June 2006 - Contents The Da Vinci Code Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches 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 Fathers' Day Family Service, Sunday 18th June at 11 am Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th June, 10.30 - 11.30 am Shell Group (for children aged 7+) Summer Barbecue, 5 Monsom Lane, Saturday 15th July Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, Burial of Ashes and Obituaries St Wystan's News Pilgrimage Walk, Saturday 3rd June Parish Day - 'Working Together', Saturday 17th June Memorial Book Repton Mothers' Union In the approach of death there is a healing St Mary's News St Mary's Buffet Lunch Repton School Concerts, Aurora Ensemble, Tuesday 6th June Car Boot Sale, Saturday 17th June Repton School Concerts, Teruko Habu, Tuesday 27th June Summer Fair, Saturday 1st July Thankyou, Albert and Stephen Smith Trains from Willington Floral Container / Front Garden Competition Charities Garage Sale, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June Walk for Diabetes, 1st July Carver's Rocks Repton Village and History Clare Paine in Uganda Garden open, Sunday 11th June Repton Open Gardens, Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th June Scarecrow Competition, Repton Open Gardens 24th and 25th June Seasonal Reminder Repton Village Hall agm, Monday 5th June Repton Pre-school Repton Village History Group, www.reptonvillage.org.uk Repton Village Society, www.reptonvillage.org.uk 'Active Kids' Vouchers Repton Parish Council, www.repton-pc.gov.uk Repton W.I., Tuesday 13th June JOGS AGM, Tuesday 6th June St George's Day Scout District Parade Service Noisy Dogs Milton Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney Activity Club Gardening Notes

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The Da Vinci Code

Have you seen the film yet? One advantage of being laid up over Easter was that I was able to set about my library of unread books. So there was no excuse not to read the Da Vinci Code. It is certainly a romping good read. It is, however, full of wonderful and unverifiable leaps of the imagination. Its success undoubtedly lies partly in the combination of a potent mixture of geographical fact, historical fantasy and religious mystery, and partly in its anti-authoritarian, anti-Church stance.

You may think it hardly necessary for me to write about the Da Vinci Code, since more than one serious study has shown how shallow its suppositions are. On 13th May, a programme on the BBC showed that:

• The so-called Gnostic gospels, which mention Mary Magdalene and refer to Jesus kissing her, do not say anything about their marriage or her having his child. Nor should we conclude that a kiss is sexual: a kiss can just be a greeting, and Jesus was betrayed by a kiss. In any case these 'gospels' are much later and less reliable than the New Testament gospels. They give biographical details which simply cannot be known, in order to satisfy an inquisitive mindset. (The Gnostic heresy claimed that only those with secret knowledge could enter the kingdom. This is a perennial heresy, contrary to Jesus' teaching and his practice of speaking to the crowd without distinction between those of more or less intelligence. His closest followers were fishermen not intellectuals.)
• The so called 'Priory of Sion' was a figment of the imagination of an aristocratic Frenchman, who with two friends meticulously forged all the documents purporting to reveal its ancient origins. When challenged, he later denied its central claim that he himself might be descended from Jesus!
• The Knights Templar were not disbanded because they held secret information that the Pope wanted to suppress, but because Philip II of France wanted their lands and wealth. (There are no prizes for guessing where we have come across that scenario before.) And so it goes on.

If there is a serious message for the churches from the Da Vinci phenomenon, it is that the human capacity for mystery is still very much alive and kicking. We should not throw out all our symbolic and mysterious worship for easily digestible and rational statements. Yes, we need to present the 'milk' of the gospel, as Aidan wisely remarked 1300 years ago, before expecting people to accept deeper truths, but let us not be shy of speaking of the great mystery and wonder of the love of God.

I hope you enjoy the film, but don't confuse fact and fiction!

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

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Readers and Intercessors at St Wystan's

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Altar Flowers

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Brasses

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Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rota at St Saviour's

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The United Reformed Church

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Fathers' Day Family Service, Sunday 18th June at 11 am

A special service for all the family - and especially fathers! - with the children and young people taking part. Come and join in - there's a gift for all the men.

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Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th June, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Schoolroom

Your last chance to stock up on home-made marmalade and cakes before our summer break. Take advantage of the Webb Ivory stall to buy cards and wrapping paper for those summer birthdays, and join in the children's game - all this and coffee and biscuits, too! The next coffee morning will be on Saturday 9th September.

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Shell Group (for children aged 7+)

... meets on Mondays 12th, 19th and 26th June from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

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Summer Barbecue, 5 Monsom Lane, Saturday 15th July

The ever-popular summer barbecue is here again, with tasty treats to eat, children's games, and a bouncy castle. Put the date in your diary - more details next month.

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Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, Burial of Ashes and Obituaries

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St Wystan's News

Pilgrimage Walk, Saturday 3rd June

This walk from Derby to Repton, led by the Bishop of Repton, is the third and final celebratory event of Repton 1350. It will start at 9.30 am sharp at Derby Cathedral, where we will be sent on our way by prayer from the Dean. The distance is about 8 miles, so do wear appropriate footwear and clothes! It will be as direct as possible, but pause at interesting sites along the way. The route has been planned by Roger Juneau, who will introduce the sites as we come to them.

The plan is to stop at Findern Green for a sandwich lunch - bring your own sandwiches - and arrive at Repton at approximately 3 pm for a cup of tea and sticky bun (provided by the parish) on the Vicarage lawn. A short service in church at 4.30 pm will commemorate St Wystan.

So that we have some idea of numbers (both to arrange transport and to let Derby police know what to expect), please let Karen Perks (702392) know beforehand if you intend to join us.

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Parish Day - 'Working Together', Saturday 17th June

From the May edition of the Parish Magazine, you will realise that I have great hopes for this Parish Renewal Day, to be led by Martin Cavender. Many of the things we have shared together so far in my ministry here have been in preparation for such a day. So this is an important milestone on our journey together and our journey to God, both as individuals and as a church. For this reason I ask you to consider seriously whether you can set aside just a few hours for a time of 'Working Together for a Healthy Church'.

Letters of invitation will be in the churches from Sunday 21st May. If you are interested in joining us, but not on the church Electoral Roll, please collect a letter from the church or contact me on 703317.

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Memorial Book

Thank you to all have contributed generously to the purchase of a Memorial Book for Repton. We plan to dedicate it, together with the Memorial Bookcase, given in memory of Henry Chilton and made by Mr. John Dipple, on Sunday 11th June at the 9.45 am service.

Each day of the year is assigned a separate page. Entries will be inscribed in appropriate script on behalf of Repton residents (including those who were living in the village immediately before they died and those who spent part of their earlier life here), and also those buried or interred in St Wystan's churchyard or at Monsom Lane cemetery. They will not be made automatically but only on the request of the next of kin or a close relative. There will be no charge but a donation towards church funds would be greatly appreciated.

Entries will start with the Millennium year (2000), so those who died on or after 1st January 2000 will be eligible for inclusion. If you would like an entry to be made, please supply Rev'd Peter Paine with the full name of the deceased together with full dates of birth and death.

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Repton Mothers' Union

Bonsall to Uganda: It is amazing what a small community can do when it hears of a need. Through the Mothers' Union, Bonsall heard of a widow in Uganda who had had to move from the school house when her teacher husband died. Bonsall raised enough money for a small, very basic house, and they have now undertaken to pay for her daughters' education. We heard this inspiring story at an Overseas Service in Repton Church last month.

Also in May, Michael Charlesworth's personal history of Repton, village and school, was closer to home but no less interesting.

On Wednesday 14th June at 2 pm in Fisher Close Community Room, another local resident, Mrs. Pamela Carr, will be telling us about life in Israel, where her daughter lives. All welcome.

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In the approach of death there is a healing

When my husband died earlier this year, I drew great comfort from the words of Stephen Verney, a former Bishop of Repton. Meditating on the anniversary of his wife's death, he wrote:

"In the approach of death there is a healing. Relationships are restored. Perhaps it is that we let go and enter the 'here and now'. In the here and now, all the partially understood things are part of a universal meaning, all the fragments are part of a whole. As we come face to face with death, we experience forgiveness, which is basically letting go, being set free."

This has been my experience.   Has it been yours too?

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St Mary's News

St Mary's Buffet Lunch

Sincere thanks to everyone who supported and helped to make this such a happy occasion and raise £473.42 for Church funds. Special thanks to those who donated raffle prizes, all the delicious desserts, rolls and other dishes and gave up their time to arrange the hall.

In the confusion of clearing up afterwards, I seem to have acquired a large glass dish, but unfortunately another is missing. I would be grateful if the helpers could recheck their cupboards to see if we can locate the rightful owners!

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Repton School Concerts Society Aurora Ensemble Tuesday 6th June at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall This is a young and exciting wind quintet, whose programme will be delightfully varied in style and instrumentation, including works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Poulenc and Arnold. Individual tickets for this concert are £12 & £9 (concessions) For further information or tickets contact The Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Repton Primary School PTA Car Boot Sale Saturday 17th June, 9 am at the school To book a boot, please phone 01283 703732 £5.00 per car

Repton School Concerts Society Teruko Habu - Violin Tuesday 27th June at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall This promising young violinist is a former pupil at Repton School and Chetham's School of Music. She gained a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where she is now studying. Her programme will include works by Debussy, Brahms and Kreisler. Tickets for this concert for non-subscribers are only £5. For further information or tickets contact The Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Newton Solney Infant School Summer Fair Saturday 1st July at 2pm Bouncy Slide   •   Face Painting   •   Children's Games Craft Stalls   •   Cake Stall   •   Raffle   •   Tombola Everyone Welcome

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Thankyou

Albert and Stephen Smith would like to thank all friends and relations for their support in their recent sad loss, and for all the generous donations in memory of the life of Jean, £600 having been donated to St Wystan's Church Development Fund.

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Trains from Willington

As I write, the new timetable from 11th June is not yet available. Although on past experience, most changes are very minor, do check on Central Trains website, www.centraltrains.co.uk, or at www.nationalrail.co.uk

We find the service very useful, but it is not without its hiccups. So before going up to the platform, check with the passenger information service at the foot of the stairs that your train has not been cancelled. If it has - and in the last 12 months we have twice been left stranded - you can claim compensation. It does pay to know the number of a reliable taxi firm!

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Repton Village Society Floral Container / Front Garden Competition After last year's successful competition we will again have the following categories: The Best Hanging Basket or Container (Private and Business) The Best Front Garden. Judging will be between the 3rd and 30th July. Entry Forms from the Post Office and Redshaws Butchers. (Entry Free!) Prizes (Bretby Nurseries Vouchers), sponsored by Repton Parish Council, will be awarded at the Repton Village Show on Saturday 2nd September, together with the Rose Bowl to the overall winner.

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Charities

Garage Sale, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June

During the Open Gardens weekend, we shall be holding our annual two-day garage sale for charity at 2 Monsom Lane, starting each day at 10.30 am.

Last year's sale raised £400 for the National Autistic Society. This year the proceeds will be split equally between the Autistic Society and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

We have already received many generous gifts, including new hardware from suppliers to a major DIY firm. However, we would still like more. If you have any suitable bric-a-brac etc., we can arrange collection. Please call Sue Banks, 701726, or Roz Baker, 702759.

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Walk for Diabetes, 1st July

The Friends of the National Memorial Arboretum invite you to join them at the National Memorial Arboretum and raise money to help local diabetes charities. There will be organised walks, both long and short, to suit young and not so young, where you can set your own pace.

The day will start at 10 am and finish at 4 pm. You can buy refreshments there or take a picnic. Note, however, that only guide dogs are allowed on site.

For sponsorship forms, contact Anne Smith, 0121 352 0273, e-mail twocats@btinternet.com, or visit www.friendsofthenma.org.uk

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South Derbyshire

Carver's Rocks

In recent months we have heard the welcome news that a wetland nature reserve is to be created on the Trent washlands, but some people may not realise that there is another wildlife reserve nearby at Carver's Rocks. Managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and lying on the southern edge of the parish, at the far end of the 230-acre Foremark Reservoir, Carver's Rocks contains both woodland and wetland, providing a range of differing year-round habitats for wildlife.

The valley where the stream runs into the reservoir contains a number of distinct environments including alder woodland, sphagnum moss, and a marsh area where you can see and hear reed buntings in the summer months. On the fringe of the reservoir great crested grebes are to be found, while in open spaces on the drier woodland slopes, woodcock may be heard on early summer evenings. Farther up, and on the tops, the soil is much thinner and the woodland is replaced by bracken and heather; one of the last remaining patches of lowland heath in Derbyshire.

In the past many visitors have approached the area from the Milton to Ticknall road, entering near Bendalls Farm. There are car parks, picnic areas, toilets, a children's playground and an information centre here, and it is a pleasant walk to Carver's Rocks along one of the well-marked footpaths overlooking the reservoir. Unfortunately though, Severn Trent has recently introduced entrance barriers and parking charges. An alternative is to use the limited parking space outside the entrance gates on the Ticknall to Hartshorne road, and walk in the short distance from there.

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Repton Village & History

Clare Paine in Uganda

In August I will be heading out to rural Uganda to teach Global Politics at the Central Buganda University. This mission university is situated 96 km west of Kampala where there is no industry, only the growing of coffee. It fulfils the need for higher education for qualified students, teachers and clergy, and in turn the graduates provide education to the rural community, allowing them to escape the cycle of poverty so prevalent in the area. I have organised this trip independently in order to offer my skills to a community in need. But at the same time I know that I will receive far more than I could ever give, through the experiences and lives of those people I will meet. I hope that through teaching Global Politics as an elective course, I will bring about an awareness of the world system, so that my students, who are mainly taking the Business Studies degree, can have a positive and influential impact on their future world of work.

This can, however, only be realised with the help of funding and support. I am hoping for monthly sponsorship, as the cost of living is roughly £30 per month. I am also offering to do odd jobs, such as cleaning, car washing, ironing ... etc.

With your support I will be able to stay for eight months and contribute to the vital education of the local Ugandans. As I will be undertaking a Masters next year I anticipate that this experience will inspire a subject for further study, which I hope will also benefit the people of Uganda. Your prayers are also crucial and very much appreciated, so that I am guided by God during this time of preparation.

If you have an odd job that needs doing or for more information about the trip, please call Clare Paine at the Vicarage on 01283 703317.

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Garden open for the National Gardens Scheme

On Sunday 11th June, 2 - 5.30 pm, Jan and David Roberts are opening their garden at 37 High Street, Repton, for the National Gardens Scheme ('The Yellow Book'), which raises money for a number of national charities. Entrance is £2, children free. There will be plants for sale and refreshments in aid of church funds. Later in the month, the garden will again be open as part of Repton Open Gardens weekend.

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Repton Open Gardens, Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th June

This year's Open Gardens will again spread over the weekend. 16 gardens are opening from 2 to 6 pm - most, but not all, on both days. Programmes (which serve also as entry tickets) will be on sale in the village beforehand, at the Church lychgate, and in the gardens on the day; adults £3.00, children free.

In the church and churchyard there will be floral decorations; Repton Village History Group is organising an exhibition featuring Repton Dig (1976 - 91) and photos of the village; bells will ring and the organ play. In gardens and at the Village Hall there will be a number of stalls, among them a tombola, a bookstall and home produce stalls; donations for these will be gratefully received: plants and tombola, Jan Roberts (702159); books, Roger Juneau (702384); home produce (jams, chutney, pickles, sweets, biscuits etc.), Carol Lloyd (702410).

In addition there will be a Prize Draw with tickets on sale in the village beforehand and over the weekend; the draw itself will take place on Sunday 25th June. Other gardens will sell plants and ices. The Village Hall will serve teas between 2.30 and 5.30 pm. Jan Gillham would be particularly grateful for cakes for teas and help on the day; please contact her on 703340. Unfortunately, because of the damage to the schoolroom, the United Reformed Church is unable to open for teas this year.

The Scarecrow Competition is taking place with judging on Saturday 24th and prize-giving in the Village Hall at 3 pm on Sunday. It would be great if there were lots of scarecrows around the village to add to the festivities. It promises to be another thoroughly enjoyable weekend; we hope you will all join in to make it a real success.

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Scarecrow Competition, Repton Open Gardens 24th and 25th June

1. Any competitor may enter as many Scarecrows as desired but an entry fee is payable for each one. Only one scarecrow can be entered on each form. A minimum entry fee of £2 per scarecrow should accompany the entry form. All proceeds will go to St Wystan's Church.
2. All competition scarecrows must be clearly visible from the public highway and must be in position from 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturday 24th June and 12 noon to 6 pm on Sunday 25th. Judging will be by two independent visiting judges on Saturday after 12 noon. Prizes will be presented on Sunday 25th at 3 pm in the Village Hall, when photographs of all the scarecrows will be displayed.
3. THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS SUNDAY 18th JUNE. This is to allow time for the location of the competing scarecrows to be published in the Scarecrow Trail Leaflet. Competitors will be given a number to place by their scarecrow.

Although scarecrows are traditionally made of straw you may prefer to be inventive! If you decided to use a material such as paper, which can become sodden when wet, we recommend that the stuffing is encased in plastic bin liners or some similar waterproof lining. Do take your scarecrow into the warmth at night to protect it from damage.

ARTISTIC LICENCE AND AMUSING CAPTIONS ARE DEFINITELY ENCOURAGED.

Entry forms from 32, Milton Road or 42 Chestnut Way.

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Seasonal Reminder

If you have fruit or vegetables to spare in your garden this summer, please remember that they would be gratefully received by Carol Lloyd (702410), Glenda Brewin (702040), or Frances Wimbush (703180), who are involved with selling home-made and fresh produce at fund-raising events throughout the year.

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Repton Village Hall agm

The Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall Committee takes place in the Village Hall on Monday 5th June at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.

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Repton Pre-school

Repton Pre-school (formerly Repton Playgroup) meets every morning in the Den on Mitre Drive. We are a parent-led charity offering play-based education to local children aged 2½ to 4. Sessions are free to children from the term after their third birthday (if they are not using their vouchers elsewhere). Otherwise sessions currently cost £5.

We are now accepting applications for children to start in September. Please give us a call on 07788 701676 (Monday - Friday, 9.15 to 11.45 am), or phone Caroline Redhead, chair of the committee, on 01283 703026 if you would like to view a session or book a taster session for your child.

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Repton Village History Group, www.reptonvillage.org.uk

At our well attended April meeting, members and visitors were entertained by Philip Heath, a keen local historian who spoke about the Diaries of John Joseph Briggs from 1820 to 1875. John Joseph, as he liked to be called, recorded life in King's Newton and Melbourne during the days when Melbourne was a self-reliant community, swarming with industry of all kinds and providing its own entertainment. The diaries covered all aspects of life, as well as the changing trends and fashions of the day. The talk was well supported with an excellent selection of slides.

Our next meeting, on Tuesday 20th June, is a visit behind the scenes at Burton Town Hall. We will see the Civic Insignia and the Chambers. As numbers for this event are restricted, please book as soon as possible by phoning Alan Kimber, 01283 704042.

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Repton Village Society, www.reptonvillage.org.uk

Before a full and appreciative audience, Rod Pearson gave an outstanding talk on the impact of 'Catastrophe, Crosses and Crucibles in Sheffield', taking us through the growth and decline of the steel industry. We started in 1864 with the collapse of a dam upstream from Sheffield. In the 40 minutes that the flood lasted, it destroyed most of the water-powered industry in the valley. Another story concerned the increase in Sheffield's population, which became too great for the one existing church, so the government of the day provided money for the building of four new churches on the then outskirts of the town (now in the centre of the city). In all, a very informative talk in Rod's superb style.

On the following Wednesday, in glorious sunshine, a coach left Repton for Sheffield with Rod as our guide. We started with a visit the 19 acre Botanical Gardens, recently refurbished. Then Rod took us round points of interest in the centre of Sheffield, including the Millennium Gardens and the Peace Garden, as well as sites relating to the start of the industrial revolution. After lunch the plan was to go 'straight' to the Kelham Island Museum - by way of a couple of rounds of the traffic works and building sites that seem to make up most of the city centre. Here the mechanically minded had a real treat, including seeing the operation of the refurbished 12,000 hp steam engine, the most powerful working steam engine in the world, once used to manufacture armour plating. We all had a very pleasant day and our thanks go to Rod and Alan Webster for organising the trip.

'Evening of the Best', Thursday 1st June
Jacqueline Banks, who was to speak on Royal Crown Derby China, has had to pull out for family reasons. We are very fortunate that Gavin Lake, President of the Melbourne Photographic Society, has stepped in with an 'Evening of the Best (Photographs)', 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall.

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'Active Kids' Vouchers

Having faithfully collected all those vouchers from Sainsbury's and Tesco, please make sure that they reach the Primary School as soon as possible. You can send them via a pupil, drop them off at school or post them to Repton Primary School, Springfield Road, Repton DE65 6GN. And thank you!

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Repton Parish Council, www.repton-pc.gov.uk

Co-opted Councillor
Following a ballot of councillors, Bernice McLaren has been co-opted on to the parish council. Bernice and her husband have lived in Repton for 35 years, formerly in the Pastures and now in Pinfold Close. Soon to finish working for Derbyshire Education Authority, and a past Parish Magazine editor, Bernice will bring a fresh perspective to the council.

Communications
Good communications are vital for any parish council to represent its electorate effectively, but in a survey commissioned by the Countryside Agency, over a quarter of the people who live in villages said they did not know how to get in touch with their parish council. Also, last year a Government poll revealed that almost half the UK population would use a council website if it contained the sort of information they wanted. These findings sparked an increase in IT activity by local authorities, and the latest statistics show that nationwide, 11.4 million people visited council websites during February 2006. The most common reason for such a visit was to look at planning applications or to report a neighbourhood nuisance.

Repton Parish Council's website was launched just six months ago, and to date over 4000 pages of information have been viewed by users of the site, with around 50% visiting the planning applications page, and 44% reading the minutes of council meetings. Together with the Parish Magazine, the website has quickly become one of the main ways for the council to engage with local residents. The site has the great advantage of being a two way street: you can use it to let the parish council or district council know your views on relevant local matters, or to contact your local councillor.

Planning
The Planning Authority has turned down an application to erect 13 dwellings on a plot of land in Askew Grove, formerly occupied by a pair of semis next to the Cinder Track. The decision was reached on the grounds that the terraced blocks would have resulted in a cramped layout, out of scale and character with the surrounding area, and there was insufficient on-site parking.

Wetland Wildlife
A guided walk around Willington Wildlife Reserve is planned for Sunday 10th September. Richard Spowage, the Reserves Manager of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, will lead the tour. This will be a welcome opportunity to explore the area, find out what the Trust has been doing to manage the various habitats, and see some of the species that visit the reserve in the autumn. More details nearer the time.

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Repton W.I.    Come and see a Hearing Dog at work!

Tuesday 13th June, 7.15 pm in Repton Village Hall

Jane Hazelwood will be returning to the village to talk about the charity, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. She will be bringing a trained dog with her so that she can demonstrate the kind of help a trained dog can give. Anyone who remembers Jane, or who would like to find out more about the charity for which she works, can come along to the Village Hall. It is not necessary to be a member.

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JOGS AGM

The annual general meeting of the committee that manages The Den (the Guide and Scout HQ) is on Tuesday 6th June at 7.30 pm. For further information, contact Andy Austen on 01283 702448.

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St George's Day Scout District Parade Service

On St George's Day, 23rd April, Scouts commemorate their patron saint. This year, South Derbyshire Scouts held their annual Parade Service at St Wystan's.

The turnout was unexpectedly good considering the schools were on holiday. 180 people in the parade represented the six scout groups and three Explorer units which make up the district. The youngest was a six year-old Beaver Scout and the oldest a 17 year-old Explorer - excluding leaders, of course! The church was satisfyingly full, as we were joined in the service by many parents. Flag bearers formed up outside the church as the congregation filed in, and the 16 flags were presented to Rev'd Stanley Morris, who took the service. In his talk, he pointed out that the Scout uniform had changed significantly over the years, but the 'uniform' a priest wears when giving Holy Communion has not changed since the time of Christ. However, just wearing the uniform is not enough; a priest has to be approved by the bishop. Similarly, scouts have to promise to live by the Scout Law; the person inside is always more important than the uniform. Prayers were led by Mark Harrison, a Repton Scout, and Michael Innocent-Cresswell, the Repton Scout Leader. All members of the Scout Association renewed their promises.

We are very grateful to the police and marshals for guiding the parade, and for everyone involved in the service.

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Noisy Dogs

Summer regularly brings letters about noisy dogs. If your dog is upsetting other people, please make every attempt to rein it in. Anyone who has a problem with noise, or with anti-social behaviour, can ring 'It's Your Call', 0845 605 2222, and the relevant agency will be notified.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

So far this year, topics at Milton W.I. monthly meetings have included information on the work of Derby Women's Centre, '40 years in New Zealand' by Sheila Cato, and K. McLoughlin on 'Birds of Prey'. In April the author David Bell talked about 'Derbyshire Murders', which is the subject of one of his books. At the May meeting, Resolutions for the National Conference were discussed and voted on. This was followed by a fish and chip supper for all who attended.

In June Mrs. Elizabeth Davies will talk about the Tara Project.

Members are looking forward to summer outings to Uttoxeter Races, Chatsworth and Tissington. A day out to 'Calendar Girl' haunts on 26th July still has coach seats available. Ring 704958 for details.

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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 basis for children aged 4 - 12. For more information, contact the club co-ordinator, Stacey Plowman, on 01283 703461.

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Gardening Notes

We had a dry spring last year and again this, though April's rain was welcome. I must confess to a state of déjà vu when it comes to talk of water restrictions; we've been through those predictions so often before, and we are still not down to growing cacti. But it must make sense to conserve water supplies and be prepared for the worst: grow plants that are suitable for dry conditions; when sowing seed in the vegetable garden, make a shallow furrow and water it before sowing; sink a pot alongside newly planted shrubs, trees or climbers, and water into it, sending the water straight down to the roots. A seep-hose is the most economical way of watering borders, with the perforations facing downwards; evaporation will be less if the watering is done at night. Concentrate on watering vegetable crops that need it most - crops in flower, and those forming pods, such as peas and beans. Celery is a moisture lover, and potatoes also benefit.

Dig up spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips when the foliage has died down, and store them somewhere dry and mouse-proof until autumn. Plant out bedding plants and hardened-off annuals; acclimatise and water them thoroughly beforehand. Thereafter, a good soak once a week is better than little and often. When you buy from a garden centre, beware of plants that have been in their trays too long, and have yellowing leaves or poor flowers. Hoe regularly in dry weather to prevent weeds from seeding and competing for water with other plants.

Sow purple-sprouting broccoli, kale and cauliflowers to overwinter. Beetroot, carrot, calabrese and autumn cauliflowers can still be sown. Keep making regular sowings of lettuce and radish. Plant out seedling brassicas - Brussels sprouts and winter cabbage - and transplant marrows, courgettes, pumpkins and squashes that have been sown indoors, or sow them directly outside, preferably under a cloche. Sweet corn can also be planted out now. Plant on a grid system rather than in a row, as the plants are pollinated by wind, not by insects. Give rhubarb a high-nitrogen feed such as ammonium sulphate.

Bush tomatoes can be planted out in June. You may need to stake them, but - unlike cordon-grown tomatoes - do not remove the side shoots. Under glass, cucumbers need more humidity than tomatoes and are best grown separately from them, though they can be grown with peppers or aubergines.

To improve the display of herbaceous perennials such as phlox and delphiniums, thin the stems when they have reached a quarter to a third of their ultimate height. Pinching out the tops of tall perennials like heleniums, rudbeckias and asters will encourage the plants to thicken up. Cut delphiniums and lupins down after flowering. Delphiniums may flower again, and lupins will flower from side shoots.

Thin aubretia and yellow alyssum after flowering. Similarly, trim back new growths of rockrose and evergreen ceanothus, as also osmanthus and spring-flowering clematis if they are getting too large. Cut back cytisus (broom) to keep it tidy, but do not trim cytisus battandieri, the pineapple broom. Privet, lonicera and leylandii hedges will need trimming regularly.

Take cuttings of clematis, buddleia, honeysuckle, spiraea, weigelia, hydrangea, evergreen ceanothus, passionflower and jasmine. Pot in multipurpose compost with equal amounts of coarse grit or perlite.

Deadhead rhododendrons, azaleas, lilacs and roses to conserve the plants' energy. Sow biennials for next spring - forget-me-nots, sweet Williams and wallflowers, as also lupins, hollyhocks, foxgloves and honesty.

Thin apple crops if they are too heavy. Put out codling moth pheromone traps as soon as the apple blossom has dropped. The female moth lays her eggs on young apples and the larvae burrow inside to feed. The male moth is attracted to the pheromone trap, so fewer eggs are fertilised. Place the traps at head-height; one trap should do for two or three trees.

The number of birds visiting the feeding station dropped sharply in mid-April as the birds spread out to nest. The last siskin appeared on 17th April, which seemed late for a migratory species. Siskins breed in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Europe, but few have been recorded breeding in England. Last year we had very few wasps, but judging by the large number of queens, we may be in more trouble this time.