Melbourne Village Voice February 2018

ONE-WAY ROAD PLAN FOR CENTRE

How the village might look ...

n Derbyshire County Council says it wants to stress that “this is very much a starting point to gauge local opinion from residents and business people in the area.

“The drawings show initial proposals which can be used in future discussions with the parish council and local people.”

by FRANK HUGHES

A CONTROVERSIAL new traffic plan for Melbourne would see a one-way system in the village centre and double yellow lines added to Derby Road, Chapel Street and Potter Street.

The aim of the scheme would be to ease congestion, solve parking issues and improve some access problems, and has been tabled by highways experts from Derbyshire County Council

Traffic and safety project engineer Richard Handbury proposed the plan at the latest Local Area Forum in Melbourne and presented his outline ideas

The first part of the scheme is to route HGV traffic around the village so that it does not come through the centre, but, from the north it heads up Cockshut Lane, down Robinsons Hill and along Ashby Road

The second proposal is a one-way system for Derby Road, south from Queensway to Potter Street; for Chapel Street, from Station Road up to Derby Road; and for Potter Street down the hill towards Castle Square

All three roads would have a combination of double yellow lines and some regulated parking one side of the street

Some of the clutter of road signage would also be reduced with removal of the posts, and signs being attached to residential or business properties

Mr Handbury explained that the objective was to “improve some of the junctions, control traffic movements, simplify waiting restriction, improve access to amenities and to regulate parking turnover”

There were some challenges from the floor, with one local resident suggesting that HGVs heading for the industrial estate would be better directed through Kings Newton and Station Road

Cllr Dave Smith challenged the sense in trying to direct large vehicles from Derby Road into Potter Street, while another resident on Derby Road asked where they would be expected to park

Some negatives in the scheme had already been identified, including longer journey times, an anticipated increase in traffic speeds, and some inconvenience for existing close journeys

Cllr John Harrison, chairing the meeting, said it had been a useful exchange of views and suggested the next steps, before any public consultation exercise, was a discussion at the parish council n What do YOU think of this idea? You can let us know your opinions by emailing letters@melbournevillagevoice co uk or writing to The Village Voice, 11 North Street, Melbourne DE73 8FZ.

Lifeline for pets – Page 7

Cooking up a treat – Page 8

New path joy –Pages 12-13

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Enjoying a dash of colour in a good cause

THESE colourful runners are having a great time –and doing it for a great cause too

Now as many people as possible are being encouraged to join in with this year ’s “Colour Blast Dash” to raise vital funds for a much-valued local bereavement charity.

The feelgood event is being held in Derby in May and local groups are being invited to be in with a chance of winning a ticket-for-four by entering a special colouring competition.

The Colour Blast Dash and colouring competition are being organised by Penny Mitchell, of Breedon-onthe-Hill, on behalf of COPE – The Laura Centre, which offers bereavement counselling to parents whose child has died or to young people who have lost a significant person in their lives.

The Laura Centre is based in Leicester with branches in Derby and Coventry.

Local organisations such as scout-

ing or brownie groups and local schools are being invited to take part in the colouring competition to get into the spirit of the Colour Blast Dash and to be in with the chance of winning the free tickets.

The pictures for children to colour in will be available for collection and drop-off at Forteys sweet shop in Melbourne’s Market Place; the judging will be done by race sponsors Zestfit Finish date of the colouring competition is March 16.

The Colour Blast Dash itself started in 2012, with the Derby event one of the very first to take place in the UK

It includes a 5k and 2 5k family race for all abilities, with participants wearing either white or brightly coloured, fun outfits while racing through colour stations which see them blasted with powder in all hues of the rainbow

After the race is finished, everyone – spectators included – gets the chance to join in a joyful colour festival by throwing their powders into the air.

The Colour Blast Dash will take place on Sunday, May 13 at Darley Park in Derby.

Tickets are also available at www colourblastdash org

Plan for hotel in pub car park

A NEW 23-bed hotel could be built in the car park of the Crewe & Harpur at Swarkestone

The proposal for a “lodge-style hotel” has been sent to the planning department of South Derbyshire District Council by pub operator Marston’s Inns and Taverns

The Crewe & Harpur already has seven guest rooms in a former grade 2 listed coach house and the plan is to build a new hotel within its grounds, around 35 metres back from the A514 If planners agree to the proposals, the building of the hotel would see car parking spaces next to the pub reduced by 17 from 96 to 79

A 34-page planning statement by Cerda Planning said that Marston’s were increasingly offering lodge-style accommodation as a “response to a growing demand for value for money accommodation options in easily accessible and attractive locations”

The statement went on to say: “From a day to day perspective, the lodge would function in much the same way as a typical ‘Travelodge/Premier Inn type’ hotel might

“Typically, guests would arrive in the early evening The vast majority would stay one night and therefore check out the following morning Guests have the option to take evening meals and/or breakfast in the existing pub/restaurant Reception facilities are within the lodge itself and are staffed around the clock

“Marston’s tends to find that in the week, the majority of its guests are people travelling for business purposes, for the most part, on their own, whilst at the weekend, it is mostly families who stay in connection with leisure pursuits

“Marston’s only seek to build lodges where they can support existing pub/restaurant sites and the geographical nature of its estate and its lodge pricing strategy is such that they do not attract the type of guest whose primary purpose for staying with them is, for want of a better description, ‘revelling’ ”

The Crewe & Harpur was built as a coaching inn by the Harpur-Crewe Estate of Calke Abbey in the 18th century The stable block is a later addition, appearing some time between 1849 and 1882

Cerda Planning argued in their statement that the proposed lodge would help with this area’s “unmet overnight accommodation demand” as well as offering a “plethora of other economic advantages”

With lodges attached to Marston’s pubs typically increasing sales by around £8,000 a week, the hotel – if allowed – could also create around 15 full-time jobs, the statement said, plus a possible yearly tourist spend of £1 5million extra in the district

A decision has not yet been made as to whether the hotel can be built – Lucy

Stephens

£5,650 from Xmas tree recycling scheme

hospice

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire as part of the “Treecycling” scheme

It is run by the Treetops hospice, which is based in Risley

A CHRISTMAS tree recycling scheme which included postcodes in Aston-on-Trent raised more than £5,650 for the area’s

Builders’ pledge for a ‘lasting legacy’

THE developers building 34 homes on Melbourne’s Jawbone Lane say they will be looking for further ways to leave a “lasting positive legacy” to this area.

This, they say, is on top of a commitment of around a quarter of a million pounds to the local community as part of the building agreement

Miller Homes has started work on the lane and a large sign outlining a financial contribution to several local organisations has attracted significant attention

The sign contains details of Miller Homes’ financial commitments under ‘section 106’ – part of the planning system which says that new developments must pay money to doctors, schools and other organisations in the community to mitigate the effects the added population will bring on local services

A spokesperson for Miller Homes said: “As a business we are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate We are pleased to be bringing a range of quality new homes to Melbourne, and the sign was installed to highlight the financial support we will provide to the community through our section 106 agreement, which was determined by the local authority during the planning process

“In addition to this, whilst we are on site and as the development progresses, we will also seek to identify other ways in which we can proactively engage with local groups and organisations to leave a lasting positive legacy ”

So what happens next?

The section 106 agreement which applies to the Miller Homes’ development on Jawbone Lane says that half of the money due to the bowls’ club, Melbourne Sports Park, schools and the South Derbyshire CCG (responsible for the GP surgery) must be paid before any of the homes are occupied, and the remainder before half of them are

It is the district council which administers the cash and when it comes to schools and health care, that body pays the money to the county council and the CCG respectively when those organisations

come up with a “fully costed scheme” as to what it will be spent on

Section 106 money that is not spent within 10 years can then be claimed back by the council and repaid to its source

The money due to Kings Newton Bowls Club is a contribution towards a new club house – with the other source being Sport England, which has so far not awarded the project any funding

A spokesman for Melbourne Sporting Partnership, which is due £25,612 for its Section 106 payment, said: “The Melbourne Sporting Partnership is very pleased to hear that the developer has started work because this will trigger the contribution

It will be used to benefit sports in Melbourne ”

– Lucy Stephens

Council Tax set to rise

A DISTRICT Council Tax rise of 1 95 per cent for South Derbyshire residents is on the table and is set to be decided at a meeting at the end of February

Melbourne district councillor Jim Hewlett told the latest parish council meeting that the rise was under the maximum threshold permitted by the Government, and that only 11 per cent of the Council Tax bill went to the district council

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Slimmers’ left-over Xmas goodies given to charity

FOR many people, Christmas is a time of over-indulgence – whether it’s on presents, food or drink, or more often than not all three.

But members of Melbourne’s Weight Watchers’ group, which meets on Wednesday evenings at the Senior Citizens Centre, did their best to cut back on all the excess by giving away all their leftover Christmas goodies to a charity a few miles down the road which helps people who have nothing

Burton HOPE (Helping Our People Eat) was set up to help tackle the appalling homelessness problems in the town

Melbourne’s Weight Watchers’ members were keen to stay “on plan” and carry on with their slimming goals despite the temptations of Christmas; so they held a “food amnesty” in the new year, giving away all of their excess fes-

l Some of the food given to the charity

tive chocolates, biscuits, crisps and other bad-for-you items, along with other gifts such as toiletries and even dog food to the charity

Coach Heather Evans, from Ticknall, explained that she wanted to encourage members to come straight back to Weight Watchers in the New Year rather than waiting a few weeks to allow for consumption of all those cupboards full of non-diet foods

“Burton HOPE is a Burton and Swadlincote outreach programme for people on the streets and on the breadline,” she said “We have got the choice to overeat – these people haven’t There’s so much temptation around “I was really proud of my members and I thought they deserved a mention ” Group member Bob Rowe said: “This was a great idea, if you look at the time and effort we are putting into losing weight and what we are doing with our food As they say, we are one pay cheque away from a food bank They are there to help I think they do a great job

It’s a great local charity ”

John Anderson from Burton HOPE said: “Burton HOPE are delighted to have the support from Heather and Melbourne Weight Watchers The fat food amnesty is a great idea, especially when the food is providing a treat for our homeless and those in crisis

“The situation for an ever-increasing number of people is dire Burton HOPE

Drop in numbers of HGVs on the causeway

NUMBERS of Heavy Goods Vehicles on Swarkestone Causeway have dropped by nearly a fifth since new warning signs were installed last year

The news came as part of a presentation by traffic experts on actions being taken to address the problems on the historic causeway at the most recent South Derbyshire Area Forum

Neill Bennett, from the Highway Asset Management Team, and Richard Handbury, from Traffic and Safety engineering at Derbyshire County Council, explained some of the current activities and future plans to tackle the transport issues

The good news was that Heavy Goods Vehicle traffic, which in this context meant over the 7 5 tons weight restriction, had significantly decreased since the installation of the new “vehicle activated” warning signs installed in April 2017

Despite an overall increase of 3% in traffic crossing the bridge, HGV traffic was down by 19%

There was more good news, in that the team had identified a further 21 locations from Ticknall to Shardlow where clearer warning signs could be installed “upstream” to make sure drivers got the message Warning signs could not be installed in the major routes, like the A50, however, due to the cost

The team had also uncovered a problem with the original Traffic Regulation Order made in 2004, which had provided for dispensations from the restrictions – for instance for farm vehicles which had no option but to cross the 13th century structure The problem was that no one knows who has been given a dispensation So, the plan is to write a new order, issue permits and bring the system under better control

It is not all good news, sadly Despite the new signs, transgressions still occur with five prosecutions issued since the signs went in, and there are a further eight cases under investigation Similarly the new system does not simply record and collect data to initiate a prosecution –as there are no powers to do so and foreign drivers can evade the penalty measures

Finally, the very bad news is that there are no plans whatsoever to do anything about the increasing volume of traffic crossing daily Some 15,000 vehicles cross the “pinch point” every day and, despite the year on year increase and the increasing delays to cross it, there seems to be nothing anyone can do to widen it, replace it or even try to limit housing development which impacts on it

– Frank Hughes

FANCY bidding for a shop with a three-bedroom flat above it in central Melbourne?

The shop on Melbourne’s Market Place has been home to Birds bakery for decades and is up for auction in Derby on February 22.

With a guide price of £125,000 plus fees, the property is being sold as a “quality retail premises with a three-bedroomed flat above with an additional separate brick built two-storey outbuilding, which would allow itself for a number of different uses subject to the usual planning consents”

provides food and clothing and support to make life a little easier and to look for solutions to get them back on track

Thank you Weight Watchers ”

The Melbourne Weight Watchers meet at the Senior Citizens Centre on Wednesdays from 6 30-7 30pm They are planning to continue supporting Burton HOPE

– Lucy Stephens

Bakery goes under the hammer Schools to receive repairs cash boosts

Birds bakery is moving to a much bigger shop over the road, next to Blatch’s, and its old premises includes a store room out the back with a kitchenette, lobby and toilet, while the flat above has three bedrooms situated over two floors.

The auction is being conducted by SDL auctions and also features a mix of homes, flats, commercial property and pubs around Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

l Weight Watchers members (l-r) Anna Wright, Bob Rowe, Emma Alderman, Diane Stabler, Adele Cook, Heather Evans (coach) and Jackie Smith

Country Living

with Robert Parker

Taking a balanced view on farming

LIVESTOCK farming has come under increased attacks from the animal welfare brigade at the start of this year Threats of violence have been made to farmers who are just going about their daily lives, which is a truly horrible thing

All forms of food production involve cruelty to animals and plants if, at the end of the system, the “product” dies.

This is inevitable, but the vast majority of animals on farms enjoy a good, if short, life – and to see this situation stop would mean a vast change to the appearance of the countryside.

No more grass fields, a vast change in the vista of our upland areas with no sheep and cattle to graze the vegetation.

Ninety nine per cent of farmers care for their animals as well as their family and the thought of being cruel to them in any form is alien to them.

Another issue with this is diet of all people Take milk, for example. It contains many vital elements such as calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12

Lack of calcium during childhood is now showing up in adults with brittle bones, particularly in teenage girls.

Meat consumption on a limited scale is also a good source of vitamins, proteins and iron and is very difficult to replicate on a vegan diet

We must look at this in a more balanced way and try to counter the extremist views of either side of the argument!

n A fantastic display of catkins in the hedgerows this month is a real soul booster along with other sightings.

Snowdrops are probably a bit late but we have daffodils budding up which are early. Every spring is different but it’s always good to see them arrive.

l Springing into life ... snowdrops make their annual appearance at Elvaston Park.

MP drives home roads message

SOUTH Derbyshire MP

Heather Wheeler is encouraging local residents to get involved with the Government’s drive to improve the area’s roads

The Department for Transport is consulting on its plans for a “Major Road Network” consisting of smaller routes, managed by local councils, but which are some of the most important for businesses, commuters and families

These roads account for 98 per cent of the overall road network, but Government statistics show that delays on these local A-roads are significantly longer than on those managed by Highways England

The Government plans to make fresh funding available for improvements to reduce congestion, alleviate bottlenecks and support economic growth Successful schemes would receive between £20 million and £100 million

Mrs Wheeler said:“By investing more locally we will see congestion reduced which will benefit everyone from businesses to those getting on with their day-to-day routine “I would encourage everyone in South Derbyshire to have their say on what they feel the Government’s priorities should be when it comes to roads ”

The consultation will run until March 23 and is available onhttps://www gov uk/government/con s u l t a t i o n s / p r o p o s a l s - f o r - t h e - c r eation-of-a-major-road-network

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THIS old phone box in Kings Newton could find a new lease of life as a defibrillator for use when someone has suffered a heart attack

The parish council is currently looking into applying for a grant funding scheme via Community Heartbeat Trust to help pay for the work

The box is at the junction of Nettlefold Crescent and Packhorse Road

Installing a defibrillator in the phone box is expensive – first it has to be electrically reconnected, then the machinery itself has to be installed, with the bill running into thousands of pounds

Community Heartbeat Trust is Britain’s leading defibrillator charity, having supplied 3,000 machines across Britain including Stanton-by-Bridge

Firefighters get pet life-savers

FURRY friends living in local households have been handed a potential lifeline after new pet oxygen masks were donated to Melbourne Fire Station for use when flames strike

The set of three different sized masks come from charity Smokey Paws and have been given to Melbourne fire and rescue by Debbie and John Bloor, who run Swadlincote pet sitting business Creature Comforts and paid for them to be donated

The masks are now carried on the engine so they can be used in a fire when there are animals brought out of a burning house suffering with smoke inhalation

Debbie said she had decided to donate the masks to Melbourne Fire Station after being made aware of Smokey Paws via her local vet surgery: BrightSide Vets in Swadlincote

Swadlincote station already had their complement of pet masks, but Melbourne had none, and she had seen fire crews from Melbourne support her local area of Swadlincote in cases of emergency

She said: “We’re very pleased to be able to do this for Melbourne Smokey Paws depends on donations to be able to equip fire engines with pet oxygen masks

“When firefighters go into a house on a rescue quite often there are pets in there as well which

States theme to this year

carnival

IT’S that time of year again when local groups are being asked to get together and come up with eye-catching ideas as to how to represent themselves in this year ’s carnival procession

This year ’s Melbourne Fete and Carnival is taking place on Saturday, July 14, and the theme is the United States of America

need to come out and may need to be resuscitated So it is imperative that the engine has a set of masks

“Creature Comforts is proud to support the local community – we have for instance donated Easter eggs to the local children’s ward ”

Debbie said that while she had not personally suffered the loss of a pet due to fire, a friend had, and she and her husband often discussed a fire evacuation plan

This might include putting house keys somewhere accessible – out of reach of potential burglars but somewhere where they will be quickly found in an emergency

It was also important to establish at least two emergency exits, she said, in case the main front door was blocked by flames or smoke

Melbourne Fire Station watch manager Andy Astle said: “We’d like to thank Smokey Paws and Creature Comforts on behalf of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and Melbourne Fire Station for their kind donation

“Obviously, we recognise that pets such as dogs and cats are a big part of people’s families now Historically we haven’t been able to treat them properly having this equipment will enable us to provide a better service to animals and hopefully make a difference when we do get animals with smoke inhalation which have been rescued from a fire ” –

Lucy Stephens

–

l Fire crew member Liam Maloney and Maisy Astle are pictured kneeling with Cavapoo puppy Brier, who kindly demonstrated the new equipment for us Standing (l-r) are Dan Johnson, Steve Irwin, Calvin Smith, Alan Buxton, Morris Hall, Chris Johnson and watch manager Andy Astle

The carnival committee (pictured) is hoping that will give local organisations plenty of ideas for floats, vehicles and individual walkers

from Eskimos to California surfers or New York mobsters!

Melbourne has record ap-peal

TALENTED young bell ringers from across the UK set a new record in Melbourne when they became the youngest in the country to perform a full peal on 12 bells

The team of Britain’s best young ringers converged on Melbourne Parish Church on January 21 to perform the peal, taking three hours and 25 minutes

Averaging just under 16 years in age, the band came from towns and cities across the country including Yorkshire, Cambridge, Guildford and Reading

Some of the young ringers were from well-established ringing families, in some cases going back for several generations

Ten members of the team had earlier in January rung a peal at St Paul’s in Birmingham, setting a record for the youngest peal run on 10 bells

The date of January 21 having already been reserved in case they failed in the first attempt, when they achieved their goal in Birmingham the decision was made to up the stakes and go for the record on 12

Melbourne Parish Church was chosen as it has the required number of bells, and is also well situated with good motorway access for the young ringers to meet

The church in Melbourne does present challenges to ringers, since the bells have long ropes which are exposed in the middle of the church

But the young band settled into a good rhythm and achieved the record, with bell ringers coming from around the area to listen to them perform

SUCCESS ON A PLATE County food awards accolade for Melbourne chef Lee

HUNDREDS of hours at a hot stove are paying off for a hardworking Melbourne chef, who has been voted one of Derbyshire’s finest at a prestigious awards evening.

Lee Emerson, head chef at Harpur ’s of Melbourne, was handed a highly commended spot for Chef of the Year at the latest Derbyshire Life

Food and Drink Awards

Lee was one of hundreds of entries voted for by the magazine’s readers Together with one other highly commended chef – Nick Gillespie at La Rock in Sandiacre – he only lost out on the top spot to Rupert Rowley of Fischer ’s Baslow Hall, the county’s only Michelin-starred restaurant

“It’s a great recognition of his talents and skills,” said Graham Townend from Harpur ’s, which now boasts two AA rosettes for its cuisine

Lee said he was “surprised and delighted” to have won the accolade

Life in the professional kitchen for Lee started when he was 15, as a porter at The Royal Hotel in Ashby

“I learned pretty much on the job,” he said “The head chef at the time sent me to college for four years ”

Now aged 30, Lee has been at Harpur ’s for the past five years, and has been head chef for the last two

But, as anyone who has ever worked in a kitchen knows, life as a chef is one of long hours and few breaks

Only those who really love the job

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would be prepared to cope with the punishing schedule, and Lee enjoys it so much that in order to relax he spends time on his other main love: fishing – sometimes taking back the day’s catch to cook in the restaurant! Asked what his favourite dish is to cook “probably fish,” he said “It’s delicate, and complex ”

Another major trend in food these days is the increasing emphasis on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, with more and more people opting to cut down on meat or banish it from our diets altogether for our health and that of the environment

To that end, Lee himself turned vegan for a month last year and is

doing so again at the start of 2018, partly for his own health and partly to experiment with vegetarian and vegan cookery

“I wanted to create more vegetarian dishes,” he said “I think with vegetarian cookery you just have to be a bit more inventive ”

Lucy Stephens

–

Picture: TINA BAKER

Sailing back in time

WELL, they do say schooldays are the best days of your life, and this shot of pupils from Melbourne Secondary School taking their woodwork project – a fully functioning yacht – for a sail on Melbourne Pool certainly does paint an idyllic picture

For this month’s history picture we are indebted to Tim Shone, chairman of Melbourne Tennis Club, who has provided us with these stills showing school children from Melbourne Secondary enjoying the fruits of their labour

Tim’s father, Bill Shone, was head of the school from 1949 to 1977 when it shut its doors and Chellaston Academy opened

The stills are taken from slides and show scenes from the late 1950s when teenagers from the school had finished making the yacht in their woodwork class

It seems that the event was significant enough to bring out local dignitaries (pic-

Police thanks for Xmas tree damage response

MELBOURNE police have thanked the public for their response in helping track down the person responsible for damage to the village’s Christmas tree

Police launched a CCTV appeal after the tree and lights in the Market Place were damaged on the evening of Friday, December 1

Within a few hours of details being released, police received a call from a member of the public naming a suspect

Officers then spoke to the man, a 37-year-old from Cotonin-the-Elms, who fully admitted his involvement With the agreement of Melbourne Parish Council he agreed to pay for the damage

PCSO Emma Guest, from the Melbourne Safer Neighbourhood team, said: “I would like to thank the public for the response we had to the appeal As a result of information we received we have now interviewed a man who has admitted his involvement

“He has shown genuine remorse for his action and is now being dealt with by way of restorative justice With the agreement of the parish council the man is paying for the damage he caused ”

For more information of the work of Melbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team follow them on Twitter @MelbourneSNT

Fair Trade breakfast

ANYONE who wants to support the principles of Fair Trade is invited to a Fair Trade Breakfast in Melbourne’s Catholic Church Hall on Saturday, March 10

The event is being held to support Fair Trade fortnight and will take place from 10am to noon

tured below) such as solicitor Harold Pipes to admire the finished vessel

Does anyone recognise anyone in these pictures, or can they perhaps remember this day at Melbourne Secondary School?

We would love to hear from any of our readers who may be able to offer some more information as to who was there on this day, and whether more than one yacht was completed by pupils at the school

Tim Shone is selling DVDs of Melbourne Secondary School trips featuring footage taken by his father, to raise money for Melbourne Tennis Club

The four-part DVD set is being sold as a set or as individual discs and includes trips spanning from 1963 to 1977

For copies, you can email him on tim@shone uk com or pop in to the Welcome Café and ask Alex Slater

ABOVE: Woodwork teacher Joe Davies sits in the boat with pupils from the school

RIGHT: The finished article proves more than up to the task as it sets sail on Melbourne Pool.

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Shoppers help raise £1,244 for appeal

GENEROUS Sainsbury’s shoppers in Melbourne raised £1,244 86 for the Poppy Appeal with their donations in the shop in October and November

Sainsbury’s is a corporate partner with The Royal British Legion which runs the Poppy Appeal

Last year appeal volunteer collectors were in the Melbourne branch raising money, with customers able to donate their old £1 coins which had gone out of circulation

Gary Dunne, store manager at Sainsbury’s Melbourne, said: “Our local community always gets behind the Poppy Appeal and each year our customers and colleagues continue to dig deep to support the charity We’re thrilled to have raised such a huge amount for The Royal British Legion and look forward to seeing what the future holds for the 23-year partnership ”

Ben France, head of corporate partnerships at The Royal British Legion, added: “We’d like to thank the Sainsbury’s customers and colleagues in Melbourne for their ongoing support Money raised through the partnership continues to help the Legion provide care and assistance to our Armed Forces community, which includes serving personnel, veterans, and their families ”

Sainsbury’s raised more than £3million for the Poppy Appeal across the country in 2017

Needles at the ready for 4,680 knitted poppies

KNITTERS from the local community are being called on to get involved with an ambitious poppy project as part of Melbourne Festival

Members of the festival team are working with Melbourne’s Viv Toon to create a display made up of 4,680 knitted or crocheted poppies, with the aim of commemorating the Grenadier Guards killed during The First World War, and their colleagues whose lives were shaped by their experiences dur-

ing the conflict

Viv said she felt it was important that we commemorate the end of The First World War 100 years ago and that she had started knitting poppies to sell for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal

Village Voice readers may remember the piece Viv created to commemorate the Melbourne men who lost their lives at war which was displayed at Melbourne Assembly Rooms during November 2017

The idea for a more ambitious project to knit 4,680 of the iconic memorial blooms for Melbourne’s “Pop Up Poppies” was inspired by conversations about the guards with her stepfather, Frank Green, who was in that regiment during The Second World War and lived at Pool Cottage until he died in December 2017

The festival team is now looking for knitters or groups of knitters who would like to help with the project Anyone interested is advised that they

n THESE young actors from a Melbourne drama group went to infinity and beyond when they performed their space-themed panto for one night only.

Stage Left drama group is run by Allison Hunt and this year ’s production was put on at the Robert Ludlam Theatre in Derby on January 25

Space Trek and the Adventures of Captain Galaxy took the audience on a whistlestop tour of the outer reaches of space, featuring the dastardly Lord So Hideous, the exercise-mad planet Lycra and a permanently hungry hitchhiker.

Stage Left is a children and young people’s acting group which has been going for more than 10 years It is looking for new members who would like to have a go at drama The group meets at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on Wednesdays from 5 30pm to 6 30pm

Anyone interested should call Allison on 07758 625372.

need not be experts as the pattern is very simple and Viv will help new knitters to get started

If you would like to help please contact Melbourne Festival on 07765 819428, email info@melbournefestival co uk or pop into one of the “Knit & Natter” sessions (detailed below) where you can pick up a pattern and starter pack of wool, maybe cast-on your knitting and meet some friends

The “Knit & Natter” sessions start on Friday, February 16, at Melbourne Library from 10 30am to noon There will be an official launch event at Melbourne Senior Citizens Centre on Saturday, March 10, from 10 30am to 2 30pm Everyone is welcome to drop in to knit, natter or have a cup of tea

Look out for Pop Up Poppy Posters with details of other events

The finished poppies can be dropped off at Melbourne Community Care’s office on Derby Road or Melbourne Senior Citizens Centre The poppies will all be sewn onto netting to create a huge quilt which will be displayed at Melbourne Festival in September and then during the week of Armistice Day in November

After Armistice Day the poppies will be removed, washed and sold in aid of Melbourne Royal British Legion’s 2019 Poppy Appeal

If anybody has red or black wool they would like to donate, they are asked to contact Melbourne Festival

Giving us a taste of France

TUCKED away in a Grade 1 listed heritage building in Melbourne is a little corner of la vie Française

Father and son team, Pierre Hourlier and Jean-Pierre, have been running their French wine business in the former 15th century threshing barn in Melbourne Hall visitor centre since November 2016 and have established an excellent reputation for providing fine wines from the smaller independent producers in France

Jean-Pierre said: “We were really attracted by the premises and the location – we wanted to set it up as a destination for people to come and visit as well In addition to local customers we have visitors coming from all over ”

He joined the business, first established by his father Pierre in 1975, about 13 years ago after time spent travelling world-wide, but extensively across France, learning much about wine production in the various regions

“Remarkably, my father came over to England on a school exchange, loved it and stayed,” he said

“Our philosophy is to offer our customers the very best from the small independent suppliers, many of whom we have known for years; niche vineyards which concentrate more on the quality than on the quantity of production We make regular and frequent visits to France in search of new and exciting wines and steer well away from the larger ‘factory’ production

“Right now, we are specialising in the Languedoc-Roussillon region where you can really get good value The whole area has been greatly energised in the last 10 to 15 years and is known particularly for its creativity and diversity

“As an area grows in popularity the demand increases, as does the price, so right now there are some amazing opportunities and bargains

“Often, we only get a few bottles from a producer, as the smaller producer might be making only a few thousand bottles, as opposed to the bigger producers making many thousands of bottles ”

Their website (www hourlierwines co uk) also contains some handy tips for the discerning wine lover

“The truth is in the bottle, not on the label”, writes Pierre, and “do not be influenced by what others say, it’s what you like that matters!”

One of the best, if not only, ways of finding the wine you like is to taste it, find your preferences At the Hourlier ’s shop you have plenty of opportunity to sample the wines and, with a selection of over 200 different varieties, the only difficult job is choosing!

– Frank Hughes

Area ‘plagued’ with van and shed thefts

TEN thefts from vans and sheds have been reported in Aston-on-Trent, the latest Safer Neighbourhood meeting heard

The meeting – likely to be the last Safer Neighbourhood meeting as it is now planned to be merged with

the Local Area Forum meetings in the future – was held in the Melbourne Assembly Rooms on February

5 PCSO Emma Guest reported that the area was still plagued with van and theft sheds and that there

had also been a “smattering” of reports from Melbourne along with those from Aston

Action has been taken against the offenders who damaged the Melbourne Festival exhibition last September, while other crimi-

nal activity in this area included shoplifting, criminal damage, vehicle driving on the sports field and incidents involving dangerous dogs

Residents from Melbourne raised concerns about the anti-social behav-

iour on Christmas Eve, which “got out of hand” resulting in broken glass strewn across the roads

There was a plea for such incidents to be reported not just on the police number (101) but also to licensing teams

A GLASS ACT ... Jean-Pierre and Pierre Hourlier. Picture: Ashley Franklin

New path is a cause(way) for celebration

A NEAR decade-long battle for a new footpath near Swarkestone allowing walkers to avoid the dangers of the causeway has finally been won.

Derbyshire County Council and landowners the Church Commissioners signed off on the deal in January

Members of the Melbourne Footpaths Group, Melbourne Civic Society and other walking groups celebrated by walking over Swarkestone Bridge (pictured below) towards the new route

The occasion was to have been a march along the causeway protesting about the fact that the footpath issue had remained unresolved for years, despite persistent requests to create a safer route

Walkers gathered by a new kissing gate installed by the county council at Swarkestone that enables people to cross the field next to the causeway without having to brave the perilously narrow kerb on foot – via a small stile on the left-hand side of the road on the approach to the bridge

The fight for the new path was started by Melbourne Civic Society in 2008, before being taken on by the footpaths group with the help of county councillor Linda Chilton who joined in the celebration day

She said: “I am pretty tenacious once I take something on and, once I had attempted the walk via the causeway stile myself, I knew the matter could not be left Now, hopefully, we can feel safer knowing that if children were involved in the walks, they have much less risk of injury or worse!

“The next stage of the new footpath route will be when weather permits ”

Melbourne Footpaths Group chairman Paul Sturges, welcoming the new path, said: “The demand for the new section of path is undoubted Walkers have already been seen using it, before the finishing touches have been applied Most of all, it means that walkers can now safely tread this important route without having to risk their lives for 300 metres on the Swarkestone Causeway ”

Phil Harrold, of Stanton-by-Bridge, who was there on the day with wife Nicky, said: “I think this is im-

YOU can take part in the “Ten Years of Struggle Walk” – the Melbourne to Swarkestone circular –on Thursday July 19. Led by Paul Sturges from Melbourne Footpaths Group, the walk will set off from Melbourne Assembly Rooms at

portant because it makes the walk much safer We had to walk along the edge of the causeway which risked colliding with large lorries passing at 40mph This will open up some of the routes much more than they were before ”

Fellow Stanton resident Keith Burgess said: “We don’t have a pub in our village, the Crewe & Harpur is our nearest – I’ve never been able to walk to it!”

The issue about the footpath first came to a head after Melbourne Civic Society published its Walks Round Melbourne book in 2007

One of the walks, the Swarkestone circular from Melbourne, contained an instruction to walk from Swarkestone to Stanton-by-Bridge along the path leading to Swarkestone Sailing Lake, but this was a mistake and a special sticker had to be inserted telling people to use the public footpath which, for its first 300 metres, ran on the causeway itself

Melbourne’s Ian Turner, who was chairman of the civic society at the time, described how the society became worried about this: “We came to have a real concern when my wife and I were once driving along the causeway and found a couple with two young children with the booklet in their hand – and we realised we were actually telling people to do something quite dangerous ”

At a meeting in Matlock early in 2008, the county council's highways engineers were asked, as a matter

of urgency, to divert the public way on public safety grounds

The following nine years wer the process but now the work and walkers can progress from way to the other without settin

As Paul Sturges said: “The g paths Group) is satisfied, but since it took the highway autho ers 10 years to respond to the c started by Melbourne Civic Soc

“Moving on from this story of standings, we can say that ever new footpath ”

He went on to say: “Motoris to fear hitting walkers who are reach the previous start point o row and winding causeway Dri way is problematic enough wi in avoiding walkers

“Local businesses, such as guesthouses and shops will h more trade from increased num ing the route Not least of th Harpur pub, strategically place of the new path

“Melbourne Footpaths Grou thing it can to ensure that the tained and publicised in comin

“The path has the potential to tional walking route comparab Forest Way, the Cotswold Way Way, and the group will do its happen ”

Lucy Stephens

–

10am. The distance is 6.8 miles. Meanwhile the footpaths group is leading two more walks over the next few weeks, and everyone is welcome

The first is taking place on Thursday February 15, starting at

Ticknall Village Hall Car Park at 10am Della Lancaster and Jane Carroll will lead this five-mile circular walk along the Ticknall Tramway

Next, on Thursday March 15, Paul will lead a walk to Anchor

and Foremark walk sets of Thompson Inn at 10am. Walke away from the have a drink This walk is 4.5

AT LAST walkers gather at the newly installed kissing gate which gives access to the walk next to the causeway

Pictures:

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footpath off the causere beset with delays to has finally been done one side of the causeg foot on it

roup (Melbourne Footnot exactly grateful, ority and the landownampaign for this path ciety in 2008 delays and misunderyone benefits from the ts will no longer have legitimately trying to of the path on the nariving across the causethout having to factor

pubs, cafes, hotels, ave the potential for bers of walkers followese is the Crewe and ed at the northern end p pledges to do everypath is properly maing years o be part of a major nable with The National or The South Downs very best to make this

WALK’

ke Churches. This f from the John car park in Ingleby rs are asked to park pub and invited to there afterwards. 5 miles long.

Noel’s 1920s memories of the causeway

SWARKESTONE Causeway may be a traffic headache for the thousands of motorists who use it today – but back in the 1920s, children were using it to walk to school, and there was little more than a passing tractor or two to get in their way

So remembers Noel Newman, 96, who was asked to address the walkers’ gathering on January 20 because of his long association with the causeway.

Noel (pictured above), who now lives in Chellaston but grew up in Swarkestone, told the group of walkers how he used to cross the causeway to get to school in Stanton-by-Bridge in 1928

“There was about eight to 10 of us,” he told the

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Village Voice. “If it had been raining and the grass was wet, you’d get your socks all wet through

“It was a long bridge but there was no traffic on it You could walk down the middle of the road if you wanted There was a bus every half an hour and some lorries, but not like there are now. There was a car or two but very, very few because hardly anybody had a car ”

Noel welcomed the creation of the new footpath, saying: “It’s not safe to walk on the causeway – not now This will help a lot ”

The latest figures from the county council show that around fifteen and a half thousand vehicles are crossing the causeway every day

FAMILY LIFE DOWN UNDER

YOUR readers from Swarkestone may remember with fondness Mick and Lynn Athey, who emigrated to Australia four years ago to join their sons Ben and Dan – both of whom grew up in Swarkestone

My husband and I spent a month over Christmas and New Year in Australia, visiting our son and family and doing some touring in a camper van

During our trip we visited Mick and Lynn (pictured right) for a couple of days and we thought many of their old friends would like to hear about their new life

Ben and Dan Athey now have family of their own: Dan, two lovely sons, and Ben a son and a baby daughter who is expected soon

Mick and Lynn have built themselves a beautiful house in Canyon Leigh in the Southern Highlands What a lovely life they have made The house they built themselves, literally brick by brick, with a little help from a roofer later on It stands in 25 acres of land which they are slowly developing

They have a group of neighbours who are great chums and, although they are spread around the area – the nearest being about half a mile away – there is a great community feeling

All have a very pioneering can-do spirit, are adventurous, resourceful and creative; it was very inspiring

Together they have built a beautiful community centre using local timber We met several of them and they were all great fun

Mick took me “bush bashing” in his jeep at

Village Voice Postbag TOAD SAFETY REMINDER

DURING the next couple of months, or in even April if the weather remains cold, toads with sex on their minds will start to make a dash – or more accurately a crawl – to their breeding ponds

They will start to move after dusk, when the weather becomes mild and wet, and may stop if it becomes cold again before they start to move off once more

Whilst migrating they will probably have to cross one or more roads or worse still may elect to walk down a road, when they are particularly likely to get squashed or to fall into a road drain gulley pot

There are some locations where they cross in large numbers and where it is feasible to mount a ‘toad patrol’ Elsewhere they cross in dribs and drabs and have to take their chance and run the

gauntlet alone

If you are driving a car at these times when conditions are favourable you can help greatly If you happen to see a toad or toads in the road, please slow and keep a lookout for others so you can avoid running them over Although toads are obviously relatively small you can spot them easily if you are driving at 15 to 20mph, but less easily at 30mph-plus

If you are on foot and see a toad in the road you can significantly improve their survival chances by scooping it up and placing it on the verge towards which it is travelling

In doing so you will help reduce the yearly carnage and help reverse the decline in this useful and charming creature

Christian Murray-Leslie

HARROWING TALE TO TELL

READERS of The Village Voice might recall articles and letters about a married couple who have fled the violence and the grotesque rule of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe to try to find sanctuary in Melbourne where they have family connections

in the same battalion of The Grenadier Guards on the Western Front Her father soldiered in the desert with The Eighth Army Their schooling, their homes, the songs they sang and the language they spoke were English

To listen to their story you can meet them in The Thomas Cook Mission Hall on Melbourne’s High Street at 7pm, Monday, March 23 Their story will take about one hour to tell You can meet them afterwards if you would like to do so

night, a terrifying and utterly electrifying experience and, yes, there are kangaroos and wombats and all manner of strange looking birds

Mick’s previous experience with a shotgun came in handy the next morning when we encountered a big black snake in the garden!

We had a wonderful time with them; they entertained us royally They send their best wishes to all their Swarkestone pals

Linda and Colwyn Lee Swarkestone

They are English in their parentage and ancestry They endured the murder of family in Zimbabwe and the dislocation of fleeing their family home with only what they could carry They looked to their homeland for succour They fled to South Africa and then to England Their parents and grandparents fought for us in both world wars Yvonne Karusseit’s grandfather and my own were

Yet, despite all this, despite their cultural and genetic bond with our country, they have been rejected as citizens of the UK by The Home Office on ridiculous grounds

They are both unwell They also have an ailing parent living in Melbourne They now face the shocking possibility of having to return to Africa when their current Visa expires next year

There will be an illustrated talk and questions followed by refreshments There will be a collection taken to try to raise a fighting fund to buy some legal help and advice

Do come and support this couple Let down by a succession of British governments and let down by The Home Office, they need your help

J Williams, Castle Street

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n SCENES from lush tropical forests were briefly in Ticknall as a couple from North Wales came to talk to the garden club about how they cultivate and sell rare plants

Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones have become world renowned for sourcing and propagating unusual plants since diversifying from farming in 1991

The couple from Crûg Farm Plants in North Wales visited Ticknall Garden Club in January to give a talk about their horticultural world. They gave a vivid account of one expedition to Viet-

The Mels are back for a second year

WITH the Oscars and other prestigious awards in full swing at this time of year, Melbourne locals have their very own accolades to give out – The Mels

Last year ’s inaugural celebration was so successful that organiser Andy Heafield has launched the event for a second time

Like last year there will be four main categories – the arts, business, community and sport – but within that there are two new categories – Neighbour of the Year, and Service with a Smile – offering an opportunity to reward cafés, shops, pubs or businesses for offering great service

ber of categories and stick with a winning formula ”

Alan Staley, Building Contractors, have offered to provide sponsorship for the award ceremony and to cover expenses, and there are four sponsors for the individual awards

Andy added: “There are so many people and organisations in Melbourne who all deserve an award, so I hope that that people take the opportunity to vote for their particular favourite, after all, you have to be in it to win it ”

nam where they struggled through dense forests and climbed steep mountainsides in their successful search for new plant species and rare specimens

Crûg Farm Plants, with its beautiful views of Mount Snowdon, is now a mecca for extraordinary plants

Pictured (l-r) are Wendy Gale, programme organiser for Ticknall Garden Club, John Bate, committee member, Pam Adams, club chairman, with Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones, from Crûg Farm.

Sponsor sought for new primary school

EDUCATION leaders at Derbyshire County Council are looking for a sponsor for a new primary school expected to open in Findern in September 2019

Plans for the new primary at the Highfields Farm housing development in Findern reached this latest stage when the county council’s cabinet approved the next phase of the project at a meeting in January

That followed a public consultation on the proposed school which raised no objections

The plan is for the school to be one-form entry – one class by year group – and accommodate up to 210 pupils from reception to year six

Now the county council is looking for organisations to sponsor and run the new school, which will have academy status

Councillor Alex Dale, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for young people, said: “I’d like to thank those who responded to the public consultation we launched for the proposed school

“Looking ahead, the selection of the best possible sponsor for this new school, which will provide the additional school places that will soon be

needed in this area, is absolutely crucial – not just for those of us involved in the process of making that choice but, most importantly, for all those children who will attend it, and their families

“We need to be sure that this school provides a safe, happy and successful learning environment from day one and for many years to come ”

The chosen sponsor will be responsible for the management and performance of the school, including the recruitment of teaching staff

The sponsor organisation will need to show it has appropriate experience in and knowledge of the education sector as well offering financial expertise

The council will receive and consider applications from interested parties before recommending its preferred applicants to the Secretary of State for Education, who will make the final decision

Funding for the construction of the school will be provided in part by the developers of Highfields Farm, who will also identify the precise location of the school buildings and grounds within their plans

Carol singers raise £197 of festive cheer

CAROL singers in Ticknall raised nearly £200 for the local community with their full-throated efforts

Villagers singing carols round the tree on Christmas Eve raised £197.77 in collection money – a figure which Ticknall Parish Council will round up to £400.

The parish council is donating £150 each to St George’s Church and Ticknall Methodist Chapel, and £100 to the Salvation Army Everyone who went along is warmly thanked for attending and for their generosity.

The council will provide startup cash for the school, but ongoing funding will come direct to the school from central Government

The council and the Department for Education will advertise the launch of the application process for sponsors in due course

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Andy said: "We were astounded with the success of the Mels last year and with how much the winners appreciated being recognised Bigger doesn't mean better and, although there have been a few adjustments to the titles, we wanted to avoid the temptation to add to the num-

Voting forms and details of all the awards will be made available from various local outlets, including Forteys, the Post Office, the library, Melbourne Assembly Rooms and Melbourne Sporting Partnership

The closing date for nominations is March 24 and the award ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 8, at the Assembly Rooms

Help litter-pickers

PUBLIC-SPIRITED volunteers keen to help keep Melbourne tidy are invited to join the village’s annual litter-pick over the first weekend in March

The event is organised by Melbourne Civic Society, which is supporting the Great British Spring Clean again this year

This is an initiative by Keep Britain Tidy with the aim of mobilising as many volunteers as possible on the weekend of March 2-4 to clear up litter from their

surrounding area and so highlight this on-going problem

Anyone keen to help in this venture is invited to join Melbourne Civic Society on Saturday, March 3, at 10am in front of Melbourne Assembly Rooms

Alternatively, individuals or community groups are advised by the society that they can borrow equipment to branch out on their own at other times

Contact pamadams56@yahoo co uk or 01332 865760 for more information

Walk of the month

MELBOURNE TO SWARKESTONE

Distance: 11 kilometres (6 8 miles)

Time: Three hours

Terrain: Easy, flat on footpaths, towpaths and tracks

Refreshments: Melbourne, King's Newton and Swarkestone

Parking: Behind Market Place, Melbourne

Buses: Regular from Derby Fewer on Sunday OS sheet: National Forest 245 (1:25 000) or Derby 128 (1:50 000)

THIS is a good walk to stretch your legs and visit some interesting monuments and villages

Leave Melbourne Market Place and head down Church Street towards the parish church past the Blue Bell Inn Turn left into Castle Street and walk through Castle Square past Castle Farm (now called Castle House) until you reach the fire station Turn right into Castle Lane and then left onto the footpath known as Turnbarrel, immediately to the right of The Lilypool sign

On reaching Station Road turn right to walk along the road for about 200 metres and then turn left and after a few yards right into Jawbone Lane At the crossroads in King s Newton go straight over and down Trent Lane past the village cross, re-erected in 1936 to commemorate the accession of Edward VIII

Just before you reach the former railway bridge (and ignoring the footpath sign on your left), veer left down to the Sustrans path (cycle route no 6) Head left along a pleasant track that was once a branch line between Derby and Ashby Watching out for bikes, continue for a kilometre until you reach the Trent viaduct with fine views in both directions across the Trent valley flood plain Within 100 metres or so turn left and follow the blue sign towards Derby, going gently downhill towards the canal bank

On reaching the Trent and Mersey Canal turn left and walk for just over a kilometre along the towpath until you reach Massey’s Bridge (bridge no 12), just after a cast-iron milestone dated 1819 Climb the track by the bridge and turn left along a path that almost immediately takes a right turn di-

n This is one of 14 walks from "Walks Around Melbourne" published by Melbourne Civic Society

All walks are illustrated with detailed maps and sketches They are available to purchase from Melbourne News and the Melbourne Hall Gift Shop

agonally across two fields (at times this path is not very well defined)

Follow this path across Cuttle Brook and then veer diagonally left across another field to a two-barred gate Climb the gate and go through a gap in the stone wall and pass, on the right, the entrance to the Swarkestone Pavilion [2] (also known as Bowl Alley House and now owned by the Landmark Trust) Next aim for the right-hand side of the graveyard at the back of Swarkestone

parish church

Cross the stile and bear right You can, if you wish, take a detour into the churchyard through the wooden gate and exit back onto the road through the rather fine iron gates to the church Turn left along the road and, ignoring the footpath sign on the right, head towards the River Trent, passing the Reading Room on your left

At the riverbank turn right and head for the Crewe and Harpur pub, past some very pleasant riverside properties Note the wonderful vista of Swarkestone Bridge in front of you Cross the very busy A514 to the Crewe and Harpur where refreshments are available

Cross the 18th century bridge and turn right down the road signposted to Ingleby After 200 metres there is a new gate installed by Derbyshire County Council and a new section of footpath In the distance you should see the old footpath sign on the Causeway and, to the right of this in the distance, is a hedge with a stile or possibly a new gate Walk 900 metres to the end of the Causeway and turn right to take a path that goes round the back of the Sailing Club buildings

Ignore the first stile on your left and, after the second stile, cross a little bridge over the stream

After a short distance turn left and head uphill along the left hand side of the field until you come to a gate and stile that take you into Stanton by Bridge, by the side of the village hall

If you have time, turn left to visit the medieval church [3] (usually locked); then walk east uphill along the village street until you reach the main Derby road (A514) Cross this busy road with care and head right towards Melbourne

After about 200 metres you will see the track to Waterworks House Turn left here towards the Victorian pumping station; almost immediately a footpath (right) points uphill: cross the stile and follow this path until, at the foot of an electricity pylon, it meets the track coming up from Swarkestone Causeway

Turn right to follow this former packhorse road (known as Ward's Lane) until it reaches the former Packhorse Inn Just before this visit the Holy Well [4] (down a path on your left) restored by Melbourne Civic Society in 1985

With the former pub in front of you turn right along the main road out of Kings Newton (do not go straight ahead) Within a few yards a finger post on the left points to Melbourne Follow this path between market gardens and the backs of houses until you reach Derby Road Turn left here and walk towards Melbourne, admiring the many fine Georgian and Victorian buildings as you approach the town centre

n MISS Melbourne was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon at one of the village’s newest shops – No 33 Lifestyle on Derby Road.

The shop has been opened by new owner Corin Hollingworth and she is here pictured surrounded by her family as Miss Melbourne Iman Willmore did the honours.

The new venture from Corin comes from a desire to bring something new to Melbourne, the town where she and her family have lived for 17 years Her husband, Mark, runs his own business, Clover IT Contracts, from the village too. Passers-by will have noticed the brilliantly flamboyant interior complete with eye-catching wallpapers – a showcase for the interiors side of

Series of dog attacks lead to police warning

DOG owners have been reminded to keep control of their pets by police after an offthe-lead sheepdog ran at a seven-year-old boy in Aston-on-Trent, in one of a series of incidents reported to officers in recent weeks

South Derbyshire police officers have received five separate reports recently of dogs either attacking other dogs or people walking with their animals

Along with the Aston-on-Trent incident, another report was a dog off its lead attacking a dog in fields near Newton Solney so badly that the injured animal needed vet

treatment to a seven-inch wound

PCSO Harriet Dunn, who works as part of the Mercia Safer Neighbourhood team, has issued a warning to dog owners to ensure they are in control of their pets

She said: “With the incident in Newton Solney the owner of the dog that caused the injuries has taken full responsibility, apologised and paid for the vet’s bill for the treatment required

“However, we feel it is important to remind dog owners and those in charge of dogs, that they have a responsibility to keep them under control ”

Airport outlines strategy for traffic increase

the shop.

“I want everybody to enjoy a little bit of the madness I’ve created in here!” said Corin, who has started up her shop because “I needed to find what I’d like to do for the rest of my life,” now that daughters Imogen and Amelia are 13 and 10.

Corin was inspired to start her business after holidaying in Cornwall with her family last year and seeing the range of great lifestyle shops dotted around Pictured (l-r) are Imogen Hollingworth, Miss Melbourne Iman Willmore, Amelia Hollingworth, Corin Hollingworth and Mark Hollingworth.

£1,000 fine for flytipper

A FLY-TIPPER has been given a hefty fine after being caught illegally dumping waste in Findern.

Mohammed Arfaq, of Stonehill Road, Derby, received a £1,000 fine and was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge plus £1,457 82 legal costs within two months He has also been disqualified from driving for six months

The 32-year-old dumped mixed household and building waste in Staker Lane, Findern on Wednesday, May 24 His actions were captured by surveillance cameras set up by South Derbyshire District Council at the fly-tipping hotspot Signage is displayed to highlight that the cameras are in place

Arfaq pleaded guilty to the illegal disposal of waste and failing to discharge his duty of care to the disposal under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court

Cllr Peter Watson, chairman of the Environment and Development Services Committee at the district council, said: “This latest prosecution demonstrates our zero tolerance approach to flytipping and our commitment to ensuring South Derbyshire remains clean and green

“The installation of surveillance cameras is just one deterrent we use to prevent fly-tipping from having a negative impact on our environment

Our officers are also using new powers to combat and seize vehicles involved in fly-tipping as a preventative measure

“We hope this sends out a clear message that

fly-tipping on our idyllic countryside will not be tolerated Our teams are always on hand to help advise where people should be safely disposing of any household or building waste ”

The council took enforcement action against 62 people for waste related offences in 2017

Information relating to the responsibilities around waste disposal can be found at environmentlaw org uk or by telephoning the council’s safer neighbourhood wardens on 01283 595968

Stuart stands down

STUART Batchelor, the director of community and planning at South Derbyshire District Council, is standing down from his post, the latest Local Area Forum heard Stuart is well known locally for his work with Melbourne Sporting Partnership and the Melbourne Assembly Rooms

MEMBERS of the public will be consulted on the next action plan for limiting noise from East Midlands Airport as it aims to double passenger numbers from five to 10 million in the years to come

The latest Melbourne Parish Council meeting held at the Assembly Rooms on February 6 heard a presentation on the airport’s latest growth and noise management plans given by Colleen Hempson, corporate social responsibility manager at the airport

She told the meeting that the airport plans to reach around 10 million passengers as part of its growth strategy

Currently, East Midlands Airport serves

around five million passengers a year, travelling to more than 80 destinations

It is also a key freight operator – second in the UK only to Heathrow in terms of tonnes of freight carried – and offers around 7,000 jobs, while contributing £250million to the local economy

But the airport has stressed that its plans to double passenger numbers and increase freight do not mean doubling air traffic movement

“A significant amount of that growth will come in larger aircraft,” said Colleen

“What we anticipate and forecast is that, as those operators grow, they will be investing in newer and quieter technologies ”

Freephone: 0800 0111 222

JEAN BROOKBANKS

June 21, 1928 –

December 3, 2017

JEAN was born in Wolverhampton to Thomas and Sarah Hartley She always enjoyed school and her reports from the Wolverhampton Municipal Grammar School described Jean as hard-working, someone who could go far

After taking her school certificate, however, Jean left school to work in an insurance office rather than pursue her dream of becoming a teacher

Her father suffered ill health as a result of war injuries and so a change of career prospect was necessary

Jean enjoyed long walks with the Wolverhampton CHA (Countrywide Holidays Association – a rambling club) holidaying with a school friend (a friend to whom she spoke only shortly before her stroke) and in her spare time enjoyed selling concert programmes at the Civic Hall in return for free concert tickets

On regular visits to the bank from work, she met Bernard and they married in September 1952 Family life began in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, and it was not until 1963 that one of Bernard’s promotions necessitated a move to Melbourne

From those early days, Jean began to immerse herself in village life, joining the WI, Mothers’ Union, Young Wives and life at the parish church

For many years Jean rang

the bells until a broken wrist meant she had to give up Jean once more considered going into teaching but, instead, took up the post of clerk at the Infant school, a job she thoroughly enjoyed

She and Bernard ran the ‘Square Dance’ club in Melbourne for many years and, twice a year, Jean was one of the team who provided cups of tea after each blood donation session She loved being outdoors, and being so close to the Peak District spent many days walking there She enjoyed inviting walking friends from the Wolverhampton CHA and over the years led many walks in the Melbourne area

Gardening was another pleasure – particularly being on hands and knees weeding borders! Jean always needed to be busy, and over the years she took on various roles within the Mothers’ Union, Young Wives and the WI

After Bernard’s retirement in 1981, they enjoyed many holidays together, visiting places such as Iceland, Alaska, Nor-

way and Austria

Together they also volunteered for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s kiosks in Dovedale and the Whistlestop Centre, but when the National Trust took over Calke, they were there from day one Monday was their duty day but if there was a tree survey or something similar to be undertaken, they’d be there for that too

Jean and Bernard were blessed with good health and had a wonderfully fulfilling 30 years together in retirement, but after his death in 2011, and a fall which restricted her mobility a little, Jean found life more of a challenge

She moved into Pool Cottage and was still able to enjoy walks to the weir or the Hall gates and to church

Jean loved Melbourne, was wonderfully cared for by the staff at Pool Cottage and she was grateful to be able to remain in the village However, on December 3, Jean suffered a stroke and died peacefully having never regained consciousness

Jean’s family would like to thank John Springthorpe and company for their support and guidance, also Rev Steve Short and Rev Margaret Jacques for conducting the service so reassuringly and to the many people who have expressed their condolences and attended with the family at the funeral in Melbourne Parish Church

KATHLEEN “WINNIE” JACKSON 1920 - 2017

KATHLEEN “Winnie” Jackson was born in Castle Donington in 1920, to Trudie and Ted Tilson, the eldest of four girls

During her school days there were no buses, and she often made people laugh with stories of being taken daily in a wheelbarrow

Her first job was as a nanny to a doctor ’s family at the Keyhouse, Castle Donington, where she cycled every day

After meeting the love of her life, Sam Jackson, they married and first lived in Isley Walton where son Alan was born in 1941 They later moved to a bungalow at Park Farm where daughter Carol was born in 1945

They moved into Sladefield House on the outskirts of Melbourne nearly 70 years ago, where she remained and continued to work well into her 80s, helping out in the farm shop

‘Win’ was dedicated, committed, and hardworking, finely balancing a farming life with motherhood She worked the land in the mornings and returned home to cook lunch for the family and workers before returning to the fields in the afternoon She and Sam also enjoyed socialising often at the Melbourne Hotel, and later the Francis Burdett, and were regulars at local dinner dances, celebrations and parties

When the children were young, family holidays included annual trips to Rhyl to stay with relatives, driving there in their pristine Invicta car She loved to travel and enjoyed holidays in Scotland and Wales and flew for the first time on a

LINDSAY

USHER

1928 - 2017

LINDSAY was born in Australia and moved to England at the age of six At Durham University she gained a BA in English, French and Ancient History followed by a diploma in education

For over 30 years she taught English in many different settings, including secondary school, colleges, evening classes and home tutoring

While living in Grimsby, Lindsay was an active member of the Cleethorpes Amateur Dramatic Society She met husband Howard in Grimsby in 1957; after marriage in 1959 they lived in Warwickshire before moving to The Woodlands at Melbourne in 1978

Their enthusiastic expertise and interest in archaeology and history soon became an asset to the Melbourne community; they were active members of the Melbourne Civic Society and were among the founder members of the Melbourne

trip to Ireland with friends

Alan

and Sandra Smith

She hated the flight, however, and it was only years later, in her 80s, that she was coerced back on to a plane to Spain Again she wasn’t keen, but a large brandy at 7am settled her nerves

There were sad times, too Win and Sam suffered the tragic loss of daughter Carol, aged only 44, in 1990 and she lost her life-partner Sam in 1999 having nursed him for several years with unwavering loyalty and compassion

Win bounced back from her loss, and enjoyed the company of a large circle of friends

She regularly lunched with the grandchildren or her wonderful friends at either the Hardinge or Coopers Arms

In recent years she had some health issues; however, she continued to bounce back each time with determination and vigour

Very recently Win was the victim of a particularly callous crime in her own home, which massively impacted on her

But above all Win loved everything about family After granddaughters Helen, Lucy and Zoe arrived she thrived in their upbringing, with the girls spending many happy hours at Sladefield House They all have fond memories of these times sharing tractor rides, strawberry picking and brussel sprout knobbing

Her life paints a picture of family togetherness and happiness Winnie passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, to be reunited with Sam She will be sadly missed by her many friends and relatives

Historical Research Group in 2000, as well as being involved with local history societies at Ticknall and Castle Donington

In 1986 Howard and Lindsay were engaged by Lord and Lady Lothian of Melbourne Hall as archivists to continue the cataloguing of the documents there, including many of national importance

They went on to do a similar job for Sir Reresby Sitwell at Renishaw near Chesterfield Lindsay was a steward for the public openings of Melbourne Hall for over 20 years and was one of the original members of the Melbourne Wednesday Group In their retirement Lindsay returned to Australia with Howard to visit her birthplace, and also enjoyed exploring Europe and America She leaves son Michael, daughter Alix and six grandchildren Lindsay positively touched the lives of so many; she was a wonderful teacher who was kind and generous to all that she met

MOORE Wendie Elizabeth Ann (nee Spencer)

Formerly of Melbourne, lately of Newbold, Coleorton. The husband Colin, daughter Suzanne and son Simeon wish to thank the proprietor and staff of J P Springthorpe & Co, Melbourne for their courtesy and attention to detail during the preparation of the funeral. Also, the vicar, Reverend Steve Short, the reader Joy Hill and Simon Collins the choir master, organist and superb unaccompanied soloist of Nunc Dimittis, and also those who took part in the ceremony at Melbourne Parish Church. Many thanks also for attendance and condolences from Wendie’s many friends. Finally, but none the less, the staff and servers at Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms who made sure no one left feeling hungry or thirsty.

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How to claim £2,000 grants

PROJECTS in this area that can be shown to enhance community safety could be eligible for grants of up to £2,000 You can fill out the form to apply for the cash here: www south-derbys gov uk/forms/ShowForm asp ?fm fid=69

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Paving the way to success

A MELBOURNE landscaper has carried off a major award in a national scheme rewarding the best in the industry

PB Landscapes was crowned winner for Best Patio Transformation using Contemporary Products in the national Bradstone Assured Awards 2018

The annual awards, which took place at The Radisson Blu in Manchester on January 19, acknowledge some of the best garden landscaping the industry has to offer in design expertise and quality craftsmanship Categories include Best Patio Transformation and Best Driveway Transformation, along with the prestigious Installer of the Year award Organisers said this year ’s awards had seen landscapers from across the UK submit some of the highest quality entry submissions since the scheme began in 2014

Winners were chosen by an expert judging panel at Bradstone, and Paul Bignall was presented the award by host Peter Montgomery, national account manager for Bradstone Assured, in front of almost

Hilary is new council leader

A COUNCILLOR representing Aston, Weston and Barrow-upon-Trent has been named as the new leader of South Derbyshire District Council

Cllr Hilary Coyle, of Aston ward, was revealed as the new leader at a full council meeting on January 18, after the previous leader, Cllr Bob Wheeler, said he was stepping down from the role after more than seven years

Cllr Coyle (below), a lecturer at the University of Derby, has represented the Aston ward for six years and also served two years as the council’s deputy leader

She said: “I am delighted to have been named as leader of South Derbyshire District Council

“Cllr Wheeler has run a very smooth ship and we have a strong foundation in place to build from The experience and knowledge he has passed on to me has been extremely insightful

“Residents are at the heart of what we do and we will do everything we can to further improve services for the people of South Derbyshire ”

Cllr Wheeler, who will continue to represent the Linton ward on the council, has wished his successor all the best in her new role

He said: “Over the last seven years, despite challenging times, the council has continued

French taught to all ages and abilities Guitar, ukulele, ddle, keyboard & melodeon

The ukulele club is a fun, sociable evening of song and playing. We also do barn dances and maypole

Bryan Dawson 01332 702386 or 07949 108037 bryandawson@hotmail.co.uk

MELBOURNE SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOOL TRIPS 1963 - 1977

LONDON - FRANCE - BELGIUM - HOLLAND

to deliver more with less, with new projects such as Melbourne Sports Park and Midway Community Centre coming to fruition

“We have continued to punch above our weight in Derbyshire and beyond and we can look to the future with confidence

“It is my privilege to hand over the reins to Hilary She stepped into being a parish councillor 17 years ago and has made a massive impact since joining the council Her energy and intelligence are infectious and she will bring a fresh approach and impetus to the role ”

The deputy leader of the council is Martyn Ford, who represents Willington and Findern

2, 3 or 4) in aid of Melbourne Tennis Club

100 attendees

Paul said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised for the quality of our work and our creative landscapes designs for the third year running, especially in such a highly competitive category We look forward to working on further exciting gardening projects which may be winning an award in 2019!”

Andrew Singleton, sales director for Bradstone, said: “PB Landscapes of Melbourne are truly worthy winners of the Bradstone Assured award

“Their ability to provide an outstanding standard of garden landscaping was unrivalled in this category

“We at Bradstone are proud to have them as a member of our trusted scheme of installers, and we wish them continued success for the future ”

Bradstone is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of garden and driveway products, and Bradstone Assured is a national network of professional installers selected and approved by the company for their “superb levels of quality and craftsmanship”

Spring arrives at Calke Abbey

Many secrets are yet to be uncovered in Calke Abbey’s seemingly abandoned rooms. This year, you can investigate the stories of Calke’s women in the house and explore forgotten views of the estate in the wider parkland. Visit our website for more information on new discoveries, changes and seasonal highlights.

Calke on camera

Saturday 17 February 10.30 – 12.30 and Kids with Cameras 13.30 – 14.30

Bring your camera to Calke and have some fun with the photography team on this creative walk in the park. We’ll teach you some handy tips and show you the best places to take photos on the estate.

Sunday 4 March 11.00 – 16.00

Celebrate local food that’s grown, raised, baked or caught within a 30-mile radius of Calke. Enjoy the best of the season and watch a cookery demonstration by the Calke chefs.

Lambing at Home Farm

Saturday 17, Sunday 18 and Saturday 24, Sunday 25 March 11.00 – 15.30

you might even see a lamb being born. Garden ticket required.

By becoming a member of the National Trust, you help us to protect the country’s heritage and landscape, while enjoying free entry to over 500 places. Here at Calke Abbey, membership supports our conservation work both in the house and gardens, as well as the internationally important protected parkland.

Calke Abbey spring opening: Restaurant & Shop: daily 10.00 – 16.00 (17.00 from 3 March) Park & National Nature Reserve: daily 7.30 – 19.30 House: daily from 3 March, 12.30 – 17.00; ‘taster’ visits and family apartments available 11.00 – 12.30 Gardens: daily, 10.00 – 17.00

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 this spring please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey

@NTCalkeAbbey

WINNERS ... Jack Pearce (left) and Paul Bignall (centre), of PB Landscapes, with Bradstone’s Peter Montgomery.

FINGERS on the buzzers ... it’s the start of the 2018 Melbourne Quiz. First up were the Probus and Village Idiots teams pictured with scorer Phil Dobby and question master John Elliott

Melbourne’s Annual Meeting of the Parish

Monday, 12th March 2018

The Melbourne Room, Melbourne Assembly Rooms

7.30pm (refreshments from 7.00pm)

- All Parishioners are invited to attend -

SWIFTS STILL FLYING HIGH

PLAYERS at Melbourne Swifts

Table Tennis club are continuing to enjoy success this season following on from promotions for the club’s first and second teams last year

Melbourne 3 is currently second and Melbourne 4 is top of their respective divisions of the Derby Table Tennis League, despite most of the team’s members playing their first full season

Swifts also had success at the “Derby Closed” tournament held at Draycott Table Tennis Centre, Swifts’ Nathan Dumelow winning the Division 4 category and Patrick Hall taking the handicap event

Swifts’ Tom Cleveley, 11, from Ticknall, enjoyed success at the Closed championships, coming second in the competition on January 28

“I think it’s a very accessible sport for all,” said Tom’s mum, Sarah “It’s a fairly cheap sport to play and it’s a really social sport, too ”

Meanwhile, pupils at Melbourne Junior School are also continuing to impress on the table tennis circuit with several

Melbourne Dental Practice

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE

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

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

Minibus trips

Monday 5th March - 10.30am - £4 return

M&S Food Shop and Aldi at Ashby followed by lunch at the Ferrers Arms at Lount. Lunch not included.

Wednesday 7th March - 9.00am - £8 return.

Solihull Touchwood Shopping Centre

Tuesday 13th March - 9.30am - £5 return.

Wheatcrofts Garden Centre, Nottingham

Monday 19th March - 11.30am - £4 return.

Sudbury Prison for lunch

Lunch not included.

Wednesday 21st March 9.30am - £6 return.

Lich eld for the Cathedral and town

Tuesday 27th March 9.30am - £4 return.

Burton Upon Trent

Melbourne

Community Care

For more information or to book a place please phone: 01332 863585 or call in at the Community Care O ce.

Trips subject to a minimum of 8 people booking.

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

notable achievements over the past few weeks

Their first ever girls’ table tennis team finished in the top 16 schools in the country after competing in the Butterfly National Schools Team Table Tennis Regional Finals on February 3

The team travelled to Blackburn where they won their first match 7-1 and drew their next two – performing very well and not losing a game despite not quite making it to the finals

Two pupils from the school won their girls’ and boys’ finals at the South Derbyshire Individual Table Tennis competition in Granville Academy on January

25 They were part of a team of 30 children who travelled to the event, with every player winning at least one game at the group stage

The Swifts have now started an after-school table tennis club at Chellaston Academy, and the club itself practises every Tuesday from 7 15pm at Melbourne Assembly Rooms

Anyone is welcome to go along or you can also contact the club at www swiftstabletennis co uk

Wins move Melbourne away from bottom

MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV opened 2018 with a short trip to Stoke-on-Trent

The game was played on a very wet, heavy pitch, which was to suit the heavier Stoke pack Melbourne welcomed back Darryl Banton after his wrist injury.

Melbourne played into the wind and up the hill in the first half and opened the scoring in the first minute with a Stoke error being hacked through for Devon Iliffe to score, Euan Holden converting for an early 7-0 lead Stoke used their heavy pack and kicked to the corners, scoring three converted tries, with Melbourne suffering on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle

The second half saw Melbourne’s turn to use the advantage They scored an early try from Jack Percival off a lineout, with Holden converting

Melbourne tried desperately to exert pressure but were constantly penalised for a variety of misdemeanours, often bewildering to the supporters

Stoke scored a penalty for a 10-point lead and Melbourne grew ever more frustrated with decisions Captain Holden was yellow carded for asking about a penalty decision, before the ref blew for time five minutes early

Melbourne were genuinely disappointed for taking nothing from the game MOTM

Chris Purce

Stourbridge Lions arrived with the game having been moved to Nottingham Trent University again Melbourne gave a debut to Joe Livesey at full back Stourbridge scored two quick tries before Melbourne gained any foothold With two contrasting styles it made for a pulsating game Stourbridge were quick to move the ball and Melbourne looked to punch holes in the fringe defence

Al Judge scored two tries, with Holden converting one Holden scored three penalties but Melbourne were still down in the last five minutes After a prolonged period of play, Melbourne eventually won a penalty, which Holden converted with the last kick of the game for a 21-19 win MOTM Alec Judge Melbourne eventually got to play at home versus Wolverhampton On a damp misty afternoon, the pitch was sticky and extensive ground work got it fit to play Welcoming back Watts and Stringer, Melbourne started strongly into the wind and a length of the field try, started by Tommy Howard and finished by Judge, opened the scoring Holden converted and scored a penalty late on for a 10-0 lead

After the break, the physical Wolverhampton side scored from close range before Melbourne extended their lead with tries from Watts and Stephenson, Holden converting both

Percival was yellow carded late on and Wolverhampton scored a converted try Melbourne pushed for the bonus point but could not get it Final score 24-12 MOTM Al Judge Melbourne moved 10 points clear of the bottom three at the end of January

The 2nd XV travelled to Ashbourne thirds for a 17-17 draw with Dale Bilson scoring 10 points MOTM Rob Foster

They then travelled to a strong Leicester Lions seconds for the first time and, in a very competitive game, lost 27-19 Tries: Ballington, Foster and Mallett, with Ballington MOTM

Tamworth seconds were a new fixture for the club and the seconds lost 12-10 in a close game Tries: Brill and Cooke-Rogers

Next saw a large squad travel to another new opposition in Quorn They mixed and matched with the opposition and came away 54-17 victors

The 3rd XV were beaten 39-0 by a welldrilled Castle Donington, reversing the early season result, and then 24-7 by a strong East Retford second team They had a walkover against Chesterfield seconds before mixing with the seconds versus Quorn

The Academy progressed in the National Cup with a 26-10 win over Melton Mowbray They then lost to Ashbourne 33-3 and 17-51 against a physical Ilkeston side – Peter Ilott

l Tom Cleveley from Ticknall, who came second in the Derbyshire County Closed Table Tennis championships.

Councillors: Mrs Margaret Sharp, Jane Carroll, Wendy Earp, Nigel Collyer, George Dunnicli , Carol Fearria, Tom Gates, Simon Green, Sheila Hicklin, George Hudson, Andrew Jackson, Robert Parker, David Smith, Terry Summerlin, Mick Usher.

WITH the 2018 season only three months away, Melbourne Town Cricket Club has been working hard behind the scenes to get ready both on and off the field

The club has a new main sponsor with Royal Scot & Flooring replacing Arc, and local business Slater ’s Salon also sponsoring the senior shirts

New main cricket club sponsor N-ice work, Alex

The club’s junior teams have the same sponsors for a second year running as the U15s will be backed by Edward, Hands & Lewis, the U13s by Melbourne Property Services, the U11s by DG Light Haulage and the Kwiks by Bounz UK, with Lion Court once again sponsoring the junior tracksuit tops

All five junior sponsors are local firms and it is a great advert for Melbourne that companies get involved in such a way

A plan for a brand new non-turf/artifical wicket at the club’s MSP home has been given the goahead

It is hoped that this will be down for the 2018 season to allow the club’s third team to play some home games on it, along with numerous junior fixtures throughout the season

Funding for this is in the process of being applied for, so the help of all the club’s main sponsors has been more gratefully received than ever this season as the club aims to develop its facilities even more

The seniors have begun their winter practice at the county ground, Derbyshire, on Sundays and the junior section have started sessions on a Saturday at Chellaston Academy

MELBOURNE is once again home to a synchronised skating champion after her team – the mighty Icicles from Nottingham – triumphed at the British Championships.

This year ’s British Synchronised Skating Championships were held at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on January 13 and 14 and saw 64 teams of different ages from all over the country taking part.

Alex Lewsey, a Chellaston Academy pupil from Melbourne, is a member of the Icicles junior team of 13-18 year-olds who were once again crowned national champions in the sport – having now retained the title for six years

The weekend’s competition saw The Icicles and other teams compete short and free programmes

l The Icicles’ championship-winning squad with Melbourne’s Alex Lewsey, sixth from the right

They achieved victory with their season’s best score and two superb performances – narrowly beating close competitors the Solway Stars Judges rated highly several difficult moves performed by the Icicles

The victory, along with strong International scores this season, puts Alex and her team – as seen on the popular BBC show Ice Stars –heading to the ISU (International Skating Union) World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships in Croatia next month.

Alex said: “It was amazing to reclaim our title of British champions and earn our highest score of the season We are now even more determined for the rest of the season and our end goal: Junior World Championships ”

All set for the annual Weston Run

IT’S time for keen runners to get their training shoes on again and prepare for this year ’s Weston Run, to be held on March 4

The run is organised by 107th Derby Scouts and operates two events: a two-mile and a five-mile run

Leaving from the Ukraine Centre at 11am, this year ’s route has changed from previous years and will now take runners along the canal towpath in Weston-on-Trent

Organisers are hoping this route will help avoid local traffic and reduce congestion at busy junctions, plus allow participants to enjoy the picturesque countryside

For further information on how to enter, including online entry, please visit https://www 107derbyscouts org uk where there is a link for Weston Run

Last year pupils from Sale & Davys, Aston on Trent and Weston on Trent primary schools competed in the two-mile fun run with their results counting towards an overall result for their school as a team

The Weston Run organisers would love to see more local primary schools joining this challenge

If anyone would like more information on the club’s winter practice sessions or sponsorship they should contact club secretary Alex Slater on alexslater72000@yahoo co uk or 07966933583

n

Tel: 01332 695155 Mob: 07970 062289

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL “Listening to local people”

Councillor Linda Chilton Councillor John Harrison Councillor Jim Hewlett ADVICE SURGERIES at the Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne, 11am to 12 noon Saturday 3rd March

R H MOTORS www.rhmotorsgarage.co.uk Ron’s Private Hire (Formerly Warren’s Cars) - 4 seater24 2HOURS 4 HOURS

T V TV AER AERIAL SER SERVICE SERVICES

VILLAGE CARS -

4 - 8 Seaters available Local & Long Distance Journeys Committed to a Quality Service www.villagecarssd.co.uk

MUDDY

posing for a picture after their victory over Wolverhampton in Melbourne Reports

Five-star month for Dynamo’s teams

MELBOURNE Dynamo Football Club began 2018 in some style, winning all five games the club played in the month of January and scoring 33 goals in the process

The first team started the new year by beating Wirksworth Ivanhoe 8-0 Adam Ross and James Smith led the way with a brace each, supported by strikes from David Worger, Daniel Charlesworth, Isaac Gosling and skipper Carl Allsop

They backed this victory up the following week as they beat Newhall United 6-0 Adam Ross hit a double again with Jack Goodband, Carl Allsop and a rare Michael Tristram goal completed the scoring

Melbourne Dynamo Reserves went one better than the first team as they won all three of their games in January

They began with a hard fought 3-2 home win against a young Wirksworth Ivanhoe Reserves side in the league, with goals from leading scorer Joe Shadbolt, veteran Dave Brough and youngster Harry Foxon securing the three points This win took Dynamo Reserves to the top of the table

A week later, in the Challenge Cup, strike duo Gavin Spencer and Alex Slater had put the reserves 2-0 up before late goals from Shadbolt and Foxon for the second consecutive week saw Mel-

bourne to a comfortable 4-0 victory and through to the next round

A quite stunning team display in the last game of the month saw Dynamo win 12-1 at home to a shell-shocked Sherwin Shadbolt led the way with a hat-trick aided by doubles from Scott Radley and Toby Foxon

A Josh Burton header, strikes from Jack Scothern and Harry Foxon plus an Alex Slater finish – his 450th goal for the club – completed the scoring, finishing a quite superb month

Auction of promises for tennis club funds

RENOWNED local auctioneer Charles Hanson will be putting his skills to good use at an auction of promises held by Melbourne Tennis Club.

The club is busy fund-raising for three more artificial grass courts and is holding the auction on March 9 in the pavilion up at Melbourne Sports Park.

Over the past year, Melbourne Tennis Club has gone from strength to strength, and in 2018 will be entering three teams into the Derbyshire League – up from two last year

The club is also doubling the number of teams entered in the Burton League, with six teams giving the league their best shot this year – up from three in 2017

The men’s side has been promoted in the Derbyshire League and all three of last year ’s Burton League teams were promoted

The club is also going to have three junior teams this year, when it had only one last year.

All of this means that the club is now running out of court time because of its extensive coaching programme and upcoming summer matches.

Charles Hanson will be on hand to do some of the lots at the promises auction, with prizes including a flight in a Cessna, a flight in a bi-plane, two Derby County FC tickets in a box including a three-course meal and drinks, tea for two at the House of Commons, and a wine tasting for 16 by Melbourne’s Pierre Hourlier Wines, either at home or as a corporate event

The event includes cheese and wine and is being held at the pavilion at the Melbourne

Park at 7.30pm.

MARVELS Melbourne Rugby Club’s 1st XV

on the rugby action on Page 22

Picture: Marshall Payne