20 July – News from Derbyshire County Council – Summer safety advice, standing together to tackle anti-social behaviour, helping families with fun and food, Trans Pennine Trail survey, Plastic-free July, Eco Centre summer party, Award recognises our support for the armed forces community, join the summer reading challenge.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Community news banner

Latest news in this edition:


Summer safety advice on fire and water

With temperatures soaring in recent days,  we’re backing Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s campaign to help us and our countryside safe.

wild fire wildfire

Moorland, countryside and wildfire

Over the last week Derbyshire firefighters have attended 66 fires in the open, an increase of 135% on the average number of fires in the open per week, between April and September in the last three years.

To help us protect our moorlands, countryside, and open spaces for everyone to enjoy:

  • avoid having campfires and barbecues in parks and countryside
  • make sure cigarettes are put out properly
  • take litter home and don’t leave glass bottles lying around
  • if you discover a fire call 999.

Garden fires

Got garden cuttings and clippings or DIY rubbish to get rid of? Having a garden fire might seem like a quick fix but in dry conditions fire can jump from dry grass and quickly spread to fences, sheds, garages, trees, and your home.

Check our recycling centres to see if we accept your waste or you can hire a skip.

quarry pool

Water safety

Last year Derbyshire firefighters attended 34 water rescue incidents and tragically seven of these were fatal. 

Open water can hide dangers such as debris and rocks. Reeds can quickly lead to entrapment. The cold temperature of the water can also lead to Cold Water Shock – causing cramp and difficulty breathing – this can lead to drowning in even the strongest swimmer.

Know the dangers and keep out of open water. If you do find yourself in difficulty, ensure you know how to #FloatToLive


Standing together to tackle anti-social behaviour

Organisations across Derbyshire are supporting national Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week and will be helping residents learn more about what is and isn’t anti-social behaviour and where to turn if they need help.

Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, city, borough and district councils and Derbyshire Victim Services are among those showing their commitment to tackling the issue during the second official awareness week which runs from July 18-24.

As well as events across the county throughout ASB Awareness Week 2022, an online resource is available for anyone who is affected by anti-social behaviour or wants to find out more.

Visit www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk/asbhub for information about:

  • Events to mark ASB Awareness Week
  • What is and what is not anti-social behaviour
  • How to report anti-social behaviour
  • What action can be taken
  • Support available for victims

For specific issue that need police intervention, use the reporting tool on Derbyshire Constabulary website. Visit www.derbyshire.police.uk and search ‘ASB’. You can also call 101. Remember, to report a crime in progress or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999.


Helping families with fun and food

If you have children aged five to 16, you can now book onto free summer holiday activities that we're funding. And eligible households have now received a £50 voucher for food.

it's about me holiday activities and food

Holiday activities

Check out the ‘It’s About Me’ website to book free summer experiences for children in Derbyshire.

holiday activities fund meals

Sessions are provided by local organisations and groups and are free for families who claim benefit-related free school meals, with healthy food provided at every activity.

Activities and learning opportunities include sport and leisure, outdoor and wildlife, health and wellbeing, reading, fun with food and healthy eating, music and history. The It’s About Me website also features podcasts, webinars and information about staying safe and sustainable travel. There are sessions available across Derbyshire for children aged five to 16-years-old.

Families can find out if they’re eligible for free activities or how much they cost by contacting the activity provider. There’s contact info for each activity on the website.

Food support voucher

Eligible households have now been sent a one-off food voucher worth £50. Distribution started on Friday 8 July and was completed on 12 July. If you think you're eligible for a voucher but haven’t received one you can send an enquiry directly to the team.


Trans Pennine Trail survey

Are you familiar with the Trans Pennine Trail? If you are, or if you're new to it, we'd like to get your thoughts.

walk

The 215-mile Trans Pennine Trail  (TPT) crosses the whole country connecting the North Sea and the Irish Sea.

It also has a north-south spur connecting Leeds and Chesterfield with 17 miles of trail within Derbyshire.

Whether you're a walker, cyclist, horse rider or wheelchair-user, the TPT National Office would love to get your feedback about it to help improve the trail.

The survey closes on Friday 2 September.



Plastic-free July

plastic free July

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and communities.

We’re encouraging residents to be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics.

The campaign has some useful resources and ideas. Join over 100 million people worldwide who take part.


Eco Centre Summer Party

eco centre summer party

Bring your dancing shoes along to a fun party in a great cause. 

Our Derbyshire Eco Centre at Middleton by Wirksworth is hosting a Summer Party on Saturday 23 July from 5pm onwards. It’s a family friendly party to celebrate summer and to raise funds for refugees everywhere. Activities will include dances from around the world to join in with, a Samba workshop and entertainment from Ukrainian Cossack Dancers and others. Plus food and a bar.

To book your tickets for this party, click on "Find out More" below.


Award recognises our support for the armed forces community

defence employer recognition award silver

We have are proud to have gained a silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme as a sign of our support for armed forces personnel past and present, and their families.

In order to achieve the silver award, we had to demonstrate positive policies toward services personnel and the armed forces community in areas like recruitment, training, and support for armed forces reserves to take part in essential training.

We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, promising that people who serve – or have served – and their families, are treated fairly.

The award ceremony will be held at the International Bomber Command Centre, near Lincoln on Thursday 13 October.


Join the Summer Reading Challenge

gadgeteers

Do you have any primary school children in your family or group? Tell them about our libraries' Summer Reading Challenge.

The long school summer holidays could mean that a child's reading level 'dips' over the six weeks. The Summer Reading Challenge is designed to stop that.

It also introduces children to all the brilliant things our libraries can offer them – events, activities, computers and, of course, loads of books to borrow for free.

This year’s challenge has a science theme to inspire a child's imagination.

Children can buddy up with the Gadgeteer characters and read or listen to any six library books over the summer holidays and be rewarded every step of the way with stickers, and they'll get a medal and certificate if they complete the challenge too.