January 2010 - Contents

Greetings

Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches
Services at St Wystan's, Repton
Services at St Saviour's, Foremark
Services at St Mary's, Newton Solney
Readers and Intercessors at St Wystan's
Altar Flowers at St Wystan's
Brasses at St Wystan's
Altar Flowers at St Saviour's

United Reformed Church
Services at the United Reformed Church
Coffee Morning, Saturday 9th January
Shell (for children aged 7+)

Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Marriages
Timothy Colin Horton and Tessa Christine Sheldon

Funerals and Burial of Ashes
Anthony James (Tony) Prince
Elizabeth Ann Drew
Peter William Milgate
Clifford Smith
Harry Failes

Obituaries
George Alan Perry

The Memorial Book

Repton Benefice
Epiphany and Candlemas

St Wystan's News
St Wystan's Church Artwork Banner - Buy a Brick!
Prayer for Christian Healing at St Wystan's
The Prayer Corner and Prayer Box
Special Services of Prayer for Christian Healing
Peter Milgate and the Book of Remembrance
Repton M.U.
St Wystan's Brasses: Thank you to Pauline and Ron Beckett

St Mary's News
Support for the Children's Society

Supper with Jazz, Friday 15th January
Repton School Concert, The Navarra Quartet, Wednesday 20th January
40 Years of Gardening Tips, Saturday 23rd January
Lunch, Saturday 30th January

Thankyou
Tony Prince, 1955 - 2009

Environment Matters
Recycle your Christmas tree
Recycle Christmas cards
Make a 'New Year's resolution' to help to tackle climate change

You and your Pet
Ear Disease (Otitis Externa)

Neighbourhood Watch
Car theft
Driving in the wet

Medical things
Local Audiology Services

Repton Village and History
Repton Christmas Tree Festival
Repton W.I.
Beavers and Cubs
Repton Rainbows
Repton Youth Club
Repton Village Society
Repton Village History Group

Newton Solney Village Matters
Newton Solney W.I.
Newton Solney Tuesday Club

Gardening Notes

Pump Aid

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Greetings

Dear Friends,

As the morning skies grow greyer and the school bell falls quiet for the holidays, as the redwings pick the remaining yew berries and a host of other birds set about the rich harvest of ivy berries, we know that Christmas and the end of the year are drawing near.

I am minded to refer to these signs of rural and Repton life for two reasons. My closest critic tells me I'm either too 'political' or too 'religious' in my editorial writings. There is a much valued weekly column on the back page of the Church Times by the scholarly rustic, Ronald Blythe, who manages to combine rural and learned allusions. I cannot hope to imitate his efforts but his style is worthy of consideration. It will take retirement to have enough leisure to contemplate the rural scene as he does.

The end of this year reminds me that another will follow. And that raises the question: 'How should we greet each other at the New Year?'

Bishop Humphrey put Repton in the national press for a day with his comment that wishing people such as the recently bereaved, victims of global warming and those who are victims of intimidating behaviour a 'happy Christmas' could be seen as 'an insult'. He is, of course, quite right: at the very least it is insensitive. He did not mean that the rest of us should not have and wish each other a happy Christmas. Indeed it is essential that we continue to talk about Christmas, in opposition to those who want to speak of a 'winter festival'.

But what about the New Year's greeting? Is it not even more obscene to wish one another a 'prosperous' New Year, if that implies a growing level of consumption which is bringing about such climate changes that others are losing their livelihoods and even their lives? There are other things we could wish for our nearest and dearest such as 'peace', 'health', 'safe travel', 'occupational success'. I'm sure you could think of a few more.

The challenge before us in the New Year and beyond is to enhance our living standard through new and greener technologies. I'm pleased to be able to say that all the churches of the benefice are committed to a green life-style and to implementing it as far as our ancient buildings allow. So, in the week of the Copenhagen international conference, may I wish you - and the flock of redwings currently enjoying the yew berries in the churchyard - a 'green', healthy and peaceful New Year.

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 Sue Parker, 702550)

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

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The United Reformed Church

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Coffee Morning, Saturday 9th January at 10.30 am

A new year, a new season of coffee mornings! Have coffee and biscuits with friends, play the children's game, browse the Webb Ivory stall, stock up on home-made cakes and marmalade.

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Shell (age 7+)

The new season for youngsters starts on Monday 11th January at 6.30 pm.

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Marriages

Timothy Colin Horton and Tessa Christine Sheldon were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 19th December.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Anthony James (Tony) Prince of 69 South Avenue, Chellaston, formerly of 1 Askew Grove, Repton, died on Monday 9th November aged 54. The funeral service and cremation took place at Bretby on 17th November.

Elizabeth Ann Drew of 23 Pinfold Close, Repton, and formerly of 1 Willington Road, died on Sunday 15th November aged 72. The funeral service and cremation took place at Bretby on 25th November.

Peter William Milgate of 12 Springfield Road, Repton, died on Thursday 19th November aged 78. A funeral service at St Wystan's Church on 8th December was followed by cremation at Bretby.

Clifford Smith of Repton died on Sunday 6th December aged 74. A funeral service at St Wystan's Church on 16th December was followed by cremation at Bretby.

Harry Failes, formerly of 19 Mount Pleasant Road, Repton, died on Sunday 6th December aged 90. The funeral service and cremation took place at Bretby on 15th December.

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Obituary

George Alan Perry
died 4th November 2009 aged 73

Most people in Repton will remember Alan Perry, and, at one time or another, most have bought their fruit and vegetables from his farm shop in Well Lane.

Alan was born and spent his life at Highfields Farm in Well Lane. Educated first at Repton Primary School, and then in Newhall, Alan was well read and interested in a wide variety of subjects, although the natural world was his forte. Even when young he had an excellent knowledge of plants, and he was often late to school trying to perfect his imitation of a bird's song.

Alan's career was in market gardening. For over 30 years, he and his family raised bedding plants and vegetables in the walled gardens at Foremarke Hall, for sale in the farm shop. The Perry family - Alan, his brother and his father - also farmed at Donington Park, and at Foremarke Park Farm they raised pigs and ran a herd of suckler cattle, as well as running a contracting business.

Following his father's death and his brother's emigration to the mid-west of the United States, Alan went into semi-retirement but still continued to run the shop. He loved going round the wholesale market almost as much as he enjoyed chatting to his regulars, and was always willing to help and advise a fellow gardener.

Alan was proud to live in Repton. He was a true gentleman, a true countryman and will be much missed by many.

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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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Repton Benefice

Epiphany and Candlemas

Epiphany

The official date of Epiphany is the 6th January, the12th day of Christmas. More importantly, in the Orthodox tradition it is the Feast of Christ's birth. Only in the Western Church is Jesus' birth celebrated on the 25th December; on the Feast of Epiphany we remember the coming of the Magi.

The literal meaning of Epiphany is 'showing'. It is the feast when the Christ-child was 'shown' to the world, represented by the three Gentile kings.

But there is more to it than that because 'showing' also refers to the Father's endorsement of Jesus' vocation at his baptism, when the voice from heaven said: "You are my Son, the beloved, in you I am well pleased." And it refers also to Jesus' revealing of himself as the Messiah in his first miracle - according to John's gospel - of turning water into wine at the marriage feast at Cana.

Although these second two 'showings' are celebrated on the successive Sundays of Epiphany we also remember them in our worship on the Feast of the Epiphany, making it a particularly rich celebration. Because the 6th January is a Wednesday we will be keeping this feast on the 3rd January, the nearest Sunday.

Candlemas

At Candlemas we recall Jesus aged forty days being brought to the Temple by his parents. Here the Holy Family were met by Simeon, who, according to Luke, was righteous and devout and 'the Holy Spirit rested on him'. Meeting Mary and Joseph he took Jesus in his arms and, praising God, pronounced him to be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel". He went on to prophesy that 'a sword would pierce' Mary's heart, foreshadowing the crucifixion and Mary's sorrow at the death of her son on the cross.

Another prophet who met them at the Temple was Anna, who praised God and spoke about the child to "all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

Traditionally Candlemas is kept on the 2nd February but many churches now keep it on the nearest Sunday, which this year is 29th January. This is fitting, as Simeon's words to Mary give us a hint of the Passion, and so the feast forms a bridge looking back to Christmas and forward to Lent and Easter. Because the 29th January is the 5th Sunday of the month, the churches of the benefice will join together at 10 am at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney. This is particularly appropriate for a feast at which Mary plays an important role.

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St Wystan's News

St Wystan's Church Artwork Banner - Buy a Brick!

Thank you to all who have collected, bought and embroidered family bricks. It is not too late for you to buy one, there are still collectors out there. The closing date for participation is 31st March. You can also contact me, Melodie Bordoli, on 01283 212652.

Prayer for Christian Healing at St Wystan's

In September the Parochial Church Council decided that prayer for Christian healing would be offered to individuals after the main service on the fourth Sunday of the month; that requests for prayer could be left in a 'prayer box' at the new prayer corner beside the Book of Remembrance; and that a special service of prayer for Christian healing would be arranged on a weekday once every two months. More about each of these in a moment, but here first is a brief description of prayer for Christian healing from the Archbishops' report 'A Time to Heal' published in 2000.

"The Church's ministry is a continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ. We seek to fulfil it in the power of the same Holy Spirit who anointed Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan. Jesus' ministry was totally faithful and obedient to his Father. The gospel of the kingdom of God is the good news of healing which Jesus proclaimed. 'Go and preach the gospel . . . Go and heal the sick' is a fair summary of the commission that Christ gave to his Church. So Christians have always been called to have a special concern for those sick in mind, body and spirit. The Church's ministry can be described as one of healing - the healing of ourselves, and of our relationships with God, with one another and with our environment."

This description and further explanation of the ministry of healing will be available on leaflets in church. Please take one at any time. I have also written a philosophical introduction to this ministry, which has interested me throughout my ordained life. Please contact me at the vicarage, 703317, if you would like a copy. Prayer following the 9.45 am service on the fourth Sunday of the month

In the letter of St James in the New Testament, the elders of the church are commended to 'pray over' the sick to heal them. Some take this to mean that, besides saying a prayer, hands should be gently laid on the person receiving prayer.

The use of hands in healing is both ancient and world-wide. Every mother uses her hands to heal when she picks up her crying child. St James also recommends that blessed oil should be used in healing the sick. Both these actions are sacramental, that is, they use physical means to convey the healing power of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot predict what form healing will take, or when it may happen. We should always be aware of the difference between healing and a cure. Sometimes healing will involve a cure, sometimes it will not. But it will always bring God's peace and the assurance of his love.

It is this healing prayer which we will offer on a Sunday morning. Because time is limited, the prayer will be brief and we will not ask why the person who has come for prayer is there. There will be an opportunity to speak to a member of the prayer team afterwards, but we are not counsellors, and we can only offer human friendship and the healing presence of Christ.

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The Prayer Corner and Prayer Box

Beside the Book of Remembrance, we have established a simple prayer corner with a table, prayer board and prayer box. Requests for prayer - for yourself or for someone you know - may be left there on the board or in the box. The names will be remembered at the main service the following Sunday. If you wish us to continue to remember a name in prayer, please keep us informed of the person's progress, either through further use of the box or directly to Peter Paine at the vicarage, 703317.

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Special Services of Prayer for Christian Healing

These services will provide opportunity for teaching about the healing ministry of Jesus and of the Church, time to pray for the sick and to offer ministry to those who wish for prayer. They will be held at St Wystan's Church at roughly two monthly intervals. The first will be on Wednesday 10th March at 7.30 pm.

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Peter Milgate and the Book of Remembrance

Repton has a fine memorial book permanently on display in St Catherine's Chapel in the north aisle of St Wystan's Church. Peter Milgate, who died in December, wrote in the names in his elegant hand, a service for which we are most grateful. One of the first duties of his successor will be to record Peter's own name.

It costs nothing!

The book was donated in memory of Henry Chilton as a place to commemorate anyone who has lived in Repton, as well as those buried or interred in St Wystan's churchyard or Monsom Lane cemetery. All are eligible and welcome. All we need is the full name together with the dates of birth and death, all in writing. Please give them to Rev'd Peter Paine at the vicarage, 703317. There is no charge but a donation towards church funds is greatly appreciated.

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Repton M.U.

At the Christmas Tree Festival, members were pleased with the appearance of their blue and gold tree. It was decorated with hand-made baubles with the names and flags of countries where Mothers' Union works to bring 'Joy to the World'.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 20th January at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Room: Annual General Meeting.

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St Wystan's Brasses: Thank you to Pauline and Ron Beckett

Pauline and Ron Beckett have been responsible for the brasses rota at St Wystan's Church for the last nineteen years, this despite the fact that they live in Winshill and also attend St Mark's Church there! Over this time, with the help of a large number of willing volunteers, the brasses in St Wystan's have been kept in perfect condition. Sadly Ron has experienced poor health over this last year and they have now asked to be relieved. Sue Parker has kindly volunteered to take over.

We are most grateful to Pauline and Ron for all their work, and the conscientious thoroughness that they have shown throughout.

Can you help?

There are currently some gaps on the rota. If you could help by doing the brasses (all except the lectern) for just two weeks of the year we would be most grateful. Most will be together in the vestry, so it isn't as onerous as it used to be. Please contact Sue Parker on 702550.

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St Mary's News

Support for the Children's Society

At St Mary's Christingle Service, the collection for the Children's Society raised £75. Thank you to everyone who contributed, with or without a Gift Aid declaration. If you would like to give regular support to the Society by means of a collecting box, please contact Pam Atkin on 703174. Meanwhile, further information about the Society's work can be found at the church, both on the notice-board in the porch and on the magazine rack in the baptistry.

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Supper with Jazz An evening of food accompanied by traditional and easy listening jazz in St Wystan's Church Friday 15th January at 7 for 7.30 pm Two course meal.         Wine for sale Tickets at £15 from Jan Gilham, 703340, and Morag Hill, 702799.

Repton School Concerts Society The Navarra Quartet Wednesday 20th January at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall We are delighted to be able to offer a concert given by the Repton School Resident String Quartet. This prize-winning group are currently junior fellows at the RNCM and have been impressing Repton audiences for the past 3 years. The programme will include string quartets by Beethoven and Benjamin Britten. For tickets, £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions), or information contact the Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Repton Village Show Committee and Repton Village Society 40 Years of Gardening Tips A talk by Howard Drury TV Horticultural Broadcaster, Speaker and Consultant Saturday 23rd January at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall Bring your gardening questions and your own refreshments to this most enjoyable and informative evening. Tickets, £4.50 from Frances Wimbush, 01283 703180

Lunch Saturday 30th January, 12 noon to 3 pm Melanie and Richard Finch invite you to a lunch of soup and bread and cheese at 19 Chestnut Way, Repton         £3, including lunch Bring and buy a paperback book!

Thankyou

Tony Prince, 1955 - 2009

On behalf of my parents, Betty and Raymond, I would like to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and cards following the death of my brother, Tony, from cancer. It has brought great comfort to us to know that he is so well remembered. As we grew up in Repton, it seems fitting that we are having a tree planted in his memory in the new arboretum, on ground where we played as children.

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Environment Matters

Recycle your Christmas tree

Until the 11th January you can recycle your Christmas Tree in Willington. Take it to the recreation ground car park on Twyford Road, the road that goes out towards the power station. Other sites locally include Rosliston Forestry Centre, Ticknall Village Hall, and the football ground in Sandypits Lane, Etwall. You can find more at www.south-derbys.gov.uk. They are open from 8 am to 8 pm.

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Recycle Christmas cards

Clive Anderson, chairman of the Woodland Trust, says: "If everyone recycles just one Christmas card with the Woodland Trust, enough funds will be generated to plant 15,000 trees. So imagine what the Trust could do if everyone recycled all their cards."

Instead of putting Christmas cards in the bin, first cut them up to make free gift tags for next year, then recycle at WH Smith, TK Maxx or Marks & Spencer.

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Make a 'New Year's resolution' to help to tackle climate change

The little things we do make a big difference. Together we can help tackle climate change. Pledges to save energy could be:

• Take a shower instead of a bath. An ordinary shower uses one third of the water needed for a bath.
• Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth.
• Switch appliances off rather than leaving them on standby. In Europe, appliances on standby use 6% of all energy.
• Only boil the water you need. Don't heat a full kettle every time.

Get your children involved. Perhaps you could ask them to make labels and posters to remind everyone in the family.

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You and your Pet

Ear Disease (Otitis Externa)

In pets, inflammation of the external ear canal can be due to a number of reasons. Clues to pick up on are: excessive pawing or scratching the head; shaking the head or tilting to the side; smelly and sore ear; black, brown or yellow matter in the ear; a swollen ear flap.

The problem can arise for a number of reasons: droopy ears (as in spaniels); foreign bodies such as grass seeds; tumours that disrupt the canal lining; skin allergies, especially in the summer but possible all year round; swimming. It is the L shape of the ear canal that makes it easy for dirt, wax, foreign bodies and water to accumulate. In droopy-eared dogs, it is worse as air circulation in the ears is poor.

There is only so much you can check without using a special scope to see down the vertical canal, around the bend and then along the horizontal canal to the ear drum. It is important to check whether the ear drum is intact: if it is ruptured, ear drops can seriously damage the inner ear.

In cats the most common ear problems are ear mites causing wax production with itching and tumours which allow wax and debris to accumulate.

Depending on the cause of ear disease, drops may be necessary and, sometimes, oral medication. It is often a good idea to clean out your pets' ears with a special ear cleaner. This is done by applying a small amount of ear cleaner into the ear and then massaging the base of the ear. Using cotton wool on the end of your finger allows you to get far enough into the ear canal to clean but doesn't allow you to get too far and cause damage. In cats it can be helpful to use a cotton wool bud to get into the cracks and crevices of the opening to the ear canal. As long as you can still see the end of the white tip of the cotton bud, you cannot do any damage.

It is important to treat ear disease early. If it is ignored, it can cause the canal to narrow which makes the problem worse. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

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Neighbourhood Watch

Car theft

In the cold weather you may be tempted to leave your car unattended with the engine running to clear the frost and warm up. It's an obvious temptation to thieves, and you won't be insured! It's wise too to think of where you leave car keys in the house - preferably not where thieves can fish for them through an open window or letter box.

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In the wet

On one weekend in November, five people died on Derbyshire's roads and there were several serious collisions where surface water on the roads was a contributory factor. Wet weather is hardly unusual in winter, so please check your tyres.

Tyres don't have to be bald to perform badly. When a vehicle travels through standing water, the tyres need as much tread as possible in order to clear a path and maintain their grip and avoid aquaplaning.

Police also warn you to keep all your tyres in good condition, not just those at the front. When you swerve or corner, good front tyres will cut through standing water and maintain their grip but worn back tyres can't do the same, and there is a chance that you will spin out of control.

Tread depths need not be illegal for rear wheel aquaplaning to develop. Hitting standing water at speed, especially in the dark, is bad enough, but trying to regain control of a car when the back end has unexpectedly 'stepped-out' is a huge challenge for any driver.

The message is simple. Regardless of whether your car is rear- or front-wheel drive, always make sure that new tyres go on the back.

The legal minimum depth for car tyres is 1.6 mm. All tyres have small wear bar indicators set at 1.6 mm inside the grooves of the tread pattern. 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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Local Audiology Services

In his latest mailing, Mark Todd takes up the matter of local audiology services, which offer assessments, hearing aid fittings and advice.

The background is that from last November, the former DRI in Derby only treats Derby City residents, and the clinic at Burton hospital is also now closed to patients from Derbyshire. There is still an audiology clinic in Swadlincote, and Repton Health Centre provides a battery service, as does the Swadlincote Clinic. The Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness has an outreach service at Melbourne Health Centre on the first Wednesday of the month from 2 pm to 3.30 pm.

Mark Todd writes:

"There is no doubt that South Derbyshire is poorly served compared to other areas of Derbyshire. It seems that the Primary Care Trust didn't look too hard at maps or public transport provision when making their decision. While a Swadlincote service is vital, many people in South Derbyshire look toward either Derby or Burton for key services. Bus services to Swadlincote from many parts of South Derbyshire are poor or non-existent. These changes have left South Derbyshire short.

"I have written to Derek Bray, the chief executive of Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust asking the trust to think again."

All power to Mark Todd's elbow. The PCT decision is thoroughly ignorant. Do they really expect people in Repton or Milton to go to Swadlincote rather than Burton or Derby? And is audiology the thin end of a wedge? The January Parish Magazine goes to press before Parish Council meetings in December, but the matter is on their agenda.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Christmas Tree Festival

A very big thank you to everyone who supported this year's festival. People were involved in so many different ways; in sponsoring, decorating the trees, supplying cakes and craftwork, putting up the display - and taking it down again, helping over the weekend by stewarding or manning the stalls, serving teas - and washing up, and last but not least by visiting.

The community spirit was heart-warming, and the trees made a spectacular display, some said 'even better than last time.' The creativity was amazing, and local organisations decorated the trees really cleverly. They filled the church nicely and looked lovely, particularly as it grew darker and lights shone more brightly.

We had visitors from Sheffield, Northumberland, and even from abroad. It was particularly nice to see so many children enjoying the decorations, and so many wrote on the stars that the Prayer Tree was soon filled.

The new facilities made a lot of difference, both in preparing for and during the festival. The refreshment area looked really welcoming with - at last - enough space for tables, and we were able to provide tea, coffee and cakes properly. Altogether the festival raised about £1,300, which will be divided between The Children's Society and St Wystan's Church. Again, a big thank you to everyone involved.

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Repton W.I.

In December, after an enjoyable lunch at the Mulberry Restaurant, plans were made for a second visit on 11th February. Arrangements were also made for the W.I. Carol Service at Newton Solney. Business over, playing cards were produced and after a few false starts everyone settled down to play Newmarket. The pennies we used to place our bets were given afterwards to the W.I.'s linked charity, the Associated Country Women of the World. Seasonal refreshments were served with mulled wine, and after the raffle everyone went home with a Christmas parcel and a stocking containing a mini Mars bar from the W.I. Christmas tree.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th January at 7.15 pm in the village hall: Speakers from South Derbyshire District Council: 'Recycling and cutting down waste' - very appropriate after Christmas with its cards, trees and packaging!

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Beavers and Cubs

The youngsters of both sections gained the awards they were working for, and the leaders now have plans for the sessions up to February half term. In both cases this will include working towards a Challenge Award and so towards the ultimate goal of the Chief Scout Award for their section.

Events at local schools mean that we have already finished for Christmas - with a joint party and a visit from Santa - and we reopen on Monday 11th January.

We still need another adult to help with Beavers, but Liz Massey-Beeston has agreed to run it with the continued support of Vicky and Ian. Please contact Andy Austen on 702448 if you feel you can help, or for more information about scouting locally.

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Repton Rainbows

First Repton Rainbows are always busy! This year some of the girls enjoyed a sleepover with a Littleover unit, and visited Dudley Zoo with Rainbows from Belper. We celebrated our 21st birthday at Rosliston Forestry Centre and Twin Lakes, decorated pots in Tutbury, and decorated our own tree in St Wystan's Church for the Christmas Tree Festival. We love to sing, play games, and do art and craft projects. Zara has designed a badge for us to wear for Guiding's 100th birthday and beyond. Ladies from Tangent Treasures in Willington taught us how to weave, and a Rainbow Guider from Littleover showed us how to tap dance. Derbyshire Police and Fire Officers taught us how to be safe.

We raised money for the Woodland Trust and will plant a tree in Repton for 'Changing the World' - Guiding's 100th birthday project. We visited a pantomime and shouted 'he's behind you' for days! That is just a start!

Girls from 5 to 7 enjoy 'fun and friendship' in a girl-only environment, the first step on the Guiding ladder. If you want to know more, please phone Tigger (Carol) on 703991.

We would be grateful for any paper to use for art and craft.

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Repton Youth Club

Are your children aged between 11 and 15 and at a loose end on Wednesday nights? Would they like to attend the Youth Club at Broomhills Pavilion, 7 to 9 pm each week?

There are activities on the playing field in the summer, and inside during the winter evenings; trips out for other activities are arranged from time to time.

Come and join us on Wednesday 6th January, the first session in the New Year.

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Repton Village Society

With displays featuring the police, neighbourhood watch, the village party, the Primary School, Repton School, the Repton Spoon, the Village Society and the Derbyshire Community Foundation, there was much to study at our coffee morning, whilst listening to an excellent performance of Christmas music by the Primary School orchestra. We are very grateful to them all.

Thursday 7th January, 'The Royal Derby Hospital'

At our next meeting Derrick Conway's theme will be 'Reshaping Health Services for Derbyshire - The Royal Derby Hospital'. As assistant project director and latterly assistant estates director, Derrick has been closely involved with the project throughout, including the transfer of acute services from the DRI.

It is that time of year again, and at this meeting the treasurer will be only too pleased to collect your money for membership renewal!

Finally, a reminder to all gardeners that the society is supporting the Village Show evening on 23rd January when Howard Drury, who for 10 years presented Central TV's 'Gardening Times' from King's Heath Park, will be giving '40 Years of Gardening Tips' followed by questions. Tickets cost £4.50 from Frances Wimbush. 703180; bring your own food, drink and glasses.

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Repton Village History Group

Our November meeting was an illustrated talk by Steve Biggins, the Head Gardener for the National Trust at Calke Abbey. Steve described the poor state of the gardens when the Trust took over, and how much planning and hard work was needed to bring both them and other important buildings up to their present splendour.

Canal Boat People, Tuesday 19th January

Our 2010 programme starts with an illustrated talk by Dr. Wendy Freer. She is an excellent speaker and we look forward to welcoming her. Repton village hall at 7.30 pm; members £1.50, visitors £2.50.

We have an extensive and varied programme for 2010, and are always pleased to welcome visitors and new members.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

Before our Christmas entertainment there was a short business meeting, where it was reported that the Birthday Lunch at the Newton Park Hotel had been much enjoyed.

The programme for next year has gone to the printers. Suggestions were invited for outings. The new procedure for the 2010 resolutions was explained and will be discussed at the January meeting. At this meeting we shall also be collecting unwanted jewellery for a 'Treasure Chest'. We have entered a team for the annual W.I. Quiz in March.

Then we sat back to enjoy 'The 3Js', our entertainment for the evening - although we were given song sheets to participate! It was a mixture of songs, observations and poems with a Christmassy theme, many causing much amusement. This was followed by an American Supper, providing a wide variety of treats supplied by our members, a raffle and a bran tub.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th January: A cookery demonstration by Barbara Ball. Whist Drive: Tuesday 26th January. Both at 7.30 in the Village Hall.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

At our December meeting our chairman, Doug Burns, continued his life memoirs with a fascinating account of his cycling tour of France during the 1950s.

January 5th Annual Concert performed by Sheila Hornsby, Tony Venables and Doug Burns - but mainly yourselves!

January 19th This month we shall be visiting Fairways Garden Centre for coffee, then on to Sudbury Prison for a three course lunch, followed by a talk on 'The Role of Dogs in the Hunt for Drugs'. The coach leaves the Unicorn at 9.30 am, picking up at Repton and Willington. A few seats are available at £6. If you would like to join us, please ring our secretary, Jane Bagshaw, on 564520.

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Gardening Notes

The meteorologists had one thing right: the summer of 2009 was warm; except in Kent, but thoughts of a 'barbecue summer' were once again wide of the mark. A hot, dry September may have caused some trees and shrubs to drop their leaves prematurely, but autumn colours were good and wood should have ripened and flower-buds formed well before any risk of frost.

Never garden by the calendar alone. This is especially true of January if the weather is inclement. No harm will come from waiting a week or two for things to improve, and in the meantime the tool-shed and greenhouse will benefit from a spring clean, with the tools oiled and the pots cleaned. This may also be an opportunity to look at fences and other garden structures.

Shred Christmas trees, or take them to a recycling centre. If you didn't do it in December, prune apple and pear trees but leave cordons and espaliers till late summer. Established wisteria will need young shoots pruning back to about 3". Continue planting bare root deciduous trees and shrubs and hedging plants.

Inspect tree stakes and ties, loosening any that have become too tight, and check roses, recently planted trees and shrubs, as well as other bushes that may have been loosened by wind or frost. Ensure that tender plants are adequately protected.

Keep weeds under control; quite a few set seed all year round. Remove dead material from around plants as it forms a hiding place for slugs, which have had a good season.

Dig and manure empty ground in the vegetable plot.

In the greenhouse, water sparingly and watch out for aphids. Cyclamen for indoor decoration need a cool spot out of direct sunlight and should be watered from below. Remove any dead leaves regularly, and once the remaining leaves begin to turn yellow, dry off completely for two or three months.

Hyacinths grown in pots can be planted out in the garden after flowering, but those that have been forced for Christmas may not flower again for a year or two. Pot-grown narcissi can similarly be planted outdoors, but Paperwhite narcissi are unlikely to survive. White jasmine in pots should be given a major prune after flowering, kept in the greenhouse, fed often and repotted occasionally. Poinsettias rarely colour up well in subsequent years, and are not worth the effort.

Pot on autumn-sown sweet peas, and pinch out the tips at 3.5 cms, or 3 or 4 leaves.

Hardwood cuttings of woody plants such as weigelia, roses, cornus and chaenomeles can still be taken.

Inspect stored tubers of dahlia, begonias and cannas for drying out or rotting.

If ponds freeze over, make a hole in the ice by standing a saucepan of boiling water on it. Do not crack the ice as this may harm the fish.

Feed birds regularly and make sure they have water available. Apart from drinking, many birds like to bathe whatever the weather.

The herbicide that many farmers have used on grassland - aminopyralid - was withdrawn in 2008 because it was not broken down in digestion, passing through animals into the manure; when it was used in gardens, this manure often damaged plants. The ban on aminopyralid has now been lifted, but with some limitations. Mainly these restrict its use to land where cattle and sheep are grazed, but not horses. It may be wise, therefore, to check the source of any horse manure to make sure that aminopyralid has not been used where they have grazed. Efforts are also being made to ban the use of pesticides containing neonicatinoids, which are thought to be involved in the death of honey bees.

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Water no longer makes us sick!

News from Zimbabwe is often depressing, so it comes as a surprise to find that a charity founded by a young Englishman, together with members of a rural Zimbabwean community, is transforming life there for hundreds of thousands.

When Ian Thorpe arrived as a young volunteer from the UK to teach at a village school he, like everyone else, had to walk a mile to collect water in buckets. Due to the shortage of firewood and high cost of paraffin, most people did not boil their drinking water, so when a snake fell into the well and decomposed, two children and one elderly teacher died.


Ian's experience led to the creation of Pump Aid, a charity which builds water pumps that poor rural communities can maintain without outside assistance. The 'Elephant' pump was developed by the charity in Zimbabwe, based on a 2000 year old Chinese design. Many existing pumps are expensive and often break down. In contrast, the Elephant pump costs only £250 to install; it is very simple, constructed from cheap local materials, very durable and can be maintained by local people. The local community is fully involved. They invite Pump Aid in and are fully consulted. They make the bricks, provide materials such as sand and stones, and also provide unskilled labour. And they operate the pumps, which rely on hand or pedal power.

Help is targeted at poor rural schools which often rely on polluted water sources such as unprotected wells or rivers and dams where livestock and people drink and bathe. Here a pump costing just £250 can bring clean drinking water and irrigate a school vegetable garden for 500 children.

Sanitation is also a key part of Pump Aid's work and they provide so-called 'Elephant' toilets to communities to tackle the issue. It is an urgent need: currently over 2.5 billion people do not have access to a toilet. Here in the west we couldn't imagine life without them. Toilets provide dignity to their users and health benefits to the community as a whole.

The demand throughout Africa is great. Pump Aid works mainly in Zimbabwe and Malawi, but has plans to expand into five neighbouring countries.

Pump Aid is registered as a charity in the UK, with trustees in Britain and Zimbabwe. The majority of funding has come from the UK, and last year it was the joint beneficiary of 'The Times' Christmas appeal. For more information or to support its work, see www.pumpaid.org or ring 0207 922 7992.