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Global connections
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: James Renoux-Wood CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Allen WRITERS: James Renoux-Wood (pgs 6-7; 14-15; 20-21; 28-29; 30-31; 36-37; 40-41) Jessica Pickard (pgs 8-13) John Forkin (pgs 16-19); Shailja Morris (pgs 22-24), Noella Pio Kivlehan (pgs 38-39; 42-45) Christopher Hazeldine (pgs 48-49) COVER IMAGE: On Thin Ice by Ciril Jazbec IMAGES: Richard Gardner, Marketing Derby, Simon Wilkinson, Peter Toft, Derbyshire Institute of Sport, Derby Arena, Bill Burlington, Ros Kavanagh, Rashid Johnson, Hauser and Wirth, Lismore Castle Arts, TfL, Bombardier, Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo, A Philosopher Lecturing on The Orrery by Joseph Wright of Derby with permission from Derby Museums Trust LEAD DESIGNER Tammy Kerr Design PRODUCTION MANAGER AND ILLUSTRATION Christopher Hazeldine PROJECT MANAGER Sue Mapara MANAGING DIRECTOR Toby Fox PRINTED BY: Bishops Printers Orrery produced by 3Fox International for Marketing Derby marketingderby.co.uk
Supported by the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund
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The beginning of the 18th century saw the creation of the first modern orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system showing the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons. These ideas came to define the period known as The Enlightenment and were reflected in revolutionary paintings of the time, such as Joseph Wright of Derby’s ‘A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery’. The work captures how this understanding was shared and people’s receptiveness to new ideas. It is displayed at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, home to the world’s largest collection of his paintings. Others can be found at London’s National Gallery and elsewhere around the world. People have never been more connected. The gravitational pull between the cities of Derby and London and people’s passion for achievement and advancement has never been stronger.
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#1 The Art of Innovation
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C O N T E N T S
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ONES TO WATCH A knife maker, R&D diagnostics laboratory and hi-tech health and beauty company make up a collection of growing enterprises.
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CYCLING Derby Arena and its velodrome have created cycling champions speeding ahead on the world stage.
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INTERVIEW He’s heir to the Duke of Devonshire and she is an influencer of London’s fashion scene – William and Laura Cavendish speak to Orrery.
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GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Derby and Hefei in China have more in common than first meets the eye – and we put a stamp on Derby, Connecticut in the USA.
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MAP Derby has made a mark in London in surprising and well-known places: where do the two cities meet?
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FOOD AND DRINK SCENE Cafes with a Danish twist; how to become a successful brewer and a focus on Derbyshire produce: exploring Derby’s exemplary food and drink offer.
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PHOTOGRAPHY The FORMAT International Photography festival attracts 100,000 visitors. Orrery catches up with the founder and showcases the best of the event.
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DERBY UNDERGROUND London tube lines can be spotted in Derby. To find out why, we speak to the Canadian-owned and Derbybased Bombardier rail company.
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MAKING A MOVE Interviews with those who have moved between the cities – we find out what makes them tick.
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HOUSING Derbyshire’s heritage homes are the result of restoration work to listed buildings, showcasing the affordability of the county, which has easy commuting access.
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ART CONNECTIONS Presenting Joseph Wright of Derby’s A Philosopher Lecturing on The Orrery: frame-by-frame.
T H E C U T T I N G E D G E Forging a career in knifemaking – from the cellar to the chef’s kitchen table •6•
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pipe and a pair of slippers may be an inauspicious beginning to a successful business story. But when real-ale drinking Ben Edmonds in his late 20s received the two items -as a tongue-in-cheek present, the pipe would be the spark to ignite a career in carving and forging kitchen knives. Over the years, the lovingly crafted tools have found their way into the kitchens of some of the country’s most celebrated chefs. Not one to back away from a challenge, Ben had set about learning to smoke the pipe properly. But a few YouTube tutorials later and he had digressed. “Related videos started to pop up and it went from pipe smoking to a guy talking about his pipe collection to a guy in Canada talking about his knife collection,” he says. “Then I found
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ONES TO WATCH
a video with a guy making a knife. It was a DIY job. He had an old chisel in his dad’s garage and ground it down. The thing looked horrible, but I thought ‘that’s quite interesting, perhaps that could be the next project’.”
Ben and his team later crafted the restaurant’s 27 tables, made from wood, metal and leather. The other call was from the BBC, about five years ago. This is when things “went bonkers”, as Ben explains. “I got asked to go on Food and Drink with Tom Kerridge. [Actress] Arabella Weir came and made a knife for a segment of the show. Within 15 minutes of it airing, I had knife orders backlogged for two years. That’s when I realised I could start taking it a bit more seriously.”
It started badly. “I had a little setup at home on the kitchen table. I made five knives and they were bloody awful, to be honest. But I moved to the cellar, and carried on making them and got really into it, learning about different types of metal and wood. I had always had a project on the go – a car, a bike, a bit of furniture, a drawing – but typically I would move onto something else when they were finished. Knife-making was a bit different. I just really enjoyed the process.”
Blok Knives is located in Derby’s Darley Abbey Mills, in a space which has been expanded in recent years. Ben has also taken on three new employees. Alex Bates is responsible for social and organising, while there are two additional knife makers, Jack Stevens and Patrick Storrar.
It was never Ben’s intention to sell his knives. The breakthrough came when a chef friend offered him a good price for a knife in a pub beer garden and the project began to cut through. “I realised I was making things people wanted to buy. I had 12 years of experience in graphics and web design, so came up with a brand and a website and started to sell some more.”
As well as Jamie Oliver’s mum placing a few orders (the TV chef now has a few, says Ben), Blok Knives has come to the attention of the likes of Nigella Lawson and Mary Berry. The company has evolved in other ways too. Chopping boards, magnetic knife racks and even a clothing range are recent developments, but Ben is keen for Blok Knives to stay true to its roots.
Two phone calls changed everything. One was from Sat Bains, proprietor of a two Michelinstarred restaurant, who asked Ben to make some steak knives. The relationship continues to evolve. Diners now not only use Blok Knives, but
“It’s always been about creating something tangible,” he says. “I want to make something that looks good but is usable too. The knife seemed to be just the thing.” •7•
G O I N G F O R G O L D Derby spurs cycling champions on the world stage, thanks to its facilities and support
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“I knew I could ride a bike, but I didn’t know how far I could take things. I am the most unlikely world champion,” she says. Katie has cerebral palsy (CP), affecting all four limbs, and rides in the C1 category – the group for the most physically disadvantaged cyclists. She describes the arrival of the velodrome in 2015 and meeting her then coach Geoff Cook, as ‘ingredients in a recipe’ that came together at just the right time to help her succeed – “that, my fantastic family and a lot of hard work,” she adds.
efore the Derby Arena was built, the declared ambition of its planners was to create a facility ‘with the inspirational pull of London 2012’. Now such comparisons are a thing of the past. The arena has established its own identity as a hub for track cycling.
The arena provides Katie with two hours of cycling a week. “Because of the CP, I can get spasms and my muscles are not as developed. In the beginning I had a lot of crashes. They used to joke I needed a five metre radius around me. So track time has been very important – a big confidence booster. When I meet competitors from other teams who get no time on track, I realise how lucky I am.”
Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Laura Kenny have all competed here, but now the arena is producing its own champions – notably Charlie Tanfield (below right), individual gold medallist at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games 2018, as well as in both team and individual pursuits at the Track Cycling World Championships.
Although the Derby Arena attracts elite riders like Katie and Charlie, there is a firm philosophy that track cycling should be for everyone. There are taster sessions for complete beginners, races for older people, training sessions for juniors, time slots for women-only groups and team building days for executives. ‘It doesn’t have to be serious’ the website stresses.
“My aim was to just get to the Commonwealth Games, to participate,” says Charlie. “Now I think I’ve done a bit more than that.” Also having a stunning year is Katie Toft, taking a gold medal on the track in Rio 2016 and picking up two more on the road in Italy at August’s Para-Cycling World Championships. Both riders give credit to time spent on the track at Derby. “What was provided has been fundamental to our team’s success and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it”, says Charlie. “It’s not just the track itself. The people were mega-supportive, helping us train at times we were able to.” For Katie, the new centre came just at the right time. She was 21, had finished her degree in Early Childhood Studies and was considering the future. Gaining the confidence even to think in terms of competition cycling was a challenge. •9•
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Nonetheless, new riders do need some training. Using a fixed-wheel bike with toe clips and no brakes is a surprisingly different experience for recreational bikers and people need to learn how to ride safely in a pack and to manage how the track banking interacts with their speed.
person to ride on the track and an inspirational influence on Katie’s early progress.
These skills can be mastered through four levels of accreditation at the arena. Prices are kept deliberately low to encourage everyone to have a go and they include equipment hire. A rider can learn enough to enjoy a one-off taster experience, then go on to be coached at a higher level and join the arena’s league to race competitively against other enthusiasts of similar age or ability.
The velodrome is located inside a multi-use fitness and events arena in Pride Park. As well as a 150-station gym, there are facilities for table tennis, aqua-based training, 15 badminton courts, volleyball, indoor bowls and classes in everything from yoga, spinning, boxercise and aerobics, to weight management and fitness for new mums. More than 1,000 visitors pass through every day. There are sessions for walking netball and football, Zumba for the over-50s, gym equipment for disabled people and all parts of the building are accessible with ramps and lifts.
From the outside, the velodrome is an aweinspiring building: a vast, domed spaceship of gold, silver and bronze stripes. It took 26 miles of wood to create the track itself, built from Russian spruce found in Siberian forests and held in place by 265,000 nails, each hammered in by hand.
Overall, the arena can hold up to 3,500 spectators seated and 5,000 standing. It has hosted national and international sporting events including handball, netball, futsal, taekwondo, dodgeball and cheerleading.
“It’s stunning”, says Katie Toft. “We call it ‘Geoff ’s shed’ – after coach Geoff Cook, the first
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The velodrome is an awe-inspiring building: a vast, domed spaceship of gold, silver and bronze stripes. It took 26 miles of wood to create the track itself, built from Russian spruce
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conferences and music. Indie bands such as Happy Mondays, The Bluetones and Catfish and the Bottlemen have played gigs at the venue.
but, honestly, I will think of my time in Derby – although we were living in less than ideal conditions – as the best years of my life.”
When he was a mechanical engineering student at the University of Derby, Charlie Tanfield moved, with his three team mates, to a flat 15-minutes away from the arena to get more access to the velodrome and the gym. Their story is an interesting one. Analysis of top competition results shows a clear relationship between investment in riders and medal success, but Charlie and his team mates rode as part of the independent, amateur team KFG, named for a leukemia charity.
Katie Toft is supported with training facilities by the Derbyshire Institute of Sport, but still relies on multiple small sponsorship arrangements for kit, bikes, accommodation and travel. She works part time at a holiday club. “It’s lots of little bits and I just about manage but I don’t make too many plans for the future because I really cannot know if I will be able to go to future events”.
Their phenomenal successes astonished the cycling establishment. “We were self-sufficient athletes,” says Charlie. “We taught ourselves about things like aerodynamics. But we take our hats off to the staff at the venue. They gave us so much help.” Now Charlie has become a funded member of Team GB with a clear eye on the Tokyo Olympics 2020. “I have so much support at my fingertips
Both riders agree though that Derbyshire is a fantastic place if you are a cyclist. “You’ve got the Peak District, so you can get your road training in,’” says Charlie. “And the arena is easy to get to, near the station. Derbyshire is a central location so if you go away to competitions it’s easy to get back to. It just works.” Katie says: “There’s some fantastic results coming out of Derbyshire now, both for older and younger cyclists. I’m a Derbyshire girl. My grandparents lived here. I’m a High Peaks girl and a Derbyshire girl. Definitely.”
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D E R B Y S H I R E Young talents such as Charlie Tanfield and Katie Toft face a difficult transition if they are to become fully funded athletes. To prove their worth, budding competitors need to follow the same routines as an established athlete: they must travel to competitions; train for the same number of hours; get coaching and physiotherapy and access pool time, track time and gym time. But these things all cost money, while also biting into the time needed to earn a living. Katie has used crowdfunding to get to the World Cup competitions she needs to attend to be considered for the Olympics. Charlie’s medal-winning KGF cycling pursuit team relied on parttime earnings and student grants. It’s a stressful period for young athletes, and inevitably some of them have to drop out. Where there are willing funders, they are often torn between supporting programmes which aim to get ordinary citizens to be more active or backing elite contenders. Derbyshire however has come up with a unique intervention here in the form of
I N S T I T U T E
the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS). Originally Funded by Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and the University of Derby, the DIS is working out of the University of Derby and has been a Community Interest Company (CIC) since 2017, generating its own income through energetic fundraising. This small but dynamic CIC exists to identify promising local athletes and help them to become world class competitors. The nature of the support can be very varied. “It was really helpful to me,” explains Charlie, who has now moved on to be funded through UK Sport. “They helped me get gym time and a physio and they spoke to my university about how the tutorial timetable could be flexed up so I could get to training sessions.” For another young athlete, Abbie Wood, DIS was able to negotiate an individual swimming lane for early morning training at her local pool. She is now on the British Swimming Programme. “We don’t normally give grants,” says Adi Fawcett, head of fundraising and partnerships at DIS, “but we try to
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provide everything else an athlete would get on a world-class programme.” That can include strength and conditioning training in the university’s performance gym, time on track and nutrition, but also more personal development, for example, through sessions about how to present yourself, which helps cyclists get ready to face the media. “We help the young ones make the big step up,” says Adi. “It’s a model of talent development that is attracting serious attention from sporting bodies.” With their eyes unashamedly on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are plenty of DIS names to watch out for, including Niamh Emerson – at 19 already the seventh best heptathlete in Britain – and para-swimming champion Lewis White. “Our aim,” says Adi, “is to make Derbyshire proud and show this is a county where you really can become world-class.”
If you would like to find out more about how you can support the DIS please contact Adi Fawcett: adifawcett@derbyshireis.co.uk
ONES TO WATCH
T R I A L A N D E R R O R Research and development for a fascinating product range takes place in the most surprising of places
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hat do drug testing kits, Formula One engines, pregnancy tests, collagen health drinks and electronic curfew monitoring tags have in common? The answer: they are all developed at SureScreen, an innovative research and development diagnostics company based in Derby.
DNA testing is also useful for environmental purposes. “A developer might be wanting to build houses on a site, for example, but there is a need to make sure they’re not building where there’s an endangered species,” explains David. SureScreen Diagnostics takes samples from the site’s waterways to determine the presence of threatened life, such as the great crested newt.
Entering the company’s grounds at Morley Retreat, the period buildings and rolling rural backdrop could be the scene of a wedding venue or a celebrity’s second home. But behind the walls, pioneering scientists and forensics experts are hard at work in laboratories, developing products to help people and industries all over the world in a myriad of ways. The business is run by a family of five: mother and father, Lucy and Jim Campbell – now semi-retired – and their three director sons, Alastair, Alex and David. “There are three strands to SureScreen,” explains David. “SureScreen Scientifics came first, started in 1991 by our father. This is about using forensic science and analytical methods to diagnose issues across a lot of different industries, such as manufacturing, motor sport or food production. “Let’s take the example of a broken gear box on a Formula One car,” adds David. “They will send us it, we have a look under the microscope, work out what’s happened and provide a report detailing the problem and how to fix it.” Later came SureScreen Diagnostics, where a lot of work is developed at Morley Retreat. DNA sampling and new methods of drug testing are produced for varied industries such as construction, law enforcement or the military, which need effective screening tests conducted. “You might have someone under the influence going on-site to operate a crane and you need to ensure they are not going to have an accident or endanger their colleagues,” explains David.
Some of the most effective pregnancy tests available are developed on-site too and new methods of roadside drug testing, using fingerprint technology, are being used internationally – particularly in the Nordic countries. Kits to identify unidentified white powder at crime scenes and electronic bracelets are other examples of product development.
The most recent strand to SureScreen is the “neutrivitality” department, which began as a way to tackle a family illnesses. David explains: “When our mother was ill, she was having cravings for lettuces. She got to the point where she was eating three a day. We thought it very strange. After some research, we found that there was a chemical in lettuce called sulforaphane, which her body was craving. She couldn’t get enough.” Subsequent research led the Campbells to develop technology capable of increasing absorption through supplements containing this sort of compound by as much as 70%. Lucy wasn’t the only Campbell family member to inspire SureScreen’s research. Influenced by their grandfather’s deteriorating sight, the three sons looked into a report from an American company on age-related eyesight loss. David says they have developed a product capable of reducing the problem by 50%. A collagen drink for skin health is also about to be launched. The development of these impressive products continues to extend the company’s international presence, including work in China. There seems to be no end to the places in SureScreen’s reach.
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R E E L F O R R E A L Art industry professionals William and Laura Cavendish discuss their artistic endeavours and connections between Derby and London
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he authentic has never been more precious.” William Cavendish is reflecting on the challenges thrown up by fast-changing technology and today’s virtual world. His instinct is that people are increasingly seeking comfort in the provenance of reality. “Experiencing things firsthand has never had such premium,” he adds. Speaking to Orrery from their home in London’s Holland Park, William and his wife Laura are well-known members of the capital’s arts and fashion community. Heir to the Duke of Devonshire, and the worldrenowned Chatsworth estate listed building in Derbyshire, William until recently was better known as commercial photographer Bill Burlington, running his own London studio. Laura has held influential positions, such as fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, and today is a fashion consultant, a contributing editor to British Vogue and she sits on the board of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Both could choose to sit back in the comfort of titles – Earl and Countess – but they instead exert energy in melding the security of heritage with the fortuity of the future.
One way Laura demonstrates this is by creating opportunities for emerging talent. “I’m really interested in new thinking and how we can support young people when it makes most difference to their lives,” she says. Providing a platform for new designers through shows at London Fashion Week and the position on the Next Generation board of the BFC helps achieve these ambitions. Laura’s sometimes edgy and always fun Instagram account signposts exhibitions, concerts and new names to look out for. Central to this is her growing habit of supporting these sorts of events away from London, such as in the family homes at Chatsworth and Lismore Castle in Ireland. “I’m especially delighted with hosting the work of Rashid Johnson – an African-American conceptual artist from Chicago – in particular to see the fantastic reaction to his work in a garden context,” she says. The Gucci-sponsored exhibition of fashion held last year at Chatsworth, named House Style and curated by American Vogue editor Hamish Bowles, started as a search for a christening robe and became a great passion. It knitted names such as Bess of Hardwick and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire – from the 16th and 18th
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IMAGES: William (bottom left, with Laura) photographed Turner Prizewinners Jeremy Deller (above) and Richard Long (bottom right), as well as British artist Eddie Peake (left). Photos from Laura’s Instagram account (right and top right) and the worldfamous Chatsworth House (below).
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I’m really interested in new thinking and how we can support young people
IMAGES: Art exhibitions, such as Rashid Johnson’s No More Water (pictured) run at Lismore Castle throughout the year. The venue in Ireland is one of the Cavendish homes.
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centuries respectively – with 20th century icons such as Adele Astaire, Nancy Mitford and JFK’s sister ‘Kick’ Kennedy, as well as contemporary designers such as the late Alexander McQueen. “It grew in size and it was so exciting to discover the history of fashion at Chatsworth and essentially the history of the people as well,” says William, who believes the appointment of Bowles was ‘a masterstroke’ in creating an engaging and relevant exhibition and attracting new audiences to Chatsworth. For Laura, fashion is central to the human experience and relevant to the issues of the day: “Fashion is an industry least easy about Brexit,” she says. “We import, we export, we are very outward looking.” Like so many sectors, fashion too is navigating an uncertain post-EU future. Also concerned with supporting future talent, since finishing his photography career (“I didn’t get as far as owning a leather jacket”), William has taken up roles such as chancellor of the University of Derby. “It’s an incredible honour and I’m encouraged by the ambition and momentum of a great institution, driven by outstanding individuals,” he says. A city-based university can have a genuine impact on social mobility, William believes. “Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not,” he explains. The determination to support the ambition, goals and experience of students and the University of Derby is significant.
William admires the canon: “The paintings are so striking. It’s difficult to describe them to someone who has never experienced them in person, but they capture a cross-fertilisation of industry, artistry and technology,” he says. Both William and Laura feel that more could be made, by Derby, of Wright. “It’s such an asset for the city. Look at the impact of [artist and sculptor Barbara] Hepworth in Wakefield, which uses her collection as a catalyst for other contemporary exhibitions in a beautiful Chipperfield designed building,” says William. New York’s Metropolitan Museum was the last to hold a Wright of Derby retrospective in the 1980s and there is growing talk of another such exhibition and even possible new home for the extensive collection. William is supportive.“By bringing art to new audiences, stimulating new research, new interest and new aspirations, the world is better served,” he says. “The fact that a worldrenowned talent such as Joseph Wright was born a few hundred yards away is a pretty powerful message for everyone else who is “of Derby” – something to be proud of, and even aspire to”. Laura is excited by the potential. “There is so much to be learnt by introducing any renowned historical artist such as Wright of Derby to the next generation,” she says.
Inspiration can perhaps be found in Joseph Wright of Derby and the role of the authentic. Wright was one of the 18th century’s most innovative painters, notable for his use of light in themes capturing evolving ideas during The Enlightenment and industrial revolution.
For William, there is only an upside in making this happen in a city like Derby. “A boost for tourism is obviously a boost for the city,” he says. “But culture is becoming an increasingly important metric for measuring the success of cities too. A soft metric yes, but one that helps to attract talent and investment.”
The painter’s work can be found across the world, as well as at the National Gallery and Tate Britain; his biggest collection is held in the Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
For William and Laura Burlington, it is a world seen through the prism of multiple tech-devices, which shows the need for authentic experience is growing. •19•
U N D E R T H E S K I N
Technology is key to the multibillion-pound health and beauty industry, demonstrated by Neo Elegance
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kin conditions can have a detrimental effect on people’s general wellbeing. Acne or eczema, for instance, can impact self-confidence, relationships and mental health conditions. Overthe-counter or even prescription medicine can be largely ineffective. It’s a problem sister team Farrah and Farzila Allarakha experienced growing up. Today, their company, Neo Elegance – operating out of
Derby’s Georgian business quarter – is winning plaudits, a number of industry awards and experiencing high year-on-year growth; all a result of the effectiveness of its LED technology. Having finished her university degree in neuroscience and psychology, Farrah was reluctant to take the route into a London-based research job and started to attend trade shows with Farzila – who was studying beauty therapy – in search of skin problem solutions.
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They’ve tried our LED treatment. It has helped and improved their lives so much
It was around this time the sisters discovered LED light therapy. “The first thing we noticed was the treatment wasn’t very big in the UK, or very accessible,” says Farrah. “We were wondering why it wasn’t available here, apart from in a big clinic where you’d go to have the treatment. Even then, only a few had it, as smaller clinics couldn’t afford it.” LED technology research was originally conducted by NASA in the 1990s and early 2000s, on how it could help heal astronauts’ wounds and grow plants in space. Therapy products were later developed for the health and beauty industry in South Korea, a country Farrah believes is “at least 10 years ahead of the rest of the world”. The treatment works because the skin has receptors which absorb light, not just providing relief from acne and eczema, but counteracting concerns such as ageing skin too. Neo Elegance’s first step was to purchase a handheld device from South Korea, which was originally sold to individuals. Then the business model changed – and to great effect. Farrah explains: “A year in, we realised the better market was mobile beauticians, mobile doctors, facialists and clinics, rather than people at home.”
who have struggled with skin problems all their lives, who may have been on chemical-based skin care medication from the doctors. They’ve tried our LED treatment. It has helped and improved their lives so much. People can feel so much more confident. They don’t have to wear cakes of make-up and be so conscious about their skin. It makes us so happy.”
“Half way through the second year, we completely changed. We got in more durable trade products and that is now 95% of our business. Between year one and two, we grew between 500 and 600%. That’s enabled us to develop our own products.”
The whole Allarakha family is now involved in Neo Elegance and the business continues to grow. Tapping into markets abroad is high on the agenda and there is already strong support and interest from countries as diverse as Finland and Dubai. The company is expanding too, with new premises secured in the West Midlands and Farrah recruiting for sales and marketing roles.
So what do customers think? “The feedback we get is amazing,” says Farrah. “It’s from people
With confidence high, Neo Elegance’s belief is the industry’s future is light emitting diodes. •21•
合 肥 E A S T E R N P R O M I S E
Global connections between places provide a myriad of mutual benefits. Orrery investigates the ties between the UK city of Derby and Hefei in China •32•
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There’s a huge resonance between the regions. Tourism is a leading product and will generate income and jobs for Derbyshire
hey may lie more than 5,000 miles apart on the world map, but what Derby and Chinese city Hefei lack in proximity is made up for by their strong and mutual desires to forge strong economic, cultural and academic links. There are similarities between the twinned cities and their provinces. Both have a large car manufacturing industry, national park and strong road, rail and air links. While Derbyshire has its Peak District and Derwent Valley world heritage site, Hefei is in the Anhui province, sits on the Yangtze River Delta and is close to the Yellow Mountains. Hefei is one of the fastest growing cities in China, ranking 12th in gross GDP and third in growth rate. Derby and Derbyshire’s economic performances were identified as the strongest in the UK by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in 2018 and are rated as one of the best regions to invest in. Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016, the collaboration between the two cities continues apace. A Chinese ‘liaison officer’ has been appointed to work in Hefei to represent Derby and Derbyshire. In November 2017, a 50-strong Midlands delegation including council representatives, private sector businesses, educational institutions, and Derby County Football Club travelled to Hefei on a trade and investment mission to develop relationships to boost tourism and foster sporting, educational and cultural links. The group went on to showcase Derby and Derbyshire at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.
Jo Dilley, managing director of Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, explains: “There’s a huge resonance between the regions. Tourism is a leading product and will generate income and jobs for Derbyshire. Visit Britain has identified China as a strong inbound growth target in the next five years. They estimate about 4% of Chinese people have UK visas at the moment and by 2025 this is projected to grow to 25%.” In June, the University of Derby signed a collaboration agreement with Hefei University. Derby students completed internships in Anhui, while pupils from Anhui have studied in Derby. Five Derbyshire schools - Chellaston Academy, Derby Moor, Griffe Field Primary, Parkview Primary and Redwood Academy are forming four-year partnership agreements with schools in Hefei involving student exchanges and joint projects. The independent Repton School, meanwhile, is launching the Repton Hefei School in September 2019, offering boarding and day facilities for 1,500 Chinese and expatriate children – many of whom could well hail from Derbyshire given the special relationship between the two regions. John Forkin, chair of the Midlands Engine Trade and Investment China group and managing director of Marketing Derby, says: “The relationship with Hefei and Anhui is set within a larger context of UK-China relations and represents a commitment to develop stronger strategic links between the countries.”
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D E R B Y CON N ECTICUT
RETURN ADDRESS: DERBY, CONNECTICUT, USA
Edward Wooster, the first permanent settler of Derby, Connecticut, arrived in the area of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in 1651 with the intention of raising hops. Whether he had a change of heart or the land was not disposed to hop-production is unclear. What is certain is that the settlers exploited their location on the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers by developing it into a successful trading port. Originally called Paugussett, it became Derby in 1675 after the former English home of some of its colonists.
In spite of being the smallest city in Connecticut, Derby has a rich history with colourful colonial characters. Notably the revolutionary war hero, David Humphreys and famous sea captain Isaac Hull who scored the first naval win for the US in the War of 1812 against the British.
Like its English namesake, Derby, Connecticut flourished thanks to hydropower from its natural water resources. In the 19th century, metal and textile mills sprang up, including the Derby Silver Company and the Kraus Corset Company. More recently, it was the HQ of Watchmen comic book publishing house, Charlton Comics from 1944 to 1986.
Today, Derby has a compact business district and a state-of-the-art cancer centre within Griffin Hospital, the city’s largest employer. Visitors are drawn to its natural attractions including Derby Greenway and Osborndale State Park. Another popular destination is the Bad Sons Beer Company – a must for craft beer enthusiasts. Edward Wooster would have been proud.
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#2 The Art of Innovation
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DERBY
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DB Y L DN CONNECTION MAP
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JOSEPH WRIGHT OF DERBY THE NATIONAL GALLERY The National Gallery features two works by Joseph Wright of Derby: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump and Mr and Mrs Thomas Coltman.
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SMITH OF DERBY CLOCK ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL This celebrated clock was installed by Smith of Derby in 1893, and is maintained by the company to this day.
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MARKETING DERBY OFFICES MOORGATE The nerve centre for Marketing Derby’s operations in London is situated in this Victorian townhouse, close to the Bank of England.
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THE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM VAUXHALL The Florence Nightingale museum documents the life of the social reformist, who grew up in the Lea Hurst area of Derbyshire.
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ROYAL GREENWICH OBSERVATORY The foundation stone for the original building – Flamsteed House – was laid by its namesake, the first astronomer royal John Flamsteed, who was born in Derby in 1646.
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FOOD
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DINING SCANDI Bringing Denmark to Derby is the thinking behind the Rask cafe, with health and ‘hygge’ on the mind
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anish concept ‘hygge’ – pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ and loosely interpreted as feeling cosy, intimate or content – has filled many column inches in recent years. It reflects the times. Social media fondness for ‘Instagrammable’ food and healthy living goals are increasingly popular crazes. Young people are swapping the pub for the gym and watching what they eat. Counting the calories is an ongoing phenomenon and a healthy, homely environment where ‘mindfulness’ can be practised goes hand-inhand with this lifestyle choice. This is not lost on mother-daughter team, Sarah and Olivia Pritchard. Stalwarts of the Derby dining scene, the pair have run the Bean Caffé in the city for eight years and Hide Burger for four. When establishing ‘Rask’ – Danish for ‘healthy’ – in May 2017, the idea was to do something a bit different (for them) and trial a new concept in the city. It started with a research trip to Copenhagen. “Every cafe or coffee shop was just very laidback,” says Olivia. “It was just about great food. It was all very simple and honest.”
Sarah and Olivia set about bringing hygge home to Derby. Taking on a challenging small space away from the main high street on Sadler Gate, they created a “Scandi-inspired environment” inside and out, focusing on healthy eating. It has paid off. Two previous occupants could only sustain themselves there for around six months. The demand for health food is on the up, says Olivia. “More people are eating out and the more they do so, the more they’re looking at what they eat. They’d rather pay a bit more if they know it’s going to be good for them in the long run.” People are more willing to experiment too: “You get a lot of customers coming in who haven’t heard of the majority of the things on the menu, but when you start to convince them to try it, they generally really like it.” Coffee, bread and fruit and veg are sourced locally and a reciprocal approach brings mutual benefits, Olivia says: “It’s very important to us to keep it local. We help each other out.” So what is on the menu? “It’s a lot of grains, raw salads, vegan-friendly and gluten free options, full of protein. We do a mean Matcha Latté”. Olivia says there are benefits too, in the closeness she enjoys with her mum as a business partner. “It’s good fun. We can be very honest and open with each other and say things you wouldn’t necessarily get away with if you had another type of business relationship. And a shared passion for healthy eating? “Oh no, that’s all Mum,” Olivia protests. “I’d much prefer a burger.”
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B R I A N G R I F F I N , P A T R O N O F F O R M A T My photograph, ‘Rush Hour London Bridge’, was taken one morning for the magazine Management Today, to illustrate a story about people commuting into the City of London. It was inspired by the German expressionist silent film ‘Metropolis’ – a group of people marching to the same place like automatons.
briangriffin.co.uk
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J O U R N A L S F RO M B E H I N D TH E L E N S Inside the minds behind the success of one of the UK’s premier photography festivals, FORMAT Fighting to break down the hierarchies of an industry while working with some of its most respected representatives is a challenging prospect. For Louise Fedotov-Clements, artistic director of QUAD, Derby’s centre for contemporary art and film and co-founder/director of Derby’s international photography and related media festival, FORMAT, it is what makes the event unique. Collaboration with photographers, other artists and organisations in Europe, Africa and South America – as well as China and India – have created global recognition for the UK festival. But FedotovClements says it is paramount to maintain the original ethos, established for the inaugural event in 2004; engaging with and encouraging participation from thousands of hobbyists and locals alongside world-renowned figures in the industry. “We want people to feel like they have a voice and be seen as part of the festival, alongside some of the greatest practitioners in the world,” FedotovClements adds. “We show great art, but we want people to see there is potential for them to be part of that as well. That works on many levels and it’s quite unusual. I think a lot of international festivals of this nature have their backs to everyday people. We want people to feel like they can collaborate and be part of the event, to have fun and enjoy it.” FORMAT is organised by QUAD, and supported by the Arts Council, Derby City Council and the University of Derby. It usually attracts around 100,000 people and is held at 15 or so venues across the city. Fedotov-Clements founded the festival with Mike Brown, who was working at the city council as
an arts officer at the time. The inspiration was not the city’s history and heritage within photography, but the idea that the medium can “represent so many different ideas of places, people and ways of seeing, living and thinking”. “It is a very contemporary festival, but it also involves archives based on the heritage of photography from around the world, whether it’s Africa, China, India or across Latin America,” Fedotov-Clements adds. FORMAT is now a major draw for practitioners across the world. It also seeks to develop people’s understanding and skills – not just of photography but of other contemporary and related media such as performance art, AR (Augmented Reality) and AI (Artificial Intelligence). This is in addition to the biggest international portfolio review programme for aspiring photographers worldwide. Participants can meet leading industry people, such as directors of museums, lead editors of media and other established photographers, benefiting from a rare chance to engage in one-to-one sessions. Derby is seen as the ideal city for FORMAT. FedotovClements says: “It allows us to give people a holistic view of the city. We’ll be collaborating with a partner in Derbyshire in the coming months too, so people will be able to get out to the countryside.” FORMAT 2019 takes place between 15 March and 14 April. The theme is FOREVER//NOW and it will feature exhibitions, portfolio reviews, workshops, events and masterclasses. On the next pages, Orrery looks at work from previous contributors. formatfestival.com •31•
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C I R I L J A Z B E C On Thin Ice is my long-term body of work, on which I plan to work for the rest of my career. I keep returning to the Arctic, almost on a yearly basis, because I feel an urge to document the climate change crisis. Throughout my trips, I have managed to establish incredible relationships with the Inuit people and I am fortunate to be able to count many Greenlanders as my friends. Daily life of Inuits is changing rapidly due to climate change and being able to capture and communicate this change is my main vision. Greenland’s hunters are facing a threat to centuries of tradition. Albert Lukassen’s world is melting around him. When the 64-year-old Inuit man was young, he could hunt by dogsled on the frozen Uummannaq Fjord, on Greenland’s west coast – until June. This photo shows him there in April.
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E D G A R M A R T I N S This image (right) is part of a series titled The Poetic Impossibility to Manage the Infinite, produced in collaboration with the European Space Agency between 2011 and 2014. The work forms part of an overarching project that has engaged with environments as varied as hydropower plants, space facilities and car factories. The main goal was to examine and re-evaluate our relationship with technology and industry, as well as its impact on our social and cultural consciousness.
edgarmartins.com P O L L Y B R A D E N I lived and worked in China for over 10 years. This picture (below) shows a migrant worker absorbed in thought. It is a peaceful photo, but actually the room was full of noisy machines making cloth for Burberry and other brands. Huaxi village is known as “the richest village” in China. The fact most of the work is done by migrant workers living in dank dorms was not on the tourist brochure.
pollybraden.com
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A L E X A N D R A P O L I N A “This picture (left) is from my series, Masks, Myths and Subjects. The image is part of my portrait project about members of visible minorities who were born, raised and educated in Germany. It deals with a social gap created by prejudiced stigmatised views. I’m combining the portraits with still lifes, where I’m making everyday life objects from Germany exotic through staging.”
alexandra-polina.com
T I M S I M M O N S Louise (see page 31) originally saw my work exhibited at Photo London. She later got in touch to commission me to create a series of images for FORMAT. The festival theme was Transform and this image (below) was in response to the transformation happening in Derby. I think the image resonated as it showed the change in people’s lives through recreation.
timsimmons.co.uk
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J U L I A F U L L E R T O N B A T T E N This is from my project Feral Children in 2015. It was inspired by a boy who was two years old when he was taken by a leopardess in 1912. Three years later, a hunter killed the leopardess and found three cubs, one of which was the now five-year-old boy. He was returned to his family in a small village in India. When first caught, he would only squat and run on all fours as fast as an adult man could upright. His knees were covered with hard callouses, his toes were bent upright, almost at right-angles to his instep, and his palms, toe and thumb-pads were covered with a tough, horny skin. He bit and fought with everyone who approached him, and caught and ate the village fowl raw. He could not speak, uttering only grunts and growls.
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A FIV E - P O IN T GUIDE TO
B R E W I N G G R E A T B E E R Beer is big business. With so many breweries, what is the key to standing out?
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hen Trevor Harris opened what would become the well-known Brunswick Inn by Derby Railway Station 30 years ago, a labour of love began. Within a few years, Trevor would be brewing his own beer at the old rail tavern, where 70 ales were regularly sold and queues would spill out the pub doors; people climbing through the windows to get in. Beer runs in the blood. Trevor’s passion for brewing was passed down to son Paul, who today manages Derby Brewing Company (DBC). It is one of the most successful in a county with more breweries per capita than any other in the United Kingdom. The beer can also be found in the surrounding counties to Derbyshire and further afield. Restoring, renovating and running Derby pubs such as The Tap, The Greyhound and The Queen’s Head has helped give the beer exposure. The brewer later turned its hand to a five-year project to open The Kedleston Country House outside the city. Each venue has an emphasis on high quality pub food to match the beer. Paul Harris speaks about the beer business – what ingredients are needed for success?
1. PUT IN THE WORK Like any business, you’ve got to be prepared for hard work. It’s important to be passionate, so make sure that beer definitely is your passion before you get started. Do your research – that’s important – but it shouldn’t be a hardship. Do what you enjoy. Have a vision but don’t be tied down by it because you’ve got to be creative and able to evolve as you go.
2. GET ADVICE Relationships are massively important. Our malt supplier, Warminster, is a good example. We’ve got a really great relationship. They come down and service our mill, so we get the best out of their malt, and we go down there and speak to them all the time too. If we’re creating a new
beer, we’ll ask their advice. They will know how to get the best out of their produce.
3. COLLABORATE Something really great about brewing is that it’s such a collaborative industry. People will just ring up and say ‘I got let down by my malt supplier, can I borrow a bag of Maris Otter?’ And it’s a case of ‘no problem, just bring it back!’ That has been the way of things for a long time. It’s quite unusual – in other industries, it’s not necessarily normal. But new people in the industry do soon realise we like to work together.
4. INNOVATE The beer market has evolved massively. Our beer now compared to 2004 is like chalk and cheese. The industry changes crazily all the time – even within the last year, but it’s not a labour to keep up with – it’s fun! A good example of that is our new crafted range, which we’re going to put into cans, which is unique to craft beer. Historically, cans weren’t looked at favourably by brewers as it could add quite a metallic taste. We have added a microfilm inside the can to avoid that.
5. DON’T COMPROMISE For us it’s got to be the best pint. We go to the expense of having our own mill. We buy the most expensive malt in the word. We get the best ingredients. We have a team of talented brewers. It’s all important... •37•
T H E R I G H T T R A C K The Elizabeth line will roar into action in 2019. Orrery speaks to Will Tanner, director of public relations and public affairs for Bombardier, which is designing and building its rolling train stock
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How did Bombardier get involved with the Elizabeth line? We were awarded the contract to supply all the trains for Crossrail by competitive tender in February 2014. When fully opened next year, what is now the Elizabeth line will stretch from Reading and Heathrow in the west through central tunnels, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
systems. The supply chain benefits too with an estimated 74% of the total value of the train staying in the UK. Derby’s is the only rail facility anywhere in the UK able to design, build and test trains.
What exactly is the company making for the line? The original order, worth £1.3 billion, was for 65 nine-car Aventra trains. Earlier this year, that was extended by five trains, so 70 in total.
Is Bombardier involved in any other rail lines in the capital? We are. Starting in 2008, Derby built all 376 cars for London Underground’s Victoria line, which now operate at a peak hour frequency of a train every 100 seconds. And from 2009, we built all 1,404 sub-surface line cars for the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Distant line trains.
As well as the design, manufacturing and testing of the trains, the contract involves the construction of one of the largest depots in Europe at Old Oak Common, now open in west London. It will be the main depot for the rolling stock: we will maintain the trains for a period of 32 years.
These trains are very popular because they are airconditioned and half walk-through carriages through the whole train.
Once tested at our track in Derby, trains are delivered at the rate of one-per-week from Derby to the Network Rail Melton test facility in Leicestershire, and then onto our depots at Ilford in east London or Old Oak Common for network testing, prior to being accepted for operation. So far, 33 of the 70 trains are in regular operation on a mix of passenger services, driver training and testing. Is there a sense of pride in Derby about the involvement in the UK’s newest railway line? Absolutely. This is the biggest single transport project in Europe and when open it will instantly boost London’s rail capacity by 10%. Each train is just over 200 metres long, and the nine carriages are able to carry up to 1,500 passengers. Key features of the trains include air conditioning and inter-connecting walk-through carriages. The trains are lightweight and built with an emphasis on energy efficiency and use of intelligent energy management
Derby also built 57 Electrostar trains for London Overground between 2009 and 2011, and we are currently building 222 Aventra cars, also for London Overground. Are most of the Bombardier employees local to the city and its surroundings? Yes. The vast majority of approximately 2,000 staff, from a national total of around 3,800, are based at Litchurch Lane in Derby. We also have a maintenance depot for East Midlands Trains at Derby Etches Park, and a large maintenance depot close by. Why do people in Derby often see tube trains operating in the city? We have a 1km test track in Derby, fitted with overhead 25kv AC and 750v DC third rail electrification, to test mainline stock at up to 50km per hour. It is also fitted with 630v DC fourth rail electrification, to test London Underground stock, such as for the sub-surface line, which we are currently retro-fitting with equipment. That will enable them to operate without conventional signals. •39•
F A R M I N G
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F O R A G I N G Locally sourced ingredients and a restaurant full of quirks are a good match
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Foraging in the Derbyshire countryside and sourcing the best suppliers was key to Terroir’s beginnings. Despite having “always been into cooking,” Tim is not a trained chef, but has worked to create an ever-changing, seasonal menu, which is both homely and hearty. “I produce the sort of food I like to eat,” he says. “My idea was to bring a bit of the countryside into the city.” Items on the menu include Haddon Hall lamb and a Derbyshire smoked duck breast salad. Terroir also includes a “barter board”, a fun feature advertising for locals to exchange fruit and veg for beer.
“All my friends say: ‘this looks like my house!’” So says Tim Sidaway about his Terroir Bistro, open in Derby since 2015 and considered by punters to be among the city’s best restaurants. As well as glowing TripAdvisor reviews, Terroir has won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards and ‘Best Newcomer’ from Derbyshire Life. The bistro is full of items Tim has collected over the years, such as hats on the wall, antiques, old furniture and paintings (some by the man himself) to create an intimate feel. “Some people might call it junk, but the aim was to create something cosy, funny and quirky,” he says. Terroir translates from French as ‘of the soil or earth’, but it is what grazes and grows in Derbyshire that inspired Terroir, rather than across the channel. Employed on an organic farm in Derbyshire since 2010 until Terroir opened, Tim prides himself on sustainable, local food and drink, using suppliers in the vicinity for meat, fruit and veg and alcohol.
The list of local Derbyshire producers and suppliers is exhaustive. Tim has friends at Oak Tree Farm who rear pigs and lambs and uses traditional family butchers, such as Coates in Derby Dale and Robin Maycock in the village of Holloway, as well as a veg-grower in Matlock. The wines come from local wholesaler Darley Abbey Wines, the beer from nearby Thornbridge Brewery and gin from White Peak distillery in Ambergate. Tim also has a grazing license from Natural England and owns Shetland Cattle, which graze in the Peak District. He is excited for the future: “Derbyshire’s such an amazing county, it’s brilliant,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. We’ve got so many amazing resources locally and in the city there’s places opening all the time. It’s a really exciting time.”
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MA KING A M OV E The success of both Derby and London is reflected in those who have moved between the cities
NAME: DAVID BOUTCHER JOB: PARTNER C O M PA N Y: R E E D S M I T H L L P
Hi David. You’ve been in London a long time. How often do you go back home to Derby? Today I’m a partner at global law firm Reed Smith, and came to London nearly 40 years ago. I’m a Derby County fan, so I go back for home games, which take place about every two weeks during the football season. Often the trip will literally be just to get there for the game and then come back. I have got a place in Duffield, which is more of an incentive to get back when I can. How has Derby changed in the last 40 years? The whole commercial side of Derby has shifted, and they have now created the Cathedral Quarter, which is quite a significant change. In that time, you have also got the Pride Park development, which includes the football stadium and several business parks. One of the big changes has been the growth of technology companies in and around Derby. A number of those have grown up on Pride Park. It’s a lot quicker now in terms of getting there by train; it used to take the best part of three hours from London, it now takes less than 90 minutes. What are the main differences and similarities between London and Derby? I’m a big arts and theatre fan; there is nowhere
else in the country better for the arts perspective than London in my opinion. In Derby there is one theatre; in London you have so many. What Derby has in common with London is its convenience for transport, particularly international travel. I think it can offer a lot of what London can, with a much cheaper cost. It’s outside the capital. Also, the communication with East Midlands airport, and road and rail links are much better than they used to be, so it’s obviously very conveniently placed for investors. What do you consider the main connections to be between the two cities? If you’re looking at coming to this country as a firm from overseas, you don’t have to go to one place or another – you can have a base in London but employ people in regional cities like Derby, which gives you a much more efficient and cheaper cost base. I actually think we should be encouraging more collaboration between London and Derby. It’s in this respect that I am excited to see the creation of the London Chapter of the Derby Ambassadors Club and have agreed to be its inaugural chair.
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NAME: ALEXANDRA COPESTAKE JOB: DIRECTOR C O M PA N Y: B A R C L AY S I N V E S T M E N T B A N K
Hi Alexandra. You’ve lived in London for more than 10 years – do you miss your home in Derbyshire? If so, what is it about it that you miss? Not many people know Derbyshire, so I’m always saying: ‘do you know where Bakewell tarts are made? Do you know where Buxton water is from?’ That’s near where I’m from: a place called Ashbourne. And yes, I really do like Bakewell tarts, and I do really miss them. I go back once every six weeks. I miss oatcakes – and going to any pub on a Sunday to get your roast dinner. Were you always set on working in London? I went to university in Edinburgh – finishing with a masters in economics. To start with I thought London would be too big for someone from Derbyshire. I went to London once a year as a tourist, and it terrified me. In London you have to have sharp elbows and people don’t talk. In Derbyshire, everyone will stop to talk to you all the time, whether you know them or not. Also, London was expensive, and I had a student loan. There was no way I could study down there.
I’m now at Barclays. Working in finance is one of the reasons I left Derbyshire, to pursue that career, and I really like the job opportunities here in the capital. What do people need to know about working and living in Derbyshire? Lots of people in London aren’t aware of the investment and business opportunities in Derby and Derbyshire – there are tonnes. The economy in Derby is strong, home to global businesses such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier. Smaller businesses don’t realise the impact that those advanced manufacturing giants have on the city, on the local supply chain, on the opportunities up there. The London Chapter of the Derby Ambassadors Club helps tell people in London what else is out there beyond London – sometimes focused on investment opportunities, but also selling the high quality lifestyle. It’s a lot more reasonable to live in Derbyshire and to run a business there. The next generation of business owners will be attracted by some pretty cool new buildings, niche cafes and bars.
What is it you like about the capital? I moved to London in 2007 and work in the banking sector, starting with the Citi Group, and
The London Chapter of the Derby Ambassadors Club helps tell people in London what else is out there beyond London •43•
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NAME: PROFESSOR KATHRYN MITCHELL JOB: VICE-CHANCELLOR C O M PA N Y: U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E R B Y
Kathryn, why is it important for the University of Derby, and Derby as a whole, to have good links with the capital? It is important Derby has a strong presence in three different areas: partnerships with colleges and schools within London; industry links, so we’re seen as a national and global player; and politically, as it’s crucial we are able to influence policy. The prominence of Derby has always been strong, having the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bombardier, but as one of the key employers in the city, the University of Derby wasn’t as wellknown as those global partners. Our ambition is to be globally and nationally known. To achieve this, we are working with colleges in our city, to get more of a national profile of students coming to Derby. We are also working with our London partners. We have good links with the London Film academy. The University of Derby is very strong on film and we have got amazing people that came through here such as Phil Bassi, documentary director for BBC. We have a long-term partnership with The London College, where we have our degrees and they advertise University of Derby in the capital. We also work with Barnet and Southgate College, and with Kings College, London and the Student Minds group, where we partnered to look at how universities should be supporting young people with their mental health wellbeing.
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Why is it important to you for Marketing Derby to have a presence in London? We see the benefits of working and meeting in London, as well as Derby, so we are very positive about Marketing Derby setting up the London Chapter of the Derby Ambassadors Club, as it gives us another platform to meet with our alumni. One of our initiatives for this coming year is to partner with Marketing Derby for an alumni business event for our London-based post graduates. In terms of attracting more London-based students, we have 705 from London postcodes out of 17,590 undergraduate students, which is very small. As a result, a partnership between Marketing Derby and ourselves, with an alumni group in London would help encourage more students from the south of England in particular to be attracted to Derby. Will the links with the capital get stronger in the future? Stronger links are connected to the University of Derby brand, and to the types of programmes we run and partner with. For instance, our fashion programme appeals because students come to Derby, and then go and launch themselves back in London. The university has a high employability rate and its graduates are employable both in Derby and London.
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NAME: RICHARD DORF JOB: CEO C O M PA N Y: P X T E C H
Hello Richard. When did you move to Derby for work? I live in London but came here in 2004. And I now run PXtech, based on Pride Park, which supplies electronic point-of-sale [EPOS] and menu management systems to 44,000 Subway branches across the world. Derby is attractive to tech companies because there are likeminded people here. Also, it has such a history of engineering, and it still has that huge engineering base. Within this area, there is a good solid pool of technical people we can draw on: companies like Rolls-Royce and Bombardier have helped to create that. What is the quality of life like in Derby? There’s plenty of choice, and there’s plenty going on – there’s that human interaction. People know and are willing to know each other. Simply, you get more for your money in Derby. Living in London’s Muswell Hill, how have you seen the capital change since 2004? The most obvious thing is the cost of house prices. If you are not on the property ladder,
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it’s difficult. I have a daughter who has just graduated from university and I have no idea how she will be able to afford to live in London. Twenty years ago, I didn’t think the prices would continue to rise like they have, but they did. On the other side, and this has happened in lots of cities, there’s been tremendous change to the capital’s inner city, which has been gentrified. Areas that were rough are now quite well-to-do. Is Derby like that? Not really. Yes, there’s been regeneration, and improvement, and a lot going on now, particularly over the last few years, but the socioeconomic mix has not changed. However, we are now seeing more wealthy people move into areas of the city centre in addition to the attractive towns and villages which surround it. Would you leave London and move to Derby? Probably not in the short-term, as my wife is a university academic working in University College London. Otherwise, it could be something we could do – and obviously selling the London home would release a lot of capital.
Simply, you get more for your money in Derby
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H E R I T A G E H O M E S
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erby has stunning countryside nearby and an impressive heritage, making for an attractive place to live, with an outstanding quality of life. In fact, market town Ashbourne has recently been named best place in the UK in which to raise a family. Orrery showcases three of the county’s impressive homes, which offer modernised heritage, surprisingly affordable prices and an easy commute to Derby.
WESTON COURT Location: Weston-on-Trent Asking price: £825,000 Marketed by: Birchover Properties Derby commute by car in: 16mins A five double bedroom semi-detached farmhouse, located in Weston-on-Trent. The property has undergone a full renovation. The Grade-II listed Georgian home is believed to date back to 1750. •46•
WIRKSWORTH HERITAGE CENTRE Location: Wirksworth Asking price: £375,000 Marketed by: Fine & Country Derby commute by car in: 26mins Once a silk mill in the 18th century, a redevelopment project is under way to convert the three-floor Wirksworth Heritage Centre near the Peak District.
FINDERN TOWER HOUSE Location: Findern Asking price: Offers in excess of £850,000 Marketed by: Fine & Country Derby commute by car in: 14mins A Grade-II listed windmill dating from 1715 and the former home of Edwina Currie MP, the property blends period architecture with modern facilities. It includes three reception rooms and a pool suite, along with a breakfast kitchen and utility room on the ground floor.
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#3 The Art of Innovation
THE ART OF INNOVATION 1. ROUNDHOUSE (PAGE 4)
2. DENBY POTTERY (PAGE 25)
3. ROLLS-ROYCE (PAGE 50)
THE WORLD’S FIRST AND OLDEST SURVIVING ROUNDHOUSE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO THE MAIN CAMPUS FOR DERBY COLLEGE AND IS ALSO A BEAUTIFUL AND VERSATILE EVENTS SPACE.
DENBY POTTERY HAS BEEN MAKING DELIGHTFUL TABLEWARE, COOKWARE AND SERVEWARE IN THE HEART OF DERBYSHIRE FOR OVER 200 YEARS. INNOVATION HAS BEEN KEY TO ITS CONTINUED SUCCESS.
THE ADVANCE AND ULTRAFAN ENGINES FOR ENGINEERING GIANT ROLLS-ROYCE WILL SET NEW BENCHMARKS IN EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND PRECISION ENGINEERING.
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A u t u m n 2 0 1 8 . I ss u e O n e
•O Photo finishes
RRERY• Ones to watch
Global connections
MARKETINGDERBY.CO.UK