Gin festival returning to Roundhouse
A GIN and rum festival is coming to Derby Roundhouse.
The “largest touring” gin and rum festival in the UK will be returning to the city with over 60 gins and 60 rums at the historic building on Pride Park.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. Doors open for the afternoon session from 12:30pm until 5pm while the evening session takes place from 6.30pm to 11pm.
The founder of the Gin and Rum Festival, Bobby Nanua, said: “I am delighted to have the Gin and Rum Festival returning to Derby after the successes of the sold-out events in previous years.
“We have had a fantastic year in 2019 hosting the festival in over 30 cities. It is a great pleasure to bring the festival back to Roundhouse and this year it will be even bigger and better!”
Attendees will also get a free gin glass to take home, a Gin and Rum Festival satchel and a guide which features the drinks available to try.
Tickets, priced £15, are on sale online at eventbrite.co.uk
SOUTH Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler has spoken of the deaths of her husband and mother after losing her role as a minister in Boris Johnson’s government.
Mrs Wheeler, 60, has been removed from her job as parliamentary under secretary of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office after just seven months.
In a statement released yesterday, Mrs Wheeler confirmed she would no longer be part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Government.
She talked about the loss of her husband – former district council leader Bob, who died from cancer in August 2018 – and revealed she had also lost her mother last month.
She said: “It was an honour and a privilege to serve as a parliamentary private secretary, whip and then minister in two government departments, meaning six years working in government.
“It was especially a privilege to work in a government under Boris Johnson, who has led us to our largest majority since Margaret Thatcher was our leader, and who, with his ambitious plans and characteristic energy, will, I am sure, become one of greatest ever prime ministers.
“However, as some know, I’ve recently suffered two bereavements – my beloved husband and best friend Bob, and only last month my mother.
“Spending so much time overseas on Foreign Office business has been incredibly rewarding, but for all the rewards of government office, being away from the constituency and my family has also been something to juggle.
“I think with the ever-increasing workload of looking after my constituents, and with our businesses in
South Derbyshire now focused on the opportunities and challenges arising from Brexit, I am relieved I now have some extra time to concentrate on making Brexit a success, as well spending a little extra time with my family as we come to terms with losses we have suffered over the last 18 months.
“I now look forward to returning to the back benches, where I am once again able to speak up for my constituency in debates in the chamber and working with the wonderful people and businesses of South Derbyshire in making the best of Brexit.”
Mrs Wheeler added that she did not resign from her role. She said: “I took a call from the prime minister on Thursday morning. He thanked me for my service and explained that he was looking to build a new team for the future, so sadly I am no