SLIMLINE TONIC FOR GAIL
ONCE she was called ‘Gail the Whale’ – now Gail Potts from Melbourne is taking on her own Slimming World group after an emotional journey that has seen her go down five dress sizes
Gail, 54, is re-launching the group this month after a lifetime of struggling with her weight
Losing her beloved husband
Dave in 2019, followed by a breast cancer diagnosis two years later, made her focus on her health and now she says she feels “fitter, happier and healthier” than ever
Gail told how her relationship with food was shaped by years of low self-esteem, made worse by cruel teasing at school
“I was often called “Gail the Whale”,' she said
“Those words really hurt and stayed with me for years, making me feel ashamed of my body and turning to food for comfort ”
Like many others, Gail tried every fad diet and slimming club going, but nothing seemed to stick
Her weight had gone up to 19 stone 1lb and she wore size 24/26
by Lucy Stephens
clothes; her health was suffering too
But by September 2024, she had got down to 14 stone 3 5lbs and a size 20/22, and she turned to Liz Foster ’s Slimming World group in Chellaston for support
She said: “I was so nervous, but Liz and the group welcomed me with open arms and a big smile
“I couldn’t believe how easy the Food Optimising plan was – I could enjoy so many of my favourite foods that I enjoyed before starting the plan, just with little tweaks – curries, risotto, roast dinners, burgers nothing was off limits and I never felt hungry!”
With the encouragement of her group, Gail lost four stone 7 5lbs in less than seven months, reaching her target weight of 9 stone 10lbs in April this year
She dropped five dress sizes and now wears a comfortable size 10/12
“I feel fitter, healthier, and hapContinued on Page 3
Festival helps celebrate church’s anniversary
MELBOURNE Parish Church’s Patronal Festival, honouring St Michael, celebrated the church’s 900th anniversary with a wonderful and well-attended service
Many former clergy members, who ministered in the parish for well over the past five decades, returned for the occasion on September 25.
Preceded by a ring of 12 bells, during which the choir supported the worship with singing of the highest quality, the service was presided over by The Bishop of Derby, The Right Revd Libby Lane
It was also attended by The Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, The High Sheriff of Derbyshire, representatives of local organisations, congregation members and friends from across Melbourne Benefice
Prayers of thanks recalled all those who had gone before in the building over nine centuries.
Bishop Libby also urged the congregation to look forward to how we will live our lives and offer ourselves as a church community now and in the future
The event was followed by a very relaxed and enjoyable reception in the Dower House garden, courtesy of William and Griselda Kerr
Another important church event occurred on October 4 with the Collation of the Rev'd Canon Rosemary Donovan as Vicar for the Parish. Collation is the formal term for the occasion when a new member of the clergy is formally welcomed to the new post
ABOVE: Bishop Libby with present and previous clergy at the festival, and (right) at the reception in the Dower House garden
So, just who is going to govern us?
ONE of the biggest changes to the way we are governed at a local level is potentially only months away, yet few people seem to understand what it is happening
Dr Justin Ives, Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council, is leading the Co-ordination Group for the change, and he spoke to Village Voice about the restructuring
He is uniquely qualified for the role, too, as this will be the third Local Government reform he has been involved in, having seen changes in Durham in 2008 and in North Yorkshire in 2023
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He explained that the changes are a result of central government’s strategy to end support for two-tier councils (as we have in South Derbyshire with county and city or district councils) and to have unitary authorities of around 500,000 population across the country, as presently exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and other parts of England
In Derbyshire this will mean scrapping the county council, the city council and other district and borough councils and merging them into two new authorities, one each for north and south of the county
Options for the way the split takes place have been carefully considered against a range of criteria laid down by Government, and three options were put out for consultation earlier this year, with 7,000 residents responding (around 0 6% of the county’s population)
The responses have now been considered, and a report is being prepared to put to the councils early in November, along with potentially a new fourth option, for a political decision to be made South Derbyshire seems destined to join with the City, Erewash and parts of Amber Valley, although this is not finally decided at present
Among the likely impacts of the reform will be the substantial cost of the changes Dr Ives was clear that he was not able to give any figures before the report went before the council However, separate research shows a recent report from Price Waterhouse has put the total cost over five years at £2 162 billion – averaging out at approx-
by Frank Hughes
imately £103 million for each of the 21 authorities
It is also clear that the number of councillors representing individual wards will significantly decrease Dr Ives pointed out that the Boundary Commission has previously indicated there should be no more than 100 councillors for the new councils At present there are nearly 450 councillors representing constituents on the current councils
It is expected that there will be savings made to set against the initial costs, but again Dr Ives was not in a position to provide detail at this time He outlined that there will be savings from senior leadership salary costs, as there will be fewer senior management positions in the new authorities There will be fewer buildings too, providing opportunities to rationalise services
Asked about the timetable for change, Dr Ives said that after the extraordinary council meeting on November 4, the final reorganisation proposals will be submitted Early in 2026 there will be statutory consultation and a decision on the preferred option made before the summer recess of Parliament In May 2027 there will be “shadow” elections for the authority, and the old and new councils will run in parallel until April 1, 2028, when the new authority will fully take over
One leading consultancy on communications in the public sector (Westco) has recently published an article which said there was “no clear majority for structural change: support for abolishing district/county councils in favour of unitary authorities stands at roughly one-quarter of the public, while a larger share leans toward the status quo” –quoting polling data from early 2025
The SDDC council meeting on November 4, which will be open to the public, will be very important in deciding how reorganisation will take place, and what are the likely impacts Locally Cllr Matthew Gotheridge has said he would like to hear the views of residents in advance of the meeting to represent their views
MELBOURNE Wakes has once more come to town – and crowds were enjoying themselves on Friday, October 10, when your Village Voice reporter went down for a visit.
As night fell there were already hundreds there enjoying the delights of Extreme, the Sizzler and the Dodgems, with the trusty teacups meaning younger visitors enjoyed a taste of the rides, too
2,000 jobs to go at county council
MOVES to shed 2,000 jobs from Derbyshire County Council are already underway and necessary to stave off bankruptcy – its leader and local ward representative has told Village Voice
Cllr Alan Graves, the Reform Party leader at the county council – and representative for Aston ward – said it was necessary for the authority to lose a fifth of its workforce in order to stay financially afloat
He said work was already being done to lose the staff over the next 18 months, and agency staff were the first in line
The council, whose headquarters is based in Matlock, has around 10,000 employees
Cllr Graves said that senior council officers had told councillors that compared with comparable authorities Derbyshire was 20 per cent overstaffed
“It’s very clear that we need to lose 20 per cent of our staffing arrangements,” he said
“If we don’t do something, we would go bank-
rupt ”
He added: “We are very clear it’s not to impact seriously on services ”
Cllr Graves indicated that roles in middle management would be targeted and not frontline staff
“We’ve already made some changes,” he said, “ but we have got a long way to go
“If we don’t make it happen, the council will go bust and the taxpayers will be a lot more affected ”
Unison representatives have hit back, saying they do not accept that the council is overstaffed
Unison’s Dave Ratchford said: “We have asked repeatedly for the evidence supporting what are some fairly outlandish and superficial claims but we haven't had any evidence whatsoever provided to us
At the moment, we have zero evidence and so therefore we ' ve got no choice but to consign it to the same folder as the flat Earth theory and the faked moon landings ”
Gail’s slimline tonic
Continued from Page 1 pier than I ever have,” she said Gail’s journey wasn’t without challenges Just three weeks after reaching her target, she underwent a hysterectomy and emergency bowel surgery Thanks to her improved health and determination to stick to Food Optimising, Gail recovered quickly and maintained her weight
“I truly believe Slimming World helped me bounce back,” she said
Now a proud target member, Gail follows the Slim for Life plan to maintain her weight and continues to attend group every Friday: “The support is amazing – we share recipes, ideas, and have so much fun together There’s never any judgement, just understanding and encouragement We’re like a little family ”
This summer, Gail felt confident enough to wear a bikini on holiday for the first time in years
“Slimming World has given me my confidence back,” she said “If I can do it, anyone can!”
Inspired by her own transformation, Gail is excited to start her own Slimming World group in Castle Donington, helping others achieve their dreams
She said: “If you’re struggling with your weight, please come along – you’ll find a friendly, supportive group who will cheer you on every step of the way ” Gail’s Slimming World group relaunches on Tuesday, October 21, and will meet every Tuesday at 5pm and 6 30pm at the Castle Donington Community Hub
l Gail features on the cover of the Slimming World magazine
Everyone is welcome to just pop along to either session, or for more information contact Gail on 07845 238022 or at slimmingworldwithgail@hotmail com or find her on Facebook and Instagram
PROPOSALS for a threeacre haulage park in Swarkestone with room for 27 lorries have been lodged with planners – despite the site operating for nearly two years without permission
The site on Barrow Lane is already being used as a haulage storage yard and base for a nationwide logistics business
A planning statement accompanying the proposals said: “The land has been used as a haulage yard for approximately 22 months; however this use unfortunately did not have the benefit of planning permission.”
It went on to say: “The applicants AT Haulage Ltd operate a nationwide logistics and transport company who are based at Litchurch Lane, Derby “However, that site reached capacity, leaving the company with an immediate need for a satellite site, hence the use of the land at Barrow Lane ”
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Quiz night for charity funds
MELBOURNE charity me&dee
is inviting the public to get their best thinking caps on to raise funds to help families where a life-limiting illness has been diagnosed
Next month the charity is holding its last quiz night of the year at Melbourne Sporting Partnership With Saffron Catering doing the food, there will be a festive theme with turkey and cranberry cobs, salt and pepper potato wedges and mince pies
The charity is looking for teams of up to six people to test their knowledge against the quiz master while raising funds for the charity
The event will be held on Tuesday, November 18, and will include a ‘Heads & Tails’ ice breaker and raffle
The cost is £10 per person for teams of up to six, and food included
Doors open at 6pm with food served at 6 15pm and the quiz starting at 7 15pm
For more information go to events@meanddee co uk or call 01332 297 011 to secure your place
Future stars shine brightly
THE FRIENDS of Melbourne Parish Church billed their Festival Fringe concert as “Stars of the Future” and few in the audience were left in any doubt that these young musicians were destined for glittering careers
It was a fabulous concert with some quite extraordinary moments, writes FRANK HUGHES
The programme started with Mozart’s Duo in G major (K423) with Graham Oppenheimer on viola and 21-year-old Yixuan Kassia Ren on violin She is from China and studying at the Royal College of Music in London Graham described the piece as friendly and fun, and the two of them played out the dialogue between the two instruments with amazing accomplishment
Next was the debut of the Šuma Quartet, featuring Kassia, Pavla Bedřichová (violin), Connor Quigley
(viola) and Gabriel Webb (cello) playing Beethoven String Quartet in C minor (opus18 no 4) The piece was written at the turn of the 19th century with turmoil and revolution in Europe
The performance left the audience quite breathless at the end of the final Allegro movement, played at a prestissimo tempo, a wild romp with phrases switching between the minor and the major key, and the minor winning triumphantly in the end
At the outset, organiser Gordon Hughes promised “a world premier of some sort” and, as the debut for this young quartet, that performance will linger long in the memory
After the interval the entire ensemble, joined by Ben Matson, another RCM student of the cello, treated us to a “Souvenir de Florence” by Tchaikovsky Introducing the piece, Graham described it as dramatic and en-
ergetic, using short excerpts as examples
The four movements seemed to be packed with melodies, beautiful and sentimental vibrato from the violins, haunting hymn-like themes; echoes of Cossacks riding horses across windy Russian Steppes and folk tunes with fairy-like steps from pizzicato violas A musical banquet, which made you wonder just what the composer had got up to in Florence!
A packed church thoroughly enjoyed the music and the occasion “One of the best ever concerts we have put on,” as one audience member put it
Two more “Friends” events are planned: November 6, when Minima will be accompanying the silent film The Phantom of the Opera, and on December 5 there is a jazz night with the Alan Barnes Octet performing “A Jazz Christmas Carol”
Edward Hands & Lewis Solicitors – continuing to serve
Market Place as we have done since 1935
We do not compromise on service or skills and only
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LEFT: Yixuan Kassia Ren on violin with Graham Oppenheimer on the viola.
ABOVE: The Suma Quartet with Ben Matson.
Celebrating 50 years of making the right moves
by Lucy Stephens
IT’S been 50 years of top moves in Melbourne as a local dance school celebrated half a century in the town
Founders Paul and Julia launched Oakden Dance Academy in 1975 with their first classes for adults at what is now the Assembly Rooms
Things have stayed in the family ever since with daughter Mandy Gregory having taken over running the school – which she still does today – and her daughter, Charlotte, running classes too
Can Mandy believe it’s been 50 years?
“No!” she said, adding: “I just enjoy it!”
Paul and Julia Oakden first started teaching dance to adults in Barrow-upon-Trent in the early 1970s, after meeting at classes in Chellaston
With people from Melbourne starting to attend, Oakden opened up in the town and has been running here ever since
In its early days Oakden was just catering for adults but moved into teaching children with the release of the seminal 1977 film Saturday Night Fever and the increasing popularity of disco
Mandy said: “Everybody wanted to learn the routines in that!”
Julia Oakden duly sent off for Saturday Night Fever dance routines and children began going along on Saturday mornings, keen to be able to strut their stuff like John Travolta
Today, Oakden Dance Academy still thrives with around 240 children on its books and classes in Hilton, Tutbury, Willington and Melbourne
Around 70 young people of different ages from Melbourne go along every Saturday to learn how to dance
“It’s really popular still,” said Mandy “People don’t leave!”
How does she account for its success?
“I think we make it friendly,” she said “We aren’t strict People pay when they come We don’t have kids here who don’t want to be here All the kids who come want to be here I think we are parent friendly ”
With children staying on at Oakden for years, some have gone on to professional careers using their dance
TOP: Members of Oakden Dance Academy striking a pose as the school celebrates its 50th birthday in Melbourne.
ABOVE: The Oakden Dance float from the 2023 carnival procession.
Night of storytelling
VILLAGE Voice readers are being invited to join ordinary people from Aston and Weston-on-Trent – and London – for an evening of storytelling as part of a campaign to keep a historic church open
The night is being held on October 25 in the village hall in Weston by Friends of St Mary The Virgin Church Organisers are promising ‘live and uncensored’ true stories telling the deeply personal events from people’s lives, told as they were experienced
Entertainment includes:
n From the Emerald Isle, Jimmy Flynn (yes, that’s his real name!) tells about how a deer dropped into his lap; witnessed a car accident with surprising consequences; and meeting the
Dalai Lama without realising it
n Donna Empson will share the deeply personal story of how the diagnosis of her husband with Parkinson’s Disease affected family life
n Fast forward decades later, and Joe Empson will tell the uplifting story of how pioneering brain surgery has hugely reduced his symptoms of Parkinson’s (much to his family’s relief)
n Reminiscent of ‘Carry on Matron’, Mark Cummings will relay a risqué story from his career as a nurse
There will be a licensed bar, snacks and a raffle Starting from 7 30pm, the event costs £10
Tickets can be obtained at Aston Post Office or stmaryschurchwardenwot25@gmail com
skills Oakden graduates have worked in cruise ships, holiday parks and hotels, and twice a year students undertake exams through the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA)
For Mandy, it’s just as rewarding now as it was when she first got her professional dance teaching qualifications aged 21
“Some people now have been coming for 15 years!” she said “I just think it’s fun ”
the
topper was put on display ahead of the show’s launch on October 8 … and it even made the television news!
The topper was featured on BBC East Midlands Today where reporter Anna Church congratulated Margaret on her “beautiful postbox topper”
Teacher led quality day care for babies and young children in a stimulating environment where learning is fun.
Open 7.30am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday sfunded essions available Places available for babies from 12 weeks to 5 years old
THE Celebrity Traitors series launched on TV this month – and a slice of the action has been spotted on a post box in Ticknall
Created by Margaret Upton,
brilliant
Crow time
The Artisan Show
IN THE UK
Welcome to the Christmas Artisan Show at STAUNTON HAROLD HALL
Winter Show - November 7th - 9th & 14th -16th 10am - 4pm
SCARECROWS popping up in gardens and street corners have once again created a feelgood weekend – and raised important funds for charity too
This was the second year that Weston Scarecrow Trail has taken place in the village since Covid, and it brought out the inner crafting skills of many residents
With 30 scarecrows in total along a variety of themes – often topical – the charity event in October was organised by local mums Kate Todd and Lisa Ireland.
Many people enjoyed the trail plus refreshments in the local village hall
The whole event raised nearly £1,000 to be
split between the village hall and the children’s mental health charity Bridge the Gap
Clear winner of the public vote for best scarecrow went to a depiction from the film ‘Wicked’ which even featured a yellow brick road (pictured bottom left)
Lisa said: “We’re really appreciative of how the village came together We can’t run an event without people creating the scarecrows – the feedback has been amazing.
“That lovely feel that we are bringing back to Weston-on-Trent, we really appreciate that people have got on board with that ”
Graffiti clues to our past
A POSSIBLE early representation of ‘cancel culture’ might be in evidence at a church in Aston after being uncovered in a fascinating medieval history investigation
crosses: Ts, Ms and Ws – the latter of which are known as ‘Marian’ symbols, associated with the Virgin Mary
Surveyors said: “Someone got very enthusiastic on one pew, creating a whole line of Ws ”
Over at St Mary the Virgin Church in Weston, surveyors found a lot to get excited about in the porch, which they described as rich in initials, dates and Marian marks dating back as early as 1648
Come and enjoy a truly magical festive shopping experience, inside the impressive Staunton Harold Hall this November. The family of the Hall have kindly opened their doors once again this Christmas to welcome you all into their beautiful family home. This is an incredible opportunity for you to come and experience the stunning grade I Georgian mansion usually closed to the public. Many of the rooms will be beautifully decorated, themed and filled with carefully selected artisans and makers from across the country, showcasing British craftsmanship at its finest. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS EVENT AS TICKETS ARE LIMITED. We advise booking early to avoid disappointment for this truly magical event. Admission is £10 per adult and £5 per child - under 5s free. For further information please visit the Artisan Show website.
Armed with powerful lights, cameras and recording forms, volunteers from the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Medieval Graffiti Survey paid a visit to parish churches in Aston and Weston on Trent as part of a wide survey investigating centuries-old marks scratched into walls, columns and pews
Surveyors found some great examples including, in Aston, a strange mark that could be interpreted as an early example of being ‘cancelled’
The church is home to four similar marks – described by surveyors as “curious ‘pecked’ circles” that have not been seen elsewhere
Volunteers suggested that they may be evidence of a person’s name or initials having been removed, an early form of ‘being cancelled’
Other graffiti seen in All Saints’ Church in Aston includes masons’ marks, finely executed initials – dating back as far as 1646 and 1696 –and some early dates, with a hand outline on the wall of the church’s ringing floor
There are also drawings of ‘nets’ on the tower arch, which are perhaps ‘apotropaic’ – intended to entrap evil
Along the pews at Aston there are also many
They found two hand outlines – one of which is likely to have been a child – plus an upright human figure with what could be fashionable puff sleeves
There is a ‘daisy wheel – another evil-entrapping, apotropaic symbol – inscribed on a pew
Group member Andy Hoe said: “Churches are fascinating repositories for these ancient marks, giving an insight into medieval social history
Data from all the churches we survey will go into a database adding to our understanding of past generations
“Aston History group and both churches have a photographic and documented copy of our survey so why not discover for yourself this fascinating record of past lives
“And when you visit a church or a medieval building keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you will find ”
LEFT: The ‘daisy wheel’ at Weston ABOVE: The Aston ‘cancel culture’ marking.
Stitches in Time tapestry
ANOTHER highlight of Melbourne Festival this year was the display of the Stitches in Time Tapestry which, like the famous Bayeux Tapestry, is a historical representation in textiles of all the 12 villages in the area
Melbourne Civic Society managed to borrow the tapestry for the display. The banner for Melbourne represents the Birdcage at Melbourne Hall, the Market Place, the former shoe and market gardening activities and the churches
It was created in 1991 in collaboration with designer and textile artist Fiona Goodwin. The Melbourne banner is pictured right with (left) the ones from Ticknall (top) and Stanton by Bridge (bottom)
Councils’ appeal on new homes plan
OCTOBER’S Melbourne Parish Council meeting was addressed by the leaders of Breedon and Long Whatton and Diseworth councils to make residents aware of the Isley Woodhouse planning application, which would bring 4,250 new homes to the area south of the A453 They wished to encourage residents to object to the proposals given the scale of the development and the impact it will have across neighbouring areas
Cllr Ray Morris from Breedon said that this development and the Freeport proposals would bring many more traffic movements to the area Phase 1 of the Freeport plan would bring some additional 200 vehicle movements in peak hours; add to that the fact that 78% of
by Frank Hughes
the 4500 new households will have at least one car, the cumulative impact will be too great, he suggested
Objections to the proposals need to be lodged before October 26 and to facilitate locals making representations they had set up a new website www stopisleywoodhouse co uk where help is available to formulate a response
The local police also addressed the meeting, and reported briefly on some of the most recent incidents in the village
They had been dealing with vehicle thefts, and had attended an incident on Derby Road, which had been highlighted on social media
They also assured one councillor that there would be a presence at the Wakes fair
In other matters the issues of parking had several mentions, notably parking outside the MSP during a busy weekend recently, instances of parking on double yellow lines, and inconsiderate parking during Melbourne Festival weekend
There was also a gentle plea to property owners where trees or hedges are overgrowing onto pathways to use the autumn season to cut them back to keep walkways clear
Finally, amongst other council business, it was agreed there was a need to reach a conclusion on the chapel refurbishment, which councillors felt was dragging on The delivery group was asked to consider the options and make a recommen-
SOLAR FARMS OPPOSED
DERBYSHIRE County Council leaders have voiced their solidarity with residents opposing large scale solar farms on fields near their homes – including proposals for one near Twyford Councillors at the Matlock-based authority voted at an October meeting to oppose developments for solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS) on greenfield sites
Council leader Cllr Alan Graves, who represents Aston-on-Trent, proposed a motion regarding large solar farms and BESS systems, citing several planning applications which have been put to South Derbyshire District Council including at Arleston Lane
As reported in last month’s Village Voice, the single track country lane near Twyford is at the centre of a proposal for a solar farm and BESS on eight agricultural fields, that would be the size of 80 football pitches if granted
Residents living metres from the proposals have said they are not against green power but cannot understand why the farm should be built on agricultural land in the countryside
Cllr Graves’ motion – which was passed at a
full council meeting on October 8 – means that the county council has recorded its opposition in principle to “ the development of large-scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems on greenfield sites in South Derbyshire”
It also expresses “ solidarity with local residents and parish councils who have raised concerns about the impact of these proposals”
Talking to Village Voice, Cllr Graves said it would be far better to put solar panels in other places such as on the roofs of houses in new developments and brownfield sites
He said the proposals for Arleston Lane were “horrendous” for a small community of residents living along the narrow road
As part of the motion Derbyshire County Council has made its position clear to South Derbyshire District Council – the body responsible for planning decisions – as well as local MPs and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero As well as Arleston Lane there are currently planning applications for solar farms at Oaklands Farm near Rosliston, Stenson Lane and Egginton
The Phantom ofthe Opera
with music by Minima
Beneath the sewers of the Paris Opera House dwells a masked gure. e Phantom, a hideously dis gured composer whose dream is to turn chorus singer Christine into a diva. Lon Chaney, the “Man of a ousand Faces”, dominates this classic adaptation of the 1910 novel. His ghastly make-up and outrageous performance made e Phantom of the Opera one of the great classics of American silent lm.
Melbourne Parish Church Thursday 6 November 2025, 7.30 pm
“Minima are one of the leading bands accompanying silent lm in Europe.” (Barbican Centre, London)
“Minima’s spine-tingling music clung to each twist of the movie… spellbinding accompaniment.” ( e Guardian)
dation for an extraordinary full council meeting to approve
“Minima turned the 1925 Phantom of the Opera into an immersive and gripping emotional experience.” (Swansea International Festival) Tickets £15 (£10 under 18s) from Creative Melbourne Gallery on Church Street or scan the QR code.
Flourishing lives, rooted in God, nurturing all.
Is your child starting school in Autumn 2026?
Come along to one of our open day or evening sessions to see our wonderful and happy school in action and find out about the opportunities we offer for every child to succeed.
Thurs. 16th October 1pm - 3pm
Sat. 1st November 9am - 11am Tues. 4th November 1pm - 3pm
Wed.12th November 5pm - 6.30pm
Frid. 28th November 9am - 11am
Please call or email the school office to book a place or arrange a visit.
We are also accepting admissions for all other year groups, please contact us for further information.
We pride ourselves in being a school that nurtures the seeds of potential in every child, enabling them to grow and flourish into their own unique contribution to the world. We have a happy, caring and supportive learning environment with our own school dog, small class sizes, an abundance of space, weekly forest school sessions and daily school-led wrap around provision from 7:45am - 5:30pm.
This is a GOOD school where pupils ‘go into school happy and come out happy.’ Ofsted November 2022
‘The ambitious curriculum balances academic rigour with a sense of belonging.’
‘Parents rightly appreciate the discrete, personalised care that they and their children receive.’ SIAMS January 2025
St Hardulph’s C of E Primary School, Main Street, Breedon on the Hill, DE73 8AN
Email: office@st-hardulphs.leics.sch.uk Tel: 01332 862572
Website: www.st-hardulphs.leics.sch.uk
Headteacher: Mrs Kelly Ellis
LOFTY PRICE TAGS FOR FORGOTTEN PAINTINGS
Remembrance Day service
THOSE wishing to take part in Remembrance Sunday this year are being advised how they can lay a wreath and be included in rehearsals for the event
The British Legion is holding its usual open air service at Melbourne Memorial on Church Square on Remembrance Day, Sunday, November
9
The parade will muster at the legion at 10 20am with the route passing down Derby Road and Church Street, leading to Melbourne Parish Church
There will be a designated area specifically for the public, to enable the parade to enter Church Square
safely, and the service will start at around 10 55am
Anyone wishing to lay a wreath should contact branch president
David Worrall on 0780 170 9492 as soon as possible
All wreaths ordered will be hand delivered to the relevant organisations or individuals before the event
Anyone laying a wreath should be aware that the wreaths will be laid ‘in order ’ and that they will need to be positioned accordingly
After the service the parade will return to the Royal British Legion via Castle Square, Potter Street and Derby Road whereupon an informal concert will be given by Melbourne Town Band
Road closures will take place
A rehearsal regarding the procedure for the open-air service will be held at 11 15am on Saturday, November 8, in Church Square
The legion invites and encourages anyone who intends to take part, or who wishes to know more about the parade, to attend
In addition, at 11am on Tuesday, November 11, a short Service of Remembrance will also take place at the Melbourne War Memorial
Meanwhile, The British Legion’s Melbourne branch AGM will take place on Wednesday, October 29 at 8pm in the Royal Suite of the Royal British Legion Club on 87 Derby Road, Melbourne
MELBOURNE auctioneer Irita
Marriott has helped a house seller make cash in the attic after two forgotten paintings reached way over their estimates
Irita discovered the paintings in a loft while conducting a house clearance in Wales
Not only did the seller have no idea the paintings were there, they went on to make hundreds of pounds at auction
The paintings were found during filming for the new series of ‘The Derbyshire Auction House’, which airs on the Really TV channel
Irita said: “When I brought the pictures down from the attic and showed them to the seller they said ‘they're not mine, I ve never seen them before!’ They had no idea they even existed!”
The portraits, which date from the 17th/18th Century, would have originally been part of much larger pieces of artwork but at some point were cut down and
The painting of the female figure is thought to depict St Barbara, while the male figure is believed to depict Christ or St Sebastian
Both paintings went under the hammer at Irita Marriott’s auction in September
With a conservative estimate of £30£50 on each, they went for many times over that with one reaching £300 and the other – depicting the female figure – topping out at £460
One of a small number of female-run auction houses in the UK, Irita Marriott Auctioneers has celebrated two years in business this autumn
One record breaking episode of The Derbyshire Auction House, which is currently filming for its third series, saw a client make over £75,000 at auction with lots including a diamond eagle brooch which made a whopping £11,400
Melbourne - a sea of
things arty
by Lucy Stephens
THERE were 170 artists, 65 venues, more than 6,000 visitors and around 1,500 beautiful paper cranes
This year ’s Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail once again transformed the town into a sea of all things arty over the weekend of September 20 and 21 Festival director Sharon Brown said: “We had an amazing weekend It is hard to believe that the seed of an idea in 2005 could become such a big event which helps put Melbourne on the map as a destination for art and creativity We are now starting to plan for 2026 – we will be sharing details of our exciting plans for Melbourne Festival Coming of Age with our 21st festival next year!
“The festival has continued for 20 years thanks to the support of local people, our hosts, volunteers and sponsors ”
This year members of the Derbyshire Toyota City Partnership visited the festival to create a “Senbazuru
1,000 Cranes Installation” with origami cranes made by gallery volunteers and festival visitors
The finished piece had over 1,500 cranes with visitors from Toyota City patiently showing many people how to make a perfect specimen
Locked In, Let Loose
If you would like to focus on training in a different environment, if your dog isn’t very sociable or just energetic then Pip’s Paddocks is the perfect place for them to enjoy and let off that built-up energy.
These included The Smallprint Company which created prints of the “What3Words” locations for streets on the Trail using letterpress –the theme inspired by the Art About Town map – plus paper houses and street signs made by Melbourne Junior School students and Clare Limb Creates Continued on Pages 10-11
The weekend also saw a visit by a school party from Toyota City of 28 students and four teachers visiting Melbourne for the first time and seeing the village at its best Arts Derbyshire, the county’s strategic arts organisation, brought Festivity – a Pop-Up Music Festival funded by Arts Council England – with live music, poetry, spoken word and storytelling in the Rectory garden along with free creative workshops for families
l Cllr Angela Archer with resident artists from the Creative Melbourne Gallery
l Amanda Hughes at Book House
Pictures by Chris Brown of Jansen Brown Studios.
Ajeet Kumar Nair BDS & Associates
Naomi Fry BDS | Helen Baker BDS Claire Nelson BDS | Sindhu Nair BDS If
Continued from Page 9
Many visited the Ronald Pope Retrospective Exhibition at Melbourne Hall
Ronald was a successful artist and sculptor who and worked in and around Melbourne from the 1950 1990s
The festival team is working with the trustees of hi collection to use his work to inspire new pieces of contemporary art and sculpture for next year ’s festival, including a sculpture trail in Melbourne Hall Gardens
Children were kept busy with an Alice in Wonderland theme in the Rectory Garden inspired by the project at Melbourne Infant School, an Alice Treasure Hunt around the village and a ‘Story Tent’ in The Rectory Garden for children to rest and read or listen to poems by Attie Lime and stories by writer and illustrator Kirsty Howarth, who is based at Creative Melbourne Gallery
The festival team said they really appreciate the support everyone gives at festival time
Numbers of paying visitors were not quite so high 2024
However, the festival saw more than 4,500 paying braved the weekend’s weather Organisers also give away 800 passes to hosts, volunteers, helpers, sponsors and, with under-18s going free, it is estimated more than 6,000 visitors went along to enjoy the art
a picture
amiliar faces were there again, but organisers were interested to ee how far some people travelled, and have reported receiving calls and messages already asking about next year
The car parks at Tori and Ben’s and Melbourne schools ok over 500 cars off the streets during the event, raisng much-needed funds for both schools, Community Care, the renovations at the Scout & Guide HQ and many other charities and organisations to support activity in 2026
Any profit, after the bills are paid, will be used to fund the free Creative Community Workshops throughout the year
Visitors all commented on what a lovely place Melbourne is and the friendly atmosphere Having seen Melbourne at its best the festival volunteers also encourage people to come back during the year to shop, eat, visit local businesses, and hopefully visit the festival HQ at Creative Melbourne Gallery where artists exhibit throughout the year at regularly changing themed and curated exhibitions
The next curated exhibition in Creative Melbourne gallery will be ‘People & Places’ from October 8 to November 8
is open from 10-4 every Wednesday to Saturday
to get involved with Melbourne Festival Coming of Age
RIGHT: Cllr Angela Archer and visitors from Derbyshire Toyota
Schools’ pupils given a taste of
SCHOOL children and army cadets from the local area discovered their inner engineer when two companies opened up for National Manufacturing Day on September 25.
At Acres Engineering in Melbourne, around 170 children from schools including Chellaston Academy, Weston-on-Trent Primary School and St Wystan’s in Repton, along with army cadets from Ticknall, had a tour of the factory before getting stuck into activities designed to show them engineering skills
With children taken on a tour where they saw every process at Acres from design to manufacture to spray painting, they were then given a practical taster with the help of visitors from the Army Engagement Team, having a go at virtual welding, drone building and flying, assembling a radio and building a free-standing tower
Acres managing director Luke Parker DL said the day was all about celebrating the UK’s thriving manufacturing scene and inspiring young people to consider a career in engineering
He said: “We had a great day at Acres welcoming primary and secondary aged children from a wide range of schools to take a look at our manufacturing processes and have a go at some hands-on activities designed to test their skills –and have fun too!
“At Acres we are passionate about inspiring young people and boosting social mobility through the many opportunities we offer from work experience to apprenticeships
“It’s been great to see young people really enjoying themselves and we hope we may see some
of them come back and take on some work experience with us in the future, or even come and undertake an apprenticeship
The Common Touch...
THIS year we’ve had an abundance of apples and pears, quinces and medlars Please come and pick some and make them into chutneys, sauces, jellies or maybe some Membrillo (worth a Google)
There are so many ways to preserve the harvest, which sustain us through the winter Storm Amy brought down fat sweet chestnuts, and trees were full of walnuts, hazelnuts and so many acorns It’s been regarded as a ‘mast’ year where trees produce a lot more seeds and fruit – generally thought to come around every five to 10 years and it’s the plants’ way of making sure their species survive
It could be triggered by weather of warm springs or dry summers There are lots of theories surrounding the reasons why it happens; it could also be nature’s way to influence mammal numbers The term derives from the old English word Maest – fruit of the forest trees when covering the ground
Generally, it is thought it takes a lot out of a tree to produce this abundance, and this got me thinking about Whistlewood and the amazing abundance of our project and future harvests of the land
We’ve had amazing events, festivals, weddings, cooking, crafts and art events on site We’ve supported our community, we’ve regenerated a field and now we look to renew our vigour and continue our growth
We recently had a stall at the volunteer event organised by Melbourne Community
Care as we are actively seeking new members and helpers We need to enrich the ‘soil’ of our project with some more micronutrients, minerals, fungi, worms and insects to keep our project rich with diversity and life to sustain us for the next 10 years
Could you be our soil enrichment? Our compost for the future? (I’m not even mentioning our fantastic composting toilets, I’ll save that for another time!) Step up and help us grow in to the next decade? Are you passionate about wildlife, the environment or worried about the effects of climate change? We are your local solution and destination We just need a few hours a month helping with the community garden, or the orchards, marketing, website management, organising events, supporting other volunteers, skill sharing or helping run the business
It really does take a lot of people
ABOVE: Bruce Spencer from Acres Engineering with army cadets
BELOW: Pupils from St Wystan’s School in Repton with their drone.
l Freyja from Weston-on-Trent Primary School.
and cadets are engineering life
“The British manufacturing scene is alive and well and it’s brilliant that National Manufacturing Day is here on our calendar to allow us to celebrate that We are very grateful to our friends in the Army who put on some really inspiring activities for young people to get stuck into ”
Martin Stephens, a teacher at Weston-on-Trent Primary School, said: “Our children have really enjoyed it It has been amazing to see them come here and hear and see things that they might have seen in real life, and how they are made and manufactured and put together It has opened their eyes to other possibilities and careers and things that they might want to do
“We are really keen to expose our children to different options they could follow later in life
“It has been amazing to come to a business like Acres Engineering and see the process right from raw materials all the way through to a finished product For children to understand how all of
that happens in one organisation is really brilliant ”
Meanwhile, students from John Port School in Etwall got their own taste of National Manufacturing Day with a visit to Pennine Healthcare in Derby
Pennine is one of the UK’s leading employeeowned manufacturers and distributors of singleuse, sterile ward and theatre consumables
The day began with a welcome session and an introduction to Lean Six Sigma, showing how Pennine uses these principles to maintain quality and efficiency across its processes
Students then toured the facility, meeting team members from engineering, operations, quality control, and product development, gaining an understanding of the diverse career opportunities available within the sector
The day ended with the Assembling Challenge, where students built their own procedure packs
ABOVE: Acres
Luke Parker
LEFT: Ashton from Weston-onTrent Primary School concentrates on making a drone fly
ABOVE: Toby Boivin from the Army Engagement Team with pupils from Weston-on-Trent Primary School.
BELOW: Dave Yeomans from Acres Engineering with pupils from Weston-on-Trent Primary School.
THE award-winning IMGE restaurant is to be found in Coalville, the former coal-mining town located between Burton upon Trent and Leicester
This dining venue offers authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine to a high standard, with the open kitchen adding to the enjoyment of a visit
Many regular diners have been loyal customers since the outset (2002)
A large car park is situated to the rear of this restaurant, which, at the time of my visit, was free for up to two hours Modest charges apply thereafter
Starter and main course dishes have excellent choices of meats, fish and vegetables
The two-course fixed-price lunch special is very popular, offering a range of IMGE’s most loved dishes, plus the Mid-Week Special, Chef Special and Sultan’s Feast options
I favoured Special Mixed Starter Platter (chef ’s selection of hot and cold mezes), then Chicken Delight (chargrilled breast of chicken, creamy garlic, mushrooms, onions; it comes with IMGE rice and mixed salad) Excellent, complementing flavours were in abundance throughout and all was perfectly cooked, with admirable presentations Compliments were sent to head chef Mustafa and the team, whose knowledge of flavour combinations, experiences and absolute delight in satisfying diners, came through greatly
For dessert: Baklava This delectation dates back to the As-
Trevor Langley gives us a taste of what ’s on offer in our local restaurants
IMGE Restaurant, 36 High Street, Coalville, LE67 3ED
Tel: 01530 510180. E-mail: imge@imge co uk Web: www.imge.co.uk
syrian Empire and is hugely popular in Turkey and the nearby countries
Gift vouchers are available (a wonderful idea), plus collections and deliveries With catering for up to 100 people for private parties and fully-licensed, I found IMGE to be most excellent, with exemplary service throughout Highly recommended
VILLAGE VOICE Postbag
Not the right way
FOLLOWING my letter in September ’s Village voice (What a Sad State of Affairs) I was interested to read that the CPRE – the countryside charity (previously known as the Campaign to Protect Rural England) – have claimed that England has enough brown field sites available to build the government’s target of 1 5million new homes
Whilst I have no idea how accurate this is, it is a matter of fact that 54% of available brown field sites currently have planning consent and are considered to be ‘shovel ready’ It is also a matter of fact that between 2021 and 2023 46% of all housing developments took place on green field sites and that a great many such housing developments are already in the pipeline
It is clear that large house builders prefer building on countryside as less site preparation is needed and it is more profitable to build more ‘Identikit’, car dependent larger ‘executive’ homes on open countryside
It is also clear that these builders have the ear of government, both the current and previous ones
Such is the influence of the construction industry that in order to speed things up the present government see fit to water down environmental and habitat protections in the impending ‘Planning and Infrastructure Bill’ and indulge in unpleasant rhetoric about not allowing a few newts and bats to hold construction up I fully appreciate that more housing is needed, but I am far from convinced that the government is going about it in the right way and that neither the most suitable type of housing is being built nor are the right sites being chosen
Many people don’t want gardens and are happy with living in apartments in an urban setting There is also an affordability issue for increasing numbers of young people trying to buy and also a need for stable affordable rents, which was a feature of council homes that have been cheerfully and disastrously sold off by previous governments
For goodness sake and before it is too late let us give more thought to preserving our countryside, which is going to be ever more necessary for growing food and mitigating global heating as more southerly lands become incapable of growing crops and become deserts
Christian Murray-Leslie
MCNEIL & ROWE Ltd
Melbourne Delicatessen and Kitchen, 37 Derby Road, Melbourne, Derby DE73 8FE
Summary of the proposed licensable activities (hours and activities applied for):
Supply of alcohol for consumption o the premises:
Monday - Saturday: 09:00hrs - 18:00hrs Sunday: 10:00hrs - 16:00 hrs
Date of application: 7/10/2025
The register can be viewed during o ce hours at South Derbyshire District Council, Civic O ces, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 0AH.
Please contact 01283 221000 in order to make an appointment. Alternatively, the full application can be viewed at: www.southderbyshire.gov.uk.
Any representation relating to this application must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority by 4th November, 2025.
June 2, 1933 – September 4, 2025
BRENDA passed away peacefully at home aged 92
Beloved wife of Peter, treasured best friend of Pauline, loving cousin to Catherine and a cherished friend and neighbour to others
Brenda and Peter first met when he was 16 and she was 15, at Reginald St Youth Centre in Derby
Peter played basketball and Brenda netball Their first date was outside the Queen’s Hall – and the rest, as they say, is history
They married at 22 and 21 years of age, while Peter was still serving in the army on National Service Their marriage of 71 years was full of love and laughter, mutual trust and respect, strong companionship, shared interests – and a deep commitment to one another
Brenda began her 48-year career at British Rail in 1948, starting as a clerk in the old Loco works
She steadily worked her way up, eventually becoming a manager in the Finance Department Brenda quickly discovered that women were paid less than men for the same work and that discovery led her to the union
She became actively involved in the TSSA – the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association – starting at a local level and steadily rising through the ranks
She made history in 1987 as the union’s first female National Treasurer, and again in 1993, when she broke the glass ceiling to become its first female President Brenda was a pioneer of her time
She led the union with integrity and determination through some of the most turbulent years in the transport sector – including the break-up of British Rail to the creation of Railtrack She was widely respected for her fairness, sharp mind and steady leadership Brenda combined professionalism with compassion and was never afraid to challenge when needed She ensured the members’ voices were always heard
Her contribution to the union and to the wider movement was immense, and her legacy endures
A meeting room in the TSSA Head Office bears her name as she will be remembered with deep grati-
tude, respect, and admiration
Brenda also served as a union representative on the Industrial Tribunal for 11 years, where she was known for her robust and independent-minded contributions
She was invited to Buckingham Palace twice in her role as union President and a third time for a special supper with the Queen, Prince Philip and other guests
After retiring from British Rail, she joined the Derbyshire Police Committee – not full time, but it was an important role, requiring detailed knowledge of policing matters She wanted to give back to the community now that she had a little more time
Brenda and Peter loved their holidays abroad and travelled extensively, particularly during retirement They took regular trips to Kos in Greece and went on many cruises around the world
Brenda enjoyed her time with the local walking group, and both she and Peter supported many village charity events They were regulars at the local pub and bowls club They have lived in Kings Newton for over 50 years and truly embraced village life
They were fortunate to have a fantastic support network of friends and neighbours, along with Brenda’s cousin Catherine Peter would like to thank everyone who helped during Brenda’s illness – with hospital appointments, errands, shopping, trips out, drop-ins and many chats over tea and cake The emotional support meant a great deal and helped to keep Brenda going She always said how very grateful they were
Peter also extends thanks to the Brooke of Life carers, who were fantastic right to the end Brenda faced her illness with optimism and her usual stoic, fighting spirit
Brenda was kind, wise, sharp and savvy She had a wealth of common sense and always had good advice when it was asked for She knew exactly what to say in any situation – and didn’t suffer fools gladly Peter said she didn t engage in conflict but had a wonderful way of bringing people along with her
BRENDA HANKS
DOWN ON THE FARM
With Ben Stanley
DECIDING to kill Queen Elizabeth was never going to be easy It was one of those head against heart choices that you need to make as a farmer. I absolutely loved her to bits, we all did, she was a truly magnificent matriarch and always led from the front, until age cruelly started to chip away at her
She provided a fantastic family, some with her robustness and durability, some not Fergie for example has been a great success, unlike Kate whose feet were terrible and she had to go
The first time I met Queen Elizabeth was 10 years ago at Worcester livestock market and I just fell in love with her and have adored her ever since I am of course referring to a cow, a very beautiful Longhorn cow, with perfect bonnet horns, a stocky little hard working cow, with a white hide and flashes of colour down her sides She was one of the cows we purchased a decade ago when we were increasing our cow numbers, having moved to Park Farm, from an elderly gentleman who was retiring from farming He had given her the most magnificent name in honour of our wonderful late queen
And perhaps because pedigree cattle have names and perhaps because you work and spend time with them every day and perhaps because you get to know them and their character and perhaps when people come to the farm you always introduce them to your visi-
tors by name and walk up to them and scratch them behind the ears you become incredibly attached to them in a way that is quite difficult to explain In a sense as a cattle breeder your stock are a reflection of who you are
And what a fitting name for a matriarch cow – and she was just that, the head of the herd, the boss, the leader, the queen A matriarch cow always protects herself in the middle of the herd, but will always join you at the front to help you lead them to new pasture or to calm the herd nerves if you are bringing them into the yard by leading from the front and trusting you
And we had been through thick and thin together, through tough wet winters and dry summers, she had suffered injuries and setbacks all on the gentle hillside above the town with her view down to Melbourne Pool
It was in Chestnut Park (where the beech tree avenue is) I found her a few years ago on a fresh spring day with one of her teats pouring with milk She must have been accidently trodden on whilst she was laid down, probably by her own calf and it is one of those awful injuries you cannot do anything about apart from bring her in, keep her clean and keep the flies away and hope that nature and time can work together to heal her
She did heal, but it took time and she never would be the show cow she could have been afterwards A dead quarter and one less teat to
Cassidy emerges as the winner
THIS year ’s Emerging Artist Award had “Introspection” as its theme, and the shortlisted artists interpreted it in very varied and imaginative ways.
The winner, chosen by independent judges, was Cassidy Muchangi with her painting “Immigration in the UK” which featured a painting of her mother and explored the cultural and personal aspects of her life over the past 20 years since moving to the UK from Poland.
Thirteen artists were shortlisted from an original 50 entrants and this year a video and three-dimensional art was admitted Prizes were awarded by local MP Samantha Niblett to Cassidy and to runner-up Natasha Opacic, whose entry “The Dancing Plague” represented the mass hysteria event of 1518
in France, where people “danced themselves to death”
The winner of The People’s Choice, voted on by visitors to the exhibition, was “The Performed Self” by Isabella Blue, a digital photographic image described as “a deeply personal exploration of introspective identity” Two pieces were also commended, Freya Garratt’s “Introspection” and “Dulhan” by Manprit Bains
The exhibition was sponsored by Lemon and Lime and it is now part of the agreement with SDDC (South Derbyshire District Council) to promote creativity to young people
Cassidy is pictured receiving her prize from MP Samantha Niblett (right) and festival director Sharon Brown.
suck for her calves but she was able to suckle five more, before her time was up
As she grew old she became more tender on her hips and her hooves grew longer as she balanced her weight, making it more difficult to walk in her last 12 months David, our fantastic local cow chiropodist, had made her last year comfortable and worked wonders on keeping her trooping but her time had come Longhorn cattle are an incredibly durable and robust breed and Queen Elizabeth was 13 this year, having produced 10 calves and left a wonderful family in the herd, all named after various members of the Royal household
I suspect some of our cattle’s fortunes have fared better than their namesakes in some cases Unlike in real life our big red cow Fergie for example has been a tremendous success and has all the attributes to lead and replace Queen Elizabeth as the matriarch of the herd
So it wasn’t an easy decision It may amaze you but as somebody who creates life but also takes life, I always find the taking – although necessary – very difficult Maybe that’s how it should be, probably be wrong if it wasn’t But this year isn’t the year for carrying passengers or ‘golden tickets’ as Tori, the kids and I call them
The driest year in a generation has left the pantry bare for winter with record poor harvests returned of hay for feed and straw for bedding
And if the human barometer that is Gerald from Clarkson’s farm is to be believed the abundance of berries and sloes in the hedges and
Members of the Parish Council
Chairman
Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Vice Chairman
Nigel Collyer 07831 540538
Facilities & Events Committee
Chairman
Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Highways & Environment
Committee Chairman
Kevin Guilford
Planning Committee Chairman
David Smith 01332 862699
Finance, HR, Risk & Strategy
Committee Chairman
Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Councillors
Kate Beckett
Dave Calvert
Jane Carroll 01332 863269
Nigel Collyer 07831 540538
Andy Dawson 07811 586049
Freya Doswell
George Dunnicli 07780 806267
Matt Gotheridge
Kevin Guilford
Sheila Hicklin
Caroline Roberts
David Smith 01332 862699
Terry Statham
Terry Summerlin 07528 884778
Angela Tillyard
Clerk
Vicky Roe (WhatsApp only) 07824 634604
clerk@melbourneparishcouncil.gov.uk
Assistant Clerk
Kate Bedford 07966 461416
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
this current Indian summer we are experiencing are fabled to always precede a harsh winter
Let us hope not
And this morning we will begin going through the hell of our annual Tb test and the jeopardy of carrying older cows, with a higher chance of potentially failing the inaccurate and unreliable government test is something else to throw into the mix of my decision
And so it is this winter (the first in 10) that we will spend without Queen Elizabeth and her stablemates Lotty, Lilly, Ophelia, Bevan and Etch amongst others All wonderful old servants to the farm
I stewed over making the decision for days I got all the various pedigrees out one night from the folder and arranged them on the table, staring at them for what felt like an eternity, my heart wrestling with my head All old girls, some of them having already used a golden ticket or two in previous years, and facing a winter with short provisions the head finally prevailed They were to go And then I wept, like a bloody daft old sod Riddled with guilt, sadness and sorrow
But when that was done, it was done: I had shed my tears and your head tells you what needs to be done has to be done professionally and without being emotional
I loaded early last Monday with care and kindness, a farewell as they walked into the pen at their final destination and my heart felt proud of them and a life well lived – part of my story and not to be forgotten Thank you Queen Elizabeth
Melbourne Parish Council
Chairman’s Report - October 2025
The Parish Council are busy on a number of fronts delivering improvements in our small town / big village. The Railings and gates have been painted at the cemetery including gold embellishments; Market Place waste bins, railings, and sign post painted (including gold lettering) and nally, winter pansies, wall owers and da odil bulbs planted at the cenotaph in readiness for Remembrance Sunday. There is further work planned to improve lighting under the Market Place shelter.
Issues raised at this month’s council meeting included complaints raised by several residents concerning overgrown hedges and verges, making use of pavements a challenge. Hot spot problem areas are on Cockshut Lane and Trent Lane. These problems have been reported to Derbyshire County Council but it’s important to note that residents and land owners have responsibility for maintaining their hedges, especially when they present a hazard to pedestrians and road users.
Thanks, and congratulations to the organisers and volunteers who helped to deliver an excellent Arts Festival; plus, a warm welcome to the parish for our new vicar, the Reverend Rosemary Donovan. ...and nally – the ags will be out when we come together for Remembrance and remain in place for King Charles III’s birthday on 14th November, to be replaced by Christmas Trees in readiness for our Christmas Lights switch-on event on 5th December.
Best wishes, Andy Dawson Chairman, Melbourne Parish Council
Mastering Melbourne
IF IT isn’t the weather we are talking about in this country it must be the change of seasons; be that there aren’t any seasons guaranteed anymore, or the sudden drop in temperature and darker nights
The nights drawing in are a shock to the system The joggers are back to head torches, and sitting outside after work becomes shorter
However, with September in Melbourne we can be guaranteed an inspiring and joyful festival – a sure way to lift any sinking spirits at this time of year
Last year we only had the Sunday to look around due to a previous commitment However, as promised to ourselves, it was the first event put on the new calendar, and nothing was going to get in the way Relatives, coming for lunch, all the way from New Zealand? Sorry, they can only come over on the Friday – we are otherwise engaged
The cousins came over for the Friday (don’t worry, they were staying at my sister ’s in Lincolnshire – ’twas always the plan) and being farmers were interested in the local countryside on our walk around Melbourne and surrounds
People were busy prepping for the festival, which was good to see as it backed up my story and didn’t make me look anti-social and finding excuses for not hosting over the weekend! Said cousins were very interested in the Parish Church as theirs was only 150 years old and made of wood
We went inside and they were given an informative, albeit unplanned, talk from the affable Kevin, who answered all their questions and who couldn’t have been more helpful It was a pity they were not still around on the Monday evening as the Civic Society was also giving a talk by Dr Rachel Askew on ‘The King, his chaplain and the building of Melbourne Church’ There is a great deal to be heard – but then if you’ve been around for 900 years, I’m guessing there are a few stories hidden in your bones
The following day TAS and I set out to start where we left off the year before We headed to Penn Lane and began admiring some fabulous garden sculptures of the ‘Working Man There were so many talented artists on show, it really is a most inspiring festival
Despite the weather, which did produce some rain in the afternoon, the footfall seemed plenty, although I gather Sunday was perhaps the busier day and the driest We called into a pub and ended up outside listening to some live music under an umbrella
It turned out we were sharing a table with a musician who was due to play at the Busk Stop over the road later I think he was having a pint of Dutch Courage before his set The singer we were listening to was under a gazebo, but the rain was falling a tad too close to his equipment by the end of his set and eventually got the better of him, which meant no competition for the other guy when his turn came
by Naomi Duffree
It was lovely to see inside the buildings, homes and gardens full of beautiful artwork, ceramics, glasswork, jewellery sculptures, wire sculptures the list goes on It helped cement in my mind the geography of the village (and anyone who knows me will know I need all the help I can get when it comes to geography) and to really admire the architecture of the buildings throughout
It was super to see so many families too How wonderful if the children involved in the festival this year were to be showcasing their own talents in years to come – or just bringing friends and family along to join in the day
Well done to all the volunteers who helped put up boards and dismantle everything after its close on Sunday It is easy to forget how much planning is involved I’m already looking forward to the 21st one next year
Before then, however, we have some beautiful autumnal days to admire which will guide us into winter – difficult to believe with the sun currently shining as if it was July again
I’m recharging my head torch as I type
What’s On
Melbourne & District
YOUR REGULAR GUIDE TO EVENTS IN OUR AREA
Wednesday 8 October - Saturday 8 November
Creative Melbourne Gallery Exhibition People & Places
Tracey Coverley: Stitched Portraits; Matthew Lyons: Oil Portraits; Studio Skellett: Ceramic Sculptures; Giles Davies: Collage; Steve Mcloughlin: Oil Landscapes; Peter Watson: Acrylic Landscapes
Creative Melbourne Gallery, Wellington House, Church Street DE73 8EJ
We are open 10.00 - 4.00 Wednesday - Saturday
Friday 17 October:
Melbourne Community Care Stroke Support Group
Melbourne Assembly Rooms in the Lounge. 10am to 12pm
A friendly group for those that have had a Stroke or TIA and ones that support them. Free refreshments available.
Saturday 18 October: Pen and Watercolour Workshop with Kate Dawes. 10.30am - 1.30pm. £47.50 per person. Learn different pen drawing techniques and ‘dry’ watercolour painting to create your own botanical art. Suitable for all abilities. All materials supplied. To book: www.katedawesstudio.com
Saturday 18 October:
Coffee Morning
United Reformed Church Hall, High Street. 10am - noon.
Tuesday 21 October: Israel and Palestine, what’s going on and why should we care?
A Talk by Linda Rose, an experienced International Youth and Community Worker, who frequently visits Israel and Palestine. She will explain the history and the current conflict with a thought provoking presentation with Qs & As. 7.30pm in Wesley Hall. Admission free, but donations to relevant charities would be appreciated.
Wednesday 22 October, 12 & 26 November:
Melbourne Historical Research Group's Archive Room welcomes the public at Melbourne Assembly Rooms - 10am-1pm. Open 2nd &4th Wednesdays.
Saturday 25 October:
Creative Melbourne Workshop Move and Draw for Families and Friends. Drop-in anytime from 1.30 - 3.30pm at The Wesley Hall, Potter Street, Melbourne. Scrawl, slide & sketch with East Lab Dance Company. Move and draw is all about using your whole body to make marks and make art! Expect big paper and big chalks in a big, big space!
Saturday 25 October:
Creative Melbourne Workshop Make a Happiness Zine for Children and Young People from 10.30 - 12noon at Melbourne Library. Relax in this fun zine-making session which aims to get you drawing and doodling about your favourite things. Under 13’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 25 October:
Coffee Morning
Catholic Church, St Mary's Hall, Church Street. 10am - noon. Treetops Pop Up Shop Selling Christmas Cards, Gifts & Outfits.
Tuesday 28 October:
Melbourne Community Care Memory Cafe Melbourne Assembly Rooms 1.30pm-3.30pm. For people with dementia & their families & carers or experiencing memory loss.
Friday 31 October - Saturday 29 November:
Creative Melbourne Workshop Drawn Together Display
at Melbourne Library. Drop in during library opening hours to view art made by the local community as part of The 2025 Big Draw Festival. For more information email makeit-creativemelbourne@outlook.com or call Clare on 07962 430450.
Saturday 1 November:
Beginners Tetrapak Printmaking Workshop with Karen Wicks. 10.30am - 1.30pm. £55 per person.
Join artist Karen Wicks to learn how to create simple intaglio prints using ‘tetrapak’ and a craft press – a printmaking technique which can be done at home and that does not require specialist equipment. All materials provided. Suitable for adults. To book via email: karen-wicks@outlook.com or book your place at www.tickettailor.com/events/ghostbuildings
Saturday 1 November:
Coffee Morning
Methodist Church Wesley Hall, Potter Street. 10am - noon.
Saturday 1 November:
Creative Melbourne ‘Art about Town’ Workshop Photograph the Garden in Autumn with Beth Edge. from 10.00 - 12 noon
Join Beth for a private ramble around the gardens of Melbourne Hall and enjoy capturing this beautiful space in full autumnal glory. All you need to do is dress for the weather and bring a smart phone or camera. This workshop is offered free of charge, donations to Creative Melbourne welcome. Booking is essential - email makeit-creativemelbourne@outlook.com or call Clare on 07962 430450.
Tuesday 4 November:
Melbourne Community Care Coffee & Company
Melbourne Assembly Rooms, 2 - 4pm.
Thursday 6 November :
The Friends of Melbourne Parish Church and MINIMA present The Phantom of The Opera
Melbourne Parish Church, Church Square DE73 8JH 7.00 for 7.30pm. Tickets: £15 (£10 for under 18s) www.wegottickets.com/event/657355
Saturday 8 November: Fused Glass ‘Seasonal Decorations’
with Stevie Davies in Melbourne. 10.30am - 12.30pm. £52.00 per person
This fun fused glass workshop will give you the joy of creating your own festive decorations for your Christmas tree or to give as gifts! You will make 4 decorations, choose from mini wreaths, stars, trees, Santas, robins, penguins and Rudolph and more! Suitable for 12+, under 16’s mist be supervised by a paying adult. All materials supplied. To book: stevie-davies@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 8 November: Coffee Morning
Baptist Church Schoolroom, Chapel Street. 10am - noon.
Saturday 15 November: If these sherds could speak!
Melbourne Historical Research Group's Autumn Talk on the rich pottery heritage by guest speakers Sue Brown and Janet Spavold. 7pm Melbourne Assembly Rooms. Tickets £4 each; under 16s free if accompanied by an adult - available on the door or in advance from the Archive Room at MARs, or by emailing melbournehrg@gmail.com or via 07989 648601. Refreshments available.
Tuesday 18 November: Me&Dee Quiz Night
MSP, Cockshut Lane, Melbourne DE73 8DG. £10.00 per person, teams of up to 6 people (food included) Open at 6:00pm. Food from 6:15pm. Quiz at 7.15pm. meanddee.co.uk/product/quiz-night-2/ to secure your team contact us at: events@meanddee.co.uk or call: 01332 297 011
Wednesday 19 November:
Melbourne PROBUS Coffee Morning in aid of Treetops Hospice. 10:00 am.
The Royal British Legion, 87 Derby Road, Melbourne DE73 8FE. Includes a presentation about their work by Natalie Goodrich, the Relationship Manager and Community Engagement Officer for Treetops. Open to all. No charge but donations to Treetops to help support their work. All enquires to andrewbaldwin2012@gmail.com
Saturday 22 November: Knitting Inspired Wall Hangings with Jenny Stevenson. 10.15am - 3.45pm. £80 per person.
Join Jenny for a creative day workshop inspired by Melbourne’s historic framework knitting cottages and stocking factories.
You’ll create your own collage papers and fabrics using experimental techniques in the morning, then turn them into a layered hanging with leather straps, wooden elements, and stitched details in the afternoon. Some basic stitching experience recommended, all materials provided. Suitable for adults and older teens. To book: jennystevensonart@gmail.com
Saturday 22 November: Melbourne u3a Cèilidh
For members and guests at Melbourne Assembly Rooms. 7.00 to 10.30pm. Ticket only: £10 members, £12 guests.
Stargazy will be providing the music and a caller from 7.30pm. No expertise necessary, just come along and have fun dancing, watching or both. Licensed bar. Ticket information: www.melbourne-area.u3asite.uk
Saturday 29 November: Festive Pen and Watercolour Workshop with Kate Dawes. 10.30am - 1.30pm. £47.50 per person.
Kate will be showing different pen drawing techniques and how to overlay with 'dry' watercolour to enhance your artwork. You will create an A4 botanical artwork using seasonal foliage and flowers. This relaxed three-hour winter-themed pen and watercolour workshop is suitable for all abilities. All materials supplied. To book: www.katedawesstudio.com
Every Tuesday:
Melbourne Community Care Bereavement Group
MSP, Cockshut Lane, Melbourne DE73 8DG 10am -12pm. Friendly group for anyone affected by a bereavement.
We are happy to include events in this listing free of charge, but the Village Voice costs money to produce every month. If your organisation has found this listing helpful, please consider contributing to enable us to continue producing YOUR local newspaper.
RUNNERS turned out to put their best foot forward when they took part in this year ’s Golden Gates Gallop in Elvaston
The event was held on a fine sunny day in September with 347 runners taking part in the fivemile run and two-mile family fun run
Runners enjoyed bacon sandwiches, cans of beer and a cake stall as part of the day with many also availing themselves of sports therapy which also featured in the event
All proceeds from the event will go to Blood Cancer UK.
Pictures show runners and marshals preparing for the event and (below) Dawn Blatherwick giving sports therapy to a runner.
ads@melbournevillagevoice.co.uk or call 07584 025 852
Ticknall end premier league season in a reputable position
AS
THE year entered September not only did it mean the end of summer it also brought a close to the 2025 cricket season, and Ticknall Cricket Club’s three senior teams had two games each to complete their campaigns
Ticknall first team’s penultimate game was at The Grange against Denby After winning the toss on a usual good Ticknall pitch, Denby decided to bat Although losing regular wickets they reached a competitive score of 259 for nine in their allotted overs with Charlie Wilson top scoring with 56 closely followed by Haleem at 54 Ticknall bowlers all contributed with Wood taking three for 35
Ticknall commenced the chase well with Wood and Harvey putting on 100 before the latter was out for 46 Wood continued to put the Denby bowlers to the sword ably supported by Cork (51) and Woodburn (47 not out)
He notched a great 106 not out as Ticknall reached the winning total in the 48th over losing only three wickets for a fine win against a strong Denby side
The final game of the season was away to local rivals Swarkestone With dark rain shower clouds approaching Ticknall won the toss and chose to bat They reached 127 for four with Cork on 71 not out when the proverbial heavens opened and, after two heavy showers, the outfield became waterlogged and the game was abandoned
Gaining promotion to the Premier League Ticknall 1sts had a successful season, ending a reputable sixth in the table, winning 11 games and beating last year ’s champions home and away in the process
Captain Tom Wood led from the front as top run scorer with 1,416 and top wicket taker with 34
Ticknall’s Second team approached the last two games of the season with relegation a firm possibility
Their first was away at Hilton, who won the toss and chose to bat Ticknall pro-
by David Fox
ceeded to take early wickets, reducing Hilton to 53 for four but a 124-run fifth wicket partnership between Lloyd (58) and Ratcliffe (56) managed to get Hilton to 196 for eight
In reply Ticknall seemed to be managing the chase until in the 39th over Joe Jacques was out on 75 with Ticknall 152 for five With six overs left and requiring another 45 Ticknall lost three quick wickets and fell short of the total by three runs ending on 193 for eight
The team’s last game of the season was at home against Chellaston with relegation still on the cards
However, just like the first team the game was abandoned due to a wet outfield and a long wait ensued for other results to come through Relief came eventually as those scores ensured Ticknall’s survival in division four by just four points
A difficult season for the team, winning only seven games with the threat of relegation always agonisingly close Fortunately, survival gives the winter time for discussions to take place to make sure a similar position does not occur in 2026
Ticknall Thirds also had two games left in September
The first was away at Lullington which ended in a winning draw Batting first Ticknall put on a competitive score of 265 losing only three wickets with Tee 106 not out
Lullington never challenged the total and, despite a second wicket stand of 126, they fell 40 runs short, losing six wickets in the process
The Ticknall team’s final game was at they only managed a losing draw Chasing 224 Ticknall could only muster 119, losing eight wickets in their allotted overs
Ticknall Thirds had a successful season finishing fifth in the league and only 53 points short of promotion
Girls getting a taste for rugby
MELBOURNE Rugby Club has stepped up its work in local schools this autumn, to capitalise on the success of the England Women’s World Cup win
Building the girls’ teams has been a priority, the club has reported Melbourne RFC runs girlsonly teams for those from Year 6 upwards
Since September, coach Tim Wilbraham (seen above during one of the sessions) has been coaching non-contact rugby for girls and boys in Weston on Trent C of E School, Aston-on-Trent Primary, Melbourne Juniors, Homefield Juniors and Chellas-
ton Juniors, as well as Chellaston Academy and John Port Spencer Academy Tim, a recently retired primary school teacher and RFU coach educator, is also Head of Age Grade Rugby for Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire RFU
In all, more than 1,000 local children have benefited from rugby lessons during curriculum time this half-term The club also hosted special evenings for brownies and guides that attracted over 100 players
From Sunday, October 26, Tim and a team of RFU qualified coaches will start a free four-
week course called ‘Road to Rugby’ to develop the skills of new players so that they can be ready to be integrated safely into contact rugby for their age groups’ teams at the club Teachers have already been inviting children to register for the programme Any parents who are interested in registering their child can contact timwilbo@gmail com or call 07799 749482
Boys’ sessions will run for an hour from 10am and girls sessions will start at 1pm Melbourne Rugby Club’s work in schools will continue in the spring term
MELBOURNE Dynamo’s senior football sides really got their 2025/26 campaigns going in September as both teams climbed the table
The first team began the month with a comfortable home win against Blidworth Welfare as goals from Ollie Grimshaw, Dylan Muir, Jack Griffiths, Isaac Nkrumah and Jack Goodband earned the three points This was followed by a hard fought 0-0 away point at Linby Colliery
A superb 3-1 away victory against Sunnyhill was thanks to a double from leading goalscorer Goodband and a strike by Regan Bickerton
The first team finished the month in third place in the table thanks to another away point, this time in a 0-0 draw with Holbrook Sports
Dynamo Reserves also had an unbeaten month, starting September with a brilliant 2-1 home win against Belper Utd Development with the returning Riley Moore bagging both the goals
It was substitute Joe Shadbolt's turn to bag a double a week later as Melbourne earned a home point in a 2-2 draw against Inter Belper
It was another draw to finish off the month as an entertaining match with Eastwood & Kimberley ended 3-3 with Charles Tovell, Joe Shadbolt and in-form Moore getting on the scoresheet to leave the Reserves in fifth place in the table as September ended
CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDERS
MELBOURNE Tennis Club’s championships took place in September and, despite a few short showers to disrupt play, spectators were treated to some hardfought contests
One game in particular seemed to be heading for comparison with the Isner v Mahut match – the longest ever at Wimbledon! Graham Oppenheimer and Rob Wright battled out a very tight three-set match over several hours, with Rob coming out on top, and the pair of them went on to win the over-60s men’s doubles as well
Full results were:
Men’s singles – J O’SULLIVAN beat E POSTLETHWAITE (6-4, 7-5)
Men’s singles plate – A HARVEY beat G MORRIS (6-2, 6-2)
Men’s doubles plate – F and R SPENCER beat R and O CLARKE (7-5, 7-5)
Mixed doubles – E POSTLETHWAITE/L SHERRIFF beat E WALKER/G MORRIS (6-2, 6-1)
Mixed doubles plate – S BOARDMAN/L HEATH beat J COWLEY/C CROCKER (6-0, 6-1)
Ladies doubles – P ODY/ E WALKER beat L HEATH/J HANCOCK( 6-1, 1-6, 6-4)
Men’s doubles – G MORRIS/A HODGKINSON beat A FLEMING/S BOARDMAN (6-4, 6-1)
Over-60s singles – R WRIGHT beat G OPPENHEIMER (3-6, 7-6, 7-5)
Over-60s doubles – G OPPENHEIMER/R WRIGHT beat P FOX/G HUGHES (4-6, 6-4; Tie Break 10-5)
Melbourne team clinches promotion
MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club seniors had a good end to a very successful 2025 season with the third team leading the way.
They secured promotion despite a heavy defeat to Abbots Bromley 2nds LandersSung’s men were blown away as they struggled to 103 all out with only Ben Dawson really contributing with 43
It was a total that the visitors knocked off for the loss of just one wicket, leaving the Melbourne team ending up in second place in the league
A heavy defeat at home to league champions Burton 1sts was soon followed by their last game of the season against Etwall 2nds Opener Muhammad Nawaz top scored with 38 with the returning Mark Rossi weighing in with 30 as Town limped to 168 all-out in wet conditions
Dadrrahman Ghani led the way with the ball as he has done all season as he returned for a devastating spell in taking four wickets for five runs as the visitors fell to 94-5 after being 85-1 With skipper Alex Slater taking 3-5 the first team nearly
The first team had a much improved season winning 13 of their league games Ultimately the weather cost them promotion as they lost three games to the weather whereas the three teams above them had only one abandoned
snatched a victory but the weather won with Etwall ending on 116-9
The second team also had a much improved season after last year ' s relegation, finishing in fifth place They began the final month with a five-wicket loss to promotion hopefuls Alrewas 3rds
Batting first Town were struggling on 688 but the last two wickets put on 94 to get Melbourne to 164 all out with Muhammad Kashif smashing 48 off just 33 balls and Adhir Christi hitting 37 not out
The visitors reached their total five wickets down with just 22 balls to spare to finish their season with a creditable eight wins and only nine points short of third place
ABOVE: Gary Morris, Adam Hodgkinson, Andy Fleming and Stu Boardman ABOVE RIGHT: Lesley Heath and Judith Hancock with Phoebe Ody and Emily Walker BELOW: Graham Oppenheimer and Rob Wright