A COMPANY from Derbyshire is limbering up to build a £30 million sports centre in Scotland.

Bowmer and Kirkland, of Heage, has been named as contractor for the National Performance Centre for Sport at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus.

The centre's roof was inspired by the trajectory of the breathtaking free-kick that Roberto Carlos scored for Brazil against France in 1997.

Work will start in early 2015 and it is expected to open for business in summer 2016.

Bowmer and Kirkland's success building both St George's Park, the FA's National Football Centre, near Burton, and the Derby Arena, on Pride Park, played a role in winning the multi-million-pound contract.

The new project is a partnership between Heriot-Watt University, the City of Edinburgh Council and Sportscotland.

It will include a full-size indoor 3G synthetic pitch for football and rugby, a nine-court sports hall, grass and synthetic outdoor pitches as well as a wing to include areas for hydrotherapy, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, office accommodation and a classroom.

Alan Johansen, Bowmer and Kirkland's regional director for the North-East and Scotland, said: "We are extremely proud to have been selected as preferred contractor on such a prestigious project for Scotland and we are looking forward to working with the entire team."

The National Performance Centre for Sport is expected to be home to organisations including the Scottish FA, Basketball Scotland, the Scottish Handball Association, Scottish Rugby, Scottish Squash and Racketball and the Scottish Volleyball Association.

The chief executive of Sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: "It is great news that Bowmer and Kirkland have been appointed preferred contractors, confirming that this exciting project is making good progress.

"The spectacular success by Team Scotland athletes at the Glasgow Games was helped by the world-class sporting facilities we now have in Scotland and the new National Performance Centre for Sport will further assist our performance athletes in honing their skills and delivering on the global stage."

Edinburgh architects Reiach and Hall designed the building.

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Sport, said, "The centre will complement Scotland's excellent sporting facilities, and we can all be pleased with the progress of this significant project.

"Having tremendous facilities is an essential component of Scotland's world-class performance system which delivered so emphatically with Team Scotland's success at Glasgow. The NPCS will further benefit performance athletes and community participants when it opens in 2016."

Heriot-Watt University principal, Professor Steve Chapman, said: "This marks the start of big changes for Heriot-Watt and Scotland as the innovative buildings take shape. The design for the centre has been developed to provide world-class sporting facilities.''

FORMER Derby County and England defender Chris Powell is set to be appointed manager of Championship club Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers have been searching for a new boss since parting company with Mark Robins on the opening day of the season.
Since then, another ex-Rams, Mark Lillis, has been in caretaker charge of the first team.
Powell has been out of the game since he was sacked by Charlton in March.
But it is understood that the 44-year-old has now been offered the Huddersfield job.

A DERBY mum is to be covered in 12 gallons of maggots to raise money for a Boxing Day meal for lonely old people.

Lauren Brown had the idea after meeting an elderly man who had no family and would be alone at Christmas.

The 26-year-old said: "This man was 75 or 80 and was still working and didn't look very well. He said he didn't have a wife or any children and that he was on his own.

"I really felt for him and I kept thinking over and over about what his life must be like."

The plan she came up with was to put on a free meal for elderly people in Derby on Boxing Day and offering transport for those who do not drive.

Lauren, of Alvaston, said: "I really think the Christmas spirit has been lost in the modern day. Whilst as a family we don't have much, we also have everything. We have each other. Christmas is about family and some people have nobody.

"I decided that the best thing to do would be to put on a meal and some entertainment and help as many people as possible."

The event will take place at St Nicholas' Church, Allestree, with food being prepared at kitchens at Chilwell Barracks before it is transported to Derby.

But to see her plan succeed money has to be raised. She had to be creative with ways that she could bring in the cash.

Lauren said: "We came up with maggots as an idea and hopefully it will be something that loads of people will support.

"It's going to be pretty horrible but it is all worth it to get as much money as possible for the event. Me and my sister, Jazz Doorman, are going to be covered in 12 gallons of maggots in a inflatable pool at my house."

The event needs £3,000 to go ahead and will feature a performance from a band.

Lauren said: "We have been so lucky to get Bobby Kemp along with a six or seven piece-band. He has performed in front of royalty on the Cutty Sark and his singing is amazing.''

Lauren said: "Any food left over will be taken out to the homeless on the 26th.

"And if there is any money left over, then it will be given to local good causes."

Eighty-five people, who must be aged over 65 to attend, can be catered for.

People interested in attending should call Lauren on 01332 902 218. They will need to give their name and the address where they could be picked-up from.

To donate visit http://www.gofundme.com/cfbwxo or search "Boxing Day Dinner for the elderly and alone in Derby" on Facebook.

DERBYSHIRE still had a chance of a last-day win coming to the final session of their LV County Championship match against Worcestershire at the 3aaa County Ground.

Having been set 268 off a minimum of 57 overs when Derbyshire were bowled out for 296 in their second innings, Worcestershire were 59-3 at tea after Mark Footitt took two more quick wickets.

He removed Richard Oliver caught and bowled for nought for the second time in the match in the third over of the innings at 5-1 and then bowled Tom Fell for 10 with the score 17-2.

Tony Palladino, who bowled six straight maidens from the racecourse end, thought he had Daryl Mitchell caught behind from a rising delivery at that score but it was not given.

The third wicket did come in the 14^th over as Alexei Kervezee was caught at square leg for 15 off Wayne White's first ball at 44-3 but Mitchell (14) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (14) made it through to tea.

Wayne Madsen showed the way for his side with 98, though he should have been out in the third over of the day when he was dropped at square leg on 13.

By then, Derbyshire had already lost their first wicket of the day as Chesney Hughes was surprised by a Charlie Morris ball that leapt off a length and looped to gully. He made three and that was 145-3.

Wes Durston helped his captain get the scoreboard ticking until at attempt to hit spinner Shaaiq Choudhry over the top ended in a catch at mid off as he went for 12 at 198-4.

Alex Hughes was well taken by wicketkeeper Ben Cox standing up to Jack Shantry for three at 202-5 but Gareth Cross (21) helped Madsen see Derbyshire through to lunch only to be bowled off the second ball after the interval.

That was the first of four wickets to fall to the New Zealander after lunch as he finished with 5-78, with Madsen playing on two runs short of his century, having faced 135 balls and hit 11 fours and a six.

The accident on the A38 has now been cleared and the lane reopened.

A three-car accident caused severe traffic problems between the Palm Court island and the Markeaton roundabout.

The crash, which happened at 1.50pm, closed the outside lane of the southbound carriageway.

There were only minor injuries after an Audi, Landrover and a Vauxhall Insignia were in collision.

Recovery vehicles arrived at 3.30pm and the other lane was reopened just before 4pm.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

I HAD to laugh when I read Ken Miller's letter advocating that Derby County should have been bidding to sign Danny Welbeck.

Derby County are not in the same league as the big boys – neither on the pitch or financially. They need to live off their scraps – eg good loan players from them, like Patrick Bamford last season and, several years ago, Leon Osman from Everton.

The Rams will always be an in-between club, either struggling in the Premiership or holding their own in the next tier – just like others such as West Brom, Ipswich, QPR and Bolton.

Great if we manage to go up. Enjoy the good times - but do not be deluded into thinking we can ever be in permanent contention at the very top...unless anybody knows a rich Sheikh?

Will Gauden

Wiltshire Road

Chaddesden

CAREER-BEST bowling from Wes Durston took Derbyshire to their third LV County Championship victory in a row against Worcestershire at the 3aaa County Ground.

They bowled the Division Two leaders out for 129 in their second innings to win by 138 runs, with Durston's off-spin bringing him 5-19 in 13 overs.

Having been set 268 off a minimum of 57 overs when Derbyshire were bowled out for 296 in their second innings, Worcestershire tumbled after tea against the spinners as they lost their last seven wickets for 70.

Mark Footitt set Derbyshire on the right track when he removed Richard Oliver caught and bowled for nought for the second time in the match in the third over of the innings at 5-1 and then bowled Tom Fell for 10 with the score 17-2.

Tony Palladino, who bowled six straight maidens from the racecourse end, thought he had Daryl Mitchell caught behind from a rising delivery at that score but it was not given.

The third wicket did come in the 14^th over as Alexei Kervezee was caught at square leg for 15 off Wayne White's first ball at 44-3 but Mitchell (14) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (14) made it through to tea.

However, with the spinners straight into the action after the interval, wickets began to tumble.

Mitchell was caught at deep square leg for 15 sweeping at Wes Durston, who then had Kohler-Cadmore (29) caught behind and Joe Leach (4) caught at first slip.

When Shaaiq Choudhry (0) was caught at silly point, Durston had taken 4-9 in 22 balls and Worcestershire were floundering at 97-7.

That became 97-8 when Ben Cox (14) was caught at slip by Durston off David Wainwright but Mitchell McClenaghan and Jack Shantry held them up for 83 balls before Durston's switch of ends brought the wicket of Shantry, caught at short leg for 13 at 126-9.

McClenaghan was last man out when he was bowled by Chesney Hughes for 15.

Wayne Madsen showed the way for his side with 98, though he should have been out in the third over of the day when he was dropped at square leg on 13.

By then, Derbyshire had already lost their first wicket of the day as Chesney Hughes was surprised by a Charlie Morris ball that leapt off a length and looped to gully. He made three and that was 145-3.

Durston helped his captain get the scoreboard ticking until at attempt to hit spinner Choudhry over the top ended in a catch at mid off as he went for 12 at 198-4.

Alex Hughes was well taken by wicketkeeper Cox standing up to Shantry for three at 202-5 but Gareth Cross (21) helped Madsen see Derbyshire through to lunch only to be bowled off the second ball after the interval.

That was the first of four wickets to fall to the New Zealander McClenaghan after lunch as he finished with 5-78, with Madsen playing on two runs short of his century, having faced 135 balls and hit 11 fours and a six.

RICHARD Keogh has been named Republic of Ireland captain for Wednesday night's friendly against Oman in Dublin.
The Derby County skipper will wear the armband for Martin O'Neill's side in what is only his fourth international appearance.
Ireland are warming up for their opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Georgia on Sunday.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM V OMAN: Given, Meyler, Keogh (c), Pearce, Ward, Pilkington, Gibson, Quinn, Brady, Hoolahan, Doyle.

A MOPED rider has died following a crash in Derbyshire. 

Police said a Ford Transit van and a Yamaha moped were in collision at the junction of Tom Lane and Staveley Road, Duckmanton, on Monday at about 4.25pm.

The 40-year-old female rider of a white 125cc moped was airlifted to Sheffield Northern General after she sustained serious head injuries.

A Derbyshire police spokeswoman said the woman died yesterday.

The van driver was not injured.

Anyone who saw the collision should contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 444 01/09/14.

Travellers have this evening moved from Chester Green and decamped to another area of Derby.

About five caravans and five vehicles were on the site when officer attended the incident.

A spokesman for Derbyshire police said: "We were called to the site at 4.55pm.

"The travellers moved from the site soon after and have now parked up off Newmarket Drive, just off Ascot Drive.

"We will be working alongside Derby City Council to ensure a swift resolution to the situation."

The latest influx to Chester Green came less than a month after travellers moved on to the same site.

Before this, travellers had not been on the green for 15 years.

A COMPUTER hacker shut down the website of a Derbyshire holiday firm with which he was in dispute "in an act of petty revenge".

A judge told Glyn Berrington that what he had done to Ashbourne-based Menorca Private Owners "was like stealing a workman's tools".

Derby Crown Court heard how Berrington, 49, had that working on his own website instead of on the one he was being paid to maintain for the online holiday company.

When they discovered he had not done the work they asked of him and refused to pay him, he hacked into their website, changing passwords and causing the company to lose "an estimated £2,000 of business".

Berrington, of Lathkill Drive, Ashbourne, was handed a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Judge John Burgess told him: "What you were doing was like stealing a workman's tools.

"It was an act of petty revenge committed during a fit of anger, or a fit of pique. It was a breach of trust that has lost this company an estimated £2,000 of business and some considerable time and effort to put what you did right again for the firm and for its customers."

Alex Wolfson, prosecuting, said Berrington was employed as a freelance IT consultant with the company, which is based in Rodsleywood, Ashbourne.

He said the company's owner, Paul Perera was away in Spain on business and his son, James, was asked to check that Berrington had completed a task assigned to him.

Mr Wolfson said: "Paul Perera was upset that the work they expected the defendant to only take a day to complete had still not been done after two weeks.

"James Perera checked the defendant's workstation to discover he had been working on his own company website, Sturban Clothing , instead of the work he should have been doing.

"This led to a dispute over payment and the defendant, who was by now disgruntled, effectively hacked into the website and the effect of that was to bring it to a grinding halt."

Berrington, who committed the offence in early May, pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorised modification of computer material.

Philip Bown, for Berrington, said: "He accepts it was wrong and caused a considerable amount of disruption and inconvenience."

Berrington was also ordered to undertake 150 hours. unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation back to Menorca Private Owners.

Speaking after sentencing, Paul Perera said: "The hardest thing to accept in this case is the breach of trust.

"He cyber-attacked us and cause a huge amount of disruption to us.

"Thankfully now we have found a Derby-based company that handles our much-improved website and does a fantastic job."

A DRUNK man from Derby caused a window on a moving train to "pop out like butter" while on his way home from visiting his former girlfriend's grave.

Ryan Pugh had been "drinking heavily" after an "emotional trip" to the cemetery where his former partner, Natalie Eadson, were buried, a court was told.

The 37-year-old and a friend were on the train between Matlock and Derby when Pugh "fell into" the window, causing it to fall out and on to the track in the Belper area.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard that, although there was no disruption to train services, the window was destroyed and repairs cost £500.

Neil Hollett, prosecuting on behalf of the British Transport Police, said Pugh, of Edward Street, was recognised by officers after CCTV footage was analysed and he was arrested on July 7, two days later.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared before magistrates in Derby.

James Close, for Pugh, said: "On the day of the offence, the defendant had travelled with a friend to the grave of his former partner.

"The girl he was going out with, Natalie Eadson, died suddenly from liver failure.

"He was a long-term partner of hers and her death came as a great shock to him.

"He had gone to Wirksworth to visit her grave for the first time as he had been in prison.

"He went to the graveside. It was an emotional trip for him and afterwards he had a lot to drink before getting on the train to return to Derby."

Mr Close said his client could not remember how the window came to fall out.

He said: "His friend who was with him said the defendant fell into the window.

"It was not an intentional act – his friend said the window 'popped out like butter'.

"There was no intent but he accepts that he caused the damage.

"He [Pugh] needs to detox. He would welcome an alcohol treatment programme."

Magistrate Jon Watkin handed unemployed Pugh a 12-month community order with supervision, plus a six-month alcohol treatment programme. He also fined him £20 and ordered him to pay £300 compensation.

Mr Watkin said: "Your offence caused a significant amount of damage on a moving train that would have had other passengers on it and caused them a great deal of worry.

"The order I am giving you cannot be broken. If it is, then you know you are coming back to court for something far more serious."

FIREFIGHTERS are currently fighting a large barn blaze in Smalley.

The fire, close to the Smalley crossroads, has forced the closure of the A608 for safety reasons.

Crews from Nottingham Road, in Derby, and Ilkeston were called to the fire at 7.50pm.

The barn was thought to contain hay and was being doused with water as it burned. 

It is thought that fire crews could be at the scene for at least another three to four hours.

Police said it was too early to establish if there were any suspicious circumstances.

A plane has had to make an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport tonight.

Passengers have said that they could smell smoke as they left the plane, which had travelled from Ibiza, by the emergency exits.

Adrian Pepper, from Mickleover, was aboard the Jet2 flight when the drama occurred.

The 44-year-old said: "As we came into land we aborted and had to pull back up and circle round again.

"When we came into land there was no communication as the PA system seemed to be broken.

"When we eventually landed we taxied down and we could see all the fire engines and ambulances."

Mr Pepper said that they were forced to use the emergency exits to leave the plane and that an "acrid smell of smoke" was evident as the left the plane.

The emergency landing also had knock-on effects for other passengers with at least three flights diverted, according to the airport's website.

One of these aborted flights appeared to have been sent to Birmingham with Twitter user Maxine Sheppard writing:

Parked at East Midlands airport landed at Birmingham due to some sort of emergency East Mids closed

— Maxine Sheppard (@MaxineSheppard1) September 3, 2014

And other users on the site had also noticed a number of circling planes overhead:

What's happening at East Midlands Airport? Lots of circling and one diversion to Stanstead(?) #aircraft#aviation

— angela garrod (@angegarrod) September 3, 2014

I'm guessing since Facebook is down, East Midlands airport is also operated by Facebook since there are aircraft circling

— Dianne Elizabeth✈️ (@PlaneGeek_x) September 3, 2014

Come on East Midlands Airport sort it out! Stuck on the runway and need to be home for work! #letusoff

— Katie (@katierippon) September 3, 2014

IT was a proud night for Derby County skipper Richard Keogh as he was named Republic of Ireland captain for the international friendly against Oman.
The central defender, winning only his fourth cap, led out Martin O'Neill's side in Dublin, as regular captain Robbie Keane was on the hosts' bench.
Keogh played the full 90 minutes as Ireland claimed a 2-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Striker Kevin Doyle headed a 20th-minute opener.
Defender Alex Pearce added a second nine minutes from time.
Ireland get their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign under way on Sunday in Georgia.

A DERBYSHIRE police officer lashes out at an arrested man, seemingly punching him in the face, while the prisoner is restrained by two other cops.

What the officer did not know is that the shocking scene in aPear Tree street was being filmed by an onlooker.

And now his senior officers have launched an inquiry into what happened after studying the footage.

The video shows the officer apparently arguing with the suspect, before launching himself forward and landing the blow.

In response, a force spokesman confirmed the incident took place in Holcombe Street in late July this year and that an internal investigation has been launched.

At the time, the man who was apparently punched had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences.

He is seen being led down Holcombe Street flanked and restrained by two other police officers.

Footage shows him swearing, shouting abuse and threatening the third police officer, who is talking back to him. As they approach a police car, the policeman lunges forward and seems to punch the man once.

The footage then captures the sound of a woman's scream. The video was filmed on a mobile phone by an onlooker who does not want to be identified.

Derbyshire's Deputy Chief Constable, Alan Goodwin, said: "To date, the man involved has not made a complaint about the circumstances of his arrest but, irrespective of that, we will now begin an investigation.

"We treat any allegation of misconduct or criminal behaviour extremely seriously. If any officer is believed to have committed a criminal or disciplinary offence appropriate action will be taken."

He said police had been called to a domestic incident on Princes Street in Derby just before midnight.

A man had allegedly been involved in an argument and had allegedly then damaged a vehicle parked on Princes Street.

The suspect, a 26-year-old man, was arrested on Holcombe Street on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence. He was questioned and released on police bail.

Alan Charles, the police and crime commissioner for Derbyshire, who oversees the work of the county's force, said: "Police officers deal with very difficult situations on a daily basis.

"The public have the right to expect officers to behave in a professional manner.

"If any officers don't meet these standards, then they can certainly expect any breaches to be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken."

Former Derby Mayor Lisa Higginbottom launched a campaign called "One Punch" during her year in office in 2012-13.

It came after her teenage stepbrother, Sam Kirk, died after being felled by an attacker's single punch, leaving her wanting to educate people about the dangers striking out can have.

She said: "It is shocking to hear that a police officer can behave in this way.

"The whole idea of the campaign is that, whatever the provocation has been, people should not lash out with their fists.

"The campaign was launched in the hope that people learn that their fists are weapons and should not be used.

"It asks that when faced with a potentially explosive or tension-filled atmosphere, they take 60 seconds to think about exactly what the consequences of their actions might be."

Mark Pickard is the chairman of Derbyshire Police Federation.

It looks after the interests of almost 1,900 rank and file officers up to inspector level in the county.

He said: "We are confident that, if a complaint is made, then the Derbyshire force will carry out a thorough investigation.

"The force has an exemplary record when it comes to investigating complaints from members of the public about its officers and staff.

"Police officers are bound by the force's standards and the new Code of Ethics and, as such, their behaviour must meet stringent guidelines.

"Where their conduct is found to be wanting, there are also procedures in place to ensure they are dealt with appropriately."

DERBY County take on arch rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground a week on Sunday (September 14).
Forest at top of the Championship and unbeaten after five games, while the Rams are five points behind in seventh.
We're asking Derby fans to pick their starting line-up to face Stuart Pearce's men - and give the reasons why.
Midfielder Jeff Hendrick looks set to miss out as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder, while the likes of recent loan signings Ryan Shotton and Jordon Ibe will be pushing for a place in Steve McClaren's side.
Let us know who you would pick by commenting below.

PINK Ladies and T-Birds were out in force as the drive-in showing of Grease pulled in the crowds.

Around 100 excited film fans packed the top of the multi-storey car park at the Intu Derby event.

Two of those who had made the trip in 50s garb were Emma Coleman and Abbey Watson, from Marehay.

The neighbours said they had been singing along at home in anticipation of the event.

Emma, 23, said: "We have been so excited about it and when we heard that it was fancy dress we knew we had to get the proper outfits."

Abbey, 21, said: "I first heard about it on Facebook. It is a great idea – I would love to see them do it again."

Intu Derby put the choice of film out to a public vote earlier this year.

And 900 people chose the classic 1970s film as the one that they wanted to see.

The shopping centre put an appeal on its Facebook page for people to choose from Dirty Dancing, Grease, Mamma Mia, Skyfall or Top Gun.

Grease had 308 votes, while Top Gun was a close second with 279 votes.

Tickets sold out in three days and Intu Derby marketing communications manager, Andrea Swift, said they had been surprised by the demand.

She said: "We were a little unsure about how people were going to take to it but it has been really well received.

"We have worked with Quad who helped with the projection of the film and all the money raised will be going to our chosen charity, When You Wish Upon A Star.

"We don't have any plans to do another screening yet but the feedback that we are getting from the people here tonight has been fantastic."

Friends Julia England and Laura Hancock were very much in favour of another screening and had some ideas themselves about what could be put on.

Laura, 29, from Alvaston, said: "I was split between Grease and Dirty Dancing for this screening but I think next time it would be nice for a kids' film to be on."

Julia, 38, and also from Alvaston, said: "My children would have loved to have come but it was just too late.

"Maybe if they put it on a little later in the year then it could be a little earlier because of the light."

Laura said: "We actually nearly missed the tickets for this screening! I was just having a look and saw they were out and had to send my step-dad down."