Village honours two ‘excellent’ stalwarts

TWO village stalwarts from Aston-on-Trent are officially ‘excellent’ after being recognised for their support for many local organisations.

Award” by Aston-onTrent Parish Council on March 7

Richard Coates and Carole Bagnall were awarded with the “Excellence in the Community info@melbournelets.co.uk

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The couple, now 80, have given their time to many local groups that have boosted enjoyment and community cohesion in Aston over the last two decades

Since moving to Aston 22 years ago, Carole started up a local book club and the Aston-on-Trent Local History Group, both of which are still going

Richard is also a committee member on the history group, and is involved with Friends of Aston Brickyard and HOOVER (Help Our Own Villages Eradicate Rubbish), which conducts litter picks along Shardlow and Derby Road every month

As well as that, he was also verger of All Saints’ Church

Richard said: “I’m a backroom boy really! I like to keep out of the way We just like to keep things ticking over ”

As for why he likes to volunteer for so many organisations, he said: “I just like the social aspect of it, and if you’re doing a bit of good for the village, that’s good isn’t it?”

Carole said it was a pleasure to give time to different groups in Aston-on-Trent because efforts made to bring people together were always met with considerable enthusiasm

“It’s such a together village that it’s a privilege to be part of it,” she said “You get something going and everybody goes for it it’s lovely ”

Over the years it has been running, the history group has been instrumental in many valuable projects including forging links with the local primary school

Carole started it up after learning when arriving in Aston that it had no written local history She called a meeting, 30 people turned up, and the group has been thriving ever since

Cllr Edward Hicklin, chair of Aston-on-Trent Parish Council, said: “They’re quite unassuming people, getting on and helping others, and they’re a real inspiration ”

Other nominees for this year ’s Excellence in the Community Award were Lindsay Pilkington of Recreation in Aston, Debbie Hoddinott from the War Memorial Hall Committee and Mary Day who was nominated her outstanding work in maintaing the Books in the Belfry initiative at All Saints Church

The award is given annually by Aston-on-Trent Parish Council to recognise an individual or group who have made a significant contribution to village life

Six-house plan withdrawn

AN application to demolish the Senior Citizens Centre and Bowls Club is open for consultation until March 14, according to South Derbyshire District Council’s planning portal

Meanwhile, the most recent application to build six houses on the site has been withdrawn

The application states that “the Community Centre is no longer viable” and that “alternative premises have been sourced for its previous uses”, although details of where former users who petitioned to save the centre have re-located is not provided

A spokesperson for Melbourne Hall said: “The decision to withdraw the planning application [to build six houses] has been taken collectively between SDDC LPA, TUK Architecture and Melbourne Hall Estate This is to enable all parties to address concerns raised by some members of the local community before a new application is submitted

“The disused building has fallen into a poor state of repair and the aim of this project is to rejuvenate the site as a residential development for future generations "

Melbourne Hall has also submitted an application to enable the use of the Grade 2 listed Tithe Barn as a holiday let Whilst the building is currently used as residential and storage, the change of use application is required to enable the former threshing barn, dating back possibly as far as the 14th Century, to be rented out for commercial purposes Local residents have expressed concern that there will be additional pressure on the limited parking in the area