April

If you’ve ever visited Buxton Museumand Art Gallerywhat did you think? What impressed you or what did you think could be improved? 

Derbyshire County Council is so keen to hear what visitors think of its popular arts venue that it plans to carry out customer surveys every three months.

Staff at the council-run museum in Terrace Road, Buxton, already record visitor numbers and comments but want to know more to ensure they provide the best possible service. 

A more detailed customer questionnaire was tested out on museum visitors in December and revealed such useful information that it will be repeated quarterly. 

County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We have always welcomed customer comments as they show us what we do well and where we need to improve. 

“There is more work to be done to get a clearer picture of what our visitors think but the    new surveys are already starting to provide us with some very valuable information that we can use to build on the success of our popular museum and  arts venue.

“Areas of concern will start to be addressed and we will be acting on as many as we can.”

Responses from the pilot survey revealed all visitors were satisfied with the exhibitions themselves and only two per cent were disappointed with their visit. 

Meanwhile, areas where visitors thought improvements could be made were with access to the building, signs and guiding, seating and toilets.

Survey responses showed a third of visitors were from the Buxton and High Peakarea,   the next largest group had travelled from Derbyand two per cent were from abroad. Almost 70 per cent of visitors were in family groups and 82 per cent were aged between 35 and 74. It was a first visit for 42 per cent of visitors and 42 per cent said they had visited in the last year. 

Entry to all exhibitions at Buxton Museumand Art Galleryis free as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to increase public access to the arts. 

Opening hours are Tuesdays to Fridays 9.30am to 5.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am to 5pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays (between Easter and September) 10.30am to 5pm. Current exhibitions include ‘Standing Stones’, work from the permanent collections and ‘Silence’. For more information call Ros Westwood or Sue Palmer at the venue on 01298 24658. 

A new exhibition of musical paintings by artist Dai David opens at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 3 May. 

Dai has always had two passions, art and music. He trained as a professional opera singer and is a self-taught artist. His aim is to explore the relationship between these two art forms. 

Due to the constant need to listen to music whilst working, his paintings range from instrumental still lifes to bold scenes showing music being performed. 

Dai David exhibits widely in museums, private art galleries and alongside music festivals and events. He has appeared as guest artist at the Welsh Proms Series, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Opera North and has recently been approached by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. 

His Performance exhibition takes place at the Derbyshire County Council-run Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road until 28 June. 

Anyone wishing to find out more about the artwork can chat to Dai who will be at the museum on Tuesdays 6 May and 17 June between 2pm and 4pm. 

Visitors to the gallery can also see Silence, a stunning exhibition of abstract art by Jon Braley, which is on show until 10 May. 

Entry to all exhibitions at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is free as part of Derbyshire County Council`s commitment to increase public access to the arts. 

Information about all the exhibitions is available by ringing Ros Westwood or Sue Palmer at the museum and art gallery on 01298 24658.

A national alert has been issued by the Department of Trade and Industry about the `Yo Balls`, which could pose a strangulation hazard if used in an inappropriate way. 

Derbyshire County Council`s trading standards has received a number of calls about the toys over the past few days from worried suppliers and parents. 

The toys have a variety of names include Yucky Flashing Hedgehog, Yo-ball and Yo-yo splat ball. 

The council is warning parents to make sure their children do not play with the toy and local shops, suppliers and wholesalers are being told to remove them from sale. 

The toy has a strap made of highly elastic material that could become wrapped around the throat of a child during play. 

A prohibition notice has been issued by the DTI preventing named suppliers from supplying the toy in the UK. The department had tested the toy and it failed to meet the safety requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "There is widespread concern about this product throughout the European Union and we welcome the action taken by the DTI. 

"It is an offence for any trader - whether an importer, wholesaler or retailer - to supply an unsafe toy and therefore these Yo Balls should be withdrawn immediately. Traders who refuse risk a fine of up to £5,000. 

"We are not aware of any injuries in Derbyshire. However, we have had a number of calls from concerned residents and traders and our view is that the toys present a serious potential hazard and should not get into the hands of children."

Plans to reorganise the Dronfield School to create a single site, state-of-the art facility were given the green light at a meeting of Derbyshire County Council`s regulatory planning and control committee this afternoon (28 April). 

The ambitious £6m scheme - which has been developed by the county council, the school and Miller Construction - will provide a host of new, hi-tech facilities for pupils and for the local community. 

It is hoped that work on site will get underway during the early summer and will be completed by September 2004. 

Currently the school is concentrated on two sites a mile apart, the lower Gosforth site off Carr Lane and the upper Fanshawe site off Green Lane. 

The lower site is in such a poor state that it would have cost £1.5m over the next few years, just to maintain it in its existing condition. 

As well as the high cost of maintenance, the split site causes additional problems - resources are duplicated at both sites and teacher time is wasted travelling between them. 

These problems will now be resolved by consolidating the school on the upper site. Additional buildings will accommodate the following facilities: 

• Five science labs and prep-room 
• Six modern languages rooms and nine maths rooms, all fully equipped with IT facilities 
• Two music rooms and four art rooms 
• Drama production hall, which will be available for the community when not used by the school 
• Six new tennis/netball courts, full size all weather astroturf pitch and playing fields 
• New dining and kitchen facilities. 

In addition, existing technology facilities will be expanded at the school, which was awarded specialist technology status last year. 

Just over half of the required funding has been provided by the Government. The county council is contributing a further £1.5m and the remaining funds will be raised by selling the land currently occupied by the lower school buildings. It is intended that any future development of the lower site will be limited to this `footprint` of the current buildings and would not encroach on the existing green space, which would be retained for education or community use. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "This is great news. Reorganising the school onto a single site will have a tremendous impact and help transform the educational facilities for staff and pupils. 

"The school has an excellent reputation and was awarded specialist status last year. This project will provide the community with the buildings that they deserve and that will benefit local children for many years to come." 

Dronfield School headteacher Chris Burke said: "We`re delighted that the plans for this excellent development have been approved. The scheme will provide a superb, state-of the-art school on a single site, and the majority of the facilities will be either brand new or re-vamped. 

"It will resolve the existing problems caused by the current split site and will provide Dronfield with some of the best educational facilities in the country. We are really impressed with the plans and are convinced that the local community will have an educational facility of which they can be truly proud." 

The elderly, disabled and people living in isolated South Derbyshire communities will be able to get out and about thanks to a new community transport scheme. 

Derbyshire County Council`s rural bus challenge project co-ordinator Elaine Wachlarz and John Powderley, the southern Derbyshire rural transport partnership officer, have worked with 12 parish councils to set up the scheme with £7,192 of Parish Transport Grant funding from the Countryside Agency. 

A 16-seater accessible minibus, owned and funded by Derbyshire County Council and operated by Swadlincote Community Transport, will be used to provide the flexible door-to-door service. 

Every Thursday from 1 May the minibus will visit the parishes of Findern, Willington, Repton and Foremark. It will provide access to Willington surgery and shops and to Burton, including the town`s Shopmobility scheme. 

Every Friday from 2 May the transport will cover the parishes of Egginton, Burnaston, Etwall and Hilton giving people access to the new surgery at Hilton, the chemist at Etwall for prescriptions and Burton town centre. 

And every Monday from 12 May the minibus will run in the Church Broughton, Sutton on the Hill, Hatton and Foston and Scropton parishes allowing access to Tutbury surgery, Hatton Post Office and Burton on Trent. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "This service will provide a social lifeline for people who are unable to use public transport because of their health and for villagers in isolated communities with few bus services. 

"Local businesses and post offices will also benefit from the scheme because more people will be able to access their services. 

"This is a pilot scheme until the end of March 2004 so I hope the local community will take full advantage of it and make it a success." 

Leaflets giving details of how to use the new service and the times it operates are being distributed by all parish councils in the area and will also be published in local parish magazines. 

Anyone wishing to use the service should ring Swadlincote Community Transport on 01283 550764 or Elaine Warchlarz on 01629 580000, extension 6743.

Opening hours are to be extended at 12 libraries across Derbyshire to improve the service offered to local communities. 

Derbyshire County Council is spending £78,000 to introduce the longer opening hours, which will also involve three of the authority`s 13 mobile library vans. 

The funding comes on top of the £125,000 spent on introducing similar measures at other libraries last year. 

The changes will mean some libraries opening up to an extra seven-and-a-half hours on top of their existing times. 

At the same time all 45 Derbyshire County Council-run libraries are being renamed as library and information centres to reflect the fact that they offer more than book loans. 

The name change aims to make the public aware that libraries also offer free Internet access, loans of CDs, videos and DVDs and a range of resource information for businesses. They also act as the base for arts and book related activities for people of all ages. 

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "The changes will mean earlier opening in the mornings for some libraries and later opening on weekday evenings and Saturdays for others. 

"At the moment some parents who drop their children off at school have to wait until 10am to get into libraries but the longer opening hours will enable them to go straight afterwards. 

"Families and people who work during the day will benefit from the evening and Saturday opening time extensions." 

Existing library assistants have been given the opportunity to work the extra hours the increased opening times will create. 

Most of the changes to library opening hours will take place on Tuesday 6 May. Borrowash and Newbold libraries will introduce the new times on 12 May, while Somercotes Library will change its hours on 5 July. 

County councillors meet next Tuesday (29 April) to discuss plans for a £350,000 package of improvements to staff facilities in Derbyshire schools. 

Under the proposals - which will be considered by the authority`s cabinet meeting on Tuesday - the works would take place at nine primary schools which have been prioritised as those most in need. In all cases the schools currently do not have a dedicated staff room or have limited facilities. Schools recommended for the funding are: 

• Brailsford CE Primary near Ashbourne - an extension would create a staff room and separate office accommodation for the headteacher and secretary. 
• Corfield CE Infant School near Heanor - currently the school has one combined space which doubles as an office and staff room. The funding would be used to extend the building to provide a separate staff room and office for the head. 
• Horsley CE Primary - facilities for staff have been restricted due to limited space. It is proposed to build a new staff room. 
• Langley Infant School near Heanor - it is proposed to extend the school building to provide additional space including separate offices for the headteacher and school secretary. 
• Long Lane CE Primary near Ashbourne - staff facilities are currently limited to a small portacabin. It is proposed to extend the school to provide a new staff room and office. 
• Morton Primary - it is proposed to remodel a large former cloakroom to provide a staff room. 
• Scarcliffe Primary near Chesterfield - currently the school has a combined office/staff/resource room. It is proposed to extend the building to provide a separate staff room. 
• Stanley Common CE Primary near Ilkeston - the headteacher and secretary currently share a portacabin. It is proposed to combine a former kitchen with a new extension to provide separate offices for the head and secretary, along with a new staff room. 
• Wigley Primary near Chesterfield - the primary has no staff facilities and it is proposed to extend the school to form a new staff room. 

Subject to approval at next week`s meeting, the works will get underway over the next few months and be completed by next March. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "It is important that school staff are provided with comfortable facilities where they can concentrate or relax away from the classroom, and so we are delighted that the Government has provided this funding. 

"In particular, the rural nature of the county means that a number of smaller primaries do not have staff rooms and we have prioritised the funding so that it benefits as many of these schools as possible. 

"In previous years the county council has done its best to improve facilities for staff, but until recently there was no specific funding available. 

"However, the money is now coming through from the Government in increasing amounts and this means we can begin to tackle bigger improvement projects including new building. 

"We look forward to receiving additional funding in the future so that more schools can benefit." 

The latest proposals build on a £150,000 package of improvements to staff facilities at nine schools, which were approved by the county council last December. These schemes are progressing at the following schools: 

• Biggin CE Primary, near Buxton 
• Castleton CE Primary 
• Crich CE Infant 
• Hill Top Infant near Ashbourne 
• Kirk Langley CE Primary 
• Marlpool Infants near Heanor 
• Padfield Community Primary 
• Stoney Middleton CE Primary 
• Street Lane Primary, Denby

A bus service is being launched by Derbyshire County Council to help visitors travel to one of the county`s top tourist attractions. 

The American Adventure theme park in Ilkeston attracts 400,000 visitors a year and many of the people going through the turnstiles are from Derbyshire. 

Derbyshire County Council is paying for the X10 service to be set up so residents can leave the car behind and travel by bus instead. 

The service will pick up from Dronfield, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Alfreton, Ripley and Codnor and take visitors straight to the front entrance of the theme park. 

It will run on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from May 3 to September 28 with daily services in the school holidays from May 24 to June 1 and from July 19 to September 1. 

County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "The service will be ideal for families without cars, young people with b_line cards who want to travel to the theme park on their own and drivers who want to leave their car at home. 

"The council is committed to encouraging bus travel options for as many people as possible and by providing this service we also hope to reduce congestion on Derbyshire`s roads, ease the pressure on car parks and tackle pollution problems." 

Return tickets costs are: family day out £5 (up to two adults and three children), adult day out £3.50 (£3 from Codnor Market Place), child day out £1.75, b_line day out (need to show b_line card), other concessions £1.75. There is no charge for free concessionary travel permit holders. 

The American Adventure is also offering a reduced entry price to anyone who presents a discount admission coupon, which will be distributed with X10 promotional material, and their bus ticket at the gate. 

Bus services will arrive at the theme park at 10.30am, 12.32pm and 5.40pm and depart at 10.35am and 3.45pm and 5.45pm. 

For more information Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 (8am to 8pm weekdays), Traveline 0870 608 2 608 (8am to 9pm every day) for local bus times or visit www.derbysbus.net (opens in a new window) 

Youth workers and young people in the High Peak take part in a sponsored sleep-out this week to raise awareness of youth homelessness. 

The event is being co-ordinated by Derbyshire County Council youth workers - based at local charity Buxton for Youth - with the support of the Buxton town centre co-ordinator and the Police. 

The 24-hour sleep-out begins at 3pm on Thursday 24 April at Spring Gardens in the town centre. Buxton for Youth member Sarah Roberts (15) got the idea for the event after visiting London as part of a youth service trip to the National Children`s Bureau. 

She enlisted the help of youth workers Pam Wilson and Heather McDonagh - who are based in Buxton for Youth`s information shop - to co-ordinate the event. 

During her trip to London Sarah had been shocked by the level of youth homelessness and on her return to Buxton she resolved to raise awareness of the issue locally. 

All money raised from the sleep-out will benefit vulnerably housed and homeless young people in the High Peak. So far almost £1,000 has been raised and in total the team hope to collect £1,500. 

In addition to sponsorship, local businesses have come forward with offers of use of equipment and food and drink during the sleep-out. 

For more information or to make a donation get in touch with Buxton for Youth on 01298 79643. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "The Buxton for Youth information shop regularly receives requests for advice and counselling from young people who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

"Homelessness is something that local authorities and agencies are aware of and are working together to respond to - however, it is an important issue and so hopefully the sponsored sleep-out will raise people`s awareness. There has already been a marvellous response." 

Buxton for Youth member Sarah Roberts said: "I was shocked to see the number of young people sleeping rough in London and wanted to make people aware of the issue in the Buxton area. I have been planning the event since last November and have been supported by the staff in the information shop." 

Buxton for Youth works closely with Connexions and other agencies to deliver services to young people. 

The information shop opened last November and is a partnership between the Buxton for Youth charity and Derbyshire County Council`s youth service. 

It is a one-stop-shop service providing advice and information about a wide range of issues affecting young people, from homelessness and debt to education & training and sexual health. 

In addition, the shop has links with other agencies, enabling the young people to access information from local solicitors, welfare rights, social services, youth offending service and police. 

It is open from Monday to Saturday and it also offers free Internet access for young people. People seeking advice and guidance can pop in or phone to make an appointment by ringing 01298 79643. 

The information shop builds on existing Buxton for Youth services at the Market Street premises, including the Cellar Youth Club, after school and weekend clubs and the High Peak South Young People`s Health Project.

...and hundreds of people aged 60 and over across Derbyshire agree! Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council offered free bus travel to anyone in this age group around Derbyshire and to neighbouring counties during "Freerider 60+ weekend" on April 5 and 6. Hundreds of people took advantage of the offer and feedback gathered from passengers revealed it was a huge success. Many said they made extra journeys because of the promotion and nearly everyone asked for similar offers to be repeated. An initial evaluation of the scheme highlighted the popular routes and indicated that many passengers used the chance of free bus travel to enjoy day trips in the Peak District and shopping trips to nearby cities which they otherwise would not have made. The Trans Peak service and services to neighbouring counties also proved particularly popular and many passengers said they chose to go out on both days because they could travel for free. The offer was made to encourage bus travel for people aged 60 and over and to mark the introduction of new rules on April 1 which mean men as well as women can receive a Derbyshire concessionary half-fare travel permit at the age of 60 instead of 65. Early figures for the Arriva Derby bus company show during Freerider 60+ weekend 6,426 people travelled on the firm`s buses compared to 5,023 on an equivalent weekend last year. For Arriva Midland North it was 1,150 compared to 950, for Baslow-based Hulleys 844 compared to 268 and for Bowers, based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, 386 compared to 51. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "Many of our residents aged 60 and over lead very active lives and we wanted to encourage them to get out and about with this free travel promotion. "The county council is committed to encouraging bus travel, which for this age group we know is one of the particularly important services we offer, so we`re delighted Freerider 60+ proved to be such a success. We also hope it has encouraged any residents who haven`t already got their bus pass to apply for one." Almost 3,000 60-year-old Derbyshire men have applied for a pass since the new rules were publicised earlier in the year and since they came into force on April 1 around 100 applications are being made across the county every week. Derby City Council highways assistant director Pat Ethelston said: "I`m pleased this initiative was so successful. I hope it has the long-term effect of encouraging more people to use public transport and helping older people to get out and about more." To take part in Freerider 60+ all passengers had to do was show the driver their Derbyshire concessionary half-fare travel pass. Disabled people of all ages with concessionary travel passes were also eligible for the offer. Bus passes are available for anyone aged 60 and over from all district and borough council offices in Derbyshire, Derby Council House and some sub post offices. Applicants need a passport-sized photograph of themselves and proof of age. The Freerider 60+ promotion followed hot on the heels of the successful b_line Freerider offer which gave all 11 to 18-year-old holders of the county council`s b_line discount and half-fare travel card free bus travel during the February half-term.

Important bus routes for communities in the Chesterfield area are to be saved from withdrawal after a decision by Derbyshire County Council to provide alternative services. 

The authority has agreed to spend £94,746 to put on four replacement services from 28 April. Stagecoach has announced a major review of its services, which will mean improvements to some routes but the withdrawal of other less profitable ones. The changes have implications for most bus routes in and out of Chesterfield. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "While the county council recognises that some services will be improved and made more reliable we are very concerned about these changes. 

"We have worked with all the bus companies in the area to minimise the impact, particularly for school children and people travelling to work. 

"Parents can be assured that all pupils who are entitled to free school travel will continue to receive a bus service and that, wherever possible, we have worked to replace commercial services used by students. 

"The county council already spends £4.5 million a year subsidising bus services but we only have a limited fund and cannot continually keep replacing routes that bus companies withdraw." The replacement services being provided by Derbyshire County Council are: 

Service 120 Chesterfield to Sheepbridge Industrial Estate: The Monday to Friday service for workers on the Sheepbridge Industrial Estate is to be run by Chesterfield-based TM Travel. Most of the journeys will also be diverted via Newbold to replace the withdrawn number 30 between Whittington Moor and Newbold. 

Derbyshire County Council has also arranged with TM Travel to accept Stagecoach`s Megarider tickets on this route only. This means that workers on the estate can continue to buy one discount ticket to cover their whole journey. 

Service 89 Chesterfield - Barlow - Dronfield: The Monday to Saturday service will be run by Hulleys of Baslow. The timetable will largely remain the same but the service will also stop at Dronfield School in the morning and late afternoon. 

The evening service, which goes to Sheffield, will be re-scheduled to include an extra journey to and from Chesterfield. 

Service 1/1A Walton - Hasland - Royal Hospital: Some buses on the existing Stagecoach service through Spital will be re-routed to go via Calow Lane every hour to replace the 49 service which has been withdrawn. This will ensure that the link between Hasland and Calow Hospital is maintained. 

Service 9 Hollingwood - Barrow Hill - Staveley: TM Travel will run services on this route before 10am and after 5pm to replace the number 90 service withdrawn by Stagecoach. At other times of the day a commercial service will continue to be run by Aston Express. 

Further information about the new services is available by ringing Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or visiting Derbyshire County Council`s public transport website at www.derbysbus.net (opens in a new window) 

Stagecoach is publishing information about the services it has upgraded and those that are being withdrawn. Passengers with questions about the changes can contact them by ringing 01246 211007.

Babies and toddlers will be encouraged to develop an interest in books with more than 70 events being organised at Derbyshire libraries over four weeks from the end of April. 

Derbyshire County Council is hosting a range of events as part of its Books for Babies month which is running promotions at branches everywhere from April 26 to May 23. 

They include storytimes with visits by favourite book characters such as Spot the Dog and Daisy Duck, activity sessions, rhyme and movement sessions and visits by guest storyteller Ann Turner. 

The Books for Babies scheme was launched as part of Derbyshire`s "Read On-Write Away!" Literacy strategy in 1997 to encourage parents and carers to give children a head-start by sharing books with them from an early age and enrolling them as library members at birth. 

Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "Over the last six years Books for Babies has worked wonderfully well to spread the message that our libraries are open to people of all ages and reading is an experience the whole family can share. 

"The events taking place over the next few week are designed to further promote the advantages of encouraging youngsters to take an early interest in books and reading that will hopefully stay with them for many years to come." 

As part of the scheme every baby in the county receives a free canvas bag containing two board books, a nursery rhyme card, details about local library services and tips in sharing books with babies and reading to children. 

They are delivered to every baby usually at the time of their seven-month health check through the county`s library service in partnership with health visitors. 

The county council`s last Books for Babies Month, held in June 2001, attracted more than 2,700 adults and children to events in the authority`s libraries and 701 new members joined. To date the scheme has given away more than 28,000 free books to Derbyshire babies.

Consumers may get more than they bargain for when they tuck into doner kebabs and other takeaway food, an investigation by Derbyshire County Council trading standards has revealed. Samples of doner kebabs taken as part of a joint investigation by trading standards teams across the East Midlands showed that some contained more than the sheep meat they are supposed to. Of 35 samples taken, 15 were also found to contain beef, two contained chicken and one had a trace of pork. Two contained undeclared soya and another had only 1per cent sheep meat when "doner" kebabs should only be made of mutton. In Derbyshire, 50 per cent of doner kebab samples from takeaways failed the test. Other problems discovered by trading standards during the investigation included high levels of food colourings in Indian takeaway meals and misdescribed cheese on pizzas. The investigation found that: <li>The term "doner" kebab is widely misused. <li>Some Indian food contains excessive levels of colouring. <li>Toppings on pizzas can be incorrectly described. <li>Forbidden colours were found in pilau rice. Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "With today`s busy lifestyles, we are relying more and more on takeaway meals. But it is not always clear what people are getting for their money. "A recent survey across the East Midlands, including by Derbyshire County Council trading standards officers, found that many of our favourite takeaway foods, such as pizzas, kebabs and chicken tikka masala, were not all they seemed. "Some doner kebab samples contained other meats and there were high levels of food colourings used in some tandoori and masala sauces - in one sample up to 100 per cent higher than permitted. "One pizza out of the three sampled in Derbyshire had a cheese substitute on it." He added: "Derbyshire County Council trading standards are determined to protect consumers from being misled. "It is important people get what they pay for and know what they are eating. "Some people may not eat certain foods on moral or religious grounds or perhaps because they have an allergy. "We want people to know what they are getting when they hand over their cash."

Competition is hotting up for the title of Derbyshire`s best young band with the entrants narrowed down to a dozen talented hopefuls. 

Judges created the 12-band shortlist from more than 20 entries into Derbyshire`s Young Band of the Year competition, organised by Derbyshire County Council and the Donut Recording Studio in Chesterfield. 

The bands will now battle it out in two heats taking place later this month at the studio, with the last six competing in the finals on Saturday, May 3. 

And music lovers who want to see the bands in action can get into the gigs for just £1 with the county council`s b_line travel and discount card, or £2 without it. 

The heats take place on Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29. 

"They look like being good nights," said studio co-ordinator Brian Evans. "It`s clear from the quality of entries that there`s some real musical talent here in Derbyshire. "This contest gives the bands an excellent opportunity to perform live on stage in front of a big crowd." 

The heats get under way at the studio in the county council`s Springbank Centre on Springbank Road, Chesterfield, at 7pm. 

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council`s cabinet member for community services, is delighted so many bands have entered the contest, now in its eighth year. 

"The competition offers an ideal opportunity to showcase local young talent," said Coun Janes. "I wish them all the best of luck." 

For more information about the heats or the final, contact Brian Evans at the Donut Studio on 01246 220636.

Hundreds of Derbyshire youngsters who do not usually get the opportunity for adventure have been able to enjoy exciting activity breaks this year, thanks to Derbyshire County Council. 

A report into the progress of the county council`s DELTA project - Derbyshire Education Leisure Time Activities - has just been published and it reveals that 278 holidays have already been awarded this year. 

The breaks are aimed at children aged eight to 15 who are subject to social, economic or emotional pressures and who otherwise would not have the chance to enjoy these types of holidays. 

The two and four-night activity breaks - which take place at the county council`s Lea Green Centre near Matlock and the White Hall Centre in Buxton - are also aimed at youngsters who care for relatives and for young people with learning or physical disabilities. 

Eligible youngsters are referred on to the residential courses by social workers, education social workers and young carer project workers as well as headteachers and form tutors. Taster days are also offered to children nervous about being away from home for the night. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "For some children the activities give a welcome break from pressures at home. In addition they provide holidays for children whose families are experiencing financial difficulties and they also give young carers a well-earned break from the responsibilities they carry at home. 

"However, no matter what their circumstances, all of the children thoroughly enjoy their holiday. The feedback we have received is extremely positive and the youngsters use their experience to make new friends and build their confidence."

Rural businesses in the Derbyshire Dales - from village shops and B&Bs to farming & agricultural businesses - will be able to access free training tailored to their needs, thanks to an initiative by Derbyshire County Council`s adult community education service. 

The training is aimed primarily at enterprises employing up to 10 people, and businesses can find out more at an information session at the Bakewell Agricultural Centre on Monday 12 May, starting at 10am.

People attending the session will be able to meet with an advisor and talk through their particular training needs. 

All training will be free and will be geared toward the needs of small rural businesses. This could range from IT courses to management training or accountancy and finance. 

Specific support will be available - for example, farming and agricultural businesses will be able to access IT training to help manage their business and complete returns to DEFRA. 

Timing and location of the training will be flexible and sessions could range from workshops to longer courses spread over a number of weeks, including Open College Network-accredited training. 

The PORTAL initiative - Providing Opportunities for Rural Training and Learning - is being co-ordinated by the county council in conjunction with Ashbourne and Cheadle Training. 

All of the funding has been provided by the European Social Fund, channelled via the Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "Rural businesses make up a vital part of the Derbyshire Dales economy. However, it can be difficult for them to access the training they need, especially if they are located in isolated areas. The idea of this initiative will be to provide free, flexible training developed around their individual requirements." 

• Businesses that are unable to attend the information day or would like further information prior to the event can get in touch with Kay Cunningham on 01629 824158.

A drive has been launched by Derbyshire County Council to recruit specialist carers to look after vulnerable young people. 

The authority`s social services department has taken on nine "contract carers" to look after teenagers who cannot live at home for a variety of reasons. 

It now hopes to recruit another 15 carers from across Derbyshire to help more young people in crisis. 

The department would like to hear from people from all over the county, but is particularly keen to recruit carers in the south, the High Peak and Chesterfield. 

Contract carers are paid £417 a week by the authority to take a young person in to their home to provide 24-hour care and support. 

The young person may have behavioural difficulties, may have been in trouble with the police or involved in substance misuse. 

The scheme aims to prevent Derbyshire youngsters being sent to specialist accommodation outside the county or to secure units and enable them to live in a stable, family environment to help them make a fresh start. 

Around 30 young people have benefited from the project since it was launched in 2001 and nine young people are currently living with a contract carer. 

But there are currently 20 young people, mainly aged between 14 and 16, awaiting placements with a contract carer. 

The self-employed carers each have a contract with the county council on either a short or long-term basis. 

It may include support from Derbyshire Youth Offending Service or Derbyshire Drug Action Team to address the teenager`s offending or substance abuse. 

Councillor Anne Western, the county council`s cabinet member for social care and health, said: "These young people are very much at a crisis point in their lives. 

"We hope that the contract carer will be a positive role model, providing one-to-one support to help the young person make a fresh start." 

A wide range of qualities are needed by contract carers but they should have experience of working with challenging young people and be dedicated to helping them. 

Enquiries would be welcome from couples or individuals with experience of residential social work, specialist foster carers, retired police officers, nurses or people who have retired from or left the caring professions. 

All contract carers will be expected to dedicate their time to supporting the young person and should not have any other commitments that will interfere with their ability to care for them. People who sign short-term contracts may also like to step in to offer emergency care or respite care for other contract carers offering longer-term placements. 

Councillor Western added: "These roles are very challenging but can also be extremely rewarding. Contract carers can make a real difference to improving the outcomes for these young people." 

The county council also provides on-going support to contract carers, including a support worker and a personal development plan. Training is provided and carers can gain qualifications while caring for a young person. As well as the weekly fee, expenses up to £140 and a mileage allowance are paid. 

For more information about becoming a contract carer contact Derbyshire County Council on 01629 772211.

Primary and special schools throughout Derbyshire are being invited to take part in an award scheme that promotes racial equality. 

The awards have been organised by Derbyshire County Council chief executive Nick Hodgson, who is personally donating the £500 prize money, which will be shared by the winning schools. 

The awards are for schools that are working to promote a better understanding of different cultures, races and religions. Projects could include: 

• penfriends, letter writing and newsletters to exchange information
• exchanges between schools
• joint activities between schools 
• friendship links between urban and rural schools 
• use of the Internet to develop links between children and young people. 

The deadline for entries is 31 July 2003. Schools wanting more information should contact Emma Varley at the county council on 01629 585359 or e-mail emma.varley@derbyshire.gov.uk 

This is the third year of the awards - previous winners are listed under `Notes to News Editors`. 

County council chief executive Nick Hodgson said: "Schools have a crucial role to play in educating young people about other cultures, races and religions, and the awards reward and celebrate this role. "All of the schools that have taken part in the awards scheme over the past two years have said that their work helped them meet the requirements of the national curriculum and also made learning fun and interesting for the pupils." 

Derbyshire County Council is working in partnership with other local authorities and organisations to promote racial equality. The authority was one of the first organisations in the county to sign the Commission for Racial Equality`s `Leadership Challenge`, which commits organisations to reviewing their service delivery and employment policies. 

Past winners of the awards are:

2002 awards

• Pupils from Park Infant and Nursery at Shirebrook visited a Sikh temple in Derby to learn more about the religion. They enjoyed their visit so much that the children set up links with Hardwick Infants, a school close to the temple with a high proportion of pupils from ethnic backgrounds. Many of the children at the two schools have become close pen friends, and exchange visits have taken place.
• Doveridge Primary organised projects to develop pupils` awareness of different religions and cultures. Children established a link with Rosehill School in Derby, which has a high proportion of ethnic minority pupils. The two schools have exchanged letters, pupils have become pen friends and the Doveridge pupils dressed in Hindu costumes and cooked traditional foods to celebrate the festival of Diwali. 
• Heage Primary`s out-of-school club established links with the Peartree Junior School in Derby, which has a high proportion of ethnic minority pupils. Children from the two areas have exchanged visits and letters, hosted a football match and organised Christian and Hindu celebrations. 
• A consortium of schools called the Magnificent Seven, from the Unstone, Cutthorpe, Apperknowle and Penny Acres areas, organised a week of summer holiday activities. The multicultural themes ranged from music and dance to theatre, makeup and food. 

2001 awards

• Litton Primary organised a project to learn more about life in Nepal. Pupils set up links with a village called Paplu and exchanged letters and photos to build up a picture of life in the country.
• Kirk Ireton C.E. (Controlled) Primary set up links with schools in Tanzania. After finding out that the African schools were desperately short of classroom items they set up a pencil box project and collected enough pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers and sharpeners to send off 80 boxes.

An interactive website set up to provide information about the Peak District for historians across the world has proved a real hit with Internet users. 

In the first year the Peakland Heritage website achieved 148,290 hits from users in countries across the globe, including Australia and America. 

The site is designed for use by people of all ages but has been written and presented in a way that will appeal to school children. Users are guided around the site by a cartoon character called Middleton Mole. 

The website was created by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with the British Library, Peak District National Park Authority and Northcliffe Electronic Publishing and has sections covering community life, farming, transport and industry. 

Information has been selected to assist with National Curriculum studies in schools and features subjects including the plague at Eyam. 

A picture gallery with interesting photos and drawings taken in the Peak District over the years is also available. 

In the past few weeks the site has been improved with a range of new pictures including photos of a tornado and an unusual picture of a tomcat with wings. 

New articles include one on the Peak`s famous stone crosses, a history of the Lumsdale mills, the story of a Chinese man`s grave in a Cromford garden and more information about Omai, a South Sea islander who Joseph Banks brought to Derbyshire. 

Follow requests from users the website has been redesigned so that people with colour blindness can see the text more easily. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "The website was set up because of the high number of requests our local studies library received from around the world for information about the Peak District`s history. 

"But we have been pleasantly surprised at the number of visitors to the site and are constantly updating and improving it." 

The website can be accessed by visiting www.peaklandheritage.org.uk (opens in a new window) 

Letters donated to Derbyshire Record Office by a descendant of the Arkwright family reveal information about a lesser-known family member. 

The letters are mainly about Augustus Peter Arkwright, the great-grandson of Richard Arkwright who founded the modern factory system through his cotton mills at Cromford. 

Augustus, who lived between 1821 and 1887, was a Royal Navy officer and became a ship commander in the 1850s. 

The collection includes letters from Augustus to his family back home at Rock House, Cromford from ports including Barcelona, Valencia, Malta, Marseilles and Rio de Janeiro. 

Augustus was part of the British fleet pursuing slave ships off the west coast of Africa in 1842. He won a commendation from the Admiralty for his `zeal and courage` when his ship The Prompt captured a slave boat. 

The documents given to the Derbyshire County Council-run record office also contain copies of a letter about an incident in 1845 at Madagascar. Captain William Kelly was sent to try and secure the safe return of a British man who had been made a slave after being shipwrecked on the island. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "The letters were donated by a descendant of the Arkwright family who lives in Hampshire and wanted them to be returned to their place of origin. 

"Historians are very interested in Richard Arkwright`s descendants and these documents give a new insight into the family." 

The documents can be seen by visiting the record office in New Street, Matlock. Further information is available by ringing 01629 585347 or emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

A selection of craftwork, including papier mache models, is forming a new exhibition which opens at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 12 April. 

The work has been produced by members of the Penny Kill Craft Group as part of a ten-week lifelong learning course run by Derbyshire County Council`s adult community education service at the museum. 

A number of different crafts were produced but the group has mainly focused on the technique of papier mache, which means chewed paper. The exhibition features the best of the work produced. 

The exhibition also features some community craftwork produced in Eyam but inspired by a piece of pre-historic rock art from Buxton Museum. Pieces of textile art were produced based around the circle, which has been an important symbol throughout history and in many different cultures. 

The exhibition will run at Derbyshire County Council-run museum and art gallery in Terrace Road, Buxton until 7 June. 

Visitors can also see Silence, an exhibition by Jon Braley, until 11 May and Standing Stones, a selection of paintings from the museum`s own art collection, until 26 April. 

All exhibitions are free as part of Derbyshire County Council`s commitment to increase public access to the arts and heritage. 

Further information is available by ringing 01298 24658 or emailing buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Derbyshire County Council is ploughing another £32,000 into community safety partnership schemes designed to fight crime. 

Tackling distraction burglaries, a youth crime conference, mobile CCTV system and a community beat police team are the latest projects across Derbyshire being helped by the county council`s community safety grant awards scheme. 

Launched last year, the award scheme aims to strengthen the authority`s commitment to improving community safety and tackling crime and disorder in Derbyshire. So far, more than £260,000 has been distributed. 

The latest schemes to be approved are: 

• £15,000 for the South Derbyshire Crime and Disorder Partnership to help pay for a portable CCTV system that can be moved to crime and disorder hotspots. The system will be particularly useful for tackling auto crime and anti-social behaviour. The total cost of the project is £30,000 
• £10,000 for the Erewash Community Safety Partnership to help create a community beat office in the Wilsthorpe School complex, Long Eaton. The project aims to increase the visibility and access to beat officers and thereby reduce the fear of crime. The full cost of the building work is expected to be in the region of £18,000.
• A further £900 was paid toward a youth conference organised by the Erewash Youth Crime Prevention Panel. The conference, which took place in February, gave young people the opportunity to consider issues around crime and focus on its causes, solutions and prevention projects. 
• £5,670 for the Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership to fund a distraction burglary and bogus caller project. The money will be used to raise awareness among older people in Chesterfield of the dangers of distraction burglaries as well as fund leaflets featuring local contact numbers, door stickers and door mirrors. The scheme will be supported by street signs warning residents that bogus callers or distraction burglars might be operating in their area. Chesterfield Borough Council is also giving £2,000 toward the project. 

The grants are part of the county council`s support for Derbyshire`s eight district-based Community Safety Partnerships, which pull together the resources and expertise of local organisations including the district/borough councils, county council, police and probation service. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "It is vital that we support the work of the eight local community safety partnerships and I am delighted we have been able to help four important projects in this round of grants. 

"Our aim is to reduce crime and disorder in Derbyshire and we can do this by assisting the work of groups in local communities."

Writers and storytellers in Derbyshire and the rest of the East Midlands are being offered a unique opportunity to promote their work regionally and nationally. 

Derbyshire County Council`s literature development officer Jenny Edgar and seven colleagues who form the East Midlands Literature Development Officer network have secured £35,575 of Arts Council and local authority funding to organise a tour and website to promote regional writing. 

The hunt is on for 24 writers, both published and unpublished, to take part in live performances and write a new commission which reflects an aspect of the East Midlands, past, present or future. They will also have the opportunity to network with other writers and literature workers in the East Midlands. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "This is a great opportunity for writers and storytellers in the East Midlands. 

"They will benefit, not only from paid work, but from networking and promotional opportunities locally, regionally and nationally. 

"Writing can be an isolating occupation, this project aims to connect writers with audiences, literature promoters and other writers and to stimulate new work and discussion." 

Interested writers and storytellers must apply to the scheme by Friday 9 May. 

The Literature Development Officer Network is looking for statements, no longer than two sides of A4, indicating: 

• why writers wish to take part in the project and how they think it would benefit their professional development
• how they approach presenting their work to an audience
• an indication of any recurrent themes in their work
• their previous writing or storytelling history and experience of reading or performance 

Applicants should also include:

• a photograph
• a representative sample of their work in print, audio tape or video (any genre, or mix of genres) 

They should be sent to the LDO Network, c/o Chris Jones, Literature Officer, Rothley Crossroads Library, 929/931 Loughborough Road, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7NH. 

Further information is available by emailing cjones@leics.gov.uk 

Free courses get underway later this month to help local parents in the Barlborough, Belper and Bolsover areas support their children with special educational needs. 

The four-week courses have been organised by the Derbyshire Parent Partnership Service, an impartial service funded by Derbyshire County Council that offers advice to parents and carers of children with special needs. 

The sessions cover all aspects of the special educational needs process, including dealing with meetings, paperwork and the role of educational co-ordinators and child psychologists. The courses take place as follows: 

• Barlborough - at the Village Hall between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesdays, starting on 30 April.
• Belper - at St John`s Chapel and Heritage Centre, the Butts, on Tuesdays between 9.30am and 11.30am starting on 29 April.
• Bolsover - at the Bolsover Assembly Rooms between 9.30am and 11.30am on Thursdays, starting on 1 May. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "The special needs education system is geared towards meeting the individual needs of the child, but this means it has to be a very involved process. 

"It`s understandable for parents who are new to all of this to find it quite daunting - for example, they will be called on to attend quite a lot of meetings with teachers and educational workers. 

"However, the courses will support them through this process and will enable them to fully participate and support their child, so that they receive the best possible education." 

Places are limited and so parents are urged to get in touch as soon as possible to register their interest. 

For more information they should contact the Derbyshire Parent Partnership Service on 01246 273154.

Derbyshire County Council confirmed its new Cabinet line-up at its annual meeting held at County Hall on Wednesday 9 April. 

New to the Cabinet is Councillor Brian Lucas who takes over the Environment and Highways portfolio from Councillor Walter Burrows. Councillor Burrows moves to the Public Protection and Transport portfolio replacing Councillor Eric Swain. 

The full Cabinet was confirmed as follows: 

• STRATEGIC POLICY/BUDGET - John Williams 
• SERVICE EFFECTIVENESS - John Powell 
• COMMUNITY SERVICES - Bob Janes
• EDUCATION - Alan Charles
• ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS - Brian Lucas
• EXTERNAL AFFAIRS - David Wilcox
• PUBLIC PROTECTION & TRANSPORT - Walter Burrows
• REGENERATION - Geoff Carlile
• SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH - Anne Western
• LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION - Annette Noskwith 

Councillor Charles Cutting replaces Councillor Kathleen Trueman who steps down after two years as Chair of the county council. Councillor Margaret Treweek steps into to Councillor Cuttings former post as Vice Chair of the authority. Councillors John Williams and John Powell remain as Leader and Deputy Leader of the council. 

Addressing the council in his new role as Chair of the authority, Councillor Cutting set out the council`s agenda for the coming year which includes: 

• Maintaining the council`s position as an "excellent" authority
• The "Putting People First" programme to make services more accessible, drive out red tape and duplication
• £35 million increase for school budgets 
• A £17.5 million investment in the county`s roads, pavements and bridges including repairs, traffic calming schemes and school safety zones
• Refocusing care services for older people away from residential to home-based provision in line with recent surveys of older people. 

Councillor Cutting also acknowledged the role of council staff and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors in helping the authority deliver good quality and efficient services.

Two Derbyshire libraries are encouraging readers to get involved in a national book competition by inviting them to make their pick of the paperbacks. 

For the third year running Derbyshire County Council is promoting the UK`s biggest literary award for women, the Orange Prize for Fiction. 

The award selects a long list of 20 books written by women, which is short-listed to six before a winner is picked - in the process aiming to promote female writers to thousands of readers. 

The idea of getting libraries around the UK involved is to widen the appeal of the competition by giving readers across the country access to new writers and to encourage more people into branches. 

This year the prize is being promoted at two of Derbyshire County Council`s libraries - Heanor and Long Eaton - from now until the end of June. 

Copies of the books on the Orange list will be available from the branches and staff have created relevant displays. Although the shortlist and winner are decided by a panel of judges, readers from Derbyshire will also be encouraged to enter local reader review competitions to have their say. 

At Heanor Library on Thursday 29 May at 7.30pm members of the readers` group will discuss the six books on the shortlist and read from them. The audience will then have a chance to vote for their own winner. 

The branch, in Ilkeston Road, is also hosting a "Think Orange" coffee morning on Friday 25 April at 10.30am where there will be chance to have a drink, cake and chat about the books and the award. 

Staff at the Long Eaton branch in Tamworth Road will be holding a similar event on Monday 2 June, the night before the prize is announced. Both these events are open to public as well as readers` group members. 

Meanwhile, the Heanor Book Chat Group has also been asked to write a web diary about their involvement with the prize for the project`s website. The group will record their response to the books, their involvement and comments. 

County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We`re delighted to be taking part in the Orange Prize for the third time. Books short-listed for the award always include some new and exciting writers and it gives our readers the chance to access the latest fiction and join the national debate about the best of women`s writing. 

"We hope that many readers will develop an interest in writers they may not otherwise have tried as a result of what we are doing at our libraries in Heanor and Long Eaton. We also hope we will attract some new visitors as well." 

The Orange Prize was set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote fiction by women throughout the world to the widest range of readers possible and is awarded for the best novel of the year written by a woman. 

Any woman writing in English on any subject matter - whatever her nationality, country of residence or age - is eligible. The winner will receive a cheque for £30,000 and a limited edition bronze. For more information visit www.orangeprize.co.uk (opens in a new window) 

News that a £90 million bypass has been given the go-ahead by the Government has been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council. 

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling`s decision means that the Highways Agency is likely to start building the 3.5 mile long A57/A628 bypass around the villages of Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle in 2006/07. 

Derbyshire County Council, working with neighbouring Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, also has plans to develop a link road to join up with the new bypass. Known as the Glossop Spur, this will provide a link to the bypass for communities in the Glossop and Dinting Vale area. 

It is hoped that the construction of the link road, which will be three-quarters of a mile long, can take place at the same time as the bypass construction. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "We welcome the Government`s announcement that proposals for the A57/A628 bypass around the villages of Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle are to be progressed. 

"We look forward to addressing some of the concerns we have about traffic in Tintwistle and on sensitive roads through the Peak District National Park and will co-operate closely with the Highways Agency and other partners over the safety and environmental issues of this scheme."

The damage caused to lampposts by man`s best friend is to be assessed in a Derbyshire County Council survey. 

Dog urine is one of several problems which causes corrosion around the base of lampposts. Others include the damage caused by gardeners strimming grass around the lamppost base and the corrosion caused by salt spread during winter road gritting operations. 

Derbyshire County Council is to carry out a £75,000 risk assessment of its 90,000 street lights so that those in the worst condition can be replaced first to ensure public safety. 

It follows the collapse of street light lampposts at Gateshead in March 1995 and Westminster in January 1998 which led to one person dying and another suffering serious injuries. 

Dog urine is one of the most corrosive substances known, packed with salt and acid, and damages the protective coating around the base of the lamppost columns. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Many members of the public might be surprised to know that dog urine, grass strimming and road maintenance can cause corrosion to street light lampposts. 

"But while it may sound light hearted this can be a serious problem if action isn`t taken to check the condition of lampposts. 

"While we are sure that none of the lampposts in Derbyshire pose any immediate danger to public safety the aim of this risk management survey is to find those columns which will need replacing first so that we can prioritise work. 

"Once we have the figures we will also be able to plan how much money we need to spend on maintenance and replacement work for street lighting." 

The survey work is expected to take around six months to complete. Once completed the information will also be sent to the Government to help them assess the condition of all street lighting across the country.

A central refuge is to be built on a Darley Dale road by Derbyshire County Council to make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road. 

The refuge will be installed next to the Underhall sheltered housing complex on the B5057 Chesterfield Road. At the same time the existing pavement will be widened. 

Work on the £10,000 scheme is expected to take place during the summer following a public consultation about the proposals. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Residents along Chesterfield Road were concerned about the difficulty of crossing the road to reach the Post Office, chemist and bus stop so asked us to look at the situation. 

"While the site wasn`t suitable for a pedestrian crossing we believe that by widening the pavements and installing a central refuge will make it much safer for vulnerable local road users."

Cycle hire charges at Derbyshire County Council`s countryside centres have been frozen this year to encourage residents and visitors to get out and about by bike. 

Despite increases in the cost of operating the service the council is maintaining charges at the same level as they were between April 2002 and March 2003. 

And in response to feedback from users the authority is also scrapping the hire charge for disabled people who share a tandem with an able-bodied rider. 

Previously the charge for all tandem users was £16 for three hours (£24 all day). It will remain the same for two able-bodied riders but has been reduced to £8 for three hours (£12 all day) if one rider is disabled. 

County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "The council is committed to promoting cycling both for leisure purposes and as an environmentally friendly form of transport and this is the second year we`re very pleased to be able to keep hire charges down. 

"Following feedback from disabled users we were also keen to reduce the charge for tandem hire. We believe people of all ages and abilities should be encouraged to have a go at cycling and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to do so. 

"It`s a healthy, fun activity as well as a way of getting around and we hope that keeping our hire charges as low as we can will encourage more people to have a go." 

Bikes are available for hire from the council`s Hayfield and Middleton Top Visitor Centres. Two specialist hand-operated cycles for disabled users and a modified tandem with wheelchair attachment are also available at Shipley Country Park. 

The council`s current cycle hire charges (up to March 2004) are: 

• Adult bike: £8 for three hours (£12 all day)
• Child bike: £6 for three hours (£7 all day)
• Tandem: £16 for three hours (£24 all day)
• Tandem (with disabled passenger): £8 for three hours (£12 all day)
• School party (any bike): £6 for three hours (£7 all day)
• Trailer bike (with hire bike): £6 for three hours (£7 all day)
• Trailer bike (without hire bike): £8 for three hours (£9 all day)
• Hand-cycles (Shipley Country Park only): £4 half-day (£6 all day)
• Modified tandem (Shipley Country Park only): £4 half-day (£6 all day) 

Hirers need to supply a form of identification, such as a driving licence, and pay a returnable £20 deposit. Child seats and helmets are loaned free. The council`s cycle centres are promoted in conjunction with those run by the Peak District National Park Authority. 

For more information visit Derbyshire County Council's website www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window) look under "countryside service" and click on "cycle hire centres in Derbyshire" or contact Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

A range of different art forms are to be used to promote reading at events being planned in Derbyshire County Council-run libraries. 

The Books Connect 2 project aims to inspire imaginative ways of partnership working between arts organisations and the authority`s libraries, museums and record office. 

It is hoped the scheme will bring arts projects to a wider audience and find new venues for reading inspired projects. 

It follows the success of a similar scheme last year, which was run by the nine city and county council library authorities across the East Midlands. 

This year`s theme is community cohesion and aims to encourage the sharing of experiences between different communities through reading. At the same time the project will improve literacy and learning skills and help tackle social inclusion. 

The scheme will focus on South Derbyshire but there may also be events in other areas. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "This project is about helping to bring different sections of communities together, such as young and older people. 

"At the moment we are seeking ideas which we can then develop into a programme of action to be implemented between October this year and next March. 

"The final programme will provide a range of arts activities for local people to take part in and encourage the use of libraries, museums and the Derbyshire Record Office." 

On 14 May libraries and archives staff from Derbyshire County Council will meet with artists, arts groups and other interested organisations to come up with initial ideas. The final programme will be drawn up in July. 

Books Connect 2 has been awarded a £75,000 grant from the East Midlands` Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (EMMLAC) and £5,00 from Art Council England (East Midlands) to run this year`s project. 

Last year`s events included Innocence and Experience, a workshop for children based around David Almond`s novel called Skellig. 

Five artists helped children look at the novel`s content, characters, themes and structure by using dance, theatre, music, video and craft making to express their thoughts.

Companies across Derbyshire are being invited to a seminar which aims to help them switch on to electronic trading. 

By 2005 all local authorities and public sector organisations will be required by the Government to conduct their business electronically. 

It means firms that want to do business with Derbyshire County Council or other local authorities must have the technology to provide on-line sourcing, ordering and payment facilities. 

Now managers are being invited to a seminar organised by Source Derbyshire, the countywide initiative set up by the county council to help businesses develop new contract opportunities. 

Through the Source Derbyshire website - www.sourcederbyshire.co.uk (opens in a new window) - firms can advertise their own contracts free-of-charge and bid for those of partner agencies. 

The free seminar will focus on the growing importance of technology in doing business and explain how companies can put systems in to place to embrace the move towards paper-free business dealing. 

Among speakers will be a representative from Northcliffe Electronic Publishing, which manages the Source Derbyshire website, as well as independent consultants. 

The seminar will take place at County Hall, Matlock, on April 30 from 9.30am to noon. Businesses that would like to book a place can log on to the Source Derbyshire website and click on to the `events` section. 

Alternatively, they can ring Anna Steel on 01629 580000 ext 6871 or e-mail anna.steel@derbyshire.gov.uk 

A new way of tackling youth crime which forces young offenders to account for their actions is proving successful in Derbyshire. 

Referral orders were introduced nationally in April 2002 for all young people aged between 10 and 17 convicted by the courts for the first time. 

In the last year, more than 260 referral orders have been made in courts across Derbyshire for offences including assault, theft and criminal damage. 

Of those, just 18 young people have so far either failed to complete the order successfully or have gone on to re-offend. 

Under the order, the young person must attend a youth offender panel, which will aim to repair the harm done. 

Made up of two trained volunteers and a member of Derbyshire Youth Offending Team, the panel meets with the young person, their family and, where possible, the victim of the crime. 

The idea is to force the young person to explain their actions and then to agree a programme of activity aimed at putting things right. 

As well as being forced to account for their actions, the young person is also given help to prevent re-offending, for instance they may be given help to deal with substance misuse or guidance in finding employment or training. 

Of the young people given referral orders in Derbyshire in the past 12 months 83% were male and 17% female. 

Brian Redding, Derbyshire Youth Offending Service`s referral order co-ordinator, said: "The vast majority of the young people are successfully completing their orders with just 18 (7%) of the 260 young people given referral orders to date either not complying or re-offending. 

"These figures are very encouraging and nationally the referral order process is being evaluated to assess the long-term impact of the scheme on young people re-offending. Initial results in Derbyshire certainly appear to be very promising." 

Referral orders can be made for anything from three months to a year and the panel meets regularly to check on the young person`s progress. If they fail to comply with the order they can be taken back to court. 

Mr Redding added: "Many young offenders don`t think about the effect their crime can have on individuals and the wider community. 

"The referral orders give the victims of the crime a chance to explain, either in person, through a letter or a representative, how the young person`s actions have affected them. "It also forces the young person to explain why they committed the offence and face up to the consequences of their actions." 

Across Derbyshire around 40 volunteers have been recruited to sit on the youth offender panels. Volunteers, who can come from all walks of life, receive full training and are asked to spend around two hours a week sitting on a youth offender panel. 

Mr Redding added: "We have been pleased with the numbers of volunteers who have come forward. 

"However, we would like to hear from even more people across Derbyshire with an interest in helping young people. We will be running training courses in the Chesterfield area during May and June and we are particularly keen to hear from people in those areas." 

Men and women over the age of 18 can volunteer. Panels are held locally and travel and childcare costs are paid. 

For more information about becoming a panel member contact Brian Redding on 01246 347641 or e-mail brian.redding@derbyshire.gov.uk

Young people in the Amber Valley gave a warm welcome to Government Minister Ivan Lewis when he called into a youth conference organised by Derbyshire County Council`s youth service. 

Greeting him with a specially-mixed non-alcoholic cocktail, the young people from the district`s youth clubs gave the Under Secretary of State for Young People and Adult Skills a tour of the conference`s workshops. 

He also gave a short talk about his work to the young people gathered at the Polygon Youth Centre on Church Street, Alfreton, where the District Youth Forum conference was held on Saturday, March 29. 

Among the guests at the event - the third of its kind at the Polygon - was Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, Councillor Bob Janes, who has responsibility for the youth service. 

Coun Janes said: "It was an excellent event, with much of the hard work and organisation done by the young people themselves. 

"There were workshops on transport and dealing with stress as well as how to make non-alcoholic cocktails, which the young people really enjoyed. The Minister was given a warm welcome and he took part in a lively question and answer session which covered a huge variety of subjects." 

During the event, a new electronic feedback system was launched to give young people in the Amber Valley an opportunity to have their say, air their views and make their suggestions known to the county council Until now, each youth club in the area has had a Big Orange Box (BOB) where suggestions can be left. 

Now, young people can also email askbob.avyf@ukonline.co.uk with their ideas. Any comments or suggestions left in the boxes, or online, are fed through to the Amber Valley District Youth Forum and the county wide Youth Forum and on to the county council. 

Youth leader Graham Reid, who organised the event, said: "It was a really good day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and got something out of the workshops. "We were pleased to see the Minister who said he got a lot out of events like ours."

Trading standards officers from Derbyshire County Council are backing a national campaign to warn consumers about the dangers of bogus holiday clubs. 

The campaign - launched by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and spearheaded by Esther Rantzen - aims to draw attention to unscrupulous holiday clubs that deliberately deceive consumers and pressurise them into membership. 

And today the county council`s trading standards service got behind the OFT to help prevent people in Derbyshire being stung. 

Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Councillor John Williams said: "Holiday clubs are marketed as a flexible alternative to timeshare, promising a lifetime of discounted luxury holidays anywhere in the world. 

"And while some are reputable businesses that trade in good faith, others promise far more than they deliver." 

For thousands of pounds, consumers might think they are getting the holiday deal of a lifetime. Instead, they are often simply buying access to a booking service, such as a website or a telephone phone number, and the reality does not live up to the promise warned Coun Williams. 

"Unscrupulous clubs often only provide last minute, late availability accommodation that is often low star rather than luxury," he added. 

"With the addition of expensive flights, supplements and taxes, it could end up costing more than holidays booked through normal routes. And by the time someone who signs up decides to book a holiday, the holiday club company could be out of business." 

Holiday clubs are not covered by timeshare law, which means consumers do not have a cooling off period, he explained. 

People are often approached while they are abroad, perhaps when they might be more tempted by an offer, with bogus firms using high-pressure sales techniques such as long presentations to get customers to sign a contract on the spot. 

Derbyshire County Council trading standards has this advice for anyone approached by holiday club sellers, whether at home or abroad: 

• Do not go to a presentation;
• If you do, don`t sign anything there and then. Take the contract home with you to so you can read it properly and take your time;
• If you are not allowed to take the contract home, alarm bells should ring. Walk away;
• Check if the firm is offering cancellation rights;
• Make sure that everything said in the presentation is included in the contract. If not, do not sign. 

A leaflet outlining detailed advice about holiday clubs is available by calling Derbyshire County Council trading standards on 01629 585858. 

Penny Boys, deputy director general of the OFT, said: "Unscrupulous holiday club companies prey on people`s aspirations - cheap luxury holidays for life are a very attractive prospect. 

"But they often don`t deliver what they promise and consumers are left thousands of pounds out of pocket." 

Coun Williams added: "Remember the old adage, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. 

"A number of people in Derbyshire have already lost thousands of pounds due to unscrupulous companies and I wouldn`t want any more people to be caught out. 

"A lot of money is at stake here, and although we can offer help and advice to those who are stung, consumers who fall for the scams have very few legal rights."

Entries are being sought for a high profile Derbyshire County Council-run art competition which is entering its 21st year. 

The 2003 Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery offers artists the chance to compete for trophies and a share of prize money totalling £1,550. 

The annual competition is open to amateur and professional artists who are able to submit up to two works that portray a Derbyshire theme. These could be images of a landscape, townscape, people, local myths or still life. 

The artwork can be oils, acrylics, watercolours, drawings, prints, collages or three-dimensional work. 

Entries need to be submitted between Tuesday 8 May and Thursday 10 May to Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road, Buxton. 

An independent panel of four judges will select the winners in eight different categories and decide which of the entries should form the 2003 Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition at the museum and art gallery from 24 May to 19 July. 

The main prize is the Derbyshire Trophy for the most outstanding work in any medium, which has a £750 cash purchase prize. This means it will become part of the collection at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. 

There are also categories for artists under 16 and under 21. All category winners and commendation holders will receive medallions. 

The prizes are sponsored by Derbyshire County Council, the University of Derby, Buxton Mineral Water Company, Tarmac Central and the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. 

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "Derbyshire has a beautiful landscape and a rich culture so there is plenty for artists to draw inspiration from. 

"The competition offers the chance for artists of all ages to demonstrate their talent and show what the local community means to them." 

Entry forms and a copy of the rules are available from the museum and art gallery, by ringing 01298 24658 or emailing buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Some entries by previous winners of the competition are currently on show as part of the Standing Stones exhibition at the art gallery, which runs until 26 April. Entry to all exhibitions is free.

A new play is encouraging primary school pupils across Derbyshire to refuse a lift to lessons and think about using other forms of transport. 

Derbyshire County Council has commissioned the Stopwatch Theatre Company to perform "The Road Race" in 20 schools. 

The play aims to encourage the pupils to consider other ways of travelling by challenging the way many of us - including the nine to 11-year-olds it is aimed at - regard cars as our main form of transport. 

Key learning points included in the performance are: 

• How traffic congestion and related environmental and health problems is an area of growing concern in many of our communities. 
• That leaving the car at home even for just a few days a week can benefit our health and the environment. 
• How considering our travel options every day can help ease traffic problems. 

Each pupil will also be encouraged to think about real choices they can make in their everyday lives about how they travel around to help make a difference. 

Council leader Councillor John Williams said: "As a council we have a commitment to encouraging the use of public transport and reducing the number of cars on our roads to ease congestion, improve the environment and improve our health. 

"This innovative theatre performance highlights these concerns and complements the work the council`s road safety team is already doing with our Walk to School project and School Travel Plan initiative which both question our reliance on the car." 

The Road Race is being performed in 20 schools between now and April 11. Two performances will also be held at County Hall in Matlock on Wednesday 9 April.

Staff and governors at Linton Primary School are drawing up an action plan to improve standards at the school, following a visit by Government education inspectors. 

The Ofsted inspectors` report has just been published and although it praises a number of areas, including some very good teaching and very good standards in reading, writing and maths, it concludes that special measures are needed to address weaknesses in leadership, management and achievement. 

With the support of Derbyshire County Council`s education advisory service, the acting headteacher and governing body at the former grant maintained and now Foundation school are drawing up an action plan to address the key issues raised in the report. 

These include:

• Improvements in leadership and management; 
• Raising standards in reading and writing in Year 2;
• Improving standards in ICT, geography, history, music and religious education in Years 2 and 6;
• Better provision for pupils with special educational needs.

Although the inspectors highlight these weaknesses, they praise the school on Main Street, Linton, in a number of areas and acknowledge that progress has been made since the previous inspection. 

In particular, the report notes that attitudes to learning are positive and behaviour is good and that progress in the nursery is good. 

Other areas singled out for praise include: 

• Good leadership from the acting headteacher and the school`s senior management team; 
• Very good teaching of basic skills in Year 6; 
• High standards of achievement in literacy and numeracy in Year 6; 
• Relationships in the school are very good. 

The inspection team, who spent four days in the 307-pupil school in February, acknowledged the school is getting strong support from the county council and concluded that with good leadership and direction from the acting headteacher, there is now a clear awareness of the school`s strengths and weaknesses. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education, Councillor Alan Charles said: "I realise parents will be disheartened that the school has been placed in special measures, but I would reassure them that firm action is being taken to ensure the weaknesses are addressed and the county council`s education advisers are working closely with the acting headteacher and governing body. 

"The inspectors also had a lot of good things to say about the school and with the support of parents and the local community I have every confidence that the school will turn things around." 

Acting headteacher Diane Whittell said the report was a fair reflection of the situation at the school. She said: "We have acknowledged our weaknesses and our strengths, and with the hard work and efforts of staff, governors and parents, it is only a matter of time before it has an impact on standards of achievement. 

"The inspectors recognise that although standards have to improve, the quality of teaching ranges from satisfactory to good in all classes and in some classes is excellent. 

"And in key skills, our Year 6 pupils achieve standards that are well above average." 

Chair of governors Dr Philip Needham added: "This is a happy and welcoming school with good quality teachers and support staff. 

"The acting headteacher is making significant inroads into the issues of leadership and management highlighted in the report and is already getting the school onto a better footing. 

"Parents and pupils can be sure we will do all we can to drive up standards, tackle all the points raised by the inspection and provide them with the best possible education in a safe, happy and caring environment."

A group which has been encouraging people to get out and about and walking over the past year is celebrating its first anniversary this Easter - with an invitation to join in! The Chesterfield Walk This Way project was set up a year ago to promote the health benefits of walking and highlight the range of different walking routes in the borough. 

There are now four community-led groups in several areas around the town with more than 60 regular members. To mark the occasion and celebrate Easter the Staveley group is inviting potential new members to an Easter walk on Tuesday 15 April. 

It will start at Staveley Town Hall, off Duke Street, at 2pm. The walk will take around an hour followed by Easter-themed refreshments in the stables next to the town hall. 

Walk This Way is run by a partnership of groups including Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Primary Care Trust, the Ramblers` Association, Rethink and Walking the Way to Health. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We`re delighted how Walk This Way has taken off over the past year and this Easter would be a perfect time for new people to come along and join in. 

"There are not just social but many health benefits with this project too and what better way of enjoying the spring sunshine than getting out and taking a walk." 

Meanwhile, Walk This Way is currently looking for more volunteers to help set up walking groups with the help of the project team. Free training is available to give volunteers the skills they need to set up, recruit members and run a walking group. 

It includes first aid, safety tips and ideas about how to promote walks with posters and leaflets. 

To volunteer or for more information call the Walk This Way Team on 01246 280978.

More than 6,000 children under the age of five are set to benefit from £3.7m awarded to Derbyshire County Council. The authority has received the cash from the Department for Education and Skills to establish children`s centres in the county`s most deprived areas. These centres will provide a one-stop-shop for young families to gain access to full time childcare, early years education, health care, family support, training and employment opportunities. The aim is to tackle child poverty by improving children`s social and educational development and help parents balance work and family life. Councillor Bob Janes, the county council`s cabinet member for community services, welcomed the cash injection. "This is great news for young families in disadvantaged areas of Derbyshire who will have access to a whole range of practical help to give youngsters the best possible start in life. "These centres will build on the successful projects already in place across the county, including Sure Start and neighbourhood nurseries," he said. The funding will be used to establish children`s centres within existing buildings, including schools, community venues or health centres, in half of Derbyshire`s 42 most deprived wards up to 2006. It is hoped to secure further cash from the Government to eventually set up a children`s centre in all the county`s disadvantaged wards by 2010. Detailed plans on where to spend the first round of money will now be drawn up over the coming months, with the first centres due to open in 2004.