Archived Highlights of 2000 in Old Dalby

Midsummers day saw the villages millennium bash take place. The day long activities organised by the millennium committee included childrens games, the village millennium photograph, a pig roast and cabaret. Although the weather was not brilliant the folks who went along had a great time, so a BIG WELL DONE to the millennium committee who have been working hard over the preceding few years to fundraise in order to put these activities on. IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS THEN E MAIL THEM TO US AND WE WILL PUBLISH THEM ON THE SITE.

On 31st May 46 villagers attended a  public meeting at Old Dalby school to discuss the proposed new use of the Old Dalby rail test track by Alstom, who intend to test the new 'Virgin' high speed west coast line tilting trains. After a presentation by Old Dalby resident David Summerfield it was agreed that:

Anyone who wishes to support these proposals should write to the Planning and Borough Control Officer of Melton Borough Council.

On the 1st May houses which had been purchased and refurbished by Annington homes went on sale. The houses which were previously owned by the Ministry of Defence, sit in open countryside,and prices start at around £55,000 for a two bedroom property . People camped out to secure the first of the 39 houses for sale on the site. 

Sunday 14th May saw the schools pageant representing Jesus Christ 2000. Each class had worked hard in creating a representation in music dance and drama of 2000 years of Christianity. They were rewarded by a day of brilliant sunshine which allowed them to present the pageant at various outdoor locations around the village. Well done to the children of Old Dalby School.... BRILLIANT.... has anyone out there got any photographs of the pageant that can be put on the web site?

An international packaging firm called RPC is to take over building one at the Crown Business Park in Old Dalby. It is the largest building on the site that was used for rocket technology by the Army Base Repair Organisation, and reportedly had £25 million spent on it by the Ministry of Defence shortly before they sold the army site to Haywoods property developers. It is thought that RPC will start manufacturing next spring and create 50 new jobs.

Philip Jones, General Manager RPC, and Tom Roper, Manufacturing Manager, outside RPC's new premises on the Crown Business Park..
Picture, kind permission of Lional Heap 

To mark the millennium the Parish Council have purchased a large piece of granite and placed it on the small green opposite to The Crown Inn. This has been a controversial talking point. (See 'Contact Us')

Alstom are a worldwide transport firm. One of their services include the testing of high speed trains and associated signaling equipment. Alstom has submitted planning applications for the development of the Old Dalby test track to Melton and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. Depending on consents it is anticipated that construction could begin in June 2000 with tilting high speed electric trains running along the track by November 2000, with passenger trains introduced by 'Virgin' on the West Coast Main Line in 2002.

At a public meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday 1st March representatives of Alstom were on hand to answer questions about the proposed new use of the test track. It is proposed that trains, like the ones picture above, will run along the track between 7am and 7pm at speeds upto 125mph. New signaling equipment will mean the erection of 12 radio masts along the trackside. These will range between 10 and 20 metres in height.

If you need further details ring Alstom on 0800 0920977 or contact their public relations officer (G.A.Collins) at Pendragon Consultants Ltd. Albert Street, Manchester M2 4DN, or contact Melton or Rushcliffe Councils planning departments.