Organisers of a £13,000 world music and arts festival are disappointed that it has been cancelled.
Beyond Borders, which was due to be held at Arboretum Park, Derby, yesterday, was called off because of last month's wet weather.
The free event had been organised to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade and to raise awareness of modern-day people-trafficking.
The festival was designed to promote community cohesion and allow immigrants to the city to demonstrate their artistic talents.
Organisers are hoping that the event can be rescheduled.
Dave Wilkinson, chairman of Derby Unite Against Fascism, said: "It would have been a festival in complete contrast to the BNP festival being held this weekend. Beyond Borders was about promoting tolerance and understanding."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:55:09
Monday, August 06, 2007
No idea blamed for village failure
Poor project management has been blamed for the failure of a tourist attraction in Derby that lasted for just six months.
Its assets, which include jeeps, tanks, unsold gifts and even the tables and chairs that were used at yesterday's creditors' meeting, will now be sold at auction next month.
The Derventio Heritage Village opened last August in Chaddesden at a cost of £900,000 of public money from Derwent Community Team.
But the meeting heard that Derventio Heritage Ltd, which ran the Viking village site, now owed the taxman and other creditors £35,409 and was £20,565 short of being able to pay them.
Creditors include Derby City Council, which is owed £4,000; Derwent Delivers, a subsidiary company of Derwent Community Team (£5,199); and builder Pinelog (£13,890.85).
The auction is expected to raise £10,000, which will be paid to creditors proportionately.
The meeting heard that the project had suffered a number of setbacks and delays which affected its ability to trade.
Peter Ballard, a member of the Derventio Heritage Village board of directors, said he believed that the original idea was a very good one.
"Derby has a lot of historical background and we all thought it would take off," he said.
"There are a number of reasons why it failed, the main one being poor project management."
A report by Mr Ballard revealed that the level of interest in the site was heavily dependent on having re-enactment activity for the visiting public but this did not materialise.
This was because the money that the centre, off Nottingham Road, wished to charge battle re-enactment groups was more than they were willing to pay.
Other reasons for the failure were a lack of marketing and the seasonal nature of the business because the centre was mainly an outdoor attraction.
Also, owing to delays in receiving planning permission, the site opened late in the summer, giving it little chance to have a good start during the school holidays.
The report also said that the original business plan proved to be inadequate and over-ambitious, with forecasts for visitor numbers too high.
The lack of electricity on the site prevented the visitor centre from being able to operate fully.
Paul Finnity, spokesman for liquidator Begbies Traynor, confirmed that Derventio Heritage Ltd could not continue its business. He said: "It will be wound up.
"As the appointed liquidator, we will arrange for an auction of the site's fixed assets in early to mid September."
The total value of the company's general fixed assets, which include the land and the buildings, is almost £575,000.
These will be transferred to Derby City Council but it has not decided what to do with the vacant land.
Speaking after the meeting, Ed Buckley, who came up with the idea of a Viking village, said: "It's a sad time for me as it was my idea and all my own work. But it took so long to get off the ground."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:52:50
Its assets, which include jeeps, tanks, unsold gifts and even the tables and chairs that were used at yesterday's creditors' meeting, will now be sold at auction next month.
The Derventio Heritage Village opened last August in Chaddesden at a cost of £900,000 of public money from Derwent Community Team.
But the meeting heard that Derventio Heritage Ltd, which ran the Viking village site, now owed the taxman and other creditors £35,409 and was £20,565 short of being able to pay them.
Creditors include Derby City Council, which is owed £4,000; Derwent Delivers, a subsidiary company of Derwent Community Team (£5,199); and builder Pinelog (£13,890.85).
The auction is expected to raise £10,000, which will be paid to creditors proportionately.
The meeting heard that the project had suffered a number of setbacks and delays which affected its ability to trade.
Peter Ballard, a member of the Derventio Heritage Village board of directors, said he believed that the original idea was a very good one.
"Derby has a lot of historical background and we all thought it would take off," he said.
"There are a number of reasons why it failed, the main one being poor project management."
A report by Mr Ballard revealed that the level of interest in the site was heavily dependent on having re-enactment activity for the visiting public but this did not materialise.
This was because the money that the centre, off Nottingham Road, wished to charge battle re-enactment groups was more than they were willing to pay.
Other reasons for the failure were a lack of marketing and the seasonal nature of the business because the centre was mainly an outdoor attraction.
Also, owing to delays in receiving planning permission, the site opened late in the summer, giving it little chance to have a good start during the school holidays.
The report also said that the original business plan proved to be inadequate and over-ambitious, with forecasts for visitor numbers too high.
The lack of electricity on the site prevented the visitor centre from being able to operate fully.
Paul Finnity, spokesman for liquidator Begbies Traynor, confirmed that Derventio Heritage Ltd could not continue its business. He said: "It will be wound up.
"As the appointed liquidator, we will arrange for an auction of the site's fixed assets in early to mid September."
The total value of the company's general fixed assets, which include the land and the buildings, is almost £575,000.
These will be transferred to Derby City Council but it has not decided what to do with the vacant land.
Speaking after the meeting, Ed Buckley, who came up with the idea of a Viking village, said: "It's a sad time for me as it was my idea and all my own work. But it took so long to get off the ground."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:52:50
Planners will visit proposed hotel site
Councillors are to visit a site outlined for an hotel before a final decision is made on whether to grant planning consent.
Plans for the 200-bed hotel, off Doles Lane, in Findern, were first revealed by the Atkins Family Trust in 1980. Permission was granted but the hotel was not built.
South Derbyshire District Council has renewed planning permission several times since the plans were first lodged.
There have been 32 objections to the latest application for the hotel, restaurant and parking on the site where a derelict filling station currently stands.
Findern Parish Council has also voiced concerns about the development on the grounds that the hotel would be out of keeping with the area and that the increase in traffic could be a problem.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:51:19
Plans for the 200-bed hotel, off Doles Lane, in Findern, were first revealed by the Atkins Family Trust in 1980. Permission was granted but the hotel was not built.
South Derbyshire District Council has renewed planning permission several times since the plans were first lodged.
There have been 32 objections to the latest application for the hotel, restaurant and parking on the site where a derelict filling station currently stands.
Findern Parish Council has also voiced concerns about the development on the grounds that the hotel would be out of keeping with the area and that the increase in traffic could be a problem.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:51:19
Forthcoming Grand Prix will cause delays
Holidaymakers are being warned to watch out for an increase in traffic around East Midlands Airport this month.
Motorsport fans will be flocking to the World Motocross Grand Prix, at Donington Park, from Friday, August 24, to Sunday, August 26.
People planning to travel to and from the airport over the three days are advised to allow extra journey time.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:50:29
Motorsport fans will be flocking to the World Motocross Grand Prix, at Donington Park, from Friday, August 24, to Sunday, August 26.
People planning to travel to and from the airport over the three days are advised to allow extra journey time.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:50:29
Phone mast decision deferred
The fate of a 15-metre high mobile-phone mast will not be decided until after councillors have visited the site it is proposed for..
T-Mobile applied to South Derbyshire District Council for consent to erect the mast and three equipment cabins next to a picnic area at The Green, Willington.
Willington Parish Council raised concerns over the mast's appearance and deferred its decision.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:49:27
T-Mobile applied to South Derbyshire District Council for consent to erect the mast and three equipment cabins next to a picnic area at The Green, Willington.
Willington Parish Council raised concerns over the mast's appearance and deferred its decision.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:49:27
£1,000 reward for capture of swan killer
Animal rights organisation PETA has offered a £1,000 reward to help catch four men who were in a car that killed a swan in Sawley.
PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, will pay the cash as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who twice ran over the protected bird at Trent Lock, in Trent Lane, on Friday, July 27, at 4pm.
The swan died from horrific injuries.
Four men, in their early 20s, were in a silver or grey Vauxhall car, believed to be an Astra.
PETA spokesman Will Wright said: "Animal abusers are cowards. They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them.
"Sawley residents have good reason to be concerned. According to leading mental health professionals and the police, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat not only to other animals but to the community as a whole."
Anyone with information about the swan-killing is asked to contact PC Kelvin Hannah on 0845 123 3333 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The RSPCA can be contacted on 0870 555 5999.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:48:06
PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, will pay the cash as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who twice ran over the protected bird at Trent Lock, in Trent Lane, on Friday, July 27, at 4pm.
The swan died from horrific injuries.
Four men, in their early 20s, were in a silver or grey Vauxhall car, believed to be an Astra.
PETA spokesman Will Wright said: "Animal abusers are cowards. They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them.
"Sawley residents have good reason to be concerned. According to leading mental health professionals and the police, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat not only to other animals but to the community as a whole."
Anyone with information about the swan-killing is asked to contact PC Kelvin Hannah on 0845 123 3333 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The RSPCA can be contacted on 0870 555 5999.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-06 15:48:06
Peak District reservoir still empty
YOU would think the recent heavy rain would be a blessing for a reservoir.
However, one in the Peak District is still almost empty after the bad weather meant essential work to repair a leak had to be put back six months.
And this is causing frustration among sail boat owners.
Torside Reservoir, near Glossop, was found to have a leak earlier this year and engineers from United Utilities decided to let the water level drop over the summer to assess the damage and repair it.
However, the heavy rain over the past three months has resulted in the swollen streams which feed the reservoir repeatedly flooding where the work needs to be carried out.
The delays have been a major disappointment for members of the Glossop and District Sailing Club, who have been unable to use the reservoir this year.
A spokeswoman for United Utilities said that it could be the end of the year before the leak is fixed.
She said: "We originally hoped that the repair work would be completed by the summer but the heavy rain has delayed the whole process."
"The tributaries which feed the reservoir are still very swollen as the rain filters down from the hills. Another cause for the delay is that any engineering structure that we put in place to repair the leak has to be properly designed and we need to assess the damage before we can decide what needs to be done."
The reservoir is one of several owned by United Utilities which are located near Glossop and supply north Manchester with water.
The chairman of the Glossop and District Sailing Club, Steven Tinsley, said that their 110 members were disappointed by the delay. He said: "I had originally been told by United Utilities that the reservoir would be fixed by September, but it is now looking as if it will be early next year.
"It's disappointing for all our members as none of us have been able to sail on Torside.
"United Utilities have reduced what we pay to use the reservoir but it is still no use having a sailing club when there is no reservoir for us to sail on."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 20:01:03
However, one in the Peak District is still almost empty after the bad weather meant essential work to repair a leak had to be put back six months.
And this is causing frustration among sail boat owners.
Torside Reservoir, near Glossop, was found to have a leak earlier this year and engineers from United Utilities decided to let the water level drop over the summer to assess the damage and repair it.
However, the heavy rain over the past three months has resulted in the swollen streams which feed the reservoir repeatedly flooding where the work needs to be carried out.
The delays have been a major disappointment for members of the Glossop and District Sailing Club, who have been unable to use the reservoir this year.
A spokeswoman for United Utilities said that it could be the end of the year before the leak is fixed.
She said: "We originally hoped that the repair work would be completed by the summer but the heavy rain has delayed the whole process."
"The tributaries which feed the reservoir are still very swollen as the rain filters down from the hills. Another cause for the delay is that any engineering structure that we put in place to repair the leak has to be properly designed and we need to assess the damage before we can decide what needs to be done."
The reservoir is one of several owned by United Utilities which are located near Glossop and supply north Manchester with water.
The chairman of the Glossop and District Sailing Club, Steven Tinsley, said that their 110 members were disappointed by the delay. He said: "I had originally been told by United Utilities that the reservoir would be fixed by September, but it is now looking as if it will be early next year.
"It's disappointing for all our members as none of us have been able to sail on Torside.
"United Utilities have reduced what we pay to use the reservoir but it is still no use having a sailing club when there is no reservoir for us to sail on."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 20:01:03
Pearson the man against Forest
Stephen Pearson put his man of the match performance against Nottingham Forest down to a desire to hold on to his first team slot, claiming competition for places at Derby County will be huge this season.
The Rams were comfortable 2-0 winners over Forest in the inaugural Brian Clough Trophy last night, with Pearson in outstanding form.
"I'm sure the manager is going to take the opportunity to bring in a few new faces and competition for places is going to heat up," he said.
"So when you've got an opportunity to show what you can do you've got to take it with both hands. I was pleased with the way we played. It was a big test in front of a big crowd and we came through it well.
"It was a great crowd tonight and a lot of credit goes to the Derby and Forest fans for making it such a special occasion."
Pearson believes last night's win will provide the perfect preparation for the Rams' Premier League campaign.
The Scottish midfielder is confident the club can prove the bookies wrong by avoiding relegation.
"Promoted teams are always the ones people expect to go down again," he said.
"But this is where the manager wanted to take us when he took over and we want to stay there now.
"Some people have written us off but, last season, people said we had no chance of going up through the play-offs.
"It would be nice to go out there and prove a few people wrong."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:59:26
The Rams were comfortable 2-0 winners over Forest in the inaugural Brian Clough Trophy last night, with Pearson in outstanding form.
"I'm sure the manager is going to take the opportunity to bring in a few new faces and competition for places is going to heat up," he said.
"So when you've got an opportunity to show what you can do you've got to take it with both hands. I was pleased with the way we played. It was a big test in front of a big crowd and we came through it well.
"It was a great crowd tonight and a lot of credit goes to the Derby and Forest fans for making it such a special occasion."
Pearson believes last night's win will provide the perfect preparation for the Rams' Premier League campaign.
The Scottish midfielder is confident the club can prove the bookies wrong by avoiding relegation.
"Promoted teams are always the ones people expect to go down again," he said.
"But this is where the manager wanted to take us when he took over and we want to stay there now.
"Some people have written us off but, last season, people said we had no chance of going up through the play-offs.
"It would be nice to go out there and prove a few people wrong."
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:59:26
A spa town again as old hydro is restored
Matlock is set to become a spa town once again thanks to a £4.75m investment to restore one of its world-famous hydros.
Lilybank, in Chesterfield Road, was the only remaining hydro in the area before its closure in 1962.
Following a year-long renovation, the building and surrounding land has been transformed into an exclusive care village called Lilybank Hamlet.
Part of the village is already open and the Lilybank building is due to open later this month.
The new owners, Progressive Care, say they wanted to recreate the luxury of the former hydro, one of the hotels which attracted thousands of wealthy Victorians looking to improve their health with a dose of water therapy.
Director Shabir Ali said: "Matlock was renowned across the world for its hydros and thousands of people flocked here to treat their illnesses with water.
"We wanted to create a hydro for the 21st century - a luxurious living space where people can come to be cared for, as well as enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings."
Progressive Care already employs 30 local people at the site, which has space for 44 residents in the main building.
It will also provide the only dementia care unit in the Matlock area, which is due to open in August with the creation of 15 more new jobs for local people.
Lilybank bosses are currently looking for care workers, activities co-ordinators, domestic assistants and a team leader for the adult services department.
Councillor Sue Burfoot opened Lilybank Hamlet last year, when she was mayor of Matlock. She welcomed the prospect of further jobs in the town.
She said: "Obviously, as a town that grew on the popularity of thermal springs, it is great to see the restoration of the hydro.
"Of course, it's not going back to its original use, but I'm delighted to see this grand old building being used to boost employment in Matlock."
The hydro, originally known as Dalefield, was opened in 1890. The name was changed to Lilybank in 1906.
The hydro closed in 1962 and the building was sold to the Presentation Convent and converted to the Nagle Preparatory School. It later became a residential home.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:57:06
Lilybank, in Chesterfield Road, was the only remaining hydro in the area before its closure in 1962.
Following a year-long renovation, the building and surrounding land has been transformed into an exclusive care village called Lilybank Hamlet.
Part of the village is already open and the Lilybank building is due to open later this month.
The new owners, Progressive Care, say they wanted to recreate the luxury of the former hydro, one of the hotels which attracted thousands of wealthy Victorians looking to improve their health with a dose of water therapy.
Director Shabir Ali said: "Matlock was renowned across the world for its hydros and thousands of people flocked here to treat their illnesses with water.
"We wanted to create a hydro for the 21st century - a luxurious living space where people can come to be cared for, as well as enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings."
Progressive Care already employs 30 local people at the site, which has space for 44 residents in the main building.
It will also provide the only dementia care unit in the Matlock area, which is due to open in August with the creation of 15 more new jobs for local people.
Lilybank bosses are currently looking for care workers, activities co-ordinators, domestic assistants and a team leader for the adult services department.
Councillor Sue Burfoot opened Lilybank Hamlet last year, when she was mayor of Matlock. She welcomed the prospect of further jobs in the town.
She said: "Obviously, as a town that grew on the popularity of thermal springs, it is great to see the restoration of the hydro.
"Of course, it's not going back to its original use, but I'm delighted to see this grand old building being used to boost employment in Matlock."
The hydro, originally known as Dalefield, was opened in 1890. The name was changed to Lilybank in 1906.
The hydro closed in 1962 and the building was sold to the Presentation Convent and converted to the Nagle Preparatory School. It later became a residential home.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:57:06
Gloucestershire v Derbyshire
Grant Hodnett hit a career best 133 not out and Alex Gidman made 111 as Gloucestershire took command of the LV County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at Bristol.
The pair put on 199 for the fourth wicket and Craig Spearman also contributed 52 as the home side closed the second day on 403 for seven - a lead of 91.
Graham Wagg took three wickets for 103 runs to finish as the most successful of the eight bowlers used on a slow pitch by Derbyshire captain Simon Katich - but it was a disappointing day for the visitors.
Hodnett and Hamish Marshall were both dropped on nine and only Kevin Dean was able to build up any pressure on the batsmen through controlled bowling.
Katich may also wonder whether he should have employed a third man as at least 12 boundaries came through that vacant area.
Gloucestershire resumed on 32 without loss and Spearman gave the home side a good start of the 58-ball half century, his first in six innings since late April.
Spearman reached his 50 with a boundary to third man off Wagg, but was dismissed two deliveries later when he cut the same bowler to Michael Dighton at gully.
It became 91 for two when Kadeer Ali was lbw as he played back to off-spinner Greg Smith's fifth ball of the day.
Derbyshire should have had more wickets to celebrate before lunch, but Hodnett survived a low caught and bowled chance to Dean and Marshall was dropped by Dighton at gully in the seamer's next over.
Dighton made no mistake when Marshall offered him another chance at gully, off Wagg's bowling, in the second over after lunch.
But that proved to be Derbyshire's last success for 42 overs as Hodnett and Gidman posted a Gloucestershire fourth wicket record partnership against their opponents.
Gidman was well tested early in his innings by an excellent seven-over spell from Wagg, but then profited from some loose bowling by Wayne White and Ant Botha to register an 80-ball half-century.
Hodnett had already reached a 125-ball 50 by then, and both players went on to reach three figures shortly after the tea interval.
Gidman got there first when he thick-edged a delivery from Wagg to the third man boundary.
Then Hodnett brought up the second first-class hundred of his career by taking three runs to third man off White in the next over.
Gidman's 134-ball innings, which contained 15 fours and a straight six off Botha, ended when he attempted to play Wagg on the leg side and was lbw.
Chris Taylor made 19 before he hooked Dean to White at long leg and Steve Adshead was caught at the wicket off Smith for one.
But there was no removing Hodnett, who surpassed his previous best score of 108, made at Taunton in May.
The South African-born batsman had batted for almost six hours and struck 17 fours in his 273-ball innings.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:55:10
The pair put on 199 for the fourth wicket and Craig Spearman also contributed 52 as the home side closed the second day on 403 for seven - a lead of 91.
Graham Wagg took three wickets for 103 runs to finish as the most successful of the eight bowlers used on a slow pitch by Derbyshire captain Simon Katich - but it was a disappointing day for the visitors.
Hodnett and Hamish Marshall were both dropped on nine and only Kevin Dean was able to build up any pressure on the batsmen through controlled bowling.
Katich may also wonder whether he should have employed a third man as at least 12 boundaries came through that vacant area.
Gloucestershire resumed on 32 without loss and Spearman gave the home side a good start of the 58-ball half century, his first in six innings since late April.
Spearman reached his 50 with a boundary to third man off Wagg, but was dismissed two deliveries later when he cut the same bowler to Michael Dighton at gully.
It became 91 for two when Kadeer Ali was lbw as he played back to off-spinner Greg Smith's fifth ball of the day.
Derbyshire should have had more wickets to celebrate before lunch, but Hodnett survived a low caught and bowled chance to Dean and Marshall was dropped by Dighton at gully in the seamer's next over.
Dighton made no mistake when Marshall offered him another chance at gully, off Wagg's bowling, in the second over after lunch.
But that proved to be Derbyshire's last success for 42 overs as Hodnett and Gidman posted a Gloucestershire fourth wicket record partnership against their opponents.
Gidman was well tested early in his innings by an excellent seven-over spell from Wagg, but then profited from some loose bowling by Wayne White and Ant Botha to register an 80-ball half-century.
Hodnett had already reached a 125-ball 50 by then, and both players went on to reach three figures shortly after the tea interval.
Gidman got there first when he thick-edged a delivery from Wagg to the third man boundary.
Then Hodnett brought up the second first-class hundred of his career by taking three runs to third man off White in the next over.
Gidman's 134-ball innings, which contained 15 fours and a straight six off Botha, ended when he attempted to play Wagg on the leg side and was lbw.
Chris Taylor made 19 before he hooked Dean to White at long leg and Steve Adshead was caught at the wicket off Smith for one.
But there was no removing Hodnett, who surpassed his previous best score of 108, made at Taunton in May.
The South African-born batsman had batted for almost six hours and struck 17 fours in his 273-ball innings.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-08-01 19:55:10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)