Derbyshire Open Arts

27 to 29 May 2023

Words: Paul Chapman

Images: Derbyshire Open Arts

Over the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May artists across Derbyshire will again come together in destinations across the county to exhibit their work and share their passion for art in locations from front rooms to church halls, and it makes an enjoyable and unique way to spend some time over the long weekend.

The event is in its 16th year and sees 208 artists displaying their work in 72 venues across Derbyshire.

The closest is a group of ten artists displaying their work at Holymoorside Village Hall where the team will offer reasonably priced refreshments for charity. There is also a smaller group in the United Reform Church across the road and one artist in their own studio in Holymoorside. There will also be exhibits from a number of artists at West Studios, Sheffield Road.

Sarah Parkin, Holymoorside, co-ordinatior, provided the list of people exhibiting this year at the Village Hall.

• Jerry Daniels - Photography (1 Wallpaper)

• Susan Dodds (2 Sea Scape)

• Peter Gill (3 Stanage)

• Jo Keogh

• Caroline McFarlane (4 Bandsman)

• Sarah Parkin (5 Peak Tor in snow)

• Trudy Roe (6 Coasters)

• Valda Sampson (7 Trees)

• Alison Smith (8 Silver jewellery)

• William Vaudin (9 Herman Rickety) www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk

Open hours 10am to 5pm over the three days and there is full disabled access at Holymoorside Village Hall, Holymoor Road, Holymoorside S427DX.

You can obtain a full run down of the artists and venues from the website below.

For more details please contact Sarah Parkin, Holymoorside coordinator, on 07957 484977.

Words: Simon Paterson

Images: Adobe Stock

Asbestos can feel scary but it doesn’t need to be, not if you have the correct measures in place. Prior to purchasing our current property, we contacted the team at Derbyshire Asbestos Control as we knew that the property had Artexed ceilings that could contain asbestos.

When I contacted Derbyshire Asbestos Control about testing the Artexed ceilings they were nothing short of brilliant. A P402-qualified surveyor went out the following working day to the property and explained everything to the current property owners, setting their minds at rest. They delicately took small samples from each of the ceilings, being extra careful not to leave a visible trace. Within a couple of days, they got back to us with the lab results, and we were pleased to hear that there was no asbestos present. We were then able to go ahead and purchase the property, safe in the knowledge that no asbestos was in our beautiful new home.

I recently caught up with Matthew Hannan one of the directors of Derbyshire Asbestos Control as I was keen to learn more about the dangers of asbestos, and how to manage and remove it. Chatting with Matt I learnt that there are three types of asbestos; blue, brown, and white all found in the UK. One of which was still being installed in properties as late as 1999 and can be lurking anywhere in the home from floor tiles to light switches and ceilings. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as pulmonary hypertension, malignant mesothelioma and even lung cancer.

I asked Matt why Asbestos was so commonly used as a building material? “Asbestos, before we understood the dangers, was a product widely used for its strength, flexibility, durability and was cheap to manufacture on a large scale. Sadly, we now know the true cost of the product,” says Matt.

So, how many buildings in Chesterfield could potentially contain asbestos? “Any building built before 1999 might contain Asbestos and all commercial buildings must have an asbestos management plan,” states Matthew. Ok, so let’s say I have just started a small business and obtained some premises and I contact you, what happens next? “We come out and complete a desktop study and work out the age of the building to anticipate what we may come across, so we have the right equipment on site etc. If you are refurbishing the property, you will need a refurbishment survey by law. We will enter the property, take samples, and send them off to the lab. We then produce a full survey report, with UKAS lab results including material and risk assessments, we will give you recommendations and actions based on the findings to suit your legal and financial requirements. We will then create or update your asbestos management plan to mitigate risk based on your removals plan. With you following the asbestos management plan you will be able to keep the risk to minimal,” say Matt confidently.

I asked Matt, how do you know if you have asbestos in your home? “A little knowledge is dangerous, and it is too difficult to tell by looking at things such as plasterboard, floor tiles etc. We say if in doubt, have it tested, asbestos was used in the construction of millions of properties with the boom being between 1945 and 1999. If your property is Victorian it is less likely to contain asbestos than a house built in the 70s to 80s, having said that, you did the right thing getting yours tested as there had been work carried out in the property in the 80s," says Matt.

How long have you been working in the Asbestos industry? “Between us (the directors) we have over 21 years' experience, are fully insured and have a Waste carriers' licence. We have seen and done it all and we absolutely love what we do. I sleep very well at night knowing that the work we do has a positive impact on the people and local businesses in Chesterfield,” say Matt.

If somebody is concerned that they may have asbestos in their home or business, what should they do? “Just give us a call. We don’t charge anything for a chat or advice and would love to hear from you,” says Matt.

Do you take on any size property or client? “We assess and manage asbestos in buildings as small as garages and as a big as schools. We also conduct land surveys, testing soil for asbestos. We take on any and every job as morally and ethically it is the right thing to do,” says Matt.

If you need any advice and/or guidance on anything asbestos related, please don’t hesitate to contact Derbyshire Asbestos Control using the details below.

T: 01246 903446

E: admin@asbestos-control.com www.asbestos-control.com workright.campaign.gov.uk