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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE September 2021 12

Strongman Cotmanhay Community Network’s

efforts are recognised with Beacon
John is back of Hope Award

otmanhay Community
in action CNetwork have received the needed it during these challenging
times.
Beacon of Hope Award from
The award was presented by local
Derbyshire County Council County Councillors Tony King
Gusts can’t stop his as recognition for their work and Robert Flatley.
throughout the COVID-19
Cllr King commented “It was a
balancing act pandemic. pleasure to present this award to
Cotmanhay Community Network.
This initiative was launched by
the High Sheriff along with Der- Their tireless work and dedication
randad John Evans has returned to balanc- byshire County and Derby City in supporting the local community
Ging weights on his head after an 18-month Councils to identify and thank has been clear throughout this
break in the pandemic. groups or individuals who have difficult time and I am delighted to
He was left with a few aches after six shows in worked tirelessly to keep our com- be able to recognise this through
the Beacon of Hope Award.”
which he lifted eight tyres, 16 plastic tables and a munities safe, and our businesses
quad bike. moving during the global COV- Cllr Flatley added “Having
ID-19 crisis.
worked with Cotmanhay Com-
John, 74, had been practising at his Ilkeston home The group have supported vul- munity Network for a number of
and feared that Covid had ended public appearanc- nerable families and individuals years, I have seen first-hand their
es which have raised £250,000 charity cash in 30 across Ilkeston and the surround- work in helping the most vulnera-
years. ing area through their weekly ble across Ilkeston. This award is
But he was delighted to be invited to attend a two- shops and food hampers over the well deserved, and I want to give
day car boot sale and found the high wind the main past year. They have given help to credit to all the group’s volunteers
problem at the hilltop site at Tansley near Matlock. hundreds of local individuals who for their commitment.”
John said: “I started with a flagpole and that kept
getting caught in the wind, making it hard to bal-
ance but I did it.
“I had been practising at home and that hurt my Pictured left to
right: Cllr Robert
ankles, hips and my back. But with crowds there, Flatley, Josy
the adrenalin kicked in and I am just hobbling a Hare, Anne-
little bit. I thought I was written off but there is life marie Wilson,
in the old dog yet.” Cllr Tony King.
He was even approached by a woman he balanced Cotmanhay
on his bonce many years ago. She wanted a repeat Community Net-
but his insurance cover now forbids that. work received
Former builder John has 96 world records and is the Beacon of
hoping to clock up three more to score a century. He Hope certificate
is keen to hear from firms who would sponsor the for their good
record bids. work during the
Covid crisis.
Early hours cash

machine theft Erewash named as the best character

specialist gang is being hunted after dragging a location in the East Midlands
A cash machine out of the wall of a supermarket.
When it landed on the ground, the offenders sawed eal estate company Zoopla vern Hills, and at number seven
it open, took money and drove off. Rrecently revealeds the areas - EREWASH!
The offence took place at 2.30am on 12th August at in the UK that you’re most likely Our borough has a surprising ten
the Morrisons store on Tamworth Road, Sawley. to purchase a period proper- per cent of its properties available
They arrived in a van and car but also had a tele- ty - think high ceilings, historic with appealing characteristics of
handler, plant hire equipment with a hydraulic arm. beams and sash windows. a bygone era, making it the best
This was used to pull the ATM from the wall. place to buy a period property in
Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in the As you might expect, London is the East Midlands.
Long Eaton area at the time. They are especially the place where you are most like-
eager to be contacted by drivers who have dashcam ly to find a property with features Both Ilkeston and Long Eaton
footage which could provide clues. from the Edwardian, Victorian, have plenty of these sought after
Derbyshire Police said: “A group of men removed Georgian and Tudor era – Harrin- homes.
an unknown amount of cash from the machine and gey in particular. After Erewash, the report adds
drove off in the direction of the A50.” Then in the top ten come Brighton, Derbyshire in case readers don’t
Police non-urgent telephone number is 101. A Victorian house in Ilkeston Bristol, Norwich, Gwynedd, Mal- know where Erewash is!
Fire chief: ment could lead to a reduction by fire. premises to return to normal as The group said the consultation
quickly as possible.
would water down 2007 guidance
in fire safety standards and gives
“Such loss is hard to accept as I
Think again developers a chance to sidestep have no doubt that if sprinklers “Unless legislation changes and which said “all new schools should
the English government emulates
had been fitted in these schools,
have fire sprinklers installed
the requirement to fit sprinkler
on sprinklers systems. the education, mental health, policies in both Scotland and except in a few low-risk schools.”
The council wants automatic water
In backing his case, Mr Tomlinson
Wales where sprinklers are man-
wellbeing and lives of countless
D erbyshire’s chief fire referred to three school blazes last children and their families would datory in all new and substantially suppression systems mandatory in
not have been as severely impact-
year, including one which gutted
all new and rebuilt school build-
refurbished schools, sadly we face
ed upon.
a future where we may continue
ings.
Harrington Junior in Long Eaton.
officer is urging the gov-
Heart of communities
ernment to tighten prevention The fire was started accidentally. “The school buildings at the heart to be called to such devastating Harrington school was closed
fires.”
when fire broke out on 28th May
The school had no system which
measures in the light of a blaze would have set off sprinklers at the of these communities would not Mr Tomlinson is a leading member last year. Two firefighters were
which destroyed a Long Eaton first sign of fire. A new school is have suffered the devastation they of the National Fire Chiefs Coun- slightly hurt.
school. being built for its 235 pupils. did. The sprinkler system would cil, which is urging the Education Derbyshire County Council backs
Gavin Tomlinson said that a Mr Tomlinson said: “In 2020 I have ensured minimum damage Department to think again on the need for sprinklers.
government consultation docu- witnessed three schools destroyed and disruption and allowed the sprinklers.