Melbourne Village Voice October 2014

SURGERY CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE

New homes putting pressure on services

“WE are full up!” says Melbourne Surgery, which is consulting with South Derbyshire District Council and local developers to try to cope with the additional demand for medical services from new homes being built.

In a letter to the planning officer at South Derbyshire District Council the practice manager, Annette Jennison, writes: “We are unable to place more GPs in our current premises in order to meet any additional demand.

“As Melbourne Surgery is the only practice in Melbourne, any increased population would need to travel to our branch site in Chellaston for primary care services, or register at a neighbouring practice in Castle Donington or Chellaston”.

Melbourne’s surgery list has grown by nearly 12% in the last 10 years, compared to national population growth of just over 7% and a growth in the county of a little over 4%. This is apparently due to housing developments, such as that on Station Road; the spikes in the growth correlate very closely with new developments coming on stream.

Melbourne Surgery was purposebuilt in 1995 to include in-house com-

by FRANK HUGHES

munity health services. In addition to the community service rooms, there are three GP consulting rooms, one nurse practitioner consulting room, one practice nurse consulting room and one treatment room.

As a rural facility Melbourne Surgery also provides in-house community health services (physiotherapy; phlebotomy; chiropody; baby clinics and midwifery services), which are normally provided at Derby hospitals.

“Our facilities are simply not adequate,” says the practice manager. Applying the national GP to patient ratio (1:1700) the current practice needs four whole-time GPs; a nurse practitioner, a practice nurse and a healthcare worker.

“There is not the room to accommodate these additional needs in the existing building. The practice manager reiterates, “We need two extra GP consulting rooms – one to meet current demands and at least one more to allow extra capacity for the proposed housing developments.”

Currently many patients are being forced to access primary care services at the Chellaston branch.

Problems with recruiting GPs to rural surgeries are also bound to impact on the provision of services even if additional facilities can be provided.

ABOVE: Savoury crepes went down well with visitors to the Castle House Food Festival during Melbourne Festival Trail weekend.

RIGHT: Sue Younger, of sponsors Western Power, is pictured (centre) with Alice (Georgina Williams), White Rabbit (Imogen Ferry) and the Mad Hatter (Daniel David Webber).

Three-page Festival review starts on Page 11

Remembering the war heroes –Page 2

Town gets a new pub –Page 9

Rowing into record books –Page 15

First days at school –Pages 16,17

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Villages remember the men they sent to war

THOUSANDS of volunteer hours, painstaking re-enactments, and detailed historical records – they all went into creating highly moving and evocative First World War commemorations in two South Derbyshire villages, one of which has been dubbed Britain’s most patriotic.

Last month Aston-on-Trent and Barrow-upon-Trent held memorial events to honour local men who went to fight in the Great War a hundred years ago.

All Saints’ Church in Aston was packed full as the invited guests gathered to remember those from Aston and Weston who joined up as war broke out in September, 1914.

Local school children dressed in period dress to perform a re-enactment of how the war affected the local community. The village also put on a special exhibition which gave a fascinating insight into life during the First World War – both at home and, complete with a scale model of a trench, including a rat, in the fields of France.

Several hundred people gathered in the rain opposite the war memorial in Barrow-upon-Trent for a special rededication by The Duke of Devonshire, marking 100 years since war broke out.

Known as Britain’s most patriotic village, Barrow had been awarded its cross in 1916 because of the high number of men it sent to war – it’s thought, more in proportion to its size, than any parish in the country.

As part of the ceremony there were songs from the period, poetry readings, a bugler from the Royal Horse Artillery and period tableaux performed by children from Sale and Davys Primary School. The assembled gathering included several descendants of those named on the cross.

The audience also heard how HRH Prince Harry had been invited to attend the occasion, but had declined due to other commit-

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MELBOURNE

KINGS NEWTON

TICKNALL

INGLEBY

FOREMARK

MILTON

LOUNT

STANTON-BY-BRIDGE

SWARKESTONE

WILSON

STAUNTON HAROLD

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WESTON-ON-TRENT

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ELVASTON

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AMBASTON

BARROW-ON-TRENT

BREEDON

FINDERN

SMISBY

ments. The Prince sent a letter saying how interested he was to hear about the event and that he was “reluctantly” unable to come.

As he re-dedicated the Memorial Cross, The Duke of Devonshire – whose ancestor performed the original unveiling in 1916 – told the crowd: “When my great-grandfather unveiled this beautiful memorial, he said the people of Barrow would cherish this memorial and their children and their children’s children will look upon it

with pride, as a record of Barrow’s achievement.

“I do not think that he could possibly have known how completely and utterly his prediction would have been fulfilled.

“How utterly appropriate it is that we should meet here today for this service, this re-dedication. Today, in this wonderful village, this commemoration is all about community, it’s all about what the people of Barrow have done many years ago and, perhaps even more strongly, what the people of Barrow are doing today.”

– Lucy Stephens

PICTURED at the Aston on Trent Local History Group World War One Centennial Commemoration Project exhibition are (l-r) John Lawson (chair Aston and Weston RBL branch veterans), Anne Page, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire William Tucker, Jill Tucker, Bernard Page (county chairman Royal British Legion) and Bob Read (Aston on Trent local history group).

l Distinguished guests at the War Memorial and (below) children from Sale and Davys School prepare for the tableaux.

POPPY APPEAL GIVEN A CASH BOOSTER

MELBOURNE Historical Research Group made a donation to the RBL Poppy Appeal at the Melbourne branch meeting.

The cheque for £225 was the result of donations made by visitors to the MHRG WWI exhibition held at Melbourne Assembly Rooms in August.

During the course of the Bank Holiday weekend a constant flow of visitors took the opportunity to visit the presentation of Melbourne and the First World War.

The exhibition included the current results of research, not only into the local people who died during the conflict, but also those who served, and illustrated some aspects of life in the village at that time. Over 400 men – more than 20% of the whole male population – served in the armed forces at home and abroad, with others, both men and women, involved in war work at home.

The exhibition was well received and the group was praised for the dedication and effort of its members in putting the exhibition together, in particular to Adrian Earp for his contribution and energy.

Pictured at the Melbourne RBL Club are (l-r) Kevin Iliffe, David Worrall, Arthur Baxter, Andy Boardman, Gordon Foddy, Richard Simpson, Richard Heath and Rev Dr Mark Powell.

Vote for new playground

LOCAL people are being asked for their support for an all-natural new children’s playground in Melbourne.

The team at Whistlewood Common has won through to the voting round after applying for a £500 grant for the project from Skipton Building Society.

Now the group needs as many people as possible to register their vote to see the playground go ahead.

The proposal is for a free children’s area including a living willow tepee to be used as a natural playhouse, complete with mock campfire and metal cooking pans; a further “bedroom” willow dome area with hammocks; willow tunnels for children to explore and a giant willow dragon’s head at the entrance.

To register your vote, visit http://www.skiptongrg.co.uk/apply-for-funding/whos-applying/eastmidlands/whistlewood-common-limited/

You can also pass on the details to friends and family to give Whistlewood the best possible chance of winning the money.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Area Transition – the group which kickstarted the acquisition of Whistlewood – is inviting local residents to go along to a free talk on the history of food produc-

Helen’s ice bucket ordeal

AS she had promised, Helen Hall, of Breedon on the Hill WI, undertook the Ice Bucket Challenge raising money for Macmillan.

The event was at the Breedon Macmillan Coffee Morning organised by Roddy Lott with many of the local WI members helping out.

Claire Philipson gleefully tipped the chilled water over Helen to loud cheers from those watching – who then had to pay up! Fabulous cakes, good coffee, a fabulous raffle, as well as several ‘guess the weight’ competitions and generous donations raised an incredible £1,200.

17 potter street, MeLBoUrNe DerBYsHIre De73 1DW

n VILLAGERS and stallholders mingle outside All Saints’ Church at the annual medieval market in Aston-on-Trent.

The event is organised by Loral and Steve Aynsley together with Ken and Ann Adams. Ken acts as the village town crier, heralding the market opening for which King Henry III granted permission to hold every fortnight. Nowadays it is held only once a year to commemorate the event.

Ann Adams, along with other members of the PCC, provide tea and biscuits. The town crier put out a plea to all villagers requesting that anyone who might know the whereabouts of the original village cross, which used to be located by the three lamps in the centre of the village, to let him know.

tion in and around Melbourne, featuring rabbits on the common, pigeons in lofts, and, of course, the town’s well documented history of market gardening.

The talk is being given by Philip Heath at 7.45pm on Wednesday, October 15, at the Senior Citizens’ Centre in Melbourne. It comes straight after Whistlewood Common’s Annual General Meeting which is being held at 7pm – all shareholders welcome.

Lastly, a walk is being organised in Ticknall for anyone who would like to see one of Melbourne Area Transition’s latest projects: the National Trust Orchard at Southwood Farm.

The transition group has taken over the management of the orchard and walkers will be able to pick some fruit while looking at the beautiful ancient walled garden, which includes holes for bee skeps.

The walk is leaving from the Staff of Life in Ticknall at 1.30pm on Saturday, October 18.

It should take about half an hour each way and families are welcome, with participants being invited to wear bright colours so they look good in the photographs.

You have been warned.

– Lucy Stephens

Rotary club’s tombola

MELBOURNE Rotary Club raised £384 over the Arts Festival weekend with their very popular tombola, in the Market Place.

The club’s president for the year, Margaret Sharp, has chosen Fragile X as her preferred charity, for research into the genetic disorder of that name.

The tombola takings will go to boost their funds. Fragile X can result in learning difficulties, and particularly speech impairment, mainly in boys.

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FARMING is a very strange business and if any sensible businessman or woman saw a balance sheet on paper they would mostly say ‘you must be joking’.

Let me explain. Most crop farmers are racing around sowing the seeds to grow crops for harvest in late summer, autumn 2015, nearly a year ahead.

We have little idea what prices we are going to receive, only forward quotes from buyers which, if these turn out to be actuals, will result in very small profits.

Cereal and protein prices have fallen by around 30% in the last six months and selling product at the moment, despite the easy harvest and good yields, looks decidedly unpalatable. Some input costs have reduced but not enough to make up the loss. So why do we do it? As a friend of mine says “because we always have”. Is this a good enough reason?

Our milk income is following just the same path. In March this year we had reached, due

to a shortage in supplies, 33 pence a litre. Yesterday we received a letter from the buyer to say from November 1, the price would be 27.1 pence - nearly a 20 per cent reduction in seven months.

The reason given is market conditions, which generally means once one buyer starts to reduce what it is paying, the rest tend to follow suit. Global conditions is also a reason but this is rather hollow as nearly 90% of our production is used domestically, with the rest made into cheese and butter, little of which is exported.

I was disturbed to see in a local superstore yesterday that a famous spreadable butter had risen in price considerably. Consumers should be asking why this is happening.

n The dry September broke all records for 50 years, and I have to say it was so good to be out of doors in it. Rain is badly needed for newly sown crops but please don’t make it a record the other way!

A mountain to climb

BROTHERS-in-law George Dunnicliff and Jeremy Butler are on their way to Tanzania to try to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.

In preparation for this huge challenge, the pair have been in training, climbing and trekking both on Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

George and Jeremy are funding their own expedition and are undertaking it each for their chosen charity. George is fund-raising for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. This charity is very close to George’s family.

“My brother, John Dunnicliff, lost the fight to this awful disease at the tender age of six and in more recent years my cousin has also suffered with this disease,” said George.

Jeremy’s chosen charity is the British Heart Foundation: “I’ve chosen this charity because members from both sides of my family have suffered from heart problems.”

The British Heart Foundation funds research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease. Their pioneering research and discovery of vital treatments has helped to transform the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions and has changed the face of the UK’s fight against heart disease.

Although funding their challenge themselves they would be delighted to attract sponsorship for their chosen charities.

They have a joint Just Giving web sponsorship link should anyone wish to make a donation:

http://www.justgiving.com/teams/kilimanjaro-gd-jb

Alternatively, sponsorship forms are available at Melbourne News in the Market Place. George and Jeremy are pictured in training for their Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge.

Change in footpath route

THE very popular path towards Breedon, that branches off the footpath from Melbourne Pool to Burney Lane, has been restored to its definitive route by Derbyshire County Council Rights of Way department.

Melbourne Footpaths Group has installed a post for the county council to show the correct route towards Paddock Pool and Gorse Covert.

A spokesman for the group asks that walkers use the restored route as the old route was never a legal right of way.

MELBOURNE’S mixed voice A Choir’d Taste used their autumn concert to introduce their newest recruit, piano accompanist Haruka Yamamoto. She is a student at Derby High School, and takes over from Richard Allen, who returns to his mathematics studies at university. She is hoping for a career in music, either teaching or performing, and showed her ability with an astonishing rendition of Schubert’s Impromptu in E flat major.

Pictured are (l-r): Richard Allen, Haruka Yamamoto and musical director Paul Marshall.

War exhibition

CHELLASTON History Group presents a free exhibition about the First World War on Saturday, October 18, in St Peter’s Church Hall, Chellaston, 10-30am to 4pm.

Cliff Housley, archivist of the Sherwood Foresters, will attend to supply information on relatives.

Flooding investigations are still underway

REPORTS presented by County Cllr Linda Chilton and District Councillor John Harrison updated the council on a range of topics that they have been pursuing.

With regard to the flooding in the town earlier in the summer, investigations are still underway, with Severn Trent still to submit a report. A meeting has been arranged to discuss progress and the way forward. South Derbyshire District Council has been invited to suspend consideration of all planning applications for the building of more than 10 houses until the flooding issues are resolved.

The subject of overweight vehicles using Swarkestone Causeway was discussed at the area forum and requests were made for cameras at both ends of the causeway to be installed to replace previous cameras that had been vandalised. A request was made by Cllr Nigel Collyer to introduce signage on the M42 at the Ashby junction to warn drivers that there is a weight restriction on the route to Derby and redirect them back on to the M42.

Cllr Chilton will liaise with North West Leicestershire District Council about this matter.

With regard to current housing developments for Melbourne and Kings Newton, Cllr Chilton has responded to a Derbyshire County Council request to identify concerns and she has highlighted highways and schooling amongst others.

Cllr Harrison said that ''in the absence of an approved Local Plan, the National Planning Policy (NPPF). Paragraph 49, requires that if a district council cannot confirm with certainty that it has granted a five years' supply of housing then it must grant all planning applications unless there are sound planning grounds for refusal. This has given rise to a rash of applications from speculative developers such as those we're seeing in Melbourne''.

Cllrs Harrison and Hewlett have, therefore, called on the Government to grant a temporary derogation from para 49, across the whole country, particularly where a council has lodged its Local Plan with the Planning Inspectorate, like South Derbyshire, but is awaiting a response.

Following on from the request to the council by a member of the public to formulate a Neighbourhood Plan, the parish council has agreed to set up a working party chaired by Cllr Jane Carroll. She will work in conjunction with a group of local residents that have already started the ball rolling

TOM MILLS reports from the October meeting of Melbourne Parish

following the recent public meeting. The residents group has held one meeting and another is planned for October 23.

The parish council is reviewing the preferred location for the defibrillator that it has purchased. With the understanding that it will be very easy to use the machine – operators at the end of a 999 call will talk anyone through the use of the defibrillator – the council has arranged for some free training on general first aid and the use of the defibrillator.

This will be carried out by the East Midlands Ambulance Service at Melbourne Assembly Rooms. There are 12 places available for volunteers. Any Melbourne resident interested in taking part in the training should contact the Parish Clerk, Jacqui Storer, via email: melbourneclerk@aol.com

Places on the course will be based on a first come, first served basis. The date for the training is the afternoon of Wednesday, November 12.

What was once Melbourne’s Late Night Shopping event will now be called Melbourne at Christmas. It will be on a smaller scale this year and organised by the parish council.

Arrangements to finalise everything are ongoing but already Santa has agreed to visit and the Town Band will entertain. The date for the event is December 5.

The police representatives present at the meeting were requested to provide appropriate cover for the Wakes week, Hallowe’en, Bonfire night and the Melbourne at Christmas events.

The planning applications discussed by the council were passed with no objections other than the re-application for 68 houses on Kings Newton Lane. The council believe that its objections to the initial application are still valid as there are no changes in the new application that addressed its initial objections.

n PROPOSALS to build 68 homes in Melbourne and to convert a former pub into living accommodation are back on planners’ desks.

The original plans by Persimmon Homes to put a housing development on Kings Newton Lane were sent to the district council in May – but nearby residents last month received a letter saying consultation had been briefly re-opened because the proposals had been “amended”.

An application to convert The Packhorse pub has now been resubmitted – but this time the proposal is to convert the former watering hole into one home rather than two.

THERE was success for Dame Catherine Harpur’s School at the Rolls-Royce Design Challenge event, which is open to all Derbyshire primary schools.

Two groups from the Ticknall school attended the design challenge at Ripley Junior School when all the groups had to design and build a siege engine and test it out on the day.

Dame Catherine’s won the judges’ prize for the ‘Best Design’ and also first prize for the best poster.

Pictured at the event with a Rolls-Royce staff officer (l-r) are: Eden Bates McIntyre, Myla Parsons Smith, Alex Hill and Joe Haughton.

TWO public meetings are being held in South Derbyshire villages to tackle anger over planning issues. South Derbyshire District Council’s chief executive will meet members of Aston-on-Trent and Elvaston communities in an attempt to resolve issues. Aston-on-Trent’s public meeting is being held at the Heritage Centre on Shardlow Road at 7pm on Wednesday, October 22. Elvaston’s is to be held at Elvaston Village Hall on Monday, November 10 at 7.30pm.

JACK’S CAFE HOPING TO SERVE UP A PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE

JACK’S Café in Melbourne is feeling on top of the world after being named a finalist in the prestigious Derby Food and Drink awards.

Now in their sixth year, the awards recognise the best local eateries and Jack’s is one of only three places in the whole of Derbyshire named in the “Best Out of Town” category.

The awards will be handed out at a ceremony in Derby’s The Roundhouse on October 20.

Jack’s was bought by mother and daughter Jackie Ford and Sarah Best in May 2011 from previous owners Pumpkins, and opened in August of that year after extensive redecoration.

Owning a café was a new venture for both of them: Jackie had a small cake business and had worked for 20 years as a hospital theatre nurse

while Sarah was a grocery manager for Sainsbury’s.

Jackie said: “When Sarah was little she always played tea shops and she was going to have a café. I came home one day and said ‘there’s a cafe for sale in Melbourne’.”

Sarah added: “I’d always said if I ever win the lottery I’d love a little tea-room – that was my

dream.”

Now the café has gone from strength to strength with a full menu and 10 people working there.

Much of the baking is now done by Jackie’s husband, Tom, and there’s lots of

local produce on the menu, with fruit and veg from Bill Sharp’s Melbourne market garden,

meat from Wayne Spiers butchers and eggs from Betty’s Farm at Willington.

“Derbyshire is fantastic for food and drink products; there are so many artisan food and drink producers out there,” said Sarah.

“We’re so spoiled in Derbyshire for food suppliers.”

The mum and daughter team say they love being café owners in Melbourne. “It’s fantastic. I love it,” said Sarah.

“Melbourne has got such a community spirit to it; we’ve got so many regulars.”

The other two nominees in the Best Out of Town category are The Dragon pub at Willington and The Dovecote at Morley Hayes.

– Lucy Stephens

Housing meeting attracts 200

IT WAS standing room only at a packed meeting in Melbourne’s Assembly Rooms held to discuss local housing developments.

The public meeting was arranged to give people a chance to find out more about how many homes developers are proposing around Melbourne and Kings Newton, and what impact that could have on the local community.

Around 200 people turned up to the Melbourne Room on the evening of September 22 to hear a range of speakers, before being given a chance to ask questions and air views.

The meeting was so full that many people squeezed in to stand round the room and there were even some audience members queuing up to listen at the doorways.

Meeting chairman Jess Long, from Kings Newton Residents’ Association, summed up the mood when she opened proceedings by telling the audience: “We do know that you have got strong views – the fact that you have chosen to come here on a Monday evening shows how strongly you care.”

The meeting followed a series of planning applications this year from developers keen to build in Melbourne, including Persimmon Homes who want to put up 68 houses on Kings Newton Lane; Linden Homes who have proposals for 120 on Jawbone Lane and In-

vestin Homes who want to build a further 69, also on Jawbone Lane.

The audience heard that, together with the 150 homes already built in Melbourne since 2008, the total number of housing applications would – if granted – create more than 700 homes in the two villages, an increase of between 25 and 30 per cent. That would be a much faster rate of change than Melbourne has seen over the last 45 years, with 610 new houses built over that time, around 130 per decade.

The meeting’s organisers arranged concerns over the possible impact of so much extra housing into five categories: health, education, traffic, drains and the village’s character.

Melbourne resident Mair Aitkenhead urged support for a Neighbourhood Plan – a new power given to communities under the Localism Act which enables them to have a say in planning local developments.

One village in Buckinghamshire has been able to use the law to bring down planned local development from 2,000 homes to 450.

As has been reported in The Village Voice, South Derbyshire needs to build 13,454 houses by 2028 – although land for all but 1,000 of these has already been earmarked in areas not including Melbourne and Kings Newton.

After the meeting organisers said they were “delighted” so many had come along and said next steps would include setting up specific groups to create “accurate facts and powerful arguments” to help protect against too much extra housing.

You can get in touch with the group either through the Facebook page: Melbourne and Kings Newton Residents, or via a special new website: melbourneandkingsnewtonresidents.org.uk or by writing to Jess Long at 10 Trent Lane, Kings Newton, DE73 8BT. – Lucy Stephens

Owners Jackie Ford and Sarah Best with part of their team, Tony Ford, Emma Stanley and Vickie Croake.

Open air service to remember

ONCE again the Melbourne Royal British Legion will hold an open air service at the Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

RBL branch secretary David Worrall stated that all problems encountered at the first outdoor service in 2012 regarding arrival of the parade at the Memorial and the start of the service were resolved last year.

The Service of Remembrance will remain an outdoor occasion for the foreseeable future.

The parade will muster on Sunday, November 9, at the RBL Club in Derby Road, at 11.20am.

The parade route is: Derby Road, Church Street, leading to the Parish Church.

There will be a designated area specifically for the public to enable the parade to enter safely into Church Square.

Any individual wishing to lay a wreath should contact David Worrall on 01332 863547 as soon as possible.

If you are laying a wreath, please be aware that the wreaths will be laid ‘in order’ and that you will need to be positioned accordingly.

The Service of Remembrance will begin at approximately 11.45am, after which the parade will return to the RBL Legion via Castle Square, Potter Street and Derby Road for an informal concert given by Melbourne Town Band.

Road closures may take place, and a rehearsal regarding procedure for the open-air service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday, November 8, in Church Square and anyone who intends to take part, or who wishes to know more about the parade, is invited to attend.

On Tuesday, November 11, Armistice Day, a short service will take place at 10.55am at the Memorial, Church Square, Melbourne, allowing the Two Minutes Silence to fall at 11am.

l TICKNALL Women's Institute held its annual country market at the village hall. Members are seen taking up their positions prior to opening the doors to the many visitors keen to sample the cakes on offer.

Young musician’s charity fund-raiser

CHRIS Hill, Melbourne Young Musician 2013, and guest performer at this year’s Melbourne Young Musician, has raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, QMC Children's Cancer Unit and Cancer Research by organising and performing in concert at the Beldham Hall, Repton.

Chris, aged just 16, from East Leake, is a music scholar at Loughborough Grammar School. He is no stranger to fund-raising, having raised money in the past for various young people’s chari-

ties, by performing in concerts playing flute, piccolo, sax and singing.

Since being awarded Melbourne YMOTY he has gone on to achieve much more. He plays nine instruments in total.

Chris organised the concert to raise funds for the Young People’s Cancer charities, with the theme of ‘young people supporting other young people’.

He invited others who took part in the BBC Young Musician Category finals and auditions plus friends to join him. The Ken-

nah Mason family and Avishka Endresinghe gave their outstanding talents and time to help support and raise money for such wonderful causes.

Chris took Melbourne to his heart, having been made so welcome and having had a wonderful year as Melbourne's Young Musician, and would like to thank those who gave him this wonderful opportunity.

He hopes that, although he is no longer eligible to take part, he will be able to return to perform one day.

Moore-ish chocolates

IT is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a girl to star in a picture with James Bond!

That is exactly what happened to the latest Bond girls, Dianne Holling and Kate Jackaman (pictured) when Sir Roger Moore popped into the home of BitterSweet Chocolates in Breedon-on-the-hill.

Sir Roger and his wife had been touring the country doing a book signing of his latest issue Last Man Standing and were on their way back from York.

Fancying a spot of lunch, his Michelin Guide directed him to the Three Horseshoes, where the chocolate counter is a feature as soon as you walk in the restaurant

After lunch he sampled the truffles with his coffee and he was hooked, so decided to stock up with a selection of BitterSweet’s products, a particular favourite being the Summer Fruit bar!

Clearly, BitterSweet chocolates are very Moore-ish! FH

Sainsbury’s on the way

MELBOURNE’S former Budgens store has finally shut its doors to pave the way for a new Sainsbury’s Local.

The news – advertised by means of a notice in the shop window in September – is confirmation of months of rumours and speculation.

A statement from Sainsbury’s said that Budgens owners, Richard and Julie Baker, had decided to sell the shop due to retirement.

The couple said: “Making the decision to retire has been a difficult one as we have thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of Melbourne and would like to thank everyone for all their support over the years.

“We’re pleased that Sainsbury’s has decided to take over the store to continue to provide a convenient food store for local residents.

“We have a fantastic team working

with us at the store and, importantly, all will be offered the chance to transfer to work for Sainsbury’s in the new store.”

As Budgens prepared to close for the last time local shoppers got used to seeing the shelves grow emptier as supplies gradually dwindled. The shop is expected to be shut for around two months, but Sainsbury’s is putting on a free bus service to ferry shoppers to its Swadincote branch.

Paul Sellers, regional acquisition manager for Sainsbury’s, said: “We are aware that not everyone has a car, and many people would use the Budgens store for their regular shop. We want to ensure people can still get their shopping done, and so are putting on the free bus to our Swadlincote store while we are refitting the Budgens store as a Sainsbury’s Local. We hope people find it convenient,

and we look forward to welcoming them to our store.”

The advent of Sainsbury’s to Derby Road will be a new chapter in the history of the site, which was formerly home to the Trent Bus Garage and Melbourne Engineering. Sainsbury’s say they will be putting planning applications into South Derbyshire District Council to make alterations to the store and will also be applying for an alcohol licence.

Another change is likely to be the opening hours: while Budgens has been open until 8pm from Monday to Saturday, typical hours for a Sainsbury’s Local are 7am till 11pm.

As part of their campaign to open in Melbourne the retailer wrote to more than 500 local residents in neighbouring streets outlining their proposals. The letter said that plans to open in Melbourne had been

brought forward after the Bakers said they were planning to retire. It also said that the store would “nominate a local charity to benefit from fund-raising and volunteering activities of its colleagues”.

Mr Sellers said: “We believe this is an excellent opportunity to bring a new Sainsbury’s Local to South Derbyshire, helping to protect jobs and making sure that an important building in Melbourne remains a prominent part of the local retail offer.”

The bus service will run three times on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from outside the former Budgens. Outbound times: 10am, 11am and midday; return times: 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm. The service will run until December 3 and the new Sainsbury’s is due to open shortly afterwards.

–Lucy Stephens

WI’s annual Sunday lunch

STAUNTON Harold Women’s Institute held its annual Sunday lunch in the garden of Colin and Anne-Louise Sharp on what proved to be the windiest and wettest Sunday morning of the summer.

Despite the dreadful start to the day the decision was taken to ‘go for it’ and members and guests turned out, some dressed more suitably for attending Glastonbury than a garden in Kings Newton.

The weather improved, justifying the decision to go ahead and lunch and the afternoon was enjoyed by all those attending with most people staying dry. The lovely food was provided and served by the committee members. Thanks to Colin and Anne-Louise for being the perfect hosts.

The annual summer trip was a visit to the Black Country where members and friends enjoyed an evening coach journey to Halfpenny Green Vineyard located in a stunning scenic valley close to Wolverhampton.

Committee members are pictured on duty at the Sunday lunch held in Kings Newton.

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New pub opens doors

THE MUCH awaited addition to Melbourne’s social venues, The Chip and Pin, opened its doors for business on Tuesday October 7.

With a couple of preview events a lucky few were able to get a glimpse of the new micro-pub.

Selling a range of cask beers the expectation is that it will appeal mainly to those who appreciate real ales, with ‘cellarman’ Dave Carpenter tasked with sourcing from microbreweries across the country. But with a range of wines, fruit beers and ciders it is hoped it will have wide appeal.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome guests at last,” said James Cripps, who previously ran the Alma pub. The décor, the fit-

out and the personal service at tables will be a different experience for many customers, and the emphasis is clearly on friendly chat and banter rather than the TV or the jukebox.

Opening hours will be limited, and customers will be asked to respect the conditions imposed on running a bar in a more residential surrounding. But, given the decline in the pub industry in recent years, it could become a welcome addition for the village to have a new venture on the doorstep and provide a new use for the old HSBC bank.

Pictured with customers are (l-r) David Carpenter, Elaine Chadwick and James Cripps. FH

Wood you believe it - he’s world champ

THE East Midlands has a new world champion … and he’s from Melbourne. Peter Wood has been crowned world champion chair bodger!

Peter, chair-maker, green wood-worker and teacher of traditional woodland crafts, has won the world Log to Leg race at the Association of Professional Foresters’ biannual trade fair held at Ragley Estate.

With heats on the first two days of the show, the final was held in front of a large cheering crowd. Competitors have to race to complete a matching pair of chair legs starting with a freshly felled log of ash. The wood is cleaved (split) to the right size, then roughly shaped using a traditional drawknife before the billets are set on the pole lathe (a foot powered lathe) and turned into a matching pair of chair legs.

Peter’s winning time was 7 minutes and 27 seconds and he was awarded the trophy, a wooden mazer (a wooden drinking vessel) turned on a pole lathe by the 2012 winner Dave Jackson.

The race is held to commemorate the chair bodgers, highly skilled craftsmen who used a foot powered pole lathe to turn chair legs for the Windsor chair-making industry. They would turn up to 150 chair legs a day to satisfy the booming chair-making trade.

Peter is a professional chair-maker who uses traditional methods to make his Windsor chairs. In 2000 he set up Greenwood Days, a centre for teaching traditional crafts. The centre is set in the middle of beautiful mature woodland on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border in the National Forest. Here you can learn the skills to become a champion bodger, basket maker, longbow maker and chair-maker on one of his many courses. He teaches beginners to experts, young and old, these different skills.

Peter can be contacted on 07946 163860.

Society’s World War One talk

Rotary’s Uganda success story

OVER the past seven years, the Rotary Club of Melbourne has been supporting a village called Bucence, in South West Uganda, a remote region sandwiched between Rwanda and The Congo.

Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, is 11 hours away by road, and the nearest town three hours away.

Canon Ken Berken, originally from Coleorton, but now a member of Hythe Rotary Club, in Kent, has been working in Africa for 30 years, the last 12 in the Bucence area, and he is Melbourne’s direct contact there. He is a recognised community leader for Bucence, and can be relied on to ensure that all money raised, and donated, is actually channelled into the most beneficial projects for the village.

Kate Dumelow, past president of Melbourne Rotary Club, visited Uganda in 2007, with Ken, to see for herself what conditions were like for the villagers, and was appalled at what she saw – not even a water supply, and no facilities of any sort, with illness and

disease rampant, and little children deserted, or orphaned, and left to fend for themselves.

She returned determined to do something positive to help. Starting with a water supply; the club financed two large water tanks, to collect rainwater, and provide the village’s first running water. Kate actually returned to Uganda to officially hand over the water tanks to the village.

The next step was to build a “safe house”, where homeless children could find shelter. It also operates as a school, though there are no teachers or organised learning, and a clinic, though there are no doctors. Two local girls are currently learning the basics of medical care and hygiene. Alongside this safe house is a farm compound housing goats, provided by the Melbourne Club, with a local herdsman who is educating the villagers in the basics of animal husbandry; they now have milk and meat, and are learning how to select which animals should be kept for breeding, and which to take to market.

In 2012, The Bishop of North Kigese, (which includes Bucence village), came to Melbourne with his wife, staying as guests of Kate, and visiting both the Rotary Club and Melbourne Primary School. Bishop Patrick and Mama Eva were excellent company, and were clearly grateful for all the help their diocese had received from Melbourne. Large quantities of outgrown school uniforms have been collected over the years, and the familiar blue shirts and sweaters are now to be seen all over that corner of Uganda!

Over the years, the Rotary Club has raised £12,000 for Bucence, helping to create a life-saving transformation of the village for the local people.

The project is on-going, and a large extension to the original safe house now needs a roof, (incidentally providing a further source of fresh, clean rainwater); much of the cost will be covered by further donations from the Rotary clubs of Melbourne and Hythe, and Kate can be well satisfied that her efforts have proved so successful.

Why put BT box here?

MELBOURNE Civic So-

ciety is extremely unhappy about the insensitive installation of a BT broadband cabinet on Potter Street in a central location in the Conservation Area.

Chairman Brian Budd said: “We want superfast broadband in the town but why put the cabinet in front of the Co-operative pharmacy when it would have looked so much better situated a few metres up the road close to an existing box. It now ruins the view of the refaced pharmacy and is a trip hazard for pedestrians and pram users on the narrow stretch of pavement here.”

South Derbyshire District Council claims that it is powerless to prevent BT installing these boxes anywhere in the conservation area as the current government has recently given BT carteblanche to put them where they want without even applying for planning permission.

The civic society intends to raise this matter with elected representatives and BT itself as there have been cases where the company has moved boxes due to public disquiet.

COFFEE MORNING FUND-RAISERS

A MACMILLAN Coffee Morning held in Breedon raised a substantial £1,209. A similar event held at the Hardinge Arms raised £535.17.

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As the face of our business (you’ll be the first person our members see and hear when they walk into the club) you will need to engage, motivate and support our members as well as fulfilling your daily responsibilities. You will greet members upon arrival, answer the telephone and emails as well as execute excellent administration skills.

We are looking for a self-motivated, energetic individual with experience in customer service driven environments. You need to be a strong communicator that thrives within a fast paced role; you will also need to be friendly and approachable and be used to dealing with complaints politely and efficiently. As well as having an excellent telephone manner you will need to be able to efficiently take bookings, handle enquiries and assist with club paperwork.

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l Kate Dumelow, past president of Melbourne Rotary Club, with children in Bucence, Uganda.

l Civic Society chairman Brian Budd inspects the BT box.

10 out of 10 for Festival No.10

IT’S official! The 10th Melbourne Festival was a roaring success, according to organiser Sharon Brown.

She said: “My thanks go out to all of the community for making it such a fun weekend. It is a great credit to everyone involved, even more so as 90% of the work is done by volunteers.”

Being lucky with good weather, it was a recordbreaking year on “The Trail”, with 230 more guides sold than ever before. Students from Chellaston Academy sold over 1,000 trail guides, earning themselves a nice bonus of £500 for their Uganda Fund.

The quality of art work on the Trail was exceptionally high and the sculptures along Penn Lane proved particularly popular. The exhibit in the parish church looked stunning, the open exhibit was fabulous and the exhibition of work by young artists in the emerging talent award at St Michael’s House was highly commended by all visitors.

With entries from all over the East Midlands, the winner and runner-up selected by the judges were both ex-Chellaston Academy pupils.

The music at the three ‘busk stops’ was really popular and the food festival and food court were both busy, taking up the overflow from local cafés, restaurants and pubs, which were packed.

The theme “Melbourne through the Looking Glass” in pursuit of Alice, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit were particularly popular with young families. The vicarage garden was transformed into Alice’s garden with giant, talking flowers, flamingo croquet, giant chess, tea sets and character cut-outs. The Mad Hatters Parade attracted over 100 children decked in a stunning array of hats, many designed at the workshops with Jo Rost.

The festival consistently brings thousands of visitors to Melbourne each year, boosting business income, and providing an opportunity for all charities to fund-raise. Groups like the school parent associations, Community Care, and churches all raised funds; Treetops benefited from the Tea with Jane Austen event; Ashby Rotary sold tickets for Rainbows Hospice; Melbourne Rotary raised £500 for the Fragile X charity, and the Air Ambulance collected much needed funds. Local businesses reported being busy – several had their busiest weekend ever –and Melbourne was seen at its best by thousands of out-of-town visitors.

Just as importantly, though, the profits from the whole weekend, and from events throughout the year are all ploughed back to maintain the

festival on what is a knife-edge budget!

Sharon said: “It looks like we are financially secure for another year and, hopefully, we can fund the emerging talent award again. There are lots of costs associated with putting on the event, but we try to minimise these and support local businesses wherever we possibly can.

“Sponsorship also plays a vital part and we owe huge thanks to all major sponsors including Western Power Distribution.”

Inevitably, there were some niggles, especially with traffic and parking. However, providing parking at Melbourne School worked well and raised funds for the parents association. Suggestions have been made for opening up a field or sports ground for parking next year.

The village’s congratulations should go to Sharon and the whole team involved for another well-run trail weekend and the three-week concert programme.

With a slightly smaller festival concert programme this year, all events were sell-outs. Miss 600 opened the concerts, the comedy night saw three great comedians headlined by Phil Walker; Graham Breeze and Toby Wilson, supported by Robin Tymm, provided a great evening of acoustic folk and country music. A genteel style “Afternoon Tea with Jane Austin”, with lace tablecloths and bone china and sandwiches from Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms and scones and cakes from Jack’s was well received.

The Festival closed with two workshops. Melbourne Operatic hosted a light-hearted “Come and Sing” Gilbert & Sullivan at the Catholic church while Mig Holder at the Senior Citizens Centre encouraged everyone to get out their sewing machine or needles and thread to “upcycle” old clothes this winter in a Make Do and Mend!

Emerging talent is rewarded

MELBOURNE Festival was pleased to make the first emerging talent award during the Art & Architecture Trail weekend. It is hoped it will become an annual prestigious competition.

The award aims to encourage young artists (aged 17 to 25) to become engaged with the festival so that the festival supports the widest possible age range.

With over 50 entries received, a shortlist of 18 young artists were asked to submit finished pieces. Of those, 11 put work into the final exhibition with a varied range of interpretations of the theme, Expanding Horizons. The competition was opened to fine art, photography, textiles and mixed media and some high quality work in all categories was on display.

The unnamed pieces were judged independently by a panel of three experts in contemporary art and, after much deliberation, there were three awards granted. Sidra Fatima was commended for her work entitled “Through the Keyhole”; Emily Smalley won the runner-up prize of £250 for her embroidered piece “First Flight”; and William Hughes won the £1,000 first prize for his sketches of local Melbourne views.

William, delighted with the award, said: “The award will go towards paying for a studio for the year.” He will also get a place on the trail next year and mentoring from one of the festival team.

Festival Director Sharon Brown said: “I am de-

lighted to have been able to make this award which will encourage younger artists to develop their talents and to get involved with the festival, two of whom have exhibited on the 2014 trail”

Griselda Kerr, chair of the award panel, said: “There was a very high standard of entry with a lot of local talent evidenced and judging the competition was far from easy”.

More than 1,000 people visited the exhibition over the two days and their comments comprehensively endorsed the award. SB

Artist Victoria Brown discusses her work with visitors.

William Hughes, pictured with Sharon Brown and Griselda Kerr.

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THE title American Goddess conjures up for me, a mental picture of one person, that of Marilyn Monroe. That image was enough to encourage me to buy a ticket for the play American Goddess performed at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms as part of the Festival Concert programme. And I’m glad I did. It was excellent.

The play was written by Daniel David Webber, who in this production took the male lead under the auspices of Derbyshirebased theatre group, Life Theatre Limited. Playing the part of a young photographer with the assignment of his dreams, three days alone with Marilyn Monroe, he played the character in a believable way, capturing all his emotions as the challenge of being with Marilyn took its toll.

Marilyn, played by Lara de-Leuw, was brilliant. She wasn’t just a lookalike, she was her. Superb acting, accent, and looks. Emotional, delightful, dark and daring, she took everything in her stride and gave a complete and believable performance, captivating the audience from her first entrance and throughout.

The supporting roles were delivered with solid performances from the other members of the cast.

As a workshop, the audience were treated to a ‘meet the actors and ask question forum’, to round off the evening’s entertainment. – TM

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FLAMENCO Express took Melbour a dazzling display of dance when t the Melbourne Assembly Rooms. The room was filled to capacity wi bers turning up more than an hour b start time. The evening started slo and guitarist but with the introdu and female dancers, the pace picke fied as the evening progressed.

The audience was mesmerised, tr ances that showed many emotions in and body language capturing the menco.

The role of the dancer, as I discov formance, is to physically interpret singer and reflect the emotions that

LEFT: Chi up for the ters parade

l Hat making fun at the Mad Hatters Workshop in the Assembly Rooms.

Photo: Chris Brown

Photo: Chris Brown

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ing up a Flamenco feast

rne by storm with they performed at th audience membefore the planned owly with a singer uction of the male ed up and intensireated to performn facial expression e essence of Flaered after the pert the words of the t the words gener-

ate in dance. Similarly, the guitarist studies the feet of the dancer and plays his accompaniment to match the dance.

Although the dance is not choreographed the dancer’s personal interpretation and expression must follow flamenco music's traditions.

The audience witnessed the graceful arm movements and gentle music with the contrasting volume of vocalist, guitar, hand clapping and the stamping of feet in building into a cacophony of exciting sounds that captivated the audience and sent everyone home happy and excited.

With the addition of tapas during the interval, the organisers served up a Flamenco feast for the Festival.

POPULAR local duo Miss 600 returned to Melbourne Assembly Rooms for a sell-out concert to kick start the Art Festival concert programme. Backed by a nine-piece band, the pop jazz duo delighted the audience with a showcase of songs from their new album Swing ‘Ting.

Warming up the audience were local band, No Horizon, playing a rendition of popular songs followed by Carl North, whose fast paced rhythm and blues had more than one foot tapping. Miss 600 (Hannah Garner and David Amar) opened with Swing ‘Ting. Hannah’s evocative voice blended perfectly with the band –horns, guitars, piano and drums played in perfect synch transforming the Assembly Rooms into an old time jazz club. And the audience loved it.

As well as an outstanding performance, Hannah and David kept up an entertaining banter throughout the evening. While David shared the news they’d recently won second place at a Baltic song contest – a competition watched by 25 million viewers – Hannah’s highlight was Crufts dog show using ‘Hello’ from their first album ‘Buying Time’ as the theme song to its coverage.

Members of the audience were invited to dance along to the songs and Hannah sang happy birthday to a few special people. They closed the night to a standing ovation. MB

I ONLY just arrived in time for the start of the festival mid-week music event at Amalfi White and I was glad that I had. Paul Bell was in the process of being introduced and I found myself with a front row seat.

Paul is a singer songwriter accompanying himself on guitar. His music style is almost homespun and gentle with some great lyrics. I particularly liked Four and Biscuits.

Mlendo followed and I recognised some of the band, having seen them last year at the festival as The Open Road. This offshoot, a six-piece and named after the new lead singer Amy Mlendo Ankers, did not disappoint. With two acoustic guitars, stand-up bass, cornet and drums supporting Amy, they delivered what they termed folk music. Very contemporary and very listenable with self-penned material by band member Phil. TM

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Oar-some duo row into the record books

OCEAN rowers Chris ‘Darby’ Walters and Elliott Dale rowed into the record books with a new world record by setting the fastest time for a pair of rowers from New York to the Scilly Isles in an open class rowing boat!

The route from New York to the Isles of Scilly is considered to be the hardest route to cross the Atlantic, and Chris and Elliott are reported as being only the second pair in the world ever to have achieved this.

Chris has a Melbourne connection going back some years. Chris ‘Darby’ Walters originally hails from Chellaston and moved to Wilson. He played rugby for Coalville with local friends Will Shields and Gary Fawcett and together they became founder members of Melbourne Rugby Club. Chris also won the First Team Player award in the 1983-84 and 85-86 seasons. He recalled that the first game was against Coalville and that the new Melbourne team played in borrowed Coalville’s strip. He continued to play for both teams for some time, and he recalls many happy

OBITUARY

HILDA BENTLEY 1936 - 2014

HILDA Bentley was a devoted and much loved wife, mum and grandmother. Her funeral service was held at Ticknall Parish Church in September.

Hilda was born in Chellaston, the only child of Walter and May Hemstock. She grew up in Chellaston and went to Homelands School in Derby after which she worked as a legal assistant for a firm of solicitors in Derby.

She married Geoff Bentley at the age of 21 and moved to St Brides Farm, Stanton by Bridge, where she lived for the next 40 years. Hilda enjoyed the fun of belonging to a busy, large family and went on to have three children, Christine, Vivien and Bridget. She later became a proud grandmother of seven.

Hilda enjoyed working with Geoff on the farm and when Bridget started school she decided to start a part-time career in market research, which she enjoyed immensely until she retired.

Hilda also had many inter-

Players going to war

THIS year’s St Michael’s Players’ production will be something completely different.

Wanting to commemorate the First World War and remember the local people who went to fight and never came back, they decided to put on a production of ‘Oh What a Lovely War’ with a Melbourne perspective.

‘Oh What a Lovely War’ is a musical, featuring lots of the old favourite First World War songs, with the words often amusingly modified by the cynical soldiers. The Players are delighted that some of the singers from A Choir’d Taste have joined the cast.

The play satirises the heads of state who led their nations into the war, the industrialists who profited from the conflict, and the generals who kept sending their men over the top despite the terrible loss of life. But it is sympathetic to the soldiers who carried on fighting in the face of often

hopeless odds. And to the women who were left behind.

This production has benefited from the creative direction of Beth Williams, an actor and director who has been associated with a number of professional theatre groups, and who has introduced some very different performance techniques which the audience should enjoy.

The Melbourne slant comes from scenes at Melbourne station, Thomas Haimes’ factory and Derby Station, together with conversations in the trenches between Melbourne lads far from home.

The Players hope that their take on ‘Oh What a Lovely War’ will be entertaining, thought-provoking and moving, and will be a fitting tribute to those who fought and died in the Great War.

Oh What a Lovely War is at the Assembly Rooms at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 30, Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1.

Village Voice Postbag

FIELD OF POPPIES: Many of you will have seen pictures of the Field of Poppies outside the Tower of London, marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

A potter in Alvaston is making similar ceramic poppies and we would like to purchase one for each of the names on the

Melbourne war memorial, and create a similar display by the side of the Parish Church.

If you would like to donate one or more of these, which we will also be able to use in future years, the cost is £5 each. Please take your donation to the Vicarage in Church Square, Melbourne.

The proceeds from the sale of these poppies will be donated by the artist to a fund for the installation of a new memorial at the Somme in remembrance of those who died on the first day of that battle on 1st July, 1916.

Mark Powell Rector of Melbourne Parish Church

memories of his time here.

Chris, who had run various pubs in Derby and Leicester, moved to Lyme Regis in 1998. He took up rowing Gigs which is a very popular sport in the south west and it was through this that he undertook his first Atlantic crossing with Elliott and two other friends from Lyme Regis in 2011/12. The route then was from La Gomera in the Canaries to Barbados.

In his record breaking challenge with Elliott they rowed 3,246 miles, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in their Rannoch pair’s boat, Row 4 Precious Lives. Chris said: “I only lost two stone four pounds this time, because I ate better.” On arrival at St Mary’s harbour, the duo did ask for several pints of cider and steak and chips.

Included in the many hundreds of people who turned out to greet the world record rowers on their arrival were his old Melbourne friends George and Linda Matthews (nee Shields), which was “a great surprise” for Chris. – Tom Mills

ests; she was an active member of the local school parents association and snowy owl in the Brownies! She was interested in genealogy and completed a Bentley family tree back to 1636.

Hilda's love of tennis in her youth carried through and she regularly visited Wimbledon and Queens when she was able.

Hilda also loved researching local history and enjoyed contributing to articles in local publications.

In 1990 Geoff retired from farming and they moved to Ticknall where they enjoyed their retirement, travelling extensively, including round-theworld trips to visit family in Australia.

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l Chris Walters and Elliott Dale arrive in the Scilly Isles and (inset) Chris with old friends George and Linda Matthews.

Town & Country Property Specialists

First day at school

Aston on Trent Primary School Reception class with (l-r) Mrs Boja-Bates (teaching assistant) and Mrs Dwyer (teacher).

Weston on Trent Church of England Primary School, Wrens Class with Mrs McLean (teacher).

St Hardulph Church of England Primary School, Breedon, reception class with (l-r) Rachel Gill (teaching assistant) and Sarah Tyrer

Sale and Davys Church of England Primary School, Barrow on Trent with (l-r) Aimee Wallis (trainee teacher), Justin Comasky (class teacher) and Susan Winter (teaching assistant).

Findern Primary School, Ash Class with (l-r) Miss Goodman (assistant teacher) and Mrs Hall (teacher).

Freight terminal plan fears NEWS in brief

PLANS for the Strategic Rail Freight Terminal adjacent to East Midlands Airport have now been submitted for planning approval, re-igniting concerns in local villages around Castle Donington about the scale of this massive development, the loss of valuable countryside and its impact.

Property developers Roxhill are referring to the site as the East Midlands Gateway and say it will involve the building of six million square feet of storage space, a dedicated rail line, a new bypass and road links.

The freight terminal will also be suitable for 750m long trains, and will have a direct connection to the Freight Network. They expect the proposal would generate 7,000 jobs.

North West Leicestershire District Council’s cabinet gave a view last December that it was agreed “in principle” to support the development in view of “the substantial potential for job creation and the local, regional and national benefit of (the) proposal.” But they wished to have an early application so that the detail and the local impact could be considered more carefully.

The application was accepted on Sep-

tember 19 and the next stage is an examination by the Planning Inspectorate, for which residents need to register as interested parties by November 3.

The J24 Action group – local residents from the area including villages of Lockington and Hemington – are firmly opposed to the plan, saying it will blight their villages, and those of Kegworth and Castle Donington. They argue that the land is green open space, and that the building of ten warehouses, up to 25

there is a better plan for the same facility at Etwall 15 miles away – the East Midlands Intermodal Park – and another at Daventry only 30 miles away. It is being proposed to build on good quality farming land, so there will be some impact on the food chain.. There is storage space sitting empty on the Castle Donington business park – it is just unnecessary.”

She urged local residents to sign the petition on their website (www.j24actiongroup.org) and to register as interested parties before the deadline and to make their voices heard. FH

Church praised

MELBOURNE Parish Church was recently visited by a representative from a church tourism organisation.

The experience is reported on the internet and can be viewed by visiting: - http://churchtourismstudy.com/2014/08/10/m elbourne-parish-church/

The report was very positive and could encourage tourism to the church and to the local area. A quote from the report says:

metres in height with two being the size of ten football pitches, will impact adversely on the area. The impact will extend way beyond the small villages directly involved because of the traffic and the railway.

Toni Harrington, who is spearheading the campaign and chairs the local parish council, said: “We do not need this development in this location; this is an area of low unemployment,

l Artist’s impression of the proposed freight terminal.

Kitchens Bathrooms Bedrooms & Tiles

“This is one of the best churches I have visited from the point of view of the average visitor (if there is such a thing) and recommend it highly.”

The website is very interesting with reports on other churches; some local and others much further afield. It’s a very useful reference if planning a day out.

Trees for free

FREE trees will be available for residents, schools and community groups as South Derbyshire District Council’s free garden giveaway initiative returns for the 12th year.

Running up until October 24, applicants can choose from Crab Apple, Field Maple, Wild Cherry and Whitebeam.

The scheme is run in partnership with the National Forest Company, as well as North West Leicestershire District Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Residents can apply for two trees per household, or 10 if they’re applying on behalf of a school or community group.

Applications can be made at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/freetreescheme. Any residents without access to the internet should ring 01283 595795 during office hours.

Trees will be given away on Sunday, November 16, and Thursday, November 27, at locations to be announced.

Poetry Day celebration

NATIONAL Poetry Day was celebrated countrywide on October 2 and Derbyshire County Council held events and poetry promotions.

Derbyshire Poet Laureate, Helen Mort, one of the country’s leading young poets, has recently been selected by The Poetry Book Society as one of their Next Generation Poets 2014. This is a prestigious accolade announced only once every 10 years, recognising the 20 most exciting new poets from the UK and Ireland.

Helen was out and about around the county, taking part in poetry cafés and hosting workshops and readings, one of which was held at Swadlincote Library.

Melbourne says Hi, Sheriff

DAVID Coleman, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, has been engaged in a lengthy fund-raising walk over a number of weeks and recently visited Melbourne.

The charity walk was intended to create a new 220-mile round Derbyshire footpath, which would be called the High Sheriff's Way. Taken in stages, the High Sheriff was joined by walking companions for each stage with each stage planned by different people.

The 16 stages were completed over a six-week period. The stage from Netherseal to Melbourne was planned jointly by local men Roger Kington and Steve Webster for day 14.

The local walk ran close to the boundary with Leicestershire and the walking party was joined for the day by Richard Clowes, High Sheriff of Leicestershire.

Mums see playground dream come true

IT has taken nearly five years and cost just short of £50,000 –but finally, Aston-on-Trent has a new children’s playground.

The fabulously upgraded park in the recreation ground on Shardlow Road is a result of tireless fund-raising efforts by four local mums who were sick of the village’s tired old unfenced playground where dogs were able to roam freely and few children ever went.

They went to the parish council and asked for funds to transform the area but, on being told the council’s cash was already committed for the next two years, took matters into their own hands.

The result is a set of brand new, fenced-off equipment on

the site of the old park.

It was opened on October 1 to the resounding cheers of children, popping champagne corks and two Derby County footballers who came along to help cut the ribbon.

The Aston Playground Project has been run by mums Jane Dunn, Helen Moulson, Jane Jones and Louise Riches and has involved large amounts of local fundraising as well as donations from big companies.

Lafarge-Tarmac gave just under £25,000 under its Landfill Communities Fund, and there were also donations from Barratt Homes, Boots and Rolls-Royce.

The parish and county councils supported the enterprise

and further cash came from a fund-raising Smashie and Nicey night, stalls at the Aston Well Dressing and even a marathon run by local dad Steve Kirkland.

Fund-raiser Jane Dunn told the crowd at the opening ceremony: “The playground is testament to all the remarkable community support in the Aston area and what we can achieve when we are united in a common cause.”

The audience were told that, while the playground has been opened, there is a last piece of space which is still to be filled and that consultation will now start with local groups as to what should go on it.

–Lucy Stephens

Maria dee-lighted at ITV selection

LOCAL charity founder Maria Henson is in the spotlight again, having been selected as the ITV Pride of Britain finalist for the central region.

After fending off competition from the other three top contenders she will go forward to a starstudded final in London where the national winner of the award will be announced.

Maria was amazed just to get nominated, she said. “It was a secret nomination so it was completely out of the blue when ITV rang to say they were coming out to film. There were several hours of probing and emotional questions just to do a few minutes video, which is then judged against the other contenders.”

Maria’s charity, Me and Dee, is well known in the local area; it supports families with lifethreatening illnesses by providing treats and holiday experiences to make precious the limited time left together. Her innovative comfort packs for such families are also now well established in hospitals across the region.

The second annual sponsored bike ride also took place over the same weekend, with about 20 riders taking the challenge to get to Bakewell and back. The ride raised over £1,000, which will now enable five families to take advantage of a mem-

orable seaside holiday together.

Maria praised and said a big thank you to all of those who took part – “I wish those two words could be bigger sometimes but my deepest appreciation goes to those who took part. It makes a huge difference.”

Never one to rest up, Maria has a further two schemes bubbling under. She is planning for 2015 to set up an exclusive 100 Holidays Club where, for £200, a limited number of sponsors will be able to support 100 families to have that holiday they both need and deserve as respite from dealing with life threatening illness. It is not just a one-off payment, but it can be spread over the whole of the year.

In addition she is looking for help to gain funding from the Lloyds Community Fund by having votes cast for her charity. The fund allocates cash depending on the volume of votes for a cause. The vote closed on October 6 and Maria is waiting to hear the outcome.

As a winner of the Pride of Britain regional award let’s all have fingers crossed that she can go on and be the national finalist too.

You can visit her website www.meanddee.co.uk to support her and find out more information about her charity.

“It was a really nice day and a great walk,” said David Coleman, “although we did experience a number of distractions including a Radio Derby interview via the Radio Car, a visit to the Moira Furnace and a visit to the new Youth Hostel in the National Forest near Conkers Discovery Centre.”

School places deadline

PARENTS of year six pupils are reminded that they have only a month left to apply to Derbyshire County Council to get their child a secondary school place for September 2015.

Families of year six primary school children who were born between September 2003 and 31 August 2004 must apply by midnight on Friday, October 31.

Applying online is the easiest method. Just visit the school admissions section of the Derbyshire County Council website, www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions

Anyone who applies online will receive an email to confirm their application has been received.

Members of the Parish Council

Chair Wendy Earp 865019

Vice Chair/Highways

David Smith 862699

Burial Grounds

Sheila Hicklin 865726

Recreation & Ameneties

Andrew Jackson 07931 541387

David Carpenter 864521

Jane Carroll 863269

Nigel Collyer 07831 540538

Sarah Dunnicli 862162

Christopher Howard OBE 07795 484120

George Hudson 07503 257953

Rose Minife 07795 362936

Robert Parker 07973 297404

Margaret Sharp 862471

Malcolm Stockill 694598

Paul Willmore 863044

Jacqui Storer - Clerk 07734 939292

Useful Numbers

The main purpose of the walk was to raise funds for Mountain Rescue in the Peak District, and for the High Sheriff’s Fund. All the information you need to make a donation is on www.derbyshirehighsheriff.co.uk together with contact details if you want to get in touch. Members of Derbyshire Mountain Rescue supported the walk on every stage.

In the photograph are David Coleman [hands behind back], Wendy Earp, chair Melbourne Parish Council, and Richard Clowes [in shorts] with stage walk organisers and supporters in Church Square, Melbourne.

Melbourne Parish Council Quarterly Report - October 2014

The Parish Council has followed up its investigations into the development of a Neighbourhood Plan with a presentation in July by Ian Hey from South Derbyshire County Council, who brie y outlined what it would involve, including costs. The Parish Council will now see what support it can get from the local community, particularly in regard to the planning specialism required, in order to progress this further.

Following the listing of the public toilets on High Street as a Community Asset, the Parish Council has now agreed to submit a bid to South Derbyshire District Council to purchase the toilets.

The play equipment at the Lothian Gardens has been repainted over the summer and various essential maintenance issues have been carried out.

With the help of grant funding, a de brillator has now been purchased and the intention is to locate this at the Assembly Rooms, provided that permission can be obtained from the MARS board.

Congratulations are extended to our Sexton, Robert Holman, as a photograph of Melbourne Cemetery, taken by Councillor Jackson, has been highly commended in a national photographic competition of Cemeteries & Burial Grounds. The Sexton will be collecting the certi cate at the ICCM awards ceremony.

The Council has welcomed a new member of sta over the summer – Mr Anthony Hicklin will be another lengthsman, along with Jim Bancroft.

Arrangements are progressing with regards to this year’s Christmas event, ‘Melbourne At Christmas’, which will take place on Friday 5th December in the Market Place. The evening event will commence at 6pm with the switch-on of the Christmas lights. Various food & drink themed stalls are planned, along with musical entertainment, Santa Claus and refreshments.

Wendy Earp, Chair, Melbourne Parish Council

l Champagne and cheers for the official opening of the new Aston on Trent Playground on October 1. Pictured l to r are: Jane Dunn, Louise Riches, Helen Moulson, Craig Bryson, Craig Forsyth, Jane Jones and Oscar Jones along with the children of Aston on Trent.

“Brushing

VoiceOctober 2014

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY CARE SHOPPING TRIPS/SOCIAL OUTINGS

MINIBUS TIMETABLE - OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2014

For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care O ce, Mon-Thu 9:30am-1:30pm; Fri 9:30am-12:30 or telephone 863585 (answering machine when o ce is closed). All journeys subject to number of booked passengers, minimum number required is 8, maximum 12.

• WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE.

• TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL but please note Community Care do not provide escort assistance.

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

• EVERY FRIDAY MORNING WE PROVIDE A SHOPPING SERVICE TO THE CO-OP SUPERMARKET, CASTLE DONINGTON. Escort assistance is provided if required.

100 PER CENT RECORD GOES

A RESURGENT Melbourne Bowls Club team suffered its first defeat of the season away to a very experienced Newton Solney squad.

Melbourne were forced to travel without a couple of senior players, but the younger more athletic team with its travelling band of supporters were determined to try to keep their 100 per cent winning record.

The match started well but it soon became evident that it was a very undulating and challenging green.

Two pairs were comprehensively beaten which left one pair to try to restore some dignity for Melbourne. One of the final pair was Dennis Smith (a co-founder of Melbourne Rugby Club) who said he would probably have been more successful if he had used a rugby ball to bowl, so testing was the green.

The third end finally finished on the measure with Newton Solney completing the whitewash. Club spokesman Chris Hough said: “As the season draws to an end we can reflect on what’s been an enjoyable summer of bowling. New friendships have been forged and one of Melbourne’s oldest established clubs has been reborn.” Bowling interest will continue over the winter months indoors at Ticknall Village Hall and improvements to the green will take place ready for next season.

DENTURE REPAIRS

MELBOURNE DENTAL LABORATORIES

Unit 9, Potters Yard, Potter Street, Melbourne DE73 8HX Telephone: 01332 865510

JOHN SMITH (MELBOURNE) LTD

COAL & SMOKELESS FUEL MERCHANTS

Prompt delivery to all local areas - Competitive Prices

Pre-Packed Cash & Carry Sales from The Yard

Also Logs and Kindling

The Common, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8HU Telephone: 01332 862744

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison and Councillor Jim Hewlett ADVICE SURGERIES

at Melbourne Assembly Rooms - 11 am to 12 noon

Saturday 1st November

Saturday 6th December

“Listening to Local People”

ASTON and Weston Bowls Club members took part in the finals day and pictured (l-r) are: David Hobson (winner club singles and doubles), Tony Hurrell (runner-up men’s), Eileen Hobson (winner club doubles), David Watkins (runner-up club singles), Pat Lear (winner ladies), Stella Hindle (runner-up ladies and runner-up club doubles) and Gerald Bennett (winner men’s and runnerup club doubles).

Top six spots for teams

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club’s 1st XI ended the season with one win and two defeats to finish in a credible sixth place.

September started with a heavy home defeat to Spondon 2nds. Melbourne were shot out for just 105 and their opponents soon knocked them off for the loss of just four wickets.

The following week, a quite brilliant spell of 7-23 by Mick Meakin saw Etwall 1sts tumble from 70-1 to 119 all out, aided by skipper Alex Slater, who weighed in with 230. Town cruised home for the loss of just four wickets. Russell Allaway top scored with 42 not out and the 26 from skipper Slater took him past a remarkable 13,000 runs for the club. The first team ended the season with a close game against promoted Elvaston 2nds, eventually losing by just 13 runs after Elvaston scored 197 batting first.

Meakin capped a brilliant end to the season by taking 5-62 aided by 3-46 from Anthony Wagstaff. Despite a season’s top score by Meakin with 43 plus 31 from Mark Rossi, the late collapse saw Town end the season with a defeat.

Melbourne Town Seconds completed their end to the season just like the first team, also ending up in sixth place. They lost their last three games starting with a heavy 150-run defeat away to Burton 2nds.

Two wickets apiece for skipper Marc Towell and James Hogwood stemmed the flow of runs as Burton scored 218 off their allotted overs, but in reply Town were bowled out for just 68 with Mark Hirons top scoring with 37.

At home to Castle Donington 1st XI, 4-52 from Julian Humpidge saw the visitors bowled out for 209 with two wickets apiece for Towell, Hogwood and Hirons.

Melbourne Dental Practice

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE

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

In reply Melbourne fell short, bowled out for 148. A remarkable 82 from Humpidge held the innings together but was all in vain.

The seconds finished the season with a whimper, losing by 173 runs away to Barton 2nds as the home side hit 263, only Hirons with 4-40 making an impression. In reply Melbourne fell to a poor 90 all out despite 29 from Paul Scrimshaw and 22 by Bruno Rost.

On a happier note the club fund-raising day and bike ride in memory of Robert Marshall raised just under a remarkable £3,000. Half will go to Cancer Research and the other half towards the club’s new covers.

The club would like to thank all who attended the day, helped out and all those that went on the bike ride in making the day a huge success in memory of Rob.

ONE ACRE PADDOCK TO RENT IN KINGS NEWTON. PARTIALLY FENCED, SUITABLE FOR A PONY ETC £200 PA.

E-mail: mark@maetradingltd.co.uk Tel: 01332 865650

Wanted - Experienced Gardener

A full-time experienced gardener is required to work in gardens in more than one location in the Derby area. The successful applicant must have good plant knowledge and the ability to use a variety of garden machinery. Tasks will include lawn care, pruning, maintaining borders, hedge cutting, growing vegetables, maintenance of garden features and some small general maintenance tasks such as clearing gutters on occasion.

You need to be self-motivated, able to organise yourself, working mainly unsupervised whilst maintaining the gardens to a high standard. Knowledge of basic machine / equipment maintenance is also essential.

You will need to be physically fit and able to work outdoors throughout the year in all weathers and must hold a full UK driving licence. Hourly rate of pay will be dependent on experience. Please apply by email to nrobinson@pektron.co.uk or by post to: Nesta Robinson, Pektron Group Limited, Alfreton Road, Derby DE21 4AP

Tough start to rugby season

MELBOURNE RFC began their season with an NLD Cup match at Notts Moderns with debuts for Tom Lowery, Chris Purce and James Edgar.

The forwards imposed themselves early and worked well to create quick ball for impressive backline. Strong carries by Hollingsworth, De Vies and Stringer made good ground in the buildup to the first try scored by Tom Lowery. A difficult conversion was finished with aplomb by captain Holden, who had a fine kicking game.

On 15 and 20 minutes two serious injuries resulted in the forced withdrawals of Lowery from the left wing and second row Stark. James Edgar came on for his Melbourne debut and Morris Hall took over in the second row duties.

Notts Moderns scored a try before Melbourne pressed again but a turnover cost them another try. With 10 minutes of the half remaining Melbourne regrouped and within three minutes had scored two further tries of their own from Rob Hollingsworth and Theo De Vies.

Holden converted both and scored a penalty for a 12-24 half-time score to Melbourne.

The second half saw Melbourne immediately pressure Notts. With the majority of possession and territory on their side Melbourne looked for further scores but were undone by loose passes conceding two break away tries.

Tony Day came on at prop and wreaked havoc, which caused scrums to go uncontested. This was definitely to the favour of the home side who had been under severe pressure throughout the second half. Notts began to boss the breakdown and used tactics well to slow the ball down in the rucks and apply pressure to Melbourne’s halfbacks. Holden added a late penalty to take the lead only for Melbourne to concede another try from a loose ball and go down score 33-27.

The first league game saw the arrival of Coalville, with the match ball sponsored by president Dave Smith of National Forest Spring Water.

Melbourne lost 34-13 but were only seven

Olympic gold medal winner pays a visit

DRESSAGE superstar Charlotte DuJardin OBE visited Knowle Hill Equestrian based in Ticknall, for a Pony Club competition run in conjunction with Barbie.

Charlotte, often described as the ‘girl with the dancing horse’, has accumulated a phenomenal list of achievements including double gold medalist at the London 2012 Olympics and European Dressage Champion 2013.

She talked about her training regime at home and her future ambitions. Charlotte commented, “It was great fun to visit the centre today and meet the Pony Club members. I feel it’s really important that the children learn the foundations of horsemanship including how to groom, remove rugs and handle the ponies in a safe manner.”

Knowle Hill Equestrian Proprietor Melissa Stanton commented, “We are so thrilled to have benefited from such an inspirational person coming to visit the children. She is such a good role model for equestrianism as a whole with her attention to horse welfare, RDA and safety issues. The children were so excited and really enjoyed meeting Charlotte. I am sure the memories from the day will stay with them for life.”

points adrift with 10 minutes to go. Melbourne struggled at times against a big pack and well organised backs.

Ash Stringer scored the lone try, with Jack Fisher and Euan Holden sharing the kicking duties. The game was marred by a big punch-up halfway through the second half which saw three red cards, and finished with 13 against 12.

Melbourne travelled to Dronfield with a rash of changes and, despite leading the game for 50 minutes, came unstuck in the last 10, losing 188. A try from Dale Bilson and a penalty from Jack Fisher gave Melbourne an early 8-6 lead, but two late yellow cards saw Melbourne concede two tries.

The final league game of the month saw the arrival of Loughborough with the match ball sponsored by Melbourne Chip Shop.

With Melbourne much changed again with six backs unavailable, Al Judge and Watty slotted into the centres. In a scrappy game, Will Judge and Kier Boggins made their season’s debuts.

Melbourne had control for much of the game and only a late try from Loughborough saw a close finish. Four penalties and a dropped goal from Holden saw Melbourne gain their first win of the season 15-13.

The 2nd XV started with a friendly against Matlock 2nds, coming second by 7-34. A good tough start to the season though saw Melbourne compete well but concede soft tries. Scott Buxton scored Melbourne’s try with Will Cresswell converting.

Derby VETS came to Cockshut Lane next. Their game plan nullified Melbourne’s. Tries from Andy Watts, Kurtis Robinson (2) and nine points from Will Cresswell were not enough to stop a 24-34 defeat.

Derby 3rds arrived at Cockshut next for a Pennant game and, despite Melbourne having only 14 men, they accustomed themselves well. A try from Sean Moran and five points from Will Cresswell were not enough in a 13-10 defeat. Three of the U19 colts featured.

l MELBOURNE Cricket Club

Junior section members are pictured at the end of season awards event displaying their trophies, medals and awards.

Bowls club four points short of promotion

KINGS Newton Bowls Club men’s first team are pictured after their final game of the season at South Wingfield where victory was needed to gain promotion to the first division.

The match ended 5-5, which was four points short of the target required. This resulted in the team just missing out in a very competitive division.

A few weeks earlier Kings Newton reached the semi-finals of the Dickie Cup only to lose out to the Lamb Inn from Newhall by 10 shots.

The men’s second team have had an up and down season, gaining just enough points to avoid relegation, with the highlight of their season beating eventual champions Hazelwood by 11-3 on their own green.

The Men’s Vets team, playing in division one of the Burton and District League, managed to secure a mid-table position. After a bad run of results they secured a good home victory 8-3 over Stapenhill.

The Men’s Vets 2nd team have had a difficult season and were relegated after gaining promotion last year.

The Sunday morning team seemed to be the club’s only chance of silverware with a

week to go but they had to settle for second place in the league and runners-up spot in the Swadlincote and District League Cup, losing out to Swadlincote Catholics.

The Ladies, playing in division two of the Derby League, found points hard to come by and were relegated after gaining promotion only last season.

During the months of August, September and October the club has been playing in the floodlit league playing 12 matches in six weeks on Monday and Friday evenings.

The big domestic event of the club’s playing season is finals day, which took place on a glorious sunny Saturday with the green in its usual superb condition.

power on despite first loss

MELBOURNE Dynamo FC continued their good early season form through September, although they did lose their unbeaten run along the way.

Rob Philipson won the men’s singles and Cynthia Bailey the ladies singles. In the play-off between the two, Rob beat Cynthia to become the club champion.

In the other finals the Galley Jackson Trophy was also won by Rob Philipson. Handicap singles winner was David Smith, doubles winners Cynthia Bailey and David Smith, mixed doubles Joan Ford and Bernard Raine, and the handicap doubles went to Alan Hicklin and Neville Cave.

The green closes for the winter in October but there are still plenty of social activities going on throughout the close season including the annual Boxing Day competition.

They started the month by beating local rivals Chellaston 3-1 away from home with Matthew Brian scoring a double, aided by one from Micheal Tristram.

The following week, away to Pastures, Dynamo went down 3-1 after Josh Lowe had put them ahead earlier in the game. A hard fought goalless draw away to high-flying Cromford proved a good result with many regular players missing.

Gavin Salisbury's men returned to winning ways the following week, beating Wirksworth Town 1-0 at home with the prolific Tristram getting the all-important goal. This sees the first team in fourth place with a solid, if unspectacular start to the season and hoping to be bettered in the forthcoming months.

In contrast Melbourne Dynamo Reserves had a superb month and, although – like the first team – they lost their unbeaten run, they sit top of the table going into October.

They began with a 6-2 away win against Bargate Rovers Reserves with Shaun Hayes leading the way with a hat-trick supported by goals from Jack Goodband, Ryan Monk and a stunning finish from Ryan McClaughli.

The following week the reserves lost their unbeaten start to the season going down 5-4 away to Woolley Moor Reserves despite goals from Goodband, Monk, Ben Dale and Dan Stanley.

Greg Salisbury's men got back to winning ways a week later with a solid 3-1 home win against Sandiacre Town Reserves with Goodband hitting a brace plus a another for Shaun Hayes.

This was followed by a tough 2-0 home win against a stubborn Willington Sports side who held out for an hour but a good finish from Ben Stanley plus a poacher’s goal from veteran Alex Slater secured the win.

A Challenge Cup game ended the month for the reserves away to Sherwin and they secured a convincing 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Goodband plus goals from Tom Donnachie and Farrell Scott.

Golden Gates Gallop

THE Golden Gates Gallop at Elvaston Cricket Club attracted more than 180 runners. They took part in the two-mile fun run and the five-mile run off-road, around the beautiful grounds of Elvaston Castle, starting and finishing at the cricket club.

The event has raised thousands of pounds for Leukaemia Research and continues to do so.