News

89% of people in the East Midlands in the dark about free power cut helpline

New research from National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) shows that 89% of people in the East Midlands don’t know about the first port of call in a power cut – the 105 helpline. 105 is a free number that connects callers directly to their local electricity network operator in the event of a power cut. Power cuts can happen at any time – whether due to severe weather, unexpected incidents, or technical faults. For many, the first moments of a […]

5 February 2026 10

West Hallam

The Hit for Six Outdoor Festival – ‘Nashville Nights’ – Sunday 24th May with Erewash Sound

The Hit for Six Outdoor Festival - 'Nashville Nights' will be held at West Hallam White Rose Cricket Club, Cat & Fiddle Lane, West Hallam. DE7 5HE on Sunday 24th May 2026 from 2:00pm until 9:30pm and compered by Erewash Sound presenters. This is a great outdoor country music festival in the heart of Derbyshire with music for all country tastes, line dancing, food and drink not forgetting some superb western shopping outlets and line dancing. It is a chance […]

4 February 2026 53

From left, University of Nottingham Vice Chancellor Prof Jane Norman, EMCCA chief executive Amy Harhoff, Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward, Nottingham Trent University Vice Chancellor Prof Dave Petley and University of Derby deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Keith McLay launch the East Midlands University Compact.

News

East Midlands universities join forces with EMCCA to drive regional growth

Three leading universities have joined the Mayor of the East Midlands in pledging to drive inclusive growth across the region. The University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham have signed a University Compact with Mayor Claire Ward and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) chief executive Amy Harhoff. The agreement sets out a shared commitment to closer collaboration on issues that matter to people, communities, and businesses in the East Midlands. Mayor Claire said: “Our universities […]

4 February 2026 12

Ilkeston

Appeal after motorcycle stolen from home before being found abandoned

Officers investigating the theft of a motorcycle in Ilkeston are appealing for the public’s help. The red Kawasaki EN500 motorcycle was stolen from a house in Park Road, at around 1am on 8th January. The bike was found later the same day dumped on the Pewitt Golf Course and has subsequently been returned to its owner. CCTV from the area where the bike was stolen captured two people stealing the bike. While the pair pictured are not able to be […]

4 February 2026 30

Derbyshire

Former Police and Crime Commissioner quits the Conservative Party

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Derbyshire’s former Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has quit the Conservatives, with sources claiming she is poised to join Reform UK. Cllr Angelique Foster, Derbyshire’s Conservative PCC from 2021 to 2024, and existing county councillor for the Dronfield Woodhouse and Walton division, has quit the Tories after 15 years in the party. It is believed that Cllr Foster, who is also a Dronfield town councillor, will serve as an independent councillor in […]

4 February 2026 36

Long Eaton

Long Eaton headquartered salon group chooses Cancer Research UK as new charity partner

A hair salon group with its headquarters in Long Eaton has announced the signing of a new corporate partnership agreement with Cancer Research UK. The KH Hair Group, which has its head office and training academy in the town, has committed to raising a minimum of £10,000 throughout 2026, which the charity says will have an enormous impact on its work both across the East Midlands and throughout the UK. The company has previously supported Breast Cancer Now, the NSPCC's […]

4 February 2026 65

Ilkeston

DCG champions next generation of nature-minded leaders through conservation and land-based education

As the urgency of nature recovery and sustainable land management grows across the UK, Derby College Group (DCG) is celebrating the role its Broomfield Hall (Morley) campus plays in preparing students for careers that directly support the future of the environment. Broomfield Hall, DCG’s working estate in the Derwent Valley, equips learners with hands-on experience in land and wildlife management, conservation, ecological surveying and habitat stewardship, skills that are increasingly vital amid nationwide efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity. At […]

4 February 2026 12

Community Notices

People urged to have their say on new Derby public realm strategy (Deadline: 24th February)

Derby City Council is urging people to have their say on a new Public Realm Strategy, which sets out a vision for the city’s streets and public spaces. The survey, published on the Let’s Talk Derby platform, follows on from a Derbion engagement event held last week, which invited the public to join the consultation and share their views in an interactive session run by the University of Derby’s civic team through its research and innovation space – S.H.E.D (Social […]

4 February 2026 19

Community Notices

Garden group embrace romance with random Valentines bouquet drop

Valentine’s Day is not just a commercial day for couples to declare their love according to volunteers at Shipley Community Garden. For the last five years, during the month of February, members have randomly dropped handmade bouquets of flowers, seed bombs and seed paper and lavender fabric hearts on random doorsteps in Shipley, Cotmanhay, Ilkeston and Heanor. As the annual celebration of romance approaches, Kay Kearton from the Shipley Community Garden said: "Everyone deserves appreciation and a little token of […]

3 February 2026 15