DEDA in Derby plays host to a visit on Saturday, February 25, by Retina Dance Company.

A fast-moving, intricate and multi-layered production, Layers Of Skin is the new touring piece from Retina Dance Company combining the company’s bold, physical and challenging choreography with participatory dance and live music.

Layers of Skin is Retina’s most ambitious work to date. The core of the work is fixed and constant with additional layers added by inviting and nurturing non-professional dancers to perform alongside the company’s dancers. The piece encompasses live contemporary music from Joris Vanvinckenroye and his vibrant Belgian chamber rock ensemble Aranis.

The performance starts at 8pm and tickets, costing £10 (concessions available) can be obtained from the box office on 01332 370 911.

]]> 1.4255142 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:24:06 +0000 http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/lovely_night_out_with_jimeoin_1_4255117

Buxton Opera House has bowed to popular demand and booked comedian of the moment Jimeoin for one night only (of comedy ingenuity) with his show Lovely! on Tuesday, February 28, at 7.30pm.

JimEoin’s shows are purely and simply about having a good time and a good old-fashioned laugh. The comedian is loved by audiences throughout the world for his brilliant wit and his razor-sharp take on the absurdities of everyday life.

Having left his native Northern Ireland and settled in Australia over a decade ago, Jimeoin’s softly spoken and disarmingly relaxed, cheeky and sometimes surreal sense of humour has led to him to perform sell-out tours and release several top-selling CDs and DVDs.

Recently he has also appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks, Best Of Just For Laughs and Best of Edinburgh Comedy Festival on TV.

Tickets for Jimeoin are priced at £14.50. Call the box office on 0845 127 2190.

]]> 1.4255117 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:15:43 +0000 http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/river_trip_takes_a_deadly_turn_1_4254865

THE latest offering from the popular Agatha Christie Theatre Company can be seen at Derby Theatre from Monday, February 27 to Saturday, March 3.

Now in its seventh year as a national touring group, the company has made a name for itself for its acclaimed productions of the work of the Queen of Crime and this latest play is Murder On The Nile.

On board a steamer, newly-weds Simon and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame.

Then tragedy strikes, a body is discovered and all fingers point to Simon’s ex-fiancee.

The production stars a number of Agatha Christie Theatre Company regulars including Kate O’Mara, Denis Lill, Chloe Newsome, Ben Nealon and Mark Wynter.

Tickets cost £8-£24 and are available by calling the box office on 01332 255800.

ARMED police blocked off a Long Eaton street on Tuesday in a bid to find a ‘dangerous’ wanted man.

Officers blocked off Acton Road in the town for more than an hour while they raided a terraced house on the street.

They had received information that Wayne Green, also known as Stephen Cross, was there.

He is wanted for allegedly breaching a violent offender order that was imposed when he was released from prison in August 2010.

A police helicopter was also dispatched but Green was not found at the address.

A £1,000 reward has been put up for information leading to his arrest. The order prevented Green from contacting named individuals or entering Long Eaton.

ILKESTON residents will be able to pay council bills at the Post Office and PayPoint shops, if councillors give the go-ahead to plans next week.

Under the move, barcodes will be printed on council bills, including the new council tax bills to be issued next month, so they can be used at the outlets, in a move aimed at helping people in villages and rural communities in Erewash.

The move is set to be rubber stamped by the council executive on Wednesday and will go live from April 1.

Cllr David Stephenson welcomed the plans this week.

A SCHEME which sees new businesses setting up in Erewash handed £1,000 will be doubled if councillors agree to Conservative proposals next month.

The Tories want to double the amount of money put aside for the Golden Hello scheme.

Cllr Geoff Smith, lead member for regeneration, said: “This scheme has proved to be very popular with 15 new businesses already being helped. All but one, which was closed due to ill-health, have continued to trade and the scheme is certainly making a positive difference to our High Streets.”

Leader of Erewash Borough Council, Cllr Chris Corbett, welcomed the increase in the budget for the coming year from £10,000 to £20,000.

He added: “The council does not own the buildings on our High Streets so we cannot do much about the major expenses faced by our shops but we can help with things like the Golden Hello.”

KIDS spent half-term getting crafty at activities organised across the area.

Erewash Museum has been hosting a week of discovery-based workshops with arts and crafts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and science experiments all day on Thursday.

Cllr Mike Wallis, lead member for culture and leisure, said: “Science and the whole world of discovery is such fun and so exciting for young people.

“I am delighted that our museum is providing a whole week of crafts on this theme and I am sure it will be extremely popular.”

Derby College’s Broomfield Hall campus also had a range of activities on offer to keep the kids amused with the Food Hub running potato week to mark the launch of the farm shop’s potato products.

The Food Hub sells seed potatoes, potato growing bags and planters, compost and feed and teaches people how to get started in growing their own.

Children enjoyed planting up potatoes and were given the chance to take their efforts home as well as getting arty with potato printing.

And on Wednesday children were given the chance to meet the mammals at the college’s animal centre.

Activities continue until the end of this week. For information call Erewash Museum on 0115 9071141 and The Food Hub on 01332 836631.

]]> 1.4247879 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000 http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/youthful_long_eaton_earn_honourable_draw_1_4269553

LONG Eaton United fielded their youngest ever line-up against high-scoring Parkgate on Saturday - and proceeded to claim a point.

NCEL Premier Division

Long Eaton United 0

Parkgate 0

LONG Eaton United fielded their youngest ever line-up against high-scoring Parkgate on Saturday - and proceeded to claim a point.

United have been through a radical transaction during the last six months, from a side predominantly comprising of senior players to one of such youth that the team that lined up on Saturday was the youngest in the club’s 56-year old history.

As manager Mick Galloway considered his current options after the recent departures of skipper Dean Whiley to Stamford and Nathan Parker to Borrowash, his selection problems were further compounded due to Chris Murdock and Shaun Rickford, his two remaining senior players, both being unavailable to face Parkgate.

On the evidence of the team’s performance, against a visiting side that had scored in all but one of their NCEL games this season, he need not have worried unduly as his young charges gave a great account of themselves and produced some mature individual performances that augurs well for the future if they remain at Grange Park as the seasons unfold.

It was clear from the outset that United were intent on playing a passing style that helped them retain possession and despite their best efforts breaking down on occasions they kept to their strategy and re-grouped as needed.

As early pressure from the visitors began to mount, Isaac Marshall, Michael Armstrong and Kial Thurman, who was making only his second first team start, began to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon with towering performances that continually thwarted the goal threat posed by a normally prolific Parkgate.

United’s ‘keeper Scott Webb also began to add a valuable contribution to affairs with some early interventions and pulled off an exceptional one-handed save from a powerfully struck 20-yard effort from Parkgate’s Danny Barlow after 20 minutes.

Josh Hooley and Matt Weightman each had half chances for United that went close and Jacob Webster and Blaine Hancock were getting through a great deal of work in midfield.

When he was able to break free from the close attention of his dual markers, Will Mellors-Blair too was able to cause some anxiety for the visitors and he cleverly opened up United’s best move of the first period, which almost resulted in a breakthrough.

After the break, United again displayed a defensive confidence that inspired the belief that they were capable of holding back a formidable opponent, with Andy Rhodes at left-back emerging more and more as the game progressed, and there were times during the half when they were able to put the visitors themselves on the back foot.

Jimmy Hunter began to find a little more freedom, linking up well with Mellors-Blair and Hancock, and United’s disciplined performance only continued to non-plus the more experienced Parkgate outfit, who often produced some very neat football at times.

A Brian Cusworth header drifted wide of Webb’s goal and Armstrong and Thurman both made timely interceptions as the game entered the latter stages and United forced a string of late corners in an effort to snatch an unexpected victory.

At the final whistle, United were doubtless satisfied with their point and it was evident that those watching were clearly content with the style of their display under the guidance of a manager who is adamant about his intentions.

United’s captain on the day was seventeen year-old Michael Armstrong, making him not only the youngest player to ever lead a Long Eaton United side, but possibly the youngest to have ever captain any team in the Northern Counties East League.

United: Webb, Armstrong (C), Thurman, Marshall, Rhodes, Hunter Webster, Hancock, Mellors-Blair, Hooley (Jarvis) Weightman

On Saturday, Long Eaton United travel to face another difficult challenge at Tadcaster Albion as they attempt to record their first victory of the year.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise is the rock ‘n’ roll show where the music plays the leading role and it can be seen at Derby’s Assemnbly Rooms on Saturday, February 25.

The talented cast brings to life the music of the rock and roll era stars such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, the Big Bopper and Eddie Cochran, bringing back the icons of rock and roll to the stage once again.

Backed by the Paradise Band, this show has audiences dancing in the aisles, singing along with the music, and yelling for more.

It is a feelgood two-hour celebration of the magic of rock and roll with over 40 songs packed into the show.

The show commences at 7.30pm and tickets are available from the box office on 01332 255800.

THE award-winning Good Companions Stage Society will be performing their latest show – The Songwriters’ Album – at Derby’s Guildhall Theatre from February 28-March 3.

The annual revue offers colourful, lively light entertainment for all and this year features a selection of songs from the likes of George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lenoon And McCartney, and many others.

Shows take place at 7.30pm nightly from Tuesday to Friday of the week, while Saturday’s shows are at 1pm and 5pm.

For ticket details, call Ray and Brenda Harrison on 01332 515696.

]]> 1.4254820 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:50:32 +0000 http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/fun_and_games_with_bonzo_trio_1_4254745

BONZO Dog Doo Dah Band fans will be delighted to learn that three members of the cult 60s group will be appearing in the Darwin Suite at Derby’s Assembly Rooms on Friday, February 24, from 8pm.

Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater and Sam Spoons have teamed up with talented pianist Dave Glasson to create more fun, music and subversive diversion in the spirit of the ageless band.

In Three Bonzos And A Piano, the performers will unleash a number of classics including Jollity Farm, I’m Bored, Big Shot, Monster Mash and many more.

Robots, smoke, unsuitable medical technology, ancient theatrical props and maybe even the kitchen sink will combine to recreate the atmosphere of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band’s formative years.

Ticket details are available from the box office on 01332 255800.

THE LEADER of Broxtowe Borough Council has stepped down after being charged with a £45,000 benefit fraud.

Cllr Milan Radulovic, of Easwood, stands accused of failing to declare council allowances on an incapacity benefit claim form by the DWP.

The council announced this week that the Labour former mayor of the borough has appointed his deputy to act on his behalf while the allegations, which he denies, are investigated.

Beeston’s Cllr Pat Lally will now take on his portfolio responsibilities.

Off licence owners have been warned about the dangers of selling counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes after a rise in cases across the region.

Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards officers have written to all 2,500 licensed premises in the county warning that they face prosecution if they are found to be selling illegal products.

They are also warning consumers of the serious health risks of buying cut price products.

Cllr Kevin Parkinson, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’ve seen a marked increase in the amount of counterfeit products on sale across the county – including vodka, wine and cigarettes.

“They are often produced by criminal gangs with no regard for health regulations and can pose a serious risk.”

AN INQUEST into the death of a retired furnace worker found that his death was caused by industrial disease.

Thomas Keen was 88 when he died at the Old Vicarage Nursing Home, Long Eaton, in September last year.

His son Brian told an inquest at Derby Magistrates’ Court that his dad had talked about being exposed to asbestos during his time in the Royal Navy.

Pathologist Dr Andrew Hitchcock said he had found asbestos fibres in Mr Keen’s lungs.

Dr Robert Hunter, coroner for Derby recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.

CARE homes in Cotmanhay, West Hallam and Sandiacre could be among the first in the county to be closed if plans to inject £200m into adult care are given the go-ahead next week.

Derbyshire County Council announced that the scheme – thought to be the first of its kind in the country – would deliver ‘dementia-friendly’ care and offer state-of-the-art accommodation to hundreds of elderly people.

It would be the biggest investment the authority has ever made in adult care and would bring care and support services to within 10 miles of everyone in Derbyshire, replacing local authority care homes with affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments.

But in the short term, there are fears it could turn the lives of hundreds of elderly people in county council-run care homes – some with severe health problems, including dementia – upside down.

Nine of the county’s homes, including Beechcroft in West Hallam, Hazelwood in Cotmanhay and Lady Cross House in Sandiacre, will be the first to be looked at if councillors give the thumbs-up to the plans at a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Cllr Jones, cabinet member for adult care, said: “These are ambitious plans to transform the care that is on offer to older people across Derbyshire, making it fit for the future.

“We realise, if the plans go ahead, there will be disruption for people and we would do everything we could to minimise this and support people through any changes. All the plans would be subject to further consultation.”

Under the plans, a network of 1,600 ‘extra care’ apartments are planned to be built within five miles of most county residents.

The apartments will be available to buy, rent or as shared ownership, where elderly residents can live independent lives with their own front door but have support and care on site at all times.

There will be communal areas and shared facilities, like cafés or restaurants, for use by residents and the wider community.

Similar schemes already exist in Wirksworth, Dronfield and Glossop.

Two community care centres will be built in Heanor and Darley Dale and could be operational as soon as 2014.

Existing sites in Staveley and Swadlincote will offer more specialised services for older people, including short and long-term residential care, specialist dementia care, rehabilitation services and respite care.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Lewer said: “These plans are a major leap forward in the way we care for older people. We want everyone to have their own front door and live independently for as long as possible.

“When people need extra support these plans mean they would have more choice and could expect buildings and services that meet modern standards and expectations.”

The consultation over whether to redevelop the first nine care homes is due to start in April.

Consultation on the remaining county council-run homes, including Hillcrest in Kirk Hallam and Southlands in Long Eaton will be carried out at a later date but are not likely to be affected by the changes for up to five years.

AN ILKESTON college has revealed plans to move to the centre of town and build a supermarket and homes on its current site.

Derby College announced this week it aims to sell off the Field Road campus and move students to one of three locations in the centre of Ilkeston, where it can provide ‘21st century learning facilities’.

The move could spell good news for town centre traders with a planned 1,000 students at the new college base within walking distance of shops.

But it is feared another large supermarket on the edge of town could also pull shoppers away.

Principal and chief executive David Croll explained that the Field Road campus is ‘not fit for purpose’ and has been looking to find a new site since it merged with South East Derbyshire College in 2010.

“We have of course considered the option of refurbishing the site at Field Road but have decided that, in the interests of our staff, students and for Ilkeston as a whole, the college needs to be in the heart of the town,” he said.

“This will not only benefit local businesses through the spending power of more than 1,000 staff and students but will also hopefully kick start the regeneration of the rest of the town centre with investment in a key site as has happened at our other sites in Derby.”

The Advertiser revealed last month that one of the sites the college is considering is the former Ilkeston Magistrates Court in New Lawn Road.

The college will not reveal where the other two sites are or whether a specific supermarket has expressed an interest in the site.

“The construction and then operation of the supermarket will create much needed jobs in the town and we plan to work closely with the company when it is finalised to ensure that local people have the training and skills required to keep those jobs in this area,” added Mr Croll.

The homes are planned to be a mix of private and social housing.

Residents and businesses will be asked what they think of rough plans for the site, currently being drawn up, in early March.

If it gets planning permission from Erewash Borough Council, the college plans to relocate in September 2013.

Leader of the council Cllr Chris Corbett said they would have to look closely at any plans for a new supermarket in the town.

But he added: “The thought that we might have 1,000 pupils and a number of teachers relocating into the centre of Ilkeston, that can only be good for trade.”