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Gardening: The beauty of Japan and Italy in a Duffield haven

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Beauty knows no bounds in Roger Roberts's Duffield garden and now the retired amateur is opening it for charity.

FOR the next two weeks, Roger Roberts will spend every waking hour working in his garden.

The 63-year-old has a pile of jobs to do before he opens his stunning space to the public.

"It's not stunning yet," he says, wiping his brow. "I've literally got masses to do but I'll get there and the garden will be perfect for when people come and see it."

Roger has spent more than 15 years creating his outdoor masterpiece in Duffield.

He has more than 1,000 plants in his garden and it is truly stunning. After a four-year break, the retired amateur is back in the game. And this year, he promises visitors more than ever.

"I've probably raised about £10,000 for the National Garden Scheme," says Roger.

"My wife, Susan and children, Ben and Sarah, all get involved. It is a real family affair and this year will be no exception."

Roger is not panicking about everything he has to do before his first open day on June 8. He is quietly confident. He also says his home – for the next few days at least – will be outside.

But that is not at all bad when you see just how Roger has cultivated his land.

He has created so many wonders in his garden it is impossible to talk about them all. But wait until you see his Japanese tea house, his Italian-walled rose garden with its hand-painted mural and the stunning stream which feeds into a beautiful pond.

Says Roger: "When Susan and I bought this house, there was soil, space and a smidgeon of land where I could make things happen. If I put the effort in, I knew I could make a real garden – something I would be proud of."

Roger soon realised that his garden was a refuge from work, a cherished haven, a place where he could make great things happen. He has achieved all that.

"Gardening was destined to be my theatre of creativity," he says. "It started with tomatoes – dozens of tomato plants in old cooking oil drums. It was such a pleasure to research how to cultivate them, tend their progress and harvest their fruit.

"One of my brothers also caught the gardening bug. He moved to Vancouver to retire and has created a national collection of hydrangeas."

Roger did not do anything to his garden for the first couple of years after he bought the house. He wanted to enjoy the blank canvas and admire the lawn.

Between his business trips, he started spending more time in the garden. His plan was to create different aspects and draw in a variety of styles.

In 1997, Roger created a Mediterranean border near his patio area. It was sheltered, warm and sunny and he wanted to make an interesting display of plants.

He says: "I had to lift the grass and lay down a membrane. That was a laborious job. But once I started planting, it was really enjoyable.

"I bought things like brugmansia, gazania, phormium, agave and yuccas. It was lovely, but in 2010 the winter destroyed a whole host of my plants.

"In 2012, I had to dismantle the site and clear all the aggregate away. This is now a perennial border and I've used plants recommended by Piet Oudolf in the natural planting style."

Each year, Roger tried to take on a new project in the garden. Although he was regularly away on business, he still found time to spend in the garden. And, thanks to his contacts in the beer trade, he says he found just the right person to build him his Japanese house.

Roger scoured the country for plants to form what was to become his tropical centrepiece. He studied books and made sketches before he started work.

He wanted this part of his garden to bring an exotic mix to his outdoor space and he has done just that. He is proud of his banana grove, which is carefully tended to avoid damage in bad weather.

"I planted the border around this time of the year," recalls Roger. "I used bulbs and tubers, perennials and shrubs. I've got dahlias and amorphallus, acanthus and alocasia and two trees, aralia and catalpa.

"Later, I added an arch on either side so I could frame the path entrances. I added climbers, too."

Perhaps Roger's biggest task was when he decided to create his miniature Japanese border, complete with "house".

On the right-hand side of his house, facing west beneath a conifer hedge, he planted a Japanese cherry tree and a stag's head sumac.

The mossy area, which sat in shade for most of the day, was where Roger cut a deep curved border. He carefully selected plants like rhododendron, fargesia, acer, pieris, ophiopogon, and created an authentic Japanese area.

"At first, I didn't commission the Japanese house," says Roger. "It was going to cost a lot of money and back then, we didn't invest.

"But as the garden started to take shape, I started to see how beautiful a Japanese tea house would look. It was a serious investment but it looks amazing."

On open days, Roger decorates the inside with a low Japanese table and an beautiful orchid.

Colour-themed borders also add sparkle to Roger's garden and play host to an amazing array of unusual plants.

They need continuous refinement and replacement to keep them in order, but every shrub and bulb is listed in his garden directory.

All the plants are labelled outside, too, so if you visit and like something you will be able to write down its name.

Roger says: "These borders take on a special effect in the summer dusk when the back light from a slowly sinking sun shines through the leaves and flowers – especially the eryngium, cotinus and crocosmia.

Roger has also created a woodland shady area, with a flagged path, sitting beneath a gigantic copper beech. It is an ideal space for shade-loving plants and he has even created a place for reclusive hedgehogs, thanks to his stack of tree logs and branches.

It is almost completely private here. The shrubs and perennials envelope the area to such an extent that only a slim aperture reveals the rest of the garden.

"This is a lovely place to sit in the late evening as the sun dies down," says Roger. "I can sit here for hours.

"There are so many places to sit in, but this is perhaps my favourite."

At the furthest point, and invisible from the house, is another one of Roger's treasures.

Sunk behind a retaining wall is an area of true splendour. It is Roger's Italian walled rose garden, complete with hand-painted mural.

He says: "This was once a small orchard with the remnants of four sickly pear trees, a rubbish tip and an enormous mound of grass clippings.

"My love of Italy, in particular Tuscany, inspired me to dream up a simple design for a walled, symmetrical rose garden.

"A heavy trunk and root grinder was brought in to clear out the tough trees and a 6ft high wall was erected on three sides with the two parallel sides ending short of the retaining wall and curving down.

"Italian-style roof tiles were placed on top and the walls were plastered and painted in terracotta pink.

"A half-moon pool was built in the middle of the rear wall and a mythical male god spouts water."

But Roger's piece de resistance has to be a trompe de l'oeil depicting a Tuscan scene with juniper-fringed lanes and hill top villages.

Three borders, surrounding the wonderful seating area, are packed with hybrid tea roses in various tones of scented pink.

Paul Sherville, Just Joey, Lady Sylvia and Silver Jubilee roses show off their finery in the summer months.

"It's the last place in the garden to see the sunset," says Roger. "This is the place to sit on a balmy summer's evening, rose scent lingering in the still air and water trickling in the pond."

On each side of Roger's house, passageways lead to the front. The back door path has a soil border backed by a beech hedge up to a point where his neighbour's gable end forms the boundary.

In the border, Roger has planted pachysandra as ground cover, has positioned old chimney pots at intervals topped with hostas and covered the towering gable end wall with ivy.

On the other side, there is a path and a raised border supported by a dry stone wall. An iron arbour runs the full length of the path and climbers weave their way through the metal framework.

Roger's front garden is just as impressive and pretty. It is a traditional cottage garden and, believe it or not, among other things, a vine of black grapes grows up the front of his house.

But despite all the hard work ahead, Roger is looking forward to airing his garden once more. He knows people from the across the county will come and see what he has done.

"Bring it on," he says. "I'm actually looking forward to it. I've just got a lot to get done before the first open day.

"Susan will help me and it's amazing how much time you have when you're retired."

HOW TO FIND IT: Roger's garden is at Wharfedale, 34 Broadway, Duffield, Derby.

OPENING TIMES: It will open 11am-4pm on June 8 and 29, July 20 and August 10 and 24. Entrance is £3. Cakes and drinks will be available. Plants will be on sale, too.

Private visits are welcome for parties of 20 or more, between June and September.

WEBSITE: To view Roger's garden, visit www.garden34.co.uk. To find out about other Derbyshire gardens opening as part of the National Garden Scheme visit www.ngs.org.uk

Gardening: The beauty of Japan and Italy in a Duffield haven


Take a walk on the wild side with RSPB's Sally Granger

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Our magnificent moths are a sign of a healthy landscape, says Sally Granger, visitor officer at the RSPB's Coombes Valley nature reserve.

THE flashes of colour woven into the landscape by frolicking butterflies are firmly entrenched in our images of spring and summer.

Throughout the long winter, daydreams of warm, lazy days have them tumbling above our picnic blankets.

However, with the warmer weather and the promise of sunshine on the horizon, what of the butterfly's shyer, less celebrated but no less beautiful relative; the moth?

Their summer presence is much less noted and yet their diversity outstrips the UK's 59 species of butterfly by a staggering number, with at least 2,500 different species in the UK.

They are an important pollinator of trees and flowers and their caterpillars are a staple food source for birds and bats.

This fragile insect feels the impact of any slightest change, even to the point that their population health is a telling indicator of the wider environmental health.

To monitor the populations of these fascinating creatures, there are currently moth traps up and down the country filling up with the abundance of May's and June's species.

The iconic pink and green elephant hawk moth, one of our strangest and yet most beautiful moths, is nearing its peak of activity.

Intriguingly, although moths are known as nocturnal, there are also a great many which fly by day and are as vibrant as our most eye-catching butterflies.

One of the rarest day-flying moths is the argent and sable, a black and white moth whose specific habitat requirements have meant rapid decline. It can now only be found in pockets of the UK.

Some areas of woodland are managed specifically for the benefit of this moth. Argent and sable use birch trees to lay their eggs, feed on caterpillars and to find winter shelter for their cocoons. Unfortunately, their preference for young birch growth means those trees require coppice management. This very particular preference, coupled with declining woodland management practices such as coppicing, has led to a dangerous reduction in available habitat.

The exciting news is that there have already been some sightings this year of the enigmatic argent and sable, just a stone's throw away at RSPB Coombes Valley reserve in north Staffordshire.

Sadly, the vast majority of UK butterflies are also facing decline. It is important that we conserve both moths and butterflies for a wealth of reasons; they play important roles in food chains and as pollinators and their decline will have knock-on effects on the birds, bats and mammals, which depend on them for food.

On a positive note, nearby sightings of the argent and sable are an encouraging sign of our local landscape's future health.

If you would like to give moth trapping a go, it is very easy to do at home. While there is basic equipment available to buy, the easiest and most rudimentary method consists of a sheet hung from a washing line at dusk with a bright light behind.

Moths landing on it are easily observable and it is a great treat for staying up past bed time for all the family!

RSPB Coombes Valley, near Leek, manages areas of woodland for the argent and sable moth. It has resulted in six sightings so far this year. Come and visit us to explore the beautiful woodland trails. Phone the office on 01538 384017 or visit us online at www.rspb.org.uk/coombesvalley for more information.

Take a walk on the wild side with RSPB's Sally Granger

Thousands take advantage of sun for day out at Chaddesden's Big 1

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After uncertainty over whether it would even go ahead, yesterday's Chaddesden Big 1 drew thousands of people to enjoy a day in the sun. Ella Rhodes was there. ONE organiser behind the Chaddesden Big 1 carnival has said it should be renamed The Lucky One, as the weather is always so good for the event. Wendy Bush, vice-chairman of the steering committee for the event, said she was "very relieved" it had gone ahead despite earlier doubts. She said: "It's absolutely fantastic to see so many people, and it's been a great success. We always get some beautiful weather – we really are lucky." Concerns were raised last week that the condition of the ground at Chaddesden Park after recent wet weather could have forced it to be cancelled. But around 20,000 people were estimated to be at the park to enjoy the beautiful weather, stalls, dog shows, fun fair and food. Ms Bush, also a case worker and fund-raiser for armed forces charity SSAFA, said: "I had a few phone calls from people asking me whether it was going ahead. There was a little bit of confusion in the morning. "But it's wonderful that it's gone ahead." A cancellation would have been a "disaster" for Michelle Waller, volunteer for charity Umbrella, which provides activities for children with disabilities. Michelle, 26, said: "We've brought eight children here today and we come quite regularly. It's so popular with the children and parents. "It would have been awful had it been cancelled. "It's a great event with lots of multi-sensory activities for the children to enjoy and something different for each one of them." The Anna Michelle School of Dance put on a brilliant show of cheerleading and dancing to entertain the crowds. Dancer Aniella Windridge, 19, of Chaddesden, is a teacher at the school. She said: "We've performed here for five years and everyone always seems to really enjoy it." Sisters Sydney, 11, and Dillon Castledine, eight, had a go rolling around in zorbs – huge plastic, inflatable spheres. Their grandmother, Marilyn Mitchell, of Littleover watched on. The 63-year-old said: "I've never been to this carnival before but I read about it in the Derby Telegraph and thought I'd bring the girls down. "It's really amazing, much bigger than I thought it would be. "The girls love it. As soon as they saw the bouncy castles, they were off and they've never been in a zorb before." See a video from the event below: Sarah Allen, 29, of Chaddesden took along her children – Emily, seven, and Thomas Shipley, two. She said: "It's great and there's lots of different things to do, loads of stalls, and some smaller rides for the little kids." Brian Farnsworth donned a patriotic Union flag suit to run a tombola which was raising money for the Highfield Lane allotments and Derbyshire's visually impaired cricket team. The 67-year-old from Chaddesden said: "We support a charity every year and last year we raised £1,000."

Thousands take advantage of sun for day out at Chaddesden's Big 1

Tony Palladino takes four but Derbyshire CCC regret missed chances

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DESPITE four wickets from Tony Palladino, Derbyshire could not take a grip in their LV County Championship match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl. Palladino took three wickets in successive overs straight after lunch and added a fourth with the third ball of his next spell as Hampshire reached 230-4 at tea on the first day. Derbyshire were made to pay for two dropped chances. Jimmy Adams was put down off the fifth ball of the day on two and went on to make 60, while Adam Wheater was given a life on six and was 66 not out at tea. After winning the toss and putting the home side in on a very green wicket, Derbyshire expected that if they were going to make early headway, it was going to be early on but that did not happen. Hampshire were 110-0 at lunch and though the wicket was nowhere near as lively as it appeared it might be, Derbyshire will feel they might have had a least a wicket or two to show for their efforts. It could have been a different story but Mark Footitt found the edge of Adams' bat in the first over and the catch appeared to on Wayne Madsen quicker than he expected at first slip. He could not take the shoulder-high chance at 4-0. Tim Groenewald had one very strong shout for lbw against Smith in his first over and Alex Hughes saw two edges squirt just wide of second slip in what became a frustrating first session for Derbyshire. However, Derbyshire had just the lift they needed off the first ball after lunch when Adams was caught behind for 60. In his next two overs, Palladino then had Joe Gatting caught behind for four and James Vince caught at second slip by Stephen Moore for four to make the score 118-3. It should have been 124-4 but Wheater was dropped by wicketkeeper Gareth Cross diving in front of first slip off Palladino. Wheater went on to complete a swift half-century off 48 balls with seven fours but a stand of 109 ended when Will Smith became Palladino's fourth victim, lbw for 82.

Tony Palladino takes four but Derbyshire CCC regret missed chances

Mayday call goes out to TogsQuad ... and they answered!

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WHETHER it's an emergency or a relaxing bank holiday, pictures with a "mayday" or May Day theme are our latest TogsQuad collection.

This month's outright winner, as voted for by members of the Derby Telegraph's photographic club, is Chris Carrington of Chellaston who chose the "mayday" option.

A classic morse key made from Bakelite and placed on replica documents from the Titanic was Chris's composition. The papers were scans of original distress messages from the ship.

Chris said: "I can't begin to tell you how proud and thrilled I was to have my picture chosen as the winning image for the challenge. I find photography incredibly rewarding but it makes it even better when other people take interest in a picture that I've taken!"

Other members chose the May Day option and use the weather to illustrate it.

Alison Roberts chose a view looking out through glass at flowers at her home in Chellaston and was given a highly commended vote.

Yet more action came from public events that took place this month. Don Webster, of Oakwood, found his picture of morris dancers in Derby's Market Place in Derby during the May Day celebrations.

Ann Webster of Oakwood snapped her close-up image of a similar subject and was highly commended for it.

Young female performers were the choice of Helen Bacon, of Hilton, at the May Day event in Derby, too.

Terry James found his moment in his garden when two insects landed on a table and appeared to be tussling with each other.

Chris Calverley of Oakwood set up a creative interpretation of the old phrase "Ne'er cast a clout till May be out" by making fun with the idea of shedding outdoor clothes at the end of the month.

Returning to the international distress signal of mayday, a bright yellow air and sea rescue helicopter representing emergency action was photographed at South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum by Nick Allen, of Stenson Fields.

On the same theme of using May Day to represent urgency, Geraldine Curtis, of Morley, found the perfect chance to capture a second of mayhem. She spotted a shed fire in the street where she lives and leapt into action herself to grab her camera to capture the firemen at work.

If you would like to get involved in TogsQuad join us on Facebook by searching for TogsQuad. Our next club meeting is at Quad on Thursday, June 19 from 7-9pm and costs £4 per ticket. Booking is essential.

Mayday call goes out to TogsQuad    ... and they answered!

New trees planted for park restoration

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NEW magnolia, acer and oak saplings have been planted in Darley Park to mark one of the finishing touches to an £850,000 restoration project.

Last year, Derby City Council gave planning consent and awarded a long lease to conservation developer Dr Tanya Spilsbury to restore the derelict grade two-listed Darley Abbey Stables and bakehouse.

Both buildings date back to the early 18th century and form part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.

Two magnolia trees, two acers and an oak have now been planted in neighbouring Darley Park to replace five unspecified trees that were removed from the stables' boundary during the regeneration project.

The new trees were donated by Dr Spilsbury as part of the planning agreement with the council.

They are part of a wider conservation project, part-funded by the council's Regeneration Fund, to replenish the surrounding parkland with trees and plants.

The completed development of Darley Abbey Stables will host eight individual work spaces, including a pilates studio and physiotherapy room, in a central courtyard near Darley Park Terrace Café.

Councillor Martin Repton, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "This work is exciting and inspiring and is being done in an incredibly sensitive way, respecting the historic nature of the park and the importance of the flora and fauna.

"It is uplifting to see the progression of the restoration project. The council's regeneration and planning teams have been working closely with the developer to restore parkland features, as this is just as important as the work being done on Darley Abbey Stables.

"This superb project is going to make Darley Park a first-class attraction for local residents."

New trees planted for park restoration

How 1960s Derby found itself at the centre of an art world storm, thanks to Tom Early and friends

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Rare moments in the history of Derby's struggle to come to terms with contemporary art in the 1960s are being recollected in an exhibition called "Tom Early and Friends" being staged in Falmouth. One of those "friends", David Ainley, looks back on Tom's life.

TOM Early was a founder member of the Derby Group, a coterie of lecturers, notably Keith Richardson-Jones, and students at the College of Art in Green Lane, who were determined to revitalise art in the town.

Tom (1914-1967) came to Derby in 1958 to take up the post of registrar at the Pastures Hospital, Mickleover.

He and his wife, Eunice, were, with others, also instrumental in bringing the Samaritans to Derby.

Though he had not painted for a number of years, Tom brought with him a remarkable and intimate knowledge of modern art in Cornwall, where, in the late 1940s and 1950s, following encouragement by artist Ben Nicholson, he became part of the St Ives art colony.

There he joined the Penwith Society of Artists and exhibited with them to critical acclaim in St Ives and London.

The Cornish Review of Spring 1951 reported that: "The authentic voice of Cornwall was heard… nowhere more insistently than in the rapturous exclamation of Tom Early, in whose swirling panoramas the boats danced, like animated corks, in and out of the bays or lay like jazzy skeletons upon the brilliant yellow sands. In this painter… the most vibrant emotive forces were at work."

The Cornish artist and writer Sven Berlin described him as "a unique painter" who "leads us through landscapes of fierce intensity, a terrifying loneliness without ever seeming to be aware of our dismay and our wonder at walking within a dream he has made".

In the book Britain's Art Colony by the Sea (1959), Denys Val Baker regretted that Tom Early had left Cornwall as he "reflected intensely the way in which the Cornish scene took charge of the painter's work… with his startling use of bright colours".

Once in Derby, Tom became a frequent visitor to the college of art and, stimulated by the environment in which there were lively debates about new developments in art, he resumed painting, drawing inspiration not from the local landscape but, among other things observed and remembered, from ecclesiastical architecture and stained glass.

The range of symbolic forms he devised, married to his individual use of colour, resulted in unique and memorable works that resonate with psychological depth the mysteriousness of which defies any simple interpretation.

Friends with whom Tom Early was associated in St Ives, represented by work in this new exhibition in Falmouth, include some of the best-known names in 20th century British art, amongst them Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon and Terry Frost.

Maybe it was Tom's experience of the Penwith Society of Artists that spurred his eagerness, with others of similar enthusiasm, to found an exhibiting group of contemporary artists in Derby. The Derby Group, whilst accepting "no conformity in style or aims" promoted itself as a forum for work in "the modern idiom".

Its first exhibition was held in April and May, 1962 at the old Derby Art Gallery in the Wardwick (the extension with which today's visitors are familiar was built in 1964).

The Derbyshire Advertiser heralded the show in an article headed "Artists' avant-garde assault on Derby". Whilst referring to the show as "an exhilarating experience" it was noted that "many of the public are certain to be puzzled by such explosive material which is almost totally unrelieved by any concession to pictorialism".

The ensuing extensive controversy in the local press, particularly in the Derby Evening Telegraph, led to an dynamic public meeting at the art gallery attended by more than 500 people who, with varying degrees of insight, genuine curiosity or outright derision questioned four of the artists, including Tom Early.

Following this exhibition, the Derby Group's reputation grew beyond Derby and a number of successful shows followed in the Midlands and the South through the 1960s.

The Arts Review (January 1966) commented that "One is impressed to find, firmly based outside London, such a talented group which is clearly part of the mainstream of modern painting".

After Tom Early's death in 1967, the group's final exhibition, including his work, was held in Lincoln in 1968, by which time most of the members had moved away from Derby to pursue careers elsewhere.

Of the Derby Group artists represented in the Falmouth exhibition by works from the 1960s, Ian Breakwell, who died in 2005, became internationally renowned for innovative work across a range of media.

His association with Derby was recognised in the exhibition at Quad, Ian Breakwell: The Elusive State of Happiness, in 2010. Twenty-one of his works are now in the collection of the Tate.

Keith Richardson-Jones (1925–2005) moved to Monmouthshire and became involved with the innovative Signals Gallery in London. As he adopted more minimalist approaches, often referencing music, he had one-person shows at Lisson Gallery in London, Oriel in Cardiff, and a 25-year retrospective at three galleries in Wales in 1996.

Peter Cartwright, who had a 70th birthday retrospective show at Derby Art Gallery in 2009, and Michael Miller continue to work in Nottinghamshire and Hertfordshire respectively. Both have exhibited in John Moores painting exhibitions and Michael Miller in the Threadneedle Prize.

Dennis Hawkins (1925-2001) had an international reputation as an award-winning printmaker, whose work was widely collected here and abroad. He was also well-known as director of art at Repton School (1952-1985).

For many years secretary of the Derby Group, I remain active in Derbyshire and am now known for works which arise from my interest in the labour involved in places mined for lead and tin in Derbyshire and Cornwall. My works have been shown in the Jerwood Drawing Prize and the Discerning Eye exhibitions.

In 2009, Tom Early's widow Eunice Campbell, author of The Magic Shuttle: the Story of Tom Early St Ives and after, now living in Salisbury, donated eight of his paintings and drawings to the collection of Falmouth Art Gallery.

Of the new exhibition, the gallery director Henrietta Boex has commented: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase works by this vibrant and intriguing artist. Tom Early is so often overlooked despite being held in high regard by his contemporaries in St Ives and Derby.

"We hope visitors to the show will come away feeling they have made an exciting artistic discovery."

In the light of the last 50 years, Derbeians might smile wryly at the speculation of the Evening Telegraph's art critic following the Derby Group exhibition of 1962 that "if the standard is maintained and if these people get the local support they deserve, the Derby Group will do for Derby what the Hallé did for Manchester".

Readers might reflect whether Derby Art Gallery now has the ability to mount an exhibition that would generate such interest and controversy that accompanied the Derby Group show of 1962.

Has the public's increased familiarity with art diminished its ability to shock viewers into awareness?

Does the gallery, with its commendable commitment to improving the display of works by Joseph Wright, have the space to maintain a changing exhibitions programme of contemporary art of quality that will encourage people to visit the gallery frequently?

Has the accessions policy in recent years enabled the gallery to acquire significant contemporary works for its permanent collection?

Anyone in pursuit of some art that, for a decade, stirred the artistic sensibilities of Derby will not find it in the city but has an chance to be reminded of it by visiting Cornwall. Tom Early and Friends, is being staged at Falmouth Art Gallery until June 21.

Do you remember Tom Early from his years in Derby? Why not share your memories? contact details below.

How 1960s Derby found itself at the centre of an art world storm, thanks  to  Tom Early and  friends

Derby car boot sale cancelled

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MYSTERY surrounds why Derby's popular cattle market car boot sale was cancelled today. At the council-run sale, which is based in Chequers Road, a sign was put on fencing which read: "Car boot sale temporarily closed from 1 June 2014. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The relaunch of the Car Boot Sale will be advertised." No-one from Derby City Council was available to explain why the weekly event was called off. A notice on the council's website gave no explanation as to why it was cancelled. Andy Dawn Tweeted: "Does anyone know why derby cattle market car boot was cancelled today?"

Derby car boot sale cancelled


Derbyshire CCC frustrated by dropped chances against Hampshire

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THREE dropped chances meant Derbyshire could not make the progress they wanted on the first day of their LV County Championship match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl, despite four wickets from Tony Palladino. Palladino took three wickets in successive overs straight after lunch and added a fourth with the third ball of his next spell but the drops proved costly as Hampshire reached 332-7 at the close. Jimmy Adams was put down off the fifth ball of the day on two and went on to make 60, while Adam Wheater was given lives on six and 84 before he finally went for 87. After winning the toss and putting the home side in on a very green wicket, Derbyshire expected that if they were going to make early headway, it was going to be early on but that did not happen. Hampshire were 110-0 at lunch and though the wicket was nowhere near as lively as it appeared it might be, Derbyshire will feel they might have had a least a wicket or two to show for their efforts. It could have been a different story but Mark Footitt found the edge of Adams' bat in the first over and the catch appeared to on Wayne Madsen quicker than he expected at first slip. He could not take the shoulder-high chance at 4-0. Tim Groenewald had one very strong shout for lbw against Smith in his first over and Alex Hughes saw two edges squirt just wide of second slip in what became a frustrating first session for Derbyshire. However, Derbyshire had just the lift they needed off the first ball after lunch when Adams was caught behind for 60. In his next two overs, Palladino then had Joe Gatting caught behind for four and James Vince caught at second slip by Stephen Moore for four to make the score 118-3. It should have been 124-4 but Wheater was dropped by wicketkeeper Gareth Cross diving in front of first slip off Palladino. Wheater went on to complete a swift half-century off 48 balls with seven fours but a stand of 109 ended when Will Smith became Palladino's fourth victim, lbw for 82. Palladino was denied a fifth when Cross dropped Wheater again on 84 – a much simpler chance this time – but the batsman hit Footitt to Moore at extra cover two overs later at 256-5. Sean Ervine added 47 before he chopped on to Groenewald at 318-6 and Matt Coles drove Groenewald straight to Paul Borrington at extra cover for eight to make it 330-7. But with Michael Bates on 27 not out and Kyle Abbott nought not out, Hampshire had a much better day than they were entitled to.

Derbyshire CCC frustrated by dropped chances against Hampshire

Motorcyclist crashes on A52 in Derby

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A MOTORCYCLIST came off her bike near the Wyvern turnoff on the A52 today. Police, paramedics and the fire service were called at 5.27pm to attend the scene on the Derby-bound carriageway. One lane was closed. A police spokesman said: "The woman was conscious and sitting up and talking." It is thought that her injuries are minor. She was riding a Triumph motorbike.

Motorcyclist crashes on A52 in Derby

VIDEO: Pensioner Jack Green flies in a Tiger Moth - 72 years after crashing

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FOR 72 years Jack Green has dreamt of finishing a flight in a Tiger Moth without crashing. In 1942 he was training to be a naval pilot. His first solo flight ended when his plane crashed on an airfield in Birmingham. Before he crashed, the 18-year-old pilot had tried to land twelve times. Each time he thought he had bounced too high and took-off to try again. When, on his unlucky thirteenth attempt, he finally did touch-down, almost out of fuel, he accidentally opened the throttle and flipped the plane on the airfield. Despite writing-off his aircraft, he escaped uninjured. The report into his accident states: "Pupil very inexperienced. Flapped on "umpteenth" attempt to land " But this weekend, for a 90th birthday present from his family, Jack once again took to the air in a Tiger Moth from Darley Dale Airfield near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The biplane trainer recently returned home to Ashbourne, where it was used to train Spitfire pilots between 1942 and 1944. During the war, only a few minutes flight away from Darley Dale, trainee pilots were being put through their paces at Elmdon Airfield (now Birmingham Airport). One November afternoon, Jack's instructor stepped out of his Tiger Moth, said 'you're on your own' and waved him off for his first solo flight. Stirling Bombers were manufactured and tested at Elmdon and on that afternoon a group of them came in to land shortly after Jack had taken off. On his first approach Jack, who had only ten hours flying experience, saw two red lights signaling that it wasn't safe to land. "The Stirlings had a big slip-stream and we knew we had to avoid flying near them", said Jack, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. "That must have upset me a bit because when I went around again and landed, I thought I'd bounced too much and went 'round again. "This happened about 12 or 13 times", he explained "I must have been nervous, and imagined I'd bounced too much and set off again, and again, and again. "Finally it got dark. So they opened all the Stirling hangars and turned the lights on – and the café lights so as I didn't lose the aerodrome. "And then eventually my instructor got in another plane and told me to follow him "I followed him and then he'd land and I'd land, and I'd be off again. And he had to chase me and pass me. " I landed eventually because of no fuel. And I thought 'well this is the last time' and unfortunately I must have had my hand on the throttle and opened it and I flipped it. "My instructor, the next day, said 'You're the first person to do his first solo and his first night flight on the same occasion'. "I had to take a chief flying instructor test, which I failed miserably. I wasn't allowed to fly again so I went into the normal Navy. "Today it was a wonderful flight and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The landing was perfect – perfect. I took the controls today for a few minutes and it felt lovely. We flew over Carsington Water – it was beautiful. "Thankfully the pilot landed me today!" he joked After being permanently grounded, Jack then served on HMS Lagan – a Frigate patrolling the Atlantic then as a front-gunner on a Motor Torpedo Boat based in Dover. Blue Eye Aviation have been flying their Tiger Moth from Ashbourne for the last two months. Quite by chance they discovered that the aircraft was used at Darley Moor in the war to train Spitfire and other fighter pilots. Owner and pilot Will Flanagan said: "It's like we're bringing her home again". "It's also amazing that our plane's registration number is only 106 numbers different from the actual plane Jack crashed. Ours is R5136 and his was R5030. So the plane he learnt to fly in would have been almost exactly the same age and type as ours." Various flights are available in the Tiger Moth based at Darley Dale, from short tasters to a complete re-enactment of the route the Dambuster Lancaster bombers flew when training over the Derwent Valley dams.

VIDEO: Pensioner Jack Green flies in a Tiger Moth - 72 years after crashing

Pedestrian dies after Carsington collision

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A 56-year-old woman has died after a collision with a motorbike in Carsington. The incident, which involved the female pedestrian and a Yamaha motorbike, happened at about 1.40pm today on the B5035. A Derbyshire police spokesman said the woman was from the Sutton Coldfield area. Officers are appealing for witnesses to contact the investigation team on 101.

Pedestrian dies after Carsington collision

Review into refusal to release Wendy Sewell murder files

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AN independent barrister from the Crown Prosecution Service is to review a decision to refuse access to police case files of the killing of a Derbyshire woman 41 years ago. Stephen Downing was wrongly convicted of the murder of Wendy Sewell in 1973 and was released after being wrongly imprisoned for 27 years. A national newspaper has today reported that a researcher who asked the CPS if he could see the files was told he would have to wait for 95 years. The internal inquiry follows complaints against the CPS and the Derbyshire force from Mr Downing and former cold case detective Chris Clark, asking why such severe bans have been imposed on an unsolved murder case. The newspaper report said Mr Clark, a retired Norfolk intelligence officer, believes Miss Sewell, 32, who died following a brutal attack in Bakewell cemetery, may have been the victim of Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. Yesterday a spokesman for the CPS said: "We have assigned an official not involved with the original decision. "It will be an internal review of the CPS handling of the FOI request on Stephen Downing." Miss Sewell was beaten around the head with the handle of a pickaxe and died in hospital two days after the attack on September 12, 1973. Mr Downing was the primary suspect. He was taken to a police station, questioned for nine hours without a solicitor present and signed a confession, even though his reading age was 11. Along with Mr Downing's family, former newspaper editor Don Hale began a campaign to have the case reopened. It was referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 1997. Mr Downing was released on appeal in 2001 after 27 years in jail. In 2002, the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction, finding it to be unsafe.

Review into refusal to release Wendy Sewell murder files

Cricket: Stephen Moore insists Derbyshire still have a chance against Hampshire

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THE first target for Derbyshire is 73 more runs as they set about trying to save their LV County Championship game against Hampshire. That is how many they need to avoid a follow-on figure of 238 at the Ageas Bowl and they only have three more first innings wickets in hand but opener Stephen Moore, who led the Derbyshire scoring with 53 yesterday, says it can be done. But against a very good Hampshire bowling attack with a new ball due, he knows it will not be easy. "That was a really tough 50 for me," said Moore. "I felt like I had to work really hard for that because they didn't give me much. "Hampshire were really disciplined, bowled as a unit and that put us under pressure. They got fortunate with balls that did a bit extra and got a couple of our top-order guys out but they bowled very well. "We have still got a chance. They have bowled brilliantly and they are going to have to back it up. "We have got to get past the follow-on and put them under pressure, then you never know what happens. There have been some big scores down here in the fourth innings of games before. "We have two relatively experienced guys out there who have both scored first-class centuries. They know they have got a bit of responsibility and it's a challenge." Moore acknowledged that Hampshire should not have been allowed such a position of strength as they went on to score 388 in their first innings. "If we had taken our catches they would probably have been 240 and this game would have been wide open then," he added. "There's a few dents on the wicket now that they've created because they bowled well and hit the deck hard but in and around that it's a good batting track. "If the bowlers don't bowl in good areas you can score runs but if they do, it's tough. It's a really good wicket. It's the kind of wicket you want to play cricket on."

Cricket: Stephen Moore insists Derbyshire still have a chance against Hampshire

Cricket: Derbyshire under pressure again as they battle to avoid follow-on against Hampshire

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THE back against the wall is becoming a familiar posture for Derbyshire County Cricket Club and it is skin on brick time again after two days at the Ageas Bowl. After bowling Hampshire out for 388, Derbyshire struggled to 166-7 at the close in their LV County Championship contest. They still need another 73 to take the option of enforcing the follow-on away from the home side and the second new ball is available almost straight away on the third morning. It will be a big first session. The size of the task increased with every dropped catch and every run Hampshire moved closer to 400 in their first innings as a consequence and their seamers came at Derbyshire hard to try to make every inch of that advantage count. It is a good unit and they bowled very well. A half-century from Stephen Moore and a determined stand of 59 between two of their younger players, Alex Hughes and Scott Elstone, kept Derbyshire in the battle but four wickets from left-arm spinner Danny Briggs meant they ended the day in deep bother. Hampshire had earned enough comfort from their overnight total of 332-7 to give them freedom to attack on the second morning but Derbyshire should be reasonably happy to have held them to 56 more runs from their last three wickets. Though Michael Bates completed his 50, Tim Groenewald had him caught at deep midwicket and Mark Footitt mopped up to leave him with 3-91. Groenewald finished with 3-95 and Tony Palladino 4-97. Derbyshire needed a solid start and could have done with a bit of fortune to help them on their way. They got neither. Paul Borrington went just before lunch to Briggs' fifth ball, which leapt at him and took the edge on the way to slip. There wasn't much he could have done about that, nor could Wayne Madsen have done a great deal differently as he went for 21 to a Sean Ervine ball that found extra lift off just short of a length. That was 69-2 but Moore was sturdy and passed 50 for the third time in the competition for Derbyshire, off 98 balls with six fours. His partnership with Marcus North promised plenty but, in successive overs, both were back in the pavilion. North was lbw to Briggs for 14 – his partner said he hit it – and Moore was lbw to an in-swinger from the muscular Kyle Abbott that skipped on low. Suddenly, Derbyshire were 101-4. It was down to Elstone and Hughes then and they appeared up to the task as they carried the total on to 160. As they approached the final hour, hopes were raised that the pair could see their side to the close but hopes are not reaching fruition right now. Instead, Derbyshire lost three more wickets for six runs in almost 15 overs to end the day. Elstone and Hughes went in almost identical fashion. Briggs was not so much turning the ball as making it misbehave out of small indentations on the surface, caused by the pounding it had taken from the Hampshire quicks. He repeated the trick twice more and Ervine, an excellent slip fielder, did the rest. Between Elstone falling for 25 and Hughes for 30, Gareth Cross battled 27 balls for one run before he was lbw to Abbott. And so the day ended with Derbyshire trailing by 222, with David Wainwright and Tony Palladino to face the new ball. Their team is in need of an extra special effort.

Cricket: Derbyshire under pressure again as they battle to avoid follow-on against Hampshire


Thirteen hours of heavy rain forecast for tomorrow - but heat wave on the way for Derbyshire

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THIRTEEN hours of heavy rain is expected to hit tomorrow with the possibility of flooding. The Met Office said to expect the deluge from the early hours of the morning. This begins at 1am and lasts until 8am, before returning at 10am and finishing at 1pm, until further heavy downpours at 5pm. UPDATED: 12.20pm - The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain covering Derby and Derbyshire. The alert is in place from 00.15am on Saturday until midnight and includes the risk of flooding. Temperatures are still expected to be warm with highs of 19C. A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The public should be aware of the potential for localised flooding due to the intensity of these storms, although at this stage the location of the heaviest rainfall is uncertain." Meanwhile today looks to be much drier with highs of 16C from 3pm lasting until 8pm. The threat of rain looks minimal with just a few light showers forecast at 1pm.

Thirteen hours of heavy rain forecast for tomorrow - but heat wave on the way for Derbyshire

Teenage boy impaled by garden fork in Kirk Hallam

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A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was left in agony after a garden fork became impaled in his arm. The teenager was rushed to hospital after the incident in Kirk Hallam. A spokesman for Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), which attended the incident yesterday afternoon, said: "The 13-year old was injured after his arm was impaled by a garden fork. "He was treated at the scene by a crew from East Midlands Ambulance Service. Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) was also called to the incident, landing at the scene at approximately 1:53pm, six minutes after leaving their base at East Midlands Airport. "On the crew's arrival, the fork was still in the patient's arm. The crew from DLRAA administered advanced pain relief as well as antibiotics to prevent infection. The patient was then immobilized before being taken by land ambulance to Royal Derby Hospital for further treatment and removal of the fork."

Teenage boy impaled by garden fork in Kirk Hallam

Cigarettes stolen from delivery van at A38 garage

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MORE than 2,000 cigarettes were stolen from a van while it was unlocked and making a delivery to a Derbyshire garage. The theft took place on the A38 former Y-Pass Garage in Willington at 11.15am yesterday. Police say the lorry was parked on the forecourt delivering cigarettes and tobacco to the store when the offence took place. A spokesman said: "The van was unlocked and someone got inside and took more than 2,000 cigarettes as well as tobacco products from inside. "A silver or grey saloon car was seen leaving the scene at speed heading in the direction of Egginton and Hilton." No-one was reported as hurt in the incident and anyone with information should call 101.

Cigarettes stolen from delivery van at A38 garage

Championship news: Wigan Athletic snap up defender from Cardiff City

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WIGAN Athletic have made Cardiff City left-back Andrew Taylor their first signing of the summer. The 27-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal with the Latics, spent three years in the Welsh capital and made 18 appearances last season as the Bluebirds suffered relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Wigan boss Uwe Rosler said: "I'm very, very happy to get a player of Andrew's stature and experience to our football club. "He was the captain of Malky Mackay's promotion-winning team, he is a very experienced and reliable player who is at the best stage of his career and I'm looking forward to working with him. "He has all the qualities in his position that we are looking for; physically, technically he's very good and tactically he has developed as a player well. "He's willing to go forward, participating in our play offensively and he's another cornerstone in our team for next season." Taylor, whose new side lost to eventual winners QPR in the semi-finals of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs last season, said: "Wigan Athletic are a big club, with Premier League experience and big aspirations. "The manager seems really good and I think his record when he came to the club last season speaks volumes. "It's a fresh challenge for me and one I'm very excited about; I had three good years at Cardiff but everything has to come to an end and I'm looking forward to getting started at the DW Stadium."

Championship news: Wigan Athletic snap up defender from Cardiff City

Derby man arrested following Ilkeston allotments break-in

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A 37-YEAR-OLD Derby man has been arrested in connection with a break-in at some allotments. The man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal after being stopped by officers in the city yesterday. The alleged offence relates to a burglary of a shed at allotments in The Ropewalk, Ilkeston. Police say the fence was cut so that offenders could gain entry to the gardens between noon on Sunday and 10am yesterday. A large amount of tools were taken from inside the shed which a force spokesman said had been "ransacked." Anyone who has information should call police on 101.

Derby man arrested following Ilkeston allotments break-in

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