WITNESSES SOUGHT

Police have this week relaunched an appeal after an incident in KFC last December. They are trying to trace a group of men who may have witnessed an incident at the Long Eaton restaurant.
Several witnesses have already come forward, however police believe a group of older men could have seen what happened but they are yet to come forward and speak to them. A 19-year-old man and two teenaged boys, aged 17 and 14, have been charged with several crimes following an incident at KFC in Cross Street shortly after 8pm on Thursday, December 22nd. It’s alleged that a group of young men came into the restaurant and were verbally abusive, caused criminal damage and had thrown a golf club at a 22-year-old customer, which broke his jaw. The group had left when officers arrived, as had several potential witnesses who helped staff eject the group from the restaurant.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Amreen Khokhar on 101, quoting reference 16000429268. Alternatively, send her 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.

EREWASH CELEBRATES ANOTHER HAT TRICK

Erewash Borough Council has again retained its Green Flag awards at three popular leisure sites in the borough, it has been confirmed today. (Wednesday 19 July) The good news means Long Eaton’s flagship West Park and Straw’s Bridge Local Nature Reserve at West Hallam have secured the prestigious award for the third time while Victoria Park at Ilkeston celebrates the honour for a seventh successive year. The Green Flag award is the benchmark national standard for England and Wales and is presented to high quality parks, green spaces and nature reserves that have excellent facilities and are well-maintained and well-managed. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“This is another tremendous achievement and more good news for Erewash. We are very proud to fly the Green Flags at the three sites, which are now rightly confirmed as among the best in the country. Our continued success is testament to the hard work of our dedicated team who work all year round to manage these sites and we

also send out a very big thank you to the volunteers and the Friends Group members who enthusiastically help us to maintain and further develop the popular sites. They play such a big part in making them such beautiful places for all to visit and enjoy.”

West Park is the largest in Erewash at 127 acres and dates back to the early 1900s. It is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year and has seen substantial investment over the last few years. It offers an extensive range of sports and recreational facilities including an outdoor gym trail, a skatepark, a splashpad water park, bowls, tennis and football and cricket.

Victoria Park dates back to 1896 and a major heritage project to restore key Victorian features within it has just been completed after the council secured a £740,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Straw’s Bridge Local Nature Reserve features three ponds that are surrounded by woodland, scrub, meadow and wetland – while it is also connected to the Nutbrook Trail. It attracts many types of birds but is particularly famous for its swans, leading to its affectionate nickname ‘Swan Lake’.

CREATIVE COVERAGE EXHIBITION

Work that is considered to be from some of the finest artists and craftspeople in the United Kingdom is on display in the Lally Gallery at Erewash Museum. The exhibition showcases work by professional artists and craftspeople and will run from Thursday 20th July to Saturday 2nd September. On display will be paintings by Jill Barthorpe and Gillian Radcliffe and accompanied by photographs from Scotland’s Sarah MacDonald and ceramics by Brian Holland.

Jill Barthorpe is a graduate of the Slade School of Art, who works both in London and at her studio in rural Lincolnshire. Over the past 20 years she has exhibited extensively in the UK and America and her paintings have been selected several times for ‘Critics Choice’ exhibitions and sold through Christie’s of London contemporary art sales. Following a career as a freelance ceramic and textile sculptor and teacher, Gillian Radcliffe moved to Derbyshire where she started to paint in watercolour. Gillian says: “Painting for me has a spiritual dimension, and each work is highly personal.”

Ceramics artist Brian Holland’s work has featured in many collections both private and civic, including La Musee de la Potterie in Sadirac, Bourdeaux, France.

Sarah MacDonald studied black and white photography for three years at the Glasgow School of Art. Sarah says: “As my photography evolves and improves I continue to learn from the greats of the past.”

Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“We are delighted to be able to showcase this collection of artwork from some of the finest artists and craftspeople in the UK, which we know will be greatly appreciated by patrons and visitors to our award winning museum.”

Erewash Museum is in Ilkeston town centre, a short walk from the Market Place. Opening hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, and Monday to Saturday during school holidays.  Admission is free. Contact 0115 907 1141, email museum@erewash.gov.uk  or visit the Facebook page /erewashmuseum

Rudyard Lake, Cheshire - Watercolour by Gillian Radcliffe

GOING SWIMMINGLY

Fabulously fun family pool parties have again been lined up at two Erewash leisure centres to provide some splashtastic summertime fun for the school holidays. Erewash Borough Council’s popular pool parties are held at its swimming pools at Victoria Park Leisure Centre in Ilkeston and West Park Leisure Centre in Long Eaton. Music, an inflatable obstacle course and fun and games for the whole family are on the agenda and this year’s party dates for the diary are:

· Victoria Park Leisure Centre, Ilkeston – Saturday 29 July and Saturday 2 September between 3.30pm-4.15pm and 4.30pm-5.15pm.
· West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton – Saturday 5 August and Saturday 26 August between 3pm-3.45pm and 4pm-4.45pm.

Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:
“Our pool parties are incredibly good fun and have become a firm favourite for the summer holiday. So dig out the swimming costumes and have a splashingly good time!”

The parties are limited to 100 places on a first come, first served basis on the day. All summer pool parties are free for junior summer swim members.  Admission for others is £2.40 for juniors (5-16th birthday) or £1.80 with a leisure card. Adult admission is £4 (£3.40 with a leisure card). A family admission (two adults and up to three children) is £11.60 (£11 with a leisure card)
The parties are for 5 years to adults, but children under eight years must be accompanied by an adult.

BUSINESS WATCH

Fugue Music has relocated to Market Place. There is a sign on an empty shop in High Street saying a Turkish barber is opening there soon. The former MissElany secondhand furniture shop on Salisbury Street has now been sold and is being refurbished for a new occupier.
Bakezillas has opened at 210 Derby Road, Stapleford. It makes bespoke cakes, cupcakes and treats for all occasions in the kitchen behind the shop. www.bakezillasbespokecakes.co.uk. Also see the Bakezillas FB page. Another new Stapleford venture is Annebella's at 166 Derby Road where Shabbilicous used to be. The cafe offers beverages, milkshakes, cakes, scones and sarnies as well as breakfast and lunch. Small daytime events are also catered for and see the FB page for details of Annebella's event nights.
The Meeting Place at Nottingham Road, Stapleford has closed. Lots of community events were held there as well as a police contact point. The building of the new Aldi in Stapleford is yet to commence as the issue of new housing alongside the site has still not been resolved.
My favourite carvery is Bartlewood Lodge as it has the beast roasties as well as a fish option. But for a change I have recently been to Eaton Farm several times. I have had an issue there with the siting of table one which consists of 3 small tables to seat 6 diners. There is only room for one person to pass by and someone is in danger of getting gravy down the back of their neck. I spoke with manager Brian about this and he disagreed with me and he also denied that in the event of an evacuation people could not get by safely.
So it was back to Bartlewood Lodge but I found a fire safety problem there too. There is a fire exit which is not alarmed that is regularly used to exit into the car park. On the evening of july 8th both sides were bolted at the top and no child or disabled person would have been able to use it. I assume that the staff did not unbolt when they opened up and so left everyone at risk.
Property is selling quickly in Long Eaton and other areas and at very strong prices too. There is a lack of supply as agents are reporting that the average number of homes for sale per agent is at a 40 year low. Online only agents keep springing up and one of the latest is Doorsteps which claims to have over 800 for sale. Amazingly, their fee is just 99 quid! But, like online leader Purplebricks, they do not say what proportion go through to completion.
email your business news to edwardjohnwalsh@hotmail.com
EDDIE WALSH

FREE BIKE MARKING

Our officers from the Long Eaton Town Safer Neighbourhood Team are offering cyclists in the town free bike marking. The team will be holding the event on Saturday, July 22 between 12 midday and 3pm at the Fire Station on Tamworth Road. 

They will be using a kit, which would normally cost £12 and works by marking the bike with a unique code, this is linked to the owner’s details on a secure database. If the cycle is stolen and subsequently found, we can use this code to ensure the bike is returned back to its rightful owner. 

PCSO Heidi Andrew from the team said: “Bike marking is important, as it acts as a deterrent to would-be thieves. It also makes it easier for the bike to be found, returned to its rightful owner and helps to secure a successful prosecution against thieves." 

Anyone attending to have their cycle marked should bring with them some form of identification. 

For more information contact the team on 101 or alternatively send them a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website here.

WHATS ON IN EREWASH

The sounds of summer

Rock and roll classics, some 1940s toe-tappers and tribute bands belting out the top hits of Take That and Abba will all be part of this year’s Summer Sounds concert in the park.

Erewash Borough Council’s annual concert at Victoria Park, Ilkeston is always a big hit with families from across the borough as they pack into the park to sing along and dance to all the top tunes.

This year’s event is on Sunday 23 July between 3pm and 7pm and will also offer lots of family entertainment, including stilt walkers, circus skills workshops - with admission, activities and the live concert all free.

Local band Rocks n Frocks will provide the 50s and 60s hits and singer Johnny Victory will turn on the nostalgia 40s style, while the Abba and Take That tributes will have everyone singing along to the biggest chart hits. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“Put the date in your diary, pack a picnic, take along a chair – and blanket and umbrella just in case – and have a great afternoon of fun and all the top music hits. Could it be magic? You bet, it will be the Greatest Day!”

Summer Sounds-goers can take their own food for a picnic in the Green Flag park and there will also be food and refreshment outlets at the event.

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