Thousands are expected at Ashbourne Highland Gathering on Sunday. The town will be brought to life by celebrity strongman Geoff Capes and his team, bagpipe bands and tug-of-war. Wendy Roberts reports.

STRONGMAN Geoff Capes doesn't need an official invitation to attend Sunday's Ashbourne Highland Gathering – he would never miss it.

Before his letter lands in the post, the Lincolnshire ex-Olympic athlete has called organisers to fix the date and confirm his attendance.

"He's been to every single one," said event chairman David Frith. "He's an absolute star. He makes the event really special. He's a big softy, you know, a really nice chap."

Sixty-three-year-old Geoff is laughing down the phone and can't stop. It takes him a few seconds to compose himself and explain what is funny.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just had visions of still turning up to the Ashbourne Highland Gathering on my zimmer frame and it made me giggle.

"I'll be going for as long as I possibly can and when I'm too old and crinkly, I hope my son will take up the reins and carry on. He's an ex-pro American footballer.

"This year I'm even dragging the wife along. My lad, his wife and the grandkids are all coming. It's going to be a real family affair."

Since the start, the former British shot putt record holder has brought a team of strongmen to the event and has loved every minute if it. Now the retired Olympian says the Ashbourne festival rivals Braemar in Scotland – which is regularly attended by the Queen. They are strong words from a strong man.

"It's marvellous," said Geoff, who is delighted that the great weather is set to stay.

"This event is one of the best outside Scotland. It's getting as good as Braemar.

"There's so much to see. It is a marvellous day. Outside Scotland, this is the best. It's absolutely the best."

Organisers of the Ashbourne Highland Gathering have been keeping a close eye on the weather.

And as the sun is set to stay, hard-working committee members are breathing a huge sigh of relief. Last year it was cancelled after 20mm of rain fell the day before the event, leaving the recreation ground waterlogged.

Warwick Adams, secretary of the organising committee, said everyone had been glued to weather forecasts and it had been a hot topic of conversation because the event depends on a dry day.

"We're expecting 10,000 people," said Warwick. "We need some sun," he smiled. "And I think we're going to get it.

"After last year, we've ploughed so much effort into this weekend. Everyone has worked so hard and everyone is thrilled that the sun will be joining us. The weather is all the talk."

Warwick said a few new attractions have been booked in a bid to encourage people back to the gathering.

"We've got racing llamas," he said. "They'll be performing an agility show and it sounds wonderful. The animals are coming from Wales and we've been guaranteed a fun time.

"I'm particularly looking forward to this."

Award-winning Chesterfield Musketeers are also making a special appearance at the event and then there is the new folk tent, which is causing a buzz.

But it is the strongman events organised by Geoff which pull in the crowds. Caber-tossing, hammer-throwing and weight-lifting will be no exception.

The show-stopping Manhood Stone challenge is another popular draw.

It consists of four huge stones which competitors must lift.

Geoff, from Grantham, has spent the past 12 months putting together a list of competitors and is excited.

"I try to take a bit more of a back seat these days," said Geoff, who coaches youngsters and runs his own academy.

"I'll be refereeing," he said. "I'll be trying to stick to the sidelines and letting the younger folk have their turn.

"I'm glad to be coming back and enjoying what Derbyshire has to offer. I love Ashbourne and I love this area.

"And the people? Don't even get me started on the people. I love them. They're so friendly and kind and I really, really enjoying being back here.

"I'd never miss it. I love it.

"Tossing the caber is what a Highland Games event is renowned for. You want to see the guys I've lined up.

"It's going to be wonderful. Let the fun begin, let the sun shine, let's get on with it!"

During his athletics career, Geoff competed as an Olympic shot-putter.

He won the British and World's Strongest Man tournaments and took the World Highland Games Championship title six times.

In 1980, he threw a shot-putt more than 71ft – a British and Commonwealth Games record which stood for 23 years.

"I don't do any of that now," he laughed. "Today, I'm sitting in the sun coaching some of my young talent. I've got some amazing young throwers.

"Last weekend, one of my young ladies won the British Championships in Birmingham. How good is that?"

Geoff's long involvement in the Ashbourne event is down to chairman David Frith.

He approached Geoff after watching him compete in Braemar.

"I'd had a lovely day and then I saw him. He was sitting in the centre of the arena after taking part in an event," said David.

"My heart started to race and my knees started to knock, then I did it.

"I entered the ring and went straight up to him.

"I explained about our plans to create a Highland festival in Derbyshire and I told him I'd like to invite him. He said that I should keep him posted and let him know when plans had been made. I kept my promise and he kept his.

"We've been welcoming him back every year."

The event is at Ashbourne recreation ground, off Cockayne Avenue, on Sunday. from 11am. For information about events, visit www. ashbournegathering.com

THE Ashbourne Highland Gathering is at the recreation ground, off Cockayne Avenue, on Sunday from 11am.

11am: Pipe band competitions (grade 4) and Highland dancing.

11.25am: Llama racing.

11.55am: Chesterfield Musketeers perform award-winning display.

12 noon: The chieftain's parade leaves Ashbourne; tug-of-war and folk music begin.

12.15pm: The parade arrives in the main arena; opening ceremony.

12.25pm: The Highland Games begin with putting of the stone.

12.30pm: Drum major's dress inspection; JigeryFolkery in the Folk Tent.

12.45pm: Weight for distance competition.

1pm: Folk music with Isla St Clair.

1.05pm: Pipe band competition.

1.15pm: Throwing the hammer.

1.30pm: Children's sports.

2pm: Weight for height; folk music with JigeryFolkery.

2.10pm: Pipe band competition (grade 3).

2.30pm: Lifting of the manhood stones.

3pm: Tossing the caber round 1; start of the hill race; folk music with Isla St Clair.

3.15pm: Parade of grade 4 bands.

3.25pm: Tossing the caber round 2; hill racers return to the field.

3.30pm: Pipe band competition (grade 2).

3.40pm: Drum major's inspection final.

3.50pm: Chesterfield Musketeers.

4pm: Folk music events close.

4.10pm: Presentation to winners in strongman events.

4.15pm: Drum major's challenge (part 1); Llama racing.

4.45pm: Mass band performance and presentation of prizes.

5.45pm: Grand parade through Ashbourne.

THE first Ashbourne Highland Gathering took place in 1985 and made a loss of £900.

The following year it broke even and after that it started making money and donating some to charity.

The event was originally created by committee members of Ashbourne Pipe Band.

The band, which formed in 1976, wanted a platform to perform and promote itself.

After touring Britain performing and competing, it was decided to organise a local gathering so that it could host its own event. The band originally formed to allow members to meet and play for pleasure but its popularity grew.

More musicians joined and the band started to attend events.

Plans to organise its own show started in 1983.

Two years later, the first Ashbourne Highland Gathering was held.

As the event became more successful and time-consuming, Ashbourne Pipe Band Committee decided that another team should be set up to specifically organise the gathering.

A team of volunteers took over the reins in 2000.

They worked on making the festival as big and as successful as possible.

The first chairman, Alistair Brown, retired to Argyll in Scotland, and the current chairman, David Frith, took over in 1987.

He has been involved ever since.

The aim of the Ashbourne event is to promote music and other Scottish culture.

Profits made from the event are donated to local charities.

A BRAZEN crook dubbed the "fuel rat" is using high-tech equipment to steal £800 of diesel at a time from businesses.

The sneak thief crawls under parked trucks, forces off fuel caps and uses an electric pump to suck out fuel.

He is always spotted with two clear plastic 25-litre containers, which when he comes out from under the trucks have changed colour to yellow because they are now full of diesel.

One furious victim is haulage boss Russ Ford, whose yard's CCTV cameras have caught the man on film more than once.

In the latest footage, the dark-clothed crook is seen pushing out his two filled containers from under a lorry before emerging himself and scuttling off with his booty.

Mr Ford's company, Fords of Breaston, has been hit ten times in the past year and there has been a spike of similar incidents in the past couple of weeks at other businesses.

Police are now putting on undercover patrols in a bid to nab the "rat".

Mr Ford cannot believe the crook's bare-faced cheek.

On one occasion, he struck yards from where three lorry drivers were parked in their cabs – one of them watching a film on his laptop – completely unaware of what was happening.

Mr Ford, who is the third generation of his family to own the 80-year-old company, said: "It is sickening that we have been targeted so many times in this way.

"People like you and I pay our taxes and work hard to earn an honest living during times of recession and someone like this just keeps coming in willy-nilly and taking my diesel in such a brazen manner time and time again.

"We have been hit ten times in the last year and if you add up the cost of fixing the fuel caps and other units that he breaks and the diesel he steals I would say that totals up to £10,000 which comes straight off my profit margin."

Fords of Breaston was started by Mr Ford's grandfather in Weston-on-Trent more than 80 years ago.

The 47-year-old, of Thulston, employs 18 staff and operates 13 lorries nationwide from its new site in Draycott Road, Breaston.

Gary Harrison, 42, is the transport manager at Fords.

He said: "With the price of fuel like it is at the moment, this thief is coming in and siphoning what is essentially liquid gold.

"Our CCTV pings to my iPhone if someone is caught in the yard and we can alert the police. Last week's incident saw the bloke get away just a few minutes before the police arrived."

Inspector Katie Andrews is the new section inspector for Long Eaton. She said tackling the spate of fuel thefts was one of her first priorities.

She said: "In the past two weeks we have seen around a dozen incidents in the Breaston and Long Eaton area whereby firms, primarily on industrial units, are being targeted by thieves getting inside and siphoning large quantities of diesel.

"We have produced a security leaflet that we will be handing out to companies.

"We have also stepped up undercover and uniformed patrols and we are determined to bring whoever is responsible to justice."

KARL Krikken's call to the barricades was meant to be heard by all but appeared to be heeded by only a few.

Wayne Madsen's willingness to roll up his sleeves and scrap has never been in doubt and the skipper did all he could to lead from the front with a century yesterday against Yorkshire at Chesterfield.

Tom Poynton sent back a few bullets of his own with a defiant 63 not out late in the first innings and by sticking by his captain in a seventh-wicket stand of 111 in the second. Richard Johnson also deserved an honourable mention in dispatches with knocks of 46 and 23.

But that was not enough. Rather like the battered British forces trying to hold off the Zulus at Rorke's Drift, Derbyshire were facing overwhelming odds and there was no relief column in sight.

They almost made it to the end of the third day of their LV County Championship match at Queen's Park but were bowled out for 269 with 2.4 overs remaining in the day and lost by an innings and 113 runs.

It is the first time since 1928 that Derbyshire have lost both Championship matches against Yorkshire in a season by an innings and was a seventh defeat of the season out of 10.

That is nowhere near good enough from Derbyshire. Too many players are giving the impression of feeling sorry for themselves and that was a weakness ruthlessly exposed by Yorkshire in this match.

The only points of mitigation for Derbyshire are that this is a good Yorkshire side, with victory enough to take them back to the top of the Division One table, and it was a very good toss to win.

Derbyshire were also missing their best batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and their best bowler of the last two seasons, Tony Palladino, through injury but the sympathy runs dry there.

Derbyshire's last five wickets in the first innings got them through to lunch, with Johnson holding out for 72 balls and hitting eight fours before being caught at short midwicket and Poynton deciding he was not going down meekly as he struck eight fours and three sixes off 37 balls.

They were finally dismissed for 235 for a deficit of 382 and, not surprisingly, were asked to follow-on.

This was a chance for a few batsmen to redeem themselves on a good batting strip but if head coach Krikken was unable to contain his anger at a "pitiful" collapse to 94-5 in the first innings, he must have been incandescent at 38-4 second time around.

Three of those to go were the ones most in need of a long, reviving stay at the crease but Chesney Hughes, Wes Durston and Dan Redfern managed only 20 runs between them. Collectively, they are at as low an ebb as it is possible to be.

Johnson and Peter Burgoyne tried to stick with their skipper but neither could make it through to tea, with Johnson caught behind off a lifting Steve Patterson ball and Burgoyne bowled by Ryan Sidebottom for 18, offering no shot in the final over before the interval.

It was left to Poynton to help Madsen build the only substantial stand of the match for Derbyshire and it was a good effort by the wicketkeeper, in a less aggressive mode than in the morning. It looked as if the pair might see in a fourth day but when Poynton was caught at short extra cover for 29, Yorkshire tasted blood in the water again.

Madsen was the last man out, caught and bowled by Liam Plunkett for 141. He got them off only 195 balls and included 26 fours and it was his 14th century for the county, as well as a second for the season. It was a real chest-out show of character from the captain and did not fit in so abject a losing cause.

Derbyshire might reflect that in both innings, they were outscored by 20-year-old Yorkshire opener Alex Lees and as well as a sobering fact, that also illustrated the gulf that now exists between these two sides who came up together from Division Two last season.

WAYNE Madsen's celebrations were muted despite a century of tremendous character for Derbyshire yesterday at Queen's Park.

It could not save Derbyshire from defeat by an innings and 113 runs by Yorkshire, who now go back to the top of Division One while Madsen's side is rooted to the bottom.

The captain was the last man out for a valiant 141 but said: "It was bitter-sweet because obviously on a personal level it's good to get a century but it sort of doesn't feel right because it's in a lost cause.

"It's been a disappointing couple of days.

"Yorkshire have outplayed us for three days. Their bowlers bowled with discipline and energy and made life difficult for us.

"They are rightly top of the league and have played good cricket against us both times. They definitely have that ability to win the league this year. Dizzy (Jason Gillespie) has got them playing a brand of cricket with energy and they come at you all the time.

"They reminded me of how we went about our business last year – the attitude and the belief they have in the squad. That's exactly what we had last year but we are nowhere near that this year."

Derbyshire scored 410 runs in the day's play but at a cost of 15 wickets and Madsen found some comfort in the fact that they did not go down tamely after getting themselves so deep in trouble on the first two days.

"We wanted to show character, fight hard and make it difficult for them, hopefully taking it to the fourth day," he added.

"We wanted to be positive as well in the morning session, which showed, and there was that difference today.

"We were sitting ducks in the first innings, waiting to get out almost, but we wanted to be positive and scored more than 400 runs in the day, which is an improvement in how we have been playing. That is all we can ask for.

"Some guys weren't able to get going but the way we went about our business was better."

The early finish did give Derbyshire a day to prepare for their return to the Friends Life t20 tomorrow, with a North Group match against Durham at Chesterfield (2.30pm) they cannot afford to lose.

"I feel this game is the important one to win and then if we can get a couple of wins in the last three, we will have a chance but this one is quite key," said Madsen.

"It will be nice to get Albie Morkel back because his experience and energy in twenty20 is vital and hopefully we can show a little more composure in the batting this time."

A RACING pigeon has set up home in a back garden in Littleover after getting lost.

The bird arrived in Anne and Stephen Johns' garden in Oaklands Avenue three weeks ago and they noticed that it seemed to be very tame.

Anne said it seemed to be hanging around, waiting to be fed.

She said: "We first noticed it because it is a black and white mottled colour.

"We get a lot of birds in the garden but they are mainly magpies and they are a very stark colour contrast of black and white and this bird is a mottled patterning.

"It was really tame and was not foraging for food at all. It was waiting to be fed, we could see it from the window."

Anne said that a pigeon came into their garden a few years ago and it was identified from a ring it had round its foot. But this bird does not have one and Anne is worried someone is missing it from their brood.

She is also concerned about the safety of the bird because a lot of cats prowl the garden.

Anne said: "We don't have any pets of our own but the garden is very popular with the neighbourhood cats and the local urban fox.

"It is not safe for the pigeon in here as it doesn't have any fear at all. It just waits for someone to come out and feed him.

"We've been giving it corn and water to keep it fed and watered but we know that it must have a home somewhere.

"Someone will be missing the little guy.

"We can't be doing the best for it, there's someone out there who will be able to do a much better job."

Anne wants anyone who might have any information about the pigeon's home to come forward so it can be reunited with its owners.

She said: "It's not a little chick of a pigeon, it's a fully grown bird and it's obviously been brought up around humans. It's not bothered by us at all. It likes us and is certainly very reliant on us.

"It comes and goes sometimes but it always reappears. We hope we've not done it any damage but it wasn't finding food on its own.

"It can find its way back here but seems to have forgotten its way home."

If anyone knows from where the pigeon has come, contact reporter Sophie Evans at the Derby Telegraph on Derby 291111 and she will pass on details to Anne to reunite the pigeon with its owners.

Sergeant Simon Adams is leaving Pear Tree station after spending all of his 16 years in the police patrolling the area. Martin Naylor reports.

"IT was like something out of a comedy sketch," says Sergeant Simon Adams.

"We had been called to a report of a missing vulnerable girl and we had been told she may be in a local cemetery.

"It was dark and the gates were locked so, as a keen young police officer showing willing, I'd scaled a 6ft fence.

"But when I got to the top I found myself stuck with the pointed railings ripping through the crotch of my trousers.

"It was a close thing but I managed to free myself without injury but with a very ripped pair of trousers."

The story is one of many that sticks in the mind of Simon Adams, a popular and well-known face on the streets of Normanton, Pear Tree and Sinfin.

Yesterday, he bid farewell to his colleagues after spending all of his 16 years so far with Derbyshire police at Pear Tree station.

The busiest one in Derbyshire, it can receive upwards of 700 calls a day for a variety of offences and updates.

And Sergeant Adams has been called to deal with a lot of them.

The 40-year-old said: "It has been a real honour and a pleasure to have served all my policing so far in Pear Tree and I really will miss it.

"Over the years I got to know and greatly admire a huge number of local figures.

I still have people come up to me now to recall stories of when I nicked them when they were teenagers. They say things like 'I remember I was a real idiot, but you were always firm and fair with me', which is nice to hear.

"It has such a colourful and diverse community."

Sergeant Adams started with Derbyshire police at the age of 25.

He trained at Ripley and the now defunct national training centre in Ryton, near Coventry, before being sent out on the streets of Derby West. During his two-year parole period he remembers well his first arrest.

The father-of-two said: "It was a street assault in Thackeray Street, Sinfin, where one teenage lad had beaten up another.

"I remember shaking inside as I got to him, doing my best to say the right words for the caution and then handcuff the lad."

Sergeant Adams, who was born and raised in the city, studied at Ravensdale Junior School, Etwall's John Port School and the University of Derby before taking the oath. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and since 2009 has been running the safer neighbourhood team.

He was on duty when Kadeem Blackwood was shot dead in Caxton Park in 2008.

Sergeant Adams said: "I remember the report coming through that a young man had been shot in the park and when it was apparent he had died it was a terrible feeling.

"You feel so much for his family but you have to do your job and investigate, reassuring the community that officers are working hard to investigate the circumstances."

Sergeant Adams met his wife, Wendy, through the police when she worked for Derby Homes and they worked together on a job.

The couple, who live in Oakwood, have son Lucas, 10, and daughter Connie, two.

Now he will be back on the beat but this time on a new assignment in Long Eaton.

He said: "It brings with it different challenges but ones I am relishing."

Inspector Richard Keene has overseen Sergeant Adams' work for more than two years at Pear Tree.

He said: "Simon has shown great dedication to the police and the communities in Normanton, Pear Tree, Sinfin and beyond for all of his 16 years in the force.

"We all wish him the very best for the future and we are sure he will be a big success in his new role in Long Eaton."

THE HEARTBROKEN families of the six Philpott children made emotional pilgrimages to their graves yesterday to see their newly-installed headstones for the first time.

The children's tearful grandmother, Peggy Philpott, said the three-foot-high grey slate stones were "beautiful" and "a credit to whoever carved them".

And their grandfather, Jim Duffy, said seeing the stones for the first time, only two hours after they were put in place, was "emotional" and that he felt "relief they are finally here".

Workers put in the headstone at Nottingham Road Cemetery, in Chaddesden, early yesterday morning – 14 months after the youngsters died in a house fire at 18 Victory Road. Allenton.

Mrs Philpott, 86, of Arkwright Street, Allenton, was taken to the gravesides in her wheelchair by family members. She spent time gazing at each headstone.

She said: "They're absolutely beautiful. I couldn't have done them better if I'd picked them myself. They are a credit to whoever did them. I just wish they were not here but that can't happen, can it?"

Mr Duffy, 64, of Reginald Street, Derby, went to see the headstones with his daughters, Bernadette, Jennifer and his former wife, Vera.

He said: "The last 12 to 15 months have been a nightmare so seeing the headstones here finally is a great relief. They look absolutely fantastic, are a real tribute to my grandchildren."

Jade Philpott, 10 and her brothers Duwayne, 13, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died following a fire at their Allenton home in May last year.

Their parents, Mick Philpott, 56, and Mairead Philpott, 31, along with family friend Paul Mosley, 46, were found guilty of the children's manslaughter following an eight-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court in April this year. Philpott was given a life sentence, while his wife and Mosley were jailed for 17 years.

In the aftermath of the fire the community in Allenton, Derby and beyond dug deep to raise more than £15,000 to pay for the funeral and the headstones for the graves.

The money was donated to a charity called the DJs Trust, which was set up by the Osmaston Community Association of Residents – Oscar – which is based in Addison Road.

Jennifer Lobban, 30, is Mr Duffy's daughter and the sister of Mairead Philpott.

Yesterday, at the graveside, she said of the headstones: "They are beautiful, really beautiful, a real credit to the children and a fitting tribute. It was really emotional seeing them for the first time."

Mr Duffy said: "All of us would like to thank Oscar, the people of Allenton, Derby and all around the country and further for donating the money to make this a reality. We are very, very grateful."

Each of the six headstones carries a eulogy individual to the children. Set in grey, mottled, marble and embossed with a photograph of each child, the writing for the boys is in blue and pink for 10-year-old Jade, described as "a beautiful and creative girl".

Jesse is "bouncy". John is "caring" and Duwayne is called "talented".

Jack is called "shy" while Jayden is the "miracle" baby.

Each of the boy's headstones carries a picture of a Derby County footballer.

Leigh Alcock, the chairman of Oscar who set up DJs Trust to pay for the headstones, said: "As the headstones were paid for back in June 2012, it is good to finally see them set, for closure for the family, community and of course the DJs Trust."

Mr Duffy said he has written to Mairead. He said: "I wrote to her in an attempt to start rebuilding the relationship I used to have with her.

"I have mentioned nothing about the fire or the trial, it is just me as a father trying to rebuild things again.

"She has written back to me to say she have moved from one prison to another and that she is coping ok."

COMPETING against the roar of the waterfall and the chiming of the Market Place clock was a true test for five youngsters taking part in a new city public speaking competition.

Pupils from Landau Forte College and Murray Park School competed as individuals for the inaugural Chris Williamson Trophy, named after the Derby North MP.

Initially, 15 pupils from the two schools attended a series of workshops this week run by The Lostboys theatre company.

After two days of training and development, the finalists gave impassioned speeches in the sweltering heat of Derby's Market Place at Speakers' Corner during lunchtime yesterday.

The eventual winner was 16-year-old Terrianne Lloyd-Jones, of Landau Forte College, who sourced her own speech from a Rocky film.

She said: "It has been very interesting and I am really surprised to have won because everyone was very good. It does help build confidence and it's been a very good thing to do."

Mr Williamson was on the judging panel, alongside Paul Broesmith, from the Lostboys, and Sally Greatorex, of Derby Live, which organised the event.

He said: "I was approached by the city council about having the trophy named after me, which is a great honour.

"Public speaking is a great tool and has many spin-off benefits such as increased confidence and improvements in communication.

"It was a close competition – the waterfall and the clock are just a few and there weren't many points between them in the final score."

Ben Adwick, also of The Lostboys, said he had seen "tremendous improvements" in all five young people between arriving for the workshops and the finished performances.

He said: "Not many people get the chance to speak in public regularly and so it is always an ordeal when they are called upon to do it for real, such as at weddings.

"But these five people have really worked hard in a short while to make improvements."

The other competitors were Megan Pratt, 16, also from Landau Forte College, and Murray Park School pupils Aporva Varshney, Luke Durose and Rhiannon Davies, all aged 13.

It is hoped the competition will become an annual event, said Ms Greatorex, who added: "We're reviving a tradition of public speaking competitions from the 1970s."

ARMED police swooped on a Derby street after a man was heard making death threats.

People living in Finsley Walk, off Caxton Street, said a fight broke out between two men at about 9pm on Thursday night.

One witness said the dispute was over claims of an affair. The brawl ended without police intervening.

But, at 11.30am yesterday, the men began arguing again.

Neighbours called the police as one of the men was heard shouting: "I'm going to kill you."

A dog was also used in the confrontation and one of the men was thought to have had a knife.

Soon afterwards, "seven or eight" police cars arrived, along with a paramedic vehicle, and the police helicopter was also dispatched. Last night, a police spokeswoman said that a man and a woman at one house suffered minor hand injuries but did not require medical treatment.

The spokeswoman said that no arrests had been made but added that a suspect had run off and that officers were still trying to find him.

She said: "It is thought that one of the men had a knife and so armed officers were sent to the scene as a matter of course.

"Inquiries are ongoing to trace one of the men involved."

Stunned residents watched the drama from their windows.

One said: "First there was a fight last night. I heard a scream but no gun shots or anything.

"It didn't seem that serious and then, at about 11.50am, a load of police cars came. I could see that a dog was there and the dispute was between two men.

"The police response seemed a bit over the top but then they will know more about it then us."

The incident took place round the corner from where 15-year-old Kadeem Blackwood was shot dead in 2008 in a gang dispute.

Neighbours said that gang violence had fallen in recent years but that police were often in the area.

Anyone with information about the neighbour dispute is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CHILDREN left devastated when arsonists destroyed their allotment plot will soon have a sensory garden to enjoy instead – thanks to a group of teenagers.

Pupils at Firs Estate Primary School in Derby were heartbroken when their plot in Dean Street was reduced to ashes in September.

The blaze caused £4,000 worth of damage and the school could not afford to restore the allotment.

Now, 16 teenagers from the National Citizen Service – run locally by Derby College and Derby County Community Trust – have stepped forward to help.

Yesterday, the youngsters spent their second day at the site as part of a week-long project that will see them clear the burnt-out allotment, as well as create a sensory garden two plots away.

Darren Meakin, who works at Derby College, said the teenagers wanted to restore the community's faith in the young people following the arson attack.

He said: "They're not just doing the work, they're planning it and doing their own fund-raising.

"They raised £110 by packing bags at Morrisons and have applied to various organisations for funding.

"They've used the money to buy sensory plants.

"By Friday next week, each one of the youngsters will have carried out 30 hours of work at the site.

"They will then be given certificates at a ball being organised for all youngsters involved in the National Citizen Service scheme."

School governor Sandra Weightman, who is also the secretary of the Firs Estate Allotments Association, spoke to the Derby Telegraph after the fire.

She said that pupils were devastated.

At the time, she said: "There's nothing left. I went into the school and had to say we had lost everything.

"These allotments were an oasis in the city centre and the children loved coming here."

The blaze happened during the first couple of weeks back at school when the children were reaping what they had sown before the summer break.

Mrs Weightman said: "Our greenhouse was absolutely chock-a-block with tomatoes, peppers and gherkins. That's all gone, as has all our equipment – all of which was high quality. The greenhouse, shed, wheelbarrows, spades, shears, plant feed, watering cans, wellies – it's all gone."

Firs Estate opened the allotment using a £5,000 grant from a trust fund set up by the late Tom Carey, a former Derby businessman and one-time pupil of the school.

Anyone able to donate equipment or funds is asked to call Derby 365943.

A BLIND jobseeker was ordered to turn inside-out a homemade T-shirt emblazoned with a plea for work at a job session.

Andrew Slater wore the T-shirt, which said "I need a job, yes me", to a meeting at Remploy in Friar Gate, Derby.

However, staff at the employment agency, which deals specifically with disabled jobseekers, said that the shirt was inappropriate and told him to change.

The 20-year-old, of Teesdale Road, Long Eaton, who is registered fully blind and suffers from a speech impediment, said that he was asked to change the shirt because there were managers from the agency's head-office and an employer on site. He said: "The lady who I usually see there came to the door and said: 'Andrew, can I please have a word?'

"She said: 'Good idea with the T-shirt but please can you turn it inside-out?'

"Towards the end of the session, one of the ladies on the front desk said: 'Excuse me, but your T-shirt is inside out.' She asked if it was something offensive. My adviser said: 'No but he knows the reason for it'."

Andrew has been job hunting since September 2012 and he started wearing the T-shirt to attract potential employers while out and about.

His dad, Glenn, 40, said that he was shocked when he got a text from Andrew telling him what happened.

He said: "If I had been the employer who was around and saw that T-shirt, I would have thought: 'That is someone who is using their initiative.'

"How can an organisation that is set up to promote employment for people with disabilities start pushing him around?

"I am just surprised that this is how they act."

Glenn went back to the company to speak to the manager, who repeated what she had said to Andrew.

Glenn said: "The reason they gave about the T-shirt doesn't seem very good at all."

Since the incident, Andrew and Glenn have been invited back to the office for a face-to-face talk with Remploy staff.

Remploy spokesman Chris Randall said the staff did not mean to cause any distress but the agency stood by its policy. He said: "We are very sorry if Andrew was distressed or embarrassed by being asked to turn his T-shirt inside-out.

"The request was made with the best intentions. We ask all candidates to dress smartly as they may be asked to attend an interview at very short notice. We remain committed to doing everything we can to help Andrew with his job searching."

TWO mothers who punched a woman in a nightclub breaking her nose behaved "like a couple of school kids in the playground", said a judge.

Samantha Green and Danielle Piggott attacked Karen Yassin on the dance floor of Fever nightclub in The Wardwick, Derby.

Green, 35, punched the woman in the nose and face and Piggott, 30, punched her once in the face. Ms Yassin was left with a broken nose and swollen eye socket.

Sentencing the pair, Judge John Burgess said: "It's disgraceful – two mothers behaving like a couple of school kids in the playground – absolutely atrocious. If your children behaved like this you would be appalled."

He said that anyone listening to the case would wonder "what on earth" was going on. However, Judge Burgess said he would not send them to prison because their children would "suffer far more" than they would.

They were given 12-month community orders, with 160 hours of unpaid work and a three-month curfew between 7pm and 7am.

Justin Wigoder, prosecuting, said the assault happened in the early hours of November 25.

He said: "Karen Yassin was dancing. There was a certain amount of barging – initially involving Green.

"Karen Yassin tried to move away. Green took exception to this."

Mr Wigoder said Green then punched Ms Yassin "very hard" in the face, which caused the victim to drop her purse. As Ms Yassin bent down to pick it up, Piggott punched her "very hard" in the face and then, as she stood up, Green punched her again in the face.

A man then came and stood between the women and police were called. Both Green and Piggott said they had been drinking. Green denied the assault but Piggott admitted punching Ms Yassin.

In court, Green, of Suffolk Avenue, Chaddesden, and Piggott, of Holbrook Road, Alvaston, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Ms Yassin on November 25.

Justin Ablott, for Green, said: "She's angry with herself, embarrassed and ashamed of it."

Stuart Newsam said Piggott was ashamed and remorseful.

A HEAD teacher at a Derbyshire junior school secretly filmed children getting changed for swimming lessons.

Matthew Pendleton, head teacher at Kirkstead Junior School, in Pinxton, was jailed for 10 months yesterday at Derby Crown Court.

Following the court hearing, investigating officer Detective Constable Simon English said: "Pendleton was in a position of trust as head of Kirkstead Junior School and he gravely abused that position."

Det Con English said Pendleton's offences came to light when they discovered a computer in Alfreton was being used to access indecent images of children.

"We traced that address back to Pendleton and arrested him," said Det Con English.

"We seized any computers and data storage devices from his house so we could conduct a detailed examination of them.

"During interview, Pendleton told officers he had secretly filmed children getting changed for swimming lessons.

"We have no reason to suspect he ever shared these particular images with anyone and we are confident that none of the children were physically abused.

"We have worked closely with staff and parents at the school during the investigation and I would like to thank them for their support."

The 37-year-old, of Elmwood Drive, Alfreton, admitted four counts of voyeurism and 12 of making indecent images.

He must sign the sex offenders' register and obey a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years.

After the sentencing, Alison Hardy, acting head teacher at Kirkstead Junior School, said: "We worked closely with the police to help them with their investigation and we're pleased it has now reached a successful conclusion.

"This has been a difficult and upsetting time for everyone affected by what Matthew Pendleton has done.

"Staff, governors and parents were all shocked by his behaviour, his breach of trust and the impact on the school and local community.

"All of us at Kirkstead Junior School take the safety and interests of our pupils very seriously. Parents can be confident that we will take appropriate action where there is wrong-doing and pupils know they can talk to us if they have concerns.

"We have and will continue to work hard and do all we can to ensure every child is safe when they are at school and in our care. Importantly, we are continuing to provide a high-quality education for all our pupils so they face happy and successful futures."

The school has 250 pupils aged between seven and 11.

Pendleton was suspended when the offences came to light.

A PLAQUE which honours city motor racing legend Reg Parnell has been put up at the pub which was once his family home – much to the delight of his family and friends.

They gathered outside the Brewery Tap in Derwent Street, Derby, yesterday to see the blue plaque unveiled.

Reg was born in 1911 and his parents lived at and ran the Royal Standard pub – now the Brewery Tap.

He was inspired to take up motor racing following the opening of Donington Park in 1931 and, from 1935, he competed there regularly.

He became Britain's leading racing driver in the 1940s and early 1950s and his fearless driving style led to him being nicknamed the Iron Man of Racing.

One of his greatest achievements was competing in the inaugural British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950, finishing third in an Alfa Romeo.

Reg died of peritonitis in 1964 aged just 52, and his son, Tim – also a former F1 driver and team manager – said that he could not think of a more fitting place for the blue plaque.

Tim, 81, of Ashby, said: "My father was a terrific ambassador for Derby and England – he knew kings, queens, presidents and travelled all over the world.

"But he spent a lot of time at what was once the family home and the place has a lot of history for him and the family. It's a great credit to the pub and those behind it that it was saved and is still here for the plaque."

Tim said he also hoped the plaque would remind people of what his father had accomplished.

Some of Reg's achievements included winning the F1 Daily Express Trophy Race, the Goodwood Trophy three years in a row and the New Zealand Grand Prix in Auckland in 1957 – the year he retired from competitive racing.

Off the track, he was a manager of F1 and sports car teams. He went on to manage Aston Martin Sports Cars, which, under his stewardship, won Le Mans in 1959, beating Ferrari, Maserati and Porsche.

Tim said: "People often used to come up to me and say: 'What a remarkable father you had.' We're very proud of what the plaque means and represents."

Former Rolls-Royce chairman Sir Ralph Robins helped to unveil the plaque.

He said: "This plaque is really one way of showing what a great driver Reg was – something I don't always feel Derbyshire fully appreciates."

And Trevor Harris, head brewer with the Derby Brewing Company – which runs the Brewery Tap – said: "It's an honour to have the plaque here and I hope it makes people aware there was a champion in our midst."

HOSPITAL staff have been breaking out the ice lollies in a bid to keep patients cool – as the county gets set to see its hottest day of the year so far next week.

Temperatures are being predicted to reach a scorching 35C in Derbyshire and the hot spell is taking its toll on both the emergency services and people's health.

At the Royal Derby Hospital, a nine-month-old baby and an entire family of four were among patients arriving at its accident and emergency department with sunburn.

Additional beds have also been opened up to help cope with demand, with staff seeing a higher than normal rate of medical admissions – from about 60 a day to 90.

These include patients with long-term health conditions who suffer complications because of the heat.

It is all part of the city hospitals trust's "heat wave" plan, which was put in place earlier this week.

David Ainsworth, general manager for acute medicine at Derby's hospitals, said: "We're doing all sorts of things to keep patients comfortable in the heat – cool bedding, clothing and so on.

"But it is important that patients are getting enough fluids and we are making sure they get all the help they need with this – ice lollies are a great part of this, plus make patients feel they are not missing out on the nice weather.

"But we keep encouraging people outside the hospital to cover up against the sun, use high-factor sun block and drink plenty of fluids, to avoid becoming unwell."

Among patients given an ice lolly yesterday was Jean Hall, 75, of Fall Road, Heanor, who said: "It's a lovely idea to help us keep cool. I came into hospital because the weather and my ill-health meant I could hardly breathe, so keeping cool is important."

East Midlands Ambulance Service has seen a 15% increase in 999 calls. A spokesman said: "This is placing our frontline crews under significant pressure. Many of the calls we receive are from people who were unwell as a result of the hot weather or because they had not taken necessary precaution to protect themselves."

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has reported a 45% increase in fires involving rubbish, skips, grassland or open spaces in the first three weeks of July, compared with the same period in June. A spokesman said: "More people have barbecues and we would stress they should take care to ensure hot coals and ash are disposed of in a safe manner."

The RSPCA has also experienced a rise in calls. Malcolm Hall, customer care manager at the charity's Derby branch, said twice as many dogs than last month had been left in cars exposed to the sun.

He added: "If people see a dog in a car when the weather is hot they should call 999 and the police can come and release them. We don't have the power to actually break in like the police do."

A CONVICTED benefit cheat who swindled the State out of £104,000 while breeding horses and living in a 20-room mansion has been ordered to pay back £32,000.

Helen Gough, 47, claimed the cash over a 10-year period, most of which she spent living in an affluent country hamlet.

Gough raised thoroughbred Arabian horses, exporting some to Germany and making trips to the Middle East. She also bred dogs and Burmese cats.

Gough admitted four counts of benefit fraud, amounting to £104,299, and was jailed in November for two years.

Yesterday, at a proceeds of crime hearing, Derby Crown Court heard that the amount available to be repaid was £32,000.

She was given 18 months to do this. If she does not, the court heard how she could be jailed again for up to 15 months.

When Gough was sentenced, she denied she was breeding animals as a business and said it was her hobby, which was accepted by Department of Work and Pensions investigators.

But prosecutor Rhona Campbell said Gough lived a life of "luxury and indulgence" while claiming the benefits.

Also at the sentencing, Judge Andrew Hamilton said it was the worst case of benefit fraud he had ever seen. "It was entirely based on greed and determination to fund your hobby".

He had never heard of anyone claiming benefits so they could breed Arabian horses.

The court heard then how Gough had "finance and capital" herself, before meeting an "affluent businessman" and moving into his "substantial property" in Wheatcroft, a hamlet near Matlock.

In 2000, she sold a house for just short of £80,000 but told the authorities she was living in a rented property.

Investigators had calculated that from 2003, when Gough moved into 20-room Wheatcroft House in the village, she must have spent £44,000 on the hobby of breeding horses and whippets.

Evidence was obtained from the Arab Horse Society confirming that the horses owned and bred by Gough were registered with them.

The Kennel Club confirmed Gough had registered 162 whippets with them.

HOSPITAL staff have been breaking out the ice lollies in a bid to keep patients cool – as the county gets set to see its hottest day of the year so far next week.

Temperatures are being predicted to reach a scorching 35C in Derbyshire and the hot spell is taking its toll on both the emergency services and people's health.

At the Royal Derby Hospital, a nine-month-old baby and an entire family of four were among patients arriving at its accident and emergency department with sunburn.

Additional beds have also been opened up to help cope with demand, with staff seeing a higher than normal rate of medical admissions – from about 60 a day to 90.

These include patients with long-term health conditions who suffer complications because of the heat.

It is all part of the city hospitals trust's "heat wave" plan, which was put in place earlier this week.

David Ainsworth, general manager for acute medicine at Derby's hospitals, said: "We're doing all sorts of things to keep patients comfortable in the heat – cool bedding, clothing and so on.

"But it is important that patients are getting enough fluids and we are making sure they get all the help they need with this – ice lollies are a great part of this, plus make patients feel they are not missing out on the nice weather.

"But we keep encouraging people outside the hospital to cover up against the sun, use high-factor sun block and drink plenty of fluids, to avoid becoming unwell."

Among patients given an ice lolly yesterday was Jean Hall, 75, of Fall Road, Heanor, who said: "It's a lovely idea to help us keep cool. I came into hospital because the weather and my ill-health meant I could hardly breathe, so keeping cool is important."

East Midlands Ambulance Service has seen a 15% increase in 999 calls. A spokesman said: "This is placing our frontline crews under significant pressure. Many of the calls we receive are from people who were unwell as a result of the hot weather or because they had not taken necessary precaution to protect themselves."

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has reported a 45% increase in fires involving rubbish, skips, grassland or open spaces in the first three weeks of July, compared with the same period in June. A spokesman said: "More people have barbecues and we would stress they should take care to ensure hot coals and ash are disposed of in a safe manner."

The RSPCA has also experienced a rise in calls. Malcolm Hall, customer care manager at the charity's Derby branch, said twice as many dogs than last month had been left in cars exposed to the sun.

He added: "If people see a dog in a car when the weather is hot they should call 999 and the police can come and release them. We don't have the power to actually break in like the police do."

WINGER Marcus Selandy-Defour has returned to America after spending a few days training with Derby County.

The 19-year-old, who plays college football in Virginia, was not cleared to play in any friendlies.

"Marcus did well," said Rams manager Nigel Clough.

"The problem was we were not allowed to look at him in a game.

"If there is a chance in the future to do that, we'd like to.

"He is a young winger and very quick. He was recommended to us by our connections in America."

Selandy-Defour has represented the US at under-18 level.

WHERE striker Theo Robinson will be playing his football this season remains to be seen.

Robinson was one of seven players made available for transfer by Derby County in May.

One of the seven, goalkeeper Frank Fielding, has since joined Bristol City in League One.

Five of the other six – Robinson, Nathan Tyson, James Bailey, James O'Connor and Tom Naylor – started for a Derby County XI in a 4-1 victory over Buxton at Silverlands on Saturday.

There have been "bits" of interest in the players and a Championship club asked about Robinson last week, I understand.

Clubs with an eye, or half an eye, on the 24-year-old will note he scored a hat trick at non-League Buxton and had a hand in the other goal, scored by Michael Jacobs.

Robinson has not started a senior game for Derby this year and spent the final three months of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, where he made only four starts and failed to score.

Nor has Robinson been involved in any of the three first-team friendlies during pre-season, having fallen behind Johnny Russell, Chris Martin, Jamie Ward, Conor Sammon and Mason Bennett in the striking department.

Derby were straight on the front foot against Buxton, who play in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Left winger Jacobs saw plenty of the ball and chances fell to Tyson and Robinson before the latter accepted two.

His first goal arrived in the 10th minute. Jacobs curled in a free kick and Robinson met it to head past experienced goalkeeper Andy Warrington from close range.

Bailey is another who has dropped out of the first-team scene. The midfielder started to hit a few passes and Tyson saw his drive saved by Warrington before Robinson struck again in the 24th minute.

Tyson was the provider, his low centre picked out Robinson, who found the net from six yards.

Buxton punished some poor defending to pull a goal back around the half hour mark.

Derby switched off at a corner and this allowed former Chesterfield midfielder Derek Niven to clip the ball home from eight yards.

Derby needed only five minutes to regain a two-goal cushion.

Jamie Hanson, captain for the day, drove an excellent diagonal pass out to Robinson on the right.

The striker delivered a low cross and Jacobs applied the first-time finish from six yards.

A well-worked goal and it is interesting watching Hanson's progress.

The 17-year-old is not the biggest of central defenders at the moment but he is fiercely competitive. He can also play in midfield, is comfortable on the ball and takes a mean free kick, as we saw on occasions last season.

Hanson played 45 minutes of the first-team friendly against Bohemians and will continue his development in the under-18 and under-21 teams this season.

Buxton almost pulled back another goal a minute before the break when defender Sam Egerton's volley clipped the outside of a post and they had a glorious chance to reduce the arrears with 15 minutes to go after O'Connor conceded a penalty for a foul on Craig King.

Substitute Mark Reed struck his spot kick and Rams keeper Saul Deeney dived full length to his right to make a fine save.

Jacobs and Bennett played an hour for the Rams and Robinson completed his hat-trick and the scoring in the 80th minute when he pounced on a poor back pass and slotted the ball low past Warrington.

IT'S time for the school holidays and, for the first time, I am prepared to shout from the rooftops how much teachers deserve their long break.

Why? Well, Master W has just completed his first year as a maths teacher and now, after much trauma, he is fully qualified.

I admit that, previously, I didn't have an accurate concept of the sort of pressure teachers were under.

Now I know that the scrutiny of those recently out of university is incredible intense.

Master W has been observed by mentors at school and from his local council.

He has faced children, who, sensing uncertainty in their new teacher, have misbehaved.

Meanwhile, some parents have been demanding the highest standards while others couldn't give a fig.

I had not realised that, after three years of studying for a maths degree and one of gaining his mandatory Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, my son was about to face the toughest 10 months of his young life.

Put simply, if he had been deemed to have failed his inaugural school year, he would never have been allowed to teach in this country again.

This Draconian rule meant that a metaphorical axe was over his head.

And things didn't begin well.

He went into school, thinking he knew it all from his time on university placements and now admits he knew nothing.

He tried to be friendly towards the children and they saw this as a sign of weakness.

They gave him a hard time and his lessons suffered to the point that he failed his first term.

He felt isolated. In a new city, sharing a house with people he had not previously known and in a job which he found ultra-stressful.

However, in the last six months, he has turned it around and I couldn't be more proud of his success and how he has already had a positive impact on pupils' lives.

Indeed, one of his classes which took their GCSE maths exams in February has celebrated results which were much better than expected.

This led to the moment which all teachers must cherish when one pupil made a point of thanking him for his help in getting him through.

Master W is 23 and I had imagined that, by now, my worries about him would have been long over.

Wiser folk among you will appreciate that never happens and, in my head, I have been living the life of a maths teacher in the same way as I lived his Sats, GCSEs, A-levels and degree and all the moments of self-doubt along the way.

The academic year has left me drained. I can only imagine how he feels.

By the way, every holiday since September he has spent great swathes of time preparing his lessons and marking books. Likewise weekends and evenings.

Now he needs to relax and recharge his batteries and so does every teacher. Happy hols to them.