Melbourne Village Voice August 2014

MOREBUILDERS

HOMINGIN ONTOWN

by LUCY STEPHENS

MELBOURNE’S hotly debated housing wrangles look set to continue with new proposals for a further 120 homes.

Builder Linden Homes has announced it wants to build a mixture of two, three and four-bed homes on Jawbone Lane, around 30 per cent being affordable properties “pepper-potted” throughout the site.

A meeting of South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee has already given permission to local firm Alexander Bruce Estates to build 22 houses on Station Road.

The meeting was told that the South Derbyshire area could not currently demonstrate a five-year housing supply and the Local Plan – which details what land is available for houses – was not likely to appear by the end of this year. The Government wants to see developments in “sustainable locations”, of which Melbourne – with its schools, bank, post office, shops, dentist and doctors’ surgery – is considered to be one.

Many objections have been raised over increased numbers of houses being built in Melbourne and the impact on local education and medical provision.

Melbourne district councillor Jim Hewlett, objecting to the development, told the meeting he had learned the village’s infant school was “categorically” full and this

year some children had to be turned away due to lack of space.

He said Reception numbers were so full that 49 boys were having to share one toilet cubicle and urinal between them.

The county council – which is in charge of education – has asked Alexander Bruce for £45,596.04 towards school places, but Councillor Hewlett pointed out that this would not be enough to pay for a new classroom, which raised the question of whether in the future there would be room for all the children in Melbourne.

He said: “When people live in a village, they expect children to go to the local school – it’s part and parcel of being in a community.

“Is it a responsible act to sanction a development that we know will bring about the situation, which I think is the first time ever in this village, of children being kept out of the local infant school?

“Or do we just carry on and build regardless, hoping that lobbying the county council about new classrooms and toilets will bring them about, when they have got to save £158million?

“If it doesn’t happen and a classroom isn’t built, what do we tell the parents of the rejected children?”

But Alexander Bruce director James Ottewell told the meeting it was not for the district council to guarantee parents had a Continued on Page 5.

l Plan of what the Linden Homes site could look like.

l Youngsters got stuck into the karts and street surf boards when the South Derbyshire District Council summer activities visited the area. Full story and more pictures on Page 17.

Melbourne Lets

President Margaret

JULY saw the start of the New Year for the Rotary movement, and with the New Year comes a new president.

17 ALMA STREET, MELBOURNE.

3 bedroom terraced house with long back garden and large shed!. Dining/kitchen with all white goods. Living room with natural oorboards and gas re. On the second oor is a double and single bedroom. On the top oor is another double bedroom with lots of built-in storage space plus large, modern bathroom with shower over the bath.

£575 PCM

1 LAMPAD CLOSE, MELBOURNE.

3 bedroom family detached house with private garden and conservatory. Good size dining/kitchen with white goods. Large L-shaped living room with feature gas re and study o . Downstairs cloaks. Upstairs are 2 double and 1 single bedrooms and family bathroom. There is a garage which has extra lofted storage and driveway parking.

£750 PCM

23 NORTH STREET, MELBOURNE.

2 bedroom terrace with 2 separate reception rooms-one with an open re! Small galley kitchen. 2 good size bedrooms and family bathroom. Small garden and 2 brick stores.

£550 PCM

THE LIMES, BREEDON ON THE HILL.

6 bedroom farmhouse available on short term tenancy-lots of character and plenty of storage! £1000 PCM

COMING SOON…

3 BEDROOM FARMHOUSE IN RURAL LOCATION. £1000 PCM

IF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO PRESENT YOUR PROPERTY OR FOR MORE DETAILS ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT

CHRISTINE JUDGE ON 07870 547357

PROPERTIES ALWAYS NEEDED

Douglas Keith, a leading light in Melbourne’s Sporting Partnership, completed his year as president, with the grateful thanks of the members. He has handed over the reins to Margaret Sharp. Margaret has lived all her life in Melbourne, has been a parish councillor for no fewer than 23 years, and served as chairman from 1998 to 2000. She has been a member of Rotary since 2006, one of its first lady members after the club dropped its all-male limitation.

With husband Bill, she has four children and seven grandchildren, and still helps out with the family business, W Sharp & Sons, market gardeners.

Margaret is pictured receiving her chain of office from outgoing president Douglas Keith.

Tenants

TICKNALL Preservation and Historical Society will be holding its AGM on Friday, September 26, followed by “The Noble Art of Strategic Deception” with Hugh Davies. The balance of the programme for 2014 continues on Fridays at 7.30pm in Ticknall Village Hall starting with, on October 31, “Meet the Pagets” with Richard Stone; November 28, “25 years a Countryside Ranger” with Barry Lings; and December 12, “A Victorian Ghost Story” with Gareth King.

New –and not so new –faces at medical practice

DOCTOR Karen Taylor (formerly Wanger) has returned to the Melbourne and Chellaston Medical Practice and will work at Melbourne on Mondays and Chellaston on Wednesdays.

Although there is a recruitment crisis in general practice both nationally and locally, the practice has been fortunate to recruit two new GPs, Dr Ahmed and Dr Taylor, with a third vacancy still remaining.

The recruitment process will continue in the autumn. Meantime current locums Dr Richard Thomas and Dr Tahir Shah will continue to provide cover when needed.

A new Nurse Practitioner, Lynne Ben-

nett, will join the practice on August 18 to work alongside Wendy Beech, the current Nurse Practitioner.

The practice reports that the new appointment system has greatly improved access to urgent care across both sites at the practice. If you need to be seen on the day, you will be offered an appointment with Wendy or Lynne.

Dates for the annual flu clinics have now been agreed and patients should contact the surgeries to book an appointment.

The appointment-only service will be held on Saturday, October 18, at Chellaston Medical Centre and October 25 at Melbourne Medical Centre; Wednesday, Octo-

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MELBOURNE

KINGS NEWTON

TICKNALL INGLEBY

FOREMARK

MILTON

LOUNT

STANTON-BY-BRIDGE

SWARKESTONE

WILSON

STAUNTON HAROLD TONGE

TWYFORD ISLEY WALTON

WESTON-ON-TRENT

ASTON-ON-TRENT

ELVASTON

THULSTON

AMBASTON

BARROW-ON-TRENT

BREEDON

FINDERN

SMISBY

ber 29, at Chellaston Medical Centre and November 5 at Melbourne Medical Centre.

The practice routinely sends out text messages to remind patients of their appointment and health checks.

If you would like to receive a text reminder you should give your mobile number to reception.

The Patient Reference Group continues to operate and the next PRG meeting will be held at Chellaston Medical Centre on Monday, October 27, between 2-3pm.

If you would like to attend or you would like to join the PRG or the ‘virtual group’ you are asked to contact the surgery reception.

100th proves a real show stopper

THE 100th Ashby Show was declared a huge success. The popular annual agricultural event included a host of added attractions to celebrate its centenary.

One hundred head of Hereford cattle paraded in the main ring, the Bolddog Lings motocross stunt team amazed the crowds and J C Ball’s Dancing Diggers were great entertainment.

The show was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, who watched the ‘100 Years of Agriculture’ vehicle parade before a tour around the ground at Cattows Farm, Heather, Leicestershire. The Duke spoke with members of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution as well as stall holders in the British Farm Produce marquee. In the cattle and sheep showing classes the young handlers were delighted to have BBC presenter, Adam Henson from Countryfile as a guest judge. He praised the high standard of entrants in the classes.

Ashby Show president for 2014 Robert Botham was delighted by the large crowds throughout the showground and the calibre of competitors and entertainment. He said: “What a wonderful day! We saw bumper crowds and everything was first class. I would like to thank everyone who attended as well as all our sponsors, competitors and exhibitors for making the day such a huge success.”

Holiday club in Space

MELBOURNE Methodist Church is once again organising a children's holiday club, which this year runs from Monday, August 11, to Friday, August 15, 10am-noon each day.

The theme this year is Space and 50 children are already booked in.

Trail artists all set to go

THE artists who will be exhibiting their work at the 10th Melbourne Festival of Art and Architecture Trail have now been selected.

The dates for your diary are September 13-14 when visitors can see and buy work from the amazing cross-section of artists from the Midlands and beyond.

The concert and performances programme will run from September 6-27 and there will be everything from flamenco to folk and lots in between!

Each year Melbourne Festival is eagerly awaited by local people and visitors from far afield, and is the highlight of South Derbyshire’s cultural calendar.

Tickets and Trail Guide are for sale on the day –£5 for adults, under 18s free. Melbourne

Festival Art Trail features art, music, food, crowds of people and usually the sun shines.

This year over 70 local homes, businesses, halls and churches will be opening their doors to act as hosts to nearly 120 artists in the heart of Melbourne, featuring a variety of mediums and styles of work all of which will be for sale from £5.

To whet your appetite, this year’s Trail will include work by Melbourne favourite Barbara Bagley and Jemma Rix, who worked with local schools, Pool Cottage, the WI and Wednesday group, to name but a few, is exhibiting the completed ‘Melbourne Sari’.

Melbourne Parish Church is hosting local artist Michael Cook, who is displaying as part of an exhibition called “Thank you for the Rain” inspired by The Canticles of the Sun by St Francis of Assisi, the theme for the festival service at the Parish Church on Sunday, September 14.

For the Art & Architecture Trail the festival team is planning to take Melbourne ‘Through The Looking Glass’ with quirky exhibits for visitors of all ages. Look out for picture frames in gardens, parks and shop windows highlighting fabulous art work or fantastic views.

During the summer the festival team arranged a series of workshops in Melbourne Schools working with nearly 300 Mad Hatters to create some amazing hats ready to join in the Mad Hatters Parade on September 13.

The workshops were led by local milliner Joanne Rost, whose hats usually grace Royal Ascot or Aintree rather than the streets of Melbourne. Jo is also leading Mad Hatters workshops at Melbourne Library on both Saturday and Sunday alongside an exhibition of her own hats at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Exhibiting with Joanne Rost at the Assembly Rooms will be Jeni Smith, a sculptor/mixed media artist, whose cake-like sculptures make Lewis Carroll’s tea parties seem low key.

Families should look out for The Mad Hatter themed activities around the Art Trail including Alice’s garden at Melbourne Vicarage – one of Melbourne’s most stunning gardens overlooking Melbourne Pool.

With lots of help from Melbourne Brownies and Guides the garden is being transformed to include flamingo croquet, chess and giant toadstools and flowers. Oh, and there will be tea and cake all day.

Remember your hat and join The Mad Hatters Parade from The Vicarage to The Lothian Gardens at 4pm. The parade will be led by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter – along with the White Rabbit and a band of playing cards.

This year’s concert programme hopefully includes something for everyone. As a taster, Comedy Night on Friday, September 12, features Phil Walker, who has a knack for saying what we are all thinking but in a hilarious way.

The weekend after the trail you can enjoy Breeze and Wilson folk roots night at the Assembly Rooms with Spanish artists Flamenco Express taking their place on Saturday night.

For those who prefer words to music why not have afternoon tea with Jane Austin on Saturday 20th or have a sneak preview of American Goddess, a workshop performance based on Marilyn Monroe’s final photo-shoot.

Tickets for performances are available from the box office and Forteys in Market Place, Melbourne.

–Tom Mills

HALL TO STAGE CAR SHOW

BY kind permission of Lord Ralph Kerr, the classic car show at this year’s Melbourne Arts Festival (September 13/14) is to be held on the turning circle in the grounds of Melbourne Hall.

anybody has a classic or vintage car that they would like to show at the festival they should contact Helen Saunders on 865342. You do not have to stay with your car, as it will be supervised at all times.

l Garden art in wicker and fabric graced this poolside garden during the 2013 Art Festival while (below) this youngster is setting the scene for the Mad Hatter’s activities at this year’s event.

Melbourne Festival is sponsored by

Country Living

with Robert Parker

HARVEST seemed to spring upon us very quickly this year with one of the earliest starts in recent years.

Conditions have been good so far with little or no drying of the grain needed but care to see that it is cool before being stored.

The biggest talking point and grouse among farmers is the collapse in price for pretty much all products. Wheat is now around £40 a tonne less than three months ago and similar reductions are on oilseeds and barley.

These prices are almost certainly below the cost of production and are not good news depending on your individual circumstances. Some farmers rent land, some may have large mortgages on recently purchased land and the most fortunate are the ones who own their property free of debt.

These situations can’t be changed, but we should all be quizzing the large supermarket chains as to when these prices are going to benefit the consumer.

n I love the natural world and all the animals

and birds that live alongside us, but I’m struggling with some of these at the moment. Maize is a very important crop for us being a superb feed for our milking cows but a few wild animals think the same.

When the crop has matured we chop it finely, put it into silos, seal it against the wet and keep air out of it so it can ferment. On removing the top sheet of an adjoining grass silo today we came across severe damage to the sheet by jackdaws, rooks and crows.

Once they have tasted the maize grains they assume any plastic sheet they encounter has maize underneath it. We have started to put a thicker woven sheet on top, but some of these have started to perish and have small holes in them.

Every hole in the top sheet had a corresponding one in the plastic sheet below. When I discovered this I felt like I had been assaulted. All the good work of our men had been put to waste.

Anyone requiring vermin shooting should contact me at their convenience.

Getting rid of your coffee discs

MELBOURNE Community Care has signed up as one of the UK’s first public collection points for the Tassimo Brigade® to enable the people of Melbourne and local communities to recycle their Tassimo coffee machine TDiscs and outer foil packaging. Spokesperson for MCC Alan Corbett, who will administrate the collections for the Melbourne Tassimo Brigade® location, commented: “We are delighted to house a recycling collection box at the MCC office on Derby Road that will be available 24 hours a day. This will enable more people to participate in recycling and larger quantities of waste can be saved from landfill.”

In return for being identified as a recycling drop off point, MCC will receive two TerraCycle points for the weight of each piece of Tassimo waste that is sent in for recycling, with each point being redeemable for a one penny contribution to Melbourne Community Care funds. Pictured (l-r) are: Margaret Brackenbury, Victoria Hancock and Sue Mayhew with their Tassimo public drop-off location collection box.

Walkers’ grand event School celebrates

MORE than 1,000 walkers took part in this year’s successful National Forest Walking Festival, completing 71 walks between them in one of the biggest annual festivals in the Midlands.

A total of 1,100 walkers averaging just over 15 people per walk, tackled distances from one to 13 miles, ranging from easy and leisurely to more challenging.

This year’s festival also took in the launch of the National Forest Way, a 75-mile pathway through the heart of The National Forest. Those taking part included families and individuals, many young people as well as regulars, including older age groups who have supported the event which is now in its seventh year.

To find out more about next year’s festival taking place between May 16-28, go to: www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.o rg.uk or contact the Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre on 01283 222848.

THE children of Grace Dieu Manor School had a special celebration as the renovated SSSI (Site of Special, Scientific Interest) was opened and blessed. The whole school gathered in beautiful sunshine to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The initial inspiration for the SSSI development was due to a donation from a former Grace Dieu Pupil, Professor Richard Davies, shortly to become Pro Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University. The rest of the funds came from the unerring fund-raising efforts of the generous and supportive Grace Dieu Parents' Association.

The woodland, meadowland and wetland areas, which cover approximately 11 acres, have been carefully developed, within the guidance of Natural England and will be cherished by current and future generations of Grace Dieu pupils.

Whats on at Melbourne Festival

Saturday 6th September - 7.30 for 8pm

Melbourne Assembly Rooms presents Miss 600 at Melbourne Festival

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street DE73 8GJ

Tickets - £10 from 01332 863522 / www.ticketsource.co.uk

Thursday 11th September - 7.30 for 8pm

Melbourne Assembly Rooms presents

Furthest From the Sea Festival

Melbourne Festival Acoustic Rock Night

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street DE73 8GJ

Tickets - £5 from 01332 863522 / www.ticketsource.co.uk

Friday 12th September - 7.30 for 8pm

Festival Comedy Club

Sponsors: Breedon Priory Health Club

www.breedonprioryhealthclub.co.uk & Lakes Cakes

Melbourne Royal British Legion, Derby Road DE73 8FE

Tickets £8 from 01332 862243

Saturday 20th September 7.30 for 8pm

Flamenco Express

Sponsored by H Pipes & Co. Solicitors

www.pipessolicitors.com

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street DE73 8GJ

Tickets £10 - Spanish themed Food & Drink for sale.

Flamenco is music, colour, energy and history all rolled into one. Flamenco Express bring us the best amenco musicians and dancers. Flamenco Expresses Dancer/Artistic Director - La Joaquina and Guitarist/Musical Director - Chris Clavo are joined by internationally renowned Flamenco Dancer and choreographer -Emilio Ochando and Cantaor - Antonio el Pola. www. amencoexpress.co.uk

Wednesday 24th September 7.30pm

Midweek Music featuring Mlendo

Sponsor: Amal White Bar & Restaurant

www.amal white.co.uk

The White Ballroom at Amal White, Derby Road DE73 8FE

Tickets £5

Concern over new housing

WITH new buildings over the last 18 months plus those already approved, planned or being considered, Melbourne could have an additional 500 houses in the village over the next five years.

The Local Plan due to go before a planning inspector this month indicated there would be no large-scale development for key service villages like Melbourne yet this piecemeal development appears to be getting the green light.

A spokesperson for South Derbyshire District Council said: “Ensuring development is properly planned and well managed is essential in building safe, vibrant and sustainable communities.

"The council has carried out hours of consultation with communities and other stakeholders to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place for future generations.

"Much of this is set out in the Local Plan Part I, which sets out the long-term vision, objectives and strategic strategy for the spatial development of South Derbyshire.

“We are now in a position to submit this to the Government inspector on August 8 before a public examination is held in the autumn.

“In the meantime, planning decisions will continue to be made in accordance with local and national policies and any other material considerations.”

Local political leaders are also concerned at the scale of development and their potential impact.

District Councillors John Harrison and Jim Hewlett: "In addition to the 211 homes already completed or planning granted, applications expected in Kings Newton (68) and Jawbone Lane (120) with rumours of over 100 elsewhere make at least 500 more dwellings, increasing our pop-

ulation from 4,843 in 20 11 to 5,843 (+20.4%). That's intolerable, particularly with mounting pressure on schools, medical services, traffic and parking problems. We will resist this further unsustainable serious threat to life as we all know it."

County Councillor Linda Chilton: "I am acutely aware of the already mounting pressures on our children's access to primary schools and Chellaston Academy. Further housing is unthinkable unless linked to additional educational capacity and other pressures. I will continue vigorously to press for another classroom at the infants school and additional secondary school capacity."

Heather Wheeler, MP: “With the district council having already identified its share of 13,454 houses (a 34.5% increase) towards the total needed from 2008 to 2028 it appears unnecessary to build more in Melbourne//Kings Newton beyond the 184 completions since 2006, plus additional approvals making a further 211 in total. I share the dismay of my constituents as highlighted by the county and district councillors."

Tim Silvester, Derbyshire branch chair of the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England: “It is a worrying time for villages and the countryside in general - in Derbyshire and elsewhere.”

He thought Local Plans by district authorities were the best way to control land use. Unfortunately, some plans had been delayed and some even rejected. Developers could use this to propose building, arguing as there was no up-to-date plan, development should be allowed. n Have your say –write to Village Voice.

— Frank Hughes

Builders homing in on town

Continued from Page 1 choice of where to send their children to school.

He said councillors should take the opportunity to take the money which Melbourne’s schools would get as a result of the development which could be used to “kick start” improved accommodation.

He said: “Without the Section 106 money there isn’t a starting point and no prospect of improvement.”

Meanwhile, more than 100 local residents attended a pub-

lic exhibition by the builder Linden Homes at the Assembly Rooms outlining the Jawbone Lane plans.

A consultation document asking residents a series of questions was available. Just over a fifth who have answered so far said they believed there was a shortage of affordable homes in this area.

Barry Maynard, technical director for Linden Homes Midlands, said: "Our proposed development will provide muchneeded affordable homes for

Headline act Phil Walker with 2 support and compere.

Saturday 13th September 10am - 6pm & Sunday 14th September 10am - 5pm

The TENTH Melbourne Festival

Art & Architecture Trail

70 venues throughout heart of Melbourne Entry £5 per person on the day, under 18s free. A fantastic weekend for just £5!

Extra Parking at Melbourne School.

Melbourne Through the Looking Glass

Venues throughout the heart of Melbourne

Tickets - free with Melbourne Festival Art Trail ticket. To celebrate the TENTH Melbourne Festival enjoy activities for children and families based on Lewis Carroll’s tales of Alice’s adventures Through the Looking Glass including Mad Hat-Making workshops, a Mad Hatters Parade and Mad Hatters Picnic’s!

Sunday 14th September 10.30am

Festival Church Service

Melbourne Parish Church, Church Square DE73 8JH

Everyone welcome for a celebration of Melbourne Festival and to see The Canticles of the Sun Exhibition.

Wednesday 17th Sept, 5pm & 6.30pm

Magical Mayhem

Sponsored by: Bright Lights

Senior Citizens Centre, Church Street DE73 8EJ

Tickets: £3 from Rachel Coupe 01332 416152 or ‘Melbourne News’

5.00 - 6.00pm Magic Show for children age 5-11.

6.30 - 7.30pm Light and Dark Party for young people age 8-18

Friday 19th September -7.30 for 8pm

Melbourne Festival Folk Roots Evening Breeze

& Wilson + Support

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street DE73 8GJ

Tickets £10

Graham Breeze and Toby Wilson are an acoustic duo that favours the roots end of American Country music alongside their own compositions.

Saturday 20th September

2.30pm - 4.30pm

local people, and any planning permission would provide for additional resources such as local education and health provision.

"Some people have voiced concern about increased traffic on Jawbone Lane. We will look closely at this, and work with the highway authority to find the best solution."

n You can give your views on the Linden Homes development on www.planningconsultation.net. The consultation is open until August 17.

Afternoon Tea

with Jane Austen

Sponsored by Lakes Cakes

Melbourne Senior Citizen Centre, Church Street DE73 8EJ

Tickets £10

Jane Austen was the creator of some of the most popular stories and characters in the English language. Enjoy the wit, wisdom and acid tongue of a writer who was truly ahead of her time. Washed down with lashings of tea and lots of cake!

Named after lead singer Amy Mlendo Ankers this acoustic based 5 piece band consists of singer - Amy, two acoustic guitars, stand up bass and cornet.

Friday 26th September 7.30pm

American Goddess

Sponsor: The Hardinge Arms www.hardinge-arms.co.uk

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street DE73 8GJ

Tickets £5

Life Theatre Limited presents a workshop performance of a new play by Daniel David Webber, American Goddess. Three days, one shot. American Goddess.

Saturday 27th September and

Saturday 4th October 2 - 4pm

The Great Melbourne

Sewing Bee 1 & 2 with Mig Holder

Sponsored: Melbourne Area Transition www.melbournetransition.org

Melbourne Senior Citizen Centre, Church Street DE73 8EJ Price £10 per session or £15 for both.

Session 1 - “Who's afraid of the sewing machine? Bring your sewing machine along or use ours, learn the basics or improve your skills. Session 2 - Build on your new found con dence to make another item. Both sessions will be very practical, suitable for any skill level - especially beginners.

Saturday 27th September

2 - 5pm FREE workshop

7.30pm £4 Performance

Come and Sing with

Melbourne Operatic Society

Melbourne Catholic Church, Church Street DE73 8EJ

Join us for an afternoon workshop with practical demonstrations of how to improve your singing quality, culminating in an evening performance of Gilbert and Sullivan, including chorus items learned by the workshop participants with solos and duets performed by Operatic Society members with Musical Director Bryan Clarke.

For tickets call

07962 430450

Tickets also available at Forteys, Market Place, Melbourne

www.melbournefestival.co.uk

l MELBOURNE Junior School award assemblies saw the awards presented by Ros Bell on behalf of Inner Wheel, Margaret Sharp on behalf of Rotary and David Mather on behalf of the school governors. Richard Heath presented project prizes and Margaret Sharp presented the Bryan Sharp Community Award.

n THE new under-eights play area at the village hall in Weston on Trent has been officially opened.

The new equipment replaces a similar structure on the site which required updating. The parish council was able to go ahead with the project thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Pictured are a group of children trying out the equipment with officials attending the opening, district councillor Mrs Ann Watson, Mrs Christine Scott, clerk to Weston Parish Council, parish councillors Dave Hollingworth, Martin Bowles, Allan Barber, Mrs Vanessa Hurt and Avril Record.

Cash machine robbers foiled

MASKED robbers escaped emptyhanded after a failed attempted theft from the ATM machine at the NatWest Bank in Melbourne.

In the early hours of July 15, two men are believed to have entered the bank, after smashing windows over the cash machine but they then failed to access any money in the machine.

The men were seen smashing the windows but, when the police arrived, they had driven off in a black car.

Staff at the bank (pictured) arrived at work to find glass covering the floor and had to call in emergency glaziers to repair the damage.

The police are appealing for witnesses or any information which will help the investigation. Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestopers on 0800 555 111.

Earlier in the month a gang of five men

from Kent were jailed for 30 years in total fo r a spate of robberies from cash machines in London using gas canisters to cause an explosion. Similarly a gang of five from Liverpool are now awaiting sentencing for targeting 28 bank machines, eight of them in Leicestershire.

It was not a good week for the bank, as staff had to deal with a second incident the following day, when a flooded cellar resulted in a power failure, shutting the bank for most of the day.

Thwarting the car number plate thieves

MOTORISTS have been taking advantage of securing their number plates after attending one of the free events recently held in South Derbyshire.

Following recent thefts of number plates across the area, neighbourhood teams have held several events to deter the crime from occurring in the first place.

Officers from the North East Safer Neigh-

THE BAY TREE

bourhood Policing Team (Melbourne) held an event at Budgens car park, and 42 cars were fitted with the tamper-proof screws.

PC Vic Ball from the Melbourne team said: “Tamper-proof number plate screws are fitted to car registration plates in order to prevent criminals from stealing them and using the plates in crime.

“We had a great turnout and members of the

public that attended thought that it was a great idea.

“We have also had feedback from one vehicle owner on how good the tamper-proof screws are, as he reported that thieves recently tried ‘unsuccessfully’ to steal his registration plate from the front of his vehicle but were unable to do so because tamper-proof screws were in place.”

01332 863358

4 Potter Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8HW baytreerestaurant.com

Louise Isham (previous owner), Kaye Whyatt (new manager), Helen Banister (new owner), Ruth Gadsby (new owner) and Lucy Lister (previous owner).

Loved school –so they it took over

A MUCH-LOVED Melbourne pre-school is changing hands, after its owners decided to hand over the reins to two mums whose children enjoyed their time there.

Lucy Lister and Louise Isham have been running the highly successful Kangaroos pre-school at the Wesley Hall since 2007.

After deciding to step down as owners, they have now passed Kangaroos on to fellow mums

Helen Banister and Ruth Gadsby, who both sent their children there.

Lucy and Louise said they were “extremely sad” to be leaving but thanked their successors for stepping in to take over and wished them all the best.

Lucy said: “We have absolutely loved it – it’s very hard work! We could not wish to have worked with a nicer group of children, parents and staff.”

Kangaroos runs at the Wesley Hall for three-hour sessions (and one slightly shorter one on a Thursday morning) every weekday afternoon except Tues-

day, with up to 24 children in each one.

In 2010 the pre-school won an Outstanding Ofsted report because of its excellent work providing for the children in its care.

Ruth and Helen volunteered to take over after parents were told at the beginning of the year that new owners were being sought.

Ruth said: “I think we just loved it when our children were there and just didn’t want it to close – we wanted to keep it going for the community.

“We’ve got all these gorgeous children who want to come!”

THANKS

“We both feel that Kangaroos gives children a wonderful safe place to play and learn,” added Helen.

“I don’t think words can describe what a brilliant place it is, and the staff plays a big part in that.”

Kangaroos take children from the age of two up until they start school. Limited spaces are available and there is also a waiting list.

To inquire about spaces, please phone the Kangaroos number on 07761002953 or email them at pre-school@hotmail.co.uk

– Lucy Stephens

Milly Banks and all the family wish to convey their sincere thanks and appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy owers and donations for Community Care received on their sad loss. A Special thanks to all involved in Monty's care. All the doctors and nurses at Melbourne Health Centre whose care was exceptional. Also thanks to Bosworth Homecare Services Swadlincote and to all the nurses and doctors at the Royal Derby Hospital and London Road Community Hospital, where he had excellent care. A special thank you to the Rev Mark Powell for the wonderful service, and to Funeral Director John Springthorpe and colleagues, for their professional and personal support to the family throughout.

l Kangaroos pre-school’s outgoing and incoming owners (pictured l-r) are:

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Split

Paul proving he’s the tops

PAUL Grimley of Melbourne is now well over half-way to achieving his 70x70 challenge and reaching his fundraising target for charity.

In the year he turned 70, he decided to set himself a challenge of walking the highest 70 “tops” in the Lake District. The lowest is Thornthwaite Beacon at 784 metres high and the highest Scafell Pike at just under 1,000 metres.

To compile the list of peaks, he took Bill Birkett’s ‘Complete Lakeland Fells’, drew a line under the 70 and set himself the challenge of walking all of them.

“The toughest so far was Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, a walk of over 10 miles and 4,000 feet of ascent. The rocky, stony tracks took their toll on my legs,” he said.

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He travels to Cumbria about once a month and hooks up with walking companions Clive Hutchinson or Chris Brisbourne, both experienced fell walkers. Clive also used his knowledge of the Lakeland fells to group the “tops” into manageable walks –14 or 15 in total.

Paul said he would not think of walking the high tops without a companion – “it’s much too risky at my age!”

He has had quite a bit of luck with weather too – eight walking days so far and no rain.

Paul devised the challenge to raise money for SUDEP Action in memory of h is great niece, Amy Marsden, who died last year. Amy was just 21 and approaching the finals of her English degree at De Montfort University when she died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. She was later awarded a posthumous degree by the university.

Epilepsy claims about 1,150 lives a year in the UK with about 500 being SUDEP deaths. It strikes all ages but in particular young people aged from late teens to 30. Many of the deaths could be preventable through education, awareness and regular use of the right medication. SUDEP Action is a small, dedicated charity researching the condition and educating people about it.

In particular Paul wants the money he raises to continue the work started with funds raised last year by Melbourne couple John and Yvonne Robinson’s charity sail round Britain. Their fund-raising facilitated the start of a complete database of the deaths due to SUDEP so that common factors might be identified. Paul hopes local supporters will sponsor him through his webpage www.justgiving.com/PMGrimley where more details of his trip can be found.

– Frank Hughes

Feat of clay for the Marskmen

MELBOURNE Marksmen Belltarget Club held its summer “Clay Bash” at Lowes Lane shooting ground at Swarkestone where Ashley and Helen Cumberland made the 17 members who attended very welcome.

The Belltarget club, which meets every Thursday night at Melbourne RBL, was greeted with a bacon sandwich and cup of tea by their hosts which set the mood for the days shooting. The weather was bright and sunny, which was ideal for clay shooting, and members enjoyed hours of fun with both newcomers and experienced shots looking to win trophies provided by Brian Tonks, who organised the day’s activities. When everyone had finished and with some members exhausted they returned to the club house where a mega buffet was provided.

The Marksmen’s spokesman, Brian Tonks, was very upbeat about the day’s activities saying that Lowes Lane shooting ground was a great place to try something new and that the club members were looking forward to a return visit.

Country market

TICKNALL Women’s Institute will be holding its annual country market in Ticknall Village Hall on Saturday, September 6, starting at 10am. There will be bric a brac, produce, books, raffle and refreshments.

l Paul Grimley at Thornthwaite Beacon.

Garden party boosts charity

KINGS Newton Social Group held its annual garden party in the garden of Blakefield House, courtesy of Margaret Stafford. Approximately 200 people attended and were entertained by 60s band 6AX. A delicious buffet was served, which was enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine.

Margaret Stafford had organised a raffle with some excellent prizes, tombola and a stall selling jewellery and scarves in aid of Nightingale Macmillan. She raised a fantastic £750 thanks to people’s generosity – a great achievement for a very worthwhile cause.

Peter’s garden is tops

GREEN fingered gardeners are celebrating after their expertise and acumen helped them scoop top spot in a prestigious competition.

Dozens of imaginative and inspirational entries wowed the judges during

South Derbyshire District Council’s annual Can You Dig it awards. Open to all of the area’s 3,000-plus tenants, the contest is designed to recognise those going above and beyond to spruce up their homes and communities.

Winners in 10 categories were presented with prizes during a ceremony attended by council chairman Cllr Pat Murray at Swadlincote Town Hall.

The roll call include Melbourne residents Peter and Sheila Clough, of Moira Street, who won the award for Best Front Garden (pictured above).

TOP and ABOVE: Guests relax in the sun.

LEFT: The three Ms – Margaret Hagues, Margaret Stafford and Margaret Sharp – with the band 6AX in the background.

Summer songshine

MELBOURNE Operatic’s ‘Songs for a Summer Evening’ could not have been selected more aptly for probably one of the most glorious summer evenings, whilst keeping the commemoration of World War One in mind.

The opener reminded everyone of the Lazy Hazy Days of Summer, there was a singalong medley of WW1 songs and Sartori’s “Time to Say Goodbye” as a stirring finale.

Whilst some of the more complicated choral arrangements challenged the whole chorus, the operatic excerpts and particularly the solos were delivered with confidence, energy and flamboyance.

Mike McGhee, Gordon Fletcher and Paul Blackmore in excerpts from Pinafore and Mikado showed just how versatile they are, Les Plimbley’s Roses of Picardy was haunting, and among the ladies, soloists Margaret Blackmore, Gill Neilson, Gill McGhee and Rhia Fingerhut were

outstanding.

The men’s chorus, performing “If you want to know who we are” and in the second half “Singing in the Rain” were particular highlights of the evening, not just for the quality of singing, but also the imaginative choreography.

David Henshaw’s proficient piano accompaniment and Keith Reaveley’s precise direction provided a good pace to the programme and Keith’s solos of What a Wonderful World and Memory added extra touches of poignancy and humour. A packed audience and a varied programme gave the evening a delightful ambience and all credit to producer Gary Askam and the whole of the Operatic Society for a splendid summer evening. Their next concert is on Saturday, September 27, and their next operatic production, The Mikado, will run from April 15 to 18, 2015, in Long Eaton.

– Frank Hughes

‘What Islam means to me’

"I HAVE a deep respect for Islam,” was how Dr David Thomas, an ordained Anglican priest and professor in the theology department at Birmingham University, started his July talk to the Probus Club of Melbourne.

Dr Thomas (pictured) explained that he had three major phases in his life. At the age of 20, he spent two years in North Sudan, on the banks of the Blue Nile, teaching in a Moslem school, sharing accommodation with five Sudanese Moslem teachers.

The impression left with him after that two years was of a "society with a wonderful sense of caring, where the Koran was a central rhythm of a very caring community", which included obedience to the five times a day prayers, and to the fasting of Ramadan.

His stay in Sudan was a "good time", although he was surprised that his colleagues did occasionally drink alcohol and smoke hashish.

On his return to England, he studied Arabic and became an expert in Islamic medieval texts. He was ordained as a priest, and then served in Blackburn for three years, as a curate in a city which had a growing Moslem population.

The huge Moslem incursion into Lancashire and Yorkshire in the 40 years to 2000 was originally expected to be temporary, but in the event the po pulation stayed, but did not assimilate into the wider English community.

There were inevitable conflicts and tensions over dress and diet and religious duties, with an influx of people from a particular brand of

Islam.

Dr Thomas stressed that there were many varied brands of Islam, not just the traditional theological fault line of Sunni and Shia. He said that Far Eastern Islam was different from what was the standard in the Middle East, and the Middle East Saudi Islam was very different from Islam in Algeria and Tunisia.

Dr Thomas said that, because of the estrangement of UK-based Moslems, with alien clothing and unfamiliar names, from UK society, in the sense that they "do not feel at home here", many Moslems feel that belonging to Islam gives them "a sense of identity", which Dr Thomas recognises produces "lots of social problems".

He also noted that there are many instances, which will increase, of Moslems leading Westernised lives, and he instanced Michelle Hussein, who presents the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

Dr Thomas then described his joy in teaching Islamic theology to Moslem university students of the highest calibre.

"Sharing with Moslems the inner working of their religion is an odd experience, but has proved hugely rewarding.”

There were many questions answered by Dr Thomas, from an audience which had seriously engaged with this most enlightening talk.

The Revd Canon Dr David Thomas lived in Melbourne for a number of years and was an active member of the clergy. He still maintains his connections and is a member of the associate clergy administering at Melbourne Parish Church and the other churches in the benefice.

– David Bellis

n SOUTH Derbyshire District Council has been running a series of indoor sporting activities for the over-50s at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Pictured at one of the sessions are Sylvia Weston, Lee English (SDDC Village Games co-ordinator) and Meg Smith trying their hand at kurling.

The current series will continue until September 3 when decisions about continuing the programme will be made.

WE STILL REM

A COMMEMORATION of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War was held at Ticknall.

The occasion began with the unveiling of the Ticknall Memorial Map in the village hall garden and was followed by an exhibition featuring memorabilia, photographs and newspaper reports in the village hall.

Together with other communities throughout Britain, Ticknall Parish Council decided to commemorate the 100th anniversary and to dedicate the commemoration to the 128 men of Ticknall who served and especially the 19 men who lost their lives.

The Memorial Map was commissioned by the council and incorporates

Villages’ Great War exhibition

ASTON on Trent Local History Group is mounting a significant exhibition from September 6-13 in All Saints’ Heritage Centre to commemorate the impact of the Great War on Aston and Weston on Trent villages.

A total of 150 men joined the Services, one of the largest percentages of population in the whole of Derbyshire. Twenty-five died in the conflict. The exhibition features original artefacts including letters, sketches, medals and personal belongings. It also tells the poignant stories of the families who suffered great loss including the Hacketts, who lost four of their five sons.

The exhibition is part of a major project grant funded by Heritage Lottery Fund with additional funding from the Royal British Legion and Aston and Weston parish councils.

Other activities and events include the publication of a commemorative book, an audio CD of war poems and readings by village residents, school workshops, replica trench, new webpage and a concert by the Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir.

Dozens of residents have contributed personal effects, family stories and information; with over 6,000 volunteer hours contributed, the project has been a real community effort and encompassed the Aston Well Dressing tableau in July depicting local recruitment to the Army.

John Holloway from the History Group said: “This has been one of the largest projects we have undertaken and we owe a debt of gratitude to a core group of volunteers who’ve managed the project and everyone who has shown interest and contributed so much.

“It has been an emotional journey in many ways as we wanted to make the project worthy of those who sacrificed so much at the time.”

The official opening of the exhibition will be undertaken by Willie Tucker, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire in the presence of invited guests.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from 24pm and 6-8pm from September 6-13. Admission is free.

Further information is available at www.astonontrenthistory.org.uk

A WORLD War One Commemorati bourne Assembly Rooms featurin neers with guest vocalist Lee

The evening also included appear the Memory Music Hall.

The concert was in aid of the branch) Poppy Appeal. Andy Boar tured welcoming the band.

Magic Attic’s

MEMBERS of the Magic Attic in Swadlincote held a successful exhibition in Swadlincote Town Hall to commemorate the Great War’s 100th anniversary.

With a wide range of information, photographs and memorabilia the Magic Attic team put together an impressive exhibition of military life and the contributions of local men and women in the field of conflict. It also illustrated the war at home and civilian life in South Derbyshire during the war years.

Graham Nutt, spokesman for the

l A group of young people aged between 4 to 18 years were invited to unveil the Ticknall Map. The young people are residents of Ticknall and are all descendants of some of the Ticknall men who served.

Jone

MEMBER THEM

the names of the 128 men who served. It also shows significant buildings in the village illustrated by Juliet Boucher.

Local designer and master blacksmith David Tucker created the map case from wrought iron, a commission, which he said, “was an honour and delight to undertake”.

Many organisations and local people contributed to the impressive commemoration exhibition and their contributions are acknowledged in the programme that was available to visitors.

Special mention is given to Teresa Johnson and Celia Bunston, who prepared the documents and organised the events.

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on Concert took place at the Melg the TA Band of the Royal Engies. rances from the cast of Thanks for Royal British Legion Melbourne rdman, of Melbourne RBL, is pic-

super display

Magic Attic team, said: “It has been a real challenge to put the exhibition together but with all the members working together in a social environment, it made it an enjoyable project to work on.

“We are also grateful for the use of memorabilia that has been on loan to us for this exhibition.”

Contributing in a small way to the exhibition, members of Melbourne’s Phoenix Writing Group used material held at the Magic Attic for inspiration to write items of poetry for inclusion in the display.

l THE memorial cross being presented to Barrow-upon-Trent in 1916.

Heroes’ descendants sought for ceremony

DESCENDANTS of First World War soldiers from Barrow-upon-Trent are being asked to come forward to help commemorate the heroism of their ancestors.

Carved on to the side of Barrow’s memorial cross are the names of the 36 men from the village who joined up during the Great War and never returned.

Now villagers are asking for any descendants of those men to attend a special re-dedication ceremony on September 19 as part of this year’s commemorations of the start of the First World War in 1914.

Barrow’s historic memorial cross was first presented to the village in 1916 because it had sent more men, proportionate to its size, than anywhere else in the county – and, it has since been suggested, the whole country.

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The Duke of Devonshire will be performing the ceremony and also present will be an Arkwright descendant – the family which first donated the cross nearly a century ago.

Parish council chair Anne Heathcote said: “It’s 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and we thought it would be an appropriate time to remember the number of men from this village who volunteered right at the start of the war. By 1916 the numbers were so great that we were given a memorial cross.”

The names on the cross are: Robt Anderson, Wm Allsop, Frank Bancroft, Wm Bancroft, Charles J/Bennett, Frank Brentnall, Ernest Coulton, Wm Dimocks, T.W. Ford/ Sampson Garratt, W. Alfred Goodwin, John E Goodwin, Fred Goodwin, Thos F. Goodwin, John Harvey, Alf Harvey, Harry H. Harvey, Arthur Holmes/ Harry

Holmes, Arthur Horspool, Richard Lane, Albert Lumbers, Walter Lumbers, Arthur R. Morris, Chas J. Robinson, John Spencer, Wm Salt, Frank Sharpe, Wm Thorpe, Geo Herbert Thorpe, John Hy Thorpe, Thos Twells, Fred Twells, Wilfred Smith, Thomas Oliver Whittaker and Edward Yates.

Anyone who thinks they are descended from any of these men is asked to get in touch with Cllr Heathcote on anneheathcote.ah@gmail.com, or 07887 656948.

Over the past couple of years a lot of historical research has taken place in Barrow to piece together the village’s story –thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

You can read the results of the research, including detailed information about the memorial cross and those who went to war, by logging on to www.butphrg.org.uk – Lucy Stephens

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In it's picturesque poolside setting, Melbourne Hall was home to Victorian Prime Minister William Lamb.

AUGUST EVENTS

Saturday & Sunday August 15th & 16th.

Melbourne Photographic Society from midday

Friday August 29th Shakespeare in the Garden at 2.30pm (garden admission charge)

Sunday August 31st Melbourne Male Voice Choir from 2pm (hall admission charge)

All events take place weather permitting and are subject to last minute changes.

House open every day of August only, (except first three Mondays) 2pm - last entry 4.15pm. Gardens open April - September 1.30pm - 5.30pm

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays and whenever the Hall is open during August.

TEA ROOMS AND SHOPS OPEN

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR (not Mondays)

Enquiries: 01332 862502

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IN contrast to the extended period of glorious fine weather, a flash flood took place in Melbourne around 5pm on Saturday, July 19, following an exceptional and violent storm.

A section of Station Road was flooded for a distance of approximately 100 metres and water overflowed down drives and between houses onto the rear gardens of houses in Sweet Leys Way.

The sewer running between Sweet Leys Way and Station Road burst in Town Walk, so sewage joined the general flood. The sewage mixture ran across Sweet Leys Way into drains, overflowed into the children’s playground and into the open stream.

Photographs of a flooded Station Road and an overflowing sewer drain illustrate the effect of the storm.

n At Ticknall, where there is a history of flooding, reports from villagers said it was the worst storm they have ever seen. The Met Office records at Ashby indicated that between 3.30pm and 5pm there was 11.2mm of rain.

Generally the drains coped well, although Main Street suffered due to traffic creating a wash pushing water onto pavements and up to premises.

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Fifty shades of green

DES Martin, of Leicestershire-based Mozart Nursery, specialists in ferns, grasses, rushes and sedges, visited Ticknall Garden Club in July and delivered a talk entitled ‘Fifty shades of green’. Des brought along a fantastic range of ferns that were passed between members as he talked about the different varieties and their characteristics.

Ferns are the early morning plants of this world, appearing over 200 million years ago and range from two-inch high rock dwellers to 30-metre high tree ferns.

Des explained the growing conditions for different varieties, routine care such as mulching and tips for propagation. The process of propagation requires patience – it can take four years for a fern spore to resemble something that looks like a fern.

For those members in need of more rapid results, many of the ferns on show were available to purchase after the talk.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, September 9, when Dr Andrew Ward, of Norwell Nursery, Newark, will be advising on how to create a year of garden colour. Meeting in Ticknall Village Hall, 7.30pm. Visitors £3, members £1.

From the horse-drawn pumps era to today’s modern Melbourne fire station

THE recent campaign to retain the fire and rescue service in Melbourne, and the interest in its work has prompted firefighter Andy Astle to delve into the history leading up to the creation of the local station.

The remoteness from Derby proved devastating in 1859 when fire broke out at Kings Newton Hall. Horse-drawn pumps came from Derby to deal with the fire but their late arrival had left the hall in ashes.

In the late 19th century Melbourne Hall acquired a pump of its own to avoid repetition of the disaster at Kings Newton.

In 1896 Melbourne Fire Brigade was formed, following a parish council decision to open a station.

With only limited access to the use of Melbourne Hall’s appliance it was felt the village needed its own fire service and obtained consent

l A group of 40 Melbourne seniors are pictured at Melbourne Hall. They were attending the annual Afternoon Tea at the invitation of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr. The tea was hosted by Lady Ralph Kerr, who later invited the guests to take part in a tour of the gardens. The occasion was organised under the auspecies of Melbourne Community Care.

from the district council to use water and hose.

The brigade consisted of men who lived in Melbourne. Each officer had a plaque mounted above their door and they would respond to an alarm bell, mounted high on a wall in Brown’s Yard.

However, it didn't take long for the horse to realise the bell was the call to duty and would run off to the bottom of Brown’s Field to avoid the harness!

The roll of honour in the present station details that crew as: Captain Fred Brown, Firefighters Samuel Sharpe, Felix Hill, George Sharp, Ralph Bexton, Gatsby, Dollman and Arthur Tivey.

Each was kitted out with a belt, axe and rope line. Also provided were two ladders, two hand lamps and a whistle.

The fire pump was stationed in a barn on Penn Lane opposite the Bluebell Inn, with a stable next door. A fireplace in the pump bay still re-

mains and pegs mounted on the wall were to hang the firemen’s tunics and boots.

The captain earned five shillings (25 pence) for the first two hours and one shilling and sixpence (7p) per hour after.

Firemen received half a crown (12p) for the first two hours and a shilling (5p) per hour after that. Practice night each week was also paid, as remains the practice to this day.

The concept of a part-time crew has existed since those early days and to this day fire fighters still carry a personal rope line in their pocket. Fortunately, having to capture a stubborn horse has been replaced by an appliance capable of pumping large quantities of water.

The alarm bell has been replaced by mobile alerters, enabling attendance to be confirmed via text. But one thing that remains constant is the commitment of the team and their dedication to

serve the community of Melbourne and surrounding villages.

Although a fortunately quiet period for callouts recently the appliance has been supporting the Derby stations on standby and was called to a road accident where an overturned vehicle left a man trapped. He had to be released by the crews and taken to hospital.

There was a fantastic response to the recruitment campaign featured in the June Village Voice and successful applicants will be moving through the recruitment process.

Thanks are due to Richard Heath for the historical information and Andy is keen to receive any stories or photographs about the local history of the service.

So for now the station remains and serves the community. You can sleep safely knowing that a fire engine will be with you in minutes. –FH

CORONATION Street’s hairdresser

‘Maria’, actress Samia Ghandie, visited the locally grown Learning Disability Carers Helpline, to launch its new project which offers personal support, information and help to Carers of people with Learning Disabilities.

This one-off project, funded by the Derbyshire Coalfields Regeneration Trust, offers free training session to LD Carers and aims to set up three selfhelp LD Carers support groups across the county.

The LD Carers Group was founded in Melbourne by local resident Pam Gill, who went on to launch a National Helpline for LD Carers last year.

Pam said: “We are grateful to the CRT for funding these sessions which will be offered free to this valuable group of carers who do the hardest of jobs, day in and day out. Many carers are often excluded due to not having much time away from their caring role, or the local expertise to help themselves prioritise their own wellbeing.” Carers wishing to register for the free one to one session should call the helpline on 0845 8150139. Training is also available to anyone wishing to volunteer for the duration of the project to learn new skills, build confidence and receive career development opportunities.

OBITUARY

HAROLD BANKS (MONTY)

1917-2014

HAROLD, known locally as Monty, was born in Southampton, the only boy in a family of six children. He lost his father at sea in a tragic accident when he was only seven years old.

When he was 21 Monty joined the Army in The Royal Engineering Corps, later to achieve the rank of sergeant. He was in action at Dunkirk guarding the bridges for the British troops and was one of the last to leave Dunkirk, being transferred to Scotland.

Later Monty was transferred to Weston-on-Trent camp. Whilst working there he decided to follow the railway line to Melbourne and found the public hall where dances were held weekly. The first time Monty came was when he met Milly. In 1945 they were married, and had twins, Brenda and Brian, and then daughter Jackie.

Both Milly and Monty enjoyed dancing and went to many local clubs and dance halls. They also liked their holidays abroad, and travelling around the UK.

Monty worked at Melbourne Engineering Company in later years, and retired at 65 years of age. He enjoyed working in his greenhouse growing plants, flowers and vegetables.

Monty was one of only two soldiers left in Melbourne from the Royal Engineering Corps, from the Second World War. He l aid a wreath in July 2010 where nine soldiers were accidentally killed when the German bomber planes unloaded their cargo of bombs over Melbourne before flying back to Germany.

Milly and Monty were married for 69 years. Monty was a wonderful husband, dad, uncle and grandfather to Kathryn, Joanne, Daniel and Chris, and father-in-law to Jocie and Graham.

AN intrepid group of girls from the 1st and 2nd Melbourne Rainbows spent a Saturday afternoon full of adventure at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

As part of the celebrations for the centenary of Brownies in 2014, the Rainbows are completing a set of activities. One of the unit challenges is to try a new and adventurous activity, so off they went to Leicester to try their hands at shelter building, making fires and then bell boating on the River Soar.

Some of the girls were a little wet from when they tested whether the shelters they built were rain storm proof. How-

ever, they got a lot wetter when they tried a game of swapping places on their boats, with some enjoying a soak in the river.

Lots of fun was had by all, trying activities they had never experienced before.

n Melbourne Rainbows wo uld love to have some more helpers. They meet on either a Monday or Tuesday 5-6pm at the Scout and Guide HQ during term time.

If you can support them regularly or in any other way, they’d love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah Matthews to find out more on 07841 092367.

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Heritage open days

SOUTH Derbyshire Heritage open days will be taking place from September 11-14.

A variety of venues will be open to the public all with free admission and will include: St Peter’s and St Paul’s RC Church, Swadlincote, Sharpe’s Pottery Exhibition (11-13) and Calke Abbey (13).

On Saturday and Sunday (1314), Swarkestone Pavilion will be open and a free brochure will be available. On the same dates St Peter’s Church, Hartshorne, offers an opportunity to go up the bell tower.

More details will be available nearer the date from Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre on 01283 222848.

Lifeboat fund-raiser

COUNCILLOR Ann Hood, chairman of South Derbyshire District Council, dedicated herself to raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Amputee Rehabilitation Centre (ARC), part of Derby Hospital Trust.

As a result, cheques of £1,950 were presented to representatives from each charity during a ceremony at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote.

Cllr Hood had decided to raise money for ARC due to the specialist support provided to her husband, Frank. Her commitment to the RNLI was in memory of his brother-in-law Colin, who was lost at sea when his trawler was hit.

She said: “I am thankful to all involved who helped raise the monies which enabled me to donate to two extremely worthy causes close to my heart.”

Pilot e-Book library scheme

DERBYSHIRE library users are being given a privileged insight into the world of virtual books, thanks to a new pilot scheme.

It means that members of the county’s library service can currently get hold of up to a thousand eBooks not available in most areas, because Derbyshire is one of only four areas in the country chosen to trial the year-long project. An e-book is an abbreviation for an electronic book that is a book-length publication in digital form, readable on computers or other electronic devices.

Available titles include Booker Prize winning Bring up the Bodies by Derbyshire-born Hilary Mantel; Time to be In Earnest by PD James; The Hell of It All by Charlie Brooker and The Fault in Our Stars by teenage favourite John Green. The idea is to see how many people enjoy borrowing eBooks from libraries, with the aim of introducing them across the country if it is successful.

County councillor Ellie Wilcox, the deputy cabinet member for health and communities, said: “I am delighted that Derbyshire has been chosen for this scheme. It is a real accolade for our library service. Our eBooks service is growing in popularity month by month and this extra choice of titles will make it even more attractive and convenient.

“Those residents who find it difficult to get to our libraries, perhaps they are housebound or live in more rural parts of the county, can benefit from this service but it is of course open to any member of Derbyshire libraries and eBooks can be downloaded any time of night or day.”

Anyone wanting to take advantage of the scheme will need to be enrolled into the library service, by going into Melbourne Library with a piece of ID with their name and current address. Melbourne Library is the main library in this area of South Derbyshire – the next nearest is in

Swadlincote – and it operates a wide range of services, including a pre-school Story and Rhyme Time on Friday afternoons (2.15-2.45pm) and free computer help sessions where you can learn how to send emails, create a CV, apply for online jobs or research your ancestry (for more details, call Melbourne Library on 01332 863893 or email Melbourne.library@derbyshire.gov.uk).

The village’s library started in 1943 and moved into its current premises in The Assembly Rooms in 1978, where it is open on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and all day on Fridays until 7pm. Over the summer months there have been craft activity sessions for children – running alongside the “Mythical Maze” school kids’ reading challenge – culminating in a storytelling, drawing, Derbyshire tales and drama workshop led by award-winning storyteller Maria Whatton on Wednesday, September 3, from 2pm to 3.30pm. This free event is aimed at children

Summer fun

LOCAL parish councils have made arrangements with South Derbyshire District Council for a range of summer activities for young people to take place in the villages during the school holidays.

At Melbourne the young people were camouflaged for laser combat when the Extreme van turned up at Cockshut Lane (right).

At Aston, the Wheelsmobile provided KMK Karts and Street Surfing boards for the young people and at Weston (pictured left) more traditional activities were on offer when the Playmobile visited.

aimed between 8 and 12, and must be booked. You can also request DVDs for a week’s loan, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, order largeprint books, and even – if you’re unable to get to the library – ask for it to come to you, under the Derbyshire Home Library Service scheme. For more details, call 01629 533444.

Jane Cox, assistant in charge of Melbourne Library, said: “People might be surprised at the range of services on offer in their local library, from computer help sessions to tracing your family on line, and of course there are a million books in stock across Derbyshire and readers can request any of those titles to be made available here in Melbourne.

“We always love to see children in here choosing books, and they can sign up for a library card from the moment they’re born. We’re in a beautiful setting in The Assembly Rooms, so come in and see us!” – Lucy Stephens

Free training for volunteers

DO you volunteer or are you thinking of volunteering? If so, free training for volunteers who support children and young people in Derbyshire is being made available.

When you have finished training you will be awarded a certificate and a Volunteer Passport photo ID badge.

Courses are run by South Derbyshire CVS with the next round being delivered at

Weston-on-Trent Village Hall.

All sessions will be held on Tuesdays in September starting on the 16th with Equality/Safeguarding from 9.30am-4.30pm; 23rd First Aid 9.30am-12.30pm; 30th Health & Safety/Opinions 9.30am-4.30pm.

For more information or to book contact Chris Wain at South Derbyshire CVS on 01283 219761 or email chrisw@sdcvs.org.uk

Carefree summer at Calke

Calke Explore!

Open every day until 7 September 10.30am-4pm

School visionary Helen retires

HELEN Salih has retired from the post of head teacher at Weston on Trent C of E Aided School.

Mrs Salih has been at Weston for 15 years and was the visionary who brought a new build school to the village in 2007.

Helen took the decision to retire from her post at Christmas and a successor Ben O’Connell was appointed in April.

Come along to our new woodland play area where you’ll find a whole range of activities. Follow the woodland trail or discover our natural play installations. Why not come along and listen to our story teller on 13 & 19 August?

The Garden of Imagination

Open every day until 7 September 10.30am-4pm

Our Garden of Imagination will keep you and your family busy all day long with compost heaps of fun to be had. Bring along a picnic to graze on the grass and relax.

Ranger’s Skills Day

Thursday 14 August 11am-4pm

Join us for a day of hands on activities and demonstrations from trimming sheep’s feet to helping build a stone wall and find out all about their work on the estate.

Archaeolo Weekend

Saturday 16 August & Sunday 17 August 11am-4pm

Watch our Archaeologists at work and help them piece together the lost village of Calke.

Calke Alive 20th Century

Tuesday 19 August & Wednesday 27 August 12.30pm-4pm

Come and meet some war time characters from Calke in the 1940's. Help the war effort with some make do and mend and then join us for a tea dance in the Riding School at 2.30pm.

House and Gardens fully open – new for 2014 discover newly opened rooms

House: Sat – Wed 12.30pm – 5pm; End of Era Tours Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm

Garden: Daily 10am – 5pm.

Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10.00am – 5pm. Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information

Normal park admission applies to all visitors.

For more information on what’s on at Calke please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey

“I felt comfortable in taking the decision knowing that I would be leaving with the school in great shape,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful building with great staff and pupils and good Ofsted results.”

It was an emotional last day at school featuring dance and singing, speeches, gifts and lots more. Even Rammie turned up to wish the life-long Derby County fan a happy retirement. Helen can now address her work-life balance and spend some time enjoying being a grandmother. However, she will still keep her hand in through head teacher consultancy from a Christian viewpoint.

When asked what she was most proud of she said: “Having the privilege to be the head teacher of Weston School. To be part of the school’s journey since its creation in 1892 and being able to create a place of learning that is more than bricks and mortar. It is a place of fun, hard work and the joy of learning, wh ere children know they are loved and encouraged; a place where all members of the school can ‘shine their light, bringing God’s colours into the world’.”

Helen joined the school in January 1999 teaching two classes with 45 pupils on the roll and then three classes when a new mobile classroom was craned onto the site. However, Helen had a vision for a new school and having shared that vision the process for a Public-Private Investment planned build began in 2002 but was abandoned after 18 months.

Not daunted by this experience, Helen once more shared her vision with architects and work began on the new site in 2006. Helen was now the teaching head and added the project manage-

ment of the new build to her list of duties.

Helen’s vision was: “A light, special peaceful environment offering children a place to be creative, expressive and develop their true potential. A school allowing children to learn in different ways using outside spaces for a garden, sports, art and music. Provisioning also for reflective areas to develop spiritual, emotional and social skills as well as intellectual and physical was also important. The hall would be the centre of the school for collective worship for presentations and PE which are so important to the life of the school.”

On Thursday, January 11, 2007, Helen led the children, staff, parents and friends to the new school which was officially opened in April of that year.

Helen has led the school through four Ofsted inspections, the latest being in March 2014 when the school was proud of its Good achievement and the Outstanding Teaching and Learning, Behaviour an d Safety and Leadership and Management.

As a Church of England school she has also led them to a status of Outstanding in the last two church school inspections.

The school has grown and developed and in September 2014 it will welcome 119 pupils.

— Tom Mills

New role for MP Heather

THE wedding took place between Iain Wright and Katie Thompson at St Michael's Church, Stanton by Bridge.

Katie is the daughter of Chris and Judy Thompson and Iain the son of Mike and Margaret Wright, of Littleover. The reception was held at Calke Abbey Riding School and the couple will be taking their honeymoon in the Balearics in September before returning to Melbourne where they have made their home.

HEATHER Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, has been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Jeremy Wright MP. Mrs Wheeler said: “The position of Attorney General is one of the oldest offices of state and it is an honour to be chosen to serve in this department."

Unhinging himself after 30 years

IF you thought British manufacturing had disappeared there is a thriving company on Melbourne’s Industrial Estate which will challenge your assumptions –and what it makes is probably used by many of us daily.

Not only that – it is probably Melbourne’s largest employer with around 100 staff.

DGS Hardware has been manufacturing friction stays (hinges for windows) for the past 30 years and in that time has fought off foreign competition and ridden through an economic downturn.

The man primarily responsible for the company’s success is the present operations director, Ronald Lanaway, who after 27 years in the firm and aged 69 retired in July.

Originally from Brighton, Ron moved up to the area in 1987 bringing with him a set of skills in running manufacturing businesses which will be hard to replace.

Having followed his dad’s advice to “get an apprenticeship, lad”, he began working life in Underwoods Typewriters on a wage of £1/10 shillings a week and, as a shy 16-year-old had to endure the ribaldry of a 200strong female workforce.

Then Underwoods was bought by Olivetti, who – as in the way of takeovers – closed the plant. Ron was fortunate to get another apprenticeship in nearby Burgess Hill and stayed there for 20 years, rising to be works manager.

That firm then went under when the main customer was declared bankrupt. That took

Ron into running his own business, Setform Section Ltd which, in turn, brought him into contact with DGS, who had at that time just lost its operations director and were looking for a replacement.

Ron’s achievement over almost 30 years is that he has taken on what was then a raw “embryonic and basic manufacturing establishment” and turned it into a highly successful operation – probably second in the world in its field, producing a range of 400 product-designs and consuming 1,700 tons of stainless steel annually.

The owner of DGS, David Aucott paid tribute to Ron’s contribution.

“During his long career and, despite fierce competition from the Far East, Ron has single handedly a nd determinedly ensured our product remains UK manufactured. He is a special and unique engineer and his legacy is to leave us with an efficient and progressive factory

which has secured employment for many local people.

“Although Ron will still be around doing a few hours consultancy work for us, we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Away from work, Ron enjoys dabbling in amateur antique dealing – with an affinity with Art Deco – and he and his brother ended up making spare parts for a range of classic cars. He was also a keen sailor, who uniquely drifted his yacht underneath the USS Dwight Eisenhower aircraft carrier, much to the amusement of the watching marines.

Looking forward to retirement he said he will still do “a bit of work as a consultant” and some charity work but first he was looking forward to a long family holiday with his grownup children and grandson Finlay – first in Switzerland, where he has family connections, then in Majorca.

– Frank Hughes

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY CARE SHOPPING TRIPS/SOCIAL OUTINGS

MINIBUS TIMETABLE - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014

For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care O ce, Mon-Thu 9:30am-1:30pm; Fri 9:30am-12:30 or telephone 863585 All journeys subject to number of booked passenger.

• WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE

• Community Care do not provide escort assistance on these trips.

• For information on our “escorted trips” please contact the Community Care O ce.

• Every Friday we run a local door-to-door service to Budgens Supermarket and escort assistance can be provided if required.

O ce: Unit D, William's Yard, Derby Road, Melbourne DE73 8JR

DENTURE REPAIRS

MELBOURNE DENTAL LABORATORIES

n EACH year Melbourne Minxes take part in an end of season tour to different parts of the country and to different clubs. The parents pay for the trip, with fund raising by the girls themselves.

The Easter 2015 tour has been extended to four days and will be part of the club’s celebrations of providing 10 successive years of girls rugby.

"It is such a huge thing for girl’s rugby. It is growing now and more clubs are trying to run teams but to have that kind of history behind us shows the clubs commitment to the girls,” said coach Nick Woodland.

Due to the celebrations the coaching staff has set a larger tar-

Unit 9, Potters Yard, Potter Street, Melbourne DE73 8HX Telephone: 01332 865510

JOHN SMITH (MELBOURNE) LTD

COAL & SMOKELESS FUEL MERCHANTS

Prompt delivery to all local areas - Competitive Prices

Pre-Packed Cash & Carry Sales from The Yard

Also Logs and Kindling

The Common, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8HU Telephone: 01332 862744

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

get to be raised by the girls and that is where the idea for a marathon match came from. The players aged between six and 16 went in search of sponsors to support them in playing continuously for 12 hours. The funds raised at the event also benefited the Matt Hampson Foundation.

Melbourne RFC Minxes are always on the lookout for new players and will this season be running the following age groups: U8, U10, U13, U15, U18 and a ladies team which will be for new and experienced players looking to play sociably.

Pictured are some of the girls who played in the Marathon Match.

Registration day

MELBOURNE Rugby Club Mini, Junior and Minxes registration day is Sunday, August 31.

Minxes to sponsor England star

MELBOURNE RFC will celebrate 10 years of providing girls rugby this coming season. As part of the celebration the club wants to show its dedication to the women and girls side of the game.

Melbourne RFC Minxes, the name given to their girls section, has announced that they are the official club sponsor of Worcester and England’s Laura Keates for the 2014-2015 season.

"It's a fantastic chance for us as a club to show our dedication to the female side of rugby by giving something back from the grassroots upwards,” said Melbourne’s Director of Women’s Rugby Nick Woodland.

"This sponsorship is our way to support an inspiring young lady by lifting some of the financial burden faced by Premiership and International players who still have to work.” In the women’s game the players have to hold down jobs whilst maintaining the physical and mental ability to play at the top level of their sport.

Melbourne RFC would like to wish Laura and her fellow England team-mates good luck in the 2014 Women’s World Cup.

Swarkestone’s Under-11s

SWARKESTONE Cricket Club

Under-11 A team is made up of boys who have played Under-11 hardball for a while and a couple who are new to hardball cricket.

The teams consist of boys who are very enthusiastic about their cricket and are brilliant team players who encourage each other whether they are winning or losing.

Back row: Daniel Mann, Aryan Kolhe, Lewis Sharp, Josh Goozee and Owen Cooper.

Front row: Archie Nelson, name withheld and Cameron Davies.

Melbourne Dental Practice

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE

To try and reduce the amount of clinical time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice is now o ering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception. Please note, we cannot o er this service unless a consent form has been completed.

SURGERIES

Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison and Councillor Jim Hewlett ADVICE

at Melbourne Assembly Rooms - 11 am to 12 noon

Saturday 6th September

Saturday 4th October

“Listening to Local People”

Tennis club two games from glory

MELBOURNE Tennis Club had a superb July, winning three of their four league games to move them up to third in the table. Winning their last two league games will earn them promotion.

They began the month with their only defeat away to Little Eaton 2nds, going down 3-6. However, this was soon forgotten as a brilliant team performance saw Mark Swallow’s men beat Derbyshire Tennis Centre 2nds 7-2.

The pa iring of Howard Cheisure and John Mayers led the way, winning all three of their rubbers 9-0, 9-2, 9-5. They were ably supported by Swallow and Malc Mason, who won two out of three rubbers 9-1, 9-5 and then losing 7-9.

Vinny Hallifield and Dave Faux also played their part, winning 9-4, 9-5 and losing 4-9, in se-

curing a great result.

The following week saw a win with the same score 7-2, this time away to Ilkeston.

The pairing of Swallow and Tim Shone led the way, winning all three of their rubbers 9-1, 9-2, 9-5 and again were supported by the Hallifield/Faux partnership, who won 9-8, 9-6 and lost 8-9. Finally Mike Butterworth and Rob Wright played superbly well to win 9-3, 9-6 and then lost 8-9, but the win had already been secured.

A win against Duffield 5ths was claimed because the opposition didn' t turn up for the game actually being played at Duffield.

Melbourne’s good form has taken them to within two wins of promotion, which means August will be a huge challenge for the team.

Bowlers bounce back

ON what turned out to be one of the hottest nights of the year, the newly rekindled Melbourne Bowls Club played its first competitive match for over three years.

With a team consisting of new recruits and established players, Melbourne hosted a match against a very strong squad from Newton Solney, who had some seasoned bowlers in their ranks.

The evening was enjoyed and contested by both sides with lots of friendly banter even though everyone was determined to play to win.

The match ebbed and flowed one way and another before, with only one bowl left to play and both sides equal, Lesley Hough – one of Melbourne’s new recruits – scored the one point which sealed a win for the home team.

With flat green bowls being

showcased at the Commonwealth Games, the club hopes to recruit new members to come and enjoy themselves at 6pm on a Wednesday evening at the Senior Citizens’ Centre in Church Street, Melbourne. With the new bowls committee voted in and a local businessman giving them advanced notice he would like to re-turf the green at the end of the season, things are definitely on the up for one of Melbourne’s oldest established clubs.

Time to gallop

THE annual Golden Gates Gallop, a five-mile run and two-mile fun run will take place at Elvaston Country Park on Sunday, September 21, starting at 11am.

The run is routed through the delightful Elvaston Country Park and is well marshalled and on a flat surface. The five-miler is ideal for the more serious runner with each participant being timed and trophies awarded to the winning male and female.

The fun run will provide an excellent full morning activity for all the family.

Elvaston Cricket Club is providing refreshments for the event.

All proceeds from the run will go to Leukaemia and Lymphoma research. Toilet and parking facilities will be available.

l Anyone for tennis? Pictured are: John Mayers, Howard Cheshire, Dave Faux, Vinney Halifield, Malc Mason and Mark Swallow.

Football season almost with us

LOOKING forward to the 2014-15 season Melbourne Dynamo Football Club started its pre-season training in July at the Cockshut Lane recreation ground.

Friendlies have been taking place and the season proper will start with the first game away to Tibshelf on August 16.

Dynamo will be sporting a new strip, although they have opted to stick with the red and white, making a minor alteration to the shirt, which now sports their main sponsor's logo, Harpurs of Melbourne, and the club crest.

MAD

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

GARDEN at Melbourne Vicarage

MELBOURNE junior cricketers aged eight to 15, completed their last training night of the season with a social event and a Lads vs Dads game that ended with a triumph for the latter.

Unbeaten run sees Melbourne go fifth

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club 1st XI continued their unbeaten run through the whole of July moving up the table to fifth place.

They began July with a winning draw away to Barton 1st XI. Batting first on a difficult pitch, Town were indebted to a 106-run partnership between an in-form Alex Slater (70) and Mark Rossi (52) as they amassed a respectable 222-6 off their allotted 46 overs.

A quick-fire burst of 3-32 from Matt Briers backed up by two wickets apiece from Slater and Anthony Wagstaff left the hosts hanging on for a draw on 134-8.

The following week at home to Alvaston & Boulton 2nds the Melbourne bowling struggled with only three wickets from Mick Meakin making any inroads as the visitors scored 289-5. Town batted well to get to 191-8 in reply with skipper Slater once again top scoring with 55 aided by 33 not out by Kev Meakin and 31 from Mick Meakin.

bowled the visitors out for just 141 with Hirons taking 3-27 while Kev Towell wrapped up the innings with a remarkable 3-2.

In reply 58 not out from Neil Thurlow saw Town home.

This was followed by a rained-off game away to Packington 1st XI.

The 2nds were well beaten at home to Suttonon-the-Hill 1st XI in their next match, bowled out for just 126 with 40 from Hirons being the only score of note. The visitors won by seven wickets.

Melbourne Town 3rds had just three games in July, winning one and losing two. They began with a heavy 175-run defeat away to Yoxhall 2nds as the home side scored 252-7 with Ashley Elwell taking three wickets.

In reply, Melbourne were shot out for just 77.

Another heavy defeat, this time by 173 runs away to local rivals Ticknall 4ths, saw Ticknall score 231-8 with junior Sam Barker taking 3-52 and 2-47 by veteran John Hallifield.

MAD HA ERS PARADE at 4pm

A rained-off game at home to rivals Ticknall was followed by a quite brilliant victory away to top of the league Mickleover 1sts.

Saturday led by Alice, The Mad Hatter & The White Rabbit from Melbourne Church to The Lothian Gardens

MAD HA ERS PICNIC AREA in The Lothian Gardens and lots of surprises!

Slater took two wickets with the first two balls of the match and with Goalen getting a wicket with his first ball Mickleover were 0-3, although the home side recovered well. Slater ended up with 4-52 and Jason Lander took 4-41, but Mickleover had managed to get to 189.

This proved never enough as Mark Rossi smashed 83 along with Phil Maddocks (35) as they put on 98 for the third wicket and Town made it home by three wickets.

In contrast Melbourne Town 2nds had a stop start month with two of their four games rained off.

They began with a comfortable six-wicket home win against Alvaston & Boulton 4ths. Town

In reply Town were once again disappointing with the bat in getting bowled out for just 58, although another junior, Jacob Smith, did top score with 14 on his league debut.

Paul Scrimshaw’s team ended July with a morale-boosting three-wicket home win against Castle Donington 2nds. The visitors scored 116 all out batting first with Scrimshaw leading the way with a remarkable 3-1 with two wickets apiece from Barker, Hallifield and James Hogwood. Melbourne’s reply was in tatters at 36-6 but a partnership of 81 between Ross Coxon (36) and junior Adam Poyser with a career best 41 saw the thirds to a remarkable recovery.

The club is indebted to all its sponsors who keep the club running financially and this month thanks go to Lomas Opticians, President Richard Heath, LM Blasting and N P Electrics.

Dynamo awards night

MELBOURNE Dynamo Football Club held its annual awards ceremony at Harpur’s, their main sponsors, the highlight being the Reserves being presented with the Derbyshire Junior Cup which they won in April.

The winners of the individual awards were presented with a trophy by chairman Carl Allsopp. Dave Brough won the main Les Earp Memorial Award, and first team leading goalscorer. Ryan Gray was manager’s player while Matt Jones picked up players’ player for the first team.

Micheal Tristram won the goal of the season trophy and Tom Ballard got the most appearances to complete the first team awards.

All members of the reserve team were awarded their cup winners medals, and manager Greg Salisbury and his assistant, Eddie Dale, presented their team awards with Tom Colclough players’ player, Jack Stanley manager’s player and Jack Goodband the reserves’ top goalscorer.

Shaun Hayes won the reserves goal of the season and Ben Stanley the most appearances. The final award of the night went to Dan Stanley, who won clubman of the season.

Anyone wanting to join the club in any capacity should contact Alex on 07966933583 or Gav on 07813932420.