FOOTBALL HEROES SALUTED

Heroes of the thriving grassroots football scene in Erewash were saluted at a Pride Park Stadium ceremony organised by Derbyshire FA where six of them netted coveted awards. The inspirational winners at Derby County’s ground included secondary school teacher Ryan Parkes, who was named Coach of the Year for his dedication to West Hallam Junior FC. 

He began coaching seven-year-olds there when he was just 15. Almost a decade on he continues to mentor lads who are now older than he was at the time. A tribute to him by judges revealed: “Some of the boys have struggled with anxiety and this coach knows what to say and how to encourage when needed. He goes above and beyond.” 

The 2023 Derbyshire Grassroots Football Awards were a triumph for Long Eaton United FC, which was named Club of the Year. Its under-10s coach Nick Rippon-Smith clinched the Positive Football Environment Award. He also coaches Stanton Girls Under-11s. The judges said: “Nick sleeps, eats and breathes grassroots football. 

“As Nick always said, the cost of living has had an effect on us all and no child should be affected by this stopping them from playing football. When it comes to bringing a positive environment to football, Nick has it all.” 

 

Plaudits also went to Ilkeston Town FC’s club secretary Mark Frost – who carried off the Unsung Hero Award – and referee Bob Green, who was named Match Official of the Year. Bob’s colleague in the Erewash Referee Society Chris Hodson earned a Referee Recognition category award. 

Erewash Councillor Claire Marie Poole, who is the borough’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, was among some 150 guests at the awards night. She said: 

“Congratulations to all the winners – especially those from Erewash. Boosting sport and fitness across the borough is a key goal of the council. These awards are a testament to how football here is flourishing at the grassroots level.” 

 Maggie calls for a review of All Saints’ Church’s decision asking families to remove ornaments from graves  

 Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, has called on the Rt. Rev. The Bishop of Derby to review the decision made by All Saints’ Church, Kirk Hallam, asking families to remove certain types of floral tributes and associated memorials from graves within the churchyard. Under new rules imposed by the Diocese, ornaments such as artificial flowers, glasses, photographs and toys will have to be removed from graves or face being confiscated.  

 
Erewash residents informed Maggie of the church’s decision to start enforcing new rules. Maggie has since written to the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Derby asking for an urgent review of this decision. Maggie commented: “A number of distressed Erewash families have contacted me about the new rules for placing ornaments on churchyard graves at All Saints’ Church, Kirk Hallam. Although I fully appreciate that the Diocese has a responsibility to ensure that its churchyards are kept safe and tidy, and that tributes are of a respectful nature, this is an area of huge sensitivities and personal taste. We should all be able to grieve and remember our loved ones, however, what is particularly worrying is that All Saints’ Church did not consult the mourning families before they made this decision. I have written to the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Derby asking her to urgently review this decision. I am also calling on the Church Authorities and the affected families to engage in open dialogue which will hopefully lead to a common-sense solution that will benefit all parties.”  

 
Unless there is a change of decision, the churchyard will be inspected later this month and any unauthorised ornaments will be removed. 

ILKESTON CHAMBER OF TRADE

A crusade by Ilkeston business leaders to help get the town booming again by resurrecting its old Chamber of Trade is being welcomed by Erewash Borough Council. The original decades-old forum bit the dust a few years ago amid recession – although the neighbouring Long Eaton Chamber of Trade continues to work closely with the authority. Business leaders have been invited to a summit organised by those spearheading the idea of a new Ilkeston Chamber of Commerce. The meeting is at Ilkeston Town Hall on Thursday 12th October. It will be attended by Councillor Frank Phillips, who is the current Mayor of Erewash. 

Town centre pub landlord Peter Byrne, who runs the Market Inn, is one of those championing the new business forum. Another is Paul Opiah, who edits local magazine Ilkeston Life. 
David Thorpe, who acted as president of the old Chamber of Trade, is also said to be involved. He owns South Street furniture store Thorpes. Mr Opiah, whose business interests include the U Choose Smoothie Bar, said the idea had seen “a tremendous response, especially on Bath Street.” He hopes most of Ilkeston’s business community will attend the 6pm meeting – and said anyone was welcome to turn up. Mr Opiah’s message to traders was: “If we can create one voice – stronger together – we will make a difference in town.” 
 
Fellow entrepreneur Mr Byrne stressed in an interview on the Erewash Sound radio station that an Ilkeston Chamber of Commerce would benefit firms all over the town – not just in the centre. 
He pointed to “fantastic, successful businesses” on Manners Industrial Estate, Quarry Hill and Canalside. Mr Byrne added: “One thing I would like to see happen is more younger people getting involved. People can talk to each other and exchange ideas.” 

The old Ilkeston Chamber of Trade was part of the successful campaign for the town to again get a rail station. It also joined a push for Ilkeston to benefit from what was known as the Portas Review – a government link-up with TV’s shopping guru Mary Portas to find 12 towns across the country to share in £1.2million of funding. A 2012 video presentation on behalf of the town can be seen at Ilkeston VideoYT.mov - YouTube 
 
Sadly, Ilkeston eventually lost out to places such as Market Rasen, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Wolverhampton. Erewash Councillor Alex Breene, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “It would be brilliant for Ilkeston to get a new forum for local business people. We would be only too pleased to work with such an organisation for the benefit of the town – and wish it every success.” 

SPORTING OSCARS

A Council is to hand out awards to inspirational residents as part of its crusade to get local people fitter and keep them active.The sporting “Oscars” are a chance for Erewash residents to salute individuals and organisations who have helped transform lifestyles by encouraging exercise and healthy lifestyles.The 2023 Active Lives awards are in ten categories – and the closing date for nominations is Monday 23rd October.A council spokesman said: “These awards celebrate individuals, community groups and organisations who have positively influenced the lives of people in our communities through physical activity. Nominating someone is the perfect way to show your thanks and recognition to those who deserve it.” The ten categories are: 

• Active Coach/Activator Award 

• Active Life Award 

• Active Place Award 

• Active School Award 

• Active Volunteer Award 

• Active Young Persons Award 

• Community Group/ Association/ Team Award 

• Project/ Initiative/ Innovation Award 

• Special Recognition Award 

• Legacy Leisure Adversity Award 

• 
  

Last year’s Legacy Leisure Adversity award went to Susie Lambert, who after suffering a life-altering brain injury set up a support group, crafting group and eco therapy group to help others living with long-term illnesses. 

 
The Active Young Persons Award was won by Evie Hartley. She has raised tens of thousands for cancer charities after being diagnosed with the disease a few years ago. Great Britain wheelchair tennis player Abbie Breakwell, from Long Eaton, scooped the Special Recognition Award. Nominations can be made online via the Erewash Borough Council website, where full details can be found. Alternatively, a form for posting can be downloaded from the site. Councillor Claire Marie Poole, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “There are many amazing and inspirational individuals across the borough who we are keen to shine a spotlight on. These awards aim to do just that – so please hurry and get your nominations in.” 

ENERGY BILL PROBLEMS

Regional charity Groundwork Five Counties is supporting households in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to keep their energy bills low this winter. As the weather turns colder, the charity’s Green Doctor provides free advice in people’s homes, helping them to keep costs down and their home warm, as well as reduce their carbon footprint. Recently it was announced that the Energy Price Cap is to be lowered from 1st October 2023, averaging a 7% reduction in household energy bills. However, the price cap figures are still considerably higher than before the energy crisis, with the average annual cost of £1,923 for typical households, as opposed to £1,300 pre-2021. Over 545,000 households in the East Midlands are also eligible for financial support from the government via this winter’s £300 Cost of Living payment. This is the second of three payments to those on means-tested benefits, totalling £900. Other government support available includes the additional £300 winter fuel allowance for pensioners, £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment and the £150 Warm Home Discount for people who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs. 

Mike Blackham, Green Doctor Trainer at Groundwork Five Counties, says: “This financial support is no doubt greatly welcomed by those who are eligible. However, we want to make sure everyone can save money, stay warm and healthy this winter. 

“The Green Doctor team can visit your home for free and give useful tips on saving energy. This could be turning down your thermostat one degree, changing the boiler flow temperature, or implementing draught excluders, LED light bulbs and reflective radiator panels to keep the heat in. All these small changes can make a big difference and save you hundreds of pounds per year! We also identify and tackle damp and mould problems, to make sure your whole family can stay healthy in the cold winter months and beyond. Should you be experiencing debt or financial problems due to the high cost of energy, we can support you with accessing emergency heating or financial support from the government. We want people to be able to stay warm and healthy this winter, and especially with energy costs still so high, we are more needed than ever. Make an appointment with the Green Doctor and we’ll do our very best to help!” 

To find out more about the Green Doctors and to get support free of charge, visit the Groundwork Five Counties website: www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor