Marketing Derby Bondholders, East Midlands Trains and Bombardier, along with Eversholt Rail have attended a special train naming ceremony this week to recognise a successful joint industry approach to delivering greener trains.

The naming of East Midlands Trains’ Meridian 222006 as ‘The Carbon Cutter’ marks a joint investment of £4m from the Stagecoach-owned train operator, Bombardier and Eversholt Rail, which has led to the introduction of an innovative new engine stand-by mode estimated to save around 800,000 litres of fuel a year.

The new ‘Energy Saving Mode’ has been rolled out across the entire East Midlands Trains Meridian fleet of 27 trains. The introduction of this system allows the number of diesel engines on the train to be matched to the duty required to reduce diesel consumption, noise, emissions and maintenance costs. It is believed to be the first retrospective application of this type of technology in the UK.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains said: "This is a very special day for East Midlands Trains, and one that we are pleased to share with the Secretary of State as well as our partners at Bombardier and Eversholt Rail. Through the unveiling of ‘The Carbon Cutter’ nameplate, which will sit proudly on one of our refurbished Meridians, we’re spelling out our commitment to making travelling by train even greener.

Marketing Derby Bondholder, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, are offering 2 great special rates for readers of this enewsletter.

The new look County Ground includes 1,800 new seats making 4,000 in total, improved ground access for vehicles, plenty of bar facilities, additional toilet facilities, on site car parking (£5 per car), new hospitality facilities including the ‘Best Seats in the House’ Breeze House facility and a private Executive Box.

The club is offering a special hospitality rate of £60 per person (reduced from £80) for the Derbyshire Falcons match against Worcestershire Royals which is live on SKY Sports on Wednesday 15th June. This includes, car parking, match day ticket, 4 course meal, bar facilities, exclusive outdoor viewing balcony, television and complementary magazine and scorecard.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club are also offering a discounted ticket price of just £11 on any advanced ticket purchases (reduced from the usual advanced price of £13 and the on the day price of £15) for any of the forthcoming 8 Friends Life t20. When you buy your tickets either online through derbyshireccc.com, on the phone on 01332 388 101 or in person at the County Ground when you quote the Promotion Code: powflt20. Visit www.derbyshireccc.com/flt20promo for the details of the Friends Life t20 fixtures.

If you would like to take advantage of the hospitality or T20 offer, please call 01332 388 107 or email kerry.madeley@derbyshireccc.com for more information.

Marketing Derby Bondholder, Smith of Derby has launched the world’s most exclusive Islamic prayer clock at the UAE Interiors exhibition. Representatives from Smith of Derby were visited by Royal Highness Sheikh Doctor Hazza Bin Sultan al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

The Sheikh, nephew of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi, spent several minutes at the stand, and commented on the “fabulous” design of the high end, groundbreaking timepiece, which retails at £20,000 (DH121,000).

The luxury clock has been created by the family-owned business, which has been working in the Middle East for 40 years, as a combination of art and a celebration of faith. It has integrated city and daily specific prayer time with classic design, and has been designed as a focal point for the interiors of mosques and other prestigious buildings, as well as “homes of distinction”.

Bob Betts, Managing Director of Smith of Derby, said: “Luxury developments and prestigious existing sites have no opportunity to celebrate their faith through exploring prayer time in a luxury manner. We have designed and created what is believed to be the world’s highest design and quality grand prayer clock that inspires and touches your senses and says: ‘Do you dare to be different?’.”

A country house that was home to the late Lady Hilton sold at auction for £2.4 million – more than twice the guide price. More than 400 people packed into a marquee in the grounds of Alton Manor for the sale, which auctioneer Graham Penny described as his "dream" job.

The grade 2 listed house was home to Lady Winifred Hilton for more than 50 years until her death, aged 91, last year. The house, in Idridgehay, was sold to a family who will keep it as a private home.

Andrew Hilton, the son of Lady Hilton, watched the sale of the house in which he grew up. Speaking after the auction, he said he was "relieved" it would remain a family home – which was also the wish of his mother – instead of being bought by developers.

Auctioneer Mr Penny said the sale of a house like Alton Manor, which was built in 1846, does not come around often. He said: "It's every auctioneer's dream job selling a house like Alton Manor. It's a wonderful property in a great location, and not something that comes on the market often, hardly ever."

The iD Centre is a fully serviced business facility, having 32 furnished units for high growth technology based start-ups. On Thursday 9th June, the centre will be opening its doors for a summer open day event to show the businesses of Derby what the iD Centre has to offer new and early stage businesses.

The open day will include lunch and tours of the units and facilities available in a relaxed and informal environment.

The open day is from 12pm – 2:30pm, to book your place or for more information, please call the iD Centre on 01332 258820.

• Company Name: Derbyshire County Cricket Club
• Web Address: www.derbyshireccc.com
• Tel No: 01332 388 101
• Email address: info@derbyshireccc.com
• Location: Pentagon Roundabout, Derby
• What do you do/ what is your mission statement? We are one of 18 first-class professional cricket clubs in the UK. Our aim is to be successful on the field through a mixture of bringing talent through our Academy and acquiring players from other areas. The cricket revenue is maximized through a variety of income streams including hospitality, advertising, sponsorship, membership, tickets and conference and banqueting. Conference and Banqueting has become an increasingly core area of the business since the introduction of our new permanent marquee which has put us at the forefront of the dinner/dance and weddings markets in the East Midlands.
• How many employees do you have? Approx 50.
• When did your business start? 1870.
• Why have you become a Bondholder? Having initially become a bondholder to support the rejuvenation of the City of Derby, we have renewed until the present today because we are impressed with the progress being made and with the fact that Derby is gaining more and more positive coverage as a result. Being part of a thriving and successful city can only benefit Derbyshire County Cricket Club as one of its two premier professional sporting attractions.
• What do you think of the scheme? We fully support the scheme and want to see its bondholder following increase. A dedicated body, with backing from local industry, solely with the interests of the City in general at heart, can only reap positive rewards for everybody that lives or does business in Derby.
• How do you see business shaping Derby's future? Sport and recreation is a key ingredient to a thriving and successful city. Success in sport can create a feel good factor and sense of community as well as bringing investment and footfall into the city.
• What are your favourite things about Derby? With the way that Derby fits perfectly into the current industrial climate, the city is starting to gain national recognition as a success story. With geographical location also very much in our favour, modern day Derby has the ability to attract visitors and industry from all over the UK. We should also be proud of hosting two high quality, professional sporting organizations; something not many other cities can compete with. It is very important that we maintain the originality and tradition of the City’s Cathedral Quarter as well as embracing the success story of Pride Park and the vibrancy of Westfield.