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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE July 2021 6

Safe and Sound expands into Erewash Creating new out of old

pecialist Derbyshire charity n exhibition at Stirling Castle at the University of Derby.
SSafe and Sound has expanded Aproved to be a life-changing Working with yarns and fibres that
its weekly outreach programme event. are waste products from industry
into parts of Erewash in a bid to In November 2015 Sue Russell went (including used baler twine and
raise awareness of the support to Stirling Castle where an exhibi- other agricultural products) Sue
available to protect more young tion on the recreation of missing says that she “creates individual
people from child exploitation. tapestries showed that these were pieces that are dynamic in colour
Safe and Sound supports children woven. This was a revelation! Sue and texture. The rhythm and pattern
created by weaving is easy on the
and young people across Derby- decided that she needed to learn how
shire who are victims of or at risk to weave and is now about to enter eye and this makes my pieces ideal
of child exploitation which includes her final year as a student on the for hanging on walls. My colours
online grooming sexual exploitation, BA(Hons) course in Textile Design are often inspired by combinations
County Lines, Modern Slavery and seen in nature; flowers, trees, even
trafficking as well as supporting the to spread their wings and return grass all provide incredible colour Death of
wider families and raising awareness to meeting up together, we recog- palettes.”
of the issues in local communities. nised the need to start the outreach To provide an outlet for her artwork, John Potter
The charity’s expanded youth work programme to engage directly with Sue has created Peak Gate Textiles.
team is now making weekly visits to young people and highlight the She has a shop on her web-site, J ohn Potter, the man inside
various areas including Cotmanhay dangers they face at the hands of www.peakgatetextiles.co.uk and is the Santa suit at many local
and Long Eaton’s West Park – regu- Youth worker Sally Littlewood is part individuals and groups. always happy to discuss the creation events, has died.
larly engaging with up to 50 young of the Safe and Sound outreach team “We are therefore returning to our of bespoke pieces to suit your space, His daughter Carol and son Adam
people a night. role as a grassroots charity - visit- be that home or office on 07595 told us: “Dad was born September
The key objective is to gather risk of online grooming and sexual ing parks and particularly hot spots 836855. 1941 in Ilkeston. He started work
information and intelligence about exploitation but there has also been where we know from experience as a cleaner at Toton depot, then
suspected criminal activity, talk to a greater incidence in concerns that young people tend to meet up
young people about their experienc- about trafficking and County Lines. and therefore attracts perpetrators became a fireman stoking coal on
es and provide support or signpost She said: “Children and young who target them for their own crimi- steam engines, then an engine driv-
them to other organisations. people are becoming increasingly nal purposes. er, and finally before his retirement
Safe and Sound is also keen to vulnerable to online grooming and “We want to reassure young people he was made train crew inspector.
recruit volunteers with knowledge periods of lockdown heightened the and their families that we are here “His claim to fame was that he had
of the local area to join the outreach risks as stress and isolation meant to support them, engage them in our accompanied Her Majesty Queen
programme. they were spending more time on own youth activities or refer them Elizabeth on the Royal train (as
Safe and Sound chief executive social media and gaming sites. to other organisations for help with driver), something he was very
Tracy Harrison explained that the “Many young people have also other specific concerns and issues proud of.
outreach programme had originally faced additional issues including that they face.” “He played Santa Claus for many
been piloted in Derby city - increased financial pressures on The Safe and Sound outreach team years both at home and for the
prompted by potential consequences families and heightened tensions is led by Volunteer Coordinators Erewash Council Christmas light
of lockdown which had led to young at home which make they more Mandy Trotman and Stephen Fair- switch-ons at Ilkeston, Long Eaton,
people spending more time online susceptible to manipulative groom- brother. Kirk Hallam and Dale Abbey. He
and therefore being at greater risk of ing from sexual predators and drugs • For more information about the was also Santa at Parklands Infant
grooming which now leaves them gangs - both online and in person. work of Safe and Sound and ways and Nursery School for a number
vulnerable to in-person exploitation. Our focus from the start of the pan- to support the charity’s ongoing of years. In addition, he played the
In the past year Safe and Sound has demic was to raise awareness of the Butterfly Appeal, please visit https://
supported more than 150 young importance of privacy settings and www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/ role at various playgroups and care
people and their families – compared the dangers of unhealthy relation- and anyone interested in applying to homes. His Santa outfit had been
with 100 during the whole of 2019. ships. be a volunteer should email info@ designed and made by my mum,
The majority were victims of or at “As young people have been able safeandsoundgroup.org.uk Sheila Potter.
“Dad helped whoever and whenev-
Donald (106) gets his wish to er anyone needed him. He was a
real family man there wasn’t a time
ride in a fire engine when a kiss or hug wasn’t given
or a question answered. I suppose
Michelle Mackervoy also upcycles.
Michelle says “I don’t like to throw every little girl thinks her daddy
is the best, but as far as I was con-
things away and over the years cerned there wasn’t a better man
have acquired a large pile of fabric in my life. He touched so many
remnants and haberdashery bits – people’s lives.”
ribbons, buttons, zips and threads. Mr Potter who lived in the Lark-
I decided to make use of these lands area of Ilkeston, died aged 79
leftovers to create a series of bags, years on 27th May 2021, leaving
each one unique as the fabrics are behind a loving wife and two
individually selected.”
Having learnt to sew as a young girl, children. His funeral took place at
when was she was taught by her Bramcote Crematorium on Monday
Mum who used to make clothes for 21st June.
the family. Michelle started making
clothes for her dolls with left over
fabric, using a Singer sewing ma-
chine reconditioned for her by her
dad.
Although each bag is different, Mi-
chelle has created a range of styles
that can all be found on her Face-
book page, “tote-ally useful bags”.
She also loves a challenge, so if you
have an old pair of jeans you don’t
ar veteran Donald Rose has is to sit in one. I’d be absolutely France’s highest award. But he want to throw away or need a bag
for a specific purpose, give her a
Wdriven many vehicles in his mad to try to drive one.” modestly said: “I’m just an ordinary call on 07741 208834 to discuss the
long life - cars, motorbikes, tanks After his ride, accompanied by his chap, that’s how I feel myself. I creation of something just for you.
and other army vehicles - but son David and carer Naome Allsop, only done what I thought I had to Both these artists can be found
never a fire engine. he described his experience as do. This [the fire engine ride] is displaying their work at U Choose
At 106 years of age, at least he ‘wonderful’. something I never thought would Smoothie Bar in Ilkeston from Sat-
happen to me because fire engines
was able to have a ride in one as Naome said: “It’s been a dream urday 26th June, until Saturday 3rd
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service come true for him.” always fascinated me.” July 2021. Don’t worry if you miss
teamed up with Canal Vue care Donald served in the army as a BBC and ITV news crews were these dates, the website, Facebook
home in Ilkeston to grant him his frontline soldier. He received a there to record the occasion for their page and phone numbers will still all
wish last month. number of medals for his service, evening bulletins. work, enabling you to buy our own
Donald said: “The best I can do now including the Legion of Honour, • See also P16 piece of textile art.