Derby Evening Telegraph

A Successful Audition for Choir Struck a Bum Note with Parents

It was seven o'clock on a cool autumn evening one Friday in 1954 and I was standing outside the church gate in Allestree with apprehension and not a little anxiety. I was there for an audition for St Edmund's choir.

This Was Derbyshire

Is Picture of Pupils Playing the Fool?

What a lovely surprise to see the photograph of children at playtime on April 1, 1989 (Bygones, June 2). My daughter, Sarah Leach, is the girl at the front of the photograph holding hands with Katie Gregory.

1969

Local: Yasmine Smart, granddaughter of Billy, rode Burma the elephant from the circus at The Meadows, Derby, to the Midland Drapery store, East Street, where tickets for the show were being sold. SPORT: Derby Rowing Club staked their claim for a repeat success in the Wyfold Challenge Cup at the Royal Regatta at Henley when the club's coxless four got through to the next round of the event.

1979

Local: Chicken owners in Mickleover were being warned that a fox was on the prowl in the area after several birds went missing or were found dead. Peter Matkin, of Portland Close, found all six of his hens were missing and in one garden, a golden pheasant was slaughtered. SPORT: Rams chairman George Hardy confirmed that the club had approached West Bromwich Albion for permission to speak to their assistant manager Colin Addison, Derby's choice to fill the manager's spot.

1989

Local: Angry taxi drivers were threatening to strike after a Derby cabbie was stabbed in the throat and robbed in broad daylight near the Baseball Ground. SPORT: County tennis champion Nick Fulwood's excellent Wimbledon run ended with a dramatic mixed doubles defeat on Court Nine. The 25-year-old Risley player and partner Julie Salmon were winning 6- 2, 4-2 before their fortunes changed.

Cinema for Babies Is Just the Ticket

Pram walks, clinic weigh-ins and sessions with the health visitor can only mean one thing - you've had a baby. So when you announce a trip to the cinema, people will naturally assume that you are hinting for a babysitter.

Nine Are Made Church Deacons

Nine churchgoers are to make a deeper commitment to the Christian faith becoming members of Derbyshire's clergy. They will be ordained deacons by the Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, at a ceremony on Sunday.

Be a Princess or Marvel at the Jousting Clashes

This summer, Warwick Castle will be making little girls' dreams come true - by transforming one of its mediaeval towers into a royal palace fit for a princess. Opening on July 8, the new attraction The Princess Tower centres on the beautiful Princess Arabella's forthcoming wedding. Featuring everything from enchanted mirrors and talking paintings to a book of magic wishes, The Princess Tower invites little girls (and big girls too!) to indulge in a fairytale fantasy.

Highland Gathering Marking Its Silver Jubilee

One of the largest highland gatherings outside of Scotland celebrates its silver jubilee this year. The 25th Ashbourne Highland Gathering takes place on Sunday, July 19, and will feature the usual pipe band competitions, highland dancing and highland sports, as well as some additional entertainment in the run-up to the event.

City Set to Turn Pink

Derby will be going pink tomorrow for the second annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Festival at the Bass Recreation Ground. The Derby Goes Pink festival starts with a parade which leaves the Duke of York, Burton Road, at 11.30am and reaches Bass Recreation Ground at noon.

Slope Off to Summer Fun

Summer may be here but don't give up the winter sports. Swadlincote Ski Centre is offering a chance to try out winter sports at its open day on Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.

Sophie Keen On Her New Curves

Sophie Anderton has gained a stone after obsessing over her weight for 15 years. The 32-year-old model says she is happy with her new curves.

Best of the Rest

Patrick Monahan Derby Assembly Rooms THE non-drinking, non-smoking Irish Iranian Teessider brings his new comedy show My Kind of People to Derby on Tuesday at 8pm. Tickets are pounds10 (concessions pounds8) on 01332 255800.

Stars Line Up for Buxton Festival

Derbyshire's biggest arts extravaganza gets under way next Friday hoping to attract a record number of visitors. The 19-day Buxton Festival runs from July 10 to 28 featuring a high-quality programme of opera, music and literature as well as a multitude of fringe events.

In the Realm of Robbie ... Home of Old Heroes and Fine Holidays

"AULD Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men and bonie lasses."

Touch of Glass From Citroen

Supermini motoring will come with a touch of glass when French carmaker Citroen puts its latest version of the C3 on sale, writes Robert Maddox Announced this week, the all-new car will break new ground in the sector by having a windscreen that extends to above the heads of the driver and front passenger and it's a move that is sure to go down a treat with many drivers.

Toyota Helps Aston Martin

Toyota is to help luxury car maker Aston Martin to drive into the city car market. The platform of Toyota's revolutionary iQ city car, the world's smallest four-seater, will be used for the new model to be built at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon.

New 7-Series From Bmw

Increased performance and almost identical economy are the benefits of the new BMW 740d, an addition to the 7-Series model line up. The 740d, seen right and below, is the most powerful diesel model in the range thanks to its twin-tubocharged 3.0-litre diesel unit.

Ford Prices Up by 4%

Ford has this week increased the prices of its new vehicles in the UK by an average of 4%. It says the weakness of the pound against the euro is the reason for the rise implemented on Wednesday.