Melbourne Village Voice December 2015

HE’S BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

Village Voice No 277 December 2015

by FRANK HUGHES

MELBOURNE’S Rector will soon be embarking on Her Majesty’s Service … but it’s not secret.

The Rev Dr Mark Powell is to be a Canon at St George’s, Windsor – an appointment announced by the Queen herself. He will be taking up the post in February.

The appointment process sounded a bit daunting, with interviews with the Dean, the Master of the Royal Household and the Prime Minister’s appointment secretary, and then – after being shortlisted – a conversation with the Duke of Edinburgh.

He told Village Voice: “I am really excited and so is my wife, Helen. It is a fantastic opportunity although we are still a bit anxious about moving in such exalted circles.

“Our house is built into the Windsor Castle walls and dates back to the 14th century,” he

Lighting up time

l Dr Powell and his wife Helen.

said. “I thought I would be retiring in Melbourne, but when the opportunity came up I thought I had to put in an application.”

There is obviously a strong Royal link with

CHRISTMAS starts here ... the townsfolk came out in large numbers to witness the switching-on of the lights and enjoy the annual spectacle.

There was something for everyone and even the weather did its bit to help the event go smoothly.

More pictures and report on Pages 14 and 15.

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Time to look on bright side

Melbourne & District

the College of St George, which was founded by Edward III at the same time as he founded the Order of the Garter, and many Royal baptisms, marriages and burials have taken place in the chapel.

The appointment was announced as follows: ‘The Queen has approved that the Reverend Mark Powell, BSc, MA, PhD, Rector of Melbourne, Ticknall, Smisby and Stanton-byBridge, in the Diocese of Derby be appointed to the Canonry of Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.’

Asked how he felt about the appointment being approved by the Queen and announced by the Prime Minister, he said: “Extraordinary – I can’t really believe it has happened to me!”

The Dean and four Canons look after the management of the community and administration of the college, the organisation of the chapel services, the fabric of the chapel and buildings, the finances, and looking after the many visitors and facilities for them.

Coupled with the excitement about the new Continued on Page 5

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MELBOURNE ESTATE AGENTS MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Tel: 01332 865696 Melbourne: 01332 865696

CHRISTMAS is a time for family and friends, and goodwill to all men.

The year now ending has not been an easy time for many Melbourne residents – worried, like many people are around all our adjacent villages, about the perceived threat of being inundated with new houses.

The threat is not about a lack of goodwill to incoming families, because everyone deserves a good house within a stable and welcoming environment.

The worry is that if too many houses are built in our towns and local villages, the increased population will damage the fine sense of belonging, the sheer joy of living in nice villages like Barrow, and Ticknall, Wilson, Aston and Weston on Trent and in Kings Newton, too.

Our neighbourhood is remarkable for being friendly and welcoming, with a social life which is buoyant and a proud history which sustains a lively environment.

But Christmas is a time to pause and recognise that what we have is good – the friendliness, the varied interests, whether choirs or bands, photographic or civic societies, notably good local restaurants or a very well developed sporting tradition. Church life is a great plus for the area, in remarkable buildings which delight the spirit and, although we all moan, we do have a caring medical practice.

The fact that in Melbourne on Remembrance Sunday over 1,000 residents came to the local Cenotaph was a touching sign of a caring society at ease with itself, coming together to honour the war dead of the community, in a fine and moving ceremony.

The Christmas period will, as usual, be a time for celebration, and a pause for rest and recuperation from the labours and concerns of 2015.

We are still publishing, now entering our 24th year. We know we are sustained by the businesses that support us, and by the many contributors who provide us with information and stories. We are dependent on a host of distributors who deliver each month's Village Voice to 5,000 homes. We are also aware of and sustained by the support of our readers.

Thank you to one and all for your support.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas, and look forward to a busy, fruitful 2016.

MG

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2 Village Voice December 2015

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Memories tree

PEOPLE are being given the chance to add their memories of loved ones to a Christmas tree in the newly refurbished chapel at Melbourne Cemetery.

Melbourne Parish Council hopes the tree may become a new festive tradition and will enable people to remember family and friends at a time of year that can be very upsetting for some.

Tags are available in the chapel so anyone can go in, write one and add it to the tree during the opening hours of 8am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.

Burial Committee chair Sheila Hicklin was on hand to write the first tag.

She said: “This is so that people can come down and remember their loved ones, now we’ve got a place that’s suitable and the chapel is looking lovely.”

The chapel is currently adorned with festive flowers which have been put together by Lynne Holman, with the tree being donated by Dan Gale from Aspen Tree Services.

The parish council would like to thank Jeani Accessories for the new Christmas lights on the main and small trees through the centre of Melbourne, and for all those who have been in touch offering help and information about Melbourne Chapel.

Marjorie and her poet pen friend

MARJORIE Calow, of Melbourne – a lifelong music and literature lover – conducted an extraordinary correspondence with the late Roy Fuller, an eminent poet and author, for more than 20 years.

The letters were mostly about everyday matters, but as time passed they became good pen portraits of both writers. Marjorie, with the consent of Fuller’s son, has now had them typed up and reproduced, hoping they may be of interest to a small niche audience in the future.

Roy Broadbent Fuller CBE (1912-1991) was responsible for 18 collections of poetry, nine novels and four volumes of memoirs, as well as children’s books. In his working life he was a solicitor for the Woolwich Building Society, of which he was also a director.

From 1968-73 he held the prestigious post of Professor of Poetry at Oxford, and he also served on the BBC Board of Governors for seven years.

Back in 1969, Marjorie purchased and read one of Roy Fuller’s poetry collections, and was horrified to read a poor review of it in the Sunday papers. She was moved to write to him via his publisher, saying that the review was unfair and that she thought the poetry was lovely.

Much to her surprise, the letter got a charming response, and Marjorie wrote back. Again, she did not expect a response, but Roy Fuller’s letters were appreciative and engaged rather than merely courteous, and the correspondence continued.

Fuller stated that his only other regular correspondent was Kate, Lady Playfair, an amateur poet who had been encouraged by Sir John Betjeman. When she died, Fuller wrote to Marjorie that “I miss her – so you must see me out.”

And “see him out” she did, continuing her letters even after Fuller became too ill to write back.

l Parish council chair, Cllr Wendy Earp, Cllr Sheila Hicklin and Sexton Robert Holman decorate the Tree of Remembrance.

In the spirit of a rare, old-fashioned “pen friendship”, the correspondents neither met nor spoke to each other.

The closest they ever got to meeting was when Marjorie was in the audience at one of Fuller’s lectures.

Marjorie is pictured here at a small celebratory lunch to mark the project’s completion.

– P.E.H.

Cancer ‘survivors’ feature in Elaine’s calendar

HALLS and Heritage is the title given to the latest calendar produced by Elaine Dunnicliff.

This is the fifth calendar that has been created by Elaine, acknowledging those whose lives have been touched by cancer, including her own.

The title is a guide to what you may expect from the calendar and Elaine has expressed her grateful thanks to Lord and

Lady Ralph Kerr of Melbourne Hall, Sir Richard and Lady Fitzherbert of Tissington Hall, and Stuart Garner, CEO Norton Motorcycles of Donington Hall for their generosity in the creation of it.

Nine ‘survivors’ volunteered to appear in the calendar and are featured in months throughout the year.

Proceeds from the sales of the calendar will be donated to the Urology Department

and the Nightingale Macmillan Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Copies are expected to be on sale at various shopping outlets in Melbourne from early December.

Thanks from Elaine also go to all her sponsors whose support has made this project possible and to Jo Mallard and Andrew Solecki for their photography.

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Jojo and Lauren collaring top prizes

Village Voice December 2015 3

by Lucy Stephens

MEET eight-year-old Lauren Bridges and her Australian Shepherd Jojo – the team who are wowing audiences at dog shows in the UK and abroad with their big smiles.

Despite her tender years Lauren already has a shelf full of rosettes and awards at her home in Aston-on-Trent, being the third generation in her family to have a passion for dogs.

In 2014 she beat the adults at Crufts after she and Jojo won their class, even though Lauren was only seven at the time and the only child handler in her group.

This year she topped that by becoming the youngest ever handler to win a Championship Show Group – the Pastoral Group One at Richmond Championship Dog Show, where she competed with Striker, a Samoyed. Previously, the youngest ever British handler to win that level of accolade was aged 12.

That led her to the National Junior Handling semi-finals, which she won, then the finals where she came third – again, at eight years old, the youngest ever person to score so highly. The two handlers who came above her were both 17.

But the Aston-on-Trent School pupil says all that matters to her is that she can have fun and spend time with her beloved dogs. “When you go out to show dogs, you don’t want them to misbehave for you, so you do have to practise with them all the time,� she says. “Dogs bond with you – you bond with them and they bond with you. It’s just a nice experience to be with them.�

Lauren is following in the family tradi-

Picture: TINA BAKER tion: mum Lisa has been showing dogs since she was six years old, and has competed and judged dog shows around the world, with four Best in Show awards to her name and many other rosettes to go with them.

Lisa was inspired by her own parents, who started showing dogs when she was a child.

But whatever her own achievements, she is proud to bursting of her daughter, saying: “To watch her win and her attitude about winning is what’s refreshing for me personally. “When we were going to the semi-finals for the junior handler – it’s customary that

you shake the hand of whoever beats you – and she said as long as I shake the hand of whoever beats me I’ll be happy. “That’s what dog shows are all about, being gracious in defeat as well as victory.�

Lisa and Lauren often go to dog shows together at weekends, and at home they run Liskarn, a show and breed kennels specialising in Bernese Mountain dogs and Australian Shepherds.

Dogs are not the only animals they have: at home. Lauren also enjoys the company of a parrot, several cats, fish and a pony, Libby.

As for her ultimate ambition? To beat her mum in a dog show!

Time to get those thinking caps out

ATTENTION, attention ‌ the annual Melbourne Charity Quiz is almost due to start.

This annual challenge begins in January each year and is probably the most significant activity on the Melbourne social calendar that runs for three months and provides huge amounts of fun for participants and audiences alike.

It also is a great incentive to get out and do something on a Friday night through the long winter months.

Wendy and her friendly team at

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Would like to wish all our customers & friends a Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year.

Telephone: 01530 834742

Teams of four players are required and entries close on Monday, January 4.

Entry forms are available by emailing either twmwilliams@btinternet.com or Richard.carlier123@btinternet.com The quiz is held at the Royal British Legion club on Derby Road with the first round starting on Friday, January 15, at 7.30pm. All proceeds, less expenses, will go to this year’s chosen charity, Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

Young musician hitting high notes

l Chris Hill with the Young Musician Trophy.

CHRIS Hill is very proud to have been the Young Musician for Melbourne in 2013. And since then he has gone on to achieve many great things.

During one week in November he had triple success, beating very stiff competition to win another major Young Musician title, trophy and cash prize to add to several he already holds for flute, voice, sax and jazz.

He was also notified that he is through to the audition finals of the BBC YM 2016 to be filmed in Wales and last but not least, Chris has won a place in the National Youth Wind Orchestra for the fourth year running, and will be touring Austria at Easter.

However, Chris is much more than a winner of prestigious titles; he is both a student at the Royal College of Music, a musician and a fine singer with an extensive CV of orchestras and choirs that he has performed with.

Chris has also used his time and love of music to help raise money for local charities such as the QMC Paediatric department, Teenage Cancer Trust, Smile, Guide Dogs for the disabled, Hearing dogs, Cystic Fibrosis and others.

He will be performing locally at the Singing for Fun Concert in Loughborough to help raise money for local charities.

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4 Village Voice December 2015

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Country Living with Robert Parker

I SAY it every year, but once again it seems inconceivable that another year has gone.

So what’s 2015 thrown at us? From a practical point of view it’s been nearly perfect in our area, and our main governing factor – the weather – has been with us most of the way.

Cereal crops in the UK have broken records this year for yields and that has gone some way to ameliorate the other major problems of 2015 – the prices we receive!

Nearly all our products sold are around 30% less than the same time a year ago and that’s some difference.

Cereals, milk, sheep and cattle are all down by around that amount and unfortunately although some of our costs have reduced, particularly fuel, many are stubbornly as much as they were.

There’s also a vast difference that individual farmers get for milk, the range being between 15 pence per litre to 30 pence. This is plainly wrong but individual farmers can do something about some of this. Let’s hope 2016 is better, but I see no signs of it. n I’ve just spent a couple of days in Wales at

the Winter Agricultural Fair and found it very good with some concerning comparisons between the two countries.

The showground is at Builth Wells, right in the centre of the country, and is a thriving and expanding venue. Each year there is a large summer show and several other agricultural fixtures.

Compare this to England where our now defunct showground at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire is unused and part derelict. Why the difference? I must admit I really don’t know.

The English Royal Show must have ended over 15 years ago and ended up being run by a private company who were looking to make profits out of it.

That, as most people involved with county shows know, is very difficult. A domino effect with exhibitors started and soon all the major companies had departed the scene, which left the show unattractive to people attending.

That’s certainly not the case in Wales as the whole operation seems to be thriving and was packed with customers.

Compliments of the season to everyone.

£40,000 grant booster for haulage business

A £40,000 grant from the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and advice from the South Derby’s Business Advisory Service has enabled locally based DG Light Haulage to accelerate its business, take on new staff and achieve a substantial increase in turnover.

Based in King’s Newton, David Guilford (pictured) has been running the business for over 20 years and, until recently had only two full-time employees. He was reliant on sub-contractors and family members to fulfil administrative functions.

After talking to expert David Richards, from the Business Advice Service, funded by South Derbyshire District Council, the company made an application to the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and was awarded funding to enable the business premises to be modified and to support the lease of a 13,000 sq ft warehousing facility.

Since the additional funding was confirmed, the business – a transport, logistics and warehousing specialist – has taken on seven new members of staff, bringing the headcount to nine full-time employees, while the company fleet has grown and turnover has increased by 40 per cent.

Mr Guilford, Managing Director of DG Light Haulage, said: “David’s advice was practical, relevant and his support was invaluable. The opportunity to have an independent perspective on the business and how we might develop was something that we hadn't had before and once we learned more about the DEGF it became clear

that it was something that we had to investigate.

“Completing the application form and gathering the associated documentation and information was time-consuming, but we had support throughout the process from the Business Advice Service and we knew that to develop and grow it was an essential step for the business. Now we're focused on growth, looking at potential new markets and seeing how we can work with other transport and distribution companies to support their businesses.”

The Advice Service is provided by David Richards and Peter McBride and has supported more than 200 companies every year since being set up.

More information about the service, which is free to any business located in or setting up in South Derbyshire, is available by calling 01283 595791 or online at www.south-derbys.gov.uk

Christmas crackdown on drivers

AN annual crackdown on drinkand drug-driving over the Christmas party season has returned to Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Constabulary is asking people to report drivers they know have climbed behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.

This Christmas also marks the first in which police will be

using specialist testing kits to detect the presence of drugs in drivers' saliva.

Sixteen legal and illegal drugs are covered by a law introduced in March this year, which means that anyone who gets behind the wheel after taking substances including cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, can be convicted easily.

Derbyshire Police will be carrying out increased patrols, breath tests and saliva swabs.

The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering cash rewards of up to £1,000 to anyone who gives information leading to the conviction of a drinkor drug-driver during the campaign.

TEENAGER PUNCHED AND ROBBED OF SCOOTER

Rector’s Windsor post

Village Voice December 2015 5

Upbeat news on Severn Trent drain probes front

A TEENAGER was punched and robbed of his electronic self-balancing scooter as he rode it through Barrowupon-Trent.

The 16-year-old was riding his Air Runner along Barrow Lane at around

11.30pm on October 1 when a car pulled up behind him. A man got out, demanded the boy hand over the Air Runner and punched him on the shoulder.

The robber then made off with the scooter and put it in his car. Two other

BOTH County Councillor Linda Chilton and District Councillor John Harrison commented on the most recent Severn Trent Working Group meeting held on Friday, November 27.

With upbeat reports from both and news that 10 members of the public had answered the call to support the series of meetings, there is hope for positive outcomes.

Indications are that STW have been very busy working on actions raised at previous meetings.

Investigations into the drains in Windsor Avenue identified that they were full of twigs, leaves, weeds and roots. Further investigations have taken place at Castle Mews and Blackwell Lane while probes into what the problems are on Derby Road, are still ongoing.

The possible need to use plastic liners in some drains is being reviewed, but at an anticipated cost of £5,000 per sewer, the costs could be prohibitive. n Cllr Harrison reported that progress is being made with regard to the Local Plan Part 1 with a consultation planned for December 8,9,10 and the Inspector’s report anticipated in January.

men then got out of the car and one hit the victim with a metal chain, injuring him in the process.

All three got back into the car and drove off.

The teenage victim said all men wore

TOM MILLS reports from the December meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

Part 2 of the Plan is still to be resolved with consultations taking place between December and February.

It is anticipated that a further 600 homes will be required and that these will be located in the key service villages of which Melbourne is one.

There was reference to extending Melbourne’s boundaries to accommodate the new houses, but this was not discussed further by the meeting. n South Derbyshire District Council has been awarded £1million of investment from Sainsbury’s under its ‘Waste Less, Save More’ initiative.

The Swadlincote-based authority beat off 188 other entries to secure the investment and will now embark

dark clothes and had their heads covered with hoods or hats. The car was an old model silver Vauxhall Astra.

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Tony Chambers on 101, quoting crime reference number 42345/15.

on a year-long project by testing some of the most innovative ideas and technology available, with an ambition to cut household waste by 50 per cent.

Swadlincote is the test-bed to pioneer this initiative. n The Melbourne Sporting Partnership project is continuing to make good progress with the July 2016 completion still on target.

The car park has been laid and spaces white lined; the artificial pitch with floodlights could be in use by spring 2016. n Councillors heard from Cllr Paul Willmore that everything is in place for the Christmas in Melbourne event and that road closures effectively cutting off the Market Place will be in place from 4-9pm on December 4th. n The cemetery chapel has been the subject of a condition survey and some minor repairs with positive outcomes.

Following the earlier refurbishment there have already been positive responses from residents and the Remembrance Tree installed in late November has attracted quite a number of cards from people remembering loved ones.

Continued from Page 1 opportunity is a great deal of sadness to be leaving a community which he has enjoyed from the first warm welcome and he will be taking with him some very fond memories of his time here.

He said: “Sharing in the fantastic sense of community in this area has to be the most important, but being able to open and use the garden for events, increasing the church’s involvement with the Festival, the building of St Michael’s House with Alan Staley, the big choral services and concerts will always stay with me as memories.

“The establishment of the Singing for the Brain service with the Alzheimer’s Society is also another wonderful success.

“It is almost impossible to say how much I have enjoyed being responsible for four parishes with beautiful and historic buildings, and from the very outset I was struck with the warmth of the welcome I had.

“I will miss it immensely. I am especially grateful to the church wardens and the entire staff team for all of their hard work and support.”

Between now and January he and Helen have the unenviable task of packing all their belongings ready for the big move. His last service in Melbourne will be on January 3.

Hats off to this company HELP YOUR FAMILY BY MAKING A WILL

l Two of the characters from ‘He Wore A Red Hat’, performed by the New Perspectives Theatre Company are actors Mufaro Makubika and Gerry Howell.

Our Solicitors will guide you through the process and advise you on the best structure of a Will relating to your circumstances.

Protect your Assets and your Family.

Photograph: Pamela Raith.

CHRISTMAS arrived slightly early in Melbourne, with the Festive ‘Noir’ Comedy ‘He Wore a Red Hat’ featuring at the Assembly Rooms.

Poet Josh Rogan is on a mission to join the local police as a detective and ends up investigating some mysterious seasonal crimes involving stockings, turkeys and a chimney… all we know about the suspect is that he was seen wearing a red hat!

Written and directed by Jack McNamara, the story is well suited for a rural community with a simple but enchanting set up involving a tennis umpire’s chair and a video screen.

With the use of mobile phones and Skype, the production maintains a thoroughly modern feel.

The action revolves around three actors, Mufaro Makubika, Kate Kordel and Gerry Howell, who cleverly and skilfully portray the amateur sleuths, overseen by technician Sharon, mysteri-

ously masked as a poet herself and intriguingly involved in the plot.

In a highly enjoyable production Gerry Howell’s engagement with the audience is a key part of its success and the entire team showed just how much can be done with a well-written script, a few basic props and a suitable space.

The production was brought to Melbourne under the ‘Live and Local’ arts banner. It relies heavily on support from SDDC, Derbyshire County Council and the Arts Council, to bring “surprising shows to surprising venues” and it was actually surprisingly good!

Our local community hall in Melbourne, despite all of its obvious limitations, does seem to be developing a growing reputation for local community theatre, and the next production, Oliver Twist, on February 12, promises to be every bit as good as the recent ones.

– Frank Hughes

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Music hall alive and kicking

6 Village Voice December 2015

‘THANKS For The Memory’ made a welcome return to Melbourne Assembly Rooms where they performed their current version of music hall to an enthusiastic audience.

The Company took us on a journey, from the cobbled, gas-lit streets of Edwardian London to the poppy fields of Flanders during the war years, where we embraced the traumas and triumphs of ultimate victory.

On the way we encountered Nellie Wallace, one of this country’s iconic comediennes, and America’s Al Jolson, a true luminary who was primarily responsible for the advent of the Jazz Age, both here

Cashing in on music

TWO ‘lots’ attracted buyers of music memorabilia to a recent Hanson’s auction.

Bidders dug deep to secure two outstanding examples of music memorabilia. Superb quality and condition along with excellent provenance saw the Beatles and the Rolling Stones autographs achieve great results.

A Beatles fan postcard signed ‘To Michelle love Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon’ sold for £1,900.

Hanson’s Claire Howell said: “The Beatles are a great investment and a full set of autographs on one picture is always one of the best to buy.”

A Rolling Stones fully autographed postcard signed by Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Billy Wyman and Charlie Watts sold for £700 with music memorabilia consultant Claire commenting: “Rolling Stones items signed by the late great Brian Jones are getting more and more sought after, as fewer autographs of this early period come onto the market.”

and in America.

The Company is currently in pre-production of its next offering, ‘From The Ritz To The Blitz’, which charts the escapism through popular music from The Depression of the 1930s through to the joyous celebrations of VE day, signifying the end of WW2.

They hope to premier this show at the Assembly Rooms in autumn/winter 2016, and are looking to recruit a couple of gentlemen with singing and/or acting experience to join the Company.

If you are interested, contact Tim Winters on 01332 863679.

An inspector calls for local people to help prevent crime

THE new police inspector for South Derbyshire is keen to make a difference as she takes on the huge responsibility for tackling crime in this area.

Inspector Kate Bateman took on the job in September, following the retirement of Inspector Nigel Lidsey and she is looking to strike the right balance in how policing resources are deployed.

“We need to ensure that the resources are in the right place at the right times, consistent with the level of risk and threat, and providing an enhanced service where and when it is needed,” she said.

She has a long and varied background in the job. “From the age of 16, I always wanted to join the police and after school I tried to get in, but without success.”

Instead she worked for British Midland on crew records, then for British Rail, before having a time in pub management. Then, 25 years ago, she had another go at joining the police and was recruited. She was initially based in Pear Tree and then gained promotion to work as a sergeant at Cotton Lane. In

May last year she gained promotion to Inspector and had a stint at St Mary’s Wharf before the Derby South Section job came up.

She is married within the job too, as her husband was also in the force. Although retired he is now still involved in the Safer Neighbourhood initiative in the area. They have two children, with one at university and one at school.

Being from South Derbyshire herself, and growing up in the area, she was keen to take on the role.

“It is a lovely area, but not without its challenges,” she said. “In particular the growth in the area means there are more demands on police time, with more neighbourhoods to patrol. There is also quite a difference in policing needs between the ‘urban core’ around Swadlincote and the more rural parts of the district with different patterns of crime.”

Without wanting to alarm people, because overall it is a very safe place to live, there is an increase in crime in the area and often it is preventable. Car crime, in particular, has gone up with cars and vans being broken into, but often to steal just petty items such as sunglasses, a coat or an ipad, which have been left unwittingly on display.

“People have to remember that for

some criminals this is what they do, and they go out to earn money from their activities, so will pick on easy targets.”

Prevention work is a key part of her strategy. She is also keen to maintain the policing levels, whilst appreciating that budget cuts are bound to have an impact.

“We have a good team in this area, and our reactive teams are up to full strength, where we are able to field five teams of a sergeant and seven officers.

There are vacancies in the safer neighbourhood teams and we are recruiting to fill them, she said.

“But it is very much about community policing and I want to encourage the public to report anything suspicious. I would rather we get people calling us if they see anything unusual or suspicious than feeling it’s a waste of time, because it might just help us to prevent or solve a crime.”

Her clear message is ‘don’t leave your property unsecured, and if you see anything out of place, get in touch with the Beat team, call 101 or if it is more urgent call 999’.

– Frank Hughes

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Soup-er idea for project fund-raising

LOCAL resident Liz Hepplewhite has come up with a novel and engaging way of raising funds for community initiatives.

It is called “community soup” and the idea is that on a regular basis people get together for a delicious soup meal, paying a small donation for it which then goes to a good cause, chosen on the night from four “pitches” for the money.

The concept has already been tried and tested in the USA and North Yorkshire, where substantial amounts of money have been raised for local initiatives.

Liz said: “This has worked really well in Detroit, Michigan, and Settle so there is no reason why Melbourne can’t make a go of it.”

The concept is simple: for a suggested donation of £4 (£2 for under-18s) you get a delicious meal of soup (hopefully with a

choice) bread and tea or something stronger if you bring your own. Four of the guests come prepared to make a case for their particular initiative or project, and after the meal a vote is taken for the favourite.

Four ideas for improving Melbourne or the local community will be put forward; each has four minutes to pitch to the crowd.

“We want lots of local folk to get involved so if £4 is a bit steep just donate what you can; if you are feeling generous you can donate more!” said Liz. “Children are welcome, too, with grownups, and if they are old enough to decide which idea they like best then they can have a vote.

“Then we eat together and discuss the ideas and mingle, meet new people and generally have a good time.”

All the money taken on the door is given to the winning bidder to kickstart their

project or build on an existing one. The people behind the project will then be asked to update on their progress at future soup meetings as they bring their idea to life.

“Some people have asked ‘what if the winner blows their money on drink, drugs or flash cars?’ Well, Melbourne is a small place so we will all know if someone misuses their winnings.

“I don’t think this is likely to happen but if it does they will never get their project off the ground and their reputations will be truly in the soup!’

The first event will be on January 22 at the Senior Citizens’ Centre, starting at 6:30pm.

Help tidying up the hall after will be appreciated. You can email Liz at lizhepplewhite@icould.com for any further information or offers of help.

– Frank Hughes

Village Voice December 2015 7

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MELBOURNE Kids’ Christmas party is in the bag

PLASTIC bag sales at Melbourne’s Sainsbury’s store have helped pay for a children’s Christmas party.

Sainsbury’s Local is supporting the festive party at Melbourne Junior School by buying drinks and crisps for all 252 children.

The cash came from the store’s community budget - partly funded by the sales of 5p carrier bags, a levy which came into force in October of this year.

n MARGARET Sharp was the guest speaker at the URC Ladies Bright Hour meeting.

Her talk was about 'Fragile X ', a condition suffered by two of her grandsons, Euan and Max. Margaret received a cheque for £110 from Margaret Buxton, leader of the Bright Hour club, to be sent to ‘The Fragile X Society’, to help with research into the condition.

Sainsbury's Local Store Manager Gary Dunne said: “It’s great that we, as a store, can use money our customers have spent on their carrier bags for such a worthy cause.

“To be able to spread the funds across so many children and support the school is just what Sainsbury's values are all about.”

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Great walks near you

Legion AGM

8 Village Voice December 2015

THE National Trust has teamed up with Cotswold Outdoor to create a free 'Little Book of Great Walks Near You', suggesting some of their favourite walks at National Trust places in the Midlands.

This handy guide features walks across the region and is broken down into six categories: walks for 'Wildlife and Nature', 'Peaks and Views', 'Woodlands', 'Water's Edge', 'History' and 'Season's Best'.

It will be distributed through regional Cotswold Outdoor stores and all of the National Trust properties including Calke Abbey.

The woods and water banks at Calke are bursting with wildlife, so naturally this appears in the 'Wildlife' category. National Trust staff have helped to compile the walking guide, with many of the walks being personal favourites.

Ben Robinson, Ranger at Calke Abbey, said: "The ancient trees walk makes a great start to the day, as everything is waking up and the birds are busying themselves around you. I always find myself pausing for a few moments by the 'Old Man of Calke', in awe of what it's seen in its 1,200-year lifetime. It's pretty humbling".

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/localwalks for copies of the guide.

THE 2015 Annual General Meeting of Melbourne branch of the Royal British Legion was held on Wednesday, November 25.

The president, Richard Heath, gave his report which included reference to the recent Remembrance Parade and thanks to The Queens Company, Grenadier Guards, for their support over the years.

Richard handed over to branch chairman Kevin Iliffe for his report. Mr Iliffe, who was also a Grenadier Guard, has completed his tenure as National Parade Marshal. He was often seen at the Cenotaph in London with the Queen in attendance.

Kevin thanked the members, the committees and the officers of the branch and club for their continuing support.

There was just one change to the committee.

Outgoing vice-chairman Arthur Baxter was rel MELBOURNE Parish Church Autumn Fair was, according to the organisers, a placed by David Worrall, former branch secregreat success raising approximately £1,400, which was up on last year. A combina- tary for many years and parade marshal. Mr tion of helpers and supporters are pictured at the event.

Baxter will remain on the branch committee.

Emma’s tribute to ‘unsung heroes’

by Lucy Stephens

A DEDICATED physiotherapist from King’s Newton has paid tribute to the “unsung heroes” of the Great British NHS, after being named in two separate awards.

Dr Emma Salt, a consultant physiotherapist at Burton Hospital – known locally under her married name of Mantle – was not only named Clinician of the Year by her hospital trust this year, but also came runner-up in the “Employee of the Year” section of the Burton Mail Business Awards held at the Pirelli Sta-

dium in Burton this autumn.

Emma, who sits on the board of governors at the hospital, said: “When I heard I’d got nominated – I had absolutely no idea that was coming and I felt really elated!”

Emma has been a physiotherapist for around 20 years, after completing her initial studies at the University of Birmingham and her doctorate last year.

When she was named Clinician of the Year at Burton Hospital, she was the first what might be described as “nonmedical” staff member – ie not a doctor

or a nurse – to receive the accolade.

She said: “There’s a whole load of us in the NHS who make a massive contribution to the functioning of the NHS from the porters who do a fantastic job, to the speech and language therapists and the technicians who are analysing the bloods and the pharmacists and radiologists – a whole range of people who don’t seem to get much of a look-in or recognition in the media.”

During her working week at Burton Hospital, Emma works in musculoskeletal health, seeing patients for neck and

arm pain – as well as a new area working with TMJ, a kind of lockjaw.

As passionate about her work as she is about the great British institution of the NHS, she said: “I do really love my job, because it never gets boring. I am a people person and that’s what the job is all about.

“I’ve done a bit of private work and hated it; it’s not where my passion lies.

I love working in the NHS because it’s dynamic and it’s just so diverse.

“When patients are so grateful it does make you feel really good.”

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Beware ... you are on candid camera

by Lucy Stephens

SOUTH Derbyshire wardens monitoring flytipping, dog fouling and other environmental problems will now be wearing special video cameras to record miscreants.

The use of Body Worn Video Cameras was agreed by South Derbyshire councillors at an Environmental and Development Services Committee meeting in November.

It means that the council’s safer neighbourhood wardens – who are responsible for investigating environmental crimes and anti-social behaviour – will be able to use the cameras to shoot live video footage while they carry out their work.

They will be joining Derbyshire Police and civil enforcement officers, who already wear the cameras – and, the meeting heard, had experienced a “massive reduction� in aggressive confrontation with the public as a result.

Matt Holford, the council’s environmental health manager, told the meeting that the cameras had recently been trialled by wardens, who he said were “very much at the coal face of our interaction with local communities�.

He continued: “Unfortunately, that does sometimes mean there are quite difficult conversa-

tions that they have with members of our community. “What we are finding is that when members of the community are seeing the cameras ‌ it certainly defused some quite aggressive situations and enabled a much better outcome. “It also enabled officers to evidence to individuals what exactly it was that was offending about their behaviour.â€?

A report to councillors also pointed out that cameras are very useful in providing video footage of fly-tipping, a much quicker way of gathering evidence than taking large quantities of still photographs.

Photographic evidence resulting from one confrontation enabled the council to rebut a complaint about one warden from a member of the public.

But the cameras do have drawbacks, not least of which is the perception from the public that their privacy is being yet further eroded.

Committee member Cllr Neil Tilley pointed out to councillors the need to tell people the cameras were being worn, so as to manage the expectations of “joe public seeing them for the first time�.

South Derbyshire currently has two safer neighbourhood wardens, and will shortly expand its team to three.

TAKING A WALK IN THE FOREST

A FITTING festive end of season has been arranged with a walk at Rosliston Forestry Centre this month with mulled wine and a mince pie on offer for those taking part.

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Village Voice December 2015 9

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10 Village Voice December 2015

Season’s greetings from Melbourne Royal British Legion

A nation stops

Cl ub A cti v iti es C h r i s t m a s a n d N e w Ye a r

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“AT THE going down of the sun … we will remember them.”

The bells tolled 11 times, the solemn parades marched through the streets, wreaths of poppies were laid – and thousands of pounds were raised to help care for ex-service men and women through the auspices of the Royal British Legion.

On a cold, grey Sunday, people lined the streets in Melbourne and in Aston-on-Trent to watch the time-honoured Remembrance Day Parade take place.

More than 400 people marched to Melbourne’s Church Square led by the Melbourne Town Band, joining others already assembled, where they stood quietly for around an hour to watch wreaths being laid by many members of the community including Colonel Mike Reynolds, Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire Mrs Griselda Kerr, along with representatives from Melbourne schools and local clubs.

Members of the army cadets, scouts, cubs, brownies and guides were also on hand to help with collecting money, handing out hymn sheets and carrying the Standard.

Meanwhile, it was standing room only at All Saints’ Church in Aston-on-Trent after the parade – which included the Derby Midshipmen band, members of 107th Derby Scouts and local organisations – had wound its way through the village, starting at the White Hart Inn, stopping to lay a wreath at the Memorial Hall, before arriving at the church ready for the service.

In Aston, the parade has been an annual event since 1954, and the customary two minutes’ silence to remember the fallen is timed exactly so that the church bells strike 11 while the congregation is silent.

In Melbourne the parade marshals are David Worrall and David Cox, while in Aston the members of the Royal British Legion are: John Lawson (chairman of the Aston and Weston branch); Duncan Wallis (vice-chair); Bob Read (committee

member) and branch secretary Jim Ballington.

Although the parade only takes place on one day, months of organisation are required to ensure roads are closed and the emergency services are kept informed.

A big part of the occasion is the Poppy Appeal, which raises thousands of pounds to enable the Royal British Legion to carry out its work supporting those who have served their country in conflict.

In 2014 the Melbourne Poppy Appeal raised a grand total of £11,039.14. Hopefully 2015 will raise even more. Collections taken at Sainsbury’s have already raised almost £1,100. The local Poppy Appeal organiser is Andy Boardman with his wife Julie and they are both Royal British Legion Standard Bearers.

The Aston and Weston RBL branch’s fund-raising efforts, organised by Jane Archer, achieved £3,382.

Among those the Legion supports are people such as Walter Bull, 96, formerly of the 14th battalion Sherwood Foresters, who is the president of the Aston and Weston branch of the Royal British Legion.

Aston and Weston Legion vice-chair Duncan Wallis said: “Those who are injured, the Royal British Legion remembers 365 days a year – that’s where the Legion’s finances are put, to make their lives the best we can.

“Those soldiers who are lost – it’s important that at least one day a year they are remembered.

“We need to remember those that are fallen.”

WEDNESDAY, November 11, saw a smaller gathering at the Cenotaph in Melbourne, to commemorate the guns falling silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The traditional two minutes’ silence was held before Reveille. On both days Melbourne RBL President Richard Heath delivered the Act of Homage and the Kohima Epitaph.

MELBOURNE Art Festival director Sharon Brown presented a cheque for £540 to the staff and pupils from Chellaston Academy, who sold £5,400 worth of guides for the Festival Art Trail.

The money will start the 2016 fund-raising for the John Dickens’ House orphanage project in Uganda set up by the school.

Pictured (l-r) are: Matt Keeley, Jonah Luckett,

Louis Chapman, Maia Simpson-Lloyd, Eve Wingfield, James Dickinson, Hannah Mcmahon, Lucy Wilson, Sharon Brown, Hope Archer, May Coffey, Laura Jones, Laura Smith and Ian Walters.

The festival committee also made a donation to Melbourne Senior Citizens’ Community Centre to thank them for hosting artists, the Busk Stop and the food stands over the trail weekend.

all welcome

Diary dates for New Year:

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to honour its heroes

Village Voice December 2015 11

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Griselda Kerr lays a wreath.

TOP LEFT: Members of Melbourne Beavers prepare to lay their wreath.

TOP RIGHT: Jocie Banks stands with Anne Brazier who was laying a wreath in memory of her uncle, Frank Spare, who died in the First World War. ABOVE LEFT: Local clergymen and church elders lead the short service of Remembrance.

ABOVE RIGHT: Melbourne Brownies place their crosses in the small Remembrance garden.

LEFT: The Rev Tony Luke leads the RBL contingent from Aston Memorial Hall to All Saints’ Parish Church.

The County Councillor for the Melbourne Division, Linda Chilton, sends her best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year to all constituents.

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Royal reward for Mike

A DERBYSHIRE sailor had his inspirational volunteer endeavours recognised by The Princess Royal at the annual RYA Volunteer Awards in London.

Staunton Harold Sailing Club’s Mike Jones was honoured with an Outstanding Contribution Award by sailing’s national governing body, which recognises individuals who have made a significant volunteer contribution to their club or organisation.

At the awards ceremony and luncheon Mike was presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.

The 70-year-old has been a Staunton Harold member for around nine years and has used his extensive professional experience to help the club attract and keep more sailors.

He played a major role in helping to improve the club’s facilities, developing fund-raising application securing more than £140,000 over the past six years to invest in changing facilities, training rooms, boathouse facilities, a committee boat, safety and training craft and new club

dinghies.

Mike also helps to co-ordinate club open days, and his clear vision and unstinting determination were key elements in Staunton Harold being named RYA Club of the Year in 2014 having been a runner-up in 2012 and 2013.

Mike was nominated for the award by Staunton Harold SC and selected as a winner by the RYA Awards panel.

He said: “I was utterly overwhelmed to learn I had won this award. To have been put forward by my own sailing club at Staunton Harold and the wonderful friends I have there, who are equally deserving in my opinion, and for it to be approved by the RYA, is very, very special.

“I have always loved the sport and the people in it.

“Being involved in all we have achieved at Staunton Harold over the last few years has given me the greatest pleasure.

“Sailing is a wonderful sport, it keeps you fit without you noticing it and I can still compete after all these years.”

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l David Calvert (left), Acting Group Scout Leader, and Richard Trevena (right), Scout Leader, with Freddie Penny.

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MELBOURNE Scout Freddie Penny is pure gold – he is reckoned to be the first in the village to win a coveted Chief Scout Gold Award.

Freddie, 14, a former pupil at Dame Catherine Harpur’s school in Ticknall, spent four years completing the many tasks required to secure the top honour in Scouting.

These included nine different challenge badges, for which he undertook trips abroad to Norway and Holland; completed an eightmile trek; set up camp sites and slept under the stars, as well as conducting research into

his local area.

Freddie has been attending Melbourne Scouts since he was six, and is now preparing to join the Explorer Scouts, which is the stage members reach at the age of 14.

He is also hoping to carry on going to Melbourne Scouts as a leader.

He said: “I wanted to do the gold award because it really means something in Scouting – not many people get it.”

Dave Calvert, from Melbourne Scouts, said Freddie was the first Melbourne Scout he had come across to win the gold award.

Causeway HGV drivers fined

AN HGV driver has been prosecuted and fined for illegally driving on Swarkestone Causeway while in breach of its weight restriction.

The ancient bridge and causeway is protected by a 7.5 ton weight limit in order to protect it from damage.

The heavy goods driver was prosecuted and fined £447, plus £159 costs, for attempting to cross the bridge in a vehicle that was too heavy.

Derbyshire County Council is currently investigating 17 similar cases.

Of the investigations that

have been concluded, four drivers received warning letters, three were given a caution.

Another driver appeared in court on November 5 and was fined £300 together with Trading Standards costs of £115 and criminal court charges totalling £180.

Melbourne bombing ... read all about it

MELBOURNE was bombed just once in the Second World War – and, for those who want to know more, a fascinating new book has been written providing full details of that fateful day.

The Day that Melbourne was Bombed has been written by David Smith, who grew up in the village and, after a career in teaching, now lives in Castle Donington.

His book details the circumstances and effects of the eight bombs which fell on Melbourne on July 11, 1940. Interestingly, this was a few weeks before the real Battle of Britain started and Germany began systematically bombing this country, which gives the author the opportunity to examine what possible interest the Luftwaffe could have had in targeting a small Derbyshire village.

David said that when he was a child the remains of the bombs were still visible in Melbourne.

On the day they fell, his grandmother had taken food for a soldier stationed in the village – a kind action which, in the event, saved the soldier’s life: because he was being brought food he was delayed in returning to his billet, which got the worst of the bombs at 7.55am, killing eight of his colleagues outright and injuring the ninth so badly he died shortly afterwards.

The soldiers had been housed in a building at the bottom of Church Street, an area which is now home to the Senior Citizens Centre.

David began researching his book in 2014 and managed to get hold of many people who were living in Melbourne at the time.

As a result, it contains a wealth of interesting memories and photographs, among them pictures and recollections from Reg Hicklin – now aged nearly 90 and living in Weston-Super-Mare, who

was a member of the Air Training Corp in 1940.

Reg recalled spotting the German bomber flying over Chellaston on the morning of the raid and identifying it as a Heinkel He 111.

David also contacted John Dibb-Smith, who was 12 at the time of the bombing and living in a large house on the junction of Chapel Street and Packhorse Road.

John said the book was a “fascinating read for anyone interested in local history”.

The book is available at Wayne Spiers butchers, Jack’s, and Melbourne Post Office, or via www.melbournederbyshire.co.uk – Lucy Stephens

Village Voice December 2015 13

l David Smith is pictured below holding a copy of his book. He was the guest speaker at the Melbourne Wednesday Group. With him are Betty Bateman (president), Trevor Robinson (speaker finder), and Brenda Goodwin (treasurer).

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14 Village Voice December 2015

LET THERE BE

At the switch-on - Paul Willmore, Tony Howard of sponsors, Jeani Accessories, Santa, Georgina Howard and Wendy Earp.

Your local butchers at Melbourne Hall Craft Centre are now taking Christmas orders, including turkey, goose, cockerel, ribs of beef fillet of beef and much much more... 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 of our meat.

Stuck on ideas for a special Christmas present? How about a butchery course at Tori and Ben’s Butchery? Please email us for more details.

Open in the Melbourne Hall Craft Centre

SANTA arrived in Melbourne Market Place on his sleigh in time to switch on the lights for the Melbourne at Christmas event.

And what a sight they were. A beautiful display of colourful lights on the main tree and the smaller trees mounted on the walls of buildings in the Market Place gave it an almost magical impression. It was a huge improvement on the previous lights, justifying the council’s investment.

The hundreds that had been gathering in the Market Place joined in the countdown to switch-on with Cllr Wendy Earp, chair of Melbourne Parish Council, and Santa leading the chant.

Santa was soon off into the crowd, mingling, shaking hands and distributing small gifts for the many children there with their parents all enjoying a late night out, in the dark, with friends.

A reduced Town Band played Christmas songs and carols with members of A Choir’d Taste joining in to lead the community singing.

With a selection of hot food and drink stalls on site, packed pubs, kiddies’ rides and enthusiastic Cubs inviting all-comers to Splat the Rat, there was a fun and jovial atmosphere to the whole proceedings – with the added bonus of good weather for people to enjoy a fine and clear night out.

For those needing shelter, the Assembly Rooms provided an opportunity to go indoors and view or buy something from the extensive range of craft work on sale.

Tue - Sat 8.30am - 4.30pm | Sun 10am - 12.30pm Call 01332 585575 | Email orders@toriandbensfarm.co.uk @toriandbensfarm | toriandbensfarm.com | Tori and Ben’s Farm

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D o

#

Village Voice December 2015 15

Coppice

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Debbie Eaton and Mike Quilliam, of Chocolate and Cheese on Derby Road, Melbourne.

l WESTON on Trent villagers turned out to enjoy mulled wine, sing Christmas carols and witness the switching-on of the Christmas lights.

Joining them were (l-r) Cllr Peter Watson, Mrs Kathy Slater (consort), Cllr Neil Atkin (chair of South Derbyshire District Council), Cllr Mrs Avril Record (vice-chair Weston Parish Council) and Cllr Ed Green (chair of Weston Parish Council).

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n IN Ticknall, there will be carols around the tree on Christmas Eve starting at 7pm.

The Methodist Chapel has invited those attending for refreshments afterwards.

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WREN’S EXCITING NEW AUTUMN YARNS NOW IN STOCK Full range of King Cole Tinsel yarns and patterns.

Stylecraft ‘Cabaret’ and Alpaca D.K. New seasons range of knitting bags and sewing boxes.

Full range of Dylon dyes. 100% cotton handkerchiefs.

H.J. soft-top socks – we now stock ladies H.J. Socks New in: tablecloths, doilies, armchair covers, antimacassars, toy filling.

- All major credit cards accepted Visit us at www.wrenswoolshop-derby.co.uk email: wrensofderby@hotmail.co.uk FREE 870 Osmaston Road, Allenton, Derby DE24 9AB PARKING AVAILABLE Tel/Fax: 01332 340965

Christmas boxes for the needy

16 Village Voice December 2015

Winter Specials from RVT sudbury

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BE Prepared is their motto – now Melbourne cubs are helping some of the world’s poorest do just that.

The Friday-night Lions cub pack is busy raising hundreds of pounds to fund “Aquaboxes” – a Derbyshire-based charity which supplies boxes specially fitted with water filtration units, and containing a whole range of vital supplies, to parts of the globe hit by disaster.

The charitable efforts of the Lions group – whose members range from eight to 10 in age – were kick-started after they raised £279.10 for BBC Children in Need by completing two sponsored rambles of between five and six miles.

Pack leader Ross Danby decided his family would then match that money and put it towards the Aquabox charity.

Now the cubs will be undertaking more fundraising activities to pay for further Aquaboxes, which contain equipment needed by disaster-hit families to help get back on their feet, after circumstances beyond their control leave them with literally nothing.

Aquabox has distributed its life-saving boxes to different parts of the world including Syria, Gambia – hit by floods in 2012-3 – and post-

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l Rotarians Margaret Sharp and Kate Dumelow are pictured collecting shoeboxes from Melbourne Junior School pupils and headteacher Mrs Jane Whirledge.

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earthquake Haiti.

As well as a water filtration unit capable of providing clean drinking water for a family of five for 18 months, the boxes contain dozens of different items to aid survival, including clothes, medicines and shelter.

Ross said: “There’s enough in there to get a family back on their feet. The big issue about any disaster is the lack of clean, safe drinking water – it’s always children and families who suffer and it usually causes more problems and deaths than the disasters themselves.

“We were looking to do something for Christmas and the reason I liked Aquabox is that we were looking for something to support people in fairly dire straits. Aquabox has already been supporting Syria in the last 18 months. It’s a local charity and you can see what’s being provided and making a practical difference.

“Part of the philosophy of the scouts is being prepared – and we’re also trying to instil in them about thinking of other people.

“Every cub scout promises to help other people and to do a good turn every day.”

To find out more about Aquabox, visit http://www.aquabox.org/ - Lucy Stephens

MELBOURNE Rotary Club’s Shoe-Box Appeal collected over 100 shoe-boxes from the schools in Melbourne and Ticknall, and the Methodist Church, as their contribution to a massive total of more than 10,000 throughout Derbyshire.

The boxes, containing small items donated by children, are sent to their less fortunate counterparts overseas, in time for Christmas, and this year the Derbyshire collection is already en route to Serbia.

In the last 25 years, some 120 million shoe boxes have been collected in 30 of the world’s more developed countries, and dispatched world-

wide through the charitable organisation Samaritan’s Purse.

The Rotary Club has been collecting and dispatching shoe boxes for more than 20 years, and regard the scheme as a “win-win” exercise; there is the obvious benefit to deprived children throughout the world in receiving gifts which bring them such excitement and happiness at Christmas time.

But there is also an equal benefit to our own children in this country, in learning the value of giving, and caring for other more needy children in some of the poorer countries of the world.

In a spin for Children in Need

Recycling bank under threat

Village Voice December 2015 17

THE staff at Breedon Priory Health Club took part as a team in a 25¼ hour Spinathon for Children In Need.

Starting at 6.30 pm on Thursday, November 12, until 7.45pm the next day, members of staff took it in turn to sit on a spin bike in fancy dress throughout the whole time frame. Each member of staff had three or four hour sessions to complete and during each of these hours they wore a different fancy dress costume.

The event was a real success, and raised over £1,000 for the charity.

“It was great to receive so much support from our members,” said club owner Sigourney Gates.

“Some even joined us on the bikes. We are now looking forward to next year, although I don’t think we will be on a spin bike; our bums are still recovering!’

Club owner Sigourney Gates is pictured doing her last stint on the bike with (l-r): Laura Middleton, Andy David, Jo Redfern, Andy Gates, Dave Middleton, Matt Blunt and Hannah Knowles.

THERE is concern in Aston that the textile recycling bank, which is situated just inside the school gates, may be withdrawn.

Whilst it is currently still operating and can be used by parents/carers and the local community, the important message is that if it is not used it will be withdrawn.

So, if you are having a “clear-out” you are requested to please use this facility. It can accept clean and dry shoes, clothing, handbags, hats and belts.

These items not only raise funds for the school but also provide affordable clothing and employment in third world countries.

CCTV camera boost for street

MELBOURNE is to get a new CCTV camera to help keep the streets safe.

The Safer Neighbourhood Forum has agreed to grant money to buy the new camera, with Melbourne Parish Council agreeing to make up the difference.

The new camera will look over the market place and will provide a clearer, better quality image.

n DAME Catherine’s School, Ticknall, held a coffee morning and open day in aid of Children In Need. It was an enjoyable occasion with local residents dropping in for cake and coffee and a number of former pupils returning for the morning.

The event also attracted some new visitors to take a tour of the school and raised £120.

Pictured (l-r) are: Maddie Hill, Fiona Hill, Margaret Whyte (headmistress), Eden Bates-McIntyre and Bria Adlington.

How to obtain ‘In Memoriam’

FOLLOWING the review by John Williams of the publication "In Memoriam" in the October Village Voice, Melbourne Historical Research Group would like it to be known that copies of the book, which concerns Melbourne casualties in WW1, are obtainable from Jean Grimley, 01332 863385 or Adrian Earp, 01335 343203, e-mail adrian.earp@btinternet.com The price of the book is £15 delivered locally or £18.50 posted to an address in the UK.

Bosworth Homecare Services (MELBOURNE)

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For more information Tel: 01283 218528 NVQ preferred but not essential Own transport is required.

We are an equal opportunities employer

18 Village Voice December 2015

Players’ satirical return

THE latest production by St Michael’s Players saw them build upon the poignant success of Oh! What a Lovely War with a return to comedy.

The clever ‘Planning Application’ poster and programme whetted the audience’s appetite for an evening of satirical entertainment comprising three lots, and the self-directing group delivered in spades.

Proceedings kicked off with Communications, an episode from the iconic Fawlty Towers series written by Connie Booth and John Cleese, that revolved around misunderstandings caused by the refusal of a deaf hotel guest, played by Kath Nightingale as a galleon in full sail, to wear her hearing aid. The entire cast embraced the larger than life characters with gusto, but particular mention must go to Gordon Hughes’s impeccable comic timing as the increasingly frustrated Basil, Joe Moore’s entertaining mannerisms as the hapless Manuel, and Anne Payne’s wonderful portrayal of the shrewish Sybil.

The second ‘lot’ was Dating Disasters, based on an original screenplay by Victoria Wood, featuring Sue Chapman as Sheila, a middle-aged woman seeking love on-line, encouraged by her friend Victoria. The twist was that Sheila’s succession of dates fell for the vivacious Victoria, played with relish by Steph Hughes wearing increasingly more provocative outfits, while Sheila finally found romance on her doorstep with Des Gosling’s librarian John.

The action took place on familiar territory, with Melbourne Library, Fortey’s café and Amalfi

White providing the settings. Here, the polished acting and timing of the cast delivered humour with a touch of bitter sweet.

The final ‘lot’ saw Des Gosling playing the writer Victor Hugo, searching for inspiration for his next opus in Melbourne. The result was a fast, witty and very pointed satire written by Gordon Hughes, Margaret Gildea and Frank Hughes, based on the musical Les Miserables, and exposing Les Miserables Housing Developments in Melbourne.

Again, the action took place in familiar settings, including Castle Square, the Post Office, the Chip and Pin, and, almost inevitably, John Ward’s ‘Emporium’ where anti-development protesters manned the barricades. The entire cast performed with verve, combining comedy with some excellent singing, with soloists Sue Chapman, Steph Hughes and Frank Hughes deserving particular mention, accompanied by Mair Vater on piano.

It was wonderful to see new members injecting youthful vitality to the group; Ella Battersby as Courgette, Harry Davies as Ratatouille and Joe Moore as the Sherriff of Derby and Brioche were all excellent while Matt Gotheridge whole-heartedly embraced the Gay Borders character.

The ingenious set, designed by Graham Truscott, allowed swift transitions between acts, and with the lighting and sound delivered by Pete Nightingale and Pete Gough, delivered a professional backdrop to three very different but very entertaining sketches.

Choir back for annual carol concert

THE Melbourne mixed voice choir, A Choir’d Taste were joined by The Benson String Quartet and soloists Claire Robinson, Liz Hoyle (sopranos) and Kate Hill (alto) for the 2015 Art Festival concert.

The choir will be back at the Assembly Rooms on Friday and Saturday, December 11 and 12, with their annual Christmas Carols and Canapes concert.

In addition to performances from the choir, the audience members will have the opportunity to join in singing some favourite carols.

Sign of the times for business

AN old solicitor’s sign that has been above the door in Melbourne for around 80 years has finally been taken down – but owners have assured the public that it’s still business as usual.

H Pipes & Co was started in the 1930s by Harold Pipes and has been offering legal services from its offices in the Market Place ever since.

Shortly after opening his firm, Harold left to join the Royal Air Force and fought in World War Two, returning afterwards to continue the practice. He died in 2003.

In 2013 the company was bought

by Edward Hands & Lewis, a Loughborough-based firm with an even longer history, having been going since 1897.

The original plan was to keep the H Pipes sign above the door – since it is well known locally – but the firm then decided to change it because it is expanding with several offices dotted around the country and felt it was important to give them all the same identity.

But the owners have reassured the public that the removal of the firm’s old sign is the only thing that’s changing. For one thing, the building itself is still owned by members of the Pipes family.

Solicitor and firm director Paul Stubbs, who works in the Melbourne office, explained that the shift would ensure the firm would be able to continue operating and growing – changes in the legal marketplace meaning that larger law firms with several offices and backroom support will find it easier to cope than small, individual offices.

He said: “It’s a shame to see the name change on the door. We canvassed the town to see whether or not there was any objection – the resounding answer was no.

“For Edward Hands & Lewis, it (the changing of the sign) joins up a number of things that have happened over the last six or seven years. But for H Pipes, in terms of a name, it’s the end of an era – but the service remains the same.

Village Voice December 2015 19

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Calke Christmas craft show

Saturday 12, Sunday 13 December 11am-6pm Calke will be hosting a craft show in the Riding School, featuring fine crafts and unique Christmas gifts to buy. Normal park admission applies

Twinkle, twinkle Christmas star

Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 12noon-6.30pm (last entry to trail at 6pm) Last entry to Father Christmas Grotto 5.30pm Experience a starlit Christmas at Calke. Explore the house and follow the star trail up to the candlelit church.

Visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto, enjoy some children’s crafts in the stables and buy some last minute gifts in the shop.

As darkness falls experience Calke in all its Christmas starlit glory as this unique property is illuminated. Normal park admission applies Trail admission: Adult £3.50, child £2, family £11 (National Trust members free) Father Christmas Grotto £4.50 (includes present and applies to all children)

Christmas fine food fair

Sunday 20 December 11am-4pm Local food producers will have delicious foods to taste and buy in the Riding School.

Produce on offer is grown, raised or baked within a 30 mile radius of Calke. You can also enjoy cooking demonstrations from the Calke chefs.

Normal park admission applies Calke Abbey winter opening: Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10am –4pm Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier House: Re-opens seven days a week from 20 February 2016 Gardens : Re-open from 13 February 2016 Calke Abbey is fully closed on 25 December

“What this does is guarantees H Pipes’ success going forward. The market has changed and the regulator has made incredible demands.

“The idea is to have a law firm that’s served this town for 80 years – it’s now guaranteed to continue.”

For much of its early history H Pipes & Co mainly practised in agricultural law, reflecting the strong market gardening tradition in Melbourne.

After the 1970s, with the influx of more homes and mobile lifestyles, much of its work was in conveyancing. Today, it offers a complete civil practice service.

One of its directors, John Lord, has been working at the firm since 1982.

– Lucy Stephens

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information Normal park admission applies to all visitors.

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

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey

FOOTPATHS GROUP’S BUSY TWO MONTHS

MELBOURNE Footpaths Group (MFG) audits footpaths in the parish and beyond, reporting problems to Derbyshire County Council (DCC). More than 40 reports were sent in October and November.

In close liaison with DCC's Rights of Way Team, MFG car-

ries out some of the required maintenance. Last month members undertook maintenance work including clearing plant growth and installing signposts and waymarking discs in Repton, Ticknall, Ingleby and Foremark, which all help walkers to clearly identify rights of way

and safely walk along footpaths.

A note for your 2016 diary: on Thursday, January 21, MFG is leading a circular, six-mile walk from Kings Newton to Weston on Trent. The walk sets out from the Hardinge Arms (DE73 8BX) at 10am.

Breakfast served 9.00 - 11 1.30am Lunch from 11.30am m Afternoon teas served d daily Daily specials

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Lou, Lu Lucie & th he girls irlls would woulld d lik liike o wi ish a ll ll o our ur e tto wish all custome cu ustomers a very y Merry errry Christmas hriisttmas y Ch & a Happ Hap py New w Yea Year Yea ear pp

01332 8 01332 86 64224 6 4224

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blackwell la ane | melbourne | derbyshire e | de73 1en

20 Village Voice December 2015

God not just for Christmas

I OFTEN think at this time of year that we ought to have a big sign outside our churches that says: “God is for life, not just for Christmas.”

It is always an amazing sight to see our services blessed with the presence of so many extra people at Christmastime, and it is wonderful that all those extra people come, but it does sometimes make you want to say; “We’re here the rest of the year too, you know!”

I expect people come to Church at Christmas for a whole variety of reasons: reliving childhood memories; tradition and habit; perhaps because it’s always easier to come under the cover of a crowd!

I’d like also to think that it has something to do with the need to hope.

Without hope there is some sort of death, whether it be mental, emotional, spiritual or even physical death.

Therefore, we can only operate so long as we have a measure of hope, something to aim for and work for, above all something to live for! There is nothing more devastating than hopelessness and despair.

In this very secular, materialistic and, ultimately, very shallow age of ours, people still need something to hope for, some light in the darkness, a glimpse, even if only for

l THE Market Place Christmas tree is placed into position with Aspen Tree surgery duo Dan Gale on the ladder and Dan Castledine at ground level with Melbourne Sexton Robert Holman.

Rev Tony Luke is Rector of Aston on Trent, Elvaston, Weston on Trent, Shardlow, Swarkestone, Barrow upon Trent and Twyford, Rural Dean of Melbourne and Club Chaplain at Derby County FC. a moment, of something better and truer and more lasting.

Is that why they come again and again to hear the Christmas story?

The message of Christmas is a message of hope for the world. God cared and still cares enough for the world to draw it back within his love.

“God so loved the world” that he gave us Jesus, born as one of us within a human family in Bethlehem.

We are all too well aware of the terrible things, which happen in our world. However, despite humanity’s constant tendency to mess things up, the world is nevertheless not God-forsaken but God-filled.

As St. John says: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Maybe many of the people who will worship with us this Christmastime desperately want the reassurance that this Light is still there and hasn’t been snuffed out.

They are coming to make sure, because without it there would be no lasting hope.

So come, friends, and celebrate the birth of the Light. But remember, the Light of Jesus can accompany you on your journey the rest of the year.

May I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and hope-full Christmas.

2015

Season’s Greetings g

Nearly New and Pre-Owned Clothes 54 High Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire 01332 863084 or 07543 576837

Wishing all our customers...

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2 William's Yard, Derby Road, Melbourne, Derbyshire 01332 863784 www.lilyandlime.co.uk

The pharmacy in Melbourne wishes you a Merry Christmas. We are here for all your healthcare needs throughout the festive season.

Telephone: 01332 864200 www.theblossomtree.co.uk

Merry Christmas!

1 Potter Street, Melbourne. Tel: 01332 862 510 Mon - Fri: 08:45-18.30 Sat: 09:00-12:30 Sun: Closed

Williams Yard, Derby Road, Melbourne Tel: 01332 863810

Seasons Greetings Best Wishes to everyone for 2016 from

the Melbourne Print Team www.melbourneprint.co.uk info@melbourneprint.co.uk 01332 864 990

73 DERBY ROAD, MELBOURNE DERBYSHIRE, DE73 8FE next door to Sainsburys Local

Sleigh times

l LOOK who dropped by to see everyone at Weston-underFives Christmas Fair ‌ Pictured with Santa are Evie, Luca, Louis, Hugo and Millie.

RETURN OF THE MUMMERS

THE Melbourne Mummers are to return for their fourth year revival of the Melbourne Mumming play.

On December 18, the Mummers will be out and about bringing Christmas cheer to the pubs of Melbourne and Ticknall.

As usual, the mummers will be collecting for local charities, and invite local residents ‘to come out’ and be part of an old Derbyshire Christmas tradition. Look out for posters for details of times and pubs to catch the Mummers.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all our customers and suppliers The Chip & Pin Micropub, 8-10 High Street, Melbourne

SANTA is on his way back to Melbourne, including a quick visit to Ticknall, and he has again asked the Rotary Club to get a team of little helpers together.

Everyone knows, of course, that Santa never gets any older, but unfortunately his helpers do, and they sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the sleigh!

So this year the Rotary Club looked around for some younger, fitter people to help them out, and were delighted (and relieved), to get an offer of help from Melbourne Rugby Club.

So when Santa comes round to your street, (and his planned routes are shown below), you might well see some fresh faces – but don’t worry, they are still working for Santa, and helping him with his annual tour. And all the money they collect as they walk around will still go to the Rotary Club, who will again make sure that it’s distributed to local causes, for the good of the community.

Remember that the sleigh

Isobel

the Florist

Tel. 01332 865645 www.isobeltheflorist.co.uk

routes start at 5pm on the Sundays, and 6pm on the weekdays, and generally take about one and a half hours.

Sunday, December 13: Oaklands Way, The Woodlands, Nettlefold Crescent, Smith Ave, Main Street Kings Newton, Station Road, Sweet Leys Way, Huntingdon Ct and The Crescent.

Monday 14: Derby Rd, Blanchcroft, George St, Dunnicliffe Lane, Moira St, Selina St, Washington Close, Quick Close, South St, Alma St, North St and Victoria St. Wednesday 16: Ticknall village Friday 18: From Melbourne Arms, Ashby Road, Penn Lane, Peniston Rise, Salsbury Lane, up Church St, turn and down Church Street, Castle Mills, Castle St, Jubilee Close, The Lilypool, Chapel St and Potter St. Sunday 20: Packhorse Rd, Queensway, Derby Road, Windsor Ave, Melton Ave, Spinney Hill and side roads, Cockshut Lane, Commerce St and Hope St.

Thank You and

Village Voice December 2015 21

Happy Christmas

to all our customers

ROTARY CAROLS

l ONE of the first local sightings of Santa this year was at Swarkestone Nursery. He is pictured with two of his assistants and some of his first visitors.

MELBOURNE Rotary Club will be joining in with the spirit of Christmas when they celebrate with Carols Round the Christmas Tree on Thursday, December, 17.

Proceedings will start at 6:30pm in the Market Place and they will be supported by the Melbourne Town Band.

Everyone is invited to attend this great community activity in the last week before Christmas.

We wish all our clients a very merry Christmas and a happy new year...

Lynn’s Salon

37a Market Place, Melbourne Phone 863607

We also knit toys and other items as 'Pins and Purls' find us on FaceBook or call in and see us.

Lynn is an Avon Rep.

Everyone at

Seasons Greetings from Residents and Staff Thank you for all your support

Jack’s of Melbourne

would like to wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year

Thank you to our customers for your support during the past year.

Margaret & Michael - Melbourne News

Melbourne Carpets and Interiors would like to wish all our customers

a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year Sally Cook from the Courtyard Beauty Salon would like to wish her valued clients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thank you for your custom.

THE WHITE SWAN

Jo and John

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

John Lord, Lisa, Paul, Sue and staff would like to wish their clients - past, present and future, a wonderful Christmas and prosperous new year.

15 Derby Road, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8FE

SDDC District Councillors

John Harrison & Jim Hewlett wish all constituents

A Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year ‘Listening to local people’

Melbourne Royal British Legion Would like to wish all members, customers and friends, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

VICKY’S HAIRDRESSERS 90 High Street, Melbourne

Vicky and her staff wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year For an appointment ring 862196

DOVES GARAGES LTD Dave, Ellie and staff wish all our customers old and new a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

OBITUARIES

22 Village Voice December 2015

AS part of the Melbourne Sporting Partnership development there will be three floodlit tennis courts built. These will be used by Melbourne Tennis Club as well as being open to individual members of the community. The courts will also provide opportunities for netball and basketball.

Melbourne Tennis Club has been required to play all its league matches at away venues up to now, but hopes the new courts will encourage people to have a go at tennis and generate enough interest to help it grow in numbers.

To help the club plan use of the courts and ways of increasing tennis in the area it would be grateful if readers could spend a few minutes, providing feedback on the following: 1. Would you be interested in using the tennis courts for casual play?

2. Would you be interested in joining the Melbourne Tennis Club for more structured coaching/competition?

3. Would you be willing to pay a small annual fee that gave you unlimited access to the courts? (Booking may still be required).

Forward any comments/answers to the above to Caroline Smith on caroline@castele.co.uk/07502 039072.

THE BALLROOM - AMALFI WHITE 50 Derby Road, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8FE

SUNDAY 24th JANUARY 2016 11am - 3pm For a wedding fair experience immersed in total glamour and sophistication, look no further than the upcoming Glamorous Wedding Fair in the Ballroom at Amalfi White.

- A complimentary copy of Save the Date Magazine - Canapés and a Glass of Prosecco on arrival - Meet with a range of quality, creative exhibitors

- Explore the Amalfi White Ballroom - Chat to the events team at Amalfi White - Reserve a table in the restaurant and enjoy a fantastic meal

in association with

FREE The wedding & events magazine for the East Midlands

www.savethedatemagazine.co.uk

ENTRY

www.amalfiwhite.com

DENNIS FREEMAN 1932 - 2015 DENNIS Freeman died on October 18th in the Nightingale Macmillan Unit in Royal Derby Hospital. He was my grandad, a rock and anchor for me for twenty-one years, and I speak for all of the family when I say that our sadness is enormous.

He was father to Paul and Anthony, and he was there to help them with anything, any time, until he became ill in the last three years of his life. We all mourn the loss of Dennis, the loss of his wisdom, his unending kindness and his sparkling sense of humour.

In life, Dennis worked hard.

He worked on the land all his life, acquiring an unending knowledge of gardening and cultivation. From leaving school at fourteen, he worked for market gardeners in Melbourne, and loved the land so much that he spent his free time growing strawberries, tomatoes and bedding plants. Every day of his life he would use the great amount of knowledge he had, passing it on to his children and grand-children too.

Hope Street was where Dennis had been born, where he had always lived and where he set up a happy home with his wife Janet. Their love was a constant, having met at a cycling club when they were eighteen, and marrying in 1959. They were a devoted, loving couple, and Dennis missed Janet in the years following her death in 1992. Having retired, Dennis busied himself with his allotment, ‘the other garden’ as it was always known to us. He kept growing strawberries, doing hanging baskets and doing gardening jobs around the village until he was eighty, being one of the most active octogenarians ever.

SHEILA GEORGINA FLETCHER (nee ANDERSON) 1925 - 2015

In his final days and weeks, he was cared for by the wonderful staff at the Macmillan Unit in Derby. These were not the happiest days for Dennis or the family, but the difficulty and pain was eased by the great staff and volunteers, on whom he made a great impression.

Wherever he went, it seems, he could raise a smile and have a laugh.

As we adapt to life without Grandad, we think of all he was to us. He was a brother, a father, a father-in-law, a husband, an uncle, and a grandfather. He was a man never motivated by money, a man who would grow plants and fruit for the simple pleasure of having grown them. He could be daft, silly, frivolous; he always had a silly song or daft story. What will survive of him is love: love for the land, for a laugh, for his family. His warmth and affection will never be forgotten. This is the solace we must take: we knew him, we remember him and he survives in our collective memory. For all of us who knew him, who knew the size of his heart and his generosity, there won’t be another one like him.

BEN FREEMAN

SHEILA Fletcher lived in Castle Mills, Melbourne, for almost five years and died peacefully at Ivy House care home in Derby on November 17.

Her life was an unplanned adventure, her strong faith a constant throughout.

Born in London her love of Derbyshire began as a wartime evacuee with a kind host family in Chapel-en-le-Frith but at the age of 17 it was back to London and Essex to train as a nurse – and there her adventures began.

She received a citation when aged 18 for driving a converted double-decker bus filled with wounded airmen through flying bomb raids on London.

In 1947 she married David Fletcher, who served in India, and was demobbed as Captain in the Gurkha Rifles. He was posted by British Council to teach English in Egypt and Sheila immediately became matron of Heliopolis Hospital aged 22.

David’s next posting was with Finlays on a tea estate in Darjeeling. He went in advance and she followed in 1951. She flew over several days with Melody (two) and Kandy (only six months) to Calcutta Dum Dum Airport.

Taken by a Gurkha driver in a Land Rover up into the Himalayan foothills below Kanchenjunga, she began 12 years as a Darjeeling tea planter’s wife.

Bridie was born in 1958 in a cottage hospital next to the Planters Club. Mallory and Irving started their attempts on Everest here in the 1920s.

Sherpas, tea pluckers and

other planters’ wives were her friends and society. Leonard Cheshire VC visited their tin roofed planter’s bungalow (kothi).

Ex-soldier David had just read Laurens van der Post’s book “Venture into the Interior” and knew the way, so after their final leave from India in 1962, he drove them from Nairobi to Nyasaland and there began the Africa Years, a tea planter’s wife again but also director of stage shows at the Mlanje Club.

Tragedy struck when Bridie died of a rare disease.

She and David returned to Europe in 1969. At first it was to Malta to become early pioneers of dolphin shows. Immediately popular but to avoid Mintoff ’s nationalisation they flew the dolphins to tour South Africa.

Finally in 1975 back to her favourite Derbyshire. They lived first near Bakewell and then Melbourne.

Sheila still loved to go to theatres and the local Melbourne shows especially to hear music from the eras she remembered and loved.

David still lives in Derby.

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SITUATIONS VACANT

Village Voice December 2015 23

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THE annual Village Voice Christmas Crossword is normally welcomed by readers as a challenge to be completed during the extended holiday break, combined with an opportunity to win a cheque for £25.

The 2015 crossword has been compiled with most clues relating either to the Melbourne region or to Christmas.

Completed crosswords should be submitted to Mr P Roberts, 11 Old Gate Avenue, Weston on Trent, DE72 2BZ, no later than noon on Monday, January 4, 2016.

The winner will be announced in the January issue.

Job Opportunity at Weston on Trent

14 16

Part time secretary / book keeper required 3 - 5 days a week helping out with small holiday business.

Minimum wage + travel expenses.

17

Please telephone 01332 705351 or 07837 101010 www.westonwoodlodges.co.uk for more information.

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ACROSS 1. Preston, heartlessly, re-arranged is a famous school. (6) 4. In slow motion: village two miles from Melbourne. (6) 7. Sire us for one who sends forth publications. (6) 8. Wearing a raincoat, anagram (maniac).

(2,1,3) 11. Triumphs from Winshill. (4) 12. German chap who goes ‘toot’. If followed by man it’s an old empire. (4) 15. A vestment. Calibre without rice letters.

(3) 16. Own up or let in. (5) 17. Mrs Sharples from a soap. Beanbag without its odds. (3)

18. “Stop horse”. Four letters from Tamworth. (4) 19. Cigarettes. Dogs body public school boys. (4) 22. Rest and cue, but no ‘t’ piece. Deliver from peril. (6) 23. Leave the stage after applause, but woo strangely. (3,3) 24. Angel’s instrument you are (so it sounds). Follows Crewe in Swarkestone. (6) 25. Converse of BC and an air passage. It’s the time before Xmas. (6)

DOWN 1. Refined but not fed for Santa’s deer. (4) 2. Panto: cat in wellies. ((4,2,5)

WANTED People to join The Melbourne Carol Singers

LARGE REWARD of

A DIFFERENT AND ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS EVE We urgently need singers to join us and maintain a tradition which started in 1947. You will be made most welcome. Meet outside the Baptist Church, Chapel Street for prompt start at 6.45pm on 24th December.

Please telephone Alan Dunnicliff on 01332 862162 for details

3. Oval takes in the Irish language. It’s near Ashby. (8) 5. In Melbourne Main Street the Alma and the Lamb are these sort of hostelries. (4) 6. Santa is also known as Saint chin (anag) and also (anag). (8) 9. Panto: thermo reaction and farmyard bird. (6,5) 10. Sooty entrance for a slim Santa. (7) 13. - - - o’ shanter and throw carelessly to be a town famous for pigs. (8) 14. Fast Ford crashes for this county town.

(8) 20. Warlike African: menagerie (sounds like) and toilet (sounds like). (4) 21. “Leave the error as it is”: test matched.

(4)

MELBOURNE FISH & CHIP SHOP Telephone: 865583

as m t s i r h C y r r e M A ar e Y w e N y p p a H and a ers m o t s u c r u o l l a to OPENING TIMES Christmas Eve Thursday 24th December open all day until 8.00pm Christmas Day 25th, Boxing Day 26th and Monday 28th CLOSED Re-open Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th December as normal New Years Eve 31st December - open all day until 5.00pm CLOSED NEW YEAR’S DAY and SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY Re-open as normal on Monday 4th January

Gluten Free Fish & Chips available daily fried in a separate frier

TO ADVERTISE A VACANCY HERE PLEASE CALL NICOLA ON 07584 025 852

Large, purpose built, heated dog kennels and cat chalets in Ingleby. Large, secure, grass exercise paddocks for ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ĚŽŐƐ͕ ĂůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀĞ Žƌ ƐĞĚĂƚĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ĞdžĞƌĐŝƐĞĚ to their requirements. &Žƌ ǀŝƐŝƟŶŐ ĐĂƚƐ͕ ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚĂďůĞ ĐŚĂůĞƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ǀŝĞǁŝŶŐ ǁŝŶĚŽǁƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ ƌƵŶƐ͘ Now taking day boarding dogs which includes socialisŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ Žī ůĞĂĚ ĞdžĞƌĐŝƐŝŶŐ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ůĂƌŐĞ ĞŶĐůŽƐĞĚ paddocks.

Contact us: 01332 862796

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

24 Village Voice December 2015

Need a job done?

Think local...

BUILDERS

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PLUMBERS AND GAS HEATING ENGINEERS

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& Sons (Builders) Ltd ALL BESPOKE JOINERY AND CONSERVATION WORK UNDERTAKEN Castle Lane Industrial Estate, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8JB

Tel: 01332 865605 Fax: 01332 865614 Email admin@gwheath.com visit us at www.gwheath.com

■ CONSERVATORIES ■ EXTENSIONS ■ ALTERATIONS ■ GENERAL BUILDING WORKS

R&B Builders J. G.

R A T C L I F F

20 years local time served tradesman

FREE QUOTATIONS AND ADVICE

Tel: 01332 862718 or 07792 148390 www.randbbuildersmelbourne.co.uk

Solhurst Construction BUILDING CONTRACTORS

Extensions ● Alterations ● New Builds

●

TEL: 01332 863571 MOB: 07813 932420 Woodlands Way, Melbourne

Restoration and conservation of historic buildings Specialists in modern and traditional techniques Conversions and alterations Developments, new build and extensions

Approved Contractor

3 SWEET LEYS WAY, MELBOURNE DE73 8LE T: 01332 862356 M: 07966 978677 E: asbc@live.co.uk ■ Any Job Small or Large ■ Roof Repairs ■ Extensions & Alterations ■ Drives & Patios ■ Call for Quote & Advice All types of Building Work Undertaken ■ Quality, Service and Value

TRENT BUILDING SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Mob 07832 117066 Eve 01332 703390

ACM ROOFING ● Roof repairs ● Full re-roofs ● Facias, soffits and guttering ● All work guaranteed

Contact Arron

07464 779264

PLASTERERS

Pete Ross Plastering • Plaster Boarding • Dry Lining • Re-skimming Free Quotations

• Repair Work • Plastering • Rendering

call Pete

07735 567891 • 0115 946 2787 peterross584@googlemail.com

BHW Joinery, decking, porches and fascias HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE

plaster work, upholstery, blinds and much more... just ask.

For a friendly quote, telephone 07815 822605 www.bhwmaintenance.co.uk An independent community paper designed and published by Village Voice Newspapers.

Typeset by Greenborough Ltd., t/a Voice Productions.

Printed in England

The publishers of Village Voice are not responsible for any content or claims in advertisements in this newspaper.

Advertisements may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ELECTRICIANS

Village Voice December 2015 25

Need a job done?

Think local...

GARDENING AND TREE SERVICES

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PAINTERS AND DECORATORS

"a reputation built on local recommendation"

melbourne painting services

www.pblandscapes.co.uk full design and construction service free quotations

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melbourne

tel: 01332 862810 mobile: 07752 731708 20 quick close, melbourne, derbyshire de73 8gh

MELBOURNE ELECTRICS For all your electrical needs Domestic – Commercial - Industrial Testing & Inspecting etc

For all your painting and decorating needs Quality work at affordable prices OAP discount

A member of NAPIT & Fully Part P Registered Established 1973

Ring Nolan Jackson on

Contact David on . . .

01332 864097

Tel: 01332 863547 / Mobile: 0780 170 9492 Email: melbelec@tesco.net

or 07963 059893

Kasudaca House, 80A Victoria Street, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8FQ

CARPENTERS AND JOINERS

James Wendt Carpentry & Joinery

Andy

07966 045110

WESTON DECORATING Ltd. Interior and Exterior Painting and Decorating

All aspects of woodwork and home improvements. â—? Kitchens â—? Windows â—? Flooring â—? Doors etc.

EATEES FESR M I T

Tel: 01332 862876 or 07721 494555 email: weston18@btinternet.com

TREVOR MARKS GARDENING SERVICES Too busy or unable to do the Gardening?

Then maybe Trevor can help!

TOWNLEY JOINERY

Grass Cutting - Hedge Cutting - Weeding - Pruning Block Paving - Turfing - Fencing - Patios

WO O D WO R K AT I T ' S F I N E S T

For a regular, reliable Service by a local person at a competitive price call

A family run business who bring you the finest bespoke joinery. We supply and fit kitchens, staircases, windows, doors, conservatories etc and specialise in listed building work.

For more information on what we do, please visit our website www.townleyjoinery.co.uk

01332 690109 or 07900 483555

“Brushing aside the competition�

DEAN TOWNLEY Unit 27, George Holmes Way, Hearthcote Road, Derbyshire DE11 9DF

Tel: 01283 210797 Mob: 0782 8235467

CAR REPAIRS

Graham Twells Carpenter & Joiner Over 35 years of experience in conservation and renovation

All types of external & internal woodworking Fitted kitchens, windows & doors Laminate Floors, book case & cupboards, wardrobes & stairs Timber repairer & furniture repairs

Tel: 01332 864257

A.N. GALE (Repair Garage) ( (

#(& ! '% ($' &!$ # #( '$ ! '(&% ( &!% '%&% '(# #( ($' &!$ (#( ' (&$$&% ' (#

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POTTERS MINI SKIPS AND AGGREGATE SUPPLIERS LIMESTONE, BALLAST, SAND, GRAVEL, TOP SOIL MINIMUM ONE TON LOCAL DELIVERIES TEL: (01332) 701667 MOBILE: 07850 380 425

26 Village Voice December 2015

HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW By reaching 15,000 readers of the Village Voice!

We can help with marketing, promotions and recruitment needs for businesses big and small. To discuss your advertising requirements or how we can help you, please contact Nicola Mortimer on 07584 025852 or email ads@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk Publication dates for our next two editions...

Month January February

Booking Date 30th December 27th January

Publication Date 11th January 8th February

We look forward to helping local business grow.

red to Delive ehold in... s u ho every ELBOURNE M EWTON N KINGS NALL TICK BY INGLE RK MA FORE NT LOU BRIDGE YE TON-B STAN ARKESTON SW LSON WI AROLD TON H N U A ST TONGE ORD TWYF LTON A W Y E ISL ON-TRENT N T O WEST -ON-TREN N O T S N A TO ELVAS TON S THUL TON S AMBA N-TRENT O W O BARR REEDON B ERN f FIND Part o ISBY SM N MILTO

Rangers’ wins see them climb table

l TICKNALL RANGERS: back row (l-r) Steve Greenhalgh (secretary), Jimmy Wilcox, Luke Harvey, Lee Archer, Steve Byram, Matt Archer (captain), Fraser Hughes and Dave Archer (manager); front row Alex Slater, Jake Harrold, Ian Hall, Craig Hall, Jonny Ball, James Armishaw and Harry Marshall.

Melbourne Dental Practice - E S TA B L I S H E D 3 0 Y E A R S -

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE To try and reduce the amount of clinical time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice is now offering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception.

Please note, we cannot offer this service unless a consent form has been completed.

Naomi Fry BDS & Associates, Helen Baker BDS ● Family Dental Care using latest techniques and materials ● Friendly and caring service ● Cosmetic Dentistry including tooth whitening Naomi Fry accepts child orthodontic patients on the N.H.S.

Castle Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire Telephone 01332 862942

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY CARE SHOPPING TRIPS/SOCIAL OUTINGS For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care Office, Mon-Thu 9:30am-1:30pm; Fri 9:30am-12:30 or telephone 863585 (answering machine when office is closed). All journeys subject to number of booked passengers, minimum number required is 8, maximum 12.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE. TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL but please note Community Care do not provide escort assistance.

For information on our “escorted trips” please contact the Community Care Office (863585).

EVERY FRIDAY MORNING WE PROVIDE A DOOR-TO-DOOR SHOPPING SERVICE TO SAINSBURYS SUPERMARKET, MELBOURNE. Escort assistance is provided, if required.

Telephone the office for more information or to book a seat on the bus.

DEPART MELBOURNE

DESTINATION

DEPARTURE

DECEMBER

APPROX.

Fri

4:00

11th 1:30

Morrisons or Sainsburys Supermarket, Swadlincote plus Christmas and Farmers Market Tue 15th 09:00 Melton Mowbray (Market Day) Wed 16th 09:30 Burton-on-Trent, Octagon Centre Fri 18th 1:30 Morrisons or Sainsburys Supermarket, Swadlincote plus Christmas and Farmers Market Mon 21st 9:30 Fosse Park, Leicestershire

DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison Councillor Jim Hewlett

ADVICE SURGERIES

at Melbourne Assembly Rooms

11 am to 12 noon

Saturday, 2nd January Saturday, 6th February

MINIBUS TIMETABLE - DECEMBER 2015

• • • •

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE

2:00 2:00 4:00 1:30

“Caring in Our Community”

Everyone associated with Melbourne Community Care Services extends sincere seasonal greetings to you and your families.

We wish you a peaceful christmas followed by good health & happiness in 2016.

Please note: the Community Care office will close Midday Wednesday 23rd December 2015 - re-opening 9:30am Monday 4th January 2016

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

“Listening to Local People”

TICKNALL Rangers showed the best form of the local football teams in the month of November.

They began with an entertaining 7-4 away defeat to high flying Shobnall Dynamo with Matt Archer, Craig Hall, Mark Archer and Jake Harrold getting the consolation goals.

The following week a 3-3 home draw to Repton Red Lion was thanks to the Archer brothers again, Matt and Mark, plus a superb header from Jonny Ball that earned Rangers a vital point.

Away to Donisthorpe in the Junior Cup, a weakened Ticknall lost 5-1 with Alex Slater getting on the scoresheet.

Rangers finished the month off with two confidence-boosting wins to move up the table. The first was an 8-0 away win at lowly Kings Head.

Doubles for Ian Hall, Fraser Hughes, Matt Archer plus headed goals by the prolific Jonny Ball and Andy Lathbury completed the rout.

The best was yet to come from Ticknall as they ended the month with a brilliant team performance in beating top of the table Catchems at home 2-0 with a Matt Archer penalty and a sublime Alex Slater finish earning the well-deserved three

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points.

MELBOURNE Dynamo had a month to forget.

It began with a poor all-round performance in losing 3-1 away to Rowsley 86 Reserves with Callum Cocker getting the consolation.

It didn't get much better the following week as top of the table Shirebrook Rangers beat Dynamo 6-3 at the Grange despite a double from Jack Goodband and a Ben Dale finish.

They ended the month with a win, however, a 2-0 home victory against Wirksworth Town Reserves with youngsters Tom Colclough and Niall Worrall getting the all-important goals.

MELBOURNE Dynamo Colts won two and lost one of their three games in the month starting with a well-deserved 4-1 home win against Chesapeake U18s. A double for Toby McCabe and one each for Nathan Celley and Ngilia Odari completed the scoreline.

This was followed by a hard fought 5-4 home win over Belper Sports with Toby Foxon scoring a superb hat-trick. A double from Nathan Celley compled the scoring.

The Colts ended the month with a disappointing 4-0 away defeat to Borrowash Vics U18s.

DENTURE REPAIRS MELBOURNE DENTAL LABORATORIES

Unit 9, Potters Yard, Potter Street, Melbourne DE73 8HX

Telephone: 01332 865510

Injuries continue to plague rugby club

MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV continue to battle with injuries in their league games, with coach Matt Derbyshire constantly striving to get a fit team on the field.

The month started with a trip to high-flying Stamford. The long trip was spoilt by an error in taking the kit, with the side having to play in old Stamford shirts, which were reversed, and the customary slow start conceding three tries.

Once into their flow, Melbourne were competitive and scored two tries of their own before succumbing to a 34-10 loss.

Returning to Cockshut Lane on the 14th coincided with the arrival of ‘Abigail’ and a league game against Ashbourne. Kev Iliffe of Veteran Fire Services sponsored the match ball.

The weather was horrendous with wind and constant rain, but to their credit, both sides showed great skills with their handling in difficult conditions.

Euan Holden, returning from injury, kicked an early penalty after Melbourne dominated the early stages.

Ashbourne hit back with a converted try to lead 7-3. Jack Pearce scored off a driving maul from a lineout just before half-time for an 8-7 Melbourne half-time lead.

Ashbourne retook the lead early in the second half with a converted try before a penalty extended it.

Melbourne pushed hard but could not find the try needed to narrow the gap, with errors costing them at times and Ashbourne’s

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Village Voice December 2015 27

l MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV squad prior to the match against Ashbourne: back row Charlotte Doughty (physio), Jack Pearce, Dan Cox, Rob Hollingsworth, Joe Nicholson, Ash Stringer, Andy Martin, Theo De Vies, Ed Ashton, Alec Judge, Matt Derbyshire (head coach); front row Will Judge, Rob Foster, Tony Day, Mark Coyne, Gary Lakin, Euan Holden (captain), Olly Page, Morris Hall and Stefan Greenhalgh.

scrum constantly putting Melbourne under pressure.

Melbourne were awarded a penalty on 77 mins and Holden slotted it from 40m to see the final score at 11-17, but crucially a losing bonus point.

The next game was postponed, with Bakewell’s pitch being unplayable.

THE STAGS had a very good 60-0 win against Notts Moderns (tries – Ballington 2, Marchbank, Hudson, Buxton, Swannick, Martin, Stuart, Nicholson and Butler). Yellow carded was Sean Moran.

A short trip to Rolls-Royce in Derby followed. Uncontested scrums did not help Melbourne’s cause and they went down 24-15 with tries from Swannick, Butler and Ballington.

Lastly was a game against South Notts Barbarians. A mixture of youth and age was used and Melbourne ran out 75-0 winners with 13 tries being scored – Chris Stark got three and Sam Millar and Will Butler a brace each.

DOVES Garages Ltd. TYRES

HIGH STREET STREET, MELBOURNE MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE

TALENTED Melbourne sports star Lara Shaw has won further plaudits for her remarkable achievements after winning a prestigious award.

The 11-year-old former Melbourne Junior School pupil – now at Chellaston Academy – was named Junior Sportsperson of the Year at the Derby Telegraph Sports awards.

That achievement is the latest in a string of accolades for Lara, who is a British ski champion in her age group as well as playing football for Derby County Ladies under-12s squad.

Lara also represents Derbyshire at cricket, plays netball, rides horses and somehow finds time for a Saturday morning dance class too.

Lara was selected from all of Derbyshire’s nine regions for her award, where she was picked as winner from a shortlist of three girls.

She said she “felt really happy� to win.

Mum Jane said: “We’re really proud. She works very hard – it’s recognition of what she puts in to all of her sports but she gets so much out of it. She’s so encouraging to the younger children too – the little ones all adore her!�

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United they stand at every level

28 Village Voice December 2015

SPORT

MELBOURNE United have continued their impressive start to the football season on all fronts.

Leading the way are the undefeated under-15s (pictured below) who have surged to the top of the league with a combination of flair and true grit.

Unbeaten all season and with 33 goals in the bag, the team has found a level of consistency that is the envy of many.

The under-13s recorded their second big win of the season in South Derbyshire’s Classico, beating Chellaston 2-1, and the under-16s continued their Jekyll and Hyde existence with a bore draw against Barton followed by a 5-2 win over Allestree.

The under-14s are knocking on the door of great things and it will not be long before that door opens.

In the junior leagues the club is holding its own very well against the giants of Derbyshire. The club now has eight teams competing from under-7 to under-12s and there is recognition of Melbourne United as a force to be reckoned with.

The under-11s have a 100% record and the under-9s are unbeaten. The under-8s have gone from strength to

strength and the under-7s section is in danger of becoming so successful that there will be a need to set up even more teams.

In addition to the competing teams above, there are almost 30 children in the Melbourne United Soccer School under 6 years of age.

This is a fantastic hotbed of young talent which will provide the club with a conveyer belt of raw talent for the future.

If you have a son or daughter who wishes to get involved in the great fun that is being enjoyed at Melbourne United, take them along. The door is open to children of all abilities and the club will do its best to bring the best out of them, whether that be socially or sportingly.

Success all the way for King’s Newton club

l Some of the King’s Newton Bowls Club winners with their trophies (l-r): Steve Raine, David Wright, Bert Maddock, Roger Timmins, Peter Balfour, Cynthia Bailey, Anne Gurd and Janet Jardine.

KING’S Newton Bowls Club enjoyed a fine season’s bowling with success for nearly all of the teams during 2015.

The Men's 1st team were runners-up to Newhall Social Club in South Derbyshire Division 2 but it was enough to gain promotion to Division 1 for 2016.

The 2nd team did not enjoy the same success in Division 3

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four times in recent years also slipped by with Newhall Social Club again the victors.

At the end of the season, King’s Newton held the annual finals day on a glorious Autumn afternoon where the competitions came to a climax.

The Men's champion this year is Peter Balfour for the first time and the Ladies champion is Cynthia Bailey for the second year running.

In the match between the Men's champion and the Ladies champion it was Pete who triumphed to become the overall Club champion.

The individual competition winners this year were: Steve Raine and Martin Baker, Open Doubles; David Wright and Bert Maddock, Handicap Doubles; Roger Timmins and Geoff Gow, Quintin Blood Trophy; Peter Balfour, Men’s Singles and Club Champion; Cynthia Bailey, Ladies Singles and Handicap Doubles; Anne Gurd and David Anderson, Mixed Doubles; Janet Jardine and David Wright, Packhorse Trophy; Rob Philipson and Dave Lyons, Floodlit Doubles.

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and will start next season in a lower league where they will look to bounce straight back.

The Saturday afternoon mixed team, which competes in the Belper League, had a good season winning their league and with it promotion.

The South Derby ladies team also had success winning their division and the senior ladies were runners-up in their league.

The Men's Vets teams competing in the Burton League, also had good seasons, the 1st team competing in Division 1 ended mid table.

With the lower age limit of 55 for the Vets, there are some very capable bowlers who still compete at the highest level in the game. The 2nd team ended their campaign mid-division but all enjoyed their Thursday afternoons bowling.

Silverware was also on the agenda for the Sunday Morning Men's team. They finished runners-up again to a strong Newhall Social Club team, a title that has eluded them for 25 years.

The Sunday League cup which King’s Newton have won

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