Vaillant Live is giving away cash prize and tickets
This competition is now closed, John from Derby chose ‘rumours of Fleetwood Mac’ for his premium experience!! Enjoy John! As they approach their 1st Anniversary as a venue, Vaillant Live is giving you the chance to win £500 cash and a pair of premium tickets to a show of your choosing (subject to availability)! All you need to do is sign up to their newsletter before 14th June to be in with a chance of winning! If you’re already signed up, then don’t worry – you’re already in the hat! To sign up to their newsletter, head to https://vaillantlive.co.uk/newsletter/ ______________________________________________________________________ Vaillant Live Vaillant Live is a brand-new 3,500 capacity purpose built live performance venue in central Derby. Owned by Derby City Council and operated by Legends Global, the £45.8m facility is part of a wider £200m regeneration across the city. The venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and expected to attract an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby. T&Cs – https://vaillantlive.co.uk/vaillant-live-competition/ 00
Derby Arena Events 2026: Derby Unplugged, Classic Rock Show & Nashville at Heart
Looking for live music events in Derby? Derby Arena is hosting an exciting line-up of shows in 2026, including a major celebration of local talent alongside classic rock and country favourites. 🎸 Derby Unplugged: A Celebration of Local Music in Derby Derby LIVE and local independent music management company RatCat have announced Derby Unplugged, a huge celebration of the region’s thriving music scene, coming to Derby Arena. Taking place on Sunday 3 May, this event will feature eight hours of live music, showcasing some of the best artists from Derby, Nottingham and the surrounding areas. 🎶 What to Expect Running from 2pm to 10pm, the event will include: Artists already confirmed include: More acts are set to be announced. 👉 This is one of the standout Derby events for live music fans and a great opportunity to support local artists. ðŸŽŸï¸ Tickets & Information Tickets for these shows – and lots more – are on sale now on the Derby LIVE website. Details Venue 🎸 Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Derby Arena Fans of classic rock can enjoy an evening of legendary hits with the Ultimate Classic Rock Show, coming to Derby Arena on Friday 30 October. This high-energy show features music from iconic artists including: With over two hours of live music, plus an impressive light and projection show, this is set to be one of the top rock events in Derby this year. Tickets: £34 Tickets for these shows – and lots more – are on sale now on the Derby LIVE website. Details Venue 🤠Nashville at Heart – Country Music in Derby On Saturday 7 November, Derby Arena hosts Nashville at Heart, a celebration of modern country music. As country music continues to grow in popularity across the UK, this show features tributes to artists such as: With world-class musicians and vocalists, it promises to be a standout country music event in Derby. Tickets: £32.50 Details Venue 📠More Derby Events Tickets for all shows are available via the Derby LIVE website. If you’re looking for things to do in Derby, there’s plenty happening across the city, from live music and entertainment to new venues and developments. You can also read about how the city centre is evolving in our feature on 👉 The heartbeat of ‘New Derby’ celebrates its first birthday Derby Arena continues to host a wide range of live music and entertainment throughout the year. 00
Derby Arena Events 2026: Derby Unplugged, Classic Rock Show & Nashville at Heart
Looking for live music events in Derby? Derby Arena is hosting an exciting line-up of shows in 2026, including a major celebration of local talent alongside classic rock and country favourites. 🎸 Derby Unplugged: A Celebration of Local Music in Derby Derby LIVE and local independent music management company RatCat have announced Derby Unplugged, a huge celebration of the region’s thriving music scene, coming to Derby Arena. Taking place on Sunday 3 May, this event will feature eight hours of live music, showcasing some of the best artists from Derby, Nottingham and the surrounding areas. 🎶 What to Expect Running from 2pm to 10pm, the event will include: Artists already confirmed include: More acts are set to be announced. 👉 This is one of the standout Derby events for live music fans and a great opportunity to support local artists. ðŸŽŸï¸ Tickets & Information Tickets for these shows – and lots more – are on sale now on the Derby LIVE website. Details Venue 🎸 Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Derby Arena Fans of classic rock can enjoy an evening of legendary hits with the Ultimate Classic Rock Show, coming to Derby Arena on Friday 30 October. This high-energy show features music from iconic artists including: With over two hours of live music, plus an impressive light and projection show, this is set to be one of the top rock events in Derby this year. Tickets: £34 Tickets for these shows – and lots more – are on sale now on the Derby LIVE website. Details Venue 🤠Nashville at Heart – Country Music in Derby On Saturday 7 November, Derby Arena hosts Nashville at Heart, a celebration of modern country music. As country music continues to grow in popularity across the UK, this show features tributes to artists such as: With world-class musicians and vocalists, it promises to be a standout country music event in Derby. Tickets: £32.50 Details Venue 📠More Derby Events Tickets for all shows are available via the Derby LIVE website. If you’re looking for things to do in Derby, there’s plenty happening across the city, from live music and entertainment to new venues and developments. You can also read about how the city centre is evolving in our feature on 👉 The heartbeat of ‘New Derby’ celebrates its first birthday Derby Arena continues to host a wide range of live music and entertainment throughout the year. 00
A Derbyshire Artists Studio
For Diane Spencer, an artist living in the village of Higham, Derbyshire, the need for a garden room was practical rather than aspirational. She needed a dedicated space where she could focus on her artwork without the interruptions of a busy home. Working with the team at Cosy Garden Rooms, Diane and her husband Ian transformed a previously overgrown part of their garden into a bespoke 4m x 3m studio. Positioned to look out over the surrounding countryside, the building sits quietly within the landscape, offering a calm, self-contained workspace that takes full advantage of the far reaching countryside views. The finished studio is simple, light, and highly functional. Inside, it provides generous desk space, storage for materials, and a comfortable seating area, making it a versatile retreat for work, reading, or quiet time. Despite the distance from the main house, reliable Wi-Fi (hardwired ethernet connection) and efficient far infra-red heating ensure it’s a year-round workspace that remains “cosy” even in the depths of a Derbyshire winter. What has surprised Diane most is how naturally the space has become part of her daily routine. Stepping outside into a separate building helps her focus during the day while maintaining that essential boundary between work and home life. Projects like this reflect a wider shift in how we add space to our homes. Instead of large, multi-purpose extensions, homeowners are opting for smaller, purposeful buildings designed around how they actually live and work. For Diane, the garden room hasn’t just added a room; it’s brought a quiet corner of the garden to life and provided the perfect space for her creativity to thrive. About Cosy Garden Rooms Based in Nottingham, we specialise in designing and building bespoke, fully insulated garden rooms across Derbyshire and the Midlands. From professional home offices to creative sanctuaries like Diane’s studio, every project is tailored to fit your garden and your lifestyle. Ready to start your project? Call: 0115 77 22 715 Visit: www.cosygardenrooms.co.uk Email: info@cosygardenrooms.co.uk +50
Country Images dines at a hidden gem in Little Eaton
Sunshine on a Plate at The Little Kitchen On a grey October afternoon in the picturesque Derbyshire village of Little Eaton, we stumbled upon a true ray of sunshine — The Little Kitchen, a welcoming café with heart, soul, and seriously good food. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm smile from Emily, who showed us to our table and handed over the menu — a surprisingly extensive offering for such a cosy spot. From hearty breakfasts and vibrant lunches to indulgent homemade cakes, traybakes, and an impressive children’s menu, there was something for everyone. My companion chose the Eggs Benedict, served atop thick-cut, toasted granary bread. The plate arrived generously stacked with crisp bacon, perfectly poached eggs, and a rich, velvety hollandaise sauce — a well-executed classic that didn’t disappoint. I opted for the aptly named “Posh Toast†— toasted granary bread layered with smooth cream cheese, topped with silky smoked salmon and fresh avocado. Beautifully balanced and presented with care, it was my first time trying this dish — and certainly not my last. Both plates were served warm, straight from the open kitchen, which added to the sense of freshness and attention to detail that The Little Kitchen clearly takes pride in. Naturally, we couldn’t resist dessert. The impressive display of homemade cakes and traybakes — all baked in-house daily by Donna and Sarah — made it nearly impossible to choose. My companion selected the Strawberry & Apple Bakewell Tart, served with custard. With a delicate crumb and a generous topping of sweet fruit and almonds, it was a perfect end to the meal. I went for the fruit scone, complete with clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam — and dare I say, it might be the best scone I’ve ever tasted, even rivaling those found in Devon. The Little Kitchen isn’t just a café — it’s a hub of the local community. Homely, dog-friendly, and full of heart, it reflects the dedication of its owners, Donna and Dave Baxter. Back in 2014, the couple ran Baxter’s Newsagents. When the COVID pandemic hit, they responded with kindness and creativity: selling out of freshly made sandwich rolls, delivering afternoon teas to vulnerable villagers for free, and even launching homemade pizzas that quickly became local favourites. At the urging of loyal customers, they extended the building and officially opened The Little Kitchen. Since then, it’s become a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. The personal touch is ever-present. One former staff member, Sue, still visits weekly — and if she misses a visit, Donna checks in on her personally. That kind of care is rare, and deeply felt. Today, The Little Kitchen is known not only for its daily offerings but also for Fish Fridays, Bistro Nights, and bespoke catering services. Donna also creates grazing tables, platters, and custom birthday cakes for private and corporate events. With a new website launching soon and exciting plans on the horizon, The Little Kitchen continues to evolve — but never loses the warmth and sincerity that made it so special to begin with. What began as a grey October day turned into a delightful discovery. We’ll most certainly be back — in fact, our next team meeting is already being planned around a return visit. Thank you to Donna, Dave, and all the team at The Little Kitchen — a true village treasure. 00
Steve Orme interviews Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh is going through a stellar phase of her career, what she calls her “villain eraâ€. And she’s about to undertake possibly her most challenging role to date. After playing Alex Forrest in a stage tour of Fatal Attraction – the character can alternatively be described as a villain or a victim – she took on the role of Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians: The Musical which toured the UK and Ireland last year. Now she’s really excited to be appearing in Single White Female, an updated version of the 1992 thriller which “blends psychological tension and eerie intimacy, creating a chilling portrait of obsession and identityâ€. Kym came to prominence as a singer with the band Hear’Say who won the television talent show Popstars in 2001. After pursuing a solo career she went into acting, appearing in Coronation Street for 13 years. On stage she’s been in musicals as well as dramas. So why did she want to be involved with Single White Female? “Who wouldn’t want to? What an absolute classic. It stemmed from when I was in Fatal Attraction. I got such a buzz from playing the villain. The idea of Single White Female was floated and it’s finally coming to fruition. “It’s never been done on stage before. It’s been rewritten and reimagined by Rebecca Reid who’s a fantastic author and it’s been updated so we’re seeing it more in the modern day. The way it adapts to now is actually really brilliant.†Kym reveals she didn’t have to audition for the role – the producers wanted her in the show because of her performance in Fatal Attraction. She explains that the way audiences view stories now is very different to how they looked at them in the 1990s. “We live in a very different world, a different place. We don’t speak the same language. With Fatal Attraction it was very much a man’s world at that point and the woman was the villain of the piece. But actually the man was just as culpable in a lot of ways. He still had a part to play in what happened and yet he walked off into the sunset and everything was fine for him. “I think the characters I play are very damaged individuals, shall we say, and I think it will be the same with this one.†Kym explains the plot of Single White Female: “Allie is a recently divorced woman, she’s a single parent, she’s trying to get ahead in the world but she’s struggling for money, so she advertises for a lodger. “In walks my character Hedra (also known as Hedy) who comes in to save the day, or so it would seem. Life becomes intertwined and things get complicated. “Hedra is certainly a very multi-faceted individual. I’m looking forward to playing that part because there are lots of layers to peel back.†Kym who has been married three times and has three children is quick to dispel any thoughts that she brings plenty of her own life experience to the role. “I’m nothing like Hedra at all! There’s not much similarity in me and her. I think that’s the beauty of playing these characters that are so far removed from you – you have to dig deep and try to find ways in which you can empathise. “There are obviously lots of sides to her that are nowhere near me. It’s going to be a challenge, that’s for sure.†When Kym saw the film Single White Female in the cinema she was “totally gripped†by it and didn’t imagine she would be appearing in the world premiere of the stage production. Fans of the film will be delighted to know the stilettos which played such a prominent part on the big screen haven’t been booted out. More than 30 years after Jennifer Jason Leigh played Hedra in the film, Kym is able to play the character in a fresh way. “The actual story is different. What Hedy does for a living in the movie is not what Hedy does for a living in the play. So there are only certain aspects of the character that I can bring, which is why it’s so exciting because there’s a clean slate for me. It’s a great opportunity to be able to bring something new.†The tour of Single White Female will start in January and the second venue will be the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. At the moment the tour is scheduled to continue until the middle of June, something that’s not fazing Kym. “I’m used to touring. I’ve toured for the last three years with one thing or another. This is probably the longest thing I’ve done on a tour. But I wanted to do the whole tour because it’s something I’m quite passionate about. “Living out of a suitcase is always a challenge. But I’m away for five days and at home for two, so there are a lot of similarities with ordinary, everyday life, I guess. And I’m never that far away from home. No matter where I am I could get back if I wanted to. “I’ve also got a very supportive family network. My daughter will come and stay with me when she’s on school holidays. She’s nearly 15 now. “There are also a lot of venues where I can commute from home, so I’ll be staying at home when I can.†Kimberley Gail Marsh was born on 13 June 1976 in Whiston, Merseyside. She went to stage school in Liverpool before becoming a session singer. When she auditioned for the show Popstars she was chosen with Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan to be in the group Hear’Say. Their first single Pure And Simple went to number one. After less than two years the band split up. Kym made her television acting debut in 2005 in an episode of the BBC One series Doctors and also appeared in the Channel 4 soap
Celebrity Interview – Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas
‘The jokes come faster than the rapids on the River Tay’ The Guardian Multi award-winning comedian, writer, actor, and television presenter Griff Rhys Jones is set to embark on a national stand-up tour this autumn with the second leg of his sell-out 2024 show ‘The Cat’s Pyjamas’. Sharing witty observations and rambling comic stories, Griff’s funny anecdotes have covered an astonishingly diverse range of subjects: from TV travel, his childhood, Welsh family, age, fraud, late night trains and nostalgia to the TikTok generation, crocodile smuggling, and opal noodling in Australia. Questions and improvised interaction with the audience mean the show varies from night to night. And takes him from adventures, holidays, dog sitting, burning boats, drink and anger-management, to meetings with rock celebrities and royalty. Wherever his associations wander. GRIFF RHYS JONES: THE CAT’S PYJAMAS What can fans expect from the show? It’s the fourth show I’ve done where I tell stories from my life – about myself and things I’ve been involved in. Trouble is, some of the stories get longer and longer and longer. I start out with list of about 20 and end up with a list of about two. If you come to see me early in a tour you tend to get all the stories. If you come late in the tour, a lot of them have gone by the wayside. There was one show on one tour where I was on stage at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff, talking about my family and things like that. I looked into the wings and my stage manager was tapping his watch signalling the end of the first half and I hadn’t even properly started the show at all by that point. What’s the significance of the title The Cat’s Pyjamas? I just like the sound of it. Funnily enough my daughter said ‘You can’t call it that’ and when I asked her why not she said ‘Because it means you have to be good!’ But as I say, I like how it sounds. Also ‘the cat’s pyjamas’ is a very interesting phrase and I might talk about how it started in the 1920s in New York. Apparently there was a famous society hostess who used to take her cats for a walk along Fifth Avenue and she would wear pyjamas when doing so. But really what I’m saying at the start of the show is that it’s you the audience who are the cat’s pyjamas. I start with egregious flattery of my audience. After all these years, do you still get nervous before going on stage or indeed during a performance? I get nervous in the early stages because I’m wondering what I’m going to be saying once a tour starts. It’s never a walk in the park. It’s fun if it’s more of a walk on a tightrope. I did work with one stage manager who said to me ‘It’s amazing because what you do, Griff, is different every night’. After one show he told me ‘You left out the big punchlines tonight’. Some nights I’d be so keen on moving on to something else that I never got to the resolution of the very first story that I started, which left people wondering what on earth was supposed to be happening. Some people go on stage and they perform exactly what they’ve written every night. I’m sure that would be a much better way of doing it but I don’t always do it myself. I get sidetracked by talking about things like what happened to me in the car park on the way to the theatre. I once had a Birdman moment where I went to get a shirt out of the car and I couldn’t get back into the theatre unless I walked in with the audience. A woman turned to me and said ‘I hope you’re going to be good tonight’ and I replied ‘Well, I’ll do my best!’ Isn’t throwing it open to audience questions asking for trouble? Not really because I put up a list of topics for people to ask me about, although I don’t know if I’ll stick with it. That’s in the second half of the show and often it starts with people asking me about Not The Nine O’Clock News, which was so long ago can’t I can’t remember it, let alone answer questions about it. And if you play a really big theatre you have difficulty actually hearing the questions and you have to clamber down off the stage to find out what the question is. But I do put up a list which I scribble out in the dressing room before I go on and it’s a list of things that are currently on my mind. Is there a question you definitely don’t want to be asked? Probably but I don’t know quite what they’d be until I’m asked them. But it’s unlikely because what I usually do is sort of sidestep it by saying ‘I can’t answer that question’. Sometimes it might remind me of something else and off we go. One time I got into talking about Africa with the intention of moving on to killer bees. I got so bogged down in the story of the railways in Africa, which is the story of colonialism. When I looked at my watch I realised I’d taken the entire second half of the show just trying to explain colonialism. I’d been wondering why I hadn’t been getting as many laughs as usual. Is comedy harder in the current woke climate? I get asked that a lot and the honest answer is I don’t know because I don’t play the comedy scene. I don’t go to Edinburgh and all that stuff. So I honestly have no idea. It’s never affected me in any way whatsoever. With the idea that I might be canceled, for the most part my audience probably don’t know what being canceled means. I do tell quite a lot of jokes but
Dining at Yassou Greek Kitchen, Little Eaton
YASSOU! Hiya, hello, good health! All lovely warm greetings that encapsulate the friendly welcome we received mid week at YASSOU Greek restaurant in long Eaton. Family owned and family run with traditional dishes cooked in their own kitchen by Sabu who has brought new magic to their dishes. This authentic Greek restaurant conjures up the essence of sun and seaside holidays. The decor is simple as you would expect from a taverna. The staff are extremely pleasant and will give you accurate descriptions of dishes as well as advice. The menu is split into starters, cold mezzo, hot mezzo and desserts. To say we were excited to be back here is not an exaggeration, and maybe we got a little carried away ordering….. but there was so much on the menu that we liked it was difficult to know when to stop! Firstly though, we were served with drinks while we looked through the menu. We were out for the evening with good friends, which is I think the perfect way to enjoy this relaxed form of dining. It also makes for variety as everyone adds their own favourite dishes which takes you out of your comfort zone. A platter of warm pitta bread arrived first with three delicious dips, the aubergine was particularly good and the whipped feta was sharp and clean although we each had our favourites. From here, as each dish was cooked it arrived from the kitchen. We selected fish dishes, lamb and chicken dishes. Then as a side, a large dish of crisp, fresh Greek salad topped with triangles of quite a mild feta. Our Calamari was in a crisp light batter and tender, very ‘moorish’. The prawns were in a delicious sauce with sweet baby tomatoes and tangy red drop peppers. The Macaroni Mekima was a new dish to me, minced lamb baked with macaroni and topped with butternut squash, subtly flavoured with herbs, an exceptional dish, as was the moussaka. Served in a deep dish with slices of aubergine peeping through the sauce gently browning at the edges and sprinkled with pomegranate, yep another favourite. We probably shouldn’t have had a dessert but decided that the chocolate filled baklava was perfect to share and was a good sweet to end our evening with. Surprised that time had passed so quickly it was time to head for home. We all agreed that this is a really healthy way to eat, good ingredient, freshly prepared and very sociable. Thank you to everyone at YASSOU, those we met front of house, and those working behind the scenes. A genuinely lovely evening. We will be back and soon. Booking early is vital as they get booked pretty well in advance. Call 07368 483725 00
Anila Indian Dining, Belper
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Dining In Derbyshire – The Bulls Head, Holymoorside
Nestled in the centre of Holymoorside on the west side of Chesterfield. The Bulls Head, has over the past 9 years become the go to place for fine dining. Travelling there on a sunny Saturday evening we passed along country lanes Nestled in the centre of Holymoorside on the west side of Chesterfield. The Bulls Head, has over the past 9 years become the go to place for fine dining. Travelling there on a sunny Saturday evening we passed along country lanes with names such as, Cotton Mill Hill, Bage Hill, Loads Road and Chandler Hill Lane all hinting at the fact that we were arriving at a village with real history. Just around the corner from The Bulls Head, which first opened its doors in 1881, was the Manlove owned Cotton mill which made cotton thread spun onto its own bobbins. Sadly the sound of the mill wheel turning no longer exists as the village throbs to the new sounds of its residents. And so we arrived at this lovely village that holds so many childhood memories for me. We were booked in at 6:00, knowing that to fully enjoy the experience we needed the whole evening. A 9 course tasting menu is very different from any other way of dining out I can think of. If you are put off by the thoughts of 9 courses being too much, then don’t be. The idea is to enjoy small plates of differing dishes, prepared and presented by an excellent chef, and to learn about the intriguing and sophisticated methods and ingredients that are used to prepare and present them. We sat in the bar, a rustic area which still very much has the feel of the old Bulls Head, and scanned the menu for the evening. We realised at this point that to fully appreciate the experience we needed the input of the well informed staff. If you enjoy a good wine then the thirty nine page drinks menu will really delight you. I asked Mark and then Tom our waiter, to recommend a wine and their choice was superb. The choice of wines from a round the world is truly amazing, with descriptions of taste and provenance on each page. With a good glass of red in hand, in our case a very smooth 7 grape variety, we were served with 2 thin slices of Spanish style chorizo and 2 slices of bresaola, both made in house and hung for 3/4 months. My favourite dish followed next; flaked Cornish crab with lemon, sweet and fresh with saffron wild rice and a pear and gooseberry dressing, Cavair and sprinkled with foraged petals. Then came my husband’s favourite; a dish of ham and egg, the egg very runny with a toasted brioche to dip, and crunchy smoked bacon crumbs on top. Sea trout followed; lightly barbecued with tomatoes serve in every way imaginable. The sea fingers added a salty crunch and the Nduja sauce brought the whole dish together. Nduja by the way is a south Italian sausage with fennel and chilli, this really was an education. I noticed that like myself, many of the diners were unfamiliar with hoggot. Hoggot, is born as lamb then becomes mutton at 12 months, then becomes hoggot when it’s had itsfirst children, as it’s raised for breeding it has a far better quality of life and flavour. Cooked slowly on the barbecue this was a meat that melted in your mouth. The minted pea purée and pearl drop of burnt lemon gel enough accompaniment with a dark jus which had a hint of cardamom. Moving to desserts and a refined take on rice pudding, cooked in coconut milk, Fig Leaf and orange this formed a base for the blackcurrant sorbet. Yogurt with pine infused sugar provided the final flourish executed by the chef at the table. Cooled to minus 200 degrees it immediately froze to be crushed into a yogurt crumble, leaving a great fresh and clean taste to the palate. And finally a chocoholics delight, decorated with edible gold and glazed hazelnuts, filled with white and dark chocolate. A strong coffee finished the evening perfectly with Petit Fours. Each course is served with an explanation of the dish which really does enhance your enjoyment and helps you to identify all the subtle nuances of flavours. The dishes vary according to both the season and what is available to be foraged and so the menu is varied. In addition to the 9 course taster menu there is a reduced version of 5 courses as well which is great. For a full breakdown of the Signature tasting, A La carte and Sunday lunch menus please visit the web site. The Bulls Head is in the Michelin guide and has 3 AA rosettes. Mark Aisthorpe is patron chef who in 2022 appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu reaching the regional final. His enthusiasm is contagious and his passion inspirational. His staff are well trained , polite and very friendly which makes for a relaxed and pleasant experience. After our meal Mark invited us into the engine room of the business to see how things work backstage and show us how the recently installed gleaming new stainless steel kitchen, functioned. It always amazes us how so much can be produced for a room full of diners in such a short time. Having all the equipment obviously helps but you need the staff to pull it all together on time and it was great to see them all at the end of a busy evening, albeit looking a bit tired, but satisfied with a job well done. 00
