The Chair's latest Blog is live!
It may seem a long time ago, but during a miserable and wet February, it’s lovely to have the opportunity to look back over what was an incredibly busy, but fantastic December!
Firstly, our Vice Chair of the Council, Cllr Alistair Tilley, attended the beautiful Handel’s Messiah Concert at Hill Street Baptist Church in Swadlincote on 7 December. Held by the Swadlincote Messiah Choral Society, this was their 120th ‘history-making’ performance, with professional soloists, an enhanced orchestra, full organ accompaniment played by Stephen Mansfield and a massed choir of 60+ singers all under the baton of Tom Stanyard. It was an incredibly moving way to begin the festive season!
In a completely different festive twist, on the same night I attended the Lord Mayor of Burton’s ‘Team Santa v Team Grinch’ charity fundraising wrestling event at Burton Town Hall, in aid of the Mayor’s three charities. The Mayor was on Team Santa, and I was Team Grinch. Some local Burton sporting legends made an appearance too! It was really great fun – and of course Santa had to win!
I was also invited to some wonderful Christmas events alongside my fellow Derbyshire civic figures. Sir Richard Fitzherbert Bt, High Sheriff of Derbyshire, invited a number of dignitaries to his home of Tissington Hall for his annual Christmas event, which was a fantastic opportunity. What an interesting man and a beautiful venue to celebrate the festivities.
In addition, Sue and I were invited along to the Coalville Carol Service by North West Leicestershire’s Chair of the Council, Cllr Paul Lees.
On Saturday 13 December, Sue and I attended the South Derbyshire Music Centre’s Christmas Festival concert. We were entertained some incredible local talent, from the Junior Band to the Double Reed Choir. It was a fantastic evening!
Sue and I were invited along to the Hartshorne Christmas Concert, at Hartshorne Church, where we had lots of fun putting on a free event for the community and Hartshorne Brownies and Guides. They were joined by the Magical Mayhem entertainer, who put on a fantastic performance for the children and everyone who attended. I ended up being the glamorous assistant, where he did a fantastic card trick, as well as handing me his magic tray, which kept collapsing on me! The whole church was absolutely full to the rafters, it was wonderful to see.
On 15 December, my fellow Member, Cllr Stephen Taylor, and I joined the team at Fight Station Kickboxing for their Men’s Mental Health event. This was a fantastic insight into the work they do at Fight Station, a much-needed local resource for people of all ages. It was an incredibly well-attended event, very powerful and emotional. It was great to see the impact this sort of event can have, and we got to take part in the Sound Bath too, which was very relaxing.
I look forward to updating you on January and February in my next blog – when hopefully things are starting to warm up a bit for Spring!
12 February 2026