NO further action is to be taken against a college principal who was suspended from her post last year.

Judith McArthur was suspended as chief executive and principal of Chesterfield College in July 2011 in what was described at the time by college chairman, Frank Smith as a “management issue.”

But he has this week released a statement saying Mrs McArthur is no longer under investigation.

He said: “Following a thorough investigation that has taken place over several months it has been decided not to proceed with any action.

Judith reaches 60 in March and is retiring as she originally intended.”

He added: “Judith was appointed to the college in December 1995 as curriculum director, was appointed vice principal in 2000 and principal in July 2008 after serving for six months as acting principal. 

“During her time at the College she presided over four successful Ofsted Inspections.

“Judith built up an excellent knowledge of the College as a whole and became a well-known and respected figure. During the last twelve months of her employment Judith encountered a series of personal family illnesses and subsequent bereavements.

“Judith leaves the College in March 2012 with its best wishes for the future.”

POLICE in Chesterfield are appealing for witnesses after an elderly woman had three chains stolen from her neck.

At around 10.25pm on Friday, February 17, a 70-year-old woman was stood in New Square outside the Portland Hotel when she was approached by a man.

The man put his arm around the victim and then grabbed the necklaces she was wearing and pulled them from her neck.

The victim did not suffer any injuries during the theft.

The thief had approached the victim and spoken to her earlier in the evening in The Market pub.

Officers from the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information.

The thief was in his late twenties, around 5ft 9in tall, medium build and of Mediterranean appearance with dark hair and stubble. He was wearing a pink top and blue cargo-style trousers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chesterfield Town Centre SNT on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

]]> 1.4271638 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:22:48 +0000 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/homes_without_water_after_major_leak_1_4273481

NEARLY 1,600 homes were left without water after a mains pipe burst.

Water cascaded through Matlock after the major leak on the corner of Woolley Street and Dimple Road at around 8.30am on Wednesday, February 22.

Woolley Street was closed in both directions and workers from Severn Trent Water arrived at the scene at 9.45am.

Gravel was spread across Bakewell Road near to the junction after water began to gather.

A spokesman for Severn Trent said workers were trying to fix the 12 inch pvc mains pipe as soon as possible.

He added: “We are looking at getting water from other areas and as long as it goes to plan people should be back on soon.

“Repairs have begun but we expect there will still be some disruption tomorrow.

“We apologies to those that have been inconvenienced both traffic wise and without water.”

julia.rodgerson@derbyshiretimes.co.uk

OVER 100 residents turned out to have their say on “congestion chaos” in their village.

Hasland villagers and traders attended the meeting at Chesterfield town hall on Tuesday, to call on highways bosses to reinstate a mini roundabout.

They claim traffic lights on Mansfield Road, are “dangerous” and say they are deterring trade.

A petition of over 2,300 signatures against the new traffic system has been given to the county council.

Resident Debbie Roe said: “Everyone voiced their opinion. We need traffic to flow again.”

]]> 1.4271714 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:49:44 +0000 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/hospital_in_unprecedented_situation_1_4271365

HEALTH chiefs battling to contain outbreaks of a highly infectious bug at a Derbyshire hospital hope the “unprecedented” situation will improve over the next few days.

Bosses took the drastic step of closing Chesterfield Royal Hospital to visitors last Wednesday after the contagious Norovirus winter vomiting bug struck eight wards.

The Calow hospital remained under lockdown as the Derbyshire Times went to press on Wednesday.

Sarah Turner-Saint, head of communications at the hospital, said: “It’s over a week since we took the unprecedented decision to close our adult in-patient wards to visitors to try and break the cycle of this outbreak – which is the worst we have known.

“This was a tough call to make - but with fewer beds and fewer staff we were in real danger of not being able to provide services to critically ill patients.

“We hope that over the next few days the situation will improve as we self-limit the infection on these wards and the bug dies out.”

She added: “This has been an extremely difficult time for patients and visitors and we appreciate their ongoing support and patience.

“On the whole everyone has been very understanding.”

Norovirus causes violent sickness and diarrhoea and is the most common stomach bug in the UK.

Mrs Turner-Saint called on visitors to be vigilant when the hospital opens its doors again.

She said: “When we do re-open we’d urge visitors not to come under any circumstances if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and sickness over the past 72 hours.

“Good hand hygiene is vital too – there are hand gels and hand wash stations at all ward entrances and these should be used on arrival and leaving.”

A video on Norovirus can be viewed at www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk.

l For updates on this story keep checking www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk.

michael.broomhead@

derbyshiretimes.co.uk

NO LONGER OPEN: Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

A ROMANTIC suitor who has celebrated 60 years of marriage was swept off his feet when he first met his wife-to-be at a roller skating ring.

Doug Dean, of Overton Close, Staveley, met Alice after she came to his rescue when he fell over during a skating session in Manchester.

Alice said: “Doug’s friend had brought him skating while he was in the army doing National Service and he fell and I helped him up and got him safely to one side of the skating ring.

“During the break I went for an orange juice and we had a chat and became friends and started courting.”

The couple went on to be married at St Thomas’ Church, Gorton, in Manchester, on February 16, 1952.

Doug, 82, had several jobs and worked at a blacksmith’s, at Staveley Works and as a social security works supervisor while Alice, 80, worked as a machinist.

The couple have sons Douglas, Anthony, Christopher, David, Carol and Ann and also have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They are hoping to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with a family meal.

FLIP-FILLED fun was brought to Winster on Shrove Tuesday as an inaugural pancake race took place in the village.

Competitors from toddlers to pensioners grabbed their frying pans to race along the village’s main street.

Around 50 people took part in 12 races.

Organiser Nicola Gilbert said: “It was a brilliant day and we had a really good turn-out.

“Some of the older generation said the pancakes were not being tossed enough and they would have been disqualified in their day but good fun was had by all.”

]]> 1.4270198 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:54:37 +0000 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/talking_bin_says_thanks_for_litter_1_4270100

A NEW weapon has been developed in the war on Derbyshire’s litter – a talking bin.

Shoppers will be congratulated for throwing away their rubbish responsibly.

The bin – located near the library, behind McDonalds – is part of the Love Where You Live campaign and will be spreading some love to shoppers for the next month.

In London talking bins have collected 50 per cent more rubbish than normal bins.

“I just love rubbish”, “I love it when you feed me” are just some of the special messages that will greet you when you pop your rubbish into the bin.

Cllr Chris Ludlow, executive member for the environment said: “The challenge is to encourage people to properly dispose of their fast food litter and hopefully the talking bin will have a positive impact.

“It is a bit of fun but it’s also part of our efforts to have a clean, litter free Chesterfield.”

]]> 1.4270100 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:58:33 +0000 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/serious_crash_closes_road_1_4268203

A SERIOUS crash has left a Derbyshire road closed.

A Toyota RAV and a pedal cyclist collided on the A616 in Creswell at 7.30am today.

A Derbyshire police spokesman said the cyclist suffered “multiple injuries” and was airlifted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The spokesman added the road remains closed between the junction of Gapsick Lane and Hazelmere Road.

CHESTERFIELD Royal Hospital is still closed to visitors today (Tuesday) as a result of the Norovirus outbreak.

The hospital took the unprecedented step of closing eight wards last Wednesday.

Those with concerns can call the NHS Direct phone service and are advised not to visit surgeries.

For updates see www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk.

]]> 1.4268130 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:00:34 +0000 http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/flipping_mad_fun_for_shrove_tuesday_1_4268042

FLIPPING fantastic fun will be taking place in Winster today.

From 2pm races will be taking place along the main street of the village.

Competitors from toddlers to pensioners will be taking part and schoolchildren will enjoy a half-day holiday.

For photographers from the race and a video see this week’s Derbyshire Times and updates on our website.

]]> 1.4268042 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:36:51 +0000