Melbourne Village Voice January 2017

HEALTHY NEW SURGERY YEAR

by Frank Hughes

THINGS ARE changing at Melbourne and Chellaston Surgery, with some new staff changes and new ways of accessing services.

Julie Sampson has just taken over as the new practice manager and she is very excited about the new start. She brings with her ten years’ experience of work in the Urgent Care Centre in Derby. “It is going to

be very different, and very exciting,” she said.

The biggest challenge is the increasing demand for services and the introduction of new models for the delivery of care.

Locum practice manager Janine Miller explained that, if the way services are delivered does not change, there is forecast by 2021 a £290million gap in health funding in Derbyshire, with a further £136m shortfall in Local Authority funding for social care.

The Joined Up Care (Sustainability Transfor-

mation Plan) initiative recently published by the Southern Derby Clinical Commissioning group, provides a new model for how health and social care will be provided to meet the challenge of an expanding and aging population, some living with complex medical issues, within ever tighter budget constraints.

The plan has set out five priorities: Preventing ill health and helping people take good care of themselves; Care to be place-based which means services focus on people in their community, rather than being offered in a way that suits organisations; Emergency care services to be used more effectively which means access to the right care, whenever it is needed; Health and care organisations can work better together; Organisations need to be efficient to make sure as much money as possible is pumped into services and care and reducing running costs.

Locally at the surgery there are some initiatives which will integrate well with the new plan. A new GP, Dr Toyosi Nkwam, has been recruited locally, bringing the GP staffing to the equivalent of seven full-time doctors.

A pharmacist for the practice has also been appointed – Saima Ashraf – and a new nursing manager, Lynn Daly, has now taken up post.

All of these changes will mean patients will see different ways of accessing health care, shifting from the traditional expectation of seeing a GP for every complaint.

The traditional standard GP appointments and on call doctor list remains in place, but with the addition of innovations such as telephone appointments and being able to book on line.

Janine Miller said she is “very keen to build links with the community and voluntary groups in particular, to ensure that there is a broader understanding of the exciting changes that are ahead of us”.

Read how this young girl is helping her parents to make a career change.

–Page 6

–Page 10

l NEW Year’s revellers at the Hardinge Arms in King’s Newton got into the festive spirit with a special 70s themed dinner to see in 2017. See Page 3 for more New Year pictures.

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n TICKNALL Garden Club members got into the festive spirit by holding their annual Christmas social, enjoying a buffet and being entertained by North Wales singer and comedian Morgan Reeves.

Pictured are:

Caring duo face up to a new challenge

THERE is a renewed determination from the new dynamic duo now managing Community Care in Melbourne to make it even more predominant in providing support to the wider local community.

Alison Thornhill and Christine Lee are bringing their experiences working together locally for over 15 years in the Fair Trade sector to their new job-share role.

Alison said: “We relish taking on a new challenge within the community,” while Christine said: “We’re looking forward to the new role and hope we can make real difference.”

“For now, though, it is just about learning the processes and systems in place, as we have only had a few weeks so far,” said Christine.

One of their first challenges was to further raise the profile of the services Community Care offers.

“Quite a number of people have said they don’t know what we do, or think it’s just for older people,” Alison said. “The services, including car trips to medical or other appointments, are open to anyone who needs the service.

“There is also a challenge to get even more volunteers involved. With a regular crew of about seven drivers for the minibus and about 12 driver volunteers we do need to get more people engaged.”

Whilst there is a commitment of time, with more volunteers there is less of an onus on individuals.

They are also keen to hear from people with ideas for fund-raising. The charity is entirely self-funding, through donations, bequests and fund-raising and it has costs of over £20,000 per annum just to keep going.

“We are looking for any ideas, large or small,” said Alison.

“First and foremost we want to publicise what we do. That includes the weekly free minibus shopping trip – which is open to anyone who just needs a bit of extra help to get to Sainsbury’s; the minibus trips to places like Burton and Lichfield; the car service for medical and other appointments; we also do quite a lot of ‘signposting’ for

people to access other services; we have the wheelchair loan – again for anyone to access. But we are very happy for people just to drop into the office on Derby Road for a chat!”

Both also wanted to pay tribute to Victoria Hancock, who had recently stood down as the centre manager.

“She has handed on a well-established and a very well organised team,” they said.

If you are interested in volunteering or finding out more, you can drop into the office or visit the website; http://www.melbournecommunitycare.co.uk

Frank Hughes

–

l JOB-SHARE for Alison Thornhill (left) and Christine Lee.

(l to r) Sally Salt, Morgan Reeves, Min Bell (chair) Mandy Roshier, Wendy Gale and Barbara Presley.

Threat to our bus services staved off

SUNDAY and late night bus services affecting local passengers are safe … but only for the time being.

The controversial proposals by Derbyshire County Council to scrap subsidies on around 140 routes across the county, which threatened evening and weekend services, were overwhelmingly rejected in a public consultation.

The plans would have seen the Derby to Swadlincote service –which picks up passengers in Melbourne, Kings Newton, Ticknall and Barrow-upon-Trent – scrapped during the evenings and weekends.

More than 4,000 completed questionnaires with 25,000-plus individual comments were received, described as a “very good level of response” to the survey. More than 90% of the respondents disagreed with the proposals, forcing the council to rethink the plans, which were to achieve a £4m saving.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the majority of the replies showed that the elderly, the young and the disabled would be most impacted by the changes, and there would be a significant impact on access to services and, in many cases, for people to get to work.

At a Derbyshire County Council Cabinet meeting it was agreed that £3m would be spent on retaining the subsidised services, and

a commitment was made to sustaining funding for the current services until March 2018. However, there would be a further review of individual services, working closely with bus operators to look at where savings could be made.

County Councillor Linda Chilton confirmed that the council were looking to develop a ‘Derbyshire Bus Strategy’.

She said: “Be assured, I will follow the situation closely; I will be extremely concerned if Melbourne is subjected to a greatly depleted bus service. Twenty-five per cent of this division is aged over 64 and will get to a point where they need to use public transport.

“Gold Cards are already at future risk. With more new homes applications this will also create an opportunity for me to argue the point of retaining a decent, regular service for all: able-bodied, disabled and others in need of community service.

“Much depends, of course, on the bus company’s attitude and business plan.”

Councillor Rob Davison said: “The consultation confirmed that the greatest hardships would be borne by rural dwellers and young people without cars. For some it could mean loss of their job. I'm delighted we've been able to keep most of the services going.”

– Frank Hughes

n THE New Year arrived with a spot of Auld Lang Syne at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

More than 100 people turned out to the New Year’s Eve Party, the second year it has been held in the venue. They danced the night away to music provided by a DJ in an event that once again sold out.

New future for bank building

NEW tenants are hoped to take their place in Melbourne’s former NatWest bank within the next few months.

The Village Voice contacted Ashby-based chartered surveyors Roger Etchells & Co, who are managing the property, to find out when local residents can expect to see new faces in the former bank building.

We were told there had been some delays to the process but that there had been “a few interested parties”.

Firm director Richard

Tilbrook said he was optimistic that new tenants could be found and installed early in 2017.

According to the details provided by the surveyor, the old bank is being offered as a “prime shop premises” in a “thriving market town”.

The particulars go on to say that Melbourne has “very good car parking facilities” and that the premises, which have a ground floor, patio garden and basement, have “considerable potential for restaurant/café use”.

Funeral Directors

Christmas decorations sales now on!

Country Living

with Robert Parker

ANOTHER year has arrived and it’s amazing how things are so different from 12 months ago.

Last year we were at the tail end of a very wet period and, consequently, the ground conditions were very bad. All machinery was confined to barracks and very little activity was happening out there in the fields.

Compare that to today and, following a very dry autumn, you could quite literally do anything on the ground! It is so much easier for us farmers when the weather helps us along.

The pessimist in me says it can’t last, and with January and February in front of us anything could happen.

n Dairy farmers are feeling a little more optimistic just now as, due to shortages of milk, prices are starting to rise.

They always seem to go up a lot slower than they go down, which really does annoy us all. Whether this will mean higher prices in the shops I don’t know, when you compare milk prices with other beverages and drinks.

It did really make me think when out on New

Year’s Eve and paying over £6 for two small drinks (half a lager and a coke) that we seem to have got things so wrong.

My drinks, which were 95% water, equated to 200p a litre compared to milk leaving the farm at around 25 pence a litre.

As one of my good friends quite often tells me, we don’t have to do it!

n More and more people come to the countryside each year, which I welcome, but there are some problems – with a good example locally.

Ticknall is plagued and blessed being a neighbour to Calke Abbey, but parking problems at peak times are getting out of hand.

The National Trust is charging for entry and parking, and to avoid this people are parking in and around the village, and walking the short distance to the park. The issue isn’t acute yet, but when coming through Ticknall at peak weekends it’s very noticeable – particularly for large farm vehicles.

This is a difficult problem and I’d like to think the Trust is addressing it.

Nursery coins it in for charity

SHOPPERS at Swarkestone Nursery have helped keep a life-saving air ambulance flying high after donating nearly £2,000 in loose change throughout 2016.

Last year was the third that the nursery had chosen to support the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance by allowing volunteers to hold collections there, as well as having collection tins next to their tills.

The nursery managed to raise £1,826.82 for their local air ambulance service in total – over the average cost it takes for the charity to fly a life-saving mission.

Collette Richardson, air ambulance fund-raising co-ordinator for Derbyshire, said: “It’s great to have been supported by Swarkestone for the

third year in a row.

“This year the nursery smashed their previous fund-raising total and raised over £300 more during 2016.

“We’re delighted with the amount raised. As we receive no government funding, fund-raising like this helps us keep our lifesaving services flying.”

Laura Jackson, of Swarkestone Nursery, said: “We are very proud to support the air ambulance, and thank our customers for donating their spare change to help us raise money for a very worthy cause.

“I am amazed by how much we have managed to raise, but it just goes to show how many people appreciate what the air ambulance and its volunteers do for our country.”

l Louise Grimadell and John Burney, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance volunteers, collecting at Swarkestone Nursery.

Wildlife volunteer group fearing for its future

FEARS for the future of a flagship volunteer environmental group in Aston-on-Trent have been sparked after a highly valued countryside post was axed in county council budget cuts.

Since 2012, the Friends of Aston Brickyard (FAB) have transformed nine acres of overgrown, unmanaged county council-owned scrubland into a wildlife haven that is well used by local dog walkers, families and young people.

The historic former gypsum mine and brickyard is now in such a healthy state that volunteers have been advised they will be able to apply to turn it into a designated Local Nature Reserve.

One valuable aspect of its work has been providing a habitat for butterflies, including some very rare species such as the White Letter Hairstreak.

The group of around 20 volunteers has been closely guided by a county council countryside ranger and community engagement officer, who have been on site every month providing direction, skills, training and tools.

But now volunteers fear for the future of all their hard work after finding out that the community engagement officer post has fallen prey to budget cuts, and they will no longer get the same level of support.

Among the on-site help has been the provision of tools such as chainsaws and large mowers, since volunteers lack the skills and training to operate dangerous machinery or detailed knowledge on conservation management.

Group secretary John Holloway, who works regularly at the site with his wife, Elaine, said: “Our community officer has worked with us on site for four years – he has got the technical knowledge of what the council want to do with their site, and the skills of conservation and environmental management.

“We have gleaned some knowledge and skills over the four years, but we don’t have direct access to the county council’s policy and strategic direction.

“They have dropped a relatively low cost county-wide post supporting five volunteer groups and at least 200 volunteers. There’s a concern here as to what’s going to happen to all the good work that we have done.

“There’s a bunch of very committed, keen volunteers trying to manage a Derbyshire County Council property who are likely to lose close support, access to equipment and strategic direction. We don’t want hand-holding. We understand their problems, but it seems confusing.

“We’re still keen, we’re motivated, we’re enthusiastic, but it looks likely that we’re not going to get the support we’ve enjoyed for the past four years, and without access to tools and equipment the future is uncertain.”

FAB volunteers say they have undertaken countryside volunteer work equating to 242 days of free labour over the past four years, saving the council thousands of pounds.

Society gets an insight into park life

SOUTH Derbyshire’s four parklands will be the subject of a talk by Philip Heath at the next meeting of the Melbourne Civic Society.

Philip will be guiding listeners around the parklands at its meeting at 7.30pm on January 30 in the Assembly Rooms.

At the civic society’s meeting at the end of November the audience was given a talk by Ian Morgan about the Foss Dyke – probably the oldest canal in England, having been established by the Romans in 120AD.

The canal’s tendency to silt up meant it never became the intended important transport route, but along its banks exist a wide variety of interesting churches, villages and stately homes with associated tales of mystery, murder and intrigue.

Ian ended the journey in Lincoln, which gave the final flourish to an historical journey.

Cop a load of this choir

SINGERS from the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir are putting on a concert to raise money for Findern Village Hall.

The hall is an independent charity which provides a meeting place for the local area.

The male voice choir is in concert at the hall at 7.45pm on Friday, March 3. Tickets are available from the village store, Gwen on 01283 701284 or Julian on 01283 702092.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: “We don’t want to cut our services, but this is the seventh year of Government cuts to council budgets and the funding we get is expected to be a third lower in 2020 than it was in 2010.

“This means we are making difficult decisions and cutting the countryside service budget by £1m is one of them. The support for voluntary groups including Friends of Aston Brickyard group will be reduced, but we will continue to help them as much as possible.

“We will still be offering advice, training and a named contact to the group. We really value the work they have done and are grateful for the many hours of effort their volunteers put in.”

– Lucy Stephens

No council challenge to 34-home decision

THE controversial decision to allow building on Melbourne’s Jawbone Lane will not go to a judicial review for further debate, a public meeting heard.

South Derbyshire District

Councillor Jim Hewlett told the latest meeting of the Melbourne Parish Council that the council’s planning department had taken legal advice following last month’s decision to permit the building of up to 34 homes on land near the cemetery.

As reported on the front page of December’s Village Voice,

planning inspector Martin Whitehead said developers could build the homes – after applicants Fisher German took the matter to an appeal following rejection by the council’s planning committee.

A five-day planning inquiry hinged on a technicality as to whether or not the district council had a five-year housing supply, a key factor when it comes to whether homes can be built.

Cllr Hewlett said that the council had been advised it

would be unlikely to succeed if it took the decision to a judicial review and, therefore, would not do so since it would be using a large amount of public money.

Cllr Hewlett said that the council looked on the inspector’s view on their five-year housing land supply as a “rogue decision” that “does not set a precedent”.

He said: “No inspector has ever challenged the way the five-year supply was calculated – it’s viewed as a one-off decision.”

PRETTY AS A PICTURE … Grassland at the plantation after work by volunteers and (inset) a rare White Letter Hairstreak, which has been spotted at the site.

Flood info meeting

ANYONE interested in finding out more about ongoing work being done to prevent Melbourne from flooding is reminded that the next meeting with water experts is being held this month.

The floods meeting, which includes representatives from the county council and Severn Trent Water, is being held at Melbourne Assembly Rooms at 6.30pm on Wednesday, January 18.

As many local people as possible are encouraged to go along and ask questions.

Raffle winners

WINNERS of the Melbourne Town Band Christmas Raffle have been announced.

The raffle for three luxury Christmas hampers was drawn at 8pm in the Royal British Legion on December 22 by three independent members.

The winners were Liz Shaw, from Breedon-on-the-Hill; Rolf Finney, from Ticknall; and Jack Tivey, from Melbourne.

Isla, 6, inspires parents to climb a new career ladder

A MELBOURNE couple have set up the first ‘Clip n’ Climb’ centre in the East Midlands –and they say it is all down to their six-year-old daughter, Isla.

Isla Robertson, a pupil at Melbourne Infant School, impressed parents Ellen and David when the family visited a similar attraction while on holiday in 2015.

In fact, she inspired them to undergo a complete life turnaround and set up the first such centre in the region, in a former office block in Nottingham.

Clip n’ Climb has been described as “climbing meets theme park” and offers participants the opportunity to climb up brightly coloured, specially themed walls after being securely clipped in on a harness.

Walls at the Robertsons’ new venture range from simulated ice climbing to Astroball, to the notorious “Leap of Faith” whereby users can test their courage by jumping from a high shelf.

There are now more than 100 Clip n’ Climb centres worldwide.

Ellen switched from her former life as a primary school

teacher to start up the centre with her husband, when the pair tried to take Isla to a Clip n’ Climb after returning from their holiday – only to find there wasn’t one in the region.

Ellen said: “I’d always had an interest in climbing and seeing Isla being allowed to climb at such a young age was amazing. David has always wanted to set up a business and I needed a change.”

Ellen and David opened the centre on December 8 with the help of start-up business loans. Ellen now works full-time there.

She said: “It feels a bit surreal, but fantastic! We have had such positive reactions since we opened – it’s wonderful seeing these heartfelt reviews from people we don’t know.

“What we would like to do, because of my primary teaching background, is promote the benefits of this kind of centre in terms of development, whether that’s physical or emotional development with the self-esteem and confidence that climbing brings.

“A special mention must also go to our staff who have been incredible.”

–Lucy Stephens

Don’t your parents deserve the very best in retirement living and support?

Opening in spring 2017, Richmond Aston-on-Trent is a purpose built retirement village which provides the kind of luxury accommodation and facilities that we all dream of. Take the Village Suites as an example, these apartments come with an Independent Living Package including all meals, laundry, daily maid service and have been designed to help your loved ones retain an independent lifestyle.

l Isla Robertson, (pictured centre, front) with parents David and Ellen (centre) and staff at the new Clip n’ Climb centre in Nottingham.

n MEMBERS of the Melbourne Town Beginners’ Band are pictured dressed in their festive best.

The band was formed in February 2016 and is made up of adults and children with either no or very little prior musical

knowledge – but they have already performed in two concerts.

Rehearsals take place on Thursdays at 5pm at the Baptist Church school rooms on Chapel Street.

SAT-isfying result for primary school

LOCAL primary pupils fared above the national average in recently published SATs results – with one school coming in the top 100 in the country.

Sale & Davys Primary School, in Barrowupon-Trent, scored 93 per cent in the 2016 year 6 SATs tables published in December, making it one of the very highest performing out of more than 21,000 schools in England and Wales.

And overall, schools in the area did better than their counterparts across the country, with a higher proportion of pupils reaching the required standards than the national average.

The 2016 SATs were controversial after the Government changed the tests and, it was widely felt, made them much harder than in previous years.

The result was that only 53 per cent of children across England and Wales reached what were deemed to be the necessary levels for reading, writing and maths.

But at Sale & Davys, 93 per cent of pupils achieved the expected levels, with seven per cent doing even better than that.

Head teacher Sarah Briggs said: “It’s amazing, and it’s not just down to the head teacher – it’s down to the community that

Mini-market to give club a fund-booster

AN INDOORmini-market is being held in Melbourne to raise funds for a club that has been going for nearly 100 years.

The market is being held by Melbourne Photographic Society, in the first venture of its kind for the club, which has been in existence since 1921.

Now club member Lorraine Dowell, who is organising the event, would like to hear from anyone interested in having a stall.

The market is being held at Melbourne Assembly Rooms from 10am to 3pm on March 18. Entry will be free to the public on the day. Anyone who would like to book a stall should contact Lorraine via email on lorraine@geoffdowell.com

Police appeal for burglary witnesses

POLICE investigating a burglary from a house in Aston-on-Trent are appealing for witnesses.

The home on Moor Lane was broken into between 10am on Friday, December 2 and 2pm the next day.

A wristwatch and necklace were stolen, along with a charm bracelet which featured a gold cage.

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area or who has any further information is asked to contact PC Hayley Jones on 101, quoting reference number 16000397637.

Alternatively, you can contact her online by visiting the “Contact Us” section of the Derbyshire Constabulary website: www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SHEILA ENGLAND, (former Landlady of The Wheel Inn, Ticknall), passed away peacefully on the 11th December 2016 at Woodville Residential Care Home. Her three children, Kevan, Sandra and Gaynor were by her side and they would like to thank George Simnett, Funeral Directors, for giving such a kind, warm and professional service. Also for everyone’s comforting words and donations to the Alzheimer’s Society.

educates children, and that’s having really good quality staff, supportive parents and a fantastic governing body.”

Both Melbourne Junior School and Weston-on-Trent Primary saw 70 per cent of pupils achieving the standards with children in both schools having above average scores for reading and maths.

In Melbourne, 15 per cent of pupils achieved higher results than the national requirements for their age.

Aston-on-Trent Primary School scored 59 per cent, again with above average scores for reading and maths. –Lucy Stephens

Kay

Mobile: 07759 930346

Email: kay@kaybeardsleycounselling.co.uk www.kaybeardsleycounselling.co.uk

Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The stuffing I'd nibbled, the turkey I'd taste, the yummies I'd eaten, gone straight to my waist. So away with the last of the sour-cream dip, get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip. Every last bit of food that I like must be banished, until all the additional ounces have vanished. I'll phone Breedon Priory to book an induction, it's much better value than liposuction! Their expert advice and well equipped gym, is sure to help me get back in trim. Goodbye to my belly and generous rear, I'm going to exercise and get fitter this year!

Bird boxes in memory of your loved ones

A NEW way to remember those who have passed away has been installed at Melbourne Cemetery, in the form of bird boxes.

Melbourne Parish Council has recently introduced the scheme, which is a first for the village, although it does exist in other areas.

The idea is to give people an alternative way to remember their loved ones, which will also benefit wildlife.

Two bird boxes have been bought since the project started late in 2016, one of which has been put in situ on a tree overlooking the Victorian chapel.

Those taking part buy a bird box on lease for three years, which is then fixed with a special plaque giving details of the person it remembers.

The parish council said: “We hope that this is also a good way to contribute, albeit in a small way, towards the preservation of wildlife in and around the cemetery, particularly as development very close by is to take place.

“With this look towards contributing to wildlife, we have also installed a rose garden in the Garden of Remembrance and added roses close to the entrance wall, again to provide some colour and fragrance for those using the cemetery and to provide food for the wildlife.

“We have planted native bluebells and snowdrops in the old burial ground and are looking to undertake a native wildflower

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planting scheme with the Civic Society next year at the old burial ground. We are hoping to improve the appearance of the area, generate benefits for wildlife whilst keeping respect for the site.”

l MELBOURNE Mummers brought their traditional Christmas capers to the pubs of Ticknall and Melbourne, and raised over £560 for the charity Shelter in the process. The performers included Richard Read, Roger Spencer, Robin Raine, Peter Wood, Brian Crosbie, Phil James and Old 'Oss Tony Razzel.

Chance to honour our local heroes

A NEW awards scheme is being set up for Melbourne and King’s Newton – and the whole community is being encouraged to nominate their local heroes.

The “Mels” have been devised by Assembly Rooms manager Andy Heafield, who hopes they will celebrate all that is best about the two communities.

The plan is to hold a ceremony on April 9 at the Assembly Rooms, where the winners will be recognised.

Andy said: “I hope that this will be a celebration of all that is great about Melbourne, bringing together business, community, sport and the arts.

“Many clubs have their own awards but the Mels are to celebrate and reward passion, determination, tireless energy, loyalty and skill. Melbourne and King’s Newton have so many people and groups who display these qualities, let's get nominating and reward their contribution to life in our community.”

The awards have been split into 13 categories, including the parish council’s existing Dr Freeman Award, which it is hoped can be incorporated amongst them.

There are four sporting categories, including sportsperson and team of the year; three business categories, plus three further categories apiece for the community and the arts.

The idea is for local residents to pick up nomination forms from places like Forteys, the library and the Chip & Pin and hand them in, where they will be judged by an independent panel with the top two in each category invited to the final ceremony.

Andy said: “Lots of towns, big and small, and even villages have community awards to try and bring the community together – businesses, sport, the arts, community groups.

“We have a lot of events that tend to regard one particular group, but I think for a town the size of Melbourne it would be nice to have something to reward people; there’s hopefully lots in there for everybody.”

– Lucy Stephens

Council Tax precept to go up by 11.5%

MELBOURNE Parish Council is to put up its Council Tax precept by 11.5 per cent in the next financial year.

The latest meeting of the parish authority decided that the precept for the financial year 2017/8 would be set at £72,610 – which equates to £37.98 for the year for a band D house.

The meeting heard that the proposed rise was not down to any planned large spend in money, but to pay for a range of increased costs across the board – such as price rises charged by the district council for bin collections, for example.

This year represents an opportunity to raise the precept as parish councils may in the near future face a Government cap in the amount by which they are allowed to put up taxes.

Melbourne Parish Council charges a precept which is about two thirds the amount of the highest charging parish council in the district, which is Hilton.

Speeders identified

LETTERS have been sent to 44 speeding motorists after they were spotted by campaigners in Ticknall.

The village’s well-documented Speedwatch campaign was carried out between May and October last year with volunteers reporting cars driving

up to nearly 50 miles an hour through the village.

Speedwatch will carry on this Spring and more volunteers are being encouraged to come forward. Watches are carried out between 6am and 8pm during the two week stints when the equipment is available.

n LOCAL brass players raised around £4,500 for cancer research when they took to the streets to play festive favourites.

The annual “Blow for Cancer” was carried out by Melbourne Charity Band – a band made up of brass players from Melbourne Town Band and other music groups.

Blow for Cancer has been going for more than a decade and raised over £60,000 for cancer research.

n AROUND 200 people gathered around the Christmas tree in Melbourne for the annual festive carol singing. Melbourne Town Band provided a traditional brass band accompaniment to seasonal favourites such as The First Nowell and O Come All Ye Faithful, with children singing Away in a Manger on their own. The whole assembled company finishing off the hour’s singa-long with a stirring rendition of Jingle Bells. A collection raised around £150 for the local air ambulance.

Your local butchers at Melbourne Hall Craft Centre. Local produce and excellent customer service. With a full range of Beef, Lamb, Pork and Chicken. Supplying easy pre pared meals and bundle packs to suit all your needs or cut to your exact requirements. Pre order and collect or just pop in. All our beef and lamb is grass fed and reared at Park Farm on the Melbourne Estate. We believe that the animals’ lifestyle has an important effect on the quality.

We are farmers first and foremost, passionate about producing livestock resulting in

Bird’s eye view of the village

RECOGNISE this beautiful South Derbyshire village? This is Melbourne, seen from above, captured in a rare air shot by local pilot Douglas Orton.

Douglas, who flies his own Flexwing Microlight for fun, was able to take this aerial photograph while flying 2000 feet over Melbourne – taking ad-

vantage of the unusual fact of East Midlands Airport being shut while the runway was being resurfaced.

On a normal weekend flight, Douglas (pictured) – an airline software engineer who lives in Melbourne – explained that he would probably bypass Melbourne because of the fact it is so close to the airport, which means flights for sporting enthusiasts must make way for commercial air traffic.

Douglas’s wife, Eleanor, gave him a trial flight lesson two years ago as a present, and he has been hooked ever since – acquiring his pilot’s licence a year ago and his own plane in the spring.

“She’s regretted it ever since!” he said. “It’s not for the faint hearted. I was interested in buying a motorbike – flying is like a three dimensional motorbike. It’s a similar feeling to a motorbike, but just with the fact that you can go up and down.

“When you’re flying you have this connection with nature what with the wind and the birds, and looking down at everything that’s going on.”

History comes alive at school

PUPILS at a local school will be able to see history brought alive after archaeological research on the grounds unearthed some fascinating discoveries, including a centuries-old love token.

Members of the Loughborough Coin and Search Society conducted the research at Grace Dieu School together with parent Stephen Taylor and researcher John Maloney.

The researchers used fieldwalking and metal detectors to scour the land. Among the artefacts found was a curiously bent silver coin dating from 1700 – from the reign of William III, just before Queen Anne came to the throne.

The coin, probably a sixpence, had been made into a “love token” – a custom whereby a young man would give a smoothed bent coin, which had had the monarch's head obliterated and then bent twice, to a potential sweetheart.

According to the custom of the day, if his sweetheart accepted the advances the young lady would keep the token – if not, she disposed of it. The tradition is reflected in the old rhyme: “There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, he found a crooked sixpence on a crooked style.”

The search also produced other coins, pottery from the 18th and 19th centuries, clay pipes, buttons, badges and military relics such as musket and pistol balls from pre-1910 guns.

The artefacts, which have historical rather than monetary worth, will be put on display at the school for the children to see.

Airport races raise £20,000

RUNNERS taking part in November’s historic races at East Midlands Airport helped raise £20,000 for children with cancer in the East Midlands.

The airport staged the 2k and 10k runs on November 27 during the period when it closed its runways for resurfacing.

Some 2,600 people took part in the event, including runners from the local area.

The airport has now confirmed that £20,000 was raised for CLIC Sargent, a charity which provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to help children and young people cope with cancer.

All proceeds from car parking on the day, donations from athletes and spectators and a do-

01332 863729

info@newtonselfstorage.co.uk www.newtonselfstorage.co.uk

Members of the Parish Council

Chair Margaret Sharp 862471

Vice Chair Sheila Hicklin 865726

Highways

David Smith 862699

Burial Grounds

Sheila Hicklin 865726

Facilities Andrew Jackson 07931 541387

Planning & Strategy

Jane Carroll 863269 Finance & HR

Margaret Sharp 862471

Ian Casson 07770 578483

Nigel Collyer 07831 540538

George Dunnicli 07780 806267

Wendy Earp 865019

Tom Gates 865718

George Hudson 07503 247953

Robert Parker 07973 297404

Terry Summerlin 864643

Michael Usher 07791 605861

Paul Willmore 863044

Jacqui Storer - Clerk 07734 939292

Useful Numbers

Melbourne Parish Council

Quarterly Report - January 2017

Our thanks go to the Melbourne branch of the Royal British Legion for the Commemoration of 100 years of the Battle of the Somme in October at both the Cenotaph and the Church Service, and also for organising the Parade and Service on Remembrance Sunday which was very well attended as usual.

In December the "Melbourne at Christmas" event was an excellent night organised by Cllr Paul Willmore with huge crowds supporting the event with Santa to switch the lights on, which looked fantastic this year.

Our thanks go to Rotex this year for organising Carols round the Tree which was supported by approximately 200 people.

I would like to thank the sexton Robert for his work with the Christmas remembrance tree in the cemetery chapel and also his wife Lynne for the lovely ower arrangements.

In December we welcomed Ian Casson to be a member of the Parish Council - so we now have a full Council again.

Work on the new public toilets will be commencing very soon so they should be in use by May/June if things go according to plan.

Unfortunately we were not successful with our grant application for new play equipment at the Lothian Gardens this time but we will hopefully apply again later.

Margaret Sharp, Chair, Melbourne Parish Council

nation from the airport made up the £20,000 total, which will all go towards families in the region who are supported by CLIC Sargent.

Meanwhile, the airport saw a huge increase in passengers flying away for a festive break.

Between December 23 and January 2 the airport was preparing for nearly 10,000 more people to fly away for their holidays – a total of 78,300 – with the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean popular destinations for people choosing to spend Christmas and the New Year abroad.

During the airport’s resurfacing project, 150,000 square metres of runway were resurfaced and more than 1,200 lights replaced over seven weekend closures.

n CHILDREN from Aston-on-Trent Primary School got into the festive spirit when they performed their Christmas play. These youngsters from years three and four are pictured performing their rendition of “The Why Show”.

In addition, key stage one pupils took to the stage with “A Midwife Crisis” while years five and six performed “Shoulda been a North Pole Elf”.

A spokeswoman from the school said: “The children all performed fantastically and the shows were very much enjoyed by all who attended.”

Dog owners sign the pledge

DOG owners have been encouraged to sign up to a pledge saying they will clean up after their pets.

In the run-up to Christmas Melbourne parents took to social media to express their frustration after their children repeatedly walked through dog fouling on the way to school.

The problem is within the remit of South Derbyshire District Council and not the parish, and when The Village Voice contacted the council’s Swadlincote headquarters we received this response from a spokesman: “We take the issue of dog fouling extremely seriously and work relentlessly to reduce incidents.

“The major obstacle we face in fining irresponsible owners is that they either need to be caught in the act, or we need hard evidence provided by members of the public – for example the times the offences are being committed, locations, descriptions of the dog and owner and registration plate details where possible.

“This information, which will be treated in the strictest confidence, helps our Safer Neighbourhood Wardens to target their patrols, to identify offending owners and to challenge them and their behaviour.

“However, our focus is not to punish – we would much rather people take pride in their area by signing up to our Green Dog Walkers Pledge, where owners promise to clean up after their pets, encourage others to do the same and give other walkers extra doggy bags if they do not have any.

“By working together we are striving to keep South Derbyshire clean, green and safe.”

Anyone with information about irresponsible dog owners can call the district council’s Safer Neighbourhood Wardens on 01283 595943 or email neighbourhood.wardens@southderbys.gov.uk

People can sign up to the Green Dog Walkers Pledge by visiting the website www.southderbys.gov.uk

FROM THE TOP: Bullets and muskets; coins; and a love token.

n YOUNG footballers from Melbourne United’s Under-8s side donned fancy dress for an end of year seasonal fund-raiser. Felix Walker, 4, is pictured with this scary Darth Vader costume, with coaches Dave Bell and Scott Parsons. All under-8s children are welcome to go along to sessions on Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Green light for ‘Garden Village’

IN A major announcement made before most people had returned to work, the Government has given its backing to a new development in South Derbyshire called Infinity Garden Village.

‘Garden Villages’ are “new settlements identified for house building, rather than extensions to existing urban developments, each with their own community facilities.”

South Derbyshire District Council leader Cllr Bob Wheeler said: “More than 50 schemes nationwide submitted bids for this funding so the fact that ours was among the successful ones again confirms the Government’s confidence in South Derbyshire as an important growth area.”

The South Derbyshire site includes the housing development along Wragley Way, which was already earmarked for around 2,000 houses within the recently adopted Local Plan. It is an area which lies partly within the City of Derby but mostly within South Derbyshire’s boundary. But it also extends beyond Deepdale Lane to the new Infinity Park on the southern edge of the city, with employment space to potentially create 5,000 jobs.

An additional £400k in funding, a share of £6million for the entire scheme, is expected to be made available to the Infinity project over the next two years to accelerate delivery of new homes. As well as funding, the Government will provide support in terms of expertise, brokerage and offers new freedoms from planning regulations. The aspiration is that by 2020, more than

£100 recycling incentive

A NEW scheme to get people recycling their electrical goods and win £100 has been launched by the county council as part of a drive to reduce council waste bills of £20 million.

Derbyshire County Council is urging residents to clear out broken or unwanted electrical goods and take them along to a participating tip for a chance to win a hundred pounds.

Items accepted include hair-dryers, hedgetrimmers, fairy lights, fridges, toasters, TVs, sat navs and lamps.

The offer is on until February 19, and operates a system whereby those taking part exchange their electrical goods for a golden ticket.

Participants then type in their unique ticket number online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/electric to find out if they have won – the more items they recycle, the more tickets they get.

The nearest participating recycling centre taking part in this area is at Newhall.

The competition and campaign is being funded by Advantage Waste Brokers – the contractor which works on behalf of the county council to collect and recycle electrical items taken to its recycling centres.

Anyone taking part is urged to ensure all personal data has been removed from items such as laptops, mobile phones or tablets before they are taken to a recycling centre.

For a full list of everything you can donate, and of recycling centres running the scheme, log on to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

The county council has 15 prizes of £100 to give away to winners.

n If your ticket wins you one of the prizes let us know at news@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

25,000 houses will have been started in the new garden villages, towns and cities.

The SDDC Local Plan had already identified the need for new roads’ infrastructure, a new junction with the A50, a new primary school, and a new local shopping centre. Access to infrastructure funding programmes across government may well provide much-needed assistance to provide additional village hall, health, retail and recreation sites.

Cllr Wheeler added: “Around 1,900 of the new homes in the Infinity Park Garden Village fall within our boundary, so we’re delighted with the news that funding has been secured to help move things forward.”

Deputy Leader of Derby City Council, Cllr Martin Rawson, said: “The Infinity Park Garden Village is important to providing new homes and accelerating development in the Enterprise Zone. The new road to be constructed will be an access to the Enterprise Zone, helping to unlock the investment potential there and breaking down barriers to accelerate development of the business park.”

However, residents have reacted angrily on social media to the news. One Sinfin resident captured the theme: “Why are they being called garden villages? Does the Government think we're stupid? They are housing estates, big housing estates. They have got a fancy name, but they are still using up greenfield sites. There's plenty of brownfield sites to use up first.”

– Frank Hughes

Icy roads lead to three car crashes on same day

THREE car accidents happened in Melbourne on the same day in December, as frosty conditions made the roads particularly icy.

One car drove into the side of the Thomas Cook Memorial Cottages on the high street on the day of the three accidents, which was December 29.

The latest meeting of Mel-

bourne Parish Council heard that the routes underfoot were so treacherous on that day that it was “like an ice rink”.

Parish councillors said they would ask the county council to be mindful of priority areas of the town when the highways team came out to grit the roads.

n TWO people have been arrested after an attempted

break-in at a house in Elvaston.

The property in Woods Meadow was targeted by burglars who broke in through a side gate and tried to force open a window. They did not get in and ran off.

The attempted burglary happened between 1.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday, December 21.

Lomas Opticians

Strings attached to Peter’s business

ONE of the newest businesses to set up in Melbourne is probably also one of the most uniquely specialised.

Tucked away in a corner at Melbourne Hall Visitor Centre, Peter Rose has opened his charming music shop ‘Christian Rose Violins’, specialising in violins, violas and cellos.

Downstairs a range of 60 violins, from a “16th” which is suitable for a three-year-old child to full size adult instruments adorn the walls, with about 20 violas and six cellos upstairs.

Peter was formerly based in Breedon Priory but decided to relocate to a bigger shop.

He has a life-long love of the instrument. He was a violin teacher until he retired in 2013 and said he had always fancied having a shop and decided to fulfil that ambition after he had sadly lost his wife.

He took up the violin at the age of 11, and later graduated at Huddersfield School of Music. As well as working as a peripatetic teacher of viola and violin for over 30 years in the East Midlands and Staffordshire, he has a fascinating playing career, too.

He was Principal Viola with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, he has freelanced with several orchestras including Orchestra da Camera, East of England Orchestra, and English pro Musica.

“Working with D’Oyly was a bit like being on a permanent tour,“ he said.

Ringing in the charity cash

MELBOURNE bell-ringers lent their talents to a worthy cause when they rang out some festive carols at Derby Railway Station.

The Peckham and Halliday families, who are regular church bell-ringers, were displaying their hand bell skills to raise money and awareness for Railway Children – a charity which helps vulnerable children who live alone on the streets.

Local bell-ringers had also been stretching their arm muscles for a good cause when they took part in the Julie McDonnell quarter peal on December 10.

Julie McDonnell is a bell-ringer from Hastings who has leukaemia.

The event was co-ordinated with many other churches and helped raise millions for people with blood cancer.

Pictured (l-r) are: Fiona Halliday, Cameron Peckham, Katie Halliday, Jenny Peckham, Rachael Peckham, Jenny Halliday and Christian Peckham.

“Doing eight shows a week, you could find yourself travelling to London, Oxford, Glasgow with no real logical route around the country.” He also spoke of the awful conditions for musicians at places like Nottingham’s Theatre Royal before it was renovated, where the orchestra’s dressing area was little more than a wardrobe.

Most of his customers come from recommendations by music teachers, with whom he has built up a great reputation.

“Whilst you can buy on the internet, you do need to come and try the instrument and make sure it is right for you, both in size and in quality of sound,” he advised.

Asked who would think of buying a violin for a three-year-old, he said that most often it is a parent who plays the instrument already, but it is not uncommon.

Peter still plays regularly with Nottingham Philharmonic, Leeds Baroque and Warwickshire Baroque and, whilst the shop is open every day apart from Monday, he advises customers to call and check, as he might be out playing.

Even if you are not looking for a violin, the shop is worth a visit, if only for a browse, and for the unusual gifts … including violins made of chocolate.

Words: Frank Hughes

Picture: Tina Baker

MELBOURNE RFC would like to thank everyone for their donations during this year's Santa's Sleigh 'tours'.

It is our first year doing this having taken over from the Rotary Club. This has been a new experience for us and one we have greatly enjoyed; we have learnt a lot and had some really positive

Do you have an issue you wish to write to us about?

comments from a lot of people, which has encouraged us to make next year and the following years even better and more enjoyable. Melbourne RFC will be making donations to local causes and we will publicise this as soon as they are finalised. Melbourne Rugby Club.

Tie-breaker for annual village quiz

THE annual Aston Village Quiz, with fish and chips, was, once again, a sell-out.

Robin Sedgewick and his wife, Ann, had devised 10 questions on each of 10 topics for villagers and their relatives and friends to ‘scratch their heads’ over. As usual, Robin had pitched the questions perfectly.

For the first time that anyone could remember, there was a tie for first place, which was decided by a very clever tie break question.

Ultimately, the winners were the ‘Grooms - Friends & Family’ who are pictured receiving the David Smith Memorial Trophy from SDD Councillor Mike Stanton.

The fish and chip supper, which was provided by George’s Tradition (Long Eaton branch) was extremely good and “George’s” very kindly donated several very generous raffle prizes.

All proceeds from the evening will go toward the ongoing and very successful upgrade of the Aston Recreation Centre.

Rail interchange work to steam ahead

IF YOU have just about familiarised yourself with the new road layout at Junction 24 of the M1 on your way into Nottingham, do not rest on your laurels. Phased work for the Roxhill Strategic Rail Interchange at Hemington and Lockington is set to begin there this winter.

Approval for the huge warehousing and rail development was granted in January 2016 and a meeting of the Community Liaison group took place in July when the full plans were revealed.

In the first of six phases for the project, which will run through until at least 2020, there will be construction of a roundabout on the A453 with connecting road to the Kegworth Bypass, which is planned to take traffic over the M1 to join up with the A6 south of Kegworth.

Earthworks will begin at the same time, to unlock a plateau for up to two million square feet of development.

Construction of the rail terminal, which will be over one kilometre in length, will start at the same time, with one end being adjacent to the current A50 route opposite the Hilton Hotel. Disruption to traffic is not expected for the first six months or so of the project.

Compulsory purchase orders were issued just before Christmas, setting out the land required and the rights that will be affected by the scheme. Over 20 parcels of land are included.

People or businesses affected by the notice are being invited to put their details forward for possible compensation claims.

Longer term the project includes building the warehousing development with six

Prize-winner Colin

FOR one Village Voice reader, 2017 has got off to a great start after he won our annual Christmas crossword competition. Colin Barker, of Station Road, sent his entry in after seeing our festive puzzle in the December edition, and emerged the winner after his correct solution was pulled out of the hat.

Colin, 67, wins £25.

But this has not been the first time the Melbourne granddad has put his brain cells to good use, having entered and won the Sunday People crossword in November – which carries prize money of £150.

Colin, who was a parish councillor in Melbourne in the mid1990s, said he was “very excited” to win our own local quiz.

zones of warehousing, stretching from the A453 to the eastern edge of Castle Donington, and from the airport perimeter towards Hemington and Lockington, links to a new railway line, the Kegworth bypass and new access routes into the two villages.

Locals have also been advised that there is a £100,000 community fund available, which will be allocated between the impacted villages, to spend on local projects.

The scheme, being dubbed East Midlands inland port, is expected to generate 7,000 direct jobs once operational as well as further opportunities during the lengthy construction phase.

Land impacted can be inspected on this public website: http://www.publicnotices.co.uk/national/view/95703/the-eastmid – Frank

Hughes

He said: “This is my way of supporting the Village Voice, which I think is a wonderful way of finding out local news, and I’d urge other people to support it too. Long may it continue!

“I enjoy a challenge. This crossword was more cryptic –doing it made me think a bit. It’s a good thing for anybody retired to keep their mind active.”

Colin, a retired engineer who has lived in Melbourne for 30 years, is a lay member of the Derby City Safeguarding Children’s Board and the Child Death Overview Panel – part of a national series of panels which record preventable child deaths and work to ensure they do not happen in the future.

The solutions were:

ACROSS: 4: Three; 7: Snow White; 8: She; 10: Rue; 11: Latitudes; 13: Cherub; 17: Milton; 21: Robin; 22: Not any; 25: Angels; 27: Sainsbury; 31: Coo; 32: May; 33: Decorates; 34: Rakes. DOWN: 1: Dove; 2: Hwyl; 3: Kitty; 4: Test; 5: Reed; 6: Eels; 7: Saracen; 9: Hull; 12: Ego; 14: Eft; 15: Urn; 16: Boy; 17: Mia; 18: Inn; 19: Toe; 20: No Shows; 23: Ova; 24: Anna; 26: Lunch; 27: Spar; 28: Imok (I’m OK); 29: Syds; 30: Yard; 31: Cute.

Domestic –

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TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE

youngsters’ own field of dreams

FREDDIE Lamb joined Melbourne United as an under-8 footballer with dreams. He is now 15.

He kept goal for the club up to under-12 level and was then selected for the East Midlands Cerebral Palsy (CP) squad. Freddie has just been selected for England CP Emerging Talent Squad (U17) and the Senior England CP squad's recent training camp … dreams can come true.

As we enter 2017 it is time to reflect on Melbourne United's first 30 years in top flight local football.

To try and reduce

amount of

time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice is now 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.

A club spokesman said: “We've come a long way, but we’re not too sure where we've been. We've had success, we've had good times, but we never forget where we’ve come here from. Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say, let's make a new start, the future is ours to find.”

There are now 258 registered children playing junior football for Melbourne United. You can see it, you can see it in their eyes – the future is theirs to find.

Supported by dedicated qualified coaches, and a tireless committee giving up their free time, this talented pool (or is it ocean) of players is beginning to make its mark.

From under-18s through to the soccer school there are success stories at every turn. The under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 teams are all in the quarter-finals of their cup competitions and the under-18s are top of the first division.

In the non-competitive junior sections United teams are turning heads with their expansive style of football, and the girls

section is booming under the tutorship of Toby Mitchell.

In the last few months Melbourne United have hosted Leicester City, Derby County and Aston Villa, with the big one, Burton Albion, on the horizon.

Saturday morning at the Melbourne Sports Park is full of children playing football, so throw those curtains wide, walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain and take your

children along to soccer school whether they have played before or not.

Who knows where it will lead – don't stop believing.

To maintain and build on this fantastic start the club needs more volunteers.

“When Melbourne United was younger, so much younger than today, it never needed anybody's help in any way. But now the club has changed in oh so many ways, and it's a lot

more self-assured, why not change your mind and open up your doors.

“Help us if you can, we are certainly not feeling down, but we would appreciate you being around.”

It's great fun and really rewarding – go on, give it a go.

Contact chairman Mark Jackman or vice-chairman Nigel Theobald by visiting the club website, www.melbourneunited.co.uk

l Pictured are Freddie Lamb (left), with Ed Dawson (centre) from the North East and Yorkshire Centre of Excellence, and Billy Dixon, who is part of the East Midlands Centre of Excellence at Lilleshall, when they joined up with the England Development Squad.

l Melbourne RFC

(Stags):

Tennis boom

WHAT a difference a year makes … Melbourne Tennis Club has grown from just eight members to 266, and is now the third biggest members’ club for the sport in the whole of Derbyshire.

The club has three coaches and runs a variety of coaching programmes for young, old, and “rusty rackets”.

These adult players are pictured having a coaching session at the club’s courts at Melbourne Sports Park.

Melbourne hit halfway stage at top of table

MELBOURNE RFC’s 1st XV welcomed Loughborough to Cockshut Lane at the beginning of December. With a few unavailabilities, Melbourne introduced youngsters Whitten, Lamin, Hancock and M Smith into the squad.

In a physical attritional game, Melbourne spent large parts defending, but took the lead twice. First a smart break from Jack Pearce saw Joe Stuart score under the posts. Loughborough responded with a converted try. Next a fine solo effort from Olly Page extended the lead with Loughborough again responding with three minutes to go.

Melbourne pushed hard in the last three minutes with Pearce going close again. The game ended in a 14-14 draw which was a fair result. MOTM: Jack Pearce.

The final game of the year saw Melbourne travel to Market Bosworth. With seven changes, Melbourne welcomed back youngsters Lakin, Hancock, Bullock and Whitten.

The first 20 minutes were scoreless as Melbourne struggled to connect with the final pass. However, by half-time Melbourne were 17-0 up with Tommy Howard scoring a hat-trick.

A fine move from inside Melbourne half saw Tommy score his first.

Secondly a penalty on the halfway line saw Holden take a quick tap, pass to Pagey,

who nearly scored himself, though provided the scoring pass.

A stolen lineout and a Pagey-Howard combination saw the third score.

Market Bosworth scored early in the second half and Melbourne hit back immediately with Joe Stuart scoring a fine solo effort from half way.

Euan Holden ghosted through for the next and Tommy got his fourth at the final whistle. Holden converted three for a final score of 36-17.

That result sees Melbourne top of Midlands 2 EN at the halfway stage, two points clear of Southwell and eight clear of third place.

The Stags had a 50-7 win at Newark with a combination of a bulky pack and some pacey backs. Scorers were Hancock (2), Moorcroft (2), Richardson, Bullock, Mallett and Ilott. There were four conversions from Gregory.

The Development XV went to a festival at Long Eaton winning two games 30-0 and 20-10.

Scorers: Ilott, Bigland, Ballington, Martin, Toplis, Rudkin, Stanley (2) and Partington (2).

The Academy played Ashbourne and a couple of wrong decisions saw them concede a lead and lose 24-14. They then hosted Ashby and lost 24-10.

3rds

back row – David Lowson (manager) Chris Wiseall, Guy Cooper, Aaron Moorecroft, Adam Berridge, Mark Disney, Will Butler, Rob Lamb and Sean Moran; front row – Bob Stowell, Dean Sylvestor, Steve Bell, Tim Richardson (captain), Dave Porter, Paul Bettelley and Alistair McVicker.

Time to pad up for cricket nets practice

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club begins its preparations for the 2017 season in January with senior winter practice nets beginning on Sunday, January 15, from 2-3pm at the former Gateway building, Derbyshire Cricket Ground.

The club will have three Saturday league teams plus a Sunday friendly side, so all standards are catered for. The club is always on the look-out for new players and anyone interested in going along to the practice sessions can get in touch with Alex Slater on 07966933583.

The club's junior section has four junior sides ranging from kwik cricket right up to under-15s and they start their winter practice sessions at Chellaston Academy on Saturday, January 28, from 5.30-7.30pm.

Anyone wanting to go along to these sessions should contact Sue Potts on 01332 864618.

Andy helps his old club

HE played football for Melbourne as a boy and man – now local businessman Andy Cope says he is delighted to put something back into the club which “gave him so much joy”.

Andy, through his company Art of Brilliance, has sponsored the new tracksuit tops for Melbourne Dynamo 2016-7 season. He himself played football for the town from the under-8s side through to senior level, and said he was very happy to support them today.

Melbourne Dynamo managers Gavin and Greg Salisbury (pictured either side of Mr Cope) said they would like to thank Art of Brilliance for sponsoring the tracksuit tops, saying: “Sponsorship like this means the club can continue to run at the level it does and, with progression on the ground, the club aims to continue to grow in the coming seasons.”

DING-A-LING TIME FOR THE DYNAMO

MELBOURNE Dynamo Football Club finished 2016 in good form with the first team ending the year top of the table and in the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Cup. The reserves were in fourth place in their division with games in hand.

The first team began December with a hard fought 5-2 away win at Little Eaton, coming from 2-0 down. Jack Goodband led the way with four goals with leading scorer Dave Brough getting the other.

The following week they travelled to premier division side Derby Singh Brothers in the Derbyshire Cup quarter finals. A quite remarkable team performance saw them dominate Singh Brothers with forward Toby McCabe scoring a brace, well sup-

ported by goals from Jack Goodband, Dave Brough, Shaun Hayes and Tom Ballard as Gav Salisbury’s side progressed to the semi-finals.

The first team ended the month being held to a 3-3 draw by Matlock United with goals from Dave Brough, Dave Worger and Carl Allsop, but this point kept Dynamo unbeaten in the league as they sat four points clear going into the new year.

Melbourne Dynamo Reserves maintained their lofty position in division two in the month and began with a hard fought 21 home win against second placed Mayfield with goals from Ben Stanley and a stunning last minute winner from Richard Fox earning the points.

A week later Greg Salisbury’s men won

again at home, this time 3-1 versus RollsRoyce Leisure. A rare double from defender Ryan McLaughlin and a calm finish from youngster Finn Charles took the reserves into second place.

But they ended the year back in fourth place as a young Matlock Town Academy side put a weakened Melbourne to the sword beating Dynamo 5-0.

The first team’s leading scorer at the halfway point of the season is Dave Brough with 16 goals closely followed by Jack Goodband with 12 and Dave Worger in third place on the list with six goals. Dan Stanley leads the Reserves goal scoring list with eight with his brother Ben and veteran Alex Slater close behind on five each going into 2017.

MELBOURNE Darts League was due to start again on January 9 – and spectators are still welcome to go along and watch at the Royal Suite in the Melbourne British Legion.

As the league closed for the Christmas break it was as tight as ever with five points separating the top six players.

Current joint leaders of the league are Robert Hatton and Tim Jones with Terry Brazier hitting a winning streak to climb up the table with another three players on the chase to the top.

TIGHT AT THE TOP IN DARTS LEAGUE KITCHEN CASH BOOST

MELBOURNE’S new sports park club house will be getting a kitchen providing hot food for up to 100 after being loaned the cash by the district council.

Last month we reported that the kitchen could not be installed at the Cockshut Lane facilities after BIFFA turned down a bid for funding.

But parish councillor Andy Jackson told its latest meeting that the district council had supplied the partnership with a loan so the kitchen could now go ahead.