Petit Fours

(10 November 2025)

🧢 150th celebrations at “Railway Central”

Derby Litchurch Lane - the site of one of the biggest events in railway history, The Greatest Gathering, in 2025 - will mark its 150th anniversary during 2026. As well as being one of the world’s largest rolling stock factories, it is also the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876, and the city of Derby has been building trains continually since 1839. In January 2021, Alstom acquired Bombardier Transportation in exchange for €5.1 billion, and took over operations of the Derby site and its rolling stock designs. Alstom has plans in place to mark the 150th anniversary in 2026; and exhibitions and special events will also be staged throughout the city centre.

Alstom at the time of The Greatest Gathering, earlier this year.

🧢 This week’s ‘Top Pick’ @WeightmanPR: a Sedan’s ‘Festival of Fools’

Travel back in time in the heart of Europe’s greatest fortified castle, which was voted France’s “Most Loved Historic Monument” in 2023. Over the weekend of 16 and 17 May, Sedan Fort will host around 25,000 visitors as the annual Medieval Festival - featuring camps, shows, workshops, children’s play areas, re-enactments of daily life and a medieval market with over one hundred stalls - returns to this town in the French Ardennes. The castle and its surroundings will be brought to life by scores of travelling companies - from musicians and street theatre, to reenactors - all of whom will take part in the grand procession on the Saturday evening, followed by a show featuring 400 other costumed participants. Sedan Fort’s other great claim to fame is a modern day 4-star hotel, set within the structure of this magnificent monument.

🧢 Stoke-on-Trent hosts international Ceramics Symposium

Still marking its centenary year, Stoke-on-Trent is set to welcome leading academics and industry experts for a major international event exploring the global impact of the city’s ceramics. The Legacy and Continuity: International Ceramic Symposium takes place on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November at Stoke Town Hall and Spode Museum and is free to attend. The two-day symposium will explore Stoke-on-Trent’s rich ceramics heritage and its continued role as a centre of innovation, creativity and design. Bringing together voices from across the global ceramics community, it will shine a spotlight on the city’s position as the world capital of ceramics and celebrate its recognition as a World Craft City. The event forms part of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary celebrations, marking 100 years of city status and celebrating the people and skills that have shaped its story. The Symposium coincides with the ongoing Willow Pattern Ceramics and Stories of ‘Other’ exhibition at Spode Museum which explores the iconic design’s cultural history and lasting influence. The exhibition runs until 29 March 2026.

🧢 Deck the Hall

Derby Market Hall is set to be the star of the show this festive season in the city, as it celebrates its first Christmas since its £35.1 million restoration - with a bustling host of independent local traders, festive pop-up markets, diverse eateries, bars, free entertainment all gathering under its iconic Victorian roof. The festivities kick off in style on the evening of Thursday 27 November with Derby’s Christmas Lights Switch On and Season of Light Lantern Parade; and this year’s Festive Derby Light Trail will also weave directly through the Market Hall. The illuminated trail will lead visitors from St Peter’s Cross to Osnabruck Suare, where they can sit among twinkling gonks, reindeer, and even a polar bear. Then journey continues through the Market Hall, walking beneath a towering golden star, before heading out to the Market Place, where a giant teddy bear will overlook the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, and on to Derby Cathedral.