About Derby

A Roman fort in the very heart of England, Derby (Derventium) has been a thriving centre for transport, trade and agriculture for 2000 years and an important spiritual centre too.

The Romans were followed by Viking invaders and Norman conquerors each leaving their mark on the city in the place names (Iron Gate, Sadler Gate, St Mary's Gate all Viking names and Normanton literally Norman town). King Henry the VIII destroyed the monasteries and other religious centres that were plentiful in the town in the 16th Century.

Bonny Prince Charlie lead his Jacobite rebels to Derby in the 1740's before being persuaded to return home to Scotland. The 19th Century saw an invasion of a more peaceful kind as the Irish "Navies" came to Derby to build the railways of Britain. The 20th century saw the arrival of thousands of people from the West Indies and the Indian sub continent as well as Eastern Europeans displaced after WWII. Modern day newcomers include Iraqis and Iranians, Africans, and lots of Polish and other Eastern Europeans. With the people come their beliefs. Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Roman Catholicism and a growing youth sub culture that has no faith but a real hunger for spirituality.

Derby is a multicultural city with 85+ nationalities, speaking over 100 Languages, always welcoming and hospitable the city is growing and expanding with a new Shopping Mall complete with numerous coffee shops.

Derby has been the starting place for many great people and inventions, from John Lombe and Richard Arkwright fathers of the industrial revolution to the men that began the worldwide house hold name that is Rolls Royce aero engines and cars. Crown Derby porcelain and Joseph Wright the artist show that there is an inheritance of creativity in the city on the artistic side too.

Literally minutes from the Peak district National park and the Robin hood city of Nottingham only 15 miles away and London around 1½ hours away by train. Derby is at the centre of England's transport system with a powerful history and a strong desire to do new things in new ways.