May

A committed team which supports families in need has been awarded a prestigious Charter Mark. 

Derbyshire County Council’s High Peak and Dales Supporting Families team has been working towards achieving the Charter Mark for 18 months and is now celebrating the good news. 

Assessors visited the team’s main base at Victoria Street in Glossop and its outreach base in Market Street, Buxton, interviewing managers and team members about their roles and services. 

People who use the service, foster carers, police, representatives from the voluntary and private sector, health, education and housing staff, were also given an opportunity to talk to the Charter Mark assessors. 

A Charter Mark is given out as part of a Government scheme which recognises high quality customer care in public services.   

The team, which also has a base at Portland House in Matlock Bath, works with children and families in need and provides a service 52-weeks a year, seven days a week. 

The children and young people are aged from birth to 18 years old and sometimes work is carried out with a family before the birth of a child. 

The work of the team includes devising parenting programmes, carrying out parenting assessments, supervising contacts between family members and providing activities for children and young people. 

As well as centre-based work, the team also visits families at home, providing practical, emotional and educational support. 

An emphasis is put on helping parents to improve their skills, build their confidence and self-esteem and therefore improving the quality of children’s and families lives. 

The team, made up of 19 staff, helps to support people with a variety of needs including mental health problems, adults with learning difficulties and teenage parents.   

It also gives support to victims of domestic violence and people with drug problems and has forged strong links with other agencies including health, education, Connexions, the voluntary and private sector. 

Assessors noted: 

* The team was a committed staff group 

* Officers go the extra mile in the interests of the service 

* There is inspirational management 

* There is excellent partnership work 

* Service users are provided with a positive environment 

* Extremely high levels of customer satisfaction. 

The assessors have pointed to areas where further improvements could be made, including more use of the website and an improvement in the costing of care plans. 

The Charter Mark was presented to the team on Friday 19 May by Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Anne Western. 

Councillor Western said: “The High Peak and Dales Supporting Families Team has worked incredibly hard to achieve the Charter Mark and everyone involved should be proud of themselves for their commitment to improving the lives of local people. 

“I am sure that by achieving this recognition, the team will work hard to maintain and further strengthen the service they offer to children and families living in the High Peak and Dales.” 

Older people got the chance to have a chat with each other via webcam at the official launch of a computer project. 

Residents at two sheltered accommodation complexes were among the first to benefit from the OPEL (Older People’s E-Learning) project which has been launched in Derbyshire with £85,000 funding from the Government. 

The live chat linked people living at Denesfield Court, Matlock Green, to others living at Mount Pleasant in Grindleford. 

The project is a joint initiative between Derbyshire County Council and Dales Housing, with support from the county council’s Derbyshire adult community education service and Better Government for Older People team. 

Dales Housing, which runs the two sheltered accommodation complexes, has been instrumental in the success of the project and has completed many tasks towards its success through creating the computer suites and installing the equipment. 

The project started in Grindleford last November and in Matlock in March this year, with the official launch being held to celebrate the project’s success so far and highlight the work being done through OPEL. 

Around 25 older people took part in the event and chatted between the sheltered accommodation complexes for about five minutes. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “The live link-up went very well and it was very encouraging to see people who last year couldn’t use a computer confidently using all the equipment. 

“The computer training scheme has proved extremely popular at both sheltered housing complexes and many people have taken advantage of it.” 

People taking part in the computer scheme, which is free to sign up to, are taken through a basic computing course by adult community education trainers, and so far around 30 people have completed it. Many have gone on to further their skills to use the internet for learning and communication. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “Some of the people taking part in the link up said they had been very apprehensive about signing up to the course at first but the tutors have been excellent and very encouraging and using a computer has now become second-nature to them.” 

Creative minds looking to set up new businesses in Derbyshire are being invited to question one of the country’s top designers at a free event. 

Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link are staging the evening event, `An Evening with Wayne Hemingway’, later this month as part of their joint Focusing Creativity programme. 

The event, on Wednesday 14 June from 5.30pm to 9pm at Ringwood Hall Hotel, Brimington, near Chesterfield, gives people behind fledgling creative industries and those thinking of setting up businesses the chance to meet creative people already thriving in the industry and learn more about the services available to support their ventures. 

The event will also be an excellent chance to network for people who are interested in setting up, or are already running a creative business, which could range from arts, crafts and music to website design, computer games development and advertising. 

People attending the event, which is aimed at people in the Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover areas, will also be able to find out more about the Focusing Creativity programme. 

The programme aims to help creative enterprises strike the right balance between creativity and running a successful business and offers tailored support by creative industry specialists through a series of workshops ranging from marketing to managing finances. 

At the event, Wayne Hemingway, the creative mind behind successful street-style fashion company Red or Dead with wife Gerardine, will give an insight into his life and work and tell how he balances his business with his creativity, followed by a question and answer session. 

There will also be two workshops, entitled `the art of networking’ and `protecting your creativity, a guide to protecting your intellectual property’, which will each be run twice during the evening - between 7.40pm and 8.10pm and again from 8.10pm to 8.40pm. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “We are keen to ensure creative or artistic people are aware of the support services available to ensure their business venture is a success. 

“There will be industry specialists on hand with expert advice who know what it takes to combine creativity with running a business and there will be the opportunity to hear Wayne Hemingway which I’m sure will be very interesting.” 

Displays and stalls will be set out on the night from agencies supporting the event including the Arts Council, EM Media, Chesterfield College, Shout Out (a group of creative industry and support agencies) and Focusing Creativity. There will also be representatives from the organisations at the event to share their expertise. 

People who are interested in attending the evening should contact Dorothy Robinson or Laine Poole at Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link on 0845 6011038 or e-mail dorothy.robinson@derbyshire.org to book a free place. 

The winning entries in the prestigious 2006 Derbyshire Open Art Competition are to be announced during a prize ceremony at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on Friday (2 June). 

The annual Derbyshire County Council-run competition is open to amateur and professional artists and has trophies and prize money totalling £1,550 on offer. 

This year 328 entries have been received from across Derbyshire and neighbouring counties and communities. A total of 111 entries were selected, including 37 works from young people under 21 years, and the exhibition is on show at the museum until 29 July 2006. 

Entrants can be from anywhere in Britain but are asked to produce artwork that portrays a Derbyshire theme. This year artists have chosen several ways to interpret the theme.

While the Derbyshire landscape continues to attract artist’s imagination, buildings and events have also provided inspiration. Artists have provided both recognisable images and abstractions. 

The work entered for this year’s competition includes pictures in oils, acrylics, watercolours, drawings, prints, collages and three-dimensional work using found materials, ceramics and fabrics. 

The entries have been judged by an independent panel including Tom Wolstenholme, secretary of the Buxton and High Peak Art Society; John McPake, president of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art; Andy Firth, curator of art at Stockport Art Gallery and Melanie Barvir, a member of the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

They looked at work from a broad range of art and artists, and were complimentary about Derbyshire County Council’s strong commitment to supporting fine art through this exhibition. 

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “The standard of entries has been very high and it has been a very hard task for the panel to pick winners in each of the categories. 

“Two of these works will be acquired for the county’s growing collection of contemporary artwork that celebrates both life and art in Derbyshire.” 

Councillor Janes added: “It is a delight to see the work of artists who have loyally supported the exhibition, as well as excellent work by artists who have not previously shown at the Open. 

“The exhibition will give everyone the chance to come and see the wealth of local talent.” 

The competition is sponsored by Derbyshire County Council, Tarmac Central, the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery and local resident Major Munro. 

The 2006 Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition will be on display at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday 3 June to Saturday 29 July and entry to the museum and gallery is free. 

Visitors to the museum will have an additional bonus of enjoying the exhibition ‘Curly Hair and Night Vision’, an exhibition about current and historic attitudes to food and what we eat from the museum’s own collections, and Adam Dunning’s photographic exhibition, ‘In Passing: Landscapes and Other Views’, which provides quiet observance of small, brief moments, of things, textures and shapes that have caught the photographer’s eye.   

Further details about the competition and exhibitions are available by ringing Ros Westwood by ringing 01298 24658 or emailing buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk   

A wagon train of mobile libraries will roll in to town for the first weekend of Derbyshire Literature Festival, organised by the county council. 

Cartoon workshops, storytelling and a rap artist will be among the attractions during a day of free activities being held in Bakewell on Saturday 3 June. 

It is the fourth time the county council has organised the literature festival, a celebration of books, writing and the love of reading and more than 90 events are taking place throughout Derbyshire for the biennial festival, which runs until 17 June. 

At Bakewell Showground on Saturday between 10am and 4pm there will also be the chance to meet the festival’s writer-in-residence Jen Edgar who will be running a creative writing workshop. 

Derbyshire’s poet laureate Cathy Grindrod will be running a range of activities for all the family during the day. People will be able to ask her to write a poem for them and she will be explaining her role as poet laureate. 

Lively storyteller Graham Langley will be performing during the day while performance poet and rap artist John Berkavitch will be running workshops for young people on Derbyshire Youth Service’s arts bus. 

There will also be face painting and badge making for youngsters while older visitors can find out about the Picture the Past website, an archive containing thousands of images of Derbyshire. 

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “There will be something for everyone at Saturday’s event, which marks the first weekend of the literature festival. 

“I would urge people to come along, not only to take part in the free activities but also to see what is on offer on our mobile libraries.”   

The county council’s event in Bakewell coincides with Matlock Live, the start of a week of events around the town including a busking competition, song-writing workshops and events for young people including football coaching, climbing and skating. Events will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 3 June. For more information about Matlock Live visit www.matlocklive.co.uk (opens in a new window)

Councillor Janes added: “With these two events going on so close to each other we hope that people will decide to make a day of it. 

“And I hope as many people as possible will take advantage of what’s on offer during the literature festival, which includes talks by writers, cartoon workshops, a ghost walk and creative writing classes.”

A brochure which gives details of all the events running throughout the literature festival is available from all county council libraries, adult community education centres, schools, tourist information centres and by request from Call Derbyshire, the council’s call centre on 08 456 058 058. 

Or go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/festival (opens in a new window) for an online version of the brochure and to find your nearest library. 

Tickets, where applicable, cost £3 (£2 concessions) and are available from all libraries or through Call Derbyshire. Call Derbyshire can accept credit card bookings only, with a small administrative charge.

Major improvements to two schools have received the go-ahead from Derbyshire County Council.

Spire Junior School in Chesterfield will have two spare classrooms converted into a library, administration area and office, waiting room and headteacher’s office. 

And the headteacher’s current office will become a staff workroom while disabled toilets and a store will be created inside the main entrance.

The scheme will reduce surplus space caused by falling pupil numbers, because of the national drop in birth rates over recent years.

By making better use of its space the school aims to improve facilities for pupils and teaching staff.

The school, in Jawbones Hill, is contributing £35,000 towards the £113,600 project, with the rest coming from the county council.

Building work starts in June and will be completed by October.  Improvements to the main entrance toilets will take place during the school summer holidays to lessen disruption.  

Meanwhile, Ridgeway Primary School, near Eckington, is in line for £330,825 of improvements.

These include building a single classroom extension, creating more toilets with disabled access and improving existing toilets.

Other changes will see a new headteacher’s room and extra staff and office space created.

The new classroom will combat a shortage of teaching space at the school in Main Road.  Work involves making the site’s ground conditions suitable for development by increasing the depths of the foundations to support the building.

Essential rewiring has already taken place, ready for the scheme starting next month.  Works are expected to be finished by December.  

The school is pumping £100,000 into the project, with Derbyshire County Council paying the rest. 

Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said:  “Both schemes have been designed in consultation with staff and governors to ensure they meet the needs of the whole school community.

“These works are aimed at providing modern facilities fit the 21st century and are part of our on-going programme of improvements to school buildings in partnership with the Government.”

(REF: RS.218.06)

With the World Cup just a few weeks away, Derbyshire County Council is urging residents to kick-start their recycling habits while cheering on their team this summer.

The authority, together with Derby City Council, district and borough councils in Derbyshire, is reminding people to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ their rubbish as part of the Big Recycle – an annual national campaign being launched on 5 June.

In Derbyshire, we are expected to produce more than 38,000 tonnes of household rubbish during the tournament – enough to cover 12 World Cup football pitches.

Sales of drinks cans and bottles from off licences and supermarkets are expected to rise by 10 per cent during the World Cup as people stock their cupboards ready to watch football at home.

And no doubt we’ll be buying more newspapers to read up on those footballing highs and lows too.

Instead of sending all this rubbish to landfill sites – which are filling up fast and produce gases which harm the environment as rubbish rots away – councils in Derbyshire are calling on residents to do their bit for the environment and make the most of their local kerbside collection scheme.

Most kerbside schemes collect glass bottles and jars, newspapers and magazines for recycling and some also accept cardboard, tin foil and food and drinks cans.

There are more than 470 recycling sites open to the public across the county too as well as seven household waste recycling centres - which also accept large and bulky items - making recycling household rubbish easier than ever before.

In Derbyshire, we recycled or composted around 26 per cent of our household rubbish in 2005/6 but we still need to do more or face hefty fines from the Government – which will mean a rise in council tax for residents.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: “Many of us will be inviting friends round to watch Beckham and the lads do their best during the World Cup.

“And if the weather’s kind to us, there should be plenty of opportunities for barbecues this summer.

“But don’t forget to do your bit for England – make sure you put your bottles and other items to one side for recycling.

“All councils now run a kerbside collection scheme so there’s really no excuse.”       

Information about recycling will be available from the county council’s waste exhibition vehicle at Derby Market on 8 June and Chesterfield Market Place on 9 June between 10am and 3.30pm and at the county council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre at Ashbourne on 7 June between 10am and 2pm.

Advice will be available on a range of issues such as local recycling services, home composting and using real nappies. There will also be interactive games and activities for people of all ages based on recycling and a chance to try out origami using recycled paper.

For more information about kerbside collection schemes contact your local district council.
Further information about recycling, composting and real nappies is available from Derbyshire County Council on 01629 580000 ext 7568 or on the website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

Green gathering…Coun Marian Stockdale, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet support member for sustainable communities, pictured right, kick-starts the Big Recycle with environmental services staff, from left, Sharon Sugrue, Philippa Roine and David Brown.

(Ref: JM.216.06)

                                 
Motorists and bikers are being urged to take care on Derbyshire’s roads following the publication of latest road safety figures for 2002-2004.

Derbyshire County Council, which looks after 5,105km of the county’s roads, is reminding road users of their responsibility to drive and ride safely following a report by Eurorap (the European Road Assessment Programme) published today (Friday 26 May).

Five Derbyshire roads appear on its high risk list for Britain's roads compared to seven last year. And records for 2005, not included in today’s report, show a further 13 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads in 2005.

Three of Derbyshire’s roads – A623, A54 and A6 - appear in the top 10 list of ‘consistently high risk’ roads in Britain. Three appear in the ‘high motorcycle risk’ category - A6, A54 and the A537 - and three appear in the ‘high risk excluding motorcycles’ category - A6, A623 and the A619. 

The report also lists the A444 as one of the most improved roads for safety in the country.
Between 1999 and 2004 Derbyshire County Council has spent £265,000 on improvements on its stretch of the A444 to complement other work in Staffordshire and Leicestershire. Derbyshire Safety Camera Partnership operates four speed cameras on this stretch. 
There were fewer accidents on the road in Derbyshire in which people were killed or seriously injured – down from 11 in 1999-2001 to three in 2002-04. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “There has been a steady reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Derbyshire’s roads over the past 10 years.
“We work hard to maintain the county’s road network and are committed to improving road safety. Last year we spent more than £10 million on road safety and maintenance throughout the county and we will continue this investment. 
“But roads in Derbyshire are rural by nature. And as with all roads it is important that motorists drive according to the conditions and the nature of the road, particularly on tight and twisty country roads. 
“We will continue to target groups with awareness schemes. These include our Bike Plus training for motorbike riders and our Think Bike and To Die For? road safety campaigns.”

(REF:JM.217.06)

Buying school meals is set to become quicker and easier for more Derbyshire pupils.

Derbyshire County Council is introducing cashless payment systems at a further five secondary schools as part of its drive to improve the midday meal experience.

Schools set to benefit are The Meadows Community School, Old Whittington, Chesterfield; New Mills School and Sixth Form Centre; Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, Ilkeston; The Bolsover School and Heritage Community School, Clowne.

They will become the first in Derbyshire to boast fingerprint recognition technology. Systems in other schools incorporate swipe card technology.

It means pupils will pay for meals using a hi-tech fingerprint reader linked to a computer rather than with cash at the point of service.

Parents top up their child’s account by posting a cheque to the school or pupils can add money at an on-site pay station.  The system allows parents to set a daily spend limit.

Other benefits include:

• Quicker and easier service by removing all cash transactions
• Reducing bullying because pupils do not need to carry cash and those who receive free meals cannot be identified
• Pupils can earn points from buying certain healthy foods
• Easier monitoring of nutritional information by schools.  

The county council is paying £91,812 towards the work, with the schools contributing a combined £24,520.

The project forms part of the council’s plans to spend £300,000 introducing cashless systems in more secondary schools by 2009.  Eleven schools have been equipped with swipe card technology since 2002.

It is the latest in a range of measures by the authority to improve school meals, aided by an extra £1.8 million from the Government over the next three years.

Councillor Alan Charles, the county council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said:  “We’re keen to introduce cashless systems in even more schools because of the major benefits they bring. 

“The moves are part of our ongoing drive to improve all aspects of school meal provision, supported by the additional Government funding.” 

The systems will go live during the autumn 2006 term.

(REF: RS.215.06)

Four schools are to get a share of £2.25 million from Derbyshire County Council for new buildings to help them cope with increasing pupil numbers.

All the schools are seeing pupil numbers rise due to major housing developments in their local area.

The money will be split between: 

• John Port School, Etwall - £1 million 

The money will be used towards the cost of building a sports hall to replace an existing gym, which will be converted for other uses. The school has also set aside another £1 million given to it by Derbyshire County Council in 2004/05 to go on the project.

• Belper School - £845,000 

Plans are currently being developed to provide more teaching space to cope with an extra 200 pupils who have joined the school as a result of major housing developments in the town in recent years. The money will be used to pay for the new buildings needed.

• Woodville Junior School - £285,000 
  

The money will be used to build two classrooms with toilets to cope with extra pupil numbers expected due to new housing developments in the area. The money will be added to £190,000 that Derbyshire County Council will receive from the housing developer to pay for the extra classrooms.

• William Allitt School, Newhall - £120,000
  

Negotiations are underway to try and lease a piece of land next to the school which can be developed into a school playing field. The money would pay for the rent of the land, fencing and other costs. 

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “Most schools in the county are seeing pupil numbers fall due to lower birth rates but there are some areas where new housing developments mean student numbers are actually rising.

“To cope with increasing pupil numbers at these four schools we are working with the Government to provide the modern buildings they will need.

“All the buildings will be designed in consultation with the schools and the people who will use them.”

(REF: JF.214.06)

Four different year groups are to temporarily move into an empty school while Derbyshire County Council carries out essential building work at their own school.

The highly unusual move involves years three to six from Richardson Endowed Primary School in Smalley but won’t have any impact on pupils in reception years one and two.

The students will be moved to the former Mundy CE Junior School building in Mundy Street, Heanor, which hasn’t been used since pupils there moved into a new £2.46 million building, off Lockton Avenue. Buses will be provided to the Mundy Street school to reduce the disruption for parents and pupils.

Derbyshire County Council has taken the decision to temporarily move pupils as health and safety experts say it is too dangerous for a major re-roofing project to take place at their own school while they are in the building. The work will also affect the school office and staff room. 

Reception year one and two pupils can stay because they are in a separate building at Richardson Endowed Primary School with its own kitchen and hall, away from the building work.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “This is a major refurbishment project that is going to take approximately 10 weeks to complete. So while most of the work will be done during the school holidays some of it will have to take place during term-time. 

“While moving to another school building will cause some inconvenience for pupils and parents I am sure everyone will understand that the safety of students must come first.

“Once the work is completed pupils will return in September to a much better school building for them to learn in.”

The work will include: 

• Removing and replacing half of the existing roof tiles
• Removing and replacing a third of the existing roof
• Removing an old concrete floor
• Refurbishing the inside of the building following the building work
  

Derbyshire County Council will spend approximately £15,000 to pay for the temporary school move and £95,000 for the re-roofing work.

Pupils will start learning at the former Mundy Junior School building on 7 June and return to their own school by 4 September.

(REF: JF.213.06)

A writer who out-sold Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code in a Derby bookshop is among the big names appearing at this year’s Derbyshire Literature Festival.

Author Don Shaw, who sold more copies of his first novel The Hike in Derby WH Smith during Christmas 2004 than the famous thriller, will be appearing at Chesterfield Library on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.30pm.

The Bafta award-winner will be talking about the book – a tale of three grumpy old men’s Peak District ramblings – as part of the literature festival which starts on Thursday, June 1, and is organised by Derbyshire County Council to celebrate books, writing and the love of reading 

Don’s TV writing credits include Z-Cars and Van der Valk and his talk is one of more than 90 events taking place throughout Derbyshire for the biennial festival from June 1-17.

This is the county council’s fourth literature festival, the first taking place in 2000. Other top attractions this year include:

Amber Valley 

• Crimewriter MJ Trow talks about his detectives Lestrade and Maxwell at Ripley Library on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3/£2 concessions.
• On Wednesday, June 7 at 7.30pm, local historian Adrian Farmer presents Belper and Milford in photographs at Belper School. Tickets are £2/£1 concessions.

Bolsover

• Best-selling crimewriter Stephen Booth and consultant forensic psychologist Elie Godsi help read the criminal mind using forensic psychology at Bolsover Library on Tuesday, June 13, 6.30pm. Tickets £3/£2 concessions.
• Join novelist David Belbin for his crime-writing workshop at Bolsover Library on Thursday, June 15, from 2pm-3.30pm. Free admission but book a place in advance.
• Expert armourer Roger Lankford demonstrates some of the awesome weaponry of medieval times at Shirebrook Library on Thursday, June 15 at 6pm. Tickets £3/£2 concessions.

Chesterfield

• Bafta-winning writer Don Shaw celebrates the Peak District during a talk about his popular novel The Hike at Chesterfield Library on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3/£2 concessions.
• Xandra Bingley’s evocative and original wartime memoir Bertie, May and Mrs Fish was broadcast on Radio 4. Join her at Newbold Library on Tuesday, June 13 at 7.30pm, to hear more about her life in the Cotswolds. Tickets £3/£2 concessions.

Derbyshire Dales

• Find out what goes on behind the scenes of a television programme when Flying Cook Rachel Green drops in to the Country Bookshop, Hassop, on Wednesday, June 7 at 7.30pm. She will talk about how she produced a meal at the Chatsworth House using estate produce. 
• Hear the whole story of how the award-winning play Last Loves – broadcast on Radio 4 and staring Richard Wilson – came about, at the Medway Centre, Bakewell, on Friday, June 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets for both events are £3/£2concessions.

Erewash

• Shortlisted for the Orange Prize, Marina Lewycka will talk about her acclaimed novel A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian at Ilkeston Library on Saturday, June 3 at 2pm. Tickets are £3/£2 concessions.
• Well-known crimewriter Simon Brett takes a humorous look at crime fiction at Long Eaton Library on Monday, June 5 at 7.15pm. Tickets are £3/£2 concessions.

High Peak

• Top British climber Andy Cave talks about his personal journey from Yorkshire coal miner to the summit of Himalayan peak Changabang in his autobiography Learning to Breathe. Find out ore about that journey when he appears at Buxton Library on Tuesday, June 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3/£2 concessions.
• Enjoy a summer afternoon tea with best-selling novelist Lesley Pearse, author of Remember Me and A Lesser Evil, at Bradbury Community House, Glossop, at 2.30pm. Tickets £3/£2 concessions.

North-East Derbyshire

• Find out what is fact and fiction in the Derbyshire countryside with crime novelist Stephen Booth at Dronfield Library on Thursday, June 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets £3/£2 concessions. 
• Tom Palmer’s Football Reading Game for nine to 13-year-olds and their families is taking place at  Eckington Library, Saturday, June 10, 10.30am-noon. Teams of four undertake quick-fire rounds about football books, magazines and newspapers. 50p per person, £2 per team.

South Derbyshire

• Help solve a Victorian Murder Mystery with detective writer Martin Edwards at Sharpe’s Pottery Centre, Swadlincote, on Wednesday, June 7 at 7pm. Wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be on offer. Tickets £3/£2 concessions.
• Two writing and performance workshops are being run at Foston Hall women’s prison on Saturday, June 2. Local writer Marian Adams and librarian Mandy Simpson, who is trained in drama, are running the workshops.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said he was delighted to see such a wide range of events going on around the county and urged members of the public to sign up.

“This year’s festival is about to get under way and I hope people will take advantage of what’s on offer,” he said.

“There are lots of events to choose from, including talks by writers, playwrights and poets, cartoon workshops for children, music and afternoon tea. There’s even a ghost walk, creative writing classes and dancing for the under fives. 

“Events are being held in every district in Derbyshire so no-one will have to travel very far to attend and a lot of the events are free, although numbers are limited so book now,” he added.

Other events around the county include a quiz on a World Cup Theme - Tom Palmer’s Football Reading Game for nine to 13-year-olds and their families at Gamesley Library and Eckington Library. The Live and Local baby baby Big Top is also touring the county during the festival with music for everyone.      

A festival brochure is available from all county council libraries, adult community education centres, schools, tourist information centres and by request from Call Derbyshire, the council’s call centre on 08 456 058 058, 8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am – 4pm Saturday.

Or go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/festival (opens in a new window) for an online version of the brochure and to find your nearest library.
Tickets, where applicable, cost £3 (£2 concessions) and are available from all libraries or through Call Derbyshire. Call Derbyshire can accept credit card bookings only, with a small administrative charge.

(AJ.212.06)

People are being given the chance to sample the best of the county’s local produce during the second Derbyshire Food and Drink Festival.

Prizes are also up for grabs in the Derbyshire County Council-run week-long event that was launched at the weekend and runs until the Spring Bank Holiday, Monday 29 May.  

Dozens of businesses, large and small, from restaurants, hotels, cafes and pubs to cheese shops, butchers and delicatessens are taking part in the festival which was launched at the county council-run Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair last weekend at Bolsover Castle.  

Thousands of people enjoyed the Food and Drink Fair and took the opportunity to sample the best wares of local producers, from buffalo burgers, jams and ice-cream to home-made wine, cheese and chutney.  

While at the fair visitors were given the chance to enter the Food and Drink Festival competition, which sees prizes up for grabs donated by local businesses.  

For those people unable to get to last weekend’s fair, there is still an opportunity to enter the competition by visiting the festival website, www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk (opens in a new window) and filling in their details.  

On the website, as well as entering the competition, people will be able to find out about all the events which are being held during festival week, from tours and tasting sessions to special menus.  

The competition prizes are:  

• A three-course meal for two at the Dining Room in Ashbourne
• A three-course meal for two at Stocks Café Bistro in Chapel-en-le-Frith  
• Fresh smoked salmon from MT Hulme in Ashbourne  
• A £35 voucher from Soul Café Bar restaurant in Derby  
• A £15 voucher from Natural Choice in Ashbourne  
• A pot of home made jam and herbal tea from Derby’s Cathedral Coffee Shop.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “We are very pleased with the attendance at the food and drink fair over the two days and have had some excellent feedback from exhibitors who have said they were happy with the business they did, and from visitors who have said they would definitely come again.  

“We hope that it has given people a real taste of the excellent and varied local produce available in Derbyshire and that it has whetted their appetites for the Food and Drink Festival which is running across the county until the Spring Bank Holiday.  

“We hope people will take full advantage of all the events being held during the festival and sample some of the high quality produce available on their doorsteps.”  

Establishments taking part in the festival are listed below.  

Venue, Town
Blenheim House Hotel, Etwall
The Bluebell Inn, Tissington  
Bramhalls, Ashbourne  
Buckingham’s, Newbold    
Callow Hall, Ashbourne  
Cathedral Coffee Shop, Derby  
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow  
Chatsworth Farm Shop, Bakewell  
The Cock Inn, Muggington  
The Crown Inn, Marston Montgomery  
Darley’s, Derby  
The Dining Room, Ashbourne  
Donington Manor Hotel, Castle Donington  
The Druid Inn, Birchover  
East Lodge Hotel, Rowsley  
Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Baslow  
The Gallery Café, Ashbourne  
The George Hotel, Hathersage  
H.Smith, Ashbourne  
The Lion Hotel, Belper  
M.T.Hulme, Ashbourne  
Natural Choice, Ashbourne  
The Original Farmers Market Shop, Bakewell  
The Palace Hotel, Buxton  
The Peacock, Rowsley  
Provencale, Swadlincote  
Rowley’s, Baslow  
School House Restaurant, South Normanton  
Sharpe’s Coffee Shop, Swadlincote  
Solomons Bistro, Buxton  
Soul, Derby  
Stocks Café & Bistro, Chapel-en- le-Frith  
The Real Food Company, Wirksworth  
The Red Lion, Hognaston  
The Yard, Swadlincote  
Toby’s Cheese Shop, Wirksworth  

(Ref:MC.211.06)

People who have worked tirelessly to improve Derbyshire’s environment were rewarded at this year’s Greenwatch Awards

Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses picked up prizes at the ceremony this week (Tuesday 23 May). 

There were 50 finalists in the five categories of wildlife conservation, sustainable use of resources, farming and landscape management, built conservation and Derbyshire’s heritage.  There were also seven sponsor prizes.

Winners in each of the main categories received £1,000, runners-up £500 with special certificates going to those with commendations. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “The night was a great success with many worthy causes picking up prizes.

“It is always pleasing to see so many people in Derbyshire giving their time and efforts to improve the environment in which they live for themselves and others.”

Greenwatch Award Winners 2006

Wildlife conservation

First Prize: Duffield Millennium Meadow Conservation Trust for the Duffield Millennium Meadow 

Second Prize: Longstone CE Primary School for their ponds in the landscape project 

Commendations:

• Alan Palmer for Hayward Farm wildlife reserve, Sandybrook, Ashbourne
• Ogston Bird Club for habitat improvements at Ogston Reservoir
• Dame Catherine Harpur’s School, Ticknall for their bird hide and sensory garden project
• Rita Packwood of Mastin Moor Allotment Association
• Peak Nestwatch Project, Upper Derwent Valley
• The Friends of Markeaton Brook
• Barbara Wager for village green conservation in Thorpe
• Carsington Water Volunteer Ranger Service
• Middleton Community Primary School, Middleton by Wirksworth for their ‘Robin’s Nest’ school grounds project
• Spire Nursery and Infant School, Chesterfield for their gardens for wildlife project 

Sustainable use of resources

First Prize: Chapel-en-le-Frith High School for Chapel-en-le-Frith High School allotments.

Second Prize: Swanwick Hall School Eco Committee for their paper recycling scheme

Commendations:

• Derbyshire Adult Community Education and St Margaret’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School for St Margaret’s Sensory Garden, Gamesley
• The Green Health Partnership for the cob shelter at Shipley Country Park
• Tideswell Nature and Adventure Trail Group for nature and adventure trail improvement
• Calow CE (VC) Primary School for school playground scheme - The Green Haven
• Holmesdale Infant School for school grounds improvements
• Unstone Junior School for wildlife garden 

Farming and landscape management

First Prize: Andrew Wheelden for wildlife enhancement at Bray Clough Farm, Glossop 

Second Prize: Friends of Belper Parks for Belper Parks local nature reserve 

Commendations:

• Aldercar and Langley Mill Parish Council for the Godkin Site Environmental Project
• The Parkwood Centre at Alfreton for The Parkwood Conservation Project
• Findern Footpaths Group for ballast hole pond restoration
• Green Health Partnership Volunteers for cotton grass propagation at Green Health, Shipley Country Park
• Friends of Steads Field for Steads Field woodland project, Eckington
• Derbyshire Probation Service for Alderbrook Day Centre wildlife garden, Chinley
• Ogston Reservoir Volunteer Work Parties for work at the reservoir 

Built conservation

First Prize: Bonsall Field Barn Project, Parish of Bonsall

Second Prize: Ian and Lara Woodward for the restoration of Smalley Lodge, Shipley Country Park 

Commendations:

• New Houghton Millennium Green Trust for disabled car park and picnic area
• Clifton Playing Field Association for Clifton playing field
• South Wingfield Tenants’ and Residents’ Association for renovation of South Wingfield Market Place
• Findern Parish Rooms Restoration Group for Findern Parish rooms restoration
• Philip Turton Building and Consulting Services for the conversion of St Bernadette’s Church Hall, Bolsover into a residential dwelling
• Matlock Civic Association for Matlock Bridge viewpoint
• Hodthorpe Community Association for ‘Caring for Hodthorpe’
• Peter Hopley and Harry Trent of the Peak Forest Village Management Committee for the Peak Forest Reading Rooms – landscaping and disabled access.
• Glossop Mental Health Project Gardening Group
• A.C.M Contractors Limited for shop refurbishment at 2 Claye Street, Long Eaton
• Glossop Environmental Trust for a garden for Glossop Railway Station
• Stratford Construction Limited for the restoration of the Burton Building, Ilkeston
• The Arkwright Society for Wheatcroft’s Wharf, Cromford
• Barlborough Educational Foundation for Barlborough ‘Little School’ renovation 

Derbyshire's heritage

First Prize: Staveley History Society for the ‘Stairway to Nowhere’ community archaeology project Stairway to Nowhere 

Second Prize: Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association for their quarry walk - Train Ride to History 

Commendations:

• Crich Heritage Partnership for  the Crich Parish community map
• Eyam Map Group for their CD Rom of Eyam Village
• The High Rake Team for The High Rake Project, Windmill, Great Hucklow
• The Inland Waterways Protection Society for Bugsworth Canal Basin Restoration Scheme 

Tarmac Central Award for community involvement

Rose bowl and cheque: Friends of Belper Parks for Belper Parks local nature reserve

Environment Agency Shield for best primary school project 

Longstone CE Primary School for their ponds in the landscape project.

Environment Agency Shield for best secondary school project

Chapel-en-le-Frith High School for Chapel-en-le-Frith High School Allotments.

Environment Agency Shield for best overall project for sustainability

The Derbyshire Probation Service for the Alderbrook Day Centre wildlife garden at Chinley.

Derbyshire Historic Buildings Plaque

Glossop Environmental Trust for their work at Glossop Railway Station.

Derby Evening Telegraph Rosebowl for Business Enterprise

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association for their quarry walk ‘Train Ride to History’ 

English Nature Biodiversity Award

The South Peak Raptor Group for their contribution to the Peak Nestwatch project. 

(Ref: SM.209.06)

A £1.27 million music and performing arts centre has officially opened at Springwell Community School in Staveley.

The centre boasts a performance area, soundproof recording studio, rehearsal rooms, music technology suite, teaching rooms, staff room, reception area and toilets.

It is located on the site of four former tennis courts, which were rebuilt on another part of the site.

The European Regional Development Fund pumped £324,000 into the scheme, while the North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire Alliance Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership (SSP) contributed £175,000.  Derbyshire County Council provided the remaining £771,000.

County council leader and Staveley South ward member Councillor John Williams unveiled the new block with former headteacher Teresa Roche, who played a key role in its development during her time at the school.

Chair of the county council Councillor Walter Burrows, pupils, teaching staff and governors joined the celebrations, which included live music and dance by the school’s performing arts students and pupils from three local primary schools.

The music and performing arts centre is used by the school during the day and is available for community use in the evenings and weekends.  It is also used for outreach work with neighbouring schools.

Its opening – which took place on Friday 19 May – was the latest boost for the 934-pupil school after it secured specialist arts college status last year.

And the centre will be complemented by a new £3.1 million sports complex currently being built at the school in Middlecroft Road South.

Due for completion by Easter 2007, it will house a four-court sports hall, changing rooms, multi-purpose gym, dance studio and multi-purpose teaching space for use by the school and community.

The school is contributing £230,000 towards the sports complex project, while £249,000 has come from the North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire Alliance SSP.  The county council is funding the rest.

Councillor Williams said: “The performing arts centre provides pupils with state-of-the-art facilities and cements the school’s already excellent reputation for music, dance and drama.

“It is proving to be an excellent resource for pupils and local people and with the sports complex scheme under way, there is more to look forward to.”

The school’s new headteacher Steven Goddard said:  “Opening this new centre, coupled with our specialist arts college status, is a major achievement and marks the school’s continuing improvement and development.

“The facilities will strengthen our provision across all subjects, help to raise attainment and provide more opportunities for the wider learning community.”

It’s a snip… Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor John Williams and former headteacher Teresa Roche officially open the £1.27 million music and performing arts centre, joined by Springwell Community School pupil Joel Howells (11), of Middlecroft, who holds aloft the head of a dragon costume used as part of a dance which included pupils from local primary schools.

(REF: RS.208.06)

Derbyshire County Council is hitting the road with some valuable safety messages for bikers.

As summer approaches the county council will be holding a motorcycle display at various events throughout the county. Road safety officers will be on hand to talk about safer riding, give out information on the county’s seven most popular biking routes and tell people about the county council’s Bike Plus training scheme for newly qualified riders and those wanting refresher courses. 

All this information is also included on the county council’s 12 minute DVD ‘Live and Let’s Ride’ which will be played at the events. The motorcycle display unit will be at the following places:

• Sunday 4 June - Matlock Bath next to the Peak District Mining Museum. Police bikers, Bike Plus instructors and bikers from the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists will also be at this event
• Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June – Open day event at Clay Cross Power Sport bike shop
• Sunday 2 July - Derby Evening Telegraph Motor Show at Markeaton Park
• Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 August - Bakewell Show
• Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September – Darley Dale Festival of Transport

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said “Bikers continue to be well represented in Derbyshire’s accident figures so anything we can do to bring home valuable road safety messages is worthwhile.

“By attending biking events and motor shows we will be able to talk to bikers first hand, give them useful information and hopefully persuade a few of the benefits of our post test training scheme Bike Plus.”

(REF: SM.210.06)

Rundown rural buildings across the county could be given a new lease of life thanks to a grant scheme which is being launched for the second year.  

Derbyshire County Council has again teamed up with the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) Rural Action Zone to run the Rural Redundant Buildings Grant scheme.  

The scheme, which will be managed by the county council on behalf of DDEP, sees grants up to a maximum of £60,000, being offered to owners of redundant buildings to convert their premises for business use.  

People applying for the grants need to be able to show that their newly restored buildings will be able to provide new business opportunities, particularly workspace, creating new jobs and benefiting the local economy.  

In the first round of grants £75,000 was available and the scheme concentrated on rural areas in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.  

The grants are open to a range of people including owner-occupiers, limited companies, charities and co-operatives and this year there is £100,000 in the pot for the same areas.  

Grants of up to 25 per cent of overall costs are available and confirmation will be needed that planning permission has been granted for any work before grants are given out.  

People with an interest in applying for a grant should do so before the deadline of Friday 9 June.  

Three schemes were successful in securing grants in the last round.  

They were:  

• £40,000 – Fredrick’s of Chesterfield – refurbishment of Thimble Hall, Youlgreave  
• £8,500 – Refurbishment of an outbuilding at Rose Cottage, Taddington, to provide a small office facility to expand Peaks and Dales Medical Ltd  
• £26,500 – Refurbishment of redundant stables at Hognaston to provide additional space to expand the Pudding Room business.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “It is a great shame when buildings fall into disrepair and stand idle when they could be put to such good use.  

“The grant scheme generated a lot of interest last time and three very solid projects have been funded that will boost local businesses, help to generate income and the local economy.  

“I am sure this latest round will attract similar interest, resulting in several redundant buildings being turned around and being used to their full potential.”  

Potential grant applicants can get more information about the scheme and a copy of an `expression of interest’ form from the county council’s website or by contacting Derbyshire County Council’s senior economic development officer Sue Douglas on 01629 580000 extension 7244.  

(Ref:MC.207.06)

Football fans are being urged to ‘make the perfect substitution’ this World Cup.

Derbyshire County Council – along with Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Police and Leicestershire County Council – is asking people to leave the car at home and either take a taxi, the bus or walk if they are thinking of enjoying the games with a few beers.

The campaign – which will run throughout the World Cup - will include a competition with a prize of £3,000 of Thomas Cook holiday vouchers. Posters, bus back adverts and drink drive information cards bearing the ‘Make the Perfect Substitution’ slogan will also appear across the county. 

A website – www.perfectsubstitution.com (opens in a new window) – has been set up where people can enter the competition. It also has links to public transport websites as well as information on drink drive statistics, discussion forums and a fantasy football league.

The campaign will be launched Saturday 27 May at Derby market place. Activities include a shoot for goal competition, freestyler football and face painting. Emergency services and road safety staff will also be at the event which kicks off at 11am.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “We know a lot of people will be watching the World Cup games either at parties or at the pub.

“We would just like to urge people to think about how they will get home and to take the bus, a taxi or walk if they are going to be drinking.”

(REF: SM.205.06)

People with an interest in a new multi-million pound housing complex aimed at older people will get the chance to ask questions and find out more about the scheme at an information event.  

The proposed £5.8 million `extra care’ development is planned for the site of Derbyshire County Council’s Stonelow Court home for older people in Dronfield and could be open to residents by spring 2008.  

The scheme is a partnership project between the county council, North East Derbyshire District Council and North East Derbyshire Primary Care Trust, working alongside South Yorkshire Housing Association which will develop the site.  

The information event is being held on Tuesday 6 June at The Peel Centre, High Street, Dronfield, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.  

It is open to anyone with an interest in the extra care development and representatives from all the agencies involved will be on hand to answer questions as well as talk about the merits of the scheme, what is involved, how it will look and what facilities may be available.  

Funding for the new scheme includes almost £2million from the Housing Corporation and a donation of the land by the county council.  
The extra care complex will provide safe, secure accommodation for older people aged 55 years and over who need extra support and care but wish to live as independently as possible and do not choose to live in a residential home.  

While some people will need the extra care services only occasionally, other residents may need to have 24-hour care available and there will be people with varying levels of need living on the complex.  

Social services will assess the needs of people wishing to live on the new complex, including current residents of Stonelow Court, and put forward people they feel would benefit and thrive by living there.  

Current residents will be given the option to have a place on the extra care development unless their needs have changed by the time it opens and they need a higher level of care, better provided for in a nursing home.  

The extra care complex is the third of its kind to be planned in Derbyshire and will provide 40 two-bedroom flats for rent, shared ownership or outright sale, plus a number of intermediate care en-suite bedrooms.  

As well as the flats, a range of communal facilities is planned at the Stonelow Court site in Stonelow Road, including lounges, a restaurant, guest areas, assisted bathing, laundry services, an IT suite, an activity area, a hairdressers and roof gardens and terraces. Some of the facilities will be available to older people living in the wider community to use as well as residents.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults Councillor Dave Allen said: “Extra care creates the ideal balance of privacy with opportunities to socialise in communal areas and receive care and support if and when it is necessary while maintaining independence.  

“The information event is being held so that people can find out more about extra care and have all their questions answered. I hope anyone with an interest will go along and find out more.”  

A detailed consultation around the proposed replacement of the current Stonelow Court with an extra care development will now take place and everyone with an interest, from residents, relatives and carers to councils, community groups and local agencies including health, will be able to take part.  

Each resident currently living at Stonelow Court will have a personal care plan drawn up to establish their needs.  

Residents currently living in Stonelow Court will need to move out of the home while the extra-care development is built and each person will be consulted to ensure appropriate alternative accommodation is found for them.    

(Ref:MC.199.06)

Two monthly cafes which offer support and advice to people with dementia and their carers are set to thrive thanks to a council cash boost.  

Derbyshire County Council’s adult services has granted £2,040 to the established Alzheimer’s Café at the Peter Webster Centre in Whittington Moor, Chesterfield and a further £1,610 to the newly set up café held at Clay Cross Hall Resource Centre.  

The money has come from the council’s Community Self Help Fund which is used to assist community groups which are involved in activities that are closely related to the work of social services and is designed to enable groups to get started, with cash for setting up costs, initial publicity, rent and essential equipment.  

In some cases, further financial assistance is given from the fund to more established groups which are then encouraged to find alternative funds to secure their future.  

Both cafes are held once a month and provide a place where people with dementia, their families and carers can meet within an informal social setting for mutual support and refreshments or a meal.  

The cafés, both run by the Chesterfield and North Eastern Derbyshire branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, also provide access to local agencies and voluntary services and give support and advice.  

While the café at the Peter Webster Centre has been running since 2004, the service in Clay Cross started in January this year.  

To celebrate, the Clay Cross café held an `official launch’ this week (Tuesday 16 May) at its regular monthly meeting between 2pm and 4pm.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults, who attended the launch and met volunteers, said: “Both the cafes offer an invaluable service to people with dementia, their families and carers and are a real source of support.  

“It was very interesting to go along to the regular meeting and meet people who use the service and find out how it helps them and their families.”  

The Alzheimer’s Café in Clay Cross proved so popular with the local community that is has had to move to a larger venue.  

From June it will meet at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre in Derby Road, Clay Cross on the third Tuesday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20 June.  

Starting on Tuesday 1 August an additional afternoon meeting will be held between 3.30pm and 5pm at Clay Cross Hall, Ox Close, Market Street, Clay Cross and continue on the first Tuesday of the month.  

The café at the Peter Webster Centre in Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, is held every fourth Friday of the month between 10.30am and 1pm and the next one will be held on Friday 26 May.  

For more information about the Chesterfield and North Eastern Derbyshire branch of the Alzheimer’s Society telephone the group on 01246 222216.  

(Ref:MC.195.06)

A variety of projects aimed at bringing together young and older people are being trialled by Derbyshire County Council with a view to rolling the idea out to all schools.

The aim of all the schemes in the Derbyshire Intergenerational Strategy for Schools Project is to promote greater understanding between the two age groups and help both to learn new things from each other.

Three book groups and three gardening groups have already been set up and plans are in place for other groups to follow later this year.

The three gardening projects are based at: 

1. Hulland CE Primary School in Hulland Ward, Ashbourne – sensory garden
2. Ashbrook Infant and Nursery Community School – wildlife garden
3. Arkwright Primary School in Arkwright Town, near Chesterfield – sensory garden.

All three projects will involve older people from the local community working with pupils from the schools to design and create the garden. An open afternoon will be held at each school to show off the completed gardens at the end of the summer term.

The three book groups have been set up at: 

1. The Gables retirement home in Holmewood. The project will involve pupils from Deincourt Community School in North Wingfield. 
2. Peveril Court in Ripley. Residents in this sheltered housing block will take part in the project with students from Mill Hill School in Ripley.
3. Castle Court Residential Home in Swadlincote. Residents will work with pupils from the William Allitt School in Newhall.

The book groups are being run in partnership with Derbyshire County Council’s libraries service and will meet on a monthly basis. 

All the participants will agree on a book to read and then will return to discuss it as a group. Some of the books will be by local authors, who will also attend the sessions.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for school planning and support, said: “We have run a few pilot inter-generational projects in the past and they have proved very successful.

“What we want to do now is produce a strategy that all schools can use. To help us do this we are running a number of trial projects and will use the lessons learnt to produce a teaching resource pack.” 

Councillor Dave Allen, cabinet member for services for older people and vulnerable adults, said: “These projects recognise and make use of the huge experience and knowledge that older people have.

“It also helps to show older people the positive contribution being made to society by most young people. So often they only hear negative things about young people in the news. When they work with young people on projects like this they realise the reality is very different.”

In September a drama project will start involving young people from the William Allitt School in Newhall and older people from the community. They will work with a scriptwriter to produce their own short drama about a community issue decided on by members of the group.

Pupils from Mill Hill School in Ripley will work with older people in their local community to record on DVD the performance of the drama. The DVD will form part of the teaching resource pack.

September will also see the start of project involving pupils from Hayfield Primary School working with older people in their community on a digital photography and local history book project. 

The project will see participants carry out research into historic photos of the Hayfield area. They will then learn how to use a digital camera and take photos of their local area as it is now. The photos will then be used as the basis for a book. 

Project organisers also hope to start three more book groups and three allotment gardening groups in the autumn. 

(REF: JF.203.06)

Young gig-goers attending a free live music event at Eureka Park, Swadlincote, later this month can get a host of safety tips.

A Derbyshire County Council mobile information unit will be at the event on Sunday 28 May.

Youth workers will be on hand to discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol, anti-social behaviour and offer advice on personal safety.

They will also run quizzes and competitions to encourage young people to think about ways of keeping safe.

The event runs from 12pm to 5pm at the park, off Midland Road, and boasts live performances by young bands and various activities including an inflatable laser game, belly dancing and demonstrations by the Little Dragons Martial Arts club.

It is being held to mark the last day of SWADFEST – a week-long festival of arts, culture and food in Swadlincote.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said:  “We’re always trying to engage young people in locations where they normally gather.  This event will give youth workers an ideal opportunity to talk to them about staying safe, which means discussing issues such as drugs and alcohol misuse”.

SWADFEST runs from Saturday 20 May to Sunday 28 May and includes workshops, talks, music, exhibitions, arts, crafts, cookery demonstrations and sports at several venues throughout the area.

It is being organised by local group Coal, Clay and Culture with funding from Derbyshire Learning Partnership, the South Derbyshire Local Strategic Partnership, Awards for All and Derbyshire County Council.

(REF: RS.204.06)

Loud music, dogs barking and DIY activities are common neighbour noises which disturb people at home and Derbyshire County Council is helping to promote ways of tackling them.

The authority is backing a national campaign to raise awareness of the practical solutions and services that are available for dealing with noise problems.

Noise Action Week runs between 22 and 26 May and targets noise makers as well as noise sufferers to highlight the issues and offer ways to reduce disturbance.

In Derbyshire, the county council works with community safety partnerships to make sure that people feel safe in their homes and this includes helping them deal with upsetting or disturbing noise problems.

Some of the ways in which Derbyshire County Council is helping to reduce noise disturbance include:

• Providing funding to train police and district housing staff to settle neighbour disputes using mediation techniques.
• Developing projects to reduce anti-social behaviour and disorder in town centres.
• Supporting the work of police to address noise nuisance caused by illegal motorbike and mini-moto users.

As well as dealing with noise-sufferers, the campaign also encourages householders to reduce the amount of noise they make. Research shows that roughly half of noise-makers claim to be unaware they are making a noise that is causing disturbance.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “Communication and consideration between neighbours is the key to solving the problem of noise nuisance and we are happy to back this campaign which encourages us all to think about our neighbours and the amount of noise we make.

“Derbyshire County Council is committed to improving safety in our communities and noise disturbance is something that can be upsetting and frightening particularly for people living on their own.

“We work in partnership with other agencies and councils to help reduce anti-social behaviour, including noise nuisance, across the county to continue making Derbyshire a safer place to live.”

If people are suffering from neighbour noise disturbance they are advised to approach their neighbour politely and explain the problem.  If this has no effect people are advised to then contact the noise officer or environmental health department at their local district or borough council.

For more information on Noise Action Week visit www.noiseactionweek.com (opens in a new window) and for more tips on staying safe at home visit www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk (opens in a new window)

(Ref: SS.202.06)

A website launched by Derbyshire County Council to boost the local economy has proved so successful it is being expanded throughout the East Midlands. 

Source Derbyshire was set up five years ago to advertise the authority’s contracts on-line and encourage firms across the county to tender for them. 

Now the initiative is being held up as a model for supporting local businesses and other East Midlands authorities are following the county council’s lead. 

County councils in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire – in partnership with city, borough and district councils - are launching their own “Source” websites. 

The project is being funded with £38,000 from the East Midlands Centre of Excellence, a body set up by the Government to help councils become more efficient. 

The websites will follow the same format as Source Derbyshire and will feature a range of constantly up-dated contracts. Companies will be able to advertise their own contracts for free. 

New features – which will also be available on Source Derbyshire – will include “tender alerts” where partner companies can opt to automatically receive an e-mail as contracts are posted on the sites. 

There is also an area for recurring contracts where businesses can view those coming up for renewal and consider bidding for them. 

Companies will also be able to see which firms have won contracts, helping smaller businesses to identify sub-contracting opportunities. 

All of the “Source” internet sites will come under the umbrella of a new Source East Midlands website. 

Councillor Geoff Carlile, the county council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Source Derbyshire has proved to be a great benefit to smaller companies that do not have the resources to develop new business opportunities. 

“I am delighted that our achievements in supporting the Derbyshire economy have been recognised in this way and are being taken on board by other local authorities across the East Midlands.” 

Source Derbyshire – www.sourcederbyshire.co.uk (opens in a new window) – was set up in partnership with Northcliffe Electronic Publishing, which is designing and will manage all the websites. 

(Ref: CC.201.06)

Young people are being asked by Derbyshire County Council how they want to see £1.5 million spent on services for them.

The survey will take place between Wednesday 24 May and Tuesday 1 August and is being organised with the support of members of the Derbyshire Youth Forum, who were elected in the recent Big Vote.

Young people, aged 11 to 19, will be asked what activities they most like doing in their spare time and then how they would like to see money spent to improve their lives. The funding can be used to tackle any issues facing young people.

The £1.5 million funding has come from the Government’s Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund and has to be spent in the next two years.

Leaflets and posters have been produced to let young people know about the consultation. Copies of the questionnaire are being distributed to schools but can also be seen in the b_line magazine or on the b_line website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/million (opens in a new window) 

Derbyshire County Council’s youth service is running events where young people can discuss the issues that matter locally to them before having the chance to complete the questionnaire.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We can’t promise everyone they will get everything they want because we do not have a bottomless pit of money.

“But, where possible, we will use the findings of this survey to deliver the facilities or activities that young people want rather than spending the money on what adults think they want.

“So I would urge young people to let us know what they would like to see. If they don’t tell us what they want then we can’t spend this money on the issues that matter to them.”

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “This will be the first opportunity for the newly elected Derbyshire Youth Forum to have their say on major issues affecting the lives of young people.

“But we don’t want to just hear from them. We are keen for all young people to come to us with ideas and suggestions so we can make a start on giving them more things to occupy their time.”

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw to win £100.

Youth forum members will report back on the findings of the consultation to Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet in August with recommendations on how the money should be spent.

(REF: JF.200.06) 

Five parents have stepped out to raise money for a fund to improve facilities in a school field.

The group walked the 12 miles from Henry Bradley Infants School in Brimington to County Hall in Matlock where they were met by Derbyshire County Council chair Councillor Walter Burrows.

Parents Andrew Maxey, Joanne Bown, Emma Whitaker, Toni Ogden, David Smith completed the walk. 

The group raised £600 towards the £35,000 cost of installing security fencing around the field. 

The school also hopes to set up a sun safety zone to provide pupils with a shaded area and to create an environmental garden area, which can be used to assist with lessons.

Councillor Walter Burrows, chair of Derbyshire County Council, said: “I was delighted to meet all the walkers and Irene Birkin, the school’s headteacher, as they were doing the walk for such a good cause.

“All the walkers looked remarkably fresh considering how many miles they had come.”

Best foot forward…Councillor Walter Burrows, chair of Derbyshire County Council, and Irene Birkin, headteacher of Henry Bradley Infants School, welcome (back l-r) Andrew Maxey, Joanne Bown, Emma Whitaker, Toni Ogden and David Smith at the end of their sponsored walk.  

A play which aims to teach young people the consequences of binge drinking and alcohol abuse is to be offered to secondary schools by Derbyshire County Council.

The authority has commissioned the Brief Candle Theatre Company to produce the play Tight to be performed for year nine pupils.

The story takes place in a park setting and looks at the impact that drinking alcohol has on the lives of four teenagers.

A board game called Parklife has been produced for teachers to use in follow-up lessons that will explore in more detail with pupils the health and social problems that alcohol can cause when taken in excess. The game has been produced in partnership with the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).

Secondary schools across Derbyshire are now being invited to book the Brief Candle Theatre Company to perform the play for their students.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “There is a lot of peer pressure on young people to start drinking alcohol before the legal age. 

“This play aims to show year nine pupils, in a relevant way, the consequences that binge drinking and alcohol abuse can have and the way it can destroy lives. The board game is part of a resource pack that teachers can use to continue the alcohol theme in subsequent lessons.”

Drinking games… Brief Candle Theatre Company actors (l-r) Jordanna Tin, Robert Snell, Samantha Worrall and Andrew Rosser try out the Parklife board game with Councillor Anne Western, cabinet member for children’s services (second right).       

People are being urged to take more steps towards getting fit in an initiative being launched in Erewash.  

Derbyshire County Council’s libraries in the area have teamed up with Erewash Primary Care Trust to encourage local people to take more exercise and as part of the initiative people are being urged to borrow pedometers.  

From 23 May people will be able to borrow pedometers for free from county council libraries in Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Borrowash and Sandiacre and keep them for three weeks.  

After three weeks they will be able to renew the loan for another three weeks or buy it for just £1.  

The pedometers record how many steps people take throughout the day so they can monitor exactly how much exercise they are getting.  
When people first take out a pedometer from a library staff will give them a sheet where they can record the number of steps taken each day, so they can try to improve as the weeks go by.  

They will also be given information about how to increase the number of steps they are taking, for example taking the stairs instead of a lift, as well as helpful tips and contacts for more information.  

The launch of the pedometer project is timed to coincide with Erewash Borough Council’s Health Week, which is being run to support the national Everyday Sport Campaign run by Sport England.  

The week is also being supported by Groundwork Erewash which is putting on displays in Ilkeston and Long Eaton libraries, detailing local walks to show people how they can enjoy the local area and get fitter at the same time.  

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services Councillor Bob Janes said: “This is a great initiative and we are happy to support anything that encourages people to live more healthily and take more exercise.  

“I hope as many people as possible will borrow a pedometer from their local library and I’m sure lots of them will decide to buy one at the end of three weeks and keep up their new fitness regimes.”     

(Ref: MC.167.06)

More than £70,000 has been given to spend on projects which compensate local communities for the impact of quarrying in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council’s Derbyshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme (DALGS) has awarded the cash to five local groups in areas that have suffered from the effects of quarried sand, gravel and crushed rock. 

Since the scheme started in 2002 more than £1.5m has been awarded to 71 projects. The funding comes from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from money raised by the tax on quarried aggregates.

The latest schemes to benefit are:

• Derbyshire Dales District Council - up to £10,000 towards the restoration of Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath.
• Buxton for Youth - up to £25,000 towards the installation of a lift and conversion of first floor premises at Market Street, Buxton.
• Dove Holes Playground Group - up to £26,200 towards playground equipment for pre-school children, Dove Holes.
• Peak District National Park Authority - up to £5,015 for rebuilding Drystone Walls in Stoney Middleton Conservation Area.
• Creswell Parish Council - up to £12,518 towards refurbishment of the kitchen at Creswell Social Centre.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and chair of DALGS Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “There were many worthy causes who applied for funding this time around and difficult decisions had to be made when we were allocating the money.

“Once these projects are up and running they will help improve life for local people.”

The county council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “It is very fitting that money from quarrying can be used to benefit those communities affected by aggregates extraction.

“These latest grants will help make significant improvements to community facilities, recreation provision and restoring the historic environment.”

For more information about the DALGS scheme contact Derbyshire Environmental Trust at County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG or email det@derbyshire.gov.uk or ring 01629 585314

(REF: SM.198.06)

Shipley Country Park is about to celebrate its 30th birthday! Derbyshire County Council’s popular countryside attraction was opened to the public on 26 May 1976.

First mentioned in the 11th century Doomsday Book and owned by the Miller-Mundy family during the 18th century, the Shipley estate became home to three of the area’s collieries during the 1960s before it was finally handed over to the county council.

Since then it has been restored as an area of beautiful countryside and woodland developed for community recreation and leisure use. It boasts:

• 18 miles of footpaths and bridleways with waymarked walks and cycle trails 
• Fishing lakes and ponds
• Foundation remains of Shipley Hall once occupied by the Miller-Mundy family
• Visitor centre with coffee shop
• Derby Lodge tea room
• Toddlers’ play area and children’s adventure playground
• Trim track – a mile-long route lined with outdoor exercise equipment 
• Access for All Trail – pushchair and wheelchair-friendly path stretching 1km 
• Nutbrook Trail – a 10-mile traffic free path between Long Eaton and Heanor.
• Wildlife areas
• Full events programme including weekly guided walks
• Nature clubs for children

Now three decades on, the county council is marking the milestone anniversary with two free events for visitors.

The actual birthday event will be held on 26 May when a mosaic featuring a view of the park will be unveiled at the visitor centre between 3.30pm - 4.30pm. The mosaic has been made by children who attend the park’s nature club, volunteers from the Green Health partnership and members of the Eaton Vale Centre for people with learning disabilities.

A slide talk on the history of the park will also be held followed by a guided walk. Both are now fully booked. 

The main birthday celebration will be a family fun day held at the park on Sunday 9 July.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: “Shipley Country Park is a beautiful part of Derbyshire’s countryside steeped in history.

“Over the past 30 years the park has been transformed from a former coalfield into the tranquil haven we see today. The county council encourages people to make the most of countryside on their doorsteps and we hope local people will join us in marking Shipley’s 30th anniversary by joining in the park’s busy programme of events.” 

(REF:JM.196.06)

Young people in the Chesterfield area have a new place to hang out after Derbyshire County Council completed a £4,000 refurbishment of a youth centre.  

A new look coffee bar has been opened at the Peter Webster Youth Resource Centre following three months refurbishment work to give young people a relaxed and friendly environment to meet. Young people can also buy healthy snacks and fair trade products from the coffee bar.  

Following the refurbishment the centre in Sheffield Road at Whittington Moor is now operating a full range of projects for 11 to 19-year-olds throughout the week.    

Young people can get information on a range of issues from youth workers.    

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “We hope the refurbishment work will make the Peter Webster Youth Resource Centre a more inviting place for young people to come to.  

“The centre has a busy programme of activities that aim to meet the needs and interests of all young people so I hope even more of them will be attend now.”  

On Tuesdays between 7pm and 9pm the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme group meets at the centre. Multispace, a social group for 13 to 25-year-olds with learning disabilities, meets at the same time. Membership is by referral.  

On Wednesdays a project night is held for year seven and eight students offering a range of arts and crafts, sports, outdoor education, music, dance and drama.  

Outerzone - an outdoor education project offering a range of activities including climbing, kiting, caving, camping and residential visits – is run for 11 to 19-year-olds on the same night. Both sessions take place between 7pm and 9pm.  

On Thursdays between 11am and 1pm there are free and informal drop-in sessions for young parents or parents to be. There are activities for parents, babies and children, as well as careers guidance, a baby health clinic and a range of information about issues relevant to young parents.  

In the evening, between 7pm and 9pm, the young women’s night will be held for 11 to 19-year-olds. Activities on offer include drama, singing, games, trips out, outdoor activities and residential visits.  

A programme of activities also runs through the school holidays.    

More information on any of the events is available from Rachel Biggs, senior youth worker, on 01246 454390.  
                                                                  
(REF: JF.197.06)

Producers across the county are gearing up for the fifth Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair which promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Two large marquees will house the best of Derbyshire’s produce, entertainment, exhibitions and stalls on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May at Bolsover Castle from 10am to 5pm both days.

Despite a poor weather forecast, organisers are confident the marquees will keep all the visitors warm and dry so they can get maximum enjoyment from the fair and all the attractions.

As well as the highest quality food and drink on sale at the Derbyshire County Council-run event, there will also be various tasting sessions where visitors will be able to sample local produce including wine, beer, honey and chocolate.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy demonstrations by celebrity chefs James Tanner and `flying cook’ Rachel Green who will be on hand both days showing off their culinary skills.

Last year the fair attracted 22,000 visitors and numbers are expected to top that this year.

The fair is being used as a launch-pad for the second Derbyshire Food and Drink Festival, also run by the county council, which runs for a week, from 20 May to Spring Bank Holiday 29 May.

Dozens of businesses, large and small, from restaurants, hotels, cafes and pubs to cheese shops, butchers and delicatessens, are taking part in the festival organising events including tours, special menus and free tasting sessions throughout the week.  

A website, www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk (opens in a new window) has been set up so that people can find out more about the festival and the events being held, and prizes are up for grabs when people fill their details in online.

The list of prizes, which is being added to all the time, includes a three-course meal for two at The Dining Room in Ashbourne, a three-course meal for two at Stocks Café and Bistro in Chapel-en-le-Frith and a £20 voucher for the Gallery Café in Ashbourne.    

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “Local producers and businesses are really gearing up now for the weekend fair and the festival that follows.  

“Every year the fair becomes more popular and attracts thousands of people, firmly putting Derbyshire’s top quality food and drink on the map.”  

Councillor Carlile added: “Although the weather may be against us at the weekend, the huge marquees will be up to keep everything and everyone dry and ensure that visitors thoroughly enjoy themselves.

“It is also well worth people visiting the festival website and filling in their details as there are some excellent prizes to be won.”

Entry to the Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair at Bolsover Castle is £2, which gives access to not only the fair but also to the castle grounds and the castle itself, which normally costs £6.

For more information about the fair or festival people should contact Stephanie Walsh on 01629 585964 or by email:

stephanie.walsh@derbyshire.gov.uk  

(Ref: MC.194.06)

Pupils at Morley Primary School are enjoying lessons in a new state-of-the-art classroom built by Derbyshire County Council.

It has been constructed as part of a £253,000 scheme to increase teaching space and improve facilities at the 57-pupil school in Main Road.

The 26-week project included carrying out improvements to the main school building by creating extra office space, a library and PE equipment store. It also involved replacing the section of playground lost to the classroom extension with a new hard play area.

Chair of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Walter Burrows and cabinet member for school planning and support Councillor Alan Charles officially opened the classroom – which includes toilets – joined by pupils, teaching staff, school governors, parents and former pupils.

Councillor Charles said: “The classroom extension and improvements to the main building have really enhanced the overall school environment.

“The new building provides modern teaching space fit for the 21st century and was designed in consultation with teaching staff and governors to ensure it meets the needs of the whole school community.

“This is the latest scheme in our ongoing programme of works to modernise Derbyshire schools in partnership with the Government”.

A class act…Councillor Alan Charles (far left) and Councillor Walter Burrows are pictured in front of the new classroom with pupils Jonathan Mullee (nine) and Lauren Archer (seven).

Two events are being organised by North East Derbyshire Sure Start for families in the North Wingfield area.

North East Derbyshire Sure Start is run by a partnership which includes Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership, parents and local community groups, voluntary organisations, the Learning and Skills Council, employment services and the North Eastern Derbyshire Primary Care Trust.

On Tuesday 16 May a family learning evening will be held to promote family learning and local learning providers. 

Activities include face painting, a dressing up corner, an activity trail for toddlers, toy library, messy play sessions and a storytime session.

Families will be able to try their hand at fruit sculptures, bun decoration, family computing, designing and making a family shield, stone painting and making a place mat.

Chesterfield College, Holmewood and Health Community Action Partnership, Living With Children and Derbyshire County Council’s Read On - Write Away!, adult community education service, library service and children’s information service teams will all have information stands at the event. Families can also look around Clown’s Nursery.

There will also be a healthy eating buffet, the chance to find out about volunteering opportunities within North East Derbyshire Sure Start.

The event will take place at the Sure Start building in Alice’s View, North Wingfield between 5pm and 7.30pm.

The same venue will also host a Father’s Day celebration evening on Wednesday 14 June between 5.30pm and 8pm. 

Activities will include an exhibition of vehicles, circus skills workshop, football skills session, a men’s MOT health check, face painting, Cbeebies family computing workshop and opportunities to make Father’s Day cards and hand print posters.

Families will be able to try the curry corner and healthy buffet as well as take part in a free raffle draw.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “Both these Sure Start events are designed to be fun for the whole family and to give people the opportunity to try activities they don’t do every day.

“There is something for everyone to do so I hope families in North Wingfield will take advantage of these events and, above all, have a fun time.”

More information on both events is available from Jane Sheppard, community development worker, on 01246 852228.        

(REF: JF.192.06)