Melbourne Village Voice March 2022

4,700-HOMES SETTLEMENT FOR AREA?

Viill llage e Voice o No 352 2 March 20 022

A NEW SETTLEMENT almost the size of Melbourne could be built on the fields between Isley Walton and Diseworth if plans for development in North West Leicestershire are adopted.

The site of over 300 hectares (almost 1.5 square miles) has been earmarked for development of 4,740 homes to help Leicester and Leicestershire meet anticipated future housing needs.

The site is described as a “large tract of land located to the south of the A453 extending to the east, south and west of Isley Walton”.

The description also says it is of Grade 3 agricultural land with mature hedgerows and trees throughout the site.

There are two farms within the boundary and a circular area of dense mature trees known as Dumps Plantation.

The site is being promoted to include a local centre, a primary school and mixed residential development, normally considered to include retail and some employment provision.

The North West Leicestershire Council Plan sets out the

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requirement for nearly 14,000 dwellings in the duration of the plan and recommends that the new settlement idea is taken forward. The plan is currently open for public consultation and responses can be completed at www.nwleics.gov.uk/localplanreview.

One resident in Isley Walton has described the plan as “flawed”. She said: “To build houses in the farthest part of the county to help the problems in Leicester city is nonsense unless they are going to build a rat run between Isley Walton and Leicester.

“The plan is to build on a historic area with little in the way of mains services – no mains sewage, no mains gas – and one only has to see the area on a big race day to see how inadequate the road system is.”

One other problem is that the route of the HS2 is also being considered adjacent to that area, with Tonge Station being considered for a new HS2 rail depot.

Two additional development sites have been identified near Belton, one with a capacity of 1,365 houses and a second with a capacity of just under 6,000 houses, although the latter is currently shown to be not suitable for development in the assessment.

Melbourne Parish Council has responded to the consultation to the effect that they did not support any option which included any new settlement.

CHILDREN’S Air Ambulance mascot Blade says hello to Sophie Lancaster, of Melbourne, outside the Wesley Hall on Potter Street. See inside to find out why he paid the village a visit.

INSIDE STORIES

REV’D Steve Short is preparing to return to the pulpit after going through cancer treatment.

LUCY STEPHENS chatted to him to find out how the prayer of others can help in the darkest times, how loved ones can always get you through, and how he is delighted by the return of his goatee.

You can read his story on Page 5.

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2 Village Voice March 2022 In Loving Memory of

JOHN THOMAS THRUPP from Ticknall Passed away peacefully aged 79, on Wednesday 2nd February, 2022.

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Council to host free Jubilee celebration

A HUGE celebration is to take place in Melbourne to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Organised and funded by Melbourne Parish Council, the free event on June 2 will feature music from various different performers and will be rounded off with a fireworks display.

Taking place on the grounds of Melbourne Junior School, the event starts at 2pm.

People are being invited to go with chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment for however long they like. There will be bars and catering on site too.

In the spirit of the occasion, the enter-

tainment kicks off at 3.45pm with an opening ceremony followed by Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long, a ‘good ol-fashioned knees-up’ with Tom Carradine and the ‘ol Joanna.

Then, at 5.30pm, Jim Jemain takes to the stage with his award-winning Sir Cliff Richard show, ‘In the Shadow of Cliff ’, before Elton John tribute act The Ultimate Elton at 7pm.

Finishing off the acts will be, of course, ‘Break Free’ with hits from Queen.

People are then invited to head over to Brown’s Field for 10.30pm – perhaps with a torch - where there will be a fireworks display sponsored by Scallywags Nursery and Dunnicliff Developments.

Managing the event on behalf of the parish council is Assembly Rooms manager Andy Heafield, with parish councillors Joe Ward, Guy Crawford and Sheila Hicklin.

Mr Heafield said: “Given the circumstances we have found ourselves in for the last two years, it’s a great opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the length of time on the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.” Current Melbourne Parish Council chair Sheila Hicklin said: “The parish council has gone to great lengths to put this on, so I hope that it’s an amazing event that people will enjoy. No expense has been spared to make this a great occasion for the people of Melbourne and Kings Newton to remember.”

CALKE Abbey in Ticknall is to become home to an ancient species of tree as part of a large planting scheme to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The National Trust property will be joining other projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme.

At Calke, the gardening team will be planting an ancient species of deciduous tree, the Ginkgo.

Heloise Brooke, head gardener at Calke Abbey, said: “Ginkgo biloba, or the Maidenhair tree, is the only species left of a group

that evolved approximately 170 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. It is classed as a ‘living fossil’ and found in the wild only in China.

“It is very healthy, being resistant to pests, disease and pollution, and there are specimens that are over 2,000 years old.

They are often planted near temples in China and Japan, and some Ginkgos even survived near the epicentre of the atomic blast at Hiroshima.

The Ginkgo’s leaves are a beautiful fanshape and change colour in autumn from a lime green to a bright, buttery yellow.

“There are separate male and female

trees, but the male tree is more commonly planted, as the fruit on the female tree has quite an unpleasant odour, though the seeds from the fruit can be roasted and eaten and have been used in traditional medicine and herbal supplements.”

The tree will be planted in the grazed meadows overlooking the mansion this autumn, as this is the time it will have the best chance of establishing.

It will fit well with the mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees that were planted in this area during the Victorian and Edwardian period, whilst standing out as a very special tree in its own right.

Calke to plant commemorative tree

Church takes part in special exhibition

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A SPECIAL spiritual exhibition will be on display at Melbourne Parish Church this month – and the ancient building itself will form a vital part of it.

Artist Michael Cook, who has a gallery in Kings Newton, and Michelle Holmes, based at the Ferrers Centre, are putting on the exhibition: What are you looking for?

Michael and Michelle are mounting 15 of their works in the church, in such a way as to use its own architecture to lend meaning to the messages conveyed.

The works centre around seven questions that Jesus asks in the gospels.

As the artists put it themselves, they are hung ‘in conversation’ with the building.

One painting will be hung from the gallery above the font, while another uses an unusual feature of the church: a ‘squint’.

Entitled ‘Can you see anything?’, the work in the church’s squint is about the idea of seeing and not seeing.

The squint, or hagioscope, in Melbourne Parish Church is an opening cut through a wall in the chancel allowing members of the congregation, sitting where they could not view the altar, to see the elevation of the host during mass.

Michael’s works are paintings while Michelle is a stitched textile artist.

The exhibition is being held from March 9-27 in the church of St Michael with St Mary in Melbourne, from 9am to 5pm daily.

Poet Matt gives pupils rhyme time

Village Voice March 2022 3

CHILDREN at Weston-on-Trent Primary School got the chance to meet a real live poet who came to pay them a visit.

Matt Goodfellow, a full-time poet, went to the school in February and shared some of his work with pupils.

The author of several poetry collections including Bright Bursts of Colour, Chicken on the Roof and Carry Me Away, former primary school teacher Matt invited children to join him in performing his work, as well as telling them about his inspirations.

Each class at the school took part in a workshop with him and wrote their own poetry too.

Speaking to the Village Voice after his visit, Matt (pictured in class) said: “It’s about spreading the word that poetry is for everybody. Poetry lets kids speak in their voice about their life.

Small gardens hitch for new homes plan

PLANS to knock down a former industrial building in Melbourne and build nine houses on the land have been put back.

The old Star Micronics building on Chapel Street has been empty since 2016 after the business relocated to Derby.

A developer applied to put nine three-bed houses on the land, but councillors at a meeting of South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee voted to defer the proposals.

The meeting heard a brisk debate from councillors who felt that too many houses were planned for the site, and that the gardens would not be big enough for families who could live there.

Councillors, most of whom voted for deferment, said the existing proposal was too dense for the land.

Cllr Jim Hewlett, representing Melbourne, said in the meeting that houses in

by Lucy Stephens

the nearby area all had much larger gardens than those proposed.

He said: “I would hate to have to bring up children with such a small garden. I would like to see seven (homes) not nine.

Eight would be an improvement.

“I’ve racked my brains and I can’t think of any other three-bedroom properties in the village with such small gardens. This would be a new low.”

Concerns had previously been raised that the proposal to develop the old Star Micronics site would represent a loss in employment land in Melbourne.

The meeting heard how office block land was in short supply locally.

But a planning report accompanying the application told how an attempt had been made to market the site but it had not attracted any commercial interest.

A marketing report said it was unlikely the building would be taken on as offices due to its size, plus issues with access and parking, as well as the fact it is near to houses.

While there is demand for small industrial units in this area, the report said these needed to be accessible with adequate loading and parking, and that other sites offered “more modern and connected” facilities in areas such as Castle Donington, Coalville, Ashby, Swadlincote and Derby.

The proposal, if it had been green-lit, would have seen two detached houses and a terrace of three facing Chapel Street, with four further detached homes within the site itself, plus garages and a “modest rear patio-garden area” for each one.

A previous scheme had proposed seven three-beds and two four-beds, which was then changed to nine three-bedroom properties.

Ukraine aid ‘incredible’

LEADERS at Tarasivka, the Ukrainian Youth Centre in Weston-on-Trent, said the response to a plea for humanitarian aid to support their war-torn ancestral home had been “incredible”.

Those involved with running the centre told the Village Voice: “At the moment we are busy with our partner Ukrainian organisations and churches in GB raising funds for very much needed humanitarian aid resulting from the war raging in our ancestral home.

“We are all deeply saddened and anxious for our friends and families in Ukraine and are doing what we can to raise awareness of what is happening and to urge governments and organisations to support and act.

“The response has been incredible.”

The centre, which runs summer camps for young people of Ukrainian heritage, re-opened in July 2021 having been shut since March 2020.

You can contribute to humanitarian aid for Ukraine here... https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpukraine Meanwhile, residents in Aston and Weston have come together to donate supplies for Ukraine.

Aston-on-Trent Parish Council clerk Fiona Keppel-Spoor said “a huge amount of donations” had been made but there was now the problem of how to get it overseas. She said a lorry driver had been secured to drive the supplies to Poland, but a lorry was still needed.

Anyone who wants to help in any way can call Fiona on 07738 435034.

“Their voice matters and their life matters. It’s about cultural heritage as well.

“The whole school was really welcoming. It was a vibrant place to visit and it was great to see the school puts poetry at the centre of its curriculum.”

Teachers told how children had been enthralled by Matt’s visit and several had even voiced an ambition to become poets themselves.

Stephen Connor, key stage two teacher and English lead at Weston Primary, said: “It was wonderful to have Matt Goodfellow in our school to tell children all about poetry and his life as a poet.

It was great to see how the children at Weston connected with Matt, who really brought the ancient art form of poetry to life in a very accessible, contemporary way.”

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93-mile canal walk for charity

THIS intrepid pair from Aston-on-Trent are planning to walk the entire length of the Trent & Mersey Canal – all 93 and a half miles of it!

Matt Neill and Andy Hobson will be taking on the challenge over a four-day period in April.

They are raising money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and Pride Park Football Club’s under 10 and 11 girls’ teams.

The duo’s lengthy canal walk will see them walking the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day.

They will be dropped off at the canal’s starting point at Preston Brook on April 12, following its route through Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire with the aim of finishing in Aston-onTrent on April 15.

To make things even harder for themselves, Andy and Matt are planning to camp each night, with back-up support from mate Phil Hall.

Matt, a seasoned sportsman who has been, amongst other things, the Derbyshire men’s doubles champion for badminton with partner John Goldsworthy, has taken on numerous charity challenges in the past, including running the London Marathon.

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He said: “I love a challenge, and so does Andy!”

The inspiration for walking the length of the Trent & Mersey Canal sprang – as do so many of the best ideas – from a conversation in the pub.

Andy and Matt decided they wanted to undertake the canal walk because both enjoy walking and running along its tow path, where they regularly pass old signs telling walkers the distance to Preston.

The funds for Pride Park Football Club’s under 10s and 11s teams are because Andy is a coach there. The money will be used for kit, equipment and pitch time.

The CRY non-governmental organisation is working to reduce the frequency of sudden cardiac death. It works with cardiologists and doctors to establish good practice and appropriate screening facilities to promote and protect the cardiac health of the young.

Andy and Matt have two Just Giving pages where anyone can donate to their canal trek: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/trentmerseycanalwalk https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andyhobsons3

Freeport given Govt green light

THE East Midlands Freeport has secured formal Government approval for its plans to offer businesses locating in the freeport special incentives.

The UK’s only inland freeport says it will create over 61,000 jobs for the East Midlands and an extra £8.4bn for the local economy over the next 30 years.

The green light means that from March 22, eligible companies investing in designated areas within the freeport’s boundary will be able to access what have been called “a range of benefits” through the Government’s freeport policy.

These areas, known as ‘tax sites’, cover the freeport’s three main locations at East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (‘EMAGIC’), East Midlands Intermodal Park (‘EMIP’) and the Ratcliffe-onSoar Power Station Redevelop-

ment Site.

The East Midlands Freeport is one of eight being established across England.

Penny Coates, chair of the East Midlands Freeport Board, said: “The Government’s approval for our tax sites means that the East Midlands Freeport now offers a total of 533ha of prime, strategic development land where companies can not only benefit from a fantastic location with fantastic global transport links; they can also benefit from a comprehensive package of special incentives that make our freeport one of the best places to invest in the UK. “That’s why today’s announcement is the moment when we can really start to turn our ambitions for the freeport into reality, delivering well-paid green jobs for communities, supporting levelling-up and

helping achieve a Net Zero economy.”

Clare James, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “We look forward to continuing our work with public and private sector partners to make a success of the UK’s only inland freeport, and to playing our role in the future prosperity of the East Midlands.verse jobs for local people.”

Some local groups are strongly opposed to the plans, saying they ‘strongly challenge’ some of the claims made.

One of those is WINGS, a community group representing nearby village Diseworth, as well as the Freeport Residents Action Group on Facebook, which has grown to 438 followers.

Amongst other things, opposers have pointed to the environmental impacts of concreting over green spaces.

Steve can’t wait to get back in the pulpit

IT HAS been quite a year for Steve Short.

The reverend of Melbourne, Ticknall, Stanton-by-Bridge and Smisby parishes is preparing to come back to the job he loves, and to seeing people again, after months of isolation at home with his family and on the cancer wards of the Royal Derby Hospital.

And he can’t wait.

“I’m really excited!” he says.

“I have missed people. I have been ordained because I love people, and everything I have done before being ordained, and since, has been around people.”

Steve first began to feel ill in early 2021. At first he put his symptoms down to the Covid environment, or stress. But when he did not get better he began to feel something more serious was wrong.

Then, in June, just as he turned 50, he went to visit his doctor at Melbourne Surgery and was referred to Royal Derby Hospital, where further tests revealed he was suffering with NonHodgkins Lymphoma.

“At the time, you’re in shock, because I don’t think anybody really expects a cancer diagnosis,” he says.

There followed an anxious few weeks for Steve and his family – wife Rachel and children Sophie, 11, and Benjamin, seven – as his condition deteriorated.

Struggling to breathe and move around, he had two separate hospital stays as

by Lucy Stephens

medics worked to treat him.

Having recovered a little, he began chemotherapy treatment, was put on a strict diet stripped of all fibre. He slowly began to improve, even managing most of a Christmas dinner come the festive season.

Did his faith help him through those dark times in hospital?

“Faith doesn’t excuse you, nor exclude you, from darkness,” he says. “It’s a wellknown theme in Christianity: the dark night of the soul.

“I was quite angry with God, but you’re allowed to get angry with God. He is big enough to take it.

“But I knew that I was dearly loved and I knew from working with people with cancer that it doesn’t mean you’re not loved. That was all going on in my mind.”

For Steve, as with many cancer patients, the love of family and friends, and the prayers of many, as well as the deep compassion and professionalism shown by all in the medical profession, has been quite literally a pillar of strength.

He says: “A bishop I know, who is very wise, said that I might find it difficult to pray through this. He said it was my turn to be held in prayer.

“I don’t mind admitting there were

some very, very dark times. But when you’re very poorly, you realise what’s important.

“My family have been a very great light in any darkness that I was experiencing.”

As well as the love of those around him, Steve also took solace in his other great love: music.

A skilled musician himself, with a particularly fine selection of recorders, during treatment or quiet times at home he would listen to an eclectic playlist on his headphones, from spiritual hymns to a bit of cheesy 80s rock!

Then, in early February, Steve got the news he was longing for: his consultant told him he had the all-clear.

Since then, he has been quietly preparing to return to work. And one other old friend has also made a welcome return: “I’ve grown back my goatee beard!” he says. “It was like the return of an old friend.”

Steve would like to express his sincere gratitude to all those who have supported him during his treatment, including Bishop Libby, the Bishop of Derby, as well as deanery and diocesan colleagues.

He would also like to pay tribute to the “incredible care and professionalism” of staff at Melbourne Surgery, the haematology unit at Royal Derby Hospital, and all those working in wards 301 and 302.

Village Voice March 2022 5

l Revd Steve Short is excited about getting back to the job he loves.

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Local artists feature in gallery collection

Road repairs on way

6 Village Voice March 2022

A NEW exhibition of work by local artists is the next collection to be shown at the Creative Melbourne gallery on Church Street.

Newly appointed gallery manager, Kay Maddocks said: “A Splash Of Colour will be a vibrant exhibition featuring beautiful work by a number of local artists.”

The idea is to have some contemporary work which matches the bright spring season.

Local artists Laura Donaldson, Amanda Hughes and Patrick Prentice are among the contributors.

The exhibition runs from March 2 through to March 26. Laura has been a regular exhibitor at Melbourne Festival for a number of years and is known for her use of bright colours; the work in the gallery is a new style and new direction for her.

Patrick is a contemporary artist originally from Scotland, now living in Melbourne, and the colours, shapes and light seen on his travels have strongly influenced his work. The third Melbourne artist, Amanda, uses bright bold colours and gold highlights to create bold lovebirds inspired by the birdlife seen on daily walks by Melbourne Pool and trips to Norfolk.

The gallery has now found three resident artists who are working there regularly, and it is hoped that a regular quilting workshop will be starting very soon. Opportunities to rent shorter term “creative pod” spaces are also now available. The not-for-profit community venture relies heavily on sales to support the local creative community and is run with the assistance of volunteers. It is open from 10 to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday. The gallery is also looking for additional volunteers for those who have some spare time.

Melbourne Festival is also launching this year’s Emerging Artist Award this month for younger artists to compete for a £500 first prize.

The competition is for artists aged 17 to 25 who live, work or study in the East Midlands region, and shortlisted entrants have the opportunity to exhibit their work during the Festival trail weekend. It has become an integral part of the Festival since it started back in 2014 and several previous entrants are now exhibitors on the trail.

This year’s theme for the competition is Culture and young artists are invited to think imaginatively and creatively to reflect on this subject.

As well as the £500 prize the winner benefits from mentoring from another local artist and a place on the next year’s trail. There is a £250 second prize and a People’s Choice award.

All the details for the competition and entry deadlines are available on the web site https://www.melbournefestival.co.uk/emerging-artists

MARCH’S Melbourne Parish Council meeting heard from Derbyshire County Cllr David Muller that there is a list of road repairs planned in Melbourne which will be actioned in the near future thanks to an increased budget for highways maintenance.

The roads listed in the programme include Castle Street, Station Road and Blakemore Avenue and Sleepy Lane and Paget Road in Kings Newton.

Residents are able to use the One.network to view when roadworks are planned.

Concerns over new Hall events licence l Kay Maddocks with one of the paintings for the exhibition.

NEARBY residents are concerned that a new events licence application made on behalf of Melbourne Hall will cause additional nuisance and disruption.

One local resident has written to the Village Voice pointing out that although our article last month quoted a figure of between 800 and 1,000 people, the licence application is for visitor numbers up to 5,000.

The resident said: “In our village of approximately 5,000 residents, even 1,000 visitors at once would have an obvious impact. Five times that number would lead to additional matters needing to be considered during the review process.”

The licence application, which is available to view on council web pages (www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/licensing/pending-applications-and-public-notices) does indicate that the licence is for a range of entertainment types and for the sale of alcohol to be held in the grounds to the east of the Hall, not in the Courtyard. The application is intended for a maximum of 42 events between April and October.

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Roger Lowe, on behalf of the Hall, has responded to advise that although the licence application is within the category allowing up to 4999 the maximum numbers for any event will be 1000 which he said was mentioned elsewhere in the application and is the limit for fire, safety and seating arrangements.

Speaking about the number of events, which is listed as 42, he said that this was the maximum calculated numbers working on a maximum of seven events in any month, and events would not be scheduled in August or October.

The plan was to have events on successive weekends with, for instance, three comedy nights one weekend followed by low-level music events the following weekend, making best use of the hired equipment.

The first of the events is a weekend of comedy starting on Friday, May 13.

People have until March 9 to comment or make representations on the application.

HIGHEST RECENT RISE IN COUNCIL TAX

DISTRICT Councillor Martin Fitzpatrick told the March meeting of Melbourne Parish Council that Council Tax for 2022/3 would be increased by the highest figure for some years.

The increase of about 3% will see a Band D property pay an additional £4.95. He reported that the general financial position for the district was good, even although at the moment spending was exceeding income.

Cllr Sheila Hicklin reported at the meeting that there had

been a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the village public toilets.

CCTV had captured images of a number of youths who had recently been causing damage.

Various ideas to deter miscreants were discussed including smoke alarms, having lights switched off at night, or a “Mosquito” alarm which emits a high-pitched sound to deter teenagers.

Cllr David Smith suggested that the main issue in securing the door was the door frame, which needed a complete re-

design. n Councillors also considered a recent planning application concerning the permissive footpath at Broadstone Holt.

The applicant is seeking to remove the condition which requires the permissive path to be maintained across private land from Footpath 27 to Severn Trent land adjacent to the reservoir.

After a brief discussion the council voted by a significant majority to object to the application on the basis that it was the removal of an amenity.

Make a date ... the carnival’s bouncing back

IT’S BACK! Melbourne Fete & Carnival will be held once again this year, organisers have announced – and they want to see it bigger and better than ever.

After it could not be held for two years running due to Covid, the committee behind the annual summer carnival in Melbourne have said the event will be held again in 2022.

The theme will be ‘Melbourne Does Musicals’, which had been the plan for the 2020 event.

The committee hope this will give Melbourne residents plenty of scope to come up with some eye-catching floats, plus the chance to show the world their inner musical theatre star in the procession.

All the traditional carnival favourite elements are back, including a contest to find a king and queen to lead the procession on the day.

The committee really want the event to come back with a bang so are actively looking for as much support as possible from the local community.

They would like to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor the occasion, along with people interested in having stalls, putting together a carnival float, and taking part in the procession.

The carnival is being held in the grounds of

by Lucy Stephens

Melbourne Junior School on Packhorse Road on Saturday, July 9.

Tickets are being put on sale much earlier than usual, from this month onwards, and are priced at £5 per adult, £2.50 for a child aged up to 16, with under-5s going free.

Among those who might enjoy taking part in the procession are local cadet or girl guides groups, it has been suggested.

The carnival committee would also like to hear from any groups who might be interested in putting on an act on the event’s stage: choirs, dancing groups and gymnastics displays are just some of the ideas of those who could take part.

Different types of sponsorship packages have been devised, and anyone interested in having any involvement is asked to contact the carnival committee at melbournecarnival@hotmail.co.uk The team can also be contacted on Facebook or Instagram.

Carnival chair Rachel Hill said: “We’re looking forward to lots of local support. The carnival hasn’t been here for two years and we want to get the Melbourne community behind it.

“Bring your family and friends down – let’s make it bigger and better than ever!”

Village Voice March 2022 7

STORMS BRING FLOODS, TOPPLE TREES

STORMS hit the local area in February, causing fallen trees and flooded fields – although water levels were not as high as have been seen in the recent past at this time of year.

Calke Abbey in Ticknall closed to the public amid high winds from Storm Eunice and Storm Franklyn, and the National Trust site reported a few trees having been blown over.

ABOVE: The River Trent burst its banks and flooded fields around Swarkestone Causeway.

LEFT: Fallen trees in Main Street, Kings Newton.

Police attended to a report of two fallen trees on Main Street in Kings Newton on Sunday, February 20.

Officers were out to direct traffic round the area before removing the trees to clear and sweep the road.

Police have advised that if drivers come across flood water, they should not enter it either on foot or in a vehicle. People

are further asked to call 999 if they come across flooding or a fallen tree in the road or property where life is in danger.

If flooding or a fallen tree is not endangering life, the local authority should be called.

If there is an unsafe structure overhanging a public highway, the fire and rescue service are the ones to contact, again on 999.

You’ll dig this for a brilliant idea, guys

8 Village Voice March 2022

l Chris Gregson inspects the new raised beds.

A JOINT venture between Melbourne Community Care and Whistlewood Common aims to encourage older people, particularly men, to get out of the house and put their gardening skills to use.

The group is “Growing Together; trowels, tea and talk”.

Starting in April, a new and acces-

by Frank Hughes

sible community garden will be ready for anyone interested in doing light gardening to grow their own produce or plants. Community Care intends to provide the minibus to transport anyone who needs a lift from home to the Common every Tuesday morning. Refreshments will be provided.

Fiona Geddes said they have been successful in getting grants to create accessible pathways and raised beds for ease of access. With a total of over £6,000 funding from National Forest, South Derbyshire CVS, Cllr Muller’s Community Fund and Dobby’s Garden Centre, they have been able to establish the paths, create the raised beds for growing and provide an accessible picnic table.

She said: “There are quite a few people who have had to give up an allotment or their own garden because it is too much work but would love to carry on doing less strenuous gardening. The idea is that you can have a small section of the community garden to grow whatever you like – vegetables, salads or flowers.

“If there is surplus it can be shared with others, too – and there is a polytunnel for less hardy plants, and adapted tools to use, designed especially for those who need them.”

Alison Thornhill, one of the managers at Community Care, said this was a great opportunity with lots of positive benefits like keeping fit, being sociable outdoors, whilst being able to grow-your-own produce again.

It is a great new venture to get involved with and a chance to bring friends, meet friends and make friends.

For more information, or to express interest get in touch with Community Care on Derby Road (call 01332 863585).

Probus welcomes new captain aboard

More shows in June and July to be anno ounced soon.

Including Ga ary Delaney and ma any more.

Ch heck website forr details:

AT THE annual general meeting of Melbourne’s Probus club, John Sowter, of Castle Street, Melbourne, became the 2022 president.

A former ship’s captain, John has retired to Melbourne after a lifetime of ships and shipping and now takes the reins of Probus. In his opening address John hoped that the Covid infestation was declining and that we could return to the days of good fellowship, interesting trips, excursions and convivial meetings. The club could once again be at the service of its members.

John finished by saying he was looking forward to an exciting new programme. He also apologised for being the first Probus president to be invested in office while wearing jogging trousers. He explained these by pointing to his recently broken leg, a souvenir of a Boxing Day walk in a wintry park.

Probus is a club offering friendship and fellowship to retired men. It meets once each month in the Royal British Legion in Melbourne.

For information on trips or joining phone John Williams on 01332 863854.

Pictured are Andrew Baldwin (left) and John Sowter.

Flood fund now available

A FUND of £20,000 has been made available by Derbyshire County Council to help residents and businesses affected by recent flooding.

To apply for a Derbyshire Floods Hardship Fund for residents and businesses, see www.derbyshire.gov.uk/flooding for residents’ or business forms.

Charity mascot Blade flies in to help campaign

A NEW campaign to raise funds for the children’s air ambulance service has been launched in Melbourne.

‘Blade’, the mascot for the Children’s Air Ambulance, was in the village helping hand out information to support the charity’s ‘#thecrew’ children’s club.

With each mission costing £3,500, the charity fund-raises to support its two helicopters based in Oxford and Doncaster. It is also trying to equip its helicopters with specialist neo-natal incubators to transport poorly premature babies.

Its new children’s club, #thecrew, is aimed at young people aged from four to 13 who get newsletters telling them all about how the charity works.

Members also get the chance to go to special events where they can meet pilots, doctors and paramedics.

Chris Maden, recruitment executive for #thecrew, joined Blade in Melbourne to help raise awareness of the club amongst local children and their families.

He said: “This is a virtual club that kids can join for free.

“There’s a newsletter with lots of activities and events, plus information about the children’s air ambulance, to encourage children to get involved with fundraising and awareness raising.”

Children need permission from a parent or guardian to join #thecrew. To find out more, visit childrensairambulance.org.uk/thecrew

AREA’S DRAFT PLAN MOVING FOWARD

Village Voice March 2022 9

Thieves target Tom’s van three times in a month

JOIN THE CREW ... (l-r) Melbourne Air Ambulance shop manager Claire Hadley, Blade, Chris Maden, recruitment executive for the #thecrew campaign, with local volunteers Matthew Davies and Richard Butlin.

by Frank Hughes

MELBOURNE resident Tom Bramley has had his vehicle targeted by thieves three times in the space of a month – and “he is not happy”.

Tom is a self-employed builder and had power tools worth around £2,000 stolen from his van, which was parked up in the centre of Melbourne. Less than a week later thieves broke into his van again, but left empty handed as no tools had been left in it.

Then, for a third time, despite him fitting costly deadlocks, the van was broken into. This time the thieves scattered his non-power construction tools out on the pavement.

“It’s clear they are looking for battery powered tools, and it’s so frustrating that what they stole would have fetched no more than £200 second hand, but they cause around £700 in damage every time they break in,” he said.

Even worse, his insurance company would not meet the claim for the thefts, as it was from a company vehicle, not his own.

He also said he felt the response from the police has been very disappointing: “They don’t seem to do anything,” he said.

A similar incident occurred in Victoria Street the same evening (February 16) as his last break-in.

A spokesperson for the police said they “… had a report of the van broken into overnight, in Melbourne on 13 January and high value work tools stolen. Enquiries into the incident, including CCTV were undertaken; however there were found to be no CCTV cameras covering the location.”

A similar theft in Victoria Street happened overnight on February 16, when a silver Vauxhall Vivaro was broken into from the driveway of a property. Again high value power tools were stolen.

Enquiries are ongoing, following the Derbyshire Alert appeal for information; if anyone has information about either incident they would like to be contacted (calling 101, on website www.derbyshire.police.uk/contact or via Facebook to DerbyshireConstabulary).

The police had also referred van owners to their advice on preventing theft from vehicles on their website: Prevent theft from a vehicle | Crime Prevention | Derbyshire Constabulary.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

THE next round of online community meetings run by South Derbyshire District Council and the police are coming up this month.

The community meeting for the Melbourne area, which also covers Aston, Weston, Thulston, Elvaston and Barrow, takes place on March 29. The Repton area meeting, which covers Ticknall, Findern, Twyford and Smisby, is happening on March 24. Meetings begin at 6pm.

MELBOURNE and Kings Newton Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is undergoing a rigorous and independent examination by the appointed examiner, Mr D Stebbing.

The sub-group working on the NDP has responded to a number of questions he has raised.

He has confirmed that he is satisfied he has received a complete submission of the draft plan and supporting documents and has not at an early stage identified any very significant or obvious flaws which would lead him to advise the examination should not proceed.

He raised several questions about the detail of the plan, seeking additional clarity.

One area, for instance, has been to identify exactly the area between Kings Newton and Melbourne which the plan seeks to maintain as separate settlements. He also sought confirmation of the existing settlement boundaries around the two villages.

He thought that the examination could proceed without a hearing on the basis of written representations.

The full communication from the inspector is on the parish council website.

10 Village Voice March 2022

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ABOVE: David Norton playing for Northampton Town and (right) in his England Youth team kit.

A FORMER professional footballer with seven caps for England is launching a new sports coaching course for 16-18-year-olds in Melbourne.

David Norton, an ex-Aston Villa and Notts County footballer who also played for the England youth team, is setting up the course at Melbourne Sports Park. It will kick off in September.

The football education course will give successful participants the opportunity to gain a Btec in sports coaching and development, and represents an alternative pathway for school leavers after they have completed their GCSEs. David, who now lives in Breedon, has been successfully running the course with fellow former Notts County player Mark Draper in Nottingham.

He is now offering it in Melbourne for the first time, and wants to hear from teenagers who might prefer to gain their post-16 education on the pitch rather than in the classroom.

David’s aim is not so much to find future footballing stars as teach young people the many benefits the beautiful game has to offer in terms of education and life skills.

He said: “My aim is to develop them as people. The player will be created themselves. Whatever ability they have got, if they are fitter, stronger, more disciplined, and they conduct themselves in the right way, then obviously their footballing ability

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will come out.”

David began his professional career an apprentice for Aston Villa in the ea 1980s, and played for the England yo side.

Debuting for Aston Villa aged 19, be moving on to Notts County, a highli came in 1986 when he played for V against Liverpool at Anfield, taking a ment to touch the famous sign before c ing out to the roar of a 40,000 capa crowd.

But professional football has its ups downs and David’s career in top clubs beset by injury.

It all brought home the importanc education in any professional football career, which can always be brought stop by a range of factors, including m ical treatment, the fortunes of a club, simply not being in the right place at right time.

David’s training course at Melbou Sports Park is all about giving young p ple a proper qualification in all aspect football, including grounds work and m aging changing rooms, the kitchen, kit equipment.

He said: “When I was young, I wante do three things. I wanted to play for E land, and I did as an under-18 at the ropean Championships. I wanted to p for Aston Villa. I wanted to play and sc at Villa Park. I’ve done all three, but for as long as I wanted to.

“I want young people to make s they’ve got their education because pro sional football is not all it seems.

|

01332 986 646

Give Lucy Stephens a call on

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

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Village Voice March 2022 11

AN EXHIBITION...

Featuring work by Melbourne Festival Artists...

Laura Donaldson Amanda Hughes Matthieu Leger Patrick Prentice Walt Shaw & Lucy Stephens h

“This course is an important opportunity to use football to learn life’s valuable lessons.”

As well as being a former professional footballer, David has also been a semi-professional manager, plus a school PE teacher and mentor.

The Btec qualification offered will give teenagers the equivalent to three A-levels, with some of those who have already completed it having gone on to university in the past.

People taking part will undertake four days of training with input from the professional training academy Future Lions.

There will also be one match day in the Future Lions league.

Anyone interested in taking the course should get in touch with David by emailing him on dnafootballeducation@gmail.com or phoning 0787 569 4511.

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12 Village Voice March 2022 Melbourne Operatic Society proudly presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s

HMS

Melbourne Operatic Society

& TRIAL BY JURY

Pinafore WED 6 — SAT 9 APRIL 2022, 7.30pm Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton Fully staged with full orchestra

Booking & Tickets MOS website / Call 01332 875350 or 07518 560162 / Visit the Chatsworth Arts Centre (Saturday mornings only)

Price (incl. booking fee) £14 / £12 Concessions / Free for those 16yrs and under (if accompanied by an adult)

Minibus service available from: Melbourne, Diseworth & Castle Donington on Wed 6 & Thurs 7 / Call 07980 421453 Registered Charity No. 257243 / Affiliated to NODA / melbourneoperaticsociety.com

INTERNATI O NAL CHAMBER MUSI C FO R EASTER

Thhe Frriendss of Melbourne Paarish Chhurcch preesent

Ha aydn’s ‘The e Seven Last Words of Ch hrist' Op.51

Playing it for laughs

PANTO came back to the stage in Aston-on-Trent as the village’s players put on their first production for two years – oh yes they did!

A princess, some lively cats, a splendid Royal couple, a cast of gorgeous fairies, a ghastly villain … and a few zombies for good measure … were all part of the action in the Aston Players’ production of Sleeping Beauty.

Off for a year due to Covid, this was the first Players’ production since 2020. Judging by the laughter from the audience on opening night, it was clear their return to the stage was very welcome.

Produced by Delia Gascoigne and directed by Jess Lemon, this was a fabulous show full of warmth and laughter.

by Lucy Stephens

All the traditional panto favourites were there, from John Sibley’s sympathetically portrayed Billy, the lad-about-the-castle character, to arch villain Carabosse, played with terrific energy by Delia Gascoigne sporting a particularly fine rainbow Mohican.

With King Norbert and Queen Dorothy, brought hilariously to life by Paul Makinson and Tim Howell, welcoming to the world their beautiful daughter Aurora, we are all familiar with the old tale of the spinning wheel, the pricked finger and the 100year sleep.

Perhaps more unexpected were the 1980s Zombies and the two elegant cats, played to

l Pictured at the RBL Club are (l-r): Susan Tivey, Holly Stenson (club chairman), Dave Worrall (branch president), Elizabeth Fothergill CBE (Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire), John Tivey (club president) and Andy Boardman (branch secretary and standard bearer).

BELOW: Standard bearers at the ceremony in the church.

Pictures: David Reay

perrformed by

Graham O Opppenheimer andd FFrriendds Mondaay 18th April 2022 (Easteer Monday) Melbourne Parish Church at 7.30pm Katie Stillman and Owen Cox violins Graham Oppenheimer - viola Paul Grennan - cello

Joseeph H Haaydn, seen by many as the ffaather ooff tthhe string quartet, wrote his atmospheric masterpiece ‘The Seven Last Words ooff Christ’ in 1785 ffoor an Easter performance in Cadiz Cathedral.

Tiickets £10 - Go to: www w.w .wegottickets.com/event/538162 or contact Carolyn T Taasker : 01332 8644940 carolyntasker@hotmail.co.uk

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prancing perfection by Jess Lemon and Ingrid Gascoigne. Who knew you could get so much meaning into a simple ‘miaow’?

There were some lovely moments too with Katie Dunn and Jesse Petersen as princess Aurora and prince Orlando singing some beautiful duets.

With plentiful choruses of ‘they’re behind you’, the obligatory pies-in-the-face, plus, of course, some good old-fashioned audience singing, the evening was a romp and a half that put a smile on every face.

And, with funds from the performance being split between two worthy charities – Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough and the local air ambulance – it’s likely the show will put smiles on many more faces too.

LEGION HOLDS A CENTENARY SERVICE

A SPECIAL service has been held to mark a century of caring for armed services personnel and their families in Melbourne.

On February 26 the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth the centenary service at Melbourne Parish Church for the local branch of the Royal British Legion – 100 years to the day that it was formed.

Branch president Dave Worrall, welcoming the congregation, said: “Lord-Lieutenant, you are especially welcome and thank you for giving up your time today.”

Those attending the service were

told how the branch had supported many Army folk over the years, including raising money to send cigarettes to troops fighting abroad during wartime.

Later, in 1990, the Melbourne branch organised the distribution of food parcels to armed personnel fighting in the Gulf War. A special re-dedication of the Standard took place during the service.

n A round-up of the three-day centenary event will appear in next month’s Village Voice.

Pupils’ recipe for eco-friendly cookbook

by Lucy Stephens

MELBOURNE WAKES CAKES

PRIMARY school children from Ticknall have produced an environmentally friendly cookbook.

Teachers and pupils at Dame Catherine Harpur’s School came up with the idea of producing the book after a series of lessons centred around the idea of power – and the power we all have to make a difference.

The cookbook features recipes provided by pupils, their families, and teaching staff.

In an eco-friendly twist, each recipe has been given a series of symbols describing whether it can be made with ingredients that are local or sustainably sourced, whether it is plant-based, and whether it has a low carbon footprint.

The book also features lots of additional information about which ingredients are particularly environmentally friendly; for example, the fact that eating dishes with wheat noodles rather than rice reduces emissions by over half.

The book, ‘Protect the Planet with Your Plate’, also has a distinctly international flavour with recipes contributed by families who hail from overseas. Dishes from Poland, Greece and Italy all feature within its pages.

Others, however, are much closer to home, such as the one for Melbourne Wakes Cakes contributed by head teacher Lorna Harvey.

Ms Harvey said: “The cook book was an idea which came from a series of lessons about ‘the power of our plate’. We talked about the idea for a few weeks and it changed as it went along and grew momentum. We asked the whole school to input ideas.

“The book is very special because it has got the children’s names in it. They all helped us put it together and checked it over.

“The idea is that everybody can make a small contribution to protecting the planet.”

Sophia, 10, who contributed ‘Sophia and

Ingredients: 225g flour 1 tsp baking powder 75g Fairtrade caster sugar 50g currants 1 egg, beaten 100g butter Method: 1. Sieve together the flour and baking powder.

2. Rub in the butter.

3. Add the sugar and currants, mixing well.

4. Beat in the egg with the cream.

5. Knead to a stiff dough.

6. Roll out on a floured surface.

7. Cut into 5cm rounds.

8. Bake for about 15 mins or until crisp at 190 degrees (gas mark five).

l Stella, Sophia, Jess, Thor, Eden and Lorna Harvey with the cookbook outside Dame Catherine Harpur’s School.

Did you know?

This old recipe was used during the ‘wakes’ when the centuries old tradition of well dressings took place. Many places in Derbyshire had their own recipes.

NEW SPRING MENU (MID WEEK EVENING AND LUNCH)

SNACKS Stella’s seafood pasta’ to the book with her friend Stella, 11, said: “It’s good because it’s got lots of recipes in it.”

Stella added: “It’s cool because it tells you what to substitute for different foods.”

The school would like to thank Melbourne Print for printing their cook book. Copies of it have been put on sale and the book will be available again at Ticknall’s village fete later this year.

Finding their voice again

AFTER two long years of waiting, Melbourne Operatic Society is preparing to tread the boards once again at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton, from April 6-9 with Gilbert and Sullivan’s double header HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury.

Throughout the pandemic the society kept closely in contact with weekly emails and Zoom sessions and eventually began meeting again face to face in August 2021 in preparation for the Christmas concerts in Melbourne and Castle Donington, which were very well received.

Rehearsals are well underway with the flamboyant Gary Askam producing and Emma Walker undertaking choreography once more.

David Henshaw will be conducting the society’s usual 13-piece orchestra, who always provide the “perfect musical accompaniment”, the society says, adding: “Gilbert and Sullivan without an orchestra is incomplete and was never intended.”

Tickets are available from the Duchess Theatre on Saturday mornings between 10 and 12, through melbourneoperaticsociety.com or by telephoning 07518 560162.

Village Voice March 2022 13

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County show back on summer calendar

14 Village Voice March 2022

ORGANISERS of the Derbyshire County Show and Food Fayre have announced that the event will make a welcome return this summer. It is scheduled to be held at Elvaston Showground.

After a two-year hiatus, the 140th Derbyshire County Show will take place on Sunday, June 26, and is expected to attract thousands of people from across the region by promoting the very best that the county has produced.

The family-friendly event, which is put together by the Derbyshire Agricultural and Horticultural Society, has not been staged for the last two years due to Covid.

This year’s event has all the usual attractions including livestock displays, heavy horses, vintage cars and tractors, show jumping, light horses, craft stalls

and floral displays.

New for this year will be Shetland pony racing, giant tortoises and a performance from the lumberjack sports team, the Welsh Axemen.

Chairman of the Derbyshire Agricultural and Horticultural Society Edward Hicklin, of Aston-on-Trent, said: “For obvious reasons we haven’t been able to stage the show for the last two years which has been frustrating for everyone, so we hope to make a triumphant return this year.

“As an event organiser, we are used to planning for every eventuality. We’ve always accepted the weather and you make allowances for it, but with Covid-19 there was nothing we could do about it, so the decisions were taken out of our hands.

“It’s not easy to come back after a twoyear absence and it’s a real credit to our team here that they’ve been able to persevere – despite the uncertain times – and have that grit and determination to carry on planning and preparing.

“We are really confident that this year we have a brilliant show lining up with more than 1,000 animals and 500 different breeds, from bees to bulls, joining us.

“As always the livestock competitions will be keeping their place at the heart of proceedings, but there will also be

scurry driving demonstrations, a companion dog show – which will be open to the public – and a food fayre featuring hundreds of local suppliers.”

The Derbyshire County Show began life as the Derbyshire Agricultural Show in 1860, when it was established by a group of landowners and farmers led by Dr John Hitchman.

The emphasis has changed over the years from showcasing predominantly agricultural activities and equipment to organising a more all-round day-out for everyone.

Children are admitted free of charge and, as well as fairground rides and ice cream, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about animals and the countryside.

Mr Hicklin added: “We believe it is crucial to keep that balance between town and country because while Derby is a city the countryside is right on our doorstep.

“The fact that there is something for every member of the family is what makes the show so special – very few events are so all encompassing.

“We are working on some terrific elements for the 140th show which will fulfil the vital function of bringing the countryside to life; we just need the weather to oblige us and for Covid cases to continue declining.”

Tickets purchased in advance cost £10 for adults, while entrance for under-16s is free. Tickets are online by visiting www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk Car parking at the event will be free.

HELP YOUR FAMILY BY MAKING A WILL

l Scenes from recent Derbyshire County Shows.

OBITUARY

NELLIE ANN TIVEY (née Storer) March 12, 1937 January 31, 2022

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NELLIE was born in Coton Park, Linton, one of seven children of Dorothy and Jack (called John) Storer.

Suffering poor health as a child she missed quite a bit of her schooling and, after education, went to work for the pottery T.G. Green, well known for its blue and white striped “Cornish” kitchenware.

At the age of 21 she met her husband to be, Dennis Tivey, who caught her attention by pinching her scarf while she was standing at the bus station in Swadlincote. She had to meet up with him again, to get her scarf back!

They married soon after, in 1958 at Linton Methodist Church, and the couple lived initially with Dennis’s mother in Victoria Street, Melbourne. Three children came along – Angela, William and Carol – and in 1971 they moved into Quick Close, where new houses had been built.

Amongst various jobs she had around Melbourne, she worked for Hatton’s, where she was often found in the beetroot shed, or on the land.

Highlights were family holidays taken in Mablethorpe and Great Yarmouth.

Sadly, she lost husband Dennis in 1995, and in

2001 she moved to Peniston Rise.

Many people around the village knew Nellie, and they would all probably say something different about her; she was a very sociable person at heart and would do anything to help anyone.

A neighbour said: “We will always remember her with affection, and we have good memories of our time living next door, with plenty of laughs.”

She and Dennis were regulars on Saturday nights at the Liberal Club and would often join in with the band there, playing the spoons or a tambourine – she was pretty good at it too, as her daughter recalled.

She dearly loved her family including her three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She loved them visiting her. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to see the youngest of the great grandchildren or get to know them as well as the older ones.

Sadly, she passed away peacefully on January 31. Daughter Carol recalled that she had often said "when your mum has gone, your best friend has gone”. Sadly, the family said, “we didn’t realise how true that was until now, so when mum took ill in December 2020, it was our turn to love and support her”.

Keeping track of HS2 changes

FOLLOWING the announcement late last year that the Eastern leg of the HS2 rail line would stop at East Midlands Parkway, as part of a new “Integrated Rail Plan” (IRP), a new enquiry is looking into the impacts of that decision for the economy, rail capacity and connectivity.

The cross-bench Parliamentary Transport Select Committee is particularly interested in rail capacity for passengers and freight in the Midlands and the North, whether the IRP will “level up” communities, how the rail schemes will integrate with HS2, and how the improvement schemes selected represent equity between and within regions.

As a result, some in the construction industry believe that all may not be lost for eventually building the rest of the HS2 eastern line.

The decision was announced in November that the Eastern phase (2b) of the HS2 would no longer go to Leeds, with a new station at Toton.

Village Voice March 2022 15

by Frank Hughes

Instead it would run into East Midlands Parkway and from there switch onto conventional tracks continuing journeys into Nottingham and Derby, rather than the original plan for a highspeed track to Leeds.

The IRP also recommends upgrading and electrification of those tracks on Midland Mainline.

Cllr Chris Poulter, of Derby City Council, said at the time of the announcement: “While it is disappointing that the previous commitment to HS2 East has not been fulfilled, I acknowledge that this finally provides certainty for local people and businesses and that there are some clear positives for our region.”

However, residents in the impacted areas, such as around Erewash and Long Eaton are still blighted because for the time being a “safeguarding zone” along the projected route has been maintained, presumably in case the decision is reversed.

As yet the exact route the new high-speed line will take as it approaches East Midlands Parkway is unclear, as the previous route bypassed the station as it headed toMELBOURNE Parish Council has heard from Cllr wards Toton.

Terry Summerlin that noise monitors for East MidIn providing evidence to the select comlands Airport should be in place this spring and that mittee the Institute of Civil Engineers has pilots had been asked to ‘glide in’ to reduce noise argued for improved connectivity and capacity in the Midlands and the North, but has when making their approach over the village. queried whether the plan is sufficient to deHe also reported that there was money available liver the additional capacity and connectivin the Airport’s Fund for community projects. ity.

BEAUTIFUL displays of snowdrops in a Melbourne garden have helped raised more than £1,200 for worthy causes.

Griselda and William Kerr were once again able to open their garden at The Dower House to visitors this February.

The garden has been opened for a snowdrop festival over a February weekend for 14 years.

Last year’s event was cut short due to Storm Dennis.

Griselda said the Saturday of this year’s weekend was the busiest ever for a February opening, with around 220 people flocking in to admire the snowdrops.

Open as part of the National Gardens Scheme, the weekend raised more than £1,200, which will go towards the charities the scheme supports.

Griselda said: “It was wonderful. We had support from lots of people who have seen the gardens many times, and lots of new visitors from much further afield.”

AIRPORT NOISE MONITORS

Melbourne Baptist Church – Chapel Street (863726) 10th April 10.30am Palm Sunday Service 15th April TBC Good Friday Reflection 17th April 10.30am Easter Day Service

CHURCHES

TOGETHER

in MELBOURNE

Melbourne Methodist Church – Church Street (405286) 10th April 14th April 16th April 17th April 17th April

10.30am 7pm 10-11am 5.45am 10.30am

Palm Sunday Service Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service Bring flower(s) to decorate Easter Cross outside SUNRISE service - by Breedon Church Easter All Age Celebration & Holy Communion

Melbourne Parish Church – Church Square (864741) 2nd April 10th April 10th April 11th April 12th April 13th April 14th April 15th April 17th April 17th April 17th April

4pm 8am 10.30am 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm 8am 10.30am 6.30pm

Messy Easter Celebration Holy Communion (said) Parish Eucharist with Procession of Palms Holy Communion at Smisby Parish Church Holy Communion Holy Communion at Ticknall Parish Church Eucharist of the Last Supper at Stanton Solemn Liturgy of the Cross Easter Day Holy Communion (said) Easter Day Parish Eucharist Easter Day Choral Evensong

United Reformed Church – High Street (862175)

The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.” Matthew 28 v 5-7

Melbourne Catholic Church – Church Street (862631) 10th April 14th April 15th April 16th April 17th April

10.30am 7pm 3pm 9pm 10.30am

Procession of Palms and Mass Maundy Thursday Mass (Last Supper) Good Friday Service at Castle Donington Easter Vigil Mass of the Resurrection Easter Day Service

10th April 10.30am Palm Sunday Praise and Worship 10th April 3pm ‘Hosanna’ Songs and Readings for Palm Sunday in our Easter Garden with Palm Crosses & Hot Cross Buns 15th April 2.30pm Good Friday ‘At the Cross’ Words & Music for Reflection & Prayer 16th April 10am-12 Coffee Morning with Family Craft Activities 17th April 9am Easter Morning Celebration with Breakfast 17th April 10.30am Joyful Praise and Worship

16 Village Voice March 2022

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18 Village Voice March 2022

The u3a is a network of locally run interest groups for those no longer in full-time employment.

WALKING BOOK CLUBS GERMAN BRIDGE CRAFTING FRENCH DANCING ART APPRECIATION

We also meet monthly at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on the first Thursday of the month at 2.30pm

READY, AIM, FIRE ... some Melbourne Marksmen line up to take a shot.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

PHOTOGRAPHY FAMILY HISTORY CURRENT AFFAIRS GARDEN VISITING HISTORY

For more information please contact us... www.u3asites.org.uk/melbourne-area Email: madu3ainfo@gmail.com Facebook: Melbourne Area Derby u3a

W ha a t ’s On

Marksmen target new members BELOW: Mark Francis and Derek Perkins with antique guns.

by Lucy Stephens

YOUR GUIDE TO EV VENTS IN THE AREA We ed 9th March - Sun 27th March:

“What are you looking for?”

Exhibition of paintings and stitched tex tiles

by Michael Cook and Michelle Holmes. Melbourne Parish Church. 9am - 5pm daily.

Continues until 26th h March:

Exhibition - A Spla p sh of Colour Creative Melbourne Galler y, We ellington House, Church Street.

We ednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm See main ad on Page 11 fo or more deta ail s .

Sunday 20th March:

South Derbyshire Cycle Jumble Shardlow Village Hall, The Whar f, 10am - 1pm See main ad on page 19 fo or more deta ail s .

We ednesday 6 April - Saturday 9 April: Melbourne Operatic Societ y

HMS Pinafore Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton, 7.30pm See main ad on Page 12 fo for more deta tails ls .

Thursday 7th April: Melbourne Area u3a

Gardeners Quest s ion Time Melbourne Assembly Rooms, 2.30pm, , Contact madu3ainfo@gmail.com w w w.u3asites.org.uk /melbourne-area

Monday 18th April (Easter Monday): International Chamber Music for Easter

Haydn’s ‘The Seven Last Wo ords of Christ ’ OP..51 per formed by Graham Oppenheimer & Friends.

Melbourn ne Parish Church, 7.30pm - £10 See main ad on P 12 fo or more deta ailss.

WHO wants to take a shot?

Melbourne Marksmen, a group of friendly air rifle enthusiasts who meet once a week in the Assembly Rooms on High Street, want to hear from anyone who fancies giving the sport a go.

The group practises bell target air rifle shooting – amongst the oldest pub and club sports in the UK. Practised indoors, bell target shooting originated at the end of the 19th century when it emerged that the average British soldier fighting in the Boer War was an extremely poor shot.

Promoted at the time by the likes of Scouting movement founder Lord Baden-Powell, the sport involves shooting air rifles at a steel bell target. At one time, many pubs in the local area would have had a bell target shooting range for people to have a go.

The Melbourne group was started up by Chris Hough and meets on Thursday evenings at the Assembly Rooms.

Many members enjoy refurbishing antique air rifles, but for those who don’t own their own gun, the club has some that can be loaned.

But, as much as the club is about the enjoyment of shooting, it is also about getting together with other people for a sociable evening.

Committee member Kim Jackson, of Melbourne, said: “For me, it’s sociable, and it’s clean fun. One of the major elethe support of others who help us and ments of it is you don’t need a lishare their knowledge of natural health cence for an air rifle. There are and wellbeing. so many liberties that are taken Society today seems to be built on away from the public these being sold things we don’t need or are acdays. This is somewhere you tually damaging to our health. If we educan come that’s not in your own cate ourselves to know what we really back garden – it’s a safe envineed and not just want, maybe we’ll be ronment.” able to gain the mental strength to make Each Thursday before the better choices for our bodies and the marksmen meet from 7.30pm planet. onwards, the Melbourne Room A lot of the professionals we work with at the Assembly Rooms is set up have a focus on looking at the natural with a special ballistic curtain. world and learning what nature can tell The group would like to hear us about being resilient and how it can from anyone who would like to assist our health – both mental and physgive the sport a try. ical.

People aged 18 and over are If you can spend some time in nature welcome to go along, while anythis month, enjoy noticing the small one younger can go with a parchanges of spring, the smells, the colours, ent or guardian. the sounds, feel all the sensations. Come You can either go on Thursand have a walk around Whistlewood, days from 7.30pm, or meet some take a seat, watch the wildlife and enjoy of the people from Melbourne some peace and calm.

Marksmen at a Collectors’ Air Even a small amount of time spent like Gun Fair in the main hall at the this in nature will help you cope in this Assembly Rooms on March 12, very challenging and uncertain world. from 10am.

– KATHERINE PARRISH

The Common Touch...

JUST when you think things couldn’t get more uncertain, the unthinkable happens and nothing seems certain.

In these times you realise you have only a small area of influence under your control, but knowing this has a grounding effect.

At Whistlewood we seek solace in the natural world which continues unabated, birds will be feeling the effects of spring this month, the blossom on blackthorn is blooming and hawthorn leaves will start to appear.

We have connections to a group of wellbeing professionals at Whistlewood and a lot of their work is connected to nature and the natural world. They care about people but also recognise that nature is there for us and can care for us.

Many medicines and remedies for our human ailments come from wild plants and we are growing many of these, but also want to grow more as sustainability isn’t just about growing food or renewable energy.

It’s also connected to the responsibility we have for taking care of our own health, as far as we can. Or seeking out

Rugby club hot on leaders’ heels

MOVING into March Melbourne Rugby Club’s first team retains its second place in the league table, with 65 points and only three behind Long Eaton.

At home on February 12, the first XV put in a strong performance against Loughborough, maintaining their fine seasonal form, writes Peter Ilott.

Changes were aplenty for the home side with unavailabilities and injuries ravaging the line-up, but thankfully the depth the club has established meant several players gained an opportunity to show their fine form and continue the strong levels of performance expected by the coaching team.

Man of the match Harry Stephenson had a good game at hooker, delivering fine service at the line-out in blustery conditions as well as being a menace in the loose. Two fine tries were the icing on the cake for him.

Melbourne dominated the game for long periods and saw their defence withstand any pressure served up by the visitors. The set piece was one-sided and enabled the home team the oppor-

tunity and time to attack with purpose.

Loughborough capitalised on two mistakes, the first by the referee, who missed a deliberate knock-on as Melbourne looked to execute a twoon-one in the far 15m channel, allowing their wing to pick up the ball from the floor and sprint in from outside the 22.

Secondly a line-out steal by Melbourne on their own 5m line saw the ball fall loose to the ground and Loughborough's number eight was quickest to respond.

Melbourne scored six tries in total, the pick of the bunch a great team effort and contender for try of the season. The side moved the ball left to right and left again through the pack, with the backs taking over as Rudd dummied out wide to slip the ball back inside for Pearce to sprint onto at pace and finish with a clinical accuracy.

Also on the scoresheet were Danny Lawson, Tom Watson, Harry Stephenson (two) and Loz Betty.

The green and gold also welcomed back skipper Euan Holden after absence through injury.

Village Voice March 2022 19

Karate students’ grading success

l Harry Stephenson goes over for a Melbourne try against Loughborough.

STUDENTS at Melbourne’s Maximum Response Academy martial arts school have recently been graded.

Karate instructor Mark Dan, sixth Rotherham, graded the students at Donington Village Hall in February.

Congratulations are due to Paul Slee, Elaine Croshaw and Joe Small in achieving their fourth Dan black belt in Wado Ryu Karate.

Ellie-Mae Best, Millie JohnSimpson Will and son

achieved their first Dan black belt in Wado Ryu Karate.

Mark said: “These gradings are well deserved for the students’ dedication and commitment to their martial art.

“Martial arts are not just a sport – they are a way of life.

They build character, confidence and encourage hard work and dedication.

“They also help you embrace the unexpected and encourage you to be healthy, not to mention all the great friends you make!”

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Saturday 2 April, at The Assembly Rooms, Melbourne They are also available on phone or email: MARTIN FITZPATRICK (District) - 07710 030187/01332 862323 martin.fitzpatrick@southderbyshire.gov.uk JIM HEWLETT (District) - 07979 976860/01332 863927 jim.hewlett@southderbyshire.gov.uk DAVID MULLER (County) - 07415 720360/01283 384112 david.muller@derbyshire.gov.uk

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20 Village Voice March 2022

SPORT

PITCHING IN FOR CRICKET SEASON

THE 2022 cricket season is only just over a month away, but Melbourne Town Cricket Club has already made big strides on and off the pitch in preparation.

The club has taken delivery of brand new sight screens for its main pitch along with new material for its existing ones so they can be used on its second pitch.

As well as the usual senior training the club’s junior section has been having winter training at Chellaston Academy thanks to Tom Richmond and Chetan Patel, who are running the sessions.

The club will once again run the ECB’s All-stars and Dynamo’s eight-week courses in the summer. Registration is now open.

The club will run its all-stars sessions for 5-8 year olds on a Saturday morning and the Dynamo’s for 8-11 year olds will be on a Wednesday night, both starting in the middle of May. The club is also looking to run its first ever ladies team in regular 8-a-side softball tournaments around the county and are on the look-out for any ladies interested in taking part.

If you want any more information on any of the above contact Alex Slater on alexslater72000@yahoo.co.uk or 07966933583.

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THE wet weather put paid to a handful of Melbourne Dynamo’s February fixtures – but it did not stop both senior sides winning through to the next round of their respective cup competitions.

The first team began the month with a superb home win against high-flying Derby Singh Brothers, which completed their Presidents’ Cup group stage and saw Gav Salisbury’s men through to the knock-out stages.

Skipper Carl Allsop and leading scorer Ben Cooke grabbed the all-important goals.

The only other first team game to beat the weather was on the last Saturday of the month as they entertained Castle Donington, this time in the Central Midlands Division One Cup. And Dynamo turned on the style with an 11-1 demolition of the visitors.

There were hat-tricks for Ben Cooke and

by Alex Slater

Charlie Tovell, a double from Jack Goodband plus strikes by Owen Morrell, Macauley Jones and a James Smith penalty which completed the rout and secured the first team a quarterfinal to look forward to.

Melbourne Dynamo Reserves were hit by the weather even worse than their first team as they were able to play only one match in March, this being a re-scheduled Challenge Cup game and a long trip to Rowsley 86 Reserves.

But they came away with a hugely impressive 2-0 victory against a team from the league above.

Goals from Oscar Supple and Harry Foxon earned Adam Dolman’s team a place in the last 16.

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MELBOURNE Tennis Club is looking forward to its busiest season ever in 2022 with 16 men’s, ladies or mixed teams having entered into either the Derbyshire or Burton leagues.

League matches are scheduled to start in the middle of April and run right through until September.

However, even through the winter months, the club has continued to play league tennis as it has 12 teams competing in the Derbyshire winter leagues.

The club’s Mixed A team has led the way and moved

to the top of the table as they beat Ockbrook 6-1.

The club’s Men’s A team drew 4-4 with Woodlands D as they also sit top of their league.

And the C team also had a 4-4 draw, this time with Ripley/Alfreton.

The ladies’ side also had two matches in the month of February with their B team losing to David Lloyd A 4-2, and the ladies C beating Doveridge A 5-2.

With just one league game left for a majority of the teams the club has a good chance of starting the year with some silverware.