Illustrated scene of The Forties, Derbyshire

What's on in The Forties

The pub quizzes, craft fairs, and village fêtes the big sites miss — here's what's on around The Forties.

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Community

Around £8,

Summer Supper with Breedon WI

Summer supper - Wednesday, 22 July 2026 Breedon on the Hill WI’s annual Summer Supper features fresh fish and chips from Sharon of A&S Catering who will bring her van on site to serve us. Fish and chips £8, peas or curry £1 (cash only please). Time: 7pm for tea & coffee for a 7:30pm start at Breedon Parish Hall, Priory Close, Breedon-on-the-Hill DE73 8LF. New members are always welcome. Meetings held the 4th Wednesday of each month - and if you wish to come and see what we are all about, your first visit is FREE. Details via email:...

Wed 22 JulAshby town hall market(1.9mi)

via Ashby town hall marketLocal gem

Workshops & Classes

Taster session: Blackfordby WI

Taster session: Blackfordby WI at The Croquet Lawns. We've done the legwork finding it — they've done the legwork organising it. Fair deal.

Wed 22 JulThe Croquet Lawns(3.5mi)

via The Croquet LawnsCurated

Community

On Screen at Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey has taken its place on the big screen in 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' – and now you can discover how it happened. Explore the spaces used in the production – from Tommy Shelby’s dramatic walk through the Stableyards to the atmospheric rooms inside the House transformed for the screen. Discover how outdoor spaces and historic interiors were dressed to create mood and meaning, how the cast and crew worked within this fragile setting, and how the production team worked carefully with the team at Calke to protect its historic fabrics and collections while bringing scenes to life. You can also follow our downloadable walking trail across the estate to see these locations for yourself. It highlights key places where filming took place and offers behind-the-scenes insights for fans of the series and anyone curious about filming in heritage places. Whether you watched the film or are intrigued by how historic houses become film sets, this is your chance to see Calke through a different lens. Don't forget to check back in October for details of a brand new, behind-the-scenes tour of the House, exploring some of the rooms and spaces used for filming.

Wed 22 Jul10:30Calke Abbey(2.5mi)

via Calke Abbey

Community

Inter-church Ladies Group, Ashby

Right then — Inter-church Ladies Group, Ashby at Ashby Baptist Church. We've nabbed the essentials, they've kept the juicy bits for their own site.

Wed 22 Jul11:00Ashby Baptist Church(1.9mi)

via Ashby Baptist ChurchLocal gem

CommunitySports & FitnessWorkshops & Classes

1-to-1 Cycling Lessons: Learn to Ride at Calke Explore

Whether you’re completely new to riding a bike or want some guided tuition to help you get back in the saddle if you’ve not cycled in a while, a trained member of the team will support you to feel confident on a bike. The sessions are also suitable for children who are riding for the first time, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Bikes and helmets are included at no extra cost, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

Wed 22 Jul11:00Calke Abbey(2.5mi)

via Calke Abbey

Community

Around £1.50

Saplings Nature Tots

Outdoor activities for 1-4 year olds and their parents or carers Meet your Saplings leader by the outdoor classroom just before 10.30am ready for the short walk to our woods and sheltered, undercover area where we have a mud kitchen and a selection of natural materials to play with. Session also includes an exploratory activity or craft. You can join Saplings for ‘pay-as-you-go’ sessions (book online on the day) or you can pre-book multiple sessions online. Parking discount for Saplings -pay £1.50 (1 hr) and stay later. EEP Event Booking

Wed 22 Jul11:30Rosliston Forrestry Centre(2.8mi)

via Rosliston Forrestry Centre

History & Heritage

Local Treasure, Global Connections: Museum Room Display

Discover this year's Museum Room display and take a closer look at Calke’s State Bed hangings. Still in near- perfect condition, these Chinese silk hangings are a treasure of the National Trust, even featuring in the book '125 Treasures of the National Trust'. Rich in symbolism, Chinese art is more than just decorative - the display encourages visitors to explore the images in the hangings and the meanings behind them.

Wed 22 Jul12:00Calke Abbey(2.5mi)

via Calke Abbey

Community

Capturing Childhood in the Nurseries at Calke

Meet the children of the Harpur Crewe family in our nurseries through a series of photos, supported by CEWE. See large scale photographs of two generations of children who called Calke Abbey home. Explore the photobooks to find out more about them, and spend time in the nurseries as the Harpur Crewe children would have done. Sit and read a book, try your hand at a jigsaw and imagine riding around the park as you have a go on the small rocking horse. The children enjoyed putting on plays and dances, and you can give it a go too! Discover a real costume worn by one of the Harpur Crewe daughters. Step into the spotlight as you try on one of our matching dressing up outfits and act out your own play.

Wed 22 Jul12:00Calke Abbey(2.5mi)

via Calke Abbey

Community

Herbarium Conservation in Action

Calke's herbarium - a collection of pressed plants and flowers - will be formally documented for the first time this summer. Having been in storage for decades, the team will be examining each specimen's condition, with the hope of displaying it in the future. Containing all sorts from geraniums to brambles and with some specimens coming from as far away as Scotland and the Isles of Scilly (with others from right here on the Calke estate), it's a library of flora that will be able to tell us a lot about local biodiversity during the 1830s-1920s. A dedicated team of volunteers will also be photographing the collection in order to 'digitise' it, so that more people will be able to access the herbarium online. Pop into the Dining Room on the selected dates to watch the team at work and ask them about what they're up to. Don't forget to check out our programme of botanical-themed events inspired by the herbarium too.

Wed 22 Jul12:00Calke Abbey(2.5mi)

via Calke Abbey

Likely freeWellness & Wellbeing

Renew Wellbeing

This is an opportunity to share a hobby or skill, or to join in a workshop or activity. Alternatively, you can come to simply relax and chat, and enjoy the peace in our quiet area. All are welcome and no charge is made. Please bring your own lunch.

Wed 22 Jul13:00Ashby Baptist Church(1.9mi)

via Ashby Baptist ChurchLocal gem

Workshops & Classes

Taster session: Blackfordby WI

Taster session: Blackfordby WI — brought to you by The Croquet Lawns and surfaced by us. A beautiful collaboration, if we do say so ourselves.

Wed 22 Jul18:30The Croquet Lawns(3.5mi)

via The Croquet LawnsCurated

Community