Mayor of Erewash

Erewash’s new Mayor

The new Mayor of Erewash is Councillor John Sewell, who was formally elected to the role for the 2022/2023 civic year at Erewash Borough Council’s annual meeting last month.

Councillor Sewell, who represents the Sawley Ward, will be supported by his wife Rose in his civic duties, with both proud of their ancestral roots in the borough that date back to 1800.

The Mayor has chosen to support the local branches of the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and the local Cadet units and looks forward to helping raise awareness of the excellent work they carry out.

Councillor Sewell is looking forward to celebrating the borough and representing the residents of Erewash over the next year:

“During my career I have travelled the world as a member of the UK Armed Forces but, as I was born and brought up in Sawley, I am so proud to be able to represent my local residents and in my civic year work for the good of everyone in the borough.

“These last few years in particular have shown that by working together we can achieve so much and I look forward to meeting and thanking just some of those who work tirelessly every day to improve the quality of our lives.”

Councillor Sewell and Rose have been married for 55 years and have two children, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Jubilee military salute

Erewash residents can turn out in force next month to witness the historic Beating Retreat Ceremony in Ilkeston Market Place on Tuesday 5 July to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Hosting the colourful occasion is a major honour for Erewash Borough Council and hundreds of onlookers have always enjoyed previous ceremonies in Long Eaton and Ilkeston – the last one being in 2018.

The council and the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor John Sewell, are delighted to welcome back the Band of the Royal Engineers to perform the Beating Retreat in what will be an evening celebration for all ages.

The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, will be joining the Mayor and other civic dignitaries for this landmark event. The Derbyshire Cadet Band will begin proceedings on the Market Place at 7pm before the Band of the Royal Engineers march onto the Market Place to perform the historic ceremony.

Representatives of local cadet units will be in attendance together with several military and charitable organisations.

Councillor John Sewell, the Mayor of Erewash, says: “Beating Retreat will be a wonderful occasion, especially in this Platinum year, and one that will live in our memories forever.”

Best blooms

The ever-popular Erewash in Bloom gardening competition is back and will once again showcase the green-fingered skills that make the borough blooming marvellous.

Erewash Borough Council’s annual competition has 11 categories – with a special category added this year for the ‘Best Red White & Blue Display’ to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The closing date for entries is Monday 8th August. Full details and an online entry form at erewash.gov.uk/bloom. Or residents can email photos to bloom@erewash.gov.uk – remember to include name, address and a phone number and list which categories you would like to enter. Postal entries can also be sent to Erewash in Bloom, Merlin House, Merlin Way, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4RA.

Judging will take place in late August using the photos submitted, with winners announced in October.

Treasure our volunteers

Erewash Borough Council is again reaching out to community groups to offer the opportunity to bid for a cash boost for the important work they do to help local people.

A Community Chest grant can provide funding of up to £500 for small community projects and/or community groups that require fast start up support. Subject to funding being available, applications can be submitted at any time until 20 December and will be assessed as and when they are received.

For more information email ebcsmallgrants@erewash.gov.uk or call 0115 907 2244. Full details of all the council’s grants on offer can be found at erewash.gov.uk/grants A further round of funding through the council’s Community Grants Scheme, giving charities and voluntary groups in the borough the chance to apply for a grant of between £500 and £2,000 closed at the end of May and successful applicants will be contacted shortly.

Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, says: “It has been the toughest couple of years for our communities and we are well aware of the vital role that so many voluntary groups – both large and small - have played in supporting residents, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Fruit of our work

A path that opens up the enjoyment of an Orchard & Sensory Garden at St Hugh’s Roman Catholic Church in Borrowash was made possible by £1,540 funding from Erewash Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund.

Thanks to the council’s funding an accessible path for all takes visitors on a meandering path through the fruit trees, wildflowers and fruit bushes to provide a sensory nature trail with hedgerow on three sides and an open space in the middle for wildlife, picnics and other events.

Markets are thriving

Erewash’s historic markets in Ilkeston and Long Eaton town centres remain as popular as ever.

Ilkeston Market is held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while Long Eaton Market is held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The stalls are open from 9am to 3pm and offer a wide variety of goods including cheese, meat and preserves, fashion wear, greeting cards, haberdashery, flowers and plants, sweets, cleaning products and rugs.

Councillor Bryn Lewis, Lead Member for Town Centres, says: “The key message as we work alongside the online world is that we need to ‘shop local’. We must support our markets that offer value for money with good quality products.”

For market days visit erewash.gov.uk/markets

Sing out loud!

The borough’s popular Imari Ladies Chorus has found its voice again after a two-year pandemic silence. In 2019 the choir had lots of concerts lined up and when their musical director of 14 years retired they appointed Anne de Waal as the replacement. But then the pandemic and all its restrictions kicked in.

Now the choir has sent a thank you to Erewash Borough Council after a financial boost from its Community Grants Scheme has gone towards helping fund Anne de Waal as the Musical Director as well as supporting the group to buy music and learn new songs and welcome new members.

The choir rehearses in Draycott and always welcomes new members. If you are over 18 years old just drop in to the weekly rehearsal on Thursday evenings 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Victoria Road, Draycott.