Derbyshire based social enterprise, Genesis Enterprise Foundation successfully launched The Genesis Academy on 23 January at the prestigious Alfreton Hall. The launch event attracted over 60 people from across East and West Midlands, Lincolnshire and the North West and included presentations by David Kelly of Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) and Philip Bramhall from East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA).

Steven Holmes, Executive Director and Founder, introduced the Academy and shared his own journey as an award winning social entrepreneur stemming back to 1989. He commented “the day went down really well. I'm looking forward to the next one in February and us being able to really get behind and support those attending”.

Elizabeth Hill, a delegate on the day said “I would like to say it was a very inspiring day. It was fast moving and very informative”. Her sentiments were echoed by other delegates who welcomed the opportunity to meet with other people and to gain valuable input and ideas from experienced practitioners.

The Academy will aim to provide a unique package of support for social enterprises who understand that as they invest in themselves they will see a return on that investment through the impact they make. The Academy's aim is to develop the sector by developing its emerging and existing leaders.

Throughout 2010 the Academy will be hosting a series of high impact events for social enterprises, starting on 27 February, designed to support social enterprises on the journey whether they are just starting out or looking to take their enterprise to the next stage. The February event entitled “Get Real... Dream on!” is all about reviewing refining mission and strategy. For more information contact colin@genesisacademy.org.uk or visit their website at www.genesisacademy.org.uk.

Derbyshire firms are being urged to apply for grants to help them invest in new hi-tech equipment.

Firms are being encouraged to apply for money from the East Midlands New Technology Initiative, which is funded by the East Midlands Development Agency.

Over the past six years £2.3m has been distributed through the NTI to small and medium sized businesses.

The final phase of funding is due to end by spring 2010.

The scheme provides match funding of up to £5,000 for firms to invest in technology and skills.

A festive hamper worth £100 has been put up for grabs in a prize draw for shoppers supporting High Peak indoor and outdoor markets in the run up to Christmas.

The draw is being staged by the Borough Council, which has issued draw vouchers to be handed out from mid November by all Buxton and Glossop market traders participating in the Shop Smart Shop Local scheme.

Each time a purchase is made, the customer in question will get a stamp to stick to his or her voucher. Once customers have three stamps, they should hand in their voucher at Buxton Town Hall, Glossop Municipal Buildings or the council office in Hayfield Road, Chinley.

The closing date for the prize draw is Thursday 17 December, with the winner notified by the following Monday. The hamper will then be presented to the winner before Christmas.

Said Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration: "Local market traders offer their customers excellent value and choice. Our Christmas promotion gives residents the opportunity to rediscover the benefits of having a local market".

Shoppers must be 18 or older to enter the prize draw. For more information, call Paul Armstrong on 0845 129 77 77 / 01298 28400 or send an e-mail to business@highpeak.gov.uk.

A SCHEME has been launched to recognise firms in Derbyshire that employ apprentices.

The apprenticeship employers' 'badge' can be displayed by county firms to highlight their commitment to apprenticeships and their logos will be displayed on the apprenticeship website.

Karen Woodward of the National Apprenticeship Service said: "The badge scheme will demonstrate which businesses support young people and will provide a service for consumers to choose.

"The scheme will add to the numerous benefits apprentices bring to a business."

To find out more go to apprenticeships.org.uk

High Peak Borough Council is unveiling the final draft of the Buxton Design and Place Making Strategy and is asking for comments before the document is adopted as formal planning policy.

The strategy has been put together by the public and follows an innovative programme of workshops held during the spring at which people and groups with an interest in Buxton were invited to have their say.

The strategy is very much the creation of Councillor Tony Kemp, High Peak Borough Council's Lead Councillor for Regeneration, who explained the need for the strategy: "The council is putting this strategy together in response to the growing pressure for development in Buxton. We are all very proud of Buxton's unique architectural and cultural heritage, and recognise the need to protect its character while, at the same time, allowing it to grow and prosper. It is therefore vital that we all agree now what the common vision for Buxton should be and how we would like the town to change over the coming years".

Over the summer, the council's consultants, Gillespies and Locum, have been putting together the final draft of the document to reflect the ideas and issues discussed at consultation workshops. The document is available for inspection at Buxton Town Hall and Library or online at www.highpeak.gov.uk/planning/design/BuxtonDesign.asp.

Comments should be made by Friday 27 November.

Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Accessibility Partnership aims to reduce social exclusion by improving non-car dependant access to key services such as employment, education, healthcare, food shopping and leisure.

Project funding for local groups is available to deliver small scale accessibility improvements that will contribute to improving access to services for the benefit of residents and/or visitors in Derbyshire Dales and High Peak.

There are two amounts of funding available:

• A revenue fund with a maximum funding limit of £1,000 per project.
• A capital fund with a maximum funding limit of £5,000 per project.

What type of projects are eligible?
Projects that assist residents and/or visitors in Derbyshire Dales and High Peak:

• in accessing key services (i.e. health, food shopping, employment, education and training, leisure and culture)
• projects that make a real difference to their communities ability to access key services. These can include small capital items (e.g. noticeboards, cycling parking etc) or revenue projects (e.g. transport provision, promotional activity, etc.)

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 27 November 2009. Please note that funding must be spent by 31 March 2010. If you would like an application form or to discuss a proposal, please contact:

David Marsden, Transport Partnership Officer, Winter Gardens , Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG. Phone: 01629 536750.
Email: david.marsden@derbyshire.gov.uk

>> About Accessibility Partnership

Advice, new products and huge discounts will be on offer to HGV firms, farmers and agricultural contractors as the UK’s leading manufacturers, suppliers and service providers gather under one roof thanks to the launch of a new industry exhibition.

Parts at the Palace, which has been organised by Derbyshire-based supplier HGV Direct, will take place at the Barcelo Buxton Palace Hotel on the Palace Road in Buxton on Thursday 15 October (10am to 10pm).

The free exhibition will feature more than 30 of the industry’s top parts and spares manufacturers, suppliers and service providers from across the UK. This will be supported by competitions and special show-only offers.

Exhibitors include IMS, Banner Batteries, Shell, Trucktek, Britax, TMD Friction, Deb, Wabco, and other major suppliers.

Manufacturers and suppliers will showcase everything from truck, tractor and trailer hardware, lighting and electrical products to oils and lubricants, exhausts and air conditioning parts, cab panels and structural products. There will also be sections for workshop consumables and tools. As a result, visitors will be able to preview the very latest products through to garage essentials.

Parts at the Palace will also feature a special area for those organisations that keep you on the road, giving you a chance to obtain advice and further information from service providers from across the UK.

What’s more, exhibitors are also being encouraged to provide show-only offers, ensuring that visitors will be able to bag some great bargains on spares and service alike.

Speaking about the launch of Parts at the Palace, Simon Smedley, managing director of HGV Direct said:

“We hope that Parts at the Palace will provide something for everyone – there will be lots of stands, great offers and expert advice. So whether you manage a fleet company or are an owner driver, then this is show for you.”

“In fact, whether you need to repair it, replace it or upgrade it, the product or service you need to keep you on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will be here.”

To pre-register, visit www.partsatthepalace.co.uk or telephone HGV Direct’s Ashbourne branch on 01335 346236.

Fedreal Mogul in Chapel-en-le-Frith is one of 13 plants shortlisted for the prestigious Best Factory of the Year award, organised by the Cranfield School of Management and Works Management magazine.

Plant manager Peter Varnsverry said, "We are delighted to receive this nomination, and are keen to see our plant recognised for its hard work in ensuring that our performance improvement measures proved a success".

Increased production and an improved response to changing markets have seen the plant able to compete more effectively in the market place, responding more swiftly to customers' needs and reducing the cost of production.

Full story at Buxton Advertiser.

Hathersage Hall Business Centre has been officially opened by the Duke of Devonshire and is now set to bring prominent knowledge-based businesses from Sheffield and Manchester into the Peak District.

The Duke of Devonshire said: "Hathersage Hall Business Centre is a unique development for the Peak District and shows the versatile options for the redevelopment of period buildings, to both generate business for rural Derbyshire and to maintain its delicate architectural heritage."

Located 20 minutes south of Sheffield city centre, the 12,500 sq ft complex is the first development within the confines of the Peak District to combine buildings with such provenance and new-build structures to create a top specification commercial property hub.

Michael Shuttleworth, Director of Hathersage Developments Ltd, said: "This development is one of the first of its kind for the Peak District and aims to provide business space within the National Park which is dedicated to knowledge based businesses. Hathersage Hall Business Park will generate throughput of commerce, establish high-earning jobs in the village and provide sustainable income via business rents, all of which immediately benefit the local economy."

Units are available on negotiable six to ten year leases with mid-term break points.

For more, visit www.hathersagebusiness.co.uk or contact Michael Shuttleworth on 01433 651098, enquiries@hathersagebusiness.co.uk.

Mono Design of St. Andrews House, Derby have set up a site www.derbydesignblog.co.uk which they would like people in the creative industries to join and have their say about things that they feel are important to them.

It could be about new trends in website design and development, current affairs topics that are related to the design industry or use of the internet etc.

They would really like fellow local designers and developers to add their comments and thoughts to the blog.