Derbyshire news in brief

Vice admiral Peter Hudson CBE has been recognised for a long and distinguished career which has seen him command international operations with both NATO and the European Union.

He will receive the Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) at a presentation later in the year.

Residents are being encouraged to get more out of books this year by taking part in Derbyshire County Council’s Adult Reading Challenge.

The challenge encourages readers aged 16 and over to read four books on different topics and jot down their thoughts about them in a leaflet.

Deputy cabinet member for health and communities Councillor Ellie Wilcox said: “Our challenge offers readers a great guide to discovering new authors and types of books they may not have considered before.

“We also want to encourage people who may not think books are for them or who may not feel very confident about reading to have a go.

“Our library staff will be on hand to help new readers get started and to suggest books for more experienced readers.”

Visit your local library for more information.

A bus firm is offering customers the chance to swap lazy Sunday mornings for a fun day out by waving all fares between 10am and 11am.

The offer will run every weekend throughout January with anyone boarding a trentbarton bus during the Freeride Sunday ‘happy hour’ not having to pay a penny for their journey.

Alex Hornby, of trentabrton, said: “Freeride Sunday is ideal for anyone who’s made a New Year resolution to get out and about more in 2015 while also providing a boost for shops and other attractions as they look to drum up business in the year ahead. The offer applies across the trentbarton network and there are plenty of things to do on a Sunday in towns and cities across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond.” It is hoped the offer will lead to fewer people using their cars.

A book about the 1984/85 miners’ strike is to go on sale.

From a Rock to a Hard Place will feature interviews with people who were directly affected by the strike.

Royalties will go to the Miners’ Welfare Fund.

The author, Beverley Trounce, is a qualified librarian and archivist whose father was a miner.

From a Rock to a Hard Place will be published next month.

Registration is now open for this year’s Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon.

The event, which will take place on Sunday, September 20, will once again support children’s charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer and other charities.

The event will include a full marathon, half marathon, fun run and a relay race, where four competitors take a share of the course. Sign up for the marathon at www.chesterfieldmarathon.co.uk

A schoolgirl was invited to tour Thorntons’ Somercotes factory after winning an Easter egg competition.

Eight-year-old Shannon Murphy designed her dream Easter egg in the shape of a hedgehog which will go on sale as part of Thorntons Easter range.

Shannon said she enjoyed touring the factory.

Artist Ruth Gray has donated one of her paintings to Amber Valley Borough Council.

The image depicts the Town Hall and Ripley Market Place. It has gone on display in the Amber Valley Town Centre Office. Ruth said: “I’m delighted that one of my paintings has been received so warmly and that members of the public will be able to enjoy it.”