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April
| 28 April 2006 | View Derbyshire Delights on New Countryside Walk |
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Beautiful countryside, ancient woodland and fantastic views - just some of the delights which can be sampled on Derbyshire County Council’s new self guided walk. (REF:JM.164.06) |
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| 28 April 2006 | Parents urged to take up child seat safety checks |
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Parents are being urged to make sure their children travel safely by getting their seats checked for free. Derbyshire County Council and a child car seat expert will be giving free checks and advice on how to fit child car seats correctly. Drivers can take along their cars to five locations in the county to check if their child seat is safe, if it is fitted correctly and if it is right for the vehicle and child. Figures show in Derbyshire (excluding Derby) there were 165 children injured while travelling in cars last year – 1 fatal, 11 serious and 153 slightly. An unrestrained child can be killed by being thrown forward at speeds as low as five miles an hour. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community safety services, Councillor Joyce Sanders, said: “These checks take only a few minutes but those few minutes could save your child’s life - so I would urge people to take full advantage of the safety sessions. “We want to raise awareness that having a safety seat in a car is not enough if it is incorrectly fitted, damaged or the wrong type for the vehicle. Our road safety officers will also be able to give people more general advice about in-car safety and other road safety issues.” The safety checks will take place from 10am until 4pm at the following places:
The county council offers the following advice to anyone who might not be able to get to any of the events:
(REF: SM.163.06) |
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| 28 April 2006 | Multi-million pound extra care scheme announced |
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Work on a new multi-million pound housing complex aimed at older people could start as early as next spring thanks to a successful bid for funding. The proposed £5.8 million development is planned for the site of Derbyshire County Council’s Stonelow Court home for older people in Dronfield and could be open to residents by spring 2008. The scheme is a partnership project between the county council, North East Derbyshire District Council and North East Derbyshire Primary Care Trust working alongside South Yorkshire Housing Association which will develop the site. Funding for the new scheme includes almost £2 million from the Housing Corporation and donation of the land by the county council. The extra care complex will provide accommodation for older people aged 55 years and over who may wish to live independently but may need extra care and support. While some people will need the extra care services only occasionally, other residents may need to have 24-hour care available. The extra care complex is the third of its kind to be planned in Derbyshire and will provide 40 two-bedroom flats for rent, shared ownership or outright sale, plus eight one-bed intermediate care units. As well as the flats, a range of communal facilities is planned at the Stonelow Court site in Stonelow Road, including lounges, a restaurant, guest areas, assisted bathing, laundry services, an IT suite, an activity area, a hairdressers and roof gardens and terraces. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “Extra care creates the ideal balance of privacy with opportunities to socialise in communal areas and receive care and support while maintaining independence. “I believe this is an important development in the Dronfield area and will extend the choice of accommodation and care options available to older people.” There will now be a detailed consultation process with residents and their relatives and each resident will have a personal care plan drawn up to establish their needs. Residents will need to move out of the home while the extra-care development is built and each person will be consulted to ensure appropriate alternative accommodation is found for them. (Ref: MC.162.06) |
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| 28 April 2006 | Computer novices boost through free project |
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Computer novices could soon become hi-tech whizzes thanks to a free training scheme. The 18-month project has been set up by Derbyshire County Council and is being lead by adult community education and supported by the Better Government for Older People team. Funding for the project, called OPEL (Older People’s E-Learning), has come from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as part of a drive to generate computer-based projects and e-learning across the country. The project, working in partnership with Dales Housing Association, has set up small computer suites in two sheltered housing complexes – Grindleford and Dene Fields Court in Matlock. Internet access has been set up and residents are able to use the computers at any time, free of charge. Training has been provided by adult community education tutors and residents are now regularly using the computers to communicate with family and friends, as well as sending and receiving information. The Dene Fields Court suite is also available to older people from other Dales Housing schemes in Matlock and is providing an opportunity for people to meet and socialise as well as furthering their computer knowledge. Through OPEL, the Better Government for Older People team has been able to electronically network the county’s 13 Derbyshire 50+ forums. Up to 20 members of each forum have received basic computer training through adult community education. In addition, each forum now has a designated electronic contact person (ECP) who has received training and been equipped with a laptop computer which has internet access. The ECPs are the main contact for each forum and regularly receive and pass on information to other forum members. The long-term aim is to develop a Derbyshire 50+ Forum Network website, with pages for each forum, which will include a bulletin board and chatroom facility. County council cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “This is a very worthwhile scheme as not only will people in sheltered housing benefit but so will dozens of 50+ forum members. “By using the web, the forums will be able to keep in touch with each other and be kept right up to date on issues affecting them.” Council Better Government for Older People project manager Jem Brown on 01629 580000 ext 2068 or, sheltered housing manager for Dales Housing Association Maria Slack on 01629 593200. (Ref:MC.161.06) |
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| 28 April 2006 | Fascinating archive sheds light on Derbyshire dynasty |
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The rise and fall of a Derbyshire dynasty is mapped in a vast archive now in the hands of Derbyshire County Council’s record office. Filling more than 500 boxes, the treasured Harpur-Crewe archive is an exceptional record of the landowning family’s history dating back to the 12th Century. Measuring around half-a-kilometre if laid end to end, the collection features millions of documents, including a Royal decree from 1565 granting the family use of a crest, as well as letters, manuscripts, hand-drawn maps and deeds. It will give local and national historians alike a fascinating insight into the dynasty’s lives over almost 900 years. County council conservators are now working hard to catalogue and conserve the many documents, some of which are in poor condition, which were given to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax by the last survivors of the Harpur-Crewe family. Many of the papers – some on parchment (animal hides) - were found lying in stable blocks and attics but the majority are now available for the public to use for research. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said the collection was a fantastic addition to the authority’s already extensive archives. “Getting this archive is a huge honour,” explained Councillor Janes. “Not only does it offer a fascinating insight into the lives of one of Derbyshire’s biggest landowners, it covers a vast area of land previously not well documented. “It also covers a very long period of time – almost a thousand years – and will provide extensive information to researchers and historians about the history of the family’s huge estate.” It has taken many years of negotiation and a final strong bid to the Government to ensure the archive is kept in Derbyshire. The collection documents the origins, acquisition and disposal of the family’s landholdings and was deposited in the Derbyshire Record Office, Matlock, in 32 consignments, by March 1995, according to the wishes of successive heads of the Harpur-Crewe family. When the final survivor – Miss Airmyne Harpur-Crewe – died in 1999 the archive was offered to the country in lieu of inheritance tax. Once the Treasury accepted it, the county council was allowed to bid for its permanent retention and was finally granted permission to hold it by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell. The Harpur-Crewe family had extensive landholdings in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire, dating from the mid 12th Century. In the mid 16th Century they bought Calke Abbey in South Derbyshire – now run by the National Trust. Calke was a late addition to the family’s estates which covered large swathes of land around Swarkestone, Findern, Repton, Milton, Ticknall, Twyford and Stanton by Bridge. They also owned large areas of the Staffordshire moorlands around Alstonefield and near Hemington in Leicestershire. The Alstonefield estate on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border remained a centre of the family’s property with Warslow Grange on the estate being the late Miss Harpur-Crewe’s home. Coun Janes added: “We’re delighted that after such a long period of negotiation our bid for the archive has been accepted. It is a tremendous resource for the future.” The entire Harpur-Crewe collection – 510 boxes, 52 volumes, 60 rolls and 18 outsize folders – has been assessed for preventative and remedial conservation and is stored in secure, humidity and temperature-controlled conditions at Derbyshire County Council’s Record Office. Original documents can be produced for research purposes. More than 10,000 researchers visit the office, on New Street, Matlock, every year. For more information please visit the Record Office section of our website. (Ref: AJ.160.06) |
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| 27 April 2006 | Diaries reveal Victorian holiday stories |
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Thinking of booking your two weeks in the sun? Well, spare a thought for the Victorians whose holidays were far more arduous than simply jumping on board a plane. |
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| 27 April 2006 | Home composting roadshow rolls into town |
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Derbyshire residents are being urged to help make their gardens grow while cutting down on the amount of rubbish they put into their bins. Derbyshire County Council will be giving advice on home composting and offering cut price composting bins to local people during Compost Awareness Week (Monday 8 May until Saturday 13 May). The county council’s waste exhibition van – which is full of interesting information, interactive activities and free goodies such as recycled pencils, magnets and reusable cloth bags – will be calling at various towns across the county. Staff will be on board to answer questions and give advice about home composting as well as give out forms for the discounted bins. Composting at home has never been easier. The bins – which come in three sizes and normally retail from £39.95 to £69.95 – can be bought for only £4, £6 and £15 (including home delivery). Vegetable peelings, tea bags, egg shells and even cardboard and cereal packets can all be composted in the bins along with grass cuttings and other garden rubbish. The bins are limited to three per household and can be ordered by calling 0845 073 2001. The composting roadshow will be appearing from 9.30am until 3.30pm on: Monday 8 May at Chesterfield Market Place; Tuesday 9th May at Derby Market Place (the Waste & Resources Action Programme compost bus will also be at this venue); Wednesday 10 May at Long Eaton market place; Thursday 11 May at Goseley estate, Hartshorne. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities councillor Brian Lucas said: ”We have already had some great results in Derbyshire with our discounted home composting bin scheme. “We have sold more than 20,000 and are delighted so many people are discovering this is not only a way of cutting down on their kitchen and garden waste but also makes good sense for the garden, is very cheap and hassle free.” (REF: SM.158.06) |
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| 27 April 2006 | Annual meeting of Derbyshire County Council |
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Derbyshire County Council confirmed its Cabinet line-up at its annual meeting held at County Hall today (Wednesday 26 April). Councillor John Williams remains Council Leader for the fifth year running and Councillor Anne Western begins her third year as Deputy Leader. The full Cabinet was confirmed as follows:
Councillor Walter Burrows begins his second year as Chair of the county council and Councillor Eric Lancashire MBE stays as Vice Chair of the authority. Addressing the council Councillor Burrows highlighted some of the council’s key achievements over the last 12 months including:
Councillor Burrows also acknowledged the crucial role of council staff and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors in helping the authority deliver good quality and efficient services to improve life locally. Click here to see a full version of Councillor Burrows' speech (Ref: JT.157.06) |
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| 26 April 2006 | Liberation day to give wealth of advice to over 50s |
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Help and advice on a wide range of issues will be available at a number of Liberation Day events for the over 50s. The Liberation Days are a chance for people aged 50 years and over to get free help and advice on issues ranging from health, independent living, transport and leisure to pensions, community safety, social care and voluntary organisations. There will also be a focus on distraction burglary and doorstep crime. A number of organisations have been helping to arrange the Liberation Days including Derbyshire County Council through its Better Government for Older People team, Derbyshire police, local primary care trusts, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, community safety partnerships, Neighbourhood Watch schemes and Age Concern Derby and Derbyshire. Representatives from these and other groups, organisations, charities and voluntary agencies will also be on hand at the Liberation Days to discuss a variety of issues with people turning up on the day. People at the events will also be able to tell representatives from various organisations what they think about the services on offer and how they could be improved as well as being treated to entertainment and free refreshments. The first Liberation Day will be held for people living in Erewash and Amber Valley on Thursday 11 May at the Arena in Ilkeston between 10.30am and 3pm. As well as a wealth of information there will also be entertainment from the Long Eaton Operatic Society and pupils from John Flamsteed Community School, along with free refreshments, prizes, music and give-aways. The second Liberation Day is being held for people living in South Derbyshire, at the Bretby Conference Centre on Thursday 25 May and will take the same form. A further Liberation Day is being held for the over 50s in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton on Friday 9 June. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “Events like these have proved highly successful in the past and I’m sure this year will be no exception. “While older people can get a lot of helpful advice and support at these events, they are also really good fun as well and I hope anyone who has the opportunity will pop in and take a look at what’s on offer.” Some free travel to the venues is available and people can find out more by phoning the county council’s call centre Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058. (Ref.MC.156.06) |
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| 24 April 2006 | New businesses boost thanks to council cash |
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A scheme aimed at supporting new businesses which has helped to create more than 1,000 jobs has been given a cash boost by Derbyshire County Council. These include:
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “We have always been very keen to support the Start Up Business Advice Service as part of our aim to encourage new businesses and the creation of new jobs across the county. Note to News Editors: *The free seminars which are being concentrated in wards of economic need are being held in: Markham Vale serving Poolsbrook and Middlecroft, Chesterfield serving Rother, Loundsley Green and St Helens, Bolsover serving Bolsover North West, Elmton-with-Creswell and Scarcliffe, Shirebrook serving Shirebrook and Langwith and Gamesley ward. (Ref: MC.155.06) |
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| 24 April 2006 | Temporary closure of Buxton Museum |
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Buxton Museum and Art Gallery will be closed to the public for five weeks while essential maintenance work is carried out. (Ref: MC.153.06) |
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| 24 April 2006 | Have your say in the Derbyshire Dales |
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People aged over 50 who want to take action to change things for the better are being given the chance to attend an event and get their voices heard. (Ref: MC.154.06) |
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| 20 April 2006 | See new control centre put through its paces |
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A new emergency control centre has opened to help Derbyshire County Council and its partner organisations work together as efficiently as possible on any incident anywhere in the county. The £139,000 centre, based at County Hall in Matlock, is equipped with the latest computer technology with communication links for partner agencies allowing it to serve as a ‘Gold Command’ incident room from where senior officers can plan the overall response to a serious or ongoing large scale incident. This allows staff from the emergency services, county, borough and district councils, the army, health and environment agencies and voluntary groups to work together from one base to co-ordinate operations while their officers are out at the site. An incident could be anything which affects residents’ safety or which prevents the council delivering its services normally such as severe weather, a large fire, gas leak or explosion, a fuel shortage or any situation resulting in the evacuation of homes and other premises. Benefits of opening the centre include the rapid sharing of information and expert knowledge between organisations, allowing fast sourcing of available resources and ensuring information is issued quickly and accurately to members of the public and the media. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “Derbyshire County Council has to be prepared to respond quickly to any incident anywhere in the county and reduce risks to safety – in most cases supporting and working closely with other agencies. “It is essential this partnership working is carried out efficiently and having the new centre will ensure the best use of resources and could help save vital minutes in an emergency situation.” County Hall was agreed as the best central location for a new central control centre for Derbyshire. The need was identified as part of new responsibilities introduced in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and other Government guidance to promote efficient partnership working in emergency situations. It features a host of new facilities including video conferencing, an interactive smart board for operational planning including mapping software for detailed location analysis, 24-hour news channels, additional phone and computer lines, DVD and video facilities and a training room. The suite can also act as an emergency call centre if the council’s main centre fails. (Ref: LT.152.06) |
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| 20 April 2006 | What's in a name? Find out at Chesterfield Library |
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Researchers can find out about their family history at the touch of a button thanks to months of hard work to transfer vital information on to computer. More than 80,000 names, which were previously only available on paper at Derbyshire County Council’s Chesterfield Library, can now be accessed on the electronic database. It means that historians across the globe can now log on to the county council’s website to find out about their ancestors in the Chesterfield area. It follows painstaking work by members of Chesterfield and District Family History Society who first started compiling the name index several years ago. Using parish records kept at the library - including 19th century child census records, parish magazines and parish registers giving information about births, marriages and burials – society members created the 80,000-name paper index. It enabled researchers to search easily through the catalogues for their family name and then look for the original source of the information in the local studies section of the library. Now that the information has been transferred to computer it can be accessed by a global audience who can still get hold of the records which, for a small cost, can be copied and sent to them. Local people can also use the electronic index via the 40 computers available for use free of charge at Chesterfield Library. Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “This has been a real labour of love for members of Chesterfield and District Family History Society who have spent years putting this index together. “The paper index has proved an invaluable tool to historians researching their family’s past over the years. “I’m sure that the computerised version will prove even more helpful to people all over the world who are keen to learn more about their ancestors from Chesterfield.” The name index can be accessed by logging on to the county council’s website, select leisure and culture, local studies, family history, family history resources and finally surname search. (Ref: CC.151.06) |
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| 19 April 2006 | Council gives the go ahead to school improvements |
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Two schools are set to be extended by Derbyshire County Council in a move to increase teaching space. Ilkeston Larklands Infant and Nursery School and Kirkstead Junior School, Pinxton, will each have two new classrooms built by the authority. The project to extend Ilkeston Larklands Infant and Nursery School, in Park Road, will cost £394,000 and includes constructing new toilets, a cloaks lobby and caretaker’s store. It also involves demolishing the existing gas meter house to make way for the classrooms and replacing it with a new outdoor gas meter and main. The county council is contributing £289,000 towards the project costs, with £105,000 coming from George Wimpey (East Midlands) Homes Ltd as part of a planning agreement to build homes in Chalons Way, off Park Road. Building work on the classrooms starts in May and is expected to be completed by September. The extension of Kirkstead Junior School, in Kirkstead Road, will also include an office, reception lobby, a small room for group activities and corridor linking the classrooms to the main school block. Work starts next month and involves making the site’s ground conditions suitable for development and constructing reinforced concrete beams to support the new classrooms. The scheme – which is due to be finished by December – is costing £512,000, with £440,000 coming from the county council. Clark Homes Ltd of Barlborough, near Chesterfield, is contributing £64,000 as part of a planning agreement to build homes at the Former Gardens, Park Lane, Pinxton, while the school is meeting £8,000 of the costs. Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “These works form part of our ongoing programme of improvements to school buildings to ensure they meet the needs of pupils and staff. “The classroom extensions have been designed in consultation with school staff and will provide much-needed extra teaching space in which children can enjoy lessons.” Meanwhile, the authority has agreed to replace the heating systems at Woodville Infant School and Woodville CE Junior School, near Swadlincote. The combined costs of the project are £193,000. The infant and junior schools, in High Street, are contributing £16,500 and £17,000 respectively. Councillor Charles said: “Both school’s heating systems are coming towards the end of their natural lives and it’s important we replace them before problems arise.” (REF: RS.150.06) |
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| 13 April 2006 | Capture the Spirit of Derbyshire for Festival Competitions |
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Whether you use a pen or camera to express yourself, two competitions running as part of the Derbyshire Literature Festival could be for you.
All entries must be accompanied by an entry form and should be sent to: Alison Betteridge, Literature Development Officer, Alfreton Library, Severn Square, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7BQ. (REF:AJ.149.06) |
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| 13 April 2006 | Caring youngsters stage charity car wash |
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Caring young people in South Derbyshire will be getting out their buckets and sponges to boost funds for an animal shelter threatened with closure. Around ten members of Hatton Awards Club will be holding a sponsored car wash on Sunday 23 April in aid of the RSPCA Animal Shelter in Abbey Street, Derby. It takes place from 1pm – 4pm in the car park of the Railway Inn public house, Station Road, Hatton. The cost per car is £3.50. The young people – who are aged 12-16 – are hoping to raise £150 from the car wash, which is the first in a series of fundraising events they are planning on behalf of the shelter. It follows a visit to the shelter in February when they learned it could close due to a funding shortfall. The fundraising drive forms part of the Peak Awards which the young people are currently working towards through the club, based at the Derbyshire County Council-run Hatton Centre. Peak awards are open to children as young as 11 and aim to help them gain confidence and independence while offering them an individual challenge and the opportunity to try new activities and hobbies. They also enable them to learn from and give to others in their community and show that they can work well as a team player. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “The young people were horrified to hear that the shelter may have to close and were really keen to help. Staff at the shelter opened especially for club members to visit and are very grateful to them for their efforts.” For further information about the charity car wash call 01283 210344. (REF: RS.148.06) |
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| 13 April 2006 | Pick up a job on the spot |
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Getting a job can seem a daunting process so Derbyshire County Council is holding a Job Shop where people can walk in and get a job on the spot. Job hunters are invited to the recruitment day at County Hall, Matlock, on Friday 28 April between 9.30am and 3pm. Anyone interested in working for the authority is welcome to drop in and talk to employment advisors about current vacancies and career opportunities. The advisors will help match people to particular posts based on where they live and their interests and even help with filling in forms so they can walk away with a job the same day. Posts on offer include:
Advisors will also be available to talk about other careers working for Derbyshire County Council. Councillor John Williams, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: ”This is one of a number of Job Shops we have run across the county and we are delighted with the success of the scheme. “As part of our Putting People First charter, we are committed to recruiting high quality, motivated staff that represent the communities we serve. “We realise that many people find applying for a new job a daunting task and that’s why we’re trying to make ourselves as accessible as possible by making our recruitment process quicker and easier for people who might otherwise be put off working with us.” For more information about the Job Shop recruitment day, contact Derbyshire County Council’s personnel office on 01629 580000 ext 6926 or 6982. (Ref: SS.145.06) |
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| 13 April 2006 | Helping you keep your sheds and garages secure |
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Derbyshire residents are being offered advice to help them protect their property by keeping sheds, garages and outbuildings secure. Although the number of shed and outbuilding burglaries has dropped in Derbyshire over the last three years, break-ins tend to increase over the spring and summer months. This is when equipment stored in them, such as gardening equipment, electric power tools, bicycles and sports gear, is more likely to be used and particularly where poor quality door hinges and locks are used to secure the building. Derbyshire County Council is offering some practical advice to help people protect the possessions they store outside. Residents are urged to:
Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for community safety Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “It’s great news that burglaries from outbuildings at homes across Derbyshire have dropped over recent years, but by raising awareness and giving practical advice we hope to reduce that number yet further. “By taking a few simple measures people can increase the security of their property and deter thieves.” For home security and crime reduction information visit www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)
(Ref: SS.144.06) |
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| 13 April 2006 | Decisions made on primary school places |
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All parents who applied for a primary school place for their child have received their offer from Derbyshire County Council on time. For the first time the authority has acted as a central clearing house to deal with admissions to all infant, junior and primary schools. Applications were made using paper forms and online through the Derbyshire County Council website. In the past individual schools dealt with admissions. On 12 April letters were sent out to parents informing them which school their child has been allocated a place at. Derbyshire County Council handled 7,000 applications for reception class places at infant or primary schools places and 3,000 applications for places at junior schools. Of these applications 97 per cent of parents have been offered their first choice school. Overall 99 per cent of parents have been offered a place for their child at one of their three preferred schools. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “Thanks to the hard work of staff in our admissions team we have been able to deal with the 10,000 applications and still meet the national deadline for offering places on time. “Parents have no automatic right to a place at a particular school but the requests of nearly all parents have been met.” Any parents who have been refused a place at their preferred school have the right of appeal to an independent panel. Information of how to appeal is available from Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays or 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturdays. Schools will be contacting parents shortly to give them details of when their child will start at their new school. (REF: JF.147.06)
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| 13 April 2006 | New hall and kitchen for Riddings Infants |
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A new school hall and kitchen are to be built by Derbyshire County Council to improve facilities for pupils at Riddings Infant School. The £864,537 scheme will see a temporary building replaced with a new one which will give the school high quality facilities fit for the 21st century. The hall will also have:
The work will also see 15 extra car parking spaces created, existing electrical and heating systems in the school replaced, a new boundary wall and entrance gates built and a security fence put up at the back of the school. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This building programme will mean that the quality of the whole school site is transformed. “The new kitchen will help staff to further improve the quality of meals provided to pupils and will reduce the current school meal transport costs. “The existing school hall is in a poor condition so the new building will enable the school to run various activities - like assemblies - in better surroundings for pupils. “All the designs for the new buildings have been drawn up following consultation with staff at the school to ensure it meets their needs.” Work will start at the school in West Street next month and should be completed by February next year. (REF: JF.146.06) |
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| 12 April 2006 | Mouth-watering line-up for food and drink festival |
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A host of events are being lined up across the county to celebrate the second Derbyshire Food and Drink Festival. And there is still time for food and drink businesses, producers and eateries, large or small, to get involved by organising an event during festival week. The festival builds on the success of Derbyshire’s two-day Food and Drink Fair at Bolsover Castle which last year attracted more than 22,000 people and could attract even more visitors this year when it is run at the same venue on Saturday 20 May and Sunday 21 May. The runaway success of the fair last year has sparked organisers Derbyshire County Council to extend it to incorporate a week-long festival of events, from 22 May leading up to Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 29 May. The festival, which is expected to attract visitors from across the country, will give a platform to a wide variety of producers and suppliers of local food and drink and celebrate and promote their goods to new and existing customers. It will also make it easier for Derbyshire residents and tourists to find top class eateries across the county while sampling and learning about a range of high quality local produce. A range of establishments, including hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, farms and delicatessens will be taking part in the festival and menus to mark the occasion will soon be springing up across Derbyshire. There will also be cookery demonstrations, visits and tours, taste-testing and educational talks during the festival. The Food and Drink Festival is being launched at the Food and Drink Fair and all festival events details and venues will be available over the two days. For people who cannot go to the fair, a detailed list of events will also be available on the website www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk (opens in a new window). Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “This is a great opportunity for Derbyshire establishments to join in with the week-long programme of festival events, which will be launched at the annual Food and Drink Fair.” Councillor Carlile added: “The week of events which will give a platform to a wide variety of producers and suppliers of Derbyshire food and drink, and a large number of eateries across the county which use top quality local produce. “Through the festival, they will be able to promote their goods and businesses to new and existing customers, boost tourism and celebrating the excellent quality of food and drink in the county.” Dozens of venues are busy preparing events for the festival and many more have agreed to sign up. Free tasting sessions are being held in shops and festival menus are being drawn up to celebrate the week. Some of the venues which have already announced events include:
Any Derbyshire businesses, eateries or producers, large or small, interested in holding an event during festival week, or anyone who would like more information, should contact Derbyshire County Council’s Stephanie Walsh on 01629 585964. (Ref: MC.143.06) |
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| 11 April 2006 | Dad Gives Thumbs Up to Real Nappies |
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Hands-on dad Tim Cresswell is not afraid to roll up his sleeves to change a nappy – as long as it’s a ‘real nappy’. The proud father of 13-week old baby Alasdair has teamed up with Derbyshire County County Council to promote Real Nappy Week which runs from 24 April. Tim (38), and wife Alison (36), of Starkholmes, decided to use real nappies long before Alasdair was born. And now the father and son duo are out to show other families that real nappies are in and old images of terry squares and safety pins are long gone. The Cresswells chose real nappies for their firstborn after visiting a Nappuccino – a county council-run coffee morning offering information about real nappies to parents. “Using real nappies couldn’t be easier,” said Tim. “We just put the dirty ones in the washing machine overnight – it’s no trouble and Alasdair doesn’t seem to mind wearing them. Dumping Disposables in Favour of Real Nappies Parents are being urged to ‘flush and wash’ as part of a Derbyshire County Council campaign to reduce the amount of disposable nappies sent to landfill. In Derbyshire, we send around 13,000 tonnes of nappy waste to landfill every year - but there are alternatives. To find out more, mums, dads and expectant parents are being invited to a series of events across the county during Real Nappy Week from 24 April. A range of ‘real’ nappies will be on display to show just how far they have progressed from terry squares and safety pins around 20 years ago. These days real nappies are shaped, self fastening and with a take out and flush away lining – so no more boiling. They come in a range of patterns and colours and there are even laundry services around which will collect and wash them for you. Visitors can talk to real nappy advisors about what is available, view nursery equipment and children’s wear stalls and other attractions such as alternative therapies during a series of Baby Days at:
Advice will also be available from the waste roadshow, Derby market place, on 25th April, 10am - 3pm. If parents are still unsure about which nappies to use, they can hire out one of the county council’s nappy lending kits being launched during Real Nappy Week. The kit will include different styles and brands of washable nappies which parents can try on their babies for a small charge of £5. A £100 refundable deposit will also be needed in exchange for the kit which can be loaned for up to two weeks. There will also be a chance to win one of 10 washable nappy starter packs during Real Nappy Week. Entry forms will be available at Baby Days and on the county council’s website. If Derbyshire residents choose to use washable nappies, they can also take advantage of the county council’s £25 cashback scheme which can be redeemed against the cost of real nappies or a nappy laundry service. Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: “As well as reducing the amount of household waste we send to landfill, using real nappies instead of disposables can save you hundreds of pounds. “We hope our £25 cashback incentive together with events held during Real Nappy Week will help raise awareness of modern washable nappies and allow parents to make an informed choice.”
(REF:JM.141.06) |
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| 11 April 2006 | Mobile libraries go hi-tech |
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Broadband internet access is coming to a mobile library near you following the introduction of satellite technology onto Derbyshire County Council’s mobile libraries.
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| 07 April 2006 | Temporary closure of Melbourne Library |
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Derbyshire County Council-run Melbourne Library will be closed for a week while the heating system is replaced. The library, which is based in a room leased from South Derbyshire District Council in the town’s leisure centre, will close from Monday 8 May to Saturday 13 May. The essential maintenance work is being paid for and carried out by the district council. Library users can borrow up to 16 items and return them to neighbouring libraries in Swadlincote, Etwall and Long Eaton. (Ref: CC.138.06) |
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| 07 April 2006 | Access for all at Heanor Library |
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Around £40,000 is to be spent improving access to Heanor Library so that even more people can make the most of the services on offer. Work at the building – run by Derbyshire County Council – will include improving the ramp at the front to make it easier for people in wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs to get inside. Automatic doors will also be installed at the Ilkeston Road venue together with a specially-designed toilet for disabled people. The work is being carried out to ensure that the county council complies with the Disability Discrimination Act. To ensure the safety of staff and visitors, the library will be closed from Monday 1 May to Tuesday 30 May while the work is carried out. However, library users will be able to borrow up to 25 items during the period of the work and will be able to return them to neighbouring libraries in Ilkeston or Ripley. Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “This vital work will ensure that everyone can make the most of the range of services we offer at Heanor Library. “As well as books they can borrow videos, CDs and DVDs as well as gain free access to the internet and video phones. “I hope that library users will bear with us while this work is carried out and we hope to see even more people using the library once it is completed.” While the library is closed staff will also be reorganising the layout of the building to make it easier for people to find items that they want to borrow. (Ref: CC.138.06) |
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| 07 April 2006 | Young people turn out in record numbers for Big Vote |
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A record number of young people have turned out to elect members for the Derbyshire Youth Forum and the UK Youth Parliament. The Derbyshire County Council run election – called the Big Vote – saw 20,392 votes cast by people aged 11 to 19 using text messages, the b_line website or traditional ballot papers during a month-long period. A record 72 candidates stood for the Big Vote elections, with two elected to the Derbyshire Youth Forum in each of the county’s eight borough or district areas. Four candidates were also selected to represent Derbyshire on the UK Youth Parliament. A high profile publicity campaign, backed by Ellie Crissell from CBBC’s Newsround TV programme, was organised by Derbyshire County Council to make all young people aware of the candidates, their manifestos and the different methods of voting. More than 100 hustings were also organised by the authority’s youth service to give young people the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to them with the candidates. Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “I am delighted to see the number of votes cast going up from 16,448 when the elections were last held two years ago to 20,392 this time. “The Derbyshire Youth Forum is now a well established method for young people across Derbyshire to have their voices heard by decision makers. “I hope that all the newly elected forum members will take the opportunity to raise the issues that are affecting young people’s lives in Derbyshire throughout their two-year term of office.” The Derbyshire Youth Forum was set up by Derbyshire County Council in 2000. Last year members of the forum took part in a number of activities including:
The following candidates have been elected to sit on the Derbyshire Youth Forum: Amber Valley Kishan Manek, 12, of Ilkeston, who attends the Heanor Gate Science College Bolsover Chesterfield Derbyshire Dales Erewash High Peak North East Derbyshire South Derbyshire Members of the UK Youth Parliament Amber Valley and Bolsover: Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire: Erewash and South Derbyshire: High Peak and Derbyshire Dales: (REF: JF.139.06) |
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| 07 April 2006 | Easter Family Fun in Derbyshire Countryside |
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A range of egg-citing events have been lined up at Derbyshire County Council’s country parks and visitor centres this Easter. Elvaston Castle Country Park Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Chesterfield Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “We hold a range of events to encourage more people to visit our sites and enjoy the countryside. (REF:JM.137.06) |
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| 07 April 2006 | New classrooms for infant and nursery school |
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Pupils at Charlotte Infant and Nursery School, Ilkeston, are settling into two new purpose-built classrooms. Derbyshire County Council funded the £300,000 scheme to create more teaching space at the 390-pupil school in Trinity Close. Building works were completed in February, freeing up space in the main block. The school now plans to create a library and office for its nurse and health visitors in the area previously occupied by pupils. The extension follows an earlier scheme to create two additional classrooms in 1999, since which time pupil numbers have gradually increased. Derbyshire County Council Chair Councillor Walter Burrows and cabinet member for school planning and support Councillor Alan Charles officially unveiled the new buildings, which include toilets. Councillor Charles said: “The addition of these modern classrooms has helped ease pressure on teaching space and given pupils comfortable new surroundings in which to enjoy lessons.” A class act… Pupils Tommy Brookes, seven, and Ryan Piggott, six, enjoy a spot of craft-making in one of the new classrooms, joined by (from left) headteacher Peter Munro, Derbyshire County Council Chair Councillor Walter Burrows and Councillor Alan Charles. |
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| 07 April 2006 | Volunteers carry on walking |
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A scheme designed to promote walking for health has proved so successful it will carry on…even after its official end date. Walk this Way was set up by Derbyshire County Council as a temporary project four years ago – with the hope that once the groundwork had been put in it would go on to run itself. Its aim was to encourage people to walk more in a bid to tackle illnesses and diseases caused by not having enough exercise. There are now 10 walking for health groups in the Chesterfield area which will continue to be run by volunteers from the local community with more than 200 people walking each week. Each group offers a different level of walk – some are around 45 minutes while others are around 2-3 hours – with generally a walk suitable for all abilities. A report by the county council into the scheme as it drew to an end found:
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “The people who have joined the walking for health groups have found they feel happier, healthier and have also made new friends. “We’re delighted this project has achieved so much and is so strong it will continue to be run by local people.” (REF: SM.136.06) |
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| 06 April 2006 | Elvaston public notice goes on display |
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Derbyshire County Council is giving notice of its plans to lease Elvaston Castle and part of the Country Park. The formal notice of the proposed lease - which will include Home Farm and the Stables area – to Highgate Sanctuary Ltd will be placed in the local press and on the website where there will also be a map showing the areas to be included in the lease. Members of the public will have until Friday 12 May to make comments. The castle and 150 acres of the country park – most of which is not currently in public use - will be leased for the following uses:
As part of the lease Highgate Sanctuary will:
The remaining 165 acres of the park which the county council still owns will not be included in the lease. The possibility of setting up a Trust to manage these areas is being looked at by the authority. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We want to make the most of this popular attraction and the proposed plans will secure the long term use of Elvaston Castle and Country Park. “We look forward to working with Highgate Sanctuary and English Heritage on a restoration project which will provide years of enjoyment for future visitors.” A map showing the proposed areas to be leased can be seen above, or by clicking on the link in the More Information section below. The document is available in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download the PDF software for free if it isn't available on your computer. Download Adobe Reader (opens in a new window) or visit our information pages to find out more. A copy can also be obtained from Alan Beastall, County Property Officer, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG. (REF: SM.135.06)
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| 05 April 2006 | Violet's century celebration |
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Popular Violet Fletcher was joined by crowds of family and friends when she celebrated her 100th birthday at The Willows in Ripley. In fact Violet had so many visitors in one day that the Derbyshire County Council residential home, in Field Terrace, declared it an open day in honour of her birthday. Young-at-heart Violet enjoyed a full day of partying on with celebrations going on well into the evening. She enjoyed a glass of wine with Derbyshire County Council’s chair Councillor Walter Burrows and had visits from the town and district mayors. Councillor Burrows said: “It was wonderful to meet Violet and join in her celebrations on such an important birthday. Born on 27 March 1906 at Blackhorse Cottages in Heage, Violet was one of eight children. She had two older brothers, Albert and Samuel, two older sisters, Mary and Susannah, and three younger sisters, Doris, Edna and Winifred. All eight of them attended Heage School. After leaving school the boys went to work in the coal industry and all of the girls, including Violet, went to work at Belper Mills as cotton spinners. Violet’s mother, Eliza, died when Violet was only eleven leaving her father Edward to bring up the family on his own. Violets eldest sister Mary stayed at home so that their father could carry on working. In the late 1920s, Violet met Wilfred Fletcher and they married at Heage Church on 3 November 1934. They lived with Violet’s sister Susannah and her husband Harry Mellors in Greaves Street, Ripley where they stayed until Wilfred died in 1950. Although Violet didn’t have children of her own she has always been very close to her niece Maureen and is a very much loved aunty, great aunty and great great aunty to sixteen nieces and nephews. Violet lived in her own home until 2001 when she moved into The Willows after breaking her hip. Staff at The Willows say Violet is a very cheerful lady and is loved by all who work and attend there. She may have just turned 100 but according to Violet you are only as old as you feel and she says she still feels 21! |
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| 05 April 2006 | School meals cash boost for New Mills Primary |
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New Mills Primary School has scooped £1,000 from Derbyshire County Council to improve the midday meal experience for pupils. It landed the cash after parent Sue Garlick won a prize draw held as part of a major survey on school meals. The council asked parents, teachers and governors for their views on how best to spend an extra £1.8 million of Government funding on school meals in Derbyshire over the next three years. Mrs Garlick, whose daughter Lauren attends the 200-pupil school in Meadow Street, was among over 1,100 parents who took part in the survey. It found that 80 per cent of parents agreed with the council’s priorities for school catering, while 89 per cent supported plans to limit menus to healthy, balanced meals. As a result the council is introducing a range of measures to improve school meals including giving cooks more time to prepare healthy menus and providing them with more training on nutrition. The primary school – which serves up 120 meals every day – will use the windfall to buy a new salad bar to encourage more pupils to eat salad at lunchtime. Delicious and nutritious…Sampling some of the healthy meals on the school’s menu are (front, from left) headteacher Des Hoskisson, Mrs Garlick and her daughter Lauren (aged eight), watched by (back) Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for school planning and support. |
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| 05 April 2006 | Awards success for adventurous youngsters |
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Dedicated young people throughout Derbyshire are celebrating after gaining Duke of Edinburgh and Peak Awards. A total of 74 school and college pupils and club members have been rewarded for their hard work and effort by achieving the prestigious accolades. Of these, 63 gained Gold, Silver or Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards and 11 earned Derbyshire County Council’s Peak Awards. Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, presented certificates and badges to almost 50 of the young people at a ceremony at the Medway Centre, Bakewell. Peak awards are open to children as young as 11, while the Duke of Edinburgh scheme caters for 14 to 25-year-olds. Both schemes aim to help young people gain confidence and independence while offering them an individual challenge and the opportunity to try new activities and hobbies. It also enables them to learn from and give to others in their community and show that they can work well as a team player. Councillor Janes said: “Both award schemes offer a great opportunity for young people to gain a wide range of skills outside of school or college and enjoy a real sense of achievement. “A huge amount of hard work goes into achieving these awards and I am full of admiration for all those young people who have shown such dedication. “The ceremony was a fitting way of acknowledging their success and praising their efforts.” Schemes can be done through youth clubs, schools, universities, voluntary organisations or the workplace and is recognised by employers as a sign of hard work and commitment. Top achievers…Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes congratulates Duke of Edinburgh and Peak Award achievers who attended a presentation ceremony at The Medway Centre, Bakewell. (REF: RS.133.06) |
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| 05 April 2006 | Pupils strike gold with award win |
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An event which saw Derbyshire pupils take part in the world’s largest exercise class has won a national award. On 4 May last year Derbyshire’s Health Promoting Schools scheme – run by a partnership involving Derbyshire County Council and primary care health trusts – organised an event that saw 17,500 pupils at more than 100 schools across Derbyshire simultaneously walking, jogging, dancing, cycling or doing aerobics. The exercises, which lasted up to 45 minutes, were timed to coincide with similar events taking place in more than 50 countries across the world as part of the ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) scheme. The aim was to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and promote healthier lifestyles for young people. Derbyshire pupils were the first in the UK to take part in the global event and now the success of the project has seen the Derbyshire’s Health Promoting Schools’ team win a prize at the first Major Moves awards. Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This award is well deserved as the event last May encouraged young people to involve physical activity in their lifestyles. “It is well recognised that young people are generally less active than previous generations so initiatives like this are important to help change attitudes. “Knowing that they were joining other young people in a global event encouraged Derbyshire pupils to take part in the activities.” Derbyshire beat off more than 20 other entries to win the ‘And Now For Something Completely Different’ innovation award at the Major Moves in Physical Activities awards night held in Birmingham. The Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools team won £500 and a place on a YMCA exercise referral course. The awards have been set up to highlight and celebrate initiatives that encourage members of the public to take part in physical activities. The Health Promoting Schools team will run a similar event on 3 May this year. Schools have already confirmed that more than 15,500 pupils will take part and hundreds more are expected to sign up by the day. (REF: JF.132.06) |
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| 04 April 2006 | Keys herald major step forward for extra care |
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Work is due to start on a multi-million pound housing development aimed at older people.
The £6.8 million `extra care’ development is to be built on the grade 11 listed Waltham House site in St John’s Street, Wirksworth, by specialist housing association Housing 21.
Keys to the site have now been handed over to Housing 21 and work will start in the new few days on 39 new homes for rent, shared ownership and sale.
There will also be other purpose-built community facilities including an on-site restaurant, laundry, communal lounge and a physiotherapy room.
The project is being funded by a £2.2 million grant from the Department of Health, with money also coming from Housing 21 and Derbyshire County Council, which helped to steer the project with the Wirksworth Care Centre project group.
Support in the form of land, funding and planning expertise has also come from Derbyshire Dales District Council.
The new flats are aimed at older people living in Wirksworth and surrounding areas who wish to remain independent and live in their own homes but need some extra support.
The Wirksworth Care Home project group has been progressing plans for the extra care development for 10 years and have had the backing of the county council and district council which both identified a need for flexible care combined with accommodation in the area.
The extra care development, which should open its doors in around 18 months time, will offer people aged 55 and over an alternative to sheltered accommodation and residential care.
The scheme is the first of its kind to be built in the county and will be made up of one and two-bedroom apartments, some of which will be in the soon-to-be refurbished Waltham House and others behind the grade 11 listed building. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “I am delighted that work is soon to start on the Waltham House site.
“The new extra care development will extend housing options available to older people in the area, giving them a choice of living in their own home for as long as possible, with the necessary care and support they may need.”
Chair of Derbyshire Dales District Council and Wirksworth councillor Irene Ratcliffe, who has helped to drive the project, said: “I am delighted the project has now started and would like to congratulate everyone who has supported and contributed to making this much-needed care scheme a reality.” (MC.122.06) |
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| 04 April 2006 | 19th century water tower is restored |
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A water tower which is more than 100 years old has been rebuilt and returned to its original state. The tower – at High Peak Junction beside the former Cromford and High Peak Railway – is a scheduled ancient monument which supplied water to the steam trains which worked this section of the railway. It consists of a four tonne iron tank on top of a five metre wooden tower. Derbyshire County Council – working with English Heritage – renovated the structure as some of the wooden timbers had rotted away and needed replacing. The tower support was taken down piece by piece and the beams which could be restored were treated. Those that were beyond repair were replaced on a like-for-like basis in the £59,000 scheme. The whole thing was then rebuilt looking exactly the same as the original. The water tank was taken down by crane, cleaned up and returned to the top of the tower in the two month operation. An old stable block – which was used when the railway was horse drawn – has also been restored by the county council in a scheme costing £14,000. The two storey building has been made watertight and will become a base for work on the Cromford Canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Work has also been carried out to clean up an old reservoir at Sheep Pasture Top. The pond – which was used to supply water to the steam engines working the line – was cleared of mud and silt not only improving it for heritage purposes but also making it better for the mating frogs who live there. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We are pleased to have been able to carry out work on such worthwhile projects. “Schemes like these mean we are able to preserve a little piece of history for generations to come.” (REF: SM.131.06) |
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| 03 April 2006 | Derbyshire to pilot new education qualification |
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The Government has chosen Derbyshire County Council as one of just eight authorities in the country to pilot a new qualification for students aged 14 to 19. The authority has received £267,000 from the Department for Education and Skills to help introduce specialised diplomas, which the Government hopes to phase in nationally over a three-year period from September 2008. Specialised diplomas will combine practical skill development with theoretical and technical understanding and knowledge. The qualifications will have three different levels - with level three being equivalent to studying three A-levels. The Government wants to introduce 14 different subject areas and has asked Derbyshire to pilot two of those. They are:
Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “Specialised diplomas will be studied by pupils alongside other traditional GCSE or A-level subjects and will count as an equal qualification. “Derbyshire is one of the national leaders in developing 14 to 19 vocational education and training and it is because of this expertise the DfES has asked us to pilot this new qualification. “Between now and August we will talk to students on existing vocational courses about their experiences. We will also work with teaching staff to make recommendations about the structure, content and assessment of specialised diplomas to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which will oversee the courses.” The diplomas will be piloted in three areas across Derbyshire:
The Alfreton Vocational Academy, Training Services 2000, Derbyshire Connexions, Derbyshire Training Network, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and Aim Higher will also contribute to the pilot scheme. (REF: JF.130.06) |
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