WEDNESDAY “NISA” OPEN MATCH 
LAKE TWO  
Makins Fishery sponsored by Tackle Guru 
1st MAY 2024 

Place	Peg	Angler's Name	Sponsor/Club	Weight-lb/oz
1st	A21	Ricky ARMS	Hinckley	121-12
2nd	A8	Andy FINDLAY	Preston Innovations & Sonubaits	106-12
3rd	A18	Daz MILNE	Hinckley	97-11
4th	A15	Phil HUNT	Grenadier Guards	90-09
5th	B13	Tom NEWTON	Bait-Tech North	67-06
6th	B23	Shaun WEED	Old Works AC	59-05
7th	A6	Gaz KITCH	Wykin Fishing Club	40-03
8th	B21	John ADAMSON	Nisa Feeders	28-09
9th	A12	Jim INNES	Nuneaton Nomad	26-02
10th	B15	Peter STOCKWIN	Northampton	20-12

 

Report: 

Just for a change, there was little or no wind (what we had was from the NE), it was quite humid and mainly overcast but with a few sunny periods, it was an enjoyable day to be by the water.  Unfortunately, the fish failed to cooperate, and although there were some good weights, many anglers struggled for bites, which was most frustrating as all day carp could be seen cruising all around the lake. The match was a “sell-out”, and for the first time the new prize payment system was used, which rewarded the overall winner, and then the (default) top two weights on each bank (A and B). When Ricky Arms drew peg A21 he was overjoyed.  It was the first time he had ever drawn it, and knowing there were fish nearby he could hardly wait for the match to start.  When the horn blew for commencement, Ricky cast out his pellet waggler and was soon rewarded with carp number one.  By switching between pellet waggler and mugging/slapping on the pole, Ricky caught at regular intervals to finish with 121-12, victory and the overall winner’s prize. 

Away from the main battle in the high A numbers, on peg A8 Andy Findlay once again produced a superb performance on the method feeder, extracting 106-12 of carp for second place, taking a default first place on the A bank, relegating Daz Milne (peg A18), who caught on bomb and pellet and mugging on the long pole for a weight of 97-11, to third overall which took second prize on the A bank. Phil Hunt (A15) caught his fourth-placed 90-09 of big carp on the bomb and wafter, but unfortunately, under the new payment system, there was no prize. Fifth and sixth places both came from the B bank.  On B13 Tom Newton mugged decent carp for his 67-06 to win the B bank, Shaun Weed (B2) fishing similarly for his 59-05 to take the second B bank prize. 

Many thanks to Rob Lowe for his excellent scales duties.  Photos show the top-placed anglers. Next week (Wednesday 8th May) the match will again be on Lake Two. 

HEROS WELCOME TO BRAVE SOLDIER

AN ex-soldier who was left wheelchair bound in his 20s has been found a specially-adapted home after a hunt across Erewash – sparking a plea for him to get a warm welcome from big-hearted residents in a town where he is a stranger. The former serviceman – identified only as “Aiden” – had a one-bed flat in Sandiacre but needed two bedrooms because a carer has to stay with him round the clock. Housing officials helped the now 29-year-old find a more suitable place in Ilkeston – but it is a town he is unfamiliar with. Erewash Borough Council’s Kate Fennelly, who is the town hall’s Armed Forces Champion, is keen for residents to give him a hero’s welcome as he settles into his new home. The ex-soldier served his country in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, where he held the rank of Craftsman. He had to cut short his Forces career after showing signs of health issues – and began training to work in the care sector. Plans to study at university were then derailed when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That was six years ago. Kate, who serves as the council’s Deputy Mayor, said: “He now has to use a wheelchair and needs 24-hour care at the young age of 29. It would be great if the community can get together to welcome this lovely young man to his new home.” 

People are invited to write cards. These can be handed in at four local businesses that have joined the welcome campaign: Petals Flowers and the U Choose Smoothie cafe, both on Bath Street, The Gladstonian bar on South Street and Ilkeston Discount Chain store on the Market Place. 

A surprise “welcome to Ilkeston” party is also planned for Sunday 5th May at 11.50am. Kate said: “We will be meeting a short walk from his new home at the junction of Stringer Close and Cotmanhay Road. 

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP

 Residents in Erewash are being challenged to go for a daily hour-long stroll during May in a spring fitness drive launched by the borough council. The target is for people to each clock up 85 miles during National Walking Month – which may seem daunting but works out at just 2.74 miles each day. Over an entire year the same daily distance would add up to around 1,000 miles. That is the equivalent of setting out from Land’s End to John O’Groats – and walking half-way back again. 

Erewash Borough Council has teamed up with Legacy Leisure, which runs the borough’s pools, to offer £5.35 swimming vouchers to the first 50 to complete the May challenge.  The town hall’s Community Health and Wellbeing team is hoping to sign up at least 100 residents for the competition. To register visit: 2024 Walking Challenge Registration. (snapsurveys.com) 

More information is also available from the council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Officer Rachel Scott. She can be emailed at Rachel.scott@erewash.gov.uk. The challenge comes after her team organised Erewash Walking Week – which saw 236 walkers take part in 18 organised treks across the borough earlier this month. 

All the activities are part of the county-wide Walk Derbyshire initiative, which is a mission to get people out and about to improve their physical and mental health. The Erewash council team is stressing the benefits of regular exercise such as walking. Those unable to cover 2.74 miles in an hour are urged: “Halve it to 1.37 miles a day if you have limited time.” 

SPITFIRE SALUTE

 Oldest WW2 hero, 109 to get Spitfire salute 

AN awe-inspiring salute to Britain’s oldest surviving World War Two veteran will see Winston Churchill and King George VI look on as Spitfires roar over the Ilkeston care home where the 109-year-old lives. Two of the iconic warplanes are being sent to honour hero Donald Rose. The tribute as they dip their wings comes six months after the Mayor of Erewash made a November pilgrimage to shake the ex-Desert Rat’s hand on Armistice Day. Donald was 108 at the time but has since celebrated another birthday. The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was keen to pay to tribute to him after staff at the Canal Vue home on Awsworth Road contacted them. The spectacle on May 6th – which is Bank Holiday Monday – is expected to draw huge crowds to a wartime-themed party for the modest old soldier, who turned 109 on Christmas Eve. VIP guests Winston and the former King will solemnly reprise their famous speeches from the era . . . or at least their lookalikes will. Lily Lovejoy – an award-winning “vintage vocalist” – will be belting out wartime hits. Ilkeston Town FC will be opening its bar at the nearby New Manor Ground. Revels start at 1pm – with the flypast set to take place at 1.45. Donald is the world’s fourth-oldest surviving WW2 veteran. He was born in 1914 and served on the frontline with the 7th Armoured Division after joining the Queen’s Royal Regiment at age 25. He saw action in North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany – later training as a sniper. 

The dad of one, whose wife died in 2001, was repeatedly decorated, including being given France’s highest award – the Legion D'Honneur. But his son David Rose, 74  – a retired NHS hospital technician living in West Hallam – said: “He didn’t want the medals, he wanted no fuss and he just got on with it.” 

Donald has said when quizzed in the past about his longevity: “Everyone asks this – there’s no secret.” When TV cameras captured the Mayor of Erewash Councillor Frank Phillips shaking his hand, the unassuming hero said of the fanfare: “I’m not worth all this.” 

A crowd of onlookers chorused: “Yes you are!” Donald is described by care home staff as being “mad about motorbikes”. He got to sit on a souped-up machine when riders staged a cavalcade for him at the care home. Erewash’s Mayor said: 

“The borough and the entire nation owe an immense debt of gratitude to Donald and all those like him – lest we forget.”  

Deputy Mayor Councillor Kate Fennelly will be attending the event in her capacity as the town hall’s Armed Forces Champion. She said "Having served in the RAF I have the utmost respect for our courageous old soldiers, especially world war veterans like Donald. There are fewer and fewer left who we can talk to face-to-face about their experiences.” 

The Spitfire salute has been organised by Donald’s care home activity co-ordinator Naomi Allsop, who described it as something that had been on his “bucket list”. She said of the old soldier: "He's a beautiful soul inside and out. All the staff love him.” 

LENS

Previously managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust SPRING WOOD NATURE RESERVE IS OWNED BY SEVERN TRENT WATER AND AS OF 2021 HAS BEEN LEASED TO THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR A 25 YEAR PERIOD. 

Mon Apr 29  Bluebell Time at Spring Wood, NT: 
Meet 2pm in the Severn Trent car park, postcode DE73 8BJ, 
grid ref SK 3782 2201,What3Words ///frocks.roses.digested on the eastern side of Staunton Harold reservoir, near Melbourne. 
Leader Rob Waldron 

Uneven muddy paths Please wear suitable footwear and clothing . Cost £1.50 for LENS members, guests £2.50. Queries - contact Joan Breakwell 07527 007280  

Best wishes Marion Bryce 

Hon Sec LENS Wildlife Group