Special service celebrates holiday centre’s landmark anniversary

A special service has taken place at Derby Cathedral to celebrate 135 years of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.

Seagulls and deck chairs formed part of the joyful service celebrating the charity, which provides seaside breaks at its Skegness centre for children from around the county who might not otherwise get a holiday.

Founded in 1891 and affectionately known as “Skeggy home”, the charity gives holidays to children who are nominated to go by their school if it is felt they would benefit from a break.

They may come from families facing financial challenges or be experiencing other tough times in their lives including bereavement or caring for relatives.

Derby Cathedral was packed with civic dignitaries from across the county along with previous guests of the centre – some in their 80s – who rubbed shoulders with children who attended just weeks ago.

After being welcomed by Mike Copestake, chair of the charity’s trustees, the congregation enjoyed a whistlestop tour covering 135 years of memories of seaside fun with performances from a range of local groups and schools including Firs Primary, Derby Theatre’s CANVAS group and St Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy Dance Group, along with a staged question and answer chat with former guests Michelle Breffitt and Nicole Pirie.

They even got to ‘meet’ the charity’s original founder, Harry Bates Sykes, who first took children from Derby’s West End to Skegness and was brought to life by the talents of performer Dylan Bull.

Janine Holmes, chief executive of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, said: “We were delighted that so many people were able to join us as we celebrated an incredible 135 years of our charity.

“I’m so grateful to our principal event partners Vaillant, Cosy and L.E.A.D. IT Services, along with Derby Theatre, CANVAS and Derby Cathedral – without whose support we wouldn’t have been able to provide this wonderful event.

“I’d like to thank everyone who made the service possible and who helped us properly mark the occasion by coming along.

“We are so proud that we are still providing holidays after all this time and we will continue to put smiles on the faces of Derbyshire children for many more years to come.”