Chair's Latest Blog: Commemoration, Celebration and a Centenary!
I can’t believe I’m already writing a Blog about January and February 2026, this past ten months have flown by!
It’s fair to say that January and February have both been quieter months for the Chair’s Diary, but what we missed in quantity, we certainly didn’t miss in quality as it’s been a special, fun and fascinating few weeks.
On 27 January, I was honoured to join my fellow dignitaries from across Derbyshire, along with a wonderful congregation at Derby Cathedral to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, with a Service of Remembrance, Commemoration and Hope. It’s such a poignant occasion and something I’m very proud to have been a part of. I was also very pleased that the Council joined the national ‘Light the Darkness’ moment at 8pm, leaving flameless candles shining along the windows of our offices, to join in that time of reflection. It was very touching.
In early February - when it was still raining most days - we were invited to join the Sukhmani Ladies Group in Stenson Fields, as they continue the celebrations for their 25th Anniversary, which they began back in July last year. These wonderful women have invited both Sue and I to these two celebrations, for which we are very grateful.
The group provides social opportunities and physical activities and events for the ladies to take part in. As part of the commemorations for their 25th year, they invited me to join them in planting a tree in Stenson Fields, to recognise what they have achieved together over the years. Despite the rain, we carried on and made sure that the tree was planted, as this meant a great deal to the group, who don’t get to meet as often as they used to. We then joined them for a little celebration back in the community centre, where they meet.
I then went back to my roots and joined the Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows for World Thinking Day on 22 February, as well as being there to celebrate their 100-year anniversary!
I was a Brownie and Girl Guide, so it was so much fun to go and spend time with local groups from across the Swadlincote Area, gathering at Overseal Village Hall. It was fantastic to see the groups taking part in a range of crafts, from making dream catchers and pom poms, to paper fortune tellers. During the entire event, I didn’t see one adult or child with a phone, or screen in their hand – in a world of technology, isn’t that unique and rather wonderful!
My final reflection on the day, was how much cooler the girl guide and brownie uniforms are now, they were very different in my day!
27 March 2026