Petit Fours
(13 April, 2026)
𧹠This weekâs âTop Pickâ @WeightmanPR: âHidden in plain sightâ
This article, featuring an interview with David Parr Houseâs Visitor Experience Manager, Robert Hewis, was featured on the BBC news website over the Easter weekend. It was all timed to coincide with the launch of a new walking map of Cambridge, highlighting the work of the F. R. Leach & Sons, the decorative firm that employed David Parr. The map demonstrates the firmâs significant role in the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Gothic Revival and its contribution to shaping some of Cambridgeâs most decorative interiors, with a lasting impact across the UK. A three-minute broadcast on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire is now on BBC Sounds. And further details about the new walking map can be found here.
𧹠A new pottery âthrow downâ venue
Craftcore, Derbyâs first fully-equipped ceramic studio, officially opened its doors to the public last month. An immersive, experiential studio âwhere creativity comes to lifeâ, it offers its visitors not only the chance to make full use of its state-of-the-art facilities, but to also meet expert ceramicists, and have an opportunity to experience hand-building, throwing, and glazing. Moving forwards, there will also be bespoke pottery-throwing sessions, drop-in sessions, private parties, and tailored team-building workshops. This hands-on introduction to the art of ceramics was opened last month, and is also now available to schools and other businesses.
𧹠Potteries Museum brews-up a foyer café bar in £5m revamp
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will open a new fully licensed cafĂ© bar as part of its current ÂŁ5m transformation, creating a more welcoming and flexible space at the museumâs main entrance. The new PMAG CafĂ© Bar will be located in the foyer and is being designed to support events and evening activity, with the ability to also operate independently when the rest of the museum is closed. The cafĂ© bar will showcase Staffordshire produce, including local favourites such as oatcakes and lobby. Bread and oatcakes will be sourced from local suppliers, alongside a selection of cakes made on site or sourced locally. As part of the changes, the current cafĂ© - which has reopened during the first phase of the museumâs transformation - will be repurposed as a dedicated gallery and events space.
𧹠Read (and hear) all about it at Derby Book Festival
Tickets are now on sale for the summer Derby Book Festival, which is scheduled to take place between 22 and 31 May. It will showcase a broad programme of more than 70 book-related events for all ages, in venues across the city centre, that brings together politics, history, popular culture, environment, with appearances by celebrated and favourite authors. Highlights of the Festival will include Waterstones Book of the Year winner for The Artist, Lucy Steeds; Guardian sports journalist Jonathan Wilson on the history of the World Cup; Labour Minister Chris Bryant MP talking about his biography; and a talk by Jo Hamilton about her experience of The Post Office Scandal. There will also be an event featuring a new biography of Joseph Wright of Derby (on 19 July) at Derby Museum and Art Gallery with Steve Farnsworth. This will coincide with the much-anticipated exhibition of Joseph Wrightâs paintings which will transfer from the National Gallery.
