Derbyshire: Council magazine is out now

Derbyshire Gold is produced by Derbyshire County Council and the new 2014 edition is now arriving in libraries and county, district and borough council offices across the county.

The 40-page, free magazine is packed full of features, interviews, advice, tips and competitions, and is a must read for the county’s 175,000 Gold Card Holders.

Here’s a taste of what’s inside the latest issue:

* Cycling fever to hit Derbyshire as the county gears up to welcome the famous Tour de France

* Interviews with people who have chosen to keep on working after retirement age

* What it’s really like to be a foster carer or a school governor – people tell Derbyshire Gold of their experiences

* How budget cuts to local authorities will affect the county council’s adult social care services

* A look at the Trusted Trader scheme which helps people find reputable traders – as it celebrates its fifth birthday

* The opportunities and benefits of being online for older people and how to get started.

There’s also a chance to win:

* A 16-piece Denby dinner set

* A two-night break in a Lake District hotel

* Tickets to a number of top shows coming to the county.

Derbyshire County Council leader Councillor Anne Western said: “This is the 17th edition of Derbyshire Gold magazine and as always it’s full of great features, useful advice and the chance to win some great prizes.

“It’s a good read, but more importantly there’s dozens of ideas to help save people money in these tough economic times including making the most of Gold Card discounts, borrowing from libraries rather than buying and making sure people are getting all the welfare benefits they’re entitled to.

“I’d really encourage all Gold Card holders to go and pick up their free copy.”

As well as picking up a copy, people can also read Derbyshire Gold online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/goldcard or ring Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 and ask for a copy to be sent to them.

Derbyshire Gold is part of the Gold Card scheme, a partnership between the county, district and borough councils and Derby City Council.

Gold Cards are exclusively for Derbyshire residents and the qualifying age for men and women is in line with the women’s state pension age.

People can check when they are eligible for a Gold Card by visiting www.derbyshire.gov.uk/goldcard

Gold Cards are also issued to people who have certain disabilities.

All Gold Card holders benefit from free England-wide bus travel after 9.30am on weekdays up to 11pm and at any time at weekends and bank holidays.

Gold Card can also be used to get discounts at more than 1,000 shops and services across the county, and can be used as a library card too.