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For a little while now we have been developing a range of Derby-centric products that convey our social history in a contemporary way. Our small selection of gifts features original designs created with high production values. Click on the SHOP link on the banner or HERE to go directly. All profits go towards new Living Derby projects and to develop new ranges. We welcome your support.
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As part of the Derby Hospital Hidden Histories project, we have been posting digital versions of the calendar as desktop images for you to use. Click here to see the list of images published each month so far and to download your favourite. We are gradually building a fascinating archive of artefacts in the Royal Derby Hospital and are working towards a public access strategy. If you have any items or memories you would like us to take care of or to donate to the collection, please email hannah@livingderby.com. We are very grateful for all contributions to the archive.
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Earlier this year at the Radio 2 Folk Awards Ade Edmonson of huge comedy fame and a current member of the folk band The Bad Sheperds, was amongst a host of celebrities to have a good look through the Dale School Centenary Book - we were very honoured!
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Our latest project sees Living Derby team members stationed in Derby Hospital every Friday in June. Sited in different areas every week, the team have been looking after the card wall project as well as engaging staff, visitors, patients (even delivery men!) in the Show & Tell. Each week a number of items from the Hidden Histories archive have been on show and people have been able to look, touch and handle different artefacts from the hospital's history. Pictured is the original hand and torch from Florence Nightingale's statue on London Road. The statue was vandalised in the early 1980's and the hand recovered by a gardener on the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site, where he uncovered it in a flower bed!
The Card Wall Project is currently asking the question "What is your most treasured object?". We have had a huge response with answers ranging from "my grandfather's watch" to, "the teddy I have had since I was one". We would love to hear your responses and can fill out a card on your behalf if you would prefer. Just email hannah@livingderby.com, naming your object and a brief description of why it has meaning to you. If you would also like to enclose an photograph or drawing of the object, even better! Alteratively, just pick up a card from the Card Wall in the hospital - which will be sited in the Main Entrance in June.
If you have a story to tell about your experiences working in or visiting Derby Hospitals, or even have an artefact such as an object, letter, book or photograph that you would like to tell us about or donate into the archive, please contact hannah@livingderby.com or use our contact us page.
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The Hidden Histories Calendar is over halfway through its year already! If you would like to download one of the images from the calendar for use as a desktop image, click here to visit our downloads page.
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Since the successful launch of the Hidden Histories Calendar in Derby Hospitals, Living Derby has been continuing to develop the Hidden Histories Project and will shortly be installing a History Wall at the newly named "Royal Derby Hospital". This wall will provide an opportunity for staff, patients and visitors alike to contribute their memories and images to the Hidden Histories Archive. In the meantim, you can download the current calendar images as desktop images by clicking here. We will put up each month's image as the year progresses, so keep checking back for your favourite.
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Pupils from the editorial committee get their hands on the book first.
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Phase 2 of the Hidden Histories project is currently being planned and will take place throughout 2009.
If you have a story to tell about your memories of working within Derby's Hospitals - please contact us here. We would love to add your memories to the archive!
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A section of the centenary tapestry created by parents at Dale. Click for larger versionOne of the latest projects the Living Derby team is working on is a 60 page hardback book to celebrate Dale Community Primary School's Centenary on November 25th. Far from being a purely historical catalogue of the school's history, Dale's headteacher Linda Sullivan and her literacy co-ordinator Sarah Coxson wanted a book documented the past, using stories, interview and reflections, produced by the children and staff from Dale itself. Dale is the largest primary school in the city, with 550 pupils. The children have played a leading role in producing the material for the book, in particular the editorial committee who represent the school in meetings and workshops. They have been helped by writer Mike Wilson and project support Lindsay Steel, both employed by Living Derby to support teachers and pupils in producing the high quality of work needed for the book.
Along the way, friends have been reunited after 60 years apart, former pupils have toured the school and given interviews, a huge tapestry has been created by parents, an edwardian picnic has taken place, Prince George's visit from 1928 has been recreated!
Nicola RIppon, a former pupil, wrote of Dale's centenary open day in her newspaper article,
" They say you should never go back. Well, I'm glad I just did. What a pleasure it was to attend the open day at Dale Community Primary School, Normanton, held as part of the celebrations to mark the school's 100th anniversary.
I was at Dale between January 1974 and July 1980, and with many talented teachers who made lessons fun and inspiring, we looked forward to each new day. Without doubt, it was the happiest time of my childhood."
The book will be out at the end of November and will be available to buy, with all profits going directly to the school.
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Terry, a former pupil, shows children his scars from the Headmaster's cane in the 1950s! Click for larger image;)
Lindsay Steel talks to the editorial committe about book design.
The aim was to help us understand a bit better what sparks people off, both in a heritage sense, but also in a creative sense. Do we like thinking about the places we've been, the things we've done - or even our ancestors' antics? Or do we like to live in the here and now? Some people are always looking to what tomorrow might hold for them.
Do you enjoy writing as a form of expression, or to read books full of stories that test your imagination? Perhaps your prefer to look at public art, sculpture - or to use ornaments as a way of expressing your own creative taste. Many people prefer photographs, paintings etc. and would rather go and see an exhibition of photographic prints than visit a poetry reading or sculpture exhibit.
Different things move us in different ways and here at Living Derby we're interested to know your preferences and why. If you have time, please take part in our short poll by clicking here - don't think too much about it, just go with your gut reaction!
