APRIL edition...

A BURGLARY in which a large window was smashed has spurred shopkeepers in Melbourne to step up their security measures.
Melbourne Living owner Adele Bowman says she was left “angry and sad” after burglars smashed the shop’s large glass window with a stone from a nearby broken wall. Four pieces of crockery were then stolen in the incident on March 21. CCTV footage shared with police shows two people walking past the shop at 3am and one of them throwing the stone. Police are asking for any information on the incident. You can read the full report on this in the April edition of Village Voice.

Despite more than 150 objections the plan for 66 homes to be built on Jawbone Lane in Melbourne has been given the go-ahead – over 10 years since the proposals were first put forward. South Derbyshire District Council in reaching the decision outlined positives of the development – including the extension to the town’s cemetery, affordable housing and considerable payments to the community including a secondary school contribution of just over half a million pounds, £59,400 for additional GP capacity and just under £5,000 to boost local library stock. Again, more on this in our latest issue.

Two animals hit the headlines this month with Steve the donkey being a special guest for Melbourne Parish Church’s Palm Sunday service, and ‘Private Derby’, the Mercian Regiment’s ram mascot paying a visit to Acres Engineering for one of his first official duties. Pictures of both feature prominently in the April edition.

We also have pictures of local charity me&dee receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Civic dignitaries including MP Samantha Niblett and many friends and supporters from Melbourne were in Derby to see charity founder Maria Hanson MBE accept the award.

On the sporting front there is news of Melbourne Dynamo FC retaining the Derbyshire County Cup with an impressive 3-1 final victory over Singh Brothers. It is the fifth trophy in Dynamo’s history. Melbourne Rugby Club players are also celebrating after securing a spot in the promotion play-offs.

All this and much, much more in another action-packed edition of your favourite local newspaper.
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