Melbourne Village Voice May 2020

THE LEGACIES OF ANDREW No. 330 May 2020

TRIBUTES have poured in for Andrew Jackson, who has died aged 76: a true man of Melbourne and Kings Newton who absolutely loved getting things done. He leaves “many legacies” behind, including this newspaper.

Melbourne Parish Council led the tributes to the former parish councillor of 37 years, saying: “Andrew was a modest man who did not seek recognition or reward and, through his ingrained love of Melbourne and Kings Newton, which was matched with a deep sense of civic duty, he has left the parish with many legacies.

“He leaves two sisters and many friends. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. We will sorely miss his contribution, his energy and dogged determination that anything is achievable.”

At its virtual meeting on May 5, parish council chair Sheila Hicklin added: “He was very much a Melbourne and Kings Newton man through and through. He believed anything was possible. He will be sadly missed as a great asset to the village.”

Among Andrew’s many achievements was in co-founding the Village Voice in 1992.

Our editor David Finn said: “It was my privilege to know Andrew for the last 25-plus years. He not only helped to found this newspaper but he also worked tirelessly to make it the success it is today.

“Andrew was a man in a hurry; eager to make sure things got done before moving on to the next item on his agenda. I was always amazed at the energy and zest for life that he had. And he was always ready, willing and able with his camera to cover events for his beloved Village Voice.

“He was one of those people that it will be impossible to replace and will be missed by the countless number of people he came into contact with.”

Ron Ford, another founder of the Village Voice, has contributed

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these words from Australia: “Andy was a terrific person and great partner in establishing Village Voice with David Bellis and I. He was full of energy, enthusiasm and fun. My wife Barbara and I remember him fondly and are saddened by his loss. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Andrew’s business partner and friend of nearly 60 years Peter Newbury, who enjoyed many a holiday with him, remembers a man of passion about the causes that he believed in.

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“When he had got an opinion, he was very passionate about it,” he said. “He loved Melbourne. He was a very honourable man.

“I used to have some great times with him. He loved singing, not just in the choir, he just loved to sing. We used to go in a bar on holiday to have a sing – five Dutch people joined choirs because of it!”

A man who loved music, Andrew was instrumental in founding Melbourne Town Band in 1992, at around the same time as the Village Voice published its first edition.

Melbourne music teacher Sue Worrall remembered how she had been at a party where she had been talking about music, only to receive a phone call from Andrew the next day.

“The next morning, after the party, Andrew Jackson rang me.

‘I understand you’re starting a brass band,’ he said. ‘I think it’s a bloody good idea, don’t you’?”

Sue recounted how, not having in fact had the intention of starting a brass band, the impetus had begun, with Andrew now off “like a Jack Rabbit” to get the thing off the ground. The idea was floated in the Village Voice and 18 people turned up to the first meeting!

Of those, only two people could actually play a brass instrument and many could not read music.

Undaunted, instruments were secured, patrons asked for, and the first rehearsal took place in Continued on Page 6

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A man who devoted his life to the local community

AREA MOURNS DEATHS OF TWO IRREPLACEABLE HEROES

2 Village Voice May 2020

A MELBOURNE parish councillor for 37 years, founder member of Melbourne Town Band and Kings Newton Bowls Club, co-founder of our very own Village Voice, plus many, many other important roles – Andrew Jackson, who died in April aged 76, could truly be said to have devoted his life to the local community with a passion.

He was born in May, 1943, in Melbourne to Ewart and Margaret Jackson, and had two younger sisters, Linda and Kate. The family moved to Kings Newton when Andrew was 14.

Leaving Melbourne School aged 15 to join the family market gardening business, Samuel Jackson and Sons, Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit really kicked in when it came to the marketing side of running a firm, and he went on to form Trent Valley Growers with his cousin, Peter Barton.

This employed many local people during its heyday, but eventually came to an end with the changing commercial landscape. Andrew moved into the storage business, East Midlands Self Storage, which he ran successfully for about 20 years.

In 1992, together with David Bellis and newspaper editor Ron Ford, he founded Village Voice, in order to provide news stories for South

Derbyshire villages and support local business.

It was Andrew who organised the complex business of hand-delivering our paper to thousands of local households in 20 villages with an army of faithful people who do this job for us once a month.

He also performed the valuable role of taking photographs for our newspaper, along with Pete Clough and, more recently, Tina Baker.

Andrew took his last picture for the Village Voice in March this year, of John Ward, latest recipient of the Dr Freeman Award.

A parish councillor of long-standing, he performed many roles and was chairman in 198990 and again from 2000-2002.

Most recently, he was the chief promoter of the hugely successful 100-year World War One remembrance beacon. For his long service and dedication to the community he was awarded the Freeman of the Parish in 2019. In 2013, shortly after he turned 70, he was the guest of honour at Melbourne Fete & Carnival, along with his sister Linda.

Those who knew Andrew will know that he took a very active role in all the organisations that he has been involved with, always a force for change. He was a voluntary driver for Melbourne Community Care and was often seen

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driving the minibus around the village. An early advocate of a plan to create much-needed new sports facilities, he became one of the founder members of Melbourne Sporting Partnership, representing the parish council on the board.

In addition, Andrew was one of the founder members of Melbourne Town Band, playing the baritone horn at many events locally and regionally. He was also a member of Melbourne Male Voice Choir and A Choir’d Taste – he loved to sing.

A founder member and trustee of Kings Newton Bowls Club, the considerable time and effort he gave to the establishing of the club has contributed to its ongoing success. Andrew was also a member of Round Table.

Away from Melbourne and Kings Newton, he also had another passion: skiing, a hobby he discovered in his 20s.

He travelled many, many times to the resort of Gargellen in Austria, and had lots of friends over there.

Andrew died peacefully at home on April 27.

He leaves two sisters, many, many friends and the many organisations for which he performed such a vital role with his characteristic energy, modesty and enthusiasm.

Coronavirus robs village of a tireless councillor

CORONAVIRUS has robbed Breedon on the Hill of a tireless councillor, friend and colleague, whose loss leaves a huge hole in village life, its parish council chairman has said.

Jim Morrison was the vice chairman of Breedon’s parish council, for which he took on many projects with his characteristic “huge level of enthusiasm, drive,” a “forensic level of investigation into all matters” coupled with “inimitable humour and modesty”, said parish council chairman Ray Morris.

He had been admitted to Royal Derby Hospital on March 20 and passed away on April 3, having contracted coronavirus.

Originally from Scotland, Jim followed his father’s footsteps into engineering, having studied at Cambridge University.

He worked in the oil industry for most of his working life and latterly became chairman of Queen’s Hospital in Burton on Trent, until final retirement.

Jim was elected to Breedon Parish Council in 2015 and many of the projects in which he was involved on behalf of the community will endure for generations to come.

One of these was the Bull Field footpath project, which had been a problem for the parish council for a decade before Jim took it on.

Converting what had been a public right of way into a fully adopted footpath with a replacement bridge over the village stream taxed even Jim for 18

months before it was successfully concluded.

Colleagues on the parish council have voted it should be known as Morrison’s Way. Other community projects include the electricity supply on the village green in Breedon, which residents now enjoy; the restoration and installation of the round seat; installing replacement noticeboards, litter picking and bulb planting.

As anybody who works in local administration knows, much of the work goes on behind the scenes and Jim de-

voted his time into many unseen aspects of projects – the ones involving detailed paperwork on health and safety and policy issues, all of which need to be looked at, considered and commented on.

“It was his drive, his enthusiasm, his persistence and his attention to detail which got things done,” said Ray. Breedon’s highly popular Summer Sunday event also owes a lot to Jim’s organisational abilities, particularly the classic car display and rally featuring his own pride and joy – a Jaguar C Type.

Another highly influential role that he undertook was as chairman of TABAG, the Tonge and Breedon Action Group, relating to HS2.

His drive and incessant campaigning of Parliament and other bodies are credited with ensuring that the controversial railway line was moved further east from its originally intended course, to minimise the effect on the community.

He was also a volunteer driver for the Castle Donington Volunteer Centre, and was seen regularly around the district in the centre’s minibus, to which he gave at least a day a week of his time.

“Jim was a neighbour, he was not just a parish councillor, he was a great friend as well,” said Ray. “Personally, it’s a huge loss to me. It’s very, very sad.

He leaves a big hole locally. It’s a real tragedy.”

Jim leaves a wife, Ginnie, and two children, Sarah and Richard.

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Village Voice May 2020 3

LOCKDOWN has brought about a huge increase in numbers of people asking for physiotherapy services due to taking up running without correct footwear or technique, a Melbourne clinic reports.

Andra, based in Derby Road in Melbourne, says they have seen a spike in inquiries for its physio services recently with more people taking up running to stay fit.

While this is positive news in terms of fitness, it can bring about injury too if the correct care is not taken.

Andra director Rose Smith said: “As a private health clinic, we have recently seen a huge increase in the number of enquiries for physiotherapy

resulting from sporting injuries.

“A large majority of these have come from individuals who have taken up some form of exercise - mainly running - as a result of the UK lockdown.

“So many people are getting out running, which is great, however there is often no consideration of training plans or progression, correct footwear or running technique.”

Rose said that with long commutes now out of people’s lives, many have found they have more time and energy to exercise, especially in recent sunny weather.

“The main issues we have seen are due to people pushing themselves too hard too quickly - people who have

never run before heading out to tackle a hilly five kilometres and then wondering why they can't walk the next day!

“Likewise we have seen so many people running in inappropriate footwear which can have huge effects on ankle, knee, hip and back pain from running. Running shoes don't need to be expensive or top of the range, but they do need to be designed for running and need some sort of support.

“In addition, people are getting out for some exercise in their lunch hour which is fab, however then they are just going straight back to working with no stretching or proper cooling off which can cause muscles to tighten up

and again cause pain or problems.”

Andra has also been seeing large number of inquiries from people suffering from postural pain in their necks, backs and shoulders due to working from home – sometimes at dining tables, sofas and even in bed, rather than at a specially set up ergonomic chair and desk in the office.

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Fund-raiser Elaine streets ahead

COMMITTED NHS fund-raiser Elaine Dunnicliff has swapped the Royal Derby Hospital for her own street as a venue during lockdown.

Elaine, of Melbourne, has been used to holding a weekly stall at Royal Derby Hospital to raise funds for the urology department, having been a patient there herself.

Now that she is no longer able to go to the hospital because of the coronavirus crisis, Elaine is selling books and jigsaws from outside her house in Blanch Croft instead.

“I’m missing doing it in hospital!” said Elaine. “But I would still like to do my fund-raising.”

Last year Elaine achieved a milestone when she raised £50,000 for Royal Derby Hospital’s urology department through a range of events.

She is still fund-raising for urology online through a Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/elaine-dunnicliff-5.

To support her COVID-19 appeal, she would love any donations of good quality paperbacks and jigsaws.

Elaine is selling books and jigsaws at a stand outside her home from around 11am on sunny days.

If you want to donate to her stall, you can phone her on 07779 220847.

New homes plan opposition

PROPOSALS for 28 new homes in Westonon-Trent have been lodged with council planners, but many local people do not want them built.

The plans for the development have been submitted by Ilke Developments via their agents, Bristol-based Pegasus Group.

Ilke Developments wants to build the mix of one, two and three bed houses on a 1.17-hectare piece of agricultural land off Weston Road, to the north of the village.

A new T-junction is proposed at Weston Road to provide access to the site.

Before submitting their plans, developers undertook a pre-application consultation exercise including asking the community what they thought by posting letters through their doors.

Their original plan was to build 34 homes. All but one of the 30 people who responded to the consultation said they did not want these homes to be built, while the remaining person said it would provide much-needed housing.

After talking to the local authority about their plans, the scale of the development was reduced from 34 homes to 28.

In 2014, an application to build six homes on the land was refused for several reasons, including the fact it is outside the village boundary.

This time around, developers are arguing that, although the proposed homes are still outside the boundary, they should be allowed on the basis that, according to their calculation, the district council has not got a five-year housing land supply to fulfil need in the area.

Developers are saying there is currently a shortfall of 951 homes across South Derbyshire if the council is to meet the need to build 12,618 properties by 2028.

They also argue that there is an unmet need for affordable homes. This development, if allowed, would include nine affordable houses out of the 28.

Weston on Trent Parish Council is objecting to the application, saying it is too large

for the area and would not be in keeping with its surroundings.

Councillors also feel that the development is too close to a major power pylon, that increased numbers of cars will cause big problems as exit roads are already frequently gridlocked around Aston on Trent in one direction and Cuttle Bridge in the other.

They also feel that too much traditional hedgerow would have to be sacrificed to build the homes, and that in the current climate there is a great need for agricultural land to be preserved rather than built on.

A South Derbyshire District Council spokesperson said: “South Derbyshire District Council’s latest housing position paper, published in February this year, demonstrates that we can meet the fiveyear demand for housing.

“Members of the planning committee will consider each planning application on its own merits.”

– Lucy Stephens

or hunched without back support, causing more pain.

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Church celebrates its 150th birthday

4 Village Voice May 2020

MELBOURNE Methodist Church is officially 150 years old at the end of this month.

On May 30 it will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of its church building, just off the Market Place. Obviously at this time ‘celebrations’ will be somewhat limited, but a virtual meeting is still planned – watch Facebook for details…

A church should always be measured by the strength of its people, but it’s still interesting to trace the ‘bricks and mortar’ development in a community.

Most people in the town will be familiar with the Methodist church building, but may be surprised that it wasn’t the first Methodist meetABOVE: The church before 1970 and (below) before 1932. ing place – in fact it was the fourth… or the fifth if you count the tree under which John Wesley first met the people of Melbourne in 1741.

(Article provided by Mark Dale of Melbourne Methodist Church) The present-day building was opened on May 30, 1870 with a special preacher Rev. Samuel Coley travelling from London to lead the ceremonies. The foundation stone had been laid just over 12 months previously on May 10, 1870 and the final building cost was £1,877.

Over the years there have been several significant changes to the building. An original old pipe organ was originally positioned between the front doors, before being moved to the other end of the building, in advance of it being removed altogether. The first major modernisation was on church centenary in 1970 at which time the ceiling was lowered, modern pews replacing the original ones and an entrance hall incorporated for the first time.

A further modernisation was undertaken through the 1990s when the church was carpeted and the 1970s pews replaced by comfortable upholstered seating. Effective gas central heating was added and the building became the more informal, warm, welcoming building that we know today.

Most recently the church has been provided with a stylish, contemporary annex, opened in 2019, which besides giving the church its own amenities, has provided wheeled access for the first time.

As mentioned above, the church was not the first meeting place for the Methodists. In the early days the Methodist travelling preachers visited Melbourne, but we are told from John Wesley’s own journal, “there were many hearers, but I see little fruit!”

It was soon recognised that the reason for the lack of a sustained fellowship was due to a lack of a regular meeting place. It is understood that a building and yard were hired from Melbourne Estate, but this was outside the town and a piece of land was purchased on ‘Back Street’ (which became Church Street) and a chapel or meeting house was built.

Methodism grew rapidly and soon this building was also deemed too small. So, in 1826, it was knocked down and a large chapel with seating for 300 opened on the same site – at a cost of £600. That building is still in existence and is now the antique shop which neighbours the present-day Methodist Church.

In 1870 there was a need for a still larger church and the current Methodist Church, the ‘New Chapel’ was built just off the Market Place, retaining the old building as a Sunday School since the Wesley Hall (The Athenaeum) was not owned by the church at that time.

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n THE Clap for Carers has become something of a ritual over the UK on Thursday evenings – and local streets are no different.

Residents in North Street, Melbourne, emerged from their homes at 8pm on Thursday, April 30, to make some noise for health workers on the front line of the fight against coronavirus.

Bakery eggs-pands

MELBOURNE entrepreneurs who founded a popular bakery business have thought quickly to weather the coronavirus crisis by selling much-needed eggs and flour as well as doughnuts.

Project D was founded a few years ago

by Melbourne trio Max Poynton, Jacob Watts and Matthew Bond.

The company bakes and sells doughnuts from its premises at Intu in Derby and in Burton-on-Trent, as well as at events.

It has a commercial bakery in Derby and employs 17 people.

Along with many other businesses in the UK, the coronavirus outbreak was a serious threat but, thanks to some quickthinking, Project D has managed to retain all its staff by changing tack to meet current demand.

First of all the company took to selling and delivering free range eggs, laid by hens at a farm just outside Melbourne.

An innovative social distancing card reading device – also known as a mop pole – could even be read through double glazed windows, meaning grateful self-iso-

lating recipients could pay for their delivery without leaving the house.

Within 24 hours of launching the new service, Project D had 1,050 egg orders.

Now the company is selling flour, milled near Matlock, and fresh yeast, as well as doughnuts and eggs, by organising pop-up shops around the area.

Flour and yeast have been in short supply in many supermarkets as the nation turns to baking under lockdown, so Project D has found a big demand for its service.

Co-founder Max Poynton said: “Baking is good for people’s mental health as well – it’s keeping them busy and active.”

He said the company sought permission from the council and police before setting up its pop-up shops, and social distancing was observed with tape marked out on the ground.

Project D is still carrying on with its doughnut deliveries too.

Max said: “I never thought I would be selling yeast, flour and eggs in a car park before this happened – but the things that have happened are not normal.”

NEWS in brief

Village Voice May 2020 5

Four police dispersal orders

Volunteer sewers are busy on the scrubs line Gottoatell?story

VOLUNTEER sewers have been putting their skills to good use in Melbourne as part of a nationwide drive to make ‘scrubs’ for front line health workers.

‘Scrubs’ are the top and trouser set that health workers in the NHS, GP surgeries and care homes wear.

In the current pandemic, these are being worn underneath rubberised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Caroline Roberts, of Melbourne, who has been co-ordinating the local volunteer effort, said demand spiked with the coronavirus outbreak because of the numbers of retired health workers going back to work and the high turnaround of scrubs having to be washed after a shift.

Social media groups quickly popped up around the country with many people keen to do their bit to help by getting out their sewing machines and making new sets of scrubs out of a range of material including old duvet covers, the requirement being that fabric must be capable of being washed at 60 degrees.

In Melbourne, a group of 11 people have been working hard to help out, whether it is by co-ordinating fabric deliveries, organising spreadsheets of orders or sewing the scrubs themselves.

Caroline, a retired head teacher, said: “I think it’s giving people a purpose. Some of the sewers are on the list of vulnerable people and can’t leave their house. Other people have volunteered and taken fabric and pins. People from all walks of life have come together with their strengths.”

Members of Breedon Priory Health Club raised £1,500 to pay for fabric to support the effort, while Melbourne businesses Lynne Kelly Curtains and Linda Johnson Interior Furnishings helped by cutting out fabric pieces ready for the scrubs to be made.

Volunteers have also made scrub hats and drawstring bags for scrubs to be taken home in so they can be put straight in the wash without touching other things.

The uniforms were originally being made for staff at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton but when they no longer had the need, more were then being made for community hospitals and staff working in Pool Cottage in Melbourne.

One of the volunteer sewers, Jenny Halliday, said making a set of scrubs from scratch was taking a couple of hours: “From a community point of view, it’s been lovely, well co-ordinated and organised,” she said.

Another volunteer sewer was Angie Cooke, who said: “It feels good to have been able to help those who are helping us to stay safe and well.

“It’s time-consuming cutting out, stitching up and presenting them but so rewarding to see them being used. One set of mine has gone to a lovely nurse in Adult Intensive Care at Leicester Glenfield Hospital. She was part of the team that treated my dad last year and was so appreciative of our support.

“It’s amazing how many people have donated money, fabric, duvet covers and even curtains. We have a good team from those who organise the purchases, those who drive the supplies to where they are needed to those who have being cutting or sewing.

“Even though the Royal Derby Hospital have said they now have enough sets of scrubs, I am carrying on as we have had requests from care facilities. Why stop now? It’s such a great team to be part of.”

l Sean Chambers and Zak Parkinson in the Harpur’s car park in Melbourne, selling flour, eggs and doughnuts on Sunday, May 3.

LEFT: Angie Cooke models some of the scrubs she made.

BELOW: Caroline Roberts with boxed up scrubs outside Melbourne Fire Station.

nment Gover ded fun ns sessio ble a a va i l

Give Lucy Stephens a call on:

01332 863181

www.melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

POLICE have issued four dispersal orders in Melbourne since lockdown started on March 23, the Village Voice has learned.

Another dispersal order was issued in Swarkestone.

That means this area has seen a third of the notices issued by police in South Derbyshire – the rest were given out in Swadlincote.

Ten of the notices were dispersal notices and five were given for failing to disperse.

Boundary review is dropped

PARISHIONERS in Aston-onTrent have voted not to pursue the idea of a boundary review.

In March’s Village Voice, we reported how villagers were being asked if they would support a review of its boundary, which would have included the ancient boundary between Aston and Weston.

In the latest Acorn magazine which circulates around Aston, it was reported that there had been a “great response” and that the majority of residents did not support a review, which would therefore not be pursued at this time.

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6 Village Voice May 2020

Country Living

A very changing world with Robert Parker

COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing and furloughing are new words which we hear every minute of every day but three months ago we were happily unaware of.

South Derbyshire, England and the world have changed forever and what things will be like in another 12 months goodness only knows.

I think I said in my last tome that at that time agriculture was little affected but since then it’s certainly seen some very big effects.

Some milk producers supplying certain dairies have had days when their milk wasn’t collected and had no option but to pour their production down the drain.

They have also had dramatic price cuts, some of nearly 50 per cent, and the prospect of not being paid for several months.

Dairy farming is not like a lot of other small businesses where you can furlough the staff and switch out the lights and shut the doors.

Those cows still have to be milked and fed and looked after come what may, and this is one of the idiosyncrasies of farming which many people do not understand.

We are planning things like sowing

crops and rearing stock months, sometimes years, in advance of any hope of return. Then something like this happens and we have to take it on the nose.

Then we had a few months ago an academic from a London university who was born and raised in Singapore suggesting that we do not need agriculture in the UK as we can import all our food like his country of birth. Is it any wonder that farmers get a little downhearted at times?

Some changes in the last two months are for the better but I’m sure will return to their previous state in time – namely pollution.

A lot fewer plane flights and empty roads are the major reason but I saw a strange one the other day which I didn’t click to immediately.

Walking alongside the canal at Westonon-Trent last week I glanced into the water as I always do, hoping to see some fish, and then realised I could see the bottom of the canal very clearly.

Then it fell to me that the total absence of boat traffic which churns up the water was the reason. Some of the things on the bottom of that canal were not that pleasant though!

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Family’s quiz a real eye opener

WHAT is prohibited around Melbourne Pool? What is written on the coat of arms on the Packhorse Road sign?

These were some of the questions that one Melbourne family came up with to help entertain local people and raise money for the NHS too.

The Wood family of Packhorse Road came up with the idea of a quiz when out on their daily exercise, walking around the village.

Charlotte wrote the questions, youngest Elsie did the artwork and Samuel tested it out with dad Jonathan.

The family put the quiz out every day for four weeks, asking for a donation to Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity for their COVID-19 appeal for anyone taking part.

“The children had specifically said they wanted to help the NHS, so this was the charity we chose,” explained Jo. “We got some friends to test out the quiz first and then we advertised on local Facebook groups.

“We received lots of positive

Business park plans are in comments about how it had opened people’s eyes as they walked around the village, spotting things they’d never seen before. One lady shared the quiz with lots of friends and neighbours and even passed the

idea on to family in Yorkshire!”

The family raised £116.05 for the charity appeal.

Pictured above are Samuel, Charlotte, Jo and Elsie Wood outside their home with their quiz.

DETAILED proposals have now been lodged with council planners for a large business park on the edge of Barrow-uponTrent.

Outline proposals from Elephant Holdings for a six-acre business park off Sinfin Lane were green-lit last year.

Members of South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee approved the park despite concerns about increased traffic to the already problematic junction between the A514 and A5231 at the Crewe & Harpur.

It was felt by councillors that, although there were concerns over traffic, the park would bring much-needed benefits to small businesses looking for premises, after hearing how space for start-ups was lacking in the area.

Now Elephant Holdings has submitted detailed plans for the park.

There are a few changes from the original design, including a single use access for vehicles to get on to the site, revised drainage plans and a 20 per cent increase in floor space.

Also, short-term residential accommodation has been removed from the plans and the layout has changed too.

Parking provision now provides for 132 cars, 25 “light goods vehicles”, 20 disabled spaces and 30 bikes.

Five new buildings would form a ‘business incubation zone’ in the north-west of the site; three of these will be for start-ups and two for offices and meeting rooms.

These buildings are smaller than those on the original proposals.

A planning, design and access statement provided by Elephant Holdings states: “The investment by Elephant Holdings will secure a significant contribution to overall employment land supply within the local area. It will assist in projecting the role of South Derbyshire by diversifying the employment land offer and supporting a full range of businesses from established local companies to start up businesses.”

When the original plans were submitted, it was pointed out by Barrow-upon-Trent Parish Council, which objected, that there should be no need for the business park as the vast new Infinity Garden Village at nearby Sinfin is being planned which includes space for businesses as well as thousands of homes.

In a business case submitted to planners with its detailed proposals, the applicant has argued that, while Infinity Garden Village would play its part in supporting the economy, it was unlikely to fulfil an “immediate need”.

– Lucy Stephens

Continued from Page 1 February 1993.

“Had it not been for that phone call, and his enthusiasm to get it started, it would have been something that just got talked about and nothing would have got done,” said Sue. Andrew went on to become chairman of the band for many years.

“He did all the running about, collecting the music stands and banners, picking up the stands and carting them in his car,” she recalled.

Gill James, formerly of Melbourne, wrote to us to say: “I am sure that all the Bentley family will wish to say how sorry we all are in losing Andrew in this way and extend our sympathy to all the family.

“Some of us knew him all our lives, even went to school with him and continued a long association with him all those years onwards, and especially through Village Voice when he attended many of our activities and even took photographs.”

Tributes to Andrew Jackson

Fire chief Andy’s hot on the visor trail

MELBOURNE fire station watch manager Andy Astle has been putting his skills to good use by making vital visors for front line health workers in the local area.

By the end of April, Andy had made 200 visors with another 90 on order after asking his employer Rolls-Royce if he could borrow a 3D printer while on furlough.

To produce the visors, Andy has been working in tandem with his uncle, Adrian Dowell, who is managing to make them from his narrow boat!

“It started with uncle Adrian asking for a few old pop bottles,” explained Andy. “I searched my bins and found a couple; the need started to grow and became more apparent once I started to talk to my uncle.”

Adrian was using printing techniques to produce the visors, and Andy took to social media to ask for people’s help in collecting pop bottles.

With help from his uncles and a few false starts, he then began to produce visors that were comfortable to wear and had a built-in sweat tray to boot!

Despite materials being in short supply, Andy and his uncle have

been working together and helping each other with filament and materials to fulfil their orders.

Andy said: “Both myself and Adrian have been working through the night with our 3D printers needing to start a new print every two hours.

“My dining room is now a visor production area and it’s become a family event with my wife, Hayley, and the kids all helping put them together. Even Adrian in his narrow boat has kept printing with his wife, Debbie, just leaving hospital with pneumonia but there’s just a spirit to keep printing.

“Between us we have made approximately 500 visors and these have gone to NHS front line workers, prison staff, midwives, nursing homes, funeral directors and some individuals that are so much in need.

“The list goes on of places we have sent them. We even have a collection point outside our house for social distancing. We just want to do our bit to help in the fight against COVID-19 and the fact that in our homes we can produce an item that is used on the front line is quite amazing. The feedback we have had that our visors are comfortable and great to use

Company provides funding for 2,000 masks

Village Voice May 2020 7

THUMBS UP ...

Midwife Suzanne Barber wears one of the visors made by Andy Astle (right). really urges us on to keep doing our bit.”

So far, Andy’s visors have gone to Leonard Cheshire care home, Macmillan Nightingale Derby, the respiratory team at Royal Derby Hosital, the COVID-19 assessments team in Derby, midwives, the warden of Thomas Cook Cottages in Melbourne, Springthorpe’s funeral directors in Melbourne and Ashby, the Old School House care home in Thringstone, along with other people in need in the community.

When braces and bra elastic come in handy

WHAT can you do with an old pair of braces, some laminated pouches, upholstery foam and a glue gun?

You can make vital equipment for front-line health workers, that’s what.

The coronavirus pandemic is bringing out many stories of worry and sorrow around the globe.

But amid the darkness there are myriad examples of hope and resourcefulness too.

Take the enterprising members of the Women’s Institute (WI) in Breedon on the Hill.

When one of their members, NHS anaesthetist Laura Carrick, put out a request on the group WhatsApp chat asking if anyone could donate a plastic face shield as NHS stock was running low and she had shifts over the weekend and beyond, the WI rose magnificently to the challenge.

In the first instance, a garden strimmer plastic face shield was offered and accepted.

But that did not go far enough for members, who set about working out how they

could make visors, using equipment they had in their cupboards, shelves and sheds.

Then WI member Jo Yates

(pictured) started work on some prototypes.

“I came up with the idea that if I got hold of upholstery foam,

I could use laminated pouches to give you the clear part,” she explained.

Sample designs were offered for testing and when a durable, wearable and hygienic workable design was arrived at, an SOS went out around the village to see if people could donate supplies such as elastic so as to make more visors – while maintaining social distancing requirements at all times.

Volunteers Helen Hall and Jane Melen joined in to get materials including plastic laminate sheets, glue, Velcro, elastic and foam to make the visor comfortable to wear. Further help with materials was provided by Castle Donington Hub. “Lumps of elastic were being thrown over my back gate,” said Jo. “I used a pair of old braces … it’s amazing what WI members have in the bottom of their cupboards.”

For one of the visors, Jo even used a piece of old bra elastic!

Around 30 face shields were made, with 10 donated by Rushcliffe College in Nottingham.

A MELBOURNE company has done its bit to help the fight against coronavirus by donating enough funding for 2,000 masks to be made and distributed by a school.

Dave Bird, managing director of Monetise, a lead generation company based in William’s Yard in Melbourne, heard about the efforts of the design and technology department at Stamford Endowed Schools in Lincolnshire to make visors.

While the school had found a way of quickly manufacturing protective face masks and had started to distribute them to hospitals, there was not the budget to help scale up the process.

Monetise directors Dave, James Anderson and Darren Kirkley decided to help out with funding to enable the end-to-end distribution of 2,000 face masks, most of which were delivered to front-line staff at Royal Derby Hospital.

Speaking at the time of the donation, Dave said: “As we all know, many people are struggling at the moment due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with businesses and livelihoods being lost almost overnight.

“On top of that, our amazing NHS continues to struggle to obtain the vital equipment it needs to combat the virus and stay safe doing so.”

Monetise formed in 2012, originally based in Derby but moving to its offices in Melbourne five years ago. The team of 14 are from all over Derby, South Derbyshire and Leicestershire and decided to base in Melbourne as it is well located for everyone.

“It’s a beautiful place to work and we felt it gave the team a nice work/life balance,” said Dave.

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8 Village Voice May 2020

Town Band members tune into technology to beat St Ge

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Give Lucy Stephens a call on

01332 863181 or email: news@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk www.melbournevillagevoice.co.uk

l Separate but together: Melbourne Town Band playing the Standard of St George over the virtual airwaves. Eagle-eye

MELBOURNE Town Band may not have been able to give its St. George’s Day concert this year, but that didn’t stop them playing the usual closing number together anyway.

Thanks to the wonders of technology, band members managed to piece together a recital of the Standard of St George, with which they always close the concert.

Band director Brendan O’Neill said the band had been rehearsing for the concert when the lockdown was enforced in the UK. “We decided that we would perform the Standard of St. George with everybody safe at home, recording their own part,” he said.

Players recorded their parts along to a click track, and all recordings were then put together to create the video, which has been posted on Facebook.

One former band member, Shawn Collins, even joined in the recital from all the way across the pond in the United States – on more than one instrument to boot!

Shawn had been an MTB member when posted here on secondment from Rolls-Royce a few years ago.

He had played the trombone previously and, having found the town band on the Internet before moving, packed it up, brought it with him, and went to his first rehearsal in February 2014.

The Collins family moved back home in 2016 and Shawn has carried on playing the trombone in local ensembles, as well as keeping up with his Melbourne band friends on social media.

“For a time, my responsibilities at Rolls-Royce included business trips back to Derby,” he said. “Staying at the Coach House and joining the band for Thursday rehearsals were highlights of those trips for me.

“Sadly, despite gentle nudging from the band members, I have not yet successfully scheduled a business trip that overlapped with the St. George’s Day concert or Remembrance Day Parade.

“When it became clear that the UK lockdown would require cancelling the 2020 St. George’s Day concert, someone raised the possibility on the MTB Facebook page of a virtual performance.

I was happy to see the band make music, albeit at a social distance, and for the band to join others who are using music to share hope in the midst of the sometimes overwhelming uncertainty from COVID-19.

“Other band members liked the idea of the virtual recording, and they kindly let me send a video from across the pond.

“To add to the fun of the experience, doing this by video allowed me and a couple others to play multiple instruments – something we would never be able to do in a physical performance.

“I have a 90-year-old baritone that I inherited from my grandfather (his family emigrated to the US from Leeds around the turn of the 20th century).

“I play it at home sometimes, but I have not played it in an ensemble since I was in secondary school.

“I believe that music is an important part of life together. That said, community music, and particularly multi-generational community music, is not easy to do. I have a great deal of respect for the MTB and its associated training bands because of how faithfully they work to make multi-generational music part of the community in Melbourne.

“It was a privilege to participate with them in this year’s virtual performance.”

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Spreading a little joy and fun

ONE woman has mowed the grass in her field into the NHS logo wrapped into a heart. Someone else has knitted a health worker and propped it in their window.

People in local villages have found even more creative ways to spread a little joy and fun during April, when the whole of the UK was under lockdown.

With everyone only able to go outside once a day for exercise, to shop for essentials or to attend a key worker’s job, people have been reaching out to others in one of the few ways now available: by decorating their environment.

In Barrow, Colleen March was inspired to pay tribute to the NHS while mowing the grass in her field, in recognition of their fight against coronavirus and in memory of those who have already lost their lives.

“One day I was topping the field out, I was going up and down and got a little bit bored,” she confessed. “I’d been speaking to friends in the village and they were saying they’d had friends’ mums who had passed away.

It just came to me – ‘I’ll see if I can cut an NHS sign and put a heart round it’.

“It was something as random as that. It didn’t take very long. People walking their dogs round the village would stop and have a moment. It’s a nice thing for people.

“I didn’t realise it had had such an impact. It was just the way I was feeling.”

In Melbourne, people have been painting messages of hope in windows, walls and driveways. They have been raising a smile by posing teddies in windows or, in one case that we spotted, behind the wheel of a car.

One resident in North Street has knitted NHS health workers and propped them in her window.

In Chapel Street, was the very eye-catching creation pictured on Page 1 of a toy pigeon bearing the message “Stay Safe Melbourne”. It was hung out of a second-floor window with a fishing rod.

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10 Village Voice May 2020

The Common Touch...

New greener normal

WHILE we are currently in this coronavirus pandemic crisis, we can’t and mustn’t forget there’s a longer-term crisis that a lot of us have been pretty much ignoring for the past 40 years: the climate crisis.

When we are eventually let out of this lockdown we shouldn’t return to the old normal, we must embrace a ‘new normal’, a greener normal, one where we use the car less, work from home where we can, reduce the amount of flights we take, grow more of our own food – one where we plan to have smaller families, one where we consider the environmental impact of all our purchases.

We can no longer afford to confuse what we want with what we need.

A case in point came up in my inbox the other day from Group-cher or Wow-chon, some such daily deals sales email, promoting a plastic blow-up unicorn rainbow sprinkler for kids to run under in the garden; what summer fun. Who designed this tat? Own up now.

Our lives seem to be surrounded by unnecessary objects or new pointless gadgets. Does every household really need a leaf blower? Come on, really?

There’s the packaging of these items, the transportation of them, the mindless consumption of the earth’s resources to manufacture these things. We now know who the key workers are – why not identify our key personal needs?

Recently, Sir David Attenborough released a film in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), ‘A Life On Our Planet’, which he says is his witness statement for the natural world and an apology to his grandchildren.

In an interview with the BBC, he says how he used to think environmentalists were saving nature and the planet’s habitats but now he sees it as saving humanity. Nature will continue, at Whistlewood the plants and animals are flourishing, but if we don’t change our ways of living, we will not.

Fighting climate change and reducing our carbon emissions must be our top priority in the post COVID-19 world. Just because we don’t see the disastrous effects in front of us every day (remember 2019’s flooding?) doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat climate change as an emergency now. The world needs its politicians to take the lead on this, as we have seen they can when faced with this virus emergency, but we need to keep the pressure on them to take action.

Time is rapidly running out for us to make the changes we need to; that means reducing our carbon emissions, personally, in business, as a community, as a world. We are walking with our eyes closed towards several climate change tipping points (for example the polar ice caps completely melting) or as Sir David calls them ‘Door Closing’ moments.

If we let these doors slam shut there will be no going back and disastrous climate changes will only accelerate.

The next time you have an urge to make any new purchase please stop and think: “Is this just a plastic unicorn rainbow sprinkler?” and just say “No! Actually I don’t need that, I only think I do.”

– Katherine Parrish

Interesting finds in Assembly Rooms

PLANNED works to Melbourne Assembly Rooms that were to have closed the hall in July and August are taking place now instead – uncovering a few names from the past in the process.

The Assembly Rooms’ Brick by Brick appeal to pay for the refurbishment of the main hall was supported by many local groups and businesses who raised thousands with a range of events.

South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler lent her support, as did Melbourne Parish Council, Melbourne Town Band and Melbourne Civic Society.

The work was due to have taken place in July and August this year which would have meant the closure of the main hall.

But, due to the current coronavirus situation, it has been brought forward so the building can be ready for when it opens its doors again.

In the process of cleaning and painting the handsome beams at the top of the hall, local painter Andy Weston uncovered some intriguing signatures in the woodwork.

One was ‘M Jones 1893 decorator’, who it is thought must be a

local craftsman working on the building, which was finished in 1897.

Assembly Rooms manager Andy Heafield said the remaining names belonged to pupils: R Jackson 1916, A Thompson 1922, S Nelson 1932 and A Buxton 1954.

It is believed that these daredevil youngsters may have carved their names into the beam at the top of the hall after climbing up the ropes that used to hang down from them for gymnastics.

Andy said: “By following Government guidelines, the current situation gave us the opportunity to bring the work forward and be ready, hopefully, for when we can re-open.

“Once the painting is complete, we still have the cast iron grates to clean, the acoustic panels to recover and the stage lighting to go back.

“But we want to hit the ground running, get the classes back on and our entertainment programme re-started, working with Village Folk, local groups and our own shows; we have some great performers, up and coming stars and musical legends lined up for the Autumn and 2021.

“I, for one, can't wait.”

– Lucy Stephens

Cemetery’s gates are reopened to public

MELBOURNE Cemetery has now re-opened to allow the public to pay their respects to loved ones.

Melbourne Parish Council had closed the cemetery on Packhorse Road in order to try to help with efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus by shutting off areas where people could congregate.

But on April 20, the cemetery was opened up again after communities minister Robert Jenrick said that parks and cemeteries should not shut their doors.

Speaking at Number 10, Mr Jenrick said parks should remain open and that loved ones should be allowed to attend funerals.

The parish council said on its website that social distancing should still be adhered to now that the cemetery was open again, and that it would close the permissive path through the grounds and the cemetery itself if either was being misused.

Its statement said: “In line with the Government direction, the council has taken the decision to reopen the cemetery to members of the public for the purpose of paying respects to a loved one, for funerals and interments; essential staffing and emergency or urgent works on site only.

“Council staff will continue to manage the maintenance of the cemetery and its grounds.

“Adherence to social distancing must be observed at all times by all who are using the cemetery.

“Access to vehicles and the

public to use the area as an open space or to walk through is strictly prohibited.

“The path through the cemetery is a permissive path and not a public footpath; the parish council retains the right to close the permissive path and the cemetery if either is being misused.

“The parish council appreciates this may cause disruption and distress but it is necessary to limit the spread of coronavirus and to protect the health and safety of the community.

“The decision has been taken with the safety of residents and staff in mind and to ensure that

Government advice is followed.

However, the parish council will continue to monitor and review the use of the cemetery.

“Your health and safety are paramount and we appreciate your continued support.”

A maximum of five people are allowed to attend burials in the cemetery at the moment during the coronavirus lockdown.

‘The parish council retains the right to close the permissive path and the cemetery if either is being misused’

A LOT OF TAKERS

WORD that Hilly Fields allotments in Melbourne were looking for takers resulted in ‘unprecedented’ demand – and when the Village Voice covered the matter, they were all snapped up within a week!

We published news of vacancies at Hilly Fields in our online April edition and then re-posted it in Facebook, where it was seen by more than 3,000 people.

Hilly Fields now has a waiting list of prospective allotment holders.

PARISH COUNCIL ZOOMS AHEAD

Village Voice May 2020 11

How VE Day was celebrated 75 years ago l Celebrations in South Street, Melbourne.

l Melbourne parish councillor Terry Summerlin’s grandmother, Annie Hill, known as ‘Nance’, is in the centre of the picture, wearing glasses, peering over the lady in front of her. ‘Nance’, is in the centre of the photo below, wearing black glasses with her arms folded and legs crossed.

We are indebted to Melbourne Historical Research Group and Aston on Trent Local History Group who have helped us put together this article.

FRIDAY, May 8, marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and these photographs taken in Melbourne give a fascinating glimpse into the joy and celebration of that historic day.

Joe Laban, of Melbourne, was around 13 at the time of VE Day and recalls the street party in Chandler’s Yard that is pictured here. “I can remember that I went to a street party at John Dallman’s house, a party down at Chandler’s Yard,� he said. “It was a marvellous atmosphere. It was fantastic, the end of the war. I lived through it and I saw terrible things that happened, bombs that knocked the roof off one house (where the Senior Citizens Centre now is).�

Joe’s wife, Paddy, remembered how, during the war, when she and her family lived in Aston-onTrent, they used to have to put gas masks on to go down to the air raid shelter.

Though she could not recall VE Day herself, being only nine at the time, she did remember how the family after the war moved to Melbourne, walking their entire herd of cattle all the way!

Ken Adams, of Aston-on-Trent, was five at the time of VE Day, and living in Derby. Talking to Aston-on-Trent Local History Group, he said: “I remember our family celebrating with stewed rabbit that my grandad had caught on his allotment. “Just after VE Day all our neighbours had a

street party and all the children sat at a long table with quite an amount of simple food in front of us. “I stuffed myself with REAL EGG sandwiches, the first time I’d felt ‘full-tummied’ for quite some time: the sandwiches were brilliant! “I missed my dad, who was still in the Army in Europe somewhere, no doubt getting excited at coming home. “For the first time my mam walked me into the centre of Derby, just to see the shop windows all lit up at night. She worked at Ranby’s in Victoria Street and she showed me the three windows, each lit with a single bulb. There was also a mannequin in each window dressed in pale-coloured clothing. “Occasionally she would take me into town on the bus after dark, just to see the lights, which was exciting. I do remember the wooden slatted bus seats being very uncomfortable, not suiting my tiny bottom at all.�

Many of the planned celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, including a large concert in Melbourne, have not been able to take place because of coronavirus.

In Ticknall, Dame Catherine’s School put together a series of video clips and stills on its Facebook page after asking families to send in footage of how they would mark the occasion.

Local residents were also asked to join in by providing any archive photographs from the original VE Day.

Alyson’s headbands

MANY people all over the UK have been busy with their sewing needles to help health workers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis, and one of them is Alyson Bloor, from Melbourne.

Alyson has been sewing special headbands to help make wearing masks easier for NHS staff, who have reported that the elastic chafes on their ears.

A large quantity of buttons was donated to Alyson so she could carry on making her colourful headbands, which have so far gone to health workers in a range of settings including the renal ward and A&E departments in Royal Derby Hospital.

As well as headbands, Alyson has also hand sewn some masks, for “anybody who can make use of them�.

MELBOURNE Parish Council met over the airwaves for the first time this month, due to the coronavirus situation.

Parish councillors used virtual meeting app Zoom to hold their monthly meeting on May 5.

Normally, the parish council meets once a month in Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Councillors heard from district council representative Martin Fitzpatrick that fly tipping had increased in the district by around 30 per cent during lockdown – but that cases were being dealt with.

There was also news via county councillor Linda Chilton that the pothole on the bottom of Victoria Street in Melbourne had now been filled in.

It was voted that parish council chair Cllr Sheila Hicklin and vicechair Cllr Terry Summerlin will continue in their roles until May next year.

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Festival’s window on our memories

Village Voice May 2020 13

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BIRDS building nests by the pool, waiting for conkers to fall from the tree by The Swan in Castle Square – local people are being invited to share their favourite memories.

“Little Memories of Melbourne” is the latest project from Melbourne Festival.

Its aim is to keep residents inspired and connected during the current period of social distancing.

“We hope that hearing memories of what makes Melbourne special will entertain and uplift people, and that putting memories up in windows will create a ABOVE: Rebecca Goldsmith (right), writer in residence at trail of community connection,” Melbourne Festival, with festival director Sharon Brown. says the festival team.

BELOW: Images of the memories posted in the window of the Last Autumn, Melbourne festival’s pop-up gallery in Melbourne’s Market Place.

Festival was invited to be part of LoveLit, an Arts Derbyshire project funded by Arts Council England, which brings writers to communities around Derbyshire to work with local people on projects linked to their town.

Melbourne’s Writer in Residence is Rebecca Goldsmith, who lives in the town and who will be creating poetry films illustrating her love of it.

The original plan was for a series of workshops for local people to share their feelings for Melbourne and create their own films.

The current lockdown situation having made that not a possibility at the moment, the memories project is the festi-

val’s plan B, and it is hoped local residents will take part.

To join in, people need to write a line about a particular place in Melbourne that is special to them.

They are then asked either to put the memory up in their own window, if possible, share it on Facebook, or post it through the letter box of the Arts Melbourne Gallery in the Market Place for a window display.

A template is available for people to print and use, but a plain piece of paper is just fine too.

The project is continuing until at least mid-August so there is plenty of time to get involved.

Festival director Sharon Brown said there have been lots of good responses to the project already.

Favourites include “The amazing breakfast at Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms” and “Squelching through the mud

by Melbourne Pool”.

Look up ‘memories of melbourne’ on Facebook to share memories online.

ONE BOY WENT TO MOW ...

YOU’RE never too young to start helping around the house and garden, as this 11-yearold proved when he got the mower out to keep one of Melbourne’s green spaces looking tidy.

Oliver Boylan took on the task of mowing the gardens outside the Thomas Cook Cottages in Melbourne, the usual contractor having stopped working because of the coronavirus situation.

Oliver is the nephew of Nigel Collyer, chairman of the trustees for Thomas Cook Cottages. He is lodging in Melbourne at the moment so his aunt and uncle can help out with home schooling.

When residents of the cottages found themselves unable to sit outside and enjoy the garden because the grass was too long, Nigel and Oliver took it into their own hands to do something about it.

Oliver said the job had taken him about 45 minutes. “It was looking really long when we walked past,” he said.

Nigel said that Thomas Cook Cottages’ on-site caretaker Gillian Younger was doing a “brilliant job” to A £26,500 COVID-19 Community Relief Fund support residents in the cur- launched by East Midlands Airport was “overrent climate, delivering whelmed” with applications within days of shopping and running er- launching, a spokesman said. rands where necessary.

The fund was made available by the airport to Dove’s Garage is also sup- aid voluntary or community groups helping with porting people in need with the coronavirus relief effort. their delivery service.

The spokesman said successful applicants were

Airport relief fund really takes off

being informed around the end of April and the airport would look to launch a second round of funding soon.

A form on the airport’s website also allows people to register for volunteers, with the airport saying it had significant numbers of people able to carry out volunteering work in the community at the present time.

New head at Chellaston

14 Village Voice May 2020

CHELLASTON Academy has a new head teacher, who will start in the job in September.

The school’s new head is Ryan Metters (pictured). He joins the academy from John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, where he is currently vice-principal.

Chellaston Academy has pupils from a catchment area including Aston, Weston, Melbourne and Barrow.

This year’s interim head has been Cara Walker.

The school said she had undertaken the position “on the request of the governing board”, and thanked her “…

for all her efforts throughout this time”.

The former head, Kevin Gaiderman, is now the chief executive of the Peak MultiAcademy Trust, which includes the academy along with Chellaston Infant and Junior Schools and Homefields Primary.

Mr Metters’ role at John Port includes responsibility for all aspects of sixth form standards, safeguarding and careers provision.

He was seconded there from the executive team at Spencer Academies Trust to strengthen its leadership prior to an Ofsted inspection.

Chellaston Academy suffered a poor Ofsted inspection in July 2019.

The school was rated inadequate due to safeguarding issues in the sixth form, although plenty of strengths in other areas were also highlighted.

Welcoming Mr Metters, the school said: “He is very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, and is proud to be able to lead the school in its next chapter, ensuring the changes we make are supported by the whole school community.”

Got a story to tell?

Give Lucy Stephens a call on:

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Has Chris unearthed a Bronze Age link?

PHOTO: Google Maps.

POSSIBLE evidence of a Bronze Age ‘henge’ has been spotted in Swarkestone by a photographer brushing up on his archaeology enthusiasm during lockdown.

Chris Seddon, a wedding photographer who lives in Melbourne, observed the perfectly round shape next to the River Trent while investigating a ‘lidar’ image.

Lidar imagery is used by archaeologists to see the topography of a section of landscape.

A self-described “Time Team nerd”, since lockdown began Chris has been taking an online course offered by DigVentures, a social enterprise which organises crowdfunded archaeological excavations, as he cannot do his day job at the moment.

He was looking at lidar images of his home area when he spotted the circular shape in nearby Swarkestone.

Having reported the sighting to DigVen-

tures, the possible find was then reported in The Guardian newspaper.

Chris said he considered the possibility that the round shape may be something modern, such as a drainage mechanism, or a geographical feature like an Oxbow lake.

But one indicator would suggest otherwise.

“If you look at old maps, the field borders follow the curve of this circle,” he said.

“That means the circle was there before the field boundaries on really old maps.”

The area around Swarkestone does have evidence of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. There is, for example, a Bronze Age barrow cemetery nearby, just north of Swarkestone.

One exciting possibility is that the circle may be a ‘henge’.

Henges are circular in shape and are thought to have been places where some sort of ritual activity took place.

“This is quite well situated,” said Chris.

“It’s quite close. It could be part of a wider Bronze Age landscape. A henge next to a river starts to paint a nice picture of a landscape.”

Lisa Westcott Wilkins, an archaeologist who is the co-founder and managing director of DigVentures, agreed that the circular shape could certainly be part of a wider Bronze age landscape than had previously been recorded in this area.

She added that while the circular shape had been previously noted (in 2018, by Adrian Farnsworth and Paula Whirrity), the record was not online and it had never been fully investigated.

“Nobody has really characterised it as to what it means,” she said.

“It’s very geometric, perfectly circular. It doesn’t look natural to us. To our eyes and its position next to the river, it looks archaeological.”

– Lucy Stephens

Businesses share in £7m of coronavirus grants

MILLIONS of pounds in business grants have been distributed by South Derbyshire District Council to help local firms weather the coronavirus crisis.

The latest figures supplied to the Village Voice on April 29 estimated that by the end of that week – May 1 – around £7m worth of grants were expected to have been handed out.

The district council is now urging eligible South Derbyshire firms which have not already claimed the COVID-19 grants to come forward as soon as possible.

Around 1,400 businesses in the district are “potentially eligible” either for £10,000 small business grants or retail, hospitality and leisure grants of up to £25,000.

By April 23, around 900 businesses had filled out an online claim form, which gives the council the information needed to verify and pay the cash as quickly as possible.

Councillor Martyn Ford, South Derbyshire District Council’s leader, said: “I understand the difficulties faced by local businesses due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

and we are doing all we can to work with them to minimise the impact caused by the social distancing restrictions.

“We have written to around 1,400 local businesses to encourage them to apply for the business grants to which they are entitled.

“We estimate that we will have distributed £7million in grants by the end of the week.”

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Cargo flights see EMA stay busy

EAST Midlands Airport is currently the 10th busiest airport in Europe due to the enormous volume of cargo it handles.

Increased demand for medical equipment and online shopping has meant that the airport is bucking the trend shown by many others across the world.

It is currently still operating more than half its scheduled flights, but they are all for products and not passengers.

East Midlands is a four-hour truck drive from 90 per cent of the population of England and Wales and is home to the UK’s largest dedicated air cargo operation.

Airport employees alongside those of logistics giants DHL, UPS, FedEx and Royal Mail, have been designated as key workers by the Government and have been handling more than 1,000 tonnes of freight every day during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nick Hill, who lives in Melbourne, is a logistics manager for DHL and said it was “almost business as usual� at the moment. “We are having to adapt to new working conditions,� he said. “We’re still operating within countries that have been hard hit, the UK, France, Spain and Italy. The crew don’t come out of the cockpit and no-one goes in the cockpit.�

Fixed benches on canteen tables have been removed to help workers spread out, and aircraft are being fully sterilised between flights.

Nick said: “We all know someone who’s been affected, whether they’re furloughed or have been made redundant – it’s given people here a ‘can-do’ attitude to go that extra mile and feel they are supporting the economy, and feel privileged that they’re still employed and it’s business as normal, when other airlines are making big cuts. “It’s going to take some commercial airlines a long time to get going again.�

In the two-week period after the Government announced stricter social distancing measures to try to curb the spread of the virus, cargo aircraft movements at East Midlands Airport increased by 7.4 per cent a day. At the end of April, the airport said it was seeing just over 100 flights a day.

Growth has been attributed to a sudden need for medical and PPE equipment; more people shopping online; more ad-hoc flights as the airport has taken on capacity from other airports that are closed at night; and fewer long haul passenger flights which normally carry cargo too.

European air traffic statistics showed that East Midlands saw the smallest drop in flight numbers of any major airport in Europe over one week.

VILLAGE VOICE Postbag A Village Voice reader has written to us to express the following thoughts about coronavirus and how it has brought the community together.

THERE is nothing good about coronavirus; the most lethal pandemic since Spanish Influenza between 1918 – 1920 which affected about a third of the world’s population and killed more millions than the Great War. But something good is coming from the impact of the virus and the national restrictions. A sense of oft-forgotten community is blossoming and burgeoning. In a situation where social distancing is now the practical norm, how ironic that people are actually coming closer together in the emotional sense.

I live in a village which has community at its heart but there is now a menacing shared condition that affects us all, something that brings us all together.

I’m not old enough to remember the start of the 1939 ‘Phoney War’ but I imagine people might have shared the same worries, concerns, fearful for the future and, as humans do, turn towards a sense of collective companionship and reassurance.

Village communities are often composed of mini-communities – groups, societies, clubs, but C19 has created a bigger, more inclusive community; and that’s good, and to some, quite unusual and beneficial.

I live in a village where C19 is present.

Like many, I thought we’d be safe away from urban and city crowding so when it

A voice from a village

impacted on small village life it, quite literally, brought the threat closer to home.

Two metres distance became the standard measurement. To start with I felt embarrassed and a tad guilty about moving away from people. ‘Sorry’, I’d say and a similar response was returned.

It was odd but everyone was doing it and gradually the ‘sorry’ turned to ‘thank you’ for protecting each other. Of course there were, and still are, the selfish and inconsiderate few who think it’s a joke but there aren’t many. We’re beginning to share thoughtfulness and concern for others, including those who we don’t know. There’s an embryonic wider community emerging.

And rainbows. Everywhere. Chalked on walls and pavements, paintings in windows, ribbons hanging from trees; a riot of colour in this strangest of Spring times. We now have people coming together to clap and cheer the NHS and key workers, bin collectors, delivery drivers, supermarket

staff, posties, emergency services.

Individually we’ve always been grateful for them, collectively we’re now sharing that gratitude in a highly visible and very un-British, unreserved manner. In many villages a network of volunteers has sprung up to offer friendship support, collection of prescriptions, shopping, even providing meals to those in lockdown.

I think it makes our communities stronger.

And social-distancing means we’re communicating more via social media, phone calls, text messaging and something new to me called Zoom – a reworked business conferencing service now used for family and friendship contact.

Coronavirus is horrible. It brings tragedy, distress, sacrifice and suffering that cannot be denied and may have lasting consequences, but from it has come, like a phoenix, the basic goodness of ordinary people willing to share, care and support in so many different ways, be they great or small in a defiant gesture of solidarity and basic humanity that extends beyond those we know well. C19 will be defeated not just by medical science but by a renewed sense of wider community. I sincerely hope it lasts.

And finally, I’ve noticed we no longer say ‘goodbye’ as we take our leave. We now say ‘stay well, keep safe’. I rather like that.

Please send your letters to: letters@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk or write to us at The Village Voice, 11 North Street, Melbourne DE73 8FZ.

Multi-million pound tree planting scheme

Village Voice May 2020 15

LAND managers in South Derbyshire are being urged to take part in a multi-million pound scheme to plant trees and help the environment.

South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler is keen to see people take part in the Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme by the deadline of June 5 before the next auction takes place.

The ÂŁ50million scheme from the Forestry Commission aims to boost woodland planting rates and help take out carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Successful participants are offered the option to sell Woodland Carbon Units to the Government over 35 years at the guaranteed price set by auction, which will take place online between June 8-19.

The Forestry Commission has announced that ÂŁ10million will be available in the next auction. The price is protected against inflation.

The first auction closed in February and saw 18 contracts offered by the Forestry Commission to help create 182 hectares of new woodland, with the specific aim of helping combat climate change.

Mrs Wheeler said: “This is a great scheme to help offset carbon emissions and I would encourage land managers in South Derbyshire to get involved. The countryside in South Derbyshire is some of the most beautiful in the UK especially with the National Forest and places like Poppy Wood (pictured) in Melbourne on our doorstep. I hope this scheme will help create new woods and protect wildlife.�

Sir William Worsley, chair of the Forestry Commission, said: “I’m excited to announce that the first auction has successfully encouraged projects in parts of the country where new planting has been lower in recent years, and across a good range of woodland types. “There is no reason to delay applying and to plant trees now I strongly encourage all land managers thinking about planting to sign up ahead of the second auction in June.�

The National Forest, which covers part of South Derbyshire but extends to Leicestershire, Staffordshire and other parts of Derbyshire, has planted more than 8.9million trees over the past 25 years.

A series of auctions is planned to take place every six months for up to five years.

Applicants can apply on the Government’s website.

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16 Village Voice May 2020

CRICKET ON HOLD

SPORT

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club has seen no action in its 2020 season yet.

Players should currently be a month into matches but an English Cricket Board (ECB) announcement last week stated that there will definitely be no form of cricket until at least July 1.

The club’s junior initiatives for All-stars (five to eightyear-olds) and the brand new Dynamos Cricket (eight to 11 year-olds) have not been cancelled entirely, however.

The ECB and Derbyshire Cricket Board hope there will still be enough time to run these six-week courses later in the summer.

Anyone wanting information with regards to the cricket club, junior teams and courses should get in touch with Alex Slater on alexslater72000@yahoo.co.uk

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E MELBOURN O T N INGS NEW TICKNALL INGLEBY FOREMARK LOUNT BY-BRIDGE STTANTON-B ONE SWARKEST N SO IL W HAROLD STTAUNTON G N TO E TWYFORD TON ISLEY WAL TRENT N WESTON-O ENT TR ASTON-ON N O ELLVAST THULSTON AMBASTON N-TRENT BARROW-O BREEDON DERN Part of FIN SMISBY MILLTON

Football club gets emergency grant CHAMPIONS!

EMERGENCY funding is Managers from the adults’ being given to Melbourne Dyteam are watering the pitches namo Football Club to help every day to keep them in good keep the game alive for the condition for the next season. many people who enjoy the “As a football club we rely ONE of Melbourne’s football sides had some much- heavily on all our volunteers, sport in the village. needed good news in April when they found out they had local community and businesses Now new young players, and been crowned league champions. business sponsors, are being into keep the club going,” said GerMelbourne Dynamo FC’s Senior Saturday first team ard. vited to come forward to support were named Midlands Regional Alliance league champithe club ahead of when play can The club is now looking for ons for the 2019/20 season. resume. boys and girls to join Melbourne The league decided to not void the season but instead Dynamo, right from the under-7s The club’s activities, along apply a points per game (PPG) system which saw Gav soccer school up to the under-18s. with all sport, stopped on March Salisbury’s men 15 points clear of nearest rivals in the 23 when the UK lockdown was Another adults football team is final league standings. announced. also being planned, and more The first team had won all 14 league games played so players are also welcome to join High levels of rainfall had it was just rewards for a great run. meant that the 2019/20 season the over 50s walking football The Senior Saturday Reserves also showed up well, team. had already seen a high level of eventually finishing in a creditable third place after the postponed games, and the season Offers of sponsorship from PPG was applied. was eventually cancelled. anyone who owns or manages a At the time of going to print, no decision had been local business would be very That meant the club faced a made on the Senior Sunday side, who when lockdown much appreciated by Melbourne deficit in funding, but Sport Engstarted were in third place in division two but with Dynamo, who in return would be land Community Emergency games in hand.

Fund approved a grant that able to offer various advertising helps keep things afloat. opportunities.

Gerard Cantwell, chairman of Anyone interested in becoming the junior section of Melbourne Dynamo, said: “We hope and pray a player or helping the club in any way should contact any comthat the new season brings fewer obstacles for us all to contend mittee member or Gerard directly. with.”

Email gerard.cantwell@yahoo.co.uk or Alex Slater on alexsMeanwhile, preparations are being made for the re-starting of later72000@yahoo.co.uk grassroots football.

l Melbourne Rugby Club’s 1st XV.

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MELBOURNE Rugby Football Club will be playing in the Midlands 2 East (North) division next season, with the early conclusion of the 2019/2020 season.

The 2020/2021 season will see changes to the club coaching structure with Gary Rudkin leaving his position of head coach.

MRFC has worked tremendously hard to find a suitable successor and is delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Barlow, formerly of Burton RFC, who will take up the position of head coach alongside Matt Derbyshire, director of rugby, and George Dickinson, senior coach alongside Steve Rudd and Mick Suddaby.

Rugby club changes

The incoming coach said: “I’ve been interested in what’s’ happening at Melbourne for a while.

There are always positive things being said and shown by the team and I’m just looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started as soon as we can.”

Director of rugby Matt Derbyshire said: “Gary has played a huge and vital part in Melbourne’s success over the last two seasons and I, as well as the players, would like to thank him for everything he has done. He will be missed.”

TENNIS CLUB SUMMER HOPES

MELBOURNE Tennis Club has been no different to other local sports, going into lockdown on March 23.

But the club says it is “continually monitoring” advice from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as to how and when play

can resume. The LTA is in regular dialogue with the Government to ensure that the guidance they are issuing to clubs is right at the time.

Currently, all activity delivered through the LTA is suspended until June 23, so it is

unlikely that clubs will be able to start play before then.

With the Melbourne club having nine teams altogether in the Burton and the Derbyshire tennis leagues it is hoped some form of league matches will be played later in the summer.