Petit Fours
(20 October, 2025)
𧢠This weekâs âTop Pickâ @WeightmanPR: Home is where the art is
Itâs approaching 100 years since David Parr completed the ambitious project of decorating his modest terraced house. Born in Cambridge in 1854, Parr was a decorative art-workman during the Victorian era, from a working-class family and a lifelong employee of the decorative firm F. R. Leach & Sons from the age of 17. Through this work, he painted schemes in grand houses and churches designed by leading figures of the Arts and Crafts movement including George Frederick Bodley, William Morris and Charles Eamer Kempe. In his spare time, he decorated his own home in the same styles. Remarkably, these interiors were preserved by his granddaughter who lived in the house her entire life after moving-in, in 1927, at the age of 12. Serendipity knocked at the door in 2009 when a local historian recognised the significance of the house and set about safeguarding it for future generations. 186 Gwydir Street remains a unique example of Arts and Crafts workmanship in a workerâs home. As the centenary of Parrâs death approaches in 2027, David Parr House will celebrate his achievements, the legacy of craft apprenticeship and the enduring inspiration of his artistic endeavour. And Iâm honoured, as well as very excited, to announce that I will now be providing PR support to David Parr House.
𧢠Letâs meet at the World Travel Market next month
I will be at this yearâs World Travel Market at ExCel, once again, with a round-up of my âTop Stories for 2026â for travel editors, writers, and influencers. So if there are any travel editors, journalists or influencers who would like to meet-up on Tuesday 4 November, please get in touch. The city of Derby, meanwhile, will be a part of the presence on a Visit Peak District & Derbyshire booth on the UKinbound stand at this yearâs World Travel Market from 4-6 November. The Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in-house PR, Amy Norton, will be on UKinbound Stand N8-220 within the BRITAIN area at WTM and will also have plenty of media information travel writers.
𧢠Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds set for 21st âcoming of age birthday partyâ
Ranked among the Top 10 music festivals across the whole of France, Cabaret Vert has been entertaining Charleville-MĂŠzières for 20 years now. Named after Arthur Rimbaudâs poem of the same name, the Ardennes festival is already preparing to welcome festival goers to its âcoming of yearâ 21st birthday party from 20 to 23 August in 2026 for four days of music on five separate stages. Cabaret Vert has always promoted the Ardennes region while supporting sustainable development. In 2024, it was awarded the âGreener Festivalâ - HIGHLY COMMENDEDâ certification by the European organisation A Greener Future (AGF). It attracts more than 100,000 festival-goers. The first headline act for 2026 has already been announced, with news that Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will be performing here on 21 August.
𧢠Spooky stories and terrifying tales at the 2026 UK Ghost Story Festival
It has been announced that the UK Ghost Story Festival will return to Derby from 27 February to 1 March, in 2026. Dubbed the âdead centre of Englandâ, and famous for being one of Britainâs most haunted cities, Derby will host three days of author interviews, talks, workshops and panel discussions - with the first confirmed headline speaker being Catriona Ward (The Last House on Needless Street, Looking Glass Sound, Nowhere Burning, Sundial). Full weekend prices from ÂŁ80; Saturday event pass ÂŁ35.