Melbourne Village Voice January 2013

CRACKER OF A TIME FOR SHOPS

by FRANK HUGHES

FABULOUS. Fantastic. Overjoyed. Excellent. Just some of the descriptions of the Christmas trade from Melbourne’s shops and businesses.

For most it was either a bit better or roughly the same as last year, with many businesses putting the revenue rise down to the community spirit and the emphasis on shopping locally.

The gift shops, like Lily and Lime, and Vie en Rose, were especially pleased, having spent the year building up local reputation and regular customers. Allie Moreland said that the ‘shop local’ initiative was really working and it was evident that villagers were keen to support neighbourhood businesses.

Also in Hurts Yard, Best Kept Secret were delighted, having done much better in Melbourne than in Tutbury the previous year. Their “party approach” to shopping really struck a chord as ladies searched for that special outfit for the party season.

Local florists also had a good season, with fresh flowers being particularly popular and stock nearly selling out. Trade was reported to be slightly up on last year.

In the highly competitive food and grocery sector Budgens' customers were seeking good value for money, with some brand-switching to make additional savings. Overall, however, it was either a slight improvement or broadly similar to last year – and this was the same picture from the local butcher, Wayne Spiers

Some shops in the Market Place had noticed a slow start but trade had picked up nearer the holiday. “People were probably shopping around to get the best prices,” as one shopkeeper said. The wet

weather had also contributed to a lower footfall in some shops.

"Slightly fewer customers, but individuals spending a bit more money," was the general impression.

The Fair Trade shop was very busy during the run-up with a focus on ethical gift giving. Interestingly, fewer Christmas cards were sold – possibly due to the cost of postage or more festive greetings being sent via the internet.

The late night shopping event had proved very popular and started the season off well, but subsequent late night opening hours had not been so well supported.

Spokesman for Promote Melbourne Clare Bampton said: “We all know that Melbourne has a fantastic community and we have such a wonderful array of businesses in the town. Several business owners I’ve spoken to believe that the people of Melbourne are actively making the decision to shop locally, not only because of the superb choice and quality of the goods and services, but also the community wants to ensure that Melbourne’s hard earned money stays in Melbourne.”

Emma Fimister, of Emma’s Retreat in Russell Yard, said: “We have had a fantastic first Christmas so a big thank you to all the people of Melbourne who have supported us. As you would expect we enjoyed a very busy time in our beauty salon before Christmas, and we also found that sales of our gift selection and gift vouchers were popular."

Paul Wilson, of Melbourne Print, said: “2012 was a record-breaking year for us, with December being a real Christmas cracker! I think it’s down to the support of local people as well as us offering a wider

Continued on Page 3

Clearing ancient footpath

● MEMBERS of Melbourne Footpath Group are pictured clearing the ancient footpath from Melbourne to Castle Donington before erecting a new way marking post at Ramsley. The group is John Banister, Marie Kennedy, Steve Cresswell (Derbyshire County Council countryside volunteer co-ordinator), Angela Goley, Stuart Mansfield and Paul Sturges.

Town firm given a £10k grant booster

THE FOOD and Drink iNet has awarded a £10,000 grant to Positive ID Labelling Systems, based in Melbourne, who are developing a system which will allow small food retailers to easily add typical nutritional data and allergy information to labels on each product.

The company already sells a range of sandwich label printers and software to allow companies to personalise and print their own labels, but now it plans to also offer a system that will give small independent shops the ability to include the nutritional information of their products on labels.

Positive ID Labelling Systems, which was launched in 1987, sells price guns, date coding guns, labelling guns and sandwich labelling systems. It currently employs 11 people at its headquarters in Castle Lane, Melbourne, and hopes the new product it is developing will create another job within the next 12 months.

Managing director John Mayers said: “The objective is to devise a computer-based reference that integrates with a spreadsheet to allow small businesses to accurately label nutritional and allergy data on their food and sandwich labels. This system will ensure correct ingredient, nutritional and allergy information is incorporated on food labelling.

"It will serve to protect consumers by providing accurate labels and protect firms from the potentially damaging consequences of mislabelling. We are very grateful for the support from the Food and Drink iNet, who have given us a grant towards our project.”

The Food and Drink iNet, which is run by trade organisation The Food and Drink Forum has awarded the project £10,000 towards its £30,500 cost.

“This is an excellent example of an established company using innovation to develop and grow, while at the same time filling what it sees is a gap in the market in the food and drink sector and benefiting a good number of smaller manufacturers,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.

“The Food and Drink iNet is pleased to support this innovation at Positive ID Labelling Systems.”

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

Walk this way in 2013

FAMILY themed monthly weekend walks at Calke Abbey or Rosliston Forestry Centre will be a feature for January through to April for those planning to make 2013 a more active year.

The walks are a great way to enjoy some exercise while getting out in the fresh air with family and friends. The walks last approximately one hour each and are led by trained leaders.

Starting with a New Year Walk at Calke Abbey (2pm Sunday, January 27) the cost is £1 per person plus normal admission charge. The programme continues with a Winter Wonderland Walk at Rosliston Forestry Centre (2pm on

Saturday, February 16). The cost of £2 includes a hot chocolate in the Bulls Head in Rosliston after the walk.

On Saturday, March 9, at 11am it’s Walk and Warm at Rosliston Forestry Centre at a cost of £3.50, which includes soup and a roll in the Bull’s Head in Rosliston afterwards.

The Spring Watch Walk at Rosliston Forestry Centre will be at 2pm on Saturday, April 13, at a cost £1 per person with the Bluebell Walk at Rosliston at 2pm on Sunday, April 28, at £1 per person, completing the programme. More information is available by telephone on 01283 563483 or email: tor@roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk

It’s panto time again

THE FAMOUS Aston on Trent Panto is here at last and will be taking place over two weekends at Aston Memorial Hall. This year it's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and tickets can be obtained from various outlets in the village. Dates and times are: Saturday, January 19, 2.30pm and 7.30pm; Sunday (20), 2.30 only; Saturday, January 26, 2.30 and 7.30; Sunday (27), 2.30 only.

● Food and Drink iNet advisor Lisa Simpson with managing director of Positive ID Labelling Systems John Mayers.

Shopping locally brings festive cheer to our traders

Continued from Page 1 range of goods and services than we have ever done before. We have big plans for 2013, so look out for some changes.”

All of our local businesses were looking forward to a prosperous 2013. Estate agents re-

ported that having been open between Christmas and New Year there were plenty of new instructions, more valuations and even some house sales. “It's a buoyant market, again,” said one.

The Co-op travel agency said that post-

Christmas business had gone manic, with more popular destinations being Thailand, Asia and Spain. It was also now able to match the internet prices within the Thomas Cook group, which meant some real bargain holidays were being snapped up.

The show goes on to keep bus on road

IT TAKES a lot of money to keep the Community Care bus on the road, so when Melbourne people come together to raise £1,500, that means a lot to the volunteers who run the charity.

This happened in December when, over two nights, 150 people came to the Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms. Louise Blunt and Lucy Bonner made everyone welcome.

Community Care volunteers served beer and wine, everyone sat down cheek by jowl and then the fun started.

St Michael’s Players kicked off a programme of sketches and poems. After an hour, plates of sausage, mash and onion gravy were passed round hand over heads, more wine and beer, Christmas pudding and custard, an auction of cakes, pies and goodies, and then it was back to the sketches.

Three versions of Cinderella as you’ve never heard them, the Queen and Prince Charles writing a present list, how to make a Christmas cake with too much whisky –you get the picture. Brilliant!

Community Care is entirely supported by donations, bequests, fund-raising and, of course, its volunteers.

The generosity of the Players, Louise and Lucy, those who donated the auction items was tremendous. Then there are the people who paid and laughed and made for a great evening.

By helping to keep the bus on the road, they were not so much buying entertainment, more like investing in their future, as we are all going to need Community Care.

The next fund-raising event will take place at the Dower House on Saturday, Jan-

uary 26, when state registered dietician Helen Bond will give a talk on healthy food choices. Tickets are limited to 40 and cost £8.

More information is available from Community Care on 863585.

TV slot for the causeway

A PHONE call from a friend alerted me to a programme he had seen on TV the day before, ‘Rivers’ with Griff Rhys Jones, writes TOM MILLS.

“It was a great programme,” he said, before chastising me for not having told him much about the history of Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway during his many visits to Melbourne.

It’s easy to forget the history when you cross it everyday, I thought, especially when you see how regularly it is damaged by traffic and experience the irritating delays when it is undergoing repair.

The TV programme was a repeat, having been first broadcast in August 2009. but I was able to catch it on the BBC iPlayer and well worth watching it was, and not just for the local content.

Griff Rhys Jones took his life in his hands when he tried to walk across the causeway accompanied by Swarkestone resident Barbara Foster, both wearing high visibility jackets. There was work being undertaken on the bridge and when Griff was talking to one of the engineering team about the damage and the volume of traffic, they mentioned that it was once a toll road and speculated if tolls could be reintroduced!

Concerned residents repeatedly call for urgent action to be taken to safeguard the historic causeway – the longest stone bridge

in England –each time new holes are knocked into the parapet.

The causeway is classed as an ancient monument and is the subject of a 7.5-tonne weight limit to preserve its structure; there are plans to reintroduce CCTV in an attempt to control its use by HGVs.

People living nearby say its condition is getting increasingly worse as its walls are regularly damaged by crashes.

Speculation that plans are afoot to build a multi-million-pound bypass to divert traffic away from the battered bridge and causeway are probably nothing more than speculation. Derbyshire County Council believes such a project is "feasible", although it says "difficult" hurdles must be overcome first.

Ignoring the possibility of introducing tolls and the £20million estimated costs for a bypass, the county council has, since April 2010, submitted claims for a total of £5,253 from motorists relating to three incidents in which the bridge was damaged, while costs relating to damage on other occasions are still being pursued.

It’s obviously a hard job to get motorists or their insurance companies to pay for the damage they have caused without even considering the damage they inflict on this national treasure on our doorstep.

If you haven’t seen it, the programme is on iPlayer until January 15.

Quiz time£10,000 award shot in the arm for the Festival

THE OPENING round of the Melbourne annual charity knockout quiz will take place at the British Legion Club on January 18 at 7.30pm (January 25 at the Assembly Rooms) continuing each Friday through until finals night on March 8.

MELBOURNE Festival has been successful in achieving an award of nearly £10,000 to continue to develop the links it has forged with Surtal Arts in Normanton. The money will enable the Festival to extend the range of workshops, including dance and poetry, working with different communities.

Director Phil Dobby was delighted, saying: “It

will help the Festival to continue the excellent work in this area, and we are very grateful for the continued financial support.”

The Festival comedy night is again opening its doors at Melbourne Royal British Legion, with headliners Andrew Bird and Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre starting off the New Year on Friday 25 January.

David Gray, The Melbourne Cobbler, was also looking forward to the New Year, with a range of new services being offered. He has recently taken on a tailoress who will be starting soon, offering in-store dressmaking, alterations and even handmade teddy bears.

Professional training in the Per forming Arts

Aged 6-18 years

No previous experience necessary

Every Saturday 2-5pm

To join us contact Laura on 01509 889 480 derby@theatretrain.co.uk Chellaston Academy, Swarkestone Road, Chellaston

/theatretrain @theatretrain /theatretrain www.theatretrain.co.uk

The company that loves to perform

17 potter street, MeLBoUrNe DerBYsHIre De73 1DW

As the only privately owned, family run Funeral Directors in Melbourne we are able to offer an extremely personal yet professional service at a reasonable cost, both in Leicestershire and Derbyshire.

Under the personal supervision of John Springthorpe Quotations given

telephone: Melbourne (01332) 865511

At ANY tIMe

● HRH Queen Elizabeth II (Graham Truscott) prepares her Christmas list and (right) Cinderella (Steph Hughes) in one of three sketches.

Winter time at Calke

Come and enjoy Calke Park this winter, browse the shop and enjoy some delicious local and freshly prepared food in our restaurant, all of which are open daily.

Talks and lectures followed by delicious lunches

The Early Days of Calke Andrew Barber Tuesday 15 January

Come and hear our curator Andrew Barber talk about when we acquired Calke in the 1980s and learn some of the reasons for presenting the property as it is.

Chefs Taste of Winter Thursday 17 January

Join Calke’s Head Chef as he demonstrates some warming winter specials that you can try at home.

Taster Lunch – Local Food Hero Wednesday 23 January, 12 noon

Enjoy a 3 course lunch, freshly prepared by the Calke chefs using locally sourced produce. There will be a multitude of dishes and flavours for you to savour. £25

Archaeolo of Calke Colin Stewart Monday 28 January

A walk and talk history of the Archaeolo of Calke from Priory to Elizabethan House and finally the 1700s Mansion.

Of Fire and Friendship Lucy Salt Tuesday 5 February

The life, work and friends of Joseph Wright of Derby.

Taster Lunch – The Whole Hog Thursday 7 February, 12 noon

Enjoy a 3 course pork lunch, freshly prepared by the Calke chefs. There will be a multitude of dishes and flavours for you to savour. £25

All start at 10.45am and cost £20 per person unless otherwise stated. Booking is required for all of these events. Please telephone 01332 695310 to book your tickets.

Restaurant/Shop: Open daily 10.30am – 4pm

Calke Park & Nature Reserve: Open daily 7.30am – 7.30pm (dusk if earlier, closed 25 Dec)

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke for more information

Normal park admission applies to all visitors.

For more information on what’s on at Calke please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke or telephone 01332 863822

Country Living

with Robert Parker

A NEW YEAR has arrived and after five days it seems like we have a new weather pattern and forecast.

So far 2013 has been almost dry and long range January is forecast to be the same. Long may it continue as 2012 has been officially confirmed as being the wettest year since records began 130 years ago.

I just hope it’s a similar time before the record is broken again.

Over the Christmas period Staunton Reservoir overflowed for a couple of days, which it has done very few times since it was constructed. Severn Trent doesn’t like this to happen but rainfall in the latter stages of December made it impossible to avoid.

There was some flooding on the flat field next to the brook below Woodhouses but no harm was done. I assume the pool was okay.

■ The next two months are somewhat quieter periods on the farm, but there are still plenty of jobs to do and some seem to work in opposite directions. Trying to keep pigeons off crops –particularly oilseed rape – will demand a lot of

time and patience, and the sound of the bang of bird scarers will annoy many of you.

Crops this season are very weak and vulnerable and it will take a lot to protect them. On the other side of the coin we must do our utmost to protect wild birds through this period. Around our farm yard we seem to have more species around each year, and the mere presence of livestock and spilt grain and feed is a big attraction to them.

We must help by feeding in our gardens and fields as last year's poor weather has reduced the amount of wild food available.

The weather was also responsible for a very poor season for rearing young birds last year and research has shown that supplementary feeding will help this enormously. Here at home we have tried to help grey partridge numbers by rearing and releasing and feeding around 60 in number.

The results so far have been disappointing, as they all seemed to disappear in the middle of winter despite being fed and not shot at. I intend to try again this year.

www.facebook.com/NTCalkeAbbey

@NTCalkeAbbey

THE REVIVED Melbourne Mummers have performed for the first time in 100 years in a joint project by local folk musician Brian Crosbie and historian Barry Thomas. An original script of Melbourne Mummers active in the 1890s had been found.

Agricultural labourers performed Mummers plays to supplement wages during the fallow months of winter.

Local men were recruited this year and a tour of local pubs – Chequers in Ticknall, Alma, Harpur’s, Swan, Bluebell and Lamb in Melbourne – was made, providing uproarious entertainment.

Money collected goes to Chellaston

School Uganda Project and Melbourne Junior School Garden Project.

Traditionally the players disguised themselves so no one knew who they were.

To preserve the Players' identities they appear in the photos under their Mummer names. See if you can match them to their roles: Richard Read, Phil James, Des Gosling, Brian Crosbie, Roger Spencer and Peter Wood.

Pictured outside the Lamb in Melbourne with helpers are: (back) Doc Quack, Kate James, St George and his horse; (middle) Sarah Spencer, Slasher, The Fool, Green Santa, Tessa Hartley; and (front) Beelzebub.

Tribute night proves a big hit

A PACKED house at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms made an early start to the New Year celebrations with Frankie Valli and Barry Gibb of Bee Gees fame.

Not the real ones, obviously, but courtesy of tribute artiste Mark Barrie. And the audience could scarcely tell the difference – or was that the effect of too much festive cheer?

With a first half running through from Sherry until December 1963 with a dash of Tremeloes and other 60s favourites, there was plenty to keep the audience on the dance floor. In the second half it was fast forward to the 70s, Disco and Saturday Night Fever. Fortunately, gold medallions and open-necked shirts were in the minority.

Sheila Hicklin and Andy Heafield, who had organised the event, were delighted it had proved so popular, and it had helped support fund-raising for this year's Chellaston Academy Uganda trip.

Another tribute night is planned for March 30, when it’s the turn of The Beatles…well the Hey Beatles, anyway.

– Frank Hughes

Footpaths group pointing the way

CHAIR of the Parish Council

Cllr Jane Carroll welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the New Year, wishing them the compliments of the season.

Five members of the Melbourne Footpaths Group attended and their spokesman, Paul Sturges, gave a short presentation. He identified that the group had enjoyed a busy and fruitful year during which members had installed four new finger posts and repaired several others.

They had repaired gates and fences and had engaged in clearing footpaths and had surveyed them twice. The group has also had permission from Derbyshire County Council to highlight the top of way markers with yellow paint to make them more visible.

A publicity brochure has been prepared and a copy was presented to the council. In its efforts to become the first “Walkers are Welcome” group in Derbyshire, the group would now like to install a display and information board about Melbourne and is seeking opinions as to the best location for its placement. It was announced that the first pledge of support has been received following funding applications.

The parish council declared that it is willing to endorse the proposals and the location of the display board.

PC Robert Buckley introduced himself as the new member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team for the North East area of South Derbyshire, which includes Melbourne, Aston, Weston, Barrow and Ticknall.

Having been a member of the police force for 20 years he is not new to the problems being experienced in the area.

One of his current priorities is looking to reduce the problems being experienced with young people around the Assembly Rooms. He announced that there had been a flurry of car thefts and thefts from cars recently, mostly involving BMWs. Other thefts have generally been opportunist events. Two arrests have been made. He recently attended a meeting with allotment holders in Melbourne in response to an outbreak of thefts from sheds and he will continue to keep a close eye on developments.

In response to comments about the lack of provision of activities for young people, PC Buckley offered to look into the

TOM MILLS reports from the January meeting of Melbourne Parish Council

possibility of introducing Oz Box to Melbourne if suitable instructors and premises could be identified. Oz Box is a boxingbased fitness scheme aimed at giving young people an outlet for their aggression.

Derbyshire Constabulary has run various schemes in the county and organisers estimate it can help reduce anti-social behaviour by up to 25 per cent.

Children are trained by professional boxing coaches as well as being taught how to eat more healthily.

The next Melbourne Safer Neighbourhood and area forum meeting will take place on February 4 at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, starting at 6.15pm.

Following the death of Cllr Dr Brendan Freeman in February 2012, councillors proposed and agreed that a lasting memorial should be introduced in his name and be presented at the annual parish meeting each March. The award would be for the person or organisation that has made a significant contribution to Melbourne during the last year.

The council is now seeking nominations for the first Annual Community Award. Residents are invited to send their nominations to the parish clerk Jacqui Storer – Melbourneclerk@aol.com – before February 11.

County Cllr John Harrison has asked us to clarify his re-

marks in the December issue of Village Voice regarding the topic of noise generated at Donington Racetrack. Cllr Harrison says that what he said was:

"The noise from the track continued to be at unacceptable levels in certain places, eg Weston-on-Trent, but little appeared to be being done by the management at Donington Park to find engineering solutions of the kind adopted by EMA."

Other points to come out of the meeting:

■ The wooden door to the public toilet has been vandalised and is to be replaced.

■ The provision of youth facilities at the Athenaeum will be the subject of a meeting in January.

■ Another haulage company has been fined over £1,000 by magistrates for breaching the 7.5 tonnes weight limit on the Swarkestone Causeway. The reintroduction of CCTV monitoring is under consideration. The further accidental damage to the superstructure will be carried out as soon as English Heritage's approval has been given.

■ South Derbyshire District Council is giving consideration to what action can be taken with regards to the grass verges and grassed triangle in Queensway that have become unsightly during the bad weather.

& Family Funeral Directors

TOWN BAND HAMPERS RAFFLE WINNERS

MELBOURNE Town Band would like to thank everyone who bought tickets in support of their annual luxury Christmas hampers raffle, which was drawn in the Melbourne RBL by Sheila Hicklin.

The winners are as follows: Mrs G Kidd (Stanton by Bridge), Miss C Worrall (Melbourne), Mr

D Pedley (Church Broughton) and Mr Jordan (Loughborough).

The profit from the raffle will be used to help stage the popular Picnic in the Park /Blast of Brass Charity Concert to be held on Saturday, July 20, in the grounds of Park Farmhouse Hotel, Isley Walton.

● John Sheppard and Barry Thomas of Melbourne Footpaths Group point the way.

melbourne hall tea rooms

01332 864224

07525 331654

breakfast served 9.00 - 11.30am lunch from 11.30am afternoon teas served daily daily specials

Grand reward for St John Ambulance

ST JOHN Ambulance has been presented with a cheque for £1,000 as a beneficiary from the Jubilee charity concert at Melbourne Hall.

Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr hosted the fundraising event in the gardens at Melbourne Hall in September.

St John Ambulance was one of several charities chosen to benefit from the proceeds raised. Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr have been supporters of St John Ambulance’s South Derbyshire Unit for a number of years.

Lady Ralph presented the cheque to Elliot Frampton, Unit Manager of St John Ambulance’s South Derbyshire Unit.

Elizabeth Gell, 19, a Cadet at Melbourne Unit, was also presented with her Grand Prior Award – which is the highest award that a St John Ambulance cadet can achieve and recognises her commitment to the first aid charity.

Elizabeth, from Ticknall, who has been a St John Ambulance volunteer since the age of 10,

said: ‘I feel very proud to receive this award. Being a St John Ambulance cadet has provided me with the life-saving skills that allow me to be the difference between life and death and I attend public events including Derby County football matches and local events such as Melbourne carnival and fireworks.

"Having the award presented by Lady Ralph is a great way to celebrate completing the Grand Prior Award."

Chris Thornton, Regional Director for St John Ambulance in the East Midlands, said: "At St John Ambulance we teach people first aid so that they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. This donation will help support our volunteers and help us provide more people with basic life saving knowledge."

Elliot Frampton, Unit Manager of St John Ambulance’s South Derbyshire Unit, said: "We are extremely grateful to Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr, and everyone who contributed at the Jubilee concert, for supporting our charity work."

IT’S MUSIC TO MIKE’S EARS

IN SEPTEMBER 2012, the Village Voice reported that Melbourne resident Mike Unsworth had decided to celebrate his half century by recording and selling a music CD with all proceeds from sales going to Macmillan, a charity of particular significance to him.

Mike enlisted the help of professional musicians to support him on the CD, but he was responsible for all the music and lyrics and a little guitar playing.

Mike’s efforts proved to be very successful and he passed his target of £500.

The final total raised by selling copies of the CD was £660 and he is delighted with the outcome.

Members of the Parish Council

Chair Jane Carroll 863269

Vice Chair/Highways

Wendy Earp 865019

Burial Grounds

Sheila Hicklin 865726

Recreation & Ameneties

Andrew Jackson 07931 541387

David Carpenter 864521

Nigel Collyer 07831 540538

Cli Crawford 863445

Sarah Dunnicli 862162

Christopher Howard OBE 07795 484120

Rose Minife 07795 362936

Robert Parker 07973 297404

Margaret Sharp 862471

David Smith 862699

Malcolm Stockill 694598

Paul Willmore 863044

Jacqui Storer - Clerk 07854 063620

Useful Numbers

Melbourne Parish Council Quarterly Report - January 2013

Firstly Melbourne Parish Council would like to wish all readers a Happy New Year. It will be di cult to top the events of 2012 especially the luck we had with the weather at all the towns outdoor events. I hope that locally we will do our best to make 2013 a good year.

In 2012 The Parish Council gave its support to several events including The Diamond Jubilee Celebration, The Fete and Carnival, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne’s rst Bon re Party and The Remembrance Day Parade and Service. Our thanks go to all the organisers of these events for all their hard work to make these occasions so succesful.

The Melbourne Assembly Rooms Board and the manager are making great progress and the many events held have been successful and we wish them well for the future.

Our new clerk Jacqui Storer has settled in well and is making the business of the Parish Council run smoothly. Our send o for Norman was a success and I think he and his family enjoyed the evening.

Melbourne Footpaths group have been very active doing work to improve footpaths in and around the town. The Council welcomed representatives of the group to the January meeting and supported their proposals for a footpaths map which is a key objective to enable Melbourne to become Derbyshire’s rst “Walkers are Welcome Town”.

The rst Annual Community Award in memory of Cllr Dr Brendan Freeman will be presented at The Annual Parish Meeting on March 5th. The Parish Council is asking for nominations to be sent to Parish Clerk Jacqui Storer – Melbourneclerk@aol.com Individuals or organisations nominated should be those that have made a signi cant contribution to the community in the past year.

Everyone is welcome to attend and raise their concerns at the monthly Parish Council meetings held on the rst Tuesday in the month at 7.30pm at Melbourne Assembly Rooms.

Jane Carroll - Chair, Melbourne Parish Council

CHEQUE THIS ... (l-r) Lady Ralph Kerr, Elizabeth Gell, Elliot Frampton, Carl Roberts, Martin Smith and David Flint.

Sound start for new business

IT’S NOT the easiest of times to be setting up a new business but, having been running for a year now, Melbourne-based Pete Gough and Edd Savage are pleased with Throughmic’s progress so far.

They decided to build a recording studio in the stylish Craft Centre at Staunton Harold in November 2011 among the gentility of the potters, artists and the sculptors, aiming to further links between art and music.

So far they have avoided annoying the neighbours, as the unit is highly sound-proofed, but they also keep the noisiest of the work for times when the other businesses are closed.

Their new studio is packed with the latest digital wizardry to produce the finest of reproduction from sometimes basic raw material. They enjoy promoting new local bands and have helped a number of the local choirs and bands produce professional recordings of their work. They are keen to move into sound for video, voice-overs and video recording, again linking different genres of the arts.

Between them Pete and Edd have worked with a remarkable array of celebrities over the years, including Lesley Garrett, Denny Laine from Wings, Paul Weller, Take That and First Time

Round. They were also involved recently with Jimmy Carr and the legendary Ken Dodd, reporting that, despite advancing years, Ken was very keen to ensure high quality sound for his show. More locally they have also been heavily involved in a Radio Derby Folkwaves music production.

ThroughMic has also been closely connected with recent local community events, having facilitated the sound for the Diamond Jubilee concert in Melbourne Hall gardens, and having been involved in concerts for the Melbourne Art Festival, donating a lot of their time and resources to benefit the community.

Much of the work goes on behind the scenes before an audience arrives, but it all contributes to the success of an evening. As a result of these successes they have recently invested in mobile live recording equipment enabling them to record choirs or bands at live events or in their usual rehearsal space.

Owner Pete said: “ I am really keen to develop and promote local music and to ensure that both live and recorded music thrives in our area.”

Both he and Edd are keen for anyone in the musical world to get in touch via webpage www.throughmic.co.uk.

– Frank Hughes

Eateries up for food awards

FIFTY of the county’s finest eateries have been named as finalists in the prestigious Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards. The Derbyshire County Council-run awards celebrate the county’s best catering businesses serving locally sourced food on their menus.

Winners were to be crowned during a ceremony hosted by TV chef Simon Rimmer at Chatsworth on Monday, January 14 – with 50 local businesses short-listed across 12 categories.

The local area will be well represented at the awards evening with Mileburne of Melbourne nominated for the Restaurant of the Year award, which it won in 2011; Calke Abbey nominated in the Best Family Friendly Venue category and The Dragon, Willington nominated in the Best Newcomer category.

Owner Andrew Dann is delighted to have been among the four finalists, saying : “It is stiff competition and we are very pleased to be amongst the finalists again.” He puts his success down to his focus on quality using locally sourced produce and making full use of its seasonality in menu selections.

The restaurant, in a Georgian Grade II listed building on Blanchcroft is comparatively small, with only five tables, but it has built up a terrific reputation for intimate dining and for its specialist food evenings, such as vegetarian or tapas.

Calke Abbey food and beverages manager Terry Lyszyk was very upbeat about the nomination. “It’s great to be recognised,” he said, “and we are very pleased to be involved in the awards programme.”

Calke also won the accolade of Food Hero for their head chef in the 2011 awards.

The Dragon, Willington, has been nominated in the Best Newcomer category and Alan Shepherd, director of Bespoke Inns, which includes sister pub Harpurs of Melbourne, was “delighted to be part of the award”.

He said: “We recognise that we are up against some tough competition but a second award in six months would be a great accolade for the staff in only our second year of trading.”

The Dragon won the title of the best in the Out Of Town Category in the Derby City Food and Drink awards in October 2012.

Treasure trove of a house

A REMARKABLE hoard of antique treasures dating back to the 17th century was auctioned at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire.

The collection was formed by a lady and gentleman over many years and was discovered following a routine inspection of contents at an estate near Lichfield.

“Entering the house was like going back in time to the period of Shakespeare,” said Mr Hanson.

“Every item of antique furnishing in the principal rooms dated back to the 17th century..

Results of the auction were not available at the time of going to press. Pictured above is one of the bedrooms.

The Angel Inn

The Moor, Coleorton, Leicestershire LE67 8GB Tel: 01530 834742

Monday – Thursday Lunch and Evening Set menu – three courses £11.95

Choose a main course from the set menu - £8.95 and receive a starter or sweet for 50p - Menu changes weekly -

Book now for ...

Valentines Day 14th February

4 Course Meal £19.95

Mothers Day - Sunday March 10th

2 course £11.95 3 Course £15.95

A la carte menu served every lunch and evening Open for breakfast, morning coffee and cakes at 10.30am. Early business meetings and breakfasts can be arranged to suit your needs and times.

We also cater for weddings, christening and funerals

Townsend Picture Framers

Looking for a special day or Birthday gift? come to Townsend Picture Framers. Prints, pictures - framed or mounted - Wood turning items. - Lots of Choice -

Opening Hours : Mon closed. Tues - Fri 10 - 4.30. Sat 11 - 4.30. Sun 1 - 4.30

Melbourne Hall, Melbourne, Derbyshire Tel: 01332 862461

Hospice to host coffee morning

A COFFEE morning will take place at Treetops Hospice on Saturday, February 2 (10am to noon).

Entrance is £3 and includes refreshments and a talk by Gay Evans, ‘Annoying Ancestors’, which will take place at 10.45am.

■ THE Breakaway Singers will be returning to All Saints’ Church, Findern, on Saturday, January 26, at 7.30pm.

Proceeds from the concert are in aid of the church.

Tickets at £5 are available from Pat Maddock on 01283701835 or at Findern Post Office.

Concert farewell for choir conductor Nic

MELBOURNE’S mixed voice choir A Choir'd Taste said a sad farewell to conductor Nic Robinson after his final concert with them in December and welcomed the newly appointed musical director, Paul Marshall.

Nic had decided to leave the area and relocate his family to Surrey and will be taking up a job as Director of Music at Putney High School, London.

Paul was appointed as his successor and will be taking up his position when rehearsals begin again in the new year.

Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Paul became organist of St George's Parish Church at the tender age of 14 whilst also accompanying a local ballet school as pianist. Moving to Loughborough, he was organist of All Saints, Thorpe Acre, and conductor of Loughborough Ladies Choir.

Until recently he chaired the Derby Bach Choir, and he is a founder member of 'Faire Oriana' –an Elizabethan quintet –a member of 'Mosaic' –an octet in Leicestershire –and a senior lay clerk in Derby Cathedral Choir.

He teaches singing at Ockbrook School and at Derby High School.

He said: “I was delighted to be appointed musical director of A Choir'd Taste and I look forward to a busy year with concerts in Melbourne and further afield.”

With the progress Nic has made with the choir since its beginnings only three years ago, Paul will have a tough act to follow, but with his background and experience the choir can look forward to a change of style and direction. Paul has already hinted at the idea of a Handel’s Messiah performance next Christmas in Calke.

– Frank Hughes

Thursday 14 February 2013

per head • with a glass of champagne • Book Your Table Today!

MUSIC director Nic Robinson (centre) bows out following the last concert of the year with A Choir’d Taste. New musical director Paul Marshall (right) picked up the baton in January.

spitfire crash closes airport

EAST Midlands Airport was closed for two hours after a Spitfire's undercarriage collapsed as the plane was coming in to land.

The pilot of the World War Two fighter was not injured but the runway was out of action while debris was cleared away.

Flights to East Midlands Airport were diverted to Birmingham during the closure.

Edward Coxon, from Hartshorne in Derbyshire, who was plane-spotting at the airport, said: "I was just looking at the planes coming in when all of a sudden there were loads of blue lights coming in from the other end of the runway.

"That's when I saw the plane in the middle of the runway. I could hear on the radio that there was only one person on board and he was fine."

An airport spokesman said: "All inbound flights were di-

verted and outbound flights were suspended. During that time, seven aircraft were diverted to Birmingham Airport."

The Spitfire belongs to RollsRoyce, which is based at the airport site in Castle Donington. It is one of around 35 around the

Five-star FOOD premises

SCORES on the Doors is an independent information service which now uses the Food Standards Agency national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).

South Derbyshire District Council has 495 rated premises, and a total of 304 of them gained the top five-star score. Included in the five- star rating is the Baytree Restaurant in Melbourne.

■ CHARITY BRASS, a group of musicians who tour the area playing in local restaurants and pubs in the run-up to Christmas, raised £4,350 for Cancer Research from their recent efforts. The band is made up of players from a number of bands in the area and they have been playing together each Christmas for approximately nine consecutive years.

ALEXANDER & Co SOLICITORS

Relationship Advice

Take your next step...with confidence

> Deeds of Separation

> Child & Financial Issues

world still able to fly.

A spokesman for the Air Accident Investigation Bureau said: "We are aware of the incident and will be investigating it via correspondence.

"There will be a short report compiled in due course."

> Cohabitation and Pre-nuptial Agreements

> Matrimonial, Civil Partnership or Cohabitation Problems

> Domestic Violence Injunctions

Kelly Glenn heads our matrimonial team and is an experienced solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family Law. For further information and to arrange an initial 30 minute free consultation please contact Kelly on (01332) 600005 or email kg@aandco.co.uk

01332 600005

56 Friar Gate Derby DE1 1DF

www.aandco.co.uk

● THE case of the Missing Nose was the title of a 20-minute panto performed at Weston on Trent in December.

Unfortunately, Rudolph appeared to have lost his nose this Christmas, but with lots of help from children at Weston U5s pre-school and Weston School Reception class, everything turned out fine, just in time for presents to be delivered by Santa. The staff and committee would like to say thank you to everyone involved.

Full festive pictures round-up on Pages 10-11.

santa’s sleigh reins in £1,500 allotment sheds hit by thieves

SANTA'S Sleigh toured the streets of Melbourne just before Christmas, bringing a bit of excitement to a lot of small children and raising funds for Rotary charities in the process.

In spite of the almost constant rain, which caused the cancellation of one evening’s round, the Rotary Club – helped by friends and supporters – raised a record amount once again.

The total collected was just over £1,500 in four days and the money is earmarked for local charitable donations during 2013.

MELBOURNE Charity Band, a group of musicians who tour the area playing in local restaurants and pubs in the run-up to Christmas, raised £4,350 for Cancer Research from their recent efforts.

The band is made up of players from a number of bands in the area and they have been playing together each Christmas for approximately nine consecutive years.

PLOT holders from the allotments on Commerce Street and Blackwell Lane in Melbourne held a joint meeting to discuss security because both sites have been targeted by vandals.

Shed doors have been broken, locks smashed and some property taken.

PCSO Emma Guest, Beat Officer Robert Buckley and Anti-Social Behaviour Officer Sarah Billington listened to the members' concerns and gave positive advice.

Both allotment sites have been selected for DNA marking and shed alarms are to be installed.

All the adjoining properties have been leafleted and people asked to report anything suspicious to the police. Petrol seems to be the main target, and the committee has decided to implement a policy that no fuel is to be kept anywhere on site.

● The stricken Spitfire on the EMA Tarmac.

Courtyard Interiors

LEFT: EACH Christmas Eve for 65 consecutive years a group of singers has toured Melbourne singing Christmas Carols and raising money for National Children’s Home, now called Action for Children.

Christmas 2012 was no exception and the group, slightly fewer in numbers this year, continued the tradition and raised £725 for their efforts. Additional volunteers to join the group would be most welcome.

The group are pictured at the home of Margaret and Ralph Hawksworth.

CHRISTMAS 2012 IN PICTURES .... CHRISTMAS 2012 IN PICTURES ..

LEFT: HUNDREDS of mums, dads and grandparents turned out at Melbourne Infant School for the annual Christmas fair. School children and their parents enjoyed a variety of stalls selling everything from Christmas wreaths to cakes, biscuits and handcrafted jewellery. The fair is organised every year by the Melbourne Infant School Parents Association to raise funds for the school. They would like to thank everyone who supported the event, which raised more than £350.

RIGHT: THE children and mums of Ticknall Playgroup enjoyed an excellent Christmas party with lots of food and a special visit from Santa. They also held the draw for their Christmas raffle, which raised nearly £500, to fund new toys for their "stay and play" groups, held on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Ticknall Playgroup chairman Fiona Durston-Smith said: "We would like to thank everyone who supported the raffle, not just those who participated but the mummies who donated prizes and sold the tickets." Further details about the playgroup can be found at www.ticknallplaygroup.co.uk.

RIGHT: THE annual carols and nativity play service at Elvaston Parish Church included a live sheep and donkey.

LEFT and BELOW: ON A fine dry evening, Melbourne Town Band led the public in the traditional carol singing round the Christmas tree in the Market Place, and the Methodist Church was open afterwards for refreshments.

Organised by the Rotary Club, the event raised £100, which will be donated to the band and the church as a “thank you” for their contributions.

CHRISTMAS 2012 IN PICTURES .... CHRISTMAS 2012 IN PICTURES

LEFT: MELBOURNE Junior School’s annual Christmas concert, Stable Manners – a musical adaptation of the Christmas Story – was very well received by appreciative audiences.

While Cecil the Sheep, Chuck the Chicken and Bessie the Cow argue over who will have the stall vacated by Neddy, Mary and Joseph arrive and Jesus is born. The animals realise the selfishness of their behaviour and make amends by saying sorry and giving gifts to Baby Jesus.

Headteacher Jane Hinchliff paid tribute to the staff and children who had worked so hard to enable the performance to be such a success. Special thanks were given to Mrs Fiona Shields, who will leave the school at Easter to take up a headship in Leicestershire.

A collection of £350.22 was taken for Shelter.

ABOVE: THERE’S a new baby in Weston! Pictured are children at Weston U5s celebrating the birth of Jesus during their Christmas carol concert.

Wood Machinists & Manufacturers

STATION YARD, STATION ROAD

MELBOURNE. TEL: 862612 FAX: 864006

Band’s annual patrons’ concert

THE MELBOURNE Town Band Annual Patrons’ concert took place at the Baptist Church. The concert is performed for band patrons, their families and friends and, as usual, was well attended.

Performed in two halves, the training band starting the proceedings with the adult band concluding the concert.

Between the two halves, the music directors for the two bands, Karen Worrall and Brendan O’Neil, presented the annual awards, and pictured are (back row) Andy Boardman - Bandsman of the year (Senior Band); Karen Worrall - MD Training Band; Lucy ListerBandsman of the year (Training Band).

Front row: Joseph Bagnall - Most improved player (Training Band); Laura Simpson - Matthew Kyte Memorial Award for most improved player (Senior Band); and Lilly Statham - President’s Cup (Training Band).

Village Voice Postbag

The blight of our idyllic

village

I AM a very responsible dog owner who has resided in Melbourne for the past two years. I have on numerous occasions expressed my annoyance at the dog-fouling problem that appears to be blighting our idyllic village.

Today, I walked into the village centre with my dog from my house on the Davidson’s development and to my absolute disgust I encountered at least six piles of disgusting dog faeces.

The worst areas were in Potter Street, Derby Road, Station Road, Castle Street and the alley that runs from Derby Road to Chapel Street.

Having raised the issue with both the parish and district councils and distributed council leaflets in the neighbourhood on the issue, I have now come to the conclusion that many dog owners in the area are completely irresponsible.

Dog faeces are not only disgusting to look at, but are also a health hazard to both humans and other dogs. Parvovirus is transmitted to other dogs through disguarded faeces, which is a fact I would like to reinforce to other dog owners.

I realise here that I may be only referring to a minority of dog owners, but it is that minority that are causing the on-going problem. Therefore I would like to say to all such dog owners who can not be bothered to pick up their dogs’ faeces, even if you do not have any regard for how disgusting this is for humans to look at, think of the repercussions this may have on other dogs.

Quite frankly, how hard is it to carry a ‘dog poop’ bag in your pocket/bag when you are out with your dog? There are plenty of bins provided to dispose of such bags so you do not even have to carry the bag home.

Julie Carr Brook Way

Catching up on 40 years

WE are writing to let you know how surprised we were to see the message for us in the December copy of the Village Voice.

You will be pleased to know we have already made contact (with Peter and Angela Forsyth) over a week ago and are looking forward to meeting our friends again early in the New Year to ‘catch up’ on nearly 40 years!

Angela had done a very thorough job of tracing us, even managing to contact my youngest daughter at her workplace in Christchurch, New Zealand!

Thank you again and greetings from both of us for a happy New Year.

Jean and Harry Joyce.

Making life difficult

WHY is it that young drivers so often park their cars next to the NatWest cash machine, causing great difficulties for other drivers in the Market Place/Potter Street area of Melbourne?

Name and address supplied

By George, pet moggy is ‘found’ after six years

TRISHA Pounder, who has been running a pet shop in the grounds of Heath’s Farm Shop and Nurseries in Melbourne for the last two and a half years, has found herself in the news all because of a lost cat.

Trisha, 22, had been looking after the cat nicknamed Squarker for the last few years.

"When he first showed up we thought it was a stray. We left food out for him and he made his home in one of the polytunnels.

Over time he grew friendlier and eventually became my shop cat, waiting at the door of the pet shop every morning and spending the day with me.”

When grooming Squarker one day recently, Trisha found a lump in his neck and realised it was probably a microchip. She took him to the vet to get him scanned and they contacted his owner Jane Broughton from Breaston.

The cat, whose name turned out to be George, was reunited with Jane, husband Paul and daughter Clair, who were thrilled since George had disappeared six years ago from their home.

Jane was distraught when George went missing from her house in Breaston, fearing he may have used up his nine lives.

The 54-year-old and her family spent weeks scouring the streets, putting up posters and ringing vets' surgeries but there was no trace.

The family had given him up for lost until, nearly six years after his disappearance, Jane received a phone call telling her George had been found eight miles away in Melbourne.

"It sounds strange, but I always knew he was not dead. I thought he would come back to me one day,” said Jane. "It's a mystery how he managed to get all the way to Melbourne. It's such a shame he can't talk because I'm sure he'd have a real adventure story to tell."

Both Trisha and Jane have been on Radio Derby to talk about their experiences and the cat that was lost and then found.

Garden club in festive spirit Cat charity’s New Year plea

TICKNALL Garden Club got into the festive spirit with its December Christmas social.

The evening presentation was kindly provided by club member, nurseryman and keen alpaca wrangler, Richard Woods of ‘Lilies and Chillies’.

Richard gave a superb pictorial review of his year; sharing his challenges and triumphs, he was clearly supported throughout by Leigh and Lilly. The festive gathering was a lovely opportunity to catch up with everyone.

A tasty buffet was enjoyed and members showed off their competitive side in the Christmas themed gardening quiz.

A DERBYSHIRE animal charity is calling on all cat owners to make a New Year's resolution to have their pets neutered, if they haven't already done so.

Cats Protection believes that having your cat neutered is an essential part of responsible ownership and it is offering cost-assisted neutering vouchers to members of the public on low incomes.

These vouchers cost £10 per cat and are available by visiting the charity's shop at 31 Wardwick, Derby, or by contacting their Cat-Line on 01332.205956.

● MELBOURNE Scouts have been holding a series of car washes at their headquarters on Packhorse Road. Pictured cleaning the Community Care bus at their most recent event are Benjamin Radcliffe, Ellis Radcliffe and Charlie Holling.

2 bedroom townhouse with garage and fully enclosed private garden All white goods, modern kitchen and smart family bathroom.

£525 PCM

62 North Street, Melbourne.

Nicely presented 2 bedroom terrace with cosy living room and farmhouse style dining kitchen with 5 burner range and pine units. Downstairs cloaks and private enclosed garden. Upstairs are the 2 double bedrooms and lovely bathroom with separate shower. GCH and nearby ORP.

£575 PCM

14 Blanchcroft, Melbourne.

This beautiful end cottage in this much sought after area is available unfurnished at £650 PCM or fully furnished all bills included at £850 PCM. Gorgeous lounge, dining area and kitchen with beams and agged oors. Bedrooms and smart bathroom upstairs and lovely garden to the front of the cottage.

30 Huntingdon Court, Melbourne.

Nicely presented 2 bed semi with ORP. Dining kitchen with patio doors onto large garden. Cosy lounge and smart bathroom with shower over bath. GCH and double glazed throughout. £525 PCM

1 Selina Street, Melbourne.

Very spacious 2 bedroom bungalow on corner plot with ORP for 3 cars. Modern kitchen with all integrated appliances and lovely sunny lounge/diner with French windows to large enclosed garden. Both bedrooms have large en-suites. £650 PCM

36 Huntingdon Court, Melbourne.

Recently decorated 2 bed townhouse with plenty of ORP. Modern kitchen with breakfast bar and lounge/diner. Private enclosed rear garden. £575 PCM

40 Huntingdon Court, Melbourne.

Lovely 2 bedroom semi with driveway parking and smart new kitchen. Lounge/diner and 2 good size bedrooms+bathroom. Private rear garden. £575 PCM

Flat 1 Derby Road , Melbourne.

1 bed garden at with kitchen, living room and shower room. £425 PCM

42 Main Street, Hemington.

Delightful fully furnished 2 bed cottage. Wood burner, beams, lovely dining kitchen and long rear garden(mowing included). Close to all major roads. £575 PCM

IF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO PRESENT YOUR PROPERTY OR FOR MORE DETAILS ON ANY PROPERTY PLEASE CONTACT CHRISTINE JUDGE ON 07870 547357

We p l o u g h t h e f i e l d s . . .

KEGWORTH Vintage Agricultural Club finally got to stage its ploughing match postponed from October due to bad weather on land at Swarkestone in December. It is one of five organised for club members each year.

With 46 members taking part on the day the area was awash with tractors and visitors enjoying the sunshine and appreciating the efforts of the competitors ploughing in the various classes.

The match takes place over a four-hour period split into several elements for judg-

ing purposes. Perhaps the most common and recognisable tractors were the Ferguson TE 20 with Ferguson plough pre-1959. Other classes included one for tractors in manufacture from 1959 to 1976, trailed and hydraulic mounted tractors in production before the end of 1959 and the garden tractor class.

The club is very grateful to John Jackson for the use of the land at Swarkestone on this occasion.

“It was a great event, well enjoyed by competitors and spectators alike and the

land ploughed well," said Steve Webster, chairman of the club.

Prizewinners were: Lee Gilbert, Geoff Bonsor, David Williams, Carl Wright, Eric Battelle, John Kitching, Anthony Salt, Steve Webster, Paul Winson, and John Redfern.

Members are looking forward to January 27 when the annual open event will be taking place at Weston Hall Farm courtesy of R J and A Brown. It is organised by Steve Webster and his family with all the proceeds donated to Cancer Research UK.

Walk this wayBacking pubs

HARPURS CROSSING is a new footpath between Staunton Harold and Calke Abbey. The National Trust owns most of the land between the two great houses and to them must go the credit for building this splendid new walking route.

Now you can walk the two and a half miles through parkland, spinneys and a deep ravine with never a vehicle in sight.

Harpurs Crossing, why the name? Well, the Harpur Crewes were the landowners at Calke for some 400 years. At Staunton Harold it was the Shirleys, Earls Ferrers, and their estates met in the valley bottom at Dimminsdale.

They were competitors for the varied mineral resources in the area; stone, clay, lime, lead and iron were all mined within a mile of Dimminsdale at various times.

On your walk you will have crossed the 'Thringstone Fault' where the north Leicestershire coal seams end dramatically in a sweep to the surface. And finally you will have crossed from Leicestershire into Derbyshire. The stream in the valley bottom marks the boundary. All of which you could be blissfully unaware of, a bit like crossing the equator by steamship you might say.

If you start from Staunton Harold take the Heathend drive, hugging the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge where it veers to the right; now you are on one of the old mineral tramways that crisscross this area.

Cross the stile into the Dimminsdale nature reserve and down the steep steps to the valley bottom. A few yards on and the V stile in the fence marks the start of the newly made gravel track.

Then it's follow the path uphill, taking care at the Calke road crossing, which is near a blind bend. When you emerge at the last handgate into Calke Park take the cart track straight ahead of you, and in a short while you will see the Abbey in the bowl of land below you.

There is no signage in place as yet, but I understand that the section beyond the Calke road is intended to be a cycle route as well.

– John Blunt

HEATHER Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, spoke up for local pubs and brewers in a backbench businesses debate on the beer duty escalator.

There has been a 42% increase in beer duty since 2008 and this has put considerable pressure on local brewers in South Derbyshire.

The current beer duty escalator, which is in place until 2014/2015, means that beer duty is automatically increased by 2% above inflation every year.

The MP said: “There are many excellent pubs and breweries in South Derbyshire including Tollgate Brewery, the John Thompson Brewery and the Burton Bridge Brewery, who have taken on the Brickmakers in Newton Solney. The beer industry employs 1,040 full and part-time jobs in South Derbyshire. The 115 pubs in South Derbyshire contribute £10.3million to the local economy every year.”

The House voted in favour of the Government conducting a thorough review of the economic and social impact of the beer duty escalator and to report back before the 2013 budget.

Mrs Wheeler said: “I welcome the outcome of the debate; we pay more beer duty here than many of our European counterparts and this is something the Government needs to look at. Pubs contribute so much to our communities we need to ensure that they are sustainable and continue to employ our young and local people.”

■ Mrs Wheeler visited the Dairy Crest manufacturing site in Foston to look at its new facilities and to discuss the political issues surrounding the dairy industry. Mrs Wheeler saw Dairy Crest’s new cold store facilities, which bottle and distribute over 175 million litres of milk each year to supermarkets and other retailers throughout the country. Since the company purchased the site in 2005 it has invested significantly to bring it up to the cutting edge standards required for a modern dairy.

Mrs Wheeler met with the site’s general manager, Michael Buckley, and corporate affairs director Arthur Reeves to discuss the issues surrounding the milk industry.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISE LICENCE/CLUB PREMISE CERTIFICATE

MELBOURNE JUNIOR SCHOOL, PACKHORSE ROAD, MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE DE73 8JE

Details of Application:

Hours premises are open to the public Monday - Saturday 08.00 – 23.30

Plays 14.00 – 22.00 (Indoors) (M-F)

Films 15.30 – 23.00 (Indoors) (M-S)

Recorded Music 15.30 – 23.00 (Indoors) (M-F)

Anything of a similar description 13.00 – 18.00 (Indoors) (M-F)

The register can be viewed during o ce hours at South Derbyshire District Council, Civic O ces, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH. In order to view the speci c application please contact 01238 595890 or 01283 595724 in order to make an appointment.

Any representation relating to this application must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority by 5th February, 2013.

It is an o ence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum ne on summary conviction for this o ence is £5,000.

Rotary’s Citizen of the Year honoured

MELBOURNE Rotary Club's annual presentation dinner was held at Jack's Cafe, Melbourne, with 36 members and friends attending.

Rotary President Phillip Rosser made the presentations for Melbourne Citizen of the Year to Michael Sephton and the Ray Gill Award to Mark Rotherham for services to young people’s sport in Melbourne (see also Page 18).

Mr Sephton, a resident of Melbourne for some years, is the former manager of the Halifax Building Society in the town and a founder member of the Melbourne Business Association.

He has been a tireless fund-raiser for many of the larger events and balls that have been held in Melbourne over the last 10 years and has worked with the Arts Festival and the Jubilee Committee in helping to organise those special occasions for the benefit of the local community.

“I was shocked when I received a phone call giving me the news,” said Mike.

“But, of course, I am very honoured. Melbourne would not be Melbourne without all the things that happen here and I am pleased to play my part.”

At the annual dinner donations of £500 each were made to:

❍ Rotary’s “adopted” village of Bucence, in Uganda, collected by Kate Dumelow;

❍ Melbourne Infant School, for the provi-

sion of a new library, collected by Margaret Sharp, on behalf of the school;

❍ Melbourne Senior Citizens’ Centre, for the renewal of flooring in the centre, presented to Margaret Sharp, chairman; and

❍ DLR Air Ambulance Service, presented

to David Reeves, fund-raising manager;

❍ Rainbows Hospice.

A further cheque for £2,142 raised specifically from the “Rainbows Challenge” was also presented to Caroline Rossin, fundfaising manager.

Drivers caught in safety campaign

A DRIVER reading a newspaper at the wheel of his car and another texting at a busy crossroad were among hundreds of motorists caught during a crackdown on road offences across Derbyshire.

Operation Lifeguard has seen officers on the county’s roads targeting drivers committing one of the ‘fatal four’ factors that contribute to road collisions.

IT WAS a packed house at Ticknall Village Hall for the New Year's Eve barn dance with the Derbyshire Ranters providing the music.

“We could have sold twice the number of tickets if we had the space,” said Dave Smith, the fiddle player who comes from Ticknall. Everyone joined in and danced square dances, circle dances, and clapped along to

the music. Children led some of the dances.

“They were wonderful to watch," said Jane Squire, dance caller with the Ranters.

The event concluded with the traditional rousing Auld Lang Syne.

“It was a fabulous evening and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves," said a Ticknall resident.

Susan is our prize crossword

THE DRAW for the winning entry in the Village Voice Christmas Crossword has been made and Mrs Susan Buckley, of Swarkestone, is the winner of £25.

Pictured with her prize, Mrs Buckley said: “I’m delighted to have won. I’m a fan of Killer Suduko and crosswords, it keeps the brain ticking over –but this is the first time I’ve won a crossword competition.”

The solutions to the crossword are as follow: Across: 1and 4, FRANKINCENSE, 8 SNOWMEN, 9 ROBIN, 11 KEGWORTH, 13 SOAR, 14 CASTLE, 17 NOUGHT, 18 NINE, 19 BAPTISTS, 22 STORK, 24 PISTERN, 26 PRESENT, 27 WORTH.

Down: 2 RINSE, 3 NOW, 5 EGO, 6 SPINACH, 7 DEER, 10 CHIN, 12 WITH, 13 SAUDI, 15 AVIATOR, 16 ELBA, 20 PAIR, 21 TAROT, 23 COS, 25 TWO.

winner

The ‘fatal four’ are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone at the wheel and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

The crackdown is part of an ongoing campaign to make Derbyshire’s roads safer through enforcement and educational activities.

The operation’s launch coincided with the national charity BRAKE’s annual road safety campaign.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST) pulled over hundreds of drivers for a variety of offences.

During the checks more than 160 people were reported for speeding offences and 113 were caught not wearing their seatbelt.

Eleven drivers were arrested and reported for drink driving.

● Michael Sephton receives his Citizen of the Year Award from Phillip Rosser, Melbourne Rotary Club president.

Unit

Rotary award is recognition for Mark

HAVING been running karate and keep fit classes in Melbourne for the past 15 years, Mark Rotherham single-handedly has probably kept more of us healthy and fit than anyone else in Melbourne.

He was rightly recognised by Melbourne Rotary Club for his contributions when he was presented with the Ray Gill Award.

Mark started running both a fitness club, affectionately known as Fit Fat blokes, and a karate club way back in 1998 as a way of providing local and affordable training in self-defence and general fitness. Since then he has trained hundreds of students ranging in age from six to 60-plus.

A 4th Dan Black Belt in Wado Ry and a 2nd Dan in Allstyle Jitsu, Mark now provides regular training sessions in local schools and in clubs based in Kegworth, Castle Donington and Repton as well as Melbourne.

As founder of MRKD academy, “Sensie” Mark has built up a reputation for training in a safe and friendly environment, organising gradings for pupils to progress and to achieve fitness goals.

Mark is married to Mandy, who helps with the organisation of the business, and they have two children.

The general fitness classes at the Assembly Rooms are open to men and ladies of all abilities and those with New Year resolutions are welcome to try a taster session. It is a circuit-training environment with exercises designed to provide a comprehensive body workout whilst having some fun and banter.

The Rotary award recognises significant contributions to the local community and Mark’s award is certainly well deserved; it goes along with the thanks of many students, young and old, for helping

them stick to those resolutions for a healthier lifestyle.

Mark was delighted with the award, and said he was “very proud, and grateful" to his wife Mandy and his friends for the support they had given him over the years.

– Frank Hughes

Nine wins in row for rugby club

MELBOURNE RFC 1st XV continued their winning ways into December with a bonus point win against East Retford.

The game kicked off late and was played in bright winter sunshine, but finished in near darkness. East Retford, making a mockery of their league position, had the best of the early territory and possession, but failed to capitalise.

Melbourne struggled to hold on to the ball in the difficult conditions with the pitch resembling a paddy field. Melbourne scored after about 20 minutes with Jacob Watts going over in the corner, soon to be followed by a score in the opposite corner from Jack Pearce.

Euan Holden converted one for a 12-3 half-time lead. The interval talk from coach Ian Masters saw a slight change in tactics and the second half saw a reversal with Melbourne dominating. But they found it hard to breach a good East Retford defence.

Eventually Ash Stringer powered through to score. This was then followed with a yellow card for Sam Stuart as East Retford scored their only try, taking the score to 17-8. Melbourne pushed hard for the bonus point and late tries from Ash Stringer and Will Judge secured it with Melbourne winning 29-8.

The long trip to Grimsby followed with the normal spate of unavailabilities resulting in only 17 travelling. Melbourne started slowly and were soon 15-0 down, but gradually turned the game around. Will Judge and Ash Stringer both scored tries and there was also a try that featured a pass from Rob Foster and Ash Stringer in the same move, something never seen in a game for Melbourne before. This amazing show of hands saw a score for Alec Judge in the corner.

Five points for Chris Fulton made the score 20-15 to Melbourne with 10 minutes

MELBOURNE COMMUNITY CARE SHOPPING TRIPS/SOCIAL OUTINGS

MINIBUS TIMETABLE – 2013

For further information, cost of trips, or to book a seat, either call in the Community Care O ce, Mon-Thu 10:00am-2:00pm; Fri 10:00am-12:00 noon or telephone 863585 (answering machine when o ce is closed).

to go. Injuries to Chris Fulton and Ben Burchell did not help the cause. Theo De Vies then became the villain with a yellow card and Grimsby scored during this period to tie the scores at 20-20.

However, Theo turned from villain to hero by slotting a last-minute penalty on his return to secure Melbourne a 23-20 win. Great defence, superior fitness and team spirit helped Melbourne achieve this win. The final games of the month were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

The 1st XV finished the first half of the season in third place in the league, and after a couple of early losses, put together an impressive run of nine league wins in a row. They are also in the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Shield

Melbourne RFC would like to thank The Chip Shop, Melbourne News and The Bay Tree for sponsoring match balls in November and December.

LOCAL LOGS FOR LOCAL FIRES

The

PLEASE NOTE: We are awaiting con rmation of start dates of regular bookings. Minibus service/maintenance takes place beginning January. Burton Shopping Service dates for end January 2013 will shortly be advertised in the Community Care o ce window. The Minibus Services will commence, as normal, from February 2013.

● Mark Rotherham receives the Ray Gill Award from Phillip Rosser, the Rotary Club president.

Trophy time for

bowls club

KINGS NEWTON Bowls Club

members enjoyed bowling their annual Boxing Day doubles games for the Hardinge Arms Trophy. They benefited from a fine sunny morning before the rain arrived in the afternoon.

Winners were Bernard Raine and Ian Jardine with Janet Jardine and Peter Balfour runnersup.

Sausage and bacon cobs were the speciality of the day prepared and served by David Lyons during the most enjoyable morning.

The club held its annual presentation night at the clubhouse on Packhorse Road.

The club runs several competitions throughout the season with the winners well spread between the members.

Finals day saw the conclusion of the club competitions with June Hill taking the ladies champion title and Ian Jardine the men’s title. June then beat Ian in the play-off to become Champion of Champions.

Also presented was the Swadlincote and District Sunday Morning Cup, which the club won for the second time in three years.

Pictured above are Ian Jardine and Bernard Raine holding the Boxing Day Hardinge Arms Trophy.

The cricket season starts here

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club's preparations for the 2013 season are already underway with winter practice nets started at the Gateway, Derbyshire Cricket Ground, 2-3pm.

All players are welcome – both new and existing.

The club now runs three league teams on

a Saturday, a friendly side on a Sunday plus junior teams from Kwik, under 15s, as well as two new teams, the under 11s hardball and under 13s, which caters for almost everyone.

If you are interested in any of the above contact Alex Slater on 07966933583 or for the juniors Sue Potts on 01332 864618.

● Ticknall

Rangers (back row, l-r): Keith Palmer (chairman), Kevin Earp (asst manager), Craig Hall, James Perry, Mark Nixon, Ben Newton, Dean Tivey, Steve Greenhough (secretary); front row: Luke Harvey, Matt Archer, Alex Slater (manager), Paul Lakin (captain), Vinny Hallifield and Nathan Cook.

It’s super stuff from Dynamoes

DESPITE the awful weather in December Melbourne Dynamoes had a superb month with the reserves winning all three of their league games and the first team beating local rivals Chellaston to get through in the Derbyshire Cup.

The first team began with the home game with Chellaston and goals from Steve Byram and Matt Brian secured a superb victory.

Dynamoes beat the wet weather in their only league game against high-flying Cromford with Matt Brian celebrating his return from injury with the goal in their 1-1 draw.

Dynamoes Reserves had a quite brilliant month and began December with a 5-1 drubbing of Hilton Harriers with Ben Dale (2),Vinny Hallifield, Jack and Dan Stanley getting on the scoresheet.

The reserves' best performance of the season so far saw them beat table-topping Pastures Reserves 3-2 at home the following week. A brace from Dom Saniera plus an Adam Dolman header secured the win.

This was followed by a cracking 7-1 home win against Willington Sports. Vinny Hallifield continued his great form this season with another double along with two from the returning Marcus Brenchley and strikes from Dom Saniera, Farrell Scott and Dan Stanley to cap a superb end to 2012 for the Dynamoes club.

TICKNALL RANGERS secured their first win of the season as they outplayed AFC Stapenhill to win 3-0 with a double from Matt Archer and a bullet header from skipper Paul Lakin.

Rangers were very unlucky the following week to lose 4-2 to unbeaten Monksbridge away. Goals from Craig Hall and another poacher’s goal from Lakin proved just consolations as two own goals helped Monksbridge to a fortunate win.

Anyone for table tennis?

IN A NEW indoor sports venture, the Melbourne Assembly Rooms are holding weekly table tennis coaching sessions on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm onwards.

On the first night 16 people of all ages and abilities turned up to play the game and be coached by Mike Starkie, an ETTA qualified coach.

Mike currently plays for the Castle Donington Table Tennis Club but sees no reason why, given the turn-out at the first session, Melbourne shouldn't start its own team and compete in the Derby and District League.

Andy Heafield, development

manager at the Assembly Rooms, was delighted at the attendance and said: "This is a great sport that can be played by people of all ages and abilities as can be seen by the people who turned up tonight.

“Assuming that people continue to show an interest, we will start competitions but there will always be a place for those who want to play socially."

For further details call 01332 863522 or turn up, Tuesdays at 5.30pm for junior coaching and 6.30pm onwards for general play.

Mike, third from the right, is pictured with a group of interested players on the first night.