July...

IT’S July already and we welcome you to the latest issue of the Village Voice. On the front page are two very different tales of local life: the Blue Bell Inn is to be re-born under a new name, which is in fact not new at all, but old. When it’s re-opened as The Spirit Vaults, this Church Street watering hole will in fact be harking back to the past, and a new microbrewery will be operating on the premises too.

Also pictured on our front page is local design engineer Ami Hopkins, who is undertaking the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in September. Read her personal story about why she is doing it.

Big things are planned at Chellaston Academy, the secondary school which many young people from villages in our circulation area attend. A new multi-million-pound, multi-use hall is proposed, as the school prepares to take on hundreds of extra pupils. It’s yet to get through planning, but we’ve printed an artist’s impression to give you an idea of what’s being suggested.

Also within this month’s issue you’ll find news of an enterprising Melbourne family’s desire to change the world … through deodorant. Read about what the Sheriffs are trying to do to cut down on plastic and get clean water to parts of the world where it’s really needed. They need lots of support from local people to get their plans off the ground so do check out their crowdfunding campaign if you can.

Another local project that has already seen some good support is the Soup and Pudding Club at Melbourne Assembly Rooms. The idea is to provide low-cost fortnightly lunches to give local people a chance to have a chat over some tasty food. The first one on July 3 was certainly buzzing when the Village Voice went along, and we took a few snaps of people enjoying themselves to prove it!

Things have been quieter than usual on the sporting front due to June’s rainy weather, but it seems as though Melbourne’s tennis and cricket teams are continuing their run of good form – and there has been victory too for the local walking football side. This recently formed club allows footballers to keep playing the beautiful game at a slightly slower pace. The club meets most Fridays at 6pm at Melbourne Sports Park. They are always happy to see new faces!