HAPPY PLANET WEEK

Residents are encouraged to channel their inner David Attenborough as Erewash Museum holds a week all about looking after our planet. From Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th August, the museum is hosting a range of activities for people of all ages focusing on eco-friendly practices. Throughout the week, there will be a trail running throughout the Georgian house in which children can match actions which harm the planet to environmentally friendly alternatives. There will be crafting sessions in The Hayloft which teach sustainable practices by having visitors create origami animals with waste paper. Children will also be able to write positive messages to Earth about their hopes for the future of the planet – these posts will be displayed in the museum to spread the word about helping our planet.

On Tuesday 23rd August Treehuggery will be hostin eco-conscious crafting sessions. Visitors can build a sculpture using household recycling, take a picture to preserve the experience, then knock the sculpture down so others can use the materials or leave for others to admire. The session will run from 11am until 2:30pm.

 On Wednesday 24th August local group Spiral Arts will be delivering workshops where children can build bug houses which can be taken home to give safe habitats for the smallest local wildlife. The session is £2.50 per participant and can be booked in advance by emailing museum@erewash.gov.uk. Also on Wednesday, children can bring in unwanted toys and book to exchange with others. Visitors are encouraged to bring in good condition items to swap with others and take home something preloved to enjoy. No electrical items please.

 Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says: “It is incredibly important that we all take steps to be more environmentally conscious so it is wonderful that Erewash Museum is holding a whole week dedicated to looking after our planet. With all the exciting and innovative activities, children will be able to have tremendous fun while learning some vital practices on how to protect their future.”

Erewash Museum is just a short walk from Ilkeston Market Place. Admission is free. For more information, call 0115 907 1141, email museum@erewash.gov.uk  or visit the Facebook page facebook.com/erewashmuseum.

EXTRA INFLATABLE DAYS

Following the success of Erewash Borough Council’s summer inflatable fun days, an extra date has been added to the obstacle course tour. The event was originally set to conclude on Thursday 25th August, but an additional date now means young people have one more opportunity to experience the course. 

The extra session will be at Sawley Park, Sawley on Wednesday 31st August from 1pm until 4pm. It is to be delivered by Erewash Borough Council’s Sport and Health Development team in partnership with Sawley Youth Club. This is a free event and open to all children under the age of 13. All children must have written parental consent. No booking is required. Children will be allowed onto the course on a first come first served basis.

Over the summer, hundreds of children have played on the travelling inflatable obstacle course. The 42 feet long and 12 feet high course boasts all manner of fun obstacles including a tunnel, hurdle, and a slide to finish. The additional date is a great opportunity for any children who missed the original dates to experience the course and for those who have already loved the course to return. Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Erewash Borough Council, says:

“The inflatable obstacle course has been one of the most popular attractions of the summer and I'm incredibly excited for the Sawley Session. This allows even more children the opportunity to take up the challenge and have great fun. I look forward to seeing you down there!”

FAST FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY

Community groups and projects in need of a helping hand to get started can apply for Fast Funding Community Grants from Erewash Borough Council. The grants are aimed at small community projects or groups who were seeking grants of up to £500 for fast start up or project support. Formerly known as ‘Community Chest Grants’ it is now much easier for residents to apply for the grants with a more streamlined online application and assessment process.

 The grants are available for projects and community groups that are seeking to improve the overall quality of life and wellbeing of Erewash residents as well as the fast start-up support. 

“The new process makes it easier for applicants to apply and ensures that applications are considered by an awarding panel as soon as possible. Approved grants payments can then be made at the earliest opportunity to support projects that deliver benefits and positive impacts for Erewash residents.”

Preference will be given to applications which meet the council’s current Corporate Plan priorities. Subject to the availability of funding, applications will be able to be submitted anytime until December 22nd. For more information please visit the Grants pages of our website or contact: ebcsmallgrants@erewash.gov.uk  

EREWASH JOBS & COMMUNITY FAIR 2022

Local MP Maggie Throup is delighted to announce the return of her Erewash Jobs and Community Fair, which this year will be held at the Chatsworth Arts Centre and Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton on Tuesday 27th September 2022 between 10am and 4pm.

Responding to calls for support to help recruit new staff and attract more apprentices and volunteers following the Coronavirus Pandemic, Maggie is once again organising the Fair with the aim of bringing together large and small local businesses as well as charities, voluntary groups and advice and support agencies all under one roof.  Speaking about the event, Maggie said:

“Despite unemployment across the Constituency remaining lower than the national average, there is a clear need for a central forum in Erewash where local businesses, charities and voluntary groups can exhibit the opportunities they have available to residents, which is why I am delighted to again be hosting the Erewash Jobs and Community Fair. The event, which is free to both exhibitors and members of the public to attend, will promote local job vacancies, apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities, as well as help people to access services that offer support on benefits and welfare, CV writing and interview techniques. I hope that as many people as possible will be able to join me at the Duchess Theatre and support this ambitious project on the day.”

 Businesses and voluntary organisations across Erewash will shortly be receiving a letter including details of how to sign up to exhibit, with further information about opportunities available at the Fair being published at https://www.maggiethroup.com/erewash-jobs-community-fair-2022 on a rolling basis.

MUSIC PLEASE MAESTRO

Erewash residents can tune their instruments and get their dancing shoes on for music week at Erewash Museum! From Monday 15th August to Saturday 20th August, Erewash Museum is having a musical extravaganza. Children will be able to follow a music themed trail around the house with the aim of creating their own band. There will also be free crafting sessions where visitors can build their own bell bracelets to put on their wrists.

On Monday local musician Richard Arter will be holding one of his popular steel drum workshops where Children can learn to play the unique percussion instrument in a fun and creative session. The experience only costs £2.50 per child – please book in advance by contacting the museum by calling 0115 907 1141 or emailing museum@erewash.gov.uk.

On Saturday local six-piece band Deep Down Brass will be performing – the band has a set list containing favourite hits by Queen, Journey and Dolly Parton, all played with a brass twist!  Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:

 “Music week is certain to be brilliant fun, as all events at the museum are! The steel drum workshop is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn something new and play an instrument, some that they may have never seen before. Deep Down Brass has performed in Erewash many times before and I am so glad to see them return – they always put on a spectacular show and will be a triumphant end to a musical extravaganza!”

 The Erewash Museum is just a short stroll from Ilkeston Market Place. Admission is free. For more information, contact 0115 907 1141, email museum@erewash.gov.uk  or visit the Facebook page facebook.com/erewashmuseum.