Melbourne Village Voice January 2011

Council Tax rise to help fund new sporting facilities

THE people of Melbourne will be paying that little bit extra Council Tax this year – to help fund improved sports facilities in the town.

solely support Melbourne the vote was unanimously agreed.

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Parish councillors have agreed, ‘subject to conditions’, that the parish precept should be raised by 50 percent to support the proposed Sporting Partnership project for new facilities at the Recreation Ground on Cockshut Lane.

The current Parish Council precept, part of the Council Tax Bill, is £10 per year per household, but this will increase to £15.

The terms agreed by councillors will support a theoretical ring fencing of the increased fee purely to support new sports amenities. If the Sporting Partnership project does not materialise the funds would not be used for any other purpose without prior public consultation.

Parish council chairman Nigel Collyer, keen to obtain a resolution, noted that the authority’s backing of the Sporting Partnership provided a positive signal to South Derbyshire District Council and other sporting bodies to support its future funding.

Cllr Henry Dunnicliff initially proposed the funds should be returned in the subsequent year if not utilised and Cllr Brendan Freeman highlighted that, without any firm business plan, it seemed premature, but on the basis of the accrued funds being guaranteed to

The monies budgeted would be in the order of £5,000.

District and County Councillor

John Harrison, commenting on 2011’s Council Tax, said there were plans for no increase in the County and District rates.

He said: “The Government has agreed to provide an additional £7million grant to the county council and a £125,000 grant to the district council, alleviating an increase in the council rates, which is good news for Council Tax payers."

On the Sporting Partnership, Councillor Harrison advised that the district council, using Government growth monies, had put £90,000 aside for the Cockshut Lane project, although some of the monies has already been used for consultative purposes.

Recently it has been agreed to fund £8,500 to the cricket club to support the acquisition of new nets that cost a total of £20,000.

Norman Hill, Melbourne Parish Clerk, said: "The figures are as follows: Total Parish Precept 2010/2011 £17,975, Total Parish Precept 2011/2012 £25,668.

"£5,000 of the additional precept of £7,693 is ring fenced for expenditure for the new sports facilities, and the remaining £2,693 is to meet increased costs and a reduction of funding from the district council."

Mr Hill put the increases voted by the Melbourne Parish Council into perspective. In broad terms, the increase would average about £10 per household per year.

Annual Melbourne Quiz gets under way again

THE annual Melbourne Quiz is under way once more and the first round got off to a good start on Friday, January 14, at the Public Hall with three exciting and entertaining competitions.

Proceeding to round two will be The Walkers, 4 Meths and Melbourne RFC.

In addition to providing a good evening's entertainment each Friday evening for eight weeks, the income generated is donated to a charity. This year the quiz is supporting the Headway Trust, a charity set up to give help and support to people affected by brain injury.

The team presenting the quiz are (from the left) Paul Fox, Ann Williams, John Elliot, Jo Carlier, Dick Carlier and Margaret Brackenbury.

New lease of life for Melbourne Hotel

AFTER months of being closed, The Melbourne Hotel is set to reopen in February, having been taken over by Milton-based Bespoke Inns.

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Bespoke has become known for its site specific approach to rejuvenating Derbyshire venues and the company is currently undertaking an internal refurbishment programme in The Melbourne Hotel, its ninth acquisition.

Director Alan Shepherd (pictured) promises the results will be a striking change to the previous venue. He told Village Voice: “Physically, we are changing the layout of the ground and first floors which will create a new and vibrant environment in an individual style.

Private Day Nursery, Castle Lane, Melbourne, Derbyshire Tel: 01332 862188 / 862162

www.scallywagsnurserys.co.uk

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"We want to ensure a quality venue with a warm atmosphere that offers live music, a meeting place, special occasion celebration and great quality food. We have a new chef, an excellent wine list, good cask ales as well as local beers, and we are currently looking at opening for breakfast in the mornings and providing an excellent Sunday lunch. We plan to create a venue that enables The Hotel to become the Melbourne central focal point it deserves to be.”

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Bespoke Inns was formed in 2009 and its portfolio includes establishments in Willington, Ashbourne, Chesterfield and Derby.

Village Voice newsline: 01332 863535

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Refuse service

SOUTH Derbyshire District Council is reinstating the free Saturday morning refuse freighter service for areas which are more than five miles away from the civic amenity site at Park Road, Newhall. A refuse freighter will be available to receive household waste at Castle Street, Melbourne on February 12 between 7.30am and 11.30am.

The freighter will not accept large, bulky or hazardous items.

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THE Rotary Club of Melbourne presented its annual Citizen of the Year Award to Sue Potts, in recognition of her many years of service in raising thousands of pounds for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. She is seen receiving her award from Mike Thornett, president of the Rotary Club, at the club's Christmas presentation dinner.

Duo show they’re made of true grit ...

by CLARE BAMPTON

TWO young Melbourne businessmen had enough of struggling to work through the ice and snow last month. They teamed up to take matters into their own hands ... by buying their own gritter and snow plough.

Apart from ensuring that they could keep their customers satisfied and carry on their businesses as usual, in true entrepreneurial spirit, they have made the most of the unpredictable winter weather by taking the opportunity to offer their services to local businesses and homeowners.

Ian Earl, owner of Melbourne Tree Services, and David Guilford, who runs David Guilford Light Haulage –based in Tonge –now run Melbourne Winter Services, offering a complete gritting, ice clearance and snow plough service.

“We were really frustrated with the difficulty that the recent snow and ice caused us professionally and personally so we decided to do something about it,” said Ian.

“We found that we were far from the only ones in this situation and we are pleased to have already helped several local businesses and homeowners to keep their day to day activities functioning in the recent treacherous weather.”

“Of course, we’re not praying for bad weather, but we’re on hand to help keep everyone moving in difficult weather conditions,” adds David.

If you want to be prepared next time the snow arrives, then take a note of Melbourne Winter Services’ contact details. You can call them on 07748 303030 or 07971 948147 or email help@melbournewinterservices.com.

Council urged to look at snow patrols idea

–Page 5

Frankie’s whistle-stop tour

Donors still wanteD

WITH the festive season now only a memory the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service is reminding people that their continued support during the cold winter months is vital.

Holly Mason, spokesperson for NHSBT, said: “It’s only through the generosity and support of volunteer blood donors that we can provide blood to local hospitals. Many patients rely on this generous and kind act.”

For residents in the Village Voice readership area, the next opportunity to donate will be at the Melbourne Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 27, from 10am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 4.30pm.

First time donors should be aged between 17 and 65, weighing at least 50kg (seven stone 12lbs) and in general good health. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23.

Saturday 19th February

Melbourne Diamond Jubilee and Royal Wedding Celebrations

A Public Meeting is being called on Monday 28th February at the Bill Shone Leisure Centre commencing at 7.30pm.

The objective is for organisations and interested parties to share plans for potential events and form an organising committee to plan and coordinate Melbourne's Diamond Jubilee and Royal Wedding Celebrations.

SINGER Frankie Martin visited the Lamb Inn, Melbourne, as part of his UK tour of 366 gigs in 366 days in aid of Help the Heroes charity. His Lamb performance was the 215th of the tour and included songs made famous by Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, with more from Nat King Cole

and many others. The money raised on the night totalled £350, making the grand sum for the tour to date £64,000.

Frankie is pictured (right) with some of his local supporters including landlady Gail Weston, who organised the event, standing in the centre with daughter Kaitlan.

MELBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

Country Living with Robert Parker

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DURING the holiday period around Christmas I had a little adventure which I had been threatening to do for a long time.

A really lovely crisp, clear, sunny and very cold winter day seemed a good time to walk round the perimeter of Staunton Harold Reservoir.

Incidentally, a few days ago I saw a small muddy farm pond still frozen over with lots of dead carp underneath the ice. Shortage of oxygen must have been the cause and I think this winter’s low temperatures will cause a lot of similar losses.

The snow and ice was covered in lots of tracks of various animals, the most common being foxes.

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Conditions were perfect as the water level was quite low, the banks were frozen solid and the water was completely iced over –in fact it was four inches thick.

For a lot of the distance I walked just on the edge of the ice as that was the best surface –for walking on the banks for a long way you needed one leg shorter than the other.

At times it was rather disconcerting to hear a noise like a gun going off as the ice cracked, but I was told years ago that this signifies it is safe. The bright winter sunshine shone on the snow crystals and I felt that I was walking on diamonds.

The first brook I crossed I perceived something moving in the running water and, after watching quietly for a while, a dabchick or little grebe popped up.

Areas of clear water were very precious to the birds and when I reached the point in front of the sailing club there was about half an acre of clear water which was smothered with all kinds of water birds. How do they manage to keep it clear of ice?

Then a short trespass across the dam wall saw me heading for Calke, which seemed a long way away. Looking across the reservoir our farm looked very small and distant but I guess it wouldn’t have been much more than a mile. At the ‘New Road’ at Calke I had to climb up onto the road before descending to start back on the home straight. It was amazing how erosion had altered the banks in different places. Under the treatment works near the dam wall a six foot high cliff had been created whereas in a lot of places all of the top soil had been washed away to reveal lots of sandstone block common in our valley.

When I began the walk I wondered how long it would take and I was surprised to be home in just over two hours.

I estimate it was around six miles unless anyone can tell me the exact toll. I enjoyed the trek and was glad I had done it. Who knows, I might not be able to do so in a few years.

Cracker of a crossword

THERE was an overwhelming response to the Village Voice Christmas crossword competition with 37 correct entries received from readers in all the local villages, many of the suburbs of Derby and further afield –including one from New Jersey, USA, sent by former Melbourne resident Ruth Morley.

The winning entry came from Freya Lockley (pictured right), aged 10, of Melbourne. Freya is pictured with her prize, a cheque for £25.

Solution:

ACROSS: 6 THREE WISE, 8 ROW, 10 NOD, 11 TURKEYS, 12 HORSELY, 13 TRIO, 16 ACED, 17 ORCHIDS, 22 OVEREAT, 24 LEX, 25 SHE, 26 BETHLEHEM.

DOWN: 1 STUNT, 2 BETTYS, 3 LITTLE, 4 MERRY, 5 TREE, 7 RED NOSE, 9 WESTON, 14 RUDOLPH, 15 CAROLS, 18 ROTATE, 19 HAROLD, 20 DERBY, 21 EXAMS, 23 EPEE.

Helping hand for firms

A SPECIAL workshop is being held in South Derbyshire to help the finances of businesses to flourish.

The Cash Flow, Forecasting and Debt Management half-day session will take place at the Ramada Hotel, in Newton Solney, on Thursday, January 27. Advice and guidance will be on offer.

The event, which is free and includes lunch and refreshments, is available to any Derbyshire small to medium sized business.

For further information, or to reserve a place, telephone 0845 058 6644 or email events@businesslinkem.co.uk

Let’s plough ahead with snow patrols

DISTRICT and County Councillor John Harrison wants Melbourne Parish Council to consider snow patrols.

Derbyshire County Council is advocating that parishes set up the patrols to cope with the extreme wintry weather conditions –and in return they would benefit from free road salt and grit.

“The parish should survey the local area and identify the places that need attention in the bad weather, then a team of agreed local volunteers can be brought out to fulfil the needs. This would be a wonderful thing to organise,” said Cllr Harrison, who hoped Melbourne would give it their full consideration.

This came on the back of strong comments from Mrs Eileen Hardy, who claimed the Commerce Street-Cockshut Lane junction had been particularly dangerous in the recent cold snaps and required a grit box.

However, Cllr Harrison was pleased with the High Street resurfacing and believed this was a first class job, thanking the team for undertaking the work.

In public questions, Mrs Hardy highlighted the lack of refuse collections during the wintry conditions.

Cllr Harrison apologised for lack of collection but emphasised that “the conditions of late have been extremely difficult to operate both on foot and with the vehicle down narrow streets”.

“The bin men throughout the year give an excellent service and we have to be somewhat forgiving under recent exceptional conditions,” he said.

He was pleased to advise that the district council now recognised Melbourne Sports & Arts facilities as their top priority.

“A state of the art pavilion is on the agenda and I anticipate it

STUART BLATCH

reports from the January meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

will be sooner rather than later,” said Cllr Harrison. A combination of council, national sporting bodies and Lottery funding will need to be obtained to put these plans into reality. Chairman Nigel Collyer welcomed the positive news.

Parish Clerk Norman Hill's preliminary review of parish budgets identified that 2011’s flat district council and Government grants would leave the parish council with a deficit that would require raising the precept (parish rate) by up to 15 per cent per household.

The funds available to the parish council are raised through the precept, which is collected by the district council in the Council Tax.

Staying on budgets, District Councillor Jim Hewlett commented that, following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the district council was looking at merging waste collection with Staffordshire Borough Council. However, talks had stalled, largely down to investment in plastics collections. Cllr Hewlett noted the district council was keen to introduce a kerbside plastics collection at a future date.

Cllr Hewlett provided feed-

back on the investigation into a skate board park in the Coronation Close-Grange Close area: “As the proposed park is surrounded by housing, the noise nuisance to residents would not be acceptable and an alternate venue would need to be identified; the council could then provide funding advice.”

The chairman asked Cllr Harrison to consider financial support to the stone monument at Castle Square, where the parish council wants to get the lamp back in working order.

Cllr Smith thanked the Lengthsman for ensuring pavements in the town centre were well gritted, allowing the Christmas shopping event to be a great success.

The continual blight of dog mess on local streets was raised yet again by Cllr Sheila Hicklin, who was keen to emphasise that South Derbyshire has a Clean Team –a hit squad that responds to incidents of illegally dumped rubbish (fly-tipping), littering, discarded syringes, hazardous waste removal and dog fouling.

If you need the team call 0800 587 2349.

Cllr Andrew Jackson raised the need for the council to consider its future arrangements to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2012.

An open house event for residents to voice their opinions is now under consideration.

Planning applications dealt with:

■ Budgens’ application to extend opening times from 7am8pm was approved.

■ An extension to 9 Melton Avenue was approved.

■ The extension to Derby Hills House Farm, The Common, was approved.

■ An application to use land for siting four log cabins at Riding Bank Farm, Riding Bank Lane, was rejected.

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Town’s Pubwatch gets off the ground

REPRESENTATIVES from five pubs and one off-licence in Melbourne attended the inaugural meeting of the town’s PubWatch, which was organised by a licensee who has been going to PubWatch meetings in Swadlincote.

Further meetings are to be arranged and council and police licensing officers will be visiting those who didn’t attend to provide them with details of the next get-together.

A decision to try to set up a PubWatch in Melbourne was made by the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership last year after repeated comments at its Safer Neighbourhood meetings about alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and under-

age drinking in the town.

Results of test purchase operations in the area have also suggested that the training, support and information-sharing that PubWatch groups make available would be of benefit to local licensees.

The Safer Neighbourhood Partnership’s Violence, Alcohol harm and Licensing (VAL) group says it is very pleased with the way it went.

Anyone interested in attending the next Melbourne PubWatch meeting should call the Partnership team on 01283 595858.

LITTLE MELBOURNE –LOVE IT OR HATE IT

NO one who has travelled down Station Road this last 12 months can have failed to notice the threestorey brick houses which flank the entrance to the new Davidsons housing development.

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Quite a few who, like me, are of a curious turn of mind will have ventured further in to see what is going on. It is far from being finished but what we see is something quite unusual.

What Davidsons have done is to design frontages, some detached some terraced, which are copies of eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings elsewhere in the town. They include shops, houses with curved fronts, and the almshouses on High Street. There is a village green complete with sign post and a footpath leading down to Carr brook which bounds the site.

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by JOHN BLUNT

What do we think of it? If we are not thinking of going to live there we must ignore the fact that behind the facades lie standard house types.

The gardens are minute, even those of the largest houses, but that is not our concern. Let nobody mutter 'pastiche' in my hearing; it is a much over-used word which ignores the fact that nearly all architecture imitates some aspects of what has gone before. And anyway, Little Melbourne does not imitate, it is a straight copy.

The path which leads down to the brookside is destined, I believe, to continue upstream and then turn inland, leading via the old farm access back onto Station Road by the Turnbarrel. This will be excellent, the sort of Melbourne twitchell which has been sadly lacking in previous developments.

And let's have no health and safety fanatic seeking to fence off the brook, that same clear stretch of water in which my brother and I spent half our childhoods.

If they should do so I urge every rightthinking child to make it their ambition to breach it in a dozen places.

So what is the verdict? For myself I find that the two large distinctive houses make a satisfyingly strong termination to the ribbon development of Station Road.

By the time you reach the Green the recognition of so many buildings you know well elsewhere in Melbourne can be disquieting. But overall the spaciousness and the curving street scene draw the eye and ease the spirit.

My verdict is that I like it, and it may well come to be judged the best large scale development in the town for 100 years.

Super troopers scoop top award

JOSEPH Shakich and Alex Garwood of the Derby 107th Scout Troop (Aston, Weston and Shardlow) have been presented with the Chief Scout's Gold Award by the Derby South Assistant District Commissioner (ADC), Dave Marvin.

The award is the highest possible for Scouts and is very difficult to achieve with only a very small percentage of Scouts managing it.

The last time the Chief Scouts Award was presented to a member of the 107th Troop was well over a decade ago.

To obtain the honour the Scout must achieve numerous badges, each identified as a challenge including: Promise, Community, Fitness, Creative, Global, Outdoor, Adventure, Expedition and Outdoor plus Challenges, the requirements for all of which are too detailed to mention.

Between them, Joe and Alex managed to: ■ lead a patrol of Scouts on a week-long camp

Dalesmen’s first visit

ALL Saints’ Church, Aston-onTrent, will be the venue for a concert by The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir on February 12 at 7.30pm.

This will be a new venue for the Dalesmen, who come from Belper, and they are looking forward to it.

The fund-raising concert is in support of the Derbyshire Association for the Blind, which has now changed its name to Sight Support Derbyshire.

There will be a 'Valentine' theme to the concert in acknowledgement of the forthcoming marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

■ SOUTH Derbyshire District Council chairman Councillor Neil Atkin is inviting residents to attend a charity Valentine concert with special guests “The Barrow Singers” on Friday, February 11, at St. Wystan’s Church, Repton. The concert is in support of the chairman’s charities, Rainbows Children’s Hospice and Help 4 Heroes.

■ plan and complete a two-day expedition in the Peak District (carrying all their provisions)

■ climb the Old Man of Coniston in the Lake District

■ canoe on Lake Windermere, and

■ rock climb on Stanage Edge.

They also helped as leaders at the Beaver group, cooked an authentic Japanese meal and constructed numerous Well Dressings for the Aston Well Dressing Festival.

Both Alex and Joe have been patrol leaders for two years and between them have accumulated more than 60 nights under canvas on numerous camps during their four years as Scouts.

They have now moved on to the Explorer-Scout unit.

The awards ceremony was followed by an informal gathering of the Scout Troop and their parents to view a slide show of photos from their extensive 2010 programme of activities.

SEVEN young members of the Melbourne Town Training Band recently had successes in achieving various music grades. They

Pictured from left to right are: Alex Garwood, Joseph Shakich and Dave Marvin.

are pictured with Karen Worrall, the band's Musical Director, and are (from the left): Ellis Radcliffe Grade 3 Cornet - Merit, Matthew Yates Grade 5 TrombonePass, Sophie Bagnall Grade 2 Cornet - Distinction, Jacob Smith Grade 2 Horn - Pass, Joe Bagnall Grade 2 TromboneMerit, Lilly Statham Grade 3 Piano- Pass, and Fraser Radcliffe Grade 2 Cornet - Pass.

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Celebrating Queen’s Diamond day

2012 will be the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen's 60 years as the ruling monarch.

Kings Newton residents have already set their sights on a traditional celebration of the event, as has been their village tradition for celebrating royal events for over a century.

Following a village meeting of the Residents Association in November, a Diamond

Jubilee committee has been formed, under the experienced chairmanship of Margaret Hagues.

Margaret was actively involved in organising the local celebration events of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee.

Margaret said: "While we shall be celebrating a royal event, we see the events leading up to the actual day in June 2012,

and the celebration itself as an opportunity for the village to get together and enjoy each other’s company".

The first social event –part of a fundraising series –will be a French evening on Saturday, February 5, at the Scout and Guide Headquarters. Details of this will be circulated to residents shortly.

Here we go again for the Festival

THESE days it is hard to know when Melbourne Festival 2010 ends and work starts on 2011 as one flows seamlessly into the next.

Since the Festival in September lots of local people have enjoyed the oompah night, ceillidh and comedy nights. The autumn workshops were as popular as ever and more than 60 people took part. The workshops are all led by professional artists, who exhibit at the Melbourne Festival and are passing on their skills to local people.

Sharon Brown said: "The workshops have been so successful that Melbourne residents Helen Spencer and Stephanie Hill both exhibited on the Art and Architecture Trail in September having originally learnt how to make felt at one of the Festival workshops."

More workshops are being planned for the spring and details can be obtained on 07765 819428.

The 2011 Melbourne Festival dates are September 10 to 24 with the Art Trail on the middle weekend – September 17/18. The 2011 entertainment programme starts with a comedy club on Friday, January 28 – a great excuse for a night out to banish the winter blues.

The Festival team starts contacting hosts and artists this month, so if you live or work on the

route of the Art and Architecture Trail and would like to find out about hosting an artist this year please get in touch with the Festival Office.

Support from local businesses is always appreciated by the team and brings potential new customers through the door. Melbourne Estate Agent Reeds Rains hosted Elizabeth O’Connor in 2010 and sponsored the Open Exhibition Award which was won by Janet Mayo, with a stunning painting of a flamenco dancer.

To keep the Art Trail fresh some new artists are selected to take part each year. If you are a local artist and would like to take part in the Trail or Open Exhibition contact the Festival Office to find out how to apply.

Last year money was very tight for everyone and Festival sponsorship was low. However, Sharon Brown says that having paid all the bills they had been able to make an additional donation of £500 from the Melbourne Festival Art Cafe to Melbourne Community Care in addition to the money raised at the Dower House and 56 Potter Street over the Melbourne Festival Trail weekend for Community Care.

If any local charities or organisations would like to sell refreshments during the Trail weekend this year please contact the Festival Office. With 4,000 people visiting the Trail there is always a demand for food.

● Kate Waterland from Reeds Rains is pictured presenting the Open Exhibition Award to Janet Mayo.

Civic Society bulbs to help brighten up the town

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MELBOURNE Civic Society's annual bulb planting event took place before the snow and cold weather of winter arrived when 600 daffodils were planted on land at the corner of Moira Street and George Street and at the Old Burial Ground, Castle Street.

Other areas planted over recent years include the Washpit (Station Road), Packhorse Road, Jubilee Close, Quick Close, Main Street and Trent Lane, Kings Newton.

Pictured below are Edward Mitchell, Paul Grimley, Claire Sturges, Neil Wright, Pam Adams, Hilary Turner and Charlotte Hepenstal.

The society recently had a fascinating glimpse of transport in the past when Dr Wendy Freer gave a talk on Packhorses and Packroads and the Work of Drovers.

She explained the routes taken by strings of packhorses laden with a whole variety of goods including coal, wool, salt, lead, cheese and hops as

they plodded their way on narrow paths and across small bridges to their destination.

Much evidence still exists – hence Melbourne's own Packhorse Road and Inn.

Before the advent of the train, animals in large groups had to be driven many miles on foot from farms to markets in towns by drovers. Cows, sheep, pigs, turkeys and geese were in demand to feed the growing populations in cities.

From Elizabethan times droving had to be licensed and in time became a respectable trade.

Being trusted with handling large sums of money, some chief drovers set up their own banks. The Bank of the Black Ox established in 1799 did not become part of Lloyds Bank until 1909.

The next meeting of the society will be on Monday, January 31, at the Leisure Centre in Melbourne at 7.30pm when Ken Hillier will give a talk on The Ashby Workhouse.

IT’S been a long gallop but Kath and Alan Topliss reached their Diamond Wedding anniversary on December 26.

Kath and Alan were both born and bred in Melbourne. They started dating while at Melbourne Senior School and married at Melbourne Parish Church, Kath with four bridesmaids and Alan with his brother Reginald as best man.

Their anniversary was celebrated on Boxing Day with Reg and other family members and friends at the Blue Bell, Melbourne.

They have three children, Christine, Stephen and Colin, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Both Kath and Alan worked locally and are now enjoying their retirement.

A recognition of their Diamond Wedding has been received from the Queen.

Walk this way to get healthy

FOUR free walks have been set up as part of the Walking for Health Scheme operated by Get Active in the Forest. The walks, led by trained leaders, are available to everyone.

The Melbourne Early Bird Walk starts from Melbourne Junior School, in Packhorse Road, at 9am on Wednesdays and, as an added incentive, this one is suitable for taking little ones in their pushchairs.

Other walks include the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, from 2.30pm on Mondays.

A walking lunch is being held starting from Swadlincote Library, off Civic Way, at 1.15pm on Tuesdays and also on Tuesdays an early walk at 9am from Etwall Primary School, in Egginton Road.

There is no need to book a place on the walks. Just turn up. For further details telephone 01283 563483.

Melbourne Parish Council

Quarterly Report - December 2010

BURIAL GROUNDS

All the Cemetery Records from the opening in 1860 to date totalling over 7000 are now on the computer. It is proposed to site a tap behind the chapel to reduce the distance water is carried. Remedial work to the front wall will take place over the next months.

HIGHWAYS

Kings Newton Lane from its junction with Packhorse Road to Derby Road will be closed any two days between Feb 7 and Feb 11 while the County Council realigns the junction of Derby Road and Kings Newton Lane. The diversion is via Packhorse Road and Chapel Street.

The Parish Council and the Civic Society are working together with the DCC to repair the Monument in Castle Square and get the light working – a structural engineer has deemed the monument safe now DCC is working on a plan for get the lamp.

Thanks to Cllr John Harrison for his help in getting the Market Place carriageway resurfaced.

LEISURE CENTRE

The SDDC and the Community Group are currently working on the business plan.

RECREATION AND AMENITIES

Plans are under way by Melbourne Sporting Partnership to form a new Sports Centre at Cockshut Lane and Transition UK Ltd, working

Chairman Nigel Collyer 07831 540538

Vice Chairman Jane Carroll 863269

Burial Grounds Brendan Freeman 862799

Highways

Paul Willmore 863044

Recreation

with HSSP Architects Ltd, have been commissioned to complete the feasibility works. This ambitious new facility will serve all Melbourne’s sports clubs.

Melbourne Cricket Club have been successful in raising the £22,000 for new practice nets and will be in place for the new season.

GENERAL

The SDDC refuse freighter will be in Castle Square between 07:30hrs and 11:30 hours on Saturday 12th February 2011 for the collection of domestic waste.

The Fair passed without incident thanks to the police.

The Christmas lights and tree, provided jointly by the Melbourne Business Association & Parish Council, provided a seasonal backdrop which helped towards the successful Christmas Shopping event held on Saturday 4th December.

FINANCE

The SDDC is not increasing Concurrent Expenditure monies for Melbourne in future years until it falls back in line the other parishes in South Derbyshire This will mean any increase for inflation and any additional works the Parish carries out in the future will need to be funded by an increase in the Parish Precept.

F N HILL Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.

21st December 2010

Cliff Crawford 863445 Henry Dunnicliff 862765

Wendy Earp 865019

Sheila Hicklin 865726 Reg Moore 863464 Robert Parker 07973

THERE will be a table top sale in aid of Macmillan Derby at the Melbourne British Legion Club on Saturday, January 29, between 11am and 2pm. Refreshments will be available.

EACH December the Melbourne Charity Band sets out its stall to visit a range of venues – mainly pubs and restaurants – between Sudbury and Melbourne to play Christmas carols for the enjoyment of the customers. Their programme finishes on the morning of Christmas Eve when they play in Melbourne Market Place. The band is made up of players from a number of bands in the area and they have their own uniform. Christmas 2010 was the seventh consecutive year that the band has played in support of Cancer Research and this time collected the magnificent sum of £5,250, including contributions from Melbourne residents (right).

ASTON on Trent WI held its Christmas fayre at the village hall and the occasion was well attended by residents who were able to explore a variety of stalls including those WI specials – preserves and crafts. Some members are pictured at the tombola/raffle prize stall, two wearing their WI aprons. From the left are: Audrey Bullock, Linda Ferriday, Jane Archer (president), Anne James and Carolyn Freeman.

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AVIS Cox and Dorothy Timms joined in the New Year's Eve revels at the Melbourne British Legion Club and at the same time celeated Dorothy's 80th birthday.

Gallop is another golden success

THE success of the 2010 Golden Gates Gallop was confirmed when the organising committee, led by Bill Lythgoe, presented cheques totalling £1,340.23 to Mike Ward, of Leukaemia Research. Bill said: "This is a significant increase on our donation last year and reflects the work that was put in during the year to raise the profile of the

Golden Gates Gallop. We have had confirmation that the run will continue and we have a date (to be confirmed) of Sunday, September 25, for the 2011 run. We are already working on plans to build on the 2010 success and raise even more money for our chosen charity, Leukaemia Research."

sign of the times

Freedom honour For soldiers

THE bravery and dedication of servicemen and women representing South Derbyshire has been recognised after they were granted the Freedom of the District.

South Derbyshire District Council conferred the honour – the highest it can bestow – on the Mercian Regiment.

Representatives from the regiment attended the special ceremony at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote. Commanding Officer Lt Col Dominic Wilford received a commemorative scroll from Cllr Neil Atkin, chairman of South Derbyshire District Council.

In response, Lt Col Wilford presented the council with a regimental flag and and two history books. The flag will be flown every November 11 in recognition of the bravery of the troops.

It is the first time the council has bestowed the title in its 36-year history.

Lt Col Wilford said: “We are deeply humbled and honoured – we will cherish its recognition. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the entire regiment and all of the past and present soldiers for this ceremonial scroll.”

The honour provides the regiment with freedom of entry into the district on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, band playing and bayonets fixed as honorary freemen of South Derbyshire. No date has been fixed for the regiment to march though Swadlincote. It is expected that the event will take place some time in 2012.

MELBOURNE has added a new business to its portfolio with the opening of established Derbyshire company, Graphics and Signs, on Castle Lane Industrial Estate.

Run by Nancy Walker, the signmaking, printing and graphics company, was established six years ago after single mum Nancy left her secure corporate branding position with Eurostar to plough every penny into setting up her own firm.

Nancy said: “When I set up, it was a real risk both professionally and personally, but happily it has turned out to be a dream career move.

"Melbourne was the perfect place to expand into industrial premises and I have been made to feel very welcome. I have recently taken on new staff and I would particularly like to thank my apprentice Angela Jackson, whom I’ve nick-named Miss Rocket Fuel – for being just that!”

Adjacent businesses may have noticed that Nancy has rewarded her success recently with the purchase of, what she calls, her ‘midlife crisis’ motorbike. “I just couldn’t help myself,” she said.

100-year-long arm of the law

THE long arm of the law reaches back 100 years for Leicestershire legal practice Crane and Walton, which celebrated its centenary at the close of 2010.

This leading local law firm started out in an era of economic uncertainty, working steadily through two world wars and several recessions, coupled with widescale developments across industry and new technology.

In many ways little has changed for the practice, with a high calibre of staff and service that continues to look forward to the future.

Senior Partner John Crane – grandson of the founder and like his father and grandfather before him a past President of the Leicestershire Law Society – has served as a district councillor and was also recently president of the Ashby Show.

The private client Probate and Trust department has expanded considerably in recent years. Matthew Needham heads this department which now has five solicitors and two trust and probate

executives.

Crane and Walton became the successor practice to Chambers & Hind Ilkeston in 2008 following the untimely death of Matthew Needham’s father, Hedley Needham.

Hedley Needham practised as a solicitor in Melbourne for 13 years before moving to Ilkeston and many of his Melbourne clients moved with him. The firm now has a strong client base in Melbourne which Matthew Needham oversees.

“The world had problems in 1910 and these have not changed a great deal in 100 years," he said. "Good service leads to a good reputation and this is what we aim to maintain over the coming decades.”

Pictured at the centenary celebrations are: Kam Ubhi (head of litigation), Rebecca Taylor (wills trust and probate and elderly client advice), Matthew Needham (Coalville office), Annabel Needham and Catherine Bee (commercial property and conveyancing).

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Boost for Children in Need appeal

A CRAFT fair took place at Melbourne Leisure Centre and, despite the first of the snow falling in the morning, it was very busy with people looking for original and unique handmade gifts.

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DURING the latter part of 2010 members of the Athenaeum cafe in Melbourne helped to raise money for the annual Children in Need appeal through cake sales and by holding a quiz and karaoke night.

In total £65 was raised, which will go towards helping many children and young people.

“Although the karaoke was slow to start the young people who attended the night had a very enjoyable time and by the end most people were having a go,” said Zoe Dean.

Thirty stall holders were selling things ranging from homemade cakes, pickles and jams, plants, jewellery, felted bags and scarves, brooches, hand blended aromatherapy products, patchwork quilts, cards and prints, to cushions and recycled sari table runners and much more.

The event this year was organised by Jill Tivey, who will be running an arts and crafts market on the first Saturday of each month starting in March at the leisure centre.

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The Athenaeum can be hired out for children/young people’s birthday parties. For further information contact Zoe on 07874 684150 or email zoe.dean@theathenaeum.co.uk

Jill Tivey is on the right next to her sister, Carol Simpson. Son Laurence Tivey is at the back with Sallie Jackson looking at brooches.

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DANIEL ERNEST BAKER

1917-2010

DANIEL Ernest Baker passed away peacefully just a few days before his 93rd birthday which would have been on Christmas Day.

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Born in Morley Hayes, Derbyshire, in 1917, he came as a small child with his parents to live in a tiny cottage in Kings Newton, where his father worked on the land. He was the second eldest of five brothers and two sisters.

Life was tough with little money and no gas or electricity but he used to recall happy times, roaming the countryside and even swimming in the River Trent. He and his brother Ron managed to save up £12.50 to buy a Douglas motorbike between them.

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the war he was known as Danny and served as a lorry driver on border patrols in Northern Ireland and as part of a reconnaissance squadron on motor bike patrols there.

this he was part of the airborne landing at the battle of Arnhem in Holland, safely landing his Horsa glider full of troops and equipment. Soon after he was wounded by shrapnel and taken prisoner. Seven months of captivity followed where he was held in German Prisoner of War camps. He endured a 400-mile march as a prisoner, from Poland and through Germany, which he was lucky to survive, having to sleep out in freezing temperatures and on meagre rations. He was finally liberated in Frankfurt in 1945 and returned home to Melbourne where the flags were flying for him.

Perhaps better known as Ernie Baker, he started work aged 14 at Thomas Haimes and Co, Castle Mills, Melbourne, the ‘Stocking Factory’, retiring as a manager after more than 50 years’ service.

He was 21 when war was declared in 1939 and joined the Sherwood Foresters for training at Normanton Barracks. During

In 1941 he volunteered for glider pilot training and it was while he was training in Tiger Moths at Burnaston Aerodrome he met his future wife, Helena Tivey, of Melbourne.

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They married in September 1942 while he was on weekend leave, before returning to active service in North Africa and then the Invasion of Sicily. Following

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ROBERT HONNER

CANON Bob Honner passed away on Friday, January 7. He was a former Vicar at Melbourne Parish Church between 1954 and 1972 and he returned to live here following his retirement. His funeral will be on January 25.

Daniel Ernest Baker (often called Bib) spent most of his 52 years of married life living on Station Road, Melbourne. His wife passed away in 1994. He is survived by his three daughters – Janet, Carol and Jill – and his seven grandchildren and one great grandson. He would often be seen out on his local daily walks following his retirement and always enjoyed a pint of beer and a game of dominoes. He had that soldier’s fighting spirit to the end.

– Jill Tivey (daughter)

A tribute will be published in the February issue of the Village Voice.

■ KATHLEEN Kington, of Melbourne, passed away peacefully at Pool Cottage on Friday, January 7.

Her funeral will be held on February 2.

Village Voice Postbag

Dog owners, please think about children

AS A concerned mum I have, in my frustration, written a letter with regard to dog fouling in Aston on Trent. I enjoy reading your newspaper and have noted other letters about this issue in the Melbourne area.

With this in mind, I thought I might take the opportunity to send my letter to you as I want to feel I am trying to do something about this horrible problem.

To the dog owners who won't pick up: Every morning my four-year -old walks to our village school, takes off his coat, sits on the carpet in reception class, crosses his legs with his hands clasped round his feet, as do all the other 20 children in his class. This is the same routine for the children at the village pre-school.

I am only explaining our routine so the people who persistently refuse to pick up their dogs' poo can imagine where it might end up, possibly in the children’s faces. Not very nice. In fact it is dangerous, thoughtless and selfish.

On the corner of Derby Road and Moor Lane it is there for us every morning – not even in the gutter where no-one would step in it. Please, please have some consideration for the children who walk to school and who shouldn't have to keep their eyes to the floor in order to avoid dog foul.

Please, please pick it up like the majority of caring dog owners, or if you can't, don't have a dog.

A worried mum

Maria’s ton-up treat

ROBERT Parker asks in the December edition of the Village Voice 'What has happened to global warming?' The answer unfortunately for the growing human population of the world is that overall warming of the planet continues and at an apparently accelerating pace.

The poles continue to shrink with the Ross ice sheet and Greenland glaciers rapidly disappearing. The recent unusually cold spell in our small corner of the planet may or may not be a consequence of the disturbed weather patterns and air flow associated with global warming, but most certainly does not by itself constitute proof that global warming is not occurring.

We live in relatively high latitudes, between 50 and 61 degrees north with Moscow and London being within one degree of latitude of each other.

Our usually mild climate is due to us being on the edge of a large ocean (water retains heat much longer than land) and the effects of the warm water of the gulf stream coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. If, as has happened recently, we become subject to a northerly or easterly air flow we dramatically and rapidly cool down!

Christian Murray-Leslie

The heat is still on for Planet Earth ... Melbourne hit by ‘big crime’ attacks

MELBOURNE has become a hotbed of 'Big Crime’ in recent weeks with roofing lead, excavators and a tractor all stolen.

The Bill Shone Leisure Centre was the target for thieves who stole a large amount of lead from the roof, resulting in some flooding to the interior. Temporary repairs have been carried to make the building waterproof.

A building site off Cockshut Lane was the target for more thieves who stole three diggers. The excavators, with a combined weight of more than 80 tonnes could not have been removed without the use of specialist haulage equipment.

In a separate incident a thief stole a tractor and trailer from a farm on Station Road, Melbourne. The tractor was recovered after the thief abandoned it in in the early hours of Monday, January 10, in Derby before making his escape.

There have also be other incidents involving the theft of high value cleaning equipment and a set of gate posts.

Tree planting day at Poppy Wood

A TREEPlanting Day at Poppy Wood, Melbourne, will take place on Sunday, January 23, between 10am and 2pm. All are welcome especially families and accompanied children.

Poppy Wood is located between the A514 and Breach Lane with parking available at Breach Lane car park. For more information call Maria at Groundwork on 01773 539 433 or her mobile 07974 023 007.

This event was previously planned for December 11 and rearranged due to the weather conditions at the time.

THE Ticknall-based charity 'me and dee' founded by Maria Hanson reached a special milestone recently when Maria created its 100th treat by taking two little girls suffering from cancer to a riding stable in Tamworth.

Maria has been very active and through the charity recently has met both the rock star Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who, and author Andy McNabb.

Cold carolling

CAROLS have been sung around Melbourne every Christmas Eve generally by the same group for almost 60 years and Christmas 2010 was no exception with 25-plus singers taking to the streets early in the evening. It was the coldest night that the carollers had ever experienced and the sub-zero temperatures impacted on their ability to keep going, reducing the numbers progressively to a hardcore of six before they retired. However, their efforts raised a magnificent £600 for the National Children’s Homes.

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MELBOURNE Inner Wheel President Denise Webb and District chairman Elaine Harrison cut the anniversary cake at Melbourne Inner Wheel Charter night at Cleve Lodge, Long Eaton.

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MAJOR improvements are taking place at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in West Street, Swadlincote, with a £400,000 facelift which will further enhance the visitor experience and create a lasting legacy at one of Swadlincote’s most recognisable buildings.

By bolstering the structure of the historic bottle kiln, a wider array of activities will take place – from artistic performances to business exhibitions.

In addition, a new exhibition will showcase the area’s mining and mineral extraction heritage and highlight the creation of The National Forest, where more than seven million trees have been planted and woodland cover increased to 18 per cent. Contractors are expected to finish work in the spring.

● ASTON on Trent Preschool held a fund-raiser at the Memorial Hall and pictured at the teddy tombola stall are (left to right) Blaise Edwards, Erin Hatton, Luke Simpson,

Why life simply can’t go on as we know it ...

WHAT'S going to happen when the oil runs out?

Melbourne resident Graham Truscott doesn't question that oil is running out fast –"it's not a question of if, but when", he says. But he does worry that people are unprepared to think through the consequences to our way of life, as we experience sharply rising energy costs, as well as the threat of climate change.

In simple terms, as oil rises in price, virtually everything we do, and everything we consume will be affected –cars, heating, retail distribution, air traffic, plastics. Graham sees his role locally as "alerting people that life can't go on as it is now, it just can't continue".

Graham, an American citizen, born in

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Pittsburgh, has lived most of his life since infancy in England. He is well travelled during a lengthy and varied industrial and commercial career, following graduation as a geographer at Leeds University. He has been living in Melbourne for well over 20 years. He has worked with the National Geographic magazine, with Rolls Royce, and latterly with conglomerate IMI, mainly in senior PR and corporate communication roles.

He is now, as he says, "a foot soldier", offering "the tools and techniques" he has learned to assist the transition to an oil-less future and to "engage with the depletion of international energy sources".

But isn't this a job for powerful governments and international bodies, many would

ask? The recent failure of the big Copenhagen international conference –following on from earlier such conferences in Japan and Mexico –merely confirms for Graham that governments will act "too little and too late". Certainly individuals by themselves can achieve little, but "if we act as communities, it might be just enough" to get people to act, and the essence lies in local community action, to act as a spur to action nationally.

Graham is a member of the Transition Network, dedicated to a "bottom up" start to meet the problems. The most effective action is local community action –which is why Graham has been closely involved with the application by Melbourne Parish Church to fit the roof of the Church with solar panels –a scheme when approved will start earning money by selling the excess electricity thus produced back to the national grid.

In a talk to Melbourne Civic Society, Graham, with his colleague Sarah Elliott-Spencer spoke of plans to create a community woodland on a 50-acre site near Robin Wood, in conjunction with the National Forest, and also revealed discussions with Melbourne Primary School to create a demonstration food forest.

Listening to Graham certainly gives plenty of food for thought on issues which are bound to loom ever larger in our lives, and which many of us perhaps hope will be solved by the development of technology. But, as Graham emphasises, it isn't just an energy crisis, it is also about the inevitable limits to growth. –DOB

Raffle winners

THE Melbourne Town Band Christmas Raffle was drawn in the Melbourne Royal British Legion and the three prizes of 'luxury food hampers' were won by Mrs Ruth Warner of Stanton by Bridge, Kevin Harris of Leamington Spa and Mrs Hazel Lander of Breedon on the Hill.

Oliver Whittaker and Caitlin Hatton.

Melbourne end the year still unbeaten

MELBOURNE Rugby Football

Club's 1st XV has been hit hard by the weather and played only three games since the end of October.

However, they are third in the Midlands 3 North East League table, two points behind Notts Casuals with a game in hand and still unbeaten.

The first of the three league games was a home fixture against Southwell, which resulted in a 29-3 win. Tries came from Ash Stringer, Tom Howard, Paul Marriot and Ben Burchell with skipper Euan Holden kicking nine points. The team played well, controlling the game against a big pack.

Rob Foster was dismissed from the touch line for complaining to the referee too vigorously after a blatant stamp to Jacob Watts' head that required several stitches.

Next up saw a visit to Amber Valley. De-

spite being under the cosh for a lot of the game against a big pack, Melbourne came from behind to secure a 13-13 draw. Matt Smith scored their only try with Euan Holden kicking eight points.

Finally, there was the top of the table clash against Ashbourne for which Euan Holden bulked up the pack with veterans Ian Lucas and Pete Welsh.

Melbourne spent 60 per cent of the game in their own half defending their line but the defence could not be broken. When given a chance they scored tries from Ash Stringer and Olly Page to run out 14-3 winners.

The remaining fixtures were postponed due to the weather and Melbourne will now have a league game every week for two months or so. Details are available on the club website.

The second XV continues to perform well with two wins and a loss in the Pennant.

All-round success

IN order to develop his U12 players’ all-round rugby skills, Melbourne coach Kevin Brown employed a ‘try out three new positions’ game strategy for the matches against Coalville and Mansfield.

It had been pre-decided that all players were going to be rotated to allow them to experience the different demands of positions that do not match their physical stature or their mobility dynamics. The players coped with these challenges and produced some sparkling rugby with astonishing results.

Wins at Tupton 52-12 (tries from Chris Fulton, 2, Alec Judge, 2, Andy Watts, Jake Oxspring, Anthony Gayten, Chris Stark). Melbourne controlled the first half easily to lead 45-0 at half -time, but Tupton gamely fought back and made the second half much tougher.

The seconds also scored a rare victory against Ripley Rhinos, winning 22-18. Tries came from Chris Stark (2) and Carl Feix with a number of players kicking conversions and penalties.

The final game of the year saw the seconds play Ashbourne 3rds and, although they competed well, they went down 15-30. Tries were scored by Skye Alejandro and Andy Watts with five kicked points from Chris Fulton.

The seconds will also see a succession of Pennant games in the New Year to make up for all the postponed fixtures.

Happy 150th birthday presents for club

IT MAY not be the cricket season until April but, in the first month of their 150th anniversary year, Melbourne Town Cricket Club has received several birthday presents.

Lord Ralph Kerr has agreed to become patron of the club in its anniversary year. Lord Ralph’s family has a long association with the club – his great grandfather, Lord Walter Talbot Kerr, gave the land on which the cricket club plays to the people of Melbourne in 1919.

In the original deed of covenant, it states: “The said piece of land to be used primarily as a cricket ground and the Melbourne Town Cricket Club shall have first but exclusive right to the use of the cricket ground."

Other members of the Kerr family have been associated with the club including Lord Ralph’s grandfather, Captain Andrew Kerr. In 2010, to celebrate that original gift, the club organised the ‘legends of cricket’

match which was played for the Lothian Trophy, Lord Ralph being on hand to make the presentation.

Congratulatory letters have come from Stephen Gough, the chief executive of Melbourne

Cricket Club in Australia, who said that "cricket continues to link our two great nations", and from Robert Doyle, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, who mentioned that 150 years ago his city was the second largest in the Empire and was in the middle of the Australian gold rush.

The specially produced anniversary ties in the club colours of blue and gold and with the 150th anniversary crest are available from Andy Heafield on 01332 865422, priced at £14.99.

All proceeds from the sales will go to the development of cricket at the club.

Mr Heafield, the club’s development manager, is pictured (left) presenting Lord Ralph with his anniversary tie.

“The teams scored 28 tries by 15 different players, most of whom were playing in positions unfamiliar to them. That’s what you call a successful Sunday,” said their coach. The scorelines read Coalville 10-Melbourne 90 with tries from Joe Nalty, Reece Sexton, Ollie Williamson, Josh Toplis 2, Joe Bhalay 2 and Henry Kaczmarczyk 3; and Melbourne 50-Mansfield 5 in the other game with tries from Jordan Gale, Jack Brough, Oli Cope, George Poxon, George Simpkins 2, Baden Ramage 2, Harry Jones 2, James Sookias 2 and Joe Travers 6.

A taste of bowls

ALTHOUGH we are still locked in the depths of winter, the members of Melbourne Flat Green Bowls Club are looking forward to spring when they can get on to the green once more.

They are also looking to recruit new members and are inviting anyone with an interest to join them, regardless of age or ability. Three taster sessions have been arranged to encourage potential new members to find out what it’s all about.

The bowling green is located in the grounds of the Senior Citizens' Centre in Church Street, Melbourne, and the taster sessions are on Saturdays, April 9 and 16 at 2pm and Wednesday, April 27, at 6pm. There is no charge for the sessions but you are requested to wear flat soled shoes or trainers. Further information from Fred Heafield on 862478.

Dynamoes secure a cup semi-final spot

THE weather played havoc with the local football fixtures in December with only a handful of matches being played. This could prove a huge obstacle later in the season when all the postponed games have to be played.

Melbourne Dynamoes first team's only game was a significant one as they destroyed last year’s finalists Ashbourne United 5-0 at home in the quarter-finals of the Derbyshire Cup to claim a semi-final spot.

A brace from Matt Jones plus close range headers from Dave Brough and Tom Donnachie as well as an Alex Mater left footer

put them on the scoresheet.

Melbourne Dynamoes Reserves managed to get two games played, the first a 42 home defeat by high-flying Derby Singh brothers.

Jack Tivey had put the reserves in front early on, but they were pegged back by two opposition goals before skipper Ryan McCloughlin brought Melbourne level.

However, a bad injury to goalkeeper Ben Newton resulted in the side playing the last 10 minutes with only 10 men following another injury when all the subs had been used. This saw the reserves conceding twice late on.

A remarkable 5-4 home win against Mickleover RBL Reserves followed.

Are you game enough

TONI Jantschenko, South Derbyshire’s Village Games co-ordinator, is looking for coaches and sports leaders across the district to support her drive to increase sports participation in rural areas.

In South Derbyshire, Toni, who is working for the Community Sports Trust, wants to develop new sports, fitness classes, dance and other active pursuits.

Toni said: “I would like to invite members of the community who are skilled in coaching, teaching and leading classes, clubs and ses-

Melbourne found themselves trailing three times during the course of the game but goals from Farrell Scott (2), Jack Tivey, a Ben Dale penalty and a terrific goal from Steve Byram saw the reserves take all three points. Streamline played just one game, going down 9-3 against Grange Park. A double from Lee Foyle plus a 35-yard wonder strike by Colin Pope were the Streamline scorers. With Ben Mall being sent off, the home side fell to a heavy defeat.

The Bluebell Inn lost their only game of the month away to Brinsley Ox 2-1 with Sam Taylor getting the consolation goal. Ticknall Rangers didn't have a game in December.

to be a sports coach?

sions to come forward to help develop fit and healthy villages.

”I am hoping to find people with the time and enthusiasm to run different sports in villages near to where they live. There are opportunities for paid and voluntary work.

“There is also the chance to receive financial support towards qualifications.”

If you would like to get involved in coaching and volunteering for the Village Games, phone 01663 751608.

● Pictured are members of Kings Newton Bowls Club with their trophies at the presentation night held at Melbourne Royal British Legion Club.