Latest news with #Heanor
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
I tried the takeaway that Uber Eats says is the best in Derbyshire
When a slightly chubby journalist with a knack for eating and drinking finds a way to pass off a night in with a takeaway as "work", said journalist can only rub his hands together and think: "I've made it". That was me earlier this week when I tucked into a filling meal from a Derbyshire takeaway that has gained a following through its high quality and unique offerings - so much so that it's now up for an award. As awards go, to be named by Uber Eats as one of the best restaurants in the UK is some doing, but Bouffage in Heanor has managed to fend off the 70,000+ other businesses to make the final 10 in the East Midlands category. Takeaways are a peculiar thing. I remember the rare takeaway nights growing up as a special event in my house - almost a second Christmas for a greedy little boy like me. But as I grew older, the access to platforms like Uber Eats and Just Eat, as well as takeaways seemingly opening on every corner, turned this special event into an alarmingly customary routine. READ MORE: The hidden gem Derbyshire cafe that turns into a fancy bistro once a month READ MORE: Vintage Derbyshire tea room that's 'better than Bettys' is like stepping into the past But let's not make this a diary of my poor life choices, as we could be here a while. I was surprised to see that the only Derbyshire inclusion on the list was a little takeaway in Heanor, a town that I've only visited a handful of times. I thought Derby might have an inclusion or two, maybe even somewhere in Matlock, or even Chesterfield up north. I had to order for collection as I was a little out of range, so I opted for the old-fashioned "give them a call" option, which is about as foreign to me as typewriters and record players. Before I even looked at the menu, I was sure this would be the kind of place to offer a "box meal", something I'm led to beleive is a bit of a modern necessity for takeaways like Bouffage, much like "smashed" is now the go-to style of burger for many takeaways. They offer five box meals at Bouffage: the Greek one kebab (£15.85), the tandoori king kebab (£15.85), the Greek two kebab (£15.85), the Netflix and chill box (£38.50) and the mixed grill (£38.50) - with the latter two serving two people. They also offer a wide variety of wings, loaded fries, burgers and a few desserts. So I called, and opted for the tandoori king, which included two skewers of chicken tikka, their "bouff" salad, a flatbread, peri fries, a tub of mint raita and an unknown tub of spicy red stuff. If you saw a picture of me, you'd quickly assume I'm a man who likes his food nice and plain, so the spicy red stuff didn't really get a say, although I did try it and can confirm it would be a hit among those who enjoy a kick. The construction of the wrap was the important bit and requires delicate hands, albeit with a little bit of firmness. I took out one of the sticks of chicken, added the chips, salad and raita, and tackled it like you would with any other wrap. Even after a short drive home, the wrap was still fluffy and hadn't gone soggy, the chicken was still warm and the chips were still crispy. I was particularly impressed by the flavour of the chicken, which was really pungent and dominated the wrap. They also added a few bits of what seemed to be pickled cabbage, adding a bit of zinginess to the meal, and chips were generously seasoned. Although I mentioned before that takeaways are unfortunately somewhat of a routine nowadays, I am usually well-behaved midweek, so a heavy and calorific meal like this on a Thursday night was definitely a treat. I also didn't get any indigestion or a dodgy stomach the next day, in fact, I felt pretty good, so calling it a "dirty takeaway", even though it was a little dirty - but in a good way - would be unfair. Overall, I was really impressed with the food, the service, and the overall experience at Bouffage. From easy ordering and happy staff behind the till, to the attention to detail with things like the salad and the presentation of the box, it's clear that the Heanor takeaway is no-nonsense. Would I travel from town to town, or even from Derby, to try it? Possibly not. But if I was in the area, I wouldn't think twice about paying a visit. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see another Bouffage opening somewhere like Derby sometime soon, so remember the name - and keep your eyes peeled.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rainbow bench in Heanor painted black by 'sad' vandals
A rainbow bench installed at a town in Derbyshire to encourage interaction has been painted black by Happy to Chat bench in Heanor was put in place in May 2022 as part of a scheme "to promote social connection and reduce the negative impacts of isolation", Heanor and Loscoe Town Council town clerk Andrew Sharpe said in the past few days somebody had attacked the bench and painted its bright colours said the council will now be taking steps to repair the bench, which is on the corner of Mundy Street and Ilkeston Road. Mr Sharp said: "The plaque says, on the bench, happy to chat, sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello."But obviously somebody has decided that they're not happy to chat on there."We will be repainting the bench as soon as we can. We won't let the actions of some people disturb what is a positive thing for the rest of Heanor and Loscoe."It's sad that some people just don't tolerate some things, and we will do our very best to get that back to its former glory."
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
Lee Young: Drug addict jailed for life for killing neighbour
A drug addict who staged a burglary at the flat of the friend he killed has been jailed for body of 62-year-old Shaun Harriman was found strangled in his home in Howitt Street, Heanor, Derbyshire, at about 23:55 BST on 30 September last Young, 38, also of Howitt Street, was at Derby Crown Court on Thursday handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 Judge Shaun Smith KC told Young: "What you did has had a shattering effect on all those who knew and loved Mr Harrison." A trial previously heard Young had admitted being a regular user of a variety of drugs, including crack cocaine and outside the room of Mr Harriman had shown the defendant entering the property on the night of his had used a ligature, which could not be identified, to "throttle" Mr Harrison."He didn't stand a chance," said the judge. The court heard following the killing, Young - who had 17 previous convictions for offences including robbery and possession of offensive weapons - bought drugs and later returned to Mr Harriman's property to stage a burglary and distance himself from the of sentencing, Derby Crown Court heard from relatives of Mr mother, Joy, said in a statement that "a mother should never have to live with the nightmare of her son being killed in the way Shaun was" while his eldest sister Julie Barker told the court: "I never had the chance to say goodbye and tell him how much I loved him."Mr Harrison's daughter Rebecca Holmes told the court how she had to arrange his funeral and wake just days before giving birth to the grandaughter that her dad would never Young, she said: "He was my family, my protector, my teacher, and my friend."You didn't just take a life, you imposed a life sentence on me and everyone who loved him."We will live with the pain of what you have done, that pain is our burden now."
BBC News
18-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Derbyshire school shortlisted for global award
A school in Heanor that was heavily criticised by inspectors a decade ago has been shortlisted for an international award in honour of its community Gate Spencer Academy was branded "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors in 2013 but has been rated as "outstanding" since it has earned a nomination in the Community Collaboration category of the World's Best School Prizes event, organised by educational platform T4 Education, in recognition of its work with a local foodbank, care home and boxing Matt Jones told the BBC he wanted his school to be "at the heart of the community" rather than just being about classroom lessons. Mr Jones said the school had stepped up its community involvement since the Covid pandemic."There have been a lot of people involved in the evolution of the school," he said."It's not just academic success, rising through the ranks Ofsted, but also developing community partnerships." "I think Covid brought us all together as a community."There was a lot of work to do to support families through that period. Money was tight and we had to do as much as we could to try and provide support that was more than education and our school did fantastically well."The school has teamed up with Heanor's Salcare Foodbank with pupils working to help cut the stigma for people using this have also collaborated with a local primary school to help residents in nearby care homes and children from the school regularly have boxing coaching at the Full Power Fitness 14, welcomed the school award nomination, saying: "I think it is a great opportunity for the school to be seen and noticed and it makes me proud that I am part of the school."When I was told it [the award scheme] was worldwide I was shocked that we had made it into the top ten." T4 Education founder Vikas Pota said: "It is in schools like Heanor Gate Spencer Academy where we find the innovations and expertise that give us hope for a better future. "Congratulations on becoming a finalist for the World's Best School Prizes 2025. Leaders and schools around the world have so much to learn from this inspirational Derbyshire institution."There are four other categories in the competition and the winners will be announced at the World Schools Summit in the United Arab Emirates in November.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Heanor darts shop success down to 'Luke Littler boom'
"Darts has historically been an old man's game in a smoky back room of a pub, but it's not like that anymore."That is the view of darts enthusiast Ryan Clarke - from his shop in Heanor, Derbyshire, which he opened in March, he has seen that change first hand. He attributes the massive surge in popularity in part to one man - Luke 'The Nuke' Littler - who became the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion in January, aged 17."Some days we can't comprehend how busy it has been," Mr Clarke said, "a big part of it is what Littler has done." The 2024 PDC World Darts final - where a then 16-year-old Littler lost 7-4 to Luke Humphries - saw a peak of 3.71 million people tune in to watch. This was up from 1.9 million the year surge in popularity has benefitted Mr Clarke's shop, he described the response in visitors as "absolutely unbelievable"."Personally, I think without the boom of Luke Littler, I don't know if we'd be here 100%."He added that there were "a lot of great players out there at there minute but the things that Luke's done for the sport is great." A roofer by trade, Mr Clarke has played darts for about 15 years and takes part in a local league. The 32-year-old does not drink and wanted to practice and play in an environment without alcohol. "That is part of the reason why we set this up - just for a different environment and space to be playing darts in rather than having to go to the pub and everything that goes with it."He has also seen a change in the clientele."That's the beauty of this sport," he said. "Because everybody can play on a similar sort of level if the practice is put in... it's so inclusive, I think that's why it's also taken off in the way it has."
