July 2009 - Contents With the help of God's Spirit 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 Family Barbecue, Saturday 11th July from 3 pm at 5 Monsom Lane Shell (for children aged 7+) For your diary Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Martha Mary Haines Maisy Willow Taylor Marriages Anthony Walker and Emma Victoria Simpson Funerals and Burial of Ashes Cyril Granshaw Betty Wood Obituaries Marie Agnes Owen The Memorial Book St Wystan's News Repton M.U. Buy a Brick! Repton Crypt in the top 100! Champion's Challenge, Tuesday 1st - Friday 4th September Thankyou Dorcas Group Environment Matters Don't bin it! Neighbourhood Watch Repton Village and History Repton W.I. Repton Village Society Repton Neighbourhood Help Repton Village Show, Saturday 5th September Repton Village History Group Arts Festival, 25th - 27th September Cubs go camping ngs Gardens, Sunday 12th July Repton Casuals Repton Brook Summer Fruits Garden Party, Saturday 11th July Repton Parish Council Jottings Summer Play Parkers, Astles and Fearns in Repton Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton Open Gardens Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Summer Fair Newton Solney Parish Council Notes Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes

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With the help of God's Spirit

Dear Friends,

I have just spent two hours on my knees, but before you get the idea that I am very spiritual, let me make it clear that I was weeding in our new labyrinth. This is a winding path that we have cut out on our field and which can be walked as a meditation. Since it was created from what was a meadow, it is full of plantains and dandelions.

As I started along the path towards the centre, digging out the weeds with my trusty daisy grubber, I began to reflect on the fact that weeds grow where we do not want them, and on how difficult it is to get rid of them once they have taken root. Similarly, in our lives there are things which get in the way of our showing love and concern for others, and if we do not pay attention to them, they can grow up and choke out the good things in life. Maybe it is on our knees, in prayer, that we become most conscious of what is wrong in our lives and gain the courage to do something about it. Like weeds, if we ignore these problems too long, they take root and begin to hurt ourselves and those around us.

It is often said that a weed is a plant in the wrong place, so maybe some things are not wrong in themselves, but can be wrong for us if they get in the way of our showing love to others.

Another lesson I have learnt about weeding lawns is that we have to reseed the parts that have worn away. Otherwise new weeds will seed themselves in the bare soil. Our lives are a bit like that. It is no use trying to root things out unless we replace them with something positive; otherwise other 'weeds' soon spring up in their place. Christians believe that we cannot grow as people on our own, but need the help of God's Spirit to achieve our full potential.

Paul, writing to the Christians in Galatia, said that the fruit of the Spirit of God dwelling in our lives is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

May we all seek to grow such fruit in our lives. Wishing you all the grace and peace of God,

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Services at Newton Solney and Repton

During July, there are no evening services at St Mary's, and no services on the 26th. Morning Prayer will be said in Repton Vicarage at 8 am on Monday to Thursday. On Fridays it moves to St Mary's.

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

Family Barbecue, Saturday 11th July from 3 pm at 5 Monsom Lane

Fun - a Bouncy Castle, games for the children; food, served from 4 pm, sizzling and succulent; relax in the sun and enjoy yourself! Only £5 for adults, £3 for children. Telephone 701581 for tickets.

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Shell (age 7 - 11)

The group meets on Mondays from 6.30 to 7.30 pm.

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For your diary

The next coffee morning will be on Saturday 12th September.

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Baptisms

Martha Mary Haines, daughter of Kerry and Gareth of 54 Main Street, Newton Solney, was baptised at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Sunday 7th June.

Maisy Willow Taylor, daughter of Stephen and Gemma of 7 Woodyard Close, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, was baptised at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Sunday 7th June.

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Marriages

Anthony Walker and Emma Victoria Simpson were married at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Friday 5th June.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Cyril Granshaw, formerly of 17 High Street, Repton, and latterly of Willington, died on Thursday 14th May aged 78. A funeral service at Bretby Crematorium on 27th May was followed by cremation.

Betty Wood, formerly of 44 Main Street, Newton Solney, died on Sunday 24th May aged 85. A funeral service at Bretby Crematorium on 4th June was followed by the interment of her ashes at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney on Monday 8th June.

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Obituaries

Marie Agnes Owen
22nd May 1923 - 12th May 2009

It was from her mother that Marie inherited the legacy of caring and voluntary work that was to become such an important part of her life, and her loss when Marie was 9 made a profound mark.

Born and bred in London, Marie met Lewin, her future husband, at Sunday School at the age of 6. When she was 14, they started courting, but as for many of their generation living through the war and the blitz, times were hard. With Lewin in the RAF and overseas, Marie joined the Wrens where she became a Petty Officer. 3½ years of separation followed whilst Lewin served in Egypt, North Africa and Italy, but eventually, in the middle of 1946, both were demobbed, and they married the following March. Initially they settled in North London, then, after 3 years in Nottingham, moved to Suffolk, where they spent 12 happy years with their growing family. In the early 1960s they came to Repton, built a house and finally settled down.

Marie, though unqualified, had taught in junior schools for most of her working life, but at the age of 50 she decided it was time to go to college. On her course in Derby she was the oldest student by far, but she thoroughly enjoyed her time there, and her young student contemporaries loved her. They valued her life experience, and in return she learnt from them what it was like to be an 18 year old in the very different world of the 1970s. There followed a qualified career in local schools.

Her retirement was long and full. She was active in the church and the W.I., sang in MusSoc, helped with the Parish Magazine, and did voluntary work at Calke Abbey.

Marie's later years were blighted by illness, but even her final two years with advanced dementia in Netherhall were happy: she always reacted with a smile.

Marie's family was particularly important to her. She was caring, emotional and fun. She had a great sense of humour, and could literally laugh herself off her chair. We thank God for all that she has meant to so many, and we offer our sympathy to Lewin, who has supported her devotedly, and to all her family.

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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.

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St Wystan's News

Repton M.U.

June was 'out and about' month for the M.U. First there was a drive to Buxton for lunch at the Dome, after which we inspected but did not try out Derby University's new spa facilities. Then we visited the church at Marston on Dove which serves the village and the much bigger community at Hilton. The vicar, the Rev'd Andy Murphie, welcomed us and led a short service, after which he told us more about the church's long history from Norman times to the present day. We enjoyed tea at the Lavender Farm before returning to Repton.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 15th July at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Room: the Rev'd Adam Watkinson, Chaplain of Repton School.

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Buy a Brick! Be part of the church artwork banner!

A big thank you to all the collectors and embroiderers who are making such a success of this project, and to you who are taking part. As you read this, do not worry if you have not been approached yet, as collection will continue all summer. This has been a much bigger task than anticipated, but we will be calling on everyone. If, for some reason, you do not hear from us by the end of August, please telephone me on 01283 212652 and I will arrange matters.

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Repton Crypt in the top 100!

Can you spot the link between the Tower of London, Derby Day, St Pancras Station, the Glastonbury Thorn, and the crypt of St Wystan's Church?

Just as a prophet is never honoured in his own country, all too often we take for granted the things we have on our doorstep. Yet in St Wystan's Church Crypt, we have in Repton a building of exceptional interest, one of the oldest and most important examples of Anglo-Saxon architecture to survive intact. Sir John Betjeman described it as 'holy air encased in stone'.

In 'The Grand Tour of Britain 2009', Country Life magazine invited twenty-two experts, eminent in their fields, to choose 'the places we should visit and the things we should see to enrich our knowledge and enjoyment of our extraordinary culture.' Each of the experts, including Professor Richard Holmes, Clare Balding, Jeremy Paxman and Julian Lloyd Webber, was allowed five choices. The archaeologist among them was Professor Martin Biddle, Emeritus Professor of Medieval Archaeology at the University of Oxford, and it was he who chose Repton Crypt, ranking it alongside the neolithic stone village of Skara Brae on Orkney, the wooden trackways of Flag Fen, the Roman fort at Housesteads, and Offa's Dyke.

Repton crypt was built, perhaps as a baptistery, perhaps as a mausoleum, early in the 8th century, in time to receive the body of King Æthelbald in 757 AD. King Wiglaf, who died in 840, is believed to have made the simple original crypt more ornate for his own burial, building the chancel above, and linking it to the church. But it was when Wystan was murdered in 849 that his shrine became a place of pilgrimage. So many flocked to Repton that new passages were cut through the massive walls to manage the flow.

Today the crypt already attracts visitors from far and wide. Following the publicity in Country Life, shall we see a resurgence of Repton as a place of pilgrimage?

Champion's Challenge - Holiday Bible Club St Wystan's Church and Garden Tuesday 1st - Friday 4th September For children aged 5-11 Bible discovery, drama, craft, music, games, refreshments and lots of fun! More information and registration forms will be available via the primary schools before the end of the summer term, or call Ruth Attwood on 702804

Thankyou

. . . to everyone who supported the Dorcas Group coffee morning in May. It raised £137 towards funding the cost of kneelers and embroidery.

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Environment Matters

Don't bin it!

By recycling you reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and save raw materials. But a point that is often neglected is how by recycling you can help other people.

Derby Furniture Project & Derby Clothing Store welcomes your unwanted furniture, clothes and electrical equipment, and the YMCA in Burton is looking for unwanted furniture. Both charities check and refurbish them if necessary, and then pass them on to people in need. For more details see their websites.

Vision Aid Overseas wants old prescription spectacles. The charity helps people in the developing world whose lives are blighted by poor eyesight. Teams of volunteer optometrists and dispensing opticians from this country set up clinics, screen large numbers of patients and provide appropriate donated spectacles. Started in 1985, Vision Aid Overseas has given 300,000 people the ability to see again. Take your old spectacles to any branch of Dolland & Aitcheson, Specsavers, and most branches of Boots Opticians.

Many charities collect old mobile phones and printer cartridges. Phones can often be resold, others are stripped down for component parts. Handsets that have reached the end of their useful life in the UK can still offer a low-cost solution to users in developing countries. A minute's research on the internet will find a charity that suits you, whether a children's hospice such as Acorns, a charity working in the third world like Christian Aid, or an environmental charity like the RSPB.

So, before you bin it, see if you can't find a suitable charity, and make a difference to someone's life.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Gun and Knife Amnesty

A gun and knife amnesty started on 15th June, and will run to 12th July. Bins for knives and weapons are located in Derbyshire Constabulary Enquiry Offices at St Mary's Wharf Police Station, City Centre Police Office, Peartree Police Station, Cotton Lane Police Station, and Swadlincote Police Station. The amnesty is part of a wider approach to tackling gun and knife crime in Derbyshire.

Secure your Home

The Home Office has issued a free, valuable pack of information to help you keep your home safe. To order it, call 0800 456 1213 and quote 'burglary pack'. The pack contains advice leaflets, a home security check list, a guide to Neighbourhood Watch, a copy of the Policing Pledge and discount vouchers for home security supplies, together with a very helpful 'before you go out' check list.

Crime Prevention

If you need support with regard to crime prevention, contact the Derbyshire Crime Reduction Unit on 01332 222077. 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.

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Repton Village & History

Repton W.I.

In June, Lynne Coxon from Willington reported on the AGM in the Albert Hall, which she attended as our delegate. We learnt that the resolution about honey bees was passed by a large majority. The speaker had suggested that our programme should say 'A Fun Evening with Pat Hall' and it turned out to be exactly right. She had everyone in fits of laughter with stories of her life and her village as well as readings of her own poems.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 14th July at 7.15 pm in the village hall: 'Discovering Family History' with Maureen Newton. Visitors interested in tracing their family would be very welcome to come along.

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Repton Village Society

Without the use of visual aids, Chris Bailey painted a superb picture when he described how a young, penniless refugee from White Russia arrived by mistake in England, where he could not speak the language but went on to found and develop Marks and Spencer. Chris donated his fee to the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Home, a charity that the Society was pleased to support through our coffee morning last December.

Thursday 2nd and Saturday 4th July

On the 2nd, Rod Person will be returning to give a talk - 'From the Andean Mountains to the Pennines of Yorkshire' - about Titus Salt and the village and mill (Saltaire) that he created in Yorkshire. And then on the 4th, Rod will guide the coach via Halifax to Saltaire. After he has shown us the site, there will be plenty of time to explore further the village and mill, which now contains the David Hockney gallery, shops and coffee shop, as well as the park and church, before the coach leaves for fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's on the way home. There are still a few seats left on the coach. Please ring me for details.

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Repton Neighbourhood Help

The Luncheon Club has been welcoming new members this session, and numbers are flourishing. We are also pleased to welcome new helpers, for which we are very grateful; they are always needed.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you think someone might benefit from company and good home cooked food. If you feel you could help, either as a cook, server, washer-upper or a driver, do come along any to Friday lunchtime meeting to see what it might entail.

In May we enjoyed a cream tea at Willow Tree Tea Rooms at the new Mercia Marina, and at the end of June, a concert by Singing for Pleasure.

Our last meeting before the summer break is 17th July, and we start again on 11th September. However, we do have an outing in the middle of August. This year it will be on Tuesday 11th August when we shall travel into Derbyshire for a pub lunch.

For information, or just a chat, telephone Melodie Bordoli, 01283 212652, or Angela Mayger, 01283 702660.

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Repton Village Show, Saturday 5th September

Did the cooks amongst you spot my mistake? Here again is the recipe for the cherry and coconut cake - this time with the baking temperature! See you at the show!

Ingredients

150g / 5oz self raising flour

¼ teaspoon salt

100g / 4oz castor sugar

75g / 3oz butter / margarine

1 egg

5 tablespoons milk

175g / 6oz glace cherries halved

50g / 2oz desiccated coconut

1 tablespoon Demerara sugar

Method

Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Stir in the castor sugar then rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Beat the egg and milk together and toss the cherries with the coconut. Add both to the flour mixture and fold in gently.

Place in a greased and floured 450g / 1lb loaf tin and sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 170°C, gas mark 3, or until firm to the touch. Turn out and cool on a wire rack.

Happy baking.

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Repton Village History Group

In May, a short Annual General Meeting was followed by a very well researched and illustrated talk on 'The Meaning of Place Names' by our member, Shelagh Wain. Shelagh concentrated on local towns and villages, explaining how they came by their names. It was a very interesting evening.

Later in the month we were partners in the National Forest Walking Festival and conducted a walk round the centre of the village, with a visit to the church and the grounds of Repton School. The participants were mainly from outside the village.

On 15th July we have a conducted tour of Etwall. This is currently fully subscribed. On Tuesday 18th August there is a conducted tour of Repton.

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Arts Festival, 25th - 27th September in St Wystan's Church

As part of Repton Heritage Appeal, arts and crafts produced by creative people from the village will be displayed in the church. Throughout there will be performances by various groups of young musicians from Repton Primary School and Repton School.

A Friday evening concert arranged by Neil Millensted will celebrate popular music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Haydn and Purcell. On Saturday evening, building on the success of last year, 'Words and Music' will consist of poetry, sketches and monologues with musical interludes. The final event on Sunday evening will be a performance of Gospel Music by the Birmingham Academy of Gospel Music.

Put the dates in your diary and join us in celebrating Repton talent.

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Cubs go camping

The great excitement in May was the big 'Spring Bank' activity camp at Drum Hill. Repton Cubs shared the site with 1,000 other Cubs and Scouts and enjoyed an unbelievable range of activities, from crafts to archery and from go-karting to greasy pole fights. They organised their own 'Cubs have Talent' and shared it with youngsters from Ripley. They camp again in June at Willesley on an eco theme with the rest of the South Derbyshire District Cubs.

Meanwhile, in between the normal fun and games, the Beavers are preparing for the Beaver 'Funday' over at Woodville. The day has a 'jungle' theme, and we are lions.

Can you help?

The Beaver colony is nearly full now and more help is needed. If you fancy helping with 6 and 7 year-old boys and girls, please contact Vicky Taylor on 704050.

We also need another adult to help with the growing Cub pack, and would love to re open the Scout troop if even more help were forthcoming. Even if you work shifts, it doesn't matter - we can accommodate you.

For more information on scouting locally, contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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ngs Gardens, Sunday 12th July, 1.30 - 5 pm
Wendy and Stephen Longden, Woodend Cottage, 134 Main Street

When we opened for the National Gardens Scheme in June, the heavens opened, but this month we have been promised splendid weather, and hope that lots of you will support us. Do come and walk our newly developed grass labyrinth on the first field and just sit in the new seating area among the stock plants and enjoy the view.

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

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Repton Casuals

Repton Casuals' annual football tournament is on Saturday 11th July at Broomhills Lane Playing Fields, starting at 10.30 am. All are welcome. There will be a hog roast and plenty of stalls.

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Repton Brook

If you live near Repton Brook, you will already be well aware how quickly it backs up when there's a blockage, how important it is to keep it clear, just as important in summer as in winter. Sudden storms over dry ground can cause the water level to shoot up rapidly as the water tumbles down the valley. In the quite recent past, a flash flood in July inundated houses in the Square and at Brook End. So if your land backs on to it, please don't throw things in, and please do everything you can to keep the Brook flowing freely.

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Summer Fruits

If you are inspired by the selection of soft fruit available at this time of year to make home-made preserves but wonder if it's worth it, think again! There are two very good reasons to turn that juicy produce into delicious pots of jam, jelly, chutney or pickle:

The Produce Stall

Produce stalls are a mainstay of fundraising at many village events - including the Bottles and Jars Stall at the Sale of Work Fun Day in November. They are ever popular and rely on gifts of home-made produce, so if your enthusiasm has resulted in more pots of preserve than your household needs, we would be delighted to receive contributions of any surplus.

The Village Show

Bring a pot or pots to enter in the preserves section of the show. It's now only two months away. Details were in the schedule in the May magazine, and will be available again in August.

Happy Stirring!

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Garden Party, Saturday 11th July, 2.30 - 5 pm

Do come and join us at 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. Come and enjoy the tea and home-made cakes, meet with friends, browse the stalls and have fun. And do bring your family and friends.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

A monthly newsletter covering issues from Repton Parish Council in June.

• Potholes: There is concern that the village roads are full of potholes. A number of these have been reported to Derbyshire County Council, which has a dedicated department for repairing them. You can report potholes to them on 01629 580000. Similarly, if a street light is not lit, a telephone call to the same number - quoting the number which is printed on the front of the lamp post - will get the repair done.
• The Cross kerbstones are regularly knocked out of place and broken by traffic. On the latest occasion, the sandstone kerb was stuck back in place with asphalt. The Parish Council is concerned: The Cross is an ancient monument and very fragile. The problem was made worse when the road was resurfaced, bringing the kerb height to less than 2 inches above the road surface and making it easy for vehicles to mount. The Parish Council will write to DCC to ask them to try to find a more suitable solution to this continuing problem, and to ask Marilyn Hallard, the Conservation Officer at the District Council, for her advice.
• Summer Play: In July and August, the Parish Council is once again funding play activities for young people on the Mitre Field. Please come along and enjoy the facilities, they are all free of charge. For details, see below.
• CCTV: The Parish Council has agreed to replace a camera at The Mitre Field. This will cost over £400 but it is considered worthwhile.
• Road sign: On Willington Road, the Repton sign at the entrance to the village will be resited on the opposite side of the entrance to the BT exchange. In its current position it is vulnerable to being knocked over.
• Sledge Wood is now 10 years old and doing well, with many mature trees. However, the Woodland Trust does not mow the central paths, concentrating on those around the edges and leaving the central ones impassable. The Parish Council will write to The Woodland Trust to ask them to mow all the paths as part of the agreement made when the Parish Council donated money to the project.

Next Meeting: Monday 13th July at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall. Planning applications will be available beforehand. Residents may consult a councillor about any matter from 7.15 pm.

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Summer Play Activities

Please come along and enjoy the facilities, they are all free of charge. Just turn up on the day. Suitable clothing and footwear should be worn.

Tuesday 28th July, 10 - noon: Laser Games

Thursday 30th July, 6 - 8 pm: Climbing Wall

Friday 14th August, 2 - 4 pm: Sportsmobile

Thursday 20th August, 6 - 8 pm: Climbing Wall

Tuesday 25th August, 6 - 8 pm: Climbing Wall

Friday 28th August, 10 - noon: Laser Games, Play- and Sports Mobile

If it rains: On the 14th and 28th August some activities will transfer to The Den. On the other days, activities will continue at the discretion of SDDC.

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Parkers, Astles and Fearns in Repton

Research into my ancestry has brought me to Repton where Parker, Astle and Fearn are family names of particular interest.

My grandmother, Gertrude Parker, the daughter of a joiner's labourer, was born at Atherstone in 1869 and died at Derby in 1903. She was the wife of Cornelius Swanson, later the headmaster of the Diocesan School in Friargate. It has been possible to trace the Parker line to Repton in the late 18th century when Thomas Parker married Ann Fearn at Foremark in 1793. Parish records suggest that the Fearns were from Foremark.

James, her grandfather, married Letitia Astle at Repton in 1813. Letitia was the daughter of John Astle and Lettice Phillips, baptised at Bretby in 1793.

There are five Parker graves in St Wystan's churchyard, and there is a family belief that the Parkers were straw hat makers.

If there are any Parkers, Astles and Fearns who might be able to tell us more about this family at Repton, we would like to hear from you.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton Open Gardens

Wow! Weren't we lucky with the weather. A week earlier and we would have drowned. But it was a great day and raised £846 towards village hall improvements.

Sadly, the previous weekend, our banner on 'Walter's wall' was stolen, but it didn't seem to stop people finding out about our day. I had a panic on the Thursday, when the County Council decided to re-surface the road: would they finish before Sunday and take down their big, ugly signs? They did, thank goodness! Hillcrest Landscapes came and cleaned the village on that Thursday as well, the village chairs were re-oiled and the final tidying up was completed. The weekend started with the garden owners meeting on Friday evening. After touring each other's gardens - the only chance we would get - we ended up in the Swan. It's always a good evening.

On Sunday morning the teenagers met to get the tombola ready, and the W.I. finalised their teas in the village hall. Then the public started to arrive. As usual, milking at the farm was a real attraction. And in the evening, the garden owners met up once again for a BBQ, to mull over the day.

Thank you to all of you who visited us.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infant School Summer Fair, Saturday 27th June

We hope you will join us from 2 to 4pm in the school grounds for our Summer Fair. There will be games, stalls, refreshments, and the pupils will sing and dance.

Community Collective Worship - all are welcome!

The final session in this school year will be at 9.15 am on Tuesday 30th June.

Sports Morning

. . . is planned for Tuesday 14th July at 9.30am, weather permitting. Bring a chair or rug to sit on, and join us on the school field.

Sensory Garden

We are exploring possibilities to develop a sensory garden in the school grounds, which we hope will benefit the wider community as well as pupils and staff. One of the ideas put forward is to have a memorial area which local people would be welcome to use, perhaps as a quiet place for reflection. Any comments on this would be very gratefully received as we gather ideas together. Ring 01283 703461.

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Newton Solney Parish Council Notes

In the absence of an appropriate body of parishioners, the Parish Council has decided to take on the management of the Recreational Field.

The dates for the activity sessions in the summer holidays are as follows:

Sports Mobile, Monday 3rd August, 10 am - noon, Playing Field

Climbing Wall, Monday 17th August, 6 - 8 pm, Newton Park Hotel Car Park

Sports Mobile, Thursday 27th August, 10 am - noon, Playing Field

Next meeting: Friday 3rd July - a week earlier than usual - at 7.45 pm in the village hall.

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Newton Solney W.I.

At our meeting in June, Tricia Rees reported on the W.I. AGM in London, where speakers included actress Maureen Lipton, entertainer and musician Richard Stilgoe, and editor Eve Pollard. This was the last meeting for our national President, Fay Mansell, and it proved to be a most enjoyable event. The 'honey bee' resolution was passed with a good majority.

Our evening speaker and demonstrator was Ann Devitt, who introduced us to tea-bag folding, a form of origami. We were given patterned paper, card mounts and glue, and shown how to produce items such as gift cards and tags. It developed into a hilarious session, with a wide variety of expertise but most enjoyable. On sale at the meeting were South Derbyshire Society leaflets about Newton Solney.

Later in the month, members attended the unveiling of the W.I. seat at the National Memorial Arboretum. A warm welcome is extended to anyone who would like to attend our Garden Party on Wednesday 22nd July at 2 pm at the home of our President, Joan Buchanan, 36 Main Street, Newton Solney. The entrance fee is £1.50 to include a cup of tea or coffee and a cake, and stalls will include a raffle, tombola, plants, books and a cake and produce stall. Cakes for St Giles Hospice are requested for 6th August, and will be delivered by Sue Ellis. On 11th August, for 2.30 pm, we have organised a garden visit to Findern, using our own transport.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 14th July: 'Life as a House Keeper in a 5* Hotel' by Anita Staley. Also, five garden flowers in a jam jar will be judged for the annual Challenge Cup. Whist Drive: Tuesday 28th July. Both at 7.30 in the Village Hall.

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Gardening Notes

If we are really to have the hot summer that forecasters promise, watering will become paramount. Remember the plants that are not yet established - those that you have put in recently - as well as those sheltering under the canopy of trees and shrubs, and those growing near walls. The soil beneath north walls can be very dry. Lack of water from July to September also affects the formation of camellia buds.

Unless you first thoroughly soak the soil, it is really too late now to apply a water-retaining mulch. Small, sun-loving herbaceous plants and alpines don't like thick organic mulches, but a layer of pebbles or fine gravel will conserve moisture, keep down weeds, and improve drainage in winter. Plants in pots will repay extra care: the surface of the soil may look moist, but it is often quite dry underneath. Composts shrink away from the side of the pot, allowing water to trickle straight through. Testing the weight of the pot may help to determine how dry it is. If it does seem dry, soak it in a bucket of water for an hour.

Tomato plants in a hot July greenhouse need 1½ litres of water a day - or more. Erratic watering and wildly fluctuating temperatures can cause blossom end rot and also cause the skin to split. Potassium in liquid tomato feed can encourage fruit formation and improve the taste, but too much can also cause blossom end rot.

If you cut delphiniums down immediately after flowering, they will grow again rapidly and flower in September, but this will exhaust them and they will soon need replacing. Cutting the spent flower shoots back to the first leaf below will allow lateral shoots to develop and perhaps flower. Dead-heading achilleas prevents self-sowing and poor seedlings. Tall bearded irises that flower in May and June need dividing when they become congested.

Fast growing hedges need cutting. Prune early-flowering summer shrubs after flowering. Early spring-flowering clematis, and the large flowered May-June clematis may need some pruning if they are getting too large. Herbaceous, non-climbing clematis take three years or so to settle in, but will be helped by liquid feeding and watering.

Most perennial herbs need replacing after a few years, and now is a good time to take cuttings. Florence fennel, grown for its aniseed-flavoured leafstalks, and kohlrabi are both less likely to bolt when sown in July. Winter spinach, carrots, turnips, spring cabbage, oriental greens, and autumn and winter salads can all be sown now. If you sow runner beans in modules in early July, they can be planted out later in the space left by early potatoes, and will crop in September.

If there is a big crop, thin apples after the June drop.

At this time of year when the soil is dry, powdery mildew attacks many crops. Phlox, Michaelmas daisies and roses are particularly susceptible. Water them well, but avoid wetting the leaves. An anti-fungal spray may help.

Watch out for and squash cabbage-white caterpillars on all brassicas. Cabbage aphids accumulating under the cabbage leaves can be sprayed with an insecticide containing bifenthrin. Vine weevils are laying eggs now. Bio provado vine weevil killer is only suitable for non-edible plants.

Look for brown spots or blotches on potato or tomato leaves. This may indicate blight. Bin affected leaves and spray with a copper-based fungicide or dithane 945.

Repot cyclamen that have been left outside for the summer. Leave the corm half covered, place the pot in a bright spot away from the midday sun, and keep the soil just moist.

Raise the mower blades in dry weather, and leave the mowings on the lawn as a mulch, but do not water: the grass will recover eventually.

The warmth and summer sun encourage the growth of pond algae, and this is made worse by high nutrient levels in the water. Remove dead foliage and water lily flowers before they sink and rot. Skim off duckweed and other surface weeds, leaving it all on the side for 24 hours to allow trapped pond creatures to escape. Use a pump to circulate the water.