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Gnome Island in Nottingham Road, Ilkeston. From Eddie Bisknell.

Plans for large gnome statue on Ilkeston traffic island take a diminutive step forward

Plans to install a large gnome statue on a “culturally significant” ornament-adorned roundabout in a Derbyshire town have taken a step forward. In the midst of a near five-hour Erewash Borough Council meeting filled with debates about free parking, rewilding, a new M1 junction and asylum seeker accommodation, sat a discussion about Ilkeston’s beloved ‘Gnome Island’. The Nottingham Road, Park Drive and Morrisons junction is marked by a roundabout home to a number of gnomes, an impromptu community quirk which […]

27 July 2026 12

Borough Wide

Cricket, gymnastics and football get borough council boost

A much-loved local cricket club that was founded during the reign of Queen Victoria is poised to mark its 150th anniversary by installing the very latest in hi-tech grass – thanks to help from Erewash Borough Council. The “hybrid” wickets have been hailed as groundbreaking after being pioneered at Lord’s and the Oval. They feature natural turf with tiny amounts of unique polyethylene yarn stitched in to make the surface more durable. Sandiacre Town Cricket Club is to harness the […]

27 July 2026 13

Borough Wide

SUMMER KIDZ: From schools to farms – 80,000 trees take root across Derbyshire

Tens of thousands of new trees have been planted across Derbyshire as Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest successfully completes its second planting season. Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest aims to increase tree cover across eastern, north-eastern and southern Derbyshire and Derby, connecting landscapes, people and wildlife. Tree planting brings a wide range of benefits, from improving biodiversity to supporting farming, enhancing landscapes, and creating new green spaces for communities. Through this government-funded scheme, landowners, farmers, schools and community groups can access fully […]

27 July 2026 11

Renault Avantimes lined up (Credit: Conrad Longmore)

Borough Wide

French invasion as car fans have Avantime of their lives

Erewash has seen an invasion of quirky old French cars that were last made decades ago in one of its twin towns across the Channel. Proud drivers of ageing Renault Avantimes flocked to Long Eaton on Saturday 25th July, where they were joined by owners of ultra rare sporty Matras. The pilgrimage took place because the town is twinned with Romorantin-Lanthenay in the Loire. It is where the Matra factory, which also made the luxury Renault model, used to stand. […]

27 July 2026 14

Borough Wide

SUMMER KIDZ: UKHSA East Midlands reminds families how to ‘Beat the Heat’ as schools break for summer

Schools out for summer and UKHSA East Midlands is urging families to take simple steps to enjoy the summer break safely and protect their family’s health. Further heat health alerts could be issued throughout the summer as temperatures rise. Particularly young children can be susceptible to the effects of heat, as well as older age groups. But anyone can be affected by particularly high temperatures and spending time outdoors, travelling and taking part in sports and other activities can increase […]

23 July 2026 6

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Borough Wide

20% business rates cut for pubs and clubs welcomed by Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has said a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and clubs is a ‘significant step forward’ but renewed its call for support for the wider hospitality sector, across manufacturing and small businesses, as part of a full root and branch review. The cut, announced by the Prime Minister, will be applied to business rates from April 2027 and follows a 15% cut announced by the former Chancellor earlier in 2026. East Midlands Chamber Director of […]

23 July 2026 3

Teacher Training Celebration (Credit: DCG)

Borough Wide

Derby College Group celebrates a summer of achievement

It has been a summer of celebration at Derby College Group, as thousands of students have marked the end of their courses with a series of awards ceremonies and graduations held over the last few weeks. Here is a broad selection of the celebrations. From Broomfield Hall to The Roundhouse, Morley Hayes and the University of Derby, every part of the college's provision has taken the opportunity to recognise the hard work, resilience and achievements of its students this year, […]

21 July 2026 22

Borough Wide

Three vehicle A52 crash sees seven people injured

Erewash Police officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a serious collision on the A52 Brian Clough Way. The incident at around 7:45pm on Monday 20th July involved a Ford Fiesta, Ford Transit and a Jaguar, on the westbound carriageway near Borrowash. Seven people were injured with two taken to hospital. One of those has suffered serious injuries and has remained in hospital. The road was closed while the incident was dealt with and reopened at 7:10am on […]

21 July 2026 24

A telehandler near a powerline. (Credit: National Grid)

Borough Wide

Farmers in Derbyshire urged to ‘check it, don’t chance it’ during Farm Safety Week

As part of Farm Safety Week (20th–24th July 2026), National Grid Electricity Distribution is encouraging farmers across Derbyshire to take a moment to check their surroundings and stay alert when working near overhead power lines and underground electricity cables. The electricity network operator, which serves the Midlands, South West and South Wales, is sharing a simple but important message: check it, don't chance it. The reminder comes as part of a wider effort to reduce the number of incidents involving […]

21 July 2026 36

Borough Wide

Plans for large gnome statue on Ilkeston traffic island take a diminutive step forward

Cricket, gymnastics and football get borough council boost

SUMMER KIDZ: From schools to farms – 80,000 trees take root across Derbyshire

French invasion as car fans have Avantime of their lives

SUMMER KIDZ: UKHSA East Midlands reminds families how to ‘Beat the Heat’ as schools break for summer

20% business rates cut for pubs and clubs welcomed by Chamber

Derby College Group celebrates a summer of achievement

Three vehicle A52 crash sees seven people injured

Farmers in Derbyshire urged to ‘check it, don’t chance it’ during Farm Safety Week

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