Community News 2024 11 04

Firework safety
Are you planning on celebrating with fireworks for Bonfire Night?

Stay safe this firework season. It's the time of year when the night sky is lit up by fireworks. But if they're not used safely, people and animals could be injured or distressed.

If you plan to have your own fireworks at home, remember:

* read the instructions
* let neighbours know in advance
* keep pets indoors, away from noise
* if you have farms or stables near you let them know
* use lower noise fireworks
* check the safety distance for use on the firework box
* only buy from reputable retailers
* store fireworks away from children and animals
* make sure fireworks are out, soak them in water, bag and bin the next day.

Or you could leave it to the professionals and make life easier by going to an organised public display.

Lifelong learning
It's Lifelong Learning Week – why not see if any of our adult education courses inspire you?

Lifelong learning can enrich your life in many ways. Whether you're looking to build your confidence, brush up on your IT skills or gain new qualifications, there are lots of options available to you.

Our adult community education team offers a huge variety of courses tailored to help you achieve your goals. With friendly centres across the county and many online courses available, now's the perfect time to take the step back into learning.

Lifelong Learning Week is from Monday 4 November to Friday 8 November 2024.

Shopping and on-demand buses saved
Recently we told you we'd saved two bus services – the 147 and 148 – that were about to lose their operator. We're now pleased to say we've also saved two remaining services previously run by Derbyshire Community Transport (DCT) – the Derbyshire Connect shopper service and Travel Derbyshire on Demand.

New contracts for both services are being awarded to Community Transport for Nottingham (CT4N). It's planned that the new services will start today (Monday 4 November) leaving a gap in service of just one day, as the DCT services ended on Thursday 31 October.

DCT had signalled its intention to close down by the end of October, leaving buses 147, 148, Derbyshire Connect shopper service and Travel Derbyshire on Demand without an operator.

We announced on Thursday 24 October that scheduled bus services, the 147 from Belper to Street Lane, Marehay through Ripley, and the 148 from Alfreton to Codnor through Pentrich, are going to be taken over by Notts and Derby Buses, with no break in service.

Timetable details will shortly be available at Derbys Bus Info

Check labels on toiletries
Our trading standards team is asking you to check labels on toiletries and cosmetics in your home and dispose of any containing the banned ingredient Lilial.

Butylphenyl methylpropional, otherwise known as 'Lilial', was used as a floral fragrance in things like perfumes, shower gels and deodorants. But because its use has been associated with harm to the reproductive system, it's been illegal to sell products containing it since December 2022.

If you've bought these since 2022, report them to Citizens Advice.