July 2008 - Contents The Lambeth Conference 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 Trip to York, Sunday 27th July Shell (for children aged 7+) Summer Barbecue, Saturday 12th July Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Jacob Samuel John O'Connell Funerals and Burial of Ashes Michael John Day Stuart Charles Baker Stella Margaret Argyle Ann Oulton Obituaries Stella Margaret Argyle The Memorial Book Repton Benefice Welcome! Bishop's Walk, Saturday 12th July International Songs of Praise, Sunday 13th July at 3 pm Certificate in Christian Discipleship Christian Aid Collection 2008 St Wystan's News Garden Party, Saturday 19th July, 2.30 - 5 pm Repton Church Heritage Appeal Events St Wystan's Coffee Mornings and Afternoon Teas Strawberry Tea, Thursday 3rd July Vicarage Tea Party, Thursday 21st August Heritage Fund tops £100,000 Repton M.U. Strawberry Tea, Thursday 3rd July Newton Solney Summer Fair, Saturday 5th July Repton Royal British Legion, Saturday 5th July Garden Party, Saturday 19th July The Dales Garden Party, Saturday 26th July Thankyou Jannette Padmore Neighbourhood Watch Going away this summer? Drink Driving Crackdown Theft from Cars Repton Village and History ngs Open Gardens Poppy Appeal Raises £8,000 Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group MusSoc is back! Boys and Girls come out to play at St Wystan's Nursery Fun Day Community Speedwatch 'Active Kids' and 'Computers for Schools' Repton Village Society Repton Parish Council Jottings Summer Play Activities provided by Repton Parish Council Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney W.I. Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Newton Solney Horticultural Show, Saturday 6th September Newton Solney Parish Council Notes Further Afield National Memorial Arboretum, Lottery Awards Happy Hens Gardening Notes Computer Safety

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The Lambeth Conference

This month we welcome Bishop Samual and Mrs. Snehlata Cutting from Agra. They are spending a short time in Repton prior to the Lambeth Conference, which every ten years, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, brings together over 800 bishops from all over the Anglican Communion.

This year, two issues will particularly tax them. One is the proposal for an Anglican Covenant, and the other, of course, is homosexuality.

The first would seek to define Anglicanism and provide a means of resolving disputes. On the face of it this would seem to be a good thing, but there are serious drawbacks. The main one is that Anglicanism has never had hard edges. Since the Lambeth Conference of 1888, the Anglican Communion has recognised as authoritative the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral. This sets out four first-order principles upon which Anglicanism is based: the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God; the Nicene and Apostolic creeds as the Rule of Faith; the two sacraments (baptism and Holy Communion) ordained by Christ; the episcopate (bishops) as the key-stone of governmental unity. There is a strong case for saying, and many do, that we do not need a further and more restrictive definition of what it is to be Anglican.

In the matter of homosexuality, James Jones, the evangelical Bishop of Liverpool, once took a hard line. In a three-way dialogue between his diocese and the dioceses of Akure in Nigeria and Virginia in the USA he has come to a new understanding. From Akure he has learned that the response of the Church of Nigeria to the sexuality debate is contextualised; the law of the land prohibits homosexual acts. Moreover, African Christianity has to guard against the charge that it is a front for a western imperialism in decadent decline. From Virginia he has learned that the Civil Rights movement has a much greater grip on the soul of America than it does in England or Europe. For many, the rights of gay and lesbian people have as much weight as those of African-Americans. It is a matter of natural justice.

Bishop James has called for a debate within his own diocese, to be set within the framework of four 'walls.' Among them are, first, the authoritative emphasis upon the uniqueness of marriage as a divine ordinance for the ordering of society, and second, the acknowledgement of the authoritative biblical examples of love between two people of the same gender, most notably the relationship of Jesus and his beloved disciple John, and that of David and Jonathan.

There will be opportunity to follow up these points when the bishops have had their deliberations.

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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Trip to York, Sunday 27th July

We will join Rev'd Graham Maskery and his congregation at York U.R.C. for morning worship. Then Graham will cook a mid-day meal for us and afterwards guide us around this historic city. If you would like to go, please ring Gerald and Christine on 701581. There are still a few seats available on the coach!

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Shell Group (age 7 - 11)

The Shell group meets on Mondays 7th, 14th and 21st July, 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

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Summer Barbecue, Saturday 12th July

The summer sensation is back, with bouncy castle, games for the children, and lots of tasty food. Open from 3 pm; food served from 4 pm. Tickets available from church members, or ring 701581.

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Baptisms

Jacob Samuel John O'Connell, son of Lucy and Shaun, of Twyford Road, Willington, was baptised at the United Reformed Church on Sunday 18th May.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Michael John Day of 7 Newton Park, Newton Solney, died on Friday 16th May aged 77. A funeral service at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, was followed by cremation at Bretby Crematorium.

Stuart Charles Baker of 10 Ivy Close, Willington, died on Saturday 17th May aged 51. A funeral service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, was followed by burial at Repton Cemetery.

Stella Margaret Argyle of 87 High Street, Repton, died unexpectedly on Wednesday 21st May aged 89. A funeral service was held at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 4th June prior to committal at Bretby Crematorium.

Ann Oulton of 59 Pinfold Close, Repton, died on Sunday 8th June aged 72. A funeral at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 20th June was followed by cremation at Bretby Crematorium and interment at Repton churchyard.

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Obituaries

Margaret Argyle
3rd July 1918 - 21st May 2008

Margaret was born in 1918 at Trent House Farm, Willington - opposite the church, where the derelict factory now stands - the eldest of four daughters of Tom Protheroe and his wife Elizabeth Pattinson. And she did not move far, having only three homes in the course of her life, all within a couple of miles. The Pattinsons were already well embedded in Repton. Her grandmother kept the Post Office and Rev'd John Pattinson was vicar of St Wystan's from 1804 to 1843. Thus Margaret was related to many of the old village families.

She was educated at Burton High School and then worked at Worthingtons Brewery offices in Burton. It was at this time that she met Harold, whose first wife had died in 1936. They married in December 1940, the new bride acquiring four stepchildren. There were three sons, one three years older than her, one the same age and one a bit younger, with a stepdaughter aged 12.

The early years of married life must have been difficult: Harold was in North Africa, one stepson was with the Sherwood Foresters and a prisoner of war of the Japanese, another was wounded, and another fought throughout the war. Margaret kept busy: there were evacuees who stayed (and afterwards kept in touch), members of the WAAC lodged with her, and she also organised the Home Guard office in Repton.

The end of the war and the birth of a son saw the return to a more stable married life. Margaret was active in the Young Wives and helped with local events including a '1000-year' Pageant for St Wystan's Church, the coronation, and the Queen's visit in 1957. In the early 1960s she became a magistrate, sitting in the old Court Room on Boot Hill and dealing with minor offences, then later sitting at Crown Court in Derby. She was also a clergy assessor.

When Harold died suddenly in 1965, Margaret took in lodgers for a time, among them Ken Croft, arriving as the new Headmaster of Repton Primary School. Later she worked as Secretary to St Wystan's School, and remained there for some 15 years until her retirement in 1983.

By that time she had three grandchildren who would occupy her for most of the rest of her life. For only the second time she moved house, this time to The Square, and she continued her long involvement with several village organisations including the WI. She was a trustee of Ravenstone Hospital Almshouses at Coalville and kept busy with the Heraldry Group and stamp collecting. Her later years were occupied with her garden, her cat and her family. The last three months of her life were spent at the Mount Pleasant Residential Home in Winshill, where she received excellent care.

She will be remembered as calm, active, efficient and welcoming. Her life touched many people and she will be greatly missed.

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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 July 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

Welcome!

From the 10th of this month we will have among us Bishop Samual Cutting and Mrs. Snehlata Cutting from Agra in India, who have come over for the Lambeth Conference starting on the 16th July. In the evenings they will eat with various families, and on Saturday 12th a walk is being organised. On Sunday 13th, Bishop Samuel will preach at Parish Communion at 9.45 am at St Wystan's.

We do hope you will take one of these opportunities to meet both Bishop Samual and his wife, and to make them welcome.

Bishop's Walk, Saturday 12th July

Roger Juneau is arranging a local and fairly gentle walk to show Bishop Samuel and his wife something of South Derbyshire. It will take place in the morning and conclude with a pub lunch. If you would like to come, please let Peter Paine, 703317, know as soon as possible so that we can alert the pub.

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International Songs of Praise, Sunday 13th July at 3 pm

Many of the Anglican bishops from North India who are visiting the diocese before the Lambeth Conference will be at the Annual Songs of Praise Festival at Carsington Water, together with the Bishops of Derby and Repton. The festival is organized by local churches. It includes music from local brass bands and music groups, and is great fun. The event has been growing over the last three years, but will have a significant boost with the visit of so many dignitaries.

The Songs of Praise Festival takes place at the amphitheatre behind the main building at Carsington Water. It is free for all visitors, but you are encouraged to bring and share tea.

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Certificate in Christian Discipleship

The Adviser for Continuing Ministerial Education, Canon Andie Brown, is recruiting for the third intake on this course. At present there are 83 students, many submitting assignments for university accreditation and going on to a lay ministry specialism as a Reader or as an accredited Lay Minister.

Students have said some very encouraging things: "This course has enriched my faith and given me confidence." "The course has helped me to develop a depth of Christian personality I've never had before." "As a result of the course I am now to attend a Bishop's Advisory Panel and hope to be ordained!"

Year one modules are: Christian discipleship; Opening up the Old Testament; Opening up the New Testament; Opening up the Creeds; Theological Reflection; Mission, Ministry and Vocation. In year two, the modules are: Christian Spirituality; Entering into the Old Testament; Entering into the New Testament; Sources of Theology; An Introduction to the History of English Christianity; Christian Leadership.

You can read much more about it on the notice board in St Wystan's Church. As we move towards giving lay people greater responsibility, it would be good to have a number of members of our own churches on this course. Please think and pray about it. If you would like to talk to me or to apply, please contact me at the vicarage, 703317.

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Christian Aid Collection 2008

This year's collection in Repton, Newton Solney and Ingleby raised £2,217.34, the largest sum we have collected to date! £1,700.45 was collected in Repton, Foremarke and Milton, and £516.89 in Newton Solney. Many thanks to all who contributed so generously, and to those who held fund-raising events for Christian Aid, including £65 from the Christmas Charity Market.

In addition to the above amounts, tax relief is a major factor and should produce an extra £200. Whenever you give to charity, please fill in the envelope.

We would like to thank all our dedicated collectors and counters, particularly those who have just joined us, and The Post Office for having the collection box. May we remind collectors to contact us if you can't collect next year; if you leave it too late we may be unable to cover your area.

Collectors needed for next year!

We are already looking for next year's collectors. To discuss it, please contact either Jackie Hurrell on 702089, Melodie Kettle on 559217, or, for Newton Solney, Jennifer Haynes on 703827.

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St Wystan's News

Garden Party, Saturday 19th July, 2.30 - 5 pm

You are warmly invited to a garden party in Repton Vicarage garden. There will be lots of games for children - and adults! - and stalls, of course, with homemade produce, plants and books. Enjoy tea and cakes, meet with friends, and have fun. And do bring your family and friends.

Repton Church Heritage Appeal Autumn 2008 Tuesday 23rd September Fashion with Colour & Style Susan Hyde, Colour me Beautiful Image Consultant Brigden's Ladies Fashions Tuesday 23rd September at 7 pm The Pavilion, Branston Golf and Country Club Champagne & Canapés Tickets: £15.    Sue Hyde 01283 703662; Carol Lloyd 01283 702410 * * * * * * Sunday 21st September at 7.30 pm Organ 10th Anniversary Concert The Wystan Singers with Peter Williams, Organ St Wystan's Church, Repton Cheese and Wine Tickets: £15.    Carol Lloyd 01283 702410 * * * * * * Friday 17th October Autumn Ball Pears School * * * * * * Bridge Day postponed * * * * * * Saturday 1st November Beetle Drive Repton Village Hall * * * * * * Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th November Repton Arts Weekend St Wystan's Church For information on all the Heritage Appeal events, contact Carol Lloyd, 01283 702410, Karen Perks, 01283 702392, or .

St Wystan's Coffee Mornings and Afternoon Teas

So far this year we have had four very successful coffee mornings and afternoon teas, and our thanks go to Jan and David Roberts, Karen and John Perks, Sue and Tom Hyde, and Heather and Harry Rothera for hosting them. It has been a real pleasure to meet socially in lovely surroundings, and to indulge in cakes and cookies. There have been raffles, book, cake and plant stalls, and a 'scarf swap'. Over £500 has been raised for church funds. We would like to thank all those who have supported the events and made them so enjoyable.

Strawberry Tea, Thursday 3rd July: As we move into summer, Angela and Bill Mayger are hosting a Strawberry Tea at 26, Monsom Lane between 3 and 5 pm.

Vicarage Tea Party, Thursday 21st August at 3 pm. Details to follow.

You will be most welcome, and you will also be helping us in Repton to keep our lovely but very expensive church.

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Heritage Fund tops the £100,000

Since the launch of the appeal in April, donations so far have exceeded £22,000 and Gift Aid will add a further £4,000 to this total, showing just how important it is to use Gift Aid, adding 28p for every pound! The fund-raising events programme is now well under way; the successful Magic Evening at Branston Golf Club raised £530, and ticket sales for Lunch on the Paddock at the end of June are going well. Many more events are planned.

So a great big 'thank you' to those who have already generously made donations or supported an event. The appeal has had a good start and the 'thermometer' has now tipped over the £100,000 mark. However there is still a good way to go to reach our target of £240,000. For further details of the appeal and how to contribute tax efficiently, or to discuss sponsorship of a particular aspect, please contact John Perks at The Grange, 16 Main Street, Repton, 01283 702392, or .

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Repton M.U.

The Derbyshire scenery was shrouded in drizzle as we journeyed to Buxton in early June. However, our spirits were lifted by an excellent lunch in the impressive surroundings of the Dome, now part of Derby University. Afterwards we were all lined up for a group photo when we were told, much to our amusement, that photos inside the Dome are banned 'because of child protection issues'.

The very next day we had sunshine for our visit to Egginton, so were able to walk round the special wild-life haven in the churchyard. We had a short service with a talk about the history of the church, then tea with cake was served in the very comfortable seating area in the north aisle. We look forward to the time when there will be similar facilities at St Wystan's.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 16th July at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Room: Bible Study with Sylvia Fox. Everyone welcome.

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Strawberry Tea Thursday 3rd July, 3 - 5 pm Angela & Bill Mayger, 26 Monsom Lane, Repton Raffle and Bring & Buy Stall Admission £3 including Strawberry Tea All proceeds to St Wystan's Church Funds

Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Summer Fair Saturday 5th July, 2 - 4 pm in the school grounds The children will be performing and there will be various stalls, games and refreshments. Everyone welcome!

Repton Royal British Legion High St, Repton Saturday 5th July Tony Rutherford, Vocalist New Members Welcome.           Come and See Us!

Garden Party Saturday 19th July in the Vicarage Garden Tea and cakes and lots of games for children and adults Plant Stall; Homemade Produce Stall; Book Stall Everyone welcome!

The Dales, Fisher Close, Repton Garden Party Saturday 26th July at 2.30 pm Raffle, Tombola, Cake Stall, Home-made Preserves White Elephant, Entertainment, Refreshments available Free Admission           All Welcome

Thankyou

. . . to all friends who have sent me cards and good wishes during my recent illness and stay in hospital. I am now on the road to recovery. Once again, a big 'thank you' to you all.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Going away this summer?

We all need a holiday some time, and we like to come home and find everything as we left it. Here are a few tips before you go.

• Cancel the newspapers and milk.
• Avoid discussing holiday plans in public.
• Cut the lawns before you go.
• Make your home look lived in. Closing curtains in daytime shows that the house is empty. Use automatic timer switches to turn lights on when it goes dark; some timers are light sensitive and random.
• Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your destination.
• Consider using the Royal Mail 'Keepsafe' service for your mail. See the Royal Mail website.
• Transfer any valuable cycles and similar items from the shed into the house. Similarly any tools that might be used to break in.
• Finally make sure that you've locked all outside doors and windows and set the burglar alarm.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Drink Driving

Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership ran a drink and drug driving campaign during June. It was part of a national crackdown.

Theft from Cars

Across Derbyshire there has been a spate of thefts of catalytic converters. Please report any suspicious activity.

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Repton Village & History

ngs Open Gardens

The summer is your last chance this year to see two very popular 'Yellow Book' gardens, open for the National Garden Scheme.

Lynne and John Clay, Parlour Barn, Brook Farm, Main Street, Milton, Sunday 13th July, 1pm - 5pm

John and Lynne's second opening in this, their first year. Home-made cakes and plants on sale. £2 entrance fee, children free.

Wendy and Stephen Longden, Woodend Cottage, 134 Main Street, Sundays 13th July and 10th August, 1 - 5 pm

Wendy and Stephen Longden's garden is especially colourful in July and August. Admission £2.50. Home-made cakes and teas will be sold in aid of St Saviour's Church, Foremark, and plants will be for sale in the nursery and in aid of the National Garden Scheme.

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Poppy Appeal Raises £8,000

So far, this year's Poppy Appeal has raised over £8,000. 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 and / or helped to collect this splendid sum. Much comes from the sale of poppies door-to-door in Repton, Foremarke, Milton, Newton Solney and Willington. Other contributions come from the Fruit and Vegetable Show in September, whist drives, raffles, and donations for wreaths.

The Remembrance Day Service Parade was well attended, and supported by our local youth organisations, the Brownies and Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

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Repton W.I.

The June meeting began with a group photo. In the earliest photo of Repton W.I. all the members are wearing hats, so we thought it would be fun to do the same. The 2008 hats were considerably brighter and more varied, and were worn with some very smart outfits.

The speaker, Paul Stevens, Repton School Librarian, gave an excellent talk on the early years of Repton W.I. using the first minute books and the unpublished memoirs of Mrs. Fisher. When she married the then headmaster, Geoffrey Fisher, she became involved in the life of the village, founded Repton W.I. and was president for many years. Newcomers to the village learnt a lot, and older members were reminded of the days when the W.I. owned the old Court House in Boot Hill.

The following week, Judy Stanhope, the county chairman, and guests from other W.I.s joined us for our celebratory lunch at Littleover Lodge, which was a great success.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 8th July at 7.15 pm in the village hall: Jane Latham will be telling us how she joined a group 'Cycling Cuba' to raise funds for Denman, the W.I. college.

Also in July, on Tuesday 22nd we will be visiting the Lavender Farm at Hilton for a tour and cream tea.

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Repton Village History Group

After our A.G.M. in May, Alan Thompson, one of our members, gave an illustrated talk entitled 'Goodbye Mr Chips'. Alan has researched the film, which was partly shot in Repton in 1938 before release in 1939. His most interesting account included details of the actors and actresses, the various locations where the film was shot, and much more. A number of Repton people acted as extras, and we had a message from Ros Hudson, who featured in it, saying she was thinking of us that evening. It was an excellent presentation, and we hope that more details will eventually emerge to be added to the archive.

During May we were invited to act as Festival Partners in the first ever National Forest Walking Festival. Thirty-seven walks were held in the area, our contribution being a guided tour round part of the village, the church and the school. The rain held, off but the wind helped 25 members of the public along the route led by our member, John Ward. John recounted the history of the area, and the walkers were amazed at the superb condition of the Repton School buildings and grounds. It was a very successful event, and it is very pleasing to see that members of our group are taking such an active part in researching and explaining our local heritage.

On Tuesday 3rd June we had a guided tour of St Wystan's School. This enabled us to view the excellently maintained historic buildings not normally seen from the road, and to see how they have been adapted to modern use. Our visit to Carnfield Hall in July is fully booked and names are now being taken for a second visit later this year; phone Alan Thompson on 701130.

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MusSoc is back!

For many years, MusSoc has been one of Repton's great institutions, bringing together all parts of the village and school to make glorious music, with firm favourites like Haydn's 'Creation', 'The Messiah', 'Carmina Burana', and the Requiems of Mozart and Verdi interspersed with less well-known pieces such as Mendelssohn's 'Elijah', 'The Kingdom' and 'The Dream of Gerontius'. For some years, sadly, MusSoc has been in abeyance, but now it is to be relaunched, and under John Bowley, Repton School's Director of Music, the combined school and visitors' choir and orchestra will perform Mozart's 'Requiem' in Pears School on Sunday 30th November.

If you would like to be part of a wonderful occasion, whether as a singer or in the orchestra, please contact Morag Hill on 702799, or or . Choral rehearsals will take place during the autumn term on Thursday evenings at 6.20 pm in Pears School.

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Boys and Girls come out to play at St Wystan's Nursery Fun Day

Despite the forecast, the weather held up, and the sun really did shine 'as bright as day' when St Wystan's School held its annual Under Five Nursery Fun Day.

We were delighted to welcome children and visitors who came along to join in the fun. The children dressed up as their favourite nursery rhyme characters, and they all looked spectacular in their costumes. Everyone had great fun in guessing who everyone was. There were lots of activities; the children were able to join in games, songs, enjoy the bouncy castle and have their face painted.

St Wystan's School still has a limited number of places in both the school and nursery in September. Please contact the Headmaster, Mr Philip Soutar on 01283 703258 for more details. We are able to accept government funding and company childcare vouchers.

Community Speedwatch Volunteers Required Do you want to see traffic speeds reduce through Repton? A small group of Repton residents has been trained by the police to operate Community Speedwatch in the local area, July - September. Additional volunteers are required to strengthen the team. If you are interested, please contact Carl Bilson or Jenny Sayers on 01283 559200, or Roger Paulson on 01283 704034.

'Active Kids' and 'Computers for Schools'

If you have been collecting vouchers for Repton Primary or Newton Solney Infants, please let the school have them as soon as possible. Send them via a pupil, drop them off at school or post them to Repton Primary School, Springfield Road, Repton DE65 6GN, or to Newton Solney Infant School, Trent Lane, Newton Solney, Burton on Trent, DE15 0SF.

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Repton Village Society

At the June meeting Philip Knight, a Trustee of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, gave a very wide-ranging overview of its work. It is a much larger and more influential organisation than many in the audience had realised.

'The Birmingham Assay Office', Thursday 3rd July

Dr. Sally Baggott, who is the Curator, will be giving a lecture about the history and work of the Office, as well as highlighting aspects of the Jewellery Quarter. Then, on Thursday 10th July, she will be conducting two tours of the Office, including the extensive silver collection. There are a few places left on this trip; please ring 701838 for details. There will be free time in Birmingham, and maps and guides will be available. The coach leaves the Cross at 9 am and the Office at 4 pm.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

A monthly newsletter covering issues from the Parish Council meeting in June.

• Quality Status: We are delighted to announce that we have gained Quality Council status. A considerable amount of material was gathered for the application, and the qualification shows that Repton Parish Council provides a quality service to the community and that all our efforts to keep you all informed have been successful. The certificate will be presented to the Parish Council at its next meeting on 14th July at 7.30 pm. The presentation will be preceded by refreshments at 7 pm. Everybody is welcome; please come along.
• Funding for Play Provision: We have been successful in our application for £400 from South Derbyshire District Council's Safer Neighbourhoods Group, as a contribution towards the £1000 cost of the play facilities which the Parish Council provides during the summer holidays. For dates and times, see page 19.
• Speedwatch Scheme: The scheme will be in operation in Repton between July and September. Volunteers are being trained by the police but more are still needed to make the scheme effective. If you would like to volunteer, contact Carl Bilson on 559200 or Roger Paulson on 704034.
• Police Visits: Mobile Office, Thursday 10th July from 10 am at the village hall car park. On Tuesday 29th July the Police Mobile Office will visit locations in Repton together with the mobile library.
• Waiting Restrictions: Derbyshire County Council reported that they would not be reviewing the waiting restrictions until late summer but told the Parish Council that they are considering the removal of all restrictions on waiting in Repton. On the positive side, all the yellow lines and associated signs and support posts would be removed. Sensible parking would be left to the discretion of the motorist. DCC believes that such a radical move has operated quite successfully in other village conservation areas, and feels it is worth considering in Repton. They asked for the Parish Council's comments. The Parish Council voted to keep waiting restrictions in Repton; also, to ask DCC to remember the weight of traffic passing through Repton to the A38, and to bear in mind the fact that there are two schools in the centre of Repton, and also a health centre where the staff need all-day parking.
• Disabled Parking at St Wystan's Church: DCC informed the Parish Council that two advisory spaces will be marked out shortly.
• The Junction of Main Street and High Street: DCC has no plans to reintroduce any measures at this junction.
• Main Street Plateau: DCC informs us that funding has been made available in the capital programme 2008 - 09 for improvements / additions to the existing calming features on Main Street. They will be in contact with the Parish Council shortly.
• Burnaston Hall: We have been informed by a local businessman that he intends to put in a planning application to rebuild Burnaston Hall, formerly on the Toyota site, at Repton Park.
• Parking on Pavements: The police have offered to patrol the village whenever possible, to remind villagers not to park on the pavements. Sometimes pavements are so restricted that people with pushchairs or wheelchairs cannot get past and have to go onto the road, which is unnecessarily dangerous.

Next Meeting: 14th July at 7.30 pm in Repton village hall, preceded by refreshments at 7 pm. Plans can be viewed between 7 and 7.30 pm.

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Summer Play Activities provided by Repton Parish Council

Just turn up on the day. Except where shown, there will be no charge to users.

Climbing Wall

Age 8+; under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.
The Mitre Field

Thursday 7th August, 6 - 8 pm free
Thursday 21st August, 6 - 8 pm free

n.b. Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn - no sharp objects. At the leaders' discretion, the mobile climbing wall can be used when it is wet or raining.

Laser Games Age 8+; under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.

The Mitre Field

Tuesday 29th July, 2 - 4 pm £1 per go or £5 per session
Thursday 31st July, 2 - 4 pm free
Friday 29th August, 10 am - 12 noon £1 per go or £5 per session

n.b. Suitable clothing and footwear should be worn - no sharp objects allowed. The laser games can not be used when the surface is wet or when it is raining as it can endanger the participants.

Sports- / Playmobile 8 - 14 year olds; under 8's must be accompanied by an adult.

The Mitre Field

Thursday 14th August, 10 am - 12 noon free
Thursday 28th August, 10 am - 12 noon free

n.b. Sports equipment, sumo suits and bouncy castle. If the weather is bad, some of the play facilities will be transferred into the Den, but not the bouncy castle!

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

In June our speaker, Dotty Wickes, informed us that her aim was to make us laugh, and she really succeeded, with a mixture of monologues, observations, light-hearted quizzes and funny stories. The meeting was hilarious and everyone enjoyed themselves.

The members involved in 'One Step Further' had tried out their proposed route and are meeting again to discuss it. The members who went to the New Era's 'HMS Pinafore' all enjoyed the performance.

The Cutthorpe Tea, when we entertain visitors from a pensioners' club, was well attended. Our quiz team went to Winthorpe, near Newark, representing Derbyshire in an inter-federation quiz, which was a good social evening. Thanks were expressed to the driver, Sue Ellis.

In mid-June we are visiting the gardens at Yoxall, and a few days later a riverside walk by the Trent, led by Richard Stone, is a follow-up to our October history meeting.

On Saturday 28th June we are invited to a coffee morning, organised by Bretby W.I. at the Methodist Church Hall. Sunflower seeds were given out for a competition to grow the tallest sunflower. It will be judged in the autumn, with the winner awarded the recently returned Produce Cup. Joan Buchanan has planted out the border at the front of the village hall, and volunteers agreed to keep the plants watered.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 8th July: Val Shelton will be talking about Derby Children's Holiday Centre. Whist drive, 29th July. Both at 7.30 pm in the village hall.

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Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School

Summer Fair Everyone is welcome to join us on Saturday 5th July from 2 to 4pm in the school grounds. The children will be performing, and there will be a variety of stalls, games and refreshments.

Recycling We will be very happy to receive used printer cartridges, old mobile and handsets as part of our Recycool recycling programme. Call in at school or send them via a pupil.

Derby Cathedral Service Pupils and staff look forward to joining other schools in Derby Cathedral on Monday 14th July. All participating schools have links with schools in Northern India. Bishops visiting from India will be present in the cathedral for the service and afterwards for a shared picnic lunch.

Collective Worship The next date for Community Worship in school is Wednesday 2nd July at 9.15 am. Do come along and join us in the school hall.

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Newton Solney Horticultural Show, Saturday 6th September

It is now only two months to the Open Fruit, Flower, Vegetable and Craft Show. Schedules will be available from Chris Freestone, 5 Cricket Close, Newton Solney (tel. 701147) and Newton Solney Delicatessen from 1st August.

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Newton Solney Parish Council Notes

The mobile police station will be visiting the village regularly over the next few months, parking in Main Street from 10 am; please go along and meet our local team, and raise any issues that you may have. Posters around the village give dates.

The Council will continue to investigate the possibility of improvements to the changing facilities on the recreation field. Some feedback has been received; keep it coming!

It has been noted that grass clippings are being disposed of on cut grass verges around the village. Please use the brown bin for disposal.

For details of Summer Play activities, see the poster. The dates are:

29th July
Sports mobile only.

8th August
Sports and play mobile. (Change of date due to a clash with Repton.)

14th August
Laser Quest. (This has been provided by SDDC free of charge, payment being made by users of the activity.)

2nd September
Climbing wall.

Next meeting: Friday 4th July at 7.45 pm in Newton Solney village hall. Please note the change of date.

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Further Afield

National Memorial Arboretum, Lottery Awards

The Armed Forces Memorial at the NMA has been nominated for a National Lottery Award, competing for the title of Best Heritage Project. Presented annually, the awards aim to celebrate the difference those projects have made to people, places and communities. If you would like to support the NMA, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards, click on the Best Heritage Project category and cast your vote. Alternatively you can call 0845 386 4459. Voting closes on Friday 4th July. Every vote counts!

The three projects in each category with the most votes go through to a further and final round of public voting between 21st July and 8th August to decide the overall category winner for each of the seven categories.

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Happy Hens

At Highfields Happy Hens close to Etwall, hens roam freely in the fields, a sight to gladden the greenest of hearts. But Highfields is not just about free-range poultry and animal welfare. For the owners have dedicated themselves to help troubled young people find peace, hope and a future through realistic training and companionship, all within a loving and Christian environment.

The project began on Highfields Farm with an open home for homeless youngsters - and they needed something to do. So in 1989 Highfields Happy Hens was born with a shed of 2,500 birds, "built from all the junk we could scrounge". They added a shed a year, all second-hand, until they had 20,000 birds.

In 2001 Highfields started to work with the youth offending service, with youngsters who were too young to go to prison, then with the education authority, as most of the young offenders had been excluded from school. Now they take up to 30 each week, many of whom are led back to successful reintegration, and even take GCSEs.

In 2003 there was a major setback: the poultry sheds were condemned, and it seemed as if the whole project would collapse. However, albeit slowly, because of the work that Highfields does with young offenders, support for the project grew, not least from the community. People offered to sponsor a hen, an idea that really took off. Local churches, schools, the WI and others all became involved. Now Highfields has new accommodation for 24,000 hens - at a cost of £400,000.

This is a project where young people learn about the responsibility of working on a commercial farm. Thousands of chickens produce thousands of eggs every day. Those eggs need to be collected, counted, packed and delivered. In an atmosphere of love and healing, with staff who take the time to talk to them, even the most damaged youngsters find a place where they can fit in and take pride in producing something that benefits the environment and the community. Because of Highfields, dozens of young lives have been turned round.

How you can support them

The farm and shop are open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. Produce for sale in the shop includes eggs, chicken, duck, lamb, pork, turkey and vegetables. On the farm you can see the birds and animals, and there are play areas, great for little children, especially during the summer holidays! It is a novel venue for a children's party, and - at £16.20 - you can always sponsor a hen.

(Highfields Farm, Heage Lane, Etwall DE65 6LS. www.highfieldshappyhens.co.uk)

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Gardening Notes

Most shrubs that flower in early summer do so on last year's growth and may need pruning after they have flowered. Philadelphus, weigelia and deutzia are amongst these and benefit from pruning back to older wood, though perhaps not every year. Continue to deadhead roses, and remove weak and some old wood from roses - both rambler and bush - that only flower once a year. Chaenomeles may also need pruning now. Wisteria will have its main summer prune in August, but may be tidier if some of its long, straggling growths are cut back to five or six leaves now.

Argyranthemums, osteospermums, petunias, verbenas, campanula persicifolia and other similar plants will flower longer if you deadhead them regularly. Break off the faded flower behind the developing seed head, as the whole point is to stop the seed developing and exhausting the plant's energy. The stems and leaves must be left to nourish the roots. One exception to this is the oriental poppy, which without detriment can be cut to the ground after flowering. If you cut delphiniums down after flowering, feed with a general fertiliser and water well, they may flower again in the autumn.

Leylandii, hawthorn, lonicera and laurel may be tidier for a trim now, but a cut once a year - later on - may suffice. Box hedges and topiary will need a trim in July though, and this should do for the year. Cut back the new growth of brooms by half when they have flowered, and that of helianthemums (rock roses) by two-thirds.

Prune blackcurrants after the fruit has been picked. Cut shoots that have fruited back to where new shoots are forming, und cut one or two older branches down to the base.

Bearded iris can be divided in July if they are becoming congested. Lift the plant with a fork and discard the old, central rhizome, retaining the outer, younger ones. Cut the top half of the leaves off to prevent the wind loosening them, then replant with the rhizomes on the surface of the soil and the roots covered. Feed with bone meal and water in. They like as much sun as they can get, but do not let them dry out.

Florence fennel and kohlrabi can be sown now, as well as purple-sprouting broccoli, spinach, spring cabbage, carrots, beetroot, and autumn and spring cauliflowers. Continue sowing lettuce and rocket up to the end of the month. Leeks should be ready to plant, and the last of the celery.

Check all brassicas for cabbage white caterpillars and whitefly. In persistently wet weather, raising courgettes and marrows off the ground with an old tile or slate will reduce the risk of rotting.

Where the fruit is crowded, finish thinning apples, plums and pears.

Propagate dianthus by layering or taking cuttings; after three or four years, pinks tend to become old and woody. Take cuttings too of geraniums and pelargoniums; unlike most cuttings, these may be helped by leaving them to dry for an hour or so before planting. They do not like to be enclosed in plastic bags.

In hot weather, increase shading and ventilation for plants under glass. Water containers and hanging baskets regularly, and keep a particular eye on shrubs and trees planted during the last year. Water vegetables and fruit bushes at the root. And don't neglect to make arrangements for watering whilst you are away on holiday.

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Computer Safety

Almost every day vulnerabilities in common computer programmes are brought to out attention. Two recent ones are particularly noteworthy.

The first affects the BT 'Home Hub' wireless network, where it is easy to hack into household networks without needing to know the password. To be secure, you must create your own password and change the hub's default security from the WEP to the more secure WPA protocol.

The second concerns 'spear-phishing'. Unlike traditional phishing, which is indiscriminate, spear-phishing emails contain personal information, such as your name or that of your employer, to make them appear legitimate. Always be wary of unsolicited emails which appear to offer a connection to a website.

Always make sure that your firewall and anti-virus software are up to date, as well as the operating system. In addition, I strongly recommend you to subscribe to Secunia Software Inspector (http://secunia.com/software_inspector) and the Open University advice service (http://safecomputing.open.ac.uk). They are invaluable - and free.