ONE Derby man who is absolutely passionate about all things Scottish is Jonathan Morris.

He and about 100 fellow countrymen and women make up Clan Derby.

The group, which describes itself on Facebook as "for charity work football, rugby, main events in the Derby area and the odd visit to the one and only Scotland", is holding a meeting at the White Horse in the Morledge on September 18 from 7pm, just ahead of the polls closing in Scotland.

Mr Morris has said it is not a Clan Derby night but rather a chance for interested people to get together and watch the action unfold on the television as the results start to come in.

Reflecting on the current efforts by party leaders, Cameron, Milliband and Clegg, to push for a rejection of independence, Mr Morris said: "I think the politicians have left it a bit late to try to sweet talk people out of voting 'yes'.

"It would never have seemed possible that people could vote in favour of independence even a few weeks ago but now it seems entirely possible.

"But I still worry that it might not happen and that something will go wrong between now and then.

"In 1314, the Scots fought and died for freedom. In 2014, all you have to do is vote 'yes'."

Mr Morris is stoical about the fact that he and his Clan Derby members cannot vote in the referendum, because they do not live in Scotland.

He said: "We have chosen to live and work in Derby and so we cannot vote. But it is funny to think that non-Scots living in Scotland will be able to vote and decide the future.

"The Prime Minister David Cameron, with his surname, should be ashamed of himself in particular."

A couple of months ago, thousands of people enjoyed the delights of the 29th annual Highland Gathering in Ashbourne – and had the chance to "vote" on Scotland's future.

It had no official bearing on the eventual vote but Ashbourne decided it would rather Scotland stayed as part of the United Kingdom.

The annual event celebrates all things Scottish and a variety of events take place from racing sheep to caber tossing.

But this year in among the pipe band competitions, running races and heavyweight contests, people were asked to cast their vote answering the simple question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

The question is exactly the same as that which will appear on people's voting papers in Scotland on Thursday, September 18.

Warwick Adams, secretary of the Highland Gathering committee, said the vote gave Scots living in England a chance to express their view – something they will not get be able to do in the real thing.

Mr Adams said: "Only people registered to vote in Scotland will be eligible to take part in the referendum and so this will mean many Scots living outside of the country not having a vote.

"In our vote, around 78% voted in favour of Scotland remaining part of the union. But the real thing is likely to be much closer and it is on a knife-edge."

Mr Adams was happy to reveal he would like to see Scotland as an independent country.

He added: "Whatever happens will affect Scotland's future but I would like to see independence, although all my fellow Scots in this area may not agree with me."

The final weeks of the campaign have seen a narrowing of the "no" lead in some polls and a growing sense of panic in Westminster that Scotland might do the unthinkable and break away.

A "yes" vote will have profound consequences for Scotland and the rest of the UK. Even with a "no" vote, promises of further devolution to the Scottish parliament have been made by all the main parties.

If Scotland votes "yes", it would keep the Queen as head of state, use the pound, still watch the BBC, share open borders, energy policy and seamless trade with the rest of the UK, and be an active member of the European Union by the time independence is declared in March 2016.

But the British Government has ruled out sharing the pound and the Bank of England with Scotland and will press hard for Trident not to remain in Scotland.

If Scotland votes "no", the UK parties are promising to give the Scottish parliament much greater power over taxation and policy-making.

The Scottish parliament's total spending is £38.5bn, and it already runs Scotland's courts, prisons, schools and universities, policing and fire services, NHS, farming and fisheries, local government and transport systems.

Westminster has passed a new Scotland Act to allow Holyrood to set a different income tax rate by up to 10p in the pound from 2016, to borrow up to £2bn, to control landfill tax and to have a new property sales tax to replace stamp duty.

Anyone can vote in the referendum who is eligible to vote in elections to the Scottish parliament, with the addition of 16 and 17-year-olds.

PEOPLE are being asked to give their views on plans for housing and other developments in the Ripley area.

Ripley Town Council has produced the Neighbourhood Plan that includes the town of Ripley, together with the villages and other settlements within the parish, including Waingroves, Street Lane, Heage, Upper and Lower Hartshay, Sawmills, Heage, Bullbridge and Ambergate.

The town council has now submitted the Neighbourhood Plan to Amber Valley Borough Council to arrange a formal consultation running to October 22.

The Neighbourhood Plan and associated documents can be viewed on the borough council's web-site at: /ripley-neighbourhood-plan/

A hard copy of the document will also be available to view during the six-week consultation period at the borough council's offices at the Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley, during normal office hours.

Any comments on the Ripley Neighbourhood Plan can be either be submitted by e-mail to ldf@ambervalley.gov.uk, or by post to Community Planning, Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley.

DERBY County return to the City Ground on Sunday for the latest chapter in their rivalry with Nottingham Forest.

As we count down to the Championship clash, which kicks off at 1.15pm, relive this memorable Rams home win against Forest in December 2004.

Grzegorz Rasiak scored twice after Tommy Smith had opened the scoring for the Rams in the 3-0 victory.

Watch the highlights below.

RYAN Shotton marked his league debut with a goal to rescue a point for Derby County against rivals Nottingham Forest.
Shotton's 80th-minute strike earned the Rams a 1-1 draw at the City Ground after Britt Assombalonga has opened the scoring for the hosts.
Derby ended the game with 10 men after Jake Buxton was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Henri Lansbury fired goalwards inside the first minute but his shot was easily held by Lee Grant.
John Eustace was the first man into referee Paul Tierney's book after a seventh-minute foul on Chris Cohen.
Derby's Johnny Russell sent a free kick wide from 25 yards three minutes later.
Forest skipper Cohen was forced off after a quarter of an hour with an apparent knee injury. He was replaced by Robert Tesche.
Andy Reid's deflected free kick caused panic in the Rams box but the ball was eventually hacked to safety.
At the other end, Craig Bryson lifted a 30-yard free kick over the wall but into the arms of Karl Darlow.
In the 41st minute, a cross by Shotton was headed goalwards by Russell but the ball was deflected away for a corner.
Soon after that, the influential Reid hobbled off and was replaced by Ben Osborn.
Eustace received a final warning from Tierney after a foul on Lansbury as Forest ended the half well.
Lansbury's free kick was headed over by Assombalonga from eight yards out.
Then, in added time, Tesche sent a 30-yard drive whistling past the post, with Grant at full stretch.
Derby began the second half brightly, though Chris Martin was way off target with a couple of efforts.
Michail Antonio tested Grant with a low shot that deflected off Eustace.
Then, Craig Forsyth's cross drifted over Darlow but Russell could not take advantage.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute and it stemmed from a Derby attack down the left.
Forest broke and Antonio fed Assombalonga, who span past Shotton and fired into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
Jack Hunt's cross was met by the head of Antonio a few minutes later but he could not direct his header on target.
Derby had brought on Leon Best before the goal and, after conceding, introduced Jordon Ibe for his debut and Ivan Calero for a league debut.
Best was played in by Will Hughes on the left but Darlow was quickly out to block.
But the Rams equalised in the 80th minute.
Forsyth's free kick from the left was headed against the bar by skipper Richard Keogh.
Keogh and Shotton went for the follow-up, which was saved by Darlow - but from just behind the line.
Best finished from close range anyway, to remove any doubt about the goal - other than who scored it!
There was more drama as Buxton, having already been booked, was shown a second yellow card after being penalised for a foul on Assombalonga and then going in hard on Chris Burke after the whistle had gone.
With all three subs made, Simon Dawkins went to left-back, with Forsyth moving across to the middle.
Forsyth might have netted for Derby on the break but his low shot was saved by Darlow.
The Rams held on through eight minutes of added time, with Michael Mancienne's last-gasp header flying into the arms of Grant.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Darlow, Hunt, Hobbs, Mancienne, Lichaj, Cohen (Tesche, 15), Lansbury, Reid (Osborn, 43 (Veldwijk, 90+1)), Antonio, Burke, Assombalonga. Other subs: De Vries (gk), Wilson, Fox, Paterson.
DERBY COUNTY: Grant, Shotton, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace (Calero, 76), Hughes, Bryson (Ibe, 76), Dawkins, Russell (Best, 69), Martin. Other subs: Roos (gk), Christie, Whitbread, Mascarell.
REFEREE: P Tierney (Lancashire).
ATTENDANCE: 30,227 (1,947 away fans).

THE High Sheriff of Derbyshire said he had a "wonderful and memorable experience" after donning his hiking boots to walk 220 miles around the county.

Former Chief Constable David Coleman spent 16 days walking, over five weeks, to complete his tour of the border of Derbyshire.

The main purpose of the walk was to raise funds for mountain rescue teams in the Peak District and for the High Sheriff's Fund, which works with young people to divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Coleman, 61 – who came up with the idea after researching his role as High Sheriff – said: "I've been overwhelmed with the fantastic support I've received from so many people along the way.

"Derbyshire is a county of contrasts and has beauty in many forms.

"But what it also has is the warmest, friendliest, most helpful people you could ever wish to meet – and I've been fortunate to meet many of them in the past few weeks."

Mr Coleman completed his walk at Codnor Park, after a hike from Melbourne to Long Eaton two days before – where he was accompanied by members of the Derby Mountain Rescue Team.

He was also joined on this walk by friend John Thomas, who planned it; the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Willie Tucker; and Deputy Lieutenant Griselda Kerr.

He said: "If you haven't been to Melbourne, please do – it's a delightful old village with many architectural gems and well worth a visit.

"We used the Cloud Trail as far as the Trent and Mersey Canal and then the canal towpath through to Long Eaton, via Shardlow, Sawley and Trent Lock."

Mr Coleman said he was then joined by 49 walkers on the final stretch from Long Eaton to Codnor Park along the Erewash Canal and Cromford Canal led by Under Sheriff Andrew Cochrane and his wife, Karen.

Mr Coleman said: "The day went superbly well and was without incident until one of the walkers, Louise Doble, unfortunately suffered a broken ankle when she slipped against a stone on the path, just two miles from the end."

Mr Coleman said first-aiders from the mountain rescue team helped to take Louise to the finish line, so her husband could accompany her to hospital.

He said "I'm really sorry Louise suffered an injury while supporting my walk and I hope she gets well soon. So, slightly delayed by the accident, we arrived in the fitting glow of a beautiful sunset at Codnor Park at about 7.30pm – to warm applause from the participants."

Mr Coleman said he planned to write a guide about the walk.

To donate, visit www.derbyshirehighsheriff.co.uk.

I DON'T understand how a couple on holiday in a foreign land can go out and have a meal with friends and leave their child in bed alone. The child is then abducted and to this day has not been found.

On the other hand, you have a couple who have a seriously ill child in hospital, they were watching his life ebb away because the NHS would not allow the treatment the little lad urgently wanted.

Being loving, caring parents they decided to remove young Ashya from hospital and take him abroad to find treatment that could save his life. And what does our country do? They chase them up, imprison the loving parents and put the little boy in hospital, where, for a few days, the only member of his family to see him was his elder brother.

Two things: how come a "civilised" country, like the UK is supposed to be, didn't offer the treatment that other countries do, and why did we treat them like common criminals, when they did what they did because they love and care for their poorly son?

Something is so wrong here but at least there was a u-turn.

Mick Newbold

Normanton Lane

Littleover

FROM the outside, Sound Bites does not look a big-enough shop in which to swing a cat.

However, the size of the store takes you by surprise.

But swinging a cat would not be advisable, given one of the guiding principles behind the shop is caring for animals.

Founded in 2005, Sound Bites is a vegan wholefood shop that sells everything you would expect in a normal shop – except no animals were harmed in the making of the products. The store also makes sure that all of its foods are ethically produced, organic and come from sustainable sources.

All that may sound like it caters for a very narrow market of shoppers with deep pockets who can afford expensive food.

But that is not the case at Sound Bites.

Tim Almy, co-director of the shop, said: "There is no particular customer that comes into Sound Bites and I think that is a great thing.

"Because of the things we sell I think people may think that we only cater for middle-class people.

"But what I think we do is mirror the community around us and that is a really important thing."

Tim says that when people new to Sound Bites come into the store they are constantly surprised by the range on offer.

He said: "If I had a penny for every time that somebody has come looking for a bag of rice and then left with a whole shopping bag full of stuff, I would be a rich man.

"Our big sellers are bread, oats and rice, pulses and oats."

The price of those items are very competitive in comparison to the amount charged by the big supermarkets.

Tim said: "A lot of the items that we have we buy in and then pack ourselves.

"If you went to somewhere like Holland & Barrett and tried to buy the same things that you can get with us, you would be paying a huge amount more.

"But then people have been told over and over that independent shops are more expensive and they believe it.

"But recently there have been so many scares involving food, like the BSE crisis, that people want to go back to knowing where the food is coming from."

A lot of stores now trumpet their organic, local and ethical products, including the big supermarket chains.

But back at the beginning, organic food was seen as somewhat of a fad and Sound Bites was a trailblazer in many ways when they began nearly a decade ago.

Starting in the Market Hall in 2005, they moved to their current premises in 2006 and is a workers' cooperative as well as being not-for-profit.

Eight friends – Patrick Brown, Ruth Kelly, Ruth Strange, Graham Patient, Rosalind Pounder, Charlotte Flindall, Soesen Edan and Emma Warden – were behind the creation of the business.

The idea was that it would run as a not-for-profit business and that any surplus cash would be ploughed back into the business and provide lower prices for their customers.

Tim said: "Currently there are six of us who run the store, but all the original members have now left.

"We pay ourselves the minimum wage, although none of us work full-time at the shop. We all have other paid employment as well.

"We have part-time employees and we are very lucky that people also volunteer with us."

Each Friday the co-op members meet and discuss the business, new products that could be stocked and any other ideas that they have.

Out of this meeting came the Vegetable Pedallers scheme and the home delivery system.

Tim said: "The Pedallers scheme delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to elderly and disabled people by bike.

"It is well used but we would love for more people to take advantage of it.

"It is totally free but the people who use it must not be able to get out of the house.

"The other delivery system that we have is a van that can be fuelled by recycled vegetable oil.

"The bike can only deliver as far out as Darley Abbey. However, the van will deliver organic vegetable boxes to homes or businesses within a 10-mile radius of the shop."

With the success of the business, there have been plans to expand, though a lack of funding is beginning to affect the business.

Tim said: "We were looking into taking over the fish and chip shop next door but it seems that somebody is still paying the council tax so that wasn't able to be done.

"There was also talk of opening a shop in Belper but we are really limited in our time and resources. The other problem is that we have problems with funding as well.

"We used to have funding from Derby City Council as well as other sources, which have dried up.

"Our aim now is to make the Sound Bites shop as good as it is possible to be and give our customers the best possible service."

Damon Smith gives his verdict on this week's big cinema release, Pride.

THEATRE director Matthew Warchus, who succeeds Kevin Spacey as artistic director of the Old Vic in London next year, will need to de-clutter his awards-laden mantelpiece.

His second feature film is a barnstorming culture-clash comedy drama based on the inspirational true story of a group of gays and lesbians who supported the miners during the 1984 strike and raised thousands of pounds for beleaguered communities which dared to stand up to the Thatcher government.

This uplifting story of solidarity in the face of adversity and police intimidation is an absolute joy; an unabashed, irresistible crowd-pleaser in the magnificent mould of The Full Monty and Billy Elliot that rouses the audience to bellowing laughter while choking back a deluge of tears.

Pride embraces and subverts stereotypes, deftly weaving together stories of personal triumph and anguish as the spectre of Aids casts a long shadow over the gay community.

Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) is the charismatic and outspoken leader of young, impassioned campaigners, who operate out of the Gay's The Word bookshop in London run by Gethin (Andrew Scott).

Reading news stories about the miners' strike, Mark recognises a cause to champion.

"Mining communities are being bullied just like we are," he tells his coterie comprising Mike (Joseph Gilgun), Jonathan (Dominic West), Jeff (Freddie Fox), Steph (Faye Marsay) and closeted new boy, Joe (George MacKay).

They form LGSM –- Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners – and rattle tins for a randomly selected Welsh community.

Mining representative Dai (Paddy Considine) invites Mark and co to the Dulais Valley where committee members Hefina (Imelda Staunton), Cliff (Bill Nighy) and Sian (Jessica Gunning) embrace the fund-raisers with open arms.

However, some of the locals are repulsed. "We're being backed up by perverts," sneers homophobic mother Maureen (Lisa Palfrey), kindling conflict between some of the neighbours and the LGSM.

Pride is a life-affirming ode to tolerance, acceptance and self-belief that defiantly lives up to its title, waving a flag for stellar home-grown film-making.

Performances are exemplary, ignoring a few wobbles with the Welsh accents, including a fiery turn from Schnetzer as a fresh-faced trailblazer.

Scriptwriter Stephen Beresford strikes a perfect balance between hilarity and heartbreak, sharing polished one-liners among the ensemble cast.

As Frankie Goes To Hollywood professed during that turbulent summer of 1984: "When two tribes go to war/A point is all you can score."

The characters in Pride score their points with unbridled passion and wit.

RATING: 9/10

CERTIFICATE: 15

SHOWING AT: Showcase; Cinema De Lux, Odeon and Quad, Derby; Cineworld, Burton and Odeon Swadlincote

SEE what Derby Telegraph chief football writer Steve Nicholson had to say about Derby County's 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
An 80th-minute equaliser, credited to Ryan Shotton, earned the Rams a point at the City Ground.
Britt Assombalonga had put Forest ahead after 72 minutes.
Derby ended the game with 10 men after Jake Buxton was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Actress Savannah Gordon-Liburd tells Lynne Brighouse a gangland setting is ideal for the Greek classic Antigone, at Derby Theatre.

ANOTHER powerful Greek classic has been brought bang up to date at Derby Theatre ready to launch its new autumn season next week.

Sophocles' tense drama Antigone has been skillfully re-imagined in the contemporary setting of modern gangland culture. And, according to lead actress Savannah Gordon-Liburd, it has made the production a lot more accessible to audiences – particularly teenagers.

"It will be far easier for youngsters to tune in and relate to than the original play," she says. "They see this culture regularly portrayed on TV and maybe even in real life. The language and characters' names have all been updated too, making it much easier and quicker to follow the story line."

Antigone is about sticking to your principles even if it means suffering for it.

When the ruler Creon refuses to bury the body of her unruly brother, Antigone's anger quickly turns to open defiance – which, in turn, leads to her being buried alive.

Although Savannah was guarded about detailing exactly what happens to Antigone's contemporary counterpart – Tig – she did reveal just how much she is enjoying stepping into the shoes of this feisty female. She says: "I'm often cast in strong roles but Tig is a lot stronger than any of the characters I've played before.

"She is a lot braver too, which is why I find her very empowering – in fact I love this role. I've always wanted a part like this. I'm really enjoying playing a strong, black female and having to stand up to all the men. In fact, I find that last bit quite easy," she laughs.

"This is my first leading role and I'm so glad to be given a lively character not a safe girl. She is still very young, only 18, and it's not that she has no fear at all but she would rather do what's right than back down from fear of the consequences."

Savannah points out that Tig likes having fun with her friends and is a very well-rounded and believable character, rather than some kind of two dimensional super-hero, which also makes her a good role model.

"She isn't reckless but she is courageous enough to overcome her fears of what might happen to her if she sticks by what is right. Sometimes all it takes is one person to take a stand," says Savannah, who drew on aspects of one of her favourite fictional TV characters, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, to pitch her portrayal of Tig.

"I actually draw on many different characters for inspiration, I like to embody parts of everyone I admire."

The role has made additional demands on Savannah in terms of its emotional weight. "I've had to get really emotional on stage which is very tiring. I need to imagine my brother really has died to get the tears out and that leaves me feeling very drained after. I'm not quite sure I will survive this tour," she says.

Antigone has been rehearsed in Derby as a joint production between Derby Theatre and Pilot Theatre, in association with Theatre Royal Stratford East. After a two-week run in Derby, it will then embark on a two-month tour of the UK.

Savannah says it has shaped up to be a very powerful drama and that its timeless themes about not always following the crowd and having the courage to stand up for your beliefs makes it just as relevant today as it was in the days of ancient Greece.

WHAT: Antigone

WHERE: Derby Theatre

WHEN: September 19-October 4

ADMISSIONS: £10.50-£25.50 14-plus only

TICKETS: Call 01332 593939 or visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk

A WOMAN who nominated her friend to take a selfie without make-up said she is overjoyed that it led to her pal's life being saved.

Nicola Aldred asked Jackie Nicholas to pose for the photo – and attached a link with details on how to check for cancer.

Derby College lecturer Jackie, of Osmaston then checked and, to her horror, found a lump. After the cancer was confirmed she is now in remission and her chemotherapy began on Thursday.

Nicola, 32, of Ockbrook, said: "I feel quite overwhelmed that it led to her being diagnosed.

"When Jackie told me I was a life-saver it just made me glad I nominated her.

"I didn't think anything of it at the time but it has turned out to be the power of social media at its best. I think Jackie looks beautiful with or without make-up."

Jackie, who was diagnosed in May, said she thinks more should be done to highlight other forms of cancer.

The 35-year-old said: "The more people that do these kind of crazes the better, because it is all about raising awareness. Breast cancer is a very well-funded disease but other types do not get the same kind of publicity.

"For pancreatic cancer you do not hear about the signs and symptoms as much. The same is for liver cancer.

"There should definitely be more awareness and that could include another craze using social media."

Yesterday, talking the day before the treatment, she said: "I've woken up this morning and I'm a little bit nervous, because it is scary."

Jackie was too frightened to do anything about it after finding the lump and went ahead with a planned holiday to Paris with husband Tom, a teacher.

She told him about the lump on holiday and they went to a clinic as soon as they could on their return. After visiting the clinic it was later confirmed as cancer.

Jackie's treatment is predicted to be completed in February to March next year.

Before her diagnosis, Jackie had plans to launch her own dance school. They are now back on track. Dynamicmotif is a dance and performing arts academy in Risley.

The academy offers lessons in ballet, contemporary dance, junior performing arts and adult dance.

Jackie said: "I believe in going for it and it's been a big focus for me when dealing with being diagnosed. I really want to be a role model and to inspire children to get into dance and do well."

For more information on times and dates for the dance school Jackie can be e-mailed at dynamicmotif@yahoo.co.uk