![Mother Clucker…… DERBY WING FEST delivers yet again!!
[PR/Invite]
I had an absolute blast at @wingfestuk at @bustler_derby this weekend. The sun was shinin’ the beats were pumpin’ and the Wings were off the charts, incredible.
Honestly, the Wing vendors came from all over the country and they were not messing around this year. With each stand cooking up a Buffalo Wing and a Wild Wing there were just so many ways to tickle your tastebuds.
For us, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch from @eatpoorboys was just genius and we literally licked our plate because THAT SAUCE 😂 Big shout out too to our pals @the.wing.guys @dirtychickenuk and @eatthebird. We gave your Wild Wings 10s all the way 🤪
Thanks again @wingfestuk for putting on such a great event. We loved the addition of the beer puppets this year 😂 and the Iced Gelato Pops. Congratulations to all of those who received awards. We cannot wait to see what you come up with next year.
Wing Fest is coming to London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol THIS SUMMER so be sure to head to their Insta/Website and secure your tickets because this is a party that you do not wanna miss. Might even try to get over to Manchester myself so perhaps I’ll see you there 🙌🏻
#wingfest #wingfestuk #bustlermarket #derbyfood #derbyfoodie #derbyfoodies #wingswingswings #chickenwingsforlife #chickenwings #derbyshirefoodie #nottinghamfoodblogger #eastmidsbloggers #streetfoodfestival
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I really hoped that I wouldn’t be writing yet another lockdown post but here we are. Lockdown 3.0 and third time round it hits a little differently, right? Back in the Spring of 2020 I put together a post highlighting all the best lockdown munchies available for collection or delivery in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Now I’m doing something similar but for small and independent businesses, creatives and entertainment venues. It’s been such a tough time for so many local and small businesses and they need our support, now more than ever. So if you’re looking for a way to show the love to local business in lockdown, look no further. Also, please feel free to contact me if you would like to be included in this post.
Gifts/Self Care/Arts & Crafts
Alphabet Gift Shop – Burton and Mickleover
The Alphabet Gift Shop in Burton has always been one of my favourite places, both to shop and drink amazing coffee (there is a gorgeous coffee shop on site but this is currently closed due to lockdown restrictions). The Alphabet Gift Shop specialises in personalised gifts and stocks products created by UK artists and businesses, specifically those from Derbyshire & Staffordshire. There’s something for everyone, from jewellery to clothing, homeware to gifts for babies, newly married couples, birthdays and so on. Maybe you’d just like to send something to someone to let them know you’re thinking of them or missing them. With personalisation being an option on so many items at Alphabet, they’re your perfect go-to for letterbox gifts. Alphabet Gift Shop offers both national and overseas delivery options as well as a click and collect service from the Burton on Trent store (weekdays 10am-4pm). Check them out on Instagram and Facebook to see more of what they do so well.
Hello Katie Designs – Derby
What I really like about Hello Katie Designs is that it’s a business born in lockdown. Katie was placed on furlough in the summer of 2020 and finally found some time to get back in to painting and designing.
Hello Katie creates greeting cards, prints, stationery and gifts and most of the designs start off as watercolours. Katie’s favourite things to paint are dogs and flowers, then she loves to ‘jazz them up’ on photoshop. All of the stationery, prints and gifts are then carefully wrapped in tissue paper, making them the perfect gift. Personal notes can then be added so that the order can be sent directly to your loved one.
Check out the Hello Katie Designs Etsy shop and/or their Instagram.
Design 44 – Derby
Design 44 in Derby, is run by super busy mum of two, Jade. Her passion to showcase independent local businesses has driven the shop to become one of the most successful independent shops in the Midlands. She also loves designing her own work and enjoys being a buyer for the company.
In March 2020 the shop moved into its new home within Intu Derby, allowing over 50 designers and makers the opportunity to sell their work alongside the major high street brands. Jade sources the very best design-led gifts, eco products and interiors from British, Danish and Dutch design.
Whilst on lockdown the store is closed but you can still absolutely still shop online and as a new customer, you can currently enjoy 10% off. Design 44 are shipping twice weekly and also click and collect is offered on Saturday mornings. The new Valentine’s Day range has just launched on their website and they are working hard on some amazing new gift boxes which should be ready to go by the middle of February.
Studio Home Interiors – Melbourne
Studio Home and Interiors is a beautiful little shop in Melbourne, Derbyshire. They specialise in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™ and hand painted furniture. They also offer a bespoke painting service along with unique home decor and gifts. Oh and I say little shop. They’ve actually moved to a brand new and bigger premises between lockdowns because there has been an increase in demand for their services.
As official Annie Sloan Stockists, Studio Home and Interiors are fully trained in applying her techniques and running workshops to teach others (obviously on hold at the moment). They love talking to customers about their projects and guiding them through the techniques to use to achieve the look they’ve envisioned. A virtual tour of the shop can be found on the website and a click and collect service is currently available or you can call 07929660183 to place your order. If you are local and isolating, it may be possible to schedule a delivery.
Lydia Andrew Designs
I have been so lucky to work with Lydia on many different projects over the past few years. I am therefore, absolutely thrilled to be showcasing her incredible design business here on the blog. Lydia Andrew Designs create the most beautiful handcrafted hair accessories and specialise in all things sparkly. With every single hair band and hair pin being bead woven by hand, these gorgeous and intricate pieces are the perfect accessory for any occasion.
During Lockdown 3.0 the lead time on each order is around 10 days with the finished design being sent straight to your door. So if you’re currently planning your wedding or just looking for an excuse to dress up, be sure to check out Lydia’s Etsy shop and her Instagram.
Scarthin Books – Cromford
Being such a huge reader and book lover (check out how you can join my book club right here) bookshops are my happy place. I actually paid a visit to Scarthin Books in Cromford at the start of 2019. It is absolutely one of the most beautiful book shops I have ever set foot it. Definitely one of the most unusual. It has full on Harry Potter vibes with its twisty, crooked corridors and floor to ceiling bookshelves in each quirky little room. Obviously you can’t see this for yourself right now as the shop is closed. But when the world returns to normality, I most definitely encourage you to pay it a visit. For right now though, you can support Scarthin Books through this, our third lockdown. You can contact the store directly by phone or email to place an order. They also have a new and dedicated new books ordering website and you will receive a £2 Scarthin Books Voucher towards the cost of your postage.
Something Special
Something Special is the perfect place for unique and special gifts for family and friends. They make adjustable bracelets, earrings and pin badges that you can enjoy yourself or they would be the ideal gift for a loved one. They also offer letter box gifts that can be delivered right to the recipients door with personal notes included. This is a wonderful option for so many people who may be finding it more and more difficult to go out and shop during lockdown. Harriet, the creator of Something Special truly loves designing cute, meaningful backing cards and putting smiles on people’s faces.
Check out the Etsy shop, Facebook Page and Instagram
HEALTH/MIND/WELLBEING
Calm Yoga – Burton and Derby
Calm is a family run business in the heart of the Midlands, providing a retreat from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Now with two studios, one in Burton and the other in Derby, Calm is absolutely THE place to be to get your zen on. Obviously with lockdown/s limiting the amount of people that can be in one space together, Calm have had to come up with some alternative ways to keep their customers and clients practicing yoga and nurturing their bodies and minds. During the summer months, this even included yoga on stand up paddle boards – I mean, that’s pretty exciting and creative. But with Lockdown 3.0 inconveniently taking place in winter, that one is, for the moment, off the cards. The amazing array of services currently on offer are as follows:
- Live classes are being streamed via their Mindbody platform for £5 per household and can be booked here
- Live streamed online workshops – There is an upcoming Yin workshop and a workshop on Mastering the Fundamentals of Yoga.
- Calm at home is £9.99 for a month and this includes unlimited access to pre-recorded yoga practice videos. You also get 3 days free trial when you sign up.
- Yoga teacher training courses are going ahead as scheduled but the content is currently being delivered virtually. So far, this is proving to be hugely successful with the first group completing their assessment just last week.
- Remedy is Calm Burton’s on site physiotherapy clinic and they are still offering in person sessions as this is a separate and medical service being delivered by a medical professional.
- Calm are also offering distance Reiki and video talk therapy sessions.
With pretty much something to suit everyone and every possible need. Calm and Remedy have got your back 🙂
MFIT – Burton on Trent
Claire Marie Yoga
Claire Marie is a Yoga Teacher specialising in Women’s Health. Claire is currently teaching an online slow flow yoga class, where everybody is welcome. The idea behind this type of class is to help you to find some calm at the end of your day by guiding you through some gentle movement using the breath to settle the body and mind. Classes are Mondays 7 – 7:45pm on Zoom for £5 per household. Claire also offers one to one sessions. For more information or to book your spot you can email Claire directly or message her on the social media links below.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Brewhouse Arts Centre – Burton
We all know just how much the arts have suffered during this pandemic. I think it’s an absolute credit to the Brewhouse Arts Centre that they are still managing to come up with ways to entertain and support families without us even having to leave our homes. So pull up your sofa and head on over to their What’s on page to check out the events that are currently scheduled. These include online storytelling every Wednesday, digital productions and family fundays. Many of the events listed are free or charge or you can donate whatever you’d like.
Derby Theatre
For over 10 years, Derby Theatre has proudly served the people of Derby and surrounding counties and communities. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have meant that the much loved venue is temporarily closed. However, thanks to DT@Home you can stay connected with arts and culture and explore a range of content to engage with online. From free online plays to theatre activities for the entire family. There’s something for everyone and so much of the content is free or donation only. For me, this is an incredible resource and one that I will definitely support. I hope that you will too.
Thanks so much for reading and for continuing to support the blog through these difficult times.
I hope I will be returning to travel content again very soon.
But until then, stay safe and show the love to local business xoxo
This post was so refreshing to see! I’m glad to have found someone else who is passionate about supporting local businesses! I’ve actually started doing the same, but with local restaurants + cafés (here in Texas, we still have access to them). It’s heartbreaking how the virus has affected so many people’s small businesses + livelihoods. Hopefully, more people will see the need + join in on helping to keep these places thriving.
Thank you for sharing this! Xx
I’ve literally read this post over and over and I’m in awe of your beautiful imagery too! What wonderful choices and it’s also so important to support local! Thank you for a great read. Amy at amymarshment.com xx
Loved reading this. Plenty I’d not heard of too.