CHAMBER OF TRADE CHRISTMAS DINNER

The Long Eaton Chamber of Trade held its Christmas dinner at Apple Tree Catering on Elm Avenue on Thursday evening 7th December when they enjoyed Christmas menu and a musical carol quiz. This resulted with everyone joining in at the end of the evening with a sing along. There was a prize for the best and worst!! 

The Long Eaton Chamber of Trade has had another good year linking up with the Long Eaton Carnival, a special launch of Long Eaton "UK Centre of quality Upholstery Manufacture" support by Erewash Borough Council, the charity stalls at the switching on the Christmas lights and a few new members. For more details go to www.longeatonchamber.org.uk

HAZELWOOD FAMILIES PETITION COUNCIL

On 6th December 2017, families and campaigners challenged plans by Conservative run Derbyshire County Council to close Hazelwood, the last council run care home in Ilkeston. A petition signed by 3813 people was presented and families and campaigners asked questions from the public gallery. Catherine Atkinson, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Erewash said: “You can’t do this to vulnerable elderly people at Christmas. Today the Cabinet member ignored our specific questions and just gave a vague answer, it was totally unsatisfactory. I can’t decide whether the way the Tory Council are handling this is incompetent or cruel.” “I asked why DCC was reneging on its promise to the people of Ilkeston that it would continue to have a council care home in the town. They gave no answer and no commitment that residents would be able to stay in Ilkeston should it close. The Conservative Cabinet member admitted that closing Hazelwood would be breach of their manifesto promise “not to close an existing old people' s home until a new one was available for residents”” Georgina Thornley said: “We are a strong united campaign and will continue to fight the planned closure for the sake of all our relatives, who want to stay there.
We are asking the Council administration to stop, and change their minds now, so our families don’t have this ruin their Christmas.”
Background: The previous Labour council administration had pledged to keep Hazelwood open. Before that, the previous Conservative administration had tried to close every care home in Derbyshire. For further details contact Catherine on 07786462990.

Top: Campaigners at Derbyshire County Council in Matlock. Including families of residents of Hazelwood care home. Family member Georgina Thornley presenting petition to the Cabinet member Cllr Jean Wharmby. With Catherine Atkinson, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Erewash. Danny Treacy, Erewash Borough Councillor for Cotmanhay. Left: Catherine Atkinson puts Councillors on the spot with a question from the public gallery.

CHURCH WILNE ROTARY

The members of the Rotary Club of Church Wilne welcomed Graham Hayes to its speaker meeting at the Royal Oak in Ockbrook on Monday 27th November. Graham’s subject was British Submarine Warfare 1900 to 1948 coupled with details of much earlier attempts to successfully construct one. The first Submarine was around 1620 was produced by a Dutchman who demonstrated it to James 1st but was just like two rowing boats stuck together. Other examples were spoken about from the Nautilus in 1800, the Hurley in 1864 and the first torpedo by Richard Whitehead in 1875. In 1900 Britain’s first Sea Lord said that the submarine was unfair and unbritish and was a weapon of a weaker nation. At this time France and Germany were steadily building up their own fleet Graham spoke about Britain’s first five A class built in 1902 when trials around the Isle of Wight 4 broke down and reliability was a problem From this the C and D class were developed which again were very limited until the D Class which was much more reliable and had a range of 2,500 miles with a radio and 6 torpedoes onboard. The members heard the improvements over several years including a sea trial of K13 when the crew of 3lost their lives. WW1 saw the domination of the German U Boats and in September 1914 a U Boat spotted 3 British ships and torpedoed and sank them with 1,450 losing their lives. The Lusitania was sunk on 7th May 1915 which resulted in America hardening their stance against Germany but they didn’t actually enter the war until 1917 Graham moved onto WW2 when in 1939 we suffered three server blows when HMS Thetis sank when being launched in Liverpool harbour and 99 lost their lives with just 4 surviving. Then the Royal Oak was sunk in Scapa Flow by a U Boat with 833 lost at sea and then HMS Triton and the HMS Oxley lost its bearings and was sunk by HMS Triton. Life at sea created a strong bond of the 50 crew who were all very young and the oldest being the Captain who was near to 25. There was little sense of night or day and it was very unpleasant like the tropics. The waste and rubbish was dumped in the sea overnight and within 10 days at sea the only food remaining on board was in cans. During WW2 we lost 73 of our submarines with over 3,500 loosing their lives and Churchill said “Of all the branches in the force there are non better that those on the submarines” The Club’s vote of thanks was given by Mick White who said it had been a thought provoking and interesting talk and having been around a submarine he found it very compact and life must have been most difficult.

 

On 16th July 1914, the crew of U-9 reloaded her torpedo tubes while submerged, the first time any submarine had succeeded in doing so. On 1st August 1914, Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen took command. On 22nd September, while patrolling the Broad Fourteens, a region of the southern North Sea, U-9 found a squadron of three obsolescent British Cressy-class armoured cruisers (HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue, and HMS Cressy, sardonically nicknamed the "Live Bait Squadron"), which had been assigned to prevent German surface vessels from entering the eastern end of the English Channel. She fired four of her torpedoes, reloading while submerged, and sank all three in less than an hour. 1,459 British sailors died.[4] It was one of the most notable submarine actions of all time. Members of the Admiralty who had considered submarines mere toys no longer expressed that opinion after this event.

LIFE FOR SPONDON MURDERER

A husband has been jailed for life for murdering his wife after attacking her at the house they shared in Spondon.Paul Sherratt was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, November 27th after pleading guilty earlier this month to Jane Sherratt’s murder. He was given a life term, with a minimum tariff of 16 years.

Sherratt attacked his wife at their home in Avondale Road on January 7th before calling the police. He had also injured himself. The couple were taken to hospital, where Jane (60) remained with serious head injuries. She died in hospital on May 7th. Sherratt, 57, was discharged from hospital shortly after the attack and he was arrested and later charged with attempted murder. The charge changed once Jane passed away. Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Lesley Smith said: “The attack on Jane was an horrendous, brutal sustained assault committed by the person Jane should have been safest with; her husband Paul. The attack was totally unprovoked and Jane had no means to defend herself. Even though Paul did contact the after the assault and he offered Jane no aid as she lay severely injured. Jane tragically passed away after spending months in hospital fighting for survival. Paul Sherratt has never provided any reason as to why he attacked Jane, and chose not to plead guilty as the earliest opportunity. Jane was a muchloved sister, aunt, friend and teacher. Our thoughts are very much with Jane’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We would also like to pay tribute to Jane’s brother, who throughout the whole investigation has shown incredible dignity.”

FREE 24 HOUR FESTIVE PARKING

Erewash Borough Council will once again offer 24-hour FREE parking in all its car parks, with the exception of Long Eaton Railway Station, over the busy festive season. The council has confirmed that its car parks will be free from Monday 11th December to Wednesday 27th December 2017 inclusive – an initiative aimed at giving a major boost for town centre traders and shoppers during the run-up to Christmas and over the festive break. Councillor Michael Powell, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, says: “The Christmas free parking scheme remains a key part of our on-going drive to support our town centres and we know this good news will once again be warmly welcomed by traders, residents and visitors to the borough. We have excellent markets and shops in Ilkeston and Long Eaton - as well as local shops in villages across the borough - so we hope residents will use the free parking and shop locally to show their support this festive season.” All of the council’s car parks are part of the scheme, with the exception of the Long Eaton Railway Station commuters’ car park.

FESTIVE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM

The award winning Erewash Museum will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland of seasonal celebration during December leading up to the Christmas break. The three-week festive wonderland will see the stables area of the museum’s historic Dalby House home decked out with all things Christmas, creating a magical scene where children can take part in a themed activity trail until Saturday 23rd December. Visitors can drop in to see the displays between 10am and 4pm on each of the museum’s usual opening days. As part of the celebration the museum hosts its popular Christmas Fayre on Saturday 2nd December between 11am-3pm when visitors have a chance to pick up gifts from a range of craft stalls. Santa will also be visiting and there is a chance to meet some reindeer. Admission is £1.50 for children over the age of 2 – free admission for adults (16 and over) and babies. Father Christmas will return for three Santa Saturdays, on 9th, 16th and 23rd December when he will be in residence in The Stables between 10.30am-3.30pm. Children can visit him for £2.50, which includes a present to take home. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says: “We love to deck out the halls of Erewash Museum every December and we know the whole wonderland and Christmas celebration is very popular with families. It’s a magical time and gives families a chance to get together and enjoy some festive fun in the lead up to the big day.”

EREWASH CONGRATULATES ROYAL COUPLE

Erewash Borough Council has sent its warmest congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on behalf of the residents of the borough following the announcement of the royal engagement today. In a letter sent to Clarence House, the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Mary Hopkinson, says: “As Mayor of the Borough of Erewash here in Derbyshire, it gives me the greatest of pleasure on behalf of the Authority and the citizens of the Borough, to write and offer our sincere congratulations to His Royal Highness and Ms Markle on their engagement. May we wish them both a lifetime of happiness together.”

The council has also confirmed that it will make a small fund available to help local organisations and groups host street parties to celebrate the royal wedding next spring. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of the Council, says: “We share the nation’s delight at this wonderful news and we are pleased to be able to announce that a small amount of money will be available to help, wherever possible, those who organise street parties for this roya l occasion. I have no doubt that the Erewash borough will join the nationwide wedding celebrations to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan and wish them great happiness for their life together.” A similar fund for street parties was provided by the council for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

LONG EATON REMEMBERS

 A large crowd turned out once again on a sunny but chilly remembrance Sunday morning. The parade departed from West Gate at 10.20am and made its way to the War Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony at 10.45am. Bishop Roger Jupp, Vicar of St Laurences, conducted the service. The Deputy Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Chris Corbett, who join Long Eaton residents at the service and Mass at St Laurence’s Parish Church before the parade, welcomed the assembled company. After the service the band and organisations formed up and marched round the Green, saluting the War Memorial on return before marching up the High Street where they were dismissed. The Borough Council wish to acknowledge the help and co-operation of the Long Eaton Branch of the Royal British Legion and of Bishop Roger Jupp in organising the service.

 

LONG EATON CAMERA CLUB

What a treat the camera club members had when they Nat Coalson gave the latest lecture at the club. Nat born in raised in Colarado, and now living in Leicester, gave us photographic tour of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and the South of California. Nat started off by showing some photographs of abandoned mining towns in Colorado, the towns were abandoned when the gold and silver ran out. Next we were treated to pictures of the Rocky Mountains. Over the course of the lecture, we moved from Colorado to Arizona to Utah. Each state has different landscapes and al photogenic. Nat’s, penultimate showing was the spectacular White Sands Dessert which is located in the north New Mexico, the pictures were both amazing and stunning as he captured images of the glorious white sands. The lecture finished up in southern California, where the rocks in the desert move under their own power. Apparently the movement is caused by a combination of rain and wind power, the rain makes the desert surface light and fluid thus allowing the wind to move the rocks. Some of the photographs of rock structures appear to be manmade, but in actual fact are eroded by the wind. On such example was castle rock, which looks like a manmade castle but is in actual fact, been shaped by the wind over the centuries. Nat likes to challenge conventional photograph by having more than one focal point in his photographs each focal point leads you to the main image that he has capture. A well worthwhile lecture and well received by all club members.

 

Bonfire and fireworks night  2017 sent in by Ian Clifford member of Long Eaton Camera Club

 

WHERES LULU

WHITBY

 

Back in 1994, 40 pen pals arranged a meeting at the little angel pub in Whitby this was to be the origins of the Whitby Goth Weekend otherwise known as WGM. Twice a year all manner of Goths from all walks of life descend upon the town, boosting tourism in the area with around 1,500 people from all other the UK and further afield. The main focus for the event being the music at the spa pavilion, featuring live music from hands off Gretel, theatre of hate, the membranes and pussycat and the Johnson’s, tickets were priced at around £65 for a day. Not able to stretch to a ticket, I and a friend headed over to check out the markets and fringe events. Having been a WGW virgin, I was amazed by all the people there was always something new to see, everything about the event makes you stop and look, the outfits people wore where fantastic there was no barrier or outfit that was too much, anything goes, from the industrial type Goths to the steam punk influenced and beyond. Photographers were everywhere clicking away as if life depended on it. Whitby Kustom show was also on that day so we headed to look at the vintage cars, with adapted VW beetles, a few hearses and even the mystery machine. No trip to the coast is complete without a stop off at a chippy, after which we browsed the antiques shops and markets, collecting outfit ideas for another time; I could have quite easily spent a fortune. We took a walk along the cliffs to see the abbey from which Bram Stoker found inspiration for his novel Dracula. Stopping for a drink at the little angel pub to watch the world go by. We left for home tired but happy, the next event is 27th-29th April for those who dare.