Welcome to Issue 317, 26th July 2008 of our FREE newsletter
Decision Awaited
The fate of public toilets in Long Eaton lies at the hands of the Chief Executive at Erewash Borough Council who will make a final decision about which ones are to close. After a heated debate, councillors voted eight to six in favour of the recommendation of the following toilets to be closed. Wilne Road in Sawley, Tamworth Road, Wilsthorpe Road, West Park bowling green and changing rooms. Coun Brenda White rejected the view that if the toilet on Orchard Street behind Boots in Long Eaton were to close, residents can use the facility at the Town Hall. She described them as being: "cold, dark, uncomfortable and disgraceful." She added: "Orchard Street is the biggest and best toilet in the whole borough, and you would be well advised to leave it well alone or you will have a riot on your hands." Coun Bill Camm presented a petition containing 1,700 signatures opposing the closure.
Marshalls To Close
A concrete manufacturer which employs about 100 staff has announced it is to close its site in Sawley.
The news was broken to the workforce at the Marshalls plant, in Tamworth Road, during a meeting. It is understood that about 100 people are employed by the company but it is not yet known what will happen to their jobs. A spokeswoman for the company confirmed that meetings with employees had taken place. A statement issued on behalf of Marshalls read: “As a result of a recent and lengthy strategic review, it has become clear that there is an opportunity to consolidate our operational improvements to continue to meet our customers' needs and to make significant changes to our current manufacturing capacity. It is therefore with regret that Marshalls has announced the closure of its Sawley site, with the exception of the continuation of a collections-only logistics operation out of Sawley.” The statement said a consultation would be carried out over the next few months to minimise the impact on employees. This will involve union representatives and staff so that, where possible, they are offered other opportunities within the group. A haulier who is contracted to transport materials made at the site said drivers were told they were to stop loading lorries. Bill Camm, Erewash borough councillor for Sawley, said: “I'm amazed. They seemed to be quite settled and secure as they have been there for years." The company – which provides a range of building supplies such as sand and gravel – said the near-term outlook had deteriorated significantly in recent weeks.
Speedway Battle Lost
Houses are to be built on the site of the former speedway stadium in Long Eaton after a planning application was approved by Erewash Borough Council. The planning committee voted 12 votes to three in favour of developing around 200 houses on the site. Despite the Save Our Stadium campaign for the return of a sports stadium in Long Eaton, numerous developers have been unsuccessful in rebuilding the stadium. Coun Howard Griffiths said: "This committee has sat through applications and turned them down, and down, and down. There have been credible organisations wanting to rebuild the stadium but we found that they have the time but not the money. It has gone on far too long for the local residents who have seen this land going derelict." Coun Bill Camm backed the campaigners and action group and he said: "I am somewhat saddened that the recommendation for the site is one of residential development. I think it is a sad day for the supporters of speedway and I am very sorry for them." He added that traffic congestion caused by the development will present significant problems in the area. Whilst housing has been approved, negotiations are still taking place to decide whether some of the land should be allocated as a playing field for the nearby Grange Primary School. Currently there is no playing field nearby and pupils are forced to have their sports lessons on concrete surfaces.
Centenary Reached
Long Eaton's West Park Bowls Club is 100 years old this year and recently celebrated its centenary by holding a series of friendly competitions with 48 players from other local clubs. To mark the event, the bowls club, which is based at the bowling green and pavilion on West Park has had a new badge designed inscribed with the club's age - from 1908 to 2008. David Brown, fixtures secretary said: "We think it is something special to have been playing bowls in Long Eaton for 100 years." He said that the club although very enthusiastic were not as strong competitively, although this had not always been the case. A file of cuttings and score cards reveals a string of successes on the greens. A score card dating from 1927 shows that the club won through to the final ties of the Daily News Championship in London. They got through to the grand final but were just pipped at the post by Sunderland by just one shot. Mr Brown added: "If people would like to join but have never bowled before we do coaching sessions in September." Children's coaching indoors takes place at the Erewash Indoors Bowls Club on Station Road in the town. Anyone interested in joining either club can contact Mr Brown on 0115 9720807.
Church Clean-Up
Following on from a report that the Sawley Parish Church cannot afford to have the grass cut around the graves in the churchyard, the vicar of the church, Rev Alicia Petty has praised local people for rallying to her pleas for help with the overgrown graveyard. More than 30 people turned up despite the rain to help out. Rev Petty said: "It has been such an encouraging day, the community spirit has been wonderful. So much has been achieved in such a short space of time, in spite of the weather getting the better of us in the end." She said the long list of maintenance jobs undertaken included grass cutting, pruning trees, tidying graves and the grass being raked and strimmed. The church is now planning another churchyard clean up later.
Tributes Paid
A retired butcher who spent 51 years in the trade has died peacefully in his sleep two months before his 100th birthday. Jack Meakin was the manager of the once prominent Dewhurst Butchers in Long Eaton from 1931-1973. He retired shortly after his 65th birthday. Mr Meakin died at the Old Rectory Residential Home in Breaston. His youngest daughter Jenny Tudbury, 64, said her father was "well known to many, many people." She described her father as being always a gentleman and very quiet. Her elder sister, Janet Carr, 67, said: "Dad was a very charming man and the housewives particularly liked him. Although he was shy, the counter became a theatre for him." Jack was married to his wife Ethel for 60 years, and when she died nine years ago he was heartbroken. Away from the butchers, Jack liked to spend time with is family. He died leaving behind his six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was a keen traveller and enjoyed long walks as he liked to remain active.
Fake "Pig Race"
A pig racing competition held at the Harrington Arms on Tamworth Road in Sawley sparked uproar when punters discovered that the animals used were fake. A local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous said it was "incredibly disappointing" and that the pub was using "false trade descriptions". She said: "The poster advertised live action pig racing. However I soon noticed that there were no tracks set up outside, and then the rumours started amongst the crowd that it was actually mechanical pigs being used. This turned out to be true and there was uproar. We were very disappointed because we turned up expecting one thing only to get something so mediocre." A lot of people left in disgust. The resident, once a regular customer at the pub, said she would no longer be returning having felt let down. Pub manager, Niall Radford who promoted the event as "ten pink pigs racing in the garden" was unavailable for comment after the event.
Litter Louts
Erewash Borough Council officials are adamant to catch the "mindless litter louts" who dumped a large pile of rubbish in a Long Eaton street. Describing it as one of the worst incidents of town centre fly tipping the council are urging residents to help them find those responsible. The bags of rubbish, bricks, wood and other waste was dumped alongside the Focus Do It All DIY store on Bank Street in the town. Council staff taped off the area until the rubbish was cleared. Neighbourhood Warden, Terri Rudwick said: "This behaviour is disgraceful and appalls all right thinking members of our community who properly dispose of their rubbish. This incident is particularly bad and the person or persons who dumped this pile of rubbish have left it for others to sort out, and they need to understand that this is not acceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated. We work hard to crack down on this problem and to find those who think it is alright to fly tip."
Refusal Overturned
A successful appeal by the Tesco Extra store on Waverley Street in Long Eaton has overturned a planning decision which was initially refused by Erewash Borough Council. A proposal was submitted by Tesco to build a mezzanine floor to enable it to expand its retail space at the store. But it was refused for two particular reasons. The first was that there was concern about the negative impact the proposal could have on the "vitality and viability of the town centre". The second reason for refusal was concerns with a possible increase of congestion levels and increased traffic as a result of the external works taking place to build the floor. In the recent appeal an inspector reported that the main issue of the proposal was still the impact it could have on the economy of the town. However, the proposal is "well related" to the town's shopping centre and that there are acceptable links to it for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people. As part of the appeal decision, work on the floor must begin within three years.
Open For Business
The opening of a sleek new wine bar in Long Eaton has been hailed as a great success. The Krush Bar on West Gate is now open and was immediately very busy, according to owner Chris Brookes. He said: "It has already become a favourite meeting point for people to chill before a night out." The venue is the first phase of Mr Brookes' new entertainment and business complex incorporating Krush and also the Chicago Sports Bar and Grill along with a function and conference centre which will open on August 1st.
A Drop In Trade
A drop in trade has been blamed for the closure of a number of businesses in Long Eaton's town centre. Hallmark Cards, the Attic menswear shop, the Corner Pin pub and Sandra's Cafe have all closed in the last two months. Hallmark Cards closed with a loss of two full time and four part time jobs. Andrew Cuthbert, who operates the franchise on behalf of Hallmark said: "Trade has really fallen off at this end of the High Street since the Co-op store closed two years ago. This was made worse when the Post Office moved to the other end of town last September. People just do not get down this end now. We spent £20,000 on a refit of the shop last summer, but there was still nobody coming in." Mr Cuthbert said the shop would probably be empty for around two years. He added: "Due to the fact there is only two years left on the lease, no estate agents will take it onto their books. Unless someone approaches me direct it will have to be moth-balled."
Not A Drugs Death
A young reveller who died after visiting a club later closed by police investigating drug-dealing was the victim of a chest infection, an inquest heard. Police closed Long Eaton's The Venue nightclub following the death of Kelly Morris, who went there with friends shortly before she died. Officers had been looking into her death as part of a major investigation into drug-dealing in the town. But an inquest heard that although the 26-year-old took four types of recreational drug before she died, they did not kill her. Miss Morris, of Twyford Close, Willington, died of the combined effects of bronchopneumonia and a bacterial infection. Michael Bird, assistant deputy coroner for Derby and South Derbyshire, told the court: “This is not a drugs death. When we opened this inquest we were aware of the fact that Kelly had been out the night before and had taken some drugs. It was thought there was a link with the drug use but I think it's clear that any drugs she did take played no part in causing her death. She was one of those rare people who are the life and soul of the party. No-one can condone the fact that she took those drugs but she was a young girl, full of life.” Miss Morris had suffered from a chesty cough for about three weeks before her death but had felt well enough to continue to socialise and go to work at Trowell Service Station. On Saturday, April 5th, she went clubbing at The Venue, in Station Street, Long Eaton, and collapsed at home the following day. She was admitted to Queen's Hospital, Burton, where she died at 10.20pm on Monday, April 7th. Traces of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and GHB were found in her blood. Mr Bird, who recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, said: “She has been extremely unfortunate to have acquired this nasty bronchopneumonia which probably didn't seem as bad as it really was. Then a secondary bacterial infection came in and added to the problem, putting her in a position where it was not possible to survive.”
Speaking Out
Kalika Sunger, 16, from Long Eaton has become the latest UNICEF UK Youth Adviser. Kalika was selected from 50 young people nationwide to join other advisers in campaigning for children's rights. Kalika said: "I am overwhelmed that I have been selected and I am grateful for this opportunity to do something that I very much believe in and have a passion for." This is not the first organisation Kalika has worked for in her fight for children's rights. From the age of 11, she has been a campaigner for the cause for various organisations. She was also a member of her school council and a peer mentor for younger pupils at the Long Eaton School. Last year she went to the Treasury to present her view of children's rights. Her ambition is to become a Human Rights Barrister. She accepts the challenging and changing society of young people.
Proud As Punch
Long Eaton Boxing Club have taken a gigantic step towards achieving greater recognition in the sport after becoming affiliated with the English Amateur Boxing Association (ABA). All of the coaches at the club are ABA qualified and have undergone CRB checks and first aid badges and the club can now send out competitors to ABA tournaments. The club are not long away from hosting their first ABA champion and many in the club believe that Warren Bishop has a bright future. Coach Brian Plakhtienko said: "For a small town like Long Eaton we have a lot of talent and hopefully we can do the town proud and go on to produce many champions in the future. It does however take time to prepare a boxer both mentally and physically to compete and this can take up to two years, but what I have seen so far makes me believe we can go on and establish ourselves as a big club in the boxing world."
Raising Funds
A Long Eaton opticians have donated 50p for every eye examination carried out throughout Diabetes UK Week. The money raised will fund local projects which provide support for diabetics and go towards the charity's research programme. Store director of Specsavers in Long Eaton, Krishma Parmar said: "We are delighted to be able to offer support for this extremely worthwhile cause. There are currently 2.3 million people who have diabetes in the UK, and more than half a million have the type 2 diabetes but aren't aware of it. Every five minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with diabetes which is the leading cause of blindness in our working age population." They are urging everyone to have a sight test at least every two years because an eye examination can detect the onset of diabetes among people who don't realise they have it.
Rambling Club
The Long Eaton Rambling Club have been having a busy time in recent weeks. They trouped for around nine miles around Ashbourne in Derbyshire with Sheila Amos leading the way. They also had an evening walk led by Nigel James. The club meet at the Long Eaton Town Hall car park. For more information about the rambling club and forthcoming walks, telephone Nigel on 0115 9727495.
West Park Clean Up
Members of the Friends of West Park have joined in with the Pride In Erewash campaign. The group cleared away graffiti from the park benches. The next meeting of the Friends of West Park group will take place on Thursday, July 17th, at 10am at the cafe in the West Park Leisure Centre. All interested are welcome to attend.
Sun Safety
Children at a primary school in Long Eaton have been given a lesson in sun safety. Pupils from the Parklands Infant and Nursery School were given a lesson from Garnier Ambre Solaire. To bring the lesson to life, an actor demonstrated a "wrap, splat and hat" routine. This initiative is part of a Garnier Ambre Solaire's Schools Sun Awareness Scheme, which provides free Sun Awareness Packs for primary schools in the UK. The packs are designed to be a fun way to get the important message across and include lesson plans, activities and PE games.
Fun Day
A charity fun day was held in Sandiacre. The fund raising day was in aid of the Leonard Cheshire Disability in a bid to raise awareness and money for the charity. The event was held on the field next to the Friesland Sports Centre on Victoria Avenue. The event included line dancing, sports activities, a raffle and cream teas.
People's Cinema Views
Following the appeal by the Galaxy Cinema owner, Graham Cotton for people to come along and support the cinema on Derby Road or they may lose it, the Long Eaton Advertiser went on to the streets of the town to ask local people: "Do you want to keep the cinema - and why?" Elaine Hammersley, 55, of Reedman Road in Sawley said she definitely wants the picture house to stay. She said: "We have been a few times and have taken our grandson. It is cheaper than going to Nottingham." Garry Frearson, 66, of Bosworth Way, said that he can remember when there were three cinemas in the town. He said: "I do not go to any cinema at all because they do not show my type of films. The cinemas today seem more about making money, selling big tubs of popcorn than people's entertainment." Michelle Kirk, 27, of Longmoor Gardens in Long Eaton, is a shop assistant and she hoped the cinema will stay. Miss Kirk said: "It would be a shame for it to close, there is nothing in Long Eaton as it is." Miss Kirk blames computers, DVDs and the internet for the cinema's lack of support. Kial Thurman, 15, of Sandford Avenue, said: "I hope it doesn't close as I go there once or twice a month. They get all the new films and it is good."
Plays Galore
The Arcade Players invited the residents of Long Eaton for their latest production "An Evening Of Comedy" at the Devonshire Studio at the Chatsworth Centre in Long Eaton. The programme for the evening was three short plays including one by Alan Ayckbourn. Tickets cost £4.50 and £3.50 for concessions. A bar, soft drinks and coffee was available throughout the evening.
Ladies In Pink
The Sawley WI ladies held a "pink themed party" this was one of the events held to celebrate their 85th birthday. The ladies enjoyed strawberry and cream teas and a glass of pink bubbly. Also, on a perfect June evening at a meeting with president Ann Burrows in the chair, items for discussion included the forthcoming August outing to Shrewsbury, a guided walk around Trent College, the craft "Dabble Day" and the autumn council meeting (guest speaker Gloria Hunniford).
In The Saddle
Long Eaton Rotary Club President Clive Atkins welcomed Chris Marbrow from Scropton Riding For The Disabled to the latest meeting of the Rotary Club of Long Eaton. Chris gave a presentation to members outlining the history and work of the centre which was opened by Princess Anne in 1978. Formerly known as the East Midlands Riding Association For The Handicapped the charity was set up to recognise the great potential of riding for people with disabilities. The centre is run by volunteers and has to be self funding, outgoings currently being £135,000 per annum. There are 25 ponies and horses to look after. Rotarian Paul Hopkins thanked Chris and congratulated her and the centre for the wonderful work that they were achieving and the enthusiasm that was being given to disabled people. A donation was then presented to Chris from the Rotary Club.
Trip To Skeggy
Two Stapleford men have raised money for the Treetops Hospice in Risley by cycling all the way to Skegness and back again. Les Spencer and Nigel Reeves, braved strong winds and driving rain to complete the 140 mile round trip in 23 hours and 45 minutes. Mr Spencer said: "It normally takes us around 16 hours, but the winds were so strong it really held us up. Then on the way back it rained all the way. It was tough but we did it." Mr Spencer has raised £400 in sponsorship and Mr Reeves is still waiting for all his money to come in. Both men live on Crawford Street in Stapleford and have also raised £170 by auctioning two mountain bikes for the hospice.
News In Brief
Losing To Leaders
The local derby between Attenborough and Long Eaton Cricket Club in the South Notts League Division A could be crucial. After the winning draw Attenborough can now look towards a head to head tussle for the title and promotion to the Notts Premier Division while Long Eaton face a massive mountain to climb if they are to get back into the reckoning. On a good cricket wicket at West Park, Attenborough achieved 155 for 7 in their allotted overs with Umar Hassan taking 5 for 45 in Long Eaton's attack. Long Eaton's reply stuttered with the fall of early wickets, and only Mark Harrison (50 not out) really impressed. A win was never really on the cards and the home side ended 19 runs short of their target.
For Your Amusement
What kids say about marriage:
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. - Ricky, age 10.