News 11 November 2024

Festivities on the Derwent Valley Line

The leaves on the trees have well and truly turned, the days have shortened and with the darker nights we are getting excited for a fabulous season of festivities along the Derwent Valley Line. Get into the spirit with this selection of sparkling experiences and make the most of the festive season by train.

Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Fair

Opening 13th November – 31st December 2024

Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is filled with a spectacular array of festive experiences, from the skating rink to the ice bar, the Christmas market and the big wheel. The event is free, but some experiences do need advance booking.

Heights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail

22nd November – 30th December 2024

This season, experience the Heights of Abraham in a whole new way as they launch their brand-new light trail. Make your way down the festoon-lit riverside walkway before arriving at the base station to board your gondola and take a moonlit cable car flight across the river and above an avenue of colour.

Image credit: Heights of Abraham

Belper Winter Food and Gift Fair

Sunday 24th November 2024

Belper town centre will be filled with stalls selling a wide variety of food and drinks to gifts and crafts. Entry is free and the event is suitable for the whole family. This year’s event is particularly special as the event will be combined with the Christmas lights switch on, from 5pm. Find out more here.

Victorian Matlock Christmas Market

6th-8th December 2024

The Victorian Christmas Market returns once more to Matlock this year, with over 200 stalls to enjoy. There’s something for everyone with performances and traditional fairground rides. This market is very popular, so travelling by train avoids the stress of parking, and perhaps allows you to enjoy a glass of mulled wine too!

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October 28 2024

East Midlands Railway Community Rail Conference and Community Rail Network Conference

We have been busy this October visiting a number of conferences including the East Midlands Railway (EMR) Community Rail Conference at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on the 7th October, and the Community Rail Network Conference at Crowne Plaza in Nottingham on the 8th October.

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June 25 2024

Passengers discover the history of Long Eaton’s four railway stations

The history of the railway in Long Eaton is revealed through a set of new information panels located around the railway station.

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June 10 2024

Network Rail Report Considers Improvements at Belper, Duffield and Spondon

Derby Area Stations Strategic Advice; This Network Rail study seeked to answer - How can local railway stations and rail services in the Derby area be made more appealing to users?

Rail service options and station facilities were considered for Duffield, Belper and Spondon,

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June 5 2024

Community Rail Marketing and Communications Job Opportunity – Deadline Extended to 11 July

The Derwent Valley Line CRP and High Peak and Hope Valley CRP seek freelance marketing and communication services to deliver key elements of their activity plans. The closing date for this role has been extended until 11th July at 11am.

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June 4 2024

Scouts Summer Planting Project at Matlock Bath

Matlock Scouts took the train to Matlock Bath and helped the station adopters plant up and water the platform planting barrels.

This planting session follows on from an evening talk about the Derwent Valley Line and safety on the railway. The Scouts will also be using the train for a summer evening walk.

These activities form part of the Scouts Platforms for Change initiative which is a collaboration between Community Rail Network, the Scouts and the rail industry to engage Scout groups through community rail activity, station projects and rail confidence trips.

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May 23 2024

Community Rail Week on the Derwent Valley Line

A range of community and promotional activities took place along the Derwent Valley Line as part of Community Rail Week 2024.

The week began with schoolchildren making Bee Bug Hotels followed by a community project day at Duffield Station and a day promoting the Derwent Valley Line at Nottingham station.

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April 25 2024

Community gets on board with Belper Station artwork

A new community artwork has been unveiled at Belper railway station.

The mosaic welcomes passengers to the town and celebrates its outstanding heritage.

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March 25 2024

Schoolchildren Discover Tracks, Trails and Trains

Children from two schools in Wirksworth have launched a new walking booklet celebrating their local history, environment, and the railway.

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March 10 2024

Local treats and eats in Derwent Valley

With Easter on the way, it's the perfect time to sample some locally crafted treats. Hop on the bus or train to explore Derwent Valley and enjoy a taste of Derbyshire.

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February 9 2024

Striking New Artwork Unveiled at the Matlock Station Footbridge

An impressive 3.4 square metre artwork depicting a Midland Railway 1000 Class steam locomotive has transformed Matlock Station Footbridge..

This type of locomotive was a common sight in Matlock until the 1960s.

The Unveiling Ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the transformation of the pedestrian approach to Matlock Station.

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February 7 2024

Pubs and pub walks in Derwent Valley

As lighter evenings begin to arrive, it's the perfect time for a pub walk in Derwent Valley, by train of course. Here are a few suggestions of places to visit where you can enjoy a stroll followed by a welcome pint or two.

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January 30 2024

Celebrating a successful train service at Spondon

Public transport in Spondon has received a boost, thanks to a community campaign and the support of East Midlands Railway to improve the train service.

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January 7 2024

We’ve been shortlisted!

We're delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2023 Community Rail Network Community Rail Awards, for a partnership project with The Heights of Abraham.

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December 29 2023

New Year, new adventures ahead

Set a healthy and community-spirited New Year's intention by making sustainable transport part of your lifestyle in 2023.

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December 7 2023

Family winter walks in Derwent Valley

Enjoy family-friendly winter walks in Derwent Valley this winter. Getting the train to your destination will feel like a festive adventure in itself!

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November 16 2023

Amazing views in Derwent Valley

Soak up the last of autumn's colours and take in some of Derbyshire finest views. Get there by train on the scenic Derwent Valley line, where you'll also get a great view from the train window.

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November 10 2023

Derwent Valley Line adopters attend Routes of Remembrance service

On Friday 10 November, Station Adopters from the Derwent Valley Line joined East Midlands Railway staff and other Community Rail Partnerships at Derby station for a Service of Remembrance.

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November 1 2023

Feeling festive in Derwent Valley

The festive season is here! Get into the spirit with this selection of sparkling experiences in Derwent Valley.

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October 17 2023

Books and literature in Derwent Valley

Derwent Valley is a book-lover's paradise! It's home to plenty of independent bookshops and literary connections, so hop on the train and start exploring.

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October 5 2023

Autumn walks in Derwent Valley

Lace up your walking boots and enjoy an autumnal walk in Derwent Valley, by train.

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