Ulrich Bihlmayer, a regular editor of Germany's Amateur Radio newspaper CQDL, has just written an article about Robert Ford, and was enquiring after him - he reminded me that, if he had not passed away (does anyone know?), he would be celebrating his 85th birthday today (27 March).

I have incorporated some of the information here, and would welcome any more news about this famous Rollestonian - a former Radio Officer to the Tibetan Government, who was arrested in 1950 by the invading Chinese army, spent nearly 5 years in jail, and in later life served in the Foreign Office in London, Vietnam, Indonesia, United States, Morocco, Angola, Sweden, France and finally as Consul-General in Geneva.

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In first place, with 97 1/2 points - Mrs Joan Doughty Mickleover and tied on 97 points - John Morris, Station Rd, Dr Staley, Alcester and Julie Eszrenyi, Walford Rd. Congratulations.

Runners up on 96 points - Bellringers, St Mary’s and R. Ives South Hill. Mrs P. Alty, Twentylands  and M. Slaney, Fairfield Ave. scored 95 1/2 points. Closely followed by Rachel Proudman, St Albans, Ruth S. Rosner, Macclesfield and the Bush Family, Walford Road on 95 points.

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On Sunday 3 February the Cotton Grass Theatre Company came to Rolleston. They presented two of Alan Bennett's award winning "Talking Heads" monologues. After introducing themselves with a witty ten-minute poetry recitation, they performed "A Chip in the Sugar" and "Bed among the Lentils", both of which get under the surface of "respectable" middle class life in a funny, moving and entertaining way.

The show was a real treat for Alan Bennett fans, and for those who just like well-performed drama. The two pieces they chose have entertained audiences all over the nation, and were recently turned into a BBC series. The event was sponsored by Live & Local, with support from the Arts Council, Staffs. County Council and ESBC - this sponsorship enabled the local organisers, the Rolleston on Dove Special Events Committee (RODSEC) to keep the ticket prices down.

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The Civic Trust are extremely pleased to congratulate the ‘STAR-bucks’ of our village for attaining second place in the whole of the Midlands Region as the best Village Shop/Post Office. This accolade – very well deserved in everyone’s opinion – came about after being nominated in the Countryside Alliance’s Best Rural Retailer competition 2007. The aim of the competition was to recognise and celebrate the UK’s small independent retailers who are ambassadors, not just for their local businesses, but also for the communities to which they are central. To fulfil the requirements of the nomination it was necessary to illustrate what makes your chosen entry so special – no trouble there where such ‘STAR-bucks’ are concerned!!!! So ‘Congratulations’ and thank you to Andy, Patsy, Tom, and all the other very helpful and pleasant staff in our local shop/post office, for everything you do for our village and its residents – we couldn’t do without you – long may you continue. 

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January saw several village roads flooded in Rolleston as shown by this photograph taken by David Yates. More of his flood photos can be seen here. He has also taken some photographs showing many of the lovely sights around the village, and an earlier set showing the October 2006 Flower Festival (best viewed as a slideshow).

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Thursday 10 January 2008 marked the 24th anniversary of the start (in the public domain at least) of the save the forest campaign. Purely for historical interest, newspaper cuttings spanning the two years of the campaign are loaded up at www.tutbury.org/forest.

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Friends and acquaintances of Jean Sprackland (nee Lockley), who was born in Rolleston in 1962, attended John of Rolleston School from 1967 to 1973, Forest of Needwood School 1973-74, and Wulfric School from 1974 to 1980, will no doubt be interested to hear that her third book of poetry, entitled "Tilt" was published by Jonathan Cape in 2007. It was shortlisted for the Costa Prize for the best book of poetry of the year, and was announced the winner in January 2008. The award will be presented at a ceremony in London on 22 January. As a winner of one of the five categories, her book will be considered for the overall "Best book of the year" prize, though poetry does not often make it to the top!

Jean works part time on the Poetry Archive, maintained by the Poetry Society under the direction of Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate, and also does free-lance work in schools and colleges throughout the country. She is currently engaged in a series of presentations in theatres and arts centres in London and elsewhere, reading her poems together with another poet and an actor reading short stories.

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