THE former HSBC bank in Melbourne is set to be transformed into a pub, if a planning application is granted.
After owner John Blunt invited townsfolk to come up with imaginative ideas for the former bank in 2011, a group of locals are planning to convert it into a micropub.
Micropubs are the latest idea to reverse the declining pub trade, and since the first one opened in 2005 have extended to 50 venues spread from Dover to Durham.
It is a small freehouse pub, mostly serving real ales and ciders, which encourages conversation and a sociable environment, without the interference of TV, amplified music, games machines or mobile phones!
In submitting the application David Carpenter has identified this as a “niche market” which will not take custom from existing establishments, where the ability to supply real ale has been limited by the brewing companies.
“It is financially risky for tied pubs to offer guest cask beers which have limited shelf life as they can end up pouring money down the drain,” he suggested.
He intends that the pub will open only limited hours, and will be the kind of establishment which does not attract anti-social or rowdy behaviour. He and his two associates plan to ‘keep it small and keep it simple!’ Limited opening hours, no entertainments, only cask ales and ciders, no spirits, a limited wine stock, tea and coffee; no lager, no hot food, just pub snacks.
He said “The micro-pub will offer Melbourne residents a slightly different experience which we hope will appeal to people looking for a quieter, friendly and ‘conversational’ atmosphere. We also believe it will attract cask ale lovers from a wider area.”
Jane Carroll, chair of the parish council, confirmed “there had been no objections when the planning application was considered by the full council”.
A number of locals have already welcomed the idea.
Lambs spring in — Page 4
Poppy seed sowers — Page 8
Big tree plant — Page 17
MEMBERS of the Pizazz dance school from Westonon-Trent await their turn to show off their skills at a recent dance competition.
More about Pizazz on Page 4.
Bowlers in action — Page 24
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MELBOURNE LETS IS HAPPY TO USE MELBOURNE MAINTENANCE FOR IT’S REPAIRS AND REFURBISHMENTS! KEEPING IT LOCAL!
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Tenants
VILLAGE VOICEis a truly local independent newspaper dedicated to help keep local people informed and local traders in business.
As well as being home delivered, every page of every edition is available for easy reading online through our website melbournevillagevoice.co.uk
Every month 5,600 copies are delivered to all the areas listed below.
MELBOURNE
KINGS NEWTON
TICKNALL
INGLEBY
FOREMARK
MILTON
LOUNT
STANTON-BY-BRIDGE
SWARKESTONE
WILSON
STAUNTON HAROLD
TONGE
TWYFORD
ISLEY WALTON
WESTON-ON-TRENT
ASTON-ON-TRENT
ELVASTON
THULSTON
AMBASTON
BARROW-ON-TRENT
BREEDON
FINDERN
SMISBY
MELBOURNE branch of the Mothers’ Union began its centenary celebrations on March 25 when 150 members from all over Derbyshire joined the local branch for its celebration in the parish church for the Lady Day service.
The service was led by the Bishop of Repton, The Rt Revd Humphrey Southern, assisted by the clergy of the parish church. Readings and prayers were read by Ruth Smith and Ros Bell, and Simon Collins, the director of music, played the organ. Cake and bubbly were served after the service.
The Mothers’ Union is a movement begun by Mary Sumner in 1876 near Winchester. Mary was the wife of the vicar at Alresford, Hampshire, and when her eldest daughter was bringing up her first baby, Mary organised a meeting of mothers in the parish to support each other practically, and raise their families in the Christian tradition.
The meetings were very popular locally and 10 years later became an official movement in the diocese of Winchester. By the early 20th century it had more than 250,000 members including branches in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Burma and China, with Mary Sumner as World-
wide president until 1909.
It was in 1914 as Europe was preparing for war, that a group of more than 60 ladies at Melbourne Parish Church decided to start a branch, which was inaugurated on Lady Day by the vicar at the time, the Revd L Robin. Their menfolk would have been called up later in that year, and the women would have found strength and support from each other as they struggled through the next four horrendous years of the Great War.
Seventy years later in 1984 Melbourne Branch still had more than 50 members and again celebrated its birthday on Lady Day. Today the Mothers’ Union has four million members in 80 countries. It continues to support marriage and family life, voluntarily working with people of all faiths and none, and seeking to rise to the challenges of poverty, inequality and pressures of modern life.
Pictured after the Lady Day Service (from l-r) are: Mrs Ros Bell (Melbourne Mothers' Union branch leader), The Rt Revd Humphrey Southern, The Revd Dr Mark Powell, Rector of Melbourne, The Revd Angela Plummer, Curate, and Mrs Ruth Smith (Melbourne Deanery Mothers' Union president and diocesan vice-president).
the age of 92 years, passed away peacefully, at home on March 22. His funeral service took place on April 2. An obituary will appear in the May edition.
l VILLAGERS from Weston on Trent attended an open day at the village hall, the aim of which was to promote all user groups and their activities and to encourage others to use the hall by showing off the range of facilities available for hire including a fully fitted kitchen.
Attention is drawn to the recently refurbished leaf hanging which contains leaves embroidered with the names of local families.
n MELBOURNE Parish Church garden fête will be held on Saturday, May 17, (2pm-4pm) in the vicarage garden.
RESIDENTS in Melbourne, Aston-onTrent and Elvaston are being asked for their views on proposals to turn off some of their night-time street lights.
The huge project is being undertaken by Derbyshire County Council across the whole of the county in order to slash £400,000 a year from its energy bill and cut carbon emissions.
Every household has had a letter informing them of the proposals.
The council’s street lighting team has assessed Melbourne’s 534 lamps and is proposing to turn off around a third (184) between midnight and 5.30am and switch off six permanently. The remainder would be unchanged.
In Aston-on-Trent, no lights have been earmarked for a permanent switch-off and
just under 50 have been proposed to go off at night, while in Elvaston the council wants to turn off 17 lights.
A county council spokeswoman said there was no set formula governing which street lights would be affected by the proposals, with assessors judging the merits of every single lamp independently.
In Melbourne, the suggestion for residential streets such as North Street and Victoria Street would be for alternate lights to be turned off at night time, while main thoroughfares such as Derby Road, Chapel Street, Potter Street and Ashby Road would retain more or less their full lighting.
The rolling programme of light switchoffs is now in its third year with many villages having already been consulted and the changes implemented.
RIGHT: Julie Timmins and Jenny Hollingsworth with Stephen Wilkinson making bread.
LEFT: The cake competition winners Paddy Laban, judge Maureen Anderson, Sibella West, Christine Milbourne and Pam Starkey.
Ticknall, for example, was consulted in 2012 and that November five street lights were permanently switched off and a further seven turned off overnight.
So far the council has surveyed a whopping 20,212 lamps in 155 parishes and switched off more than 40 per cent either part or full-time.
Anyone living in Melbourne, Aston-onTrent and Elvaston has until April 20 to comment on the proposals, which, if they go ahead, would be implemented in May.
A map detailing proposals for Melbourne is on view in The Assembly Rooms, or you can also have a look online by logging on to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/streetlights. The web-based maps have a zoom facility which enables users to view them in detail.
– Lucy StephensSix
COOKING and baking are hot topics for television with a plethora of programmes available to view almost any day of the week. Not to be left behind, Melbourne WI and The Fair Trading Place celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight with a cake baking competition and a bread making demonstration.
There were around 30 entries in the baking competition and the standard was high.
Competitors were asked to use fairtrade ingredients where possible.
Maureen Anderson judged the competition and awarded first prizes to:
Paddy Laban for the best Victoria Sponge and Christine Milburne for the best Fruit Scones; while in the under 11s class Sibella
West made the best Decorated Cup Cakes.
Stephen Wilkinson, a retired baker, demonstrated the art of bread making and invited those watching to ‘have a go’. Lots of bread rolls were made by the enthusiastic group who gathered in the kitchen at the Assembly Rooms.
During the morning lots of fairtrade tea and coffee was drunk, lots of cakes were sold from the busy cake stall and all ages had fun decorating buns.
Christine Lee said: “It was a great way to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. Making cakes and bread proved to be very popular.”
Jane Cox said: “The WI has a wide variety of interests and we were delighted to be involved with Fairtrade Fortnight. Melbourne WI meets monthly and we love to see new faces.”
THE campaign to address some of the parking issues in Melbourne, spearheaded by Councillor Linda Chilton, got off to a good start with a presence outside the school gates.
Cllr Chilton, accompanied by PC Victoria Ball and PCSO Emma Guest, handed out ‘Safer Neighbourhood News' leaflets. PC Ball did have to talk to a couple of drivers who had stopped on the junction of Oaklands Way and Packhorse Road as they had parked closer than the statutory 10 feet from the junction.
They also handed out 'Tales of the Road' booklets –a highway code for young road users.
It is intended to repeat the exercise at the beginning of the school summer term in the hope there are no further problems, and particularly as there is construction work to erect a new classroom.
Come and celebrate St. George’s Day with Shakespeare, traditional bitter & sausage and chips whilst singing along to the traditional and patriotic songs of England ...with Ollie North on the piano. The 1623 Theatre company present 8 of Shakespeare's greatest romantic scenes in 'The course of True Love'
Tickets £10 (including sausage and chips) from the Melbourne Assembly Rooms 01332 863522 or Forteys in the Market Place
As the only privately owned, family run Funeral Directors in Melbourne we are able to offer an extremely personal yet professional service at a reasonable cost, both in Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
n SEVEN young people from 107th Derby (Aston, Weston & Shardlow) Scouts & Trent Explorers travelled to Chesterfield to receive their Chief Scout Gold Award – the highest honour in the scouting section. To complete the award the youngsters fulfilled challenges in eight areas – outdoor, adventure, expedition, fitness, creative, community, global and promise.
Harry Briggs (13), Lily Cooke (11) and Jack Robinson (14), of Weston on Trent, Jenny Hillell (14), Theo Hodges (13) and Lucy Horner (11) of Aston on Trent and Billy Walker (14) from Shardlow, are shown receiving their awards from county president Sir Richard Fitzherbert.
Gresley Male Voice Choir
Enjoy musical delights in the Riding School.
Saturday 12 April 7.30pm-10.00pm
Ticket price £10 including an interval drink. Booking essential on 01332 863822
Digital Photography Workshop
Sunday 13 April 10am-4pm
The Calke Abbey Estate offers an enormous diversity of photographic opportunities and interesting locations. Book a place on this workshop for advanced camera skills. Booking via graham-nobles@goingdigital.co.uk
Parkinson’s Charity Walk
Sunday 13 April from 10.00am
Choose a 2-mile or a 9-mile walk around the delightful Calke Abbey Park and National Nature Reserve and raise funds for Parkinson's locally.
More information from rf.eastmids@parkinsons.org.uk
Calke Alive – 20th Century
Monday 14 April 12.30pm-4.00pm
Come and meet some war time characters from Calke in the 1940's. Help the war effort with some make do and mend and then join us for a tea dance in the Riding School at 2.30pm.
Cadbury Easter E Trail
Friday 18 April – Sunday 20 April 11.00am-3.30pm
Follow the Easter trail that will lead you to your Cadbury E head prize.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Normal admission charges apply for Parkland entry and Garden entry. All trail tickets £3.50
Fine Food Fair
Sunday 27 April 11.00am-4.00pm
Celebrate local food that's grown, raised, baked or caught within a 30-mile radius. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and tastings by our Calke chefs.
House and Gardens fully open – new for 2014 discover newly opened rooms
House: Sat – Wed 12.30pm – 5pm; End of Era Tours Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm
Garden: Daily 10am – 5pm.
Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10.00am – 5pm.
Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information
Normal park admission applies to all visitors.
For more information on what’s on at Calke please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822
OUR illustrious bureaucrats in Brussels have come up with some new rules and regulations for next year which are driving us to distraction.
The “Three Crop Rule” as it is becoming known is exactly that, but the devil as usual is in the detail. If a farmer grows arable crops and has less than 10 hectares (25 acres) he is exempt from this, but if he grows up to 30 hectares (70 acres) he has to grow two different crops.
All others with over 30 hectares are faced with growing three different crops. It’s not yet clear what will constitute ‘different crops’ but it’s assumed it will mean, for instance, wheat, barley, potatoes, grass, oilseed rape and beans etc. It’s been suggested that winter and spring varieties of the above will be classed as individuals, which will ease the pain for some.
The supposed function of these changes is to promote biodiversity by not having large areas of the same crops in one area. This may be the case in some small areas in the eastern counties but the rest of the country just does not have this sort of problem.
If you look at our own farming, we ‘contract
AN interesting, rewarding and fun day out is planned for local gardeners on Saturday, May 10, at Milton Village Hall.
The occasion will be the Milton Plant Swap and Sale. Between 10am and 2pm, gardeners will be able to take along their surplus plants (rooted cuttings/ seedlings /divisions) and swap them for others. Plants should be of a reasonable size, (3-inch pot min), healthy, potted and clearly labelled. If you are not sure what it is take it along and someone may be able to help with labelling.
This is a great way to increase your stock of plants and an opportunity for everyday gardeners to get together to trade. Donations of plants for sale would also be greatly appreciated.
Entry is only £1 per person and refreshments will be available. All proceeds go to Milton Village Hall.
For more information call Carl Avery on 07527 700308.
farm’ land for the owners and tend with each area to block crop them with one crop. This makes logistics easy as all the work is done at one go and the combine harvester only visits each site once a year.
None of these areas is very large and a lot of the surrounding neighbours will be growing different crops. Some farmers now grow one crop only, continuously as their soil may suit that crop and they may be near to the end use buyer. This whole issue is a ‘pig’s ear’ for no real good reason.
n It’s April 1st and we are just about to let some of our milking cows out to grass. This is a little earlier than average but feed supplies are forcing the issue somewhat.
The wettest winter in a long time has left a lot of the grass fields in a very poor condition and they still have a lot of swampy patches here and there caused by the compaction of the soils. This should be partly rectified by some hot dry weather which will cause the soils to shrink and crack and let some air into the roots area.
I think a barbecue summer would suit us all fine.
www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey
n VISITORS flocked to Calke Abbey for the first of two lambing weekends on March 29/30. This year, the event was on a smaller scale with only the estate’s flock of rare breed Portland Sheep lambing on the estate. The commercial flock of 300 sheep have been sold on to a reputable farmer.
However, the Portland flock of 50 ewes still remains at Calke and is a significant part of Calke's heritage. The ewes were lambed in the tractor shed at Home Farm and visitors were able to see the mums and their lambs in the large kitchen garden next door.
Pictured are Jenny Hollingsworth, lambing volunteer, and Ben Robinson, ranger, with lambs and young visitors.
EVIE Than (8) and Anna Goddard (13), both of Weston on Trent, took part in an Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Medallist competition in Kettering.
Both girls qualified for the grand finals in Blackpool – renowned home of ballroom dancing – with Evie taking the honours in ballroom with her waltz and Anna showing off her skills in Latin American with a Cha Cha Cha.
day morning.
Pupils from the school also took home several trophies in a recent ‘Social Dance’ competition at West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton.
Evie and Anna were once more prize winners, as were Emma Lawson (6), Summer Andrews (6), Libby Carlier (7) and Aimee Wright (8).
Pizazz principal Kerry Than, of Weston on Trent, is keen to encourage people of all ages to learn a new skill, whilst they get fit and meet new friends.
Kerry has been dancing all her life and is passionate about sharing her love of movement and musicality.
She told Village Voice: “I especially love seeing children quite literally finding their feet, but, whatever your age, ballroom gives you poise and confidence and best of all, it’s great fun!” l Kerry
The girls are both students at Pizazz which holds children’s classes at Chellaston Community Centre on a Satur-
PC VICTORIA Ball took to the floor to open the public speaking section of the parish council meeting and informed councillors that four cars had been damaged during an incident in the Lamb car park the previous weekend.
Underage drinking is thought to be the background reason for the incidents. Officers from Swadlincote responded to the incident and are carrying out investigations.
It is hoped that town centre CCTV cameras will help to identify those involved.
There continues to be an increase in the number of bicycle thefts in Melbourne, Aston and Weston. PC Ball encouraged people to have their cycles security marked to help in recovery should they be stolen.
A member of the Woodlands Action Group, Richard Docherty, asked the parish council to identify if the potential development by Persimmon Homes, on land between The Woodlands and Kings Newton Lane, is in Melbourne or Kings Newton.
He also requested the support of the parish council in objecting to the proposed development.
In response, the chair advised that the parish council is not able to comment on the grounds that a planning application had not yet been submitted to SDDC.
As to the address of the site location, only a rule of thumb response could be offered. If the entrance/exit to the proposed site is onto The Woodlands it would be Melbourne but if it is onto Kings Newton Lane, it would be Kings Newton. A planning application is anticipated to be sub-
mitted at the end of April.
County Cllr Linda Chilton advised that a large scale map was available for parish councillors to refer to when considering a response to Derbyshire County Council proposals to switch off selected street lighting. With regard to pavement marking in the fight against dog fouling, Cllr Chilton advised the council that it must apply to the Environmental Officer at SDDC, who in turn must communicate with DCC for a resolution.
South Derbyshire Day will be celebrated with Derby County Football Club at their home game with Huddersfied Town. The event programme will showcase South Derbyshire and The National Forest to the wider community.
Match day tickets are available to people living and working in South Derbyshire at special prices: Adults £12, Concessions (over 65s) £9.50, under 18s £7.50, Juniors (under 18s) £4.50. Tickets are on sale at Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre.
Dog fouling raised its head again when Cllr Jim Hewlett reported that the legal advice is that
MODERN sculpture is meeting traditional skills at Staunton Harold during the next two months with an exhibition of art by five leading East Midlands' artists.
The exhibition, at the Ferrers Centre, features work by Derbyshire-based Amanda Wray and Johnny White, Leicestershire's Tim Carter and Nottinghamshire-based sculptors Richard Thornton and Richard Janes.
The large scale works have been designed using various materials including stone, steel, glass and recycled metal and represent inspiration from ancient carvings from around the world, interpretations of events in the news and moments of family life.
The works, which are all for sale, are on display at the Ferrers Centre until June. The exhibition is free.
CCTV evidence of dog fouling is admissible when the cameras are in public view and there are signs indicating their use. It is only evidence from covert cameras that cannot be used.
The success of the improved doorstep recycling collection process introduced by SDDC has resulted in a reduction in the use of the Bring In sites.
As a consequence Melbourne is likely to see the facility at Budgens withdrawn. The potential withdrawal of the facilities from Melbourne School campus is to be reviewed. An alternative suggestion was made that if the
Lamb car park recycling facilities were removed, it might free up more car parking space. This proposal will also be considered.
The parish clerk reported that the council had been awarded £1,000 from the Download Festival to contribute towards renewing Christmas lights, and with more financial good news, County Cllr Chilton presented a cheque to Cllr Carroll for £1,000 from the Leadership Community Grant for a memorial plaque and defibrillator.
SDDC has acknowledged ownership of the redundant bus shelter on Packhorse Road and will arrange for its removal.
l A GROUP of Ticknall residents are pictured at a Spring Sunday lunch – a fund-raiser for Ticknall Village Hall. The event raised £700 and pictured are: John Rooks, Patty Rooks, Phil Stewart, David Anderson, Jenny Stewart, Irene Anderson, Dave Smith, Heather Stanton, Michael Stanton and Ros Baker.
l County Councillor Linda Chilton presents a cheque for £1,000 to Melbourne Parish Council Chair, Cllr Jane Carroll at the April parish council meeting.
Kedgeree with Natural Smoked Haddock and Salmon
The English Breakfast Grill ‘for the ‘Hearty’ 'Beef Hash'
Ham and Gruyere Buckwheat Crêpes
Poached Smoked Haddock with a Poached Egg and a rich, creamy Hollandaise Mousseline
Flu y Three Egg Omelette
Sautéed Mushrooms on Toasted Sour Dough
Bread served with a Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce
Canadian Pancakes served with fresh Blueberries or Bacon Rashers
American style Pancake with u y
Scrambled Egg, thinly sliced Smoked Salmon or Bacon Rashers
Toast and Jams, Marmalade
* Tea or Co ee
Wednesday - Saturday 10.30 - 2.30 6.30 - 9.30
Sunday - two sittings 12.00 & 4.30
MINESTRONE SOUP accompanied by BRUSCHETTA con PROSCIUTTO e MOZZARELLE crispy Italian bread rubbed with garlic, herbs, seasoning and olive oil topped with Prosciutto and Mozzarella and drizzled with Balsamic vinegar
***
TO SHARE
TAGLIATELLI alla AUTUNNO
this is a spin on the classic Italian-American Primavera, which calls for the best spring vegetables
& FARFALLE alla CHESTNUT MUSHROOMS and ALMONDS 'bow-tie' or 'butter y' shaped pasta is used in this dish: it is all about the natural UMAMI in the mushrooms, with a dashi-style stock creating depth and length of avour
&
PAPPARDELLA di POMODORO con DUCK RAGÙ
thick at ribbon pasta is used for this dish: shredded leg of duck slowly roasted in duck fat with herbs and salt. Served in a rich meaty tomato sauce – sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan cheese
***
CRESPELLE alla CREMA PASTICCERA light crêpes lled with pastry cream and ambéed with a dash of Cointreau: served with a boule of vanilla ice ream
***
£20.00 per head inclusive of V.A.T. @ 20% exclusive of 10% service charge
Garlic Bread/with Cheese
Nachos served with Guacamole & Tomato
Salsa topped with Melting Cheese
Scampi in a Cone served with Homemade Tartare Sauce
Caesar Salad with Bacon or Breast of Chicken
Parma Ham Antipasti served with Dipping Oil & Bread
Hot-Smoked Salmon Rillette with Toasted Sour Dough Bread
Goujons of Fish deep-fried in crispy Panko
Breadcrumbs, served with Jenga Chips
Beef Rendang with Ghee Rice
Garlic and Chilli Prawn Pasta
Pasta with Breast of Chicken & Pea Pesto
Pasta Bolognaise
'Ants Climbing Trees'
Pasta Alfredo - Vegetarian
Spicy Minced Meat Curried Pasta
'Sloppy Joe'
* Please call in for a copy of our Current 'Fast Track' Lunch Menu
THE Melbourne 2014 quiz came to its conclusion after eight weeks of Friday night fun and entertainment. The final four teams battled it out for the prestige of putting their team name on the trophy and accepting individual recognition by being awarded glass engraved paperweights.
The semi-finals saw previous winners Sad Anoraks and Melbourne Area Transition win through to the final, leaving The Rugby Club and Melbourne Garage to fight it out for the minor placing.
The outcome saw Transition take the winners’ shield beating the Sad Anoraks into second place with the Rugby Club in third.
Paul Fox, organiser of the quiz, gave thanks to everyone who had contributed to the success of this year’s quiz, which had raised £1,300. Paul invited Cheryl Webster, the representative from Treetops Hospice, to receive the cheque and to say a few words.
She thanked the quiz organisers for making the donation to Treetops and spoke about the new facilities that will be opening at Treetops later this year.
Cheryl Webster is pictured with the winning Melbourne Transition team, who are (lr) Ted Elliott, Graham Truscott, Andy Parrish and Dave Bailey.
MELBOURNE Community
Care is launching a new patron scheme to boost support and revenue and ensure the long-term future of the charity.
In common with many voluntary sector groups, providing the services offered is increasingly costly. Jane Carroll, who is secretary of the group, said: “The elderly and less able are heavily reliant on Community Care for support in so many ways, and the income we have will not last forever.
“We hope the scheme will be adopted by many local residents and ensure we can continue to provide the range of services we currently offer.”
Community Care provides a drop-in centre at the office, hearing aid support, befriending service, wheelchair loans, voluntary car lift service and the social and shopping trips in the community bus.
“This is a lifeline to many vulnerable people in our villages,” said Jane Carroll. It is run entirely without any public funding, and is dependent on donations and fund-raising.
The funding arrangements are quite simple, said Phil Dobby, who is helping to launch the scheme.
“Our annual expenses are around £6,000 more than our income and, while we were fortunate to have a significant be-
quest, this will not see us through in the longer term.
The hope is that people will sign up to pay just £1 per week through the patron scheme.
“With the Gift Aid scheme that would be worth £1.25 to us, and if we could get over 100 patrons, it would ensure we could continue to run the service.”
The scheme will be launched at the forthcoming retirement event for Dr Iain Black on April 12, which is itself a charity fund-raiser for Community Care.
For more details, or if you would like to volunteer in any way, contact Jane Bavister at the office in William’s Yard, Derby Road.
THE April meeting of Barrow Parish Council revisited the knotty and controversial problem of the football pitches used by the successful Brookfield Colts sides, and the desire of the council to widen the use of the Park to include a cricket square.
Between the March and April council meetings, Swarkestone Cricket Club and the Brookfield Colts had met and it was clear that the two wished to embrace "a spirit of compromise”, as the chairman of the cricket club, David Corner, said, and "it is common sense for the clubs to talk and reach agreement".
Swarkestone Cricket Club was committed to the development of the ground, with initial investment of up to £30,000.
The two sports clubs would be happy to agree the third option for the largest football pitch, with "a bit of give and take", although the parish council's chair, Mrs Anne Heathcoate, believed the
TICKNALL Garden Club members welcomed Fergus Garrett to a recent meeting. Fergus is the head gardener of Great Dixter, the home of the innovative and inspirational plantsman Christopher Lloyd.
Fergus told the story of Great Dixter, an historic house and gardens, a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from around the world.
The renovation of the medieval manor house in the early 1900s and development of gardens was captured with family photographs and architects’ plans from past to present.
Great Dixter is a garden constantly evolving, planted in a naturalistic style, tweaked to perfection, ensuring a touch of formality mixed with informality, with always a certain amount of reverence to the past.
Fergus joined Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter over 20 years ago and was able to give a personal insight into what it was like to work alongside this renowned gardener.
lesser sized pitch was satisfactory, and was apparently considered by the FA to be adequate.
Wayne Harvey-Toon, chairman of the Brookfield football club, said he was sure "we can work together".
The cricket club would finance the final measurements for the park, to accommodate the needs of both clubs.
It was finally accepted that the two clubs, having reached agreement, would submit their proposals to the parish council for a final decision.
Mr Corner emphasised that it was the wish of the cricket club to come to Barrow where there existed goodwill to Swarkestone CC, and a consensus that the development of the park was in the interests of Barrow residents.
He said that the club underwrote cricket coaching for five local schools.
– DOB
ANTIPASTI
Ox cheek pizzetta with pomegranate molasses and wild rocket
Smoked salmon and freshly baked focaccia with aged balsamic and extra virgin olive oil
Garlic and rosemary pizza bread with sea salt ***
SECONDI
Garden pea risotto with broad beans and crème fraiche
n ON weekday nights, Melbourne Assembly Rooms usually echoes to the sound of people getting fit at classes or playing badminton.
But on Thursday, March 27, the old school hall was transformed into Melbourne’s equivalent of London Fashion Week, as Best Kept Secret and Frocks and Frippery staged a catwalk show. Clothes included a jacket by Dolce and Gabbana and a Versace dress as well as top end high street fashions.
Despite the dreadful weather, the hall was packed with very elegantly dressed ladies (and a few men) enjoying cocktails and a chat, watching the show and then having the opportunity to try the clothes and accessories. The models were local ladies who looked stunning as they showcased the clothes, and the compere, Nick Shillabeer made the occasion both professional and fun.
The only slight criticism was that the show could perhaps have lasted a bit longer.
Rebecca Henry had donated very generous raffle prizes, which added to the sense of occasion.
All three shops make a real difference to Melbourne attracting people from outside the town and, together with the excellent restaurants and cafes, add to Melbourne’s reputation as a place for a great day out.
Spiced corn fed chicken escalope with a raisin couscous salad
Seared salmon fillet with a Borlotti bean linguini ***
DOLCI
Ginger and passion fruit panna cotta with biscotti crumbs
Amalfi Lemon sorbet with Limoncello liqueur
A PRESENTATION was made to Melbourne Parish Council at the March council meeting by Melbourne Sporting Partnership.
Board members Stuart Batchelor, of South Derbyshire District Council, and District Cllr John Harrison delivered the presentation to familiarise council members with the progress that has been made since 2010.
The Village Voice reported in August of that year that, “enthusiasm for the Melbourne Sporting Partnership was re-ignited at a meeting in July, attended by representatives of sports clubs, the parish council, and officers from the district council.”
The presentation reported that a feasibility study was commissioned in 2010. Members were appointed to the MSP Board – MSP was registered as a company limited by guarantee with the objective ‘To advance and promote outdoor multisport facilities for the residents of Melbourne and surrounding areas’.
It was appointed by SDDC, the parish council and clubs to manage the facilities with membership open to all and totally inclusive. The proposed outcomes are:
n To support clubs to maintain and develop through their national governing bodies;
n Support and develop junior sections;
n Increase growth and ensure opportunities for women and girls to participate; and
n Increase the number of coaches, officials and volunteers to support club growth.
The project proposal for a three-stage approach was identified as being: ground levelling and pitch creation feasibility; eight changing room clubhouse, pitch drainage, floodlit grass, artificial grass pitch and tennis courts; youth and children’s play equipment and recreational path.
The project costings for the three phases are Phase 1 £238k, Phase 2 £2m, Phase 3 £400k – totalling £2.8 million. Partnership funding for the project is currently £2.2million with potential sources identified to cover the shortfall of £600k.
The Business Plan for annual expenditure and income is identified as being £110k, and the breakdown as follows: expenditure – staffing £45k, ground maintenance £15k, general maintenance £4k, utilities £14k, sinking fund £20k, insurance/rate/other £10k, professional fees £2k.
Annual income – net sales bar and food £20k, club grass pitch hire £22k, artificial grass pitch hire £34k, room hire £5k, advertising/fund-raising £4k, SDDC In kind £15k, parish council £10k.
The project timetable acknowledges that pitch drainage and architects appointment have taken place in April and November 2013 respectively with construction procurement to start in April 2014 and completion of the construction phase in Spring 2015.
The presentation also included illustrations of the site layout, club house design, ground and first floor layout. Copies of the presentation and the site layout were distributed to those attending.
TWO classes of Swans, reception class children from Grace Dieu Manor School, visited Melbourne Hall at the invitation of Lady Marie Claire Kerr.
The visit was organised for the 26 children and staff to scatter poppy seeds in the gardens. It is hoped that the results will see the blossoming of a poppy field later in the year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.
Miss Nicola Speight, who led the Grace Dieu team said: “It was a really nice day enjoyed very much by the children, and a day that they will remember.”
The party of 26 children and staff have been invited to return in June to see the results of their efforts.
Pictured with the Swans of Grace Dieu Manor School are the teachers, Kathryn Robey (head gardener) and Lady Marie-Claire Kerr.
ASTON Primary School will be participating in a “Global Village” week. This will involve a study of the village, visiting the church, performing Christian ceremonies, visiting the Heritage Centre, experiencing traditional British forms of dance and taking part in a school dig involving the Aston Archaeology Society.
There will be an “International Day”, where everyone can attend school wearing any costume from around the world. In addition pupils will be exploring other religions and cultures through workshops at school.
MELBOURNE Area Transition drew attention to climate week by holding a "dinner in the dark" at Jack's cafe in Melbourne.
Climate week is Britain's biggest climate change campaign, inspiring a new wave of action to create a sustainable future. Local resident Sarah Spencer said: “A recent report by the UN's climate panel says scientists are 95% certain that humans are the dominant cause of global warming since the 1950s, and predictions for the future are dire if we don't act now.”
Melbourne Area Transition is a very active group that has a great track record in putting solar panels on Melbourne Parish Church's roof, running an annual food festival, holding talks, events and practical courses, creating a food garden at Melbourne Schools, and more recently initiating the purchase of 10 acres of land (as the co-operative Whistlewood Common Limited), to create an edible and productive woodland, where people can come and learn about sustainability.
“NO more developments for Melbourne!” That is the message from angry residents affected by proposals to build a large housing development right next to their homes and who have now formed an action group to fight the plans.
The Woodlands Action Group has been set up in protest against builder Charles Church after the developer announced it wanted to put up between 70 to 80 homes on two fields linking Melbourne with Kings Newton.
Action group member Ian Payne said: ”Our aim is to object to these plans and to stop the development going ahead.
“We’re asking for the support from all of the residents in Kings Newton and Melbourne and local councillors, South Derbyshire councillors and also other organisations that may have concerns over this.”
The group has a long list of objections to the development which they plan to use to oppose the plans, including:
m Traffic going in and out of the village would be even more congested than now, plus there
would be a knock-on effect on the already strained Swarkestone Bridge.
m Melbourne lacks the health and educational infrastructure to cope with another influx of people.
m The development would effectively destroy Kings Newton’s identity as a separate village.
m There are concerns over the housing provided by Persimmon Homes – of which Charles Church is part – with negative publicity on BBC Watchdog back in 2012.
South Derbyshire District Councillor John Harrison told The Village Voice he too felt “uneasy” about the size of development.
He said: “I await sight of the planning application once it’s submitted, but in the meantime I’m most uneasy about any suggestion of further development on this proposed scale which is not included in the district council’s emerging local plan – not least of all the upheaval of the primary schools here in Melbourne and the secondary school due to all the increased number of children if this development
was to go ahead.”
Charles Church has said that if the development is granted, it would pay money to the council under a section 106 agreement for any educational improvements that would be made necessary.
Regarding issues over the quality of their homes, Paul Hurst, managing director of Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “In the past, certain regions of Persimmon Homes have received negative press concerning poor customer care.
“However, the North Midlands region prides itself on the quality and customer service we give to our purchasers and our record since this region was set up 20 years ago speaks for itself.”
– Lucy Stephens
MEMBERS of the Woodlands Action Group are pictured in a member’s garden that overlooks the site of the proposed development of 70 houses.
CHELLASTON Academy’s Uganda team is gearing up for its most ambitious summer project yet.
The team plans to re-visit the John Dickens House and completely rebuild the original dormitory block, doubling capacity over the next two years to 120. The first building this year will house 60 boys in five dormitories, and will have a hospital room, a work room and a large “soup” kitchen able to provide food not only for the children on site, but also provide a staple meal for adults from the wider community. It will be a two storey building and pupils will be able to use the roof for some gardening.
“We are a victim of our own success,” said teacher, Richard Karran, “the orphanage is so well known that the authorities are now bringing children to us on a regular basis; more than we can cope with.”
At present there are two boys for every bed, so they need to expand capacity.
“Usually, local staff are able to foster the children, or return them to their own family but we wish to be able to house more children on a permanent basis,” he said.
The Academy pupils (pictured) are very excited about the opportunity. Calum Ogilvie said: “We have been exposed to the Uganda project since starting this school and it just makes you want to go and see it for yourself.”
Charlotte Wray added: “Who would not want to go, it’s such a fantastic opportunity.”
The cost this year will be an ambitious £35000, but they have raised about half so far. The fundraisers have included a casino night, a race night, a Bollywood night, a bingo session, a pop-up café and a craft fair.
Jessica Woddingham has a weekend job in Boots, and puts all her wages to the project. Amanda Smith-Read has organised a well known church choir from Kampala – the Watoto Choir –to play on April 24 at the Salvation Army Hall at The Spot in Derby. They hope that all parents and friends will look out for forthcoming events and support them.
The pupils get a huge amount from working together as part of the team but they do have to sacrifice what otherwise might be free time.
“It’s a balance,” said Calum. “You do get a bit less spare time and have to use up any free periods doing work.”
“This kind of experience is just gold-dust on a CV,” said Mr Karran.
Local firms generously help the project, too; Boots Chemists and Manor Pharmacy have given essential medical supplies, and Tomlinson builders have been helping with the training this year. Many others and many parents have continued to support the venture. If you wish to help visit the Chellaston Uganda page http://www.chellaston.derby.sch.uk/Uganda
l Residents are pictured at Aston on Trent Heritage Centre with members of the council team who officiated at the event.
THE latest round in the South Derbyshire Local Plan consultation programme took place at Aston on Trent. The consultation event was presented under the title of South Derbyshire Pre-Submission Local Plan Part 1.
Display boards, illustrated maps and brochures covering a range of plans and policies related to the local plan, were available for visitors to peruse.
There was also a team from the district council on hand to guide visitors through the documentation and to answer any questions.
Visitors were reminded that any representations made at this stage should only be made in regard to soundness or legal and procedural compliance: whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with relevant national policies, Local Plan regulations and statement of community in-
volvement. It was not an occasion to question the decision of site selection or to voice objections.
The location of the proposed development at Aston and nominated as a strategic site is on land of the former Aston Hall Hospital. The 100 houses may now be downgraded to 77 homes plus the care home that currently has outline planning permission.
Other locations included in the plan are Chellaston Fields 500, Holmleigh Way, Chellaston, 150, Wragley Way 1950.
Representations should be made using the prescribed representation form that can be downloaded from the council’s website at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/localplanpresubmission
Comments will be welcome until Tuesday, April 22.
THE estate agent’s description of a property “with an elevated position, standing in grounds of 0.075 acres of land, enjoying superb views of the surrounding Derbyshire countryside,” and a price tag of under £3,000 might sound tempting to many a first-time buyer. However, the property under the hammer might prove just a little isolated – it is a cold war nuclear fallout look-out post built in the 1960s on the hill overlooking Stanton by Bridge.
Originally fitted out to enable members of the Royal Observer Corps to remain underground in the event of nuclear fall-out it was originally kitted with communications, basic rations, mattresses and buckets. The role of the observers was to monitor levels of fall-out in the event of a nuclear war and radio back the results.
Bagshaws Auctioneers, who are acting for the owners, described the property as “part submerged underground, accessed by a steel hatch and steel ladder which in turn leads to a lobby area, main room and a small area which we are led to believe was the toilet area”.
A spokesperson for the auctioneers said there had been a lot of interest in the property, not just out of curiosity, and there have been a number of bids made already, but it will nonetheless be open for bids at the forthcoming auction on Tuesday, April 15, at 11.30am. Could just come in handy if the Ukraine crisis escalates!
THE 15th annual Young Musician of the Year competition organised by the Rotary Club of Melbourne attracted more than 20 competitors. It was no simple task for the independent adjudicators Terry Clay and David Johnson.
The afternoon session was for beginners, and grade 1-4 students with the evening session for grade winners from the afternoon, and grades 5-8. The grades are national criteria which have been set by the
Associated Board of Music, who selected all the test pieces.
Rotarian Douglas Keith, organiser of the event, told the Village Voice: “The competition recognises and celebrates the musical talents and, in some cases, ambitions of the youth of our community. Year by year, evidence is emerging of the very positive impact which musicianship has on the development of a young person, regardless of whether he/she intends to pursue a ca-
reer in music.”
The three trophy winners were: Beginners– Madeleine Pickering (violin). Under 15 – William Chen (piano). Young Musician of the Year – Milton Cheung (piano).
Pictured (l-r) are: Sadie Longhurst, Grace Garner, William Chen, Douglas Keith, Alexander Considine, Bethany Caswell, Madeleine Pickering and Milton Cheung.
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VILLAGERS from Barrow upon Trent have been given a fascinating insight into their history thanks to a generous Lottery-funded project.
The small community was once the subject of a remark in Parliament that it was “a remote village where there is little or no demand for accommodation”.
Yet over the centuries it has been touched by political scandal as well as home to swindlers, well-known painters, generous philanthropists and, through it all, an ancient church.
Villagers have been able to piece together Barrow’s story after winning a £9,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the nationwide “All Our Stories” scheme – which aimed to draw communities together by helping them find out about the history right on their doorstep.
The year-long project has seen residents’ young and old find out about their heritage in a series of different events, from hosting archaeologists to sending school pupils on history trips.
The ambitious enterprise has now come to an end and has culminated in a specially produced book, ‘Barrow upon Trent: Our Story’, which has been handed to all 250 households in the village. There is also an accompanying DVD.
Dr Jill Scarfe, a local resident who led the project, said: “We involved as many people in the com-
munity as possible.
“Our hope was that a lot of people would be involved, that the youngsters and the oldsters would meet up and that the senior citizens would be able to pass on their stories and the youngsters would benefit from learning how to talk to older people by interviewing them.
“We have come out at the end of the day with a DVD which shows all the older houses and a book which chapters quite a lot of the major characters who lived here.
“We have found out some amazing stories.”
One of the major findings of the project was the discovery that Barrow upon Trent’s Parish Church – previously known to have been one of the few in Britain still existing to have been developed by the Knights Hospitallers – in fact boasts even earlier Anglo-Saxon origins.
Another interesting nugget from the more recent past is Barrow’s War Memorial. This was erected mid-Great War in 1916 in recognition of the fact that Barrow sent more young men to battle – proportionate to its size – than any other village in Derbyshire, and possibly the whole country.
You can find out more about the project by logging on to http://www.butphrg.org.uk/blog/
– Lucy Stephens
To try and reduce the amount of clinical time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice will soon be o ering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception. Please note, we cannot o er this service unless a consent form has been completed.
Naomi Fry BDS & Associates, Helen Baker BDS
● Family Dental Care using latest techniques and materials
● Friendly and caring service
● Cosmetic Dentistry including tooth whitening
Naomi Fry accepts child orthodontic patients on the N.H.S.
AS you retrieve your lawn mower from the shed for the first cut of the season, spare a thought for Norman Widdowson, head groundsman at Kings Newton Bowls Club.
He has been tending the green for the past 20 years, cutting the lawn every other day – out in all weathers to ensure the ground is in tip-top condition for play.
Norman, who will be 80 next year, can celebrate a lifetime devoted to the sport. He began playing at the age of 15 and has been looking after bowling greens almost as long.
After school and National Service he took a job for Derby City Council in the greenhouses and spent 40 years working for the parks department. On retirement he wanted to continue with the work he loved, and at various times has had responsibility of looking after greens at Littleover, Co-op and Alvaston and Crewton clubs.
He understands what makes a good surface for playing because he still plays for his home club in Littleover and doesn’t take any flak from the club members.
“They will try and kid me that there is a weed in the far corner,” he says “or that the grass hasn’t been cut – but that is usually an excuse for when they have lost,” he quipped.
He is still immensely passionate about his job, too.
“It is during the winter that the real hard work is done, scarifying, spiking, fertilising and treating any of the diseases that can
kill the grass. Fusarium is the lawn’s deadliest disease – a fungus that discolours the grass and kills the roots, “Weeds are not so much of a problem these days as you can get effective spot killer.”
He is a crown-green bowler to the core.
“The Widdowsons are a bowling family,” he said “and nephew Keith won the British Crown Green Bowling Championship in 1978, the highest accolade a bowler can aspire to”.
He is deeply attached to the club in Kings Newton and, although he now has much welcomed help from Cedric Payne and the other members of the club, he has no intention of retiring.
“It’s a social thing as much as anything else, and it keeps me active and fit,” he said. His wife, Linda, to whom he has been married for 54 years, is not a bowler but goes along to games.
Club chairman Neil Hill paid this tribute to the work Norman has done for the club: “He is the top groundsman in the area; his knowledge, experience and dedication are second to none.”
Neil recalled that he was once passing the club on Christmas Day, and saw a lone figure on the green – there was Norman cutting the lawn at midday.
“That is dedication!” he said.
Norman is proud of the club’s reputation for its green. “One of the best two in the East Midlands,” as one member chipped in. He is certain, too, that the surface has helped in the club’s successes, including the Dickie Cup in 2003, and promotion of the Vets to Division 1 last year.
The club is constantly looking for new members to join and Norman invited everyone to go along to the next open evening on April 12 to see what it has to offer.
And for keen gardeners in search of perfection, his secret for a really good lawn is quite simple – dedication and enjoying it!
– Frank Hughesn MELBOURNE Photographic Society held another highly successful photographic print exhibition and coffee morning at The Thomas Cook Memorial Hall.
The hall was buzzing with interest and visitors had an opportunity to chat with authors about prints and various techniques. One of the organisers, Gavin Lake, commented: “This is the third print exhibition and coffee morning we have arranged in the last year and is clearly well received by the community. It is our intention to continue to offer these enjoyable exhibitions free of charge to the residents of Melbourne and district.”
Pictured at the exhibition are (l-r): Ian Pettit (MPS president), John Hopper, Dave
IT’S that time of the year again when young Miss Melbourne hopefuls are being asked to get ready for their chance to be a princess for the day.
This year’s Miss Melbourne competition is being held at the Royal British Legion on May 9.
The requirements for entry are that contenders should live in Melbourne parish and be a senior school student.
Six attendants will also be chosen on the night – these should be aged between four and 11 and either live in the parish or attend Melbourne School.
The winning Miss Melbourne and her attendants are traditionally driven in all their finery in the float which kicks off the summer carnival, this year to be held on Saturday, July 12.
Doors for the Miss Melbourne event will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. There will be a £1 fee
DO you belong to a group or organisation that invites ‘speakers’ to talk at group meetings? Do you have problems finding speakers? Don’t despair, help is at hand.
The Derbyshire Directory, run by Derbyshire County Council, is available for local groups looking for a speaker. The speakers list gives information on more than 180 speakers who can talk on a variety of interesting topics.
They include talks on Derbyshire customs, healthy living, family history and worldwide adventures. Some of the talks are free, others ask for donations to charity, and some make a charge.
The Derbyshire Directory also gives information on more than 3,000 clubs, societies and voluntary groups which can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/directory or by phoning Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. If you are a speaker and want to join the free list, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/speakers
MELBOURNE Civic Society announced the winner of its Civic Award for 2014 at its Annual General Meeting.
Judging took place on March 13 by a panel led by architect Liz Walker together with Jane Carroll, chair of the parish council, and members of the Civic Society.
Millbrook, the new Davidson's housing development on Station Road, was declared the winner. St Michael's House and Amalfi White were highly commended.
Other contenders were Roebuck House, Pool Farm Cottage at Woodhouses, 48-52 Commerce Street and 37 Blanch Croft.
The award will be presented at the Civic Society's Midsummer Evening at Melbourne Hall in June.
n The next meeting of the Civic Society will be on Monday, April 14, in Melbourne Assembly Rooms at 7.30pm when Joan Ward will give a talk called ‘Kill or Cure’.
on the door for the disco, but the competition is free to enter. For further details, ring organiser Tracey Ridley on 01332 863519.
Meanwhile, locals are reminded that this year’s Melbourne Carnival is being held on a vintage theme and an attempt is being made to break the British record for the longest bunting.
Everyone is being invited to take part by contributing a length of bunting; it is asked that triangles should ideally be handed in sewn or stuck on to tape or ribbon and placed 10 centimetres apart.
Templates are available at various shops in Melbourne, including Jilly Clarks’ Shoes, The Post Office, Jack’s Cafe, The Welcome Cafe and Melbourne Library.
Collection boxes are also available dotted around town. For further details, ring Emily Starkie on 01332 864268. – Lucy Stephens
Approx 1000 sq ft with o ce, toilets, alarm, two roller shutter doors, parking. 3 phase power and attached small storage building.
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at Station Yard, Station Road, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8BQ Please
Baptist Church - Chapel Street (865215)
Good
‘Seeking Soul’
Catholic Church - Church Street (862631)
Good Friday3.00 pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion (at Castle Donington)
Holy Saturday9.00 pmThe Easter Vigil (Melbourne)
Easter Day10.30 am Mass of Easter Day (Melbourne)
Methodist Church - Church Street (405286)
Good Friday7.00 pm Good Friday Reflection
Easter Day5.50 am ‘Sunrise Service’ on Breedon Hill
8.30 am Easter Day Communion then Church Family breakfast
10.30 amEaster Day Family Celebration - with the Puppet Team! Parish Church - Church Square (864741)
Good Friday2.00 pmThe Liturgy of the Cross
7.30 pmSung Compline - at Ticknall Church
Holy Saturday8.00 pmThe Easter Vigil
Easter Day8.00 amHoly Communion
10.30 am Parish Communion
6.30 pmChoral Evensong
United Reformed - Church High Street (862175)
Good Friday 7.00 pm An Hour at the Cross
Easter Day 8.00 amEaster Communion
10.30 am Easter Morning Worship
6.00 pm Easter Songs of Praise
After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Now go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28 v 1-7
Churches Together in Melbourne invite everyone on Easter Day to decorate our bare wooden cross with flowers. The cross will be near the Methodist Church off the Market Place
Bell (competition and exhibition secretary) and Joy Hopper.
Wednesday 7 May , 11am to 4pm National Trust, Calke Abbey
Bonhams specialists are pleased to offer confidential advice on any items you may be considering selling at auction, including jewellery, silver, furniture, pictures, clocks, works of art and textiles.
Usual National Trust admission rates apply. Valuations £2 per item or £5 for three items, with proceeds towards a restoration project at Calke Abbey.
If you require any further information please contact: 01564 776151 sarah.shirleypriest@bonhams.com
Bonhams
The Old House, Station Rd, Knowle, West Midlands B93 0HT
3 exhilarating days 18 spectacular races 400 historic racing cars
CLOCKING ON ... Determined faces at the start of the five-mile run.
THEY’RE OFF ... Smiles from some at the start of the fun run.
THE 25th anniversary Weston Run was held in ideal weather –warm, dry and not windy.
There was a good turnout of competitors, the best for over 20 years, with 226 finishers in the five-mile road race and 128 in the two-mile fun run. Special commemorative tot glasses and medals were awarded to all finishers.
The event started and finished at the Ukrainian Centre in Weston-on-Trent where spectators could watch the runners complete a circuit of the field both at the start and the finish.
The first three men home were: winner in a new record time of 25.44 Tim Hartley (Barrow
Runners), 2nd in 26.25 Mark Powell (Leicester Coritanians), and 3rd in 27.44 Cory Parker (Burton AC).
The winning female in 30th place overall was Florine Hierse Menzel in 33.51 from Shepshed Running Club.
The winning team was Long Eaton Running Club.
The first three finishers in the fun run were 1st in 11.55 Kyle Handford (Chesapeake Road Runners), 2nd in 12.25 Edward Baxter (Shelton Striders) and 3rd in 12.30 George Shephard (Ivanhoe Robins).
Featuring world-class grids from the 1980s back to the 1920s: Le Mans Prototypes, Single-Seater racing cars, GT cars, Sportscars and Touring Cars, plus...
Group B rally cars and Historic Rally Car Register live action plus 6R4 30th anniversary display
Extensive trade village
of classic cars on display Track parades and demonstrations, including classic motorcycle demos
Kids’ Zone
Cafés, bars and food outlets
Free paddock and grandstand access
Free parking
MELBOURNE Civic Society, as a member of the East Midlands Airport Consultative Committee, has for many years urged the airport to reduce the level of night time aircraft noise afflicting Melbourne and Kings Newton.
EMA is currently developing a new master plan, including the airport’s estimates of future traffic growth and noise levels.
The previous master plan, published in 2006, forecast aggressive expansion, predicting that by 2016 there would be more than nine million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of air freight each year with a doubling of night time aircraft noise.
The Consultative Committee has long argued that these forecasts were wildly unrealistic: in fact in 2013 there were four million passengers and 300,000 tonnes of freight.
The society is pleased to see that the new plan uses more cautious growth estimates, suggesting that by 2030-40 the airport may have 10 million passengers and 600,000 tonnes of air freight each year.
If the UK economy continues to improve, passenger numbers may well increase, but air freight at EMA has not changed for the last decade, and the society remains unconvinced of the potential for substantial increases.
Government policy issued last year encourages all airports to limit and, where possible, reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise, placing particular emphasis on night noise.
But the new master plan suggests that EMA may allow night noise to increase by some 50% above the current level, despite Government policy.
It is not clear to Melbourne Civic Society how allowing night noise to increase will conform to Government guidance to reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise. A spokesman said: “We regret that the airport is not taking a more stringent approach to night noise. We will continue to urge that night noise at EMA be reduced from the current level, rather than allowed to increase, and that the airport seeks proactive methods to reduce night time noise.”
The draft master plan is on the airport website for consultation until May 23 (www.eastmidlandsairport.com/development).
Comments may be made by email to developmentplan@eastmidlandsairport.com or in writing to East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2SA – Paul Grimley
CHANGEABLE weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of more than 120 people who participated in Whistlewood Common's Big Tree Plant.
The event was made possible by donations of trees from Million Trees Derbyshire and the Woodland Trust.
More than 2,400 trees and hedging plants were delivered to the site in time for the event.
The army of volunteers was drawn from the community enterprise's own members, children from Melbourne Junior School and Dame Catherine Harpur's School, local Scouts and Guides and the general public.
Sophie Churchill, CEO of the National Forest Company which provided a grant to help purchase the land, also came to lend a hand.
Whistlewood Director Sarah Spencer had some concerns as worsening weather on Saturday threatened the final stages of the event but, she said: "We shouldn't have worried. Our fantastic volunteers were absolutely determined to complete the task with more attending during Saturday afternoon than at any other time.”
Whistlewood's future development will continue apace with fund-raising events being organised at Easter when an egg-hunt is planned and throughout the summer when the yurt will be available for hire. To get involved, join the members' waiting list or to find out more see the website www.whistlewoodcommon.org or email admin@whistlewoodcommon.org
BREEDON on the Hill WI’s monthly meeting is be on Wednesday, April 30, at 7.30pm in the Community Room, Breedon School. It should be very colourful indeed with a talk by Gulpa Nath on saris, the meaning of colour used, decoration and how they are
worn. Visitors are most welcome.
THE next Area 2 Safer Neighbourhood Team Meeting/ Repton Area Forum will take place on Monday, June 2, at Repton Village Hall. THE Area 3 SNT Meeting / Melbourne Area Forum covering Melbourne, Barrow on Trent, Stanton by Bridge, Swarkestone, Weston on Trent, Aston on Trent, Shardlow, Thulston, Ambaston and Elvaston will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at Barrow upon Trent Village Hall.
LIFE-SAVER ... (l-r) Ticknall Parish Council chairman Nigel Picken, Cllr Linda Chilton, Martin Fagen, Karl Ashfield from Western Power Distribution and Celia Bunston, clerk to Ticknall Parish Council.
A LIFE-SAVING piece of emergency equipment has been installed in Ticknall, and investigations are underway to bring similar machines to Melbourne.
The bright yellow defibrillator is now in place on the wall of Ticknall Village Hall for use if anyone has a cardiac arrest.
Ticknall is following in the footsteps of thousands of parishes across the country to have installed defibrillators in an attempt to try to increase the national cardiac arrest survival rate.
They work by giving an electric shock to a patient and, together with CPR, dramatically increase their chances of staying alive while waiting for an ambulance.
Martin Fagen, national secretary for the Community Heartbeat Trust – the charity which pro-
vided Ticknall’s machine – told The Village Voice: “If someone has a cardiac arrest you’ve got five minutes to do something.
“If we can run a project to get the community to do something and make sure the equipment is local and where it’s needed we will save lives.”
The money for Ticknall’s defibrillator was covered by donations from Western Power Distribution and Derbyshire County Councillor Linda Chilton.
There will be a training session in the village hall at 7pm on May 19, giving local residents the opportunity to learn how to use it.
Other places in the area to have installed the machines include Aston-on-Trent and Barrowupon-Trent.
– Lucy Stephens
● Short or long term
●
Chair Jane Carroll 863269
Vice Chair/Highways
Wendy Earp 865019
Burial Grounds
Sheila Hicklin 865726
Recreation & Ameneties
Andrew Jackson 07931 541387
David Carpenter 864521
Nigel Collyer 07831 540538
Sarah Dunnicli 862162
Christopher Howard OBE 07795 484120
George Hudson 07503 247953
Rose Minife 07795 362936
Robert Parker 07973 297404
Margaret Sharp 862471
David Smith 862699
Malcolm Stockill 694598
Paul Willmore 863044
Jacqui Storer - Clerk 07734 939292
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My term of o ce as chair of Melbourne Parish Council comes to an end at the May council meeting and this will be the last quarterly report from me. I have been honoured to serve the parish and all residents. I give my support and best wishes to my successor.
● The Annual Parish Meeting in March was well attended and reported in the Village Voice. The council welcomed Mrs. Freeman to present the annual Dr. Brendan Freeman award to Frank Hughes for his community work. Melbourne Sporting Partnership and South Derbyshire District Council gave an interesting presentation of the background and progress of the project. The minutes of the meeting which include the annual reports can be found on the website. www.melbourneparishcouncil.org.uk
● I attended the Fire Authority meeting in February and was very pleased that the proposal which included the closure of Melbourne Station was shelved. However, The Fire Authority needs to save money and we should be aware that there may still be a threat to our station.
● Councillors have considered the safety and accessibility of the “twitchells” in the town and compiled a report for South Derbyshire District Council.
● The Parish Council is considering Derbyshire County Council night time street lighting proposals.
● We have been granted money from Melbourne Rotary Club and Cllr. Chilton’s community fund to buy de brillators for the town. The location and providers are to be discussed with advice from the Ambulance Service.
● The annual Download Festival is donating money to the Parish Council this year which could be spent on either de brillators or Christmas lights.
● Tra c problems in the town are well known and despite many discussions no solution has been found.
The Parish Council is hosting a meeting to discuss the problems on Thursday 17th April at 7.30pm. at the Assembly Rooms. A talk will be given by Ben Hamilton-Baillie, UK’s leading authority on urban tra c ow.
There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. If you are concerned this is an opportunity so please come along and have your say.
Jane Carroll - Chair, Melbourne ParishCouncil
FOUR months ago my wife and I carried out our own version of ‘Escape to the Country’ by moving to the Staunton Harold estate from the midrural setting of Stanley near Ilkeston.
It had been many years since I had last moved house and had forgotten what a long drawn-out and stressful process it can be.
But we are here now and beginning to enjoy the tranquility and privilege of living in such wonderful surroundings with acres of countryside and miles of picturesque walks, a Grade 1 listed house, a National Trust church, a craft centre and a garden centre.
The first thing we noticed after moving in was the night-time silence. It was so quiet we couldn’t sleep for the first few nights. The silence was deafening. Then there is the darkness. No streets lights and no light pollution makes staring at the night sky and trying to make out all the constellations another magical experience, just like when you were a kid.
side. The variety of birds in our garden is remarkable with the highlight being a pair of greater spotted woodpeckers which are daily visitors to the baskets of feeders.
There is, however, one problem of living in the hamlet. Or it can sometimes be a blessing.
People can’t always find us! One exasperated delivery driver phoned three times in an attempt to find us. “But the Sat Nav is taking me into the sticks,” he remonstrated.
That’s where we live I told him before jumping into my car to find him. It was the third time I had needed to go and find visitors. No doubt it won’t be the last.
Of course, the odd harbinger of doom has attempted to cast a cloud over our vibrant optimism by pointing out that when it comes to risks of an emergency a) you could be dead before the ambulance can find you or b) your house will probably have burnt down before the fire brigade arrives.
We chose Staunton Harold after looking at copious houses in Derbyshire and we just couldn’t believe our luck to have found such a fabulous setting. Our garden backs on to fields and a lake safely in the distance yet it’s only a modest three bedroom end terrace but it’s private and it’s like having hundreds of acres as your own back garden.
It was the lifestyle choice that clinched the move: being in the country but being close enough to towns such as Melbourne and Ashby so as to be not too far from civilisation.
According to a recent survey by the Office of National Statistics people living in rural areas are happier than those in cities, although I was shocked to see that South Derbyshire was amongst the list of 10 ‘most anxious’ places in Britain. But I have seen
no evidence of so-called ‘anxiety’ in Melbourne. It seems a thriving, vibrant town with great independent shops and lots of events happening.
The Promote Melbourne group must be doing something right. People, too, are very friendly. My only complaint is that I couldn’t find any jars of local Derbyshire or Leicestershire honey that I wanted to give as a present.
The wildlife is astounding – at least compared to what we are used to. Driving home I have had to give way on occasions to herds of deer and a hare, which decided it wanted to bounce along in front of my car for almost a mile before veering off into the country-
PHOENIX Writers met at Melbourne Assembly Rooms for their monthly meeting, to discuss Gregory Heath’s second novel with the author.
It was an excellent opportunity to hear how a novel travels from an idea in a writer’s mind to words on a page or screen.
Thoughts of Maria takes the form of a series of confessions to camera by the four main characters.
The novel is framed by two almost identical sentences spoken by the Maria of the title. She is the elder daughter of a hard-working family who have the misfortune to live on the Payatas Dump in Manila in the Philippines.
At 19 she decides the only way to help her family to escape its terrible poverty is for her to marry an honourable and respectable Englishman and send money home. She is a good daughter and chooses to become Gerry Thorley’s online bride. It is a choice that she seems happy to make despite the disparity in their ages and backgrounds.
This novel may be physically small but it tackles matters of Biblical proportions. Sins are addressed in all their variety. There is the sin of a government that cannot adequately look after its people, and sins of greed, envy and lust. All are put under a microscope for the reader to examine.
This modern-day morality tale highlights the messes we may get ourselves into with all the technology and ease of communication that is now available. But it also clearly shows that we can reject the dubious side of these wonderful advances and put digital wizardry to good use by giving human beings and their real needs top priority.
The book is available at Melbourne Library.
– Liz BrownhillBut, hopefully, the enjoyment, relaxation and quality of life outweigh the risks. No doubt there are downsides to living in the countryside, which we have yet to experience.
I have yet to encounter problems with our septic tank – not something I will relish.
I remember reading a newspaper article warning retirees against moving to the countryside because of becoming isolated and ending up leading solitary lives. But, from my limited experience so far, it’s just the opposite. People seem very communityminded and friendly.
So far, living in the country has exceeded our expectations. Now we’re looking forwarding to experiencing the seasons in all their natural glory.
A
been revealed as one of the first winners of the new RYA Regional Youth Champion awards.
Ellie Craig was crowned East Midlands RYA Youth Champion at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show and received her award from the British Sailing Team’s 49er European Champion, Dylan Fletcher.
In her first season racing away from her home club, after securing a place in the RYA North Zone Topper Squad, Ellie, from Norton Juxta Twycross, has been ‘promoted’ to the RYA Topper National Intermediate squad for 2014, which puts her in the top 18 girls sailing Toppers nationally.
Ellie said: “It felt really good to be recognised for my sailing and it’s also fantastic publicity for my club. They are really proud of me. I love the challenges that the sport presents and the feeling you get when you do well.”
Nick Waters, Staunton Harold Commodore, said: “This is simply a wonderful achievement for Ellie and her family, and is a result of her modest determination to learn and succeed. We wish her well for 2014.”
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“Brushing aside the competition”
9 DUNVEGAN CLOSE, STENSON FIELDS,
MELBOURNE RFC enjoyed the sun and a playable pitch for the first time at home since December when they welcomed Bakewell in a game sponsored by SP Photographics of Melbourne.
Melbourne kicked off and applied early pressure on Bakewell. Hard work from the forwards and some good build-up phases eventually paid off as Theo de Vies went over in the corner. A few minutes later Melbourne were able to take a further three points from Euan Holden’s boot.
Bakewell began to play wiser rugby and kept possession for a short while, eventually scoring off a well worked move.
A great break from Jacob Watts was stopped just short of the Bakewell line but good tracking from Rob Foster allowed him to latch onto a maul and sneak his way over the line for a half time lead of 15-7.
A nicely contested ruck saw Alec Judge go off with a finger at 90 degrees, a gruesome dislocation. Melbourne managed to sneak over the line again with a try, followed by a great conversion from Holden.
In the last play of the game, Melbourne were able to get the much-needed bonus point try from Ashley Corden after some great interchanges of passes. Final score 25-7 with man of the match named as Oliver Page.
Melbourne travelled to league leaders Belgrave with a muchchanged side and was well beaten 49-0. Man of the match was Morris Hall playing his first game since injury three months earlier. There was a senior debut to Ed Hames and season debuts to Chris
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The next game saw the arrival of Stamford at Cockshut Lane, with the match ball sponsored by Dave Middleton.
Les Davis, Derbyshire Rugby president, also attended, doing his round to watch all 24 teams in the county.
Stamford started strongly and took an early three-point lead. However, Melbourne soon took control. Powerful running and a green brick wall in defence helped them to score three tries from Ash Stringer (2) and Jack Fisher. A loose pass saw Stamford score late on, to make it 178 at half-time.
The second half saw all the points go to Melbourne to earn a bonus point win and league safety (bearing mishaps). Tries from Holden, Smith, Fish and Will Judge with five conversions from Holden saw Melbourne run out 45-8 winners. Holden was Ian Master’s Man of the Match.
Dronfield arrived at Cockshut Lane for the next game, with the match ball sponsored by Harpur’s of Melbourne. Melbourne started quickly and scored three tries from Rob Foster and Will Judge (2) in 20 minutes but Dronfield never let
Melbourne get away, scoring themselves to make it 17-7 at half-time.
Dronfield scored two quick penalties to narrow the gap, but Olly Page sneaked over late on for the bonus point to win 2213. Harpur’s voted Watts as Man of the Match.
The 2nd XV continue winning with wins against Newark 4s 59-10 and a much harder encounter against West Bridgford 3s 26-19.
Tom Line continues to excel at full back as do Tony Day, Jordan Sparkes and Chris Williams in the pack, but generally the 2nds have all stepped up this year after last year’s difficult season.
Two yellow cards marred each week’s game – both for team manager and veteran Dave Lowson.
A 26-7 win against Meden Vale 2nds followed with tries from debutant Jon Doughy, Jordan Hollis, Buxton and Jack Pearce with Tom Line converting three. A midweek game against Derby 2nds in the Derbyshire Cup saw Melbourne take a 61-5 battering with only a try from Kurtis Robinson to trouble the scoreboard.
MELBOURNE Rugby Football Club’s Mini and Junior section entertained the chair of South Derbyshire District Council, Cllr Anne Hood and consort Cllr Frank Hood at the Chellaston Academy ground.
They were able to watch a match between teams from Melbourne and Burton and to witness other mini and junior teams taking part in their training activities.
There were an impressive 200-plus youngsters taking part on the day. The invitation was extended to the councillors in appreciation of the support from SDDC to Melbourne and to show first-hand the depth of involvement of young people and the adult volunteers that go to make Melbourne RFC such a successful club.
Club president David Smith spoke of the importance of the Mini and Junior section and the natural progression they provide to the senior teams.
Pictured at Chellaston Academy with the players are David Smith, Councillor Ann Hood, Frank Hood, Peter Ilott (chairman MRFC) and Steve Hollinsworth (treasurer MRFC).
MINIBUS TIMETABLE – APRIL 2014
For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care O ce, Mon-Thu 9:30am-1:30pm; Fri 9:30am-12:30 or telephone 863585 (answering machine when o ce is closed). All journeys subject to number of booked passengers, minimum number required is 8, max 12
• WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE
• Community Care do not provide escort assistance on these trips.
• For information on our “escorted trips” please contact the Community Care O ce.
• Every Friday we run a local door-to-door service to Budgens Supermarket and escort assistance can be provided if required.
Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison and Councillor Jim Hewlett ADVICE
at Melbourne Assembly Rooms - 11 am to 12 noon
THE weather once again played havoc with the football programme in March with many local games being postponed.
MELBOURNE DYNAMO played just two games – a 1-1 away draw and a comfortable 5-0 home win against Wirksworth Town.
Away to title rivals Rowsley, it was all going wrong as Matt Jones was sent-off after just 20 minutes with Rowsley scoring from the resulting penalty and leaving Melbourne’s unbeaten run in danger.
However, substitute Dave Brough equalised for the 10 men with nine minutes to go to earn a superb away point.
It was the league’s leading scorer, Dave Brough, who took his tally to 28 for the season the following week with four goals plus a Lee Bull strike. This completed the scoring in their 5-0 home win over Wirksworth, keeping the first team still unbeaten in the league and lying in second place. April will be a busy month for them.
MELBOURNE DYNAMO RESERVES managed to get two games played in the month, winning both easily to continue their climb up Division Two.
In the 6-1 home win against Pastures Reserves, Ryan Monk helped himself to a hat-trick. Leading goal scorer Jack Goodband added a brace which together with a Jack Stanley header completing the scoring.
They followed this with a steady 2-0 away win against Bargate Rovers Reserves with Goodband and Stanley again getting on the scoresheet.
This leaves Greg Salisbury's men lying in third place in the table. With a Derbyshire Junior Cup final plus a Challenge Cup semi-final to look forward to it’s also going to be a busy time for the reserves.
TICKNALL RANGERS managed only one game during the month but a Matt Archer penalty earned them a crucial point in a 1-1 away draw against the Seal Inn. Ticknall are hanging on, still with hope of staving off relegation.
THE Green Bank Leisure Centre, Civic Way, Swadlincote, is undergoing a £500,000 refurbishment thanks to investment from South Derbyshire District Council, Sport England, Derbyshire Sport and Active Nation. Included in the refurbishment programme will be a new stateof-the-art, 30-bike indoor cycling studio, refurbished gym and a new sauna near to the poolside.
THE first event of the 2014 school competition calendar took place with the return of Sportshall Athletics to South Derbyshire.
GRADING of Martial Art students from the Maximum Response Academy Karate Defence Club took place at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.
Split into two sessions, one for black belt students and a second for students for other coloured belts resulted in success for all those taking part, each having earned promotion in their various grades.
Dave Allen, 8th Dan from Zanshin Association – one of the top instructors in the country – travelled from Huddersfield to oversee the grading together with Mark Rotherham, 5th Dan. Mr Allan said: "I enjoy coming to Melbourne. Mark has done a remarkable job building his club up to such a high standard and the students should be proud of themselves. It takes years of regular training, dedication and commitment to get the chance to attempt black belt status."
Anybody with an interest in joining the Karate Academy should phone 07824810746 or 01332 864182 or email m.rotherham@mrkd.org.uk
With a 100% success rate, the five black belt students are pictured with their assessors (l-r): Jonathan Read (Second Dan), Zafiri Theodorow (1st Dan), Mark Rotherham (Chief Instructor MRKD), Myles Lound (2nd Dan), Dave Allan, Joseph Shakich (2nd Dan) and Callum Doyle (1st Dan).
AFTER a successful 2013 /2014 season, 13-year-old Jamie Spencer-Pickup from Aston on Trent has been invited to join the GB judo development squad in the under 50kg weight category.
In addition to his domestic commitments, Jamie (pictured right) will be representing team
GB in three European competitions in Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland.
Jamie’s selection came about following successful championship appearances, winning gold at the North West, silver at the Midlands and bronze at the nationals.
In total, 12 schools took part in this year’s competition across two heats at Etwall and Greenbank leisure centres. The first heat hosted at Etwall was won by Repton Primary School by accumulating a huge 302 points from both the track and field events.
There were some extremely close competitions with athletes separated by the smallest of margins.
The following night saw eight teams competing in an action packed evening full of running, jumping and throwing at Greenbank Leisure Centre in Swadlincote.
In a closely fought contest, Melbourne Junior School pipped Fairmeadows to gold by four points with a total of 288. Both Repton and Melbourne schools competed in the Derbyshire Primary Sportshall Athletics County Finals at the Moorways Sports Complex in Derby.
ENJOYED playing Netball at school?
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four new members came along.
The club welcomes anyone wishing to play; playing days are Sunday afternoons, Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6pm. More information on 01332 792822 or 792516.
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KINGS Newton Bowls Club opened the Packhorse Road green for the new season on March 22.
Breaking with tradition, the club started the season with two competitions normally held at the end of the season.
The floodlight doubles took place on March 29 and the floodlight singles on April 5.
Another break from tradition will take place on April 12 when the annual open day will be replaced with an open evening, starting at 6pm.
For this special occasion there will be a barrel of Tollgate Bitter behind the bar instead of a pot of tea.
For visitors wishing to try out the game and the green there will be equipment available for their use.
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MARCH was a fantastic month for Melbourne United both in terms of success on the competitive marshlands of Derby and the growth of the Soccer School.
In tough conditions on a pitch bigger than Wembley, under the tactical guidance of Mike “Pards” Thompson, the under 14s extended their unbeaten run to nine games with goals from Marcus Hudson, Matty Harrington and James Payne against Wilne.
Their relentless march to the title leaves them one point away from sealing the first under 14 league success in recent memory. With a goal difference that is 41 ahead of their nearest rivals the rotund singer is starting to clear her larynx. The dynamic under 10s, under the quiet unassuming tutelage of coach Dave “Jose” Lamb, find themselves battling it out for an unprecedented league and cup double.
Sitting second in the league with a lot of water to flow under Swarkestone Bridge between now and the end of the season, the team dared to dream of cup glory and the open top bus.
They gathered themselves for their semi-final against Heanor Town Colts at Stade de Racecourse and with a goal in each half from Ross Johnson and Zak Robertson ran out 2-0 winners.
A period of calm has been called for as nothing has yet been won, but their achievements with a team full of local schoolchildren must be applauded.
The recent under 11s game against Stockbrook was a snapshot of their season crammed into one hour of nerve jangling entertainment.
From 1-0 up to 3-1 and then 4-2 down their free flowing attacking football was rewarded with a 6-5 victory in the dying seconds.
There were two goals for Louie Jordan and Jakub Zwierzchowski, one for Jude Winter and the dramatic winner from Oliver Walsh.
Away from the cauldron of match day, the club has had over 25 new infant school stars join the Soccer School since its re-launch, and six more team managers have been put through their paces to achieve the FA Level One Coaching Certificate.
This puts the club in a very strong place for the future and it is committed to continuing its investment in home grown players and managers.
Infant school children of all abilities are welcome to join the soccer school at Melbourne Junior School on a Saturday from 10-11am.
The only requirement is that flat shoes must be worn on the green. Floodlit Bowls competition finalists are pictured, the winners Ian Jardine and Pat Philipson (left) and Graham Leech and Margaret Mitchell, the runners-up. l MEMBERS of Aston and Weston Bowls Club gathered for the start of the 2014 season. when