May 2008 - Contents The Church and the Embryology Bill 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 Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th May Shell (for children aged 7+) Summer Barbecue, Saturday 12th July Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Isobel Mary Ride Marriages Michael Owen Connolly and Helen Caroline Payne Richard Gurney Austen and Karen Latimer Funerals and Burial of Ashes Pamela Smith Obituaries Pamela Smith The Memorial Book Repton Benefice Christian Aid Oberammergau 2010 St Wystan's News Repton Church Heritage Appeal Repton M.U. Repton School Concerts Society, Tuesday 6th May St Mary's Church Spring Buffet Lunch, Sunday May 11th Morning Coffee, Wednesday 14th May A Magical Evening, Saturday 17th May 'Born Free' Summer Ball, Saturday 28th June Neighbourhood Watch Fake £20 notes 'Safer Neighbourhood' teams need your input Ringmaster Repton Village and History Heritage Appeal Lunch, Sunday 29th June Parish Walk in the Peak, Saturday 17th May First Repton Rainbows Repton W.I. NGS Open Gardens Repton Burton Mail Correspondent Repton Village Society Repton Village History Group Exercising Dogs Please keep it quiet! Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton Open Gardens and Farm, Sunday 15th June Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Newton Solney Parish Council Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes

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The Church and the Embryology Bill

Church leaders were divided about the morality of the Embryology Bill that went through parliament recently. Their debate in the House of Lords evoked from the Church Times the leader title: 'Church fails its Biology Exam.'

The point was well made: we should not debate these difficult issues in ignorance of the science behind them. Not a scientist myself, I have to rely on others, in this case Paul Vallely, from the same issue of the Church Times. "There are various kinds of possible animal-human hybrids", he writes. "There are chimeras, which would be formed by merging human and animal embryos. There could be hybrids, made by fertilising a human egg with an animal sperm, or visa versa. And there are cybrids, made by inserting human DNA into an animal egg from which the nucleus has been removed."

In the bill before parliament, only the third of these was being considered "which would take a human skin cell and place it inside a cow's egg, from which the genetic material had been removed. The result would be grown in a laboratory for a few days, allowing the human DNA to revert to a state in which it is capable of issuing instructions for building every cell in the human body. The resulting stem cells would then be harvested, to be used by scientists to discover how those instructions are switched on - and how they might be used to persuade the body to repair or replace its defective cells."

I agree with Vallely that "using animal eggs to re-programme adult skin cells in a cell-cluster without a nervous system is not creating an embryo in any meaningful sense." Therefore talk of 'unborn human life' or even 'experiments on babies' is quite inappropriate.

The proposed law makes it illegal to sustain this cell-cluster for more than 14 days or to implant it in a human or animal womb, so nothing that could resemble human life is being created or terminated.

There are huge limitations to the argument that, from a religious point of view, human creativity should not consider creating anything not natural. Where would we be without false teeth and blood transfusions? As Vallely points out: "The history of science .. is full of breakthroughs that once felt taboo-breaking."

Someone once said that God has created a world which creates itself. If - as we believe - God is a creator God and we as human beings are made in his image, then one of the most God-like thing we can do is share in that creativity.

With prayers and best wishes,

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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, Intercessors and Offertory at St Wystan's

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Altar Flowers (contact Frances Wimbush, 703180)

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Brasses (contact Pauline Beckett, 500132)

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Altar Flowers & Cleaning at St Saviour's (contact Ann Redfern, 01332 862350)

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The United Reformed Church

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Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th May, 10.30 to 11.30 am

Coffee and biscuits, home-made cakes and marmalade, the Webb Ivory range of cards and stationery, and an opportunity to chat with friends - don't miss it!

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Shell Group (age 7 - 11)

Except at Bank Holiday, the Shell group meets on Mondays, 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

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Summer Barbecue, Saturday 12th July

Make sure the date is in your diary!

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Baptisms

Isobel Mary Ride, daughter of David and Yolanda of 12 Aviation Lane, Burton upon Trent, was baptised at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Sunday 20th April.

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Marriages

Michael Owen Connolly and Helen Caroline Payne were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 12th April.

Richard Gurney Austen of 43 Main Street, Repton, and Karen Latimer of 4 Arlington Road, Derby, were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Friday 18th April.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Pamela Smith of 62 Burton Road, Repton, died on Monday 24th March aged 79. On Thursday 10th April, a funeral service and commemoration of Pam's life and faith at St Wystan's Church was followed by committal at Bretby Crematorium.

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Obituaries

Pamela Smith

8th July 1928 - 24th March 2008

So often we know a person's life only in retrospect, and do not express our gratitude until it is too late, but Pam of all people would not have wanted to be praised. Her deep Christian faith was lived out quietly and modestly as she went about a life of service, showing love and kindness to many, many people here in Repton, and she would have been deeply embarrassed to know how much she was loved in return.

Pam grew up in the West Midlands. From Dudley High School she went on to Birmingham University and then into a career as a hospital almoner. In 1956 this brought her to Burton New Street Hospital, where she first met Cyril. Following a spell in Manchester as head almoner at Crumpsall Hospital, she and Cyril married in 1963, living in a cottage near Nether Hall before moving to Burton Road in the 1970's. Pam's family was always important to her and she has been a wise and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Pam's father and both her grandfathers were clergymen, but her faith was not simply inherited, it was deeply personal. Each day began and ended with Bible reading and prayer, which underpinned all that she did. At St Wystan's Church, Pam led Sunday School, was the first woman 'sidesman', and the first woman to be elected churchwarden. While valuing the traditional, she was always open to change. Her calm and wisdom were much appreciated on the PCC and on the Deanery Synod.

The Neighbourhood Help Scheme and Luncheon Club, which she helped establish, stand as a living memorial to her energy and drive. She helped to start the first playgroup in Repton, was for eight years a governor at Repton Primary School, and together with the URC organised the first Easter Workshop.

But above all, she will surely be remembered for her selfless concern and gentle care for others. Her knowledge of people and their needs was remarkable, and many hours of the week were spent visiting people - in their own homes and in nursing homes - always ready to offer encouragement and help. For her, this was never a duty, just the natural thing to do.

In Pam we have all had a wonderful example. She had a great sense of humour and many people have commented on their happy memories of her friendship. She would share laughs and jokes, sadness and pain. Pam was warm and positive, always ready to listen and to understand, or to pass on wise advice. Even through the illness of her last years, her gracious courtesy and smile never faltered. Her life has been a huge asset to the church and the village. We thank God for all that she has meant to so many, and we offer our sympathy to Cyril, who has supported her so loyally in everything, and to all her family.

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The Memorial Book

The Memorial Book was donated in memory of Henry Chilton as a place where the names of those who died on or after 1st May 2000 can be recorded in the church.   All former Repton residents are eligible, as well as those buried or interred in St Wystan's churchyard or Monsom Lane cemetery.   There is no charge but a donation towards church funds is greatly appreciated.   All we need is the full name and the dates of birth and death.

Please contact Rev'd Peter Paine, 703317.

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Repton Benefice

Christian Aid

Throughout Bangladesh, getting clean water is a problem. In the northeast, water scarcity and lack of infrastructure create difficulties for the many landless communities. In the central low-lying wetlands, the land is flooded for more than half the year and underground water sources can be contaminated with arsenic. In the southwest, the rise in sea-levels, partly as a result of climate change, is making fresh water salty. People, mainly women and children, often have to walk for up to 24 hours to collect water to drink.

Christian Aid works on the ground to support change. Rekha Biswas believes that it is through communities - and especially women - finding their voices that change can be instigated. She goes from house to house, talking to families about the problems they face. And vitally, she challenges gender roles, encouraging women to come to meetings of the village water councils. It is these community organisations that can resolve the best solutions for their villages.

Christian Aid Week , 11th - 17th May

During the first week of May you will receive an envelope from Christian Aid. Christian Aid is asking us to make a donation, and also to

sign the Gift Aid form!

If you are a UK taxpayer, the Gift Aid form allows Christian Aid to claim back the tax; every £1 you give is then worth £1.28 to Christian Aid. All you need to do is fill in the declaration on the red CAW envelope. If everyone does this it will raise at least an extra £1 million for the world's poorest communities.

The envelope will be collected during the week commencing 11th May. If for some reason it is not collected, the Post Office and Newton Solney Delicatessen have both kindly agreed to have a box where you can place your envelope. Christian Aid is a Christian agency sponsored by forty churches in the UK and Ireland. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

If you can help collect or distribute envelopes, please get in touch. We still need collectors for all areas. Even if you can only collect this once we would be grateful if you would contact Jackie Hurrell, 702089, or Melodie Kettle, 559217. For Newton Solney, contact Jennifer Haynes, 703827.

By supporting Christian Aid Week, you are among millions of people who think poverty is a scandal we do not have to accept. Your actions, commitment and contributions will bring about a better life for people in poor communities all over the world. By coming together, we can help achieve amazing things.

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Oberammergau 2010

Towards the end of the thirty years war the village of Oberammergau was ravaged by the plague which swept through Bavaria. Whereupon the people solemnly vowed that, if God would show his compassion, every ten years they would assemble and enact the Passion of our Lord. The plague left the village in 1633, and ever since, as a perpetual thanksgiving and reaffirmation of faith, the villagers of Oberammergau have performed the Passion Play.

In 2010 they will perform it again, and we hope to take a party from Tuesday 10th to Tuesday 17th August. We will stay six nights in the Tyrol area of Austria in a four star hotel and one night at Oberammergau after seeing the play on the Friday. The Austrian hotel is near the village of Imst, surrounded by mountains. It has an indoor swimming complex, and a balcony for every twin-bedded room. There are optional excursions to the lakes and mountains of the Tyrol, Innsbruck and the Abbey at Stams. On Saturday morning we will have time to shop in Oberammergau, and there is a free day on Sunday with a 'farmers' buffet' dinner at the hotel in the evening.

We fly from Birmingham. The cost for half-board is £1040 and the travel agent, McCabe Pilgrimages, suggests a further £120 for all the optional excursions. The cost includes the hotel at Imst, flight and transfer to and from airports, the night in Oberammergau and a ticket for the play.

You need to reserve your place now!

The party will be limited to 12 places and we have to pay a booking fee of £200 a head for at least six by the end of May (this month!) to ensure our reservation. This can be cancelled and refunded or the name changed up to July 2009, when a further confirmatory £300 will be required. For further details and a booking form, please contact me on 703317 as soon as possible.

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St Wystan's News

Repton Church Heritage Appeal

Launching the Heritage Appeal, Canon Nicholas Henshall stressed that the church is there for the community as a whole, not just the congregation; it exists as much for the people outside as for those inside. He pointed out that the first known church in Turkey was square in shape, with an open courtyard for socialising, and two buildings on either side, one for worship and one for learning. The function of the church today should be the same, to provide worship, learning and hospitality. Unless it pays attention to all three, it will wither.

From its earliest beginnings in the early 700's, St Wystan's Church has developed throughout the centuries, changing to fulfil the requirements of the time. Now we are seeking to respond to the needs of the present, holdings firm to that original purpose which Canon Henshall described. We have a beautiful setting for worship, but to cater for hospitality and learning requires better and more inclusive access, and greatly improved amenities if the church is to fulfil its purpose for this and future generations.

The Development

In recent years, a number of proposals have been put forward and described in the Parish Magazine, so it is important to be clear what this appeal is for.

There will be: better and more inclusive access to the church; toilets; a kitchen; and significant space at the heart of the church. It will make the church more welcoming, not only for worship, for remembrance, for christenings, weddings and funerals, but also provide room for community activities, concerts and festivals.

Access

A ramped, oak floor within the porch will improve access to the church and be of particular help to those with mobility problems. The external doors will remain the same, but there will be new, oak, inner doors with glass panels. There will be provision for wheelchairs and buggies in the centre aisle.

Kitchen and Toilets

Disabled toilets and a kitchen will be installed in the north-west corner, replacing the outer vestry and former organ loft. The walls and doors will be of solid English oak. A servery will open onto the social and meeting area. A plan of this area can be found in the attached Repton Church Heritage Appeal leaflet.

Social and Meeting Area

By removing some pews, a large space will be created within the church. This will be furnished with chairs and tables for use by both the church and village community, and can be adapted for meetings, gatherings, concerts, festivals and social events.

Can you support us financially?

As custodians of a building of such historic importance and beauty, we are conscious that everything must be of the very best. Wherever wood is needed, that will mean solid English oak. The development is correspondingly expensive, with a the total cost of £240, 000. Generous legacies and gifts have started us on our way, but still we need to raise £150, 000.

Donations and sponsorship are particularly important. Information on how to give can be found in the Repton Church Heritage Appeal leaflet or please contact John Perks, the Appeal treasurer, on 01283 702392.

Please Support our Events

Throughout the year we will be holding events to support the appeal; they will all be advertised locally. On page 11 you will find an invitation to a Magical Evening in May, and on page 17 to a very special Sunday Lunch in June. For more information on all our events, contact Carol Lloyd, 01283 702410, or Karen Perks 01283 702392.

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Repton M.U.

Many of us in Repton knew that Jeanette Griffiths had worked as an adult student towards a Nottingham University degree. At our April meeting we discovered just what that had involved as we followed her on 'the long road'. On the way we learnt more about her medieval studies, leading to a dissertation on the Cathars. Her Combined Arts Course had been very demanding, but ultimately brought her to her goal.

Meetings in May: Thursday 15th at 7.30 pm in Melbourne Church: Southern Diocesan Festival Service.    Wednesday 21st at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Community Room: Jill Cownie: 'Families Abroad'.    All welcome.

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Repton School Concerts Society Tuesday 6th May Annual General Meeting (subscribers only) at 6.30 pm in the Snooker Room, Repton Music School followed by Repton School Music Competition Final at 7.30 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall Subscribers are invited to the AGM to receive a financial update, a review of the present season, and plans for the next season's programme. This will be followed by the Competition Final to decide who will be the 2007/8 Young Musician of the Year. This is open to all, and there is no charge for entry. Do come and support these young musicians. Further information from Sue Parker, 01283 702550 or the Music School, 01283 559319

St Mary's Church Newton Solney Spring Buffet Lunch Sunday May 11th at 1 pm in Newton Solney Village Hall Bring your own bottle!             Raffle Tickets: Adults £7, Children £3.50 from Hazel Ward 21, Blacksmith's Lane, Newton Solney, tel. 701244 Proceeds in aid of Church Funds

Morning Coffee Mayfield, 32 Milton Road. Wednesday 14th May from 10.30 am Sue and Tom Hyde invite you to 'Morning Coffee'. Admission £1 including coffee and cake. Bring a scarf you no longer wear to exchange. 50p a swap. Raffle. All proceeds to St Wystan's Church

Repton Church Heritage Appeal A Magical Evening Saturday 17 May 2008 at 7.30 pm Branston Golf and Country Club Buffet Supper and Magic at your Table Tickets £20 per person from Carol Lloyd 01283 702410 and Karen Perks 01283 702392

Charity Summer Ball in aid of the Born Free Foundation Saturday 28th June at Pride Park Stadium, Derby Dinner, dancing, cabaret and band. Auction by James Lewis of Flog it! and Cash in the Attic. Special guest Virginia McKenna OBE Tickets only £43, or £40 if 10 or more booked. Tickets and enquires from Val Hackett and Mike Carey 10 Cricket Close Newton Solney, t: 01283 701727

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Neighbourhood Watch

Fake £20 notes

Fake £20 notes are in circulation; check notes that you receive. A number of security measures are built in, and whilst some fakes are quite clever at mimicking some of them, they won't be able to replicate them all. For information on how to detect fakes, visit the bank of England website.

'Safer Neighbourhood' teams need your input

The local 'Safer Neighbourhood' team is responsible for the area from Stenson to Bretby, including Newton Solney, Milton and Repton. They aim to visit each village every six weeks, usually bringing the mobile police station. On these visits we have the opportunity to tell officers of our concerns. Their next meeting will be at Newton Solney Village Hall, Tuesday 3rd June at 6.30 pm.

The main issues they have identified in our villages so far are - in Repton - anti-social behaviour and criminal damage to motor vehicles. Among other actions they promise are: increased area patrols; highlighting the consequences for those who sell alcohol to people under 18; targeting under-age drinkers and individuals who persistently cause problems. A full list can be found on their website at www.derbyshire.police.uk/local/15.html.

Ringmaster

Ringmaster - or to give it its full name: Derbyshire Constabulary Community Message Broadcasting Service - is a new way to get information from your local police by email, telephone voice messages, fax or text messaging. Where possible you are recommended to choose the email option, as this can include photos, e-fits and attachments.

Ringmaster gives information on: crime trends in your area; advice on avoiding becoming a victim; events and meetings. This service is free and available to everyone, whether or not you are in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. To find out more and to register for the system, contact Shabana Rashid, Divisional Community Information Officer on 01332 613244 or email shabana.rashid.3894@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk

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Repton Village & History

Heritage Appeal Lunch

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra will be coming to Repton on Sunday 29th June, to play at a 'Sunday Lunch' to be held in a marquee on The Paddock at Repton School. Tickets cost £65 and include Pimms, entertainment, and Sunday lunch with wine. The event is being held to raise money for the Repton Church Heritage Appeal. A leaflet about the appeal accompanies this magazine. For information on the Sunday Lunch please contact Carol Lloyd on 01283 702410 or Karen Perks on 01283 702392.

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Parish Walk in the Peak, Saturday 17th May

This is the first of two walks this summer; the second will be on the 12th July, a shorter and simpler walk whilst we are hosting the Bishop of Agra, just before the Lambeth Conference.

In May, the morning loop of the figure-of-8 walk will be a little more challenging - 6½ or 7 miles - with two steep ascents and descents, and possibly some scrambling. However, for those who want to stay below, there will be alternative parallel stretches. The afternoon loop will be about 3½ miles, and easy going save for one steepish climb. Lunch will be at a beautifully sited pub that is unpretentious but now run by a chef. We meet and park at the pub, and both loops start and finish there; you may prefer to walk only one loop.

Phone me on 702384 if you are interested - the sooner the better - so that I can reserve your place for lunch.

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First Repton Rainbows

We are now able to re-open our 'Joining' List. Rainbows is the first step on the Guiding ladder and caters for 5-7 year olds. Our aims are fun and friendship. We are fortunate in Repton to have Brownies and Guides also. If your daughter is between 4½ and 6½, please ring for details. If she is over 6½, as there may be a delay in starting, please contact Brownies for their list.

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Repton W.I.

We have had another busy month. Members from Milton and Repton attended a useful First Aid Course run by St John Ambulance Brigade. Repton's team came third in the District Quiz at Etwall, and several members went to the Group Meeting at Findern, a Birthday Party to celebrate 90 years of the Derbyshire Federation, which, like Repton W.I., was founded in 1918.

At our April meeting we welcomed visitors who had come to listen to Anne Bailey's memories of her war-time childhood. Anne had brought a display of memorabilia, including samples of weekly food rations and the pixie hood mentioned in the title of her talk.

Arrangements were made for lunch at the Mulberry Restaurant, a trip to the Mikado at Burton and a local walk. Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th May at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall: Resolutions Meeting followed by a hot supper of jacket potatoes with fillings and puds!

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NGS Open Gardens

May sees a newcomer join the National Gardens Scheme (the Yellow Book), when Lynne and John Clay open their garden at Milton for the first time.

Lynne and John Clay, Parlour Barn, Brook Farm, Main Street, Milton. Sunday 18th May, 1pm - 5pm

Borders with colourful herbaceous perennials and shrubs, three lawns and a pond full of goldfish. Paths lead around the garden and under the clematis-covered pergolas with a fountain beneath. A still developing garden. £2 entrance fee, teas and cakes served, plants on sale.

Wendy and Stephen Longden, Woodend Cottage, 134 Main Street, Sunday 25th May, 1 - 5 pm

Admission £2.50, children free. Home-made cakes and teas in aid of St Saviour's Church, and plants for sale in aid of the NGS and in the nursery.

Pauline and Robert Little, 10 Chestnut Way, Sunday 25th & Monday 26th May, 1 - 5 pm

Admission £2.50. There will be a plant stall and home-made teas and cakes.

With your support, over the last 10 years the National Gardens Scheme has donated more than £22 million to charity.

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The Burton Mail Correspondent

After a break, I am now able to resume my role as Repton Correspondent for the Burton Mail. If you have an event that you would like advertised, or anything that could be used in our column, please ring me on 703991. I am asked to give two weeks notice to ensure that copy is included. If you are not sure, I am happy to advise.

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Repton Village Society

In her comprehensive lecture on Florence Nightingale, Pat Smedley covered her early life and character, and all that she achieved later after the Crimean War. Three members of the Village Society, themselves Nightingale Nurses, brought along memorabilia and photographs which added much to the evening.

The sell-out Jazz Concert provided an evening of many of the old jazz standards, brilliantly played with many superb improvisations by BB Swing. There were many calls for another performance at a later date.

'The Changing face of the Six Towns', Thursday 1st May

Dr. David Barker, formerly Senior Archaeologist for Stoke City Council, will be looking at evidence for the development of the city's industries, the place of pottery manufacture in the world market, and the role of 'heritage' in regeneration. On Saturday 3rd May, David will guide the coach on our visit to Stoke. The coach leaves Repton at 8 am.

The bulb planting programme carried out by the Society has resulted in bright splashes of colour at all the main entrances to the village and at Brook End, and will be continued in the autumn.

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Repton Village History Group

At our March meeting Tony Henry gave an excellent illustrated talk on Bretby Hall. Tony traced the history of the Hall and the families associated with it, and then told us about its use as an orthopaedic hospital, where he was very much involved. The large audience thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

On 20th May (Village Hall 7.30 pm), our Annual General Meeting will be followed by an illustrated talk on the 1939 version of the film, 'Goodbye Mr Chips', which was produced in Repton. Alan Thompson, one of our members, has been researching this film for some time; it should be an interesting memory of a local event.

On Tuesday 3rd June we have a visit to St Wystan's School. This is limited to 25 persons, so it is a 'members only' event. The list is filling up fast. Contact Alan Kimber on 704042 for further information.

We would be interested to hear from anyone wishing to be nominated for election to the committee, especially people with computer skills. Please contact any committee member.

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Exercising Dogs

Repton Parish Council is in discussions with SDDC to apply for Dog Control Orders on the Mitre Field and Broomhills Field. There is an increasing problem in both areas, and the fields have to be cleared before children can use them. Please spare a thought for the adults who have to do this; it is not pleasant to have to inspect the whole field before the children can play, or to clean them up when they slip in your dog mess!

A period of advertisement, consultation and notification has to take place, so the process will take time. Meanwhile, would owners please not walk dogs across the children's playing areas. Notices will be posted asking you not to bring dogs onto the Mitre Field at any time, and to keep dogs on the lead when walking through Broomhills Field. Please be considerate elsewhere as well. Ordinary rubbish bins can be used for dog dirt, provided that it is well wrapped.

If a dog causes a particular problem or is seen to be fouling the pavement, you can contact the District Council Dog Warden on 01283 221000

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Please keep it quiet!

With summer round the corner and - hopefully - warm, sunny days in the garden to look forward to, please be considerate; sound travels a long way in the open air, and your neighbours' taste in music may not be the same as yours! And if your dog is upsetting other people, please make every attempt to rein it in.

Don't suffer in silence!

If you are on the receiving end and disturbed by noise of any kind, whether barking or loud music, you can contact the Anti-Social Behaviour unit. Ring 0845 605 2222.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton Open Gardens and Farm

Milton is opening its gardens for the second time on Sunday 15th June, between 2 and 6 pm. More gardens are open this year, a total of fourteen in all, along with Brook Farm.

The proceeds will go to the Women's Institute and Air Ambulance on a 60/40 split, but individual gardens may be raising money for their own charities.

At the farm, you will be able to see the pedigree Holstein cows (there may even be some quite young ones), and for the children there is the opportunity to see the huge farm equipment - tractors and telehandlers. Milking takes place between 4 and 6 pm, so if you are there at that time you will be able to watch and learn. Refreshments - teas, coffees and cakes - will be served in the village hall, whilst the pub will be open for stronger drinks!

We hope you will come and join us and make our opening a big success, we look forward to seeing you - put the date in your diary now!

Entrance will be by programme at £2.50 per adult, available from the car park attendants, The Swan Public House and the Village Hall.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School

We look forward to welcoming visitors to join us for Collective Worship in the school hall on Wednesdays 7th May, 4th June and 2nd July at 9.15 am.

School is taking part in a recycling programme called Recycool. Old mobiles, PDA handsets and used printer cartridges are collected and sent to be refurbished for reuse. Through the programme, pupils will learn more about recycling and protecting the environment. Funds will also be raised for school and put towards purchasing resources and equipment. If you have empty cartridges or an old mobile, please send them to us via a pupil or call in at the school office.

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Newton Solney Parish Council

The Parish Annual Meeting will take place on Friday 9th May at 7 pm in the Village Hall, when the Chairman will present a review of council business throughout the past year.

The meeting also provides an opportunity to ask questions and air your views; currently the B5008 road and traffic improvements will obviously feature. The council also wishes to update the village plan, and to consider ideas for the village project of improving the river bank area at the bottom of Trent Lane. Please come along to hear the latest information and submit your ideas and suggestions. Don't forget that it is your Parish Council. Your input is essential if the local government process is to function effectively.

The monthly parish council meeting will follow on from the Annual Meeting.

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Newton Solney W.I.

There was a good attendance for the April meeting. Jo Parfitt reminded members that there were now two prizes - including the floral display - for the evening raffle. We are still awaiting dates for a Bluebell Walk, and think a summer walk from June onwards might be more suitable. A short meeting on '1 Step Further' followed the main meeting.

Our speaker was Mrs. Monica Pickering, who, due to her husband's work, lived for three years at Windsor Castle. We saw pictures and photographs of the castle and grounds, and heard of the interesting events that she and her family were part of - including 5 am rehearsals for the guards and bandsmen! It must have been exciting to feel part of all the pageantry.

The Cutthorpe Tea, our annual visit from a Derbyshire Pensioners' Group, will be on 22nd May. Volunteers are needed to help with preparation, cake making and serving.

Congratulations to our quiz team, who were runners-up in the recent local heat. As a result they have been invited to take part in The Inter-Federation Quiz at Winthorpe on 23rd May. We wish them well.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th May at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall: 'Resolutions' meeting, followed by a Beetle Drive. Whist Drive, 22nd May.

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Gardening Notes

In May, even the most reluctant gardener must emerge from hibernation and prepare the garden for summer, but do not be too hasty in planting out the summer bedding and other tender plants. Frost can still cause problems, so keep some fleece handy to protect anything tender, as well as fruit blossom and soft, fresh growth. Japanese acers, pieris, hydrangeas and potatoes are at particular risk.

We cannot predict whether the summer will be hot and dry or wet again, but it does seem that warmer weather is most likely. It has been estimated that the average annual temperature will rise by 3°C by the end of the century, so those of us still around will no longer have to go to the Mediterranean for our summer holidays, which should at least reduce our carbon footprint.

We can probably adjust to a warmer climate, but there will always be problems coping with flooding caused by deluges, and with water shortages in long dry spells. So we should use all possible methods to make sure excess water can drain away, and to store water. Grey water from baths, showers and the kitchen can be used for a short term, but not on edible plants. Nor should it be stored for more than 24 hours, for fear of bacterial contamination. Do not use softened tap water or water from dishwashers. Water around the base of plants, not wasting it on the foliage. For container plants, once the soil is damp, a light watering daily is better than watering weekly.

Plants that will survive and even flourish in drought may cope less well with increased winter wet. Plants that need good drainage may be swamped by heavy downpours. To some extent we can take precautions to cope with drought by choosing suitable plants and mulches (such as gravel), and with rain by ensuring good drainage, but wind is more difficult and can build up suddenly. Planting hedges for shelter and small, perhaps multi-stemmed trees can help. Every species of plant has adapted over many centuries to its own micro-climate, be it desert or swamp, but they cannot keep up with the present rapid change.

Before sowing in the vegetable garden, apply a general fertiliser such as Growmore, or blood, fish and bone. In dry weather, sowing drills may need a good soak before you sow. Continue to sow cabbages and other brassicas, lettuce, beetroot, peas and carrots. Beetroot sown too early in the season often goes to seed. In mid-month, French and runner beans can be sown directly outside; at the end of the month, those sown previously under glass can be planted out.

Keep earthing up potatoes.

Marrows and courgettes are often best started under glass. Chillies and peppers sown under glass in March now need potting on; keep them warm and moist, and feed weekly.

Sow wallflowers to plant out in October. Continue to harden off bedding plants. By the end of the month most bedding, as well as dahlias, containers and hanging baskets should be safe outside.

After flowering, give winter-flowering heathers a trim with the shears, and if necessary, prune forsythia, berberis, chaenomoles, and choisya. Taking care not to damage young growth, deadhead rhododendrons, lilac and pieris to improve the flower display for next year. Tie in new growth on clematis; their unsupported stems are delicate and fragile. Control aphids, which are particularly active in early summer, both in the greenhouse and outside, attacking the fresh new growth of many plants, sucking the sap, and sometimes transmitting viruses. They secrete a sticky substance that attracts sooty moulds. My camellias are smothered in it, and I have been able to find aphids under the leaves all winter. They seem to be covered in a hard coating, and are difficult to dislodge. A systemic insecticide - one that is absorbed by the leaves - is one option, but remember that it also kills beneficial insects. A biological control is available, but only likely to work in greenhouses.

Make sure the greenhouse has some shading, either from blinds or shade paint, to prevent the sun scorching your plants.