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Cast your vote for your favourite "Festival or Event of the Year" in the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards.
 It's a new category in this year's awards which aims to champion quality events and festivals that have taken place in the Peak District and Derbyshire – with nine shortlisted entries from country shows and music festivals to unique exhibitions and arts trails.
It’s one of 15 categories as part of the annual awards scheme which received a record number of entries this year -- and it’s the only category decided by members of the public.
Shortlisted businesses in the remaining categories will now go forward to the final round of independent judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the winners are selected ahead of a joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony hosted by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, in March 2025.
Following the awards ceremony, Gold winners in each of the core categories will progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.
Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week runs from November 18-24 and aims to raise awareness, help everyone to know their rights and take a stand against ASB.
 Organisations across Derbyshire have worked to create a one-stop shop for all you need to know about anti-social behaviour. You can find out about the different forms of ASB, where to report it and how to ensure you get the support you need.
If you’ve experienced ASB, you have the right to free and confidential support from Derbyshire Victim Services.
Derbyshire is getting into the Christmas spirit early next weekend with a number of festive events taking place which means roads are expected to be much busier than usual on 16 and 17 November – particularly in the Bakewell and Chatsworth areas.
With events taking place at Chatsworth, Thornbridge Hall, Bakewell and Haddon Hall throughout the weekend, anyone travelling to or through the area is advised to leave extra time for their journey.
Keep up to date with what’s happening on the roads where you live – visit one.network and create a free account to get email alerts about roadworks on the routes that matter to you.
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If you, or someone you know, is disabled and looking for employment or training, why not pop along to our jobs fair on Thursday, November 28 to find out how we can support you.
Our disability employment team will be on hand at Chesterfield Library from 10am to 2pm with support and advice about jobs, training and volunteering opportunities in Derbyshire.
It’s free to attend and no booking is needed.
Our team can support you throughout the employment process – from help with applying for a job and preparing for interview to offering in-work support with assisting equipment or training. You can also use the free resources available at the library.
The fair is taking place at the New Beetwell Street library, S40 1QN, from 10am to 2pm. If you’d like more information you can contact the team by email or call them on 01629 538381.
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If you are aged 66 or over, did you know you can get free travel on local buses across Derbyshire with a Gold Card?
The bus can connect you with so much, letting you meet with friends and get social, or get you out into the countryside to be more active, giving you a boost both mentally and physically.
So, whether that’s a trip to the shops, a leisurely coffee break at a cafe, or simply enjoying the scenic bus routes while striking up conversations with fellow passengers; there are many reasons to take the bus.
The added benefits are; no parking charges and zero driving or searching for parking spaces needed, just the freedom to explore and spend time with loved ones.
A Gold Card can be used at any time during weekends and bank holidays, or after 9.30am on weekdays, so get your card out and start exploring more of Derbyshire.
If you’ve not got a Gold Card, it is really easy to apply for one – just visit derbyshire.gov.uk/gold.
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If you’ve visited Elvaston Castle and Gardens, you may be interested to know that new options for improving the visitor experience and safeguard its long-term future are to be considered next week.
 Cabinet members will meet on Thursday (14 November) to discuss a report which explains that although a large-scale masterplan for the site is no longer financially viable, more affordable enhancements can be developed.
Elvaston Castle and Gardens is a popular heritage attraction but its age, size and condition means it is costly for us to run and requires regular maintenance.
The masterplan, which was developed to increase visitor numbers and attract revenue, included the restoration of many of the listed buildings on the estate as well as building a new café, access road and car park.
But the impact of inflation and the complex nature of the project have seen the potential costs of the masterplan spiral, while grants that might have helped fund its proposals are no longer available.
A review has recommended that councillors should withdraw the masterplan on cost grounds and instead develop and deliver a more affordable plan, which could see affordable proposals for improvement such as upgrading Elvaston’s equestrian and showground facilities, modernising the castle courtyard and increased marketing of the site, giving a much quicker return on investment.
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