However, the Parish Council has had their own website for some time now, and although the minutes were available there, people continued to look here. So, I have taken the decision to do two things; firstly to help the Parish Council move their website and make it more maintainable, and secondly to retire any Parish Council content on here.

So, from today all Parish Council information has been removed from this site – and I now points directly to the Parish Council’s website at http://www.overseal.org.uk/parishcouncil

I am hoping that make sense and helps everyone out. As the Parish Council’s website is being put together, there may still be a few areas that are lacking in content but they will be up to date soon.

New figures show residents have given the best possible present to the environment over the Christmas period.

54.76 tonnes of glass and 4.43 tonnes of cans were left in recycling banks, while 4.8 tonnes of real trees were collected from specially designated drop off points.

With the first compost collections of 2012 to start between January 23 and February 3, a perfect opportunity has arisen to continue the momentum.

Food and garden waste can be left in brown bins on the dates outlined in recycling calendars distributed to every home. This will be turned into a treat for gardeners at the Biffa composting site in Etwall.

Residents are being reminded cardboard can no longer be left in brown bins due to national legislation changes. Instead it can be taken to recycling centres and schools receiving money for recyclables as part of the Cash for Trash scheme. These are listed at www.south-derbys.gov.uk.

South Derbyshire District Council is currently looking at options to further enhance its kerbside collection scheme to introduce a new service including cardboard and plastic as well as the existing recyclables.

Cllr Peter Watson, Chairman of Environmental and Development Services at the authority, said: “We would like to thank all our households for their hard work to help the environment.

The green Christmas and New Year period experienced further enhances the reputation of South Derbyshire residents, who have the highest recycling rate in the county and continually go above and beyond.

“We are now encouraging them to continue their efforts to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.”

Anyone wanting more information about recycling in South Derbyshire should telephone 01283 595795 or email waste.cleansing@south-derbys.gov.uk.

Debra Hall can be contacted via email: mail2debra@btinternet.com, or via Facebook

“Swadlincote offers shoppers and visitors a unique, historic experience and we need to capitalise on these benefits and encourage even more investment opportunities. The refreshing of our vision and strategy will help to drive forward the regeneration of the town, bolster the economy, help local businesses to thrive and increase choice for Swadlincote visitors and shoppers. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved and be a part of this exciting chance to help shape the future of the town centre.”

The original vision document was published in 2001 and substantial progress has been made in realising its aspirations. This has included the extension of Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, the restoration of historic buildings, tree planting and the introduction of CCTV. Phase two of the Swadlincote masterplan also saw £2 million of improvements in West Street, The Delph and Ernest Hall Way, while the new Pipeworks retail and leisure scheme in Coppice Side is now up and running.

The PAS 100:2011 standard – developed by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the composting industry – is aiming to further improve the quality of compost for the gardening market.

It says cardboard included in compost recycling collections has the potential to contaminate the end product through inks, dyes, plastics and steel from staples.

As a result, South Derbyshire District Council will not be able to collect cardboard in brown bins from October 17. This change will also affect all other authorities that collect cardboard with compostable garden and food waste.

Instead, households are urged to take cardboard to the nearest recycling centre or schools signed up to the Cash for Trash initiative, which sees them receive money in return for paper or cardboard collected. Locations can be found at www.south-derbys.gov.uk. Residents can put cardboard in the black bin but it will not be recycled.

The Council has been looking at options to further enhance its kerbside collection scheme and expects to introduce a new recycling service to include cardboard and plastic as well as the existing recyclables in the near future.

Cllr Peter Watson, Chairman of Environmental and Development Services, said:

“Our residents have shown they are committed to diverting as much waste from landfill as possible.

“The changes in regulations being imposed at a national level will undoubtedly cause some inconvenience, but we would encourage our households to continue their good work for the environment by taking cardboard to recycling banks and schools.

“We continue to look proactively at viable alternatives to help further increase our recycling rates and help create a cleaner and greener South Derbyshire.”

Leaflets are being delivered to all households across South Derbyshire to inform residents of the changes. Waterproof stickers will also be put on brown bins to act as a reminder.

Items that can be put in the brown bin include food waste, meat and bones, fish, dairy, tea and coffee grounds, fruit and vegetables, weeds, grass, leaves, small branches, pet straw and saw dust.

Further information on the changes is available by contacting the District Council on 01283 595795.

South Derbyshire District Council and The National Forest are offering individuals, schools and community groups the opportunity to branch out and plant additional foliage.

Up to 1,000 trees are up for grabs, with a choice of Alder Buckthorn, Bird Cherry, Common Spindle and Hazel.

All of the species are two years old and 60 to 90cms (two to three feet) high. They will be supplied with a guidance sheet on how to plant and to look after them.

Kate Allies, Environmental Development Manager at the Council, said:

“Free trees will be available to plant in areas where they will improve the environment and can be appreciated by residents and visitors.

“This scheme is an excellent way of increasing the amount of tree cover in our District to improve our environment and we hope lots of people will take advantage of this fantastic giveaway.”

There is a maximum of two trees per household, or 10 for those applying on behalf of a school or community group.

South Derbyshire residents, schools and community groups can apply at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/freetreescheme or telephone 01283 595795.

Powerful melodies are set to ring out across the award winning Maurice Lea Memorial Park in Church Gresley as part of the Bandstand Marathon.

Being held on Sunday, September 25, the event has been designed to showcase local amateur talent and offer a fun and free day out for residents.

Melbourne Town Band has been lined up to entertain the crowds from 2pm to 4pm with its eclectic and entertaining mix of compositions.

Cllr John Lemmon, Chairman of Housing and Community Services at South Derbyshire District Council, said:

“It promises to be a day out for all of the family to enjoy. This is all part of our ongoing work with our partners to bring more music and culture to residents in the District as part of the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’d like to invite everyone to come, bring a picnic and take in some musical magic on a picturesque park.”

The concert will be one of more than 150 being held across the country on the same day.

The Bandstand Marathon has been recognised by the organising committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by the award of the Inspire Mark, the official branding of the Cultural Olympiad.

The swimming pool changing rooms at the Green Bank Leisure Centre in Swadlincote will be renovated from October 2.

South Derbyshire District Council and its partnering sport and exercise charity Active Nation are aiming to provide a bright and modern changing experience for swimmers.

More than £200,000, over half of which is funded through Government Growth Point money, is being spent on the project.

It comes after customer feedback indicated that upgrading the pool changing rooms should be prioritised.

New finishings, lockers, showers, tiling and changing cubicles will be included in the scheme to offer user friendly facilities fit for purpose for years to come.

The swimming pool will stay open during the 12-week construction period and alternative changing arrangements are being provided to ensure all swimmers can enjoy refreshing dips and swimming lessons.

Cllr John Lemmon, Chairman of Housing and Community Services at South Derbyshire District Council, said:

“Our aim is to encourage even more people to take part in regular sport and physical activity. Renovating the changing rooms at the Green Bank Leisure Centre is a small stepping stone towards achieving this, and demonstrates our determination to invest in and improve our local sport and leisure facilities.”

The Council and Active Nation are looking at ways to enhance facilities at the centre through an investment programme spanning over the course of the seven year contract.

John Oxley, Managing Director of Active Nation, said:

“We are privileged to be working so closely with such a progressive team at South Derbyshire District Council, which shares our passion for encouraging residents to take regular exercise in quality surroundings.”

Open for People of all Ages – drop in event.

No need to book Saturday 8th October 1pm-4pm

No experience required. Come and enjoy the drawing experience. Draw Comic Strip Characters on a large length of art fabric. Ideas can be presented for inspiration i.e. Beano, Snoopy, Hello Kitty or Spiderman, or simply feel free to make up your own character(s), alternatively bring along comics to share themes i.e. Manga, The Simpsons

For more info contact Debra Hall, Community Artist 01283 762268

Supported by Overseal Parish Council, St Matthew’s Church, Debra Hall and the ‘Campaign for Drawing’ www.campaignfordrawing.org