January 2007 - Contents What's in a name? Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches New Year's Eve, the First Sunday of Christmas Special Services during January 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 Covenant Service Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service Coffee Morning, Saturday 13th January Shell (for children aged 7+) Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Jacob Forrester Harle Oscar Frank Bullivant Webster Charlotte Elizabeth Tidy Funerals and Burial of Ashes Edith Hilda Boulton Herbert Frederick Deacon Anthony John Garton Obituaries Anthony John Garton Repton Benefice Saints Alive MMeA, things organisational, and Pastoral Visiting St Wystan's News Repton Neighbourhood Help, Luncheon Club and Drop-in Centre New Church Electoral Roll Repton M.U. St Wystan's Church Quiz Night St Saviour's News Gift Day Thank you St Mary's News Newton Solney Church Roof Bring and Share Supper, Saturday 20th January Oliver! Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th February Charities Little Bo's Animal Welfare, Helping Sri Lanka's Street Animals South Derbyshire 'Safer Neighbourhoods' Recycle your Christmas Tree Poppy Appeal Nature Conservation at Foremark Reservoir Repton Village and History Repton Rainbow Guides Bring & Share Supper, Saturday 20th January Repton Show Committee Repton Village History Group Table Top Sale, 24th March Repton W.I. Repton Casuals Football Club Repton Village Society Repton Village Hall Repton Parish Council Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes A Ugandan Freshers' Ball

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What's in a name?

The words "and the shepherds went with haste" in Luke's Gospel remind me of a story about a church where the crib figures had been damaged during a break-in. A generous member of the congregation offered to donate new ones, on condition they were dedicated to her much loved West Highland Terrier, Robbie. So a new crib was installed and it duly sported an ox, an ass, a donkey and a small dog. The young curate at the church felt that there was strong spiritual evidence for the shepherd's dog bearing a name other than Robbie, so it became known as 'Haste'. I now find it difficult to hear those words "and the shepherds went with haste" without a mental picture of the shepherds in a scene from 'One Man and His Dog'.

Naming the dog in the crib may be going a bit too far, but we have added all sorts of names for characters in the Christian story. It seems to add humanity to the story and helps us to relate to the people involved in the action. The Wise Men, who appear at Epiphany, we call Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Although they are not identified in the Gospel, the names we have given them seem to add mystery to these visitors from the East. The names by which we are known are important. The names we give to our children may say something about our hopes and aspirations for them. Perhaps parents who call their children after entire football teams hope that by so doing the child may be blessed with the collective talent the names convey. Children are frequently given the names of film stars, but more often a child carries the name of another family member, or a name that has been passed down the generations.

How many of us know the meaning of our own first names? In many African traditions children are given names that reflect how their parents feel about them, or the importance of the day on which they were born. Usually parents choose their children's names, but in some cultures, it is the prerogative of the grandparents to name a baby, yet whatever creed or culture a child may come from, choosing a suitable name is a privilege, for it bestows on that child a new, unique identity.

At the beginning of this New Year, as we celebrate the naming of Jesus, I can't help wondering about Mary and her dreams, so full of hope for her Son, as she took in the astonishing circumstances of His birth and considered the name the angel had told her to call Him - Jesus, Saviour.

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

New Year's Eve, the First Sunday of Christmas

There will be a service of Holy Communion at St Wystan's at 8 am. At 10 am, as it is the fifth Sunday of the month, there will be a benefice service for all three churches at St Mary's, Newton Solney.

The 'Watchnight' service (11.30 pm at St Wystan's) is a moment to look back on the past and to ask for God's blessing on our future. It will finish in time for us to gather at the back of the church and watch the New Year being rung in. There will be mince pies, and you are invited to bring seasonal 'bottles and bites' to join the ringers in a New Year toast. After that you can take your drink outside to the churchyard to watch the firework display.

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Special Services during January

In Repton we mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th - 25th January) with two special services.

At the first (10.30 am, Sunday 14th at St Wystan's Church) the United Reform Church joins us for the Covenant Service and Communion. The Covenant Service this year will be simplified, but the heart of it, based on the Methodist Covenant Service - traditionally held on the first Sunday of the New Year - will not change. It speaks powerfully of re-commitment to Christ and his mission.

The second service (6.30 pm, Sunday 21st at the United Reformed Church) is a special service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We hope that many will want to be present at these united services.

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St Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

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Readers, Intercessors and Offertory 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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Covenant Service, St Wystan's Church, Sunday 14th January at 10.30 am

At the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we join with St Wystan's congregation for the Covenant Service. This year it will be rather simpler, but its heart, based on the Methodist Covenant Service, will not change.

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service, Sunday 21st January at 6.30 pm

Christians across the world come together on this day to remember that we are one church, worshipping one God, and following Jesus Christ. Our service will be shared by Christians of different denominations, and everyone is welcome.

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Coffee Morning, Saturday 13th January, 10 – 11.30 am

Coffee mornings recommence this month: a chance to replenish your stocks of home-made cakes and marmalade, to buy Webb Ivory cards and wrapping paper, to play the children's game, and to chat with friends over a cup of coffee. Come and join us.

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Shell (aged 7+)

Our Shell group begins the new year on Monday 8th January at 6.30 pm. New members are always welcome.

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Baptisms

Jacob Forrester Harle, son of Sophie and Lee currently resident at Shanghai, China, was baptised at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 18th November.

Oscar Frank Bullivant Webster, son of Aimée and Jonathan of 1 Tonsley Hill, London, was baptised at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Sunday 3rd December.

Charlotte Elizabeth Tidy, daughter of James and Victoria of 20 Newton Park, Newton Solney, was baptised at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Sunday 3rd December.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Edith Hilda Boulton of Lindon Drive, Alvaston, Derby, died on Monday 27th November aged 74. A service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 7th December, was followed by committal at Markeaton crematorium.

Herbert Frederick Deacon of 16 Monsom Lane, Repton, died on Thursday 30th November aged 94. A service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 19th December, was followed by committal at Bretby crematorium.

Anthony John Garton of 5 Derby Hills Farm Court, Melbourne Common, Melbourne, and formerly of The Pastures, Repton, died on Friday 1st December aged 65. His funeral and committal at Melbourne Parish Church, on 14th December, was followed by cremation.

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Obituaries

Anthony John Garton

Tony Garton taught woodwind and percussion at Repton School for 27 years, having worked previously at Christ's Hospital. Generations of first-class musicians are an enduring legacy of his kindly encouragement and inspiration. But his influence stretched well beyond the school, and in the village he will be particularly remembered for his Christmas Band Concerts, always a full house, where his unforgettable shaggy dog stories (a chance for the band members to get their breath back) came to be as keenly anticipated and as greatly enjoyed as the music itself.

Tony was the most likeable of men, and our thoughts are with his wife, Hazel, and with his children and grandchildren.

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Repton Benefice

Saints Alive, for adults to prepare for Confirmation - and others

A 'Saint's Alive' course for adults starts in January, with a short session on Wednesday 17th January (7.30 pm at the Vicarage) to introduce people to the course and to plan dates. The course lasts for nine weeks and is aimed at: those who wish to come forward for Confirmation; those who simply wish to explore the Christian faith and its basic beliefs; those who have been worshipping for some time and would like an opportunity to discuss their faith in an informal setting. If you would like to take part, please contact Peter at the Vicarage (703317) - and do come along on the 17th January, even if you are not yet sure that you want to do the whole course.

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MMeA, things organisational, and Pastoral Visiting

At Morning Prayer this morning, the Old Testament reading included this verse from Isaiah: 'Do not remember the former thing, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?' (Isaiah 43.18,19)

The Church constantly changes.

Even the Church is a constantly changing organism (using that word rather than 'organisation' because it speaks of a natural growth and contraction.) In England, the Church has a long heritage; we are not about to throw it away. Part of that inheritance is our system of parishes with their local churches, a focus of worship in each community. In secular life, we readily accept that in our mobile society people gather in networks that may cover many communities. Church communities may need to extend similarly; one instance of this is our presence in the Primary School on a Thursday afternoon, when we invite families to join together for songs, activities and prayer. The importance of such new network churches is likely to increase. Nevertheless the most important community for most of us, and our strongest loyalty, is still that where we live. It must be a priority for the Church to maintain the system of parish churches and their mission.

The 'thin black line'

In the past it has been possible for one ordained person to minister to one or two small villages. It no longer is. Today, a rural benefice - a group of parishes - has at least ten times as many souls as thirty years ago when I started my ministry. There is a shortage of clergy (note, not a shortage of vocations) for two reasons: first, the baby-boomers of my generation, ordained some 35 - 40 years ago, are coming up to retirement; second, many of those ordained since have come forward in middle age or after retirement, and consequently do not have as many years to offer in ministry.

The result is that 'the thin black line' is being stretched over an increasing number of parishes. This is not something we want or like; it is simple a fact of life. The Church is responding in two ways: organisationally, more parishes are grouped together into benefices under one priest; in addition, new non-paid ministries are being called forth - that is to do with vocations, vision and mission. It is essential to hold these two aspects together. God is bringing about a new shape of 'Church'.

The parish priest today has to work with a team over a wide area. It is a massive change for clergy brought up to have sole responsibility in a single parish. We have to accept that we are not necessarily the most competent people to do many of the things that we would like to do and believed we were ordained to do! It is also a massive change for congregations, for you are now working, not with a single priest, but with a team of people. Inevitably the priest will not always be there to do the things you have always expected of him. In the long term, this will have advantages; a team has a richer variety of gifts than any one person. But in the short term there are frustrations, resentments and even anger in both clergy and congregations as we all come to terms with the new thing that God is bringing about.

Repton MMeA

One of the ways this diocese is trying to respond to the new situation is to group parishes into Mission and Ministry Areas. With (currently) 10 clergy and 20 parishes, the Repton Mission and Ministry Ecumenical Area stretches from Findern in the north-east to Croxall in the south-west. Described as ecumenical because it includes two benefices where Anglican parishes worship and work with Methodists, it was launched in November at a service at St Wystan's Church, when the Rev'd Michael Mitton commissioned parish representatives on the MMeA Council, which will meet for the first time on 31st January.

The MMeA is not just about organisation but about a new vision. We will look at those areas which we might do better together; one is youth work, where isolated young people might be encouraged if brought together in a larger whole. The Rev'd Jean Burgess, curate at Church Gresley, will be sharing her vision for MMeA-wide youth work at Repton PCC in January. The MMeA Council will also be responsible for apportioning the diocesan share amongst the parishes, and making recommendations about the patterns of ordained and non-ordained clergy. This should not be about 'fighting our corner' but about considering what is best for mission and ministry in the whole area.

Repton Benefice

In this benefice we are already thinking about how best to minister pastorally to our communities of Foremark, Ingleby, Milton, Newton Solney and Repton. I have asked Ruth Attwood, one of our readers, to lead a team responsible for work with young people, and June Scott, another reader, to be responsible for bereavement follow-up visiting, as she has a particular gift in this area.

Pastoral visiting

In the past, much of our pastoral visiting has been done by Pam Smith, to whom we owe an enormous debt of thanks. In addition, many people make calls around their own area of the village and elsewhere. Now I would like to set up a visiting team of those willing to keep an eye out in their locality - for people who are sick, for instance, or in hospital - not just as the 'eyes and ears' of the vicar, who will simply not be able to follow up all the referrals, but as representatives of Christ and his Church. Of course, the vicar and readers particularly want to hear of people who need home communion or a hospital visit. We could offer some simple training to anyone who would like it. If you would be willing to join a team (or would like to suggest anyone else), do please contact me at the vicarage (703317); I would be very pleased to hear from you.

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St Wystan's News

Repton Neighbourhood Help, Luncheon Club and Drop-in Centre

A reminder that the first lunch of the New Year is on 5th January at Fisher Close. Melodie Bordoli, 212652, and Angela Mayger, 702660

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New Church Electoral Roll

Have you (re-)registered yet on the Church Electoral Roll? If not, please collect a form from the back of the church or from Margaret Scott, the Electoral Roll Officer, and return it to her at 54 Pinfold Close. And, if you have one, please include your phone number and email address. (This information will not be displayed publicly.) In Repton, the new roll has to be ready for 6th February.

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Repton M.U.

What does M.U. do? Well, in December the answer would have been: sing carols about angels, eat angel cakes and make paper angels. The more serious answer would be: we enjoy fellowship, listen to interesting speakers and support a worldwide organization of women united in prayer and service.

Abroad M.U. runs Literacy Projects, and its Disaster Fund is always ready with help precisely where it is needed. In this country M.U. runs parenting programmes, works in prisons, and provides holidays for struggling families. Could you consider joining us?

Next Meeting: Wednesday 17th January at 2.30 pm in the Fisher Close Room. A.G.M. followed, we hope, by Clare Paine telling us about her time in Uganda.

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St Wystan's Church Quiz Night, 25th November

The evening's attendance, although not as high as sometimes in the past, still shows that a social occasion always beats tv. Eighteen tables battled hard, and all achieved very close scores. Nearly every team scored over 80 points, with the winners managing over 90.

Particular thanks to Audrey Morris who judged the level of questions just right, and gave every one a sporting chance of coming out on top. The competition was fierce, but as always, good-humoured and fun - it's heartwarming to find out that you know more than you realised. Also to Jan Gillham and her army of caterers; Pat Smythe and Stanley Morris who gamely coped with all the scoring; and Tom Hyde who organized and ran the 'Stand up Bingo'.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who took part. The success of evenings like this is down to your support.

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St Saviour's News

Thank you for your generous Gift Day response for St Saviour's Church, Foremark. We have received £1,000, which should enable us to do urgently needed work on the vestry roof.

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St Mary's News

Newton Solney Church Roof

At last, the news we have waited for! - a letter from English Heritage confirming 'a grant of £51,000 towards the necessary eligible repair work', money that we can claim in three instalments as the work proceeds. This wonderful news relieves the Roof Appeal Committee and the PCC of any further need to raise funds for the roof; but we are all the more grateful to you for the many donations since the appeal was first launched over three years ago. We hope that everyone who has contributed will share our satisfaction with the builders' progress in the weeks ahead.

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St Wystan's Church Bring and Share Supper Repton Village Hall. Saturday 20th January at 7.30 pm £1. Everyone welcome. Bring your own drink. For a Bring & Share, the idea is that everyone who attends brings a dish for 6.   However, to make sure we don't end up eating pork pie or chocolate pudding for all three courses . . . ring Jan Gillham, 703340, or Karen Perks, 702392, for details and to discuss dishes.

Foremarke Hall Repton Preparatory School Lionel Bart's OLIVER! in the Richard Theobald Theatre Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th February at 7 pm Performed by over sixty pupils, this highly acclaimed musical, full of memorable songs and colourful characters, offers a great evening's entertainment for the whole family. Tickets available from Sue Parker, 01283 702550, from Friday 12th January This amateur performance is by arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.

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Charities

Little Bo's Animal Welfare, Helping Sri Lanka's Street Animals

If all went to plan, Sam Noon from Milton saw Christmas Day dawn from the top of Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka. It will have taken her 7 hours to reach the top, not easy for someone with a fear of heights and snakes, and who suffers from osteoarthritis. But Sam is on a mission to raise awareness of the plight of Sri Lanka's street animals and to raise funds for charity. (Sam pays all her own expenses.) The mountain is a place of pilgrimage, sacred to four religions, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, and Sam was supported in her climb by several Sri Lankans, Buddhist, Tamil and Christian.

In Sri Lanka, life as a street dog is miserable. Lack of food and water lead to skin disease and mange, ulcerations of the eyes and blindness. Infected wounds caused by constant scratching lead to septicaemia, and open wounds are easily infected with maggots because of the heat. Distemper and other diseases spread quickly as few animals are vaccinated. They are beaten, have boiling water thrown over them, are hit by vehicles and left to die at the side of the road. There are no animal organizations, and Sri Lanka does not have the veterinary care we expect in the UK; what is available can only be afforded by the rich. Little Bo's Animal Welfare aims to change all that.

Sterilization and vaccination are vital steps forward. £10 will sterilize a dog or cat, vaccinate against disease including rabies, treat for worms, fleas, lice, ticks, and begin treatment for mange. So £10 goes an incredibly long way. Even more can be done with £10 when Little Bo has enough money to employ its own vet and build its own Animal Hospital.

If you would like to help Sam put an end to the misery of street animals in Sri Lanka, contact her at littlebosanimalwelfare@yahoo.co.uk.

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South Derbyshire

'Safer Neighbourhoods'

A telephone hotline has made it much easier for you to report anti-social behaviour to the local council. Use it for everything, from noisy neighbours and fly-tipping to graffiti and harassment. In the past, callers have sometimes been passed around, but now, under the new system, the call centre staff can advise you immediately.

For some problems you will be asked to complete log sheets, recording incidents over a period of time. This will demonstrate that the problem is persistent, rather than a 'one-off', as well as giving enough information for further action.



The next Safer Neighbourhood meeting, where you can meet your Safer Neighbourhood Officer and Beat Officer, is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 6th February at Stenson Fields Primary School. For further information please contact Ruth Kemp on 012835 95961.

When you report any crime to the police, do insist on being given a crime number to ensure the incident is recorded and investigated.

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Recycle your Christmas Tree

Until the 15th January, South Derbyshire District Council will recycle your Christmas Tree. The nearest point is at the Recreation Ground car park on Twyford Road (the road that goes out towards the power station) in Willington.

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Poppy Appeal

So far, this year's Poppy Appeal has raised over £6,000. On behalf of all ex-Service personnel and their dependants, the Repton and District Branch of the Royal British Legion would like to thank everyone who contributed, or helped to collect this splendid sum. Much comes from the sale of poppies door-to-door in Repton, Foremark, Milton, Newton Solney and Willington. Other contributions come from the RBL Fruit and Flower Show in September, whist drives, raffles and donations for wreaths.

The Remembrance Day Parade was well attended, and we particularly appreciated the support of our local youth organisations, the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs. Tony Collier, Hon. Poppy Appeal Organiser

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Nature Conservation at Foremark Reservoir

Owned by Severn Trent Water, Foremark reservoir is surrounded by 500 acres of deciduous woodland, grassland, meadows and wetland. Created in the late 1970s, it attracts over 320,000 visitors a year.

The Foremark Oak Tree Project, funded by Severn Trent's conservation and heritage fund, began in December 2005. Removing silt and thinning nearby trees has reinvigorated wildlife in a large pond on the site (as well as allowing a stunning view to the majestic oak tree which gives the project its name), and a smaller pond was created to provide a boggy habitat for invertebrates and marginal plant species. Already bluebells have spread into the newly cleared areas, the diversity and abundance of aquatic and marginal plants has grown, and there is a fantastic array of aquatic invertebrates, including masses of tadpoles, smooth newts, great diving beetles and their larvae, water scorpion, water boatman and dragonfly larvae. Around the pond 16 species of butterfly, 10 species of dragonfly and a wide variety of birds including kingfisher and nuthatch have all been recorded.

The Barn Owl Project aims to encourage barn owls to nest again after trees, encroaching onto the site, had driven an original pair away. Volunteers have cleared half an acre of open ground, thinned woodland and opened up a ride to allow an easy flight path for the owls. A flock of Hebridean sheep, supplied by Calke Park, has proved a sustainable and aesthetically-pleasing way of keeping the site clear. Nesting boxes have been set up, but it can take many years before barn owls take up residence, and as yet they have not moved back. Inspired by a few sand martins nesting along the shoreline, Project Sand Martin is underway to encourage more of these agile flyers. A tall sandy bank was created by excavating three metres back into the bank, removing 150 tonnes of earth. This provided a 15 metre stretch of exposed earth over 2 metres high. Volunteers built a stone wall to protect the nesting site from erosion when the water in the reservoir is at full height. Extending the project through 2006, and closing off half a kilometre of bank to prevent disturbance, has paid dividends, with at least three pairs of sand martin breeding successfully. The bank shows great promise for the future, with numerous birds prospecting the site.

The Tree Sparrow Project goes from strength to strength. Four feeders now deliver over 60kg of seed a week! Between 20 and 40 tree sparrows have been recorded throughout the year. Other birds include greater spotted woodpecker, great tit, blue tit, chaffinch, greenfinch and yellowhammer, as well as turtle dove and song thrush. The newest project on the horizon aims to encourage Bat Roosting.

How you can help

These projects won five wildlife awards in 2005 alone. Their success is due to the hard work and commitment of both the rangers and a very active set of volunteers. A Wildlife Group of experienced volunteers (including Derbyshire Ornithological Society recorders, bird ringers and moth trappers) aims to gain a better picture of wildlife at Foremark and aid future management of the site. To encourage community involvement, the volunteer ranger programme holds weekly task days. In recognition of their dedication there is a special award for volunteers who exceed 100 hours service over the year. If you fancy joining them, you can find out more by calling Vijay Rai on 01283 229096, e: v.rai@btcv.org.uk.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Rainbow Guides

During term time the Rainbows (for girls aged 5 - 7) meet weekly at The Den in Mitre Drive, Repton, for 'fun and friendship', and to enjoy the Guiding Experience. Activities include craft, art, games, songs and outings. After Rainbows, they can move on to Brownies.

If you would like more details or would like your daughter to be on the Joining List, please contact me at any time on 703991.

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Bring & Share Supper

On Saturday 20th January (7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall) there will be another chance to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. If you haven't been to a Bring & Share Supper before, the idea is to bring your own drink, as well as a dish for 6 for each of you. It needs coordination to make sure we don't end up eating pork pie or chocolate pudding for all three courses, so ring Jan Gillham, 703340, or Karen Perks, 702392, for details and to discuss dishes.

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Repton Show

Repton Show Committee is organising a visit to Malvern Spring Gardening Show on Saturday 13th May, and details will appear in the magazine shortly. Repton Show itself is planned for Saturday 1st September; the schedule will be in the May magazine.

We are always pleased to have new members on the committee. If you would like to join us, do contact Margaret Rainey, 703748, or Carol Lloyd, 702410.

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Repton Village History Group

Our 2006 programme concluded in November with a talk by Richard Papworth. Richard had an interesting career as a police officer, then as a store detective and finally in the Prison Service, latterly as a Governor. His talk, 'Excuse Me Madam - but!' was an instructive and humorous account of his experiences as a store detective in Birmingham.

On Tuesday 16th January (7.30 pm in the Village Hall) we have a local interest talk, 'Ticknall Pots and Potters', by Janet Spavold and Sue Brown. It is not generally known that from the late 1400's until the last one closed in 1888 there were over 20 potteries in and around Ticknall. Ticknall had ample clay, coal and water to support the industry, and it was a major pottery producer way before the industry started in Stoke. There is very little left to see on the ground, but Janet and Sue have spent many years researching the subject and collecting examples. They will be bringing with them many pieces that they have found in gardens and fields. All welcome; members £1.50, visitors £2.50. Alan Kimber

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A Table Top Sale

. . . is like a car boot sale but indoors. For some, the sale on 24th March (10 am in Repton Village Hall) will be an incentive to spring clean and sell on unwanted items. For others it will be a chance to browse and perhaps find a bargain. And it is also a good way to raise money for charity. Further information will be available in next month's Parish Magazine, or contact Carol Lloyd on 01283 702410.

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Repton W.I.

In November Repton W.I. learnt more about our canal network, hosted a successful Group Meeting, had lunch at Burton College's Mulberry Restaurant and went to the Brewhouse to see 'The King and I'.

Time for a rest in December and a chance to listen to the Doveside Bell Plate Ringers! None of us had seen bellplates before - they look like wallpaper scrapers with clappers - but the W.I. members from Rolleston used them to entertain us with Christmas music. A splendid supper followed, with the usual exchange of presents.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 9th January at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall. Val Shelton from Willington will tell us about the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre. Subs for 2007 are now due.

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Repton Casuals Football Club

Ball skills sessions at Broomhills Lane re-commence on Saturday 6th January at 10 am. For further information, contact Bob Errington on 701183. Newcomers aged 5 and up are welcome.

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Repton Village Society

In early December the RVS had its now traditional Christmas Coffee Morning. A good crowd saw a display of local societies and crafts, and Charles Hanson had a queue of people throughout, wanting his valuation of their prized collectables. Mince pies and raffle tickets enabled us to donate a profit of £195 to St Giles Hospice, to add to the proceeds from their own well supported stall. Thanks to all who attended.

'The National Forest, a Forest in the Making', Thursday 4th January

Penny Wilkinson, the Tourism and Promotions Officer at the National Forest Company, will give us an update on the current status of the National Forest. It is many years since our previous talk on the subject. Then the forest was just starting out; there were ambitious plans, but all that could be seen were areas of saplings. It will be interesting to see how things have developed.

'A South Derbyshire Itinerary' (and AGM), Thursday 1st February

Philip Heath, Heritage Officer at the South Derbyshire District Council, is extremely well qualified to escort us on this journey through our local countryside, and to add to our understanding of our area and its history. The talk will be followed by the Society's Annual General Meeting.

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Repton Village Hall

You may have read the recent article explaining why we have to plan to replace the village hall in the next few years. Well, there is Big Lottery money available for just such a project, but we have to have an initial bid in for April. To prepare for this, we urgently need your ideas about a new building. It will probably have to be on the same site, which is actually quite large.

We have contacted many of the regular users, and some ideas are listed below, but if you can come up with any new ideas we really need to know them.

Suggestions include: a smaller and more comfortable meeting room; a facility for a coffee bar (perhaps with the youngsters in mind); a paved or decked area, perhaps in conjunction with the café; nappy-changing facilities; a parish office where the clerk and councillors can work and meet parishioners; a room to support the police when on patrol or working locally; a village room with public internet facility, tourist information, newspapers and space for a homework club. Other suggestions include basketball nets and back-boards, a volley ball and badminton court, and a band practice room. Ideally the hall would be manned for much of the time, probably by volunteers on a rota. It is possible that some of the facilities could be on a first floor. If you want to add your support to any of these, please let us know.

Other questions include: How valuable is the high ceiling of the main room? Is the wooden floor an advantage? Should it be sprung? How important is the stage? Is the car park big enough? Would it be useful if the hall could be divided by folding doors? Should it be bigger? Should there be adjacent seating areas that leave the hall floor clear for dancing or games? What equipment should be provided? Should there be changing rooms, showers and lockers? How about bike racks? What storage space is needed? How important is the bit of greenery outside? Do we need a built-in sound or digital projection system? Are the large windows desirable? Do we need a hearing aid loop system? What else could benefit younger people?

To have your say, contact Andy Austen on austens@boltblue.com or 01283 702448.

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Repton Parish Council

Council minutes and details of planning applications can be viewed on the website at www.repton-pc.gov.uk, which also gives access to parish, district and county council services.

Some 40 local residents attended a lively parish council meeting on 11th December. The unusual level of interest was generated by a proposal to install more children's play equipment on the Mitre Field, and a planning application to open up land off Pinfold Lane for development.

• It was resolved to go ahead with plans for additional play equipment on Mitre Field Recreation Ground. The overall cost is £15,000, two thirds of which will be borne by SDDC. The new equipment will be a climbing frame designed for 4 to 10 year olds, and 4 cradle swings for younger children. Also, some existing swings are to be modified to increase the range of play facilities.



• An outline planning application to demolish 53 Pinfold Close and 7a Pinfold Lane was discussed. The reason for the proposed demolition is to gain access to the land at the rear for residential development. All matters except the means of access have been reserved. The parish council felt that restricted visibility at the new junction to be created in Pinfold Close, plus the loss of open land in the village, were the strongest reasons for objecting. Local residents who would be affected by development are also concerned about matters such as increased traffic and parking problems, inadequate public sewers and the loss of a wildlife habitat. SDDC are being informed of all matters raised at the meeting, and of the level of public disquiet.



• The property developer's appeal against refusal of permission for 13 houses on land adjoining the Cinder Track has been withdrawn. Work is progressing on the 11 houses for which approval was granted.



• It has been reported that vehicles are habitually parking too close to the Brook End / Milton Road corner, causing a traffic hazard. The police and the county council are being notified.



• Your Council Needs You! Parish council elections are held every 4 years and the next one is in May. Some of the current councillors are not seeking re-election, so more candidates are needed. Repton Parish Council wishes to become a 'Quality Council', as councils that do not hold Quality status face an uncertain future. In order for a council to be eligible for Quality accreditation all its councillors must be elected by the public, and none co-opted. It is therefore essential that enough local people stand for election to fill all 11 available seats. If you are interested please make contact with Celia Bunston, Clerk to the Council, on 701309, or with SDDC direct.

The next meeting of Repton Parish Council will be held on Monday 15th January at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

In August we were taken on a conducted tour of Melbourne Hall by Gill Weston, one of our previous speakers, followed by tea and cakes at the adjoining tea-rooms. In September our speaker gave a talk and demonstration of belly-dancing, after which members were invited to join in, with much hilarity! Our next speaker was a 'dogsbody', a lady volunteer who was involved in training search and rescue dogs - by hiding and then being rescued.

The Autumn Millennium Fund speaker was David Guest, speaking on 'Repton, Old and New'.

The big occasion of 2006 was our 75th Birthday Dinner, held in the Village Hall, with County Chairman Judy Stanhope of Bretby W.I. and guests from other Mercia groups present. A cake was cut by President, Jo Parfitt, and our longest serving member, Dorothy Rosser. Members enjoyed an excellent meal and were presented with a commemorative bookmark. The hall was decorated with past programmes and photographs, and together with the fascinating year-books, this made for a festive and memorable evening.

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Gardening Notes

A happy New Year to all gardeners - and to others too! And may it be less problematical than 2006, when many plants packed up in July's heat. After such heavy crops of apples, plums, acorns and other fruit, surely the trees must have a rest this year. It all adds to the interest of gardening.

Most Christmas trees should now be shredded. However, if your tree is pot-grown, keep it well watered outside, preferably in a greenhouse, until the weather warms up and you can plant it, remembering that over the years some varieties grow very tall.

Indoor plants that are now going over will need attention. Amaryllis can be kept for another year: deadhead, but leave the stalk to die down; keep them frost-free, feed occasionally and keep them watered. Poinsettias are not really worth keeping; they have been sprayed with a dwarfing agent, which wears off, and it is difficult to get them to colour up well again. Stephanotis, the scented, white winter jasmine, should be given a good prune after flowering; re-pot if necessary, and feed well.

Inspect stored dahlia and canna tubers, making sure they are neither too dry nor too wet. Check stored fruit; any that have shrivelled are being stored at too high a temperature; aim to keep them between 3° and 7°C. Check shrubs, roses and newly planted trees to see that they have not been loosened by wind and frost. Cut autumn-fruiting raspberries down to the ground. Finish pruning apple and pear trees; pruning too hard will result in too much new growth at the expense of fruit buds. Inspect the buds for the tiny, shiny black or pale yellow eggs of aphids or apple sucker. We used to spray with a tar oil wash to deal with them and to kill moss and algae, but this is no longer available - it really was horrid stuff! Garden Success Winter Tree Wash can be used instead, but I haven't tried it.

To prevent peach leaf curl, keep branches and leaves dry until early April; it prevents the spores from germinating. Peach trees in pots can stand in a greenhouse or porch, whilst for those growing against a wall, try erecting an umbrella of clear plastic - but don't let it touch the plant. Younger fruit trees and bushes will benefit from an organic mulch. If you have bullfinches about, protect fruit bushes and trees with a net or fleece, if practical. Bullfinches can strip a gooseberry bush or plum tree in no time, before starting on cherries and apples. Dig and manure empty ground in the vegetable plot. Start forcing rhubarb; cover with straw or dry leaves and with a large bucket or forcing pot to keep the light out. Protect brassicas against pigeons.

Apply a mulch of garden compost, mushroom manure or well rotted farm manure to the border. Continue weeding; some weeds such as couch grass, bitter cress and dandelion grow throughout the winter, and in mild winters, so do many others.

Have the mower serviced; in a mild winter, lawns may soon need mowing again.

Rake out fallen leaves from ponds, and if it freezes, make a hole in the ice to allow any build-up of gases to escape. The safest way is to stand a pan of boiling water on the ice until it melts. Cracking the ice can harm fish. Continue to provide the birds with food and water. At this time of year, with limited daylight, birds have to feed quickly, so high energy fat balls are particularly valuable. Apples will attract blackbirds and thrushes. On a cold night, small birds can lose up to 10% of their bodyweight trying to keep warm.

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A Ugandan Freshers' Ball

For some months, Clare Paine has been teaching Global Politics at the Central Buganda University, a mission university in rural Uganda, west of Kampala.

Last night's Freshers' Ball was wonderful. The students all made such an effort to organise the food and music. The girls wore lovely dresses and the boys smart shirts and trousers. One student even wore a dinner jacket and bow-tie, very impressive if somewhat over the top. But what it all proved was the students' pride in being part of Central Buganda University. There were speeches by everyone, even the DJ, which were very moving and made me feel so happy and proud to have been part of it. All the students talked briefly about their experience of being at the university. Three told how, when their parents had said they were sending them to CBU, they had not wanted to go; they hadn't heard of the university before, and the thought of being in a university in the countryside didn't appeal. However they went on to say how pleased they were to have come - even if all their fees were paid for them, they wouldn't change and go to the top university in Uganda.

Sadly, my time here is coming to an end. Due to the university's financial problems the staff cost of living has doubled this year, and my stay has had to be curtailed. I am torn between wanting to be back with family and friends, and wanting to stay in this beautiful place where there is so much to discover and understand. I have really enjoyed working with the pupils here. Sometimes I feel I could live permanently in Uganda, especially I as don't think I have ever felt so healthy. My hair and skin have never looked so good! Perhaps it's the lack of any chemicals in cleaning agents, food, and the atmosphere!