The gallery

Summer loving

Memories are made of this. It’s been a summer to remember and here we take a look back at just a few of the fun times we had over the sun-soaked holiday months.

Meet the mechanics

Karen Wright – Fleet Services Manager

Karen, who joined Erewash Borough Council in 2020, says: “I am proud to introduce our mechanics to you, most of them are relatively new to Erewash but are highly skilled individuals who bring a wealth of knowledge.” The team work on a range of items, from a handheld strimmer, to a 26 tonne refuse cart, and provide background support for the council’s services. The workshop opens around 6.30am to ensure that any vehicle defects found by the refuse team are fixed before they leave the depot. The mechanics then carry out inspections, repairs, servicing, plant and equipment, MOT preparation, taxi-testing and attend breakdowns.

Steve Draper – Senior Mechanic

Steve joined in 1992 as a mechanic, servicing and repairing the council’s fleet of freighters. Steve, who was promoted to Senior Mechanic in 2014, says: “The highlight of my career was winning the APSE award in 2010 for best workshop - something I’m extremely proud of. Today those standards are still met with our current team who work hard to keep the fleet, plant and equipment in operation.”

Sam Fitzjohn – Mechanic

Sam enjoys working on the variety of vehicles, plant and equipment. He says: “We have a great work life balance, which is very important to me as I have two young children.”

Simon Redfern – Mechanic

Simon joined the team after more than 30 years in the retail motor trade industry. He says: “I enjoy the variety of tasks within my role – anything from lawnmowers and taxis to refuse lorries. There are also some great people within the organisation and the working hours enable me to have a good work-life balance.”

James Love – Mechanic

James, a dad of two young boys, joined the team this year and bikes to work. He started out as an apprentice HGV Fitter for a main dealership aged 16 and progressed to specialist plant equipment.

Steven Fewkes – Mechanic

Steven, who worked in the motor trade and plant hire industry for many years as a mechanic and manager, says: “I have only been at Erewash for a short time, but I am really enjoying my new role and have been welcomed by everyone.”

Left to right - Karen Wright (Fleet Services Manager). Mechanics - Sam Fitzjohn, Steve Draper, Simon Redfern, Councillor Garry Hickton. Seated (left to right) Mechanics - James Love, Steven Fewkes.

Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment, says: “Our mechanics demonstrate great teamwork and are responsible for keeping so many of our services going – services the public will see like our refuse vehicles, the strimmers, gardening equipment for our parks teams, our other fleet of vehicles and more. In many ways they work behind the scenes, but their important role is vital in ensuring so many of our services go ahead every day of the year.”

All very eventful!

We’ve had a summer packed full of family fun, outdoor events, exhibtions and more. Now it’s time for the Autumn calendar as the countdown begins to some of the biggest annual events in Erewash.

Ilkeston’s historic Charter Fair will return for its 770th year next month, bringing all its colour and excitement as the town centre streets are transformed into a spectacle of light, sound and rides and stalls for all ages. This year’s event runs from Wednesday 19 October-Saturday 22 October, with the traditional ceremonial opening taking place on Thursday 20 October.

Long Eaton will welcome back its popular Chestnut Fair again this year from Thursday 17 - Saturday 19 November, with rides and stalls stretching along the High Street and also Beaconsfield Car Park.

770th Ilkeston 4 days of fun for family and friends Charter Fair

Oct 19-22

Wednesday 6pm - 11pm

Thursday/Friday/Saturday 12pm - 11pm

In between will be the council’s Bonfire Night and Firework extravaganza which attracts thousands of spectators for the 5 November spectacular at West Park in Long Eaton.

Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of the Council, says: In the lead up to the Christmas Lights switch on events in Ilkeston and Long Eaton, there will also be plenty of other attractions and activities courtesy of the council’s award winning museum and its Art Development and Sport and Heath teams.”

Keep up-to-date at the Erewash Museum and Active Erewash Facebook pages and at erewash.gov.uk

We remember

In more solemn events, residents in Ilkeston and Long Eaton will be able to pay their respects to fallen war heroes at Remembrance Services and parades on Sunday 13 November.

Both events will begin with a parade as residents walk, headed by a local band, to the War Memorials in the town centres, with the events also featuring wreath-laying.

The Mayor, Councillor John Sewell, will attend the Ilkeston service and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Chris Corbett, will be at Long Eaton.