BOMBER FLIES OVER LONG EATON

The iconic Lancaster bomber Avro Lancaster PA474 passed over Long Eaton just after midday on October 22nd.

7,377 Lancaster bombers were built but only two remain airworthy. RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) based in Lincolnshire at RAF Coningsby operates one, the other is in Canada. The Avro Lancaster, nicknamed Thumper was built by Vickers-Armstrong in Chester in 1945. The bomber joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in November 1973. RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight also operate six Spitfires and two Hurricanes.

 MAYOR HONOURS CARING CITIZENS

Community-minded residents and groups will be honoured for their contribution to society as part of this year’s Erewash Mayor's Awards.

In a first for the annual awards, the Mayor, Councillor Sue Beardsley, hopes to present the winners with the honour during a personal visit, which will follow all safety guidelines.

Five caring residents and representatives of three local groups were due to be presented with their awards at Long Eaton Town Hall on Wednesday 21st October but the event had to be cancelled due to the strict Tier 2 Covid-19 guidelines. 

 The awards recognise groups or individuals who carry out vital work in their community without expecting anything in return. A virtual meeting of the judging panel – which included councillors and local community representatives - discussed the nominations, made by local residents, and looked for evidence of special qualities and service beyond simply being a ‘good neighbour’ when picking out the award winners. Councillor Sue Beardsley, the Mayor of Erewash, says:

“Presenting awards to pay tribute to people in this borough who give so much to our communities is such an honour for me and one of the shining memories in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. Covid will not stop me from personally congratulating and thanking this year’s Mayor’s Award recipients for all that they do. These awards are led by residents who make all the nominations so thank you to them. But I would also like to express my gratitude to all those who work so selflessly in our borough throughout the year – and, of course, particularly during this year’s challenging times. It is a privilege to have met many of you.”

 The successful recipients of a Mayor’s Award for the 2019/20 civic year are:

Residents

Mr David Allen of Ilkeston David has volunteered at Erewash Sound Radio for several years, promoting local activities and events whilst doing so.  He is an expert on local stage shows and live music and has highlighted the work of local theatre and drama groups within the borough.  He shares his passion and support for Erewash arts with others.

 Tracy Bilbie of Long Eaton Tracy tirelessly runs her own animal rescue charity (Bilbo’s Animal Rescue), rescuing and rehoming unwanted pets, many needing veterinary treatment before doing so. All this is done through raising money by selling donations kindly given by members of the public.  Tracy also fundraises for a variety of other local organisations and, for the past three years, has put together Christmas collections for struggling families.

 Joey Fletcher and Owen Reynolds of West Hallam Joey and Owen are students at Kirk Hallam Community Academy and earlier in the year raised funds for The Alzheimer’s Society by undertaking a 10km charity walk which they called ‘The Care Home Crawl’.  During the walk they visited eight care homes and, as it was Valentine’s Day, they took bunches of flowers to each care home and spent time talking with the residents.  They have also raised money for the charity through a cake stall at school and are seen as fine examples of the good work carried out by the younger generation.

 Jean Lupton of Breaston Mrs Lupton is a stalwart of the Breaston community and carries out many voluntary roles and is always willing to help everyone.  For 12 years she was the driving force behind the very successful Breaston Gala taking on both organisational and practical roles including selling programmes and being the compere on the day.  She produces the Breaston and Draycott Village News each month, she is the treasurer of Breaston Community Forum, a befriender and an active member of St Michael’s Church. Jean is very well known and respected in the village and is always willing to go that extra mile.

Groups

Everyone Eats The group is run by Lindsey Rice and Zee Shelton along with an army of volunteers who ensure that ‘every one eats’.  Over 100 people sat down to enjoy either a Community Breakfast or Lunch on Christmas Day with food being donated by local companies.  This newly constituted Erewash group aims to combine free food and free music for all of the community and is a fabulous example of what can be achieved when a community works together. 

 Friendship Hub The Friendship Hub opened in January 2016 as the Erewash branch of the Royal Air Forces Association drop-in centre, originally to help overcome loneliness within the RAFA family.  However, most of the footfall now is the local community with no forces background at all.  Marian Robinson is the Erewash branch Honorary Welfare Officer and she, along with a group of volunteers, arrange weekly chair based exercise classes; fortnightly crafting with lunch and games as well as day trips, holidays and open days.  

 The Canaan Trust For this charity which helps the homeless, 2020 certainly hasn’t turned out the way it was hoped.  The Trust had arranged to mark its 25th Anniversary of operating in the community with several events which would give everyone a time to reflect on the positives, the successes as well as the challenges they have faced over the last quarter of a century.  These all had to be cancelled and as Covid has brought a multitude of new and additional challenges to their door, the Trust has taken the decision to continue to operate 24/7, 365 days a year to reach those in need of help.  This Award is to simply say a ‘heartfelt thank you’ on behalf of all those the charity has reached. 

YOUR TOWN YOUR WAY

Long Eaton residents are being urged to step up and take part in a landmark four-week public consultation that will help shape the next chapter in the town’s rich history. 

 The survey, launched this week, is seen as one of the most important in the regeneration and development of Long Eaton as the town prepares its bid for up to £25m of funding as part of the government’s Town Deal initiative.

 The bid is being led by the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, which confirmed this week that the views of local residents are ‘absolutely vital’ if the town is to seize one of the biggest opportunities in a lifetime.

 Over the next four weeks, residents have the chance to give their views on specific proposals which have been developed following comments received in a first consultation earlier this year. Suggested projects include possible changes to the design of the High Street, improvements to the town centre junctions (The Green and the Asda/Tesco roundabout), a new canal bridge from West Park directly onto the towpath and a range of new cultural ideas.

 Richard Ledger, Chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said it is now up to local residents of all ages to take part and get behind a bid that will be innovative and help shape the town’s future for generations to come:  “To be chosen as one of the towns in line for funding is an incredible achievement and I’d like to thank all those who gave their views in the first public consultation back in the summer. We listened to your views, your ideas and now we have this second, much more detailed consultation, which is just as important – if not more so. Once again we urge you to take the time to tell us your thoughts and be a part of this unique opportunity.”

 His comments were backed by Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council and Vice-Chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board:  “This is a fantastic opportunity for the residents of Long Eaton and it is important that everyone who is able does have their say in the consultation. Your opinions about the future of our thriving town are crucial in deciding what projects will go ahead and help transform Long Eaton for years to come. It’s only by working together that we can achieve the best, so please take part.”

 Erewash MP Maggie Throup, who is also a Board member, added:  “I absolutely share the rallying call to Long Eaton residents – this is your chance to help the Board win the best financial deal possible from this excellent government scheme. This is such an important opportunity for the town and I am proud to serve on the Board and will do everything I can to achieve success.”

 The views of local people are a vital element in putting together the Town Investment Plan bid which has to be submitted in January 2021. The Town Board will be able to put forward project proposals totalling up to £25 million as part of its Investment Plan. The exact amount offered, however, will depend on the total of all the projects that are assessed by the government as viable. To take part in the consultation visit www.erewash.gov.uk/haveyoursay or request a printed copy to be mailed out to you by calling 0115 907 2244.

LONG EATON CHARITY WORKER IN £73K FRAUD

A fraudster swindled more than £73,000 from a Nottingham charity and its trading subsidiary company which he used to work for to pay towards a house he was buying. Darren Pickering, 37, was employed by community-based charity The Renewal Trust and Hungerhill Trading Limited between 18th August 2015 and 21st December 2018. The charity works with children, young people, adults and communities in St Ann’s, Sneinton and Mapperley – Nottingham’s Area 6 – and beyond. It supports people by offering a number of young people's programmes, community initiatives, sports programmes and employability assistance.

Pickering, of Bonsall Street, Long Eaton, was employed by the charity as a full-time property manager. He transferred money from the trust to pay fraudulent invoices, with the funds going into his own bank account.

He used the money he’d fraudulently gained to pay a deposit on a house he was buying in Derbyshire. On Friday 2nd October 2020, he was jailed for two years at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of fraud by abuse of position.

He used the money he’d fraudulently gained to pay a deposit on a house he was buying in Derbyshire. On Friday 2nd October 2020, he was jailed for two years at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of fraud by abuse of position.

 Detective Sergeant Anna Haynes, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a significant amount of money for the charity which Pickering stole for his own selfish gain. He was a trusted member of staff but he abused and exploited his position. This was a complex investigation and I’m glad Pickering pleaded guilty. The evidence against him was overwhelming. I hope this case sends a clear message to those who believe they can abuse their position for their own financial gain that offences will be uncovered and you will be brought before the courts to answer to your crimes.”

TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR EX LONG EATON HEAD TEACHER

A former Long Eaton head teacher has been given two life sentences after killing his wife and her lover. Officers found Helen Hancock (nee Almey), 39, and Martin Griffiths, 48, from Derby, at her home in New Zealand Lane, Duffield, in the early hours of New Year’s Day. They had suffered fatal stab wounds. Rhys Hancock was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on October 1st, where Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant QC told him he will serve at least 31 years before he can be considered for parole. The court heard that Hancock inflicted over 6o injuries on his wife and 37 wounds on Mr Griffiths. A paramedic said it was the most violent incident he had ever seen and described it as a bloodbath.

Hancock called the police after the attack and told them, “I’ve just murdered my wife in her bed.” He admitted to the murders when he appeared at court in July.

Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant QC, sentencing Hancock, said: “What you did that night has deprived two families of the people they love and no sentence I impose will seem adequate to them and nothing I do can fill the undoubted void that the deaths of Helen Hancock and Martin Griffiths have left in their lives.

“Your actions that night left your three children without a mother and you left Martin’s family without a son and his children without a father.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Steve Shaw said: “What was apparent throughout our investigation was just how popular Helen and Martin were.

“They were much-loved by not only their families but by friends, neighbours and colleagues and I know their deaths have devastated everyone who knew them.”