November 2012 - Contents Remembering Remembrance Day 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 Evening Services Christmas Market, Saturday 10th November Shell (for children aged 7+) For your diaries Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Elodie Thea Hobson Charlie Steven John O'Connell Gracie Sunshine Eileen Peach Freya Eve Ward Marriages Anna Kovalevica and Kristian McGroggan Rose Geddes and Lee Cliffe Funerals and Burial of Ashes Dorothy MacDonald The Memorial Book Repton Benefice The Bishop's Badge Harvest Time St Wystan's News Commemoration Service, Sunday 4th November No Choral Evensong This Month Messy Church, Sunday 25th November Advent Candlelight Service, Sunday 2nd December Prayer for Christian Healing, Wednesday 21st November Intercessory Prayer for Healing Living the Word St Saviour's News Thank you! St Saviour's 350th Benefice Service St Mary's News Sincere thanks Newton Solney Christmas Cards Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 7th November Repton School Concert, Wednesday 7th November Christmas Mini-Market, Saturday 10th November Children's Nearly New Sale, Saturday 10th November Repton Village and School Sale of Work and Fun Day, Saturday 10th November Concert with Soup & Sweet, Friday 16th November Repton Quiz Night Repton School Play: Moliere's 'Tartuffe', Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th November Morning Coffee, Friday 23rd November St Saviour's Coffee & Mince Pies Bazaar, Saturday 24th November Christmas Fair, Saturday 24th November Fusion in Concert, Friday 30th November Repton School Concert, Wednesday 28th November Christmas Charity Market, Saturday 1st December MusSoc: Fauré's Requiem, Sunday 2nd December Environment Matters Make a Wildlife Stack You and your Pet Heart Disease Neighbourhood Watch South Derbyshire Anchor Church Self-Defence Class for Disabled People Renew your Gold Card Now! Door Chimes Free Trees Stamp & Deliver Electing the Police and Crime Commissioner Repton Village and History Repton Rags Repton Village Quiz Night Repton Beavers Repton Cubs Scouts start up in Repton Congratulations to the Austens! A great result! Soup and Sweet Book Week at St Wystan's School Repton Village Society Repton Runners Repton Village History Group Repton Open Gardens, Friday 7th - Sunday 9th June 2013 Repton W.I. Village Games Repton Parish Council Jottings Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney C of E Infant School Newton Solney W.I. Newton Solney Tuesday Club Newton Solney Parish Council News Gardening Notes

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Remembering

I always try to assist those who ask for help to trace family records, because I appreciate the fascination of discovering things about 'our family'; with a name like Flowerdew, it has not been difficult to trace our own ancestral tree! When a famous - or infamous - relative is found, it adds a certain depth to one's appreciation of 'where one comes from', but, of course, there are occasions when it might have been better for such knowledge to remain hidden!

As we move from October into November we are in the midst of the season of Remembering, with the two church festivals of All Saints and All Souls. At the first, we bring to mind those who have been 'sainted' for their exceptional faith and good works, as well as those who are 'saints' by virtue of their faith. Then, at All Souls, we remember all those who have lived and died, especially those known to us. These two Feast Days are closely followed by Remembrance Day, which this year falls on a Sunday. On the 4th and the 11th November we shall be holding our annual services to remember those we have loved, and those who have made the 'supreme sacrifice'.

Of course, remembering alone is of little value. Unless we also learn from those who have gone before, it becomes little more than a brief journey into nostalgia. Learning can come directly from looking at their lives, or it can come indirectly, by being inspired to work to maintain the peace for which so many have died.

Remembering is part of our Christian faith. Just as we are called to anticipate the future with hope, we are also called to learn from the past. Thankfully we do not have the complicated task of unearthing dusty registers to find the history of our Christian family, for we have an account in the Bible. Here is the story of God's people from the beginning of time: the Judaic and Christian family tree that tells us where we have come from. One might argue that a family tree that ends nearly two thousand years ago falls a bit short, but within the Bible there is all we ever need to know. We are told this by the Bible itself, where it says there is nothing new under the sun; all we do is re-visit the same realities of life. As we struggle with the question of why God allows suffering, we are united with Job, who lived several hundred years before the time of Christ, and as we look at life of King Solomon, we can learn how our human vulnerability can so easily lead to a fall from grace.

The Bible also tells us all we need to know about Jesus Christ, and how by loving God and following in His ways, our life will bear good fruit. That to me is what every family tree should be doing, bearing good fruit. Unfortunately, there are plenty of bad apples, but that has always been the case. Perhaps what we have to learn is how to ensure we don't become one of them. The Bible reveals how we can do that; we just need to do enough research to learn from it, and then, to remember.

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Remembrance Day
Sunday 11th November

The Remembrance Day service at Repton is arranged jointly by the Royal British Legion, the United Reformed Church and St Wystan's Church.

The Parade, including the Scout and Guide movements, will form up outside the Royal British Legion Club at 10.40 am and process to St Wystan's Church at 10.45.

The service will take place inside the church, not at the War Memorial. Please come straight into the church; the service will start at 10.50, so that the Act of Remembrance can take place at 11.

After the service, wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial by the President of Repton Royal British Legion, the Chairman of Repton Parish Council, a representative of Derbyshire County Council, and children from Repton Primary School and St Wystan's School. After the ceremony, the parade will process back to the Legion Club.

Newton Solney

The Service of Remembrance at St Mary's Church begins at 10.30 am. A wreath will be laid at the Village Memorial in the church baptistry.

Foremark

The Roll of Honour will be read during Evensong, which starts at 6.30 pm.

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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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Evening Services

During the winter months there will only be evening services on the first and fourth Sundays of the month.

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Christmas Market, Saturday 10th November at 10.30 am

This is the Christmas Special! Webb Ivory and Phoenix Christmas and birthday cards, wrapping paper, ideas for presents, raffle, tombola, Christmas games, as well as lots of friends to have coffee and biscuits with! Be there!

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Shell group meets on Mondays at 6.30 pm

. . . for children and young people aged 7 and over. Activities this month include bingo, art for Christmas, and decorating the room for Christmas. Come and join us!

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For your diaries

Saturday 1st December	Children's Christmas Party
Sunday 16th December	Children's Nativity services
Sunday 23rd December	Christingle Service at 11am; Candlelight Carols at 6.30 pm
Christmas Day	Special Christmas Day Family Service at 10.30 am

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Baptisms

Elodie Thea Hobson, daughter of Thomas and Rachel of Mickleover, was baptised on Sunday 23rd September at St Saviour's Church, Foremark.

Charlie Steven John O'Connell, son of Lucy and Shaun of Willington, was baptised on Sunday 30th September at the United Reformed Church.

Gracie Sunshine Eileen Peach, daughter of Duncan and Josephine of Newton Solney, was baptised on Sunday 30th September at Wardour Castle Chapel, Wiltshire.

Freya Eve Ward, daughter of Martin and Fleur of Hillview, Repton, was baptised on Sunday 30th September at St Wystan's Church.

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Marriages

Anna Kovalevica and Kristian McGroggan, formerly of this parish and now living in Burton upon Trent, were married at St Wystan's Church on Friday 5th October.

Rose Geddes and Lee Cliffe of Red Lane, Repton, were married at St Wystan's Church on Saturday 6th October.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Dorothy MacDonald, formerly of Monsom Lane, more recently of Netherhall Nursing Home, died on Tuesday 9th October aged 90. A funeral service at St Wystan's Church on 20th October was followed by cremation at Bretby.

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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 use the website contact page to contact the vicar.

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Repton Benefice

The Bishop's Badge

Each year, in recognition of the dedicated work of lay people who contribute so much to the life and health of our Diocese, the Bishop of Derby - makes a small number of awards - the Bishop's Badge, as a gesture from the Diocese to acknowledge outstanding service to the church. Congratulations to Virginia Davis of St Wystan's Church family, who has been awarded a badge for the sterling work she put in over many years as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Well done!

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Harvest Time

I have been blessed this year in that the Harvest Celebrations at Foremark, Repton and Newton Solney were spread out, and I was able to be part of all three. Having shared two lunches in Repton and Newton Solney and a supper in Milton, I am now on a diet! Far more importantly, all three churches have been able to support the work of the Padley Centre with a tremendous amount of food and other goods, so needed by them in their work with the most vulnerable in our society. Many people in our communities also received flowers and goods as a reminder that we are thinking of them.

In Repton, Harvest Thanksgiving was followed a couple of days later with a most welcome return of Repton Primary School to hold their service in church. Newton Solney's service followed those held by the Infant and Pre- schools, both joyous occasions with much fun, as well as serious thought as to why we give thanks to God. Foremark's evening Thanksgiving Service saw yet another full church with worshippers from across the Benefice joined by Repton Preparatory School Choir, pupils and parents.

Well done and thank you to everyone who worked so hard to decorate all our churches, to provide the Harvest meals, to distribute the gifts, and a heart-felt 'thank you' to everyone who contributed gifts for those in greater need than ourselves.

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St Wystan's News

Commemoration Service, Sunday 4th November at 4 pm

On the Sunday nearest to All Souls' Day, in short but meaningful Services of Commemoration at both St Mary's and St Wystan's, we will recall family members, friends and neighbours who have recently died. There will be well known hymns and an invitation to light a candle in their memory. If you cannot be there but wish the names of loved ones to be read out and remembered at the services, you will find lists to sign up at the back of the churches. We hope you will join with us and others in remembering your loved ones and giving thanks for their lives.

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Remembrance Day, Sunday 11th November

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No Choral Evensong This Month

On the 18th November, to allow the Wystan Singers to rehearse for the Advent Candlelight Service a fortnight later, there will be no service of Choral Evensong.

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Advent Candlelight Service, Sunday 2nd December at 6 pm

As in previous years, this will be a service of candlelight and soft illuminations, a lovely way to celebrate the start of the Advent season.

The service will include well-known Advent carols and hymns sung by the congregation, together with Advent motets and anthems sung by the Wystan Singers. Readings for Advent anticipate the coming of Christ and the Christmas story. Do note the early start, which will allow you to go on afterwards to the MusSoc Concert in Pears School.

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Prayer for Christian Healing, Wednesday 21st November at 7.30 pm

Everyone is welcome to this service. Although some choose to come forward for prayer and to receive the laying on of hands for healing, you do not have to. You may wish simply to come and be part of a special service.

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Intercessory Prayer for Healing

. . . will not meet during November, but please remember those who have asked for our prayers.

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Living the Word

. . . next meets at 7.30 pm on Thursday 29th November at 3 Richmond Court. If you would like to learn more, or to come along to share how we have put The Word of Life into practice during the last month, please telephone Stephen Longden on 703259.

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St Saviour's News

Thank you!

By the time you read this, we hope that there will be a temporary roof to protect St Saviour's Church. After a wet summer with only plastic sheeting covering the roof boards - you will remember that the lead has been stolen five times now - we were praying hard about how to prevent further damage to the church this coming winter.

We were humbled when after the second 350th Anniversary Service a worshipper offered a gift of £6,000 to enable us to cover the roof with felt. This will not only protect the church this winter, but maybe for a couple of years while we sort out a long term resolution to the roofing problem. The gift has been given anonymously, but may I on behalf of us all - for the church belongs to us all - say a public 'thank you' to that person and his wife for their generosity.

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St Saviour's 350th Benefice Service

At the end of September, together with many from the parish, benefice and school, we celebrated the life of St Saviour's over the last 350 years. It was a glorious service during which new altar frontals were blessed. Hymns had been chosen by children from Foremarke Hall, and prayers were led by the Headmaster, Richard Merriman. In his sermon, the vicar compared St Saviour's Church with Solomon's Temple as places offered to God which have played such an important part in the lives of so many people. Afterwards we were once again invited to the school for light refreshments and a good time sharing one with another. Thank you to all who rang bells, decorated, served and performed all those many tasks needed for such a service to take place.

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St Mary's News

Sincere thanks

. . . to everyone who supported St Mary's Harvest Lunch in October and helped with the preparation and washing up! Thanks too to those who kindly donated raffle prizes and such delicious desserts. It all helped to make this a very special occasion. Following the lunch, the draw took place from the correct answers for the Flower Festival Quiz; the winner was Val Hackett of Crickets Close, Newton Solney. Thanks to all who took part, and also to Newton's Village Shop, Cranberries, and Hairs and Graces of Willington, who advertised and sold copies of the quiz, thus helping to raise much needed funds for St Mary's Church.

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Newton Solney Christmas Cards

When you buy Christmas cards, you may like to remember that cards printed from photographs of the 2010 Festival are still available, and are on display in the south aisle of St Mary's Church. To make a purchase, please sign the accompanying list or contact Jennifer Haynes on 703827.

Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 7th November from 12.30 to 1.30 pm in St Wystan's Church £4.   Homemade soup, bread and cheese followed by coffee.   And a chat! Everyone welcome. Do come!

Repton School Concerts Society Pupils from Chetham's School of Music Wednesday 7th November at 7.45 pm in The Robert Beldam Hall Chetham's is the largest specialist music school in the UK and has an outstanding reputation worldwide. This concert will be a rich and varied programme of solo and chamber music for piano, strings, woodwind, brass and percussion, showcasing each instrumental department. Tickets for this concert are £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions). Tickets for the whole season of 10 concerts cost £70. For further information or tickets contact Sue Parker 56 Askew Grove, Repton, DE65 6GR. 01283 702550.

Christmas Mini-Market Saturday 10th November, 10.30 am - noon at the URC Coffee and Biscuits Phoenix and Webb Ivory Christmas cards, Birthday cards, Calendars and Wrapping Paper, Raffle, Tombola and Children's Games All proceeds to the United Reformed Church

Children's Nearly New Sale Saturday 10th November, 10 am - 12 noon at Repton Village Hall Including Children's Clothes, Toys, Books, Nursery Equipment and Maternity Wear Entrance 50p, children free. Refreshments on sale. For further details please call: 07982 781936.

Repton Village and School Sale of Work and Fun Day Saturday 10th November from 2.15 pm in the grounds and halls of Repton School A large number of Stalls including Cakes, Gifts and Crafts, Bottles, Cards, Toys, Jewellery, Books and Tombola. Fun items for Children of all Ages Gladiators, Bungee Run, Bouncy Castles, Putting, Face Painting, Hair Spray, Paint Balling, Coconut Shy, Lucky Dip, Apple Bobbing and Ducking Stall. Refreshments Teas, Cakes, Pancakes, Candy Floss, Cookies, Hot Dogs, Toffee Apples, BBQ and Soft Drinks. A Large Number of Excellent Prizes to be won

St Wystan's Church, Repton Concert with Soup & Sweet A concert by pupils from Foremarke School followed by a soup and a sweet lunch Friday 16th November at 12 noon Produce : Cakes : Books Tickets £6 from Carol Lloyd, 702410, and Jan Roberts, 702159

Repton Quiz Night Repton Village Hall Saturday 17th November, 7.15 for 7.30 start – prompt! To book a table, contact Carol Lloyd, 702410, or sign the list in church. £3 per person Finger food included, but bring your own drinks and glasses

The Repton School Play Moliere's 'Tartuffe' Through hypocrisy and feigned virtue, a man can achieve anything! Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th November at 7.30 pm in the 400 Hall Tickets (free) from 01283 559343

Sue and Tom Hyde invite you to Morning Coffee at Mayfield, 32 Milton Road, Repton Friday 23rd November from 10 am to noon £2.50 including coffee and cookie Scarf and Jewellery Bring & Buy

St Saviour's Coffee & Mince Pies Bazaar Saturday 24th November, 10 am - noon Milton Village Hall Raffle, Beautiful Home-made Gifts, Tombola, Cake Stall & Bric-a-Brac Entry £1 including coffee and mince pie

Christmas Fair The Den, Mitre Drive ~ Saturday 24th November, 1 - 4 pm

Repton Pre-School is holding a Christmas Fair this month to raise funds. As well as some of the lovely work that the children have done, there will be stands from people such as Jay design, Phoenix Cards, Bespokke Hampers and Usborne Books, so there is plenty of chance to start your Christmas shopping. Entry is free, and refreshments will be available.

For further information on Repton Pre-School, contact Karen Davies on 01283 221135.

Messy Church Fun activities,craft and games,celebration and Sunday tea for children and adults, anyone, any age St Wystan's Church, Sunday 25th November, 4 to 5.30 pm To find out more, contact Ruth Attwood on 702804 or . Everyone is welcome!

Save our Spire! Fusion in Concert A group of friends from Burton Operatic Society sing a variety of well known songs to suit every occasion, from the West End to the Beatles and beyond' Friday 30th November, 7.30 pm in St Wystan's Church A magical evening of musical moments from the West End with tempting canapés and a glass of wine Tickets £20 : Children under 12 £5 from Jan Roberts,702159, and Adrian Argyle, 701277

Repton School Concerts Society Andy Sheppard - saxophone (with a pre-concert talk) Wednesday 28th November at 7.45 pm in THE 400 HALL A foremost tenor and soprano saxophonist, Andy Sheppard is one of very few British jazz artists to have made a significant international impact. He has worked with an astonishing range of musical partners, featuring as a soloist in the big bands of all three of the greatest post-war jazz composers, Carla Bley, George Russell and Gil Evans. Tickets for this concert are £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions). Tickets for the whole season of 10 concerts cost £70. For further information or tickets contact Sue Parker 56 Askew Grove, Repton, DE65 6GR. 01283 702550.

Repton Churches Together Christmas Charity Market Saturday 1st December, 2 - 4 pm, in Repton Village Hall Gifts, Cards, Cakes, Refreshments Music by Repton Primary, St Wystan's & Foremarke Schools Tradecraft - Tearfund - Kaoma Orphanage project in Zambia Amnesty International - Phoenix Cards - Save Our Spire This year's event is in aid of The East Midlands Deaf Children's Camp

Repton School Music Society directed by John Bowley Fauré's Requiem Schubert: Unfinished Symphony (1st movement) Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine Sunday 2nd December at 7.45 pm in Pears School, Repton School Tickets £9, programmes £1, from Repton School Lodge - just inside the Arch

Environment Matters

Make a Wildlife Stack

Why not make a luxury hotel to support wildlife in your garden over the winter months? Wildlife stacks provide refuges for creatures such as frogs, toads and hedgehogs, as well as invertebrates like ladybirds, which will all help to control less welcome visitors next summer.

It doesn't matter how large or small the stack is; the important thing is to provide lots of nooks and crannies. However, it is not a substitute for well structured vegetation and dead and decaying wood, so ideally, try to provide them as well.

• Choose a site in sunlight or light shade - most invertebrates prefer moist areas of dappled shade - perhaps close to a hedge, shrub bed or pond.

• Arrange bricks on their side on the ground; if you use those with holes in, face the holes outwards. Create 'H' shaped cells of bricks and fill the spaces with woodchips, leaf litter and sand; frogs and toads like to bury themselves into sand and soft soil.

• Lay a wooden pallet or strips of wood across the top of the bricks and then construct the next level in the same way. Fill the gaps with materials like hay, straw, dry leaf litter and wood chippings. Straw will provide nesting sites for ladybirds and thin twigs will provide shelter for larger insects. Logs and pine cones will provide extra homes for all sorts of insects. Make as many layers as you like, provided the stack is stable.

• Keep your stack dry with roof tiles or a sheet of board covered in roofing felt or polythene. On top, place crushed brick rubble, concrete or limestone chippings and plant with sedum or other low growing drought tolerant plants.

Building a wildlife stack won't just benefit wildlife - you'll have the pleasure of being able to watch a host of different creatures making their homes and learn all about their fascinating behaviour at close quarters.

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You and your Pet

Heart Disease

Cats and dogs can suffer from heart disease just as people do. Approximately 10% of pet dogs suffer from heart problems, but the condition can be managed with daily medication. The heart is essentially a muscle with four chambers - two atria at the top and two ventricles at the bottom. Valves in the system stop blood flowing backwards. Blood is oxygenated in the lungs and enters the left side of the heart before circulating through the body.

The most common cause of heart disease is chronic valvular disease (CVD), but the heart can also become floppy (Dilated Cardiomyopathy - DCM). CVD generally occurs in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, poodles and terriers, where the valve gradually becomes thickened and the tight seal is lost. Blood leaks backwards, which may be heard as a murmur, and causes fluid to build up in the tummy or lungs. DCM is normally seen in large breed dogs.

As part of the annual vaccination and MOT, a stethoscope can pick up heart murmurs, abnormal heart rates and noisy lungs. If we know a murmur is present, it is possible to scan the heart and see how much leakage there is. As fluid can build up on the lungs, a cough may develop. Pets may be more lethargic than normal. Little Billy, a Cavalier, was struggling to get up the stairs, but after increasing his water tablets, he has no problems with this now!

Monitoring heart problems at home

Quite often, your knowing your pets will be the best indicator. If they have been diagnosed with heart failure, then it can help to track changes if you keep a weekly diary of how often they breathe per minute when lying down at rest.

Various medications are used to manage struggling hearts. Drugs act in a number of ways. Some increase the force with which the heart pumps blood out, and others lower the resistance that the heart has to pump against. The most common tablets are diuretics - water tablets - which help to remove excess water from the lungs and tummy.

A heart problem does not necessarily mean no more ball chasing or running upstairs; with regular check-ups and often with medication, your pet can continue to enjoy a good quality of life.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

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Neighbourhood Watch

For a safer Halloween:
• Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Call on people you know rather than strangers.
• Respect the wishes of people who do not want to take part in trick or treat.

Residents are advised to follow the 'doorstep code' when answering the door; make sure that doors and windows are locked, and use a door bar or chain. You can download Halloween posters at derbyshire.police.uk, or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood police team on 101.

Bonfire Night:
• On 5th November only, fireworks can be set off until midnight. On New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, the curfew ends at 1 am. On all other days, it is illegal to let them off after 11 pm.
• It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or carry fireworks.
• Throwing or setting off fireworks in the street is also illegal.

Burglary: On 12th October, there was a burglary in Burdett Way. To join Repton Neighbourhood Watch, contact me.

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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South Derbyshire

Anchor Church

BBC Four is shortly to film at Anchor Church in connection with a documentary on Holy Places in Britain to be broadcast in Holy Week next year.

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Self-Defence Class for Disabled People

Duncan Hogg, a qualified martial arts instructor who already runs self-defence classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Milton Village Hall, is setting up a new class for disabled people. The initiative comes after Duncan, a chauffeur to the Mayor of Derby, recently accompanied her to a function, where he heard "tales of absolute horror from disabled people about how they are victimised and even assaulted on a regular basis. I decided that I had to do something to help."

Duncan, who has 30 years' experience as an instructor, started to teach disabled self-defence several years ago, helping to develop a system of self-defence for wheelchair users. It helps with confidence, motor skills, fitness, coordination and balance.

The new classes will take place every other Tuesday at 7 pm at Milton village hall. Duncan will be supported in the classes by his current students and a sign language expert, who are offering their support free of charge.

All students have to complete a medical questionnaire and sign a disclaimer. Severely disabled people will also require a doctor's note before taking part. Although the classes are free, students are advised to take out insurance. Male students will need to buy a groin protector. For further information, contact Duncan on 07973 663601.

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Renew your Gold Card Now!

In all probability your Gold Card expires next March. If it does, and if you want to be sure of receiving a new one in time, you need to renew it now, and certainly before Christmas. That is because there are 172,000 Derbyshire Gold Cards to reissue, and it's important that they are sent to the right people at the correct address. So you need to confirm your Gold Card details, even if your circumstances have not changed since you received your current card.

At derbyshire.gov.uk/renewyourgoldcard, Derbyshire and Derby city Gold Card holders can renew online, although if you have a Gold Card due to a disability, you will be transferred to the Derby City website.

There are some circumstances in which you cannot renew online - if, for example, you need a replacement for a lost or damaged Gold Card or have changed your name. These are set out on the website.

If for any reason you cannot or do not want to renew online, get in touch with South Derbyshire District Council on 01283 595795. Do it now!

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Door Chimes

A scheme run by the Derbyshire Handy Van network, offers people with a hearing impairment, or who are over 60, the chance to have a specialist door chime fitted. The loudness can be adjusted, and the devices have a light that flashes when the doorbell is pushed. The householder also receives a vibrating and flashing pager to carry around.

The scheme was developed when it was realised that many residents with a hearing impairment frequently leave their doors unlocked because they can't hear visitors ringing or knocking. This leaves them more vulnerable to sneak-in or distraction burglaries.

People who have had the devices fitted have responded enthusiastically, with around 95% saying that they feel safer and would recommend them to others.

Residents are referred to the scheme following a home security check carried out by the Handy Van Network or a fire safety check. For more information on the Handy Van Network, visit derbyshire.gov.uk or call 01283 219761.

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Free Trees

The District Council and The National Forest are again offering free trees to individuals, schools and community groups. Species available include Common Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Cherry Plum and Hazel. All the trees are two years old and one to two feet high. They are supplied with a guidance sheet on how to plant and look after them.

There is a maximum of two trees per household, or 10 for a school or community group.

Apply - if possible before the end of October - at south-derbys.gov.uk/freetreescheme or telephone 01283 595795.

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Stamp & Deliver Derby & District Scouts deliver your Christmas mail

For 30 years, Stamp & Deliver has been delivering your Christmas cards. This year the service will operate between 3rd and 17th December. It is run by Derby & District Scouts, and all profits go to local Scout and Guide Groups and local charities. Since the scheme's inception, £99,842.12 has been raised for various charities, 10% of all the money raised from the sale of special stamps during that period.

Stamps cost only 20p!

Details of where to buy them and post your cards will be in next month's Parish Magazine. Meanwhile, look out for the yellow leaflet through your letter box. In general the delivery area will include all of Derby, and 85 of its suburbs and surrounding villages, extending to Breaston in the east, Belper to the north, Hatton and Hilton to the west and Ticknall and Melbourne to the south. Cards can't be delivered or forwarded to other areas.

This year's nominated charity is Sight Support Derbyshire, which provides support and services to over 9,500 blind and partially sighted local people to help them to become or remain independent. Along with the Scout and Guide Groups participating in Stamp and Deliver, they rely on your support to provide the services they offer.

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Electing the Police and Crime Commissioner

The first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Elections take place on Thursday 15th November.

If you receive this in time, and are particularly quick off the mark, you can still apply for a postal vote. Download an application form from SDDC website, south-derbys.gov.uk, email elections@south-derbys.gov.uk or phone 01283 595723. The deadline to apply for postal votes is 5 pm on Wednesday 31st October.

The PCC is independent and will be elected to oversee how crime will be tackled in our police force area. The idea is that s/he will bring more of a public voice to policing by:

- regularly engaging and meeting with the public to help set police and crime plans;
- ensuring the police force budget is spent where it matters most; and
- appointing and, if necessary, dismissing the chief constable.

The PCC will not run the police force. Chief constables will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day operations, but they will be accountable to the public via PCCs.

Will it work? Who knows, but if the PCC is to have any democratic legitimacy, s/he needs your vote. Information on our local candidates will be available from 26th October at choosemypcc.org.uk.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Rags Boys & girls aged 8 to 14 Fun and games, indoors and out, and plenty of time to chat with your friends Every Saturday from 6 to 7.30 pm at the Den      £1 a head Come along and have fun!       More info from Julie Groom, 0797 4998852

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It's Fun!       Saturday 17th November at 7.30 pm prompt, Repton Village Hall

Do come and join in our annual village quiz night; it costs just £12 for a table of four. Between the rounds there will be a break for refreshments and stand-up bingo. It is always an evening of great fun and friendly rivalry, with a wide range of questions and usually a close finish. Don't forget to bring your own drink and glasses.

Proceeds will go towards St Wystan's Church. For information and to book a table please contact Carol Lloyd on 702410.

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Repton Beavers

Beavers have enjoyed a Harry Potter themed sleepover at the Den, which included a visit to Hogwarts, sailing boats on the Brook, and a hike to Milton with the rewards of chocolate at halfway and chips at the end. Beavers have also been doing some photography in preparation for the District Art and Photography competition at Calke Abbey on 10th / 11th November.

If your child would like to join Beavers or you would like more information, contact Andy Read on 07790 909138.

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Repton Cubs

In November, Cubs will be starting a series of four circus skills workshops which finishes with a grand finale performance. At the end of the year, eight Cubs will be moving up to Scouts and some of them are working hard to complete their Chief Scout Silver Award, the highest award a Cub Scout can earn before then.

If your child would like to join Cubs or you would like more information, contact Jez Brooks on 07799 882338

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Scouts start up in Repton

In January Scouts is starting in Repton for girls and boys aged 10 to 14. Meetings will be on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9 pm at The Den. If you have an child who is interested or want more details, please contact Mike Knowles, 702217, 07989 990119

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Congratulations!

At a ceremony last month in Buxton, DCC Chairman, Coucillor George Wharmby, presented Margaret and Andy Austen with a Derbyshire 'Excellence in the Community' Award.

The Austen's voluntary work with young people extends over many decades. As a teenager in the 1960s Margaret was Sunday School Secretary at Osmaston Road Baptist Church, where Andy also became Missionary Secretary, and, after their marriage, they ran a youth club there. In the 1970s, after the birth of their first son, Andy took on 'Friday Group', a youth club in Repton.

In the early 80s, they both became involved with Scouting in Repton, and in this have played various roles, active, organisational and, above all, inspirational. Between them, and in many cases together, they have among many other things run Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs and Scout Troops, served on JOGS and as Group and District Secretaries, and helped to run an 'English Tea Room' at the World Scout Jamboree of 2007. For several summers they took up to a dozen local boys for a fortnight's cruise on their traditional narrow boat - the boys camping in bunks in a tented front section, and Margaret amazingly feeding them all from her galley kitchen!

Having served as Assistant District Commissioner for South Derbyshire Scouts, Andy was District Commissioner for four years, from 2007 to 2011, opening two new Groups and, with Margaret, helping to run their sections until the leaders were able to take over. In the case of Hartshorne, Andy is still the Scout Leader and assistant Cub leader and Margaret is a Group assistant.

Alongside all this, Margaret served in the 1980s as Playgroup secretary, and Andy on Repton Primary School PTA. Andy helped for some years with Repton Casuals, and has been a key figure in many village celebrations, helping to administer Repton Enabling Fund, and dealing with the Millennium and Jubilee beacons. Recently, he took over as both secretary and treasurer to Repton Village History Group.

Congratulations to Margaret and Andy on an award that is so richly deserved! We hope that their example will inspire others to become similarly involved in volunteering; there are lots of opportunities out there.

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A great result!

A big 'thank you' to all who helped in any way to make my coffee morning such a success, raising £1,037 for MacMillan Cancer Relief. And a very special 'thank you' to Mary, Janet, Gwen, Tony, Jan, Lil, Wendy, Sheena, Jude, Stuart and Gloria - thanks to you all.

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Soup and Sweet ~ St Wystan's Church, Friday 16th November at noon

This is your chance to enjoy another concert by pupils of Foremarke Hall School. The music is always excellent, with soloists, instrumental groups and song, and there is a lunch of home-made soup and a sweet to follow. For tickets at £6 contact Carol Lloyd on 702410, or Jan Roberts on 702159.

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Book Week at St Wystan's School

As part of Book Week at the end of September, St Wystan's School held a 'Dressing Up' day. The school was filled with superheroes of all shapes and sizes, and lots of pants were on display! The children spent a session with author and illustrator Steve Smallman talking about his new books and showing the children how to illustrate. He also had the unenviable decision of choosing a winner from each class; as a prize, they all received a book.

The winners came dressed as the Union Jack, Spy Dog, Captain Sleepy, Ginger Ninja, Captain Chaos and the Human Torch. Well done to all the children who took part!

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Repton Village Society

During a wide ranging and polished talk, Peter Rix described Sir Barnes Wallis' career in ship building, airship and aircraft design, inventing the bouncing and earthquake bombs, and finally, research into and development of supersonic flight.

Thursday 1st November

Philip Heath, SDDC Heritage and Conservation Officer, will be describing some of the less well known farmhouses and cottages in the area. His talk will be followed by the results of the photographic competition, wine and nibbles.

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Repton Runners

From the evening gloom shines out the light of the Repton Runners' headtorches. We continue to meet at 7 pm every Wednesday outside the Red Lion for a run around the paths and trails of Repton, but at this time of year we wear headtorches and hi-viz clothing. Please come and join us for a 3 - 4 mile run. All abilities are welcome, but do remember to bring a headtorch to light your way, and wear something reflective and bright so that others can see you. For more information, contact Michael, 07971 609998, or Katie, 07734 711986.

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Repton Village History Group

In September, Richard Farman provided an insight into military life in Napoleonic times. It was the first time he had given this talk, and a trial run of part of a longer presentation that he will be making during his year as President of the Postal History Society.

During the Napoleonic wars, there were concessionary postal rates for the ordinary British soldier; letters were generally written home to mother and often poignant. Using 90 original letters and a couple of old pictures as prompts, Richard painted a surprising picture, especially with respect to French prisoners of war. Many of these were held in the midlands so as to be far away from any possible invasion. The officers were usually on parole, with a fair degree of freedom and a good life style. It was a far cry from the life of prisoners held on the hulks, the floating prisons on the south coast.

The History Group's ongoing projects include tracing the 1881 census for Repton onto the 1881 large scale map, trying to identify where each household lived. Another involves research into the Crewe family of Repton Park and their links to the Need family of India and Tasmania. It was Samuel Need (1718 - 1781), a Nottingham hosier, who, in partnership with Jedediah Strutt and Richard Arkwright, built the first water-powered cotton mill, which opened in Cromford in 1771.

On Tuesday 20th November, Shirley Horton will be talking to us about 'Derbyshire Adventurers and Explorers'. 7.30 pm in Repton village hall. Visitors are most welcome. Members £2, visitors £3, including tea and biscuits. For further information, contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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Repton Open Gardens, Friday 7th - Sunday 9th June

On a cold, very wet day in October, it seems odd to be writing about the Open Gardens - comforting though, to remember that summer will come again!

Once again we have moved the date, this time to avoid a clash with a National Gardens Scheme event, so we shall be opening two weeks earlier than this year, something to bear in mind whether you are planning to open your garden or to walk round.

And as ever, we are looking for new blood. If you would like to think about opening your garden for the first time, please contact Tom Hyde on 703662. We can promise that you will enjoy it.

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Repton W.I.

October was a busy month for us. First we hosted the Group Meeting, welcoming members from Bretby, Briz Valley, Findern, Milton, Newton Solney and Willington. The speaker, Liz Woodall from Ludlow, brought items from her vast collection of W.I. memorabilia, everything from old cookery books to modern tea towels. Tea and cakes were served, and each table produced a humorous email before Repton led everyone in a song about the effects of time upon us all.

Following the Council Meeting at Derby, where Adam Henson attracted a full house, came our AGM. Plans for the future include a Mulberry Lunch, Kurling in April, and a day's visit to Denman, the W.I. College. Then came the Secretary's report on a very full year and the presentation of the accounts, which showed that we had substantially reduced our deficit; we are thinking of offering our treasurer's services to the Chancellor! The president thanked retiring committee members, and the 2012 - 13 committee was elected with a special welcome for new members, Gill Caws, Lynda Errington and Barbara McArdle. The next president will be Jan Roberts. As it was Jill Cownie's last meeting, she had provided a magnificent cake which we enjoyed while tackling two word games.

Next meeting: Tuesday 13th November: Cliff Warner will talk about 'Humour on the Bench'. 7.15 pm in the village hall. Visitors are always welcome.

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Village Games

A number of activities are now up and running in Repton, a chance to let your hair down and keep fit. Apart from Repton Rags (for youngsters only) and the Repton Runners, you could try:

Table tennis (all ages)	Tuesdays, 8 - 10 pm in the Den
Tai Chi	Tuesdays, 1 - 2 pm in the Den

Dance: Now we are looking at some sort of street dance, or dance fit for the New Year. Would you be interested? Would you prefer family sessions, or sessions just for children (what ages?) or for adults only? Contact details in the Parish Magazine.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

• South Derbyshire Local Plan: SDDC has published its preferred growth strategy for this area; consultation is open until 21st December. Repton has been classified as 'a housing site not being preferred . . . this area is not considered capable of accommodating substantial levels of development without unacceptable harm to its intrinsic character'. Full details can be found at south derbys.gov.uk.



• New Standards Regime 2012: The Parish Council has adopted the new standards regime introduced by the Localism Act. The new Code of Conduct for the Parish Council together with Registers of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests completed by each Councillor will shortly be available on the Parish Council website.



• Parking by the Arch, St Wystan's Church: Notices are to be placed, requesting those who work in Repton not to park by the Arch, so that this prime public parking area is available for short-term parking - for example, for visitors to the village, church, bank and shops, and for residents who live on the outskirts of the village who wish to use the local bus service.



• Repton Brook: At the request of the Parish Council, the Environment Agency has dredged Repton Brook and removed 25 tons of silt. This should hopefully alleviate any problems for the next few years.



• Derbyshire Gold Cards: Most Derbyshire Gold Cards expire next March. Local residents who wish to renew are urged to contact DCC now. See the article on page 22.

Next meeting: Monday 12th November in The Community Room, Fisher Close, Repton, at 7.30 pm. Susan Reilly, Clerk to the Council

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

At our annual general meeting, Jane Smith and Roberta Higson were re-elected as president and secretary, before Jane reported on the Autumn Council meeting at Derby Assembly Rooms, and Sue Goodwin and Margaret Connely served delicious refreshments. The speaker programme for next year has now been completed, and will be available at our November meeting.

Our Christmas meeting will be at The Swan Inn in Milton at 7.15 pm on Wednesday 19th December. After a short business meeting we will be served a Christmas meal followed by mince pies and coffee. Please bring along your bran tub prize.

Next meeting: Wednesday 21st November at 7.30 pm in Milton village hall: Sally Berkley Smith will ask 'Can we have a Donkey?'

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E Infant School

Community Collective Worship is held at 9.15 in the school hall for parents, carers and local residents. The remaining dates for this term are Thursday 8th November and Wednesday 5th December. You are most welcome to join us.

Our Christmas Fair will be held in school on Saturday 1st December between 2 and 4 pm. There will be Santa's Grotto, a cake stall, games for the children, a tombola, raffle and many more stalls.

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Newton Solney W.I.

As well as our usual monthly meeting in October, members attended a most enjoyable and informative Group meeting hosted by Repton W.I., and the Autumn Federation meeting at Derby Assembly Rooms, where we were entertained by two excellent speakers, Jan Mee and Adam Henson. Jan told us how she had rowed the Atlantic, walked to the magnetic North Pole and scaled the geographic North Pole; by the end of her story, we were all worn out! BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson, spoke of his life as a Cotswold farmer and TV presenter. Later in the month, a group of our members went to Linton to meet the Royal Cakemaker.

The Lasagne lunch takes place in the village hall on Saturday 10th November. If you would like to donate bottles for the bottle stall, please drop them off at the home of Terri Booth in Blacksmiths Lane; donations of desserts would also be most welcome. Our Birthday Lunch will be at the Newton Park on Thursday 15th November. Mulberry Room lunches have restarted, with the next on Wednesday 28th November.

After the business meeting, Valerie Williams spoke about Brizlincote farm and the developed valley. She had researched the history of the area in some depth and was able to share interesting facts and information with us.

Our next meeting will be the AGM on Tuesday 13th November at 7.30 pm and the Whist Drive will be on Tuesday 27th November at 7 pm. Both are in the Village Hall and, as always, new members will be most welcome.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

In September, a visit to the Cannock Chase Museum gave us an insight into the lives of mining families in the area. Afterwards we had an enjoyable lunch at the Plough and Harrow in Hednesford.

At our October meeting Graham Nutt gave a facinating talk about the Magic Attic and his involvement in the project. It all started when the Burton Mail moved offices and proposed to destroy all back copies of the papers, covering many decades. Graham persuaded them to let him have the papers, as he had a great interest in local history and affairs. The problem then was where to put them; he was offered a room above the local snooker hall in Swadlincote. With friends who had similar interests, in 1987 they moved all eight tons of material into what became known as the Magic Attic. The archive opened two evenings a week, and soon expanded as people brought in more items of local interest. 25 years on, they are now housed in the Sharpe's Heritage Centre in Swadlincote, and are open for the public to view. It was an absorbing afternoon.

Tuesday 6th November, 2.30 pm

A short business meeting followed by a talk by Dick Steele on the Portmeirion Pottery.

Tuesday 20th November: A visit to Trentham

We leave the Unicorn Inn at 9.30 am with pick-ups in Repton and Willington, and return to Newton between 3 and 3.30 pm.

To join any of our activities, contact our secretary, Jane, on 01283 564520

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Newton Solney Parish Council News

Bonfire Night: The village bonfire will take place on Saturday 3rd November. It will be lit at 6.30 pm; fireworks will start at 7. Please come along and support.

Gravel Extraction Plan: Derbyshire County Council has recently published its proposed strategy for sand and gravel extraction in the Trent Valley, with potentially significant implications for our area. The plan will shortly be available via the village website. The Parish Council would welcome any feedback.

Code of Practice: At the last council meeting members of the PC voted unanimously to adopt the new Code of Practice for councillors. It will shortly be available on the website. Neighbourhood Watch: For regular NHW updates, please contact Roger Charles.

Free Trees: South Derbyshire District Council has 1,000 trees to give away. See page 23 for details, and apply before the end of October - if possible.

Next Meeting: Friday 9th November at 7.30 pm in the village hall.

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Gardening Notes

Even in such a poor summer, there were winners as well as losers. Although many fruit crops were greatly reduced, most plants grew more strongly with increased foliage. A similar pattern of winners and losers was true of butterflies: whilst numbers of red admiral, peacock, common blue and speckled wood butterflies are reported to be well down, those of meadow brown nearly doubled, ringlet were up by 350% and marbled white by 500%.

It is time now to complete preparations for winter. Insulate greenhouses with bubble wrap and check the heating. Bring tender plants into a frost-proof shelter, and give doubtfully hardy plants protection where they are, or bring them in too.

Cacti should be kept almost dry, as their roots are very susceptible to fungal rot.

In the border, cut back herbaceous plants that are not needed for winter interest, and apply a thick mulch over less hardy plants. Most grasses can be left until spring.

November is the traditional month for planting tulips, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Lily bulbs can also be planted now to establish whilst the soil is still relatively warm. Keep an eye on pots of indoor bulbs growing in a cool place, and move indoors or into the greenhouse any bulbs showing shoots of an inch or more.

Plant shallots and continue planting garlic.

If it is dry, water newly planted bare-root trees and shrubs to make sure they form a good root system. Brief periods of flooding should cause little damage to plant roots, but longer spells will; the water fills the air spaces in the soil, the roots rot and, if the damage is severe, the plant will die.

Prune climbing roses, and tie in longer growth. Reduce the height of tall roses by a third or more to reduce damage from windrock. Hybrid tea and floribunda roses can also have their height reduced, but leave the main pruning until spring.

Cuttings of roses and many shrubs and fruit bushes can be taken now. (With deciduous shrubs, wait until the leaves fall.) Semi-ripe shoots are beginning to firm up in the autumn, but can still produce roots fairly quickly. By November, the growth has become woody, the stems are full of starchy reserves, and the cuttings are very tolerant of imperfect conditions.

Take a long shoot, roughly as thick as a pencil, and cut it into several 20 - 30 cm lengths. Make the top cut just above a leaf node, and the bottom cut just below one. To make sure you know which way up to plant, slant the bottom cut. If the plant is evergreen, remove all the leaves except at the top. Root them, with the lower two-thirds below the surface, in pots of multipurpose compost and grit in a cold frame or greenhouse.

Deciduous cuttings, especially roses, do just as well in open, sheltered ground; dig a V-shaped trench with one vertical side, put a layer of grit in the bottom, line the cuttings along the vertical side, and refill. By next autumn, cuttings should be well-rooted.