Village Voice
CYCLING SCHOOL
No 256 March 2014
Melbourne & District
CYCLO cross came to Melbourne Junior School courtesy of Cycle Derby, who visit schools to provide cycle training and coaching. With 20 cyclo cross bikes provided for the event, the coaches led the children in groups, instructing how to take part in massed starts, cornering and other techniques in 80-minute sessions. In a school day the coaches can run four sessions, and at Melbourne 65 pupils took part. Although Cycle Derby operates within Derby city, the service is available to deliver to schools outside the city boundary if they wish to take advantage of the scheme at a modest charge. School playing fields or local parks are used and courses are set up in many different shapes, normally no longer than 500 metres. Pictured are pupils from Melbourne Junior School with cyclo cross racing bikes and coaches Nathan Miller, Tom Butcher and Anne Staley.
CHANGING TIMES Need for new homes may hit area’s ‘character’
newton fallowell
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INSIDE STORIES
Bollywood comes to town – Page 8
Stuart’s rooftop world – Page 10
by DAVID BELLIS
CHANGES are in the air – and those being planned in the Melbourne/King's Newton area look likely to be radical and far reaching. For many years, the Melbourne Civic Society, backed by the parish council, and firmly supported by South Derbyshire District Council, has had in place a policy to protect the special ambience and "village" character of Melbourne. There have been constant statements over the years from district councillors that there would be no large scale developments allowed in the parish, and at a District Council Area Meeting in February, the policy was reiterated by Councillor Peter Watson. This admirable policy was protected by agreed local strategic plans which stopped large scale developments, and would only accommodate "fill-in" building. However, the whole local planning policy has been put in jeopardy by plans for the South Derbyshire area to find space for huge numbers of houses – 28,000 over the next 20 years – south of the city of Derby. A new strategic plan is being prepared, but will not be available and finalised until late summer of this year. An application for nine houses on a vegetable field on Main Street in King's Newton has been rejected by the district council, but that decision is being appealed. The Government inspector's report will be watched
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with huge local interest, as a go-ahead could open the flood gates for many of the fields and open spaces, especially in King's Newton (to be used for housing development). A further 70 houses are planned by Persimmon, the national building firm, on a site to the west of the Packhorse Inn; the developers state that a full planning application will be put to the district council this month. No detailed plans are yet available, but there are local concerns that the whole village character of King's Newton will be changed forever. Over 30 years ago a Government inspector allowed an appeal to build Oaklands Way, but laid down a marker that the essential character of King's Newton
should be protected, as it was clearly a separate community within the wider Melbourne parish. Meanwhile, an application for four homes, as well as a rebuild of the two centuries' old Melbourne Arms, will forever change the approach to the town on Ashby Road. With the new homes already in build on Ashby Road, the approach into Melbourne will be irrevocably changed. With the approved development of 500 houses to the north of the A50, opposite to the Bonnie Prince pub, the immediate urgency is for sufficient school capacity to be available to serve the new population in South Derbyshire. Certainly, for South Derbyshire, secondary school capacity is a serious problem, given that Chellaston Academy is full, as are other schools like John Port, and the secondary schools in Swadlincote. There is no doubt that new homes are desperately required in the whole Derby region. This expansion of homes to meet planned growth will risk changing the whole character of the Melbourne area. One issue is the perennial traffic problem within Melbourne. Everyone knows it is a problem, which can only be made worse by more houses being built. Melbourne Parish Council has arranged a public meeting to be addressed by a proven international traffic expert, full details of which are on Page 6. n Field of dreams? – Page 7
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2 Village Voice March 2014
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Hoping to keep wheels on the mobile library YOUR VILLAGE VOICE
VILLAGE VOICE is a truly local independent newspaper dedicated to help keep local people informed and local traders in business. As well as being home delivered, every page of every edition is available for easy reading online through our website melbournevillagevoice.co.uk Every month 5,600 copies are delivered to all the areas listed below. MELBOURNE KINGS NEWTON TICKNALL INGLEBY FOREMARK MILTON LOUNT STANTON-BY-BRIDGE SWARKESTONE WILSON STAUNTON HAROLD TONGE TWYFORD ISLEY WALTON WESTON-ON-TRENT ASTON-ON-TRENT ELVASTON THULSTON AMBASTON BARROW-ON-TRENT BREEDON FINDERN SMISBY
VILLAGERS in Aston-on-Trent are fighting to save their local mobile library after the service was threatened by budget cuts. Derbyshire County Council is currently consulting on four different options to save money by spending less on its mobile libraries. One of these would mean that Aston would lose its fortnightly service, along with other rural areas of Derbyshire. Locals say the Aston mobile library is very well used, especially by the elderly and the very young. Figures show it has more than 500 users, of whom nearly two thirds are the elderly and the under-12s. Local resident Bob Read said: “In recent times concern has been expressed in certain quarters regarding the literacy levels of children and young adults. “It beggars belief that local government can even contemplate a reduction, or at worst closure, of a service that provides rural communities with access to the written word. “It is an uplifting experience whilst visiting the mobile library to witness village school children and pre-school children enjoying the choosing of books, and in the case of the latter age group, being read to by parents or carers. It must not be overlooked that some of the basic skills of reading
Tasty time ahead for choir
A CHOIR’D Taste has released details of its forthcoming concert season, and it promises to be a very busy period. First up is the spring concert on May 9/10 at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms. The programme has a theme commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with a varied choice of pieces from the era including Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer and Jack Judge’s It’s a Long way to Tipperary. Music by Sir Charles Parry, best
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are derived from word recognition.” The county council’s mobile library service employs 26 people and consists of two large vehicles and eight smaller ones, which make nearly 1,300 stops. This accounts for seven per cent of the county’s total number of library visits. There are four money-saving options on the table, the first of which would be to withdraw all mobile libraries by 2016, saving £720,000. This is the option which would affect Aston-on-Trent. Other possibilities would be to withdraw either the eight smaller vehicles, saving £530,000, or to cut one bigger library and seven smaller ones, saving £560,000. The final possibility is for local communities to come up with ways of providing a library service themselves, for which the council would provide support. The county council has said it is “facing budget pressures like never before” and must save £157 million by 2018. To take part in the consultation about the mobile library service, you can log on to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/mobilelibraries. Phase two of the consultation is due to start soon and final proposals are set for debate by councillors in September. – Lucy Stephens
known for writing the music to Jerusalem, will also feature with the evocative “My Soul, There is a Country.” The concert will provide an opportunity also to hear excerpts from The Armed Man (A Mass For Peace) by Karl Jenkins which the choir will be singing at a World War 1 commemorative event in Burton Town Hall in June. The local choir will be joining forces in Burton with the Gresley Male Voice Choir, the Boundary Singers and the Gresley Colliery Band for a
massed choir event. An additional concert date is being arranged for June in Derby Cathedral with the Opera Babes. Following the highly successful concert of opera arias last year with Karen England, the choir was invited to repeat the concert to a bigger audience and this time joined by Karen’s partner, Rebecca Knight. Tickets for the May concert will be available from Mair Vater (01332 863653) and tickets for the Burton concert from Burton Town Hall.
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Station saved – but the fire’s not yet out
MELBOURNE Fire Station is safe ... but only for the time being. And it is all thanks to the whole community rallying together to make their views known. At the meeting of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority, Chief Officer Sean Frayne and chairman Councillor Roland Hosker paid tribute to the level of involvement. Nearly 1,000 responses had been received to the consultation and, overwhelmingly, 85% had rejected the proposals put forward for closures and reduced numbers of firefighters. Whilst some were quick to claim a victory, it is only a temporary one. Cllr Hosker pointed out that “we need to make £4.4million in savings over the next four years … and hope for no further cuts”. Chief Officer Frayne acknowl- ON THE TELLY ... fire station campaigner Frank Hughes being interviewed for his opinedged the pressure from the commu- ion by BBC East Midlands. nity to keep all 31 stations open, but Derbyshire County Councillor Linda Chilton had also lobbied he did not think this was sustainable. He was looking at alternahard for the station to remain open. tive ways to deliver the service, such as changing duty patterns, “In the early days of the consultation I asked if, after this ‘Fit to but could not rule out the possibility of station closures and reduced Respond’ process we lose the fight here in Melbourne, could we at numbers. The proposal to set up a working group to consider alternative least, be one of the last to close? The response suggested we may be one of the first! ‘No change’ is not an option,” she said, “and this proposals was voted through, and the authority also voted for an paper does not fill me with confidence, especially in regard to Melincrease in Council Tax to meet some of the forecasted budget bourne Fire Station. Melbourne Fire Station is still not as safe as deficit. we would like.” The campaign to Save Melbourne Fire Station had galvanised The campaigners were out in force at the meeting with the DFRS local support. Of 832 responses from the public to the controversial plans, 155 lived in South Derbyshire – the second highest number authority and featured on BBC East Midlands today programmes of residents to respond in any of the 13 areas; two thirds of those throughout the day. A spokesperson for the campaign said they were pleased that the closure had been averted, but that it rewho commented on the proposals for South Derbyshire were mained important to sustain the campaign in the longer term. against the planned changes. Concerns remain that longer term the economic climate will still Labour Parliamentary candidate Cheryl Pigeon, who was heavily involved in the campaign, said she was “delighted to work along- result in closures. A recent announcement by Leicestershire Fire Service of intenside the community of Melbourne and Swadlincote and the FBU to tions to develop a station on the East Midlands Airport site will ensure that above everything else the safety of our community and fuel concerns that Derbyshire may use that as a lever to close the residents remained the top priority”. Melbourne station and release equity to build a station elsewhere. She paid tribute to the way the campaign was conducted – “it Local firefighters have submitted practical proposals to Chief FO was stunning and without a shadow of doubt played an integral Frayne and hope they will be seriously considered. part in the decision by DFRS to see closures of fire stations in Der– Frank Hughes byshire as a very last resort”.
Football and cricket square up to each other
WHICH comes first: cricket or football? That’s the argument raging through Barrow following the latest parish council meeting. Played out in front of a “big crowd” of villagers, local football coach Mick Poynton wanted to know why his team was being asked to play on a pitch next season one third narrower than the one which had brought them so much success. Mr Poynton is the coach of the highly successful Brookfield Colts team, double winners last season, Cup winners again this season, and likely league winners. As chair Mrs Anne Heathcoate reminded him, the Colts had no contract with the council, and the council had made a decision that Swarkestone Cricket Club could use and develop a cricket square, which meant the Colts had to use a pitch of lesser area. Mr Poynton complained that there had been no proper consultation and the revised pitch size was inadequate. But as discussion continued the question of why the Colts had to compromise, but not apparently the cricket club, was raised. Phrases like"sounds so wrong", "why are you pushing the cricket club agenda?”, "it's not fair, as this is a Barrow club", and "this is a very successful Colts club" … the general view seemed to be Barrow had "compromised enough". "Would local boys be able to use the cricket area"?, was one question asked, but Mrs Heathcoate did not know, but she assured the meeting that the "council had not entered into any contract with anyone". When one man asked whether it would be possible for Barrow residents to have a parish ballot on the matter, Mrs Heathcoate said she would need to seek legal advice. Further discussion was promised for the April parish council meeting after the pitch sizes have been rechecked on the ground. – David Bellis
Village Voice March 2014 3
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4 Village Voice March 2014
Country Living with Robert Parker
FEBRUARY ‘Fill Dyke’ did its job description this year which would have been fine but for the fact that January had already done it as well. As far as rainfall is concerned the whole country has somehow turned upside down, with the South and particularly the South East breaking all records. All areas recorded nearly 200% of the longterm average for January with the SE at nearly 270%; that is around eight inches of rain in one month. Having travelled to the Bristol and Bath areas a few days ago it also became apparent that spring is much later than here in Derbyshire. It was difficult to see any trees and hedges coming into leaf compared to our home area. Let’s hope things change soon as they always do. n This coming week all our cattle will have their routine test for tuberculosis. This is a very worrying time as to have any animals fail the test could result in them being taken compulsorily for slaughter. Also everything will have to be re-tested in 60 days and continue until we have two clear
Springtime at Calke
PHOTO EXHIBITION
Saturday 29 March – Sunday 30 March and
MELBOURNE Photographic Society will be hosting a photographic print exhibition and coffee morning at the Thomas Cook Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 22, between 10am and 12.30pm. This will be an opportunity to enjoy a morning of contemporary photography in a relaxed and friendly environment. Refreshments will be available and there will also be a sale of photographic prints and cards. Admission is free and everyone is most welcome. For more information call Gavin Lake on 01332 864633 or visit the society's website at melbournephotographicsociety.org.uk
Saturday 5 April – Sunday 6 April
Come and see ewes lambing at Home Farm and then watch mums and lambs frolicking in the Large Kitchen Garden. No booking required but Garden tickets must be purchased.
Calke on Camera – Festival of Photography Saturday 29 March to Sunday 13 April
Browse the winning entries from the Calke on camera photography competition. Photos on display in the Riding School. Be inspired to take your own photos of the estate.
Kite Flying Day
Join us for our annual kite flying day. The Midland Kite Fliers will thrill you with their skills. Bring your own kite, buy one here or make one in our workshop.
Gresley Male Voice Choir
Saturday 12th April 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Enjoy musical delights in the Riding School with the Gresley Male Voice Choir concert. Includes an interval drink. Booking required as numbers strictly limited. £10 per ticket. Call 01332 863822. House and Gardens fully open – new for 2014 discover newly opened rooms House: Sat – Wed 12.30pm – 5pm; End of Era Tours Thursdays & Fridays 11am – 4pm Garden: Daily 10am – 5pm. Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10.00am – 5pm. Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information Normal park admission applies to all visitors. For more information on what’s on at Calke please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822
www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey
PS: Having just finished writing these notes at five in the morning, I’ve been told that I’m a grandfather again to a baby girl. There’s still plenty of good news around anyway.
l GONE but not forgotten. The beech tree in the Old Burial Ground has now been felled. Working under instructions from Melbourne Parish Council, Melbourne Tree Services felled the tree with Wayne Summers and Roger Bedford pictured on the site.
Lambing at Calke Abbey
Sunday 6 April 11.00am – 4.00pm
tests. The upheaval of the tests on farms is very great as most farmers who continue to keep cattle tend to keep more of them. Some could be on outlying fields and farms which could result in them having to be brought home for the tests, which cause untold difficulties. Cattle dislike being messed about out of their routine just like humans and the dangers to both are very real. There is no TB locally, so the danger of infection is low, but over the last two years we have purchased quite a few cows to keep numbers up. Of course, these all have to be tested before they move to a new farm, but the risk is that they could be in the early stages of the disease when it doesn’t show up on tests. Cattle in our county now have to be tested every year as Derbyshire is classed as an at risk county. Please say a little prayer for us!
THERE is a display of posters around Melbourne asking people to support "The Great Syria Knitting Appeal". A total of 120 articles – scarves, hats, jumpers and gloves – have been hand knitted or purchased by members of Melbourne Women’s Institute and Melbourne residents and sent to this appeal. The war goes on in Syria and their winter is very harsh, so it is rewarding that Melbourne can do its bit to help the refugee camps.
Events in Ticknall
WHY not join Ticknall Preservation and Historical Society for a talk entitled Sewerage, Sanitation and Public Health on Friday, March 28, 7.30pm at Ticknall Village Hall. The Village Hall will also be the venue for a Fairtrade coffee morning on Saturday, March 29, between 10am and noon. There will be tea and coffee to enjoy and Fairly traded goods will be on sale.
DERBYSHIRE Wildlife Trust is organising an outdoor family activity to take place at the Visitor Centre, Staunton Harold Reservoir, on Sunday, April 13. You are invited to take the family along and join in some wild play activities on the Bush Craft Day, drop into the visitor centre to try your hand at natural crafts including making natural collages and picture frames as well as drawing with charcoal made on the ranger’s camp fire. There are also two led bush craft sessions (prior booking essential) where you can have a go at building dens and cooking on a camp fire. The activities are suitable for families with children aged four and up. The drop-in sessions will take place between 10.30am and 3.30pm with the bookable sessions at 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm. Costs are £3 per child, £1 per adult. For more information and to book bush craft sessions contact Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on 01773 881188.
‘Man of moment’ Frank honoured with award
“THRIVING communities always have people with the interests of the community at heart and Frank Hughes is the Man of the Moment for Melbourne.”
These were the words delivered by Elizabeth Freeman, who, at the Parish Council meeting, made the presentation to Frank Hughes of the Brendan Freeman Award. The purpose of the award is to recognise an individual or organisation who has significantly contributed to the community of Melbourne. Frank was the choice of the parish council from a number of nominees proposed by Melbourne residents. Frank thanked the parish council saying: “I am both honoured and embarrassed to receive the award. There are others that are truly worthy of the award. But I thank you.” The Annual Parish Meeting continued with the annual report delivered by Chairperson Cllr Jane Carroll. Her opening comment that “Melbourne is not a quiet country town” was well received by those present. She spoke about the sound financial management of the council in meeting its budgets despite unexpected expenses. The increase in the parish precept for the next financial year by what seems a large amount is in real terms a modest £4.28 a year for a band D household. Melbourne has one of the smallest precepts in the district but delivers more services than the majority of those parishes with a higher precept. The parish council will continue to fulfil its ongoing commitment to the development of Melbourne Sporting Partnership and the new facilities. Tree management has been an area of unexpected expense with trees lost in the cemetery and in the Old Burial Ground. Decisions to fell trees are made only after careful consideration and advice from the tree officer at SDDC. The beech tree in the Old Burial Ground was identified as being infected with a fungus – meripilus giganticus, confirmed by the tree officer when felled. The council has welcomed a new councillor, George Hudson and the Clerk, Jacqui Storer, has settled in following her appointment 18 months ago. Sexton Robert Holman continues to make the cemetery attractive and well cared for and lengthsman Jim Bancroft works hard to keep Melbourne’s streets clean. The report continued with mention of other significant topics including a donation to the council from a local benefactor of £1,000 worth of Whistlewood Common shares, responses to SDDC draft local plan with regard to provision of
secondary education, the need to retain public lavatories, and the passion of campaigners in support of Melbourne Fire Station. The progress made by Melbourne Assembly Rooms and the success of many events that have taken place in Melbourne during the last year were also highlighted. Traffic and parking continue to be an issue - to this end traffic consultant Ben Hamilton-Baillie will be advising the parish council on the topic and address a public meeting on April 17 at the Assembly Rooms for residents to hear of different approaches to traffic management and to ask questions. A presentation was made by Melbourne Sporting Partnership with board members SDDC Officer Stuart Batchelor and District Cllr John Harrison sharing the duties. With a significant amount of funding secured and work on ground levelling and drainage completed, work on the clubhouse is planned to start this summer and take nine months to achieve with completed construction by spring 2015. As the evening progressed into the regular council meeting, Jessica Long, chair of the Kings Newton Residents Association, addressed the meeting with a plea for support from the parish council. Her appeal was for Kings Newton’s unique situation as a separate hamlet within the parish of Melbourne to be maintained. She cited three elements that continue to make it a separate entity: the residents identify as being a social group, its unique history and the special characteristics of the hamlet. She requested that the council reject any planning applications that may impact on the separateness of Kings Newton from Melbourne. Stuart Batchelor volunteered to be a contact for the KNRA in the context of developing a Neighbourhood Plan.
CIVIC SOCIETY AGM DATE
THE next meeting of Melbourne Civic Society will be on Monday, March 31 (7.30pm) at Melbourne Assembly Rooms. The
Annual General Meeting will be followed by a talk from Keith Elliott on the Lost Architectural Treasures of Measham.
l ELIZABETH Freeman presents the Brendan Freeman Award to Frank Hughes with Parish Council chair Jane Carroll looking on.
THE South Derbyshire branch of the Wildlife Trust, located in Swadlincote, is a friendly group who meet on the second Tuesday of the month at Sharpe's Pottery Museum between September and April. On April 8 members are looking forward to an illustrated talk by Lynn Pickering on Ancient Hedgerows.
TOM MILLS reports from the March meeting of Melbourne Parish Council
New food court opens
Village Voice March 2014 5
EAST Midlands Airport opened its brand new food court within the terminal building in time for the anticipated 77,000 passengers to pass through it during the half-term holiday. This event marked the completion of the second phase of the £12 million terminal redevelopment. The new food court offers a mixture of food and beverage products through outlets Burger King, Flat White and Castle Rock Taproom and Kitchen. Andy Cliffe, managing director East Midlands Airport, said: “We are delighted that the new catering outlets are now up and running in the departure lounge offering a great selection of places to eat.” The new catering outlets are operated by HMS Host Corporation and all boast modern design, a relaxing environment and a great range of food and drink products. In December 2013, the airport partially opened its new security hall, having invested an additional £1.5million in this area. The full security hall and queuing space is expected to be opened in April, with the next phase of retail space expected to open in time for the busy summer season.
6 Village Voice March 2014
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Traffic to come under microscope
“TRAFFIC and movement are fundamental to rural life. The pressure to accommodate the movement and parking of cars and lorries, along with bicycles and all the other pedestrian activity remains one of the key factors affecting village life.” This is certainly true in Melbourne and to date whenever reviews have taken place, instigated by parish, district or county councils they have never been able to identify a solution that would improve the situation. However there may now be an opportunity to move forward. The opening statement above was made by Ben Hamilton-Baillie, the UK’s leading specialist on new ways to re-balance the pressure from traffic and urban renewal. In its endeavours to improve the quality of life locally, Melbourne Parish Council will be hosting a public meeting at which Mr Hamilton Baillie will address the issues facing rural communities. He will describe the emerging approach to traffic and parking that moves away from signs, markings, speed bumps and controls, towards a new model that fosters slow speeds, awareness and civility. His talk draws on case studies from around the UK and from mainland Europe, and will allow residents and interested parties to explore the potential application of these principles to Melbourne and adjoining Derbyshire towns and villages. The public meeting will take place on Thursday, April 17, at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms. There will be no admission charge. For anyone wishing to look into the subject before the event, it might be worth glancing through a short publication prepared for Dorset, called "Traffic in Villages - A toolkit for Communities".
l UK Traffic expert Ben HamiltonBaillie (left) with a stylised artist’s impression of an English Village (above).
It can be downloaded as a pdf from the website, www.hamilton-baillie.co.uk/index.php?do=publications&action=details&pid=50 There is also a 15-minute film about the small town of Poynton in Cheshire, and the way in which it went about tackling the problems associated with traffic – much more severe a set of problems than those faced by Melbourne, but of possible interest. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vzDDMzq7d0
School parking problems to be tackled
TRAFFIC problems never seem to be low down the agenda in our villages, and Derbyshire County Councillor Linda Chilton is spearheading a campaign to tackle the issues of irresponsible parking in the neighbourhood. Along with local police and police support officers she is planning to have a presence outside the school campus in Melbourne on March 11, highlighting the problems of irresponsible parking in the village.
The first target will be parking directly opposite the school entrance on Packhorse Road. Motorists who park there will be provided with an information leaflet with guidance on safer parking. Whilst it may not be strictly illegal to park on the opposite side to the school, parking is clearly causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, as traffic is being impeded in both directions, contrary to the Highway Code. Section 243
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also advises motorists not to stop or park near a school entrance; this does not apply just to the side of the road with the entrance on it. Drivers have also been known to park on the grass verges along the road, causing obstructions to pedestrians. Cllr Chilton is also aiming to involve the Highways department at County Council and the Neighbourhood safety officer at South Derbyshire County Council.
Field of dreams?
Village Voice March 2014 7
Houses plan shocker for residents
HOUSEHOLDERS in Melbourne are shocked after learning of a proposal to build up to 80 houses on open fields next to their homes. Letters from developer Charles Church were posted through doors in The Woodlands last month detailing plans for between 70 and 80 homes on land just a few metres away from where they live. Reaction to the proposals amongst affected householders was mixed – with some acknowledgement of the need for new houses – but there were fears, too, that such a development could have far-reaching effects on Melbourne, including the village’s character along with its schooling and medical provision. Householders have also strongly objected to the fact that the new development – which would include two, three and “small four-bedroomed” homes, most of them two-storey, and surrounded by trees or a hedge – would all but block the sunlight from their homes and could bring house prices down. Ian Payne, a Woodlands resident for 26 years, said he was “shocked” when he received Charles Church’s letter. In a letter of complaint he said: “The enjoyment of the open view at the rear of our property is a constant joy, and to lose it would have a big effect on our quality of life.” He added: “We feel that such a development is just not needed in Melbourne and will cause concern to the whole of the local community …” Nearby resident Richard Docherty, who has recently moved into one of the affected homes after work brought his family to the area, said: “We
specifically moved to Melbourne, which is one of the best places in Derbyshire. This feels at odds with what the community is looking to achieve for this great place. It feels like a bit of an ad-hoc plan.” Fears have also been raised over a well-used local footpath running through the development, along with possible effects on wildlife if it goes ahead. Residents say the fields where the development has been proposed currently attract a rich variety of wildlife and birds. Planning permission has not yet been applied for the development; this is expected to happen by the end of April. Paul Hurst, managing director for Charles Church North Midlands, thanked local residents for responding to proposals. He said: “Charles Church has a legal agreement with the landowners whereby the company agrees to purchase the land upon granting of planning permission. We intend to build between 70 and 80 homes and, subject to viability, South Derbyshire District Council policy requires all developments, above a minimum threshold to provide 40 per cent affordable housing. “We appreciate that schools are at capacity in this area and a Section 106 contribution, which has been set by Derbyshire County Council, will be paid to facilitate educational improvements. Derbyshire County Council will determine how and where best this money will be spent. “Regarding the wildlife in the area, a full ecological survey has already been undertaken and the recommendation of that report will form part of any submission to the local authority.” – Lucy Stephens
ARMS HOUSES NEXT ON THE AGENDA
THE pace of development of new housing and additions to existing houses in South Derbyshire over the last six months has accelerated. In Melbourne, it is clear that the southerly approach, down the Ashby Road to Melbourne will be transformed over the next few months. Already new houses in build have transformed an essentially rural approach. Now the Melbourne Arms is to be transformed by the building of four new houses, and the rebirth of the two centuries’ old pub into a sizeable private house.
The application indicates a sympathetic and considered development, which retains the "dominance of the former public house in the street scene, with new dwellings being set to the rear of the site". The "existing 18th century pub building will be converted to a single residence entailing the removal of the 20th century additions which formed the eating and kitchen areas but many of the original external features of the building will be restored”. Melbourne Civic Society – reflecting concerns of its members – has objected to the
scheme. It believes the old pub can be resurrected as a gastropub, for residents and visitors. “The loss of the public house would detract from one of Melbourne's many amenities". The society also believes the "design is uninspired and fails to meet the sort of standards for new developments". In short, the site, according to the society, could be a "potential visual disaster". Melbourne Parish Council did not object because the original building dating back to before 1800 was to be essentially maintained.
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8 Village Voice March 2014 n THE February meeting of Breedon on the Hill WI was a night to remember. For the 10th anniversary meeting members celebrated with a workshop in Bollywood dancing. Simran is a director of Surtal Arts, a southern Asian arts development agency based at The Quad in Derby, and she gave details of the history of this flamboyant music and dancing culture known as Bollywood. Two young ladies, Pinda and Maya, gave a short demonstration of the main dance moves before leading members in a short dance sequence. Great fun was had by all, those dancing and particularly by those watching. There is no doubt that Breedon WI is ready if there is a Bollywood style re-
make of Calendar Girls. The evening was rounded off with a shared supper of Indian dishes made by the members. The next meeting on Wednesday, March 26, will be about the art of thatching. The talk will take place in the community room at Breedon School (7.30pm). Visitors are most welcome.
Airport airs plan
EAST Midlands Airport has launched its Sustainable Development Plan for public consultation. The new Sustainable Development Plan will allow the airport to sustainably meet the opportunity for growth, whilst maintaining the role of being responsible for the environment in which the airport operates. The plan outlines targets until 2030 and is an update to the Master Plan, which was published in 2006. The review is being completed in line with the Government’s 2013 Aviation Policy Framework, which is supportive of sustainable growth and regular updates to airport Master Plans. Within the document, the airport sets out its plans in a number of areas – economy and surface access, land, environment and community, which includes progress made since 2006 and objectives for the next five years. A series of outreach events have been arranged in the local communities and visitors are encouraged to attend to speak with one of the airport team members about the plan. One is to be held on March 19 at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, 4-7pm. l SHROVE Tuesday was recognised at Dame Catherine Harpur’s School in Ticknall with traditional Pancake races.
COMEDY CLUB NIGHT
THE next Festival Comedy Club night will be on Friday, March 28, at Melbourne RBL Club. Appearing will be Jonny Awsum, Tim Clark, Richard Todd and Compere Matt Rudge. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Death of former Grenadier Guard
IT is with great sadness that we have to report the sudden death of former Grenadier Guard Carl Foster (Foz). Carl was with Nina Blinco’s son Guardsman Daniel Blinco when he was murdered in Crossmaglen on December 30, 1993, at the end of the hostilities in Northern Ireland. Since that time Carl has organised a remembrance service for the last 20 years in Melbourne, culminating in the latest ceremony on November 9, 2013. The Grenadier Guards had raised funds to replace the bench situated at Melbourne Pool, co-ordinated by Carl, Malcolm Mayoh and former soldiers who came to Melbourne in numbers for this event. We would welcome them to come back and continue this tradition to remember our own fallen soldiers and many others who are affected. Andy Heafield suggested that Melbourne should adopt the
Queen’s Company of the Grenadier Guards and have an official link to Wellington Barracks in London. That would be Carl’s legacy. Among the tributes paid to him were the following: Yvonne Young – “He cared so much for the Blinco family; he never missed a Remembrance Sunday, and always went to the cenotaph on the date Danny was killed, then up to the Legion to say hello to all his
friends. A very caring, kindhearted man who thought more about others than himself.” Sheila Hicklin – “Carl was a lovely kind man, a fantastic friend to all those he met; he will be sorely missed in Melbourne, by his former colleagues and by all at the Royal British Legion.” Malcolm Stockill – “I met Carl for the first time during the preparations for the memorial bench to be replaced in 2013. I am shocked by the news of his passing. I made so many good friends and contacts through Carl, and I do hope that this does not prevent the Grenadier Guards coming back to Melbourne, especially as we prepare for the commemorations of the Great War. “Take a walk down to Melbourne Pool, sit on Dan Blinco’s bench and spare a few thoughts for those who have lost someone close.” – M. Stockill
Doc’s prescription for a farewell party
DR IAIN Black will be retiring in March after 31 years serving the health needs of the local community as a GP partner. He will be marking the occasion with a charity fund-raiser for Melbourne Community Care, which will be taking place on April 12 at Melbourne Assembly Rooms with what proposes to be a good fun evening. He was introduced to medicine from an early age, as his father was a pharmacist at the local hospital in Lanark, Scotland. “I grew up going down to the pharmacy and visiting the hospital where he worked and became involved in medicine at a young age,” he said. After training in Glasgow he wanted to spread his wings and moved to a House Surgeon job in Leamington Spa. From there his journey to the practice in Melbourne took him via St Alban’s, Great Ormond Street, Lincoln and Nottingham. By chance, a job interview in Woodville took him via Melbourne and he was instantly attracted to the village, so when he later heard that there was an opportunity to join the practice he jumped at it. “My paediatric and other skills complimented those of Dr Freeman,” said Dr Black (pictured) and over the next 10 years or so the two of them “built up the practice, resuscitating medical services to the community after a period of temporary locum doctors and some ‘unusual’ practitioners”. He felt they had “restored some faith” in medical practitioners over the years. Over the past 31 years he has seen patient numbers grow from around 3,000 to some 15,000 now, spread over the two sites and he has been involved in the moves to improved premises both in Melbourne and Chellaston.
He has also seen the influence of the political flavours in health provision; the GP fundholding processes of the Conservative administration gave way to the rebalancing of the Labour years, and again now there are issues arising from cuts in budgeting. He has many fond recollections from his years in practice. He earned Dr Freeman’s wrath when, working by candlelight in a sporadic power cut, he managed to set fire to a cherished picture his partner had of Nelson Mandela! He also recalled an occasion when burglars broke into the practice above a pharmacy in Chellaston and cut a hole in the floor trying (unsuccessfully) to access the drugs cupboard. Unfortunately, they had then covered it with a carpet, and in true slapstick style the receptionist had fallen through the hole at the same time as the pharmacist unlocked his shop to find a pair of legs sticking through the ceiling. Outside of work his passion is mountain walking, and he has a goal to finish all the Munros in Scotland. He is also an occasional golfer at Breedon. Married to Hilary, they have three grown-up children. He is greatly looking forward to retirement and, with the present team based at the practice, he feels he is leaving the health of the community in very safe hands. He wishes to thank the people of the area for all of their support and kindnesses over the years. Dr Black has organised local Ceilidh band Jigery-Folkery to play at the farewell bash and is hoping many will join him for this fund-raising event. Tickets will be £17.50 (to include food) and all proceeds will go to Community Care. Further details of the event are available from reception at the surgery. – F Hughes
New name, new faces
WITH the retirement of Dr Black, the practice has adopted a new name and will be known as the Melbourne & Chellaston Medical Practice. The practice will be holding a Practice Development Training Event involving the whole team on Wednesday, March 19, and both Chellaston and Melbourne surgeries will be closed. Urgent care will be provided by Derbyshire Health United. Recent changes include the departure of Drs Andrew Goodwin and Juliette Harris to progress their careers elsewhere. These are countered by the arrival of two new GPs. Dr Syed Ahmed has joined as a fulltime GP partner and Dr Geetika Gupta is working in a locum capacity until summer. Dr Ahmed says: “I am delighted to join a wonderful team here at Melbourne and Chellaston surgery. I worked in orthopaedics before training as a general practitioner in Nottingham. I have a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders and minor surgeries. I look forward to serving the community and continue the good work this practice is known for.” There is also another new face at the practice. Nurse Practitioner Wendy Beech joined the practice in February in a new role that will replace Triage Nurse Sue Hodgkiss, who left when her hours at Derby A&E were increased. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse educated to a master’s degree level and authorised to function autonomously and collaboratively in an advanced and extended clinical role. Wendy brings a wealth of experience in assessment and management of patients, including the direct referral of patients to other health care professionals, prescribing medications and ordering diagnostic investigations. Nurse Angela Mallett recently graduated with her BSc (Hons) Advanced Nursing studies at Derby University and also completed the Warwick University Diabetic course. Angela is now able to see diabetic patients. She will also attend Warwick in June for asthma training. Angela will increase to full time hours from April 2014. The next Patient Reference Group meeting will be held at Chellaston Medical Centre on Monday, March 24, between 6.30-7.30pm. On the agenda will be the patient survey, phlebotomy services and news updates.
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10 Village Voice March 2014
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FAMILIES visiting the new-born lambs at Calke Abbey will have a different experience this spring after the National Trust sold off most of the estate’s rare breed Portland sheep. The Trust has said in a statement that it could “no longer justify keeping a flock of 300 sheep and they have now all been sold on to a reputable farmer”. However, there will still be a smaller flock of 50 Portland sheep on the estate. In previous years families have been able to visit the new-born lambs in big sheds in Calke Abbey Park, but this year the lambing event is being held on a smaller scale at the Large Kitchen Garden and at Home Farm, the latter being not normally open to the public. Bill Cove, Countryside Manager, said: “Over recent years, it has become clear that the commitment for our ranger team to manage a large sheep flock limits the time available for higher-priority work. “We are looking forward to a different lambing event this year and hope that visitors enjoy seeing a part of the estate they wouldn’t normally get to see.”
Picture courtesy ©National Trust/Gillian Day
The Portland is a rare breed of sheep which originates from Dorset and has been kept at Calke since the 18th century. The 300strong flock which has been sold had been kept on the estate to help graze the land. The Trust says it will lease out the land to a local farmer so it can still be grazed by livestock – as happens over most of the rest of the estate. This year’s lambing event will take place over two spring weekends: March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6. Ewes will be lambed in the tractor shed at Home Farm and visitors will be able to see mums and their lambs in the Large Kitchen Garden next door. Schools will also be able to visit during the week beginning March 31 if they book in advance. – Lucy Stephens
Well Dressers’ tea invitation
THE Aston on Trent Well Dressers will be holding their annual afternoon tea on Sunday, April 6, at the Memorial Hall. Everyone is invited to visit between 2.30pm and 4.30 to browse the stalls and enjoy home-made cakes and a drink.
Thatcher top of hi
SINCE it is quiz season, here is a question on traditional crafts. Who or what would use a leggett? Answer: Stuart Eccles, a local master thatcher, who has been replacing and repairing thatched roofs for the past 33 years. Way back in 1980 Stuart, a Derbyshire man who has lived in Melbourne since the age of seven, was walking past the newsagent’s shop and saw an advert for an apprentice thatcher. He applied, got the job and took an apprenticeship to David Raffles for five years before setting up his own company as a traditional thatcher. The job has taken him all over the British Isles, “from Inverness to Kent and both North and South Ireland”. He has worked on the smallest thatched roof pub in Ireland, to the largest thatched roof in the country in Canterbury. He has worked on homes of the famous, most notably the ancestral home of Dan Winters, the founder of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland. Stuart is rich in knowledge of this traditional skill. “The best water reed is French,” he says, “with Norfolk reed a close second”, describing the waxy clean texture of the material which makes it best suited. For combed wheat or straw, it comes from Huddersfield or Devon. He is also able to cut from hazel wood the “liggers” or “spars”, which are twisted pegs to hold the thatch in place. He also dispels some of the myths about buildings with the “biscuit
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tin” roofing. “Mice and other animals can’t live in them because the material is so closely packed together,” he says. And they are no more likely to catch fire, again as there is no air between the material. They can also be treated to guard against fire if there is any additional risk from chimneys. It is not a risk-free occupation either – he has had two bad falls, one due to faulty scaffolding and another where he confessed he was overstretching himself on a ladder. The first accident resulted in multiple injuries and a lot of time off work! Another myth is that it is a dying craft. But there are more thatchers now than when he started and, despite a bit of slowing in trade because of the recession, things are once again starting to pick up. Whilst new buildings only occasionally fit thatched roofing, over 90% of those in existence have listed building status and can’t be changed for slate or tiling. Stuart is hoping that one of his sons will follow in his footsteps and take on the business, but in the meanwhile he still enjoys being out in all weathers swinging his leggett! – F Hughes m Oh yes, and a leggett is used to hammer the thatch into place. The board has lots of hob-nails in it.
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The time difference meant that Andrew had to stay up extra late before logging on to the system and ‘meeting’ 60 children from the Outback. Andrew describes it as an amazing experience. “The kids had all read the books and were really excited. As always, they were less excited to meet me and more excited to meet ‘Spy Dog’!” Andrew was able to chat and answer questions for two nights running. This week the children are having their annual get-together at what they call ‘mini-school’. This is when they all make the effort to travel to a central campus for a week of residential learning. Andrew sent some Spy Dog T-shirts and signed books, and the children enjoyed a themed ‘Spy Dog’ mini-school. Andrew is delighted with the success of the project. “I know that a lot of people put a lot of effort into making it happen. For me, I’m just proud to have been the first author to do it. It’s amazing that my humble mutt from Derby RSPCA is such a hit in the Australian Outback. All of a sudden, I can feel a new storyline developing!” The picture shows teacher Teresa Anderson and Spy Dog T-shirt winner Rohan Mace.
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READERS may well be familiar with Andrew Cope and his ‘Spy Dog’ series. The Melbourne author, 47, has penned a best-selling series that is selling around the world. And, while he has been around the world to promote the series, last week saw a remarkable first, when Andrew ‘visited’ the children of Queensland, Australia. The wonders of modern technology meant that he didn’t even have to leave home. Andrew was able to hook up to Queensland’s on-line classroom and ‘meet’ the children in cyberspace. “These were Outback children,” explains Andrew. “Most of them live on remote farms and nearly all their schooling is done on-line. Every child has access to a virtual classroom and that’s how learning takes place. It might seem strange to us but to the Aussie kids, it’s second nature.”
Village Voice March 2014 11
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A great new race season at Donington Park starts here... March 18 March – BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP PRE-SEASON MEDIA DAY 22/23 March - National Car Races (Motors TV) 29/30 March - Sports & Saloon Car Races (750 Motor Club)
April 1 April - MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP PRE-SEASON TEST DAY 6 April - Historic Sports Car Races 12/13 April - Thundersport GB Motorcycle Races 19/20 April - DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 26/27 April - GT & Formula Car Races (MSVR)
May 3/4/5 May - DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL 10/11 May - Sports & Saloon Car Races (BRSCC)
17/18 May - National Motorcycle Races (No Limits) 23/24/25 May - FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 31 May/1 June - Sports & Saloon Car Races (BARC)
23 August - Sports & Saloon Car Races (BARC) 24/25 August - British Truck Championship & Support Races 30/31 August - Classic Sports Car Races
June
September
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July 12/13 July - International Formula Cars & Support Races (BRSCC) 19 July - Vintage Sports Car Races 26/27 July - National Motorcycle Races (NGRRC)
August 2 August - Fun Cup Endurance Race 3 August - MG Sports & Saloon Car Races 8/9/10 August - CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL
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Race calendar correct at time of going to print. SuperRace Meetings highlighted in bold.
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November 1 November - Britcar/GT Endurance Races 8 November - Sports & Saloon Car Races (BRSCC)
Woodland plan starting to take root
PLANS to create a unique community woodland will take a leap forward over March 21-22 when Whistlewood Common stages its big tree plant. The co-operative venture aims to plant sustainable woodland where every plant and tree produces food or other items of use to the local community in an environment where biodiversity is valued and sustained. The group’s vision has been kick-started with the aid of grants of trees from both
Million Trees Derbyshire and the Woodland Trust. The nine acre site on which the trees will be planted was purchased late in 2013 when Whistlewood Common Limited, an Industrial and Provident Society, was formed. Whistlewood director, Helen Bralesford, said: “We are entering a really exciting phase of the project but also one where all the hard work begins. During March many of our 180 shareholders will don wellies and
Skillets’ gig date at the Hardinge
pick up spades to begin planting the first 2,000 trees and hedging plants.” The special two-day event on March 2122 will involve school children, volunteers and any member of the public who would like to help with the planting will be welcomed to the site on Melbourne Common. Further details are available from www.whistlewoodcommon.org or to register as a volunteer please contact: admin@whistlewoodcommon.org
JOHN Barton of Kings Newton had planned a quiet 80th birthday lunch for family and friends at Swarkestone Nursery Restaurant, but his wife Carol had other ideas. Carol had a surprise up her sleeve. She had invited members of Melbourne Town Band to play a selection of pieces for John’s enjoyment during lunch. It was a surprise for John, who really appreciated the visit and the special concert for him and his party. “It was really wonderful,” he said, “especially the pieces from Brassed Off.”
Alison, Alan and Brooke Staley would like to say a huge thank you to all of their family and friends for their love, help and support over recent weeks.
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 will soon be offering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception. Please note, we cannot offer this service unless a consent form has been completed.
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St George’s Day and Shakespeare celebration They have secured the assistance of one of the best known regional Shakespearean companies, 1623 Theatre Co., to perform extracts from well known scenes. The ‘strap line’ for the group is “See Shakespeare Differently” and the group promise an innovative and creative new look at Shakespeare’s work. Artistic director Ben Spiller said "We're delighted to be celebrating Shakespeare's 450th birthday in our home county of Derbyshire, and we're looking forward to performing a unique collection of scenes from his plays in such a beautiful building. Let's get the Shakespeare party started.”
Thank You...
- E S TA B L I S H E D 3 0 Y E A R S -
IT’S more than 50 years since the Skillets first performed as a group. Starting in folk clubs, then with regular appearances on Radio Two and TV shows at home and in Ireland they were managed by Lonnie Donegan. They toured Europe, The Gulf and Canada with such artists as Tom Paxton, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Robin Hall, Jimmy McGregor and Wally Wighton to mention a few. So, when invited to do an “Irish themed “night at the Hardinge Arms on March 14 the Skillets (pictuured right) said: “Great, it will be lovely to do the songs and play what we enjoy.” So, if you like joining in a rowdy chorus, crying in your beer to a sentimental ballad or listening to an old Irish air then this could be the Friday night you are looking for.
FOLLOWING the highly successful Burn’s night held at The Melbourne Assembly Rooms, the theme of celebrating our rich national heritage continues in April with an event to mark St George’s Day – and commemorate the life of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare died on St George’s Day in 1616 and, whilst no official record exists, it is thought he was born on the same day in 1564. “It seemed fitting, therefore, to combine a celebration with a St George’s day function,” said Andy Heafield, the development manager at MARS.
Village Voice March 2014 13
The evening will also include a traditional “sausage and chip supper” and will feature a traditional “pub” piano sing-a-long and a licensed bar with some real English ale. Tickets will be £9. In addition the 1623 group, who have featured on BBC Gardeners World, and are profiled in this month’s Derbyshire Life, will be hosting an afternoon workshop for children, which will include making stage blood. Further details from Andy Heafield at the Assembly Rooms (863522) and tickets are available on line from Ticketsource.
John is a brass band enthusiast and has been a patron of the MTBB since it reformed. John had, in his younger days, played saxophone with a dance band but his allegiance moved to brass bands when he was stationed in Germany with the REME and was billeted next to the Lancers Regimental band. A visit to Derby Assembly Rooms is also on the cards shortly when John will be enjoying another birthday treat – the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Pictured are Brendan O'Neill, John and Carol Barton with Melbourne Town Brass Band.
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Coffee time at Senior centre
MEMBERS of the Senior Citizens Committee are holding monthly coffee mornings at the centre in Church Street. On the second Tuesday of each month between 10.30 -12, everyone is invited to relish coffee and cakes and to enjoy a relaxing time. The first date is Tuesday, March 11, when Margaret Sharpe will supply a slide show of Melbourne in the 70s. n THE National Trust's Calke Abbey has now opened the house and gardens for the 2014 season. The gardens are open seven days a week from 10am.
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14 Village Voice March 2014
l Melbourne Fete And Carnival Commitee members pictured at Harpur’s Hotel for their recent meeting are (back row, l-r): Julia Kinsey, Rachel Hill, Gemma Bettelley, Sarah Stainthorpe, Andy Parrish; (front row l-r): Emily Starkie, Wendie Simnett, Tracey Ridley and Alison Staley.
Vintage look to this year’s Carnival
“VINTAGE Melbourne” will be the theme for this year’s Carnival. The committee chair is Tracey Ridley, with Gemma Betterley secretary and Andy Parrish the treasurer. The carnival is held each summer with a different theme, which is reflected in the procession that traditionally kicks off the day’s events. In keeping with the vintage theme, there will also be an attempt to break the UK’s longest
bunting record and committee members are keen for as many local people as possible to get their scissors out and take part in the challenge. For more details on what you need to do to take part in the bunting challenge and for further updates on this year’s carnival go to the website www.melbournecarnival.co.uk, as well as the event’s dedicated Facebook page and twitter link @MbourneCarnival. – Lucy Stephens
DEATH ABROAD OF VISCOUNT HARDINGE
important statesman, who had held several Cabinet posts under Wellington and Robert Peel, wished to be associated with the place where his family had lived for two centuries. Henry Hardinge – born in 1785 – joined the Army in 1799, and bought his commission as Ensign. He served throughout the Peninsular Wars. He was at the side of Sir John Moore at Corunna when Sir John was killed. He was attached, as a Brigadier General, to the Prussian Army at the Battle of Ligny, in 1815 where he lost his left arm. Two days later Wellington was triumphant at the battle of Waterloo, and he presented Napoleon's sword to Hardinge. In introducing in the House of Commons in 1846, the motion to award Lord Hardinge with a pension, so he could "maintain the dignity of his title", Robert Peel, Prime Minister – "being fully confident in the moderation of my proposal and the liberality of the House of Commons" – proposed a pension of £3,000 per annum, for the new Viscount, and for "the heirs of his body" for two further generations. His pension worth today, perhaps, £60,000 pa, was presumably paid until the third Viscount died in 1924. For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care A Nicholas Hardinge was cerOffice, Mon-Thu 9:30am-1:30pm; Fri 9:30am-12:30 or telephone 863585 (answering tainly settled in Kings Newton machine when office is closed). All journeys subject to number of booked passengers, during the early Tudor period. minimum number required is 8, max 12 His great grandson, Robert Hardinge, was knighted in 1674. • WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE The first Viscount was in direct • Community Care do not provide escort assistance on these trips. line from Nicholas Hardinge of • For information on our “escorted trips” please contact the Community Care Office. King's Newton. • Every Friday we run a local door-to-door service to Budgens Supermarket and escort
IT is not often one sees a reference to King's Newton in the national Press. But on Thursday, February 20, there was a notice in the Daily Telegraph of the death of Andrew Hartland Hardinge. He was Viscount Hardinge of Lahore and King's Newton, and died at the early age of 54 "whilst abroad". There was a family cremation abroad. Lord Hardinge was the 7th Viscount. It was appropriate that the first Viscount, Henry Hardinge had adopted the title of Lahore, where he had served as a distinguished soldier and Governor General of India between 1844 and 1848. He had been victorious in the first Sikh war. It is less clear why he chose to use the title of King's Newton. There does not appear to be any record that he ever visited the village where his forebears had held sway since early Tudor times. But it is interesting that this busy soldier, and
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Shakespeare Day events
TO celebrate World Shakespeare Day on April 23, there will be a week of Bard-related activities, games and verse at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote. All activities are free unless otherwise stated. The 450th birthday celebrations will take place from Monday, April 21, to Friday, April 26, and will be a very special event. Everyone is encouraged to call or visit the website... www.sharpespotterymuseum.or g.uk for details.
Open shoot a big hit
MELBOURNE Marksmen Bell Target Shooting Club held an open shoot on its range at the RBL Club, combined with a ‘collectors afternoon’ for air rifle and pistol shooters. The event was attended by more than 100 people and on display there was a range of air rifles used in competitions – from prewar spring powered air guns, mainly of British manufacture, to state of the art 10 metre match German air rifles as used in the Olympic 10-metre discipline. The event was a great success with competitors achieving some very good scores on the day. The club, which has been established for three years, has had great feedback from those who attended and took part such that the club plans to run another similar event later in the year. The sport appears to be enjoying a resurgence of interest. Club members shoot at steel bell targets at a range of six yards with low powered but very accurate air rifles. This shooting discipline was hugely popular
Village Voice March 2014 15
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particularly in the Midlands region pre-WW1 until the early 50s. Rifles used then were mainly manufactured in Birmingham by BSA and Webley & Scott. Members meet every Thursday evening at the Royal British Legion Club on Derby Road. Anyone wishing to join the club should call in on any Thursday evening between 8-10pm.
Two popular events called off for shortage of volunteers LOCAL ‘fun runs’ are taking a knock this year with news that two popular events will not be taking place. The Aston 10K and two-mile runs and the Melbourne Rotary Rabbit Fun Run have both fallen victims of a shortage of volunteers to undertake the organisation of the events. The Aston run has been a popular event over the last 15 years with runners from near and far travelling to take part. It was also popular with local families enjoying the two mile event. Although there have always been many villagers willing to help on the day, there has not been sufficient response to cries for help in organising the event leaving Recreation in Aston with no choice but to cancel. The Melbourne Rotary Club Rabbit Race and Funny Bunny Fun Run has been taking place for six years, but not this year, although it is hoped that the event will be re-launched, probably in a slightly different format, next year. “A number of factors have combined to make the decision to postpone the event necessary,” said organiser John Burney, who set up the event in 2008. “Last year, the numbers taking part were disappointingly low, and we could see no obvious reason. “We were contemplating a change of date for 2014, and a change in the course for the main race, to make it a measured 10km – the most popular distance for club runners. “However, the course director, who looks after all the course marking and marshalling,
moved away from the area, and we were unable to find a replacement. A shortage of enough keen members to organise the event properly also contributed to the decision to postpone.” It is thought that a new organising team is needed, and that the event should be re-introduced after a year’s break.
A lot of work goes into the organisation, and it needs refreshing, with some new, enthusiastic, and perhaps younger people in charge. John would welcome any comments or suggestions for a future fun-run event - email him on johnburney@live.com, and this will help the Rotary Club to plan for the future.
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The Bay Tree has been undergoing a refurbishment and I am pleased to tell you that the work is now complete. Please call in for a Sample Menu Visitors are welcome to drop in for a freshly brewed Coffee from 10.30am and perhaps a glass of Champagne, Wine or a Cocktail throughout the day. These are some of the mouth watering dishes we offer:
Champagne Breakfast Champagne or ‘Buck’s Fizz’
A La Carte and Three Course Dinner
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Duck and Chicken Liver Parfait presented with Smoked Duck and Italian Mustard Fruits
The English Breakfast Grill ‘for the ‘Hearty’ 'Beef Hash' Ham and Gruyere Buckwheat Crêpes Poached Smoked Haddock with a Poached Egg and a rich, creamy Hollandaise Mousseline Fluffy Three Egg Omelette Sautéed Mushrooms on Toasted Sour Dough Bread served with a Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce Canadian Pancakes served with fresh Blueberries or Bacon Rashers American style Pancake with fluffy Scrambled Egg, thinly sliced Smoked Salmon or Bacon Rashers Toast and Jams, Marmalade
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Grilled Trout fillet Tomato, Avocado and Pine Nut Salad - Honey and Cider Dressing Succulent Melon with Melon Sorbet, Parma ham and Baked Fig - Lemon and Palm Sugar Dressing Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé, Celeriac Salad and Blue Cheese Dressing * Honey Seared Loch Duart Salmon, Red Onion Salsa, Wilted Spinach, Sweet & Sour Dressing Lemon Sole Fillets, Herb Mashed Potato and Scallops: Asparagus, Peas and a Lemon Butter Sauce Rack of English Lamb, Spiced Red Cabbage, Tomato Confit - Lamb Jus Escalope of English Pork Tenderloin or Breast of Corn-Fed Chicken Sicilian with a Tomato and Mozzarella Salad Rolled Minute Steak with Asparagus and Fondant Potato - Shimeji Mushroom and Mustard Cream Sauce Teriyaki Breast of Barbary Duck with Japanese Soba Noodles * Homemade Sweets
'Lite-Bites' and 'Fast Track' Lunches Garlic Bread/with Cheese Nachos served with Guacamole & Tomato Salsa topped with Melting Cheese Scampi in a Cone served with Homemade Tartare Sauce Caesar Salad with Bacon or Breast of Chicken Parma Ham Antipasti served with Dipping Oil & Bread Hot-Smoked Salmon Rillette with Toasted Sour Dough Bread Goujons of Fish deep-fried in crispy Panko Breadcrumbs, served with Jenga Chips Beef Rendang with Ghee Rice Garlic and Chilli Prawn Pasta Pasta with Breast of Chicken & Pea Pesto Pasta Bolognaise 'Ants Climbing Trees' Pasta Alfredo - Vegetarian Spicy Minced Meat Curried Pasta 'Sloppy Joe' * Please call in for a copy of our Current 'Fast Track' Lunch Menu
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16 Village Voice March 2014
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Aussie cricket starlet signs up
Fly fishers get hooked up
18 Village Voice March 2014
FOR many clubs, living on past glories can be a burden to the current teams. However, Elvaston Cricket Club, winners of the National Village Cup over 20 years ago, are managing to combine celebrating the past whilst planning for the here and now. Having laid down a marker two seasons ago with the re-structuring of their coaching team, the club has beaten off fierce competition to sign Matt Gawthrop, a young Australian from New South Wales, as a player /coach for the 2014 season. Gawthrop (22) is a prolific batsman who has opened the batting for the ACT Comets in Australia’s Futures League for the past three seasons. Last summer, he scored 223 runs at 31.85 for the Comets with consecu-
tive 50s against the Victoria and South Australia Under-23 sides respectively. At club level, he has starred for ACT Grade side Eastlake, last season hitting 652 runs at 26.08, whilst also taking some handy wickets with his right-arm off-spin. Gawthrop is an ambitious cricketer looking to break into the professional game and is hopeful a run-filled season with Elvaston will push his claim towards higher honours back home and help Elvaston in their push for promotion to the Premier League. He is also looking forward to being an integral part of the coaching team at Elvaston and will be joining current coaches Naeem Akhtar and former Derbyshire stalwart Paul Aldred.
THE 2014 fly fishing season at Foremark Reservoir started on Saturday, March 1, and will run until the end of November. At the time of going to press only two season permits were available but the fishery will continue as a day ticket venue throughout the season. The lodge opens at 7.30am and bank fishing starts from 7.30am, with boats from 8.30am to 4pm. Pictured on opening day are (l-r): Nick Rowan, Emma Drinkall and Mike Braddock.
Melbourne beat the weather – and Casuals
MELBOURNE RFC continues to be thwarted by the inclement weather. Finally, Melbourne played a home league game on February 22 against Notts Casuals (albeit at Coalville). This was a vital game with Casuals only one place behind Melbourne in the league table. The match ball was sponsored by Wendy Jennings-Crocker. With a heavy pitch and a strong wind, Notts had the wind in their favour for the first half. The first exchanges were tight. Melbourne gained an early penalty only to miss touch. Theo De Vies (for probably the first time this season) dropped a kick return. An early knock on from Casuals saw Melbourne gain possession, with Ash Stringer unable to find Tommy Howard with the pass behind. Dan Walker was penalised at the ensuing scrum to give Casuals a penalty. The following lineout came to nothing. Melbourne won another penalty but missed touch, rather fortuitously gaining a scrum from a knock on.
Another penalty was conceded at the scrum but that was the last one Melbourne conceded at the scrum. Both sides were struggling with the wind and mud, and Melbourne were definitely rusty. Long passes went astray and balls were knocked on at regular intervals. Melbourne opened the scoring, despite spending most of the time in their own half. Melbourne won good scrum ball. Second phase ball saw Stefan Greenhalgh release Jack Fisher, who made ground. The ball was quickly recycled through the hands from Stefan, Ash Stringer and finally Tommy Howard, who finished impressively from the half way with Euan Holden converting, 7-0. Notts Casuals continued to press and were rewarded with a try, converted, to make the score 7-7. Melbourne pressed and had 10 minutes of good pressure in the Casuals’ half. Melbourne eventually conceded a penalty after a high tackle from Will Judge, but they fought their way back into
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the Casuals’ half with good work from De Vies, Will Judge, Pop Lakin and Tommy Howard. Casuals fought their way back after an end to end counter and from the Melbourne line-out, a mix-up saw Casuals steal the ball for a simple try and a 12-7 half-time lead. A much better second half saw Melbourne come through with better hands and decision making, the players reacting well to the half time advice from the coach. With Melbourne camped in the Casuals’ half the scrum was efficient and the line-out was good with Ash Corden and Jacob Watts taking good ball. The handling improved and Melbourne scored again. A scrum was won against the head, but Melbourne could not score. From a Casuals lineout Melbourne stole the ball, and set up a driving maul, from which Will Judge scored. It was 1212 with a missed conversion. Minutes later a turnover on the Melbourne 22 saw quick hands to Tommy Howard. Tommy kicked and Jack Fisher won the race for another
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try (17-12). Melbourne were now in the ascendency. A strong scrum was won in the midfield. Rob Foster popped up cleverly off his wing and, with the defence fixed on Howard, sliced through to score under the posts, for the bonus point score. Euan Holden converted for a 24-19 scoreline. Casuals had the best of the final minutes and scored a try to secure a bonus point. Final score 24-19. The Second XV also had their first game in February postponed. They played a friendly against Belper 2nds, currently a Pennant league above Melbourne. Their game was played in mud, wind and rain and Melbourne prevailed with a 10-5 victory with tries from Rob Foster and Tom Line. The seconds had a long trip to Meden Vale in the Pennant with a scratch side, winning 45-35. Man of the Match Dale Bilson scored a hat-trick and five conversions, with tries for Tom Line, Kurtis Robinson, Nathan Bishop and Matt Walker.
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Melbourne Parish Council are pleased to welcome
Mr Ben Hamilton-Baillie
As Guest Speaker to a
PUBLIC MEETING The Assembly Rooms (Melbourne Room) High Street, Melbourne
SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison and Councillor Jim Hewlett
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Saturday 5th April Saturday 3rd May Saturday 7th June
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PIANO / CLARINET TUITION
Ben will describe and illustrate some of the new ideas emerging to help maintain and restore traffic flow and safety to streets and spaces in towns and villages. His talk draws on case studies from around the UK and mainland Europe, and sets out some guiding principles of value to any community faced with growing pressure from traffic and parking.
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United youngsters still smiling Village Voice March 2014 19
Sports Relief events
THERE will be two major Sports Relief charity events in March for members of the public to take part in. Have you signed up for them yet? The Sport Relief Swimathon, identified as ‘The World’s Biggest Swim’, to raise vital funds for Sport Relief 2014, is being hosted locally both at Green Bank Leisure Centre, Swadlincote, and at Etwall Leisure Centre. Held over three days, March 21-23, both pools will be open for those wishing to participate either: with a team 1.5k (60 lengths), a corporate, school or family 5k
(200 lengths) or challenge yourself to 2.5k (100 lengths) or 5k (200 lengths). If you opt for a team don't worry about divvying up the distances just yet, you can decide later how many lengths each team member will do. For entry details contact 01283 216269 for Green Bank or 01283 733348 for Etwall. See also www.swimathon.org For the non-swimmers the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile will take place on Sunday, March 23. You can walk, jog or run one, three or six miles in the
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A MELBOURNE sports journalist has been working at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Janine worked for the Olympic News Service and was based at the Adler Arena, which hosted the speed skating. Janine said: “Having worked at London 2012, I wanted to experience a Winter Olympics and Sochi turned out to be just as rewarding and fascinating as London. “The Olympic Park was situated right on the Black Sea, with temperatures sometimes reaching 22C, while there was deep snow on the mountains of
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Krasnaya Polyana. It was quite surreal seeing lots of palm trees and, in the distance, snowcapped peaks. “The Russian people could not have been more friendly or welcoming. “While I wasn’t able to watch our Team GB successes live, I did hear our national anthem booming from the medal plaza in the Olympic Park the night after Lizzy Arnold’s gold in the skeleton.” Janine is off again in the summer – heading to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games at the end of July.
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County’s development centre and one of the under 13s has been invited into Sheffield Wednesday’s Academy. The future looks bright as the club continues to bring through the home grown youngsters rather than looking to Europe and South America for talent. A reminder to the next group of budding England Internationals – the Soccer School for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 re-opened on Saturday, March 8, after its European-style winter break. It will operate from 10am until 11am every Saturday at the back of Melbourne Junior School. Boys and girls are both welcome, irrespective of their ability or aspirations. The Under 15s team pictured is (back row l-r): Ed Sutton, Samuel James, Adam Lomas, Adam Smith, George Simpkin, Ollie James, Adam Poyser and Marcus Radcliffe; (front row): Ellis Radcliffe, Sam Adcock, Liam Chapman, Michael Rennocks, Max Winter, Robert Sutton and Sam Barker.
Sochi so good for Janine
Swadlincote Woodlands event along a picturesque network of forest trails and footpaths travelling through more than 40,000 trees. Alternatively you can enter The Derby Moorways Mile at Moorways Sports Stadium, choose your challenge and complete your mile round the newly refurbished athletics track. Contact numbers are: 01283 595772 for Swadlincote details and www.sportrelief.com for the Moorways event Events start at 9am and finish at 1.15pm.
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DESPITE the air of confidence shown in the picture, Melbourne United Under 15s have had a difficult season in Division One of the Derby City League. The team of local lads has battled bravely and produced some memorable moments, albeit some of them memorable for all the wrong reasons! Despite the difficulties they have never “parked the bus”, resorted to “boot it” football or engaged in “ref baiting”, and the manager has, to our knowledge, still not head butted an opponent. Next season, however, the team is looking forward to showcasing its free-flowing attacking style of play in Division Two. From a club point of view it was a very positive month. The under-10s won their quarter final and continue their two-pronged surge for the league and cup double. Two under 7s have been invited into Derby
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Double haul of silverware still on the cards
20 Village Voice March 2014
Colts top the table
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BROOKFIELD Colts U15s, who play at Barrow on Trent on Sundays, are sitting pretty at the top of the Derby City League Division 1. “They are a very talented side and getting better and better,” says coach Rob Cole. “They won the league last year and we are hoping for a repeat in this their last year of junior football.” In their latest game, the team ran out against Sherwin FC playing in the Cup Final and won the match 5-1. The players and coach understandably were all on a high after the game. Rob has been coaching for 12 years and some of the current team have been with him since they were eight years old. Rob believes that good support from
parents has contributed to the ongoing success of the side and he thanks them for it. The team is pictured (back
row): Connor Poynton, Connor Jacobs, Ollie Williamson, Adam Wallis, Lewis Belgrave, Nathan Ceiley and Ollie Harvey Toon;
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(front row): Brad Hefford, Todd Fentham, Brad Cole, Devante Reittee, Sam Bates, Finn Charles and Ben Cartwright.
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WEATHER played havoc with the local football teams in February with only five games being played by the three sides in total. MELBOURNE Dynamo first team had just one game against local rivals Chellaston in the Challenge Cup. Dynamo recorded a convincing 3-0 victory. A brace on his return to the club from Adam Ross plus a penalty from leading scorer Michael Tristram - his 24th goal of the season. The Dynamo first team now has a backlog of fixtures as the club chases silverware on two fronts. MELBOURNE Dynamo Reserves managed two games in February and still continued their great run of form. Winning both games they now move up to third in the table. Starting the month in record breaking style the Reserves beat a poor Bargate Rovers Reserve side 15-0. Leading goal scorer Jack Goodband was in fine form with a remarkable seven goals along with his strike partner Ryan Monk, who weighed in with a hattrick. Doubles from Ben Stanley and Tom Colclough (one a penalty) and the goal of the game by veteran Garry Croake completed the rout by Greg Salisbury's men. They followed that a week later with a convincing 5-1 away win at Matlock CFA. Leading scorer Goodband hit his 29th goal of the season along with goals from Ben Stanley, Ryan Monk, Tom Colclough and a rare Adam Dolman strike to lift the reserves up the table. The team is also looking for silverware on two fronts. The date for the Reserves’ Derbyshire Junior Cup Final has been announced as Thursday, April 10, against Ashbourne Reserves with the venue still to be announced. For details of the venue and start time, contact Alex Slater on 07966933583 later in the month. TICKNALL RANGERS managed to play two games in February and, although they continued their good form in the league, they lost out in their league cup semi-final. Away to unbeaten Wetmore Warriors, Rangers’ game plan seemed to be working as they went in at halftime 1-0 up thanks to a Matt Archer goal. A bad five minute spell early in the second half saw Ticknall concede three goals and they finally lost 4-1. At home, Alex Slater’s men had a stunning 8-4 victory against LKS, lifting them three places in the league table with Ryan Gray scoring a very rare hat-trick. Leading goal scorer Slater hit two along with strikes from in-form Matt Archer, a cultured left foot finish by a brave Vinny Hallifield and a Craig Hall tap-in completing the scoring in a convincing win.
Donington launch day
DONINGTON Park will once again host the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Season Launch Day on March 18. The drivers and teams will take part in an official test session in the afternoon (1-5pm) with the general public gaining access from 12.30pm. This will be the only official test session. The afternoon's testing will be the first opportunity for the public to get a first-hand look at the 2014 grid in action ahead of the Championship opening round. The event is by far the biggest of its kind of any motor racing championship in the UK and admission is free. On April 19 / 20 Donington Park will once again host Round 2 of the BTCC championship; your chance to see the new cars, teams and drivers go head to head at the start of the new season.
Bowls season rolls out
ASTON and Weston Bowls Club’s 2014 season begins on Sunday March 30. Members play on Sunday afternoons from 2pm and on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6pm. New members welcome. Why not visit on playing days or contact Ann Watkins 792516 or Clive Brett on 792822.