Sustainability champion and co-founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project – Sir Tim Smit – has launched the community garden at the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre. The £40,000 pilot project is a collaboration between Wavensmere Homes and Down to Earth Derby, which will be rolled out across the housebuilder’s city-wide development portfolio. Down to Earth Derby is the Community Interest Company (CIC) behind the city’s widely-acclaimed Electric Daisy attraction. By connecting the urban community with nature-based activities and a diverse events programme, it has become a nationally recognised symbol of the ambitious regeneration and revitalisation of the burgeoning East Midlands city. This ethos has been in play for the past six months, while an expansive community garden has been planned, landscaped and planted by residents living at the 18.5-acre redevelopment of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, working together with Down to Earth’s team. The final phases of the 925 houses and apartments are under construction, with over 1,000 residents already living at Nightingale Quarter. Now also a magnet for nature and wildlife, the interactive garden and allotment space is being enjoyed and maintained by locals of all ages, including groups of school children from nearby St James’ C of E Junior School. Sir Tim Smit, mentor to Down to Earth Derby, said: “The nature-based regeneration that’s been achieved across Derby during the past 12 months shows the potential, together with the public support and appetite for more vibrant urban spaces. “Down to Earth launched Electric Daisy 12 months ago and has received fantastic support from local people, businesses and organisations. The team has also undertaken a number of projects to introduce interactive nature beds and green spaces to inner city schools. And now this first collaboration with a housebuilder has opened. “Derby is becoming an outstanding symbol of regeneration, famous across Europe. As the community garden was not a planning obligation, we are very grateful to Wavensmere Homes for the investment, commitment and shared vision. “Collaborative nature projects like this bring people together to learn about flora and fauna, and the joy that comes with growing seasonal fruit and vegetables. I am encouraging all those involved to see that the success of this pilot may ignite a national appetite for funded community gardens.” James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “As with Electric Daisy, people of all ages are being brought together at Nightingale Quarter to enjoy and learn about the power of nature. “It’s inspiring to work with the Down to Earth team and see how our residents and others from the local community are becoming impassioned with green-finger prowess. We are grateful to Sir Tim for officially opening this pioneering garden, which will lead to further projects.” Jamie Quince-Starkey, Founder of Down to Earth CIC, said: “My mum worked at the Royal Derbyshire Infirmary, so to have the opportunity to create this special outdoor space at the Nightingale Quarter development has filled me with pride. “James and the Wavensmere team understand the importance of purposeful living and the wellness benefits of inspiring people to be active and engaged with nature and gardening. “This community garden has become a living test-bed, demonstrating how regular allotment meet-ups can be the catalyst to bringing a new community together, while also having a transformative impact on mental health.” A food forest, woodland zone, clean composting area, raised planting beds, bug hotels and bird houses, are amongst the features of the Nightingale Quarter community garden.

The fifth annual Silverstone Soccer charity event raised more than £3,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice on Sunday (23^rd June). Ten teams battled it out on pitch in the five-a-side fundraiser at Daventry Town Football Club, but it was Stonhills Estate Agents who took the much-coveted winner’s trophy. Betchle UK were named as runners up. The popular event, which is hosted by vehicle leasing firm Silverstone Leasing, has raised thousands of pounds for its nominated charity partner Cynthia Spencer Hospice, since its conception in 2020. This year the grand total raised was £3,141, not just through the football tournament but also other family fun activities including a bouncy castle and Silverstone Leasing’s managing director Scott Norville’s car wash service. Organiser of the event and Silverstone Leasing sales manager Ryan Bishop said: “This year felt more special with it being our fifth consecutive year. It was great to see so many of our teams arriving with their families so everyone could feel part of the day, whether that meant getting their car washed by Scott’s Soapy Suds or letting the kids enjoy the bouncy castles. “The highlight of the day for me was seeing lots of teams that have played in the past come back to support us again, as well as having three new teams get involved this year. “Silverstone Soccer isn’t just a football tournament, it is a well-regarded, community focussed, impactful charity event that we are very proud to spearhead. Thank you to our headline sponsors All Things Business, gold sponsors Acorn Analytical Services and everyone who joined in to raise such a fantastic amount of money for a very worthy charity.” Nina Gandy, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Cynthia Spencer Hospice, said: “Silverstone Soccer once again proved to be a hugely successful event! A massive thank you to Ryan, Scott and the rest of the Silverstone Leasing team, we really appreciate your dedication, it takes a lot of hard work to organise events like this and raise a considerable amount of money. “It was great to see teams that had previously taken part support the event once again, as well as a number of new teams too. Getting involved with events like this really does continue to make a difference by raising funds as well as spreading the word about the work of the hospice, allowing our patients to be cared for with dignity, and helping them to live every moment.”