COMMUNITY FACILITY UNVEILING

Babies, bumps, and Kirk Hallam residents were joined by local social housing landlord emh and local partners to mark the official unveiling of a new community outdoor space. Non-profit regional housing provider emh approached the Kirk Hallam Community Centre last year to ask how they could support the local community using it. The centre team asked for help transforming an unused outdoor space, and now has a transformed area complete with gazebo, barefoot walking path and seating. Emh, which has 21,000 homes across the East Midlands and around 900 in and around Kirk Hallam, teamed up with their supplier Travis Perkins to makeover the community space. Colleagues from emh’s property services and grounds maintenance teams worked over a number of days to clear the area and install the structure and associated works including lighting to enhance the space during the evenings. 

 The space is already in welcome use by those attending stay and play sessions, the outdoor playgroup, lets sing, community story telling sessions, a gardening group and the outdoor café space. Local Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Rainbows can also make use of it. Kirk Hallam Community Centre is a stand-alone charity working to benefit residents and improve health, wellbeing and opportunity in the local area. It provides a range of free or low-cost activities and groups for all members of the community, as well as empowering local people to set up their own groups.

 Joining local residents for the official scheme opening were Maggie Throup Member of Parliament for Erewash and representatives from emh including Chan Kataria, emh chief executive. Maggie Throup MP said:

“I am delighted to join residents in Kirk Hallam to celebrate the opening of the new community gazebo and redesigned outdoor space. We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic resource at the heart of our community, with the centre housing an array of voluntary groups, including Bumps to Babies, Craft Club and Brownies, as well as hosting weekly activities ranging from healthy eating classes to bingo. I would like to thank emh and Travis Perkins for partnering to deliver this project and hope that residents who use the centre and fabulous community cafe will enjoy socialising in this new space.”

 Chan Kataria, Chief Executive at emh, said: “I’d like to thank Travis Perkins for funding the purchase of the gazebo and providing other materials to make this vision a reality. It is important to us at emh that we support the local community and provide opportunities for people, and we hope this helps the community centre and residents to thrive. It’s a fantastic way to start the year and great to see first-hand people making the most of the space.”

Jsan Shepherd, Community Centre Manager, said: “The gazebo is a great community outdoor space which will be well used by local residents. We would like to thank all the teams at emh and Travis Perkins who have been involved with this project and we are looking forward to continue to work in partnership with the emh team on future projects benefiting the local community.”

LENS WILDLIFE GROUP

For the Love of Moths

Date Wedneday 22nd February

Meetings start at 6.45 for 7.00 pm in the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton NG10 1HQ. Cost £1.50 for LENS members, visitors £2.50. 
Tea and biscuits at half-time, all welcome.

Email lensnaturalhistory@gmail.com

Marion Bryce

Hon Sec LENS Wildlife Group

Don't forget - you can now raise extra funds for Long Eaton Natural History Society Wildlife Group by using #easyfundraising! Over 7,000 brands including eBay, Just Eat and M&S will donate to us every time you shop with them. It's a free and easy way to support us while doing your everyday online shopping.

MAGGIE CALLS TO COMMIT TO BROWNFIELDS FIRST POLICY

Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, has called on the Government to commit to pursuing a “Brownfield First” policy agenda in a parliamentary debate.The debate called on the Government to protect the Greenbelt and focus building developments on Brownfield sites. 

Maggie commented:

“I understand that there is a need to build more houses in this country, including in Erewash, but that should not come at the expense of the Greenbelt. We should be promoting developments on Brownfield sites. I welcome the Government’s initial steps in pursuing the ‘Brownfield first’ policy, however, more needs to be done. I am concerned that local authorities such as Erewash Borough Council are coming under increasing pressure to include Greenbelt in their core strategy. Instead, they should be focusing on Brownfield sites. Erewash has a proud industrial heritage, and there should be a planned approach to access those empty and derelict properties, with the option of converting them to residential properties. 

“This has been successfully achieved at the Poplar pub on Bath Street, which has now been regenerated into housing and retail units. Maximising these kinds of opportunities first surely must be the strategy moving forward. It is clear that building on Brownfield sites plays an important role in regenerating communities across the country and I am urging the Government to do more to commit to this policy.”

The Government has announced several measures in pursuing the “Brownfield first” policy, including making £60 million available to councils to revive Brownfield sites as well as plans to end the so-called ‘duty to co-operate’.  

MAGGIE BACKS CALL FOR VAT REFORM

Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash and former Public Health Minister has called on the UK Government to remove VAT from sunscreen products of SPF 30 and above in a parliamentary debate. There are 16,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year across the UK, with 2,300 people dying. Of these cases, the majority are caused by exposure to the sun. As many as 90 percent of cases of melanoma could be prevented by staying safe in the sun, which includes using sunscreen of SPF 30 and above with a 4 star UVA protection rating.  

 Maggie commented: “In 2019, I noticed a blemish on my left arm and so, knowing that both my parents had had benign skin cancer, I decided to get myself checked out. After a biopsy, my ‘blemish’ was diagnosed as melanoma, and I underwent surgery to remove the cancer. I was one of the lucky ones and I was cured of this cancer in 2020. The outcome could have been very different, had I not been aware of what signs to look out for and caught the cancer early.That is why the UK Government must step up and remove VAT from sunscreen, and in tandem run a public awareness campaign to promote the use of sunscreen. Not only could it save lives, but it could also help protect NHS budgets.”

 Maggie added: “86 per cent of melanomas are preventable by adopting simple sun protection measures. We should be taking the same preventive measures during the hot summer months here that we would if we were on holiday abroad. As well as applying sunscreen, that includes seeking shade, wearing a hat and loose clothing, and keeping out of the sun when it is most prevalent. Only by a combination of these action will we then see a noticeable decline in melanoma cases, that at the moment take far too many lives.”

COUNCIL TAX 2023/24

A recommendation that Erewash Borough Council raises its share of council tax for 2023/24 by 2.99%, a £6.03 per annum increase, is expected to be approved at the council’s budget setting meeting. It means that the council’s charge for a band D property would increase from £201.59 to £207.62 per annum, an increase of 12p per week. Only 11% of the total council tax bill that residents pay goes to the Borough Council. The rest is for services provided by Derbyshire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and Parish Councils – Erewash has no control over the charges set by these organisations.

Councillor Wayne Major, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, says
“The high rates of inflation have caused significant budget pressures for all councils and Erewash is no exception, however the Borough Council has a healthy financial record and we are committed to making sure it remains that way.”

The 2023/24 budget is being set during ongoing turbulence due to the economic effects of events in Ukraine and the impact of current high levels of inflations. These budgetary pressures means that the council is exploring a number of other options to generate increased income and reduce costs.

The council tax rates are set to be recommended at Council Executive on 21st February for a decision to be taken by members at the Full Council meeting on 2nd March 2023. 

Council tax bills are sent out to household at the start of the financial year in April. If you need help and advice on payments head to the council tax section of erewash.gov.uk

Rotary Club of Church Wilne Speaker Evening.

The Rotary Club of Church Wilne recently welcomed Stephen Chaytow of the Manchester & East Midlands Rail Partnership (MEMRAP) to its speaker meeting. He gave a very enlightening talk on the campaign to reinstate the Peaks and Dale railway line to once again provide a direct line from Derby to Manchester and improve connectivity in Derbyshire. The MEMRAP website is very informative detailing all the benefits the line would bring, improving access to the Peak district National Park and cutting journey times from Derby to Manchester. https://www.memrap.org/

“Investing in transport links is essential to levelling up access to opportunities across the country, ensuring our regions are better connected, local economies flourish
and more than half a century of isolation is undone.”

— RT HON GRANT SHAPPS MP, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT

Rtn Dr John A Cook

 For more information about our club and its activities or you can email the Secretary at rccw1200@gmail.com Or visit our website at - https://www.churchwilnerotary.org.uk/index.html

Rtn David Hewitt.
Secretary Church Wilne Rotary.

EREWASH INSPIRED EXHIBIT

Erewash Museum’s Lally Gallery is bringing in the New Year with an exhibit inspired by the borough. The exhibition is open from Tuesday 17th January until Saturday 28th January 2023. The displayed artwork has been produced by 12 students currently attending the Fine Art Foundation course at Nottingham College, who were inspired following a visit to the borough. The showcase includes a range of creative talent in a variety of mediums including photography, paintings, sculpture and printing.

Leader of Erewash Borough Council, Councillor Carol Hart, said:

“It is always fantastic to see young talent on display and the latest museum exhibition is set to showcase even more budding artists. I am looking forward to seeing the artwork inspired by our beautiful borough and I’m sure many of our residents will pay a visit to the museum to view the exhibition. It’s certainly a great start to 2023.”

Erewash Museum is located a short walk from Ilkeston’s Market Place. The volunteer-led tea room offers drinks, lunches and sweet treats. Admission is free for both the house and gardens. For more information visit the Facebook page facebook.com/erewashmuseum, call 0115 907 1141, or email museum@erewash.gov.uk.

PICTURE PRESENTATION

A framed photograph of the opening of the Long Eaton Conservative Club in Regent Street on the 11th October 1887 was donated by Mrs Passey of Long Eaton from her late father, a  life member of the Club, to the local Erewash Conservative Office in Long Eaton. Pictured receiving the framed photo is L to R, Mr Shaun Burton – Long Eaton Branch Membership Secretary, Mrs Passey, Cllr Bryn Lewis, Chairman of the Branch and lead member for town centres of the Erewash Borough Council and Mrs Kathleen Makin Treasurer of the Long Eaton Branch. The Long Eaton Conservative Cub, which is pictured being opened by the Rt Hon Lord Codogan, was taken over in 1990s by Brennans which continued to be a local hostelry for the town until very recently and  the building is currently being converted into flats. Anyone who has any memories or stories they would like to share of the Long Eaton Conservative Club, please contact June c/o Erewash Conservative Association, 2 Huss`s Lane, Long Eaton NG10 1GS, they would be most welcome.

GALAXY ROW

 Galaxy Row Project set to progress

The submission of a Summary Document to Government for the proposed Galaxy Row redevelopment project, part of the Long Eaton Town Deal, looks set to be approved by Erewash Borough Council. On December 13th Council Executive will consider the project summary to claim the remainder of the £3.5m Towns Fund grant funding from the government that is needed for the project.

The aim of the project is to remove the eye sore of the former derelict Galaxy cinema on Derby Road and replace it with a new development made up of commercial and residential units, including a courtyard/car park, that enhance the town centre. This would be part of a larger development which includes the former cinema, a tyre depot, adjacent shop fitter’s store and former Stage 1 bar and nightclub. Galaxy Row is one of six projects that form the town deal. The development would create new jobs and benefit the town centre economy. If funding is secured it will be necessary for the council to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire the buildings in order for the development to proceed. Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, says:

“The submission of the summary document to secure Government funding will be a big step forward for this exciting project, which is central to the Long Eaton Town Deal. With this funding in place the plans for Galaxy Row can really start to gain pace and we look forward to sharing further news of town centre regeneration with residents.”

 

In July 2021 Council Executive approved heads of terms with government to deliver the projects in the investment plan using £24.8 million of town deal funding. The other projects are:

·       West Park visitor attractions, including an events space and waterfront.

·       Stable Block Managed Workspace Units. Conversion of a former stable block into office space.

·       Pedestrian and cycleway improvements, including bridges at Broad Street which connects West Park to the town centre and Britannia Road.

·       Improving Derby Road Junctions around Long Eaton Green.

·       Long Eaton High Street.

More information about the town deal can be found at longeatontowndeal.org.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

John Burkey

90 Years Young!

Wishing Our Dad and Grandad

A Very Special Birthday Weekend

We love you so much xxxx

Dave and Linda, Richard and Belinda

Craig, Matthew and Louise, Lochlann and Lyra,

Andrew and Vicky,

Lewis and Laura,

Joanne xxxxx

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENNG TIMES

Erewash Borough Council’s Christmas and New Year opening hours have been confirmed for the Town Halls, Erewash Museum and Leisure Centres operated by Legacy Leisure. Ilkeston and Long Eaton town hall receptions are normally open from 9am to 4pm every weekday with Contact Centre phone lines open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays.

On Friday 23rd December town hall receptions and phone lines will close at the earlier time of 2pm and will be closed all day on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December, reopening to the public on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th December. On Friday 30th December town hall receptions and phone lines will close at the earlier time of 2pm and will be closed on Monday 2nd January 2023, reopening with normal hours from Tuesday 3rd January onwards.

The leisure centres operated by Legacy Leisure on behalf of the council are West Park Leisure Centre, Victoria Park Leisure Centre, Rutland Sports Park and Sandiacre Friesland Sports Centre. The normal opening hours, facilities, classes and lessons of each centre can be found at erewash.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing-development/leisure-centres. 

Christmas and New Year opening hours are as follows:

	West Park Leisure Centre	Victoria Park Leisure Centre	Rutland Sports Park	Sandiacre Friesland Sports Centre
Saturday 24 December	7am – 3pm	7am – 3pm	7am – 3pm	8.45am – 3pm
Sunday 25 December	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Monday 26 December	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Tuesday 27 December	Blood Donor Session Only	Closed	Closed	Closed
Wednesday 28 December	6.15am – 2.15pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	Closed
Thursday 29 December	6.15am – 2.15pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	Closed
Friday 30 December	6.15am – 2.15pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	6.30am – 2.30pm	Closed
Saturday 31 December	7am – 3pm	7am – 3pm	8am – 3pm	8.45am – 3pm
Sunday 1 January	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Monday 2 January	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Tuesday 3 January	Normal	Normal	Normal	Normal

 Erewash Museum Christmas and New Year opening hours are as follows:

Monday 12 December	Closed
Tuesday 13 December	10am – 4pm
Wednesday 14 December	Closed
Thursday 15 December	10am – 7pm	Late Night Opening
Friday 16 – Saturday 17 December	10pm – 4pm	17 December – Santa Saturday
Sunday 18 – Monday 19 December	Closed
Tuesday 20 December	10am – 4pm
Wednesday 21 December	Closed
Thursday 22 December	10am – 4pm
Friday 23 December – Monday 2 January	Closed
Tuesday 3 January	10am – 4pm
Wednesday 4 January	Closed
Thursday 5 January	9am – 4.30pm	Return to normal hours

FINAL CALL TO SIGN NUMBER 21 BUS PETITION

The public petition calling on TrentBarton to reinstate the Number 21 bus service will close to new signatures on Friday 9th December 2022. Erewash MP Maggie will then present the petition to Parliament on Tuesday 13th December where it will receive an official response from the Government. Maggie commented:

“Since TrentBarton ended the service back in October, many residents living in Kirk Hallam, Shipley View and Hallam Fields have contacted me to described how they have been left feeling isolated.This has been reflected in the strength of public support shown for this petition, which will hopefully send a clear message to TrentBarton that they were wrong to withdraw the Number 21. I look forward to presenting the final petition to Parliament on Tuesday and will keep residents updated on both the Government’s and TrentBarton’s response.”

Anyone still wishing to sign the petition can do so either online at https://www.maggiethroup.com/save-number-21-bus or in person at Maggie’s community office on South Street in Ilkeston. In addition, if you have any completed petition sheets yet to be returned, these can either be scanned and emailed to maggie.throup.mp@parliament.uk or dropped into the community office.