August 2005 - Contents Suicide Bombers and Politicians Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches VJ Day Thanksgiving Service 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 Altar Flowers at St Saviour's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Coffee Mornings Shell Family Church Picnic: Sunday 28th August Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Marriages Neville James Gaffrey and Lisa Bullivant Lee Richard Harle and Sophie Caroline Evans Francis David Hunt and Miroslawa Maria (Mira) Wysocka-Borejszo Funerals and Burial of Ashes Ivy Noreen Warner Brenda Irene Laverick St Wystan's News Sponsored Bicycle Ride or Walk Mothers' Union Open Gardens 2005 Christian Aid Collection 2005 Carol and Keith Bradley St Mary's News Saints Alive in Newton Solney Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal Repton Squash Club Newton Solney Open Show, Saturday 3rd September Repton Village Show, Saturday 3rd September Conservatives Sausage, Mash & Bingo, Thursday 29th September Thankyou Ivy Warner Valerie and Michael Sarson Sue Banks' Garage Sale Repton & District Care Group In Case of Emergency Musical Events Repton School Concerts Society, 2005-2006 Season Repton Village and History Rainbows Repton Parish Council, Special Meeting Summer Activities for Young People Repton Council Jottings Repton Show Calling all Bridge Players! Repton Parish Council, Special Meeting Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Floral Container / Front Garden Competition: Results Repton Evergreens Repton Casuals Football Club Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney Activity Club Gardening Notes

Suicide Bombers and Politicians

"So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life." (Judges 16.30) Was Samson a suicide bomber? I have heard it said that suicide bombing started in the Iran / Iraq war. Yet dying for your cause and taking your enemy with you is much older, as we see from the Bible.

This article is not about biblical authority, although this passage and the London bombings raise that issue in an acute form. It is about understanding the bombings, which is not the same as condoning.

More than one person has asked me recently what I thought of the bombings in London. It is perceived that there is a significant religious dimension to those sad and tragic events. That may be so, since one particular religious group seems to be undertaking them, yet we live in a glass house and must at all costs resist throwing stones.

Shortly after the bombings, an article in the Times attributed the events to the resentment of the alienated against the successful. Western culture was seen to be successful, Middle Eastern culture to be corrupt and failing. As I listen to Muslim comments, that analysis seems unlikely.

Certainly there is a religious culture that allows and even commends suicide bombings. It may also be true that the bombers themselves have been brainwashed with spurious religious notions of the after-life and how to obtain it. Yet it is not a religious grievance that these people feel but a political one.

On the radio, Sir Bernard Crick put his finger on the heart of the problem. Ever since 1967, Israel has failed to implement the U.N. resolutions following the Six Day War of that year. Further, our own country has failed to challenge the United States' unquestioning backing of Israeli policy. For over half a century we have effectively turned a blind eye to the plight of the Palestinians. Only after the latest meeting of the G8 have they been granted substantial financial backing; that is probably far too little and certainly far too late.

When he hosted a meeting of Arab leaders earlier this year, the Prime Minister did admit that settlement of the Palestinian issue would bring peace to European cities, but that is all. Had the voice of protest been louder and clearer, then the resentment, anger and hatred that has driven people to suicide bombing might have been defused.

We must not let the politicians off the hook when they talk of an evil belief system that drives the bombers. Yes, the bombers may have been brainwashed, but the root cause of these wicked actions is political; we must continue to remind politicians of that. Let us pray also that the Israelis come to understand that building more settlements on Palestinian soil only makes the situation worse, and that there will never be peace until there are two nations in the land of the Holy One.

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St. Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's

Altar Flowers

Brasses

Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rota at St Saviour's

The United Reformed Church

Coffee Mornings

The collapse of the wall adjoining the brook, and damage to the corner of the schoolroom, have meant that we cannot use the schoolroom until it has been repaired. This does not mean that the Coffee Mornings will not happen - they will be held in the Community Lounge on Fisher Close on Saturday 10th September and Saturday 8th October, at the usual time of 10.30 am.

Shell Group (age 7+)

... will recommence on Monday 12th September at 6.30 pm.

Family Church Picnic: Sunday 28th August

Following a short Family Service at the usual time of 11.00 am, we will travel by car to our picnic destination, eat our picnic lunch together, followed by a walk and games.

Marriages

Neville James Gaffrey and Lisa Bullivant were married at Newton Solney church on Saturday 16th July.

Lee Richard Harle and Sophie Caroline Evans were married at Foremark church on Saturday 16th July.

Francis David Hunt and Miroslawa Maria (Mira) Wysocka-Borejszo were married at Repton church on Monday 18th July.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Ivy Noreen Warner of 17 Burdett Way, Repton, died on 24th June at Queens Hospital, Burton. Her funeral at Bretby Crematorium on 30th June was followed by cremation.

Brenda Irene Laverick of 59 Springfield Road, Repton, died on 1st July aged 72. Her funeral at Bretby Crematorium on 11th July was followed by cremation.

St Wystan's News

Sponsored Bicycle Ride or Walk

This year, the sponsored 'Bike & Hike' in aid of the Derbyshire Churches and Chapels Preservation Trust is to be held on Saturday 10th September. All four churches in Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney will be looking to receive visitors from 10.00 am, though sadly the precarious state of the URC schoolroom prevents that congregation from offering their usual generous hospitality, and it is to be hoped that the bikers / hikers will make a special effort to sign the URC list as a mark of sympathy.

Anyone willing and able to act as a steward, to walk or cycle between churches and chapels in this area, or simply to sponsor one or more of these various participants, is invited to contact one of the following: Linda Pettitt (URC, Repton, 701223), Richard Finch (St Wystan's, Repton, 701245), Anne Redfern (St Saviour's, Foremark, 01332-862350), Jennifer Haynes (St Mary's, Newton Solney, 703827).

Mothers' Union

At our meeting on 20th July, Mrs Caroline Willets, the M.U. Marketing Rep at Mary Sumner House, spoke on 'Marketing the Mothers' Union.' Her talk was very informative. She explained that many people think that the reference to marketing applies solely to literature etc., but in fact it relates to marketing ourselves and our ability to attract and bring people into the M.U. movement. She then illustrated many ways in which we can do this.

It was agreed that the Diocesan Festival held at St Wystan's on the evening of Tuesday 19th July was a great success. Over 200 people attended the Eucharist, including the High Sheriff and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Shields, the Chairman of the District Council, Councillor Jones and his wife, the Chairman of our own Parish Council and his wife, David and Jan Roberts, together with the M.U. Diocesan President, Mrs. Audrey Hopkins, and several M.U. Vice-Presidents. May I take this opportunity to express special thanks to Repton School for toilet and parking facilities, to the two Rons – Beckett and Griffiths – who coped so ably with the parking, and to Jan Gilham, Carol Lloyd and Martin Wimbush for their help and support.

There will not be a meeting in August, but in September Miss Jennifer Haynes will speak on a subject of her choice. Hostesses. Mrs. J. Scott. Mrs. P. Beckett.

Open Gardens 2005

This year we enjoyed splendid weather for the whole weekend, and attendances were very good. Sixteen gardens participated, including three at Repton School, and our grateful thanks are due to all who kindly exposed their gardens to public view; there was much favourable comment.

The Scarecrow Competition attracted a good variety of traditional, amusing and novel items and produced a high standard. The results were published in last month's magazine.

Other activities within the Open Gardens framework included a 'grand draw', with splendid prizes donated locally, home produce, plant and picture sales, a book stall and tombola. Unfortunately, nobody won the competition to 'name the dog'.

St Wystan's Church was decorated with flowers arranged by individuals and village organisations, and Repton History Group organised a photographic display. There were organ recitals and the bells were rung. Refreshments were served in the Village Hall and the United Reformed Church. For the first time these included 'ploughman's lunches', a popular innovation.

The Open Gardens made a profit of £3,620 for St Wystan's Church; a donation of £100 from this has been made to Repton Village Society for planting bulbs in the village.

We are most grateful to all who donated in so many ways, whether cakes and confectioneries, plants and produce, books and prizes: to all who were so generous with their time and energies – particularly the guides, who helped us serve tea and wash up: to all who helped to organise events: to all the gardeners: and finally, to all our visitors; it was as ever a pleasure to meet you.

Christian Aid Collection 2005

The total Christian Aid collection from the Parishes of Repton, Foremarke and Newton Solney was £1879.6, £1518.52 from Repton, Foremarke and Milton, and £361.10 from Newton Solney.

Many thanks to all who contributed so generously, and to those who specifically held fund-raising events and donated the money to Christian Aid. We had a tremendous response, especially after contributions already made towards the Tsumani Appeal.

Christian Aid will again be able to claim back the tax on all gifts from taxpayers. We have estimated that they will be able to claim approximately £70. Do please continue to fill in the envelopes.

We would like to thank the dedicated collectors and the counters who helped to co-ordinate the collection, and The Post Office for having the collection box. We would especially like to thank the new collectors who have joined us, and those who are retiring after years of helping. May we remind collectors to contact us if they are unable to collect next year.

We are still looking for collectors for all areas next year. We have no one collecting in the Ingleby area. If you could collect, even if only once, we would be grateful if you could contact either Jackie Hurrell (co-ordinator), 702089, or Melodie Kettle, 559217. For Newton Solney the contact is Jennifer Haynes, 703827.

Thankyou

Carol and I would like to thank all those who came to the "Bring and Share Lunch" on Sunday 26th June for your good wishes (as well as the excellent fare!) and the wonderful gift which the parish gave us, a beautiful watercolour of the church and the lych-gate; it will sit proudly in our new house in France.

We shall always remember the kindness and hospitality of people from the church, and we would like to have the opportunity to offer both of these to anyone who is contemplating a visit to our part of France. We are less than 40 miles west of Poitiers on the D938 at Reffannes, between Parthenay to the north and St Maixent l'Ecole to the south.

We shall be offering B&B on a small scale, but for any large bookings there is a hotel / restaurant opposite our house in the village. The food is excellent – we can vouch for that personally!

Once we have our internet connection, we shall let you know. When we have our website, we will place an advert in the Parish Magazine.

We look forward to seeing you, and once again, very many thanks to all of you at St Wystan's.

St Mary's News

Saints Alive in Newton Solney

The 'Saints Alive' course in basic Christian belief will be offered in Newton Solney during the autumn. It is a nine session course and will be led by the Vicar and members of the staff team together. There will be an introductory meeting at 7.30 pm on 22nd September at Newton Solney church, when we will discuss preparations and look at possible dates. All are very welcome from other villages of the benefice as well as Newton Solney.

Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal

'Sunday Lunch at Park Manor' in mid-July was a luxurious occasion, enhanced by glorious summer weather. Special thanks are due to Roger and Liz Bullivant for offering the use of their splendid marquee, still beautifully decorated for the wedding of Lisa and Neville on the previous day, to Roger Kerry for hosting the event, and to everyone involved in the planning and preparation.

The food, the drink, the company, the music, all added to the festivity of the day; and although, at the time of going to press, several bills have yet to be paid, it is evident that the proceeds should be well beyond £12,000. A wonderful result! Thank you to everyone concerned.

Thankyou

Ivy Warner

The family wishes to thank relatives, friends and neighbours for their kind messages of sympathy at this sad time and for attending the funeral service. Our special thanks go to the medical and nursing staff at Queens Hospital, Burton.

Valerie and Michael Sarson

I would like to send special thanks to all my family and friends – especially Lilian, Jean, Lesley, Barbara and Margaret – for their good wishes and much needed help during and after my recent stay in hospital. I am now on the way to a good recovery. Once again, thankyou.

Sue Banks' Garage Sale

A huge thankyou to everyone who helped with or donated to our garage sale. A cheque for £425 has gone to a very grateful National Autistic Society. A wonderful effort by all concerned.

Repton & District Care Group

The 'Cream Teas' event was a great success making £250. The floral art section proved to be very popular with all ages, as were the cream teas. The next meeting of the group will be at 7.15 pm on 20th September at Willington Surgery.

In Case of Emergency

With the support of Falklands war hero Simon Weston, and in association with Vodafone, East Anglian Ambulance Service has launched a national 'In case of Emergency (ICE)' campaign.

The idea is that you store the word 'ICE' in your mobile phone address book, and against it the number of the person you would want to contact 'In Case of Emergency'. Ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to find out quickly who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. For more than one contact, use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

It's so simple, everyone can do it. Please do. Please will you also forward this idea to everybody in your address book; then it won't take long before everybody will know about it. It really could save your life.

Repton School Concerts Society 2005-2006 Season 13th September Noriko Ogawa and Philip Smith, Piano Duet Including music by Dvorak, Ravel and Schubert 11th October Skampa String Quartet Music by Mozart,and Beethoven 8th November Murray McLachlan, Piano Sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert 7th January Min-Jym Kym, Violin, and Ian Brown, Piano Winner of the first 'Heifetz Prize'. Music by J.S.Bach, Dvorak and Sarasate. 11th March Emma Kirkby, Soprano, with Derby Choral Union and orchestra. Pears School. £15; no concessions. 25th April Chetham's School of Music 2nd May James Campbell, Graham Oppenheimer and Ronan O'Hora Music for Clarinet, Viola and Piano 9th May Annual General Meeting and Music Competition Final 6th June Aurora Ensemble Music for Wind Quintet by Vivaldi, Hindemith, Poulenc and Mozart. 27th June Teruko Habu (a former Repton pupil), Violin £5 (no concessions) Concerts are at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall unless otherwise stated. For further details, season tickets (£50) and tickets for individual concerts (£12 / £9), please contact: Mrs. Sue Parker, Secretary, 56 Askew Grove, Repton DE65 6GR, tel. 01283 702550 e-mail: sue_lizzie@onetel.com or Mr. Neil Millensted at Repton Music School, tel. 01283 559319

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Repton Village & History

Rainbows

First Repton Rainbows have now re-opened the waiting list for new girls aged 5 - 7. For further details, please contact Carol (Rainbows Leader) on 703991.

Repton Parish Council, Special Meeting

Repton Parish Council will hold a special meeting on Monday 8th August at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall, when Helena Stubbs of Derbyshire Rural Community Council will give a presentation on 'Parish Plans'.

Parish plans should set out a vision for how the community wants to develop, and identify the action needed. They can include anything that is relevant to the people who live and work here, from employment and playgrounds to the design of new buildings and protection of hedges and ponds. They can include social, environmental or economic issues. It is up to the community to decide what is important to us.

We invite any local groups, local businesses or individuals to come to the meeting to hear what Helena has to say.

Summer Activities for Young People

Sportsbreak: Date: 1 - 5th August
Time: 10.15 am - 2.45 pm
Venue: Mitre Field, Mitre Drive, Repton
Age: 8 – 12
Cost: £2 per day

Sportsmobile: Date: 8th August
Time: 2 pm - 4 pm
Venue: Mitre Field, Mitre Drive, Repton
Age: 8 – 12 (under 8's if accompanied by an adult)
Cost: Free of charge

Sportsmobile: Date: 22nd August
Time: 10 am - 12 noon
Venue: Mitre Field, Mitre Drive, Repton
Age: 8 – 12 (under 8's if accompanied by an adult)
Cost: Free of charge

Xtreme Sports (skateboards,BMX & in-line skates)
Date: 24th August
Time: 10.15 am - 11.45 am
Venue: Willington Marina Car Park
Age: 8 – 12 (under 8's if accompanied by an adult)
Cost: £1

Repton Council Jottings

Latest news from the Parish Council following its meeting in July 2005:

• As a reward for participating in the SDDC Composting Scheme sponsored by Biffa Waste, £50 in gardening gift vouchers has been donated to the parish. It will be used to purchase bulbs and trees for planting in the roadside verges at Milton.



• A complaint has been received that barriers erected on some link footpaths within the village, to stop them being used by motorcyclists and horse riders, are causing difficulties for the disabled. The matter has been referred to the county council to see if they can engineer a solution.



• Following a request to the county council for lights to be installed along the Cinder Track, we were told in February that an improvement project would be considered in a year. Then last month, out of the blue, three lamp standards appeared. Also, after years of pressing for the very narrow pavement near Zytek to be widened, the work has just been carried out. We must be doing something right!



• A small working party has been set up to develop some interesting ideas for new features to enhance the village. One project is a Tourist Map of the village to guide visitors round Repton's historic features. The proposal is to put it in a display case sited somewhere near the Parish Church. Various sources of finance will be explored, and the Village History Group is helping to produce an attractive and up to date pictorial map. Progress with this and other heritage projects will be reported from time to time. Incidentally, if you're wondering what happened to the proposal for an Amenity Signpost at the Cross, which was mentioned as far back as last November, the explanation is that it has been delayed, mainly by bureaucratic problems at the county council. Everything is now resolved and, fingers crossed, it should be installed in a month or so.



• Repton Parish Council is embarking on the process of applying for Quality Council status. We are well positioned to do this as we already meet over 70% of the requirements. Our parish clerk, Celia Bunston, will shortly obtain her Certificate in Local Council Administration, which is an essential part of the process. There will be changes to the way the council operates and to internal procedures, some of which will become apparent soon. One simple step is the display of full contact details for all councillors on local notice boards and elsewhere – name, postal address, email address and phone number. A website is also at the early planning stage. Parish councils are being strongly encouraged by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and DEFRA, to attain Quality accreditation. The procedure is designed to improve their management and efficiency, help them communicate better with the electorate, and raise their profile. By so doing they can represent the needs of the community with greater authority. It has been made clear that councils who fail to modernise and develop will find themselves losing out.



• The Parish Council does not normally convene in August, but this year a special meeting has been arranged for 7.30 pm on Monday 8th August in Repton Village Hall. The purpose is to hear a presentation from Helena Stubbs of Derbyshire Rural Community Council, on the subject of Parish Plans. Some years ago, members of Repton Village Society put in a lot of work on a Village Design Statement, and a number of residents made valued contributions. However, the project did not progress beyond the draft stage. Parish Plans are the successor to the now obsolete Design Statements. Local organisations are being invited to attend and members of the public will also be very welcome.

Repton Show

The show takes place this year on Saturday September 3rd in Repton Village Hall with staging from 10.00 – 11.00 am. A schedule showing all the classes was included in the May Parish Magazine, and you will find an entry form in this magazine. This is a show for all the village, with lots of different classes, including vegetables, flowers, plants, photography, baking, jam making, sewing, knitting etc., together with classes for children. So do have a go and enter. There is a lot of local talent, and it is really nice to see what people can do.

The show opens to the public at 2.30 pm, with prize giving at 3.30 pm. There will be tea and biscuits, and an auction conducted by Adrian Argyle at 3.45 pm.

Extra entry forms and schedules will be available during August at Repton Post Office.

Calling all Bridge Players!

We are preparing to hold an informal open afternoon for bridge players every Monday from September onwards from 2 to 5 pm. The venue will be the Community Room in Fisher Close, and the cost between £1 and £2, to cover the hire of the room and a cup of tea. We hope that as many people as possible will come and enjoy a FUN game of rubber bridge. It would be helpful if you could bring a pack of cards and score sheets.

The first game will be on Monday 5th September. If you have any queries, please phone me on 702350.

Repton Parish Council, Special Meeting

Repton Parish Council will hold a special meeting on Monday 8th August at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall, when Helena Stubbs of Derbyshire Rural Community Council will give a presentation on 'Parish Plans'.

Parish plans should set out a vision for how the community wants to develop, and identify the action needed. They can include anything that is relevant to the people who live and work here, from employment and playgrounds to the design of new buildings and protection of hedges and ponds. They can include social, environmental or economic issues. It is up to the community to decide what is important to us.

We invite any local groups, local businesses or individuals to come to the meeting to hear what Helena has to say.

Repton W.I.

Our July speaker was unable to come, but a splendid replacement was found at short notice. Jeff Jacks, an artist from Alrewas, brought examples of his work including one painting which was about to travel to a gallery in Dallas. He told us how he had made art pay as a card designer, illustrator, and now primarily as a painter. He was thanked by Angela Mayger.

There is no formal meeting in August. Instead, members will gather at 2 Shakespeare Meadows on 9th August at 2.30 pm. Garden chairs and cakes needed!

Repton Village History Group

We would like to thank our members, friends and supporters, as well as the many visitors to St Wystan's Church who came to see our photographic display during the recent Open Gardens Weekend. The excellent weather ensured a good turnout for the event, and the Church proved to be the 'coolest' place around.

Our June meeting was a presentation by Keith Foster from the Swadlincote based Magic Attic. He spoke about the work of 'The Attic', and especially, the tremendous task they undertook to research newspapers, in order to build up records of local service personnel who were casualties in the two World Wars. He brought them along for the audience to examine after the talk. A vote of thanks was proposed by Bunty Marshall. Ros Hudson was leaving Repton the following morning; we were very sorry to see her go and wish her every happiness in her new home in Devon. On behalf of the Group, a plant arrangement and card and were presented to her by Pat Smythe.

There will be no meeting in August, but on Tuesday 20th September, Maureen Newton will give a talk entitled 'A Backward Glance at Childhood Games' – more about this next month.

Repton Village Society

On Thursday 7th July, 24 members (and one dog) had an informative walk round Belper to see the housing and amenities provided by the Strutt family for their workers at the Strutt Belper Mills. We had a fascinating evening, with the guides providing a lot of local history, including the story of the local murderer who was the last person to be publicly hung at Derby. We were also told of the major fight between the local 'nailers' and the navvies brought in to build the railway. The housing with its many rows and alleyways is now in the conservation area and has retained much of its old character. Some of the old privies and pigsties are still to be seen in the gardens (even if not used for their original purposes). We finished the walk with tea and biscuits at the Congregational Church that was built by the Strutts, and where the family is buried.

Wine Tasting: Thursday 1st September, 7.30 pm Repton Village Hall
We do not have a meeting in August so our next event will be the Wine Tasting at the beginning of September. We will again welcome Keith Grainger, but this year the wines we'll be tasting will be from Chile and Argentina. Tickets are limited (£7.00 per person) and can be obtained from Alan Webster, 701838.

Floral Container / Front Garden Competition: Results

There were many very good hanging baskets and front gardens that were a credit to their owners. Not all had entered the free competition, but of those who did enter, the standard was as high as ever, setting the judge some tough decisions.

The winners are:

The prizes (vouchers for Bretby Nurseries) will be presented at the Repton Village Show Prizegiving on Saturday 3rd September and have been sponsored by both the Repton Parish Council and Bretby Nurseries.

Repton Evergreens

We all enjoyed our visit to Foremarke Hall on 23rd June for a musical concert and tea. On Thursday 8th September we are going to Skegness. The coach leaves the Cross at 9 am. If any non-member would like to join us, the cost is £10. To book, please ring Mr. Reg Banks, 702975, or Mrs. Colleen Yeomans, 701803. Our next meetings, both at 2.30 pm in the Village Hall, are on Thursday 28th July, and a Bring and Buy on Thursday 25th August.

Repton Casuals Football Club

At the Repton Casuals Awards night, Bob Errington was presented with a cut-glass football to mark his great service to Repton Casuals.

Bob, who is a qualified coach, helped to start Ball Skills sessions at Repton Primary School in 1989. An Under 11's team was formed from the nucleus of players and entered the Derby Community league in 1990 - 1991, with Bob as assistant manager to Barry Williamson. The team was very successful; in their first season they were League champions and runners-up in the Cup.

Bob's talent lay not just in coaching, but also in his organisational ability, as he identified other parents with the potential to take on groups of players and form teams capable of giving a good account of themselves in local junior leagues. As a direct result of Bob's efforts, Repton Casuals now run 10 junior teams, ranging from under 8's to under 15's, as well as a thriving Ball Skills session for about 30 children between 5 and 7.

Bob has also worked tirelessly to obtain Charity Status for Repton Casuals, which will provide major funding benefits to enable the club to provide ever better facilities.

Young footballers were presented with awards for the 2004 - 2005 season.

Ball skills sessions re-commence at 10.00 am on Saturday 10th September at Broomhills Lane. Boys and girls are welcome from the age of 5. For further information contact Bob Errington on 701183.

Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

During July, Milton W.I. were hostesses to Hucknall Golden Age Club. Forty-five members of the club arrived for an early lunch, after which they left to visit Staunton Harold Garden Centre and craft shops.

Our speaker in July was Paddy Laban, who regaled us with tales of her life driving a lorry for a living, in an era when this was not a usual occupation for a woman. Paddy raised money for Cancer Research by gaining her HGV licence at the age of fifty-two, and subsequently won a Woman of the Year Award.

There will not be a meeting in the Village Hall during August. Arrangements have been made for members to visit Melbourne House and Gardens on the afternoon of the third Wednesday, followed by tea nearby. Please ring a committee member if you need further details.

In September Jim Wider will be back to talk about local wild flowers.

Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney Activity Club

... runs during term time after school until 6 pm in Newton Solney School hall. A range of exciting activities is planned, including special fun afternoons and events. Places are available on a regular or casual basis for any children aged 4 – 12. Pupils can be collected, by arrangement, from the Repton school bus. For more information, contact the club co-ordinator, Stacey Plowman, on 01283 703461.

Gardening Notes

In view of climate change, the head of the RHS Advisory Service says we should give up trying to grow many of the flowers that typify our English cottage gardens and grow plants more suitable to a Mediterranean climate. Lack of moisture rather than heat will be the problem, although for those of us still around, average annual temperatures are predicted to rise by 3.5°C by 2080. So we need to develop more shady areas and grow trees and plants that survive with less moisture, and, of course, employ all methods of mulching. Plants that flower early in the year, such as tulips, pansies, wallflowers and lupins, will still flourish because of winter rain, but the later-flowering phlox, rudbeckias and late-flowering daisies will not have enough moisture. Geranium macrorhizum, some euphorbia and Japanese anenome should do well, as also lavender, stachys, cosmos, aster frikartii, perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage), achillea, agapanthus, helianthus, lavatera, yucca and cytisus battandieri (Moroccan pineapple broom), to name but a few. Lawns should be replaced with tougher grasses or gravel.

Dahlias should now be in full flower; they will benefit from staking and dead-heading. Phlox, aconitums, penstemons, crocosmia and some kniphofias should also be making a good show in the border.

You can take cuttings from doubtfully hardy plants such as some fuchsias, pelargoniums, lavenders, pinks, argyranthemums, penstemons and ceanothus. Treat container plants that you intend to over-winter (but not edible plants) with vine weevil killer. Prune ivies on walls; trim hard back to allow for fresh new growth before winter. Shorten the long fresh growths of established wisteria to six leaves; they will need pruning again in December. Prune lavender after flowering to maintain its shape, as also senecio, santolina and artemisia. Prune out the fruited canes of summer raspberries.

Hostas can be moved and split at almost any time of year; August is convenient as you can see what you are doing. Dig the plant up and, using a sharp knife, cut into sections, replant and water well. Hellebores, astrantias and heucheras can also be divided in August.

Order spring bulbs. Plant daffodils, hyacinths and crocus within the next month or so. Autumn crocus and colchicums should already be in. Tulips should not be planted before October or November, to avoid the fungal infection known as 'tulip fire'. As a general rule, plant bulbs at 2½ times their own depth. Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' is widely planted. It stays golden all summer, but can grow into a big tree. Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst', the honey locust from central and north America, is smaller, slow-growing and may be better for smaller gardens; its fan-like leaves remain pale yellow throughout the summer.

Pick runner beans every other day and water well in dry weather. Spraying lightly will help pollination. Plant out purple-sprouting broccoli and spring cauliflower. Winter lettuce and rocket should be sown now.

Keep ponds topped up. Pondweed spreads rapidly in warm weather and may need regular thinning. Pull handfuls out and leave by the pond for 24 hours before composting, to allow any pond creatures to escape.

To correct a point in last month's notes: A spray of one part of milk to nine parts water can be used to combat powdery mildew, a problem for many plants in dry weather. It will not help silver foliage.