Melbourne Village Voice November 2019

CASH FOR NEW RIVER CROSSING IS SOUGHT

by LUCY STEPHENS

MANY millions of pounds are being sought to fund a new River Trent crossing which would replace Swarkestone Causeway.

Derbyshire County Council says it is championing Trent Valley Vision, a strategy for the whole of the area, which includes the aim to build a new crossing over the river to replace the causeway, which has been used as a route for centuries

If successful, the idea would be to turn the existing Swarkestone Causeway into a recreation route and tourist attraction as part of the multi-billion pound leisure and recreation project

The existing Swarkestone Causeway causes delays and headaches for thousands of commuters who rely on the narrow, winding old bridge to get from South Derbyshire to Derby and the A50 every day

Not only is the bridge heavily used at commuter times, any accident causes huge problems with the issue of emergency vehicles a particular worry

Around 15,000 vehicles cross the causeway daily, including buses taking children to school and back Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Large parts of the Trent Valley have been used for gravel and sand extraction for many years, which has left behind a degraded landscape with isolated water bodies and former gravel sites

“Our Trent Valley Vision project is looking at how we can make the most of the area for future develop-

ment for those that live there now, and to attract businesses and housing development for the future within a framework of connected water bodies and woodland

“The new landscape will provide leisure and recreation opportunities for residents, attract tourism and investment and benefit wildlife and the environment

“An important part of my vision for the area is to look at Swarkestone Causeway and find the funding to build a new crossing over the river

“The causeway is a scheduled ancient monument and used as a major route to get across the River Trent and the marshes since the 13th century

“We will need to be very creative in how we find the funding for a new crossing, which would cost many millions of pounds We are working hard to look at all sources of funding with all our partners

“But if we do manage to secure the money to replace the causeway then the existing structure could be used as a multi-user recreation route, which could prove to be a tourist attraction and bring revenue to the area ”

Leader of South Derbyshire District Council Councillor Martyn Ford said: “The benefits of a new bridge to replace Swarkestone Causeway will be massive for South Derbyshire, a tremendous boost to the local economy and a real opportunity to develop our tourism offer

“The Trent Valley is an intrinsic part of our beautiful district and we should welcome this opportunity with both hands ”

l Three-year-old Alice from Stenson Fields sampling Pumpkin Day at Heaths in Melbourne. Full story and more pictures on Page 6.

Hazel Catherine Barr (of Chellaston)

It is with much sadness that we announce that Hazel passed away on Wednesday 30th October, 2019 aged 95 years. She is survived by a much loved sister-in-law, Maggie, devoted nieces Sarah, Victoria, Hannah and nephew Matt and nine great nieces and nephews, who adored her.

The funeral will take place on Friday 29th November at 2.30pm at Trent Valley Crematorium, Derby Road, Aston on Trent, DE72 2AF. Family owers only. Donations to RNLI

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l Members of Melbourne Methodist Church with Tim Barwell and Louise Charlton of Milton-based architect firm Faber Architects, Rev John Hartley (second from right) and church steward Becky Whinray (right)

Church’s new annexe is dedicated and opened

A SPECIAL service was held at Melbourne Methodist Church to formally dedicate and open a new church annexe

In 2016, it was decided that work needed to be done at the church in order to make it more accessible and useable

That was because at the time, the church’s toilet and kitchen facilities were in the neighbouring Wesley Hall, and disabled access was only possible from Potter Street

The decision was made to knock down the old church vestry and replace it with a modern annexe, including catering and toilet facilities plus wheeled access from Church Street The church raised the money through grants from various bodies, as well as its own efforts

The new annexe features zinc cladding and has efficient underfloor heating

Rev John Hartley said: “It’s made a

tremendous difference to the things that we’re doing already, and gives us the potential to do more things in the future

“It will enable the church to be used independently of Wesley Hall for various community events

“We’re very, very pleased with it It’s utilised the available space that was there really well and gives us the opportunity to do things outside, too ”

The shape of things to come

NEW drawings give a picture of how land between Barrow-on-Trent and Derby could look in 20 years’ time as around 2,000 new homes are proposed to be built there

The drawings form part of two large planning applications currently lodged with South Derbyshire District Council for the Infinity Garden Village project

As reported in The Village Voice in 2017 the Government announced its support for 14 ‘garden villages’ across the UK, of which the South Derbyshire site was one

At this stage, the applications are only to “establish the principle of development”, said a spokesperson for the district council

The proposals currently with district council planners are for 1,850 homes plus a local centre, school, green spaces and industrial and warehousing units

Another application being decided by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council is for the creation of a new link road from Infinity Park to a new junction on the A50

The proposal is for there to be a pub, drive-through restaurant and petrol filling station next to the new junction

A design and access statement accompanying the proposals from Hallam Land Management said the garden village would be expected to take between 10 and 20 years to be fully completed

Most of the land between Arleston Lane and Deep Dale Lane would be given over to residential use

A “vision” for the project, taken from the Infinity Garden Village Development Framework Document, said: “Infinity Garden Village will create a sustainable community to the south of the city of Derby, delivering around 2,130 new homes and at least 5,000 new jobs commensurate with infrastructure

“It will include supporting community facilities, including primary and secondary schools, a new vibrant local centre, all set within high quality green and blue infrastructure to provide the Village with its own distinct character

“Quality public spaces will unite and connect the community facilities together, creating spaces be-

l An artistic impression of the proposed view looking along Arleston Lane from the south towards the new local centre (Image courtesy of Planning and Design Group)

tween buildings where people can meet, relax and spend time, providing opportunities for a strong local community to flourish and engage with its environment The village will also benefit from well-connected, convenient and attractive pedestrian, cycling, public transport and vehicular routes ”

The plans can be seen on the district council’s planning portal where they can be viewed using references

DMPA/2019/1091 and

DMPA/2019/1097

The district council said: “The decision will most likely be made by the planning committee, although the date of the meeting will not be published until we are in a position to make a recommendation

It should be made clear that the application for 1,850 dwellings has also been duplicated to the city as the site boundary overlaps land in their jurisdiction

"If permission is granted, there will still be a need for further applications to outline the detail of the proposals, known as ‘reserved matters’ as well as discharging any requirements of planning conditions attached to decision notices ”

The district council said a decision was intended to be reached in 2020, after the decision on the application for the new link road, meaning that the development – if it goes ahead –would not start for at least another 12 to 18 months

Sport England has said at this stage it intendes to object to the proposals, saying it is unclear additional sports needs generated by the houses would be met

They said they would be willing to review this position should suitable proposals be advanced to address this concern – Lucy Stephens

Is our Christmas Tree facing the axe?

COULD this be the last year of a real Christmas Tree in Melbourne Market Place?

Parish councillors debated the alternatives at their latest meeting on November 5 The clerk, Jacqui Storer, reported that she had been investigating the options, as the cost of a festive tree was becoming prohibitively expensive and more difficult to source The environmental impact of cutting down a tree, using it over the seasonal period and then having it shredded was also to be considered She had found a possible solution in the shape of an artificial tree, but the initial outlay would be high, and would not pay back for just under 10 years Also, there would be the problem of storing it

Councillors suggested the possibility of a real tree planted in a different location, such as the Lothian Gardens or indeed a a tree

Santa’s sleigh routes

THE time of year is fast approaching when Santa and his helpers visit Melbourne households

Luckily, Melbourne Rugby Football Club has a special line to the big man in the red suit and we are able to reveal that this year ’s programme of visits is as follows:

Sunday, December 8, starting at 5pm: The Woodlands, Nettlefold Crescent, Smith Ave, Main Street Kings Newton, Station Road, Sweet Leys Way Estate, Huntingdon Ct

Monday, December 9, starting at 6pm: Derby Rd, Blanchcroft, George St, Dunnicliffe Lane, Moira St, Selina St, Washington Close, Quick Close, South St, Alma St, North St, Victoria St

Wednesday, December 11, starting at 6pm: Ticknall village, Commerce St, Hope St

Friday, December 13, starting at 6pm:

From The Old Melbourne Arms, Ashby Road, Penn Lane, Peniston Rise, Salsbury Lane, up Church St, turn and down Church Street, Castle Mills, Castle St, Jubilee Close, The Lilypool, The Crescent, Chapel St, Potter St

Sunday, December 15, starting at 5pm: Packhorse Rd, Oaklands Way, Queensway, Derby Road, Windsor Ave, Melton Ave, Spinney Hill and side roads

planted elsewhere in a large tub

As the tree for this year had been sourced already, a decision was deferred until spring when the issue would be reconsidered

The council was also told that things were moving quickly on the public toilets A meeting with the developers was due to take place next week to discuss the interior design and it was hoped that the service pipes would be reconnected soon afterwards

Another decision, on granting financial assistance to Melbourne Sporting Partnership (MSP), was also deferred

The MSP had sought a grant of £9,000 from the parish council, as it had in previous years, but the council had some detailed questions they wanted answering about the organisation’s finances before any commitment was made

– Frank Hughes

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Spooky fun for the kids

THESE children were getting into the spooky spirit at Hallowe’en celebrations in the area

Pictured above are Chloe, Carys and Felicity enjoying Hallowe’en celebrations courtesy of the Weston Under-Fives preschool group

Meanwhile, the Royal British Legion held their annual ghostly event at their Melbourne branch Emily and Alice (left) got into the spirit of the Hallowe’en party

Pop-up gallery has fizzy start

MELBOURNE Festival’s “Pop-up”

gallery opened with a fizz reception to provide local artists and craft makers with an outlet to both exhibit and sell work.

The hugely successful festival has brought a different dimension to Melbourne and wider, to South Derbyshire, where it is recognised as a major contributor for access to arts, culture and heritage in the region

Festival director Sharon Brown said: “We are trying to keep the festival atmosphere going all year round Our dream is to support all of the creative businesses and individuals in Melbourne so that we are recognised as a creative village The village has some amazing talent and, hopefully, our dream will become a reality ”

The shop has already proved popular with the Melbourne public with volunteers ready to help run the facility and local artists providing their work Artist Barbara Bagley, based in Loughborough, has reproduced her ‘Expanding Horizons’ landscape of the village (pictured) as a Christmas scene exclusively for sale in the gallery as a Christmas card, and an original textile reproduction of the Welcome Café was one of the artworks snapped up early

Although initially opening on Fridays and Saturdays it is hoped that more days will be available in the run-up to Christmas as the team of helpers grows

It is also planned to use the upper floor space

Manna from Heaven

MELBOURNE Parish

Church was turned into a splendid banqueting hall when it was the scene of the first harvest lunch to be held within its walls

Our photographer

Pete Clough took this spectacular shot of the church’s harvest lunch by climbing the stairs to the upstairs gallery

More than 40 dined on Boeuf Bourgignon with chive mash, followed by bread and butter pudding or chocolate orange cheesecake

to host creative workshops Already three local artists have been signed up to deliver events Victoria Brown will be delivering two creative painting workshops (November 30 and December 14)

The first is an invitation to revive and restore your creative sparkle! Matthew Warburton of AluminiumArt will be holding two workshops, one creating a butterfly garden ornament and the second a cuff bracelet They will be on November 21 and December 5, both in the evenings from 7 30

For sewing enthusiasts Emily Smalley will be holding a machine embroidery day workshop on Saturday, December 7 – Frank Hughes

The lunch raised £170 in profit which went to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal

“It was a wonderful success,” said The Rev’d Steve Short “I thought the church looked fantastic and it was a lovely time of feast and fellowship ” The harvest lunch is now planned to take place again next year

Car park hotel is given the go-ahead

A TEN-BED lodge-style hotel is to be built in the car park of the Crewe & Harpur pub in Swarkestone, despite being branded “an absolute disgrace to South Derbyshire”.

Plans to build a new lodge for overnight guests at the Crewe & Harpur were granted by South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee on October 15

That was despite considerable local objection, with concerns the new lodge would be out of keeping in a conservation area, that it would increase traffic on already busy roads, and that it would cause disturbance to neighbours

But the meeting also heard the view that the lodge would support tourism in South Derbyshire, with overnight accommodation said to currently be in short supply in this area

This was the second application from pub chain Marston’s It had been substantially reduced from the first

The proposal was originally to build a twostorey, 23-bedroom hotel This scheme was reduced to a single storey building which would see the car parking at the pub reduced by around 20 spaces

The district council’s planning department received 55 letters of objection, of which 35 were to the original scheme and 20 to the latest one

No statutory bodies voiced any objection, however A local resident who went along to protest to the plans said the new lodge would “signifi-

cantly damage a beautiful and historical village in a conservation area”

She also pointed to the impact on road safety, with a recent death on Swarkestone Road Planning committee member Cllr Peter Watson said that he was not sure the lodge was needed, as a former B&B over the road had closed for lack of business

In addition, he said the style of the lodge’s plain design was out of keeping with the Georgian pub

“I think it’s out of the local vernacular and I think it’s an absolute disgrace to South Derbyshire,” he said

Part of planning policy is for new buildings next to historic ones to be “subservient” in style so they do not detract from the original, the meeting heard

A chartered town planner speaking at the meeting on behalf of Marston’s said the applicants had been well aware of the public interest the scheme had attracted

He said the proposals had been substantially altered since the original design, and that the new lodge would benefit the area, creating jobs for example

Other members of the planning committee said it was hard to object to the lodge on highways grounds, as the highway authority had not done so

The lodge was granted by a majority vote

– Lucy Stephens

CARNIVAL AGM

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CHILDREN arrived at school to be met by an unusual visitor … circus performer Wolfy on stilts and juggling three clubs!

Wolfy gave pupils at Weston-on-Trent Primary School a day to remember in October by teaching circus skills to the children throughout the day

The entertaining day was funded by Weston Primary School’s Parent, Staff and Friends Association (PSFA)

Scouts Stamp and Deliver again

THE Derbyshire Scouts’ Stamp and Deliver scheme is running again this December, to support a charity giving children holidays

Stamp and Deliver sees people posting their Christmas cards in the local area via one of the Scouts’ yellow boxes, using a stamp that can be bought in more than 200 outlets in the area

The scheme starts on December 2 with the last collection at 2pm on December 17 Stamps are 30p and details as to where they can be bought will be posted here: www stampanddeliver com, or here: fb com/StampAndDeliver

All cards must be posted in a yellow post-box

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by the end of the scheme They will be collected, sorted and delivered by Scout groups in the delivery area, who receive a proportion from the sale of the stamp All cards will be delivered by Christmas Eve

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Country Living with

Robert Parker

OCTOBER 2019 will long be remembered by the farming community, particularly the crop growers.

Some parts of the country and mostly the eastern areas have had twice as much rain recorded as the usual average and the consequences will be enormous

This is the peak period for planting next year ’s crops and harvesting the remaining ones for this year Saturated soils have stopped most of the planting as the kit that is used cannot travel without causing serious damage to the soil’s structure

I hear of large farms to the east of Derbyshire who, depending on the type of soil they have, have not planted a single acre This is a very serious situation and the only sure answer is to change to spring sown crops

The main option will be spring barley

The demand for seed will probably outstrip supply and cause massive overproduction of barley and the risk of a price crash.

Winter wheat is our main ce-

real crop and, although we still have over two months of time to plant, conditions are very poor for any measure of success. The 2019 wheat crop was at near record levels of 16 million tonnes in the UK What will happen if it’s around half that level?

Personally, I have never felt so despondent about this scenario and its potential consequences.

Potatoes, sugar beet and maize are also tales of woe with fields resembling battlefields after the crops have been harvested

Many acres are left to harvest We have two areas of maize next to the river which I am not optimistic about getting This will cost us many thousands of pounds

Added to this is the danger of bringing mud out on to the roads and the danger to traffic skidding This must be avoided at all costs

All in all this is a very concerning situation which will give us problems for the harvest of 2020

It is a very stressful time for all

Pumpkin Day

IT WAS a sea of orange at Heaths in Melbourne as they held their annual Pumpkin Day

Now in its fourth year, the pumpkins are all grown at Heaths with local folk descending on the farm shop to bag some in time for Hallowe’en

Brian Heath said the day had been a success

“The weather was very kind to us,” he said

As well as selling hundreds of home-grown pumpkins on the day, Heaths put on a face painter and a coconut shy to entertain visitors

RIGHT: Austin and Betty from Breedon with their record 26 pumpkins!

LEFT: Brian Heath adorned with pumpkin art.

card design competition Police alert on cold callers

Christmas

CHILDREN aged between four and 16 are being asked to get creative and design their own Christmas Card by award-winning local business Dandelion Stationery

The winner will get their design produced into cards, as well as receiving 24 cards of their design to send to friends and family over the festive season

The competition is free to enter and is open until November 20, 2019 There will be three age categories and Dandelion Stationery’s judging panel will shortlist the top three designs for each category

The final nine designs will be displayed in store at Melbourne Print from November 21-28 for a public vote

The winners will be announced on November 29

Entries need to be on Dandelion Stationery’s entry form which can be downloaded from the news section on the company’s website:

POLICE conducted added patrols in Melbourne in October because a local resident had a sum of money taken from their account after passing over personal details.

A warning went out from police advising the public never to give over their bank details, pin number or personal information to door-todoor sellers or telephone callers after the incident.

“Please keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable relatives or neighbours who may be susceptible to this type of crime,” said a force spokesperson Patrols were conducted in Melbourne on October 30 following reports of cold callers

Police said they gave crime prevention advice to a number of residents

LEFT: Martha and Bobby on the old tractor.

ABOVE: The witch’s cat visits the pumpkin patch.

The wheels on the pug go round and round

Choir that’s happy together

MELBOURNE’S mixed voice choir A Choir ’d Taste certainly seemed to be “Happy Together” for the recent 10th anniversary concert

A selection of songs from previous concerts along with a few new additions, showed how the choir has transformed over the decade, with the repertoire now including complicated harmonies, strong performances from the various ‘ensemble’ sections and a powerful individual solo from Vaughan Saxby

Billed as ‘Highlights from the first 10 years, from classics to pop’ the concert weaved some serious classical pieces, by Vivaldi, Bruckner and Mozart, with more contemporary pop, including Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, “Defying Gravity” from the Stephen Schwartz musical “Wicked” and, of course, the title tune “Happy Together” by Bonner and Gordan (recorded by The Turtles)

MEET Melbourne’s canine superstar: Hugo the Pug, and his very own wheeled walking frame.

Hugo, 11, is now extremely well known in the local community with many people enjoying watching him getting around by means of an unusual mode of transport – a kind of wheelchair fitted to his back end

Jenny Williams, who looks after Hugo for her daughter, Becky, says the wheels have given the dog a new lease of life after he lost the use of his back legs due to spinal damage which set in around three years ago

After a visit to a top dollar vet in Birmingham who said an operation would be possible but might not work, his owners decided to think again about how best to help their pet enjoy life to the full

“He was staggering around,” said Jenny, owner of Frocks and Frippery dress agency in the High Street “He couldn’t go very far ”

While out walking in Shelton Lock where she lives, Becky saw a French bulldog using a similar contraption to get around A quick online shopping trip resulted in the purchase of the device, and now Hugo can be

regularly seen wheeling himself around Melbourne with much enthusiasm

“He loves it!” said Jenny

“He’s got a new lease of life He’s going all over the place, revisiting old haunts and friends

“Going for a walk with him is like having a new baby – everyone stops you!”

Since becoming more mobile thanks to his wheels, Hugo has also had the opportunity to benefit from Melbourne’s local shops, Jenny said

David Gray, from The Melbourne Cobbler, has been making a special leather strap for Hugo’s wheels to make them more comfortable for him to wear

David said this was only the second time he had been asked to use his leatherwork skills to create something for one of our canine friends, the previous occasion being a commission to make four leather shoes for a chocolate-brown Labrador called Douglas

“I love a challenge like that!” he said

Hugo also visits Wayne Spiers the Melbourne butcher most days for a little treat

– Lucy Stephens

Tarmac’s £80k church booster

LEADERS at a historic church in Barrow-upon-Trent are hoping long-awaited works to transform the building can start and finish next year, after winning a further £80,000 in funding from Tarmac Members of the Parochial Church Council of the AngloSaxon St Wilfrid’s Church were overjoyed to find out in 2017 they had won more than half a million pounds in Heritage Lottery Funding, to fund an ambitious project to save the historic building from terminal decline

But plenty of work still had to be done behind the scenes to ensure all the relevant bodies gave their permission for the

works to actually go ahead

Two years on, Anne Heathcote, the leader of the project to transform St Wilfrid’s, said this had now happened and it was hoped work could start in Spring 2020, ready for completion by the end of the year

As well as that, Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has now donated £80,000 towards the project

The project aims to carry out essential conservation and repair work to the church to turn it into a multi-function building for wider community use plus education and research

St Wilfrid’s is an Anglo-Saxon parish church that was given to

the Knights Hospitallers in 1165

The Knights made extensive extensions to the building, and it survives today in its structurally unchanged state since the dissolution of the Order in 1540

Anne said: “It is amazing that we can now continue the transformation work that we began to plan for so long ago The church will provide many extra facilities to the local community and we’re extremely grateful to Tarmac for its donation - we’re looking forward to seeing the building in full use by everyone towards the end of 2020 ”

Some of the choir stood out in particular because of their vibrant coloured Happy Together T-shirts, sponsored by local company Art of Bril-

liance run by Andy Cope, (author of Spy Dog)

Guest appearances from duet Alexander Binns on piano and Dora Chatzigeorgiou on violin added some delicate and elevated variety, with Elgar ’s Salut d’amour and Schindler ’s List amongst their selection Alexander is a prize-winning graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and musical director at Derby Cathedral Dora has played with several of the world’s leading orchestras including the Philharmonia and London Symphony and now leads the Derby Concert Orchestra, teaches violin and is a full-time working mum

Accompanist Richard Allen brings a calmness and flexibility to his playing, so essential to keep the choir on track, while musical director Paul Marshall adds colour, humour, and on this occasion some glam-rock apparel, to bring out the very best in the choir

Their Christmas concert is planned for Friday and Saturday, December 6-7 – Frank Hughes

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Council wants more land sites

LANDOWNERS, developers and members of the public are being asked by planners to submit potential sites in the local area for development

South Derbyshire District Council is asking for sites which could be used for housing or business so it can review its Local Plan

The Local Plan sets out areas which have been earmarked for development

The district council is intending to carry out a Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) which will form part of the evidence for the review

Landowners and anyone else with an interest are being asked to submit sites from now up to December 12

District councillor Martyn Ford, leader of South Derbyshire District Council said: “The ‘call for sites’ is a fantastic opportunity for agents, landowners and developers to submit land which they believe could be suitable for future homes and jobs as well as to help enhance South Derbyshire Potential sites can also be utilised for transport, heritage, tourism and environmental purposes

“This process also gives local residents and businesses the chance to decide and shape how their district will look in the future ”

Anyone who wants to put forward a suggestion should complete a ‘Call for Sites’ Suggestion Form on the following webpage: https://www southderbyshire gov uk/callforsites

The district council says: “A separate form should be completed for each site Forms should include as much information as possible, and a Location Plan should be submitted Without a Location Plan it will not be possible to register the site for further consideration ”

After 46 years Dave hands over his electrical business

A WELL-KNOWN local business owner is putting away his tools after 46 years supplying local electrical services – but he’s leaving the company in very capable hands

Dave Worrall started up his company, Melbourne Electric, in 1973

At the age of 67, he has decided to retire but the company is now carrying on under Daniel Smith, who has been working with Dave since 2002

Dave started out aged 15 at the East Midlands Electricity Board, which used to have Derby offices in the old Silk Mill

Five years later, he left to branch out on his own

“It’s the best thing I ever did,” said Dave

“My mother was worried sick because I had a very good job with East Midlands Electricity Board

She was worried because I left a good, guaranteed job to go and be self-employed It was a gamble but, fortunately, I’ve never looked back ”

Running your own electrical business in a place like Melbourne has meant Dave has been involved in a huge variety of work: domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial

Highlights over the years have been re-wiring Melbourne’s the Dower House and properties on the Melbourne Hall estate, along with businesses

that no longer exist, such as the former stocking factory at Castle Mills

A lot of Melbourne Electric’s work has also been fulfilling contracts for public bodies such as councils, the police and the armed forces

Dave has worked on “virtually every police house in Derbyshire”, as well as 600 council houses in Newark, and, he reckons, around half the houses in Melbourne

As an electrician, he has also been a stalwart of local organisations over the years, doing the electrics for Melbourne Carnival for three decades, for example

It’s clear that starting up on his own has more than paid off for Dave, who has been constantly busy over that time – once even having to take time out from a family holiday in Cornwall in order to fulfil a contract

“We’ve never been slack We’ve always been busy,” he said Dave had not intended to retire but a period of ill health earlier this year prompted him to feel this was the right time

He intends to spend his retirement continuing to renovate the bungalow he shares with wife Sue, as well as pursuing his other local interests: he is a founder member of Melbourne Town Band and is president of Melbourne branch of the Royal British Legion, of which he is a gold badge holder

In 2014, he was awarded the Dr Brendan Freeman Award for services to the community, and in 2016 was invited to Buckingham Palace for one of the Queen’s garden parties

“Dave has been a good boss to me; he’s always looked after me,” said Daniel, who will be running the firm under the slightly changed name of Melbourne Electrics Ltd – Lucy Stephens

l Dave Worrall with Daniel Smith

Andrea’s accolade

MELBOURNE’S name is being showcased around the world after one of its newest businesses won a clutch of awards, one of which has a glamorous international flavour

Andrea Simpson, a facialist who opened her salon in Melbourne’s Market Place earlier this year, was named England Facial Skincare Therapist of the Year in the 2019 Luxury Travel Guide Spa and Wellness Awards

The prize means Andrea’s Melbourne salon will be mentioned in Luxury Travel Guide magazines placed in some of the world’s plushest hotels, such as the five-star Mandarin Oriental where the jet-set head to unwind anywhere from London to Hong Kong

The award is a big accolade for a one-woman business, but Andrea has some top drawer experience behind her She worked for years as international training manager for skincare brand ESPA, honing the skills of spa teams in glamorous hotels across the

globe She has lived and worked in Milan, the Caribbean, Asia but Andrea says that, despite her years of travelling, Melbourne itself has something special and unique, in its beauty and community spirit

“Not many people have that anymore,” she said

“It’s very special The community, everyone who organises things, the people who are involved in that – it’s very special

When you see it every day, you don’t always recognise that As an outsider coming in, Melbourne certainly has something very unusual

“You don’t always see the ob-

vious when you live with beautiful views every day It’s a beautiful village ”

As well as the Spa and Wellness award, Andrea was also a Beauty Therapist of the Year finalist in the British Hair and Beauty Awards 2019, and a regional Best Beauty Salon finalist for “Muddy Stilettos”, an upmarket online guide to funky countryside businesses

Andrea came to her career as a facialist via a slightly unusual route, but one which nevertheless chimed in with her love of travel: she was originally in the Army, having joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps attached to the Royal Signals

Steve releases a solo single

STEVE Aynsley, from Aston on Trent and lead singer with the popular local rock band, the Junkyard Angels, is having a solo vinyl single released on Fury Records aimed at the ever popular rock ’n’ roll market both in the UK and Europe

He originally wrote the ‘A’ side, “Hard Time Gettin’ Home” for American rockabilly and country artist Narvel Felts, who recorded it in Hollywood in 1999 Steve had his version, which also features Darrel Higham, former guitarist and husband of Decca recording artist Imelda May, played on Radio Caroline’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight program when he was a featured guest

The host, Dell Richardson, liked the recording so much that he decided to release it on his own Fury record label in a retro 7” single format Steve wrote the flip side “Too Young for Love” during a break in lessons when he was a pupil at Gateshead Grammar School in 1959 The song

after her schooldays in her native Yorkshire

“I always wanted to do therapy, but I always wanted to join the military,” she explained “I thought there was only one order to do those things in ”

Having decided she would like her own salon, she spied her current premises on a trip to Melbourne from her home town of Ashby when it was still occupied by a toy business

“I peered through the window when it was a toy shop and I said to my husband ‘this would be perfect’,” she explained

“Something cosmic must have happened because that was on the Sunday and on Fri-

day it came up on social media ”

As for what Andrea offers in her business, she says she prefers to simply stick to what she knows best: facials “I’m all about skin health and how to get skin into the best health it can be,” she said

NEW members of the local Safer Neighbourhood policing team were introduced at the recent Local Area Forum held in Barrow-onTrent David Walker is the new sergeant on the team, and new members are PC Paul Trussell, PC Mark Holmes and PCSO Andrea Thompson PCSO Supervisor Kerry Wallington-Waite mentioned the work of the new speedwatch teams in Melbourne and Aston, with a third due to be set up soon

FUNERAL COSTS INCREASE EACH YEAR

The

cost of a funeral was £4271 in 2018. This is expected to increase to £7156 by 2028.

lay unrecorded until earlier this year when Steve went into the Snug Recording studio in Derby and gave it a Johnny Cash feel with the help of engineer Rich Collins Steve (pictured above, right) will be taking his record to the Paris Record Fair in January to promote it to the French rockabilly fans with whom he is well known It will be available in the UK from specialist dealers Bim Bam Records, Raucous Records and Rebound Records as well as direct from Fury Records It will also be available at Junkyard Angels’ gigs

New school is officially opened

A NEW four million pound primary school, which is in the catchment for Chellaston Academy, has been officially opened Derbyshire County Council approved plans to build the new school in Chellaston in 2017 and provided £600,000 towards its construction

The Chellaston Fields Spencer Academy has been designed and built by housing developer Persimmon Homes and is operated by the George Spencer Academy Trust

The seven-classroom school opened its doors to

pupils on September 5 and was officially opened on October 22 in a ceremony with staff, children, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Councillor Alex Dale and other representatives from the council, the trust and the building developer

In 2018, a meeting in Melbourne Assembly council representative that children from the 450-home new Chellaston Fields housing development would be in the catchment area for the academy after all

“I’m so privileged and so honoured to be recognised in these awards – I still can’t quite believe it!” –

Lucy Stephens

Bethany’s haircut gives charity a boost

THIS Melbourne girl had a haircut with a difference when she donated her beautiful locks to a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer

Bethany Shipway, 10, grew her hair for two and a half years in order to have enough to donate to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs from real hair free of charge for children and young adults who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatments and other conditions.

She was sponsored by relatives, teachers at school and from her local brownie group and raised more than £270 for the charity, to fund research into finding better treatments for childhood cancers.

Bethany had the big chop at the Alive ‘n’ Klippin hairdressing salon on Melbourne’s High Street on October 25, with co-owner Pat Watts doing the honours.

Bethany said: “When I lived in Ireland, there was a girl who cut her hair really short and I decided I wanted to do it too They’re going to make my hair into a wig for

people who have cancer. People have sponsored me and then we are going to give the money to the char-

ity as well.”

Bethany’s mum Katrina said: “We’re so proud of her – she’s amazing.”

New bus service just the ticket?

MIDLAND Classic are inviting passengers to sit back and relax on their new service to East Midlands Airport, which began on October 28.

The Airline 9 route will travel between the airport and Burton on Trent, via Melbourne, Lount, Ashby, Midway, Swadlincote and Newhall in an hourly service

Midland Classic managing director James Boddice said: “Airline 9 opens up new links through to Melbourne and East Midlands Airport including significant employment opportunities at the business parks close to the airport – Airline 9 will run early to late seven days a week, ideal for the daily commute ”

He added: “Airline 9 will run later into the evening helping to support the night-time economy in Burton, Swadlincote and Ashby – it’s much less fuss to take the bus ”

But the routing has inevitably caused some consternation, with residents on Potter Street, Melbourne, troubled by the placing of the bus stop which will mean that traffic may be blocked whilst passengers board Others have voiced general concern As one resident put it:

“I was appalled to read in the Village Voice of an hourly bus service struggling through the narrow streets of Melbourne

The streets named are all single lane due to cars being parked on one side ”

Derbyshire County Council has welcomed the new transport provision and, in partnership with South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire District councils and the airport, is

providing funding for the additional services on Sunday, Bank Holidays and the early and late schedule to ensure there are more opportunities for travellers and employees to use the service

It is understood that funding continues for up to three years Early sightings of the bus would suggest that the service is likely to be well used

– Frank Hughes

Henry’s last local scenes calendar for charity

OVER the past 15 years he has painted nearly 200 original watercolours showing our beautiful corner of the Derbyshire and Leicestershire borders … and it’s raised thousands of pounds for cancer research

But at the age of 84 Henry Hastings says he is producing his final charity calendar for 2020, preferring to paint purely for pleasure from now on

Henry, who was born and bred in Melbourne, has been producing his calendars since 2005, painting watercolours of local scenes for each one

The calendars were originally sold in aid of the Royal British Legion but Henry switched to donating the profits to Cancer Research UK a couple of years later

Like so many of us, Henry’s life has been touched with cancer in different ways

In 2007, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and given just weeks to live However, his diagnosis was changed, he was given a much better prognosis, and went through months of treatment

Sadly, his daughter, Julie, lost her life to the disease two years ago

“The research is paramount,” said Henry “Prostate cancer used to be a death certificate – it isn’t now ”

Henry said he always enjoyed drawing but did not fully take to it until after he had retired as a manager at Qualcast Foundries in Derby and went on an art course

He has painted original watercolours of many local beauty spots for his calendars, a favourite being the River Trent at Swarkestone

Melbourne Wakes and Staunton Harold are just two of many other scenes he has depicted over the years

Henry lives in Chellaston with his wife, Valerie, but still comes to Melbourne often and has been a stalwart at Kings Newton Bowls Club since 1982

His 2020 calendar will be on sale at Melbourne News and Melbourne Post Office amongst a few other outlets

Over the years, the calendars have raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK but Henry feels that all good things come to an end

“I think I’ve done my whack now,” he said “I feel as though I’ve done something ”

–

Lucy Stephens

Hooray at the Henries for Jo

AND she only went and won!

Melbourne business Dandelion Stationery is officially the cream of the crop after winning a major national award for its cards – beating off competition from thousands

The greetings card busines was crowned the winner for ‘Best Relations and Occasions range’ at the Henries UK-wide awards ceremony in London

Jo Wilson, who started up Dandelion Stationery and produces the fresh and funny designs on an iPad, said she had been genuinely shocked to win

“We’re so small compared to some of the other people we were up against,” she said

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the other people in our category –they make the sort of cards that I would go out and buy! Even being on the same level as them is great ”

The Henries awards saw 14,000 entries this year from card makers across Britain vying to win in a range of categories from humour to photographic

Dandelion Stationery has been entering the awards since 2014, has regularly been listed amongst the finalists and won one of the categories in 2016

CAR PARK USAGE REPORT

A REPORT on the usage of the village’s main car park showed it is mainly used by the employees of local businesses during the week

Melbourne district councillor Martin Fitzpatrick outlined the findings of his recent report on the High Street car park at the latest meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

In last month’s Village Voice, we reported how Cllr Fitzpatrick was conducting a review of the car park to see if it could yield more spaces for the benefit of local shops

The report’s findings are to be submitted to South Derbyshire District Council

Among the recommendations Cllr Fitzpatrick mentioned in the meeting would be more three-hour restricted parking slots; trying to relocate the recycling facilities elsewhere within Melbourne, or reducing the type of waste collected; restricting continuous 24-hour parking; and trying to restrict continuous daytime parking

His analysis had shown the car park was “rammed” during the day between Monday to Saturday, with an average of 80 spaces occupied of the current 83 or 84 bays Employees at local businesses were generally taking up about 60 of those 80

Of about 300 cars regularly using the parking area he had identified about seven which were stationary for very long periods, but only one of those he thought was potentially an airport user

He said the report would now be considered at the district level to see what practically could be done quickly and cheaply There was hope that potentially 14 more spaces could be made available

l Henry Hastings, with his dog Ella, and the 2020 calendar. As reported in the Village Voice in 2015, Henry rescued Ella from Corfu when he was on holiday there Her name means “come here” in Greek

2 courses - £22.95

3 courses - £29.95

This year, as well as winning an award outright, they were also finalists in two other categories

Staff from Dandelion and Melbourne Print who went along to the Henries said that comic Tom Allen (pictured with Jo) – a TV regular perhaps best known for his appearance on The Great British Bake Off ’s Extra Slice – had brought the house down with his quick-moving repartee, as well as taking time to pose for photos with every winner

Belton, Leicestershire

Fascinating

A TREASURE trove of fascinating documents and artefacts – from receipt books to crockery – has been discovered at the Thomas Cook Memorial Cottages in Melbourne, just weeks after the collapse of the holiday company that bore the same name.

Thomas Cook holiday company ceased trading in September, bringing about the UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation ever undertaken with 150,000 British holidaymakers needing to be brought home

Thousands of people lost their jobs, although some of those were later re-employed by Hays Travel, and hotels and holidaymakers were left out of pocket

But the Victorian travel pioneer, who was born in Melbourne, left another legacy – the memorial cottages or ‘alms houses’ in the High Street for the use of local people

The cot cluding T Charles T Tom Cook

The lar been foun comprehe 1891 over morial cot in Thoma day

Perhap the origin went into terpane” t and glass Painsta teresting tages Re became ir how thos paired up Philip, Group, sa tage had Bible and Each boo neatly sta it belonge the docum “In line that he w residents Nigel C Thomas C nating to picture of “In con

ABOVE: Thomas Cook BELOW: The sign on the side of the Thomas Cook Mission Hall RIGHT: The Thomas Cook Memorial Cottages on Melbourne’s High Street.

FAR LEFT: A variety of papers were found, including IOU notes to local businesses.

LEFT: The original crockery that was used when the memorial cottages were founded

RIGHT: The original trustees’ minute book with the first entry dating April 23, 1891

FAR RIGHT: The original inventory book listing what

Cook treasure trove

tages are still run by a board of trustees inhomas Cook’s great, great, great grandson, emple-Richards, and his great-great grandson, ge collection of documents that have recently nd at the alms houses provide a detailed and nsive picture of the care that was taken in the furnishings and management of the mettages that were intended for the use of people s Cook’s home parish – as they still are, to this s one of the most interesting finds has been al inventory book listing the furnishings that every cottage, from the “white and red counto “three cane seated chairs” and “water bottle ” akingly detailed minute books provide an inpicture about the various goings-on at the cotcounted in the pages, we learn how a resident ritated by another ’s noisy grandchildren, and e whose spouses had died were sometimes together in the same cottage chair of Melbourne Historical Research id: “I was fascinated to discover that each cotfrom the start been provided with its own a history of the Baptist Church in our locality k was beautifully bound in hard covers and amped in gold with the number of the cottage d to; a few of the originals still survive among ments e with Cook’s Temperance beliefs, they show was concerned with the spiritual state of the , and not just their physical welfare ”

Collyer, chair of the board of trustees for Cook Memorial Cottages, said: “It was fascifind these old documents, which paint a vivid Melbourne 100 years ago junction with the Melbourne Historical Re-

We are friendly establishment located on the outskir ts of rural Melbourne o ering comfor table, secure accom ation, daily exercise sessions, playtime and love from our knowledgeable and experienced sta We welcome dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes and invite owners to visit by appointment to see our facilities

search Group, we will try to find a future opportunity to display some of the artefacts and documents, but in the meantime we will keep them in secure storage

“The trustees recognise that we are looking

after one of Melbourne’s iconic buildings, and we hope that we have found a good balance between the original intention of the founder and the realities of the 21st century ” – Lucy Stephens

DISCOVERY (l-r) Philip Heath, chair of Melbourne Historical Research Group, Nigel Collyer, chair of the board of trustees for the Thomas Cook Memorial Cottages Trust, and board secretary Jim Hewlett, examining the papers found at the cottages.

EXTINCTION Rebellion marches have been much in the news of late, with local demonstrations in Derby and more in London from participants keen to highlight the problem of climate change

But what’s it all about?

CHRISTIAN MURRAY-LESLIE, of Melbourne, who has taken part in the demonstrations, explains more:

Extinction Rebellion in its short life has done much to draw attention to the climate emergency that we now face Yet many people are puzzled or even put off by the name, so a few words in explanation may be helpful Extinction obviously means what it says and in this instance refers to the sixth mass extinction event on our planet This is now well advanced and its rate is calculated to be many thousands of times the expected ‘natural’

Reasons to think that this Rebellion is in a good cause

rate

It is entirely due to human activity rather than ‘natural’ extinction events such as meteor or asteroid strikes or volcanic activity, which have occurred in the distant past, long before people walked the earth

The logo of an hour glass represents time running out

The term rebellion clearly worries a lot of people, even though the organisation Extinction Rebellion is committed to non-violent, peaceful action intended to pressurise governments

around the world to tell the truth about climate change and to take the necessary actions without any further delay

It has to be remembered that these protest actions have only been taken after lack of adequate action following 40 years of warnings by climate scientists and several ineffective international climate conferences, not to mention the organised campaigns of misinformation and denial by fossil fuel lobbyists and certain populist politicians

Now faced with an actual acceleration of carbon emissions over the last decade rather than the required reductions and with the manifest failure of conventional protests such as marches to influence governments around the world our children and young people, notably Greta Thunberg, are now engaging in higher profile actions

It behoves us adults to support them and to be prepared to take more dramatic actions such as peaceful civil disobedience

In the past this has been the only

OBITUARIES

ANNIE CHRISTINE GIDLOW (née Earp)

December 22, 1936 – September 29, 2019

ANNIE was wife to Robert for 62 years, having met at a Boxing Day dance in Melbourne Public Hall in 1954 She was mother to Georgina, Paul, Robert and Annette; grandma to Sam, Alex, Hugh, Oliver, Joanne, Jack, Henry, Joseph and Maddy; and sister to Rosemary

Annie had a large family whom she cared for and loved, taking huge pleasure from all their achievements and many family celebrations

To her grandchildren, she was a friend, a guide and provider of the most amazing birthday cakes of every design possible; she was never thwarted by any request – from a farm to a swimming pool, cricket pitch to Postman Pat and Disney princesses

Annie, eldest daughter of Melbourne market gardeners Arthur and Tilly Earp, lived, went to school and socialised in Kings Newton and Melbourne as a youngster After school and prior to marrying Robert, she worked in Warren’s shop in Castle Square, at a time when she was dealing with war ration books

She was also a choir girl and Sunday school teacher at Melbourne Parish Church

Outside of her family, the WI played a huge part in Annie’s life She joined in 1957 and held many positions of office for 48 years She was a committee member, treasurer, secretary and president at the Staunton Harold branch She was group convener of the Harpur Crewe Group, WI adviser for Derbyshire, a member of the Home Economics Committee in Derby and, finally – a role she was really proud of – county chairman

GILLIAN MARY BRADFORD (née Davis)

April 7, 1935 – September 19, 2019

THE second of four children, Gill was born at Nightingale Maternity Home in Derby on April 7, 1935, to Wallis and Mary Davis

She attended Homelands Grammar School in Village Street, Derby Upon leaving she worked in the offices of Courtaulds manufacturers and then moved on to Rolls-Royce, where she worked as a machinist for approximately five years

At the age of 20, she met Graham and they were married at St Giles Church, Village Street, Derby They moved to Melbourne where they shared 61 wonderful years together They had two children, Lorraine and Jason

At the age of 40, Gill was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis Over the years, this gradually took a strong hold over her body Despite this and after many operations, she was still a jolly outgoing person and was determined NOT to give in to it

Gill attended the Wednesday and Melbourne Activity groups, where she would help out to her capabilities at times, joining day trips out

But, sadly, the last five years were the hardest As well as losing their daughter to leukaemia, aged 53, Gill was losing the ability to function Walking got harder and she had to use a wheelchair As well as that, she lost the sight in one eye

But her spirit was strong! She had full support from Graham and her close family

way that people, particularly women, achieved the vote, the only way that civil rights campaigners and the antiapartheid protesters overcame the oppressive segregation practised in the southern USA and in South Africa and the only way that India achieved its independence

So, the rebellion is against the lack of action to counteract this huge threat to our continued existence on earth and to our planet’s continuing degradation

It is action born out of concern, respect and love for the natural world and humanity In this context and in proportion to the threat we face this ‘rebellion’ is not extreme and it is certainly not terrorism

Suggestion: watch the BBC’s film : Climate Change – The Facts, by Sir David Attenborough on YouTube

for Derbyshire

Annie very much loved the people, friendships, opportunities, activities, holidays and the chains of office When not at home managing her family, she was at the WI giving her all and enjoying life to the full

Acknowledgement of her service to the WI was a tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace alongside Robert, her husband This was an extremely proud day for Annie and her family

Annie lived her life with immense determination and dignity and, whilst too soon, she sadly died peacefully at home on September 29

Gill was very clear on her views of life She knew what she wanted and how, but at times would cry because she couldn’t do a simple task like brush her own hair!

Gill passed away aged 81 on Thursday, September 19, 2019 The funeral was held at Melbourne Parish Church on October 10

Gill was a well-known and liked woman, who is going to be greatly missed

The family would like to thank those who have shared their condolences and especially those who have helped both Gill and Graham over the years

Gypsy caravan site is given the go-ahead

A CONTROVERSIAL gypsy caravan site in Aston-on-Trent has been allowed on appeal

The decision means the Shardlow Road site for six gypsy families can now go ahead, despite having been initially refused

Around 250 people from Aston turned out to object when the proposals were heard at a South Derbyshire District Council Planning Committee meeting last year

Officers had recommended the plans be approved but, when the matter was put to the vote after an hour of debate, they were narrowly refused

However, a planning inspector has now ruled that the site should be allowed to go ahead after all, after the applicants appealed against the committee’s decision

The proposals involve creating the gypsy caravan site on agricultural land north of Shardlow Road, just outside the village

The design and access statement says the site is intended for six gypsy families with room for each family to have two caravans

Two brick-built amenity buildings, totalling 72 square metres, are also included in the proposals: one with kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities, plus space for din-

ing and sitting, and the second for toilets and showers

A total of 281 objections were received from the local community when the plans were originally submitted, along with a solitary letter of support

Much of the planning committee’s debate had centred around the fact that the caravan site would be in open countryside, with one councillor saying it would be an “eyesore”

The appeal was lodged over the summer and was heard on September 3

Planning inspector Thomas Hatfield ruled that, although the caravan site would “result in some localised harm to the character and appearance of the countryside”, this could be mitigated by planning conditions

He also acknowledged that good quality agricultural land may be lost

But he said the site should be allowed, largely because of the lack of a five-year supply of gypsy and traveller sites in the area that was “unlikely to be resolved in the near future”

He said: “Moreover, the appeal site is in a relatively accessible location close to a key service village These considerations carry significant weight in favour of the

WHAT’S ON

YOUR GUIDE TO EVENTS IN THE AREA

Wednesday November 13: Melbourne Parish Church Choir presents a liturgical performance of ’Requiem Mass’ by Gabriel Fauré in the Parish Church at 7.45pm.

proposal

“In the circumstances of this appeal, the relatively limited harm that would arise is clearly outweighed by the benefits of allowing the appeal

“Moreover, on balance, I do not consider that the proposal would result in an unacceptable impact on the surrounding landscape or the local environment ”

Albert Willow, chair of SAVE (Save Aston and Weston Village Environments) said: “Whilst SAVE fully respects the democratic process undertaken and the planning inspectorate’s evaluation to reach that decision, we nonetheless believed that the numerous non-emotive, quality and detailed arguments put forward by the villagers would hold considerable sway to the outcome “Unfortunately, in the inspector ’s view, the lack of a five-year supply of gypsy and traveller sites and a significant unmet need in the borough that is unlikely to be resolved by SDDC until possibly late 2021, carried ‘significant weight for the appeal’ and out balanced these arguments

“At present we are unaware whether SDDC will challenge the decision in the High Court, although we understand this challenge does have to be lodged within 42 days Unfortunately, SAVE does not have

the financial resource or personnel to do this, but will keep our members informed of any developments ” – Lucy Stephens

Friday November 15: Music in the Kiln. Performance at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote, by four-piece Melbourne band O the Record. First of monthly performances. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. O the Record perform songs from the 1920s to the 2000s featuring vocal harmonies, ukulele, guitar, harmonica and tin whistle. They play to donate to good causes. Tickets £6 available from museum reception, by phone: 01283 222 600, or via email: info@sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk

November 15 - 17: Christmas Fair, Donington Hall. Artisan gifts, designers and makers. Belgian wa es, pancakes, a Christmas carvery and baked potatoes from traditional Victorian potato oven. Specialist cheese, pate, charcuterie, sweet treats, festive musical performances. Tickets £5 available from www.doningtonchristmasfair.com and also on the door. Free parking. All funds go to Treetops Hospice Care. Sneak peak on November 15, 6 - 9pm then 10am4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

From November 16: Visit Santa, Staunton Harold Nursery. Every weekend from November 16. See main ad for full details.

November 16 & 17, and 22 & 24: Swarkestone Nursery Christmas and Craft Fair.

Thursday November 21: Bretby Circular Walk. Four-mile walk led by Paul from Melbourne Footpaths Group. Meet at Bretby Planters Nursery at 10am. Please park as far as possible from the main building and buy a drink before or after the walk. Small charge.

December 7 & 8, 14 & 15: Heaths Nursery, Melbourne. Choose your Christmas Tree. See main ad for details.

Friday December 13: Melbourne Operatic Society, Christmas Music Evening. Melbourne Assembly Rooms Saturday December 14: Castle Donington. See main ad for full details.

Thursday December 19: Carol-singing around the Christmas Tree in Melbourne Market Place. From 6.30pm. Wrap up warm and enjoy a sing-a-long accompanied by Melbourne Town Band. Churches Together in Melbourne will be providing warm mince pies. The event is promoted by Rotex.

All information correct at time of going to press. Please check before travelling.

n THESE Aston-on-Trent folk enjoyed an afternoon twirling around the floor at a tea dance held in Richmond Villages

Members of Aston’s regular tea dance group enjoyed lunch followed by a turn around the floor at the event

The oldest dancer, 101-year-old Les Brooks, still manages a sprightly waltz!

PLANE IN PINK FOR CHARITY

LOCAL people working at distribution giant DHL at East Midlands Airport helped turn things pink in a new charity initiative that even saw planes get a revamp!

Five planes flying from the airport and two more from the company’s base in Bahrain were adorned with a pink ribbon as part of a month of fund-raising for Breast Cancer Awareness

Nick Hill, of Melbourne, logistics manager for DHL, said the breast cancer awareness month was now planned to happen every October as it had been such a success

“It went really well,” he said “Within the business, you’ve got a lot of people working here and a lot of people had a personal connection with breast cancer People found it very humbling that something so close to them was being recognised by the company ”

The idea to have a breast cancer awareness month at DHL came from pilot Maria Friedrich and administrator Jennifer Platt

As well as adorning planes with pink ribbons, there was a range of fund-raising initiatives including pink lanyards worn by staff, raffles and

cake sales

Around £5,000 was raised which was due to be split between two charities that helped wives of DHL staff who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019: Breast Cancer Now and the Breast Unit at Nottingham City Hospital

DHL is also donating 20 refurbished iPads to Derby, Nottingham, Burton and Leicester hospitals chemotherapy treatment units to help keep patients as entertained as possible during treatment

children up to the age of 8 years.

Recreation centre benefits from village’s annual supper quiz

QUIZZERS from Aston-on-Trent put their heads together to raise more funds for the village’s recently opened recreation centre

The annual Aston Supper Quiz was held on October 12 at the war memorial hall.

Attendees said the evening had once again been a great success, with 10 rounds of 10 questions apiece being “extremely well thought and researched by Aston’s excellent quiz master, Robin Sedgewick, and his wife, Ann”.

The winners were Team Malbec, who were presented with the David Smith Memorial Trophy by district councillor Neil Atkin.

George’s Tradition of Long Eaton provided the fish and chip supper which was much enjoyed by all.

Organiser Sandra Bayliss thanked everyone for their continuing support for ‘Recreation in Aston’, to which all the evening’s proceeds will go in order to assist with the upkeep of the new recreation centre

Sandra paid tribute to Barbara James and Hilary Forber for their unstinting work over many years to raise funds for the rebuild of the centre and urged all present to continue to support the new Recreation in Aston committee.

Pictured are quiz organiser Sandra Bayliss (left) with the winning Team Malbec being presented with the David Smith Memorial Trophy by South Derbyshire district councillor Neil Atkin, ward member for Aston

VILLAGE VOICE Postbag

No place in 21st Century road system for this

I’M unlikely to be the only person to contact you regarding Swarkestone Bridge and the sheer hell it creates every day for so many people

I believe the last survey was published in April 2010 (Google “Swarkestone & Stanton-by Bridge” for the engineering report) and nothing has moved forwards since then I also believe Heather Wheeler (MP) got involved more recently but with no success

The bridge is absolutely not fit for purpose with the pinch points along its length Buses and lorries have to drive down the wrong side of the road to get across Emergency vehicles cannot get across without being impeded There is a real risk that fatalities will occur, or may have done so already, with the delays getting across

I would imagine environmentally it’s detrimental with stop-start traffic and fumes It is littered with wing mirrors, broken glass, hub caps and other vehicle parts Over time with the spray tarmacking the road gullies have fallen so far below the road surface it is damaging suspensions

When it was built it was only intended for horse and cart and the occasional invading Scot-

tish army, but as an A road it has no place in the 21st Century road system Vehicles are constantly crashing through sections and then the repairs ensure traffic mayhem

It is described as an ancient monument, but medieval car park is more apt I would invite people to actually look at the stonework and ask themselves how much of the actual original bridge is left?

The Only Fools and Horses sketch comes to mind where Trigger was awarded a medal for how long his council sweeping broom has lasted (https://www youtube com/watch?v=56yN2zHtofM)

It had 17 new heads and 14 new handles and the café owner asks: “How the heck can it be the same ruddy broom then?”

It’s not the original bridge so hardly deserves its status Can we not do something to resolve the problems it creates?

Clearly, the funding is not there to build a new bridge, so cannot the narrow sections be widened? It certainly looks like it’s been done in the past Roger Hampson Ashby Road, Melbourne.

Church audience treated to a wonderful sound

ON Friday, October 25, Melbourne Parish Church was the location for an evening of music and refreshments, provided by two local choral groups

They were, Melbourne Male Voice Choir, who have performed for over 40 years, and the like-minded ladies choir, SherWIn Singers, who were first formed from the Women’s Institute and have been entertaining audiences since 2014

The appreciative audience was thoroughly treated to a variety of harmonious songs by both choirs

The first half of the show featured five songs from each choir and concluded with a superb rendition of the classic song ‘Jerusalem’ with both choirs and the audience singing their hearts out; what a wonderful sound in the church

The second half of this delightful evening was a real ‘foot tapping’, delightfully performed presentation from both choirs

My personal favourites from the SherWIn Singers were ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘The Prayer ’ , and from Melbourne Male Voice Choir were ‘Llanfair ’ and ‘An

Thanks to purse finder

American Trilogy’ Each choir complimented the other with their song choices

In conclusion, this special evening, was given by dedicated groups of people who voluntarily give their spare time, to provide entertainment and enjoyment to others

Finally, are you someone who enjoys ‘belting’ out songs in their bathroom at home, but perhaps, feel not quite up to the standard of Katherine Jenkins, or Andrea Bocelli?

Well, why not join Melbourne Male Voice Choir or The SherWIn Singers and share your voice with others; I’m sure you would be made most welcome Colin Barker

Melbourne

New medical service is here

A NEW way of delivering private General Practice has been rolled out in Derbyshire by an organisation called Concierge Medical Practice Village Voice’s Frank Hughes spoke to one of the two local GPs involved with the service, Dr Sasha Wheatcroft (pictured), who lives in Repton

What is the service you are offering?

Concierge Medical Practice was established in 2013 in the Cotswolds and Warwickshire area by two GPs, Dr Karl Braine and Dr Simon Gillson, who had both become disillusioned with the poor continuity of care and poor access within the NHS The service provides a 24-hours-a-day, seven-daysa-week home visiting GP service

It has been hugely successful with 1,500 patients registered in these areas The feedback is overwhelmingly excellent from patients, it is multi-award winning and is registered with the Care Quality Commission as a provider of highquality medical care

Who is the service aimed at?

It is a private service that is available to members and clearly has to be affordable This is about choice and preferences There are those who want a more personal relationship with their GP

Many patients have become frustrated with the standard provision where they cannot get to see their own doctor, they may be asked to wait many weeks for a routine appointment or they feel they are not being heard and that any clinical interaction is rushed and pressurised

Some do decide the financial sacrifice, of for instance, a meal out, is worth it in order to have access to the service and their own named GP

The aim is to be our patients’ advocate and to deliver high quality modern medicine

Why did you decide to get involved?

I have worked in the NHS for 17 years, and still work in Derby City General Practice is not what it used to be, and I want to be able to spend more time with my patients and develop good relationships with them

It is about providing continuity of care, get-

ting to know my patients and them getting to know me I don’t want to feel the pressure of time when I visit patients –I want to be able to give them the opportunity to talk and for me to listen

What is the cost?

Up to age 49, the monthly individual membership fee is £80; between age 50 and 74 it is £100 and over 75 it is £120 There is a reduction on that for couples joining Under 18s with an adult member is £25 per month We also have bespoke packages and have corporate membership schemes

And what are the benefits?

It is a 24/7 service You get a dedicated contact number to call day or night or you can email You will be seen, if needed, at home or work at a time to suit you; you will be referred to the best consultants and experts when necessary; prescriptions are handled privately, with access to medication which may not be readily available through the NHS

Are there circumstances where using the NHS is recommended?

I would recommend for expectant mothers, cancer care and for emergency cases, patients need to be with the NHS Concierge Medical Practice is primarily a GP service rather than secondary or emergency care

Do you have a limit on the numbers who can join?

At present each GP has a caseload of 120-150 individuals or families

Where do you cover?

Roughly it is within an hour ’s travel time from where we live in Repton and Duffield, so Derby, Melbourne, Ashby, Ashbourne, Long Eaton and areas of Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and North Warwickshire are well within striking distance

How do you join the service?

Either by phone (01451 600900), email info@conciergemedical co uk or online via the website at www conciergemedical co uk

Award for Amalfi White

MELBOURNE restaurant and wedding venue Amalfi White is celebrating after winning the coveted “Best out of Town” award at the Derby Food and Drink awards in October

It’s another accolade to add to the list for the Melbourne establishment, which also holds the Midlands Business Awards for the ‘Most Elegant Wedding Venue’ for 2018 and 2019 In addition to these, Amalfi White has held two AA rosettes for culinary excellence since 2016

Owner Lizzy Devey Smith is delighted with the recent achievements of the business since opening six years ago

“This is credit to the superb team that we have at Amalfi,” she said “They work so hard, continually striving for excellence in everything we offer Our weddings and events are first class, the food is exceptional quality and the service is relaxed and attentive We are delighted to receive

Heaths Farm Shop

n MEET Melbourne’s new

‘First Responders’

David Hudson, Annette Fletcher and Paul Liversidge are the new life-saving first response team supporting the NHS ambulance service, attending medical emergencies in the precious minutes before an ambulance arrives David has been a first responder for around 10 months, while Annette and Paul are undergoing training

See the October Village Voice for our full article on the service that first responders provide You can read it online at www melbournevillagevoice co uk, where previous issues are published going back to 2010

this recognition

“We also would like to extend a huge thank you to all our customers who have supported us over the years to enable us to get to where we are now ”

Recent changes at Amalfi White have included a new Sunday roast lunch and weekday “quick lunch under £10” menu

“We also have a great menu selection for vegans, gluten-free and lactose-free customers so we are catering for most dietary requirements and we are getting a lot of grateful customers who are enjoying having somewhere to eat regularly,” said

Lizzy

The Amalfi White team is now preparing for the busy festive season which has seen the Christmas parties sell out in record time this year They said they were also looking forward to the New Year ’s Ball which is the “pinnacle” of the year ’s events for the venue

7 Cards

7 Cards

Restorative

A CRIMINAL is being dealt with by restorative justice after admitting a theft in Melbourne to police within an hour of doing it

Police said the theft happened in Melbourne on the morning of October 24

They said the offender had been identified by the local policing team within an hour and visited

The thief then admitted full guilt and would be dealt with by restorative justice, said a force spokesperson

Restorative justice aims to bring together criminals and their victims to decide together on an appropriate response That could include an apology, either written or face-to-face, payment for the damage or loss, or some sort of activity in the community

justice Drivers reported

THREE drivers were reported for not complying with the “access only” signs on Woodshop Lane, Swarkestone, police said

Local officers said they were out on Woodshop Lane one afternoon in October when they reported the offending drivers

Earlier this year police warned motorists they would face action if they were found using the narrow lane next to the Crewe & Harpur as a “rat run”, after complaints from residents

Large, purpose built, heated dog kennels and cat chalets in Ingleby. Large, secure, grass exercise paddocks for to their requirements.

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Rain fails to stop the

WET weather did not dampen spirits at this year ’s Melbourne Wakes, with plenty of people going out to enjoy the fun

Last year marked a century since the Holland family have been putting on the traditional fairground celebration in Melbourne

An exhibition was held in Melbourne Assembly Rooms and the Holland family presented a fairground horse to Melbourne Parish Council in thanks for the local community’s warm welcome over many years.

Albert Holland, from the family owners of the fair, said that despite the drizzle the 2019 Wakes’ takings had been slightly up on last year.

Melbourne Wakes is now also held on the Sun-

The Common Touch...

Ever-green festive season

NOW it’s November we can be allowed to mention the Christmas word. This year I think even more people will want to move to a ‘greener ’ sustainable option for the seasonal festivities.

Whistlewood kicks off the holiday season with a wreath-making session on Sunday, December 1. The smell of all the cut greenery and holly in the room is a real sensory treat; it’s a great relaxing and creative way to start the real run-up to Christmas.

Thinking of nature and how we can protect our environment, let’s all make a pact to buy less plastic tat. When you think about it how is buying things that go to wrecking our environment a gift? Is that something we really need to continue?

So many people now realise they don’t need or want more stuff.

A popular swap for ‘things’ as gifts is

buying someone an experience: theatre tickets, online subscriptions, annual passes, shares in your local neighbourhood community orchard?

Spend that hard-earned cash on a family day out and make memories, not more landfill rubbish

If you still want to get an actual gift, think local. We are blessed with so many fantastic food producers, crafts people and artists that gifts can be bought but the cash stays in the local economy rather than lining Amazon’s pockets

It does take some thought (remember that’s what counts!) and planning, though, so best not leave it until the last minute.

There’s also plenty of alternatives for wrapping gifts too; let’s create less waste this Christmas, buy less and spend more time with friends and relatives having fun

ABOVE: Archie and Bobbie from Wilson enjoying the Teacups.

RIGHT: These six are set for action on the “Insomnia” ride.

Wakes fun

day rather than the Monday as it had been in the past

Despite the wet, some youngsters and their parents went down on the final day to enjoy the rides before they were packed away

“It was nice to see a few families who were prepared to come down in the rain,” said Mr Holland.

Pictures by TINA BAKER

TOP: Finlay Forster with dad Gavin from Dumfries, who were visiting friends in Melbourne

ABOVE: Tom Smithard with his prize

RIGHT: Logan Greenhouse.

ABOVE RIGHT: Amelie Bardsley driving dad Eddie round the bend!

RIGHT: Oscar and Archie Thompson.

ABOVE: Evan, Lyla and Kevin Earp

LEFT: Beatrice Baker

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Home game debut for girls

GIRLS football continues to flourish in Melbourne with the under-13s playing their first ever home game at the sports park this season

After a difficult number of opening fixtures, the under-13s are starting to find their feet Despite a very narrow defeat to Outwards, they have put in several strong performances with a 3-1 victory at the then top-of-table Belper Sports side – the first ever home game for a girls’ team in Melbourne

The girls followed that with a comprehensive 7-1 victory away to Foundation Football Academy in Derby

With many of the girls new to matches, the team is growing in confidence and making a fantastic improvement

The under-10s, meanwhile, have continued their very dominant performances, stretching their unbeaten run throughout October including a tough fixture with Derby County Ladies

This month has seen every girl score and the unbeaten run has been managed despite playing with a girl less in some of the games due to player availability

The girls are really flourishing with some

great teamwork and individual play They are proving to be the team to beat in the Derbyshire Girls League

The under-9s launched in October against a very strong and experienced Allenton team Despite having no substitutes, Melbourne got stronger as the game went on and put in a dominant second half performance

Beth Irwin scored the under-9s’ first ever goal, ensuring they too have an unbeaten start to the season

The two youngest teams would benefit from some additional new players as they have had to play many games without any breaks due to having no substitutes, so if there are any Year 3, 4 or 5 girls that would be interested in trying girls football please contact:

jamie otoole74@gmail com

As the majority of the girls are all new to football, the girls remain sparsely kitted out so the coaches would welcome any interest from any companies who would be interested in providing funding and sponsorship for jackets as the winter months approach, for any of the teams Contact Jamie on the email above

Mixed month for the rugby club teams

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MELBOURNE Rugby Club’s first XV are currently sitting 12th in the league, following another mixed month for the club.

Heavy rain meant the first team’s league encounter with West Bridgford on October 19 was moved from Melbourne to Derby

Despite tries from Stuart, Holden and Browne, the green and golds were defeated 15-29 by the Notts side

Earlier in the month, on Saturday October 12, Melbourne lost 28-50 to Market

Harborough, with tries from Page, Nightingale, Stuart and Walker and four conversions from Holden

There was better news among some of the club’s more junior sides, however, with an Academy team running out victors against Burton on October 12 after travelling to the club’s new facilities at Tatenhill

After a great competitive game, the final scoreline was 24-5 in Melbourne’s favour

The following day, the under-16s fared less well with a 28-7 defeat against West

Bridgford, but then triumphed away to Veseyans just north of Birmingham with a 29-12 final scoreline

The 15-man Melbourne squad played a kicking positional game that was actually uphill

After ending the first half down 10-12, Melbourne played the second half with the slope in their favour and scored three tries to end victorious (Words and photo thanks to Melbourne Rugby Club’s web coverage )

l Melbourne Dynamo Under 13 girls, pictured at their first game at Melbourne Sports Park

Rain-hit month but Dynamo still top

THE wet weather hit Melbourne Dynamo Football Club hard in the month of October as across the three senior sides only five matches were played

The Saturday first team won their only game in the month by coming from behind to beat a young Ashbourne Reserves side Goals from leading scorer Jack Goodband, a thumping Carl Allsop header and a classy Dave Worger finish left the first team still top of the MRA Premier Division

Dynamo’s Saturday Reserves managed to get three of their fixtures played They began with a disappointing 0-0 home draw to lowly Derby Athletic, but they fared better a week later as they dispatched Castle Donington Reserves in the Division One Cup 6-0, with doubles from Jack Shadbolt and Toby Foxon plus rare goals by Jack Scothern and Callum Horton

Ash Smith’s men ended the month climbing to third in the table as they came behind to beat Sherwin 5-1 at home with Joe Shadbolt, Dan Toon, Reuben Gosling, Dom Hurst and Jack Scothern all getting on the scoresheet

Melbourne Dynamo’s Sunday side played only one match in October but it was a significant one as they beat high-flying Chimneys in the quarter final of the Division Two Cup, thanks to a brace from leading goalscorer Alex Slater plus tidy finishes by Darius Fern and substitute Joe Dale

l Melbourne Dynamo FC 1st XI: (back row, l-r) Matt Lander, Karl Munton, Jake Peverley, Jack Bodill, Jack Brownett, Jarvis Denham, James Smith, Dave Brough, Matt Jones, Brad King, Jack Goodband; (front row, l-r) Rich Conway, Duane Mcllelan (first team coach), Jak Ward, Alan Buxton (assistant manager), Carl Allsop (captain), Gav Salisbury (manager), Dave Worger, Gav Spencer (first team coach) and Sunil Nath

RUNNERS braved the rain to take part in this year ’s Golden Gates Gallop at Elvaston Castle, raising more than £2,000 for Bloodwise

The annual five-mile licensed run and two-mile fun run took place on Sunday, October 13

In spite of some quite heavy rain, organisers said it was a great success

The winning runner of the two-miler completed the distance in 14 minutes and seven seconds, while the winner of the five mile race did so in 32 minutes and 50 seconds

Bloodwise is a charity which funds research into blood cancer charities as well as offering information and support to blood cancer patients

Full results, information and photos can be found online at www goldengatesgallop org

Organisers say they look forward to seeing regular runners and new entrants at next year ’s event, the details of which will be posted on the website as soon as the date is arranged

The Force is with this bowls club ...

MELBOURNE Bowls Club has had another successful season starting in April and bowling right through until the end of September

Every Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, club members enjoyed playing on their green in the centre of Melbourne

The club has reported picking up new members as the season progressed and even had a guest appearance during the festival weekend when a policeman (pictured) decided to have a go

The club has had several successful social events and is now looking forward to the annual Christmas party

“The club continues to offer gentle sporting opportunities and healthy exercise for Melbourne residents,” said a member

Next year, Melbourne Bowls Club celebrates 50 years of bowling on their green at the Senior Citizens Centre

It’s a gold medal success for Jamie

ASTON-ON-TRENT teenager Jamie Spencer-Pickup is celebrating after winning gold at the Junior Judo Commonwealth Games.

The major sporting event saw hundreds of competitors from across the Commonwealth descend on the British Judo Centre of

Excellence in Walsall, West Midlands

Jamie, 19, took the gold medal in his weight category with just seconds to spare, having worked his way through the preliminary rounds through the course of a day to find himself in the final

The former Aston-on-Trent Primary School pupil started off on his judo career at the Long Eaton Judo Club at the age of seven, having joined with the hope that the sport would help him with his rugby skills

Jamie soon took to judo and won his first gold medal at the Kent International Open competition aged 11

Since then, he has won many golds at national schools competitions and in the Scottish and Northern Open contests, but a gold Commonwealth Games medal is his top accolade to date

Jamie said it felt “really good” to win

Interviewed afterwards, he said: “I feel really good There’s a lot of adrenaline going through me so I’m sure I’ll be tired in a bit, but right now it’s really good!”

After winning a sports scholarship to Trent College, Jamie has been training in Long Eaton throughout his secondary school years, competing in Europe with Nottingham Judo Club

Over the last year, he has trained most days at the British Judo Centre of Excellence as well as with the GB squad, working at The Malt pub in Aston in order to help finance it all

Jamie has also been invited to join the Derbyshire Institute of Sport which helps support with his diet, psychology and fitness needs

He is now studying Business Management at Wolverhampton University

“I’m really excited to be able to do sport and studying as well,” he said “It’s a really good balance ”

Jamie followed his Commonwealth win with a further gold at the Welsh Open, and his next big competition is the junior nationals which take place next month in Sheffield

Dad David said: “As parents, Jamie’s mum and I are extremely proud of Jamie achievements For instance, he has achieved his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze to Gold, and he has played school rugby at Twickenham

“I believe Judo has helped to make him this great guy – my view only! – plus, as parents, we have also visited places we might never have done to watch him compete ”

– Lucy Stephens

l Jamie Spencer-Pickup (centre) wearing the gold medal at the 2019 Junior Judo Commonwealth Games