Latest news with #ErewashMuseum
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Maker of 6ft crochet soldier honoured at Buckingham Palace
A woman who spent 200 hours crocheting a life-sized World War Two soldier and then donated it to a museum was recognised for her work during a garden party at Buckingham Crofts, 58, from Stanley Common near Ilkeston in Derbyshire, was invited to join the Prince and Princess of Wales on 20 May to celebrate her contribution to her local Remembrance Day tribute - which used 12 balls of wool - went on display at Erewash Museum last year and in turn, prompted a nomination for a garden party invite by the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth the event itself, Ms Crofts said: "It was lovely... it really spurs you on to keep crocheting." Attendees of the garden parties hear music from two live military bands and get to enjoy the palace gardens, as well as having a chance to speak to a member of the Royal Crofts said: "I was nominated in October 2024 and knew I'd find out if I could go by the end of January, so when it came through at the very end of January, I squealed."You can only go once now, so it really is a once in a lifetime experience. "I saw Kate and William about four feet away."We were standing on the front row near the tent where the members of the Royal Family had their tea, and we got to see them come out for the national anthem."
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Actor Robert Lindsay remembers 'extraordinary' Ilkeston teacher
Actor Robert Lindsay returned to his hometown in Derbyshire to remember a "truly extraordinary" teacher, who he said he owed his acting career star of BBC TV shows Sherwood and My Family visited an exhibition dedicated to John Lally, his former art teacher at Gladstone Boys' School in 75, said Mr Lally also organised drama classes and encouraged him to go to acting college, adding: "I owe everything to him."The exhibition, which tells Mr Lally's story and features more than 15 of his paintings, will run at Erewash Museum until 26 April. Mr Lally taught at the school in the early 1950s and later became headmaster before retiring in the actor Lindsay said meeting the teacher was a "milestone" in his life and it was thanks to his encouragement that he applied to drama college. He said Mr Lally would organise performances allowing his talents to shine, adding: "Thankfully, he believed in me. "I'd been told by my careers advisors and maths teachers that I'd never be employable." 'Inspired young people' Mr Lally, who died at the age of 80 in 1994, had a passion for abstract painting and after his retirement helped found Erewash Museum in Ilkeston, where a gallery bears his John Lally: Artist and Teacher exhibition features items relating to his career at the school including photographs, drawings and the "iconic school badge" he said of the tribute: "I have such great memories of Mr Lally that I wouldn't have missed this for the world."Becca Everett, deputy leader at Erewash Borough Council, which runs the museum, said: "John Lally's love of art inspired many young people to embrace the subject. "His paintings show how he took inspiration from his surroundings, his teaching career and local history. "He was also inspired by different art styles and he had a remarkable talent for creating unique views and subjects using watercolour."Mr Lally was also a founding member of the Ilkeston and District Local History Society and chair of the Ilkeston Arts Club.
