Melbourne Village Voice February 2015

TIDE TURNS ON HOMES FRONT?

Village Voice No 267 February 2015

Melbourne & District

THERE is perhaps a wind of change coming in respect of planning applications in South Derbyshire.

That’s surely offside...

THE next three months will see some significant progress for the Melbourne Sporting Partnership project at the Cockshut Lane site.

February 13 is the closing date for contractors to submit their tenders for the club house, enabling the management committee to make contractor selection and set the next phase in motion.

In March, MSP will issue its first quarterly newsletter that will be available and accessible to the general public.

By April work on the clubhouse will have started and the final calendar of activities will be declared for 2015/16. Final site plans will become available and will include an artist’s impression of the clubhouse.

MSP spokesman Douglas Keith

is very excited about the progress and is looking forward to the actions that will be taking place in the near future and the advancement of the project in general.

Issues about site security will be addressed at a forthcoming meeting.

The recent incident of a van driving across the grounds and ending up stranded over the banking, carving up the newly seeded pitch without a game yet played, is food for thought.

A police spokesperson confirmed that they had spoken to the owner of the vehicle and appropriate action has been taken.

Poor weather has prevented any work on the site in the last few weeks.

With several schemes for housing developments around Melbourne yet to be considered by the district council planning committee, there is hope that some better control might be brought back to the process.

Up to now councils, like South Derbyshire, which have been awaiting adoption of Local Plans, have seen decisions to reject inappropriate speculative applications overturned on appeal.

In the latest development, however, Cllr Jim Hewlett has confirmed rumours that the case officer looking at the Blackwell Lane development in Melbourne has informed the agent for the owner that the application is not acceptable.

He has been told that this is mainly due to the proximity to the Hall and gardens, affecting their setting, and the same for the ancient castle monument.

It is thought that objections from English Heritage, Melbourne Civic Society and the Melbourne and Kings Newton residents’ submissions may have been influential.

This move comes hot on the heels of a development at Rosliston Road South, which took no account of the emerging Local Plan’s proposals, being refused permission, and the council is “very optimistic” that the decision will be upheld if the developer seeks to appeal it.

South Derbyshire District Council’s Conservative Leader, Bob Wheeler, said: “We have said before that those councils awaiting the approval of district Local Plans which meet the required need for housing development and turn down fur-

by FRANK HUGHES

ther inappropriate speculative planning applications, should not see their decisions overturned on appeal and incur huge legal costs for doing so.

“Now, however, it appears that some common sense is prevailing – and Communities and Local Government Ministers are taking into account both local communities’ wishes and the impending impact of Local Plans when considering such appeals.”

Cllr Wheeler added: “All future planning applications will be fairly considered but local opinion, together with the proposals included in the Local Plan, must also be given appropriate consideration on a case by case basis.

“This council is not here to concrete over our beautiful district nor is it here to encourage speculative and unwanted development: it is here to ensure that our local housing needs are met and that any developments approved are supported by appropriate infrastructure and sympathetic to local circumstances.”

Groups protesting about the developments locally have welcomed this news, and hope that individuals will still be writing objections to individual applications.

Brian Budd, chairman of the Melbourne Civic Society, said: “The society welcomes both the council’s decision to refuse the planning application at Drakelow last week and the Government’s belated support for local planning authorities struggling to fend off the many speculative applications which conflict with long established planning policies and which are strongly opposed by residents.”

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Wallace gets war grave 95 years after his death

THE Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) has confirmed that, some 95 years after his death in December 1919, Wallace Hatton has been recognised as qualifying for War Grave status.

While in Melbourne cemetery there are nine WW1 CWGC graves of men who died during or shortly after the war, Wallace is one of three men who served in the forces during the Great War and who are commemorated either on the war memorial or the Roll of Honour in the Parish Church, who currently have no grave markers.

It is likely that original wooden crosses have disappeared during the last nine decades. Two of these three men died shortly after the official cut-off date for war related deaths which was set as August 31 1921.

The research of the men who served during the Great War has relied on the fragmentary surviving Army service records together with newspaper articles and some personal or regimental information. Only about 30% of service or pension records survived the fires of the Blitz in 1940.

In common with many other men, Wallace has no surviving service records beyond his Medal Index card and his Service number. Even the Sherwood Foresters battalion he served in was unclear. It is known that he volunteered in response to Kitchener`s appeal in the early months of the war for he was listed as being in the 5th reserve battalion on a list of Melbourne men

serving in November 1914. The next reference to him was in 1918 when he was named among a number of local men who were missing and believed to be prisoners of war at the time of the major German spring offensive of that year.

It was during the collection of material for their exhibition relating to the Great War that a member of Melbourne Historical Research Group discovered a memorial card to Wallace among her family documents. This card carried the information that he had died of wounds received on March 21 1918.

Local research then showed that he had been buried with full military honours and

BOMB APPEAL

ONE time Melbourne resident now living in Castle Donington, David Smith, is fascinated by an incident that happened in Melbourne on July 11, 1940.

His grandparents told him the story of a German aeroplane that bombed Melbourne that day, the blast from one of the bombs knocking his aunt, Olive Jones (nee Tivey), over as she walked to work with his mother.

David gave a talk to the Wednesday Club last autumn about the bombing and one lady listening later contacted him and gave him a photograph of the bomb damage adjacent to the Grange's garden.

He would like to document the event as fully as possible and if anyone can help with their memories handed down by their parents or grandparents he would be interested to hear from you.

He can be contacted on 01332 850107 or by email via campion.hill@btinternet.com David will be giving another talk to the Wednesday Club, this time on Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War on Wednesday, March 4 (10.3011.30am) at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

a copy of his death certificate was then obtained to confirm that his death was due to `septicaemia caused by shell splinters`. Following submission of all information to the National Army Museum researchers for ratification, the CWGC confirmed that he will be granted war grave status. It is therefore probable that, subject to there being no local objections, the CWGC will provide the headstone that his war service and sacrifice merits.

Wallace has no direct descendants. He was the only child of William and Lizzie (née Tivey) Hatton. He married Florence Moore in 1916 and their only child, William Wallace Hatton, was killed in France in June 1940.

He was, at the age of 20 and unmarried, the first Melbourne man to lose his life during the Second World War and he is, along with his father, commemorated on the war memorial. Florence later remarried but had no further children.

The closest relatives are descended from the fairly numerous brothers and sisters of his parents and, while some members of the related Hatton families are known, there will certainly be a number of others equally related.

As the CWGC may at some point wish to make some contact with relatives it would seem to be an opportune time to try to identify some of these.

As the point of contact for the CWGC, Adrian Earp (01335 343203) would be grateful for any information.

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Hundreds attend open day

VILLAGERS from both Melbourne and Kings Newton turned up in good numbers to the dropin event publicising the proposals for a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).

Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the Localism Act in 2012 to give local people the opportunity to set out the sort of development and land use they want to see over the next 20 years.

The existence of a plan also helps to manage development as it gives planning authorities the opportunity to reject applications which are inconsistent with it. A growing number of areas across the country are in the process of producing plans.

The NDP will be used to decide the future of our villages giving opportunities to contribute to: m choose the location for future homes, shops or offices to be built; m have a say on what new buildings look like; and m work with planners in granting planning permission for the new buildings that will go ahead.

The drop–in day aimed to provide an opportu-

nity to learn more about the process itself, to have a say in the progress made, and articulate some areas the plan would need to examine.

Among the 200-plus visitors, housing was clearly the hot topic, with transport and traffic a very close second. Concerns were voiced about the impact of development on education and health provision, but there were also comments made about provision for the elderly and younger people, with many feeling that starter homes and sheltered accommodation were a priority.

Problems with infrastructure and the competing need to preserve the heritage whilst coping with modern needs are areas the plan will need to consider.

The NDP working group, set up by the parish council, has had positive feedback that its application for designation has been accepted by South Derbyshire District Council, and will now be seeking wider consultation and gathering evidence on the areas highlighted from the open day.

House campaign l NDP Working Party member Ian Turner illustrates a point to visitors to the open day.

WELL organised campaigners have sworn to oppose and defeat planning applications for hundreds of houses in Melbourne and Kings Newton.

The Melbourne and Kings Newton Action Group have held meetings, put hundreds of leaflets through doors, and have displayed dramatic posters, in bold red and black around the district, imploring residents to: m Save Melbourne m Save Jawbone Lane m Say No to 120 houses The particular application which is worrying campaigners is a second one for 120 homes on Jawbone lane, which will add to the 69 houses already awaiting decisions by the the planning authority, the South Derbyshire District Council.

The developer of the second, 120 homes application (Planning Application 9/2014/1141) Linden Homes, has circulated in the town a closely argued four page brochure detailing their response to the many objections which have been raised by the campaigners. In addition, Linden Homes emphasise they have consulted widely with councillors, the Health Centre, the County Council schools development officer, and several local societies, as well many local businesses.

Linden Homes invite residents to consult www.planningconsultations.net, regarding any queries.

The most stringently argued case against the Jawbone Lane

120 houses has been made by the Melbourne Civic Society, who also objected to the first Jawbone Lane application now awaiting decision at SDDC (see Village Voice January 2015 edition).

The nub of the Civic Society's objections are that Jawbone Lane is "very narrow and has very restricted visibility" at the Main Street end, and the "impact of the proposed development on safety and amenity is therefore unsustainable".

The developer, in the view of the Civic Society, has failed to recognise the increased traffic problems from the increased number of cars generated by 120 homes, in a town already with known traffic and parking problems.

The Society argues that the second development on Jawbone Lane will effectively join Melbourne to the hamlet of Kings Newton, and while the developer speaks welcomingly of this as a big advantage, it is, in fact, the "exact opposite of all previously approved planning policies". The Society makes the point that the open countryside between Kings Newton and Melbourne is an amenity and a heritage asset which will be lost, contrary to planning guidelines and the District Council's own conservation policy, adopted only in 2011.

Melbourne Parish Council is committed to producing a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), which is being actively pursued. If this Jawbone Lane

plan under consideration were approved, there would be little point in continuing with the NDP. Linden Homes have a very open response to residents' worries regarding school capacity, and the necessity to provide enhanced medical capacity is met by the assertion that Linden will "do everything within our power to ensure that S106 contributions are spent locally to benefit the village".

The final date for objections to the proposals was February 3.

It seems likely that the final decision will be made in late March or early April. – DOB

New plan for another 28 homes

PROPOSALS for up to 28 more homes in Melbourne are expected to be put to district planners this month.

The latest batch of homes is proposed for the green space at the end of Smith Avenue, near Melbourne Cemetery.

They are being submitted by Pegasus Group, a planning, design and environmental consultancy with several offices around the country.

Director Steve Lewis-Roberts said the group was submitting the plans on behalf of the land owner.

He said the “more people who are aware of the proposal, the better�.

Responding to well-documented local concerns at the large volumes of new housing being planned for Melbourne, he said: “My view is this scheme relates well to Melbourne appropriate in scale to the village. “We feel the design is sympathetic to the village and its setting.�

For details on numbers of housing developments in Melbourne and Kings Newton, you can visit http://melbourneandkingsnewtonresidents.blogspot.c o.uk/ The Smith Avenue application is expected to be lodged with South Derbyshire District Council this month.

- LUCY STEPHENS

Village Voice February 2015 3

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Country Living with Robert Parker

OVER the years, as our farm business has expanded, we have had to go further afield to acquire more land, and we now have some fields close to the city itself.

This presents various problems and the worst one at the moment is one of my pet hates, ‘fly tipping’.

The tale I have to tell you, if you are like me, will amaze you. We have one field the gateway of which regularly has all sorts of detritus tipped in it including fridges, cookers, builders’ waste and general household rubbish.

A year ago the landowner provided us with some new gates which we duly fitted by actually welding them to the gate posts. A visit to the area a few weeks afterwards found the gates cut off – obviously ready to be taken to the scrapyard.

I can only assume that the perpetrators were disturbed, so we took the gates home.

The tipping continued and this is where things took a bizarre turn.

The local district council phoned us and asked when we were going to remove the rubbish as the parish council was unhappy with the situation, just as I was.

I offered to collect the stuff in one of our trailers if either of the councils would arrange for us to take it to a recycling centre free of charge– after all I was not responsible for it and had tried to stop it happening. But to no avail as the latest communication from the district council has turned into a threat.

If the trash is on private property, no matter how it got there, the landowner is responsible for its disposal. Ironically, if it is on the side of the road, as this stuff is, the council would remove it free of charge.

Because the material is a few yards into the gateway the district council is threatening court action.

So this is Great Britain 2015 where the innocent are persecuted and the guilty go scot free.

What would you do?

Couple’s India charity bike ride

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A PAIR of intrepid cyclists from Melbourne are pedalling a massive 500 kilometres through India to raise money for young people with heart problems.

Karen Winfield and partner Simon Goodwin have undertaken the huge challenge in aid of the charity CRY (Cardiac Research in the Young).

The cause is close to their hearts, after Simon’s son was diagnosed with a serious genetic heart condition at the age of 18.

Since it formed in 1995, CRY has been working to cut down the numbers of young people diagnosed with serious heart conditions – which, if undiagnosed, kill at least 12 young people a week in Britain.

The charity does lots of work in this field, including offering screening programmes, funding medical research and fast-track referrals, as well as providing bereavement support to families.

Karen (pictured in training) said Simon’s son had not shown any signs of a heart condition before becoming ill at 18. Now 21, he has had to make “significant lifestyle changes” after being diagnosed, she said.

The bike ride has been organised by Action for Charity and 72 people will be joining in, all raising money for different heart-related causes.

Karen has been training hard for the ride through India and says she is “very excited” about the challenge.

On her fund-raising web page she writes: “Through Virgin Money Giving, I'd appreciate your support to sponsor me on the Bike Heart Bike Ride through India.

“Donations will be quickly processed and passed to CRY. Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.

“Additionally, I am funding all of my own costs for all the trip so all the money that you kindly donate will go straight to the charity.”

Karen is asking whether local businesses or individuals can spare any cash to support her in her fundraising efforts.

To donate, please visit her web page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KarenWinfield1 – Lucy Stephens

Village hall hits the Lottery jackpot

TICKNALL VILLAGE Hall has just secured a hefty £6,600 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to refurbish the heating system in the building.

Secretary to the Village Hall committee Jenny Hollingsworth said they will now be able to replace the old storage heater system with a more modern controllable system which will be more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

They hope that the improvement will generate further opportunities to hire out the hall,

too.

“It already has a good number of the local groups using it in the week, but there are still opportunities to use it at the weekend for parties, events or weddings,” said Jenny.

“Being a modern building with integral stage, a well equipped kitchen and two sizeable rooms, it can accommodate up to 120 guests for a range of activities, and the rural setting within its own garden makes it a lovely spot for summer events.”

In common with a lot of community halls, it is run by volunteers who put a lot of time and energy into keeping it going, and, as a charity, it is entirely dependent on paying its way purely from revenue.

Although the prospect of applying for a grant can be a bit daunting, Jenny said the process was quite easy and relatively quick. The Awards for All scheme is for a sum between £300 and £10,000 and aims to fund small community-based projects like this one.

Fire station trial doubts

ATTENDANCE at the February parish council meeting was quite startling with 13 members of the public present, outnumbering the councillors.

A member of the Swadlincote Fire and Rescue Service, Rob Barber, a union representative, gave a short presentation about a trial taking place at the Swadlincote station whereby a change in the way the station is manned has been implemented.

Moving from a whole time station operating four shifts, one of which was an appliance manned by retained staff, the station now has a day time only service with whole time staff until 6pm and retained staff overnight.

This has resulted in cover in South Derbyshire being reduced to two appliances manned by part time officers, one at Swadlincote and one at Melbourne.

Fire Officer Barber identified this as a significant problem because the Melbourne appliance has been repeatedly ‘off the run’ because Melbourne is under strength. This has left cover for the district to a single appliance from Swadlincote manned by retained officers.

The FBU is urging that the station returns to a full staffing station including one whole time shift at night supported by Melbourne’s retained appliance. The trial is planned to continue through to June.

District Cllr John Harrison was pleased to report that ‘ownership’ of the broadband box in Potter Street is lodged with a partnership between Open Reach and Derbyshire County Council.

DCC has agreed to revisit the Potter Street location with a view to having the box moved.

Plans for Derbyshire’s district councils and Derby City council to work together as a combined authority to boost jobs and the local economy is likely to be sup-

TOM MILLS reports from the February meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

ported by South Derbyshire District Council. This is not a proposal to become a unitary authority.

Another unrelated proposal that Derby City Council wishes to extend its boundaries into South Derbyshire will be strongly resisted, said Cllr Harrison.

Cllr Harrison also reported that planning applications for developments at Blackwell Lane and Jawbone Lane (2) have not yet gone before the planning officers, which still leaves time for residents to submit their comments.

Cllr Harrison reported that the SDDC Community Partnership Scheme, which provides grants to a wide variety of organisations and projects, from parish councils and sporting groups to arts, heritage and environmental ventures, is open for applications until February 18.

The scheme has helped with improving facilities for those with disabilities, for purchasing major equipment and for refurbishing community buildings.

Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 will be awarded as matched funding to support capital projects with a value of £4,000 upwards.

Amongst the many topics that County Cllr Linda Chilton reported on, perhaps the most significant was with regard to schooling.

She informed the meeting that John Port School at Etwall is to be extended and the most likely location for a new secondary school will be Wragley Way

l TREETOPS Hospice community fund-raiser Mary Rose visited the Rotary Club of Melbourne to give an interesting insight into the workings of the hospice.

She was introduced by Rotarian John Mason, whose company, Scott Jardine, had donated £100 to the hospice. The Rotary Club matched that with a further donation of £100.

Pictured are Mary Rose with Rotary president Margaret Sharp.

and not Melbourne.

Cllr Chilton also reported that the East Midlands Gateway project, a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange located next to J24 of the M1 and East Midlands Airport will have significant impact on Melbourne and the surrounding villages when the decision to proceed is taken.

Cllr Jane Carroll reported that the Neighbourhood Development Plan open day was well supported and comments from the public numbered 246, excluding comments on health issues. Education, transport and parking received the most comments.

The decision to purchase the public toilets in the Market Place was carried, although the council is mindful of potential other costs.

The budget for 2015/16 has been set at £63,026, an increase in the precept of 54% There are no figures available as to what the financial increase will be per household at this time. This increase will enable the council to fulfil its ongoing commitment of £5K to the Sporting Partnership and to increase services provided to Parishioners. The figures includes £10K towards the Neighbourhood Development Plan, money for the Public toilets and the purchase of a leaf collector. Melbourne Parish has one of the lowest precepts in the District and yet provides more services than the majority of those parishes.

Services include Christmas lighting, hanging baskets, CCTV, care of the cemetery, current sports facilities, tree management, provision of new bins and vital repairs to the market place shelter Planning applications were considered and accepted except for the 120 houses at Jawbone Lane. It was agreed to object based on the responses laid out in the Melbourne Civic Society submission. n Severn Trent are still to respond on the issue of flooding in Melbourne. n Work to refurbish seating in the Thomas Cook garden will take place in February. n The council will support the footpaths group in its request to declare the jitty next to Dove’s Garage a right of way. n The chair reported that she has been informed by the Nat West Bank that, despite rumours, it is not closing. n The parish council has been invited to submit suggestions for the naming of streets in the King’s Newton/Woodlands development of 66 dwellings.

Village Voice February 2015 5

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6 Village Voice February 2015

l Pictured (l-r) are: Andy Boardman (Poppy Appeal organiser), Rolfe Finney (club chairman) and Malcolm Stockhill (RBL club secretary).

Motorbikers rev up Poppy Appeal

WHEN considering various opportunities to boost funds for the RBL 2014 Poppy Appeal, an idea was put forward that the Melbourne Royal British Legion Club should hold a charity motorcycle ride to raise money.

Organisers planned a 60-mile route and led the ‘ride-out’ of 26 machines to Melton Mowbray Royal British Legion where everyone was made very welcome by the members.

The initial donations and entry fees were shared equally between the Poppy Appeal and former Melbourne charity Me & Dee, who helped

with the organisation. Entertainment and refreshments were provided by a young jazz band and a barbecue.

More donations bolstered the fund-raising efforts when Karen Finney, the club chairman's wife, held a barbecue on the busy Remembrance weekend assisted by RBL committee members.

A cheque for £397.40 was presented to Andrew Boardman at the club. A further £50.91 was also donated, the result of displaying a collection tin.

The club is planning another ride-out in the summer when the weather will hopefully be kinder.

IF YOU have ever argued about the number of people or houses in Melbourne this article will either prove you right or wrong.

As part of the evidence for the Neighbourhood Development Plan, the working group has obtained a Rural Community Profile report from Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion which analyses information from the last census enabling some comparisons over time. The data covers the whole parish including both Melbourne and Kings Newton.

Our population in 2011 stood at 4,845, almost 5% higher than in 2001. There were 2,145 households, 420 of which were either single pensioner households or lone parent families. Only 3.2% of residents were not born in the UK; 3.4% were from a black or minority ethnic population – well

below a national average nearer 20%.

It does appear to be a truth that we are all getting older, and the facts bear it out. There were 945 people in our area over 65, about 20% of the population – well above the national average of 16.3%. The data also shows more young people under 24 moved out of the area than moved in (110 per thousand moving out compared to 66 per thousand moving in).

But we do seem to be relatively happy where we are. Over 84% of the people in South Derbyshire described themselves as satisfied with the local area as a place to live and only 10% moved home within the previous year.

Over 2,500 people aged 16 to 74 described themselves as ‘economically active’ with 40% in full time work. A further 15% were in part-time work, and 12% self-employed; 175 people were lucky enough to work from home and nearly a quarter worked in a public sector job, slightly under the national average.

It is also remarkable how brainy we are. Less than 22% had no qualifications, significantly lower than the figure for both Derbyshire and England, but over 35% had a degree or higher qualification – well above county and national averages.

When it comes to homes, 33% lived in detached houses, 30% in semis, 29% in terraced and just under 8% in flats; 71% of us were owner-occupiers compared to 64% in the rest of the country – paying more in Council Tax, as we had proportionately more band B to band F tax payers.

Not surprisingly, we did not do so well on using public transport. A staggering 84% of our households had a car, compared to the national average of 74% and 45% of homes had more than two cars.

One startling fact emerged on travel time by public transport to key services. Whereas the average travel time to the nearest hospital in England was 30 minutes, in Derbyshire it was 39 minutes – but here it is two hours!

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Having a ball for Uganda trip...

A DERBYSHIRE student and his father are inviting people to join them at a ball to help fund a trip to Uganda this summer to construct a school building for children in the area.

Elliott Parker (16) and Andrew Parker are organising the ball at Amalfi White in Melbourne on Friday, March 6, to raise the £3,000 it will cost to fly Elliott to the African country in July.

Andrew Parker said: "Dozens of students at Chellaston Academy applied to go on this trip and make a difference to the children living in Uganda. I'm very proud of Elliott for securing his

place in the team and contribute to improve the lives of others his age living in vastly different conditions.

Elliott will be part of a 33-strong team from Chellaston Academy visiting Uganda to add another storey to a school building originally built

by Chellaston school in 2007.

For the past eight years the Ugandan school has been caring for hundreds of orphans and this vital trip will help provide care, food and education for hundreds more children.

Call 07973 386583 for tickets.

THE fabulous Emporio Opera is returning to Melbourne Assembly Rooms, on Saturday, February 21, to entertain with favourites from Les Miserables, La Traviata, Porgy and Bess, West Side Story and many more.

The event, entitled “Golden Moments from the World of Opera and Musicals” is to support the Uganda project at Chellaston Academy.

Emporio Opera is led by Richard Lloyd Owen, an outstanding Welsh tenor with an international opera career spanning 20 years.

Richard has sung opera across Europe and beyond with leading roles in many different Italian, German and French operas, but he has agreed to bring Emporio Opera to Melbourne to support Team Uganda. Tickets from Forteys, Melbourne.

AFTER three and a half years of battling with beaurocracy, Breedon Church finally has its own toilet and servery.

It was an uphill battle, literally, to get water into the church and now the Sunday morning congregation are feeling the benefit. The bell ringers are also very appreciative of a hot drink during evening practice, especially at this time of year.

Hopefully, this season’s brides and wedding guests will be very thankful, too, as in the past the Hollybush pub provided the last minute comfort stop.

Jo Yates, Churchwarden, is confident the facility will make the church more ‘user friendly’ and encourage more locals to use the building. As the church is not in the centre of the village it can sometimes be forgotten.

It could prove to be a useful venue for coffee mornings for example.

The church attracts quite a number of visitors from all over the country who come to see the unique collection of Anglo- Saxon Stone Carvings, and of course the Breedon Angel. It is hoped that there will be the possibility of raising income through refreshment sales to ensure this Grade 1 Listed building is properly maintained.

On Saturday, March 14, between 1.30 and 4.30pm, the church is having an open afternoon, supported by the Breedon Bellringers. There are six bells in the tower, the oldest cast in 1604 with the heaviest weighing almost half a ton.

During the afternoon there will be opportunities to learn about the ancient art of bellringing and perhaps even have a go.

...and opera stars helping out, too

Flushed with success

Village Voice February 2015 7

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Contemporary FINE DINING RESTAURANT n COUNTY Councillor Linda Chilton presented a cheque for £500 to the St Michael’s Players amateur drama group to help fund tiered seating for theatrical performances.

The Players were delighted to receive the award as it helps towards making their “home” venue at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms much more suitable for performing arts events.

The award was granted under the Community Leadership Scheme, which is open to community, voluntary, youth and other local organisations to fund one off worthwhile projects or Venetians, Verticals, Rollers, initiatives which will benefit Romans, Perfect fit, Conservatory local communities. There is an annual fund of just over £4,000 Blinds and Shutters. which the 64 county councillors can draw upon to support projCall us now for a free no obligation quotation. ects in their own division.

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8 Village Voice February 2015

Reunion for ex-pupils All our beef and lamb is grass fed and reared at Park Farm on the Melbourne Estate. We believe that the animals’ lifestyle has an important effect on the quality of the end product and we therefore take much care in rearing our Longhorn cattle and rare breed sheep. A peaceful and stress-free upbringing creates relaxed muscles and it’s those relaxed muscles that equate to tender, supple meat. Our dry aged on the bone for 35 days, gives you the taste and tenderness that is hard to find anywhere else. We have complete control, from field to fork, that results in our beef and lamb having a wonderfully, buttery, nutty taste. Our pork, chicken, eggs and other goodies are sourced from friends who farm with our passion, provenance and responsible farming.

We are farmers first and foremost, passionate about producing livestock resulting in flavoursome meats for you. We skilfully create cuts for you to use for day to day meals or for special occasions. Pop in to our new butchery, meet our team and see for yourself.

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A REUNION for former pupils who transferred from primary school to Melbourne Secondary School in September 1958 has been organised.

The reunion is for those born between September 1946 and August 1947.

The photograph of the year group was taken in the spring of 1959 and includes: Sue Brown, Pat Gates, Brenda Iliffe, Marion Lakin, John Passam, David Smith and Ronald Tivey.

Are you also in the photograph?

The reunion has been organised for Thursday, February 12, noon to 3pm at the former school now known as Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Staunton school

MANY thanks to those readers who pointed out that in our January edition article on the Staunton Harold School, Mary Shattock of Lount married and actually became Mary Leedham. She went to live in Rosliston and now lives in Donisthorpe.

Mary Shattock did not become Mary Messer, who died in 2013.

Cooking up a treat BREEDON on the Hill WI started the New Year with a demonstration by its very own doyenne of cookery, Jane Melen. Jane cooked a delicious quick and simple bean casserole served with homemade flatbread and went on to show how easy it is to make a chocolate sauce to go with American blueberry pancakes.

WI members were able to take part in the cookery demonstration by helping to mix, stir – and of course wash up after sampling the dishes.

The competition for the January meeting was to make an apricot tea bread using the set recipe for this year's Ashby Show.

The next meeting in the community room at Breedon school will be on Wednesday, February 25, at 7.30pm. It will be the 11th birthday of Breedon WI and there will be dancing at the party with everyone being put through their 'northern soul' steps and paces by Lou Kyle.

The forthcoming Richmond Aston-on-Trent is situated in the quintessential English village of Aston-on-Trent in South Derbyshire. Steeped in history, P[ OHZ [OL ILULĂ„[ VM H SV]LS` Y\YHS ]PSSHNL ZL[[PUN HUK `L[ LHZPS` HJJLZZPISL to both the north and south of the country via the M1.

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1,100 drivers a day speeding through Ticknall Valentine’s Day

Village Voice February 2015 9

SHOCKING new figures have shown as many as 1,100 motorists a day breaking the speed limit through Ticknall – yet villagers have been told they do not qualify for a speed camera because no-one has died or been badly hurt.

Ticknall’s speed watch campaign group has voiced its “disappointment” at the fact little action appears possible to slow drivers down.

Campaigner Kevin Harris l PCSO Karen Coldicott and PC Gez Collins, from the Mercia said he would have liked to see a speed camera installed to slow Safer Neighbourhood Team, checking for speeding motorists drivers, saying this would have in Ticknall. elling along Main Street in Ticknall. cost the county council – the body responsible for “Of those 17,399 exceeded 36 mph and 4,715 spending on highways – around £30,000. were travelling at more than 40mph.

He said: “I’m not very happy that we have got “The Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partto live with over a thousand vehicles a day speeding through our village. I’m very sad to see that nership will be looking at ways to tackle the nothing can be done until there’s sufficient fatal- speeding in this area. No decisions have been ities or serious injuries along that stretch of road. made yet about the best approach to take.”

A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said: “What I would question is, what does a serious “We appreciate the concerns of Ticknall residents or fatal accident cost the community? A bit more about speeding motorists and are continuing to than £30,000.” work with them.

Volunteers in Ticknall were given speed moni“We met with campaigners last week, our entoring equipment by the police last year – as have gineers are joining them at the site to see if any other communities where speeding is a problem. improvements are possible and they’ll be visiting Since being given the equipment they have a parish council meeting to discuss the issue. clocked thousands of drivers going well over the “However, the simple fact is that we are facing 30mph limit, and many between 40 and 45mph.

The latest monitoring experiment took place unprecedented budget pressures and have to prioritise the work that we do to areas with the last December.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary highest accident and serious injury rates.

“The accident and injury rate on this stretch of said: “We appreciate Mr Harris’ concerns about road does not meet the criteria for the installathe speeding in Ticknall.

Between December 3 and 18 monitoring equip- tion of a speed camera.” ment recorded a total of 118,107 motorists trav- – Lucy Stephens

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Players on top form for their panto

ASTON Players excelled themselves with sell-out performances over two weekends in January with their production of Cinderella appealing to both young and old alike.

Directed by Steve Aynsley, the cast were tremendous with Catherine Jackson as Buttons working the audience into yells of appreciation, Rob Wilkinson and John Sibley, a laugh a minute as the two ugly sisters, Mona and Grizelda, and, together with Delia Gascoigne as the cruel Baroness Hardup, could not have been more beastly to the lovely Cinderella played by Rob's

Antiques fund-raiser

AN ANTIQUES valuation and appraisal evening will be held at St George's Church, Ticknall, on Saturday, April 21, starting at 7pm.

A £5 charge covers refreshments and two valuations. All the proceeds will contribute to the renovations in the church, work on which is about to start.

daughter, Katie. Lauren Hyde was bewitching as the Fairy Godmother and looked stunning in her outfits. There were some really good comedy routines acted out between Sian Sedgwick as Prince Charming and Julia James as the prince's longsuffering manservant, Dandini.

Jamie Armstrong, in his biggest role yet with the Players, proved a very popular choice as the much maligned Baron Hardup.

However, all the cast members and behind the scenes crew were amazing from the junior chorus (youngest member only five years old) to the front of stage adults who looked after the actors, the sound and lighting, costumes, bar, raffle and ticket sales.

Their efforts were rewarded with outstanding ticket sales, the profits from which are to be shared between Rainbows Children's Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society, the latter in honour of the late Norma Chippinton, Aston Players' president and longest serving member who died last May.

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10 Village Voice February 2015

How mushy peas bought D

WITH much talk about the threat to the heritage of our villages, it’s worth remembering that our rich history is not so difficult to uncover – just spend an hour or two with one of the characters who shaped local life in the last century.

One such is Dennis Hatton, now well into his 80s but still as sharp as when he was running a thriving market gardening business – “one of the biggest in the area,” he proudly maintained.

Born in 1928 in the old Quick Close, Dennis recalled growing up in times of severe austerity. He remembered school on Penn Lane, and how during the war years the senior school was closed to be used as a makeshift hospital in case of gas attack. “That’s why each of the classrooms was changed to have a door to the outside,” he said.

Finishing school at 14 he was woken up at 4am on the following Monday, Whit Monday as it happened, with his dad urging him to

“Gerrup Den! you gorra earn yer keep, now!”

He trundled up Dunnicliffe Lane and was put on the job of pulling radishes. After that, it was back to Quick Close where there were 12 women workers, “clucking like chickens” with the job of rinsing the radishes, tying 12 to a bunch with a raffia tie and packing them in a presentation box. As it was Whit Monday they were able to stop at lunchtime but that was only a brief respite before work the next day. And it continued like that for the best part of 60 years!

His father, Oswald James Hatton, had been given six acres of land, as was the practice to set-up each son, and he had gone on to build up the firm of O J Hatton and Sons through sheer hard work and determination.

At the age of 22, Dennis was called in to see “the old man” and thought he was in for a “rollicking”, even though he couldn’t think what he had done!

His father, by then aged 58, sat him down

IT COULD ONLY BE BURNS NIGHT

BURNS Night, the anniversary of the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns, is celebrated annually, normally on January 25. In Melbourne this year it was celebrated publicly with Burns Night Suppers over the weekend.

The prime ingredients for the celebrations are haggis, whisky, a piper and Burns poetry, although there is much more to the celebrations.

At Melbourne Assembly Rooms (right) approximately 100 people enjoyed the piping in of the haggis, the traditional toasts and poetry.

At Harpur’s (far right), diners were treated to the entrance of the haggis with the chefs in procession and at The Hardinge (left) diners gathered round the table for the traditional cutting of the haggis.

Guiding

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MELBOURNE Girlguiding leaders worried that many girls may have to out on all the fun because of a shorta volunteers.

The guiding open day held at the S and Guide HQ enabled people to find more about the really busy guiding uni Melbourne, Aston and Weston.

There was a great bunch of leader hand to talk about all the different u coffee brewing and plenty of cake.

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Dennis a brand new Merc and said “Right Den; no arguments, you are running the business – you own it” and from that day on he had full responsibility for the firm. “And I loved it!” he said.

Dennis said that beetroot was one of the top earners.

They invested in equipment for cleaning, slicing and packaging beetroot, and the business was so well known that the bus company ran extra buses for the workers travelling in.

He also had a keen eye for an opportunity. One particularly cold winter Friday in 1962 he had been at Sneinton wholesale market, as usual.

With only limited produce to sell, he was having a chat to a mate, who sold soaked mushy peas from a bucket. He phoned his brother Ron, and told him to clear out and paint the loft above the warehouse.

He bought half a ton of dried peas and spent the whole weekend working out what

was the best soaking time, and how much bicarbonate to add. He borrowed four pint pots from the Bluebell and, after using the cleaning tanks he had for the beetroot, had the ladies making up pint bags.

By Wednesday he had some at market … and that was the start of a new venture.

“Boy did a business ever go … and it bought me a brand new Mercedes car, my pride and joy!” he said.

Dennis remembered early days in the Air Training Corps during the war years. His ambition had been to be a pilot and he’d loved the opportunities to go off to camp, as a teenager. He remembered also the prisoners of war turning up for work, and the 12 land girls assigned to them. One of the land girls, Olive Orrell, caught his eye and ended up as his wife. Sadly, however, he lost her six years ago.

Whitsun Monday was the big festival of the year, and there was a parade which stretched

all the way up Victoria Street and along George Street.

Each church had its own decorated lorry and people came from all over to the picnic held in Castle Square.

The Hattons also farmed the land at the bottom of Blackwell Lane, now subject of a housing planning application. Indeed, Dennis built the three properties now standing there – a bungalow each for the two boys and the house for him and his wife. Asked what he thought about all the housing – he said it was inevitable with the market gardening now all but gone from the area.

Dennis is enjoying his well-earned retirement now at home in Bishops Court – the bungalow his wife always wanted!

With two grown-up sons, their children and great grandchildren he has plenty to keep himself occupied and he still enjoys being one of the few remaining Rotary Club members.

Village Voice February 2015 11

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Melbourne Parish Council

ANNUAL

PARISH MEETING

g in need of some more volunteers

are miss age of

Scout d out its in

rs on units, new

Rainction there

are 55 on the waiting list to join.

Sarah Matthews said: “We had hoped that we might be able to attract enough brave new leaders to open a new Rainbow unit in Melbourne. However, without more help we won't be able to do that and we will not be able to continue to run all the units we currently have.

“In imminent danger of closing at the end of the summer term are the Guide unit in Weston and one of the Rainbow units in Melbourne.”

She added that, as the villages grow the waiting lists will get even longer and there will be many girls who won't get the chance to join. They'll miss out on all the opportu-

nities on offer – whether it's going on a scavenger hunt as a Rainbow, pack holiday as a Brownie through to international trips as guides and senior section!

“This is such a shame, as we know that girls really enjoy all the activities and our leaders get lots out of their roles too - many have said that some of their best experiences have come as part of Girl Guides.”

There are lots of opportunities to help in different ways and, the more support we have, the more flexible the roles can be. A team of three or four running a unit, rather than just one person, makes planning more easy and running activities straightforward.

There are training opportunities and mentoring to support all new leaders and, if you are looking to bolster up your cv, volunteering can be a tremendous asset.

If you think you might enjoy volunteering and would like to find out more, call Sarah Matthews on 07843 092367 or email: matthews@hcp.co.uk Pictured at the Melbourne guiding open day are (l-r) Claire Pickard (county growing guiding co-ordinator), Laura Price (Midlands development officer), Gemma Halliwell (senior section), Sarah Matthews (District Commissioner) and Cynthia Simmonds (Deputy County Commissioner).

The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne

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12 Village Voice February 2015

P O S T B AG

Time to help toads cross the road

THE annual toad migration to breed in local ponds will be beginning before long, probably in mid-March. As usual the little chaps and chapesses will be taking their lives in their hands when they cross the roads and, unless they are helped across, carnage will sadly result.

To help reduce this a loyal band of local volunteers have been patrolling the major and ancient crossing by Foremarke School for over 10 years.

New volunteers will be made welcome and will help to spread the load of maintaining a presence whilst the toads are crossing.

If you would like to help and or want more information please contact Christian Murray-Leslie on 01332 862921.

For people’s interest and information we helped 395 toads across last year and recorded only 28 fatalities (the toads we couldn’t get to in time) – a fatal-

ity rate of 6.6%, which compares very well with the county’s average figure for assisted crossings of 10.35%.

We are also trying to educate motorists to drive more slowly at the crossing point and also to persuade the local farmer not to work in the adjacent field after night fall when the toads are on the move.

Christian Murray-Leslie E: christian@murrayleslie.org.uk

n THE annual Melbourne Quiz got off to a good start on January 9. Taking the stage for the first matches of the first round were the Village Idiots team of Mark Bryant, Chris Flint, Mark Bailey and Andy Cope. They are pictured with Phil Dobby (timekeeper) and John Elliot (question master) with the Boy Wonders team of Andrew Wiseall, Alex Hollingsworth, Richard Fox and Tom Line.

Winning through to the next round on the night were The Village Idiots, who will be joined by the Old Young Farmers, Broken Stays and Chip & Pin.

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Thinking about our future needs

THREATS of over-development swamping well-established and generally well-functioning communities have highlighted the potential of neighbourhood plans.

The recent consultation at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms is evidence of this and to be welcomed.

However, the best neighbourhood plans around the UK are very much more than responses to inappropriate property development.

The best plans (such as Frome in Somerset) start with an assessment of likely future community needs in the context of global trends that already impact us locally. These better neighbourhood plans seek to ensure that communities are as resilient as possible to external shocks – whatever the nature and scale of those pressures: economic, environmental or social.

Contributors to the consultation here appeared to be thinking widely about future needs (including the needs of children and grandchildren in changing times) and we encourage the development of an effective plan with resilience and sustainability at its core.

The Transition Towns network is in the vanguard of this joined-up climate change and resource aware, non-party-political approach to "future-proofing" towns and villages. Locally, Melbourne Area Transition group has a good record of positive projects. We encourage everyone living or working in this area to participate in our activities – and in the development of a realistic, climate and resource aware, integrated neighbourhood plan for Melbourne.

Melbourne Area Transition group

Last chance to plant some trees for free

FANCY helping to put more trees into the countryside?

The team at Whistlewood Common have their last major tree-planting weekend planned for the end of this month – and they are calling for volunteers to come and lend a hand.

Thereafter people will be asked to pay to put trees into the ground up at the common – in line with the National Forest tree planting scheme – so this is the last chance for local people to help out free of charge.

The tree planting will take place on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, from 10am to 3pm.

All are welcome, with volunteers advised that the trees are easy to plant so the event will be especially suitable for families.

Helpers are also required from 10am the day before (Thursday, February 19) to help mark out the site and sort out the trees into areas to be planted.

Anyone who can help with this is asked to email Sarah at admin@whistlewoodcommon.org

Village walk proceeds

Village Voice February 2015 13

THE latest Aston on Trent Village Walk was a resounding success. It was cold, crisp and sunny and several hundred people enjoyed the varied route.

First and foremost the walk is a community event, the proceeds of which are distributed to village organisations.

This year the recipients were: Aston Bell Ringers Tower Fund, Aston Bowls Club, Aston Pre-School and three students of Chellaston Academy, who will be taking part in this year’s Uganda project.

This year Whistlewood will also become home to an all-natural children’s play area after winning £500 from Skipton Building Society as part of its Grassroots Giving Initiative.

Last year The Village Voice put out a plea for people to put their votes in for the common to win the money – and all those who voted are warmly thanked for helping secure the cash.

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

One further diary date is a pruning fruit trees workshop which is being organised at Southwood Farm on Saturday, February 28. See http://www.whistlewoodcommon.org/ for details.

Anyone who wants to take part in the tree planting is asked to make sure they dress for the weather and wear wellington boots. Volunteers are welcome to bring along packed lunches.

– Lucy Stephens

l Volunteers are pictured planting trees at Whistlewood Common.

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14 Village Voice February 2015

n MELBOURNE Junior School Year 6 Football Team said a big thank you to Melbourne United Football Club for providing them with a fantastic new kit and to Melbourne Print Shop for sponsoring the embroidery.

“It’s great to see the local community and businesses supporting the school. Together we make a winning team,” commented headteacher Miss Jane Hinchliff.

The five-a-side team recently won their South

Winter Fun at Calke Half Term Family Fun days

Saturday 7 February - Sun 22 February 11.30am - 4pm Being the month of all things romantic, pop into the Riding School for family activities that celebrate what we all love about Calke. Add to our endless paper chain or our colossal collage with the things you care about Calke the most. You could even bring a favourite Calke photograph to share.

Calke Photography Competition

Saturday 14 February - Monday 23 March Enter Calke Abbey's photography competition. The theme for 2015 is (What the Harpur-Crewes' built'. We want to see your snaps of the wide range of buildings on the Calke Estate. See website for details and full terms and conditions.

Kids With Cameras Walk

Thursday 19 February 1.30pm-2.30pm Join us on this photography walk for children teaching them some handy tips and showing them the best places in the park to take pictures. Children- please bring your camera and your adult along.

Calke On Camera Walk

Saturday 21 February 1.30pm-3.30pm Join us on this photography walk in the park and gardens and pick up some handy tips on your stroll. Bring along your camera and be inspired by the estate. A garden ticket is required.

House: Re-opens on 21 February 2015. Taster tours 11am-12.30pm 7 days a week. House fully opens at 12.30pm - 5.00pm for general visits Sat-Weds and themed house visits on Thurs and Fri 12.30pm – 4.30pm Garden: Daily 10am – 5pm Restaurant: Closed for refurbishment until March 2015 Cafe & Shop: Daily 10am – 4pm open until 5pm from 21 February Park & National Nature Reserve: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm, dusk if earlier Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information 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

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey @NTCalkeAbbey

ROY SUMMERLIN 1927 – 2014 and NORMA SUMMERLIN 1929 - 2014 IT is not everyone who can say they lived in the same village all their life. Even fewer can say they lived in the same house, but Norma was one who could boast that fact.

Norma was born on July 22, 1929, the second child of Alf and Annie Hill who resided in Church Street. Norma never knew her brother Derek, five years her elder, as he died of diphtheria when she was six months old.

A happy childhood in the village was interrupted by the outbreak of World War 2 and Norma often recalled the morning she was getting ready for school when the bomb dropped on the house at the bottom of the street, killing the soldiers billeted there. Also remembered vividly was the night sky glowing red in a south westerly direction as Coventry was continually bombed.

Norma left school to work at Castle Mills "stocking factory" as a lock stitcher. Here she would make many friends, for life.

In the late 1940s, she met future husband Roy at one of the local Saturday night dances held at the Public Hall. Roy was from Long Eaton, born on May 26, 1927.

His childhood was also disrupted by the war and he recalled how he would often accompany his father, Frederick, on night watch at Long Eaton Co-op bakery.

Upon leaving school, Roy served his apprenticeship as a joiner. Conscription into the army followed shortly afterwards and he joined the Royal Engineers tasked with helping to clear bomb-damaged Hamburg. When they met, Roy was working as a joiner at Loughborough Brush.

They married on June 21, 1952 at the Melbourne Baptist

Derbyshire group and will be attending the Derbyshire finals in March at Derby County’s Moor Farm training centre.

Pictured are: back row – Mr Jim Jenkinson (teacher), Marcus Radcliffe (chairman MUFC), Jane Hinchliff, and Paul Wilson.

Middle row – Ross, Iszak, Jake, Lara, Thomas and Henri.

Front row – Ziggy, Jack, Fraser, Zac, David and Tom.

OBITUARY

Chapel. Shortly afterwards, Roy changed jobs to work at Gee, Walker and Slater in Derby.

Four years later, son Terry was born, and Norma continued to work part-time at Castle Mills until the mid-60s when she eventually became a fulltime housewife.

During the 60s, Roy went to work for Dennis Moore in North Street until he decided it was time to break from joinery and worked at River Dove Water Board and Rolls-Royce at Donnington Park, before he returned to the joinery trade in the early 70s.

Roy eventually retired in 1992 after 20 odd years as maintenance joiner at South Derbyshire District Council.

Upon retirement, Norma and Roy enjoyed days out in the car, with Roy continuing to do jobs for family and friends, including jobs at the Baptist Chapel, until ill health forced him to give up driving and joinery.

Norma was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church and her faith played a major part in her life. Throughout her life she regularly attended the Baptist Church, being a Sunday school teacher in earlier life and more recently, a deacon.

Through good times and bad, Norma never lost her faith.

In later years, both suffered with deteriorating health, but they continued to help each other - what one couldn't do, the other made up for - however they still managed to get out for lunch and a chat at the Welcome Cafe or Tea Rooms or the Bell. Mobility may have challenged Norma but she still managed to get to coffee mornings and the Thursday morning Baptist friendly group, or Friday morning shopping "up the street" with friend Janice.

Roy passed away on October 22, 2014, aged 87 years. Norma never got over the loss and on November 24, 33 days after Roy's passing, Norma passed away following complications after an operation. She was 85 years old and they had been married 62 years.

"Norma was a much loved and respected member of the Church, always willing to help in any way she could. As a deacon, she fulfilled her role with great devotion and integrity," says Kate Hewlett, Baptist Church Secretary. Both will be remembered affectionately by family and friends alike, they lived their lives asking for little but giving so much.

Joanna’s healing words of wisdom

Lauren’s story wins Rotary Club prize

Village Voice February 2015 15

MELBOURNE Rotary Club’s first writing competition for pupils at Melbourne Junior School was considered to be a success.

The overall winner was Lauren Ferrie, who also won the year 5 prize. Winners for other years were Year 3 Isobel Hayes, Year 4 Frankie Ryley and Year 6 Izzey Wilson. Each child was awarded book vouchers.

All the children at the junior school entered the 500-word essay and all were given the same sentence to begin with … “It all started with a bottle being found on the beach” … and then their imaginations ran away with them.

The standard of story writing was very, very high. The staff at the school short listed five from each year and then Kate Dumelow and Lisa Campbell selected the winners.

All winners were invited to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club together with their parents and read their stories to the club members. This was followed by a small buffet.

Pictured (l-r) are: Isobel Hayes, Frankie Riley, Lauren Ferrie and Izzey Wilson. l Read Lauren’s winning story at www.melbournevillagevoice.co.uk and click on current issue.

HARTSHORNE VETERINARY SURGERY KINGS Newton resident Joanna Wathen-Jones has the kind of occupation the panel of “What’s my Line” would never have guessed. It takes place outdoors; it’s in a healing capacity and working with animals …

She is an equine healer! She can heal other animals, too, but specialises in horses as they are most receptive.

Joanna remembered one horse, in particular, who as a rescued animal had been badly mistreated. After “talking” with him she assured him that he was now safe and he became much more settled and relaxed.

Joanna is also a spiritual healer and a crystal healer. It is something that she really just “fell into” as she did not really believe in it herself.

She suffered terribly with migraine headaches as a child and, as a last resort, was sent to an alternative healer. Whilst she didn’t cure the headaches the lady said she thought she was a healer herself, and she tried it and discovered it worked. Joanna went on to do a two-year course with the National Federation of Healers in order to properly qualify.

Healing, she said, uses a natural or higher energy and it can complement conventional treatments by treating the whole person, mind, body and spirit. Healers are thought to act as a conduit for a healing energy which can make the patient feel better, even if a cure is not possible.

Talking about her work with horses, Joanna said that she feels a genuine connection with the animal and if the animal is in a receptive mood she can help it transform behaviours. She works with other animals, including cats, dogs and a goldfish!

Having moved from Surbiton to King’s Newton a year ago to be nearer family, she said she has settled well into local life and is keen to hear from anyone who would like to use her skills (email: wathenjones@gmail.com) And if you are too young to know about ‘What’s my Line’, just Google it! – Frank Hughes

MICK LAKIN

White Hollows Studio TICKNALL - DERBYS - DE73 7JN

PICTURE FRAMER AND RESTORER Fine art maps, prints, fabric & memorabilia - Free quotes & advice on mounts and frames Botanical originals & prints always in stock

01332 862757 M: 07773 164277 E: michael.lakin579@btinternet.com

Mobile Foot Health Care Services Treatments in the comfort of your own home.

No extra charge for home visits.

Discounts for couples and the elderly.

Nail treatments, corns, callus, verrucae, fungal conditions, diabetic foot care, remedial foot massage, reflexology, reiki.

Tel: 01283 224489 Mob: 07913074242 Linda Yeomans, BSc (Hons), DipCFHP, MPSPract, VTCT Fully CRB checked, Member of the Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners, Voluntary Accredited Register

GEOFFREY SMITH Consultations by appointment Monday to Friday 9.00am to 10.30am 2.30pm to 6.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 12.30pm

M.R.C.V.S.

For a kind and caring approach that puts your pet’s needs first.

Hartshorne Veterinary Surgery, 62 Repton Road, Hartshorne, Swadlincote DE11 7AF Telephone: 01283 480910

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

16 Village Voice February 2015

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For a free no obligation quote call Andy on...

01332 865674 - 07866 612787 www.melbournepropertyservices.co.uk Hand me a genuine quote and I will try and beat the price

DCB ROOFING All types of roofing and repair work carried out Please call Dan Bowler for a quotation

07817 233407/01332 792497

TRENT BUILDING SERVICES All types of Building Work Undertaken

George W.

Heath

& Sons (Builders) Ltd ALL BESPOKE JOINERY AND CONSERVATION WORK UNDERTAKEN Castle Lane Industrial Estate, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8JB

Tel: 01332 865605 Fax: 01332 865614 Email admin@gwheath.com visit us at www.gwheath.com

PLASTERERS

All types of external & internal woodworking Fitted kitchens, windows & doors Laminate Floors, book case & cupboards, wardrobes & stairs Timber repairer & furniture repairs

Tel: 01332 864257

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Joinery, decking, porches and fascias plaster work, upholstery, blinds and much more... just ask.

For a friendly quote, telephone 07815 822605

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DEAN TOWNLEY Unit 27, George Holmes Way, Hearthcote Road, Derbyshire DE11 9DF

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A family run business who bring you the finest bespoke joinery. We supply and fit kitchens, staircases, windows, doors, conservatories etc and specialise in listed building work.

For more information on what we do, please visit our website www.townleyjoinery.co.uk

Graham Twells

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Village Voice February 2015 17

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PAINTERS AND DECORATORS

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Tel: 01332 862876 or 07721 494555

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TREVOR MARKS GARDENING SERVICES Too busy or unable to do the Gardening?

Then maybe Trevor can help!

Grass Cutting - Hedge Cutting - Weeding - Pruning Block Paving - Turfing - Fencing - Patios For a regular, reliable Service by a local person at a competitive price call

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CAR REPAIRS

MELBOURNE ELECTRICS For all your electrical needs Domestic – Commercial - Industrial Testing & Inspecting etc

A member of NAPIT & Fully Part P Registered Established 1973

Contact David on . . .

Tel: 01332 863547 / Mobile: 0780 170 9492 Email: melbelec@tesco.net

Kasudaca House, 80A Victoria Street, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8FQ

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Shaky start behind them

18 Village Voice February 2015

FITNESS

CLASS TIMETABLE Monday 7.15pm Spin 8pm Zumba Tuesday 7pm Insanity 8pm Spin 8pm Running Club Wednesday 6.30pm Kettle Bell 7.30pm Spin Thursday 5.45pm Fitness Pilates 7.15pm Spin Saturday 8am Yoga

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NEW ME MEMBERSHIP P PACKAGES! Full Gym G and unlimited Class Cla Membership ££50 per month UUnlimited Class Membership ££30 per month (two months to be paid upfront followed by 10 monthly standing order payments)

7 1 D E R B Y RO A D, D MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE DE73 8FE TELEPHONE: 01332 862532 w w w. p i c t u r e o f h e a l t h f i t n e s s . c o . u k

Melbourne Dental Practice - E S TA B L I S H E D 3 0 Y E A R S -

TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE To try and reduce the amount of clinical time lost due to missed appointments and late cancellations, the practice is now offering a text messaging service. Any patients who wish to receive these will need to complete a text messaging consent form, available at reception.

Please note, we cannot offer this service unless a consent form has been completed.

Naomi Fry BDS & Associates, Helen Baker BDS ● Family Dental Care using latest techniques and materials ● Friendly and caring service ● Cosmetic Dentistry including tooth whitening Naomi Fry accepts child orthodontic patients on the N.H.S.

Castle Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire Telephone 01332 862942

MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV started 2015 with a short trip to Loughborough. Sitting one place above them in the league, Melbourne knew it would be a tough game.

Facing a big pack, Melbourne knuckled down to it in very windy conditions. Controlling most of the game, bar a 15 minute period after half-time, Melbourne scored three tries, with Euan Holden converting two.

Tommy Howard, playing his first game of the season, scorched down the touchline to score the first. Rob Hollingsworth added another before half-time.

Playing against the wind in the second half, Melbourne conceded one try but Will Judge replied for Melbourne. Michael Lowery was yellow carded for punching the air.

Melbourne saw the return from injury of Devon Iliffe in the centre as well as Chris Purce, who finally ended up on the winning side for Melbourne for the first time.

MOTM was Rob Hollingsworth.

Melbourne welcomed Market Bosworth to Cockshut Lane next. Played on a bracing windy day on a half muddy pitch, Melbourne blitzed Bosworth in the first half.

Despite conceding an early penalty, they ran in three tries – Theo De Vies, Tom Lowery and Rob Hollingsworth – with Euan Holden kicking seven points to establish a 22-3 interval lead.

The second half was scoreless with Mel-

Ladies football

bourne defending valiantly against a bigger Market Bosworth side. Chris Purce was yellow carded with Olly Page MOTM. Melbourne finally got to play Dronfield at the third attempt. Melbourne had a settled side with only two changes – Rob Foster and Jake Walker returning. On a sticky pitch the early exchanges were close in a very physical game with both teams forced into early changes.

Melbourne weathered the early Dronfield pressure and eventually took control.

Michael Lowery scored his first try for the club after 30 minutes, taking a quick tap penalty to go over. Captain Holden (excellent throughout) added a try himself on the stroke of half-time for a 10-0 lead.

Dronfield scored two early second half penalties from Melbourne errors to narrow the gap. After 70 minutes Rob Hollingsworth picked up a loose ball and ran in from 40 metres. Holden converted from the touchline.

Melbourne pushed for the bonus point and were rewarded at the end with a try for Rob Foster. Final score 22-3.

Melbourne sit mid-table after a shaky start to the season. Highlight of the game was Theo De Vies, the ‘hand off ’ maestro being ‘handed off ’ himself. This did not stop him being awarded MOTM. Melbourne 2nd started 2015 with a visit to local rivals Castle Donington 1st XV keen to avenge three close defeats last year.

NEW weekly ladies’ football sessions began at Swadlincote’s Green Bank Leisure Centre on January 27, with volunteer Level 2 coach Cheryl Fowkes, of Woodville Rangers Football Club, on hand to pass on her expertise and top tips.

Aimed at those aged 16 and above, the programme will be delivered in collaboration with Village Games South Derbyshire and Woodville Rangers, with the emphasis on increasing participation and having fun.

All you have to do is go along and get involved. There won’t be any pressure – it’s just for people to enjoy themselves and benefit from getting more active.

The sessions will cost £2 per person.

More information is available from Lee English on 01283 228752.

SHOPPING TRIPS/SOCIAL OUTINGS

Telephone: 01332 862744

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

DEPART MELBOURNE

DESTINATION

DEPARTURE APPROX.

FEBRUARY Wed 11th 09:30 Mon 16th 09:00 Wed 25th 09:30 MARCH Wed 11th 09:30 Tues 17th 09:30 Mon 23rd 09:00 Mon 30th 09:30 APRIL Wed 1st 09:30

Burton-on-Trent-Octagon Centre Victoria Centre, Nottingham Burton-on-Trent-Octagon Centre

2:00 2:30 2:00

Fosse Park, Leicester Burton-on-Trent-Octagon Centre Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull Woodlands Garden Centre, Hinkley

2:00 2:00 2:30 2:00

Burton-on-Trent-Octagon Centre

2:00

Office: UUniti DD, Willi Offi William's ' YYard, d DDerby b RRoad, d M Melbourne lb DDE73 E73 8JR

JOHN SMITH (MELBOURNE) LTD Prompt delivery to all local areas - Competitive Prices Pre-Packed Cash & Carry Sales from The Yard Also Logs and Kindling

MINIBUS TIMETABLE - FEBRUARY & MARCH 2015

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A LATE CANCELLATION FEE. TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL but please note Community Care do not provide escort assistance.

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

EVERY FRIDAY MORNING WE PROVIDE A DOOR-TO-DOOR SHOPPING SERVICE TO SAINSBURYS SUPERMARKET, MELBOURNE. Escort assistance is provided, if required.

Telephone the office for more information or to book a seat on the bus.

n CALLAN Harvey, of Ticknall Cricket Club, won the Mark Hallows Award for the best bowling performance by a player under the age of 16 in the Derbyshire County Cricket League during the 2014 season.

He took 7-55 with his leg spin for Ticknall 2nds against Quarndon in Division 4 South in July.

Callan is pictured receiving his award from Mark Hallows, Derbyshire County Cricket League’s chairman.

COAL & SMOKELESS FUEL MERCHANTS

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY CARE

• • • •

The usual youth against Castle Donington’s team of veterans and bulk saw a close game. Melbourne 1st XV players offered vocal support from on top of the bank.

Donington opened the scoring off the normal lineout, catch and drive. Melbourne hit back with Sinclair, Cooper and Bowman running hard before Stark touched down.

Will Cresswell converted for 7-5.

Donington put Melbourne under the cosh for the first 15 minutes of the second half, retaking the lead with a penalty. Melbourne gained some territory and possession and Will Cresswell restored the lead with a penalty.

With 10 minutes to go Lewis Bowman showed great pace to outstrip the defence to a kick through for the decisive score, 1510 to Melbourne.

The 2nds then took another short trip to Derby 3rds and avenged their early season defeat. Tries from Kurtis, Buxton, Rich Woodburn with Will Cresswell converting two, saw Melbourne win 19-14. Yellow cards for debutant Karl and Rich Woodburn.

The seconds finished the month taking a strong team to play Ilkeston 3rds. This turned out to be a mixture of 3rds and 2nds, with Melbourne being on the end of a 48-17 defeat. Tries came from Kurtis Robinson (2) including a length of the field effort and Sean Moran, with one conversion from Will Cresswell.

The Common, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8HU

DENTURE REPAIRS MELBOURNE DENTAL LABORATORIES

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Councillor Linda Chilton, Councillor John Harrison Councillor Jim Hewlett

ADVICE SURGERIES

at Melbourne Assembly Rooms

11 am to 12 noon

Unit 9, Potters Yard, Potter Street, Melbourne DE73 8HX

Telephone: 01332 865510

Saturday 7th March no advanced dates available due to election “Liste ning to Loca l People ”

An independent community paper designed and published

by Village Voice Newspapers.

Typeset by Greenborough Ltd., t/a Voice Productions.

Printed in England

The publishers of Village Voice are not responsible for any content or claims in advertisements in this newspaper.

Advertisements may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.

Weston Run on starting line

Village Voice February 2015 19

l John Cowell of Derby and District Table Tennis Association is pictured presenting the cheque for ÂŁ200 to Nigel Webster with coaches Mike Starkie and Stuart Uprichard and junior members looking on.

Table tennis fund boost

MELBOURNE’S recently fledged table tennis club is riding high after winning valuable funds to help more young people play the game.

The Melbourne Swifts Table Tennis Club, which meets on Tuesdays at the Assembly Rooms, may have been going for less than two years, but it has already enjoyed plenty of success with three teams in the local league.

The popularity of the club is so great its leaders have now been handed ÂŁ200 by the Derby and District Table Tennis Association to be spent on equipment for junior players.

Co-founder Nigel Webster explained why he started the group in 2013: “I’ve been living in Melbourne for 10 years and I’ve played table tennis for a long time – since I

was a school boy. When I came to Melbourne there wasn’t a table tennis club and there weren’t any facilities to play the game. The emphasis seemed to be more on outdoor sports.�

After establishing that table tennis could be played at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, word soon spread and now the club has 16 registered adult members (the oldest is 78!) and around a dozen juniors. It also boasts three coaches with Nigel and fellow members Stuart Uprichard and Mike Starkie having completed Table Tennis England coaching qualifications.

Now the club is aiming to carry on growing and hopes to get a fourth adult team in the league this year, as well as kick-start a new Derby junior league to encourage

Village Voice Photos MELEN’S

Photographs appearing in the Village Voice are available to purchase online at www.melbournevillagevoice.co.uk Alternatively pick up a form from Melbourne News, ďŹ ll in and return to Melbourne News with your payment and the photos will be posted to you.

Private Hire Local & Long Distance

Call us for quotes and bookings on

01332

862777 NWLDC Vouchers

younger players.

Nigel says: “There’s an awful lot of people complain that there’s not enough for young people to do. Table tennis is a skill that if you play it when you’re young, you’ll carry it for life. It’s a winter game, and good exercise.�

The club would like to shout out a big thank you to local businesses which have given their time and expertise to help it grow so quickly. They are The One Off, which have given huge help with marketing and branding, Paul Wilson from Melbourne Print Shop, Andy Heafield from Melbourne Assembly Rooms and the Derby and District Table Tennis Association.

The club meets on Tuesday evenings, juniors playing 6-7pm and adults 7-9pm.

ON your marks for the 26th Weston Run, just one of a host of activities lined up for the 107th Derby Scouts in this milestone year.

2014 saw 107 years since Robert Baden Powell founded the Scout Organisation to develop the potential of young people and this milestone wasn’t lost on 107th Derby Scouts, a group which continues to go from strength to strength, providing fun and adventurous activities for around 120 young people aged 6-18, from Aston, Weston and Shardlow.

In 2014, members of 107th camped on the site of Baden Powell’s first ever camp at Brownsea Island 107 years ago to the day.

This year looks to be even more action-packed, with the group looking forward to hosting their US exchange partners from Derby, Connecticut, at Chatsworth’s international jamboree Peak 2015 camp.

March 8 is the date for the annual Weston Run, organised by the 107th. This year a new group of volunteers has stepped up to help organise the run, now in its 26th year.

The five-mile road race, run under UK Athletics rules, and twomile fun run, sets off from the Ukrainian Centre at Weston on Trent on March 8 at 11am. Full entry details can be found on the website www.107derbyscouts.org.uk Whether you’re already a keen runner, or indeed, if your New Year resolutions involve a pair of trainers and the great outdoors, why not download an entry form and set a milestone all of your own? We’re confident that, like the Scouting Association, this friendly, local event will just run and run.

Rugby double header

MELBOURNE Rugby Football Club is hosting Ashbourne RFC in a league game on Saturday, March 7, at Cockshut Lane (KO 3pm).

There will be a heated marquee for spectators with a bar open from 12.30 until 9pm.

The 1st XV game will be followed by the U14s taking on Ashbourne at 5pm under lights.

There will be food available to purchase and a raffle with a cash prize.

Admission is free.

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Dynamo power way into cup final

20 Village Voice February 2015

SPORT

Bowlers’ eyes are on the new season

l TICKNALL Rangers (back row, l-r) Dave Archer (manager), Fraser Hughes, James Armishaw, Ian Hall, James Wilcox, Martyn Jones, Adam Gregory, Craig Hall, Carl Grebby and Steve Greenhalgh (secretary); front row Mark Archer, Matt Archer (captain), Lee Archer, Bradley Archer (mascot) and Steve Byram.

ASTON Bowls Club members are looking forward to another enjoyable playing season, which starts on Sunday, March 29. The work carried out on the green at the close of the 2014 season to provide a crown is looking very good.

The club will again be playing in the Belper and District League, which has been revised to include a fourth division.

Due to the club’s creditable third place last year, they will now be playing in divi-

sion three.

The club has purchased four sets of junior woods suitable for children, thanks to donations from the village Brownies Group and All Saint’s Bell Ringers.

It is hoped to encourage younger players to join the club.

Anyone wishing to try their hand at playing bowls will be made most welcome and can contact Ann Watkins on 792516 or Clive Brett on 792822.

n FOOTBALL is alive and kicking in Aston.

Aston United sit on top of the league by 10 points, although other teams still have games in hand.

In the Taverners League, Aston is sitting in the lower echelons of the table with enough games in hand to get them back into the title race.

The Long Eaton League side entered the New Year in third, with games in hand and first place in sight.

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MELBOURNE Dynamo’s first team won through to the Derbyshire Junior Cup Final for the first time in eight years, in one of their two games this month.

The weather played havoc with the local football games in January with all three teams having games postponed.

But, in their cup semi-final at home to Swanick Pentrich Road Reserves a topsy- turvy game saw Melbourne take the lead 2-0, go behind 2-3 early in the second half and end up winning 5-3 to see Gavin Salisbury's men through to the final. Two goals came from Dave Worger, adding to strikes from Matt Brian, Tim Adcock and Micheal Tristram.

The team had gone top of the table a week earlier when they destroyed bottom of the table Chellaston 10-0 with veteran striker Dave Brough hitting a hat-trick and skipper Carl Allsop weighing in with a brace.

Danny Guild also hit a double, with goals by Michael Tristram, Tim Adcock and Tom Ballard completing the rout.

DYNAMO RESERVES by contrast had a difficult month and lost both of their games beginning with a very disappointing 5-1 away defeat to fellow high flyers Chesterfield Town.

A Ben Dale free kick was the only consolation.

Greg Salisbury's men ended the month out of the Junior Cup, losing 4-2 at home to Rowsley Reserves in controversial circumstances.

Leading 2-1 thanks to early goals from front two Jack Goodband and Paul Swallow, Dynamo saw Lee Scott sent off in the 29th minute for apparently raising his hands – much to the amazement of all watching – and Rowsley equalised soon after.

The Reserves battled hard and were only 3-2 down with 10 minutes to go when a free kick from Alex Slater flew straight in, only for the referee to anger Dynamo once again by disallowing the goal for apparent offside. The away side scored late on to rub salt into the wounds.

TICKNALL RANGERS kept their unbeaten run going in January winning one and drawing the other of their two games.

They began with an away fixture at FC Wild in Rangemore.

Rangers came straight out of the blocks with a brilliant Craig Hall hat-trick giving them a 3-0 half-time lead.

However, defending against a strong wind in the second half they had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw.

A 6-2 home thrashing of lowly Ashby Albion saw Ticknall climb to fifth in the table with leading scorer Matt Archer leading the way with a sublime hat-trick, well supported by Steve Byram with his first double of his career along with a Mark Archer header completing the comfortable win.

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Village Voice February 2015 21

22 Village Voice February 2015