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£100,000 of CrossCountry community funds now open for applications (until 17th July 2026)

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced that its annual Customer and Communities Improvement Fund, and its Biodiversity Improvement Projects fund, are now open for applications. The two funds are being launched to support local projects that encourage sustainable growth and create a positive impact for local communities across the CrossCountry network. A total of £100,000 has been made available for 2026 to support community projects that deliver clear and measurable social and environmental benefits. The fund consists of £60,000 for […]

22 June 2026 6

Borough Wide

Transport Secretary makes a statement on train collision at Elstow near Bedford

In the wake of the East Midlands Railway train crash in Bedfordshire, the Transport Secretary has made a statement in Parliament. With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the tragic collision between two passenger trains on Friday 19th June. I realise honourable members will be aware of some of the details, but today I’d like to set out the facts as we know them so far. At approximately 17.15 on Friday evening, two East […]

22 June 2026 16

Erewash Voluntary Action Volunteer of the Year 2026 - Pete Pheasant receives his award (Credit: Martin Sykes)

Borough Wide

Volunteer of the Year 2026 – Erewash Voluntary Action

Pete Pheasant is used to writing stories about other people winning awards but recently, he became a recipient of an award himself. The retired journalist has been named volunteer of the Year by Erewash Voluntary Action. In addition to his role as joint editor of Erewash Valley Talking News, Pete, age 71, makes weekly shopping trips for two people who are unable to carry heavy items and visits an elderly war veteran to give him a couple of hours’ company. […]

19 June 2026 39

Thermal road repairs are a new technique being rolled out for town centre and residential streets in Derbyshire (Credit: DCC)

Borough Wide

New improvements to boost Derbyshire’s pothole repair service

Derbyshire County Council is stepping up efforts to tackle potholes across the county, with new treatments, techniques and equipment designed to improve the speed, quality and durability of repairs. The move is part of the county council’s continued investment into Derbyshire’s highways, as part of its £70 million Capital Programme, to continuously improve the way roads are maintained, whilst offering longevity and value for money. As part of this, the council is exploring the use of a JCB Pothole Pro […]

19 June 2026 27

Mark Amos' posted image of the ever-popular 'Hole In The Wall' (Credit: Facebook Banana For Scale)

Borough Wide

London man vows to visit ‘must visit’ Erewash attraction

A London man has vowed to visit what is described as a 'must visit' attraction on a trip to visit the Erewash area. Mark Amos took to social media to detail his plans having seen the 'little tourist highlight' he said had been the subject of a review by a 'fellow dullster', mentioning that the ever popular Nat West Bank 'Hole In The Wall' on Bath Street in Ilkeston 'may be the town's answer to the mysteries of the universe, […]

19 June 2026 72

Borough Wide

Gardener Steve picks up a Silver Merit at BBC Gardeners World Live 2026

Erewash Sound presenter Steve Walton, aka 'Gardener Steve' has picked up an award for a long-planned border installed at BBC Gardeners World Live 2026. Steve, who presents a Sunday night show featuring a mix of music, gardening themed chat, interviews, what's on and advice, has been busy over the past week getting things ready for the event held at Birmingham NEC over the weekend of Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June, having been working on an idea he has had […]

19 June 2026 27

Borough Wide

Derby College Group apprentices complete landmark programme at Chester Zoo

Derby College Group has expressed collective delight in celebrating the graduation of its latest cohort of apprentices at Chester Zoo, following two years of immersive, industry-focused learning. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the college's land-based provision and underlines the transformative power of apprenticeships in growing the next generation of skilled animal care professionals. The programme, now in its second cohort across four years of partnership with Chester Zoo, has produced outstanding results. 78% of apprentices achieved a Distinction […]

18 June 2026 20

Christ Church Methodist Church in Derby Road, Long Eaton. Image from Google.

Borough Wide

Erewash church gets a new lease of life

An historic Derbyshire church is eyeing a new future to preserve the “shabby but sacred” building and bring more people inside. The 150-year-old Christ Church Methodist Church in Derby Road, Long Eaton, a prominent building on the town’s main thoroughfare, is set for a new lease of life. Christ Church, home to the official Long Eaton town clock, is looking to divide the existing worship space into separate community facilities, alongside the sale of the neighbouring Sunday school. This will […]

18 June 2026 28

The proposed site of 150 homes in Bostocks Lane, Risley. Image from Google.

Borough Wide

Borough Council set to spend £1.5m on 7,000-home master-plan

A Derbyshire council is due to spend more than £1.5 million replacing a “deeply flawed” 7,000-home masterplan. In January, the Labour-run Erewash Borough Council opted to scrap its future housing plan, mandated to meet Government targets, after an ultimatum from an inspector. This had followed seven years of work through two political administrations, a blocked attempt at scrapping it, the addition of thousands more homes and months of limbo. The council must legally have or be working towards a housing […]

18 June 2026 19

Borough Wide

£100,000 of CrossCountry community funds now open for applications (until 17th July 2026)

Transport Secretary makes a statement on train collision at Elstow near Bedford

Volunteer of the Year 2026 – Erewash Voluntary Action

New improvements to boost Derbyshire’s pothole repair service

London man vows to visit ‘must visit’ Erewash attraction

Gardener Steve picks up a Silver Merit at BBC Gardeners World Live 2026

Derby College Group apprentices complete landmark programme at Chester Zoo

Erewash church gets a new lease of life

Borough Council set to spend £1.5m on 7,000-home master-plan

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