January 2013 - Contents Out of Touch? 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 12th January at 10.30 Shell Group for children and young people aged 7 and over Working together in Christian witness Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Evie Grace Castledine Alexandra Jane Outhwaite Marriages Thomas Alger and Sharon Ferris The Memorial Book Repton Benefice Christian Unity ~ Two important services 'Bob Jackson Day' and Lent Course Repton Church: Save our Spire Rejoice! St Wystan's News Mapping the Future in Repton St Wystan's bit of a do! The Advent Carol Service at St Wystan's Repton Primary School Carols at St Wystan's The Beavers visit St Wystan's St Saviour's News St Saviour's Carols by Candlelight St Mary's News Mapping the Future in Newton Solney Newton Solney Christingle Local Diary Event Details Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 2nd January A Service to Celebrate the Dales, Sunday 20th January at 3 pm Repton School Concert: The Carducci Quartet, Wednesday 16th January Following the Star at Messy Church, Sunday 27th January at 4 pm Bill Smith and the Strictly Swing Quintet, Saturday 9th February Environment Matters Clear out and help your favourite charity You and your Pet Pounds off Paws! Neighbourhood Watch South Derbyshire Social Car Drivers Needed Repton Village and History The Dales Repton Rags Repton Scouts are back! Repton Guiding, a chance to volunteer Repton Beavers Repton Cubs Christmas at St Wystan's School Tots Hop 'n' Bop Run into the New Year with Repton Runners Calling all Road Cyclists Recycle your Christmas Tree Live and Local: Steiny's Blues - Such Sweet Thunder , Saturday 16th March Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Repton Parish Council Jottings Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney C of E Infant School Newton Solney Tuesday Club Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes

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Out of Touch?

In a book on his experiences as a journalist, Max Hastings reveals the often one-sided perspective of the media, and how the search for sensationalism can lead to total distortion. Recent revelations also show how they can follow illegal and immoral paths in the quest for stories that will sell. Many have been hurt by such insensitive and uncaring behaviour.

And the Church is not immune. Across the country there are Christian churches in every neighbourhood. A church is nothing other than ordinary people like you and me; without us there would be no church. There are Christians in almost every sphere of life. Volunteers and professionals run youth clubs and children's projects, lunch clubs and soup kitchens, support groups for the sick and bereaved, shelters for the homeless, and chaplaincies in the workplace. At a deeper level, Christians help to mediate when there are local divisions, and engage with other agencies to help the underprivileged and serve local need. They are hugely involved in education, and increasingly work together with other faith groups to further understanding and mutual acceptance. From the House of Lords to the clothes bank in a cold and damp church hall, from leading the nation on Remembrance Sunday to standing in the mud with a farmer in tears on his remote farm in the Peak District, the Church is part of the pulse of the nation.

And what did the media accuse us of when the unfortunate result of the vote over women bishops became known? "The Church of England is out of touch with English society!" What nonsense! The Church is far more in touch with English society than a lot of the media and many senior politicians!

The media and many others assume that if the Church is in touch with society, then it must reflect all the so-called 'progress' of the society in which it exists. If the Church does not approve the values of our society, it is said to be out of touch. This is a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of both the Church and the gospel we proclaim. Christianity should always challenge society to see itself through God's eyes. John the Baptist roundly condemned the immorality of King Herod, and was imprisoned and beheaded as a result. Jesus spoke out against the ways and shortcomings of his society, and was crucified. Many of his teachings turned the values of that society upside down, and they continue to do so today.

What Jesus did was so powerful because while he spoke out against the injustices and wrongs of his society he was in close touch with the people around him. If you read the gospels you will find the majority of his everyday encounters and dealings were with the poor, the sick, the outcasts, people 'on the edge', and ordinary people who gathered to be close to him. He did not offer an alternative society, but revealed how society should better reflect God's kingdom, heaven, here on earth. He taught about love, forgiveness, justice, serving others, peace and recognition of the equal value of men, women and children.

At the start of this New Year that seems to me to be a fine list of core values for us to live by. Whether we are Christian or not, if only more of us could practise them then this world will become far more like the wondrous place God made it to be. The ball is in our court. May 2013 be a good year for you and for us all.

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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 12th January at 10.30

Have you been missing the chance to buy home-made cakes and marmalade, browse the two ranges of birthday cards and have coffee with friends? Don't panic - the wait is nearly over!

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Shell Group for children and young people aged 7 and over

. . . starts the New Year's meetings on Monday 14th January at 6.30 pm. New members are always welcome.

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Working together in Christian witness

At the beginning of a new year, Christians remember that we are one body, seeking to follow more closely the teaching of Jesus. This year's Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been written by an ecumenical group of churches in Southern India. Its theme, 'What does God require of us?' will remind us of our obligation to act justly in the world. We meet to reaffirm our local commitment at the Parish Church on Sunday morning, 13th January. Then, on the evening of 20th January, we reaffirm our global commitment at the United Reformed Church. Everyone is welcome at both services. Please note the times.

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Baptisms

Evie Grace Castledine, daughter of Brandon Castledine and Jodie Warren of Winshill, was baptised on Sunday 25th November at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney.

Alexandra Jane Outhwaite, daughter of Stephen and Joanne Outhwaite of Solihull, was baptised on Sunday 2nd December at St Wystan's Church, Repton.

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Marriages

Thomas Alger and Sharon Ferris were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 15th December.

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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

Christian Unity Two important services

The Covenant Service, Sunday 13th, 10.30 am St Wystan's
Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Sunday 20th, 6.30 pm at the URC

This will be the first time I have been among you for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and I hope that our two joint services with the U.R.C. will see a good turnout.

I know from experience that joint services can often become an excuse for a 'Sunday off', but really they should be one of our higher priorities. We all agree that churches should and must work ever closer together. I am sure you would also agree that we are making progress - but slowly. One reason for our slowness is that local churches often fail to worship together enough. Worshipping together is a first step towards unity. From it will emerge prayer and other initiatives, but first must come that all important uniting worship.

Please read Gerald Gibbs' article above, note the unfamiliar time, and do come together for these services. It will be very good to see you on both occasions.

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'Bob Jackson Day' and Lent Course

Following a very successful Deanery Day earlier this year, Bob Jackson has been invited back to lead a day conference on Saturday 16th February from 9.45 till 4 pm. It is hoped that all three of our Parishes will be well represented. With Ash Wednesday three days earlier, the day will act as a launch pad for our Lent Course, which begins the following week. You do not have to come to the day to go on a Lent Course, and you can come on the day and not attend a Lent Course, but if you can make both, they will complement each other. Please note the date in your diary.

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St Wystan's News

Mapping the Future in Repton

Having approved the Vision and Mission Statements now on display at the back of St Wystan's Church, we are drawing up action plans for the coming year. The Steering Group has taken and acted on all the ideas from the questionnaires and interviews, as well as from the groups who met in November. Some have been delegated to appropriate committees and individuals, the remainder have been grouped - pastoral care, house groups, communications, outreach, stewardship and worship - and after consideration will be presented to the PCC.

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St Wystan's bit of a do!

As usual we have had a busy social time with very successful coffee mornings, lunches, and afternoon teas during the late summer and autumn.

Thank you to Frances and Martin Wimbush who held a 'Quizzical Coffee Morning' in September; to Jane and Patrick Griffiths for Afternoon Tea at Field House, where we bought cards and fancy paper, and finally to Sue and Tom Hyde for a Coffee Morning in November. In the middle of November we also had the Repton Quiz where Audrey Morris again ensured a varied and puzzling set of questions.

Thank you too to all those who provided such a variety of excellent soups and cheeses for the Wednesday lunches, it was really appreciated.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the events throughout the year, made them so enjoyable and also raised £1,286 for the upkeep of St Wystan's Church.

For your diary: As we begin the New Year, our first fixture is the annual 'Potatoes & Pancakes' lunch at 1 Milton Road on Shrove Tuesday, 12th February.

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The Advent Carol Service at St Wystan's

Our organist and choirmaster told me that the Repton Advent Carol Service was a special occasion, and it was. With the Wystan Singers leading our singing as well as helping us focus on the Advent message with wonderfully sung anthems, it all went very well indeed. It being the 'Season of Light', the service began in relative darkness, with the Light of Christ being brought into church. Candles and lights were gradually lit as the service progressed, symbolising the growing light of God's presence in the world.

May I thank all those who helped, not just the musicians, but those who read the lessons and controlled the lighting as well.

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Repton Primary School Carols at St Wystan's

In early December, Repton Primary School pupils, together with families, friends and supporters, filled St Wystan's for their telling of the Christmas story. Readings and prayers from the pulpit, songs from the choir area, music played by the orchestra, and carols sung by the congregation all came together to make a good occasion. The talk was about stars, what they mean to us, their part in the Christmas story, and how Jesus is the greatest star of all. A collection was divided between the Spire Appeal, the school and diabetes support, and the evening concluded with an enthusiastic rendering of 'We wish you a merry Christmas', an appropriate ending for what had been shared.

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The Beavers visit St Wystan's

At the start of December, Repton Beaver Colony held a session at St Wystan's Church, where they were immediately taken back outside to gaze up at the spire, illuminated against a clear night sky, and pondered on how it directed attention upwards, towards God.

Then we had a tour of the church, talking about and labelling areas such as the font, pulpit, organ and lectern, and ending in the crypt. After refreshments we sat in the choir stalls and most of the Beavers came forward to light a candle from the Paschal (Jesus) Candle and say a prayer for someone. They finished off their evening in church drawing their favourite object as a memento of their visit.

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St Wystan's Church: Save our Spire!

Rejoice!

As you will know from previous articles, extensive work is needed at the top of the spire where stonework is badly cracked. With scaffolding in place, the remainder of the spire will be re-pointed and repaired at the same time.

English Heritage originally estimated the cost to be in excess of £200,000, and we have been fundraising to raise our share, with English Heritage providing a grant to cover the remainder. Fundraising has gone well, and we went out to tender, hoping that we would be in a position to do the work this coming year.

It has been a joyous surprise to us that one of the tenders, from a reputable firm well experienced in church restoration, has come in at a far lower figure than English Heritage's projection. Although English Heritage will now lower the level of its grant by a proportionate amount, it still means that we have raised sufficient to pay for the work to be done without the need for any further fundraising events.

Some of the existing initiatives such as 'Sponsor a Stone' will continue to raise money for the Appeal. This is important as scaffolding will be erected inside the spire as well as outside, and we don't know what might need doing there - and paying for - until people can get up there to examine the internal stonework and beams. We trust there will not be the need for great expenditure but it will be good to have a financial cushion, just in case.

May the PCC, the Appeal Committee and I assure all of you who have worked so hard in fundraising, and who have given so generously, that all money given for the spire will be spent on the spire. If in the final accounting a sum remains in the Spire Appeal, then money added to the appeal from our general fundraising and other undesignated sources will be transferred into our fabric fund, dedicated to restoring other parts of our historic and living church.

I am sure you will agree with me that this is a cause for rejoicing. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked so very hard for their time, talents and support, particularly Adrian Argyle, chairman of the appeal committee, Fred Hill, and David Roberts, churchwarden responsible for progressing the work.

We have no start date yet but will keep you informed.

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St Saviour's News

St Saviour's Carols by Candlelight

What a memorable service! With St Saviour's bulging at the seams, pupils from Repton Preparatory School were asked to sit on the cushions by the altar rail to make space for adults. People were standing at the back of the church as well.

The atmosphere was a delight; to conduct the service by candlelight was very special. Thank you to those who decorated the church so simply but effectively. All the bell ringers, readers and singers played their part; thank you one and all, especially Susan Bloor and the Preparatory School chamber choir. Thank you too to the headmaster and Mrs. Merriman for refreshments afterwards. Last but not least, thank you to the gentleman who towed out the cars that had driven off the track onto the field and got stuck in the mud. Truly, it was an evening to remember!

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St Mary's News

Mapping the Future in Newton Solney

The PCC recently decided on vision and mission statements, which are on display in St Mary's Church. They are different from those drawn up at St Wystan's, as one might expect, given the very different natures of the church and community. At the next PCC meeting, the ideas that were tabled at the 'Mission Action' planning meeting will be explored; we pray that God will reveal which projects we should be working on during the coming year.

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Newton Solney Christingle

With many couples who will get married next year joining the service as well as children, the church was comfortably full. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the Christingles; it was really good to have just the right amount, including two for me so that I could use them in Repton Primary School and Newton Solney Infant School in the next couple of days! Rev'd Martin

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Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 2nd January 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!

Please join us at the Dales on Sunday 20th January at 3 pm, for A Service to Celebrate the Dales and all that it has meant to us over 40 years led by Reverend Martin Flowerdew followed by a buffet All friends of The Dales, past and present, are welcome.

Repton School Concerts Society The Carducci Quartet Wednesday 16th January at 7.45 pm in The Robert Beldam Hall Repton's resident string quartet is recognised as one of today's most successful young chamber groups. Winners of many competitions at home and abroad, the quartet has established an enthusiastic international following with over 90 concerts each year. Recent highlights include the world premiere of new commissions by John McCabe and Michael Berkeley, a new recording for Naxos and tours of Columbia, USA and Holland. Tickets for this concert are £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions). For further information or tickets contact Sue Parker 56 Askew Grove, Repton, DE65 6GR. 01283 702550.

Following the Star at Messy Church Fun activities,craft and games,celebration and Sunday tea for children and adults, anyone, any age St Wystan's Church, Sunday 27th January, 4 to 5.30 pm To find out more, contact Ruth Attwood on 702804 or . Everyone is welcome!

Repton Village Society Bill Smith and the Strictly Swing Quintet back by popular demand for the fifth year running Saturday 9th February, 7.30 - 10.15 pm in Repton Village Hall Bring your own food, drink and glasses, and prepare for a great evening! Tickets £8 from Alan Webster, 01283 701838

Environment Matters

Clear out and help your favourite charity

If you have been lucky enough to receive lovely new clothes, or exciting books or toys as presents for Christmas, this could be the right moment to pass on some of your stuff to charity.

New Start Church Community Project is run by Burton-on-Trent Churches and has charity shops in Burton town centre, Stapenhill and Winshill. They particularly want clothes, household linens, books, CDs, DVDs, household items and toys. These are all sold at low prices since the charity is not seeking to sit on profits; any profits that are made are donated to other local charities. The charity does not have a website, but searching for New Start Charity Burton-on-Trent will find the addresses of the shops.

Unlike many charities, the British Heart Foundation can also deal with bigger items, and runs a free collection service for furniture and large electrical goods. Smaller items such as clothes, shoes and handbags, books, CDs and DVDs, children's toys and homewares can be dropped off at their shop.

St Giles' Hospice recently opened a superstore in Burton, specialising in furniture and clothing, but also carrying a wide range of stock. Stop in the car park at the back to drop things off.

So instead of cramming your wardrobes, cupboards and attic, have a sort out and see what you can spare. In times which are already hard, and for the poorest may well be getting harder, there are many who depend on your generosity.

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You and your Pet

Pounds off Paws!

Well, the New Year has arrived and, with it, the resolutions. For pets it's not quitting smoking that matters, but losing weight. Excess weight becomes a common problem when pets - cats, dogs and rabbits - have the opportunity to overindulge. A staggering 50% of the pet population is reported to be overweight.

Check your pet out. You should be able to:

• Feel the outline of his ribs without excess covering, like a thin hand towel over a modern radiator;

• Feel his waist and see it clearly when you look from above;

• See that his belly is tucked up when you look from the side.

Excess weight can result in certain health conditions. Overweight cats, for example, are more prone to diabetes. In all species, excess weight can put more strain on arthritic joints, and in some cases, losing 10% of bodyweight can help to manage arthritis.

Excess weight puts strain on the heart, legs and lungs, and can also increase blood pressure. It will reduce playtime and can decrease life expectancy. Certain pets will be more at risk of cruciate ligament damage.

Clients often ask whether they are feeding the right amount. This can be difficult to judge as the instructions on the back of the bag will cater for the road runner as well as the couch potato! The amount you feed depends on the calorie density of the kibble, as those on diet foods will eat the same volume but consume fewer calories. Boston, my Labrador, does indulge in a few treats, but normally manages to run or swim off the excess. Even the cat, Sassy, who has a Labrador approach to food, needs portion control! The diet of a rabbit should be mostly hay with some good greens such as kale, spinach and savoy cabbage, and a small amount of concentrated food. Once again, low calorie versions are available.

For pets struggling to lose weight, when all the normal tricks have been tried - fewer treats, low calorie food, and increased exercise - then prescription pet foods can be invaluable. These weight management foods are very helpful at kick-starting weight loss. Some can reduce your pet's body fat by up to 22% in two months by using high natural fibre levels to satisfy your pet whilst he loses weight.

Healthy treats for dogs include carrots and vegetables, as well as low salt, gravy ice cubes.

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

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Neighbourhood Watch

Number plate theft: Although many people have taken advantage of the police offer to fit tamper-proof screws, the fact is that number plates are regularly stolen. And if you wonder why, they are apparently used in fuel theft.

Find My iPad: If you buy an Apple smart phone or tablet at Christmas, police urge you to download a free tracking app, 'Find My iPad'. Then, if the item is lost or stolen, you can sign into iCloud and the app highlights its approximate location on a map. It is easy to do, free, and - according to the police - very effective.

A Bonus for You? There is currently an aggressive scam campaign on both emails and social media. An email may offer free vouchers, large discounts or some other unlikely benefit from well-known stores, or a phone app or Facebook link may similarly tempt you to log in to a new page. Always pay close attention to the domain name. It is easy enough to create a mockup of a real Facebook page with a request for your password, so if the domain name of the new page seems fishy, close it. Pop-up messages that advise you to download or install an additional application after you've already started the process are another potential sign of malware. Installing them may infect your computer with a virus.

One tip with emails is to hover your mouse over the link to see what lies below. An email 'Littlewoods' link to https://www.littlewoods.com/login/login.page? came - unsurprisingly - not from their secure site, but from a spam site in the Ukraine. A New Year's bonus for the spammer!

Freezing Weather 1: Winter weather can make driving extra challenging, so, before you set off on a journey:

Check your antifreeze levels, battery and fuel.

Check your tyre pressure; it will drop with the temperature, leaving your car more difficult to handle.

Your survival kit should include a first aid kit, high-visibility vests, de-icing equipment, a torch, blanket and bottled water. Take a shovel with you as well as warm clothes, food and drink. Make sure you take a mobile phone.

Keep all the windows and lights clear.

Stopping distances are up to ten times longer in ice and snow; take things slowly and allow extra time for your journey.

Finally, unless your journey is absolutely essential, stay indoors.

Freezing Weather 2: Check on your vulnerable and older neighbours to ensure that they have sufficient heat and food. If you are worried about them, please contact the police who will ensure the appropriate people are told. If you yourself are feeling vulnerable in any way as a result of the bad weather, please tell your neighbours, friends, relatives, or the police.

Freezing Weather 3: Don't walk or allow your children to play on frozen water. No matter how thick it looks, ice is never safe and the water underneath is very cold.

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

Social Car Drivers Needed     Can you make time to help?

The 'Social Car' scheme uses volunteer drivers and their vehicles to provide transport for people in South Derbyshire who can't access public transport. New drivers are always needed, and currently there is a desperate shortage in our area.

Drivers take people to medical appointments, to see relatives or friends or to go shopping. They provide a lifeline to people who might otherwise find themselves isolated and lonely.

'Social Car' is non profit-making, but clients pay 45p a mile which is passed on to the driver to cover out-of-pocket expenses. If you are interested in volunteering as a driver, please contact Imogen Gallop, Volunteer Coordinator, on 01283 550163 or Alyson Key, CVS Social Car Scheme Organiser, on 01283 551766.

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Repton Village & History

The Dales

If you are familiar with the origins and early history of the Dales, could you please contact Chris Lloyd on 702410. And if you have Ivor Sandars' scrapbook containing a number of articles he wrote about the early years, he would love to hear from you.

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

Repton Scouts are back!

The first meeting of the newly formed Repton Scout troop will be on Wednesday 9th January from 7.30 to 9 pm at the Den. The troop will be starting with two girls and five boys, most of whom have moved up from Cubs. The Scouts' programme includes a wide variety of activities and challenges progressing towards the Chief Scouts Gold Award. The first challenge that faces them is the 'Chiller Challenge', which requires them to spend a night in January camping out under canvas!

If you have a child who is interested in becoming a Scout and want more information, please contact Mike Knowles on 07989 990119.

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Repton Guiding, a chance to volunteer

We are fortunate in Repton to have active Guiding and Scouting units, all of which rely on volunteers. In the New Year, we have three opportunities for you to be involved in Guiding - with Rainbow Guides (aged 5 - 7), Brownie Guides (aged 7 - 10), and Guides (aged 10 - 14). Experience is useful but not necessary as full training would be given for a leadership qualification. If you are over 18 and would relish a new challenge with lots of fun, please call Carol on 703991 for full details.

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Repton Beavers

During December we visited St Wystan's Church, completed the decoration of our Christmas cakes and visited The Dales along with our Musical Ensemble to entertain the residents and serve mince pies.

After the festive break, we start again on Monday 7th January at 6.15 pm. We have a balanced programme of creative, cultural, physical and community based activities, and during the month we plan to practise first aid, visit a football stadium, make junk models and taste a variety of health foods.

If your child is interested in becoming a Beaver, or you would like more information, contact Andy Read, 07790 909138.

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Repton Cubs

After 3 weeks of practice, the Cubs ended the autumn with a performance of circus skills to friends and family, a great evening for all as everyone had a chance to take part at the end of the session. The Cubs have earned a lot of badges and three have achieved the Chief Scout's Silver Award; well done to Barney Williamson, Zara Knowles and Danny Robb for a tremendous effort since we started Cubs up in November 2010.

Cubs will meet again in the New Year on Wednesday 9th January at the new times of 6 to 7.30 pm. There will be more work towards their staged first aid badges, global challenge badge and even some rifle shooting. If your child would like to join Cubs or you would like more information, contact Jez Brooks on 07799 882338

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Christmas at St Wystan's School

The end of the Autumn Term is always a very busy time. Christmas decorations go up and we look forward to our Infant Nativity performance. The costumes are fabulous, and the children really enjoy the rehearsals. Junior School pupils too prepare for their Christmas play and we also have a theatre trip and carol singing. However, our traditional highlight is the end of term Christingle Service, where this year we welcomed Caroline Rossin from Rainbows Children's Hospice to speak and to receive all donations from parents and pupils at the service. Now it is January and we look forward refreshed to a new term; but how quickly the holidays fly!

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Tots Hop 'n' Bop

Street dance classes for 4 to 6 year-olds, have been organised by South Derbyshire Village Games. The hour long sessions, from 11 am till noon, start on Saturday 26th January at The Den, Mitre Drive, and cost £3 per child per session.

Dancing is a great way of getting fit and helps to develop creative skills. It is also terrific fun. For more information, see the advert on page 10 or call Toni Jantschenko, Village games Co-ordinator, on 07909 442996.

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Run into the New Year with Repton Runners

By the time we reach the end of Christmas, we all know we've over indulged a bit; the jeans are a bit tighter from all those lovely mince pies and turkey. If you're wanting inspiration to shape up and get active in January, then why not come along to the Repton Runners? We are a very supportive running group and whether you come along for a plod or want to sprint across the fields, we cater for all abilities and needs. We meet every Wednesday at 7 o'clock outside the Red Lion. Please contact jog leaders Michael, 07971 609998, or Katie (see below) for more information.

Would you like to take up running but don't know where to start?

We are looking to start a beginners' running course in January and would like to know if you are interested. The course is aimed at individuals who have never run before, as well as those who have not run for some time and want a supportive environment to get back into it. It lasts 10 weeks, and not only will it help you increase your fitness, but hopefully it will change your attitude to exercise and give you the information you need to embed it into your lifestyle. Please get in touch to register interest, and expect to see more information around the village soon. Katie Matthews, 07734 711986

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Calling all Road Cyclists

Repton's very own road cycling club is going from strength to strength. Whether you're training for an event, looking to improve your fitness, or just enjoy cycling in company, why not join a new group of cyclists in the area? We leave The Cross at 9 am every Sunday for rides of up to two hours duration. All abilities, all ages, and everyone from novices to Bradley Wiggins-wannabees are more than welcome. For more details, look for Repton Cycling on Facebook or ring Neil on 703363.

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Recycle your Christmas Tree

Although SDDC has not yet published its plans for this Christmas, it has usually been possible to recycle Christmas trees in early January at the recreation ground car park on Twyford Road in Willington, the road that goes out towards the power station. Other sites include Rosliston Forestry Centre and Ticknall Village Hall.

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Steiny's Blues - Such Sweet Thunder ~ Live and Local
Repton Village Hall, Saturday 16th March at 7.30 pm

Steve Steinhaus is a charismatic singer with a big personality who fronts Dr Teeth Big Band and The Steve Steinhaus Swing Band. In 'Steiny's Blues - Such Sweet Thunder', a show bursting with energy, he shares his love for the blues, supported by talented jazz musicians, Tasha Buxton on drums and Jay Moody on keys and saxes. The show features Harlem-style jazz poetry, a cappella gospel songs, call and response singalongs, entertaining stories about the myths and legends of American jazz and blues, and Steve's musical idols. It is interwoven with anecdotes from his childhood in Chicago, his life as a bouncer, musician, poet, school teacher, and as an American living in England.

Following the great success of previous 'Live and Local' shows including Mervyn Stutter and last year's Hoagy, Hornpipes, Handel and Hoedown, we confidently expect a wonderful evening's entertainment, and a sell-out. Tickets at £9.50 should be available later in the month from Repton Post Office, Pat Court, 702599, and Sarah Farrell, 701069. In support of Repton Village Hall.

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Repton W.I.

The December meeting took place on a bitter night with fog threatening, but members soon revived over wine, nibbles and mince pies, while getting into the Christmas spirit with the annual gift exchange and seasonal songs and carols with Hazel Salt and her accordion.

Several members had enjoyed the Group carol service hosted by Briz Valley. The Institute's bursary to attend Denman College was awarded to Lynda Errington, and the first prize in the raffle was won by Peggy Dalton who was attending for the first time for a while. We were pleased to see Lucine, who is recovering from a knee operation, and to hear that Lilwen is now home after her hip operation and stay with the family.

We voted on the two resolutions proposed for the Annual Meeting of the National Federation next June, one about the decline of our High Streets and town centres, and the other, the problem of keeping young people 'suicide-safe' online.

Next meeting: Tuesday 8th January, 7.15 pm in the village hall: Cathy McAteer will speak on Russia. Members were reminded that the annual subscription will be due. Visitors are always welcome.

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Repton Village History Group

In November, Shirley Horton told us about the exploits of people from and around Derbyshire who had travelled and explored adventurously. Many were historical figures and one or two came to a sticky end. However she also touched on modern adventurers, finishing with Dame Ellen MacArthur, the solo long distance yachtswoman.

At our December Christmas social, Ian Hingley described the life of a Norkie in Burton. Norkies were the men from Norfolk and Suffolk who spent the quiet season in their agricultural world at home working in the maltings in Burton. Seven days a week, twelve hours a day, in sweltering temperatures, they continually turned the barley as it germinated to become malt, before being cooked. In the later stages of malting, the huge floors were so hot that there were water troughs at each end to quench their footwear. Men were allowed eight pints of beer a day to make up the liquid they lost by perspiration. Few went home sober!

Next meeting: On Tuesday 15th January, Keith Blood will give an illustrated talk on 'Repton, The Early Days'. 7.30pm in Repton village hall; visitors are most welcome. Members £2, visitors £3, including tea and biscuits. There are also opportunities to get involved in a number of projects. For further information, please contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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Repton Village Society

On Thursday 3rd January, Sir Henry Every, who was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2009, will be talking about the challenging and exciting aspects of this historic role.

Saturday 9th February sees the return of Bill Smith and his Strictly Swing Quintet for another evening of jazz finishing, which this year, by popular request, will finish a little earlier at 10.15 pm. This is an event where you bring your own food, drink and glasses. The proceeds will go to the Save the Spire Appeal. For tickets at £8, contact Alan Webster on 701838.
The Society's forerunner was the Repton Village Preservation Group, established in 1989 to campaign against proposals for large-scale housing schemes that would have greatly altered the character of the parish. It evolved into its present form in 1991, becoming a registered charity and member of the East Midlands Association of Civic and Heritage Societies.

We are notified of all planning applications in the parish and make comments to SDDC as appropriate. In conjunction with the Parish Council, we have produced a Village Design Statement that provides guidelines for developments in the area. We have worked with the Parish Council on village improvement schemes such as the installation of floodlights at the Cross.

The Society also acts as an umbrella organisation to support local events such as the Village Party and the Village Show.

We have a full annual programme of talks and typically four coach trips with a wide range of topics including music, wildlife, architecture, travel, geography and social matters both local and worldwide. This year's events are listed in the diary on pages 31 and 32 of this magazine. Annual subscriptions are £3 for a single membership and £6 for a household; new members are always welcome. Members enjoy reduced entry to talks, priority booking for visits, and members only events. If you are interested or would like to join, please come to any of the meetings, or ring Alan Webster on 701838.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

• Broomhills Pavilion Car Park: The car park and surrounding area have been renovated and improved. Potholes have been filled, weeds cleared and the surface strengthened. The Parish Council was successful in applying for a grant from the Fields in Trust organization, which together with our own funds, has enabled us to carry this out. The pitches are used regularly by local clubs, and we are pleased to be able to improve the facilities; we hope to undertake further improvements in the New Year.
• Future of the Dales: At the Council meeting, we were informed verbally that a contract has now been signed with a developer, and that it is planned to start building at The Dales in June or July, with residents and staff moving in February.
• Relocation of the Parish Council Office: The office will remain at The Dales during January, but we hope to be able to move to a new location within the village the following month. Details will be published on the noticeboards and in the Parish Magazine as soon as they are finalized.
  
  We would like to thank the staff at The Dales for their friendliness and hospitality over recent years and wish them well in their new location.
• Gritting Routes: Derbyshire County Council has published its plans to keep the county's roads open during the winter, with additional routes being added this year. Roads have been grouped into primary, secondary and tertiary routes, each receiving a different level of service. All major routes will be treated day and night and will be pre-treated before bad weather hits. You can find full details and a map on the DCC website at derbyshire.gov.uk; search for 'gritting routes'.
• Repton Brook: After repeated requests from the Parish Council, the Environmental Agency de-silted the brook shortly before this autumn's downpours. Although the washlands were badly flooded and there was some flooding within the village, we are delighted that no property was affected.

Next meeting: Monday 14th January in The Community Room, Fisher Close, Repton, at 7.30 pm.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

In December, several Milton members attended the W.I. Mercia group carol service hosted by Briz Valley and their Community Church. It was very different from our usual carol services: 'O little town of Bethlehem' was sung to the tune of 'Jerusalem', and a small gift was given to each member of the congregation. Unfortunately, our Christmas meeting at The Swan Inn meeting falls too late in December to meet the magazine deadline.

A reminder to members that subscriptions are due in January.

Next meeting: Wednesday 16th January, 7.30 pm in Milton village hall. Our speaker is Mike Kelley, talking about the Cromford Canal.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E Infant School

Community Collective Worship is held on the first Thursday morning of the month in the school hall for parents, carers and local residents. Our next worship will be on Thursday 10th January at 9.15 am. You are most welcome to join us.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

Our activities for this year were completed with Christmas lunch at the Newton Park Hotel. There were 47 members present, we spent a very pleasant afternoon and were excellently looked after.

In November our trip to Trentham was well supported. It gave members and friends a chance to start Christmas shopping, which, judging by the number of bags that people were carrying, was obviously successful.

On behalf of the committee, thank you to everyone who has attended our meetings and supported our trips and activities during the year. We have put together what we hope will be an interesting programme for the coming spring, and look forward to seeing you all in 2013.

Tuesday 15th January, 2.30 pm

A business meeting followed by a talk on 'Mother of Pearl' by George Hook. He may well bring items for sale, so bring some extra cash or your cheque book!

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Newton Solney W.I.

Eight of our members attended the Mercia Group carol service hosted by Briz Valley, and had a most enjoyable evening. Then our Christmas meeting was a huge success with a musical extravaganza provided by Tanya Hilton, a professional concert pianist, born in Russia and educated in St Petersburg. We had a great time.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 8th January at 7.30 pm, when Judy Colby will speak on 'Rags to Riches - The Wardrobe Mistress'. The next Whist Drive will be on Tuesday 29th January at 7 pm. Both are in the Village Hall and, as always, new members will be most welcome.

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Gardening Notes

A happy New Year to all gardeners! May the weather be better than in 2012!

When the weather permits, there is plenty to do in January. Check violas and winter pansies for downy mildew, disposing of affected leaves and any badly affected plants. Remove the old foliage of hellebores to reveal the emerging buds.

Finish pruning apple and pear trees; check grease bands and replace where necessary. Prune established wisteria, reducing last year's growth to two or three buds. Prune small shrubs such as potentilla and spiraea every three years to keep them compact.

Plant bare root trees, hedging and roses. If you can't deal with them immediately, heel them in, but don't let frosted soil touch the roots. If the ground is too frozen, cover them with sacking in a frost-free place. With plants bought in containers, it may be better to prune fine roots rather than tease them out, which may damage them; pruning is thought to stimulate new growth. Bigger roots are best teased out.

You can still take root cuttings of trees and shrubs that naturally produce suckers, including Chaenomeles, Robinia and Syringa, and of herbaceous plants. For shrubs, take thicker root cuttings approximately 5 - 10 cm in length, with a sloping cut at the base and a horizontal cut on top so that you know which way up to insert them vertically in the potting medium. However, to ensure enough food reserves, finer rooted species such as phlox need longer root sections of 7.5 - 12.5 cm; lay them horizontally in a seed tray, cover with 1cm of compost and topdress with grit. Leaves should appear in the spring.

Check the moisture levels of container plants brought into shelter; deprived of rain, they may dry out.

The fungus which causes peach leaf curl is spread by rain, so protect the plant with plastic sheeting from January to May. This is easiest where peaches are trained against a fence or wall. Your shelter should cover the top of the tree and the front to within 30cm of the ground, but leave the ends open to allow access for pollinating insects.

Hoe and remove winter weeds. They can host various pests including aphids and rust.

Where possible, complete winter digging in the vegetable garden. Start to force rhubarb: cover the crown with a layer of straw over and place the forcing pot - possibly an old bin or other opaque container - over it.

Check greenhouse plants for whitefly, red spider mite, scale insects and mealy bugs. Then sow broad beans, spinach, salad onions, radishes and lettuce in the greenhouse or a cold frame. You can start to chit early potatoes in a tray or egg boxes in a cool, light but frost-free place. Tender plants such as pelargoniums need a minimum temperature of 5°C.

Use floats to prevent ponds from freezing over completely; if there are fish, a heater may be needed. If the pond does freeze over, rather than smash the ice, which may damage the fish or pond walls, melt it by placing a pan of hot water on the surface.

Clay pots are easily damaged by frost, as the moisture in the clay freezes; the higher the temperature at which the pot has been fired, the more frost resistant it will be. Glazing prevents moisture getting in from the outside, but not the inside. Frost damages plants in a similar way: the water inside the cells freezes and ruptures the cell walls. Hence, sappy green growth will suffer, but deciduous trees will survive, having drained much of the water from their cells. That is also why we shouldn't walk on frosty grass.