Happy New Year!

For fabulousplaces.co.uk, 2009 has been wonderful…great events, 1st birthday celebration, lots of fabulous new places and producers, the launch of FP Nottinghamshire and much more.  In good old fashioned end of year style…here’s a summary:

The first event…Showcase at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
22nd January 2009
The first event I arranged through fabulousplaces.co.uk was a small and perfectly formed 2 hour event held at the gorgeous Shottle Hall Country House Hotel.  For me, the event was a trial to see how a Fab Places event would be received. The event was a great success…a goody bag for each guest and a drink on arrival.  The event was supported by some great companies including Belvoir Fruit Farms, Dorset Cereals, Weleda and Teapigs. It definitely showed me that there was space for ‘fabulous’ events in Derbyshire!

fabulousplaces.co.uk celebrates its first Birthday!
July 5th 2009
I decided to celebrate the website’s first birthday in style and invite all the wonderful fabulous place owners and producers for an evening at Blackbrook House.  With amazing food and drinks, it was the perfect way to say thank you to them for being part of the website.

The Summer Fete
Sunday 26th July 2009, Blackbrook House
The Summer Fete was a huge success and exceeded all my expectations. With approximately 5,000 visitors throughout the day the event couldn’t have gone any better.  With over 30 fabulous places and producers selling their wares, tombola, raffle, bbq, games and much more…the event was a special day for all the family.

fabulousplaces.co.uk launches in Nottinghamshire!
October 2009
Up until the age of 21 I grew up in Nottingham, so it seemed a natural progression to take the website there and with the fabulous Lucy, who has come onboard to help with the Nottingham site, we are delighted with the selection of fabulous places and producers we have found for you.  Click here to take a look…I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Christmas Market
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November 2009, Blackbrook House
This was my favourite event…over 34 fabulous places and producers selling festive goodies for all the family, face painting, lucky dips, festive music, wine tasting, food market, craft corner, tombola and much more.  The Market was a festive treat for all the family and something I can’t wait to organise again.

The fabulousplaces.co.uk Derbyshire Card
November 2009
I had always thought that Derbyshire was missing a card which supports shopping with local independent shops, cafes and producers and after much consideration I decided to launch one through fabulousplaces.co.uk.  The Derbyshire Card costs £10 and offers you special offers and discounts with many of the places and producers featured on the site.  With each Card there is a free Derbyshire shopper bag.  To buy your card please click here, alternatively click here to buy a Derbyshire shopper bag for just £3.50 (inc p&p).

So what’s next?
Well, 2010 is going to be a very exciting year for fabulousplaces.co.uk!  I’m working away to bring you the fabulousplaces.co.uk online shop, there will be more fabulous events throughout the year and, of course, lots more fabulous places and producers for you to enjoy!  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments or suggestions.

Thank you all so much for supporting fabulousplaces.co.uk…I’m delighted that you find it useful and thrilled to show you how many fabulous places and producers there are around the county.  I am so very proud of my little website…a Sunday morning idea over coffee turned into my new life!

I hope you enjoy using the website as much as I do working on it.

Debs