January

A collection of rare black marble has been returned to its Derbyshire roots thanks to Derbyshire County Council.

The significant pieces of Ashford black marble - so called because it came from only two quarries near the village of Ashford-in-the-Water – have been added to Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

This was the wish of a man called John Michael Tomlinson who became an expert on the subject after discovering in 1945 that his family were inlayers from Ashford-in-the-Water.

It became his lifetime quest to find examples of the craft, and by the time he died in 2000, Tomlinson had collected over 150 examples.  The collection includes a fine example of a table top inlayed with a geometric design of local stones and jewellery, and ornaments inlayed with designs of flowers and butterflies made of shell and glass.

Tomlinson also wrote a key book on the trade, Derbyshire Black Marble, in which he listed the major collections, including Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, the principle workers in the trade and used his own collection to illustrate it. 

Following the death of his widow in 2005, Derbyshire County Council has purchased the collection, with the support of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the National Art Collections Fund and generous local benefactors including the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, to be displayed at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “Derbyshire County Council is delighted to fulfil Mr Tomlinson’s wish and welcome the return of this large collection of decorative pieces to the county.

“Buxton Museum and Art Gallery’s collection is recognised as one of the best collections in public ownership.”

Ashford black marble is a bituminous limestone which is found in the hills surrounding Ashford-in-the-Water. This rock has been quarried and mined for over 300 years and once polished to shiny black, was originally used for a variety of architectural purposes.  However, in the early years of the 19th century, after craftsmen in the area realised that it made a suitable base material for there inlay work, the industry of Ashford black marble inlay began.
For more information on the collection please contact Buxton Museum and Art Gallery manager Ros Westwood on 01298 24658.

STONE COMES HOME: (right to left) Derbyshire County Council chair Councillor Walter Burrows and cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes with the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire admiring the rare collection of Ashford black marble which has been returned to the county and added to Buxton Museum and Art Gallery’s collection.  

(Ref: SS.42.06)

Assurances that a mental health trust will consult patients before carrying out changes to services have been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council.

It follows a county council review into Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust’s decision to relocate an older person’s mental health ward at Ilkeston Community Hospital.

Woodside Ward closed in October as part of a series of measures by the Trust to balance income with spending.
It provided in-patient care for four people with dementia and respite care for a further two.  The service has since transferred to Kingsway Hospital, Derby.

Concerns over the Trust’s failure to consult patients and carers before transferring services to Derby prompted a county council improvement and scrutiny review.

The Health and Social Care Act 2001 gives the county council responsibility for examining local NHS services.

The review was carried out by a panel of councillors who sit on the authority’s health overview and scrutiny committee.  It involved them speaking to patients, carers, patients’ groups and senior representatives of local Primary Care Trusts and the Mental Health Services NHS Trust, as well as gathering evidence.

Following the review the committee presented the Trust with a report containing its findings and a series of recommendations.  The Trust’s board considered the report on Wednesday January 25 and have agreed to:

• Involve patients and carers in shaping mental health services;
• Meet with committee members to discuss how to manage any future proposals;
• Consider issues around access to services, particularly for disadvantaged and minority groups, when planning changes.
  

Councillor Alan Jones, chair of the health overview and scrutiny committee, said:  “While we accept the Trust faced a tough decision in transferring services to Derby, we’re concerned it didn’t consult the people affected.

“The county council has a clear duty to defend the interests of local people and we felt the way the matter was handled warranted a review.

“We therefore welcome the Trust’s commitment to involving patients and their representatives in any future proposals, along with working more closely with us. We’ve already seen evidence of this and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Trust.”

(REF: RS.45.06)

A series of meetings will help to shape the future of day services for people with disabilities across Derbyshire.  

Day service users, their carers and relatives have been invited to attend meetings to discuss various ideas and schemes planned around services available in their area.  

Derbyshire County Council’s social services held a consultation last summer asking everyone who used its three day centres and those using community-based services for people with disabilities to give their views and opinions on the future of the services they use.  

Dozens of people who attend or care for people who attend Cressy Fields in Alfreton, Granville Resource Centre in Long Eaton and West Street Resource Centre in Chesterfield, gave their views on the service provided by disability charity Leonard Cheshire.  

Leonard Cheshire provides day services for people with disabilities as part of a contract with the county council, and following the consultation process this contract has been renewed for the next five years from April 2006.  

All the views from the consultation have now been collated and the meetings will be held in early February when social services disability managers and Leonard Cheshire managers will give details of the findings.  

All service users and their carers have been written to and invited to attend meetings where they will get the opportunity to discuss a range of views and suggestions on how day services could best meet their needs.  

The consultation has centred around a long-term aim by social services and Leonard Cheshire to extend the choice of services and activities for people with disabilities and increase the opportunities available to them outside the three main day centres.  

This programme of expansion into the community has so far proved successful and dozens of people who were visiting day centres are now attending a wide range of activities and groups in the community rather than using specialised facilities. 

The result of this success has been that day centre attendance has been affected and future plans include replacing the current centres with services which would be of a more personal interest, using a wider range of venues.  

Social services has emphasised that none of the centres would close suddenly and that everyone would be consulted regarding any changes.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “There is an emphasis nationally on developing services for people with disabilities which are not day centre-based and use a wide range of community facilities.  

“This increases the choice of activities available to people and is more flexible as well as increasing social inclusion.  

“The consultation gave everyone affected the chance to have their say and to tell us exactly what they want and how they would like their services to be provided in the future and now they have the chance to discuss the findings which we hope will be beneficial all round.”  

(REF: MC.41.06)

A diversion road around the most northerly cave art site known in the world has opened on time after six months of work.

Derbyshire County Council and Lafarge Aggregates Ltd funded the £1.2m scheme which has replaced a section of the B6042 at Creswell Crags with a new 1km stretch of road 200m further north. The new road is further away from the Ice Age cave system and will better protect the environment while allowing for improvements to the access and facilities of the site.

It starts at the junction with the A616 Mansfield Road and finishes by rejoining the B6042 just south of Hennymoor Lane junction. The old road through the crags will eventually be taken up and turned into a bridleway which will give walkers, cyclists and riders access to the site which dates back to between 10,000 and 50,000 years.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities, Councillor Brian Lucas, said: “We built this road to try and preserve the unique archaeological features at Creswell Crags as best we can.

“We are pleased to have finished the scheme within the set timescale and hope the new road will help protect the environment around the Crags by cutting down on traffic noise and pollution.”

The Creswell Crags diversion was developed by Derbyshire County Council in conjunction with Lafarge Aggregates, Creswell Heritage Trust, East Midlands Development Agency and Welbeck Estates. 

(REF: SM.43.06)

Families living in the Fairfield area of Buxton can celebrate the arrival of a new £600,000 Sure Start centre at an open day on Saturday February 4.

The building – attached to Fairfield Centre for Children, Young People and Adults in Victoria Park Road – will be officially opened by Derbyshire County Council Chair Walter Burrows, who will unveil a plaque at midday to mark the occasion.

The event runs from 11am to 2pm and boasts various children’s attractions including a penalty shoot-out competition, Star Wars and Doctor Who characters, a fire engine and children’s colouring competition.

Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a tour of the county council-run centre and find out about the services available, as well as take part in free IT taster sessions.  Refreshments will be available courtesy of the Fairtrade Café.

The Sure Start centre offers a wide range of health services including dentists, GPs, antenatal clinics and speech therapy.  These complement the adult learning and youth services on offer at Fairfield Centre.

The extension includes dental surgeries, doctors’ consulting rooms and community rooms. Building work was funded by Sure Start, Derbyshire County Council, High Peak and Dales Primary Care Trust and the Government’s children’s centre programme.

It forms part of wider plans to create a children’s centre on the site, linking the development of a new childcare facility at Fairfield Infant School with Fairfield Centre.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said:  “The new Sure Start wing means Fairfield Centre now offers even more services to make local families’ lives easier.  I’m sure the range of health services such as doctors and dentists will be particularly welcomed.

“These latest improvements mean the centre is truly a one-stop shop for education, childcare, family support and health services.”

Sure Start is a national initiative aimed at improving community services and resources for children under four years and their families.

Fairfield’s local Sure Start programme began in 2002 and has provided a toy library, support group for parents, a breast-feeding support group, parent and toddler health groups and living with children courses.

For further information call Pauline Gunson, Fairfield Sure Start project co-ordinator, on 01298 74895.

(REF: RS.40.06)

A road scheme which will help improve safety at a busy crossroads starts next month.

Derbyshire County Council will be carrying out resurfacing work to improve skid resistance on the A5132 at Willington. The scheme will also include repairs to the pavement.

The following work will take place:

• Sunday 12 February and Sunday 19 February the road will be closed at the crossroads in the middle of the village
• For two or three days during the weeks of Monday 13 to Friday 17 February and Monday 20 February to Wednesday 22 February there will be temporary traffic lights while work is carried out on The Castleway and Twyford Road
• Sunday 26 February the road will be closed to complete resurfacing at the crossroads and build domes for the mini traffic islands and finish outstanding road markings.
• Sunday 5 March possible road closure if there has been problems with equipment or weather
  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “This scheme will improve both the condition of the road and its skid resistance.

“It will be rather involved as the work is being carried out at a main crossroads but we ask people to be patient  and bear with us until the job is done.”

During the Sunday road closures temporary diversions will be: 

• Southbound off Etwall Road  (Toyota roundabout to Repton),  Findern Lane, Willington Road, Heath Lane, Buckford Lane, Frizams Lane, Twyford Road, Oaks Road, Hall Lane on to Repton Road
• Westbound off Twyford Road either to Repton, Oaks Road, Hall Lane on to Repton Road or to Derby or Hilton, Frizams Lane, Buckford Lane, Heath Lane, Willington Road, Findern Lane, Etwall Road and the A38 northbound or southbound
• Northbound traffic off Repton Road, Oaks Road, Hall Lane, Twyford Road, Frizams Lane, Buckford Lane, Heath Lane, Willington Road, Findern Lane, Etwall Road and the A38 northbound or southbound
• Eastbound traffic off The Castleway, A38, Toyota roundabout, Etwall Road,  Findern Lane, Willington Road, Heath Lane, Buckford Lane, Frizams Lane, Twyford Road, Oaks Road, Hall Lane on to Repton Road. Any HGV traffic travelling east/west or vice versa will be directed along the A38 and A50.

MORE ROAD NEWS
The A6015 New Mills Road, Birch Vale will be closed from the Station Road junction for 560 metres (512 yards) going east from Wednesday 15 February until Friday 3 March for resurfacing work. The diversions are: Vehicles under 12' 9'' high - A6015, A6, A624, A6015 and vice versa. Vehicles over 12' 9'' high - A6015, A6, A627, A626, A57, A6016, A624, A6015 & vice versa.

A new bus service which will put city centre services within reach of Derbyshire residents has been launched.

Derbyshire County Council has worked with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and bus company First to introduce a new direct service between Buxton, Bakewell, Baslow and Sheffield. The number 218 now runs up to eight times a day from around 7am until 6.30pm and gives passengers the chance to connect with the new number 118 which runs up to four times a day between Buxton, Leek and Hanley.

The two services offer a replacement for passengers who used to use the X18 coach service and also means improved links between Bakewell and Sheffield. The 218 complements the existing 65, 174 and 240 routes which have revised timetables.

The 218 – along with the 65 and 214 between Grindleford and Sheffield and the retimed 175 and 241 between Grindleford and Bakewell – offers an alternative for passengers on the changed 240 between Bakewell, Grindleford and Sheffield.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “These will prove to be valuable services for people in and around Buxton, Bakewell and Baslow.

“The changes mean there are now buses running to Sheffield and back up to eight times a day and we encourage people to use these services.”

Bus times for all services in Derbyshire are available from traveline on 0870 608 2 608.

(REF: SM.33.06)

New figures reveal Derbyshire County Council is getting its “reduce, reuse and recycle” message across to residents. 

Statistics published by the Audit Commission show that 23 per cent of the rubbish produced in the county during 2004/2005 was recycled. 

And the authority is on track to recycle more than 26 per cent of the rubbish produced by the end of March this year – far exceeding the 18 per cent target set by the Government. 

More than 400,000 tonnes of rubbish is produced a year in Derbyshire alone – enough to fill 4,600 swimming pools – and three quarters of this is currently sent to landfill sites. 

New guidelines set by the Government will mean the council will only be able to landfill 200,000 tonnes a year by 2010 – or face a fine of £150 for every tonne exceeding that. 

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: “These figures are very encouraging and show that we really are getting the message across to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

“But we can all do more to protect our environment and the county council is working alongside district and borough councils to continue to reduce Derbyshire’s rubbish mountain.” 

The county council currently runs six Household Waste Recycling Centres – including a newly-opened one at Ashbourne – which offer full recycling facilities. It is also planned to open new ones in Bolsover, Matlock and Buxton. The authority also composts garden waste at Somercotes. 

The authority also promotes the Eco Schools scheme, run by EnCams, which encourages pupils, teachers, parents and governors to protect their local environment by saving energy, recycling and picking up litter. 

A nappy outreach worker is employed by the county council to encourage new mums to try washable nappies to cut down on the 13,000 tonnes of nappy waste sent to landfill in Derbyshire each year.   

Parents who sign up are given a one-off payment of £25 towards the cost of buying the washable nappies or having them cleaned by a professional company. 

The authority offers cut-price compost bins to residents who want to recycle their garden and kitchen waste and in December the 20,000th bin was sold as part of the scheme. 

For more information about any of these schemes please ring the county council’s call centre, Call Derbyshire, on 08 456 058 058. 

(Ref:CC.37.06)

A 12 month court injunction was made against a businessman yesterday after Derbyshire County Council received complaints about the way he ran his security firm.

The injunction made at Chesterfield County Court requires Norman Mansell to trade legally and fairly or risk prosecution.  

Mansell (38), of May Avenue, Old Whittington, is the director of Formula One Couriers Limited. 

The firm supplies and installs home security equipment such as burglar alarms, CCTV, locks, security lights, smoke alarms and personal alarms.

The business attempts to sell security equipment, often to old people who live alone, by “cold calling” – uninvited visits.

It was alleged that Mansell failed to comply with the law by:

• Failing to make customers aware of their legal cancellation rights if they changed their minds 
• Falsely claiming to work for organisations such as the police, local councils and Neighbourhood Watch 
• Failing to give customers his contact name and address on his business stationery 
• Selling goods which were not fit for the purpose they were intended.

Mansell was served with a temporary injunction in November until a full hearing could be held. 

He failed to appear in court yesterday but wrote a letter stating that he was to close his business.

A 12 month injunction was made in his absence under the Enterprise Act 2002. If he is found to be trading illegally or unfairly during the next 12 months he will be in breach of the order and could face a prison sentence.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services, said: 

“Monitoring local businesses to make sure they are trading legally and fairly is an important part of trading standards’ work.

“This was the first time we applied for a full injunction under new powers to protect consumers and this result sends out a clear message to rogue traders.

“We will take court action where we think consumers may be at risk but we need people to be our eyes and ears and let us know when they suspect unlawful or dishonest trade is taking place.”

If you suspect someone is trading illegally or unfairly then trading standards wants to hear from you. Simply call the Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 04 05 06 (charged at the local rate) to speak to an advisor in confidence.

(REF:JM.36.06)
 

Burton Albion manager and former England footballer Nigel Clough proved a winner with pupils as he opened a school sports pitch.  

The £259,000 all-weather pitch at Aldercar Community Language College in Langley Mill can be split into three five-a-side football pitches or used as a three-quarters size hockey pitch.  

It was paid for using a £220,000 Big Lottery Fund grant obtained by Derbyshire County Council and £39,000 of funding from the college.  

The project also saw improvements to the playground and fencing around the college’s tennis courts.  

After opening the 60 metre by 40 metre pitch Nigel, son of legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian, had a kick about with students.  

Derbyshire Chief Constable David Coleman and Monica Boyle, the school’s first PE teacher between 1956 and 1964, also attended the event.  

On the ball…Burton Albion player-manager Nigel Clough tries out the new sports pitch with Aldercar Community Language College students.    

Have you ever been tempted to apply for a job but been put off by lots of paper work and the formality of it all?

Derbyshire County Council is holding recruitment days in Alfreton and Swadlincote where job hunters could be offered a position working for the authority on the spot.

Anyone interested in working for the county council can drop in to a Job Shop being held from 9am until 3pm at Swadlincote Learning Centre on 3 February and King’s Banqueting Hall, Alfreton, on 3 March.

Personnel staff will be on hand to speak to visitors about current job vacancies, help match people to particular posts based on where they live and their interests and even help out with filling in forms.

Posts on offer include: 

• School catering assistants
• School crossing patrols
• Cleaners
• Relief caretakers
• Social services care assistants (day time and night time posts) 
• Relief clerk to governors

Advisors will also be available to talk about other careers working for Derbyshire County Council.

Councillor John Williams, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “As part of our Putting People First charter, we are committed to recruiting high quality, motivated staff that represent the communities we serve.

“We know our staff are our greatest asset when it comes to delivering high quality services to Derbyshire residents. But we also realise that many people find applying for a new job a daunting task.

“That’s why we’re trying to make ourselves as accessible as possible by making our recruitment processes 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:JM.35.06)

A lorry driver has been prosecuted by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards service for breaching road weight restrictions four times in two months.

Martin Hudson (31), trading as M J Group, Ambergate Sawmill, Ripley Road, Ambergate, was fined a total of £1,200 and ordered to pay £190 costs at Ilkeston Magistrates’ Court on Monday (January 23). 

Magistrates imposed the penalty - £300 for each of the four offences - in Hudson’s absence after he failed to attend a previous hearing.

Trading standards officers observed Hudson drive his 26-tonne lorry through two 7.5 tonne weight restrictions in and around the Oakerthorpe and Higham areas during routine checks in the area on April 18 last year. 

Just over two months later on June 29 they saw him drive the same vehicle through Shardlow contravening two further 7.5 tonne weight restrictions. In both cases the weight restriction orders had been put in place by Derbyshire County Council to protect the local environment.

County council cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “We‘re committed to cracking down on drivers flouting weight restriction orders on Derbyshire’s roads and hope this substantial court fine sends out a clear message to other people that they will not get away with breaking the law.

“Orders like these are in place for good reasons - to improve safety for residents, pedestrians and other road users and to protect the environment whether urban or rural and we will not tolerate them being abused.”

Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team carries out regular inspections of weight restrictions on the county’s roads to ensure drivers do not break the law.

(Ref: LT.31.04)

Derbyshire residents are being urged to follow advice to keep themselves safe and warm in their homes and on the roads this winter.

The Met Office’s latest long-term weather forecast predicts a 67 per cent chance of a colder than average winter with sub-zero temperatures, snow, ice and risk of flooding.

In response, Derbyshire County Council has been liaising closely with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Derbyshire police, primary care trusts and other agencies to draw up contingency plans to make sure services continue to run as normally as possible.

In cases of severe weather problems can include increased pressure on health and frontline council services, possible local power cuts, disruption on roads affecting public transport, emergency services and staff getting to work, school closures and delivery of post, food and general supplies to maintain general services.

County council cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “We want to be as prepared as possible for any problems caused by the predicted severe weather and are in regular touch with our partners to ensure plans are in place.

“These plans will help to ensure services run as normally as possible, but meanwhile it is always wise to bear in mind some simple tips to stay safe and warm over the cold spell in cases of emergency.”

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following winter safety advice: 

• Electric fires must be fitted with the right fuse. Check for frayed or damaged cables and don’t trail them across the floor where people can trip over them.
• Ensure your central heating boiler is serviced regularly.
• If you have an open fire make sure your chimney is swept regularly to avoid a build-up of soot which can catch fire and spread to the roof.
• Portable gas heaters should be well maintained and checked annually.
• If you use a paraffin heater make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and the wick checked and trimmed. Take care to avoid the fumes when filling it with fuel.
• All portable heaters should be fitted with a safety guard, especially when children are nearby, and secured in place so they can’t be knocked over.
• Do not place portable heaters near furniture, beds or curtains.
• Have your electric blanket serviced at least every three years. More than 1,000 house fires are caused by faulty blankets in the UK every year.

Derbyshire Chief Fire Officer Brian Tregunna said: “We all want to be warm this winter but we must take care to keep safe, especially when using heaters and other appliances. 

“Some people misuse them or do not have them properly maintained – this can easily start a fire which could cost lives as well as cause major damage.

“Many people think fire is something that won’t happen to them but unfortunately firefighters know differently. By following this common sense advice we can all reduce our risk.”

Councillor Sanders said the county council was committed to improving community safety for all residents and that involved all aspects of them being safe in their homes and communities.

“We know from experience that prolonged spells of severe weather can cause problems but if we all take extra care we can minimise disruption and stay safe,” she said.

“As well as looking after themselves we would also urge residents where possible to keep an eye on vulnerable and elderly neighbours in their community.”

The Department of Health has issued some advice particularly aimed at older people.

• Keep warm at all times - particularly important for older people in order to avoid circulation problems. Wear clothing in layers and keep moving if possible.
• Keep rooms – including the bedroom – warm and close windows. If your house is cold, body temperature will drops and catching a cold is more likely.
• If you are eligible for a flu jab make sure you have it.

Derbyshire police and the county council’s highways team are also offering some advice on staying safe on the roads during bad weather.

• Only travel if your journey is really necessary.
• Check local radio for the latest weather and travel information.
• In icy conditions slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh braking.
• Use dipped headlights if driving during snowfalls.
• Check your lights are working and your windscreen washer is full.
• If going on a long journey take a shovel, torch, boots, warm clothing, food and a hot drink.
• If you break down phone for help and stay with your vehicle until help arrives.

For more information about how to help keep safe and warm this winter visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window) , www.derbyshire-fire-service.co.uk (opens in a new window)  or www.derbyshire.police.uk (opens in a new window) or call the Winter Warmth Advice Line free on 0800 085 7000.

(Ref: LT.32.06)

Attention grabbing photos revealing a fascinating insight into the world of nature and science are going on display at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

The collection is the work of winning photographers in the 2005 Novartis and The Daily Telegraph Visions of Science Photographic Awards.

Opening at Derbyshire County Council’s museum and art gallery, in Terrace Road, Buxton on Saturday 4 February, the exhibition aims to portray links between science and the arts in order to stimulate public interest in science.

The award winning photos cover a wide range of subject matter including a view of a hatching mosquito, a close up of salt and pepper, an artist’s impression of a migraine attack and care of a premature baby.

More than 2,200 entries were judged by a panel of professionals including Dr Adam Hart-Davis, photographer and TV science presenter.

Winners came from varied backgrounds and included doctors, researchers, artists and students.

Many different techniques have been used to capture the images ranging from state of the art scientific microscopes and computer imaging to standard cameras.

The overall winner was David McCarthy for his image of everyday salt and pepper. Other winning entries were Karen Neill’s stunning image of liquid crystals, Robert Anderson’s evocative illustration that the surface tension of water can support a metal paperclip and young photographer Rhys Robinson’s high-speed photo of a balloon bursting.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We are delighted to welcome this exhibition to our gallery and support the Visions of Science competition in encouraging people to take an interest in science.

“This is an exciting, diverse and unusual collection of images with something to appeal to everyone.”

Visitors to the museum can also enjoy an exhibition of Celtic inspired acrylics by Geraint Dodd until Saturday 4 March and a collection of expressive photos by Derbyshire Young Farmers until Saturday 11 February.

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is open to the public free of charge as part of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to providing access to cultural activities.

(Ref: SS.34.06)

Residents are being urged to cut back unruly hedges and trees or face paying the cost of having them done on their behalf.

Derbyshire County Council has issued the warning as the traditional ‘trimming’ season gets underway. Overgrown bushes can:

• Obscure road signs making it difficult for drivers to see important messages
• Block pavements so pedestrians, parents with buggies and people in wheelchairs struggle to use them and may be forced into the road
• Cover street lights making them dimmer and not as effective in stopping street crime
• Block parts of roads, forcing cars and lorries to swerve or move into the middle of the road

If landowners fail to trim their hedges and trees themselves the county council can carry out the work and make the landowners pay the cost.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “There is no doubt overgrown trees and hedges can cause big problems and are very often dangerous.

“We would ask everyone to ensure they are properly cut back throughout the year to remove the risk of someone being injured. If people ignore this advice then we are prepared to take enforcement action which takes staff away from roads maintenance work.”

Anyone carrying out work on hedges and trees should check to make sure there are no birds nesting in them before they cut them back.

(REF: SM.30.06)

A tree will be planted in the grounds of County Hall, Matlock, by Derbyshire County Council Chair Walter Burrows on Friday (January 27) to mark the sixth national Holocaust Memorial Day.

He will plant a Wellingtonia tree in a grassed area near to the main car park at 11am, in memory of the victims of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

The tree planting ceremony is one of hundreds of local events expected to take place throughout the country on Friday to mark the national Memorial Day.

Councillor Burrows said: “Holocaust Memorial Day gives us all a chance to join together in remembering victims of the Holocaust and more recent acts of genocide, such as those committed in Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo, while ensuring future generations understand their causes and consequences.

“It also reminds us of our responsibility to value equal rights and fight prejudice, racism and bigotry in all their forms.

“The tree is a fitting symbol of our collective duty to ensure those who died at the hands of such atrocities are never forgotten, and of Derbyshire County Council’s commitment to promote tolerance and diversity in our communities.”

The UK Holocaust Memorial Day was first held in 2001 and has been on January 27 every year since.  The aim of the day is to remember the Holocaust and all who suffered as a result of Nazi persecution, and take collective responsibility for tackling racism and any other forms of bigotry.

Each year focuses on a different theme; with the theme for 2006 being ‘One person can make a difference’.

Any members of the public wishing to attend the tree planting ceremony should report to County Hall reception by 10.50am.

(REF: RS.29.06)

Major works which will help ease the traffic flow around Chesterfield will begin at the end of this month.

Derbyshire County Council will start work on the section of dual carriageway between Horns Bridge roundabout and Lordsmill Street roundabout on Monday 30 January.  The works - expected to last for up to 12 weeks – include widening of the north bound carriageway to provide space for three lanes of traffic and creating a left turn only lane for vehicles going in a westbound direction along Markham Road.

The county council will also take the opportunity to carry out maintenance work including resurfacing the road and improving the street lighting. There will be advisory signing for vehicles travelling in a northerly direction towards the town centre along the A61 so they can avoid the works. 

Advisory signing will also be placed on all other major routes warning of the possibility of long delays while the work is carried out. Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “This work is another road improvement scheme from the county council which should benefit the flow of traffic around Chesterfield.

“We are informing drivers of the road works in advance and would ask they remain patient while the work is going on.”

While the first phase of the work is going on traffic will be restricted to one  lane for the length of the road. Drivers are warned this could cause considerable delays at peak times. 

During phase two both the north and south bound side of the dual carriageway  will be down to one lane each. The road will be closed overnight during the final phase while resurfacing and lining work is carried out. Diversions will be signed.

MORE ROAD NEWS:

• B5035, The Green Rd, Ashbourne - Closed from Cockayne Avenue junction going 680 metres (622yards) north east from Monday 13 February until Friday 17 February. Diversions are: Cars/Light Vehicles - A515, B5056, A5012, B5036, B5035 and vice versa. HGVs - A515, A5012, B5036, B5035 and vice versa
• A6005 Borrowash - Three way traffic signals and shuttle lane working scheduled from Friday 3 February until Monday 6 February 
• Waingroves Road, Ripley - Temporary road closure and diversions from Thursday 16 February until Tuesday 21 February 
• A608, Heanor - Traffic lights and shuttle lane on A608, temporary road closure and associated diversions on the A6007 for Sunday 19 February and Sunday 26 February. There will also be two to three days during the week when temporary traffic signals will be in use

Family history has become one of the most popular leisure activities and Derbyshire Record Office is offering free help to anyone wanting to investigate their roots.

On Saturday 11 February Derbyshire County Council’s record office is holding advice and guidance sessions for beginners who are interested in tracing their family tree.

As well as exploring internet resources, visitors will have a chance to try their hand at reading ancient historical documents from the record office’s collections.

The free event has been organised in partnership with BBC Radio Derby and is called Routes to Roots.  There is no need to book; people are just invited to drop in to the record office, in New Street, Matlock, on the day between 10am and 1pm.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said:”This is an excellent opportunity for people to get help with tracing their Derbyshire ancestors.

“Derbyshire Record Office holds unique records for the whole of the county dating from the Middle Ages to the present day.”

People wanting to do further, more in depth research may do so during normal record office opening hours – Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.45pm and on Saturday 18 February between 9am and 12.30pm.

For more information call Derbyshire Record Office on 01629 580000 ext. 59202 or email record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk

Employment opportunities have been opened up for people living near Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

Derbyshire County Council - along with the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and Nottingham East Midlands Airport – have launched a night bus service for staff who need to get to the airport.

The NightShifter – which is also good news for unemployed people looking for jobs in the area – runs through Swadlincote, Castle Gresley, Church Gresley, Newhall, Woodville, Hartshorne, Ticknall and Melbourne. The 16 seater bus service goes to the airport late night to early morning every day. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “This service will not only help local people who already have a job to get to work but it will also open up the job market in the area for those who do not have their own transport.” 

Colleen Hempson, NEMA ground transport manager, said: "Historically transport to and from the airport has been problematic for some people in Swadlincote and the surrounding areas and this service is a huge step in the right direction. 

“The airport represents a real opportunity for people in the Swadlincote area who are looking for work as there is a wealth of employment opportunities available at the many different companies located on our site. This initiative could potentially make a real difference to the economic prosperity and regeneration of the area.”

The NightShifter is run by Heanor-based Premier Taxis and costs £2 return for staff.  It can be booked in advance by calling the 24 hour booking centre on 07 980 223 545.  For details of job opportunities visit www.nemarecruitment.com (opens in a new window)

(REF: SM.18.06)
 

Teenagers from a Derbyshire village are mounting an exhibition of their own art work just months after joining a county-council run youth project designed to cut down on anti-social behaviour.

Using village life as their inspiration, around 20 young people from Findern, near Derby, took up their brushes and paints for the exhibition being mounted in the local parish rooms.

The artworks will get the official seal of approval when Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, Councillor Bob Janes, visits the exhibition’s opening night on Friday, January 27 at 7.30pm.

Councillor Janes is full of praise for the young people who only started taking part in the rural arts project with Derbyshire County Council’s youth service in October.

“It’s proving to be a fantastic success,” he said.

“The young people have come up with the ideas themselves and are really enjoying what they are doing.

“There’d been a lot of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area before but this has really helped give the local young people something to do.”

The community arts project was launched by the county council’s youth service after the Findern Crime Reduction Group asked if there was anything that could be done to help local young people find something to do in the area.

Youth workers held a consultation evening to talk to the teenagers who came up with a lot of different ideas before settling on an art club which now meets every Wednesday evening at the Findern Parish Rooms, Lower Green, from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Up to 27 young people are now taking part in the club with a regular core membership of about 18.

“It’s really helped change the whole atmosphere,” explained Councillor Janes. “There’s much less of a feeling of us and them in the village and barriers are really starting to break down.”

Members of the group, who are aged 12 to 19, have also taken part in other activities including an accredited climbing course for which they will receive certificates at the opening of the exhibition.

They have also carried out a number of fundraising initiatives, including making gift bags and Christmas decorations and holding a karaoke party.

So successful is the art project proving, the group recently received a £450 grant to undertake a much larger community art project – to decorate the A50 underpass during half-term. 

Work on the underpass, which goes through the village, will be carried out by a group of 10 budding artists with the help of the youth service’s creative arts team who have also worked with the teenagers on the art for the new exhibition.

All artwork produced by the young people will be on display from January 27, featuring what matters most to the young people taking part in the project. Subjects include cars, friends, mobile phones and music.

One of the works is a group effort and depicts, in an abstract style, a map of the village featuring places where young people hang out.

 (AJ. 27.06)
            

A £259,000 sports pitch at a Langley Mill school is to be opened by football star Nigel Clough. 

The Burton Albion manager has been making the headlines since his side held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup third round. 

He will join students, Councillor Walter Burrows, chair of Derbyshire County Council, and Derbyshire Chief Constable David Coleman to open a 60 metre by 40 metre all-weather sports pitch at Aldercar Community Language College on Monday 23 January. 

Monica Boyle, who was the school’s first PE teacher between 1956 and 1964, will also attend the event. 

The pitch can be split into three five-a-side football pitches or used as a three-quarters size hockey pitch. 

Nigel, who also played for Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and England, will attend a ceremony in the school before joining pupils outside to try out the new pitch. 

The pitch was paid for using a £220,000 Big Lottery Fund grant obtained by Derbyshire County Council and £39,000 of funding from the college. 

The project also saw improvements to the playground and fencing around the college’s tennis courts. 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This pitch will help to develop the ball skills of pupils in both hockey and football and enables them to play even when the weather has been bad. 

“The day will also give pupils the chance to ask Nigel Clough about the experiences of his team in the FA Cup against Manchester United.” 

(REF: JF.26.06) 

Members of the public are being asked to give their views on the final proposals for restoring and developing Elvaston Castle and Country Park.

During the next few months, Derbyshire County Council will be making final decisions about the future of the site which is in urgent need of restoration, conservation and improvement.

But first, the council wants to hear what people think about the plans to:

• Find a way to fund the £3 million-plus cost of repairing the castle.
• Secure a use for the building to generate sufficient income to maintain it in the future.
• Restore the gardens to their former glory and provide for their future management.
• Ensure on-going public access to the country park and gardens to maximise their potential for public use and activities.   

Developers Highgate Sanctuary Ltd are working with English Heritage and the county’s and district’s planning conservation officers to prepare a planning application.

Key elements of the proposed scheme for the castle include:

• A luxury hotel with approximately 160 bedrooms plus wedding and conference facilities.
• Leisure facilities including a swimming pool, gym, spa and health and beauty facility and local membership packages.
• Bars, restaurants and private dining rooms, open to local people as well as hotel guests.
• An 18-hole championship-style golf course and a second nine or 18 hole course, practice area and clubhouse with local membership packages. These will be built on land outside the estate or grazing land on the estate.
• Re-opening the former carriageway to allow access for cars.
• Maintaining the existing cricket club and ground.
• Conversion of Home Farm as the golf clubhouse and the Kennels as hotel and golf-related back-up facilities.
• Developing the Stables as a craft centre for small local businesses with alternative facilities for the riding stables.
• Use of the estate’s cottages as private, garden trust and/or hotel related use.  

The design and materials to be used are being sensitively considered to complement the historic architecture and landscape. Most of the new buildings will be in the paddock area shielded as much as possible from sight from the lake by trees.

Key elements of the proposed scheme for the gardens include:

• Restoration of historic features such as the Golden Gates and surrounding stone walls, buildings and rock work and reinstatement of features including the historic character woodland and the Sunken Garden which will be opened to the public for the first time.
• Improvements to the main visitor entrance and toilet facilities. 
• Maintenance of the showground as an open green space for recreation and events.
• A themed children’s adventure playground, possibly on the existing caravan site.
• Restoration of the lake, Pumphouse and Boathouse and the return of limited boating and or fishing.
• Restoration of the Mon Plaisir Garden, Moorish Temple, Nursery Garden and Old English Garden to include a visitor centre.
• General planting, replanting and maintenance to ensure the health of existing trees and maximise the benefit to wildlife.
• Guided walks, nature trails and theatrical and musical events to be staged in the grounds.  

Public access to the castle gardens and country park will be maintained and improved under the proposals. People will still be able to walk their dogs there and there will be no entrance charge. Regular tours of the whole castle and historic building open days are also proposed. 

A sustainable future for the castle will be secured by agreeing a long lease with Highgate Sanctuary Ltd to safeguard Elvaston for the future. The lease will have strict conditions attached concerning such matters as maintaining public access.

The county council will retain control of the remainder of the gardens and grounds and will establish a trust to oversee their management.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: 

“Elvaston is a lovely place to visit, but over the years the condition of the castle has declined and the costs of repairs and renovation have escalated.

“We want to make the most of this popular attraction and ensure people are able to visit and enjoy Elvaston for years to come. That’s why we’ve come up with a plan and now we want to hear your views.

“We welcome all your thoughts about our proposals and will take all comments into consideration before making a final decision about the future of the estate.”

Full details about the proposals are available by calling Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058.

Comments can be emailed or posted to Gerald Tommy, director of corporate resources, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG.

All comments will be reported to and considered by the council. Closing date for comments is 13 February 2006.

(REF:JM.24.06)

Fascinating insights into life on board ship during World War I are revealed in a new publication issued by Derbyshire Record Office.

A Derbyshire man’s personal account of both peace and war aboard a battle cruiser has been reproduced by the Derbyshire County Council-run record office using the sailor’s original diary.

Leonard “Tug” Wilson served on the Battle Cruiser HMS New Zealand between 5 February 1913 and 10 February 1919. During this time the Chesterfield man kept a detailed diary of the New Zealand’s 45,000 mile world cruise including visits to the Cape Verde islands, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Mexico, Argentina and the West Indies.

One notable conflict described in the diary is the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915. Tug’s eye witness account shows how manoeuvrable the British ships were in comparison to the Germans, but also how heavy casualties were on the enemy side.  He also gives a detailed account of the British victory in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “I am sure this booklet will of great interest to naval and military historians particularly those interested in the World War I period.

“More importantly, it is a directly personal account from the point of view of a Derbyshire man and of his direct experiences during five dramatic years on board a British Navy ship almost a century ago.”

The original diary is in the possession of Tug’s grandson who generously gave permission for it to be published by the record office.

The booklet ‘Fear God: Honour the King’ is available to personal callers from Derbyshire Record Office in New Street, Matlock priced £2.50 (plus 50p postage).  For more information or to order a copy by post call the record office on 01629 5800000 ext. 59202 or email record.office@derbyshire.gov.uk 

(Ref: SS.22.06)

A website designed by Derbyshire County Council to raise awareness about community safety has been improved and re-launched.

The Safer Derbyshire website was set up in spring 2004 to help improve safety in local communities and now it has been reviewed to make it more user-friendly.

By visiting the improved, easy-to-use site at www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window) visitors can find advice and information on staying safe and ways to help reduce crime even further in their area including:

• Tips on staying safe at home and when you’re out and about
• Advice for victims of domestic abuse or hate crime including who to contact for help and support
• Information on how businesses can improve security and help reduce their chance of becoming a target
• Details about the work of the county’s eight community safety partnerships
• Neighbourhood Watch information
• Ways in which you can have your say on crime and disorder issues in your area.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: 

“Derbyshire is a safe place to live and work but there are things we can all do to make sure we don’t put ourselves at risk.

“The Safer Derbyshire website contains useful information on how to improve safety and security. Internet access is free at all Derbyshire libraries so why not take a look? Who knows, you might pick up a safety tip you’d never considered before.”

(REF:JM.21.05)

People behind fledgling creative enterprises can find out how to make their business a success by attending a series of free workshops.

Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link are repeating their popular Focusing Creativity business support programme, which was successfully piloted last year with support from by College of the Peak.

It offers tailored support by industry specialists through a series of workshops on topics ranging from marketing creativity to managing finances.

An introductory one-day workshop helps people put together a realistic development plan and strategy, followed by four half-day sessions to equip them with the skills needed to manage their enterprise.

The workshops are open to new or potential creative enterprises – from craftspeople and visuals artists to web designers and media businesses – based in Derbyshire Dales and the High Peak, which make up the Peak District Rural Action Zone.

They are held at Masson Mills, Derby Road, Matlock Bath, on the following dates:

• Monday February 13 (9.30am to 4pm)
• Tuesday February 21 (12pm to 4pm)
• Thursday  February 23 (12pm to 4pm)
• Monday February 27 (12pm to 4pm)
• Wednesday March 1 (12pm to 4pm)

At the end of the programme – funded by Arts Council England and Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership – people will receive a session of one-to-one mentoring to ensure they continue to develop their business ideas.

Councillor Geoff Carlile, the county council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “To ensure Derbyshire keeps a diverse and broad mix of businesses, it’s important we encourage and support new ventures including those from the creative industries sector.

“These workshops provide a great opportunity for new and up-and-coming enterprises to learn what it takes to succeed.  Not only are they jargon-free, they’re also delivered by industry specialists who know how to balance managing creativity with the day-to-day aspects of running a business”.

Workshop places are limited.  To apply for a place or for further information contact Dorothy Robinson on 0845 601 1038 or email dorothy.robinson@derbyshire.org

(REF: RS.20.06)

Three new classrooms have been officially opened at a special school in Chinley. 

Peak School in Buxton Road has day and residential pupils with severe disabilities, aged two to 19.    

Derbyshire County Council has built an extension to the main school containing toilets and three classrooms. 

The work cost £429,229, of which Derbyshire County Council contributed £352,564 and the school paid £76,665. 

The classrooms were officially opened by Councillor Walter Burrows, chair of Derbyshire County Council, Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for school planning and support, and Councillor Anne Western, cabinet member for children’s services.    

Councillor Charles said: “These classrooms will make a real difference to the quality of lessons for pupils with disabilities who attend Peak School, particularly those with autistic spectrum disorder. 

“We worked closely with the headteacher and governors to ensure the rooms meet the needs of pupils.” 

The work took seven months. The school is now working on plans to convert other classrooms into a music room, administration area and staff room.   

Settling in…Peak School pupil Joe Saggerson, 11, in a new classroom with Councillor Anne Western, cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for school planning and support, and Councillor Walter Burrows, chair of Derbyshire County Council (right).              

Two schools and an outdoor activity centre are to benefit from improvements totalling £300,000 after Derbyshire County Council gave the schemes the go-ahead.

The works, which include re-wiring and new windows, as well as a new climbing wall for the White Hall Centre in Buxton, will benefit the following:

• Sawley Junior, Wilmot Street, Sawley, Long Eaton – the council is to spend £145,000 rewiring the school. The school will contribute £27,000 toward the project, work on which is due to start in February and be completed by August.

• The Delves School, Hayes Lane, Swanwick – replacement windows costing £90,000 are to be installed. The work, which is expected to take around two months, is due to begin in mid-February.

• The White Hall Centre, Long Hill, Buxton – the centre’s existing climbing wall will be refurbished and extended. An additional free-standing climbing tower will also be added as part of the £65,000 modernisation project funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The refurbishment and creation of the new wall will take around a month to complete and is expected to be finished by early summer. It will be used by school groups and adults who visit the centre as well as the local community. The Big Lottery Fund is also providing the centre with a dining room extension costing £100,000. Work on the conservatory-style room is expected to start toward the end of February.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, Councillor Alan Charles, said he was pleased the council was able to agree the improvements.

“The work is designed to improve the condition and suitability of school buildings for both pupils and teaching staff,” he said.

“It is important staff and children have the right environment in which to teach and learn.”

Councillor Bob Janes, who is responsible for the council’s activity centres, added: “I am delighted that our outdoor activity centre in Buxton is to benefit from lottery funding, helping make it an even better place for young people and adults to experience adventure and enjoy Derbyshire’s beautiful countryside." (AJ.19.06) 

Millions of pounds have been recovered in damages for the injuries and ill health suffered by mineworkers over the years.

In Derbyshire many retired miners, their widows and dependants have gained vital employment information from the trade union archives in the county council-run Derbyshire Record Office to help them pursue compensation claims.

By way of thanks, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has presented staff at Derbyshire Record Office with commemorative medallions. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes visited the record office in New Street, Matlock to meet with representatives from the NUM. Councillor Janes said: “We are pleased that the archive service has  been able to offer this support to the NUM and help the ex-mining communities gain the compensation they deserve. 

“It demonstrates the practical value of the archive service and its historical records to the people of Derbyshire”.

Gordon Butler, Area Consultant for the NUM Derbyshire Branch said: “We transferred our archives to Derbyshire Record Office because it was the only place in the county that had the expertise and facilities to manage them. 

“There are many thousands of documents, some dating back over a hundred years, which represent the working lives of countless people in what was one of the county’s major industries.”

SUPPORT FOR MINERS: Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes (centre) shows NUM’s Area Consultant Gordon Butler (right), and Area Secretary Austin Fairest some of the records that have helped ex-miners with compensation claims.

Three Derbyshire schools have received awards from Derbyshire County Council chief executive Nick Hodgson for their work to promote racial equality.

Mr Hodgson donates his own money to the award winners as part of his personal leadership challenge for the Campaign for Racial Equality.

Mr Hodgson said: “Derbyshire schools do a lot of innovative work to help children learn more about different cultures.

“In light of events around the world in the last year it is even more important that young people understand cultural differences and adopt an open and welcoming attitude towards them.

“As ever the standard of entries was of a high quality and it was a tough choice to pick the winning schools.”
Mr Hodgson has given prizes totalling £375 to the winning three entries. They were:
 
First place – Newton Primary School, New Mills - £250

A wide range of equality projects were run for different age groups in the school. Pupils have:

• Learnt African dances and made some paper mache models of animals found in Africa
• Visited Derby Cathedral and a mosque in Manchester to learn about different religions
• Took part in the ‘Send my Friend to School’ campaign which involves pupils becoming pen pals with children from Third World countries. Pupils also help campaign for international governments to reduce the debts of Third World countries so that children in those countries can all be guaranteed an education. 

Second place – Dinting Church of England (Aided) Primary School - £75

During the past year the school pupils have: 

• Learnt about the Chinese culture and held an event to celebrate the Chinese New Year
• Learnt about Indian dancing
• Taken part in a twinning arrangement with pupils from St James’ School in Tameside
• Watched a performance by the Pantonic Allstars steel band 

Third place – Long Row Primary School, Belper - £50

During the past year pupils have: 

• Had a visit by an Aboriginal Indian from Australia and produced a range of artwork inspired by the visit
• Took part in after-school activities including an art club 
• Learnt about Bhangra dancing 

(REF: JF.16.06) 

Sharing cultures… Dinting CE Primary School pupils Beth-Louise Ball, 10, Mason Davies, nine, Adrianne Done, 10, and Daniel Mooney, nine, show Nick Hodgson, chief executive of Derbyshire County Council, costumes they wore to take part in Indian dancing.                    
Media enquiries to John Fern on 01629 585234 or email john.fern@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Six-year-old twins Joseph and Kate Renshaw are glad their mum Rebecca joined their local library after she scooped a top prize.

After joining Wirksworth Library during the town’s arts festival in September, Rebecca was automatically entered into the library’s prize draw for the chance to win a DVD player.  Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes visited the library in the Town Hall, Wirksworth to present Rebecca and her twins with the DVD player.

Councillor Janes said: “Our aim is to encourage people to realise libraries are now centres that provide entertainment and information for all sectors of the community not just to loan books.

“Wirksworth Library launched the new DVD loan service in the spring and it has proven to be very popular attracting many new people to join.”

Charges are either £3 or £1.20 (with £1.80 and 70p concessions) for a two-night DVD loan depending on the popularity of the film. People wishing to borrow DVDs must be library members aged 12 or over. 

Wirksworth Library opens on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9am and 7pm, Thursdays between 9am and 5pm and Saturdays between 9.30am and 1pm.

FILM FANS: Six-year-old twins Kate and Joseph Renshaw and their mum Rebecca are presented with a DVD player by Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes after winning Wirksworth Library’s prize draw.

Police have reported an 83 per cent drop in house burglaries in Erewash following a series of crime awareness events held in the borough.

Derbyshire County Council managed the events in Ilkeston and Long Eaton to highlight simple crime prevention measures anyone can take.

Hundreds of residents took advantage of home security advice and took steps to reduce their risk by having free window locks, door chains, padlocks, bolts, spy holes and door alarms installed.

Statistics now reveal an overall 83 per cent crime reduction in these areas with just one reported incident between last July and September compared with six during the same period in 2004 before the project started.

County council cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “We’re delighted with these results which follow the crime awareness events held in Ilkeston and Long Eaton.

“Even the simplest home security measures can be effective at deterring potential burglars and we were keen to raise residents’ awareness and help them help themselves.”

The crime awareness days were organised by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with Erewash Community Safety Partnership, Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Neighbourhood Watch, Three Valleys Housing and Community Concern Erewash.

As part of the events community fire safety officers were on hand to give residents fire prevention advice and practical tips to reduce their risk of an accident at home. They carried out home fire risk assessments at 63 homes and fitted 62 smoke alarms. 

“The agencies involved worked well together and liaised on home safety issues as well as security,” added Councillor Sanders.

“We’re committed to improving community safety for our residents and that involves all aspects of them being safe in their homes and communities.”

(Ref: LT.17.06)

Ambitious plans to create 28 new children’s centres in Derbyshire are under way.

Derbyshire County Council has been awarded £12.5m from the Department for Education and Skills to carry out the second phase of its programme to open 42 children’s centres between 2006 and 2008.

The cash will be split between building them and paying for day-to-day services.

Under the plans, new centres – which act as one-stop shops for early education, childcare, family support and health services – will be developed in disadvantaged parts of Derbyshire.

The council has now opened discussions with agencies which deliver children and family services including schools, voluntary organisations and health services to earmark potential sites. This will be followed by wide-ranging public consultation in February to give children, parents and carers a say in where they are located.

Derbyshire’s first children’s centre opened in Ironville in 2005.  A further 13 are due to open this spring under phase one. Once all 42 centres are up and running, children’s centre services will be available to most families living in Derbyshire.

The county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said:  “We’ve begun the first stage of the process by working with partners to identify possible locations for the new centres.  Once we’ve drawn up a shortlist we’ll be consulting with local people and seeking their views on their preferred sites. We’ll then be able to make a final decision on where they’re located.

“Although we already boast an excellent track record of working with partners to deliver high quality services for children and families, these new centres will bring them even closer together in the areas where they’re needed most.”

The Government is encouraging the development of children’s centres to provide high-quality early education and day care for children; parent and family support services such as counselling, parenting courses and signposting to information or help; child and family health services including antenatal services and support for children with special needs; and links with JobCentre Plus and the Children’s Information Service.

Services are aimed particularly at children under-five and their families, and are delivered by agencies across the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors.

(REF:RS.15.06)

Plans to build a new children’s centre in Langley Mill have gained pace. 

Derbyshire County Council and East Amber Valley Sure Start are set to create a £600,000 children’s day nursery on land at Bailey Brook Drive, next to the Older People’s Welfare Centre, and on an empty plot next door.

It forms the first phase of a scheme to create a children’s centre offering a one-stop-shop for education, childcare, family support and health services.

Phase two will see the welfare centre refurbished to provide health services in addition to its existing activities.

The county council wants to make the nursery and welfare centre a combined children’s centre as part of its programme to open 42 across Derbyshire by April 2008.

East Amber Valley Sure Start – which is led by Amber Valley Primary Care Trust – will deliver services from the building, which will provide a base for its staff as well as catering for 40 children up to the age of five.

It will help combat a severe lack of childcare facilities in Langley Mill – which forces many families to travel outside the area.  Meanwhile, buildings used by Sure Start workers have become increasingly overcrowded, leaving them struggling to find places to deliver services to the community.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “After talking to local people we know they want a building that provides a range of services across childcare, health, leisure and education.

“Although East Amber Valley Sure Start is making a major difference to families’ lives, we need bigger buildings from which to deliver services.

“I’m delighted we’ll be working in partnership with Sure Start on this exciting development, which forms a key part of our plans to open a children’s centre in the area.”

Diane Harrison, programme manager for East Amber Valley Sure Start, said: “This is great news for the people of Langley Mill.  The provision of a modern, purpose-built facility will certainly be a welcome one.

“The new centre will have a positive impact on the lives of many local residents, offering a range of new services for children.”

The scheme was granted planning consent by Amber Valley Borough Council in December.  Work is due to start in the next few weeks, with the nursery expected to open by May this year.

(REF: RS.14.06)

People living in two Derbyshire residential homes will be moving into their new £3 million purpose-built accommodation this week.  

Residents living in Oaklands and South Lodge homes for older people in Swadlincote will start to move into their new home in Castle Gresley, to be called Castle Court, from today (Monday 9 January) and should all be settled in by Friday.  

Contractors handed over the keys to the new Derbyshire County Council-run 41-bed residential home in Arthur Street at the end of last year and the final fixtures and fittings were put in place including specialist equipment.  

Staff were also given time to familiarise themselves with the new home and receive training on any new equipment before Castle Court officially opened its doors to the 24 residents from Oaklands and the 17 residents from South Lodge.  

The new home offers residents more individual living space, more communal space including large lounges and a large conservatory, a courtyard area and a modern kitchen with laundry facilities.  

Each resident will have their own bedroom including en-suite facilities and each room will have an individual patio area.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: "Castle Court home for older people has been purpose-built to the highest specifications and will provide residents with top quality accommodation".  

"They will be moving in during the week and hopefully will feel at home very quickly. The new home and its facilities will be of benefit not only to the residents but to the staff who work there as well."  

The South Lodge site and building in Salisbury Drive, Midway, is to be sold and the Oaklands building in Church Street is to be demolished.  

The Oaklands site has been earmarked for a new mulit-million pound dementia unit which is planned by the county council in conjunction with health services and Derbyshire Mental Health Trust, although a date for work to start has not yet been set.  

An official opening ceremony for Castle Court is planned for later this year.  

(Ref:MC12.06)

Major engineering work could begin as early as this Easter at Markham Vale – Derbyshire County Council’s £50 million regeneration project.  

The authority last week published the compulsory purchase orders for land which it needs so that work can begin on this major initiative, including the construction of a new motorway junction from the M1.  

More than 160 individual areas of land ranging in size from a few square yards to 200 acres are included under the compulsory purchase orders which are now subject to a six-week High Court challenge period.  

If no challenges are received the land will transfer to the county council and work will be able to start on the project which is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs and bring £130 million of new investment to the area.  

Planning consent was approved for the work by Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover district councils in April 2005 after nearly three years of consultation and deliberation. In July last year a local resident applied to the High Court for a judicial review because they believed it was unlawful. The challenge was defended by the district and borough councils which believed the applications were dealt with in a proper and fair manner.  

In November the High Court dismissed the legal challenge to the planning consent, paving the way for the compulsory purchase orders to go ahead.  

A detailed report on the land acquisition procedures will now be drawn up which will include the financial implications to the council and the project as a whole.  

A detailed study, costing around £20,000, is also planned which will look at how best to use Network Rail’s Bolsover branch line as it is hoped to give businesses moving to the site access to the freight network.    

County council leader Councillor John Williams said: "The compulsory purchase orders are a major step forward for Markham Vale and if, after the six week period, there have been no challenges, then the major work on the project can start".  

"The Markham Vale development will rejuvenate the former coalfield sites and bring more than 5,000 jobs to the area, giving a real boost to the local economy."

(Ref: MC.13.06)

A new multi-agency body to protect children in Derbyshire from abuse and neglect is set to be launched.

The Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB) is a new statutory body created by the Children Act 2004.

All councils providing children’s services must have a local safeguarding board in place by April 1, as part of a range of measures under the Act aimed at improving life for children and young people.

They will replace and take on the functions of existing area child protection committees but with a far expanded role and with statutory powers.

Changes to the way children are safeguarded were prompted by the tragic death of Victoria Climbié.  In his report into her death Lord Laming insisted that all agencies involved in supporting and protecting children had a duty to work together more closely.

The DSCB will be led by Derbyshire County Council but is an independent forum of the main agencies responsible for working together to safeguard children.  These include children’s services, police, health agencies, Child And Family Court Advisory and Support Services, the Probation Service, district and borough councils, Connexions and Youth Offending Teams.

The main role of the board – which will be chaired by the county council’s director of children’s services Bruce Buckley – is to ensure local organisations work effectively to safeguard Derbyshire’s children and young people and protect them from harm.

Its work will cover three broad areas:

• Ensuring children grow up in a safe environment
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are potentially vulnerable, such as those living away from home, those who have run away from home and children with disabilities
• Protecting children who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, maltreatment including forms of abuse.
  

Work will include implementing policies and procedures, communicating and raising awareness and child protection training.

A shadow board will be set up this month, ready for the DSCB being in place by April 1.

The DSCB will hold quarterly meetings to chart progress, attended by representatives from all the main agencies.  There will also be an executive board, a safeguarding partnership, practice and issue-based sub groups and district-level safeguarding groups.

The county council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Anne Western said: “If a child is being abused or is at risk of harm, it is doubtful whether any single agency working alone could protect them.  Only effective inter-agency working can safeguard the welfare of vulnerable children, which is exactly what this new board is all about.

“Our commitment to the Government’s Every Child Matters agenda and the move towards more integrated services for children means we’re already working closely with local partners.

“Now the challenge is to continue this work through the new board and ensure we’re doing all we can to keep children in Derbyshire safe and free from harm”.

(RS.11.06)

Sales of alcohol to children have fallen by 23 per cent in Derbyshire shops and off-licences following the launch of the county council’s Are You Old Enough? campaign.

The initiative, led by Derbyshire County Council, was launched in March 2005 to help prevent underage sales of age restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco and solvents.

During the latest series of spot checks carried out across the county by young volunteers working with the council’s trading standards service, seven underage sales of alcohol were made out of 58 attempted purchases (12 per cent).

When similar checks in Derbyshire were carried out in summer 2004 to mark the start of a Government alcohol misuse enforcement campaign, 26 sales were made out of 74 attempts (35 per cent).

During the latest checks, volunteers aged between 14 and 16 attempted to buy alcohol from 51 stores in the High Peak, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Amber Valley during November and December. Sales were made at four stores where further checks were later carried out. Further checks will be carried out in the south of the county later in the year.

Trading standards officers have been working with Derbyshire retailers and young people to raise awareness about underage sales issues, the potential dangers and consequences.

In the pre-Christmas clamp-down, officers also teamed up with Derbyshire police to issue fixed penalty notices for the first time to people caught selling alcohol to children. Five £80 fines were issued – three against licensees and two against shop assistants.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services, said: “These are very promising results which show that traders are recognising the importance of preventing underage sales of alcohol to children.

“Traders have a legal responsibility to make sure they don’t sell alcohol to under 18s and our trading standards service works closely with traders by offering them advice and support on what they can do to address the issue.”

She added: “It’s good to see a reduction in sales but one underage sale is one sale to many. We will continue to carry out our work to enforce the law and take further action where  necessary.”

Anyone caught selling alcohol to under 18s can be prosecuted under the Licensing Act 2003. The maximum penalty was increased from a £1,000 fine to £5,000 in November last year.

For more information about underage sales prevention or to receive an Are You Old Enough campaign pack contact trading standards on 01629 585858 or visit the Trading Standards section of this website.

(REF:JM.10.06)

A £3 million sports complex is to be built by Derbyshire County Council to offer pupils at a Staveley school facilities for sports lessons once a leisure centre closes.

The sports hall is needed by Springwell Community School because Chesterfield Borough Council is planning to close the neighbouring Middlecroft Leisure Centre later this year.

The leisure centre was originally built so its swimming pool and four court sports hall could be shared by the school and members of the public. However, the building has suffered from subsidence and structural failure so will close in around six month’s time. Bids for lottery funding to rebuild the leisure centre have been unsuccessful. 

Derbyshire County Council is going to spend £3.1 million to build a sports complex on the site of the former arts and ceramics block. It will be used by students during the day and be available for hire by members of the public in the evening and at weekends.

The building will house a four-court sports hall, changing rooms, multi-purpose gym, dance studio and multi-purpose teaching space. 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This major investment will deliver a new building to replace all the facilities the school currently uses at the leisure centre except for the swimming pool.

“It also gives us the opportunity to add a new dance studio which will help the school develop its specialist status as a performing arts centre.”

Work will start within weeks and should be completed by Easter 2007.

Students will continue to use the Middlecroft Leisure Centre for sports lessons until it closes. After that lessons will be held using the school’s existing gym, floodlit artificial pitch, playing fields and an upgraded hard play area for tennis, basketball and netball until the new sports hall is completed. Arrangements for swimming lessons are still to be finalised. 

The school will contribute £230,000 towards the £3.1 million overall cost of the scheme, with Derbyshire County Council paying the rest.

The authority has also applied for a £100,000 Coalfield Regeneration Trust grant towards the cost of the multi-purpose gym. The application has reached the final stage but a decision is not expected for several months.

(REF: JF.09.06)

Electrical re-wiring work is to be carried out by Derbyshire County Council at two Melbourne schools. 

The authority will spend £141,160 replacing the electrical wiring at Melbourne Infant School in Packhorse Road. The school will contribute a further £20,334 towards the cost.

Melbourne Junior School, which is on the same site, will also have its wiring replaced. The work will cost £109,883 and be paid for by Derbyshire County Council.

Work at both schools will start later this month and be completed by July.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This work at both schools is part of our on-going programme to maintain and improve the quality of school buildings across Derbyshire.”

(REF: JF.08.06)

A suite is to be built by Derbyshire County Council to replace nursery and reception classrooms at Bolsover Infant School.

The foundation suite will cost £655,275 and replace buildings dating back to the 1950s and 1960s which are uneconomic to maintain. It will have classrooms and an outdoor play area.

A car turning circle and dropping off point is also being built as part of the project, which will serve both Bolsover Infant School and the new neighbouring Bolsover Junior School.

Work will start in late January and should be completed by the end of August.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “The current nursery and reception classrooms do not meet modern educational needs or standards so we want to see them replaced as quickly as possible.

“We have consulted with the school to ensure the building is designed to meet the needs of pupils and teaching staff.”

(REF: JF.08.06)

A major review into how Derbyshire County Council works with other organisations to keep our streets clean, green and safe has been launched.

The authority is looking at whether working more closely with borough and district councils and other agencies could better combat problems that blight communities.

The review – which initially focuses on the south of the county – will cover issues such as litter, graffiti, dog mess, abandoned cars, street lighting, potholes and car parking.

It is being carried out by one of the authority’s improvement and scrutiny committees in conjunction with South Derbyshire District Council.

Councillor Kath Lauro, chair of the improvement and scrutiny committee carrying out the review, said:  “The aim is to bring about improved services while making it easier for people to report problems.  We’re looking at how we work with partners to keep our streets attractive and safe, and whether resources could be used to better effect.”

County council services that safeguard the environment include road and footpath maintenance, conservation of buildings, urban design, restoring derelict land, waste disposal and running household waste recycling centres.

District councils are typically responsible for street cleaning, refuse collection, recycling sites, abandoned vehicles, public toilets, car parks and determining planning applications.

South Derbyshire District Council agreed to take part after expressing an interest in working with the county council on a scrutiny review.

Work so far has included a visit by committee members to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to hear how it created its successful ‘Street Pride’ initiative to tackle environmental problems.

Issues being explored as part of the review include using the county council’s Call Derbyshire call centre – 08 456 058 058 – to report problems in south Derbyshire, regardless of which authority deals with them.

Residents will be consulted to find out what improvements they want to come out of the review.  The scrutiny committee’s report and recommendations will be considered by the county council’s cabinet later this year.

Councillor Lauro added: “Our overall aim is to make real and sustained improvements to the local environment, so it makes sense to team up with another authority to explore better ways of working which could potentially be used throughout Derbyshire.

“The public’s views are vitally important so we’ll be carrying out lots of consultation over the coming months to find out what local people think.”

Councillor Ken Harrington, chair of South Derbyshire District Council’s overview and community scrutiny committees, said: "We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the county council on this review and discussions have already highlighted other issues on which we may be able to work together.

“Furthering and strengthening these links will result in a more efficient use of resources and is likely to avoid duplication of work.”

(REF: RS.07.06)

Derbyshire County Council continues its drive to get the county recycling with the opening of its latest household waste recycling site.

The centre – on Mayfield Road in Ashbourne – will make life much easier for local people who want to recycle rubbish not covered by their doorstep collections.

The county already has five household waste recycling centres at Loscoe near Heanor, Ilkeston, Chesterfield, Glossop and Newhall near Swadlincote. This latest facility – which will be open from Monday 9 January - will be able to handle 5,000 tonnes of rubbish a year from the Ashbourne area which will be separated and - where possible – reused, recycled or composted.

People will be able to take, furniture, electrical appliances, fridges and freezers, carpets, paper, cardboard, glass jars, engine oil and excess bin waste. The centre – run by South Herts Waste Management Group - will be open 8.30am until 6pm every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Entry and exit to the site is at different points on Mayfield Road and the public are separated from heavy vehicles by a ramp system.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “This site will give people living in and around Ashbourne a really useful recycling facility on their doorsteps.
“At the moment the county recycles and composts 23 per cent of its rubbish. But we all need to think about recycling even more if we are to avoid landfill fines which would come out of the council tax.”

(REF: SM.06.06) 

Step in to 2006 by exploring more of Derbyshire’s beautiful countryside with a free guide. 

More than 80 events are listed in the new brochure called Countryside Service Events in Derbyshire published by the county council. 

It contains a month-by-month list of activities – ranging from wildlife walks and bird watching to insect hunts and moth spotting – being run by Derbyshire County Council’s countryside service over the next 12 months. 

The booklet also contains location maps and information about countryside centres together with details of nature clubs, cycle hire and disabled access to events and venues. 

It also tells people how to become a volunteer, join the Walking to Health initiative and how to access public transport in to the countryside. 

There are events for people of all ages, including activities aimed at children, and the booklet includes advice on wearing suitable footwear and outdoor clothes for certain activities and how to stay safe in the countryside. 

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet members for community and cultural services, said: “We work hard to encourage people to make the most of the countryside on their doorstep. 

“This free booklet will give people ideas about things they can do over the next 12 months – no matter where they live in the county.” 

There is also a tear-off section at the back of the colour brochure for people to tell the council what they think of the activities they take part in. 

Around 40,000 copies of the booklet have been printed and they are available free from libraries, tourist information centres, district council offices and other visitor attractions in Derbyshire. 

A copy can also be seen by clicking on the countryside service section of the county council’s website – www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/events/ (opens in a new window)

They are also available by contacting the county council’s call centre Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 which can accept bookings for many of the events listed. 

(REF: CC.06.06)

A computer system is being bought by Derbyshire County Council which will encourage more school visits by reducing paperwork for teachers.

The £6,000 software will make it easier and quicker for teachers and youth workers to get approval from the authority’s health and safety team for educational visits they are planning.

The system will also free up Derbyshire County Council health and safety advisers so they can spend more time visiting schools to carry out audits and give advice, carry out training and monitor school trips.

At the moment schools and youth centres have to fill in separate paper forms for every trip they organise. The new system will enable schools to: 

• Get approval for educational visits on-line - removing the need for paperwork
• Have their own area on the computer system which records all trips taking place and the qualifications of staff supervising young people 
• Copy the details of repeat visits to save typing them out again 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “Properly managed educational visits are an important, stimulating and enjoyable experience for young people.

“In recent years some teachers and youth workers have been put off organising trips because of the health and safety requirements.

“This computer system will remove much of the bureaucracy surrounding visits. This will ensure visits remain safe but also encourage teachers to organise more trips for young people.”

The system will be piloted for three months by between 20 and 30 schools starting in April or May. It will be rolled out across all Derbyshire schools from September.

Derbyshire County Council will spend £6,000 to buy the system and will train teachers to show them how to use it. 

Councillor Charles said: “The system should save schools money by reducing the number of staff hours spent completing paperwork on educational visits.

“How much schools save will depend on the type and number of trips being organised.”

(REF: JF.04.06)

Police have reported a 90 per cent drop in house burglaries in Chesterfield following a series of crime awareness events held in the town.

Derbyshire County Council managed the events in Rother, Dunston and Brockwell to highlight simple crime prevention measures anyone can take.

Hundreds of residents took advantage of home security advice and took steps to reduce their risk by having free window locks, door chains and door alarms installed.

Statistics now reveal an overall 90 per cent crime reduction in these areas with just one reported incident between last July and September compared with 10 during the same period in 2004 before the project started.

County council cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “We’re delighted with these results which follow the crime awareness events held in the town.

“Even the simplest home security measures can be effective at deterring potential burglars and we were keen to raise residents’ awareness and help them help themselves.”

The crime awareness days were organised by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership, Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Chesterfield and District Neighbourhood Watch, Chesterfield Borough Council housing department and North Derbyshire Home Improvement Agency.

Residents who got involved in the events were also given fire prevention advice and practical tips to reduce their risk of an accident at home. 

“The agencies involved worked well together and liaised on home safety issues as well as security,” added Councillor Sanders.

“We’re committed to improving community safety for our residents and that involves all aspects of them being safe in their homes and communities.”

Among the residents to benefit from the crime awareness days was Chesterfield resident Margaret Payne who had window locks, door chains and smoke alarms fitted by North Derbyshire Home Improvement Agency. She won a £25 gift voucher in a prize draw questionnaire organised to generate feedback about the events.

SAFE AS HOUSES: Chesterfield resident Margaret Payne shows Councillor Joyce Sanders how crime awareness advice has helped to improve her home security.

(Ref:LT.03.06)