Melbourne Village Voice March 2016

QUARRY PLAN ‘IS VANDALISM’

Village Voice No 280 March 2016

by Lucy Stephens

A PROPOSAL to extend Swarkestone Quarry by another two thirds would amount to “vandalism” of nationally important historical sites if allowed to go ahead, according to objectors.

The plans have been put forward by Tarmac Ltd, which currently runs the 90-hectare sand and gravel quarrying operation near Barrow-upon-Trent.

Tarmac says supplies of sand and gravel on the current site will probably run out in about four years, so the operator has asked to extend by 60.3 hectares to the west.

This would give scope for around another eight years of

extraction at a rate of around 350,000 tonnes a year, with the landscape “progressively restored”.

But the proposal has attracted much objection from both local residents concerned about the impact of extra traffic and noise, and from organisations who feel the important history of the area could be affected.

One of the main areas of concern is the setting of Anchor Church, the name given to a series of ancient caves (pictured) on the banks of the River Trent where St Hardulph is thought to have prayed in the sixth century.

The enlarged quarry, if allowed, would extend right up to the historic caves, and concerns

Eighties night has ’em rocking

IT WAS back in time for the pop music loving folk of Melbourne when the Assembly Rooms hosted Back to the 80s Part 2. And what a blast it was.

Melbourne's very own DJ played a mammoth six-hour set to a sell-out crowd and the dance floor was packed all evening.

The organiser and DJ, Jason Fillmore, said: "It really was a memorable evening attended by all ages. Melbourne Assembly Rooms was full with happy faces, the atmosphere was electric and everyone made such an effort with fancy dress. I cannot wait to do Part 3."

Pictured (l-r) are Campbell Ferrier, Samantha Power, Helen Millns and Paul Millns.

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have been raised that this would affect its “intimate” atmosphere, popular with walkers.

Tim Allen, of Historic England – the consultative arm of

Melbourne & District

English Heritage – said in a letter to county council planners that the proposed quarry extension had the potential to impact on important local history.

His letter said: “We consider

the submitted archaeological report, whilst good in parts, to be weak in its treatment of setting issues in particular in relation to Anchor Church (grade II romanticised rock cut hermitage) and its relationship to the landscape of the river and crucially to Foremarke Hall.

“Anchor Church was a folly for the proprietors of the hall, a place both part of the hall's designed landscape and a place set apart as a romantic destination.

“Its relationship to the river and the floodplain landscape is intimate and central to its significance both as folly and in its supposed and romanticised medieval origins.”

A further objection letter sent by a resident to the county council concluded with: “I understand that it is not necessary to excavate this part of the Trent Valley and do believe that the heritage should prevail.

Surely, to excavate it would simply be vandalism.”

In support of its application, Tarmac Ltd has said it provides minerals essential for the civil engineering industry, providing raw materials much needed for Britain’s economic prosperity.

The quarry operator said it was helping to meet a supply shortfall in sand and gravel, that allowing the extension would allow it to safeguard employment opportunities for 50 people, and that more than 350 consultation leaflets had been distributed locally.

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Rotary award for Karen – Page 3

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Patients asked for medical service views

LOCAL patients are being urged to help give vital feedback which will help shape medical services in Melbourne, by joining a local discussion group.

Leaders of Melbourne Health Care Centre are keen to see more people join the Patients Reference Group (PRG) – a body which meets around four times a year.

Discussion topics have so far included: n The problem of patients not turning up for appointments; n Upgrading Melbourne surgery to make

more consultation space; n Patient complaints; n The result of the Friends and Family questionnaire; n A new practice website; n Access problems caused by new bus schedules; n Increasing availability of appointments; n Verbal aggression from patients; and n Availability of blood tests.

The Melbourne PRG has been going for a few years, but both practice leaders and the

South Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group – a body of GPs charged with spending NHS funds in the area – are keen to see more people attending to air their views and help influence the running of GP services.

In order to encourage more volunteers, Melbourne’s group will now meet in the evenings rather than the afternoons.

The next meeting is at the Chellaston Medical Centre at 6.30pm on April 18. All local patients are welcome.

Scout HQ needs a helping hand or two

MELBOURNE Scouts and Guides are appealing to the local community for help. Each week over 300 children use the Scout and Guide headquarters in Packhorse Road from 5-9.30pm with ages ranging from 5 to 16.

These numbers don't include the children who attend Puddleducks pre-school during the day.

The HQ is totally self-financed and does not receive any grants locally or nationally but relies on the income from Puddleducks to fund the building, making the weekly subs affordable.

It is currently run by unpaid leaders who also run the unit meetings. In an ideal world the building and finances would be managed by a separate group and the leaders would run the various units.

However, due to lack of volunteers, the leaders carry out both functions. There is no alternative if scouting and guiding is to be maintained within the village. In summary, one of the largest buildings in Melbourne is run completely by one group of volunteers.

Whilst scouting and guiding is currently sustainable within the existing building for children attending the units, both have large waiting lists. The facility has finally reached its capacity and cannot accommodate any more children wishing to join in Melbourne unless the building is extended to enable more than one group to meet at the same time.

This year the combined Scout and Guide group are collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers to increase and replace sports equipment (hoopla hoops, bean bags, etc) to make the most of the outside space that is part of the HQ grounds.

Last year the vouchers were used to extend the group’s kitchen utensils, which enabled all children to participate in cooking within their units, whether inside or outside.

So the Scouts and Guides will make good use of your vouchers, even if you don’t have any children who use the facilities.

You can post them in the postbox outside the HQ black gates.

In an appeal to the local community for help, you are invited to attend the AGM on March 8 at 8pm at the HQ on Packhorse Road. If you are in a position to help with regard to the operation of the HQ building or have any skills or information that could help the committee put together a proposal to extend the building, please go along and volunteer your services; they will be greatly appreciated and you could make a difference.

Alternatively, email MelbournescoutandguideHQ@gmail.com.

Reward for Katherine

SOUTH Derbyshire District Council held its sixth annual South Derbyshire Day in conjunction with Derby County Football Club and Toyota at the iPro Stadium.

The event provided an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and the contribution they make in our local communities within South Derbyshire. The celebrations took place during the Championship game against Blackburn Rovers.

Katherine Parrish, of Melbourne, was nominated in recognition of her voluntary work, at Whistlewood Common and Eco Warriors/ Forest Garden at Melbourne Junior School, and attended as a guest of the South Derbyshire Partnership and Toyota.

Katherine was presented with an award by Hazel Clint, senior supply chain manager at Toyota, as part of the evening which included enjoying pre-match hospitality in the Toyota Box. "I was really excited to receive the award, and there were lots of other volunteers getting awards. It was a great celebration for us, as we all volunteer to give something back to the community, so this was a real treat to be looked after so well by Derby County, Toyota and South Derbyshire CVS.” Pictured (l-r) are Hazel Clint (representing Toyota), Katherine Parrish, Cllr Neil Atkin (chair of South Derbyshire District Council) and Michelle Skinner (chief executive of South Derbyshire CVS).

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Village Voice March 2016 3

Karen is Rotary Citizen of the Year

THE Rotary Club of Melbourne celebrated its 63rd anniversary with a Charter lunch at the Bay Tree, attended by the president, Phillip Rosser, and 52 members and guests, chief of whom was the Rotary District Governor Roger Summers.

Two senior members of the club, Sid Gregson and Fred Heafield, were recently awarded Honorary Life Membership, following many years of service, and they were each presented with official Service Recognition Award certificates by the District Governor (above right).

A donation of £200 was made to the Melbourne Town Band’s Training Band, and the cheque was gratefully received by its organiser, Karen Worrall.

Announcing the donation, Rotarian Kate Dumelow recounted how the Rotary Club had helped to finance the establishment of the Town Band, back in 1992, when Karen had been a foundermember when she was only 10 years old.

She has been one of the band’s star performers continuously since then, and was the originator of the concept

of the training band, which was formed in 2004.

Karen has been in full charge of the training band ever since and more recently she established a beginners band at the junior school, to help secure the future of Melbourne Town Band for many years to come.

As someone who works incessantly for the benefit of the community of Melbourne, Karen was also both surprised and delighted to be named the club’s Citizen of the Year, and was presented with her certificate by Phillip Rosser (above left).

Mouth-watering price for reservoir

IT was the sale of the century in Melbourne as two former reservoirs went under the online hammer – with one selling for nearly nine times the guide price.

Severn Trent Water had put the two redundant reservoirs up for sale on February 11, and they attracted a huge buzz of interest from people interested in building their very own Grand Designs style project.

Bidding was absolutely frantic on both reservoirs with plenty of local interest but one, on Melbourne’s Bog Lane, was finally sold for a whopping £221,500 after an initial guide price of just £25,000.

The site, which includes the old single storey brick reservoir building sitting on 0.48 acres of land, attracted 120 bids from 10 people, with the remaining two fighting it out till the last second.

In just over 10 minutes of extended auction time, the price went up from just over ÂŁ150,000 to its final figure.

The other reservoir on The Common in Melbourne is smaller at 0.28 acres and went for a more modest ÂŁ85,250, but that was still well over the initial guide price of ÂŁ15,000.

Auctioneers Lambert Smith Hampton said one of the buyers was local to this area, while the purchaser of the Bog Lane reservoir is based about 30 miles from Melbourne. – Lucy Stephens

Causeway drivers fined

THREE drivers have been fined for driving vehicles that were too heavy over Swarkestone Causeway.

The drivers all appeared at South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court in Derby on February 22 after being spotted breaching the prescribed 7.5 tonnes weight limit while crossing the ancient monument.

The three – from Warrington, Northern Ireland and Willenhall – pleaded guilty to the offence and were handed total fines of between £437 and £538 including costs and victim surcharges.

PCSO Kerry Waite, from the Mercia Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We receive regular complaints about heavy goods vehicles breaching the limit at this location. The causeway is an ancient monument and as such is a narrow piece of road which is not designed for such vehicles.�

Flooding meeting date

THE next public meeting to discuss Melbourne’s flooding issues with Severn Trent Water, Derbyshire County Council and Parish Council representatives will take place on Friday, March 18, at 6.30pm at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

n A CHEQUE for ÂŁ1,000 was presented to Jackie Oats, of the Derby Children's Hospital, by Eve Wilson, chair of the Elvaston Communities Group.

The group works to bring the local communities together to raise money for local charities.

Also in the photograph are Ray Jefferies (group treasurer), Dave Welsh and Carole Griffiths (committee members) and Richard Scarff, landlord of The Harrington Arms, Thulston, where the presentation took place.

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4 Village Voice March 2016

Country Living with Robert Parker

THE postman has just been and a letter I’ve been expecting has dropped through the letterbox. Another reduction in milk price of 1.35 pence has been imposed on us which equates to £15,000 a year to our business.

This sees our total milk income drop from around £75,000 last year, and that really focuses the mind. I’m not going to try and explain what’s gone wrong with the system but the basic truth is that the country is producing too much milk. We’re too good at our job in increasing production when asked to, and not reacting quickly enough when it’s needed.

Should we be taking a leaf out of the oil producing countries and getting together and organising a reduction in output in the hope that this would create a shortage. This is not easy to do as milk production is a long term business and it’s not easy to fine tune how much is produced. I’m not going to say any more other than one thing which really annoys me. The consumer is not benefiting from our pain as shop prices haven’t dropped in comparison.

n The farm has had other more pressing problems since last month. We have had a fire in one of our older buildings used as a workshop which is going to give us lots of issues for months. The fire was started accidently and the building was joined on to the house which was saved from damage. The fire service was on the scene very quickly and the fire was soon under control but the damage was considerable.

All the farm’s electric services came into and were distributed from this building and were totally destroyed. A generator was brought in to make sure the cows were milked but the houses were without power for two days and our electrician is still here three weeks later, rewiring.

The barn was a major collecting point and access to the office and due to health and safety it is now out of bounds. I still find myself when wanting tools etc. to be making a bee line for it but it will be over a year before we are back into it.

The most heartening thing is that no one was hurt in any way so we can put up with some inconvenience.

l TO celebrate World Book Week, the children and staff at Aston on Trent Primary School dressed up as traditional fairy- tale characters and had storytelling workshops with local author Sophie Snell. Staff members Mrs Hirst, Mrs Larke, Mrs Day and Mrs Kalirai are pictured with children in their character costumes.

Keep eye out for road-crossing toads

MARCH is usually the month when toads emerge from hibernation and slowly make their way to the pond, where they hatched from spawn.

Locally, the major centuries old spawning water is the lake at Foremarke Hall. To get there, toads have to cross several roads, in particular the one between Ingleby and Milton, which passes close to the lake. Here toads run a very substantial risk of being run over, especially in the first few hours after sunset.

Other hot spots, where toads seem to cross in substantial numbers, are Rose Lane between Ticknall and Ingleby and the road across Mel-

bourne Common.

It is important that motorists try to keep an eye out for crossing toads and try to avoid them.

The migration usually starts around the middle of March, weather permitting, and ceases by the second week in April. Toads tend to move when it is mild and damp and avoid bright moonlight.

Unfortunately the creatures are in serious decline and face many threats including intensive agricultural practice with sprays, cultivation at night when they are moving, habitat loss and increasing road traffic.

WHEN you're walking footpaths in the Melbourne area, you may notice Melbourne Footpaths Group's (MFG) new discs identifying improvement work that the group has carried out.

At the end of February, for example, members of the MFG were out in the winter sunshine carrying out improvements on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Rights of Way, which included installing two waymarker posts at Seven Spouts in Ingleby and reinstating a collapsed marker post at Church Lane in Swarkestone.

Walkers are welcome to join MFG on Thursday, March 17, for an easy circular, fivemile ramble around Melbourne, Wilson and King's Newton.

The walk sets out at 2pm from the centre or Melbourne opposite the Chip & Pin micropub (DE73 8GJ).

MFG asks for a donation of £2 from walkers to help towards the group's running costs.

For more information about Melbourne Footpaths Group call 07708 435 469 or go to the website www.melbournefootpathsgroup.org.uk.

Discs pointing out footpath work

‘Mr History’ receives the Freeman Award

THE March Parish Council meeting was preceded by the annual parish meeting and started with the presentation of the fourth Brendan Freeman Award.

TOM MILLS This year the award was made to Richard Heath and was prereports from the sented by Elizabeth Freeman.

March meeting of Mrs Freeman expressed how delighted she was that Richard was the recipient, making mention of the times past when both her late Melbourne Parish husband Brendan and Richard had been members of the parish Council council together, each on either sides of the political fence but compatriots and friends.

Richard was chair of the council in 1987, 89, 94 and 96. Also known locally as ‘Mr History’, he has always encouraged others to take an interest in local history and has delivered adult education classes on the subject.

A popular speaker, he regularly delivers talks and guided walks to illustrate the topic. He is also the president of the Melbourne branch of the Royal British Legion.

Richard, who was accompanied by his wife Jenceen, thanked Mrs Freeman and the parish council for the award, which he said, “was a great honour”.

Continuing the annual meeting, council chair, Wendy Earp delivered an upbeat report, making mention of the many issues surrounding planning applications from developers, the formation of the Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Party, the Melbourne flooding problems and the involvement of Severn Trent Water in looking for a solution.

She commented on the successful events held in the town during the year and thanked the organisers for their efforts. Cllr Earp reported that the council is financially sound and that this year there would be a three per cent increase in the parish precept.

She confirmed that following the resignation of Cllr Rose Miniffie there is a vacancy on the council that has been advertised.

Council committee chairmen presented positive reports for each of their groups whilst noting that issues relating to the unadopted road, The Crescent, and the flooding of areas within Melbourne are still unresolved.

County Cllr Linda Chilton spoke on the increasing number of consultations that the county council have launched, inviting the l Elizabeth Freeman prespublic to respond. ents the Brendan Freeman Local residents are being asked their views on proposals to stop Award to this year’s winner paying for local bus services, specifically the No.2 service from Richard Heath with parish Derby to Swadlincote on Saturday and Sundays, which is likely to council chair Cllr Wendy stop because DCC fund the service by £46,000.

Earp.

Other subsidised services, school transport and the closure of children’s centres at Etwall and Newhall may all by 1.9 per cent, which will equate to a £2.93 increase for a Band D property. This will be the first impact on Melbourne and the surrounding vilincrease for five years. lages. The transport consultation will run until Sunday, April 24, and the questionnaire can be n The Senior Citizens’ Centre will have a new kitchen fitted and be painted externally. completed at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transportchanges n The interviewing process is ongoing for the post On the subject of devolution, Cllr Hewlett con- of Infant School headteacher. firmed that SDDC had formally declined to be n Progress continues for Melbourne Sporting part of the current proposals. However, although Partnership with the roof now in place on the it is a voluntary decision to sign up, the council main pavilion building. The tennis courts will be can be made to sign up by the Government. available in late spring and there will be a public SDDC has increased the Council Tax this year meeting in April.

Village Voice March 2016 5

Thank You...

On behalf of my husband Dennis Earp, I would like to say thank you to family and friends for their kindness and thoughts through this sad time. I would also like to say thank you for all the donations given to Prostate Cancer UK, which raised £468.80.

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HELP YOUR FAMILY BY MAKING A WILL

Helping to shape our future

MELBOURNE Parish Council hosted a drop-in session at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on the neighbourhood development plan. The aims of the event were to share the feedback from the consultation in January 2015 and the work done on the plan since then, to invite comments on areas covered by the plan, and to attract more volunteers to work on putting the plan together.

The organisers were delighted with the turn-out and the level of interest in shaping the future of Melbourne and King’s Newton. A total of 117 people came along and made very helpful comments, and 11

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For more detailed advice on how we can help you, call us now on: people volunteered to help to develop the plan further.

The surveys and consultations already carried out generated a great deal of interest and some strong, and sometimes differing views on what Melbourne and King’s Newton should look like in the future.

There were lots of comments on traffic and parking, with positive suggestions for improve-

ment. There was a desire to keep our green spaces free of development for walking or other recreation. People expressed concern about the pressures on the infrastructure (roads, schools, health centre, sewage system) caused by recent developments, but people also felt there was need for low cost housing for first time buyers and for older people.

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6 Village Voice March 2016

Jawbone Lane plan revised

LOCAL residents have been invited to respond to the further application made by Linden Homes to develop houses along Jawbone Lane.

Originally Linden submitted a proposal to build 120 homes on the land to the north of Jawbone Lane backing towards King’s Newton and south as far as Station Road.

Following discussions with the planning team the application was revised down to 60 homes, creating an open space between the development and King’s Newton and reducing the housing to preserve sightlines towards Breedon.

Whilst this application was approved by the planning team, it was rejected by the SDDC planning committee in October. Linden Homes then submitted an appeal against SDDC’s decision, which remains under consideration.

Subsequently Linden Homes lodged a further reduced scheme for the area between Jawbone and Station Road, comprising 40 homes, with 12 being for social rented housing.

This application is the one residents have been asked to comment on, with a reduced timescale of 10 days.

Meanwhile, the appeal will be heard by the planning inspectorate. Originally, it was expected to be considered on written submissions, but a decision has been taken that it will now go to an informal hearing because of the strength and quantity of local opposition and other factors. A date, time and venue for the appeal will be set

shortly.

Linden Homes’ Midlands planning and development director Barry Maynard said: “The revised planning application – of up to 40 houses – is running through the process at the moment, as is the appeal.

“The previous application – originally for 120 houses and subsequently amended to 60 houses – was rejected by the planning committee against planning officers’ recommendation. The new application seeks to reflect the planning committee’s concerns by removing further houses thus reducing the development area.

“We feel that, as both the revised application and the appeal are now ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”

Asked specifically if any further consultation took place before the most recent application was submitted, a Linden spokesperson said: “The new application is for up to 40 homes on the site to the south of Jawbone Lane.

“This is in response to comments made at the planning committee in October – there was no objection to the new homes on this part of the site.

“As this new application is, in essence, an amendment to the previous application, in that Linden is responding to local comments and concerns, further consultation other than that undertaken with the planning application, was not needed.”

– Frank Hughes

EIGHT new homes will be coming to King’s Newton, after planners gave them the green light despite nearly 100 objection letters.

Proposals to build homes on grassland behind Melbourne’s Smith Avenue have been in the pipeline for almost a year, with the original drawings for 28 dwellings reduced to eight.

South Derbyshire District Council planners received 61 letters objecting to the first proposal and a further 35 against the reduced scheme – but at a meeting on February 9 the homes were nevertheless given the go-ahead.

The letters, which included a response from Melbourne Civic Society, gave many reasons why the homes should not be built, including loss of the area’s identity and countryside views, impact on Melbourne’s infrastructure and increased risk of flooding.

The point was also made that the new homes

made no provision for the area’s affordable housing market, since the development is under the 15 homes needed to trigger an affordable requirement.

However, three people had written to council planners supporting the plans, saying the site was currently an eyesore and should be turned over to housing.

In a report to the council’s planning committee, the officer in charge of the case wrote: “Overall, it would be difficult to put forward a case to demonstrate that the harm caused by the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposed development in terms of its contribution to housing supply.”

The new housing scheme will consist of three five-bed homes and five four-beds.

– LS

Green light for new homes

Society dates

TICKNALL Preservation and Historical Society’s programme continues on Friday evenings at 7.30pm in Ticknall village hall.

Programme topics for the next few months include: March 18 – “Trent Motor Traction – The First 100 years” with Alan Hiley.

April 29 – “Sharpe’s Pottery – People and Pots” with Tony Hurrell.

May 20 – “Echoes of the Past” with Celia Sanger.

n MELBOURNE Photographic Society held its winter coffee morning and members’ exhibition at the Thomas Cook Memorial Hall in February.

It was a successful event with a good number of residents taking time to visit, take coffee and view the work on display.

The society normally holds two coffee mornings each year and also dis-

plays member’s work in exhibition format at the Melbourne Carnival and at the Art Festival.

The society was formed in 1921 and currently has around 40 members, some of whom are pictured.

From l-r they are: Ian Pettit, Lorraine Dowell, Alan May, Jo Mallard, Ken England, Helen Willis and Simon Pearce.

Village Voice March 2016 7

Inspiring looks for your window l Gary Croake, Anne Bellis and Robert Hunt enjoy their ‘proper’ birthdays.

At 84 Anne finally celebrates her 21st

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ANNE Bellis is celebrating her 21st, Robert Hunt his 17th, while Gary Croake is officially only nine years old … meet the local people who have something rather special in common: their birthday is on February 29.

This year – being a leap year – marks one in four that Anne, Robert and Gary get to splash out and have a proper birthday bash. For the other three in the leap year cycle, they celebrate on either the day before or after.

But Melbourne’s ‘leaplings’ told the Village Voice that their birthday has been a blessing rather than a curse over the years, and that it is good to be different!

Anne, who lives in Kings Newton, is officially marking her 21st this year having been born on February 29, 1932. Most years

she celebrates on February 28 – “I don’t want to go into March” – but says she enjoys her real birthday even more when it makes an appearance.

“Actually I’ve really enjoyed having February 29,” she says. “It’s a bit special every four years.

“I couldn’t have my 21st birthday before; I had it on the 28th which wasn’t really my birthday – I’ve reached it at last!”

Statistically the chances of being born on February 29 are one in 1,461,but Anne says she has never met anyone else with the same birthday – until now, thanks to the unearthing skills of the Village Voice.

But Gary Croake, from Melbourne, has certainly met someone else with the same birthday – his identical twin brother, Mark.

“It’s just something different,” says Gary.

“The probability of being a twin and born on a leap day – you just use it as an excuse to really mark your birthday every four years!”

Born in 1980, Gary and Mark celebrate their non-leap year birthdays on March 1, since their arrival in the world was late in the evening.

Leap year birthdays can bring bureaucratic headaches, as Robert Hunt from King’s Newton – born in 1948, says: “If you’re going online and you put in your date of birth as the 29th of February, the computer doesn’t recognise it.”

But, despite this, all agree that there is something a bit special about a leap year, and we wish them a belated happy birthday.

– Lucy Stephens

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NOW, IT’S GOODBYE FROM HIM...

8 Village Voice March 2016

AFTER 18 years in General Practice in the area Dr Philip Das is leaving the Melbourne and Chellaston Medical Practice for pastures new.

Dr Das originally arrived at the surgery as replacement for Dr Freeman all those years ago, to take up his first position as a GP. “The practice has become much busier since then,� he said “with a much higher consultation rate and the performance related element has also increased�

He said: “There were around 10,000 patients across the two surgeries then, and now it is more like 15,000. The massive building programme and siting of a 60-bed nursing home next door to the

Chellaston practice has had a huge impact.�

He is moving to work in Wirksworth to be nearer his Duffield home. “I was not really looking for a move but the job came up just five miles from home; it is a small rural practice and I will fit in well. It is probably my last chance to move,� he said.

It will also give him the chance to get out more to enjoy his favourite pastime, walking in the Ecclesbourne Valley.

Reflecting on his years at the local surgeries he said he would miss a great set of colleagues and the real characters he has met over the years. “Despite all the pressures of GP work,

we still have a great team here,� he said.

He also remembered some funny moments, and in particular when a foreign lady in a highly agitated state rushed into the surgery and, in broken English, cried that someone had passed away in the church.

Picking up his bag and coat, and fearing the worst, he dashed down to Melbourne Church only to find the person in rude health, and discovered that the lady had meant to say she had passed out, not passed away!

His partners at the surgery said: “Phil has been a huge asset to the practice over the 18 years he has been with us.

He has had a pivotal role with the train-

ing of junior doctors and with the development of the new surgery in Chellaston. “He has been a tremendous colleague to work with. “We shall all miss him enormously and wish him well for the next stage of his career.�

He apologises that he cannot say farewell in person to everyone, and that he has had to keep the news under wraps until the practice announcement, but he wished to thank everyone for their good wishes and he is confident that his replacement, Dr Nick Coxon, will be a great asset to the community.

...AND IT’S GOODBYE FROM THEM

N

O O V W ER RE 70 SE % RV ED

MELBOURNE is to lose one of its prestige ethical retailers, with the closure of the Fair Trading Place shop in the market place.

The shop was officially opened in 2004 by BBC newsreader George Alagiah, who was then the patron of the Fairtrade Foundation. It also ran as a business two years before that, from the Wesley Hall.

It has been run by Christine Lee, Alison Thornhill and Anne Brady (pictured), who have all reluctantly decided that it is time to shut up the shop.

Christine said: “The business has been a great success. It has raised awareness of the Fairtrade principles locally and further afield; our unique brand has brought a lot of people into the village to shop and we have made a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people from the developing world by creating an outlet for their products. “When we started out we didn’t know it would last a month, and here we are nearly 15 years later!

“It has been a very difficult decision, and one not taken lightly. But there is a feeling that the business has run its course – with lots of fair trade products now being available in the more mainstream shops and personally we all want to move on as well. It’s very much a sense of job well done!�

The shop will close by the end of March and there are many bargains to be had in the rundown until then. “We would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers for the support and loyalty they have shown to us and to the British Association for Fair Trade shops, our umbrella organisation.�

Local passing customers said they would hugely miss the shop, as it is “a place you can always find a little gift�, and “somewhere to buy everyday products knowing that the proceeds are getting directly to the producers.“ The nearest alternative Fairtrade shop is Fair2All, in Bath Street, Ashby.

EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY THE Whistlewood Easter Eggstravaganza is on Saturday, March 26 on The Common between Melbourne and Ticknall.

This will be a Family Fun Day with a trail and egg Hunt, children's crafts, face painting and refreshments and maybe even a visit from the Easter Bunny!

There is very limited parking up at Whistlewood so we encourage people to walk or catch the No2 bus towards Swadlincote.

If you need more details please call 01332 865342.

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Philip triumphs in his gate case

PHILIP Heath, employed at South Derbyshire District Council from 1998-2014, latterly as Conservation and Heritage Officer, has won a case for unfair and wrongful dismissal against his former employer.

After a disciplinary hearing, Mr. Heath had been summarily dismissed despite what the judge described as his "relatively long and distinguished service, his clean disciplinary record and his apparently considerable local reputation".

The council considered that he had "wilfully" failed to apply for planning permission for the installation of a small, low wrought iron gate and side panel halfway down the private garden of his Grade 2 listed house on Blanch Croft, Melbourne.

The gate was made by David Tucker, of Ticknall, whose work adorns several properties in Melbourne.

But, in a highly critical judgement, Employment Judge Christopher Camp said that the failure to apply for a very minor matter, for which planning permission was in any case granted without objection prior to Mr. Heath’s dismissal, “comes nowhere close to being conduct going to the root of the contract of employment”.

He ruled that the dismissal was both wrongful and unfair, and referred to aspects of the council’s evidence as "hopelessly confused”, "contradictory" and involving "illogical leaps of thought and reaching decisions unsupported by evidence".

Mr Heath said afterwards: "The judge did consider that I was blameworthy to some extent, because I had an opportunity to seek my employer’s advice about the gate in 2012 when a related matter arose, and didn’t. Given my planning role with the district council at the time, I understand why he said that.

“But there was a question of whether, acting in my private capacity as a local resident rather than an SDDC employee, I could lawfully be held

Village Voice March 2016 9

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to a higher account than any other ordinary resident of Melbourne.

“Had I been treated as any other resident, the matter would have had no consequences at all. It is not an offence to carry out minor works without planning permission, and the council’s planning manager considered the affair to be of no planning significance whatever, i.e. it was not a matter of any public interest.

“An offence only occurs when the council deems that unauthorised works are unacceptable in themselves, and the applicant then refuses to comply with an enforcement notice to remedy them.

“The judge was surprised by the council’s complete inability to coherently explain which parts of its Code of Conduct I had allegedly breached. I was obviously pleased with the outcome, and am extremely grateful to the many people in the local community who gave me both verbal and written support during 14 stressful months."

Philip continues to work in Derbyshire as an independent heritage consultant and local authority conservation officer.

In response to enquiries, a South Derbyshire District Council spokesman said: "It is, and always has been, the council's policy not to comment on personnel issues."

– TM

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10 Village Voice March 2016

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 flavoursome meats for you. Pop in to our new butchery, meet our team and see for yourself.

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ONE MAN AN

Ex-pit man dreaming of being a cham judge at Sandringham in front of the

JACK Iliffe may only be 65, but he has already managed to fit more careers in his life than most.

As a young man working down the Leicestershire mines, to professional dog trainer, to game-keeper on the Melbourne Hall Estate where he spent 15 years helping entertain the hall’s illustrious visitors – among them Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes – you might say he has never experienced that most modern ennui: the career rut.

Even his hobbies are legion, from motorcycling to flying planes, although the latter pastime was sadly taken away last year after a road accident in Matlock Bath.

But if there is one thing that Jack is really passionate about, it is his gun dogs. As a young man, an afternoon outdoors with one of his prize-winning spaniels provided a welcome relief from a hard shift as a deputy at the coalface.

“It used to be a nice change from working underground in the dark, to come out in the middle of the afternoon and spend the rest of the day in the open air with the dog,” he says.

Then, when the mines shut in 1992, it was to his dogs he turned again for a new career that was to prove as lifechanging as the transition from working beneath the ground to on top of it.

“I don’t think there’s anything finer than two spaniels working side by side,” he says, and, with hundreds of dogs having passed through his care since setting up as a professional trainer, he is certainly in a position to know.

FROM a childhood on the Queen’s Balmoral Estate, to an early career down the mines followed by more than two decades of training hundreds of gun dogs to the highest international level, LUCY STEPHENS finds out why Melbourne’s Jack Iliffe really is a man of many parts.

As with the start of any new business, Jack faced an initial struggle to get his name known as a top-flight trainer.

But, with an increasing number of competition wins to his name as he entered gun dog championships and a growing reputation as a member of the English gun dog team for 15 years, the clients soon came in.

And, although he is semi-retired now, he is still in demand as a national and international gun dog championship judge, having travelled to Sweden with his wife Linda to preside over competitions there (where, in an interesting contrast to the UK, the main participants are women) as well as being selected to judge the British Championships in 2017.

He still has a couple of dogs at home, along with two birds of prey, but says: “When I’m training a spaniel and chasing them about everywhere – I just can’t catch them

anymore!”

While many people for Jack – while he ad very much “a working He says: “I always get a puppy, that’s lik away at this little pup icent shooting dog.

“Whatever I ask the another youngster.

“I do enjoy competit am going to win. I’ll p just not quite right.”

Jack, who has two c his favourite dogs ar breeds such as Labra “In a 10-acre field a sp never even miss a mou He may have more big ambition. After a spent on the royal Bal uncle was a senior me a gun dog championsh of the Queen.

As to that, he will h

Jack at work and play

LEFT: Jack Iliffe with one of his birds of prey, Toot.

RIGHT: Days down the pit for Jack and a colleague.

FAR RIGHT: Jack with one of his beloved spaniels, Skeet.

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Village Voice March 2016 11

Coppice

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hildren and five grandchildren, says re spaniels, because, unlike other adors, they are classic all-rounders. paniel will find a rabbit in there, he’ll use or anything.” or less retired, but Jack still has a a childhood up to the age of seven lmoral Estate in Scotland, where his mber of staff, he would love to judge hip at Sandringham in the presence

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Pilates classes are aimed at all levels and a great way to have fun and meet new people as well as an opportunity to escape from the stresses of life. Pilates is suitable for everyone that has no current injuries, from complete beginners to advance. However, if you have specific injuries such as long standing back pain, sciatica or even neck problems then my suggestion is a short course of rehabilitation Pilates before a class setting.

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12 Village Voice March 2016

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Come and join the party!

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n ANN Redfern is a resident of Ingleby and an enthusiastic gardener. She also extends her gardening to an area surrounding a local well that delivers spring water from Seven Spouts to the hamlet. Mrs Redfern attends to the ground surrounding the well and, in return for her efforts, the roadside is blessed with a fine display of snowdrops and daffodils at this time of year.

Brownies need leaders

ASTON and Weston Brownies are on the lookout for new leaders and are calling on their community to join them on their amazing Girlguiding adventure - by joining their leadership team.

Girls from the area enjoy a hugely varied programme of activities, from abseiling to messy science investigations and much, much more.

They are now looking for some new enthusiastic leaders to join them as Jayne and Angela have decided, after many years of running the unit, to stand down to pursue other things. It is with sadness that they will be saying goodbye to them at the end of July.

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is on for enthusiastic people to volunteer to create a team to lead the unit. Girlguiding, the UK's leading charity for girls and young women, welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities and faiths – it's very flexible and can fit around a busy lifestyle. No experience is necessary as training will be provided free of charge and everyone will be well supported.

If you'd like to find out more contact Sarah Matthews on 07841 092 367 or call in to see Jayne and Angela on a Wednesday evening between 6.30-7pm in the New Memorial Hall, Aston on Tent. You can also email the leaders on astonontrentbrownies@hotmail.co.uk.

OBITUARY

HARRY WALLER 1920-2016 WITH the passing of Harry Waller, of Melbourne’s Packhorse Road, comes the end of an era.

Not only were he and his late wife, Jessie, well loved by generations of Melbourne school children as they waved through their window twice daily, Harry was also the last surviving member of the Royal Engineers to marry young women from Melbourne.

Harry was born in Brighton in 1920, moving with his family to Portsmouth aged six months.

He joined the Royal Engineers in 1940 and was based at military depots around the country, ending up at the King’s Newton Rail and Transport Depot where he met Jessie (née Robey) in Toons Fish and Chip shop when she was 17.

During the war Harry served in Egypt and India, returning to Britain to marry Jess in July 1947. The following year he was demobbed and carried on working at the King’s Newton depot until its close in the 1960s.

Jessie and Harry lived in New Yard, now Thomas Cook Close, with Jess’s father, also called Harry. Son Mick arrived in 1950 and daughter Jenny in

1952 (whose life was saved by her father when, a day old, she stopped breathing and he held her upside down and smacked her on the back to clear the blockage in her lungs).

After the King’s Newton depot closed, Harry worked at Rolls-Royce as a painter, then a pipe fitter’s mate. But it was while living at New Yard that Harry found his lifelong love of gardening and, when ill health forced him to retire early in 1982, he took to tending his garden full time. There was always an excellent display of flowers and shrubs in the couple’s front plot in Packhorse Road, where they had moved in the summer of 1967 after the home in New

Yard was condemned.

Passers-by would often admire Harry’s garden and over the years it won several commendations in Best Kept Garden competitions. And it wasn’t just flowers that Harry loved to grow, always producing a good supply of vegetables from his greenhouse and back garden.

Two grand-daughters arrived in the 1980s, Michelle in 1987 and Sara Jayne, who sadly died at her birth in the August of 1988.

As reported in December’s Village Voice, Harry and Jessie were a Melbourne institution as they waved through their window at local schoolchildren for more than 30 years, giving sweets at Christmas and Easter and receiving cards and gifts from them in return.

Children would always wave as they passed and look at their house with concern if the couple were not there. When Harry broke his neck in the 1990s, children were updated with weekly reports at school and many cards were sent to his hospital bed.

At Jessie’s funeral last year, money raised was donated to Melbourne’s schools, and the same will be done for Harry.

– Mick Waller

Tapping into Section 106 payments HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW By reaching 15,000 readers

Village Voice March 2016 13

IN A welcome initiative making local government more accessible, South Derbyshire District Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overview and scrutiny committee met at the Assembly Rooms in Melbourne.

The first item of business was an overview of Section 106 payments.

Planning lead for South Derbyshire, Stuart Batchelor explained in some detail the present arrangements for requesting and collecting the money, which is a payment made under the Town and Country Planning Act of 1990 to offset the impact of a building development.

He explained that there had been some recent changes to the qualifying regulations which meant that it has to be for infrastructure directly related to the development â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in other words that the people impacted will be making use of the amenity or service, and must be directly and reasonably related in scale to the development.

Asked how groups might tap into this potential source of funding, he reminded the meeting that the open spaces, sport and community draft strategy was in the process of compiling a list of all suitable projects and that it was important for groups to ensure their project was incorporated in those plans.

Robert Hill, locality manager for South Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, spoke specifically about Section 106 payments for health infrastructure. He explained that he was developing a plan across the whole of Derbyshire to look at what was needed,

Friends Talk on Islam

MELBOURNE Parish Church worlds that parallel but do not will be hosting a talk on the is- touch the society in which they sues facing Muslims in Britain find themselves. on April 13.

It will be free to Friends of the The Rev. David Thomas, Pro- Parish Church and there will fessor of Christianity and be a ÂŁ3 charge at the door for Islam at the University of non-Friends to cover the cost of Birmingham, will explore the wine, canapĂŠs and soft drinks. major issues facing Muslims Contact griseldakerr@btinterwho seek to participate in net.com or 01332 864756 for inBritish communal life and ex- formation. plain why some withdraw into

and how spending might be prioritised. Melbourne had â&#x20AC;&#x153;a capacity issueâ&#x20AC;? he said with 7,000 patients on the books and there was a strong desire â&#x20AC;&#x153;to offer more services on this [Melbourne] site and offer better access to servicesâ&#x20AC;?.

Asked about the money which had already been allocated from earlier developments on Station Road, he freely agreed that this had not been spent, and that there was no clear reason why it had not been taken up in the five years it had been available. He was working with the surgery to complete the internal restructuring, which was an estimated ÂŁ100k project, using some of the S106 money for this.

Mr Batchelor was unable to answer a question specifically about how much money was sitting unspent with the council, like the ÂŁ50,000 allotted from Melbourne development, but he estimated it might be in the order of ÂŁ2m. He agreed it was important that best use was made from the money available.

Speaking after the meeting local Practice Manager Annette Jennison said that things looked more positive than they had in the past 10 years since they had submitted the original S106 application, as there was now someone in the NHS to help them through this process.

The ÂŁ130k project will increase consulting room capacity by remodelling the interior of the surgery and facilitating more consultant time back into Melbourne Health Centre. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Frank Hughes

Man found dead

NO suspicious circumstances surround the death of a man found on the outskirts of Melbourne in February, police have said.

The man, who had been reported missing from Warwickshire, was found in an area south of Woodhouses known as The Plantation early in the afternoon of Sunday, February 21.

Police attended the scene from both Derbyshire and Warwickshire forces.

Ticknall All-nighter

Dame Catherine Harpurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School, in Ticknall, South Derbyshire is preparing for a long night of dancing in order to raise valuable funds for Sport Relief, Sarcoma UK and the school itself. Always up for a challenge this small school with a big heart is holding a Twenty-Four Hour Stay-Awake and Dance- AThon on Saturday 12th March at 2pm.

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Publication Date 11th April 9th May

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JOHN SMITH (MELBOURNE) LTD Probus president

14 Village Voice March 2016

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THE new president of the Probus Club of Melbourne and district is John Tatam, elected at the club's AGM. John, an energetic and active man of 73, has been a prominent member of the club for eight years, for the last seven of which he has been an innovative and professional treasurer.

John and his wife, Joan, will shortly be celebrating their golden wedding, having lived in Melbourne for 34 years, while John pursued a successful career as an engineer in Rolls-Royce, latterly in the nuclear division.

During this time he has been an active churchman at the Parish Church, listed in the weekly bulletin as duty Roster organiser.

Their only son, Andrew, became a prominent national champion badminton player. John admits he was "hopeless" at the sport, but he gave his time and organising ability to being a tournament secretary for several years.

His son, who works in Manchester, is an England coach for Lancs and Yorks.

John said on his appointment: "I am proud to be elected as your president, and I hope I can make a contribution to the wellbeing of the club.”

He added that "in the last few years the club has seen an increase in social activities and I hope we can continue to make the wider community aware of what the club is offering to the retired professional and managerial club members, and to the wider community".

Party funds boost for Ryan

FRIENDS and family of Ryan Boultbee got together for a special fundraising ‘Vintage Valentines Tea Party’ at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

The event was organised to support Ryan with a project he is currently engaged on.

Ryan, from Melbourne, is a second year student at Nottingham University studying architecture. He has chosen to take part this year in Project Tshela, an event sponsored by the university. The project centres around the design and construction of a preschool in rural South Africa for 54 under fives.

The winning building design was submitted by Ryan and his peers.

The university supports the teaching, training staff and insurance costs

and each student, Ryan and others are required to fund £1,000 towards the cost of the building project plus their own air fare and accommodation.

The event in Melbourne helped raise £955 towards the construction of the pre-school, which will begin this month.

Pictured are some of the 54 guests attending the tea party with organisers Ryan’s Aunt Sue and Simon Quinn, mum and dad Sarah and Andy Boultbee, family friends Clare and Bryan Grice, cousin Rachel Younger and Ryan standing in the centre.

Should anyone wish to make a donation all they have to do is visit www.justgiving.com/Ryan-Boultbee

n THERE will be an evening’s entertainment with a difference on Saturday, March 19 (7pm) at St George’s Church, Ticknall when a special wine tasting takes place.

At the fund-raising event you will be invited to test your knowledge on selected wines and take part in a

quiz. Tickets will include admission, wine tasting and quiz, a cheese board supper and a glass of wine or a soft drink to enjoy. All proceeds will go to the St George’s Fabric Fund.

Tickets at £8 will be limited from Mary Hirst (862647) or Melanie Payne (864350).

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Twist in the tale for Melbourne audience

Village Voice March 2016 15

RED EARTH Theatre’s production of the Remarkable Tale of Oliver Twist at Melbourne Assembly Rooms had both young and old captivated from beginning to end.

In an ingenious re-working of the Dickens tale the small cast of four played over 20 characters between them, shifting effortlessly between contrasting parts and, remarkably, translating in sign language as they went along. They had mingled with the audience at the top of the show, inviting younger audience members to join in pantomime style whenever Bill Sykes’s dog Bull’s Eye had a mention.

One young audience member leaving the show described it as “awesome” and seemed to relish the occasionally macabre brutality of Victorian London brought to life before their very eyes. Luckily, the timing of an inset day after the show meant a late night did not interfere with the school run!

The cast of Roseanna Connolly, Caroline Parker, Joey Parsad and Thomas Simper switched roles, costumes and choreography deftly, with singing, puppetry, dance and some mime all thrown into the mix. Joey Parsad played the artful dodger with a modern “street” style; Thomas

Tree tribute to teacher

STAFF, pupils and parents at Melbourne Junior School whose lives were touched by a young teacher who died last year are being invited to a special treeplanting ceremony on the school grounds.

Karen Robinson, who had taught at the school for 10 years, died aged only 39. This April marks the first anniversary since her passing and a Rowan tree will be planted at the school in her memory.

In a moving tribute to their former colleague and teacher, the school has said: “Karen, a teacher at Melbourne Junior School since

2005, tragically lost her very courageous fight with cancer in April 2015.

“During her time at MJS, she demonstrated her outstanding personal and professional qualities.

She was a great inspiration to many children in her care and she worked tirelessly to get the very best out of each and every one of them.

“Karen was also a great colleague, always encouraging and supportive. Her great inner strength and optimism was evident throughout her life, but particularly so in the months leading up to her death. She has left a wonderful

legacy with the children and staff with whom she worked over the years.

Simper was always convincing, particularly as the villainous Bill Sykes; Roseanna Connolly showed her versatility in roles as the Beadle Mr Bumble and a sweet yet raunchy Nancy; and Caroline Parker was matronly as the workhouse keeper, Mrs Corney, yet villainous as Fagin.

The production by Wendy Rouse and Amanda Wilde and set design by Laura McEwan, was highly professional and creative. A simple but effective stage, identifying the troupe as Sarah Wiltons players, possibly a nod to the East End’s Wiltons Music Hall, allowed the cast to bring the show to life in an entertaining and original way, whilst keeping faith with the Dickens story.

Red Earth Theatre Company, based in Belper has deservedly built a reputation for touring theatre and drama for children, young people and communities. Its ethos also promotes access and inclusion for deaf and disabled artists and audiences in mainstream settings.

What was particularly rewarding was seeing an audience of adults and children both enjoying a show out in the community together. Dare we ask for “more?”

– Frank Hughes

“In memory of Karen, a Rowan tree will be planted in the Melbourne Junior school grounds on Thursday, April 21, at 4pm, followed by refreshments in the school hall.

“All those who knew Karen and would like to join the MJS staff for a time of remembrance would be very welcome. Children are also welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.”

The school has asked for anyone who would like to go along to the ceremony, to call them on 01332 862344 or email info@melbournejun.derbyshire.sch.uk so they can have an idea of numbers.

Princess Ida next up for opera fans

MELBOURNE Operatic Society continues to delight its audiences and has ambitious plans for 2016.

Following the successful productions at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton since 2012, the society is performing the rarely staged Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Princess Ida. This show requires a larger cast which Melbourne has at present due to a thriving membership. It was last performed by the society in 1991.

Unlike other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, this show is in three acts and the stunning costumes, along with the delightful music, are guaranteed to be memorable.

Last year’s show, The Mikado, had two sellout nights, so be sure to book your tickets early for the April 13-16 production.

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l MELBOURNE United Under 10s training on the floodlit artificial grass pitch. Coach Donal Miller said that the kids in the team all know how lucky they are to have such state of the art facilities available to them.

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MAXIMUM Response Karate academy organised a special training course for the members with coaching from a top flight Japanese Master of the sport.

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Master Sakagami, 8th Dan, is one of the top Japanese instructors and he is highly respected in the martial arts world. It was a real coup for him to lead the training for the local club. Master Sakagami came to the UK in the early 70s and was at the forefront of the development of karate in this country.

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Bowlers set for new season

KING’S Newton Bowls Club green will open for the new season on Saturday, March 19. The club is keen to build up membership.

You can join as a social member for an annual subscription of just £10. Full membership (allowing as much access to the green as you want) is only £52 per year and a junior membership is £10 per year.

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Minxes spread the net wider for players

MELBOURNE Minxes have been working hard to get more girls to give rugby a go by going into schools, working with the RFU and by holding open days.

The most recent open day was on Sunday, January 19, when the aim was to provide a training session where all the players could take a friend along and join in with other girls also new to the sport.

"It is often difficult to get new faces to come to the club because they feel they may not be good enough compared to those already playing,â&#x20AC;? says Nick Woodland, head of Women and Girls Rugby for Melbourne RFC, â&#x20AC;&#x153;or itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that mum and dad are not too sure about. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An event like this allows the girls to feel more confident as they know it is for them and the parents can meet the other parents as well as the coaching staff to find out why so many girls do play rugby.â&#x20AC;?

The event had an extra special feel about it as the girls were being filmed and interviewed as part of a research documentary into women and girls rugby in an aim to create a fair representa-

Village Voice March 2016 19

Rugby club gets back on track to record three victories

THE first game of February for Melbourne RFC saw the long trek to Spalding who are near the bottom but have good home form.

Melbourne started strongly with two Euan Holden penalties but they found themselves 126 down at half-time. The second half saw Will Judge bag a brace of tries and Melbourne led 2012 before conceding a late try to come away with a 20-17 win.

The rearranged Mansfield game was next.

With the Cockshut Lane pitches still unplayable, the fixture was arranged at Derby Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3G pitch.

Melbourne started strongly with Joe Stuart crossing for a try in the first two minutes.

Mansfield never really looked like scoring a try but missed a couple of penalties. Holden extended the lead with a penalty for an 8-0 half-

Pictured above with the girls at the Melbourne Minxes special event are (l-r): Nick Woodland, Gina Sloman, Danny Clarke, Dean Palphreyman, David Boyer and Ronnie Coleman.

tional film set around the sport.

The Minxes, now run sessions for girls as young as six up to the two adult sides created this season playing both contact and noncontact rugby.

So, if you feel inspired, or you're an ex-minx who is now an adult then check out the Minxes on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and make contact via MelbourneMinxes@yahoo.co.uk

time lead.

Melbourne lost Tommy Howard to a suspected broken jaw. Another penalty saw an 11-0 lead before John Marchbank received a yellow card, Dan Walker returning to the fray after his shoulder injury.

Two late tries from Will Judge and Devon Iliffe, both converted, saw Melbourne extend the lead to 25-0 but they could not find the bonus point try. MOTM was John Marchbank.

Melbourne returned to Derby Uni for a league fixture against Stamford, with Christine Judge of Melbourne Lets sponsoring the match ball.

Melbourne gave their strongest performance of the season, winning 43-0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; strong in attack, playing with precision and pace as well as a solid defence.

Defending with 13 men for a period of the sec-

The Minxes would like to remind everyone that their all-female weekend will take place over the May Bank Holiday.

The event is now one of the biggest in the UK with sides from England, Scotland and Wales making up the 400-plus players, but they still need sponsors and support.

If you can help, please contact MelbourneMinxes7s@yahoo.co.uk.

ond half, Melbourne reversed a poor loss earlier on in the season.

Continuity in selection as well as players returning from injury has seen a reversal in fortunes for the 1st XV. Purce, Martin, Hall, Lakin, all returned.

Tries came from Martin, Pearce (2), W Judge, Holden and Marchbank with Holden kicking 13 points. Hall and Lakin both got yellow cards, and Watts was MOTM, narrowly pipping Pearce.

The Stags had their longest trip to Lincoln and came away on the wrong end of a 26-24 defeat.

Tries came from Woodburn, Austin and Penalty, Fulton kicking the rest of the points The Knights had 25 players and three old boys for a training game on the Derby 3G pitch, showing the strength in depth of the club.

The Knights also played a strong Derby Devel-

opment on the 3G. A tight first half ended 12-17 to Derby, Hancock and Cox scoring tries for Melbourne.

Derbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength in depth and Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injuries saw a more uneven second half with Derby running out 44-12 at the end.

The first XV had a well-deserved rest at the end of the month so the club fielded Stags and Knights instead.

The Stags won a pennant game against South Notts Barbarians 49-21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tries for Burton 2, Campsell 2, Watts, Crewe and Doyle with 14 points for Greenhalgh.

The Knights had a very young squad at Long Eaton including six U17s winning 22-12. Tries came from Butler, Pearce and Glanville with W Creswell contributing seven points.

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Dynamo taste cup and league success

SPORT

n THE Ticknall Short Mat Indoor Bowls Club has continued to operate each week at the village hall since September and now has just a short time to the end of the season in April.

Many of the members will continue to play bowls when the season ends, transferring to the outdoor game throughout the summer months at local flat or crown green bowling clubs.

The indoor game has provided gentle exercise and good company for the members during the winter months.

Pictured are a group of members at a recent afternoon meeting: (back row l-r) Robert Lowe, Meg Smith, Barbara Phillips, Doris Britton, Sylvia Weston, Doreen de Blaquire and John Robey; (front row) Brenda Bryant, Millie Pass, Margret Hudson, Ruth Bradshaw and Marie Rowe.

MELBOURNE Dynamo led the way for the local football sides in the month of February by consolidating second place in the league and also winning through to the quarter-finals of the Junior Cup. They began with a heavy 4-1 home defeat to a strong Derby Singh Brothers side with the consolation goal coming from veteran midfielder Lee Scott.

Melbourne moved back up to second the following week with a much better team performance that saw them beat Sherwin 2-0 away from home. A penalty from Ben Dale and a clinical finish by Jack Goodband were the all-important goals.

Dynamo finished the month in some style, coming from 1-0 down away at Wirksworth Ivanhoe Reserves to go through to the quarter-finals winning 2-1 courtesy of a very rare brace by Vinny Hallifield.

MELBOURNE Dynamo Colts had a difficult month, managing

to play only two league games and losing both.

A 3-1 home defeat to a strong Belper Town U18s was a disappointing start with Ngila Odari getting the consolation goal.

An away journey to Heanor Town the following week also proved fruitless as the Colts went down with a 2-0 loss finishing off a tough month for the Colts.

TICKNALL Rangers continued their rise up the table, ending the month in fifth place after winning two of their three league games in February.

The month began with a

stunning 4-3 away win against Midway. Goals from Fraser Hughes, Alex Slater, Ian Hall and a late diving header from skipper Matt Archer secured three points for Ticknall.

They followed that with a solid 2-0 home win against Beacon Park Rangers with new signing Paul Allen and a Matt Archer penalty completing the scoring.

Rangers ended the month with a disappointing 3-0 home loss to Midway, leaving Dave Archer’s men in fifth spot with games in hand on those above them.

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