THE BEACH IS BACK

Residents can again pack their sun cream, sun hat and sunglasses this summer . . . because the beach is returning to Erewash Museum for the six week school holiday. Last year, the beach was set up in the museum garden for the first time and proved a big hit, with more than 13,000 visitors making the most of the fun. Now the 2017 Summer Beach will be even bigger and better and will be launched with a one day Victorian seaside event on Saturday 22nd July between 11am and 3pm. As well as being the first chance to enjoy the beach, the fun event will also include entertainers and donkeys for youngsters to fuss.

The launch event signals the start of the seaside-style fun that will continue throughout the summer holiday until Saturday 2nd September, giving families the chance to lounge in a deckchair, enjoy some light refreshments or ice cream from the Old Stables Tea Room, build sandcastles on the beach, and play with the giant games and a bubble machine. The museum itself is open throughout, giving visitors the chance to take a break from lounging by the beach to take a tour of the museum and its exhibitions, enjoy the tearoom or browse in the new look shop. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“We’re delighted to be bringing the beach back to Erewash, it’s a real summertime special where families can enjoy themselves, have an ice cream and – hopefully – enjoy the sunshine. It will be great fun, while visitors can also learn more about our borough by taking a walk around our award winning museum.”

Families can go to the Erewash beach until Saturday 2nd September and it is open 11am to 3pm. The museum is open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm during the school holiday, with the exception of Bank Holiday Monday. Beach play will be subject to weather conditions.

Erewash Museum is situated in Ilkeston town centre, a short walk from the Market Place. Admission is free. For all the latest news from Erewash Museum, including events and activities, residents can check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/erewashmuseum  or the website www.erewashmuseum.co.uk

FLY-TIPPING PROSECUTION SUCCESS

Fly-tipper Luke Wilkinson has been handed a bill for just over £1,500 after he dumped a substantial amount of waste – including garden rubbish - at Stanton Gate in Ilkeston. Wilkinson, of Ryecroft Street, Stapleford was caught out thanks to covert cameras which had been deployed at the site in June last year by Erewash Borough Council – with the fly-tipper dumping his car load of rubbish just 24 hours after the cameras were put in place. Council officers checked the footage and were able to track down Wilkinson, who admitted the offence, and he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 6 July this year after a warrant for his arrest was issued when he failed to appear at an earlier hearing. Wilkinson was fined £913, ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs and a £91 Victim Surcharge. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“This should send out a clear warning that this council takes fly-tipping very seriously and we will take action whenever possible. Fly-tipping is totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour. In this case, our Neighbourhood Wardens team successfully deployed cameras to catch the offender. But we would always appeal for help from residents in putting together fly-tipping cases and we treat information and tip-offs in confidence. Fly-tipping is an environmental crime that affects the whole community - but by working together we can crack down on the offenders.”

Anyone witnessing fly-tipping in Erewash can report it to the council on 0115 907 2244 or report it confidentially on the 24 hour PRIDE-line 0115 850 8383. Email prideline@erewash.gov.uk

IN THE SHOPS TODAY

In the shops today. Issue 191 of the Long Eaton Website Extra. Still only 40p

SUZUKI STOLEN IN DRAYCOTT

Thieves stole a motorbike from the driveway of a house in Draycott after breaking in and taking the keys from inside. The red Suzuki 750 GSF had been parked outside a property in Villa Street, which was broken into between 10pm on June 29th and 9am the following morning. After finding the keys inside the property, the offenders then took the bike.
We want to hear from anyone who might have seen the bike – which had a registration beginning with X632 – being ridden away.
Our officers also want to know if anyone has been offered the Suzuki for sale in the last few days. Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Mark Walker on 101, quoting reference 17000275961. Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

DISPERSAL ORDER GRANTED FOR LONG EATON TOWN CENTRE

Police from the Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Team had an application for  a dispersal order granted for the town centre last weekend. The order was granted as officers from the team had received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour, underage drinking, criminal damage and loud music being played within the market stalls on the High Street in the town.
The order helped officers to deal with the issue by enabling them to break up groups of two or more people who they believe could cause trouble and order them to leave the designated area for up to 48 hours. Youths under the age of 16 can also be taken home by officers as part of the order. Anyone who refuses to comply with an order to leave will be committing an offence and could be arrested.
PCSO Heidi Andrew, from the team, said: “We had a team of extra officers on duty over the weekend to address the problems. Although we have had lots of reports of issues what we would ask is that people call us when the incidents are actually happening to help us respond quicker.”
The order was in place between 6pm Friday, July 7th and 6pm on Sunday, July 9th.

TEE OFF FOR SUMMER FUN

Youngsters have the chance to enjoy unlimited golf and footgolf at Ilkeston’s Pewit Golf Course during the school summer break thanks to a Junior Membership offer by Erewash Borough Council. A seven week membership for 8-16-year-olds is available for £15 offering unlimited golf and footgolf from Monday 17th July to Sunday 3rd September during public opening hours. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“Pewit offers a great golf experience as well as the fun footgolf course, a sport which continues to grow in popularity across the country.”

Also a limited number of 25 summer golf and footgolf memberships are available to buy for £20 for anyone aged over 17.  Both membership offers are available to buy now at Pewit Golf Course and at Victoria Park Leisure Centre, Ilkeston, Rutland Sports Park, Ilkeston, Sandiacre Friesland Sports Centre and West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton.

LONG EATON CAMERA CLUB

The latest outing of the Camera Club was on Monday the 3rd of July to Lumsden Valley. The valley is stepped in history and at one time supported a lead melting forge, dyeing / bleaching factory and a sawmill. The shells of some of the building are still in evidence, but overgrown and derelict, if you look closely at the waterfalls you can see where the waterfalls were located, the wheels powered the various factories. Someone had set up a working model of a waterwheel, which was churning away and by the time we made our way back to our vehicles the mindless morons had destroyed the wheel set up.
From the club members perspective it was nice to try and catch the water movement over the falls.

JONNY TAKES TOP AWARD

Erewash Borough Council apprentice mechanic Jonny Davies has won the Apprentice of the Year award at Chesterfield College for the Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Systems Maintenance and Repair course. Jonny was presented with his award on Tuesday 27th June, the same day he successfully

completed his three year apprenticeship with the council. Jonny (19) is based at the council’s Merlin Way site in Ilkeston and helps to maintain and repair the council’s entire fleet – working on everything from lawn mowers to 26 tonne refuse vehicles. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says: “Very many congratulations to Jonny, who really has proved himself to be an outstanding apprentice here at the council – his award is well deserved. Alongside his college studies, hehas worked hard with our team to get the complete experience and skills involved in fleet maintenance.”

Jonny has enjoyed the apprenticeship and is now looking forward to further developing his skills: “I am really grateful to the council for giving me this opportunity. I have learnt so much and so many new skills. The team has been really supportive and I have had the chance to work on something different just about every day. I’m now looking forward to learning even more so that I can play an even bigger role for the council.”

His next step will see him learn how to prepare vehicles for MOTs, while he will also be put through his HGV driving test soon. His role will also be extended so he can attend and deal with any council vehicle breakdowns. Jonny has been supported throughout his three year apprenticeship by Fleet Services supervisor Joe Kirby and all his fleet maintenance colleagues.

APPEAL FOR MOBILITY SCOOTER

HEARTS Of GOLD

I have an On-Line appeal here

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/second-hand-mobility-scooter

Crowd Fund

I am asking for kind "Hearted Human Being" to pledge, so I can get myself a second hand "Mobility Scooter". To get about without the need to solely rely on my "Angel" for everything.

STAGE ONE POOL LEAGUE

Disco Dave with the white hat on and his mates

In this weeks games John Thompson was playing Craig Gapper. Craig dominated the game from the start but could not finish, this gave John Thompson one chance and he took it very well with some excellent pots. All Craig Gapper could do was look on and when John potted the black ball to win the game all Craig could do was stand there and shake his head knowing he had thrown away a vital game.
Richard Derbyshire had a brilliant win over Mick Archer and all Mick  could say to Richard was well played. In one of the doubles matches you had champions of two years ago Dave Price and Craig Gapper playing Tonie Barry and John Smith. This game was a very tactical affair and went down to the last two colours one red ball and one yellow ball and with Dave Price and Craig Gapper on the yellow balls Craig Gapper stepped up and took his shot and put the yellow ball half way over the corner pocket with the the red ball twelve inches directly behind. John smith walked over to Tonie Barry and said I can pot that yellow ball by coming off the top cushion if I do it will leave you a long black ball to pot John Smith got down to take his shot and potted the yellow ball and left a long black ball for Tonie Barry. Tonie Barry got down eyed up her shot took her time and yes she potted a brilliant black ball. What a big cheer went up but the look on Craig Gapper and Dave Price was doom and gloom to know that losing could cost them a place in the final of the doubles.
Mr lady Luck Rob Powell did not play lady's due to being on Holiday again. Yes Holiday again this time he had gone to Whitby so with Disco Dave being on his own he bought some of his pals down to support him hoping he could win his game but the problem was he was playing John Smith who is in top form. In this game Disco Dave Broke off and potted a red ball from the break as the ball went down the pocket a cheer went up but that was the one and only cheer he got all that game due to him not getting another shot. Yes Disco Dave lost his game against John Smith, so Disco Dave you cannot win when Mr Lady Luck Rob Powell is not there and you cannot win when you bring your mates down to support you, what's next then.