Melbourne Village Voice May 2010

Village Voice No 210 May 2010

Melbourne & District

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SPoRtinG chance Report into town’s facilities is finally made public A CONSULTANTS' survey into the future of leisure and sporting facilities in Melbourne has at last been published.

Costing more than £40,000, the report provides options for decisions and for further actions that could be taken.

Councillor John Harrison said the study would "help Melbourne develop a long-term vision for its future sporting and cultural needs, which will ensure that there is a plan in place to take advantage of any opportunities that may arise in the future."

The report, first promised at the turn of the year, is now in the hands of the Melbourne Parish Council and the Melbourne Leisure Facilities Group. A period of discussion and consultation will follow.

Councillor David Smith, retiring chairman of the council, echoed the statement in the report that it is the "first phase of an ongoing study which we hope will give

us the facilities we need".

Although Cllr Harrison told the Parish Council that he had some reservations with the report, the response of other leading consultees in the town has been guardedly positive.

Cllr Harrison thought that demand for bowls and tennis facilities should be included in any future plans.

Cllr Harrison said: "There are no easy solutions, and while many new facilities will require significant funds which are not currently available, proposals can be identified where early progress can be made."

The report is a comprehensive analysis of leisure facilities, identifying "current supply and unmet demand for sports and arts", although, strangely the consultants Pleydell Smithyman seem not to have realised that Kings Newton is within the parish of Melbourne. Neither the flourishing Kings Newton Bowls Club nor the Scout and Guide HQ get a men-

tion. An appraisal of the Bill Shone Leisure Centre is recommended – "detailed discussions with development control officers and conservation architects regarding the future use, alteration or replacement of the centre, to include land valuation, business scenarios, detailed designs and the submission of a detailed planning application". The firm assumption is that the centre is deemed as not "having the capacity to meet future demand for sport and leisure".

Philip Dobby, a member of the group who have made a bid to take over the management of the leisure centre and who has been part of the assessment through Melbourne Leisure Facilities Group, is pleased that there is a recognition within the report that the Bill Shone Centre should be developed as an arts and cultural centre, and that sports – like badminton and squash – should be part of a wider sports complex, in Cockshut Lane.

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The Melbourne Sporting Partnership should continue to develop "long-term proposals for pavilion and allied facilities ... to take the form of a business plan ... to include detailed design proposals developed with the relevant clubs ... and to be used to secure external funding.

Councillor Andrew Jackson, parish council recreation committee chairman, welcomed the report's analysis, saying: "It makes a start on what is admitted to be a very complex situation we have in Melbourne on sport, leisure and performing arts. It shows the necessity to take a long-term view, to provide facilities for the next 60/80 years."

Information about the report may be obtained from Stuart Batchelor, at the District Council on 01283 595820 or Stuart.Batchelor@south-derbys.gov.uk The report will be placed in the Melbourne Library.

CONSERVATIVE parliamentary candidate for South Derbyshire, Heather Wheeler steered the constituency from red to blue when she claimed the seat for the Tories for the first time in 13 years.

Polling 22,935 votes Mrs Wheeler triumphed with a 7,128 majority over Michael Edwards, the Labour candidate.

This is Mrs Wheeler’s second political success in only a couple of years. She led the Conservatives in their winning challenge for control of South Derbyshire District Council and is the current leader of the council – a position she says she would stand down from if elected as an MP. In a personal message to Village Voice readers, Mrs Wheeler said: “I want to thank all readers who voted for me, giving me such a decisive victory.

"I will be looking for opportunities to bring more jobs to the area, to help further the excellent regeneration currently underway in the constituency and fighting to reverse the threat of 12,000 houses on our green fields.”

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2 Village Voice May 2010

St GeorGe’S Day honourS THE annual St George’s Day Brass Band concert took place at the Melbourne Royal British Legion Club.

As usual, the event was a sell-out and the band did not disappoint with a second half programme of crowdpleasing patriotic music and opportunities for plenty of St George’s Flag waving.

During the break Kevin Iliffe was presented with his Gold Badge by Bernard Page, Royal British Legion County Chairman, in recog-

nition of his services as County and National Standard Bearer.

A cheque for £1,000 was made by County Councillor John Harrison, from his council discretionary budget fund, to Karen Worrell who received it on behalf of Melbourne Town Training Band of which she is leader.

Pictured are Kevin Illiffe with on the right Councillor John Harrison and Karen Worrell.

Carnival looks set to hit the same high notes THE Melbourne Carnival looks set to repeat last year’s successful musical line-up. The organisers have once again tried to involve local musical groups and incorporate a broad spectrum of musical tastes.

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Starting the carnival will be the high energy of the Oakden School of Dance followed by the Melbourne Town Training Band.

After the official opening at 2pm by Joe and Paddy Laban, Derby Midshipmen will perform on the main field before the main stage takes over for the rest of the afternoon.

The Infant School, the full Melbourne Town Band, the Junior School and the Melbourne Male Voice Choir will all be performing with local group Small Talk making a welcome return.

The Tug of War competition returns after the successful staging of last year's competition which, for many, was the highlight of the 2009 carnival. Superbly organised by

popular Alma Inn landlord James Cripps and involving local pubs, clubs and companies it culminated in a final between two local gymnasiums, resulting in a win for the Picture of Health in Derby Road.

Many teams have started training already and entries are now open. Further de-

tails are available from James Cripps at the Alma Inn. In 2009, 24 shops and businesses entered the window display competition and decorated their windows in a musical theme.

This year’s theme is transport and organiser Rose Boston has set herself the ambitious target of getting every shop window in Melbourne to enter.

Anyone wanting further details or to enter can contact Rose by emailing rosieboston@googlemail.com or by calling her on 07795 362936.

Melbourne Carnival has now launched its own website. This is the best way to keep up to date with Carnival News, aside from reading the Village Voice. The web has details of all carnival events and updates.

Simon Miniffie has been instrumental in setting up the site and would welcome any input as to what else should be on the site (http://www.melbournecarnival.co.uk).

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Village Voice May 2010 3

Retirement on menu for school cook Chris

AlertBox system is well received MELBOURNE Cobbler David Grey describes the new AlertBox system installed in 32 Melbourne business premises as "very reassuring".

The system creates a network linking other box holders, to enable warning messages to be exchanged. These warning messages can either be a warning of troublesome customers, or a cry for immediate help.

Retailers have welcomed the scheme, funded by the Progressive Towns Grant Fund, and overseen by the police and South Derbyshire District Council Safer Neighbourhood Partnership.

The partnership first put AlertBox into operation in Swadlincote, where it has helped reduce the number of thefts and incidents of anti-social behaviour. The scheme in Melbourne has already, in a very short period, proved its worth – two calls were made on the first day of operations.

Pictured are: Laura Russell, Jackie Johnson, Chris Hind, Jane Hinchcliffe, Jo Sadler, David Smith and Barbara Robey.

AFTER 34 years’ service in the kitchens at Melbourne Infant and Junior Schools, Chris Hind decided that retirement should be on the menu and so served her last customers when the schools shut for the Easter break.

Chris had started as a kitchen assistant all those years ago in the Infant School and finished her time as assistant cook. With her daughter, Laura Russell, as her boss and with another daughter, Emma Stratton, working alongside her in the kitchen, they were known as the Melbourne kitchen mafia to the county council workers that were called in for maintenance or repair work in the kitchens.

She has seen many different styles of menus prepared from the traditional meat and two veg through the various food fads to the return of traditional wholesome foods. She has also seen several generations of children from local families passing through the dining rooms.

At one point, the school kitchens prepared meals for the schools at Ticknall and Weston on

Trent and also cooked for the Meals on Wheels service locally.

The kitchens currently prepare approximately 300 meals a day and supply Sale & Davys School at Barrow on Trent.

Chris was quite taken aback and humbled at the attention she received during her last week at work when, on the Wednesday afternoon after school, there was a party with many of her past working colleagues present together with representatives from the county council, who had provisioned the food in conjunction with the head teacher and the cook.

On the Thursday morning she was invited to the assembly where she was presented with cards that the children had made plus flowers and gifts.

There were more cards, gifts and flowers at the Infant school over the lunchtime and then when it was time for the kitchen staff lunch yet more gifts arrived.

The celebrations concluded on the Saturday when Chris and her new ex-colleagues enjoyed a farewell meal at the Bay Tree.

Robbery: Three charged THREE men have been charged in connection with a robbery from an 82-year-old woman in Melbourne.

The woman was walking along Derby Road in Melbourne at around 9:50pm on Wednesday April 21, near Budgen’s supermarket, when she was approached by three people who grabbed her handbag and knocked her to the floor.

Members of the public went to assist her and looked after her until the emergency services arrived. The woman was left very shaken by the incident and was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital to be checked over but was later discharged.

Three men were arrested in connection with the offence, two aged 21 and one aged 18. They have all been charged with robbery and appeared before magistrates in Derby.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to ring Derbyshire Police on 0345 123 33 33 .

FOR enthusiastic and fit walkers there is advance notice of the Aston-onTrent 13th Annual Well Dressing Walk which will take place on Saturday, July 10. The 24.5 miles walk will follow the Midshires Way from Alport Height to Aston via Stanley.

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4 Village Voice May 2010

Spring is here at Calke Abbey!

Bluebells and Amazing Auriculars!

Come and see the Bluebells in the park and the stunning display of auriculas in our unique theatre in the walled garden. Buy your very own auriculas on sale now in the shop!

Calke Alive 18th Century

Saturday 15 May 12.30pm 4pm Come and meet some interesting characters in the house from Calke’s past.

Meet the Livestock Walk

Tuesday 18 May 2pm 4pm Join the warden and meet the livestock that help us to manage the park.

Enjoy a drink and a cookie in the restaurant afterwards.

Adult £7.50 Child £3.50 Booking is essential.

A Calke Bear Hunt

Tuesday 1 June 11am 3 30pm Follow the trail to the hiding place of the Calke Bear. Discover some of the wildlife that lives in the grounds at Calke. Bring along your own bear and an adult.

Games People Played

Wednesday 2 June 11am 4pm Join in some games from the past and present at our family fun day.

Calke Alive 19th Century

Saturday 5 June 12.30pm 4pm Meet characters who lived and worked at Calke. From scullery maids to squires, boot boys to baronets they all have a tale to tell.

Family Activities in Squirt the Stallion’s Stable Every weekend March to October 11.30am 3 30pm Fun for the children every weekend with lots to make and do.

Our restaurant and shop are open everyday 10.30am 5pm Normal Admissions Apply.

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COUNTRY LIVING with Robert Parker

GETTING up early is part and parcel of a milk producer’s day and sometimes it is a pain, but quite often a pleasure.

Cold dark winter mornings are not the best but by May and we’re getting into broad daylight and better temperatures (not so today, May 4, as frost had got all the grass white over).

You can feel quite smug thinking that being out of bed so early you will see and hear things before the rest of the population gets up.

I sometimes surprise wildlife too, as today a fox was slinking around the farmyard looking for anything to feed her growing family. A mass slaughter may have taken place if we had any poultry left, but they have gradually been reduced to one by the said animal.

Of course getting up early is not just confined to farmers, as the roads are quite busy at 6am and I regularly hold my near neighbours up with the cows coming down the drive to milking.

The ban on air travel in April was a very unexpected happening and the disruption was very acute for a lot of people. The economy and pleasure of a large percentage of the population relies on cheap and efficient air travel and to some it is taken for granted.

Movements of food would have been disrupted if the event had continued much longer than it did and our air freight deliveries could

have been severely affected. Parts for a lot of our machinery come from mainland Europe and, luckily, we were not requiring any at the time. I wonder if anyone in government noticed!

I have started a hobby which I am hoping will be self-financing but I’m not sure if it will.

I have bought a few longhorn cows with calves and I’m putting them on small fields of grass around the farm that are not big enough to sow crops on or mow.

They have all just calved again in the last three weeks and have not been without their problems. The first two calved within an hour of each other and I put them together in a yard and both calves must have suckled one cow so I separated them.

Unfortunately, the mother that was not suckled would not have anything to do with her calf despite our attempts to help. So what to do?

Eventually the calf became so weak that we had to remove it and feed it ourselves and it survives three weeks later, albeit a poor little thing.

We took another strong calf we had and put it in with the cow and after some fighting and persistence by this calf they adopted each other.

This little hobby has had a total income in the first year and a half of around £1,000 for an investment so far of £6,000. This hobby is not going to pay.

Fire service responds to residents’ concerns The station officer responsible for Melbourne, located at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service HQ in Derby, said that the normal attendance for this type of fire is two appliances and, if available to respond, these appliances would mobilise from A fire appliance from Ascot Drive, Derby, atMelbourne and Ascot Drive. tended the blaze in Alma Street on March 15 – but "On the night in question the appliance from not the one from the Melbourne base.

Melbourne was not available to be mobilised and, therefore, two appliances from Ascot Drive were sent. These appliances were both in attendance at the incident in less than 10 minutes, which is in line with the targets that the service currently sets for attendance times to an incident of this nature.

"The target is for one appliance to be at the scene in 10 minutes with a second in 13.

Melbourne Fire Station is staffed by Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters – people who also have primary jobs elsewhere and who respond to the station when they are notified on a personal pager.

The station officer added: "This system does mean that there is a slight delay in the appliance at Melbourne responding to a fire call but also means ANDY Ryans and Natalie hiring a team of carers, who that an appliance from Ascot will offer a whole range of Jones are the two key people Drive, staffed 24 hours a day, home services, which will give in a new care business which can arrive at an incident in Melis being set up in South Derlocal people added choice in bourne in almost the same time byshire. this very important area. frame.

Mr Ryans lives in Mel"We only employ carers "Because of many different who we are confident are probourne with his wife and two factors there are times when the fessional, reliable, working to children, and is the local franappliance from Melbourne is not chise holder for a worldwide the highest national stanavailable to respond and the mohome care business called dards," said Natalie. bilising of Ascot Drive appliHome Instead Senior Care.

Enquiries can be made on ances provides fire cover to meet 01283 553078.

His care manager, Natalie, the needs of the community is currently in the process of within Melbourne."

THE fire and rescue service has responded to the concerns of a number of Melbourne residents following a blaze at a town house.

Village Voice May 2010 5

Leisure study disappointment £40,000 report into town’s facility comes in for plenty of criticism DISTRICT and County Councillor John Harrison expressed disappointment on the outcome of the recently published Melbourne Feasibility Study for Leisure and the Performing Arts.

He suggested to the Parish Council that the study had scant regard for sports such as bowls and tennis and identified that Melbourne’s infrastructure would not allow a combined leisure and performing arts facility in one location.

The study cost £40,000 and is seen as an initial step in looking at how best to serve the leisure requirements of the community.

Although he said the report was comprehensive Cllr Harrison was critical of represented ideas, clearly objecting to any compulsory purchase order on potential alternative leisure sites that had been highlighted in the report. These included the Liberal Club, Public Hall, Fire Station and Doncasters.

Cllr Cliff Crawford said: “Any leisure centre would be an improvement, even if located at the top of Cockshut Lane." Cllr Crawford had assumed a swimming pool was for consideration. But Cllr Harrison said swimming was not part of a solution, as it represented a loss leader.

Cllr Harrison believed the ideal solution would lie in a new Secondary/Community school that would also support leisure and arts, providing 24/7 access and that this should be considered in the Government's “Building Schools for the future programme”.

However, with current Government department budgets under scrutiny and the General Election, he expressed some doubt on this in the near term. The current Bill Shone Leisure Centre, which has a further five-year lease, was identified as not fit for purpose in the report, inadequate in shape and size. Parish councillors have been charged with feeding back their observations to the appointed consultants.

■ Councillor Nigel Collyer was elected as chairman, having been a councillor since 2002. The departing chairman, Cllr David Smith, commented that it had been an honour and privilege to serve the parish and that he would continue to serve as a councillor.

He welcomed clerk Norman Hill back to his accustomed role and thanked locum clerk Jacqui Storer.

Cllr Jane Carroll was elected vice-chairman. Other representatives to outside organisations remained the same with the exception of Cllr Reg Moore.

STUART BLATCH reports from the May meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

Not letting this go Resident Charlie Robey, whilst recognising the Parish efforts and improvement in signage on Jaw Bone Lane, has no intention to let the HGV traffic movement issues lose momentum and requested the Parish Council support further publicity on the issues via Melbourne’s local community website.

“It's stupidity, a 38-ton truck going down a 12ft road width.

Everyone deplores the situation," said Mr Robey. Chairman Collyer noted his concern for the next Highways Committee.

Work ‘a step backwards’

Cllr Harrison was pleased to announce that £130,000 improvement work to the Derby Road, Kings Newton, junction was proceeding with agreement reached with owners of the land to carry out the works.

It was understood that the improvement feature would be similar to the recent changes at the top of Cockshut Lane-Robinsons Hill. A number of councillors, however, clearly were of the opinion that the road improvement on Cockshut Lane was a step backwards and now more dangerous.

Cllr Smith noted that “it has become a very difficult junction with the new ‘kink’ in the road".

He said: "Vehicles take a wider birth to miss the obstruction in the path of on-coming vehicles and, therefore, it’s imperative we review this new junction properly."

Cllr Margaret Sharp, who had seen the initial proposals, suggested “it looks very dangerous”. Chairman Collyer requested a site meeting at the top of Cockshut Lane with the Highways Authority planner.

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Crime figures update PCSO Catherine Guest provided the Parish Council with April’s local crime figures, highlighting two robberies, six burglaries, six cases of vehicle damage and three anti-social behaviour events.

One of the robberies had left a local resident hospitalised with a broken pelvis. PCSO Guest noted that three people had been charged in connection with this offence.

Councillors were clearly shocked at the severity of the attack and questioned the police on the charge. Cllr Smith said: “This was a malicious, unprovoked assault on an individual walking home in the evening and to describe it as a robbery is clearly wrong and misleading."

Police continue to look for two people of foreign nationality in connection with the Packhorse Road cannabis factory found in March.

The next Safer Neighbourhood Meeting is June 16 at Ticknall Village Hall at 7pm.

■ Parish councillors are looking to re-instate the Melbourne recreation playing field swings for the summer. The swings were removed

by SDDC as they were considered a health and safety issue. Cllr Jackson said: “There is absolutely no near term danger – let commonsense prevail and let’s get these back.”

6 Village Voice May 2010

LOUIS’S TEA PARTY AID

Making a garden out of a bog

LOUIS Rost, aged seven, raised an impressive £165 for Action Aid. With help from his mother, Jo Rost, he baked cakes and arranged a fabulous tea party complete with Action Aid balloons, leaflets, stickers and T-shirts. The tea party was very well attended with more than 30 people dropping in throughout the afternoon for some tea, coffee and cakes and a book sale.

Louis wanted to do something for Action Aid after watching an appeal on national television which showed a child of five who had to stay at home and look after her younger brothers and sisters.

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Classical cars make a pit-stop in Melbourne Wo o d M a c h i n i s t s & Manufacturers STATION YARD, STATION ROAD MELBOURNE. TEL: 862612 FAX: 864006

MELBOURNE was graced with a visit of members from the Ashbourne Classic Car Club when a cavalcade of 30 cars from the 50s and 60s era arrived at the parish church as part of their ‘Ecclesiastical Spring Run’.

The cavalcade had started its day at Brailsford parish church where the vicar, Paul Taylor, conducted a short service, served coffee and then, as a member of the club, joined the run.

The route took in St Wystan’s at Repton, St Mary and St Hardulph at Breedon, St

Michael with St Mary at Melbourne and then on to Derby for dinner at a restaurant which had been converted from a Wesleyan Chapel.

At each stop the party of 70-strong were greeted by the clergy and given a short history of their church. For Melbourne, this was carried out by the Revd David Railton, Curate.

Two of the cars are pictured outside the church, a Triumph Roadster with Jim and Freda Sills on the left and a Morgan Plus 8 with Bob and Brit Westhall on the right.

MEMBERS of Ticknall Garden Club welcomed Linda Smith to the club's April meeting. Linda had last visited the club 10 years ago and was pleased to return, this time her topic being bog gardens.

Linda and her husband have a pond and moisture-loving plant business near Hinckley.

Because they exhibit at shows such as Chelsea and Malvern and are often away, the business is open only by appointment but they wouldn’t want to miss visitors.

Linda explained that reeds, rushes and sedges are the real water’s edge plants. If more colour is needed then ground rising further away from the edge is more suitable, being better drained and will support plants with colourful flowers, such as Astilbe, Candelabra Primroses and Ligularia. These plants enjoy the sunshine.

Where the ground is shady then other plants may be used such as grasses, hostas and ferns and even the huge Gunnera Manicata if it is a large garden. These will provide interest in the different shades of green and the shapes of leaf and plant.

She explained how to create a bog garden where there is no natural water present and how to maintain the garden and its plants. – P B

Village Voice May 2010 7

● Members of the newly formed A Choir’d Taste take their places and compose themselves prior to their inaugural concert at the Melbourne Leisure Centre.

New mixed choir quickly becomes an acquired taste THE atmosphere was all agog with eager expectation – with 130 people crammed into the full Melbourne Leisure Centre – to hear the much anticipated inaugural concert of the new Melbourne Mixed choir, A Choir'd Taste.

The new choir's name seemed a little preciously twee, but their first performance was rapturously received by a local audience, delighted with the imaginative variety of melodies offered.

The repertoire was both secular and spiritual, mixing for instance, a delightful rendering of The Teddy Bears’ Picnic with a new version of Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, to name but one contrast.

My own favourite was a near faultless performance of the Ascot Gavotte from My Fair Lady – taken at a rollocking pace, with all the dramatic pauses in place, which was greeted euphorically.

The singing was confident and whole-hearted, the diction clear, and it was quite evident that the new choir, with 12 male singers, and over 30 females enjoyed themselves hugely.

The musical director, Nic Robinson, had coached the new choir well, and he glowed with pride in their expertise and achievement. Many of the choir had not sung before in public.

There were 12 songs in total – and an encore too – as well as an impressive piano slot for Richard Allen, and three admirable flute solos by Eleanor Robinson. These two young soloists were pupils of Nic Robinson.

Alan Aitkenhead and Peter Newbury did three splendid Flanders and Swan pieces, and Margaret

Gildea entertained with a jolly, self-effacing monologue.

Apparently, the concert was a sell-out within four days of the tickets being printed. One choir member said she could have easily sold another 50 herself!

For Melbourne, it is yet another achievement, a confirmation of the buoyant and creative life in the town. The choir had better find a bigger hall for its next performance as the demand will be overwhelming!

Nic Robinson, music teacher at Derby High School, has been immersed in choir singing from an early age – in church choirs and later, when he first came to Derby, he joined the Derby Cathedral Choir. He is a married man of 45, with three daughters and a son.

He was educated in Cheetham School, Manchester. After obtaining a degree in music he joined the BBC. He was surprised at the huge response from the audience at the inaugural concert. - DOB ■ The following are additional comments on the concert from Paul Marshall, Derby Bach Choir chairman: ‘Come to the Fair’, as the opening item, exhorted us to “welcome the day, heigh-ho, come to the fair, there’ll be plenty of fun” which splendidly set the tone for the evening.

Conductor Nic Robinson led the choir in two quieter pieces, which highlighted the choir’s subtle musical shading – the choir demonstrated their versatility with three contrasting songs and the performance of ‘Joshua fit de battle of Jericho’ composed by Nic Robinson showed the choir in all its musical glory and was for me the highlight of the evening. – PM

RUGBY CLUB BALL BOUNCES BACK CRAWFORD Fisher, chairman of Melbourne Rugby Club Mini and Junior section, has confirmed that after five years of waiting, the Rugby Club Ball is going to be staged once again.

Roger Lucas has given permission for it to be held at his beautiful farm at Swarkestone on September 25.

Mr Fisher said: "The objective

of the evening is to ensure we provide a brilliant social event for both the club and the people attending whilst also raising money for further club development at Cockshut Lane. Our U15s-U17s have all played there this year and we need good facilities."

There will be a champagne reception between 7pm and

7.30pm, a three-course meal including hot main course, dancing to the excellent Ockbrook Big Band, followed by a disco.

During the evening there will be a raffle, sit down bingo and other fund-raising activities.

There is a maximum of 350 tickets, many of which have been sold already and tables will be for 10.

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8 Village Voice May 2010

Time for bluebell bonanza

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THE National Trust's Calke Abbey, Ticknall, is preparing for another spectacular show of springtime bluebells and flourishing auriculas.

A special Bluebell Watch section has been developed on the National Trust website so that visitors can keep updated with when the flowers are at their best.

People are free to wander around the parkland at Calke, but cannot pick the flowers as the UK's bluebell woods are of international importance and the flowers are now a protected species.

After a stroll amongst the trees a visit to the gardens is a must to see the beautiful auriculas. These colourful plants will be displayed in a traditional purpose-built arena until the end of May. Calke Abbey head warden Bill Cove says: "The National Trust is one of the most important organisations in the UK for bluebells with a quarter of their woodland preserved as ancient or semi-natural territory making ideal territory for wild displays. The parkland at Calke Abbey is a perfect example of this and we attract thousands of visitors over the spring just to see the glorious sight."

THE Melbourne Rotary Auction of Promises held at The Bill Shone Leisure Centre raised £2,400 and was a fun evening, enjoyed by all in attendance.

Proceeds from the auction have been supplemented from Rotary funds. This results in cheques for £2,000 being presented to both The Rainbows Children’s Hospice and the RNLI. Melbourne Rotary Club members and supporters are pictured having a quiet moment together before the auction got under way.

SAFETY TALK THERE was an excellent turn-out for the Breedon on the Hill WI meeting when the subject was consumer safety.

Members were given an insight into the rigorous and varied tests carried out globally to ensure all products and goods are of a standard to meet the constantly growing regulations. There was a great amount of interest shown and much discussion followed.

The institute darts team played its first match of the season recently and won 5–1, so off to a good start.

Village Voice May 2010 9

Oh baby! Lifelike dolls that Karen sells all over the world KAREN Mumford has been married to Mick for seven years and they live in Melbourne, running a joinery and restoration business. One of Karen's hobbies is knitting and about five years ago she was searching the internet for a doll to model one of her creations when she came across 'reborns'.

Reborns are lifelike baby dolls and what she saw suited her purpose perfectly. She acquired one of the dolls and "when it arrived I was just amazed at the artistry and the sheer realism of it", she said. "From then on I was hooked."

Karen had worked as a childminder for 20 years and was never happier than when she was with babies and children. She also collected dolls in a small way. She saw that Reborning was a fascinating way of creating lifelike dolls and decided to 'have a go' herself.

Karen explains the process: "You start by choosing a vinyl kit that is completely blank, and then ‘bring the kit to life’ by painting it with very thin translucent layers of paint. I use a heat set system, which has to be baked in the oven after each layer. Each kit has about 8/10 layers of paint, each layer creating natural skin tones and effects.

Little veins and capillaries are painstakingly added and the kit is blushed and blemished to bring a depth to the vinyl, to make it as realistic and natural looking as possible.

"After the painting is finished, the hair is micro-rooted one strand at a time."

Karen uses the finest alpaca mohair imported from the USA and hand-blown glass eyes from Germany for her dolls because they are incredibly realistic. A jointed cloth

body is then added which is filled to simulate the weight of a real baby.

When Karen finishes a doll it is dressed and photographed and made ready to be exhibited at the next doll show she plans to attend. Karen sells her works of art mainly at doll shows, about six each year, or from her website with each creation costing the buyer around £300/£400.

Some of the exceptionally talented artists in this field sell their dolls for thousands of pounds, mainly to collectors who see them as treasured possessions and little works of art.

Karen has sold her dolls all over the world and now takes commissions, making to order.

She is very dismissive, angry even about the Channel Four documentary ‘My Fake Baby’ screened a couple of years ago.

"The programme makers edited the documentary to make it look as though reborn collectors were mad or sad and it really damaged the reborn artists reputation."

However, it hasn't dented Karen's enthusiasm for her hobby or her collecting. "I have quite a collection of dolls, reborns by different artists, dolls in other mediums known as ‘ooaks’ – ‘one of a kind’ dolls – as they are all unique. I also like to collect resin toddlers by Hildegard Gunzel and the taller Annette Himstedt limited edition dolls.

"All the dolls I collect are ‘one of a kind’ and have been specially hand-made and created by artists, like myself, for the customer who is looking for something special, unique and original."

Karen is pictured with some of her creations. Others can be seen on her web site www.freewebs.com/bonnybairnsnursery

10 Village Voice May 2010

Village Voice May 2010 11

Village Voice Postbag

Flight of fancy that was more than just hot air ...

WITH the ban on flying in and out of East Midlands Airport during the recent grounding of aircraft due to the volcanic ash crisis, as a local hot air balloon pilot, I took the once in a lifetime chance of flying out of Aston on Trent.

Whilst large planes couldn't fly, small fixed wing and helicopters still could, meaning that the normal East Midlands restricted air space didn't quite work as normal – hot air balloons are not allowed in this immediate zone, and have further restrictions further afield from the airport.

With the gratefully received help of East Midlands air traffic control, I was given permission to fly my hot air balloon out of Aston on Trent on the Saturday evening. Despite some minority local concerns being raised, due to unawareness of what the sport is all about, a crowd of about 30 people watched the balloon inflate and lift off calmly over the cricket pitch in the village.

In a 90-minute flight, I managed to drift over the cricket pitch whilst play remained uninterrupted, across the Shardlow gravel pits, where I did some low level flying and watched the magnificent quantities of wildfowl (swans, geese, ducks).

We then floated over the northern half of Castle Donington, watching the East Midlands Airport traffic parked up quietly!

As we moved over Lockington, we had radio contact and a fly-past by HeliMed 1, the air ambulance, who were very pleasant and welcoming, as were the staff at East Midlands air traffic control.

They couldn't have been any more helpful than they were, checking my position, and making any local air traffic aware of my presence.

We finally landed just east of Sutton Bonnington, 11km from our destination, some 90-minutes later, to a very warm welcome from an extremely friendly farmer – something which a balloonist is always keen to encourage.

I cannot thank enough the staff at East Midlands Airport air traffic control for their co-operation and support throughout, as well as my crew and the cricket team of Aston who played on throughout the 40-minute set-up and inflation. It's just a shame that this sort of village activity can't be carried out more often, due to airspace restrictions.

Rich Benham

What a coincidence ...

THANKS for the article that you published in the March issue commenting on my brain-cells web site. I thought you may be interested in what I thought was an odd coincidence that took place some weeks later.

During the Easter period on a shopping trip to Derby, I walked passed the building that used to be the Odeon cinema and reflected upon the many films that I watched there in the 60s. For different reasons, three films came to my mind: Help! starring the Beatles; Two for the Road starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney; and Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif.

I clearly remembered the famous scene when Omar Sharif appears riding through a shimmering heat haze and shoots Laurence’s guide.

On returning home still thinking about this desert scene, I switched on my computer to view my webmails and to my surprise one of these was from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. On opening the mail, I discovered that it was from the International British School in Al Khobar contacting me to order copies of my Maths GCSE revision CDs. Quite a coincidence, I thought!

David Smith, Former Melbourne resident.

Dental alternative AS A local dentist and Melbourne resident I am well aware of the frustration experienced by the people of Melbourne and surrounding villages when they have tried to find NHS Dental Care in this area. (Pressure mounts over dental treatment – Village Voice March 2010).

There is, however, an NHS option available to them which is only six miles away (much closer than the options suggested by the PCT in Swadlincote, Hilton and Derby).

Market Street Dental Practice in Ashby has recently been awarded a new NHS contract and began seeing new NHS patients on March 1.

We are at present still accepting new patients, and anyone wishing to take advantage of this new service should contact the reception team on 01530 415353.

I hope this information is helpful.

Dr V.H.Peart.

Dr Joanna Hocknell, of MacMillan Care, Derby, was presented with a cheque for £1,350 by Melbourne Quiz question master John Elliott on finals night at the Public Hall in Melbourne.

12 Village Voice May 2010

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GENTLE GIANT WHO GALLANTRY MEDAL ALAN Gordon Dennis is a big man.

But at six foot two and 15 stone he is a gentle giant. He's a career soldier – and a hero.

He was recently awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions in Afghanistan and was told about it only told three weeks before the formal announcement.

He was in hospital for an operation on his arm the day the awards were made. But he's planning not to miss his trip to Buckingham Palace in June to receive his medal from the Queen.

Alan, a Colour Sergeant, married to Teresa ,with two sons Martin and Liam, and now living in Melbourne, was originally from West Leake in Nottinghamshire.

His chosen career was game keeping, following his father’s footsteps. His five years as

gamekeeper at the Kingston Shoot stood him in good stead when, in 1995, he joined the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, now the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment with the motto, Stand Firm - Strike Hard.

On his first posting after training to the Armoured Infantry Battalion at Tidworth, he met Teresa and they married in 1997.

Following tours to Bosnia in 1996 and 1998, Northern Ireland for two years and then Chester in 2001, Alan went for six months on his first of three tours to Afghanistan.

After Fire Strike duties back home then guardsman-type duties at places like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, he returned to Afghanistan in 2007 on Operation Herrick 6 in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province.

Alan was seriously injured and lost nine colleagues when an armoured Land Rover struck an improvised explosive device (IED).

Under heavy fire and facing two motorcycle suicide bombers, he was evacuated by colleagues and was back in the UK within 24 hours for several operations to remove shrapnel and repair a smashed ankle and a leg broken in three places.

He underwent 12 weeks' rehabilitation and constant physiotherapy to get back into shape. Alan drove himself to get right for his family, coupled with concerns for his comrades still in Afghanistan.

Two months after being passed fit in 2009 he was on his way with his battalion to Afghanistan for the third time, joining Operation Herrick 10 as part of a team leading and training members of the Afghan Army known

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DO you recognise anyone in this photograph? That’s the question from Roy Dunnicliffe, who is researching all the items recently provided to create and develop the parish church archives.

The photograph is identified as a choir dated c1930 of 44 singers plus the vicar, choirmaster (?) and a youth not robed. This is a choir which may have been augmented for some reason.

The old choir stalls in the church under the tower would have seated about 40. Only three people are identified: Ernie Lakin, third from the left above the boys; Vicar Harcombe, fifth from left on the same row; and Billy Walker fifth from the left on the next row up.

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■ In response to a similar question in the February issue regarding the church football team photograph, Roy received two responses, one from Henry Hastings saying his father Frederick was on the front row far right and Alan Walker saying Sterling Brookes was his grandfather. There was also a discussion in the British Legion that seemed to establish that the man with the ball was ‘Soccer’ Smith!

Village Voice May 2010 13

O IS TO RECEIVE A L FROM THE QUEEN as Warriors in the centre of hostilities south of Lashkar Gah. Alan was leader of a 15-man fighting patrol, locating IEDs. In two weeks they located 15 devices in doorways, on single track paths and set chest high in walls.

Alan recalls: “April 2, 2009, was no different to any other day. The team was on a normal patrol, farmers were working in the fields.

Then in an ordinary village compound the patrol was hit by heavy machine gun fire, ambushed by about 25 insurgents.

"We were bogged down under fire. Returning fire we blew a hole in the compound wall behind us and I instructed a tactical move of the patrol into the compound.”

Alan spotted two of his young warriors in a bunker. He grabbed one and carried him to the compound and, when returning for the second, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded in front of him blasting him backwards into the wall.

He fell with his left arm taking his weight plus his 32lb body armour and his 70lb kit.

With no feeling in the arm, he managed to aim and fire his rifle and under covering fire he got himself inside the compound, regrouped and called for assistance. With his good hand and his teeth, he let off flares identifying his team’s position to another patrol and advised them by radio of insurgent movements.

After 40 minutes, the second patrol arrived and created an opening at the rear of the compound to enable a fighting withdrawal to their base a kilometre away.

Alan suffered a broken arm with snapped muscle and tendon and nerve damage. He was evacuated to Camp Bastion for a week before being returned to the UK military hospital in Birmingham for five weeks.

Sensations gradually returned to Alan’s left hand after 16 weeks of physiotherapy and he is still receiving treatment.

Alan has been under constant attention from the army medical team. He suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, triggered by the latest incident, but based on his experiences in 2007 when he was injured and some of his colleagues died or lost limbs.

Alan has done well to recover. He praises and thanks his family and friends for their love and support.

“It has made a massive difference to me,” he said, “they’ve been through hell this last couple of years.”

Alan is working in Birmingham as an army recruitment officer and expects to be there for at least two years. He says his game keeping

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Colour Sergeant Alan Gordon Dennis in his regimental number two dress uniform displaying his campaign medals. experiences helped him in the army and he “It looks as if we could be here for some still gets to help his father on shoot days. time.”

“I like Melbourne,” he said. “Teresa has setAlan is still busy getting fit – I declined to tled into Melbourne life as well. Martin has join him on his 6am run – but he is not planstarted work and Liam is happy at Chellaston ning to return for another tour of Afghanistan.

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14 Village Voice May 2010

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AN egg-throwing custom was brought back to life over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend when Jack Randall, a year 12 student at Chellaston School, promoted the event to raise money for the 2010 school trip to Uganda.

The venue was held at the Grange at Ticknall and competitors had to catch eggs thrown by a partner unsighted from behind the cricket pavilion.

It was great fun for both spectators and competitors with Chris Stark winner in the furthest throw with his partner Ben Roome and Shaun Burke won the best of six catching five eggs thrown by his partner Jack Randall. A total of 240 raw eggs were used during the event which raised £420.

Pictured at the Grange are left to right Richard Martin, Eleanor Walker, Jack Randall, Jack Lowe and Chris Stark .

Artists taking part in county event DERBYSHIRE Open Arts is a free springtime event taking place throughout the county.

The annual event opens artists’ studios, workspaces and other showplaces to the general public. This year it will be Spring Bank holiday May 29 to 31 inclusive.

Local artists participating include three from Melbourne: Laura Donaldson, at 9 North Street, Melbourne DE73 8FZ, 07887750581; Mary Smith, at 4 Redway Croft, Melbourne,DE738GX, 01332 863899; and Jayne Wright at Darkcat Systems, 1 Potter

Street, Melbourne DE73 8DW, 01332 863987.

Participating artists from Weston on Trent are: Victoria Brown and Cheryl Wilbraham, who will be displaying at Weston Hall Farmhouse, The Green, Weston-on-Trent, Derby DE72 2BJ, 07973 162721.

Village Voice May 2010 15

Nicola joiNs the team NICOLA Mortimer has recently joined the Village Voice team to take on the role of advertising co-ordinator. If you would like to place an advert or find out how we can help advertise your company or event, then please call Nicola on 07584 025852.

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Walks in the Forest THE Programme for Footsteps in the Forest – the National Forest Walking Festival 2010 – is now available to download from www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk There will be 50 walks across The National Forest and surrounding area from May 22 to June 2.

The Festival offers something for everyone, whatever their age, interests or abilities. There is a packed programme, from a gentle one-mile stroll, walks for the whole family, and walks suitable for wheelchair users, to longer more strenuous rambles for keen walkers.

There's an opportunity to try Nordic walking, themed routes such as Pagans and Christians and opportunities to explore new paths and newly planted woodland in The National Forest.

Thank You Edna Brame would like to thank everyone for their lovely cards, gifts, visits, good wishes and prayers while she has been in hospital. Edna is now at home and recovering well and is looking forward to seeing all her friends around the village very soon.

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16 Village Voice May 2010

AthenAeum visionAry who hAs left his mArk THE Athenaeum youth café located in Potter Street, Melbourne, has been a remarkable success story, catering for the social needs of young people out of school hours, something that came about through the vision and commitment of a small group of members of the Melbourne Methodist Church.

One of those people was Mark Dale, who after seven years of dedicated support, has now decided to step down from the management committee.

Mark has been involved since day one when he and other church members recognised that there was nowhere for young people in Melbourne to go after school, especially those between the ages of 10 and 13.

"We had a large building that was used very little and we thought that we could meet a need in the community. Part of being a Christian is to serve and so we had a good match," was how Mark described the germination of the idea.

"I shared a vision with the local church and then set up the original management team. It was three years in the planning and fund-

raising, talking with the young people of Melbourne to understand what they wanted – not what we thought they wanted! We used the skills and talents of those in our church at the time to provide what the young people needed."

Mark was very much involved in all the detail and also oversaw the original funding and designs for the café, an exciting and rewarding experience in addition to working full-time in his day job.

"The 'wow' factor when young people came to the Athenaeum when we first opened was tremendous," says Mark, "and seeing the young people enjoying their time in a place that we have provided for them still gives me lots of pleasure."

What troubles Mark the most is that some people believe that it is a profit-making enterprise. The café is a Melbourne Methodist Church project, and depends on funding, help from volunteers and the community to keep going and would happily accept further help from anyone wishing to do some regular volunteering with young people.

The Athenaeum is run by an employed youth worker and a group of dedicated volunteers. Within the structure of the café there is a management committee who meet every six weeks. The committee is made up of volunteers who help at the café and the youth worker.

Coincidentally, the Derbyshire County Council-run youth club held in the purpose-built youth centre on Pack Horse Road and catering for young people from 13 to 19 closed shortly before the Athenaeum opened.

Mark still volunteers at the cafe when he can.

The youth worker, Zoe Dean, members of the management committee and church members have expressed a big 'thank you' to Mark for his vision, endeavours and achievements over the last seven years.

Comedy nights dates THE regular Melbourne Comedy Nights continue in their popularity and dates for the next two evenings have been announced.

On Friday, June 11, compere Tony Cowards will introduce entertainers Nick Revell, Paul Sinha and Alan Hudson.

On Friday, September 17, as

part of the Arts Festival, comedians Andy White, Dan Evans and Tudur Owen will entertain.

Compere for the evening will be Alan Seaman.

Performances are at the Royal British Legion Club with doors opening at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

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Village Voice May 2010 17

MELBOURNE Photographic Society's recent Annual Print and Digital Image Competition was won by Ian Pettit. He is seen here receiving the inaugural award of the Tom Tivey Memorial Trophy from Simon Tivey for the best landscape or natural history photograph as judged by Dr Les Nixon, of Bakewell Photographic Circle.

This award was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Tom's son, Simon, in memory of his father, a lifetime Melbourne resident who was a highly respected mem-

ber and a former president of the society with an international reputation for his bird photography.

Tom passed away 16 months ago.

This annual competition is open to all members of Melbourne Photographic Society where new members and visitors are always welcome.

Left to right in the picture are: Simon Hickie (President and competition secretary), Ian Pettit , Simon Tivey and Dr Les Nixon.

Learning about the life of an Edwardian lady’s maid MELBOURNE Civic Society was treated to a lively talk on the life of a lady's maid in the Edwardian era. Jo Carter gave an enthusiastic performance as Violette, maid to Mary Curzon of Kedleston Hall in 1898. The fashion for restricted dressing and hairstyles meant that the

personal assistance of a maid was essential so their services were in demand and they were relatively well paid.

The constant attendance to a mistress whom on one occasion changed her under and outer garments 16 times for a social gathering, the perks of tea

money, your own room and passed-on clothing proved some compensation.

The next meeting will be on Monday, May 24, at 7.30pm. in the Leisure Centre when local craftsman Peter Wood will be demonstrating the art of the chair bodger.

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18 Village Voice May 2010

● The courtroom scene for the Melbourne Operatic Society production of ‘Trial by Jury’at Castle Donington.

Double success for Society team MELBOURNE Operatic Society staged two Gilbert and Sullivan productions this year – ‘Trial by Jury’, a short satire on marriage and the legal profession, and ‘HMS Pinafore’, a story of love conquering inequalities of rank, incompetence in the upper echelons of the Royal Navy, mistaken identity and even a generation gap.

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Both showed that the Operatic Society is clearly at the top of its game.

In ‘Trial by Jury’ we saw a number of the principals performing their first solo parts with real talent. I’m sorry that there isn’t space to mention everybody, but Peter Newbury as the learned judge dominated the stage with a rich, resonant voice and a wicked sense of humour. Les Plimbley was a convincing plaintiff whose every word could be clearly heard and Jane Askam balanced them beautifully.

The emergence of so many talented soloists bodes extremely well for future productions. The chorus of bridesmaids was delightful and the gentlemen of the jury suitably pompous and in love with the heroine at the same time. The whole cast acted with verve and extracted every laugh from Gilbert’s libretto.

In ‘HMS Pinafore’ Jean Mason as Josephine, the captain’s daughter sang with a very strong soprano voice, complemented by the pleasant tenor tones of Melvyn Edwards as Ralph Rackstraw.

Paul Blackmore played Dick Deadeye with an im-

pressive vocal range and good character acting, and Mike McGhee and Mike Tebbut were splendid in the roles of First Lord of the Admiralty and Captain Corcoran. Helen Blatch played Little Buttercup in the tradition of a long line of cockney heroines from Nancy to Eliza Doolittle and brought the role of baby farmer turned cougar to life.

But the strength of Gary Askam’s productions went far deeper than individual performances. In both shows the choruses were excellent. The singing was tight and powerful; Catherine Adams’ choreography was strong and humorous, and the acting was generally good. And, as we have come to expect, the orchestra played beautifully.

The productions were both lavish – an array of fabulous costumes, good lighting and two very good sets a testimony to just how much hard work had gone on behind the scenes to create not one, but two spectacular shows.

And it is a tribute to the whole cast that what could have felt like a long time to sit on school chairs (even with their E-on cushions) was a really good night out.

As I drove back to Melbourne, I couldn’t help wondering why there is no suitable venue for such a talented group to perform in, in the town that bears its name! – M Gildea ■ The Operatic Society is very grateful for the support E-On has given in the past and for the sponsorship cheque for £500 that was most welcome this year with the extra costs involved in producing two operettas on the same night.

Hall’s set for charity MACMILLAN Cancer Support has been given a unique opportunity to help its fund-raising this year with the use of Staunton Harold Hall on the evening of Thursday, May 13, and local fund-raisers are determined to make the most of it – with a drinks reception, dinner, entertainment and music.

Local celebrities have offered their services including: Monica Winfield, a favourite presenter of BBC Radio Leicester; Charles Hanson, the Derbyshire and TV auctioneer; and Notty Hornblower with her historic fashions.

Staunton Harold Hall is a stunning location set in a wooded valley and is not gener-

ally open to the public. So this represents a rare chance to enjoy a springtime evening of real elegance, all in the name of a great cause: to raise funds to help people living with cancer.

Jacqueline Blunt, of Staunton Harold Hall and President of Ashby Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, personally or through family or friends. We have discovered what valuable work Macmillan does with patients and carers alike and know too that it is supported almost entirely by charitable donations.

“So we are pleased to be able to offer local Macmillan supporters this opportunity to boost

their fund-raising and hope that others will feel moved to support the evening.”

For further information contact Christine Baker on 07813 019058 or Kath Peckett on 07729 875139.

Fun run date IN the season of fun runs, the next local event will take place at Aston on Trent on Sunday, May 16, at the playing fields.

Organised by Recreation in Aston (RIA) the two-mile event starts at 10.15am and the 10k race at 10.45.

More details on the Aston on Trent website.

Village Voice May 2010 19

Town was famous for its religion DID you know that Melbourne in the 18th century was "famous for religion"?

Philip Heath, local historian and committed conservationist, came to the Parish Church to give an illustrated talk – sponsored by the Friends of the Church – on the history of religion in the 18th and 19th centuries.

For a small town, Melbourne seems to have flourished with a varied religious diet: Church of England, of course, but also Independents and Presbyterians, Methodists and Moravian Independents, Quakers and Baptists and Swedenborg Independents, and later Roman Catholics. Bewildering!

The secret was that Melbourne had "a particularly proud and independent" population, who, it was apparent, took religion seriously, and feelings and beliefs were important.

So if worshippers at the parish church, for instance, did not like the music of the choir master, they went elsewhere. What came through strongly in Mr Heath's talk was the close association in the past two centuries of non-conformity with education.

It was the Sunday School which taught the poor to read and write. And the non-conformists threw up formidable men and women, steadfast and strong in their views – like Lady Hastings and Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.

The fine Baptist Church on Chapel Street is a living memorial to the Baptist tradition, which produced Thomas Cook, who apparently always considered his travel business to be primarily a missionary venture.

Mr Heath's talk had plenty of telling detail, for instance that early non-conformity did not think music was appropriate during worship. The Baptists only put an organ into the church in 1856.

Mr Heath described the building of all the churches still remaining – and one can now imagine the huge controversy there must have been when the Parish Church was renovated radically in the mid-19th century. One can also now imagine the building of the Roman Catholic Church in 1909 creating a huge heart-searching, amongst the fiercely Protestant non-conformists.

Yet again the Friends of the Church provided a stimulating evening. But the church on a chilly evening is certainly a test of endurance.

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20 Village Voice May 2010

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22 Village Voice May 2010

Robbie races to fun run glory MELBOURNE Rotary Club’s third annual Fun Run attracted 132 entries, and was held on the warmest day of the year so far. Sixty runners contested the new, two-lap, 11.4km course, while 72 more took part in the one-lap Funny Bunny Run for the less ambitious.

Rabbit costumes were the order of the day, with pink bunny ears supplemented by face painting for the kids, and, in one case, a full-scale body suit on a six-foot-plus jogger!

The most popular man on the day, even in his absence, was Dave Smith, whose National Spring Water Company provided vital refreshment on the course and at the finish.

The two-lap race was won, for the second time in three years, by local athlete Robbie Kerr, who led from the start and won by an astonishing 2 min 36 sec margin.

Michael McGinty took second place, with David Owen third.

The first woman home was Louise

Insley, improving on her second place last year and well ahead of local girl Julie Guilford, (third last year), with Anna Champney third.

All surplus funds from the event will go to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, while runners were encouraged to raise sponsorship for their own favourite charities.

This sponsorship money is still to be collected, but the main appeal is expected to raise in excess of £600.

Pictured left are the first three men home (l-r) Michael McGinty, Robbie Kerr and David Owen.

Below left are the first three ladies (l-r) Julie Guilford, Louise Insley and Anna Champney.

Bottom right shows a good start to the Funny Bunny run with No 220 Will Flint off to a good start finally finishing in eighth spot.

Photographs courtesy of Sarah Robinson.

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FiRst class staRteRs MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club had a superb start to their 2010 season with the first team winning both their league fixtures and the second team also earning a victory in their first league match.

The first team started away to Lullington Park Thirds. Spells of 4-28 by Mick Meakin and 3-37 by Ben Newton saw the home side all out for just 138.

Melbourne made short work of the chase with Mark Rossi hitting an unbeaten 50 aided by 37 from skipper Alex Slater and 36 from opener Andy Potts.

The following day, visitors Burton were shot out for just 80 in a match sponsored by Lomas Opticians with Ben Newton 5-21 and

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MELBOURNE Town second team recorded a hard fought but close two wickets win at home to Yoxall Seconds in a match sponsored by East Midlands Airport.

Melbourne bowled the visitors out for 148 with 14-year-old spinner Matt Heafield doing the damage with 4-35 aided by Dave Potts 3-39 and Colin Wakefield 2-28. In reply Ken Grant hit an amazing 91 not out as he nearly ran out of partners but took Melbourne home with just two wickets left and three overs remaining.

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Village Voice May 2010 23

Dynamoes have to settle for the runners-up spot MELBOURNE Dynamoes failed at the last hurdle in their quest to win the Regional Alliance Premier Division. They finished just three points behind eventual winners Allenton and had to settle for the runners-up spot.

In the final month of the season Dynamoes had to cram eight games into just 21 days which took its toll on the squad.

They began the month with a hard-fought 2-1 home win against Borrowash Vics Reserves, Matt Jones with his first Dynamoes goal and a Paul Swallow header securing the win.

In the away match to Newmount all looked lost as Melbourne were 1-0 down with a man sent-off but a Dave Brough screamer equalised and an Alex Slater double earned an amazing win.

Melbourne then entertained rivals Allenton and were leading 10 at half-time thanks to an Alex Slater tap-in but ran out of steam and fell to a costly 3-1 defeat.

A 1-1 draw away to Belper United was thanks to a Carl Allsopp penalty. A Tom Donnachie strike for Melbourne then secured a 1-0 away win to last year's champions Rowsley.

Allestree were then beaten 5-0 with Tom Donnachie getting a hattrick along with strikes from Danny Guild and Alex Slater but a 11 draw against the same side two days later hindered Melbourne’s challenge, a Carl Allsopp header securing the point.

A 2-0 win away to Cromford with goals from skipper Lee Scott and Ben Dale set up Dynamoes' last game of the season, a winnertakes-all clash away to Allenton.

Melbourne started well with a Ben Dale early goal giving them a deserved lead but two goals on the stroke of half-time took the stuff-

All set for bowls season ASTON and Weston Bowls Club has now opened for the new season and the friendly fixture list is filling up.

Although the green is looking a little bare at this time members are pleased that the woods are running true.

The club is holding an open day on May 15 starting at 2pm and prospective new members and visitors will be made welcome.

ing out of Dynamoes and two more late strikes gave Allenton a flattering 5-1 win. Melbourne had to settle for runners-up spot – but still a superb achievement and capping a fine season.

MELBOURNE DYNAMOES RESERVES struggled with their extended workload, going into the last month of the season with eight games in 19 days. This began with a 3-2 away defeat at Bargate Rovers Reserves, skipper Dave Dunhill and Ben Dale getting the consolations.

It was followed by a 0-0 home draw against Wirksworth Ivanhoe.

A 4-2 away win versus Mickleover RBL Reserves was possibly Melbourne’s performance of the season with a double from Farrell Scott plus goals from Jack Tivey and Ben Dale earning the points.

Melbourne suffered a 2-0 loss to the same team a week later. Two away defeats at Castle Donington and Swanick were by 3-1 with Jack Tivey getting the consolation and 3-2 with veteran Kev Earp and Sam Taylor getting the goals this time.

A 5-0 home loss to high-flying Belper United Reserves left Melbourne Reserves in ninth place, secured in the final game of the season away to Woolley Moor United. A last minute Alex Slater strike earned Melbourne a hard fought 1-0 win.

TICKNALL RANGERS had just three games in April and began with a 4-0 home defeat by Greenfield but a better performance a week later saw them win 2-0 away to Marlborough with Matt Archer and Matt Smart getting the goals.

Rangers finished the month with a 3-1 home loss to Blackfordby, a speculative Vinny Hallifield lob the consolation.

STREAMLINE had just one game to complete their season and came away with a 2-2 draw against Long Eaton Magpies, Ali Findlay and Tom Sloan earning the point.

HANNAH’S A TROPHY HEROINE MELBOURNE Minx U15 Rugby captain and Chellaston School pupil Hannah Lloyd finished her rugby season in fine style at the U15 National Rugby Festival at Lichfield RFC. The tournament consisted of 12 regional teams from all over England and Wales. Hannah, aged 14, was the only Derbyshire player in a Midlands East side chosen from clubs in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Playing at loose head prop, Hannah’s first match was against North West in which she scored the second try in a comprehensive 28-0 victory.

Further victories of 31-0 against South West South and 12-5 against Wales put the Midlands East side into the final against Thames Valley. A very close encounter with some fine tackling made the final result 10-5 and Midlands East were crowned champions.

Hannah is pictured with the National Trophy just after the match.

This was a special moment for Hannah as it matched the achievement of her elder sister Bethan, 16, who had been a member of the winning team in the 2008 tournament.

Both girls also have what might be a unique claim to fame – having played rugby for Chellaston School at Twickenham. Hannah played in the curtain-raiser to England’s Autumn International versus New Zealand and Bethan played in the final of the Emerging Schools’ Tournament both in 2006.

Cricket Legends MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club is hosting a Legends Game on Sunday, June 20, at the cricket ground in Cockshut Lane, Melbourne.

The match will be played for the inaugural Lothian Trophy.

Lord Ralph Kerr, great grandson of Lord Walter Kerr who bequeathed the current cricket ground to the people of Melbourne in 1920 is hoping to attend to be presented to the teams prior to the match and to make the presentation to the winning captain.

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24 Village Voice May 2010

SPORT

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● Melbourne RFC first team celebrate after winning the NLD Plate.

64 Church Street, Melbourne, Derbys

Tel. Derby (01332) 862091 www.melbournegun.com

TOM’S TRIES PUT WIN ON A PLATE MELBOURNE Rugby Club first team finished the season by winning the NLD Plate, beating East Leake in the game played at Mellish.

East Leake started the stronger and took a deserved lead. An early penalty by East Leake was missed, but their fly half used the conditions well to push Melbourne back in the corner. From a scrum, their flanker scored under the posts and Melbourne found themselves 0-7 down.

This was just the shock Melbourne needed. For the next 20 minutes the handling, passing and running were a delight to watch and Melbourne were rewarded with four tries. Tom Howard started the try fest. Josh Snowden returned a kick from his own half. Quick hands saw the ball go to Tom, who sprinted in under the posts from 30 yards. Euan converted: 7-7.

From the restart, the ball was collected.

Ian Lucas ran powerfully up the blind side.

The ball was recycled. Euan chipped, Shane collected and from the ensuing ruck, quick hands down the back line saw Josh score in the corner: 12-7.

MELBOURNE CARPETS

Melbourne continued to dominate, always looking to keep the ball alive. Ash Corden was very effective in the lineout. The scrum was safe and Fully and Euan dictated the play with some testing kicks. The next try came from Tom. On his own 10-yard line, he chipped the defence and three grubber kicks later saw him score under the posts. Euan converted for 19-7.

Despite playing into a strong wind, Melbourne continued to dominate territory. Another break up the right resulted in a series of rucks and from these Euan jinked over for a try which he converted: 26-7.

The half continued without any threat to Melbourne’s line but Melbourne threatened with Pop and Stringer going close and Morris having a bad bounce when a try looked a certainty from a kick ahead by Josh. The half time score was 26-7.

East Leake upped their game in the second half and Melbourne, knowing the game was won, went off the boil a little. A high tackle saw East Leake score a penalty for 26-10. Melbourne used the elements well and pinned East Leake back into the corner.

East Leake repeatedly infringed and from a line-out on their five yard line, the ball was

quickly recycled for Kier Biggins to score: 31 -10.

Melbourne brought on all six subs in the last 20 minutes. The final try came from Tom for his hat-trick. From a scrum, a simple dummy scissor was run, with Tom taking a fine short pass off Euan to score making the final score 36-10.

This topped a successful season for the first team who finished sixth in their league.

Without a two-point deduction for a late match card, they would have finished in fourth position.

■ The seconds finished in the top half of their Pennant league and also went down narrowly (18-12) to a strong Buxton side in the Derbyshire Cup second team semi-final.

The seconds have put a side out regularly and on the last weekend of the season 39 players were available for the firsts and seconds. The seconds have also seen an influx of youth in the latter half of the season, which bodes well for next year.

■ The vets also had a run out in April beating Derbyshire Police 19-0.

■ Ashley Stringer (with 19) ended up top try scorer again this year. – PI

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