Melbourne Village Voice September 2017

Three years for teenager who wrenched rings off elderly women’s fingers

A BURGLAR who forced his elderly victims to hand over the rings from their fingers – including a shocking incident in Melbourne – has been locked up after leaving a trail of breadcrumbs linking him to the crime scenes

Patrick Joyce broke into two houses in Kings Newton, Melbourne, on the same night during a burglary spree in May

In one of the burglaries, 19-year-old Joyce confronted an elderly woman in her bed and forced her wedding and engagement rings from her fingers before fleeing

Joyce targeted another property in the same area by smashing a front window to get inside, where he then searched several rooms and made off with cash and jewellery

At that house, he left behind a baseball bat, and crime scene investigators were able to lift a DNA profile from it, which was linked to Joyce

He was also linked to two other burglaries – one in Burntwood, Staffordshire, where he again forced rings off the fingers of a woman His fingerprints were lifted from various surfaces at that property

He then broke into a house in Birmingham, where he cut himself and left droplets of blood behind that were tested and provided a forensic match

Joyce, of Bonymaen Road, Swansea, was arrested by police in Northumbria after a stop check and was escorted back to Derbyshire, where he was charged with four counts of burglary

n THESE children were busy at Melbourne Library making masks as part of this summer ’s reading challenge.

The Reading Agency holds The Summer Reading Challenge in libraries across the country to help children keep up with their books over the holidays.

Each year ’s challenge is on a different theme and this time children were encouraged to turn detective with an “Animal Agents” theme

Youngsters who take part must read six library books over the holidays, at the end of which they get a certificate and a medal.

Tash Hyde, Sure Start Librarian for Derbyshire County Council, was on hand at Melbourne Library with this mask-making craft activity to keep youngsters entertained

In Melbourne this year, 136 children started the Summer Reading Challenge with 17 joining specially to take part and 69 completing the whole thing (at the time of going to press).

Across Derbyshire nearly 9,000 children signed up to the challenge.

Pictured with Tash (right) are (l-r) Matthew, Laura Rogers, Edward, Susan Gadsby and Evie.

He admitted all four charges and was sentenced to three years in a young offenders’ institution by a judge at Derby Crown Court on August 15

Detective Constable Jim Gough, who led the investigation into the Derbyshire offences, said: “Patrick Joyce showed a callous disregard for the welfare of his victims, not only by breaking into their homes in the first place but also, on two occasions, wrenching the rings from the fingers of elderly women

“The distress this would have caused to those victims is immeasurable

“In his offending spree, Joyce broke into houses in three counties and, thanks to the trail of breadcrumbs he left behind either with DNA or fingerprints, we were able to link all of them to him

“I am pleased that, with the help of colleagues in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Northumbria, we have been able to bring him to court to face justice for his crimes ”

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New lights for old on local village streets

NEARLY 2,000 street lights in local villages are being upgraded as part of a county council project to save £1 2million a year

Work started on August 29 and is expected to last around four months Villages affected include Barrow-upon-Trent, Calke, Elvaston, Ingleby, Melbourne, Swarkestone, Stanton-by-Bridge, Ticknall and Weston-on-Trent, and a grand total of 1,952 street lights

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More than 68,000 lights countywide will eventually have their current bulbs replaced with LED fittings, with around 22,000 of the older lamp posts replaced at the same time

The current orange sodium lights will have their bulbs, light fittings and columns replaced with new LED fittings

The council is borrowing the cash which will be paid back over 20 years, although it is expected the initial investment will be recouped after eight years

This countywide upgrade is expected to save the council £1 2m a year

This is because LED lights – expected to last for around 25 years compared to the three to four years life expectancy of the current lights – use less electricity and because they are more robust and easier to maintain

Following consultation on plans to

change to LED lights, 90 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of the plan

Cllr Trevor Ainsworth, Derbyshire County Council cabinet support member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “It’s great news that this project is being rolled out across the county Because these new lights are cheaper to maintain and more energy efficient they will help us reduce our carbon footprint and help save around £1 2m every year

“We expect this project to take around three years We are now approaching the end of the first year and this latest round of conversion builds on the installation of 19,852 lights in other parts of the county ”

Chance to quiz the police

MEMBERS of the public will get the chance to quiz police at the next series of Safer Neighbourhood meetings

The next area three meeting –which covers Melbourne, Barrow-upon-Trent, Stanton-byBridge, Swarkestone, Weston-on-Trent, Aston-onTrent, Thulston and Elvaston –is being held on Tuesday, October 24, at Recreation in Aston’s newly extended community hall on the site of the village’s football and cricket pitch

Area two – which covers Calke, Findern, Foremark, Ingleby, Milton, Smisby, Ticknall and Twyford – is meeting at Stenson Fields Primary School on Tuesday, October 10

The public meetings give residents the chance to come along and talk to the police plus other officials responsible for aspects of public safety about any issues that are concerning them

MELBOURNE Market Place became the focal point for BBC Radio Derby’s broadcast when Sally Pepper turned up to chat to locals along with her red sofa and bright red gazebo

Sally was instantly impressed with the village: “I’ve never been to Melbourne before, other than driving through, and it has a lovely village feel Everyone seems to know each other ” Andy Heafield, who was first on the sofa, said he and Cllr Sheila Hicklin had invited Sally to the village so that she could have a look around the town, broadcast its benefits and “put it on the map”

Next on the sofa was Anne Rees, who was evacuated in the war from London to Derbyshire Among a varied collection of guests on the sofa, Chris King spoke about the launch of the Univerit of the Third Age, Gordon Hughes spoke about orthcoming St Michael’s Players production, Angela, from Best Kept Secrets, had a chat ut the forthcoming fashion show ith features on Whistlewood and the Chip Pin and scoffing a cream tea supplied by Melne Hall Tea Rooms, Sally was provided with eat snapshot of the delights Melbourne has to , and a flavour of the friendliness of the loill unresolved, however, is the question of ther we are a town or a village! might be unconnected but since the radio ramme there do seem to be more visitors ut the village too!

Sofa so good for BBC Radio visit

The meetings are divided into two: the first is a Safer Neighbourhood meeting which starts at 6 15pm This covers crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and is attended by police

The second is the area forum which starts at 7 30pm, and is specifically for issues within the remit of the district council

Pudding fun

THE Malt pub in Aston-onTrent is hosting a Charity Pudding Afternoon to raise money for Treetops Hospice

The event has been organised by Maisy Hayward, who works at the pub, following the success of her last charity event in July

People are invited to bake their own favourite pudding to take and share for the afternoon, plus the recipe to share in a community book of puddings

Bakers can then vote for their favourites, while children will be able to take part in a biscuit decorating competition and design their own puddings

The event is taking place at The Malt on September 16 from 2pm to 5pm

ABOVE: Sally interviewing John Dallman

TOP: Sally with Melbourne family Ros Crossley, Richard Crossley and grandchildren Ruby Barry, Emma Barry and James Barry.

n NOTHING says Great Britain like a summer fete, and the annual event at Pool Cottage in Melbourne went with a swing

The elderly people’s home holds the garden party every year to raise funds for residents

More than 100 people turned out this year to enjoy the raffle, tombola, barbeque and licensed bar.

“It’s very well supported by the village,” said deputy manager Matthew Buckley.

The garden party raised £1,651 63

For boxes from 15cm 6” to 180cm 6’!!

for the Residents’ Amenity Fund –which pays for trips, entertainment and other things.

Pictured (above left) are Arlo Bennett, Hilary Jones and Kasiah Mulonga, while (above right) it’s decision time on the cake stand

We’re getting back land fit for a king!

MELBOURNE is to get 35 hectares of restored ancient parkland in a major project announced by award-winning local farmers Tori and Ben Stanley

The Stanleys are also opening up a second branch at the former Chantry Farm Shop in Kings Newton with a new food offering created with the aid of a top chef who was a finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals

The two-strand project will see the farmers open up their new butchery on October 2, along with an agreement with Natural England to return part of Park Farm, Melbourne, back to the parkland it was when King John hunted this area in the 12th and 13th centuries

As part of the agreement, 35 hectares of arable land that lies to the left and right of the path on the way from Melbourne Pool to Wilson will be restored into parkland to allow Tori and Ben to expand their Longhorn herd

The couple said they wanted to fulfil their long-term ambition of being able to produce the finest quality beef at the same time as enhancing their environment and leaving behind a long-term legacy

As part of the plan, the land will be

planted with oak and ash trees, the same species that would have been there in King John’s time, as well as wild flowers that will in turn attract more songbirds and bees and encourage the growth of flora and fauna

The couple are keen to see local people enjoying the land responsibly, particularly when walking dogs

Tori said: “For us, it’s never been about just selling meat We care about how we rear our animals and think that has a direct impact on how the meat they produce tastes We also care about the land we farm and what’s left behind long after we’ve gone It’s all part of our 25-year mission to produce the best beef in the world

“That’s why we’ve entered into this agreement with Natural England to return part of the farm to the ancient parkland it once was Hopefully, the land we leave behind will flourish and become a lasting legacy to what Tori and Ben’s Farm stands for ”

The couple are opening up their second branch at Chantry with a launch event on October 7 to cope with “unprecedented demand” for their old English Longhorn beef

Chef Sven-Hanson Britt, a Masterchef

New date for public inquiry

reconvened for September

South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee rejected the development at a meeting in September 2016 and an appeal against the decision was subsequently lodged.

That was supposed to have taken place in July but was adjourned

The planning inquiry is now happening on September 21 at Swadlincote Town Hall, starting at 9.30am.

Scheduled to last up to two days, members of the public are allowed along to give their views at the inquiry –at the inspector ’s discretion – but to do so must be there from the very start

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final in 2014, has joined in to create what the couple have called “an exciting food experience” at the new butchery

Tori and Ben, who won Beef Innovators of the Year at the 2016 British Farming Awards, rear prize-winning Longhorns at their family farm in Melbourne, also selling their Jacob lamb and other rare breeds Their animals will now roam on 10 acres of grassland around Chantry Farm and the team are building an outside cooking area with the aim of holding events and pop-up dinners Tori said: “We’ve been blown away by the huge demand for our Longhorn beef, as well as some of the other rare breeds we rear, butcher and sell

“At our current farm shop, we’ve seen how important it is for people to see where their meat comes from and learn about how it was reared, who’s behind it, and how best to cook it

“Our new shop will be a haven for food lovers where anyone can come and ask questions about their meat whilst enjoying a coffee, sausage roll or bacon roll all made from produce from the farm ”

The restoration of the parkland starts in January – Lucy Stephens

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Country Living

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Milk production here reaches end of the line

THINGS are changing on the farm with a difficult decision made to stop producing milk here after a lifetime of keeping cows.

There are many reasons for this change but the primary one is that I am now an OAP and no longer wish to be tied to early starts and 24/7 availability

Dairy farming is hard work and you can’t appreciate this until you have done it like me for a lifetime; and aches and pains tell me it’s time to do something a little easier There will always be stock on this farm as I am a firm believer that mixed farming is still the right approach Deciding how to operate in the future is not easy and, with the uncertainty of Brexit, it could be a perilous journey

We already have some beef cows and intend to increase them but to find something to replace that monthly milk payment is not going to be easy

Watch this space

n August was a “caddling” month of sunshine and showers which slowed the progress of harvest

A few superb days at the end helped us get back to where we should have been, but there are still quite a few crops out there to be harvested I think it’s fair to say it’s been a year for wheat with every field harvested yielding well above average

We can throw everything we have in our chemical armoury to get yield but the climate will always dictate how much we get back.

n Looking skyward yesterday brought a shiver to me thinking of colder days to come. The electric and phone lines across our yard were coated (and that’s the only word to describe it) with house martins as if assembling to fly south

Do they go at a different time to swallows and swifts as there was not one of them to be seen?

Another mystery is where they all come from and why congregate with us, as we don’t have a single nest around the buildings at all and haven’t for years? Very strange

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A WALK in the sunshine followed by a hearty breakfast raised hundreds of pounds for Melbourne’s Senior Citizens’ Community Centre

The centre organised the walk and breakfast and it took place at the end of August, led by members of Melbourne Footpaths Group Walkers took an early morning stroll up to

l Ramblers set out on their breakfast walk

Walk builds up appetite for hearty breakfast

Woodhouses and back in warm sunny weather

The group reported an excellent turn-out with more than 20 taking part

On return to the centre a sit down cooked breakfast was provided for the participants

The £300-plus raised will help pay for new curtains in the main hall

Physio clinic plan for building

THE building which formerly housed an estate agency in the heart of Melbourne could become a physiotherapy and wellbeing clinic, if planners agree

The former site of Ashley Adams estate agent, which earlier this year moved to the former NatWest bank building in the Market Place, is the subject of a planning application currently with officers at South Derbyshire District Council

The proposal is to change the use of the threefloor property into a physiotherapy, nutrition and

wellbeing clinic, which would offer physio assessments and treatments, sports massage, nutritional consultations and one to one or small group exercise sessions such as Pilates

If the council agrees for the building’s use to be changed, it is proposed that the new venture operates similar working hours as Ashley Adams did

It is hoped that the whole building could eventually be used for consultation rooms, offices and potentially a small studio space where more than one client could be seen at a time

LAST ORDERS!

Dennis decides to hang up his tie at the Chequers

ONE of an increasingly rare breed of old-fashioned pubs in Ticknall has changed hands after the landlord of some 30 years finally hung up his tie.

Dennis Hylton has been behind the pumps at The Chequers Inn for three decades, maintaining the standards of an old-fashioned watering hole which are now harder to find in today’s era of gastro pubs and fine dining

In keeping with traditional landlords, Dennis always wore a collar and tie when serving Regulars knew that when the tie came off, it was time to go home

One said: “It’s an old-fashioned, traditional pub where you can have a drink and a chat with none of the pressures or smells of modern day pubs –no chips, no food It’s a relaxing place to go ”

A dog-lover himself, Dennis would welcome any hounds into the premises with a treat as they entered and another as they left

This is a tradition that new landlord Tony Matthews, who took over at the beginning of September, intends to keep going

Tony has come to Ticknall to take on The Chequers from Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire, together with his wife and two children

– Lucy Stephens

Surprises in the garden

S U R P R I S I N G things are starting to spring out of the ground in preparation for this year ’s Melbourne Festival

As well as the work by 150 artists in more than 70 venues across the Art & Architecture Trail, which takes place on September 16 and 17, festival organisers have commissioned several pieces to tie in with this year ’s theme: “For the Love of Lettuce” – a celebration of Melbourne’s market gardening heritage

Pictured is artist Emma Pegg with her beautiful “Nature and Nurture” installation which has been put up amongst a raised bed of vegetables next to the bowling green at the Senior Citizens’ Centre

A pair of hands made out of wire rests peacefully above the leaves, while in the adjoining bed rain drops have been installed in the greenery and a raincloud is perched nearby; the work represents the two elements needed to grow healthy produce, being the nurturing hands of the market gardeners and the rain needed to feed the plants

Other specially commis-

Thieves snatch an off-road motorbike

POLICE are appealing for information after the theft of an off-road motorbike from Aston-on-Trent

The theft happened between 6pm on Tuesday, August 8, and 7am the next day

A garage on Weston Road was broken into and a KTM 350 EXC motorbike (pictured) stolen

PCSO Emma Guest from the Melbourne Safer Neighbourhood team said: “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious between those times

“The bike is quite distinctive looking so if anyone has seen a similar looking bike being used off-road over the last week or been offered a similar bike for sale we would also like to hear from you ”

If you think you can help, please call Emma on 101 quoting reference number 17000339424

Alternatively send her a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of the Derbyshire Constabulary website

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www crimestoppersuk org

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sioned art works for this year ’s festival include photographs by artist Chris Mear, who has been making regular visits to all three of Melbourne’s remaining market gardens to capture the gardeners at work and their produce

A selection of these images will be displayed around the trail

Artist Stephen Parker, also known as DZR, has been inspired by a creature who loves lettuce even more than gardeners do, so visitors are advised to look out for drifts of snails in unexpected places!

Composer Rosie Clements is coming back to her rural roots and creating six short pieces inspired by Melbourne and its produce, while performance artist and writer Alistair Gentry will be roaming the streets as “Mel-Bear”, sharing words of wisdom with the public inspired by local market gardening folk lore

Thanks to a Sharing Heritage Grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Melbourne Festival Team has also been unearthing memories and anecdotes from Melbourne’s market gardening past

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Wesleys Café, part of Melbourne Methodist Church

The family event gave youngsters the chance to get together and have a fun afternoon with music and games.

Planning how to mark end of war centenary

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“NOW is the time to start thinking about how Melbourne and Kings Newton will commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War next year,” was the message from a recent meeting convened by Melbourne Parish Council.

Cllr Andrew Jackson, who is vice-chair of the Highways, Recreation and Amenities Committee of the parish council, revealed plans for a beacon which will be lit on the grounds of Melbourne Sporting Partnership on the evening of November 11, 2018

Plans were also being formed for a concert on September 22, 2018, in Castle Square, featuring the Legion and town bands, choirs, the school band and other performers

Other potential thoughts include an exhibition, poems and a play, and potentially the formal laying of a headstone for WW1 Veteran Wallace Hat-

Park gets its gate back

AN entrance to the Melbourne Sports Park has been restored for public use thanks to a hard-working local group Melbourne Footpaths Group has put back the pedestrian entry-point to the land on Cockshut Lane, at the Robinson’s Hill end of the site

The entrance had been lost during work to create Melbourne Sports Park, when the hedge was removed and the old gap blocked

Footpaths Group member John Banister donated the gate which was installed on August 17

Group member Barry Thomas said: “We thought that it was important to maintain the gap as it had been in existence for many years and helps walkers to avoid the busy traffic and narrow pavement on Cockshut

ton, who died in 1921 from his wounds – if the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is able to finally approve the application

There was also an idea that local people might have photographs and remembrances of grand parents or great grandparents who were involved in the war for a local exhibition

Representatives of various groups said they were happy to be involved in forming a small working group to take forward the ideas, decide which were most viable and start the planning This is likely to begin this month

At this stage all local community groups are asked to start thinking of ideas they would wish to be included during a commemorative period, running up to Remembrance Day 2018, and to submit those ideas to parish council clerk Jacqui Storer (email melbourneclerk@aol com)

Frank Hughes

–

Driver ’s crash, bang wall-op accident

THERE have been two dramatic car accidents in Melbourne in recent weeks. There were no serious injuries sustained in either

A lady reversing into a parking space for an early morning pilates class at Melbourne Assembly Rooms accidentally drove through the boundary wall and her car precariously came to rest on the fallen bricks and against the Lothian Gardens railings

Andy Heafield, manager at the Assembly Rooms, said the front doors of her Toyota Yaris had become wedged shut, so she had to be helped into the back of the car to make an exit

He said: “Fortunately, she was only badly shaken and not injured, so friends took her home ”

Officials from South Derbyshire District Council attended the scene later in the day to declare the remaining parts of the wall as unsafe, necessitating the closure of the footpath between the Market Place and Penn Lane A recovery vehicle also attended the accident later to extricate the car without causing further damage to the wall

It is understood that the driver ’s insurers have now agreed to pay for the safe repair of the wall, and to put the footpath back into use

In another recent incident near the market place, an elderly lady was knocked down by a reversing car

Both ambulance and police were called to the scene While police made enquiries of the driver, who was visiting one of the nearby shops, the lady was sent to hospital for routine checks It is understood she was later released suffering only from minor injuries

FH

£21,000 in sales at annual art show

MORE than 1,000 people flocked to Ticknall for the 24th annual Dame Catherine Art Exhibition, held to raise funds for Dame Catherine Harpur ’s School

The art show is held over the August bank holiday weekend and this year was one of the highest earning yet with around £21,000 made in art sales – a proportion of which will go to the school after expenses and artists have been paid

All profits from the weekend go towards the school

The art show is organised by a committee of parents, teachers and volunteers and this year a range of art and craft activities for children was particularly popular

Debbie Bates, a teacher at the school who is on the organising team, said: “Everybody who came thought it was the best exhibition so far with an incredibly high standard of work ”

Debbie said the art show is often visited by families whose children have left the school, who come back to support it and even help run things

OOPS Melbourne Assembly Rooms’ boundary wall has an unexpected visitor.

Photos by Andrew Jackson

l Organisers Amanda Harmer and Debbie Bates with work by featured artist John Rattigan

l Jacob Webster and Sarah MillerCraig.

Four weddings ... and a

LOVE has been in the air this summer with wedding bells ringing out over our villages and countryside as local couples tie the knot.

At Amalfi White in Melbourne, James Williams married Nicole Wrightham The groom is the youngest son of Austin and Gill Williams, of Melbourne, and the bride is the eldest daughter of Roger and Michèle Wrightham, of Chellaston

The couple are childhood sweethearts who met while pupils at Chellaston Academy

The groom now works as a manufacturing engineer at Rolls-Royce and the bride is a teacher at West Park School in Spondon

couple of alpacas

Following a reception at Ticknall Village Hall, the couple departed for a honeymoon in Mexico and Cuba

Meanwhile, local artist Laura Donaldson wed Richard Phillips at Melbourne Parish Church on Saturday, August 12 The couple held their reception afterwards at Langley Priory in Leicestershire

On June 3 Dr Jacob Webster, son of Debbie and Mark Webster, of Melbourne, married Sarah Miller-Craig, daughter of doctors Janet and

Michael Miller-Craig of Littleover The marriage took place at Melbourne Parish Church The couple are now living in West Bridgford, Nottingham

And on Friday, August 18, the wedding took place at Ashbourne Registry Office between Laura Marie Jackson, eldest daughter of John Jackson and Suzanne Fox, of Kings Newton, and Rebecca Mary Field, daughter of Peter and Angela Field

The couple made their vows, and exchanged rings at

Fashion show for charity

a reception held on the banks of the River Trent at Swarkestone the following day, before leaving for their honeymoon in Canada

The pair, who met whilst studying at Pershore College of Horticulture in Worcestershire, had two extra special guests at their reception – alpacas Reggie and Rowley courtesy of the recently opened Melbourne Animal Farm

Laura and Rebecca both work at Swarkestone Nursery

MODELS will be strutting their stuff down the catwalk at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms this autumn, for a great cause

The Rock the Runway Fashion Show is being put on by two Melbourne dress agencies –Best Kept Secret of Williams Yard and Frocks & Fripperies of the High Street – on Thursday, October 12

All proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support

People are being invited to go and watch the live catwalk action with seasonal clothes, hats, bags and shoes put together to be creative and eye-catching Stylists will be on hand to provide guidance on different outfit styles, colour and sizes, and there will be cocktails, a bar and shopping opportunities

Tickets are available from both dress agencies

ABOVE: Laura and Rebecca Field-Jackson with their bridesmaids Hester Bellingham, Polly Botham, Pippa Jackson and Becky Harris with (inset) alpacas Reggie and Rowley LEFT: James Williams and Nicole Wrightham. RIGHT: Laura Donaldson and Richard Phillips.

THE toilets at Melbourne Assembly Rooms are set for a revamp next month, the next area of the community venue in line for a facelift

The work is due to start on October 2 and is expected to take four weeks to complete

KEEPING THE KIDS AMUSED

BORED children in the summer holidays? There was little chance of that as the annual play sports equipment was provided for youngsters over late July and August

The scheme is paid for by parish councils to provide outdoor fun for local children when school is out for the summer Melbourne Parish Council this year paid £1,200 to put on the play days, held in the junior school grounds on four Monday afternoons for a couple of hours

The equipment is provided by South Derbyshire District Council and it gives families the opportunity to allow young ones to run off some steam

Melbourne Parish Council said this year ’s play days were well attended, helped along by some good weather

Our photographers snapped children having fun in Melbourne, Weston and Findern

Meeting for update on flooding works

MEMBERS of the public are invited to go along to the next meeting with Severn Trent Water and other officials to provide an update on the works aimed at stopping Melbourne flooding so badly

The regular public meetings are held with Severn Trent, plus representatives from the county and district councils, to give local residents the chance to question officials on the ongoing work to sort out Melbourne’s drains and try to help with local flooding issues

This follows some severe episodes over the past few years in which several areas of the village have been very badly affected during heavy rainfall

Funding of £80,000 has been granted to floods investigators which is being spent on producing a computer model to aid understanding of Melbourne’s drainage and how things could be improved

The village is built on a steepsided catchment which makes it vulnerable to bad weather, but it is hoped that the work being carried out will limit the extent of the damage done

The next public meeting is happening at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on November 1 at 6 30pm

All are welcome

1 08/08/2017 14:56

Thumbs-down for Aston homes expansion plan

PROPOSALS to expand Aston-on-Trent by nine more houses have been unanimously rejected by South Derbyshire’s Planning Committee.

Developers Sunrise Homes had applied to extend its current small development of four houses on Weston Road to bring the total of new homes up to 12 If the plans had been given the green light, one of the homes already granted permission would have been sacrificed to allow access

But the district council’s planning committee took just over 10 minutes to dismiss the plans on the basis the proposed development was situated outside Aston’s official settlement boundary

Local councillor Peter Watson said at the meeting: “I think it’s most important that developers should know our position and members of the local community should too

“As I have said before, we have taken eight years to produce and approve part one of our Local Plan this particular settlement contravenes the Local Plan as it’s outside the settlement boundary ”

The point was also made that the new houses would have been built on grade 3a agricultural land

which is included in the “best and most versatile” land quality category of the government’s classification system

The planning system stipulates that good quality agricultural land should be safeguarded as far as possible and that new developments should be steered towards areas which have a lower grade

of soil

Sunrise Homes had proposed to offer four of its plots at a discount, and would have also contributed more than £50,000 to the local community under section 106

Richard Pigott, from Derby-based architects Planning Design, told the meeting that the development would not “extend the village into the countryside as it’s surrounded on three sides – it will be more akin to infill than anything else”

In a statement read out to the council chamber, he also argued that the five-year housing land supply that South Derbyshire has to fulfil to meet its housing requirements was a minimum target rather than a maximum one

Many local residents had objected to the plans with 43 protest letters sent to council officers, including one from the parish council A wide variety of arguments included the fact that Weston Road had already been recently rejected for new housing – Gladman Homes having applied to build 150 houses there in a proposal resoundingly turned down by the council

MP Heather Wheeler also added her voice to the objections

Planning officers also received two letters supporting the proposals, arguing that the offer to provide discounted housing and smaller homes could provide “a brilliant start for young people” wanting to live in the village who were unable to afford Aston’s house prices

Lucy Stephens

Opening at the former Chantry Farm shop, Main Street Kings Newton DE73 8DD. We will be offering an extensive new range of products from marrow bones to pick your own herbs, everything will complement your ultimate eating experience and of course our fantastic existing range of dry aged beef, home reared grass fed lamb, free range Packington pork and chicken. You can even meet the cattle, sheep and some of our feathered friends.

n THESE children are pictured having fun at a holiday club organised in the summer holidays by Melbourne Methodist Church

The church runs the children’s club every year on a different theme, this year being Adventure Cruise.

Children were divided into groups and spent the week enjoying a wide range of activities, including clay model-making, music and games, all along the week’s theme.

The popular club has been running during a week in August for many years, providing fun for youngsters during the long summer break

For a warm welcome and a coffee or ice cream for the small ones, come and see Tori, Ben, Vince, and the team…

Don’t forget your loyalty card.

moment for new pastor

NUMBERING almost as many presidents of the USA, Melbourne Baptist Church has welcomed its 36th Minister, with the recent appointment of Pastor Steve Blackaby.

Founded in 1745 and opened in 1750, the church on Chapel Street was originally Independent but by 1760 had become General Baptist, and has seen continuous worship since then, although the congregation has somewhat decreased from a peak of around 300 in the early 1800s Thomas Cook was also a regular attendee

But Steve is certainly less concerned about the bricks and mortar, than the “living stones” as he described his churchgoers As Pastor, he saw his main challenge as “guiding, guarding and growing the flock”

He took up post in May, after seeing and applying for the vacancy last December

“The advert was looking for someone who was senior and retired, and it just connected with me,” he said

“By coincidence our son visited us a few days after and announced he was also moving down south, so he also captured some of the enthusiasm ”

Steve described how his lightbulb moment to become a pastor had come about

“I was watching a TV programme about someone who had spent a lifetime searching for the Loch Ness monster, and had decided to give up his day job to do that full time; it had a parallel with me and so, at the age of 50, I gave up my job and became a full-time pastor ”

This is his first post in a Baptist church However, he has grown up in the Congregational Church and his previous ministry role was Christian Pastor at Anstey Chapel in Buntingford Herts, from which he left in 2012 to take a break and to care for his elderly mother

He has spent the last year in Eyam with his family, where he spent some of his time as a tour guide at the local church, explaining the history of the village and in particular the self-sacrifice of its residents during the Plague

He is looking forward to life in Melbourne, and has already joined Whistlewood and the Royal British Legion He is married and has two grown-up sons and five grandchildren

Away from church work he enjoys reading, cycling and an occasional game of darts

– Frank Hughes

Due to high demand your local farmer and butcher, Tori & Ben’s are on the move to bigger pastures.

Jessica’s Great North Run bid

A LOCAL mum has been putting her best foot forward to take part in The Great North Run to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Jessica May, from Stanton-by-Bridge, has been busy training hard for the famous Newcastle half marathon, which was due to take place on September 10 – just before the Village Voice hits the streets – with Olympian Sir Mo Farah himself expected to join proceedings and defend his title

Jessica, mum of Ethan, 11, and Lucas, nine, won her place in the race by pledging to raise money for Children with Cancer UK – a charity dear to the hearts of close friends the HowardHull family, whose seven-year-old son, Oscar, is currently being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Oscar, from Melbourne, has been part of a trial conducted by the charity, which is aiming to reduce the side effects for children who are being treated with chemotherapy

Jessica, who is a specialist nurse at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester working in paediatric and adult intensive care, has been spending her time

at home training for the run – often accompanied by her two sons Lucas and Ethan have also been helping with fund-raising, with Lucas managing to boost the total by an impressive £130 by going around the tables at a wedding!

Jessica said: “I wanted to set myself a challenge and support my friends So I entered the Great North Run to help raise money and awareness of the charity that is helping Oscar ”

Children with Cancer UK was founded in 1987 by a family who lost two children to cancer Their story attracted the attention of Diana, Princess of Wales, who helped get things off the ground

Since then what began as a small memorial charity has raised more than £200million to fight against childhood cancer, and is today funding more than 50 research projects around the country to try and better understand these diseases and find gentler ways of treating them

If you would like to support Jessica’s run for Children with Cancer UK, you can log on to http://uk virginmoneygiving com/JessicaMayb

– Lucy Stephens

£30m ‘Urgent Care Village’ unveiled

PATIENTS in South Derbyshire will now be able to access a new £30million ‘Urgent Care Village’ at Royal Derby Hospital, it has been announced

The new facility is billed as providing “ GP services, a frailty clinic and mental health services all under one roof, to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place, first time, and avoid going to A&E unnecessarily”

Colin Barker, from Melbourne – who sits on the Patient Participation Group for Melbourne

and Chellaston Medical Practice – said: “On the face of it, the development of a ‘new’ £30m state of the art facility sounds an exciting way forward to improve health care facilities for the people of South Derbyshire

“However, I wonder given the climate and problems within the NHS, are infrastructures in place to make this investment work, or would it be better to invest the £30m in existing services to make them more workable?”

Restaurant up for award

MELBOURNE restaurant and cocktail bar

Amalfi White has been shortlisted for the prestigious Derby Food and Drink Awards

The popular eaterie is a finalist in the “Best Out of Town” category of this year ’s awards Winners are being announced at an awards ceremony at the Derby Roundhouse on Monday, October 9

More than 5,200 nominations were sent in by the public, and Amalfi White is up against Angelo’s The New Inn in Belper and The Saracen’s Head in Shirley in its category

Motorhome is stolen

POLICE are joining up with forces outside Derbyshire to try to track down those responsible for stealing a motorhome from Astonon-Trent

The white Ford Transit motorhome was stolen from a driveway in Long Croft between 7pm on Monday, August 7, and 7 30am the following day

The registration plate is BX09LHZ

Witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Justin Harrison on 101, quoting reference 17000337860 Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting the Contact Us section on www derbyshire police uk/Contact-Us You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

l Jessica May with Oscar Howard-Hull

BLOOMING

And it could be back again next

GIANT onions, stunning flowers, beau home-brewed wine – the inaugural M duce Show (or the first that anyone c was a riot of autumn colours as it packed Senior Citizens’ Centre

The event on September 2 was organise fledged Melbourne Garden Club and was o and allotment holders in the Melbourne an area

Tying in nicely with this year ’s Melbour ket gardening theme, organisers invited p their very best home-grown fruit, vegetab flowers and preserves, with categories ra French beans of any colour”, to “three lee Chocolate” in the baking section Growers and makers rose to the challen occasion raised £446 40 towards the Senio tre, including money raised by the centre’s sold tea and cake on the day

The centre was also decorated with ent dren’s art competition supported by Scally which the winner was Barnaby Brown Melbourne Garden Club president Gr sented the Best in Show awards, which we son for wine; Julia Bevin for preserves; San baking; Liz Smith for fruit; Anne Rees for f Hough for vegetables The overall Best in S as Anne Rees

Presenting the prizes, Griselda spoke o vading knowledge and love of gardening a etables” in this area, which made “Melbou very nice place”

One participant was Jim Bancroft, who h fruit and veg in Melbourne for the past 50 own and son’s gardens in the village Placed in three categories and winner arrangement, Jim and his family said th see the show happening every year

Melbourne Garden Club chair Lesley H would like to thank the businesses of Me porting our show and agreeing to be a col entry forms or kindly donating produce to pers for our raffle

“On a personal note I would like to tha and the Blackwell Lane allotment holder able advice and encouragement over the p I would also like to express my appreciati received from members of the gardening c

She added: “Although it is early days w positive feedback and been encouraged event again next year

“As Melbourne is historically known for ing, it only seems right to celebrate toge prowess and encourage the community to annual produce show ”

The Garden Club meets every second month at 7pm at the Senior Citizens’ Centr bers are always welcome

Words: LUCY STEPHENS Pictures

l Griselda Kerr presents the best fruit award to Liz Smith, and (below) the scene in the Senior Citizens’ Centre.

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tiful squashes, Melbourne Procan remember) was held in a ed by the freshly open to residents nd Kings Newton ne Festival marpeople to display les, bakes, wine, nging from “five ks” to “Death by ge and the whole or Citizens’ Cens committee who ries for the chilwags Nursery, of iselda Kerr prent to Ann Harrindra Lawther for loral; and Lesley Show was chosen f the “ all-pernd growing vegurne such a very has been growing 0 years, from his for mixed fruit ey would like to Hough said: “We lbourne for suplection point for o go in the hamnk Paul Winters s, for their valupast few months on for the help I lub ” we have received to organise the market gardenther its growing participate in an Monday of the re and new mem-

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PRIZE PAIR grower Barry Nadin proudly displays his largest onions in show

WINNER Lesley Hough with her award

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SHINING EXAM-PLES

GCSE results ‘very good’ and all university places achieved

EXAM RESULTS days are unique events in the school calendar The relaxation of the summer holiday is abruptly halted and the reality of sixth form, apprenticeship, university or work is brought into vivid focus.

For the headteacher, results are a barometer of the overall school achievement Teachers buzz about congratulating pupils, giving a thumbs-up for success in their chosen subject Parents hang around anxiously and slightly uncomfortably while their teenage offspring nervously handle the sealed envelope containing their fate

This year at Chellaston Academy GCSE results have been “very good” according to headteacher Kevin Gaiderman

“I am delighted,” he said “Comparisons with previous years are a bit more complicated because of the grading changes, but overall 80% of passes were at ‘standard’ (grade 4 or above) level, with 58% achieving a ‘strong’ pass (grade 5 or above) ”

In English the results were very good, with 5% achieving the top (grade 9) level, well above the national 3% average Maths was slightly below that, with just under 3% achieving the top accolade

The new national grading system in English and Maths added some confusion this year

Pupil Lydia Walsh said: “It was harder this year, particularly as we didn’t have previous years’ papers to compare with ”

Eleanor Gardner added that “ you did not really know what was needed to achieve, say, a grade 8 or grade 9” Happily for these students results went very well and all were keen to progress into sixth form next year

The sense from Chellaston was that the overwhelming majority of students were very pleased with their results One of the examination invigilators, who have the unenviable task of handing out the results letters, revealed that she had not needed to make use of the box of tissues she kept handy – “just in case”

Speaking about the previous week’s A-level results Mr Gaiderman was very pleased that all students from the school had achieved their university places

“There had been really good progress by that cohort of students from Key Stage 4” –one of the main benchmarks for measuring educational progress

“We were slightly disappointed there were not as many of the highest A* grades as we had hoped,” he said Since taking over as headteacher, Mr Gaiderman described his first two years as “ tough, but we have made some significant changes and improvements There has been a change in the leadership structure, with new assistant head posts, we have also been working to improve the quality of leadership”

Academically he said that there also has been a re-focus around core basics This has all helped to turn around a “crash” in some results in 2015

On the school campus, a new maths block is now open, and the new centre for students who struggle with behavioural issues is now open – which has already shown positive outcomes

150 homes plan appeal

A DEVELOPER who applied to build up to 150 homes between Aston and Weston-on-Trent has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after being refused permission

It had taken members of South Derbyshire District Council Planning Committee just 10 minutes to unanimously throw out the proposals for Weston Road put forward by developers Gladman at a meeting on June

6 The developer had suggested its proposed development could accommodate a new GP surgery for Aston, which currently does not have one – but the local NHS commissioning group has said there was no possibility this would happen

The academy is also moving towards multiacademy trust status with formal partnerships now in place with four schools in the area – Frank

Hughes

ABOVE (l-r)

GCSE students

Dan Rutherford, Eleanor Gardner, Lydia Walsh, Isabel Mortimer (all from Melbourne) and Isaac Poyser, from Aston on Trent

LEFT: Chellaston Academy

A-level students (l-r) Jenny Hillel, Ellis Radcliffe, Amelia Kinsey, Rachel Wood, Ben Gotheridge and Lauren Dyer.

The original plans attracted 300 objections – plus one letter of support – and were turned down because the development was not in the Local Plan, which sets out what homes can be built in South Derbyshire, and where Now Gladman has launched an appeal against the decision, but no dates have yet been fi-

Causeway drivers fined

FIVE drivers have ended up in court for driving overweight vehicles over Swarkestone Causeway

Five court cases have related to incidents on the causeway in March and April with the drivers fined a total of £1,009 plus costs awarded of £575

Three of the drivers were at the wheel of vehicles weighing 44 tonnes, and the remaining two were driving 32 tonne lorries

Two drivers were from Stokeand the other three from Swindon, Disley and Leicester

Patricia & Jochen Helbig are proud and blessed to introduce their son Johannes, born on 21st August 2017

We want to thank all our friends for their love and support, especially Gemma Hallifield. You are a diamond! Thank you for helping and being there for us.

Looking back – in pictures

THIS month’s pictorial walk down memory lane comes courtesy of the Aston-onTrent Local History Group

As children in the local area and across the UK make their first steps in the new school year, here is a picture of what things looked like in Aston nearly 90 years ago

THE 1928 image is of solemn looking children of Aston on Trent village school, overlooked by the headmaster, Walter Shirley, standing at the rear of the class and making sure that all were behaving for the photographer

Discipline in those days was harsh and the teaching staff, although fair, would not tolerate any form of bad behaviour

In one instance, two boys were reprimanded for being disruptive in class and, as punishment, were ordered to tidy up the headmaster ’s front garden

Still being in a mischievous mood they spent their time carving their initials in the stonework surrounding the front door The headmaster, Walter ‘Gaffer ’ Shirley – well known as a disciplinarian –must have been in a good mood that day for he let them off with the comment: “At least they had made their mark on the village ”

Mr Shirley served as headmaster for 35 years, from 1926

until his retirement at the age of 64 He also devoted much of his time taking an active part in village affairs including hold-

KENNETH EDWARD EARP

1930-2017

KEN was born in North Street, Melbourne, in April 1930, the only child of Albert and Dorothy Earp

His father was part of T E Earp and Son Market Gardeners, Dorothy an organist at the Baptist Church They moved to Kings Newton when Ken was a young boy

Ken attended Melbourne National School and then on to Ashby Grammar School for Boys In the evenings and weekends, Ken was a projectionist at the then Melbourne cinema

On leaving school at 18, he completed his National Service at RAF Tangmere Here, Ken was trained as an air traffic controller during the days of early jet aircraft, in particular Tangmere’s Meteor squadron Ken had many stories of near misses and how he made use of his schoolboy French to help land a diverted French Air Force aircraft

On completing two years’

CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM JONES (“BANJO”)

1940-2017

CHRIS was born on July 3, 1940, at Station Road, Melbourne He was the ninth child born to Percival and Evelyn Jones with one more brother to come

Chris attended the local schools but sometimes decided it would be better to go and play down the brook with his pals than go to school It was in the secondary school, he met Brenda, who became his sweetheart He announced it to the whole of Melbourne by chalking their initials on the walls and pavements

Chris left school at the age of 15, having lost his mother only weeks before He started work in the market gardens but, as the pay was poor, he later joined his brother in the building trade, working on the

ing the position as clerk to the parish council, of which he eventually became chairman

He is still remembered in

OBITUARIES

service, he worked as a TV repairman with E S Jones in Swadlincote; it was at this time he met his wife, June, who was working in a greengrocer ’s in Church Gresley

They were married on September 19, 1953, and lived in Swadlincote Ken and June went on to have five children in all, three while living in Swadlincote – David, Sylvia and Clive Sadly their eldest son, David, passed away at only 14 months old

In the early 60s they moved to Hartshorne where they had

a

two more children, Jayne and Roger During this period Ken changed jobs and began a long career with the Civil Aviation Authority based at Pailton, Warwickshire, where his duties included the repair and development of Radar and Instrument Landing Systems (ILS)

In 1976 the family moved to Kings Newton, back to Ken’s childhood home, where he continued his passion of being a radio operator by taking up amateur radio In fact, radio and electronics had been an integral part of his life since childhood June sadly passed away in April 2002 Ken continued living in the family home, a quiet and private man who had a great knowledge and intellect, which was very handy for his children and grandchildren’s homework!

Ken passed away on August 21 at Bluebell Park, Chellaston, at the end of a brave battle with cancer Ken was always a loving husband, parent and grandparent

and always welcomed friends and family popping in for a cup of tea Chris loved a pint and played darts then later bingo until the local Liberal Club closed

When he reached retirement age, he carried on until he was 68 Six years ago, Chris was diagnosed with lung cancer and Hodgkin Lymphoma; he had part of his lung removed and endured 12 sessions of chemotherapy from which he recovered and looked as fit as before

pumping station at the start of the Staunton Harold Reservoir

In 1963 Chris and Brenda married and their first son was born, Christopher Lee It took seven years before their second son came along, Nathan Brynn, completing their family

They spent many happy holidays with close family members

He loved his five grandchildren, taking his three grandsons to their football and cricket practice and games He was very proud of them and his two pretty granddaughters

Chris and Brenda had 54 years of a deeply loving marriage and he will be missed by his wife and his cherished sons and families

Aston on Trent and is deservedly commemorated by

village roadway bearing the name Shirley Park ”

Pump statio plan praise

THE innovative conversion of a former Melbourne reservoir pump station and balancing tank into a four-bedroom home was hailed as a “really superb scheme” at a planning meeting as councillors enthusiastically gave it the green light

The old reservoir station and tank on Bog Lane was one of two redundant local sites put up for online auction by Severn Trent last February It prompted a swell of local interest and a bidding frenzy amongst people keen to embark on their own Grand Designs style home

Plans to convert the site came before South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee in Swadlincote last month and attracted admiring comments from councillors who liked the imaginative use of a redundant old building

Melbourne councillor John Harrison hailed the scheme as a “very creative, imaginative, futuristic proposal”, while Melbourne Civic Society commented to planning officers saying they had no objection to modern schemes particularly when limited to “replacement of existing mediocrity”

Planning committee vice-chair Lisa Brown said: “It’s very refreshing to see an attractive modern design, a really superb scheme which is making re-use of a redundant building, and I hope we can see more of this sort of good quality, high end, modern design which actually works very well with a historical building ”

Members of the public also sent in five letters of objection and comment

Derby-based Justin Smith Architects has come up with a design that involves combing the bal-

ancing tank and the pump station into one home

The plans include raising the roof of the pump station and adding a glass window all the way round the building under the eaves, while the balancing tank will be largely retained But the mound of earth currently covering it will be partly cut back to show the original walls round the back of the property with two openings on the other side

BAGS OF COLOUR

BAGS adorned with an image of Melbourne painted by a much-loved festival artist are being sold to raise funds for the Senior Citizens’ Centre

The bags feature a colourful image of the village painted by Barbara Bagley, a landscape artist based in Loughborough, who is regularly on the Melbourne Festival trail

Barbara was commissioned by the festival to complete the painting of Melbourne which now hangs in the Senior Citizens’ Centre

She has now agreed for the work to be featured on the bags which will be available at the festival from the café at 56 Potter Street – which is also raising funds for Community Care and the Senior Citizens’ Centre

They are also available at Forteys or by phoning Maggie Dobby on 01332 863640

Barbara, who will be on the trail this year, said of the Melbourne Festival: “It’s so friendly and everybody is so friendly and so nice It’s a really buzzing atmosphere, it doesn’t stop all weekend – it just doesn’t!”

Parish Church Friends talk

THE next event organised by Friends of Melbourne Parish Church will be a talk given by Professor Janet Spencer on the survival of church architecture

Professor Spencer will discuss how attitudes to medieval heritage have changed over the centuries

One vicar, bemoaning the fact that small parish churches were falling to ruin, described the process as “the church being overrun by dissent, the crumbling stone carried away by the cart-load for roadmending and the font in a field used as a cattle trough”

Professor Spencer will speak about more modern attitudes in the 20th and 21st century in her talk, which is taking place at The Dower House on Saturday, November 4

l The building (above) as it is, and (below) the plans.

l Karen Grewcock and Maggie Dobby with some of the colourful Barbara Bagley bags

n THE annual Kings Newton Garden Party was held in the garden of local resident Andrew Jackson. The weather was kind to the 90 people who turned out to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a buffet and entertainment.

Cranberry Flick provided the music, a sevenpiece band who, it was said, “ created a wonderful atmosphere for a delightful summer ’s afternoon”

Circular walk

MELBOURNE Footpaths Group is organising a five-mile circular walk to Stanton-byBridge on Thursday, October 12

The walk will take in the beautiful countryside en route, and will depart from Melbourne Assembly Rooms at 10am The group welcomes a £2 donation from walkers to help towards its work and running costs

Village Voice Postbag Taking Robert to task

ROBERT Parker ’s contention (Village Voice August) that “a farmer ’s sheer presence in the countryside does nothing but good for wildlife, flora and fauna” is both delusional and complacent

It might have been more sensible to say that some farmers try very hard to offset and avoid some of the more environmentally damaging practices of modern farming, or that some farmers try to work with nature rather than against it, by farming organically

Having said this I would like to make it clear that I am in no way anti-farming and I entirely accept your contributor ’s point about how the vagaries of our weather make farming pretty difficult at times

Clearly, present day farmers walk a tightrope, balancing the

need to avoid environmental damage, whilst producing sufficient crops at competitive prices to feed an ever-increasing human population

The commonplace use of pesticides either as sprays or seed coatings is just a one example of the harm intensive farming does to wildlife These chemicals frequently not only kill crop pests, but also kill or adversely affect other insects, which are food sources for farmland birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians etc

Furthermore, ecological services such as pollination provided by bumble bees decrease and the enjoyment of such things as bird song, that we all get from the countryside, are diminished

It is chilling to note that in a recent report from the Nether-

lands insect biomass has been reduced by more than 80% in recent decades

This accords with our everyday summertime experience that dead insects no longer splatter our car windscreens and moths no longer mass around street lamps Farmers should not deny the effects of modern farming, but work together with conservation organisations to embed best practice methods to enhance and maintain biodiversity on farmland, whilst also being able to farm efficiently There are good relatively local examples of such collaboration like the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Woodside Farm and Farmer – RSPB partnerships Perhaps this is what Mr Gove has in mind?

Christian Murray-Leslie

Yet another super show

I RECENTLY attended, with some family members, an absolutely super show, once again provided by our very own Melbourne Operatic Society (pictured above)

Entitled ‘Songs For A Summer Evening’, a full house was wonderfully entertained at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms with a host of popular classic songs starting with ‘Funiculi Funicula’ through to a finale choral medley of ‘My Fair Lady’

The performance was well managed by the talented duo Keith Reaveley (conductor) and David Henshaw (accompanist)

Such is the talent and versatility of the society, I would like to suggest that possible future shows could be based on songs from other famous duos such as – Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Lennon & McCartney, Lloyd-Webber &

4

The operatic society’s repertoire included solo and duet performances and it was so pleasing to see the whole society involved, with exceptional harmony throughout

I express my sincere thanks for what was a truly enjoyable evening including refreshments at the interval personally served by the Melbourne Operatic Society members and I would sum up the whole evening with the comment of my brother-in-law who said: “what a very well balanced programme of songs”, so well done to you all

Finally, many thanks to the management and staff of Melbourne Assembly Rooms for creating a facility that the community has been in need of for a long time

Colin Barker, Melbourne

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Club still bowling along after 25 years

A BOWLS club set up after a council initiative to get older people active is still flourishing after a quarter of a century.

Aston Indoor Bowls Club celebrated its 25th birthday with a tea party held in the village

With just under 30 members regularly attending the club is doing well, but would like to attract some more people to go along and give bowls a go

The club was set up after a representative from South Derbyshire District Council went around local villages with an indoor bowling mat as part of an initiative to encourage older people to get out and about

The idea quickly caught on in Aston with villagers going ahead and setting up a club Some of the original members are still there and the two oldest regulars – Sylvia Shaw and Eric Alexander – are now 91

“It’s fun,” said Eric “We don’t go outside at all ”

Another member is Nalini Kamat, who lives at the Richmond Villages development in Aston, and said the club was “really good for older people”

Club chairman Reg Dickenson said: “It’s a mild exercise We have got people with hip problems and back problems, and it’s a good mild therapy ”

But even more important than that, members say the indoor bowls sessions are a great way of getting out and being sociable

Shirley Goodman, from Weston, said:

“We have got a lot of people joining who are widows and widowers, really for the company as much as anything

“It’s ideal for people who are left on their own We end up having a laugh!”

Aston Indoor Bowls Club meets at the

Harvest decorations

VISITORS are invited to admire the harvest decorations at St James’ Church in Swarkestone on Saturday, October 7 (2-5pm)

village’s memorial hall on Mondays from 10am to noon and on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm and would love to see some more over-50s going along

A South Derbyshire District Council spokesman said: “It’s wonderful to hear that one of our many initiatives aimed at encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to get active has led to the ongoing success of Aston on Trent Indoor Bowls Club, and we heartily congratulate them on their 25th anniversary

“Regular exercise at all stages of life brings both physical and mental benefits, so whether it’s jogging, walking, chairbased exercise, using the outdoor gym equipment at one of our parks or trying the excellent facilities at one of our leisure centres, we’re confident there’s something for everyone to enjoy in South Derbyshire ”

Pictured are members of the bowls club celebrating with their cake

The church will be decorated for harvest time and there will also be a history display about its past, courtesy of Barbara Foster

The event is being organised by the church to help raise funds for its running costs to keep the building open, which are £8 a day

As well as the history display and harvest decorations there will be tea, coffee, cake and a sale of new and nearly new books Visitors will also be able to look at the church’s plans for new toilet facilities

Galloping time again

IT’S that time of the year when the region’s athletes prepare to get their running shoes on for the Golden Gates Gallop

The annual event takes place at Elvaston Country Park and is being held on October 8, starting at 11am

The five-mile run is licensed and run in compliance with UK Athletics Regulations; there will be an associated two-mile fun run taking place alongside

The run takes participants through Elvaston Country Park, with organisers promising a “well-marshalled” event on a flat surface

The five-miler is aimed at more serious runners who will be timed and trophies awarded to the winning male and female, while the two-mile is a full morning activity for families All proceeds from the run will go to a Leukaemia and Lymphoma research charity now known as Bloodwise

Tractor ploughing skills put to test

THE 17th annual Ashby Young Farmers ploughing competition took place in early September on fields near Melbourne

The contest had nine classes with farmers tested on the quality of their ploughing on different types of tractor, from classic to vintage

With 76 entries, the event raised £1,014 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance

Ashby Young Farmers has members of the agricultural community from across this area, including Melbourne, Ticknall and Barrow-onTrent

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Walk of the month

THIS month’s walk comes courtesy of the Findern Footpaths Group.

FINDERN CIRCULAR

Distance: Four miles (6 4km)

Time: A leisurely 2 5 hours

Terrain: Countryside with kissing gates, stiles and fields containing horses or cattle One railway bridge climb with several steep steps.

1 To begin the walk, park in Findern in the car park at Lower Green next to All Saints Church With the church behind you, cross the quiet lane to head towards Chestnut Cottage opposite Find the footpath beside this cottage This takes you out of the village and across fields Go over the stile and turn right through the field aiming for the left-hand end of farm buildings As the views open up, keep in line with the A50 road bridge Go over the next three stiles which are close together and then walk up the steps to the road Turn left and along the pavement over the road bridge

2 After the bridge, turn left to follow the footpath as it winds down the hill; ignore the steps on your right Follow the path all the way to Heath Lane Cross the road carefully and continue along the Heath Lane pavement in the same direction Continue along the track past Nadee Restaurant and go over the old road bridge, thereby cross the Trent & Mersey Canal

3 Turn immediately right to walk along the canal towpath Continue along the canal towpath passing in front of Potlocks Farm and under the white bridge

4 Turn left approximately 100 metres after the footbridge to leave the canal and walk over to the railway bridge Climb the steep steps taking time to survey the view

5 Follow the path which runs alongside the

railway tracks for approximately ½ mile At the playing field skirt around the righthand edge of the field Turn right and walk along the pavement towards Willington village centre Take care to cross the road on the straight section between Oaks Road and Hamilton Terrace

6 Walk underneath the railway bridge and through to the hustle and bustle of Willington The railway station is on your left Cross carefully at the roundabout using the central reservation (opposite The Rising Sun Public House)

Walk along the pavement with the Rising Sun PH on your right After 50 metres turn right on to the towpath at Willington wharf This attractive area has plenty of seats to provide a welcome rest

7 Follow the towpath and after ¼ mile, look

out for a row of cottages on the opposite bank on the bend in the canal

8 Continue along the towpath, retracing your steps slightly, and then cross over the canal via the white footbridge, where Mercia Marina can clearly be seen

Take the path next to the hedge, turn right through a kissing gate and head diagonally across the field (Potlocks Path) to another stile by the road

Beware of the traffic crossing the road and walking along the road verge Continue along the pavement over the bridge Cross the road at the bottom of the bridge taking advantage of the central reservation

9 Turn left and walk up into Findern village passing the former Wheel public house (now a funeral parlour), the white painted weavers’ cottages, through to The Green and back to All Saints Church

Mixed bag for cricket club

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club had a difficult time of it in August with all three teams showing some indifferent form

The first team won only one of its four league games and began with a home defeat to Abbots Bromley 1st XI as a rain affected match saw Melbourne lose by seven wickets

Batting first, Town scored 151-9 off their reduced 36 overs Only top scorer Russ Allaway with 52 and some late order hitting from Marc Towell (26 not out) made any real contribution and, despite Towell taking 3-43, Melbourne fell to a heavy defeat

A high scoring match followed a week later away to Rolleston 2nd XI as the home side scored a creditable 228-3 In reply the 1st XI just fell short on 217-9 with a superb innings of 98 by Allaway

Champion show, girls

DEFENDING your ‘champion’ title is never easy, but like the recent success of England’s women in the Cricket World Cup, a group of 10 girls from Melbourne Junior School did just that at the Derbyshire Schools Girls Cricket finals

They won their group with two close wins and progressed to the semi-final to play a very well organised Dale Primary School team

Despite some nerves they prevailed, with some important sixes from Eve and a three wicket over from Abbie All the girls fielded superbly and took some great catches

The final was against a big-hitting St James Primary School, so Melbourne needed a good score batting first and then performing well with the ball With only 25 runs on the board and just two overs left, the pressure was on, but Connie and Abbie responded superbly with some great hitting and added an amazing 47 runs Defending a total of 72 still required some tight bowling and fielding The girls performed as well as they had done all day and won by 32 runs

Jim Jenkinson, the school’s PE co-ordinator, said: “To make it to the county finals is a great effort, but to be back-to-back

champions is truly incredible

These girls have practised every lunchtime in the build-up to the final and have made huge progress, we couldn’t be prouder

“Our school motto is ‘Only my best is good enough for me’ and the girls typify this, which is such an inspiration to other children and we look forward to defending our title next year ”

Councillor Linda Chilton

Councillor John Harrison

Councillor Jim Hewlett

leading the way supported by Muhammad Nadeem (35) and Matt Briers (31)

A week later Melbourne were well beaten by 128 runs at the hands of high flying Rolls-Royce as the visitors scored 246-7 with Matt Briers (3-31) the only bowler to stem the flow

Once again it was in-form Russ Allaway who led the way in Melbourne’s reply as he scored 57, but the team slipped to 118 all out

At least Alex Slater ’s men ended the month with an amazing win away to lowly Sandiacre Town 3rd XI The hosts posted a huge 3278 declared as only Marc Towell (4-101) and Anthony Wagstaff (362) made inroads

In reply Matt Briers (81), Muhammed Tayyab (51), Mark Rossi (45) and Alex Blackhall (38) all scored quickly and it was left to

Kaustav Dutta (60 not out) to see Melbourne to a four-wicket win with more than 10 overs remaining

Melbourne Town Seconds stayed on course for promotion and started August with a comfortable winning draw away to Abbots Bromley 2nd XI Town scored 213-4 with Izzy Anjilliath leading the way on 93 supported by 42 not out by Matt Grimmett

Despite two wickets apiece for James Hogwood, Ranjit Rathore and Kaustav Dutta, Melbourne couldn’t secure the win as Bromley finished on 137-6

A week later a crushing nine-wicket win at home to Trentside 3rd XI was thanks to Julian Humpidge, who took a remarkable 615 supported by Ranjit Rathore with 4-8 as the visitors were bowled out for just 39 Paul Scrimshaw scored 37 not out in reply as the 2nd XI won in just 4 4 overs

Another convincing nine-wicket victory, this time away to Brailsford 3rd XI, was earned as Brailsford scored just 99-7 off their allotted overs James Hogwood grabbed 4-30 then Phil Maddocks (36 not out) and Rathore (47 not out) took Town to an easy win to consolidate second place in the table

Dan Marshall’s men ended the month with a disappointing home defeat to top of the table Burton 2nd XI Town scored a creditable 185-9 thanks mainly to Simon Fletcher (57) and some late order hitting from Stephen Goalen (47), but it was all in vain as Burton cruised to victory, losing just two wickets along the way Melbourne Town Thirds had a tough time but still ended it in a very creditable fifth place and began August with a close threewicket defeat at home to high-flying Tutbury 3rd XI Only Alex Blackhall (36) made any score as Town were bowled out for just 98

Good spells from Ash Elwell (3-36) and Will Goodman (2-38) saw Tutbury reach their target, losing seven wickets

Another disappointing display at home came against Castle Donington 2nd XI as the visitors amassed 244-7 with skipper Andy Holden taking 4-66 In reply only Blackhall (53) and Bruno Rost (36) coped with the Donington attack as Town were bowled out for 183

A battling draw at home to top of the table West Hallam 3rd XI saw the away side score 200-9 with Toby McCabe taking 3-62 There were two wickets apiece for Holden and Elwell In reply in form Blackhall (43) led the way as the third team held on for a draw on 95-4

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

Saturday 7th October

Saturday 4th November

“Listening

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

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Silver lining for

MELBOURNE Tennis Club has won its first silverware in nearly a decade.

The men’s Derbyshire team won their final league match 5-4 against Derby Tennis Centre to claim the division seven title Ian Ward’s side had a perfect record, having played five matches and won them all

More titles could well follow as both the men’s and the ladies’ sides competing in the Burton league go into the last three weeks of the season sitting top of their respected divisions with a couple of games to play each

The ladies team won both matches in August as they beat CURC and Burton easily with the Pat Milham/Pam Oliver pairing continuing their 100 per cent record as did Julie Chamberlain and captain Karen Brenchley

The men’s team that competes in the Burton league mirrored the ladies’ results by also winning both their matches in the month, beginning with a 3-1 win against Virgin Active followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over Burton Howard Cheshire and Vinny Hallifield continue to be unbeaten this season and have won all their rubbers as did Simon Brenchley and Rob Clarke Captain Roger Spencer partnering Ian Ward did their bit by winning the final rubber against Virgin to claim the points Melbourne’s mixed team that competes in the Burton league had just one match in the month and fought out a close match with Ashby which resulted in a 2-2 draw The Simon Brenchley/Sallie Allen partnership earned both the points for Melbourne

The mixed team that plays in the Derbyshire league has found the standard high but finished the season in sixth place as they won their last match 6-3 away to Ilkeston The Simon Brenchley and Carolyn Crocker pairing plus Roger Spencer/Karen Brenchley pair won all their three sets respectively to claim the victory

– Alex Slater

tennis players

Solid start to the season for Dynamo

MELBOURNE Dynamo Football Club has begun the 2017-2018 season well with the first team winning two out of its first three games and the reserves doing likewise

The first team’s campaign began with a home game against last season's treble winning Castle Donington Cobras and a closely fought and end-toend 90 minutes ended in a 2-1 loss with an Adam Ross header the only consolation.

A mid-week trip to Moira United saw Dynamo claim a first win of the season as striker Michael Tristram bagged a double along with Danny Guild, Tom Ballard and Adam Ross in a convincing 5-0 win.

Gav Salisbury’s men ended the month with a comfortable 3-1 home win against Castle Donington Town with leading goalscorer Ross claiming another goal along with Ben Blackburn and Liam Orme to give Melbourne

its first win in the Premier Divisional Cup.

Dynamo Reserves have made an unbeaten start to the 2017-2018 season and began by coming from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw away to Willington Sports Reserves with Toby Foxon and new signing Joe Shadbolt grabbing the comeback goals

The reserves claimed their first league win of the season the following week with a superb 6-2 home success against South Normanton United Shadbolt helped himself to a hat-trick along with strikes from veteran Dave Brough, Finn Charles and youngster Harry Foxon.

Dynamo played the same opposition to end the month, this time away in the Divisional Two Cup and came away with another convincing win with in-form Shadbolt scoring a double to go with goals from Foxon brothers Harry and Toby plus substitute Paul Swallow in the 5-1 win.

l Melbourne Rugby Football Club players line up in their new sponsored shirts for the 2017-18 season The club’s sponsors are Harman Smith Wealth Management, EMS security services, missingthelinq, Clearshields windows, Gingerwolf,