Special events to mark holiday centre’s landmark anniversary

Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is set to mark a milestone birthday this year with two special events.

The charity will celebrate its 135th anniversary with a unique service at Derby Cathedral and a luxury afternoon tea party in the grounds of Repton School.

The charity has been providing holidays at its Skegness centre for disadvantaged children since 1891.

To celebrate, it is hosting a service at Derby Cathedral on 13 June, which will feature puppetry, music, drama and plenty of memories.

Two weeks later, on 28 June, the charity is hosting afternoon tea in the grounds of Repton School, which will feature entertainment and more stories of the centre from over the decades, plus a fundraising auction and the opportunity to network over a glass of prosecco.

The cathedral service is being staged in collaboration with Derby Theatre, and the charity is inviting as many former centre guests as possible to come and share their memories.

The service will be a part-dramatised event, bringing to life the voices and memories of children who have visited and enjoyed a fun-packed week by the sea over the course of over a century.

The service will also feature a specially made video featuring interviews with past guests of the centre who will share their happiest memories of their Skegness holiday and the impact that just one week away has had on their life.

Janine Holmes, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Since 1891 our charity has been providing seaside holidays for children who really need them.

“There are thousands of young people who have walked through our doors during that time, creating generations of memories that make up our charity’s history.

“At both our special birthday events we hope to tell the stories of many past guests of our centre, celebrating their happy time with us and telling others how important our charity is in 2026 and beyond.

“It would be great if former guests at our centre who came when they were children could get in touch so we can celebrate the great stories they have to tell.

“The celebration at Derby Cathedral will be a community-focused celebration of 135 years of our charity brought to life in a creative, vivid way.

“We are delighted also to be hosting a birthday tea party in the grounds of Repton School.

“We hope that the business community will get behind both our celebration events. In doing so, they will support us in our fundamental mission: putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of children.”

Former holiday centre guests are invited to contact Janine at CEO@dchc.org.uk.