July

Couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this year are being invited to join in with the 60th anniversary of meals on wheels.

Derbyshire County Council is organising celebrations across the county to mark the anniversary of the meals on wheels service, first launched by the WRVS in 1947.

Currently more than 4,000 people receive the meals on wheels service in Derbyshire, provided on behalf of the county council by Apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the service, the county council is organising a number of tea parties and throwing open the invitation to all couples who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversaries to join in the fun.

They are being asked to get in touch with the council so they can be formally invited to their nearest party, which should be held during national Meals on Wheels Week between 1-7 October.

The meals on wheels service in Derbyshire is fully frozen and delivered on a fortnightly basis, costing £1.40 per meal including a dessert.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for Adult Social Services Councillor Dave Allen said: “The meals on wheels service is invaluable to many people as it helps them to stay living in their own homes where they may not be able to otherwise.

“The fact it has been going for 60 years shows the need for meals on wheels and I hope couples who are celebrating their diamond weddings this year will let us know and come along and join the fun.”

Couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary who would like to come to a party in their area should contact: Sylvia Stimson, senior staff development officer, Derbyshire County Council Adult Social Services, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG.

For more information about the meals on wheels service please contact your local county council office.

(Ref:MC.249.07) 

A new garden centre run by people with learning disabilities has proved so successful that it has started opening its doors at weekends over the summer.

As well as extending its hours, volunteers behind the garden centre project are now appealing for materials including top soil, bricks and sand so they can start allotments and grow vegetables.

The Branching Out Garden Centre at the Alderbrook Centre in Chinley opened its doors to the public in April and since then the business has been thriving.

The green-fingered entrepreneurs all attend the Derbyshire County Council-run centre in Buxton Road, and have been busy growing a wide selection of plants and shrubs to keep their enterprise well-stocked.

They also sell hanging baskets, garden tools, compost and plant food.

One of the centre’s other enterprises, Quality Products Alderbrook, has also filled the shop with items from its woodwork workshop, from garden planters, bird tables and feeders to potting tables and hedgehog boxes, all made from recycled wood.

At first, the garden centre opened only on weekdays between 9am and 4pm, but due to popular demand, staff are now supporting the volunteers to open up at weekends, from 10am to 3pm during the summer.

Each person who attends the centre has their own personal service plan which sees them taking part in a number of activities and around 25 have opted to help with Branching Out.

They work on a rota basis to make it fair as the project has proved so popular among people attending the centre.

The project got off the ground following a successful bid for Learning Disability Fund cash which helped the volunteers turn a piece of rough land at Alderbrook into the new garden area.

The new wooden building which acts as the sales cabin was made by ex-offenders as part of the Community Payback scheme run by the probation service.

As well as continuing to grow new stock, people attending Alderbrook now staff the shop, are supported to run the till and help customers.

A link up with the University of Derby has strengthened the project further, enabling people to sign up to an accredited City & Guilds course in horticulture.

The university is to help the keen gardeners to expand into the allotments to grow vegetables, and they are appealing for materials, including bricks, sand and cement which can be used to make raised beds for wheelchair access.

They also need top soil, horticultural sand, wood and bricks to get the project off the ground and make it accessible to everyone who attends the centre.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “Branching Out is proving to be a real success story at Alderbrook and working on the project is clearly very popular with people using the day centre.

“It is great news that its success has led to it opening at weekends during the summer and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength.

“It is an excellent addition to the centre’s other projects, the Quality Products Alderbrook woodwork workshop and the textile and sewing business, Alderbrook Textile Designs, both of which are already thriving.”

(Ref:MC.250.07)

More than 100 young people took part in a rally to highlight the range of mobile services which Derbyshire County Council offers for them.
The event took part at Shipley Country Park at Shipley, near Heanor, and involved 15 of the council’s mobile youth vehicles. These included the:

• Eight district mobile information units 

• Adventurous activities pod 

• Climbing wall unit 

• Skate and ride unit 

• Four mini-mees – smaller versions of the district mobile information units.
  

Young people from across Derbyshire took part in the event on Saturday 28 July. They were able to take part in a range of activities including quizzes, skateboarding, music, drumming and making smoothies, as well as sample all the different mobile units including the climbing wall.

Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural services, said: “The rally was a very successful event and all the young people involved had a fun day.

“The aim of the day was to show the wide variety of activities that our youth service carries out using mobile vehicles.

“As a result of these vehicles we have been to increase the number of young people taking part in activities that we organise. Last year 33 per cent of young people aged 11 to 19 in Derbyshire used our youth services.”

Going mobile…Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, in one of the mini-mee mobile youth service vehicles at the Shipley Country Park rally with Jason Hill, 14, from Shirebrook, Octavia Quinn, 15, from Clowne and Naomi Childerley, 13, from Creswell.

Work to protect and preserve an Ice Age cave art site has been completed and marked with the opening of a £200,000 bridleway built by Derbyshire County Council.

Conservationist David Bellamy officially opened the new trail at Creswell Crags with councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council and councillor Ken Stevenson, chairman of Creswell Heritage Trust.

The county council removed the old B6042 which ran through the Crags and transformed it into a bridleway giving horse riders, cyclists and walkers access to the ancient site.

Funded by the East Midlands Development Agency and the county council, the project involved using specialist methods and consulting with archaeologists to make sure the natural beauty of this historically important place is kept intact.

Creating the 700m bridleway has involved building scree banks to give a sense of what the gorge would have looked like 10 – 50,000 years ago, rebuilding dry stone walls and reducing the appearance of the new limestone track so it is in keeping with its surroundings.

The bridleway links up to the visitor centre where new steps have been built up to the caves and another which was previously inaccessible has been opened up.

A section of new road designed to cut down on the effects of traffic at Creswell Crags heritage site was opened by the county council last year.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services said: “We recognise the importance of preserving and enhancing such a unique archaeological site and great care was taken to build a bridleway in-keeping with the natural surroundings of the Crags.

“The work to remove the road will help preserve this historic site for future generations and allow visitors to see the Crags restored to their former glory.”

(REF:JM.247.07)

Children found it was fun to learn about being healthy at Derbyshire County Council’s first ‘healthy lifestyle’ event for schools.

Two days of workshops, cooking sessions, demonstrations, activities and entertainment held at Lea Green were attended by more than 1,000 primary school pupils from across the county.

Healthy eating, exercise, the food chain and how locally produced ingredients are used were topics covered by the event, hosted by the council's catering service.

Children took part in individual and group activities such as art workshops with a nutritional theme, sports and team games, food tastings and competitions.

Pupils could also take part in a treasure hunt with a healthy lifestyle theme, with a top prize of a mountain bike, which was won by Hunloke Park Primary School pupil Linden Whitehead (eight).

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “We’re working hard to help keep Derbyshire children happy, healthy and active and we hope this event can become an annual feature of the school calendar.

“It gives our catering staff the chance to work face-to-face with pupils and staff to help promote healthy choices and demonstrate the wide variety of foods and activities that can help lead to better and happier lifestyles.

“Staff have the chance to meet and work with colleagues from other schools and link the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils get from the days across curriculum subjects.

“All of this learning is wrapped up in a fun way so children remember the messages and are encouraged to keep on finding out and doing more to be as healthy as they can.”

Charlotte Bingham-Wakeman, nine, was there along with classmates from Bakewell Methodist Junior School.

She said: “I really liked the cooking demonstrations and I learned about fibre and how it helps your body work properly so you are healthy.

“It’s been really good fun and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Teaching assistant Ruth Shaw, was one of the staff attending with pupils from Marsh Lane Primary School.   

She said: “It’s given the children the opportunity to try different activities and they have all really enjoyed it.

“The fact that lots of different schools are involved also means that pupils and teachers have had the chance to work alongside each other and share the experience and skills.”

Primary schools which took part were:

• Bakewell Methodist Voluntary Controlled Junior School
• Brailsford CE Controlled Primary School
• Longford CE Controlled Primary School
• Muggington CE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
• South Wingfield Primary School
• Stretton Handley Primary School
• Wessington Primary School
• Gorseybrigg Primary School
• Unstone St Mary’s Infant School
• The Delves School
• Horsley Woodhouse Primary School
• Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School
• Lea Primary School
• Coton-in-the-Elms CE Controlled Primary School
• Stenson Fields Primary Community School
• Biggin CE Controlled Primary School
• Chapel-en-le-Frith CE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
• Combs Infant School
• Charlesworth Voluntary Controlled Primary School
• Brockwell Junior School
• Hunloke Park Primary School
• Marsh Lane Primary School
• Wigley Primary School
• Duckmanton Primary School
• Dallimore Primary School
• Kirkstead Junior School

(REF: FW.244.07)

Books giving a fascinating insight in to the lives of two Derbyshire men have been donated to the county council’s Record Office.

The first is a leather-bound book dedicated to the late Wilfred Skinner who worked for Derbyshire County Council for 30 years.

Mr Skinner – who held the role of clerk to the council for 14 years – retired from the authority on 19 January 1944. His portrait hangs in the council chamber at County Hall in Matlock.

The 16-page book – which is beautifully decorated with the council badge and lettering in gold – contains hand-written testimonials to Mr Skinner from the great and the good of the time.

They include renowned author Sir Osbert Sitwell, Councillor Brigadier-General ECWD Walthall and Councillor Norman Gratton.

One well-wisher wrote: “May the county long continue to benefit from your mature experience and wise counsel.”

As well as the title of clerk – equivalent to today’s chief executive – Mr Skinner also held the role of clerk of the peace, a title which dates back to the 16th century.

The clerk to the peace had to be ‘an able person, learned in the laws of the realm and resident within the county for which he was appointed’.

The Record Office, located in New Street, Matlock, has also just received an autobiography of Joseph V Smith, who died in 2006.

Entitled ‘From farmer’s boy to research professor’, it charts his life from farmer’s son in Crich to renowned scientist.

A Cambridge graduate, he emigrated to America in September 1951 with his new wife to take up an academic post at the Geophysical Laboratory at the Carnegie institution in Washington DC.

In 1960 Jospeh became a research professor at the age of 32 in the new Department of Geophysical science at the University of Chicago, where climate change was one of his main concerns.

One of his greatest achievements was to identify a new mineral contained in rocks brought back from the moon by American astronauts.

Joseph Smith’s ashes are buried in Crich. His autobiography has been donated to the record office by his widow Brenda and daughter Virginia, who live in Massachusetts.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “These relatively recent documents demonstrate the scope of material available at Derbyshire Record Office.

“Although there are many ancient volumes stored there at it is also important that we preserve present-day history for the researchers of the future to build up a picture of Derbyshire life in the 21st century.”

Derbyshire Record Office is open from 9.30am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday but people are advised to book first by ringing 01629 585959 or 585979.

Many of the archives contained in the office can also be viewed online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/recordoffice (opens in a new window)

(Ref: CC.246.07)

A new £1 million hall has been built by Derbyshire County Council to boost resources for pupils and staff at two schools.

Mary Howitt Infant School and William Howitt Junior School will be able to use the hall in their grounds at Cottage Garden Lane, Heanor for assemblies, lunches and sports activities.

The £951,104 new building includes a new kitchen, a storeroom toilet and corridors providing access to the infant and junior schools in preparation for when the two schools officially merge in September to become Howitt Primary Community School.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council, officially opened the new hall and met pupils at a ceremony attended by Councillor Alan Charles, the authority’s cabinet member for schools.

Councillor Charles said: “This new hall will hopefully give pupils from both schools new sporting opportunities so they can have fun learning new skills and stay active and healthy.

“Staff will have a brand new teaching space so they can hold assemblies, give a variety of PE lessons and develop the potential of students.

“This modern building has been purpose-built for a wide range of uses and I hope everyone from both schools gets a great deal of enjoyment from it.”

BRIGHT FUTURE: The official opening of the new hall is celebrated by (from left) Councillor Joyce Sanders, Councillor Alan Charles, and pupils Owen Fretwell, seven, Amy Painter, ten, Leah Walters, ten.

(REF:FW.236.07)

Do you fancy being in your own episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation? Then an event at Derbyshire County Council’s Buxton Museum and Art Gallery could be for you.

Young people aged 12 and over are invited to use forensic science to solve a murder mystery during an event being held at the venue on Wednesday 8 August.

It follows an event held at the Terrace Road museum in March to celebrate National Science and Engineering Week.

The event was so successful the county council decided to hold the event again to give even more young people the chance to take part.

The young sleuths will use science to investigate the murder of a member of staff including fingerprinting, analysing fibres and using chemicals to test an unknown substance found at the crime scene.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, said: “I would encourage young people to sign up to this fun event.

“It will give them a chance to experience for themselves the very important role that science plays in the investigation of crimes.”

Two one-and-a-half-hour sessions will be held on the day – starting at 11am and 2pm. Young people must book to take part by ringing 01298 24658 as numbers are limited.

While at the museum, visitors can enjoy the Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition.

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

For more information contact Martha Jasko on 01298 24658 or email martha.jasko@derbyshire.gov.uk

(Ref: CC.245.07)

Work has started on a key road system that will link the £65 million Markham Vale regeneration scheme and surrounding areas with the M1 motorway.

Phase 1 of the  Staveley Northern Loop Road scheme will provide a link road from a new roundabout on Hall Lane, loop around the north west side of Staveley and eventually join up to the new M1 junction 29A at Markham Vale via Erin Road.

Work on the £10.9 million scheme is scheduled to last for nearly two years and is being carried out on behalf of Derbyshire County Council and development partner Henry Boot Developments Limited by contractor Alfred McAlpine Project Services.

While the work is carried out traffic will be mostly affected in three main areas:

• Hall Lane, Staveley – to construct a new culvert to carry Hall Lane over the future line of the Chesterfield Canal

• Eckington Road, Staveley – to build a new bridge carrying Eckington Road over the railway, future canal and loop road

• Lowgates – to replace the existing A619 bridge with a bridge spanning the new loop road and a bridleway.

Information regarding the scheme is available at Staveley Library in Hall Lane so that people can go and find out how the changes may affect them.

The contractor is aiming to keep disruption to a minimum although some delays will occur and motorists are being urged to be patient.

The new loop road is seen as key to the Markham Vale regeneration scheme which is set to bring 5,000 jobs to the area, of which 2,000 will be new.

The site, which covers 360 hectares and will create 80 hectares of high quality commercial and industrial development, will reverse the decline in the north east of Derbyshire which has arisen from the closure of deep mines, loss of textile jobs and the reduction in heavy industry.

The Northern Loop Road is seen as a key transport link to Markham Vale and will service not only the site but benefit local residents too.

Work has already started on the new motorway junction and that is scheduled to open early next year.

Derbyshire County Council leader councillor John Williams said: “The new road links have always been a vital part of the whole Markham Vale development and work starting on the Northern Loop Road is excellent news and a major step forward.

“Markham Vale will breathe new life into the former coalfield sites and bring 5,000 jobs to the area, giving the local economy a real boost.

“I hope people who will be affected by the new road development while it is being built will bear with us as the benefits to the area will be worth it.”

For further information about the works people can call site supervisor David Fulwood on 01246 479034.

(Ref:MC.241.07) 

It might not be sunshine and blue skies outside but don’t worry, Derbyshire County Council’s b_line boredom buster is here to make the summer as enjoyable as ever.

With over 900 activities, events and attractions, young people can look forward to a fun-packed holiday by simply logging onto the b_line interactive boredom buster.

From football to fly fishing, kayaking to karaoke and caving to circus skills, the county council’s comprehensive online guide to the summer holidays has it all.

Set up by the b_line team, which runs the county council’s travel discount scheme for young people aged 11-18 across Derbyshire, the boredom buster has everything you need to make the holiday break more exciting.

It provides an easy guide to what, where, and when activities are running throughout the summer in Derbyshire.

Starting on the 21 July and running through the whole school holidays until Sunday 2 September, activities will run in every area of Derbyshire and there is something to suit everyone.

Searches can be done by activity, location or date and many attractions offer discounts to b_line cardholders.

The county council’s youth service is offering a wide range of activities for 13 to 19-year-olds including climbing and abseiling in Kelstedge; making graffiti art in Worksop; ice skating, stream walking and swimming in Chesterfield; make your own masterpiece in clay in Darley Dale; computer games in Buxton; canoeing in Pinxton or trips to Nottingham to paintball.

There are also details of:

• Bowling and quasar
• Cinema
• Leisure activities
• Concerts and theatres
• Cybercafes
• Museums and tourist attractions

Derbyshire County Council’s leader councillor John Williams said: “The b_line boredom buster website is a brilliant way for young people and their families to find out what’s happening in Derbyshire and beyond during the summer holiday.

“The website is a quick and easy way to find out about activities they’re interested in with clear instructions.  It gives young people information about where they can learn new skills and meet new people while enjoying their summer holidays.”

As well as providing a guide to what’s on and where, the website suggests some tips to help young people stay safe.

To search the boredom buster visit the b_line boredom buster (opens in a new window) section of the website. Free internet access is available at all Derbyshire County Council libraries. Alternatively, people can call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 to get the boredom buster information.

All 11 - 18 year olds who live in Derbyshire are automatically issued b_line cards through their school, as long as it is run by Derbyshire County Council or Derby City Council, or through their college. For more information about b_line visit the b_line website (opens in a new window) or Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058

(REF:NB.240.07)

Staff and pupils at Riddings Infant school have given top marks to their new multi-purpose hall built by Derbyshire County Council.

The hall, which cost £864,537 to build, officially opened on Friday 13 July.  It will be used as an assembly area and sports hall as well as a dining area. The new building houses the school kitchen and also includes a toilet with disabled access, extra storage space and is linked to the West Street school by a newly built corridor.

Climbing frames have been attached to the walls inside the hall for use in PE lessons and there are also interactive white boards.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “This is an excellent new facility which has modernised the school and will help to further improve school life for pupils and staff. 

“The new kitchen will provide catering staff with the modern facilities they need to serve up balanced and healthy meals. The hall will also provide extra space for pupils to take part in sport and exercise and give them a wider range of activities.”

Getting active…Pupils Jeremy Baird, Miya Kelly, both five, Alfie Callaghan, four, and Abigail Hobbs, five, show off the new climbing frame in the hall to Councillor Joyce Sanders, chair of Derbyshire County Council and Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for schools.

A rally is being held by Derbyshire County Council to make young people aware of the mobile youth services available for them.

The fun event will be held at Shipley County Park on Saturday 28 July and involve young people from across Derbyshire. Twelve of Derbyshire County Council’s mobile youth vehicles will be at the rally. These include the eight district mobile information units, adventurous activities pod, climbing wall unit, skate and ride unit and the creative arts mobile unit. 

Each mobile unit will have a theme. These will include: 

• Disability awareness
• Body image 
• Positive images of young people around the world 
• Hawaiian theme 
• Derbyshire’s got talent 
• Team building and communication 
• African drums and music 
• Global awareness

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “Mobile units are a great way of reaching young people who wouldn’t normally go to a youth centre.

“They give our youth workers the ability to work with young people on the streets at places where they meet.

“Last year 33 per cent of young people aged 11 to 19 in Derbyshire used our youth services. A large part of that is due to the mobile units.

“This rally gives us the opportunity to demonstrate what equipment and information there is for young people on mobile units and get them to have a go at some activities.”

The mobile vehicle rally will start at 11am and finish at 3pm. It will be officially opened by councillor Bob Janes.

(JF.239.07)

History is being brought to life for schoolchildren thanks to a project run by Derbyshire County Council’s Record Office.

Using extensive archives housed in the Record Office in Matlock, student Jonathan Weir has been teaching pupils at Long Lane CE Primary School, near Derby, all about slavery.

The 17-year-old used original source materials, including a list of slaves valued at auction, to inspire the Y3 to Y6 children and encourage them to learn about the subject.

This included helping them write about the day in the life of a field slave, looking at the horrendous sea journeys made by captives and researching how slave markets worked.

Jonathan, from Dale Road, Matlock, visited the village school for five, hour-and-a-half sessions in the last three weeks of term, dealing with a different aspect of slavery each time, including its abolition.

The final session included a showing of the slave drama Roots and a quiz.

The project is funded through the Record Office following a successful bid to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council East Midlands. It is designed to help raise awareness of citizenship and human rights using original sources found in the Record Office on New Street.

Given that this year marks the bicentenary of the end of the slave trade, the subject is particularly fitting.

Jonathan was among a number of pupils from Highfields School, Matlock, interviewed to take part in the placement and was chosen after showing he could best bring the subject to life.

He is currently in the sixth form studying History, Geography and English Literature A-Levels and hopes to study history at university. He has enjoyed the project and says the children have been “inspired”.

“I haven’t taught before but I think I inspired them and they seemed really interested in it,” he said. “They were also doing their own research.”

He added: “The Record Office is a good resource and the placement has helped bridge the gap between the archives and primary school children.”

Long Lane history co-ordinator Jill Gratton said the children enjoyed Jonathan’s lessons and had learned a lot.

“It’s been very interesting and we’ve really enjoyed taking part,” she added.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, praised Jonathan for his hard work, saying: “This was an excellent opportunity for us to promote our extensive and well-equipped archive while helping a student develop his research skills.

“The youngsters at Long Lane have enjoyed his classes and learned a lot.

“Our Record Office is a brilliant resource for students and I hope more young people will think about using it when they’re doing research for projects.”

(Ref: AJ.328.07) 

Grants totalling almost £10,000 designed to help boost community arts in Derbyshire have been handed out by Derbyshire County Council.

An after-school dance club, storytelling, puppetry shows and a summer school for writers are among eleven projects to benefit from the authority’s latest round of small arts grants.

Derbyshire County Council awards the grants three times a year to organisations developing the arts in the county. Worth up to a maximum of £1,000, they are designed to help:

• Develop new audiences and participants in arts activity.

• Support arts work with disabled people.

• Support arts work in rural areas.

• Support the creative economy.  

Beneficiaries in the first round of grants for 2007/2008 are:

• Alfreton Park Dance Group – receives £1,000 toward a project costing £1,900 for an after- school dance class for children with severe learning difficulties.

• Church Broughton Village and Playing Field Committee - £250 to fund a performance of Stand Up Shakespeare by the 1623 Theatre Company. The total cost of the project is £425.

• Derby Concert Band - £1,000 to develop a DVD, website and marketing materials to promote the band and a new training band to gain members and audiences from the county. The full cost of the project is £2,000.

• First Calow Scout Group - £850 toward a £10,000 project to write, produce and perform their first Gang Show using comedy, music, dance, narrative and projected imagery to celebrate the group’s 75th anniversary as well as 100 years of scouting.

• Funny Wonders, Buxton - £1,000 for an international exchange for young people and artists from Buxton and Japan who will work together to explore the creative potential of shadow and bunraku puppetry. The total cost of the project is £79,550.

• Packhorse Poets - £850 toward putting on two poetry events and producing a publication. Total cost £1,750. The poetry group meets at the Packhorse Inn, Crowdecote, near Buxton.

• Ripley Music Festival - £1,000 toward performances of world music plus workshops for young people and improvements to enable wheelchair users to access events. Total cost £5,684.

• Scarthin Arts – this small arts company which specialises in storytelling will get £1,000 for a programme of storytelling and puppetry events in the Darley Dale area. Total cost £4,950.

• Shared Spaces - £1,000 for a piece of public art for Derbyshire festivals. Total cost £1,500. Shared Spaces is a partnership between two visual artists, Charles Monkhouse and SallyAnn Carlin, who are based in Middleton-by-Youlgrave. The pair promote a fresh approach to public art and have a particular interest in text as image in public locations.

• Swanwick Writers’ Summer School - £1,000 to offer three places to Derbyshire writers at the 2008 summer school. Total cost £1,080.

• Wash Arts - £1,000 for a one-day stall in Ilkeston to consult the public about arts in the area and engage new participants. Wash Arts are a community arts group based in Ilkeston who work in the Erewash area.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services Councillor Bob Janes said: “These projects are playing a vital part in promoting the arts in Derbyshire and help bring the arts into the community.

“The county has a thriving arts scene and the county council is happy to be able to support the good work being done by groups and organisations across the area.”

Groups can apply for a small arts grant if they satisfy the criteria of opening up opportunities for new audiences in Derbyshire; support work with disabled people, or in rural areas, or encourage creativity in local communities.

An application form can be downloaded from the Community Arts Grants section of our website or by contacting ring the authority’s arts team on 01773 831385.

(AJ.237.07)

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes saw first-hand how Derbyshire County Council is helping improve life for children and families when she visited Alfreton Children’s Centre.

The minister of state for the Department for Children, Schools and Families visited the authority-run centre in Grange Street on Monday and met with Councillor Anne Western, deputy leader of Derbyshire County Council and cabinet member for children’s services and Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural services.

She also spoke to parents, children and staff at Alfreton Nursery, which works closely in partnership with the Pre-School Learning Alliance educational charity.

Alfreton Children’s Centre was opened in April last year as part of the first phase of creating Derbyshire’s children’s centres. There are 42 centres planned for the county in total, which should all be up-and-running by March next year.

Communities can already use services at the 17 other centres which are open and serving the areas of; Ironville, Langley Mill, Creswell, Langwith Junction, Shirebrook, Chesterfield, Birdholme, Brimington, Old Whittington, Cotmanhay, Kirk Hallam, Fairfield, Gamesley, North Wingfield, Clay Cross and Woodville.

There are two centres serving Chesterfield in Queen’s Park and Chatsworth Road.

Multi-agency services offered at Alfreton include ‘stay, play and weigh’ sessions, baby massage, Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) training programmes for parents such as first aid, mums and toddler classes, health visitor clinics and 104 part-time nursery places.

Councillor Janes said: “We’re working hard to offer Derbyshire people the high quality, value for money services they need.

“Our children’s centres are an excellent example of partnership working and they provide children and families with a ‘one-stop shop’ so they can receive a wide variety of help and support in their local community.

“We were delighted to have this opportunity to show the children’s minister how we are working together to help children and families to live happily and healthily.”

WARM WELCOME: (from left) Paige Leveridge, four, from Alfreton, children’s minister Beverley Hughes, Christine Leveridge (centre user from Alfreton), Councillor Bob Janes and Councillor Anne Western.

(REF: FW.235.07)

Leading food and drink venues will soon be vying for a top accolade in the sixth annual Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards to be co-hosted by a celebrity chef.

Application forms for the 2007 awards, launched by Derbyshire County Council, are now being sent out to food and drink establishments across the county and entries are being invited from any catering business serving locally produced food and drink.

Celebrity chef Brian Turner will present the awards with county council cabinet member for regeneration councillor Geoff Carlile at a ceremony in October.

Venues are judged on a number of criteria including the quality of food and drink, use of county produce and acknowledgement of it on menus and customer service.

In each category there will be a winner and a highly commended, and there are two new sections this year – the Derbyshire Local Food Hero of the Year and the Derbyshire Breakfast of the Year.

The awards are judged by an independent panel of food specialists including an AA inspector and an assessor for Quality in Tourism.

Once all the entries are in a shortlist will be drawn up by the county council and each venue will be visited by one of the judging panel, who won’t identify themselves, before the winners and runners-up are selected by the judges.

Categories in the competition are:

• Restaurant of the Year
• Pub/Bistro of the Year
• Tea Room/Coffee House of the Year
• Restaurant within an Attraction
• Derbyshire Breakfast of the Year
• Derbyshire Local Food Hero of the Year.

All entry forms, sample menus and other promotional literature produced by the establishment, along with a list of local suppliers used on a regular basis, must be received by the county council by the closing date of Friday 31 August.

For more information about the awards and entry criteria people can also visit the Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards website (opens in a new window).

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration councillor Geoff Carlile, said: “By holding the awards for the sixth year the county council is showing its commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting Derbyshire’s varied and top quality food and drink.

“We are looking to hear from establishments that are proud of their cuisine, service, high standards and use of quality local produce who believe they deserve to be recognised in these prestigious awards.

“The standards were very high last year and I expect this year to be the same.”

Last year’s winners were:

• Restaurant Category winner – The Dining Room, Ashbourne
• Pub/Bistro Category winner – The Crown Inn, Marston Montgomery
• Tea Room/Coffee House Category winner – No.6 The Square, Buxton
• Restaurant Within An Attraction Category winner – YHA Hartington

Any businesses wishing to enter that do not receive an entry form should contact county council tourism officer Steph Walsh on 01629 585964.

The winners will be announced at an awards dinner on 25 October.

(Ref:MC.231.07)

A Derbyshire library is boasting a new counter and management system which will lead to a better service for customers.

Heanor Library has now re-opened to the public after closing its doors while the improvements, which also included internal signs, were carried out.

The library in Ilkeston Road is one of 46 Derbyshire County Council-run libraries to get the new management system installed, with 10 of them including Heanor getting a new counter as well.

The system which was used by libraries used bookreaders to issue and return items borrowed, which in many cases formed an integral part of the counter.

The new management system will see staff using computers and scanners to check items in and out.

The improvements follow an assessment of the county’s 46 libraries where improvements were earmarked for  the 17 libraries across the county.

Libraries as well as Heanor getting new counters are: Borrowash, Clay Cross, Hadfield, Hayfield, Killamarsh, Newbold, Old Whittington, Shirebrook and Swadlincote.

Upgrades are also taking place at: Alfreton, Chesterfield, Clowne, Creswell, Matlock, Pinxton and Ripley.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services Councillor Bob Janes said: “We are introducing big changes in all our libraries which will lead to a better service for customers.

“The new, web-based technology not only improves and speeds up our cataloguing system, but it also gives people better access to all the library’s resources on an easy-to-use website.

“I am sure library-users at Heanor will soon notice the difference and we are grateful to people for bearing with us during the closure.”

Work has already been carried out at Borrowash, Clay Cross, Old Whittington and Hayfield libraries. Swadlincote is to open on 16 July with a new counter and improved lighting.

The new library system allows users to search for books, DVDs and CDs and then to request them online. When a search for a book is carried out, a picture of the dust-jacket will appear along with a summary of the book’s plot or theme. Details of the book’s availability will also be available.

There is a new keyword search and links to best-seller lists and prize-winning novels, such as the Booker and Orange prizes.

There is also a link to a website that helps you to choose a book by mood.

To make things easier, especially for children, stock is illustrated by a series of pictures that can be clicked on.

Books are grouped into themes which can help people choose a good book without having a particular title in mind.

(Ref:MC.233.07) 

Communities across the county will be a lot brighter now Derbyshire County Council has set aside £394,000 to replace some of its older street lights.

More than 450 lamp posts will be removed and replaced with lamps kitted out with the latest technology to:

• Reduce light pollution by directing the light better to focus on where it is needed most – on roads and pavements. 
• Give out a more natural-looking light instead of the yellow glow that existing bulbs produce. This will improve visibility by making it easier for road users and pedestrians to recognise colour under the lights.
• Increase the life expectancy of the bulbs from three years to four.

The county council provides and maintains 85,500 street lamps and 7,800 illuminated signs to help road users and pedestrians stay and feel safe during the hours of darkness.

By changing to the new longer-lasting street lights, the county council is helping to reduce Derbyshire’s carbon footprint by reducing the number of times electricians have to get into their vehicles and drive out to change the bulbs.

The new light bulbs are also smaller which means more can be loaded onto the council’s vans and lorries so less trips to and from the depots are needed.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Helping people feel and stay safe in their communities is a key priority for Derbyshire County Council and we all know how much safer we feel walking down a street that is well lit.

"Advances in technology mean we can replace some of our older street lights with new lamps that are better for the environment as well as making streets brighter for road users.”

Anyone who spots a street light or illuminated traffic sign that is damaged or not working can report it to Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058, email call.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk or complete a fault report on our website.

(REF:JM.234.07)

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

When inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) visited the school in September 2005 they had concerns about the standards achieved by pupils and the quality of teaching and management.

But inspectors have concluded that the school has improved and is now satisfactory with a “good capacity to do even better” thanks to sustained effective leadership and the efforts of staff and the governing body.

This comes after the introduction of a rigorous programme of improvement, supported by education officers from Derbyshire County Council and acting headteachers John Stringer and Linda Coulson.

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

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

Inspectors who visited the school in School Street, Eckington on 19 and 20 June found:

• Progress is satisfactory and at times good in some year groups.
• Children enjoy school, are generally well behaved, and display very good collaborative skills.
• Pupils’ social and moral development is good.
• The broad and balanced curriculum is satisfactory and improving.
• Teaching is satisfactory overall with some good features and teachers are well supported by classroom assistants.

Mr Stringer, who Ofsted praised for “exceptional work”, was acting headteacher from November 2006 to March this year and will officially take up the post of headteacher in September. The current acting headteacher, Linda Coulson, was also praised for her “sustained effective leadership” which “ensured the momentum of improvement has been maintained and that the school’s positive outlook has not been lost.”

Mr Stringer said: “The school has made good progress because of everyone’s hard work and commitment.

“We are determined that Eckington Junior will continue to improve and provide an excellent standard of education for all our pupils.”To continue the progress that has been made, inspectors recommend that the school:

• Increase the proportion of children who achieve above average standards.
• Further develop the role of the subject co-ordinator by setting clear expectations for the range of responsibilities undertaken.
• Increase the proportion of good teaching in all subjects to accelerate children’s progress.

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

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

(REF:FW.232.07)

If a little of what you fancy does you good, then more free taster sessions organised by Derbyshire County Council could be just for you.

Following the success of recent free learning sessions, the authority is putting on further leisure and educational courses in its libraries to give would-be learners the opportunity to try something new at no cost.

Most are just for a day but there’s a chance to take things further as participants who get interested will receive a voucher entitling them to a further free course at one of the county council’s adult community education centres later in the year.

Digital imaging, working in the classroom and first aid are among the free taster courses being put on in the coming weeks.

Councillor Bob Janes, the authority’s cabinet member for cultural services, said he hoped people would take the opportunity to try something new, either for fun or as a potential for work.

He said: “This is a good chance for people to have a go at something new, to find out whether they like it or not.

“The classes are taught by qualified staff, give an insight into the subjects and they’re all free. They can be for pleasure or perhaps for people looking for a change of career. And if you want to go further, you can, with the chance to gain a qualification later.”

Courses are taught by qualified tutors who work for Derbyshire County Council’s adult community education service.
The following courses are now on:

Derbyshire Dales
• Tideswell Library – First aid for Children (for parents, carers and childcare/playworkers), Friday, July 13, 1pm-3pm; Active Listening Skills, Monday, July 16, 6pm-8pm.
• Matlock Library – First aid for Children, Tuesday, July 17, 10am-1pm.

High Peak
• Fairfield Centre, Buxton – How Big is Your Footprint (learn more about composting, recycling and other eco-friendly activities), Saturday, July 21, 9.30am-12.30pm; Digital Imaging, Saturday, July 21, 9.30am-12.30pm.
• Gamesley Library – Introduction to working in the Classroom, Tuesday, July 17, 10am-2pm.
• Hayfield Library  - Healthy Eating at School (for all school staff), Wednesday, July 11, 6pm-9pm; Introduction to Nutrition, Wednesday, July 18, 6pm-9pm. 
• New Mills Library – Introduction to Nutrition (for parents, carers and those working in care), Thursday, July 19, 6pm-9pm.

There are also lots of free events on at Derbyshire County Council’s libraries year-round, including storytimes for the under 5s, family reading sessions, Tiny Tunes for pre-school children and informal IT support.

For more information about any of the courses, or any events in libraries, see the county council’s website. To find your local library go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries (opens in a new window) 
 (AJ.229.07)

Sign up for a course with Derbyshire County Council this year and you could win your fees back.

And that’s not all the authority’s adult community education service is offering to learners who want to extend their skills while having some fun at the same time.

The service has just received a glowing report from government education inspectors from Ofsted who rated its standards of teaching and learning among the best in the country.

The authority has dozens of free Skills for Life courses to improve reading, writing, maths and communication skills. There are also lots of free courses for families to enjoy together such as arts, crafts and languages.

Older people can get discounts with their Gold Card – 15% off courses without qualifications – and there are a variety of free courses in adult community education centres across the county.

This year we’re offering more than 3,500 courses and activities at venues across Derbyshire including national vocational qualifications (NVQs), IT qualifications, classroom assistant training, childcare, heritage building skills and keeping healthy.

Anyone who books online will be entered in a free prize draw to win their course for free.

Brochures detailing all the courses starting in September are out now and are available by contacting Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058.

Existing learners will receive a brochure in the post and anyone wanting to find out more about courses in their area can visit the Adult Community Education section of our website.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, is urging everyone considering learning something new, polishing a skill or looking to have some fun to have a look at what’s available.

He said: “We’ve got literally hundreds of different courses to choose from taking place during the day and in the evening.

“From yoga to accounting, photography to French, classes with exams and certificates to classes just for fun, we’ve got them all.

“Have a look at our brochures or go to our website for more information and think about signing up. It will be worth it.

"But don’t take our word for it,” he added. “Inspectors from Ofsted recently gave us top marks for our service, praising our teaching and learning.”

Taking a course with the county council, said Coun Janes, gives people an opportunity to:

• Return to learn
• Develop new skills
• Adapt to changes in your life
• Meet people and have fun
• Help access employment

(AJ.230.07)

It isn’t just Derbyshire County Council that’s working to improve life in our communities – there’s loads of people doing it.

Every day we rely on thousands of volunteers, individuals, groups and charities to make life that bit better for all of us and now the county council wants to thank them for the brilliant work they do.

That’s why it has set up the Derbyshire County Council “Excellence in the Community” awards. They are intended to recognise outstanding achievement and the important contribution local people make to local life.

The council wants you to tell them about exceptional people, groups or organisations that you know that have worked tirelessly:

• to raise money for good causes
• as volunteers
• to protect and enhance the Derbyshire environment 
• to make Derbyshire a safer place to live work and visit
• to encourage closer, caring and active communities
• to promote Derbyshire through their sporting, musical, academic or artistic success.

“Throughout Derbyshire we rely heavily on the important services provided by an ever-growing army of volunteers,” said council leader John Williams. “They make a big difference in so many ways and we’re keen to thank them for their work.

He added: “We want you to tell us about truly exceptional people who put the needs of others first - the ones who are always willing to go the extra mile to help out.

“We want to hear about organisations which work in your community to make things better. And we want to know about people who have helped put Derbyshire on the map by outstanding personal achievement.”    

You can nominate someone online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/excellenceawards (opens in a new window) or Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 or pick up an entry form at your local library.

The awards are open to anyone over 18 years of age – the county council’s Derbyshire Young Achiever’s event recognises people under 18.

Closing date for nominations is Friday 31 August.

We want to hear about exceptional achievement by individuals, businesses, voluntary or community groups in the following categories:

• Fundraising for good causes – individuals should have raised a minimum of £20,000 and groups and organisations need to have topped the £200,000 mark.

• Volunteers working in our community –  for individuals who have given over 5,000 hours of their time to voluntary activity.

• Protecting Derbyshire -  for projects which have made a significant contribution to protecting our environment in one or more of the following areas:

  • Reuse, recycling and/or waste reduction

  • Energy efficiency, cuts in the use of fuel and carbon emissions

  • Wildlife conservation

  • Landscape and building restoration

• Safer Derbyshire – for schemes which have significantly helped to make our communities safer such as:

  • Tackling vandalism and anti-social behaviour

  • Creating safer neighbourhoods

  • Road safety

  • Tackling bullying and domestic abuse

• Improving life – for work which has significantly improved life in our communities such as:

  • Intergenerational, equality and multi-denominational faith projects and groups

  • Care and support for vulnerable people

  • Cultural, daytime and evening activities, lunch clubs and special interest groups.

• Achievement – for outstanding musical, academic, sporting or artistic success at a national level. Nominees should represent Derbyshire as a member of a national orchestra/band, hold a national ranking or have taken part in a national production, exhibition or concert.

(REF: JT.228.07)

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes is to visit a Derbyshire County Council-run children’s centre which helps to improve life for children and their families.

The minister of state for the Department for Children, Schools and Families will visit Alfreton Children’s Centre in Grange Street on Monday (July 9) where she will meet with Councillor Anne Western, deputy leader of Derbyshire County Council and cabinet member for children’s services and Councillor Bob Janes, cabinet member for cultural services.

She will also speak to parents, children and staff at Alfreton Nursery, which works closely in partnership with the Pre-School Learning Alliance educational charity.

Councillor Janes said: “We are extremely pleased to have this opportunity to show Beverley Hughes the work taking place in Derbyshire to provide a wide range of services for families with young children.

“Derbyshire has a strong tradition of working with partners to provide the services people need and our children’s centres help us offer a ‘one-stop shop’ for children and families in the communities where they live.”

(REF: FW.226.07)

Students are celebrating getting skills and qualifications which will help them start promising careers or go on to further education.

Young people have received certificates after successfully completing courses through Derbyshire County Council’s Key Stage 4 Support Centre.

More than 30 young people have been awarded certificates for passing GCSEs, NVQs, City & Guilds and key skills courses in the last year, with a further 27 students set to take qualifications this year.

The centre operates on three sites; High Street in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Station Road in Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, and Moira Road in Woodville, Swadlincote.

Young people from across the county who are unable to attend mainstream school, or who have been permanently excluded, still get full-time education through the centre.

Each site works in partnership with further education providers to offer national curriculum courses as well as vocational learning.

More than 20 young people received certificates from Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, at a ceremony hosted at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley Park.

Councillor Charles said: “Everyone who has worked with these promising young people is proud and delighted that they have harnessed their talents and successfully completed courses which will help them have brighter futures.

“Our staff work hard to help the students thrive and fulfil their potential and I hope this achievement will build their confidence and be the start of great things for them all.”

SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS: Hayley Hodge, 16, from Long Eaton, Gemma Colclough, 16, from Heanor. Councillor Alan Charles, Terry Craig, 15, from Swadlincote, Dane Oldham, 16, from Glossop.

Road users and pedestrians are set to benefit from an extra £750,000 set aside by Derbyshire County Council to improve roads and pavements.

The funding, taken from a saving made on staffing costs, means an extra 100 maintenance schemes can be carried out across the county during 2007/08.

This latest cash boost is in addition to more than £10 million which the county council is spending on road maintenance during 2007/08 and a further £5 million being spent on measures to improve safety.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Time and time again residents tell us they want better roads and pavements in Derbyshire which means it’s an issue at the top of our priority list.

"That’s why we’re putting the money we’ve saved straight back in - to improve miles more roads and pavements quicker to make them better for residents and visitors to use.”

The county council is responsible for maintaining and repairing roads, pavements, public footpaths and bridleways in Derbyshire.

Members of the public can report road faults such as potholes online, or by emailing call.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk or contacting Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

(REF:JM.224.07)

Temporary bus stops have been set-up by Derbyshire County Council to keep bus services up and running in Chesterfield following a fire at a supermarket.

Several stops on New Beetwell Street will be out of action while work is carried out to make the charred Somerfield site safe.

Some bus services have been re-directed and will call at either the bowling green opposite the library, at Chesterfield Coach Station or at West Bars from Sunday (8 July).

Passengers are expected to be able to return to the normal pick-up and drop-up points next week for some services.

But the blaze caused damage to the shelter at three stops – B5, B6 and B7 - and these are expected to be closed for some time.

Until further notice, passengers will now be picked up and dropped off in the following places:

Outside the bowling green, New Beetwell Street

• Service 1, 1A and 2 to Walton
• Service 39 to Grangewood
• Service 48 and 727 to Brampton

Chesterfield Coach Station, off New Beetwell Street

• Service 17 to Matlock – stand A
• Service 170 to Bakewell – stand D
• Service 276 to Castleton – stand D
• Service 727 to Sheffield – stand A
• Pronto all-stops service to Nottingham via Temple Normanton – stand B

• Red Arrow service to Nottingham – stand A

West Bars, stop E

• Service 70 to Killamarsh
• Service 74 to Staveley
• Service 77 and 277 to Worksop
• Service 89 from Dronfield (terminating)

New Beetwell Street Bus Station, bay 13

• Service 25, 50 and 50A to Holymoorside
• Service 33 to Walton
• Service 66 and 193 to Buxton

• Service 67 to Manchester

People who use Community Transport services should contact their local Community Transport group to find out where their services will be running.

All other services will run from New Beetwell Street bays B2, B3, B4, B13, B14 as normal.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’ve worked with bus operators to keep bus services up and running in the area for the people that use them.

These changes are temporary and we would ask passengers to bear with us while Somerfield is made safe.

We hope to have most of the services back to normal soon and we will keep people updated of further changes.”

Temporary traffic lights are in place on New Beetwell Street which is open to traffic travelling in the direction of West Bars. Only buses and emergency vehicles are allowed to travel in the opposite direction.

People walking between the town centre and New Beetwell Street can use the steps by the library or go via West Bars and the Portland Hotel.

(REF:JM.227.07)

Three new liaison officers are being employed to help Derbyshire County Council deal with residents’ questions about roads, public transport and environmental issues as quickly as possible.

The new posts have been set up in response to feedback from the authority’s countywide Local Area Forum meetings which show most questions asked by residents relate to these three areas.

Successful applicants will be briefed with detailed knowledge and be trained in communication skills to field these questions as well as more general requests about any council service.

They will attend Local Area Forum meetings where they will liaise between technical officers and residents to offer an immediate response to questions or quickly research the information.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for neighbourhood services councillor Ken Armstrong said: “Setting up these new posts is our response to a growing public demand for quick answers on the issues which matter most to our residents and which they feel very strongly about. 

“The liaison officers will allow us to react more efficiently to enquiries which we hope will show residents we’re genuinely committed to listening to them and, if there’s criticism, learning from what they have to tell us.

“We can only make improvements and provide the services residents want by finding out what they think. We take many opportunities to do this already and we hope the new liaison posts will provide us with many more.”

The new officers, who will be based at County Hall in Matlock, will also play a valuable role in reporting praise or criticism from the forums back to particular service areas.

Local Area Forums were established in 2005 and around 150 meetings are held each year to encourage residents to get involved, have their say and ask questions about county council services.

The forums also allow the authority to collect information about what it does well and where improvements could be made.

Residents can find out about their nearest Local Area Forum meeting by contacting their borough or district council.                                              

(Ref: LT.222.07)

Surplus places at five schools are to be reduced by Derbyshire County Council carrying out work to convert spare classrooms for other uses.

Due to falling birth rates primary schools across Derbyshire are seeing pupil numbers fall. When schools have more than 25 per cent of their places spare alternatives have to be looked at if the school is to avoid closure.

Derbyshire County Council is proposing to spend £121,000 carrying out work at:

1. Anthony Bek Primary School in Pleasley: £50,000 to create a group teaching area and a library. The work will reduce the percentage of surplus places from 25% to 14%.

2. Copthorne Community Infant School in Alfreton: £3,000 to create a ‘nurture area’ which will include a positive play and special educational needs support area. The work will reduce the amount of spare places from 32.5% to 10%.

3. Creswell CE Infant and Nursery School - £5,000 to create a storeroom for sports equipment. This will complete a larger project to reduce surplus places from 61% to 24%.

4. Gamesley Community Primary School - £30,000 to convert a classroom into a room for confidential meetings, small group work and one-to-one development work. This will reduce surplus places from 37% to 24%.

5. Whitwell Primary School - £33,000 to create an ICT suite with access from all classrooms for pupils and staff. This will reduce surplus places from 26% to 17.5%.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “This package of improvements will tackle the problem of surplus places in another five schools.

"Wherever possible we always try to do this rather than consider a school for possible closure. This work has the added advantage of improving facilities for pupils to learn in."

(JF.221.07)

Pensions will be top of the agenda at an event being held for people aged over 50.

The Glossop Action for Local Older People (GALOP) has put the topic on the table for discussion at its next meeting in the town on Tuesday 24 July at Bradbury Community House, Market Street between 2pm - 4pm.

As well as pensions, care services available for people living in and around Glossop and the New Deal for Carers will also be up for discussion.

Anyone aged over 50 years is invited along to the event and free transport is available but must be booked by Tuesday 17 July.

GALOP is one of 14 forums countywide that are up and running and being supported by Derbyshire County Council’s Better Government for Older People team.

The forums meet on a regular basis to discuss various topics, listen to speakers, plan action campaigns and swap ideas and views.

All the forums have been helped to set up by the Better Government for Older People programme which helps members with administration and organising meetings as well as providing financial support.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “I am sure this event will prove very popular as there are some very interesting subjects up for discussion.”

To book free transport or for more information contact Louise Hiron, county council Better Government for Older People team, on 01629 532446 or e-mail louise.hiron@derbyshire.gov.uk

(Ref:MC.216.07)

Public transport is the subject of an open forum being held by a group for people aged over 50.

The Matlock & Surrounding Communities 50 + Forum is holding the open meeting at the Imperial Rooms in Matlock on Monday 23 July between 10am and 12.30pm.

Representatives from the county’s bus companies will be at the forum to listen to people’s views and explain their polices as well as other organisations which provide transport.

All aspects of public transport will be discussed at the forum, from bus timetables to routes and frequency.

Anyone over the age of 50 years is invited along to the event and free transport can be arranged but must be booked by Friday 13 July.

The Matlock & Surrounding Communities 50 + Forum is one of 14 forums countywide that are up and running and being supported by Derbyshire County Council’s Better Government for Older People team.

The forums meet on a regular basis to discuss various topics, listen to speakers, plan action campaigns and swap ideas and views.

All the forums have been helped to set up by the Better Government for Older People programme which helps members with administration and organising meetings as well as providing financial support.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “Public transport is a subject that lots of people have views on, especially those that use it on a regular basis and rely on it for getting about.

“I am sure many people will take the opportunity to go along and meet the bus company representatives and have their say.”

To book free transport or for more information contact Louise Hiron, county council Better Government for Older People team, on 01629 532446 or email louise.hiron@derbyshire.gov.uk

(Ref:MC.215.07)

A former caretaker’s house is to be sold by Derbyshire County Council to fund a new centre for a special school.

For 20 years Ashgate Croft School has used 184 Boythorpe Road in Chesterfield as an independent living centre. The former caretaker’s house, about a mile from the main school site, is used by between 30 and 40 pupils a week to gain practical experiences, life skills and qualifications.

But the building is not suitable as more than half of all pupils cannot use it due to the steps outside, door widths and a staircase inside being unsuitable for wheelchair users. As a result the house can only be used two or three days a week.

Derbyshire County Council has agreed to allow the house in Boythorpe Road to be sold. It is estimated that the sale will raise around £120,000.

The school will use the money to build a replacement building on the main school site. No plans have been drawn up yet but it is hoped it could include a kitchen, dining area, living room, bedroom and bathroom.

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, said: “Although it could be some time before this scheme happens it makes sense to try and bring the living centre building on to the main school site.

“The new building would be available for all pupils and could be used five days a week instead of the current two or three days.”

(JF.220.07)

A new classroom is being built by Derbyshire County Council at Barlborough Primary School.

Pupil numbers at the school, in High Street, have risen as the result of a large housing estate being built between Barlborough and Clowne.

Since the mid 1990s three classrooms have been added to the school but there is still a shortage of 30 places.

To resolve this problem Derbyshire County Council is going to build a £350,000 single classroom extension with toilets.

Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for schools, said: “This work will give the school the space it needs to provide a 21st century education.

“Barlborough Primary School is unusual in seeing pupil numbers go up at a time when student figures are falling in most schools.”

(JF.220.07)

Young men from Derbyshire County Council-run youth clubs in the Amber Valley have been learning about the importance of their health and wellbeing.

The activities involved youth club members learning about:

• Mental and physical wellbeing 

• Hormonal changes 

• The health of their skin 

• Ways to identify the early signs of illnesses
  

Symptoms and body changes were also explained to the young men as part of the event, which was held to tie in with Men’s Health Week.

Young women at youth clubs were also given advice about the support they can provide for their boyfriends or partners when it comes to health matters. 
    

(JF.219.07)

Two summer play schemes are to receive grants from Derbyshire County Council.

The Holmewood and Heath Community Action Partnership will receive £1,500 towards the £2,700 cost of hiring two coaches to provide sporting activities for 40 children each day.

Young people attending the six weeks of activities will also pay a contribution towards the costs.

Derbyshire County Council is also giving a grant of £1,512 towards the £4,452 cost of a summer holiday club being run by the Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery in Staveley.

The play scheme will be aimed at children aged three to eight.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Both these play schemes provide activities to stimulate the minds of young people during the school holidays so we are pleased to be able to support them.”

(REF: JF.219.07)

Aspirational and brilliant are just two of the words used by people heaping praise on a programme aimed at helping them set up creative businesses.

Hundreds of people across Derbyshire have attended the free Focusing Creativity programme which supports creative businesses from web design and visual art to advertising and music.

When asked for feedback on the programme dozens of people responded with positive comments about its relevance and usefulness, with many praising its specialists.

The programme is delivered in partnership between Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Enterprise Agency.

It consists of five jargon-free workshops starting with a one-day event and followed with four half-day sessions, all delivered by arts and creative industry specialists.

The next one is being held in Belper at the Lion Hotel in Bridge Street, and people who are setting up or running a creative business are being encouraged to attend.

The workshops are:

• Focusing Creativity* - The core one-day workshop of the programme looks at what drives you as a creative enterprise, your passion and mission, resulting in a realistic development plan and strategy. Date: Tuesday 4 September, 9am – 4.30pm.

• Creative Essentials - You have the strategy – now, how do you market your enterprise? Creative Essentials gives you the knowledge and tools to develop a plan to get your message out there. Date: Tuesday 11 September, 12pm – 4.30pm.

• Creative Vision - You know where you want to be but how do you get there? Creative Vision gives you the skills, tips and practical know-how to research the best route forward to plan for your creative enterprise. Date: Friday 14 September, 12pm – 4.30pm.

• Creative Confidence - This workshop builds on your ability to communicate the benefits of your creativity to customers and your audience. Date: Tuesday 18 September, 12pm – 4.30pm.

• Creative Capital - Financial management can be a headache but it’s one you cannot ignore. This workshop gives you the skills to manage your finances and control cash flow, rather than cash flow controlling you. Date: Friday 21 September, 12pm – 4.30pm.

Alison Green, of Twist Interiors in Melbourne, said of the Focusing Creativity programme: “Every business should be prescribed this course. It was a great opportunity, a chance to step back and look at the direction of my business and I’m looking forward to taking my business forward.”

Christopher Horsfield, who runs Birds’ Eye View Cameras in Glossop, said: “The programme was brilliant and delivered by highly skilled subject specialists.”

Belper-based Immediate Design owner Martin Spink, said: “It is a great programme and a fantastic support tool for people wanting to start their own business.”

Rob Kinsey, who runs Rob Kinsey Art in Kniveton near Ashbourne, said: “The programme was very informative and allowed creative minds to put a structure and professional framework to their ideas and aspirations.”

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration councillor Geoff Carlile said: “All aspects of running a successful creative business are covered in the programme and they have proved very successful across the county.

“It is very pleasing to hear that people who have already been on the courses have benefited from them and that they are encouraging others to sign up. It has obviously been very worthwhile for them and their positive feedback is most welcome.”

There has been a high demand for past courses and places are limited so people are urged to sign up as soon as possible for the September programme to guarantee a place.

To apply for a place or for further details contact Janet Howett by calling 01246 207207 or emailing janet.howett@dncc.co.uk

* Focusing Creativity is a programme which is part of the Creative Industries Network (CIN) – led consortium. The consortium is funded through the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and is made up of Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Enterprise Agency and Creative Launchpad, led by CIN. The programme is delivered in partnership between Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Enterprise Agency.

(Ref:MC.214.07)

A Derbyshire secondary school is flying the flag for the environment after it became the first in the East Midlands to get an international eco-award.

The Long Eaton School has achieved three awards through the eco-school scheme - supported by Derbyshire County Council - which means this year they get to keep the prestigious green flag.

Over the past nine years, the Thoresby Road school has been involved in a number of projects aimed at protecting the planet.

An eco-committee made-up of pupils of all ages was set up to lead the school’s environmental efforts. These include collecting and re-using rainwater to flush the school’s toilets, encouraging classmates to cycle to school instead of making car journeys and setting up a gardening club where pupils grow their own vegetables in the school grounds for use in school dinners – a project which won them the title of East Midlands Healthy School of the Year last year.

Pupils organised an environment day to teach pupils at primary and special schools in Erewash about looking after their planet and they have also helped raise cash to fund environmental work in India and Africa.

Councillor Brian Lucas, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “The work these pupils do to look after the area in which they live as well as helping people in developing countries really is excellent.

"We all know we need to act now to preserve our environment for future generations and these youngsters have really taken that on board.

"They’re a shining example to all of us.”

Hundreds of schools across Derbyshire have already signed up to become eco-schools.

Pupils learn how to save energy, recycle their rubbish and create a cleaner environment.

Tips and ideas for teachers were available at Derbyshire County Council’s annual eco-schools conference held in Bakewell last month.

Around 100 teachers attended to get tips on how to save water, compost fruit peelings, teach children about climate change and bring recycling to life.

The scheme links into the curriculum and can also save schools money by cutting water, fuel and waste disposal bills.

For more information about eco-schools contact Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058.

(REF:JM.218.07)

Families are invited to create their own Roman-style thank-you plaques at two free workshops taking place at Derbyshire County Council’s Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

To coincide with National Archaeology Week, artist Penny Kill will be showing youngsters how to make votive plaques – thank you cards which Romans offered to their local gods for answering their prayers.

Taking inspiration from the museum’s Roman collection and using of a variety of materials, young visitors will be able to create their own plaques to take home.

The sessions, from 11am - 1pm and from 2pm - 4pm, take place at the Terrace Road museum on Saturday, July 21. They are free of charge but booking is essential. The event is for young people and their families but is not suitable for the under 5s.

The workshops are running as part of National Archaeology Week (opens in a new window), a nationwide festival of archaeology which inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate and understand their archaeological heritage.

To book a pace on either workshop call the museum on 01298 24658 or email buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk 

(AJ.217.07)

A Derbyshire artist’s view of his home county features in the latest exhibition at Derbyshire County Council’s Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

Landscape painter Duncan Pass creates large-scale paintings of Derbyshire’s beautiful landscapes, particularly focusing on the Peak District where he grew up.

Working in oils, his canvasses include many Derbyshire scenes including Mam Tor. The paintings feature wide skies and open horizons and show a great deal of the far distance.

His pictures represent the spirituality of the landscape and aim to give the viewer a sense of stepping into and travelling through it.

His exhibition – entitled Travelling Through Landscape – is on display at the Terrace Road museum and art gallery from Saturday, July 14 to Sunday, September 9. A preview takes place on Sunday, July 15 at 2pm.

And there’s a chance for visitors to meet the artist himself at two special events organised to coincide with the exhibition.

Visitors can talk to Duncan on Saturday, July 21 from 2-4pm and on Saturday, August 18 from 2-4pm.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “Duncan grew up and lives in Derbyshire and he finds inspiration in the beautiful landscapes around him.

“His oils and drawings give an interesting perspective on some of the area’s most fantastic landscapes and I hope people will take the opportunity to come and see the exhibition.

“Anyone who would like to know more can also ask him questions directly at two meet the artist events taking place in the coming weeks.”

Duncan Pass lives in New Tupton, near Chesterfield, having grown up in the area. After an access course in art and design and a degree in illustration, he became a landscape painter. He also helps run a local art group near Chesterfield.

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

As well as the Travelling Through Landscape show, visitors can also see the Derbyshire Open Exhibition 2007 – featuring works by artists who entered this year’s county council-run open art competition – until Friday, August 17.

For more information about the museum or the exhibitions on show call 01298 24658 or contact Ros Westwood or Martha Jasko at buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk

(AJ.217.07) 

      
 

Acclaimed children’s author Jacqueline Wilson will officially launch Derbyshire County Council’s award- winning Big Book Bash.

Jacqueline – whose work includes Tracey Beaker, the Illustrated Mum and Diamond Girls - will meet visitors and sign books during the reading festival on Sunday 15 July.

Organised for young people looked after by the council, the Big Book Bash aims to promote a love of reading and enables children in residential or foster care to take part in fun workshops and activities.

The idea is to boost their self-confidence by encouraging the young people to contribute to the event and raise their educational achievement through reading.

The fun starts at 10am at County Hall, Matlock, with displays, quizzes, story telling with Rachael Murray, balloon modelling and face painting with Uncle Michael the Clown and free books for everyone.

There will be workshops during the day where visitors can try their hand at cartooning with John Byrne, make pop-up cards with Robert Crowther and find out fascinating facts about science and crime from author Malcolm Rose. Other authors at the event, which was attended by 550 people last year, include Ceri Worman who writes about superspy Jamie B and zany poet and illustrator Chris White.

Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said it was a real coup for the council to attract top-selling author Jacqueline Wilson to the Big Book Bash.

He said: “Jacqueline is a hugely-successful author, adored by children all over the world, and we are delighted to be welcoming her to Derbyshire.

“As always, there will be loads of fun and games and the chance for young people who are looked after by us to celebrate a love of reading.

“When we started this event three years ago, we didn’t realise the impact it would have on the young people and their carers. By giving them an avenue to channel their many talents we have seen those young people gain in confidence, tell their stories and have a say in decisions which affect their lives.

“It is also a great opportunity for the young people to spend time with their foster families and their children in a fun environment.”

Entrance to the event is by ticket only which includes a free picnic lunch and goody bag for each child.

In January, the Big Book Bash won a Community Care Award for improving outcomes for looked-after children. 

The first Big Book Bash was organised by the county council in 2004 and was so successful the children themselves asked for it to be made an annual event.

(CC.213.07) 

A new directory packed with useful information about the care available to people across the county is now available.

The Derbyshire Care Services Directory has been produced as a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and Care Choices Directories which has published it.

The free directory detailing what type of care is available includes a comprehensive list of residential care homes and gives information on how people can find assistance and support in their own homes.

There is also guidance on paying for care and what financial assistance is available.

People who want to receive a copy of the Derbyshire Care Services Directory can do so by calling the county council’s call centre Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

Care Choices also operates a free public information service which provides a shortlist of care homes that match individuals’ personal preferences, more detailed information about organisations providing care and answering specific questions. The number for the information service is 0800 3892077.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “The new directory is full of information for people looking for care homes or care services in their own home.

“I am sure anyone who wants information like this will find it a useful and comprehensive guide.”

(Ref:MC.209.07)