Whilst Refugee week was a chance for people to celebrate the positive aspects of diversity, it also helped to promote a better understanding of why people seek sanctuary in this country. Much […]
Asylum Seekers: We should try “walking in their shoes”
Banwait’s majority relies on 2 Labour Councillors who he believes “have no democratic stake in Derby”
Cllr Ranjit Banwait is clear on who he believes can “have a say” in the running of Derby….and it’s not everyone in the City, including 2 of his own Councillors. He is arguably […]
Banwait fails more of the ’50 pledges’…and slips one by 7 months!
In April the Council Cabinet presented it’s 50 Pledges to the people of Derby. 2 of the pledges then failed as reported, previously, in Derby News: Banwait’s 50 Pledges ; Cllr Bolton […]
Furthest from the Sea Festival – Music, Dance….and Pirates!
A cornucopia of music, dance, theatrical acts, fairground attractions, and pirates…..lots of pirates!…. in the Market Place today. A festival of fun for the family put on by local arts and events […]
Jonathan Smale, City Councillor – reflections on his 1st year in office
I interviewed you just over a year ago when you were campaigning to be elected as Conservative Councillor for the Chaddesden ward. I guess it feels like a long time ago….do you […]
Liversage Trust : providing housing in Derby for older people for nearly 500 years
“My husband says it’s better than winning the lottery…and we’ve been here nearly 20 years. We feel safe” says a resident of the Liversage Trust’s Franchise Street estate. The Liversage Trust is […]
Why is Derby Labour Party snubbing Chris Williamson?
96% of the publicity on the Derby Labour Party’s FB page is in direct support of Margaret Beckett. Of the 50 posts promoting the candidates, only 2 support Chris Williamson’s campaign. Why […]
Project Touchdown: Feeding the homeless every day for the Islamic month of Ramadan.
The Islamic month of Ramadan, which started on May 26th this year, is a time for greater acts of generosity from followers of the faith. Project Touchdown was formed 2.5 years ago […]
Why won’t Cllr Banwait explain his “personal involvement” in key decisions to local residents?
Two Derby residents have been trying to get clarity from the Council about a number of key decisions relating to issues in the Littleover/Blagreaves area. Meetings with Council officers, and Paul Robinson, […]
Banwait’s 50 Pledges ; 2nd one fails target date
The 2nd of Banwait’s 50 pledges which he made in April 2017, has not delivered as promised. To re-cap: On 12th April, Cllr Banwait made 50 pledges to the people of Derby: […]
Jamie: Derby Poet – making the ‘Best of a Bad Situation’
How different would Jamie’s life have been, had his surname not been Thrasivoulou? Born to very young parents, in 1984, in Alvaston, when money was very tight, in a household that was […]
Sikh Temple: Free food for the whole community – an act of faith
The Sikh temple, or Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara in Normanton (Stanhope Street), contains one of the largest free food halls ,( langar in Punjabi), in Derby. It operates for 14 hours a […]
Soldier from Littleover receives Joint Commander’s Commendation for outstanding dedication in Iraq
Acting Staff Sergeant Baljit Kaur Cornell (46) from Littleover Derby has been honoured with receiving the Joint Commander’s Commendation for her outstanding dedication and commitment on Operation SHADER in Iraq. As Chief […]
Banwait’s 50 Pledges ; Cllr Bolton fails 1st target date.
On 12th April, Cllr Banwait made 50 pledges to the people of Derby: “…Council has listened to feedback from residents and other stakeholders, and has developed 50 Pledges, to set out our […]
Women’s Work (Lyndsey’s Blog Part 4) : The vicious circle of drug addiction
There is one lady who I know who has been a sex-worker since 2005, and she has been on a long personal journey. She has repeatedly left one partner, got another one. […]
Council’s ‘Brown Bin tax’ scheme – a £1m failure!
The brown bin, garden waste, charging scheme, introduced in 2014/15, which was publicised as saving the Council £1m per year, is a sham.! It was based on flawed assumptions, was poorly […]
Cllr John Evans – cleared of electoral fraud. Why did the Council pursue this case?
Shortly after the May 2016 local elections, a case was brought against Cllr John Evans (Alvaston) by the Returning Officer ( and Legal Officer), Janie Berry, of Derby City Council for electoral […]
Cllr Banwait to spend ring-fenced Adult Social Care money on electioneering promises.
It is difficult to know which bit of rhetoric about the Council’s finances the public should now believe from Cllr Banwait! The tax payer has been told consistently that the Council has […]
Bright new “Hive” for young disabled people in Normanton.
The Fun-abil8y project at the St James Centre, in Normanton, is one of the leading groups in Derby supporting young disabled people to “live life to the MAX”. I wrote previously that […]
St George’s Day celebrations in the City Centre
The annual St George’s Day parade, together with quirky, quintessentially English, side-shows, took place today down St Peter’s Street and in the Market Place. There were a variety of dancers – Morris, […]
