A CHARITY calendar in memory of a Derbyshire soldier who died in Iraq nine years ago has gone on sale.

Eleven women from around the UK have formed the British Legionettes, taking part in a boudoir photo shoot featuring military uniforms.

The calendar was produced in memory of Corporal Russell Aston, who died in 2003, and will raise cash for the Royal British Legion.

His sister-in-law, Lisa Aston, was the founder of the Legionettes.

Corporal Aston, 30, was one of six members of the Royal Military Police shot dead during protests in Al Majar al-Kabir, near Basra.

The soldiers had been defending a civilian police station which came under attack.

Lisa said: "I first came up with the idea when I was doing an 11-mile run with the Army last year.

"I raised nearly £6,000 for the British Legion and I really wanted to continue helping."

The idea for the calendar developed from there.

"The idea was actually conceived on November 11 last year, so it has been almost a year in the making.

"We have girls from all over the UK representing different branches of the armed forces.

"We had girls from up near Wigan and even one from Northern Ireland."

Each of the women involved has military connections in their family, including Miss Territorial Army, Julie Boardman.

The 39-year-old from Melbourne said: "I saw the group on Facebook and offered to be part of it.

"It was a fantastic experience doing it, but it was nerve-wracking.

"I have friends who are in the TA and my husband is an ex-TA member as well.

"So I thought it only appropriate that I represented them.

"The calendars look fantastic and I've already sold 60."

Another local Legionette, Bridgett Measey, of Burton, was photographed to be August's Miss Para.

The 36-year-old said: "I heard about it through Facebook and wanted to be involved.

"I have family that have been and are currently serving in the Parachute Regiment and it's such a great cause."

While Lisa described the experience of making the calendar as "fantastic", it was also difficult at times.

She said: "Every now and again, I remembered what it was for.

"Each day is difficult and it was such a terrible shock when Russell died.

"But the work that the Legion has done with our family and all the other bereaved families is just fantastic.

I just hope we can raise as much as possible for all the good work they do."

To buy the calendar, which has a suggested donation price of £10, visit thebritish legionettes.co.uk.

A CANDIDATE to become Derbyshire's first Police and Crime Commissioner who entered the race at the last minute has now pulled out.

Charles Swabey, of Osmaston, near Ashbourne, only submitted his nomination form last Thursday – the day before the deadline.

The retired barrister and former Army colonel said he was inspired to stand by reports in the Derby Telegraph about other candidates.

They include Simon Spencer for the Conservatives, independent Rod Hutton, David Gale for the UK Independence Party and Alan Charles, who is standing for Labour.

Another candidate in the running, independent Rob Lane, withdrew his nomination last week.

In a shock move yesterday, Mr Swabey announced he had also now pulled out.

Explaining his decision, he said: "I'm an independent. Yes, it helped when Rob Lane pulled out but there is still another independent candidate in the race. If I stay in the race, I would be dividing the independent vote, meaning the chances of one of us overtaking the Labour or Conservative candidate are less.

"In addition, it's recorded that I stood for UKIP in 2010. If I was to benefit from that and secure votes from UKIP supporters, I would be also be dividing the UKIP votes.

"When I saw there was another independent and UKIP candidate in the election, I felt it didn't make sense to stand myself."

In an interview with the Telegraph on Friday – the final day for nominations – Mr Swabey said he was aware there was another independent candidate planning to stand, along with UKIP's David Gale, at the time of applying for the £75k-a-year role.

Asked why he felt only now that those candidacies would stand in his way of being elected, Mr Swabey said: "It's not possible to make up your mind for definite on matters like this until you know exactly who is standing and that can only be when the final nominations have been announced."

He added: "I know it's disruptive to pull out now but I have to be sensible and consider whether I have a reasonable chance of winning.

"Winning is what it was about for me. I still feel I was the right man for the job but I no longer think it is sensible to stand."

Mr Swabey will be reimbursed the £5,000 he paid to join the election race as he withdrew his nomination in time.

The election is on November 15.

ECCLESBOURNE School's excellent academic record may be the first thing to draw students to consider applying, but there is so much more to it than that.

External applicants for the Duffield school's sixth form can sample all it has to offer at an open evening on Thursday, November 8, from 7pm.

The most recent Ofsted inspection of the sixth form rated it as "outstanding".

Student Lucy Stephenson says: "As an external applicant I was astonished at how welcoming and supportive my fellow students were, right from my first day.

"Our sixth form centre is a really great space for both studying and socialising – and it even has its own deli bar. The sixth form office works alongside tutors supporting students all the way through the process of application for further education or seeking employment opportunities.

"The vast number of extracurricular activities and the house system help create a school community I am very proud to be a part of."

For more information or an application form call 01332 840645 or visit www.eccles bourne.derbyshire.sch.uk.

AN open evening at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne on November 6 will be a great opportunity to see at first hand its sixth-form facilities and what it has to offer.

The school has continued to build on its excellent foundations and results are consistently high. In 2012, 32%of students' papers were graded A*/A and 73% A*-C.

Equally important is the value that Queen Elizabeth's adds to students' attainment.

The Greenhead ALPS measure consistently places the school in the top 10% of providers nationally for value added.

Each year, a number of its young people go on to take up Oxbridge places and study medicine at top universities across the country.

The school offers a broad curriculum of AS and A-level qualifications and some BTECs.

Also integrated into its curriculum is a wealth of enrichment opportunities to develop young people's skills and experiences. These encompass academic qualifications such as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and other awards well-respected by universities, such as the gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise and the Engineering Education Scheme.

High-quality care, guidance and support are at the heart of the school and every student is fully supported in choosing and embarking on their next step, be it into higher education or employment/apprenticeship. The grammar school has high expectations and students strive to achieve their very best.

Its ethos is centred on success which is celebrated and recognised by all.

The sixth form centre is based on a separate site, offering an adult working environment, yet maintains close links with the main school.

Sixth formers are leaders of the school and they are offered support to develop their independence as learners.

Relationships between staff and students are excellent and are characterised by mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose.

Students have numerous opportunities to take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities in areas such as music, art and sport.

Language students are offered the chance to undertake their work experience abroad.

The geography department leads an annual expedition and this July a group of 25 students visited China. Six students are also currently competing at the Space Olympics in Russia.

If you are unable to make the open evening, call the school on 01335 343685 or visit www.queenelizabeths.derby shire.sch.uk.

Nathan Tyson came off the Derby bench to net a last-gasp winner and deliver a fresh blow to under-fire home manager Paul Jewell as Ipswich slumped to the foot of the npower Championship after a 2-1 defeat.

Jewell had revealed he would remain in charge of the Suffolk club having considered his future after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hull.

The Liverpudlian received the complete backing of owner Marcus Evans and his players, among many others, when weighing up his decision and opted to stay, although he acknowledged results must improve and quickly.

However, this result means Ipswich are winless in 11 league and cup games, still without a home victory and bottom of the table following Peterborough's fine home win over high-flying Huddersfield.

Ipswich took a deserved lead after 24 minutes through DJ Campbell's close-range effort but Theo Robinson capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Stephen Henderson to pull Derby level five minutes before the break.

Both sides had chances to win it but the visitors stole the points at the death when Tyson, who only climbed off the bench nine minutes earlier, pounced from close range from Conor Sammon's cross.

Ipswich came flying out of the blocks and Rams goalkeeper Adam Legzdins was forced into three saves inside the opening 10 minutes.

Legzdins denied Lee Martin inside a minute - with Andy Drury clearing the bar on the rebound - then tipped Aaron Cresswell's long-range effort around a post before thwarting Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from 12 yards.

Derby, who had drawn their last three games and were unbeaten in four, finally threatened in the 20th minute.

Michael Jacobs, making his first league start, unleashed a shot from 30 yards which was comfortable for Henderson.

It came as no surprise when Ipswich finally took the lead in the 24th minute.

Martin's ball into the box was bundled in by Campbell, scoring for the second time in three appearances.

Emmanuel-Thomas almost made it 2-0 on the half-hour but Legzdins produced a stunning save to tip his six-yard strike around a post.

Jake Buxton headed over a Paul Coutts corner in a rare attack for Derby before Ipswich were punished for another mistake five minutes before the break.

Henderson spilled a shot from Sammon and Robinson was on hand to tuck home the rebound, his third goal in four games.

Craig Bryson then fired wide from 12 yards as Derby finished the half on a high.

Legzdins continued his impressive night's work when he pulled off another fine stop to turn Cresswell's long-range effort away for a corner seven minutes into the second period.

The Rams went up the other end and twice threatened themselves.

First Sammon shot wide from 25 yards after Ipswich failed to clear Brayford's effort, before Jacobs cracked a shot from 25 yards which Henderson parried away.

Having been on the end of some sustained Derby pressure, Ipswich finally managed to break out and a shot from Martin, following a fine run, flashed just wide in the 62nd minute.

Legzdins frustrated Ipswich again with 17 minutes remaining as he kept out Emmanuel-Thomas' 30-yard strike before Coutts drilled a shot just over the bar.

Tyson then delivered a sucker punch to Ipswich and Jewell with the late winner.

Port Vale's winning streak came to an end as substitute Jordan Chapell enjoyed a memorable debut for Burton in a 1-1 stalemate.

The 21-year-old winger, on loan from Sheffield United, came off the bench to score with his first touch in the 73rd minute.

But Vale also had their own super sub in Ben Williamson, who struck two minutes later to level the scores.

The visitors failed to make the most a bright start, with Louis Dodds twice shooting into the arms of former Vale team-mate Stuart Tomlinson.

Burton went on to fashion the better of the chances in a tight first half. Calvin Zola twice rose well to meet free-kicks taken by Lee Bell but could only direct his headers straight at Chris Neal.

Big striker Zola proved a handful for the Vale defence and set up an opening that was driven inches too high by strike-partner Matt Paterson.

With chances still at a premium after the break, Zola and Dodds missed the target for their respective teams.

Neal saved from Paterson and Bell as the hosts continued to make most of the running.

The game came to life when Chapell's intended cross dropped into the far corner.

But Vale hit back two minutes later when Williamson rammed home Jennison Myrie-Williams' low cross.

CAMPAIGNERS who unsuccessfully fought plans alongside Derby City Council over a controversial waste plant say the authority is to blame for their failure.

Sinfin and Spondon Against Incineration said the council's decision not to appoint a QC at a planning inquiry meant it failed to prevent the plans from getting the go-ahead.

As a result, the council is facing a legal bill of about £1 million – the majority of which are costs driven up by Resource Recovery Solutions, which will now build the gasification plant in Sinfin.

The firm won permission following two inquiries.

It came up with the plans as part of a contract it has with the city and county councils to handle their waste.

But members of the city council's planning committee rejected the plan over concerns about traffic, health, appearance and its suitability in a residential area.

RRS challenged that decision at an appeal to a planning inspector but lost.

Unhappy with the inspector's decision, it forced a second appeal, resulting in permission being granted last month.

Under the terms of the contract, the council must pay all of RRS's costs for the second appeal, plus its own.

A spokesman for the council confirmed only £42,000 was its own legal costs.

Simon Bacon, from the action group, said the council should have done more.

He said: "What is an important story is how little the council spent to defend itself.

"It didn't instruct a QC at the first inquiry, while paying through the contract for the developer to have a QC.

"When the second inquiry came along, it still didn't instruct a QC to defend itself.

"That's quite shocking."

A spokesman for the council insisted the authority had all the legal representation it needed at both inquiries.

She said: "The barrister was highly experienced, with particular expertise in energy and waste issues.

"He is used to dealing with particularly complex and lengthy planning inquiries of this nature.

"He has a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of town and country planning and is probably the counsel that has most knowledge of Derby in terms of planning and its local plan policies.

"The appointment of a QC would have made no difference to the outcome of the appeal. The decision was not based on the choice of legal representation."

COMPLAINTS about Derbyshire police have risen by 15% in the last year, new figures show.

According to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the number of complaints to the force has increased from 582 to 506.

And from April 1, 2011, to March 31 this year, there were 109 appeals to the IPCC from members of the public about Derbyshire police's handling of their issues.

That included 77 appeals about the force's investigation of a complaint, six about the way the issue was resolved locally, and 26 about the force not recording a complaint. The IPCC completed 69 appeals against the force during 2011-12, upholding 24.

In response to the figures, Superintendent Richard Oldknow, head of the Professional Standards at Derbyshire Constabulary, said: "It remains a concern that any member of the Derbyshire public is dissatisfied with the service they have received and our aim is to provide a high-quality policing service to the public.

"We continually monitor complaints to identify any trends and take action to improve the conduct of officers or improve systems if required."

The force says it maintains an ethical stance in recording complaints and all complaints are registered on a computer database.

Supt Oldknow added: "Although we have seen a 15% increase in recorded complaints, more than one third of complaints are resolved using the Local Resolution (LR) process, significantly above the national average. I believe that the increase and the level of LR suggest that the public have confidence in our ability to resolve their complaints at a local level.

"The increase in recorded complaints should also be considered alongside the fact that 5% of complainants are accountable for 16% of all complaints and 21% of all allegations.

"This shows that a small number of complainants can have a significant impact on the total number of recorded complaints recorded."

Nationally, the IPCC is dealing with an increasing number of appeals from people unhappy with the way their complaints have been handled by forces. Overall during 2011-12, a total of 6,339 appeals from complainants were made to the IPCC, up 3% on the year before.

Dame Anne Owers, chairman of the IPCC, said: "It is of concern that not only has there been an increase in the number of appeals to the IPCC from those dissatisfied with the way their complaint was handled; there has also been a considerable increase in the proportion of appeals that we uphold.

"All Chief Constables should take personal interest in the findings of this report and assure themselves that they and their staff are meeting their obligations to record and resolve valid complaints from the public."

DERBY aero engine-maker Rolls-Royce has secured a £1.6 billion order from Singapore Airlines.

The airline has selected the Derby company to provide Trent engines to power 20 Airbus A350-900s and five Airbus A380 aircraft.

Rolls-Royce, which has its civil aerospace division in Sinfin, will supply Trent XWB engines for the A350s and Trent 900 engines for the A380s.

The deal also includes a Total Care agreement, which will see Rolls-Royce maintain the engines throughout their service life.