PARKING CHARGES FROZEN

Car parking charges in Erewash have been frozen for this year and the popular free one hour parking in town centre car parks will continue.

Erewash Borough Council has confirmed that there will be no increase in parking rates in its car parks following its budget setting meeting this month. The move comes despite many local authorities across the country announcing a hike in parking rates as councils continue to find ways to deal with budget shortfalls in these financially challenging times. Councillor Michael Powell, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, says:

“Our message is clear – there is no increase in parking charges in Erewash and our free one hour parking scheme continues. We firmly believe this is important in the continued drive to bring people into our town centres which is why we worked hard within our budget to ensure we could freeze the parking rates and still offer the free parking.”

WHERES LULU

COD’S SCALLOPS

In case you have completely missed it, the cod’s Scallops have cast its net to opening a new store in Long Eaton’s town centre. Formally the Fulton’s freezer store, the fish and chip shop is the third branch to open, following the success at Wollaton and Carrington. Following years of great recommendations and boasting the support of National fish and chip awards it was time for me to see what all the fuss was about.

The restaurant opens at 9.30am and as we headed in around 10.30 we were told that frying doesn’t commence till 11.30, the option of sitting in and having a cuppa while we waited would have been an hour’s long look at the menu while staring at the clock willing it to move, we opted for a walk around town. Getting back just after opening the tables had already been taken up, there was still space though and we sat admiring the seaside themed pictures and decorations.

While my mum opted for the Lunchtime meal deal of mini cod, chips and a cuppa for £6 (Monday to sat 1130-2) I went for lemon and pepper squid rings a side of chips and a mug of coffee. The staff seemed friendly and very eager to make the plaice (see what i did there?) the best experience possible. As soon as 12 hit there seemed to be an explosion of people hurriedly coming in for take away lunches, again the staff worked hard and barely stopped to ensure that the queue went down as quick as possible. The food itself was amazing; the fluffy chips (cooked in beef dripping) were to die for, smothered in the restaurants branded ketchup, the squid rings were lovely and served in a shell. The whole experience was fantastic, while a little more expensive than local chippy's, owner John Molnar has put all his energies into creating a fantastic eatery from his 30 years experience as a chef and has created a perfect chippy to go to for a treat with a wide choice available even a fishmonger friend of mine was impressed!

LIFE FOR WEST PARK COURT MURDERER

Alcoholic Jeffery Beers has been jailed for life after stabbing his friend with a bread knife. He will serve a minimum of 15 years. A jury had unanimously found the 46-year-old guilty. He was sentenced on Tuesday, February 27th at Derby Crown Court.

Police were called to West Park Court, Broad Street, Long Eaton, on August 29th, 2017, after reports that a man had been injured. When officers arrived, a man was found with fatal injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The post-mortem examination indicated that the victim had been stabbed. Jeffery Beers of West Park Court was arrested and later charged with the murder of Nigel McGurk.

Detective Inspector Steve Shaw who led the investigation said: “Both Beers and Mr McGurk were friends and had what people described as a futile relationship. I would like to praise the police officers and medical staff who attended the scene who tried to save Nigel. This was a sad and tragic end to a life and hopefully this sentence will bring some comfort to Mr McGurk’s family, knowing that justice has been served.”  

LITTER CULPRITS BE WARNED

Litterbugs and pet owners who fail to pick up after their dogs are being warned they will be prosecuted if they are caught offending and then fail to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fine. The hard-hitting message comes from Erewash Borough Council as it continues its crackdown on environmental crime and follows three successful prosecutions last month – while a further three court cases are due to take place over the next couple of weeks. 

Two local residents have been taken to court by the council after they failed to pay their fines when they were spotted throwing their cigarette ends onto the pavement – while a third was also prosecuted for non-payment of his fine for failing to pick up after his two dogs. All three were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices when they were seen by Neighbourhood Wardens and must now pay court fines and costs totalling hundreds of pounds. All three cases were heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court: 

· Kirsty Taylor, of Balmoral Road, Borrowash, dropped a cigarette end and left it on the pavement on Derby Road, Long Eaton. No FPN payment was received and the court fined her　£220, with a victim surcharge of £30 and ordered her to pay the council’s full costs of £127 – a total bill of £377.

· James Whitworth (32), of Critchley Street, Ilkeston, dropped and left his cigarette end on Bath Street, Ilkeston.　He failed to pay his FPN and was fined £220 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and the council’s full costs of £127.50 – a total bill of £377.50.

· Isaac Stack (20), of Blackwell Close, Ilkeston, was issued with two FPNs when he failed to pick up after his two dogs fouled land at Cotmanhay Pavilion Open Space. No payment was received and he must now pay a total court bill of £597.50 – a fine of £220 for each offence, a victim surcharge of £30 and the council’s full costs of £127.50.　 Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

 
“These cases show that we won’t hesitate to take action against offenders. They may have hoped to avoid punishment, but the fines and costs awarded demonstrate the court’s support for our work. If people don’t want to be out of pocket, the solution is simple – dispose of waste responsibly. Littering of any kind is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. It brings down the appeal of our towns and local communities and is dangerous and unhealthy. Much of the waste carelessly thrown out, particularly cigarette ends, does not rot down for a very long time. Clean-up costs, of course, are met through Council Tax so dropping litter, fly-tipping or leaving dog mess makes no sense at all and is a mindless thing to do. We need the public to take a responsible approach to disposing of their waste.” 

Over the last quarter, the council issued an increased number of 44 FPNs for litter offences compared to 31 in the same period last year. In the year to date there have been 170 issued compared to 109 at the same point in 2016. Fly-tipping cases have dropped in the year to date, with 116 instances compared to 208 in the same period last year. The council appeals to the public to help the crackdown on environmental crime by reporting offenders and supplying information through the council’s confidential PRIDE-line number 0115 850 8383 or email prideline@erewash.gov.uk

COME DINE WITH ME

The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Mary Hopkinson, is inviting local residents to join her at the annual Charity Civic Dinner. The prestigious dinner is one of the major fundraising events in the civic calendar and residents and local businesses are once again invited to join the Mayor for the event, which this year will be held at the Erewash Valley Golf Club at Stanton by Dale on Friday 20th April.

The main entertainment will be provided by Acoustic Union, a four piece band from the East Midlands who perform acoustic arrangements of pop and rock classics along with their own material of bluegrass, instrumentals and traditional songs. The evening will begin with a wine reception at 7.15pm followed by dinner at 8pm, with the dress code of cocktail or long evening dresses for the ladies and dinner jackets or lounge suits for the men. Tickets are on sale now, with money raised going to the Mayor’s chosen charities - Sight Support Derbyshire, Alzheimer’s charities, Ben’s Den and the Canaan Trust - at the end of her year in office. The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Mary Hopkinson, says: 

“I look forward to welcoming guests to this year’s dinner which will be a wonderful occasion to enjoy with residents, colleagues, friends and family. It is a civic tradition and I do hope that local people will support this event and help raise as much money as possible for well-deserving charities which are close to my heart.”

Tickets are £35 each for the four course meal, welcome drink and entertainment and are available from the Civic Office at Ilkeston Town Hall. For more details, please contact Sue Dunkley, Civic Support Officer - email sue.dunkley@erewash.gov.uk or telephone 0115 9071115.

CARE HOME WILL REMAIN OPEN

Derbyshire County Council’s ruling Conservative administration has revealed that Hazelwood Care Home in Cotmanhay will remain open until a brand new facility is built in the community to replace it. At a meeting on 22nd February, Conservative Councillors are due to consider a report which recommends that Hazelwood care home remains open with essential work carried out to ensure it remains safe in the meantime.

 

Catherine Atkinson, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Erewash, who has been campaigning to keep the Home open said:

“Whether we were campaigning on street stalls or taking the petition door to door, everyone we spoke to locally opposed the Council’s plans to close Hazelwood. But time and time again we were also told we were wasting our time because the Council had already made up its mind. The family and friends of residents demonstrated incredible courage and determination. The families did not believe or accept the inflated costs of keeping Hazelwood open alleged by the Council, costs which have now been exposed as nonsense. I couldn’t be happier that the Council have been forced to listen to the community. The recommendations have come as a huge relief and cause for celebration. However, given the emotional toll on the residents and their families, questions need to be asked about why this exercise was allowed to happen.”

On 6th December 2017 Catherine Atkinson along with families and campaigners attended a meeting at County Hall. A petition signed by 3813 people was presented and questions were asked from the public gallery. Catherine Atkinson, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Erewash told the Council: “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.”

 

The day after the petition was presented Derbyshire County Council extended the consultation period on the future of the Cotmanhay care home. On Wednesday 20th December residents of Hazelwood care home were visited by campaigners fighting to keep it open. Families of the residents, and Catherine Atkinson also used the visit to call on Council leaders to look again at the cost of keeping Hazelwood open, in the light of evidence they may have grossly over-estimated repair bills. Catherine Atkinson said: “The fact remains that the Conservatives made a manifesto commitment not to close a care home without building a new one. They will stop at nothing to try to justify breaking their election promise.”

FURTHER ARREST MADE FOLLOWING SPRINGFIELD PARK STABBING

A second arrest has been made as Long Eaton police bring in further dispersal powers following the recent disturbance in the area. The incident happened on Springfield Park between Long Eaton and Sandiacre on Saturday, February 3rd, when a pre-arranged fight involving a group of 13-17 year-olds resulted in a 15-year-old boy receiving minor stab wounds. Shortly after the incident a 17-year-old boy from Nottingham was arrested and is now on police bail with a condition not to enter Derbyshire. Officers investigating the incident have now arrested a 14-year-old girl from Stapleford on suspicion of possessing a bladed article, she has been interviewed and released under investigation.

Inspector Jim Thompson, who is in charge of policing in the area, said: “We will not tolerate the type of behaviour we saw from a group of young people. I had additional officers on duty the following weekend and authorised them to have additional powers to disperse anyone in the area who they felt was likely to cause crime or disorder. It is clear that the recent disturbance involved a group of children aged between 13 and 17 years and so I would also ask parents in the area to take extra steps to ensure they know what their children are doing. The particularly disturbing element of this case is the apparent use of a knife and we would urge that anyone thinking about going out carrying a knife or bladed-article to think twice. Carrying a knife or bladed-article is a serious offence and it is so easy for the use of a knife to end in a fatality, the consequences of a young person losing a life is devastating to all concerned.”

The investigation continues and if you have any information about this incident please contact DC Hayley Jones, the investigating officer, on 101 quoting reference number 18000055052. Alternatively send her a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website. You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

RINGING IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Music, dance and a heart-warming lantern procession are among the highlights when the Year of the Dog is celebrated in colourful style during Chinese New Year festivities on Saturday 17 th February. Drop-in family lantern making workshops will be running at Erewash Museum between 12.30pm and 5pm where, for £1.50 per person, people can make their own lanterns to take along to the early evening parade.

The Year of the Dog celebrations will begin at 5.30pm when the lantern procession will set off from the museum to the nearby Ilkeston Market Place. The parade will also feature a special processional dog lantern made by local artist Ann Levett and adults with learning disabilities from the Outlook Day Centre in Long Eaton.

A one-hour New Year knees-up in the Market Place will include Dragon Dancing by pupils from Hallam Fields Junior School, Lion Dancing from Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Chinese music and song from professional musician Ling Peng. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“Whether you want to make lanterns and join in the procession or simply want to go along to watch the fun, our Chinese New Year celebration will be a memorable family event. So join us to welcome the Year of the Dog!”

Organised by Erewash Borough Council’s Arts Development Team, the Chinese New Year celebration is the final event in the council’s Festival of Light programme – a series of events to mark traditional and culturally diverse celebrations from September through to February each year. These feature Harvest Moon, Diwali, the Erewash Bonfire and Fireworks display, Christmas Lights switch on events and Winter Solstice.

In Long Eaton, musician Ling Peng will be working with pupils from Sawley Infant and Nursery and Dovedale Primary schools. They will be exploring Chinese song and dragon dancing, leading up to a performance for family and friends at Long Eaton’s Dovedale School.

ARMED ROBBERY AT BREASTON SERVICE STATIONARMED ROBBERY AT BREASTON SERVICE STATION

CCTV footage released after moped rider robs service station at gunpoint

 

Police have issued CCTV footage of an armed robbery in which a man made off with cash and cigarettes from a service station kiosk. The man rode his moped across the forecourt at the Jet garage in Wilsthorpe Road, Breaston, at about 9.15pm on Thursday, February 8th.

He then walked into the kiosk and showed the cashier what appeared to be a handgun, before demanding cash and cigarettes. The offender then made off with a small amount of cash and rode off on his moped in the direction of Breaston.

Police released footage which can be seen on the Derbyshire Police Website and want to speak to the man shown in it. He wore a red jacket, tracksuit bottoms and trainers, and kept his full-head helmet on during the incident. Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference 18000063545. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

15 YEAR OLD STABBED AT PRE ARRANGED FIGHT

A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with a stabbing on Springfield Park last Saturday teatime. A 15 year-old boy received minor stab wounds. He was taken to hospital and is now at home recovering. Police arrested a 17 year-old man from Nottingham who was interviewed and later released on police bail with conditions not to enter Derbyshire.

Police had been called to Sandiacre and Long Eaton between 5pm and 6pm on Saturday 3rd February after residents reported a group of youths fighting. A large group clashed on Petersham Estate and one resident said that at one point there were up to 100 youths involved. Later around 9pm police were called to Hicken Park, Stapleford after a report of people arguing. No one was arrested.

Sergeant Rich Price, who is currently in charge of neighbourhood policing for the area, said: “The incident is under investigation, however we are confident that this was a one off, pre-arranged fight between a group of 13-17 year-olds. The investigation continues and we fully expect further arrests to be made. Our officers will be in the area this week on high-visibility patrols and I would ask that if anyone has any information about what happened on Saturday evening that they stop and have a chat with them. In addition to this, there will be some additional intelligence-led patrols in the area this coming weekend, where officers will have extra powers to disperse anyone they suspect are there to cause disorder."

If you have any information about this incident please contact DC Hayley Jones, the investigating officer on 101 quoting reference number 18000055052.