Generous Toyota funding helps Derbyshire homelessness project participants go green

A funding boost from the Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust is helping participants in a highly valued homelessness project grow vegetables. The funding has paid for smart new raised vegetable beds at Derventio Housing Trust’s Growing Lives day centre in Ilkeston. Project participants have used the funds to build the new wooden structures which will […]

Toyota apprentices transform Derby charity’s family centre in week-long makeover

A team of apprentices stand beneath a Children First Derby gazebo holding a plaque. They are stood within a bright and colourful playground.

A team of apprentices has given a Derby charity’s family centre a dramatic makeover, creating a brighter, more welcoming space for some of the city’s most vulnerable children and families. The group from Toyota Manufacturing UK’s apprenticeship scheme, including partner companies, spent five days transforming Children First Derby’s premises on Leopold Street after securing funding […]

Derby primary school praised by Ofsted for helping every child feel they belong

A group of 13 primary school pupils in school uniform stand and kneel beneath the Bishop Lonsdale School crest, smiling and giving thumbs up in the school entrance hall.

A Derby primary school has been recognised by Ofsted for creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Inspectors found that Bishop Lonsdale Church of England Primary School and Nursery, part of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust, meets the expected standard in every area under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, highlighting the […]

Securiscape installs its biggest-ever planters at Manchester’s historic industrial museum

Exterior entrance of the Science and Industry Museum, featuring a historic brick building connected to a modern glass facade with large "Science + Industry Museum" signage. Rust-coloured metal planters with trees and greenery line the walkway, while two blurred pedestrians walk past the museum entrance on a sunny day.

A major restoration project at one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage sites has been given a fitting final touch – with two PAS 68-rated planters installed by Derbyshire security street furniture firm Securiscape. The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, which stands on the site of the world’s first inter-urban passenger railway, has […]

New barn opens as Shottle Hall celebrates 20 years of wedded bliss

A group of brides in a variety of white and ivory wedding dresses stand laughing and posing with their arms raised on a lawn outside Shottle Hall's new modern black barn wedding venue.

A Derbyshire wedding venue is raising a glass to 20 years of “I dos” with a garden party and the official opening of a new barn for the next generation of couples. More than 2,000 couples have tied the knot at Shottle Hall in Belper since the house, which is part of the Chatsworth estate, […]

Friends complete epic 100-mile Chopper Challenge for Derbyshire charities

Dean Jackson MBE and Phil Mason crouch beside a promotional banner for the Chopper Canal Challenge with a purple Raleigh Chopper bicycle in the foreground. The banner advertises a 100-mile charity ride from Preston Brook in support of YMCA, while the Derby Silk Mill is visible in the background.

An experienced runner and triathlete who has completed 11 London Marathons says a 100-mile charity ride on a vintage Raleigh Chopper was the toughest challenge of his life — leaving him with broken ribs after two crashes. Dean Jackson MBE – who has also completed the New York Marathon, three Half Ironman events and countless […]

Trust-wide art exhibition is full of Mini Masterpieces

Two pupils smile beside a display of their classmates' self-portrait artwork at the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust art exhibition celebrating creativity.

Hundreds of children have become exhibiting artists after work from every school in Derby Diocesan Academy Trust went on public display in a unique exhibition celebrating creativity. The exhibition, hosted by the University of Derby, brings together 33 original pieces of artwork – one from each of the Trust’s schools – all inspired by the […]