LATEST NEWS - Derek Marks TV Presenter

Published on: April 27, 2013

Gorgeous Skipton

Hi All,
Hope you're having a great weekend. Just about managed to squeeze a quick trip in to Bolton Abbey - it's near Skipton in North Yorkshire. The whole estate is fantastic to walk around - but a real highlight at this time of the year is the walk between The Strid and The Cavendish Pavillion. They have loads of events going on through the year - and it's well worth a visit to get some fresh air. The web address is http://www.boltonabbey.com/ . Have a little look - and make sure that afterwards you sample my recommendation of the best Fish and Chips in the UK at Bizzie's in nearby Skipton. Has to be done. Right - packing again to go back down to London for TJC. Looks like I have some nice trips and news with TJC and The Holiday and Cruise Channel to come.
Hope you all have a great week.
Derek :)

Published on: April 17, 2013

WANTED: MISSING VOICE!! (UPDATE FRIDAY 19th - it's back!)

REPORTING FROM SICK BED - CHORLEY, LANCASHIRE :)
Hi All,
Well, what can I say?? Not a lot, it would seem as my voice seems to have all but vanished!
A couple of my colleagues have had such things recently, and it seems it's my turn. I just about croaked my way through my TJC shift on Monday evening (minus the "oh yeah, wah wah wah wah" singing for The Deal of the Day) before I bowed out and lost most of what was left of my voice. Thanks to the lovely team at TJC who looked after me, and have filled in around me as I sit at home under forced silence to try and recover.
Thanks for all of the lovely messages of concern - I'm absolutely fine (other than the being quiet bit) and taking up some of your ideas for remedies. I'm gargling, dosing and inhaling everything under the sun to try and fix it ASAP.

In the meantime, I'm catching up on a lot of messages and bits that I haven't had time to do for ages (in between sleeping almost as much as Jacob, my cat at the moment). Again, thanks for lovely e-mails, Facebook and twitter messages. Much appreciated and I hope to be fighting fit again for next week.

Derek :)

Published on: April 4, 2013

Spring in Lancashire - maybe?

Could this be the early signs of Spring in April? Well, if the sun shines in Lancashire it has to be a good sign. Hope everyone's keeping warm. Still feels like it's a good time to book a holiday. Where to though? any ideas or plans yourselves?
Derek :)

Published on: March 24, 2013

You get my drift? :)

When's Spring then? Just had a day in Skipton, North Yorkshire - jumping through snow drifts, like you do. Happy Spring Everyone :)

Published on: March 22, 2013

If you were interviewing me?......

what would you ask? I'm going to put an interview section on my site - but I need some questions. So, get yours in now - it's a limited time offer :) ps - I'm the editor so only the worthy will make it :) Name * First Last Email * Comment * Submit

Published on: February 27, 2013

Come and see more from Portugal .......

Some more pics from Sintra, including the palaces

Published on: February 26, 2013

Come and see Lisbon

Hi All,
Just one or two of my snaps from Lisbon so far. What an amazing (and hilly) city with so much to do. I'll report back when I get home - have so much to tell you!
Derek :)

Published on: February 23, 2013

HOLIDAY

Hi all,
Time for a wee break for the little one after a busy new year so far. Am off to Lisbon in Portugal for a city break. Thanks for all the suggestions of where to visit on the trip from your memories. Looks like the beaches, the aquarium and the trams and trains are highlights. Started this trip in the lounge at Manchester Airport. Decided to go for it when booking the parking (late last night, organised as ever). It is funny - like a hospital ward with chairs rather than beds (very nice, but lacking the atmosphere of watching people squabbling at the airport (you know I'm a nosy people watcher). I'd love a job in here in the lounge on 'the desk'. Two smart ladies, sitting at computers looking very important - it's all very theatrical. Airports are very funny, aren't they :)

Right, off to learn a few Portugese phrases (another language to try and master the basics of ha ha). No doubt, first genius stroke when arriving will be saying goodbye to a taxi driver in Spanish ;)

Will be back at TJC on Tuesday 5th March at 6pm. Lots of news coming soon for my shows there.

I'll post one or two pics while I'm away. See you soon :)

Published on: February 5, 2013

Cowpig! - back in the news :)

Fantastic to receive a parcel from a viewer in Bournemouth who saw that the cowpig (see videos section) is out there in the form of a torch. Again, a cow's body and a piggy's nose. Genius - I love it. I'm still badgering TJC's buyers to get more of the charm that started the craze. Watch this space. Derek x

Published on: January 30, 2013

January - a busy month in the diary

Hi all - and welcome to a little round-up of January on planet Derky. It's been a busy one too. First up, I hope you and yours had a fantastic Christmas and New Year Celebrations. It all went a bit quickly for my liking - but I hope you all enjoyed a good break. I was working to and from a visit to catch up with the family in Kent, which was fantastic. Great to switch off, and see what everyone has been up to. My Christmas Day proper at home, with presents and all was on the 30th of December - hopping straight from Christmas to New Year in 24 hours was a little odd, but all good nevertheless. Then, along comes January - a mammoth month of cold and snow - and one or two adventures, including Venice. It was the start of a mammoth week that started off in the 'millionaire's row' of the South Coast, down in Poole to film a new series of 'The Showcase' for The Holiday and Cruise Channel. TDN Management put on a mammoth showcase of performers for the night - and I'm excited to see the show when it is edited together later this year. The following day, I hot-footed it off to Gatwick Airport for a brief 24 hours in Venice, for the Vicenza Jewellery Fair for The Jewellery Channel, watching our buyers negotiating some great deals for the upcoming season. Back home, via a shift to The Jewellery Channel to a snowy Chorley. Great to meet so many people at the Liverpool Cruise Club Cruise Fairs too. I have learnt so much about cruise holidays and why they are so appealing from many people telling me their adventures. If you've ever been on a cruise - what did you love, what would you recommend. I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an e-mail at derek@derekmarks.co.uk . Well, two more days of January left, I'm spending the 30th in the company of Jewellery designer Rachel Galley www.rachelgalleydesign.com as we have a TJC show - and on the 31st meeting a brand new UK based designer - Sari Jules. Let's see what February brings - oohhhh yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhh. Talk Soon :)