St Wystan's Church: Limited access during August

Construction work will be taking place inside the church - mainly at and around the main entrance - between Monday 2nd and Friday 27th August. During that period contractors are responsible for the site; visiting will only be possible with their permission. Sunday services will continue as normal.

Wedding Ring Found

On the Saturday afternoon of Repton Open Gardens weekend, 19th June, a man's wedding ring was found in Pinfold Lane opposite the U.R.C. It is inscribed with two names and a date. Gerald Gibbs will be very happy to return it to its rightful owner. Call him on 701581.

August 2010 - Contents Neighbours 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 Church Picnic, Sunday 29th August Coffee Morning Shell (for children aged 7+) Prize Draw Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Funerals and Burial of Ashes Margaret Pirie Laing Jeremy David Black-Roberts John Bentley The Memorial Book Derby Diocese New Dean of Derby Repton Benefice Sponsored 'Ride & Stride' St Wystan's News Services Coach trip to Lincoln, Monday 30th August Repton M.U. The Dales Coffee Morning, Saturday 21st August Zero to Hero! Tuesday 31st August - Friday 4th September Environment Matters Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside! You and your Pet Bladder Weakness? Neighbourhood Watch Repton Village and History Repton Village Show, Saturday 4th September in Repton Village Hall Summer Play provided by Repton Parish Council The Dales Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Repton W.I. Evergreens Trip to Southport, Thursday 9th September Repton Beavers in Hibernation ngs Open Gardens, Sunday 8th August, 1 - 6 pm Repton Open Gardens - Thank you! Repton Village Sports Club Recycling Centre at Repton Village Hall Repton Parish Council Jottings Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney Show, Saturday 4th September Newton Solney Tuesday Club Newton Solney W.I. Further Afield Events at the National Memorial Arboretum Gardening Notes

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Neighbours

Six months after the earthquake in Haiti, it is encouraging to hear that the Disasters Emergency Committee has raised £101 million in aid, has provided emergency assistance to 1.2 million people, and has plans for continued relief work over the next three years. Sadly, with hundreds of thousands still homeless in such a poor country, much more help will be needed and many problems have still to be overcome.

Human need, whether in another country or closer to home, presents us with a challenge, particularly when there are so many different demands on our limited resources. Of course, we have to make choices as to how and where we give both time and money. There can be a danger that the breadth of choice - or a feeling of having enough needs of one's own - can seem to offer an excuse for doing nothing. A spirit of compassion and a sense of community can counter this.

In Jesus' story that we know as 'The Good Samaritan', a man had been mugged and left for dead on a lonely road. He was helped, not by his religious fellow countrymen who passed by, but by his hated enemy. That man showed true compassion, putting himself in the injured man's shoes and giving him all the help he could. He was a true neighbour - he saw a need and acted on it.

The Christian message is that Jesus Christ, the Man of Compassion, gave everything, even his own life, to bring forgiveness and eternal life to any who will accept it. For Christians, knowing that all they have and are is a gift from God should encourage their own compassion.

The pages of the Parish Magazine illustrate what an active community exists in these villages. None of this happens without the commitment of many volunteers in both small and large ways, as they are able. At the same time, people can still feel isolated. There are some needs for help which are advertised; others require us to 'read between the lines' or to be observant neighbours. Harder economic times may make our help more important. It would be great to see a stronger sense of community develop as we take our opportunities to live compassionately and be true neighbours.

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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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Church Picnic, Sunday 29th August at 11 am

Following a short service for all the family, we will go to Rosliston Forestry Centre for a picnic, followed by a short walk and activities for the children. Come dressed for the outdoors and bring your picnic with you.

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Coffee Morning

The next coffee morning will be on Saturday 11th September at 10.30 am, when we will welcome the Riders & Striders raising money for the Rural Churches Fund. Jacket Potato Lunches will be served between noon and 1 pm.

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Shell (age 7+)

. . . will start again on Monday 13th September at 6.30 pm.

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Prize Draw

Many thanks to everyone who sold and bought tickets in support of the church, and to all the individuals and businesses, especially the local ones, who donated many generous prizes. We raised £636 for Church funds.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Margaret Pirie Laing, wife of the late James Wylie Laing, formerly of Common Farm, Milton, died at her home in Shefford, Bedfordshire, on Sunday 20th June. The funeral service and cremation took place at The Vale, Stopsley, Luton, on 7th July.

Jeremy David Black-Roberts of Burton-on-Trent and formerly of Main Street, Newton Solney, died on Wednesday 23rd June aged 77. A funeral service at Bretby Crematorium on 12th July was followed by cremation.

John Bentley of Repton died on Monday 12th July aged 87. A funeral service at Bretby Crematorium on 20th July was followed by cremation.

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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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Derby Diocese

New Dean of Derby

On Saturday 9th October, Dr. John Davies, Vicar of the Melbourne Group of parishes and Chairman of Industrial Mission in Derbyshire, will be installed as the new Dean of Derby. He succeeds Dr. Jeff Cuttell, who left his post at the start of the year. Alongside the bishops and archdeacons, the dean holds one of the senior offices in the diocese, although his primary role is to lead the ministry of Derby Cathedral.

Dr. Davies studied at Keble College, Oxford, where he was later chaplain and taught theology, and gained his doctorate from Lancaster University. Following study for the priesthood and ordination in 1985, he worked initially on Merseyside before moving to Peterborough as a minor canon at the cathedral. In the early 90s he spent four years as a Liverpool vicar before moving to chaplaincy work back in Oxford.

Dr. Davies was appointed to his present post in 1999, working closely with a large team of clergy and lay ministers. He was also until recently Diocesan Director of Ordinands, and represents the diocese on the General Synod.

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Repton Benefice

Sponsored 'Ride & Stride'

The annual Ride & Stride, in aid of the Derbyshire Churches and Chapels Preservation Trust, falls on Saturday 11th September. All four of our local churches will be open from 10 am for visiting cyclists or walkers, the URC building until 2 pm and the others until 6.

Saturday 11th September is a national Heritage Day too; some buildings to which access is limited - such as The Chapel of St Mary on the Bridge, described in last month's magazine - will also be open to visitors.

If you are able and willing to walk or cycle between some of the places of worship which will be open in Derbyshire and neighbouring counties, to act as a steward in your own church, or simply to sponsor any of the more energetic participants, then for more information please contact Linda Pettitt for the URC, 701223, Pamela Clifford for St Wystan's, 702471, Ann Redfern for St Saviour's, 01332 862350, or Jennifer Haynes for St Mary's, 703827.

In 2009 our churches between them contributed £368 towards the total sponsorship money of £1722.50 earned in the Repton Area. Half of this came back to us for our own churches.

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St Wystan's News

Services

The Benefice Evensong at 6.30 pm on 29th August will be at St Saviour's, and will follow a picnic at Foremark at 5 pm. The preacher will be Sam Beeton on a welcome visit from Madagascar

At St Wystan's, Wednesday communion services will be held in the vicarage. There will be no service of Matins on the 5th. The next Service of Prayer for Christian Healing will be on 15th September.

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Coach trip to Lincoln, Monday 30th August

There is a coach booked to spend bank holiday Monday in the historic city of Lincoln. It leaves St Wystan's Church at 9.15 to arrive in ample time for lunch, before independently exploring the cathedral, castle and shops.

At 5.30 the Wystan Singers will be performing at the choral evensong service in the cathedral, and the coach will leave for home immediately afterwards from outside the cathedral.

To book seats at £9 per person, please telephone the organiser, Wendy Mair, on 01283 537813, or the choirmaster, Terry Bennett, on 01332 670999.

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Repton M.U.

The magazine copy date comes before our July meeting, but we are looking forward to the vicar's illustrated talk on 'A Greek Pilgrimage'.

We do not meet in August, so our next meeting is on Wednesday 15th September at 2.15 pm in Fisher Close Community Room. We look forward to the return of Sylvia Fox, who has entitled her talk 'A Quart in a Pint Pot'. Her Bible study will be on David - although his life deserves a whole series rather than just one talk.

The Dales Residential Home for Older People Askew Grove, Repton Coffee Morning Saturday 21st August, 10 am - noon Coffee and homemade biscuits Books, Bric-a-brac, Cakes, Chip Sticks and Bottle Stall, Crafts Raffle and Tombola

Zero to Hero! Tuesday 31st August - Friday 4th September, 10 am - noon in St Wystan's Church and the Vicarage garden Children aged 5-11 Bible discovery, drama, craft, music, games, refreshments and lots of fun! £5 for all four mornings More information from Karen Perks, 702392, or Ruth Attwood, 702804

Environment Matters

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside!

Whether you're heading to the coast on holiday or simply off for a day at the seaside, having a dip could well be part of the attraction. So before you set out, why not take a few minutes to find out how clean the water is at your destination? Explore the home and leisure section of www.environment-agency.gov.uk for information about beaches.

Litter on the beach looks unsightly, it puts off visitors, and is a health risk to beach users and local wildlife. BeachCare, a pilot project run by Keep Britain Tidy, involves local communities to help reduce litter on beaches in Cornwall through beach cleans and litter surveys.

A particular problem is the ever-accumulating tide of plastic litter. In a weekend survey by the Marine Conservation Society, volunteers at 400 beaches last year collected an average of 1,849 items of litter per kilometre; 63% of it was plastic. Plastic does not biodegrade but breaks down into small pieces that will last for hundreds if not thousands of years. In parts of our oceans there are now six times more plastic particles than plankton. Plastic fragments have also been shown to attract toxic chemicals. These are consumed by marine creatures and will ultimately pass into the human food chain.

We can all do our bit to keep beaches clean by making sure that we take our litter home with us.

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You and your Pet

Bladder Weakness?

Does your bitch leave wet patches on her bedding when she rests, or leak when she gets excited? Are there puddles on the floor to suggest that her house training is deteriorating? Does her coat smell of urine? If so, your pet may have developed urinary incontinence. Whilst there are several reasons for incontinence, the most common cause in adult spayed bitches is Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI).

The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside. Muscles keep it closed, preventing the escape of urine until the bladder becomes full and the dog is ready to urinate. USMI occurs when these muscles weaken and your dog loses the capacity to 'hold it in' all of the time. Leakage occurs especially when the bladder is subjected to pressure, such as when the dog is lying down, jumping around or barking. Whilst USMI can occur in any dog, those most commonly affected are medium to large breed spayed bitches. In some breeds, such as Boxers and Dobermans, it is estimated that over 40% of bitches may develop the problem.

Long-term urinary incontinence can cause odour problems, bladder infections, and skin infections due to urine scalding. In addition, the stress of having to clean up after your dog can take away from the enjoyment of spending time with it.

Fortunately, help is at hand; medication is available which is easy and convenient to administer and can usually resolve the problem. The treatment restores muscle tone and puts your dog back in control. If you are concerned that your dog may be incontinent, please do not hesitate to contact the practice so that the cause of the problem can be determined.

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Neighbourhood Watch

A Police Community Support Officer will be out with the mobile library service on 10th August. The next Safer Neighbourhood Meeting locally is on 7th September.

Cars: If you leave a car on your drive when you go away, take the keys with you.

Sheds: You are advised to keep them locked and secure at all times.

Growing cannabis is becoming a problem, particularly in rented houses and small units. Look for the following and let the police know if you suspect anything.

Residents are rarely seen.

Windows heavily veiled with net and other curtains, or plastic sheeting.

Excessive condensation on windows.

Windows which are never opened, particularly in hot weather.

No snow or frost on roofs in very cold weather.

Abandoned plants, stalks or root balls in rear gardens.

A strong smell of cannabis, mothballs or creosote; the last two are often used to mask the smell of cannabis.

Crime Statistics for June:

Milton: 1x theft; no ASB calls.
Newton Solney: 1x theft from motor vehicle; 1x burglary; no ASB calls.
Repton: 3x theft from motor vehicle; 2x criminal damage; 3x burglary; 1 ASB 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.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Village Show, Saturday 4th September in Repton Village Hall

Repton has had its own village show for the past 20 years, so why not enter and show what you have been growing or making. It's not intimidating; we are mostly amateurs when it comes to baking, making jams and chutneys, or to creating pictures and handicrafts; vegetables, fruit and flowers usually depend on what we can find in the garden or on the allotment. So why don't you join in and support the show this year? There are plenty of classes for everyone, and we particularly welcome entries from children.

We thought you might find it useful to have some of the judges' tips on presenting fruit and vegetables:

Soft fruit such as raspberries and blackberries should have the stalk attached.

Apples should be as picked, and not polished.

Tomatoes should have the stalk attached and be of uniform size and shape.

Runner beans need to be freshly picked so they 'snap' when broken in two.

Do not trim cabbages, all leaves should be on show.

When presenting 5 vegetables, make sure that they are from 5 different 'families'.

There will be copies of both the form and the schedule in the post office from the middle of August, and at the village hall on the day. If you can't wait for that, if you would like more information or to talk it over, contact Caroline Thompson on 704084.

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Summer Play provided by Repton Parish Council

Do 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. If it rains, activities will continue at the discretion of South Derbyshire District Council.

Thursday 5th August 6 - 8 pm Climbing Wall

Tuesday 10th August 10 am - noon Sportsmobile

Tuesday 17th August 6 - 8 pm Climbing Wall

Tuesday 24th August 2 - 4 pm Sportsmobile

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The Dales

To everyone who has donated board games, cards, beach memorabilia and a brand new paddling pool, a very big thank you.

We had a lovely time at Derby Cathedral. Following a sermon by the Bishop of Derby in honour of the Simeon Trust, a tea was provided and much enjoyed. The kindness and patience shown to us through the 'Celebration of Age' was second to none.

On a lovely day we went for coffee and cake to the tea rooms at Willington marina, and everyone enjoyed being out by the water. Most of our residents really enjoy trips out, but it can be quite expensive, what with taxis, entrance fees and lunch for ten or more.

This brings me to our coffee morning on Saturday 21st August, 10 am - noon. We hope you will come and support us, as all the proceeds will go to our amenities fund. If you are unable to come on the day, maybe you could donate some books, bottles or bric-a brac for our stalls or other items as prizes.

The sensory garden is awaiting the erection of its fence but we have already cleared a lot of clutter and debris, so our tubs look radiant with colour. Thank you to everyone who has helped towards this project.

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Repton Village History Group

We had two meetings in June, the first - fully booked - a very enjoyable conducted tour of the canals at Fradley Junction, and the second, in the village hall, a display of items from our extensive archives. The archives meeting attracted considerable interest, and several people were delighted to find references to their ancestors.

On Tuesday 17th August we will be meeting at St Wystan's Church for a conducted tour and talk about the new facilities, and also to visit the WW2 war graves and hear about some of the airmen buried there. Members and visitors welcome; assemble at the Arch at 7 pm.

On Tuesday 21st September we start our winter programme with an illustrated talk by Ken Hillier about 'The Napoleonic Prisoners of War at Ashby'. Members and visitors welcome; members £1.50, visitors £2.50.

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Repton Village Society

Richard Morris gave a splendid overview of the lives of Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill, and the way in which they influenced the progress and final outcome of the Second World War. His enthusiasm was evident - several members of the audience remarked that if he had been their teacher they would have learnt a lot more at school.

There isn't a meeting in August. The next talk is on 2nd September when the subject is 'Bats' - the flying sort. Tickets for the coach to Liverpool on 11th September are now available.

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Repton W.I.

The sun shone on members as they strolled round the beautiful National Gardens Scheme Gardens at Dolly Barn, Etwall, before enjoying tea and cakes in the shade.

The Walking Group added more miles to their triathlon total, and individual members continued to record miles swum or cycled.

At the July meeting, members chose pressed flowers and leaves before following Pauline Wood's instructions to decorate and laminate bookmarks. It was a light-hearted affair with plenty of chance to chat.

The August Garden Meeting (for members only) will be on Tuesday 10th at 2.30 pm at 10 The Pastures.

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Trip to Southport, Thursday 9th September

Everyone is more than welcome to come along with us on this trip to Southport, run by Repton Evergreens. The price is £12, and the coach will leave Repton village hall at 9.30 am. Please phone Peggy on 701524 to book your place.

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Repton Beavers in Hibernation

Repton Beavers have gone into hibernation for the summer and will re-emerge in September. However, to do this, Liz will need some more help as Vicky and Ian have decided that, finally, they really do need to concentrate on their family and the shop. They have run Beavers for three years now; we and the youngsters are very grateful to them, and particularly indebted to them for continuing to support Liz whilst she settles in. They will continue to help with programme planning and resources.

Anyone willing to help supervise a group of 6 and 7 year-old boys and girls for an hour or so on a Monday evening will be very welcome and should contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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ngs Open Gardens, Sunday 8th August, 1 - 6 pm
a chance to see 3 different gardens in Repton all for £5 admission, children free

10 Chestnut Way is full of colour with borders crammed full of a huge variety of plants including geraniums, salvias, crocosmia, hardy fuchsias and grasses, as well as many unusual trees and shrubs and a stunning wildflower meadow. You can expect to see plenty of butterflies and other insects in this organically run garden. There are lots of seats for you to sit and enjoy the views.

22 Pinfold Close is a small garden based on a collection of tropical plants, including tree ferns, palms, canna, ginger and other unusual plants for year-round colour.

Woodend Cottage, 134 Main Street, is an organic, plant lover's garden. The hot border with its tall miscanthus grasses, kniphofia, fennel, crocosmia and dahlias is at its best with purples, oranges, reds and yellows, while the more tranquil labyrinth dances with silver grasses and the herbaceous borders delight with their scents.

Start with any of the gardens. There are home-made teas and cakes for sale at 10 Chestnut Way and Woodend Cottage, and plants for sale in all gardens as well as the nursery at Woodend Cottage

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Repton Open Gardens - Thank you!

Despite excellent weather this year, visitor numbers were a little down - perhaps it had something to do with the World Cup! As well as Repton's new arboretum, fourteen gardens were open including two Repton School gardens and four current or past 'Yellow Book' gardens. They ranged in size from the tiny to the grand, and in style from the courtyard to the exotic. All were much appreciated by the visitors, who also loved the happy atmosphere of the village.

Within the 'Open Gardens' framework, other activities included a prize draw, home produce and plant sales, a Disney Treasure Trail for the children, book stall and tombola - and, not least, cream teas! In all, the weekend added some £2,500 to St Wystan's Church funds.

We are most grateful to everyone involved: to those who opened their gardens; those who contributed in so many ways, whether by buying advertising or providing cakes and confectioneries, plants, produce and prizes; to those who were so generous with their time and energy; and finally, to all our visitors - it was, as ever, a delight to have you with us.

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Repton Village Sports Club

Users of the badminton court at Repton Village Hall will soon be more confident about line calls. After ten years, the white lines are to be refreshed, hopefully before the autumn.

Thanks to a Grassroots Grant from the Derbyshire Community Foundation, the process will also improve the village hall floor. Before the lines can be repainted and sealed, the old sealer and existing line markings will be sanded off, and the floor coated with a high performance sport sealer. The new court markings should last for another ten years, by which time, we hope, a new hall can be built.

The Grassroots Grant of £1,998 was obtained by the Badminton Club, which itself contributed £450 towards the cost. Repton Village Sports Club, of which the Badminton Club is part, is very grateful to Derbyshire Community Foundation for its guidance and support.

The Badminton Club meets in the village hall every Tuesday from 1.45 - 3.30 pm. We hope that the newly marked court will attract new players, both on our regular Tuesdays and at other times. For more information, please contact me on 702500.

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Recycling Centre at Repton Village Hall

If you use the recycling centre, you are reminded that items should not be left on the ground when the containers are full. It is fly tipping and an offence.

Items left around the containers have to be collected separately by South Derbyshire District Council, which incurs extra cost. The containers are emptied regularly, but when they are full, try the centre in the car park on Burton Road. If that is full too, you will find recycling centres at all the supermarkets. You can also put smaller torn cardboard in your brown compost bin.

Please flatten plastic bottles as this makes more room in the containers. However, the containers should not be used for other plastics such as yoghurt cartons.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

Summer Play: 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 and dates, see above.

Repton Brook: Councillors have noticed that there appear to be fewer fish than usual in the brook. The Parish Council will ask the Environment Agency to check the water quality in case pollution is affecting marine life. Mink are another possible culprit; there have been a number of very reliable reported sightings.

Village Arboretum: Trees planted in the arboretum have suffered this summer due to the dry weather. Members of the Parish Council are regularly watering the trees and will monitor their progress. The border at the side of Pinfold Lane will also be maintained and improved.

Sledge Wood: Footpaths through the wood are reportedly becoming difficult to negotiate owing to a proliferation of nettles - a particular problem with bare legs in warm weather. This problem recurs every summer and the Woodland Trust is being reminded of its obligation to keep the wood accessible for visitors.

Excellence Awards: Derbyshire County Council has launched the 'Excellence in the Community Awards 2010'. This is an initiative to recognise outstanding work and achievement by individuals, groups and communities. See www.derbyshire.gov.uk/excellenceawards for details and application forms.

Next meeting: Monday 13th September at 7.30 pm in Milton Village Hall, preceded by the September Parish Meeting at 7 pm. Planning applications will be available beforehand.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney Show

Newton Solney Open Fruit, Flower, Vegetable and Craft Show takes place on Saturday 4th September. Exhibits must be entered by 11.45 am and staged by noon. The village hall is open from 9 am. Everyone is most welcome to come along and exhibit. Entry forms and schedules can be obtained from Chris Freestone on 701147.

Come and support your local show. It will be open to the public from 3 pm.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

Would you believe it! The only day we had persistent rain during the recent heat wave was the day we had chosen for our outing to Wollaton Hall, with a trip on the river and an early evening meal on the journey home. However this did not deter us from having a most enjoyable time.

At our June meeting Barbara Ball gave us a mouth watering demonstration of 'Cooking for One'. The salmon parcels and fruit dessert were easy for anyone to make, and after sampling the delicious results, we all agreed that we would try them ourselves at home.

There is no meeting in August, but Hazel and her team are still providing Ploughman's Lunches as usual on 3rd August at 1 pm. Please contact her on 701244 if you have not yet booked your menu.

In September we have arranged a visit to Bakewell on Monday 20th, which is their market day. If you would like to join us, please contact Jane on 01283 564520; she will be pleased to hear from you. Jane is also taking bookings for our 2011 holiday in Bournemouth, staying at the Cumberland Hotel from 11th - 15th April. To avoid disappointment, please book early.

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Newton Solney W.I.

Our speaker in July was Val Beattie, a lecturer in fashion and design, giving an illustrated talk on post-war Italian fashion houses. We viewed the major Italian designers and their fashions, and noted the use of ornamentation on all the clothes - dresses, gloves, handbags, jeans and T-shirts - quite different from the English designers. It was a fascinating picture.

Arrangements are in hand for various outings. On 28th July members are to visit Clovermead at Findern, open under the National Garden Scheme, and several are visiting Derbyshire House in October to see the History Wardrobe bring 'Mr Darcy' to life through costume and topical anecdotes - a presentation about the Regency gentleman. In September the Mulberry Room lunches recommence, and arrangements are being considered for our birthday meal in November. We are also taking suggestions for fundraising activities.

Jo Parfitt will be taking any cakes baked by members to St Giles Hospice on 29th July. Tickets for the August Barbecue will be on sale to members until 18th August.

The Produce Cup this year is for decorated cup cakes, which will be judged and tasted (!) at the October meeting.

There is no meeting in August, but a Whist Drive will be held in the village hall on Tuesday 31st August at 7.30 pm. All welcome.

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Further Afield

Events at the National Memorial Arboretum

Although the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas is best known for the Armed Forces Memorial, it is also home to a great variety of flora and fauna.

The site covers 150 acres of reclaimed gravel workings. There is a wide variety of natural habitats, including emerging woodland, hay meadow, riverbank and marsh, each with its own flora and fauna. You can see over 100 species of birds including skylark, lapwing, oystercatcher, and kingfisher, and - if you're lucky - brown hares, otters, and several species of bats.

Wild about Plants Training Day, Monday 2nd August, 10 am - noon or 1 - 3 pm

This is an opportunity to explore the wildflower meadows at the arboretum and be introduced to know five main plant families of the UK. You will learn their characteristic features and should become more confident about spotting species in the wild.

The day is organised as part of the Wild About Plants Project, funded by Natural England as part of the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme. It is open to those aged 18 and over. To book a place, you will need to download a booking form from their website at www.wildaboutplants.org.uk/events.

NMA Wildlife Watch Group, Saturday 21st August, 2 - 4 pm

The group, a club for 8 to 14 year-olds, led by Richard Thorpe, NMA Volunteer Wildlife Officer, meets once a month throughout the year at the Education Centre. It costs £1 per child, and you need to book. For details contact Lynne Barkas, Events Officer, on 01283 792333 or lbarkas@thenma.org.uk.

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Gardening Notes

The border in August is like an ageing beauty - subject to rapid collapse and in need of support. Botox won't help, but a general tidy-up - dead-heading and cutting back the plants that have had their day - will. Extra support can be added to taller plants such as dahlias.

If restrictions are imposed, those plants most recently planted and not yet established should be given priority. Bathwater is safe to use, but not water from the washing machine. In general, water should be aimed at the roots and not just sprinkled around.

Mildewed phlox should improve if given a good watering.

House plants and others in pots, ignored whilst on holiday, will often recover if allowed to soak for an hour in a bucket of water. This is essential for plants potted in peat-based compost; when it has dried out, it will not absorb water in any other way.

Silver-foliaged plants are often drought resistant, as is the Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, which comes from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Cosmos also tolerate dry conditions.

Most established hedges need cutting in August. Ideally, most established conifers, yew, laurel, cotoneaster and pyracantha hedges should be pruned up to three times a year, but once in August often has to do, giving time to form new shoots before winter. However, if birds are nesting, delay until the young have flown.

Tidy up rambling and climbing roses after flowering. The young shoots are more pliable then and easier to train. Horizontal training produces the best flowering, whereas training vertically leads to flowers at the top of the shoot. Prune out damaged or diseased wood. Prune the new long shoots of wisteria back to three buds unless they are needed to extend the framework.

Cut back summer-fruiting raspberries once they have finished fruiting, cutting the fruited stems back to ground level. Strawberry plants tend to deteriorate after two or three years. Produce new plants by pegging down fresh runners into open ground or pots of good rooting compost. Plants raised in pots transplant better than those grown in open ground.

Increase feeding tomatoes. In the greenhouse, stop the plants when five or six trusses have formed; outdoor plants will not have the time to ripen as many.

Keep watering and picking runner beans; if you leave them unpicked, they will be less productive. Sow spring cabbage, spinach, overwintering onions, parsley and hardy lettuce; most lettuce and the parsley do better in a cold frame over winter. Feed Brussels sprouts with ammonium sulphate when small sprouts start to appear.

Place insect netting over brassicas to keep cabbage white butterflies at bay. The large cabbage white has two generations a year; the first caterpillars feed from June to July, and the second brood from August to October. These eat the leaves voraciously and their presence is evident. The caterpillars of the small cabbage white bore into the centre of a cabbage, and are harder to spot.

Propagate tender perennials such as Fuchsias, argyranthemums, pelargoniums, anthemis, achilleas, osteospermums, lavenders and penstemons by cuttings. Take them semi-ripe, early in the day when the plant is turgid, and plant as quickly as possible. If they have to wait at all, put them temporarily in water or a plastic bag.

Buy bulbs for autumn and spring. Daffodils are making roots in September so should be planted at once. Tulips are best left till November to lessen the risk of tulip fire infection, but tulip species can be planted earlier. Tulip bakeri, T. batalinii and T. hageri are among the most rewarding and will naturalise to some extent.

Except for some growth at the top of the tree, our Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia', the golden-leaved robinia, is now leafless and will have to come out. This unfortunately seems to be a common problem now. Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst' has leaves which remain pale yellow throughout the summer and might be an alternative, although slow growing.