Melbourne Village Voice August 2021

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No. 345 August 2021

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by Frank Hughes

IT IS looking increasingly likely that Melbourne’s Senior Citizens Centre will be closing in December, bringing to an end some 50 years of caring for and supporting the elderly in the district.

Maggie Dobby, chair of the charity running the centre, told Village Voice that they have been put on notice that a pre-planning application has been submitted for a three-house development on the site, which also houses the bowls club and a memorial to the fallen soldiers.

If the application succeeds the area would be developed and, whilst they have been offered some financial support to continue with activities, it would be impossible for the senior citizens charity to continue without a building.

Alternatively, if the application is unsuccessful, they have been put on notice that they would need to be charged a commercial rate, rather than the peppercorn rent they have paid for the last 50 years.

“That simply is not affordable,” Maggie said.

She said she was “very sorry to lose this community facility and that it will be an end of an era”.

There are 95 members of the organisation and about 12 to 15 groups who have been using the rooms on a regular basis.

Although some of the activities hosted there will be able to move to other venues, and indeed some groups are already transferring because of the uncertainty, providing the kind of support that has been offered at the centre is not really possible, in her view, without a building as a home.

A spokesman for Melbourne Hall Estate confirmed that a preplanning application was being discussed with South Derbyshire planning team for the development of three houses, which will obviously impact on both the Senior Citizens Centre and the bowls club.

“The future of the building is limited, and neither the hall nor the charity are in a position to rebuild it and we do need them to be on board,” he said.

“We have offered a financial contribution to the senior citizens of Melbourne and it would be up to the charity to decide how that could be used,” he added.

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THE tragic death of a 15-year-old boy has prompted an outpouring of grief from all who knew him. Thandolwethu Ndlovu (known as Thando) played for Melbourne Dynamo Football Club, who paid their respects with the floral tributes (above). He was a pupil at Chellaston Academy, whose tribute is pictured left.

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Rubbing shoulders with past

Bacon sarnie fed to horse

2 Village Voice August 2021

HORSES are herbivores – the public has been reminded, after one animal in Findern was fed a bacon sandwich.

Police reported the incident on social media, saying: “For the avoidance of doubt, horses do not eat this breakfast food favourite.”

The horse was tethered in a field when it was fed the sandwich.

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the final resting place of John Johnson – the manservant killed by the fourth Earl Ferrers at Staunton Harold in 1760.

The volunteering event in July provided a chance for local people to come along and chat about the project and how to get involved.

The Grade one listed Breedon Priory Church has a long and fascinating history, boasting Saxon carvings, a beautiful carved angel, original 18th century boxed pews and the marble tomb of the Shirley family.

It was awarded nearly a quarter of a million pounds of heritage lottery funding which is paying for badly needed repairs to the tower.

Pictured are Vicar Mary Gregory with Angela Smithson doing some gravestone rubbing.

Groups unite in campaign to fight footpath closure

Landowner 07870 547357/07770 769246 blames visitors’ behaviour for info@melbournelets.co.uk his decision Follow us on Facebook www.melbournelets.co.uk

MEMBERS of the Breedon community got the chance to find out more about their iconic church at a special volunteering event in July.

Grave rubbing was one of the activities on offer as volunteers discovered further detail about “Breedon’s Unhidden Communities”.

This National Lottery Heritage Funded project aims to rediscover the people who have lived, worshipped and been buried at the Priory Church of St Mary and St Hardulph at Breedon on the Hill.

The project will take place over the next three years and include recording oral histories of those for whom the site has special significance.

It will also involve transcribing church records and surveying the old graveyard,

LOCAL ramblers and joggers are campaigning to try to prevent the closure of a permitted path which provides access to Staunton Harold reservoir.

The landowner, Howard Joynes, made the case because he says he is fed up with the recent levels of anti-social behaviour, abuse and debris being left by visitors.

The submitted application is to close the permissive path linking Footpath 27, running between Robinsons Hill and Broadstone Lane, to the path along the reservoir. Whilst the application is for closure, the landowner maintains this is only a temporary measure and promised that he will reopen the route.

He offered to withdraw the application if there was general agreement to a temporary closure whilst better control is achieved.

Claire Peace, who is a regular user of the path as a dog walker and a member of Melbourne Joggers, said: “Everyone is concerned about this; people want to be outdoors and it just seems wrong to take it away from us who use it.”

Melbourne Footpaths Group (MFG) has been promoting a campaign to object to the application before the August 8 deadline.

Describing the route as “originally a pleasant rural path which continued from the bottom of Bog Lane down to the old access road alongside the reservoir … it was moved and was kept under a planning condition”, they advised.

“We believe that the path must be retained and therefore ask you to object to its closure.”

Mr and Mrs Joynes, speaking to Village Voice, pointed out that, whilst there were various farm tracks mapped, there was never an established footpath extending from Bog Lane, which Howard remembered from childhood as being not much more than a farm track and one very appropriately named at that!

The permissive path was offered freely and wholly at their instigation when they developed the woodland. It was moved when planning was granted to build the house, and until recently they had no problems with it.

However, he said: “As the local PCSOs and rangers will verify, the level of anti-social behaviour, abuse, littering, including broken glass, and drug paraphernalia has become intolerable. We have had enough!”

There is a fear too that tighter security imposed at other locations, like Foremark, will displace anti-social behaviour to Staunton Harold.

It is probably little appreciated that the landowner has responsibility to maintain the path and keep it free of obstruction. He pointed

by Frank Hughes

out places where dog fouling was regularly being left, which he himself then must clear away. A recent incident with one group caused damage to a gate, which now needs expensive repair. “Eight out of 10 Friday nights there are problems,” the Joyneses said.

Severn Trent Water has also been drawn into the debate. The application was originally based on a letter from the site manager asking for the access to be shut. However, Severn Trent’s initial reply to Village Voice does seem contradictory and, subsequently, they have withdrawn their support.

Their spokesperson said initially: “We’re working with local community groups to understand their concerns about access to Staunton Harold reservoir, following reports that an application has been made to close a nearby path on private land.”

The Head of Visitor Experience later wrote in replies to letters of complaint and to the footpath group: “It is not our intention to stop access to Staunton Harold Water; we are not supportive of closing any routes which we manage. We understand the importance of getting into nature and exercise for all of our customers.

“We have looked at the application put forward and, whilst we are very sympathetic to the homeowners and the issues that they have faced, we understand the value of access to Staunton Harold Water and we will not be taking a stance on whether the path should remain open or be closed; this is a decision to be made by the planning authority.”

The furore also sparked an extraordinary meeting of Melbourne Parish Council which met on August 2 to decide whether to object or not. It was the first time the parish council had met in August for many years.

Addressing the meeting Paul Sturges, from the footpaths group, said there had now been 160 objections, indicative of the strength of public interest. He described some of the complex history of the site and said it was really a matter for the SDDC (South Derbyshire District Council) team to handle, rather than the parish council to take on board.

After a short debate, a vote resulted in a majority of councillors agreeing to send in an objection to the application, whilst also sympathising with the problems local landowners had been encountering over the past year from vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Outpouring of grief after tragic death of ‘Thando’

AREA SEES A RISE IN VIRUS CASES

Village Voice August 2021 3

HUNDREDS of students have paid their respects to a Chellaston Academy pupil with a “beaming smile” who was “wise beyond his years”: Thandolwethu Ndlovu.

The 15-year-old, known as ‘Thando’, was a keen footballer who played for Melbourne Dynamos’ under-15s.

Specialist police search teams recovered his body from the River Trent at Swarkestone on July 21 after he had got into difficulties in the water the previous day.

The very sad news prompted an outpouring of grief from all who knew Thando.

Thando was a regular Dynano football club player for many seasons. The club said: “Thando was a much loved member of the Dynamo family. He always came to football with a super smile and was a great friend to all the u15 players and parents. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of his family at this difficult time.”

Thando’s parents, Jabulani and Nombulelo, have said they are grateful for the support they are receiving from all who knew their son.

Thando’s mother Nombulelo said: “My son has left a massive gap in the family and it is the little things everywhere that bring back memories.

However, we are grateful for all the outpouring of support we have had from friends, family, neighbours and many others from everywhere. It gives us hope knowing that our son left great memories to many. We do not know how we are going to move on from such hurt, but we are true believers of God and we have trust that He has him in His safe hands … it is well my boy.”

Thando’s father, Jabulani, said: “As his dad I

saw in Thando a very generous and caring young man. Thando and his brother, Gugu, paved the way for us into the Chellaston and Melbourne community, as we were just getting to find our way in the community. Never at any point was I called to resolve a dispute involving Thando and any of his school mates.

“We always emphasised the importance of ‘Love your neighbour as you would love yourself ’ and that seemed to have made sense to them as they grew up.

“Thando would be angry after not being picked at some match days, especially when his team lost because he always thought he could have helped as well.

“He would quickly come off the topic and start discussing his next game. He was never easily discouraged by anything that was thrown his way. Instead, he turned negatives into positives and that is what made him a happy child. He was always ready to lift our moods if he saw we were struggling with something.

“Nothing can replace his absence, knowing that he is never coming back. We are lost for words but we are really grateful for the entire support we are receiving.”

Chellaston Academy opened up its doors after Thando’s passing to allow students to pay tribute.

Head teacher Ryan Metters attended a special ceremony at the MSP held by Melbourne Dynamo FC and took flowers to the family home. The school is working in partnership with the club to help all affected by the tragedy.

The local community has started a Go Fund Me page to support Thando’s family financially.

Anyone who would like to donate can do so here: https://bit.ly/37bBHbz

ABOVE: Some of the floral tributes to Thandolwethu Ndlovu at Chellaston Academy.

LEFT: Thando in his Dynamo kit.

SCHOOL TRIBUTE TO BELOVED STUDENT

CHELLASTON Academy staff said in a statement: “We are desperately sad to hear of the passing of one of our beloved students, Thandolwethu Ndlovu (Thando).

“Thando enjoyed spending the vast amount of energy he had on the football pitch and in other sporting situations. He played for Melbourne Dynamos and would always update staff on when the big ‘Chello vs Melbourne’ games were on for us to support.

“In winning and losing he was a true gentleman and smiled all the way. He loved PE and sport and demonstrated

a willingness to help others through his involvement in the Sports Leaders programme at the academy.

“His beaming smile alongside his cheeky sense of humour made him a popular person across many friendship groups in year 10 and the wider school. He was wise beyond his years, generous to all he came across and the voice of reason in difficult social situations.

“You could always rely on Thando to brighten up the room both physically and virtually! He knew how to make teachers and pupils laugh and had the maturity and character to joke with adults.

“Alongside the humour, he had an ability to sum up some incredibly difficult topics in the most mature and insightful way, including thoughts on topics such as the Big Bang and Space in his beloved Science class.

“Thando would share stories of his time with his family and friends in lessons and staff could always turn to Thando to volunteer to contribute a new perspective in his lessons.

“We are incredibly proud of Thando, a true gentleman in the making.

“We are sending our deepest condolences to Thando’s family, friends, and community at this incredibly difficult time.”

n WELL dressing in Aston on Trent may not have taken place as usual once again this year, but organisers were keen to mark the occasion nonetheless.

As with 2020, a special well dressing banner was put up on the village green on July 24 and 25, celebrating the positives of the previous year.

Whilst the usual well dressings, stalls and daytime fun did not take place, local pubs The Malt and The White Hart put on some entertainment.

At The White Hart, there were craft stalls and music from Rockaholics. The Malt had music from three live bands and a tombola raising money for the local air ambulance.

The well dressing committee is hoping the event can return “bigger and better than ever before” in 2022.

CASES of coronavirus in South Derbyshire soared in July, but were coming back down again by the end of the month.

After a two-month run of no positive recorded cases from mid-April to mid-June, the Melbourne area has now seen significantly higher rates. These peaked at 36 cases between July 10 and 23.

In the last two weeks of July, 26 cases were seen in this area.

In the opening fortnight of July, there were 881 positive virus cases recorded in South Derbyshire.

This dropped considerably to 425 cases in the second two weeks of July, but that was still a higher figure than the 312 cases recorded over a two-week period from June 19 to July 2.

Between July 10 and 23, there were 61 virus cases in the Astonon-Trent area, which includes Barrow, Weston, Swarkestone, Chellaston, part of Boulton Moor, Shardlow, Great Wilne, Ambaston and Elvaston.

Between July 10 and 23, eight people who died in Derbyshire had Covid-19 on their death certificate.

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Unruly antics mean that reservoir is out of bounds

Police seize e-scooter

Village Voice August 2021 5

by Lucy Stephens

AN 850-metre long metal fence has been put up at Foremark Reservoir to deter visitors from the water’s edge after months of anti-social behaviour.

A series of incidents included an emergency search for a man who went missing after entering the 238-acre depths.

He was eventually found, and the steel fencing was installed on August 2.

Police have been called out to deal with many incidents at the reservoir in recent months including people – and even a horse – going into the water, which has been described as toxic, fast-flowing and deep.

As reported in last month’s Village Voice, one warm June day attracted so many people to the beauty spot that police had to be called to manage the situation.

The poor behaviour continued into the following month.

On July 18, police issued tickets to 30 drivers who had all parked on the grass verge on Repton Road, blocking several residents’ drives.

Police gave out 30 tickets, with each driver receiving a £100 fine plus three points on their licence.

A few days later, on July 22, police were called out again after a member of the public alerted emergency services because a man, who had been drinking alcohol for several hours, entered the water and disappeared.

When he had not been seen for more than 45 minutes, emergency services were diverted to the reservoir, including Blue Watch at Swadlincote Fire & Rescue Service who were first on the scene.

The air ambulance was dispatched and police ran half a mile to where he was last seen.

The man was eventually found.

On the same day, police also spotted a mum who allowed her young child into the water. She was asked to leave and not come back.

Another woman also rode her horse into the reservoir. Talking to a fire officer, the rider said that, though she had seen signs saying “no swimming”, she had seen no warning notice advising against swimming whilst riding a horse.

At 5.30pm police and Severn Trent Water closed the reservoir. A few days later, on July 25, rangers called officers from Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to the reservoir, asking them to temporarily close off all beach areas.

Rangers told of a parent who had travelled to the reservoir to give his children swimming les-

sons in the waters “with no regard for the children’s safety”.

The dad was asked to leave and not return.

Another granddad “put two very young children in a blow-up inflatable dinghy before attempting to push it out into the deep waters”, before being told to stop by rangers.

On July 28, a meeting took place at the reservoir between police, representatives from Foremark, Derbyshire County Council, a local residents’ representative, plus parish, district and county councillors, to discuss the issues that have been happening.

Police, Severn Trent Water and South Derbyshire fire crews were again at the reservoir on August 1 to engage with the community – an occasion described as a great success with more than 500 children and families meeting officers, getting a look at emergency service vehicles and even playing football.

Police said the fence structure is “semi-permanent” and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

POLICE seized an e-scooter after spotting it being ridden by two teenagers without helmets on Swarkestone Bridge.

Officers from Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Team saw the teens weaving through oncoming traffic on the single scooter on July 16.

They reported being “horrified” to observe the young people riding across the bridge “with no helmets on show and with no thought for their safety or other road users”.

The teenagers then continued their illegal pleasure ride on a pavement for more than 300 metres.

The pair stopped at a nearby petrol station where the escooter was seized and the rider reported for driving offences.

Police have reminded members of the public that it is unlawful to ride an e-scooter on the public highway.

Tea dance date

l The fencing and signs that have been erected at Foremark Reservoir.

BELOW LEFT: Police officers attended the reservoir for a community engagement day on Sunday, August 1.

A 1940s style tea dance is taking place at the Royal British Legion, Melbourne, from 2pm4pm on Saturday, August 21.

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STAFF at the Sainsbury’s store in Melbourne have been thanked by police for looking after a heavily pregnant woman whose car had broken down.

Officers from Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Team told how they had discovered young people next to a broken-down vehicle on the hard shoulder of the A50 on July 17.

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Reservoir wall climb man warned

6 Village Voice August 2021

A SWADLINCOTE man was given a Community Protection Notice Warning at Melbourne Police Station after scaling a wall at Foremark Reservoir with two children.

The man was spotted breaking into a highly restricted area on August 3.

Police said he had vaulted over a wall and was clambering over 200 metres of jagged rocks.

A nearby area to the incident features extremely powerful siphons that manage and suck the flow of liquids in and out of the reservoir.

The warning prohibits the man from entering any reservoir with any person or child in South Derbyshire, including Foremark. It lasts 12 months.

He was also ordered not to endanger the safety and wellbeing of children in his care, as well as being warned not to cause nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of his household anywhere in South Derbyshire.

Cave home that really was fit for a king

by Frank Hughes

A NEW archeological study of Anchor Church appears to have confirmed much of what was known locally about the origins of the cave, situated by the River Trent near Ingleby.

Edmund Simons, principal investigator of the study and a research fellow at the Royal Agricultural University, publishing the report, said: “Our findings demonstrate that this odd little rock-cut building in Derbyshire is more likely from the 9th century than from the 18th century as everyone had originally thought.”

“Using detailed measurements, a drone survey, and a study of architectural details, it was possible to reconstruct the original plan of three rooms and easterly facing oratory, or chapel, with three apses,” the report said.

The article, published in the University of Bristol’s Spelaeological Society Proceedings, points out the study is part of an ongoing project to investigate other rock-cut dwellings nationally.

The case study suggests that the 18th Century modifications, when the owner of Foremarke Hall, Sir Robert Burdett, enlarged the interior space to use it for parties and alfresco dining, were “quite minor” and the cave, broadly in its current layout but with the addition of interior walls, probably dated back to the early 8th Century. What was certain, the study concluded, was that the cave was not a natural formation but manmade.

Comparison of the features, and most specifically an internal supporting pilaster, suggested a strong similarity to one in the Saxon crypt at St Wystan’s in Repton. That is known to date back before the reign of Mercian King Wiglaf, giving credence to a theory both

might have been built by the same hand.

This study seems to affirm what local legend suggests, that it was inhabited in the 9th century by a hermit (or anchorite). According to local legend Northumbrian King Eardwulf, who later became St. Hardulph, who is buried at Breedon Church, lived inside the cave-dwelling after being deposed and exiled in 806.

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“The strong inference”, the report concludes “is that the hermitage may predate 873 (when the Vikings overran Repton) and probably predates the tenure of Hardulph, ending around 830, and may date back as far as the early 8th century.”

So, whilst the origin and purpose of the cave remain a mystery, the study did conclude it was at one time created as a home fit for a king.

Flying the flag for England

ENGLAND’S appearance in the finals of the 2020 Euros football championships saw a flurry of flags and St George celebrations in the local area.

Many shops decorated their windows as excitement mounted for the Italy game on July 11.

Birds bakery even produced specially themed doughnuts for the occasion, while Ashby Interiors on Derby Road in Melbourne was among those to put on a St George’s window display.

Melbourne Parish Council agreed at its meeting in July to put up flags (pictured left) along Derby Road and in the Market Place to celebrate England’s strong performance at the Euros.

Jon Key, of The White Hart in Aston-on-Trent, said the evening had seen a great atmosphere from pub-goers despite England’s ultimate narrow defeat on penalties.

Village Voice August 2021 7

Festival under starter’s orders

MELBOURNE Festival is preparing to return this year, reports director Sharon Brown.

After a rollercoaster couple of years the knowledge that Melbourne Festival is going ahead this year is a sign that things are finally getting back to normal. We all missed the Festival last year, but it is back! Look out for the bunting and make a date in your diary for Saturday and Sunday, September 18,19, get out your walking shoes and prepare to bump into lots of old friends!

This year the artists will be in 30 halls and gardens but for the safety of hosts, artists, volunteers and visitors private houses won’t be opening.

Over 100 artists will be beating a path back to Melbourne so we can guarantee a lot of your

favourites will be there with a few new faces to keep the Trail fresh.

The artists will be exhibiting, demonstrating their skills and selling their work in every media imaginable. We guarantee something for every taste and budget!

Live Music will be back at the Busk Stops and, as always, there will great food at Food Court in Church Street, Food Fayre in Castle Street, Art Café at the Assembly Rooms and Melbourne’s fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs – you will be spoilt for choice!

The festival team hasn’t managed to go into school this year but the family festival is going ahead with a Woodland theme. Enjoy a picnic in the garden at the Vicarage and join us to sing and dance with Tracey Ridley at MusicTime and lis-

ABOVE: Birds’ doughnuts.

RIGHT: Rachel Ashby in Ashby Interiors.

ten to “Where’s the Moon” – a beautiful tale by local writer Mick Ward. The Melbourne Carnival team will also be there to share an update on the fantastic plans they have for 2022!

Melbourne Hall is hosting the classic cars in the Carriage Circle again this year. And for visitors from outside Melbourne parking will be signposted around Melbourne with park & ride at Tori & Ben’s Farm Shop.

We are very excited to bring the festival back and want to ensure that all of our visitors, artists, hosts and volunteers have a great weekend. Please take care and respect everyone’s personal space AND please wear masks inside buildings for your safety and everyone else’s.

Although this year’s focus is on the Art & Architecture Trail the performing arts are also back

with the Funhouse Comedy Club on Friday, September 17, at Melbourne Sporting Partnership.

Renowned viola player Graham Oppenheimer & Friends are at Melbourne Parish Church on Thursday, September 23, and on Sunday, September 26, Melbourne Assembly Rooms are hosts to an eclectic mix of live music, comedy, heartfelt stories and open conversations about mental health featuring Matt McGuinness and the MLC. To round off the programme Melbourne Festival wouldn’t be the same without an evening of Jazz with the Friends of Melbourne Parish Church, on October 8; take a pew and enjoy The Ben Crossland Jazz Quintet performing the Ray Davies songbook at Melbourne Parish Church.

Tickets for all performances on Melbourne Festival website and social media.

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8 Village Voice August 2021

The Romans were here ... and that’s official

Comedy night goes down a treat

Village Voice August 2021 9

by Lucy Stephens

REMAINS of Roman activity dating back to the 3rd century AD have been found in Melbourne.

Archaeologists excavating on a new housing site near the cemetery earlier this year found an area of ditches, pits and building remains associated with large quantities of pottery, fragments of Roman roof tiles, industrial waste, animal bone, and what is strongly suspected to be a stone-built malting oven.

The findings suggest that there was perhaps a “moderate to substantial” Roman settlement close by.

The team from University of Leicester Archaeological Services were on site between March and May, having made the initial discovery in January.

On their return to the site, they first of all used a JCB digger to uncover the archaeology, which showed as a series of darker shapes cutting into the natural geology.

Excavating by hand, they then found locally made pottery and imported vessels including shards from Roman Samian and Mortaria, which indicate Roman settlement and occupation.

A glass handle from a small vessel was also uncovered.

Small industrial archaeological features were found, including a small stone lined furnace which was likely to have been used for copper working.

The team discovered the remains of a timber framed structure, comprising a series of postholes and stones laid between to keep a timber frame off the ground to prevent decay.

Further findings have not been definitively identified but appear to show reduced ground surface to the height of the underlying natural stone geology, for use as a floor surface.

Georgia Day, the site supervisor from the university, said: “It is possible that these areas represent the remains of ‘sunken featured buildings’, a building typology more frequently associated with the early medieval period but with known examples dating to the late Roman period which bore strong resemblance to the activity seen here.”

Evidence of a stone-built malting oven has been backed up by environmental analysis identifying presence of grain.

Georgia said: “At this stage interpretation is still subject to change and, when the specialist reports come through there will be more evidence to base our final understanding of the archaeology on. At the time of writing, all that can be said for certain is that the archaeology on site represents a relatively short period of occupation spanning approximately 100 years over the 3rd century AD. She added: “The remains on site are demonstrative of small-scale rural industry during the Roman period, an activity often found on the outskirts of settlements. The archaeology uncovered within the development site continues beyond the limits of excavation to the south, east and west

ABOVE: the team working on the site.

LEFT: the remains of a stone-lined furnace.

FOUR NIGHTS of top comedians appearing in Melbourne seem to have made everyone happy.

The first venture into comedy at Melbourne Hall saw four topbilling names appearing, including Jason Manford, Rich Hall, Milton Jones and Reginald D Hunter.

Roger Lowe from Stable Ales, who had organised the event, said that with a sell-out crowd for three of the four nights it was a huge success.

“The feedback from the promoter, the acts and the public has been terrific,” he said.

“The acts were amazed by the location, and they all agreed it was the first time they had a llama in the Green Room (actually it was an alpaca).”

Audience members have been posting on social media about how much they enjoyed the event.

Liz Hepplewhite said: “It was a lovely setting in the walled garden, with a canvas roof and open sides for good ventilation.

The coloured lights in the garden made it look quite magical.

It was also good to see a diverse audience from further afield coming to Melbourne.”

There are plans for a similar event in September.

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and, the presence of domestic pottery types alongside ceramic building materials such as Roman roof tile and brick are indicative of the presence of a moderate to substantial Roman settlement in the close vicinity.”

Melbourne Civic Society has booked Georgia to deliver a presentation on the archaeological findings at the site next March.

The site owners have allowed the Village Voice to report on these findings, but have asked people to be aware the area is a private working site; all archaeological findings have been excavated, and people should not attempt to access the area.

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Walk volunteers

VOLUNTEERS are being asked to join a relay walk organised by the Young Christian Climate Network which passes through Melbourne on Monday, August 31.

The walk started in Cornwall at the end of the G7 talks and is due to finish at the beginning of November in Glasgow when GOP26, the UK Climate Conference, commences.

Walkers are looking for volunteers for a range of tasks and would love people to join them, even if only for a few miles.

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10 Village Voice August 2021

THE GARDENS MELBOURNE HALL Melbourne Hall and Gardens is a delightful place to visit with its historic connections and magnificent gardens. once home to Victorian prime minister, viscount Melbourne who gave his name to the Australian city.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, The HALL will NOT be opening this season in the interest of the safety of our visitors, staff and the family who live in the Hall.

l Derbyshire High Sheriff Tony Walker CBE presenting the award to Rev Sally Ratcliffe at Melbourne Methodist Church.

Gardens AUGUST OPENING TIMES: Gardens open everyday except Mondays.

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l George and Arthur Tivey with their Beacon of Hope awards.

l Angie Cooke and Teresa Ayre being presented with their award by Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Derby.

Further Beacon of Hope award winners from the local area will be featured in the next edition of the Village Voice

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MELBOURNE people with been recognised for thei others during the corona The ‘Beacon of Hope’ awar to people in the communit nated for going above and be times.

The awards are a joint Derbyshire County and Derb the offices of the High Sher tenant.

Of the younger recipients a and Arthur Tivey, eight and George and Arthur respon when Melbourne Communit children to make Easter an for local people who were hou lockdown.

The boys made more than occasion, all of them hand pa The cards were said to ha spirits of those who received Melbourne Assembly Roo Heafield was presented with award for his work setting u ket.

Those who nominated And that some people in the loca very anxious about shopping during Covid.

He therefore set up the o the car park at the Assemb wide range of products and are sold.

Before the market could goods, Andy also offered a fre ities to raise funds, aware struggling due to the Covid p Melbourne’s Angie Cooke were handed Beacon of Hop work delivering food and clo need in Derby.

Angie said that, as a volun Community Care, she realise

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Give Lucy Stephens a call on

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cal people onoured Beacons of Hope

h big hearts have ir efforts to help virus pandemic. rds are being given y who were nomieyond during trying

initiative between

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are brothers George five, of Melbourne. nded magnificently ty Care asked local nd Christmas cards usebound due to the

n 100 cards on each ainted and signed. ave really lifted the d them. oms manager Andy h a Beacon of Hope up the weekly mar-

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open air market on ly Rooms, where a all essential items

only sell essential ee stall to local charof how many were pandemic. e and Teresa Ayre pe awards for their othing to people in

nteer for Melbourne ed that some people

Village Voice August 2021 11

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receiving food care packages could not use everything, so donated spare items to the food bank set up by Derby County FC at Pride Park.

Angie then went on to put a box outside her house asking for donations, which soon received items from closed local pubs.

The pair discovered in January this year that children in inner Derby needed coats, shoes, wellingtons and jumpers while attending schools which had to have all the windows open.

Angie said they were overwhelmed with the number of donations received.

At Easter, Teresa went on to collect about 100 Easter eggs to take to children in Derby, helped

by Kelly from Melbourne Treatment Rooms.

Angie said: “This award, made today by Professor Kath Mitchell, is for all the community and those who have helped us to help others.

Their support has kept us going.”

Melbourne Methodist Church, meanwhile, received a Beacon of Hope award for its work supporting more than 30 families and 40 children by giving them supermarket vouchers, as well as ‘blessings bags’ to older friends in the community and YouTube sessions to keep in touch with pre-school children.

Maria Hanson, founder of the me&dee charity, which helps families with children facing life-changing and limiting circumstances, said she was “humbled and moved” to have been nominated for an award.

She said: “We set up three new schemes to support over 100 families through the pandemic, and continue with these as we receive many nominations, and our charity lodge is booked out until next year.”

The award has coincided with me&dee’s 15th birthday and Maria’s personal achievement of 30,000 volunteer hours, as she put it “holding hands and hearts of more than 3,000 families”.

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l Andy Heafield being presented with the Beacon of Hope award by Cllr David Muller, Melbourne representative for Derbyshire County Council.

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l Maria Hanson, with Charlotte Strickland, receiving the award from Tony Walker, Derbyshire High Sherriff, at me&dee’s office on Castle Lane, Melbourne.

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12 Village Voice August 2021

YOUNG, looking for work and have a sneaking suspicion animals may be better than people? Then Melbourne Animal Farm might have a spot for you.

The recently revamped and bigger animal farm on The Common has signed up to a Government Kickstart scheme and currently has slots for more than 20 people to work there for six months.

To meet the criteria, applicants must be aged between 16 and 24; receive Universal Credit; not be in education or training; and be able to work weekends.

Farm co-owner Carla Shaw said three young Kickstarters were currently working at the site but, with 25 spaces in all, there is still the opportunity for other youthful job-seekers to join them.

Carla, who also runs a training company, said: “Because of Covid, it was found that age group were mostly affected in terms of unemployment.

“There are a lot of employers out there who don’t give people the chance because they want people who are already trained or have those skills. We are willing to train people to give them those skills.”

Melbourne Animal Farm operates the Kickstart scheme through East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

It means young people who fit the brief can

by Lucy Stephens

apply for paid jobs which could involve cleaning animal areas; handling creatures, gardening or running the tea room.

Ben Fletcher, 24, is currently working at the animal farm on the scheme and says it is one of the best decisions he has ever made.

He said: “It has meant the world to me because animals, in my opinion, are better than people. I have suffered from depression and they have brought me out of my shell and taught me to be the person I am today.

“It’s a brilliant scheme. I’d recommend it to anyone. It’s a good process to get you up on your feet and see what work is really about.”

Melbourne Animal Farm moved from its original base on the other side of the common to a much larger area.

It re-opened to visitors on June 1, and is currently home to three Shetland ponies, miniature Southdown sheep, two donkeys, three alpacas, four tortoises, four rabbits, six guinea pigs, four pygmy goats, chickens, two pigs and a duck.

Anyone interested in the Kickstart scheme should speak to their work coach or contact melbourneanimalfarm@gmail.com

DOWN ON THE FARM ... (l-r) Zoe (with Cookie the guinea pig), Kian (with Pebbles the baby rabbit) and Ben (with Bandit the baby rabbit). n A YEAR later than planned, Amy Elizabeth Bloor, formerly of Melbourne and daughter of Kevin and Alyson Bloor, tied the knot with Greg Chamberlain on June 12 in Hampshire.

With 30 of their nearest and dearest in their local church they then celebrated in style in the Hampshire countryside with perfect weather all weekend. The happy couple are pictured with their dog Bruce.

Finally, as restrictions eased they enjoyed an evening reception with 100 guests at the Melbourne View Hotel.

Photo: Jamie Flood Photography.

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GEORGE ANTHONY LAMB May 23, 1935 – June 20, 2021 GEORGE, known as Tony, passed away peacefully at the Royal Derby Hospital at the age of 86.

Tony was born at the Packhorse Inn, Kings Newton, where his parents, Maggie and George, were the publicans. He spent his early years there with his sister, Jean. He attended school in Melbourne and then went to the Diocesan School for boys on Friar Gate, Derby.

His holidays and spare time were spent helping his parents in the pub and on his uncle’s farm, Upon leaving school, he went to work full time for his uncle in Stanton by Bridge where he learnt his farming skills and craft. He met his future wife, Angela, when they were both children as her father regularly played the piano in the Packhorse and the families were friends.

In 1956 Tony joined Young Farmers and enjoyed socials, dances and quizzes and renewed his friendship with Angela. They were married in 1958 and started life together in a cottage in Stanton by Bridge. However, it wasn’t long before they moved into the farmhouse on his uncle’s retirement. They had a daughter, Jennifer, in 1961 followed by a son, David, in 1964.

Tony had the opportunity to move to his own farm and took on Hemsley Barns Farm on Melbourne Common in 1964 where he and Angela

lived for 35 years. It was through sheer hard work, love of the land and farming that he turned the farm into a successful dairy business and a great environment for his children to grow up in.

When he finally retired and ‘hung up his wellingtons’ he had more time to get involved in the community. He was a member of Melbourne Rotary Club and particularly enjoyed delivering library books to the senior citizens as he loved hearing their stories.

He also drove the Community Care Minibus, giving lifts to coffee mornings.

Tony was an active member of Melbourne Male Voice Choir and his proudest memory was singing with the choir at the Royal Albert Hall. Tony also enjoyed his annual role as Santa Claus to a generation of children at the playgroups and the United Reformed Church Christmas market.

He was immensely proud that he had lived in Melbourne all his life and loved his local community. He was always keen to share a quip about days gone by and relished telling jokes and stories.

Ultimately, the best lesson he has passed onto his family is the love and devotion shown towards Angela throughout their long and happy marriage. He is sadly missed by her, Jennifer and husband Steve, David and wife Abby, and grandchildren Alex, Robert, Fergus and Frankie.

Village’s honours for an excellent couple

by Lucy Stephens

DAVID and Jean Brown from Astonon-Trent are excellent – and that’s official.

The couple (right) are this year’s winners of the village’s Excellence in the Community Award for their work in many different organisations over the years.

David, 82, and Jean, 84, have been at the heart of a wide range of community initiatives including Acorn magazine, the well dressing ceremony, Royal-related celebrations such as the Queen’s Jubilee, neighbourhood watch and the SAVE group (Save Aston and Weston Village Environments) … plus a few more besides!

The Browns have lived in Aston for 34 years and in 2000 David helped set up the first Aston Community Group.

The idea was to bring together all the village’s different organisations into one single publication, and Acorn magazine was born.

Now about to publish its 80th edition, David said he still enjoys putting the magazine together every quarter.

He said: “It has not been missed – in all the quarters, we kept going. We print 1,000 copies a quarter, delivered free to

Charity’s summer fair proves a big hit

MORE than 300 people attended a charity event held by me&dee at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

The charity’s Summer Craft, Gift and Food Fair was held on Sunday, July 11.

Charity founder Maria Hanson said the event was so successful that many of the 26 stall holders had booked again for me&dee’s Christmas Craft, Gift and Food Fair in November.

Maria thanked Assembly Rooms manager Andy Heafield for his support and was proud to have parish council chair Sheila Hicklin open the event.

Cllr Hicklin said: “I was delighted when Maria Hanson MBE asked me in my capacity as chair of Melbourne Parish Council to open the craft and food fair at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

“It's lovely to be part of an event for the charity me&dee and wonderful to see them based back in Melbourne.

“Me&dee help to provide

Aston residents.”

Another Aston institution that has seen great involvement from the Browns is the well dressing weekend, which began in 1997 when local artist Robin Gibbard had the idea to start one up.

The very first well dressing was con-

structed in David and Jean’s garage, and the couple also funded the first event.

“People used to come all through the day for a week,” recalled Jean. “At a weekend, people had a purpose to talk to each other. I think it kickstarted the community spirit in this village.”

GET ON BOARD

Village Voice August 2021 13

As well as her involvement in the well dressing ceremony, Jean was secretary of the SAVE and neighbourhood watch groups, the latter of which David was also chair for eight years.

The couple also organised Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in the village, and a black-tie event to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Catherine.

The couple say they have greatly enjoyed being involved in village life to such a large extent.

David said: “Because of the type of village it is, it’s such a good village, it wasn’t difficult to rally the troops. It wasn’t difficult to get people to join in.

“We like to get involved and like to run things and be part of it.”

Other nominees for this year’s Excellence in the Community Award were: Lindsay Pilkington, Tim Watkins, Steve Clennell and the Village Shop, Debbie Hoddinott, Kate Roe and Fiona Stanbrook, Vanessa Cameron, and The Malt, White Hart, Post Office and Village Shop as a collective nomination.

Parish council chairman Ed Hicklin said: “It was a strong field. David and Jean have been in the village for a long, long time now. They have done so much to enhance community life for so many years and they are deserving winners.”

MELBOURNE Assembly Rooms will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, September 23, at 7.30pm in the Assembly Rooms.

There are vacancies for directors to join the board, and anyone who lives in Melbourne or the surrounding area is welcome to put themselves forward. The board says the vacancies will be particularly interesting to anyone who wants to help to build on the success the Assembly Rooms has achieved in recent years.

This could be by raising money or raising the Assembly Rooms profile in the community and encouraging groups to use the building, or by coming up with new ideas to develop the Assembly Rooms as a hub for all community activities.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a director can contact Andy Heafield for a nomination form, either by calling on 01332863522 or by emailing info@melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk.

ROCK ON

THE Astonbury music festival is set to take place again this year on October 22 in Aston on Trent at All Saints Church and October 23 at the village’s war memorial hall.

An afternoon tea and Christmas market is also planned for the village for November.

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wonderful memories for people who have life limiting or life changing disabilities.

“There was a wide variety of stalls that attracted a large footfall of people to the village of Melbourne.

Well done Maria and Mark

for organising such a fantastic event!”

Maria is pictured at the event with Charlotte Strickland, Katy, Emilia and Abigail Corns.

Photo courtesy of: jaktphotography.co.uk

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14 Village Voice August 2021

Melbourne F Fe estival

is back!

A key event on the Midlands Arts Calendar..

SATURDAY 18 & SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021 10am - 5pm A RTISTS & A RTISA NS Over 100 professional artists in 30 gardens and halls in the heart of Melbourne exhibiting, demonstrating their skills and selling their work in every media imaginable.

D miss...

Don’t

EMERGING T TA A LENT EXHIBITION

LIVE MUSIC at the Busk Stops.

FA NTA STIC FOOD at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Food Court in Church Street, Food Fayre in Castle Street, Art Café at the Assembly Rooms and d Melbourne lb ’s ffantastic t ti restaur t ants, t cafés fé and pubs.

FA MILY FESTIVA L

Enjoy a picnic in the gar ga den at the Vicarage, join us to sing and dance at MusicTime and listen to “Where’s the Moon“ a beautiful tale by local writer Mick War a d.

ADMISSION £5 per person under 18s free!

PARKING ARKING Signposted around Melbourne, Park & Ride at Tori Tori & Ben’s Farm Shop, Kings Newton Lane, DE73 8DD or park at Melbourne Schools, Packhorse Road, DE73 8JE. Please remember to wear a mask.

CONCERTS

Funnhouse Comedy Club Frid day 17 September 7.30 30 for 8pm p

Tickets £10

at Melbourne Sporting Partnership www w.wegottickets.com/e event/5 522209 or ca all 07506 303247

Graaham Oppenheimer & Friends Thu ursday 23 September 7 for 7.30pm

Tickets £10

at Melbourne Parish Church www w.wegottickets.com/e event/5 521848 or ca all 07837 592596

We Are What What We Overcome Sunday 26 September Bar open 6 for 7.30pm

Tickets £12

at Melbourne Assembly Rooms www.mattmcguinness.co.uk/tick uk/ ets or from Melbourne Festival

The Ben Crossland Jazz Quintet Friday 8 October 7 for 7.30pm

Tickets - £10

at Melbourne Parish Church www.wegottickets.com/e event/522089 or call 07837 592596

www.melbournefestival.co.uk 07765 819428 info@melbournefestival. www.melbournefestiv info@melbournefestival.co.uk facebook.com/TheMelbourneFestival twitter er..com/ om/melbournefest melbournefest

at Calke Abbey Experience Calke Abbey with all your senses this summer. Take a

this summer, from peace and quiet to active days out, there are plenty of places at Calke to make the most of the season.

nationaltrust.org.uk/calke

© National Trust 2021. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Susan Guy.

Summer sights, sounds and scents

Tell the Government

VILLAGE VOICE Postbag

YOUR correspondent (‘Making our life hell’, Village Voice, July) raises important questions perhaps not fully addressed by the EMA director’s response. As a long term member of the Airport Consultative Committee, Melbourne Civic Society is able to offer some clarity.

‘Melbourne resident’ asks: Who gave permission for East Midlands Airport (EMA) to fly all night and to whom the airport is accountable?

The UK Government gave permission for unrestricted night flying. After many years of trying, and failing, to agree night flight restrictions with EMA, North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) twice asked Government, in 1982 and 2001, to use their powers to apply night flying limits.

On both occasions, Ministers refused to apply restrictions. Later, in 2011, NWLDC applied a legal maximum night noise limit (a computed 8hr average) and, in this respect only, the airport is accountable to the district council. But this maximum noise level was set so high that the airport does not need to limit night flights to operate within it.

Your correspondent asks about the health impact of aircraft night noise, and the Operations Director suggests that the airport’s Noise Action Plan has a list of ‘strict measures’. Our view is that these measures are very weak, designed to

allow continued, unfettered increases in night flights. The director fails to mention that, according to EMA’s own plans, these ‘strict measures’ are forecast to actually INCREASE night noise over the next few years. We feel that this shows scant regard by the airport for community disturbance and health impacts.

We would like to point out that anyone can tell the Government directly what you feel about night noise at EMA. The Department for Transport (DfT) has a consultation on future Night Flight Restrictions, open until 3rd September, and this could include restrictions at EMA. The consultation can be accessed by searching for ‘DfT Night Flight Restrictions’, but the questions are complex and difficult. The simplest way to respond is to send an email to night.flights@dft.gov.uk saying what you think should be done about night noise at EMA. Or, please access the Melbourne Civic Society website www.melbournecivicsociety.org.uk for further advice.

We urge ‘Melbourne resident’ and anyone else concerned about night flights to write to DfT describing how you feel about night noise at EMA and asking for reductions in both night flights and noise.

Paul Grimley Melbourne Civic Society

Important noise issues

I WOULD like to thank Phillip Morris for taking the time to respond to my letter and Melbourne Village Voice for the opportunity to reply. It is creditworthy that EMA contributes to the economy. It does not give you carte blanche though.

For the average number of flights [referred to in his original letter] you might not recognise my figure – however, this does not make it false. My figure of 1,933 was an average of the flights for the months of September and October 2020.

This figure was actually provided by a Manchester Airport Group Executive via email on 19/11/2020. A copy has been given to Village Voice.

If there has been a 10% reduction in night flights this most likely is a result of the pandemic and not through any policy driven by EMA. 1,933 flights averages to one every 15 minutes all through the night 24/7. In reality they are not equally spaced out.

Often there are flights every five minutes then a gap and then they resume.

I am a layman with regard to noise levels. However, I do trust my ears. Night time noise has got much worse. To quantify, I’ve measured the noise of various aircraft after 23:00 and the sample had an average of 75.3dB. The noisiest were two 27-year-old DHL Airbus A300s at 81db! A vacuum cleaner is 70dB and an alarm clock 80dB. I am pleased that EMA has also solved the world’s environmental issues in that once 1,000ft have passed then (local) pollution becomes non-existent.

Luckily, as our journeys to work are over 1,000ft, it appears none of us are polluting. Greta will be delighted. Unfortunately, as aircraft constantly fly below 1,000 feet over Melbourne and Kegworth they are contributing to local pollution.

I should address the thought that some people have of “You knew of the airport before you

moved here – so suck it up”.

This is true, I was aware of this; however, the noise at night has got much worse. I do not feel that the population surrounding EMA should sit idly by and allow this anti-social behaviour to continue unchallenged.

Would anyone disagree that we have a right to seek an improvement in our lives?

Would anyone disagree that we should be able to sleep with our windows open at night?

Would anyone disagree that companies such as DHL, UPS, FedEx and other couriers are dissolute in putting profit before the health and wellbeing of those living close to airports?

My final point is this. A small change in flight policy and the couriers’ strategy would solve this. It is noticeable that day flights are extremely low. All that needs to happen is reschedule night flights to day time and alter the deadline for next day deliveries.

Melbourne Resident

£110m funding boost

DERBYSHIRE will receive up to £110 million in funding to boost rural connectivity, South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler has announced.

Mrs Wheeler said many constituents had written to her regarding their concerns and problems over the issue.

She said modern world high speed Internet was also vital in plans to ‘level up” the UK. The Government has announced £5billion in funding to help bring superfast broadband to homes and businesses across the country.

Of this, up to £110million will come to Derbyshire between August 2022 and

July 2023.

“Project gigabit” was “essential” to the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic, said Mrs Wheeler.

She said: “I am delighted to see the Government investing in rural connectivity. If we are to truly level up the country it is vital that we invest and work to ensure everyone has access to superfast and secure broadband.

“I know South Derbyshire constituents and our many amazing businesses will welcome this news. This investment will bring huge benefits and ensure we continue to see economic growth in our area.”

Village Voice August 2021 15

Time to be a good neighbour

VILLAGE VOICE Postbag YOUR ‘Melbourne Resident’ in the July issue of Village Voice has raised some important issues about aircraft noise which are a concern to me as well.

When I moved to Melbourne in 2012, it was rare to see aircraft taking off over Melbourne; however, this situation has steadily changed and today, during westerly winds, it is typical to have up to seven aircraft an hour taking off over Church Street at most times of the day or night.

Like the ‘Melbourne Resident’ I have written to East Midlands Airport (EMA) to try to understand why aircraft need to take-off over Melbourne, especially at night.

EMA’s reply failed to answer my question but implied that I must have imagined these aircraft take-offs.

When I observe from my garden in Church Street aircraft taking-off it seems that six out of seven of them follow the same flight path, flying approximately west south west, which suggests to me that they are following a route they have been given, presumably

by EMA.

More recently I have taken this matter up in an exchange of emails with EMA’s complaints manager, but curiously it seems that the flights I have been observing do not appear on EMA’s data.

If EMA is working with inaccurate data it might explain why EMA managers are unaware of what is going on in the skies above Melbourne.

However, another explanation could be that EMA is too embarrassed to admit that it is allowing aircraft to routinely take-off over Melbourne.

Shortly after she was appointed, Clare James – the new Managing Director of EMA – stated that she felt it was important for EMA to be a “good neighbour”.

In my view now would be a good time for Clare James to demonstrate that she meant what she said and to look at ways to minimise take-offs over Melbourne and Wilson during westerly winds.

Martin Keay Melbourne

There are not enough doctors

WHEN I first came to live in the Melbourne area some 38 years ago there were two doctors, assisted by a district nurse and a parttime receptionist.

Contrast this with the current state of affairs. According to the surgery’s web site there are now a total of some 43 personnel: nine doctors, and 34 others.

Telephoning the surgery involves waiting up to one hour and being repeatedly and annoyingly told that “your call is important to us”. When you do get through, if you can persuade the receptionist that you are unwell enough, you are given an appointment, normally on the phone, typically in three weeks’ time.

Whatever you are suffering from will almost certainly have gone away in three weeks or you will be dead. It is almost impossible to actually see a doctor face to face.

It is not unreasonable for a community served by a single doctor’s practice for individuals to “be allowed to” ask questions concerning the number of doctors, why it is so difficult to get an appointment, and what it is they are actually doing.

Although doctors retain, and largely deserve, our respect there is an attitude amongst a few that can come across as arrogance.

I see two factors at work here. One is that doctors are not accountable to anyone.

They are not elected: I cannot vote them out

of office. The second factor is monopoly.

There are no other doctor surgeries operating within the area. Even if I were to choose to go elsewhere those other surgeries could choose to not accept me. In this monopolistic state there is nothing to drive up standards or maximise output.

In researching for this letter I found some interesting information on doctor to patient ratios.

In 2019 the UK had an average of 2.8 doctors per 1,000 population, (the second lowest in Europe). With a population in Melbourne of 5,332 in 2019 (Melbourne Parish only) then on average Melbourne should be served by 15 doctors. Considering that the surgery also serves Chellaston (population of the ward 15,500 in 2010) then it is clear that the nine doctors are woefully inadequate to serve the area. Before someone says “that explains it then” it actually raises more questions than it answers.

The national shortage of doctors is well known but it does not explain why Melbourne is so far below the national average (the 2.8 figure is simply a statement of reality, not some notional aspirational target). The Melbourne area is after all a very attractive area in which to live and work.

We don’t know if the practice is actively seeking to attract more doctors or it simply hopes to muddle through with the current

situation. The funding of doctors’ surgeries – whereby a lump sum is paid out by the NHS to the practice partners to fund the running of the “business” – would certainly act as a disincentive to share out that funding amongst a larger workforce.

What I believe should happen is some form of regular liaison between the practice managers and say the parish council. In this way it is hoped that at least some understanding of the problem – which is not going to go away and is set to get worse – will arise.

Personally, I would like to see the Melbourne surgery separated at the hip from Chellaston and return to being a smaller, more family-focussed affair. Economies of scale may be OK for the likes of Amazon but they do not work when it comes to caring for people.

In my view this problem, although made worse by the Covid pandemic, began long before it came along. I just hope that it is not used now that things are opening up again as an excuse to continue on in this unacceptable way.

Finally, can I make it clear that I have no issue with the standard of care given by the doctors – I just want to be able to gain reasonable access to them. Is that too much to ask?

Bryan Wolsey Ticknall

Probus is back in business

WE HAVE been waiting for nearly two years. We have watched the seasons slide by unmarked by festivities, excursions, dinners and speakers.

Summers have come and gone without our garden parties, Christmas came and went without our celebrations and lunch. The York Christmas Fair passed without a Probus annual visit and a host of interesting speakers had to stand down indefinitely as we waited for the Covid plague to move away.

In the lockdown and in the enforced separation it became difficult to understand what function the club had.

We now can hopefully see the end of the dark times and the recommencement of our Probus club for the first meeting on Wednesday, September 15.

On that morning, at 10 o’clock, we start Probus again but in a new venue. We will meet for the first time in The Thomas Cook Mission Hall. Sadly, our former home in the Senior Citizens Centre is due for demolition and, like so many others in Melbourne, we have had to move elsewhere.

Fortunately, the Thomas Cook Hall is a very comfortable and local facility and we are very much looking forward to recommencing here, and we welcome those in Melbourne and district who

might wish to find out more about our club.

We were founded over 40 years ago for men who have reached, or are on the verge of, retirement. We welcome men from a very wide variety of backgrounds and the current membership gives healthy evidence of this.

The name of our club, Probus, gives no clues. It sounds like something official and unwelcoming.

Yet, the purpose of our club is to give our members fellowship.

We meet monthly to talk, hear about the impending visits and celebrations and listen to visiting speakers who talk about subjects as various as spying and the plague.

The cost is less than 70p each week – less than a fast food coffee.

Many Melbourne residents will have joined Probus members on our city expeditions. They will be pleased to hear that Probus will be travelling to York on December 11 for a Christmas visit to our finest medieval city. You need to book your seats now.

To find out more about what we can offer you can call John Williams, current President, on 07580 546141.

Have a safe return from lockdown.

John Williams Melbourne

Village Voice welcomes your opinions. Email them to letters@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

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Shakstar do double

AFTER months of winter lockdowns, all 16 teams in the Melbourne 6-a-side League were back on top form to complete a very fragmented season.

The community spirit shone through some very wet and windy games in recent months, as teams enjoyed their challenges and delivered some skilful football and plenty of top goals.

Shakstar (pictured above) were crowned Premier Division champions for the first time. Shakstar won Division 1 last season and their winning momentum continued into this season as they won 16 of their 18 games. Previous champions Trantonians secured the runners-up spot with another strong season.

Shakstar team captain Tom Woodward said: “To win Division 1 in our debut season and to follow that up with winning the Premier Division is unbelievable for everyone at Shakstar.

“We train during the week to make sure we’ve got our tactics right for matchday.

We’ve enjoyed every minute of the Melbourne 6-a-side League and no doubt the league will continue to grow! The team is looking forward to a celebratory meal at Zeerah’s in Melbourne.”

Murder on Zidane’s Floor (pictured right) took the top position in Division 1 this season, after winning six of their first seven games. Zidane sat at the Division 1 summit and stayed there for the remainder of the season to secure the title.

Zidane team captain Rob Dimech said: “We’ve taken real inspiration from England’s performances at Euro 2020 and to couple that with our own success in winning Division 1 is brilliant!

“It’s been fantastic to get the lads playing together on a weekly basis again and we can’t wait for next season to start with the new challenges of the Premier Division. A meal out a Zeerah’s will be the perfect way to celebrate.”

Steve Hollingsworth, chairman of the Melbourne Sporting Partnership, commented: “After the long winter lockdowns it was great to welcome Melbourne 6-a-side

League back onto the 3G pitch to continue their season. Football is thriving at Melbourne Sports Park both on the pitches and at the clubhouse as fans watched the Euro 2020 games on the big screen.”

The open age adult Melbourne 6-a-side League plays on the state of the art 3G artificial grass pitch at Melbourne Sports Park every Sunday evening (6-8pm), all year round. All standards are welcome.

To join, interested teams and single players are asked to contact the league (which is affiliated to Derbyshire FA) on 07513 30 6000, melb6aside@outlook.com or via Facebook.

Trophy goes to the two Alans

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MEMBERS of Kings Newton Bowls Club are back in action in the local league as well as internal contests.

Alan Holbrook and Alan Tarpey (pictured) are the most recent winners of the Quentin Blood Trophy, having defeated Bill Bunston and Ian Hazard at the recently held competition.

The club also hosted the Derby & Burton Individual Merit, where 16 Derbybased and 16 Burton-based players battled it out on probably the hottest day of the year.

The finalists were both from Burton area, with Richard Stetton of Belvedere defeating James Southern of Belmont in a very close game.

Meet friends... bring friends... make friends.

will continue on...

Tuesday 7th September at Melbourne Assembly Ro ooms 2 – 4pm *Subject to curre ent reopening government guidelines

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All set to tackle a new season

SEPTEMBER 5 is the registration day for the youngsters’ new rugby season, to be held at the MSP in Melbourne, writes Chris Baggott, under-9s coach at Melbourne Rugby Club.

A new season, that after the ships forming – very helpful injust to have a look and a bit of a last two seems almost a fantasy, deed when moving up to high try. We don’t expect anyone to and we have a wealth of qualischool. know what they are doing, or fied coaches, a really good numMini rugby is the only team even the rules, just to have fun. ber of kids and some new well game that kids can play where We have teams that start at drained pitches as well as a both boys and girls play as u6 level, so really year 1 and fully organised fixture list with equals. Up until year 7 school above. Up until year 4, they plenty of matches both home age they play together and play tag rugby, a non-contact and away. many of the girls show real talform more suited to younger It seems like a long time ago ent and thoroughly enjoy playkids. Throughout the age now but before Covid, if such a ing against and with the boys. groups contact and the rough time even existed, we had the Which leads me to the and tumble more associated wettest season on record. The Minxes: Melbourne Minxes are with rugby is introduced very 2019-20 season had more our girls teams. We have an exslowly and very safely. matches and training sessions isting and very talented under We find that this increases cancelled because of water15 team who recently won the the fun and makes rugby ultilogged pitches than we actually Loughborough Lightning tourmately more sustainable going played. Added to that, a season nament for their age group. We forward. Matches for the minis prematurely ended in March also hope to rekindle an under are usually very short affairs, because of, well you know why.

13 side as both teams have maybe 10-30 mins with the kids As we peered bleary eyed out fared quite badly over the last often playing more than one of ‘lockdown one’ the 2020-21 two years in terms of player match. Tournaments and festiseason was tricky to say the numbers. In short, if your vals are great events taking least: bubbles, contact restricdaughter would like to have a place later in the season where tions and long periods of inacrun around, make new friends teams from up to 10 clubs meet tivity meant that many of our and have some different experiand play each other over the players did not get a chance to ences, bring her along and we day. Lots of fun with medals play against anyone other than will find a team for her. Even and hot dogs all round. each other.

We ran smaller, shorter sessions with plenty of sanitiser when we could play and zoom quizzes and little home tasking competitions when we couldn’t.

Through all of this most of the players kept coming back, stayed involved and kept the club spirit alive when it seemed endless. A lot of our players are of course from Melbourne, but many aren’t; we have players from Etwall, Chellaston, Aston, Derby and many other surrounding villages which means that the players have a diverse mix and plenty of new friendl Zach Lyth, Dylan Goodliffe and Emily Baggott.

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Village Voice August 2021 19

Junior cricketers are having a ball

l Melbourne Town Cricket Club’s U11 Incrediball team.

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club’s junior section has gone from strength to strength in the 2021 season, seeing junior members at an all-time high with more teams than ever before.

Melbourne was the only club in the South Derbyshire League to have two Kwik cricket Under 9s teams, this being a product of the successful all-stars course that has been run at Melbourne for the last six years.

This year saw over 30 children aged five to eight take part in the eight-week course led by activator Fraser Radcliffe.

The club also ran the brand new ECB course called Dynamoes which was for 8-11 year olds. Already a few of these children have moved into playing for the club’s junior sides in the leagues.

With an U11s Incrediball and a separate U11s hardball side plus teams at U13s and U15s, the club has seen more than 100 youngsters enjoy cricket at the Melbourne Sports Park this summer with some of the juniors playing four years

above their age group.

What is vital to the junior section are the coaches with Dave Barr and Tom Richmond plus a host of senior volunteers attending every training session plus most matches both home and away.

Without this help the section would not be able to run so smoothly.

Just as important are the junior teams’ sponsors as, without their financial support, the club would not be able to offer local children a chance to play cricket.

The U15s were sponsored by MS, both U11s teams by local firm Lion Court and the two U9s Kwiks teams were once again sponsored by Bounz.uk.

The club has just four weeks of the 2021 season left but is already planning for 2022 with a host of volunteers intending to take their level two coaching qualification and more junior sides than ever.

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Treble tops for tennis club’s teams

20 Village Voice August 2021

SPORT

MELBOURNE Tennis Club had another busy month of league matches in July as three of their teams sit top of their respective tables going into the last six weeks of the season.

Both the men’s A teams stay top of their Burton and Derbyshire leagues without playing a match in July but the men’s B team lost both their Burton league matches against a strong Alrewas side.

Melbourne was well beaten 4-0 and went down 3-1 at home to CURC with Phil Lodge/Graham Oppenheimer claiming the only point.

The club’s men’s C team did not have a match in the month and the D team’s only game was

a 3-1 defeat at Doveridge. But the ladies’ A team currently sit top of the league as their Burton team won both league matches in July. They beat Burton 4-0 thanks to the pairings of Judith Hancock/Nicola Tomlinson and Sallie Allen/Pat Milham both wining all four of their sets.

This was followed by another 4-0 win against Lichfield. This time the winning couples were Judith Hancock/Emma Guest and Karen Brenchley/Lesley Heath.

The ladies Derbyshire team moved up the table to third with a resounding 8-1 away win at Ashbourne.

The ladies C team won one

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The Village Voice is delighted to be producing the first ‘What’s On’ column since March 2020.

Saturday, September 4: 10am.

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and lost one of their monthly matches as a 3-1 win against Ashby Castle C was followed by a 3-1 home defeat to CURC B team.

The club’s Derbyshire mixed A team began July with a close 5-4 away win at Wingerworth with the pairings of Nicola Tomlinson/Andy Fleming plus Judith Hancock/Paul Hill both winning two points and Emma Guest/Phil Cowley winning the all important fifth point.

The club’s mixed teams are on a good run as the Burton B team beat Rolls-Royce 4-0, the mixed C team beat Littleover 40 but the mixed D team won one, lost one and drew one of their three matches in July.

A 4-0 defeat at Denstone was followed by a 3-1 home win against Netherseal C. The club fielded their youngest ever player as 11-year-old Layla Sheriff made her league debut, partnering her dad Luke in winning both their matches.

The D team finished with a close 2-2 draw against Littleover to complete a very busy month for the club.

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Amy’s coaching skills rewarded

l Donal Miller, manager of the Melbourne Dynamo U-16s, Melbourne girls’ football coach Amy Fleming, with members of Tony Coffey’s family, Sue Edwards and Liam Coffey.

AN INSPIRATIONAL young football coach was given a surprise at a Melbourne training session when she was presented with the Tony Coffey Memorial Shield.

The shield is awarded every year in memory of Tony Coffey, a much-loved coach of Melbourne United Football Club in the 80s and 90s.

Members of Tony’s family joined Melbourne Dynamo under-16 coach Donal Miller at the sports park to present the shield to Amy Fleming, 15.

Nominating her for the award, Melbourne Girls’ football coach Jamie O’Toole told how Amy had been one of the founding coaches of the club, which looks set to be Derbyshire’s third biggest girls’ football club next season.

Jamie said Amy was “ … in my opinion the strongest junior coach I have come across in my few years of coaching, and is truly inspirational to the younger girls”.

The club’s four youngest age groups, aged between eight and 11, are the strongest in the Derbyshire league. All have been regularly coached by Amy. Jamie said: “Not only is Amy an outstanding coach and a fantastic role model, she even organises the group of junior leaders which now totals eight, and helps plan coaching sessions.”

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Making the presentation, Donal said: “We are here to present a very special award, to a very special person.

“I think that Tony would see everything he believed in so strongly in one of the girls we are going to award the trophy to today.”

Tony’s son, Liam, who attended the event, said: “As soon as we heard Amy’s story – as a family, Don always asks for our opinion – we all agreed .. that she represents exactly what my dad tried to do all those years ago. She has put herself out. It’s a really fitting tribute.”

Amy, of Kings Newton, said: “I am so thankful for being nominated for this award; it was a lovely surprise when I received it. I love coaching the girls and am really glad to play a role in helping the next generation of girls become star footballers!

“All this is thanks to Jamie, who has put in so much time and effort to create an amazing environment for girls aged four to 14 play football.”

Amy’s mum, Louise, added: “We are really proud of Amy for giving up her time to coach the younger girls and grateful for Jamie and the coaches for nominating her for this award. Amy loves her sport, both playing and coaching, and we hope that she will inspire other girls to fall in love with it too.

“We are lucky to have a great set-up at the MSP with so many dedicated volunteers providing fantastic opportunities for young people.”