FISH STOCKS BOOSTED AT GRANGE POND

On Monday 9th March, LEVAS received a delivery of new fish stocks which were successfully released into Grange Pond. Grange Pond Bailiff’s Tim Taylor and Paul Wheeldon, with Head Bailiff Jim Rudkin and Committee Members Rob Pembridge and John Adamson were present to oversee the operation, when a large number (250+) of three year old bream, each weighing around eight ounces, several small carp (one to two pounds), plus a single rogue barbel swam away into their new habitat.

This is the first opportunity to complete the stocking as Grange Pond water levels have just dropped to a level where the banks may be safely accessed, and this year’s stocking is aimed to give a substantial boost to the “silver fish” in Grange, also with the addition of a few more carp. Hopefully the new fish will complement the existing bream stocks and will breed in the lake to perpetuate the population in the coming years. These new fish have been raised on pellets, so it is likely that pellet baits may prove the most successful in the coming months.

POLICE OFFICER SINGS AT CARE HOME

Longmoor Lodge Care Home provides care and support for those with dementia and on Friday 6th March, PC John Aldred was part of the local policing Safer Neighbourhood team that were visiting the home to provide re-assurance and general crime prevention advice. John took along his guitar and spent some of the time there playing and singing to the residents.

Sergeant Sarah Carlile, who is in charge of the team, said: “We don’t often get to do ‘nice’ things in our job and I think this is a lovely example of a team which really care strongly about the vulnerable, hard to reach members of the community they serve.”

Opposite: PC John Aldred sings to the residents of the Sandiacre Care Home

THREE NEW DEFIBS FOR SAWLEY

Derbyshire County Councillor for Sawley Cllr Kewal Singh Athwal has sourced grant funding from the DCC Members Community Program Scheme to fund a further 3 defibrillator's for the wider Sawley area, making a total of 9 machines installed since August 2018. The new machines have been installed on 5th March outside All Saints Church Hall, Dovedale Primary School and Sawley Junior School. They will be available 24/7 for the benefit of our local residents and visitors to the Sawley area. Councillor Athwal has worked closely with East Midlands Ambulance Service and they have recommended the proposed defibrillators. East Midlands Ambulance Service will also maintain these life saving machines on an ongoing basis.

Heart problems can happen at any age, it is not only the elderly or infirm people that can suffer with heart problems but as we have seen recently, that even young sportsmen & women can be effected.

Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal said:

 "Even if only one life is saved by these defibrillators, then it is worth investing in this project and I would also like to thank Reverend Tony Street at All Saints Church, Friends of Sawley Junior School and the PTA of Dovedale School for their support in having these defibrillators installed on their premises".

NEW TOWN CENTRE DRIVE

A new Lead Member whose role will be to target the on-going drive to regenerate Ilkeston and Long Eaton town centres has been appointed by Erewash Borough Council. The ruling Conservative group confirmed this week that Councillor Dan Pitt has taken up the reins for the newly-created Lead Member for Town Centres portfolio. He will be working with local businesses and looking at new ways to increase footfall in the towns.

His appointment is connected to the council’s ambition to encourage people to stay longer in the town centres and make them more viable by shopping locally.

One of Councillor Pitt’s biggest priorities will be to join the work now underway to put together a bid for grant money of up to £25m for Long Eaton from the government’s new Towns Fund. He will also focus on a bid being put together for Ilkeston should new market town grant money becomes available.

Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council says:

“I believe a new Lead Member to give full attention to our town centres and take a proactive approach is the right move. This is all about investigating new ideas and having a fresh look at the way forward, building on the regeneration work put in over the last few years. We know High Streets across the country are facing the same difficult challenges - but if we can attract more people to live in the town centre, we will then, hopefully, see them shop locally. Our night time economy in Erewash works well through the town centre bars and restaurants. Now we will continue our work with local traders and businesses to replicate that in the daytime by finding fresh and pioneering ways to encourage people to support their town.”

Councillor Pitt has welcomed the new approach to town centre regeneration: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to this position, which will allow me to focus on how we get more people into our town centres and, most importantly, to stay in them for longer and show their support for local businesses by shopping locally. It is a difficult challenge, I am well aware of that, but it is one that I fully embrace. I aim to change the negative narrative that surrounds our High Streets and work with everyone to create fresh and exciting ideas that will bring a new positivity going forward.”

Elected to the council in May last year, Councillor Pitt represents the Derby Road West ward in Long Eaton. He has previously worked as a manager in the hospitality industry and for the last five year has taught business and politics in the Higher Education sector. He holds two masters’ degrees, one in international business and the other in political philosophy.

FLOWER BASKETS

Local businesses, parish councils, community groups and residents can show their pride in Erewash by sponsoring flower baskets helping to put the feel-good factor in the borough over the summer. The sponsorship fee is £99.60 per year, based on a three year contract, and covers everything from the cost of the basket and plants through to watering, maintenance and an optional sponsor plaque.

The colourful baskets are attached to lamp columns and brighten up the towns and villages in Erewash throughout the summer. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure says:

“Our sponsorship scheme offers residents and businesses the ideal opportunity to play their part in helping the borough bloom this summer.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring a flower basket needs to apply by Monday 23rd March. Application forms can be obtained by emailing parks@erewash.gov.uk or telephone 0115 907 2244. Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.