Melbourne Village Voice August 2016

by Lucy Stephens

A MELBOURNE mum has vowed to “give something back” after her husband’s cancer treatment, by walking the width of Britain and changing her life to retrain as a nurse.

Helen Spencer was so overwhelmed with the compassion shown to her and her family by oncology staff at Nottingham City Hospital that she has put herself through three years of nursing training so she can help others in the same way.

Not only that, next month she is

spending two weeks walking the famous Coast to Coast challenge with her friend, Clare Johnson, also from Melbourne, to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust – which helps blood cancer patients by finding matching stem cell donors.

It was through the trust that Helen’s husband, Tim, was able to secure the match he needed for a stem cell transplant, part of his treatment for leukaemia.

Helen said the trust had quickly been able to find a match, which meant the transplant could go ahead in 2012, on Tim’s 51st birthday.

But it was Tim’s treatment at the hospital – particularly from one nurse, Lynne Watson – which made such a positive impression on Helen

It’s Toad of Melbourne Hall

IT MAY still be a few weeks to go before this year’s Melbourne Festival but some visitors have already been spotted picnicking by Melbourne Pool.

The Family Festival, which is part of the Art and Architecture Trail on September 17 and 18, has a Wind in the Willows theme –and Mr Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole were spotted tucking in near Melbourne Hall.

n Festival news – Page 6.

A

that she made the decision to undergo nursing training herself.

Helen said: “We had this special nurse called Lynne.

“I always said that she saved his life, and it was through her that I decided to become a nurse.

“She was so good with Tim and she always made a special effort to come and speak to me as well – she just made that extra effort to make sure I was OK and the children were OK. She was really supportive.

“I just thought: I want to do what you are doing – I wanted to go into oncology.”

Before having their three children, Grace, Seth and Stanley, Helen worked as an occupational therapist for 10 years but, having just com-

pleted her re-training, is now about to start her new “dream job” with the community nurses at Coleman Street in Derby, which she hopes will give her plenty of opportunities to care for people with cancer in their own homes.

Not one to take time off beforehand, between September 9 and 21 she and Clare will walk nearly 200 miles between St Bees in the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire to fundraise for Anthony Nolan, whose work has proved so vital for her family.

n To support Helen and Clare (pictured together) in their fund-raisingwalk, you can log on to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Helen-Spencer10

Melbourne Lets

PROPERTIES TO LET

11 CHESTNUT AVENUE FOREMARK

5 bedroom family home on private estate in substantial plot with triple garage and extensive gardens in rural position. Modern kitchen with all white goods/utility/downstairs wetroom. Large lounge/dining space with conservatory o Tv room. Upstairs master bedroom with en-suite +4 double bedrooms with family bathroom. Driveway parking for 4+ cars-10 mins to major roads. £2245 pcm

230 STATION ROAD, MELBOURNE.

Substantial 4 bedroom detached house with double garage, driveway and gardens. Large dining kitchen with gas red aga/pantry/utility. 2 good size reception rooms and conservatory to the rear. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms and a good size bathroom with large walk-in shower. Cellar and downstairs cloaks. £1200 pcm

3 THE HOLLIES MILTON

3 bedroom barn conversion in quiet village location. Kitchen with white goods/utility and downstairs cloaks. Dining room. Lounge with woodburning stove and small conservatory o . 3 double bedrooms-one with shower en-suite. Smart family bathroom. Enclosed private garden + garage. £900 pcm

17 ALMA STREET MELBOURNE.

3 bedroom terrace over 3 oors.Dining/ kitchen with white goods. Lounge with natural boards and feature replace. First oor double and single bedrooms. Second oor double bedroom with tted storage +large family bathroom. Decked area+garden+shed to the rear. £595 pcm

60 NORTH STREET MELBOURNE

2 double bedroom terrace with 2 reception rooms and modern galley kitchen. Family bathroom. Outside brick stores+garden. £575 pcm

30 STATION ROAD, MELBOURNE.

Very nicely presented 1 bedroom cottage with charming private rear garden. Recently redecorated inside and out and new carpets tted. Front living room and dining kitchen. Large bathroom with separate shower and roll top bath. GCH. £475 pcm

ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES NEEDED

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

Phone Christine on 07870 547357

Tenants

Police step up patrols

LOCAL beat police officers in Melbourne are determined to step up their actions against anti-social behaviour in the area.

Following crimes at the Assembly Rooms and damage around the surgery, PC Oliver Priddle and PCSO Emma Guest met with representatives from those organisations and the parish council to listen to concerns and highlight what was being done.

PC Priddle explained that they had increased the vigilance around that specific area with more patrols and that had evidently deterred the gathering of youths in that vicinity. There had been some action taken for drug-related offences.

“We are reliant on the public for information and I would urge people to report any offending behaviour,” he said. Answering criticisms about the public perception that it was not worth reporting incidents as there was no follow-up action, he said there were more sanctions which could be taken, and even allegations of drug abuse would be taken seriously.

He cited, too, the action which was being taken in regard to motorcycle nuisance.

“If there are reports of nuisance we will speak to individuals, and issue notices which can and do lead to the seizure of their vehicles.”

If there is a mobile phone picture of the offending vehicle with clear sight of the registration plate it helps to identify the owners.

The Melbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team Twitter page (@MelbourneSNT ) is regularly updated with information about anti-social behaviour and the police officers urged residents to look at it and see what is being done.

Dog Hairs Grooming Room

It’s blankety bank

MELBOURNE’S Market Place has a sad look, after the town’s last bank shut its doors on July 20 – and there is as yet little clue as to what will take its place.

There were emotional scenes at the NatWest branch during its final week of trading, as long-standing customers came in with hugs, tears and warm wishes for the staff, one of whom had been working there for 33 years.

One staff member said: “We’ve had a wonderful week – all our customers have been so appreciative.

“People have been in specially this week to say thank you. Not just the older people, a lot of youngsters who have known us.

we know all the children’s names and all the dogs’ names too!”

Scaffolding went up soon after the bank closed its doors for the last time –also bringing to an end the services of its cash point outside and the sight of people having to kneel down to withdraw their cash because of the awkwardly low position it occupied on the wall.

Richard Tilbrook, of letting agents Roger Etchells & Co, said there had been a few inquiries from businesses looking to set up shop in the former bank building, but there was no firm news as to what Melbourne can expect there.

Recently the “Rat on a Rat” initiative had been publicised. It urges members of the public to call Crimestoppers to report any drug abuse. Leaflets had been posted round the village and left in strategic places.

The social media page also highlights the problem of criminal damage to parked vehicles which is blighting rural villages.

To contact the police, if the matter is an emergency 999 remains the number to call; to report non-emergency matters call 101; to give anonymous information about any criminal matter call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

– Frank

Hughes

Assembly Rooms’ annual meeting

MELBOURNE Assembly Rooms AGM will be taking place on September 29 when all members are invited to attend.

A report of the accounts and plans for the alterations to the kitchen and entrance lobbies will be on the agenda.

The AGM is also an opportunity to stand for election to the board of directors and any nominations from members must be received in advance.

If you are interested in becoming a member of MARS or if you wish to stand as a director, please email janecarroll47@btinternet.com.

“We are most intrigued to see what the building is going to be.

“A lot of customers who are from Melbourne say we have been here so long

He said: “My hope is that something ends up in there that’s good for Melbourne, but I don’t know yet.

“We’ll do our bit but I can’t determine which businesses come forward.”

l THE outgoing chairman of South Derbyshire District Council, Cllr Neil Atkin, handed over cheques for £1,768.34 to each of his chosen charities. Cllr Atkin (centre) met Keith Yates, divisional secretary for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association in South Derbyshire, and Paula North,

l Employees outside the bank, moments before the doors closed for the last time, are Karen Dalley (38 years in banking and 13 years at Melbourne), Susan Savage (46 years banking, 33 at Melbourne) and Stephanie Pearson (11 years banking, two in Melbourne).

Derbyshire fund-raiser for Rainbows Hospice, in the chairman’s suite at the Civic Offices for the presentation.

Hair today, gone today for Paula

NOW you see it, now you don’t – this former Melbourne pub landlady made an amazing gesture when she shaved her head for charity.

Paula Quinby, who until recently has been at the helm of The Alma on Derby Road, took part in the Macmillan Cancer “Brave the Shave” campaign – which invites people to stand alongside those who have lost their hair to cancer treatment, while raising more vital funds at the same time.

Paula’s locks were shornby Melbourne’s Paul Gregory, of PGC Barbershop on the Derby Road, outside The Alma on July 17.

As well as raising money for the campaign, Paula donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes human-hair wigs for children who have suffered hair loss from cancer.

Paula said she was taking part in Brave the Shave to support friends Louise Hughes and Amanda Ford, twin sisters from Burton-on-Trent who have both been through cancer.

Both sisters made the decision to have double mastectomies after being diagnosed with breast cancer and discovering they were carriers of the BRCA gene.

Paula said: “I think at the end of the day we have all got to fight cancer – it’s going to affect us.”

Watching her friend’s head being shaved, Amanda paid tribute to Paula, saying she was “very brave”.

To find out more about Brave the Shave, you can log on to https://bravetheshave.org.uk/about/ where you can also make a donation.

– Lucy Stephens

TOP: Paula before her close shave.

RIGHT: Paula (centre) with friends

Amanda Ford (left) and Louise Hughes.

DOING IT FOR DOM

A CAKE and coffee afternoon held in Wilson raised a fantastic £363 towards the ‘Do it for Dom’ fund-raising campaign and ended with a prize draw to win Sunday lunch for two, donated by Jo and Ian at the Bull’s Head in Wilson.

The afternoon was one of many events organised for the campaign to support Dominic Bergin, 34, from Darley Abbey, to raise funds for him to receive immunotherapy cancer treatment after NHS doctors gave him between six and 12 months to live.

The treatment, which has cured terminally ill patients, is available from the Hallwang Clinic in Germany and costs between £100,000 and £250,000. At the time of writing £30,290 had already been raised.

Anyone wishing to follow Dominic's story or donate is asked to visit http://gofundme.com/2czq4bw

Supporters of the ‘Do it for Dom’ campaign are pictured enjoying their cake and coffee afternoon fund-raiser hosted by Hannah Comley at her home in Wilson.

Live

Country Living

with Robert Parker

WHAT I thought was going to be a late harvest was moved forward by a week of hot weather in mid-July.

As soon as the combines started rolling it was apparent we were in for a nasty shock. Winter-sown barley is generally the first crop to be cut and this time yields and quality were right down, resulting in some swingeing cuts in income.

Barley for the cattle feed is around the £95/£100 a tonne mark and some deductions for specific weight were up to £20 a tonne. (For the uninitiated low specific weight reads thin grain.)

To be growing, if you were really lucky, three tonnes of crop per acre and selling it for £75 per tonne is not going to cover costs and is the road to nowhere.

Apparently lack of sun in the spring when the plants were flowering is the probable cause, which is something out of our control. Let’s hope that things can get better.

n After much heart searching and pressing calculator buttons we decided to change one of the combine harvesters for a new model.

For the price of a couple of terraced houses a deal was done to be paid for over five years.

Bear in mind, this is for a machine which only works at most about 10 weeks of the year. Any non-farming business would laugh this out of court and wouldn’t ever consider the investment.

Also consider that in five years the machine will be worth at most a third of its new price. What will the two terraced houses be worth?

This information is stunning when you consider how important these machines are to most peo ple on this planet.

Every day of the year every person consumes something that has gone through a combine harvester. Only native people in the jungle, who are still hunter gatherers, do not.

Wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, beans, peas, lentils, oilseeds, sunflowers, soyabeans, linseed, maize and many more are gathered by the combine harvesters on an industrial scale. That puts into perspective how important they are to mankind. Why do I have to own two?

CARE CHEQUE BOOST

A MELBOURNE registered charity which provides transport and information services for those in need has been handed £450 for new leaflets.

County councillor Linda Chilton donated a cheque from her leadership scheme fund to Melbourne Community Care to help them produce new brochures advertising their services.

Manager Victoria Hancock said she hoped the leaflets would ensure as many local people as possible were made aware of Community Care’s work, especially with newcomers moving to the area.

She said: “Melbourne Community Care is a charity supported entirely by donations, bequests and fund-raising.

“We offer a range of services for Melbourne and surrounding villages, all provided by willing and reliable volunteers.

“What we do find is that people are not sure of our services and that’s why we like to have our information leaflets that we can give out.

“We welcome all inquiries and if we can help, we will help. The services are really available to anyone in need at any particular time.”

New moves afoot on waste recycling

HOUSEHOLD waste and recycling centres are on the agenda again.

A public consultation has been launched over changes proposed at Derbyshire County Council’s nine household waste recycling centres to meet Government spending targets. The county council must cut its annual £37m waste management

budget by £4m by April 2019.

People will be able to have their say on the following proposals:

n Only allow people living in Derbyshire to use county council-run recycling centres. This could, for example, mean residents are asked to show proof of their address – such as a photocard driving licence – on arrival

or asked to apply for a permit to use the sites.

n Ask drivers of vans, trailers and pickups used for personal use (not business use) to apply for a free permit to use county council-run recycling centres.

n Charge people for bringing non-household waste (such as soil, bricks and rubble) to recycling centres.

l County Councillor Linda Chilton hands over a cheque to Melbourne Community Care treasurer Alan Corbett and manager Victoria Hancock.

Our friendly, fully qualified team are ready to help you, help yourself, to achieve your goals. With over 30 classes per week, a luxury pool and spa facilities, plus a state of the art fitness suite, what are you waiting for? BOOK YOUR CLUB TOUR TODAY!

Keys to sports project success

AUGUST1 saw another milestone in the exciting project to develop 21st-century sporting facilities in Melbourne.

Keys to the new clubhouse and changing rooms in Cockshut Lane were handed over by A&S Enterprises, the main building contractor, to Malcolm Roseburgh and Zoe Sewter from South Derbyshire District Council.

The council now plans to embark on separate additional work to fit out the inside of the building.

The official opening is planned for noon on Sunday, September 11, when members of the community will be able to view the new clubhouse, tennis/netball courts and other facilities, see exhibition games, try out different sporting

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HAND-OVER ... Pictured (left to right) are: David Goalen, Steve Hollingsworth, Jane Radcliffe, Mike Starkie, Zoe Sewter, Malcolm Roseburgh, Simon Kerry, Andy Sulin, Tom Williams, John Harrison and Stephen Vaughan.

l The Summer Sports and Activities team from South Derbyshire District Council visited Aston on Trent, and activity assistants Sarah Rickett, Mike Drummond, Alex Garner, Tom Simms and Mark Green are pictured setting up the inflatable arena and ready to play dodgeball with a group of enthusiastic youngsters. Full calendar for activities in the area on centre pages.

New home for Goliath mine

A VERY rare World War Two mine has a new home at Donington Park after being dug up in Germany and brought to this country.

Donington Park’s Wheatcroft Military Collection now houses the rare Goliath tracked mine, a remote-controlled machine used by German forces between 1942 and 1945.

The petrol driven derivative, which is the museum’s latest addition, joins an electric powered version already there, with the Donington Collection believed to be the only museum to have both versions on public display.

Goliaths were able to carry up to 100 kg of high explosives and could destroy tanks, buildings and bridges, being built specifically to be blown up themselves in the process.

Over 7,500 were produced but only 30 original examples are believed to now remain.

The Wheatcroft Military Collection pays tribute to Donington Park’s military past, when it was used as a Ministry Of Defence depot during the 1939-45 conflict.

n MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club held its annual Bob Marshall Memorial Day in July. For the third year running the club organised a family fun day which included a sponsored bike ride and a lads vs dads Kwik cricket match.

Other attractions included a B-B-Q, bar, tombola and a raffle.

With the weather staying fine the event was well supported and over £1,300 was raised to be split between Cancer Research and the cricket club.

Pictured are a group of riders who took part in the sponsored bike ride won by Kevin Earp: (l-r) Mark Hirons, Simon Fletcher, Kevin Earp, Kev Towell, Alex Slater, Faren Price, Matt Briers, Dan Mar-

n MELBOURNE Civic Society held the annual midsummer evening at Melbourne Hall courtesy of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr.

Charles and Helen Bond are pictured being presented with the Melbourne Civic Award for 2016 by chairman of the Civic Society Dr Paul Grimley (centre), for the addition of an eye-catching and finely detailed garage to their house at 60 Ashby Road.

Counting down to another Festival

MELBOURNE Festival is gearing up for yet another extravaganza next month.

Organiser Sharon Brown told Village Voice: “The Family Festival is really popular and we have been very busy already running workshops with children at Melbourne Infant and Junior schools and both Melbourne Rainbows; look out for their work at the Festival.”

Last minute news about the Art and Architecture Trail will be in the September Village Voice, but you can see the programme of concerts and performances in this issue (Page 5).

This year local Melbourne groups performing include Melbourne Town Band, A Choir’d Taste and Melbourne Operatic Society.

The Assembly Rooms is also hosting three tribute acts performing music by Johnny Cash, The Eagles and Blondie during the Festival.

performance in Melbourne – Jo D’arcy and compere Garrett Millerick.

After the Trail there will be a weekend of culture. Saturday afternoon is tea and poetry followed by “Boleyn – The Death and Life of a Queen” a play about power, motivation and human behaviour set in Tudor England.

The weekend concludes with award-winning Acapella group OCHO at Amalfi White.

The Festival is always a great opportunity to see lots of new things and bump into old friends.

Full details can be found on the Melbourne Festival website www.melbournefestival.co.uk

Making a return to Mel-

was musical director David Sewell, who conducted

the choir through its selection of pieces with accompanist Charlotte Harris.

The visiting choristers, under the baton of their own musical director and, with their own accompanist, presented a very accomplished programme for the second half of the concert.

The combined programme

was very well received by the audience.

Choir members and guests then retired to the community hall for refreshments and what is termed ‘an afterglow’ including impromptu singing involving all present and providing a harmonious and very pleasant conclusion to the occasion.

MEMBERS of Melbourne Male Voice Choir were joined by a small section of members from the 80-strong Gentlemen’s Songsters Male Voice Choir from Dudley for a concert at Melbourne Catholic Church.

bourne

Twin brothers get to be the Brownlee boys

WHEN the famous Brownlee brothers compete for the podium in the triathlon at this year’s Rio Olympics, noone will be cheering them on harder than their very own “mini-mes” from Arleston.

Not only are twin brothers Rohan and Mackenzie Welsh keen triathletes themselves, they have also been given the chance to interview the Brownlee brothers and play their younger selves on video.

Chellaston Academy pupils Rohan and Mackenzie, 12, have now been competing in triathlons for four years.

Keen swimmers, their potential for the sport was spotted by a coach who said they should take their skills to the next level.

But it has been their infectious personalities which have caught the attention of Derby

Triathlon company Huub Design, whose owner Dean Jackson asked if they would like to “play” the Brownlee brothers in a fun video on his website.

Now the pair have met the triathlon champions and were invited by Dean to help launch The GTR 100 – Gordon and Tana Ramsay’s race team for the Staffordshire Half Ironman, which raises funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London.

Not only did they get the chance to interview the Brownlee brothers, they also met Slovakian world triathlete Richard Varga, World Ironman cham-

l In good company ... (l-r)

pion Frederik Van Lierde and two times triathlon world champion Helen Jenkins.

Rohan and Mackenzie’s mum, Michelle, said: “The boys got to meet all these famous people.

“It’s been absolutely amazing, what an experience – for my husband and I as well. I was completely overwhelmed really. The Brownlees were the nicest, most genuine people – they were very down to earth.”

Rohan and Mackenzie have so far competed in around 25 triathlons including June’s Be More Bailey event at Markeaton Park – the non-com-

petitive event held alongside the Jenson Button triathlon in the name of 2015 Pride of Britain winner Bailey Matthews, the 8-year-old boy who touched the nation’s hearts when he threw off the frame he uses for his cerebral palsy to finish his own first triathlon unaided.

As for Rohan and Mackenzie, they would love to follow in the footsteps of the Brownlee brothers and compete in the Olympics themselves.

Mackenzie said meeting the brothers, the Ramsays, and the other famous athletes was “really inspiring”.

Melbourne Footpaths Group wants to sign up

IF YOU have walked anywhere north of Duffield you may have seen the unique footpath signs installed by the Peak and Northern Footpath Society (PNFS). The society dates back to 1894, with roots as far back as 1825, and covers the whole of Derbyshire.

The Melbourne Footpaths Group (MFG) has been talking to PNFS about erecting a sign or two locally.

PNFS signpost expert David Morton said: “The Peak and Northern Footpath Society is a nonprofit-making charity which among other activities erects footpath signs to help walkers. PNFS asks for donations of £300 to cover the cost of the sign, which will carry a small commemorative or memorial plaque.

“We have 440 of them, mainly in the Peak District, some dating back to 1905, and we want to place some in your good walking country south of Derby.”

The 'metal plate' signs are individually de-

THANKS

Mrs Maureen Williams and family would like to thank relatives, friends and neighbours for the beautiful floral tributes, cards and messages of sympathy received in the sad loss of Len.

Thanks go to the staff at the Derby Royal Hospital, JP Springthorpe Funeral Directors and Rev. Angela Plummer for the lovely service and kind words. And a special thank you to the Royal British Legion for their contribution and continued support.

signed, painted green and the lettering and additional artwork is hand-painted. FPNS commits to maintaining the signs – the first sign from 1905 directing walkers to Kinder Scout is still in good order as illustrated.

Pictured is a FPNS sign in the Peak District.

Causeway lorry driver fined £700

DERBY County Council Trading Standards have brought another successful prosecution against a lorry driver caught exceeding the weight restriction on Swarkestone causeway.

John Moore, 53, of Stanford-

le-Hope was fined £700 at Derby Magistrates’ Court after being seen in January driving his 44 tonne lorry over the bridge, which has a limit of 7.5 tonnes. His six-axle vehicle was six times over the limit.

He pleaded guilty by post, and explained that he had been following his satnav to a business premise in Melbourne.

In addition to the fine he was ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge of nearly £200.

As for the lure of triathlons, he said: “I want to show people that I can actually win.”

Rohan added: “People say it’s easy – I have to prove them wrong. It takes quite a bit of effort and time and training to do this sort of thing.”

– Lucy Stephens

Garden of Imagination and Calke Explore

Every day until Sunday 4 September 10.30am to 4pm

Go wild at Calke Explore – our woodland adventure playground where kids can go wild and get closer to nature. Head up to the Garden of Imagination in the walled kitchen garden to explore the grass labyrinth, play garden games and eat plenty of ice cream!

Ranger ramble

First Thursday of the month 2pm

Join one of our knowledgeable rangers for a guided walk around the estate. In September you can take a closer look at Calke’s wildlife produce on our Seasonal Seeds walk. In October, we’ll be exploring Calke’s deadwood which is home to lots of fungi and mini-beasts. Walks last around two hours.

Calke Archives come home

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September 12pm to 4pm

Some of the Calke Archives will be returning to Calke and available to view for one weekend only! Join us to view photographs, family diaries and records of those who once lived and worked on the Calke Estate.

Membership of the National Trust is a fantastic way to support the conservation work at Calke – in the House and Gardens as well as our internationally important protected parkland. And unlimited access for one year too.

Calke Abbey opening

Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10am – 5pm

Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier House: Daily 11am – 5pm Gardens : Daily 10am – 5pm

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

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey

Richard Varga, Frederik Van Lierde, Jonny Brownlee, Mackenzie Welsh, Rohan Welsh, Alistair Brownlee, Tana Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay and Helen Jenkins.

Deportation still a threat to couple

THE Melbourne couple threatened with deportation over red tape may have to sell their home by the end of August because their situation has still not been resolved after nearly nine months.

As previously reported in the Village Voice, Yvonne and Clive Karusseit, of Packhorse Road, had their application to stay in Britain declined because they had not taken an English test – despite asking if they should.

Im migration bosses said the Karusseits would have to quit Britain for South Africa, leaving Yvonne’s ailing mother, Eileen, behind to be cared for by the UK tax payer.

That was at the beginning of this year, and the Karusseits now fear they will have to put their home on the market at the end of this month because Clive – who has a well-paid job as a bid engineer at Whitwick Engineering – is still not allowed to work as the pair’s visas have expired.

The Karusseits have written to the new Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, asking for his help with their plight, as well as Prime Minister Teresa May.

Yvonne said Mr Johnson had

written back saying he was unable to help since the Karusseits were not in his constituency.

Meanwhile, the carers’ allowance she receives to look after her frail mum has now been stopped, the couple’s funds have dwindled to almost nothing and they are having to be treated for extreme stress.

They fear that if they have to return to South Africa, they will have literally nothing and very little prospect of employment.

Yvonne said: “It’s been eight and a half months since we first applied and it’s been over four months since the application to get new visas. The funds are running low and, at the end of August, we will have nothing and will have to sell the house – that’s our only asset in this country, everything we have is in this house.

“It’s an extremely stressful situation.”

A letter has been sent to Immigration Minister James Brokenshire by Whitwick Engineering, saying Clive’s job as a project engineer is highly skilled and highlighting his work in bringing a multi-million pound Australian investment project to the com-

pany. The letter said: “As a small company we are reliant on retaining highly skilled, experienced personnel within the organisation, one of whom was Clive.

“Clive is a highly skilled and experienced employee who we value, and hope that if and when Clive returns to work he can continue to help train other employees, which is important to our continued growth.”

Clive and Yvonne said Melbourne Baptist Church had given them enough money to last till the end of August, and that local people were still popping off cash and food gifts through the letterbox.

The pair said they could not “thank the village enough or the Baptist Church for what they have done for us”.

MP Heather Wheeler has written to say she is pushing for their case to be dealt with.

To support Clive and Yvonne, you can sign their petition requesting leave to stay permanently in the UK: https://www.change.org/p/theresamay-urgent-petition-grant-cliveand-yvonne-karusseit-indefinite -leave-to-stay-visas

– Lucy Stephens

Fayre to aid Syria refugees

A SPECIAL summer fayre was held at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, organised by Jan Rosa Lee and Lucy Weaving of Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity, to raise funds especially for Syrian women and children – both inside Syria and in refuge in Europe. The event had a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. They came to shop at the various craft, clothes and cake stalls, eat in the Arabic style cafe, enjoy relaxing reflexology treatments, and consult the Oracle!

There was also a children’s area where crafts were busily attended to, a typical fayre “guess the name of the dolly" and a raffle.

The final figure raised on the day was £895 which was added to by a further school fayre at Lucy’s daughter’s school in Littleover, which took the amount to well over £1,000.

Jan has already been directly distributing

the funds raised on behalf of Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity during her subsequent trip to the island of Chios in Greece, where she has been volunteering for CESRT (Chios Eastern Shore Response Team) alongside many international volunteers. The proceeds have already been turned into providing and distributing clothing for women and children in Chios, and in making a contribution to the opening of a women’s centre in Chios, while an amount has been received by Jan’s personal families within Syria itself.

The remainder will be sent to help pay the rent for a Syrian orphan school in Rehanliye, Hatay, on the Turkish side of the Turkey/Syria border.

If anyone would like further information or would be interested in helping at a future event, or volunteering themselves, please contact Jan on 01283 329855.

PHASE 2 SALES LAUNCH

Saturday 3rd of September, 10am – 4pm

Due to the success of the initial Sales Launch at Richmond Aston-on-Trent we are now pleased to announce the release of the 2nd phase of 29 retirement apartments ahead of schedule. We invite you to join us at our launch where you will have the opportunity to:

generated images

• Find out about the unrivalled facilities, such as the Wellness Spa, which includes pool, gym, hair salon and beauty treatment rooms

• Find out about off-plan reservations and the sales process

l Settled in the children’s corner are (l-r): Robyn, Jessica, Holly, Lou Enright and Charlie

Tattoo star Kevin has designs on new Melbourne studio

CELEBRITY tattoo artist Kevin

Paul is poised to open a new business venture in Melbourne and thinks it will play a part in attracting new customers, and even celebrities, into the village.

“The new business will be called R and R and it will be in the centre of the village. It will focus on laser treatments, like hair removal, and scar treatments, but I also want it to be my office where I can do advanced ‘cover-up’ work,” Kevin said.

“I also want to get more into the training side.”

Kevin is a South Derbyshire lad who, despite leaving school with few prospects, now runs two tattoo studios –one in Derby and one in Harley Street, London. He has made numerous TV appearances, has Hollywood film credits, one book published and another being written.

Originally from Swadlincote, he has adopted Melbourne where he can relax with his young family away from the “mad world of celebrities”.

He started tattooing 23 years ago, at the age of 13, with a tattoo on himself, and he was hooked. For him it is more for the expression of his artistic skills, rather than the financial reward it can bring; “the body is the ultimate place for an artist to show his work”, he said.

But he was quite ‘savvy’ targeting some high prof ile celebrities to build a reputation for his work.

His clients include Harry Styles, from One Direction, Ed Sheeran, with whom he remains good friends, Rihanna – a self-confessed tattoo addict who took Kevin on tour with her as her personal tattooist! He is the star of Channel 5’s “Tattoo Disasters UK”, which has brought him his own level of fame.

“People have travelled over from Australia to meet me, having seen the TV

show,” he admitted more with surprise than bluster. He confessed that three people have asked for body tattooed images of him, including a police constable in the Derby area.

He is also an advocate for better regulation and quality standards in his business: “Anyone can get a studio and just start tattooing; there is no formal qualification needed” and he has lobbied in

Award for museum

CASTLE Donington Museum has been highly commended in a prestigious awards ceremony.

PiYo Pilates

Parliament to try to change the law.

“It is seen as a hobby, not a profession,” he adds.

Derbyshire County Council has recently launched a new Tattoo Hygiene Rating system (THRS) to promote best practice and provide consumer confidence when choosing a tattoo artist. A rating certificate will give some assurance on hygiene and cleanliness standards, and it is hoped it will drive up standards and reduce the risks of infections.

Whilst welcoming the raising of standards, Kevin thinks there is still a big loophole in legislation.

“There needs to be some way of assessing not just the hygiene and cleanliness aspect but also the quality of the work,” he says.

“There has been an explosion in the demand. The change came with celebrities, like David Beckham, as role models. That is why I want to have a bit of a change in direction in getting people trained – there is an awful lot of bad work out there, and as well as hygiene and safety there needs to be better standards on the quality of work.”

Kevin estimates that around 70% of the population have at least one tattoo and 90% of the population know someone with one.

“One chap, aged 82, came to me recently for his first ever tattoo.”

And the minimum legal age is 18.

–Frank Hughes

“The Story of a Street” is this year’s exhibition at the museum, and it details the history of Borough Street in the years before the First World War.

Newly available property and land records were used to research and build the exhibition, showing the lives of people and businesses on the street just over a century ago.

The exhibition received a Highly Commended award for research in this year’s Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage awards on July 21.

The exhibition shows how the pre-war Borough Street was a bustling place with butchers, bakers, tailors, blacksmiths, grocers, pubs, fishmongers, a shoemaker, wheelwright and basket maker.

You can see the exhibition on Saturdays from 9.30am to noon and on Sundays (2-4.30pm).

Tippers fined

TWO fly-tippers have been hit with £400 fines after South Derbyshire District Council became one of the first UK local authorities to exercise new powers.

The men were handed fixed penalty notices by the council’s Safer Neighbourhood Wardens after being caught on surveillance camera dumping two mattresses and some household waste just outside Findern.

So, what’s next on the agenda for our ‘Can-Do Kate’?

KATE Dumelow is a lady who does not give “no” for an answer, and has rightly earned the nickname ‘Can-Do Kate’!

Speaking to Village Voice about life after Rotary, Kate described her very humble origins.

“Home was a one-up, one down in Ticknall, shared with mum and dad, both grandparents and three uncles,” she said, “but I just remember it being lots of fun.”

Early life was certainly not easy for young Kathleen Turner, as she was then, because her father had endured four years’ horror being tortured in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

“I can still remember him sitting sobbing on the kitchen floor and not understanding why” –but there was a playful side to him too as she confessed to using his wounded leg as a marble run!

Her final memory of him was quite harrowing too, she explained. Sadly, he contracted meningitis and died at the age of 60, clearly haunted by his confinement in a punishment cage. Fortunately, she now has his war medals as a memento and uses them for private imaginary chats with him.

School life began at Ticknall village school where all the pupils from age five to 11 were taught in the same class, and the focus was more on strong morals and discipline than learning,

“Only one boy ever passed a scholarship to grammar school – and he was the teacher’s nephew,” she said.

Although anxious at first about moving up to senior school in Melbourne where they had

“proper” classrooms and “proper” lessons, she quite literally soon learned the ropes – and indeed frequently used them to climb up and sit on the rafters for a bird’s eye view of the boys’ changing rooms!

“My main interests were PE and boys,” she

confessed, recalling losing more house points for ‘Gloucester House’ than she earned.

Less than an hour after finishing school she started her first job as a hairdresser with Andrea Hicklin near Melbourne Market place for a wage of 12 shillings and sixpence – “I did that for the next 10 years or so.”

She married first husband Richard in 1969 and they had daughter Charlotte. After the break-up of that marriage she re-married to Robert Dumelow and had son Nathan. Now she has four fabulous grandchildren too – “the most importantpeople in my life”. She is an active and involved grandma in everything they do.

Now, with a lifetime of involvement in charity and community work behind her she is hard pressed to say how that all began. She said she had always loved Melbourne Carnival, and in those days it moved around every year with all the market gardeners vying to lead the procession, and she ended up running it for 15 years.

Some amusing highlights of those years were when Rammy, the Derby County football mascot, thrust himself rather forcefully upon her as she was making announcements; when she had to “negotiate” with fair ride owners, and when her husband came home to find “Pavarotti” in the lounge!

She was a member of Ticknall Women’s Institute, where she was involved in the yearly pantomime, taking the part of mother goose and getting stuck in the costume; then she was president, and group convenor when she was in

Staunton Harold WI. She was one of the instigators of Melbourne Business Association and set up the late night shopping tradition.

She is well known for organising the Millennium celebrations where she was wandering around with her leg in plaster. She was also the first recipient of the Dr Freeman Award.

Latterly she has been a pivotal figure in the Rotary club. “I am a Rotarian through and through,” she said and is unquestionably steeped in the tradition of “service above self” and charitable works. She proudly spoke of the great work that Rotary did around the area, “much of which many will not know about” but also worldwide.

Trips to India and to Africa have left many deep images with her, including a harrowing encounter with a dying young child in war-torn Uganda. “They were life changing experiences,” she said.

Although her time with Rotary is now over, there is still “unfinished business” and some of the ex-members have formed Rotex where she hopes they will continue to fund-raise, and carry on some of the traditions such as providing dictionaries to local school children.

“The trouble with me, as my husband tells me, is that I won’t say no to a challenge, and if they say it can’t be done, it makes me even more determined!”

Doubtless her many friends around the village will also testify to her persuasive charm!

– Frank Hughes

CHILDREN from Aston Primary School had a wonderful time when a generous parent donated his hot air balloon for the day.

The school organised with the parent to bring it in as an end of term surprise for the children.

The children were given the chance to see the balloon being inflated and the oldest pupils in year six were allowed to climb into the basket.

Head teacher Lindsey Kalirai said: “It was excellent – the children all had an amazing time. They used the balloon as an inspiration for doing art work and stories in the last week of term.”

TROPHY TIME AT SCHOOL

ATHLETIC children at Melbourne Junior School triumphed in South Derbyshire’s area sports event this summer – for the 16th year running.

Head teacher Mrs Jane Whirledge told pupils and parents at the school’s awards ceremony how the highly competitive area sports trophy was still held by the school –

and had in fact only ever had Melbourne Junior’s name on it since the contest began in the year 2000.

The school held two awards ceremonies for the lower and upper school, with prizes awarded per class for English, maths, science, general progress and sport.

There was also an Eco award

and one for services to the school and community.

The science award is a first for the school and is sponsored by the Melbourne Probus Club.

The English and maths prizes were sponsored by the Rotary Club for the final time this year, since it has now ceased operating.

Parcel van thieves strike again

A DELIVERY van driver was caught on the hop in Melbourne when his vehicle was swiped from under his nose in broad daylight – the second recent incident of this type.

The theft happened in Melbourne High Street at around 1.30pm on Sunday, July 24.

A van containing Amazon parcels was parked on the street while the driver was making a delivery, when a thief simply jumped in and drove it away.

Police are asking for anyone with any information to come forward, ringing 101 and quoting crime reference number 16000206702.

The incident follows a similar theft in Astonon-Trent on January 15, when an Argos van was stolen from Moor Lane while the driver was delivering goods. No-one has been caught.

Police are also renewing their appeal for witnesses after damage was caused to a number of

vehicles across South Derbyshire and Derby City.

The damage was caused to at least 17 cars in Mickleover, Aston, Weston, Findern, Willington and Repton overnight Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27 and then again between 10pm on Friday, July 29, and 4am on Saturday, July 30.

A 20 year-old man from Nottingham has been arrested, questioned and released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be made.

Investigating officer PC Oliver Priddle said:

“Although we have made an arrest in connection with these offences we are still urging members of the public who think they may have seen or heard anything suspicious in these areas and between the relevant times to contact us.

”Witnesses or anyone with information should call, quoting reference 1600021039, or send a message online via the Contact Us section of the website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

“ You Get The Most Thorough Clean Ever Seen Or It’s Free”!

That’s right, the most thorough cleaning ever. My carpet and upholstery cleaning is the best and most thorough you could ever have – if you don’t agree I won’t accept your payment.

Along with the purchase of your home and family car, your soft furnishings are one of the largest investments you will make. Professional cleaning of your furnishings on a regular basis will extend their life considerably as well as keeping them hygienic

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

We are farmers first and foremost, passionate about producing livestock resulting in flavoursome meats for you. Pop in to our new butchery, meet our team and see for yourself. Open in the Melbourne Hall Craft Centre

Tylers

Tea Rooms & Dining

Situated in the picturesque village of Castle Donington, Tylers Tea Rooms & Dining is open Monday to Saturday. Offering a mouth watering selection of cooked breakfasts, home made lunches and delicious home cooked Table d'hote private evening dining, as well as a fantastic selection of irresistible home baked cakes which are made on the premises by Kate.

Telephone: 01332 811220

When the heat is on It’s fun, fu

MELBOURNE is always a popular place for visitors to come to, and a walk around the pool on a sunny day is normally a refreshing experience.

However, on the hottest day of the year so far, a shady spot was in great demand for the visitors in the far right photograph on the top row.

They are Hilda and Allan Walker with visiting friends Dave Fisher, Jenette Smith, Jackie and Keith Nicklin and Max the dog resting in the shade outside Melbourne Hall overlooking the pool. Twins Mrs Armei from Oadby and Mrs Chapman from Leicester, pictured right, took time out during their visit to pause for a moment and enjoy the view.

Meanwhile the sun, sand and water at Staunton Harold Reservoir proved to be an attraction of a different kind.

And Mia Hawkridge is pictured playing happily on the sandy beach at the water’s edge.

Of course, boys will be boys and hot weather and water provide the perfect mix for a fun afternoon for the group above.

Pictures

01332 810370

SCHOOL’S out – and the summer activities programme delivered by South Derbyshire Sport in conjunction with parish councils is now underway.

The activities will run throughout the school summer holidays.

Here are the activities still remaining (subject to the weather):

AUGUST 8

Play Mobile Weston on Trent Kings Mill Lane Recreation Ground 10am – noon (or Village Hall, Trent Lane if wet). Sports Mobile and Wheels Mobile Melbourne Primary School, 2 – 4pm.

AUGUST 11

Sports Mobile and Wheels Mobile Aston On Trent Playing Fields, 10am – noon. Sport and Health Olympics Barrow on Trent The Community Park, Twyford Road, 6 –8pm.

AUGUST 15

Play Mobile and Sports Mobile Melbourne Primary School, 2 –4pm.

by TINA BAKER

Boarding Kennels & Cattery

We are friendly establishment located on the outskirts of rural Melbourne o ering comfortable, secure accommodation, daily exercise sessions, playtime and love from our knowledgeable and experienced sta . We welcome dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes and invite owners to visit by appointment to see our facilities.

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fun, fun all the way for youngsters

AUGUST 17

ts Mobile Weston on Trent gs Mill Lane Recreation und 2 – 4pm (or Village Hall t Lane if wet).

AUGUST 18

ts Mobile and Wheels MoAston on Trent Playing ds, 10am – noon.

AUGUST 22

ts Mobile and Wheels MoMelbourne Primary School, 4pm.

AUGUST 23 Mobile Weston on Trent gs Mill Lane Recreation und 10am – noon (or Village Trent Lane if wet).

AUGUST 25

ts Mobile Aston on Trent ing Fields, 10am – noon. Mobile Aston on Trent ing Fields, 2 – 4pm.

activities are listed as E because your parish cil has paid for these activto be in your local area. se note, not all activities d may run at every session.

l Giving the giant Snakes and Ladders a ‘thumbs up’ are a group of youngsters from Weston on Trent with Hannah Holland, Summer Activity Assistant, visiting with the SDDC Playmobile.

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Crows’ nest egg

THE village hall at Westonon-Trent was the venue for an afternoon tea and awards ceremony on Sunday, July 17.

The gathering of more than 50 scarecrow makers and trail supporters was to announce the winners of the Scarecrow Trail and to present a cheque to this year’s chosen charity.

Trail organiser Louise White reported that this had been a bumper year for the trail. With the Aviva Women’s Cycle Tour passing through Weston on the Saturday morning, there were several cycling themed scarecrows and there was even a straw poll allowing visitors to vote whether to remain in or leave the EU! Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the trail and voted for their favourite scarecrows.

A clear winner of the coveted Best Scarecrow Shield was “Gulliver” by the Boyd family. The Children’s Favourite Scarecrow was “Strawbob Scarepants” (pictured) by the Marks family, while Peter Bird retained his Most Unusual Scarecrow

crown for the second year running with “Galacticrow.

This year’s Scarecrow Trail Award was presented to Weston Under Fives in recognition of their contribution to the trail over 11 years.

Presentations were made to the winners and certificates given to all participants at the awards tea where it was announced that £2,000 had been raised to be shared between the village hall and Cancer Research UK. This charity was chosen to specially remember the late Vera Shaw, who was a great supporter of Weston-on-Trent including being parish council chair for many years.

Chris Scott, clerk to the parish council, and long-time friend of Vera, spoke movingly of her contribution to the village before presenting her son, Alistair, and family with a cheque for £1,000 to pass onto Cancer Research UK in Vera’s memory.

The Scarecrows expect to return to Weston in June 2017.

Village Voice Postbag

I AM writing to you with a few more collected thoughts about the flooding of our town, something which seems to be happening more frequently and more seriously than at first thought.

Many of us living in the area have been affected in the last few years and I am certain that I am not the only one looking for a solution.

After listening to those agencies tasked with finding a way forward I have come to understand that the flooding does not have one specific cause. It is the result of several problems coming together catastrophically when a violent storm arrives.

These problems include (in no particular order): blocked culverts and drains (some of which are not marked on maps or recorded on plans).There are also problems with ditches and drains which have been removed by developers and not repaired or replaced causing surface water to flood low lying

areas.

There is the significant problem of surface water getting into sewers, something which should never happen but which is happening in Melbourne.

There are issues over the maintenance of culverts and water channels designed to take floods as well as the huge issue of the willingness of developers to build houses in places previously considered inappropriate.

Lastly, there is the cumulative effect of a population wearily bracing itself to face these problems far into the future and rapidly losing faith in any help.

Something more can and must be done. Melbourne needs to support the consultative committee which meets periodically in the Assembly Rooms. It consists of representatives of the water authority, the district and county councils and other interested parties. It has the most important task.

The mission is to try to un-

derstand exactly what is going wrong.

Only when engineers get a clear view of where the problems begin will any solution have any chance of success.

We should support their efforts by going to meetings and taking a close interest in this important subject. It may not be glamorous but it is vital to our town.

We should also try to ensure that safeguards are put into place to prevent the current rash of developers from building more houses in places where the problem of flooding might be worsened.

Most importantly we should be very vigorous in urging those concerned to begin this work now. Apparently, the money is available to begin the investigation.

The political will is there.

Let us begin the investigation before the next cataclysmic storm arrives.

John Williams

WESTON on Trent Scarecrow Awards (l-r): Alister Shaw (Cancer Research), daughter Chloe Shaw, Chris Scott (Scarecrow Trail), Louise White (organiser), David Boyd (joint winner), daughter Lucy Anna Boyd, Helen Boyd (joint winner), Jenny Yale (scarecrow maker), Nikki Goddard (treasurer, village hall).

Decision day looms for bus service

COUNCILLORS are due to decide next month whether an early morning weekly bus service taking college students and commuters from Aston and Weston into Derby will face the axe.

The number 73 Notts & Derby operates a 7am service from the villages. It is one of more than 200 across the county partfunded by Derbyshire County Council.

The proposal from the county council is to stop funding all subsidised bu ses from October 2017 with the possibility of introducing a demand response service instead.

The council has consulted on the plans and councillors will meet next month to decide what to do.

A transport report said a large block of funding called the Revenue Support Grant, which councils had received from the Government for decades, was being dramati-

Bubbly at tea party

A SATURDAY afternoon tea party was the latest fundraising event organised on behalf of St George’s Church, Ticknall.

Hosted by Heather and Mike Stanton at their home, Ladyacre House in Ticknall, the occasion proved to be a success and raised over £500 for church funds.

Cakes and sandwiches were served with the additional bonus of Prosecco being available. There was also a bring and buy stall and visitors were able to purchase jams and preserves.

Pictured are members of the social committee: Paula Webster, Mary Hirst and Maggie Fenby-Taylor with a selection of preserves.

cally cut from nearly £100million last year to an expected level of zero within four years.

In addition, councils must find extra cash to fund adult care services which are expected to continue rising as the population ages.

Last year councillors agreed to continue funding subsidised buses for two years by digging into their reserve funds to the tune of £3.5million.

At the moment the council is spending £5.73million on supported bus services, which account for just under 15 per cent of all of the county’s bus journeys.

Aston parish councillor Haydn Wheeler said local people were “not happy” with the proposal, fearing it may be the “thin end of the wedge” and that more cuts to buses could follow.

Weston Parish Council chair Avril Record said that stopping the 7am service would impact on users who needed to get to work on time, and teenagers travelling to colleges other than Chellaston Academy.

A council spokesman said: “The results of this consultation are still being analysed and are due to be reported back to our cabinet, where any future decisions will be agreed, in September.

“The proposal is that, unless sources of funding other than council funding can be found to run service 73 or an operator decides to run them commercially, they will stop.

“The proposal is to replace services with a demand responsive transport service, but the detail of how and where these would run has yet to be worked out.”

– Lucy Stephens

From a small pet to a smallholding we look after your pets when you are away Cat Care (The alternative to a cattery)

Dog holidays with our host families

Dog Walking

Pet Cremation

Plea for new members

NEW members are being sought for Castle Donington Rotary Club to carry on its good work in the community.

The Rotary in Castle Donington is the “daughter” of the Melbourne club, which sadly shut up shop this summer due to dwindling membership.

It has more than 30 members but is hoping to attract more.

The club started its new year in July with new officers including joint presidents David Walton and Eric Woodward.

Recent fund-raising included marshalling public car parking at Castle Donington’s Music in the Park event on July 3, which raised £595 for the club’s community funds. The club wishes to thank the public who donated the voluntary £2 fee and the parish council for allowing it to organise the car parking.

Now Rotary is looking for a secure parking place for the Christmas Santa Sleigh – and anyone who can help is asked to contact the club.

Castle Donington Rotary Club meets on most Thursdays at Donington Manor Hotel.

Further details including how to make contact are on the website: www.therotaryclubofcastledonington.co.uk

Research group exhibition

THE Melbourne Historical Research Group will be holding its annual exhibition in the main hall of Melbourne Assembly Rooms on Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 5pm on both days, with free admission.

Chairman Philip Heath says: "This year we're looking at the more uncertain nature of a reasonable life expectancy in the past and the sometimes daunting challenges of simply ‘staying alive’, which is the title of the exhibition.

"It's a wide ranging topic, and members of the group are still preparing display material on various selected aspects of it. For instance, who could you call on if you were ill, or if a baby needing delivering? What if you had toothache, or an injury? What if there wasn't enough to eat, and what provision was made for the poor who could no longer support themselves? What happened if the water quality of Melbourne's springs and wells was contaminated? How could diseases be avoided?"

As usual, the group will be displaying a miscellany of its other material, including another chance to see 1860s Melbourne in startling 3D, via James Earp's unique stereoscope.

Kay Beardsley Counselling

Mobile: 07759 930346

Email: kay@kaybeardsleycounselling.co.uk

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Tracks and poles supplied. Ladies and gents clothing alterations.

l Castle Donington Rotary presidents Eric Woodward (left) and David Walton.

Melbourne Hall

JOHN COPE 1923-2016

THE funeral of John Cope took place at St Edward's Church, Castle Donington, on July 27.

John and his wife, Edwina, were well known, respected and active residents of Melbourne and Castle Donington for the last 19 years of his life.

He and Edwina and the family were looking forward to celebrating 70 years of a happy and successful marriage in November, but it was not to be.

The couple had three children, Leonora, Robert, and Alexander. It was a loving family, even though John travelled widely all over the world.

By the time of his marriage at the age of 23, John – starting in 1939 as a pit boy underground in Fenton for five years – had become a qualified pit manager, had been in Germany overseeing the rebuilding of the German coal industry after the war and had been a sergeant in the Home Guard.

JOHN THOMAS COX (JACK)

1928 - 2016

JACK died peacefully with daughter Sue at his side at The Grove in Derby after spending a short time in hospital following a fall at home.

Jack leaves behind his children, Mick, Alan, Phil, Tricia, Linda, Sue, Neil, Andrew and Richard and his many grand and great grandchildren.

Born and bred in Breedon, Jack moved to Melbourne after marrying May in November, 1950.

He worked hard all his working life to bring up his family and, when not

After his marriage he served in the RASC TA and was commissioned, working with Edwina's father, a professional soldier, his CO.

Working within the mine machinery industry after he left pit management in 1955, John was enabled to develop a machine for mining coal seams without the traditional picks and shovels. The NCB invested £1m in the machinery.

This development ushered in a period of high powered em-

ployment in the NCB, working closely with the chairman, Lord Robens.

He became the NCB's representative on the European Coal and Steel community, directly responsible for parts of Eastern Europe, and this ushered in a period of over 20 years of intense foreign travel.

In the 1980s, working with the UN Coal Research unit, he visited all 69 coal-producing countries, assessing the future of the industry. In fact John clearly saw that there was no long-term future for the traditional pit-based industry well before this view became commonplace.

John and Edwina had a family firmly based on the Christian principles they had espoused all their lives.

The couple took communion every week at the Melbourne church and latterly at St. Edward’s Church, Castle Donington. John had a reputation for being a volunteer, ready to do jobs as required.

at work, he would be helping out others.

After retiring, he took to building models from bits and pieces and was pictured in the Village Voice some years ago with his 5ft windmill in his front garden.

He was devoted to and cared for May during her illness until her passing three years ago and could be seen riding through the village on his scooter on his way to tend to her grave at the cemetery.

Jack will be sadly missed by his family and friends and is now reunited with his soulmate May.

He was (in Ashwell, Hertfordshire) a churchwarden and served on the board of diocesan finance, as well as being an active Mason.

As a Probus member, in Melbourne, he was president in 1998.

In later years John and Edwina were familiar to many people as they went shopping in Melbourne, with John touchingly caring and supportive of his wife, who suffered from arthritis.

He liked a pint and taught his daughter to enjoy a gin and tonic! He led a life of "humanity, of endeavour and of compassion".

That seems a just epitaph for a man of hard work, a good family man, and a man who loved to chat over a pint, with a wry wit and humour.

He leaves Edwina, his two sons, Robert and Alex, daughter Leonora, two grandchildren, James and Rachel and a great granddaughter, Amelie.

Friends’ Pope lecture

THE Friends of Melbourne Parish Church promoted a lecture entitled The ‘Lost Sculpture’ of Ronald Pope in the church. Delivered by Dr Ronald Barstow, Reader in History and Theory of Art at the University of Derby, the event was well attended.

Ronald Pope was a prolific sculptor, creating in excess of 400 sculptures, all unique. He was also a gifted painter, creating dozens of watercolour paintings of Derbyshire landscapes.

The slide presentation illustrated works some of which have been lost, destroyed, stolen or just disappeared. This has been a common problem affecting public works of art through theft and poor record keeping.

The parish church is fortunate to possess three pieces by Ronald Pope, and they were available to view during the evening.

Village views on boundary sought

BARROW-upon-Trent residents are being urged to make their views heard on proposals to alter the parish boundary, in a move aimed at avoiding taking in thousands of new homes.

Talks of moving Barrow’s boundary with Stenson Fields have been going on for just under two years, parish councillors from both communities having first made the request in 2014.

That was sparked by fears that thousands of houses planned for Stenson Fields would increase the population of Barrow tenfold.

South Derbyshire District Council is now undertaking a “Community Governance Review” into the issue, a legal process which has to be gone through before any boundary change.

Residents have been sent a lengthy document giving details about the plans, but Barrow Parish Council chairman Anne Heathcote said that had left many people confused and unaware they were being given the chance to make their views known.

She urged local residents to be proactive and respond to the consultation so that the district council would be aware of the strength of local feeling, saying: “I think the process is confusing, and everyone I’ve spoken to is confused by it and doesn’t know what they have to do.

“I’m pleased that they are putting it forward for the governance review, but we are now going to have to mobilise people to help them under-

stand what their responsibilities are.”

The proposals on the table would see Barrow lose about 153.5 acres of land at its north-westerly point.

This would be swallowed up into Stenson Fields, which would also gain a further 197 acres from the currently unparished area of Twyford and Stenson.

As well as reduced borders for Barrow and increased ones for Stenson Fields, a new ‘Twyford and Stenson’ parish would be formed.

Around 6,000 houses are in the offing in the area and the worry in Barrow was that if these were to be incorporated within its parish not only would the local community be swamped but assets held by the council – such as a row of cottages it built in the 18th century – could be under threat.

If the boundary change goes ahead, the current prediction is that Barrow’s electoral roll would increase from 567 to 864 in 2021; Twyford and Stenson’s from 969 to 1,811, and Stenson Fields from 4,162 to 4,487.

The consultation ends on September 4 and anyone wishing to have their say or ask questions should email cgovreview@south-derbys.gov.uk, or write to South Derbyshire District Council, Legal and Democratic Services Section, Community Governance Review, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 0AH.

– Lucy Stephens

Ride

Banding together for Legion concert

THE Melbourne Town Training Band and Melbourne Town Beginners' Band joined forces and performed a mixture of current pop and film music for a concert at the Royal British Legion.

Melbourne Town Training Band was formed in early 2000 with just six young cornet players and a drummer. Sixteen years later membership has grown to 28 playing members, and also includes several adult

Walk

learners.

Originally MTTB was a brass band, but in 2014 woodwind instruments were introduced, allowing more young musicians the opportunity of playing within this setting.

In December 2015 the Training Band performed at an assembly in Melbourne Junior School and invited anyone (child or adult) who wished to learn to read music and play an

instrument to come along to discuss the idea of forming a ‘Beginners Band’.

There was much interest generated from the assembly and, as a result, there is now a viable ‘Beginners Band’ made up of 14 children and five adults all learning together. This concert was the Beginners' Band’s very first time playing to an audience, who were not disappointed.

100 UP FOR CUBS

THIS year sees the 100th anniversary of the Scout Association’s acceptance of Cub Scouts.

All over the country, counties are organising centenary camps to celebrate the occasion and 12 members of 1st Melbourne Tigers Cub Pack and three of their leaders went to Mallory Park and joined more than 1,000 Cubs from all over Leicestershire.

Each Cub was able to participate in nine activities from a choice of 40 available, which included everything from climbing, water activities, skateboarding, five-a-side football, crafts and many others.

On the Saturday evening there was a traditional campfire. The event took place on and around the race track and involved considerable amounts of walking, and the Cubs, aged between 8 and 10, were very quiet on the bus home – but all had enjoyed their weekend.

Melbourne Scout Group is fortunate to have experienced and competent Leaders in all its sections and provides the youngsters with a good variety of activities including one-off events such as this weekend.

With an ever-growing demand for membership, there is a need for more leaders and help and Melbourne Tiger Cub Pack would welcome volunteers who would be willing to devote a little time and share the satisfaction at seeing the enjoyment the young people get.

If you feel you would like to help, contact Dave Calvert on 862127.

l 100 years of Cub Scouts are celebrated in this photograph at Mallory Park with Melbourne’s Tiger Cub Pack taking part.

Back home for concert

FOLLOWING the recent successful performance of Princess Ida, Melbourne Operatic Society performed its annual summer concert back on home territory at the Assembly Rooms.

The concert contained a wide variety of song and verse performed by soloists, duets, ensembles and chorus. Michael Flanders and Donald Swann were well represented with The Hippopotamus Song, sung by Paul Blackmore and Gordon Fletcher and The Sloth, sung by David Henshaw, whilst the chorus was especially praised for

the

The society was ably led by

musical director Keith Reaveley and accompanied by David Henshaw (piano) and Alison Henshaw (flute).

David is also the musical di-

rector of the next Gilbert and Sullivan performance which will be The Pirates of Penzance at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton, next April.

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rendition of Gold and Silver by Franz Lehar and the rousing finale of Land of Hope and Glory by Edward Elgar.

Mad Mike and Mustang Sally survive their great adventure

IN the May edition of the Village Voice we reported on the ambitious plans for Melbourne resident Mike Heywood to take part in one of the world’s greatest motoring adventures, the Peking to Paris Rally. The challenge was to be undertaken in a 1967 Ford Mustang driven by Mike and his American companion, Marc Buchanon. Now back in the UK, Mike gives a short account of their epic journey.

DESCRIBED by journalists as one of the world's great motoring adventures, the Peking to Paris (P2P) did not disappoint.

Driving in the tracks of the original 1907 pioneers, we left from the Great Wall of China amidst a colourful fanfare of drums and dragons on the longest and toughest challenge classic cars can undertake.

After crossing the Chinese border we entered the vast and lonely plains of Mongolia where we spent six days camping in remote valleys, sharing four toilets with 250 people, fighting mossies and trying to erect tents in howling gales.

There are no roads in the Gobi Desert, only tracks that sweep across a deserted landscape.

They say that the rally is often won or lost in Mongolia. For our 67 Mustang it proved to be the latter. Three hundred kilometres from the Russian border we hit a massive rock and lost our steering.

Six hours later a dilapidated Mongolian truck appeared and we hauled the car aboard.

After 12 hours of bouncing around in the dark we finally arrived at the Russian border and, while waiting in the never-ending queue, managed to expedite emergency repairs, sufficient enough to get us into Russia. A day in a workshop in Novosibirsk saw the Mustang back on the road in competitive mode.

However, it was short lived. Siberian roads are notorious for pot-holes, some large enough to accommodate a Mini and we hit our fair share. Each night, in a square or car park, it was fix it again time when crews did emergency repairs on their vehicles before grabbing something to eat and a morsel of sleep.

For the more fortunate participants who arrived safely there was time for a beer.

Although the Russian roads extracted their fair share of casualties, the locals more than

made up for it. The hospitality was amazing. Streets were closed off in almost every town and city and enthusiastic crowds welcomed us, with young girls wanting their pictures taken in the rally cars. That brought a smile to many a tired face.

Even the officious Russian border guards were happy to be seen with Mustang Sally and waved us on our way into Belarus where we spent another 12 hours on a ramp in a garage in Minsk. The garage would not charge us a penny so we emptied our pockets of $US into a donation box. Back once again with the rally, we crossed the European border into Poland and onto more special stages.

These are becoming fiercely competitive and boundaries are being pushed, resulting in more accidents which some fondly call, "the high rollers club”.

The jokes stopped when car No.7, the 1926 Bentley Sports, rolled and Helmut, the German driver, was in an induced coma for three days. He is now on the road to recovery.

Poland eventually became Slovakia with its fields of sunflowers and then we were into Hungary and a rest day in the beautiful city of Budapest. Although rest was hardly the appropriate name for a day spent under a car.

The roads are now better, the repairs fewer and the driving easier, but the special stages on closed dirt roads still held a surprise or two.

Then it was Slovenia, Italy, the Dolomites and Switzerland – arguably the best scenery since Mongolia. Not that I was able to appreciate much of it with my eyes switching constantly between a route book, a GPS Garmin and a Monit meter. But the end was in sight.

With the cars all lined up near the Cathedral in Reims, I hit the bottle. This is the first time I have had a proper drink since sharing vodka with

l Journey’s end ... Mike arrives at the official finishing line in Paris.

the mechanics in Russia. But the arrival into Paris the following day was the real celebration. After nearly 14,000 kilometres of driving what they call, "the impossible”, Paris is an overwhelming occasion as we are reunited with family and friends.

For me it could not have come soon enough. Seeing Angie with a bottle of champagne and a banner was a magical moment and something I will savour forever.

All that was left to do was to say goodbye to our fellow competitors, our family for the last 40 days. This we did at a celebration in the sumptuous Intercontinental Hotel, a fitting way to end the story and close the door.

It's not too late to donate to Mad Mike's P2P fund-raising challenge in aid of the orphanage at Bindura in Zimbabwe.

Please visit www.justgiving.com/pekingtoparis2016.

Val’s flying the flag for England

ENGLAND’S football team may have embarrassingly crashed out of Euro 2016 – but never fear, the future of our country’s sporting hopes are safe with this woman.

Hockey player Val Cole, 61, from Castle Donington, has been playing the sport for 49 years but in the last two has notched up 26 caps for England after being selected to play for the Masters hockey squad – winners of the European Champion ships in 2015.

Val took up the game aged 13 and has been playing it ever since.

But, while many sports people retire in their 30s, Val tried out for the England Masters team in her 50s and won a place.

Her spot in the squad has seen her play hockey in France, Belgium and Holland, with the team emerging triumphant in European Championships held in London last year.

A trip to Canberra for the World Cup was on the cards, but with players meeting the cost of travel themselves, Val felt it not worth the financial commitment.

Nonetheless, her prowess with a hockey stick keeps her very busy with many top-level games scheduled in her sporting calendar.

Val said: “It was quite incredible when we won against Holland. It’s an amazing thing – it’s one of those things you’d never believe you’d be doing.

“It’s just the love of the game; the attitude on the pitch is just wonderful – everybody gets on really well.

“I never expected any of this. After all these years there’s this fantastic opportunity to do something I’ve never ever dreamed of.”

As well as playing competitive hockey all her life at Derby and Spondon hockey clubs, Val was also a PE teacher for many years.

As for the appeal of hockey?

“I enjoy team sport more than individual sport,” she said.

“I met my husband through it, so I suppose that’s quite romantic really!

“It’s great to see young people coming up. I want to keep going as long as possible. I desperately want my body to hold out as long as my brain wants to do it!”

– Lucy Stephens

Brooksie’s Bash up and running

THE inaugural Brooksie's Bash 10-mile trail race and three-mile 'Enjoying Derby' Walk took place on Sunday, July 17, starting and finishing in the grounds of Foremarke Hall.

It was organised by Chris Hopkinson and Andy Brooks (Brooksie) from Shelton Striders Running Club.

A total of 144 runners and 20 walkers took part. As well as a large contingent from local clubs, many competitors travelled from as far afield as Cardigan, Macclesfield and Wolverhampton.

The weather was dry, making for good underfoot conditions, but the competitors were grateful of the shade provided by the woods in the latter part of the race once the warm sunshine broke through.

The race was won by Andy Harding, of Belper 10:20 Triathlon Club, in a fantastic time of 60 mins 28 seconds, with Tracey Greenway, of Derby AC, first lady home in 76 mins 6 seconds.

There was a great deal of positive feedback from those who took part, enjoying the scenic but challenging South Derbyshire course which visited Ticknall, Staunton Harold Reservoir and Robin Wood, as well as the opportunity to relax within the grounds of Foremarke Hall at the end.

The event raised approximately £1,000 for charity Derbyshire Mind, to support the work they do to help people affected by mental health issues, and to raise awareness of the mental health benefits of running and walking in the countryside.

Try your hand at fly fishing

A NATIONAL initiative called Get Back into Angling is providing an opportunity for people to rediscover a love for fishing.

It has been established by the Angling Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency.

l On the ball ... Val Cole (above) and (inset) with the cup from the European Championships in 2015.

As part of this initiative people are invited to have a go at fly fishing in September.

You can take advantage of this at Foremark Reservoir. Two sessions are tak-

ing place on Saturday, September 10, and Wednesday, September 14 (10am-2pm), which are free to attend.

The sessions will cover everything associated with fly fishing including casting, fly selection and what equipment to use and when. All tackle will be provided if required, although participants are encouraged to dig out any tackle from the shed and take it along.

It’s a great opportunity to find out what it’s like to fish

for trout at one of the best fisheries in the Midlands, picking up tips from the fisheries’ licensed angling coach.

If you are interested in going along to the next session contact Richard Pearson on 01283 70202 to book your place. Anyone attending must be in possession of an Environment Agency Rod Licence which costs as littleas£3.75andcan be purchased through www.fishinginfo.co.uk.

New era beckons for tennis club

AFTER many years of existing on just 10-15 members playing league matches away from home, Melbourne Tennis Club is set to begin a new era by reforming at its new Cockshut Lane home as part of the MSP development.

Work has been going on behind the scenes, mainly pushed by chairman Tim Shone, and a new committee has been formed.

New members are now being sought, and anyone wanting to join the club should contact Alex Slater on alexslater72000@yahoo.co.uk or Tim Shone on tim@shone.uk.com

The club is hoping to run junior coaching sessions starting in early September along with both a men’s and women's side in the Derbyshire Winter League.

The club began its 2016 season against Duffield and lost 2-6 with the Mark Swallow/Tim Shone partnership winning one set 9-2 and losing the other 8-9.

Vinny Hallifield/Dave Faux won 96 but then lost 5-9, 3-9.

Melbourne then travelled to a strong Denstone side and lost 3-6 with Swallow/Howard Cheisure winning 9-0, 9-4 but losing 6-9 and the Hallifield/Faux pairing winning 9-5 but then losing 4-9, 8-9.

The third pair of Roger and Keir Spencer lost 5-9, 6-9, 2-9 on their league debuts.

The club won its first game of the season against Rolls-Royce 6-3.

Skipper Swallow and John Mayers led the way in winning all three of their sets 9-0, 9-8, 9-3 as did Hallifield/Cheisure 9-3, 9-2, 9-5 and the Spencer pairing just failing to win a set 8-9, 7-9, 4-9.

Melbourne ended the month with another win, this time 5-4 against Belper Meadows with the Hallifield/Cheisure pairing again winning all three of their sets 9-3, 9-2, 9-5.

The Swallow/Mayers partnership confirmed the match win by winning 9-0, 9-3, but losing the last set 5-9, which mattered little –as did the Spencer pairing again improving but just failing to win 8-9, 6-9, 5-9.

n THE Aston on Trent Village Cricket Club was established earlier this season and has established an adult team playing friendly matches.

There is also a junior section, with a team of under 11s playing kwik cricket matches each Friday around South Derbyshire.

The team took part in a kwik cricket festival at Aston with six teams participating from Castle Donington CC, Hilton CC, Etwall

CC and two from Melbourne CC. It was part of a friendly set of fixtures that move from club to club on Friday nights.

This was the last event for this season and was well attended by local residents and the travelling supporters accompanying each team. Players and supporters alike enjoyed the cricket and the BBQ that is an essential part of the festival.

The club holds a coaching ses-

sion for juniors on Thursday evenings at the village recreation centre from 6.30pm onwards and these sessions will continue throughout the summer holidays. The sessions cater for all age groups from primary school children upwards, both boys and girls, and the first session is free to nonmembers.

A group of junior members is pictured with coaches Chris Jones and Andy Mason.

NET PROFIT FOR CRICKET CLUB Mixed success for bowls teams

THE official opening of the refurbished practice nets at Ticknall Cricket Club was conducted inside the pavilion because it was a wet evening.

A brief speech from chairman John Dumelow began with thanks to district council chairman Pat Murray, representing SDDC, for the money donated for the new practice nets.

He also thanked Julie Tibbert, chair of the parish council for its support and for the recent refurbishment of the pavilion. In response, Councillor Murray spoke about Ticknall Cricket Club supporting young people, giving them a sport and purpose in their early lives.

THE King’s Newton Bowls Club season is progressing with competitive and recreational bowling being enjoyed by members.

The men's midweek evening leagues are nearing the season’s end. Thanks to a recent good run of victories the first team should avoid relegation from division one, which will be a good achievement after last season’s promotion. The men's second team has had a few disappointing defeats lately and probably needs to win all its remaining fixtures in order to be promoted.

The ladies’ midweek team is finding life in division two difficult and, unfortunately, looks like re-

turning to the third division after one season. However, the ladies vets team is having a decent season and should finish in mid-table.

In the men's vets leagues the first team, playing in the high standard of division one, should finish well in the top half and also reached the cup semifinals.

The second team in division four has picked up after a poor start and is now in the top half of the league.

The club also has a mixed team playing in the Belper Saturday League and, after gaining promotion last year, is currently sitting mid-table.

SWARKESTONE Cricket Club

has been sitting proudly at the top of the ECB Derbyshire Premier League with 250 points, 20 points clear of their nearest rivals Spondon.

From 14 fixtures Swarkestone have won seven, had three winning draws and four matches either cancelled or abandoned due to the summer’s inclement weather.

With eight league fixtures to be completed the club is determined to push for the title. This season’s new captain, Jake Needham, has been delighted with the performances of the team. Runs and wickets have been shared around the team; Garry Park is top of the league batting averages (61.71) with six bowlers all achieving 12 or more

wickets.

Needham is particularly happy with form of Sam Stuart and Lewis Hearne, who have graduated to the 1st XI from the 2nd XI this season. He

hopes that the team will now focus on the run-in to the end of the season so that the club will win the Premier League title.

Pictured is the 1st XI: (back row l-r) Garry Park, Tom

Batting failures are costly

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club continued its poor form into the month of July with the first team falling down the table as they failed to win any of their five league games.

They began at home to Trentside 1st Xl and, with four wickets apiece from Matt Briers (4-27) and Marc Towell (4-64) along with 2-27 from skipper Alex Slater bowled the visitors out for just 122.

Hamilton, Sam Stuart, Tom Niewiarowski, Rob Peat and Lewis Hearne; (front row) Scott Elstone, Chris Durham, Jake Needham (capt), Jamie Guthrie and Wayne White.

Town were cruising on 101-3 with Rossi (32) and new signing Anthony Barnes (42) leading the way, but a remarkable collapse saw them lose seven wickets for just 19 runs leaving Trentside the winners by two runs.

A rained-off game at home to bottom of the table Hilton was followed by a trip to top of the table Mickleover 1st Xl. Melbourne batted well, posting 190-9 with Slater top scoring with 44, ably supported by Simon Fletcher (38) and Mark Rossi (36).

In reply Mickleover were tied down by Slater (2-36) and Briers (1-41 ) but some late hitting saw the table-toppers secure a four wicket win with three overs to spare.

A trip to Rolleston 2nd Xl saw Melbourne bowl first and a great spell of 4-46 by spinner Anthony Wagstaff kept the home side to 208-7 off their allotted overs.

Sadly, the first team were shot out for a paltry 95 in reply.

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A week later, Melbourne’s batting was much better as they posted 179-7 with Lee Tallis (45) and Matt Briers (39 not out). But, despite two wickets apiece for Slater and Briers, they failed to halt Dunstall’s charge to a six-wicket victory. The first team ended the month away to Barton 1st Xl and a superb spell of 4-33 from skipper Slater supported by Marc Towell (3-37) pegged the home side back from 81-1 to finish on 190 all out.

But, again, Melbourne’s batting failed as they fell to 117 all out and now sit only two points above the relegation places. MELBOURNE Town 2nd team faired a little better and moved themselves away from the relegation places as they ended the month with a couple of good results.

They started the month by being saved by the rain away at Ockbrook 4th. The seconds posted 144 all out – thanks mainly to 77 by opener Paul Scrimshaw – and, despite two wickets ap iece for James Hogwood and Dan Marshall, the home side seemed to be cruising to victory until the rain came to save Melbourne.

A rained-off game at Abbots Bromley was followed by a hard fought winning draw at home to Alvaston & Boulton 4th Xl. Town posted 212 all out with opener Simon Fletcher batting all 46 overs for 73 supported by a brutal 53 from Mark Hirons.

Hirons completed an excellent game by taking 4-36 as the visitors held on for the draw on 103-6.

A superb away victory came against Allestree 2nds as Kaustav Dutta destroyed their top order by taking 4-23 with Stephen Goalen (3-54) and James Hogwood (2-10) seeing the home side shot out for just 107.

Paul Scrimshaw (43) and Izzy Anjilliath (37) took the 2nds to a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Dan Marshall's men finished the month with a hard fought losing draw at home to Lullington Park 3rd Xl. The visitors amassed 2389 despite 4-66 from Dutta and 3-60 by Goalen. In reply Julian Humpidge returned to form with 42 and new signing Rhys Phillips scored an unbeaten 32 as the 2nds held on by scoring 153-7. MELBOURNE Town third team put in some ‘backs to the wall’ performances in July. They began by bowling Trentside 3rd Xl out for just 103 with Toby McCabe (5-34) and Andy Holden (4-25) doing the damage.

In reply Town were bowled out for just 20, losing by 83 runs. A week later the batsmen showed true grit in battling for a losing draw away to top of the table Yoxhall 1st Xl. The home side scored 190-6 batting first with Holden taking 4-65 to stem the flow of runs. Superb knocks from Ashley Ellwell (30) and Arun Iyer (19) plus a career best 14 not out from a remarkable 65 balls by Darren Poyser saw the thirds to a creditable draw.

A rained-off game against Ticknall was followed by an eight wicket defeat to West Hallam 3rd Xl. Melbourne posted 131-8 with Ashley Ellwell batting through the allotted overs for 71 not out, but the visitors eased to victory.

Andy Holden’s men ended the month away to Breadsall 3rd Xl in what turned out to be a thriller. A good team performance saw the home side bowled out for 147 with Cory Jones leading the way with 3-27 plus a wicket apiece for Blackhall, McCabe and Ellwell.

In reply the thirds seemed to be cruising on 141-5 but the loss of Rhys Phillips for 88 saw Town collapse to 146 all out and a one-run defeat.