EBC News 2024 09 03

Hunt for new Olympic aces

The next Simone Biles could come from Erewash – as the borough council backs a mission to find Olympic gymnasts of the future.

A brand-new training centre has opened in the area just weeks after the finale of the Paris Games – and as the Paralympics now get underway in the French capital.

Team GB could one day have someone to rival Biles thanks to the increasingly popular Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club, which is one of the largest in the East Midlands.

The club successfully applied to Erewash Borough Council for a £1,500 "Fast Funding" community grant which will fund equipment, including a balance beam.

Town Deal projects take shape
Millions of pounds of investment in Long Eaton are making a positive impact for residents and businesses.

The Long Eaton Town Deal projects - made possible following Government funding of £25 million in 2021 - are reaching the development phase, with some now complete.

Work continues to convert listed former Stable Block outbuildings at Long Eaton Town Hall to create a modern business hub.

Pictured at the site are, from left, Town Deal Board chairman Richard Ledger, Chris Pearson, of building contractor Trident, and Cllr Curtis Howard – Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning.

Cheer on cyclists in West Hallam
Hundreds of cyclists will hit the roads of Erewash on Friday September 6 as part of the 2024 Tour of Britain.

Stage 4 of the tour will see 100 of the world's top male cyclists race from Derby to Newark-on-Trent via Borrowash, West Hallam and Stanley Common.

An 'Erewash Celebrates Tour of Britain 2024' event, organised with West Hallam Parish Council, will be held at the Community Centre, Station Road from 10.30am. The cyclists are due at around 11.30am.

Copter load of this!
Erewash mayor Cllr Kate Fennelly joins guests from the town hall who got to see inside a helicopter – before it flew over Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum in tribute to fallen heroes of 814 Royal Naval Air Squadron.

The Merlin is one of those operated by the anti-submarine force, which the council has forged a special relationship with. The "Flying Tigers" squadron was this year granted the freedom of the borough to mark EBC's golden anniversary.

Kate and her senior council colleagues saw a plaque unveiled at the arboretum's Fleet Air Arm Memorial. Also there were sea cadets from Long Eaton – the borough's only maritime cadet force.

Help us to improve our website
Residents are asked to complete a quick survey ahead of Erewash council revamping its website. It takes only a minute or so – and will help the council to make its online hub more user-friendly. The aim is for residents to tell us what can be improved as the council looks at the site's layout, design and content.

The authority is stressing all responses will be kept anonymous. The survey can be found at snapsurveys.com

Illuminate at museum
The work of an Erewash artist who creates fantastical sculptures from scrap glass is to be showcased at the borough's museum.

Ric Raithby – who bills himself as "The Illumin Artist" – uses shards and offcuts that would otherwise end up among the 400 tonnes of glass sent to landfill every week just in the East Midlands.

His creations will feature in a free exhibition called Illuminate from 5 September to 12 October in the Erewash Museum's Lally Gallery.

An invitation to residents reads: "Join us for an immersive experience and explore his remarkable Shards of Light sculptures, illuminated mirrors and dragonglass art."

Ric, from Ilkeston, describes working with glass as his "life's work". He told how he chips, grinds and engraves chunks of crystal to create "colourful, crazy and exciting shapes".

Ric said he hoped his exhibition would "amaze" local people – adding: "I'm sure that my work will be like no other sculptures you have ever seen."

Erewash's Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said:

"Ric's glass art is truly spectacular – and is sure to have people flocking to our award-winning heritage and culture hub."

The museum, near Ilkeston Market Place, is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.

Cosy deal from council
Erewash Borough Council still has money for residents who are not on the gas grid to make their homes more snug – but they need to hurry.

The energy efficiency grants are aimed at those on low incomes and can pay for roof and wall insulation, solar panels and even heat pumps.

The grants are funded by the government but a deadline for applications is looming.

To qualify, applicants must have a combined annual household income of £36,000 or less. They must have no gas central heating – and their properties need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G.

Private landlord? Join our summit
Homeowners who rent out properties are being invited by the council to an invaluable local conference where they can get free advice from experts.

Crucial guidance will also be available to letting agents and others involved in the private rented sector as the authority hosts the two-hour event in Derby from 6pm on Wednesday 9 October.

It is being held with the backing of the region's largest landlords association East Midlands Property Owners.

There is no charge for attending – and the Landlords Conference will include tea, coffee and biscuits.

Register your attendance