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Nine new on-call firefighters for Derbyshire (Credit: DFRS)

Nine new on-call firefighters join stations across Derbyshire

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has collectively celebrated the achievements of nine new on-call firefighters at a pass out ceremony attended by their family and friends. On Sunday 1st November 2026, Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive (CFO/CE) Michael Sharman hosted the event which marked the successful completion of several weeks of intense training for firefighters from course 2-26, formally welcoming them to the Service. The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates, special awards, and operational displays for the assembled […]

1 November 2026 12

Government Chancellor John Healey Was Joined By East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward At The Autumn Budget Announcement. Courtesy Of East Midlands Combined

Borough Wide

Derbyshire council argues Chancellor’s budget offers ‘crumbs’ despite claims of ‘fresh hope’

Derbyshire Labour MPs and the East Midlands Mayor welcomed the Chancellor’s autumn budget with ‘breathing space’ and ‘fresh hope’ but the county’s Reform UK council has accused John Healey of offering only ‘crumbs’ in a failed bid to tackle big issues like the economy. Chancellor John Healey’s budget on October 28th offered relief on energy bills and business rates, support for mayors and apprentices, and £1.5bn of funding for social or council housing and affordable homes, as well as support […]

29 October 2026 22

The cast of the six-part BBC Three documentary - 'Brickies' on which, Ian played a major part.

Borough Wide

Ilkeston-based construction boss devastated as BBC show DIY SOS is ‘shelved’

Ilkeston DIY SOS Project Manager Ian Hodgkinson says he is devastated by the decision to ‘rest’ the BBC programme, warning its impact goes far beyond renovating houses. The Project Manager and construction industry champion says the show is more than bricks and mortar giving struggling families independence, dignity and hope. He said: “My heart also goes out to the real stars of each show and that is the trades, the suppliers and volunteers who day after day make the build […]

26 October 2026 14

Borough Wide

Shoplifter wore wig to try and disguise himself

A prolific shoplifter wore a wig in an ill-fated attempt to disguise his identity while he stole meat from an Ilkeston store. Warren Medcroft donned the long brown wig when he stole £44.70 worth of mince meat, beef steaks and beef burgers from the One Stop store in Nottingham Road on 4th October. But the wig was not enough to stop the 39-year-old being identified as the person responsible for the theft as he was instantly recognised by an officer […]

26 October 2026 5

Starting line: young athletes hoping to emulate Jessica.

Athletics

Olympian Jess’s Erewash athletics club is named the best in the East Midlands

A booming Erewash athletics club has been named the best in the East Midlands for how volunteers help to boost the community – as it continues to celebrate Great Britain hurdler Jessica Turner becoming its first member to go to the Olympics. Amber Valley and Erewash Athletics Club – based at Ilkeston’s Rutland Sports Park – is where the Tokyo Games star honed her prowess over 400 metres. It was voted Club of the Year as England Athletics held an […]

23 October 2026 9

The proposed care home in Wardlow Road, Ilkeston. Image from KWL Architects.

Borough Wide

75-bed care home could be built on former public open space in Erewash despite sustained opposition

A 75-bed care home could be built on former public open space in a Derbyshire town “disposed of” in a council “fire sale” three years ago despite a sustained wave of opposition. In 2023, Erewash Borough Council disposed of an innocuous 1.4 acres field off Wardlow Road in Ilkeston, to the rear of The Rutland Cottage pub. This move, finalised by Labour and started by the former Conservative administration, sought to fill a budget gap by bringing in much-needed money […]

21 October 2026 36

Borough Wide

Landmark borough venue to close after four years after failing to make a profit in four years

A cafe based at the site of an iconic borough landmark is to close after four years of trading without making a profit. Management of the venue at Windmill Farm on Cat & Fiddle Lane, run as Windmill Farm Ilk Ltd, took to social media to post a graphic containing a letter detailing the reasons for the closure. The letter said that, after four years of pouring hearts, souls and endless cups of coffee into the business, a decision detailed […]

20 October 2026 39

Borough Wide

Ilkeston boy Oscar raises over £2,000 for MND through his 77-day walking challenge

A 7-year old Ilkeston boy is on a mission to make to make a difference to people affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Oscar’s fundraising journey started with a simple but incredibly kind idea. He wanted to donate his own pocket money to help people living with MND and from that little idea, something amazing has grown. Oscar originally set himself the challenge of walking for 7 days, with a fundraising target of just £77. However, his determination to help […]

19 October 2026 114

Borough Wide

Fifty years on – do YOU remember Derby’s cancelled concert by The Sex Pistols and The Clash?

An appeal has been issued for memories, tickets, photographs and eyewitnesses from December 1976. Specifically, on Saturday 4th December 1976, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and Johnny Thunders’ Heartbreakers were scheduled to appear at Derby’s King’s Hall as part of the notorious Anarchy in the UK Tour. But the concert never took place. Following The Sex Pistols’ controversial appearance on national television, Derby councillors proposed that the band perform a private audition before being allowed to appear in […]

19 October 2026 43

Ilkeston

Nine new on-call firefighters join stations across Derbyshire

Derbyshire council argues Chancellor’s budget offers ‘crumbs’ despite claims of ‘fresh hope’

Ilkeston-based construction boss devastated as BBC show DIY SOS is ‘shelved’

Shoplifter wore wig to try and disguise himself

Olympian Jess’s Erewash athletics club is named the best in the East Midlands

75-bed care home could be built on former public open space in Erewash despite sustained opposition

Landmark borough venue to close after four years after failing to make a profit in four years

Ilkeston boy Oscar raises over £2,000 for MND through his 77-day walking challenge

Fifty years on – do YOU remember Derby’s cancelled concert by The Sex Pistols and The Clash?

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