Chair's Blog for September: A mixture of happiness and heartbreaking news
The nights are drawing in, it’s getting colder and the end of 2025 seems to be looming ever so quickly. I can’t believe I’ve been in the Chair’s role now for a whole five months! I’m loving every minute, visiting communities across the District and sharing in their fantastic celebrations and events.
Where did September go?
With all the Summer activities now over, it’s certainly been a quieter month, but I’ve still been privileged to be invited to and attended a number of fantastic events.
In the middle of the month I visited Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, with my Consort and friend, Sue Taylor, to take part in the Swadlincote Heritage Fest 2025, which is part of the Free Heritage Open Days movement.
I met with representatives from the South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group and the Magic Attic. These fantastic people spend so much of their time protecting and preserving our industrial and social history in South Derbyshire, and it was fascinating to meet them all.
My highlight of the month had to be the Melbourne Festival. I spent the whole weekend meeting some of our fantastic local artists and all the volunteers that make an event like this happen. It was truly inspiring to see so much talent on display.
This event also gave me the opportunity to meet with a visiting group of students from Toyota City, who were visiting the District as part of the Derbyshire Toyota Partnership. What a truly dedicated and passionate group of young people. I really hope they enjoyed their visit!
The following week, I had the honour of joining our volunteers at Rosliston Forestry Centre, and the team that works with them, for a celebration of all the fantastic work they do. There were also some presentations to celebrate the achievements of members of this group, without whom so many of the fantastic Free events that take place at Rosliston, just would not be possible. I had such a brilliant time chatting with the volunteers and understanding how they came to be a part of this group.
At the end of the month, Sue and I were invited to Melbourne Parish Church, to celebrate 900 Years of the parish church being a part of the community. This was followed by a reception in the beautiful gardens of the Dower House. The history in our District is extensive and fascinating; I love to hear all about it, as I meet members of our community, who so passionately treasure it.
Some heartbreaking news
I was so saddened this month to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of my friend, and CEO of Swadlincote’s Collective Hub, Mikey Heald.
Mikey was not only a dear friend to many, but he was also a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, a relentless ambassador for so many groups in Swadlincote and a dedicated Nottingham Forest fan.
Whether you were young or old, whatever your religion, sexuality or gender, wherever you lived, or even more so if you didn’t have anywhere to live, Mikey would welcome you to the Hub with open arms, and an equally wide smile and supportive ear. He would open his doors on Christmas Day for those with nowhere to go, hosted regular groups for children and young people to find just somewhere to ‘be’, and met with so many members of the community in the Hub’s Community Café.
It is hard to understand that this pillar of our community is no longer with us. I would like to just extend my heartfelt condolences to all who cared for and loved Mikey. May his legacy live on in our local community.
Let’s close with a sprinkle of happiness
Although this was held at the start of October, I felt I couldn’t finish this latest blog without reflecting on the South Derbyshire Civic Service, which is held annually in honour of the Chair.
This year of course that meant it was my turn, and I loved the whole event!
These formal civic events are part of the history of the Council, the area, its constitution and the strong traditions, which are upheld honourably on days like this.
Sue and I thoroughly enjoyed the day, which wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic efforts of our Council Events Team, who - when faced with an unsafe Church roof thanks to Storm Amy – pulled together a fantastic Plan B, at short notice, which still made it a beautiful ceremony.
A huge thanks too goes to Rev Dr Mike Firbank, who supported us through the ceremony and made the whole thing feel extra special.
I’m looking forward to another fantastic few weeks, as local children enjoy their October half term, we get the pumpkins out, and look ahead to school holidays full of more Free family events; not to mention the big occasions in the civic calendar, such as Remembrance and Armistice Day.
28 October 2025