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APRIL 2016
A community publication for Ilkeston and the surrounding districts including Kirk Hallam, Cotmanhay, Shipley View and West Hallam Visit our website: ilkestonlife.com
Exasperation of community worker as Cotmanhay play park is hit by repeat vandalism A community worker has spoken of his frustration following another act of vandalism in Cotmanhay. John Allen, a local youth football organiser and vice chairman of Action 4 Cotmanhay told us: “I read with some anger of the damage to the new swing on Beauvale Drive which has been set on fire again and seemingly no one knows who did it. Many people are trying to change the area for the better and want to get rid of people's negative attitude towards Cotmanhay, but sadly incidents like this set us back once again. “Many lovely families have lived and still do live on Cotmanhay Estate and want to improve things so that these problems can be looked at and sorted and those responsible brought to the attention of the local police and council.” He appealed: “Let’s get behind the ones that care and support them because once people give up caring it's not worth thinking about
what will happen, and it's no good moaning that there's nothing to do in Cotmanhay.” Erewash Borough Council used social media to urge local residents to help find the vandals who set fire to the basket swing at the children’s play area for the third time. The popular play equipment had been repaired and reinstalled with a new seat and complete new swing assembly last year. It is thought the arsonists struck on or around Tuesday 15th March. The seat was destroyed and the safety surfacing was also damaged causing nearly £1,200 worth of damage. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “This is absolutely disgraceful and very, very frustrating. How many times do we find ourselves saying that a piece of play equipment has been damaged? This should not and will not be tolerated. It may be that we remove the swing altogether and this would be a great shame as it would mean children and families who live in the area and enjoy the facilities would miss out. “ We need local people, local communities to rally and help us fight this problem – we can’t do it alone. Please be our eyes and ears and tell us or the police if you know who is destroying a facility that we provide for your children. Let the mindless minority know that they are not a part of your community.” Anyone with information should contact the Police on 101 quoting crime reference 16 of 16 March 2016 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Photo: The fire damaged swing and safety surface. Inset: John Allen.
COMPETITION WINNERS The winner of our recent short story competition for young people was Miriam Widdowson aged 11, of Hallam Fields Junior School. Joint runners-up were: Eve Beharall, 11, Hallam Fields School; Jersey Oldershaw, 10, Chaucer Junior School and Leo Hallam, 10, Chaucer Junior School. They will each receive a certificate and a prize.
A market day puzzle Roy Foulkes’ photograph of a busy market day in Ilkeston prompted an interesting comment on our Facebook page: “Lovely photo, and no disrespect intended, but there aren't any young people in this picture. What do we do to make Ilkeston and its market appealing to the next generation of shoppers?” It’s true. There is an absence of young shoppers using the market. And if it continues the market will eventually die. Is there a lack of merchandise which would appeal to the younger generation, or do they just prefer trendier shops or the Internet? It would be a shame to see our market shrink any more. Let’s hope that the new shops opening in the old Co-op building will attract new consumers who will take a look
on the market too. Ilkeston Market may not be what it used to be but it’s still the envy of many other places. As another Facebook poster commented: “The market has superb greengrocers, butcher, fishmonger, bakers, plant stalls, etc. We use it every week.” You can also buy clothing, wools, flowers, toiletries, bedding, pet supplies, shoes, carpets, cards, cosmetics, bath bombs, batteries ... the list is endless. Erewash Council see to it that there is a wide variety of merchandise on offer (not too many stalls selling the same things) and there is also a charity stall that can be used by local organisations. So how can more young people be persuaded to come to the market? We’d like to hear your suggestions.