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The Parish Magazine Repton, Foremark, Milton, Ingleby, Newton Solney
December 2014

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 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 Posada Children's Nativity Services, Sunday 14th December Christingle Service, Sunday 21st December Candlelight Carols, Sunday 21st December Family Service, Christmas Morning Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th January SHELL for children and young people aged 7+ Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Freddie David Betts Marriages Zoe Elizabeth Maddocks and Benjamin Ashdown Obituaries Jean Edith Deniss The Memorial Book Derby Diocese and the wider Church Derby Churches Night Shelter Repton Benefice Christmas Services Remembrance: 'For your tomorrow we gave our today' Groups St Wystan's News Sunday Club Welcome to St Wystan's Church The Staffordshire Hoard Exhibition Trees in St Wystan's Churchyard St Mary's News Children's Society Collection Local Diary Event Details Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 3rd December Repton School Concert: Tango Volcano, Wednesday 3rd December Concert with Soup & Sweet, Friday 5th December Repton School Carol Service, Sunday 7th December Repton School Christmas Bands Concert, Wednesday 10th December A Festive Concert of Light and Enjoyable Music with Beatus, Saturday 13th December Repton URC Christmas Nativity Services, Sunday 14th December Christingle @ Messy Church, Sunday 14th December Repton Village Hall Appeal Repton Village and History Repton Rags, Fridays 5th and 19th December Congratulations to Repton Primary School Repton Rags Repton & District Poppy Appeal Christmas Singalong with the Children's Christmas Orchestra, Thursday 18th December Stocking Fillers Scouts Repton Road Club Repton School Science Lecture Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Whatever happened to Zytek? Repton Parish Council Jottings Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton Village Christmas Party Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney W.I. Newton Solney Tuesday Club Newton Solney Parish Council News South Derbyshire Stamp & Deliver ~ Derby & District Scouts deliver your Christmas mail What's On in South Derbyshire and The National Forest Fly-Tipping Environment Matters Keep fit in winter Charities Home-Start Neighbourhood Watch Rich Pickings for Burglars Gardening Notes

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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Earlier this year I travelled with several other curates to the Holy Land, where we visited many of the sites associated with Jesus' life and ministry. Needless to say, one of the most important was Bethlehem, the City of David, where Christ was born in a stable and visited by shepherds. Having many choristers in the group, we sang hymns in the various churches that we visited. In the Church of the Angels, in the Shepherd's Fields, it seemed most appropriate to sing the carol 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', for as the Bible tells us: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest heaven – and on earth peace among those whom he favours'." (Luke 2:13-14)

There is something about Christmas that really makes you want to sing. Many people hardly ever sing in public; I'm one of them, and yet I love music, especially church music, and I would dearly love to have a wonderfully melodic voice. Yet Christmas can turn even the most reluctant singer, even me, into something of a musical extrovert.

Christmas carols are one type of music almost everybody enjoys. They probably started life as interludes in the popular mystery plays of the Middle Ages, when different guilds would act out scenes from the life of Jesus on carts around the towns. The word 'carol' is derived from the Italian word 'Carola' which means 'ring dance', and the first carols were actually dances. Perhaps people danced their way through the streets from one scene of the play to the next. The words told the story of Christmas for those who were unable to read it for themselves.

Sadly the Puritans, who disliked any form of dancing, banned this form of entertainment, but some of the old carols survived as sing-songs in the local taverns. Now, there's a challenge for our local innkeepers.

In the churches only metrical settings of the Psalms were allowed, and when other forms of singing were introduced in the nonconformist churches it wasn't the old carols that were revived but newly written Christmas hymns. One of the most prolific hymn writers was Charles Wesley who wrote more than 6,500 hymns. Among them, first published in 1739, was 'Hark how the welkin sings - Glory to the King of kings!' In 1753 the words were changed to the familiar words that we know today: 'Hark! The Herald Angels sing'. The tune we use was originally composed by Mendelssohn, who described it as "soldier-like and buxom, more appropriate to popular music than for religious use".

The hymn is said to be one of the four most popular hymns in the English language. It not only tells the story of Jesus' birth and the shepherds in the fields, but it also explains why it is so important to us: this humble child is the divine Son of God come to earth to save us from death and guilt - a child fully human, yet completely divine.

The story of Jesus begins - and ends - in music. When the shepherds heard of his birth the heavens were filled with the voices of the Herald Angels, singing and praising God with heavenly anthems, anthems ringing out in praise of God for all eternity.

So if I ever make it to heaven I do hope God will bless me with a voice like Katherine Jenkins', so I can become a truly tuneful musical extrovert.

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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

Join us at our Christmas services
and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas!

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Posada

Please sign up to give a night's shelter to the holy family!

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Children's Nativity Services

This year we are presenting a new play with lots of humour to delight children and adults alike! The evening service will be followed by coffee and mince pies.

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Christingle Service

On the morning of Sunday 21st December everyone makes their own Christingle to take home and let its light shine throughout the season.

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Candlelight Carols

Join us on the evening of Sunday 21st December to sing all your favourite carols in the candles' glow, followed by coffee and mince pies.

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Christmas Morning at 10.30 am

A service for all the family that lasts about half an hour. Remember to bring a present to show to the congregation!

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The next Coffee Morning

. . . will be on Saturday 10th January at 10.30 am - a chance to restock your shelves with cakes, marmalade and all kinds of treats.

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SHELL for children and young people aged 7+

. . . will recommence on Monday 12th January at 6.30 pm.

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Baptisms

Freddie David Betts, son of Natalie and Peter of Springfield Road, Repton, was baptised at the United Reformed Church on Sunday 26th October.

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Marriages

Zoe Elizabeth Maddocks and Benjamin Ashdown of Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, were married at St Saviour's Church, Foremark on Saturday 25th October.

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Obituaries

Jean Edith Deniss
13th November 1936 - 20th September 2014

Jean was born in north London where her father, a stone mason had set up business in Watford. In 1946 the family moved to Greenford and she attended Walpole Grammar school, a small mixed school, before going on to Acton Technical College to learn shorthand and typing. Her first job was with Glaxo, which was then a small company, before she moved onto Taylor Woodrow.

Even though both attended the same school, both were of similar age, and both took part in the school orchestra, Jean playing the saxophone and Roger, her future husband, the violin, it was not until long after school that they met, in 1960 at a football dance. Jean recalled that Roger was rather shy, and it was actually she who took the lead, going to his house to ask him out. They married in 1962.

With two children born in 1964 and 1966, Jean's career was put on hold, whilst Roger worked very long hours. In the next few years the family moved via Wetherby and York to Lichfield, before finally settling in Repton in 1971. It was in York that Roger joined the recently merged Bass Charrington, becoming chief vehicle examiner, and when he moved to the Midlands, Jean also took a job with them. In Burton she became senior secretary to Roy Cooper, the group estates director, working for him for some 19 years. According to Roy she was very efficient, but he did have to remind her who was boss!

Alongside her own job, Jean was helping Roger who managed a team of vehicle examiners, inspecting vehicles all over the country. Jean became business mum to these nomads, developing with them close bonds of affection. As one retired vehicle examiner said at her funeral: "It's just like losing your own mum."

About 1968, deeply affected by the death of her father, Jean had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, with the help of her family, her colleagues and medication, she was able to manage the illness and lead an active life both at work and socially. She was a strong support to Roger and Repton Casuals, ferrying junior footballers in the 1970s and 1980s and organising music evenings at home, where she played the piano and alto saxophone.

Jean was a lovely, warm person with a heart of gold, always ready to help out. Her funeral was well attended by friends and former colleagues. She will be deeply missed.

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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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Derby Diocese and the wider Church

Derby Churches Night Shelter

This year's Christmas Charity Market, run by Churches Together in Repton, supports Derby Churches Nightshelter.

The shelter was started last year in response to Derby City Council's severe cut in funding for homeless beds. For four months, from the beginning of December to the end of March, seven church venues in or near the city centre each opened one night a week in rotation. 250 volunteers were involved in catering for 240 different guests and serving 2799 hot meals. The shelter was usually full after Christmas, and although some had to be turned away, all were found somewhere to stay.

This year again, the shelter will offer a warm welcome and substantial meal to 35 of the most vulnerable, single rough sleepers, before paid overnight staff take over as they sleep in sleeping bags on mattresses. Volunteers cover the evenings from 8 till 10, the mornings, do the admin, drive the van and give advice. Most have already been trained, but if you would like to be involved, contact nightshelter@derbycitymission.org.uk. Where everyone can help is through donation. The Night Shelter costs something like £75,000. As you enjoy a warm and cosy Christmas, remember those on the street, and be generous in your support.

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Repton Benefice

Christmas Services

St Wystan's: Advent Candlelight Service: Sunday 30th November, 6 pm

This service of candlelight and soft illuminations is a lovely way to celebrate the start of the Advent season. It includes well-known Advent carols and hymns sung by the congregation, together with 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.

Christmas Carols by Candlelight: Sundays 7th and 21st December

The churches will be candlelit for these popular services.

7th: St Saviour's at 6.30 pm

For this service of traditional readings and well known carols we are joined by the boarders from Foremarke School, and the chamber choir will sing anthems. Afterwards, by the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Merriman, there will be coffee and mince pies in the assembly hall.

21st: St Mary's at 4 pm

The warm cosy atmosphere of St Mary's lends itself to a candlelit service. With traditional readings and well known carols this service will warm the hearts of everyone who comes.

21st: St Wystan's at 6.30 pm

We celebrate the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols, similar to that broadcast from King's College Chapel on Christmas Eve. Hearing the Christmas story as well as listening to and joining in some wonderful carols will remind our hearts and minds of what Christmas really means.

Parish Communion and Gift Service at St Wystan's
Sunday 14th December at 9.45 am

Again this year, our gifts to support the valuable and much needed work of Home-Start in South Derbyshire will be donations of money. These are challenging times for all organisations that rely on charitable giving, and Home-Start is enormously grateful for our help. If you would like to contribute, please bring cash or a cheque payable to 'Home-Start South Derbyshire'. Your gifts will be received during the service as usual and a representative will join us at the service to tell us more about their work.

Christingle Service at St Mary's: Sunday 14th December at 10 am

This will form part of the Family Service. Everyone will be most welcome to join in a Celebration of the Light of Christ.

MESSY Christingle at St Wystan's: Sunday 14th December at 4 pm

Make your own Christingle, share in a short service and stay for tea. A collection will be taken for the work of The Children's Society; if you would like a collecting flame to fill and bring on the day, please pick one up from church. Children at Repton Primary School will be able to take one from school.

Crib Service at St Wystan's: Christmas Eve, 4 pm

Everyone is welcome to this popular service where children sing Christmas songs and use figures from the crib scene to build up the Christmas tableau as the Christmas story is told. The Church Army introduced this way of preparing for Christmas and so we make a retiring collection for their work in disadvantaged urban communities in our country.

Midnight Communion at St Wystan's: Christmas Eve, 11.30 pm

This is the first Communion of Christmas, and at this hour during the night when Christ was born a very special service indeed. Sing popular carols and share Christmas together on this most blessed of nights.

Christmas Day Services

Repton at 8 am, Foremark at 9 am and Newton Solney at 10 am

Christmas Communion.

St Wystan's, Family Carol Service at 10.30 am

The Family Carol Service with its focus on children and traditional carols is always one of the most popular Christmas services. Come along, join in, and share the true spirit of Christmas.

Carols and Communion, Sunday 28th December
St Wystan's at 9.45 am, St Mary's at 10 am

A 'Chance to Pause in God's Presence' in the midst of this period between Christmas and the New Year. Take a break from the sales and come to worship!

New Year's Eve Watch-night Service: St Wystan's at 11.30 pm

The Watch-night Service welcomes in the New Year and is followed by bell-ringing, bring and share refreshments and fireworks.

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'For your tomorrow we gave our today'

On a mild, sunny day, the local scout and guide movements turned out in force to support the Royal British Legion Club as they paraded to St Wystan's and, once inside, the church was packed. George Elliott, Chairman of the Repton Branch read the Roll of Honour, as well as the familiar words of Laurence Binyon and the Kohima Epitaph.

The standard bearers played their part splendidly. The winner of their competition was Sophie Jacobs of the Scouts, but Alexander Cheeseman (Beavers), Freya Arnold (Brownies), Flynn Williams (Cubs), and Matthew Elliott (Repton British Legion) all did great credit to their organisations.

After the service the congregation gathered around the War Memorial. Wreaths were laid by Roger Chapman, Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire, on behalf of the Queen, by Tom Hyde, President of the Repton Branch of the Royal British Legion, John Shortt on behalf of Repton Parish Council, Martin Ford for DCC and Peter Smith for SDDC. Lily Trueman and Rudy Bramall, and Abigail Soutar and Tom Watson laid wreaths on behalf of Repton Primary and St Wystan's Schools respectively. Then, with the Deputy Lieutenant taking the salute at The Cross, the parade processed back to the Legion where refreshment was to hand.

Two days later, on Tuesday 11th November, despite miserable weather, members of the Royal British Legion together with a party of 40 children attended an Act of Witness at the War Memorial for the two minutes' silence.

Foremark

The service at Foremark was enhanced by Foremarke Hall musicians including the choir and brass quartet. The Headmaster, Richard Merriman, led the Act of Remembrance, with the names of those who had lost their lives including one ex-pupil. Trumpeters from the school played The Last Post and Reveille.

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Groups

Intercessory Prayer for Healing meets at 3 Richmond Court at 7.30 pm on Monday 1st December.

The Bible Study Group studying the Acts of the Apostles will meet at 7.30 pm on Thursday 4th December at 28 The Pastures. Please see Stephen Longden if you are interested in joining them.

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St Wystan's News

9.45 am at St Wystan's Church - EVERY Sunday EXCEPT the 1st Sunday of the month when we all 'Worship Together' Sunday Club for 4 - 11 year olds Join us for Bible stories, craft & games. All are most welcome! Ring Jane Griffiths for more details: 01283 559390

Welcome to St Wystan's Church

During December, we are pleased to welcome Repton Primary School, St Wystan's School and the local area Guides for their carol services, when the church will be filled with the sound of joyful young voices

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The Staffordshire Hoard Exhibition

Following an idea from the vicar and reflecting his interest in archaeology, during October and November St Wystan's Church hosted the Staffordshire Hoard touring exhibition. About 2,000 people came to visit, including 500 children from eight local schools.

Stewarding and catering made great demands, but people responded to the challenge magnificently. We thank them all for their contributions: greeting people, serving refreshments and providing cakes. We are particularly grateful to Karen Perks for organising the rota, Jan Gillham and Carol Lloyd for over-seeing the catering, Andy and Margaret Austen for devising and setting up the local history display, and Andy Austen, Wendy Mann and Morag Hill for speaking to visiting groups. We also thank the Parish Council for covering the extra insurance costs.

Provision for children (and others) has been considerably enhanced by artefacts and books borrowed from the Jorvik Centre in York and Derbyshire Libraries, and also by the Saxon re enactors who were with us on two occasions.

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Trees in St Wystan's Churchyard

The trees in the churchyard are looking a lot tidier now since work - agreed with the Local Authority and faculty - was carried out in mid November. Along the front boundary the lime trees have been reduced and dead wood removed. The yew trees near the path have also been trimmed, the large one being reduced in size as the first part of a ten-year phased reduction to keep it in good health whilst its impact on the view of the church is lessened. We are grateful to the donor who has contributed to the cost of this work. Further minor work has been agreed and will be carried out in due course.

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St Mary's News

Children's Society Collection

St Mary's annual 'box' collection for the Children's Society raised £517.29. On behalf of all the vulnerable children and young people whom the society supports, thank you to everyone who donated. If you would like to learn more about the work of the Children's Society, or wish to become a box holder in the coming year, please contact Linda Williams on 701366.

Soup, Cheese and Chat! Wednesday 3rd December from 12.30 to 1.30 pm in St Wystan's Church £4.   Karen's homemade soup, bread and cheese followed by coffee.   And a chat! Everyone welcome. Do come!

Repton School Concerts Society Tango Volcano Wednesday 3rd December at 7.45 pm in The Robert Beldam Hall Tango Volcano is a London-based tango band, launched in 2001, that has wowed festival audiences throughout the country, gigged in central London venues and recorded their highly-praised album 'Catching Fire'. The band brings together the experience and passion of some of London's top professional musicians with the specialised sound of the bandoneon - the heart-rending voice of the tango. 'You won't hear tangos better played anywhere.' Richard Morrison – The Times Tango Volcano, complete with dancers will surely take our breath away.   This concert celebrating the Argentinian tango will be a fantastic spectacle both aurally and visually. Tickets cost £13.50 and £10.50 (concessions). For further information or tickets contact Sue Parker 56 Askew Grove, Repton, DE65 6GR. 01283 702550.

St Wystan's Church Repton Concert with Soup & Sweet A concert by pupils from Foremarke School followed by a home-made soup & sweet lunch Friday 5th December at 12 noon Produce Stall : Cakes : Books Tickets £5 from Jan and David Roberts, 702159 In support of St Wystan's Church

Repton School Carol Service followed by a reception in the 400 Hall for parents, staff and parish Sunday 7th December at 6.30 pm in Repton School Chapel Free.    No ticket required

Repton School Christmas Bands Concert Repton School Concert and Jazz Bands and Foremarke Hall Wind Band Wednesday 10th December at 7.30 pm Pears School, Repton School FREE tickets are available from The Lodge (just inside the Arch)

A Festive Concert of Light and Enjoyable Music Beatus Saturday 13th December, 7.30 pm at St Wystan's Church Tickets including festive refreshments £12.50 from Frances Wimbush, 01283 703180, and Carol Lloyd, 01283 702410

Repton United Reformed Church Christmas Nativity Services The children and young people present Ready, Steady, Christmas! Sunday 14th December, 11 am and 6.30 pm

Christingle @ Messy Church Come and make your own Christingle, share in a short service and stay for tea St Wystan's Church, Sunday 14th December, 4 to 5.30 pm A collection will be taken for the work of The Children's Society; if you would like a collecting flame to fill and bring on the day, please pick one up from church. Children at Repton Primary School will be able to take one from school. Fun activities,craft and games,celebration and Sunday tea for children and adults, anyone, any age To find out more, contact Ruth Attwood on 702804 or . Everyone is welcome!

Repton Village Hall Appeal

Halloween saw almost 90 children enjoy an exciting Halloween Disco with games, dancing and tricky treats. Tickets had sold out very quickly, and the event was a major success, raising over £300. A huge thanks to Redshaws Butchers for donating the hotdogs, and to Neil Redshaw for judging the fancy dress competition. Plans are already in place to hold another disco next year!

A fortnight later, Repton Christmas Fayre hosted Santa's Grotto, craft stalls, a fantastic homemade cake stall, tombola, wine and water and lucky dips. There was great support from local business, and a big thanks to a brilliant Santa. The event raised over £650. Thank you to Elaine Newbold and Sue Kitchener for their very hard work in planning and running both these very successful events.

Coming up this month

On Saturday 13th December at 7.30 pm, Beatus will be performing a Festive Concert of light and enjoyable music in St Wystan's Church. The ticket price of £12.50 includes festive refreshments. This will be a lovely evening to begin the Christmas season. Tickets are available from Frances Wimbush on 01283 703180, or Carol Lloyd, 01283 702410.

Repton Ghost Walk on 19th December is already full, but if there are enough people another will be formed. Please get in touch to add your name to the existing waiting list, 76 High Street (9 am - 5 pm) or 01283 703828. Adults only. Tickets cost £20 including mince pies and warming sustenance.

For your diary

Events are already being planned for next year. On 21st February, Repton Village Society is organising 'An evening with Cantata'. Then on 7th March a 'Murder Mystery Evening' will be great fun. On 19th March there will be a Friendly Bridge Day, and on 24th April a St George's Evening with Bangers & Mash supper.

All these events are raising money for your village hall, but we do need more people to help. If you could possibly help in any way, please, please ring Adrian on 01283 538222, or Carol, 01283 702410.

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Repton Village & History

Repton Rags Boys & girls aged 7 to 14 Fun and games, indoors and out, and plenty of time to chat with your friends Fridays 5th and 19th December, 6.30 to 8 pm at the Den      £1 a head 5th, Bushcraft       :       19th Christmas Party More info from Julie Groom, 0797 4998852 or . Come along and have fun!

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Congratulations to Repton Primary School

. . . placed 82nd in a list compiled by the Sunday Times of the top 100 primary schools in the entire country. And to put that in perspective, in 2013 there were 16,784 maintained primary schools in England. The ranking is based on average scores in last year's English and Maths Sats tests. It is an achievement of which pupils and staff can all be very proud!

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Repton Rags

On the 5th we have a guest speaker, Dave, who will talk about survival skills and bushcraft. Then on the 19th we have our Christmas Party with the brilliant magician, Duncan Williams, to entertain us; there will be games too. We will also be doing a 'secret santa' and are asking each child to bring a unisex present costing no more than £2. Please put your child's name on the present on a small label, so that we can make sure your child doesn't get the same present back!

On 9th January we have organised a trip to Derby University at Kedleston Road to be shown around and have a couple of workshops. Some of the children may not be ready for this yet, but we need to plan for our older age groups as well. If your child would like to come, we will meet at the Kedleston Road entrance at 6 pm. Please organise lifts between yourselves, and let us know if you have spaces or cannot find a lift.

On 23rd January we have a visit from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who will give us some top tips to protect wildlife and tell us what to look for in our gardens and round about.

Each time we are at RAGS there is a notice board in the hall, with events, letters and so on, so you can also find information there. Hope to see you at RAGS, and have a happy Christmas!

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Repton & District Poppy Appeal

The collection taken at this year's Service of Remembrance at St Wystan's contributed £330 towards this year's Poppy Appeal; it now stands at £8,503.65.

The Branch is grateful to all the businesses, groups and individuals who have contributed in any way towards this magnificent total. Special thanks go to the Rotary Club of Etwall and Hilton who raised £1,018.15 by helping to run a stall at the Aldi store in Hilton.

Fundraising continues until the 30th September 2015, but this year's appeal is well on course to beat last year's total of £8,692, an achievement for us all to be proud of.

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Christmas Singalong with the Children's Christmas Orchestra
6 pm, Thursday 18th December

The Children's Christmas Orchestra will once again assemble on the 'green' at The Crescent - off Askew Grove - to perform a range of carols for you to sing along to. Come warmly dressed with a powerful torch and join in the fun. Advanced musicians are welcome to turn up on the night, but some of us will practise a few times first! Please get in touch if you want to rehearse with us.

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Stocking Fillers

'We Will Remember Them' commemorates the 43 men from Repton, Milton, Foremarke and Ingleby who died in the Great War. A small number are still available from Redshaws Butchers and the RVHG. All the profits go to the RBL Poppy Appeal.

The Repton Spoon is an ideal gift for anyone with Repton connections. In silver-plated pewter it costs £35. Contact Frances Wimbush on 703180. There are also pictures at reptonchurch.uk.

Repton Village History Group publications include 'Notices and Jottings from St Wystan's Parish Magazine from 1889 to 1937', 'Repton - Historic Capital of Mercia', and 'Mr Astbury's Repton Diary of Summer 1843', an appealing record of village life. They are available from Jenny Sayers, 701521, or through reptonvillage.org.uk. Similarly, 'A Short History of Foremarke', 'Repton Remembered', the 'History of Willington Bridge' and 'Remember the Blue Bus Service'.

Greetings cards, a guide to St Wystan's Church by Dr. Harold Taylor, and the 'Repton Trail' are all available from St Wystan's Church. The latter is a very useful guide for visitors and newcomers. For St Wystan's Church mugs, £7.50, and tea towels, £5, contact Karen Perks on 702392, or Frances Wimbush as above.

Finally, among the many guides to Calke, Colin Kitching's edition of the diaries of Sir George Crewe, 'Squire of Calke Abbey', gives a fascinating picture of Calke in the early years of the 19th century. You can find it at Calke or on the internet.

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Scouts

November started with a visit to Swadlincote Ski Centre for some tobogganing and tubing, it was great fun and Maiya became the first Scout to be invested from the top of the ski slope.

As well as parading on Remembrance Sunday and joining in the Remembrance Service the Scouts also raised money for the Poppy Appeal, bag packing at Sainsbury's in Swadlincote. During the month we have also been looking at various aspects of the Emergency Aid badge, including making stretchers out of blankets and using the recovery position. At the end of the month some of the Scouts had a visit to see Leicester Tigers and the same day we did a night hike and camp. This is in part to prepare for Wintercamp, an action packed weekend of camping and fun in January.

If you would like more information, please contact Mike Knowles, 07989 990119.

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Repton Road Club

With the early sunset there are no Thursday evening rides, but we leave The Cross every Sunday at 9 am. Rides last about two hours, and riders of all abilities are welcome. Once a month, a longer ride is planned in, often with a café stop, though a shorter option is always possible; find details on the club's Facebook page - facebook.com/ReptonRoadClub. An additional ride or two over the holiday period may also be planned - keep an eye on the Facebook page. There are no club membership fees - just turn up in time to join other riders on Sunday mornings. For more details, contact Neil on 703363.

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Repton School Science Lecture

The Christmas Science Lecture, which was to take place on 5th December, has been postponed until 2015.

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Repton W.I.

In November we enjoyed watching Jenny West prepare a festive meal with lots of ideas for Christmas, all of which could be adapted for other special occasions. We sampled spicy parsnip soup, cheese and bacon whirls and sausage plait, followed by the yummiest chocolate fondue with fruit and washed down with a white mulled wine. We were delighted to hear that Pam was recovering well from her operation and wished Carol a speedy recovery from hers.

Members were encouraged to sign up for the Spring Council meeting in Chesterfield, where Peter Snow will be the main speaker.

In the middle of the month, a very successful Dabble Day was held in the village hall when visitors and members could have a go at different crafts, have coffee or tea and cake and stay for a soup lunch, all home-made. Everyone had a lovely time, whether they stayed all day or just came for the morning or afternoon.

The December meeting is on Tuesday 9th; Cathy McAteer will tell us about 'A Happy Russian Christmas'. There will be the usual gift exchange (no more than £2) and festive eats. We look forward to welcoming new members and visitors in the village hall at 7.15 pm.

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Repton Village History Group

In October, Repton figured quite a bit in Robert Mee's talk on Societies for the Prosecution of Felons; a retired police inspector, he had used our archive for his MA dissertation. The aim of Repton SPF, formed in 1787, was to help people with the cost of prosecutions which, even after a police force was formed, could be expensive.

In November, Dr. Wendy Freer talked about the history of coalmining in the area. There is a little evidence that Romans (and even pre-historic groups) mined locally. Most is of bell pits, often scores of pits in a single field. These gradually developed into proper underground workings. Improvements in transport and water pumping were the two factors that enabled the industry to prosper. Wendy is retiring this year, so this was her last talk to us.

Our December meeting is a social meeting for members. The next open meeting is on 20th January when Brian Stone will talk about the 'Civil War in Derbyshire'. For further information please contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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Repton Village Society

By Armistice Day well over 4 million people had visited 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red', Paul Cummins installation of poppies at the Tower of London, but on 25th October when we finally arrived after long delays, it seemed as if they were all there at once! At some points around the moat the crowd was five deep, but everybody was good natured: people just stood against the railings for a short time to reflect and take photographs before moving on to make room for others. On the way home, somebody on the coach said that they didn't mind the delays on our journey down: we were lucky to be alive to experience them; 888,826 young men had never had that chance. That probably sums up the feelings of all who were there. It was a truly remarkable and poignant sight.

Carol and Roger Heap are the owners of the Chestnut Centre, a 50 acre wildlife park near Chapel en le Frith that is home to otters, owls, deer, polecats, harvest mice, Scottish wildcat, red fox and pine martens. It is open to the public, and there is also the opportunity to spend a day with a keeper. In their fascinating talk Carol and Roger described how the centre has grown from a hobby to its present size - all because of a phone call from one of their sons to Sir Peter Scott seeking advice on the care of otters. Injured animals and birds that are brought to the Centre are restored to health and released back into the wild wherever possible, and a successful breeding programme is running as well.

Thursday 8th January: 'Desert Birding – Hard Work but Worth It'

For obvious reasons, this meeting will be on the second Thursday of the month. In January this year Colin McShane talked about bird ringing in Rybachy, a small village in the Kaliningrad region of Russia. At the start of 2015, he will be highlighting the wide range of birds, both resident and migratory, to be found in the deserts of Tunisia, as well as covering the journey, the places and the people involved.

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Whatever happened to Zytek?

If you have passed Zytek recently, you will have noticed that the name outside has changed.

Created in 1981 by Bill Gibson to provide engine management systems to motorsport, Zytek supplied the first fully electronic engine management system to be seen in Formula One, in the Toleman-Hart car driven by a young Ayrton Senna. The firm had two branches, Zytek Engineering in Repton, and Zytek Automotive based in Lichfield. The latter, retaining the Zytek name, was sold earlier this year to the German company, Continental AG, and at the beginning of October, Zytek Engineering, a leading motorsport and powertrain specialist, changed its name to Gibson Technology.

Bill Gibson made clear, however, that everything else here at Repton remains totally unchanged: "I intend to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the motorsport world, in both current and new technologies."

Gibson Technology will continue to design, produce and support LMP2 race cars and engines, with which it won the 24 hours of Le Mans this year, and also supply teams in the WEC, TUSCC and ELMS championships. In addition, the firm designs, manufactures and maintains 530 bhp V8 engines for the entire Renault World FR3.5 Series, Auto GP and FA1 Championships.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

New Street Names: South Derbyshire District Council has now given us the street names for the new development adjacent to Repton Primary School. After consulting the Chairman of the Parish Council, the developer has agreed to use names which have some local connection and a link with the past. They are: Greenhill Court, Clayfields Road, (both from local field names appearing on the 1762 map near the development site) and Holbrook Court, a tribute to Joseph Holbrook, a local resident and former Lord Mayor of London.

Allotments: During the winter months the Parish Council will be sending out renewal agreements for the allotments. A waiting list is held in the Parish Council office, and it is possible that there may be some vacant plots next year. Should you wish to add your name to the waiting list, please contact me. Plots are allocated on a 'first come, first served', basis; there is currently only one name on the waiting list.

EMIP (Rail Freight Interchange): Following meetings with neighbouring Parish Councils, County and District Councillors and Heather Wheeler MP, a letter was sent to the developers, Goodman Shepherd, on behalf of the Joint Parish Council Alliance (Repton, Newton Solney, Bretby, Ticknall, Willington and Hartshorne), all of whom have serious concerns about the anticipated increase in traffic if the interchange by the A38 / A50 roundabout is approved.

Our other main concern is the paucity of information provided in the first stage of the consultation, so that we were unable to make an informed response. A reply has now been received assuring the Parish Council that further information will be published and available for comment before the next stage of the consultation. This will include a full Transport Assessment and also an Environmental Impact Assessment, and should be available later this year or early next.

The Parish Council will continue to keep you informed about this significant proposal.

Extreme Weather / Snow Conditions: Up-to-date information about the weather, gritting activities, road and school closures can be found at derbyshire.gov.uk/snow.

Next meeting: Monday 8th December in The Community Room, Fisher Close, Repton, at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton Village Christmas Party

A reminder that the Annual Village Christmas Party is on Friday 12th December at 7.30 for 8 pm in the village hall. A festive hot meal will be followed by mince pies and Christmas Bingo. Tickets are £10 from Polly, 703436, or Sue, 701978. A vegetarian option is available if pre-ordered. There is no bar so please bring your own tipple. Everyone is most welcome.

To hire Milton village hall, contact Polly Faulkner through the website or on 703436.

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Milton W.I.

In November, Cathy McAteer spoke about a Happy Russian Christmas and brought sweet Russian nibbles for members to taste. Jan Tunstall gave the vote of thanks, Rosemary Mumford and Kay Dolman provided delicious refreshments.

On Thursday 11th December at 7.30 pm we are hosting the W.I. Group Carol Service at St Saviour's Church, Foremark.

Next meeting: Wednesday 17th December at 7.30 pm in Milton village hall. We will have a bring and share supper and exchange bran tub presents.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

Our November meeting was the AGM. Reports for 2014 were presented and the existing committee agreed to continue for the coming year. Re-elected President, Vanessa Archer expressed her thanks to all who had helped us have a very enjoyable and varied programme of activities throughout the year, continuing to be a successful organisation, and helping in our local community whilst providing fun and friendship for the members.

On Armistice Day it was particularly appropriate that Rhys Owen should talk about the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and give his thoughts about his own volunteer work at the National Memorial Arboretum. He told us of some of his favourite memorials, with special reference to those from our local area.

At our next meeting on Tuesday 9th December Chris Knight will bring a taste of 'The Good Old Days' with 'A Night at the Music Hall'. Refreshment helpers at the bring and share supper will be Sally Plowman and Diana Pool; Barbara Henry will provide the flowers.

There is no whist drive in December. In the New Year, Sue Hyde will be our speaker with 'How to Dress your Shape', on Tuesday 13th January.

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Newton Solney Tuesday Club

In October we visited Newarke Houses Museum in the centre of Leicester. There were many interesting displays and films of times gone by as well as Leicester's more recent history. It was quite a surprise to find such a hidden gem in the heart of the city.

Our most recent speaker, Peter Wood, gave an informative talk on woodland crafts which are being continued at Staunton Harold and in other parts of the National Forest. He brought many hand-made pieces of equipment that eventually made up a lathe to produce chair legs and other wooden items. Courses encourage people of all ages to try their hand.

Tuesday 2nd December, 2.30 pm

A business meeting followed by a talk on Bethlehem and the Holy Land by June Scott.

Tuesday 16th December: Christmas Lunch at the Newton Park Hotel

Cost £12. Meeting around 12 pm for the meal between 12.30 - 1 pm.

If you would like more information about Tuesday Club or would like to come to any of our activities, please contact our Secretary, Jane, on 01283 564520.

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Newton Solney Parish Council News

Proposed Bladon Fields Development: An application has been received to build 100 houses on the edge on the parish. The Parish Council will be objecting to this proposal for a number of reasons including: access, additional traffic on Newton Road, the narrowing of Newton Road to accommodate a new junction, and lack of capacity at local schools. This could be the first phase of possibly three phases of development.

Parishioners are urged to contact SDDC with their individual objections before Thursday 27th November. Please email comments to planning@south-derbys.gov.uk. More details can be found on the parish website.

Christmas Market - Sunday 30th November: Stalls, music, refreshments and fun for all the family. Please come down to the Recreation Field and enjoy a festive afternoon!

Village Bonfire and Firework Display: Thank you to the bonfire committee for organising yet another excellent display. Thanks also to Roger Kerry and the W.I. for the excellent mulled wine and hot dogs. Profits from this year's display are £332.36.

Next Meeting: Friday 12th December at 7.30 pm in the village hall. All are welcome.

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South Derbyshire

Stamp & Deliver ~ Derby & District Scouts deliver your Christmas mail

Stamp & Deliver is run entirely by volunteers, and last year handled over a quarter of a million cards. All profits go to local Scout and Guide Groups and local charities. This year's chosen charities are Derbyshire Blood Bikes and the Oesophageal Patients Association. The latter cares for patients - and their families - suffering from oesophageal cancer. Derbyshire Blood Bikes is a charity that transfers Blood and other medical products between hospitals in Derbyshire, saving the NHS money to spend in other areas of patient care.

During the early years Scouts made deliveries during the week. Nowadays deliveries take place at weekends, when those under 16 can be supervised by an adult.

Check the delivery area carefully. Cards won't be delivered elsewhere.

Stamps cost 25p each. By law, we can only deliver greetings cards - definitely no cash enclosures. For details of the delivery area, look out for the leaflet through your letter box, but in general it includes all of Derby, its suburbs and surroundings extending to Breaston in the east, Belper to the north, Hatton and Hilton to the west, and Ticknall and Melbourne to the south. Lists of the delivery areas are on each of the post boxes. Please don't include cards for other areas; they can't be delivered. For further information, see stampanddeliver.com or call the hotline on 07930 760 655 between 2nd and 16th December.

The first collection will be on Tuesday 2nd December, and the final collection at 3 pm on Tuesday 16th December, when all sales points will be closed. Cards will be delivered by Christmas Eve. Please remember to use the postcode.

You can buy stamps and post cards in the distinctive yellow posting boxes at:

Repton	Mulberry Beauty Salon; Redshaws Family Butchers; Royal British Legion; Samaras; Spar Stores.
Milton	the Swan Inn.
Newton Solney	the Brickmakers Arms; Cranberries Hair Salon; Jim and Jean Ward, 11 Blacksmith's Lane.

We are indebted to them all for the time and effort they willingly give each year.

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What's On in South Derbyshire and The National Forest

December is hectic with lots of Christmas treats, walks, concerts, talks, ghost stories, Christmas lights, Christmas crafts and even a Santa Fun Run. January may be quieter, but there are still gems to be found. There are walks to burn off the Christmas pud, and talks to get you in the mood for another great year in the garden. At Calke, even while the house is closed and conservation under way, you can walk the house for an advance peek at the rooms that are being changed, and though the gardens are resting, you can rummage around the sheds and peek into the hidden world of boiler tunnels. And in February, don't overlook the pancake races.

This is just a tiny selection of the 120 or so events and activities you can find listed in South Derbyshire during the winter months. To find the latest edition of 'What's On' on the SDDC website, search for 'What's On in South Derbyshire'. It is also available at Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre at Sharpe's Pottery.

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Fly-Tipping

Fly-tipping in South Derbyshire decreased slightly in 2013/14, but remains a problem that will continue if we, residents and businesses, are not alert to the risks.

On a number of occasions recently, residents have been approached by people claiming to be legitimate waste carriers with an offer to remove waste on the cheap, but the waste has actually been fly-tipped. In such cases, the householder has also broken the law by not ensuring that the operator was legitimate.

Environmental regulators give the following advice: never accept an offer from someone you don't know to dispose of your waste for payment; if you are approached, pass details onto the SDDC's Safer Neighbourhood Wardens who can investigate whether it is a registered waste carrier. To carry out a search they need to know the name of the business or individual who approached you and the registration number of their vehicle.

Contact the Safer Neighbourhood Wardens on 01283 595795.

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Environment Matters

Keep fit in winter

Just because the weather is turning colder doesn't mean we should huddle indoors. Rosliston Forestry Centre's mix of woodland and meadow, ponds and play areas, offers something for visitors of all ages, all year round.

The centre is a great place to walk, whether with the family or on one of the guided walks. Use your senses to enjoy the changes in the nature that surrounds you.

Join the over 50s cycling group on Friday mornings. A ride around the centre followed by a drink in the cafe costs £3 or £1.50 if you take your own bike. All rides are led by cycle leaders who are happy to support new cyclists.

And if you enjoy gardening and have some free time you could join the gardening drop-in sessions. Tools are provided, all sessions are free, but take your own gardening gloves. Help with the garden at Rosliston and learn gardening skills at the same time.

Details of all these activities and much more are on Rosliston Forestry Centre website.

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Charities

Home-Start

At the 'Gift Service' on Sunday 14th December, St Wystan's congregation will once again be giving gifts of money to Home-Start South Derbyshire, to help fund its training courses.

Home-Start supports parents with at least one child under five. The charity was set up in the early 1970s, when Margaret Harrison, a voluntary worker in Leicester, recognized the extent to which parents need support through difficult times. Now there are over 300 local Home-Starts across the United Kingdom. Despite its wide reach, its work with individual volunteers supporting individual families is intensely small-scale and local.

Families need support for all sorts of reasons, from postnatal illness to disability, illness to bereavement, sleeping problems to social isolation. They are usually referred by health visitors, children's centre workers and social workers. Other referrals come from people in education and other voluntary and statutory organisations. Increasingly, families themselves are approaching Home-Start to ask for support. Volunteers visit them in their own home offering informal, friendly and confidential support, helping them to get on their feet again and enjoy their family life. Some need help for only a few months, others for much longer.

Home-Start always needs new volunteers

Volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age, but all are parents. They are selected for their friendliness and understanding, as well as their ability to maintain confidentiality. Parents who have been visited often become volunteers themselves. They are neither paid nor are they professionals, so they don't replace the Health Visitor or Social Worker. After training they give about 2-3 hours a week of their time and their expenses are paid. And they are supported with ongoing training and regular supervision.

If you are interested and have parenting experience, please call 01283 558280 or 225586, or see homestartsouthderbyshire.org.uk to find out more.

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Neighbourhood Watch

At this time of year burglars find rich pickings. These tips will reduce your chances of falling victim to an opportunist thief.

• Make sure gifts and valuables, wrapped and unwrapped, are out of view and not visible from any windows. This applies in the car as well.

• Photograph valuable property and log serial numbers. Keep the information on a memory stick in a safe place.

• Don't leave gift packaging on view; boxes for branded products indicate an expensive piece of kit somewhere in the house. The safest thing to do is to break down cardboard boxes or fold them inside out so that you can't see the branding. Or dispose of them at a local recycling site.

• Mark any expensive gifts you receive for Christmas with a UV pen or property marking service. This will make it harder for burglars to sell the items and allow police to return them to you if they are stolen. Register your property with immobilise.com which is endorsed by a number of police forces.

• When you go out at night, lock all doors and windows, leave a light on and draw the curtains. Keep your doors and windows locked from the inside even when you are inside your home.

• Visible burglar alarms, exterior security lighting, timer lighting switches and leaving the radio on help to deter thieves and give the impression that somebody is at home.

• Bolt and padlock garden gates. Don't leave ladders out, or other things that burglars could easily use to climb on. Lock your garden shed and store your tools inside; it stops burglars using your tools to break into your house. Consider fitting extra padlocks to gates, sheds and garages. Don't keep presents in the garage or shed.

• If you're going away, cancel your newspapers, magazines and milk deliveries. Ask a neighbour to pop in to your home every now and then to turn the lights on and off, draw the curtains, collect the mail and make the house look occupied. Set the burglar alarm. Don't advertise the fact you are away from home on social networking - thieves use social media too!

Burglars wander around looking for chances. Wherever you live, remain vigilant. If you see anything suspicious, call 999 immediately.

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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Gardening Notes

As we get older and wiser we need to develop strategies to reduce the aches and pains of gardening. I have a few golden rules:

• Always wear gloves: they help to keep your hands warm; they can improve your grip and make it easier to pull out weeds; they protect your hands from abrasions and, when new, they keep your hands clean. Everybody will have their own favourites, but I use Showa gloves which are available in different weights. They are washable, not too expensive, and last well. They are available online and from many garden centres.

• I find that lifting a watering can above my head to water a hanging basket puts strain on the wrists and elbows, so this year I have filled two bottles of cold water from the hot tap before it runs hot and used this to water my baskets.

• If you need to kneel down for a long time, wear kneelers or use a kneeling stool. Your knees stay warm and dry and you get less stiff.

• When you are filling your wheelie bin, cut plant material into lengths that are shorter than the width of the bin and lay them in horizontally, you will double the amount you can get in, and when you tread it down in the bin to compress the material (as if I would!) you are unlikely to break the bin.

• There is no need to dig the flower beds in the garden. If you have organic material to incorporate, just lay it on the top and the worms will do the work for you. Similarly the worms will clean up fallen leaves in your borders.

• Consider using Roundup in your garden to kill weeds, it is longer lasting, quicker and more effective than digging up most weeds, but be very careful if you are spraying near special plants. A hand sprayer is very accurate and great at eliminating troublesome weeds in the border.

• We tend to overestimate what we can do in a day, but underestimate what can be achieved in a short spell every day. So if you have a lot to do, try working in short spells, say an hour a day for a week rather than one long day.

Don't forget that this month the days start to get longer! A happy Christmas to everyone, and let's hope for another good gardening year in 2015.