You've heard of St George's Day and Australia Day, but now listeners to my Breakfast Show think it's time for a Derbyshire Day! The idea proved to be a hot discussion topic with callers to the show when it was mentioned recently in the wake of the success of the Derbyshire Flag. The general consensus is that Derbyshire Day should be a day to celebrate the county, its scenery, its people and its produce. We'd be following in the footsteps of Yorkshire which has already declared August 1st as Yorkshire Day, but it seems there's nothing to stop the people of Derbyshire from doing the same - all we need is a date. The first thing we did was look into Derbyshire's history to see if there were any dates of significance that could be used. Margaret O'Sullivan from the Derbyshire Record Office provided some historical dates, but people listening to the show also gave us their ideas. Tourism officials have also told us that they think a day at the beginning or the end of the tourist season would be best. A number of contributors to the show thought that it would be good to avoid school holidays so that schools could be involved in marking the day. Here are some of the suggested ideas so far in date order.... May 1st - The proper May Day May 4th - The anniversary of the first meeting of Rolls and Royce May 12th - Florence Nightingale's Birthday June 21st - The longest day July 28th - Anniversary of Derby's city status September 22nd - Anniversary of the Derbyshire Flag December 4th - The day Bonnie Prince Charlie made camp in Derby Bess of Hardwick's birthday was also suggested, although I can't find out what date that was, along with Shrove Tuesday which would be a different date from year to year. From your feedback, we're planning to come up with a shortlist of possible dates and then it's over to you to choose which one would be best. Here's some of the feedback so far...I like the idea of Derbyshire Day and the idea of the day being connected to the day the Derbyshire flag was 'born'. It's relevant then to everyone who lives in Derbyshire. Vicki Clemerson, Holestone Moor, near Ashover I think its a great idea. It would be an opportunity to mark the achievements of the Shire and also have some fun. What about the first Sunday in September. That would ensure the event is always at a weekend (which is important ) and it would also coincide with the Darley Park music event. The latter being one of the best events of the Derbyshire calendar. Greg Lunn I would favour July 28th as an ideal day to celebrate Derbyshire Day, as elevation to city status is certainly something worthy of a celebration. Also it happens to be my birthday, another good reason to celebrate!!!. Colin Allcock I think Florence Nightingale's birthday is a good idea. It's the right time of year, but of course she wasn't actually born here and I'm not sure how well known it is outside Derbyshire that she has local connections? Sarah McCloughlin I'd like to add my support for the idea of it being Sept 22nd - the day the Derbyshire Flag was launched. This day is perfect as it's an anniversary that is relevant to the whole of Derbyshire, not just part of it. Also the weather would still be decent (hopefully) and it's in term time for the schools to take part. Alan Rathbone, Ripley. Regarding the proposed Derbyshire Day, could I add my vote to June 21st as the day. It seems that there are no popular celebrations of this important day, so lets have one of our own. Cheers, keep up the good work. John Leach. I haven't noticed anyone that has come up with the idea we already have more than one day when Derbyshire is shown in all it's splendour. It happens in every year and is known as 'The County Show'. Why not link up the two events? Pete in Heanor I think the idea of a Derbyshire Day is absolutely ridiculous. Lets be honest we have a different occasion all the time. What will we actually celebrate the fact we live in Derby. Hey ho lets have a party. It is just another city and should just be another day. Sean Bromley Is there a date on which the County of Derbyshire was formed? If so this should be the date for Derbyshire Day. If there isn't then I like the idea of using the date of the unveiling of the Derbyshire Flag as this is a County wide date. The Arms of Derbyshire County were granted on 17th September 1937 so that could be another date. Derbyshire Day should definitely include a major event at each of the stately homes and heritage locations led by Chatsworth. Mike Haynes I wondered about having the centrepiece of the day in conjunction with the Darley Abbey Concert on the first Sunday in September. During the day of the concert the stage could be used for Derbyshire presentations. I am particularly interested in promoting traditional Morris Dancing and Mummers plays. In Longford we perform a play from Bampton but there is one called The Derby Ram with a song and a story which could be expanded on to cover current events. Winster have mummers and morris, Church Broughton had one but has become theirs is extinct. Longford Mummers are becoming very popular. People start arriving for the Darley concert earlier in the day, so some extra entertainment with a Derbyshire theme would be good and the Concert and Fireworks are wonderful event, making a great finale. Other areas could decide what to do themselves to mark the day. Yvonne Hithersay Two ideas for activities on Derbyshire day for you: 1/ People could decorate each entry point into the county with a 'welcome to Derbyshire' display of some sort - maybe a small Derbyshire flag on each entry point. 2/ How about some kind of race or expedition round the boundary of Derbyshire - almost a 'beating the bounds' type exercise. Ian Hughes | 
