November 2006 - Contents A New Slant Christians Together in Repton Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Remembrance Sunday, 12th 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 Altar Flowers at St Saviour's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Christmas Mini-Market, Saturday 11th November, 10.30 am to noon Remembrance Sunday, 12th November at 10.50 am Shell (for children aged 7+) Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Emily Rose Wilkinson Lucy Megan Swift Toby Lawrence Hinks Jade Eleanor Pettitt Marriages Sean Anthony Durkan and Joanna Mary Hiatt Simon Jonathan Perks and Rosemary Claire Hodgkinson Funerals and Burial of Ashes Philip Charles Arthers Thomas David (Tom) Kerry Frank Donald Basford Lawrence and Ida Dobson Gladys Mary Dooley Mavis Doreen Woodward St Wystan's News Open the Book Repton Neighbourhood Help, Luncheon Club and Drop-in Centre Repton M.U. Metal Re-Cycling for St Wystan's Development Fund Guy Fawkes Fireworks, Saturday 4th November Repton Village and School Sale of Work, Saturday 4th November St Mary's Church Table-Top Sale, Saturday 11th November URC Christmas Mini-Market, Saturday 11th November Conservatives Supper Dance, Saturday 11th November Little Bo's Gift Fayre, Friday 17th November Scouts Barn Dance, Saturday 18th November Repton Primary pta Winter Ball, Saturday 18th November Repton Quiz Night, Saturday 25th November Repton School Concerts, Tuesday 28th November Burton Floral Art Society, Friday 1st December Repton Primary Christmas Fair, Friday 1st December RVS Coffee Morning, Saturday 2nd December NS Infant School Christmas Fair, Saturday 2nd December Repton Care Group Evening with Alison MacKenzie, Saturday 2nd December Thankyou June Kerry Margaret Shepherd Sue Sharratt South Derbyshire Police 'Safer Neighbourhoods' Repton Care Group Willington Wetland Wildlife, Autumn Update Repton Village and History Repton Charities Repton Quiz Night, Saturday 25th November Parish Council Chairman's Review Repton W.I. Repton Show The Parish Directory Support your Post Office Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Gardening Notes Clare Paine: The Forgotten Children

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A New Slant

Jesus taught in parables. One that he had to explain to his disciples rather laboriously was the Parable of the Sower. I'll just remind you of it:

Listen! A sower went out to sow, and it happened that some of the seed fell along the footpath, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil, and it sprouted quickly because it had no depth of earth; when the sun rose, it was scorched, and as it had no root, it withered away. Some fell among thistles, and the thistles grew up and choked the corn, and it produced no crop. And some of the seed fell on good soil, where it came up and grew, and produced a crop, and the yield was thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or even a hundredfold. If you have ears to hear, then hear.

Mark's retelling leaves us with little to do, it seems; there is a rather dispiriting inevitability about the fact that most of our efforts to spread the Gospel will come to nothing. But is that true of our experience? Rather, is it not true that often the word of Jesus catches root in the most unlikely situations? That the thistles do not overwhelm the seed, but that the seed grows stronger because of the difficulties? The Church frequently prospers in times of great difficulties and persecution: think of what happened in South America after the death of Oscar Romero, or in Russia after the Soviets decided to destroy the Church completely.

The Scots poet and teacher Edwin Muir offers us a new slant on the parable:

Listen: a sower went out to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and they sprang up and gave good fruit. Some fell on stony places, where they had not much earth, and they, too, grew up and flourished well. And some fell among thistles, and they in turn sprang up and gave fruit in the heart of the thistles. But other seeds fell on good ground, and died, and produced neither leaf nor fruit.

If you have ears to hear, then hear.

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Christians Together in Repton

Twice a year, representatives from the United Reformed Church, the Catholic and Parish Churches meet to share ideas and arrange joint events. At our last meeting in October we arranged our joint services for Remembrance Sunday, the Covenant, and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as well as the One World Fair on the 18th November. Other areas of cooperation discussed include Christian Aid Week, the booklet 'It's our Move', and the Christmas Card competition.

Thankfully, any divisions of the past are now remote; in Repton today we work and worship together in friendship and Christian fellowship.

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Remembrance Sunday, 12th 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 Church, starts outside the lych-gate at 10.50 am. The Act of Remembrance will take place at 11 am at  the War Memorial. We then go into church for the rest of the service. If it is raining, people who do not want to wait outside can go straight in.

The Royal British Legion Parade, including the Scout and Guide movements in Repton, will form up outside the Royal British Legion Club at 10.30 am and process to church at 10.40 am.

... at Newton Solney

There will be a service of Remembrance at St Mary's Church at the earlier time of 10.30 am, when a wreath will be placed at the Village Memorial in the church baptistry. There will also be the usual Communion service at 8 am and said Evening Prayer at 4 pm.

... at Foremark

there will be a said Remembrance Day service at 4 pm, at which the Roll of Honour will be read.

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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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Christmas Mini-Market, Saturday 11th November, 10.30 am to noon

Christmas is coming, and the tables at the Schoolroom will be laden with good things! Home-made mincemeat, made by the Shell Group, is always a best-seller, and the marmalade and cakes are soon sold out. There will be a raffle, tombola, games for the children, mince pies with the coffee, a Christmas themed stall, and the Webb Ivory collection of reasonably-priced Christmas cards, wrapping paper and calendars. You can't resist it!

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Remembrance Sunday, 12th November at 10.50 am

The congregation of the U.R.C. will join with the congregation of St Wystan's to share in the Royal British Legion's Service of Remembrance.

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Shell Group ( for children aged 7+ )

Will meet on Mondays from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

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Baptisms

Emily Rose, the daughter of Louise and George Wilkinson, of Glamis Close, Stretton, and Lucy Megan, the daughter of Joanne and Richard Swift, of Glamis Close, Stretton, were baptised at the United Reformed Church on Sunday 1st October.

Toby Lawrence, the son of Michelle and Sid Hinks, of Pinfold Lane, Repton, and Jade Eleanor, the daughter of Jane and Martin Pettitt of Bermuda, were baptised at the United Reformed Church on Sunday 8th October.

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Marriages

Sean Anthony Durkan and Joanna Mary Hiatt were married at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Saturday 7th October. Simon Jonathan Perks and Rosemary Claire Hodgkinson were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 7th October.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Philip Charles Arthers of Dale Farm, Bretby Lane, Newton Solney, died on Friday 21st July aged 65. A service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 1st August was followed by burial at Newton Solney Churchyard.

Thomas David (Tom) Kerry of 68 Springfield Road, Repton, died on Saturday 16th September. A service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 28th September, was followed by committal at Repton Cemetery.

Frank Donald Basford of 35 Pinfold Lane, Repton, died on Sunday 17th September aged 87. A service at Bretby Crematorium on 27th September was followed by cremation. The ashes were interred at St Wystan's Churchyard on 15th October.

The ashes of Lawrence and Ida Dobson of 84 Meadow Lane, Chaddesden, Derby were interred at St Mary's Churchyard, Newton Solney, on Wednesday 20th September.

The ashes of Gladys Mary Dooley of 18 Askew Grove, Repton, were interred at St Wystan's Churchyard, Repton, on Tuesday 3rd October.

Mavis Doreen Woodward of Springfield Road, Repton, died peacefully at home on Saturday 7th October aged 82. A service at St Wilfrid's Church, Egginton, on 13th October was followed by interment in the family grave in Egginton Churchyard. We offer our sympathy to their families and friends.

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St Wystan's News

Open the Book

A Child's-Eye View

Why is the cross important for Christians? A: Jesus was crucified to replenish our sins .... Because he hang himself.

Why did some people want to arrest Jesus? A: Some for shopping the cheats, and one for money.

What do Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday? A: Chocolate .... when Jesus rowed into Jerusalem waving palm trees .... Christmas.
Open the Book

For two years now, a small team from St Wystan's Church has been going into assemblies at Repton Primary School, and more recently at St Wystan's, to present a Bible story with the help of simple props, costumes and mime, puppets or pictures. We hope to help children to enjoy Bible stories and realise that they are still relevant today. Sometimes they are actively involved by joining in action songs or sharing in the story-telling.

Turning the Page

This term we have started to build on the success of Open the Book with a short get-together for parents and young families. We meet in the Primary School hall after school on Thursdays, until about 4.15 pm, for refreshments, a Bible story, songs and activities.

This month, November, we shall be meeting on the 2nd, 16th and 30th, and again next month on 14th December. Do come and join us. Everyone is welcome. For more information, ring Ruth Attwood, 702804.

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Repton Neighbourhood Help, Luncheon Club and Drop-in Centre

During the summer recess, members and friends enjoyed a lunch outing and cruise on the local canal. We are very grateful for all the help received on the day. Then we reconvened in September, having said sad goodbyes to members who have moved on. This means, however, that there are now one or two places for older people interested in joining us on Fridays for a hot meal and company. We meet in the Community Centre, Fisher Close, at 12.30 pm. The cost is £2, and members are welcome to stay for the afternoon. For more information, contact Angela Mayger on 702660.

On the Friday of Harvest Festival, we were visited by St Wystan's School, the children, parents and staff bringing very kind gifts and entertaining us with poems and songs. And following their Harvest Festival a few weeks later, Repton Primary School children also brought us generous gifts, for which members were very grateful.

Our Christmas lunch for members is on 8th December, when Gwen Fearn will again be cooking the turkey. The Christmas tea and entertainment, a thank you to all our helpers, will be on 15th December. (Community Centre, 2.45 pm)

Transport

Jim and Joy Ault run a transport scheme under the auspices of the RNH Scheme. If you need transport to the dentist, surgery, chemist or bank, or for other small local errands, telephone them on 704760 and they will do their best to help. They need more daytime drivers, so if you could volunteer, please give them a call.

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Repton M.U.

Glenda Brewin brought her slides of Sunny Siberia to the October meeting. The beautiful views of Lake Baikal proved that Siberia is not all permafrost - at least, not in June! There was a serious side to Glenda's visit, since it gave her and her husband a chance to see some of the work with disadvantaged children in Russia and the Republics which she supports by selling homemade jam and Christmas puddings.

Next Meeting, Wednesday 15th November at 2.15 pm, Fisher Close Room: William Saunders: East Staffs' Links with Blantyre, Malawi. Non-members are always welcome.

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Metal Re-Cycling for St Wystan's Development Fund

The 4th year of this project has just been completed, yielding a total of £216.97 with an overall total of £990.12. Thanks to all who help, especially Repton School, the Royal British Legion, and the resourceful family who collected cans at their communal holiday venue - congratulations for that! £1,000 by Christmas? We hope so - with your help!

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Repton Guides, Scouts and Pre-school Guy Fawkes Fireworks Mitre Field, Saturday 4th November at 6 pm Tickets at £2.50 from Katie Robb, 01283 702539, Andy Austen, 01283 702448, and local shops. On the gate, £3. Under 5s free. The event starts at 6 pm with lighting the beacon, then quiet and pretty fireworks at 6.15, and will climax at 7.15 with whizzes and bangs. For safety reasons, no sparklers or personal fireworks. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. Hot and cold drinks & hot dogs available. Beer Tent.

Repton Village and School Sale of Work Saturday, 4th November from 2.15 pm In the grounds and halls of Repton School (Free entrance through The Arch - crèche provided) A large number of Stalls including Cakes, Gifts and Crafts, Bottles, Cards, Toys, Jewellery, Sweets, Books, Tombolas and Silent Auctions. (No White Elephant this year) Fun items for Children of all Ages Gladiators, Bungee Run, Bouncy Castles, Putting, Face Painting, Hair Spray, Play Station, Coconut Shy, Lucky Dip, Apple Bobbing and Ducking Stall. Plenty of Refreshments Teas, Cakes, Pancakes, Cookies, Hot Dogs, Fajitas, BBQ and Soft Drinks. A Large Number of Excellent Prizes to be won

St Mary's Church, Newton Solney Grand Table-Top Sale Newton Solney Village Hall Saturday 11th November, 10 am - 12 noon Refreshments Available 30p entrance fee (Stall Holders from 9 am, £6 per table) To book a table contact Linda Williams, 01283 701366

Christmas Mini-Market Saturday 11th November, 10.30 am - noon URC Schoolroom Home-made mincemeat, cakes and marmalade, the Christmas Stall, Webb Ivory Christmas cards, wrapping paper and calendars, Christmas games for the children, the Christmas Raffle & Tombola Coffee and mincepies Everyone is welcome - bring your friends! All proceeds to the United Reformed Church

South Derbyshire Conservative Association 'We'll Meet Again' Supper Dance with Music by Tommy Faulkner Saturday 11th November, 7.30 pm for Supper at 8 pm Repton Village Hall, Bring your own wine & glasses 40's Dress Optional Tickets £12.50 Tel. 01283 701189

Little Bo's Animal Welfare helping Sri Lanka's Street Animals Gift Fayre Friday 17th November, 5 - 9.30 pm, Ticknall Village Hall Greeting and Christmas Cards Cosmetics and jewellery by Virgin Vie Hand-crafted and unusual gifts Raffle Tombola Refreshments All welcome! Help us build an animal hospital and re-homing centre for street animals in Sri Lanka Donations for our raffle and tombola would be very much appreciated. e: littlebosanimalwelfare@yahoo.co.uk

The Scouts of South Derbyshire Barn Dance Repton Village Hall, Saturday 18th November from 7.30 pm Tickets £5, including a Bangers & Mash supper, from Andy Austen, 702448, Andy Beeston, 703314, and local shops. We are raising money to send 6 youngsters and one leader to the World Jamboree next year. Please come and support us in an evening of fun and entertainment.

Repton Primary School pta Winter Ball Saturday 18th November at 7.30 pm The Dove Cliff Hall Hotel Tickets at £35 include a gourmet buffet, live band and table magician. Black Tie Tickets available on 01283 703732

Repton Quiz Night Saturday 25th November, 7.15 pm for 7.30 start - prompt! Repton Village Hall Tickets £12 for a table of 4 from Karen Perks, 702392 Finger food included but bring your own drinks and glasses. To help with catering, please book your table as early as you can. This is always a fun night. We look forward to seeing you.

Repton School Concerts Society Kenneth Page Foundation Concert Tuesday 28th November at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall The Society welcomes to Repton the first and second prize-winners of the 2006 competition set up in memory of Kenneth Page, a prominent violinist, conductor and teacher, who devoted his life to music-making in the Midlands. Anna Ovskanikova and Camille Farrar will share a violin recital programme of works by Paganini, Frank, Ravel, Shostakovich, Ysaye and De Falla. Tickets for this concert all cost £5. Season tickets for the whole series of concerts, £50 for 10 concerts. Further information or tickets from the Secretary, Sue Parker, 01283 702550, or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Burton Floral Art Society Presents 'Glad Tidings' by Tony Brown (National Demonstrator) Friday 1st December at 7.30 pm Burton Town Hall Tickets £6.00 (on the door) to include Tea, Coffee and Mince Pies Raffle, Tombola and Sales Table

Repton Primary School Christmas Fair Friday 1st December at 6.30 pm Tombola, Crafts, Games, Toys, Books, Raffle Refreshments + many more attractions Please support us. All welcome!

Repton Village Society Coffee Morning Saturday 2nd December, 10 am - 12.30 pm. Repton Village Hall Expert Valuations by Charles Hanson (50p per item) (As seen in Flog It! and Bargain Hunt) Local Hobbies and Crafts Tombola, Christmas Cards for St Giles Hospice Tea, Coffee and Mince pies Free Entry. All profits to St Giles Hospice.

Newton Solney C of E (aided) Infant School Christmas Fair Saturday 2nd December, 2 - 4pm Games      Stalls      Santa's Grotto      Tombola

Repton Care Group An evening with Alison MacKenzie ITV Regional Journalist of the Year 2006 Saturday December 2nd at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall Alison is an accomplished public speaker and will talk after some seasonal musical entertainment by the Wystan Singers and a buffet supper. Tickets £7 from Mrs. J. Best, 701845, or Willington Surgery, 703318 This event launches our effort to build funds for physical therapy and rehabilitation equipment to be used locally. Please come and support us.

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Thankyou

... from June, Angela, Sue and Sarah for all your cards and best wishes on the passing of Tom at the D.R.I. on 16th September. Also to Rev'd Peter Paine for all his kindness.

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... to my family, friends and neighbours for all their cards, flowers, best wishes and prayers during my stay in hospital, and since I came home. Special thanks to Sue Parker and Karen Perks.

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A very big 'Thank you' to all who helped make my MacMillan Coffee Morning such a great success. We raised £1320 for MacMillan Cancer Relief, over £400 more than last year. A special 'thank you' to Mary, Chris, Lesley, Paul, Paul, Gwen, Jan, Di, Richard, Mulberry Beauty Salon and Alan Perry.

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South Derbyshire

Police

Please look out for a blue Ford Escort van, registration no. N11 GLN, which has been used in several burglaries. If you see it, phone the police, 0845 123 33 33, or if necessary, ring 999.

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'Safer Neighbourhoods'

As reported in July, the Home Office has chosen South Derbyshire as a pilot for its 'Safer Neighbourhood' initiative, where agencies such as the police, district council and county council work together with the public to deal with community issues, and to reduce crime and fear of crime.

Repton, Findern, Stenson Fields and Willington together form one of the six districts involved. Following meetings in Findern and Stenson to address issues in the area, the last meeting takes place at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 5th December at Repton Village Hall. Do attend and have your say!

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Repton Care Group

... dates from the beginning of 1984, when the then community midwife needed a portable baby scanner to avoid breech deliveries at home. A very successful fundraising effort led to the formation of the group with the aim of providing medical and nursing equipment 'for the relief of sick persons'. Since then the Care Group has consistently raised funds with events locally and earnings from book and card sales in the surgery waiting room. It has a small but dedicated committee, but new blood is always welcome! Over the years the group has funded many items for patients' benefit including: our first ECG machine; a Foetal Doppler to listen to a baby's heartbeat; blood pressure machines for district nurses and patient loan, and a Doppler machine to measure blood pressure where circulation is poor; a syringe driver for pain relief; an oxygen humidifier; many nebulisers; frames of all sorts for walking and loo surrounds; commodes and toileting appliances; various grades of wheelchairs.

Loans are free

Overall, the surgery can now do things that previously were only possible at hospitals, and trips to hospital or to the surgery have been considerably reduced. Nurses and midwives have received kit more quickly, including kit that trusts would not fund. It has all been greatly appreciated. The group has a good stock of practical equipment such as wheelchairs, so just ask at reception if you need anything. Loans are free.

'Don't panic, It's only television!'

On Saturday 2nd December (7.30 pm at Repton Village Hall), Alison Mackenzie will talk about her experiences in television and give a glimpse behind the scenes to show how the news gets to us. Alison is an accomplished public speaker, and her talk will follow seasonal musical entertainment by the Wystan Singers, and a buffet supper. (See the advert on page 22.)

Alison has for the past 11 years been Senior Reporter and Presenter for Central News at Six, based mainly in Nottingham. She has also worked for Radio 1's 'Newsbeat', News at Ten and Sky News. She has covered many major stories, including the Lockerbie aircrash, the kidnapping of baby Abbie Humphries, and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. But life in a regional newsroom has a lighter side too; Alison has interviewed the stars of panto and become acquainted with a host of furry animals. In April, she won the ITV network's Reporter of the Year award. Alison is donating her services to the Care Group, and this event launches our effort to build funds for physical therapy and rehabilitation equipment locally. Please come and support us. Tickets at £7 are available from Mrs. J. Best, 701845, or Willington Surgery, 703318

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Willington Wetland Wildlife, Autumn Update

Believe it or not, it's nearly a year since Derbyshire Wildlife Trust acquired the former Hanson sand and gravel pits, aided by substantial grants from Repton Parish Council and South Derbyshire District Council, to secure the area as a local haven for wildlife. Work is ongoing to restore and manage the abundant natural habitats on the 110-acre site between Repton and Willington, and recently the Trust has been holding familiarisation walks round the area to show what has been achieved so far. It's good to note that people from Repton and Milton have displayed a keen interest in the reserve, making up the majority of the participants in the walks during September and October, and some of the active working parties.

This surprisingly tranquil area is particularly important for its wetland habitats, from open water to reed beds. The shingle and grass islands offer a refuge for birds and are ideal for breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank and oystercatcher. The reeds along the edges of the pools and in the old silt lagoon are home to a range of species, and the grassland and duck marsh provide rich feeding and breeding cover for a variety of different birds. Also the nearby canal and river make this a good site for otters, and with careful management their numbers can be expected to increase.

One of the first priorities of the Trust was to close many of the paths used by dog walkers - not popular with some local residents, but necessary to encourage a wide range of species to visit and take up residence, and particularly important for ground-nesting birds. Three raised viewing platforms were constructed along the side of the green lane that skirts the south of the site, and willows are being cleared in front of some platforms to improve the outlook. Cutting back saplings and scrub on a shingle spit is creating a breeding and roosting area; similar work on the edge of the old fly-ash ground is improving it for the waders

In the autumn it's not unusual for up to 20 species of wader to pass through, and these attract the attentions of birds of prey - kestrel, peregrine, sparrowhawk and hobby. During winter large flocks of wildfowl such as widgeon, teal and pochard can be expected, and in early spring curlew will congregate on the wet grassland before heading north to their breeding grounds in the Peak District. Incidentally, it is planned to introduce grazing cattle on this land to limit the growth of grass and to churn up the ground so as to increase insect breeding and bird feedstock.

Even if you're not a birdwatcher there is plenty to hold your interest on this fascinating reserve. Ideally you should choose a clear day and arm yourself with a pair of binoculars before you head down the blackberry-fringed lane between the old Trent Alloys / Calder factory and the river. There is just enough space to turn and park a few cars at the end where the lane is closed off with concrete blocks, and there is a small display map here. It is then only a short distance to one of the raised platforms; viewing is open to anyone at any time, no permit required. From the second and third platforms, which overlook water, you can commonly see cormorants drying their wings, grebes and ducks dabbling, herons preening, plus many other species. If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of a blue flash across the water: the spectacular kingfisher, or of a few modest birds that disappear before your eyes the moment they land; these will be the well-camouflaged snipe.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Charities

If you are 75 or over, and would like to receive a small gift of money at Christmas, please write before 30th November to Mrs. P. Carr, 56 Burton Road, Repton, Derby, DE65 6FN, or call her on 01283 702206. If you received a gift last year you need not apply again.

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Repton Quiz Night, Saturday 25th November

The quiz evening is always fun, so do come and join us. The Village Hall is usually pretty full, but we're good at squeezing people in. And the mix is very wide; you're more or less bound to find people you know. Individuals are welcome, but if you want to make up your own team, the usual number is four (and prizes only go to teams of four or less). Don't worry though if you have three or five; you'll still be very welcome. Before you come, try to think of a name for your team - the more unlikely, the better; it will be needed for scoring. There will be finger food, but bring your own drink and glasses. We need to begin promptly at 7.30 pm, so arrive in good time to have a chat and make friends first.

All money raised will go towards the upkeep of St Wystan's Church - it costs well over £50,000 a year. To book a table please contact Karen Perks, 702392, at £3 per person, £12 for a table.

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Parish Council Chairman's Review www.repton-pc.gov.uk

Most of us have enjoyed the long, hot, dry summer, but it has posed a problem for the trees we planted in the spring, and the contractor we use for cleaning and general maintenance in the village has had to spend time watering the new plants. His efforts have fortunately succeeded, and none of the trees has succumbed to the drought. The diversion of effort may have resulted in some areas of the village not receiving as much attention as usual, but the maintenance schedule planned by Cllr. Shortt has been remarkably successful in keeping the streets clean and footpaths clear most of the time.

Rabbits: The good weather has also suited the rabbit population which has been proving a problem at the allotments. However, a request for permission to shoot them was refused on safety grounds - for the allotment holders! Outdoor Concerts: The pleasantly warm evenings were a bonus for the outdoor concerts in Repton School grounds. Fears of traffic chaos and excessive noise appear not to have materialised. (Your Chairman was at a family wedding and unfortunately missed the fun.) Many villagers were able to enjoy picnics while listening to celebrity bands on their doorstep - literally in some cases!

Vandalism at the Den: Vandalism at the Den on Mitre Field has again been a problem during the summer. Unfortunately CCTV footage has not been clear enough after nightfall, as lighting levels were reduced when residents of Chestnut Way complained that it was too bright. This problem is being looked into urgently. We are very keen to bring a prosecution as soon as possible.

The Council is looking for alternative locations for more play equipment to cater for the older age group, in an attempt to tempt them away from the Den where they might disrupt activities there. The amenity land between Wystan Court and Mount Pleasant Field has been suggested as a possibility, since this is already owned by South Derbyshire District Council who would assist in the provision of equipment.

School Holiday Activities: Many activities were provided during the school holiday to keep the youngsters occupied, including skate-boarding, laser-quest, games and a bouncy castle for the younger children.

Planning Permission: The controversy of the development on Askew Grove continues. Having obtained permission for 11 houses, the developer has now appealed to the Secretary of State against the original refusal of permission for 13. The Parish Council has reiterated its numerous objections to this gross over-development, but government policy tends to favour the maximum use of available land.

Website: The Parish Council website has now been upgraded to include 'mugshots' of your councillors. We hope this will help parishioners to recognise members, so that they feel able to contact them with their concerns.

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Repton W.I.

Jill Cownie surprised members by opening the Annual General Meeting wearing her mother's hat and fox fur. With everyone's attention captured, she discarded her props and reverted to her modern, efficient self. Her successor as President will be Karen Perks, with Jenny Jones as the new Secretary. Jean McCallum thanked the retiring committee for their hard work, before everyone enjoyed tea, savouries and cakes.

Next Meeting, Tuesday 14th November at 7.15 pm, Repton Village Hall: 'The Changing Face of Our Canals', an illustrated talk by Peter Chandler. Anyone interested in British Waterways would be very welcome.

Group Meeting, Thursday 16th November at 7.30 pm, Repton Village Hall: Floral Art Demonstration by Marilyn Ottewell, 'Home and Away'.

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Repton Show

Marjorie Boddice and Hilary Hazelwood are both retiring from Repton Show committee. Marjorie chaired the committee from 1992 to 2004, and Hilary was secretary from 1989 to 2004 and chair from 2004 to 2005. A huge thank you to them for all their hard work in organising and re-establishing the show.

We are always looking for new members on the committee, so if anyone would like to join us, do contact Hilary, 702423, or Carol Lloyd, 702410, or talk to us at Repton Village Society coffee morning (Saturday 2nd December) where we will have a stall.

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The Parish Directory

We are preparing to reissue the Parish Directory, last published two years ago. It aims to contain contact details for groups and clubs that meet locally, as well as information about local services. If you are in the current directory, we will try to contact you to check that your details are still correct. However, if you have not heard from us or you are not in the current directory, please email cjhl@btinternet.com, or ring Tom Hyde on 703362.

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Support your Post Office

Did you sign the petition to save the Post Office Card Account? For many older people, particularly in rural communities like ours, the post office is not just a convenience, it's a lifeline. It's where older people bank, pay bills, buy stamps and fill in benefit forms. But thousands of branches are being closed, often without consultation.

So we join a campaign to ask the government to reconsider its policy and continue its support. But it doesn't end there. We also have a role to play. Despite government subsidies, the Post Office is a commercial business, and so too are the local branches. They struggle financially as costs increase and fewer customers use them, turning instead to supermarkets and shopping centres. We are fortunate to have local post offices in Newton Solney and Repton; if we want to keep them, the remedy is in our own hands.

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

In September we commenced our winter programme with an illustrated talk on 'The Victorian Schoolroom' by Keith Blood, an excellent speaker and a volunteer with the National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury Hall. He commenced with a slide show giving a brief history of the education system, and then told us about his work demonstrating to groups of school children how schools were run in the past. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Our November meeting on Tuesday 21st (7.30 pm in the Village Hall) will be a talk by Richard Papworth entitled 'Excuse me Madam - but!' Richard will recall humorous occasions from when he was a store detective. Visitors are welcome. Admittance is £1.50 for members and £2.50 for visitors.

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Repton Village Society, Meetings 7.30 pm, Repton Village Hall

Dr. David Anderson gave a very amusing insight into the work of an anaesthetist. I had not realised that an anaesthetist has first to qualify as a GP before having to undergo further training, some commitment. Dr. Anderson described the strides that have been made in the use of anaesthetics, particularly over his working years - from having only basic drugs and gases, together with simple monitors and a good understanding of people, to the current application of high technology. He likened his work to flying an aeroplane, a nervous take-off when he puts the patient under, the actual operation relatively straightforward - like level flight - , and the relief of a landing when all is finished and the patient has fully recovered. Over coffee and biscuits he answered many questions from the audience to round off a fascinating evening.

'The View from the Loo', Thursday 2nd November

Nick Noyes will regale us with travel tales with a difference from all over the world. He has wonderful stories and photographs from his many trips abroad.

Coach Trip to London, Sunday 5th November

There are still a few places on the coach trip to London. The coach leaves Repton Cross at 8 am, and London at 5 pm. Tickets are £12.50 each from David Guest, 703650.

Christmas Coffee Morning, Saturday 2nd December, 10 am to 12.30 pm

Charles Hanson will again be on hand to value your antiques (50p per item), and the charity this year will be St Giles Hospice, who will have a stall in the hall with goods for sale. Local people and organisations will be displaying crafts and hobbies (see the advert on page 20). Free entry!

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Gardening Notes

November has often been mild, at least in recent years, though we have had sharp frosts late in the month. It gives us time to protect tender plants.

Collect and recycle leaves as they fall, and try to keep them off alpines, woolly, silver-leaved and delicate plants that are easily damaged in wet conditions. Clear away and bin or burn leaves that are infected with black spot or rust.

In the herbaceous border, cut back plants that will not be needed for winter structure or to feed the birds, and tidy it up generally; leaving a lot of debris encourages the slugs. Unless you are going to risk leaving them out, dig up dahlias and bring them into a frost-proof place.

Rambling and climbing roses may need pruning; remove old and diseased wood, and aim to keep and tie in new main shoots and strong laterals, pruning other side shoots back to two or three buds.

Plant up containers with winter plants; clear out all the summer bedding, and add some fresh compost before planting with bulbs or plants, watering in well. Apart from bulbs, primroses, polyanthus, pansies and winter heathers are good subjects. Make sure the container has good drainage and is raised off the ground slightly. Occasional watering may be necessary.

Give lawns the last cut of autumn, though in mild winters they may need a cut early in the New Year. Moss will thrive on lawns where they are shaded, poorly drained, mown too closely and not fed. Lawn sand will kill the moss, but its spores will soon germinate and grow again unless the underlying problems are addressed. Clean and oil the mower thoroughly, and have it serviced. Sharpen and oil other garden tools.

The end of November and early December are the best time to plant trees, especially bare-root trees, and hedges whilst the ground is still warm enough to aid root formation. Protect newly planted shrubs and evergreens, in particular, from winter winds. Two new diseases are reported to be causing serious damage to horse chestnut trees. The chestnut leaf-miner moth was first reported only three years ago and has spread very rapidly, mainly along the major traffic arteries; apparently it hitches a lift on vehicles or trains. The larvae of the moth burrow into leaves and disfigure them. This is not necessarily fatal but disfigures the tree. More serious is a new canker which causes stems and trunks to bleed and the bark to split, causing die-back. Affected branches should be removed and burnt. It is not likely to be as devastating as Dutch Elm disease, if only because chestnut trees grow from seed - conkers - and therefore have wide genetic diversity, whereas elms all have a common ancestry, reproducing by suckering, and there is no chance of some trees developing immunity.

Shallow-rooted shrubs such as roses, lavatera and buddleja should be shortened now to reduce wind-rock, which loosens stems, allowing water to penetrate and increasing the danger of frost damage.

We have to spell buddleja with a 'j' nowadays rather than an 'i'. Our classification of plants was established by Linnaeus, a Swedish physician and professor of botany, who published his system, based on their sexual characteristics, in the late 1750's. In naming the buddleja after Rev'd Adam Buddle, an Essex vicar who died in 1715, Linnaeus used a 'j', although by the usual practice 'i' might have been expected. However, Linnaeus wrote it down as 'buddleja', and 'buddleja' is now preferred.

Plants are often named after the people who discovered them and well-known botanists, but also after their place of discovery or origin, such as scoticus, sibirica and japonica. Borealis means northern, occidentalis is of western origin, and orientalis from the east. Other clues as to the origin of plants and the conditions they prefer come in names such as alpinum, palustris (marshy), montanum, rupestris (rock-loving), calcareum (lime-loving), riparium (river banks), campestris (fields), nemorosum (open glades), sylvestris (woods), uliginosum (marshy places) and maritinum. A little Latin comes in useful.

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The Forgotten Children

Clare Paine is spending eight months in rural Uganda teaching Global Politics at the Central Buganda University, a mission university west of Kampala.

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting Gulu in Northern Uganda. It's a town that has been targeted by the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group who have perpetrated massacres and acts of terrorism for 20 years in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. Most of the rebels that make up the LRA are abducted children forced to live in the bush as child soldiers and sex slaves for the rebel leaders. Many are young people who were born and raised in the bush and know no other life. There are generations of people in Northern Uganda who have never experienced a peaceful life, who have never worked for a living as they lived on international aid, and whose concepts of family, friends, love, relationship and community have been dictated by this brutal conflict. Many children and adults have been mutilated by the LRA, their lips or other facial features cut off, and relive vicious attacks in nightmares at night. So my trip was made special by visits to two displacement camps and a rehabilitation centre for the ex-rebel children. Some of the children I met have lived in displacement camps all their lives. One, having got over his initial fear of this white person kneeling with an outstretched arm, came slowly and shyly towards me. His little hard face and demeanour softened, and he melted, snuggled and received my love and care. For a moment, for this child, it was enough. But I came away from Gulu wondering what the future holds for these children.