Somewhere to take the children on a cold/wet Feb day.


There are free events for all the family in our libraries to mark National Libraries Week in February. The two-day celebration takes place on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 February.


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First up, on Friday, is a talk by author HL Dennis at Duffield library. She is the author of the acclaimed 'code breaker' series of books for children. These exciting adventure stories are set at the World War II secret code cracking station at Bletchley Park. She will also give her 'Code Breaker' talk at Alfreton, Heanor and Ilkeston on Saturday.

Friday night is 'Big Night Out' at Buxton library with an event for 11 to 16-year-olds. It includes free food and drink, funky music, face painting, giant bouncy castle, Mariokart Wii challenge, a treasure hunt and a puppet workshop.

For children of five years or more there will be piratical fun with author and illustrator Jonathan Emmett at the 'Here be Monsters' event, named after his latest book. There are two chances to see him on Saturday morning at Brimington library or catch him later at Chesterfield library that afternoon.
And finally, the whole family can join a family writing workshop at either New Mills library on Saturday morning or Glossop library that afternoon. Derbyshire poet laureate, Helen Mort, will be helping you to use your favourite books to create some stories of your own. Whether you're new to creative writing or an old hand, there'll be books to dive into and stories to pull out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLY

French comedian Dieudonne banned from entFrench comedian Dieudonne banned from entering UK row

Can someone tell me what all this is about please.

Anyone who is interested in the Derbyshire countryside events taking place this year will find the brochure in the link below


http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/images/Events%20book%202014%20web_tcm44-218411.pdf


The peak District walking festival for those who enjoy a good old ramble

http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/

Still moving forward with plans for this high speed train looks like Derbyshire is jumping on the 'wagon' 


Councils back calls for local rail college
3 February 2014

We have joined forces with Derby City Council to call for the High Speed 2 (HS2) college to be sited in the county.


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County Leader Councillor Anne Western and City Leader Councillor Paul Bayliss are urging transport chiefs to consider locating a specialist further education college in the area.

Following Ministers' announcement for plans for a dedicated rail college, both leaders have requested that the Secretary of State for Transport considers building the academy locally because of Derby's long-standing links with the rail industry.

In a joint letter to Patrick McLoughlin - MP for Derbyshire Dales - both Councillors Western and Bayliss welcome the Government's proposals for a college to help supply the specialist skills needed to build the HS2 project because of its potential to create thousands of local jobs.

Councillor Western said:

We especially welcome the local job opportunities that will be created through employment in construction and the operation of the new railway, in the rail supply industry and in the wider economy as a result of better rail connections.

"For some time East Midlands local authorities have recognised the need for an academy as a centre of expertise and training in high speed rail technology and because of the city's historic links with the rail sector, this area would seem a natural choice."
According to a recent report by economic experts Volterra, more than half of national employment in the manufacture of rolling stock is in the East Midlands, two-thirds within Derby.

This suggests that around 2,500 workers in Derby could be involved in manufacturing rolling stock connected with HS2. The proposed maintenance depot at Staveley could also provide up to 250 jobs in an area where there are existing rail engineering firms with established links to the university sector.

There are also very close links between the rail industry, Derby University, Derby College, local private training providers and the National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering (NSARE).

Councillor Western said:

We believe this offers the right conditions to establish a successful college that offers value for money, excellent links to industry and good communication links for learners from all parts of the country."
Councillor Bayliss said:

Derby is the centre of rail manufacture in the UK and also of engineering excellence, and as the city of 'planes, trains and automobiles' it is the obvious and only choice for such an academy. We would be proud to welcome it to the city."
We have responded to consultation on the West Midlands to Leeds leg of the route - which in Derbyshire broadly follows the M1 corridor.

Councillor Western added:

We recognise the potential benefits for the local economy but also request that full consideration be given to removing or lessening any negative impacts."
 

Think I have mentioned before Dave that we were going to try lidl and we have at times but still use tesco's as well just can't get all we buy from lidl.
I agree with you on the products we have tried as like you say they have been decent.
Have tried some baked beans, soup, coleslaw, bread and other stuff - all been good.
Not tried washing powder, must admit have used Daz since 1970  - old habits die hard on that one.
Will be taking daughter next week to do her shop so will gather some things myself whilst there.
Be interested to hear what you think about aldi

Wasn't there an Aldi Alfreton/Somercoates way years back, seem to remember going there a couple of times tried some of their own brands but didn't take to them.
What are they like these days
Are they similar to Lidl?

Maybe the workings have rusted with all the rain we have had!