WEATHER wise, it seems that summer is well and truly over but for many
people, that's no bad thing - see Robert Parker's farming column for his
insights as to why a long summer without rain can spell tough times for our
agricultural community.

On the front page we carry news of a potentially exciting development for
Melbourne in the form of a snazzy new bar and restaurant proposal for the
former gym (and before that, shoe factory) on Derby Road. Would the Cobblers
Arms be a good thing for Melbourne? Where would customers park? Read Frank
Hughes' front page report and the parish council's take on things on page
three.

Within our pages, the story of how Alan Thompson's life was saved by five
people with quick-thinking use of CPR and the defibrillator in Smisby is
truly inspiring reading. If there's one thing to take away from this, it's
that we all need training in these vital life-saving skills. In the words of
Smisby Day Nursery owner Ian Higginbotham who was alerted to the crisis by
Nicola Abell and Laura Redfern, it's that when someone has suffered a sudden
cardiac arrest, anything you can do as a bystander in the form of CPR has
the chance to save them - in the same position, we would all want people to
do the same for us. Work is continually underfoot to bring more of these
life-saving defibrillators to our communities for use in the precious
minutes before an ambulance arrives: if you can possibly support one of
these fundraising efforts, please do so.

Melbourne Produce Show continues to provide a great forum for growers to
showcase their hard work in the allotment and garden: see Tina Baker's
pictures and our report.

And, you never know what might turn up in the garden: Frank Hughes has been
interviewing the people at Ticknall Archaeological Research Group and their
fascinating finds.

This September there's lots to look forward to locally with the Arts
Festival trail over the weekend of September 15 and 16, plus a free memorial
concert put on by the Royal British Legion on September 22. With local
musicians plus choirs singing and playing their hearts out, it will close
with bell ringing at sundown to mark the closure of the First World War, 100
years ago. A moving moment, indeed.

In sport, good news for Melbourne Town Cricket Club's third team who secured
their first ever promotion, while the tennis club had more mixed fortunes
over the month - see our sports pages for full coverage.