Rothley Post (116) January 2016

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

JAN/FEB 2016

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Christmas fair at Rothley school ROTHLEY SCHOOL opened up its new school premises to the community on Saturday November 28 for its Christmas Fair.

Organised by the school’s Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, the event featured a performance by the Kaine Gospel Choir of Rothley with a selection of Christmas carols and hymns, followed by the school’s very own talented choir.

Santa’s grotto proved very popular, with over 200 children receiving a gift from Santa.

The entries for the mince pie and carrot cake bake were on show and for sale in the new community studio room and a range of seasonal activities and games were available for children and parents to enjoy including Handmade Sock Snowmen, Christmas bauble making, Splat the Santa and Find Rudolph’s Carrot.

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Many local businesses supported the event, by either donating items for the top raffle prize which was a luxury Christmas hamper containing over £100 of locally produced and sourced food and items and runner up prizes. There were also lots of opportunities to buy Christmas gifts for all the family from the many craft and other stalls, most of which were ran by parents, grandparents, pupils and past pupils of the school.

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JAN 2016

Plan allocates site for 1500 new homes CHARNWOOD COUNCILLORS have voted to approve a planning document that recommends building 1500 new homes south of Rothley.

The Broadnook Garden suburb is one of the areas suggested for development in Charnwood Borough Council’s Core Strategy, which is the council’s blueprint for where new housing, employment land and infrastructure should be built until 2028.

At a meeting of the full Charnwood Borough Council on November 9, 39 councillors voted to adopt the Core Strategy and eight voted against.

Birstall councillor Iain Bentley was legally required to declare an interest and could not vote. Birstall’s three other councillors, Renata Jones, Serinda Shergill and David Gaskell, voted in favour of adoption. Also voting in favour were Rothley councillors Brian Page and Leon Hadji-Nikolaou, and David Snartt of Forest Bradgate.

The main areas of proposed development are: • 1500 homes and 15 hectares of employment land on land to the north of the A46, between Birstall and Rothley.

The land is in the parish of Wanlip.

• 4500 homes and 13 hectares of employment land to the north of Hamilton/east of Thurmaston.

• 3000 homes and 16 hectares of employment land to the west of Loughborough The Core Strategy also sets out how the Council aims to help boost economic recovery in the area with plans for the regeneration of the Watermead corridor within the Thurmaston and Syston area, support for further development of the Loughborough Science and Enterprise Park and a regeneration plan for Shep-

Pic: a 2014 map of the Boroadnook Garden suburb

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The Rothley Post understands that the developers of the Broadnook Garden Suburb are planning public exhibitions of their plans in January or February of 2016, prior to submitting an outline planning application.

Rothley Parish Council Chairman Percy Hartshorn said: “The main impact of this development on Rothley will be the traffic. It will leave local roads virtually gridlocked and I don’t think the access roundabout will cope.

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“It will also reduce the area of settlement separation to about two fields.

“We don’t want it, but as it’s in the core strategy we’ll be forced down that line. We’ve had much more development than we should have had in Rothley in

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recent years – there are five building sites in the village at the moment.”

Birstall Parish Council’s chairman Ann Marshall said that the Parish Council objected to the inclusion of the Broadnook Garden suburb at the earliest possible stage. She said: “We objected on the grounds that the strategy was unsound and that the local infrastructure couldn’t cope.

“The village tried so hard to stop the Hallam Fields development and it made not one jot of difference and realistically I don’t think we could ever stop this one. Charnwood has its housing targets to meet – that’s good for them, but what about the residents!

This new development will have 1500 cars at least, plus the employment land, so anybody can see what the impact will be. The A6 is already terrible and we in Birstall will be the most badly affected.

My worry is what they can do to mitigate the impact on the roads and I hope that Charnwood will engage with the developers to address these concerns and that they will involve the parishes at each stage in the process. We want to be consulted about everything – traffic, section 106 money, everything.”

In a statement, Birstall’s Conservative Borough councillors said: “… whether you like it or not, more houses are needed and you only have to look at the present speed of house sales and the reported demands for new houses to

realise that this is the case.

“Without a plan to control and direct such needs we would face the prospect of developments taking place not where we want them but rather where developers see fit to locate them.

“We believe that the Broadnook Garden Suburb would enhance our area by providing additional facilities for the area. We, as councillors, are committed to ensure that the development’s infrastructure is front loaded, carefully put in place and monitored as the development proceeds.”

Former Birstall Borough Councillor, Lib Deb Simon Sansome, has started a petition on change.org to oppose the development. It currently has 289 signatures. He says Birstall cannot take this amount of new houses.

Borough councillor Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is a significant moment for us as a council and I am delighted that the Core Strategy has finally been adopted. This document not only says where significant new developments should go, it also says to developers where they should not go.

“I know some elements of the strategy are not universally supported, but I hope people will accept that we have taken every step to consider all views before reaching a conclusion.. I am confident the Core Strategy will help control future growth and preserve the character and beauty of the borough as a whole.”

JAN 2016

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New Rothley choir ROTHLEY GOSPEL Choir started last August and meets weekly on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the hall at Rothley Primary School.

A spokeswoman said: “We are a mixed group of people from the local community who all love singing. Our choirmaster is Gregory Smith who runs a number of choirs both in Leicester and the county – he has worked with groups of both children and adults for many years.

“Our first performance was at the opening of Rothley Community Library on October 17. Since then we have performed with other choirs at the Festival of Choirs at Leicester’s Curve theatre in November and also at the school’s Christmas Fayre.

“Our singing lessons are very informal and great fun. So, if you like singing and would like to meet new people and make friends, please come along and join us on Thursday evenings.”

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JAN 2016

Stop for a treat at the Rothley dog café WALKIES ON Fowke Street now includes a stop for our four legged friends at a new ‘dog café’.

The Gavin Taylor Hair salon has provided a bowl of fresh drinking water and a choice of dog treats, with a donation box for the Dogs’ Trust charity.

Michelle McLugash and her dog Belle love the new café. “It’s fantastic” she said. “Belle gets really excited on her walk now and heads straight for the treats. Sometimes I don’t have any money for the honesty box so I get a treat for her on tick.”

Crime report Rothley Crime Report : October & November 2015 Damage 3, theft from motor vehicle 3, attempted theft of motor vehicle 2 (The Roods, Babington Rd), burglary 3 (Cross Hedge, Woodfield Rd, Brookfield Rd), burglary non-dwelling 4 (Loughborough Rd x 3), Westfield Lane), theft 4.

You can contact your local policing team – PC 4505 Leye Price and PCSO 6524 Kendall by calling 101, selecting option 2 and when prompted, tap in identification number 4505, 6524 or 6646, to leave us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

You can also send us an email by logging onto the website at www.leics.police.uk and clicking on the ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ icon.

Salon owner Gavin said: “It’s a bit of fun and has become a talking point, and any money raised is going to a worthy cause, the Dogs’ Trust charity.”

The dog café is open during salon hours.

Pics: (top) Gavin Taylor and Michelle McLugash with dogs Belle and Taylor (inset) Belle looking for a second helping

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

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Rothley Christmas lights switch on A LARGE crowd enjoyed the Rothley Christmas lights switch on event on November 26.

Visitors enjoyed music performed by a choir from De Montfort University and Rothley’s school’s choir, were able to

sample seasonal food and children took part in a duck hunt organised by the Nottingham Building Society, looking for the ducks hidden in local shops.

The event is organised by Rothley churches, shopkeepers, the Parish Council and village organisations.

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JAN 2016

YOUR SAY... Noticeboard all details printed free Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday February 9, at 6.30pm for 7pm start You are invited to join us at the Palmer Tomkinson Centre at The Cedars Academy, Wanlip Road, Birstall LE4 4GH to watch renowned artist Steven McLoughlin The Rothley Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which must include your name and address, (though not necessarily for publication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR, or handed in at Rothley library, Rothley Post Office, Woodgate or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Rule Britannia You may remember when Great Britain had an Empire, and was a great world wide trading nation. At that time we traded freely with all nations that had potential and in many ways, more importantly, we taught the individual nations and the people of these nations to be self reliant, democratic, and equally important, recognise self worth.

Ultimately, we gave them the Commonwealth, self rule, but continued to trade with them freely.

Although not on the same scale geographically, the EU has a similar stance and the nations involved had hoped, when they joined for similar worldly and economic growth potential, but unfortunately certain dominant countries saw the potential to "Lord -it" over the less dominant in a way that they had failed to do in their own right. For "Countries" read "Politicians".

The EU Commission are unelected, undemocratic, and consist of a series of failed national individuals, who wish to take over by undemocratic means. Britain want no part of this charade. Outside of the EU we can trade on a world-wide basis while still trading with life-long customers within Europe. We buy more from them than they buy from us and so they dare not legislate against us.

Britain should opt out of the EU as soon as possible and start to rebuild our national image and status. "RULE BRITANNIA".

Norman Pratt

demonstrate how to produce an oil painting called ‘Watching the Waves’. Demonstration to end at 9pm. Members £1, Guests £3.

Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Coffee Shop Rothley Methodist, Howe Lane Every Tuesday morning, 1011.30am Come rain or shine Now open : Book exchange Everyone welcome Tea, coffee, biscuits, toasted tea cake Proceeds for the Methodist Church

Birstall Running Club

Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.20 for 6.30pm run Birstall School Lane playing fields – showers & toilets available Wednesday night beginners group at Birstall Legion 7pm Speed work sessions also available on Wednesdays for those wanting to improve

Contact Deryk on dwoods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 www.birstallrc.org.uk

Thurcaston & Cropston Women’s Institute We meet on the 1st Thursday evening of the month at 7.30pm (except January) in Thurcaston Memorial Hall Why not come along to a meeting and find out more about us. Be assured of a warm welcome Visitors £4 per meeting Phone Mary on 0116 2365179 for more information Feb 4: Great Central Railway – Past Present and Future. Mike Riley, steam enthusiast, will fill in all those gaps in your knowledge about our own heritage railway Mar 3: Cheese & Wine – Guess the cheese competition and quiz. You don’t have to be a gourmet to enjoy this evening, an opportunity to socialise.

Free Dance Workshop Have you ever thought you would like to have a go at Morris dancing?

Anstey Royale Chalfont is a women’s North West Morris team. We are holding a free dance workshop on Saturday January 16 at Glenfield Memorial Hall, Stam-

THE ROTHLEY POST

ford Street, Glenfield LE3 8DL at 2pm Come along and bring your friends!

For more details please contact arcsquire@yahoo.co.uk or Gwyn on 07505338003 Charnwood Forest: a Living Landscape Talk by Michael Jeeves Monday 18th January 2016 at 7.30 p.m.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Michael Jeeves has been Head of Conservation, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust for the last 25 years.

The Charnwood Forest Living Landscape project aims to conserve and enhance the unique wildlife, geology and character of Charnwood Forest. The project is led by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and is supported by Aggregate Industries.

The Trust offers free wildlife surveys to landowners, has a small grant scheme to help with management work and collaborates with others who are concerned with the conservation of this special area.

Members are free. Guests are welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments included.

Further information: Peter Bertram 01162 100 572 or www.focf.org.uk

observing, recording and photographing Little Owls of the county and tonight we will look at the life of this delightful bird and the threats that it faces. The field craft needed to observe and photograph will be discussed and there may be time to look at owls that are not so little!

Tuesday 9th February at 7.30pm The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley with free on-site parking and easy access.

Members free. Visitors welcome £2 Contact Marion Vincent 0116 2375156

Rothley Community Library Film Club Films To Make You Feel Good Series Supported by Phoenix Community Cinema January 15th: ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’

Ladies Circle

Coffee Morning Rothley Centre Saturday 19th March 2016 10-11,30am Stalls,Raffle, Tombola,Cakes,White Elephant £1.00inc Tea,Coffee and Biscuit In aid of The Laura Centre Every one Welcome

Birstall Birdwatching Club presents

Morocco

by Neil Glen Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, a rugged mountainous interior and a rich culture and all combined with great birdwatching in this easily accessible country.

Neil will take us to a warm climate, just what we need at this time of the year.

Tuesday 12th January at 7.30pm The Little Owls Of Leicestershire

by Richard Pegler Richard has spent over 5 years

Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr will be held at 7.30pm on Thursdays 7th January, 4th February and 3rd March.

Admission £2.00. All players welcome.

27th January 2016 at 7.15pm AGM followed by a “Giant Picnic”. do not forget your plate/cutlery/glass Birstall Village Hall

Free home energy checks

February 19th: ‘Up’ All screenings at 2pm Rothley

JAN 2016

these will be fitted free of charge.

He’ll also give you practical tips on saving energy and keeping your fuel bills down.

All our handymen are DBS (was CRB) checked.

To arrange a FREE Home Energy Check for yourself or for an older person you think might benefit, please contact Amy Welch on 0116 299 2254.

Leicester Sketch Club

Art Exhibition

Birstall Flower Club

Stay Ahead of the Chill this Winter Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is offering

Irish Ceilidh with live music from local band ‘Turlough’ Friday 5th February 2016 7.00 for 7.30 start- 10.30pm Tickets £10 - Includes a light supper – Licensed Bar At The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR All proceeds to InterCare, Medical Aid for Africa

Centre £2 with refreshments & raffle Also Friday evening 29th January 7pm ’The Theory of Everything’ £5 with concessions Rothley Centre Bar & raffle Tickets available from the Library & Parish Council Office

to older people who are finding it difficult to keep their homes warm in winter.

One of our experienced handymen can visit you to check the temperature in your home and whether there are draughts. They’ll inspect your heating system and any insulation measures you have. If our handyman’s assessment suggests that you could benefit from energy saving equipment – such as energy saving light bulbs or reflective panels behind radiators –

28th January - 19th March 2016 Sock Gallery - Loughborough Town Hall Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB

Free Admission The Club is delighted to present its exhibition of original drawings and paintings at Sock Gallery. For over 100 years, Leicester Sketch Club has encouraged and inspired local artists through a varied programme of professional demonstrations, workshops, sketching days and annual exhibitions.

The Club has over 100 members ranging from professional full time artists to developing part time artists and aims to encourage the artistic development of all.

Meet the Artists and Art Demonstrations Saturday 6th February 2016 – 10am-1pm A chance to meet LSC artists at

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THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

work and pick up tips and tantalising techniques!

It is also our exhibition Launch Day at 12 noon…..all welcome to join us.

Free entry with refreshments available. www.leicestersketchclub.co.uk enquiries@leicestersketchclub.co.uk

Film Presentations Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council

"My Old Lady"

January 8, 2016 (107 mins) "My Old Lady" is January's British comedy starring Maggie Smith, with her well-timed witty comments. In Paris, Mathias inherits a valuable apartment which he intends to sell in order to pay off some debts. However, Mathilde, played by Maggie Smith, lives there and she causes serious complications. He is obliged to pay her a costly life annuity. This delightful comedy is ideal to cheer us in the new year.

"A Little Chaos" February 12 (120 mins) This British costume drama, in a thoroughly French setting, is centred around the Palace of Versailles. Louis X1V instructed his landscape architect, Andre, to create a huge ornate water feature in his luxurious grounds. Sabine, played by Kate Winslett, is hired as gardener to complete this task but for her, this is an unfamiliar world of rivalries and upper class etiquette. Amongst the comical chaos, will Sabine succeed or fall for Andre, or both?

"Suffragette" will be shown on March 11th, hopefully.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost no more than £5 and concessions will still be £4.50. There will be refreshments and a lucky prize draw during the interval. Advanced tickets may be purchased via the parish office –0116 236 7626 or at the door.

Rothley Remembrance Sunday ROTHLEY REMEMBERED all those who lost their lives in war at the Remembrance service and parade on November 8.

The parade from the parish church to Cross Green was led by a standard bearer for Rothley Royal British Legion.

A two minutes silence was observed by a crowd of Rothley villagers and wreaths were laid on the war memorial.

THE ROTHLEY POST

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on November 16.

A complaint was received regarding a large stack of building sand left outside of the Pinfold on Mountsorrel Lane.

It was reported that the area at the War Memorial had now been treated with weed killer.

A request for a noticeboard at a central location in the village was raised. It was agreed to include as an agenda item at the next Open Spaces committee meeting.

Parish Council support for the Rothley library film shows will be discussed at the next Rothley Centre Management Trust meeting.

Several complaints have been received about noise at the Village Hall at the weekend when parties are taking place.

A quotation to remove a cable, inspect for wear and rusting, and to reinstall at Fowke Street playing field was approved.

A further quotation to clear a ditch at Bunney’s Field was approved.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on October 15.

It was agreed to purchase three Christmas trees for three separate projects. Tree, lights and fitting at a maximum budget cost of £450 for each project – two in Thurcaston and one in Cropston if viable.

JAN 2016

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Pamper evening for Rothley charity A FUNDRAISING ladies’ pamper evening has raides £1774 for a Rothley charity.

Wish Warrior Tracey Maddock from Rothley organised another successful beauty night in aid of Alex’s Wish on Friday November 20 at the Rothley School Rooms.

The event was attended by 93 ladies who enjoyed delicious canapés and a complimentary glass of wine and champagne tasting by Champagne 4 all occasions. Tracey worked alongside Alex’s Wish to approach local beauty businesses to ask if they would donate their time on the evening offering mini beauty treatments in exchange for donations.

Emma Hallam, founder of Alex’s Wish said “We are thrilled with the success of this event, all the ladies seemed to really enjoy themselves whilst supporting a fabulous and well worthy cause. We raised £467.60 on the raffle alone so would like to thank everyone who very kindly to our stall holders who donated prizes including a day an

Pic: the beauty night at Rothley school rooms

Experience Day at Ragdale Hall.”

She added: “We would like to thank Tracey for putting on this great event and being true Wish Warriors – raising money fighting to conquer Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

“A huge thank you also goes to Elan Hair Design, Ragdale Hall, Sharon Parr, Luisa Diez Nails, Jan-Maris Bisiker at Kinesiology, Denise Rainford, Michelle Marchant at Neals Yard, Amy Barratt at Beauty by Amy, Clarins and Emma Hughes for donating their time on the night with all proceeds made from treatments equating to £547.00 going to our cause. Thank you also to our stall holders for donating 10% of all commission made on the night. We look forward to organising future pamper evenings as they are always such a great success!”

Alex’s Wish is looking for Wish Warriors to join their fight to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. They need Wish Warriors to tell 10 people about their cause; take part or marshal at their events; donate time or skills; introduce us to their company; run; swim; cycle or bungee jump! For more

details on how you can get involved visit www.alexswish.co.uk It is through fundraising events such as this one that Alex’s Wish are able to fund clinical trials to help bring new drugs and treatments to market for what is currently an incurable degenerative condition. Since launch, Alex’s Wish has funded 12 projects equating to £230k to help bring about new treatments for boys with Duchenne.

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JAN 2016

Good History buried beneath our feet neighbour scheme WHAT MIGHT be buried in your back garden?

A SCHEME that provides support to vulnerable people in Thurcaston and Cropston held an induction session for volunteers on January 5.

The Good Neighbours Scheme aims to provide help for anyone in the community who needs assistance such as the elderly, disabled, single parents or those temporarily in need through illness, injury or bereavement.

The types of support offered depend on local need but can include: • help with transport such as lifts to shops or medical appointments • befriending • support with computers, televisions etc • everyday tasks such as caring for pets, collecting shopping, putting bins out, gardening, minor household jobs • help writing letters or filling in forms • reading to the blind or partially sighted The scheme is run entirely by local volunteers.

The project is being led by the Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland), a small Leicesterbased charity with support from Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council, after a Parish wide survey and an open meeting showed strong need and support.

The scheme will join nine others which are working within Leicestershire all aided by the RCC and operated by volunteers.

If you are interested in helping or require further information contact 07435265397.

Email: info@thurcaston-cropston-gns.org

You can find out this summer when a team of archaeologists will be visiting Rothley to carry out excavations.

“Some of you may remember a TV programme where Michael Wood and the people of Kibworth uncovered the history of their village by digging up a series of one metre square plots in back gardens and public places” said Ursula Greaves, from Rothley History Society.

Now, as part of the Charnwood Roots Project, Dr Julie Attard and her team from Leicester University will be coming to Rothley to carry out similar excavations.

They will be in the village between July 16 and 31, as part of the 26th National Festival of Archaeology.

Julie Attard and team hope to find 25 suitable locations for the digs and, in addition, 120 to 150 volunteers will be needed to help, not only with digging, but also

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Pics: a Charnwood Roots community dig

with sifting through soil and then washing whatever is found.

Charnwood Roots has already carried out similar successful digs in Anstey and in Whitwick.

Dr Attard will be explaining the project on Wednesday January 20 at the monthly meeting of the Rothley History Society. Anyone interested is invited to this meeting at 7.30pm at the Rothley Centre.

Ursula said: “I am very excited about this community dig and it would be really good to get as many people as possible to this meeting. Younger people and students, particularly, may welcome this chance to learn new skills and to contribute to something which will have a lasting value to their community.”

Dr Attard will also be giving this talk on Tuesday February 9 at Mountsorrel Heritage Group’s meeting, in the upstairs room of Mountsorrel library.

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

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Quality of life in Charnwood MOST PEOPLE are happy living in Charnwood and with borough council services according to a survey.

Rothley teenager climbs Kilimanjaro A ROTHLEY teenager has conquered the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in a fund-raising trek that has raised nearly £3,000 for a local charity.

Eighteen-year-old Ellie Allan, from Rothley, undertook the eight-day expedition in October, in aid of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

Ellie – a Loughborough Endowed Schools student – was a childhood friend of Joe Humphries, the Rothley teenager who collapsed and died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) while out jogging in October 2012.

Since his death, Joe’s friends and family have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of SADS and campaign for a better understanding of sudden, unexpected death in young people.

They set up the Joe Humpries Memorial Trust (JHMT), and have campaigned for compulsory CPR training in schools and defibrillators in schools, community venues and sports clubs.

Ellie said: “I decided to trek Kilimanjaro after my dad said for my 18th birthday present he would take me anywhere in the world. I thought it was something a bit different and worthwhile to do.

“I chose to raise money for the JHMT because I knew Joe well as a child, and because as well as having that personal connection, it’s such a worthwhile charity to raise money for.

“I enjoy hiking as a hobby – in 2014, I did the Three Peaks challenge for the JHMT and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to take on another challenge.

“The best bit of the trip was definitely reaching the summit. After six days of walking with little energy left, seeing the sign at the summit was overwhelming.

“The night before, we had to set off from the campsite at midnight and walk uphill for eight hours in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees, only stopping every hour for a five-minute break. It was a really good experience, but definitely the hardest thing I've ever done!”

All of the £2,951 Ellie raised will go directly to the JHMT. Steve Humphries, chair of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and Joe’s dad, said: “This is a fantastic personal achievement for Ellie, and we’re honoured that she chose to dedicate her trip to Joe. “Ellie’s determination and strength of spirit have taken her all the way to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain, and it’s these qualities that have also helped her to raise such a fantastic amount for the Trust.

“This is another example of one of the many inspirational young people from Leicester and Leicestershire who are so committed to helping Joe’s Trust reduce the incidence of such devastating loss of young lives.

“We’ll put the money raised to good use – it will go towards our vital work raising awareness of sudden heart deaths, providing defibrillators and training, and helping to fund young people to reach their goals through our Inspire Awards scheme.”

To find out more about the work of the JHMT, visit www.jhmt.otg.uk, follow @JHMTorguk on Twitter or see www.facebook.com/jhmtorguk Pic: Ellie Allan with her dad, Mark Allan, at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Charnwood Borough Council carried out its residents’ survey – Your Charnwood, Your Say – this year and the results have just been published.

It found a total of 87 per cent of people who responded were happy or very happy with life in the borough and 82 per cent were satisfied with council services.

The survey also revealed the top three priorities for residents. They are feeling safe in their home and local area; cleanliness of the area and having a good refuse and recycling service.

A total of 1,078 people completed the survey.

Council Leader David Slater said: “I would like to thank people again for taking the time to tell us what they think.

“The survey has found that most people are happy living in Charnwood and with our services. That’s really good to hear. The survey also tells us what people feel are the important issues and we have used this information to help set our own priorities for the next four years.

“Some of the results are slightly lower than in our previous survey, but we have to put that in perspective and satisfaction levels are still very high.

“The survey is a great opportunity for people to raise issues and we will not only continue to listen to residents in future, but also engage in conversation.

We need to work together for the benefit of the borough.”

The survey ran between July and October and included targeted work to gain views from hard-to-reach groups

such as young people, older people and people with disabilities.

The full report of the survey findings are available on the council website www.charnwood.gov.uk/survey Key points from the survey findings: * 82% of residents satisfied with council services (85% in 2013) * 87% of people were at least happy living in Charnwood (94% in 2013) * 74% of people were satisfied with how council tax was being spent (77% in 2013) * 79% of people find it easy to find out about council services (82% in 2013) * Top three priorities: 1. Feeling safe in my home and local area (73% of people in 2015) 2. Cleanliness and tidiness of my local area (49% of people in 2015) 3. Rubbish collected on a regular and reliable basis (36% of people in 2015)

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12 THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

History society news Monday WEA Club courses THE WORKERS’ Educational Association Birstall and Rothley Branch have announced their New Year programme.

The Art Of Trompe-L’oeil ‘Deceive the Eye’ This course is designed so that learners will learn perspective techniques. It concentrates on mural layout, multiple-point perspectives and ‘tips and tricks’. Topics include painting techniques for the foreground, middle and background, use of simple tools (e.g. levels, strings and projectors) to create ‘perceptively correct’ Italian floor tiles, arched doors, windows, columns and arches and much more. Learners will each complete a mural based upon elements such as vaults, rows of columns, fountains, etc, and will follow/embellish a basic design by tapping into their own creativity. No prior knowledge required, just a lively interest in practical and theoretical art.

Tutor: Anna Michalska-Tomajer.

Fee £86.65 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Monday 12.45–3pm, 10 meetings from Monday 11th January 2016 NOTE: Please phone to see if places available. Marion Vincent 0116 2375156

Behind The Iron Curtain-Life In Eastern Europe Under Communism Aspects of life in the ‘Warsaw Pact’ countries, from the end of the Second World War until 1989. How particular characteristics, cultures and even different political systems combined to undermine the Soviet Union’s protective barrier against the West.

Tutor: David Price. Fee £52.00 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 9 meetings from Tuesday 12th January 2016 Colour, Line And Light-Art Appreciation Explore the different role of colour, line and light in the fascinating, often compelling, works by artists from JMW Turner to Roy Lichtenstein. No experience necessary-just a lively open-minded interest in art!

Tutor Janis Baker Fee £53.90 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Wednesday 7.15–9.15pm, 7 meetings from Wednesday 13th January 2016 Contact: Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 or send your enrolments to Brenda Sutherland, WEA Treasurer, 4 North Street, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7NN Please make cheques payable to WEA Birstall & Rothley Branch. Enrol on line for all courses if space available at https://enrolonlinewea.org.uk/online Visit our website! www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk

OUR MEETING in November began with the A.G.M. and was followed by a talk, with the intriguing title “The World Traveller”, from Society member and archivist, Margaret Greiff.

Margaret stated that the title had a sub-title, “As Others See Us”, which was clarified as her talk proceeded.

Recalling her childhood, Margaret told us that, as a fifteen year old, she received 2/6d (12½p) pocket money each week. She liked to save her money to put towards specific purchases, particularly for any books in which she was interested, and so, at that time, she was able to buy for 10/- (50p) an antique book, printed in Madrid in 1800, which bears the title of her talk. The fact that this little book is written in Spanish did not deter her 15 year old’s enthusiasm, because she felt that one day it would be her ambition to translate the script into English. Margaret studied Spanish and Portuguese and went on to have a career as a translator, but she did not achieve her ambition to translate her book until relatively recently.

“The World Traveller” – as others see us – is a compilation of the thoughts and experiences of people, who today would be known as tourists, from mainland Europe, who visited the British Isles before the turn of the 19th century, and is quite a revelation regarding their opinions about the way of life, customs and idiosyncrasies of the British at that time! Margaret quoted a selection of extracts from her book and we were advised that some comments were quite derogatory!

The usual route to Britain was by boat across the English Channel to the port of Dover, from where invariably the traveller would journey on horseback or in a carriage to London – one Frenchman was most impressed at the good condition of the road. This was at a time when, in general, roads were more likely to be poorly maintained and travel could be arduous and uncomfortable.

However, on reaching the environs of London, he was less impressed by the all-encompassing stench of burning coal that seemed to envelop the whole of the city with its accompanying grime and gloom. Even then, England was developing as an industrial nation and pollution was already a major problem. Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne were specifically mentioned as industrial cities, the latter having a thriving shipping industry and numerous coal-mines. The British weather, frequently being wet, cold and foggy, was made worse by the soot and pollutants produced by burning coal.

Generally, English cuisine was considered to be poor and the English preference for drinking tea was baffling, when continental Europeans much preferred coffee – even if coffee was available, it was considered to be of an inferior quality! The apparent ritual required by the English to serve tea was regarded with amusement.

Nothing was excluded from this close scrutiny of the British! It was noted that the standard of dress was poor, but men changed their underwear frequently, so this cleanliness was applauded! English ladies generally were well-educated and one of their attributes was to ride their horses gracefully, but less admired was that they appeared to have large feet!

For one Frenchman, who travelled further afield to visit Scotland and especially the Hebrides, he was greatly offended by the sound of the bagpipes which was not at all to his liking.

Even the behaviour of the clergy was included. At a time when mainland Europe was largely of the Roman Catholic faith and priests were expected to be celibate, the fact that Anglican clergy were able to marry was amazing. Any misdemeanour involving the clergy, and particularly the bishops, was regarded by these travellers with derision, especially any indiscretions where ladies were concerned.

Having achieved her aim to translate “The World Traveller” and been astounded by

some of its contents, Margaret informed us that her book is just one volume of a whole series of similar books, but she has not actually acquired any of the others.

The meeting concluded with some tasty Spanish sweet delicacies, provided

by Brenda Hooper and Margaret to enjoy with our coffee or tea. Our first meeting in 2016 will be on Tuesday January 19, when Peter Smith will talk about the Cropston & Thurcaston Enclosures – 7.30pm in the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston.

From Jennifer Kennington, Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society

The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on Feb 26.

The copy deadline is Feb 12.

Can we help with:

• Garden Maintenance • Landscaping • Fencing & Gates • Patios, Paving & Driveways Please call Michael on: 0116 2675309 0798 0811737

news THE INTERESTING title “Secrets of the Rich” caught considerable attention when Mr Roy Wood delivered his talk to the Monday Club.

Roy’s professional experience covered 35 years in the wealth management sector, having worked for such industry heavyweights as Barclays and for the past ten years with St James's Place Wealth Management of which he is now the Senior Partner. He specialises in providing solutions in the areas of retirement planning, estate and inheritance tax planning and investment planning.

The company was founded in 1991 by Mike Wilson CBE, Sir Mark Weinberg and Lord Rothschild.

His talk centred on various aspects of the above areas of finance, all of which were aimed to make his current audience think about their financial circumstances in regard to making the most of their savings through bonds to enhance their investment value and also, protection of the accrued wealth earned through home ownership and bank accounts.

Roy explained his advice in a simple and pleasing manner and endeavoured to answer the multitude of questions posed, leaving a certain amount of reassurance and determination to take action to improve the individual’s circumstances in the future. He stressed the point of making a new will, securing joint bank accounts and joint home ownership.

This was the last meeting for this year, as next month we shall look forward to our Annual Christmas lunch at the Birstall Golf Club, who have successfully cared for our needs over the past 11 years, together with pleasant seasonal choral entertainment.

The Monday Club will be back in January 2016 with another year of friendship and excellent speakers, not to mention a coach trip in May and a strawberry cream tea in July. In the meantime we wish everyone in our villages a happy new year.

From Ann Farndon, The Monday Club, Cropston, Thurcaston, Anstey & Rothley

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THE ROTHLEY POST

Mountsorrel restaurant’s Michelin star A MOUNTSORREL restaurant that opened in 2014 has been awarded a Michelin star.

John’s House at Stonehurst Farm on Loughborough Road is run by John Duffin who grew up on the family farm.

John’s food philosophy is ‘from farm to plate’ and about 90 per cent of the ingredients used in the restaurant come from Stonehurst Farm.

Editor of the Michelin Guide, Rebecca Burr, told thestaffcanteen.com: “I would have to say the find of the year has to be John’s House. To go into the guide at that level is impressive … it’s a super place and he really does cook his own style and he’s destined for good things in the future.”

John began cooking at 14 taking up a part time position at Leicestershire restaurant Langs where he continued to work after leaving school. His career has taken him to London where he has worked under Gary Rhodes, Clause Bosi and Marcus Wareing.

Facebook reviewer James Finney is one of the many diners who have left enthusiastic reviews for the restaurant.

He said: “The intimate sitting creates a wonderful ambience without feeling cramped, the waiters are attentive without being intrusive and the food is wonderful and creative without feeling pretentious or over engineered. The locally served produce and locally brewed ale come together to create a wonderful experience.”

John’s House is the only restaurant in Leicester to receive a Michelin star in the 2016 guide. Prices range from £24 for a two course lunch up to £70 for the taster menu. www.johnshouse.co.uk

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13

Signs aim to slow traffic speeds THREE VEHICLE activated speed signs are planned for Thurcaston and Cropston.

The Parish Council have agreed to purchase three of the signs at a cost of £7450.

Installation will be subject to approval from Leicestershire County Council.

The proposed locations for the signs are: • Leicester Road entering Thurcaston from Beaumont Leys • Thurcaston Lane near Rothley Brook Bridge, entering Thurcaston • Anstey Lane, entering Thurcaston before the church The signs measure the speeds of approaching vehicles and if a vehicle is speeding light up the message ‘30mph slow down’.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council also want to install an ‘Advanced Stop’ at the crossroads in Cropston as motorists are failing to stop at the junction when coming from Anstey. This sign will need to be approved by the County Council. It costs £2500.

Pic: a vehicle activated speed sign

County Council performance LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council says it is performing well in the face of increasing pressure from continued funding cuts.

The council’s latest annual performance report shows that it is doing well against comparable local authorities but predicts this will become harder to sustain, as cuts continue.

Deputy council leader, Councillor Byron Rhodes, said: “Overall, the council is performing well, despite spending just £530 per head of population – one of the lowest levels in the country.

“This is incredible, when you think we’ve saved £100 million over the last five years. But, without fairer funding and with four more years of cuts to come, it’s inevitable we’ll have to concentrate on meeting

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per cent Issues where performance has reduced over the last year (40 out of 180 indicators) include: •The three year survival rate for businesses has reduced from 61 per cent to 57.6 per cent •Average rush hour speeds on county A roads have fallen from 30.7 mph to 29.9 mph •Emergency admissions to hospital continue to increase •The percentage of social care users who have as much social contact as they would like has reduced from 44.6 per cent to 40 per cent •The number of patients treated by child and adolescent mental health services within 13 weeks has reduced from 88 per cent to 83 per cent

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some targets and that others will start to slide.”

The report measures performance across a range of services and issues in which the council and its partners have a role. Key highlights from April 2014-March 2015 include: •77 per cent of people agreeing the council provides value for money – up from 61.2 per cent in one year •A rise in the percentage of the population with access to high speed broadband, from 73 per cent to 87 per cent •Bus journeys up from 13.6 million to 14.04 million •Increasing life expectancy and reductions in deaths from the main targeted preventable causes •84.7 per cent of schools are now classed as good or outstanding, up from 82

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14 THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

Rothley’s busy library ROTHLEY’S NEW volunteer run library is run by an enthusiastic team who have sent us the following details about the activities currently taking place.

Book groups Eight people were at the book group meeting on 23rd November, and we chewed over ‘A Walk in the Woods’ like Appalachian bears! We’ll be talking about The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris on Tuesday 12th January, 7.15 8.15, A Week in December by Sebastian Faulkes on Tuesday, 26th January, 9.15-10.15, and A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler on Wednesday 24th February, 7.158.15. There’s an evening group and a morning group – you can choose one group and come regularly, or just come when you can.

Careers advice There’s very little careers advice available now, so we’re very lucky to have a qualified careers advisor with us on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 10-12. That’s 7th and 21st January. Support to help you with choosing or changing career, education and training options, job searching skills, CVs, covering letters and applications,and practice interviews.

Drop in. If you can’t make this time, let us know, we may be able to arrange something for you.

Coding Club If you’re 12+ (including adults) and are interested in computers and how

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THE ROTHLEY POST

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section, some will be sold on stalls for library funds, and some will go to charity shops. As long as they’re in good condition, there’ll be a use for them. If you’re bringing your children into the library to choose books – or find that pesky rat! – you’ll find the parenting books housed conveniently in the children’s section, so you can browse together.

New members Twenty-two people joined the library in October, our opening month. That’s a huge increase on the last year. Let’s keep that going – invite a friend to join!

And don’t forget new babies, we have lots of great board books to start them loving books young, and we don’t mind

bers, so put 6th January in your diary!

Flyers available at the library Computer Support Group Learn how to send an email, or

30 Years Experience

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search the internet? Worried about security, or parental controls? Stuck on something you want to do?

Drop in to our computer support session from 10am to midday, Thursday mornings from 28th January to 18th February – to be continued if there’s demand.

Flyers available at the library.

Working in the day?

Remember the library is open from 2-7pm on Mondays, so you can still pop in for a book. It’s often quiet on Monday evenings, so we’ll be pleased to see you!

Made in Rothley Do you live in Rothley, and do you make something you’d like to sell? We have a Made in Rothley table, and you can book it for £5 for one month. Ask us to book your month. Notebooks, bookmarks and cards now on sale.

Stamps and cards You can now buy stamps and greetings cards at the library.

New books in the library Watch the shelves – there’s now a bigger selection of biographies and memoirs, including

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David Beckham and Michael Jackson! If you have books in good condition you think we might be able to use, do bring them in. Some will be catalogued and go on the shelves, some will be in our swap

too much if they get chewed! 150 people have liked our Facebook page – the best place to get the latest news – and last month 257 people visited our website.

It’s going up every month.

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

15

Shanghai teachers share world class approach TWO TEACHERS from Shanghai have been teaching maths at a Birstall school as part of an exchange project.

Wang Yagi and Pansheng Nan spent three weeks in November at The Cedars Academy teaching maths ‘Shanghai style’ to specially chosen pupils in Year 7 and 8.

The Shanghai approach has the class sitting in rows with all the students working together on the same material with a lot of repeated recitation by the class until the concepts are understood and embedded.

Maths teacher Anne Beckett said: “I particularly like the emphasis that they place on making pupils show clear steps in working out and getting children to explain how they arrived at their answer.

“The Shanghai teaching style seems very formal and old fashioned compared to maths lessons being delivered every day at The Cedars – pupils are encouraged to write down definitions and explanations and chant them out loud together.

The Shanghai teachers place a strong emphasis on using correct vocabulary and they expect working out to be laid out step-by-step. This is a good habit for pupils to develop which will hopefully

Pics: Shangahi teachers Wang Yaqi (left) & Pansheng Nan; (inset) teaching students at the Cedars Academy

earn them extra marks when they take their GCSEs. In Shanghai, all children have learned their times tables before they leave primary school – this knowl-

edge helps them to develop a deep understanding of other topics.”

Anne was one of 70 maths teachers from across England who travelled to Shanghai in September where she spent two weeks in Chinese schools watching teaching taking place in secondary and primary classrooms.

“It was fantastic to see some amazing maths lessons and watch children learn in a different say” she said.

Students at the Cedars Academy have been enthusiastic about the Shanghai style, says Anne. Tanja Eidsdottir (12) said: “The teachers have explained things in more detail, they’ve repeated things so they get glued in our heads.

We’ve been reading things out together, taking part in the teaching ourselves in

ACADEMY of DANCE Tel: 07584 166838 Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern & National for children from age 3

Old school READER JOHN Shelton sent us these photos of the old Rothley school site.

A housing development of 16 new homes is currently under construction (top).

John is the director of the company mi360 Virtual Tours, which supplies aerial imagery.

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a way, and they don’t move on until they are one hundred per cent sure we all understand.”

Jake Parrott (12) said: “I’ve always enjoyed maths but it’s been really fun with the Chinese teachers because it’s really interactive, it’s almost like a conversation with lots of quizzes and games.”

Chinese teacher Wang Yaqi said: “The students at The Cedars are very active, much more so than in China.

They are not afraid of talking to their teacher, about the problems they are having in the lesson, and I enjoy talking to them.

“The students have been interested when I’ve given them a new definition, and they have made progress with their learning.”

Shanghai is one of the top performing jurisdictions in the Pisa global education league tables, which suggest that by the age of 15, children in Shanghai are up to three years ahead of their English peers in maths.

The government has invested £11million in a two year programme to boost England’s performance in maths and the teacher exchange is part of the Department for Education’s Maths Hub programme.

Head Teacher at The Cedars Academy Jason Smith said: “It is cutting edge maths teaching and is a great opportunity for us, we are really proud to be chosen to be a part of this exchange project and to have the two teachers from Shanghai here.”

Anne Beckett said: “When the Chinese teachers have gone home we need to meet as a department and identify the elements of their teaching which we feel will have most impact on the progress of our pupils and then see how we can introduce these changes into lessons and schemes of work.

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16 THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2016

Thurcaston & Cropston gardening club’s year 2015 WAS another excellent year for the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club.

We held eight Club nights at the Thurcaston village hall and a summer programme that included a visit to ‘Mountain Ash’ in Newtown Linford on a glorious sunlit evening and a trip to the superb Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.

Our annual show in September was another highlight of our year. Now established at the Richard Hill Primary School we maintained the overall success of our two previous shows at this venue. Home baking and the photographic sections showed substantial increases in entries as did all the classes in the children’s section, with huge contributions from the school children and the Brownies and Girl Guides.

In October, the Gardening Club contributed to the All Saints Church Harvest Festival weekend display. This continued the tradition set over the last few years of the club committee members decorat-

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Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word. You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50

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ing the altar area of the Church. The display over the last few years has been excellent, and this year was better than ever (as the photographs show!).

We have seen a steady increase in our membership numbers over recent years and 2015 maintained that trend. We take great care in putting together a very strong Programme of Events, a variety of top class speakers and activities means we can offer something for everyone.

What’s more, it is excellent value! visit our showroom The full membership fee is just £12 and £3 for visitors and will remain the same for 2016. Fees are on a pro rata basis eyewear after the first 3 months. And, if you GET A QUOTE FROM US BEFORE YOU BUYYOUR NEXT PAIR would like to come as a visitor (to give OF SPECTACLES Same day service on most plastic lenses it a try) and then you decide to join, Unit 3, Top quality lenses including Varilux, Nikon, Zeiss your visitor fee will be refunded!

Victoria Mills So, if you are interested in gardening Fowke St, DESIGNER - come and give the club a try.

FRAMES Rothley For more information, please call Contact Mike or Teresa Keily on 0116 237 6098 Easy Parking Dave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758

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CS

Programme of Events for 2016 until May: 13 Jan: The Winter Garden John Stirland: Preceded by AGM (15 to 20 mins) 10 Feb: Creating & Planting a Bog GardenLinda Smith 9 March: Drought tolerant Gardening Alan Mason 13 April: Clematis & other Climbers, Jeff Bates 11 May: Fuchsias, Jane Daykin Meetings are held at the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall and start at 7.45 pm on the second Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise stated).

P/15/2532/2: 23 The Ridings, Rothley – erection of agricultural store/stables P/15/2543/2: 909 Loughborough Rd, Rothley – the erection of a single storey extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 4.600m, with a maximum height of 3.750m and height to the eaves of 3m P/15/2299/2: Land adj 21 Cossington Lane, Rothley – erection of two detached dwellings P/15/2426/2: 983 Loughborough Rd, Rothley - creation of driveway area of hardstanding including dropping of kerb and other associated works P/15/2416/2: 909 Loughborough Rd, Rothley – erection of two storey extension to side of dwelling P/15/2340/2: 27 North St, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling P/15/2214/2: 28 Grangefields Drive, Rothley – erection of single storey rear extension to dwelling incorporating and raising the roof level of existing outbuilding P/15/2133/2: 54 the Ridgeway, Rothley – outline application for erection of dwelling with associated garaging and access (all matters reserved) P/15/2504/2: Cropston Visitor/Education Centre, Bradgate Rd, Cropston – change of use of former visitor centre to Residential (Use Class C3), Food and Drink (Use Class A3) and Drinking Establishment (Use class A4) P/15/2294/2: 47 Leicester Rd, Thurcaston – loft conversion and installation of dormer to rear of dwelling P/15/2304/2: 41 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston – erection of detached bungalow with integral garage to front of existing dwelling

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Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 4422067 Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Rothley Library, Rothley Post Office or to our office Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR editor@birstallpost.co.uk