LACE HERITAGE IN BLOOM

Erewash’s lace-making history is the inspiration behind this summer’s beautiful carpet bedding displays currently blossoming in Victoria Park, Ilkeston and outside Long Eaton Town Hall.  The flowers have been planted in a ‘Leavers Lace’ pattern by Erewash Borough Council’s Green Space team and is a reflection of John Lever’s success, who, in 1813, invented a machine  closely modelled on the knitting frame and was capable of producing lace in bulk. Collectively known across the globe as ‘Nottingham Lace’, both Ilkeston and Long Eaton and outlying areas became recognised manufacturers of the exquisite and finely made lace. 

Lace became hugely popular during the Victorian era, being used in the manufacture of furniture, curtains and various high quality garments with fine lace shawls sold by local firms to Queen Victoria - but with new manufacturing processes and materials demand declined leading to the closure of many of the lace factories including Granger’s factory in New Tythe Street, Long Eaton in 2001. Many former lace factories now house a number of other businesses and still dominate the skyline of Ilkeston and Long Eaton. The buildings are a poignant reminder of a great industrial past - Ilkeston is home to the Cluny Lace Company, based in Belper Street, and is the only surviving lace manufacturer in England and its quality lace products are famous all over the world. Long Eaton’s historic lace mills form the Long Eaton Mills Conservation Area with Harrington Mill and its distinctive chimney, built in 1885, being one of the most familiar sights in the town. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said:

“The flowerbed displays depicting the history of lace in Erewash at our Green Flag award-winning Victoria Park in Ilkeston and at Long Eaton Town Hall are stunning, and it is a truly fitting way to honour our lace heritage and all those who worked within the local lace industry. If you are able to visit the summer flowerbeds in all their glory, please do it safely and within social distancing guidelines.”

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

Toilets, Ilkeston Market Place

All public toilets in Erewash will reopen on Monday 15th June following several weeks of lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis. Erewash Borough Council confirmed the news this week and says it will conduct the usual cleaning standards once they are open, with all toilets having a morning deep clean and then two hourly cleans as before. Additional signage on safety guidance will be in place, including social distancing and hand washing. There are more than a dozen public conveniences across the borough which are open 8am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 8am-4.30pm on a Sunday. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“We thank the public for their understanding while we had to keep our toilets closed. But I am sure they support and appreciate that decision, given public conveniences would be high risk areas for our residents during the height of this lockdown. However, with the easing of restrictions we have reviewed the situation and are happy to confirm they will be reopening. Our usual high standard and regular cleaning regime will be in place and we ask that the public also respect the cleanliness of the surroundings.”

The public conveniences are located at:

Long Eaton Town Hall Grounds, Orchard Street, Long Eaton, Trent Lock, Long Eaton, Victoria Road, Draycott, Victoria Avenue, Borrowash, Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre, Long Eaton Railway Station, West Park, Long Eaton, Breaston Park, Longmoor Lane, Breaston, Parish Rooms, Blind Lane, Breaston, Station Road, Ilkeston, Market Place, Ilkeston, Gallows Inn, Nottingham Road, Ilkeston. Access to toilets for the disabled are available through the National Radar Key Scheme. Keys are available for free from Ilkeston and Long Eaton Town Hall receptions (Proof of disability required).

BRANCHING OUT IN EREWASH

Volunteer tree wardens have mapped the tree canopy cover in Erewash as part of a national project. Erewash Borough Council volunteers David Pinney and Pat Ancliff mapped the tree cover across the whole of the borough, to build on previous research but this time detailing the canopy cover on a ward-by-ward basis. Early results of mapping the Long Eaton area show that the Nottingham Road ward has a fairly large tree canopy cover at 20%. This is not surprising as this area includes Toton Sidings, Attenborough pastures, Attenborough gravel tips, Trent Meadows Local Nature Reserve, the River Trent and numerous water bodies with associated vegetation.
Long Eaton Central has a much lower 9.8% cover, but this area comprises mainly of residential, commercial and industrial land, with Forbes Hole LNR and trees around the ponds at South Junction providing important greenery to this ward. Behind the national scheme are Trees for Cities, Brillianto and Forest Research, with the project seen as a citizen science project to map out the canopy cover of Britain’s towns and cities. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“We are extremely grateful for the support of our volunteer tree wardens David and Pat and the important work they have carried out so enthusiastically and swiftly. This mapping has taken place in every single ward across Erewash and the results will be invaluable in helping us as a council shape future tree planting.”

Urban trees are increasingly recognised for the many benefits they provide, such as removing carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air, providing habitats for wildlife and making our urban areas more attractive, enjoyable and healthy places to be. The full results will be reviewed and residents will be able to view the maps of canopy coverage and find out more about the nationwide project at www.forestresearch.gov.uk More information about tree wardens and how to get involved can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk

Another chance for small businesses

A second round of grant funding opened on 9th June for those small businesses in Erewash that were not eligible for previous covid-19 support schemes. Erewash Borough Council says eligible businesses have until the deadline of Monday 22nd June to apply for help. The government funding is aimed at small businesses with a workforce of not more than 50 employees and includes those operating in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for small business rates relief and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. Eligible businesses can apply now for funding via an online form at www.erewash.gov.uk  Anyone wanting further information can email  There will be 6 levels of grant available ranging from £2,000 to £25,000. The level of award will be related to the number of staff employed by the business and the severity of the fall in income due to the Covid-19 crisis. Councillor Wayne Major, Deputy Leader of Erewash Borough Council and Lead Member for Resources, says:

“We are well aware that there are small businesses that did not qualify for the previous government grant funding but are still in need of vital support. We will continue to work to ensure those who successfully apply for this latest support will receive the funding as quickly as possible.”

The first round of funding closed on Monday 8^th June and grants for the successful applicants will be issued shortly. Businesses who applied during the first round of funding need not reapply, as their applications are already being considered by the authority. As well as the council’s website, business ratepayers can find out more by visiting www.gov.uk/business-supportwww.gov.uk/business-support 

SHOPLIFTER JAILED

A 40-year-old man has been jailed for 14 months following a three month shoplifting spree. Leeroy Simpson, of Croft Avenue in Long Eaton, pleaded guilty to breaching a criminal behaviour order and ten shop thefts at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday 9th June. The shoplifter’s haul included 16 bottles of self-tan, beef steaks and boxes of washing powder, in a series of thefts he committed between 16th February and 1st May.

Simpson stole from the Co-op on Bracebridge Drive four times, once on 18th April, twice on 19th April and once on 1st May. His other targets were Sainsbury’s in Watnall Road in Hucknall on 16th February, Go Outdoors on Mansfield Road in Daybrook on 25th February, Superdrug in Main Street in Bulwell on 19th March, Heron in Bracebridge Drive in Broxtowe on 23rd April, McColls in Broxtowe Lane in Broxtowe on 24th April and Wollaton Vale Service Station in Wollaton Vale, Wollaton, on 1st May. PC Keith Parkes of Nottinghamshire Police said: 

“Simpson has repeatedly helped himself to goods from shops at the expense of the business owners. We know what an impact shoplifting can have on businesses in our community, which is why I’m pleased we have been able to put Simpson before the courts to answer for his actions. I'm happy with the outcome today and hope it shows that crime does not pay.”