EREWASH IN BLOOM

The time has come for people in Erewash to once again showcase their fantastic flower displays and gardens through an annual competition run by Erewash Borough Council. The hugely popular Erewash in Bloom crowns winners across a range of categories, all of which will help make Erewash bloomin’ marvellous this summer. The competition is being held online this year due to the fallout from coronavirus and entries are now open. Unlike previous years where judges visited the gardens of finalists, this time entrants will be asked to submit five photographs per category through an online entry form. There are 11 categories for residents, community groups, businesses and schools, with final judging by a virtual panel in August. The top three entrants in six of the categories, including best front garden and tallest sunflower, will receive cash prizes or vouchers. There will be certificates and trophies for the winners in the other five categories. 

Residents can enter using the online form at www.erewash.gov.uk/erewashinbloom where photographs for each category can be uploaded. Entries close on Friday 2nd July. Entries can also be posted to: Erewash in Bloom, Merlin House, Merlin Way, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4RA. Please include your name, contact details and which category you are entering.

MAGGIE BACKS FAN LED REVIEW OF FOOTBALL

Erewash MP Maggie Throup has welcomed the publication of the terms of refence for a fan-led review of football by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, The Rt. Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE MP. The review, which is part of the Government’s 2019 General Election manifesto, will be wide-ranging in scope and examine the potential for changes to ownership models, governance, how finance flows through the game and how to give supporters a greater say in the running of the game. The Secretary of State has appointed former Sports Minister, qualified FA football coach and avid football fan, Tracey Crouch MP to Chair the review, with the final report expected to include recommendations on what steps can and should be taken, and how they should be implemented. Speaking about the fan-led review, Maggie said:

“Following another turbulent week off the pitch with the controversy surrounding the proposed formation of a European Super League, I am delighted that the Culture Secretary has brough forward the Government’s fan-led review of football. Football means so much to many people across the country and teams are ultimately nothing without the loyal fans who support them through good times and bad. Tracey is a fantastic advocate for the grass-roots game, and I have no doubt she will lead this root and branch review with the same passion she shows for her own team….even if it is Spurs! I look forward to inviting her to a match at one of our amazing local clubs here in Erewash in the very near future, so that she can see for herself the immense contribution that loyal fans make to community football.”   

LETTER

 TERRIBLE REFLECTION OF TIMES

Dear Editor,

The murder of Sarah Everard is a terrible reflection of our times. And that a policeman can commit this atrocity, who is supposed to be protecting us, more so. But, even worse, highlighted by the reaction to it, it shows up a growing sexual apartheid. The numbers of women the target of such attacks, have not increased in 20 years, and 3/4 of the victims are male. I recall a similar atmosphere being about in the 1970s, but when I looked at the figures, found that young males, into which category I fell, were most at risk. Indeed, I was the victim of an attack in 1971. In those days, men and women were fairly close together, now there is a widening gulf. The murder of Sarah Everard is grist to the mill for the feminist man haters. It suits their misandrist agenda. Their approach is to say "Women good, men bad". This is the source of their spat with transgenders. I am in agreement with Anne Widdecombe, not someone I would usually agree with, who says "Women have never had it so good". What happened to the Equal Pay Act, and the Sex Discrimination Act? 

 'Our Silent Emergency' presented by Roman Kemp, at 9pm on BBC1 TV on Tuesday 16th March drew attention to the national emergency of male suicide. They account for 3/4 of this phenomenon. Women treat men very harshly, and this contributes critically to low self-esteem. I witnessed a friend of mine receiving such harsh treatment, and I recall an occasion when I was within earshot of such haranguing when I was at work. and there is also the reality of lesbians attacking heterosexual males. Women cannot expect to be the perpetrators of such dross without consequences. Yes, some men are over-zealous in their pursuit of women. So, this situation is a scenario of 2 sides. We are all responsible. But, the outlook is bleak. With the antagonistic, antithetical culture originally perpetrated by Margaret Thatcher, narrow-minded attitudes have become the norm. We need to get back to the old ideals of Love and Peace from the progressive decades of the '60s & '70s.

 C R Davis

RAIL VICTIM NAMED

The name of a man who died after being hit by a train at Long Eaton railway station has been released at the inquest into his death. Dylan Slezak died after being hit by a train on Thursday, April 15th. Emergency services were called to the station at around 7.13pm, but sadly the 49-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Slozak, whose address was given as the Novotel hotel in Bostocks Lane, Long Eaton, was identified by his fingerprints. His provisional cause of death was given as severe chest and abdominal injuries caused by a rail collision.

Lousie Pinder, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire opened an inquest into his death at Derby Coroner's Court on Wednesday, April 28th. She confirmed that multiple agencies including British Transport Police are drafting reports that will be used in the full inquest. She adjourned the hearing for six weeks at which point it will be reviewed.

DONT LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE

Erewash Borough Council has issued a final reminder to local residents that they MUST be registered by next Monday 19th April to have their right to vote in next month’s local elections. Anyone old enough to vote who is not on the Council’s Register of Electors by the deadline day will lose their vote. The deadline for new applications to vote by post is the following day - 5pm on Tuesday 20th April. Residents will go to the polls on Thursday 6th May to vote in the Derbyshire County Council elections and to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire. Nine county councillors will be elected to represent Erewash on the county council. The Register of Electors is checked and updated every year but anyone who has recently moved house or just moved to the borough – or young people who have celebrated their 18th birthday over the last year – need to ensure their details are registered.

It is quick and easy to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Residents who want to check that they are registered to vote in Erewash can ask via an online form at www.erewash.gov.uk - click on ‘The Council’ and ‘Elections’ to find the form that will be responded to within one working day. This year’s elections will be held in covid-secure polling stations with a range of safety measures in place, including the mandatory requirement that voters wear face masks and are encouraged to take their own pencils/pens to mark their ballot paper. Anyone who needs to apply for a postal vote should email electreg@erewash.gov.uk  or call 0115 907 1190. The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 27th April. Erewash Borough Council’s elections team can help with any enquiries. Email electreg@erewash.gov.uk or call 0115 907 1190. Royal Mail has 35,000 Priority Post Boxes with late collection times, some also including collections at weekends, that were introduced to help with the delivery of Covid Test Kits. This service may help postal voters. Visit www.royalmail.com/priority-postboxes to find a priority box in the local area.