Derby Evening Telegraph

Kia Unveils Koup

Koren motor manufacturer Kia has taken the wraps off its first ever two-door car, writes Motoring Editor Robert Maddox. The Forte Koup was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show within days of the world debut in Seoul of the all-new Sorento SUV from the firm.

Toyotas Still Cars in Front

Toyota has retained its position as the greenest vehicle manufacturer, according to a study conducted by Business Car magazine. For the second year running, the top 20 fleet manufacturers were rated and ranked based on survey results and other research by Clean Green Cars (www.cleangreencars.co.uk) on the various attributes and achievements of each brand.

Citroen Adds

Citroen is driving yet another MPV into its UK dealerships and the vehicle has already gone on show in Derby, writes Motoring Editor Robert Maddox. The new Nemo Multispace is the second new car of its kind from Citroen in a matter of weeks, with its debut in Derby coming just days after start of sales of the C3 Picasso, featured in Motors last Friday.

Skoda Tops Auto Survey

Skoda has been named Best Manufacturer in the 2009 Auto Express Driver Power Survey. Skoda has been ranked second among manufacturers for the previous five years, but this year has taken the crown from Lexus.

Course Fees Set to Rise

Don't delay getting your name down if you plan to improve your driving skills with the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Thelma Bradshaw, the secretary of Derby branch of the IAM, says a rise in the cost of the all-inclusive course fee is imminent.

Putting Safety First

Even by Volvo's standards, the XC60 is a remarkable car. It's billed as the safest car ever sold by the Swedish manufacturer and it's a truly amazing high-rider.

Tears of Joy On Trip to Oz As Scott Finally Meets His Long-Lost Family

Just minutes after stepping off a 26-hour flight to Australia, Scott Birkhead found himself in an emotional embrace with a woman he had never met. But despite the unusual circumstances, the 62-year-old, from Borrowash, said meeting his half-sister for the first time felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Texts, E-Mails Not Write Stuff

There was a time when telephones were practically unknown and getting in touch with somebody not part of our neighbourhood meant sitting down and writing a letter. There was also a time when, if you could get to the pillar box by 8am and providing your letter had a three-halfpence stamp on it, as well as an address within the borough, you could post it knowing it would arrive that same day.

This Was Derbyshire

Scout Patrol Leader in Oz

I Refer to the Scouting pictures, Bygones, March 31. You are correct - the main one is the 35th Derby (St Alkmund's) Scouts in front of the church door.

1969

Local: Two workmen found a German bomb at a farm at Willington close to where children were playing. The 18-inch device was buried six feet deep and was thought to have been dropped by a German plane which released incendiary devices over the area in the Second World War SPORT: Derby County players were planning a lap of honour at the end of the final match of the season against Bristol City at the Baseball Ground as part of celebrations after winning promotion to the First Division.

1979

Local: Voters could expect a touch of zaniness in the general election after Labour-supporting Fawlty Towers actor John Cleese said he would support Derby North candidate Phillip Whitehead. SPORT: Derby County were back in the relegation zone with four matches to go after the Easter weekend.

1989

Local: An emergency inspection of the Baseball Ground was due to take place in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster as a precaution before the Rams' final two home matches of the season. Managing director Stuart Webb assured fans the ground was safe. SPORT: Everton postponed its two matches in a week against Derby County as a mark of respect for the families of those who died and were injured at Hillsborough. The Rams were due to play the Liverpool team in a Central League match and a rearr...

Talking Brewing

Members of Ticknall Preservation and Historical Society will be raising a toast to the brewers of Burton at their next meeting. The topic for their get-together, at 7.30pm on Friday in Ticknall village hall, will be They Brewed a Good Jug of Ale - Burton Brewers, with speaker Patsie Jarman.

Shakespeare Celebration Reaches a High Note with Viva Concert

Derby Live's Shakes in the City Shakespeare festival reaches its climax (on the day before the great man's birthday) with one of the best-known pieces of music ever prompted by his plays. Or, at least, some of it is well-known.

Inside View of the Corridors of Spin in Political Comedy

Politics is a dirty business at the best of times but the manoeuvrings that led to the war in Iraq seem particularly soiled. Satirist Armando Iannucci has entered this arena with all guns blazing -taking potshots at both the British and American political systems with his new film In The Loop.

Firth On Fine Form in Touching Tale

A Children's game results in the accidental death of their mother and leads their father to try to rebuild their lives in Genova. The culturally rich Italian city is the backdrop for one of Colin Firth's finest roles as the desolate dad who struggles to console his younger daughter who was inadvertently responsible for his wife's demise, and her older sister, whose grief manifests itself in angry rebellion.

High Voltage Jason Cranks Up the Action

Bursting into the multiplexes today is Jason Statham in the action sequel Crank 2: High Voltage (Cert 18, 95 mins) In Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor's 2006 action-thriller Crank, Statham played a hit man who fought a deadly and powerful toxin, injected into his system, by maximising the amount of adrenaline already in there.

Murky World Is Well Captured

We may be used to British politicians being mired in sleaze - from claiming for porn films on expenses to sending salacious emails about political opponents. But compared with the Italians, our bunch of democratically- elected leaders are saints if Il Divo is anything to go by.

Do Guys Really Want a Rom-Com for the Lads?

Most men who wind up watching romantic comedies at the cinemas are there with wives and girlfriends, earning brownie points for giving up the football in favour of a date movie. Which in turn means that fluffy relationship comedies like the recent Confessions of a Shopaholic don't feel the need to pander to a male audience, knowing that the guys are only their under duress.