scaffolding.
“From our bases in Derbyshire and Northampton, we can take care of everything and this project is extremely exciting for us as we are offering multi-trade support.
“Already, we have made a fast and efficient start and delivering on time is always key.
“Phoenix has always wanted to be a ‘one-stop’ for integrated and reliable construction solutions and now we are. We can now provide our clients with simple solutions and consistent support from start to finish.”
Ovens have proven to be essential tools in kitchens worldwide, from home cooking spaces to professional eateries, and they must be cleaned according to best practices to uphold food safety during use.
Here, the food hygiene experts at online training provider High Speed Training explains the crucial reasons for cleaning your oven, advises on how often this should be done, details the best methods, and offers practical tips.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: “While many might put off cleaning their oven, the hygiene and safety risks can be significant. A clean oven is fundamental to reducing the risk of fires, food poisoning, improving overall food hygiene, and preventing the transfer of allergens between foods. It’s an essential step in ensuring the safety of the meals you prepare.”
How often should you clean your oven?
While a bi-annual deep clean is a good baseline for domestic ovens (more frequent with heavy use), commercial kitchens require significantly more regular cleaning – potentially daily or weekly – to uphold crucial food hygiene standards and satisfy regulatory requirements. It’s important to recognise key warning signs that indicate an oven needs cleaning, regardless of schedule.
Dr Anderson said: “Several signs indicate your oven requires cleaning, such as persistent food odours and food cooking unevenly. A sticky feel to the oven doors or shelves, and an inability to see through the oven door due to grime build-up, are also indicators. Furthermore, if the oven loses heat, takes an extended time to reach the set temperature, or smokes when you turn it on, cleaning is likely necessary.”
Oven cleaning hacks
Dr Anderson continues: “Think of oven cleaning as a non-negotiable part of your food safety routine. It directly impacts your risk of food contamination and helps ensure food is cooked properly. Adhering to a cleaning schedule and using the right cleaning approach are essential steps for safe food preparation.”
For more tips, visit High Speed Training Hub, or our article: How to Clean an Oven for more in-depth guidance on how to clean your oven.
A DOCTOR Who legend who will be a VIP guest as Erewash Museum stages a sci fi day dedicated to the Time Lord has close ties to the borough, we can reveal.
TV’s Sophie Aldred will be joined by Daleks and the TARDIS on Saturday 10 May as she tells of her time playing Ace – the companion of seventh doctor Sylvester McCoy.
The London-born actress’s late grandfather – a decorated World War Two hero – ran Robinsons Solicitors, which used to overlook Ilkeston Market Place.
Paul Robinson was a British Army major who survived brutal conditions after being taken prisoner in the Far East.
While he was held captive his wife Hope Robinson – the actress’s gran – never gave up believing she would see him again. She interviewed a soldier who escaped from the same harsh camp – and wrote a pamphlet describing how PoWs were managing to maintain “excellent” morale.
The Sunday Express printed details – which turned the mum into a figurehead for families desperate for news of loved ones. More than 5,000 letters asking for copies of the pamphlet arrived at her Ilkeston home.
Thousands were donated to the museum after Hope’s daughter Penny Aldred, who is Sophie’s mum, found them in an attic. They were used in an exhibition called Letters of Hope.
Penny told the BBC in an interview how she ran to meet her father when he finally returned home after the Japanese surrendered in September 1945. She said: “He caught me up in his arms. Although he was very thin . . . he went back to the office straight away.”
Major Robinson died in 1997 aged 87. His wife was 93 when she passed away in 2008.
Museum tickets to “panel talks” about Doctor Who – which will feature the couple’s granddaughter Sophie – are £10. They can be bought by calling 0115 907 1141 or emailing [email protected]
General entry to an extravaganza that is being billed as “A Time-Travelling Exploration” is £5 – with free admission for under-12s.
Erewash council deputy leader Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The new series of Doctor Who has gripped BBC1 viewers. As a fan myself it is fantastic that Erewash Museum has lined up this treat. Sophie’s links to the borough make the event even more fascinating.”
Erewash Museum welcomes some 20,000 people a year. It is normally open from 11am to 4pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – and is free to visit. Refreshments are available at its Dalby House Café.
Pictured: Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred on location for Remembrance of the Daleks in 1988 – and the actress’s grandfather Paul Robinson, centre with wife Hope, in a staff photo at the Ilkeston solicitors he ran
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward is celebrating a successful year of bringing more investment into the region to help deliver better jobs, better skills, build new homes, improve transport, support a greener East Midlands, and champion our visitor economy.
This week, (Wednesday 7 May) marks one year since Claire Ward was elected and signed the official declaration to become the regions first Mayor.
In just 12 months, having a Mayor has already made a big difference, including her securing over £120 million in extra funding, money the region wouldn’t have received without the Mayor of the East Midlands.
Over the past year, her leadership has brought meaningful, noticeable improvements that are already making a difference in people’s lives across the East Midlands. From supporting young people to improving public transport, the mayor’s campaigns have been focused on ensuring that growth and opportunity are accessible to all.
Some of the major achievements in Mayor Claire Ward’s first year, include
Young people have also been a top priority, with a new £5 million Youth Guarantee Trailblazer scheme to support young people aged 18 to 21 to get the job or course they really want. The Mayor has also made it her mission to bring young people into how we make decisions as a region, giving them a seat at the table with the first-ever East Midlands Youth Committee.
Reflecting on the last year Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:
“It has been a busy but successful year for me and my team at the East Midlands Combined County Authority, setting up the first ever Combined County Authority for the region and taking office. The East Midlands has always been a place of ambition and resilience, full of potential — hardworking people, strong communities, and world-class industries. But for too long, we’ve missed out on the investment and attention we deserve. That’s starting to change, because the region now has a Mayor that is focussed on improving the region. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together in just one year, – bringing in funding, new opportunities and real improvements.
Devolution has given us the power to invest in ourselves, from £140 million to regenerate our towns, to new homes, better transport, and more opportunities for young people. We’re already seeing the real difference a regional Mayor can make, bringing in funding and improvements that communities have long needed.
This is just the start, I’m even more excited about what lies ahead, as we work together to make the East Midlands the best place to live, work and learn.”
With foundations now in place, the next year will bring even more progress, from building more homes and improving transport, to the Inclusive Growth Commission working together to bring fresh perspectives to deliver economic growth, to creating new opportunities for young people and raising the East Midlands’ profile across the UK and beyond.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is led by Mayor Claire Ward and covers the four local authority areas of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham. Its priorities include transport, housing, the visitor economy, economic growth, skills and adult education and net zero
