Recent Events

August, of course, is the time of year when it’s assumed you will all have been on holiday but, come September, we gather again and try to put activities together. Our first meeting – in the Cricket Club, of course – was to meet John Cammack who gave us ‘Travels of a Farm Vet’. He has obviously used his travels to gain wide experience. We were privileged to hear two widely different stories.

First, he took us to the Po valley in Italy. Here, on a dairy farm, cows remain under cover all year to protect them from the very hot weather. Even so, they have to be kept under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Their major forage is a crop called lucerne and the milk these cows provide is used for making cheese – mainly, but not solely, Parmesan cheese. This may be stored for up to three years and is such a high value product that certain local banks accept it for storage in their vaults!

From the valleys of Italy we were taken across the Atlantic to Alberta, Canada, to study a very different story. Here the cattle stay permanently out of doors; the farm, we were told, was fairly typical with 50,000 head of cattle outside, but corralled. Again, health is critical. But on this particular farm there was a wider range of interests and, as you might expect, a wider range of people. In this case, they were a family group known as ‘Hutterites’, who are pacifists and believed to be of Czechoslovakian origin. Sixty to a hundred of them live together. Very efficient farmers with a wide range of farming interests – pigs, poultry and arable – they are self-contained and, as a group, pretty wealthy.

The only other talk we’ve had this quarter (20 October) was presented by Philip Heath. Philip was a student in medieval history when, while wondering how to pass his time in the summer vac, he came across a newspaper article about archive studies being made of some of the contents of Calke Abbey. He went up to the Abbey, knocked on the front door and enquired whether there was any possibility of him finding work there. ‘Well,’ he was told, ‘we have two young ladies going through the contents of the various rooms except that they won’t work in certain rooms – because of the rats and mice! Would you consider working there?’ Philip agreed and worked through the summer, returning when qualified to be employed by the National Trust so he could continue the existing research. From the early 80s, when ‘Calke was the least known country house of its size and importance in England’, to today when there are still interesting discoveries to be made, Philip was been involved. For 200 years during much of which the family leaders ‘could be very oddly behaved’, to today, when he talked of ‘Calke Abbey: history and mystery, Philip Heath has been there.

Civic Voice

On the 23rd September Rolleston Civic Trust hosted a joint meeting; including the Civic Trust’s of Burton and Tutbury: with Freddie Gick, a Deputy Chair of The Civic Voice. This national body has been created to fill the void left following the receivership of The National Civic Trust in 2009. This meeting was designed to help explain the aims of the new national body and hopefully resolve the questions raised by ourselves and our other local Trusts.

Mr Gick explained that nationwide there are 900 Civic Trusts/Societies and in the past approx £60,000 was raised from membership fees to support the national body.Other support came largely from the business sector and some small grant giving bodies.

So, the Civic Trust was no more and yet there were people who felt that there was still a place for a new national body. From October 2009 a process of research began.

The study identified four essential aims for a national body: to enable study via forums and meetings; to act as a national lobby; to be a source of help with training and information and finally to facilitate inter society events. Staffing needed to be kept to a minimum so it was felt that there would be two paid members – one senior person based in London and one admin worker (currently based in Liverpool). A Board of Trustees was required consisting of Chair, Treasurer and 7 trustees,an eighth trustee would be co-opted from a related organisation such as CPRE/English Heritage. The Trust would have to be financially independent (the failure of business support having been the main reason for the previous body’s collapse) and a minimum budget of £180,000 was set.

Membership fee scales were then discussed-should there be a differential between large/small societies? The outcome was to suggest £1.50 fee per member capped at £500 per society.

With this structure in place in April 2010 an election was held. 19 nominations were taken for the Board of Trustees and from that 6 were selected. So April 2010 saw the launch of Civic Voice. 258 Civic Trusts have joined to date raising approx £60,000, the government Community Living Grants provided another £80,000 and the Esmee Fairburn Trust has awarded £56,000 for 2010 and a further grant for £40,000 for 2011.

So, what are the plans for all this money?

There are to be national campaigns focussing on Street Pride and street clutter. A joint campaign with English Heritage called Open All Hours , tree planting initiatives and lobbying the Government’s Planning backbench committee in London.Regional bodies such as West Masa will support and feed information from the regions. Plans for an e-newsletter and website are well underway. Most recently an announcement of a Civic Day for June 25th 20011 for all Civic Trusts to get involved in on a local level (watch out for Rolleston’s ideas) and raise the profile of Civic Voice as part of a local publicity and awareness campaign.

Mr Gick emphasised that Civic Voice, above all, recognises that everybody has a right to live somewhere they can be proud of and that with this right comes responsibilities.

As a result of this meeting Rolleston Civic Trust committee felt that the Civic Voice should be supported and agreed to join from next April. Burton and Tutbury groups have gone away to discuss membership at their own meetings.

One unexpected outcome is the resolve to host at least one meeting a year between the local groups as it was interesting, refreshing and above all morale boosting to meet other like minded people. A great result all round!

Our Winter Programme

Wednesday January 19th
Rolleston in the mid to late 19th century: what we can find out from the Census
Michael Wardell in the Cricket Club at 8.00pm

Sunday January 23rd
Mulled Wine at Apple Acres, from 12 noon
By kind permission of Mr & Mrs S Richardson – Ticket Event

Wednesday February 16th
The Quiet Side of Venice
Sue Fraser in the Cricket Club at 8.00pm

Saturday March 5th
Pancake Races on The Croft (2pm)
and then in Rolleston Club, Burnside

Wednesday March 16th
Civic Trust AGM followed by a short presentation by
David Jones, East Staffs Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

Recent Events

Our May meeting was the Spring ‘Walk and Talk’ around Tutbury. Led by members of Tutbury’s Civic Trust, this walk was a little longer than most of our members anticipated. Nonetheless, all were eventually in the big room of the Hatton Castle Inn where very good food provided ample recovery for everyone.

June kept us much nearer home – and even nearer to the Cricket Club – where Clive Baker introduced us to the history of the Jinnie (the railway that is, not the pub) and to the railway station of Rolleston-on-Dove. There proved to be several knowledgeable CT members among us and Clive’s description and analysis were very well illustrated so that, by the time we left the Club to walk to the ‘station’ we felt that we were well-informed. Some of the original station could perhaps be reinstated, several people suggested. However, when we saw the volume and density of the existing greenery there may well have been a frisson of doubt in the air.

Back at the Club there was more discussion – in fact it was altogether a very interesting evening.

And, finally, the Summer Cheese and Wine party was again held in a Marquee at Appleacres. Many thanks, from all of us present, to Simon and Helen Richardson and to everyone else who had worked so hard to create a very successful evening. Even the weather remained on its very best behaviour.

Planning Matters

Six months or so ago, Rollestonian planning applications seemed gradually to be becoming less and less. More recently, however, there’s been a slow return to an interest in alterations and additions to properties. To these we can add a few requests for permission to prune established trees. A return to life for the development of the site that used to be the Highfield Motor Co. has also occurred, minor changes to this plan but perhaps an indication that the developer has a positive interest in moving on.

On a different tack, most Rollestonians should be aware of the village’s Conservation Area. This was redefined in 2005 (although it wasn’t formally accepted by ESBC until recently). Larger now than it was in its original form (from the 1970s onwards), it now encompasses more property owners, who will find that they need planning permission to make alterations that would previously have been unnecessary. Do check whether your property lies within this area!

Where Next With Planning?

Changes in the planning Regulations instigated by the last Government have left the control of local planning in a perilous state.
Have any of the following affected Rolleston?

• Regulations regarding the number of houses per acre in new developments have led to over developed estates with small gardens and little room for parking.

• Gardens were designated as “brown field sites” which attracted fewer and preferential planning restrictions. Garden infill has proliferated.
• Planning restrictions were lifted if the development was less than a given percentage of the original building area.
• Spending on planning authorities has been cut leading to fewer planning officers, thus pressure of work has meant less control
• The relaxation of planning restrictions in sensitive areas has led to the use of modern materials in conservation areas.
• Monitoring of planning applications at local level has gone on line. Applications have to be actively looked for and are difficult to review.

Our new Government has issued a White Paper proposing another set of sweeping changes to correct the situation and bring planning control back into local hands. A referendum on planning matters by a majority vote of 80% of village people is proposed. The Civic Trust leaves the outcome of such a system to your imagination.

What we do say is that if such legislation does become law, then bodies such as The Civic Trust, The Village Design Group and The Village Liaison Group, working with the Parish Council will have to be strong and active to ensure our environment is properly managed.

If you feel strongly about such issues, if you have any experience of the planning process, or if you care about your village, why not join The Civic Trust now.

Our Autumn Programme

Wednesday September 15th
Travels of a Farm Vet
John Cammack in the Cricket Club at 8.00pm

Wednesday October 20th
Calke Abbey : History and Mystery.
Philip Heath in the Cricket Club at 8.00pm

Wednesday November 17th
The Lych Gate War Memorial
Arnold Burston in the Cricket Club at 8.00pm

Civic Trust Garden Awards 2010

The Civic Trust Front Garden Competition was judged over a period ten days in the middle of June 2010. In addition to the Front Garden Award the Forest Shield has been awarded to the best/most interesting and varied container garden or hanging basket display.

The village, as last year, was divided into nine areas with each area covered by members of the Civic Trust to establish a shortlist of three gardens and one container/hanging basket container entry for each area. These were then forwarded to the independent judges for a further inspection – the outcome of which is reported below.

The judges’ overall impression was that the village gardens were tidy and well maintained. Even the horticulturally challenged kept well mown lawns, often enlivened with some hard landscaping and specimen trees or shrubs. Some gardens obviously were intended for late summer or autumn blooming but the assessment, this year, was made on appearance in mid-June.

O.D. Shelly Cup - Front Garden Award

Given the size of the village and the diversity of sites, choice of an overall winner was difficult.

The winners of the Shelly Cup for the Best Front Garden and a twenty pounds garden voucher are:

Mr and Mrs Starbuck, 14 Brookside – a well planted cottage garden with climbing roses in season. An end of terrace street-side cottage, it makes a strong statement in the street scene.

The runners up are Mr and Mrs Phillips, 78 Beacon Road – a road-verge garden along side the property in Neville Close. A densely planted block of herbaceous plants combined with climbing shrubs making an excellent screen against a communal garage block.

Highly Commended were:

19, Shotwood Close – good colour with bedding still to develop, also good use of a brick wall with containers and climbing plants.
28, Church Road – mixed shrubs and herbaceous planting to give a period garden in keeping with an Edwardian villa.
104, Station Road – a plantsman’s garden that rewards study.
38, Twentylands – a colourful herbaceous estate garden.
12, Walford Road – a well planted corner site with open views to the rear garden.
8, Beacon Road– excellent co-ordinated planting for a house, formerly a row of Victorian cottages to create a larger open effect.
107A, Knowles Hill – well maintained large front garden mainly shrubs with good use of containers to give colour.
18, The Lawns – a colourful mix of plants with an interesting use of stone features, a gardener with an eye for design.

The Forest Shield Award for Containers and/or Hanging Baskets

Many tubs and containers were just beginning to mature at the time of judging.

The winner of the Forest Shield for The Container Garden / Hanging Basket Display and a twenty pounds garden voucher is
Mr and Mrs S McLoughlin, Barn Farm, Chapel Lane for a series of well prepared hanging baskets along the pavement, in an unusual colour combination, enhancing the traditional street scene.

Highly Commended were:

19, Forest School Street – A good example of simple, bold container planting to compliment the portico entrance to a property with minimal front garden.
40, Dovecliff Road – a colourful mix of containers arranged to make good use of a small front garden.

The Civic Trust Committee would like to express their thanks to the judges for their time and deliberations.

It is hoped to make the presentations to the winners of the Shelly Cup and the Forest Shield at the Wednesday 15th September 2010 meeting of the Rolleston Civic Trust to be held at Rolleston Cricket Club at 8.00pm. The guest speaker will be Mr John Cammack with a talk on “Travels of a Farm Vet”

Recent Events

Well, at least the weather seems to be improving a little - I wonder what the chances are that we shall have the ‘barbecue summer’ that the forecasters promised us for last year. Keep your fingers crossed!

In February Mark Rowe introduced us to memories of ‘Dad’s Army’ – not the television version but some of Staffordshire’s contribution to the Home Guard. It took itself very seriously so that Mark’s instruction “Don’t Panic Rolleston” seemed very fitting. We were given lots of detail. The fact, for instance, that the Germans’ first intention was to invade England’s South Coast by sea. RAF Bomber Squadrons, however, put their invasion barges out of action which may well have led to the retaliation by the Luftwaffe. Then there was discussion, of the intended function of ‘pill boxes’, those concrete structures, many of which are still there. Often described as ‘lookout’ points, it is clear that many of the survivors are in place on low-lying spots or riversides whereas a lookout was much more likely to be on a high point. It is pretty certain that these were actually positioned where defence was expected to be useful. He also pointed out that there were significant groups of communists, fascists and pacifists who were not trusted to be on the right side (our side!). I must find out where Mark’s book on the subject is being sold!

In March, immediately following our AGM, Sue Fraser shared with us some of her experiences at Sudbury Hall. In particular she described the development of the Museum of Childhood with which she has been intimately involved. We were enthralled as she combined so many aspects of the work, making it clear that she is one of the best lecturers around – as well as being on the Civic Trust’s committee.

New Vice President

John Carlton, an active member of the Civic Trust for longer than most of us can remember, has kindly accepted our invitation to become Vice President of our Trust. When last seen, he was already hard at work fulfilling his new post.

Our Summer Programme

Wednesday June 23rd. The Railway at Rolleston: Re-inventing the Tutbury Jinnie.
Meet at the Cricket Club. A site visit is included, followed by return to the Club.
Clive Baker
Note that this meeting is a week later than usual.

Saturday July 24th Summer Event. Cheese & Wine.
Ticket Event (limited numbers)
In the garden of AppleAcres.

Wednesday September 15th. Travels of a Farm Vet.
John Cammack, in the Cricket Club at 8.00 pm

Wednesday October 20th. Calke Abbey, History and Mystery.
Philip Heath, in the Cricket Club at 8.00 pm

Reminder - Front Garden Awards 2010

The judging for this year’s Front Garden Award will take place during the middle of June, with the preliminary round of judging taking place between 10th and 13th June and the final selection being made between the 16th and 18th June 2010.

As in previous years all front gardens will be considered unless specifically withdrawn. Observations will be made from the pavement / public highway and will not encroach on private property. Front gardens not visible from the pavement / public highway will not be included in the competition unless requested otherwise.

In addition to the Front Garden Award we will once again be awarding the Forest Shield to the best / most interesting and varied container garden or hanging basket. These too will have to be visible from the pavement / public highway as the judges are instructed not to enter onto private property. The winners will be notified in due course and the results will be published in the Rollestonian and placed on the village noticeboards. The judge’s decision will be final.

“Cuttings” – About The Plant Swap

At the Plant Swap held last month in and around the Old Grammar School, we attracted a large and varied range of shrubs, annuals, perennials, biennials and much more. This year’s event coincided with the Fountains School Charity Duck Race which took place on the Alderbrook, with stalls and attractions on The Croft and so the Civic Trust’s coffee and cake sale was held as a joint event with the school. With loads of luscious cakes available from both the WI and the Civic Trust we had ample refreshments to cater for both events, the proceeds of the refreshment sale being divided between Fountains School and the Civic Trust. Many thanks to all who purchased, made donations or just joined us for coffee and cakes. The Civic Trust was able to donate just over £100 to St Marys’ Fabric Fund.

Recent Events

November 11th gave us the final lecture meeting of 2009, in the Cricket Club. Roughly 30 members were there, keen to see and hear the presentation by John Clews about the RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).

John is a keen bird watcher as well as being an established professional on the staff of the society – he wouldn’t tell us how long for, beyond “a number of years”. However this was the only topic on which he was reluctant to expand – as we were to discover.

In 1889 a group of ladies who realised just how many birds and small animals were being killed so that ladies could wear fur on their shoulders and feathers on their hats. They were upset and, as ‘the fur and feather club’, they acted. By 1904 they had become the RSPB, a body which, today, employs 1200 staff and very many volunteers. It is, in fact, the largest wild life body in Europe, currently with 1,100,000 members. Nor are activities limited to Britain. For instance both Cyprus and Sumatra are the subjects of investigation into bird survival. However, despite ownership of areas of land and its preservation for wild life survival overall, many British birds are in decline. Many of us will have realised this by observing that the numbers of many garden birds reduce year by year.

Just one example – starlings which, 40 years ago would be seen in flocks that seemed to darken the sky, have been reduced by 75%.

All in all an informative and beautifully illustrated talk was very well received.

And so into 2010 where Lawrence Oates, our first speaker of the year is ESBC’s Biodiversity Officer. Quite a title to conjure with!

His major interest is ‘conservation’. Not the conservation of buildings – so often our interest in the Civic Trust – but of wild-life and the plant-life among which it lives. Not just of mammals and birds, of course, but of every form of wild-life, insects, worms, bacteria – if you can name it, Lawrence is interested in it. He made the point that, despite his own interest, he doesn’t expect the rest of us to be equally interested in everything. Butterflies, for example, are liked by everyone but how about their caterpillars? We can’t have one without the other. And how about fungi? Mushrooms are fine but we have to remember that there are many more dangerous ones than those we eat.

He pointed out, too, that many things have both good and bad aspects. Ragwort is toxic to cattle but supports several moths, including the very attractive Cinnabar Moth that lives nowhere else.

All in all he seems to have a very wide range of interests. Trees, herbs, medicines, water plants, soil qualities, fences and hedges, fish and other water creatures. Some of them require a lot of voluntary work, as illustrated on several of Lawrence’s slides. He is concerned about the fact that the number of volunteers is gradually reducing. Age, he says, is telling. Clearly he’d be glad of a few more helpers. Any offers?

Rolleston Civic Trust: Activities & Purpose

If you are reading this, then you must have received your free copy of the Spring edition of the Rollestonian, delivered to your door by a small group of volunteers.

Have you ever wondered where the Rollestonian comes from, how it is produced and by whom? This informative and useful booklet is produced and edited for Rolleston Civic Trust by Tom Martin our President and paid for with revenue brought in by advertisements and a payment made by the Parish Council to cover the costs of their Newsletter in the centre pages.

All the items however are submitted by a multitude of different individuals, groups and interested parties, all of whom have a connection with the village – bringing you information about events, items of local interest both past and present and forthcoming dates for your diary. We supply the village with over 1,500 copies per edition.

Rolleston Civic Trust along side the Parish Council and the Village Design Statement Group keep a watchful eye on possible changes to the fabric of the village. Part of this entails monitoring Planning Applications, particularly within the Conservation Area in order to preserve and enhance our village. We are also represented at working groups set up by both the Parish Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council. Currently there is particular emphasis on the working group for Brook Hollows. We hope that with our help the village remains an attractive and good place to live.

We have a wide and varied programme of village based initiatives aimed at this outcome, some with the added potential for fund raising for village causes. We have been able to make donations to Pre-School for their building fund, Rolleston United Foundation – a village bursary for school leavers going on to further education, The stage block fund at St Mary’s Church, The Village Noticeboards, The Methodist Church Noticeboard, the School Lane Finger Post Fund and to many other local causes over the last few years. Along side our donations we have regular fund raisers, one of these being the Plant Swap in April for St Mary’s Fabric Fund. We also hold regular bulb planting sessions to enhance areas of the village and organise The Front Garden Awards every summer. The Civic Award is also presented each year to a deserving group, individual or building which has improved the village environment or facilities.

In addition to these events we also have a programme of speakers throughout the year. We try to provide an interesting and varied selection of subjects which reflect the aims of the Civic Trust. Many of our speakers are local people from the village who have a special interest or knowledge of a relevant subject. As part of our regular set of events we also hold our Mulled Wine, Spring Walk and Talk and Cheese and Wine Evening all of which help raise additional funds for our chosen causes. All of our events and activities are run by a committee of volunteers from the membership. The committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month.

So that the Civic Trust can continue into the next decade as a local voice, at a time when even greater pressure will be exerted upon our village and rural status by the desire for more development, we need a wide membership base. If you would like to become a member of the Rolleston Civic Trust or need more information, please fill in the attached slip and return it to Starbucks News or any committee member. For committee or programme details please see the village notice board.

We meet on the 3rd Wed of the month in the Rolleston Cricket Club at 8.00pm.

Our Spring Programme

Wednesday March 17th – AGM. In the Cricket Club at 8.00pm
Followed by an ordinary meeting on
The National Trust Museum of Childhood - Sudbury
Sue Fraser

Wednesday April 21st 8.00 pm. In the Cricket Club
Medieval Water Mills of Staffordshire
David Wilkinson

Sunday April 25th 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Plant Swap : At the School Room, St Mary’s Church
Refreshments will be available
(Proceeds to St Mary’s Fabric Fund)

Wednesday May 19th
.Spring Walk and Talk around Tutbury
Led by members of Tutbury Civic Trust
Ticket Event (limited numbers) with refreshments at a local hostelry.

Wednesday June 23rd In the Cricket Club
The Railway at Rolleston on Dove – Re-inventing the Tutbury Jinnie
(Includes a site visit)
Clive Baker
Please note that this meeting falls a week later than usual

Planning Matters

A partial extract from the Daily Telegraph of Jan. 19th 2010

“Developers who build houses in back gardens have become a problem in some regions - - -. After a 6 month review, ministers are to order Councils to use their powers to ban or limit the practice known as ‘garden grabbing’. The announcement comes after the Daily Telegraph disclosed that180,000 homes had been built on land containing a property in the past five years.”

Too late, we fear, for some of our members but at least we can hope that ESBC will take note and act on this in the future.

Front Garden Awards 2010

It is time once again to think about our annual Front Garden Award. The competition, as usual, will be judged over a 4 – 5 day period, this year in mid June. As in previous years the winner of last year’s competition will not be eligible for the next 5 years.

In addition to the Front Garden Award we are also awarding the Forest Shield to the best, most interesting and varied container garden or hanging basket display. These will have to be visible from the public highway as the judges are instructed not to enter onto private property.

There is no need to apply for entry to this competition; all front gardens will be automatically considered – unless specifically withdrawn.

Judging dates will be announced in due course in the Rollestonian and also in the village notice boards. The judge’s decision on the award will be final. We hope this notification will give you all plenty of time to prepare your gardens and hanging baskets for the summer judging

The Civic Society Initiative

In the summer edition of The Rollestonian we reported the demise of the Civic Trust as a national body due to the financial problems then being suffered.

We can now give more cheering news as small shoots of recovery seem to be showing themselves, and announce the creation of The Civic Society Initiative.

This fledgling body has risen from the ashes and appears to have some important backing, Griff Rees-Jones and Prince Charles both being mentioned in dispatches.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the structure of the new representative body, some advocating a new national body and others preferring more emphasis on a regional structure. The feeling within our own committee is that more should be done on a regional basis feeding through to a national committee formed from the regions.

A new website is available if you wish to review the works and proposals of the new body. This can be found at www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk. Please have a look and let us know your views.

The Civic Trust Award: its 21st year

The idea of a village enhancement award originally came from the late Dick Abbotts who lived in Walford Road. It was Dick who, at the instigation of Rolleston Civic Trust, was later responsible for proposing, designing and, to some extent, getting made (by students and others at Burton Tech) the Village Sign opposite the Spread Eagle.

The objective of the Award was to encourage local property owners, shops, conservation and other groups (as well as through the recognition of the Parish Council and others in planning considerations) to improve the appearance, amenities or general functioning of the properties and facilities of Rolleston. Strictly, the terms of reference were that “a plaque will be awarded at the end of each year to a project or scheme which has significantly enhanced the village environment or community activity”. The idea of an award was prompted in the period leading up to 1989 by certain Rolleston events which might well have otherwise qualified: the flood control works in Brookside, the renovation of Westfield House in Burnside, and the introduction of a Community Day.

Thus, 2010 becomes the 21st year since the initiation of the Award in 1989, and it was felt timely and of interest to log the details of the winners over this time. The Award has usually taken the form of an engraved brass plaque - often mounted on an oval polished oak base. The idea has been that this should then be attached to the subject (building or other location) of the Award. However, when awarded personally for services to the village, it has often taken the form of engraved Tutbury glassware.

As it turned out, the 1989 Award was given jointly to the Rolleston Club and the WRVS for the establishment of the WRVS Luncheon Club for elderly residents under the citation of: “During the past year, the Luncheon Club has become a regular Wednesday event for approx 30 residents of the village. Rolleston Club has provided free accommodation and facilities for the (Luncheon) Club which is operated by WRVS volunteers”. (Unfortunately, the Club folded about 3 years ago due to declining numbers.) Highly commended that year were the Brookside Farm Barn conversions.

1990 Award: the Scout Group, in recognition of “continued improvement and maintenance of the Headquarters frontage, sharing HQ facilities for village activities, support for local events and conservation activities”. The Scouts have since continued on occasions to help the Civic Trust with the maintenance of Brook Hollows, and in the last year to assist with the Playbuilder project on Tafflands.

1991 Award: to Mrs Dorothy Sherratt “for the sympathetic refurbishment of the cottages of 14/16 Burnside which had been the family home for more than 70 years”. The Civic Trust is therefore now sad to see the condition of these properties and have been fighting to get support from the present owners and conservation authorities to save them before irreparable damage is done. These properties are understood to be some of the oldest in Rolleston.

1992 Award: to Steve and Sian McLoughlin for their hard work within the village and particularly for the sympathetic refurbishment of Barn Farm, Chapel Lane.

1993 Award: to the Spread Eagle Hotel and in particular ‘Mine Host’ John Booth for the external improvement of the building by the containers of both summer and winter flowers and foliage. How the village wishes that the owners would express again the pride in the premises that its design and siting deserves.

1994 Joint Award: to “the (St Mary’s) Churchyard Working Party who achieved such a high standard last year and to the Church Room Thursday Coffee Morning organisers who have provided a social venue to the village residents”. Happily, both of these are still proceeding and much appreciated.

1995 Award: to Mr John Owen for his excellent restoration and conversion of Orchard Barn at the junction of School Lane and Beacon Road. Also recorded appreciation for footpath clearing around the centre of the village to the Misses Shelly.

1996 Award: “to the Starbuck family for their village shop and support for the local community”. How pleased we are to record that this item is still on-going and with much appreciation.

The Spread Eagle was again the Award-winner in 1997 for their floral display and enhancement of the conservation area. It is noted that they were also runners-up for the best pub display in the Burton in Bloom Competition.

1998 Award: to the staff and pupils of the John of Rolleston Primary School for achieving eco-school status – full marks!

1999 Award: to the St Mary’s Garden Sunday Event which had been running successfully and giving great pleasure for 9 years. Please note that will be for 20 years this summer.

2000 Joint Award: to Ann and Arnold Burston, for their excellent organisation of the Millenium Historical Exhibition which attracted over 2000 visitors – and to Richard Bush for the creation and maintenance of the award-winning village website. Richard is still our dedicated Webmaster and deserves our on-going thanks.

2001 Award: to Maureen Woodbine for services to the village following her retirement after many years as Clerk to the Parish Council.

2002 Award: to Mr and Mrs Hayes for refurbishments to the (previous) Post Office and Topiary Cottage. This included the enhancement that improvements to the frontage and garden had had on the Station Road – Burnside junction.

2003 Award: to Tom and Sylvia Martin with the village’s gratitude “for their long, active and invaluable support to the Civic Trust, continuing editorial responsibility for Rollestonian, and other duties for Rolleston”. In this case, the Civic Trust Award took the form of an original water-colour by a local artist of the Spread Eagle.

2004: No subject was chosen as deserving of the Award.

2005 Award: to 2/4 Marston Lane (David and Lindsey Pusey) for the pains-taking refurbishment of the original frontage structure of these old cottages. Work is still on-going here.

2006 Award: to the Almshouses in Burnside for refurbishment of the frontage including laying-out of new front lawn and lower-level flower beds. Further work is proposed for some modest building extension to improve the facilities at the rear of these properties.

2007 Award: to St Mary’s Church for the improvements made to the Old Grammar School Building. This included an extension which nicely incorporated an old stone window frame and bricks from the previous wall of the building. Particular acknowledgement was made to the Village Design Statement Group for securing a major portion of the funding.

2008 Award: to Blue Cross for the continuing sensitive use of their site and for their contribution to the village scene and general support to village events.

2009 Award: to the Playbuilder Adventure Playground on Tafflands for the sympathetic use of wood materials within the Craythorne Woodlands site and for providing a much-needed recreational area for older children in Rolleston. Acknowledgement is made to members of the Parish Council for their
successful application for the SCC Grant and, in particular, for the unstinting effort contributed by Barry Edwards.

Consideration for the Award is made every year by members of the Committee of Rolleston Civic Trust. The Award is intended to recognise worthy conservation and enhancement schemes within Rolleston and therefore play some small part in encouraging would-be projects.

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I WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A ROLLESTON CIVIC TRUST MEMBER/ I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CIVIC TRUST.

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Membership: £5.00 per household / year
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Send to Mrs Clare Norman, Membership Secretary, South View, Cross Lane, DE13 9EB

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Last updated: 29 December 2010