May 2011 - Contents Not just 'a good man' 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 7th May Gift Day, Saturday 25th June Shell (for children aged 7+) Burton Accordion Group, Friday 20th May Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Births Charles Thomas Stewart Baptisms Jayden Andrew Seagrave Marriages Alfred Edward Booth and Theresa Frances Martin Dominic Thomas Burns and Lucy Victoria Alice Chilton Funerals and Burial of Ashes Kenneth Jerram Reginald Thomas Banks Obituaries Kenneth Jerram The Memorial Book Derby Diocese When You Pray ~ Diocesan Summer School, 25th - 29th July Repton Benefice June Scott's Ordination, Sunday 3rd July PCC Election Results Christian Aid Week, 15th - 21st May St Wystan's News Lunch in St Wystan’s Church, the first Wednesday of the month Repton M.U. Repton Village Party, Saturday 7th May St Mary's Church Spring Buffet Lunch, Sunday 8th May SDDC Chairman's Charity Classical Concert, Saturday 14th May 'Bring & Share' Lunch, Sunday 15th May Burton Accordion Group, Friday 20th May at the URC Repton School Concert, Wednesday 25th May Coffee Morning, Saturday 28th May Ashby Guild of Artists Exhibition, 28th - 30th May Cheese and Wine Evening, Thursday 9th June Repton Village and History Have your say! AV Referendum and Elections Repton Beavers Repton Cubs Street Games in May The Repton Runners Repton Village History Group Repton W.I. Repton Village Society Repton Evergreens Outing, Thursday 26th May ngs Open Garden, Sunday 29th May Wine and Music, Friday 24th June Scarecrow Competition Repton Neighbourhood Help Repton Parish Council Jottings Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney Infants School Newton Solney Tuesday Club Newton Solney Parish Council Notes Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes

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Not just 'a good man'

When the vicar announced in church that he and Carol are to retire in September, there was a stunned silence. As well as sadness at the news that a minister, leader and friend is moving away, questions were asked as to how we would manage during the inter-regnum - the time between vicars. I'm sure that, as with our inter-regnum eight years ago, people will rally round and work together.

We all know what it's like to say goodbye to friends or colleagues, and the sense of loss when they have gone. We also know that none of us will be in one place for ever, and we probably hope that our own lives will have made a positive contribution to those with whom we shared them.

In the weeks leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus tried to prepare his followers for the time when he would leave them, although they found it hard to accept. After he was raised to life on the first Easter Day, he spent his last forty days before ascending to heaven helping them to be ready to continue his work without his physical presence. Jesus had certainly made a mark with his life, both setting an example to others and changing the lives of many, but, once he had gone, would that be the end of it? Was it all just a 'flash in the pan'?

Christians believe that Jesus was more than just a good man who helped people and set an example to follow. In fact, as C.S.Lewis points out, he couldn't be just a good man. He claimed to be God's Son, so, if he wasn't, he was either a liar or deluded and therefore not good. Through his death and resurrection he is able to offer forgiveness and a right relationship with God - a chance to start afresh. If we accept this offer we can continue Jesus Christ's work on earth with the help of his Spirit, which he gives to help us.

If you would like to discuss this further, do ask in one of the churches. If there is interest we may be able to run a course to explore this more.

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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 7th May, 10.30 am

Come and have coffee and biscuits, treat yourself to home-made cakes and marmalade, play the children's game, and browse the Webb Ivory range of cards and stationery.

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Gift Day

Our next project is the refurbishment of the schoolroom, and a gift afternoon will be held on the Saturday of the Open Gardens weekend, 25th June. Cream teas will be served!

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Shell (age 7+)

. . . meets on Mondays - except 5th and 30th May - from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are welcome.

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Burton Accordion Group, Friday 20th May at 7.30 pm

Don't miss this entertaining group of musicians; tickets, including refreshments, cost just £4!

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Births

Charles Thomas, son of Duncan and Helen Stewart (née Saunders), was born on Saturday 12th March.

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Baptisms

Jayden Andrew Seagrave, son of Dona-Marie and Andrew of 34 Monsom Lane, Repton, was baptised at St Wystan's Church, Repton on Sunday 3rd April.

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Marriages

Alfred Edward Booth and Theresa Frances Martin were married at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Saturday 2nd April.

Dominic Thomas Burns and Lucy Victoria Alice Chilton were married at Repton School Chapel on Saturday 9th April.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Kenneth Jerram of Repton died on Tuesday 15th March aged 91. A funeral service at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on 29th March was followed by cremation at Bretby.

Reginald Thomas Banks of Repton died on Sunday 3rd April aged 92. A funeral service at Bretby Crematorium on 14th April was followed by cremation.

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Obituaries

Kenneth Jerram
14th February 1920 - 15th March 2011

Born in Derby, Ken moved to Chellaston, then a small village, in 1928. At 16 he joined the Derby Evening Telegraph, and spent three years there before the outbreak of war.

In late 1939 he volunteered, joining the RAF as a photographer, and was stationed in the Shetlands for over a year, during which time he survived a plane crash. Following that he was posted to North Africa and eventually, via Monte Cassino and the Adriatic, ended up in Greece. After 4 years abroad, he made it back to England and was demobbed in 1946, marrying Dorothy the same year.

In 1952 he joined the Burton Daily Mail, and in 1956, fifty-four years ago, he and Dorothy moved to Repton with their two young children.

Ken loved Repton, walking the family dog around Foremark and Robins Cross and particularly around Milton, where stopping to have a chat with Walter Archer was mandatory.

In his younger days he played tennis, and he was a member of Burton Golf Club for over 30 years. He loved telling people that, when he joined, the subs were £15 a year with a joining fee of only £5!

28 years ago Ken retired from the Burton Daily Mail and spent the remainder of his life living happily in Repton. He was a wonderful, friendly man who, up until a couple of years ago, was still walking round the village chatting to everyone he met.

Thankyou

Ken's family would like to thank all who sent cards and letters, as well as those who attended the celebration of his long life. We were overwhelmed by your kind messages and heartfelt thoughts. It really was a great help and very much appreciated.

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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

When You Pray ~ Diocesan Summer School, 25th - 29th July

In July, the Diocese of Derby will hold its annual Spirituality Summer School, exploring approaches to prayer and ways of growing in spiritual insight and practice. Each day will include bible study and an introduction to some spiritual guides. Sessions will also tackle contemplation, prayer and Holy Communion, intercession and special moments.

For further information, registration, and details of available grants, contact Amy Rees on 01332 388670.

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Repton Benefice

June Scott's Ordination
Derby Cathedral, Sunday 3rd July at 10.45 am

For the last year, June Scott, one of our former Readers, has been preparing for ordination on the Derby Diocesan course, Local Pathways to Ordination. To encourage as many as possible to attend her ordination and support her, Newton Solney PCC has agreed to cancel morning service on the day of the ceremony.

This may be a first for many people and something you may not witness again, so it is hoped that lots of you will come, and the coach from our churches will be full. To book a place, contact St Mary's churchwarden, Stuart Webb on 01283 563345.

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PCC Elections

At St Wystan's Annual Parochial Church Meeting, the following were elected to Repton Parochial Church Council: (for three years) Peter Court, Carol Lloyd and Karen Perks; (for one year) Andrew Pitchford.

At Newton Solney and Foremark the membership of the PCCs was unchanged.

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Christian Aid Week, 15th - 21st May
'Daring to dream the impossible'

Christian Aid partner Soppexcca (pronounced so-pecks-ka) is an organisation passionately committed to helping poor Nicaraguan coffee farmers to beat poverty. Ten years ago, when it was established, this seemed impossible. Now, however, Soppexcca is a thriving collective of small cooperatives which helps farmers produce good-quality coffee, market it, and put funds back into their own communities. It works with communities to understand their needs, and empowers them to realise their own vision.

Gustavo Talavera, an illiterate coffee farmer, had few prospects until a loan from Soppexcca allowed him to expand his farm and build a small, environmentally sound processing plant. Then his dream of seeing his children learn to read and write became a reality when Soppexcca helped his community get enough resources together, and Gustavo together with other parents built a school themselves. Soppexcca is enabling his community to achieve what had always seemed impossible.

The Christian life sets us within a story of such seemingly impossible transformation. The gospel stories are clear that life is about more than mere survival; the life that Jesus speaks of is abundant, rich with possibility and hope and promise.

The good news is that we can share in this bigger picture. When we give time, money and energy this Christian Aid Week, we are looking beyond ourselves and enabling others to achieve the impossible. This is the world that Jesus showed us in his life and ministry, a world where the concept of our neighbour is startlingly redefined.

Please support us!

Christian Aid Week is sponsored by forty churches in the UK and Ireland. By supporting us, you are among millions of people who demonstrate practically that poverty is unacceptable. Your actions, commitment and contributions will bring about a better life for people in poor communities all over the world.

During the first week of May you will receive an envelope from Christian Aid. They are asking us to make a donation, and also to sign the Gift Aid form!

If you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid allows Christian Aid to claim back the tax. Every £10 you give is then worth £12.50 to Christian Aid. All you need to do is fill in the declaration on the red CA envelope. If everyone does this, it will raise at least an extra £1 million for the world's poorest communities. The envelope will be collected during the week commencing 15th May. If for some reason yours is missed, Repton Post Office has kindly agreed to have a box where you can leave it.

We do need more volunteers to collect or distribute envelopes. If you can help in any way, please contact Jackie Hurrell on 702089 or, for Newton Solney, Jennifer Haynes, on 703827.

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St Wystan's News

Lunch in St Wystan’s Church
The first Wednesday of every month from 12.30 to 1.30 pm

Come and join us on 4th May for lunch and a chat in a relaxed atmosphere. For only £4 we are serving homemade soup, bread and cheese followed by coffee.

This is open to the whole community, not just the congregation. Please put the dates - 4th May, 1st June, 6th July, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November and 7th December - in your diary, and come and join us.

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Repton M.U.

Last month some of our members went to Church Gresley for the Deanery Quiet Evening. In Holy Week, the Rev'd Stanley Morris took a short service and gave a talk. Next Meeting: Wednesday 18th May at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Community Room: Audrey Morris: 'The Story of the English Parsonage'. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings which begin with a very short service and end with tea and biscuits.

Repton Village Party Saturday 7th May, 2 - 5.30 pm The Den and Mitre Field, Mitre Drive, Repton Fancy Dress Parade The Parade leaves The ARCH at 1.30, led by 'The Pied Piper', to arrive at the Mitre Field at 2 pm. All children are welcome to join the parade but must be accompanied by an adult * HOG ROAST *     * Slack Line *     * TUG of WAR * * Crafts *     * PUNCH and JUDY *     * Displays * * STEAM TRAIN *     * Climbing Wall *     * FAMILY FOOTBALL * * Teas & Home-Made Cakes *     * MAYPOLE DANCING *     * Traditional Games * * Repton School Corps of Drums *     * Anglo-Saxon 'Monk' and Friends * * MUSIC from the PRIMARY SCHOOL and ST WYSTAN'S * Something for everyone!         Come and enjoy the fun! No charge for entry

St Mary's Church Newton Solney Spring Buffet Lunch Sunday 8th May at 1 pm in Newton Solney Village Hall Bring your own wine! Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children (under 12) £5 from Hazel Ward 21, Blacksmith's Lane, Newton Solney, tel. 701244

South Derbyshire District Council Chairman's Charity Classical Concert Featuring Sopranos Anna-Clare Monk and Harriet Eyley and the Boundary Singers Saturday 14th May at 7 pm in St Wystan's Church, Repton Tickets £6 from Dawn Bircher (SDDC) on 01283 595721 in aid of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Help for Heroes

'Bring & Share' Lunch Sunday 15th May at 12.30 pm in St Wystan's Church Everyone welcome. Bring your own drink. The idea is that everyone who attends brings a dish for 6. No tickets, but to make sure we don't end up eating just pork pie and chocolate pudding, sign up at the back of church, or ring Carol Lloyd, 702410, for details and to discuss dishes.

Burton Accordion Group Friday 20th May, 7.30 pm at the URC Tickets only £4, including refreshments, from URC church members, or telephone 701581

Repton School Concerts Society Matthus Broersma, cello, & Rosie Richardson, piano Wednesday 25th May at 7.45 pm The Robert Beldam Hall, Repton School Matthus Broersma is the winner of the 2010 Kenneth Page Competition. He was born in Holland and in 2000 was awarded a bursary for Excellent Young Musicians by the Dutch Government. As a soloist and chamber musician he has performed extensively throughout Europe and recently performed the Elgar Concerto with the New English Concert Orchestra. His programme for this concert will include works by Bach, Fauré, Beethoven, Hindemith and Brahms. For tickets, £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions), or information contact the Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Coffee Morning Saturday 28th May from 10 am to noon Anne and Tim Shone invite you to Morning Coffee at Rose Cottage, Derby Road, Stenson Driving towards Derby, the house is up on the right. Park in the small car park next to the house, or down by the marina. £2.50 including refreshments in aid of St Wystan's Church

Ashby Guild of Artists Spring Bank Holiday Exhibition with pictures and cards to view or purchase Ticknall Village Hall, Ingleby Lane, Ticknall Saturday 28th May - Monday 30th May Saturday / Monday, 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm Entrance 50p         Refreshments Supporting 'Fishing for Heroes'

The Dales Residential Home for Older People Askew Grove, Repton Cheese and Wine Evening Thursday 9th June, 7 - 9 pm Tickets £3.50 from The Dales All proceeds to the Residents' Fund

Repton Village & History

Have your say!

The Alternative Vote referendum on 5th May is a 'once in a generation' opportunity to have your say in our electoral system. Although a great deal of nonsense has been said and written about it, the issue is straightforward. Make your vote count!

And while you are there, you will have a chance to choose your District and Parish Councillors.

The candidates for the two seats on South Derbyshire District Council are Brian John Cox (Lab) of Repton, Peter Henry Smith (Con) of Hartshorne, Michael Anthony Stanton (Con) of Ticknall, and Fiona Gordon Wilks (Lab) of Repton.

For Repton Parish Council there are 12 candidates for 11 places:

Richard Bugg	Main Street	John McGahan	Milton Road
Peter Court	Askew Grove	John Perks	Main Street
Auriol Cumming	Main Street	Sharron Sherrad	Broomhills Lane
Chris Jerram	Burton Road	John Shortt	Main Street
Carol Lloyd	Milton Road	Gary Steel	Main Street, Milton
Barbara McArdle	Meadow Close	Ewan Thompson	Wystan Court

In Newton Solney, the following are elected unopposed:

Fred Hill	Bretby Lane	Judith Shorthouse	Newton Close
Graham Plowman	Mill Close	Debbie Smith	Main Street

Our two District Councillors, John Bladon and Heather Wheeler MP, are both standing down after many years service. Their help and advice has been invaluable.

In Repton, four Parish Councillors are standing down: Roger Paulson - currently a vice chairman, Karen Gilliver, Bernice McLaren and David Roberts. David has been a councillor - first in Elvaston and then in Repton - for almost 40 years, and chaired both Councils with calm authority. In Newton Solney, David Buchanan - the chairman, Annie Topliss - the vice chairman, and Sue Ellis, have all served for 8 years.

The job of councillor at any level is not easy; there is a lot of work, and with a limited budget and fewer powers than is often imagined, it can be very frustrating. We owe them all, as well as those standing for re-election, a considerable debt of gratitude.

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Repton Beavers
Boys & Girls from 5¾ to 8

Beavers have been doing more of their Furry Fred Challenge, including a very exciting evening filled with rockets, loud bangs, large sparks and flames at Repton School Science labs. For the earth element of the challenge they have planted sunflowers and done a well dressing. The Beavers also made their own pancakes and raised over £30 for Comic Relief at our fancy dress evening.

More adult helpers are always welcome to help run an interesting and enjoyable programme. If you can commit as little as one hour per week and are enthusiastic working with children, please contact Mike Knowles on 702217.

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Repton Cubs
Boys & Girls aged 7½ to 10½

We had an exciting day at Pride Park watching Derby beat Swansea. The Cubs participated in a penalty shoot out and also welcomed the players onto the pitch. To finish off their Scientist badge, Cubs have been busy making a pin-hole camera, a wormery, a compass and a light switch. In June many of the Cubs are going to Walesby in Sherwood Forest for their first Cub Camp.

If your son or daughter would like to try Cubs, please contact Jez or Aimee Brooks on 07973 866921.

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Street Games provided by South Derbyshire District Council
Mitre Field, 6 - 7 pm on Mondays 9th, 16th & 23rd May

All activities on all dates are free. They are aimed at 11 to 19 year olds. Games - including 5-a-side football, basketball, rounders and 'quick cricket' - will be arranged to suit those attending.

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The Repton Runners

The Repton Runners continue to grow in numbers as lighter evenings bring with them the promise of new routes and new challenges. 25 to 30 people take part in the 7.30 and 8.15 sessions which start from the Red Lion every Wednesday evening. We are all getting fitter as well as having great fun and forming new friendships. We are a mixed ability club with a strong focus on non-competitive, multi-terrain running, and on encouraging beginners.

The club has two qualified Jog Leaders, Jo Taylor and Louise Seys, with a third, Mark Thompson, signed up to do the training in May.

The two beginners courses are nearing completion. Fifteen women have stuck it out, done their homework, and gone from absolute beginners to being able to jog for 10 minutes continuously - no mean feat! They have invested in good trainers and are signing up for Race for Life and the Jog Derbyshire 5k event to be held at Rosliston Forestry Centre on 5th June.

The next beginners course starts on 4th May at 7 pm, and will run for 10 weeks at a cost of £2 a week. To find out more, contact Jo Taylor on 07949 941031, or find us on Facebook at The Repton Runners.

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Repton Village History Group

In March, Geoffrey Pursglove gave an excellent illustrated talk about 'The Ashby Canal, Past, Present and Future'. Geoffrey, the project manager for re-opening the canal, described why it was built, its operating years through to the closure of the northern end, and the work going on to re-open it. As the northern end will be in the National Forest, re-opening will have a big impact on the holiday and leisure potential of this area.

Tuesday 17th May

A short Annual General Meeting will be followed by a talk entitled 'Derbyshire Born' by Shirley Horton, who is an excellent speaker on Derbyshire matters. Members and visitors are welcome. Members £2, visitors £3. Repton village hall at 7.30 pm.

We are looking for new committee members. If you would like to join the committee at the AGM, please tell us - you will be made very welcome.

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Repton W.I.

The April meeting was an enjoyable evening. Wendy Bateman was congratulated on her Golden Wedding anniversary before Kevin Jenkinson of Chapman's Nurseries, Rosliston, told us how to plant our gardens for colour of foliage as well as flowers, using many plants to demonstrate. We were surprised to hear that the rose was the plant that had suffered most from this winter's severe weather.

Members had enjoyed another Mulberry lunch, a theatre visit, and the Mercia Group meeting at Findern, when Jenny Jones presented a cheque for £2,200 for ACWW, the proceeds of last October's sponsored swim. The money is going to a scheme to provide clean drinking water for remote villages in India. Future plans include a trip to Shardlow for a guided tour, tea and cakes on 11th May. Members were asked to think about the W.I. entry for the Scarecrow competition at the Village Open Gardens.

W.I. members are serving refreshments at the Village Party on 7th May and were asked to provide cakes. If any non-members could help by providing cakes or assisting on the day, please contact Audrey Morris on 703453, or Hilary Hazelwood, 702423.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 10th May at 7.15 pm in the village hall: Joe David: 'A Beefeater's Story of the Tower'. Visitors are always most welcome.

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Repton Village Society

Lucy Salt, Keeper of Art at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, displayed great enthusiasm and depth of knowledge in her talk to the Society about Joseph Wright and his work, life and wide circle of friends.

Thursday 12th May

'The excavation and salvage of Henry VIII's warship, Mary Rose' is the title of the talk by Andrew Fielding, who was Deputy Director of Archaeology and Ship Hall Manager for the Mary Rose Trust.

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Repton Evergreens
Outing to the Peak District, Thursday 26th May

Everyone is welcome on this trip to the Peak District, run by Repton Evergreens. The coach will leave the village hall at 9.30 am, returning to Repton for 2.30 pm, when a meal will be served. For non-members the cost is £8. Please phone Gordon Johnson on 701763 to book your place.

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ngs Open Garden Sunday 29th May, 1.30 - 5.30 pm
Wendy and Stephen Longden, Woodend Cottage, 134 Main Street

Do come and enjoy this plant lover's garden with its glorious views on a sloping 2½-acre site. On lower levels, herbaceous borders are arranged informally and connected via lawns, thyme bed, a pond and pergolas. Mixed woodland and a grassed labyrinth lead naturally into fruit, vegetable and herb potager with meadows beyond. There are home-made teas in aid of 'The Quiet Garden' at St Wystan's Church, and plants for sale for the NGS and in the nursery. Admission £2.50, children free.

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Wine and Music, Repton Open Gardens, Friday 24th June at 6.30 pm

This year's Open Gardens is being launched with a 'Wine and Music' evening in St Wystan's Church. There will be sparkling wine on arrival, a short concert, and a finger buffet to follow. The ticket price also includes an Open Gardens programme, giving free entry on both days to the 15 gardens that will be opening.

Between 7 and 8 pm, pupils from Foremarke Hall under Susan Bloor will play a selection of music. If you came to their concert in St Wystan's shortly before Christmas, you will know just how brilliant they are. Afterwards, wine will be available with the finger buffet, and prize draw tickets will be on sale.

Tickets at £10, children free, will be available from Tom Hyde, 703662, from the middle of May.

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Scarecrow Competition, Repton Open Gardens, 25th and 26th June

As part of this year's Open Gardens Weekend, there will be a Scarecrow Trail and Competition with prizes for the most entertaining or inventive scarecrows. Entry is free; the entry form will be in next month's magazine. We do hope that lots of you, including schools, societies and businesses will join in the fun to make this a very special weekend.

It's never too early to start planning. There are lots of ways to construct a scarecrow. You could tie two canes together in a cross and suspend your scarecrow from them, adding old clothes to create a body with a coat-hanger for shoulders. Stuffed binbags will create a body, and parcel tape holds everything together really well. A balloon, an old football, or anything round will make a head, to which you can then add a face. Carrots make good noses and bottle tops make interesting eyes. You can use a mop head for hair or cover the head with a hat. Old shoes and gloves come in handy as well.

Animal or bird scarecrows are fun, with a stuffed bin liner body, and wire for legs and wings.

If you need help, come and join us at the Scarecrow Workshop at the Village Party this month. Alternatively you can find lots of information and ideas on the internet; just search for 'scarecrows'. I particularly like http://makescarecrows.com, but other sites even have instruction sheets! When you have made your scarecrow, do look after it and bring it in at night to protect it from damage!

For more information contact Ann Clark on 703438.

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Repton Neighbourhood Help

After a very enjoyable concert by St Wystan's School in March, the time flew by until the last get together before Easter, when, following lunch, Ruth Attwood led us in an Easter Service. After a break of two weeks we meet again on Friday 6th May.

Thank you to all our helpers. However, we always need more. Please get in touch if you think you could help.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

Thank you: As chair in John Shortt's absence, Chris Jerram thanked Heather Wheeler MP and John Bladon for their support of the Council during their time as District Councillors. As well as their work for the District, they have made the effort to attend the Parish Council frequently, and their advice has been invaluable. Although neither is standing for re-election, Heather is still actively pursuing the possibility of displaying some of the Saxon Hoard in Repton.

The retiring Parish Councillors were also thanked for their contributions. David Roberts, past Chairman, has been a Councillor for almost 40 years. In recent years he has taken particular responsibility for tree planting and the Memorial Arboretum. Roger Paulson (Vice-Chairman and 8 years on the Council) has been involved in youth work, particularly in regard to the facilities at Broomhills Playing Fields and the Mitre Field. Bernice McLaren and Karen Gilliver, have had roles in regard to Biodiversity and links to the Dales.

Other Business: There were no items of immediate significance. The application for Queen Elizabeth II Field recognition is going ahead. The AARPC - Airport Related Parish Councils, a group of nearly 50 parish councils affected by the noise of aircraft at East Midlands Airport - is expected to cease.

Next meeting: To allow for the appointment of new Councillors following the Parish Council elections in May, the monthly meeting will be slightly later than usual, on Monday 16th May at 7.30 pm in The Community Room, Fisher Close, Repton.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

The Magazine deadline comes too early for us this month*, but I hope to report next month on Sarah Desforges' talk about her career as a solicitor.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 18th May at 7.30 pm in Milton village hall. This is our resolutions meeting where members can discuss and vote on the resolutions chosen to go forward in 2011. Following this, the committee will serve members with refreshments and there will be plenty of time to socialise and chat amongst ourselves. New members and guests are very welcome.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E (Aided) Infants School

Community Collective Worship: We invite you to join us in the school hall on Wednesday 4th May at 9.15 am.

Summer Fair: Looking ahead, our Summer Fair is on Saturday 2nd July at 2 pm. You will all be most welcome.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

Tuesday 3rd May, 2.30 pm

Business Meeting, followed by 'An insight into Coach Travel' from Diane Robinson, Sales and Marketing Manager of Cresswells Coaches.

Tuesday 17th May, 3.30 pm

AGM at the Newton Park Hotel, followed by Afternoon Tea.

After two successful years as our chairman, Doug Burns has decided to stand down at the AGM. Nominations for a new chairman or an additional member of the committee will be voted on at this meeting.

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Newton Solney Parish Council Notes

Low-Carbon Village Project: During April, letters were delivered to each house in the parish, with a view to applications being submitted by 10th June. Don't forget the launch day on Friday 13th May; staff from SDDC and the Energy Agency will be in the Unicorn car park from 10 to 4 with advice and free energy saving gadgets.

PA System: The Parish Council is to fund a PA system for general use in the village hall. It will be very helpful at meetings, lectures and so forth.

Recreation Field: To bring the hut on the recreation field up to a reasonable standard, the Parish Council is to fund the cost of materials for repairs. The labour is to be provided by volunteers.

Dog Fouling remains a problem in the village. Please clean up after dogs and also remember that, for the health and safety of other users, dogs should not be exercised on the recreation field. The maximum fine for allowing a dog to foul is £1000!

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in the village hall on Friday 13th May at 7 pm, followed by the first meeting of the new Newton Solney Parish Council. All are very welcome to attend either or both meetings.

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Newton Solney W.I.

Our thanks to Findern W.I. for an entertaining Group Meeting. Pat Hall had us all laughing at her anecdotes and witty verses, the buffet supper was excellent, and we ended with a specially written Easter song, complete with actions to keep us alert.

Deputising as President at our April meeting, Linda Williams reported on our very successful Lasagne Lunch, and congratulated our two quiz teams on their efforts in the County Quiz.

Thanks to a donation from the family of one of our late members, we have been able to purchase a whiteboard for use at the meetings and some useful storage boxes.

Marjorie Gaffney reported on the Spring Council meeting at Chesterfield. Speakers were the editor of Derbyshire Life, Simon Wright of the National Trust, and Stephen Smith, a solicitor. A project to teach children to knit was unveiled, 'Knit 1, Pass it on'; it was suggested that members approach local schools to offer their knitting skills at craft sessions.

Forthcoming events include the Mellowdramatics 'Little Shop of Horrors'. We are also hoping to organise visits to the Titanic Exhibition at Crown Derby and to Lichfield Cathedral to see the Staffordshire Hoard. We have been asked to provide afternoon tea for a Ladies Group from Chesterfield in July.

Our speaker was Janet Cousins, who told us about the highs and lows of running a Deli. After a short food hygiene quiz, Janet demonstrated a delicious recipe for mango syllabub, which we then got to eat.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 10th May: The Resolutions meeting, with the Produce Cup competition for a decorated egg. We will also be swishing our unwanted belts, scarves and jewellery. Whist Drive: Tuesday 31st May. Both welcome new members. Both are at 7.30 pm in the village hall.

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Gardening Notes

This month may well rival April as the busiest time in the garden, when the weather really warms up, and sowing and planting are in full swing.

Sow beetroot, carrots, spinach, peas, French and runner beans, sweet corn and brassicas, which include Brussels sprouts, winter cabbages and cauliflowers. Brussels sprouts are slow to grow, and, when planted out, need a firm soil, plenty of space, and feeding well. Continue to sow lettuce at two to three week intervals. Marrows, courgettes, squashes and pumpkins can be sown in the greenhouse. Ventilate on warm days, and apply shade paint to avoid large swings in temperature. Continue pricking out bedding plants, and harden them off before planting out at the end of the month. Celery plants started in December can be planted out now.

Tomatoes can also be planted in the greenhouse; those for outdoor culture should be hardened off gradually. Feed established tomatoes with a general fertiliser until two trusses have set; then switch to a high potassium tomato feed. Remove side shoots from the leaf axils of those grown as cordons. Planting French marigolds amongst the plants may deter aphids.

Continue to earth up potatoes. Thin spinach, lettuce and carrot seedlings, and protect the last against carrot fly, which are attracted by the scent of disturbed seedlings; covering them with horticultural fleece does the trick.

Harden off dahlias, cannas and other tender plants before planting out later in the month. Where necessary, divide hostas as growth starts. Take softwood cuttings of herbs such as sage and thyme. Mulch strawberry plants with straw to keep the fruits clean.

This is a peak season for dealing with pests. Hang pheromone traps in fruit trees to reduce codling moth damage. In early summer the female lays eggs on young fruit, and the hatching larvae tunnel in at the eye of the fruit. The male moth is attracted to the pheromone trap, hopefully before reaching the female. Watch out for the bright red lily beetle and its black larvae which attack lilies and fritillaries. There is an effective spray to deal with them, but, if you can, squash the beetles before they lay their eggs.

Solomon's Seal sawflies start egg-laying in May. The eggs appear as purplish streaks on the stems of the plants. The plump, greyish-white caterpillars with black heads appear in six weeks or so, and cause severe defoliation. Gooseberry sawfly, which also attacks red and white currants, is a different species, appearing in May-June and again in July-August; squash them!

House plants may need repotting, and most need feeding regularly. Cymbidium and phalaenopsis orchids should be fed every few waterings with a proprietary feed.

May is a good month to deal with lawn weeds. Lawn weedkiller takes several hours to be absorbed through the leaves, so don't apply when rain is expected shortly.

If necessary, fill ponds with rainwater, and try to remove blanket weed. New pond and bog plants can also be planted now.