These great photos, which show Rolls-Royce employees from 1 Shop, in Nightingale Road, Derby, on works outings, were sent in by Roger Adcock. He said: "I found them in my late father's collection and thought they might be of interest to some of your readers." The picture, top, was taken in about 1954. Roger's father, George Adcock, is 13th from the left. The only other person Roger recognises is Ernie Johnson, who is eighth from the left. The photo above, left, was taken in about 1949. Roger's father is standing at the back, 10th from the left, and his grandfather, Walter Orme, is crouching on the second row. The final picture was taken in Trafalgar Square, London, again in about 1954. Roger said: "I think the chap sitting on the lion's tail is George Goodall. My father is standing fifth from left. If anyone can add any further information regarding these pictures, then that would be great."

IT has been a strange week. In Victoria Street, Derby, a chap in his 80s buttonholed me to explain how, with the aid of a garden cane, a washing line and a child's sand pit he had once broken the Olympic pole vault record.

Then I had a phone call from someone inquiring if I had yet made my funeral plan. And then an e-mail arrived offering to tell me about a natural remedy for my menopausal dryness.

The funeral plan I could understand. I'm still a few days shy of three score years and ten but, sooner or later, the inevitable has to be faced. The menopausal issue was more puzzling – unless I've missed something during what has so far been an interesting journey along life's rich and varied highway.

Which leaves only the part-time pole-vaulter and, as there was apparently no one from the International Olympic Committee to witness his feat in an Allenton backyard, there, alas, we shall have to leave it.

One of the joys of getting old is that you can make all sorts of claims that few can disprove. For instance, the older you become, the better footballer you were; although it's best not to boast in the presence of contemporaries who will remember you better as a Sunday League full-back dishing out gravel rash to adventurous wingers rather than the silkily-skilled operator who would have made a living out of the game but for the day "I did my knee".

No matter how bad you might have been at it, though, sport gives you priceless assets – friendship and comradeship. In a couple of days' time I shall be attending the annual Christmas reunion lunch (well, OK, it would have to be annual if happens only at Christmas) of Redfern Athletic Football Club, when old men will gather to reminisce, and to take the mickey just as we did in dressing-rooms 40 or 50 years ago.

You will have met some of them before in this column – they are the nucleus of the Friday lunchtime gathering at the White Swan, in Littleover – but, once a year, others arrive from far-flung corners of our glorious realm – and even from Australia – where they've lived for many a year now.

You can tell who they are because their memories of Derby are frozen in time. They're the ones who think that the rest of us still catch buses outside Ranbys, drink in the Spotted Horse and have our hair cut at the Co-op in Albert Street, shuffling along the bench seat and hoping that the next barber to become available isn't Ginger.

Of all the facets of my life – school, work and sport – it is sport that provided, and still does provide, the basis for my social life. Followed by school, of course, but then many of my old schoolmates are also my sporting pals.

These days, as bones grow older and joints wearier, for my mates sports like golf and bowls have replaced football and cricket. From what I hear, they are all pretty good at them. So far as I know, however, no one has broken an Olympic record. I'm sure they would have mentioned it. Or maybe they just tell complete strangers in Victoria Street.

Jacqueline Burley and Dan Miller, of Derby, have been shortlisted in Radio 3's Breakfast Christmas Carol competition.Their piece is one of six in the final of a contest which asked listeners to compose a carol set to the words of Can It Be True, a poem by author Susan Hill. Listeners can hear and vote for their favourite via the Radio 3 website. The carol receiving the largest number of votes will be performed again Petroc Trelawney's breakfast show on Tuesday and Christmas Day.

Massive thankyou to @NiallOfficial she got to meet you at #dcfc tonight #yourams@dcfcofficial@DerbyTelegraphpic.twitter.com/TSGDAd2yR8

— Hallas Hair (@HallasHair) December 16, 2014

PUBS across Derbyshire have signed up to a scheme aimed at tackling drink-driving over the festive season which will see them offer free soft drinks to designated drivers.

A total of 13 pubs have teamed up with Coca-Cola to offer a "buy one get one free" on all products made by the soft drinks giant.

Run in partnership with the Department for Transport's THINK! campaign, the promotion aims to reward those who take on the driving role for friends on a night out over Christmas.

Among the pubs that will be offering the free drinks throughout December are: The Merlin in Pride Park, Derby; The Golden Pheasant, in Chellaston Road, Shelton Lock; The Tall Chimney, in Coppice Side, Swadlincote; The Cat and Fiddle, in Kirk Hallam; The Seven Wells, in Etwall; and Cherry Tree Farm, near Willington.

They are among the 12,500 pubs and bars nationwide that have signed up to Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign, which is now in its seventh year.

This year's offer includes Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero and for the first time across the Schweppes range.

Drivers are being encouraged to look out for posters at participating pubs and show their car keys to a serving staff member to claim their extra free drink.

To mark the campaign launch, Coca-Cola carried out research to investigate attitudes towards drinking and driving.

It found that 63% of 18-to-34 year olds were happy to take on the duty of designated driver at least once for friends during the festive period.

And 87% of people who volunteer to be the designated driver on a night out still feel they will have a good time despite not being able to drink alcohol.

Jon Woods, general manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: "It's great to see that so many people are willing to take on the role of the designated driver this Christmas and this is our way of saying 'thank- you'."

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "Designated drivers still enjoy a brilliant night out in the pub at Christmas.

"Having a designated driver doesn't dampen the party sprit and means that everyone can have a safe journey home."

The Designated Driver scheme follows the launch last month of the 50th anniversary campaign from THINK!, which showed how attitudes towards drink-driving have changed in the last half-century since the first public information film was shown.

It found that 92% of the British public would be ashamed to drink and drive.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who is also MP for Derbyshire Dales, said: "Most people know drinking and driving is wrong and don't do it but there are still those that take the risk.

"Anyone tempted to have a tipple at Christmas time before getting behind the wheel should know the potential consequences.

"As well as risking an accident, you risk losing your licence."

IT'S good to see so much publicity about the Christmas ice rink. Several people have called for a permanent ice rink, but there's no chance of this happening as when suggested, some time back, one of our wonderful councillors said "if you want to go ice skating, catch a bus to Nottingham".

I notice we now have full-page adverts for the Nottingham ice rink in the Derby Telegraph.

We shall continue going to the Nottingham Arena while our councillors argue over blue bins and black bins. Much more important.

Mick Byatt

Derby Road

Marehay

SLIPPING your fingers through the little velcro loops, gripping the handles and looking through the scope, it feels almost like an arcade game.

But rather than a quid, £1.2 million has been pumped into this equipment and it will be used to battle cancer instead of shooting down space invaders.

The station at which the surgeon sits controls four giant robotic arms that hover above the patient.

Through the monitor, a pair of pincers and a clamp that the surgeon manipulates to cut away cancerous tissue can be seen.

Yesterday morning, it was set up to allow those in the operating theatre to manipulate tiny virtual blocks and rings, much like a simple computer game.

This was entirely appropriate, given the circumstances.

The kit was paid for by Mel Morris, technology entrepreneur, Derby County director and the man who provided the initial investment for the company that developed worldwide hit game Candy Crush Saga.

Yesterday he met 56-year-old Mick Barton, from Barton-under-Needwood, the first patient to have his prostate cancer removed with the help of the robotic device, under the control of consultant urologist Stephen Thomas.

Mr Barton was considered a high risk for prostate cancer as his father, uncle and brother have all suffered from the condition.

Mr Barton said: "I was more nervous about the operation than about being the first patient to be operated on in this way because I had many conversations with the consultant surgeon who talked me through all of the options.

"My brother had undergone conventional prostate surgery which is a very invasive procedure.

"I had the operation on the Wednesday morning before the August bank holiday, was walking the morning after the operation and was discharged on the Friday at midday.

"After eight weeks, I was back in the gym and have now started cycling again.

"It was a great experience and the care I received from Mr Thomas and everyone at the hospital was fantastic. My recovery after the operation has been unbelievable, I'm even back at work.

"I have nothing but praise for everyone involved in my care."

Conventional prostate surgery was described by one of those present as like "trying to peel a grape with two swords".

The robotic device is therefore a game changer at the Royal Derby Hospital and, since mid-August, has been used for 13 prostate and three bowel operations.

Miniaturised surgical instruments and a magnified camera, mounted on robotic arms are controlled by the surgeon from a console in the operating theatre.

While operating the robot arms, the surgeon looks through a monitor that shows a 3D view of what's happening inside the patient.

These images give a much more detailed picture than the naked eye can provide.

Mr Thomas was the first surgeon at the Royal Derby Hospital to use the robot and carried out Mr Barton's procedure.

He said: "We have been talking about bringing in this technology since 2009.

"This is a major and hugely significant operative advance.

"It allows us to carry out highly complex operations with 3D vision and greater surgical accuracy.

"This will translate to better care for our cancer patients and it will reinforce our position as a leading cancer centre within the East Midlands.

"It is a huge advance for the reputation of the hospital and a massive step forward for surgical practice."

The introduction of the machinery to the four surgical teams has been staggered.

Colorectal cancer surgery has already started at the hospital, the head and neck team will be trained up by February and gynaecological specialists will start using the equipment in March.

Once the four teams are fully trained and up to speed, the robot technology will be used to treat about 250 patients a year, not only saving lives but also speeding up recovery times for patients as the surgery is less invasive and therefore less traumatic for the tissue surrounding the afflicted area.

Mr Morris was involved in the negotiations to purchase the equipment and, as one of the UK's most successful tech pioneers, has been talking to the developer of the technology to fine-tune the software.

He said: "It was originally designed for surgeons to operate remotely on soldiers fighting in Afghanistan where it was too dangerous to have a surgical team.

"Compared to conventional surgery, the level of precision is phenomenal. I have been in an operating theatre to witness conventional surgery and was surprised at how far the surgeons have to reach and the range of movements required.

"When surgery is performed with the robot, the image is magnified 20 times and makes the surgeons' work less physically demanding.

"It is also important for the hospital because having this technology will enable it to retain and attract the best surgeons.

"This will have a tangible impact within the local community.

"The cost is a small sum relative to the cost of the building."

As well as taking an active role in selecting the technology and negotiating the deal, when Mr Barton underwent the procedure, like a concerned relative, Mr Morris called the hospital to find out how the surgery went.

Sue James, chief executive, said: "Mel Morris's generosity has been overwhelming.

"What he has done in giving such a generous gift will improve the surgical outcomes for patients here in Derby for many more years to come.

"On behalf of our patients and our staff, I want to thank him for his continuing interest in our work."

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

A DERBYSHIRE firm is blooming, having won the contract to pack and deliver the ceramic poppies displayed at the Tower of London to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Charapak, in Alfreton, produced a specially-designed pack to transport the poppies to and from London and a combined gift pack to distribute the flowers to their new owners.

About 30,000 poppies each day are being dispatched from the firm's Meadow Lane base and the last deliveries are expected to be completed early in the New Year.

Charapak's integrated fulfilment division is handling the cleaning, repacking and delivery operation for the 888,246 flowers.

The e-commerce packaging for the poppies has been created to be sturdy and robust enough to withstand the distribution process while also providing the best opening experience for each recipient.

The conventional box opens up to reveal an image of the poppy display at the Tower of London, with the poppy and its mount held securely at the centre of the box.

The specialist corrugated packaging manufacturer makes about 65 million packs each year and has substantial experience in the design and manufacture of protective postal packs.

To fulfil the contract, the business invested in a bespoke packing line to handle the re-packing operation.

The poppies arrive at the company's Derbyshire facility in batches for onward dispatch.

The poppies are placed on a conveyor line where they are first inspected for any damage.

They then go through a washer and drier before being transferred to individual packing stations where the individual parts are placed in each box together with commemorative documentation.

The boxes are then closed securely and sent for dispatch.

Charapak Group managing director Richard Smith said: "We are extremely proud to have been involved in this historical landmark project.

"The worldwide impact of the installation has been phenomenal and we are pleased to have played our part, through our packaging and fulfilment expertise, in ensuring these iconic poppies reach their final owners safely and in good condition.

"Inevitably with a project of this size and scale there will be some issues but to date these have been minimal and the majority of feedback that we have received has been extremely positive.

"Naturally where any problem is brought to our attention we will work closely with our partners to rectify the situation as quickly as possible."

The poppies were created by Derby-based ceramic artist Paul Cummins and manufactured in the city.

The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London marked one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War, with each poppy representing a British military fatality during the conflict.

The sale of the poppies has raised millions of pounds which is being shared equally among six service charities.

JOBSEEKERS can win £1,000 by uploading their CV to a jobs board that goes live for the first time today.

To celebrate the launch of the fresh jobs platform at derbytelegraph.co.uk/jobs and on its sister websites, one cash prize will be awarded per week.

The new recruitment platform allows people to search for jobs by location, type of job and a wide variety of different sectors.

As well as featuring companies recruiting both locally and nationally, the jobs platform links 76 newspaper websites across the country for national job searches.

A recruiter directory has been included on the site that has been made easier to navigate on mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers.

The new jobs site will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for both jobseekers and employers searching for the right members of staff.

Derby Telegraph recruitment advertising consultant Kelly Smith said: "There are plenty of businesses and organisations looking for high-quality staff in the area and our website has been designed especially to make the process of finding a new job more straightforward.

"The idea was to design a platform that could bring employers and potential employees together 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

"And those people who upload their CVs will be in with a chance to win £1,000."

Recruitment is a very competitive market.

There are a large number of national job boards in existence but the Derby website brings together local candidates and local recruiters in one place.

PROPOSALS to switch off council-run CCTV cameras in Derby city centre have been branded "potentially disastrous" by business owners.

They said that the cameras, which the city council has told shopkeepers could stop operating from March 31, are used to track shoplifters.

Last night the authority, which was proposing to switch off the 48 cameras to save £246,000 a year, maintained it was still "in negotiations" in a bid to keep the system operating.

Council officers have already written to businesses in the Cathedral and St Peters quarters, where there are 12 cameras, about the proposed switch-off.

The letter said: "Almost all of the funding required to maintain and operate the system over the past 16 years has been from the council.

"Given the squeeze on public funding, it has no choice but to continue with its plan to remove financial support for public area CCTV. We plan to end the operation of public area CCTV on the March 31.

"At this time monitoring of the cameras will end and decommissioning will commence."

Martin Langsdale, chairman of the Cathedral Quarter management group, and Stephen Jeffery, St Peters Quarter Board chairman, have now made a joint statement, saying "CCTV coverage of the area is not a luxury – it is a necessity."

The statement said: "We feel that the effects of this decision will be increased crime and anti-social behaviour, a reduction in detection rates and a negative impact on the businesses' and visitors' feeling of safety, which could potentially deter people from visiting the area.

"We have offered to make some contribution to the cost of new cameras over the years but we do not have anywhere near the £250,000 that the council say they need to continue to keep the cameras operating."

The cameras include dozens in the city centre as well as others in Normanton Park, Arboretum Park and some car parks, all of which record 24 hours a day.

Last night, a city council spokesman said: "As part of the budget consultation, elected members have continued to fund the CCTV camera system.

"This has allowed negotiations to take place with the police and other partners to look at other ways of monitoring the CCTV images which will still allow the council to achieve significant savings. CCTV will not end in the city, subject to the negotiations being positive."

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

AERO engine-maker Rolls-Royce has committed itself to Derby after announcing that the city will be the main production centre for its latest engine.

Last month, city leaders and unions voiced concerns about the long-term future of the company in the city after it announced plans to make hundreds of redundancies in Derby.

But this morning, Rolls-Royce announced that its civil aerospace division at Sinfin, will produce the Trent XWB, an engine which is about to go into service with launch customer Qatar Airways.

The company has invested around £30 million to expand its assembly and test facility, in Wilmore Road, installing new equipment in order to meet customer demand for the engine.

The XWB, which will exclusively power the Airbus A350, is the fastest-selling widebody engine ever.

So far, more than 1,500 engines have been sold to 40 customers.

Rolls-Royce said that over the next three to four years, Trent XWB production will grow to more than 300 engines a year – the equivalent of one every working day – and will stay at that level for several years.

The majority of these engines will be built in Derby.

Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce's president of aerospace, said: "The Trent XWB engine is fundamental to the future growth of Rolls-Royce.

"It accounts for half of our civil aerospace order book, before the Airbus A350 XWB has even entered commercial service.

"That is a great vote of confidence in our abilities at Rolls-Royce."

Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce's president for civil large engines, said "We are very proud of the Trent XWB.

"We have implemented a range of new technologies in this programme, to make the Trent XWB the world's most efficient engine flying today, and it is the bedrock for our future programmes.

"Customers have responded very strongly to what we have to offer, making the Trent XWB the fastest-selling widebody engine ever."

Simon Burr, director of the Trent XWB programme, said: "The Trent XWB engine going into production is the exciting culmination of years of hard work by Rolls-Royce employees, partners and suppliers around the world.

"Many of the team who have been crucial to its development are based in Derby and it is great news for them, the local area and the wider UK economy that Rolls-Royce will build the bulk of the engines here."

Follow us on <strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/derbytelegraph"> Facebook </a> </strong> and <strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/DerbyTelegraph"> Twitter </a> </strong></p>