What’s On Free in South Derbyshire and The National Forest Summer & Autumn 2017 visit www.south-derbys.gov.uk/swadlincotetic 2 Welcome... to the Summer & Autumn edition of What’s On in South Derbyshire and The National Forest Amid rolling English countryside dotted with picturesque villages you will find so much to enjoy; from historic houses and gardens, to meandering rivers and canals, to archery and snowboarding. All set in the heart of The National Forest, Britain’s most ambitious environmental project. Linking the ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood, more than eight million trees have already been planted. The woodland is being created on a scale not seen for more than a thousand years. Come and enjoy it this season. There’s so much more to explore... Find out more about what’s on offer in South Derbyshire from Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre • local and national accommodation information • places to visit • events and what’s on information • public transport information • tickets for local events • tickets for Derbyshire Wayfarer • tickets for day trips with local coach companies • souvenirs, postcards, maps, local history books and self-guided walks Phone 01283 222848 Email [email protected] You will find us located within Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9DG. Open Mon - Sat, 10am - 4.30pm. Find out What’s On in South Derbyshire and tell us what you are doing via social media #SDwhatson Swadlincote Tourist @swadlincotetic Information Centre 3 2 September – 14 October 2017 Welcome to the Melbourne Festival of the Creative and Performing Arts Make a date for the Festival’s Art & Architecture Trail on 16th and 17th September when you will see over 120 professional artists and makers exhibiting in private houses, public buildings and businesses in the historic heart of Melbourne. The Trail Guide and tickets are only available on the day for £5. The trail showcases the best creative talents from across the East Midlands and much more besides. Expect a party atmosphere with music, food and fun activities for youngsters, and the young at heart. Each year the Festival has a theme, in 2017 look out for “The Love of Lettuce” - thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Melbourne Festival has a big project celebrating Melbourne’s Market Gardening Heritage. Look out for exhibitions around the Trail, pop-up vegetable plots and Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and Beatrix Potter. If you thought Melbourne Festival was just for the creative arts, think again. The Performing Arts has become more adventurous and more successful each year. The programme includes an eclectic mix of music, theatre and comedy and sometimes all three at the same time! Melbourne Festival has been run by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers since its inception in 2005 and has established itself as one of the highlights of South Derbyshire’s cultural calendar. For details of events and activities contact Swadlincote TIC or: www.melbournefestival.co.uk 07765 819 428 [email protected] TheMelbourneFestival MelbourneFest 4 Summer & Autumn Highlights... Summer is here and now is the time to get out and enjoy it in South Derbyshire with a great line up of events... Enjoy great performances with Last Night of the Proms at The Glade, Melbourne Operatic Society at the Assembly Rooms, Gresley Male Voice Choir at Ticknall Church and local musicians at Mercia Marina’s Bandstand Busk Go on safari searching for mini-beasts at Rosliston, dragonflies at Swadlincote Woodlands, dinosaurs at The Glade and wild food at Spring Wood Nature Reserve, or create your own animal mask at the libraries Make a date for the big Summer days out, including Bloodstock Open Air and the Festival of Fireworks at Catton Hall and Derbyshire Woodland Festival at Elvaston Castle, along with Melbourne Fête and Willington Carnival Try food from around the world at the Swadlincote International Food & Drink Festival or celebrate memories of Melbourne’s local market gardening heritage with For the Love of Lettuce Explore South Derbyshire’s picturesque villages and their award-winning pubs, with guided walks, Summer fêtes and NGS open gardens Take the opportunity to go back in time with unique access to historic buildings on Heritage Open Days or watch the search for lost garden structures with live archaeology at Calke Abbey Enjoy parklife with National Play Day at Maurice Lea Park and Picnic in the Park at Newhall Park, plus lots of play and sports facilities to use or hire from crazy golf to outdoor gyms Celebrate Summer fruits at Whistlewood Common, home-grown at the rekindled Produce Show in Melbourne and rare varieties of apples & pears with Orchard Day at the Swadlincote Magpie Makers Market Spend some terrifying time with the family with Halloween activities at Bretby Art Pottery, Rosliston Forestry Centre, Swadlincote Woodlands or Whistlewood Common, plus a Scooby Doo Mystery at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum visit www.south-derbys.gov.uk/swadlincotetic 5 What’s On in South Derbyshire and The National Forest July Sat 1 & Sun 2 July, 11am – 5pm Sat 1 & Sun 2 July, 10am – 5pm Aston Well Dressing Melbourne Senior School Exhibition Aston on Trent Village, DE72 2AA Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street, Eight well dressings. The festival features DE73 8GF entertainment from JD Magic, Red Dot Melbourne Historical Research Group’s Theatre Company, Aston Arioso Choir, a exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of stilt walker, Pinxton Puppets and live music the closure of Melbourne Senior School, from Brookside Jazz, Junkyard Angels and together with one of the best surviving Rogues. Lots of different stalls around the early 18th Century English gardens. village centre including a raffle for £100 Tel: 01332 864598 or a barrow of booze. Exhibition entitled Email: [email protected] ‘Peace & Nature’ in All Saints’ Church. Proms www.mhrg.org.uk Free finale with Newhall Band at 3pm - bring Price: Free entry. your flags! Free parking at the playing field in Shardlow Road (Postcode: DE72 2AN) - follow the signs. Chosen beneficiaries for 2017 are Derbyshire Mind and Aston/ Sat 1 & Sun 2 July, 11am - 5pm Weston Bowls Club. Email: [email protected] www.astonwelldressers.co.uk Price: Free entry but donations very Free welcome at the wells. Aston-On-Trent Sat 1 July – 30 Sept, 1.30 – 5.30pm Melbourne Hall Gardens are Open Well Dressings Church Square, Melbourne, DE73 8EN The traditional art of decorating springs Melbourne Hall & Gardens is a delightful and wells with pictures using only what family home with a unique collection of fine furniture and paintings from the past nature can provide. Its origins are a and present, together with one of the mystery and are thought to date back to best surviving early 18th Century English the time of the Celts or even earlier. With gardens. dedication and skill in its execution, this Tel: 01332 862502 Email: [email protected] ancient custom offers a fascinating insight www.melbournehallgardens.com into traditional Derbyshire heritage Price: Please telephone. www.astonwelldressers.co.uk 6 visit www.south-derbys.gov.uk/swadlincotetic Sun 2 July, 1 – 5pm Thu 6 July, 7 – 9pm NGS Open Garden Big Screen Cinema - ‘Their Finest’ 13 Westfield Road, Swadlincote, DE11 0BG Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street, This open garden includes packed DE73 8GF herbaceous borders, roses & clematis Set in London in 1940, the film follows scrambling over pergolas, shrubs, baskets fledgling screenwriter Catrin Cole as she & tubs, greenhouses, raised bed vegetable joins the Ministry of Information. A sweet- area, fruit trees and two ponds, along with natured and lovable British film. superb homemade teas on offer. Tel: 01332 863522 Tel: 01283 221167 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk www.ngs.org.uk Price: £6 per person. Price: Adults £3; Children Free. Thu 6 July, 7.30 – 9.30pm Sun 2 July, 2 – 3pm Visit to Marston on Dove Church Butterfly Walk - 2 Miles Visit Marston on Dove Church to view Rosliston Forestry Centre, Burton Road, records and transcribe the Monumental DE12 8JX Inscriptions. Please contact Hilton & Join local enthusiast Peter Brewster on Marston History Group for further details on where to meet. this butterfly safari. You will be given an identification chart and net to use - perfect Tel: 01283 733069 for children and adults alike. Meet in the Email: [email protected] Forestry Centre foyer. Price: Visitors £3. Tel: 01283 563483 Email: [email protected] Sat 8 July www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk Adult and Children’s Photography Price: £1 per person. Walks Calke Abbey, Ticknall, DE73 7LE Mon 3 July, 2 – 2.30pm Join the Calke Volunteer Photographers on a and every Monday in the month walk around the estate. Look out for hidden Rhyme Time at Swadlincote Library views and pick up a few handy tips along the way. Adult Walk: 10:30am - 12:30pm; Civic Way, DE11 0AD Children’s Walk: 1:30 - 2:30pm. The walks Under 5 year olds and their parents or are free of charge but parkland admission carers are invited to Swadlincote Library applies. for Rhyme Time - enjoy singing and shaking Tel: 01332 863822 along to a mixture of songs and rhymes. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01629 533013 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke Email: [email protected] Price: Parkland admission fee applies: Adult www.derbyshire.gov.uk/libraries Free £3.60; Child £1.80; Family £9; Members Free. Price: Free. Sat 8 July – Sun 3 Sept, 10.30am – 4pm Wed 5 July, 2.30 – 4pm Calke Explore Antiques Valuation Day Calke Abbey, Ticknall, DE73 7LE Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Calke Explore is back! Go on a wild Swadlincote, DE11 9DG adventure in the woods this Summer, Bring your antiques and family heirlooms discover this fantastic outdoor adventure along to the Museum and have them valued playground and get closer to nature.