Dronfield Eye issue 211 July 2023

dronfield EYE
Celebration time for the victorious Dronfield RUFC Colts team
Colts are three counties champions
D
RONFIELD Rugby Club is celebrating the success of its
Colts team in the NLD Colts Cup.
The team, made up of U17s and U18s, put on some impressive
performances as they overcame stiff opposition through the
group and knockout stages. They then showed their strength
and skill in defeating a talented Newark team 28-14 in the final
at the Lady Bay home of RFU Championship side,
Nottingham.
The result completes a journey through the age groups at
Dronfield Rugby Club for the team, with many of the players
starting out playing tag-rugby at the club and then progressing
through the Mini and Junior section of the club.
Team manager and coach Paul Hutchings said: “As a coaching
XTRA investment by Derbyshire
Police and Crime Commissioner
Angelique Foster is helping police
to crackdown on illegal drivers and
tackle the public's top road safety
concerns.
Since 2021, the Commissioner has
funded a raft of road safety initiatives to
reduce casualties and fatalities and
boost the force’s capacity to investigate
and prosecute dangerous drivers.
The results of these efforts were
discussed at the last Commissioner's Performance Scrutiny
Meeting. These meetings, attended by the Chief Constable and
senior officers, provide a platform for the Commissioner to
scrutinise progress against her Police and Crime Plan priorities
and identify areas where she expects to see further
improvements.
Among many successes highlighted was Operation Sparta, a
safety scheme funded by the Commissioner in May, 2022, to
target the fatal four offences - speeding, using a mobile phone,
not wearing a seatbelt and drink/drug driving.
The scheme provides speed enforcement at sites where
communities have raised concerns and uses intelligence to
target offenders. This will now continue throughout 2023.
group, we are so proud of this squad. The NLD region is
Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire combined, so some
might say that this result makes us the number one Colts team
across those counties.
“However, we prefer to look at it as the perfect reward for the
dedication and hard work shown by this group of lads over many
years. Credit also goes to the parents whose support has been
immense.”
Dronfield Rugby Club runs a thriving Mini and Junior section,
with teams at age groups ranging from seven through to 16. The
club also has girls’ teams from 12 to 16 years old. New players are
always welcome. Contact the Mini and Junior section at
dronfieldrufc.mj@gmail.com for more information.
Investments for safer county roads
E
‘Projects
protect all
road users
The Commissioner has also enabled
additional speed enforcement by the
Roads Policing Unit through her budget.
This has seen ongoing speed
enforcement activity delivered at 40
sites every month. The initiative is one
of the force's most successful to date,
helping to improve road safety and
directly address public concerns around
speeding.
The number of speeding offences
detected increased significantly in 2021
(56,765 offences) and 2022 (54,649 offences) compared with
2018 (38,684 offences).
Said the Commissioner: “Too many people die or are seriously
injured on our roads. The delivery of tough enforcement and
education remain key priorities for me, and I have invested
substantial extra funding to deliver these.
“The projects I have supported protect all road users,
including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. They have also
increased the capacity of Roads Policing Unit to capture
evidence and prosecute motorists who put the public at risk.
“We know that road safety is the responsibility of many
partners, not just the police. I will continue to work closely with
all key stakeholders to maximise the safety of all road users.”
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