■ IT’S LAMBING time at Calke Park and this group of 25 youngsters from Aston Pre School Play Group visited the lambing marquee and enjoyed being introduced to the cute cuddly lambs.
Approximately 500 lambs have passed through the marquee in the short time it has been erected and the lambs can now be seen gambolling in the fields.
by DAVID BELLIS and TOM MILLS
ELECTION day on May 5 is going to an exciting affair.
For the first time in 16 years there will be an election for the 15 seats on Melbourne Parish Council. Three councillors – Reg Moore, Henry Dunnicliff, and Paul Willmore – will not stand again, but four new candidates have offered themselves for election.
In addition to the prospect of a close poll in the parish, Melbourne is key to the result of the South Derbyshire District Council, where the Conservatives are defending a narrow majority.
At the last election in 2007 Melbourne elected two Conservatives – John Harrison and James Hewlett – who are standing for re-election. These two seats will be
keenly contested by the two Labour Party candidates, Jane Carroll and Paul Sturges.
If overall control of the district council passes from the Conservatives to Labour, there will certainly be changes and no doubt a review of policies and spending priorities.
Jane Carroll was for several years one of the two Labour Party district councillors, but lost her seat narrowly in 2007.
There are three seats currently held by the Conservatives in the Aston ward, which includes Weston and Barrow, and each main political party has three candidates.
Ticknall is now within the Repton ward, and two seats – currently in the hands of the Conservatives – are being contested by two candidates from each of the two major parties.
Commenting on the forthcoming election Cllrs Harrison and Hewlett told Vil-
lage Voice: “Within a policy of cutting costs but not services, the Conservatives, in control for the first time ever, reduced the inherited annual budget deficit of £570k to zero over the past four years.
"Meanwhile, the district’s Council Tax increased by 6.5%, compared with 16% during Labour’s previous four years.
"If re-elected, we will invest an initial £1million in Melbourne’s previously neglected outdoor sports and leisure facilities from an early capital receipt from the SDDC’s share of Bretby Crematorium’s expected sale to the Midlands Co-op which Labour opposed."
Labour's Jane Carroll said: “Nursing in Melbourne and my local council experience give me a strong awareness of the needs of local people. I want to use that expertise to fight government cuts which are affecting people’s lives especially the elderly, disabled and vulnerable locally.”
Labour running mate Paul Sturges
added: “Community involvement has given me an insight into life in Melbourne Ward. Young people and families are being hit hard by coalition cuts and I want to make a real difference and give support to people locally.”
To this heady, exciting prospect of closely fought elections, residents throughout the country will be making a choice about the AV (Alternative Voting) system.
Of the other parish councils in the area, there will be no parish council elections in Ticknall, or the Trent Valley villages of Aston, Barrow and Weston.
At Aston there have only been six nominees for the nine seats available; at Barrow there are only four nominees for the six places, while in Ticknall the six seats available are matched by the number of applicants and in Weston seven councillors are required and there are seven nominees.
Candlelit meal for two? –Page 4
Allo, Allo, who’s this? –Page 22
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IN MELBOURNE, we are healthier, have healthier lifestyles, live in safer communities, have less unemployment, make fewer benefit claims, and are better educated than most other communities in South Derbyshire. We are also, it appears, a community with above regional average household incomes.
These were the broad conclusions of a Local Development Framework exhibition at Melbourne Leisure Centre by the South Derbyshire District Council. Large maps, of Stanton by Bridge, Melbourne and Kings Newton were displayed, which highlighted the conservation areas.The maps were the basis for explaining in detail to visitors what 'localism' means for the district council.
Ian Bowen, the planning policy manager for the council said: "We had some interesting and wide-ranging conversations with residents about how they feel Melbourne could be improved."
Most visitors reiterated the main conclusions of the Parish Plan, which was completed two years ago after very detailed discussions with local residents. Mr Bowen confirmed such matters as a new secondary school for the area, allotments, roads and community facilities were raised. In addition, there was strong support for retaining the conservation areas within the parish, to retain its historic character.
Each visitor was given a Neighbourhood Planning Questionaire – "the council needs YOUR help in drawing up a local plan" – as
well as a summary profile of the parish.
Mr Bowen said: "We will be receiving further comments as people return the questionnaires. We are pleased that these meetings – planned for most parishes in the district – are proving to be an excellent basis for developing our Local Plan. We look forward to further community participation as we progress our work."
naires may be obtained from the council on this website or by phoning 01283 595983 or 595821. –DOB
Further information on the Local Development Framework is available on the district council's website at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/LDF.
Question-
Visitors and officials pictured above at the Melbourne Drop In event are (from the left): Zoe Sewter (Open Space & Facilities Dev Manager SDDC), Kevin Exley (Planning Policy Officer SDDC), Michelle Mansfield (Area Planning Officer SDDC), Ian Bowen, Sheena Wilkins, Neil Wright, Barry Thomas, Graham Truscott, Philip Heath (Conservation Officer SDDC), David Bayliss and Cllr Michael Stanton.
ASTON on Trent Primary School is one of three in South Derbyshire to be recognised for the hard work they have made to boost recycling rates.
Over 20 schools are signed up to South Derbyshire District Council’s Cash for Trash programme, which saves participants from having to pay for waste disposal and the council contributes £10 per tonne saved as a reward. In return, participants pledge to collect a certain amount of recycling per year.
The primary schools in Aston, Stenson Fields and Will-
ington have excelled in improving their rates.
And top of the tree was Aston, which collected an average of 0.54 tonnes a month between September and December, compared to 0.23 tonnes previously.
Waste Management Officer Lorraine Neave said: “We would like to thank all of the schools for working so hard to recycle and we hope those taking part will continue to enjoy the benefits.”
The council has written to the schools to praise them for their efforts.
ONLY a few weeks ago a small group of residents and friends from the Westonhill Chalet Park at Weston on Trent decided to put on a panto – just for the fun of it. The planning soon became more and more ambitious but the big night arrived before it totally took over their lives.
The panto was staged at the Brookfield
Club, Barrow on Trent, to a packed audience and a great time was had by cast and audience alike.
In the panto, Fairy Liquid (the Bad Fairy played by Director Mandy Simpson) decided to call in characters from various pantomimes, causing much confusion and cries of 'Oh no it isn't!' and 'He's behind you!' In
❍ LOCAL residents John and Barbara Presley are holding their annual plant sale/ refreshments event in aid of the South Kinangop Project, Kenya, on Sunday, May 22, at Station Farm, Station Road, Melbourne. Cost of entry is £1.50 for a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, starting at 2pm.
❍ THE Dower House garden in Melbourne will be open for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8, in aid of the NGS charities.
❍ THE Aston on Trent Music Festival, now an annual event, will be held on Friday, May 6, from 7pm-10pm in All Saints Church and on Saturday, May 7 (7.30pm onwards) in The Memorial Hall. The money raised on Friday will be split 50/50 with the church. Saturday night is party night with a variety of bands plus a bar and stalls. Tickets are available from The Post Office, The Village Shop, The Malt Shovel and The White Hart, priced £5.
❍ ASHBY Art Club’s annual exhibition will be shown over Easter. Opening on Saturday, April 23, it also runs on the Sunday and Easter Monday, opening each day at 10am until 5pm. There is a small admission charge of 50p. The exhibition will be supporting the County Air Ambulance.
line with best pantomime tradition, this production didn't rely on plot line consistency but it had the unrelated ghost scene, sing-alongs and, of course, the custard pie scene!
The cast (from left to right): Claire Meredith, Sylvia Hinkley, Mandy Simpson, Rob Chamber, Tony Meredith, Elaine Peapell, John Meredith and Paul Wilkinson.
BRITAIN may be holding its breath to see what Kate Middleton will wear to her wedding later this month – but here in Melbourne local girls are also being given their chance to shine.
The annual Miss Melbourne competition is being held next month, and organisers are hoping plenty of entrants will put their names forward.
The winner and her six attendants will ride in style in a Triumph classic car to lead the Melbourne Carnival procession in July.
“The carnival is such a big event for the whole village,” says Miss Melbourne organiser Tracey Ridley. “If you're Miss Melbourne, it's something that will go down in history.”
The Miss Melbourne competition already has a long history of its own. Back in the 1930s the Market Gardeners' Association used to elect a Melbourne king and queen at its annual fete. This event was taken over by local business association The Round Table, which renamed it The Melbourne Fete and Carnival.
Welcome Cafe proprietor Sid Gregson ran the Miss Melbourne contest from 1960 and continued to do so for more than 40 years. He used to hold a dance to choose the winner, who was judged on three criteria: beauty, health and personality. So as to avoid any suggestion of favouritism, judges would be chosen from outside the vil-
■ THE MELBOURNE Quiz came to a thrilling conclusion on March 11 when the remaining four teams battled it out for the final honours.
This year’s winners were Kings Newton Bowls Club A, who triumphed over the Rugby Club VPs with Melbourne Operatic taking third spot from Melbourne Garage.
The quiz ran for eight weeks and attracted over 700 spectators raising £1,300. The charity chosen this year to receive the £1,300 was the Headway Trust-Derby, whose representative, Christian MurrayLeslie, attended and spoke about the trust and its work.
Pictured are (l-r) Terry Summerlin, Richard Twells, Gayle Summerlin, Paul Fox, Phil Dobby, Christian Murray-Leslie and Roger Timmins.
lage.
“It was very popular,” Sid remembers. “I think the most entries we ever had was 48.”
After a few breaks in its history, the revived Miss Melbourne contest is still going strong today.
The event has proved so popular that the number of attendants has been increased to accommodate demand. Entrants will be asked a couple of questions on the night, and a panel of three judges unconnected with the village will choose the winner.
The contest is being held on Friday, May 13, at the Royal British Legion Royal Suite on Derby Road. Doors to the disco will open at 6.30pm for 7pm and there will be a £1 charge for entry.
Miss Melbourne applicants must be of senior age – secondary school year seven and over – live in Melbourne parish, and be available on the day of the carnival, July 9.
The attendants must also live in Melbourne parish or attend the village's junior or infant school.
Application forms will be available in various places in the village, including the Post Office, but anyone who wants to enter can also simply turn up on the night. Entrants to the attendants' competition must be accompanied by an adult.
Anyone with any questions about the Miss Melbourne competition can ring Tracey on 863519.
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THE world seems to be getting much smaller as time goes by, and this was brought home to me when watching TV reports on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
This has caused much devastation to Japan and the effects will truly last for years. The first films showed the tidal wave driving across farmland, destroying greenhouses and buildings in its path and cars travelling on nearby roads completely unaware of the danger.
Cars and lorries and heavy earth-moving equipment were just washed away like toys. Japan is a highly developed country and will handle this tragedy well and I believe we should be helping them as well despite our relationship during the Second World War.
How will the food system cope during the coming months and years with the added complication of nuclear contamination? It sets one thinking how we could handle such a disaster here at home and we have to thank God we may never have to.
■ Here in the UK, we still have weather phenomenons on a lesser scale, which saw March one of the driest for 50 years. Ground conditions for farming have been good but crops badly need some water soon and in our area this follows a very dry winter. It always tends to balance out, so when are we going to get a deluge?
■ Some of our cows went out to grass on April 3, a little earlier than usual, but quantities of greenery are not large. Over half have been kept in as they are deemed to be milking so well, that wasting energy grazing grass would be detrimental.
Milk yields for the ones that have gone out have already dropped. Modern management of cows indoors has become so fine-tuned that some of our larger herds are housed for much of the year and this is perfectly acceptable and the cows actually prefer it. This morning was dull and wet and our grazers were waiting at the gate to come in after an hour and a half outdoors. They are very spoilt!
As I write this the sun is streaming through the window and it’s close to 19 degrees centigrade which is more like high summer. Sowing maize will commence soon which could be before our earliest record of the 16th of April. Ground conditions are perfect.
MELBOURNE Parish Church's flagship project, to install solar panels on the roof of the church, has been given the thumbs-up by South Derbyshire District Council planners.
The new system is likely to be installed in May or June this year.
Graham Truscott, of Melbourne Transition, who steered through the planning application on behalf of the church, writing in the Parish Magazine said: "This is a significant achievement ... and is a major step forward which we hope will inspire and encourage many others to tackle the implications of climate change, resource depletion and energy security at the local community level."
More than 80 local residents wrote in to support the planning application. There were no objections.
From 21 April and just in time for Easter, the garden and pleasure grounds will be open daily 11am - 5pm right up until the end of October! Our shop and restaurant are open daily 10.30am – 5pm.
Saturday 19 March – Saturday 16 April 11am – 4pm
A selection of photographs of the 2010 national photography competition on display in the Riding School.
Sunday 17 April 11am – 4pm
Come and celebrate local food and produce grown, raised, baked or caught within a 30 mile radius. Our very own Calke chefs will demonstrate some culinary delights using the fresh local produce available on the day! With a wide variety of local producers providing foods to taste and for you to buy, come and celebrate all that is great about local food in our Riding School.
Friday 22, Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 April 11.30am – 3.30pm
Follow the Easter e trail to find a prize! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Child £2.50 (Normal park admission and garden ticket applies).
Wednesday 27 April 12.30pm – 4pm
Meet some of Calke’s 1940s wartime characters. ‘Make do and mend’ activities and a Tea Dance in the Riding School at 2.30pm.
Saturday 30 April - Monday 2 May 10am – 5pm
With fine crafts and quality goods to buy, demonstrations and free children’s entertainment. 10am – 5pm. £3.50 adults £1 children NT members £3.00 (Park admission applies). For advance tickets and further information visit www.easternevents.com
Normal park admission applies to all visitors
For more information on what’s on at Calke please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822
WHY DID 22 reasonably sane Village Voice readers take over most of the Packhorse Inn for a “dinner in the dark” during Climate Change week?
Well, it wasn’t just to have a good time (though they did). It wasn’t to hide in the dark, and it wasn’t even with particularly romantic intent (though who can tell ?)
No, Melbourne Area Transition group chose this very pleasant way –with excellent local food and drink –to draw attention to the serious local implications of global climate change and energy security. Other concerned citizens can find details of projects, meetings and events of this dynamic group at www.melbournetransition.org
Pictured in the dark are (left to right): Catherine Parish, Heather Robinson, Graham Truscott, Mary Haynes and Sarah Spencer.
Saturday 14th May, 2011 at 7.30pm
LOCAL resident Jed Messer, who said he had been told by one councillor recently that ‘they are not here to deal with petty problems’, took his message to the Parish Council meeting.
At public questions he urged the council to review the Packhorse Road speed bumps, having experienced repeated and extensive car damage and subsequent repair bills.
Whilst the topic has been raised before, Mr Messer spoke of the need for urgent action and presented photographs of the culprit speed bump.
Chairman Nigel Collyer agreed to refer the matter to the highways authority, although district and county councillor John Harrison said he would take up the issue directly with the county Highways and Transport section.
Continuing the theme of roads and bumps, the new arrow sign on the Derby Road/Kings Newton Lane junction still remains damaged, but will be replaced.
An additional marker point will also be erected at the corner.
Moving swiftly round the corner to Derby Road, Cllr Harrison had received numerous complaints on the state of the Derby Road/Melton Avenue area and also Castle Street and he has requested his cabinet colleagues to have the repairs included in the current works programme.
With the Government providing councils an additional £100m to repair potholes and Derbyshire taking a £3m share, Cllr Harrison was hopeful this money would support the local areas that require improvement. Hopefully they will have enough paint to repaint the white lines after the roads are repaired.
Mrs Bazley from Jubilee
Close identified requirements for grit and litter bins for the public area at the top of Jubilee
Close and its link with Potter Street. It is an area Mr and Mrs Bazley regularly look after and wish to understand what the owners’ responsibility is for the upkeep.
Cllr Collyer commended them for their efforts, whilst district councillor Jim Hewlett commented it had been designated a public space, owned by builders George Wimpey. Chairman Collyer advised they would contact the owner to understand future tenure via the highways committee.
Mr Bazley said he was impressed by members of the community litter picking over the last weekend. Cllr Collyer said this may have been part of the Civic Society annual litter pick.
On district council matters
Cllr Hewlett advised that the Millbrook Housing Development has 20 percent of its newly built homes designated as rented Social Housing.
Following a tender process Nottingham Community Housing Association will make decisions on their occupancy; the criteria will include a preference for people who live in the Melbourne area.
The association will advertise the homes in the South Derbyshire Home Finder every
Wednesday, with three houses in the first week of April and four houses the second week of May.
Sports and leisure have a familiar ring at the council sessions. With the Community Group/ Leisure Centre issues now relating to budgets, Cllr
Cliff Crawford sought reassurance that the parish council would not be supplementing the Community Group with additional finance.
Referring to a significant sum of £5,000, Cllr Crawford said: "The whole reason we agreed to talk to the Community Group was to avoid the drain of Parish Council funds on the Leisure Centre."
Cllr Christopher Howard replied: “At this point the answer is no." However, that did little to provide the assurance that Cllr Crawford was looking for.
On the Melbourne Sporting Partnership, whilst the dream remains with Cllr Andrew Jackson advising the meeting of the exceptional facility layout, the magnitude of funding for the project, in the region of £1.8£2m, is going to cause some sleepless nights.
“Spirits are high at the moment,” claimed Cllr Jackson, “but we have to find avenues to acquiring funding, some of which are drying up and the outcome of the district council elections could also have an effect”.
n Due to Parish Council Elections taking place on May 6, with 15 seats on the Parish Council to be contested, the next Parish Council meeting will be deferred to May 17 at 7.30pm.
n The saga of squeezing some recovery of costs from the youths responsible for the damage to the pavilion fence continues. The next recreation committee meeting will determine a course of action.
n Police have recently been test purchasing sales of alcohol in the area. Nine out of 10 outlets passed – with one likely to be prosecuted.
n The district council is repairing the Leisure Centre perimeter wall next to the footpath to Penn Lane.
n Proposals for improved CCTV coverage in Melbourne will be presented at the next parish council meeting.
VILLAGE VOICE has been denied permission to attend East Midlands Airport Independent Consultative Committee meetings.
The newspaper wrote in January of this year to the chairman of the committee, Barrie Whyman, MBE, asking for permission to be present at the body’s meetings.
“We are a prime channel for the dissemination of local news and have a widespread readership in Melbourne and adjacent villages, with a circulation in excess of 5,000,” said Village Voice director David Bellis.
“Our request to report proceedings was not granted, however, the chairman in his response saying that the committee was not ‘mindful to change’ a long-standing determination ‘not to open meetings to the public or the media’.
“We believe that this committee - a liaison body set up by the Civil Aviation Act 1982, and the Airports Act, 1986 – is a very important link between local communities, the airport operator, airlines and freight operators.”
As the official guidelines state, the committee exists to "provide a focus between the the decision makers and those affected".
The airport has generated enhanced employment opportunities, has demonstrably stimulated regional economic growth, and has been – and continues to be – of great benefit to local residents. The airport has also been a source of friction regarding noise pollution.
The guidelines, the Guiding Principles for Best Practice, state that "meetings of the committee should be open to the Press and
“SEA Shanties and Salty Tales” was the title for an evening's entertainment hosted by Recreation in Aston in the Memorial Hall.
‘The Stormy Weather Boys’ from Nottinghamshire presented an evening of sea shanties, humorous, and sometimes serious stories. With the added ingredients of a fish and chip supper from George's Tradition of Chellaston, a bar supplied by the Malt Shovel and a raffle organised by RIA, the occasion had the recipe for a good night out.
Aston Parish Councillor Steve Graham was MC for the evening, and organiser Sandra Bayliss (secretary of Recreation in Aston) said she was very pleased with the whole event.
Recreation in Aston continues to work steadily toward the complete refurbishment of the old Sports Pavilion (now known as the "Aston Recreation Centre") and all proceeds from the evening will be donated to this fund. Sandra is pictured with The Stormy Weather Boys.
the public", regrettably not mandatory, but "at the discretion of the committee". Several UK airports do allow public access.
Mr Bellis added: “What is not clear from the chairman's letter to us is any reasoned argument why the committee - a statutory body - is so determined to keep its deliberations behind closed doors.
“Even a long-standing policy needs to be justified.”
Parliament, councils at every level, and even Primary Care Trust board meetings are open to the public and the Press.
“We think the Independent Consultative Council, too, should be open to the public and the Press,” Mr Bellis said. ■ Airport growth forecast hopes ‘wide of mark’ –Page 21.
THE Simon Laurence letter (see Page 23) praises the new road junction at Derby Road/ Kings Newton Lane –but not everyone feels the same way.
Local resident Chris Brooks, who met with a posse of councillors and DCC experts at the advance site meeting, specifically requested that a chicane should not be installed.
“The chicanes are dangerous,” he claims and seeing the difficulties now being experienced by
motorists negotiating the junction, especially when buses or larger vehicles are present, you can witness first hand that traffic build-up and delay is a by-product of the new junction.”
There have been several incidents at the junction and the arrow sign has been damaged following a collision. County Councillor John Harrison has undertaken to follow up the concerns about the junction and the need for adequate signage.
NEIL Wright, the chairman of Melbourne Civic Society, welcomed members and visitors to the 37th annual meeting at the Leisure Centre.
He reported that the society was in good shape, commenting on the various activities and initiatives undertaken and thanked the committee for their hard work and support.
The secretary’s report was presented by Pam Adams, who reported a busy year and reviewed the past year's successful social events, while David Calvert presented the treasurer's report and confirmed that the society remains on a sound financial footing.
Officers and committee members for 2011/12 remained the same except for the resignation of Edward Mitchell and the appointment of Brian Budd.
The Civic Award nominations were identified and the winner for 2011 announced. The award is given for the most outstanding example of new building, renovation or landscape conversion completed in Melbourne or Kings Newton during the last 12 months. Judging took place on March 16 and the judges agreed that the nominations were generally of a high standard this year and it was very commendable that a wider use of local craftsmen was being made.
Two projects stood out as being outstanding but very different in their concepts.
The Tithe Barn in Church Square has finally been restored to take its rightful place as an important historic building in the unique area surrounding Melbourne's fine Parish Church. The judges praised the transformation carried out by Alan Staley and his team and it was declared the winner of the Civic Award for 2011.
The work carried out at 56 Potter Street also drew unanimous praise from all the judges. A modern extension has been added to the rear of an historic thatched cottage. Strong design features, making use of modern materials, in a confined space, have enhanced the original building and produced a satisfying blend of old and new. All agreed that it was a unique development deserving special recognition and therefore will receive a special award.
The AGM was followed by a talk by local historian Barbara Foster on the 'Landmarks of Swarkestone' which included the Bowling Alley known more locally as The Pavilion with its famous association with the Rolling Stones.
She gave some idea of what the ruined remains of Swarkestone Hall tell us and speculated on the enigma of having a need for the equally large Old Hall Farm so near to it.
She also covered in detail the long history of the river bridge and causeway.
Even today attractive medieval arches survive and medieval foundations remain intact.
MINIBUS TIMETABLE - APRIL, MAY, JUNE & JULY
For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care O ce, Mon-Thu 10:00am-2:00pm; Fri 10:00am-12:00 noon or telephone 863585 (answering machine when o ce is closed). All journeys subject to number of booked passengers, minimum number required is 8, maximum 12. All passengers must be able-bodied. Community Care do not provide escorts on these trips.
09:30 Loughborough - Leicestershire (Market Day)
- Sta s
Visit 14th Century Parish Church with Crooked Spire/Shopping WED
-
MELBOURNE Parish Church is holding a coffee morning starting at 10-30am on Saturday, May 14, in the Honner Room and the Vicarage Garden, Church Square, Melbourne. Tea, coffee, cakes, preserves and pickles will be on sale and all profits will be donated to support the work of Calcutta Cathedral Relief Service. Entry to the event is free.
A NEW and exciting partnership of young people and adults working together is seeking to celebrate the fantastic achievements, amazing talents and good citizenship of people in Melbourne.
The Athenaeum Youth Café approached the Rotary Club of Melbourne to support the establishment of the “Melbourne Community Awards”. The Rotarians, responded very positively and felt that their existing annual awards could be incorporated in to these new community awards.
Young people who attend the Athenaeum met with Rotarians recently to develop the award cat-
egories and criteria.
The combined group of young and old will judge the nominations and decide on the first winners of the Melbourne Community Awards. It is hoped that this will become an annual event for people within Melbourne.
The group is seeking sponsorship for each award from local businesses and organisations.
The awards will be launched in May and nominations will be welcomed from May until June 30 with an awards evening taking place in July.
■ Rotary's Young Musician of the Year winner – Page 15.
MELBOURNE
Rotary Club’s table top sale with (from left to right)
Rotarians Mike Thornett (President) and Kate Dumelow (Rotarian), with visitors Rachel Harris and the Revd Canon Ken Berkin from Kent representing North Kigenzi Diocese, South West Uganda, the location of the Melbourne Rotary Club project.
THE Melbourne Historical Research Group will be holding its annual exhibition in the main hall at the Leisure Centre on the weekend of May 14 and 15. This year sees the bicentenary of the National Society, which part-funded the building of the Melbourne National School on Penn Lane in 1822, so education is the focus of this year's offering.
There will be a comprehensive mix of anecdotes and photographs, plans, letters and posters charting the progress of education in Melbourne in its various forms from the early 16th century up to the closing in the 1970s of the Board School (Secondary Modern) and now identified as the Bill Shone Leisure Centre.
All are welcome, and refreshments will be available.
ASTON Well Dressing group held its annual afternoon tea on Sunday, March 27, to raise money to help fund the annual Well Dressing Festival. In addition to the 'teas' there were a variety of stalls selling a range of goods.
The Welldressers also revealed the two beneficiaries of this year's well dressing festival and festival walk – the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and the Aston Playground Project.
The tea raised over £500 towards staging the 2011 Well Dressing Festival on July 9 and 10.
Pictured are some of the 'tea ladies' with the cakes generously donated for the event. From the right: Anne Dickenson, Doreen Yates, Beryl Hallam and Natasha Hyde.
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Exclusive 2 bedroom ground oor at located in the grounds of breedon hall.light and airy drawing room with open re , tted kitchen with all white goods and separate dining area. large family bathroom with separate bath and shower. large outside terrace and plenty of parking.
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18 Messiter Mews, Willington.
Beautifully presented stylish 3 bedroom townhouse with garage set over 3 oors. One bedroom with access to rear garden, utility and cloaks on ground oor. Large L-shaped lounge and fully tted kitchen on rst oor. Master bedroom with en-suite and second double bedroom and family bathroom on second oor. Freshly decorated and carpeted. £700 pcm
24 Station Road, Melbourne.
Character 2 bedroom terrace with lounge and tted kitchen. bathroom with corner bath and shower over. well presented throughout. To rear courtyard style garden and outhouse with power and plumbing for washing machine. £500 pcm
FOR A MORE PERSONAL SERVICE AND HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PROPERTY CALL CHRISTINE JUDGE ON 07870547357
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Sunday 15th May - Playing Field, Shardlow Road
MELBOURNE resident Millie Pass is pictured presenting a cheque for £1,000 to Alan Jeffries, a representative of the charity Help for Heroes.
Millie took the decision in mid-2010 that she would raise £1,000 for the charity and since October she has been offering a dining out experience at her home. With her ‘customers’ having made their meal selection, Millie shopped, cooked and served the meals. To date she has hosted 18 dinner parties, each for six people, and has successfully reached her target of £1,000.
Having made her donation, but with several bookings still to be satisfied, the proceeds from her future dinner parties will be donated to Rainbows Children’s Hospice.
A SPECIAL appeal regarding the 2011 Melbourne Art Festival is being made with a request for anyone who would like to organise any kind of entertainment or concert during the festival weeks of September 10 to 24.
In particular, are there are any parents who fancy organising a gig for younger Melbourne to show off their talents?
If you are interested contact Frank Hughes 862243, Phil Dobby 863640 or email phil.dobby@gmail.com
"I THINK there is a great need to consider the creation of a new secondary school for children, who may find that Chellaston School cannot continue to offer places in the future for all the children from Melbourne and other smaller villages," said Mrs Rose Minifie in opening an exploratory discussion about the future provision, over the next 10 to 20 years, of good secondary education for Melbourne students.
Rose has lived in Melbourne for 11 years, and has two small children. She is the chairman of the Fete and Carnival committee, and is a parish councillor. She was thanked by County Councillor John Harrison for her initiative in calling this meeting, to bring before parents the whole concept of the new Government encouragement for parents to take the lead in getting local new schools set up –called free schools.
About 15 parents attended the meeting, and a great deal of interest was shown by them in the idea of a local secondary school. Rose gave a very clear explanation of what a free school entails.
The school would be open to all, would have to accommodate children of all abilities, pursue an approved curriculum, be free of fees, and be supported by a charity or a commercial company. The school would be supported with running costs directly by central government, and the parents and the governors would be independent of local authority control.
Cllr Harrison spoke of the shortage of school places, with
RAY
Andrew Parnham wishes to thank the hundreds of people who attended the funeral of his wife Elaine on 1st November 2010.
The family would also like to thank all people connected with Elaine's care. In particular, the Healthcare at Home team, not forgetting the team leader the irrepressible Chris Girling, Elaine's oncologist Dr Persic, Dr Long and the Melbourne Surgery team and all at Melbourne chemist.
Chellaston School – "a school with a national reputation for excellence" – pretty well full.
John Port School in Etwall was also full.
There were big plans in the pipeline to build many more houses in Chellaston, and within South Derbyshire on the edges of Derby – which would bring long-term increasing pressure for places. All this caused, he said, a "lot of concern and was deeply worrying for parents in Melbourne and other South Derbyshire villages, currently catered for by Chellaston School".
Cllr Harrison said: "So it is now a good time to assess support for a free school".
He said there were several organisations which could financially and administratively support a well thought out project, whether charities like churches, or commercial organisations –but an initial steering committee would need time, good re-
search and a huge effort.
There was a lively question and answer session. One parent suggested that a new school could be associated with Chellaston School, an indication perhaps that the excellence of Chellaston could assist the new school to attain similar high standards.
A number of those present indicated that they would be willing to be a member of a steering committee. Cllr Harrison suggested that a meeting similar to the one in Melbourne should be held at Aston.
Rose later said: "I was very encouraged by the attendance, and the lively interest shown. We have seven volunteers to form a committee to take the matter further. Things can change over the years, and Chellaston School entry may not be available to pupils from Melbourne and Aston in seven to 12 years time; we just do not know." – DOB
at
School, asked to comment on the possible plans to create a free secondary school in Melbourne, said: "We have a successful school and there is no reason to change our catchment area, and this position has been emphasised on many occasions.
“When we converted to an Academy, we made our position very clear on this matter. Governors represent the villages and Chellaston, and we understand the strength of feeling from parents.
"There is no intention nor a plan to increase the size of the school, and there is no space on our site for further substantial building, nor is there any money available from any source for capital funding. Noel Baker is being rebuilt and will have a
larger capacity which will absorb any new developments in Boulton Moor.
“There is no particular pressure on school places in South Derby Schools in the medium term. If there is a plan to locate and establish a free school in Melbourne, these facts above will have to be considered in the business plan,” said Mr Ruszczynski.
“We would welcome any discussion with future parents who have a concern about school numbers and admissions, in order to give them a complete picture of the situation.
"The governors are absolutely committed to maintaining links between the school and the current junior schools."
JACKIE and John Sloan, Brenda Elsam and Iris Cole are pictured at the recent Ticknall Art Group exhibition. The group has been meeting to paint together since 1994. The members have differing abilities and techniques and learn from each other when a tutor is not in attendance.
IT’S OFFICIAL, 2010 was a dry year.
If you are surprised by this statement, so was local amateur weather man Henry Dunnicliff.
When Henry analysed his findings for 2010 he discovered that, with only 19.95 inches of rainfall, it was the driest year since he started keeping weather records in 1963.
Henry identified that, although there was
never a drought throughout the year, in every month apart from August, the rainfall was well below average.
The previous driest year recorded by Henry was 1996 with 20.48 inches.
This year has started in much the same vein with only 3.26 inches falling in the first three months.
The Parish Council has been able to make some good progress during the past year, including:
• Award of renewed Quality Council status for 4 years
• Achieved power of Wellbeing status
• Contribution to the plaque commemorating the servicemen killed in the 1940 Church St bombing
• Private prosecution pursued against vandals at the Cricket Field
• Adoption of new Standing Orders
• Permission for commencement of groundworks at Cockshut Lane recreation ground
• Made an unprecedented financial commitment to the Cockshut Lane sport project
• Sound Financial management, ending the year in line with our budget
Targets for the coming year
• Completion of scheme to restore Castle Square monument
• Conclude the long-running uncertainty regarding the future strategy of the Leisure Centre
• Support Melbourne Sporting Partnership with its plans
• Use whatever additional powers are conferred on Parish Councils by Government to the best advantage of the village
• Put some momentum into a scheme to crack down on the Dog Fouling that plagues our village environment
• Monitor the effectiveness of the recent realignment of Kings Newton corner
I would like to express my thanks to members of the Parish Council’s staff, and in particular to our Clerk, Norman Hill.
Nigel Collyer, Chairman, Melbourne Parish Council
Chairman Nigel Collyer 07831 540538
Vice Chairman Jane Carroll 863269
Burial Grounds
Brendan Freeman 862799
Highways
Paul Willmore 863044
Recreation & Amenities
Andrew Jackson 702800
Members of the Parish Council
Leisure Centre
Christopher Howard OBE 07795 484120
Rose Minifie 07795 362936
Cliff Crawford 863445
Henry Dunnicliff 862765
Wendy Earp 865019
Sheila Hicklin 865726
Reg Moore 863464
Robert Parker 07973 297404
Margaret Sharp 862471
David Smith 862699
Clerk Norman Hill 703745
Leisure Centre
Sue Stubbs 863522
Cemetery
Robert Holman 07966 461416
AT THE Melbourne Operatic Society's annual dinner and dance held at the Donington Manor Hotel, Keith Reaveley was presented with the Gerry Shaw Memorial Bowl.
The award is given each year to the person the society thinks has "gone the extra mile" and Keith was certainly a popular winner.
As well as being the General Musical Director, Keith also set up and looks after the website, is vice-chairman, co-ordinates and produces posters and adverts and generally keeps the society running on a day-to-day basis.
The dinner dance was a welcome break in a busy rehearsal schedule for the production of "The Pirates of Penzance" (pictured above). Keith is pictured (right) receiving the Gerry Shaw Memorial Bowl from past winner Annie Morgan and society chairman Mike McGhee.
Easy to follow, Latin inspired calorie burning, dance tness experience.
Starting Wednesday 20th April -
HOW long is it since you’ve chosen to spend an evening with a room full of strangers?
This month I received an invite to a social event and decided to take the chance to meet some new people. During one Tuesday evening, I laughed, was inspired and I was even moved to (almost) tears when I joined a local group for its regular weekly dinner at the John Thompson in Ingleby.
When I first turned up at the pub, I was pointed in the direction of the room the association’s meeting was held in and, glass in hand, I went and stood in the world recognised place for new people, the corner of the room.
I looked at my feet, checked my diary and stared into my bag with a pointless intensity that my Mr Long Suffering usually saves for open car bonnets. Happily I was rescued from stage two of the ‘girl alone in pub rule’, (go and look at face in cloakroom mirror), by a couple of dapper gentlemen who welcomed me and explained the evening's proceedings – drinks, food, update on the club’s activities, external speaker and, more drinks.
During the evening I discovered that this group is involved in huge amounts of charitable and voluntary work. They are responsible for well-known local events like Melbourne’s fun run, Citizen of the Year, Young Musician of the Year and Santa’s Sleigh, as well as
by CLARE BAMPTONmaking significant contributions to third party overseas humanitarian projects like Water Aid.
The club also has its own aid project in Uganda, where it supports an almost completely isolated village and has already financed two 30,000 litre water tanks, building and stocking a farm, while a health care centre is under construction.
These are just the headline projects that the group is involved in. There are lots of smaller but still notable projects like last month’s Blood Pressure Day that offered free checks to anyone who wanted to pop into the travel agents in Melbourne, the recent ‘purple-pinky’ day at the infant and junior schools which raised just under £200 for ‘Eradicate Polio’ day, as well as multiple table top sales every year that raise much-needed pockets of money for various causes.
The evening’s external speaker, from Water Aid, provides a moving insight into the charity’s work and informs me that the national association, of which this club is the Melbourne branch, raises £150,000 every year for its vital work.
I am surprised by the amount of work undertaken by this Melbourne club, and quite shocked when I realise that the group has only 20 members, and still achieves all that they do.
Over our final drinks I a joined up and where they se isation. Nearly everyone sa and make a difference – how of the club’s future is mixed
There is a real worry th and 40s won’t get involved stand what the group is – o are the Freemasons! The gr continue well into the futu new members will it be able self, as well as all of the co undertakes.
Before I went along to a night, I didn’t really have a wasn’t sure of what they di enough to write about. How
To see this group slowly loss to our local area so I wo ple to get involved, or at lea
So what is this myster about?
It is Melbourne’s Rotary Surprised? I know I was.
To pop along to a meetin contact Kate on 01332 862 862 722. See also Page 22.
RATHER than waste their inset day on Friday, March 18, four Melbourne girls – Abigail Brown, Georgia James, Martha Payne and Olivia Lee –decided to “Do Something Funny for Money”.
The girls (pictured right) donned fancy dress and asked friends and parents to sponsor them for dressing up for Red Nose Day.
The girls say that they would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who helped them raise £52.90.
ask the members why they ee the future of their organays they joined to have fun wever, members’ perception d. at people in their 20s, 30s because they don’t underor worse – they think they roup wants its good work to ure and only by attracting e to secure the future of itommendable works that it meeting on a wet Tuesday an opinion on this group. I d or even how I would find w ill-informed I was. disappear would be a real ould like to encourage peoast give it a try, if they can. y group I’ve been talking Club.
ng and/or to find out more 666 or Douglas on 01332
MELBOURNE Sun Rooms raised £295 through participating in Red Nose Day activities with the staff wearing red noses and their pyjamas all day.
All monies received for treatments went into the Red Nose pot. Special treatments included sponsored bikini line waxing for men.
Pictured (left) is proprietor Kelly Dolphin carrying out a manicure on client Kate Scott.
■ MELBOURNE Rotary Club hosted the Young Musician of the Year competition on March 26, and it attracted 28 talented entries from the area.
The outright winner was 16-year-old cellist Joanna Holroyd from Repton. She played a movement of Schubert's composition for the arpeggione with great sensitivity and musicality. Second was Katie Jankinson, 13, from Milton, who, in three separate entries played piano, harp and violin. Worthy of note was the overall winner of the afternoon session, Bethany Caswell, aged eight, from Chellaston; she sang and played pieces for harp, flute and piano.
This event proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable showpiece of outstanding local musical talent and pictured are (from the left): Douglas Keith (festival organiser), Bethany Caswell, Katie Jankinson, Joanna Holroyd, Mike Thornett (president, Melbourne Rotary Club) and Matthew Jankinson.
AT A RECENT Band Sunday at Melbourne United Reformed Church, the Newmount Brass Band from Derby was in attendance. The band was celebrating its sixth anniversary and presented the annual awards to band members.
At the end of the awards, Henry Dunicliff, of Melbourne, and a member of Newmount Brass, was called upon to receive an award.
Henry was presented with a framed
certificate by Percy Rogers, chairman of the Derby local committee for Cancer Research UK. The certificate was in acknowledgement of the contributions made by Henry and his fellow Melbourne Charity Band members who have, over a period of seven years, collected the incredible sum of £38,800 playing Christmas carols and seasonal music in pubs and restaurants in Melbourne and district each December.
■ A CHEQUE for £205 was presented to the DLR Air Ambulance by members of the social committee from St Mary's Church, Weston. The money was raised when a group from Weston, joined by volunteers from the DLRAA on a bitterly cold night in December, turned out to spread Christmas cheer around the village by singing carols. Pictured (from left) are Gemma Hinds (DLRAA Paramedic), Charlotte Williamson (presenting the cheque), Jayne Williamson, Revd Michael Rogers and a DLRAA pilot.
SOUTH Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau has a new advisor at Melbourne Surgery.
Christine Evans, an experienced advisor from the bureau’s Church Gresley office, has taken over the one-to-one general advice sessions at Melbourne Surgery.
Each Thursday morning Christine has use of a consulting room at the surgery where residents can seek help with a wide range of issues including debt, benefits, housing, employment or consumer problems.
The advice session offered at Melbourne Surgery is part of a PCT Outreach Advice initiative between the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Primary Care Trust.
Christine said: “People need advice at different times in their lives for many different reasons; by providing an advice clinic at Melbourne Surgery we are extending our service to people who would otherwise find it difficult to access our one-to-one
advice sessions.”
The initiative exists because South Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau wants to make its service as easy to access as possible for everyone living in South Derbyshire. The Primary Care Trust recognises that Health Care Professionals often have to spend time talking to patients about non-medical problems. Having a fully qualified advisor on site frees up time that can be better spent on medical matters.
There is also a widely recognised link between the stress of personal problems, such as debt, housing or employment worries, having a direct effect on an individual’s health.
Residents of Melbourne can make an appointment to see Christine either via their GP or Health Professional, or by contacting the bureau on 01283 210107 between 10am and 3.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays or 4.45 to 5.45pm on Wednesdays.
WHEN I went along to try out a relaxation treatment called Shiatsu, I was expecting the therapist to be at one with beads, crystals and tassels, and possibly to hum along to whale noises for the duration.
What I wasn’t expecting was an ex-sheep farmer, a PhD qualified scientist and a rugby player, all rolled into one. In short, what I wasn’t expecting was Aston-onTrent’s resident of 12 years, and previous parish councillor, Dr Fran Smith.
Given my profession, I was unable to restrain myself and I had to ask Dr Fran, (nothing like Dr Phil incidentally), the usual small talk questions: Have you been doing this long? Have you always been interested in this? Do you enjoy what you do? Here is what I found out...
Born and raised on a Cambrian sheep farm with two parents, an older brother and a multitude of animals for company, Fran started life in an idyllic setting – albeit five miles from anything. She mastered milking cows, swimming in the river that ran across their land and had two pet pigs – Gertrude and Beatrice. Aspiring to be a researcher on the David Attenborough programmes, Fran secured a place at Brighton-based Sussex University and left the family farm in Wales. Fran described arriving in Brighton as “being planted on the moon” –the culture
was such a shock, although Fran can now attribute her love of playing rugby, as well as her love of the UK’s pub culture to this personality-shaping experience! A Nottingham University PhD followed (focusing on testosterone and the immune system), as well as a management stint in Rolls-Royce’s ‘Knowledge Management’ department.
"Then 9/11 happened,” said Fran. “The possibility that everything could just be taken away really hit home and it set me thinking. I looked closely at what I was doing; I’d never intended to be in engineering, I had just fallen into it. I decided to find a career I would find more rewarding, some-
THE speaker at Ticknall Garden Club was Steve Hickman of the Hoyland Plant Centre in south Yorkshire, who for 25 years had supplied young plants to the wholesale trade.
Nine years ago he was given two beautiful Agapanthus plants and was so taken with them that he has been devoted to the cultivation and propagation of them ever since, and this was the theme for his talk.
Steve now has the National Collection of Agapanthus and Tulbaghia and goes to shows throughout the year beginning with the Westminster Flower Show and ending in October in France at Courson.
Steve gave advice on propagation, and demonstrated the techniques with plants that he had brought. He dealt with the many questions from a very interested audience as he went along.
thing that would make a real, positive impact on other human beings.”
Fran then spent the next five years working in a variety of NHS mental health teams across the Midlands, and currently works as an assistant general manager in Nottingham’s heart services where she led a team that has cut waiting times from five months to six weeks.
But, as Fran says, “life is about experiences” and, apparently, she’s not had anywhere near enough of those yet. “After my move to Brighton, I realised that I could go anywhere and try anything as nothing would ever be that extreme again, so every year I treat myself to a birthday present. A couple of years ago it was a weekend course on Shiatsu in Thrumpton –I didn’t know what it was so I decided to try it.
"I was really surprised at how professional and structured it was, as well as the amount of physiology and anatomy that you needed to know. After this I was hooked. I enrolled on a three-year course and decided to go part-time in my current role to open up my own therapy rooms –Take 5 in Castle Donington.”
Overall, Fran is a fascinating contradiction –a scientist who believes in reincarnation and destiny, a sheep farmer who has worked in engineering, and a rugby player who produces pantos. I suggest that Fran is one interesting individual and, amongst other things, would make an excellent dinner party guest.
In February, Richard Yates spoke to the members about bulbs that flower through the year. Starting with the Winter into Spring bulbs he began with crocus, iris reticulata and aconites which begin to colour the gardens at this time of year alongside the snowdrops in green and white. He moved on to leucojum, cyclamen coum and the little narcissi, naming Hawera, Jet Fire and Tete a Tete as being some of his favourites and preferable to the tall varieties which are liable to be blown over.
Richard showed slides of crown imperials and the smaller fritillaries as well as camassias, begonias and lilies.
Bill Lythgoe
1943-2011
THE humanity and his loyalty to many causes was well brought out by the standing room only attendance at the celebration of the life of Bill Lythgoe, held at Melbourne Parish Church.
The service was attended by fellow trade unionists, members of the Labour Party, fellow academics, political colleagues from the right and the left, as well as many people from his own village of Thulston and much farther afield, who recognised Bill as a special man. There were many former British Rail colleagues, fellow runners from Shelton Striders, and old boys from Bill's school at Luton.
Mark Todd, Labour MP for South Derbyshire from 1997 to 2010, spoke of his many qualities as a man - "a gentle man, a lovely man". Mr Todd praised the fact that he was not in any way a zealot. "He was not obsessed, nor was he in any way tribal," said Mr Todd.
Bill had been agent for Mr Todd back in 1992. Mr Todd
1940 - 2010
ELAINE was born in Melbourne on April 15, 1940, the elder daughter of Kitty and Mark Elliott.
She started school aged five with her future husband Andrew Parnham in Melbourne. They were together at school until they both passed the 11 Plus. Elaine then went on to Parkfield Cedars Girls Grammar School. Serious courting started when they were 16.
Elaine attended Sunday School at Melbourne Parish Church and was a Sunday School teacher up until her marriage.
In 1956 Elaine left school and was employed as a Medical Laboratory Technician in the Pathological Dept of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary where she trained to senior level. Elaine and Andrew married in March 1961. Their first home was a caravan at Wilson where they spent three very happy years.
Elaine left the DRI in 1966, being pregnant with their first child Mark. At this time Andrew left his job and established Parnham Tractors. Elaine and An-
Ben Lakin
1925 - 2011
BEN LAKIN was born in Castle Street, Melbourne, in 1925, one of 10 children born to Alfred and Nellie Lakin.
He went to school in Melbourne, and from about the age of 10 onwards, he would do odd jobs of work –delivering fish for Mr Gates and groceries for Len Warren. He left school at 14 and went to work on the land with the market gardeners, Stafford's and Hatton's. He was called up for National Service in November 1942 and he was in the Army until 1946, with the 1st battalion East Yorks.
He was 17 when he was called up, celebrating his 18th birthday on the boat en route from Scotland to Bombay. He was a part of the animal transport unit in charge of the mules used to transport equipment and supplies through the Burmese jungle. He came home in 1946 and went back to work on the land.
He met Betty in 1946 at a dance at Melbourne Public Hall and they were married in 1947 in
summed up his life: "We need more of these sorts of people in public life".
His two sons, Nigel and Martin, and his surviving brother gave witness to Bill's family closeness – his love for his grandchildren, his determination and his broad enquiring mind.
Professor Mark Wardman, from Leeds University where Bill had studied and achieved in his early 60s a distinguished doctorate, spoke of his humour and popularity, and the huge respect in which he was held by fellow stu-
dents and academics.
The service, conducted by the Curate, the Revd David Railton, and the Dean of Derby, the Very Reverend John Davies, was distinguished too by the solo viola playing of Jane Cordell, whose rendition of Tchaikowsky's Chanson Triste was extraordinarily moving.
Mrs Brenda Hanks, a distinguished Trade Union leader, and a previous chair of the local Labour Party writes: "Bill had a close affinity with Melbourne for over 40 years. He started that relationship as a founder member of Melbourne and Aston District Labour Party, he was an active member of the Fabian Society, and served as county councillor at Chellaston and as a district councillor. He was also for several years chairman of Elvaston Parish Council.
"He was a long-standing supporter and participant in the Melbourne Quiz, a regular attendee at the Melbourne Photographic Society, and together with Irene, a close friend of 20 years, of the Melbourne Civic Society."
with the children in her new caravan that week. Most years before she became ill five or six weeks were spent touring Europe. She had particularly fond memories of Provence – a place she dearly loved, enjoying the chance to practise her fluent French.
drew were now living in Barrow on Trent and daughter Sara was born in 1968.
The family moved to Mill Farm, Smisby, a truly beautiful and tranquil place that was a continual source of joy for Elaine – particularly throughout her illness, making her chemotherapy a little more bearable.
In 1979 Elaine joined Melbourne Inner Wheel and took on the office of president twice. She enjoyed the friendships that she made within the club and her confidence was given a real boost.
Elaine’s love of caravanning never waned right up until she died. She had planned to go away
Elaine led a very fulfilled life and had an extremely close and loving relationship with Andrew. She was very proud that their children were brought up to have strong family values and that they have become very worthwhile members of the community around them.
Elaine was extremely proud of her grandchildren – Ross, Tom, Amelia and Sophie, who were a great source of pleasure for her.
During her long and difficult fight with cancer no-one ever heard Elaine complain. She received more than 100 doses of chemotherapy, sometimes taking up to four hours to infuse. Not to mention the multitude of blood tests and blood transfusions she endured. Despite all of this Elaine always said that she felt extremely well blessed in her life in all things – especially with her loving husband.
courts, Melbourne Engineering and then Rolls-Royce as a fire security officer before taking redundancy in 1982.
Ben was also a retained fireman with Melbourne Fire Service. He worked hard and played hard, enjoying a good social life. As a keen darts player, he played in tournaments in and around Melbourne and enjoyed his darts and dominoes in the pub.
the parish church. Their first child, Irene, was born in 1948, followed by four sons – Melvyn, Chris, Anthony and Kevin.
There was a good patch of land with their house in Hastings Street – about two acres including an orchard – and Ben kept pigs, goats and chickens, and grew vegetables and flowers. He would work in the market gardens during the day, and then work his own land until after dark.
Although Ben loved working the land, he left market gardening to work for Dennis Hard-
Ben was a founder member of Melbourne Amateur Boxing Club and became trainer for Steve Topliss and a well respected corner man to many Melbourne boxers. He also carried the bucket and sponge for Melbourne Rugby Club in the 1980s.
Ben enjoyed being a part of the community, he was always well turned out in his suit and tie and was one of Melbourne’s enduring characters.
Suffering from skin cancer and leukaemia, the last five years were very difficult for Ben and, although he was a fighter, he finally succumbed to pneumonia, passing away in the Royal Derby Hospital on February 22.
THE HIGH hopes for huge business growth at East Midlands Airport have not been realised. In 2006, the airport made very ambitious forecasts of growth in air movements and employment both for passenger traffic and for freight until 2016.
The airport was seen as the spearhead for the economic growth for the whole of the region, and there were horrifying forecasts of plane movements every two minutes by 2030, and local concerns about a second runway destroying Breedon church. But the heady forecasts have proved very wide of the mark.
The air passenger target for 2010 has been undershot by 40%. The annual number of passengers in 2010 was 4.1 million, as against a target of 6.9 million. To attain the target for 2016, of 9.2 million passengers, there will have to be a 15% increase in passengers each year over the next six years.
Dr Paul Grimley, Melbourne Civic Society's member on the EMA Independent Consultative Committee, has presented these facts to the ICC in a clinical analysis of the business at the airport.
The conclusion is that, given the current economic circumstances, such a steep growth rate is "unachievable". Dr Grimley says that "the 2016 passenger target needs to be revised to a more realistic level".
A similar picture is revealed in freight tonnages: volumes have remained static for the last five years. A target of 723,000 tonnes by 2010 is 58% down, the actual figure being only the static 300,000 tonnes. The original target, calculated in 2006 for 2016, was 1.2 million tonnes. From this year, this target would require an increase of 25% each year. The total UK airfreight volumes have remained stable - they have hardly increased at
all in the last 10 years.
This reduction in passenger and night freight volumes has meant lower noise levels, and a reduction in air transport movements. In addition, the 2010 budget for new employees is similarly well down. 3,000 jobs projected have not materialised.
Dr Grimley has used official data in completing his analysis. The projections made by the East Midlands Airport stem from the highly optimistic forecasts delivered in the Dept of Transport - The Future of Air Transport, a document which reflected the optimism of the late 1990s. Forecasts in that DoT document envisaged that freight traffic would rise from about two million tonnnes per annum in 2006 to 14 million tonnes by 2029, but on current trends this growth pattern seems false.
Commenting on Dr Grimley's analysis, County Councillor John Harrison was more upbeat on the situation saying: "I believe that the global economy will recover within the next two to three years. However, the future of air travel and freight long term will be more dependent upon the availability of aviation fuel and the price of it, with known oil supplies having already peaked. With night noise at a tolerable level, EMA has a sustainable major role to play in the prosperity of the economic and social wellbeing of South Derbyshire, providing many much-needed jobs."
■ ON APRIL 1, East Midlands Airport celebrated its 46th birthday.
When opened in 1965, 10 destinations were available including Dublin, Jersey, Dusseldorf and even Birmingham! Now, 46 years on, the airport can offer flights to more than 90 destinations, including the long haul hot spots of Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
• The Rotary Club of Melbourne has played a key part in the local community for the last 59 years.
• It is one of more than 1,800 Rotary Clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, boasting something like 55,000 members.
• Members are always assured of a friendly welcome at any Rotary Club throughout the world.
• The Melbourne Club meets regularly at the John Thompson Inn at Ingleby for a meal, usually followed by a speaker, and it is this social framework which supports its work as a service organisation, locally, nationally and internationally.
• Its membership has varied between about 20 and 40 over recent years, and potential new members, male or female, and of any age, are always given a warm welcome.
• Members raise funds from a wide variety of enjoyable activities, and the Club distributes grants and donations to many worthy causes.
• The Club supports many local community activities within the town and surrounding villages.
• It organises the 'Young Musician of the Year' competition
• It organises the annual Melbourne Fun Run
• It supports entries in the Rotary 'Young Chef of the Year', and 'Young Photographer of the Year' competitions
• It provides local children with the thrill of 'Santa’s Sleigh' at Christmas time
• It assists the organisers of the Carnival and the Festival with ticket and programme sales
• It presents a 'Citizen of the Year' award to recognise local voluntary service
• It helps to fund local young people planning to go abroad on humanitarian projects
• It supports young people’s activities at school, and in their clubs and societies
• It o ers a Stroke Awareness Day
• It organises a variety of social and fund-raising events, for both its members and the public
If you would like to 'give something back', Rotary will give you the chance you’ve been waiting for. There is no need to commit yourself straight away - Melbourne Rotary Club operates an Associate Members scheme, and you are welcome to join, free of charge, for a six month period, during which time you can attend meetings, get involved in a variety of projects, and learn a lot about the Rotary movement, both internationally and locally. At the end of the six months, you will be free to decide whether or not to apply for full membership.
• Organise events - days out for disadvantaged children, fun sports competitions for disabled people, fetes, vintage car rallies, music concerts,sponsored bike rides, dragon boat races and fun runs . . .
• Support local charities - cancer centres, hospices for terminally ill children and adults, young carers and mistreated animals . . .
• Develop school links - encourage fund-raising projects to broaden recognition of community issues; organise educational programmes such as drug and health awareness, and careers advice . . .
• Encourage young people - Rotary’s Young Chef, Young Musician, Youth Speaks and Young Photographer are just some of the activities you could get involved with . . .
• Make a world of di erence - help organise and support life-changing projects, from sending emergency aid to disaster-hit regions, to travelling to India to immunise children against polio.
To nd out more about joining the Rotary Club of Melbourne, or becoming an Associate Member, telephone either Kate Dumelow on 01332 862666 or Douglas Keith on 01332 862722.
THE KINGS Newton Diamond Jubilee committee under the stewardship of Margaret Hagues held its first fund-raiser at the Scout and Guide HQ.
The event attracted a full house for the French-themed evening with committee members and guests sporting ‘Allo Allo’ style costumes.
Accordian music and French food added to the ambience of the occasion and a good atmosphere ensured that everyone went home happy.
Committee members Monica Heath, Bryan Hardy, Clare and Bryan Grice, Sue Younger, Margaret Sharp, Margaret Hagues and Simon Quinn are pictured in Rene’s café.
YOUNG people living in and around Melbourne are being invited to box clever to get fit, healthy and active. Ozbox sessions, which include boxing-based exercise, are set to start at the Athenaeum, in Potter Street, Melbourne, from Saturday, May 7.
Young people in year eight (age 12) and above are invited to punch above their weight between 6pm and 7pm. The sessions, designed to improve fitness and confidence, will initially run for four weeks and may be rolled out for longer if they prove to be a success.
Toni Jantschenko, Village Games Co-ordinator for South Derbyshire, said: “These classes are a great way to improve fitness, meet new friends and try something different. The Ozbox sessions are completely free so we encourage young people to come along to these fun classes and find out what they’re all about.”
The sessions are being run in partnership with the Athenaeum, the Village Games project and Safer South Derbyshire Partnership.
TWO YEARS on from their inaugural meeting, Artists @ Arts Melbourne are going strong. The group of artists from the Melbourne area who were brought together by the Melbourne Festival team are now meeting regularly and exhibiting together.
Between April 18 and May 3 members of the group will be exhibiting at the Artspace at Burton Library.
An earlier exhibition held in March featured award-winning modern botanical paintings by Cheryl Wilbraham alongside beautiful abstract paintings by Elizabeth O’Connor, vibrant abstract landscapes by Sujata Aten and stunning silver and resin jewellery by Nina Spencer. The line-up for the April exhibition includes traditional still life oil paintings by Tim Cole, botanical watercolour paintings by Michael Lakin, textile wall hangings by Alison Yule and Victoria Brown’s mesmerising acrylic canvasses inspired by lace and the natural world around us.
DOES anyone remember a dance band called The Alhambra playing in Melbourne many years ago?
If so you may be interested to hear about a talk taking place at The Leisure Centre on Monday, April 18, at 7.30pm.
Melbourne Civic Society has invited Alan Hopkin to share his memories of a lifetime career in music – he has been part of the music scene in Derby for 60 years. He owned Wishers, the music shop in the city, plays piano, clarinet and saxophone and was a bandsman in the Army. For many years he led his own professional band and he still plays in local orchestras.
It promises to be an entertaining evening. Admission for non-members is £2.
WHILST thoughts of Christmas may not be uppermost in our mind at this time of year, the members of ‘Stamp and Deliver’ will be presenting a cheque in excess of £2,000 to each of the two chosen charities, Headway and Derby Children’s Hospital. These cheques together represent 10% from the sale of almost a quarter of a million stamps during December 2010.
None of this would have been possible without the help from 274 sale points set up in businesses, churches, clubs and individual homes across the delivery area of Derby and parts of some neighbouring districts. The willingness of the owners, staff and many others in these points to help was pivotal to the continued success of our local Christmas card delivery service and as such is very much appreciated.
The leaders, members and voluntary supporters of 31 Scout and Guide groups and units, who participated in the running of Stamp and Deliver, will receive funding for use in the ongoing training and activities of their members.
Our thanks are extended to everyone who used Stamp and Deliver in 2010. We are delighted that by purchasing our stamps, you enabled our young people to provide you with this service through Scouting and Guiding and we look forward to delivering your Christmas greetings (at the same cost again) during December 2011. Bill Hopkinson. Publicity – Co-ordinating Team.
J.G.
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I AM writing to you in the hope that one of your readers might be interested in taking on a vital role with Derbyshire’s leading first aid charity. St John Ambulance volunteers are a familiar sight at public events such as football matches and galas around the county. The charity also helps ordinary people to be the difference between a life saved and a life lost, by running training courses for schools, businesses and neighbourhood groups.
However, this local framework of first aid support now has to rely on local donations to keep it going. As a result we are looking for someone to join our countywide team of volunteers as head of community fund-raising. The only qualifications required are enthusiasm, inspiration and the ability to motivate other volunteers! Anyone interested in the post – or in finding out more about it – can contact St John Ambulance on 01246 200272.
Shirley Shaw President
St John Ambulance, Derbyshire
I BELIEVE that criticism of the realigned road junction between Main Street and Derby Road is uncalled for.
That the old junction layout was dangerous is self-evident from the many serious accidents. The new junction is aligned in the same manner as Cockshut Lane and Derby Road, which works well and safely. The sight lines of all junction users are improved and traffic from Derby turning right into Main Street will now have to slow down, and, hopefully, signal their intention.
The Parish Council should have defended the design strongly. A mini roundabout would not be a safe solution in a 40mph area. The mini roundabout at the junction of Packhorse Road and Main Street is an example of familiarity leading to contempt. I regularly see drivers failing to give way to the right. Many cars now deliberately use the wrong side of the roundabout – a concession only provided in law for long vehicles. The 30mph restriction is ignored by drivers on Main Street in both directions.
The new junction at Derby Road is affordable and effective; please give credit to the highways authority when roads are made safer, despite the behaviour of some drivers.
Steve Lawrence Kings NewtonCAREFULLY picking one's way up Dog Turd Alley (formerly known as Potter Street), it is obvious that appointing wardens and sticking up penalty notices is having no effect on dog fouling whatsoever. This could be because the offences are committed late at night and very early in the morning before us curtain twitchers are up and about.
We either need a dedicated team of vigilantes on watch during the relevant hours or, perhaps more practically, three or four CCTV cameras trained on the street. We residents have a very good idea of the identity of some of the culprits, but video evidence would nail them once and for all.
Stephanie HillTelephone: 07894 733 962
COMPLETE
Tel:
Email: a.walker28@sky.com
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TICKNALL RANGERS were the top team of the month, winning through to two cup finals in sensational style and pushing on towards a league title as well.
They began the month away to Repton RBL in the league cup and goals from deadly strike duo Alex Slater and Matt Smart earned a 2-0 win and a spot in the cup final. This was followed by a 3 -1 away defeat to Greenfield with an Ian Hall free kick the consolation.
A quite brilliant team performance saw Ticknall beat a very strong Moira United side 3-1 in the Challenge Cup, a Matt Smart header and an Alex Slater free kick giving them a 2-0 half-time lead. A goal by Moira midway through the second half then saw Ticknall withstand tremendous pressure with Vinny Hallifield and Paul Lakin superb. In the last minute Alex Slater ran the whole length of the pitch to put it into an empty net and secure a second cup final spot for Rangers.
Returning to league action, two wins saw them climb up to third place with games in hand. The first a 4-2 away win at AFC Stapenhill came thanks to a Matt Smart hat-trick plus an Ian Hall strike. Rangers finished the month with a 4-1 away win over Hilton Athletic Reserves. A double by Alex Slater plus a Ben Dale volley and a Jon Hallam strike earned the three points putting them in good form with a huge month coming up.
Ticknall Rangers' League Cup Final against Seal Inn is on April 17 at Stapenhill’s ground at Burton with a 10.30am kickoff. The Challenge Cup Final against Acorn United is on April 20 at the Moat Ground, Gresley, with a 7.30pm kick-off. Supporters
will be very welcome at both games.
MELBOURNE DYNAMO first team returned to form in March with their push for runners-up spot and began with a comfortable 3-0 win over local rivals Chellaston. An own goal in the first half was added to by a quick-fire brace from substitute Dave Brough, securing the three points.
A superb last minute volley from Carl Alsopp earned Melbourne a hard fought point in their 1-1 draw at home to Swanick, which was followed with a 2-0 away win at Holbrook where Dave Brough and Gaz Anable scored the all-important goals.
A rare Matt Jones header then secured another point in their 1-1 home draw with Derby Rolls-Royce, but Dynamo's seven game unbeaten run came to an end against Rowsley 86.
Ahead thanks to two superb strikes from leading goal scorer Alex Slater and Danny Guild, Melbourne collapsed to a 4 -2 defeat seeing them fall to fourth spot.
Dynamo ended the month with a 1-0 away win at Castle Donington thanks to skipper Lee Scott, which leaves Melbourne in position for a top three finish with just a month to go.
MELBOURNE DYNAMO RESERVES
had an up and down month which began with a hugely disappointing 2-1 home defeat to bottom of the table Bargate Rovers Reserves, with a Dom Hudson screamer their only consolation.
They followed this with a quite brilliant 4-1 win against Wirksworth Ivanhoe, thanks mainly to a Farrell Scott hat-trick along with ‘goal of the season’ from the boot of veteran Kev Earp.
Following a mid-week 3-1 away defeat to Selston Reserves with Sam Taylor getting
THE NEW bowling season has now started and at Kings Newton Bowls Club on Sunday, April 17, there will be an open day to introduce local residents to the game.
If you would like to try your hand at crown green bowling why not go along. The club's friendly members will be on hand to offer expert tuition and show you the ropes. All you will need are flat
shoes or trainers.
the consolation, the Reserves finished the month with two great wins, the first a 5-1 win away to Bargate Rovers Reserves with leading goal-scorer Farrell Scott securing a second successive hat-trick along with a long range effort from Neil Redfern and a Jack Havron free kick, doing the business.
They ended the month with a 2-1 away win against Pastures Reserves with a rare Jak Ward strike and a Sam Taylor tap-in earning the three points and a good leap up the table.
AFC STREAMLINE had a difficult month and only secured one point out of their four games. Beginning with a 9-1 away defeat against Soldiers and Sailors, the consolation from Scott Drabble was followed by a 7-0 loss at Lovel Partners.
A much better team performance saw Streamline holding top of the table AFC Kimberley to 1-1 with just 10 minutes to go, but in the end they went down 3-1 with the superb solo goal from Owen Williams.
They ended the month with a 3-3 draw against Shardlow with an inspired performance by Williams, who scored two and set up the equaliser for Paul Tebbatt.
THE BLUE BELL INN had a good month, winning all three of their league games, starting with a 10-2 away win against Rolls-Royce. Jack Havron led the way with four goals aided by strikes from Tivey, Taylor, Holmes, Kirkham, Robinson and Bestwick.
A 4-0 home win versus Shadows followed with Brailsford 2, Taylor and Tivey getting the goals.
They ended the month with a 2-1 win against the same opposition with goals from Tivey and Bestwick seeing the Bell climb up the table.
Why not drop in, have a cup of tea and meet the members. There is also a social side to the club. During the season there is a games on the green evening, a barbecue and quiz evenings. There is a bar in the clubhouse and during the Winter on Wednesday evenings members meet and play dominoes or cards.
MELBOURNE'S young kwik cricketers are celebrating after being sponsored for the 2011 season by local company Electric Connections.
Head of the company Ray Lacey said: “I am delighted to sponsor Melbourne Town’s kwik cricket and happy that our sponsorship will help the young cricketers at the club. I know Melbourne has some great plans for the future and I am pleased that my sponsorship is helping those developments.”
Under 11 kwik cricket coach Jim Jenkinson said: “This is great news for kwik cricket and the club. Junior cricket at the club is thriving. We have a great group of young cricketers and our coaching is based, above all, on enjoying the game. We are also coaching in Melbourne Junior School and we hope that we are producing the next generation of adult cricketers for Melbourne."
A DIFFICULT March saw Melbourne
RFC slip to fourth in the league with three defeats and one win. But the First XV also booked their place in the Derbyshire Cup Final with a win over Buxton.
The Seconds have played two games, winning one and losing one, and the Vets had their first outing of the year, winning at Burton.
A visit to high-flying Ashbourne for the First XV saw Melbourne go down in a 25-5 defeat.
The visit of bottom of the table Ashfield saw Melbourne race away in the first half, scoring 34 points with some flowing rugby. Ashfield were spirited and scored a try and in the second half Ashfield retained the ball, keeping it away from Melbourne’s pacey backs, making it a much tighter affair.
The final score was 41-15 with tries from Ash Stringer (3), Olly Page (2), Jacob Watts and Robin Brill. Skipper Euan Holden kicked six points to secure the bonus point win.
Two difficult away fixtures followed with the first a long trip to Grimsby with only 15 players. Half of the game was played with 14 players after Watty broke his nose.
The game saw Grimsby race to a 15-point lead, but after the injury, Melbourne played
some of their best rugby of the season. However, it was not enough as Grimsby won 2922. Tries came from Stringer (2), Rob Foster (returning to first team action after his broken ankle) and Ben Wiggin with nine points for Holden.
Then came a trip to Dronfield with Melbourne hoping to avenge their February defeat in the mud. Dronfield went into an early 12-point lead and Melbourne were on Dronfield’s try line with an overlap, when an interception saw another Dronfield score, instead of a Melbourne try.
Melbourne’s heads dropped and they ended up on the receiving end of a 58-15 defeat. Tries from Ash Corden, Ben Wiggin were added to by five points for Holden.
Melbourne retain fourth place, but have suffered from a spate of injuries which has tested the depth of the squad.
Sandwiched between these last two games was a Derbyshire Cup semi-final against Buxton under the floodlights at Cockshut Lane with a good crowd in attendance. Melbourne’s pace was too much for Buxton in the early stages and they built up a 22-point lead. Stringer opened the scoring, finishing strongly from a set blindside wing move. Ash Corden touched down following a line-out and Ben Burchell touched down after a neat chip from Jack Fisher.
Buxton responded strongly in the second half, scoring two tries. Rob Foster finished off the scoring for Melbourne and Holden kicked nine points. Injuries again played a part with Melbourne losing Pagey and Robin Brill.
The second XV have played two games. First was a 17-0 defeat to Ashbourne 3rds, but in a good game at East Leake, Melbourne secured a 22-18 win. Dean Sylvester scored the first try following up his own chip and Olly Slack finished off a move involving forwards and backs. East Leake fought back and led with five minutes to go.
However, Melbourne were not to be denied, gaining territory and finally scoring under the post with a try from Pete Ilott. Dean Sylvester kicked seven points. Melbourne seconds retain a mid-table position in their Penant League.
The Vets XV had their first outing of the season, travelling to Burton. With 17 players Melbourne came up against a Burton squad of 23 who play every other week. In a topsy turvy game, each side scored four tries and there was never more than a score in it. Ian Masters scored two tries with Aiden Cook and Ian Lucas one each. Dean Sylvester converted all four tries which made the difference as Melbourne won 2824.
Jim coaches the junior team with Paul Fletcher at the Melbourne Leisure Centre every Sunday 3.30–5pm. Anyone currently attending primary school can attend and all playing kit is provided. Melbourne will be entering two teams in the kwik cricket league starting in May.
Melbourne has invested in training its coaches to English Cricket Board standards. They now have six level one coaches and the club has recently been joined by ECB level two coach, Julian Humpidge, who has taken overall charge of club coaching. He is in charge of under 13s coaching, assisted by Joe Lacey and Dan Marshall, which takes place at Swadlincote Leisure Centre on Saturday mornings.
The team is competing in the district league for the first time.
Anyone wishing to attend any of the coaching sessions should contact Sue Potts on 01332 864618.
TICKNALL Cricket Club will kick off its ECB Derbyshire Premier League campaign this month. Luke Harvey's men begin with a home clash against Alvaston and Boulton on April 30 as they look to survive in the top flight following their promotion from Division One.
Ticknall have so far enjoyed just one season among the county elite, in 2008, and it ended in relegation. However, this time they are better prepared and have signed former Derbyshire batsman Ben Spendlove. There is also a return for talented all-rounder Ryan Cowley, who spent last season with Ashby Hastings. Rolls-Royce spinner Sohail Haider will also turn out for the Grange side, who count promising Derbyshire academy all-rounder Eddie Ikin among their ranks.
The club has arranged three friendlies to warm up for the season and will face Kegworth on April 16 and Grace Dieu Park the day after, with both matches at the Grange. Ticknall will then travel to take on Rolleston, who number Cambridge Blue all-rounder Michael James in their side, at the Willows on April 23.
Registration for juniors will be completed this month with Under-13s, Under-11s and members of the kwik cricket side needing to attend a registration evening on Tuesday, April 19. Under-15s and Under-14s should register on Wednesday, April 20.
ANDY HEAFIELD of Melbourne Cricket Club expressed his delight at the outcome of the recent auction and on behalf of the club offered many thanks to everyone who turned up and to those who donated items.
Including the raffle, the event raised an incredible £3,000, a fantastic fund-raiser and a great way to start the 150th anniversary year. Pictured at the auction are: Sheila Hicklin, auctioneer Charles Loake and Tel Potts, chairman of Melbourne Cricket Club. The celebration book launch is set for April 19.
IN A month of unprecedented success, Melbourne RFC U12s swept away all before them, and created history for the club in bringing the NLD Three Counties Trophy to Melbourne.
In early March both Chiefs and Chariots defeated Driffield in a series of four games before moving on to the Ilkeston Rugby Festival where Melbourne won the U12s Cup with the most comprehensive display of dynamic rugby you’ll see at this age.
With the matches lasting only seven minutes each way, they won their group with victories over Matlock 30-0, Paviors 30-0, Ashbourne 30-0 and Ilkeston 40-0 to progress to the final. There they met Sheffield Tigers, who had already overcome Derby in their qualifying group through their big and abrasive forwards.
Melbourne simply blew them away with a seven-try 35-0 victory in only 11 breathtaking minutes of play. “We were focused, ruthless, dynamic and skilful and some of the rugby skills displayed were top drawer,” said head coach Kevin Brown. “I repeatedly had parents from other clubs stop me and compliment the quality and continuity of our play. I’m really proud of my players."
A total of 33 tries scored (none conceded) came from Joe Travers, Joe Bhalay, James Askew, Max Lowson, Ben Goddard, Jack Brough 2, Jack Bull 2, Ollie Cope 2, Reece Sexton 2, Josh Toplis 3, Jack Slater 4, Joe Nalty 6 and Henry Kaczmarczyk 7. Coaches and players alike could not have been happier, or so they thought.
No age group in the history of MRFC has ever attained the title of Notts, Leics and
Derbys Three Counties Champions. This applies at Mini, Junior or Senior level, but on Sunday, March 27, Melbourne’s U12s achieved this accolade at the NLD Finals held in Nottingham.
Holding the mantle of reigning Derbyshire Champions saw the U12s seeded into the competition, and they ruthlessly saw off West Bridgford 35–0 and Kesteven 25-0 with some quite spectacular rugby.
Tries were scored by Joe Travers, Baden Ramage, Jack Slater 2, Jack Bull 2, Henry Kaczmarczyk 2, and Joe Nalty 4.
This brought them an encounter with Sleaford, who’d had an equally impressive progression through to the semi-finals. In a tense and competitive game Sleaford struck first by exploiting some unusually hesitant defence. Melbourne gradually ratcheted up the pressure and, having tied in many defenders, they were rewarded with a clinical score by Joe Travers. A draw wasn’t enough and the tension was high as, with only a minute to go, Jack Bull expertly peeled off a maul to swashbuckle his way through for the all-important winning score.
In the other semi-final, a huge Spalding side muscled their way past the five times former champions Nottingham to become formidable challengers for the cup.
Melbourne had to defend fearlessly as wave after wave of powerful Spalding players laid siege to their line. Big tackles were needed with Henry Kaczmarczyk heading the defensive wall and Melbourne’s commitment and bravery was unyielding.
The scrums were even and Melbourne’s athleticism in the line-out gave them this
advantage and gradually they progressed up field. With only a minute remaining a lineout five metres out saw Baden Ramage steal possession. His determined surge to the line was met with equally determined defence and he agonisingly fell 30 cms short. Melbourne couldn’t recycle clean ball and this proved to be the final decisive moment.
The 0–0 result meant a ‘shared’ trophy (RFU rules do not permit extra time) and no-one will ever take away the players' achievements of being the first MRFC side to attain the title of NLD champions. Captain Ben Goddard proudly led the celebrations by receiving the cup in front of a hugely appreciative and vocal parental contingent.
“Those who witnessed the efforts of my players can only marvel at the skill, bravery and commitment in the face of such a huge Spalding side, they were worthy opponents. All day we prepared properly and at times our rugby was of a level usually seen from much older players. I am so very pleased for the players and they will always remember the day they became NLD CUP Holders,” beamed coach Kevin Brown.
“I’d personally like to thank all the people within MRFC who’ve helped me give these players the opportunity to cement their place in MRFC’s relatively short history."
The U12s NLD squad is: Joe Bhalay, Josh Toplis, Baden Ramage, Lito Cahilig, Oli Cope, Jack Slater, Max Lowson, Jack Brough, Jack Bull, Tom Brown, Ben Goddard, James Askew, Joe Travers, Reece Sexton, Joe Nalty, Henry Kaczmarczyk, Derice Laing and Dan Bostock.
JOSEPH Shadbolt scored his 100th goal for Melbourne Wanderers in the 8-0 demolition of Newhall and kept Wanderers in the chase for a second spot finish in the league. Averaging 25 goals a season, Joseph led the line in an accomplished performance that saw Matt Askew score a hat-trick, the first a fine header from a Daniel Toon corner.
Six wins on the trot from the Wanderers have seen a maximum yield of points with confidence and growing maturity of play. A 3-1 win at Heather and 2-1 win at home to Willington saw outstanding performances, in the best season since Melbourne Wanderers was formed.
Next season sees a step up to youth league football in the U17/U18 age group. Such outstanding team prospects require enthusiastic sponsors. If anyone is willing to back this successful Melbourne youth team and show support for the local lads in any shape or form, they are asked to call Stuart Blatch on 07968906808.
■ More local football on Page 26.