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this issue 86 Ashby Life Editor Liz Roberts Telephone 01530 417739 Email enquiries Advertising/Accounts info@ashbylife.co.uk Website/What’s On admin@ashbylife.co.uk
Things to do, places to go… At last, we have the weather for some lovely days out and with perfect timing this month’s magazine is just packed with suggestions of where to go and what to do. There are 3 whole pages of What’s On, starting on page 100, plus details of all kinds of events from Food Gusto on the Bath Grounds to the Ashby 7’s Rugby Tournament spread throughout the magazine. All About You on page 30 looks at Car Boot sales, a great way to recycle and raise a bit of money and This Month on page 54 looks into the history behind May Day. Whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to go, have a lovely month.
Liz Roberts
Contents
Web www.ashbylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ ashbylife 06
Twitter @AshbyLife Address 16 Moira Road Ashby de la Zouch LE65 2GA Front Cover Image by Rebecca Soanes Photography Ashby Life is an independent publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. The use of this magazine for canvassing or direct marketing is strictly prohibited. Information is included on the What’s On and Community Board pages subject to space being available. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, Ashby Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or endorse companies, products or services appearing in this magazine.
10 30
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06 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 68 72 80 84 88 92 96 100 108 110
Spotlight On... Open 4 Business Puzzle Page Ashby Health Centre A Walk in the Forest Christadelphian Church All About You Money Matters Community Board It’s Local Out & About Just 4 Fun This Month Young Ashby Out to Lunch In Your Garden On the Beat Ashby Museum News Storytime Somewhere in the Forest Seasonal Recipes Your Wellbeing What’s On Puzzle Answers Business Directory
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If you would like to advertise in Ashby Life It’s a fantastic way to target potential customers and great value for money
See our website or call Liz on 01530 417739 for details Next issue is June 2013 and deadline for copy is Friday 10th May Please note advertising space is limited, pre-booking is recommended 4
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spotlight on... It’s so good to see the Bath Grounds being used on a regular basis to bring some wonderful events to the town
Ashby de la Zouch Fake Festival ONE of the big successes of last year was the first Ashby de la Zouch Fake Festival and on 8th June the Fake Festivals Tour is back in town and promises performances from both internationally acclaimed bands and talented local acts. All of this is taking place inside the Fake Festivals marquee (so no worries, whatever the weather!) and with bank busting ticket prices!
suitable for the whole family and with ticket prices starting from just £8 for an early bird ticket for a young person, or £38 for a family of four it is really affordable too. Tickets are available at a variety of local outlets (including Ashby Tourist Information), or online at www.fakefestivals.co.uk
WIN! FAkE FESTIvAL TICkETS
Headlining the Festival are The Fillers, the sought after Killers tribute band – they plan to bring the full Vegas show to the Fake Festivals stage so get ready to be involved. Five local support bands have been hand-picked for their talent and this year they will be The Inspired, Decade Runners, W4, The Pepper Kings and Re:Session. Outside the marquee will be the ‘Entertainment Zone’, a fenced off area with stands provided to keep festival goers and their children amused as well as a variety of food stands. You can expect a fun packed day of music
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We have one pair of free tickets to give away to a lucky reader. Just send the name of the one of the acts who will be appearing at this year’s festival along with your own name and address either on a postcard to Ashby Life (FF Competition), 16 Moira Road, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 2GA or by email to competition@ashbylife.co.uk with the subject line FF Competition and the first drawn out of the hat will receive a pair of tickets to the Festival. Closing date is Friday 10th May 2013.
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open 4 business
The Kandy Factory ANYONE who has seen or read the Roald Dahl classic ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ will surely have wished that they could be the one clutching the golden ticket to enter Willie Wonka’s magical world – I know I have! Now, thanks to local entrepreneur Diane Howe and her business The kandy Factory you can make a little bit of that dream come true. Situated at Conkers in Moira The kandy Factory offers workshops for children or adults where everyone can become a chocolatier – choosing a mould, pouring the melted Belgian chocolate into it and decorating your creation with sweet treats you will be transported into a wonderful chocolatey world and end up with a unique chocolate creation to take home with you. Little ones can dress up as Kandy Lumpa’s and have their faces painted while adults may enjoy finding out about handmade chocolates or chocolate bouquets. Coming from a background of working in skincare and beauty it was the discovery of a chocolate mould in the shape of a stiletto shoe that sparked Diane’s creative interest in the wonderful things that could be made using chocolate and she just loves sharing her skills via The
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kandy Factory workshops. Since opening earlier this year The kandy Factory has hosted parties for numerous charities, a side of the business which is very important to Diane having experienced the loss of her own son and knowing just how important the chance to participate in experiences such as a chocolate workshop can be to those experiencing illness and their families. Among the groups who have benefitted so far are disabled group Elite, When You Wish Upon a Star and Aiming High. On 18th May Kandy Factory will play host to children with leukaemia from Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Open at Conkers every Sunday and throughout the school holidays there is no booking required and prices for workshops start from just £4.95. You can also book for children’s parties (what a fab party to remember and no mess at home!), school groups or hen parties and golden tickets are available. Don’t forget too that chocolate is made from plants so it can contain some of the same health benefits such as antioxidants and flavonoids! If you’d like to know more about The kandy Factory call Diane on 07866633492 or see www.kandyfactory.co.uk
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puzzle page ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 18 20 22 23 24 25
Choose (6) Bends (6) Latest style (7) Work out (5) Scour (5) Remove (7) Arguing (11) Changed (7) Used to steer a car (5) Attempted (5) kindergarten (7) Area, district (6) Head of newspaper (6)
qUICk CROSSWORD
DOWN Least risk (6) Not the winner (5) Type of plant (7) Overturn (5) Rogue (7) Bedding (6) Unconnected (11) Loosening (7) Taken down (7) Haggle (6) Participant (6) Wireless (5) Expel (5)
Solutions on page 108
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 19 21
SUDOKU 14
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repetition. That’s all there is to it. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic - there’s no maths involved and no adding up. It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s additive! Solutions to all puzzles can be found on page 108.
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ashby health centre Latest news... New Reception layout
After the feedback from our recent survey, we have opened up our whole waiting room by removing the concertina screen. In addition we have introduced a queuing area with barriers to help create an orderly queue. We hope you find this an improvement and would welcome any suggestions or comments.
Test Results
We would like to remind patients that it if you have a test here at the surgery we would kindly ask that you ring 5 days later to find out the results. Due to the large number of tests we do here, and the difficulty and cost of contacting patients both via telephone and post, we are unable to contact you with the results. The only exception to this is where the doctor feels that the results are so abnormal that they must see you. In this case we will contact you if you haven’t already contacted us.
Prescription requests
One of the issues which patients raised in our recent survey was the long wait which often occurs at reception. For this reason we have decided that we can no longer accept prescription requests at our reception. Please use
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the repeat slip on the right hand side of your prescription to re-order your medication. This can be posted in the box in our lobby or can be posted through our letter box if we are closed. If you have lost the right hand side of your prescription and know the names of your medication, you can write your request on a piece of paper. Alternatively we can print out a copy of the right hand side of your prescription for you to use and will be happy to take requests for this at our reception. We have never been able to take any prescription requests via the telephone as we just don’t have the capacity. We process around 600 prescription requests a week and could not cope with this additional volume of calls. Prescription requests can also be made via our fax (01530 560732) or via the internet. However for internet requests you need to have signed up to this service by obtaining your personal log on from reception. Thank you for your ongoing support of the surgery.
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a walk in the forest A round to Robin’s Wood Ticknall is a popular spot for walkers and with good reason – set off from the village hall in pretty much any direction and you’ll have a good walk! This circuit takes you up to Robin’s Wood and back past the National Forest Riding Club’s show ground. After you’ve left Chapel Lane at the start it’s all fields, tracks and bridleways so very dog friendly but there are a couple of spots en route with signs requesting they be kept on lead. Don’t expect this to be a clean walk, there’ll be mud in places whatever the weather so I’d suggest good walking boots. Keep an eye out for deer in Robin’s Wood, you might be lucky and spot them. I’d allow about an hour and a half for the walk – if you’d like refreshments afterwards the village shop sells hot drinks and a variety of hot food, or both The Wheel and The Staff of Life are close by.
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Leave Ashby via Smisby Road going straight over the roundabout at the by-pass onto the Ticknall Road. Continue on this road until you reach Ticknall village. At the T junction turn right and then just after the village shop turn left into Ingleby Lane. Ticknall Village Hall is on your left a short way up Ingleby Lane and has parking for walkers. Leaving the car park by the path opposite the front of the Village Hall, cross straight over Ingleby Lane and proceed up Chapel Street which is opposite you. At the end of this cul-de-sac you will come to a wooden gate – go through this and turn immediately left. Follow the public bridleway sign into the field 1 but don’t go straight across to the next gate, instead bear right over the hilly bit of the field to pass underneath the telephone lines (this is a public footpath but unfortunately there is no sign to mark it). You will come to a metal gate, go through this (or round the side) and then keep straight on following the apparent track across the field that passes just to the left of a low stone wall with a tree branch that has grown to create an archway over it 2. You will soon reach a stile with a plank bridge spanning a boggy bit of ground – cross this and continue with deer fencing on your left. Cross another stile and following the yellow arrow go over a driveway and straight ahead to cross the field in front of you, passing by two mature trees to reach a grassy area with deer fencing on either side. At the end of this grassy bit the path kinks right and then left so you have fencing on your right now and woodland on your left, this will take you down to a hard-core path where you turn left to enter Robin’s Wood 3. Stay on this well-made path until it appears to fork. The main path curves around to the right but you want to take the less well made one off to the left (you will see several holly bushes along the start of it on your left hand side). Follow this path down, crossing another track shortly before it reaches a small wooden gate leading into an open field. Passing through the gate bear slightly left in the field to go over the hill and then down to another gate 4. Go through this and turn immediately right, following the field edge up for a couple of hundred yards. Shortly after passing the green water trough you need to turn left and go straight across the field you’ve just come up the edge of (the track over the field is apparent when you reach it). On the far side go through a third small wooden gate and then a short distance after this turn right to go through a gap leading to a tall metal swing gate. Pass through this onto a wide, grassy, ride which takes you up past the National Forest Riding Club’s show ground to reach more metal gates. Using the strings provided for riders open the smaller gate and then cross over both Ingleby Lane and the stile opposite you. Turn left and follow the path as it initially runs parallel to the road before turning right to follow around the fenced area. When this path opens out keep to the left and then go through the metal gate on your left, you will see Ticknall church ahead of you now. Follow the footpath arrows straight on and they will take you past the back of the cricket pavilion and around the side of church to return to the village Hall.
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All walks are checked shortly before publication but please be aware that paths may change over time and with the seasons.
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www.ashbychurch.co.uk
Fancy a walk?
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fter the long cold winter we’ve had, it’s nice to start seeing glimpses of warmth again. The sunshine and better weather means invitations will start coming thick and fast of “do you fancy a walk?” With varying degrees of enthusiasm, partners will be persuaded (or not!) that it will be great to ‘get some fresh air’, ‘stretch your legs’ or ‘clear your head’. However, one of the best things of all about a walk is the chance for a conversation, side by side. For the older generation the very phrase ‘walking out together’ was a sign that two people were on the way to becoming ‘an item’. It somehow neatly conveys the idea of people being in step, or side by side, with another. It’s estimated we walk something like 270 million steps in a lifetime, but for many of us it is the steps we take alongside someone else that are the very best.
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Editorial by Ashby Christadelphian Church, Union Passage, Ashby
www.ashbychurch.co.uk
In the Bible we come across the idea of walking in the ‘right company’. In fact one of the best known Bible characters, Noah, we read ‘walked with God’. What a fantastic testimony to Noah’s character and way of life. He lived at a time when the whole world seemed to be only interested in living the wrong kind of life; Noah simply chose to walk differently to the world around him. He was up and out of his chair, as it were, responding to God's invitation. God extends the same invitation to you and me, to walk in His ways and enjoy being in His company, to listen to what He says and to share your cares and concerns with Him. Of all the walks you could do this Spring, this would be the very best. “Fancy a walk?” He is waiting for your answer right now.
Useful passage to look up: Deuteronomy ch10 verses 12-13
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all about you THIS time you might find it! That dream item: the treasure that leads you to ‘The Antiques Roadshow’. “I bought it at a car boot sale for 10p,” you’ll say, and hear the magic response, “It’s 16th century, very rare and worth...ooh thousands.” Alternatively (and more likely) you could refurnish your home and replenish your wardrobe for a few pounds.
Car
Booty! The start of the car boot sale season is upon us. It’s time for early-morning starts and the opportunity to de-clutter or re-clutter, depending whether you sell or buy. There are bargains galore to be found, especially if you arrive early. The best deals are usually found at the beginning and end of the sale: the best quality stuff at the start and the best prices at the end. Decide what you intend to buy before arriving because it’s easy to get carried away. Haggling is expected, but don’t insult the sellers by offering too little: Items are very low-priced to begin with. If you are going to sell at a car boot sale you need to be prepared. Decide whether you want to clear your clutter or make money: you can't always do both. Remember no matter how cheaply you price your goods, people will haggle. You could have the ‘Mona Lisa’ on sale for a pound and someone would offer you fifty pence. Price labels are useful. Block price some items such as ‘all books fifty pence, three for a pound’. Clearly mark anything not included
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in the block pricing system. Take lots of change, carrier bags and old newspapers with which to wrap fragile items. A friend is invaluable for company and to help out while you nip off to the toilet or look around other stalls. Make sure you pack your table in the car last, so it’s the first item to come out and not buried under everything else. Be warned though; on arrival at the sale ground you may be mobbed as a canny crowd descend upon you like a flock of vultures. These folk tend to be dealers and they can be intimidating. They are after cheap buys to resell. Consider waiting in your car for a while to give them time to disappear before you unpack. Busy stalls attract more people so pile it high and sell it cheap. Welcome everyone who approaches your table with a warm smile and a cheery greeting. As the end of the day approaches, cut your prices if you don’t want to take everything home again. Whether selling or buying, with the current economic climate this could be a bumper year for car boot sales. People are much more clued up about collectables and antiques now, so it's harder to find ‘real treasure'. But you never know, there’s always a chance you’ll find that special something. Happy bargain hunting!
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money matters
Are there skeletons in your closet? WE’VE heard the story so many times - perfect couple get together, lead a happy and ‘comfortable’ life and then suddenly split with no rational explanation. The sad fact is that this is often down to their inability to discuss finances. It’s hugely important, when embarking on a relationship that probably involves co-habiting to be totally honest about your money, particularly if some of it isn’t entirely good news. If you’re in debt, if you’ve had bankruptcy or other issues in the past, if you’re a huge spender when you get money in your
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bank - all these things need chatting about because a clash of financial personality, or a huge financial skeleton is often enough to rip a relationship right off its foundations. So - how do you deal with these things? After all, they’re private, right? The answer is probably no, if there is any possibility that they can affect your future. And if there is a slim chance of this then the best thing is to be honest and deal with it. That doesn’t mean that you suddenly have to have joint finances/bank accounts etc. Discussing money issues doesn’t result in lack of
financial independence. What matters is what works for you both as a couple so that these issues don’t have a chance to grow and turn into much bigger problems down the line. And of course, a spot of financial planning for the future is a good idea too. Talking about wills, pensions and emergency funds may seem very unromantic at the beginning of a very rosy partnership but if you want to create a happy, stress-free future wouldn’t you be mad not to?
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community board ** Cash for your Community! ** Community Forum Budgets 2013 – Your voice, Your Choice! You may be aware that Leicestershire County Council has made funds available to all 25 Community Forums in the county. The Ashby, Measham & Moira Forum will have £12,500 available this year for local communities to invest in local improvements of their choice. We are looking for projects that can be delivered by March 2014. Applications need to be in by Tuesday 28th May, 2013. For further information, application packs or advice please make contact via: www.leicestershireforums.org, by email to leicestershireforums@leics.gov.ukm or call 0116 305 7034.
Anne Boleyn Holy Trinity Church, Ashby On 21st June Lesley Smith Curator of Tutbury Castle, an English Reformationist and Medical Historian, will be appearing as Anne Boleyn. In Lesley’s portayal of Anne she will appear in her execution gown during the last 45 minutes of her life in the tower. The evening commences at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.00 which includes a cheese and wine supper. For further information and tickets please telephone Carole Timms on 01283 216653. Please note this performance is unsuitable for children under 16.
Conkers Mining Display Room A new large collection of mining memorabilia illustrating the local mining heritage will be unveiled to the public as a permanent exhibition at Conkers on Saturday 25th May. The collection has been put together by the South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group from items of mining equipment, old photographs, and other artefacts, all donated by ex-miners and their families. Admission is free and the display will be open seven days a week.
Coleorton & New Lount volunteer Group volunteers Needed The group has been formed from local residents with the assistance of Leicestershire County Council Park Rangers under the County Council’s VIP Scheme (Volunteering, Internships & Placements Scheme) and is primarily targeted to assist with conservation work at both Coleorton Wood and New Lount Nature Reserve. Just go along and volunteer on any of the dates: 4th May and 14th May – New Lount, 18th and 28th May – Coleorton Wood. All sessions start at 10am, for more info visit website www.cnlvg.moonfruit.co.uk.or email coleorton11@gmail.com.
Walk for Health Every Wednesday at 10am We are trained Volunteer Walk leaders who want to offer a range of Health Walks to Ashby and are hoping to move out to surrounding areas. NWLDC and the GP referral scheme are helping to promote us. Starting from Hood Park Leisure Centre, walking in a group is a great way to
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start some physical activity, to explore more of where you live and even make new friends. Free Parking at leisure centre – put car registration in at desk! Phone 07547 901513 if you need more details, or just turn up. It's free!
Meditation Classes Tara kadampa Meditation Centre Legion House, South St, Ashby, LE65 1BQ on the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd May from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Relaxing meditation and practical advice to help us in our daily life. Meditation is helpful for everyone, no matter where we are or what we are doing. Classes cost £5, for further information please contact tel: 01283 73238 or email meditate@tarakmc.org
New Members Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club This friendly tennis club is beautifully situated below the ruins of Ashby Castle and boasts seven floodlit artificial grass courts and a modern attractive clubhouse. Both social and competitive tennis is played by adults and juniors. We have a number of club competitions and also enter teams in the Leicestershire and Burton Leagues. Visitors are always welcome and if you are interested in joining the club please contact Jonathan Lawton on 07790 212133 or pay us a visit on Tuesdays or Fridays after 6pm. We will be pleased to show you what we have on offer at what we believe is the best tennis club in North West Leicestershire. For more information look on the website at.www.acltc.co.uk or contact the Membership Secretary Dean Baker by phone on 07969 120722 or email at dean2503@msn.com.
Social volleyball Hermitage Leisure Centre We run a volleyball session every Sunday evening at Hermitage Leisure Centre from 7 to 8.30pm. Our regular members range from good to complete beginners. We would love to increase our numbers and are looking for more players. Hermitage volleyball club also run more formal training sessions on Thursday evenings and there are mens, womens and mixed teams for people to get involved in too. If you would like to come on Sundays, email pwalker@stonehill.leics.sch, look for us on Facebook or simply turn up! Cost is £3 per session. Our next sessions are on the 5th, 12th and 26th May - please email us to check future sessions are on before coming along!
Ashby de la Zouch Town Council Calendar of Meetings The Annual Council meeting takes place on 20th May. The Annual Town Meeting on 13th May. Members of the public are welcome to attend and there is a slot for public questions. The Parks & Cemetery Committee meet on 17th June, the Finance & Tourism Committee on 24th June and the Planning & Licensing Committees on 3rd June. Meetings take place at Legion House, South Street and start at 6.30pm.
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it’s local This new style networking group was started in April 2012 as many small local independent businesses felt they were being overlooked – the group caters especially for businesses which are owned and managed by women
Happy Birthday, Ashby Ladies Business Group! THE aim of the group is to encourage business women to get away from the work place for just a short time in the busy working day and to give them the opportunity to meet likeminded women from the local area, share experiences and also to promote their businesses. The group has in an informal style which many of the ladies have found far more comfortable and successful than the hard sell method used in some more traditional style networking groups. The members have the chance to mix with other likeminded women in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. There are no long dull speeches or dusty suits but the group does have a short informal guest speaker slot at each lunch event. Topics covered over the first year have ranged from having your colours analysed to making the most of marketing your business via social media. Lunch time events take place every 2 months with a morning coffee meet up in between these. The ALBG website promotes all the members
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businesses as well as news and events – www.ashbylbg.co.uk and there is also a lively Facebook page. There is no membership fee as the Ashby Ladies Business Group is a non-profit networking group and at the moment there are around 80 local business ladies involved. Already there have been some great success stories in the first year of the group and new members from all sectors of business within the Ashby area are welcomed. On these two pages we feature a selection of Ashby Ladies Business Group members – with businesses ranging from retail stores to promotional wear and accounting to beauty there is a diverse range of talent and interest among the business women of the local area. If you’d like to enjoy lunch or coffee with a lively and friendly group of other business owners contact Sue Crooks on 07505 847807 or email sue@sjcmarketing.co.uk for further details.
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out and about Enjoy the region’s best food and drink at the new Ashby Food Gusto Festival, Saturday 25th May, from 10.30am to 4pm, on the Bath Grounds
Nibble, Bite, Eat, Chew, Taste… PACkED with stands from local and regional producers it really will be a great day out for all the family. There is a juicy hog roast planned, organic burgers and even venison meat - sure to satisfy anyone’s hunger. Local producers will be selling handmade Leicestershire cheese, creamy ice cream, breads, exotic mushrooms, cured meats, pickles, lamb burgers and more. If that isn’t enough you can quench your thirst with locally brewed beer, wine, cider or even a hot chocolate, smooth espresso or cappuccino. It is also planned to have food demonstrations
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and there will be ample opportunities to sample the products. Finally there is a great line up of music organised by Studio 46 from Appleby Magna. So if you love great food and drink get down to Food Gusto on 25th May. If you are a local food producer, shop, restaurant or any business passionate about food and want to exhibit or get involved in any way then Food Gusto would love to hear from you. You can Call Kate or Wesley on 01530 411337 or email info@foodgusto.co.uk for more details.
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just 4 fun
CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.
Solutions on page 108
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this month
May Day
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MAY Day is celebrated on the first Monday of the month. It originates from village celebrations marking the coming of summer.
it with cc flowers and ribbons.
The following traditions often take place amongst a day of festivities:
The Crowning of the May queen is linked to the honouring of Flora the Roman goddess of fruit and flowers. Traditionally she took no part in games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects.'
Maypoles are hung with greenery and ribbons and painted brightly. Local children dress in their finest clothes, with bells and flower garlands, and perform traditional ribbon dances such as Gypsy Tent and The Spiders Web.
Morris dancing is a traditional form of English folk dancing carried out by groups known as sides. Dances are passed down through generations, and involve movements to accentuate the tinkling of bells attached to costumes and coming together to strike wooden sticks.
Originally maypoles were made by villagers using a young tall tree. They stripped off the lower branches, but left leaves at the top to symbolise new life, and then decorated
Loud accordion music accompanies the dancing. Sometimes dancers paint their faces black, and this association with the North African Moors may explain the origins of the name ‘Morris’ dancing.
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young ashby
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out to lunch
The Cattows Tea Room EvERY month we take a trip over to Heather to visit The Cattows Farm Shop where we drop off a pile of magazines for pick up by our out of area readers and stock up on their lovely Wessex Mill bread flour. And every month I gaze hungrily into the Cattows Tea Rooms!
It’s a popular spot (for very good reasons), so often busy, but when time allows we call in and treat ourselves to lunch, or occasionally a sweet treat to take home. If you’ve not discovered this gem then I can highly recommend
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taking a trip out to Heather and with the Pick Your Own season soon on its way you could always have a bit of time fruit picking and round it off with a lovely lunch. The Tea Rooms offer a really extensive menu comprising everything from sandwiches and baguettes to salads or hot meals, including a daily specials board, but my personal favourite are their Melts. A Melt comprises of a thick slice of rustic bread generously covered with a filling of your choice (ham and tomato for me) and then covered over with a lovely thick layer of gooey, melted cheese and served with a fresh side salad. I have to confess to being incredibly tempted by their breakfast menu too, though as yet we have never managed to arrive early enough in the day to try it (breakfast menu is served until 11.30) - the Farmhouse Breakfast served with their own sausages does sound very good though. There is a choice of seating areas at The Cattows Tea Rooms, with a few tables in the main room which is decorated in the style of a rustic kitchen and then lots more
seating in the adjoining conservatory style extension where you have fine views across their own farmland. We’ve never taken a small person there but they won the Netmums.com most family friendly place to eat in NW Leicestershire so I’d say it’s a good place if you’ve children with you too. The real icing on the cake has to be the desserts. This is, of course, the home of The Cattows Cup Cake (which you may have come across at the farmers market or Ashby Show) – they almost look too good to eat, but not quite! It’s not just Cup Cakes though for they have a wonderful glass display cabinet which is always packed with a selection of desserts that anyone with a passion for things creamy, fruity and generally sweet (and who hasn’t?) will just love – the only problem is choosing! If you go during the season it is a pretty good bet that among the choices there will be a wonderful strawberry pavlova featuring their own luscious berries and mountains of cream. If you just can’t find room for a dessert while you are their then you can always buy one to take home with you.
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in your garden
Garden Tasks for May Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants
A Jar of Nostalgia
Earth up potatoes Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs
If you're reading this you probably have an interest in gardening, but even armchair gardeners must be happy that spring is now well under way. May brings with it a wonderful selection of flowers, mainly in cool blues, purples, pinks and whites, and some great fragrances too, including the heady scent of Lilac. It’s an old fashioned shrub which has fallen out of favour, and for the majority of the year it looks relatively uninteresting – but the Lilac bush smells fantastic in a gentle May evening breeze. Mix this aroma with the scent of freshly mown grass and you have the most perfect spring fragrance, better than any airfreshener. After a long winter with more snow than I can ever remember, and yet more depressing news about our economy, I think what we all need is to enjoy a little nostalgia; I’m not talking bunting here, but bedding
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plants. Towards the end of the month is the time when bedding plants and other tender perennials can be planted outside. Thousands of people will flock to garden centres up and down the country over the coming weeks, and for some it's their only pilgrimage of the year to the outdoor retail world. It’s an opportunity for the nurseryman (or woman) to display row after row of highly colourful plants, stacked, tray by tray like jars of sweets in an old fashioned shop. Each standing to attention, faces held high, their label pointing forwards and each doing their utmost to shout ‘buy me, buy me’. The flowers shine in the sunshine like the sparkling boiled fruit sweets in the jars, oh what is it to be, the bi-coloured rhubarb custards, or the combination of blackberry and raspberry jellies? Choosing your colour scheme for this year’s bedding display (be that just the one hanging basket
or a front garden that looks like a Victorian public park) is exciting, and a totally personal task. I've know it can cause arguments between couples, but have also known marriages which have survived successfully on the basis that ‘you plant your side and I'll plant mine’. There are those who like a multi-coloured cocktail of plants (a mixed tray of Petunias for example), those who prefer to stick to a muted pallet of 2-3 'sophisticated colours' (usually purple, blue and white) and then those trying to achieve a Swiss cottage look who might plump for just the one (perhaps a red trailing Ivy Leafed Pelargonium). But whatever your preference I don't think it really matters, because buying annual bedding plants brings nostalgic happiness all round; it’s good for the nurseryman's business, brilliant for passersby to enjoy, and most importantly great at making you feel happy at home.
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on the beat Hello Everyone... The latest crime figures for 2012/2013 have been released which shows a reduction across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
THE BREAKDOWN : All recorded crime REDUCED by 13.7% Assault with less serious injury REDUCED by 15.1% Criminal Damage REDUCED by 17.8% Domestic Burglary REDUCED by 7.0% Robbery REDUCED by 22.2% Serious violent offences REDUCED by 15% Theft From vehicle REDUCED 0.4% Theft Of vehicle/Unauthorised Taking Of a vehicle REDUCED by 15% Serious Sexual offences INCREASED by 11.4%
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CED REDU
Trends for overall crime also shows crime has been decreasing for a five year period across the force area.
It goes without saying that we will continue to work together with the local community, businesses, and partner agencies, in order to tackle crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. If you would like to view the crime figures that are specific to where you live, please go to the force website - www.leics.police.uk, and click onto the link 'Crime In Your Area.' PC 1667 MARk ARJOO North West Leicestershire Police Beacon Officer: Ashby, Packington, Ravenstone, Normanton le Heath tel: 101 voicemail ID: 1667 email: mark.arjoo@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
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ashby museum news
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shby Museum is gearing up for the Arts Festival at the end of the month. Opening on May 25th for two weeks, we have a special exhibition of Di Lorimann’s colourful cartoon history of Ashby. This is the first time the original paintings have been on show to the public and, unlike the copies normally on show on our cupboard doors, they will be at adult height so that you can enjoy all the fine details. Di will also be with us on Tuesday 28th May when we are running a special drop-in drawing workshop. Whether you are a practised artist or have not put pencil to paper since school you will be very welcome. The subject matter is an unusual collection of bottles, donated to the museum by the parents of David Jaques, a young man tragically killed in a motorbike accident some years ago. The workshop runs between 9.30am and 12.30pm with free bookable one hour slots. All materials provided and we hope participants
will donate their work to become part of the David Jaques collection at the museum. You are invited to join us on our guided walks to be held monthly from May to September. Topics include The Spa Town, 100 Years of Ashby History, Inns and Ale Houses of Ashby. Walks are of about 90 minute duration and cost £3.50. Advance booking essential by phone 01530 560090 or call in at the museum. June 1st sees us joining forces with Ashby Castle to investigate the Tudors. Our kids’ History Club runs from 1pm to 4pm and there will be fun activities at the Museum and the castle. Free entry. The Museum is always short of volunteers so if you have some spare time please call in when the Museum is open and leave a message for John Miller or Wendy Freer with your contact details. We are open Mon-Fri 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, all day Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
FRIENDS OF ASHBY MUSEUM invite you to Snail Race Evening on May 17th at Manor House
School from 7.30pm. Tickets available from the museum at only £8.50 to include a hot supper. Only 80 places available so please book early to avoid disappointment. We also have our Coffee Morning on May 15th when Ivan Hallam will tell us all about Clocks and Watches and the part Ashby has played in their manufacture.The Friends are collecting items for the Tombola stalls the museum is taking to their Outreach tables at the forthcoming country shows. Please let us have anything that would be of use to us for these stalls. Drop your items into the museum or call Janet on 01455 290729 for collection.
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storytime
The May Day Parade Cyril helped the May Queen and her two attendants climb onto the straw bails in the trailer. The girls, clutching posies of wild roses and gypsophila, looked lovely in their white dresses and floral crowns.
he had ever seen. But this year, things were different again. He could see folk squeezed onto the pavement ahead of him, waving their flags and cheering, but as the tractor approached, the flags
“Hold on tight to the bailing twine,” Cyril repeated sternly. Ten years ago an attendant had not heeded his advice and that had been a sorry sight. Cyril clambered into the tractor and started the ignition. With a blast of fumes and noise, they left Glebe Farm and began the bumpy journey down the muddy track towards the main road, where the marching band were tuning up their instruments. Clouds were hanging over the village after last night’s heavy rain, but promised to burn off by lunchtime, when Cyril has plans to be sitting outside the Nag’s Head with a pint of bitter as his reward. As he pulled off the farm track the marching band fell into formation in front of them, and the parade began. Cyril followed the band up Chapel Lane. He took the job of chauffeuring the May Queen very seriously. He had even worn his best overalls for the occasion. People were out, lining the streets. The previous year, for the Jubilee, many villagers had worn masks of Her Majesty, and Cyril thought it was the strangest sight
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drooped and the cheering fell silent. They frowned at him. Anyone would think they had never seen a May Day Parade before, and had no idea how to behave. “They can’t be from ‘round here”, Cyril thought. Mrs Cramp, from the Post Office, called something up to him. Her words were lost over the rumble of the engine, but her expression was not. “Poor gal looks peeved”, Cyril thought. “She’s thinking the same thing as me – funny crowd”. As he turned towards the Village Green he slowed down so that everyone could have a good look at the trailer. The local school children had spent all morning decorating it with balloons, tissue paper flowers and bunting. A few young kids waved their flags, but most people just stood and stared.
to himself. He’d never seen such an unappreciative crowd. Finally he turned onto the Green. The Brass band started ‘When the saints go marching in’ and Cyril drove his precious cargo between the cream tea stall and the bouncy castle. He gave the horn a friendly peep and switched off the engine just as the marching band did one final turn. The music trailed off as though the trumpets had suddenly run out of air, which was an unusual way to end the song, Cyril thought. Straightening his cap, he jumped down from the tractor to attend to the May Queen. To his astonishment she wasn’t there. Nor were her two attendants, or the trailer and bails of straw. Somewhere between Glebe Farm and the Green the whole lot had vanished. The sun peeped shyly from behind the clouds just as, red faced and panting, the May Queen and her attendants came running onto the Green, their posies drooping and their dresses dripping with mud. There was a cheer of relief from the crowd and the band played ‘We’ll meet again’. The landlord of the Nags Head handed a crestfallen Cyril his pint. “Well done, lad”, he said, unable to stifle his laugh. “And for next year’s parade, try to remember to hitch the tractor to the trailer first”.
“Miserable bunch”, Cyril muttered
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by Jackie Brewster
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somewhere in the forest WIN £25 IN OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. A fireplace in the middle of field? Do you know whereabouts in the National Forest our photograph was taken? Just send the name of the location to us at: Competition, Ashby Life, 16 Moira Road, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 2GA.
Name Address Postcode Email address Answer (if you don’t want to cut out the entry form you can send the answer on a postcard) or enter by email to: competition@ashbylife.co.uk Congratulations to Alexis Harper, winner of last month’s competition, who correctly identified the Ferrers Centre at Staunton Harold as the location of last month’s picture. Entries close on Friday 10th May. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winner will be notified and a cheque for £25 sent within 14 days of the closing date, the winners name will also be printed in the following edition of Ashby Life. Multiple or automated entries are not allowed. We will not pass your details to any third party. We may use your details to send you marketing emails from Ashby Life in the future – if you would prefer that we did not, please tick the box
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seasonal recipes Serves 8 Ready in 3hrs
Cheese, Bacon & Onion Pie
Oven Temp 0 180 C Gas 5
Strawberry Scones & Cream YOU WILL NEED
• Pinch of salt
• 225g self raising flour
• 100ml carton double cream
• 40g butter
• Strawberry jam
• ¼ pint milk
• 6 large strawberries
• 1½ level tablespoons caster sugar
FOR THE PASTRY
FOR THE FILLING
• • • •
• 175g smoked bacon pieces • 4 onions, peeled and thinly sliced • 1tbsp sunflower oil • 200g mature Cheddar cheese, grated • Beaten egg, to glaze
225g plain flour 1tsp mustard powder Pinch of salt 115g butter, chilled and diced • 4-5tbsp iced water
GET STARTED 1
• 2 teaspoons icing sugar 2
GET STARTED 1 Sieve the self raising flour into a bowl, add the butter and rub together. 2 Add the sugar and salt and stir.
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3 Add the milk a little at a time and stir with a fork until mixture binds together and turn onto a flour surface. 4 Lightly roll the scone mix to about 2cm thick, then take a pastry cutter and cut into 6 round scones. 5 Place on a greased baking sheet and cook on the middle shelf of the oven for 12-15 mins. 6 When they are light golden colour remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool completely before filling. 7 Whip the double cream to a piping consistency and place in a piping bag. 8 Take the cooled scones and cut in half, spread a thick layer of jam on the bottom half and pipe the cream on top. 9 Finally cut the strawberries and arrange on top of the cream and put the lid on, dust with a little icing sugar to serve.
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4
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To make the pastry, sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the mustard powder and salt. Add the diced butter and rub into the flour between your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in enough of the iced water with a round bladed knife to mix to a crumbly dough. Knead very lightly until just smooth then flatten into a disc and wrap in cling film. Chill for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Dry-fry the bacon pieces in a large non-stick frying pan for 4-5 minutes until just golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the oil and sliced onions to the pan and fry gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until the onions are very tender and pale golden. Leave to cool. Preheat the oven to 190°C, 375°F, Gas Mark 5. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Roll out just over half the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 20x30cm loose-based fluted flan tin. Layer the bacon, onions and grated cheese in the pastry case and season between the layers with freshly ground black pepper. Roll out the rest of the pastry and use to cover the filling. Seal the edges of the pastry with water then pinch them tightly together with fingertips. Trim off any excess pastry. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and pierce 3-4 holes in the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape. Bake on the hot baking sheet for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold with tomato salad, if liked.
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your wellbeing
Don’t Strain - Stretch! WE often hear how important it is to warm up prior to exercising but do you know what this involves and why it is important? Darrin Morris, Chartered Physiotherapist at ProPhysio Ashby, explains about the importance of stretching both before and after exercise: I am frequently asked by my patients “What type of stretching should I perform to prepare for training or sport to adequately prepare me for the activity and prevent the risk of injury?” There is not a simple answer I’m afraid as it depends on a number of factors, namely:a The nature of activity to be performed. b The presence of pre-existing problems or injuries. c The nature of the training activities to follow. There has been a great deal of research into the effects of stretching before and after training or sporting activity. The research suggests that Dynamic Stretching is the best way to prepare for activity. These are a series of movements that mimic the specific actions made during that sporting activity. For example, a tennis player could perform alternate leg lunging movements or a footballer could perform some leg swinging movements to mimic kicking. They must be carried out with care initially but the range of movement and vigour can be gradually increased through repetition. Every sport has its own ideal set of dynamic stretches that suit its activity. Prior to performing dynamic stretches, it is advisable to raise the metabolic rate with some gentle aerobic activity such as jogging, brisk walking, rowing or cycling. DYNAMIC STRETCHING: Pre-activity • Commonly known as ‘warming up’. • Increases blood flow through the exercising muscles. • Raise core temperature for increased metabolic activity. • Prevents muscle tear injuries by increasing blood flow. • Warms up central nervous system to help co-ordinate rapid complex movement patterns. • Encourages good co-ordination and correct technique which also prevents injury.
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STATIC STRETCHING: Post-activity • Commonly known as “cooling down”. • Best performed following a period of training or sport. • Involves stretching muscles and holding the stretch for 30 seconds minimum. Having been a discus thrower for 15 years and a physio, working with sporty people for over 20 years, I would agree with much of the research but suggest that in order to minimise the risk of injury, both static and dynamic stretching should be
incorporated into the warm-up session as a precautionary measure. Often muscles and joints are tight and stiff from previous exercise activities and static stretches will gently lengthen and mobilise these prior to the more vigorous dynamic work. Those who are recovering from injury are likely to have some remaining scar tissue present in those damaged structures and static stretches are essential for those individuals in warm up as well. Those with muscles that are prone to tightness are advised to statically stretch these muscles on a daily basis and their warm up should also incorporate static work. Adolescents often find that with rapidly lengthening limbs muscle tightness commonly occurs and static stretches would assist these individuals in their warm ups also. Should you have any specific concerns about stretching and require advice then please feel free to contact ProPhysio Ashby, you can call them on 01530 588557.
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what’s on... May into June 2nd May
Ashby Castle WI – Resolution meeting and entertainment. Due to the increasing member numbers we have relocated again for our next meeting, to the Congregational Church, Kilwardby St, Ashby at 2pm. New members welcome, visitors £4.00. Raffle and refreshments available. Come along and join us.
3rd May
Century Cinema at Century Theatre, Snibston – Life of Pi (PG). Pi Patel is shipwrecked with a tiger called Richard Parker. Winner of four Oscars. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £3.50 pay on the door. Tel: 01530 278444.
3rd May to 28th July
Ferrers Gallery at Staunton Harold opens exhibition ‘Picture Postcard’. A wonderful display of work by three regional artists; John Connolly, Amelia Bowman and Terry Davies all of whom are inspired by summer holidays and places of beauty in the UK. If you fancy escaping from it all for an early taste of summer then Ferrers gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday plus bank Holidays from 11am to 5pm. Visit www.ferrersgallery.co.uk for more information or call 01332 863337.
4th May
Christian Aid - ‘Saturday Special’, 11am to 2pm at Congregational Church. Stalls, (refreshments, light lunches).
4th to 6th May
Exhibition of Paintings by Jane Betteridge at Ticknall Village Hall from 10am to 5pm each day.
5th May
Ashby Bowls Club invite you to play bowls at The Green, Bath Grounds, behind the Royal Hotel starting at 2pm. This is an ideal opportunity to try out a new sport. Coaching is free and all ages are welcome. Please wear flat soled [no heels] leisure shoes while on the Green. Call Paul Stokes on 01530 417747 for further details. Social volleyball at Hermitage Leisure Centre from 7 to 8.30pm. Regular members range from good to complete beginners. We would love to increase our numbers and are looking for more players, for further information, email pwalker@stonehill.leics.sch, look for us on Facebook or simply turn up! Cost is £3 per session.
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7th May
Ashby Royal British Legion meets at 7pm at Legion House, South Street. All welcome, contact: Branch Secretary: ashby.royalbritishlegion@ gmail.com or 01530 414390.
8th May
Ashby Wine Circle –“Origins of Sayings – Part 2” presented by Ian Hingley. Please bring wine! 7.30pm at Brown Court, Atkinson Road, Ashby. New members welcome, for further details contact 01530 224030. Bradgate Flower Club - members and guests are invited to join the Anstey garden visits. The gardens are open from 6.30pm. Details from Lilian Coleman on 0116 236 3191.
10th May
The Palace, Ibstock, Film Night – ‘Hope Springs’ (12A). After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counselling session to work on their relationship. Starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. Doors, box office and licensed bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460.
11th May
Plant Sale from 10am to 2pm. Refreshments and other stalls available. At Ashby Methodist Church, Burton Road, also accessible from Co-op car park. Century Theatre 60th Anniversary Charity Gala at Century Theatre, Snibston. Featuring Blast From the Past re-creating the Music Hall spirit from the theatre's birth plus a couple of surprises. All profits split between Air Ambulance and Medecins sans Frontieres. Tickets: £16 including supper served at 6.30pm; show starts 7.45pm. Tel: 01530 278444. Ashby 7’s Rugby Tournament and Beer Festival at Ashby Rugby Club, Nottingham Road. Gates open at 10.30am, first game 11am. Also bouncy castle, raffle, face painting, sweet shop, BBQ and all day bar.
13th May
N. Leics. National Trust Assoc. - Join us on a coach trip to Peckover House, an elegant Georgian Town House with a wonderful walled garden. There is also a chance to visit the Octavia Hill birthplace museum. For further details please ring 01530 563003.
CAP Money Course - With everybody feeling the squeeze on their disposable income and many people facing cuts in benefits, we all need to make the most of our money to get through these tough times. No better time to sign up for the next CAP Money course. It is all about managing your money. In just three short sessions you will learn to set up your own budget and a system to help you stick to it. The course will run for three Monday evenings starting 13th May at 7.45pm in The Coffee Lounge at Ashby Baptist Church, Brook Street. Free of charge. Sign up or enquire by text or phone 07790 542041 or email capmoney@ capmnf.org.uk. CAP Money is part of Christians Against Poverty, a confidential debt counselling and money management charity. Ashby de la Zouch Town Council – Annual Town Meeting, Council Chamber, Legion House, South Street, Ashby LE65 1BQ, (Disabled Access available) at 6.30pm. Open to all residents of the Parish of Ashby de la Zouch. You are invited to attend to hear the annual report of the Town Council and its committees. This is your opportunity to raise any matters of public concern and interest. Contact Jack Fargher, Town Clerk Tel: 01530 416961 or email: info@ashby towncouncil.org.uk or www.ashbytown council.org.uk.
14th May
The Palace Community Centre Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held at The Palace, Ibstock and will begin at 7pm. Open to the general public, but membership is required in order to vote. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member contact Tel: 01530 260460. Ashby Writers’ Club – A look around Ashby Museum with Dr Wendy Freer. Wendy wants each of us to choose an artefact and later weave a story, poem, play etc. around it. Visitors welcome at a nominal fee. 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
15th May
Ashby Spa WI - The WI Resolution Meeting and entertainment. At Manor House School, South Street at 7.30pm. You don’t have to be a member to join the meeting – there is a small charge of £3 for visitors. For further details please email ashby.spa@googlemail. com. continued on p102
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what’s on... May into June continued 16th May
Christian Aid Lunch from noon to 2pm at Ashby Methodist Church. (Suggested donation £6, to include soup, ham and cheese ‘ploughman’s’, ‘posh’ puddings, tea or coffee.)
17th May
‘Fun and Frolics’ a musical review in aid of the Air Ambulance Service at The Palace, Ibstock. Presented by the Ibstock Dolly Mixtures. Performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £6.00 from Halls, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or from Lois on 01530 261686. Century Cinema at Snibston - Les Miserables (12A). Ex-convict Jean Valjean is hunted by ruthless police Inspector Javert. Spectacular big screen adaptation of the hit musical starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £3.50, pay on the door. Tel: 01530 278444.
Saturday, 18th May
Ashby Farmers Market – 9am to 2pm at Manor House School, South Street. Bringing you the finest foods from the region and specialist stalls. Free Parking. Ashby Academy of Rock ‘Open Day’ from noon to 4pm come and meet our guitar, drums, bass, vocal and piano/keyboard tutors and take advantage of our lesson offers and studio rehearsal rates (for new customers) at Holywell Mill, off Burton Road, Ashby. For further details contact Warren on 07970 551553. Blackfordby village Hall Dance to the music of Graham Darby from 8pm to11pm. Admission £3. Bar, refreshments and raffle. For more details phone 01283 213481 or 01283 819447. Packington W.I. are holding a charity evening at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Packington in support of Hospice Hope and featuring Gresley Male Voice Choir. Tickets are priced at £8 please call Sandra Hawley on 01530 412693 for tickets and more information. Century Theatre at Snibston - presents Derek Acorah, The Eternal Spirits Tour. Performances of the Spiritualist Medium at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: £17.50. Tel: 01530 278444. Nordic Walking - Burning up to 40% more calories during your walk, increase your cardio respiratory
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system by up to 25%, reduce stress to your knees and lower joints. Strengthen your body and build better bone density. Workshops will be held from10am to 12.30pm at Conkers. Workshop fee £10 per participant. Places are limited on the workshop so booking is essential. For further details or to book your place contact Michelle on 07887 678367 or 01530 273366. Christian Aid - Soup Day, 10am to 2pm at Ashby Baptist Church. (Coffee, cakes and light refreshments also available.) Charity Sports Day - Balfour Beatty is holding a fun-filled, family-friendly Charity Sports Day at Staunton Harold Hall to raise much needed funds for Ashby Macmillan Cancer Support. We’re looking for groups of five to join in the action and take on other teams. Teams can be made up of friends, family and colleagues and need to raise a minimum of £100. If you simply want to cheer on the teams then we also have a range of activities to keep the whole family entertained. From welly wanging to biscuit decorating, there’s something for everyone. A hog roast and beer tent will also be on hand for when you’re feeling in need of refreshment! Parking and admission is free. If you would like further information on the day, or to register a team, please contact the Balfour Beatty Charity Committee on Charity@bbusl.com or call Amy Turner on 07967 689132. Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation presents Music in the Marquee from 2pm to 6pm. A fantastic, fun, family event at Ulverscroft Manor, Priory Lane, Ulverscroft, Leicester LE67 9PH, held under cover in a fabulous marquee. Entertainment from local band ‘The Mixers’, Licensed bar, refreshments, raffle, tombola, dance floor, belly dancing with Bellyliscious. Tickets £8 per person, £4 per child (under 12), under 3’s Free. Family tickets – 2 adults & 2 children, £20. For tickets and more information, please telephone 01530 244914 or email admin@shuttlewood-clarke.org. Burton Sailing Club – Open Day at Foremark Reservoir. A great family day out, free sailing experiences for all the family plus BBQ and refreshments available. 11am to 4pm. Free admission. Special Open Day discount
on 2013 membership available on the day. For further details www.burton sailingclub.co.uk or Tel: 01283 807822.
20th May
The Zouch Acoustic and Folk Music Club - This club meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at The Bull and Lion Packington. 8pm to 10pm. Sing a song, read a poem, tell a short story or relax and listen, all welcome. For more information contact Brian on 01530 416251.
21st May
N. Leics. National Trust Assoc. - learn about one of the oldest cities in England - Leicester- with a Blue Badge guide. Followed by a visit to tearooms. For further details call 01530 563003.
24th May
The Palace, Film Night – ‘Quartet’ (12A). Dustin Hoffman directs a stellar cast in this bittersweet tale of ageing opera singers forced to face their mortality. The Palace, Ibstock - doors, box office and licensed bar open at 7pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460. Century Cinema Snibston - ‘Quartet’ (12A). Heart warming comedy starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Billy Connolly. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £3.50 pay on the door. Tel: 01530 278444.
25th May
Hood Park Leisure Centre - Outdoor Pool opening from 11am to 6pm. Poolside BBQ available from noon. Entry £1 all day. For further information call 01530 412181 or log on to www.nwleics.gov.uk/pages/ swimming. Food Gusto – Enjoy local produce, sample, taste, buy and discuss food. Plus local beer, ice cream, crafts, music and more at the Bath Grounds 10.30am to 4pm If you would like to exhibit contact Kate or Wesley on 01530 411337.
25th to 27th May
Ashby Guild of Artists Annual Art Exhibition and Sale at Ticknall Village Hall. Open from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Monday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. This year they will be raising some money for Barnardos. Please do try and come along... lovely refreshments!
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what’s on... May into June continued 25th May to 8th June Ashby Museum - Cartoon History of Ashby, art exhibition by Di Lorriman. £1 entry 50p concessions.
26th and 27th May Ashby Arts Festival - Craft Market at Legion House, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch from 10am to 4pm, part of the Ashby Arts Festival. To book a stall please contact Mary Tuckey on 01530 413434.
28th May Ashby de la Zouch U3A – 2pm at Congregational Church, Kilwardby St. with speaker Ms. Sara Crofts on the subject of The Woodland Trust. For a small fee of £1, visitors are most welcome to join us, have a cup of tea and learn about the varied activities available. Group meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every month. Ashby Museum - Bottle Drawing workshop facilitated by Di Lorriman from 9.30am to 12.30am. One hour slots bookable at the TIC, free entry, all materials provided. Ashby Writers’ Club – Reading of pieces connected with museum visit. At Congregational Church, Kilwardby St, Ashby LE65 2FQ, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Visitors welcome at a nominal fee of £3 per comp/ manuscript meeting (including coffee or tea).
29th May Film Night, Ashby – The Quartet (12A). In association with Ashby Arts Festival 2013 we present the award winning comedy at The Lyric Rooms, Lower Church Street, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1AB. Tickets £5 - available on the door or in advance from Ashby TIC 01530 411767.
31st May Century Theatre at Snibston - Pete White's Suitcase Circus. Wonderful comedy entertainment for all the family, as performed in the Royal Albert Hall. Three performances at 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm. Tickets: £2.50. Tel: 01530 278444.
1st June Ashby Museum - Kids History Club, theme The Tudors, 1pm to 4pm, FREE entry. Pelenna valley Welsh Male voice Choir at The Palace, Ibstock. Following
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last years’ sell-out concert this world famous Welsh Male Voice Choir make a return visit. Tickets: £10.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.
stunning night of endless mystical, funny, quirky and enthralling stories picked by the audience from “Taffy’s Tale Coat”, 8pm. Tickets £10 from TIC.
Ashby Arts Festival Folk and Poetry at the Library 11.15am to 12.30am. Free admission, singers/poets open to anyone.
8th June
Arts Festival Julie Felix in Concert at The Venture Theatre. Curtain up 7.30pm doors open 7pm. Tickets, £10 from TIC Ashby. A superb night with this enduring and internationally acclaimed icon of the folk world.
2nd June ‘Tea at The Palace’ to celebrate the Coronation Day of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at The Palace, Ibstock. From 2.30pm tea and light refreshments will be served and events of the day and tributes to the Queen will be shown on the large screen. Come along and join the party!
4th June Arts Festival Film Fringe at The Vine Bar and Restaurant. Two films by local filmmakers Brian Langtry and Len Holden -“The Story of the Dirty Thirty” (the story of the 30 local miners who stayed on strike for the whole of the 1984 dispute) and “A Rainy Day in Cromer” first shown to popular acclaim in the 2010 Festival, 7.30pm. Price £9 to include a ‘Vine Special Supper’. N. Leics. National Trust Assoc - Join us on a trip to Rutland Water with a cruise and a guided tour of the iconic Normanton Church which was saved from a watery grave by public outcry. There are also other attractions on offer after our cruise. For further details please ring 01530 563003.
Arts Festival Folk Music at the Library with Dragonhead, Brian Langtry, Peter Glyde and Mark John. Free admission 11.15am to 12.30am. Come along and listen, join in or perform.
8th June Arts Festival Family ‘Fairy Gold’ tales with Taffy Thomas at The Library from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Tickets, admission free, from TIC. An event specially tailored to the young at heart. Newlands House Fete - The event is our biggest fundraiser and is organised with volunteers from Ashby Castle Rotary Club. There will be an array of stalls, hot and cold food, drinks, ices, live music and entertainment, acts and performances. Displays & exhibits include model boats & birds of prey. There is also a Fun Dog Show and an RAF flypast. Entrance is just £1.50 with under 12’s FREE. It is a fantastic afternoon out for all the family and there is parking on site too! All funds raised support our Leonard Cheshire Disability home. Call 01283 761202. Noon to 5pm and at Newlands House, Main St, Netherseal DE12 8DA. Ashby Fake Festival with top UK tribute bands, plus more from 12.30am to 11pm at The Bath Grounds. Box office Tel: 0800 652 2852 or www.fake festivals.co.uk. Tickets also available at Ashby Tourist Information Office, Souk de la Zouch and other local outlets.
6th June Arts Festival ‘Fake Thackray’ at The Vine Bar and Restaurant with the hilarious songs and tales of Jake Thackray, star of ‘Braden’s Week’, ‘That’s Life’ and countless other TV shows/radio and live performances. Start 8pm, prepare to be very amused and entertained! Tickets TIC £8.
7th June Arts Festival, meet Taffy Thomas MBE Britain’s first Storytelling Laureate crowned in 2010 at The Royal Hotel. A
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Did you know it’s free to put community information on this page? Email the details and contact number to admin@ ashbylife.co.uk. Deadline for submissions for the Community Board or What’s On pages of the June 2013 issue is Friday 10th May. Information is published subject to space being available. Ashby Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or endorse companies, products or services appearing in the magazine.
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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS - CROSSWORD - SUDOkU - CODEWORD & MORE... HONEYCOMB
YOUNG ASHBY - Well known phrase: “Sick as a parrot”. STEP ON IT - Sling, Slang, Slant, Plant, Pank, Plane.
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business directory Accountants & Payroll Ashby Payroll Bureau 37 Baldwins 78 Darcey and Bate Accountants 41 Haines Watts 9 Indivijilly 43 RDG Accounting 47 80 Sarah Hart Aerials & Satellite AB Aerials & Satellites 49 Arts, Crafts, Gifts, Jewelry, Toys Ashby Fancy Dress 89 Bangles and Tat 94 Ferrers Gallery 43 Jane Betteridge 13 Souk de la Zouch 43 The Kandy Factory 10 Builders Keith Armston Building Contractors 106 Business Services 19 Dunkin Rushton Ltd 5 Lion Court Conference Centre SJC Marketing 42 Carpenters & Joiners Derek Verey 70 N M Joinery 72 S S Joinery 109 Carpets & Interiors Agadon 3 Ashby Carpets 53 Ashby Stoves 67 Fairweathers Carpets 39 Roger James Furnishers 98 The Bed Shop 35 Toons Furnishings 28 Cleaning, Ironing, Laundry Services Allison Webster Cleaning 89 Ashby Cleaning Contractors 29 Breedon Carpet Care 88 Deanclean 29 Emma’s Cleaning Service 67 Extreme Clean 32 Karens Ovengleam 51 Oven Cleaning Services 107 Safeclean 8 Toni's Ironing Angels 24 Clothing Embroidery4U 43 Heard About Hats 65 House of Colour 43 Rebellion 41 The Shoe Box 90 Trafford Knitwear 49 Country Stores Ivanhoe Countrystore 16/17 Domestic Appliances Contracool 90 Contract & Domestic Services 74 Ray Pittam Engineers 107 Driving Schools Bardon School of Motoring 20 RDT School of Motoring 74 Electricians A & J Bartlett Ltd 54 Bright Sparks 33 Estate Agents John German 76/77 Events Ashby Arts Festival 103 Ashby DLZ Festivals Ltd 11 Ashby R F C Ltd 81 Ashby Town Council 91 Burton Sailing Club 59
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Food Gusto 46 61 Foxtail Lily Weddings Funhouse Comedy 105 Hood Park Leisure Centre 108 Financial Services Bleathwood 48 Positive Solutions 34 Regent Financial Management 15 Food & Groceries 18 Ashby Farmers Market 90 Ashby Grill 61 Cattows Farm Shop Norths 42 106 Scaddows Farm Shop Sweet Memory Lane 21 The Posh Pantry 66 Funeral Directors A E Grice Funeral Directors 71 Furniture Repairs & Restoration Ancient & Modern 65 Dr Sofa 83 24 K Reynolds Upholstery Garden Artisan of Ashby Ltd 45 C P Gardening 80 Charnwood Tree Services 51 Donington Nurseries Ltd 27 Eden Tree Care 25 F G Gardens 94 Francesca Sinclair & Associates 47 GDR Landscapes 74 Green Thumb (Ashby) 69 Mowing Places and Garden Care 12 Roughly Refined Garden Service 65 Stone Drives & Landscapes 20 Sunnyside Garden Centre 55 The Water Gardener 71 Hair & Beauty Arbonne 42 My Beauty 42 Rituals Retreat 36 Verity’s Nail Creations 47 Healthcare Ashby Chiropody/Podiatry Clinic 60 Ashby Dental 24 Ashby Osteopathic Clinic 66 Candor Care Ltd 101 Dr Jin 29 Future Minds 33 Juliet Brooke Chiropody 63 Postlethwaite Podiatry 12 Prestige Nursing 8 ProPhysio Ashby 97 Soul Sunshine 36 Sue’s Support Service 13 Traditional Acupuncture 71 Vision Express 23 IT Services 3B Direct 32 Ashby Web Design 37 Home IT Services 64 Jadex Solutions 83 The PC Clinic 13 kitchens & Bathrooms Ashby Tile and Bathrooms 2 Granite Transformations 95 Holme Tree 89 Kingswood Design 6 Kitchens and Brooms by Stuart Young 45 Provencale Kitchens 85 Victory Kitchens 60 Locksmiths Hazlewood Locksmiths 91 The Lockie 87
Motor Services A D Car Cosmetics 107 Caravan Support Services 80 Castle Garage (Ashby) Ltd 52 73 Chips Away Music, Dance & Drama Ashby Academy of Rock 74 Heavenlyreds 98 Joseph Southgate 67 Painters & Decorators Holywell Painting & Decorating 33 89 John Clark Pet Services Ash Farm Boarding Kennels 63 Muttleys Dog Walking and Pet Care 51 85 Muttz Cutz Pets Friend 43 The Glenthorne Veterinary Group 111 63 Woodward Veterinary Practice Places of Worship Ashby Christadelphian Church 26 Plasterers A C Ellison Plastering and Tiling 36 Matt Charles Plastering Services 61 TCL Plastering and Property Maint. 21 Plumbers & Gas Services Adrian Dunstan Plumbing & Heating 60 B I Plumbing 10 Batemans Plumbing 32 CCA Gas Plumbing 83 James Pepper Property Solutions 24 S D Hill (Plumbers) 7 S J Bunker Plumbing & Heating 66 Therm Heating 20 Property Repairs & Maintenance Absolute Window Solutions 86 Ashby Glass 40 Ashbyhandyman.co.uk 36 Cloudy 2 Clear (Derby) 75 D F Window & Door Repairs 8 D H Phillips (Flat Roofing) 33 Install Specialist Glass Ltd 70 James Beckett 45 James Pepper Property Solutions 79 Window Mate 12 Pubs, Restaurants & Take Aways La Spezia Pizzeria 94 Link Measham Cantonese Restaurant 67 The Beeches 21 The Blue Bell 87 The Bowling Green 31 The Elderflower 93 Zamani's 56/57 Recruitment A & A Recruitment 85 Schools and Tuition Kip McGrath 44 Manor House School 64 Ockbrook School 82 Soft Furnishings Wendy's Courtyard Interiors 64 Solicitors Crane & Walton 106 Simpson Jones Solicitors 70 Sports & Fitness Breedon Priory Health Club Ltd 112 Hood Park Leisure Centre 79 Laura Seager 91 SnM Fitness 43
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