Melbourne Village Voice October 2017

FAMILIES HIT BY AIRLINE CRASH

By LUCY STEPHENS

LOCAL families and other travellers have been affected by the shock closure of Monarch Airlines, with one forced to cancel their holiday at the last minute, the Village Voice understands

Monarch Airlines suddenly ceased trading at 4am on October 2, sparking the UK’s biggest ever peacetime repatriation of holidaymakers stranded abroad with no scheduled flight home

The cost to the taxpayer is estimated at around £60million – although the government is aiming to reduce that figure

But there are further repercussions with people having booked holidays and flights through Monarch that they now cannot take

rocketing as well,” said Andy “So it’s good for the other airlines

“This has cost me money Monarch were regarded as one of the better airlines There could be more people affected ”

Melen’s Private Hire from Breedon reported one customer from Ticknall who had also been forced to re-arrange their scheduled Monarch flight to another operator

But Villair Travel, from Ashby-de-laZouch, said that luckily they did not have any customers from this area left stranded abroad having booked holidays through them

Monarch was Britain’s oldest airline and its fifth biggest when it went into administration, leaving around 110,000 passengers stranded around Europe, some 860,000 bookings scrapped and more than 2,000 staff out of work

The operator did not fly from East Midlands Airport but had bases at Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Luton and Gatwick

Passengers were informed of the airline’s collapse and their cancelled flights via text message

Andy Cowan, of Melbourne-based Malcars, had eight airport bookings cancelled the day after the airline’s collapse

That included one family from Melbourne and another from Breedon, with some customers able to re-book flights but others simply abandoning their holiday plans altogether

One impact of Monarch’s collapse is with people who have booked holidays with Saga, which used the airline

“The problem is the flights are now

The airline was experiencing financial fluctuations over the past few years, with the company reporting multimillion pound losses partly due to fierce competition in the low-cost market and also the uneasy political situation in Turkey and Egypt, two of its major destinations

m Were you affected by the collapse of Monarch Airlines? Share your story with us at news@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHER Tina Baker ’s great shot is of Barry Patterson, also known as The Green Man, telling stories and singing songs at the Woodland Festival held at Elvaston Castle Country Park. Barry has been entertaining audiences as the Green Man since 1991. The Woodland Fair is now in its 17th year.

Rams legend’s family help install life-saving machine

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to provide aid in the case of a heart attack has been installed at Swarkestone Cricket Club, with the help of the family of a Derby sporting legend.

Gordon Guthrie MBE was Derby County Football Club’s longest serving staff member, spending more than 60 years with the club, before he died last year aged 86

A trainer and kit manager, who worked alongside many managers including Brian Clough, his connection with the Rams is so strong the iPro Stadium now has a stand named after him

Gordon was also a keen cricket supporter with strong links to Swarkestone Cricket Club Now his family have helped pay for a new £1,600 defibrillator to be installed at the club’s pavilion, with the rest of the funds provided by Derbyshire County Council

A special cricket match was held on September 17 between Derby County Allstars and Swarkestone Cricket Club to mark the installing of the defib-

rillator, and Gordon’s son Robert and widow Mavis were on hand to honour the occasion

Before the friendly game, which was won by the Allstars, Gordon’s son Robert said: “I feel this is a fitting way to remember him If he was looking down

Celebrating Independence Day No.30

IT WAS a time for celebration in Ticknall as Dame Catherine Harpur ’s School celebrated 30 years since becoming independent

The school held a fete on September 23 to mark the anniversary One of the first pupils at the newly opened independent school from the late 1980s, Sophie Bramwell, went along and is pictured with the school’s current youngest pupil, Luciano de Paola Also in the picture are headteacher Margaret Whyte and teacher Amanda Harmer

Sophie, who after leaving school went on to become a solicitor, said she had “very fond” memories of her time at the school, adding: “It feels like home when you’re here, coming back to something familiar ”

The school has responded to its most recent Ofsted inspection in the summer when – despite the inspector finding much to praise and the last inspection being “good” – the overall judgement this time was “inadequate”

That was largely because of the school’s safeguarding administrative function and the school has said it has put in extra admin support to enable it to meet Ofsted’s requirements

The inspector ’s comments included leaders not having time to make improvements on check pupils’ progress, but also judged the quality of teaching, learning and assessment at the school to be “good”; pupils’

on us today, he would have enjoyed this event ”

Swarkestone Club vice-chairman Andy Heathcote said installing the defibrillator at the club was important, especially after some recent “high profile heart problems” in the world of

sport He said: “It’s very important, we felt, that we did something like this It’s accessible for the whole community, the whole of Swarkestone and the vicinity –hopefully we will never have to use it ”

The county council last month pledged £15,000 to buy 10 more defibrillators for council-owned buildings after the deputy leader ’s life was saved thanks to one of the machines

Cllr Simon Spencer, who represents Dovedale, suffered a massive heart attack in his office at County Hall in Matlock in August Quick-thinking staff rushed to his aid to perform CPR and restarted his heart using a defibrillator

Cllr Spencer said: “Without the defibrillator and quick reactions of staff, I wouldn’t be here today

“I cannot thank them enough for what they did, but I can make sure that defibrillators are available in more council buildings with staff trained to use them This vital kit really does mean the difference between life and death ”

outcomes as “good” and the early years curriculum as “exciting”

A statement from the school said: “We respect the inspection process and acknowledge the findings of the inspector However, we do not believe this grading truly reflects the qualities of the school, the learning and support that it offers to the children and the welfare and care that is provided

“If you read past the initial headlines of the report you will see both the areas in which the school did not meet requirements, but also the many positives that the Ofsted inspector discovered

“We are a small school and we do not have a large administrative function As a result, we have not kept the records to the standards that Ofsted require and keep abreast of some of the independent school standards that have changed since the last

inspection

“We have invested in additional administrative support and we have contracted with a third party company who will provide alerts to any future Ofsted/Independent School standards This will enable us to ensure policies, procedures and practices are updated in line with the requirements of the regulator

“The parents and families of the children at our nursery and school believe their children are safe and well cared for This is what they have told Ofsted and what they have told our school The Ofsted inspector confirmed to us that they did not see any child at risk or unhappy ”

The fete raised £700 for the school and welcomed groups from the local community as well as many ex-pupils and their families

Stamp and Deliver on the cards again

DERBYSHIRE Scouts will once again be running their Stamp and Deliver Scheme this year

Starting on Monday, December 4, with the last collection at 2pm on Tuesday, December 19, the stamps can be bought from more than 200 places as de-

tailed on the website: www stampanddeliver com

Running since 1982, the stamp and deliver scheme has raised more than £1million for local charities and this year will be supporting Umbrella – a Derby-based charity supporting

disabled children and their families – Children First Derby, The Children’s Air Ambulance and Derby Mountain Rescue Team

The scheme involves buying stamps for cards that are posted in special yellow post

boxes These are then collected, sorted and delivered by local Scout groups, who receive a proportion of the sale of the stamp

All cards posted will be delivered by Christmas Eve within the specified delivery area

l IN PLACE ... (l-r) Alan Davies, Andy Heathcote, Mavis Guthrie and Robert Guthrie.

When falling asleep in school is allowed

WHO wants to sleep in school overnight?

As it turns out, more than 70 children from Weston-onTrent CE (Aided) Primary School did just that when they volunteered to sleep in their classrooms and the school hall – and in doing so, raised more than £1,000 for youngsters in one of the most deprived areas of India

The sleepover was one of the latest in a series of fund-raising activities the school has undertaken for a project in India’s Kolkata region started by the Derby Diocese Church Schools

In true scouting style, the children aged between four and 11 roasted marshmallows around a campfire before going into the school to play games, give teachers makeovers and watch films before sleeping in their classrooms and the hall

“We want to say a big thankyou to everyone who gave a donation to take part in the sleepover, which was a huge hit with the children, who had a fantastic time,” said the school’s Miss Charlotte Brown, who organised the event with fellow staff member Miss Jackie Ford

“The level of support was incredible Around two-thirds of pupils at the school took part and they loved it as, for many of them, it was their first sleepover without parents or carers

“Some teaching staff went well above and beyond – especially the ones who let the pupils give them makeovers! The children were really good and most were asleep before midnight ”

Headteacher Ben O’Connell paid tribute to the teaching staff and volunteers who gave up their Friday night and Saturday morning for the fundraising event

“I’m very proud that the Kolkata Project has been so warmly embraced by the whole school community and that staff, volunteers, pupils and parents are so generous with their time and money to support a very worthy project,” he

said “Whilst they had fun, the children really understand the reasons why we are raising money for this initiative driven by the Derby Diocese Church Schools, as it supports children in one of the poorest and most deprived areas of the world ”

The sleepover raised £1,056, which will be added to the £225 already raised at the start of term with a film night

– Lucy Stephens

New free bus service for area’s shoppers

GOLD card bus passengers will be able to take advantage of a new free shopping transport service which will be available in Melbourne on Wednesdays

Derbyshire County Council launched the new Dial-a-Bus shopping service in South Derbyshire on October 2

Known as Derbyshire Connect, the service is promised to be “fully accessible and available to those unable to use standard public transport because of disability or mobility issues or because no services exist”

The service replaces the old Dial-a-Bus service which used to be run by Swadlincote Community Transport

After 9 30am gold card holders will be able to travel free on the service, which will be door to door picking up passengers from

their homes in the Melbourne area each Wednesday

Those not eligible for free travel will pay £2 for an adult single journey or £3 80 for a return

Initially, the buses will provide transport to agreed destinations such as local shops, the bank, the post office, chemist or supermarket

Anyone interested can get more information or make a booking by calling Hollie on 01335 300670 or by email at enquiries@ashbournect org uk

The service will be provided for the county council by the Little Bus Company, run by Ashbourne Community Transport –a registered charity with over 25 years’ experience of providing accessible transport for the residents of the Derbyshire Dales

n CHILDREN from Melbourne Infant School took a break from lessons to walk around the town –joining thousands of other youngsters across the country by taking part in National Fitness Day on September 27

The idea of the day was for children to do a 10-minute workout at 10am, but the infant schoolers went a bit further by doing a loop around Melbourne that took slightly longer than 10 minutes!

Cllr Trevor Ainsworth, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet support member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “These new Derbyshire Connect buses will continue to provide essential journeys to local shops and supermarkets

“We recognise that they are vital for people who are unable to use conventional bus services because of mobility difficulties or because they live in areas where public transport is limited which is why we are committed to continue their funding

“We know from feedback that Gold Card is a highly thought of scheme and I am pleased to announce that fares have been scrapped on this service for cardholders and they will now be able to make their shopping journeys free-of-charge ”

– Lucy Stephens

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Susan decides to paint the town blue

A NEW owner, a new look and a new name for the florist shop in Melbourne Market Place

Susan Statham said she was inspired to take on the business by the Village Voice article about businesses suffering after the bank closure She decided she just couldn’t let the shop shut with the negative impact that would have So, she decided to “inject a new lease of life in it”

Taking over was “a bit daunting at first” she said “Going to the market I didn’t really know what to get and, because I love flowers, I am like a child in a sweet shop!”

But Susan is no newcomer to the business She has worked in the shop for the past 18 years, and before that she ran her own shop in Canada as well as having previously owned Melbourne Florist’s on Derby Road

Originally from Cornwall, where her father was a successful market gardener, she wanted to give the shopfront a brighter appearance So she decided on a refreshing blue, chosen as it reminded her of her childhood

Cornish village home

“I’ve had many compliments about the colour, all saying how much they’ve loved it and many have remarked that it’s just what the village needed

“I wanted the shop to have a smarter, more interesting feel inside, too, so I have introduced gift products by local artists and craftspeople and I am specialis-

ing in English flowers, produced by Sarah Spencer at Whistlewood, who is also taking my green waste to compost for next year ’s flower production ”

Susan is passionate about attracting visitors and locals to shop in Melbourne and believes businesses should work together to keep the community vibrant

She said: “There’s so much we can do to work together to boost the village and each other For

example, in December we will be teaming up with Forteys to offer Christmas wreath workshops and card writing

“We are also contributing to a fashion event showcasing local fashion outlets More simple changes like keeping regular opening times would help so shoppers aren’t disappointed ” n If you are interested in the Christmas wreath workshop, just call into the shop –

Frank Hughes

Market celebrations

VILLAGERS in Aston-on-Trent turned out to celebrate the 10th medieval market since the ancient tradition was revived

The event was held in the grounds of All Saints’ Church

The first Aston fair and market was granted by Henry III by Royal Charter in 1257, and the centuries-old tradition was revived by local residents Loral

Aynsley and Ken Adams in 2008 when the village’s main well dressing depicted that first event of nearly 800 years ago

Stalls were set out around the lychgate of All Saints’ Church, which was the original location

Ken’s wife, Ann, and Jenny Foster served tea and biscuits in the Heritage Centre, while Cathy Razzell added colour to the proceedings by playing the flute inside the lychgate

People went from the village as well as from the new Richmond Villages development – but no one travelled as far as Father Luscomb Bera and Father Giles Motisi who, as guests of the new curate, Rev Ed Backhouse, travelled all the way from their home in Papua New Guinea

Organisers said it was “a delight” to meet the visitors and that parishioners had been able to do so again at a special service that evening in All Saints’ Church

Pictured (above) are Rev Ed Backhouse with guest priests from Papua New Guinea, Father Luscomb Bera and Father Giles Motisi; and (right) Marilyn Horner setting out her stall

Artwork vandalised

POLICE were involved after artwork that formed part of the Melbourne Festival was vandalised during the trail weekend

It was reported to officers at around 9pm on Saturday, September 16, that someone was pulling down photographs on public display around the Market Place

The photographs showed local market gardens as part of this year ’s For the Love of Lettuce theme

Festival director Sharon Brown said: “We were very upset that somebody chose to vandalise artwork and ruin part of Melbourne Festival – an event open to all the community

“A number of people commented on the missing pictures having gone to see them on Sunday, including several of the market gardeners whose pictures were destroyed We hope that the situation will be resolved satisfactorily and we can replace the damaged pictures ready for our exhibition in the Spring ”

Library protest day

FRIENDS of Chellaston Library are organising a protest against a council’s plans to shut its doors unless volunteers come forward to run it

The friends are supporting Unison’s national protest day against Britain’s loss of libraries on Thursday, October 19

The friends believe that a community-managed library proposal would not work, with any volunteers required to do “considerable fund-raising” each year to supplement the council’s grant and meet their responsibilities

In addition, the move will also mean the loss of library staff jobs

The protest against volunteer management is happening all day at Chellaston Library until around 4 30pm Short book readings are promised, along with refreshments, a prize quiz and activities for children

l Susan Statham (holding the bouquet of flowers) with well-wishers at the opening of her new shop

Derby City Council is turning over several city libraries to volunteers to save £708,000 a year – in a move that will cost £1 77million to implement

It argues that numbers of people using libraries has fallen as people find different ways of accessing reading

Country Living

with Robert Parker

Why are kids today not nuts about conkers?

SEPTEMBER can quite often be an extension of summer, but 2017 was certainly not that way.

There was never a lot of rain but for one good day we got three bad ones, and it’s caused all farmers a lot of anguish and head-scratching

Harvest is still not over with many parcels of wheat and barley still to be gathered in As I write this we are just getting the last of our beans home Backlogs of work are making it difficult to get on top of the job

We spread a lot of manure for farmers at this time of year and we still have a lot more to do; it’s going to clash with maize harvest and sowing of next year ’s cereal crops. We all have our problems but being up against the weather as well is downright annoying Enough of the moaning!

n Conkers abound this year with some massive specimens which, when I was a child, would be much treasured. This year sees them just lying on the

ground under the trees with today’s conkering-age children seemingly not really knowing what they are.

I can confess that to be hit on the knuckles by your opponent’s nut could be very painful but it never did any lasting harm

Times have changed and they always will, but to see all these massive nuts lying on the floor brings a tinge of sadness to me

n Our dairy herd is reducing every week and I’m sad about that, too Every week we take some to Leek market, which is a hub for dairy cows, and after years of buying cows I now know that buying them is more pleasant than selling

With the milk price rising, prices for cows are fairly good, but the buyers are very choosy and more interested in beauty than any past records for the animals.

This is another industry that is changing and the small herds will disappear very quickly.

PERSONAL TRAINING

n WERE they birds? Were they planes? No, these children from Melbourne Infant School were dressed up as superheroes to raise money for a charity helping one of their friends.

The school held the special dress-up day in support of Nottingham Hospitals Charity,

which is helping the family of a five-yearold boy at the school who is being treated for cancer.

Children were invited to dress as a superhero and took part in a colouring competition.

The day raised £288 for the charity

Looking into the hole in the wall

A COMMON theme for this month’s parish council meeting seemed to be “nothing to report” with no members of the public in attendance, no county councillor nor Police Liaison officer to add to the proceedings.

South Derbyshire District Cllr Jim Hewlett updated the meeting on the lack of progress in fixing a hole in the wall at the Assembly Rooms Builders commissioned to repair it had found the wall unstable and had called in a structural engineer

His assessment was that additional work was needed, so a new estimate had been passed to the insurers of the driver who had caused it, who then queried the cost – so nothing has been done yet

One councillor was worried that if it was unstable his parked car might be at risk Cllr Hewlett said he would double check, but thought that the spaces on the car park side of the wall were not at risk

Cllr Hewlett also drew attention to the detailed planning application for the Jawbone Lane development, now online for public comments Also, Part 2 of the Local Plan was now ready to be signed off, with the five-year housing plan now in place

n The plans to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One in 2018 were also on the main agenda Mr A Heafield’s kind offer to lead the way for the parish council in co-ordinating and organising various events had been accepted and his terms of reference had been agreed It was suggested that, for a successful commemoration,

FRANK HUGHES reports from the October Melbourne Parish Council meeting

it should be as inclusive as possible, including secondary school-age children

n A discussion about the worsening traffic delays on outskirts of the village at peak times, caused primarily by the pinch-point on Swarkestone Causeway, reached no substantive conclusion –other than agreeing to raise it in a forthcoming meeting with highways officials

n Plans for Remembrance Day this year, on November 12, were now in place, with road closures and a tidy-up already diaried

The clerk had raised a query about precedence on the parade and had been told parish councillors were placed at the head of the civilian element, after the armed and other service organisations

An extended area at the cenotaph was also to be made available to lay more wreaths to meet the rising demand

n In “other business” one councillor who had recently attended another parish council meeting was concerned that the work done here was not getting engagement from the public There was a suggestion that some more interaction might be gained from social media – but that discussion was left for another time

Youngsters’ chance to have a say

YOUNG people who want to make a difference to their local community are being encouraged to stand for election to become one of Derbyshire County Council’s next youth councillors

The Derbyshire Youth Council consists of up to 57 young people between the ages of 11 and 18 Youth councillors are elected from across the county and get to have a say about things affecting young people

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Councillor Alex Dale said:

“It’s really important for young people to be able to have their say about the things that affect them and being part of the Derbyshire Youth Council is a great way to do this

“Our youth councillors get the chance to make decisions on how money is spent on services for young people and make their views known to top-level decision-makers ”

Youth councillors hold a single two-year term of office and attend around six conferences a year in Matlock or Chesterfield Potential candidates get

involved in the process through their school or college

Young people interested in standing for election can pick up a nomination form from school or download one from www derbyshire gov uk/bigvote

Nomination forms need to be completed and returned to the county council by Monday, November 20

Young people will then be given the chance to vote for who they would like to be elected

Successful candidates will be contacted by the council on Monday, March 19, 2018

BMX brothers proving to be the best of British

TWO BMX brothers from Aston-onTrent are riding high after finishing amongst the very best in Britain – and even Europe – at the fast-paced sport.

The BMX is the much beloved pastime of many in their youth, but Charlie and Max Clare have taken things to the next level by finishing in the top five in Britain for their age groups

The pair train several times a week with the Derby BMX Club at Alvaston and Charlie, 12, is now the British number four for his age, while Max, nine, is British number three for his

Both talented riders are so good they qualified to take part in this year ’s European championships and travelled to Bordeaux to compete against the cream of young BMX champions from across the continent

Charlie, a pupil at Chellaston Academy, was going great guns but unfortunately crashed around the track, while Max, who attends Aston-on-Trent Primary School, completed the course and finished up with his current ranking of European No 6

Both boys have qualified for the World championships in Azerbaijan next year, as well as the Europeans, which take place in Lyon

Dad David explained how both boys had become so good at the sport: “I used to do it as a kid,” he said “When they were just walking, I got them on bikes and they were both riding before they were three without stabilisers ”

When they could ride David took his sons to the BMX track at Alvaston, which is a national standard track where Derby BMX Club is based, and pushed them around it himself

“They just seemed to have a natural ability,” he said “We joined the Derby BMX Club, they started doing regular novice racing and you could see they were both motivated and both getting good We moved into regular expert racing and they got to the top of the Midlands, then started racing na-

tionally and they got better and better ”

For children to be gifted in any area makes a parent proud, but there is also a lot of work involved for the family Over the summer the Clare boys are racing every weekend, plus training three or four times a week after school

And then there’s the agony of seeing your youngsters haring around a track – but dad says they both work so hard and just get straight back up again if they fall, that all the hours put in are worth it

“They make it look so easy,” he said “We are properly proud of them, they love what they do It’s massively characterbuilding for them as well, they meet children from

all over the country doing it ”

So what are the plans for the future?

Charlie said he’d love to get to the Olympics one day – the sport having made its Olympic debut at the 2008 Beijing games – but for now is very happy doing what he loves “I just like being in the air, jumping around on my bike,” he said “The odd time it’s scary when you crash but you just get up and you get used to it ” – LS

Faster broadband on the way to Weston

WESTON-ON-TRENT is the latest local village in line to benefit from faster broadband by the end of this year as part of a multi-million pound rollout programme

Digital Derbyshire is a partnership led by BT and Derbyshire County Council to provide fibre broadband in rural areas where it has not been rolled out commercially

Engineers have laid hundreds of miles of fibre optic cables in order to upgrade the equipment, and the whole project has been going on in phases since 2014

The Village Voice was told that the work to provide the increased broadband was scheduled to be delivered in Weston by the end of December

Parts of Melbourne are already live, through Digital Derbyshire and commercial roll-outs, but there are some areas yet to be completed

Most of Aston-on-Trent, Ticknall, Barrow-onTrent and Smisby are also already live with the service

Existing Internet access should not be affected by the work but people who want to take advantage of faster broadband speeds will need to contact a provider who offers this service – it does

not happen automatically

This may mean an engineer visiting homes and businesses to install the necessary equipment –but customers are advised they will be able to use their existing broadband service if they choose not to upgrade

A BT spokesman said: “The internet and digital technology has become a part of everyday life for most of us whether it’s for business use or study, online banking and shopping, watching TV or using social media

“Our reliance on broadband will only grow in the future and fibre broadband will transform the way we all live, work and play

“The arrival of fibre broadband increases the speeds available enables things to happen much faster online This is important for things like watching TV online, uploading and downloading larges files and documents, and streaming music ”

To find out whether you can get faster fibre broadband in your area, check the Digital Derbyshire website (www digitalderbyshire org uk) or email with a specific query to this address: broadband@derbyshire gov uk

l Max (left) and brother Charlie on their bikes with Charlie in action below

Help set policing priorities

LOCAL residents and businesses are reminded that police officers are offering them the chance to help set policing priorities for the district at a series of local meetings

The events are being held throughout October in conjunction with the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership

Police say they are holding meetings to ensure that any public concerns on crime and disorder are recognised and acted upon Sgt Graham Summers, who is in charge of the teams, said: “We work closely with South Derbyshire District Council as part of the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership and it is vital that we listen to residents and businesses in the district to understand what worries them about crime and disorder

“My teams are out and about in the community on a daily basis, but the meetings are an opportunity for people to meet the wider partnership and talk about what is concerning them

“We are then able to take these issues in to consideration when setting our policing priorities for the oncoming quarter ”

The Melbourne Area Forum, which covers Melbourne, Aston, Weston, Thulston and Elvaston, is happening at the Recreation in Aston sports pavilion on October 24

The meeting for the Repton area, which covers Findern and Ticknall, takes place on Tuesday, October 10, at Stenson Fields Primary School

The meetings start at 6 15pm with tea and coffee being served at 7 15pm, when anyone who goes along can have a more informal chat with police officers present

Pub puddings treat

IT was the Great British Bake Off all over again at The Malt in Aston, which held its second fund-raiser in aid of Treetops Hospice

Spearheaded by staff member Maisy Hayward, the Charity Pudding Afternoon was held in the pub on September 16, and raised £242 95 for Treetops

Bakers turned out to donate their puddings, and the winner – decided by the community – was a truly decadent chocolate biscuit triple layer cake created by Chloe Murray

Maisy thanked The Malt for donating several puddings, plus tea and coffee; Carolyn Stubbs for providing homemade puddings, compotes and desserts to take away; and Sally Hayward for running the decorate a biscuit stall The Malt is due to hold a third Treetops fund-raiser which will be a Christmas market special on December 16

LEFT: Milo and Anais at the decorate a biscuit stand

RIGHT: The winning creation baked by Chloe Murray.

School’s 500 extra pupils?

JOHN Port School in Etwall could expand by up to 500 pupils to accommodate South Derbyshire’s new housing developments – but there is no clarity yet as to where those pupils would be from John Port has been taken on by Nottinghamshire’s Spencer Academies Trust with a new head following July’s dire Ofsted report, which put the school in special measures

However, there was much more positive news over the summer after A-levels were significantly better than last year with 30 per cent A* or A (Chellaston Academy achieved 24 per cent) and an 18 per cent English

and Maths pass rate increase from 2016 Cllr Alex Dale, the cabinet member for young people at the county council, said: “We want families in South Derbyshire to know that we’re planning ahead to make sure there will be enough places available at local schools when their children reach year seven

“With plans for new large housing developments on the outskirts of Derby well advanced, we know that many more school places will be needed and it is our duty to ensure they are available

“We are already looking at the options While there are potential new

secondary school sites on Infinity Garden Village and also possibly at Thulston Fields, we’re also looking at the possible expansion of John Port School to accommodate up to an additional 500 pupils

“There is funding available through agreements with housing developers to provide those additional school places, but building a new school or expanding an existing one will take time, so we’re working with John Port to ensure that children living in the local catchment area are able to secure a place there when they move up from primary school

“The task of creating enough of

–

secondary places at good quality schools in South Derbyshire is a priority for us and we are confident it will be achieved in good time and with no adverse impact on the quality of education ”

Asked whether it was yet known where pupils attending an expanded John Port School would be from, Cllr Dale said: “Academies have the power to set their own catchment areas, but the council will discuss any proposed changes with them and ensure that residents are consulted on significant alterations which could affect local families and their choice of school for their children ”

Lucy Stephens

Alan’s team are Master Builders double winners

A MELBOURNE building firm is officially one of the best in Britain after being presented with two national awards by TV’s Nick Knowles.

Alan Staley Building Contractor Ltd, now called ASBC Heritage & Conservation Specialists, emerged doubly victorious at the Master Builder Awards 2017 which were held in London on September 15

The firm was honoured for its extensive renovations to the Dower House in Melbourne, winning both the national Large Renovation Project and best Heritage Project on the night

The wins followed on from the firm’s triumph at the regional rung of the awards, run by the Federation of Master Builders, in which it also won two prizes for heritage and large renovation in connection with the same project

The Dower House is owned by William and Griselda Kerr and Alan Staley’s firm spent around a year on an extensive building project designed by the couple’s son, Robbie, a director of Winchester-based ADAM Architecture

The work involved the demolition of a 1960s wing and construction of several large extensions

Working with Robbie, Alan’s team constructed bespoke stone carving details for the external elevations and installed a nautical-themed parquet floor design, featuring a circular compass consisting of eight different timbers

Alan said: “Working with a listed building requires a careful and sensitive approach to adapt

the historic fabric and improve the environmental performance Every aspect of this project required all works to be executed with precision ”

A combination of traditional materials, such as lime mortar, natural sandstone, oak and slate, were sympathetically blended with the more modern materials of steel, glass and aluminium

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing with a number of unforeseen obstacles to contend with during construction

Alan said: “As with many old buildings, we uncovered numerous issues The main problem was the condition of the roof coverings and roof structure with the slates delaminating and the

wallplate having decayed due to a beetle infestation

“We then discovered decayed floor joists on the ground floor, meaning the entire floor had to be lifted and new joists installed, including a new sub-floor to improve ventilation ”

William Kerr said: “We knew Alan Staley from his work in Melbourne and a number of smaller things that he’d done for us and we appointed him without hesitation to do the work on the house

“He and his firm were a pleasure to work with We’re really pleased that he won this well-deserved award ”

POLICE are appealing for information after a car allegedly collided with two women on Ashby Road just outside Melbourne, leaving both injured – one seriously

The incident happened on Tuesday, September 12, at around 2 10pm when a grey Vauxhall Astra was travelling on the B587 towards Ashby from Melbourne The car is thought to have overtaken a white Ford Fiesta when vehicle was coming the other way, meaning the Astra swerved and collided with two women walking on the pavement

One of the women suffered minor injuries while the other suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital

A spokeswoman from East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they had been called at 2 13pm and had sent a paramedic in an ambulance car and two crewed ambulances Two patients were taken to Queen’s Medical Centre for further treatment

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was released under investigation

PC Oliver Priddle from the Roads Policing Unit said: “I am looking to trace the driver of the oncoming vehicle as they could hold vital information to the investigation ”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Priddle on 101 quoting reference number 17000391895

Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting www derbyshire police uk/Contact-Us

You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

DOWER POWER (l-r) Nick Knowles (BBC DIY SOS), Alan Staley, Alison Staley, Robbie Kerr and Sadie Phillips (FMB Insurance) Inset: The Dower House

Refurbishment Clearance event now on….

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Coffee and cakes raise cancer cash

THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised across this area to help families going through cancer treatment, with lots of local residents and organisations getting into the spirit of the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning.

Melbourne Print Shop put a cake stand outside their premises and raised nearly £200, while staff at Melbourne Animal Farm were selling cakes and raised £130

Melbourne resident Vicky Stringer put on an event at her home, supported by Forever Living and Flamingo Paperie, which raised just over £150 for the cause

At Richmond Villages, in Aston-on-Trent, residents, members of the local Women’s Institute and community turned out to enjoy a morning of coffee, cake and a raffle in an event organised by Tracey Stinchcombe

A spokeswoman for Richmond Villages said: “Those who came along commented on what a wonderful time they were having and, with a whopping £453 10 being raised for this worthy cause, it was

smiles all round!”

Cakes were sold at Melbourne Infant School in aid of Macmillan, while in Breedon, another very successful coffee morning was held which raised more than £1,400

And at Thomas Cook Memorial Hall, Angela Tillyard held a Macmillan Coffee Morning in memory of her father-in-law John Tillyard, a former Melbourne retained firefighter who passed away on Christmas Day, 2016

The hall was donated free for the occasion as John had lived there, and the occasion raised £1,100 for Macmillan with people turning out to enjoy a raffle, guess the number of sweets in a jar, quiz and book stall, along with their cake

The family had good reason to support Macmillan, John having been cared for by one of the charity’s nurses, Jayne Lapworth, during his illness

“She was phenomenal,” said Angela “She really helped all of us Her role wasn’t just to look after John – he was her priority but she was there for all of us and that made it all the more important for us to do something extra special this year for Macmillan

“I don’t think people realise that the nurses are there for everybody, they maybe just assume they are there for the person who’s ill

“I just can’t tell you how good our nurse was – we had her phone number, you could call her day and night; she came every other day and she followed up after John had passed away ”

Angela’s fund-raising total included £250 from Continental Tyre Group Ltd and she also thanked all the businesses in Melbourne who donated prizes for the raffle, and to everybody who gave cakes and went along to enjoy themselves

– Lucy Stephens

ABOVE: In Victoria Stringer ’s house are guests with enticing plates of cakes.

RIGHT: Angela Tillyard at the Thomas Cook Memorial Hall

BELOW: On the cake stall at Melbourne Print Shop

ABOVE: At Breedon are (l-r) Vanessa Jones, Elaine Jackman and Claire Philipson.

BELOW: At the Melbourne Animal Farm with (l-r) Janet Wightman, Aaron Francis-Robertson, Chloe Chamberlain and Geraldine Ballard

Looking back in pictures

AS MELBOURNE gears up for the annual Wakes fair in October – just as The Village Voice goes through people’s letterboxes – this month’s history picture of the Wakes is a still from film footage thought to be from the mid-1950s, shot by Hugh Andrews

We are grateful to the Melbourne Historical Research Group for providing us with the image, and to the group’s chairman, Philip Heath, for the following explanation of how the autumn festivities came to be called the Wakes

The Wakes were originally a time of vigil and prayer late at night, hence ‘wake’, on the eve of the patron saint’s

day of the village church, or the anniversary of the church’s consecration

In the case of Melbourne the saint was Michael, to whom the old church in the Castle Street burial ground was dedicated When Saint Michael’s was dismantled around 1550, the dedication was transferred to the parish church of St Mary, which is now dedicated to both saints

The religious wake was followed by a time of public merrymaking and entertainment and, as time passed, the religious element was forgotten, being eclipsed by the more popular part

Melbourne Wakes are still quite close to St Michael’s day, normally

known as Michaelmas (September 29) but now survive only as the travelling funfair provided by the Holland family

In the past, the festivities were part of home life and were spread all around the village centre, including (on occasion at least) the former woodyard (now Jubilee Close) and the grass triangle at the bottom of Chapel Street

Today the Wakes are confined to Castle Square and Potter Street and, while still an important annual event, have lost their historic role as a village event which affected and involved everyone

The Chatsworth Collection

This classically styled British made collection has something for everyone and sits comfortably amongst either older or more modern furniture.

Crafted using traditional furniture making techniques and retaining features such as dovetailed drawers and solid wood construction throughout means each piece has a reassuring solidity.

The unique shaping and features on the cabinets, plinths, tops and frames all add to the elegant and attractive styling of this classic collection for the bedroom, living room, hall and kitchen.

OBITUARY

MARJORIE DIXON (nee HARLOW)

March 25, 1933 - August 15, 2017

MARJORIE was born and raised in Derby She had one brother, David, who died in 2014 She left school and worked as a window dresser before moving to work at RollsRoyce where she met the man she would later marry, Frank

They had 50 loving and hilarious years together, living most of these in the house they had built in Victoria Street, Melbourne, called Peppercorns

Marjorie always claimed her favourite job was working at the mushroom farm on Melbourne Common

She and Frank adopted the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, raising in excess of £250,000 over the years They held sponsored dog walks, had a yearly flower bulbs sale at Melbourne Hall and sold pet food and garden supplies from their garage in Victoria Street, the proceeds from which went to their chosen charity

Marjorie was an animal lover all her life, having numerous pets including cats, ducks, hens, goats and of course her dogs

In later years she was often seen walking with head held high, striding out to the nearby villages of Ticknall and Stanton by Bridge where she visited family and friends

Marjorie enjoyed an active social life, if anyone asked her:

“Do you want to ?” she would

always say yes before knowing what the outing was to be – she was never known to turn down an opportunity to go out Although she loved Melbourne she also loved to travel both in this country and abroad Her big trip was to China and Australia, ending in New Zealand where she visited her beloved nephew, Clive Marjorie had an invisible revolving door at Victoria Street –visitors were many and always welcome The kettle was always on

In 2013 she decided the time was right to downsize and she moved to Castle Mills where Melbourne Pool became her ‘back garden’ She was often seen there early in the morning as well as later in the day

Marjorie will be remembered for her ready smile and positive outlook on life; as her favourite saying goes, she lived well, laughed often and loved much

district

n THE family of Chris Jones would like to thank all who attended his funeral, for the many cards and words of comfort and donations of £384 50 to be divided between British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK They also thank the local doctor,

nurses, Lee and Robin (carers), Margaret for the flowers, Susan French and J P Springthorpe & Co for their care and guidance

l Marjorie Dixon with two of her beloved dogs.

MELBOURNE really does come to life over the festival weekend in a glorious celebration of all that is good about the village

Now in its 13th year, the festival had more artists than ever on the trail, with 150 exhibiting, and more visitors purchasing trail guides

This year ’s theme, For the Love of Lettuce, celebrated the long heritage of market gardening, making a connection between “old Melbourne” and its history with the produce growers and the people of today

A successful Heritage Lottery bid had funded a collaboration between the festival and other art groups to commission work for the weekend Emma Pegg’s “Nature or Nurture” installation on

No.13 is far from unlucky for Festival

Castle Street focussed on the importance of rain and caring hands; Rosie Clements’ sound installation featured many familiar sounds and voices of Melbourne; Christopher Mears’ photography exhibit in the Market Place featured the present market gardening families

But that was just the tip of the iceberg – Alistair Gentry created a legend and street-performed as Mel Bear; Dwane Read, performance poet, popped up everywhere to read from his collected works; Peter Rabbit featured extensively in the Family Trail and there was even a Snail Trail for the gastropod lettuce lovers, created by Stephen Parker

Around the village Ross Danby had filled pop-

up planters and “salad” tyres, which disappeared as quickly as they had appeared

With three “busk stops” there was music provided throughout both days, and there was no shortage of food outlets all over the village

Of the 78 stops on the trial, a few are worthy of a special mention Down at Melbourne Hall the classic car display graced the turning circle as if they had all turned up for an Agatha Christie movie shoot

In Melbourne Parish Church the Peak District Artisans had a touring project based on the iconography and imagery of the Adam and Eve story, while the bell ringers invited people to have a go

It is worth remembering that none of this comes about by chance

Organiser Sharon Brown relies on a small army of helpers and volunteers to pull together all the various strands and it is that sense of community that make it such a success

Sharon said “a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this year ’s art trail another success”

She added: “Your help, however big or small a role, is greatly appreciated and without our helpers and local sponsors the festival wouldn’t happen ”

Frank Hughes

–

EMERGING TALENT EXHIBITION IS THE ‘BEST YET’

THE Emerging Talent Award for artists aged 17 to 25 has become an established feature of the Melbourne Festival and the quality of the exhibition this year was “the best ever”, according to festival director Sharon Brown

With 13 artists on display in the newly refurbished Assembly Rooms gallery space, the artwork was certainly impressive and the independent judges had a very difficult job selecting

the winner

Reflecting the times we are living through, this year ’s theme was ‘Transformation’ and the young artists had approached the topic in diverse and imaginative ways

The winning piece called ‘The Transformation of a Racist’ by Holly Kerslake “illustrates the process of unlearning and relearning” In the views of the judging panel it was “technically very accomplished and demon-

We’ve Just Won The Which? Trusted Trader of The Month For September!

M Broer Heating has just beaten 8,000 other traders from all over the UK to become the Which? number 1 Trusted Trader for September 2017.

Derbyshire now has a company considered one of the best in the country by the UKs leading consumer advice company Which? Having won Which?’s ‘Trusted Trader of the month’ we’re automatically in the final for the ‘Trusted Trader of the Year 2017’.

M Broer Heating installs, repairs and services boilers all over Derbyshire and has been trading for six years. In such a competitive market, the one way to set ourselves apart from everyone else is to be the best….

Of course, most traders consider themselves to be either the best, or at least very good at what they do. I quickly realised that the key is backing it up. All traders say they can do this

strated a very mature interpretation and response”

Holly was “thrilled – in fact, ecstatic to win” the first prize of £500, a place on next year ’s trail and a year ’s mentoring

Runner-up was Rachel Alexandre with her representation of a viral DNA cell, composed in acrylic and lacquer

Two pieces were Highly Commended: Rachel Gilson’s photographs of Nottingham, and Beth Hillyard’s

graphite drawing of a tree and roots transforming from seed

New this year, the ‘People’s Choice’ award of £50 art materials vouchers went to Katherine Bush It was given the most votes in a secret ballot by the public visiting the gallery

Organiser Frank Hughes said that “all the artists who had exhibited should be very proud that their work was part of a fabulous exhibition”

“It was particularly rewarding this

year to see four of the artists who had previously entered the competition now exhibiting in their own right on the trail Engaging young artists had been one of the main motives for setting up the competition five years ago ” Next year ’s competition will begin around February

Festival in photos – Pages 14,15

and that, but they need proof. In my opinion, you HAVE to have online reviews to build customer confidence. It’s the easiest way to check out a company and a quick Internet search can save you a whole world of problems down the line. We all hear nightmare tales about rogue traders, so don’t be one of those people who get caught out. There are a number of review websites like Which? Trusted Traders, where you can check how traders are rated by customers, if those traders are insured and qualified, and to see photos of past work.

Winning the Which? ‘Trusted Trader of the month’ is a massive achievement for us; there are not many awards for small plumbing companies to win. This really gives us something the shout about to all our customers: past, present and future.

Martin Bröer, Director of M Bröer Heating

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LEFT: Ross Danby’s Market Place salad tyres

FAR LEFT: Richard Rhodes in his classic Jowett Bradford car.

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FAR LEFT: Adams

ABOVE: Poet Dwa there.

RIGHT: Cath Smith viding refreshmen

LEFT: Robert W H

The Mel Bear points visitors in the right direction

Anna Roebuck and birds

YUMMY Maxine Milton Saywell, Marples Yard cookies

Ladies at Alive ‘n Clippin hosting for the first time Carolyn Brogden (Seabreeze Jewellery)

Large, purpose built, heated dog kennels and cat chalets in Ingleby. Large, secure, grass exercise paddocks for

Bagley with

Worrall, of Kj Designs Glass

TYRED? Sarah Knappett with son Tom and daughter Edie rest their legs

Ben’s hopes of being a pilot are sky high

A MELBOURNE teenager has told how a scholarship from The Air League has brought him a step closer to his flying dreams

Now Ben Walker, 18, is encouraging other young people who yearn for a chance to get in the cockpit to apply for funding

Ben, who has just finished his A-levels at Chellaston Academy and is starting an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce, has always loved aviation since flying model aircraft with his granddad as a child, and listening to the East Midlands Airport air traffic controllers on air band radio

Aged 12 he experienced his first trial flight, went gliding with Melbourne Scouts, joining the Air Cadets at 13 before building a home flight simulator over several years to fulfil his dreams of becoming a commercial airline pilot Saving birthday and Christmas money allowed him to begin training for his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) at Derby Airfield aged 15 and, despite being very busy with A-levels in physics, maths and computing, taking part in the Uganda project, playing in a band and working part-time as a sound engineer

Homes appeal start date

solo flight

Ben said: “When sitting at the end of the runway and getting final clearance from the tower to take off, it suddenly hits you that you’re on your own! It’s very different from a big commercial aeroplane, they are a lot smoother

“It was a little nerve-wracking but I loved every minute I had to deal with a light crosswind and a little bit of traffic on approach but my training had been thorough and I was very happy with my landing I went on to complete another four solo circuits, take-offs and landings before the end of the training

“I would recommend The Air League to any young person aged 17 or above with a passion for flying as it can offer so many opportunities

“The scholarships are not only for flying but also engineering, gliding and ballooning It’s actually really accessible – The Air League is run by people who have got a flying background ”

Now Ben’s aim is to complete his pilot’s licence This will allow him to fly for pleasure – a career as a commercial airline pilot being off the cards financially for the time being with training costs of more than £100,000 and no scholarships, student loans, grants or assistance available

He said: “This is disappointing for many aspiring young pilots who have shown real commitment, passion and aptitude for flying, especially when there’s a demand for trainee pilots, but the reality is that this is not a career accessible to everyone

A PLANNING appeal into whether a developer can build up to 150 homes between Aston and Weston-on-Trent is due to start on December 5

South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee rejected the application by Gladman Developments Ltd to build the houses at a meeting on June 6 – but the developer has appealed

The appeal is scheduled to take five days and is listed to start at 10am at the district council’s offices in Swadlincote

Police check nabs speeders

THREE drivers were handed tickets for speeding through Ticknall during a police check on September 17

The Derbyshire Road Policing Unit was conducting the checks on Main Street, a part of the village which has been the subject of extensive local campaigning due to the volume of cars ignoring the 30mph limit Police said all drivers handed the tickets were local to the area – one was from Ticknall

Auction of Promises

in Castle Donington, he continued to visit flight training school open days and pilot career events around the country Last November, having met The Air League at one such event, he applied for a scholarship which he won this year, took part in a fully funded two-week residential in August and logged his first

“However, I will continue to do whatever I can to stay in the air and still aspire to one day become a commercial airline pilot Hopefully, my late granddad will be looking down on me and be proud of what I’ve achieved so far ”

For more on the Air League, see www airleague co uk

– Lucy Stephens

STUCK for what to buy relatives for Christmas?

Barrow-on-Trent is holding another Auction of Promises at 7 30pm on Friday, December 15, to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Church

The event follows a very successful Auction of Promises last year and will be held at The Brookfield

Beautiful bespoke

craftsmanship for your home

Ferrers Gallery – Ferrers Frames – Green Man Ceramics – Janet Gibson Jewellery

Kevin Shepherd Artist – B&J Blacksmiths – Crinoline Upholstery – CODE Leather Goods

The Victorian Model Workshop – Paint a Pot Craft Studio – Simon Price Furniture

Staunton Hardwoods – Country Cottage Crafts – Russell Lister Artist and Craft maker

Michelle Holmes Embroidered Textiles – Rituals Retreat – Tip Top Hair Design

Most of the workshops and shops are open 11-4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Please check website for individual opening times.

Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. LE65 1RW

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n THE spirit of growing things was very much in evidence in Ticknall where another very successful Village Produce Show attracted more than 200 entries

With independent judges from Calke Abbey and Swarkestone Nurseries, this year ’s winners for Best in Show were Irene

Anderson, who won the Harpur Crewe rose bowl for her flower arrangement; Rob and Susie Mallett, who won the Michael Stanton Cup in the fruit and vegetables category; and Christina Oppenheimer who won the Parish Council Salver in the home produce category (shown left to right in the main pic-

It’s official ... Melbourne rocks!

IT’S the latest craze and it looks as though it has landed in Melbourne.

The global ‘rocks’ craze which started in America is based on a very simple idea: people paint rocks and hide them for others to find.

ture above).

One of the categories this year, in the junior section, was largest sunflower head, and the winner was 12-year-old Rachel Boddey. Her entry which measured an incredible 16 inches across, was grown from seed in her grandmother ’s garden in Ticknall.

New school views sought

PROPOSALS are on the table to build a new primary school to service a new housing development – and residents are being asked what they want to happen

The development in the Highfields Farm area of Findern could eventually be as large as 1,200 houses, and it’s estimated that will mean an extra 240 primary school places will be needed

The county council is proposing to meet the need by building a new academy school to open in September 2019

The education authority says this would provide “the vast majority of those places”

There is a public consultation period which opened on September 28 and closes on November 2, and the

FRENCH TUITION

MUSIC TUITION

UKULELE CLUB FOLK DANCE

local community are being strongly urged to make their views known

People will be asked whether they agree a new school is needed to serve the Highfields Farm development, and whether any new school should be opened in September 2019 or as soon as possible afterwards

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Councillor Alex Dale said: “This is a very considerable housing development and our projections for the increase in the number of primary school age children moving into the area show that there is a need to consider the building of a new school

“However, it is essential that the local community has its say on this proposal It is the residents who already live in this part of South Der-

French taught to all ages and abilities

Guitar, ukulele, ddle, keyboard & melodeon

The ukulele club is a fun, sociable evening of song and playing.

We also do barn dances and maypole

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

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byshire who can help to give us a full picture of the impact a new school might have

“I would encourage anyone who has a view on this proposal to take advantage of this opportunity and make their voice heard ”

A planning inspector approved the Highfields Farm development at a public inquiry in 2009 and so far 130 houses have been built there

Plans indicate that the development will increase by 130 homes a year until the whole development is finished, scheduled for 2021

As well as the extra primary school places generated by the new houses, an extra 180 secondary aged children are also expected plus 72 over-16s

According to the council consulta-

tion documents, the developer has agreed to make land available for the new school and help pay to build it, plus provide money for the secondary and over-16s at a rate of around £17,000 per secondary aged child and £18,500 per post-16

Residents who want to take part in the consultation should either write to: Jane Parfrement, Strategic Director for Children’s Services, Children’s Services Development Team, Chatsworth Hall, Chesterfield Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3FW; telephone Sue Pegg on 01629 536040 or email her at sue pegg@derbyshire gov uk Anyone contacting the council in writing or by email should use the reference Ref DEV/SP Or visit the link at www derbyshire gov uk

The aim of the game is for finders to then re-hide the rocks for others, the idea being to get children away from screens and re-discover the simple pleasures of going on a walk

The Village Voice snapped this sweet little painted stone somewhere in Melbourne but where?

We’re not saying, but the advice from the o r g a n i s e r s on Faceb o o k where photos of rocks can be uploaded is that to keep the craze safe

and fun: do not include phone numbers or advertising on any rocks, do not hide or hunt of rocks in cemeteries or church yards, and do not identify any child’s school or street in any photos, and ideally do not show children’s faces

Further advice if you want to join in is to make sure rocks are varnished before they are set loose into the world – that way the colours will stay nice and vibrant

HELP YOUR FAMILY BY MAKING A WILL

of the Walk month

This is one of 12 walks from “Walks Around Melbourne, Further Afield” published by Melbourne Civic Society All walks are illustrated with detailed maps and sketches. They are available to purchase from Melbourne News, the Melbourne Hall Gift Shop and through Amazon. Price £6.

SMISBY TO HARTSHORNE

Distance: 8km/five miles

Time: Three hours

Terrain: Easy

Refreshments: Hartshorne and Smisby

Parking: Smisby Main Street

Buses: Regular Derby-Hartshorne (alternative start)

This walk is quite a discovery because it is in a rural area yet close to Ashby and Woodville In places the sound of road traffic is completely absent, something that seems increasingly difficult to avoid in parts of south Derbyshire Note: the section to Hartshorne is now part of the National Forest Way and should be well waymarked

Starting in Smisby, take the path through the churchyard This runs around the west end of the church and squeezes by a house on the left Cross the drive and pass through a metal gate into a field From here the stile is ahead in the far lefthand corner In the next large field, turn left and follow the hedge to the corner, then turn right, still keeping the hedge on your left Keep in the same direction through a second large field, and cross over Heath Lane Soon you cross over a wide drive and follow the path diagonally through two fields In the third field keep the hedge on your right

At the top of the third field turn right next to a post marking a National Forest tender scheme and the former Calke Abbey racing stables Soon after, turn left and follow the fence line [1] The path now takes you to the right of Several Woods Farm After passing the farm buildings you will see a Several Woods National Forest notice board Turn right here and follow the track downhill to a small wood Either fork of the track here takes you into a large field Turn left and pass a pleasant little pool on your left After the pool, follow the first footpath marker to your right and go straight ahead across a large field You will soon see the tower of Hartshorne church in the distance At the end of a second large field you come to a green lane that emerges on Manchester Lane Turn right and go past the Bull’s Head public house

Continue downhill on Main Street and turn right into Church Street At the end of this lane, beyond the church, turn right at a sign pointing uphill by a bungalow [2] Go through a gap and at the stile turn left Now keep straight with the hedge on your left, and go over a stile in the corner with a notice marking Derbyshire Wildlife Site SD102 The path now takes you downhill to Limehouse Dam Go round to the end of the pool and up the slope, keeping to the left of the conservation site [3] After passing through a large metal gate you will see an interesting plaque about the Daniel Hayes settlement Turn right and follow a well-marked path following the contour below the escarpment

Just before Sharp’s Bottom wood the track continues straight on but the public footpath turns sharp right over an easy to miss stile [4] Go down to the wood and over the stile next to a gate After passing a pond on your left the path makes an anti-clockwise circuit through the wood

Eventually the track climbs quite steeply uphill: keep straight ahead, ignoring the fork to your left [5] At the top where the track ends, take the path to the left by a warning sign about racehorses [6] Pass through the metal gate and continue with a forestry plantation on your left After passing a large shed, turn sharp right along a path that runs between fencing Soon it emerges opposite Forties Lane, which takes you back to Smisby after 800 metres

Places of Interest:

A Smisby

Almost in Leicestershire, this small village has an impressive 15th-century parish church dedicated to St James, together with an old lock-up and pub

B Hartshorne

Once divided into ‘upper ’ and ‘lower ’ towns, the village derives its name from the horn-shaped hill to the south-east Upper town, around the parish church, has some interesting old buildings including the Manor House and the Bull’s Head

C Limehouse Dams

The water from these header ponds was used to feed watermills further down the valley

D Daniel Hayes

Not a person: the name is thought to mean ‘the land enclosed by the spring in the valley’ There is evidence of Bronze Age activity here and the compact farm estate dates from the 13th century E Forties Lane

A long lane that descends to Smisby from the north, becoming progressively sunken and

Loos a winner thanks to Rolls-Royce helpers

THEIR day jobs may be in aircraft engineering – but these staff from RollsRoyce took a day out of the office to get their hands dirty at Melbourne’s Whistlewood Common.

The team of 35 from Rolls-Royce’s Europe Customer Regional Team were taking part in a community away day at Whistlewood where they helped build, among other things, an outside disabled loo

Luke Mallows, from Rolls-Royce, said: “We have a very good community investment team and we set them the task of finding something that would get us a little bit dirty, that would exhaust us, that would get us out in the open on a beautiful sunny day and we’re very happy to be at Whistlewood Common!”

The Rolls team split into groups led by Whistlewood volunteers and spent the day on a range of tasks, including taking down and cleaning the yurt ready to be moved to a new spot on site; helping create a living roof for the Whistlewood shelter; building the disabled loo, mulching trees and giving the willow dragon on the land a muchneeded haircut

In the middle of the day Melbourne county councillor Linda Chilton arrived to hand over a £500 cheque towards the disabled toilet

Earlier this year Whistlewood opened up their share offer to the community again and now the pioneering project has 180 new members

Around £35,000 was donated towards the work at Whistlewood which has been match-funded by the lottery-funded Power

to Change, an independent charitable trust to support community businesses

That means the total of funding available is around £70,000 and further discussions on to how to spend it are due to happen at Whistlewood’s Annual General Meeting

(AGM) on October 18, at Melbourne Senior Citizens’ Centre

The summer ’s share offer more than doubled Whistlewood’s membership – there are now more than 350 members

Lorry loads of fun for pupils

THEY may not have their driving licences quite yet, but some Breedon youngsters got the chance to see what the view looks like from the seat of a large HGV as part of National Lorry Week

David Guilford, managing director of Kings Newton-based DG Light Haulage Ltd, was at St Hardulph’s Church of England Primary School in Breedon-onthe-Hill in support of National Lorry Week, which is organised by the Road Haulage Association

Children had the chance to find out more about lorry driving, road safety and – from the children’s point of view the best bit –climb into and explore the driver ’s cab

David said: “It was a pleasure to let the children ask lots of questions about the truck – we even worked out how many elephants we might be able to fit inside a trailer! – and let them see inside the cab

Gem of an idea

FANCY learning how to make beads and jewellery from recycled paper? Melbourne Library is the venue for just that at a free event on Friday, October 20, from 10am to noon

Anyone interested in this adult craft session can book their place at the library

“With so many trucks and lorries on the road network today, it’s great to be able to show them inside the cab, see what the view is like from the driver ’s seat, and learn a little more about road safety ”

Caroline Wenham, head teacher of St Hardulph’s, said: “The children were so excited to have the chance to see the truck up close; they couldn’t believe how big it was when they were stood next to it and for many of them, the wheels were taller than they were!”

“It’s important for the children to have hands-on experiences like this and begin to find out more about industries like haulage and driving ”

l Cllr Linda Chilton presenting a cheque for £500 to help towards the cost of the disabled toilet.

l Alexander Rackham-Sayer and Eagan Doherty with David Guilford.

ABOVE: Weston on Trent Wren class reception with Miss Cross (class teacher) and Mrs Barton (teaching assistant)

LEFT: Breedon primary reception class with Miss Lakhman (teacher)

BELOW: Findern primary Ash class with Mrs Gregory (teaching assistant) and Miss Goodman (teacher).

●

Members of the Parish Council

Chair Margaret Sharp 862471

Vice Chair Sheila Hicklin 865726

Highways, Facilities and Amenities

David Smith 862699

Burial Grounds

Sheila Hicklin 865726

Planning & Strategy

Jane Carroll 863269

Finance & HR

Margaret Sharp 862471

Nigel Collyer 07831 540538

George Dunnicli 07780 806267

Wendy Earp 865019

Tom Gates 865718

Simon Green 07889 924925

George Hudson 07503 247953

Andrew Jackson 07931 541387

Robert Parker 07973 297404

Terry Summerlin 864643

Michael Usher 07791 605861

Jacqui Storer - Clerk 07734 939292

Useful Numbers

Aircraft Noise & Complaints 0845 1088540

Clean Team ( y tipping) 0800 5872349

Street Lighting Faults 0845 6058058

Potholes 0845 6058058

Melbourne Parish Council

Quarterly Report - October 2017

The Parish Council welcomed a new Parish Councillor, Simon Green, who is settling in well but we have a vacancy for one more member to bring us up to full strength. Please contact the Clerk on 07734 939292 to express any interest in the vacancy or if you want further information as to the role of a Parish Councillor.

The grant applications relating to the improvements at the Cemetery Chapels are still progressing. Progress is taking time, the amount of funding which will be requested is large and therefore unsurprisingly, a number of criteria needs to be completed before the applications can be submitted. The Chapels were opened on Heritage Open Days on 9th and 10th September. Thanks are extended to Philip Heath for the guided walk of Melbourne Churches and graveyards; this walk was very well attended. Thanks also go to the Melbourne Historical Research Group for "manning" the chapels over the Heritage Open Days weekend.

The new Public Toilets are making very slow progress but hopefully the contractors will be starting very soon.

The Clerk has submitted a grant application to fund new play equipment for the Lothian Gardens; a decision is awaited.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been submitted to the District Council.

The Parish Council convened three meetings with interested village organisations about ways and means to commemorate the Centenary of the end of WWI next year. The commemoration and celebration events will be organised under the umbrella of the Parish Council and to assist with this large task, Andy Hea eld has been appointed to co-ordinate the events. If any individual or group wishes to participate or is seeking further information, please contact Andy Hea eld.

The Remembrance Parade will be held on Sunday 12th November 2017; this, as in previous years, is being organised by the Royal British Legion on behalf of the Parish Council which sends its thanks and appreciation for the Legion's work.

The Christmas lights will be switched on by Father Christmas on 1st December.

Margaret Sharp, Chair, Melbourne Parish Council

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BELOW:

BOTTOM:

LEFT: Melbourne Infants Koala class with Mrs Deakin (teacher) and Mrs Walker (teaching assistant)

Sale and Davys Merlin class with Mrs Tompson (teacher)

Aston on Trent Primary School reception class with Mrs Donaldson (class teacher) and Mrs Barnett (teaching assistant).

TOP LEFT: Melbourne Infants Zebra class with Mrs Polovina (teaching assistant), Mrs Howell (class teacher) and Mrs Maguire (teaching assistant)

LEFT: Melbourne Infants Penguin class with Mrs Lakin (teaching assistant) and Mr Simpson (class teacher)

ABOVE: Ticknall Dame Catherine’s nursery reception group with Margaret Whyte (head teacher).

Pictures by PETE CLOUGH

JOHN SMITH (MELBOURNE) LTD.

Dynamo teams off to fliers

Melbourne Dental Practice

Your Will Yet?

MELBOURNE Dynamo

Football Club continued its superb start to the 2017/18 season

Both sides had 100 per cent records in the month of September, winning three games each

The first team started with a hard fought 4-3 away win against Newhall United in the premier divisional cup, thanks to goals from Danny Guild, Adam Ross, David Worger and new signing James Smith

They backed this up the week after more convincingly with a 5-1 home win in the league against Matlock United. Doubles from Adam Ross and substitute Dave Brough plus a thumping header from skipper Carl

Allsop completed the scoring. Gavin Salisbury’s men ended the month with a superb 3-1 away win against Chesterfield Town.

A depleted Dynamo team jumped up to second place in the premier division as goals from Danny Guild, Tom Ballard and substitute Harry Foxon secured a vital three points to end a perfect month.

Dynamo Reserves began September with a quite stunning 11-0 win away to Willington Sports Reserves as doubles from Joe Shadbolt, Harry Foxon and substitute Ellis Radcliffe along with strikes from Toby Foxon, Scott Radley, Will Palmer, Ashley Smith and Paul Swallow completed

the rout.

A week later away to Derby Athletic, Dynamo went top of their divisional cup group as they won 6-1 with Joe Shadbolt and James Benjamin both hitting braces supported by Andy Shephard and Harry Foxon.

The Reserves finished the month with another convincing win, this time at home to Willington Sports Reserves in the cup, winning 6-0 Leading scorer Joe Shadbolt made it 13 goals in just six games with a first half hat-trick as veteran striker Dave Brough added a couple of tapins and a fortunate Ash Smith header trickled in to complete the scoring and a perfect month

Red card spoils rugby club’s opener

MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV opened their first ever league game in Midlands 1W at home to Moseley Oak, a side who finished in the top half last season

Three debutants for the 1st XV were youngsters Livesey, CliftonForbes and Cooke Rogers, with three U20s in Toplis, Benstead and Bullock

Melbourne battled all game against physical opposition and defended stoutly Scrum and line out worked well, but Melbourne were on the wrong side of the ref Half-time was 7-7 with Stark scoring after a fine break from Page Holden converted

Seven minutes into the second half saw Tony Day red carded, and the pattern of the game changed with 14-man Melbourne hav-

ing to play a rearguard action Moseley Oak game management and physical power eventually told, scoring three late tries for a 24-7 scoreline

Next saw a trip to Rugby Lions and a 33-15 defeat Coming up against another very physical side, Melbourne more than held their own, only to be undone by a try late in each half Melbourne scorers were Stark and Howard

Stoke-on-Trent arrived at Cockshut Lane and Melbourne picked up their first points of the season with a 20-20 draw Melbourne took the early lead with tries from Tommy Howard and Mat Smith with Holden scoring seven points Stoke fought back and, despite a red card, closed the gap and then took the lead

Melbourne had two late yellow cards themselves (Hall and Stark) but had a penalty in the last minute which Holden slotted for the draw

Another tight game, away at Stourbridge, saw Melbourne lose 21-18 There were debuts for Will Brookes and Darryl Banton Charlies Livesey and Alex Nightingale scored tries for Melbourne with Holden contributing eight points With Stourbridge down to 12 men for the last five minutes, Melbourne could not make their numerical advantage count

The 2nd XV started their season at Ashby 2nds and a mixed side gave away two soft tries early and then chased the game against a physical side Final score was 24-5 with Sam Hancock scoring Melbourne’s try

They then travelled to Ashfield for their first Pennant game and came away victorious 38-19 Tries for Mallett (2), Hancock, Martin, Richardson and Sparkes with Hancock converting four Ashbourne 3rds arrived at Melbourne and a strong 2nds ran out 52-19 winners Tries came for Bullock (2), Ilott, Stringer, Bilson, Brough and Martin with Sam Hancock quacking eight out of eight for a personal haul of 17 points

The 3rd XV started with a fine win over Castle Donington 1st XV 36-3, including six tries and three conversions

The Academy scores were: Dronfield 14-29 Melbourne; Ashbourne 38-7 Melbourne; Ilkeston 57-23 Melbourne; Melbourne 1736 Oadby Wyggs – Peter Ilott

Town second team quickly bounces back

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club had reason to celebrate at the end of the 2017 season as their second team achieved promotion back up to division 8S at the first time of asking

Dan Marshall’s men finished the successful campaign in runners-up spot

They began a crucial month with a convincing seven-wicket victory away to Hartshorne second team The home side scored 156 all out batting first, Kaustav Dutta pick of the Town bowlers with 4-40

In reply Simon Fletcher (41) and Ranjit Rathore (38 not out) saw Town home with more than 15 overs left

A week later Melbourne secured promotion as they claimed a winning draw at home to Elvaston Paul Scrimshaw hit a season’s best 73 supported by Fletcher (48) which helped Town to post 170-5 off their 33 overs in a rain-reduced match

The visitors were never in the hunt as they limped to 78-4 off their allotted overs, sparking celebrations in the Melbourne camp

The second eleven’s final game of the season was rained off away to Washlands, leaving them with a record points total of 407 in their promotion season

Melbourne Town first team secured a creditable fifth place as they ended their 2017 season with a win and a loss in the

LAST THROWS

MELBOURNE Darts League will close completely from the end of October, after the announcement that organiser Lee Smith would be standing down The league thanks all current and previous players for the support they have shown, and have also given a big thank you to the Royal British Legion for its support over the last few seasons

final month

They began with that victory at home to Trentside as they beat the visitors easily by 55 runs Muhammad Nadeem (73) and Muhammed Tayyab (50) led the way as the firsts scored 217-8 off their allotted overs

Trentside were never at the races as they slumped to 114-8 then eventually 162 all out as leading wicket taker Marc Towell claimed 5-62 to take Melbourne to victory

A week later Town were beaten by the rain as only 11 2 overs were possible in their match away to Winshill and Alex Slater ’s men ended the season with sixwicket defeat to A & B 2nd Xl

Andy Potts (36) and Mark Rossi (39) were the only two batsmen to cope with the visiting attack as Melbourne were bowled out for just 155 and, despite 3-19 from Lee Tallis, A & B eased to victory

Melbourne Town’s third team saw their final league game of the season rained off away to Kings Bromley which left Andy Holden’s side in a best ever fifth place – a huge improvement from last season

The club would like to thank the month’s ball sponsors who were Albert Wood, Melbourne Royal British Legion and R & B Builders The club is hugely indebted to all the team, kit, ball and board sponsors throughout the 2017 season

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor Linda Chilton

Councillor John Harrison

Councillor Jim Hewlett

FOOTBALL – IT’S A WALK IN THE PARK

KEEN footballers who no longer want to, or can’t, run are invited to join Melbourne’s fledgling walking football club

The club is scheduled to meet on Friday evenings and potentially Sunday mornings and is keen for both men and women who don’t want to give up on the sport but would prefer to take things slower – or who are new to football altogether – to go along and give it a go Walking football nationally is in

its infancy with the laws of the game only established in November 2016, but it is essentially football without the running Peter Hass, from Melbourne’s walking football club, also plays the conventional game and has this to say: “I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed myself, and how skilful the players were - it was really good!

“We have all these fantastic facilities in Melbourne as well – the

pitch itself is absolutely brilliant ” Walking football has taken off in nearby Etwall with around 40 people turning out regularly to have a game in a competitive local league And the same sort of success could happen in Melbourne if enough people come forward to give it a go

Anyone who is interested in trying walking football is asked to contact Peter Hass via email on Peter Hass@campbellsci co uk

at the Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne, 11am to 12 noon

Saturday 4th November

“Listening

l Melbourne Town Cricket Club: back row (l-r) Simon Fletcher, Ian Roberts, Sam Barker, James Hogwood, Sam Adcock, Kaustav Dutta; front row (l-r) Ranjit Rathore, Izzy Anjilliath, Dan Marshall (captain), Paul Scrimshaw and Alex Winter

We can help with marketing, promotions and recruitment needs for businesses big and small. To discuss your advertising requirements or how we can help you, please contact Nicola Mortimer on 07584 025 852 or email ads@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

HOPING TO FIND THE NET AGAIN

MEET Melbourne’s netball team – a group of women who are playing the game on Monday evenings at Melbourne Sports Park and would welcome some fresh faces.

The evening session is part of a growing surge in interest in netball amongst women who played the game at school and would like to take it up again

Coached by Fliss Moore, the idea is just to turn up, pay a small fee and have a game

“It’s about coming back to netball having not played it for a few years –new faces are always welcome,” she said. “Just turn up and play. It’s social, it’s good exercise, it’s fun ”

Women’s netball happens from 78pm on Mondays at the MSP.

For more see the Facebook Page: https://www facebook com/MelbourneBackToNetball/

It’s a win-win-win season for tennis club

MELBOURNE Tennis Club ended the 2017 season with yet more silverware The men’s side that competes in the Burton League won division seven and the ladies who compete in the same league won division four with a game to spare

This added to the men’s Derbyshire team who had already won their league back in August The men’s Burton side won their league at a canter, winning six and drawing four of their 10 games as they ended the month with three hard-fought 2-2 draws against CURC (twice) and Ashby

Team Captain Roger Spencer said: “It’s really been a squad effort but it helped having the number one and number two ranked players in the division, these being Howard Cheshire and Vinny Hallifield, who went through the whole season unbeaten, as well as Ian Ward and Rob Clarke who were also in the top 10 “The team will look forward to the 2018 season with the aim of a second successive promotion ” Through the season, as well as the above mentioned players, Simon Brenchley, Andrew Fleming, Paul Hill, James North and the captain himself, Roger Spencer, all contributed to a fine campaign

The ladies’ Burton side ended the season also unbeaten, winning eight and drawing four of their league matches, winning the division by seven points

Skipper Karen Brenchley along with Pat Milham, Pam Oliver, Julie Chamberlain, Sallie Allen, Carolyn Cocker, Laura Clarke and

Leslie Heath all played their part in a superb season

Their final match away to Lichfield saw Melbourne take full points as the opposition couldn't raise a team and so claim the title

Captain Brenchley said: “With the men’s Derby & Burton sides winning their respective divisions plus the ladies winning division four and the mixed claiming a possible promotion, it really has been an amazing season for the club

“Add to that fact that plenty of our members have played over the five sides we’ve put out in the 2017 season and it bodes well for the future ”

The mixed team that also competes in the Burton league ended their 2017 season with a heavy 4-0 defeat away to champions Grange But, with other teams still to play, Melbourne sit in the runners-up spot so a fourth promotion for the club could be forthcoming

n The club will be running its half-term holiday club in the October school break for the juniors If anyone is interested in this for their child they are asked to contact Phil Wilcock on 07540398389

In 2018 the club will again be entering junior players into the Derbyshire Area Aegon Team tennis competition and hoping to continue the success of this year ’s under-8s team The coaching programme at Melbourne Tennis Club runs all year round –Wednesdays and Saturdays for ages five and upwards right up to seniors – Alex Slater

Gayle force to be reckoned with

KINGS Newton Bowls Club held its competition finals day in the middle of September Gayle Summerlin won the ladies singles trophy and later became the club champion by beating the men’s singles winner Peter Barton

Gayle capped off a very successful afternoon for herself by also winning the handicap doubles cup with husband Terry

Other winners were: Stephen Raine - handicap singles; Alan Holbrook - Galley Jackson Trophy; Pat and Rob Philipson - mixed doubles; Jean Perkins and Stephen Raine - open doubles

The club has been competing in the South Derbyshire floodlit league and, with a couple of fixtures left, are in with a chance of finishing runners-up to achieve promotion

The team has had a great run in the floodlit cup, winning through four rounds to reach the final which will be against Littleover

The semi-final against Alvaston and Boulton was tremendously tense with victory being achieved by only one shot to finish 195194