Minibus fund launch is off to a flier
Defibrillator boost
14 Village Voice December 2019
A NEW defibrillator is coming to Church Square in Melbourne. The defibrillator is being installed thanks to the Friends of Melbourne Parish Church, Melbourne Hall Estate, South Derbyshire District Council, Melbourne Parish Council and Derbyshire County Council. Defibrillators are life-saving devices used in the emergency treatment of certain heart conditions. The Village Voice reported last year how a cyclist’s life was saved by quick-thinking use of a defibrillator in Smisby. The new device will be mounted on the wall of the Melbourne Hall Estate Office on the corner of Church Square and Church Street. Funding and the enabling of the project has come from the Friends of the Parish Church and Melbourne Hall – which is supplying the power – with generous donations from the county, district and parish councils. Gordon Hughes, from Friends of Melbourne Parish Church, is pictured receiving a cheque for £500 from Derbyshire County Councillor Linda Chilton.
New year - time for a new interest
GENTLEMEN why not come and join our choir?
Melbourne Male Voice Choir are recruiting additional members
Join us on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Church House, Melbourne Parish Church
Contact Charlie Whyte on 01530 483043
The County Councillor for the Melbourne Division, Linda Chilton, sends her best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year to all constituents.
"IT WAS a fantastic launch of the Minibus Fund,” said Melbourne Community Care’s Alison Thornhill after a well-attended launch day held at the Assembly Rooms. “We will have raised well over £1,800, with some incredibly generous donations, and with the combined efforts of everybody involved.” Melbourne Community Care has now officially launched its fund-raising appeal to buy a new minibus so it can continue to carry out its important work. The community really did rally together at the event, with St Michael’s Players having created four amusing filmed sketches involving the minibus to be screened; Angie Cooke pedalling her way to a sponsored 1500 kilometre challenge; Jean Eustace displaying her crafted cards, bags and paintings; and all the cake makers and bakers and the many volunteers who helped. Phil Dobby spoke about the importance of Community Care’s services in the local area and explained why a new bus was needed. On display outside the Assembly Rooms was a demonstration model of the new adapted Peugeot Boxer, recently purchased by Castle Donington Volunteer Centre. Complete with a fully automated wheelchair hoist, supporting handrails, and much improved comfort for passengers, it will cost around £40,000 to purchase. A number of events are planned to boost the fund-raising. In addition to the very generous donations, the event also set out the range of services provided by Melbourne Community Care, and spurred a number of local people to volunteer to help. – Frank Hughes
ABOVE RIGHT: Angie Cooke raising money for the Community Care Bus. RIGHT: Pool Cottage Manager Matt Buckley presents a cheque for the bus fund to Alison Thornhill and Katrina Shipway, Community Care managers. BELOW: Phil Dobby speaking to a full house at the film premier.