Everything from well dressing weekends and a five-mile Run in the National Forest to Love Parks Week activities and a Walking Festival are included in a colourful calendar launched in South Derbyshire today. (Tuesday April 1)

Dozens of events for all tastes and ages have been included in the document, which provides brief information about the events together with contact details and charging policy.

Information and contact details for some of South Derbyshire's event and visitor venues – such as Catton Hall, Greenbank Leisure Centre, Calke Abbey and the district's four libraries - are also on the fold-out document.

The idea for the Cultural Calendar came from the South Derbyshire Local Strategic Partnership's Lifelong Learning and Culture theme group.

Stuart Batchelor, a member of the group and Head of Leisure and Development Services at South Derbyshire District Council, said: "The group wanted to show people just how much does happen in South Derbyshire and to encourage them to go along to some of the events.

"The calendar has also been designed as a practical document with spaces for people to write in events and appointments of their own."

Eight thousand copies of the Cultural Calendar – produced by the South Derbyshire Local Strategic Partnership and paid for by the LSP and South Derbyshire District Council – have been printed. They are being distributed to visitor attractions, hotels and public buildings throughout the District.

The calendar was officially launched at Sharpe's Pottery in Swadlincote today (Tuesday April 1) by Chair of the LSP Councillor Heather Wheeler and Chair of the Lifelong Learning and Culture Group Julie Batten.

Members of South Derbyshire Road Runners also attended – their Run in the National Forest, a five mile open race at Rosliston Forestry Centre – is included in the calendar for this month. (April 08)

Heather Wheeler said: "We want to share all the great things going on in South Derbyshire. We all know that visitor numbers to the district are growing and when you see the calendar it perhaps explains one of the reasons why."

An electronic version of the calendar, which covers the period from April 1 2008 to March 31 2009, can be viewed on South Derbyshire District Council’s website www.south-derbys.gov.uk and copies can be obtained at a range of South Derbyshire venues including the tourist information centre in Swadlincote, Rosliston Forestry Centre and the libraries in Etwall, Melbourne, Swadlincote and Woodville.

(Click the thumbnail images below to see a larger version for viewing on screen.)