OUR LARA IS A SHAW-FIRE HIT
ONE of Melbourne’s brightest sports stars has represented her country on the ski slope once again, coming away with a prestigious silver medal.
Lara Shaw, 20, wowed on the slopes of Torino, Italy, where she was representing Great Britain in the FISU World University Winter Games
Despite not having skied competitively for two years, Lara performed brilliantly in the Women’s Slopestyle Skiing contest, beating entrants from Germany, France, Ukraine and Japan to secure the second podium spot
The tough sport sees contestants perform complex tricks while taking on a challenging course involving big jumps and skiing along rails
Lara won the chance to compete through Sport England because of her competitive skiing background and the fact she is studying sports coaching at Loughborough University – her student status being a key eligibility criterion for these games, the largest international winter multi sports event aside from the Olympics
Lara’s competitive skiing career began young: while still a pupil at Melbourne Junior School she won gold and silver medals in two under-12s competitions at the British Ski Championships in France
Having played many sports to a high level over the years Lara has now decided to focus on just one and set her sights on professional cricket She is in the academy for the East Midlands women s cricket team, Blaze, as well as playing for Derbyshire women’s and is in Melbourne’s first team too
But she said the opportunity to ski for her country again was too good to miss
“It was such a good event,” she said “There was a massive stadium which was full; 52 countries were represented ”
Having not skied for some time there were some nerves for Lara on the limited practice sessions afforded to competitors
Those 16-metre jumps were not for the faint-hearted, notwithstanding the fact this scale of jump is simply not available to prac-
by Lucy Stephens
tise in the UK anyway – even if she had been skiing
But going out for her second practice, she said “everything started coming together” and then there were more nerves at the thought of not fulfilling her potential when realising she could do well
But Lara’s skills on the slopes had not left her and out of 18 skiers from around the world Lara was one of six to qualify for the finals, eventually winning her impressive silver
“It was nice to get that adrenaline again,” she said “You get that feeling with that kind of sport and you don’t in others You have two runs and if you fail your competition is done
“Three girls that were there are on the World Cup scene at the moment
“I was really happy Mum and dad were there Where they were they could see the scores come up but I couldn’t – I was waiting for ages I heard my mum screaming ‘second’! I was very excited, and also nervous because there was another skier still to come, but being second I was guaranteed a medal ”
Despite having a few pangs of thinking ‘What if?’ after competing so well, Lara is now back in the UK and focused on the cricket pitch once again
Probus welcomes new president
MELBOURNE Probus Club has a new president as it heads towards its 50th birthday this year
New president Simon Leech told members at its latest AGM that the club was in good shape, but needed new members to ensure it does not fade away, and promised members more fun and enjoyment for his year in office
He also paid tribute to the work done last year by the previous president and committee
The AGM at the Royal British Legion on January 22 heard last year ’s president Trevor Wright say that it had been a year of “ups and lows”
He told the room there had been some limited success in attracting new members and raising awareness of the club, but members had also enjoyed some excellent speakers
The programme of events had included a range of activities enjoyed by members, partners and friends
They had also sadly lost a very active and vocal member of the club, John Williams
Probus is an association of retired and semi-retired men who seek opportunities to keep their minds active, expand their interests and enjoy the fellowship of new friends
Now an international organisation, it was originally set up in 1966 and there are more than 2,000 clubs in the UK alone
Simon provided a potted history of his working life, which had included being a rabbit farmer, a greengrocer, a strawberry grower but mostly, for 39 years, working for Rolls-Royce in programme management
He had been stationed in Indianapolis for three years, but the twin towers attack in 2001 resulted in a worldwide contraction in aero-engine business and he was recalled home Previously he had been president of local Rotary and chair of Round Table clubs
Looking forward to this year ’s programme of events, club secretary Andrew Baldwin said that speakers had been lined up for the first three meetings and there was a social event planned for February 14 at the Catholic Church Hall, to be held jointly with the local wine circle
They are also intending to organise coach trips, although details are not yet available
Probus is a very welcoming group of people who clearly enjoy each other ’s company It meets every third Wednesday at 10am at the British Legion and would welcome anyone who is interested in joining Alternatively, for more information, contact Andrew Baldwin on 07526 162305
Local authorities under microscope
THE Government’s White Paper on Devolution could result in the scrapping of district and borough councils in Derbyshire in favour of a single ‘Unitary’ authority, the recent Local Authority Forum meeting in Barrow was told.
The White Paper set out the intention to merge areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority, smaller district and larger county councils, in a bid to streamline services
“What this means is the current two-tier local government structure in Derbyshire is uncertain,” according to a brief provided for the meeting.
Derbyshire County Council leader Barry Lewis has already written to the Government to request that Derbyshire is included in the first wave of re-organisation.
In response to this, district council leaders have written to the Minister for Housing and Local Government to stress the importance of not rushing this historic change and to consider what is best for Derbyshire and its many and diverse communities
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Steve Griffiths (right).
Chancellor backs freeport plans
INVESTMENT of £1billion at a freeport near East Midlands Airport, which could create 2,000 jobs, has been backed by the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Manchester Airports Group, which owns and operates the airport, has announced that Prologis, a logistics property owner, developer and investor, is its partner to take forward a new industrial logistics and advanced manufacturing park there
The partnership formed part of Chancellor Reeves’ speech in January as she backed £1billion investment plans at the UK’s only inland freeport
The idea is that the development site, south of the airport, will offer operators the option of tax and customs relief and simplified import and export procedures
The Chancellor said developing the logistics and manufacturing site was “a clear demonstration of the UK's strength as a hub for innovation”
The freeport scheme, given formal government approval in 2023, seeks to attract investment to three areas: the East Midlands Airport and Segro Logistics Park in Leicestershire; the former Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station site in Nottinghamshire; and East Midlands Intermodal Park near Toyota in Etwall
A planning application for the new park has been submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council, which, if approved, is promising to
bring up to 2,000 new jobs, £132m of economic growth per year (GVA) to the East Midlands, whilst contributing £9m of additional business rates
If the proposals go ahead, Prologis is also set to create a dedicated centre for logistics job training and education in Leicestershire
The airport is advancing plans to scale its cargo operations to meet rising demands, with Prologis research forecasting double-digit growth in air cargo volumes by 2025 and the airport predicted to grow by 54% to 2043
The Chancellor said: “This investment in East Midlands Freeport is a clear demonstration of the UK's strength as a hub for innovation, will create thousands of new jobs driving growth in the region and strengthen the UK's position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics
“Together we are kick starting our economy, driving growth and getting more money in people's pockets ”
EMA’s managing director Steve Griffiths said: “I’m delighted to announce Prologis as our global development partner and excited by the prospect of unlocking significant investments in East Midlands Freeport for the region
“This is an exciting step forward for growth in and around the airport, as our unrivalled cargo operation continues to act as a catalyst for investment in our region and we look at ways to build on its success ”
l Simon Leech with Trevor Wright
ABOVE: Illustrative design of the site
RIGHT: Chancellor Rachel Reeves with UK Head of Sustainable Investment and Partnerships for Prologis Jason Longhurst (left) and Managing Director of East Midlands Airport
Cemetery paths and fences get upgrade
PATHWAYS and fences at Melbourne Cemetery have had a major upgrade and the work has been kept local with both contractors and stone from the area doing the job
The cemetery’s pathways have had a smart upgrade thanks to the parish council project, with 90 tonnes of golden amber gravel provided from Breedon Aggregates’ quarry at a generous discount
Cllr David Smith from Melbourne Parish Council explained that the pathways and fencing at the cemetery had needed attention so funds were allotted to provide the muchneeded upgrade
The project has now been
completed with Breedon Aggregates having provided the gravel and the work having being done by TH Heath
Tom Rogers, of T Rogers Fencing, has completed the work to the cemetery’s fencing
Cllr Terry Summerlin, who sits on the parish council’s burial committee, said: “It’s an excellent job that’s been done and
we really appreciate the assistance we have had ”
Sexton Rob Holman said: “It’s an improvement for the local community which has made the cemetery more accessible ”
Leaders from Breedon Aggregates also provided materials for the car park upgrade at the village’s church
Doubt over new school
THERE is still uncertainty about the new school building in Infinity Park near Chellaston, the Local Area Forum meeting held in Barrow was told
The building of the proposed Infinity Park Spencer Academy is in doubt after Education Secretary Bridgett Phillipson announced a review into 44 free schools that were approved by the last Government
The review aims to establish whether the proposed schools offer value for money
Jenny Webster, Head of Development at Derbyshire County Council, said the need for the new secondary school had been clearly demonstrated but it might be March or April before the outcome of the review is known
The county council is having to consider what alternative options might be available if the building proposal is rejected, as there is a need to have provision in place by September 2027 A primary school in Mickleover is in a similar situation
by Frank Hughes
A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “In October the Government announced a review of the 44 planned mainstream free schools, which affects four schools within Derbyshire – The Avenue, New House Farm, Infinity Park and North Derbyshire University Academy
“We as the education authority and the academy sponsors have made representations to the Department of Education (DfE) in relation to the need for extra school places in Derbyshire, providing value for money and the proposed curriculum at each school
“We continue to monitor the population data and existing education provision in these areas and will respond to any potential impact depending on the outcome of the review ”
A petition to save the schools has been launched by the local Conservative party at
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A funeral service will be held at St George’s Church, Ticknall on Monday 24th February, 2025 at 11.30am. Family owers only please, donations in lieu of owers, if so desired for Macmillan Cancer Support. All enquiries to J.P. Springthorpe & Co. Ltd. Funeral Directors, Castle Lodge, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1BR. Telephone: 01530 417310
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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.
ON THE RIGHT PATH (l-r) Andrew Heath, Laura McGlynn, Rob Holman, the Sexton, Cllr Terry Summerlin, Cllr David Smith, Tom Rogers, of T Rogers Fencing; and (below) Cllr Smith, Tom Rogers, Cllr Summerlin and Rob Holman with the new fence.
Back to future at the gallery
CREATIVE Melbourne Gallery is excited to announce its latest exhibition, Introspection, running from February 19 to March 15. It is three years since the gallery opened and this exciting showcase features an extraordinary collection of original artwork – paintings, prints, photography and mixed media works by an impressive line-up of artists, whose work has been inspired by looking into the past to find images for the future
Visitors will recognise many of the artists from Melbourne Festival, for example, Karen Wicks, who is a UK printmaker based in the East Midlands Her work is inspired by derelict buildings and captures these abandoned structures using intaglio print techniques Her work uses low-fi home print techniques and recycled materials which becomes fragile and disintegrates over time to reflect the subject matter of the ‘ghost buildings’ that inspire her
Contemporary jeweller Amanda Graham is also inspired by using recycled precious metals and semi-precious stones to create one-off pieces inspired by nature – the textures are so real that you will want to touch!
Emerging artists Beth Edge and Jenny Stevenson bring their artistic flair to the exhibition with a selection of beautiful and thought-provoking works, including the captivating Reviving Melbourne series Their unique ability to tell a story in visual art adds an exciting dimension to Introspection
Following the urban theme Nottingham artist Oliver Lovley shares his fascination for crowds of people doing everyday things – going to the football or chatting outside the pub
Introspection also features Ticknall artist Jane Bevan, who works with natural and found materials, collected on daily walks in the ancient woodland near her home and Andrew Mason who makes Raku glazed pots in jewel colours
Whether you’re an art collector or simply someone who appreciates creative expression, Introspection promises to inspire and captivate l
ARTS PARTNERSHIP FUNDING BOOSTER
l District Council chair Cllr Sean Bambrick (left) joins Phil Dobby, Sharon Brown and Frank Hughes in the gallery.
CREATIVE Melbourne has agreed a partnership with South Derbyshire District Council that has unlocked valuable funding to help sustain the festival and gallery, as well as support aspiring new artists
The agreement means Creative Melbourne will be able to continue its work, with one of its aims to help boost around 10 aspiring artists in 2025 through the Spaces to Create programme
The partnership helps create a more secure financial footing for Melbourne Festival over the next few years
It also commits the gallery to at least eight exhibitions a year and to work with other artist networks to promote the arts in all formats
The agreement covers three aspects: community, the economy and the Arts On the community side the gallery will continue to
provide workshops to encourage anyone from the local area to engage with art and creativity Both the gallery and the festival provide many opportunities for voluntary work – an area the council is keen to promote
The Spaces to Create programme based in the gallery provides opportunities for those who aspire to become self-supporting artists or creatives to achieve their goals Having run a pilot programme in 2024, the intention is to enable around 10 new aspiring artists to join the programme in 2025 On the Arts side the gallery will continue to promote artists from the region to exhibit and sell their work
Director Phil Dobby said he was delighted to have agreed the partnership, saying it would sustain Creative Melbourne s community arts programme and place it firmly as a hub for the arts in the district
Creative Melbourne resident artists Beth Edge and Jenny Stevenson
Army of volunteers rescue lost dog Ollie
byLucy Stephens
A MELBOURNE family have said they were overwhelmed with the “caring hug” of support from the local community – and a highly valued charity – who rallied round to help bring their lost dog home
Now dog lovers in Melbourne are helping raise thousands of pounds towards a thermal imaging drone camera to find missing pets after news of lost labradoodle Ollie went viral locally
Ollie, a golden labradoodle owned by the Singh family along with his brother Coco, ran off when put in flight mode after a collision with a vehicle during a walk with his owner, Chin, on January 15
Chin described how he had been walking his dogs just before sunset at around 3 45pm along Station Road in Melbourne
In the glare of the sun, he said Ollie had “ casually strolled into the side of an oncoming truck”
The dog was knocked over and trapped his right hind leg in front of the rear wheel Yelping in pain, Ollie managed to free his leg and then, said Chin, “just pegged it”
Ollie’s disappearance was posted on social media where it immediately “went viral”, with hundreds of people sharing the news
A huge number of local people rallied round to help find the missing pet and the Singh family said they were overwhelmed by the prompt response and scale of support from the local community
Through social media, the family contacted Harvey’s Army, a national dog rescue charity set up in 2014, which has more than 300 volunteers around the UK
Harvey’s Army volunteers visited the Singh family on the evening Ollie had gone missing
A poster was put together with key information about the dog, the owners, the rescue protocol to follow, what to do and what not do should anyone spot Ollie
The poster was circulated and pinned up at key locations
The charity stresses that when searching for a pet, it is important not to frighten them with excessive shouting and noise Instead, the advice is to stay calm, do not chase or approach the pet, note sightings and report these with the time and report them – usually with a social media post – using a single point of reference, so that a timeline and associated direction of travel can be worked out
By following the procedure advised by the charity, Ollie was found within 18 hours
Chin said: “The advice was priceless If we’d carried on without Harvey’s Army’s intervention – shouting and things –Ollie would have gone for longer, possibly further and definitely be exposed to other grave dangers ”
Charity volunteer Kevin Gunn, a drone pilot, created a map to establish sightings of
Ollie as he ran round the local area
Frightened and injured Ollie was spotted immediately running through Melbourne, then Staunton Harold Reservoir, near Poppy Wood, as well as jumping a garden wall in Ticknall
He was eventually found in Robin Wood by dog walker, Sean Dunne, the following morning
Sean described how he had spotted Ollie but stayed at a distance He phoned his partner Claire, who had seen news of Ollie’s disappearance on social media The couple informed Chin, who was searching at Ingleby Lane in Ticknall at the time with Ollie’s brother, Coco Chin said he drove round “in haste” to Robin Wood
He said: “When I was finally within a 100-metre reach, Ollie still didn’t recall to his name but trotted over cautiously when I pretended to pull a treat out of my pocket, exaggerated the move and said the magic word, TREAT!”
The Singh family presented Sean and Claire with a £500 reward for their pivotal role in finding Ollie
Chin said: “As well as family and friends helping in the search, we met people we didn’t know out looking for Ollie after midnight and the next morning at 4am! Without everyone’s significant and prompt response, guided by Harvey’s Army, the outcome could have been bleakly different We are profoundly thankful ”
Along with Sean and his part-
ner, the Singh family thanked Harvey’s Army plus local resident Tracey Ridley, who put up posters
Social media updates posting news of Ollie’s whereabouts and eventual discovery reached nearly 1,000 people
Tracey said: “It was a huge community effort I think we have a dog-loving community –everyone straight away was invested and wanted a positive result which we got in the end ”
Chin’s wife, Suki, said:
“We’ve lived in several cities across England
“We’ve never experienced an incredible and amazing community come together in such a strong and driven way, like we have here in Melbourne and
THE best flowers of the season – including abundant snowdrops – will be on display at The Dower House, Melbourne on February 15 and 16, and if you drop by for a visit you’ll be contributing to charity too.
The Dower House is part of the National Garden Scheme which in 2024 gave more than £3million in donations to charities raising vital funds in the fields of cancer, Parkinson’s and hospices
It will be holding its February opening over the weekend from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday, with £8 admission for adults and children free. Every penny from ticket sales is paid to the National Garden Scheme
Tea and cake are available under cover for those braving the elements
Griselda Kerr of the Dower House said there should be much more on display than snowdrops, including aconites, Daphnes, witch hazels, Christmas box, skimmia, Iris reticulata, crocus, winter clematis and hellebores
“It’s been overwhelming, heart-warming and just feels like a caring hug! What a wonderful place to live! Thank you to everyone ”
Ollie has now undergone treatment on his leg and is at home with his family, recovering well The family are now raising money for a thermal drone to assist Harvey’s Army in future searches, with the aim of providing clear direction during the night and significantly reducing search times
More than £1,000 has already been raised, with the Singh family pledging a pound for every £2 donated To contribute see shorturl at/Iq7kD
Ticknall
l Ollie and Coco the labradoodles, with owner Chin Singh (centre) and Kevin Gunn, from Harvey’s Army (left) and rescuer Sean Dunne.
CAN anyone help save this chimney from being pulled down?
The 38-metre brick chimney is situated at Resco Products near Lount and dates back to the 1930s
Due to the need for repairs, it may have to be pulled down unless anyone from the local area can help with fund-raising or grant applications to help save it for posterity. Time is short so if anyone would like to see it saved, they are asked to get in touch with Paul Fereday at Resco on p a u l f e r e d a y @ r e s c o p r o ducts.com or call 01530 222694.
Football shirts tribute for Jack’s funeral
A SEA of football shirts will be the outfit of choice at a funeral this month for a dedicated Melbourne Rugby Club supporter and Derby County fan who has ripped a “huge Jack-shaped hole” from the world after his sad passing at only 31
With his large circle of friends in Melbourne, Jack Radley will be much missed by the many people whose lives he touched, whether chatting in the pub, being looked after through his occupational therapy treatment, or on the sidelines of one of his beloved local rugby games
His mum, Tracey, said the whole family are “devasted” after Jack – who had already suffered a stroke at the age of just 24 – was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Ewing Sarcoma, which was discovered to be terminal
Just a few weeks later, on January 21, Jack passed away at Royal Derby Hospital – but not before he meticulously planned his own funeral, which takes place at Trent Valley Crematorium on February 21
Jack’s life was filled with friendship and laughter and he made many Melbourne friends while a pupil at Chellaston Academy
His aim was to help others through being an occupational therapist and, after studying at Sheffield Hallam University, he achieved his goal
But while travelling in Peru in 2017 Jack’s life turned upside down when he suffered a stroke After a long road to recovery, he never regained the use of his left arm Despite this setback he was determined to keep working as an occupational therapist About a year before he died, Jack gained employment as a therapy support worker, along with being a befriender for the Different Strokes group for young stroke survivors
It was testament to his popularity in Melbourne that while still in hospital in Peru huge support and funds were being raised in his name through the Jack Radley Cup
But despite his life’s many challenges – including the devastating news that he had terminal cancer – mum Tracey said he simply refused to let any of it get him down
l Jack Radley (second left) with parents Tracey and Richard and brother Scott.
“He never gave up, even though he had been dealt difficult things in life,” said Tracey “He was a true fighter Nothing ever got him down He was always the one making the jokes He never said ‘why me?’ after his stroke, he just took it on the chin ”
During his last weeks in hospital where his family never left his side, Jack planned his fu-
neral, choosing all of the music and asking for those present to wear a football shirt Family have sourced a wreath made from Lego – his other obsession along with sport – and Jack also asked not to have flowers, saying he would rather the money went to charity Donations are being made to the Macmillan Unit at Royal Derby Hospital where Jack was looked after
“There’s going to be a big Jack-shaped hole left in the world,” said Tracey “We have been inundated with messages, cards, flowers and photographs “He was just one in a million ” A memorial game is being played in Jack’s honour at the Don Amott Arena at Mickleover Athletic Football Club on February 14
BUILDING CAREERS
FEBRUARY 10-16 marks National Apprenticeship Week – but which employers offer these opportunities in the local area?
Melbourne 19-year-old Freddie Oxspring has completed a Level 3 construction apprenticeship with Davidson’s Developments Ltd, while Zak Lewis is at Jaguar Land Rover
Freddie (pictured) said he had realised he enjoyed a more practical way of learning post GCSEs, saying: “The idea of getting paid while learning was really appealing to me, not to mention the free education, career progression and life skills that also came as benefits of apprenticeships ”
achieve a strong foundation to the start of my career, win awards like the CIOB apprentice of the month, Davidsons apprentice of the year and provided me with the support to achieve qualifications Everything I've learnt, achieved, and experienced have all been key factors in my thorough enjoyment of my apprenticeship ” Freddie has now achieved his Level 3 apprenticeship in construction and the built environment, and is now working towards a Civil Engineering Level 4 HNC having most enjoyed working in Davidson’s engineering department
He said: “During my time as an apprentice I have learnt so much of every aspect of residential construction, this is mainly down to Davidson’s flexibility with providing placements in every department within the business
“During the last two years of rotating around the departments I have been involved in the architectural, engineering, and commercial side of residential development, which has taught me all aspects of construction
“I also believe that my apprenticeship has provided me with so many opportunities, for example I attended the Houses of Parliament for a HBF Building skills: Key to our future event to discuss the lack of young people in construction I also had the chance to join ex-England and Lions rugby player, Tom Croft, for a talk on his transition from top level rugby to the world of house building My apprenticeship has also helped me
He said: “In terms of work, I am now the lead engineer on one of the businesses sites and hope to further my knowledge and experience and become a senior engineer ”
Zak Lewis, 20, of Melbourne, is at Jaguar Land Rover undertaking a Level 6 degree apprenticeship in product design and development, through Warwick University
He said the four-year course was hard work in balancing doing a job with university study, but it was worth it to be paid for working while achieving a degree at the same time
“I’ve always been fascinated by engineering,” he said “Even at junior school, I was doing extra curricular activities and I picked triple science at GCSE I wasn’t a massive fan of the idea of going to uni – I don’t really know why When I heard about degree apprenticeships, it was almost a bit of a no-brainer because you get paid for doing a degree and you get lots of experience as well ”
Treecyclers wheel in £24,000 for hospice
RESIDENTS living in local villages including Melbourne, Ticknall, Aston and Weston have been thanked after helping to raise £24,000 for Treetops Hospice by recycling their Christmas trees.
Treetops volunteers collected almost 1,300 trees from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in aid of their annual ‘Treecycling’ scheme, including 230 from across the DE72 and DE73 postcode areas
A record number of 50 local volunteers from across 15 businesses helped in the collecting.
Tree collections were made in return for a donation towards the hospice which provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families
Vic Rocca (pictured), from Treetops, said: “We’re hugely grateful to everyone who registered their tree for collection and supported the scheme. The money raised could help us provide 213 nights of vital nursing care to patients at the very end of life, in their own homes
made sure all the trees have been collected
“Ward Recycling kindly provided us with skips and is recycling the trees responsibly for us. We really couldn’t do this without everyone’s help. It’s a huge joined-up effort.”
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been involved in treecycling this year. Despite the snow and bitterly cold weather, our wonderful volunteers have
Treetops Hospice is one of the leading end-of-life care charities in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Street-wise
Every year, the charity provides vital care and support to over 2,000 people across Derbyshire.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services You can contact them at www treetopshospice org uk/donate
pupils get to plant their prize saplings
CHILDREN from Aston on Trent Primary School have been planting saplings ‘earned’ through their ‘Beat the Street’ points at the village’s Local Nature Reserve
Beat the Street is a free, interactive game launched locally last year that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by rewarding teams with points and prizes the further they walk, cycle and roll Aston Primary School gained more than 1,000 points and were rewarded with saplings by Intelligent Health, who run Beat the Street The school chose the fiveacre Aston Brickyard Local Nature Reserve (LNR) as an ideal environmental location The site is managed by the village community volunteer group, Friends of Aston Brickyard (FAB)
Thirty excited children arrived on site for a high energy activity morning enthusiastically led by Andy and Charlotte from South Derbyshire District Council’s Environmental Education Project (EEP) The children became ‘Nature Detectives’ including animal footprint tracking, hedgehog nest building, learning about the green environment and planting more than 30 trees
John Holloway, secretary to the FAB group, said: “To see the next generation enjoying themselves and learning about their environment in a proactive way is something we want to encourage and we’re looking forward to more visits in the future ” Class Teacher Maisie Moore agreed: “The school has this wonderful resource on its doorstep and to see my class positive and fully engaged with hands-on learning shows how successful the EEP project is
“As a Forest school we are committed to encouraging conservation education ” Cllr Gordon Rhind, from South Derbyshire District Council, said: “The council is committed to encouraging active participation in physical and learning activities and we want to encourage all schools and communities to get in touch with
us and become involved with these worthwhile initiatives ”
Children’s comments on the day included, “brilliant”, “can we come again?” and “I’ve learned how to plant a tree and watch it grow”
Beat the Street South Derbyshire was commissioned by South Derbyshire District Council and funded by the council, National Forest Company, Active Derbyshire, and the National Lottery via Sport England
Committee getting ready for Carnival
MELBOURNE Carnival committee is busy preparing for this year ’s event which has an extra special theme: “100 years of Melbourne Fete & Carnival”. Tracey Ridley returns as the committee’s chair; treasurer is Chris Peat and secretary, Bex Stead The carnival takes place on Saturday, July 12
School ‘living up to its Christian values’
CHRISTIAN values are lived out daily at St Hardulph’s Primary School in Breedon, a Church inspection report has found
St Hardulph’s CE Primary was visited by SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican & Methodist Schools), an inspection regime which investigates whether Church schools are living up to their Christian values
An inspection report found that the school of 50 pupils is living up to its foundation as a Church school and “is enabling pupils and adults to flourish”
School strengths identified in the report included strong leadership under which pupils and staff are known and nurtured as individuals
The report said: “There is a real sense of Christian love and fellowship as you enter St Hardulph’s Church of England Primary School This guides decisions and actions and permeates school life ”
It went on to say: “Pupils know what it means to be kind, gentle and to persevere They talk about what these mean and give examples of how they have lived out these values in their everyday life
“Pupil leaders organised a range of fundraising events in order to sponsor a child in Ghana
“Older pupils buddy up with younger children when they arrive in school They are passionate that caring for younger children is important As a result, playtime is joyful and inclusive and this creates a sense of belonging within the wider school community ”
l Class teacher Maisie Moore helps children plant saplings
Postboxes putting their ow stamp on our street herita
Melbourne Dental Practice
WHAT have cast iron street signs, historic pavement materials, rainwater channels, old post boxes and a vintage stamp machine got in common?
The answer is they are all being considered for a new list of Melbourne’s heritage assets
Melbourne Parish Council has invited the civic society and others to help compile this list after learning how much residents cared about old street furniture following the removal by contractors of three historic bollards
Following an outcry people raised enough money for replicas to be specially made and these have now been installed in their original locations at either end of the jitty linking Chapel Street and Derby Road
Martin Keay, of Melbourne Civic Society, said: “Regular readers of Village Voice will be familiar with the saga of the bollards, from which we learned that Melbourne people care deeply about heritage street furniture, like cast iron bollards, but we also found out that neither the parish council, district council nor county council have a list of the street furniture that we value
“So, to prevent a repeat of the bollards incident, the parish council has decided to assemble a Melbourne list of heritage assets and has invited Melbourne Civic Society and others to help compile this list ”
The asset list will comprise four main groups of assets:
1 Historic pavement materials, like the limestone cobbles next to 35 Castle Street and a section of pavement made from old blue bricks on the west side of Chapel Street.
2 Cast iron street signs fixed to private houses, like those at the top and bottom of Church Street
3 Historic street furniture, like cast iron bollards and cast iron pavement channels
4. Post Boxes.
The most common asset found by civic society members is what they have called a “cast iron pavement channel”, which routes rainwater from downpipes on the front of houses in many of Melbourne’s older streets
Martin said this name was “a bit of a mouthful”, and asked if readers might advise as to whether it is correct
Civic society members have reported being “amazed” at how many of these pavement channels exist in Melbourne
On some streets like Ashby Road and Castle Street, pavement channels have been covered with tarmac
It is hoped that by adding these “buried assets” to the list Derbyshire County Council will reset them in the pavement, so they can be seen, when it is next maintained
Civic society members have also been looking at cast iron street names which they say are “charming assets” at the ends of older streets
Historic pavement sections, post boxes and the old stamp machine outside Melbourne Post Office are also being documented and added to the asset list
So
Mystery of missing Feathers McGraw
THE disappearance of one of Melbourne’s eye-catching post box toppers – the dastardly Feathers McGraw penguin from the Wallace & Gromit franchise – has made it all the way to the BBC.
Feathers, famously a penguin who decides to disguise himself as a chicken, appeared in crochet form on one of Melbourne’s post boxes on Ashby Road in January
But just a few weeks later, the crochet topper which attracted lots of smiles and positive comments –including from South Derbyshire MP Samantha Niblett – had disappeared
Many commentators on social media expressed dismay at the absence of everyone’s favourite criminal penguin, and the story even reached the local BBC news Elaborate and often very funny postbox toppers have been appearing locally more and more over recent years – and this is not the first time they have been stolen A previous topper on the same post box, Frogbert the tennisthemed frog whose appearance coincided with Wimbledon, was also removed by hands unknown last summer
l Martin Keay (below) searching out cast iron pavement channels.
T he Common Touch...
LOVING YOUR ENVIRONMENT
WHISTLEWOOD people have a passion for the environment and sustainability
Being part of Whistlewood Common and volunteering with the various tasks on site from planting trees and building composting toilets to laying hedges and coppicing hazels shows how much love they have for their community and local wildlife
Sometimes they get to enjoy and see the benefits of this work and dedication: from the enjoyment of the forest school kids running wild in the woods or hanging out in the willow dragon to people learning new skills in green woodworking or the occasional view of a hare running down one of the woodland rides
The results are not always so obvious, but we still work hard to create the environment where the wildlife flourishes It can just be audible, like when we have the dawn chorus walk or you can hear the buzzing of pollinators It can be visible at certain times of the day, a summer evening sitting by the fire with moths and bats swooping around your head
When we had that last lot of snow, the presence of the animals who benefit from Whistlewood showed up in the many tracks around the site. All good data and proof of our positive impact on this patch of land
This collection of nature data has been
Members of the Parish Council
Chair: Joe Ward 07585 537280
Vice Chair: Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Facilities & Events: Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Highways & Environment:
Mick Usher
Planning: David Smith 01332 862699
Finance, HR, Risk & Strategy: Joe Ward 07585 537280
Kate Beckett
David Calvert
Jane Carroll 01332 863269
Nigel Collyer 07831 540538
George Dunnicli 07780 806267
Matt Gotheridge
Kevin Guilford
Sarah Hardy 07855 645163
Sheila Hicklin 01332 865726
Terry Summerlin 07528 884778
Angela Tillyard
Clerk: Vicky Roe 07734 939292
clerk@melbourneparishcouncil.gov.uk
Useful Numbers...
Aircraft Noise & Complaints 0845 1088540
Clean Team ( y tipping) 0800 5872349
Street Lighting Faults 0845 6058058
Potholes 0845 6058058
www.melbourneparishcouncil.gov.uk
going on for a long time in the UK, since 1736 We have some of the longest records of nature spotting in the world
The Woodland Trust is promoting a fantastic citizens science project called ‘Nature’s Calendar ’ where you can add dates for when you see the first bluebell or butterfly as well as other seasonal changes
This data built up year on year helps scientists log how climate change is affecting our environment.
One of the most delicate things to look out for now is the Hazel’s beautiful tiny red flowers The yellow male flowers are already out, hanging down in clusters of catkins or ‘lamb’s tails’, but the more delicate tiny red/pink ‘styles’ are more elusive, like tiny red fireworks.
Hazel ‘Corylus Avellana’, is monoecious and has male and female flowers on the same tree but needs other trees to be pollinated
It’s often said people don’t care about what they don’t know about so it’s worth taking extra time on a walk to notice and be curious about these changes in nature Now more than ever we need to care about nature and the environment; this starts with learning about and loving these small seasonal changes. Come up and volunteer at Whistlewood and start your learning journey with us.
– KATHERINE PARRISH
Melbourne Parish Council
Chair’s Report - February 2025
Happy New Year to you all! I’m sure you’re as happy as I am now that the longest month of the year is out of the way!!
The Christmas Lights Switch On was another huge success, and went o without a hiccup (almost!!). It is always wonderful to see the community come together, and bring a warm glow to an otherwise cold evening. Thank you all for attending and making it such an amazing night year after year. We’re already underway planning for next year, and we’ll be sure to make it as memorable as ever.
The Parish Council are delighted with the work that has been completed on the Lothian Gardens and the Packhorse Road Cemetery paths. They have certainly improved these areas and have been well received around the area. They are part of a list of projects we are committed to complete, and they are a testament to the continued hard work of councillors.
It is with great sadness that we will be saying goodbye to Rob, our Sexton of 20 years, and our Clerk, Vicky. They have both given so much to the area, and been a key part of working in the interests of our parish. I wish them both the very best with whatever the future holds for them, and I’m sure you’ll agree we owe them a debt of gratitude for everything they have done for our community during their time working for us all. A huge thank you from all of us, you will both be a tough act to follow!
We will continue to update the community on our website and Facebook, and I would recommend keeping an eye on there for ways you can get involved if you are keen to help out. This year is shaping up to be a busy one for us, so watch this space!
Joe Ward Chair, Melbourne Parish Council
Night walkers clock up over a million steps
AN evening walking group have celebrated three years since getting together – and estimate that they have walked 1 2 million steps in that time
That equates to around 500 miles for the Elvaston Night Walks group, who were founded in January 2022
The idea for the group came from Thulston resident Fran Smith
She says: “I like walking at night but it isn’t necessarily a safe thing to do on your own so I asked a few people I knew if they’d like to join me and off we went
“We put up Facebook and Instagram pages, registered as a group with South Derbyshire council and soon attracted new people, who’ve become firm friends ”
The group, anything from six to a dozen, usually, start from the green in Thulston, adjacent to the Harrington Arms pub, at 7pm on Thursdays and mostly walk into and around the grounds of Elvaston Castle, by torchlight in winter They
by Colston Crawford
walk for about an hour and usually cover between three and four miles
The estimation for the 1 2 million steps is based on 3 3 miles each time, for 50 weeks of each year
In their first year, the group were planning only to walk in the dark but no-one wanted to stop when the lighter nights came and they have not yet missed a week
The group is informal, the age range is mixed and anyone who wants to join in is welcome Look up Elvaston Night Walks on Facebook or elvaston night walks on Instagram for details
Pictured by the Golden Gates at Elvaston Castle on a recent walk are (at the
Wilkinson, Maureen Burgoyne, Colston Crawford and Rachel Rushby; in front, Helen Wicks and Fran Smith
Council building project update
UNCERTAINTY over the future of South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) has not halted the plans for a state-of-the-art leisure centre and civic offices Advanced proposals are ready to go before this month’s full council meeting for approval.
SDDC has spent the past year developing and refining the vision for the landmark project, exploring options and consulting with stakeholders to ensure the final plan meets the needs of the community
They say that both the current Civic Offices and Green Bank Leisure Centre in Swadlincote are ageing, costly to maintain, and no longer fitfor-purpose
The new facility will be “creating a future-proof hub for health, wellbeing, and gover-
by Frank Hughes
nance in South Derbyshire whilst contributing significant savings over the life of the new facility,” the council says Cadley Park has been chosen for the new building project “because of its size, existing links to the golf centre, country park, and urban park, and its potential to attract future commercial investment Together with these facilities, the site has substantial potential to become a major destination for visitors, offering even more reasons to explore South Derbyshire,” the council have said Cllr Robert Pearson, Leader of SDDC, said: “This is a proud moment for our community These plans underline our commitment to enhancing services, promoting sustainability, and
securing long-term value for residents
“With full council's approval, we can move swiftly into delivering this transformational development ” But at the latest Local Area Forum meeting there was some criticism voiced Melbourne parish councillor Andy Dawson and a number of other councillors argued that the expenditure, particularly at a time of uncertainty and budget constraints, was unnecessary Costs for the project have not been made public, due to commercial sensitivity, but the council maintains the project will repay the investment and will continue to save the council money year-on-year, compared to refurbishing the current facilities or staying in the existing premises
back from left) Michael Wicks, Chris
DOWN ON THE FARM
With Ben Stanley
IN FARMING nothing we do is for today, you must be an optimist and you need the confidence to take risks.
In late spring when the grass is growing again and the leaves are on the trees we will decide to turn our excited bulls out with the cows Their back legs will kick up in the air as they race down the hill to their bovine harems, having been released from their long winter slumber, roaring with delight from the bottom of their throats as they gather their cows together bellowing and baying at the triumph of it all
I will stand with Tori at the field gate both of us praying he doesn’t break his leg or his pizzle in all the initial excitement of his new polygamous conundrum that we have presented him with
As this seasonal hullabaloo swirls below us, we try to take it all in, witnessing this annual cycle of nature with pride in our hearts as the bull’s victorious cacophony reverberates down to Melbourne, even managing to drown out other typically loud springtime noises in the area like Ryanair flights heading to Alicante Farmers have been organising arranged bovine marriages here and on farms all over England for over 10,000 years All in the hope that three years later when the fruit of that decision is realised the beef price will be good and that Chris Packham hasn’t persuaded
everyone to have gone vegan by then It’s all about gazing into a crystal ball and having the confidence to keep going
In July last year the countryside voted for change and for the first time in a generation waves of Labour candidates conquered an unprecedented number of rural seats Even the safest blue seats like Southwest Norfolk fell to the Labour landslide Although as the incumbent candidate for the Tories was Liz Truss, I am sure that if Labour had selected Gregg Wallace or even Prince Andrew they would have still won with a healthy majority
Prospective Labour MPs had dispatched themselves in droves to farms in new designer wellies and told us they got it, they had changed, they understood farming and that Lamborghini didn’t just make fast cars The ‘blue hedge’ was cut down and everyone was hopeful that after 14 years in the political wilderness Labour ’s fresh new intake of rural MPs could finally connect their party with the countryside
But it took four painful months for Rachel from accounts to finally do her sums and then overnight it crippled the confidence of an already fragile rural economy
The changes to Inheritance Tax Relief (IHT) on family farms is truly cruel I was visiting farming friends last week in East Yorkshire and the neighbouring
farmer who sadly has terminal cancer has decided to end his chemotherapy This treatment could have given him another couple of years potentially, but he has decided it will be far better and kinder on his family for him to die before April 2026 (when the increase in IHT will be levied)
The increase in IHT on family farms aims to raise £500 million within the term of this parliament Yet the Government pays over £100 million per year paying compensation to farmers for the compulsory slaughter of over 30,000 Tb cattle reactors (£500 million within the term of this parliament) An animal health epidemic that was only slowed by the previous Government’s targeted culling of infected badgers in affected areas
Within hours of taking power Stephen Reid, the new Secretary of State, immediately pledged to end these badger culls, despite the science and regardless of the spiralling costs and exponential slaughtering of cattle due to this disease
In politics perception is always greater than reality and what an incredible example of pandering to urban voters with no understanding of what it’s like to be stood next to a vet who tells you that your life’s work, everything you have ever lived for, is going to be taken away by this insidious disease and there is nothing you can do to
NEW PARLOUR GAINS
l Tollgate director Kevin Elliott (front right) with National Trust’s Stewart Alcock (left) and head brewer Dan Herham and the Trust’s Rachel Walker.
This is an abridged version of the Beerhunter column by Colston Crawford, which we are reporting by kind permission of The Derby Telegraph
BIG plans are brewing at the Milking Parlour, Tollgate Brewery’s tap on the Calke Abbey estate near Ticknall, after the company signed a new 20year lease with the National Trust Eight years ago local businessman Kevin Elliott bought Tollgate Brewery from previous owners Quentin and Pat Brearley, who still live nearby
At that point, the brewery was in an outbuilding at Southwood House Farm, where the old farmhouse is a Trust holiday home The farm outbuildings have been converted into a bar, food hall and seating areas around a courtyard Kevin said the first thing the business was doing under its new lease was installing solar panels on the roof to cut energy bills
He said: “Our energy bill here is big, very big, and that’s going to take a big chunk out of it
“In summer, we think the panels might pay for all our electricity, for the bar and the brewery ”
Next on the list is a new toilet block and draining system
Kevin said: “We’re putting in a state-of-the-art mini sewage processing plant, which will mean all the waste on site, apart from the brewery’s, will be processed and the liquid can go safely into the brooks
“Instead of two lorries a week trundling in here, we’ll be able to have one a month
“Everything is just replacing stuff we’ve already got that’s been here for years and can’t cope with the volume now ”
stop it
Increasing the minimum wage sounds like a fantastic idea but again in reality in our little business it puts an enormous handbrake on being able to afford to take on new people or have the confidence to try to grow our business
Energy prices for our farm shop have trebled in two years and will continue to increase as this Government tries to achieve its ambitious and financially challenging net zero targets Despite the UK accounting for just 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, Ed Milliband is determined to plant thousands of fields of solar panels in prime agricultural land
Capital improvement grants that had been made available by the previous Government to help farmers plant hedges and erect fencing have recently been pulled and last week the Telegraph reported that the new Government is now looking to open a consultation on taking 10% of every farm out of production
Is it worth saying that without undue paranoia none of these things will help our farmers feed this nation in a crisis
The just-in-time procurement strategy of importing over half our food in an unpredictable world seems even less well thought through than the relentless road closures in Melbourne
SPEEDING and parking were the primary issues raised with police at the recent Local Area Forum meeting held in Barrowupon-Trent Local Area Forum meetings bring together representatives from local councils and the police to discuss issues concerning safety
Cllr Ed Green, from Weston on Trent, raised in particular the issue of speeding through the village and inconsiderate parking Finn Greville from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said they were well aware of the problems and were happy to continue to do patrols in the area He said they had been busy recently with the issues resulting from flooding and had been targeting nuisance bikes, but they had also responded to the issue raised previously about speeding on Cockshut Lane and had been issuing tickets
The plea was to report incidents, particularly using Derbyshire Alerts or using the Community Speedwatch scheme Obviously for urgent crimes the message remains to call 999
WESTON DECORATORS LTD.
Interior and Exterior
Painting and Decorating
Tel: Andy - 07721 494555
Luke - 07454 266415 email: weston18@btinternet.com
“Brushing aside the competition”
What’s On
Continuing until Saturday 15 February: Creative Melbourne Gallery The Affordable Art Show
Everything under £300 &10% of sales donated to Treetops Hospice. Featuring work by our Resident Artists: Michelle Holmes, Patrick Twiss-Prentice and Sujata Aten And Melbourne Festival Artists: Helen Brown, Vera Johns, Mark Langley, Kate Moore, Helen Rhodes, Peter Watson and Karen Worrall of KJ Glass
Wellington House, Church St, Melbourne. Wed to Sat 10 - 4pm
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 February: Garden Opening
The Dower House, Melbourne. Come and see snowdrops and much more. All ticket sales go to the National Garden Scheme. Adults £8, children free. Saturday: 10am - 4.30pm. Sunday: 10am - 3.30pm. Refreshments available.
Saturday 15 February: Coffee Morning
United Reformed Church Hall, High Street. 10am - noon.
Wednesday 12 February:
me&dee charity quiz night
Melbourne Sporting Partnership, DE73 8DG
Doors open at 6:45pm. Tickets £10pp, £40 per team of 4
Wednesday 19 February - 15 March:
Creative Melbourne Gallery Exhibition Introspection
Featuring sculpture and prints by Jane Brown, Beth Edge, Amanda Graham, Oliver Lovley, Jenny Stevenson and Karen Wicks.
Wellington House, Church St, Melbourne. Wed to Sat 10 - 4pm
Wednesday 19 February:
Melbourne Probus Club Tudor Music
Nick Gravestock
Royal British Legion , Melbourne. 10:00am
Nick will be talking about music in Tudor times, bringing along several instruments and playing them to introduce us to the musicians and their music.
Thursday 20 February:
Melbourne Photographic Society ‘Two sides of China’ by Alan Harris.
Covering some well-known tourist sites of China; The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Terracotta Warriors, etc. In addition, it will look at rural life in a small farming village and street life in the cities. Digital presentation, prints in the interval. Thomas Cook Memorial Hall, High Street, Melbourne. Doors open at 7.00pm and the talk commences at 7.30pm Members £2, visitors £5.
Saturday 22 February: Coffee Morning
Catholic Church, St Mary's Hall, Church Street. 10am - noon.
Monday 24 February:
Melbourne Civic Society talk "Stoneywell and the Gimson family: Influences of the Arts and Crafts movement" by Mark Temple; 7pm, Wesley Hall, £2 members £3 visitors, refreshments included, all welcome.
Tuesday 25 February:
Melbourne Community care Memory Cafe
Melbourne Assembly Rooms 1.30pm-3.30pm, For people with dementia and their families and carers or experiencing memory loss.
Saturday 1 March: Coffee Morning
Methodist Church Wesley Hall, Potter Street. 10am - noon
Tuesday 4 March:
Melbourne Community Care
Coffee & Company
Melbourne Assembly Rooms, 2 - 4pm Meet friends...bring friends...make friends.
Thursday 6 March:
Melbourne Area Derby u3a Scams and how to avoid them
Guest speaker Rachel Daniels from Derbyshire County Council. £1 entry. All welcome. Melbourne Royal British Legion. 2pm melbourne-area.u3asite.uk
Thursday 6 March:
Melbourne Photographic Society ‘Sporting Chance’ by Vin Scothern. The first part of the evening covers sports photography from Rugby to Ice Hockey stopping off at various other sports. The evening concludes with wildlife, landscape and travel photography. Digital presentation, prints in the tea, coffee break.
Thomas Cook Memorial Hall, High Street, Melbourne. Doors open at 7.00pm and the talk commences at 7.30pm Members £2, visitors £5.
—————————————————————————————
Saturday 8 March: Coffee Morning
Baptist Church Schoolroom, Chapel Street. 10am - noon.
Wednesday 19 March:
Melbourne Probus Club
Dissecting Disasters of Air, Sea and Rail
Jim Campbell
Royal British Legion - 10:00am. Jim will examine the common elements and happenings in different types of disasters.
Every Monday:
Melbourne Community Care Bereavement Group
Melbourne Assembly Rooms 10am-12pm Friendly group for anyone affected by a bereavement
We always try to include events, but due to limitations of space, we cannot guarantee this without also booking an advertisement.
OBITUARY
HUGH RAYMOND
RAMAGE (RAY)
September 13, 1955November 6, 2024
RAY was born in Dunfermline to Betty and Bill, and was brought up there with his sisters, Tracey and Debbie Bill was captain of the dockyards in Forsyth As Ray reached nine or 10, Bill was posted to Singapore, and the whole family moved and settled there
When Ray was 12 he returned to Scotland to finish his education, going to Dunfermline High School and university He had to work part-time to fund himself at university Working as a bus conductor he got married, and had a son Paul and daughter Jenni
Ray’s first job was as a branch manager for HP Foods Scotland He then got a big break, becoming account manager for Whitbread; Ray and the family moved south of the border to Buckinghamshire
This was Ray’s dream job selling wine: it took him away a lot but he enjoyed it His office decided to relocate to Derby; he wanted to make the move to Derby but the family were settled and stayed in Buckinghamshire so Ray made his move alone
With some friends they bought three houses, one to live in, the other two to rent out, enabling them to get back on their feet Ray started to look for a permanent home: Melbourne was an easy decision to make as he just walked into the pubs in this area and found people talked to him
He bought what he called “the cow shed” and this turned out to be his forever home He decided to rent it out whilst taking a job in California for a short time One night in August 1999 he met Dianne in the hotel, thanks to a mutual
friend They married on October 14, 2005, in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo They both worked hard and loved to travel either as a couple or with close friends they made in The Chequers
On January 1, 2014, Ray received devastating news: his daughter Jenni had died Life changed as Ray never got over this
He kept working until his 60th birthday when he decided to retire and travel more So, with Di and friends Gus and Alison, the adventures began: travelling all over Asia All agreed that if it wasn’t for Ray they would never have gone to these places
Ray said his life changed for the better when he met Di and he couldn’t live without her They were happy just being together
Ray was so caring, loving, thoughtful, funny and kind, always generous He will be greatly missed by his wife Dianne, his sister Debbie in New Zealand and all the close family and friends
Always loved, never forgotten
MEMBERS of Aston-on-Trent Women’s
Institute have helped provide clean water for more than 1,000 people in disaster-hit areas of the world after fund-raising for a highly valued Derbyshire charity.
WI members have raised £1,800 for the Aquabox charity which makes filters that are sent to the world’s disaster areas to provide clean drinking water for displaced communities.
Early in 2024 Aston-on-Trent WI invited Aquabox to demonstrate their water filters to the group
The charity’s ambassador, Colin Petty, impressed so much during the talk that the group decided to adopt
Aquabox as their charity for 2024
Following lots of events and fundraising activities £1,800 was handed over to Aquabox Trustee Pam Fraser last month.
The donation will help Aquabox provide 30 family and two community water filters, providing clean drinking water for 1,300 displaced people
Pam Fraser said: "It was a real pleasure to meet such a welcoming and enthusiastic team of ladies.
“This impressive donation is the result of a huge amount of work throughout the year by the dynamic members of Aston on Trent WI and their friends and families. Sincere
thanks to everyone involved
“I hope that many of them will be able to come and visit the Aquabox depot to see our volunteers making family filters and packing aid boxes.”
WI members raised the money from events that included coffee & chat coffee mornings, soup & pudding lunches and garden parties
WI leaders have thanked members for supporting events and baking lovely cakes.
Pictured are Pam Fraser from Aquabox receiving a cheque for £1,800 from Aston-on-Trent WI president Anne James, with Caryl and Anne who help out at fund-raising events.
THE Nottinghamshire town of Stapleford has something to suit all requirements and tastes, from a quick snack to an intimate/romantic dining occasion And this is where I located Gurkha Curry Nights
This restaurant offers authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine to a high standard and is renowned in the local area (and beyond), having regular diners who have been loyal since opening in January 2015
To begin, a good pickle set and popadums always has my vote This opening delight certainly did not disappoint My choice for starter went to meat momo dumplings, from an excellent selection, making a very good, flavoursome commencement
For my main course I opted for Gurkha Royal Chicken (chicken breast cooked in strong spices to give a pre-dominant flavour of Gurkha spices and finished with special lamb mince sauce) This dish includes pilau rice and plain naan and had aromas, complementing flavours and presentation, which held my attention Being perfectly cooked, I am further delighted
‘Compliments to Chef ’ were duly dispatched Ram, Dadhi and the kitchen team are highly experienced and delighted and proud to impress all diners Other menu options included Gurkha curries, grills, classic Indian and vegetable dishes, plus house specials
Time now for dessert and I selected the chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake, with orange slice Delectable! Quality drinks have a most appealing range, while parties/occasions are easily accommodated Collections/deliveries, plus outside catering, are available too Gift vouchers (perhaps a surprise for someone special?) are also popular options
The informative website has details of current deals and special offers Thank you to Dilaram and Mohit for exemplary service throughout Highly recommended
Gurkha Curry Nights, 44 Nottingham Road, Stapleford NG9 8AA
Tel: 0115 949 9999
E-mail: info@gurkhacurrynights com
Web: www gurkhacurrynights
Trevor Langley gives us a taste of what ’s on offer in our local restaurants
Mastering Melbourne
AS MUCH as I love mastering Melbourne itself, the time had come to try to master the public transport something
I had a love/hate relationship with down south
I used the trains often – mostly to travel to Vicarage Road to see the Hornets (Watford) playing This involved a walk, two train journeys and more walking I was going to say it was worth it, but remembered it was Watford
However, I found myself planning a route to Pride Park one Saturday as Watford were due a rematch against my now local professional team, Derby County
The trip on the number 2 bus looked straightforward, the updates on the App efficient, and it was a quick walk to the bus stop – what could possibly go wrong?
Before you settle down with your popcorn – nothing did really Except maybe being unable to buy a return ticket on the bus
“They’ve pulled the plug on that,” I was told But for £3 a single ticket I wasn’t complaining I had forgotten how near to Derby Melbourne is, and in 48 minutes we were pulling up at the bus station I was impressed with the Derbion building and realised I had been unaware of the shops Derby played host to Who moves somewhere before checking out the local large town? Me obviously I guess with so much that Melbourne has to offer, it didn’t occur!
I checked my walking route to the stadium and that was straightforward too Of course, I headed 50 yards in the wrong direction not wanting to prove my geography teachers’ view of me incorrect (I didn’t fail that particular O-Level for nothing) Finding my bearings quickly, I was soon at Derby train station with in-
structions to climb the stairs to cross the tracks
Considering this involved walking through two sets of barriers without a train ticket, I became a bit wary of the jobsworths I had met previously in areas of public transport; not in Derby though The station staff couldn’t have been more smiley and positive
Continuing on, I was soon near a pub which was swarming with Hornet fans, so knew I was headed in the right direction, and within minutes Pride Park was in sight
I absolutely relish an away game The atmosphere is always amazing and because I was right in the back row of the safe standing area my view was unimpeded and was in the thick of the chanting area I must share my particular favourite for one of our players – indulge me – you’ll like it: “His name is a fish, (repeat), Mattie Pollock his name is a fish ”
Showing respect for the Derby fans among you, I will just say we won 2-0 I know I said after Christmas we would go downhill – well, we had a downturn the following week, if that helps Normal service has been resumed
But back to the transport I could have taken a different stop to get on the return leg – but I quite fancied the comfort of the bus station while waiting on a cold January evening Although understandable that 50p is charged for use of toilet facilities, I decided to wait until I was home
To my horror the bus that was due just after 6pm, dropped from the digitalised timetable and it seemed there was a whole hour to wait
However, being in Derbyshire of course this wasn’t the case A replacement bus
by Naomi Duffree
arrived within six minutes, and all was well Another chatty driver ready to explain everything
A happy fan of both the local buses, local football team and of the Hornets, I alighted the bus and walked to where TAS was watching TV in a local hostelry, his team playing in the ‘Big Boys’ league What can I say? If you are going to score two goals Arsenal, you must ensure you don’t let any in Watch and learn
The following weekend TAS and I were excited to finally get around to watching the real local team, Melbourne Dynamos in action, in the sunshine, at the semifinal of the Derbyshire Divisional Cup South
As it happened their opponents were playing in Watford colours, but I remembered to cheer for the home side and what a result that was Four goals and a clean sheet
Mastering Melbourne? Not something Newhall United managed on the day, but these things take practice And I’m still enjoying pursuing that cause
VILLAGE VOICE Postbag
Builders key to falling school numbers
I WAS saddened to read in December ’s Village Voice how greatly pupil numbers have been falling in Melbourne Infant School and that the effects of a nationally falling birth rate is being seriously exacerbated by local parents choosing to opt for private education
The point is also well made that this may be a consequence of not enough affordable homes being built in Melbourne and the population therefore being skewed in
favour of higher income families If we want our local schools to thrive and not to lose funding we really have to do something about this situation and make sure that house builders build what is needed, ie affordable homes and starter homes not just what it is most profitable for them – and that local planners and politicians facilitate this Finally, I did wonder if some relief might be on the way as the opponents of introduc-
ing VAT to private schools have been warning us that such a measure would result in an exodus of pupils from private schools such that local state schools would be rapidly overwhelmed
Even if local schools are not actually overwhelmed, which seems fairly unlikely, there might still be a few more pupils to boost numbers
Christian Murray-Leslie
THE INDOMITABLE Jules Raine has completed a marathon 24-hour cycle challenge to raise funds for Melbourne Town Cricket Club, raising over £3,500 in the process!
Jules was originally planning to do the challenge in September, but a nasty foot injury forced him to postpone His original target was to raise £2,400, a figure which he “tonked into the stands” (to use cricketing terminology)
The intention was to raise funds for new two-lane cricket nets, but with the aid of grant money the club has managed to finance much of the project, and with the additional funds will mean it will be finished next month – well in time for the new season
Jules said the funds will also go to continued maintenance of the new nets, some significant and necessary tree work, as well as keeping the new facility in good condition.
In the 24 hours he clocked a staggering 655 kilometres, which is the equivalent of cycling from Melbourne to John O’Groats!
Asked about the ordeal Jules said: “I’d say it was a tough day in the office made easy by those who came to show support ”
Many supporters joined in the cycle-athon, doing regular stints to keep him company and Jules said: “I could not have done it without them.”
Club secretary Alex Slater said this was a “mammoth fund-raising effort” and he thanked Jules for the “extraordinary effort he put in to raising significant funds to help the club”.
l Thumbs up from Jules Raine as he pedals his way to £3,500 for Melbourne Town Cricket Club.
PERMANENT floodlights are to be installed at Melbourne
Dynamo Football Club’s home ground after planning councillors gave the project the green light
At a meeting in January members of South Derbyshire District Council’s Planning Committee gave Melbourne Dynamo Football Club permission to install six floodlights, to be in operation between 7pm and 10pm – usually for two or three nights a week
Club chairman Conor Raynor said: “This is a huge milestone for the club We’ve been working on this for the past 12 months, securing funding and pulling together our planning application.
“We’ve had a small team of volunteers helping us in the background, who I’d like to say a massive thanks to This is a big step on our way to pushing for Step 6 football and beyond in the very near future It shows a real sign of intent from the club that we are here for the long run, and have big plans on the horizon.”
The club expects to install the floodlights in the coming months, with help from volunteers
Dynamo book their place in cup final
AGAIN Melbourne Dynamo FC’s senior sides were hit by the cold January weather, but there was still a bit of football played
The highlight was definitely the first team earning themselves a spot in the Derbyshire Cup South Final
Before then they travelled to Mickleover RBL the previous week and secured a 4-1 victory thanks to goals from Isaac Nkumrah, Jack Goodband, Regan Bickerton and Jack Griffiths Man of the match proved to be new goalkeeper youngster Will Dean, who made some fine saves with the game tied at 1-1
The last match of the month was the aforementioned cup semi final and the result was never in doubt once in-form Jack Goodband had given Melbourne the lead
MELBOURNE Rugby Club’s first team are still riding high – even higher, in fact –pushing up a spot in the league by early February
The firsts entered 2025 at fourth place in he table but within a month had climbed up to third with a trio of tight wins played on some cold days
An encounter with lower placed Ilkeston on January 18 saw the green and golds hold on to win with Brayton Taylor getting in on the action early doors with a try after 10 minutes of play The scoreline finished narrowly in Melbourne’s favour at 29-25
The following week saw the first team travel to Matlock where they engaged in another tight game, with Taylor scoring two tries and Cresswell kicking three conversions and a penalty
Melbourne once again came away with a 29 points total, beating the home side who ended the encounter on 22
And the following week it was yet another closely fought game, this time against league neighbours West Bridgford, which saw Melbourne once again prevail, winning 18-10
It has been a more mixed bag for the seconds, however, but they kept things entertaining in their clash with West Bridgford seconds on January 17, coming away with a bonus point but a loss of 42-31
Things went better for the seconds the
by Alex Slater
He was then joined on the scoresheet by Jake Peverley and, for the second week running, Jack Griffiths and Regan Bickerton
Like the first team, Melbourne Dynamo Reserves managed only two games in January
After a couple of postponements, they earned a 1-0 home win against Holbrook St Michael’s Reserves thanks to a Riley Moore finish
The following week the Reserves travelled to top of the table Mickleover Athletic and, despite goals from Joe Shadbolt and Moore again, went down 4-2
following week, however, with a bonus point win against Ilkeston and a very satisfactory final winning scoreline of 42-24
As February dawned the seconds kept up the good work with a strong performance against the higher ranked Southwell, in which they impressed and came away with 24-27 on the final scoresheet
The Academy side, meanwhile, have been putting in some impressive perform-
ances of their own with two terrific victories in 2025 and one very narrow loss
First came a flattening of Market Bosworth with a 22-0 scoreline on January 18, which was followed by a narrow defeat to Hinckley at home, with the visitors
l Melbourne Dynamo FC’s first team: (front row, l-r): Greg Salisbury (coach), Regan Bickerton, Isaac Nkumrah, Macaulley Jones (captain), Gavin Salisbury (manager), Adam Dolman (manager), Jack Bodill (vice-captain), Tyler Withers, Jack Goodband, Alan Buxton (physio); (back row, l-r): Isaac Gosling, Oliver Brown, Jake Peverley, Joss Walmsley, Tom Cox, Jack Griffiths, Dylan Muir, Elliott Dawson, Lewis Hughes, Archie Moore.