Village Voice No 253 December 2013
Melbourne & District
FIRE STATION BID WARMS TO TASK by FRANK HUGHES
THE Save Melbourne Fire Station campaign has already shown signs that it is influencing council decision making. The protestors are fighting proposals by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to close the Melbourne facility, reduce provision in Swadlincote, and build a new station in Hilton. At a recent meeting of the South Derbyshire District Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee “rejected Proposal 10 (Melbourne & South Derbys) because of material statistical and other inaccuracies in the analysis” and in view of the “over optimistic first response times.” The council urged the Chief Fire Officer to undertake a fundamental review of this proposal. The campaign, which has ignited public concerns, has influenced our local MP to speak about the issue in Parliament in a debate called by the MP for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins. Heather Wheeler said she objected to the proposals because they were “not based on facts”, and she has also referred to the unacceptable response times and the failure to recognise the likely future growth of housing and industry in the area. The campaign has been spearheaded by a group involving Jane Carroll, Malcolm Stockill Margaret Gildea, Andy Astle and Sharon Bush and prospective parliamentary candidate Cheryl Pidgeon. The group marshalled all of the arguments against the proposals at an information meeting at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, attended by well over 100 concerned residents. The group urged all residents to “have their say” by completing the consultation before December 23. They also called for full attendance at the forthcoming fire service consultation event on December 12 (2pm until 7pm) at Melbourne fire station when it is hoped senior managers of the fire service will be there to answer concerns. Derbyshire County Councillor Linda Chilton indicated that the county council was due to have a discussion in cabinet about the proposals and anticipated that they may be rejected there, too. Derby City Council has already publicised its objection to them. The campaign is galvanising public opinion with the widespread advertising and marketing of pens and wrist bands. Already there has been tremendous public support. Similar campaigns have sparked off in many other parts of the county, but it has been acknowledged that the one in Melbourne has been well advanced and well organised.
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ABOVE: SANTA and his helpers were joined by lots of young children when they attended the Swarkestone Nurseries Craft and Gift Fair. LEFT: Santa also put in an appearance at Melbourne’s annual Late Night Shopping extravaganza where he met up with twins Samuel and Thomas Spencer It proved another hugely successful event with traders and shoppers alike enjoying the experience. Full story and more pictures on centre pages.
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MELBOURNE ESTATE AGENTS MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Tel: 01332 865696 Melbourne: 01332 865696
Have a very Merry Christmas AS Christmas and the New Year approach, the Village Voice wishes all its readers, contributors, advertisers and deliverers, the very best season’s greetings. The Village Voice is proud to have brought to the community, news and memories impacting on and involving the residents of Melbourne and the surrounding villages during 2013 and for the last 21 years. This edition marks the 21st anniversary of this newspaper, which was first launched in December 1992. A four-page supplement to mark the occasion will be included in the January 2014 edition We would like to thank the many people who have undertaken for us the onerous task of delivering the Village Voice to local homes. Not easy, when having to contend with the weather or fitting it in with domestic duties, family holidays and everything that competes for our time – but we thank them for the grand job they do. We also thank our regular contributors – like Robert Parker, who writes on the farming scene, and who has a touching regard for everything rural – our sports correspondents for their regular articles and to the whole host of residents who give us news and views. We salute the loyalty of our advertisers, whose continuing support is appreciated. Without it, we could not publish. Hopefully, we provide a marketplace for the local providers of goods and services, and for their customers. Thank you all for your active support.
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