Fantastic music night this Saturday!
On Saturday March 13th 2010 at 7:30 pm in the Edward Lucas Hall, a number of young musicians from the North East Derbyshire Music Centre will be giving an exciting and varied performance. This will include a Clarinet Choir, a Flute Club and a Wind Quintet. These talented youngsters have given breathtaking performances in Dronfield in the past so we know that this will be an evening to look forward to. Refreshments will be available afterwards (voluntary donation charge).Tickets will cost £5 (or £3.50 for under 14yrs) and can be obtained by telephoning:-
(01246) 415997 or
(01246) 410732
Any remaining tickets can be purchased at the door on the night of the performance.


Derbyshire Open Arts 29th, 30th & 31st May 2010
Derbyshire Open Arts is a FREE visual arts and crafts event. A group of local artists will be exhibiting together at the Peel Centre on the above dates of the Spring Bank Holiday from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Their stunning work will include sculptures, hats, glass work, paintings, wood turning, ceramics, textiles and printmaking. You will be able to have a cup of tea, on sale in aid of Ashgate Hospice and chat to the artists. More details from www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk where the new brochure will be available in April.


Annual Dronfield Lecture 8th October 2010
The 2010 Dronfield Lecture will take place in October on Friday 8th. We are delighted that Dronfield celebrity Jackie Toaduff will be the speaker. Jackie has recently published his amazing memoirs telling the story of his life as a coal miner and his transformation to a star in the world of entertainment.


The 2009 Annual Dronfield Lecture
More information about the speaker can be seen on www.nigeldunnett.co.uk and more of his subject on www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk/ where the seed mixtures can also be obtained for those who want to try the effect in their own garden.



Dr Nigel Dunnett talking with Dronfield Mayor, Councillor Frank Higgins after the lecture


The opening of the David Salt garden at the Peel centre.
David Salt was a founding member of the Peel Centre whose hard work, enthusiasm and commitment to so many Dronfield community groups has left a lasting legacy in the Town. The garden is in celebration of David’s life and his particular contribution to the success of the Peel Centre.




Esme Salt, David’s wife ‘pulling the cord’


Neil Grant of Ferndale Garden Centre (who sponsored the garden along with the Dronfield Civic Society) talking with Esme Salt.


Barn Project Report.
Sainsbury gifted Dronfield Hall Barn to the Peel Centre Trust in July 2005. Little did we expect to be still haggling with the planners and English Heritage. The open day and public meetings demonstrated great public interest in this historic building and identified a need for arts space and a comfortable lounge area serving fair trade drinks and chocolate based snacks. The grade2* listing places serious limits on the changes we can make to the fabric of the building and access for vehicles to High Street is causing the highway authority real problems. Our project committee are pressing on undaunted and we will post an update as soon as there is something to report.