6,000 flock to grand re-opening of Derby Arboretum

Sunday 18 September saw over 6,000 people gather to celebrate the grand re-opening of Derby Arboretum after its extensive HLF-funded restoration. Organised by the Friends of Derby Arboretum and Derby City Council, the day combined the best of Derby’s homegrown hip-hop talent with kids’ activities, workshops, food and drink and historical exhibitions to ensure there was something for everybody at this fun-packed event.

Take a look at the event photos...

Opening the event, the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Roy Webb, said: “We have lots of parks in Derby, but none are more important than where we are today, the Arboretum”. Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people using the restored facilities of this wonderful park. It’s such a vibrant place and I hope future generations will continue to use it as everyone is today”.

Marking the park’s 165th birthday, the event featured activities and attractions spread across the whole site. Singing and arts and crafts workshops featured in the historical part of the park, where visitors stepped back in time to sample a Victorian wash day and had a go at making world music with the Zambezi choir.

Meanwhile, in the children’s play area Kevin the Environmental Clown kept the kids entertained all day while teaching them valuable lessons about how to look after our planet. Others stepped back in time to sample a Victorian school day or had fun riding a donkey and having a go at the bungee run.

Visitors hailed from all across Derby and it was great to see a real mix of age groups joining together to enjoy the wonderful park on their doorstep.  The main stage saw a whole host of local musical talent keep the party going all afternoon, as MCs Cactus and Egyptian introduced Asian singer Ilias, R’n’B duo NRB and renowned homegrown hip-hop and breakdance act Trinity Crew, who have featured on MTV Bass.  Ladies were treated to a sprinkling of Asian spice as models displayed the latest fashions from Derby’s boutiques in the East Meets West fashion show.

The mixture of music and dance echoed the early days of the Arboretum when thousands of people attended concerts and fairs, while bringing the park firmly into the 21st century and answering the needs of today’s diverse park users.

Chris Harris, Vice Chair of the Friends of Derby Arboretum, said: “This event proved that the Arboretum is a wonderful asset for all of Derby’s inhabitants. It has reinstated Joseph Strutt’s original intention of the grounds being used as a place for entertainment, recreation and education. I hope this will encourage similar events for the future as our Arboretum was designed with events such as this in mind.”

A procession through the park showcasing the flags and mobiles made by children in the arts and crafts workshops rounded off the afternoon, re-tracing the steps of the original procession which took place at the opening of the park in 1840.

The event was organised by the Friends of Derby Arboretum and Derby City Council in partnership with national parks charity GreenSpace. The event was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Park It! programme, SRB6 and Small Change. It was the final event of the summer for Park It! 2005, a national series of community-led events managed by GreenSpace and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.