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| 30 January 2004 | Temporary changes to bus services in Bakewell |
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Bus users are asked to be patient while temporary bus stops are put in place to enable Severn Trent Water to carry out sewer improvement work in Bakewell. Derbyshire County Council has made temporary road closure orders for Bridge Street and Bath Street, for about eight weeks, starting on Monday, February 9. The orders have been made after receiving a request from Severn Trent Water, which needs the roads closed as part of ongoing work to replace and reconstruct sewers in the area. Initially Bridge Street will be closed and during this time the one-way system in Bath Street and Anchor Square will be reversed. Traffic, including buses, heading for Chesterfield on the A619 will be diverted along the A6 and A6020, at Ashford in the Water, before rejoining the A619. Once this work is finished Bath Street will be closed between its junction with Bridge Street and New Street. The one-way system between New Street and Anchor Square will be suspended and the one-way system on Bath Street between its junction with the A6 and Anchor Square will be reversed to ensure access to nearby buildings. To reduce the impact on passengers, some buses travelling along the A619 will use the turnaround at the cross on Station Road so passengers can be dropped off as close as possible to the centre of town. The closures will mean that some buses will leave from different stops and some journeys may take longer because of the diversions. Bus stop changes include: Stand B services
Stand C services
Stand D services
Services which use stands A and E are not affected and services from Baslow Road travelling towards Bakewell remain the same. County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "Severn Trent Water needs to carry out this work as part of its sewer modernisation programme. We appreciate that some people may be inconvenienced but hope that passengers and motorists will bear with us while this essential work is carried out. Hopefully people will appreciate that the short-term disruption will be outweighed by the longer-term improvements." Members of the public wanting more information about the scheme should contact the Severn Trent Water information line on 0800 783 4444. Passengers can check bus times by calling traveline 0870 608 2 608 (7am-9pm everyday). |
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| 30 January 2004 | More specialist schools for Derbyshire |
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Four more Derbyshire secondary schools have been awarded specialist school status by the Government -- bringing the total number across the county to 20. The Government has announced that The William Allitt School in Newhall had been designated a specialist for performing arts - the first of its kind in Derbyshire. St Thomas More Catholic School in Buxton has been designated a specialist for science, and Frederick Gent School in South Normanton and John Flamsteed Community School in Denby have both been designated specialists for maths and computing. Specialist schools develop into centres of excellence in their chosen area - which could be engineering, languages, science, technology, sports & arts, mathematics & computing or business and enterprise. They receive additional funding from the Government: a one-off capital grant of £100,000 and £123 annually per pupil, initially over four years. Pupils benefit from a wider range of courses to develop their skills and build their experience. Also, the schools continue to provide a full, broad and balanced curriculum. Today`s announcement is not only good news for students at Buxton, South Normanton, Denby and Swadlincote - educational provision throughout Derbyshire will also benefit. This is because the specialist centres share their knowledge and experience with schools throughout the county, and also forge links with their local community. To date 16 other Derbyshire schools have achieved specialist status. In addition, over half of the remaining secondary schools have expressed an interest or are actively pursuing specialist status. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to all of these schools but particularly The William Allitt School on becoming the first specialist performing arts school in Derbyshire. "This is well deserved and reflects the high-quality level of performing arts already at the school." He added: "More than one in three Derbyshire secondary schools now have specialist status. "It is good news not just for those schools but for the whole of the county, because specialists schools will play an increasingly important role in the development of education in Derbyshire. "A key priority for the county council is to develop learning communities - groups of schools that work together to share their knowledge and experience. "Specialist schools will play a leading role in these partnerships. Their expertise will not only benefit their own pupils, they will work with others to raise educational standards in schools throughout their area. It brings schools closer together so that all pupils benefit from a diverse range of centres of excellence." |
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| 29 January 2004 | County welcomes creation of specialist school |
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Derbyshire County Council today welcomed a Government announcement that another Derbyshire secondary is to become a specialist college - bringing the total number across the county to 17. The Government announced today that St Thomas More Catholic School in Buxton has been designated a specialist for science. Schools that are designated as specialists develop into centres of excellence in their chosen area - which could be engineering, languages, science, technology, sports & arts, mathematics & computing or business and enterprise. They receive additional funding from the Government: a one-off capital grant of £100,000 and £123 annually per pupil, initially over four years. Pupils benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, with a wider range of courses to develop their skills and build their experience. Also, the schools continue to provide a full, broad and balanced curriculum. Today`s announcement is not only good news for students at Buxton - educational provision throughout Derbyshire will also benefit. This is because the specialist centres share their knowledge and experience with schools throughout the county, and also forge links with their local community. To date 16 other Derbyshire schools have achieved specialist status. In addition, over half of the remaining secondary schools have expressed an interest or are actively pursuing specialist status. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for education Councillor Alan Charles said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to St Thomas More Catholic School. More than one in three Derbyshire secondary schools now have specialist status. "It is good news not just for those schools but for the whole of the county, because specialists schools will play an increasingly important role in the development of education in Derbyshire. "A key priority for the county council is to develop learning communities - groups of schools that work together to share their knowledge and experience. "Specialist schools will play a leading role in these partnerships. Their expertise will not only benefit their own pupils, they will work with others to raise educational standards in schools throughout their area. It brings schools closer together so that all pupils benefit from a diverse range of centres of excellence." |
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| 27 January 2004 | Council supporting new Alzheimer`s cafes |
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Three cafes which are being set up to support people with Alzheimer`s and their carers have been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council. The cafes will be open in Bakewell, Buxton and New Mills on set days once a month and are being run by the North West Derbyshire branch of the national Alzheimer`s Society. The cafes will provide a meeting place for people with dementia, their carers and families as well as people working in the field of dementia. While at the cafes people will be able to get information about the medical and social aspects of dementia and there will be an emphasis on the importance of speaking openly about problems which may be encountered because of the disease. The cafes also aim to prevent people with dementia and their carers from feeling isolated. The same branch of the Alzheimer`s Society has also organised an afternoon event called `Exploring Dementia` on Thursday 29 January, which is again aimed at people with dementia, their carers, families and people who work with those with dementia. The event, between 1pm and 3pm at the Main Hall, Buxton Methodist Church, Market Place, Buxton, will have two presentations entitled `activities with people with dementia` and `positive approaches to differing needs in dementia`. There will also be an opportunity for questions and a discussion with speakers and members of the branch. The county council`s social services has welcomed the cafes and the afternoon event and members of staff will be attending to give support, as well as meeting people in the community who have dementia and their carers and discussing their needs where appropriate. The cafes are being held at the following venues at the following times:
Councillor Anne Western said: "We warmly welcome this new initiative by the Alzheimer`s Society and feel it will be extremely useful for people living in those areas who have the disease and their carers too." For more information about the cafes or the Alzheimer`s Society telephone Chris Marsland on 01629 813328 or the Alzheimer`s Society Trent Regional Office on 01246 417907. |
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| 26 January 2004 | Still time to get your act together for Greenwatch |
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There are just five weeks to go to get your entry in for a Greenwatch Award - and a chance to share in £10,000 prize money - if you`ve done your bit to improve Derbyshire`s local environment. Derbyshire County Council is inviting entries for its 15th annual awards competition to recognise and reward the efforts being made to safeguard and enhance the local environment. Judges will be looking for projects which save energy and resources, encourage sustainable travel, prevent pollution, care for historic buildings, sites and wildlife habitats, protect Derbyshire`s heritage or help the local community. The event is being sponsored by Tarmac Central Ltd, the Environment Agency and Waste Recycling Group who will each present their own special awards at the awards ceremony next May. The Derby Evening Telegraph, English Nature and Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust will also present special prizes on the night. Entries are invited from individuals, schools and colleges, businesses and community groups based in Derbyshire. Schemes need to be almost complete by the closing date of February 29 so they can be assessed in time for the awards ceremony to be held at County Hall in Matlock on May 27. For the first time in 2004 projects which do not receive a cash award but meet a basic criteria will also receive recognition, including a commendation certificate and invitation to the ceremony. Projects selected by the judges to be the best in their categories are in line for a share of up to £10,000 prize money. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for environment and highways Councillor Brian Lucas said: "We`ve already had lots of entries submitted but are keen to get lots more in as we are keen to reward the tremendous work carried out by so many residents and volunteers to improve the local environment." Entry forms are available online by clicking here (opens in a new window). you can also get printed copies from libraries, schools and countryside service visitor centres or by phoning Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058. For more detailed information call Greenwatch orgnaniser Annie Simpson on 01629 580000 ext 7110. |
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| 26 January 2004 | School holds `Eco Action` day |
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Pupils at a Derbyshire secondary school are taking part in a fun action day to raise awareness of environmental issues. The Long Eaton School is holding a day of activities with an environmental theme to teach pupils the importance of caring for our planet and that it can be fun. Derbyshire County Council and Erewash Borough Council are working with The Long Eaton School to organise the educational day, which takes place on Wednesday 4 February. Staff and pupils at the school on Tamworth Road are inviting other schools from Erewash Borough and members of the local community to attend. Throughout the day a wide range of activities will take place, all with an environmental theme, including:
Deputy Mayor of Erewash Councillor Hodges will open the event at 11.15am with Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for environment and highways Councillor Brian Lucas. Councillor Lucas said: "Schools have an important role in protecting the environment and by taking part in the Eco Schools scheme they can gain recognition for doing this. "We are delighted that the Long Eaton School is hosting this fun day to encourage even more schools to take part in the scheme." Anne Downes of Erewash Borough Council said: "It is important, not just for the people of Erewash but for everyone, to understand the importance of safeguarding the environment and if we can make it fun to learn about environmental issues, then we are doing our bit towards helping to save the planet." The Long Eaton School Eco Schools Co-ordinator Barbara James said: ""We are delighted to be hosting this very important event. The young people of today are the adults of tomorrow; by educating them we will form the stepping stones for a healthier environment". The Long Eaton School was the first school in Derbyshire to receive the prestigious Green Flag Eco Schools Award, and this event is part of their continued work to raise awareness of environmental issues. |
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| 26 January 2004 | Keeping cool at solar powered school |
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It looks like something from a science fiction movie. But for pupils at Hady Primary School in Hady, near Chesterfield, their new solar powered eco classroom block is a `cool` new addition. The state-of-the-art octagonal building has been built by Derbyshire County Council in a £312,000 project and is able to generate electricity that can be sold to the National Grid. The school is among the first in Britain to use the latest eco-friendly photo voltaic panel technology and the only one in Derbyshire. The octagonal shape of the building allows the solar panels to efficiently track the path of the sun as it moves across the sky from east to west. Most of the windows are south facing and the area of glazing is significantly bigger than normal so that more solar energy can be created. Electricity can even be generated during winter months but at a reduced rate. The photo voltaic panels also control the amount of sunlight entering a classroom so that the building is kept at the right temperature for pupils and doesn`t become too hot during the summer months. The building even contains a meter so pupils can see how much electricity is being generated by the solar panels each day. Teachers plan to use the building to assist with science lessons, explaining how electricity is generated. The futuristic-looking building, which has two classrooms in it, was officially opened by Councillor Charles Cutting, chair of Derbyshire County Council, and Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for education. Councillor Charles said: "The new classroom block at Hady Primary School is an example of how modern technology and engineering can be used to benefit pupils and the environment. "As well as providing the ideal atmosphere for learning the building is saving on electricity bills and helping the environment by creating a small amount of renewable energy. "The building will also be a wonderful learning tool for pupils because they will be able to see in a very real way how solar energy is created and how it can feed into the National Grid." Derbyshire County Council contributed £160,000 to the cost of the scheme, with £140,000 coming from a developer who is building 200 homes on the former Markham Works site in Chesterfield and £12,000 coming from the Government-run Energy Savings Trust. |
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| 26 January 2004 | Courses will help parents support their children |
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A free course gets underway in the coming weeks to help local parents and carers in the Chapel-en-le-Frith area 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 cover all aspects of the special educational needs process, including dealing with meetings, paperwork and the role of education professionals. The course takes place at Chapel Clinic, Thornbrook Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith between 10am and noon on Thursdays, starting on 26 February. 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 is 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. "The course also gives people a chance to meet others from the area who may have had similar experiences." 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 or 01246 273155. |
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| 26 January 2004 | Beat the burglars |
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Residents in Derbyshire will soon be able to deter thieves from burgling their homes - by making a visit to their local library. Derbyshire County Council is launching a crime busting initiative which has seen it develop property marking kits that can be loaned out to library users in the same way they would borrow a book, CD or DVD. Users simply mark valuable items in their home using the markers in the kit and then return it to their library for other users to borrow. The kit also has stickers which users can keep and display on their windows to warn potential thieves that property in the house is security marked. The stickers will be replaced before the kit is loaned out again. All libraries in Derbyshire will have property marking kits to loan out. Members of the public are invited to attend the official launch of the property marking kits at 2pm on Thursday 29 January in Chesterfield Library in New Beetwell Street. Visitors will be shown how the kits can be used. Staff at all other libraries in the county will also be able to show members of the public how to use the kits and explain how to borrow them. The event at Chesterfield Library will also be used to launch the Safer Derbyshire website, which aims to highlight the work of the county`s community safety partnerships. It also has crime prevention and safety advice, has details of Neighbourhood Watch scheme and tells residents how they can have their say on local crime and disorder issues. The site can be visited at www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window) Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "Derbyshire County Council is committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime and these two ideas will contribute towards that goal. "By using both the property marking kit and the website the public can be pro-active to prevent crime in their local community." Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "We came up with the idea of loaning out property marking kits in libraries because of their accessible locations for members of the public. "People can also access the Safer Derbyshire website using for free using the computers in libraries." |
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| 23 January 2004 | Expert historian helps trace your family tree |
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One of Derbyshire County Council`s archivists will be the expert on BBC Radio Derby`s bus when it visits Matlock on Tuesday 27 January. Paul Stebbing, who works in the council`s Record Office in New Street, Matlock, will provide one-to-one advice sessions for people wanting to trace their family tree using the internet. Anyone interested can visit the bus, which will be parked in Matlock train station car park, between 9am and 2pm. Visitors are urged to turn up either on the hour or half past the hour to get a chance to get advice from Paul about tracing their ancestors. Paul is a qualified archivist and has published articles on tracing family trees using the internet. For more information about Derbyshire Record Office call 01629 580000 ext 35201 |
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| 22 January 2004 | Vote online for your favourite book |
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Derbyshire residents are being encouraged to vote for their favourite book in a national competition - by logging on at their local library. For the second year, Derbyshire County Council`s library service is taking part in the WHSmith People`s Choice Book Awards 2004. People can go online at the county`s 45 libraries and 13 mobile libraries to vote for one of five shortlisted titles in eight categories. And by taking part in the competition, readers will also get the chance to win tickets to the star-studded ceremony in London in March. The WHSmith People`s Choice Book Awards are voted for entirely by the public and the categories are fiction, travel, debut novel, teenage, lifestyle, biography/autobiography, business and general. Librarian Ruth Sharpe helped in the short listing after Belper Library in Bridge Street attracted 708 online votes during last year`s awards - more than any other library in the country. She was invited to London and joined other librarians and Radio 4 presenter Sue McGregor to decide on the five contenders in the general category. Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: "Linking up with the WHSmith Book Award encourages library users to sample a new range of books as well as take advantage of the new technology which is available free in all Derbyshire libraries. "Our libraries not only provide access to thousands of books, the internet and video phones but also DVDs, videos, cassettes, community information and even advice from the county`s Trading Standards division." People can vote for their favourite book by logging on to www.whsmithbookawards.co.uk/libraries (opens in a new window) until 25 February 2004. |
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| 22 January 2004 | Council wins £622,250 for rural community transport services |
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Residents in rural areas are to get improved community transport services following Derbyshire County Council`s successful bid for Government funding. Transport Minister Tony McNulty today announced a £20m national funding package following the 2003 Rural Bus Challenge competition - with £3m going to the East Midlands and £622,250 to Derbyshire. The money will fund five three-year schemes in Derbyshire designed to improve access to community services and social facilities for local people living in rural areas. Southern Derbyshire Rural Access Initiative - £465,750
North Derbyshire Rural Access Initiative - £156,500
Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "We very much welcome today`s announcement which provides us with this funding to improve some of our community transport services in rural areas. "We are committed to improving local services for local people and with this grant support from the Government we can continue to build on the work we`re already doing to improve Derbyshire`s public transport network." Commenting on today`s announcement Mr McNulty said: "These grants show our continuing commitment to supporting community transport organisations and the valuable role they play in meeting local transport needs and tackling social exclusion." |
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| 21 January 2004 | Students` cycle success gets national accolade |
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A pilot project to teach pupils at a Derbyshire school how to ride their bikes safely is to be extended after receiving a national award. The Long Eaton School is the first in the country to complete the child cycle training scheme run by the British School of Motoring (BSM). Derbyshire County Council is supporting the project as part of its commitment to improving road safety outside schools through the Safer Routes to School programme. Now the school in Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, has received a BT School`s Award and £2,000 to extend the scheme. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 will be trained by BSM instructors to help younger pupils to complete their training as part of a "buddy" scheme. The older pupils will run training sessions within the school grounds for pupils in years 7,8 and 9 as part of their citizenship studies. BSM instructors will continue to supervise the courses and to take the youngsters out for training on the county`s roads. Councillor Walter Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "We are delighted that the school has received national recognition for this training. "This scheme not only encourages pupils to cycle and trains them how to do it safely but also helps towards their studies. "Reducing deaths and injury on our roads is one of the council`s key priorities and we hope this scheme will help us to achieve these targets." Last year, 29 cyclists aged 11 to 14 were injured on Derbyshire`s roads. The council aims to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injury by 60 per cent for children and 45 per cent for adults by 2010 in line with Government targets. BSM, Britain`s largest driver training company, provided all the bikes, helmets and reflective clothing. In total, 44 pupils completed the course and were awarded certificates. The Long Eaton School was the first selected to take part in the national trial because of the school`s commitment to encourage pupils to cycle to school. The school became one of the first in Derbyshire to achieve Eco School status, an award acknowledging environmental good practice. |
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| 20 January 2004 | Rise in children caught playing truant |
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Almost 50 children have been found to be playing truant during a two-month sweep carried out by Derbyshire County Council and the police. Figures just released show that during November and December last year 189 children were stopped on Derbyshire`s streets during school hours. Of those 49 children - 26 primary and 23 secondary pupils - had no valid reason for not being at school. Even more worryingly for the county council`s education social workers and police officers was the fact that 19 of the 49 pupils playing truant were accompanied by an adult. This compares to figures from December 2002 when 83 pupils were stopped, of which 18 were found to be playing truant. Nine of those were accompanied by an adult. Excuses given for not being in school during the latest truancy sweep included:
Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "Every day that a child is out of school they are missing out on important learning opportunities so it is worrying that more pupils have been found to be playing truant in this latest initiative. "What is particularly concerning is the number of pupils who were accompanied by parents who had let their children have unauthorised time off school. "Some of the excuses given would be laughable if this was not such a serious issue. Education is not something that young people can miss out on. Missing a day`s school affects the rest of a child`s life." All children stopped during the truancy sweeps who did not have a valid reason for not being in school were returned to school or a safe place. Derbyshire County Council`s education social workers are now working with the pupils and their families to try and prevent the truancy problems continuing in the future. Every year Derbyshire County Council prosecutes between 40 and 50 families for the non-attendance of pupils at school. Under new rules, parents can face up to three months in prison, a fine of £2,500, or both, if they are found guilty of an aggravated offence of non-attendance. |
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| 20 January 2004 | Initiatives to boost school governor recruitment |
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New measures have been introduced by Derbyshire County Council to help recruit and retain more school governors. The changes have seen:
The authority`s governor support team has been expanded with Trevor Miles joining on a part-time basis for a trial period to spearhead the drive to recruit more governors. His main duty is to meet with governing bodies, businesses and community groups to explain the role of governors and encourage more applications. At the same time the way applications for LEA governor posts are handled has been changed. Until now the process has taken an average 11 weeks because applications had to wait for two different committees to sit before a final decision could be made. Under the new rules the chair of a committee will be able to recommend if an applicant is suitable before a final decision is taken by the authority`s cabinet member for education. It is hoped the new system will avoid weeks of administrative work so governors can join schools much sooner. In future any governors who resign will be asked to fill in an exit questionnaire giving the reasons why they are leaving their post. This data will be analysed so that other governors can be given more support to help them continue in their roles, reducing the number of resignations. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "Governors play a crucial role in the education system because they work with the headteacher to set the future direction of a school and decide how its budget should be spent. "By introducing these three new measures we hope to encourage more people to become governors, speed up the application process and provide better on-going support once they are in the role so that we retain our governors for longer periods." More information on becoming a school governor can be found by clicking here (opens in a new window). Anyone interested can also contact Julie Holmes on 01629 585217 or email julie.holmes@derbyshire.gov.uk. |
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| 20 January 2004 | Chart stars provide Big Vote backing chorus |
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Pop stars from Busted and Liberty X are urging young people to take part in the Derbyshire Youth Forum elections - dubbed the Big Vote. During the elections all Derbyshire young people aged 11 to 18 can vote to elect two representatives for their district or borough. The four candidates who poll the highest number of votes in the Derbyshire County Council-run elections will also represent the county on the UK Youth Parliament. A record 58 candidates are standing for election, double the amount who stood last time, with winning candidates serving a two-year term of office. Voting for the elections begins on Monday 26 January and continues until 27 February. Derbyshire-born singer Kelli Young, from chart topping band Liberty X, said: "I think this is a brilliant idea. You don`t always feel you`ve got a voice when you`re growing up so it`s great to be able to choose someone to help create a better community. "Teenagers are more qualified than anyone else to know what teenagers need." And James Bourne, of boy band Busted, added: "It`s really important that the youth of Derbyshire has a voice so get out there and vote." For the second year running the elections are being run in conjunction with Derbyshire County Council`s b_line youth travel and discount card to give all young people a chance to take part. Young people will be able to vote using the Internet, mobile phone text messages and the traditional ballot paper. All voters will receive leaflets introducing the candidates in their district or borough and explaining how they can cast their vote. A dedicated Big Vote section has also been created on the b_line website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/bigvote (opens in a new window) with more information and a clock which counts down until the voting starts. Big Vote teaching packs have been distributed to schools so that the election can be discussed in citizenship lessons. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "Last year there was a tremendous turnout in the elections from young people and, judging by the record number of entries, this year looks like being even better. "The Youth Forum is important because it gives young people a forum to raise the issues that matter to them with the politicians who make the decisions. So I would urge all young people to make their mark and vote for two of the candidates in their area." As well as electing their local representatives all young people who vote will be entered into a free draw to win a trip to Alton Towers in a chauffeur-driven limousine for themselves and five friends, with £100 spending money. The Derbyshire Youth Forum was set up by the county council in 2000 to give young people a greater voice in the democratic process. Each district or borough has its own representatives and the forum develops its own manifesto. Members` views are fed to the county council. In the past 12 months members of the youth forum have:
The success of last year`s elections, which attracted almost 5,000 votes, led to Derbyshire County Council winning the Institute of Public Relations` local government award for the best PR campaign. |
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| 19 January 2004 | Sure Start to get permanent home |
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Work is due to start in the spring on a new building which will be the first of two permanent homes for Erewash Sure Start. The first new building is planned for Beauvale Drive in Cotmanhay and has been designed with the help of parents living in the area. The new building, which will be funded by Sure Start, will serve about 320 families living in the Cotmanhay area who have children aged four years or under. A host of new services set up since Sure Start was launched in the area will be based at the new building, as well as new neighbourhood facilities. Sure Start is a national initiative aimed at improving community services and resources for children under four years and their families. The new centre has already been given planning permission, as has the second new centre in Kirk Hallam. This second building will form an extension to the existing Kirk Hallam Community Hall. At the moment Sure Start`s services are currently being run from a number of premises across the area but programme workers are keen to bring all the services under one roof. The centre has been designed using a castle theme and this will be carried through from the exterior of the building, which will have painted Beefeater-style guardsmen over the door down to the sensory area which will be in a `tower` at one end of the building. The castle theme was decided upon to avoid having to put up a security fence to deter vandalism around the new building. There will also be painted coloured window frames and a bridge over to the entrance. The inside of the building will be in contrast, using natural material and glass, including a terrace for the parents and play equipment for the children. Sure Start workers hope the new centre will act as a focal point for parents in the area who will be able to pop in to use the café and talk to staff about the services which are on offer. Families have already been asked for their views on what type of services they would like to see being set up and baby massage, fitness classes and play sessions are all proving popular choices. Parents will also get the chance to get involved in running various Sure Start projects, with training and information on volunteering being available. Derbyshire County Council`s head of community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "The Sure Start programme in this area is already going a long way to improving opportunities for parents and the new buildings will be a great boost. "One of the main aims of Sure Start is to get the community involved and the buildings will give everyone a focal point, forming a real heart to the Sure Start programme." It is hoped that both buildings will be finished by the end of 2004. |
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| 19 January 2004 | Peter to represent Derbyshire on India visit |
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Derbyshire air cadet Peter Lynegar is going on a trip of a lifetime to India this month to attend the Indian National Cadet Corps Day and meet the Indian Prime Minister and President. Derbyshire County Council has given its support by presenting 17-year-old Peter with a gift that he will present to the Indian Prime Minister and President on his visit so that he can become an emissary for Derbyshire as well as the Air Cadets. Councillor Charles Cutting, the council`s chair, met with Peter to present him with an engraved glass paperweight, featuring a scene of Derbyshire countryside and the wording `Derbyshire - a great place to live`. Councillor Charles said: "I am delighted to present Peter with this gift to take to the Indian authorities on behalf of the people of Derbyshire. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Peter and we are thrilled that a Derbyshire student has been selected for such a prestigious event. "It will give us a chance to show an international audience an image of Derbyshire." Flight Sergeant Peter, a cadet at 1401 (Alfreton & Ripley) Squadron of the Air Training Corps, will meet the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Indian President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and the Defence Chiefs of staff. Peter, a student at Swanwick Hall 6th Form, is one of only six cadets in the country to go on the two week visit to India to attend the National Cadet Corps Day later this month. He will be touring the country as part of a programme organised by the Indian authorities and will be delivering a presentation about life in Great Britain and in the British Air Cadet Organisation. They travelled to India on Friday 16 January 2004. |
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| 16 January 2004 | Council wins £159,000 grant to improve bus service |
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Bus passengers are to get an improved service after the Government awarded Derbyshire County Council £159,011 to upgrade a local route. The money will enable operator Stagecoach East Midlands to increase the frequency of the existing route 51 Chesterfield to Clay Cross service from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes using new easy access low floor buses. It will also allow the council to upgrade bus priorities and bus shelters and provide better bus stop information along the route which runs along the A61 corridor. The grant has come from the Government`s Urban Bus Challenge Competition fund set up to support schemes which help tackle urban deprivation and social exclusion across England. It has been awarded following a successful bid by the council as part of the fund`s new pilot "Kickstart" initiative which pump primes projects with initial funding in the hope they will eventually become commercially viable. County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "We very much welcome this funding which we bid for in partnership with Stagecoach East Midlands to improve this route for existing passengers and attract more users. "We are committed to encouraging people to use public transport as a way of reducing congestion and protecting the environment and improving health." Stagecoach East Midlands managing director Paul Lynch said: "This is a very exciting opportunity to create a more frequent, quicker and more punctual service that will prove even more attractive to passengers. "The new easy access buses will also make bus travel easier and more comfortable." Commenting on the Government funding, which is part of a £19.6m national allocation announced yesterday, Transport Minister Tony McNulty said: "Buses are a major link for many people and the schemes which have been awarded funding this week will bring real benefits to many communities." Derbyshire County Council is committed to Government targets to achieve an increase in bus journeys from 41.1m a year in 2000 to 43.37m a year by the end of this March. |
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| 15 January 2004 | Youngsters get a `step` closer to school |
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Children as young as two-and-a-half have spent their first day at a junior school - after their pre-school re-opened at a new site. Stepping Stones Pre-School held its first session at its new location at Woodbridge Junior School, Alfreton, on Monday. The pre-school, which holds nine half-day sessions a week, is part of Alfreton Leisure Centre, but has moved temporarily while the Amber Valley Borough Council facility undergoes a £15 million redevelopment. Stepping Stones staff were assisted in their move to the Grange Street school by Derbyshire County Council officers working for the Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership. The partnership is led by the county council and includes childcare providers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Officers helped the OFSTED-registered pre-school liaise with the junior school and check the feasibility of using the classroom and storeroom on offer at Woodbridge. Councillor Bob Janes, chair of Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership, said: "It is marvellous to see a pre-school and junior school working together in this way to help provide youngsters with a good start to their education. "I am sure it will be a positive experience for children at the junior school and the pre-school to be located at the same site." There are 64 children aged between two-and-a-half and five years on the Stepping Stones register. The pre-school offers grant-funded nursery education places for three to four-year-olds. Up to 24 youngsters get involved in each session. It is anticipated that Stepping Stones will move back into a purpose-built facility when the leisure centre re-opens. |
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| 15 January 2004 | Tables show continued progress at secondary schools |
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The continuing progress of Derbyshire pupils has been highlighted in secondary school performance tables published by the Government today (Thursday). GCSE, A-level and vocational results show that Derbyshire pupils are continuing to improve and are again outperforming their peers across the country. Overall more young people are achieving higher grades than ever before and fewer are leaving school with no GCSE passes. Derbyshire also outperforms the national average in a new category, which includes `value added` information. This table is designed to take into account how pupils have progressed from key stage 3 to key stage 4 at a school and not just the GCSE results they achieve. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "Across the board Derbyshire has seen significant improvements in results, continuing the trend of recent years in outperforming the national and East Midlands averages. "Good progress is being made across the county at GCSE level and Ecclesbourne, St Mary`s Catholic High, Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, Dronfield, Lady Manners and St Thomas More Catholic schools all performed extremely well. "This shows the investment that Derbyshire County Council and the Government is putting into education and is further proof of the hard work by pupils, teachers, support staff, governors and parents." Schools performing well in the value added table include Ilkeston, St Mary`s Catholic, St Thomas More, Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, Ecclesbourne and Frederick Gent. Results for pupils who sat A-levels, AS levels and Vocational Certificates of Education also show continuing improvement, with the average point score per pupil above the national and East Midlands averages. Councillor Charles added: "As with the GCSE tables the results at post-16 level are very pleasing. "A number of schools have achieved impressive A-levels results, particularly Queen Elizabeth`s Grammar School in Ashbourne which is among the top few performing comprehensive schools in the whole country. "While celebrating the success at both GCSE and A-levels we will not be complacent and plan to carry on working in partnership with schools and the Government to provide young people with the best possible start to life." |
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| 15 January 2004 | School crossing patrol jobs up for grabs |
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People with time to spare in the mornings and afternoons are being encouraged to help their local community by becoming a school crossing patrol.
County council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "School crossing patrols do an invaluable job in helping our youngsters cross busy roads safely so we are keen to fill these vacancies as soon as possible. "It is a great chance for people to help their local community and meet new people - all while earning a bit of spare cash." Derbyshire County Council employs crossing patrols at 312 locations across the county. They are paid £5.12 an hour during term-time and through the school holidays. Deputies (who are called on to cover sickness and holiday leave when required) are paid £5.45 an hour for time worked. The council also encourages applications on a jobshare basis. Full uniform and training is provided. For more information or to apply call the council`s SCP co-ordinator Eileen Murphy on 01629 585463. |
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| 15 January 2004 | New year - new career |
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Free courses for people who want to get a career for the new year are being offered by Derbyshire County Council`s Mobile and Coalfields Vocational Training (MaC) Team. There are a wide range of career options with training packages to become a pool lifeguard and swim teacher, a forklift truck driver or to gain expertise in office and computing skills. Ideal for people wanting to gain practical skills to prepare them for work, the packages are aimed at the long-term unemployed and provide candidates with a hands-on skill in a popular vocation. As part of the package trainees are taught other useful workplace skills and can gain qualifications in computing, first aid, and health and safety. The Office Skills training package will equip candidates with office expertise including customer care, people skills and interview techniques and computing skills covering word processing, spreadsheets and database applications. The course will run three days a week for 10 weeks and is running in Killamarsh at the adult education and sports centres with the initial information day on Wednesday 28 January for people who are interested. The Pool Lifeguard and Assistant Swimming Teacher course equips trainees with a package of qualifications, as recommended by leisure centre managers, including pool lifeguard, assistant teacher, and TOPS sports course. The seven-week course will run in Staveley at Middlecroft Leisure centre and interested candidates can attend an information day on Thursday 22 January to find out more. Forklift truck driving is another training package offering a hands on skill in a popular occupation. On the five-week course trainees can gain a licence for industrial reach trucks, powered pallet trucks and counterbalance trucks - the most common type of forklift truck. The information day about the course is being held at Shirebrook Community Education Centre on Monday 9 February. All the training courses are for a maximum of 16 hours a week so trainees can still claim their benefits. Free lunch is provided and transport costs are covered. Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "People who come on the vocational training courses usually respond very well to it. We have been very successful in getting them back into full-time employment. "Everyone can gain a qualification and make the most of these exciting opportunities to prepare for a new career." Mac Project funding comes from Derbyshire County Council, the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and the Single Regeneration Budget. |
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| 15 January 2004 | Copies of Council`s biggest seller now back in stock |
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The latest book published by Derbyshire County Council has become its fastest ever seller after becoming the unexpected hit gift idea this Christmas. All 1,000 copies of "A Victorian Farmer`s Diary" by T A Burdekin flew off the shelves in just two weeks leaving stockists begging for more over the festive period. Another 1,300 copies of the book have now been reprinted in record time - and 1,000 of those have already snapped up in advance orders. County council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "We`re delighted with the response to the publication of this fantastic little book which is now our fastest-selling title ever. "We had local shops begging us for copies over Christmas so we`re happy to get it back on the shelves as quickly as we have. "It was a great Christmas gift idea but also the perfect read at any time for people interested in local history and the simple but fascinating ways of rural life in the 1860s." The council offered to publish the diary after Alec Burdekin, who lives in Cornwall, approached local studies library staff to help explain the mysteries of the local dialect he found in his great grandfather William Hodkin`s journal as he attempted to transcribe it. As they started researching the text and finding suitable illustrations, photographs and newspaper articles from the county archives they realised what a valuable local history resource the diary could be and offered to get it in print. The result - "A Victorian Farmer`s Diary - William Hodkin`s Diary 1864-66 - Life In And Around Beeley On The Chatsworth Estate" by T A Burdekin - was launched with support from the Duchess of Devonshire at Chatsworth House in November. It tells the story of daily life on the Chatsworth estate in the days before farm mechanisation. William Hodkin records his joys, such as the birth of his daughter, and his sorrows including his fears as the cattle plague swept the county in 1866. The diary is priced £6.95 and available from all Derbyshire libraries and some bookshops. ISBN number 0 903463 72 5. It can also be ordered by post from Library Administration, Cultural and Community Services Department, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG. Cheques for £8, including postage and packaging, should be made payable to Derbyshire County Council. |
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| 14 January 2004 | Traders warned over underage sale of knives |
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Retailers are being offered advice and guidance by Derbyshire County Council Trading Standards Service to prevent the illegal sale of knives and bladed objects to children under 16. Officers are outlining the law to traders ahead of a New Year initiative which will uncover retailers selling prohibited knives and blades to youngsters. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offence to sell a knife or knife blade to anyone under 16 years old. The law also applies to axes and other sharp or bladed items that could be used as a weapon. Folding pocket knives with blades of less than 3 inches in length and cartridge-style razor blades are not covered by the legislation. The council decided to enforce the legislation to bring its Trading Standards service in line with others across the country. Young volunteers will carry out test purchases at retail outlets in Derbyshire on behalf of the authority. Regular checks for underage sales of other age-restricted goods such as cigarettes, alcohol and fireworks are already undertaken by the council. Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for Public Protection and Transport said: "Nationally there have been reports of knives being carried by young people and we want to make sure we are doing all we can to prevent incidents occurring locally. "The council, police, parents and traders all have a part to play and we are offering advice and guidance to traders, particularly smaller businesses who may have not previously regarded themselves as sellers of age-restricted goods." He added: "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. If shops take their responsibilities seriously it will make it harder for potential weapons to fall into the wrong hands. "The law is there to prevent injury and harm. Underage sales can so easily lead to tragedy and for this reason, where a sale is made and adequate precautions have not been taken, traders and their staff risk prosecution". Salespersons are being advised to ask for proof of age if they are not certain the purchaser is old enough to legally buy a knife or bladed object. If proof is unavailable or unsatisfactory the sale should be refused and a record of the refusal made. Traders who are not sure of how the law affects their business can call Trading Standards for advice on 01629 585858, or alternatively visit the authority`s Trading Standards website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards (opens in a new window). |
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| 14 January 2004 | Temporary closure for Dronfield Library. |
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Dronfield Library users will be able to borrow extra books while the branch is closed to allow maintenance work to be carried out. The Derbyshire County Council-run library in Manor House, Dronfield will close on Monday 19 January and re-open at 9.30am on Monday 9 February. The temporary closure is necessary while the whole building is rewired as part of the county council`s planned maintenance programme. Customers will be able to take out extra books to cover the period of the closure and they should ask staff at the library for details. Customers will still be able to renew books during the temporary closure online by clicking here (opens in a new window) or by ringing Call Derbyshire on 08456 058058. Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services Bob Janes said: "We ask that people bear with us while this work takes place and make use of our call centre and website in the mean time." Library cards from Dronfield can be used at any library in Derbyshire and Mobile Library services are available in nearby local villages including Dronfield Woodhouse, Holmesfield, Barlow, Coal Aston and the outskirts of Eckington. Further details about the closure are available from staff at the branch or by ringing 01246 414001. |
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| 14 January 2004 | Gamesley remembers the Manchester overspills |
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A project charting the social history of The Manchester Overspills will be launched in Gamesley on Tuesday led by Derbyshire County Council. From Smoke to Grass is a reminiscence project recording the movement of Manchester people to the area during the slum clearances of the 1960s. The council`s adult community education service, supported by the Libraries and Heritage service, will work with local residents to record their memories of how people were moved from the city to a purpose-built council estate in Gamesley. Verbal accounts and photographs of the era will be gathered to compile a book entitled The Manchester Overspills. Residents` memories will also be used to inspire a series of art works created by local crafts people. These will include wrought iron gates to be erected at the football club, bowling club and Gamesley Early Excellence Centre, stained glass panels to be fitted in local public houses, and fabric panels which will be hung in local schools and the Early Excellence Centre`s Out of School Club. The project is being funded by a £24,970 Lottery grant secured by The Manchester Overspills group from the Local Heritage Initiative. A launch event will be held at Gamesley Library on Tuesday when the project`s logo chosen from competition entries designed by local community groups will be revealed. Local residents are being invited to dig out their old photographs and are welcome to attend from 3pm onwards. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services, and chair councillor Charles Cutting will attend the launch. Councillor Janes said: "I`m delighted that the community group has been awarded Lottery funding to carry out this exciting project. "The Manchester Overspills is a very important part of Gamesley`s history and heritage and this is something that local people can get involved in to create lasting memories of the area`s roots. So if you have an interesting story to tell, why not visit the launch and share the memory." To monitor the project`s progress log-on to the Local Heritage Initiative website at www.lhi.org.uk (opens in a new window). |
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| 13 January 2004 | Temporary closure for Dronfield Library |
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Dronfield Library users will be able to borrow extra books while the branch is closed to allow maintenance work to be carried out. The Derbyshire County Council-run library in Manor House, Dronfield will close on Monday 19 January and re-open at 9.30am on Monday 9 February. The temporary closure is necessary while the whole building is rewired as part of the county council`s planned maintenance programme. Customers will be able to take out extra books to cover the period of the closure and they should ask staff at the library for details. Customers will still be able to renew books during the temporary closure by ringing Call Derbyshire on 08456 058058 or by using the County Council`s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window). Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services Bob Janes said: "We ask that people bear with us while this work takes place and make use of our call centre and website in the mean time." Library cards from Dronfield can be used at any library in Derbyshire and Mobile Library services are available in nearby local villages including Dronfield Woodhouse, Holmesfield, Barlow, Coal Aston and the outskirts of Eckington. Further details about the closure are available from staff at the branch or by ringing 01246 414001. |
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| 13 January 2004 | Services set to be improved for deaf people |
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Services provided for deaf people living in Derbyshire are to be improved with the help of a video made by social services. A review of services for people aged over 18 years who have been born deaf or become deaf was launched by Derbyshire County Council`s social services last year and a number of consultation evenings were held across the county to canvass views. The information gathered during the consultation has now been brought together and a video of the findings has been made by social services staff. The video, made using sign language with sub-titles, also details the changes that people have said they would like to see to improve services they use. The video is available at some county libraries and social services are appealing for members of the deaf community to watch it and contact them if they are willing to be part of a group to help make changes. The group, which will meet every eight weeks with a development worker, over the period of a year, will look at the changes needed and how they can be implemented. The development worker who sits in on the group will then feed back the discussions to social services workers who will set about improving services. County council cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "We are appealing for people to come forward to join the group as we want to make sure the views of deaf people themselves are used to provide good future services." All the meetings will be held at County Hall in Matlock and there will be full interpreter support as well as speech to text services. Anyone who would like more information should contact Sue Mitchell at the county council via e-mail, sue.mitchell@derbyshire.gov.uk, minicom on 01629 772256, SMS on 0781 5635418 or fax on 01629 772276. People who were unable to make the January meeting should contact Sue for more details. |
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| 13 January 2004 | New guide leads walkers to Derbyshire |
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A new guide has been published to help walkers navigate a long distance route through the picturesque Derbyshire countryside. The 55-mile long Derwent Valley Heritage Way - which meanders from the Peak District to the south of the county - was developed by the Derwent Valley Trust. It is funded by Derbyshire County Council, Peak District National Park Authority, Waste Recycling Environmental, Lafarge Cement UK, Southern Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, East Midlands Development Agency, the Countryside Agency and the Environment Agency. Publishers Jarrold have now printed a 96-page colour guide which includes photographs and maps of the route which starts at Ladybower Reservoir and takes in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site before finishing at the River Trent near Shardlow. Written by Sheffield author Kevin Borman as part of a series of walking guides, the route is broken down in to sections that can be tackled a day at a time. Councillor Bob Janes, the county council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "The Derbyshire countryside attracts visitors from across the globe. "This guide will appeal not only to serious walkers who will want to walk its entire length but also to visitors and local people who may want to use shorter sections. The partners in the Derwent Valley Trust see the heritage way as an important way of promoting sustainable tourism in the area." Derbyshire County Council ranger Rick Jillings was seconded to the Derwent Valley Trust for a year to co-ordinate the £50,000 project. The route, which was officially opened last April by the Duke of Devonshire and Trust chairman Dr Brian Waters, runs through fields, woodland paths, tracks and also has sections using pavements and roads. The guide - called Derwent Valley Heritage Way - includes details of how people can obtain a certificate and badge when they complete the entire length of the walk. Priced at £11.99, the guide is now available in local bookshops. For more information on the route visit the Derwent Valley Trust website at www.nationalheritagecorridor.org.uk (opens in a new window). |
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| 13 January 2004 | Musical treat from county`s youngsters |
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Some of Derbyshire`s best young musicians will take to the stage on Sunday (18 January) for a new year gala concert. Members of the Derbyshire City and County Wind Band, a children`s choir made up of pupils from nine city and county schools and a recorder consort group from the North East Derbyshire Music Centre will give a joint concert at the Assembly Rooms in Derby. The spectacle will feature music from the films Harry Potter and Henry V, as well as traditional favourites like Radetzy March and the Thunder and Lightning Polka. Tickets for the show, which starts at 6pm, cost £5 for adults and £2 for children. They are available from the Assembly Rooms box office on 01332 255800. |
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| 13 January 2004 | Deadline approaches for primary school applications |
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Parents of children born between 1 September 1999 and 31 August 2000 have until 13 February to apply for a place for their child at one of Derbyshire County Council`s community or controlled primary schools. Children born between these dates are due to begin school at the start of September 2004 (if their fifth birthday falls between 1 September 2004 and 30 April 2005), or January 2005 (if their fifth birthday falls between 1 May and 31 August 2005). By law, parents must arrange for their child to begin school full-time at the start of the term after their fifth birthday, unless they make other acceptable arrangements for the youngster`s education. Parents can apply for a place at any one of the authority`s community or controlled primary schools. There is no automatic right to a place at a particular school, although in most cases there will be enough places to meet admission requests. However, some schools may have to refuse requests if they don`t have enough room or if the number of children seeking places is above the school`s admission number. If a child is refused a place, the county council provides advice and information on possible alternative schools and also about the independent appeals process. To apply for a place and a copy of the county council`s Parents` Information Booklet, parents should contact their preferred school direct. More information and contact details for all Derbyshire schools can be viewed on the county council`s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window). Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for education, said: "Parents who haven`t already made an application should do so now - missing the deadline could reduce their chances of getting a place at the school of their choice. "Parents should not assume their child will be guaranteed a place at their local school. By law there is no automatic right, and so it`s important that they make the application." |
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| 12 January 2004 | Councillors praise Parkside super-head |
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Parkside Community School`s `super-head` has been praised by Derbyshire County Council after he took the failing school to the top of the class. The Chesterfield school was one of the worst in the county when headteacher Ed Gabbani was brought in to save it in 1999. Four years on, Mr Gabbani has taken the school out of `special measures` and turned it into a success story with 32 per cent of pupils achieving GCSE grades A*-C. Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for education, said: "When Ed Gabbani arrived there were significant problems at the school which faced possible closure. Since then, he has increased standards significantly and Parkside has been recognised as one of the fastest improving schools in the country. "Ed gained the trust of the pupils, their families and the community as a whole and turned Parkside around into a school that is performing well regionally and nationally. He instilled in the students and staff a fundamental belief that all young people can achieve, given the right environment, a belief that I strongly endorse. "The council would like to show its appreciation for the tremendous effort he and all of the school has made and congratulate them on their achievements." Mr Gabbani was previously the head at a school in Sheffield. He said: "This was very much a team effort not least of which was the students themselves who have taken on board what I call the three As - aspiration, attendance and achievement. "One of the first things the kids said to me when I arrived at Parkside was `are you coming back tomorrow` because supply teachers would walk in at 8.30am and walk out again by 9am. "Now Parkside Community School is a wonderful place to be. It has been built on the good will of high quality and committed staff and an excellent partnership with Derbyshire County Council." |
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| 09 January 2004 | New Year warning against doorstep sellers |
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Derbyshire County Council`s Trading Standards service has issued a New Year warning about the dangers of dealing with doorstep traders. Officers are concerned about residents handing over thousands of pounds to traders for sub-standard work and repairs. Trading Standards has received 12 complaints over the past three months about doorstep traders making unsolicited calls. Vendors selling services such as driveway re-surfacing, damp-proofing and roof repairs have featured among complaints received from across the county. Some overpriced their services including one trader who attempted to charge £12,500 for roofing work valued at £500. Others carried out work that was not needed while others did not carry out the work to a satisfactory standard. The law does offer some protection to people who agree to work being carried out at their home as a result of an uninvited visit. Traders are generally required by law to provide a written cancellation or `cooling-off` notice for any work valued at more than £35 - this gives consumers seven days to change their mind and cancel the contract. But unscrupulous traders may not give notice of the right to cancel and often insist on starting the work immediately with payment in cash. Derbyshire Trading Standards service investigates complaints but rogue traders using false addresses are hard to trace if there are problems with the work and consumers have little chance of recovering any money paid. Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport, said the best way for residents to avoid problems is to simply "say no to doorstep callers". He said: "Dealing with traders who call at the door can be very difficult but the simplest way is to tell them that you do not want any work doing. After all there are not many reputable traders who have to go door to door to get work. "We want to make the public aware of traders who demand large amounts of cash for shoddy work to stop people from being ripped off." He added: "Don`t fall for their sales pitches - even if they say that the work is urgent and they can do it straight away. "If you do want work carrying out at your home, the Council`s Trading Standards Service can give you advice on finding a trader." If you have any complaints about doorstep traders or would like more advice contact Derbyshire County Council`s Trading Standards Consumer Advice Team on 01629 585858. |
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| 09 January 2004 | Historic art collection at Record Office |
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Historic caricature prints and drawings by local artist George Woodward have been preserved by the Derbyshire County Council-run Derbyshire Record Office. Derbyshire Record Office has conserved and catalogued the largest known collection of work by the Derbyshire-born artist outside of the British Museum. People can now view the rare collection of drawings and prints by the renowned `golden age` caricaturist at an exhibition held at Pickford`s House Museum, Derby between Saturday 31 January and Saturday 25 April. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the collection, which dates back to the 1700s, is held at the Record Office in New Street, Matlock. It contains nearly three hundred prints and over two hundred drawings including a number of depictions of Shakespearean productions from the 18th century. Important conservation work on the archive has included the removal of paper linings, revealing in the process a number of sketches, as well as notes apparently written by the artist`s father. Research on the artist has uncovered letters between Woodward, his father and Earl Stanhope, which reveal more about Woodward`s early life in Derbyshire. Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "I am delighted that we are able to promote the work of such a talented Derbyshire-born artist. "George Woodward was one of the leading British artists when caricature drawing was at its height and I am sure that such rare drawings will be of great general interest." The entire collection has been scanned on to CD-ROM, and these images will be on view as part of the exhibition at Pickford`s House Museum, Derby, as well as at the Derbyshire Record Office. The original documents are being held at Derbyshire Record Office where they will be available to researchers under supervision. For more information on the project or the exhibition contact Katy Baldwin on 01629 580000 ext. 35202 or email record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk. |
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| 09 January 2004 | Heritage lottery fund for arts project |
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Plans to bring history alive for people living around the Derwent Valley Mills Heritage site are now well underway thanks to a huge cash boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The lottery fund has awarded £50,000 to the Derwent Valley World Heritage Community Arts project for a series of heritage-based arts projects to enable local people to learn about the World Heritage Site. Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and East Midland Development Agency (EMDA) also fund the project. The proposed two-year project has four key strands which will be managed by community arts groups and involve artists working with the local community. Key aims of the project are to:
With this funding the Derwent Valley Mills partnership can now go ahead with the first two strands of the project. Belper-based arts organisation Fleet Arts will begin the activities with a literature and textile-based project called Spinning A Yarn. Starting in February, local people will be able to discover the history of mill workers and textile making in the Derwent Valley. They can attend textile and writing workshops and help to create a giant weaving from words and stories to be exhibited at one of the mills. Later next year there will be a chance for children to join in the activities with Wirksworth-based arts organisation Learning Through Arts. Professional performers will run workshops in schools and youth centres for young people to create a piece of contemporary multimedia theatre based on the history of the young mill workers. The piece will be performed at three of the mill sites. The project continues into 2005 with strands celebrating the history of waterpower and of innovation and technology, resulting in a water-powered sculpture and projections of light and sound. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "This is an exciting project giving Derwent Valley residents an excellent opportunity to find out more about their heritage and the history of the area. "There are activities for all ages to join in and help to bring the history of the mills alive. "The Derbyshire countryside attracts visitors from across the world and this project will help raise the profile of one of our most valuable historic sites." For more information on the Derwent Valley World Heritage Community Arts project call Ann Wright on 01773 832497. |
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| 09 January 2004 | Chance to have your say on services |
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People with a physical disability or sensory impairment are being asked to tell the county council what they think of services provided in the community. Derbyshire County Council`s social services, which was awarded a top rating of three stars by Government inspectors two months ago, is keen to ensure a high level of service continues to be provided to people across the county. As part of this a questionnaire will be sent out shortly to a number of randomly selected people who use services provided in the community, either by social services or other organisations through using direct payments, to find out what they really think of what`s on offer. The survey asks people to tell social services how satisfied they are with the services they receive and to detail what improvements they think could be made to the ones they use. The questionnaires will be sent out this month and anyone who receives one is being asked to help the service by completing it and returning it to the county council. Each year social services consults with specific customer groups and this year those with a physical disability or sensory impairment will receive the questionnaire. County council cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "The results of the survey will help us to identify any gaps in our service and a full report on the views we receive will be made available in the summer. "We find these surveys an invaluable source of information and they help us to provide the services that people really want." The survey results will also be sent to the Department of Health which will produce a report comparing the results from all social services departments across the country. Anyone who is sent a questionnaire and would like more information about the survey should contact the county council`s call centre Call Derbyshire on 0845 6 058 058 from Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm. |
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| 08 January 2004 | Still time to give your views in consultation |
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Views are still being sought on multi-million pound proposals aimed at upgrading residential care homes, building new ones and improving care services in the community. Derbyshire County Council launched a consultation into its plans to invest in and develop residential and caring services for older people last October, with the aim of gathering views from residents, carers, relatives and staff. The consultation ends on Friday 16 January, after which the council will evaluate and consider all views expressed before making its final decision. In October, the council`s cabinet voted to consult over the proposals which include:
If agreed upon, the new homes for older people and the extracare development would not be ready for occupation until before October 2005 and residents would not have to move until the buildings were ready unless they chose to transfer to a different home. Residents, carers, relatives and staff have all had an opportunity to make their views known to the council in a series of collective and one-to-one meetings. Views have also come in by letter from individuals and those representing larger organisations, for example primary care trusts or charities like Age Concern. Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "We have been asking for people`s views since the proposals were announced in October and have been pleased with the response. "Across the county hundreds of people have made their views known through various means and we shall be collating them all after 16 January before making a decision." She added: "By upgrading homes, building new ones and improving resources in the community we are widening the choices available to older people in the county, giving them more independence, dignity, respect and privacy." There is still time for people to make their views known on the proposed changes. To do this write to the Director of Social Services, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG. |
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| 08 January 2004 | New guide is just the ticket |
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A new guide which aims to encourage more people to use public transport has been published by Derbyshire County Council. Called OnBoard, the newsletter contains helpful information to make travelling around Derbyshire by bus and train as easy and stress-free as possible. The free publication includes a section for novice riders on planning their journey, where to find bus stops, what to do once on board and getting off. Details of cut-price tickets, including discount travel for older and disabled people and students, are also highlighted in the eight-page leaflet. The quarterly newsletter has been published by the county council with support from local bus operators, including Stagecoach, Arriva and trent barton. It is available on board buses, from bus company offices, libraries and tourist information centres across the county. Cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: "The authority is committed to encouraging people to use the bus more often and persuade new users to climb aboard. "We work closely with local operators to make sure that the services available are what local people want and to make sure people can easily get hold of the information they need to travel as directly and efficiently as possible. "We hope this new guide will encourage people to leave their cars behind and make the most of the extensive public transport network available in Derbyshire." For more information about the county`s bus and rail network visit Derbyshire County Council`s online public transport map at www.derbybus.net (opens in a new window). Details of local bus times are available from traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Derbyshire County Council has a commitment to increasing the number of passenger journeys made in Derbyshire to 43.37 million by March 31 2004. |
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| 08 January 2004 | Inspired group takes off this month |
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Dozens of older people are expected to attend the first meeting of a new forum in Chesterfield. An open day was held in November to assess the interest in setting up an older people`s forum for the area and the idea was met with enthusiasm by local people and groups. The new forum, which has the backing of Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, has the proposed name of the Chesterfield 50+ Inspired Group, and will have its inaugural annual general meeting on Thursday 22 January. The meeting, at the Assembly Rooms, Market Hall, Chesterfield, will start at 10.30am with light refreshments being served from 10am. Letters have gone out to people and groups who attended the open day back in November and expressed an interest in taking part or being involved in running the forum. At the meeting on 22 January, those attending will be asked to elect officers to the forum`s management committee and nomination forms have been posted out with the letters. People or organisations who wish to nominate an officer to the forum but have not received a letter or nomination form can do so on the day. People can also nominate themselves. The forum, when officially set up, will give older people the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other and with decision-making organisations including councils and primary care trusts. Members will be able to inform organisations about the needs of older people through the forum, influencing the development of services and support and anything that might impact on their lives. The setting up of a forum is connected to the national `Better Government for Older People` programme. The programme is a national initiative launched in 1998 to give older people a voice to improve public services and is a partnership between central government, local government, older people and the voluntary sector. The county council is hoping older people`s forums will be set up across the county in the future. County council cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "There was a lot of interest and enthusiasm at the last meeting and the first annual general meeting later this month will be the forum`s first official step. "It is essential that the lines of communication between older people and organisations are open and they can make themselves heard, views can be exchanged and ideas can be aired." |
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| 07 January 2004 | Snapshots of Derbyshire life |
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The Duke of Devonshire is to open an exhibition of work by Derbyshire photographer Kate Bellis at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 10 January. This Place is a collection of photographs of landscapes, places and people of Derbyshire and is the third of Kate`s photographic exhibitions to be shown at Buxton Museum. In her new work, Kate highlights the changes and challenges that face our rural communities in Derbyshire. She describes the photographs as "an intimate and timely dialogue with the people from the heart of Derbyshire". The exhibition follows several successful exhibitions including On The Edge, a compelling photo-documentary of hill farming families in crisis which followed the lives two families in the Peak District when lamb and wool prices had fallen sharply on the world markets. The exhibition will be officially opened by the Duke of Devonshire at the gallery on Terrace Road, Buxton on Saturday 10 January at 2pm and it will run until Saturday 6 March. Anyone wishing to find out more about the photographs can chat to Kate who will be at the museum on Saturday 24 January and Saturday 7 February between 1pm and 3pm. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services, said: "I`m sure the collection of photographs will be very interesting to many local people who will recognise the challenges of rural life. "Kate`s work has been very popular locally and nationally with her depictions of hill farming and life in the Peak District." Visitors to the gallery can also see Artwork 2003, a stunning exhibition of art by the pupils of St Thomas More and Buxton Community Schools, which runs until 24 January. Also on show is Four Seasons in the Peak, an exhibition of pastel drawings by Theresa Evans which can be seen until 31 January. Artwork by local budding artist Nathan Birchenough, inspired by Buxton and the countryside of Derbyshire, is on display until 28 February. 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. |
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| 07 January 2004 | Public invited to tap into Derbyshire`s delights |
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Derbyshire`s many attractions are now even easier for visitors and residents to find out about thanks to a new county council website. Information about places to stay and visit, what`s on, links to history and heritage, cinemas, theatres, pubs, clubs, and tourist information centres and news can all be found at www.derbyshire-thepeakdistrict.co.uk (opens in a new window). An accommodation search section helps people find a place to stay from a wide choice of hotels, hostels, campsites, bed and breakfasts and self-catering properties. The section gives details of prices, availability, facilities, ratings and quality awards. There are also links to websites for villages across the county so tourists and Derbyshire residents can find out much more about local life. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: "When people think of our beautiful county they automatically think of the Peak District and its stunning scenery. "This website will help to stamp the identity of Derbyshire and The Peak District in people`s minds - showing off our fantastic national park and the county`s countless other attributes, which make it a top destination for nature lovers, historians and shoppers. "By making it easier for visitors to find places to come and visit, or stay, we are helping to support our local industries and economy and keep Derbyshire a jewel in the heart of England." Visitors to the site, which goes live today, can request a Derbyshire information brochure and even register to receive news updates about the county by email. A brochure can also be requested by contacting Derbyshire County Council`s call centre Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058. The call centre is open 8am until 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday. Click here to visit www.derbyshire-thepeakdistrict.co.uk (opens in a new window). |
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| 07 January 2004 | Cycle hire charges frozen for third year |
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Cycle hire charges at Derbyshire County Council`s countryside centres are to be frozen for the third year running to encourage residents and visitors to get on their bikes. Charges this year will be maintained at the same level as they were between April 2002 and March 2003. 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. "We are very pleased that this is the third year we have been able to keep hire charges down. "Cycling is a healthy, fun activity as well as a way of getting around and we hope that by keeping our charges as low as we can it 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. Last year the council scrapped 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. The council`s cycle hire charges (up to March 2005) are:
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 county council`s cycle centres are promoted in conjunction with those run by the Peak District National Park Authority. For more information visit the Countryside Service website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/countrysideservice (opens in a new window) or contact Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058. |
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| 06 January 2004 | Reassuring results from hire vehicle safety checks |
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Safety checks on hire vehicles in Derbyshire gave reassuring results following a random swoop by Derbyshire County Council`s Trading Standards. Officers posing as members of the public hired 11 small and medium-sized vans from outlets across the county in November. The vehicles were taken from hire firms in the Amber Valley, Erewash, Derbyshire Dales and High Peak areas and assessed at the council`s transport depots. An independent vehicle examiner and officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency found that two vehicles - from Amber Valley and Erewash - contained faults that could cause them to become unfit for use or cause danger of injury if they were not repaired. Officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency placed notices on the two vehicles prohibiting them from further use until the repairs were carried out. The faults were not considered serious enough to warrant prosecution but the vehicles must pass a new MOT test before police can issue a removal notice for the prohibition. Warnings were also given to the owners of the two vehicles reminding them of their responsibility to make sure their vehicles were safe. Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for public protection and transport, welcomed the fact that the remaining nine vehicles passed the safety examination. A similar exercise carried out in Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire in 1999 found 10 out of 14 vehicles were not roadworthy and prosecutions followed. Councillor Burrows said: "These vehicles are available for hire by members of the public who are entitled to assume that they are safe when they take them out on to the roads. "I`m pleased to see that the majority of the vehicles examined recently were deemed safe but it is worrying that some traders are still allowing their vehicles to be used with defects that could present a danger to anyone using them. "The responsibility for these vehicles lies with the owners and Derbyshire County Council`s Trading Standards officers will continue to take action where necessary." |
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