NOW IT’S OVER TO YOU...

WHAT do you think the town council should create as a replacement for the Elderly Persons’ Rest Room?

Do you like the idea of a lasting memorial to the victims of the pandemic and a tribute to the key workers?

How do you think we should create this memorial? Are there any other suggestions you would like to put forward?

The town council wants to hear your ideas.

Email the town clerk at enquiries @ashbournetowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01335 342291 to put your thoughts across.

DERBYSHIRE Dales

District Councillors have voted unanimously to relax eligibility criteria for the discretionary Test and Trace support payments scheme.

The decision is designed to encourage take-up of the £500 payment by district residents who may suffer financial hardship when asked by the NHS to selfisolate.

The meeting voted to add £10,000 from the authority’s own finances to supplement government funding if required, with a further topup of £5,000 if necessary before the scheme finishes - scheduled for the end of March.

One councillor also proposed that members add their own council allowance for the month of February into the Test and Trace pot and it was agreed that this idea should be pursued outside the meeting on an opt-in basis.

In a joint statement released after last week’s virtual meeting, Councillors Paul Cruise (Lib Dem),

Mike Ratcliffe (Labour) and Jacqueline Allison (Independent) who together initiated the new scheme, said: “It was clear that the previous scheme was far too complex.

“Many working people who are asked to self-isolate just can’t afford to stay at home, and unfortunately this may have put the health of other residents at risk.

“We hope that by making the £500 payment more easy to access we can continue to help drive down the rate of coronavirus infections, while offering support to people suffering genuine financial difficulties”.

Residents can apply online at www.derbyshiredales. gov.uk/test&trace

PROJECTS to protect or enhance the Peak District could be given a £1,000 prize award to help their work, the national park authority has announced.

The annual Park Protector Award is offered by the Campaign for National Parks to celebrate and support projects protecting National Parks in England and Wales.

Anyone can nominate a person, team or project for the work they have undertaken in a National Park in 2020-21.

This year’s theme is “Innovation and Agility in the Face of a Global Pandemic and judges will be looking for projects which are making big differences to national parks.

These could include biodiversity improvement; restoring historic buildings; restoring natural landscapes; protecting or campaigning; rural skills or volunteering and youth engagement.

The Peak District National Park’s chief executive Sarah Fowler said: “We know that local residents, communities, businesses and our staff and volunteers have regularly gone above and beyond to adapt, innovate and deliver important work in 2020.

“That includes all manner of things, from litter picking to habitat creation, nature conservation to climate change solutions, engaging with visitors and meeting the needs asked by the demands of Covid-19.

“I would urge people involved in projects to maintain the special qualities that we hold close in the Peak District to highlight their hard work through the Park Protector Award.”

To find out more information on the award or to apply for one, visit www.cnp.org. uk/park-protector-award.

A NEW name for the Black’s Head pub in Wirksworth will be decided by the town’s residents, Greene King has announced.

The brewery said last month that the pub’s name would be changed because of its “racist connotations”.

The Suffolk-based firm, which owns 2,700 pubs across the UK, has consulted with the local community in recent days to create a shortlist.

The Black’s Head is one of four pubs being renamed by the brewing company.

After consulting with the community groups and working with the tenant of the Black’s Head, Spencer Worsey, a shortlist was created:

● The Gilkin: The excellent view of The Gilkin from the front of the pub is often mentioned by customers and many people suggested naming the pub after this landmark.

● The Market Tavern: With its address as No. 1, The Market Place, the Market Tavern highlights the pub’s location at the centre of Wirksworth, where it has served customers and visitors to the town’s market for centuries.

● The Quarryman: With limestone quarrying and lead mining playing such a key role in the history and development of Wirksworth, calling the pub The Quarryman would commemorate the history of the area.

People are invited to vote for their preferred choice by visiting a web page and selecting the name they would like.

Wayne Shurvinton, Greene King Pub Partners managing director, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has contacted us recently suggesting potential new names for the pub and for the community groups who have engaged with us and given really invaluable feedback.

“With Wirksworth having such a rich history there was no shortage of options, but we feel the three we have shortlisted all reflect the pub’s heritage, but also stand it in good stead for the future when it reopens after the lockdown.

“We have received a lot of feedback on our decision and we always knew that changing a pub name would attract a range of views, however it is clear that there is a perception that the name is linked with racism today and we want to make this positive change for the better as we work towards making Greene King a truly anti-racist organisation.”

The vote was due to close today, with the winning name set to be announced soon.

Spencer Worsey, who runs the pub, said: “This is a unique opportunity to be involved with the renaming of this much-loved pub.”