Melbourne Village Voice November 2020 by Village Voice

FEEDING CHILDREN IN NEED

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No. 336 November 2020

by LUCY STEPHENS

KIND-HEARTED organisations in Melbourne and Aston-on-Trent rallied round to offer meals and money for children’s food after the majority of MPs voted not to extend Free School Meals over the October half-term. Local bodies offering help included Melbourne Methodist Church, Tori & Ben’s Farm Shop and The Village Shop in Aston-on-Trent. The Free School Meals scheme was extended to include food vouchers in the summer holidays this year after a campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford. But MPs voted against providing the same thing in the most recent October half-term. Congregation members at Melbourne Methodist Church offered a £10 Sainsbury’s food voucher to any families who needed help, regardless of whether or not they received free school meals. Parents were given a number to call in confidence. Rev Sally Ratcliffe said congregation members had overwhelmingly supported the scheme, born out of a sense of “frustration” at the Government’s decision. The offer had seen some take-up over half term, she said. “It was an idea that came out of a prayer meeting at church,” she said. “We made an appeal to our members that we needed money to enable a £10 voucher from Sainsbury’s to give to any family. We had an overwhelming response and we have some money

that we hope to use over Christmas. “We’re very keen to support anybody who finds themselves in difficulty.” Tori & Ben’s Farm Shop offered to donate a hot meal to any children over half-term lunch times. Owner Tori Stanley said: “For us as farmers and parents, fresh food is the foundation of children’s growth and development. In the society we live in, under any challenges we face should children from any background be deprived of this basic need? Children are our future. It’s our duty to feed them. This is why it’s vital to support British farmers so we have complete food security as a nation.” Aston Village Shop also offered to provide free children’s packed lunches over half-term. Owner Steve Clennell said: “Somebody came into the shop wanting to give some money to give some lunches for children who normally would get the free lunches.” He said there had been donations of cash, and meat from a local farmer. South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler, who voted against offering money for free school meals in half-term, thanked local organisations for their “kind generosity” in offering food for children. However, she said that the suggestion by Opposition MPs that the Conservative party were depriving children of food was “unjust and untrue”. Mrs Wheeler said she had not voted to take free school meals away from children, but that the Government had given an “unprecedented amount of support to families” and had extended free school meals to pupils during the pandemic. n See Page 8 for Mrs Wheeler’s statement in full.

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Two-minute flights silence It’s a thumbs-up from Tori Taylor, who has walked hundreds of miles over the last two months. Find out why on Page 4.

SILENCE is set to reign over local skies at 11am on November 11 after East Midlands Airport agreed to suspend flights for two minutes. Melbourne Parish Council had asked airport community engagement manager Colleen Hempson at a meeting on October 6 whether a two-minute suspension of flights could be considered on Remembrance Day. The hour of 11am on November 11 is the time at which the silence is tradi-

tionally held to mark the moment when the guns finally fell silent in the First World War. But in local villages such as Melbourne, the solemnity of the moment can be interrupted by the sound of flights. Colleen responded to councillors after the meeting to say that the airport had agreed to the request. The air traffic control manager is organising things so that there will be no departures or arrivals

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between 11am and 11.02, and that there will be no overflights within the airport’s control zone during the same period. The only exception will be if there is an air ambulance departing on a code Alpha flight. Nigel Collyer, the parish councillor who had first suggested that the airport could be asked to suspend flights, said: “On a personal level, I thought it was a very good gesture from the airport to offer to do that.”

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Painting a brighter picture

LOCAL support and the craze for DIY and homeware has led to one business expanding during the coronavirus pandemic. Studio Home & Interiors has now moved into significantly bigger premises on Williams Yard in Melbourne. The owners credit their expansion to the upturn in business brought on by so many people spending time at home, along with a greater emphasis on shopping local. Mum and daughter owners Elaine Garratt and Sarah Hill have found their painting furniture offer was so successful when the UK locked down that they no longer had room in their old shop on William’s Yard, which they originally took on in June 2019. They have now moved two doors down to a shop of twice the size, formerly occupied by La Vie en Rose. Elaine said: “We put a lot of time and effort into improving the shop and gaining recognition for our furniture and as a result, even with a three-month lockdown, have managed to increase turnover and painting commissions to the extent that we have now moved into a bigger shop, still at William’s Yard. It’s a huge achievement for us and due largely to the support of the local community and regular customers.” Along with selling homeware, the business will also paint furniture that either Elaine and Sarah have sourced themselves or customers have brought in. The new larger shop will enable more

l Sarah Hill (left) and mum Elaine Garratt outside Studio Home & Interiors.

space for items of furniture to be painted in the back. “People have been spending a long time at home,” said Sarah. “They are putting money into their surroundings. We have had a lot of people in the community painting and bringing things to me.” Sarah’s mum, Elaine, added: “Rather than throw old stuff away, people would rather keep it and have it painted.” The shop also stocks paint made by Annie Sloan after learning her styles and

techniques last year, and that too has proved very popular amongst newly fledged DIY enthusiasts. Sarah and Elaine have even been delivering it to people’s houses. They are also delighted with the local support they have received in their shop. “People have been coming in and saying that they want to keep the shops open,” said Sarah. “Though Covid has been so difficult, the one main benefit of it is how people have come together.”

Village given council houses booster

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FIVE more affordable homes have been made available to those looking for council housing in Aston-on-Trent. Council homes have become much rarer over recent decades after more and more were bought up privately under the right-to-buy scheme launched in 1980. South Derbyshire District Council has said it is one of the few local authorities in the country to be acquiring new council housing stock at the present time. The five new homes in Aston have now been finished and will be handed over to the district council’s housing register. The homes are on the Moor Lane development, on which seven properties were acquired by the district council in December 2019, as reported in the Village Voice at the time. The homes were bought from developers Cameron Homes. The latest five properties to be handed over include a twobedroom bungalow which has

l Outside the homes in Aston-on-Trent are (l-r) Dipen Vanmali (Pick Everard), Lewis Brazier (Cameron Homes), Jeremy Goodwin (Cameron Homes site manager), and Eileen Jackson (South Derbyshire District Council).

been adapted to include a levelaccess shower for disabled tenants. Other properties are three two-bed houses and one threebed. The council said its strategic housing team was now working on other projects to deliver additional homes to meet its housing needs.

LOOS TO REMAIN OPEN

ANYONE caught short in Melbourne will still be able to avail themselves of Melbourne’s new public toilets during this month’s lockdown. Melbourne parish councillors agreed at their latest meeting on November 3 that the public toilets should remain open throughout the lockdown period. The new loos were donated to the town by John Wall and Alexander Bruce Estates, which built them, and were officially opened over the summer.

Councillor Daniel Pegg, chairman of South Derbyshire District Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee, said: “The council has a firm commitment to making available affordable homes, rehousing people living in unacceptable conditions and enabling people who cannot afford to access the housing market to remain within their communities. Around Aston housing is particularly expensive and so creating these rental opportunities here will, I’m sure, be wellreceived.” The Village Voice reported earlier this year that 80 per cent of homes formerly owned by the council in Aston have been bought by their tenants under the right-to-buy scheme.

£260k Xmas gift for Assembly Rooms

MELBOURNE Assembly Rooms (MARs) has been handed an early Christmas present with the news it will receive over a quarter of a million pounds to pay for repairs and building work. More than £260,000 is being allocated by South Derbyshire District Council, plus the offer of a new 30-year lease. The community building’s current lease expires in April 2023, and a new one would start the following month. The money will pay to repair and replace the building’s windows, put new windows in the main hall, repair the bell tower, add new external lighting, demolish outbuildings and do drainage work in the car park. The district council had identified capital funding of around £2-3million available for projects in the area, and a panel sat in the summer to decide where it should be allocated. The refurbishment of the Assembly Rooms was one of the winning projects. South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) deputy leader, and Melbourne ward representative Cllr Martin Fitzpatrick said: “There has been a strong relationship between SDDC and the MARs organisation for several years now and I personally have been working with members of the MARs board on various issues of fund raising or site improvements for over a year now. “This has culminated in a recent approval at SDDC for a capital expenditure of over £260,000 towards significant repairs and improvements to the MARs building over the coming two years. “This substantial investment into Melbourne and the MARs building is on top of the current roof improvements and repairs that will already make a considerable difference. This new schedule of works will ensure that the building can continue to act as a great community venue for Melbourne residents.” He added: “SDDC has great faith in the board at MARs and that is why we are in the process of preparing a new long lease for the organisation which should be the springboard for MARs to access larger funding organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund. “In forging a new long-term relationship both SDDC and MARs are showing true commitment to the community, and in these difficult times we believe this shows just how important it is that we must work in partnership to achieve the very best out-

Village Voice November 2020 3

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l Looking at the plans are Councillor Martin Fitzpatrick (left) and Andy Heafield.

comes.” MARs chair Jane Carroll said: “This is a great early Christmas present for MARs and the community; it is a reward for all the hard work put in by the current and former members of the board as well as our development manager, Andy Heafield.” MARs treasurer Blase Lambert said: “This is a significant outlay from the SDDC which we can use as a springboard to further develop the organisation as we seek to safeguard our future. When we have se-

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cured a long-term lease, we will look at what further funding options are available to us to continue to invest in our community venue.” MARs secretary Margaret Gildea said: “SDDC’s very significant investment in our building is great news for Melbourne and is a tribute to everybody who has supported us over the years in becoming a hub for so many village activities. We really appreciate it.” – Lucy Stephens

Remembrance Day limited ceremony

A VERY small ceremony was due to take place on Sunday, November 8, to mark Remembrance Day this year, and an equally low-key event is to take place on the 11th. The Royal British Legion took advice from the Government which confirmed that a limited ceremony to mark Remembrance Day could still take place despite lockdown. But there was no parade and Melbourne Parish Council, which normally holds the event, asked the public instead to mark the occasion on their doorsteps, in line with national guidance this year. The parish council held a special meeting during October to discuss the plans for Remembrance Day. At the time, Melbourne was still under tier one restrictions but since then was placed under tier two before the national lockdown started on November 5.

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Tori’s boots are just made for walking

4 Village Voice November 2020

TORI TAYLOR has walked hundreds of miles over the last two months, grappling with everything from steep cliffs to coastal gales, while carrying a 20kg backpack. LUCY STEPHENS finds out why.

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LIFE has been turned upside down for all of us in 2020, including Tori Taylor. When the former mortgage advisor from Ticknall discovered she could not go off to Panama in the Spring to learn Spanish and do some voluntary work, she set her mind to completing a different type of challenge instead. Since September 3, Tori has been trekking around one of the UK’s most beautiful coastlines, completing the entire 630-mile South West Coastal Path. So gruelling is the challenge that it is said to be the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level four times over! Tori has been walking the route, carrying all her gear including cooking pots and a tent in a 20kg pack. It has seen her feet covered in painful blisters, aching limbs from carrying a tent on her back while walking 10 to 20 miles a day, up and down steep cliffs, but she still says it is the best experience of her life. Tori aims to finish the walk this month and has been walking for two causes very close to her heart. The first is CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a mental health charity working to prevent suicide and to work with those who have lost a loved one to suicide, which is currently particularly focused on men’s mental health. The charity is important to Tori, who has struggled with her own mental health in the past and lost a close male friend to suicide last year. The second charity is The Padley Group in Derby, which provides services to people suffering from deprivation, mental health problems and homelessness. So far, Tori has raised nearly £5,000 from her epic trek. She explained that after her friend’s death, she had lost her enthusiasm for her job so handed in her notice with the aim of volunteering in Panama back in April – “to have a bit of a re-set,” as she put it. But when the pandemic scuppered that plan, Tori’s attention turned towards a fresh challenge closer to home. “It just felt really right,” she said. “Now, more than ever, people understand that mental health is so important. Everybody has been touched this year by it. People have struggled with their mental health. “CALM is trying to break down the stigma of men’s mental health. As for the Padley Centre, homeless people are one of the demographics who are hit really hard. Those two charities really resonated with me.” Tori said she realised within days of setting off on her challenge from Minehead why it was renowned as being one of the toughest walks a person could do. Not only is it the longest continuous path in the

UK, it involves numerous steep cliffs, and one particular section has the walker trekking across 10 valleys within just 15 miles. But along the way Tori says she has met with enormous kindness from many people. She has been sleeping in her tent for the majority of nights, punctuated by rest days in B&Bs every seven days or so, but many people have allowed her to pitch up in their gardens so that she is not completely alone in the wilderness – although she has had some nights in the middle of nowhere, too. “The people I’ve met and the experiences have just been insane,” said Tori, adding that a previous trip to the Mount Everest base camp was less arduous than trekking the South West Coastal Path while carrying a heavy back pack. “I’ve found myself at the top of cliffs, doing a 360-degree take, and thinking how lucky I am to be able to do this. It’s absolutely breath-taking. It’s probably the best experience of my life to do, and I’ve done a lot of travelling. “There have been days when I have struggled massively, and other days when I have cried with happiness at what I am seeing. In that sense, it’s life changing for me really. It’s also restored my faith in humanity in this current situation, whether it’s somebody having a little chat to me at the side of the road, or somebody who rescued me in a storm one day.” Anyone who would like to donate to Tori’s fundraising can do so here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/VictoriaTaylor60

UNUSUAL conditions attached to a housing development mean that buyers with a “strong connection” to the parish can buy one at a substantial discount. Alexander Bruce Estates is to build the courtyard scheme of five new homes in Wilson, on part of the former Breedon golf course. The Kings Newton based developer agreed with the local planning authority that three of the homes should be offered to local residents who may not ordinarily meet the cost of a new home. The idea is to help local people who either live

in Breedon and would like to stay for work; those who have previously lived in the parish but cannot afford to stay there, or because they need to live near relatives who need support, or they are key workers. Anyone who meets the criteria will be able to buy one of the homes at 65 per cent of their value. The conditions of the property are that when the owner is ready to sell it, it is then sold for 65 per cent of its market value in perpetuity, whatever that may be at the time.

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Soccer kids tackle the problem of litter

COVID restrictions have meant clubs and organisations across the UK have had to come up with different ways of raising funds this year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Melbourne Dynamo Football Club is no different. That is why the junior section of the football club took to picking up litter this Autumn. Conor Raynor, head of the fund-raising committee, came up with the idea of a sponsored litter pick that took place earlier this year. A fund-raising page was set up where people could donate before the litter pick. The club managed to raise ÂŁ1,720 after filling more than 50 bags of litter from all over Melbourne. Nearly every one of the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 17 junior sides were represented in a fund-raiser that had the added advantage of making Melbourne look much cleaner too! Readers are asked to keep their eyes peeled for the next fund-raising event in December: a Melbourne Dynamo Football Club Christmas Santa Trail. Pictured are Leo from the Dynamo U9 Thunder team with dad Iain Robertson.

No Stamp & Deliver this Christmas

A POPULAR charity Christmas card delivery scheme has stopped after 38 years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Derbyshire Scouts Stamp & Deliver scheme has previously run every year, raising thousands of pounds for local charities as well as the Scouts. But it has now been stopped due to the fact that social distancing could not be accommodated in the schemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sorting offices. Over nearly four decades of operation, Stamp & Deliver has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for scouting groups, as well as ÂŁ145,000 for other charities. It involves people posting Christmas cards in their local area via one of the Scoutsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; yellow boxes, using a stamp bought in any one of more than 200 local outlets. The cards were then collected, sorted and delivered by local Scout groups, who received a proportion of the stampâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sale. But the scheme required large groups of people gathering together to sort out the mail. Former Stamp & Deliver chairman Mark Simpson said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could have up to 50 people in a room (sorting the cards). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a huge amount of cards in such a short period of time.â&#x20AC;? Last year, there were just under 200,000 cards needing to be delivered. Over the years, many local charities have benefited from Stamp & Deliver, including Me & Dee, Friends of Derby Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, Derby Mind, the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Air Ambulance, Derbyshire

Blood Bikes and East Midlands Riding School for the Disabled. Scheme organisers said on social media: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have some sad news from the Stamp and Deliver committee. Sadly Covid-19 prevents us from running our postal scheme safely in 2020 so after 38 years we have decided to close it. We do not expect to run it again. We are very proud of the ÂŁ145,000 raised over the years for external charities and thank everyone who has supported us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For those who purchased stamps in anticipation of using them this year we are offering a limited buy back. Please see the website for further details.â&#x20AC;? For more, see www.stampanddeliver.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lucy Stephens

Village Voice November 2020 5

There she blows!

AN impressively high water fountain shot up into the sky above Melbourne when a water main burst. The burst happened near the windmill above Staunton Harold Reservoir on Friday, October 23. A spokesperson for Severn Trent Water said the burst had been caused by â&#x20AC;&#x153;third party damageâ&#x20AC;? to one of our pipes which created an unexpected, but quite impressive, water feature for a short period. They said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The really good news is that no one was affected by the burst and we were able to switch the pipe off and get it all fixed without anyone noticing any change to their supply.â&#x20AC;?

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WORK to re-develop Lothian Gardens playground in Melbourne was due to start this month. The latest meeting of Melbourne Parish Council heard that Proludic, which is supplying the new equipment, was due to start the installation on Monday, November 9. The new ÂŁ35,000 play equipment is being put in place with funding from the parish council and a grant from South Derbyshire District Council. The installation is expected to take around nine weeks.

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6 Village Voice November 2020

Country Living

Changes that give us food for thought with Robert Parker

THE Government’s new agricultural bill has recently passed through parliament which sets out our future after leaving the EU. It has some major changes from our present system, the biggest being what we will be paid each year in the form of an incentive to produce food. At the moment we get a payment for every acre we farm and without this payment most farms would not be profitable, particularly rented ones. The new system has the label of “public funds” for “public good” and broadly speaking doesn’t mention the production of food at all, which is rather strange. The idea is that to get any sort of funding at all farmers will have to do a lot more environmental work. This could be in the form of all sorts of things such as hedge and tree planting, taking land out of production and creating wildlife havens, and rebuilding walls and creating ponds etc. This concept is rather concerning as

the reduction of food produced could be quite large, which would lead us into a situation where we would need to rely on more imports. A lot of these imports could be from countries which don’t produce goods to anything like the standards we have to. A good example is happening right now with oilseed rape. You will recognise the yellow fields in spring and you may have noticed how much fewer they are lately. The withdrawal of one chemical seed dressing has made the crop uneconomical to grow and, as there are two factories in the UK which process the crop into vegetable oil, a larger amount is being imported. A lot of this product is coming from Eastern Europe, which still has access to the seed dressing. This is an unfair advantage and passes the possible environmental damage to another country where we can’t see it. Is this right?

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Bringing Thomas Cook back to life

MELBOURNE is once again at the heart of Thomas Cook after a new online travel agency was born from the old one, with a distinctly local flavour. Head of marketing for the new slimmed down Thomas Cook is Ryan Cotton, of Kings Newton, who used to work for the former travel giant before it went into liquidation in 2019. The One Off, based in Melbourne and London, is also responsible for the new Thomas Cook’s creative branding campaign after fighting off opposition from across the UK. Thomas Cook, who was born in Melbourne in 1808 and was a regular at the Baptist Church, famously founded the travel company after persuading a train operator to run a special service so passengers could attend a temperance meeting. Ryan, who worked for the previous incarnation of Thomas Cook as head of E-commerce, said that being given the opportunity to work for the brand again had been highly emotional for all involved. When Thomas Cook went into liquidation, it brought about the biggest repatriation in peace-time history because holiday-makers were left stranded abroad. A year later, the company has been bought by Chinese company Fosun Tourism Group to operate online only. Ryan said the new-look Thomas Cook was focusing on being ‘Covid-ready’ for customers, offering full refunds on any holidays booked in areas which subsequently go into quarantine. He said the brand was currently seeing most customers booking last minute. “I was one of the first 15 people, who were all ex-Thomas Cook, who were employed to restart Thomas Cook,” he said. “I've always had a strong emotional connection with Thomas Cook with living in the town and being brought up in South Derbyshire.

l Ryan Cotton with the memorial to Thomas Cook which marks the spot in Melbourne where he was born.

“We’ve decided to launch with a customer proposition which is focused around being Covidready. We’ll give refunds at the point where a destination goes into quarantine, and if there is a quarantine in place we will not sell it.” Ryan said that he thought people were “desperate” for a sunny holiday but were still understandably nervous about booking one. “What we are seeing is people are booking last minute,” he said. “We have got summer ’21 on sale but more of our bookings have been dropping for the next four weeks.” With only 50 to 60 employees currently, the new Thomas Cook is a far cry from the former global giant which had thousands of staff. But reacting nimbly to changing Government travel guidelines is essential to success in the current market. For Ryan, returning to work in the company is about much more than just having a job. “There was the strong emotional connection there,” he said. “There were lots of people who were gutted to see Thomas Cook go under and I was one of

them. I just felt almost a responsibility to go back, as did everyone, to be honest. Especially the first 15 of us who joined, they all felt an emotional responsibility, almost a duty, to go back and re-form something that was ultimately still the biggest name in travel.” Melbourne branding agency The One Off ’s ‘Love This’ Thomas Cook campaign has focused on fighting off lockdown blues to focus on people’s love of holidays. The One Off ’s managing partner, Adam Devey Smith, said: “Love this is a celebration of what we’ve been missing the past six months. Being first on the beach, children playing in a pool, mega cocktails we can’t pronounce, getting lost together, holding hands in cities we don’t know … being together with friends and family.” So what are the prospects for holidays? Ryan said: “If we can get through this pandemic then we have got a lot of people who are incredibly dedicated to bringing Thomas Cook back, and I think people are desperate actually to go on holiday again. So the future is looking really positive beyond this winter.” – Lucy Stephens

It’s the Staff of a new Life ...

Village Voice November 2020 7

THE Staff of Life pub in Ticknall has been given a fresh lease of life. New managers Jayne Walls and John Pankhurst moved into the pub in May, having taken over from Chris and Kaye Nix who had been running it for over 20 years. “It really is a dream come true for us,” John said, “… as I always wanted a traditional country pub and Jayne always wanted a B & B business to run.” Jayne, who is from Birmingham, said they really fell in love with the place when they saw it. “Everyone has been so friendly since we opened up and really supportive. We want to put the pub back at the heart of the community. “We wish to keep it as a traditional country pub serving fresh home cooked food; we want it to be a bustling pub and a busy B&B,” she added. The pub has a history dating back to the 1600s and they have heard from regulars the stories about Eliza “Granny” Soar, who ran it in the late 1800s and who

kept the key to the local lock-up. She had once detained a number of men in the “roundhouse” for “riotous behaviour” after a few too many drinks. Jayne said she could be just as formidable a landlady if the need ever arose! Indeed, she is convinced she had felt Eliza’s “presence” when they first moved in, embracing the enduring ghost story about her, often told by late-night drinkers! A friend who was a medium had also visited them and, without knowing any history, felt the presence of a spirit! “But we have not yet found the key to the lock-up,” they joked. With a background of running pubs in Spain, where Jayne lived for 16 years, and more recently in Tamworth, the couple have a lot of experience in the trade. Speaking before the current lockdown she said: “Given the current circumstances, where we have limited numbers of diners, and with the new distancing guidelines, it has gone surprisingly well and we feel really lucky to have found the pub. “One thing we have kept going is MELBOURNE Historical Research Group is in the final stages of producthe Eat out to Help out discount as ing its latest book, entitled ‘Melbourne Pubs Past and Present' and expect that clearly encouraged a lot of peoit to be ready for sale early in December. ple back, and we are still offering up The group says its popular 2019 exhibition on the subject brought a to a 50 per cent discount on meals, “clamour for a book” in view of the extensive research, which continued Monday to Friday. We are also busy until March 2020. planning for Christmas,” they said. Written by Barry Thomas, Sue Webster and Philip Heath, the publicaThe couple would like to find tion contains what the group says is an impressive history of Melbourne’s some old pictures of the pub both inpubs, beerhouses, breweries, off-licences and maltings, well-illustrated. side and out, from any locals who As the planned big launch is not appropriate owing to the pandemic, a might have any. They are keen to limited run will be produced and expressions of interest (without obligadisplay more on its long history if tion to purchase) can be made to Jean Grimley by telephoning 01332 they can. – Frank Hughes 863385, emailing grimjeannie@aol.com or texting 07904 245789.

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8 Village Voice November 2020

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THESE two volunteers at Melbourne’s Treetops Hospice shop have been officially recognised for notching up four decades of service between them. Carol Barton, 78, and Christine Elliott, 77, both of Melbourne, were among the Treetops volunteers to be handed awards (virtually) in October for their long service to the charity. Both ladies have been volunteering at the hospice shop next to Melbourne Hall for 20 years. Former nurse Christine (pictured left), who started volunteering at Treetops after retiring aged 57, said: “I’ve always liked caring for people and when the opportunity at Treetops came up, I thought I would do it. It’s not far to go and you’re contributing to society.” For Carol, volunteering at the shop was a valuable part of the grieving process after her son died suddenly. “I wanted something else to do,” she said. “I wanted to help out in some way and also to meet people, and I decided to go down and help out at the shop – and I wanted to help the hospice as well.” Carol and Christine are still regulars at the shop, and Christine also volunteers at Calke Abbey. Much progress has been made at the shop over the years. In the early days, the functioning of the till was somewhat erratic and donated clothes

were all ironed in the back of the shop – a job that is now done with a steamer. Julie Heath, Treetops chief executive, presented the long service awards via Zoom from the hospice. She said: “As we face some very tough and challenging months ahead for us all, it is an absolute delight for me to present these awards and share such positive news of how wonderful our volunteers and staff are. “Each and every one of our volunteers is integral to Treetops – from its early beginnings to where we are now, proudly positioned as Derbyshire’s leading adult hospice. “Our awards tonight are extra special. They highlight those people who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the charity, giving decades of their lives and time to Treetops in so many different ways. “We are so grateful to everyone for their hard work, dedication and for helping make Treetops what it is today. Thank you all so very much.” n Treetops Hospice has a Covid-19 appeal. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/appeal Hospice UK estimates that since the Covid crisis begin in March, collectively hospices have lost in the region of £70 million in fund-raised income. Treetops costs £4.2million a year to run. – Lucy Stephens

MP’s school meals statement

THIS is MP Heather Wheeler’s statement on the Government’s free half-term school meals decision: THE Opposition Day motion is a political attempt to make it appear that the Conservatives are depriving children of food. This is both unjust and untrue. I have not voted to take free school meals away from children. In fact, this government has given an unprecedented amount of support to families and during the pandemic and even extended free schools meals to pupils, providing meal vouchers to eligible families worth £380 million while schools were closed, alongside the Holiday Activities and Food Fund. “I along with Conservative colleagues voted to continue to offer free school meals in term time as schools are fully operational. We also recognised the

support Government provides to children, worth £550 million annually and in addition to this the £53 billion worth of income protection schemes and £9.3 billion of additional welfare payment. If people would like to read Hansard rather than Twitter and other social media postings they will see this and so therefore truly see the nonsense that this row is about, it’s a non-row. “I would also like to highlight that Derbyshire County Council has stepped up to provide free school meals to 11 schools for those that have ordered them however, secondary schools made no such request. Many children in the area will have been covered by the county council if a request was made. “Pupils will continue to receive free school meals during term time and if they are at any

point required to self-isolate they will continue to do so. We are committed to supporting families, especially those on a low income. We have provided £63 million through Universal Credit and given a further £16 million to food charities. Universal credit has increased by £1,000 for families this year, which will help pay for food and other essentials. I fully support families and free school meals to ensure that every child receives a hot meal whilst in school and I believe the other support given to families along with continued additional support will ensure that no family goes hungry. I recognise that some establishments have kindly said that they will donate meals to people in our communities and I would like to thank them for their kind generosity.”

Cemetery chapel to be repaired

URGENT repairs are to be made to Melbourne Cemetery’s chapel. The repair work to the chapel roof is being paid for by Melbourne Parish Council after a survey found urgent repairs were needed over the next year. But there are further, longer-term works that need to be done to the chapel building to secure it for the future. It is possible that the building, which is divided into a North and South chapel, could have a range of uses, including acting as a meeting place. Melbourne Historical Research Group has expressed interest in the chapel and a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was made to try to fund the repair, but this was rejected first

time around. Now the parish council is looking into what can be done with the chapel to prevent it from potentially having to be boarded up in the future. Work is needed to the stonework in the archway, and to the roof, amongst other areas. Cllr Terry Summerlin, from Melbourne Parish Council, said: “Until you actually take a close look at it, you don’t appreciate how impressive the building is. “If you look at the roofs for example, you’ll see that there are two different kinds of slate on the roof, a lighter coloured slate and a darker coloured slate. It’s part of Melbourne’s architectural heritage so we need to preserve that.”

A floody close shave ...

EMERGENCY services including rescue boats were put on standby in the village of Ambaston when it was close to evacuation due to rising flood waters last year, a new report reveals. A Flood Investigation Report prepared by Derbyshire County Council has revealed how close the hamlet of 48 dwellings came to having to be evacuated on the afternoon of November 8, 2019. Concerns were first raised in the morning. By midday, council staff were “looking at the specifics” of “vulnerable people” in the village, while by 6pm rooms in care homes and a local hotel were being put on standby. Rescue boats were mobilised ready to evacuate residents but, thankfully, by

midnight the danger had passed as the defences had held out – by a few centimetres. The following day, Ambaston was cut off by flood waters but did not have to be evacuated. Ambaston and parts of Shardlow are protected by two-metre flood banks which were constructed half a century ago. These have so far stood the test of time, explained local flood warden Kevin Birch, adding that climate change and the increased volatility of weather patterns suggest that flooding is likely to become more frequent and destructive. He said the scale of flooding locally and throughout Derbyshire had now increased significantly, and since the turn of the century Ambaston had been at real risk of flooding on four occasions.

In the evening residents living nearby did have to be evacuated. After the threat had passed, South Derbyshire District Council arranged for sandbags to line the top of the bank. This September, the northern section of the Ambaston flood bank has been raised by the Environment Agency, to protect the small community. Next year, the agency is due to increase the height of the north and northwestern section by 25cm. “That increase will significantly reduce the flood risk created by work within the City (Derby City) and importantly, the added risk created by deteriorating weather patterns,” said Kevin. “That will protect Ambaston from all but a flood of Biblical proportions.” Elvaston Parish Council, which includes Ambaston, have published infor-

Virus numbers on the increase

Village Voice November 2020 9

mation leaflets giving advice on how to prepare for flooding before it happens, how to remain safe during a flood and how to recover and clean up afterwards. Mr Birch said developers continuing to build housing and industrial estates on flood plains, using concrete and other impermeable materials which either obstructed drainage or displaced it to communities downstream had a negative impact on flood risk, air pollution and other issues. So far in 2020, there have been more than the average number of flood alerts for Ambaston. It is thought that if flood waters did overtop the bund at Ambaston there would likely be a steadily increasing pool in the area, rather than a rushing torrent. – Lucy Stephens

SOUTH Derbyshire had more coronavirus cases than other districts in Derbyshire in the last week of October, figures reveal. Derbyshire County Council’s figures show that from October 24-30 there were 433 positive cases in this district. That was significantly above Erewash, which had 391, with Derbyshire Dales seeing the least number of cases. Last month, the Village Voice reported that there had been 173 cases in South Derbyshire during September. The Melbourne area, which includes Kings Newton, Staunton Harold, Ticknall, Calke and Smisby saw the least number of virus cases in the district during the final week of October, with 18 positive tests. The area covering Aston-onTrent, Barrow, Weston, Swarkestone, Chellaston, part of Boulton Moor, Shardlow, Great Wilne, Ambaston and Elvaston is no longer the area of the district with the least cases, with 25 during that same week. The area which covers Castle Gresley, Overseal and Coton had by far the highest number with 62.

Smashing and spook

10 Village Voice November 2020

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Village Voice November 2020 11

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RICK or treating may not have taken place this year due to the pandemic, but lenty of local households still got into the spirit of Hallowe’en by decorating their omes. Local farms have reported a run on pumpkins as people have still been keen to do omething to mark the season – perhaps inspired by an enthusiasm to inject a little un into a somewhat dismal year. In Aston-on-Trent, 60 homes took part in a special socially distanced ‘Pumpkin rail’ to raise funds for the village pre-school, which has not been able to do any ther fund-raising this year. People gave a donation in return for a trail map of the households taking part in he event, which is expected to have raised around £600 for the pre-school. Some very creative displays provided lots of entertainment for visitors, with the inners of the vote declared as “Smashing Pumpkins” and “The Spooktacular Pumpin Backers.” Michelle Gascoigne, business manager for the pre-school, said: “We were abolutely overwhelmed by the support. We really didn’t expect our community to come ut in the droves that they did. “We had well over a hundred families come and support us and we are so, so grateul to them. They have helped us at what is an incredibly difficult time.” In Melbourne, plenty of shops and houses joined in the spirit of the season by dding some spooky scenes to their windows. Heaths, which normally holds a pumpkin day, this year opened up its pumpkin atch to anyone who wanted to go and buy from the field. Scaddows Farm near Ticknall even had to finish its pumpkin picking event early his year, reporting that the event on the weekend of October 24 and 25 had seen more visitors than ever before, causing the supply of pumpkins to run out ahead of chedule.

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‘Striker’ helps to

keep the Wakes tradition alive

12 Village Voice November 2020

IT WAS a far cry from the usual Wakes celebrations in Melbourne as just one lonely piece of fun came to town. The main Wakes fair in Melbourne could not happen this year due to coronavirus. But this lone ‘Striker’ game was installed on the day when, any other year, the surrounding streets would have been full of flashing lights and thrill-seekers queuing up for rides. The Holland family installed the game on Castle Square on October 10 for a limited time, in order to fulfil Melbourne’s charter. Albert Holland explained that the same thing happened in many fairs around the UK in 2020. “It’s just to keep the charter of the fair,” he explained. The family, which also runs The Goose Fair in Nottingham, had taken a pipe organ to other fairs in Ilkeston and Ripley. Mr Holland said 2020 had been a hard year for his industry with only a very few events taking place. One fair in Lincoln had to be cancelled at the very last minute due to a spike in cases. “We’ve got all the things set up for social distancing and queuing,” he said. “There have been the odd few that have been open this year. “The last time the fair was shut in Melbourne was when the wars were on. It’s been hard for everybody and it’s been exceptionally hard for us because we are in the entertainment side. We feel hard done by but there are a lot of businesses in the country that have been hard done by.

Thanks

PETER T CLOUGH Shi h elagh and family would like to thank ever yone fo for their kind messages, cards, flowers and donations to Melanoma UK. Wee also want to thank Dr Long, the W District Nurses and J.P .P.. Springthorpe Fun u eral Directors fo for their care and kindness at this sad time.

“Hopefully we are going to get through it. “I’m 47 and I’ve been to Melbourne all my life … my father and my grandfather. It’s one of those things that’s not in our hands. The major street fairs all over the country are in this predicament. It has been very hard, but not just for showmen.”

The Town Band has it covered

l John and Linda Holland, Jodie Holland, John Jr and Henry Dunnicliff at the ‘Striker’ game in Melbourne’s Castle Square brought by the Holland family, of Melbourne Wakes, in order to fulfil the town’s street charter.

MELBOURNE Town Band hopes to be back rehearsing again for the first time in months, with special covers for their instruments, when any easing of restrictions allows. The band had originally planned to start rehearsing again on November 5, but the latest lockdown restrictions have put that on hold for the moment. Before Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on October 31, a statement from the band said they were pleased to announce weekly rehearsals were starting up again following “very careful planning” and the introduction of a new innovation: ‘the bell cover’. Brass players in the band have bought the stretchable covers which have been specially designed to reduce the risk of spreading harmful airborne droplets produced by brass playing instruments. “The covers are easy to fit and make no perceptible difference to the sound of the instrument,” said the band. The committee said Government guidelines would be adhered to and a risk assessment had been completed, following the format set out by Brass Bands England. For members who will feel able to attend, weekly rehearsals are expected to start post lockdown so that the town’s training and beginner bands meet one week, separately, and the town band meets the following one.

The committee also warmly thanked patrons who have continued to support Melbourne Town Bands (MTB), including the training and beginner bands and drum corps through what has been a very difficult year for the arts in the UK. “When many amateur musical groups are facing permanent closure due to having had no opportunity to generate income this year from public performances, MTB wishes to extend sincere and grateful thanks to all MTB patrons for their continued financial support and also that of the playing membership who have steadfastly continued to pay their £5 monthly subs despite having no prospect of meeting together to make music,” they said. Now the band would love to hear from anyone who would like to support them in keeping local music alive, or even have a go themselves. Melbourne Training Band

musical director Karen Worrall said that the opportunity to make music together had been much missed over recent months. “Personally, I think it’s more the fact that we are a community,” she said. “It’s seeing people regularly every week who have become your friends. People have massively missed it.” “It’s really important to get back to at least being part of that group again and continue doing something that we all ultimately love. It’s about creating that group sound that puts a smile on everybody’s face.” Anyone who would like to be a part of keeping music alive in Melbourne who is interested in becoming a patron or playing member of Melbourne Town Band should contact secretary Yvonne Smith on 07929 205 368 or visit the website: www.mtbbrassband.co.uk – Lucy Stephens

No Marathon? No problem for Simon

THE London Marathon may not have taken place in the capital this year, but a runner from Stanton-by-Bridge still took part … Simon Durston-Smith was one of 43,000 people across the country who ran in the ‘virtual’ 2020 London Marathon on October 4. Pandemic restrictions meant the event could not take place in April, so runners were instead given the option of running 26.2 miles in their own areas. Supported by wife Fiona and boys, Oliver and Leo, Simon, 45, completed the distance in three hours, five minutes and 16 seconds. The time means he will qualify for next year’s London event as a “good for age” runner – the same category which got him a place this year.

His route took him from Dame Catherine Harpur’s School in Ticknall through Melbourne, Weston, Aston, Shardlow, Thulston, Elvaston, Chellaston, Swarkestone Lock and Kings Newton, before he finally crossed the finishing line back home in Stanton. Simon’s efforts have raised nearly £500 for his chosen charity, Dame Catherine Harpur’s – the school which his younger son, Leo, attends. You can still donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/simon-durston-smith “The school is parent-funded, but they do still rely on their own fund-raising activities as well,” he said. “So obviously a lot of that has been curtailed.” Simon said he was very pleased to have been able to complete the London marathon in a virtual format, particularly as a broken toe in February meant he would not have been able to compete in the original event. “It was amazing, the support,” he said of the run itself. “I wasn’t expecting any. For the places where I was running, Fiona asked people to go out and give me a cheer. “I saw quite a few other people running the marathon, wearing their numbers, which was great. The number of people who were out walking, or cycling, or who came out of their houses, was just amazing. We had really good support most of the way round, which was a real bonus.” Simon has been shielding throughout the pandemic, as he has asthma which puts him at higher risk. He ran his first marathon in London in 2008, after being advised that aerobic exercise would help with his asthma. He runs with the Shelton Striders, although he has been training solo due to the need to shield, and says that it does significantly help manage his condition. Stuart Warnock at Melbourne Physio and Dave Deary, of Movement with Dave, were both thanked for helping Simon with his training this year. Because the London marathon raises huge amounts of money for

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Village Voice November 2020 13

l Simon in his London Marathon T-shirt with sons Leo (left) and Oliver. Below left he is pictured during the run itself.

charity, Simon has also been fund-raising through the healthcare company he works for: Medline, which launched a “2.6 challenge” to help support charities affected by the fact the event could not be held back in April. This involved staff members completing challenges along the “2.6” marathon theme, such as attempting to complete 26 miles of travel during a work call, baking 260 cookies for neighbours plus more group and individual activities. The company-wide effort raised £2,100, including Gift Aid donations, for Asthma UK, Mind and Refuge. – Lucy Stephens

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Elaine takes to the home stage

14 Village Voice November 2020

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ELAINE Penhaul is on a mission to change the way property is marketed and to shake up the world of property sales! Having run Lemon and Lime Interiors in Melbourne for the past eight years and following her life-long passion for property, she has just published her first book about ‘home staging’ called Sell High, Sell Fast. Elaine explained that the book was prompted by the real change she has seen in the way property is sold. “In the past 10 to 15 years the way property is marketed has changed dramatically. If you last bought property 20 or 30 years ago, the whole transaction will have been through an estate agent. Nowadays people turn to RightMove, Zoopla or other internet sites to start their search – it’s a completely different approach. “The generation who are now buying property are used to marketing being directed at them, through sites such as Instagram and Facebook. Nowadays, in trying to achieve the maximum value in the shortest time vendors really need to sell not just the bricks and mortar but a lifestyle, demonstrating how a space can used to its best advantage.” By undercutting each other on commission, some estate agents have been in a race to the bottom on fees, she said, and “simply don’t have enough time if they are charging a low fee to help vendors to maximise the potential in a property”.

Home staging is very popular in the USA, Australia, and across Europe but is only an emerging concept in the UK. Elaine said: “Before my book, there was nothing on the market that spoke directly to vendors to help them understand the skills, tips and practical steps they need to develop a property’s appeal.” Alongside the book, she has developed an app “Stageflow” which uses data to demonstrate how effective home staging is. “Evidence we have from tracking sales shows that in recent sales in certain market sectors, the time to sell a property dropped from 175 days to 19 after home staging, and in 100 per cent of the sales, achieved the guide price, rather than the more normal five to ten per cent

under guide price,” Elaine explained. Reaction to the book has been very positive, with it reaching No.1 spot on Amazon Kindle within 24 hours of release and reaching the No.6 spot in the property section for paperbacks. Online reviews so far have also been five out of five! According to Elaine, it is also going to be a “patchy period” for house sales in the area. After the market opened up again in May there was a miniboom, particularly in country properties, with buyers looking for space and gardens. But the good property has been snapped up now, and, particularly with local lockdowns possible, she foresees a much slower period in the short term. – Frank Hughes

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WHISTLEWOOD is now seven years old; it’s amazing to think back to 2013 and the site being just one oak tree and a heck of a lot of grass. After much consultation with the community the land was totally reimagined by Sarah Spencer’s permaculture plan and to have seen and been part of making that plan a reality has been an absolute privilege. I think it speaks volumes about the permaculture design process that to have this carefully thought-out plan to follow has enabled us to achieve so much in such a short time. Each year we’ve known what developments we needed to focus on and, although there is room for reassessing certain aspects, our goals and aims have always been clear. This is a much longer-term project and, although we move forwards on to our next tasks, it is key in any design process to stop and analyse, reassess, modify and adjust before carrying on with the next phase. This is the cycle of any great design and a birthday is a great time to do this – we welcome feedback from members and our local community. All of us now are fully aware of the effect Covid has put on our mental health and a lot of what we do at Whistlewood is about supporting

mental wellbeing as well as the physical wellbeing of individuals and of our community. This year has obviously created a lot of strain on all of us, our families and communities. I believe the permaculture design system based on the ethics of People Care, Fair Share and Earth Care, can help us all move forward into a positive personal growth space as it has done for the land on the Common. Whistlewood is a member of the Permaculture Association, so if you want to know a bit more about permaculture check them out on the web. Sarah was one of the speakers at their annual convergence event, which took place online in October. There were some great talks and presentations about rewilding the land with beavers, sourdough and regenerative biodynamic farming to name but a few. It’s vital for us to spend time in green spaces and gain the mental health benefits from being in nature and surrounded by trees and at Whistlewood you are welcome to do that. We also have an amazing team of people who are providing support with various wellbeing events, so if you want to find out more or give feedback on our next stage, have a look at the Whistlewood Facebook page or website. – Katherine Parrish

Village Voice November 2020 15

VILLAGE VOICE Postbag What you can do to help

IT SEEMS that at last most previous climate change sceptics have now finally accepted the reality of damaging global warming and that we are in a climate and ecological emergency created by ourselves. The challenge now facing us is much more difficult and that is to persuade people of the need for radical action after three decades of inaction. We have left it so late that the necessary action is now going to be highly inconvenient if not damaging to the lives of some people, at least in the short term. Most people are quite naturally very fearful and reluctant to engage in or discuss the problems of controlling our behaviour and consumption in relation to climate change. They ask what can they do when many of the contributory factors are outside their control and influence. I would reply by saying that doing something is a great deal better than doing nothing and the inaction of others does not justify doing nothing yourself. In the first place people should relentlessly lobby and communicate with their elected representatives, who need pressure from their electors to be bold themselves in applying pressure where it is needed in addition to resisting powerful lobbying, for example from the fossil fuel companies and

house builders. There is currently a horrible tendency for politicians and governments to make climate and biodiversity related promises and pledges of a sound bite nature, which are designed to reassure us, but which all too often are not kept. Those that make these promises and pledges must be held to account. Our politicians often take actions which directly counteract other actions aimed to ameliorate climate change and reduce our emissions. Voters need to ask why for example were the insulation standards of all new housing watered down by the coalition government in 2010 with such a golden opportunity missed to ensure that the vast numbers of new houses being built were carbon neutral. Why at the same time were the subsidies for solar panels abruptly removed, plunging at least one large manufacturer into insolvency? Why are such panels not fitted to all new houses? This is surely a national scandal and something which gives the lie to the boast from that particular government that it was the greenest ever! I could give many other examples, but space does not allow. Secondly, be prepared to change your lifestyle, fly less, drive less, consume less,

especially meat, and waste less, all of which could make a big difference and still leave people with a reasonably good quality of life as the spring Covid lockdown has shown us. With car emissions one of the largest contributors to our overall carbon emissions, why do we continue to build new roads (£27 billion, currently budgeted for this), which will inevitably lead to more traffic and eventually gridlock all over again as for example on the M25. We have to cut down road traffic substantially, not increase it, to stand any chance of keeping to our emission targets, so tell your elected representatives this, but remember electric vehicles are not silver bullets since their manufacture produces a lot of carbon emissions, although once running they clearly produce far less pollution, really only from tyre wear, and no carbon emissions. Some of the above changes in the way we live are relatively easy, others are more difficult, but for the sake of all life on earth and the generations to come we all have to be prepared to make big changes and not to continue as we are at present. Look on www.52climateactions.com for ideas on what you could do to help Christian Murray-Leslie Melbourne

WHERE TO SEND YOUR USED STAMPS

MANY thanks to those Village Voice readers who, in 2019, contributed their used stamps to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). We understand that over £30,000 was raised in this way by the RNIB in 2019 – up from £14,000 the previous year. I am still collecting used stamps with a minimum of one centimetre of paper around their edges for Jane Lakin (née Brookes) to send on to the RNIB, so please remember us as Christmas approaches and more stamps are used. Jean Grimley Hoarder, of 37 Sweet Leys Way, Melbourne.

We have a right to be informed

BEFORE the arrival of Covid 19, I think it is fair to say that the medical provision for our village was moderate. Somehow, by small degrees, we got used to being told that we would need to wait a month, or more, to see our doctor of choice, or indeed any doctor. If we were able to convince the surgery that we were seriously ill then a dispensation might be given to see a doctor more quickly. We became used to long periods of waiting to even speak to the harassed receptionist because we accepted, albeit perhaps grudgingly, that everyone was apparently doing their best in a time of austerity. The whole National Health Service was under pressure. However, we tried to understand, and show sympathy and support. Medical provision across the UK was suffering similarly. Nevertheless, I cannot help but cast my mind back 20-odd years to the era of Brendan Freeman, one of those who first pushed for the creation of the Penn Lane surgery. Many of us will remember a line of patients sitting on benches in his waiting room. They knew that this outstanding doctor would see them, or even visit them at home. He was a respected and admired figure in our community and worked well into his retirement as “our doctor”. He had a place in our community. He lived here. He spoke to us, let us know about issues to do with the health of our community. In contrast, when Covid 19 arrived our Melbourne medical provision apparently promptly pulled up their stumps and decamped to Chellaston.

Why? I cannot remember anyone from the surgery offering an explanation or an apology for removing our medical support in the middle of a pandemic. Apparently, most medical contact with doctors is now by telephone. Is this to protect us or the doctor? John Blunt’s recent letter to the Village Voice asks the same question with gentle irony. How many of us have abandoned a call trying to book an appointment when after a wait of 45 minutes or so we find we are still number 11 on the waiting list? Even though, apparently, no receptionist is available to answer our calls there is still the irritating adolescent voice every 30 seconds telling us that we may experience some delay. The voice implies that the delays in answering calls are a temporary effect of the Covid-19 emergency. They are not. They are the usual default position of our surgery. Why cannot the surgery employ some extra help at this time of crisis to support the harassed receptionists and save the aching frustration of Melbourne patients attempting to find medical support? It must be admitted that there are some in the village who confidently claim, in direst emergency, urgent medical help can be provided. Other voices, allegedly speaking from experience, talk of being given appointments ridiculously far into the future and being advised to use hospital emergency resources. At such times, and in these very strained circumstances, tempers get frayed, misinformation abounds and rumour quickly be-

comes fact. Thus we must ask, where is the information from our doctors to clarify the situation and to explain how sitting on a bus to Chellaston is safer for a pensioner than walking up Penn Lane? Why for example is there no phlebotomist available? When will she return? Why cannot employing more reception staff enable patients to avoid the aching wait on the telephone? Can a telephone interview really replace a visit to the doctor? It might well be the case that these things are inevitable but, surely, we have a right to be told. Doctors and health service workers operate more effectively with the full support and backing of their local community. I am not alone in feeling that our health provision in Melbourne has lost its way and a void is forming. Things become distorted when you are still only number 13 on the list of callers. Whoever runs what was Melbourne surgery might wish to recognise that there is this growing problem of separation and irritation which might be addressed with clear information and an effective vehicle for listening to the voices of our community and acting on these wherever possible. We all read the Village Voice. Why not use it? When the NHS is straining and hospitals and “drop-in centres” are filled to exhaustion, nurses continue to work very hard, receptionists must be exhausted at the end of the day. It would help us to know where our doctors have gone. John Williams, Melbourne

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Paddy runs to aid fire-hit schools

18 Village Voice November 2020

both of the affected schools, and many teachers at St Mary’s taught him as a child too. It was the first time he had completed a half marathon and his route took him for more than 14 miles from Weston Primary to St Mary’s, via Ravensdale. Paddy said: “They’re both absolutely brilliant schools. When I woke up that morning, on both mornings of the fires, I was in absolute shock at the events that had happened. I spoke to the caretaker and I was honestly just lost for words and devastated because those are two brilliant schools and this is not what those children need, especially in a time like this. Their futures have been so uncertain and it’s added more uncertainty to their everyday lives. “Children need security. It’s so devastating for them.” ○ Breakdown repair St Mary’s was attacked October 3, fol○ Service lowed by Ravensdale in the early hours of ○ Installation ○ Free estimates Monday, October 5. Both schools have had No callout charge to close because of the level of destruction email: info@mrhgasservices.co.uk ○ ○ Covid compliant and pupils had to go back to home learning, Your local, Melbourne based technician. MRH Gas Services Limited having only started back in the classroom again a few weeks before. Pupils from Ravensdale have since been accommodated in several other schools. Paddy decided to raise money with his run to fund resources such as books, which have been destroyed in the flames. He said: “I thought, ‘what can I do?’ I feel like I needed to do something. I came up with the idea that maybe I would push my boundaries and complete a half marathon.” Paddy had only previously run as far as 10k and so pushed himself physically to complete the half marathon distance with only a short time of training. He was accompanied by Weston Primary

A PE coach at Weston-on-Trent Primary School has put his best foot forward in a special charity run to help two Derby schools attacked by arsonists get back on their feet. Paddy Finan, 22, completed a half marathon in October to help raise money for new resources for children at Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School and St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, which were both forced to close after being set on fire earlier in the month. Paddy works for Premier Education, which runs sports clubs including at Weston. He has worked at

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“I know this is going to go a long way to help those children and it will mean a lot.” You can contribute to Paddy’s fund-raising efforts on this website page: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ravensdale-infants-amp-st-marys-primary

LOCAL police are reminding everyone to respect farmers’ property and their animals as more people head to the countryside. Officers said they had recently received reports of “discourteous and impudent individuals” acting “in an irresponsible man-

ner” on local farms. Officer Andrea Thompson reminded people not to do things such as climb on bales of hay, and to ensure dogs were always kept under control and on a lead, and to leave gates and property as found.

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CD tribute to former band member

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School teacher Stephen Connor, and has so far raised nearly £900 after completing the distance on October 31. All the money raised will be split between the schools. “I was so proud of what I’d done,” he said.

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THE JUNKYARD ANGELS, a leading Rock and Blues band based in South Derbyshire, have just released their second CD and are looking forward to days when performing can resume. Speaking on behalf of the band, Steve Aynsley said the new album is a tribute to former band member Malcolm Irving, who tragically died last year, and to the many friends past and present who have played with the band. The album, called Amigos de Los Angeles, translating to Friends of the Angels, features the five main band members as well as a host of guest musicians. The band are Steve (vocals and rhythm guitar), Reece Hawley (lead guitar), Tim Davis (bass), Nathan Powell (drums) and “big” Steve Lakin (vocal and harmonica), but there are a host of other performers including Christine Darken, who does a very convincing cover of the Amy Whitehouse song “Valerie” on the opening track, and Alison Fowler, who adds some throaty saxophone on a few of the tracks. Steve, who recently celebrated a big birthday in his 70s, has had a life-long passion for music, and even now is known by his grandchildren as a “pretend Rock God!” A retired Rolls-Royce employee, he speaks with obvious pride about his other career, retelling a number of highlights including doing backing vocals with Elvis Presley’s drummer D J Fontana; a visit to one of his music

heroes, Jerry Lee Lewis, at his home, the Lewis Ranch in Nesbit, Mississippi; and having performed on TV’s The Tube in the 1980s in a tribute to his all-time hero, Gene Vincent. The current band were formed in 2015 when a group of friends decided to get together to do an open-mike night at the Marina Bar in Shardlow. Since then they have played in and around the area in music pubs and festivals, bringing to audiences their energetic style of Classic Rock and Blues. They recorded a first album in 2016 and did the recording for the second last year at The Snug Recording Co. in Derby. Steve is also involved in many community activities in Aston on Trent, including “Astonbury” the local music festival, and the well dressing committee. The 15 tracks on the new album are covers of rock classics by The Rolling Stones, Santana, Dr Feelgood, a couple of original tracks penned by Steve, and some crowd favourites from their live shows, like “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks and The Stray Cat’s hit “Rock this Town”. Although the band have not been able to perform live, they are due to start rehearsals soon in preparation for a time when hopefully live shows start up again. Meanwhile, for local fans, there are samples on their facebook page, where you can also order the CD. – Frank Hughes

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Cricket clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future is looking bright

IN what seems like such a long time ago, Melbourne Town Cricket Club saw the end of a shortened 2020 season with some encouraging signs both on and off the field. There was none more so than the second team getting to their mini league play-off final. Playing away against Muggington, Town took a large following to see Fraser Radcliffeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men bowl first, and two wickets in two balls from Ranjit Rathore helped keep the home side to 192-5 off their allotted 40 overs. Exactly 50 from Gurwinder Singh plus 45 by Ash Elwell left the seconds well placed but, despite 26 from skipper Radcliffe, the Melbourne innings fell away to see them 11 runs short on 181. The first week of September saw the seconds claim a one-wicket victory away to Packington as the home side were bowled out for just 134. Rathore took 4-15 and Radcliffe top scored with 30 to see the seconds go top of the league with one match to go. This was a winner-takes-all match at home to Winshill 2nds with 5-40 from James Hogwood plus two wickets apiece for Sam Jenkinson and Alex Roome bowling Winshill out for just 128. Half centuries from openers Matt Grimmett (54) and Julian Humpidge (56) saw Town romp to an eight-wicket win to finish top of their mini league. Melbourne Town firsts ended up fourth in their mini three south league and began the month with a close losing draw at home to top of the table Rolleston seconds. Melbourne failed to chase down 151 by just one run, ending on 150-9. Earlier Tom Shearsby had taken 337 and, despite 44 from Lee Tallis, the firsts fell just short.

Alex Slaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men ended the 2020 season with another tie away to Winshill firsts as Melbourne scored 144 all out batting first. Slater top scored with 34 not out. Despite 3-29 from Muhammad Nadeem taking Town close to victory, Winshill hit four off the last ball to tie on 144-9. Melbourne Town third team finished a very creditable third in their mini league as they began September with a well earned 23-run victory away to Allestree seconds. Town scored 204-7, batting first, with 60 by Chetan Patel plus 52 from Bruno Rost being the main contributors. Three wickets apiece for Dan Marshall and Paul Scrimshaw, including the final wicket with just four balls to go by the latter, were the main Melbourne threats with the ball. Tony Papasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men finished a good season with a well-earned draw against high-flying Risley seconds as the visitors amassed 201-9 off their 40 overs. Archie Turton took a career best 6-51 alongside two wickets for Sam Barker. In reply, steady scoring from Paul Scrimshaw (33), Chetan Patel (36) and Bruno Rost (34) saw Town to safety on 177-6 off their allotted overs. n The clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s junior section continues to grow and grow, even in the shortened season, as Melbourne saw over 100 children over their age groups from U15s right through to the U8s Kwik cricketers. Town were also one of the few clubs in the county to run an allstars course in 2020. Planning has already started for the 2021 season as the club hopes to renovate the existing practice nets and get brand new sight screens to ensure there is enough room to accommodate the growing numbers.

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Village Voice November 2020 19

l Melbourne Town Cricket Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st XI for the 2020 season sponsored by Studio 73: back row (l-r) Ben Walton (coach), Sunny Dhiman, Lee Tallis, Sam Adcock, Matt Briers, James Hogwood, Dave Briers (scorer); front row (l-r) Muhammad Tayyab, Zale Wood, Alex Slater (captain), Marc Towell and Tom Shearsby.

STILL MANAGING TO BOWL ALONG

KINGS Newton Bowls Club managed to hold two of its annual internal competitions while coronavirus restrictions were eased in the autumn. Firstly, the Packhorse Trophy was won by Janet Jardine and Paul Philipson. Then the Quentin Blood Trophy took place, which was also won by Janet Jardine, this time partnered by Alan Bradley. For 10 weeks, while Covid restrictions were eased, every Thursday afternoon the club held an internal league competition, involving 32 members playing in four Members of Kings Newton leagues of eight. Bowls Club pictured social The top two in each league then distancing on the green on played a knockout culminating in a Packhorse Road. final in which Graham Leech deton, was a great success, bringing together (socially disfeated Roger Timmins. tanced) club members who probably wouldn't have seen There was also a plate competition for the players who much of one another otherwise during this bowling season. finished fifth and sixth in their leagues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On finals day a superb buffet was prepared by Sheila The winner in that final was Steve Sharman, who beat Messer and her daughter Sally, served to members in inJanet Jardine. A doubles knockout was also held, this being won by Alan Holbrook and Bernard Raine. Runners- dividual packs, so as to comply with Covid rules. Also Tony from the Chequers very kindly donated a barrel of Bass to up were Janet Jardine and Bill Bunston. the bar, which went down very well indeed.â&#x20AC;? The club says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole event, organised by Peter Bar-

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20 Village Voice November 2020

Oliver is enjoying life in fast lane

SPORT

YOUNG Oliver Smith is already making a bit of a splash when it comes to swimming time trials as, at the age of eight, he is already the fastest in Britain for his age group. A year four pupil at Melbourne Junior School, he started swimming when he was four and he is now competing for Coalville Swimming Club, along with elder sister Lillie. In a recent gala and time trial he recorded a time of 42.28 seconds over 50 metres for freestyle, and 50.43 seconds for 50 metres butterfly, which was two seconds faster than his nearest freestyle rival and nine seconds faster in butterfly. Proud parents Kristy and Matt, of Melbourne, are now ferrying him to training sessions five days a week, mostly to Ib“The swimming club are a very family friendly stock Leisure Centre. club,” they said, “… with dedicated coaches who take the training seriously while making it fun and enjoyable.” Oliver says his favourite Delivered strokes are butterfly and to every backstroke, but most of all FROM household he likes “diving in and just ONLY . in.. racing”. £17.95 E As well as his swimming MELBOURN + VAT TON he plays cricket and pracEW N S G IN K tises karate, where he is alTICKNALL ready a green belt. BY INGLEBY by reaching over 16,000 readers FOREMARK

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Dynamo get a kick out of October

MELBOURNE Dynamo Football Club’s senior section continues to go from strength to strength as all four teams recorded some stunning results in the month of October. The Saturday first team led the way by beating Mickleover Sports Reserves, who are a division above Dynamo, in the Central Midlands FL Cup 2-0 with Isaac Gosling and Jack Bodill getting the all important goals. A week later the first team was brought back down to earth as they were beaten 1-0 away by PNG in the Division 1 Cup but returned to winning ways away to Heanor Town Reserves 7-1 the following week. A hat-trick from James Smith was supported by strikes from Tim Adcock, Scott James, Karl Munton and Jack Bodill, securing the points. In possibly the biggest game of Melbourne’s season so far they travelled to Blidworth FC, who were top of the division above Dynamo. Despite goals from James Smith and Carl Allsop a last minute winner for the hosts saw Gav Salisbury's men lose 3-2 in such a cruel way. Melbourne Dynamo Saturday Reserves had a great October which saw them climb the table and finish the month on top of division one. They began with a hard earned 1-1 draw away to Newhall United with Ryan McLaughlin getting the goal; a 2-2 draw followed at home to Willington with Joe Shadbolt and Dom Hurst, this time earning the point. A convincing 4-1 home win against Little Eaton Reserves was thanks to Dan Toon, Harry Foxon, Dom Hurst and Joe Shadbolt. This was backed up by a tough 3-2 win away to Derby University with Harry Foxon scoring twice, plus one for Joe Shadbolt. Adam Dolman’s men finished a successful month with another draw against Newhall

United as Callum Horton and an in-form Joe Shadbolt scored in their 2-2 result. Melbourne Dynamo Saturday Development side have had a tough time. They began October with a 4-1 away defeat to Inter Belper as a Connor Poynton goal was the only consolation. A week later a 3-2 defeat at home to the league leaders Punjab United was a much better performance with Dave Brough and Ollie Walsh getting on the scoresheet this time. Another one goal loss followed, this time a 4-3 home defeat to FC Sunnyhill with Finn Charles scoring twice plus one for Connor Poynton. Then there was an away trip to a strong Stenson side as Finn Charles scored the consolation in a 3-1 result. Mick Poynton’s men gave a great performance to finish October as they drew 1-1 with top of the table Punjab, a Gavin Spencer strike earning a well deserved point. Melbourne Dynamo Sunday Senior side turned a corner in the month as they recorded three consecutive wins. They began with a disappointing 3-2 away defeat to Alvaston Rangers as Alex Slater and Phil Mellors got on the scoresheet. There was a welcome 6-3 home win against Corinthians with a double from Adam Smith plus goals from Harry Foxon, Will Armstrong, Phil Mellors and an Alex Slater penalty. It was followed by a tight 2-1 win against lowly AFC Chellaston. Once again Alex Slater and Phil Mellors got the Dynamo goals. Ross Carcary’s men finished the month in third place in division one as a 7-3 home victory against Stenson Sports was thanks to doubles from leading goalscorer Phil Mellors and substitute Joe Dale plus Liam Orme, Harry Foxon and Will Armstrong on the scoresheet as well to cap a fine month for the senior sides.

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WORK has now been completed on the extension to the car parking at Melbourne Sports Park (MSP), which it is hoped will put an end to the roadside parking problem that has been annoying pedestrians and local residents for some time. The additional spaces, coupled with additional signage which is due to be erected in the very near future at both entrances to the sports park, should provide plenty of space for all visitors to the site. Steve Hollingsworth on behalf of the MSP said: “We are delighted that, with the support of the South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) Community Fund, we have completed a 53-space extension to the car park. “Coupled with a further small extension once the Ashby Road flood relief works are completed, this should provide more than adequate off-road parking for the increased sporting activity we hope to see in the post Covid era.” Work on the drainage scheme is progressing well, he said, but the works, which will require road closure on Robinsons Hill, have been delayed until January. n An application to build the three additional tennis courts has been submitted and is expected to be decided at November’s SDDC planning committee meeting.