MELBOURNE’S last bank is to shut, in a move that has been called “tragic” for the town.
NatWest has announced it will shut its Market Place branch on July 20, leaving the town without a bank following the closure of HSBC in 2010.
NatWest’s older customers are the ones who will be most affected.
Neil Varley, of Melbourne, told how their family had moved his father, Peter, to NatWest – he used to bank with the Midland.
Neil said his father, who is in his 80s, struggled to remember his pin number so was unable to use a cashpoint. Having a local branch has meant he can simply go in, hand over his cash card, and be given the money he needs.
“The older ones are now going to have to travel
to either Allenton or Ashby – which they can’t,” said Neil.
“I think for the older generation in Melbourne this is the end of the world, literally, because they have got no contact at all with the outside world.
“It’s tragic for Melbourne because it’s a town – it’s not a village, it’s a town – it’s as big as Allenton and yet Allenton, Ashby and Swadlincote are managing to retain their banks … so why is Melbourne being picked on?
“What shutting these banks down has done is stopped people like my dad … the older generation fought for this country and we are now throwing them away; we don’t care, it’s just tragic.”
NatWest customer Ken Leech, of Melbourne, agreed that the closure was bad news: “It’s terrible,” he said. “I go in two or three times a week.”
When questioned by the Village Voice many businesses in the town were hopeful they would be able to access banking services such as cheque deposits at the Post Office so would not be unduly affected.
Other shops said they banked elsewhere and added that, while the news was disappointing, they had seen it coming with NatWest’s opening hours now down to only a few hours on weekdays.
There may be some salvation in the form of the Post Office, which offers banking services as well as its own current accounts. But customers who use the Post Office to access their own bank will still have to remember their pin number to get cash out.
NatWest confirmed that customers will be able to use the Post Office for services such as withdrawing and accessing cash.
A spokesman said the branch was being closed because transaction numbers had dropped by 37 per cent since 2011 and there were only 58 cusContinued on Page 3
MELBOURNE’S Rotary Club is to close after 63 years of doing good.
Leaders of the club said they were “very sad” to be calling it a day but, with dwindling numbers and the failure to attract younger blood, they felt the club was no longer able to function effectively.
Treasurer John Burney said: “Everyone is very sick about it, but for the last three years we have been just hanging on and not able to do very much.
“The problem we have had is in attracting new members – it’s just down to age.”
Rotary is a huge organisation with branches in towns and cities across the world, raising money for good causes within their community.
In its heyday the Melbourne branch had more than 40 members, but now there are only just over a dozen.
The decision was taken at the April meeting of the club to close down at the end of the Rotary year in June.
Melbourne’s club has been involved in many activities in the village over many years and has raised huge amounts for local causes.
n In next month’s Village Voice we will take a more in-depth look at everything this remarkable club has achieved during its time in the town.
n KING’S Newton Social Group held a French evening at the Scout and Guide Headquarters. A total of 68 people attended
and enjoyed an evening with a bistro atmosphere.
Fiona Maurice-Smith entertained brilliantly with some ex-
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THE publication of the local Neighbourhood Development Plan is a step closer, with the circulation to Melbourne Parish Council of a first rough draft. At this stage there are still some gaps in information needed, but it is hoped to get the document out soon for wider comment along with a public questionnaire.
The document seeks to preserve the rich heritage, character and separation of Melbourne and King’s Newton parishes by protecting the existing settlement boundaries.
It establishes that, with the present level of building and the planning applications either approved or in process, the necessary contribution to the housing need within the district plan will be met.
There are sections in the plan on local green spaces, identifying all the current areas and seeking to preserve them, infrastructure, community and leisure, heritage, business, education and health.
When adopted and approved the plan informs the district council’s decision-making on planning applications, and it intends to guide landowners and developers on the sort of development which is acceptable within the community. The statutory policies in the adopted plan are then given the same level of importance as those in the council’s local plan.
Meanwhile, a date has been set by the planning inspector for the informal appeal hearing brought by Linden Homes against the planning refusal for 60 homes on the Jawbone Lane site.
The meeting will be taking place on May 10 at 10am in Swadlincote, with two days set aside to hear all the evidence.
Campaigners against the development are hoping that people objecting to the proposal will go along and have their views heard to represent the strength of local feeling.
– Frank Hughes
A SYRIAN Supper was enjoyed by over 30 people at Thomas Cook Memorial Hall in Melbourne. Organised by Jan Rosa Lee, the event was held in aid of the charity Hand in Hand for Syria.
Razan Zehrawi, from Nottingham, gave a talk about how she and her husband had founded the charity at the beginning of the conflict in Syria five years ago. She told how they started just collecting donations to help the people of Syria, and how it grew to the registered charity it is today.
It now provides aid and support to families in-
side the war-torn country by way of food, shelter, hospitals, healthcare and education.
Razan also provided Syrian food for the supper, cooking traditional Falafel and Baba Ganoush. Jan cooked Hummus and Tabbouleh.
Damascene salad and other dishes including beetroot and walnut dips with handmade flatbreads were made at home and brought to the hall by the other helpers – Claire Armstrong from Derby, Cheryl Finch of Ticknall, and Ruth Chambers of Castle Donington.
Fresh mint and parsley, yoghurt and soft Ara-
bic cheese, olives, stuffed vine leaves and pistachio nuts were also part of the feast.
OH ye, Oh ye – Can you hear this? Live auditions are due to take place as part of the search to appoint Swadlincote’s first town crier.
The ‘trial cry’ will take place between 12.15pm and 12.45pm on Friday, May 13, in Swadlincote town centre, under the watchful and expert eye of the British Town Crier, Peter Taunton.
The audition will form part of the interview process as South Derbyshire District Council seeks to fill a role created under the Swadlincote Townscape Heritage Scheme project, the aim of which is to make further improvements to the town centre and build on its history.
Dessert was Baklava, Iranian watermelon, Turkish yoghurt and Palestinian medjoul dates. Mint tea and cardamon tea was served in traditional small glasses.
The hall was decorated with roses and Arabic style lanterns, and Arabic music played in the background. Jan recited poetry from Syria which touched the heart of Amar, a guest refugee from Damascus, now living in Leicester.
This was the third Syrian Supper organised by Jan over the last two years, the others having been held at Jack’s of Melbourne and at Manor Organic Farm in Long Whatton.
The amount raised, including the proceeds from a very successful raffle, was £512. This money will go to Hand in Hand for Syria, contributing towards their vital ongoing work inside Syria.
l Food for thought ... (l-r) Cheryl Finch, Ruth Chambers, Claire Armstrong, Jan Lee and Razan Zehrawi.From Page 1 tomers using the branch on a regular weekly basis, of whom 23 already used other branches.
He added that, with the dramatic rise of online and mobile banking, far fewer people actually went into their local bank nowadays.
Melbourne Post Office owner Munir Ahmed said: “I think the bank will be missed; it’s sad that the banks are closing in the high street.
“From a business point of view it will bring more people into the Post Office and shows how important it is to have a Post Office.”
n A SPECIAL event entitled ‘Up in the Air’ was organised to coincide with a Melbourne schools inset day.
Twenty-one excited children arrived in the departure lounge of Melbourne Parish Church to be transformed into a world of fun, music, stories and games. They danced, sang and wiggled their bodies through tunnels before hearing the story of Hannah and learning about the Lord’s Prayer.
After lunch, small groups made crowns and thought seriously about what they’d like to pray for, aided by a scooter with brakes that (unlike God) might just fail us.
MELBOURNE parents took their children out of school for a day as part of a national boycott protesting against controversial testing.
The “Let Our Kids be Kids” campaign saw thousands of UK parents keep their children away from the classroom on May 3 as part of the first ever ‘Kids Strike’.
The Melbourne protest was coordinated by local mum Rose Minifie, and 21 children from as far afield as Barrow upon Soar and Heanor took part in a day of forest learning at Whistlewood Common instead of going to school as normal.
The protest is about SATs (Standard Attainment Tests) which have been changed this year and which many parents and teachers feel are setting children up to fail because they are too difficult.
l Common practice ... children do their learning in the forest.
Another argument is that, because SATs are used to grade schools, the curriculum is limited because so much time is spent coaching children to pass them.
Many parents also feel that the extent of the testing is too stressful for children and takes the joy out of learning.
Children take SATs tests aged six and seven in year 2 and in year 6 before they go to secondary school.
The point of the ‘Kids Strike’ was to get the Government to scrap SATs.
Rose, who took her seven-year-old daughter Lauren out of Melbourne Infant School for the day, said: “We have absolutely no problem with our schools and our teachers – they do an amazing job –it’s the Government.
“Teachers are getting stressed – we’re trying to support them as well and give them a voice because they’re not being listened to.”
Former primary school teacher Cathy Read, a mum of three from Melbourne, went to Whistlewood for the day to lend her support.
She said: “It’s about time parents made their voice heard and stood up for what they know is best for their children.”
Parents with children at Melbourne Infant and Junior schools said they had not been fined for removing their children for the day.
The Government has insisted the tests are raising standards.
A spokeswoman said: “Only exceptional circumstances warrant a child being taken out of school during term time. We are clear that tests should not be a cause of stress for pupils – they help us ensure schools are performing well, and we know the best schools manage them successfully.
“Thanks to the hard work of teachers there are a record number of children in good or outstanding schools – 1.4 million more since 2010. We want that trend to continue which is why the proposals in our White Paper will put power back in the hands of the teachers and school leaders who know their pupils best, alongside new measures to more swiftly tackle failing and coasting schools.
“Our reforms have given teachers the freedom to innovate and develop exciting lessons that inspire pupils.”
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Photo: Tina BakerLAST winter’s wet weather has left a poor legacy in the fields that will take some sorting out.
Continuous rain and an almost complete lack of frost has left the soil very slumped and compacted; it’s only now that we are cultivating fields that we have seen the damage.
April compounded the problem with no long periods of dry weather to get the ground dry. The light sandy soil can cope with this, but any with a high clay content are in very poor condition.
We are just at the start of May thinking about sowing maize and, after spreading manure, are starting to get some fields ready. We are having to open up the ground to let it dry, but the skill will be knowing when it’s ready to cultivate further. There’s one thing for sure at this stage and that is that the seed is better in the bag than in the field as it’s still very cold out there and germination would be very slow.
The danger is that the seed may go rotten before it germinates.
We have let some cattle out to grass but to be fair, it’s far from ideal for the same reason as above. This is one of our latest turn-outs for years after what promised to be an early time. We have a fair amount of grass available but cattle are trampling it into the ground if they are left on it too long. Without doubt, a difficult spring when we could really do with a good one. n During cultivations, with it being late, we seem to have lots of lapwings nesting and I always try to save their nests, but it is very difficult. They are very hard to see and you have to stand or stop on the tractor near to where you think the nest is and wait for the bird to move.
This is one bird that has declined locally and I’m not sure why. The main reason, I think, is the move to autumn sowing of crops.
Lapwings like bare ground to nest on, without any crop cover so they can see any predators and move off quickly when in danger. The good news is spring cropping is coming back into favour so this should be a bonus for them. Lapwings are one of my favourite birds.
n MAY Day Bank holiday started early in Castle Donington. The road diversion and closure signs were out at 6am, the bunting was going up from 7am and the stallholders set up from 8am.
Then, at 10am, the Mediaeval Market was formally opened by the Town Crier reading the charter from 1278, which granted Castle Donington its market rights.
For the next five hours, local associations and charities, their representatives dressed
in mediaeval clothing, stand side by side with specialist businesses selling their produce to thousands of visitors.
All the while everyone was constantly entertained by birds of prey, mediaeval minstrels, Morris dancers and a talented jester.
Pictured above are town crier John Bradburn with St George, in the shape of parish council chairman Shaun Ambrose-Jones; and May Queen Gabby Palmer (left) and her attendant, Mollie Daykin.
ARTISTS and aspiring artists are being urged to enter Derbyshire County Council’s annual open art competition.
The event has been running successfully for 34 years and is
open to amateur and professional artists, including children.
Entries for the competition must capture an essence of what Derbyshire means to the
artist.
Entrants can use most mediums, including oils, acrylics, watercolours, drawing, print, collage, manipulated digital imagery or three-dimensional work.
The closing date for the competition is June 11.
Prizes totalling £2,250, including a £750 first prize, are on offer.
The rules and entry form can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/buxtonmuseum at any Derbyshire County Council Library or at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.
COUNCILLOR Andrew Jackson reported that the Melbourne Sporting Partnership appeal for funds to complete the fitting out of the new clubhouse facility had already raised £26,000 with more pledged.
A visit to view the facilities had taken place by council members in April, and he advised that the project should be completed by the end of July.
The need to include facilities for netball has been identified, and a planning application has been submitted to support that need.
A public meeting is to be held on Tuesday, May 24, to discuss the provision of both tennis and netball at the new facility and how they will best be managed.
A cheque for £1K was presented to Cllr Jackson for the MSP fund on behalf of County Cllr Linda Chilton from her community leadership grant.
An official formal opening of the facilities is planned for Sunday, September 11.
n The meeting started with the annual meeting at which a new chair is appointed. Councillor Margaret Sharp took the chain of office and will now chair the council for a two-year period. Retiring chair, Cllr Wendy Earp thanked fellow councillors for the support they had given her during her term.
Cllr Sharp has served on the parish council for 25 years and was previously chair for the 1998-2000 period.
The meeting was also the first for new councillor Tom Gates, who was appointed at the April council meeting.
A further new councillor was appointed to fill the vacancy created through Cllr Chris Howard standing down in April. Terry Summerlin was present and was invited to accept his appointment and take a seat at the council table.
Sticking with council changes, the clerk reported that Cllr Malcolm Stockill had resigned, leaving another vacancy to be filled.
n A member of the public attended the meeting and looked to the council for help in resolving an issue regarding contamination of a waterway in a field where she keeps a horse.
Whilst the council believed the issue was a private matter, members did agree to discuss it at a later committee meeting.
District Cllr John Harrison volunteered to raise the subject with the environmental health department to see what can be done.
n Cllr Harrison reported that SDDC has approved its 2016-21 Corporate Plan.
The plan indicates where money is likely to be spent during the five-year cycle and it is an indicator that projects not included are unlikely to be actioned.
TOM MILLS reports from the May meeting of Melbourne Parish Council
Precise times are not yet known, but it is estimated that the causeway may be closed for approximately 20 minutes.
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l Parish councillors visited the MSP pavilion site to view the progress that has been made so far. Pictured are Andrew Jackson, Jane Carroll, Wendy Earp, Margaret Sharp and David Smith with site manager Simon Kerry.
n Stage 4 of the Aviva Women’s Cycling Tour will follow a route that passes across the Swarkestone Causeway and through Ticknall on June 18.
FASTER broadband for home and business is on its way to rural areas, a recent meeting of the Neighbourhood Development Group was told by Kerry Bailey from Digital Derbyshire.
Digital Derbyshire is a £34 million partnership between Derbyshire County Council, Broadband Delivery UK, BT, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and the European Regional Development Fund to bring fibre broadband to more than 100,000 premises across the county.
Hundreds of miles of fibre optic cable are being laid across the country to provide a
faster broadband connection and now it’s available to order in parts of our community.
Fibre broadband can make a huge difference to your internet experiences, whether it’s for online shopping, downloading music, watching films and TV over the internet, kids’ homework or working from home.
If you run a business, fibre broadband could help, too, as fast, reliable broadband is as important as good road and rail links.
It can help drive up customer numbers, helping to compete in a global marketplace
− even from a rural location.
So far, three green roadside cabinets containing the fibre connection have gone live in Melbourne as part of the Digital Derbyshire programme, with one further cabinet scheduled to be installed by the end of 2016.
This is in addition to the commercial coverage which already exists for some homes and businesses in the area.
Information about the availability of fibre broadband can be found at www.digitalderbyshire.org.uk/check.
TIME ticks away once more at the historic Georgian quadrangle home to the Ferrers Centre at Staunton Harold, now that a clock has been mounted back on the wall after being absent for many years.
Several different crafts experts based at the centre have been involved in making a new clock for the gallery wall – the first one having been originally installed by the fifth Earl Ferrers in 1779.
When Alec Blunt bought the derelict stable block at Staunton Harold in 1955, nothing was left of the clock but a large dial high up on the granary wall which fell down five years later.
It is not known exactly what happened to the original timepiece, but the story goes that it
was vandalised and disposed of by Italian prisoners who were billeted there during the Second World War.
Remnants of the timepiece, made by famous Derby clockmaker John Whitehurst, were sold at the hall’s furniture sale in 1949, and ended up in storage at Leicester Museum.
John Blunt, from the Staunton Harold estate, said the clock’s restoration had been a “long-held ambition” of himself and his wife Jacqueline, and that the chance came when they met a clockmaker who was working on the Staunton church clock for the National Trust.
Now, the five-foot diameter dial and electric mechanism have been made and mounted on the wall once more.
AN invitation to join South Derbyshire District Council’s chairman on a picturesque walk has been issued – and it’s all in a good cause.
The Three Marinas Charity Walk starts at Willington’s Mercia Marina and will raise money for Rainbows Hospice and SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association) – the chosen charities of chairman Cllr Neil Atkin.
Taking place at 10am on Saturday, May 14, it is the first event of the much-anticipated National Forest Walking Festival, which runs until May 26.
Cllr Atkin said: “Everyone who takes part will receive a goody bag and medal, a bottle of National Forest spring water and some information about other exciting things to do in The National Forest and South Derbyshire.”
n A WALK entitled ‘When Swad had an Empire’ will take place on Thursday, May 26, as part of the annual National Forest Walking Festival.
Organised jointly by the Swadlincote Townscape Heritage Scheme, Get Active in the Forest and The Magic Attic, it will feature anecdotes and stories of places and characters of Swadlincote as it takes in the town’s many historical sites.
The one-mile walk is expected to last around one-and-a-half hours. More details are available by calling The Magic Attic on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, or Saturday mornings, on 01283 819020.
TERRY Summerlin has provided this photograph of Melbourne County Secondary School Form 6, taken early in 1971. The school building is now known as Melbourne Assembly Rooms.
The pupils shown were generally in their last year at the school before starting work, although not all the class members are included in the photograph. Pupils from that year are all 14, going on 15 years of age, and so are likely to have celebrated their 60th birthday this year or will be soon.
Terry, from Melbourne, has put names to the faces where known.
Has he got them right?
Back row (l-r): William Dowell, Charles Petty, Trevor Warner, David Hackett, Stephen Bott, Geoffrey Robey and Owen Francis.
Middle row: Terry Summerlin, Colin Blockley, Michael Barrett, Alan Gray, Brian Dowell, Stephen Copestake, James Holt, Robert Miller and Richard Tivey.
Front row: Julie Goddard, Julie McGowan, Julie Copeland, Loraine Statham, Stan Bridges (form teacher), Sandra Cook, Susan Barham, Lesley Dallman and Jane Allsop.
n THE first ‘afternoon tea’ of the year was held at Pool Cottage in Melbourne on Good Friday.
At the start of this year with the sudden passing of Irene Rutherford, a former employee and volunteer of Pool Cottage, it was decided that the first afternoon tea of 2016 would be in memory of her. Afternoon teas had been Irene’s thing as a volunteer.
All money raised at this one-off event will be donated to the Macmillan Nightingale Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital, which looked after and cared for Irene so well in her final few days.
The grand total raised was £423.17, which all goes to the cause.
Pictured (l-r, back row): Rachel Morrison, Emma Salt (manager), Matthew Buckley (deputy manager), Tracy Carpenter (volunteer) and Linda Danvers. Front row: Jenny Williams, Joanne Clark and Pat Twells.
a bungalow, until Eunice had health problems and moved back to Melbourne to be near family.
She enjoyed being with her family and was a loving sister, sister-in-law and aunt. Sewing and knitting and going out were her pastimes.
EUNICE Smith was born in Moira Street, Melbourne, on August 24, 1936. She was raised and schooled in Melbourne, and always worked locally, initially at the Castle Mills.
She then worked for over 20 years in the Melbourne Co-operative shop.
Eunice married Terry Jones on March 19, 1955, and they had three sons, Neil, Kim and Tim. Sadly, Kim died in a tragic accident aged three.
Eunice and Terry liked their caravan holidays at Chapel St Leonards, moving for four years to live there in
Eunice was also a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and motherin-law. Her family was very important to her, especially following the sudden death of husband Terry on January 8, 2012.
A tragic accident on New Year's Day led to Eunice's eventual death exactly four years to the day after her husband's death. She was cremated at Bretby and interred in the family grave at Melbourne Cemetery.
The family of Eunice Jones would like to thank everyone who attended her funeral, and for the messages of sympathy, also for the donations to the value of £277, given to the British Heart Foundation.
Eunice will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
Together to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, an annual national campaign to raise awareness of Fair Trade.
Taking place at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, more than 80 people enjoyed a breakfast that included delicious Fair Trade orange juice, muesli, bananas, honey, jam and marmalade – all accompanied by lots of fairly traded tea and ground coffee.
The event was organised to continue to promote the message to
buy fairly traded products wherever possible.
Organiser Lol Robinson said: "It was wonderful to see so many people tucking into the breakfast. It was never intended to raise money but generous donations for the breakfast on the day raised £274.10 for the organisation, Anti-Slavery International. It’s a sad fact of life today that trade and slavery are still so closely connected.”
INHABITANTS of South Derbyshire and beyond are being asked for their views on a major minerals strategy that could see coal mining back on the map – and controversial “fracking” arrive in land near Elvaston.
Derbyshire County Council is currently consulting on the huge strategy document, and residents from across the area have until June 12 to give their views.
Extensive information includes details on different ways in which minerals-rich Derbyshire could be mined between now and 2030.
It says: “Derbyshire is one of the most important areas of the UK for investment by the minerals industry. Planning decisions about opening new sites or expanding existing ones face communities far more often in the plan area than in other parts of England.”
Minerals under scrutiny include sand and gravel – used in the construction industry –limestone and “deep-mined coal”.
There is also a section exploring the possibilities in this area for extracting shale gas. Land east of Derby between the A50 and A52 covering Elvaston and extending as far down as the northern edge of Aston-on-Trent has been identified as a possible home for shale gas – which is extracted using drilling and liquid jets in a controversial process known as “fracking”.
But the council’s consultation document said there was “currently little information” as to how fracking might affect Derbyshire, saying: “It is too early to say where any exploratory wells might be drilled, or even if there would be any interest from gas companies in exploring the areas identified.”
As far as coal mining goes, the minerals plan would need to identify what coal is still
available.
Two main coalfields were situated in Derbyshire during mining’s heyday before its decline in the 1980s.
But now the Government is saying that coal mining may once more have its place in meeting Britain’s energy needs and reducing the need to import fuels from abroad.
The consultation document says: “Whilst emphasis is on the development of renewable energy supplies the Government recognises the important and continuing role that coal will play in meeting national energy requirements. It is seen as a flexible source of energy generation, an alternative to an over dependence on gas and as a back-up to intermittent renewable energy supplies.”
To take part in the consultation log on to https://consultations.derbyshirepartnership.gov.uk/consult.ti/Minerals_Local_Plan/ –
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THE 107th Scout Group at Aston on Trent will be holding a spring plant sale in the car park at the White Hart, Aston, on Saturday, May 21 (10am-2pm). Pictured (l-r) are: Jean Woodcock, Naomi Lister, Meryl Baldwin, Christine Lee, Anne Brady, Janet Peck and Lol Robinson.MORE than 500 children from Melbourne and Ticknall campaigned to keep their favourite school bus driver on his route –and then bid an emotional goodbye when he left.
Bus driver Bryan Tye meant so much to his young charges on the 206 bus, which takes school children from Ticknall to Chellaston Academy and Melbourne Junior School, that when they heard operator Harpurs would no longer be running that route, they did their best to keep him behind the wheel.
That meant putting together a petition to “Keep Bryan on the 206” which garnered more than 500 signatures, and raising more than £100 in leaving presents on Bryan’s last journey.
Pupils and parents said that Bryan (pictured), who up until Easter had been driving the 206 route for nearly 12 years, had meant a great deal to them because of the kindness, care and respect he showed to the children travelling with him to school.
Nicolas Cook, 13, from Melbourne, who takes the 206 to school along with sisters Rosina and Victoria, said: “He was so kind, if he thought you were going to miss the bus he’d wait for you.”
Fellow passenger Ben Turnbull, 12, from Ticknall, added: “He would speak to you and he knew people’s names. He made you feel safe and happy.”
Ben’s mum Jayne, who has four children – all of whom travel to school on the bus – told how Bryan would get schoolchildren to contact their parents if they would be late home for any reason, such as hold-ups on the roads.
She said: “I was very hesitant about putting my children on the bus but having met Bryan it was apparent he really cared and he looked after them. He knew what we all went through of a morning as mothers – it was like sending them with an uncle.”
Harpurs has not carried on the contract to run the 206 and Viking Coaches has taken over the route.
School children rallied round to try to keep Bryan driving them to school after hearing the news. When they couldn’t keep him on the 206, they made him a leaving plate bearing his name which they gave him along with a rose bush and a champagne breakfast in Melbourne restaurant The Bay Tree.
Bryan is now driving the 205 bus which also ferries Melbourne schoolchildren to Chellaston School.
Speaking of his former route, he said: “They treated me with respect and I treated them with respect. I was really choked at the time when they gave me Easter eggs and a plate for me with my name and my bus on it.
“I came home with these presents and showed them to my wife – we couldn’t believe it.”
– Lucy StephensFRAMEWORK Knitters of the East Midlands was the subject when Jane Whitaker from the Local Studies Library gave a talk to Melbourne Civic Society. She gave a clear history of the important part that framework knitting had in the local economy of the East Midlands in the 19th century.
It started as a cottage indus-
try and evidence of long windows in upper storeys can still be seen in Blanchcroft.
Wool, silk or cotton were knitted in long strips on bulky wooden frames and then made into stockings, gloves and other clothing.
Its heyday as a cottage industry spanned the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The demand for its products declined after the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815 along with changing fashion.
Knitting then found its home in a factory setting.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 23, in Melbourne Assembly Rooms at 7.30pm when Lee Timmins will talk about Highwaymen.
l TICKNALL Garden Club held its biennial plant sale in the village hall on April 24. This is always a very popular event and, as usual, the members supplied a huge range of good quality plants for sale.
Pictured are (l-r): Barbara Presley, Sally Salt and Wendy Gale with Maureen King and Trisha Hill.
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CHILDREN’S favourites Peppa Pig and Olaf will be dropping into Aston-on-Trent next month as part of a charity fundraiser.
The family at Park View Farm are holding the event at Aston’s War Memorial Hall on June 4 to raise money for Macmillan
Cancer Support.
The charity fun day will include a tombola and raffle, plus cakes, cobs, hot and cold drinks, local stalls, live music and balloon modelling, together with special guests Peppa Pig and Olaf!
It is being held from 11am to 5pm.
to commemorate the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Sunday 5th June 2016
2.00pm until 5.00pm Borough Street - Castle Donington
Enjoy a fun filled afternoon with plenty of free entertainment for all the family.
● Competitions for Best Decorated Table
● Adult & Children’s Fancy Dress & much more.
Book your table & benches now - £10.00!
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Please book your table by 20th May 2016
IT is the time of year for many folk to visit Long Eaton to enjoy Melbourne Operatic Society’s Gilbert and Sullivan production, and this trip was certainly well worth it!
This year’s opera was Princess Ida, with its enduring theme: the battle of the sexes. Betrothed aged only one, the princess grows up as a staunch feminist, founding an all-women’s university where men are shunned.
The production was strengthened by a large and enthusiastic cast, with very strong performances from the principal characters. Gordon Fletcher as Hilderbrand, James Davies as a sneering King Gama, Helen Blatch as Humanities Professor, Lady Psyche, and Margaret Askam as the scheming Lady Blanche were all confident in their roles.
Some well-cast trios were especially enjoyable, with the “3Ms” – Mike Tebbut, Mike McGhee and Melvyn Edwards – playing Prince Hilarion and his two rascal friends; Jean Edwards, Gill
McGhee and Jenny Smith playing the girl graduates, and Paul Blackmore, Mike Cooper and Vaughan Saxby as the wonderfully resonant basses of King Gama’s sons Arac, Guron and Scynthius.
What came over abundantly clearly was the fun that this group has in putting together its performances.
A large production team including director Gary Askam, conductor David Henshaw, Susan Strong as costumes mistress, and front of house, all work together to create a production of very good quality which delights from curtain up. Adding a confident orchestra on the night brings the whole show together.
This production, in particular, showcased Rhia Fingerhut as a strong, confident female lead.
The society is always seeking new members to carry on its history of success going back to 1926, so if you are interested in joining, visit www.melbourneoperaticsociety.com. –Frank Hughes
THE directors at Melbourne Assembly Rooms have agreed a new long-term lease with South Derbyshire District Council. The original lease, signed when the community centre was taken over from the parish council, was due to run out this year.
Cultural Services Manager Malcolm Roseburgh said he was delighted to be able to renew the lease for a further seven years.
He said: “Since handover, MARS have done a fabulous job turning the centre into a vibrant, community centre, and we look forward to even greater improvements over the next seven years.”
In addition, approval has now been given for the works to improve the kitchen and lobby areas in the centre.
“We have now got both Listed Building Consent and building control agreement to do the works we are planning,” said Assembly Rooms chairman Phil Dobby.
“Although only internal changes are being made to the building, the process still needs to be adhered to because of its listed building status.”
It is planned for the works to take place in January and February next year and users will see much better facilities for the kitchen, bar and entrance lobby in a project costing around £100,000.
Unfortunately, on the nega-
tive side, there has been a spate of break-ins at the centre despite enhanced security levels. Most recently the thieves broke into the office to steal keys which were then used to access the public library.
They stole an empty till which they later disposed of nearby. Centre manager Andy Heafield said: “It is so frustrating – we are all trying to improve the facility, but a couple of individuals can cause damage which is costly to repair, whilst stealing nothing of any value.
“No money is kept on the premises, and we are now having to spend money, which we could have used elsewhere, on beefing up security even more.”
Most frustratingly, because of the pattern of thefts, it seems like it is young people from within our own community who are doing the damage, Mr Heafield alleged.
Pictured are Phil Dobby and treasurer Margaret Gildea signing the lease with Malcolm Roseburgh and James Houghton from SDDC.
–Frank Hughes
THE Melbourne couple threatened with deportation over an English test have thanked the local community for their help during their plight – and have even received support from the Queen herself.
Clive and Yvonne Karusseit, of Packhorse Road, said the strength of support from Melbourne has been “very humbling” and they are profoundly grateful.
Not only that, they also received a letter from Her Majesty after writing to Buckingham Palace about their situation.
The reply said the “feelings that prompted you to write as you did are understood” but the Queen was not able to
personally intervene, although she had asked for the letter to be forwarded direct to Home Secretary Theresa May.
As reported in last month’s Village Voice, Clive and Yvonne were told by Home Office officials they would be deported back to South Africa because they did not take an English test when applying for indefinite leave to stay in this country – despite having asked if they should do so and being told they would be informed should this be a requirement.
And, because they applied for the leave to stay within a month of their visas running out – in accordance with the rules – the fact that the Home Office then took four and a half months to reply meant their visas had expired and Clive was no longer able to go to his job as a highly qualified bid engineer.
That left the Karusseits in a serious predicament when it came to paying the bills, but they say they have received incredible support from the community in Melbourne and beyond.
Yvonne said: “Our washing machine blew up and some friends of ours bought us a brand new machine and had it delivered.
“We got a message on our support page from a couple we don’t know saying they’d read the story and really wanted to send us two weeks of groceries which were delivered to the door from Sains-
bury’s.”
Money and food have been donated by friends from Melbourne and Nottingham, anonymous donors and the Baptist Church where Clive and Yvonne are members.
“People are giving to us and we don’t know who they are a lot of the time,” said Yvonne.
“We find it very humbling because we have never been in this situation before. We don’t know how to say thank you –
l Clive and Yvonne Karusseit with Yvonne’s mum Eileen and some of the gifts and letters of support they have received, including (far left) the one from the Queen.
the support has been phenomenal.”
The Karusseits said they would also like to thank South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler, who is working to help them find a way through their problem.
You can sign a petition in support of the under threat couple at https://www.change.org/p/theresa-mayurgent-petition-grant-clive-and-yvonnekarusseit-indefinite-leave-to-stay-visas
It has so far attracted more than 6,000 signatures. –Lucy Stephens
A GARDENING talk organised by Recreation in Aston will be held on Sunday, May 22, at 2.15pm at the Recreation Centre.
Advice and helpful hints will be provided by three guest speakers, Keith Yates, chair of Rolls-Royce Moor Lane Produce Association; Graham Wale, secretary of the Produce Association; and Reg Dickinson, expert in rare plants.
ON Saturday, May 14, there will be a plant swap and sale in Milton Village Hall (10am-2pm). This is a great way to increase your stock of plants, and visitors are invited to take along their surplus plants (rooted cuttings/seedlings/divisions) and swap them for others for free. Bedding plants will be available for sale.
THE award-winning Helix Ensemble is visiting St Wystan's Church, Repton, this month with a concert directed from the violin by Clare Bhabra at 7.30pm.
The programme on Saturday, May 14, includes many wellknown tunes, with Finzi’s beautiful Romance, a short Symphony by Mendelssohn, folk songs including Greensleeves in St Paul's Suite by Holst, and Grieg's Holberg Suite.
Open Farm Sunday, 5th June Park Farm, Melbourne, DE73 8AB
We are opening the gates for National Open Farm Sunday for all to enjoy. Free entry and most activities are free. The day will include tractor and bus rides, welly wanging competition, farm walks with the Longhorns, “Name a Calf” competition, BBQ, sausage-making demonstrations, cattle and sheep washing workshops (scheduled times), tea and cakes, stalls, vintage tractor displays and much much more. Come
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MELBOURNE was ready to acknowledge t parish council having installed a number of fl Union Jacks and the flag of St George we Queen Elizabeth 11 on April 21 and for St Ge Pictured above are Dan Gale (Aspen Tree S bourne sextant) installing flags in the Marke The St George's Day celebrations started wi for the King’s Newton Social Group. They wer olyn and Kevin and everyone enjoyed Bucks Fi fast. Everyone also received a red rose and en Waving the flags at the Royal British Legion (top left) are Nicola Parker, Kay Day, Mark F Making a good start to the St George’s Day (left) are: Vicky and Jo Glaze, Monica Heath John Glaze.
AS reported in the April issue of the Village Voice, the recent writing competition organised by Melbourne Rotary Club was won by Millie Burns of Year 4. Her winning story (Wind in the Willows) is printed here.
SOON, lights started to flash, and a red carpet rolled out in front of them.
Just then, as if by magic, a beautiful mysterious figure appeared from the bushes. It was a kingfisher! A very posh one, to be exact! “Hello”, the figure exclaimed boastfully, “my name is Kelly the Kingfisher, and I am sure I will impress you with my elaborate dance moves! I call this one ‘the amazing Kingfisher . . .’ – oh, no need to do that one, ‘cause you’re looking right at it! HA HA
HA!”
Kelly laughed merrily, almost falling over. Meanwhile all the crowd (Ratty, Badger, Mole and Toad), had their jaws dropped beneath their chins! When the disco lights finally stopped flashing, the gang could then see what the kingfisher looked like. The self-confident figure had bright blue feathers with dashes of pink, a sunshine yellow beak, light hazel eyes, and a polka dot chest that looked like it had been painted! All in all, she was a marvellous sight.
A couple of hours later and Kelly had finished her designer house. It was pink on the outside and purple inside, with leopard print furniture. Feeling suspicious, Ratty was having a sneaky peek from the outside of the house, being careful not to get spotted. “I don’t know
what, but something is wron I can’t quite put my finger ously, scratching his head, on his face. Suddenly, Ratty I’m about to fall . . ‘SPLASH
Meanwhile, Kelly the K grand and impressive de thought of an idea! “That course! HA HA HA” Kelly clutching her chest as she w then, she flew up, up and swiftly as a flowing river. Sh lost family.
Two days later and the for two reasons: one, Toad
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two important dates in April, the lags around the centre of the town. ere flying for the 90th birthday of eorge’s Day on the 23rd. Surgery) and Robert Holman (Melt Place.
ith breakfast at the Hardinge Arms re made very welcome by hosts Carizz followed by a full English breaknjoyed the morning celebrations. n concert by Melbourne Town Band isher and Dave Urquhart. celebrations at the Hardinge Arms h, Phyllis Melen, Henry Heath and
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n WELL over 1,000 people lined the streets to watch 21 very special cars parade round Castle Donington’s historic town centre on Saturday, April 30.
The cars drive down in convoy from Donington Park race track, which hosts the Historic Car Festival every May Day Bank Holiday weekend. The roads are closed, which allows the drivers to do four or five laps of the centre in their impressive vehicles before parking up to allow closer inspection of them by members of the public.
This year the collection included racing cars all the way back to 1930s through to the 2000s. The cars do not race round the streets but one or two like to hold back every now and then to create the space for a quick and noisy acceleration, demonstrating a flavour of the power of their engines and absolutely
delighting those watching.
Many of the individual cars are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, one or two more than £1million and yet their owners are more than happy to let children like Alice Ryan (above), as well as some sheepish adults, climb in and pose for pictures.
This annual event, now in its third year, is hosted by Castle Donington Parish Council and organised with Donington Park and Historic Promotions.
ng with that Kingfisher, and on it?” quizzed Ratty curiwith a bemused expression y started to wobble! “Oh no! H!’. . . off!” screamed Ratty. ingfisher was cleaning her esigner house, when she ’s an epic idea, like me of y rattled on humourously, was laughing so much. Just away, out of her house, as he was going to find her long gang were getting worried, had picked up a new craze
for motorboats; and two, Kelly was gone! They all decided to go and look for her, apart from Toad (who was playing on his motorboat). So off they went. It took months and months of searching, through day and night, but one day, on the 31st of December, they finally found Kelly, and she was crying her heart out – she hadn’t found her family! “I’m not going back, you can’t make me!” screamed Kelly.
“Please come back home, Kelly! We want you to be a part of our gang” exclaimed Ratty. “So, are you coming?” squeaked Mole. “OK!” mumbled Kelly, turning around, and kindly she offered them a flight home through the winter snow.
On the 1st of January, on a bright sunny day, they arrived back at the river bank. But something was wrong – Kelly was still sad!
“Kelly, what’s the matter?” cried Mole.
“I think I know what’s wrong” muttered Badger glumly, “Kelly, are you an orphan?”
“How did you guess?” marvelled Kelly, shaken. “I knew it” piped Ratty, “and this is why you had no family photos in your house”.
“You’re right” sighed Kelly, “I am an orphan”
“Speaking of family, where’s Toad?” pondered Badger. “I’m over here,” Toad called, waving his arms radically. He had crashed his boat under a bridge! Clearly, he wasn’t bothered, because he was having a picnic. “This stupid boat crashed underneath the bridge,” he boomed. “I know, I’ll just have to get a bigger one . . . a faster one! Brrrrrrr . . .SPLASH!!”
“Ugh!” sighed Ratty, “will he EVER learn?”
n RAINBOWS, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section from across Melbourne, Aston and Weston attended an event entitled ‘B-Wowed’ at the Melbourne Scout and Guide HQ. There were 120 girls from all sections attending during the day, with 45 Guides sleeping over in the HQ, and over 30 leaders, young leaders and helpers on hand to run the very busy event.
Activities throughout the afternoon were based on a science, technology and engineering theme, spread across six zones Build, Bang, Bolt, Buzz, Being and Bubble.
Girls were able to make hot air balloons fly, create a rain cloud in a jar, build edible DNA and create exploding art, plus a whole lot
more.
Everyone then shared supper together with more than 150 portions of lasagne served. The Brownies and Guides later gathered around a fabulous camp fire to sing songs and keep warm.
A great time was had by all and the day evidenced the strength of the organisation and the opportunities available to girls within the local villages.
Girlguiding would love to hear from any adults who would like to join the leadership teams to enable them to continue to deliver events such as these.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Sarah Matthews on 07841 092367.
A PUBLIC meeting was convened in the Hollybush, Breedon, to inform the community about a controversial proposed housing development for 27 homes in North West Leicestershire.
The meeting was called by Andrew Large, the representative of the applicants, Staunton Harold Estate.
A large number of residents had attended following publicity by BRAND (Breedon Residents Against New Developments) on their website www.thebattleforbreedon.org and social media.
The purpose of the meeting was for the applicant to exhibit plans of the new development known as Lime Fields and for those affected to be able to ask any relevant questions. Leader of Leicestershire County Council, Cllr Nicholas Rushton opened the meeting on behalf of the applicant.
Peter Spencer, from Brand, said: “It is unfortunate the meeting was not held before the plans were submitted to give those affected by it an opportunity to air their views. As it was, those present were simply shown plans of 'how it will be’.”
He added: “Feelings were running high, as the applicant failed to satisfactorily answer a number of questions raised.”
Mr Spencer hoped that residents who opposed the scheme would “join those who have already submitted objections, by writing to NWLDC planning office”.
The campaigners report that in their own survey 35 have voted against the scheme and only one is for it. They have also appointed a specialist lawyer to represent their interests and continue to raise funds to fight the application.
The deadline for comments on the application has been extended until the end of June.
John Blunt, for the Staunton Harold Estate, said the meeting, which his wife Mrs Jacqueline Blunt attended, was to listen to the comments of local residents.
“We have clearly heard the comments of residents and particularly those who have houses close to the development. We will be looking into those with the architects to see how the impact might be mitigated.”
– Frank Hughesl MELBOURNE residents enjoyed an informative talk at the Senior Citizens’ Centre when Laura Doherty and Corrine LeHuquet, of solicitors Crane & Walton, spoke on the subject of ‘The Importance of Powers of Attorney and Wills’.
WESTON Scarecrows are back!
That’s the plan when the 15th annual scarecrow trail takes place on the weekend of June 18/19 between noon and 6pm. Over 40 sites will display scarecrows of all shapes and sizes – from politicians to film and TV characters and much more. Visitors can choose this
year’s best scarecrow to take over the title won by “The Scarecrow in the Hat” last year.
Light refreshments will be available in the village hall where the trail starts. Maps and quiz sheets will be available at the start.
Each year the proceeds of the trail are shared between the vil-
lage hall and a nominated charity. In 2015 a donation of £900 was made to the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal, This year funds raised will be shared equally between the hall and Cancer Research UK. For more information see the website at www.westonscarecrowtrail.co.uk
A TEAM of walkers are putting their best feet forward up one of Britain’s highest peaks to raise money and awareness of a little talked-about medical condition.
They are undertaking a fund-raising climb up Mount Snowdon in Wales in support of Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
All are backing team member Hannah Robbins, 26, from Melbourne, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 11.
Crohn’s Disease is a lifelong chronic condition that affects the digestive system. Despite around 115,000 sufferers in the UK, few are aware of the illness.
Hannah herself underwent surgery at the age of 17 and managing the condition means an onoff liquid diet for eight week periods. Sufferers can experience flare-ups without warning which necessitate sudden trips to the toilet.
Hannah, who is studying for PHD in biomedical science, said: “It’s quite a prominent illness and yet nobody talks about it. It would be good to have a little bit more awareness for sufferers to feel more confident when they go out and to be able to say I have problems and this is what it is.
“It’s all very embarrassing, it’s all very secretive, nobody’s very open about it. I think that’s one of the problems. As I’ve got older I don’t worry so much, but when I was younger I didn’t like going out. I hated going out with my friends; going to school was a challenge because if I needed to go to the toilet it was very embarrassing.”
Hannah said she was keen to help publicise Crohn’s because, although sufferers look perfectly healthy on the outside, they live with a very stressful condition which causes a lot of anxiety
and fatigue.
A particular problem for people with the illness is using public disabled toilets which they are perfectly entitled to do despite lacking outward signs that anything is wrong.
Hannah said: “Things like using disabled toilets … it’s the comments you get because I walk out as a perfectly able person. I have had a little bit of abuse thrown at me in the past and certainly when I was younger that was hard to deal with.”
As for the climb up Snowdon, the motivation for Hannah is to face her fears, since long walks in the open are also problematic.
She said: “I enjoy exercise and fitness but it’s one thing I struggle with because of having fatigue all the time. For me, from a physical point of view, walking is a real battle because I can’t walk that fast to a toilet and that brings on real anxiety, which is another reason why I wanted to do it; I believe in facing your fears.”
Hannah and her climbers, The Robbins Ramblers, are climbing Snowdon on May 28.
Anyone who would like to donate to the fundraising effort should log on to https://www.justgiving.com/Hannah-Robbins
- Lucy StephensON Sunday, June 5, the public can look forward to visiting Milton Open Gardens.
A diverse range of approximately 12 gardens will be open to the public (1-6pm), from small cottage gardens
to larger landscapes.
The event is easily accessible with most of the gardens being along the single Main Street of Milton where free parking is available. A further group of gardens are located at The
CONNIE Hallam, the oldest resident of Castle Donington, gave her heartfelt thanks for the afternoon tea provided for the senior citizens by the Rotary Club.
Connie (below), who is 100, said it was a good afternoon for a chat with old friends, that all present had enjoyed it and she hoped everyone would be there for next year’s party.
Waterworks, a short drive from the centre of the village where free parking is also available.
Refreshments will be available in the village hall, and plants will be available for sale.
Forty-two were at the church hall to enjoy the sandwiches and cakes supplemented by a never-ending supply of tea
The Volunteer Centre’s minibus was used to collect people from Castle Donington and Kegworth whilst volunteer drivers brought in people from Weston on Trent, Shardlow and Diseworth.
May
fayre
THE Aston Parish Church May Fayre will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the memorial hall.
l Hannah Robbins (pictured centre) with (l-r) Laura Statham, Claire Statham, Bev Sawyer; and (back row) Pip Coates (Hannah’s mum), Phil Coates and Sally Harding.
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THE Anthony Nolan Trust’s catchy question, “Are you fit to spit?”, is aimed at finding people who are willing to donate their stem cells to save a life.
One young Melbourne man who answered the call has recently been found as a match and is encouraging others to do the same.
Rhys Williams, now an undergraduate student in Nottingham, signed up for the register following a talk at Chellaston School two years ago.
“I signed up for the register because it was really simple and there was a potential that I could save someone’s life,” he said.
Helen Rafferty, from the Anthony Nolan Trust, explained that their role is to match patients suffering with blood cancer with potential donors.
“We need about 10 things to match up in order for the transplant of cells to work fully, and after we have identified a match we then contact the registered donor to confirm they are willing to proceed.
“The patient normally undergoes a course of treatment before the transplant, and while that is proceeding we arrange for the donor to have an injection to promote the production of stem cells in the body.”
Rhys (pictured) said he attended the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. “The process was really simple. They put a needle in each arm and then I got to laze around for about five hours … for two days running! After it was all done I could carry on as normal, with a bit of a bruised
arm, and was back in the pub with my friends the next day.”
But the recipient of the donation will remain a mystery, unless the patient decides to contact the donor, which is permitted after a period of two years.
It is a worldwide matching scheme, too, so the recipient could quite literally be anywhere in the world.
“There is a very good level of success after the treatment with around half of the patients surviving after five years. We are also investing in technology to find what factors influence that survival rate to see if it can be improved further,” Helen added.
“Our target is very much young men, like Rhys, as you need to be fit, healthy and free from any negative factors.
“Experts believe they give patients the best outcomes. But right now chaps make up just 12% of our register. And that’s why ‘real men’ is exactly what we need.”
If you fit the bill, and you are inspired to follow Rhys’s example visit www.anthonynolan.org where you can find out more and register online. There is every chance you will save a life.
THE Melbourne Parish Church Garden Fête will take place on May 21 in the Rectory Garden from 2-4pm. In addition to a host of stalls, visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of the pool from the gardens whilst having tea and cakes on the lawn.
A rare “behind the scenes” event at Calke:
Friday 13 May 7pm – 9pm
As part of ‘Museums at night’ we are opening the Stableyards. Let us take you behind the scenes, peep round corners and see the Stableyards in a different light. Families especially welcome but no dogs in the upstairs part of the Stableyards. See website for further details.
First Thursday of the month - 2pm
Join one of the Calke Rangers for a detailed look at different aspects of the Estate. In June, come and see our limestone flower meadows and in July discover the orchids of the Limeyards.
Saturday 16 July to Sunday 4 September
Every day for the whole of the school summer holidays is a carefree outdoor play adventure at Calke Abbey. You can enjoy our woodland play area – Calke Explore – with a play zone, creative zone and nature area. Or head up to the Garden of Imagination inside the walled kitchen garden to enjoy lazy grasses, creative play areas, deckchairs and ice cream!
Membership of the National Trust is a fantastic way to support the conservation work at Calke – in the House and Gardens as well as our internationally important protected parkland. And unlimited access for one year too.
Call into the Ticket Office for information.
Calke Abbey opening times:
Restaurant & Shop: Daily 10am - 5pm Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am - 7.30pm, dusk if earlier House and Gardens: Open seven days a week
www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey
telephone 01332 863822
@NTCalkeAbbey
THE A Choir’d Taste spring concerts on May 13 and 14 at Melbourne Assembly Rooms will be the last opportunity to hear talented pianist, Haruka Yamamoto play in Melbourne as she will be returning to Japan in July.
Haruka, who has delighted Melbourne audiences with her virtuoso solos and lively accompaniment of the choir, came to Derby in 2010 at the age of 13,
and has won a number of prestigious prizes including first place for five consecutive years in the Derby Arts Festival Piano competition.
She recently achieved the diploma level of Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM).
Haruka plays the trombone, violin and flute, achieving grade 8 for flute. She will also be playing for Prince Edward this month.
l ASTON on Trent Neighbourhood Watch’s AGM was also the celebration of 25 years of the organisation in the village.
Chairman Barrie Evans is pictured cutting a cake to celebrate the anniversary with a group of co-ordinators whose help is very much appreciated.
IT is described as one of the world’s greatest motoring adventures, with a route of 8,500 miles across 11 countries and some stunning and rough terrain.
It is one of the longest and toughest historic endurance car rallies – the Peking to Paris Rally. And, on June 12, Melbourne man Mike Heywood and his American companion, Marc Buchanon (pictured), will be lining up at the Great Wall of China for the start.
Their car, Number 53 –a 1967 Ford Mustang –will then be driven from Peking to Erenhot in China, across Mongolia and the Gobi Desert from east to west; 11
days driving across Russia, into Belorussia, on into Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and France, arriving on the Champs Elysees in Paris 36 days later.
It is a “drive in the tracks of history” because, in 1907, early motoring pioneers set out on the very first Peking to Paris rally. It is, without doubt, one of the toughest endurance tests for classic cars.
A hundred cars are now listed participants, with the oldest, not far off its centenary itself, a 1917 La France tourer car. Eleven men, driving five cars started the event in 1907, including the Italian aristocrat Prince Borghese, behind the wheel of the winning Itala.
Mike is using the challenge to raise funds for a charity which is very close to his heart. He said: “For this challenge, I have set up a sponsorship page to raise funds for children affected by HIV at the SOS Children’s Village in Bindura, Zimbabwe.
“This established and respected organisation aims to alleviate hardship and maintain family stability so that displaced children in the region will have a safe, protected and loving home to grow up in.
“I have visited the village and seen first-hand the wonderful work the SOS mothers do in pro-
PASSENGER figures have increased for the fourth consecutive month at East Midlands Airport, demonstrating an upward movement in growth of 5.2% on the first quarter of 2015.
EMA now serves more than 80 destinations worldwide including several new routes.
Andy Cliffe, the airport’s managing director, said: “We’ve had a strong start to 2016 and it’s great to see that growth in passenger numbers has remained consistent over the last four months. As we head in to the summer season, we are confident that our passenger numbers will only continue to grow.”
Cargo tonnage handled during March this year, also rose by 5.5% year on year to 28,700 tonnes.
THE bellringers at Melbourne Parish Church joined in the celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday.
viding guidance on income-generating skills and counselling, as well as psychological support where it is urgently needed.”
Mike, who has a flamboyant personal history, including fleeing aged two with his mother to South Africa and later joining the Rhodesian SAS, is now a recognised author, under the name of Michael Anthony. He donates the proceeds from his novels to the charity.
You can follow his progress on the exciting journey and donate to support the charity by visiting www.justgiving.com/pekingtoparis2016
– Frank Hughes
A quarter peal was rung of plain bob triples – the first plain bob triples quarter for ringers Jenny Halliday and Richard Brooke.
There will be further ringing on Sunday, June 12, between noon and 2pm when all the bells across the country have been invited to ring at the same time as the Patron's Lunch.
The governors of Melbourne Infant School are looking to appoint a Clerk to the governors from September 2016. For more information please see the Derbyshire Job Sheet or call into Melbourne Infant School from Thursday 5th May onwards to collect a pack. Past experience would be desirable.
The Melbourne Sporting Partnership (MSP) is in an exciting phase of development with the imminent completion of our new stateof-the-art pavilion/clubhouse at Cockshut Lane, Melbourne. This will deliver a top class sporting facility for rugby, football, cricket and tennis together with a magni cent new function room.
We are now looking to recruit two positions:
OPERATIONS MANAGER- PART/TIME up to 25 Hours/week
This varied and developing position will be responsible for co-ordinating and managing all aspects of the clubhouse and sporting facility. The role is key to the success of the venue, engaging with existing and potential users to identify and develop revenue streams whilst ensuring smooth running of the site. An open and friendly approach is essential for this role and whilst bar operations/cellar management experience is preferred, training will be available.
CLUBHOUSE ADMINISTRATOR- PART/TIME up to 10 hours/week
Responsible for the facility bookings, nancial administration and payroll. Sage experience would be bene cial.
COMPETITIVE SALARIES OFFERED
Please visit www.melbournesportingpartnership.org to view the job descriptions. Applications should be made in writing, together with CV, to: Steve Hollingsworth, MSP Operations Committee, Limeyards Stables, 136 Main Street, Ticknall, Derbys DE73 7JZ
Applications close 20 May 2016. The MSP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the successful applicant will be expected to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The MSP is an equal opportunities employer.
The Moor, Coleorton, Leicestershire LE67 8GB
Book now for FATHER’S DAY
Sunday 19th June
Open all day - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - serving food New menu available.
Tel: 01530 834742
n RECREATION in Aston held its annual yard sale and, despite dreadful weather forecasts, they were delighted that the conditions were cold but fine and dry.
Forty-six 'yards' took place in the event with three venues for refreshments.
RIA chairman Barbara James said: “This is
a wonderful, easy way of re-cycling your unwanted items. It gives people a great excuse to clear out their garages and spring clean while also getting rid of what might be extra clutter."
The food and drink stall at the yard sale proved very popular.
WORK has already begun planning for this year’s Melbourne Arts Festival in September.
The team of organisers, led by festival director Sharon Brown, are working away behind the scenes, planning events, sifting through a vast number of applications from artists wanting to go on the trail, seeking out venues and booking concerts, in readiness for the autumn event.
“But before any of that,” said Sharon “we have the re-launch of our annual Open Art Exhibition on May 28/29.”
This year’s exhibition, taking place at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, will feature work by approximately 50 professional and amateur artists. There is also an art café featuring prints and 3d work by Melbourne Festival artists alongside the tea and cakes.
The exhibition helps to raise funds to pay for “the extras” on the Festival weekend.
All of the work will be for sale and the winning
artist will be offered a space on the Art and Architecture Trail in September.
The 2014 Open Exhibition Award was given to Duncan Pass for his linocut print ‘Zoomies’. Entries for the competition are being accepted up until closing date on May 13. For more information, visit www.melbournefestival.co.uk
This year’s festival trail weekend will be on September 17-18.
The intention is to have a “Wind in the Willows” theme for children, and the Belper Festival Players have been booked to bring their new play ‘Boleyn’, which covers the final days of her life, to Melbourne on September 24. Entries for the emerging talent competition have also been sifted with a shortlist of 16 being selected for this year’s exhibition.
As ever, more volunteers and more hosts in the centre of the village are being sought, so if you are interested in getting involved contact Sharon by email at melbfest-sharon@live.co.uk.
To try and reduce the amount of clinical time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice is now o ering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception.
note, we cannot o er this service unless a consent form has been completed.
with our Soft Furnishing Service
Home Measuring Service
Call in and see our huge range of blinds (including Venetian, Vertical, Roman and Pleated) together with our fantastic selection of wallpaper
IT WAS probably the longest walk ever back to the pavilion …
After being bowled out of the Lord’s cricket ground in London, six plucky fund-raisers tramped the 127 miles back to their home ground at Elvaston.
The six had all signed up for a fund-raising marathon called the Lord’s Big Walk from the Grace Gates at the famous MCC ground to the Golden Gates, at the entrance to Elvaston Castle, to raise funds for the club and for favourite charities.
The six-a-side team comprised Andy Heafield (60) chairman of the club, three cricketers at the club – Gareth Charlesworth, (26), Jack Johnson (19) and Nick Briars (35) – Jack’s dad, Matt Johnson (46 and former cricketer Simon Wellings (51).
“We were given a great send-off from Lord’s,” said Andy Heafield. “Former England player Mike Gatting gave us a tour of the ground, signed shirts for us, told us jokes and stories and then, with one lap of the boundary completed, waved us on our way. That was definitely the highlight of the trip, as it was very hard going after that.”
The journey was then about 25 miles every day for five days through Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Leicester and Coalville before getting back to a big reception from a good crowd of supporters at the cricket ground.
So far the group has netted £8,000 in sponsorship for the club’s building development fund, and for Heart Link, Meningitis Now and Nottingham
SPRING is in the air – when it isn’t snowing –which tells us the time is now to put your entries in for this year’s Melbourne Fete and Carnival. Organisers of the 2016 summer bonanza want to hear from those who would like to put their entry into the traditional procession which starts off proceedings on Saturday, July 9.
ON the evening of Wednesday, April 13, I attended Melbourne Parish Church to hear a talk by Professor David Thomas, eminent theologian and lecturer of Christianity and Islam at Birmingham University.
David is well known to local churchgoers as one of the Preachers in the Parish benefice.
The talk, the concept of Griselda Kerr, attracted a large number of people and was an excellent event presented by the Friends of Melbourne Parish Church with Gordon Hughes as the esteemed Master of Ceremonies.
The talk, entitled British and Muslim; Community Living or Parallel Lives, gave an excellent insight into how complex religion and culture can be in all communities today. It also highlighted
similarities in individuals whose beliefs are Islam and Christianity and their diverse interpretation of the readings’ of the Koran and the Bible.
So much so, that following his talk, Professor Thomas invited questions that generated a very good varied audience response and considering he had no prior knowledge of their content, he dealt with them very well.
Following the talk, the ‘Friends’ provided very tasty refreshments creating a very positive ‘buzz’ in the church as discussions continued in smaller informal groups.
My sincere thanks to all involved for a very informative and thought-provoking presentation superbly delivered by Professor David Thomas. Colin Barker. Melbourne.
SWIFTS are arguably the most amazing birds to be found nesting in Melbourne. They rely on the small gaps in the roof space of Victorian houses to nest.
will not land again until they arrive back to the same nest site eight months later, feeding and sleeping on the wing as they roam around above central Africa.
Hospitals Charity – three favoured charities which are very relevant to members of the club.
“We had done the 24-hour walk around the boundary last year and we wanted to do something even bigger, although I only stepped in at the last minute when one of the intended walkers dropped out,” said Andy.
“The back-up team of Martin Harrold and Dave Lillie were fantastic too, organising bookings, food, pick-ups etc.”
Andy said that towards the end he didn’t know he could walk so slowly without stopping. But he had to continue walking – ironically to the A&E walk-in centre with his diagnosed ‘trench foot’.
Pictured (l-r) are Jack Johnson, Gareth Charlesworth, Andy Heafield, Nick Briars, Simon Wellings and Matt Johnson.
That means floats, walkers, pram-pushers, skaters, bikers, stilt-walkers and all those who can think of any other innovative propulsion methods are asked to get in touch with committee members Gemma Holden and Bex Stead (see contact details below).
To get your imaginative juices flowing, the
Without these, the wonderful screaming parties you see around your heads as you walk up Victoria Street or along Commerce Street will be gone.
Numbers are declining because their access holes often get blocked up when buildings are renovated or roofs are repaired. This is particularly disastrous if the repair work occurs whilst they are nesting between May and August, as nests and chicks are sealed in.
Swifts are clean and do no damage to buildings. Their nests are tiny and constructed of materials collected in flight.
Once they leave their nests in Melbourne, they
LETTERS
theme for this year is “Once Upon a Time…”
Businesses who would like to be advertised in the carnival’s directory – which doubles as the entry ticket – should contact Alison Staley.
This year’s carnival will feature lots of competitions including cake baking and decorating, vegetable growing, children’s story writing, chil-
If you know where swifts are nesting in Melbourne then please let me know. If you are having work done to your roof or eaves and are worried about nesting swifts, avoid work in the nesting season (May to August) and contact me, as Derbyshire Ornithological Society may be able to provide you with a swift nesting box or a ‘swift brick’, which allows swifts to nest after repair work has been done.
If you are interested, I will be going on a ‘swift walk’ to watch the screaming parties around Melbourne on Sunday evenings in July. You can contact me on 07908 025121.
Richard Winspeardren’s shield design, tug of war and the traditional shop window competition for which Melbourne’s businesses have shown great enthusiasm and creativity in previous years.
To get in touch with the carnival committee, all details are on the website: www.melbournecarnival.co.uk
MINIBUS TIMETABLE - MAY - JUNE 2016
For further
please contact the Community Care O ce (863585).
I would like to thank my family, friends and neighbours for the many cards, messages of sympathy and flowers received on the sad loss of my son, Wayne. Thank you for the kindness and support shown to me through this difficult time.
A
Loving you always.
Doh,
NOTICE
Morella Chilton of Melbourne passed away at the Royal Derby Hospital, May 4, 2016.
Cremation will be at Bretby Crematorium on Tuesday May 17 at 2.15pm.
Whether you are a current Tennis or Netball player, or both, used to play, or want to give either game a go, then the 3 new, all weather, floodlit courts at the Melbourne Community Sports Ground, at Cockshut Lane, will soon be ready for you.
Come and hear how you/your family can become involved at an Open Public Meeting, in the Lounge of the Melbourne Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, 24th May, 2016, at 7.15pm to 8.45pm
Representatives of the Melbourne Sporting Partnership and the SDDC's Sports and Health Service will be in attendance to explain the possibilities and opportunities this stunning new development offers to adults and young people in our local community and to answer your questions.'
KINGS Newton Bowls Club held the annual Quintin Blood Trophy competition in April when a large group of members and friends gathered for an afternoon of bowls and good food and drink.
After some closely fought matches and surprising results the final saw Alan Bradley and Mike Blatch up against Rob Philipson and Henry Hastings.
The format for the final was a seven end shoot-out which ended in a tie and a further three-end decider from which Rob and Henry (pictured) were victorious. A presentation to the winners and runners-up was made by Sheila Blood, mother of Quintin.
THE playing season for Aston & Weston Bowls Club started on April 3 with the green looking in very good condition. The club has already hosted the first friendly match against Hazelwood and the Wednesday doubles league matches are also underway.
Sunday, May 22, has been identified as the date for the club’s open day when people are invited to visit and try their hand at bowling.
Club playing days are Sunday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm and Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6pm.
The club will reach its 10th anniversary this year and there will be celebrations to mark the occasion over the weekend of August 13/14.
For any club information contact Ann Watkins on 792516 or Clive Brett on 792822.
OOOHla la – Castle Donington celebrated a quarter of a century of friendly football rivalry when more than 100 French visitors came over for an annual sporting extravaganza.
Castle Donington has been twinned with the French town of
Gasny for more than 30 years and this year marked the 25th that Castle Donington’s Football Club and the Union Sportive de Gasny have celebrated a sporting partnership.
Two coach loads of visitors from Gasny with a grand total of 104 players plus parents and other supporters arrived in Castle Donington’s Market Place to an emotional crowd of cheering local residents bearing flags, banners and bunting.
And, to mark this year’s important anniversary, five Gasny visitors had cycled the whole 525km distance between the
two towns in order to raise money for a girl in their home town suffering from Joubert syndrome.
Castle Donington FC chairman Adrian Boyd said the event had grown to “become the highlight of our social calendar”.
The festivities included a day out at Drayton Manor and a race night before the two clubs went to Derby’s iPro stadium to watch Derby take on Bolton.
The two teams then played each other in Nottingham with the French side carrying off the evening adult match.
Adrian said: “The reason this exchange works so well is because we have such good people involved in the club, planning and meeting up to make it work. Just as important to its success are the families that open up their houses and hospitality to host our visitors.”
This month the Castle Donington club will travel back to Gasny as the 25th anniversary celebrations continue. Anyone interested in getting involved with the club and the exchange is asked to make contact using the website: www.castledoningtonfc.co.uk
THE Royal Yacht Association Push the Boat Out event is back. The nationwide ‘have-a-go’ at sailing festival gives all-comers the chance to get on the water and is taking place from Saturday, May 14, to Sunday, May 22.
In the local area, Burton Sailing Club at Foremark Reservoir will be holding its annual open day on May 14 (10am-4pm) as part of the event. It will be offering sailing taster sessions with the club’s experienced sailors and instructors in dinghies/keelboats, as well as windsurfing taster sessions and powerboat rides. For more informa-
tion, email enquiries@burtonsailingclub.co.uk.
Staunton Harold Sailing Club near Melbourne will be holding its event on Sunday, May 22 (11am-3pm). You will be able to experience a taste of sailing, 30 minutes with an expert sailor for just £5 each.
Pre booking is required through the website http://www.shsc.org.uk/15124
Swarkestone Sailing Club will also be holding its grand day of taster sessions on May 22.
For more information you should email enquiries@swarkestonesc.co.uk
Thursdays 9.30am and 7pm
Assembly Rooms, High Street
Call Toni: 07794 118214
Tuesdays 5pm and 7pm, St Edwards Church Hall
Wednesdays 9.15am
Soldiers and Sailors Club
Call Gill: 07979 722631
The
Melbourne, Derby DE73 8HU Telephone: 01332 862744
Margaret Pipes, nee Hastings, died tragically 50 years ago this month aged 22 years. Beloved wife of the late Gerard, mother of David, daughter of the late Fred and Isa. page in the book of memories is gently turned today. Never forgotten. Henry and Val.
MELBOURNE Rugby Club finished their season strongly with the first XV taking bonus point wins from the last two league games.
Melbourne travelled to Mansfield, who were fighting for league survival and provided a stern test. Chris Stark, Jacob Watts (2) and Andy Martin all scored tries, with Euan Holden converting two.
Dan Walker and Morris Hall received yellow cards and Devon Iliffe was awarded man of the match.
The final game saw Market Bosworth arrive at a wet, sunny, muddy and ‘hailstorm’ affected Cockshut Lane. The first XV were using the changing rooms for the last time and had some nostalgic moments before the game. The visitors refused to play on the main pitch, finally agreeing to play on the council pitch which had had the water pumped off by Alex Burton. The match ball was sponsored by Heaths.
Melbourne started superbly with three tries in the first 20 minutes. First Dan Walker, then Will Judge and finally Jacob Watts scored, to see Melbourne take a 17-0 lead. MB closed the gap for a 17-7 half-time score.
Theo De Vies scored his first try of the season in his last game after a fine handling move in-
TABLE tennis is breaking new ground at Aston on Trent with the news that an application for two tables and equipment has been successful. This news will support the formation of a new club.
The tables are part of the successful bid of South Derbyshire Village games and SDDC to the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
To help get things started, some members from Draycott Table Tennis Club have offered to go along to Aston and hold starter sessions. Look out for signs around the village for more details.
Three other villages in South Derbyshire will also benefit from Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative with the installation of outdoor tables planned for the near future at Church Gresley’s Maurice Lea Memorial Park, Overseal Recreation Ground and Hilton Recreation Ground in Peacroft Lane.
volving, Foster, Page and Walker. Holden slotted a penalty.
MB fought back strongly towards the end for a final score of 27-21. MOTM was Olly Page.
The team finished a creditable seventh in the table after a very difficult start. Two more points would have seen a fifth place finish.
The Stags finished with three Pennant games, winning all convincingly – Mansfield 61-7, Mellish 62-5 and Rolls-Royce 86-0 – to finish the season as Pennant winners.
The team was settled for the last few games and featured a mixture of brawn, experience and youth, playing a brand of fast rugby in improving conditions and all pulled together by their energetic manager Dave Lowson.
MELBOURNE DYNAMO FC had a very busy month of April as they tried to catch up on a backlog of fixtures.
They began with a 2-0 away win against Matlock CFA with Dave Brough and Ben Dale securing the victory.
Dynamo soon came back down to earth as they suffered a 6-1 thrashing away to Derby Singh Brothers with Lee Scott getting the consolation goal.
The same team then beat Melbourne in the junior cup semi-final. A 1-0 win for Singh Brothers took them to the final.
Greg Salisbury's men got back to winning ways with a 4-2 home win over Newhall United
Reserves with goals from Toby Foxon, Niall Worrall, Ben Stanley and Dave Brough earning the three points.
This was followed by a 4-1 away win at Wirksworth Town Reserves with Ben Stanley on the scoresheet again along with a rare Vinny Hallifield strike. Tom Colclough and Jack Goodband completed the scoring.
Dynamo ended the month in fourth place in the table as a strong Rowsley Reserves beat them 5–1 with Colclough getting what turned out to be nothing more than a consolation.
DYNAMO COLTS completed their first ever season ending up in a creditable seventh place.
A 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Borowash
n MEMBERS of Melbourne RFC's Minxes have now recovered from their recent end of season tour to Somerset. During the tour they were lucky to have been coached by Bristol and Welsh prop Caryl Thomas followed by meeting England Ladies captain Sarah Hunter for a Q&A session.
The girls then enjoyed a further surprise when all 30 of them were invited to form the guard of honour (pictured left) at the Bath ground for both the Bath and Saracens teams.
Vics Reserves saw consolation goals from Conor Poynton and Oliver Williamson.
This was soon forgotten as Mick Poynton's men beat 2bm Pumas 7-3 away from home with Williamson and Poynton scoring again to add to a Jack Scothern brace and strikes by Ngila Odari, Finlay Charles and Nathan Ceiley.
Dynamo ended their campaign with a 3-2 away loss at Heanor Town Juniors with Toby McCabe taking his tally to 25 goals for the season – a remarkable total bearing in mind he missed half the season with a broken ankle. The match saw Melbourne play most of the second half with just nine men as injuries saw them have three players taken off.
FOR the new season there is a new venue for the Melbourne Darts League.
The league has previously been successful running at The Lamb but, with an uncertain future, an alternative venue has been established by organisers Lee Smith and Robert Hatton. The Alma is the new home for the league with games played on Monday nights, the first match starting at 8pm.
Nearly all the players from the previous league have signed up and there are sev-
eral new players to make a total of 12. It is hoped that this will ensure this season is just as competitive.
Neil Jones will be looking to defend his league title with the second and third place players, Tony Gee and Robert Hatton, going all out to steal it.
RH Motors are sponsoring the scorer and board surround again.
Pictured at the Alma are (l-r) Matt Higginson, Ashley Medhurst, Lee Smith, Robert Hatton, Neil Jones and Tony Gee.
IT was a sunny Saturday morning in April as a hush of expectation descended over the Cockshut Lane AGP – Leicester City, leaders of the Premier League, were coming to town.
The champions elect brought their under 11 girls Academy team to play Don Miller’s Melbourne United under 10s (pictured).
The Academy had heard great things about the new facilities at Cockshut Lane and wanted to bring three teams but unfortunately the logistics didn’t work out – maybe next season.
In a well-contested game, and not just because the home side had twice as many players, Melbourne’s under 10s ran out on top.
The head of Leicester City Girls Academy was impressed with the ability and playing style of Melbourne and the fantastic spirit in which the game was played.
Nobody can take the memory away from the under 10s that they have
played against the Premier League Champions … another example of the great strides Melbourne United is making as a club, and very timely given the recent addition of dedicated girls training at the club.
As the season starts to draw to a close there is still the under 11s team in semifinal action against Field Lane. Hopefully they can bring additional silverware to the league title already gained by the under 15s.
Looking back, it has been another successful year for the club both on and off the pitch and all are looking forward to building on that success in the future.
The soccer school will run throughout summer, so any new players looking to start on their football journey should get in touch with the club and come along on a Saturday morning.
The website has all team manager contact details on it www.melbourneunited.org so if you want to know more, get in touch with the relevant manager.
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MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club has made a superb start to the season with the first team winning both league games convincingly to top the table.
They began away at Hilton and, despite the Arctic conditions, they stuck to their task as opening bowlers Alex Slater (4-27) and Matt Briers (4-45) did the damage to bowl the hosts out for just 140.
Opening batsmen Andy Potts (36) and Faren Price (29) took Town close as they ended up winning by six wickets.
The following week, a strong Rolleston 2nds were bowled out for just 97 by Slater's men, Faren Price doing most of the damage with his first ever five-wicket haul (5-24). He was ably supported by Briers (3-28), with Potts (32) and Price (24) taking Melbourne close to their target and once again winning by six wickets to top division four at this early stage.
Dan Marshall's 2nd XI also started in destructive style, winning their first league game by an amazing 202 runs at home to Abbots Bromley 2nds after posting a daunting 249-6 batting first.
New signing Izzy Anjilliath hit a brisk 84 with veteran Mark Hirons smashing 44 not out at the end after openers Simon Fletcher (38) and Paul Scrimshaw (28) had laid the foundations.
Opening bowler Marc Towell then destroyed Bromley's top order with 5-16 as Hirons with 2-22 supported well to see the Seconds also top of the league after one game.
Melbourne Town Thirds entertained a very strong Yoxhall 1st team in their only league game of the month. They were beaten by 141 runs as the away side scored 197-9 off their allotted overs batting first.
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New vice-captain Andy Holden took a career best 7-64 to stem the flow of Yoxhall runs. Town struggled in reply as they were shot out for just 56 by a very good bowling attack with only Ashley Ellwell (24 off an amazing 82 balls) standing firm.
n The cricket club is looking for support for its first ever MTCC Legends vs Chairman’s Select Xl charity match at the Cockshut Lane ground on Sunday, June 5. With the fun starting from around midday, there will be a bar, BBQ, bouncy castle plus other entertainment for families to enjoy. Entrance is free.
Any past players wishing to get involved should contact Alex Slater 07966933583 or legends captain Steve Price 07971970779.