About Us!
Our Purpose
At Derby Heritage, we firmly believe that history is a shared legacy, a treasury of stories, events, and individuals who have shaped our city and our world. That's why we've committed to making this invaluable resource freely available to anyone, whether you're an individual with a thirst for knowledge, a teacher looking for educational materials, or an organisation seeking to enrich your projects with historical insights.
What We Offer
Detailed Histories: Dive into the annals of Derby's past with meticulously researched and well-documented historical accounts, from the city's early days to its modern achievements.
Stories and Anecdotes: Discover the captivating stories, characters, and events that have left their mark on Derby throughout the ages.
Educational Resources: We provide a wealth of educational materials for teachers, students, and researchers, making it easier than ever to explore and learn from the past.
Open Access: Derby Heritage is a free and open platform. All our content is available for you to use, share, and enjoy. We encourage educators, writers, and organizations to make use of this wealth of information.
No Comments or Community Forum: Our focus is on providing historical information rather than facilitating community discussions or comments.
Our Commitment
Derby Heritage is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Derby, promoting education, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the remarkable heritage that surrounds us. We believe that history should be freely accessible to all, without barriers.
Join us in celebrating the rich history of Derby, and together, we can continue to uncover the stories that make this city truly special.
You might have noticed that I frequently use the terms "we" and "our" throughout this website. In reality, this site is the work of a single individual. However, it is a collective endeavour, a space for everyone. This isn't a site about me or my work; it is a site about Derby's Heritage. It's intended for anyone with an interest in or curiosity about history, for all Derby residents looking to gain insight into their heritage, and for anyone with ties to this place, whether through family, ancestors, friends, or business. This is our shared heritage, and this site is dedicated to all of us.
The Statue
In my initial attempts, I tried depicting the boy in more contemporary clothing, but it seemed as if the boy was stealing the ram rather than harmoniously riding it. I also experimented with incorporating colours into the design, but it didn't quite meet my artistic vision.
To better represent a tribute to the original statue, I tried placing the boy in modern attire walking alongside the ram. This time I played around with British Colours. This concept worked visually, but it still didn't fully capture the essence of paying homage to the original statue.
I tried various approaches, one of which involved dressing the boy in a Derby County shirt and keeping the colours black and white to represent the team's iconic colours. Additionally, I incorporated British colours into the design. While this combination appeared appealing, I felt that there was still something lacking.
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The breakthrough came when I decided to transform the artwork into something resembling an actual statue, using a gold finish. I then had the idea of dressing the boy in a Derby County football shirt separate to the gold, with a nod to the original concept by keeping him riding the ram and having him barefoot. This combination finally struck the right balance and encapsulated the desired tribute.
However, I also considered practicality. Since football clubs often change sponsors, I wanted to avoid constantly updating the artwork. Therefore, I created an alternate version with a plain Derby County shirt, devoid of any sponsor logos. I also made some minor adjustments to the ram, giving it a unique touch. The result was the golden statue of the boy on the ram, symbolising a modern tribute to the original "Boy and Ram" statue, while also allowing for a timeless representation of Derby County football.
Subsequently, I applied this design to the blog, which had a black backdrop, and found that it appeared somewhat vacant. To address this, I introduced the British flag, aiming for it to resemble artwork as well. I adjusted its opacity to achieve the desired effect, and I'm content with the final outcome.
You're welcome to use any of the artwork featured here. This is a free site for all of you. I do not do this for any money or recognition.
Also the banner (which will be displayed at the top of every blog post) acts as a back button which will return you to the main page.