Magazine Archive
   
The Parish Magazine
Repton, Foremark, Milton, Ingleby, Newton Solney
March 2017

The one that is not the vicar

Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches
Ash Wednesday in Repton School Chapel
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
180th Church Anniversary, Sunday 12th March
Women's World Day of Prayer, Friday 3rd March
SHELL Group for young people aged 7+
Save the Date, Saturday 29 July

Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Baptisms
Nancy Elizabeth Lowe
Jamie David Rowett
Rose Marie Hickebottom

Funerals and Burial of Ashes
Peter Hole

Obituaries
John Hugh Evan Davies

The Memorial Book

Repton Benefice
Welcome to Mercia
The Bible Course
Ash Wednesday, 1st March: Sung Eucharist in Repton School Chapel
Mothering Sunday, 26th March
Housegroups
Lent collections for the Padley Centre and Derby City Mission
What is Lent about?
I dream of many voices
House blessing
The Padley Centre & Derby City Mission

St Wystan's News
Sunday Club for 4 - 11 year olds
Easter Lilies for St Wystan's Church
Easter Day Breakfast, Sunday 16th April

St Mary's News
Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Sunday 23rd April

Local Diary

Event Details
Lent Lunches, every Wednesday in Lent
Repton School Concert: Sean Shibe, Wednesday 1st March
An Evening with Cantata, Saturday 4th March
Books, Browse and Coffee, Wednesday 16th March
Milton Lunch Club, Thursday 16th March
The Marvellous Machine, Sunday 19th March
Organ Recital, Sunday 19th March
Kenya Expedition Ball, Saturday 25th March
Messy Church for Mothering Sunday, Sunday 26th March

The Great War Remembered
100 years ago, the Vicar wrote . . .

Repton Village Hall Appeal
Tomato Plants for Sale
The most expensive Jigsaw Puzzle ever!
Events
100 Club

Repton Village and History
Matthew Chell
Repton Casuals Fixtures at Broomhills Lane
Repton Village Society
While children sleep - Repton Baby and Toddler
Repton Scouts
Recycle for Repton RBL Club
Repton W.I.
Sing Vivaldi's Gloria
Repton Village History Group
Test your Smoke Alarm when the clocks change
Mobile Library, Tuesday 14th March
Repton in the early 1800s
Repton Parish Council

Milton & Foremark Village Matters
Murder in Milton
Milton W.I.

Newton Solney Village Matters
Newton Solney C of E Infant School
Newton Solney Horticultural Show : 2nd September 2017
Newton Solney Tuesday Club
Newton Solney W.I.
Vacancy at John Higgott's Almshouses
Newton Solney Parish Council

South Derbyshire
Dementia Walk, Saturday 18th March
Tesco Buses
Willington Power Station
Pay to tip!

You and your Pet
Drug resistance

Neighbourhood Watch

Gardening Notes
Modern Shrub Roses


The one that is not the vicar

Having more than one clerical collar around a village the size of Repton could look rather indulgent, so perhaps I ought to tell you something about the one that is not the vicar!

As Chaplain of Repton School, my principal concern is for the community of staff and pupils who attend one of the most impressive boarding schools in England. It would be an enormous job to add to that of the vicar looking after a parish, so here I am!

In a boarding school such as Repton, the job of chaplain is, in fact closest to the more old fashioned model of a vicar – to be involved in all aspects of the life of the community, in this case the school. Since the children and staff live and work in the same place, it is right that their priest lives and works alongside them too. I am as interested in the football, hockey, science, music and academic lessons as I am in their chapel attendance. In essence my primary concern is the whole person, staff and pupils alike.

So, how did I get to be chaplain? After university in London and Cambridge, I taught here in the East Midlands at another independent boarding school, Loughborough Grammar School. After six years I took the role of Head of Religion and Philosophy at Reigate Grammar School where I taught for a decade. Then came ordination and two more degrees followed by two parishes, one just south of the M25 in Surrey and the other in Sussex. Whilst Vicar of Steyning I was Bishop's Surrogate, taught Canon Law and was on the Board of Education and Diocesan Synod. It was a great place to be.

After what was more like an extended conversation than an interview at Harrow, where our Repton Headmaster was then Deputy Head, I found myself called to be here, in Repton, with an opportunity to combine my two vocations – as school-master and priest. It is been a great privilege and I am rather like a dog with two tails!

We loved Sussex, a truly beautiful county, we loved the proximity to the sea, the boys were settled and Helen loved her job, but then God laughs loudest when we tell Him our plans, so here we find ourselves in Derbyshire!

The school is a fine place to live and work. It is relentless in its demands, but the community are amazingly talented and energetic and the staff are focused, caring and supportive. The school is a worthy successor to the monastic ideals of work and prayer, but where we differ is that we are always preparing the current community to leave, to be prepared for the world whilst being set apart from it for those few years of school. And in that endeavour I am encouraged, for the pupils I teach demonstrate a zeal for justice, they are open to the spiritual, to new things and demonstrate a determination to succeed and an energy which they will need to make a better job of managing the world than us. What a job. What a privilege. What a vocation!
Fr. Neil Roberts, Chaplain of Repton School


Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches


Ash Wednesday

On 1st March at 7.30 pm you are warmly invited to mark the beginning of Lent with Sung Eucharist in Repton School Chapel.

The service will be led by Fr. Neil Roberts
and the Chapel Choir under the direction of Oliver Walker.
Rev'd Martin Flowerdew will preach.

St Wystan's, Repton
Every Weekday Morning
	8.30 am	Morning Prayer

EVERY Wednesday
	10 am	Holy Communion	

Sunday 5th	1st Sunday of Lent
	8 am	Holy Communion
	9.45 am	Worship Together
	11 am	Matins

Sunday 12th	2nd Sunday of Lent
	8 am	Holy Communion
	9.45 am	Parish Communion
	6.30 pm	Evening Prayer

Sunday 19th	3rd Sunday of Lent
	8 am	Holy Communion
	9.45 am	Parish Communion
	3.00 pm	Organ Recital
	6.30 pm	Choral Evensong

Sunday 26th	Mothering Sunday
	8 am	Holy Communion
	9.45 am	Service for Mothering Sunday with Communion
	10.45am	Prayer for Healing
	4.00 pm	Messy Church
Repton School Chapel
Ash Wednesday, 1st March
	7.30 pm	Sung Eucharist
St Saviour's, Foremark
Sunday 12th	2nd Sunday of Lent
	6.30 pm	Evening Prayer

Sunday 26th	Mothering Sunday
	6.30 pm	Holy Communion
St Mary's, Newton Solney
Sunday 5th	1st Sunday of Lent
	10 am	Parish Communion 

Sunday 12th	1st Sunday of Lent
	10 am	Worship Together
	
Sunday 19th	1st Sunday of Lent
	10 am	Parish Communion

Sunday 26th	Mothering Sunday
	10 am	Service for Mothering Sunday

Readers, Intercessors and Offertory at St Wystan's
5th	11 am	Jeremiah 18: 1 - 11		Jenny Jones

12th	9.45 am	Romans 4: 1 - 5, 13 - 17	Wendy Longden
		Intercessions:			Stephen Longden
		Offertory:			Christine Edge & Wendy Longden

19th	9.45 am	Romans 5: 1 - 11		Kristian Stentoft
		Intercessions:			Melanie & Richard Finch
		Offertory:			Maggie Tennant & Kristian Stentoft

26th	9.45 am	to be confirmed


Altar Flowers
Frances Wimbush, 703180
No flowers in Lent.


Brasses
Sue Parker, 702550
Melanie Finch.


Altar Flowers & Cleaning at St Saviour's
Ann Redfern, 01332 862350
No flowers in Lent.


The United Reformed Church

Minister: Rev'd Brian Norris
3rd March
	7.15 pm	Women's World Day of Prayer

5th March
	11 am	Morning Worship
	6.30 pm	Service at Fisher Close Community Lounge

12th March
	11 am	180th Church Anniversary: Rev Peter Meek
			
19th March
	11 am 	Morning Worship with Holy Communion: Rev Brian Norris

26th March 	11 am 	Morning Worship

180th Church Anniversary, Sunday 12th March
Come and celebrate the 180th Anniversary of the United Reformed Church at a special service led by the Moderator of the URC East Midlands Synod, Rev Peter Meek, followed by an Anniversary Lunch in the schoolroom. Read more about the anniversary below.

Congregationalism began here in the latter part of the 18th century, when in 1780 members of the Victoria Street Congregational Church in Derby formed missions in Repton and Barrow upon Trent. For many years, services were held in the house of church members in the High Street. Then in 1801, in the words of the historian, 'a neat little brick chapel was built at the top of the garden belonging to the house'.

Following the induction of Rev Horatio Ault on 14th June 1836, a discussion took place with ministers of the district about building a new church as the chapel had long been too small to house the congregation. As a result £160 was donated immediately, and two months later building began. After a further seven months the church was completed, at a cost of £434, and opened for public worship in March 1837, when two days of celebrations included five sermons!

After many years of discussions throughout the country, the Congregational Church and English Presbyterian Church joined together to form the United Reformed Church, commemorated at a service in Westminster Abbey on 5th October 1972. The United Reformed Church later welcomed the Churches of Christ into the union.

A booklet detailing the history of the church has been produced by Ivor Sandars and will be available at the service or from church members.

Photographs of special events and activities held at the church over the last 180 years will be displayed in the schoolroom. If you have a photograph that you would like to be included please contact Gerald Gibbs on 701581.


Women's World Day of Prayer, Friday 3rd March
You are invited to join with an estimated three million men, women and young people celebrating the Women's World Day of Prayer service in 170 countries across the world. The day will begin at sunrise in Samoa and end as the sun sets over American Samoa.

The World Day of Prayer began as separate days of prayer organised by individual denominations in America in the mid 1800s, and has now become both international and ecumenical.

This year's service, entitled 'Am I being unfair to You?' has been prepared by Christian women of the Philippines. It will be held at the United Reformed Church in Pinfold Lane and followed by refreshments.

'Just as our prayers encircle the world, so God encircles us with his love.'


SHELL Group for young people aged 7+
. . . meets on Mondays throughout March, 6.30 - 7.30 pm. Activities this month include making sausage rolls, Mothers' Day gifts and an Easter Quiz. New members are always welcome.


Coffee morning
There will be no coffee morning this month but we hope that everyone will be able to join in the 180th Anniversary celebrations.


Save the Date
A special 'Anniversary Barbeque' will be held on Saturday 29 July at 5 Monsom Lane.


Baptisms

Nancy Elizabeth Lowe, daughter of Alex and Fiona of 48 Main Street, Milton, was baptised on Sunday 29th January at St Wystan's Church.

Jamie David Rowett, son of Ian and Stacey of Woodend Nursery, Main Street, Repton, was baptised on Sunday 29th January at St Wystan's Church.

Rose Marie Hickebottom, daughter of Matt and Heidi of 10 Longlands, Repton, was baptised on Sunday 12th February at St Wystan's Church.

We welcome them into the Church family.


Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Peter Hole died in Reigate after a short illness on Saturday 31st December. His funeral took place at The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Nutfield. He was a distinguished musician, and although he only spent his late teenage years in the 1940s in Repton, on his visits home he frequently rang the bells at St Wystan's and sang in the choir.

We offer our sympathy to his family and friends.


Obituary

John Hugh Evan Davies
30th October 1937 - 6th January 2017
Born in Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, the son of the local undertaker, Hugh left school at the age of 16. He worked with radar and wind tunnel systems at the Royal Aeronautical Establishment at Farnborough before joining the RAF as part of his National Service.

Later he moved to Honeywell where he worked with early computer systems, igniting a lifelong love of technology and its applications. A career change in 1978 took him to the Cardiff office of Hoggett Bowers, a recruitment agency for senior executives. This was followed by working for a smaller but innovative recruitment company using psychometric testing and video as part of the selection process.

Hugh had a highly creative mind. Amongst several inventions, he developed a security system for computer programmes based on facial recognition. In its time it was very successful, and Hugh appeared briefly on Tomorrow's World to explain the science behind it. At one point it was used by the Pentagon before being overtaken by other technologies.

Hugh had a strong interest in the WW2 code breaking operations at Bletchley Park, and in retirement he was a popular guide there, extensively researching the aspects which particularly interested him. This led to his being much in demand in the last few years of his life as a guest lecturer on cruise ships and at institutes around the country. With the cruise ships, he and his partner, Maggie Tennant, travelled extensively, exploring many countries and cultures.

In Repton many will recall the garden that Hugh and Maggie built on a sloping site, complete with a stream, pools, small waterfalls and a fountain. It was always much admired during Repton Open Gardens.

Hugh will be greatly missed – by his partner Maggie and family, his four children, and also by his many friends. To the end, he had a lively and curious mind. He was something of a maverick and wished his epitaph to be that 'he marched to a different drummer'.


The Memorial Book

Repton has a fine memorial book permanently on display in St Catherine's Chapel in the north aisle of St Wystan's Church. It was donated in memory of Henry Chilton as a place to commemorate former residents of Repton.   All are eligible and welcome, as well as those buried or interred in St Wystan's churchyard or Monsom Lane cemetery.   There is no charge but a donation towards church funds is greatly appreciated.   All we need is the full name and the dates of birth and death.

Please contact us.


Repton Benefice

Welcome to Mercia
On 12th February a service was held at St Mark's Church, Winshill to welcome the Bishop of Repton, Jan McFarlane, to Mercia Deanery. Bishop Jan, who was consecrated last June, will be welcomed to our Benefice at a service on Sunday 21st May.

This month also saw the installation of two new clergy to the deanery. Rev'd Steve Short is the new Rector of Melbourne, and Rev'd Patrick Douglas has been appointed to St John's, New Hall, and will act also as a Pioneer Minister across Swadlincote. We wish them well.


The Bible Course
This year's Lent course is for people looking at the Christian faith for first time as well as for mature Christians. 'The Bible Course' is an interactive journey through the whole Bible.

We often read the Bible in a haphazard way with little awareness of how it all fits together. This course gives the 'bigger picture', providing the tools and skills that help us to read it, and an overview that helps us to understand it more fully. Eight sessions of DVD teaching and small group discussion are supported by a course booklet that provides notes, quotes and visuals.

The course starts in the first week of March. Both day-time and evening sessions are on offer, so you can choose a time and date that suits you. Sign up at St Wystan's Church, or contact George Johnson on 703079 to book a place.


Ash Wednesday, 1st March: Sung Eucharist in Repton School Chapel, 7.30 pm
Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on the 1st March, is the first day of Lent and has for a long time been special for Christians. We are delighted that, by kind permission of the Headmaster and Chaplain, our evening service this year will be held in Repton School chapel. It will be a sung eucharist by the chapel choir, including introit, Mass setting and motet. During the service there will be the opportunity to receive the Imposition of Ashes when a cross is made on our foreheads, in ash, as a sign of our commitment to Christ and our openness to his forgiveness. The celebrant will be the Chaplain, Fr. Neil Roberts and the preacher, our vicar. The service will begin at 7.30 pm. All are most welcome.


Mothering Sunday, 26th March
St Wystan's at 9.45, St Mary's at 10.00, St Saviour's at 6.30 pm
As Mothering Sunday comes around again, we celebrate, not just motherhood but parenthood and the way the church can be a 'mother' to us all. Our morning services will be special ones. The service at St Wystan's will include a simple communion.

You are most warmly invited to join us at services to celebrate mothering in all its forms. If you have family coming for the day, get them to arrive early and come to celebrate together.
Housegroups
Intercessory Prayer for Healing meets at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 7th March at 3 Richmond Court. If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, please contact Wendy Longden on 703259.

'An Ordinary day with Jesus' will not be meeting in Lent. You are encouraged to attend a Lent group instead. See 'The Bible Course' above.


Lent collections for the Padley Centre and Derby City Mission
As usual, the three Anglican churches will be collecting during Lent for Padley's work with the most vulnerable. St Mary's also collects gifts and money for the Derby City Mission. For more about the Padley Group and Derby City Mission, see below.

The Padley Centre is very grateful for cash donations, but also has a detailed 'wish list', which is on display in church. All types of tinned or packeted foods are needed, particularly tinned meat, fish, tomatoes and soup. Please ensure that they are within their use-by date; if not, they cannot be accepted. Toiletries and personal hygiene items are also wanted. Please leave goods in any of the churches.

In addition, the Padley Group is always looking for volunteers. From marketing to fundraising, driving to classroom assistant, work in the homeless centre or in the shop, there are lots of opportunities. See the opportunities on their website – search for 'Padley Group', and while there, look for their programme of fundraising events.


What is Lent about?
Lent is the period of 40 days that lead up to Easter. Starting on Ash Wednesday, it ends on Easter Eve, sometimes called Easter Saturday. If you count the days in your diary though, you'll find they come to more than 40: in Lent you don't count the Sundays!

In England, the middle Sunday of Lent is known as Mothering Sunday. In former times it was often the one day each year when girls and boys in service were allowed to visit their family. Sometimes the housekeeper would allow the maids to bake a cake to take home as a gift, but flowers were more usual, as they could be picked on the way home through the meadows. Today we maintain that tradition in church, and posies are distributed during the morning service for the congregation to take home to mother.

The last week of Lent is Holy Week, a particularly sacred part of the Church calendar that helps us to think deeply about the Easter Story.

Lent started as a time when people were prepared for baptism on Easter Sunday. Over the years it has turned into a time of reflection and thought, a time to prepare for Easter and to think about our relationship with God. It represents the 40 days when Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the desert. During this time he neither ate nor drank. Because of this, many Christians fast during Lent, indeed, the Eastern Orthodox Church refers to Lent as 'The Great Fast'. For some this means giving up all food and just drinking, but for others, they just give up luxuries like chocolate or cream cakes!

During Lent there are no flowers or decorations displayed in the church. In our Anglican churches you will find the altar covered with a purple cloth. Purple is traditionally a royal colour. It helps us remember that Jesus is king and that he died at Easter.


I dream of many voices
Your vicar does a lot of dreaming – awake as well as asleep. One of the things I have dreamed of for a long time is having a large choir of children and adults to add to our Sunday morning worship, and at other times as well. I would be just as happy with a more formal robed choir, a less formal community style choir or even a Gospel Choir! It is not so much the style of choir that I am clear on but the way that making music can bring people together in a wonderful way, it can open doors to new opportunities and it can be very enjoyable – for the choir and others alike.
This does not have to be a dream
. . . but to make it a reality we need someone to head up the choir. If you or someone you know might be that person, a person with the skills to develop and grow such a choir, a person who would like to build something special from scratch, a person with enthusiasm who would encourage the singers to smile, then do get in touch with me.
Rev'd Martin Flowerdew


House blessing
I was privileged on a Saturday morning in February to be invited to the home of the Gould family at Cockhay Farm to bless their house. A house blessing is a part of ministry that many people are unaware of. For those moving to a new home we pray that God will help the house to be a place of welcome, peace and love. Equally, people in houses where something unpleasant has taken place want the blessing as a cleansing and new beginning. Regardless of need, it involves a sprinkling with holy water, prayers around the property, and a prayer for those who live and visit there. If you would like your home blessed, whether you are new there or have lived there for decades, do ask.
Rev'd Martin Flowerdew


The Padley Centre & Derby City Mission
The Padley Group

Set up in 1985 by a group of nuns to work with the most deprived and vulnerable people in Derby, the Padley Group depends heavily on local support for all its work. Some funding comes from Derby City Council and the local Primary Care Trust, but its future depends on the generosity of public donations and fundraising activities.

Padley hostel has ten beds for men. It is the only place in Derby that accepts rough sleepers direct from the street and supports them in the next steps towards a more permanent residence. For some this can be long, hard road.

Last year there, rough sleepers, the homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded paid a total of 18,000 visits to Padley Day Centre. Here they found a hot nutritious meal, shower facilities, clothing and companionship. The centre also provides advice, guidance, support and a range of services which create a sense of independence and help service users to move on in their lives.

Padley Development Centre is an accredited training centre, training people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, preparing them for education and employment.

Padley Charity Shop relies on donations of items such as clothing, shoes, bags, paintings, bric a brac, books, cds, jewellery and family heirlooms. It also sells items made by Padley's own woodworking workshop, as well as bought in items. The shop provides retail training opportunities for people with learning disabilities or who are long term unemployed, and the revenue it generates supports other services.

Derby City Mission

. . . started in 1989 as an interdenominational Christian charity. It has many strands including offering free debt advice to people on low incomes, and food parcels for those in particular need. Christmas Connection reaches out to underprivileged families with the Christmas message, sweets, cards and presents.

Much of the Mission's work is with 'street people', providing food, hot drinks, warm clothing and friendship, working hard at getting those who want to change into homes of their own and linking them into a church which will support and encourage them. In addition, Street Pastors care and listen. The approach has seen remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working.

It also runs Derby Churches Night Shelter which started four years ago as a response to Derby City Council's severe cut in funding for homeless beds. Church venues in or near the city centre each open one night a week in rotation. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and a substantial meal to 35 guests, before paid overnight staff take over as guests sleep in sleeping bags on mattresses.


St Wystan's News

Sunday Club for 4 - 11 year olds
9.45 am at St Wystan's Church
Sunday Club meets every Sunday except the 1st Sunday of the month when we all 'Worship Together'.   Join us for Bible stories, craft & games.   All are most welcome!   Ring Jane Griffiths for more details.
Easter Lilies for St Wystan's Church
Lilies at St Wystan's celebrate Jesus' resurrection and his promise of everlasting life, and many value the opportunity to contribute towards their cost in memory of loved ones, to celebrate special events or simply to help make the Church look beautiful. If you would like to join in, please contact Frances Wimbush as soon as possible; she has to order flowers well ahead.


Easter Day Breakfast, Sunday 16th April, 8.45 - 9.15 am
Easter Sunday breakfast in St Wystan's Church is now established and very enjoyable. So whether after the 8 am Communion or before the main Easter service at 9.45, do join us again for orange juice, granola, croissants and coffee. £2.50. Please contact Carol Lloyd by the previous Wednesday, 12th April, if you can come.


St Mary's News

Newton Solney Annual Parochial Church Meeting
St Mary's Church, Sunday 23rd April at 11.15 am
Parishioners are warmly invited to attend this meeting, which will begin after the morning service and a pause for coffee. At the opening Vestry Meeting, an election will be held for churchwardens, with elections to the Parochial Church Council during the main meeting which follows. Church Officers will also report on the finances and events of the past year. Copies of the annual accounts and other reports will be available in the church for a few days beforehand.

Nomination slips for election candidates, to be found at the back of the church, should be returned to Cathy Fergus, PCC Secretary, by Easter Day, 16th April. Anyone resident in the parish has the right to elect the churchwardens, but only those whose names are listed on the church electoral roll are eligible to stand for election and to nominate or vote for PCC candidates. To join the electoral roll, pick up an application form at church and submit it to Graham Plowman by 2nd April.


Lent Lunches

Every Wednesday from 1st March to 12th April
12.30 to 1.30 pm in St Wystan's Church

£4.   Homemade soup, bread, cheese, a chance to borrow books - and chat!

Everyone welcome. Do come!



Repton School Concerts Society

Sean Shibe, guitar

Wednesday 1st March at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall

In 2012, this Edinburgh-born musician became the first guitarist selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme, and in 2016 BBC Music Magazine featured a CD of his recordings for Radio 3, including concertos with the BBC Symphony and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

At this recital he will play works by Dowland, Malcolm Arnold, Walton and Britten.

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



An Evening with Cantata

Saturday 4th March, 7.30 pm at Repton Village Hall

Music from Oliver, My Fair Lady, Carousel and Jersey Boys
plus a tribute to the Rat Pack and popular modern melodies.

Make up a table with friends or leave it to us
Bring your own food, drink & glasses

Tickets £7 (in advance, please) from Alan Webster.

Sponsored by Repton Village Society in aid of Repton Village Hall Appeal



Books, Browse and Coffee

Wednesday 16th March, 11 am - noon in St Wystan's Church
and every 3rd Wednesday in the month

Coffee and biscuits £1
A chat and a chance to borrow books and jigsaws
Loans are free

ALSO Wednesdays in Lent, 12.30 - 1.30, during Lent Lunches!



Milton Lunch Club

Thursday 16th March, 12.30 pm in Milton Village Hall.   £5.
Chicken casserole followed by trifle

Contact Lynn, 704540, Sue, 701978, or Polly, 703436

Everyone welcome wherever you live! If you need transport, let us know



Quite Remarkable Productions

The Marvellous Machine

Live music, magic and puppetry for 2 - 6 year olds – and their families!

Sunday 19th March, 2 pm at Repton Village Hall

Refreshments on sale before the show

Tickets £5 from Mulberry Beauty Salon, Repton, or Jo Hinton

Raising funds for Repton Village Hall





Organ Recital in St Wystan's Church

Repton School students Matthew Rhodes, Izzy Hurren, Fenella Scutt and Kyoko Canaway, and staff, Jeremy Woodside and Peter Siepmann present a wide-ranging, varied and entertaining programme on St Wtstan's lovely 1998 Peter Collins organ.

Sunday 19th March, 3.00 - 4.00 pm

Kyoko Canaway is Organ Scholar Elect of Chichester Cathedral and Gonville & Caius College Cambridge. Jeremy Woodside is a former Organ Scholar at Westminster Abbey, and Peter Siepmann is also Organist and Director of Music
at St Peter's Church in Nottingham

Light refreshments       All welcome

FREE but retiring collection for St Wystan's Church Organ Fund



Kenya Expedition Ball

The Newton Park Hotel, Newton Solney
Saturday 25th March, 7 for 7.30 pm, Carriages at Midnight

Tables for 10 or 12 : Black Tie
Three course Meal, Raffle and Live Disco
(Bar area for those who don't wish to dance)

Tickets £30 and further details from Jayne Hillier on 07810174091



Messy Church for Mothering Sunday

Activities, celebration and food for all the family

St Wystan's Church, Sunday 26th March, 4 to 5.30 pm

To find out more, email Messy Church or call Ruth Attwood.

Everyone is welcome!   Come along and try it!


The Great War Remembered

100 years ago, the Vicar wrote . . .
In March the Vicar appealed to parishioners to support the National Mission:

The message . . . will be given in our parish from Saturday evening, March 24th, to Thursday morning, March 29th. We earnestly invite you to attend, if possible, at least one service daily, and, if confirmed, to receive Holy Communion during the Mission. During this period there were five services a day at St Wystan's (four on Sunday) in addition to daily services at Wood End and Milton missions.
Your faithful friend and Vicar, Stephen Selwyn

Miss Hagger left a legacy of £10 "for the redecoration and repair of the face of the clock upon the Church at Repton  . . .  as a memento of the late Mrs. Pears, in whose memory the clock was erected [in 1868]."

The Commandant of Repton Voluntary Aid Detachment appealed for more volunteers.

"The members of Repton V.AD. have again been helping to nurse the sick and wounded in the Royal Infirmary, Derby. We have now 17* members who have undertaken day and night duty there. . . . I trust this may encourage some of those who are now attending lectures to try for their certificates, and thus be able to join our detachment and gain some practical knowledge of nursing either at Derby or Spondon."

* The population of Repton during the Great War was much smaller than it is now. The 1911 census shows only about 300 men of fighting age.


Repton Village Hall Appeal

Tomato Plants for Sale
San Marzano, Alicante, Money Maker, Gardeners Delight and Tumbling Tom.   50p each.

Order your plants today to be collected or delivered May / June.
Contact Adrian Argyle.

All proceeds to Repton Village Hall Appeal


The most expensive Jigsaw Puzzle – ever!
The Village Hall Fundraising Jigsaw is going 'on tour' and hopes to visit all the groups who regularly use the Village Hall.

Everyone is invited to buy a piece or pieces of the puzzle for £5 or £10 each and help to transform the picture of the present Village Hall into an artist's impression of the new building.

Each piece is recorded and the list of donors will be displayed by the original painting, hanging in the new hall.

When complete, the puzzle will have raised over £2000 for the Appeal Fund!


Events
February's 'Quiz at the Constitutional' in Burton was the second that the Constitutional Club has sponsored for us. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and with 20 tables, packed to capacity; the word had obviously spread! There were eight tables from Repton, who tried hard but couldn't beat the regulars. The questions were far reaching and we soon recognised our limitations, but the competition and the quizmaster's ready wit were great fun. Many thanks to Carol and Michael Hickebottom for offering and organising the event which raised almost £250.
An evening of great singing in the village hall
On Saturday 4th March, an evening with Cantata is organised by Repton Village Society. Details above.
For the very young
On Sunday 19th March, Quite Remarkable Productions present 'The Marvellous Machine', an afternoon of live music, magic and puppetry for 2 - 6 year olds – and their families! See above.
In the coming months
. . . we have an Afternoon Tea with Charles Hanson, a Fun Dog Walk, a BBQ at the Red Lion, another Pig Racing Evening, a Children's Halloween Party and a Bridge Day. The dates are in the Diary on page 36 - 37 Details will be in the Parish Magazine in the month(s) beforehand.

We would be delighted if you could join us at all these events to have fun and support the Village Hall Appeal. For more information contact Carol Lloyd.


Repton Village Hall Appeal 100 Club
Monthly draws take place at the Boot.   Winners in January were James McLaren, Mrs R Carter, Linda Shortt and Carol Hickebottom.   Contact Adrian Argyle for an application form and copy of the club rules. The quarterly subscription is £12.50.


Repton Village & History

Matthew Chell
We would like to thank you all for the cards, flowers and messages of condolence passed to us following the sudden loss of our son, Matthew. We have drawn strength from them showing us how well he was thought of, and how his smile will be missed. We were overwhelmed by the attendance at Bretby Crematorium. What was especially touching was that it was from all generations. We would also like to thank Murrays Funeral Directors Findern for their support and guidance through this very difficult time of our lives.
Alison and Malcolm Chell



Repton Casuals Fixtures at Broomhills Lane
    Team Opponents
12th 10.30 am Youth Woodville Rangers
19th 10.30 am Repton Lions Navigation FC
26th 10.30 am Youth Marlborough Rovers Black
26th 2.00 pm Under 16 Marlborough Rovers


Repton Village Society
The origins of well dressing are lost in antiquity. They may even have their roots in pagan customs later given a Christian meaning. One theory is that the custom began just after the Black Death of 1348 - 49 was brought to Eyam from London in a roll of cloth. Although the population round about was ravaged by plague, in Tissington all escaped and the immunity was ascribed to the purity of the water supply. It became the custom to decorate the village wells annually thereafter in thanksgiving. In her excellent talk at our February meeting, Desirιe Noons from the Etwall Well Dressing Group described how the custom spread and arrived at its present format

On Thursday 2nd March a member of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will talk about Willington Nature Reserve. These flooded gravel pits form an important wetland habitat in the Trent Valley that attracts many rare birds as well as more common species, plus dragonflies, damselflies and otters. The talk will be followed by the Annual General Meeting and the evening will end with cheese and wine.


While children sleep - Repton Baby and Toddler
With little ones tucked up in bed, dreaming of soft play and Postman Pat, it was time for their parents 'delayed' Christmas night out.. The curry was delicious and we all had fun, without a sippy cup or bib in sight. Now, with spring just around the corner and guaranteed sunnier days, we are hoping to organise a mini trip to Betty's Farm where children can say hello to the new chicks and explore the playground. We meet every Wednesday at Repton village hall, from 9.45 to 11.45 am, for everyone from 0 to school age. Just turn up. Find us on Facebook or contact Natalie Matthews.


A punctured bike tyre?
Scouts are now well trained in puncture repairs, as well as ironing and cooking – all part of the Scouts Skills Challenge Award which they have been working towards this month. For six of our older Scouts, 19th February was a big day as they attended a presentation ceremony for their Chief Scout Gold Awards, the highest they can achieve. During March, Scouts will be testing their climbing ability at the new Clip n Climb in Derby, as well as completing some challenging teamworking tasks to finish their Skills Award. If you would like more information about Scouts, please contact Mike Knowles.


Recycle and help Repton RBL Club
Repton & District Royal British Legion Club is currently raising funds to refurbish our toilets and install disabled facilities. So far we have raised almost £4,000 towards the work, and with a little more effort we hope to achieve our objective soon.

Recycling film and games DVDs, CDs and old mobile phones can provide us with very useful extra income. If you are spring-cleaning and would like to support us, you can either drop any of these items in at the Royal British Legion Club (43 High Street, Repton) or contact Mike Wilks, Club Secretary, to arrange collection.


Repton W.I.
At our February meeting, Paul Newsham, a Forensic Lecturer, gave an interesting talk on the major role played by forensics in helping the police to identify the perpetrators of crime. This included identifying biometric features, fingerprinting, DNA, and police photography. There was a lot of audience participation which all made the evening very enjoyable.

The President described the programme of additional activities planned for March, a theatre visit to Derby, coffee morning at the Tara Centre in Etwall, Happy Hour at the Red Lion, and a walk at Carsington Water. The proceeds of a raffle have been donated to ACWW.

Next month please join us on Tuesday 14th March, 7.15 pm in the village hall, for a food taster evening. For more information, see our Facebook Page or contact our joint Presidents, Ann Davidson or Linda Short.


Come and sing Vivaldi's Gloria
On Saturday 6th May Repton School Music Society invite you to rehearse and perform the Vivaldi Gloria. Rehearsals start at 9.45 in the Music School and the performance will take place at 3 pm in the school chapel.

If you are interested and would like to know more, please get in touch now so we have an early idea of numbers, the balance of the choir and numbers of scores to order. Contact Rosie Carpenter for further information and a booking form.

You will receive a warm welcome, so come and have a go! We are raising funds for the Music Society.


Repton Village History Group
Many thanks to those who got in touch about the Tomlinson family and the Kestin sisters. We have been able to provide valuable information and useful contacts.

At our next meeting on Tuesday 21st March, two of our members are giving talks. Chris Pegg will be giving the second part of his talk on Wooden Box (Woodville), and Paul Heapy's talk is entitled 'Two Fields'. These were originally scheduled for last September but had to be postponed at short notice.

A rather special change is likely to happen soon in Repton. For the first time in many years, Tudor Lodge in the High Street will return to a state much closer to its original appearance. Maintaining the main oak timbers is an ongoing business and not helped by the erstwhile fashion to paint them black. Although this was probably partly intended to waterproof them and to make them more attractive, water does eventually penetrate and cannot then dry out. The result is rot. So now the paint will be removed from sound timbers, and the new, replacement timbers will be left to go silver. In the village archive, a picture of Tudor Lodge in the 1850s shows it as The Institute; the timbers are natural and not painted black. Sometimes a lime-wash was applied to both the walls and timbers of such buildings, but since lime-wash breathes, there is not the same problem.

A booklet on the Repton Institute is just one of many publications available from the History Group. Contact Jenny Sayers on 701521.

All are welcome to our meetings at 7.30 pm on the third Tuesday of almost every month in Repton village hall, members £2, visitors £3. For further information on the History Group, contact Andy Austen.


Test your Smoke Alarm when the clocks change
The clocks go forward at 1 am on 26th March, the last Sunday in March, so it's time to test your smoke alarm again. A working smoke alarm can buy you and your family the time you need to get out, stay out and call 999. You are four times more likely to die in a fire if you don't have a working alarm.


Mobile Library, Tuesday 14th March
Repton village hall, 10.15-11.30 : The Square, 11.35-1.00
The library has a four-weekly timetable - not monthly. Its April visit will be on 11th. For the Long Eaton base, contact 01629 531398; for the van, 0780 904 4405.

For the genuinely housebound who have no one to visit the library for them, there is also a home library service. If you think you might qualify, ring Kirsty on 01629 539 140 to arrange an assessment of your needs.


Repton in the early 1800s
While sorting through books in the Parvise Room, the room above the porch at St Wystan's Church, a register was found that had only one written page. It would have been easy to miss, but its content is historically significant, listing the results of three censuses of Repton Parish in the early 1800s. The register is now heading to the County Records Office in Matlock but the information is partly summarised below.

Population &C. of the Parish of Repton taken May 27th 1811
Houses Houses Families Fams employed in Other Population
inhab'd uninhab'd Agriculture Trade families M F Total
321 5 330 222 95 13 831 817 1648
Population &C. of the Parish of Repton taken May 28th 1821 by Wm. Wayte, Overseer
336 21 356 167 101 68 899 903 1802
Population &C. . . . taken May 30th 1831 by Gervase Smedley, Overseer.
346 9 379 187 118 74 867 891 1758


Additional categories in the 1831 census showed that 429 of the 867 males were 20 or over. 45 landowners employed labour including 129 in agriculture. 42 males were employed in manufacturing or managing machinery, and 105 in retail trade or handicraft. 19 people in the village were described as merchants, capitalists or bankers, employing 39 labourers. Finally, this line is written at the bottom of the page:

Question 12th. Males 20 years old except Servants, including retired Tradesmen &c 29.



Repton Parish Council
The Repton Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has now reached the final stage of public consultation before it is formally submitted to South Derbyshire District Council and to independent examination. The Parish Council welcomes your comments; you have till 20th March. The full version is now on the village website at reptonvillage.org.uk. Copies of the NDP and comment sheets are also available at the Parish Council office, Repton Post Office, The Greedy Pig butchers, Mulberry Beauty Salon and The Swan Inn.

Outline Planning Permission for up to 25 houses at SK31260097 off Milton Road: Repton Parish Council objected to this application as it runs counter to views expressed in our survey for the Parish NDP regarding Repton village settlement boundary. It would adversely impact on already difficult traffic conditions, limited infrastructure and amenities, and flooding. The Parish Council highlighted the fact that the Local Plan part 2 (approved by SDDC in December and currently with the examiner) had been changed from its original draft, extending the village settlement boundary in order to include this development, a change made well after we consulted you on the NDP.

The Parish Council requested and obtained a site visit and a representative spoke at SDDC's planning meeting in February.

Originally the application was for up to 40 houses, but following objections, this was reduced to up to 25 dwellings.

Despite our objection, SDDC granted permission for the development at a Planning Meeting on Tuesday 7th February. Unfortunately only 34 objections to the development had been received – it would have needed far more to make an impact – and SDDC gave less weight to the emerging Repton NDP than to the Local Plan. Our District and County Council representatives spoke and voted against the development, but SDDC is worried about the cost of developers' appeals and reluctant to turn down applications.

This episode shows why it is so important to have a Neighbourhood Development Plan that does have legal standing, and that will have real influence in curbing similar applications in future. The Parish Council has been working hard to achieve this and, as described above, the Plan is now out for consultation.

Litter Picking Group: Councillor Barbara McArdle is to co-ordinate a local litter picking group, to ensure that our neighbourhood is one of which we can be proud. The first session will coincide with the Great British Spring Clean, organized by Keep Britain Tidy, at the start of March, and further events will take place during the year. If you are interested in improving the quality of our neighbourhood, please contact either Councillor McArdle or the Parish Council office. All necessary equipment will be provided.

Dog Fouling and Waste Bins: The Parish Council is still receiving reports of overflowing waste and dog waste bins within the village. The Parish Council will now ask SDDC to install more bins at key sites in various locations. We will keep you informed.

Allotments: Agreements for 2017 have now been issued; if you have not yet returned your agreement and fee, please do so as soon as possible. Should you not wish to retain the plot, please let us know so that we can find a new allotment holder. A waiting list is kept at the Parish Council office; if you are interested, please contact us. The rents are extremely reasonable. Some of the allotment holders are developing a community garden at the site and the Parish Council has agreed to fund the purchase of new plants for this area. It will be a welcome addition to the allotments and we would like to thank all involved.

Next meeting: Monday 13th March in The Community Room, Fisher Close, Repton. Parish meeting at 7.00 pm, followed by the Parish Council meeting at 7.30. All are welcome.
Susan Reilly, Clerk to the Council

Parish Council Office, 40 High Street



Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Murder in Milton - Hickory Dickory Murder
In February, The Dead Secrets, a group of four comedy actors, entertained Miltonians and friends in Milton village hall with their slick but surreal brand of detective comedy. Telling us they had no script, the actors invited the audience to suggest the characters, the location, and the title for the play And so we chose 'When the lights went out', set in a lighthouse in Byron Bay, with a bishop, a retired actress, a taxidermist, and of course, a detective, an eclectic mix, along with some equally implausible minor characters.

What followed was a wonderfully improvised and spontaneous performance. The quick witted, ad hoc comedy had everybody in the hall laughing. Nobody was too concerned about finding out 'who dunnit', the fun lay in wondering what ingenious scenario the cast would come up with next! A most imaginative, clever, and inventive piece of theatre, and above all, great fun!

To hire Milton village hall, contact Polly Faulkner.


Milton W.I.
President Linda Murray welcomed members and guests to our February Open Meeting and reminded members of the Annual Dinner, to be held at The Wheel in Ticknall on Wednesday 1st March, 7 for 7.30 pm.

Then, following a brief rιsumι of his career as a helicopter pilot in The Royal Air Force, our speaker, Jolyon Maclaine, charmed members and guests with an account of his life since retiring from the Armed Forces. He spent a varied six years flying helicopters in Oman, and on his return to the UK was for seven years a pilot for North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit. Jan Tunstall gave the vote of thanks, Eileen and Jan served refreshments.

Next meeting: Wednesday 15th March at 7.30 pm in Milton village hall. Patrick Ashcroft' will speak on 'Tales of the Fens'. Visitors are very welcome to join us.


Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney C of E Infant School
Community Collective Worship for parents, carers and local residents is on the first Thursday of the month, so please join us in the school hall at 9.15 am on Thursday 2nd March. You will be very welcome.

Further dates for your diary are Thursdays 6th April and 4th May.
Heidi Elks (Headteacher)


Newton Solney Horticultural Show : 2nd September 2017

Themes for Photographs
Adults: 'Sunset' : 'The Shed' : 'Village Event'
Juniors: (7 - 10 years): 'my pet' : (11- 16 years): 'A selfie'

For information, contact Chris Freestone on 701147

Newton Solney Tuesday Club
In January the trip to Masson Mill was well attended. Then, at our most recent meeting, Ella Tongue from the Loughborough Branch of the Dogs Trust (which in the 1970s had changed its name from the Canine Defence League) described its history and gave an interesting insight into its work. If dogs cannot be re-homed, the Trust keeps them. The policy is never to put a dog down.

Tuesday 7th March: 2.30 pm

A business meeting followed by a talk by Richard Stone on the wrought iron work of Robert Bakewell.

Tuesday 21st March: Denstone Farm Shop with lunch at Sudbury Prison

We leave the Unicorn Inn at 9.30 am and will be returning to Newton by about 3 pm. Cost £10.

Tuesday 28th March: Whist Drive starting at 7 pm in the village hall Whist numbers are steady, but it would be nice to have a few more players.

Please contact Jane, our Secretary, on 01283 564520 for further information on Newton Solney Tuesday Club or any of our activities.
Rachel Freeman, Chairman


Newton Solney W.I.
After President Vanessa Archer welcomed members and guests to the February Open Meeting, the business section was kept to a minimum. Forthcoming events include a Spring walk and a visit to the Red Carpet cinema. It was suggested that the Craft Cup competition could be to knit a 'traffic light' hat for a new Derby Royal Hospital safety initiative for new born babies.

Our speaker for the evening was wildlife painter and conservationist Pollyanna Pickering, who, along with her daughter Anna-Louise, gave a fascinating illustrated talk about their amazing visits to the High Arctic to study, photograph and paint the wildlife, especially the magnificent polar bears.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 14th March at 7.30 pm in the village hall. It will be a social meeting centred on 'Your Tales of Newton Solney', and members will chat about their village memories and stories. Sue Ellis will provide flowers, and Lesley and Vicki Oldknow will be tea hostesses for the evening.


John Higgott's Almshouses, Newton Solney

A vacancy has arisen in one of the almshouses in Main Street, Newton Solney, comprising living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
Applicants should be 55 or over, of limited means,
capable of looking after themselves, and have been
EITHER long-term residents of Repton or Newton Solney,
OR have relations living in either of these parishes.

If interested, please write with your details to Mrs E J Plant, The Walled Garden, Well Lane, Repton, DE65 6EY, giving your address and telephone number.

Registered Charity No. 214465

Newton Solney Parish Council

Village Plan: The Parish Council has drafted a new village plan to incorporate concerns and improvements made during the well attended meeting in November.

Dog Fouling: Members of the Parish Council are still exploring ways to address this. The Council had been considering applying for an exclusion order, but following comments submitted by parishioners it has been decided that education is the best approach: new notices to highlight the fouling problem are to be erected.

Bus Shelter: The Parish Council understands the need for a new bus shelter and is considering a number of options, including the possibility of having it built by a joiner. More to follow.

Recreational Field: The Council has made an application to the Big Lottery Fund for £10,000, and to Tesco for a 'Bags of Help' grant, for the creation of trim trail on the Recreational Field. More to follow.
Planning
Tree pruning at 36 Main Street.
Erection of a garage / workshop at 213 Bretby Lane.
Demolition of conservatory, rear extension and new windows and cladding at 6 Newton Park.
Change of use to commercial at the old Post Office in Main Street – no objections raised.

Next meeting: Friday 10th March at 7.30 pm in the village hall. All are welcome.


South Derbyshire

Get Active in the Forest: 'Time for a cuppa' Dementia Walk
On Saturday 18th March enjoy a walk around Rosliston Forestry Centre, finishing off with hot drinks and biscuits, all in aid of Dementia UK. No charge but donations are requested to support this wonderful charity. Meet at 12.45 for a 1 pm start in the Centre foyer. 2 miles, 0 stiles.


Tesco Buses
Notts & Derby bus service 978 runs between the Tesco stores in Mickleover and Burton. It is free, but you are asked to show a Tesco receipt on the return journey to prove you have shopped at that particular store. When possible the bus has a regular driver so that s/he gets to know the regular customers. It stops in Repton - Milton Road, Springfield Road and the Cross - and Newton Solney at the Brickmakers. The only other scheduled stops are at the Rising Sun in Willington, Findern Green and Havenbaulk Lane.
WEDNESDAY
Burton Tesco 1040 1210 Mickleover Tesco 1245 13.55
NS Brickmakers 1049 1219 Repton Cross 1304 14.14
Repton Cross 1053 1223 NS Brickmakers 1308 . . . . .
Mickleover Tesco 1112 1242 Burton Tesco 1317 . . . . .
FRIDAY
Burton Tesco 1040 1210 1320 Mickleover Tesco 1005 1135 1245 13.55
NS Brickmakers 1049 1219 1329 Repton Cross 1025 1155 1305 14.14
Repton Cross 1053 1223 1333 NS Brickmakers 1029 1159 1309 . . . . .
Mickleover Tesco 1112 1242 1350 Burton Tesco 1040 1210 1320 . . . . .
There is no service on Good Friday.


Willington Power Station
Squeezed out in recent months was information that Calon Energy, the site's new owners have decided not to go ahead with the project to build a large scale gas-fired power station at present. Whether and when they take it further will depend on the state of the energy market – in simple terms, whether they can achieve the price they want for electricity generated.


Pay to tip!
If you have not caught it on social media, you may have missed the news that Derbyshire County Council is to charge for dumping certain types of waste at its nine recycling centres across the county, including the site in Main Street, Newhall. From April it will cost £3 to dump a bag of soil, bricks, rubble or ceramics such as bathroom furniture and tiles. Similar charges are already in force at Staffordshire's Burton site at Shobnall Road. There are concerns about a potential rise in fly-tipping.

You and your Pet

Drug resistance
As you will be aware from the media, the problem of antibiotic resistance is worldwide and growing. As vets we also have a role in protecting human health and have to be very careful what antibiotics we prescribe. There are some we cannot use as they must be kept for human use. Surgical sterility and disinfectants have improved over recent years reducing the need for antibiotics during operations.

The 'One-Health' initiative is a collaboration between the medical, scientific and veterinary communities to combat zoonotic diseases (those that transmit between humans and animals) and monitor antimicrobial resistance. Never has it been more important to treat conditions appropriately.

As pet owners there are many ways to help us prevent resistance. These include treating problems promptly to prevent secondary bacterial infections, and preventative health treatments such as vaccination and worming.

If you are given antibiotics for a pet, it is imperative to stick to the correct dose, timing and length of course. Fortunately drugs do come in palatable flavours these days!

Laboratories specialising in pathology enable us to find out exactly what is causing an infection, to determine what antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to, and thus to treat appropriately and prevent resistance. All these reduce our reliance on antibiotics and will help preserve them for future needs of both animals and humans.
Lucy Travers BVSc MRCVS, Beech Vets, Willington


Neighbourhood Watch

Remember: Always look out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

Adrian Gillham, Chairman, Repton Neighbourhood Watch

Police non-emergency, 101. Victim Support, 01332 349956.
Anti-Social Behaviour hotline, 01283 595 795.
Dog Fouling, neighbourhood.wardens@south-derbys.gov.uk
Contact crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Gardening Notes

Modern Shrub Roses
I recently attended a rose pruning afternoon at David Austin Roses. For 60 years David Austin has run a breeding programme crossing Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses with species roses to produce 'Modern Shrub Roses'. Every year they grow about 10,000 seedlings which over the next 8 years are ruthlessly selected to produce just two or three new roses a year, at a cost of £2 million annually. They are looking for beautifully fragrant flowers with good disease resistance on attractive shrubby plants which repeat flower. Now 91, David Austin believes that the new selections just get better and better.

The roses really are different and need to be treated differently. Firstly, the graft should be planted below ground: you are unlikely to get suckers and you should not be in too much of a hurry to remove underground shoots even if they do not look like the parent; wait until they flower and then decide. The other difference is in the pruning; shrub roses take a few years to establish and should not be pruned until they have flowered. You may not need to prune at all for the first few years. Unlike hybrid tea roses, shoots will come from old wood. I was surprised to see roses with old shoots not pruned. The mantra is: 'If it's healthy and still flowering, do not prune it'.

As with all pruning, remove dead, diseased and dying growth, and then stand back. Prune in winter; February is best but early March is OK. Start by removing all the leaves if practical – this is easier than it sounds – and put them in the brown bin. Nothing from your roses should go on the compost heap. Roses originated in countries like Persia and China where the climate is relatively dry, but in the UK, spores such as black spot and rust flourish in our damp climate, so removal of everything rosy will get you off to a better start at the beginning of the season. Next decide the shape and size of the rose you want. Usually it is enough to prune by a third, but you can go to two thirds to produce a shapely bush. Over the years you will produce a strong framework that will support the blooms. Try to leave as many side shoots as possible but cut off any thin 'twiddly' bits – and keep on standing back. When you have finished, remove all the prunings and mulch with garden compost. This will help to prevent dormant spores from the soil being splashed on to the foliage. It is interesting to see the gardens at David Austin Roses in winter: the shrub roses are sympathetically pruned and the ramblers and climbers neatly tied in over large walls and up narrow pillars. I am looking forward to returning in July, seeing the flowers and having another cream tea.
Other jobs for March
In March there is still plenty of time to sow seeds, but hold back if you do not have protected space to keep the growing seedlings. If you use a windowsill, put a mirror or foil on the room side to reflect the light, and keep turning the pots. Oriental salad vegetables are popular and grow well in pots. Using the cut and come again method you can get 2 or 3 trimmings from each pot. The mixed varieties are an easy way to get greenery for salads and stir-fries.

Finally try to clear your herbaceous plants by the end of March; once the new growth starts it takes much longer to remove the old stems. By March most growth responds to a little kick with the back of the heel or can be pulled off by hand. If you have spare compost, spread it on your beds to give an attractive look.

As Rudyard Kipling said: "Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful!' and sitting in the shade."
Pauline Little