Ironville & Codnor Park Newsletter

Ironville & Codnor Park Newsletter Local news, events, articles and more. September 2020 Welcome to Issue Number Thirteen We hope that you continue to find our village newsletter of interest and enjoy its articles and other contents. If you would like to get in touch or send in articles or

other news items please write to the editor - Andy ([email protected])

For further information why not visit the web site: http://unicorns.comli.com/Index.htm

News From Ironville and

Codnor Park Primary School

 01773 602936 Wow, what a strange term we have had at Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School! Although it has been very different both in and out of school the children have all kept really busy. The children who have been home learning have been receiving home learning packs to complete. Mrs Smedley has received a lot of photographs of what children have been doing at home and some are displayed on our home learning display in school and on the school Face- Exploring nature as part book page. Please take a look. of a socially distanced The children in school have en- walk on the Forge site. joyed their own ‘bubble’ sports See pages 4 & 19 day as well as being involved in the annual Wonderful World Week. This year the children learnt about Jamaica, China and Canada. I would like to thank all of the children, staff and parents/carers this term who either worked in school or at home to ensure the children have been kept safe and had an education they deserved. I know it hasn’t been easy. All of the staff are so looking forward to welcoming the children back in Team Tree Scarecrow September. We can’t wait! Challenge www.ironvillecodnorpark.derbyshire.sch.uk See page 11

Parish Council Report by Kath Gruber, Parish Clerk

Since the last newsletter there have been 3 Parish Council meetings, all of which were held remotely due to COVID-19. Whilst not ideal the meetings have gone well with members of the public continuing to join the meetings to give their views to the Council.

Our New Parish Warden John started work on 27 July 2020 and his duties include:  litter picking  maintenance of street furniture  removal and control of weeds, moss, and other vegetation

 cutting back vegetation overhanging roads and footpaths

 hedge trimming

 pruning bushes and trees

 reporting fly tipping

 gritting and snow clearance

If you see him, please stop, and say hello.

Village Plan Thank you to those of you who took the time to give your views on what you would like to see in a Village Action Plan. This will be developed over the next few months and copies will be available on the Council’s website as well as in this newsletter. Anyone wanting a hard copy will be able to request one. Some of the initiatives being taken forward as part of the Village Action Plan are: a) Establish who has responsibility for village maintenance – Amber Valley, Derbyshire County Council Futures, or Parish Council – and communicate this so everyone is aware who does what. b) Set up a traffic working group, Councillors Smith, and Clark, to review issues and agree steps to improve safety and parking in the village and enhance walking and cycling routes. c) Set up a working group, comprising of Councillors Cope and Holgate, to review opportunities for enhancing the village with more plants and flowers. d) Carry out a thorough review of village waste bins e) In response to concerns raised by residents in relation to Future’s maintenance, stronger links are being made between the Council and Futures. Louise Rowley is the new Futures neighbourhood officer and will be attending Parish Council meetings to discuss ways in which Futures and the Council can work together.

Improvements to Ironville and Codnor Park · Councillor Holgate advised that over £200 had been raised and donated to Futures Housing to replace the Oak trees · Village Hanging baskets were installed in June and Jack Brown planted the village tubs – all are looking lovely. · Councillor Clark was given £100 for planting more daffodil bulbs around the village

Village Walkabout The Council wants to organise a village walkabout with Councillors and volunteers to identify places we can enhance the village with plants and flowers. If you are interested in taking part in this, please let the Parish Clerk know.

Parish Council Website and Emails As part of the ongoing development of the website and improvements to data privacy Councillors will be allocated parish council email addresses over the next few months. However, all email correspondence in relation to Parish Council matters must be sent to the Parish Clerk NOT individual Councillors.

Speeding

The Parish Council continues to look for volunteers to form a village community speed watch group to work the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNTs) in monitoring speeding traffic. Full training will be given and if you are interested in taking part please contact the Parish Clerk.

Parish Council Noticeboard

At the July meeting the Parish Council gave permission for Futures to use part of the noticeboard to provide any information they want residents to be aware of

Future Parish Council Meeting Dates:

21 September 2020; 16 November 2020; 18 January 2021; 15 March 2021; 17 May 2021

All meetings start at 7pm and usually take place in the Community Centre, Victoria Street. However, until guidance is given by the Government, they could be held remotely so please check the Council Website, Facebook Page or Village Noticeboard

Find out what is happening by checking the Parish Council website which has details of meetings, poli- cies and initiatives. The website can be found - www.ironvilleparishcouncil.co.uk

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions for the Parish Council please contact the Parish Clerk, Kath Gruber, on [email protected] or 07595515154

Your Parish Councillors:

L to R: Cllr E. Holgate (Vice Chair), Cllr T. Bowler, Cllr P. Cope (Chair), Cllr P. Smith, Cllr R. Daniel, Cllr R. Mitchell, Cllr R. Tailby, Cllr C. Gent & Cllr P. Clark

Re-opening of Church and Church Hall – Update

CHRIST CHURCH - will reopen on Sunday 13th September with the 11.00am service. Clearance has been given by the Archdeacon, so the building will be available for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals subject to current guidelines from that date also.

MID- WEEK COMMUNION – Suspended at this present time.

CHURCH HALL - Provisional date for reopening - Monday 7th September. All user groups will be contacted in due course. This may have happened by the time you receive this Newsletter.

HERITAGE DAY (26th September) – Cancelled this year, however it is hoped to stage one in the future when circumstances allow

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL - A decision as to whether or not this event will take place this year has been deferred to 19th September (Ten weeks in advance).

N. B. At the time of going to print the information in this box and elseware in this Newsletter is correct. However, during the current pandemic I am sure that you are aware - things can change overnight. News from the Forge by Sally Fisher

First of all we would like to thank the many people who have helped to keep the Forge a lovely place to visit by helping us to keep the area as free as possible from litter. This has been especially important during lockdown as it has enabled many people to enjoy what is on their doorstep. Please keep yourselves safe by wearing gloves when you do this. Everyone should aim to LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS.

In the last bulletin we were beginning to work on the steps down to the boardwalk. These are now in situ with help from Friends of the Canal and Friends of the Forge and we were intending to complete them by putting in handrails. However, the country went into FCC installing the steps lockdown before we could do this but hopefully this will be done before the Autumn.

Much time was spent through last winter clearing a second bank of self-set trees and bramble. Raking it also made a huge difference. The result has been a bank full of wildflowers regenerating from soil disturb- ance which we would have been very proud of had we sown the area.

We have been able, for the most part, to continue with the butterfly transects in spite of lockdown and have been delighted with the increase in numbers particularly in the newly managed areas. This year, for the second year running we have recorded the marbled Taffy preparing to collect another white and, for the first time, the silver washed fritillary barrow load of stone to fill steps which is moving into Derbyshire from the East. Nota- bly though, the common blue is now much less common than just two years ago due to very wet winters followed this year by extreme heat which almost wiped out their food plant, bird’s-foot-trefoil (or eggs and bacon).

Finally we have put some native water lilies into the lake with Mick wading in to do the deed on quite a cold evening. These will help to improve the quality of Lilies being transported the ,water in the lake as well as suppress, we hope , to the lake New Zealand Pygmy weed which we are told is there.

Deb in newly regenerated meadow Common blue butterfly THE ANVIL CLUB

The Anvil Club is open every evening between 8.00pm and Midnight (Tuesdays & Fridays 7.o0pm to 12am - Saturday & Sunday 8pm - 12am)

The Anvil Club is the

perfect place for your functions. Where you can celebrate those special times or hold important meetings.

A cosy place, to enjoy a pint of good bitter ale with a welcoming atmosphere. A great place for a game of Pool too. With Your host Maria serving ales clear and bright.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays Free Pool

Contact Maria McCormack on 01773-689559 or 07816-439881 The Anvil Club, Casson Street, Ironville, Nottingham, NG16 5NN

CODNOR PARK Christ Church RESERVOIR Fishing in well

stocked water

 Alan Birks:

07941 824374 Rev Mark Taylor  Eddie Harvey:  01773 833280 07598395679

Rev Julian Penfold

WATERS EDGE  07932 564888 Warden: BURGER BAR David Fearn Drinks, hot and  01773 605447 cold food available. Services: Open Wed - Sun Sunday at 11.00am:

7.30am -1 pm Morning Service

Angie Harvey: 07899 095758 Enjoying a socially distanced cuppa by the Res.

Futures Housing Group: Introducing a new community, My Voice.

Calling all Futures Residents!

One in five of you say that you don’t feel you have enough influence over decisions that could affect you – and we want to change that. So, to give you more of a voice we’re excited to announce the following:

Introducing our new online community: My Voice

This is a new way for you to get more involved. It’s a place to share your views and opinions, give us feedback, discuss new projects and stay up-to- date with how your views have an impact and shape our future.

My Voice is a research and discussion tool to help us improve Futures and the services we provide. It will mainly be focused on ‘big issues’ so it’s important to understand it’s not a place for sorting out individual complaints or repairs – that’s the job of our customer service team. You can contact them in the usual ways, either by phone or email or even through Facebook.

Joining My Voice is not only a way to have a bigger say – we’ve designed it to be fun too. As well as a wide range of topics to discuss, you will be re- warded with points to exchange for shopping vouchers as a thank you for taking part.

Join today at: www.myvoice.cmnty.com/authorize/register

and be part of our new community!

Yours

Futures Housing Group

From

Raine-Ellerker, Joseph [email protected]

Lockdown in Ironville & Codnor Park by Liz Holgate

During lockdown earlier this year a team of volunteers came together to provide support to the elderly and vulnerable in isolation. Leaflets were delivered to every household offering help with essential supplies, shopping, or just a friendly chat.

The Parish Council kick-started funding, and many residents of the village donated cash and food or other supplies to the team. In total almost 70 families were helped, some on a weekly basis, either with emergency parcels, cooked meals (provided by the Oscarii charity) or by having their shopping done for them. Special requests were catered for when possible, and even pets were helped out, including a tortoise who was missing his bananas!

A massive thank you goes to everyone involved, well done Ironville and Codnor Park!

Annual Village Litter Pick The Annual Village Litter Pick was one of 8th March 2020 the last village community events to take place before the Covid-19 “Lock Down.” It was quite a sociable occasion, with new ac- quaintances being made. Very good for the community spirit. Around Thirty five people were involved in

collecting thirty five black bags full of litter.

Community Transport has been running in this area for over 30 years, but recently we have had a busy time and earlier this year we returned to being an independent community transport charity serving the needs of local people and groups. We hope you like our new branding and very soon you will see this appearing on our vehicles. Along with many other organisations we have had to place a temporary pause on some of our activities but hope that it won’t be too long before our successful Lunch Clubs are up and running again. We are currently exploring the possibility of running short trips out to local garden centres and the like, if you would be interested please let us know. The Derbyshire Connect Service continues to run, offering a once a week trip to the local supermarket. For residents of Ironville and Codnor Park this is on Fridays into Alfreton. Our vehicles are wheelchair accessible and Derbyshire Gold Card holders travel free of charge, the current charge for non-card holders is £3.80 return. Our vehicles are meeting Covid- 19 secure guidelines and passengers are being asked to wear face coverings. We are looking for new ways in which we can become more involved in supporting local non-profit organisations and groups, so, if lack of transport is becoming a barrier why not give us a call to see how we could work in partnership. Please contact us by telephone on 01773 746652 or email [email protected]. Our office hours are between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday

Lock Keepers Garden Update by John Guyler The vegetables shown in the photograph below were grown in the Lock Keepers Garden at Lock 4, Ironville by Friends of Cromford Canal members Shirley Bullock and Carol Hartley. The vegetables were given this year to Oscari, which is a food bank in Riddings. Oscari is the Organising Social and Community Activities in Riddings and Ironville. The Lock keepers garden can viewed at lock 4 from the towpath. Oscari would be delighted if you have any surplus food or vegetables to donate to contact: [email protected]

CHRIST CHURCH – CLOCKS, BELLS & ORGANS by David Fearn This is yet another story of pairs – this time a pair of organs, and – yes – another case of what might have been if only the finances had been available. During its 168-year history, there have been two pipe organs in Christ Church. The first was built to order by W. Sweetland of Bath in 1851. It was replaced in 1887 by a second hand organ built by T C Lewis of London. THE SWEETLAND ORGAN…..In the mid-1840s, the Butterley Company was pushing ahead with its structured development of the village of Ironville. The plans included a new school to be built across the road from the original school building with the latter enlarged into a church. As works got underway, thoughts turned to providing the new church with some essential features including a The great man with the pipe organ, and so it was that George Jessop of Butterley Hall placed an order funeral monument he built with William Sweetland of Bath, Somerset, to build a brand new instrument. Sweetland the artist- self-portrait William Sweetland had set up his business in 1847, and the Ironville organ was just the fourth he had built (out of an eventual total of over 300 builds or rebuilds) and also his largest at the time. The organ cost £186, and it is recorded that “…..Messers G. Jessop, W. Needham, R. J. Casson and Mr Scott, Mr Lindley and Miss Jessop contributed liberally to the scheme”. Sweetland was obviously a shrewd business man and very proud of his innovations in organ building for he arranged an organ recital in his workshop at 3 Guinea Lane, Bath to demonstrate the capabilities of the new Ironville instrument and even advertised the recital so as to attract an audience and, hopefully, more orders. The new organ was placed in the first floor room of the tower – what we now know as the Choir Vestry (the glass screen is a recent addition dating from 1952) – with the choir seated in front of it in the gallery on four rows of pews. The organ was of a modest size (and probably a little small for the building) with two manuals and pedals, all of shorter compass than today’s organs, 3 composition pedals, 13 speaking stops and (roughly) 468 pipes. The organ was ready for the Consecration of the new church on Easter Monday, 12th April 1852, when Mr Trininal of Chesterfield was the organist. This was followed on the next Sunday by two special sermons, morning and afternoon, given by visiting clergy which raised £47-13s-5d for the “Organ Fund”. Whilst there must have been great joy in the village with the opening of the new church, there seem to have been some major problems from the outset over the location of organ, choir, congregation and clergy in what was a very large building (The clergy stall and the pulpit were even further towards the east end than at present). One can assume that distance made communication very difficult. Things dragged on until December 1874 when the decision was taken “…..that alterations be made in Ironville Church according to approved plan, viz. that the Or- gan and Choir be brought into the North End and the pulpit and desk brought forward”, The result was that the Organ and Choir were moved into the north transept, the present Baptistry, and this was celebrated with a special reopening service on the first Sun- day in May 1875. Although the church underwent a thorough decoration in the autumn of 1880 (when, significantly, it is recorded that a lot of dirt and dust got into the organ!), the new decade was marked by growing dissatis- faction with the instrument. The reasons can be guessed. The organ was over 30 years old and would probably have needed some serious restoration work, and there was still the problem of it not being powerful enough for the large building. At an Extraordinary Church Council Meeting on 30th June 1887, chaired by the then brand new Vicar, Rev R. P. Hills, it was proposed “…..that the question of purchas- ing a new organ be entertained, and that the one mentioned be bought as cheaply as possible if it proves to be what it purports”. As for the fate of the Sweetland organ, church records show that it was “sold to a Mr Harrison for £55”. Some years ago, the late Clarence Severn of Alfreton was keen to advise that it was sold to the United Methodist Free Church on King Street in Alfreton and subsequently underwent a number of alterations/improvements carried out by amateur organ builders. Unfortunately, there is no record of what happened to the organ when that church closed in 1967 and it is now recorded as “lost”. WILLIAM SWEETLAND (1820-1910) was most certainly a very talented man. He inherited some useful carpentry skills from his father, such that, by the age of six, he had started to make his own musical instruments including a dulci- mer, accordion, guitar, violin and a cello. He developed a keen interest in architecture and, in later years, became an accomplished painter (It is not surprising that towards the end of his life, he built his own funeral monument!) Having set up his business with just one man, by 1881, his workshop employed 13 men and 4 boys. Most of the organs he built were for West Country churches and especially chapels, with some in Wales and a dozen or so in a band across central England, and most were of a modest size – no big instru- The great man with the ments in big churches, cathedrals or in big cities. Today, Sweetland’s organs funeral monument he built are viewed as worthy instruments, built using the best materials at reasonable cost, and many incorpo- rated his own inventions in organ building (as at Ironville) of which he was very proud. However, the passing of time has not been kind to Sweetland. Many of his instruments have been radically altered, and in many cases, lost. One never knows……….One day, we may find out what happened to the Iron- ville organ…… Next Time – The Lewis Organ

I would like to express my thanks to Gordon Curtis for the use of material from his book: “A PROVINCIAL ORGAN BUILDER IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND – WILLIAM SWEETLAND OF BATH” [Ashgate Publishing - 2011]

Lunch on the Forge Circa 1964

TEAM TREE Yet again what an amazing response to Team Tree’s challenge this year!! The standard of the scarecrows flew even higher than ever. “Team Tree would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year's scarecrow competition. The judges had a huge task to choose the winners.”

News from The Cromford Canal and Codnor Park Reservoir Group

Deciding which bits of ‘normal’ are worth going back to by Marie Brown

I wish I had a pound for every time I have heard the saying ‘in these unprecedented times’ over the last 6 months.

Now, with schools reopening and things beginning to return to normal we wait for the second wave, the conspiracy theories and the inevitable political aftermath that will follow. We must all decide as individuals what bits of ‘normal’ we want to keep and which bits of these ‘unprecedented times’ have changed us for the better.

I for one, enjoy working from home instead of sitting on a smelly, stuffy, often late train to London once a week. I have replaced that with a daily lunchtime walk, saying hello to neighbours along the way and enjoying clean, fresh air in the sunshine. Don’t get me wrong here ….. I know that many of our village residents are desperately trying to keep roofs over their heads, keep businesses afloat and sadly, have lost loved ones to the virus. I would never underestimate the devastating effect that this killer has had on the lives of local people. That must be something that we never forget as a nation and we must all do what we can to support each other now, more than ever before.

I think back though, and I am grateful for the beauty of what we have right here on our doorstep and for the abundance of wildlife around us. I am grateful that we live in an area that has had relatively low case numbers and that all of the people I care about are still safe and well. I have also loved watching people expressing a new interest in nature and seeing people take solace and peace from enjoying the local outdoor spaces.

Our mental health can only be improved when enjoying the colours and the sights of life going on all around. This year’s brood of five cygnets are nearly ready to lose their baby feathers and we will all soon be posting on Facebook that the Dad (The Cob) is chasing them off the reservoir for pastures new. The Water Vole population is thriving and signs of regular visits from otters are present along the canal side. Butterflies in their thousands can be seen every day and the bees are attracted to all the wildflowers we have in the village and along the canal. Quite a sight to behold.

If you are new to wildlife or the area or would just like to know more, why not get in touch and join us for a lei- surely walk about the local area. All of the group are highly knowledgeable and would be happy to tell you more about the wonderful things that you have on your doorstep but maybe never get the opportunity to stop and see.

Derbyshire Widlife News

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust also have 2 charity shops in Common Blue butterfly by Rob Smith

Bakewell and Belper which fund the vital work with local wildlife and, are always looking for donations. Like many other charities across the UK their income has been in sharp decline, so we want to support these more in the coming months. As an affiliated group we would be happy to collect donations locally and act as a collection point. If you have any good quality items such as clothes or bric-a-brac please contact the Secretary on 07812 130061 and we will arrange collection Ladybird by Dave Wilson Plans for the coming months

Many of you will know that the group has the motto The‘ Wildlife Comes First’ and that everything we do locally centres around that commitment. Last year we concentrated our efforts oninfrastructure and information as we repaired Humpy Bridge and provided interpretation boards in key areas to inform visitors, tourists and photographers. This year, the 5 year plan of investment will continue and the work focus will be on environment and engagement.

Much of the work for the rest of this season will be concentrating on catching up with things that we have been unable to do safely. This will include strimming and cutting back brambles so that the pathways are clear and accessible and continuing to ensure that litter and dog mess is minimalised. We will also be announcing some exciting news that will benefit the whole of the local community so keep an eye on the Facebook group for that coming up soon.

2020 Community Litter Picks This month we got the long-awaited call to say that our work parties and litter picks can resume. There have been slight changes and we have had to adhere to some new guidelines, but we are up and running once again and keen to continue the development of the local area.

Firstly though, may we take this opportunity to thank the individuals who have continued to keep the area free of litter and dog mess during lockdown, knowing that you were doing it as part of your daily exercise is very much appreciated.

Litter Pick Dates: 12th September, 10th October, 14th November, 12th December* 2nd Saturday in the month from 10am for a couple of hours, maximum.

All volunteers need to wear sensible clothing such as sturdy boots or shoes but will be provided with all the equipment necessary such as litter pickers, bags, hi-vis vests, gloves etc. Due to the COVID-19 Health & Safety Regulations, we will now also be issuing dis- posable gloves, antibacterial wipes for the equipment and of course, some sanitiser. The wildlife may be a priority but the safety of our volunteer helpers is something that we take very seriously and is the cornerstone of everything we do.

*The December litter pick is usually followed by our annual fuddle to say thanks to all the volunteers working alongside us this year. All of the information about forthcom- ing nature events, litter picks, compe- titions and news will be listed on the groups’ Facebook page ‘Cromford Canal & Codnor Park Res’ but please, feel free to get in touch with us directly on 07812 130061 or by email at [email protected] There were quite a few special socially distanced celebrations around the village on May the 8th. There were also many super VE Day displays on view locally. Unfortunately due to the pandemic the editor was unable to get round to take photographs. Sadly that leaves us with just a small selection to display on this page. Thank you to those who have helped.

Socially distanced Street Party in Benjamin Court "Sit & Sing Along" - VE Day 75th Celebration. A Series of Fortunate Events for our Village - 19th April On the 19th of April 2020 we had the amazing opportunity to be able to spread a little magic around the village of Ironville & Codnor Park. We had proposed a route in which we had one of our Popular look alike characters mascot Skye (Paw Patrol) do a cheerful social distance walk all in the hopes to lift local residents spirits in these strange and trying times. We was so unbelievably overwhelmed by the community's spirit and such kind, thoughtful words it really made the three and a half hours walk worth it! Such a lovely tight knit community and we can't thank all of you enough for giving us the opportunity to spread some joy! Stay Safe and Much love from us at, A Series Of Fortunate Events Ltd x

. . . and Skye is off on her cheerful social distance walk around the village , trusty little wagon in tow & beginning on meadow street . . . Wed. Mornings 10am - 12pm in the Church Hall* All you crafters come and join us  Pam 01773 689414 for further details for a morning of crafting of your own choice . . . or why not learn a new one. We enjoy helping each other. We do anything from felting, quilting, crochet, knitting and any other craft that we can think up!

A Special Message From Pam At last we are back after five months of not seeing anyone. It is lovely to be together again. Catching up with what people have been doing - mostly making face masks! The Anvil Club* has kindly opened it’s doors to us prior to the Church Hall opening. Thank you to Maria for making it user friendly at the same time as making it safe for us to meet again. So nice to be back among the Crafters.

“Tootsies” Footcare - Affordable Footcare

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire and NHS Derbyshire County are working together to offer an affordable, long-term footcare solution for people aged 50+. In Ironville Church Hall, Casson St. on Wed14th Oct, Wed 25th Nov 2020 & Wed 6th Jan 2021 To book an appointment please call 01773 766922 (More dates follow on - every 6 weeks approx.) Community Diner

A place for people to eat a meal: affordably, socially and for environmental

benefit - Currently Suspended

The Community Diner will not be open until further notice, when it is safe for us to serve you again. We will inform you when we know it is safe for us to start up again. We hope that you are all keeping well and look forward to seeing you when the current situation improves. Thank you all for your past support. We very much look forward to opening up and seeing everyone again. Thank you, Rachel and Tina

Clowns Children's Centre The Children put on a wonderful display as part of the village’s scarecrow challenge.

If you would like to find out more about the activities we do and are interested in a place for your child please contact the nursery on 01773 540050. We would be happy to tell you more and help you to understand how much fun the children have learning through play. We offer places for children who are eligible for 2 year funding and for all 3 and 4 year olds. Safer Neighbourhood News

Raising awareness of Courier Fraud

In recent months we’ve seen an increased number of reports of courier fraud across Derbyshire, as well as national- ly. This type of fraud can cause great emotional and financial stress and disproportionately affects older people, as fraudsters tend to target those who they think are the most vulnerable. So how can you spot the signs and what should you do if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam?

What is courier fraud? Courier fraud is when a fraudster telephones a victim pretending to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The fraudster then cons the victim into revealing their PIN and credit or debit card details.

For example, a scammer may call you and they say they are from your bank or they are a police officer. They will then tell you either that a fraudulent payment has been spotted on your card that needs sorting out or someone has been arrested using your details and cards You may be asked to call your bank using the phone number on the back of your card. This convinces you that the call is genuine. But the scammer has kept the line open at their end, so when you make the call, you're unknowingly connected straight back to them or their friends.

They’ll either ask you for your PIN or ask you to key it into your phone. No bank or other legitimate service will ever ask you for your PIN.

The scammer then sends a courier or taxi to pick up the card from your home. Even the driver may not know they’re being used as part of the scam. Once the scammer has both your card and PIN they can spend your money.

Other examples of scams There is a corrupt member of staff at your bank, post office or bureau de change and the police need your help to identify them. They ask you to withdraw a large sum of your money, which the police or bank will mark, then put back into the banking system. They say this will help them identify the corrupt person. Once you hand the cash over, the scammers simply take it. A fake police officer phones or approaches you and asks you to buy an expensive watch or other high-value item, to try to find out if counterfeit goods are being sold. Once you’ve bought the item, the scammer tells you to hand it to a taxi driver for transfer to the police. The expensive item is, of course, taken instead to the scammer’s partner. The scammer says your bank account has been taken over and you need to transfer all the funds into a ‘safe account’. Of course, the new account is operated by the scammers, who then steal the funds.

What to do

If you receive such a call you should not give out any personal information and hang up the call immediately.

The police or your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account for fraud or investigation reasons, even if they say it is in your name. The police or your bank will never send someone to your home to collect cash, pin, cards or cheque books

Fraudsters often target geographical areas where they know elderly or vulnerable people live, so we would ask that if you have family or friends who are vulnerable in any way that you make them aware of this scam.

If you, or someone you know, receives a call of this nature please contact us as soon as possible. We will then assess the area that is being targeted, alert the banks and endeavour to protect other local residents to prevent any financial loss. Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us. Phone – call us on 101. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can also text on 07800 002414 or email us at [email protected]

Derbyshire Police advise - On receiving a call of this nature please terminate the call, wait 5 minutes and ensure you can hear a dial tone before calling 101, to call your bank please use the number found on the back of your card. All reports of this nature also need to be reported to Action Fraud 0300 120 2040 or online: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ For further fraud advice and prevention information please contact your local Fraud Protect Officer: [email protected] WALK ON WALKING GROUP - A message from Joan Colebrook

To “Walk On” Walkers, Hoping you have been safe and well during lock down. We have checked with other walking organisations and they have all advised to walk with no more than 6 in a group.

I hope you have all been meeting up with friends and getting out and about and keeping to the rules. It has been lovely bumping into some of you when I have been walking with my friends.

I will do my best to let you all know when we can all start walking together in a group.

Jacksdale Community Centre coffee mornings will not be opening in the near future.

The photographs illustrate a socially distanced walk around the local Forge site during August.

During the COVID - 19 crisis when

many of our schools were closed to most young people, the beauti-

ful new wild flower areas in our

village turned into an excellent teaching resource for home

schoolers. An excellent opportunity for lessons in Botany, Art and

much more, (see page 25).

Ironville & Codnor Park Primary School by Ella Tuxford EYFS Co-ordinator

Hello! As you all know 2020 has been a challenging year so far and we are only half way through! However, at Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School we have been keeping positive and ensuring that our children’s wellbeing is our top priority. Our school has moved with the changes and guidance that have been introduced but as you will read below our children have been having just as much fun and excitement as they usually would! During last term we had a focus on ‘Dinosaurs’ the children loved this topic and soon got into the role of being a dinosaur. We made dinosaur footprints, pretended to be dinosaurs and enjoyed a range of creative activities including paintings and dinosaur hats.

Our next exciting topic followed the story ‘Handa’s Surprise’ as the children learnt all about Jamaica in Wonderful World Week! We explored food, music, history, geography and the wildlife that is in Jamaica. The children created their own bracelets by weaving wool around a band, we used the internet and books to research what sort of wildlife live in Jamaica and the children tried a range of different foods including mangoes, ginger cake, pineapple, bananas and rice. The children enjoyed this part and loved all the different food they tried; especially the mango and pineapple which they said were ‘delicious’. I hope you have enjoyed reading about all the fun activities the children have been up to since April!

We know this is a difficult time for everyone and we would like to say how extremely proud we are of our children at Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School for adapting so quickly to the changes made and still having the ability to make us smile

and laugh on a daily basis!

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Miss Tuxford (EYFS Co- Ordinator) Ironville, Riddings And Swanwick ‘For The Love Of Scrubs’ Group by Debi Harcourt Whiting

When the Coronavirus Pandemic hit the U.K. and we found ourselves in lockdown, like so many other self employed, I suddenly had no work coming in. At the end of March I joined a Facebook group called ‘For The Love Of Scrubs - Our NHS Needs You’. Started by a nurse, it was calling for sewers throughout the UK who were suddenly stuck at home to help our struggling NHS by sewing vital scrubs, scrubs bags, scrubs hats and mask supports. Having worked for the NHS, I have some background knowledge of infection control and realised immediately how important this was as the frontline NHS workers were changing their scrubs multiple times per day to cope with the ever growing number of Covid-19 patients. However, the group had no way of providing the materials needed to make these vital supplies. On 6th April, I set up a personal crowdfunding page to raise funds to buy the appropriate fabric with. After shar- ing my crowdfunding page on the local Ironville FB groups asking for donations and local sewers to join with me, 6 local ladies from Swanwick, Riddings and Ironville got in touch. A couple were already making scrubs bags and mask supports from fabrics they had at home.

At the beginning I asked if any of my sewers could embroider labels for us that would help distinguish our scrubs. Kath Scott’s sister Rita hand stitched all our ‘Thank You ’ labels that we stitched onto the right hand pocket of every scrubs top. So a massive thank you also goes to Rita Booth. Through the FTLOS page, an initial 25m of fabric was donated to me from which we produced our first six sets of scrubs.

My crowdfunding raised £670 with which I bought 5 rolls of fabric, a few rolls of thread (although most was from our personal supplies), had 30 embroidered labels made and paid for the scrubs patterns. I liaised with others through the FTLOS page to find professional cutting facilities to get the scrubs cut out, and distributed the cut sets and thread to my sewers. I managed to procure some clothes labels that had been donated to the For The Love of Scrubs page, and designed and printed the care and washing in- structions that I included in every pack of scrubs, declar- ing us as the ‘Ironville, Riddings and Swanwick FTLOS’ team, so the recipient knew which group had donated them. Once sewn, and collected in again, I wrapped each set in bags (kindly donated to me by Sainsbury’s) and arranged for them to reach drop off points or met with others who could get them directly into the hospitals.

My ‘team’ lost a couple of sewers and gained a couple over the 3 months, but we never stopped sewing. I kept a photographic record of every set sewn, and continued to liaise with other groups and people involved in the initiative. Through doing that, and donating sets from my crowdfunded fabric to the Nottingham FTLOS group for distribution, we’ve also sewn another 22 pre cut sets provided by the Nottingham group, plus 53 pre cut sets and 16 spare tops for a Derby FTLOS group who had funding from Amber Valley Council and also had lighter weight fabric provided from the Noah and (DJ) Chris Evans scrubs fabric fundraiser. Once these sets were sewn, I was able to distribute them myself, so rang round local care homes and GP surgeries to offer them and arrange drop off. I even had individual carers pick up sets from my home. My own crowdfunding provided 71 sets of scrubs.

We sewed a further 81 sets plus 16 spare tops for the Nottingham and Derby groups.

After a couple of my team members dropped out due to return to work and life commitments, 4 of us went on to sew 160 face masks. We donated around 100 to the local Co-op, Post Offices, Phar- macy and Bakery staff, as well as friends and family. The remainder we’ve been selling to help cover my costs in providing the materials for them.

I could not have done this without the help and support of some truly wonderful ladies and their stitching skills.

I’m so proud of what we achieved in such unprecedented and difficult times.

My amazing sewing ladies, in the order they joined me are: Heather Newell - Swanwick; Liz Holgate - Ironville; Kath Scott - Ironville; Linda Cooper - Riddings Caroline Johnson - Ironville; Donna Walters - Iron- ville; Judith Simpson - Swanwick

Here is a list of where our scrubs went to: Royal Derby Hospital - pharmacy staff; Directly to a Consultant Nurse for a Derby based GP surgery; Nottingham City Hospital; Kings Mill Hospital; Chesterfield Hospital; Whitworth Hospital, Darley Dale; Moorlands Nursing Home, Brinsley; Rowthorne Residential Care Home, Swanwick; Directly to a surgeon at Nottingham City Hospital; Jessop Medical Practice; Ripley Hospital; Wood- lands Nursing Home, Ripley

We as a community should say well done to this team of Sewers who made so many sets of Scrubs for those brave nurses, nursing staff and many other carers. Debi and her team all deserve applauding for giving up their time and skills to do such an amazing thing. Thanks are also due to those who donated materials and other items for the Ironville Sewing Team. Debi received a lovely card from the Lord- Lieutenant of Derbyshire who specifically praised Ironville for its efforts to battle the covid-19 pandemic. She received many other letters of thanks from other organisations and individuals appreciat- ing the work of the group. Friends of Cromford Canal (FCC) Update Registered Charity number 1164608

Work Party Report by John Guyler

FCC work parties fit new access steps for the Forge at the Humpy Bridge, Jacksdale, Notts. The Friends of Cromford Canal work party were asked to participate in the construction and fitting of new steps from the boardwalk, up the bank, on to the Forge site, at the quaintly named Humpy Bridge, at Jacksdale, Notts. The location was originally Lock 7 of the Codnor flight of locks, on the Cromford Canal and this is where the canal originally diverged into the Jacksdale Basin. (Also See page 4) The timber and fittings were supplied by the Friends of Belper Park Ltd incorporating the Friends of the Forge, a non-profit charity and conservation group that bought the Forge site by donations. Funding for the steps, was from a Derbyshire County Council Action Grant. This was primarily to improve access to the Forge site for walkers of all ages and to better connect the villages of Codnor Park and Jacksdale. The steps were a primary part of this plan, as were kissing gates, notice boards and general information boards to the public. The hand rails which are to be fitted, have been funded by an anonymous donor. The site was brought to the attention of the Friends by Butterfly Conservation. The site has two BAP (* Biodiversity Action Plan) species resident and up to 25 species have been recorded on site. Since the site was bought, it has been realised how rich the site is for all species and the intention is to clear as much of the grassland in order for butterfly species to flourish and to protect ground nesting birds. Some woodland will be left and specific trees will be planted which benefit particular butterflies. Other areas will be developed to benefit dragonflies etc. The FCC work party group project leader John Boucher, put on his civil engineering hat and worked out the angle of bank and determined that two sections would be needed, with a level section between. Each flight stringers (side pieces), would be 4.2m long and 1.0m wide risers. Four of us and John supervising, arrived at his workshop one Wednesday and commenced by setting the wood out, and then giving it the builders ritual; all walking around it, standing looking at it, blowing cheeks out, rubbing chins and then offering the first pieces up. Luckily, John being the professional civil engineer that he is, had made some gauges and drilling fixtures to produce the correct angle of the incline. Using the fixtures two of the stringers were drilled with the correct spacing for the step boards to be fitted across. These were fitted into place with two, 200mm timber bolts at each side, working down the whole length of the section. When all were fitted loosely into place, the alignment and positioning of each step was checked and adjust- ed the whole assembly was tightened up. Checking the whole assembly was true and square, measurements were taken across diagonal corners. We found, when both assem- blies were checked, we were within 3mm (1/8 of an inch) of square. The day before fitting at the Forge site, we had to load the steps for transportation and check the work site. When we were there, we found part of the boardwalk under water with the water level really high. Not, only that, the aggregate, all twelve tons had been delivered at the top of the Forge site, unfortunately the ground was so boggy that it was dumped just inside the gate. Giving us a big problem getting it the canal side. On the day of fitting, four of us were on site early and started preparing the site by digging out the existing steps and widening the location, the early start was to ensure the site was ready when the first flight was delivered. When the flight of steps arrived, we had to manhandle them over the Humpy Bridge and across the partially flooded boardwalk, the comparison to “Dads Army” was close, at one point several volunteers nearly had an early bath. We intentionally kept the initial working group small because of confined working area. We then commenced to lock the flight into place with 50mm x 50mm x 700mm angle iron lengths, sledge hammered into place and timber screws through the pre-drilled holes in the angle iron. The call then went out to the other FCC work party group, who were working at Ironville, to come and assist Friends of the Forge volunteers with transporting the aggregate from the Forge gate to site, about a quarter mile, with wheel barrows. We had anticipated the need for the extra hands but did not need them on site until the first flight was fixed, they all turned up, each with a wheel barrow and spade, commenced moving the aggregate. It was a long slow operation due to the really wet conditions underfoot. The first flight was then part filled with backfill from the digging out and then aggregate. The next phase was to go back to the workshop and load the second flight for transportation; we were not able to carry both flights at one go, due to the weight. The second flight delivered and successfully manoeuvre across the boardwalk, was then carefully lifted into place. Eventually it fitted, after digging away at the bank to get the alignment correct. With it locked into place, the intermediate level section between the two flights was built and then we started to back fill the risers to within 12mm of the top edge, to allow for a finish dusting to be put on later. Moving the aggregate turned into a major job with volunteers alternating to bring a barrow load back in the wheel barrows. The top approach to the steps was also landscaped to finish the job. A great job, lots of laughs with great group of people. Eventually after a very long day and moving several tons of rubble and approximately seven tons of aggregate, the job was done. We had sixteen volunteers at the peak of the work, producing a total, including build and transport of 122.5 volunteer hours, for the project. We have got to put the hand rail on this section and another flight of steps with hand rail, about half a mile away to allow a circular walking route, but that’s when we are allowed to get back to work. This part of the project was completed as described, before the Coronavirus lockdown. During lockdown, all operations by the FCC ceased, the Boat operation at Cromford, work parties and the Strategic Restoration Group planning the canal extension at Beggerley Wharf. In the last week of July and the first week of August, the FCC work parties were on the section, recently gifted to the FCC, at Lower Hartshay. We worked using the Covid19 Risk Assessment, which we were obliged to do, under the regulations. The work was mainly pulling the large amount of Himalayan Balsam which had grown over the Summer. A lot of other vegetation had to be cut back on the towpath, so the group were quite busy. The FCC Covid19 Risk Assessment has had to had to be submitted to both the Canal & River Trust and Derbyshire County Council Countryside Services, for approval and signing off, before we can operate on their sections. Ironville comes under C&RT, so at the time of writing we are still waiting for permission to resume. (At the time of going to print consent has now been given - Ed.) Good news from the lock keepers garden at Lock 4, fruit and vegetables from the plot, have been donated to Oscari, the food bank in Riddings (see page 8). There will be a need for a lot of recovery work over the winter, on all sections. If you feel you would like to join us in the company of great group of folks (socially distanced of course in these times of the “new norm”, please contact John Barker for more information: 07860 632837 or 01773 760358 or e-mail: [email protected] STOP PRESS - Planning Permission Granted for Cromford Canal Beggarlee Extension Planning consent has now been granted to the FCC relating to the reconstruction of a length of the Cromford Canal including a deviation onto a new line to avoid a blockage created by the construction of the A610 Langley Mill Bypass road. The work comprises extending the existing Langley Mill canal basin, constructing a new two-rise canal lock to raise the canal level, passing beneath an existing bridge beneath the A610 road, and constructing a new line of canal up to Stoney Lane where the original line is regained. John Boucher (FCC Engineer) said, “It’s been a long process because it involved two planning authori- ties Broxtowe and Amber Valley along with many statutory consultees but with the help of my friends and colleagues in the FCC we have finally managed after seventeen months to achieve our goal”. David Martin (FCC Chairman) said “Our next focus will be on funding because now we have a plan. We will of course never turn away any willing volunteers who would like to play a role in history by reinstating a key part of our rich industrial heritage here in the Erewash Valley, the Cromford Canal” If you would like to get involved in any way, please contact us: [email protected] Futures Greenscape in Ironville by David Wadsworth (Aboricultural & Grounds Maintenance Supervisor)

Futures Housing Group are a housing association with commercial interests. As such we are one of the larger land owners in Ironville, both housing and public open spaces.

Greenscape aims to offer 12 cuts to our grass, weather (and COVID) dependant, and tree maintenance to 130 communal trees on a 2 year- ly cycle, removal of fly tipping and emptying of park bins. Amongst our most visible areas are Market place, The Avenue, Cinder Bank/ Waterside and Casson Street.

As a company not only we are committed to keeping your Green spaces green, but would like to make them greener, reducing our carbon foot- print and provide more of interest than a sea of closely cropped grass. We have introduced Wild- flower areas across our open spaces in Ironville over the winter period of 2019/20. With a woodland mix being put down under the trees on Waterside/Cinder Bank and Market place, these areas will be topped off in late summer and the cuttings left to enrich the soil beneath the trees. We have Meadow mixes at the reservoir end of Market Place, Meadow Street, Waterside Drive, King William Street and Openacre, these areas will be topped of in late summer and the seeds allowed to fall for a couple of weeks before being cut down to about 5cm and all cuttings removed to help impoverish the soil to create more suita- ble conditions for wildflowers. The Third and probably most popular type of wildflower mix that we have used in conjunction with Team Ironville is a Cornflower mix at Pottery Cottages (right), this produces a very colourful display throughout the summer after which it will be left to seed and re cultivated ready for the next year. In addition to this we have started replanting some rather tired and barren shrub beds with some 1,000 shrubs being planted early 2020. © Pete Clark

Crossings Club Monument Lane

 01773 602346

Where you will always find a warm and welcoming family environment. Snooker & Pool; Snacks; Licensed Bar; Games Machines; Breakfasts (Saturday 9am); Food Night (Wednesdays). Free Function Room for those special occasions. It is hoped to bring back more great activities as soon as regulations permit.

Julian’s Column

Well we are really going through some difficult times at the moment – you don’t need me to tell you that. But as I listen to people, follow conversations on Facebook, and read news reports we seem to be polarising – joining different camps. There are those who take this pandemic very seriously and follow guidelines to the letter, and those who think that it doesn’t matter and carry on doing just what they want to do. No one seems to be sitting on the fence. My personal view is that with the number of Covid -19 funerals that I have taken lately, this is a serious situation that we are in.

There are also coming through some fantastic stories of people looking around them and helping others who are struggling with coping with what is going on. A real sense of neighbourliness is surfacing all over the place, in the midst of the selfish attitudes of a minority.

There is a very small book in the Bible called “Jude” and its about Jude warning everyone of people who are causing trouble for their own purposes. He warns everyone to “ take a stand for the truth”, and that there will be “people who don’t take these things seriously anymore. They’ll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts. It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions.”

Jesus teaches us to love our neighbour and care for others. Surely now is the time to put that into practice, to think of others and do what we can while we tread our path on this earth to think of others and help those with fears, with difficulties and those who are struggling, to make their journey of life a little easier.

God bless you and do stay safe. Rev. Julian Penfold

Codnor Castle News

Open Days At the moment the Castle Heritage Trust are no longer hosting monthly open days. Sadly, the outbuildings have collapsed due to an alarming rate of footfall trespassing on the site during the Covid-19 lockdown period. This has made the site too danger- ous for visitors. There is also loose stone and masonry from the castle walls due to people using it as a climbing frame. Until works can be done, we can not risk any danger to the public. It is unlikely that the trust will commence open days until next year.

Ghost Events Our ghost events are now running, so if you’re brave, why not become involved? Guests are kept down to 10 people only to ensure social distancing. Infection control training has been completed along with risk assessments. Hand sanitizer and masks are provided for guests. For enquiries and bookings for our ghost events please e-mail, [email protected].

“The Haunted Hunts” at Codnor Farmhouse A two hour special, now available to watch on Amazon Prime. The Haunted Hunts paranormal investigation take on their darkest investigation to date as they are called out to the old Farm House at Codnor Castle. 'Does not disappoint', 'An amazing investigation,' Truly spine chilling experience' The reviews are coming in, and it seems to be very popular. You can read the reviews in full - and watch the programme itself - here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B08DC9QKS5 And if you want to experience Castle Farm for yourself, contact Sean Cadman through his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Ghosts-of-Codnor-Farmhouse-and-Castle

Defenders Eternal

The Norse gods came to Codnor on July 18th, in the form of Defenders Eternal, a full-blown epic movie based around the legends of Ragnarok. Shooting had already taken place on the North Yorkshire Moors, but when it came to a substitute for Valhalla, only Codnor Castle would do! Director Bali Kang and a full complement of actors, techni- cians and makeup artists spent a 12-hour day on site, getting everything right before heading home. You can find out more about Defenders Eternal on its IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11271212/ …and watch out for it on general release soon! Ironville & Codnor Park Community Association

Because of the Corona virus pandemic unfortunately the Railway Carriage Youth Club has not been able to function – not even the 5-a-side football activity on the hard-core play area promoted by the Derby County Community Trust. All extremely regrettable, but just like every other organisation it has been incumbent upon us to conform to the necessary rules and regulations. However, during the course of the lockdown there has been some activity. Not least, a new section of flooring has been laid in the Carriage with further remedial work carried out on certain of the windows.

So once the “all clear” is given and the youth club is allowed to re-open, and everybody hopes it will not be too long now before the good news is given (watch for the announcement), members are certain to find the comforts of the premises more beneficial.

Also, during the past months the Association have, with the help of Helen McAra – Youth & Community Engagement Worker, been able to submit an application for a grant to enable certain work to be carried out at the Carriage. One of the last phases of the application is the in- spection of the premises- due to take place early in September, so it’s all fingers crossed!!

Concluding – the Association has learnt that Helen has now relinquished her position as a Youth & Community Engagement Worker . We say “thank you” to her for her much valued support and extend to her sincere good wishes in her new career.

THE IRONVILLE STROLLERS

The group (initially the walking group) was founded fourteen years ago on 26 June 2006, under the auspices of the body then known as Ground Work, and has re- mained a very active organisation ever since, meeting on a Thursday and strolling both locally as well as further afield with likeminded enthusiasts, so not only enjoying the benefits of the countryside (not forgetting that important aspect - “exercise”) but also the pleasure of other folk’s company. (And let’s admit it; there can always be plenty of nattering taken place over these past years. Goodness knows how many times the world has been put to rights!!)

Unfortunately, and just like so many other organisations, since the middle of March the Covid-19 pandemic has put a stop to the group’s organised activities with no form of social gathering- even missing out on the “birthday and fuddle”, although by means of the telephone, laptops and the suchlike members have been able to keep in contact with one another. However, members have not been totally inactive over the past months with gentle (strolling) exercises being all part of the norm

However, there is good news on the horizon (hurrah!!) - plans can now be made for members to meet up again later in September and return to enjoying strolling, even though it will require everybody to observe the appropriate health and safety requirements. So, back to some form of normality at long last!

For more information regarding the group and its activities please contact the Strolls Co-ordinator at [email protected] The Mystery of the Codnor Park Bell

There is a mysterious Bell, now residing in the Christ Chruch, Ironville that is reputedly a bell that once hung in the lost Chapel of St. Nicholas belonging to Codnor Castle. The bell bears the inscription ‘Ex Dono Manderville Somersall ad Robt Farnwoth Codner Park 1756’. It was for many years in the safe keeping of the late Doctor Heffron, long-time family and village physi- cian who once resided at Ironville House (The Doctors). In the 1960’s the bell was mounted upon a wooden stand which it still retains today and it was then presented by Dr. Heffron’s son (Dr. Paul Hef- fron) to the Church of Ironville. In the photograph (below right) Dr. Heffron (seated wearing glasses) with his son, Dr. Paul Heffron, (to his right as you look) dated 1973 upon his retirement.

The bell’s inscription ‘Ex Dono Manderville Somersall ad Robt Farnwoth Codner Park 1756’, translates to; ‘A gift from Mandeville Somersall to Robert Farnworth (spelt variously as Farnsworth) Codnor Park 1756. This begs the question, who was Mandeville Somersall and why did he give the gift of a bell to Robert Farnsworth in 1756?

Mandeville Somersall (with spelling variants) was born in 1711 and became apprenticed to his father in 1726. After 7 years (Journeyman time) he became free to join the Clockmakers Company. His address was given as Fore Street, Great Moorgate, London and later as Wood Street in Cripplegate, London. As well as engraving dials for London clockmakers they also supplied further afield and in 1744 Mandeville Somersall travelled in Derbyshire, no doubt seeking business there, when he lost his pocket book and a spirit bottle. When he advertised for their return he took the opportunity to offer clock dials and his engraving services as follows (next page): LOST on the Road between DERBY and Burton upon Trent, on the 23d of May 1744, a Pocket Book, and Stone Glass DramBottle: In the Pocket Book is pasted on both Insides, a Printed Paper, on which is printed and also written, MANDEVILLE SOMERSALL, Clock-Engraver and Varnisher in Fore-street, near Great-Moor-Gate, LONDON, &c. If any Person hath found the same, and will send the Pocket-Book only according to the printed Directions, by the Carrier to London, shall receive of the Carrier Four Shillings as a Reward for the same; and if they send the Pocket Book and Dram Bottle whole, they shall receive Five Shillings, to be paid to the Carrier on Delivery in London. N. B. Country Chapmen may be fur- nished with all Sorts of Clock Dial Plates, ready fettled up, as also Engraving and Varnishing; likewise all Sorts of Tools and Materials, at the very lowest Prices. In addition Mandeville Somersall engraver used Mayor's foundry in Little Moorfields, London for his clock faces. The foundry specialised in clock brass and bells and this is most likely where the bell was manu- factured. So, what brought Mandeville Somersall to Derbyshire in 1744? The answer is that in 1741 he entered into a Marriage Contract with a lady by the name of Ann Farnsworth, who is no doubt either the daughter of Robert Farnsworth or perhaps his sister? How the two came to know or meet each other isn’t entirely clear, but it may have occurred on an earlier excursion through the County of Derbyshire and he perhaps resided with them on his journey? Or perhaps the Farnsworth’s spent time in London and he came to know them that way? Perhaps they had business dealings with one another, Somersall being the suppli- er and Farnsworth the distributor?

Mandeville Somersall died in November 1759 of Consumption as seen in this register of the time. So what of Robert Farnsworth? We know the Farnsworth family lived within the bounds of Codnor Park, in or around what today is Mr Fretwell’s stables and sports fields along the Golden Valley Coach Road and the intersection of Greenhill’s Road going up towards the village of Codnor. The family were what might be described as ‘Gentle Folk’, not rich but certainly not poor either. In 1794 for instance, Robert Farnsworth of Codnor Park (presumably a son or grandson of the original Robert Farnsworth) was robbed by four ‘Navvies’ working upon the Cromford Canal, his life and that of his family being threat- ened with death if they did not reveal where their goods where hidden. Farnsworth was able to offer a reward of 20 Guinea’s for the apprehension of the perpetrators, a substantial amount of money in that time and indicative of their wealth. The ring leader was indeed apprehended and hung at Derby, his accomplices having their death sentences commuted to imprisonment.

Codnor Park 1722

Above - Map of Codnor Park dated 1722 showing the location of Farnsworth’s family holdings. The Castle can be seen top right. The word ‘West’ is where Greenhill Lane is.

Engraved spoons bearing the names of

Robert and Sarah Farnsworth, dated 1754

So the mystery bell was a gift to Mr Robert Farnsworth from his son or brother in law, Mr Mandeville Somersall and has no known association with the Chapel of St Nicholas at Codnor Castle. Such a bell would have been used by the Farnsworth family to alert their neighbours that they needed help, or that someone in the family had died or was dying, a common practice back in those days.

Researched by Stuart Saint and Martyn Taylor-Cockayne, 05/12/2019.

The Farnsworth's were Quakers and it may be they used that bell to call fellow Quakers to meetings??? MTC

Above: “The Old Bell House” Sarah Moreland — Dealer in Small Wares - The Back Story A cast iron plate bearing the lettering: “SARAH MORELAND DEALER IN SMALL WARES” was found locally earlier this year by Keith Henstock. Keith is currently in the process of restoring the plate. It was discovered in the back garden of his home, when a builder (Roland Rogers), was digging out to put in new drains. The garden was once linked to Railway Row. It was wondered if its origins were related in any way to our local village history. To the right is a photograph of Keith holding the find: Photo by Paul Shipstone So, who was Sarah Moreland? What did she deal in? Did she live in our village? A search of the census records show that a Sarah Moreland did indeed live in our village at least between 1861 and 1881 at 5, Railway Row. Initially she moved in with her husband and two children. Her husband’s occupation was given as an “Iron Moulder” (a foundry worker who made moulds for casting iron), probably working for the Oakes Company in Riddings. Sarah’s husband died in 1861 and was buried in Ironville. No occupation is given for Sarah in the Census Records. However, a search of the trade directories for 1875 and 1876 reveals that Sarah is listed as a shopkeeper living at 5, Rail- way Row. This would fit in nicely with the metal plate “SARAH MORELAND DEALER IN SMALL WARES”. It is highly likely that she was probably a haberdasher, dealing in tapes, ribbons, braids etc. It is also highly likely that the metal plate was made at the James Oak- es Ironworks in Riddings, (See page 39). A little more about Sarah: Sarah was born in Birchwood near Alfreton. She was baptised with her twin brother John on 1st Jun 1817. Parents: Thomas & Sarah Dawes Sarah, a spinster, married Thomas Moreland, a widower on 13th May 1854 at Swanwick Baptist Chapel. Sarah was living at Newlands Farm, Greenhill Lane at the time of her Mar- riage. The couple lived in Riddings before moving to Railway Row around 1861. About 1891 Sarah moved to Osmaston near Derby to live with her daughter’s family. Sarah died in in 1895 and was buried in Osmaston on 16th February 1895, her age was given as 78. Cosmic Codnor Park . . . Or Infinity over Ironville by Chris Hook

We recently had a spectacular visitor from the edge of the solar system. Comet Neowise graced our Summer skies, I hope some of you managed to get a view of this occasional naked eye object. Sadly it is now heading back out on its 7,000 year orbit around the Sun.

We are now approaching longer dark nights so now is the time to start looking up again . The two main Planets of the night are both rather low at the moment, but are always worth having a look at:-

The beautiful gas giants Jupiter and Saturn have been up for most of the day at this time of year so are not visible to the naked eye until the sky becomes dark. As it begins to get dark Jupiter will appear as a bright star. Both planets are already beginning to set by this time and are very low in the South . They will appear above Brinsley , heading towards Codnor and Rip- ley as they set. Jupiter appears first because it reflects the most sunlight so appears brighter than Saturn. Jupiter is also the largest planet in our Solar System, and is large enough to ac- commodate ALL of the planets of the entire Solar system within its circumference.

Following closely behind is Saturn which will appear to the left of Jupiter as another slightly less bright light. Both planets are easily visible with the naked eye but view them through binoculars and it may be possible to see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn . A small telescope will definitely show the bands and belts of the cloud formations of Jupiter. The Galilean moons will change position from night to night, this is because they orbit Jupiter at different distances. Occasionally they can appear to be all in a line, which is really quite a spectacle. You can search online for the best times to see the moons, simply google ‘ Jupiter's moons 2020 ‘

Around the time that this newsletter is published, both planets set in the West just before midnight , setting in the direction of Ripley/Riddings about five minutes earlier each night. We also have Mars visible in the night sky too. Mars will appear to be a dim reddish star and could be a little tricky to spot, so we can cheat a little by using the Moon as a guide. On Sep- tember 9th Mars will be a few degrees to the right of the Moon at about the 2 O’clock position relative to the Moon. If this newsletter hasn’t been delivered before this date and you missed the view, the Moon will be close to Mars again on October 2nd. Unfortunately Mars will appear dimmer on this date as the Moon will be full ( almost) and so Mars may struggle in the glare of the reflected sunlight from the Moon. Mars will be in the 10 o’clock position relative to the Moon.

The exploration of Mars continues as N.A.S.A. have recently sent another robotic craft, (Perseverance) to the red planet. It’s primary mission is to search for evidence of life and collect soil/rock samples for collection and return by another mission later this decade. (currently nicknamed ‘Fetch Rover’) To follow the mission go to this link:- https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/ September is also a good month to view ‘The Summer triangle’.

Constellations are patterns of stars that were given names by the Greeks. Often named after mythical Gods and animals, such as Perseus and Orion. Other patterns of stars , which are slightly more modern are called asterisms. Such an example is The Plough ( Ursa Major) and The Summer Triangle. As I have explained in previous newsletters we use these constellations and asterisms as ‘pointers’ to help navigate around the night sky.

So, having seen Jupiter and Saturn slowly setting in the western sky, look up from Saturn until you see another bright light, about the same brightness as Saturn. This is the star Al- tair. From Altair allow your eyes to widen your field of view and look above Altair. You should be able pick out two more bright stars that form a triangle in the sky. You will be able to fit your outstretched hand at arm’s length into this triangle. The top star almost directly above Altair is Deneb in-between these two and to the right of this pair is Vega.

From Deneb look down to see a faint cross of stars this is Cygnus the Swan. At the swans head is a faint star named Alberio. If you have a pair of binoculars you will see not one star but two. The brightest is a deep yellow in colour and the fainter star is blue. Described as a binary star they are in fact ten light years apart, but look close together from our perspective.

The majority of stars we can see in the night sky have near neighbours, in most cases one star is brighter than the other and so we see only the brightest.

Once you have spotted the beautiful Alberio, jump back up to Vega (the far right star in the Summer triangle ) just below Vega to the left is a small slightly slanted rectangle of four stars. This is part of the constellation Lyra. The bottom left star is a naked eye double. This time they really are close together and are gravitationally bound. Telescopes will reveal a quadruple star system which is 160 Ly from earth. Three of the four stars that make up this rectangle are in fact multiple star systems. Lyra is also famous for its meteor shower, visible in April and June each year.

Perhaps the easiest naked eye double is in Ursa Major (or the Plough, Great Bear, The Saucepan, The Big Dipper). This is visible all night at any time of year as these stars never set, something astronomers call circumpolar. It can be found very high up in the northern sky, that’s looking towards Pye Bridge/ Riddings area.

Look at the handle of the saucepan and you will see that it bends slightly upwards in the middle of the handle. At the top of that bend is a star. This is the double star Alcor and Mizar. You can see two stars very close together with the naked eye.

Again these stars are not true binaries as they are several light years from each other, but both Alcor and Mizar have binary systems of their own hosting a double, double system, too faint to be seen even in a small telescope. With thanks to Ken Brockway who put this walk together in Association with the Editor. 35 Main Route for the Walk (Just over three miles, allow just over two hours)

Hollyhurst Row built by the Oakes Family circa 1860 near to the Ironworks also known as the "Dog Kennels." The second picture (above) shows “Dog kennel’s” coal pickers in1921 just forward of the terrace. Today these houses have recently been demolished and as you will see on the walk have been replaced by modern housing in Hollyhurst Court. Just imagine what this area looked like all those years ago. A Circular Walk Around Riddings Starting from Ironville

1809 James Oakes took control and ownership of Riddings Iron Works. By 1818 he had amassed sufficient wealth to purchase the whole Riddings Estate from Lancelot Rolleston of Watnall. On part of the Estate he built Riddings House and laid out the park of nearly 300 acres. In addition he built much of the village, as we shall see on this walk.

From the car park at the rear of Ironville church hall take the Pinxton canal path passing behind the church. Keep to this path crossing over Nottingham Lane then after another 300 metres look for a hand gate into the field on the right, don't take this. Turn left here, but wait. Consider a short there and back extension straight on to Pye Bridge Pond, it's a little disappointing but it was the site of the canal wharf used by Riddings Iron Works. Now take the path between trees and at a T junction ignore the stile left, turn right.

Follow the enclosed path. A clinker wall on the right was constructed to hold back the spoil tipped from the works. A row of houses on the right appears rather out of place but they stand on the site of Hollyhurst Row built for the workers. A little further on in front of you stands a moss covered cottage, this was a lodge for Riddings House, it's not difficult to imagine important guests arriving at this gate. To the right a footpath drops down and would have passed through the works. Note the remains of a bridge which carried a tramway to the spoil tip.

Turn left and walk uphill, this is Spring Road. At the top on the left are two impressive cottages which stand either side of the entrance to the stables be- Sadly the thatched roof has now been lost! yond, all built by James Oakes. Opposite the stables two cottages are provided with long gardens so that the occupants might be virtually self - sufficient in vegetables, and also perhaps have less free time to spend in the pubs. Next, Nottingham Lane goes off to your left, this is the return route to Ironville. This lane was the main road until Bullock Lane was made a through route in about 1850.

Next on the right the former Wesleyan Chapel, note the huge cast iron name plaque, (see front page). At the top of Spring Road is Market Place, turn left. The road bends right onto High Street, where this meets the main road turn right between the concrete bollards. Walk to the cross roads and turn right into Bradshaw Avenue, a section is also known as Vicarage Gardens. Follow this road through the new houses built by the Guinness Housing Trust which renovated and modernised nearly 200 of the older properties and built many new ones in the late 1970’s.

At Church Street turn left but a look first at St James’ Church built in 1833 to a design by London architect Francis Bedford. The fine spire, not included in the original plans, was added a year or two later at the request of James Oakes, who paid for its stone. The churchyard also offers a view of the farm house, an impressive residence now the Community of the Prince of Peace, Baptist Monastery. While in that area note the stone pinnacles which may have been taken off the original tower when the spire was added.

Continue up Church Street. The national TheChurch remains Mews of the and bridge Spire which carried a tramway to the spoil tip. school built in 1844, was attended by children of all ages until 1883 when the infants were moved to a new school in West Street. Three years later the original building was enlarged to take 400 boys and 400 girls in what became separate schools. In the 1930’s it became a single mixed primary school. You may have spotted in the churchyard the grave of a former mistress of the girls school. Opposite the school is another former lodge to Riddings House. The Congregational Church and Sunday School (1875), are now converted for residential use. Note the green men on the front wall of number 5. Opposite George Street enter Riddings Park. The Community Centre was built entirely by the people of Riddings with their own hands. It was opened by Diana Prin- cess of Wales in 1992. Follow the metalled path from the corner of the car park across the park, passing the changing rooms then fork right along the narrow path. When the Oakes family left Riddings in 1981 they gave this park to the local authority. Leave the park onto Park Side and turn right. In 1835 there was a tramway along the route of this road. It linked pits on Greenhill Lane to the canal wharf, passing through the iron works on the way. This provided the transport for raw materials and finished goods before the railway arrived. At the gate into a field turn right along the metalled path, pass another lodge cottage before arriving at Riddings House. Built for James Oakes in 1818-19 in a late-Georgian style. A service wing, surmounted by a gabled clock tower, was grafted on in 1860. Most is now difficult to see, Riddngs House being well screened by trees and a high stone wall. A little further along on the right is the entrance to Park Mews, as it has been since 1984. Before that it was the farmyard of Riddings Farm, a model farm built about 1880. The most unusual feature is the octagonal granary in the centre. Note the fragment of narrow-gauge tramline between the first two buildings, along this track one man could push, or one horse could pull, a wagon containing straw or animal food between and through the buildings, thus saving Park Mews is the new name for the residential labour. The farmhouse set at higher level can now be conversion of farm buildings at the former Riddings Farm. viewed from the other side. Continue past the Mews then turn left into Church Street. The long row of cottages opposite were built by the Oakes’s for their estate workers, probably at about the same time as the farm. One of these cottages was formerly the Church Institute. You are now approaching the oldest part of the village. The Seven Stars, below road level on the left, has been an inn since 1702. It stands, the plaque on the wall says, on the foundations of the former chapel of St Mary Magdalene. The Moulders Arms, a few yards up the road on the opposite side, looks even older, its name implies that it was built to slake the thirst of workers in the new foundry. Church Walk, a little further on, was the Estate Yard. The big, rambling, Georgian House, over the wall from Church Walk, was the vicarage from 1841 to 1983. The first vicar of Rid- dings, the Rev T M Barwick, bought it as a private residence for himself and his mother in 1833. It was subsequently bought by the Governors of Queen Anne’s Bounty as the official parsonage house for the parish. Back in Market Place keep to the left hand pavement and retrace a few steps along Spring Road before bearing right into Not- tingham Lane. Usually a quiet stroll but if you wish there are paths on the right through Riddings Wood. Don't be put off but this was The Old Vicarage, Market Place another spoil heap with humps and hollows but long disused and now full of mature trees. After passing through houses just before Oake's Row turn right to re-join the canal path to follow the outward route back to the car park. Thank you to John Hales of SLHS for his help in providing some of the historic photographs that appear on these pages.. RIDDINGS & its History - A little background reading (Adapted from an original piece by Roy Christian)

Riddings is a product of the Industrial Revolution. Before 1800 it was a tiny hamlet in the parish of Alfre- ton, about half a mile east of an ancient trackway known as Greenhill Lane. Its few inhabitants, living around what is now called Market Place, earned a living from agriculture or from the extraction of coal or ironstone from small, shallow pits. The presence of these minerals in the area attracted three Derby men to establish an ironworks which they called Alfreton Ironworks, (it was sometimes known locally by other names). But as Riddings grew, becoming a parish in its own right in 1835, this became the generally accepted name. Of the three founders of the works Saxelbye, Edwards and Forester, only Saxelbye seems to have had previous experience of the iron trade. Although a pharmacist by profession, Saxelbye was also owner - or part owner of St Peter’s Foundry in St Peter’s Street, Derby. The exact date when the works went into production is uncertain. It seems to have been operating at least two years and perhaps as much as four years, when David Mushet, the newly appointed manager of the Ironworks then aged 33, arrived at Riddings from Scotland. He had been managing the Calder Iron- works and building up a considerable reputation for experimental work which he was to pursue after leaving Riddings for the Forest of Dean. Before that he achieved at Riddings, in 1806, the highest rate of production of pig-iron in Derbyshire. From his one furnace came 1,450 tons in the year. Even Butterley its closest rival – in production as well as geographically - only averaged 883 tons from each of its two furnaces in that year. However, very little is known of the early years of Riddings Ironworks, and there is not much in print about even more recent times. What seems certain is that the primary product of Riddings Ironworks in its initial years was to supply iron shot for use in the war against Napoleon’s France. After the war its main output was in cast- iron pipes, which were required in increasing quantities to meet the growing needs of the new water-works and gas works that were springing up around the country and for other public works. By then the ironworks had come into the ownership of James Oakes, His family came from Derby, where in the 18th century they were innkeepers with interests in what we would today call the haulage industry. Living in a town of 10,000 inhabitants they could hardly not have known the three partners in the ironworks, especially when young James Oakes married Sarah, daughter of Alderman Thom- as Haden, a surgeon who had twice been Mayor of Derby. It seems likely, though evidence is lacking, that James may have been employed at Riddings to learn the work with a view to taking over eventually as manager or even as owner. This is what actually happened in 1809, when David The Ironworks in 1923. Three blast furnaces Mushet, who previously bought the shares from Saxelbye can clearly be seen in the photograph. and Edwards, then sold them to Oakes on leaving Riddings. Oakes, who may already have bought Forester’s shares, was now in complete control of the works, and when in 1818 he bought the Riddings estate from Lancelot Rolleston of Watnall, the whole village was his. He built Riddings House and laid out the park of nearly 300 acres, which remains virtually intact today, giving to the eastern side of the village rural charm. This is most unexpected in what was once a mainly industrial parish containing at least four coal mines belonging to James Oakes & Co, as well as the ironworks and various ancillary industries, including for a brief period, an oil industry. It was in 1847 that a black, treacly substance began to seep into the maze of underground workings of the Old and New Deeps Pit between Hollyhurst Terrace and Pye Bridge, making life more uncomfortable for the miners. Not recognising the substance, Oakes sent a sample to his brother-in law, Sir Lyon (later Lord) Playfair. He was a research chemist in Edinburgh, who identified it as petroleum, for which there was then no known use, and also showed a specimen to a fellow chemist named James Young. Young took a lease on the petroleum spring from Oakes, erected a small refinery, which must have been the world’s first oil refinery, within Riddings Ironworks, and after various experiments produced two oils from the petroleum. One proved to be a good lubricant for textile machinery and came to be extensively used in the Lanca- shire cotton industry in place of sperm oil. The other was sold for burning in lamps, and after further experiments produced the paraffin oil which made for Young a fortune and the nickname of “Paraffin Young”. By then, however, he was using shale oil from the Scottish Lowlands, the Riddings supply having greatly diminished after two years, though it continued to trickle into the coal workings for at least another 40 years. If James Oakes & Co benefited only marginally from England’s first oil strike, their industrial empire in and around Riddings expanded rapidly and the village grew with it, becoming in 1835 a separate parish. Perhaps because of its over-rapid growth, it acquired a reputation for being a rough, tough place. In the churchyard of St James’ Parish Church is a memorial to “William Shawcroft (died 1831) a humble cot- tager, who, assisted by fellow labourers did his best to keep religion and virtue alive among the benight- ed inhabitants of the hamlet.” Around 1800 this framework knitter ran a Sunday School in his cottage on Greenhill Common, and shortly afterwards (in 1806) the Baptists founded a chapel on what is now High Street. The present parish church was built in 1832-33 on land in Cross Croft given by James Oakes. Two- thirds of its building cost was provided by grant from the Church Building Commissioners and the remainder raised by public subscription. (Further information can be found in the walk notes). The eastern and south-eastern part of Riddings parish are particularly rich in trees, most must have been planted by the Oakes family to preserve their privacy, and to screen from the village any sign of heavy industry in and above the Erewash Valley. The Oakes’ laid out the village on a grid pattern, as you see it today. West Lane became West Street and Church Street. Nether West Lane changed into South and High Streets, and a new street called George Street was Cut across the fairly new enclosed fields, on what had previously been Greenhill Common, to link the two sides of the village and to become the main shopping street. The ribbon of new dwellings along Greenhill Lane extended into Newlands Road (named after land cultivated and enclosed in medieval times). Many of these changes took place between 1850 and 1880. Little has changed physically since then, apart from the cutting of Bradshaw Avenue since the last war and some infilling. Many of the houses have been modernised, especially in the older part of the village by the Guinness Housing Trust in the late 1970’s and some recent new housing being built in the area where Hollyhurst Row once stood. (Further in formation can be found in the walk notes). Socially and economically there have been fundamental changes; Pye Hill Colliery most notably with the departure of heavy industry. Riddings Ironworks 1874 to 1985 merged with Stanton at the end of the First World War, became part of the larger Stanton and Staveley group and finally closed down in 1969. The last of the Riddings pits closed before the First World War. Pye Hill, the last of what before nationalisation were Oakes’ pits, hauled up its last ton of coal in the1985. Riddings is still a mainly industrial village, but its industries are lighter, more varied and less obtrusive than in the past, and there are no working coal mines in the vicinity. The Oakes family left Riddings in 1981, but not before giving the old-established football and cricket grounds and the site of a new community centre, all within Riddings parks, to the local authority. The eastern half of Riddings, including the park, are now within a Conservation area.

Riddings Park Community Centre was opened by Princess Diana in 1992 A Village Landmark Moves on Tracy Kernaghan ( 07866 948404) lives on Cheviot Avenue and works locally with her hard- working team for Move & Save, who are no commission estate agents. Tracy and her husband have been residents in the village for more than 24 years.

Tracy was recently involved in the local sale of Parsons Cottage, a beautiful listed gritstone cottage blackened with traces of Ironville’s rich industrial heritage; it was built around 1852 at the same time as its neighbour, Christ Church. The house was originally called “The Poplars” and housed the village schoolmasters for much of its life. The buildings name changed in more modern times when it became privately owned. “I drove past this property daily and was thrilled when the owner entrusted me to sell it for her. A property of this character There are several photographs of deserved to be respected in the sale and not handled by a national agent solely driven by school pupils posing out side this commission. I like to think I did it and the building with their teachers owners proud!” including football teams & violin “It’s very easy and tempting these days in an classes hopefully we will be able to online commerce society to make purchases from corporate groups that have no connection publish some of these in future or influence on your local community that is Newsletters. why whenever possible I buy or employ services local including my team, of which two live in the village. We pride ourselves on our friendly and professional approach – which is reflected by the incredibly generous feedback we receive every week.”

My pledge back to you would be that a portion of your cost of putting the house on the market with my organisation would be invested back into your community by way of a donation to a local volunteer groups or non-profit organization, which is a great way to give back and say thanks to those who have helped support you and your local community.” Tracy

School football Team Ironville Post Office

We are very lucky to have in Ironville1930 -1931 our own Post Office and General Store at the heart of our community. The store not only provides a top class postalSchool football Team service, but also newspapers, magazines1930 -1931 and most general household needs. Mon - Sat : Open 7am - 8 pm Sun: Open 8 am - 2.30pm  01773 605472 Lock down Litter Pick – reaches around the world!

A report by Pete Clark A remarkable chain of events has happened during Lockdown. Remember we were only allowed out for one form of exercise per day? Well, two young people from our village hit on a great idea! Very simply, when you do your daily walk, pick up some litter! Simples! This was promoted through Facebook and it caught on very quickly. The group is called “Lockdown Litter-pick Challenge”, and anyone can join. Suddenly a lot of cooped up folks wanted to get in on it, Litter-picking became fashionable. People who had never picked up litter were begging to know where they could get a Litter-picker tool. Ebay, BM Bargains and Aldi were favourites. Old plastic bags and gloves were all else that was needed. Best of all, a lot of kids wanted to do it, and it became a “hunt the litter game”! Folks took a pic of their kids and their litter haul and posted on Facebook. The Group grew rapidly and then Radio Derby wanted to broadcast an interview. Georgie Thomas and Abe Taylor (creators of the group) were staggered by the response, Abe agreed to do the interview, which went well, and was broadcast on repeated occasions. Georgie concentrated on encouraging their Facebook members to continue litter-picking, Georgie is the grand-daughter of Hilda Brailsford, whom long term residents will all know of for her work within the Ironville community for which she was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace. Georgie’s Mum, Helen Brailsford-Gilbert was delighted and very proud. Abe came up with a great idea of 500 bags of litter in one weekend, the target fell short, but 170 bags were collected, which was actually a success in itself. Abe and Georgie continued to do their own litter-picking around the village, and it all made a BIG difference to the village. Via the power of Social media, word spread and people from all over Derbyshire, the UK, and even Canada, joined in. It is still going with 1,700 in the friendly Facebook Group. Join it! Pete’s Page by Pete Clark

Hard work, to limit the destruction. Most people are not aware of the work done by a national Charity, UK Butterfly Conservation. (Their world famous President is Sir David Attenborough). Quite well known is the Annual Butterfly Count which everyone can take part in, by simply observing butterflies in a 15 min period and putting the results online. Less well known, is work done by 100 separate volunteers in Derbyshire alone who go out, every week for 26 weeks to record the butterflies seen. They walk a set-route and send in the details to the Derbyshire Recorder. (Ken Orpe, and his ever forgiving wife, Pat!) Ken gains a detailed knowledge of exactly what is happening throughout Derbyshire, and this is sent in to the charities HQ, where national knowledge is gained. Locally we have 3 such surveys, so we are well represented. Clouded Yellow feeding on Ragwort So trends over the years are logged and understood. For example in Derbyshire 2018, over 100,000 individual butterflies were recorded of 35 species. Highest counts were Ringlet (15,000) Small White (14,000) and Meadow Brown (13,000). Lowest counts, Clouded Yellow (just 10), Silver Washed Fritillary (just 35) and Purple Hairstreak (just 69). (Garden loving ones [Buddleia bushes etc.] were somewhere in the middle.) The sad truth in our lifetime, is that the UK has lost nearly all (95%) its wildflower meadows and traditionally coppiced woodland. So many butterflies totally depend on this kind of habitat. (Mammals, birds too) Even sadder, is that 5 species of butterfly Grizzled Skipper have gone completely extinct in Derbyshire. Last sightings Ringlet being e.g. Small Blue 1996, Grizzled Skipper 2011, and the beautiful Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 1977. The UK and Netherlands are the worst offenders. We read about destruction of the Amazon rain forests, Orang-utangs and Rhinos on the point of extinction, but it is happening here too, right under our noses. Meadow / woodland loss is mainly due to intensive farming and land development for houses/factories. There are people whose full-time job is to work with large land owners (Farmers, Utility Companies, Councils etc.) in order to improve the situation. If land owners were to set-aside small areas for meadows, it would help so much. We as adults are passing down an impoverished situation to our children. Let’s hope they are better at managing it than us. Silver Washed Fritillary

Tues - Crooked Line Club - 7.30-10.00pm Clerk: [email protected]  07595515154 Dancing with Daz just for fun - free door prizes All meetings take place at The Community Room,

Daz 07967760065 or Steve 07419323705

Victoria Crescent, Ironville, starting at 7.00 pm . Wed am - Crafty Crafters & Dominoes (See website: ironvilleparishcouncil.co.uk)

10am - 12pm  Pam 01773 689414 (SEE PAGE 16 ) Every meeting includes a period for Public Participa-

Wed pm - Community Meals - 4pm to 6pm tion at which local residents are invited to attend- a Social Eating Events - Adults £4.00 / Children £3.00 time allocation of 15 minutes at the beginning of the Rachel & Tina  07727141216 (SEE PAGE 17)

meeting.

Thurs - Lauren Monk’s School of Dance N.B. At the time of going to print these Children’s Ballroom & Latin Classes meetings are currently being held remotely.

5 .30 - 6.00pm up to 8 yrs ALSO 6 - 6.45 8+yrs Please see page two for further details.

Lauren Monks - 07812994066

Thurs - Taekwondo - 7 to 8.30 pm

For all the family - adults and children.

Dave Gregory 01773 609626

Here local residents have the opportunity to meet Cllr Friday - Line Dancing - 7.30 pm - 10 pm Paul Smith - County, Borough, & Parish Councillor Crooked Line every 2nd week with ...... together with Cllr Pam Cope (Parish Councillor) at their surgeries to raise any issues or concern. Daz.  07967760065 & Steve  07419323705

Owing to the current Pandemic these surgeries The Friends of the Cromford Canal Talks:

https://www.cromfordcanal.info/ are currently suspended. They will start again

as soon as it is safe to do so. If you need to At the time of going to print contact Paul the details are below. Pam’s most of the above activities are contact details are in the box below.  Cllr Smith: Home: 01773 540345 suspended. Possibly the or 07713 265670 for further details Church Hall may be reopened or e-mail : [email protected] by the time you receive this

Newsletter. Some activities will Victoria Crescent- Bookings  Pam Cope 01773 606454

remain suspended. Please Mon: Gentle Movement - 10am - 11am *

check with group leaders be- Mon: Coffee Morning & Bingo - 11am - 12pm*

fore attending. (See page 3). Mon: Tai Chi classes 2pm - 3pm *

Tues: Money Bingo 7.30pm - 9pm*

Friday - Prize Bingo 7.30p.m. - 9.00pm* Bookings Maria McCormack Owing to the current pandemic the Community Centre 01773-689559 or 07816-439881 is closed until it is safe to reopen. Therefore all of the above activities are suspended. *

Ideas and local information, news or events please e-mail:

Andy: [email protected]

This Newsletter has been supported by the D.C.C. Community Leadership Scheme

via Councillor Paul Smith The next issue is due April - Deadline TBC The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Newsletter Editorial Team. We also make it clear that we reserve the right to refuse or edit items that are sent in.