May

Derbyshire trading standards officers have issued a warning to people over imitation dummies that could potentially kill babies or small children. 

Derbyshire County Council`s trading standards officers have joined a call by the Baby Products Association (BPA) and the national charity Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to have the imitation dummies, used by people at nightclubs, withdrawn from sale. 

The call has also been echoed by the Trading Standards Institute which says the dummies, which are fitted with flashing lights and sold as costume jewellery, do not conform to the relevant safety standards. 

The dummies come apart easily and inside contain a small electronic circuit board which is both sharp enough to cut children and small enough to the swallowed. The dummies also contain three small batteries that could also be easily swallowed and they have long cords attached for putting around adults` necks which could strangle a child. 

The dummies are widely available through the internet, shops and market stalls, and although the packaging may state they should not be used by infants, the actual dummy does not have the warning on it. 

Trading standards officers fear that the dummies could be given to children instead of the real thing as they are more appealing, due to the flashing lights but could easily come apart and lead to the child choking on the small parts. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "These imitation dummies would be very dangerous in the hands of babies and young children. They come apart very easily and we would like to see them withdrawn from sale. 

"Our advice to parents is to throw them away before a child is seriously injured or killed by one of these dummies." 

Trading standards officers are keen to hear from anyone who has seen the dummies being sold to contact them on the consumer advice line - 01629 585858.

A major new music project kicks off in Derbyshire next week - and you could be part of it! Derbyshire County Council is backing Tideswell Musician in Residence project organised by the Firebird Trust, a community music organisation which brings together people of all ages with skilled workshop leaders. 

Musician Pete Rosser, a composer who also plays many instruments, will start his 12-month attachment to the village on Monday (June 2) and is inviting anyone interested in making music to join one of his sessions. 

During his first week Pete will be meeting pupils from Bishop Purseglove Primary School, the village Brownies, the local brass band and Tideswell Singers. 

All 11 to 15-year-olds are invited to Tideswell Youth Club on Monday (June 2) at 7pm for a music-making session and Pete will also be at the Stag`s Head pub on Saturday evening (June 7) to join local musicians. 

County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We are pleased to be backing this community music project and are delighted to welcome a musician of Pete`s calibre to run it in Derbyshire. 

"His sessions will provide a great opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have a go at making music and hopefully achieve some great work." 

Firebird Trust project manager Helen Fraser said: "Pete`s been involved with many communities throughout the country and is looking forward to working in Derbyshire. 

"There`s already an active musical scene in Tideswell and Pete will build on that as well as trying to reach those with no experience. The year ahead looks very exciting!" 

Anyone who would like to join a session can call Pete Rosser on 07813 967364 or Helen Fraser on 01629 760799 or 07977 760791.

Derbyshire`s unsung environmental heroes have been recognised for making the county a safer, healthier and less wasteful place to live. 

Derbyshire County Council`s Greenwatch Award winners were announced at a presentation ceremony in Matlock on Thursday evening (May 22) where they received their prizes. 

Judges were looking for projects which reduce waste, conserve our landscape, care for historic buildings, preserve wildlife and interpret our cultural heritage. 

Out of 57 entries in this year`s awards, 25 awards were presented to winners in five categories who took a share of £10,000 prize money. This year`s awards also saw new sponsors the Environment Agency and Tarmac Central Ltd present special prizes for sustainability and to the best schools and community projects. English Nature, Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and the Derby Evening Telegraph also presented special awards. 

County council deputy leader Councillor John Powell said: "I`m delighted with the number and range of excellent entries this year and the commitment that all entrants have shown to safeguarding Derbyshire`s environment. 

"It`s only by working together as individuals, groups or school that we will get results and conserve the best of what we have so I`d like to say a big thank you to everyone who`s worked so hard to get involved. I would also like to thank the Environment Agency and Tarmac Central Ltd as our sponsors this year - without their support this event could not have gone ahead." 

Around 200 people attended the ceremony held at County Hall in Matlock where the prizes were handed out. Among those presenting the awards were Environment Agency area manager Mark Sitton, Tarmac Central Ltd managing director Clive James, county council chair Councillor Charles Cutting, chair of English Nature Sir Martin Doughty and chair of the Peak District National Park Authority Tony Hams. 

The ceremony was compered by Peak 107 FM radio presenter Craig Pattison and Leicester-based Speakeasy Theatre group provided entertainment during the evening. 

The county council created the Greenwatch Awards in 1990 to recognise and reward the efforts of people and organisations that have helped to improve Derbyshire`s environment. 

To get involved in or sponsor next year`s event or for more information call Annie Simpson on 01629 580000 extension 7110, Barry Joyce on 7181 or Jackie Clements on 7202. 

Can you communicate with children of all ages and help them speak up for themselves? Then you may be just what Derbyshire County Council is looking for. 

The authority`s Children`s Rights Service is looking to recruit independent advocates to ensure that looked after children have a say about what happens to them. 

Their role would include offering confidential help and support to young people in care and ensuring their views are heard. 

The council`s social services department is keen to recruit adults with knowledge of the care system as well as a commitment to helping young people. 

It is hoped to recruit people to work on a flexible, sessional basis under the supervision of the Children`s Rights Service. 

The advocates would be paid an hourly rate of £8.50 and travelling expenses will also be paid. 

Training will be provided by experts in the fields of advocacy, human rights and looked after children. 

To ensure that the service remains as independent as possible, these roles are not open to county council employees or members of their families. The advocates will work on a self-employed basis. 

Councillor Anne Western, the county council`s cabinet member for social care and health, said: "The authority is keen to ensure that young people in its care have a say on issues which affect them. 

"As part of this commitment the Children`s Rights Service would like to hear from people who are dedicated to ensuring that young people in care are listened to and their voices are heard." 

Potential advocates will have to under go statutory checks before being placed on an approved list. 

For more details contact Steve Lowe, Derbyshire County Council`s Children`s Rights Officer, on 01629 580000 ext 2029 or e-mail stephen.lowe@derbyshire.gov.uk 

A shopkeeper who sold a butane gas lighter refill to a child has been fined £1,000 after being prosecuted by Derbyshire County Council. 

Chesterfield magistrates ordered Resham Singh Khela, who owns and runs the Supasaver shop in Rotherham Road, Killamarsh to pay the fine plus £310 costs following the case on Wednesday 21 May. 

The girl, aged 15 years, was posing as a customer on behalf of county council trading standards officers and went in to the shop to ask for the butane lighter refill. 

The court heard that Singh Khela was working in the shop at the time, but the girl was served by an unsupervised minor helping out behind the counter. 

It is an offence under the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999 to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18 years. Failure to comply with the regulations is an offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. 

Singh Khela pleaded guilty in writing to the offence, which happened on 9 August last year. 

County council trading standards officers carry out regular random checks on shops to ensure shopkeepers don`t flout the law by selling butane gas, alcohol or cigarettes to children. 

Undercover child volunteers -accompanied by trading standards officers - are often used to attempt to purchase products. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "Trading standards officers carry out these checks across the county on a regular basis and while the vast majority of traders are reputable there seems to be a small minority who flout the law. 

"Butane gas can kill and it is unacceptable that traders are prepared to risk this for the sake of an extra sale." 

Councillor Burrows added: "I hope this prosecution acts as a warning to other traders that they will not get away with it and our rigorous checks will make sure they don`t."

Almost 13,000 people braved torrential downpours to enjoy the Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair at picturesque Bolsover Castle. 

The free event, which was held on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May, featured some of Derbyshire`s finest food and drink. 

More than 60 companies were invited to show off their mouth-watering wares at the event organised by Derbyshire County Council. 

Celebrity chef James Martin opened the event at 11am on the Saturday with a demonstration of his culinary skills. 

He used some of the finest Derbyshire produce to create a pork terrine, hot smoked trout and summer fruit pudding. 

Following the opening, the TV chef then spent the day touring the event and meeting visitors and exhibitors - even buying produce for sale in his delicatessen in Winchester. 

Comments from visitors to the fair included "a lovely atmosphere", "nice to see local companies showing off their produce" and "James Martin`s demonstrations were great". 

Two huge marquees were set up in the castle grounds, including one brimming with produce ranging from pork and bacon, ice cream, chocolates and Bakewell puddings. 

And traders reported brisk business with many exhibitors selling out on the first day and being forced to re-stock their stalls for the Sunday. 

The second marquee was the setting for hourly cookery demonstrations, including a second one by James at 3pm on the first day. 

Other attractions included a real ale tent, wine bar, hog roast and outlets selling a range of hot and cold food. There was also entertainment for all the family, including a live band. It is the second year a food and drink fair has been staged at Bolsover Castle with last year`s regional event attracting 12,000 visitors. 

This year`s fair - organised solely by the county council - featured only the best Derbyshire produce. The aim was to boost to the county`s tourism and food and drink industries. 

Councillor Geoff Carlile, the county council`s cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I am delighted with the number of people who supported the event - both exhibitors and members of the public. 

"It was fantastic that so many people came out to support Derbyshire firms despite the terrible weather and the fact it was FA Cup final weekend and I hope everyone had a very enjoyable weekend."

An environmentally-friendly north Derbyshire school is to be extended after Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet gave the go-ahead for the £280,000 scheme. 

Hady Primary near Chesterfield will benefit from a two storey, two classroom extension. Hundreds of new homes are being built within the school`s catchment area at the former Markham Works site, and the extra classrooms will be needed to accommodate the increase in pupils. 

The extension will incorporate a host of environmentally-friendly measures which will save energy and reduce running and maintenance costs. These include: 

• Energy-saving windows. The glazed area will be greater than normal and a special covering will generate electricity and provide shade when the sun is high in the sky. In addition most of the windows will be south facing to maximise electricity generation during the winter. 
• Octagonal building design. The unusual shape of the building will enable the electricity-generating panels to track the path of the sun from east to west. 
• The floors, walls and roof have all been designed with a high degree of insulation, which will reduce heating costs. 
• Long life copper roof sheeting and special cladding will reduce maintenance costs. 

Hady Primary has an established track record as an environmentally-friendly school and was awarded Eco School status in 2002. 

This European-wide award is conferred on schools that work to improve their local environment and reduce their impact on the environment. Initiatives at Hady have included recycling schemes and encouraging parents to leave their cars at home and walk to school with their children. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "We are delighted to approve this scheme which will provide the additional space needed and will also help to reduce maintenance costs and save energy." 

Hady Primary acting head Shirley Niblock said: "It has been a great pleasure to be involved with the project and see all the ideas from the children and teachers incorporated into the finished design. 

"The two new classrooms will further enhance our green credentials and will provide a stimulating environment for the children and staff to work in."

A battle to find the county`s best young band ended in success for a Derbyshire five-piece with a pop punk twist. 

Six of Derbyshire`s freshest new bands fought for the honours during the final of the Derbyshire Young Band of the Year competition, organised by Derbyshire County Council and the Donut Studio in Chesterfield. 

But it was Just Add Water from North East Derbyshire who triumphed on the night, winning free recording time in the studio as well as an impressive trophy and some gigs. 

The band - who met when they were all pupils at Tupton Hall School - have been together for about a year and are all 17. They describe themselves as pop punk with a hint of ska and qualified for the final on Saturday, May 3 at one of the competition`s two heats in April. 

The band are: bassist Daniel McGrogan, from North Wingfield; rhythm guitarist Adam Hulme, Wingerworth; lead guitarist James Nelson, Grassmoor; vocalist Richard Brown, Glapwell; drummer David Green, Tupton. 

Runners up were Losing Streak, a four-piece from Chesterfield, with a special award for being the most original band going to Kicking Pigeons from Dronfield. Both bands also win recording time in the studio in the county council`s Springbank Centre, Chesterfield. 

The three other finalists were Nyliss and Figment from Chesterfield and Twisted Melons from Dronfield. 

Councillor Bob Janes, the authority`s cabinet member for community services, said: "The competition always attracts plenty of talent and this year was no exception. 

"The six finalists all did their best and I know the judges found choosing the winner tough going. "The contest is now in its eighth year and with talent like that on display during the final, I`m sure there will be many more competitions to come." 

Studio co-ordinator Brian Evans, who helped organise the event, said the final had an excellent atmosphere and had gone well. 

"The venue was packed and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves," he said. "It went very smoothly, which was a credit to all the staff and volunteers who did such a good job." 

Drummer with Just Add Water Daniel McGrogan, a media and film studies student at Chesterfield College, said the band never expected to win but were pleased by the outcome. "We did much better than expected, we were happy just to make it to the final," he said. "Winning was a total shock to us." 

Find out more about the band on www.justaddwater.tk (opens in a new window) 

Chesterfield Library and Information Centre makes the eighth highest number of loans in Britain, according to figures just released. 

Statistics produced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy show that the Derbyshire County Council-run branch in New Beetwell Street issued 781,465 books, spoken word recordings, CDs, DVDs and videos between April 2001 and March 2002. 

This is a rise of 49,960 on the period 2000/01 when 731,505 loans were made at the library and information centre. 

The national figures show that Chesterfield was the eighth busiest library in the country, ahead of branches at cities including Nottingham, Ipswich, Sheffield, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Aberdeen. 

Chesterfield also made just 11,507 less loans than seventh placed Birmingham Central Library. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news which reflects the quality of the service offered at Chesterfield Library and Information Centre by the friendly and welcoming staff. 

"The reason for Chesterfield`s success is that the library has a good children`s section, runs activities from story times to author visits and offers a wide range of services, including free Internet use on computers. 

"Many libraries in the country have seen a drop in the number of loans made so for Chesterfield Library to buck the trend is a real achievement." 

The national list is headed by Liverpool Central Library which made 1,140,480 loans, followed by Milton Keynes Central which issued 976,971 books, CDs, DVDs and videos.

Half-yearly figures show that visitor numbers at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery are continuing to rise since admission charges were scrapped last year. 

Derbyshire County Council dropped the charge in August for a six-month trial but when visitor numbers rose by 89 per cent in the first four months extended it permanently. 

Latest figures show that between last October and this April 10,175 people visited the museum of which 6,723 visited the upstairs galleries - three times more than the number who went upstairs over the same period a year ago when charges were in force. 

If this trend continues more than 20,000 people could be set to visit the council-run venue in 2002/2003 compared to 18,948 the previous year, and more than 13,000 are predicted to see the upstairs exhibitions compared to 6,334 in 2001/2002. 

Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "This move is part of the council`s commitment to increasing public access to the arts and cultural facilities and we`re delighted that it is obviously working. 

"Increasing visitor numbers also help us attract more artists to the venue and maintain the museum as a dynamic centre for visitor enjoyment of art and collections while continuing to address a range of issues relating to professional standards and development." 

It had been feared the removal of charges would lead to a funding shortfall at the Terrace Road venue but income from the museum shop has risen due to increased visitor numbers. Public donations have also risen from £304 between last October and this April compared to £90 for the same period last year. 

Meanwhile, the museum continues to deal with public inquiries, there have been a number of significant additions to the collections, school visits continue to be successful and adult education classes attract regular attendance. 

The annual lecture season of the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery continues to be popular, a programme of activities has been developed alongside the exhibitions and a programme of quarterly customer surveys is now underway. 

Planning permission is being sought to create a neighbourhood nursery to benefit young families in Ironville and Codnor Park. 

The nursery would offer a one-stop-shop for childcare and early years education, including full-time care for children from birth up to five years old. 

Free education places would be available for three and four year olds, as well as breakfast and after-school clubs and holiday playschemes for children up to 14. 

It may also offer a range of family support, including training and benefits advice to parents and carers. 

Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership - led by the county council - asked for bids to create neighbourhood nurseries in nine disadvantaged areas of the county after being awarded £2.4m from the Government and the National Lottery. 

Proposals by private operator Clowns Nursery for Ironville and Codnor Park to build and run the nursery were of a high quality. 

Under the plans the new nursery - which could be built by January 2004 - would replace the existing facility at Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School. 

Clowns will take over the running of the nursery from September and following discussions with the headteacher and governors it will continue to be based at the school until the new nursery is built. Parents were invited to two meetings held at the school to hear about the arrangements being put in place for their children`s education. 

Residents will also be invited to view plans for the neighbourhood nursery once the application is submitted by Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership. 

As the site is within the grounds of the school, the application will be considered at a future meeting of the county council`s regulatory and planning control committee. 

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council`s cabinet member for community services and partnership chair, said: "The plans for a neighbourhood nursery are great news for the area and would bring enormous benefits to the local community. 

"Families would have access to free early years education, high-quality, flexible and affordable childcare as well as training and support for parents and carers." 

In addition to childcare places, local people interested in working with children and young people will be able to access a variety of training courses. 

If the plan for the neighbourhood nursery gets the go-ahead, it will unlock hundreds of thousands of pounds in Government cash for Sure Start projects to help families with children aged up to four. This could include creating better health facilities or providing parenting support, play areas or toy libraries. East Amber Valley Sure Start programme manager Stephanie Cook said: "From our work with new parents and families from this area we know that providing affordable childcare and training are among the biggest needs within the community." 

Andrew Large, from Clowns Nursery, added: "We are pleased to have been chosen to build the neighbourhood nursery in Ironville." 

Researchers who want to use original school archives to obtain local and family history information are to get a helping hand from Derbyshire Record Office. 

The county council-run record office is holding a workshop on Tuesday 10 June, from 10am to noon, to show amateur historians how easy the process can be. 

Derbyshire Record Office has the historical archives from more than 400 schools. They contain school plans, teaching schemes, log books, children`s exercise books, diaries of school trips and letters written by pupils while at school. 

Schools are an important part of local communities so their archives provide information which can be used in different types of research. 

• During the event researchers will: 
• Learn how to understand school documents 
• Learn how to organise and plan research 
• Be shown a display of school record archives 
• Be given an overview of the archives available at the record office. 

The workshop, called Learning Lives, costs £10 per person and places need to be booked in advance. The cost includes light refreshments and an information pack. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "More people are becoming interested in finding out about their family or local history but it is difficult to know how to start. 

"This workshop will show people how to go about finding out the information that they need so that they do not waste time and effort looking in the wrong places. 

"Places at the sessions are limited so that the record office staff can provide one-to-one help to all participants." 

Further information and booking forms are available by ringing 01629 580000, extension 35202 or by emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

One lane on a main road in Chesterfield is to be closed for four weeks to enable the old Robinsons factory to be demolished. 

From Wednesday 28 May the A619 Wheatbridge Road will be closed for motorists driving westbound from the roundabout at the junction with Markham Road and West Bars, to the point where it meets up with Chatsworth Road. The eastbound lane will be open as normal. 

To improve traffic flow Tap Lane and Clarence Street will temporarily be made access only, with motorists entering and leaving via Chatsworth Road. 

Derbyshire County Council is making the closure order so that Loxeley Dismantling Company can demolish the four-storey high Robinsons building in Wheatbridge Road. 

To ensure public safety the first two-storeys are being taken down by hand, with the added protection of scaffolding, demolition netting and fencing. 

Access to the neighbouring Wheatbridge Road retail park and the B&Q store will be maintained at all times. While B&Q customers can enter by Wheatbridge Road they will only be able to leave the store via Chatsworth Road. 

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Loxeley Dismantling Company needs us to close one lane of the A619 to ensure that motorists are safe while the demolition work takes place. 

"While everything is being done to minimise disruption I would recommend that drivers find an alternative route if they can or allow extra time for their journey." 

Pedestrians are also asked to take extra care while crossing the road during the work because the toucan pedestrian crossing near the West Bars roundabout will be switched off. 

Organisers of a two-day event showcasing some of Derbyshire`s finest food and drink are gearing up for the event this weekend. 

Around 12,000 visitors went to the Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair last year and the free event, held at Bolsover Castle on 17 and 18 May is expected to be just as popular this year. 

Two marquees will be set up in the grounds of the castle giving Derbyshire food and drink producers and suppliers the chance to show off their wares. 

The event runs from 10am to 5pm both days, but on Saturday there will be an official opening by celebrity chef James Martin. Mr Martin, well-known for wearing a bandanna,will give a display of his culinary skills. 

The aim of the event, staged by Derbyshire County Council, is to give the county`s food and drink, and the tourism industry a boost. 

During the two-day event there will be around 60 stalls displaying and selling a wide range of local produce as well as a live band, children`s entertainment, hourly cookery demonstrations from 11am to 4pm, a wine bar, real ale tent and a hog roast. There will also be dozens of outlets selling hot and cold food. 

There will also be a chance for two people to win a year`s supply of chocolate each in a competition run by Cadbury Trebor Bassett, based in Holmewood. 

Anyone who is unable to visit the fair still has the chance to see Derbyshire produce being used in cookery demonstrations at Denby Pottery, where the Food and Drink Fair was launched in March. 

The free demonstrations are being held at the Cooking Emporium, a cookery demonstration theatre that seats 50 people, at Denby Pottery Visitors` Centre on Derby Road, Denby, near Ripley. 

People will be shown how to make Hartington Stilton and broccoli soup and Bakewell Tart at two daily demonstrations, one at 12.30pm and the second at 2.30pm, all week until Sunday 18 May to coincide with the food and drink fair. 

Everyone gets to taste the food at the end and take away a free recipe. 

Councillor Geoff Carlile, the county council`s cabinet member for regeneration, said: "One of the county council`s top priorities is to promote tourism and encourage people to come and sample Derbyshire`s delights. 

"The Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair is a very good way in which the authority can help to raise the county`s profile and promote some of its finest produce to a much wider audience." 

Retail marketing manager for Denby Pottery, Helen Hopwood, said: "We are unable to attend the food and drink fair this year but were very keen to help promote the use of Derbyshire produce and traditional Derbyshire recipes. 

"Our Cookery Emporium is the ideal venue to do this and we are hoping a lot of people will come along to watch the demonstrations and have a taste at the end." 

The Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair is free to enter and during the two-day event admission to the castle itself will be based on a two-for-the-price of one offer. 

The Sett Valley Trail is to be resurfaced by Derbyshire County Council in the latest stage of a scheme designed to improve facilities for users. 

Over the winter the authority`s countryside service has thinned areas of woodland along the side of the trail, which runs from Hayfield to St George`s Road in New Mills. 

They have also planted more than 1,600 trees and established new hedgerows along the trail. From 19 May to early July work will take place to resurface the whole trail. It will be carried out in sections, with a closure order in place to enable the work to happen. 

To keep disruption for users to a minimum the whole trail will be open in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays. 

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "The Sett Valley Trail is very popular with walkers and cyclists. 

"We would ask users to be patient while the work is carried out because once completed the trail will have better facilities, particularly for the disabled and people with mobility problems. 

"The work is also designed to make the area more attractive to wildlife." 

The final part of the scheme will also see an easy access route created through Bluebell Wood at Hayfield, which will be suitable for parents with buggies and wheelchair users. Two boardwalks made from recycled plastic will complete the route. 

Funding for the £127,000 project has come from Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) through the landfill tax scheme, Derbyshire County Council and the Countryside Agency. 

Members of the public with queries about the work on the Sett Valley Trail should visit Hayfield Countryside Centre in Station Road, Hayfield or ring 01663 746222.

Schools across Derbyshire are rushing to sign up to Derbyshire County Council`s Walk to School Week which starts on Monday (May 19). 

It is the sixth year the council has backed the national campaign which aims to encourage teachers, parents, pupils and community leaders to work together to promote a healthier and safer environment and to date this year 128 schools have responded. 

The main aims of walking to school are: 

• To provide opportunities for parents or carers to develop their children`s road safety skills. 
• To keep fit and healthy and improve well-being. 
• To reduce dependency on the car for regular school journeys. 
• To reduce traffic congestion especially outside schools. 
• To reduce air pollution - asthma attacks increase when air quality is poor. 
• To save money on fuel and preserve resources. 

County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "More youngsters are taking part in our Walk to School Weeks each year and we`re delighted with the interest shown in this year`s campaign. 

"By working with schools, parents and children we are trying to reduce traffic congestion around school gates, which will in turn improve road safety and the environment for everyone. 

"School journey traffic accounts for 20 per cent of total peak hour congestion despite many trips being less than a mile long. If everyone makes even the smallest effort it will help." 

Schools involved will come up with their own ideas during Walk To School Week, which coincides with the national campaign between May 19 to 23, and be encouraged to continue activities during the rest of the summer term. 

They will also be invited to take part in International Walk to School Week which is due to take place in the autumn term between October 6 and 10. 

Meanwhile, the Walk to School award scheme, which the council launched two years ago, will continue this year. For the first year a school takes part in a campaign event they will receive a schools certificate, for the second event a merit certificate, third event a bronze award, fourth silver, fifth gold and a premier award for taking part six times. 

The council`s highway safety team produced resource packs which were sent to all primary and secondary schools earlier this term. They include posters, stickers, bookmarks, diary, classroom travel survey sheet as well as information about the campaign and details of relevant websites. 

For more information about the county council`s Walk to School Week campaign call road safety research and development officer Vanessa Cairns on 01629 580000 ext 7060.

A community newsletter showcasing a number of successful projects and regeneration schemes has been published to celebrate the achievements of residents in an area of Derbyshire. 

The newsletter, called `Communities Doing It For Themselves` is the first one to be produced by Derbyshire County Council`s community economic development (CED) team in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and around 10,000 have already been delivered to people`s homes. 

The CED team covers Rother, Markham, Middlecroft, St Helen`s, Holmewood, Heath and Dunston, and several projects from these areas are featured in the newsletter. 

The team has been working with residents in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire for four years and in that time many regeneration projects have taken off. 

The CED team was set up to help tackle certain problems which had arisen following industrial decline in the area. 

One of the main aims is to bring communities together and get them working on projects that will improve their areas and lives. While the communities themselves drive the projects, CED team members are on hand to support them, offering advice and guidance. 

The work of the Heath Estate Tenants and Residents Association is just one of the success stories featured in the new newsletter. 

Members determined to improve life on the estate have taken over two empty council houses and are using them to provide space for different sections of the community to meet. 

Another successful scheme has created a focal point for residents of St Helen`s ward in the shape of the refurbished Christ Church Parish Centre. The centre, which had outside toilets, had been cold, uncomfortable and badly in need of decoration but following an investment of grant aid and hard work by an army of volunteers, it has been transformed. 

The new projects have helped to create 18 new jobs in the area over the past three years, including community garden co-ordinators, clerical workers, caretakers, centre managers and information technology workers. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Geoff Carlile, said: "The newsletter has been produced entirely by the CED team and is a celebration of the achievements and hard work of the communities involved. 

"The CED team`s aim was to bring people together and help them set to work on rejuvenating run down areas and turning around communities. 

"We are extremely pleased with the work that has been carried out so far, as are the residents. Everyone who has helped in any of the projects has a very good reason to be proud of themselves." 

For more information about the CED team and the many community projects people should call one of the following telephone numbers. 

Rother -- 01246 297967 

St Helen`s/Dunston - 01246 204391 

Markham/Middlecroft - 01246 477941 

Holmewood and Heath - 01246 859654 

Community Development Work Training - 01246 204418

A campaign to recruit more child carers across the county is being taken to towns across the county to mark National Sure Start Month. 

The campaign is being run by Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership and organisers are hoping to attract people of all ages and from all walks of life. 

It is especially aimed at attracting more men to take up careers in childcare and following the launch in February more than 50 calls were received in the first month from men asking for more information. Normally, less than 10 calls are received every month from men asking about a career in childcare. 

A number of events have been organised in May, and then to mark National Sure Start Month more have been organised in June to try to attract more people into child caring jobs ranging from childminders and out of school club staff to pre-school and crèche workers. 

Councillor Bob Janes, chair of the Derbyshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, said: "There are many different jobs that people can do in childcare and we hope that anyone who is interested in finding out more will go along to one of the roadshows to find out more." 

The partnership has already produced a video which details case studies across Derbyshire of people already working in the profession who have their say. 

There is also a website, www.childcare-derbyshire.org.uk which details the work of the partnership and details of the roadshow events. 

The events are as follows: 

Wednesday 14 May between 10am and 3pm - The Foresters pub, Fairfield near Buxton. Childcare information day with stalls, toy library, craft displays and story sacks. 

Wednesday 21 May between 1.30pm and 6pm - Clowns Day Nursery, Butterley, near Ripley (near Derbyshire police headquarters). Childcare recruitment fair. 

Thursday 5 June between 10am and 2pm - Sainsbury`s foyer, Ashbourne. Childcare recruitment event. 

Friday 6 June between 10am and 2pm - Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. Children recruitment event. 

Thursday 12 June between 10am and 4pm - Vicar Lane shopping precinct, Chesterfield. Childcare recruitment information day. 

Tuesday 17 June between 10am and 2pm - Bradbury Community House, Market Street, Glossop. Childcare recruitment event. 

Thursday 19 June between 10am and 3pm - Chesterfield Hotel, Chesterfield. At the same venue, between 10am and 7pm - NHS, Chesterfield Primary Care Trust recruitment day. 

Monday 23 June between 10am and 3pm - Bakewell Agricultural Centre, Bakewell. Childcare recruitment day. 

Wednesday 25 June between 9.30am and 2.30pm - Sure Start Building, Queen`s Park, Chesterfield. Childcare recruitment and information day. 

Saturday 28 June between10am and 4pm - Festival of Leisure, Maurice Leen Memorial Park, Church Gresley, Swadlincote. Childcare recruitment event. 

Professional childcarers will be at all the events to offer guidance and information about the jobs available and what qualifications are needed for each. 

Anyone who would like more information about any of the recruitment days should telephone childcare recruitment co-ordinator Debbie Bushell on 01629 580000 extension 5788.

Derbyshire County Council`s award winning b_line card scheme has notched up another major milestone after signing up its 500th business. 

Topshop in High Street, Chesterfield has become the latest high profile shop to offer discounts to young people through the innovative scheme, which only started two years ago. 

b_line cards are issued through schools to young people aged 11 to 18. Youngsters aged 11 to 13, who are already eligible for child discount travel fares, receive a b_line1 card which offers cut price deals in shops, with local businesses and at leisure centres. 

Those aged 14 to 18 receive a b_line2 card, which provides half fare travel as well as all the other discounts. 

Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "The b_line scheme is hugely popular with young people because of the benefits it offers them. 

"Topshop and the other shops, businesses and leisure centres recognise that by offering b_line card holders discounts off the cost of their goods or services they will get extra customers. 

"The scheme is also a useful way for consulting with young people about the services they want to see in the county." 

Gill Emery, deputy manager of Topshop in Chesterfield, said that her shop had decided to sign up to the b_line scheme after being inundated with requests from young people. 

She said: "Our store at Derby is already signed up to b_line and they have found it is very popular with young people. 

"We expect that it will bring more customers into the store and are planning to do some promotional work so that everyone knows we are signed up to the scheme." 

Customers at Topshop with b_line cards will be eligible for a ten per cent discount off the cost of clothing and accessories. 

Any business which would like to join the scheme and offer discounts to b_line card holders should ring the Derbyshire County Council call centre Call Derbyshire on 0845 6 058 058.

Archives about the brewing industry have been donated to Derbyshire Record Office. 

Most of the records are about Messrs Alton and Co, which was based at the Warwick Brewery in Derby. They include details of the way the company was founded and information about the leases for pubs throughout Derbyshire, such as the Fountain Inn at Bonsall and the Victoria Hotel at Clay Cross. 

Other brewing records added to the collection of the Derbyshire County Council-run record office provide details about the Saint Crispin Rum Company, which was based at the former Savoy Hotel in Buxton. In the mid-1950s the company specialised in manufacturing and selling spirits. 

All the documents can be seen by ringing the record office on 01629 580000, extension 35207 or emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

The thoughts of a well-known vicar about the way Elvis Presley has been commemorated since his death are included in personal papers he has donated to Derbyshire Record Office. 

Canon Donald Macdonald is vicar of St Osmunds in Derby but is also known for his regular appearances on religious programmes for BBC Radio Derby. 

The papers, which cover the period 1975 to 1997, include the text of all his morning thought slots on BBC Radio Derby since 1984. 

In one of these talks Canon Macdonald contrasts the way Elvis Presley`s memory has been kept alive after his death with the difficulty organised religion has had in effectively preaching the Gospel. 

Other topics included are his thoughts on historical events as they happened, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. 

The papers can be seen by contacting the Derbyshire County Council-run record office in New Street, Matlock on 01629 580000, extension 35202 or by emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

An appeal has been launched to find more foster carers for children and young people living in Derbyshire. 

Derbyshire County Council`s social services department has issued the appeal to coincide with National Foster Care Fortnight which starts today (Monday 12 May). 

Across the county around 140 youngsters are looking for long-term, short-term and respite placements with families. 

There are around 560 children and young people in the care of Derbyshire social services, of which 418 are currently living in foster homes. 

Some of the youngsters currently waiting for longer-term placements have been living in the county`s children`s homes or in short-term placements and are anxious to be part of a family again. 

Children looking for homes range from younger children to teenagers, those with disabilities, sibling groups and young mothers with babies of their own. 

While it is relatively easy to place very young children and babies, social services has more difficulty finding long-term placement for older children and larger sibling groups. 

Social workers are also very keen to build up a surplus of homes so that young people could be offered more choice as to the area they live in. This would enable them to stay at the same schools and stay in a familiar area. 

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for health and social care, Councillor Anne Western said: "We are always looking to recruit foster carers and this year is no exception. 

"There are many young people across the county who would love to have a family of their own and feel settled after what may have been a very turbulent time in their lives. 

"Recruitment campaigns are one way of getting the message across to the public that they can help." 

Councillor Western added: "If there are people out there who have thought about being a foster carer but not taken it any further, I would urge them to contact us and find out more." 

Foster carers come from all walks of life and look after children ranging from babies to teenagers up to 17 years old. 

The one thing all foster carers and potential foster carers should have is a wish to offer love and support to children and young people separated from their families and often suffering a great deal of trauma. 

Married couples, single people and couples who live together can apply to become foster carers and they do not necessarily have to have children of their own. 

They can be aged from 21 to 60, working or not, and come from all backgrounds and cultures. For more information about becoming a foster carer telephone Derbyshire County Council`s Fostering Information Line on 01629 772211. 

Extra street lights are to be installed in two towns by Derbyshire County Council to reduce the risk and fear of crime. 

The authority is to install the extra lighting in Shirebrook Model Village and on the Castle estate in Bolsover. 

The £127,000 cost is being paid for by Bolsover District Council and the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership`s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. 

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Both the police and local community groups have asked for more street lighting to be installed on these estates. 

"Studies carried out in Derbyshire and nationally have found a link between improved street lighting and lower crime rates. 

"Residents living in areas where extra lights have been installed have also reported reduced incidents of anti-social behaviour and less fear of crime." 

The installation of extra street lighting on other parts of the Castle estate in August 2001 has already helped to reduce crime in Bolsover. 

Between April 2000 and March 2001 there were 495 recorded crimes on the estate but this fell by nine per cent to 449 the following year after an £85,000 street light improvement programme. Derbyshire County Council has appointed contractors Anderson and Heeley to install the extra street lighting in Shirebrook and Bolsover during July. 

The authority also recently reviewed the way its street lighting service operates and as a result it intends to: 

• Prioritise repairs and maintenance to street lighting in crime hot spots. 
• Look at the possibility of getting advertising on lampposts to fund improvements to street lighting. 
• Work more closely with community safety partnerships to identify priority areas for street lighting repairs and improvements. 

Young people across Derbyshire are getting the chance to experience the thrill of climbing thanks to the latest piece of county council equipment. 

Derbyshire County Council`s six-metre mobile climbing wall is touring the county to give young people the chance to try something exciting and challenging. 

Launched in October, the £25,000 concrete resin-coated wall can access all areas of Derbyshire and is available to schools, youth centres, sports clubs and community-based voluntary groups such as the Scouts and Guides. 

It will also be taken to special events including the Adventure Youth Games and summer sports programmes organised by the county council. 

The wall project, run by Derbyshire County Council`s youth service, is aimed at 11 to 19-year-olds who are also being encouraged to try other adventure sports offered by the authority. 

Used as part of the council`s community safety strategy, it is hoped that by giving young people the opportunity to try something new and engaging with them in their community, crime and the potential for crime will be reduced. 

"The project offers young people a tremendous opportunity to try something new and exciting," said Councillor Walter Burrows, the county council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport. 

"It is vital that we reach Derbyshire`s young people and offer them some interesting alternatives." 

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "Not everybody has the opportunity to get out into the countryside to try things like climbing. 

"I hope young people will take advantage of it." 

Organisations interested in getting the wall to their area can contact outdoor education worker Keith Towell on 01629 580000 ext 7963. 

All young people who use the wall must fill in a consent form, signed by their parent or guardian. 

Rapidly improving schools in Derbyshire are reaping the rewards of their success in the shape of extra cash for staff. 

Almost 150 schools in the county are to receive a cash boost worth up to £26,000 to staff for ensuring pupils have achieved high or improved test results. 

And today Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, Councillor Alan Charles, praised all school staff for their hard work and commitment. 

He said: "These awards are excellent news for schools and reflect how hard staff and pupils have worked to get better results. 

"I`m proud so many of the county`s schools have won the awards and they show just how well schools can do when they have good leadership and good staff who work together as a team. 

"Derbyshire schools have plenty to celebrate and I am pleased they have been able to reap the rewards of their hard work with this extra money." 

The cash - worth around £5,700 for a typical primary school to £25,700 for a secondary - is being given out by the Government under its School Achievement Awards scheme, now in its third year. 

In Derbyshire, 142 schools were named as winners. (see Notes to News Editors for a full list of schools). 

Schools received the money for one of three reasons: 

• Pupil performance was substantially better than in 1999; 
• Pupil performance in 2002 was better than most schools in similar circumstances; 
• Leaving special measures in the 2001 / 02 school year. 

Around three quarters of the awards - worth £60million nationally - are based on rapid improvement. 

The money is distributed to all staff in the school by governing bodies following advice from headteachers.

Plans are being progressed for a new school in Belper to replace Herbert Strutt Primary. 

Derbyshire County Council hopes that the Derby Road school - which faces a £1m repair and maintenance bill - could be replaced with a new, smaller primary on Bargate Road on the site formerly occupied by the Parks secondary school. 

Currently, part of the Parks site is owned by Derbyshire County Council and part by Haslam Homes, which bought it from the authority in 1997. 

A joint planning application to develop the site for new homes and a school has now been lodged by Haslam Homes and the county council. 

If it is approved by Amber Valley Borough Council, detailed designs for a new school will be drawn up by the county council. 

Most of the funding for the new facility would be raised by selling the remaining portion of the Parks site to Halslam Homes, with the remaining cost met by the county council. 

A new school would resolve a number of problems with Herbert Strutt: 

• The buildings are in a poor state and it would cost around £1m, just to maintain them in their existing condition. 
• The buildings are listed, which makes it difficult to develop and modernise the site. 
• There are a high number of surplus places, which would be removed by building the smaller facility. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "The Herbert Strutt buildings are no longer ideal for primary education and we have been presented with an opportunity to move ahead with proposals for a brand new school for the community. 

"It is early days, but if the planing application is approved by Amber Valley Borough Council we will be looking to develop the scheme and build the school within the next couple of years. 

"Since Herbert Strutt left Special Measures in July 2002 it has made rapid progress and the school staff - supported by the county council - have worked tirelessly to provide an excellent standard of education. A new school would be the icing on the cake." 

Are you aged 50 or over? Have you ever fancied delving into the world wide web but just don`t know where to start? 

If the answers to these questions are yes then Derbyshire County Council may have just what you`re looking for. 

The authority is backing the second national Silver Surfers` Day by hosting events at many of its libraries on Friday 16 May at the end of Adult Learners` Week. 

The aim of the day is to encourage people aged 50 and over who may be put off by new computer technology to have a go at using the internet under the guidance of staff at their local library. 

Branches across Derbyshire are hosting free events on the day including taster sessions, advice and guidance from staff, relevant displays, demonstration of IT equipment and an introduction to e-mail and scanning. 

Through the event website participants can also take part in a community challenge online quiz, find out what`s happening in their own area - and even have the chance to be named Silver Surfer of the Year! 

County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We`re delighted to be backing Silver Surfers` Day as we`re finding an increasing number of people in this age group are keen to get into computers and keep up with the latest technology. 

"Some need a hand to get started and this event is the perfect chance for them to do so in a supportive learning environment at their local library with staff on hand to help." 

Visitors do not have to be library members to take advantage of Silver Surfers` Day on May 16. Computer and internet access is free at all times to anybody using a Derbyshire County Council library. 

Silver Surfers` Day is being promoted by IT company Hairnet and backed by City and Guilds, Age Concern and Adult Learners` Week as well as local authority libraries across the country. 

For more information about events in Derbyshire residents can contact their local library or visit the website www.silversurfersday.org (opens in a new window) 

Residents are being urged to cut back hedges and trees so they don`t overhang pavements and roads - or risk facing legal action by Derbyshire County Council. 

The authority is currently taking enforcement action under the Highways Act against five landowners who have refused to cut back overhanging hedges or trees despite several written requests to do so. 

If the landowners fail to trim the hedges or trees themselves then Derbyshire County Council will carry out the work and make the landowners pay the cost. 

The authority is taking the action because overgrown hedges and trees can pose a danger to public safety by: 

• Blocking pavements so pedestrians, parents with buggies and people in wheelchairs struggle to use them 
• Covering street lights, reducing their effectiveness in preventing street crime 
• Blocking parts of roads, forcing cars and lorries to swerve or move into the middle of the road. 

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Overgrown trees and hedges are causing problems across the whole county. 

"We would ask everyone to ensure that they are properly cut back throughout the year to remove the risk of someone being injured. 

"If people ignore this advice then we are prepared to take enforcement action but this takes road maintenance staff away from the more important task of improving roads and pavements." 

Anyone carrying out maintenance should check to ensure there are no bird nests in hedges or trees before cutting them back. 

Derbyshire County Council is taking enforcement action to ensure residents cut back: 

• An overgrown hedge outside 6 Milldale Close, Marehay 
• Overgrown trees outside Ladybank Farm, Ripley Road, Ladygrove, Ambergate 
• Overgrown trees and bushes outside 28 Sunny Hill, Milford 
• An overgrown hedge next to 66 St Norbert`s Drive, Kirk Hallam 
• An overgrown hedge outside 34 The Woodlands, Melbourne 

A free course gets underway in Hope Valley next month to help local parents support their children with special educational needs. 

The four-week course has 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 will 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 course takes place at the Community Room at Hope Valley College, off Castleton Road at Hope, on consecutive Tuesdays between 9.30am and 11.30am, starting on 3 June. 

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 course 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.

A local group that has organised camping trips to the seaside for thousands of Derbyshire schoolchildren has been given a boost by Derbyshire County Council. 

The authority awarded the Derbyshire Schools Camping Association a £5,815 grant toward its work in providing local children with the opportunity to experience camping with their school friends. 

The association, which was established in 1921, organises two camps each year - on the Isle of Anglesey and at Mundesley in Norfolk. 

The camps take place at the end of the summer term and cater for up to 300 Derbyshire youngsters aged between 10 and 14 years. 

Schools are invited to send along parties of between five and 50 children. The county council`s support helps to ensure that the cost of the trips is kept to a minimum - no charge is made for school staff and the association is able to provide assistance for families on low incomes. 

Camp staff put up and manage the tents - which are heavy-duty bell tents - and the sites boast many home comforts. A programme of day trips and activities is also organised at both camps. 

This year the camps take place between 16 and 23 July. For more information contact Sally Cave on 01773 824260. 

Councillor Alan Charles, the county council`s cabinet member for education, said: "We are very pleased to award this latest grant. The association has provided a wonderful service for Derbyshire schools for many years and we hope that our on-going support will ensure that it continues to give thousands of Derbyshire children a chance to experience the outdoors and have a taste of camping with their friends. 

"Teachers report that the camps help develop the children`s social skills and are an excellent opportunity for teachers and pupils to get to know each other in a fun and informal setting. 

"I would also like to thank all the volunteers without whom none of this would be possible." 

Derbyshire County Council has strongly refuted allegations that it is unfairly holding back more than £12.7 million from the county`s school budgets 

The council says that the money - which has already been allocated for school budgets - will be released to schools over the coming year in line with government instructions. 

In a move designed to reassure headteachers, governors and parents Derbyshire County Council has written to all 400 schools in the county with details of how they will receive the money allocated to them. 

The Government today published details of money it claims Local Education Authorities (LEAs) throughout the country - including Derbyshire County Council - is said to be holding back from schools. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "I can reassure school staff, governors and parents that we are not holding back any unallocated money. Our budgetary process is transparent and is quite rightly open to full public scrutiny. 

"Schools know what they will be receiving and the cash is being handed over at various points during the year." 

The Government`s own figures show that Derbyshire County Council has passported 104.9 per cent of the Government`s education budget to schools in the county - almost 5 per cent more than the Government itself has given for education in the county. 

The confusion surrounds the Standards Fund, cash that LEAs receive from the Government to bring about improvements in school standards. 

The fund is split into a number of separate initiatives and - as in previous years - the monies are rolled out to schools at various points during the financial year. 

This year Derbyshire schools have been allocated around £30m of Standards Fund cash, with around two thirds already handed over to heads. 

The remaining £12.7m - funding the Government claims is being denied schools - will be rolled out over the coming months, as and when the various funding initiatives come on line. For example: 

• ICT in schools - this £5M fund helps schools meet Government targets for improving their information technology. The money is being handed over on a rolling basis as schools finalise their spending plans - in accordance with instructions from the Government.
• Summer schools: this fund is allocated to heads to run summer schools for talented and gifted pupils - and so the money will not be spent until the school summer holidays.
• Key Stage 3 intervention - national school improvement strategies: this funding is held to pay for designated training for specific schools and will be used when the training occurs.
• Newly Qualified Teachers - £800,000 to be paid out in the autumn when NQTs take up their posts.  

Councillor Charles added: "I feel that the Government should have checked these details with us before publicising this misleading and confusing data. 

"I do understand why this national debate about education funding is going on. This year the Government has introduced a new formula to address years of under-funding experienced by some LEAs including Derbyshire. 

"However, many LEAs - mainly in the south - feel that the new formula has left them short-changed this year." 

The formula has seen Derbyshire receive a bigger increase in funding than in previous years - 7% per pupil more for 2003/2004 - bringing the authority closer to, but still well below, the funding level of many southern LEAs. 

"We welcome this increase and it has enabled school budgets to grow at more than the rate of inflation," added Councillor Charles. "However, in common with other authorities a large slice of the extra cash has been swallowed up by increases in teacher salaries, pension costs and national insurance contributions. 

"A small number of Derbyshire schools are experiencing difficulties this year and we are working with them to overcome their problems." 

Memories of Spondon in the mid 19th century are recalled in the text of speeches given to Derbyshire Record Office. 

George Wright, who lived in Merchant Avenue, gave a series of talks to a local parish group in 1913 about his knowledge of the close-knit village. 

This was gained from living in Spondon for most of his life and from his father, who was the village policeman. 

Copies of the talks that George gave have been donated to the Derbyshire County Council-run record office in New Street, Matlock. 

The talks include stories about local characters, houses, shops, events and the impact of the arrival of the railway, gas lighting and industry to the area. 

More information about the talk records can be obtained by ringing the record office on 01629 580000, extension 35207 or emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Cooks of all ages are being encouraged to rise to a challenge at this month`s Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - to bake the tastiest Fidgety Pie. 

Individuals, clubs or schools are invited to recreate a recipe that has had mouths watering for around 300 years. 

Fidgety Pie - made with apples, pork and potatoes - was originally created to use up apples during the harvest period. (See overleaf for the recipe) 

The name is thought to come from the word "fitchet" - the name of the five-sided dish it was traditionally cooked in. 

It is hoped the competition will encourage people to use Derbyshire produce to capture the pie`s distinctive taste. 

The cake contest is just one of the attractions at the food and drink fair being staged by Derbyshire County Council at Bolsover Castle on May 17 and 18. 

Thousands of visitors are expected at the free event, which will be opened by celebrity chef James Martin at 11am on the Saturday with a display of his culinary skills. 

Two huge marquees will be set up in the castle grounds giving Derbyshire food and drink producers and suppliers the chance to show off their wares. 

It is hoped the second annual event - which last year attracted 12,000 visitors over two days - will give the county`s food and drink and tourism industries a much-needed boost. 

People taking part in the cake competition should take their entries along on the Saturday before 2pm, when they will be judged by James Martin. The winner will be presented with a signed copy of the TV chef`s cookery book. 

During the event there will be 45 stalls displaying and selling a wide range of local produce as well as a live band, children`s entertainment, hourly cookery demonstrations from 11am to 4pm, a wine bar, real ale tent and a hog roast. There will also be outlets selling hot and cold food. 

There will also be the chance for two lucky people to win a year`s supply of chocolate each in a competition run by Cadbury Trebor Bassett, based in Holmewood. 

Councillor Geoff Carlile, the county council`s cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I would urge all those cooks out there to get baking for a chance to win one of James` cookery books. 

"The competition is just one of the highlights of the two-day fair which we hope will encourage people to buy and eat local ingredients and produce."

The Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair being held in the castle grounds is free to enter. During the event, admission to the castle itself will be based on a two-for-the-price-of-one offer. 

Fidgety Pie Recipe

Ingredients: 

1lb shortcrust pastry 

Filling:

1 Bramley apple, peeled and sliced 

1 onion 

2 medium potatoes, part boiled 

Salt and pepper 

6oz bacon 

Sage 

¼ pint of double cream

Method: 

Line a pie tin with half of the pastry, then layer the slices of apple, onion, potato and bacon. Season well with salt, pepper and sage and then pour over the cream. Use the remainder of the pastry for the lid of the pie. Brush with beaten egg and bake in a hot over at 400°F/gas mark 6 for between 30 and 40 minutes until golden brown.

Kate Barnes got a top break by winning a VIP trip behind the scenes at the World Snooker Championships thanks to Derbyshire County Council`s b_line scheme. 

The 13-year-old entered the Sheffield On Cue competition on the b_line website because her dad is obsessed with playing and watching the sport and she wanted to see what all the fuss is about. 

Kate`s VIP prize included the chance to meet the snooker players taking part in the tournament, go in the players` lounge, sit in the BBC Sport presenter`s chair, play a frame of snooker with professional coach Steve Prest and watch the day`s matches. 

Kate, who is a pupil at Mortimer Wilson School in Alfreton, took her snooker mad dad, grandad and uncle with her on the once in a lifetime trip to the championships at the Crucible Theatre. 

She said: "The highlight of the day was sitting next to Jimmy White in the players` lounge but we enjoyed everything. 

"I didn`t play snooker before but it has inspired me to start now. I might even be able to beat my dad with a bit of practise. 

"The b_line card is great - without it I would never have had the chance to have my photo taken with all the snooker stars."

The records from a society set up for mining engineers in the Chesterfield area have been donated to Derbyshire Record Office. 

The Chesterfield and District Mining Society provided an opportunity for engineers to exchange ideas, improve their knowledge and skills and attend lectures and presentations. The group also held social events and an annual dinner. 

Records were collected from the 1920s to 1990 and at its height the group had more than 100 members. 

The archives will be of interest to family historians and those researching Derbyshire`s coal industry. 

More information is available by ringing the record office on 01629 580000, extension 35207 or emailing record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Derbyshire County Council is marking the UK`s biggest festival of learning in style with more than 100 events across the county. 

Indian head message, family French, multi-media workshops and family gardening along with a taste of Africa and dry stone walling are just a handful of the taster sessions on offer during Adult Learners` Week. (May 10-16). 

There is something for everyone and anybody who wants to sample any one of the hundreds of courses on offer is invited to have a go. 

A number of presentation evenings are also planned around the county, including one at County Hall, Matlock, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 13, to reward students who have done well. 

The packed programme of taster sessions and events are being run at the county council`s adult community education centres to mark the week-long celebrations. 

Adult Learners` Week celebrates and promotes all forms of adult learning and is co-ordinated by NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. 

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "Adult education doesn`t have to involve classrooms, assignments or exams and can be a lot of fun. 

"Derbyshire County Council is the largest provider of adult education classes in the county and we have more than 30,000 people enrolling with us every year. But we still want more people to get back into learning and that is what Adult Learners` Week is all about. 

"We want to show people what is on offer and perhaps give them the chance to try something new or learn something different." 

The county council`s adult community education runs more than 2,500 courses and activities in hundreds of venues countywide, including youth and community centres, village halls and schools. More than 60 per cent of students get free or discounted tuition. The authority offers: 

• Free tuition on all basic computer courses, including free exam fees for people on means-tested benefits, up to level 2. 
• Free tuition on all English and Maths GCSE courses 
• Free basic skills courses to improve reading, writing and maths skills. 

"We recognise that there are barriers to learning so we put in a lot of work into removing them, such as by offering discounts and childcare facilities," explained Coun Janes. 

"We are the largest provider of childcare in the county, with more than 20 creches in our permanent education centres. We also have mobile crèches we take around the county. "I hope people will take advantage of the week`s events to find out what we have on offer"

Seven authors ranging from a local crime novelist to a TV scriptwriter are stopping off in Derbyshire over the next two months to talk about their work. 

Derbyshire County Council is hosting a series of talks at seven of its libraries starting next week. 

Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We`re delighted to have such a wide range of authors visiting our libraries over the next two months. 

"These events promise to be of great interest to anyone who`s interested in writing themselves - or anyone who just loves books!" 

Tickets for all events are £3 with £2 concessions. Details are as follows: 

Valerie Wood is the author of The Doorstep Girls, Rosa`s Island and many other popular family sagas. 2pm: Wednesday 7 May. Swadlincote Library, Civic Way, Swadlincote. More information: 01238 217701. 

David Nobbs is well known for his TV series The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin and A Bit of A Do as well as novels. His recently published autobiography I Didn`t Get Where I Am Today was a Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4 last month. 

7.30pm: Wednesday 7 May. Long Eaton Library, Tamworth Road, Long Eaton. More information: 0115 9735426. 

Stephen Booth`s popular crime novels are set in the Derbyshire Peak District. Stephen is an award-winning author of three books; Black Dog, Dancing with the Virgins and Blood on the Tongue. 

7.30pm: Tuesday 20 May: Buxton Library, Kents Bank Road, Buxton. More information: 01298 25331.

Stephan Collishaw`s newly published first novel The Last Girl is a gripping story from World War II up to present times.Set in Lithuania it deals with a man`s attempts to confront his past.

7.30pm: Wednesday 21 May. Bakewell Library, Orme Court, Bakewell. More information: 01629 812267. 7pm: Tuesday 17 June. Shirebrook Library, Main Street, Shirebrook. More information: 01623 742425. 

Clare Morrall`s first novel Astonishing Splashes of Colour tells of identity struggles in a large family and reflects the author`s interest in the dynamics of motherless family life and in synaesthesia - a condition in which emotions are seen as colours. 

7pm: Friday 30 May. Newbold Library, Windermere Road, Newbold. More information 01246 277328. 

Freda Lightfoot writes family sagas often set in the Lakes and the north of England. Her latest novel Daisy`s Secret was published in February 2003. Freda gives many talks to readers at literary events and in libraries and also works with writers at workshops and festivals. 

2pm: Tuesday 10 June. Eckington Library, Market Street, Eckington. More information 01246 433943. 

Hilary Mantel has won many prizes for her novels, which include The Giant O`Brien, A Change of Climate, and A Place of Greater Safety. Her memoir Giving up the Ghost and a short story collection Learning to Talk are published this summer. 

7.30pm: Thursday 31 July. Buxton Library, Kent`s Bank Road, Buxton. More information 01298 25331.