LONG EATON MAN MISSING

 Police are growing increasingly concerned for the safety of a man missing from Long Eaton. David was reported missing from his home in William Street just after 10.45pm on Sunday 23rd July. The 60-year-old was last seen by Paramedics wearing high visibility clothing and driving a grey Volkswagen Passat. David has links to the Long Eaton area.

Police are also trying to find the car with licence plate starting FL64. If you have seen David, or know where he might, you can contact us, quoting reference number 1269 of 23 July, on any of the methods below:

·         Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form

·         Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page

·         Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact

·         Phone – call us on 101

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

SPITFIRE SALUTE

Motoring fans from across Erewash and the rest of the country will be winging their way to Ilkeston in August as the town’s huge summer car show returns – with a World War II Spitfire roaring overhead. The Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show will see more than 300 cars, buses and other vehicles from yesteryear take over the Market Place and surrounding streets on Sunday, 13 August.

The motor show was first staged 11 years ago. It is now Ilkeston’s biggest annual event apart from the town’s historic street fair. This year’s extravaganza will see a salute by a World War Two Spitfire, which will stage a flypast – weather permitting.

Visitors to the show will be able to take spins in some of the vehicles on display, courtesy of the group Sporting Bears Dream Rides. The car show is billed as a fun day out for all the family with stalls and refreshments. It is organised by Erewash Partnership Events, in conjunction with volunteers and enthusiasts.

 The Erewash Partnership business confederation is a strategic partner of Erewash Borough Council. A spokesman for the partnership said: “The event promises to be another memorable celebration of our transport and motoring heritage.”  Erewash’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, the council’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The motor show has been going from strength to strength over the years and is now a highlight of the local calendar. We are all geared up for what again promises to be a great summer day out for all the family.”

LENS

Coming up: Mon July 31st Local Hunt for Clearwing Moths   
Leader  Melanie Penson, Butterfly Conservation Officer
Meet 1pm at  Stanton Gate LNR Moorbridge Lane, Stanton by Dale DE7 4QS Grid Ref SK 482 472. Slopes and uneven ground. We can then drive the short distance to Stanton Lagoons, off Merlin Way. Car share advised.
Cost £1.50 for LENS members, guests £2.50. 
Queries - contact Joan Breakwell 07527 007280 
Best wishes
Marion
Marion Bryce
Hon Sec LENS Wildlife Group

EREWASH HALF MARATHON & TRIATHLON CANCELLED

The Erewash Half Marathon and Triathlon in August have sadly been cancelled after too few entrants signed up in the wake of the pandemic. The annual 13.1-mile run was due to have started at Long Eaton’s West Park Leisure Centre on Saturday 5th August. The triathlon was scheduled for the Sunday. Both events have proved popular in the past as charity moneyspinners. Last year saw around 200 take part -- but this was already a major dip. Organisers said that prior to the pandemic the events were on course to match sister ones they oversee in Birmingham. These had been attracting up to 2,000 participants but have also struggled to recover. A spokesman for organiser StuWeb said: “It is with regret that we are cancelling the Erewash Triathlon and Half Marathon. Numbers are unusually low and due to this the event is not viable.”
The £30 entry fees will be refunded “in the coming days”. The email address for inquiries is help@stuweb.co.uk

EREWASH IN BLOOM

Cash awards of £100 are up for grabs in this year’s Erewash in Bloom gardening contest – and the council is urging residents to hurry for a chance to share in the prize pot. The alert went out to green-fingered locals as the August 7 deadline for entries fast approaches. There are top prizes totalling £500 in five categories – best front garden, best small back garden, best large back garden, best hanging baskets and planters, and best wildlife or environmental garden. Second prizes in each of these categories are £50 and £25. A spokesman said: “It has got to be worth having a go.” Under-16s can win £50 for tallest sunflower, with the runner-up getting £25 and a third prize of £25.

Coveted trophies and certificates will be handed out in six other categories, including for best allotments, school garden, pub or restaurant display and shop or business. The competition is one of the largest in the East Midlands. Entering is easy-peasy – just send in photos. Find out more on the Erewash in Bloom page and enter using the online form. Entrants this year include a row of three beautifully-adorned terraces on Ilkeston’s Nottingham Road, which passers-by regularly stop to take photos of. One admirer said in a Facebook post: “The flowers light up the row and make us smile. They actually lift people’s energy – thankyou for making a difference.”

Cllr Joel Bryan, Erewash council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “We want this competition to be the best ever – and you don’t need to have a massive garden to stand a chance of winning up to £100. Even the most humble of frontages can gladden the hearts by brightening up our streets. We have a big pot of prizes, so our message to residents is: Don’t miss out.”