November 2003 - Contents Moving forward A new life begins Julian Barker, an appreciation Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Remembrance Sunday, 9th November Services at St. Wystan's, Repton Services at St Saviour's, Foremark Services at St Mary's, Newton Solney Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's Altar Flowers at St. Wystan's Brasses at St. Wystan's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Christmas Mini-market, Saturday 8th November, 10.30 am Shell Christmas Nativity Services, Sunday 14th December at 11.00 and 6.30 Church Membership Group Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Marriages Robert George Massey and Dawn Lesley Booth Funerals Thomas Wright Wortley Alexander Walter John Silcox Irene Edna Russell John William Goodwin Albert Adams Rose Jordan William Frederick Wragg Burial of Ashes Laurence Seth Pearson St Wystan's News 'Readers' in the Church of England St Wystan's Wednesday Morning Communion St Wystan gets his sword back Mothers' Union Permission to see the church clock refused St Wystan's Development Fund update Repton 'War Graves' St Mary's News Service of Commemoration The Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal Derbyshire Churches & Chapels Preservation Trust Result of St Mary's Church Tree Competition Repton Village and School Sale of Work and Fun Day, Saturday, 1st November at 2.15 pm St Wystan's Church Quiz Evening Repton & District Care Group Evening of Victorian Entertainment, Saturday November 29th at 7.30 pm Thankyou Thanks from Laura Finch And from Sue Sharratt Public Service Information Satellite Dishes South Derbyshire District Council 'Clean Team' Musical Events Repton School Subscription Concert, Tuesday November 18th at 7.45 pm Charities Repton Royal British Legion Whist Drives Christmas Puddings Cards for Good Causes Repton Village and History Repton Village History Group Coffee Morning & Exhibition: Saturday, 6th December Repton Village Hall - Booking Secretary Wanted Repton's litter nuisance (continued) Repton Council Jottings Repton Village Society Repton WI Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney Parish Council Shopping trip to Birmingham Gardening Notes Sam Beeton

Moving forward

By the time you read this we shall have said goodbye to Julian, although it is quite likely that he will be still in Repton packing his large collection of books. After such a long and fruitful ministry he will be very much missed and many of you will have happy memories as you look back over the last 21 years.

November is a month for looking back. We start with All Saints Day when we thank God for all the great saints of the past. On 2nd November we have All Souls Day when we think of all who have died, known and unknown. On 9th November we have Remembrance Sunday when we remember all who gave their lives in war. It could be a very gloomy month.

But all these events can challenge us to look forward. We are all called to be Saints. St Paul writes to the saints in Ephesus and in Philippi. If he were writing to us today, he would begin his epistle, "To all the Saints in Repton" or "To the Saints in Newton Solney".

As we remember the souls of the faithful departed we thank God that we are what we are because of their lives. At the Remembrance Sunday service in Church we not only thank God for the sacrifice of those who died so that we can live in peace, but we also make an act of commitment that we will work for peace and harmony in the world today.

Similarly an interregnum is a great challenge to a parish. In my last diocese they refused to use the word "interregnum" because of its meaning, "between reigns". This suggests that everything comes to a halt without a Vicar in charge. Instead they used the word "vacancy". The Church should always be moving forward, with or without a Vicar, and in the next few months I am sure that under the leadership of the Churchwardens and the Parochial Church Councils we will continue to grow and change here in Repton, just as the Church has been doing ever since the time of the Anglo-Saxons.

A new life begins

Since I announced that I was to retire at the St Wystan's Annual Meeting in March, people have constantly asked me what plans I had for my retirement. I have given all sorts of answers, but what I did not then know was that the proper answer would be different altogether. Just when we think we have got our lives neatly sorted out, the Almighty often seems to have something quite different up his voluminous sleeve.

Those who came to the lunch after the morning service on 19th October will know that my new answer is that I am about to get married to Helen. Helen de Borchgrave, (pronounced Borgrarve) is a picture restorer, art historian, writer and lecturer. She was staying with friends near here in March and came to be ashed at St Wystan's at the Ash Wednesday evening service. It may seem an unlikely starting point for a romance but afterwards I was asked back for supper and our friendship began.

I shall still start by moving to Cambridge where my address will be 78 St Barnabas Road, Cambridge, CB1 2DE. However in December I shall move again to Helen's house at 103 Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 4PF. I do not at present have a telephone in Cambridge, but in London it will be 0207 738 1951.

Julian Barker, an appreciation

Julian leaves Repton at the end of October to start his retirement. For twenty one years he has been Vicar of Repton and Foremark and also for the past two years Priest in Charge at Newton Solney.

These have been busy years: they have included five years as Rural Dean of the Repton Deanery, service on a number of Diocesan Committees when Julian's independence of mind and intellectual gifts may have been regarded by the Diocesan Authorities as mixed blessings. He has also served as Chaplain to two High Sheriffs of Derbyshire, as Chaplain to the Drapers Livery Company in the City of London and in recent years as a Governor of Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire and as a member of the Committee of the East Midlands Clerical Training Course conducted by Nottingham University.

Julian trained as a priest at Wescott House, Cambridge. After ordination he became a curate at St Mary's Stafford followed by a period as tutor at St Augustine's, the theological college of the Dean of Canterbury. He then became Chaplain of Clare College, Cambridge. His last appointment before Repton was as Vicar and then Rector of the Raveningham group of parishes in rural Norfolk.

Before training for the priesthood Julian, who had been at school at Sedburgh, did his National Service as a subaltern with the Suffolk Regiment - engaged in anti-terrorist operations in Cyprus. He then graduated from Magdalene College, Cambridge.

It is apparent that with this background he might well have sought and attained high office in the church. However he has always felt that the real task and challenge for the church is in the parishes and this is where he chose to direct his life's work.

A lover of the countryside and of traditional country pursuits, Julian was well fitted for a country parish. The large vicarage in Repton, with its equally large garden - and he is a keen gardener - was appropriate for his family life, for he was and is a proud father and now grandfather. Yet personal pleasure and relaxation with his family have been subordinated to the needs of his parish and his parishioners.

Early Communion and working breakfasts with clergy from both the Church of England and other denominations have been regular features of our vicar's life. Meetings of the Church Council and many other groups and committees have been conducted in a family atmosphere around the vicarage fire. The preparation of parishioners and those outside the parish (for he has been generous with his time) for baptism, confirmation and marriage; holy communion at home for the sick and elderly; hospital and home visits to comfort the sick, the dying and the bereaved; the teaching of enquirers' groups - all these tasks have been carried out with kindness, patience and good humour. His sermons and talks have always been of high quality, many outstandingly so, and will be long remembered. Julian has given selflessly to the Christian and secular life of our parishes.

You may ask what faults does this paragon possess? It has to be admitted that there has been a certain impatience, even amounting to anger on occasions, with the bureaucrat and the bureaucratic mind. His filing system was a maelstrom of paper deposited as though by a great storm upon his desk, yet it usually produced after a few anxious moments, in an almost miraculous manner, the piece of paper required.

Julian has seen the parish church as a place where there should be diversity of services to provide for the broad stream of parishioners. Our links with other churches have been strengthened and our relationship with the United Reformed Church in Repton is particularly valued.

His legacy is a lively, friendly, motivated and well organised church, balanced in its forms of worship, conscious of the formidable challenges that it faces yet with the will and determination to take on those challenges.

It is with great sadness, but with a real sense of a mission fulfilled, that we bid farewell to Julian. He carries with him our good will and affection and, with Helen, our best wishes for great happiness in the exciting next phase of their lives; but he will be greatly missed in Repton.

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Remembrance Sunday, 9th November

Arrangements at Repton
The Remembrance Day service, which is jointly arranged by the Royal British Legion, the United Reformed Church and St Wystan's, starts outside the lych-gate at 10.45 am. The Act of Remembrance will take place at 11 am at the War Memorial. Then we go into church for the rest of the service. If it is raining people who do not want to wait outside in the wet can go straight into church.

The Royal British Legion parade, together with the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Cubs, will form up at the Legion Club at 10.30 am.

.... at Newton Solney
The 10 am All-Age Worship Service on 9th November will end with the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, which is at the back of the church.

St. Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's

2nd November	1st lesson:	Deuteronomy 6:1-9: David Roberts  
		2nd lesson:	Mark 12:28-34: Glenda Brewin
16th November	Epistle:		Hebrews 10:11-25: Keith Bradley
		Offertory:	Graham & Margaret Scott

30th November	Epistle:		Thessalonians 3:9-13: Bridget Young
		Offertory:	Wendy Mair & Lucine McLean

Altar Flowers

		2nd November	Noreen Driver
		9th November	Sue Hyde
		16th November	Rosemary Russian
		23rd November	Mrs A. Hignett

Brasses

		2nd & 9th November		Jan Gillham
		16th & 23rd November	Rosemary Russian
		30th November		Noreen Driver

The United Reformed Church

Christmas Mini-market, Saturday 8th November, 10.30 am

Christmas is near - and our Christmas Market is a good way to stock up! The mincemeat made by the Shell group is a firm favourite in the village, so come early before it all goes. Home-made cakes, marmalade, Christmas cards and wrapping paper from Webb Ivory, tombola and games to play. Don't miss it!
Shell (age 7+) meets on Mondays at 6.30. New members always welcome.

Christmas Nativity Services
Sunday 14th December at 11.00 and 6.30

Come and share with the children the meaning of the Christmas message.

Church Membership Group

Revd Brian Norris is going to arrange meetings for anyone interested in exploring the faith. Please telephone for details: 01332 296863.

Marriages

Robert George Massey and Dawn Lesley Booth of 8 Newfield Road, Winshill came to St Mary's, Newton Solney for a Service of Prayer and Dedication following their civil marriage on Saturday 27th September.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Thomas Wright Wortley, the beloved friend and partner of Amy Auckland, died suddenly at home in Whitwick aged 84 years. The funeral service was held at St Botolph's Church on 11th September followed by cremation at Loughborough Crematorium.

Alexander Walter John Silcox of 28 Askew Grove, Repton, died on Wednesday 24th September at the age of 85. His funeral was held at St Wystan's on Tuesday 7th October and was followed by cremation at Bretby.

Irene Edna Russell, known to everyone as Jane, who lived latterly at The Dales, Repton, died there on Thursday 2nd October at the age of 87. Her funeral was held at Bretby crematorium on Friday 10th October.

John William Goodwin of 33 Monsom Lane, Repton, died on Saturday 4th October at the age of 75. His funeral was held at St Wystan's on Thursday 16th October and was followed by burial in the Repton cemetery.

Albert Adams, better known as Ben, died at the age of 90 in Queen's Hospital Burton-on-Trent. His father was blacksmith at Newton Solney. He lived later at Willington and then at the Dales, Repton, before moving to Bearwardcote Hall, Etwall. Latterly he lived at South Lodge, Midway. His funeral was held at Bretby crematorium on Tuesday 21st October.

Rose Jordan, who used to live at 75 Springfield Road, died at the age of 89 in Ashfield Residential Home at Etwall on Monday 13th October. Her funeral was held at St Wystan's on Wednesday 22nd October and was followed by burial in the Nottingham Road Cemetery, Derby.

William Frederick Wragg of 19 Fisher Close, Repton, died at the age of 88. His funeral was held at Bretby crematorium on Wednesday 22nd October.

The ashes of Laurence Seth Pearson who died on Friday August 15th at Fairborne in Wales, were buried in Repton churchyard on Tuesday 14th October. He was aged 71. His funeral was held on Thursday 21st August. He used to live in Repton, first in Springfield Road and later in Burton Road.

St Wystan's News

'Readers' in the Church of England

'Readers', formerly known as Lay Readers, are people who undertake a three year course of training so that they can help in the life of their parishes. At present we have one licensed Reader in these parishes, June Scott, who works principally in Newton Solney. There are also two Readers in training, both from Repton. Ruth Attwood, who lives in The Pastures, is in her third year and should be licensed next summer. Steve Longden, from Main Street, began the course this autumn.

The training enables them to take services, other than Holy Communion and marriages, but including funerals and the associated pastoral care. Of course all sorts of people play a part in the life of every parish, but the Reader aims to give a better understanding of the Bible, more knowledge about the Church and its history and the ability to undertake all sorts of pastoral work including preparing families for baptisms. All Readers have different skills and particular areas of work in which they are interested, so having a group of Readers here should help to strengthen the Church's life.

St Wystan's Wednesday Morning Communion

For many years there has been a 10 am service of Holy Communion every Wednesday morning at St Wystan's. During the period when the parish has no vicar this will happen only on the first Wednesday of every month.

St Wystan gets his sword back

The figure of St Wystan above the entrance to the church porch has been missing his sword for many years. On Saturday 4th October a replacement was dedicated. It has been given in memory of Douglas Carr, who died in 1991, by his widow Pamela. Douglas was a major in The Royal Berkshire Regiment and saw active service in Malaya. When he left the army he became Secretary of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. He returned to live in Repton where he was educated and his father had been Bursar of Repton School. He was much involved in the life of the village and served on the Church Council.

The little gathering included his daughter Philippa and her husband Philip, his son James with Shani his wife, his grandsons Alastair & Louie, who read short pieces about him, and his granddaughters Georgia & Iona who placed flowers in the porch. His daughter Nicola who lives in Israel sent a brief passage about him which was also read.

Mothers' Union

Following our usual short service we were delighted to welcome Mr and Mrs D Roberts to our October meeting. They gave us an illustrated account of their adventurous visit to Peru. This little-visited country has the Andes rage stretching from the equatorial north to Lake Titicaca in the south. Jan and David started their journey in the modern capital of Lima and were delighted to find an old quarter here with architecture influenced by the Spanish conquistadors. They flew over the Andes to Iquitos on the Amazon, where they travelled by boat through amazing rain forest. They travelled the Pan American Highway, visiting several cities and offshore islands. A long train journey followed by a frightening coach ride led them up to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Finally they reached Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable water in the world where 'reed islands' house families and fishing is the main occupation of the people. Jan and David brought along many souvenirs of their memorable holiday for us to examine.

Members are reminded that the Diocesan Advent Quiet Day at Morely is on 25th November. We send our best wishes to Maud Pollard, Frances Bamford and Betty Starky who were not well enough to be with us.

Our next meeting is on 19th November at 2pm at Fisher Close: Mrs Frances Procter will talk about 'Round the world in 45 days'. Tea hostesses: Mrs T Guyler and Mrs A Mayger.

Permission to see the church clock refused

For some years now the yew tree to the left of the church path to St Wystan's has grown so that you can no longer see the church clock from the Post Office or the area round The Cross. Previously it has been 'topped' from time to time in order to restore the view. This is why it has grown so vigorously and is now tallest of all the churchyard yews. The Church Council applied to have it cut back again and the Parish Council agreed to pay for the work, seeing the clock as an amenity for the village.

However, on the advice of their tree officer, the District Council has refused permission for the work. You can still just see the top of the clock but soon that will disappear too. I'm all for the conservation of trees but this example of bureaucracy is depressingly predictable.

St Wystan's Development Fund update

Glenda & Norman Brewin have now raised £263 for the fund towards the cost of installing a kitchen, lavatories and other developments at the back of St Wystan's church. This has come from the sale of metals for recycling, and principally from the aluminium cans and foil which are collected in the church porch.

Repton 'War Graves'

Last month's appeal for information about the young men in the 'war graves' at Repton brought an immediate response. Information about Cpl. Hawksworth and Sgt. Kelsey-Wilkinson is now on the website (reptonchurch.org.uk) and the sister of F/O Owen-Jones is in touch. I am still looking for information about Private J.H. Smedley, The Lincolnshire Regt. If you can help, please contact me through the website or phone 702410.

St Mary's News

Service of Commemoration

Following a practice instituted at St Mary's by Sister Barbara, at the 4.00 pm service on 2nd November the congregation will be remembering everyone whose funeral has been held in the church during the past year, along with others whose memories are still held dear. If you have had a loved one whom you wish to commemorate at this Service, please come and join us.

The Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal

Our ancestors built this beautiful church in Newton Solney and it has fallen to our generation to carry out some serious repairs. The roof urgently needs replacing as there are already leaks and dangerous signs of decay and rot.

Will you please help us to raise the £145,000 necessary to carry out these repairs?

A committee has been formed, headed by Roger Kerry with support from Joe Bailey, Liz Bullivant, Kevin Cartwright, David Haines, Jennifer Haynes, Emma Kelsey and Linda Williams to mastermind the exercise.

The launch of our appeal is at midday on Tuesday, 11th November at St Mary's Church, when hopefully you can join us.

Our fund-raising campaign starts off with a 'sponsor' the roof appeal. Buy a square foot of the new roof for £48. With over 3000 square feet, it is a sizeable roof and a substantial amount to be found.

There are a great number of events planned over the next two years, commencing with a concert in Repton Church on Sunday 14th December at 3.00 pm. Major summer and Christmas events are planned for 2004/5. The message is very simple and very clear: we need to protect our heritage and we should dearly love your help in making this possible. The task seems formidable, but already we have promises for £17,000. With your help, hopefully we can reach our target by the end of 2005.

Derbyshire Churches & Chapels Preservation Trust

Warm thanks are due to a11 who helped towards the success of the 'Sponsored Hike & Hike' on 13th September, ensuring that hospitality was on offer at each church for the visiting walkers and cyclists. This year we had no representative cyclists from any of the churches, but six members of one Newton Solney family achieved between them over £124 in sponsorship money by visiting five churches on foot. Well done!

St Mary's Church Tree Competition

The winner of the Tree Competition was Mrs S. Wain of Mill Hill Lane, Burton, her name being drawn from among the 27 who had submitted fullv correct answers to the quiz. Many thanks to Hazel and Dennis Ward for organising the competition, which raised £195 for church funds. Lists of the correct answers are posted in church and in the Newton Solney Post Office. We now look forward to the next such challenge.

St Wystan's Church Quiz Evening

Following requests, the Church has agreed to assist three local young people with their expenses associated with various overseas gap-year projects to help the needy. The proceeds from the next quiz will be divided equally between those involved. They are: Hannah Short and Tom Passmore, both working in Latin America and Antonia Wimbush, working in Moldova.

Please do come along to give these young people your support for these worthwhile causes.


Please remember to bring your own drinks and glasses. A prize will be awarded to the winning team of four (or less); that does not preclude teams of more than four entering - it just means that they will not qualify for the prize. Regardless, please come along for a fun evening. Remember, it's better than watching tele!

Please telephone Joe or Cliff to book your table. An early booking to assist catering would be appreciated: telephone 01283 703343, answer phone available.

Repton & District Care Group Evening of Victorian Entertainment

This will be held at the Repton Village Hall on Saturday November 29th at 7.30pm.



Each ticket holder will have free entry into the Prize Draw to win a marvellous hamper. Refreshments from the era will be available from the bar, Victorian dress is optional. Please help if you require help with transport.

Tickets available from Willington Surgery, or any committee member. Telephone Mrs Best on 01283 701845.

Thankyou

Thanks from Laura Finch

A big thank you to everybody for coming to the talk about our gap year experiences which Claire and I gave at the Village Hall in September. Lots of you were very generous, and I collected £125 for L'Arche Shalom, Edmonton, which I have sent as a donation to their current project to update the building used for the more disabled core members' day centre and workshop, which also provides accommodation for assistants on their weekly days off. This will be extremely welcome, as the current building badly needs renovation. And thanks to a helpful person with useful Canadian contacts, the money has been sent without incurring any bank charges.

Thanks

A big thank you to all who helped to make my coffee morning a great success. It raised £801.50 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Public Information

Satellite Dishes

It has been noticed that satellite dishes have been on properties within the conservation area of Repton. Parishioners are reminded that conservation area consent is needed before this equipment can be installed. Advice should be sought from the District Council Planning Department, telephone 01283 221000, and proper consent obtained. This service is free of charge.

If you are not sure whether your property is within the conservation area check with the District Council or Parish Council.

Musical Events

Charities

Repton Royal British Legion Whist Drives

Our successful weekly games raise well over £1,200 per year for the Royal British Legion. On Wednesday November 5th we are holding our annual Poppy Drive and would gratefully welcome any donation, raffle prize etc for this occasion.

Please contact Sue Banks on 701726 and she will arrange collection. Many thanks.

Christmas Puddings

Once again at the Sale of Work in Pears School on November 1st the Cake Stall will be selling their popular luxury home-made Christmas puddings. These are available in ceramic bowls and come in three sizes - 3, 2 and 1 lb.

If you would like to order your pudding in advance and get it at a special discount price, ring Karen Perks on 01283 702392.

If anyone is willing to donate a cake, biscuits, pizza, quiche, bread or anything else, as long as it is home-made, we should be delighted to receive them. If you are unable to bring them along to Pears School on the morning, give me a ring and I will arrange for them to be collected.

Cards for Good Causes

The multi-charity Christmas card shop will open again this year in The Brewhouse, Union Street, Burton on Trent from Friday 31st October until Wednesday 17th December.

We open Monday-Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 1 pm.

Cards from more than 30 national charities will be on sale and also Christmas paper, Advent calendars and candles, tags, bows, ribbons and other seasonal goods.

The guest charities this year are Alzheimers Society, Headlines - Craniofacial Support Group, Marie Curie, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. At least 81p in every pound is passed on to the charities from card sales.

Come and support your favourite charities.

Repton Village & History

Repton Village History Group
Coffee Morning & Exhibition: Saturday, 6th December

The History Group will be putting on another display of old photographs of Repton and district at a special Coffee Morning organised by the Repton Village Society in the Repton Village Hall between 10 am and 1 pm. Admission will be free.

Following on the success of the February weekend "Remembering Repton & Milton", the Group has continued to expand its collection of old photographs, and it now has an archive of more than eight hundred items. It is intended to publish a picture book containing a large selection of them in time for Christmas next year.

Today's photographic display won't be on the same scale as February's but it will contain photographs obtained more recently and not shown before, including views of Foremark and Ingleby. As before, visitors are invited to bring along their own photographs on the morning and put them on display for others to enjoy.

Coffee, tea and mince pies will be on sale, and there will be a raffle draw. Why not make it a date in the diary? Saturday, 6th December from 10 a.m. onwards.

Repton Village Hall - Booking Secretary

As readers will be aware the Village Hall is an important facility within the village.The present Hall Booking Secretary, who has held the post for several years, wishes to relinquish the position.

Without a Booking Secretary it will be difficult to operate the Hall and the Management Committee are inquiring if there is anyone in the village who could give a few hours per week to carry out this role?

If you feel you could help please contact Peter Court (Chairman) on 702599. Thank you.

Repton's litter nuisance (continued)

Following a reader's note in the October Magazine ['the downside of recycling'], Jamie Fraser has sent us a copy of his recent letter to the SDDC about a similar problem:

I live a few doors from the fish and chip shop on High Street and on a Saturday and Sunday morning in particular often have to pick up chip papers that have either been carelessly dropped or have blown down the street. Although I accept that the council can do nothing about the irresponsibility of people who drop litter, I have noticed that the bin outside the chip shop is often full to overflowing and this is clearly exacerbating the problem.

Mr Fraser notes a similar problem with the bin outside the Spar shop which is obviously too small. He also points to the recycling point in the Bull's Head car park which is often littered with plastic bags that people have used to transport their bottles and cans, evidently finding it too inconvenient to take their bags and boxes home again. He suggests that a bin for such refuse might be provided, or even a sign giving advice on appropriate disposal.

The reply from SDDC's Senior Waste Development Officer, Ruth Parsons, makes the following points:

The existing 42 litre bin outside the Spar shop has now been replaced with a new 85 litre bin... We empty rural litter bins once a week (each Wednesday in Repton) and any further emptying must be carried out by the parish lengthsman on behalf of the Parish Council... With regard to the dropping of carrier bags at the Bulls Head recycling centre, my team feel that as the car park is private land it may be best to take up the suggestion of signing people to use the nearest litter bins... We are currently examining how we can reduce the amount of litter within the District within existing resources...

In this connection the Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Bunston, has drawn our attention to the SDDC's 'Clean Team' which is ready to spring into action in certain emergency situations.

Repton Council Jottings

A few of the topics discussed by Parish Councillors this month at their meeting on 13 October 2003:

¢ Good progress is being made on a proposal to provide local 11 - 18 year olds with a greater range of recreational opportunities. Youth organisations have been canvassed to ascertain what might entice teenagers away from their monitors and out of the bus shelter, and plans are now being developed with the County Council to offer a selection of activities ranging from DJ skills to canoeing. Further announcements will follow as things develop. Meanwhile consideration is also being given to creating a second play area for younger children. More on this anon.

¢ From time to time organisations seek contributions from Parish Council funds towards the cost of deserving projects that will benefit the community. In future comprehensive financial and other relevant details will be needed for their case to be considered. A form has been drafted for the purpose and is available on request from the Parish Clerk.

¢ Objections have had to be lodged against four Planning Applications. The principal reason is given in each case:

Repton Primary School - Amended application for a 2.4 metres (8 feet) high steel mesh perimeter fence. Too high and obtrusive on the edge of the village.

Repton Tandoori - Retrospective application for neon box sign. Inappropriate in a conservation area.

87 Main Street, Milton - Application to build a dwelling and garage. Milton is classed as an 'unsustainable settlement', which precludes further development.

Land off Milton Road (next to the Primary School field) - Outline application for 10 dwellings. Outside the village envelope.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place on 10 November at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Repton Village Society

Forty members and friends of the Society had a memorable and interesting visit to the magnificent Mansion House in London. The Banqueting Hall was laid out for a formal dinner that evening with crystal glasses and silverware on display. The tour was followed by Tea with the Lady Mayoress, Carole Blackshaw. Before the tour we were able to walk round the City of London in bright sunshine and be warm even on last day in September.

We also had a very enjoyable meeting on the 2nd October in the Village Hall. We sampled seven wines from South Africa under the knowledgeable supervision of Keith Grainger on his third visit to the Society. A very convivial evening was had by all who attended! Our next meeting is on the 27th November when we have a talk on the 'Fauld Explosion' on the anniversary of this tragic event that happened just up the Dove valley. The talk starts at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall.

Repton WI

Repton WI held its Annual Meeting in October. Joan Paulson gave her last report as Secretary and Molly Thompson came to the end of her term as President. Molly especially will be much missed as she is leaving the village later in the year.

The Treasurer, Margaret Rainey, reported that finances were healthy and Pat Court thanked the officers and Committee for their hard work which had made the 85th Anniversary year such a success.

Jill Cownie became the new President and Joyce Dennis and Anne Yates joined the Committee. Jill's catering ability guarantees that the WI will be able to enjoy even more delicious suppers next year.

Next meeting: Tuesday, November 11th at 7.15p.m. in the Village Hall when Gary Dundas will be returning with more sausages!

Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney Parish Council

following the election earlier this year, Newton Solney has a new Parish Council under the leadership of David Brookfield, with Andy Parker elected as vice-chairman. Notes from the Parish Council meeting will be included in the Village Hall newsletter but matters of wider interest will also be printed in the Parish Magazine.

Shopping trip to Birmingham

Newton Solney School is organising a shopping trip to Birmingham's new Bull Ring on Saturday 29th November. The cost will be £5.00 a seat.

Interested? More details from Angela Lomas, 01283 535167.

Gardening Notes

We are sometimes loath to take out the summer bedding which, unless we have had frost, is often still showing colour. This should have been done by the end of October to allow the spring bedding to settle in while the soil is still warm. There is no need to change more than the top few inches of soil in containers. Rich feeding will only encourage too much leaf growth at the expense of flower.

Continue tidying the border and dividing perennials where necessary but leave all grasses, kniphofias and anything tender till spring. Marking the plants with labels will help prevent confusion later when there is no sign of growth.

Using a blower is an efficient method of collecting leaves if they are dry. Put them in an enclosure of wire netting or in a large plastic sack perforated with holes to let the air in. Oak and beech leaves rot down quickest and make the best leaf mould. Sycamore is slow to rot and holly and laurel are best left out. Pine needles are very slow to decay and are too acid for most purposes.

If planting new trees or bushes, dig a substantial hole for each plant and work in some well rotted manure or compost with some bone meal to aid root establishment. If bare rooted, soak in water for an hour or so beforehand. Water well and repeat this later if the soil remains dry. Keep the soil well firmed around the plants, especially after frost. Try and remove all rose leaves if affected by black spot and burn them. If left, the fungus lies in the soil and gets splashed by rain on to the new leaves in the spring. A thick layer of mulch may prevent this. Wood chips, bark or garden compost are all suitable. Mulches should not be applied unless the soil is really moist as they will prevent the rain getting through whilst they also keep the moisture in. Extend the mulch underneath shrubs but keep back from the stems and crowns of plants.

Organic mulches and inorganic mulches can be used. Organic ones are garden compost, farmyard manure, mushroom manure, seaweed, bark or wood chippings, cocoa shells, hops and sawdust. Farmyard manure is manure plus straw. This will rot down in six months and is good as a soil conditioner. Mushroom manure is basically well composted straw with fertiliser added (and probably pesticides). It is slightly alkaline but this is rarely a problem. Wood chips take much longer to break down so are less good as a soil conditioner but make an excellent mulch eventually and are good at preventing weed growth. And this goes for bark too. Sawdust can be mixed with garden compost but is very slow to break down and, if used on its own, takes nitrogen out of the soil in the process, though it returns it later.

Inorganic mulches are also useful in certain cases. Gravel keeps the moisture in and the weeds down and is useful in hot summers. A polythene sheet can be applied and will warm up soil and keep it moist prior to early spring vegetable sowing. More exotic materials such as crushed glass, glass beads and broken CDs may be used for decorative effect too and should be laid on a plastic sheet to make removal easier.

A start can be made on pruning the fruit trees in November. Hardwood cuttings of such plants as roses, philadelphus, deutzia, ribes and many others can still be taken. Clear away old vegetable crops and spread a thick layer of compost over areas to be dug this winter and start the digging. Dig a trench for next year's runner beans and fill it gradually with kitchen vegetable waste.

Be careful when watering greenhouse plants. With reduced light and temperatures, most plants will need much less water and botrytis - grey mould - is often a problem. Remove all affected leaves and ventilate the greenhouse whenever possible. Over wintering pelargoniums should be kept almost dry.

Planting lilies now, especially in containers, gives them a better chance of getting established than spring planted ones and leads to better flowering. Plant in really good, rich, freely draining soil with plenty of organic matter.

Bring Christmas cacti indoors and put on a windowsill to imitate flower buds. Keep an eye on bulbs growing in pots and do not let them dry out.

Letter from Madagascar

The Rev'd Sam Beeton, of St Paul's Theological College, has taken up the pen of our erstwhile faithful correspondent, Bishop Keith Benzies, who sadly died last year. Here are excerpts from his latest letter.

The college year in Ambatoharanana ended last week with two fourth year students ordained priests. Both should make able pastors and community leaders.

The Rev'd Marlin was ordained in Toamasina Cathedral so I went along to represent the college. Toamasïna is Madagascar's main port on the East Coast. The weather was quite different to cool cloudy Antananarivo. The frogs croaked and the mosquitoes buzzed in the steamy sun. The ordination was a grand affair; lots of priests attended. Marlin prostrated himself before the bishop, incense wafted around the crowded aisles and the trumpet sounded.

The Rev'd Jocelin is leaving us for a parish in Antananarivo dioccese. His wife, a teacher, has been giving me Malagasy lessons. We have been through the prayer book so I now understand more of the daily services and can put this vocabulary to wider use. We also translated the Venite, the Nunc Dimittis, the Magnificat and some of the songs that I sing with the choir.

A few weeks ago I had a lunch of cassava leaves and beans with Zoo, one of the tenors in the choir, who had come straight from the morning classes. That afternoon we took part in an ecumenical concert. There were ten different choirs, including a children's choir and a gospel choir. American gospel music is popular here but the clarity of the word tends to lose out to virtuosity! It is up to English teachers like me to teach what the words mean.

The carpenter has been busy in college. He did a good job on my broken privy door but that left the bed a few planks short for a visiting lecturer! At least the carpenter had mended the loose joints so that what was left didn't wobble.