News

Credit: Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service

Eleven new wholetime firefighters for Derbyshire

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has marked the end of training for 11 new Firefighters who will now begin their careers at fire stations across the county. Formally welcoming the new recruits on Friday 17th July 2026, Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Michael Sharman hosted a pass out ceremony to celebrate and mark their achievement with the presentation of certificates, special awards, and operational displays for the assembled guests. Speaking afterwards, CFO/CE Sharman said: “It is always an honour to […]

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The Markeaton Park Paddling Pool. Image by Derby City Council.

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Community Notices

SUMMER KIDZ: Markeaton Park Paddling Pool update

A popular paddling pool at a Derby park is “on track” to reopen in time for the summer holidays following emergency repairs. Last month, it was announced that Derby City Council bosses closed the pool at Markeaton Park amid fears for its long-term future. The council said new damage was found on its surface and therefore had to close for safety reasons. At the time, the council warned that the pool, created in the 1970s, was “approaching the end of […]

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Derby

Leader says Derby City Council abolishment will ‘raise many questions’

The announced abolishment of Derby City Council will “raise many questions” – its leader has said. But Councillor Nadine Peatfield said splitting the county into two new merged authorities was the “best “option moving forward." In the biggest council shake-up for decades, the Labour Government has announced Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and the eight surrounding districts and borough councils will all be scrapped. The split will see Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire councils abolished and, with […]

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Pictured Is The Ada Belfield Care Home And Centre, On Derwent Street, Belper, Courtesy Of The Belper Together Campaigners

Borrowash

Derbyshire County Council continues to ‘finalise details’ over delayed plans to sell care home

Derbyshire County Council’s adult social care chief has told how positive discussions are still underway with an interested party to take over the running of a council care home after the sale of eight other facilities collapsed forcing them to close. The Reform UK-controlled council’s planned sale of eight of its care homes to a single provider collapsed and led to their closure but the authority confirmed as long ago as April that negotiations with an ‘established care provider’ were […]

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Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derbyshire

Economy grows 0.1% but new Prime Minister must address challenges to support business

The East Midlands Chamber has called on the incoming Prime Minister and political leaders to prioritise greater support for firms in the region to incentivise them to invest to grow, despite a 0.1% lift in GDP for May. The estimated figure published by the Office for National Statistics is a return to growth following a 0.1% contraction in April. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Seeing some growth in GDP, especially considering the impact of […]

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Derby

Derby’s Market Place takes a step closer to redevelopment

Plans to redevelop Derby’s Market Place have been approved, taking the site a step closer to its complete transformation. Derby City Council’s Planning Control Committee approved an outline planning application on Thursday evening, submitted by the Council’s strategic development partner Ion Developments. The committee’s approval of the plans is a major milestone in the project, allowing the Council to now submit an application to discharge the planning conditions attached to the demolition of the former Assembly Rooms. The Council will […]

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Jari Luoma (credit) with his listening equipment in Finland.

Borough Wide

Scandinavian Sound – Erewash Sound reaches far afield in Summer months

Warmer Summer weather has left local people reaching for ice creams, cold drinks and fans but in Scandinavia, it has led one radio buff to reach for his listening equipment. Jari Luoma contacted Erewash Sound from Southern Finland, having picked up 103.5 FM broadcasts on two occasions, in what he described "an exceptional moment for UK radio reception", adding that he was thrilled to receive our low power signal. Jari, a radio DXer who operates a remote listening station using […]

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News

GWCT secures government backing for seven species recovery projects

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has secured government backing for all seven projects it submitted to Natural England's Species Recovery Programme, reinforcing the Trust’s position at the forefront of science-led practical conservation. The projects form part of a record £60 million investment through Natural England's Species Recovery Programme under the Government's Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife initiative, which will support a total of 130 projects benefiting 364 threatened species over the next three years. GWCT CEO Nick von […]

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Community Notices

Heanor woman sets up non-profit enterprise for ADHD and autism sufferers

A 25-year-old woman from Heanor has gone public to share her personal journey which led her to set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) to offer support to those suffering with ADHD and Autism. Marybeth Thornhill said that her personal journey and the gap in support led to the creation of Dreamscape Community Connections C.I.C. Over the last few years, she has survived domestic abuse, homelessness, baby loss, grief and significant struggles with anxiety and my mental health, and began […]

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