January 2009 - Contents Put your hand into the hand of God 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 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service, Sunday 25th January at 6.30 pm Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th January Shell (for children aged 7 - 11) Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Marriages Darren Matthew James Bonehill and Eloise Catherine Clarke Shaun Holmes and Jennifer Patricia Perks Funerals and Burial of Ashes Edna Eileen Melen Obituaries Edna Eileen Melen The Memorial Book Repton Benefice Open House at Repton Vicarage on Thursday 22nd January A Link with Agra What is Epiphany? St Wystan's News Repton Heritage Appeal St Wystan's Church Spire St Wystan's Coffees, Teas and Quiz A Singing Group for St Wystan's and the Benefice Repton M.U. Pots Metal Re-cycling for the Development Fund St Saviour's News Foremark Electric Organ St Mary's News St Mary's Church Heating St Mary's Saturday Brunch, 17th January Morning Coffee, Saturday 24th January Repton School Concerts, Wednesday 28th January Lunch with Rosemary Conley, Wednesday 25th February Environment Matters ChildAid to Russia & the Republics A healthy old age: a realistic, achievable goal! Neighbourhood Watch Repton Village and History Repton Neighbourhood Help 'Doctor - patient relations under scrutiny' says Burton Mail! An Evening with Mervyn Stutter, Saturday 28th February Repton School Public Lecture, Friday 20th February Repton W.I. Royal British Legion, Repton and District Branch Repton Village Society Repton Village Website Repton Parish Council Jottings Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney WI Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Gardening Notes Computer Security

---

Put your hand into the hand of God!

A Happy New Year!

On New Year's Eve, at the watchnight service at St Wystan's, we often hear the words quoted by King George VI in his Christmas Speech in 1939:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied: 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'

I have been reading 'The Shack' by William Young. It is a vivid, powerful and moving story, which expresses how God, far from causing our pain and suffering, shares it with us and loves us more than we could imagine. I would really recommend it to you.

But how can God be there with us?

Some time ago, a wren was flying around, high up in the church building. The windows near the roof do not open and there was no way it would be able to get out. From our position on the ground, we couldn't catch it, nor could we communicate with it to tell it the way out. If I could become a bird, I could fly up and lead it out, or explain in bird-talk. But if I became just a bird, I would probably be as clueless as the wren about the way out. I would need to be both a bird with the ability to fly and twitter, and a human with a brain which could plan a route. And that is impossible!

So, what could God do when he saw the mess that we human beings were making of our lives in this world? Thankfully, to the Almighty God nothing is impossible.

The Christmas story is not a fairy tale but a record. It tells how God acted in human history to enter our world: God became human flesh. And Jesus Christ did not just act as I wanted to do with the bird, to show or teach the way out. He actually made a new start possible, whereby past mistakes can be forgiven, and new life and strength given for the present and the future.

God understands where we are because he came among us - so we can always turn to him for help. And he knows where we should be, because he is still the God who made us. And he can work with us to make our lives all that he plans for them.

May that be true for you in this new year.

---

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

---

Readers, Intercessors and Offertory at St Wystan's

---

Altar Flowers (contact Frances Wimbush, 703180)

---

Brasses (contact Pauline Beckett, 500132)

---

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

---

The United Reformed Church

---

Sunday 25th January at 6.30 pm: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

'Reconcile Your People' is the theme for this year, and the service has been put together by the Churches of Korea. The compilers say that, 'hope is fundamental to a resurrection faith, where all is made new and the chaos of conflict, division and separation is contradicted and healed, but it is hope born out of brokenness'. The preacher will be Father Martin Sylvester. Everyone is welcome.

---

Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th January at 10 am

A new year and a new series of coffee mornings at the U.R.C. A chance to replenish stocks of home-made marmalade and cakes, to browse the Webb Ivory stall, to play the children's game, and to meet with old friends over coffee and biscuits. Don't miss it!

---

Shell (age 7 - 11)

Meetings start again on Monday 12th January from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

---

Marriages

Darren Matthew James Bonehill and Eloise Catherine Clarke were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 13th December.

Shaun Holmes and Jennifer Patricia Perks were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 20th December. We offer them congratulations and best wishes for their future lives together.

---

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Edna Eileen Melen of Stone House, High Street, Repton, died at Queen's Hospital on Saturday 15th November aged 90. A service at Bretby Crematorium on 25th November was followed by cremation.

---

Obituaries

Edna Eileen Melen
30th April 1918 - 15th November 2008

In 1936 Edna Melen was Repton's last May Queen, and in 1939 she had a walk-on part in 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips', for which Robert Donat won the Oscar for best actor, ahead of Clark Gable in 'Gone with the Wind'. In an interview for Derbyshire Life, Edna recalled:

'I only remember me, my father and another girl from the village called Eileen being hired as extras. I was the envy of all my friends. We were supposed to earn £1 a day, though the money was given to a Repton schoolboy who was poor. I didn't mind, though, we spent three memorable days and got lovely, free lunches. We didn't see anything of Robert Donat, but then girls of our age weren't as star struck as they are today.' And, after three days of filming, how much of her ended up on film? 'All of about two seconds,' said Edna.

Edna spent 82 years of her life in Repton. With her parents and three younger brothers, she arrived here at the age of eight when her father, George William Townsend, a sergeant major in the Sherwood Foresters, left the army to take charge of Repton School armoury, and they moved into 4 High Street, The Hermitage.

In 1942 Edna married Dick and moved across the road to Stone House, where she and her husband ran the bakery until their retirement, supplying all the Repton School houses. Melen's was one of three bakeries in Repton; according to Iris Bentley, 'they baked the loveliest bread and their cakes were supreme'. Many will also remember buying sweets there on the way home from school.

We extend our sympathy to Judith and Michael and their sons, Tim and Ben.

---

The Memorial Book

Repton has a fine memorial book permanently on display in St Catherine's Chapel in the north aisle of St Wystan's Church.   It was donated in memory of Henry Chilton as a place to commemorate former residents of Repton.   All are eligible and welcome, 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.

---

Repton Benefice

Prayer for Christian Unity

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we invite all Christians, whether you worship in a local church or elsewhere, to meet to pray on Wednesday 21st January from 7.30 to 8.30 pm at 44 Pinfold Close, the home of Audrey and Stanley Morris.

---

Open House at Repton Vicarage on Thursday 22nd January

Peter and Carol warmly invite you to come for light refreshments at one of the following times: 10.30 - 11.30 am; 2.30 - 3.30 pm; 7.30 - 8.30 pm.

This invitation is extended to our friends at Foremark, Milton and Newton Solney as well as Repton!

---

A Link with Agra

We were blessed in the summer by a visit from Bishop Samuel and his wife Snehlata from the diocese of Agra in the Church of North India. There were interesting and challenging matters which the bishop shared from his experience in India. St Wystan's PCC has been considering the possibility of some form of link with Bishop Samuel and his diocese, but as yet, has no clear idea what this might entail. The PCC is inviting interested people throughout the benefice to come together and draw up a simple plan of our hopes and options. It is clear that a link should be a two-way relationship, in which each learns from the other for our mutual enrichment. If you would be interested in joining or forming a small group to explore this, please contact Peter Paine, 703317.

---

What is Epiphany?

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day, falling on the 6th January, the last of the 'twelve days of Christmas', and the season of Epiphany extends from then until Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

The word itself is derived from the Greek word for manifestation, the appearance of a divinity. The Western Church has been celebrating the Epiphany since the 4th century, linking it to the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus, when God revealed himself to the world through the incarnation of Jesus.

In the East, however, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates a later but equally important occasion in Jesus' life, his baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist.

---

St Wystan's News

Repton Heritage Appeal

A busy autumn saw a number of very enjoyable and successful events. One 'thank you' that slipped the net was that for the Autumn Ball Our grateful thanks go to everyone involved, and particularly to Tom and Sue Hyde who masterminded the occasion, a splendid evening which raised £2,300 towards the Appeal.

In February we are very pleased to be hosting a 'Lunch with Rosemary Conley'.

Rosemary is well known as the UK's most successful diet and fitness expert. Her books, videos and DVDs have regularly topped the bestseller lists, with combined sales in excess of 9 million copies, and she runs a number of companies, including her Diet and Fitness Clubs. She has presented more than 400 cookery programmes on television, and has recently hosted her own series, 'Slim to Win with Rosemary Conley'.

Rosemary is generously donating her services to the Appeal. For details, of the lunch, see the advert below.

---

St Wystan's Church Spire

You will no doubt have realised, seeing the ladders attached to the spire, that the steeplejacks are back. The recent inspection of the spire revealed that the top stone was badly cracked, so, following the advice of the church architect, it has been decided to fit two stainless steel bands to prevent the crack from getting worse. It was feared that without this temporary measure the stone might fracture and fall, potentially with dire consequences. Measurements have been taken, and as soon as the bands have been made they will be fitted. This repair will mean that permanent restoration work is not quite as urgent, giving us plenty of time to apply for grant aid to replace the stone, and, while scaffolding is in place, to re-point the rest of the spire. Our architect is confident that grant aid will be available for these essential repairs to such a prominent landmark, and so we believe that we will not have to appeal to the parish to help with the cost. In any case, work is unlikely to start before 2011.

---

St Wystan's Coffees, Teas and Quiz

It has been a busy time socially and we have had four more very successful coffee mornings / afternoon teas this autumn. Our grateful thanks to the hosts, Wendy and Steve Longden, Carol and Chris Lloyd, Anne and Robin Yates, and Melodie and David Bordoli.

The end of November saw another splendid Repton Quiz. Thanks to Audrey Morris for varied and puzzling questions pitched at just the right level to ensure an evening of head-scratching and fun.

All the events were really enjoyable and well supported; thank you to all who came. You raised over £1,000 for the church.

As we begin the New Year the first coffee morning is on Saturday 24th January at 37 High Street, between 10.30 and 12.30, hosted by Jan and David Roberts. See you there!

---

A Singing Group for St Wystan's and the Benefice

Following the success of the singing group at the last two benefice services at St Mary's and St Wystan's, we propose that this should be a regular feature of our main service on the last Sunday of the month; in the case of a 'five Sunday' month, this would be the benefice service. There will be one practice beforehand, on an evening of the preceding week. Up to now, because the occasions have been 'one off', invitations to join the group have been personal. Now we would like to expand, and are looking for both male and female voices, but extend a particular invitation to men! If you are interested, please contact Wendy Longden on 703259.

---

Repton M.U.

The next meeting will be the A.G.M. on Wednesday 21st January at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Room. Before we make our plans for 2009, we will look back at the work that the branch has supported during the past year, both in Derby Diocese and overseas. During 2008, thirteen families with nineteen children have been helped to have much needed holidays, bus trips have been funded for families in women's refuges, and our contributions have helped to pay workers on health, literacy and AIDS projects in Africa.

---

Pots

If you have any patio pots, plastic or pottery, that you don't want, I would be delighted to receive them to plant up for sale in the spring and summer. I have an abundant supply of ordinary plastic plant pots at the moment, thank you, but will appeal for more when I run out. All proceeds from the sale of plants, pots and the like go to St Wystan's Church funds.

---

Metal Re-cycling for the Development Fund

Having flattened more than 250,000 cans over the past six years, Norman is now hanging up his crushing boots and handing over the reins to the capable hands of David Roberts. We have been pleased to help the development fund, raising over £1400, and hope that it will continue to grow. Grateful thanks to the Royal British Legion, Repton School - especially the regular contribution from Field House - and the many individual donors. Please keep up the good work!

---

St Saviour's News

Foremark Electric Organ

The old electric organ at Foremark Church has seen better days, and the church is offering it to anyone who is willing to remove it and give it a home. Manual help could be available to remove it from the church. Please contact Ann Redfern on 01332 862350 or Peter Paine at the Vicarage, 703317.

---

St Mary's News

St Mary's Church Heating

As December arrived, the extensive work needed to replace the church heating system at last began. It is progressing at an impressive rate, but will not be completed until early January; and when the new boiler has been commissioned, a massive spring-clean will still be necessary. It is almost certain therefore that until the middle of the month we shall continue to hold services at Newton Solney village hall. Do watch out for the notices.

Meanwhile, in response to popular demand, we are holding a second Saturday Brunch on 17th January, again in aid of the new heating system. See the advert below.

---

St Mary's Church Newton Solney Saturday Brunch 17th January, 10.30 am - 1 pm in the Village Hall Cake and Book Stalls No tickets; just walk in! In Aid of Funds for the Church Heating

Jan & David Roberts invite you to Morning Coffee at 37 High Street Saturday 24th January, 10.30 am to 12. 30 pm Raffle, book stall, and a chance to explore the garden if the weather is fine. Admission £1.50 including coffee and cake

Repton School Concerts Society Nicholas Daniel, oboe, and Julius Drake, piano Wednesday 28th January at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall Nicholas Daniel was an early winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year and has since become the leading oboist of his generation.   Julius Drake is an accompanist of repute, working with many of the top singers and players of our time. Their programme includes works by Schumann, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Thea Musgrave. A concert not to be missed! For tickets, £13 (concessions £10), or information, contact the Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Repton Church Heritage Appeal Lunch with Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness expert Wednesday 25th February 1 for 1.30 pm Repton Village Hall Buffet lunch with wine.             Tickets: £17.50 Melodie Bordoli 212652;     Carol Lloyd 01283 702410

---

Environment Matters

Recycle Christmas cards to support the Woodland Trust. Take them to Marks and Spencer, Tesco, TK Maxx or WH Smith, or leave them in the box at the back of the church.

Recycle your Christmas Tree:   Until the 12th January, South Derbyshire District Council will recycle your Christmas tree. The nearest points are at the recreation ground car park on Twyford Road (the road that goes out towards the power station) in Willington, the village hall at Ticknall and the football ground in Sandypits Lane, Etwall.

Unwanted Christmas presents?   How about recycling them to a good cause? All the churches have collecting boxes at the back where you can leave them to be taken to the Padley Centre and Derby City Mission, both of which do really valuable work in Derby.

Buy Fairtrade products.   In a recession, it's easy to concentrate on price alone. However, Fairtrade is about so much more. It's a matter of local sustainability, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which regularly discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. Please continue to support it.

---

ChildAid to Russia & the Republics

Many thanks to all who have supported us throughout 2008. We have not beaten last year's record, due in part to the lack of soft fruit, but 46 Christmas puddings and several autumn events have helped us to raise £1,500 for the street children of Russia.

---

A healthy old age: a realistic, achievable goal!

A year ago, we described research to help the elderly improve their health in old age, appealing for volunteers to help. A number of local residents responded, and now the research has moved into a second phase.

As we age, our muscles shrink, contributing to the progress of many common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In addition, decreased strength leads to fatigue, falls and broken bones, and that very frequently results in reduced quality of life and loss of independence. Over the last century, life expectancy has increased greatly. That is a success story in itself, but the aim must now be to work towards better overall health and greater independence for all these older people.

Resistance exercise is known to build muscle, and it is likely that combining moderate intensity exercise with small, protein rich meals can minimise the loss of muscle as we age. A team from the School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health at Derby City General Hospital, attached to the University of Nottingham, has been studying the way in which the body synthesises muscle. They have shown that older people respond less fully to eating protein than the young, and elderly women less fully than elderly men.

So now a major goal of the team is to discover the amount of exercise and the kind of nutrition needed to maintain and rebuild muscles. The results can be applied to people of all ages and may also help the sick and frail. Small changes in lifestyle may well be the key to a healthy old age.

Wanted - healthy, non-smoking men between 18 and 30, and 65 and 75!

Once again, the team is appealing for volunteers, who should be healthy, non-smoking men, aged between 18 and 30 or 65 and 75, able to come to the medical school on two days. There will be an honorarium to cover expenses. Following health screening, including a scan to measure their muscle mass and an assessment of their muscle strength, volunteers will on two separate occasions - supervised by a doctor and scientists - perform moderate intensity exercises in the gym and take protein drinks. Blood samples and muscle biopsies will be taken under local anaesthesia from thigh muscle, so that researchers can measure the body's ability to make muscle in response to exercise and protein feeding. The team, led by Michael Rennie, Professor of Clinical Physiology, has over 20 years experience. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dr. Vinod Kumar on 01332 724632. Results are expected by the middle of 2009.

We all hope to grow old, and this is a project that could greatly benefit us.

---

Neighbourhood Watch

The police non-emergency number, the number you ring for everything except a 999 emergency, has changed to 0345 123 3333. Using it now costs no more than a local call.

Remember:

• Secure your door chain.
• Make absolutely sure a caller is genuine before you let him in.
• Staff from utility companies carry an identification card. Always ask to see it. If in any doubt, contact their company for verification.
• Don't give them any personal or bank details.
• If they have a vehicle, take down the registration number, make and model.

Always look out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

---

Repton Village & History

Repton Neighbourhood Help

A very big 'thank you' to Mrs. Stones, Deputy Head of Repton Primary School, and to all the pupils there who gave us such a wonderful Christmas concert in December. It was a lovely start to the advent season. This concert and tea party is also a thank you to all our voluntary helpers, we do appreciate all that you do and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

---

'Doctor - patient relations under scrutiny' says Burton Mail!

In November, I told you that the Care Group is to close, and an article also appeared in the Burton Mail, but the headline was misleading.

The Patient Participation Group

. . . which we are founding to replace the Care Group will have a much wider scope and be lay run. Probably 50% of surgeries across the country now have such groups - lay people who work closely with the surgery and undertake initiatives from walking groups for health to education evenings for patient groups. They act as a sounding board and make suggestions for the surgery to develop. It is a place for people with ideas - not for those with an axe to grind! Over the last year, I have been running diabetes courses for newly diagnosed patients, and these have been well received. However, there are many other topics that could be covered by experts: parenting skills, coping with aging, pre diabetes, and youth events spring to mind. We have been left a generous legacy for just such a purpose, and the new group will continue to enjoy the regular flow of book money through the surgery.

This is YOUR Invitation to the Inaugural Meeting, Willington Village Hall, Wednesday 4th February at 7 pm

At the inaugural meeting of the Patient Participation Group, a speaker from the primary care trust will explain how the group can contribute to the community as well as to the practice. We don't intend to form a committee at this meeting as people will need to think further before committing themselves. We hope you will come as we will need your help; the NHS is moving through 'interesting times'.

---

An Evening with Mervyn Stutter, Repton Village Hall, Saturday 28th February at 7.30 pm

Armed with a guitar, a fast wit and silly humour, the star of the Radio 4 comedy 'Getting Nowhere Fast' is a warm and funny performer. He is totally at home with an audience keen for a bit of participation. If you remember 'the summer of love', and the disappointment of turning into your parents after all, and if you are now coping with the pangs and pains and pleasures of middle-age, then this evening of comedy, song, banter and conversation is the show for you.

Following the huge success of our previous 'Live and Local shows by The Old Rope String Band and Last Night's Fun, we confidently expect a wonderful evening's entertainment, and a sell-out. Book the date in your diary now.

In support of Repton Village Hall.

---

Repton School Public Lecture, Friday 20th February at 7.15 pm in the 400 Hall

Explorer Benedict Allen will give the third lecture in this series. In his talk, 'Icedogs', he will share his experiences (depicted in his BBC TV series) in some of the harshest environments on the planet - whether with reluctant camels in the Gobi desert or travelling with dogs through the worst Siberian winter for centuries, when - despite frostbite and a diet of raw walrus - he won sufficient trust from his furry colleagues to risk travelling alone with them through the Arctic.

The lecture is free and you will be very welcome. Entry is by ticket, available from Repton School Lodge.

---

Repton W.I.

In December, members enjoyed lunch at the Mulberry Restaurant at Burton College. Then they had their Christmas meeting with the singing group 'A Capella' providing the entertainment before the Christmas Gift Exchange and seasonal refreshments.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th January at 7.15 pm in the village hall: 'Local Reservoirs and their Wildlife', an illustrated talk by Wayne Ball, the ranger responsible for Staunton Harold and Foremarke Reservoirs.

---

Royal British Legion, Repton and District Branch

2008 Poppy Appeal

So far, this year's Poppy Appeal has raised more than £7,300. On behalf of all ex service personnel and their dependants, we 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, Willington and Findern. Other contributions come from whist drives, raffles, the RBL Fruit and Flower Show in September, and from donations for wreaths.

Remembrance Day

The Remembrance Day Parade and Service were very well attended; the excellent support from the Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs was particularly appreciated. Wreaths were laid at the War Memorial by Ray Wilmott, John Shortt, and Megan Martin and Sophie Wilbraham on behalf of the Royal British Legion, Repton Parish Council and Repton Primary School.

---

Repton Village Society

The coffee morning was very well attended, and the refreshments, donations, raffle and quiz proceeds raised £175 for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, in addition to the money raised by the Centre volunteers through selling cakes, Christmas cards and books.

Full marks to the staff and children from Repton Primary School for their art display and Christmas music. The display featured thoughtful poetry as well as colourful and varied paintings and drawings. The music covered both traditional and modern Christmas tunes and featured many excellent solo instrumentalists and singers, as well as fine performances by the whole orchestra. It was particularly appropriate that they were helping to raise money for less fortunate children. Very well done!

Thursday January 8th: Colin Bagshaw, 'The 1896 Alaskan Gold Rush'

When gold was discovered in Alaska in 1896, the find resulted in the influx of 100,000 people, but only a very few ended up richer. As far as most were concerned, it was a disaster. However, in Repton Village Society, visitors and newcomers are - as ever - very welcome.

---

Repton Village Website

Did you know that the village has a website? www.reptonvillage.org.uk gives information about local businesses, clubs, news events, the Village Society and the Village History Group. There are also links to other organisations which may be of use to people living in Repton. Please take a look. You're sure to find something of interest. I'm always on the look-out for extra content, so if you have news or articles you'd like publishing, drop me an email. Equally, if updates are required, let me know so that I can make corrections.

---

Repton Parish Council Jottings

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

• Willington Bridge: After discussing with Derbyshire County Council the Parish Council's concerns about the pavement on Willington Bridge and the difficulty of raising the pavement because of the low height of the parapet, County Councillor Ford reported that one solution would be to raise the parapet, which DCC are not prepared to do. Another would be to strip off some of the excess tarmac and resurface the carriageway. Resurfacing is not needed at present but, when it is, the matter will be borne in mind.
• Repton Brook: The chairman reported that he and Parish Councillors McLaren and Paulson had met County Councillor Ford and Mr. Chris Allwood of DCC to look at the flooding problem. A flap valve on the culvert from Well Lane would not be possible unless the brook is de-silted. This has not been done for many years. DCC will contact the Environment Agency to enquire what plans they have to de silt the brook.
• MusSoc Concert: At the end of November, several councillors attended the performance of Mozart's Requiem, which was superb. The Parish Council had donated £300 towards the cost of a soloist.
• Repton Village Hall: The Chairman of Repton Village Hall Management Committee provided the councillors with a progress report on the proposal to rebuild the village hall. The architect has provided two designs costing approximately £500,000. Both designs would reuse the existing stage and adjoining ancillary rooms, plus the existing wooden floor of the main hall. Outside funding would be needed, and advice has been taken on possible sources. The Village Hall Management Committee has to date raised approximately £20,000. The Parish Council discussed the plans and agreed wholeheartedly that the village needs a new village hall, and that it is the centre of the community. It was suggested that the project would be a good use of capital receipts from the sale of Repton Depot in 1990. These are held by SDDC, and it was agreed to make an application for their release.
• Footpaths: Councillors would like to see villagers make more use of the village footpaths. They feel that these are not used because many people do not know that some of the footpaths exist. It was agreed to provide signage and consider compiling a footpaths map, which could be printed and also put onto the website.
• Youth Facilities: The Parish Council received an Open Spaces Report from SDDC, recommending Mitre Field as the most suitable place for additional youth facilities. It also suggested that the area behind Wystan Court could become a small arboretum, and that bench seats should be considered for The Crescent. The items will be on the January agenda and interested parties are invited to attend.

Next Meeting: Monday 12th January at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall. Surgery and plans available at 7.15 pm.

---

Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney WI

The Mercia WI Group, ourselves included, attended a very atmospheric candle-lit carol service in the festively decorated old church at Foremark, hosted by Milton WI. We were joined by children from Foremarke School, and after a traditional service of carols and readings, refreshments were served in the Hall - an excellent start to the Christmas season.

At the December meeting, a preliminary discussion was held about the Spring Group meeting, which we are hosting. Diane Tidy was co-opted on to the committee. The One-Step Walk is now complete and can be viewed on the village web site. We have entered a team for the county quiz, to be held at Etwall on 26th March. The Birthday Lunch at the Brickmakers' Arms was very successful.

Our Christmas social evening, led by our new President, Joan Buchanan, was a short demonstration of the use of natural foliage to make festive table decorations and displays. The hall was laid out with tables full of foliage, oasis, candles and the like, and everyone was encouraged to make their own display - amid much noise and hilarity! This was followed by an American Supper, everyone having contributed, a glass of wine and a bran-tub present.

At our meeting on 13th January, Colin McArdle will speak on 'Kids-Aid Tanzania'. Whist drives resume on 27th January.

---

Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School

As I write this we are busy preparing for the performances of our nativity play 'The Donkey Seller'. Lots of excitement but also, unfortunately, lots of children have been unwell, so plenty of last minute substitutions! By the time you read this, we will have held our Christmas dinner and parties, and our Christmas service, and be well on the way to the new term.

During the autumn term, pupils and parents have supported the Poppy Appeal, The Shoebox Appeal and MacMillan Cancer Support.

The Christmas Fair was very enjoyable. Thank you to everyone who came along or helped behind the scenes to raise the sum of £1,020. A great result!

Community Collective Worship: Newton Solney Pre-School performed magnificently to lead Community Collective Worship on 3rd December. You are all invited to the first service of the spring term on 7th January. Everyone in school sends best wishes for a Happy New Year.

---

Gardening Notes

January really is a month when the garden can be left largely to its own devices, although in a heavy snowfall you will need to knock the snow off evergreens, and gales mean that you should check the supports of trees and shrubs. But seed and plant catalogues can be read in your armchair.

I was reading the review of a book on 'lunar gardening'. The theory seems to be that the rhythms of the moon affect the way plants grow. Plants are said to have a different moisture content - as does the soil - at different phases of the moon, so you should plant when the moon is waxing and the soil moist, and harvest or prune when the moon is waning. And you have different options for fruit and flower, leaf and root. I didn't discover whether all the gardening had to be done by moonlight, so I shall continue to clear the vegetable plot of weeds and complete the digging by day. When preparing for sowing, covering the ground with a sheet of black plastic will keep the soil warmer, suppress the weeds, and prevent the rain from leaching nutrients from the soil.

It is still possible to take hardwood cuttings from many deciduous and evergreen shrubs, and also to organise tip layering. Blackberries, forsythia and winter-flowering jasmine will root naturally where their tips touch the ground, but rhododendron and many other shrubs will also root if their tips are pinned down, often helped by making a slight cut in the shoot where it touches the ground.

Complete the pruning of apples and pears - other than espaliers and cordons, which are pruned in late summer - and finish off pruning established wisteria.

New E.U. rules ban the use of sodium chlorate, a weedkiller which is not, I think, much used nowadays. Derris is also being withdrawn. Like pyrethrum, it has been used for many years as an organic insecticide, but the manufacturers now find it too expensive to licence it for horticultural use.

When a tree or shrub dies, it is not always possible to ascertain why, but where possible it is wise to remove it in its entirety, stump and all, in case honey fungus is the cause. Honey fungus is present in most gardens, and lives off dead wood. It spreads rapidly underground, and can be devastating to many commonly grown trees and shrubs.

There are about fifty different varieties of Daphne, but only one, Daphne laureola, the spurge laurel, is usually found in England, though Daphne mezereum may occasionally be found. However, many more can be grown, and Daphne bholua will be flowering in January with its pink-purple flowers and glorious scent. There are both deciduous and evergreen varieties. It seems easy to grow on most soils, though probably best against a warm wall, where it will soon reach 10'. It must be hardy as it comes from Nepal, where its bark is used for making paper and ropes. 'Jacqueline Postill' and 'Gurkha' are the best known forms.

Keep feeding the birds as natural food sources diminish. Provide fresh water too. We think we must have produced two broods of goldfinches this summer, and still have five feeding regularly, together with nuthatch, chaffinches, long tailed and other tits and robins, and the occasional visit from a great spotted woodpecker, but dunnocks are in short supply, and we see no house sparrows.

---

Computer Security

In just over a year, Secunia Personal Software Inspector has made itself indispensible - and it's free!

Many of the security threats to your computer exploit software vulnerabilities and code flaws, and can only be checked by keeping your software up-to-date. This is much harder than it sounds. Security patches are usually free and easily installed, but the problem lies in knowing when it needs doing. The typical ordinary user has 30 60 programs installed, many of them working silently in the background, and often they don't update automatically.

The great value of Secunia PSI is its ease of use. It automatically scans your computer and identifies the patches you need. In 'simple' mode, it will do everything for you. However, 'advanced' mode gives you more control and, in most cases, you still only need to click 'Download Solution' and follow simple instructions.

To download it, visit http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/.