September

A record number of entrants have entered the county’s food and drink awards in the hope of winning a prestigious title.

The Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards 2004 celebrate restaurants, pubs, hotels and cafés that serve and advertise the best county produce.

Establishments will be judged on criteria including the quality of food and drink, use of county produce and acknowledgement of it on menus and customer service.

Categories in the competition include:

Restaurant of the Year

Pub/Bistro of the Year

Tea Room/Coffee House of the Year

Best Breakfast

The closing date for entries for the third annual event, which is hosted by Derbyshire County Council, was on Friday (September 17).

An independent judging panel of food specialists have now selected a shortlist from the 76 entries and a mystery customer will visit these venues sometime over the next four weeks to decide the winners.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “The high standard of the entries is fantastic and we really are going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the winning premises.

“This competition is a shot in the arm for the county’s food and drink industry as it rewards the businesses that use local produce suppliers and provides residents and tourists with information about first-class eateries.

Winners will be announced at an award ceremony hosted at The George Hotel in Hathersage on November 30, where they will receive a plaque to display at their premises. The George Hotel was highly commended in the Restaurant of the Year category at last year’s food and drink awards.

Eager ancestor tracers have flocked to the one-to-one family history surgeries to be held at Derbyshire County Council’s Record Office. 

All sessions until the end of December are now fully booked. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We are very pleased at this response.

“The family history sessions always prove popular with local people keen to trace their ancestry and the county council hopes to organise more surgeries to meet the obvious demand that is out there.”

Dates of further sessions will be advertised shortly. For those who have been unable to book a place it is worth remembering every month the Record Office offers a free drop-in session for people wanting to find out more about its services. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to book.

The session starts at 9am and lasts for about 30 minutes. After this you can start your research under your own steam - either on the same day or later.

The next introductions to the search room are - Wednesday 20 October 9am-9.30am; Thursday 18 November 9am-9.30am; Thursday 9 December 9am-9.30am.

For further information email  record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone 01629 580000 ext. 35202.

A host of events are planned at Derbyshire libraries to celebrate National Poetry Day on Thursday 7 October.

The annual event organised by the Poetry Society aims to raise awareness of verse and encourage more people to read, listen and perform poetry. This year’s theme is food.

Events taking place in Derbyshire County Council’s libraries include a visit by renowned poet Patience Agbabi.

She will be reading poetry at Alfreton Library from 7.30pm to 9pm on Friday 8 October. Tickets cost £2.50 (£1.50 concessions) including refreshments. The event is also part of the authority’s Out of Africa promotion which aims to raise the profile of writers with an African heritage or who have lived and worked in Africa.

Coal mining poet David Coleman will be at Sandiacre Library at 2pm on October 7. He will perform his poetry and tell amusing tales of life for coal miners in the early 20th century followed by a discussion session afterwards. Entry is free but tickets must be booked in advance by ringing the library on 0115 939 6805.

New Yorker Jared Louche will lead a workshop with pupils from Eckington School, which will be followed by a performance at Eckington Library on October 20. To book contact the library on 01246 433943.

A Wine and Words event called Poetry on a Platter will be staged at Newbold Library between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday 5 October. Tickets cost £3 (£2 concessions) including refreshments. To book ring 01246 277328.

Poet June Davies will be taking a look at the funny side of life at Hayfield Library on October 7 with an evening of poems and music. The event runs from 7.30pm to 9pm and tickets costing £3 (£2 concessions) are available by contacting Christine Barnes on 01663 743508 or Rosemary Orders on 01298 25331.

In Bakewell Library, a folder full of poems will be available for visitors to read and to include their own contributions. While a series of poetry readings and displays will take place to celebrate the event at libraries in Belper, Duffield, Ilkeston, Newbold and Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “The theme of this year’s event is food and we promise some mouth-watering events at our libraries.”

New measures to provide millions of pounds of support to rural post offices have been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council.

The Government has announced it is to continue subsidising the network, giving £150 million a year until 2008.

A Government aid package worth £450 million, aimed at helping village post offices extend and modernise their services, will run out in 2006. Up to £300 million is now to be made available from 2006 to 2008.

Councillor Geoff Carlile, cabinet member for regeneration said: “This backing for rural post offices is most welcome and I urge communities to do their bit too by giving them the support they deserve.

“The Post Office isn’t just about stamps and parcels as services now include banking, insurance and foreign currency.”

The authority has recently been asked to take part in a Post Office consultation on their “urban” branches in the Chesterfield and South Derbyshire areas, to assess their viability.

Councillor Carlile said: “We are encouraging the Post Office to retain appropriate services in these areas as we want all of our residents to enjoy the benefits they offer.

“We will continue to work with the Post Office to try to ensure facilities are available to communities – particularly in rural areas where they are often a lifeline for people.”

A number of Derbyshire villages have been able to retain their post office services by combining them with existing facilities.

In Turnditch the sub-post office runs from the Cross Keys pub, in Lower Pilsley a post office is operated two mornings a week at the Star Inn and in Heage a facility was set up in a barn conversion within the courtyard of the Windmill Inn.

Councillor Carlile said: "Services have been successfully continued in areas of the county when they have been offered from an existing business or on a part-time basis.

“A crucial ingredient for their continuing prosperity is support from local people so get behind your post office and help retain your services so you can use them – not lose them.”

Derbyshire schoolchildren will be taking to their feet as part of a global Walk to School week from Monday (4 October).

About 200 schools from throughout the county will join schools from the USA to Australia as part of the International Walk to School Week supported by Derbyshire County Council.

Children, parents and teachers will be ditching the car in an effort to promote the following benefits of walking to school – it is an opportunity for parents to teach and develop their children’s road safety skills, walking is healthy exercise and a regular way to keep fit, it reduces dependency on private cars for regular school journeys and so reduces traffic congestion especially outside schools, it reduces air pollution, is cheaper and less stressful than driving and children who walk may arrive at school more alert and aware.

Children taking part in the week will receive stickers, bookmarks and travel survey sheets as well as a list of website addresses they can log on to for some interactive fun.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: “The health and safety of our children is a top priority for Derbyshire County Council and as such we have supported the national Walk to School week for five years now.

“We are especially pleased to be able to get involved in the international campaign which will give children, parents and teachers from all over the world the chance to not only benefit from the exercise but also see the difference less traffic makes to our roads and environment.”

Bus travellers may notice a difference to their surroundings with the appearance of new shelters on some county routes.

Derbyshire County Council is continuing its bus shelter grant scheme whereby it funds half the cost of new and replacement shelters with the other half being picked up by the relevant district or parish council.

New shelters will be placed at:

Ravencar Road, Eckington, opposite shops

Ravencar Road, Eckington, outside shops

Main Road, Smalley

Two will be replaced on Rock Crescent, Holmgate, along with three others at:

Bakestone Moor opposite the Royal Oak pub

Wharf Road, Pinxton,

Alfreton Road, Tibshelf,

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: “The county council’s grant scheme is all about improving public transport facilities - such as bus shelters - thereby making the journey by bus a much more pleasant experience for those people who do not have access to a car.”

Planning permission is being sought to build a new £2.2 million centre for people with learning disabilities in Erewash.

Derbyshire County Council wants to build a new centre to replace the Eaton Vale Centre in Briar Gate, Long Eaton, on the same site.

The current building is around 40 years old and does not meet modern standards. It will be demolished to make way for the new centre, which it is hoped will open its doors in May 2006.

Discussions are currently going on with service users and their carers to ensure that suitable alternative day services are available while the work is being carried out.

If permission is granted, it is hoped work would start as early as next May.

It will be used by adults with learning disabilities, including people with very complex needs, from across the Erewash area.

A range of activities will be run from the centre, including helping users to develop life skills, accessing local leisure facilities and education opportunities.

The new building will have:

Full access and facilities to cope with specialist wheelchairs used by people with the most complex physical disabilities

A multi-sensory area with a light room, dark room and a room for sensory integration

An accessible kitchen to help people develop independent living skills

A dining room and mini-conference facilities

Meeting rooms

A physical activity area including space for wheelchair aerobics

An arts and crafts room including a pottery kiln

The grounds and garden will be landscaped and there will also be a sensory garden, quiet space and wildflower section.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for social care and health Councillor Anne Western said: "The Eaton Vale Centre provides a very important service to people living in the Erewash area with learning disabilities and the plan to build a new centre is extremely positive.

"The building doesn't meet present modern standards and we are hopeful the permission to build the new centre will go through."

Councillor Western added: "We are always looking at ways to expand and improve our day services, whether centre-based or in the community, and the new centre will offer a first class service to people with learning disabilities in area."

Celebrations marked the official opening of a new neighbourhood nursery to provide high quality, affordable day care for children.

The Grange Private Day Nursery in Alfreton has been providing childcare and education from its Marshall Street base for more than 12 years.

After running at near maximum occupancy for several years the nursery teamed up with Derbyshire County Council`s early years and childcare service to investigate creating more childcare places. The facility opted to become part of the Government`s Neighbourhood Nursery Scheme and a bungalow on the site has been converted to provide extra space and amenities for up to 21 babies and toddlers each day.

Now the nursery offers a total of 70 day care and after school childcare places for children aged three months to eight years and boasts three buildings that cater separately for babies and toddlers, middle group and pre-school children.

To mark the official opening on Wednesday (September 22) children took part in activities including party games, face painting and cake decoration.

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, joined in the fun. He said: "The nursery has established excellent links with local schools, businesses, professional bodies and the community so we`re delighted it now offers even more childcare places.

"It is now able to meet the increased demand and offer parents extra flexibility if they to change sessions to cover work shifts, sickness or holidays."

Neighbourhood Nurseries offer integrated services including family support and health, as well as full day care and links with Job Centre Plus.

Parents who use the nursery benefit from Government funded educational sessions for three and four year olds, and advice, information and practical help from staff.

For further information about The Grange contact Sharon Reynolds or Sonia Flintstone on 01773 520347.

Three school cluster groups are taking part in a Derbyshire County Council pilot project to improve the quality of special needs provision available in schools.

The year-long project, called Communities of Schools, will see the three groups of schools working together to develop ideas on ways of improving special needs provision that can then be shared with other schools across Derbyshire.

Schools from the Heritage Community School family of schools in the Clowne area will work together to see what measures can be put in place to provide a smoother transition for pupils with special needs when they move from primary to secondary school.

This will involve keeping records of equipment that pupils have used at one school and will need at another and also recording precisely what they have learnt, such as any special reading programmes they have completed.

Schools in the Anthony Gell School cluster in the Wirksworth area will focus on measures to help pupils who need to develop their language skills.

By the end of the pilot project they hope to develop a language file, which is a resource pack for use by teachers with ideas on ways to assist pupils who have underdeveloped language skills.

Schools in the Belper School cluster will carry out an audit of all special educational needs and provision at Belper schools. This will involve the schools working together and with other agencies, including health trusts, to identify all the services currently available for pupils and those that need to be developed.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “This project will improve the quality of provision in our schools for pupils with special educational needs.

“The work being carried out in the pilot project will be analysed and then the best ideas will be shared with all other schools in September 2005.”

The pilot project is part of a wider three-year programme which has seen a number of improvements to special educational needs provision, including changes to the way schools receive funding.

Artwork by a former Buxton resident is going on display at the town’s museum and art gallery on Saturday 2 October.

Derbyshire County Council is welcoming Elfyn Jones back to Buxton to showcase his talent at the museum and art gallery, in Terrace Road, with his exhibition called Different Routes.

Elfyn’s work features figure painting and landscapes in a variety of different media. His colourful and thought-provoking pictures are based on memories and experiences he has gained whilst walking.

He uses an abstract style to paint landscapes and hedgerows, often distorting the natural view.

Now based in Wrexham, North Wales, Elfyn used to work at Buxton College and graduated from art school in the early 1960s.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “I am delighted to welcome such a talented artist back to Buxton to share his work with our community and chat to visitors.

“I’m sure this will be a very inspiring exhibition for all art fans and will attract many people to the museum.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about the artwork can chat to Elfyn at the museum on Saturday 2 October between 2pm and 4pm or Tuesday 16 November between 2pm and 4pm.

Visitors to the museum can also see an exhibition of textile, drawing and poems based on memories of older patients at Stockport hospitals which is on show until 6 November.

Entry to all exhibitions is free as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to increasing public access to the arts.

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

Pupils and teachers at Linton Primary School are celebrating after Government education inspectors removed the school from special measures.

When inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) last visited the school in February 2003 they had concerns about the standards achieved by pupils and the quality of teaching and management.

But following a fresh visit inspectors have concluded that the school now provides a satisfactory standard of education for its pupils. This comes after the introduction of a rigorous programme of improvement, supported by education officers from Derbyshire County Council and now led by new headteacher, Sarah Cottle.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We are delighted that the measures put in place to quickly improve the quality and standard of education provided at Linton Primary School have worked.

“The school now has a firm foundation on which to build for the future and I am sure that parents will share my confidence that the progress which has been made will continue.”

Inspectors who visited the school in Main Street, Linton on 20 and 21 September found it had:

A broad and balanced curriculum

Well mannered pupils who show positive attitudes to learning

Good provision for the social and moral development of pupils

A satisfactory quality of teaching and learning

Headteacher Sarah Cottle, who took over at the start of September, said: “The school has made good progress because of everyone’s hard work and commitment.

“We are determined that Linton Primary will continue to improve and provide an excellent standard of education for all our pupils.”

To continue the progress that has been made inspectors recommend that the school:

Continues to improve standards and the rate at which pupils progress

Improves the quality of teaching

Makes better use of assessment data to improve the planning and monitoring of pupils’ progress

Reviews leadership and management responsibilities to ensure they meet the school’s needs

Chair of governors David Soanes said: “We are delighted to have received such a good report but see this very much as a first step and have already got an action plan in place to tackle the issues for improvement raised by the inspectors.

“With the support of parents, and the new leadership team we have in place, I believe we can continue to drive up standards in the coming months and years.” 

Thinking of brushing up your computer skills or polishing your talent as a furniture restorer? Then an adult learning centre near you can help.

Term may have already started at the Clay Cross Adult Education Centre but there are still spaces left on a variety of courses - and it’s not too late to sign up.

So whether you would like to study for a qualification or simply pursue a hobby for the fun of it, get in touch with the Market Street centre on 01246 862383.

Non-vocational courses with places include:

Woodwork   Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs daytime;

Furniture Restoration   Monday evening;

Cookery for independent living   Thursday morning;

 Lace-make, all abilities   Weds afternoon or Thursday evening;

French   Friday morning;

Using a computer   Thursday afternoon.

Vacancies on vocational courses include:

Computers   Throughout the week, including CLAIT on Fri afternoon;

Bookkeeping (suitable for those new to bookkeeping)   Tues evening;

Developing your potential   Tues morning;

Working with children   Weds morning and afternoon.

The working with children course is a good introduction for people working with, or wishing to work with, children and learners may attend morning or afternoon or both.

The developing your potential class is designed to help learners become their own “life coach” by planning for the future, setting achievable goals and making the most of skills.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has been considering trying something new but hasn’t got round to it.

“There are still a number of places left on some very interesting courses and I hope people will take advantage of that and sign up. Learning something new can lead to all sorts of opportunities – as well as being interesting and often fun.”

Last year the Clay Cross Centre, which is run by Derbyshire County Council, underwent a massive refurbishment and now boasts extensive new computer facilities, comfortable coffee bar and basic skills resource centre as well as purpose-built childcare facilities.

“It’s an extremely pleasant place in which to learn,” added Coun Janes. For more information about the above courses, and many others, contact staff on 01246 862383. A crèche is available at the centre each weekday. An advice worker is also on hand to give learners one-to-one sessions.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Do some Christmas shopping at a craft fair taking place at the Clay Cross Adult Education Centre on Saturday, November 20. 

A large variety of stalls at the Market Street centre will be offering everything from floral art and doorstops to watercolours and beadwork from 10am to 4pm.   

Visitors will be able to watch craftsmen and women at work throughout the day. Everybody is welcome. 

Book fans in Derbyshire are getting the chance to meet an internationally known writer at Glossop Library.

Award-winning screen writer and author Don Shaw will visit the Derbyshire County Council-run library in Victoria Hall, Glossop to talk to readers about his new book The Hike.

The event takes place on Wednesday 6 October between 7.15pm and 9pm and during the evening Don will talk about his work, answer questions and sign copies of his book.

Derbyshire based Don has been a full time writer for film, stage and radio since 1968 and is most well known for his work on Survivors in the 70s, and his recent BBC series Dangerfield.

‘The Hike’ is his first book and, set in the Peak District, it follows the adventures of three retired friends on their weekly hike.

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 writer.

"I`m sure that there will be great interest in Don’s first book especially as it features places that are familiar to Derbyshire residents.

"Meeting a famous writer and getting the book signed will be a treat for our readers." Tickets are available from the library at £3 with £2 concessions. Refreshments will be available.

For more information on the event or to book tickets people should contact Glossop Library on 01457 852616.

Derbyshire County Council is warning drivers that diversions will be in place in Bakewell while work is carried out to replace a water main.

Bath Street, from the junction of the A6 to Anchor Square, will be closed from Monday 4 October to Wednesday 13 October.

During the work by Severn Trent Water, the one-way system will be reversed to allow traffic to divert via Buxton Road, Rutland Square and Anchor Square.

Following this work, the section of Bath Street from Anchor Square to New Street will be closed to replace the water main.

The road will be closed until Friday 15 October with drivers diverted along Buxton Road, the A6020 and the A619 in a clockwise direction.

Although the dates of the closures do overlap, the sections of road will not be closed at the same time.

ROAD CLOSURE IN CROMFORD

A section of Water Lane, Cromford, will be closed for two weeks while Transco replaces a gas main. A 300metre stretch of the A5012 will be closed from its junction with Chapel Hill. Drivers will divert along the A5012, B5036, B5035, Manystones Lane and Rider Point - and vice versa.

ROAD CLOSURES IN MATLOCK

Drivers are warned to aviod Smedly Street, Matlock, on two days while building materials are delvered. The Drivers are warned to avoid Smedley Street, Matlock, on two days while building materials are delivered. The road will be closed from the junction of Smith Rpad to Malvern Gardens on Tuesday 12 October and Tuesday 9 November. Drivers will Divert along Woolley Road, Imperial Road, Bank Road, and Smedley Street. 

Meanwhile, Wellington Street in Matlock will be closed from Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October from its junction with Chesterfield Road to the junction on Amberdene for water mains work. The diversion will be along Chesterfield Road, Lime Tree Road, Matlock Green, Caseway Lane, Bank Road and Rutland Street.

A shocking 35 per cent of shopkeepers tested by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards service illegally sold alcohol to under-age children.

Spot checks were carried out across the country in July and August as part of the high-profile multi-agency Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign run by the Home Office.

Alcohol should not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 but when Derbyshire County Council asked five children, aged 14 and 15, to carry out test purchases in the Buxton, Chesterfield and Alfreton areas a worrying 26 sales out of 74 attempted purchases were made.

As a result, trading standards officers are considering prosecuting 51 licensees, joint licensees and sales assistants who made underage sales.

If legal action is considered appropriate, the culprits could face fines of up to £1,000 and licensees could lose their license.

Councillor Walter Burrows, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: “It is extremely disappointing that despite all the publicity that surrounded this national campaign, a high number of shopkeepers are still selling alcohol to under 18s.

“The law is there to prevent injury and harm and we work with traders throughout the year to stop underage sales so ignorance is no defence.

“We will continue to carry out regular spot-checks across Derbyshire so traders who are flouting the law need to buck themselves up – or risk prosecution.”

Derbyshire County Council`s trading standards service carries out regular checks for underage sales of other age restricted goods such as fireworks and butane gas, for which the legal age is 18, and cigarettes and knives, for which the legal age is 16.

Salespersons are advised to ask for proof of age if they are not sure whether the purchaser is old enough to legally buy an age restricted product.

If proof is unavailable or unsatisfactory the sale should be refused and a record of the refusal made.

Traders who are not sure how the law affects their business or members of the public who wish to give information can call trading standards on 01629 585858, or visit the authority`s trading standards website at  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards (opens in a new window)

The county council’s support for Derbyshire’s rail industry over the years is being recognised with the handing over of a train name-plate.

The name-plate – County of Derbyshire – is being donated to the authority by rail leasing company Porterbrook.

Recently removed from Virgin locomotive No 43084, the plate has been restored to its former glory and will have pride of place on the wall in the main reception of County Hall in Matlock.

The train was named in 1986 to commemorate the links between Derbyshire County Council and British Rail.

Now the plate is being donated to the authority to recognise its work in supporting the county’s railway engineering industry.

The county council was instrumental in setting up the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, which also includes Derby City Council.

County council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile, who is a member of the forum, said: “Derbyshire is at the centre of railway engineering in the country and it is vital that we work together to make sure that it remains so.

“The rail industry nationally has experienced some turbulent years so we set up the forum to provide support to local companies to help them stay on the right track.

“I am delighted that the county council’s work is being honoured with the presentation of the name-plate County of Derbyshire.”

The handover ceremony will take place at Derby Railway Station at 1pm on Thursday 30 September. County council chair Councillor Charles Cutting and cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows will also be attending.

Attendance is up and truancy is down in Derbyshire’s schools where the county’s pupils are bucking the national trend for absences.

A rigorous campaign by Derbyshire County Council in conjunction with schools is having a significant impact on attendance with fewer pupils missing school than the national average.

Statistics from the Department for Education and Skills show that fewer half days were missed by Derbyshire pupils than in many areas of the country, including across the East Midlands.

In the county’s primary schools, absences are running at 5.25 per cent, compared to the national average of 5.49 per cent, while at secondary level, absences are at 7.8 per cent compared to the national figure of 8.07 per cent.

That means Derbyshire’s primary children are missing school on average 23 half days a year with secondary pupils away an average of 36 half days. The figures include unauthorised absences – truancy – as well as authorised days off for things such as family holidays.

And while attendance in Derbyshire is up the county council is committed to increasing it further and has launched a new guide for schools offering advice and good practice on improving attendance levels.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Every day that a child is not in school has an impact on their learning and this guide is part of our concerted drive to increase attendance.

“In a world where educational qualifications are becoming increasingly important it is crucial that pupils have every chance to develop the skills they need to get a job or take training opportunities and they can only do that if they are in school.

“We are doing our best to ensure children spend more time in the classroom but we need the support of parents to make sure they do.”

The new council guide, called Attendance: A Good Practice Guide, is being issued to all schools and details helpful measures to increase attendance, including:

Using pagers to contact parents when their children are playing truant;

Discouraging parents from taking their children on holiday during term time;

Ensuring pupils find lessons relevant and interesting;

Having effective anti-bullying strategies in place.

As part of its ongoing work, the county council will continue to carry out truancy sweeps with the police and is considering implementing fixed penalty fines to parents who fail to send their children to school. It will also continue to work closely with families to support them and help resolve problems underlying absences. 

Gamesley residents are being invited to view what’s on offer at their new-look community centre following a £430,000 revamp part funded by Derbyshire County Council.

Local people can find out what facilities are available during an open day at the Gamesley Community Centre in Melandra Castle Road on 25 September from 12 noon until 4pm.

The centre, which dates back to the 1970s, has undergone a massive refurbishment to bring facilities up to date.

Work included remodelling to provide more useable space, rewiring and modernisation of the heating system and complete redecoration.

The project was funded using £265,000 from the county council and funds secured by Gamesley on the Go – a steering group made up of representatives from the county council, High Peak Borough Council and members of the public.

An all-weather sports pitch has also been built using a grant from Sport England.

As well as housing the existing youth club, the centre will host a range of social, sports and educational activities for the community.

Information about clubs, classes and courses will be available at the open day when visitors can try out arts activities, receive sports coaching, join a circus skills workshops among other attractions.

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for community services, said: “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organisations work in partnership with each other.

“Gamesley Community Centre has been transformed from a run down building into a modern facility which all of the community can use and enjoy.”

A free course gets underway in the coming weeks to help local parents and carers in the Pinxton 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. Useful tips will include dealing with meetings and paperwork as well as learning about individual education plans, assessment and reviews.

The course will take place at Pinxton Village Hall, Kirkstead Road, Pinxton between 9.30am and 11.30am on four Wednesdays, starting on 29 September.

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 overwhelming – 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.

A new Government fund which will help bring prosperity to former coalfield areas has been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council.

New businesses and small or medium companies with the potential to expand can apply to The Coalfields Enterprise Fund.

The scheme aims to create new long-term jobs and diverse businesses in former coalfield areas, which in Derbyshire includes 90 wards in Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and South Derbyshire.

To qualify businesses must be based in or employ people living in former coalfield areas. Councillor Geoff Carlile, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are delighted this new funding is available to county businesses to help them fulfil their potential and boost the local economy.

“The fund will complement support provided to community groups by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust and the regeneration of former coalfield sites by English Partnerships. “Businesses that receive an investment from The Coalfields Enterprise Fund can still apply for other types of grants so I urge Derbyshire entrepreneurs to seek the help that is available.”

More than £20m of new investment will be brought into former coalfield regions through the initiative, which was set up when the Coalfields Task Force identified a gap in funding provision. It will be managed by Enterprise Ventures Limited through a network of regionally-based investment advisors.

The fund co-invests with businesses on a 50:50 basis from £40,000 to a maximum of £500,000. Most sectors qualify for investments, other than those excluded under state aid rules such as the car industry, shipping and textiles.

For further details contact Enterprise Ventures Limited on 0870 766 8238 or email midlands@coalfields-enterprise-fund.co.uk

Readers are being encouraged to climb aboard while Long Eaton Library under goes a £600,000 make-over.

From Tuesday (21 September) they will be able to borrow books and books on tape from a large mobile library during the temporary closure of the building in Tamworth Road.

Derbyshire County Council is ensuring local people have access to library services by siting the maximum capacity vehicle in the car park at West Park Leisure Centre in Wilsthorpe Road.

It will be open for the duration of the closure on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

Another mobile library will also continue to visit various locations throughout the Long Eaton area while residents can also visit their nearest libraries in Sandiacre, Borrowash and Ilkeston.

The library will be closed until spring 2005 while the library is refurbished, including a new natural slate roof, new floors, re-wiring, new heating system and new carpets. It is also being completely redecorated. A 1950s wooden extension at the back of the building – which houses the children’s library and a staff room – is also being demolished and replaced with a brick building.

English Heritage and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have approved plans for the work, which will not alter the outside of the art nouveau building.

For details of mobile library routes in and around Long Eaton contact Derbyshire County Council’s call centre, Call Derbyshire, on 08 456 058 058.

We all know walking leads to a healthy body but what about it improving our mind as well?

Derbyshire County Council’s Chesterfield Walk this Way initiative has joined with the Alzheimer’s Society to hold a Memory Walk in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day on Tuesday 21 September and National Walking Day on Sunday 19 September.

There will be two walks setting off from Poolsbrook Country Park at 11am on Sunday 26 September – meet outside the visitor centre. The first walk will be led by the Alzheimer’s Society national mascot – their big yellow elephant Al - and will follow a one mile buggy and wheelchair friendly trail around the main lake.

The second walk will follow a 3-4 mile trail around the country park. Sponsor forms for the walks are available from the Alzheimer’s Society. 

There are about 90 walks being held throughout the country on and around World Alzheimer’s Day. The Walk this Way scheme – which has eight walking for health groups in the Chesterfield area – hopes by working with the Alzheimer’s Society on this event it will not only raise awareness of dementia but also of the benefits of regular walking to people with dementia and their carers.

Walking is known to use up adrenaline produced by stress and frustration, it triggers memories of past places or events, walking with a group gives social interaction and safety in numbers and benefits physical health.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “Local people can now enjoy the local countryside while improving their health thanks to the county council’s Walk this Way groups in Chesterfield.

“The Memory Walk is building upon that by showing how walking can also help improve the mind and we hope people will support it and join in on the day.”

For information on the Memory Walk or the work of the Alzheimer’s Society call the Chesterfield and North Eastern Derbyshire Branch of the Society on 01246 222216. For more information about walking for health and local groups call Walk this Way on 01246 280978

Thousands of households in South Derbyshire and Erewash are being targeted as part of Derbyshire County Council’s “Quids In” benefit take-up drive.

Special envelopes and benefit assessment forms are being posted to homes in the areas in a bid to secure unclaimed cash for low income households. Over the next few days addresses in the following areas will receive their forms:

Midway

Church Gresley

Linton

Hartshorne and Ticknall

Newhall and Stanton

Cotmanhay

Sandiacre North

Old Park.

Council Leader John Williams said the Derbyshire County Council Quids In campaign is intended to make a real difference to local people’s lives.

He said: “Making sure local people are getting the cash they`re entitled to and not paying more Council Tax than they have to is important to us.

“We know that thousands of people are not getting the cash they`re entitled to. And we reckon that benefits of more than £100 million are going unclaimed in Derbyshire. It means that local people you`re not getting cash help they need to cut down the cost of their annual bills.”

Already the campaign is beginning to pay off for some local residents. After contacting county council welfare rights experts:

74 year-old widow Mabel is now £20.70 a week better off

Retired couple Robert and Alice are now £38.70 a week better off

Single working mum Linda is now £105.68 a week better off

Kevin, Mandy and their two children are now £99.25 a week better off.

And perhaps one of the biggest successes for the county council so far is the extra £177.31 a week secured for 80-plus year olds June and Malcolm. After getting in touch, June now gets a weekly Attendance Allowance of £39.95 because of her care needs. Each week they both benefit from increased Savings Credit of £20.22, a Guarantee Pension Credit of £137.00 a week and they don`t pay any Council Tax.

Added Councillor Williams: “We know that many people don`t know what benefits to claim or how to get them.

“We`ve cut out the red tape and have tried to make it very easy for them to get what they are entitled to.

“It’s important local people remember Council Tax relief and other benefits are not handouts - one way or another they`ve already paid for them. They`re there to make sure we all enjoy a good quality of life.”

Making sure local people are claiming the benefits they`re entitled to is a key priority for the county council because:

It reduces the numbers of people living below the poverty line

It improves the health and well-being of individuals and families

It is good for the local economy

It could bring in more Government cash for the county council.

Over the next six months 115,000 homes are being mailed directly covering 50 of Derbyshire’s most deprived areas.

A search to find the county’s most deserving youngsters has begun ahead of Derbyshire County Council’s Young Achievers Awards 2004.

Schools, parishes, district councils and members of the public are invited to nominate outstanding youngsters for the annual awards.

The awards were set up by the county council in 1999 to recognise extraordinary children and young people in the county for:

Bravery in fighting an illness

Kindness in helping others

Commitment to improving their school, community or local environment

Sporting, musical, artistic or academic success.

Derbyshire County Council leader Councillor John Williams said: “We often fail to acknowledge the many good things young people do.

“Most Derbyshire Young Achievers receive no other formal recognition for their bravery, kindness or commitment to their school and community. Our awards, which are partly sponsored by local businesses, try to put that right.”

Last year, more than 100 young people received an award - around 55 per cent had a serious illness or disability, 25 per cent were for outstanding sporting, artistic or academic achievement and 20 per cent were for services to the community or helping others.

Councillor Williams added: “We’re aiming to continue the success of our Young Achievers Awards by making this year’s our best yet. So if you know a youngster who fits the picture, let us know.”

The event has captured the interest and support of many, winning one national and two regional awards. In addition, other areas of the country have established similar events.

Nominations for the awards are being invited from schools, social services and the wider Derbyshire community, with leaflets and posters currently being distributed to schools, parish councils, libraries and other public buildings.

Nomination forms can also be filled in and sent on-line by clicking here (opens in a new window).

The closing date for nominations is Friday 29 October. A special reception to present the awards will be staged on Friday 17 December.

Become a pool lifeguard or a professional child carer by enrolling on a free training package this autumn.

Short vocational courses are starting this month in the Chesterfield area run by Derbyshire County Council’s Mobile and Coalfields Training Project.

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.

An eight-week childcare course designed for men is running in Staveley and Clay Cross and will equip candidates with an Open College Network Certificate in Practical Play. The information day for the Staveley childcare course is on Thursday 16 September and on Wednesday 22 September for the Clay Cross childcare course.

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.

It will run at Creswell Leisure Centre and the information day will be held on Monday 11 October.

As part of the package trainees are taught other useful workplace skills and can gain a range of valuable qualifications in computing, first aid, and health and safety.

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.

”The group of men who completed the previous childcare course are now working in all areas including local pre-schools, after school clubs and working with children with disabilities.

"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.

For more information on any of the courses call Gill Jones on 01623 748241. 

Public access to Elvaston Castle Country Park is guaranteed if a proposal by London-based Highgate Sanctuary to transform the Castle is approved by Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet next month. 

A council working party today (Monday 13 September) backed the proposal from Highgate Sanctuary to turn the castle in to a hotel and create an 18 hole golf course on land not currently open to the public.

The Elvaston Castle and Country Park Working Party`s recommendation would see:

public access retained throughout the country park

a championship golf course on land not currently open to the public

the creation of a top-class hotel in the castle building

the transformation of the stables into a craft centre and café

Plans for the lease of the estate by the Highgate Sanctuary Group will not affect the car park and showground and includes plans for a new visitor centre.

In addition, Highgate`s plans for the estate will go on to provide the basis of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to restore the historic core gardens.

Today`s recommendation will now go to cabinet in October and then to full council in November.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services and Chair of the Elvaston Castle Working Party Councillor Bob Janes said: "Bids from all potential partners were carefully considered and we are now in a position to make a recommendation for a preferred bidder to our Cabinet.

"We feel the lease of Elvaston to the Highgate Sanctuary Group will both preserve and secure the long term future of the best parts of the existing estate while maintaining public access to the country park.

"This is a bid which will see the castle and estate returned to its former glory so local people and visitors can enjoy it for many years to come."

All university students from Derbyshire who applied on time will receive their student loan by the start of the new academic year.

But Derbyshire County Council is warning that some students who applied late to the authority might not receive their student loans on the first day that they start college or university.

This is due to major delays caused by problems with the national computer used to register applications with the Student Loans Company.

The authority is hoping to deal with as many of the 1,100 late applicants as possible before students start back at university in the next couple of weeks.

And to help speed up the process the authority is asking that students only ring its applications section if their call is urgent so that staff who process applications are not taken away from their task to answer telephone calls.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We appreciate that students who applied late for student loans will be concerned about whether their applications will be processed on time.

“But unfortunately by ringing in to check on the progress they are actually slowing down the processing of applications.

“Where possible we would ask students to avoid ringing up so that there is a greater chance that their applications will be dealt with before the start of the new term.”

Problems with the national computer have led to delays in processing applications at local authorities across the country, although all students who applied on time will receive payments at the start of the academic year.

Derbyshire County Council is deploying extra staff, as well as working additional hours, to help deal with as many late applications as possible.

Walkers and riders wanting to take a trip along the High Peak Trail are warned of some temporary closures for maintenance and improvement works.

Derbyshire County Council will be carrying out tree felling alongside the trail between Black Rocks and Middleton Incline for one week from Monday 20 September. The Trail will be closed between these points for that period.

Sheep Pasture Incline will be also be closed from High Peak Junction to the junction with Intake Lane for six weeks from Monday September 27.

The old railway catch pit - which was built to stop runaway wagons and still has one of the old wagons inside

- will be renovated during this time.

The Trail may be open at weekends. For more information on both these works phone 01629 823204.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "These works are essential to maintaining the High Peak Trail and keeping it in a condition which can be enjoyed by everyone.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone wanting to use these particular sections during the temporary closures but are sure the results will be appreciated once the Trail is open again."

Ever wanted to trace your family history but didn’t know how? Or maybe you are an old hand at genealogy but need some specific advice?

Then you will be pleased to hear Derbyshire County Council’s Record Office is now taking bookings for its new programme of one-to-one sessions which show researchers how to trace their ancestors in Derbyshire.

The first session starts on Wednesday 29 September with follow-ups on Wednesday 20 October, Thursday 18 November and Thursday 9 December at the Record Office on New Street, Matlock. Once signed up you will be given one-to-one advice from an archivist, learn about the wealth of sources now available on the internet and receive information leaflets and family tree charts to help progress research into your family tree. Sessions cost £4 per person and last 20 minutes.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “Tracing your own family history is fascinating both personally and historically.

“The sessions the county council runs at the Record Office always prove very popular and give an interesting insight into Derbyshire’s past.”

Each surgery is tailored to the needs of the individual and so is useful for both beginners and more advanced researchers. Demand for sessions is high and must be booked in advance.

To reserve a place call Derbyshire Record Office on 01629 580000 ext 35202 or email:  record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk

Derbyshire’s children have been hitting the books over the school holidays and discovering reading really is a rollercoaster of fun.

Derbyshire County Council’s libraries have taken part in the Reading Agency’s sixth national summer reading challenge aimed at encouraging children to keep up their interest in books during the long break.

All children who signed up to the Reading Rollercoaster were given a folder where they could record the titles and what they thought of the books they read. Each time the children visited the library to return their read books they collected a set of stickers.

Once they collected all the stickers – by reading six or more books – they received a certificate and a medal. And - for the second year running - there was also a website which children could log on to and find out about a dozen of the country’s top authors.

At Borrowash Library alone 54 children - aged from three to 12 – took part in the challenge with 20 completing it successfully.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “The county council has once again been more than happy to support the summer reading challenge.

“Taking part in the challenge is an invaluable experience for Derbyshire children – it broadens their reading horizons, gives them confidence in their own reading ability and encourages them to use their local library from an early age.”

Work to build a new toilet facility for disabled pupils at Bennerley Fields Special School has been given the go-ahead by Derbyshire County Council.

A storage area will be converted at the Cotmanhay school to make way for the specialised toilet and changing space.

The additional facility, which is expected to cost around £25,000, has been approved to cope with the increasing number of pupils who need access to personal care close to the classroom.

Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for education, said: “By building this extra facility, we will be able to meet the personal care needs of pupils better with minimum disruption to their learning.”

Funding for the facility will be provided from the authority’s education capital budget and work is expected to get underway in coming weeks.

IT UPGRADE FOR FREDERICK GENT

Frederick Gent School is being given a £158,000 boost to improve IT equipment and facilities under its new status as a specialist maths and computing college.

Derbyshire County Council has approved the project to bring facilities up to the appropriate standard at the South Normanton school.

Specialist schools develop into centres of excellence in their chosen area and pupils benefit from a wider range of courses as well as a full, broad and balanced curriculum.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We were delighted when Frederick Gent School was awarded specialist college status and this funding is part of the package to bring facilities up to the appropriate standard needed to educate pupils at this level.”

The project has been funded using Government cash and private sponsorship raised by the school.

A little piece of Africa will be coming to Derbyshire over the next couple of months.

Derbyshire County Council is one of only six library authorities in the country taking part in the Africa@21 project which seeks to raise awareness of work by African writers and UK writers of African heritage or with strong connections to the continent. The project is organised by the British Council which promotes the UK and its language to countries throughout the world.

Derbyshire has been partnered with Namibia – one of five African countries involved in the project. The aim is to set up activities and opportunities for readers from both sides of the globe to share their reading experiences.

A number of events will be taking place during September and October at Chesterfield and Alfreton Libraries. Chesterfield will be working closely with its Namibian twinning group – the Chesterfield Tsumeb Association - as part of their promotion called Reading Africa.

There are a number of events planned concentrating on the work of outstanding African authors writing today. On Tuesday 21 September - from 7.30pm until 9pm - there will be an informal get together at the library with South African wine and a taste of typical Namibian food. There will be a chance to find out more about the Tsumeb Association and enjoy readings from 30 different authors. Tickets – costing £3/£2 concessions – are available from the library.

Alfreton Library will be holding a special event as part of its Out of Africa promotion on Wednesday 22 September. Children’s author Liz Laird will be at the library and – between 1.45pm and 3.30pm - children from two local schools will take part in a live chatroom link with children from Namibia. From 4.30pm until 5.45pm Liz will hold a book signing session followed by a talk. Tickets – costing £2.50/£1.50 concessions – are available from the library.

On Friday 8 October Patience Agbabi – author and poet – will hold a poetry reading session for adults and teenagers from 7.30pm until 9pm. Tickets are £2.50/£1.50.

On Wednesday 20 October – from 7.30pm until 9pm - Chesterfield library will be holding an event to coincide with One World Week and Black History Month. It is an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and get together with other readers to hear what they have to say about the Reading Africa books. This is a free event but numbers are limited. Tickets can be collected beforehand.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “Derbyshire County Council is pleased to be one of the few library authorities in the country involved in the Africa@21 project.

“The project gives local people the chance to experience some of the customs and culture of Namibia without straying too far from their own doorsteps. And it is also a chance for library staff to make contact with their contemporaries in another country.”

Derbyshire County Council has been looking back on a year of success for its education service in an annual report now available in libraries and schools. 

The 12-page brochure for 2003/04 charts the authority’s £32.7m investment to improve school buildings and facilities, excellent exam performance by Derbyshire pupils and initiatives to tackle bullying and truancy, as well as details of how it is encouraging pupils to lead healthy lifestyles and making schools greener environments.

Adult community education classes run by the county council have already been rated among the best in the country and readers will find information on some of the initiatives set up to boost adults’ skills.

Now the authority is looking to the future with plans to improve school buildings even further with a £33m capital programme for 2004/05 and a list of key priorities for the next five years.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “This is a chance for us to show people what we achieved in 2003/04 and our goals for the future.

“Once again, Derbyshire pupils performed extremely well and must be congratulated. Their exam results were better than the national average and those of their counterparts in similar authorities this year.

“We have increased schools’ budgets and we are at the leading edge for educational planning which puts us in a prime position to build on our successes in 2004/05.”

A separate statistical report comparing the authority’s performance with its educational targets will soon be available on the county council website at  www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

Businesses in the county’s food and drink industry still have time to enter a prestigious competition which crowns the county’s top eateries.

The Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards 2004 recognises restaurants, hotels, pubs and cafés that serve and advertise local produce.

All types of food and drink premises can enter by filling in a simple entry form – available from Derbyshire County Council’s call centre on 08 456 058 058 – before Friday, September 17.

Winners will be invited to an award ceremony in November and receive a plaque to display at their premises.

The third annual competition, organised by the authority’s tourism department, will judge establishments on criteria including the quality of food and drink, use of county produce and acknowledgement of it on menus, and customer service.

Categories in the competition include:

Best Breakfast

Tea Room/Coffee House of the Year

Pub/Bistro of the Year

Restaurant of the Year

A panel of independent food specialists from across the county will select a shortlist of businesses which will then receive a visit from a mystery customer.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “We want to hear from businesses that are proud of their cuisine and believe they deserve the recognition and honour of receiving one of these awards.

“The competition is really easy to enter and being a Derbyshire Food and Drink Award winner is a fantastic advertisement for any premises.

“We have so many excellent food and drink establishments in the county and we want to celebrate them and the support they give local produce through their custom and menus.” 

Finding your new school exciting and fun one minute and big and scary the next?

If you are, don’t worry – you’re just like hundreds of other young people across the county which is why Derbyshire County Council has produced a new guide to make the big move to secondary school just that little bit easier.

The guide has been produced by the authority’s b_line student half-fare travel and discount card scheme and gives advice on issues that are likely to be worrying Year 7 pupils as they start their new school.

Topics covered include:

Tips on adapting to your new school and making the most of your first year.

Year 7 uncovered! Interviews with older b_liners about their first day at secondary school.

How streetwise are you? A guide to road safety.

A guide to the programme of fun-packed out-of-school activities offered by the county council’s youth service.

How to get a b_line card and where and how you can use it.

Derbyshire County Council leader Councillor John Williams said: “We know moving to secondary school can be a nervous time for young people so have published this guide to help them deal with some of the issues.

“The good news for new Year 7 pupils is that they are not only moving to a new school where they will be able to take advantage of some great new opportunities but have also reached the age where they can have a b_line card to get some great discounts.”

Copies of the ‘Welcome to Year 7’ guides, which follow on from a similar new guide produced last term for Year 6 pupils, are going out to all Derbyshire’s Year 7 pupils through their schools this week.

The b_line card scheme is run by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council to provide a range of student discounts from young people aged 11 to 18. Pupils aged 14 to 18 receive a b_line 2 card, which also entitles them to subsidised bus and rail fares.

For more information about b_line Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 or visit  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/b_line (opens in a new window)

There’s more good news for people who find it a little difficult to get out and about in the High Peak.

Derbyshire County Council has bought another community bus – to complement the one which already operates in Buxton and the parishes to the north of the town.

The bus has been funded by the county council’s successful bid to the 2002 Rural Bus Challenge which saw a £321,000 grant awarded over three years for the Rural Community Transport initiative.

Both buses have 16 seats and are fully accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility problems and disabilities. The latest addition – an Optare Alero 16 minibus – has low level flooring and serves the people of Buxton, New Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge and the Peak Forest.

As well as running regular journeys to the shops, libraries and other amenities in the area the bus – operated by Glossop Community Transport - is also available for use in the evenings and weekends by community groups.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: “The community bus which has been operating in Buxton and the surrounding area since the end of last year has proved extremely successful.

“So it is great news the three year funding from the Rural Bus Challenge has allowed Derbyshire County Council to buy another minibus for the Rural Community Transport project. This should further improve the local transport service and make life a lot easier for people who find it difficult to get around.”

For more information contact Sue Smith telephone 01298 78882.

Work to raise the educational standards of children who are vulnerable or suffer any form of disadvantage is to be aided with the launch of a new Derbyshire County Council strategy.

The authority’s Strategy for Educational Inclusion applies to learners of all ages but focuses mainly on three to 19-year-olds.

It has been produced to help Derbyshire County Council meet the requirements of the Government’s draft Children’s Bill which aims to “reduce the number of children who experience educational failure, engage in offending or anti-social behaviour, suffer from ill health or become teenage parents.”

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “In Derbyshire we have made great strides in raising overall educational attainment.

“This new strategy aims to ensure that this progress is made at the same rate by children in vulnerable groups, such as those who are in care, have been excluded, have been off school for a long time due to illness or have been the victims of bullying.”

The plan, which covers a five-year period, has eight statements of intent. They are:

1. All learners will make the greatest possible progress.

2. All learners will have equality of access to education.

3. Building all educational providers’ capacity to respond effectively to the diversity of learners’ needs..

4. Involving all learners actively in their education.

5. Achieving a dynamic and positive partnership with all parents and carers.

6. Developing effective partnerships to enable Derbyshire County Council to meet its aims in relation to all learners.

7. Celebrating the achievement of all learners and those who teach and support them.

8. Compliance with the principles of Best Value, which aims to ensure that services are provided in the most cost effective way.

An annual action plan will be set with targets to ensure that the aims of the strategy are met by the end of the five-year period.

A £3 million school is to be built by Derbyshire County Council to offer state-of-the-art facilities for pupils in Bolsover.

Work to create a new site for Bolsover Junior School will start later this month and take 14 months to complete.

The current junior school is on a site in Castle Street, next to Bolsover Castle, and needs replacing because some parts of the listed buildings date back to pre-Victorian times. Some of the school’s pupils are also currently taught in temporary classrooms. 

The new school will be built on a site next to Bolsover Infants School in Welbeck Road. It will have:

Bigger classrooms and a large school hall

Computer workstations throughout the building

Spacious playing field and playground

Larger staff room and storage areas

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Replacing Bolsover Junior School is a high priority for us because many of the current buildings are not up to the standard of modern schools.

“The new school will have the latest computer equipment and be more spacious. It will also provide a better working environment for teaching and administrative staff.

“Planning permission has already been granted for the site so now we have signed the contract work can begin in the next couple of weeks.“

Before being able to build the school Derbyshire County Council had to negotiate the sale of a small piece of land from the District of Bolsover.

Councillor Charles said: “We appreciate the way that our colleagues at the District of Bolsover have worked with us for the benefit of the community by agreeing to sell a small piece of land needed for this development to go ahead.”

The school will cost £3,029 million to build and furnish. Once completed it will have spaces for 280 pupils. Headteacher Ray White said: “We cannot wait to get the new school, it will be fantastic.

“We will have modern facilities to equip these children with the skills they need for the rest of their lives. The staff are currently doing a remarkable job in difficult conditions so imagine what they will be able to do with modern facilities.”

A public consultation is to be held over plans by Derbyshire County Council to build a £3.7 million state-of-the-art school for 350 pupils in Clay Cross and Danesmoor.

The proposals would see Clay Cross Infant School, Clay Cross Junior School and Danesmoor Infant School replaced by a single site school on land off Flaxpiece Road, from 1 September 2006.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet today (Tuesday) decided to start a six-week public consultation into the proposals. Parents and other interested parties will be asked for their views. The consultation period will include a public meeting for parents and other interested parties, which will be held at Clay Cross Infant School on 22 September.

The new school would see pupils benefit from:

Bigger classrooms and a large school hall

Fully integrated computer workstations throughout the building

A school library

A spacious playing field, playground and environmental areas

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “These proposals are not about saving money and are not a reflection on the quality of education at the three existing schools. All schools provide a good quality of education and have their own strengths.

“We believe that these proposals will benefit all current and future pupils in the Clay Cross and Danesmoor area by providing them with the modern facilities they deserve.

“However no decisions have been taken yet. This consultation will enable us to get the views of local people so it is very important that everyone takes the opportunity to have their say.

“We want to hear from people both for and against the proposals so that an informed decision can be taken.”

Derbyshire County Council has drawn up the proposals to tackle a number of issues facing Clay Cross Infant and Junior schools and Danesmoor Infant School.

The three schools currently have 210 surplus places and that figure is predicted to rise to approximately 270 places over the next four years.

All three schools also have under-sized classrooms, a lack of space for indoor PE and poor staff facilities. It would cost £1.37 million just to carry out maintenance repairs at the schools. Even this would not bring them up to the modern standards of the proposed new £3.7 million building.

Derbyshire County Council believes that building a single primary school site in Clay Cross would:

Remove the need for children to change schools between infant and junior phases

Allow pupils to interact with a wider age range of children

Allow the larger numbers of staff to develop more specialist subject skills

Parents of pupils at all three schools have been sent a leaflet containing a summary of the proposals but a full consultation document is available on request. The full document can also be seen on the Derbyshire County Council website at  www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

Derbyshire County Council is also currently negotiating with a private sector company to create a children’s centre in Clay Cross. This would offer:

Nursery and early learning education

Childcare for children all year round

Family support services, such as family mediation and parenting skills

Health services

Employment and training advice for parents

While the children’s centre would complement a new primary school the children’s centre proposals can still go ahead no matter what the outcome of the schools consultation.

The closing date of the consultation is 22 October. Comments can be sent in writing to the Chief Education Officer (Reference DEV/MTO), Development Section, Education Department, Chatsworth Hall, Chesterfield Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3FW or by emailing  mike.oldfield@derbyshire.gov.uk

 Following the consultation Derbyshire County Council will decide whether to continue with its proposal. If that happens statutory notices would be published and a formal six week consultation period held.

If there were any objections during this period the proposals would be referred to the Schools Organisation Committee, a group made up of representatives from Derbyshire County Council, schools, the Church of England Diocese and the Roman Catholic Diocese.

Should the committee be unable to reach a unanimous decision then an independent Government adjudicator would be appointed to decide on the final outcome.

A primary school that is currently split on three different sites will be united for the first time after Derbyshire County Council today gave the go-ahead for a £2.6 million new building.

Brooklands Primary School in Long Eaton was created in May 2003 by the amalgamation of Brooklands infant and junior schools but pupils have continued to operate from three different sites in Clumber Street and St John’s Street.

Older pupils at the school currently have to cross the road to get to their playground and the school playing fields are 200 metres from the main school building.

Derbyshire County Council has now approved work to construct a modern building that will mean all the facilities are on a single site in Clumber Street.

The work will see an extension built onto the infant department building to link it up with an existing annex building for junior school age pupils.

The new building will have

Ten classrooms

New school hall and canteen

Integrated computer workstations and interactive whiteboards

Offices and staff room facilities

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Some of the existing school buildings date back to Victorian times and are suffering from subsidence damage.

“Pupils and teachers have been involved in the design of the new building and have also told us the type of facilities they would like to see in it.”

Work on the school is expected to start later this month and should be completed by February 2006.

Councillor Roland Hosker, the school’s chair of governors and county councillor for Long Eaton, said: “The whole school and community is very excited by the prospect of a brand new school.

“We eagerly anticipate the work starting on this building and look forward to having a state-of-the-art learning environment with the latest equipment.”

Head teacher Shaun Thorpe said: “We are looking forward to having all our pupils on one site so that we can feel like a proper school community rather than being split across three sites.

“Pupils have been involved in the design of a quiet area for the new school through ideas that were generated by our school council.

“Year six pupils then came up with an outline design that is now being turned into a proper technical drawing with the help of professional architects.”

When work is completed on the new school the two empty school sites and former playground area will be put up for sale. Money from the sale will be used to help pay for the new school building.

A charity is to benefit from a £300,000 contract to provide first aid training for Derbyshire County Council’s employees.

Derbyshire St John Ambulance, which has headquarters in Chesterfield, has won a competitive tender to supply a range of courses and tuition for the authority’s staff, with specialist training for early years practitioners.

Staff will receive one-day emergency aid courses, four-day first aid at work courses and two-day emergency aid for people who care for young children.

The contract, which began on September 1, is for two years and worth an estimated £150,000 per annum. It was advertised on the Source Derbyshire website – a countywide public and private sector partnership led by Derbyshire County Council and Northcliffe Electronic Publishing to assist buyers and suppliers to work together.

Councillor Geoff Carlile, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration said: “It is wonderful that a charity has been able to help fund itself in this way by competitively winning the contract.

“St John Ambulance is famous for its top class first aid care and I’m sure that by working with us in this way both the charity and our authority will benefit.”

A mobile training room will be provided by the charity to enable them to deliver courses to early years practitioners in remote areas of the county where suitable venues could prove difficult to find.

Eric Pugh, Derbyshire St. John Ambulance’s marketing manager, said: “This is the biggest single commercial contract for St. John Ambulance in Derbyshire and as a charity and voluntary organisation it is extremely important.

“Revenue from commercial training goes towards providing continued training and equipment for our volunteers providing first aid cover for local events.

“We are the UK’s leading first aid, transport and care charity and have run the first aid training contract for Derbyshire County Council for the last three years so we are delighted to be able to continue this association.”

Childcare places are on offer in Staveley following the conversion of a derelict row of shops into a new £400,000 neighbourhood nursery and childcare centre.

Derbyshire County Council and Touchstone, the Chesterfield-based training and services charity, are behind the new Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery in High Street, Staveley. The building, leased to Touchstone by Morrisons, has been transformed into a nursery catering for 53 children aged three months to five years.

Manager Cathy Walker has been in post for three weeks and is now taking bookings for childcare places for when the centre opens in November.

Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery is one of nine neighbourhood nurseries planned for Derbyshire as part of the Government`s strategy to reduce child poverty.

Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Services, led by the county council, asked for bids to create all the new nurseries after being awarded £2.4 million from the Government and the National Lottery.

As well as the lottery cash, Touchstone has also secured funding from the Government`s Single Regeneration Budget, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Staveley Neighbourhood Management initiative, as well as putting in its own resources. The Early Years and Childcare Service has worked alongside Touchstone to help the new neighbourhood nursery take shape, advising over a number of issues including recruitment and local consultation.

The nursery will offer three and four-year-olds two-and-a-half hours of free education per day, supplemented by flexible packages of childcare to meet parents` and children`s needs.

Treasures staff will be able to help parents access financial help to ensure that people who need the facilities can afford them.

Around 15 jobs will be created at the centre with some posts reserved for people wanting to train in childcare and gain qualifications.

Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: "I’m delighted that people in Staveley and the surrounding areas will benefit from the childcare and training on offer.

“The county council is working hard, together with partner agencies, to support parents and carers by providing high quality childcare places where they are needed throughout Derbyshire.”

Touchstone chief executive Stephen Lismore said: “We are offering the community an excellent standard of childcare in a bright, happy and stimulating environment." To reserve a place or find out more about the nursery call Cathy Walker on 01246 272707. 

Children will be able to go wild at Alfreton Library when it gets a colourful new look.

The children’s section at Derbyshire County Council’s building in Severn Square is being re-painted with a jungle theme.

The work, which is being funded through East Amber Valley Sure Start, will include new carpets, furniture and another computer. A safety fence will be installed to make the area even more secure while baby changing facilities will be fitted in the library’s public toilet.

The library offers lots of fun - from storytimes and nursery rhymes to books on tape, picture books and information books ranging from board books for babies to works of fiction for older children. All of these give children the chance to develop their language and communication skills, improve listening skills and increase their vocabulary so they can enjoy reading, giving them a better start in life.

Work is due to start on Monday (6 September) and will take three weeks to complete. During this time the children’s section will be moved to another area of the library.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “The new look for the children’s library will be based on a jungle theme to make it more colourful and inviting.

“There will also be more storage for the wide range of books and story tapes on offer as well as new seating for the children and their parents and carers.

“We hope the changes to the children’s section will make the library an even nicer place for youngsters to visit.”

Older hospital patients have shared their memories and creativity with professional artists to put together an exhibition of artwork and poetry.

‘Lost Found Time – the art of memory’ is opening at the Derbyshire County Council-run museum on Saturday 11 September.

Memories of war, childhood and life at home in the 20th century have been captured in drawings, textile pieces and experimental poems for this latest exhibition at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

The hospital patients from Stockport have worked with the Reminiscence Arts Project, `it`s a RAP`, which gives older patients and those in long-term residential care in the area the opportunity to work with artists in a variety of activities including writing, drawing, silk painting, dance and concerts.

Funding for the project came from Lottery cash through the Arts Council England.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “I’m sure this will be a fascinating exhibition for anyone interested in life during the 1900’s.

“The artists have given these older people the opportunity to crystallise moments in their lives that would otherwise be lost.

“It will give younger people an insight into the lives of their grandparents and older people a chance to reminisce about their childhood.”

The exhibition will run at the art gallery in Terrace Road, Buxton until Saturday 6 November. Visitors to the museum can also see Buxton and High Peak Art Society’s collection of watercolours, oil paintings and ink drawings until Saturday 6 November.

Entry to all exhibitions is free as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to increase public access to the arts.

For further information on any event at the museum and art gallery call Ros Westwood on 01298 24658.

Elvaston Castle and Country Park is not for sale, Derbyshire County Council has confirmed again today (Friday 3 September).

The move follows recent claims that the council was trying to sell the castle and park to private developers.

"Elvaston Castle and the grounds are not and have never been for sale," said Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Community Services Councillor Bob Janes.

"We’ve been clear from the outset that public access to the park must be maintained and ownership of the castle and grounds will remain with the county council."

For the last few years, the council has been looking for a partner to provide much-needed investment to restore the castle and historic core gardens.

But, to protect public access to the popular venue, the council has agreed a set of key conditions. Potential partners know that the castle, historic core gardens and country park are not for sale and that the council:

Must retain ownership but will consider leasing part or whole of the estate

Requires continued public access to the country park

Requires major investment in the historic core gardens and continued public access – possibly with the introduction of an entry fee to the newly restored historic core gardens only.

Added Councillor Janes: "We are keen to see the castle and estate restored to its former glory. It is not for sale and local people and visitors will continue to enjoy the much-loved facility. Anyone who says anything different is mistaken."

Proposals from potential partners are set to be considered by the council’s Cabinet in October and by the Full Council in November. 

Award-winning Derbyshire photographer Kate Bellis takes her latest exhibition to the people of Derbyshire from next week (Saturday 11 September).

Local people will be able to get a taste of Kate’s work before she embarks on a series of workshops in which people will be given the chance to take photos and record memories from their own lives.

It is all part of a project funded by a bid from Derbyshire County Council to East Midlands Museum, Libraries and Archives Council. A donation from Rolls Royce has also helped fund cameras, photo processing and recording equipment to produce works which will be used in an exhibition, for education and as touring materials.

Kate – who chronicled the plight of Derbyshire’s hill farmers in her 1997 exhibition entitled On the Edge - has already started a series of workshops with local people in the county’s farming and quarrying communities. She will be backing this up with visits to libraries to talk about her work and by showcasing her exhibition This Place – a photographic account of the working communities of rural Derbyshire – in libraries and other venues throughout the county.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community services Councillor Bob Janes, said: “The county council is happy its bid to EMMLAC paid off and allowed Kate Bellis to engage local people in charting their own social history.

“This Place will set the scene for follow up exhibitions in which we will see not only photographic but also written and oral histories of life in Derbyshire as told by the people who live here.”

Kate’s new exhibition – This Place – will be on show at Wirksworth Parish Rooms during the Wirksworth Festival from Saturday 11 September to Sunday 26 September and from Monday 1 November until Friday 5 November in the foyer of County Hall, Matlock.

Parents of year six pupils are being advised by Derbyshire County Council about major changes to the way they need to apply for a place at secondary school for their child.

Over the next two weeks parents of around 9,500 year six primary school children – who were born between 1 September 1993 and 31 August 1994 – will receive a letter and a Parents’ Information Booklet telling them about the new admissions procedure.

In the past parents applied to Derbyshire County Council for a place at some schools but applied to others directly. From now on Derbyshire County Council will administer all applications, acting like a clearing house.

Parents will be asked to fill in one admissions form where they can list, in order of preference, the three schools they would most like their child to go to.

However, although parents have a legal right to express preferences they have no automatic right to a place at any particular school.

The absolute deadline to complete and return a preference form is 3.30pm on Friday 22 October but Derbyshire County Council is urging all parents to return them as quickly as possible.

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered until places have been allocated to those parents who did return their form on time. So parents who fail to meet the deadline may find that the school they want their child to go to is full.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “These changes to the admissions process for secondary schools are very important.

“It is crucial that parents read the information pack and booklet that will be given to them by their child’s current primary school very carefully.

“Transferring from primary to secondary school is an important stage in a child’s education so parents need to carefully consider which three schools to put on the form and then return it as soon as possible or they risk not getting a place for their child at a preferred school.”

Parents who have not received a letter by 17 September should contact Derbyshire County Council’s secondary school admissions team on 01629 580000, extensions 6754,6755 or 6756.

All parents will be offered a school place for their child on 1 March 2005.

Any parents who are refused a place for their child have a right of appeal to an independent panel.

Children will release 85 black balloons to launch a countywide speed campaign next week (8 September).

The balloons – signifying the number of children killed or seriously injured in Derbyshire from 1 June last year until 31 May this year – will mark the start of the annual six week Better Late Than Never…Kill Your Speed promotion.

Derbyshire County Council has once again joined forces with Derby City Council, the police and primary care trusts to encourage drivers and riders to think about the consequences of fast and dangerous driving and to stick within the speed limit.

The familiar yellow and black posters carrying the campaign message will this year be placed at 34 spots on roads throughout the county where – for the past three years – there has been a number of speed related collisions.

It is hoped the new approach to placing the signs will result in a more targeted and focussed campaign. As well as the roadside posters the campaign message will also be promoted through bus back adverts, slots on local radio stations and posters distributed in schools, libraries, district and parish councils.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: “Saving lives and reducing injuries on Derbyshire’s roads is one of the council’s key priorities.

“And we hope - by focussing this year’s campaign posters on certain spots on the county’s roads - it will encourage drivers and riders to think about their speed and slow down along these roads.”

The county council believes supporting the annual anti speed campaign will help achieve its targets to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injury by 60 per cent for children and 45 per cent for adults by 2010.

Derby City Council cabinet member for planning, transportation and environment, Councillor Lucy Care, said: “The city council is pleased to work with the county council, the police and the primary care trust towards achieving our common aim to reduce the number of casualties on the roads throughout the city and the county.”

Chief Superintendent Tony Bateman of Derbyshire police said: “We are fully committed to reducing serious accidents involving children, especially fatalities.

“No-one likes attending a serious road accident let alone ones where there are young casualties or fatalities. We hope this campaign will help people heed the warning that speed kills."

Autumn may be creeping up on us but that’s no excuse not to continue enjoying the great outdoors and get some exercise into the bargain.

Saturday 11 September sees the launch of the two week Autumn Footprints - Amber Valley and Erewash Walking Festival which has been jointly organised by Derbyshire County Council along with organisations including Erewash and Amber Valley borough councils, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Groundwork Erewash Valley.

It is hoped the series of guided and themed walks in the Erewash and Amber Valley boroughs will show local people they do not have to travel far to enjoy a ramble through the countryside.

There are a total of 25 walks on offer - ranging from one to 15 miles - with something for everyone no matter what their interests or abilities. All walks are free and will take place in areas of local heritage and natural history interest, taking walkers alongside rivers and canals as well as through towns and villages.

There are also a number of events running alongside the walks - including map reading for beginners, talks on local heritage, issues relating to access and footpaths and even a family treasure hunt with the chance to win some great prizes.

The festival will be launched at Shipley Country Park on September 11. The Walking Festival exhibition can be viewed in the Visitor Centre from 12.30pm with the official launch ceremony taking place in the Green Room at 1pm. A guided walk will follow the launch ceremony.

Deputy Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Anne Western said: “The Walking Festival is a great opportunity for the people of Amber Valley and Erewash to see the perfect walking country which lies on their own doorstep.

“And the county council is pleased to take part in organising such a successful event.”

A leaflet containing details of all the walks is available free of charge from Groundwork Erewash Valley, Sandiacre office, the Visitor Centre at Shipley Country Park and Amber Valley Borough Council. To book a place on the walks please contact the Tourist Information Centre at Ripley on 01773 841 488.

Professional and amateur artists will be displaying their work at this year’s Buxton and High Peak Art Society Exhibition.

Watercolours, oil paintings, pastels and ink drawings will make up the collection which goes on show on Saturday 4 September at Derbyshire County Council’s Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

Buxton and High Peak Art Society is a lively group of artists from all parts of the community. Each member of the society has a different approach to art creating an exhibition that offers something to suit everyone’s taste. There is a great deal of variety in the techniques used and also the subject matter of the pictures.

Local residents and artists who may be inspired by the exhibition are welcome to join the society.

Derbyshire County Council`s deputy leader Councillor Anne Western said: "We are delighted to welcome the society’s popular exhibition to the museum and art gallery once again. I`m sure the display of work will be as diverse as ever and with the usual high standard of technical expertise.

"It`s great that we can show off the local talent at our gallery. New and budding artists will no doubt feel inspired to join the society themselves and maybe see their own work in next years display."

Another exhibition showing at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is Miniature Masterpieces of Delicacy, Humour and Colour by Kerry Harker, winner of the second Derbyshire Community Foundation Vickers Art Award (until 25 September).

Entry to all exhibitions is free as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to increase public access to the arts.

For further information on any event at the museum and art gallery call Ros Westwood on 01298 24658.

Older people across Derbyshire can drop off their electric blankets for free safety checks at fire stations and libraries from next week as part of a new fire safety campaign.

Derbyshire County Council is launching ‘We’re pulling the plug on unsafe electric blankets’ in partnership with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Derby City Council to help prevent house fires caused by electrical faults this winter.

The campaign has been organised in response to figures which show that people aged over 60 are six times more likely than anyone else to die in a house fire caused by a faulty electric blanket.

From next Wednesday (September 1) to Sunday 12 September anyone aged over 60 can drop their blanket off for a free safety check at any Derbyshire fire station, any Derbyshire County Council library, including mobiles, or any Derby city library. Home collection can also be arranged for people with mobility problems.

Blankets will be tested free of charge by an authorised electrical engineer and available for collection or returned by October 6 in time for the colder nights.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for public protection and transport Councillor Walter Burrows said: “We hope the campaign will raise the profile of this aspect of home safety to help our older residents stay safe in their homes by getting their blanket checked and following the few simple safety tips we’ve included in a handy leaflet and on our website.”

Minor repairs will be carried out free of charge - and anyone whose blanket fails the test will be sent a voucher for 50 per cent off the price of a replacement from an approved manufacturer and details of how to order one.

With the voucher, prices range from £9 for a single underblanket to £42.50 for a dual control king size overblanket, plus £6.95 postage and packing.

For Derbyshire County Council library locations, opening times and mobile routes to drop off your blanket Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 or visit  www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

For Derby City Council library locations and opening times call 01332 293111 or visit  www.derby.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

For fire station locations and opening times call fire service headquarters on 01332 771221 or visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk and click on ‘community services’

If you are not online look out for our campaign leaflet containing blanket safety tips in libraries. 

Parents, carers, teachers and anyone interested in learning about children’s special educational needs can attend a free course run by Derbyshire Parent Partnership.

The 12-week course, which will take place in Dronfield has been organised by the Derby & Derbyshire Parent Partnership Service. This is an impartial service funded by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council that offers free, confidential help, advice and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs.

The course has been designed to give a good understanding of all aspects of the special educational needs system and the role of Parent Partnership.

Valuable information will be provided during the training for parents and carers, school or early years settings support staff,