The Darley Abbey Society

Chairman's Report

As we approach the end of the 12th year of The Darley Abbey Society it is good to see our Millennium Project taking shape on the riverside at the Old Lane/ Darley Street corner. At the time of writing, the terrace is looking very good with the paving and fencing in place, but a little stark yet until the new planting and seating arrives; however one can see that, together with the adjacent ornamental garden, there will be a much improved area for relaxation and viewing of the river in all seasons.

The project is the brainchild of the DAS, whose monetary contribution has been in the sum of £700.00 from the membership funds, plus, for a tree, a further £50.00 derived from our time in the East Midlands in Bloom Competition. For two of the three new seats we wish to thank Society members Cindy & Tom Keeley and Shirley & Mike Green. The remainder of the development costs will be covered by a grant obtained for the project by Mayor Ashok Kalia on behalf of Darley Abbey Society.

Since our last Newsletter, the Derby Rugby Club's Appeal against the Derby City Council’s refusal of planning permission for their proposed relocation to Haslam’s Lane, has been upheld by the D. of E. Inspector. However, there are 22 planning conditions set by the Inspector, all of which must be met in full and be approved by the Planning Authority before any use may be made of the site for rugby or any of the other social pursuits by the Club. The severe flooding of the entire site last autumn must also have provided further food for thought by those involved with the proposed future usage.

The Darley Abbey computer web site is now open but is still in the early building stage. Anyone wishing to contribute ideas or comments may do so, either on-line at www.darleyabbey.com or by e-mail to colin@darleyabbey.com

Still, I hear that the question is asked by some, What exactly does the Darley Abbey Society do ? Well, your committee tries to spread the message around by various means, from time to time, such as by mail shots, parish church magazine, invitations to open meetings, providing general availability of some of our newsletters, and so forth; but we invite you the members, to also help with this in conversation with neighbours and friends. We believe that the Society has been reasonably successful over its twelve years of existence, in helping both to preserve and improve our lovely locality. We hope you feel so too and that you will make this known to others, some of whom may then decide to become members, or at least may add their moral support to what we do.

Joy Ferguson

Darley Abbey Traffic Committee

The Darley Abbey Traffic Committee (DATC) was formed as a consequence of the public meeting held in the Village Hall on 21st February 2000, to represent residents’ growing concerns about the hazards and inconveniences posed by traffic in the village. The Committee, chaired by David Wye, duly held its first meeting on 17th March 2000.

The traffic problems, and potential alleviation measures, aired at the public meeting, were many and wide-ranging. After consideration, the Committee felt that they were best treated under four main categories namely, excessive speed, rat-running, parking congestion, and black spots.

The DATC has consulted widely with interested parties of all types; not least, the Police, local Councillors, and specialists from Derby City Council's Traffic Control & Road Safety Department. The Committee also met and shared ideas with the Strutts' Park Residents' Action Group which faces similar traffic problems.

This process resulted in two consultative exhibitions being held by Derby City Council at, respectively, Darley Abbey Village Hall and St Helen's House, in October. These events presented, and sought formal comment upon, the Council’s traffic proposals for the so-called A6 Corridor and Five Lamps Junction. A set of tentative traffic calming and management measures for Darley Abbey was also presented.

Feedback from this exercise has been long awaited, but is now expected in early April 2001 when the findings and proposals resulting from the consultation process will be presented to Councillors and to an Economic Prosperity Co-ordination meeting of the Council. The outcome of that meeting will then be discussed with such interested parties as the DATC to agree the way forward. This will enable the DATC to finalise a set of prioritised proposals, expressly for Darley Abbey, which are felt to be the most likely to find favour, with both the Council and most village residents. In this regard, the Committee is mindful that, owing to local opposition, Trent Buses abandoned their earlier proposal to re-route the R34 bus service along Vicarwood Avenue and Darley Park Road to alleviate congestion in Mileash Lane. Proper consultation and consensus are therefore vital if real progress is to be achieved.

We are informed that the A6 Corridor/Five Lamps Junction works are scheduled for completion during the new financial year 2001/02, whilst funding for the Darley Abbey specific works has been allocated for the next year 2002/03.

Anyone interested in contributing to the work of the Darley Abbey Traffic Committee would be very welcome. Representation from the Darley Abbey Drive neighbourhood is particularly sought.

John Gabb, DATC Member

Treasurer’S Report

We increased our bank balance from £1063.79 at the beginning of the financial year to a very healthy £1461.12 at the end.

I would like to thank our members for their subscriptions and our sponsors for their very generous support. We have been able to use some of this money to support the Darley Abbey Traffic Committee and to pay for hall hire and guest speakers at our Open Evenings.

We go into the next financial year in a very strong position; well able to meet our share of the cost of the new riverside development.

Finally, I must thank John Vale, our Auditor, who, yet again, has provided his services entirely free of charge.

Lilian Wright

Say It With Flowers

As I write, Mothering Sunday has just passed. Historically, this was the day when all who worked away went home for the day, mostly with a gift for mother, of fruit and flowers, given by their employers.

Now we are coming towards the end of Lent - no flowers in church on Good Friday. On Easter Saturday we move in to decorate the church with lots of flowers for the Festival on Easter Sunday. This year at St Matthew's will be a little different: continental designs are being used by our new leader as well as traditional ones with lilies. I'm quite sure it will look lovely.

Mary Hollingsworth

Back