Easter time is fast approaching – this year Easter Day falls on Sunday, March 31.

We have been updating our What’s On Calendar with some of the Easter focused events and services which we have coming up in our area.

See our What’s On Calendar here

And here’s just some of those family friendly events which are coming up:

Walk for Witness in Alfreton
Hosted by Alfreton Churches Together on Good Friday (March 29).
Start 10.15am at St Martin’s Church and walk to the square in front of Home Bargains for a service at 10.30am.

Easter Weekend Church Services

Maundy Thursday Service at St Thomas’ Church, Somercotes, at 7.30pm.

Good Friday Stations of the Cross Outdoors Service at St Thomas’ Church, Somercotes, at 10am.

Good Friday Service at St Martin’s Church, Alfreton, at 2pm.

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at St Thomas’ Church, Somercotes, at 7.30pm.

Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist Service at St Martin’s Church, Alfreton, at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday Holy Communion Service at St Thomas’ Church, Somercotes, at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt at 10.30am followed by 11.15am Holy Eucharist at St James’ Church, Riddings.

Alfreton New Life Church, Genesis Centre. Easter celebration with real joy and hope, for all ages. Sunday, March 31 at 10.30am.

Amber Valley RUFC Easter Party
Amber Valley RUFC, which is situated in Lower Somercotes, Alfreton, will be hosting an Easter Party on Friday, March 29 at 6.30pm.
A spokesman for the club said: “Our annual Easter party is back. Lots of fun for the kids with a disco, food and an Easter egg hunt.
“Pre book only – please message our Facebook page to book your tickets.”
The cost is £3 per child and places can be booked by going to here

Ironville Children’s Easter Party
Ironville Church Hall will be the venue for a Children’s Easter Party on Saturday, March 30 between 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
A spokesman for the event said: “Come and join us for the best Easter party, a family event not to be missed.
“So what can you ‘Eggspect’ at our Easter Party? We have Meet & Greet with a Special Easter Guest, an Easter Bonnet Parade, and every child will receive a Hot Dog, Popcorn, a Sweet Cone, and an Easter Egg
“Macs will be providing Easter Bonnet and decorations for every child to decorate.
“There will be prizes for the best three Easter Bonnets.
“Limited tickets are available. Please message us through our Facebook page to book tickets.”
For further information go to the Ironville Church Hall Facebook page here

Newton Carnival Easter Raffle

The volunteer team behind the Newton Carnival, which this year will take place on Saturday, July 13, is hosting a Easter raffle.
A spokesman for the Newton Carnival team said: “Our Annual Easter Raffle is back with lots of fabulous prizes and chocolatey treats.
“Tickets are £1. Please message the Newton Carnival Team Facebook page to get your tickets.
“The Easter Raffle will be drawn live at midday on Sunday, March 31.
“All funds go towards this years’ carnival.”

To keep up to date with the events which are hosted by the Newton Carnival Team go to here

Riddings Park Community Centre’s Easter Tot’s Party
An Easter Tot’s Party is being hosted by LM Events and Moo Moo Music at Riddings Park Community Centre.
It will take place on Saturday, March 30, between 10.30am and midday.
There will be lots of fun for all the family to enjoy including a bouncy castle, soft play, raffles prizes, a scavenger hunt and the centre’s kitchen will be open.
Cost is £5 per child and 50p per adult.
For further information call or text Louise on 07506 870766, or email bookings@riddingsparkcommunitycentre.com

St Leonard’s Church, Shirland, Easter Children

Easter Crafts and activities at St Leonard’s Church, Main Road, Shirland, on Good Friday (March 29).
Between 10.30am-12.30pm. £1 per child (refreshments included). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments on sale for adults.

National Trust Easter Events in Derbyshire and the Peak District

Taking place over the Easter bank holiday weekend (March 29 to April 1) and beyond, coinciding with local school holidays, there are more than 195 National Trust Easter trails to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Every single National Trust Easter trail is different and celebrates nature, history and beauty. Follow winding garden paths, crash along muddy woodland trails or time travel with adventures to castles and mansions.
Designed with families in mind each National Trust Easter trail features ten activity stations, showcasing the cheery signs of spring, from bursting buds, daffodils in bloom to frolicking lambs and spring birdsong.
Every trail ends with a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, made here in the UK using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus normal National Trust admission/free admission for National Trust members.

Derbyshire

Calke Abbey – 23 March until 7 April
There’s something for everyone at Calke, with a shorter, accessible trail for little legs or a longer trail for those looking for a bigger adventure. Collect your trail sheet by the Ticket Office, have a look at the maps to decide which trail to take, and set off on a quest to complete all ten activities. Follow the long trail around the parkland and test your speech skills on a chatty challenge or help the bees pollinate flowers. Have a go at unscrambling coded words and discover what animals soar around Calke on the short trail around the Stableyards and Pleasure Grounds. Revisit another day to try the orienteering trail. Whichever trail you choose, enjoy an afternoon of family fun, tick off all the challenges and collect your chocolate egg at the end.

Hardwick Hall – 29 March–14 April. 10.30am – 4.30pm
Weave between the Old Hall ruins, formal gardens and Stableyard to uncover the Easter activity stations provoking creative and thoughtful play. Inspired by the unique textile collection in the Hall and the natural world, each activity is more egg-citing than the last.
The fun doesn’t stop with the younger ones. This trail is designed to be an adventure for all ages, with pop-up textile demonstrations in the gardens and hands on activities the whole family can enjoy.
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

The Childrens’ Country House at Sudbury – 22 March to 14 April
Celebrate Easter at The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. From 22 March to 14 April, embark on a whimsical trail inspired by Lewis Carroll’s widely beloved children’s book, “Alice in Wonderland”. At £3.00 per person, follow the White Rabbit’s steps through the gardens, taking part in a mixture of games and activities along the way to receive your awaited chocolate egg. Treat yourself to an easter-themed treat in the Fairytale Forest Café, listen to a tale from our Storytellers, explore the newly opened Bedroom Corridor in the Hall and see how many Daffodils you can spot cascading across the Bluebell Wood.
You no longer need to pre-book your visit to The Children’s Country House at Sudbury, simply turn up on the day you wish to visit, and the team will welcome you on arrival.

Kedleston Hall – 29 March to 1 April
Get a spring in your step this Easter at Kedleston Hall. This spring holidays there are two self-led trails running over the Easter school holidays. The Easter egg hunt trail will be running from 29 March to 1 April. There will be ten activity stations which can be enjoyed in any order as well as in parts (little legs) or in full (up for a bigger adventure). Opportunities include messy play and artistic creativity with problem solving skills thrown into the mix! From 2 to 14 April, families can enjoy a trail to learn about the nature and conservation at Kedleston and find out how you can influence climate and wildlife at home. Both trails take place outdoors in Kedleston’s scenic backdrop of parkland and gardens.
There will be additional pop-up opportunities for families and children to enjoy, including plant pot decorating and sunflower seed planting with our Gardeners. The adventure also continues into the Hall with displays of books from our collection which focus on classic myths and legendary adventures.

Peak District

Longshaw Estate – 29 March–14 April. 9.30am – 3pm
Visit Longshaw’s Easter trail this year to explore the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District and have fun with a host of family activities. Build a giant bird nest and practice your aim to see if you can throw the hoops over the giant rabbit’s ears. Test your jumping skills and see if you can leap as far as some of Longshaw’s native animals. Get creative and find out what you can build in the loose parts area and keep your eyes peeled to spot all the ducks hidden around the pond. With ten egg-citing activity stations located around Longshaw, there is plenty to keep you and your family busy this Easter holiday. Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Ilam Park – 29 March–14 April. 10.30am – 3pm
Ilam Park will be busy with bird themed games and activities for all the family throughout the Easter holidays. Make your way along the Easter trail to find ten fun and creative bird inspired activities located around the parkland.
Build a giant bird’s nest and test your aim by throwing food into the bird’s mouth at the Giant Baby Bird Feeding Station. Stretch out your wings to measure your own wingspan and find out if you can fly further than a swallow. Go on an egg hunt with your family and try to win the egg and spoon race! With so much to see and do, there’s plenty to keep you and your family busy this Easter holiday. Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

To find your nearest National Trust Easter trail visit here

Are you hosting an Easter event – anything from an Easter Party to an easter service at your church?
Email full details to our Editor Belinda at editor@spiritof.uk or upload the full details to the Spirit of Alfreton yourself using our ‘Tell Us Your News’ facility on our website here