April...

CCTV footage has helped to prosecute a dog owner who failed to pick up their animal’s poo in Melbourne.
It is the first time such evidence in Melbourne has enabled a prosecution to be made, April’s Parish Council meeting was told. The dog owner admitted the offence and agreed to accept a fixed penalty notice of £100, which has been paid.

A regular street market is still on the cards for Melbourne – but probably in a different place. Castle Square now appears to be the preferred venue, and not the Market Place. Parish council clerk Jacqui Storer told councillors that, because of various issues including highways concerns, the Market Place was not deemed suitable. The possibility of a planning application for a market in Castle Square is being looked at.

Marcus Conner, who runs a rescue centre for birds on the outskirts of Barrow-upon-Trent, says he has been left heartbroken by the theft of 45 exhibition fantail pigeons. The birds were taken from four lofts while Marcus and his partner were away for a birthday celebration. “I feel an absolute wreck,” Marcus says in this month’s Village Voice. “It feels like a big chunk of me has gone.”

There are two extra special celebrations covered in the April edition, too. Melbourne Hall Team Rooms saw a party for Betty Baker’s 90th birthday, while Dennis and Muriel Warren received a card from The Queen to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.

On the sporting front, Melbourne Rugby Club has a lot to be happy about, having won promotion back to the Midlands First Division. A thumping 41-5 win over Newark gave the 1st XV the title with three games to spare.
Not to be outdone Melbourne Dynamo’s senior Saturday football team recorded its 18th straight win to build a 12-point lead at the top of the table.

And if you want to know how standing on your head can help your wellbeing then Yoga teacher A J Hartley will show you in our news-packed edition.