LAST CHANCE FOR A CASH BOOST

It’s the countdown to cash grants! Voluntary groups and charities in Erewash have just two weeks left to apply for funding of up to £2,000 towards their vital work. The deadline for the latest round of Erewash Borough Council’s Community Grants Scheme is Wednesday 16 December – and local organisations both large and small are being urged to apply. Over the last few years, hundreds of local voluntary groups have received funding to support them in their important work to help local people. Two organisations that benefitted from grants in the first round of the 2020/21 scheme earlier this year were: The Long Eaton-based Canaan Trust charity, which received £2,000 to help ensure the supported accommodation for homeless males project was able to continue during COVID-19 restrictions. The newly formed Sawley Youth Club was awarded £240 towards the costs of first aid training courses for volunteers, youth accreditation certificates and arts and craft materials. Councillor Val Clare, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, says: “This year has been like no other and we have seen how the need for support and care has increased as people struggle with the effects of coronavirus. So this is a rallying call to groups and charities that continue to work so hard here in Erewash, especially in these challenging times. Please don’t delay if you feel you could benefit from a grant. This scheme awards grants to all sorts of projects, of whatever size, that help our borough and its residents, so let’s hear from you.” Full details of the scheme, and the EBC Community Grants Funding Policy, can be found at erewash.gov.uk/community-grants Anyone wanting advice on how to apply can email ebcsmallgrants@erewash.gov.uk. EBC’s Community Grants Scheme is unable to provide funding to any community group that has received a grant award within the last 12 months.

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE FLIES LOW OVER LONG EATON

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 19 G-RRGN PS853 owned by Rolls-Royce and based at East Midlands Airport is a regular visitor over the region. The sound of the unmistakable Griffon engine could be heard over Long Eaton on the afternoon of Monday, November 23rd. PS853 was retired in 1957 and after being operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1996. The Griffon engine,2,050hp ,was designed by Rolls-Royce as an alternative to the Merlin engine and produced more power at low altitudes.

APPEAL AFTER SAWLEY STABBING

 Police are re-issuing an appeal to trace anyone stood at a bus stop in Sawley when a 14-year-old boy was stabbed. An investigation was started and initial appeal put out following the incident which took place just before 2.40pm on Wednesday 11th November on Tamworth Road. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged. He appeared at court on Friday 13th November and was remanded into custody. If you were at the bus stop at the time, or in the area just before or after the incident, and have not already spoken to officers, we would like to hear from you. If you have any information which help officers with their inquiries please contact us on the non-emergency contact methods below.

Please quote reference 20*597253 in any correspondence.

• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

• Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

• Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

• Phone – call us on 101.

NETWORK RAIL TO REDUCE FLOODING AT DRAYCOTT

Network Rail are helping to restore part of the Draycott canal route in Derbyshire with a £350,000 investment. This joins a £100,000 investment by the Canal Trust. The project will help reduce flooding on the railway and create new recreational facilities. Known locally as the Golden Mile, the section was infilled in the 1960s. Although a drainage ditch was installed in 1999 to help prevent flooding on the railway, it has still been flooded 19 times in the last 8 years.

Alan Holden

Writer and IT administrator for RailAdvent.