Rothley Post (130) May/Jun 2018

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Delivered to Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston

MAY/JUN 2018

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 130

175 new homes refused A PLANNING application for 175 new homes in Rothley has been refused.

Developer David Wilson Homes wanted to build 175 homes off Westfield Lane – the planning application resulted in a record number of objections from residents.

In March Charnwood Borough Council refused the application on the grounds that: • the application site is not within the settlement boundary • adverse impact on character of the area • the development would have a severe impact on traffic in the area • the proposal fails to deliver an ap-

PHOTOS: STEPHEN BAUM

Continued on page 3

Martin Tibbles

Celebrating Easter CHILDREN FROM Rothley Church of England primary school attended an Easter service at Rothley parish church.

Deputy Head Teacher Mrs Kate Barrs said : “As always the children were a credit to the school

DAVE HUTCHINGS

and their parents whilst out in the village.

It was a lovely service in which year 5 Continued on page 2

PAINTING & DECORATING SERVICES Excellent references available Quality Workmanship Guaranteed 33 Years Experience

Interior & Exterior 0116 291 0489 07855 412 945 Free Estimates

Midland Window Installations

GENERAL BUILDING & HOME REPAIRS

Brickwork • Patios Re-pointing Tiling • Plaster Patching • Fencing etc No job too small Friendly Reliable Service Free Quotations • Fully Insured

Tel: 0116 260 7716 Mob: 07770 785400 Email: dave@dave-hutchings.com Website: www.dave-hutchings.com

Footmedics UK Ltd www.footmedics.co.uk

State Registered Podiatrists BSc (Hons) Podiatry MCHs SrCH Birstall Medical Centre, 4 Whiles Lane, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4EE Tel: (0116) 442 2678 E: happysoles@footmedics.co.uk

Athletes foot • Arthritis • Sweaty feet • Diabetes •Verrucae Calluses • Tired feet • Painful feet •Poor Circulation Painful joints • Ill fitting footwear • Cracked heels • Heel Pain Hard Skin • Orthoses • Nail Surgery under local anaesthetic

Remember your feet have to last your lifetime!

Specialist in PVC-U Windows, Doors, & Conservatories 29-33 Thurcaston Rd, Leicester LE4 5PG Tel:

2676167

ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INCLUDING GUTTERING

2 Continued

from page 1

PHOTOS: STEPHEN BAUM

children told the Easter story.

“It was so nice to have all the children together in the church, we really do fill it to capacity these days. There wasn’t a spare seat in the church!”

Winners of the Easter Egg raffle, and Easter bonnets and gardens competitions were announced. The winners were: Easter Bonnets Mrs Meadows’ Class Daisy Lang and Leo Ashton, Mrs Harmer’s Class Shayan Mashru and Casey Clare Miss Patel’s Class Ivy Bunny and Joe Sykes Mrs Heselton’s Class Enzo Bacco and Madison Wells Mrs Walton’s Class Jacob Wise and Sianna Patel Mrs Ellaway’s Class George Morris and Freya Pazos-Alonso

Easter Gardens Mr Clark’s Class Victoria Brown Mrs Townsend’s Class Francessa Bacco Mr Shaw’s Class Lily Chadwick Miss Godfrey’s Class Emily May Mr Dooley’s Class George Cousins Miss Begum’s Class Madison Webster Mr Richard’s Class Constance Styles Mr Mclugash’s Class Daniel Tatler Children’s Easter Egg Raffle winners were: Isabel Williams (twice!) and Erin Thomas.

Staff Easter Egg Raffle winner was: Miss Baker Pics: Deputy Head Kate Barrs with pupils in Rothley church New Adult Ballet class 6.15pm Mondays before the Adult Tap at 7pm

Covering Leicestershire

0116 2672583 Mob: 0796 7 191975

www.ntlcomputers.co.uk 3 The Meadway, Birstall LE4 4NG

Spaces available for new beginners in our 4.30 class

MAY 2018

07584 166838

THE ROTHLEY POST

• Sales, Repairs & Upgrades • Wired & Wireless Networking • Branded & Custom Built PCs • Laptops, printers, peripherals & accessories • Server Installation & Support • On-site Maintenance & Remote Support • Original & Compatible Cartridges/Toners • Buy Dell products through our store

New road markings to reduce speeding SPEED CHECKS were carried out on Loughborough Road, Rothley, after residents raised concerns with the County Council.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware of concerns about speeding in Rothley and responded by conducting a speeding survey over a seven-day-period in January.

“Unfortunately, we found that the mean speeds of motorists were high on the approach to Homefield Lane and, as a result, we will be implementing a scheme to enhance the change in the speed limit, which will see dragons teeth and ‘slow’ markings painted on the road to try to discourage motorists from speeding.”

The surveys were undertaken at the northern end of the 30mph in Rothley, approximately 30m south of Homefield Lane, and further south at a location approximately 160m south of Rothley crossroads There was a mean speed of 31mph in

Young author publishes first book to raise funds ROTHLEY’S MAUD Wainwright-Pilton has had her first book ‘Neon Sky’ published by Packmans Puzzle Press at 16 years of age.

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

It is a story about twin sisters as they reach mid-teens.

Maud (pictured above), a pupil at Our Lady’s Convent in Loughborough, has a dream to be an author once she has completed her studies.

“Both my English teacher and librarian at school have encouraged my in my writing” she said. “I have a written a number of stories. But to raise funds Continued from page 1 propriate level of affordable housing and contributions towards sustainable travel, ecology, education, libraries, civic amenity, community facilities and open space and play provision The application received 1529 objections.

Percy Hartshorn, Chairman of Rothley Parish Council, said: “We are really pleased this application has been refused, and are hopeful that the developers will not put in an appeal.

“The comments from the Highways Authority helped, about how much extra traffic there would be.

“There have been 700 new homes built in the parish in the last 10 years

for the ‘8 Go Mad in Tanzania’ charity trip this summer, which I am part of, I decided to get one of the stories published and sell the books for the charity.”

To buy Maud’s first published book at £7.99, with all proceeds going to the charity, please email: press@packmanspuzzle.co.uk or call 07910 894653

both directions at the location 160m south of Rothley Crossroads. Speeds at the location near Homefield Lane are higher with the northbound and southbound mean speeds at 36mph and 34.5mph respectively The county council will also let Leicestershire Police know the results of the recent speed survey in order for them to consider additional enforcement of the 30 mph speed limit on Loughborough Road.

Ian Roe General Building BUILDING MAINTENANCE HARD & SOFT LANDSCAPING & FENCING etc INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

0116 2303222 07847 003554

www.ianroe.co.uk

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR HOME & GARDEN THIS SUMMER

Pic: the site of the proposed development

and for some time now we have been saying – enough is enough.”

£4 2 fo .99 r£ 3 fo 8.99 r £1 2

3

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish signs in the parish had been removed by Council was held on March 19. the City Council and replaced with AshA member of the public requested that ton Green road signs. Complaints have a map of Rothley be made available show- been received from residents. The county ing all the roads in the parish including Highways department has been informed. those on the new housing developments.

A Cropston community speedwatch It was reported that volunteers had will take place in summer 2018. taken part in a ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ litter It was agreed to obtain quotations for pick, clearing rubbish off the A6 slip the Memorial Hall’s floor to be sanded, road. for the hall to be decorated, and for It was reported that following a comreplacement stage curtains and rail. The plaint by a resident about speeding traffic hall’s hire charges will be frozen. on Loughborough Road, the County CounA full meeting of Thurcaston & Cropcil had collected vehicle speed data at ston Parish Council was held on March two locations over a period of seven days. 15.

The average speed was 31mph. Based on Members of the public attending who analysis of the date they will not provide owned businesses complained about the physical traffic calming measures, but forthcoming closure of Cropston Road, will install a carriageway marking Anstey and how it will affect their busischeme near Homefield Lane of dragon’s nesses. They requested that the Parish teeth and SLOW markings.

Council put in a formal complaint.

It was agreed to co-opt Christine Watts It was reported that speed data from to fill a vacancy on the council. the parish vehicle activated speed signs It was agreed to request that Charnwas on the parish council’s website and wood Borough Council reassign the lease that the average speed within the villages for the Rothley Centre from April 1, and was falling. to ask if they would consider selling the It was agreed to nominate the Thurcentre to the Parish Council. 20 new caston & Cropston Good Neighbours tables have been purchased for the scheme for the Queen’s Award for Volunlounge. tary Service.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish CounThe council considered a request for cil was held on April 16. a donation towards repairs to Sandham It was reported that on Remembrance Bridge, and agreed to request more Day 2018, the Rothley Royal British Ledetails on the work required. gion would like the service on Cross It was reported that the parish film Green at 11am. Councillors agreed this nights made an annual profit of £743 was also their wish. and the chairman thanked Richard YouThe council considered a request for nie for his work running the film nights. a donation from Rothley Royal British Legion. It was agreed that more detail was needed about what the money was needed for.

R.E. MILLS SERVICING, MOT & CLASSIC CAR SPECIALIST MOT

TESTING

VEHICLE TESTING STATION

Servicing & Repairs to all makes & models MOTs • Bodywork Electronic Diagnosis Leaded 4*

RE Mills Motor Engineer

34-36 Town Green St Rothley LE7 7NU

0116 2302295

JON FEELEY, last year’s Men’s Captain at Rothley Park Golf Club, recently presented a cheque for £4667 to Loughborough based children’s hospice, Rainbows.

Jon chose the charity for his captain’s year, raising money at a variety of golfing and social events throughout 2017. Rainbows Community Fundraiser, Jess Dixon, said the money would be so welcome and was delighted the club had raised such a wonderful amount and thanked all the club members and Jon for their support.

Pic: John Feeley and Jess Dixon from Rainbows

Telling the stories of the poor ‘ECHOES FROM the Workhouse’ is the name of a new exhibition staged by Rothley Heritage Trust.

Launched on May 11 at Rothley Cemetery Chapel, it tells the story of the pauper experience in the Barrow upon Soar Poor Law Union.

The Union Workhouse, opened in Rothley in 1840, became the Victorian solution to dealing with the problem of the poor right through to 1930. What was it like to be caught up in that system, and who were the people who had to rely upon an unpaid Board of Poor Law Guardians for their relief from want? Guests invited to the launch on May 11 will be welcomed by costumed officials of the era, the Workhouse Master, the Matron, a female Pauper and the roving Relieving Officer.

A group of volunteers have carefully researched and imagined what the poor law system was like, and briefed an illustrator who has produced twenty stunning drawings of typical interactions in the system. They uncover twenty real life stories of Victorian people who sought relief in the system, and the illustrator has drawn a poignant image of each person. To bring these images to life, another group of volunteers have recorded imagined voiceovers for each image, each one skilfully edited into a short video clip.

Pic: the Barrow Workhouse

The exhibition features a new model of the now demolished Workhouse, built from see-through material to allow visitors to see how the classes and genders of inmates were kept apart. Surrounding the model is a lavishly illustrated 12panel Diorama filling out the poor law story in the Barrow Union. To complete the displays is the interactive touchscreen monitor from which visitors can hear and see the video clips. It is all written up into a project book of 124 pages, which is on sale for £9.

Terry Sheppard from the Rothley

Heritage Trust said: “The Trust has been fortunate to have been awarded £30,600 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to finance the project. Other grants came from the Hames Cottages Charity and the Helen Cope Charity. The funding has enabled the use of a professional museum contractor, Vertigo Creative, to turn the Trust’s concepts into a splendid exhibition.”

The exhibition is open for viewing on selected days, which feature in the advertisement on page 15.

MAY 2018

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

The clerk reported that Leicester Road

Club captain’s cash for Rainbows

THE ROTHLEY POST

4

Overgrown cycle track now back in use A DISUSED and overgrown cycle track in Rothley has been cleared and is now in use.

One Saturday morning in early March, a group of Rothley Scouts, their leaders and some parents, started clearing the cycle track next to the Fowke Street playing fields.

Since then a group of six volunteers has completed the task and young people are enjoying the facility again. A local resident commented: “My son is a

keen mountain biker and it is great that he and his friends have somewhere to meet and be active in the village”.

While clearing was in progress, one passer-by recalled cycling on the track in the early 1980s when it was first installed, and the families of Jamie Roberts and James Pepple remembered how their lads helped a large group of local youngsters and their parents to renovate the site in 1997.

The volunteers have also made a start on clearing the area next to the cycle track including the site of the old Severn Trent pumping station which became parish land some years ago.

The parish council are currently discussing how best to use this space.

Pics: volunteers & Scouts clear the site

Come and try bowls

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

ROTHLEY BOWLING attracted some new members with the help of both the Rothley and Mountsorrel Post who published articles on our behalf.

But the club is still looking to recruit more new or experienced bowlers and is offering free membership for their first year.

The club supports a comprehensive social calendar which includes an autumn fair, two bridge drives, fish and chip suppers and a skittles evening at a local hostelry. These functions are well attended and are open to all friends and relatives In addition they hold Social Bowling Evenings starting in the middle of May, they are every Wednesday from 4-30pm onwards. These are open to anyone who wishes to try their hand at bowling, no equipment necessary just a pair of flat shoes such as trainers. Experienced bowlers will be on hand to help and guide you.

If you are interested in more detail ring the Development Officer Mavis Barratt on 01162304673 or come along to one of the social evenings.

MOT VEHICLE TESTING STATION

TESTING

PETROLS • DIESELS MOTORCYCLES CROPSTON GARAGE 37 - 39 Station Road Cropston, Leicester 0116 2362363

Cole Decoration Quality Decorating For all your Interior requirements

Special Effect Décor French Polishing Paper Hanging Furniture Restoration Gilding Furniture Painting General Home Repairs For estimates & advice call Anthony Cole

0776 9314826 coledecoration@gmail.com

Call Us 01509 351 034 07305 068 554

· Installations, Repairs and Breakdowns. · Competent, Professional Tradesman. · Check out our Website for the type of

jobs we undertake.

www.MiniJobMaintenance.co.uk info@MiniJobMaintenance.co.uk “No Job Too Small. We’re here to help”

5

6

Rothley crime update

Tim Maxted, CEO of Leicester-based Berkeley Insurance Group, a privatelyowned firm of Chartered Insurance Brokers, and High Sheriff of Leicestershire for the term 2017-2018, said: “During my term in this role I wanted to raise vital funds for local causes that were close to my heart. Following a meeting with Emma back in 2017 I decided to support Alex’s Wish at the charity ball I held at the Cathedral back on December 1.

“We raised £50,000 at the event through the live auction, and I am delighted to present Alex’s Wish with £30,000 of that.” Alex’s Wish was also awarded the High Sheriff’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community at the cheque presentation ceremony which took place this week at St Martin’s House.

Speaking about the Award and the donation, Emma Hallam, founder and Director of Alex’s Wish and mum to Alex after whom the charity is named said: “It’s an honour to receive this award and I would like to thank all of our fabulous supporters and our team at Alex’s Wish.

Without them this wouldn’t have been possible. I would also like to thank Tim and his team for all their efforts in organising the charity ball back in December and for their exceptionally kind donation of £30,000!

“This is the single biggest donation we have ever received since we launched the charity back in late 2012. This money will be invested in potentially lifesaving medical research to help bring about new effective treatments for all boys living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We are at a tipping point right now with this generation of Duchenne boys either being the first to survive this devastating disease or the last to die of it. Alex’s Wish will do everything it can to ensure that vital research and

clinical trials continue and that we beat this disease.”

To find out more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Alex’s Wish please visit www.alexswish.co.uk Pic: Tim Maxted with Emma Hallam

Pam Britt A FORMER head teacher of Rothley Church of England Primary school has died.

Mrs Pamela Ann Stanton (neé Britt) lost her battle against cancer five days short of her 80th birthday.

Pamela was born in 1938 in Leamington and after school went to Nelson Hall Teachers Training College in Staffordshire.

She then taught at various primary schools in the Midlands before becoming headmistress of Rothley Church of England School, a position she held from 1976 to 1992 when she took early retirement after becoming seriously ill with pneumonia.

During her time at Rothley she was well loved and respected by all the children.

In her retirement Pamela produced a book on the history of Rothley and had just finished a history of the Church in England before she died.

She also travelled widely with her husband Dr Martin Stanton who she married in 2003.

Pamela died on March 15 and her funeral was held on April 6 at St James’s Church, Chipping Campden

Cut & Clean

A husband & wife team who undertake general garden maintenance:

ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL WORK

Extra Points Alarms Rewiring Security Lighting Electrical Testing Part P Registered

Control Electrics Ltd Tel: 0116 2682910

Grass Cutting • Hedges Weeding • Soft Landscaping Fruit Tree Pruning •Jet Washing Advice on shrub & plant welfare Fully insured We now have availability & are looking for new clients Ring Elaine on 07568 550867 We will be happy to discuss your requirements

FREE ESTIMATES

Dusty Doris No time to clean?

Now cleaning in your area

Let Dusty make it gleam! Call 0741 112 3208

Full DBS checked & insured dustydoris@yahoo.com

MAY 2018

ROTHLEY BASED charity, Alex’s Wish, have been awarded £30,000 from The High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Tim Maxted.

THE ROTHLEY POST

Biggest donation ever for Rothley charity

Rothley Crime Update: Feb & Mar Please make sure to leave no items of 2018 value on display in your vehicle. AlThere have been six burglaries in the though no direct break-ins to vehicles village in Feb & March. These took place took place in the village in February, in the Loughborough Road, Templar Way, other areas of Charnwood have had Breech Hedge, Swithland Lane and Garincidents where items have been left on land areas of Rothley. Of these, one was display and the vehicles broken into to entry to a garage where the key steal them. These opportunist was left in the door, one was criminals are active throughthrough entering an inseout Charnwood, and have cure rear door of a propbeen seen on CCTV to erty, one was an attempt peer into vehicles lookat entry but no entry ing for items and also was made as the crimito try a large number of nals were disturbed, one vehicles doors on the was forced through a off chance one is left rear door, one was a open accidentally. forced entry to a property We’d like to meet you that was being renovated at Please check the Leicesterthe time, and the other, items were shire policing website for dates stolen from within a property. There and venues for our forth coming beat have been no Burglary Other Than Dwell- surgeries. ings in the village in Feb or March.

PC 4671 Rachel Chapman – DedicatUnfortunately we have also had one ed Neighbourhood Officer incident of theft from motor vehicle PCSO 6030 Craig Miller, PCSO 6616 where the front number plate was stolen Thomas Barker, PS 2992 Rod Smart from a vehicle at some time over a three Team Leader week period.

For further crime information please visit www.police.uk Crime Prevention Advice Deterring burglars can be done in a number of ways. Measures to consider are house alarms, window alarms, motion sensor security lights and CCTV. Similarly for outbuildings and sheds, GARDENING SERVICES small alarms can be fitted. A lot of these alarms activate when vibration is caused and any attempt to force a door or winNeed a reliable Gardener? dow would set them off. It is important to double check that we have locked We have been trading for doors and not left keys in them as these 7 years and are a local simple things can unfortunately give Birstall business opportunist criminals the chance they’re looking for to commit these crimes.

Ashton Green PHASE TWO of the Ashton Green development will deliver 305 new homes, with work starting early 2019.

Ashton Green will eventually have 3000 new homes, along with a school, health centre, employment land and retail.

Kier Living is the council’s development partner for this second phase, which will cost £85million. It will comprise a range of two to five bedroomed homes with 13 acres of open space.

The first phase of the development, located between Birstall, Thurcaston and Beaumont Leys, is nearing completion by developer Morris Homes.

Ann is a special dinner lady A DINNER lady at Rothley School has received a long service award.

The Governors, staff and pupils of Rothley CofE Primary Academy were delighted to present gifts, flowers and a framed certificate to Mrs Ann Senkpiehl on Tuesday March 6, in acknowledgement of 25 years of service to the school as a dinner lady.

A school spokesperson said: “Ann has seen many changes over the years, including the move to the new school site. She has helped us to settle thousands of children into the school from when they first start at the age of 4. The whole school staff are very grateful for her valuable contribution and continued hard work and commitment. Thank you Ann.”

Pic: Ann Senkpiehl receives a bouquet of flowers

Bridge club birthday BRADGATE BRIDGE Club, who play at the Rothley Centre on a Monday and Wednesday, celebrated their 50th anniversary at a lunch at the Grey Lady in Newtown Linford on March 28.

Rothley duck race supports good causes

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

CHARITY REPRESENTATIVES gathered at an apt Rothley landmark to unveil plans for the fourth annual duck race in the village, held this year on Thursday June 21. estate agency and financial planning VIPs from the local charities that are set to benefit from the forthcoming event products and services because alongside that we are committed to supporting our promoted it at a trio of prominent ‘egg’ local communities. structures that take pride of place in “We are proud to be involved in the Rothley.

Rothley Duck Race once again and are Barbara McCarthy and Louise Reyanticipating that, weather permitting, it nolds from The Jake McCarthy Foundawill be even bigger and better than ever tion, Emma Hallam (Alex’s Wish) and before.”

Yvonne Pulford (Tilinanu Orphanage) Area Manager Rachel Kent added: were there to raise awareness of the “This is a great opportunity to not only event, which takes place at 6.30pm on Thursday 21 June in Bunney’s Field, near show our ongoing support for the community but also to highlight that we have The Woodman’s Stroke pub. relaunched estate agency services at our The Nottingham Building Society is Rothley branch. sponsoring the race. Rothley branch “It means an ‘all-under-one-roof’ faceCustomer Services Assistant Benjamin to-face offering for people in the Rothley Price expressed his delight at how the area and is extremely timely as banks event has grown over the years. and building societies across the country He said: “Year-on-year the duck race are continuing to close branches.” has grown in popularity and is now Anyone wanting more information ingrained into Rothley life. It’s a really about the duck race can pop into the fun event that not only brings the comRothley branch on Woodgate, call 0116 munity together but also helps raise 216 8473 or email valuable funds for charities that mean a rothley@thenottingham.com. lot to local people.

Pic: (l-r): Emma Hallam, Barbara McCarthy, “That fits really well with our ethos as Benjamin Price, Louise Reynolds and a mutual building society offering an Yvonne Pulford met to promote this year’s ‘all-under-one-roof’ range of savings, Rothley Duck Race

Over 100 of the 150 members were able to attend.

The club was founded back in 1968, when a group of social bridge players decided to put their bridge onto a more formal footing. It has met at the Rothley Court and the Reservoir pub (now the Badgers Sett) over the years, but pub landlords found that members didn’t drink as much as expected (bridge requires a certain degree of concentration!) and so the Club was ‘moved on’, first to Rothley Village Hall and then to The Rothley Centre when the Centre was built in 1981.

Among the guests were Sue Tyler, daughter of the founder member Howard Tyler; she is now a bridge teacher and a keen member of the Club. Also present was the Club’s oldest member, Monica Lucas (93), who

still turns out for the league teams on occasion – proof indeed that bridge keeps the mind sharp!

Pics: (top)Margaret Butterworth – Chairman, with Monica Lucas; presentation of flowers to the organising committee

Misted up double glazing ?

Replace with new clear sealed units Faulty locks & handles replaced

Call Colin Wright for a free quote LOCAL BUSINESS 07765635505 • 01162209573

7

Birstall Running Club Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.15 for 6.30 run Birstall School Lane playing fields – showers & toilets available We also meet on a Wednesday night at Sibson Road car park at 6.15pm for 6.30pm run Speed work sessions also available on Wednesdays for those wanting to improve Contact Deryk on d-woods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 www.birstallrc.org.uk

Digital Champions Project Free drop-in session for the over 50’s – come along to Rothley Community Library for help with using tablets, smart phones etc and for support with getting online.

Between 10 am and 12 noon every first and third Thursday of the month Rothley Community Library Mountsorrel Lane, LE7 7PS For further information please contact Jeanette Silver on 01509 260327, Sumayya or Marie on 0116 2237363, or speak to the library directly on 0116 237 6162

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

Why not join us on a trip to

Exhibition and Sale of Oil Paintings

Barnsdale Gardens Thursday June 7th 2018 Pick up from Glenfield Coop at 9.30am and The Rothley Centre at 9.50am 38 Beautiful gardens to view, Cafe on site - Price £19.50 per person to include entry to the gardens. Coach will return at approximately 4 - 4.30pm.

Money raised will go to Cancer Research UK (Breast Cancer Research at Leicester University/Hospitals.

at the Little Theatre, Dover Street, Leicester Local Cropston artist, Valerie Astill, a member of the Woodhouse Eaves Art Group has been given the opportunity to exhibit and sell her work at the Little Theatre between April 23 and June 2.

There will be at least 20 original oil paintings on display, competitively priced from only £25 up to

CP Accountancy Ltd

• End of year accounts • Bookkeeping and VAT returns • Payroll and CIS • Tax returns • For Sole-Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies • Business start-ups and company formations FREE initial consultation

To Book – ring Glenise Bowyer, Leicester CRUK Committee on 0116 2871758

Saddington Open Gardens Sat 23rd and Sun 24th June 2018, 10.30 am – 4.30pm.

Food, drinks and plants available for purchase.

Entry cost: £5 per adult and accompanied children 16 and under free. Free Car Parking. Funds for village green

Open Church At St Leonard's Swithland You are welcome to come and visit this beautiful church during the summer months.

We are open from 2 to 4pm serving tea and cakes on Sat 9th June

T • 01162 303 973 M • 07749 650 129 www.cpaccountancyltd.co.uk

Caroline Dinsmore is licensed and regulated by AAT under licence number 5865.

Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council Whisky Galore" May 11, (98 mins) Our audience enjoys comedy so May's British film is a comedy drama based on a true story, written

by Compton Mackenzie. Set on the northern coast of Aberdeenshire during World War II, there is a shortage of food and alcohol.

However, a wrecked cargo vessel is carrying 50,000 cases of whisky. Not only the crew but the whisky needs rescuing. Where can the villagers hide the whisky and how can Mrs Campbell's son court the postmaster's daughter?

Charity Bedding Plant Sale Saturday 12th May 2018 10am-3pm at Bradgate Arms, Cropston, Leics.

In aid of Leicestershire Life Education Centres.

Charity Number 1040007

Birstall Tea Dances St James Village Hall Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH Fridays 11th & 25th May 2018 3.30 pm- 5.30pm £4 each on the door Tea / Coffee & Cake included Further information Contact Jackie: 0116 2248 278 Mobile: 07908607405 Email: jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

Birstall & District Local History Society The next monthly meeting of the Society is to take place on Thursday 10th May 2018 in the Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leics commencing at 7.30pm.

The subject of the talk is "The Hosiery Industry In Leicester In The 20th Century".

The speaker will be Felicity Austin and she will be bringing along a collection of clothes made in Leicester and memoirs from people who worked in the trade.

Visitors are very welcome to join us for this talk.

Parking will be available on the night on the Birstall Playing Fields through the School Lane entrance

CP Accountancy Ltd

Dormer House, 44 Town Green Street, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NU

FREE 1:1 help and support with laptops, iPads, tablets or smartphones. A regular group that meets on 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month

First & Third Thursday of the Month

Age UK Digital Drop-in at Rothley Library. 10am-12noon.

"Darkest Hour" June 8, (125 mins) Starring Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas, June's biographical drama is set during the early part of World War 11. Winston Churchill must decide whether to negotiate peace with Hitler or fight against him. He displays an extravagant sense of humour but how much is his wife responsible for whom he became? This film has won Golden Globes, six Academy Award nominations, Oscar nominations and actually won the Bafta Award for Leading Actor.

There will be no films during July and August. We hope you will enjoy your summer break Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost £5 which will include 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 Every Thursday Age UK are working in Partnership with Fearon Hall, Loughborough and holding regular

New Age Kurling Sessions

MAY 2018

a maximum of £45, and these can be viewed during normal theatre opening hours, 6-11pm Mondays to Saturdays. On matinee days, May 5 and May 26, the theatre will be open from 2-11pm.

The exhibition is free of charge and the Lounge Bar will be open so, if you happen to be in Leicester, why not pop along, relax over a drink and see what is on offer.

Noticeboard all details printed free

THE ROTHLEY POST

8

The “Land” version of the wonderful Ice Curling in the Winter Olympics! This version is open to everyone of any mobility (including wheelchair users) and can be played standing, sitting or standing using a pusher so you don’t even have to bend! Great fun and VERY addictive. On between 1.30pm and 3pm each Thursday at Fearon Hall, Rectory Road, Loughborough. 5 minutes walk from The Rushes or some on-street parking in nearby roads. Cost £2 to include a cuppa and cake! Queries to Age UK on 01509 260327

The Annual

New shop supplies quality spectacles

Swithland Bluebell Service

A BUSINESS that started in Rothley has relocated to larger premises in Birstall after 25 successful years in the village.

freshments available at the interval. Demonstration to end at 9pm Members £1; Guests £3. Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Sun May 6, at 3pm A Christian service lead by St Le-

Cedar Care Circle Because of bank holidays the next meeting will be 14th May. Please come and join our informal support group for carers and cared for sufferers of Alzheimer's and dementia. We share information and problems. We meet at Ruth's Lambourne café Lambourne Road off Wanlip Lane Birstall. 2pm or earlier if you'd like to have a light lunch before the meeting. A warm welcome awaits. End the loneliness and isolation by meeting fellow carers. For more information contact Barbara on 07905760556 The Bark Foundation Supporting HOTPEC Orphanage, Cameroon Presents a

Table Top Sale Saturday 2nd June, 10am – 1pm Birstall Methodist Church Mega Jewellery Stall (Bargain packs available) L.O.R.O.S. tombola & jigsaw puzzles plus a variety of supporting stalls To book a stall tel. 0116 2677576

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday, 8th May, at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch exciting professional artist Richard Holland giving a demonstration entitled “Seaspray and Water” using oil paints. Don’t be intimidated by the medium, this could be just the hobby for you!

Newcomers and visitors most welcome. Refreshments available at the interval. Demonstration to end at 9pm. Members £1; Guests £3.

Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Tuesday, 12th June, at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch famous professional artist Peter Clayton giving a demonstration entitled “Calmness and Drama” using acrylic paints. Come along and be amazed and inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby! Newcomers and visitors most welcome. Re-

onard's Church Swithland celebrating the arrival of the bluebells held near the great pit in Swithland Woods Join us to celebrate the 90th anniversary, the hymns will be accompanied by Syston Band, and an address will be lead by Rev'd Simon Payne-Mivshuk. The collection will be for The Children's Society Woodhouse Eaves & Quorn SfF Choirs with guest Performers; New Leicester Youth Chorus, Hall Orchard Choir & Hall Orchard Recorder Ensemble present a

Summer Gala Concert Wednesday 20th June, 7.30pm Holy Trinity, Barrow-upon-Soar: Church Street, Barrow upon Soar Loughborough LE12 8HP Entry fee: £5.00 Retiring collection, supporting Hale & Kindu Charities – working in Ethiopia.

Refreshments served!

Prospecs, the supplier of top quality spectacles, has opened a shop at 121 Sibson Road in Birstall.

Mike says: “Lots of you will already be familiar with Prospecs - as a customer, having been recommended by friends, or seeing our advert in the Rothley Post over many years.”

Teresa explains: “We have been tucked away on an industrial estate in Rothley where we were attached to our manufacturing business. We needed to relocate and decided on Birstall as the best location to open larger, more prominent premises to welcome our customers. We hope we have established a reputation for providing great customer service and expert advice.”

Between them, Mike and Teresa have 70 years experience in the manufacture and dispensing of spectacles.

There is an extensive range of frames on display, including designer and premium brands such as: Silhouette, Rayban, Michael Kors, Armani, Hugo Boss and many others. Also on offer is a wide choice of value frames with prices starting at £19 and complete specs from £49.

“The lenses are the most important element in a good pair of spectacles” says Mike. “There are hundreds of different lenses - just bring us your prescription and we can explain and advise you on the choices available.”

He added: “Our prices on the display are for the frame only because there are so many different types of lens, we don’t price assuming the most basic lenses are going to be fitted.”

The shop has an onsite lab where your spectacles are finished to the highest standard using state of the art equipment and Prospecs offer a One Hour Service (subject to your lens requirements).

Prospecs, 121 Sibson Rd, Birstall www.prospecs.co.uk

Rothley & Thurmaston SfF Choir with guest Soloist, Olivia Thornber present a

NEW PREMISES

Summer Gala Concert

121 Sibson Road

Monday 25th June, 7.30pm Rothley Parish Church Church St, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7PD

Entry Fee: £5.00 Retiring collection, supporting Rainbows Hospice

in Birstall www.prospecs.co.uk • 0116 2376098

Quality spectacles at the best prices After 25 successful years in Rothley, we now have more space to welcome our ever growing list of clients.

ALARMS Established 25 years

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL BURGLAR ALARMS CCTV • Access Control • Fire Alarms Data Cabling • Nurse Call Systems UKAS Accredited • SSAIB Approved Installer

Please Phone for a NO OBLIGATION QUOTE ALL WORK GUARANTEED & CERTIFIED 375 Loughborough Rd, Birstall

0116 267 3737 Mob: 0785 066 2323

As ever we offer EXPERT ADVICE on your lens options including specialist lenses for sport, work, driving and leisure activities.

We have a state of the art on-site lab and offer a ONE HOUR SERVICE (subject to your lens requirements)

Special Opening Offers Come in and ask us about our offers or visit our website for more details

Buy one get one free from £89

9

Spring Sale Spring is now officially with us and the Library held its Spring Fundraising Sale on a beautifully sunny Saturday in April.

the Rothley Centre. Come and join us for a friendly atmosphere and free refreshments. Over 60s £5.00, others £5.50.

Tickets available at the library, or on the door. The next two films are Dunkirk (2017) Friday May 18

Large numbers of local people came to browse and purchase from the donated second hand books, brand new toys, plants, greetings cards and LPs and we are delighted to say we raised over £300 for library funds. Many thanks to all those who came and supported our cause. Refreshments, including a magnifiAcclaimed author Christopher Nolan cent array of cakes, were this time (Memento, The Prestige, The Dark provided by “8 Go Mad in Tanzania”, a group of 8 local teenagers trying to raise Knight) wrote and directed this historical thriller about the Dunkirk evacuation collectively £2,500 to help fund charity during the early days of World War II. work in Tanzania in the early Summer When 400,000 British and Allied troops with the Go Make a Difference charity. end up trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France, following a catastrophic defeat, a number of civilian boats set out to rescue them before they are decimated by the approaching Nazi forces. Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy star.

Murder On The Orient Express.

(2017) Friday June 15 Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot This charity enables volunteers to get probes the mystery of a murdered Ameriinvolved in a wide range of community can tycoon aboard the legendary Orient projects in East Africa such as building Express as 20th Century Fox and producgoat sheds, building schools, clean water ers Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, and supplies and providing vital medical and Mark Gordon bring Agatha Christie's social care. As some of the teenagers are classic whodunit back to the big screen. planning to study medicine and veteriCommunity Book group nary medicine on their return they will All welcome whether you have read be able to get some amazing hands on the book or not. experience while helping others. The Wednesday May 16: 'Burial Rites' by group were a pleasure to have in the Hannah Kent library and we were delighted that they A man and a woman were beheaded raised in excess of £150 and they too for a murder committed on a remote would like to thank all those who came farm in Iceland. There being no prisons for their generosity. in Iceland, the condemned woman had Lego Club been held for the winter before her The Lego Club continues to be well execution at a farm where she'd lived as supported and further meetings will be a young girl, guarded by the farmer's held in May and June. The exact dates wife and daughters. Burial Rites tells the will be advertised in advance through story of that winter. our Facebook page Wednesday June 13: ‘The Love Song www.facebook.com/rothleycommunitylibr of Miss Queenie Hennessy’ by Rachel ary, but generally it will be held on the Joyce last Saturday of the month. Because we From the author of The Unlikely Pilare limited in space to 20 places, all grimage of Harold Fry, an exquisite, places must be booked in advance funny and heartrending parallel story. through Facebook. We really need more When Queenie Hennessy discovers that volunteers to help run the Lego Club so Harold Fry is walking the length of EngIf you think you could help out occasion- land to save her, and all she has to do is ally please contact us at wait, she is shocked. Her note had exinfo@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk plained she was dying. How can she Film Club wait? Told in simple, emotionally-honest The film club shows films mainly on prose, with a mischievous bite, this is a the third Friday of the month at 2pm at novel about the journey we all must take

The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on June 22.

The copy deadline is June 8.

Good neighbours THE ROTHLEY Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS) is a new group that aims to improve the quality of life of the more vulnerable people in the area.

The scheme aims to link people in the community who are in particular need with local volunteers who are willing to help.

Following a successful recruitment campaign the emergent Good Neighbours Scheme has attracted a further 25 volunteers. As a result the group have decided to set a target date of early September to launch the scheme.

Volunteers can provide help in a wide range of ways including: • lifts for GP and hospital appointments or shopping • visiting and befriending • gardening • dog walking, pet care • computer support • latter writing and form filling • minor DIY repairs • collecting prescriptions • being a phone co-ordinator to take calls to match requests with volunteers.

The Rothley GNS if appealing for anyone who has the skills and some time to offer to volunteer to contact them: • email rothleygns@gmail.com • call/text 07518 318206

Roy Morris Plumbing and Heating Installation, Upgrades & Servicing Of Gas Cookers, Boilers and Fires

Servicing of Boilers £35 General plumbing, shower & bathroom installs. Tiling & electrical work also undertaken

Landlords – don’t forget your Safety Certificates: from £45 Call now for a FREE no obligation quote

0116 2841076 / 07860 551820

Richard Hill’s Church of England School Charity The Trustees of the Charity invite those under age 25 years who are attending or have attended the Richard Hill School to apply for a Grant to assist with educational activities (including social and physical training) not otherwise provided by the Local Authority.

Applications should be made to the Clerk, Mrs. Ann Stringer, email rhillcharitytrustees@hotmail.com or tel. 0116 234 0625. Final date for receipt of applications 30th June 2018 for consideration in July. Grants ranging from £100 to £1,000 will be awarded to applicants who meet the necessary criteria.

MAY 2018

News from Rothley library

to learn who we are; it is about loving and letting go. And most of all it is about finding joy in unexpected places and at times we least expect.

Storytime for under 5s Friday May 18, Tuesday June 5 and Friday June 22. Everyone’s welcome to come along and enjoy stories, songs and craft activities with their children. We are always interested to hear from anyone who would like to help with the sessions.

Computer support Thursday May 3 & June 7 between 10am and noon To book an appointment please call 0116 2237371 or speak to the Library directly.

Thursdays May 17, June 7 and 21, 10am -12. All welcome. Bring your tablet or laptop, or use the library’s computers.

Chess Club The chess club will be meeting on the following Thursdays from 2pm – 5pm at the library: May 10, 17, 24 and 31.

June 21 and 28.

Play or learn - bring a set if you have one.

Volunteering Would you like to volunteer at the library? We're always looking for more people to join our team! volunteers@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk We also have vacancies for trustees and are happy to discuss what is involved with anyone interested so please get in touch. If you don’t feel you have time to be a trustee but could offer advice and support in any way, again, please just get in touch!

Careers advice is still available - contact careers@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk to make an appointment.

THE ROTHLEY POST

10

WI news AT OUR April meeting Daphne Grief gave a report on her visit to the Centenary Annual Council Meeting held on Saturday March 10, 2018.

The morning commenced with the singing of Jerusalem, quite rousing as 1400 members attended.

Lynn Stubbings, the National Chairman who has been a W.I. member for 38 years, told us of the privileges she has had since becoming National Chair.

Lady Gretton told us that the office of Lord Lieutenant began in the reign of Henry VIII. As the Queen’s representative in Leicestershire, one of her jobs amongst others is to encourage voluntary service, and she must be none political.

Once she has accepted the job, it is hers until she is 75. At that age she must retire. Lady Gretton will be 75 in June.

The morning guest speaker was Mandy Hickson. This really was the highlight of the day. She was awarded a Royal Airforce flying scholarship at 17 and whilst still a student. She went on to win aerobatic competitions. However, she failed the computer based tests which had to be taken by all those wishing to become R.A.F. pilots. But she was such an enthusiastic and determined person that she persuaded the R.A.F. to take her on as a test case. So dedicated was she, that she was eventually flying tornadoes and spent a few years in Iraq as a reconnaissance pilot. She used video to illustrate many aspects of her work and to watch her flying her tornado was hair raising.

This is only a brief outline of her talk, which included so much information and a huge amount of humour. I was

so enthralled I couldn’t possibly have written it all down or it would have spoilt the morning for me.

When her contract ended and she left the R.A.F. she thought she would be an airline pilot, so she spent £20,000 to train and qualify, only to decide in the end that was not what she wanted to do.

She now writes and gives talks and is an ambassador for Sport for Hampshire County Council.

She got a standing ovation which lasted several minutes.

The afternoon session began with the presentation of trophies and certificates after which it was Edwina Currie’s turn to speak to us. She said she must be non-political and with reference to the incident with Tony Blair, she said (well if you can’t beat them, join them). So she joined Chinley and Buxworth W.I. in Derbyshire. Talking about her experiences in “The Jungle and Strictly Come Dancing” she much preferred being in The Jungle.

She was once asked if she would attend the Michelover Flower Show.

Afterwards, she was asked how much was her fee, she said she would waive the fee this time, whereupon the reply was “Oh good, we can put the money back and it will enable us to have a better speaker next year”. She spoke for ½ hr and spent another ½ hr answering questions.

She is donating her fee to Swaziland Partners in Education. This was the end of an excellent day.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd May, when we will discuss the “Resolutions” going forward to the annual council meeting, followed by a quiz.

From Daphne Grief, Thurcaston & Cropston W.I.

Extra police patrols after burglaries

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

FOLLOWING A recent increase in burglaries in some areas of Charnwood including Rothley, Quorn, Cropston and Swithland the local beat team have been putting on extra patrols in the area.

During the operation a 41 year old man has been arrested and charged with a burglary at a house in Woodhouse Eaves. Two other men aged 20 and 34 have also been arrested during the operation for other offences.

PC Rachel Chapman, one of the beat officers from Charnwood West Neighbourhood Policing Area, said: “We are aware that there has been an increase in burglaries recently and have put an operation in place to try and arrest those responsible and reduce the number of incidents. We’ve got high visibility patrols and plain clothed officers in the area and have made three arrests.

“We’d also urge people living in the area to review their home security and take a few simple crime prevention precautions.”

• Keep doors and windows locked at all times – even if you pop outside to the garden or go upstairs • Always lock doors and remove the key from the lock

• Do not leave car keys in view – put them in a drawer • Keep valuables, bags and cash out of sight and keep them in a safe place • Install a visible alarm system and security lighting to act as a deterrent • Prevent easy access to the back and sides of your house with locked gates or fencing.

• Make sure your home looks occupied by using automatic light timers.

PC Chapman continued; “If you see any suspicious behaviour we would urge you to contact us immediately. Don’t leave it a few days; ring us as soon as possible because that gives us the greatest chance of making an arrest or preventing a crime taking place.”

Please call the police on 101 or if you see a crime in progress please call 999.

For more information about how to protect yourself from burglary logon to the Leicestershire Police website at https://leics.police.uk/advice-andinformation/crime-prevention/burglary

11

Charity fun run in Rothley for kids FAMILIES AND young children are invited to join a charity mile-long fun run to support the work of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

Joe’s Jog, now in its fifth year, will take place before the Mattioli Woods Rothley 10k running event which takes place in the village on Tuesday 12 June.

The inclusive and family-friendly fun run gives families and children aged seven and over the chance to be part of the Rothley 10k evening.

Joe was 14 when he collapsed and died suddenly while out jogging near his Rothley home. He was a victim of SADS – sudden arrhythmic death syndrome – a heart condition which can strike anyone at any time, particularly otherwise fit and healthy young people.

Since Joe’s death, the JHMT continues to raise awareness of SADS and sudden heart deaths. The charity provides free CPR training, helps to fund community defibrillators and campaigns for better understanding of SADS. The JHMT also runs the Inspire Awards, a small grants scheme that helps inspire young people to fulfill their potential – something which the victims of SADS are cruelly denied.

Steve Humphries, chair of the JHMT, said: “This is another chance for more families to stride out together at JHMT’s annual fun run, which helps bring the community together in memory of Joe and helps to raise vital funds for JHMT's ongoing work to reduce the incidence of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) in young people.

“Nearly 250 runners took part last year and there was such a great community spirit. There was a real buzz to the evening and everyone had a fabulous time. We are hoping for a huge turnout as the event is becoming more popular

every year.”

The event will start at 6.15pm. Advance entry costs £5 for adults and £3 for children (minimum age 7). On-theday entry costs £10 for adults and £6 for children.

All funds raised from Joe’s Jog will go towards JHMT’s vital work to create a heart safe community for all.

To take part in Joe’s Jog, enter online at: http://jhmt.org.uk/joes-jog More information about the Mattioli Woods Rothley 10k is available at www.rothley10k.com. It has raised over £300,000 in total for local charities over the last 30 years.

12

Writing group’s first book ROTHLEY’S CREATIVE Writing Group celebrated the launch of their first collection of writing at the library, with an evening of readings for families, friends and supporters.

Mountsorrel’s Great War MOUNTSORREL HERITAGE Group have published a bok to mark the centenary of the Armistice in 2018.

Contact WEA Loughborough, 01509 268636 for details later, or enrol at https://enrolonline.wea.org.uk/online/cou rsesearchresults.aspx.

Golf club fundraising EVERY YEAR Rothley Park Golf Club captains support a charity of their choice and raise funds via a host of golfing and social events.

Last years Ladies Captain, Pippa Arkle, chose to support Eyes for Africa, a charity very close to her heart having lived in Kenya and seen first hand just how much this small but hugely effective charity helps. As an example, for just £60 someone with cataracts can have their sight restored and every penny raised for the charity goes directly on the patients and not on administration costs.

“I was so pleased to be able to present a cheque for £6025 to fellow Rothley Park members George Walton and Jonathan Arkle” said Pippa.

She added: “George has been on the board of trustees for Eyes for East Africa for many years, and Jonathan, my husband, who I met whilst working in Kenya, is the newest recruit, joining as Treasurer last year.

“Eyes for East Africa has said this is the largest sum of money ever raised in the UK for the Eye Centre, especially as the amount does not include the many generous 'standing order' donations received

from members throughout the year, many of which, we are pleased to report, will continue.”

Members of the club have also donated their old prescription glasses which are taken out to Kenya to be distributed by the Eye Centre, something again with which the members are keen to continue.

Rothley Park Golf Club has one of the largest and most active ladies sections in the county and is also keen to promote its highly successful Golf Academy allowing non-members to receiving coaching and limited access to the course before committing to full membership. The club also has an excellent Junior Section, again with coaching provided by Club Professional Katie Tebbet. If you are interested in what the club has to offer please contact the Club Manager on 0116 230 2809 or e-mail clubmanager@rothleypark.co.uk or visit rothleypark.co.uk Pic: (l-r) Jonathan Arkle, George Walton and 2017 Lady Captain Pippa Arkle

Entitled “Mountsorrel in the Great • Mountsorrel Territorials and YeoWar”, it follows up the group’s successmen: The stories of the road to war of C ful WWI Exhibition in 2014. The book Squadron, Leicestershire Yeomanry and will go on general sale at the ‘Mountsor- F Company, 5th Battalion, Leicestershire rel Revival’ on August 12 priced at £12 Regiment. but is available to order now at a pre• Belgian Refugees: The arrival and paid price of £9. Full details are at life in Mountsorrel of a Belgian refugee http://mountsorrelarchive.org/category/hi family. story/military/world-war-1/ • Conscientious Objectors: The backThe book commemorates and records grounds of two village men who were the 402 men who either lived or were conscientious objectors. born in Mountsorrel, and served in the • Women at War – the Mountsorrel armed forces during the war. From that Voluntary Aid Detachment: The stories of 402 the village suffered 95 casualties those who served at home and abroad in who did not return and had 16 men the village VAD. taken as Prisoners of War. • Quarrymen at War and the effect of Also commemorated are the 10 ladies the war on Mountsorrel Quarry: At the of the Mountsorrel Branch of the St time of the War the Mountsorrel Granite John’s Ambulance who served in the Quarry was the main employer in the Voluntary Aid Detachments including village with many quarrymen serving in three in military hospitals in France and the village territorial unit. Serving at first two more at military hospitals here in as infantry with the Leicestershire RegiEngland. ment many were later transferred to The stories of all of these are set Royal Engineer Quarrying units. against a description of the village as it • Individual Stories: The individual was in those first years of the 20th Centu- war stories of four Mountsorrel men ry. who served in; the Royal Navy, Royal The foreword was written by Colonel Marine Light Infantry, Leicestershire Robert Martin, OBE DL, grandson of Regiment and the Royal Air Force Major William Martin, formerly Company • Homecoming and Remembrance: Secretary of the Mountsorrel Granite The demobilisation and welcome home Company, who was killed in action at of those who served in the war and the the Battle of Frezenberg whilst command- building of Castle Hill war memorial and ing C Squadron of the Leicestershire other memorials in the village.

Yeomanry.

• Mountsorrel Servicemen in the The book runs to approximately 200 Great War: Pen pictures of the over 400 (A4) pages with over 160 illustrations in Mountsorrel men born or resident and some 14 Chapters including: identified as having served.

• The Village at the time of the Great The next issue of War: Describing the businesses, social THE ROTHLEY POST life, churches and social life of the vilwill be published on June 22. lage in the first years of the 20th Century.

The copy deadline is June 8.

MAY 2018

Pic: Rothley Creative Writing group

THE ROTHLEY POST

On a night when the roads were getting blocked by snow, there was a big turnout. Some of the group had never read their work aloud before and there was huge support for their first book launch.

The group meets on Wednesday mornings in 7week terms from 9.4511.45am as a course run by the Workers’ Education Association. Maxine Linnell, a local writer, is the tutor. Copies of the collection, called ‘Sounding Off’ are available free from the library and the course will begin again in September. There are some non-fee-paying places, and new people are welcome.

13

Special tour of Belgrave cemetery BELGRAVE CEMETERY opened in 1881 and in March, members enjoyed a presentation given by Sandra Moore in costume, telling the stories of some of the people buried there.

Sandra spoke in the character of Miss Elizabeth Goodwin, born in 1868, who taught at Belgrave National School from 1896 and became its head teacher in 1901. “Miss Goodwin” went on to describe some of the colourful characters whose graves also lie in Belgrave Cemetery, along with her own.

Captain Roland Grimston - who could trace his descent right back to the standard bearer of William the Conqueror!

He fought in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, and was Captain of the 93rd Highlanders. He joined the Leicester militia, and became Chief Constable of Leicestershire in 1896. Although he was married and could afford to keep several servants, he took his own life, and the memorial erected by his colleagues points to the west, not the east as normal.

Edwin Carr - this gentleman’s grave is marked by a tall column in Celtic design,

with an eternal knot meaning eternity and unity, and the symbol of the cross.

His inscription, which we were shown, is rather puzzling: ‘He did what he could’.

In fact he was a chemist who wanted to help the poor, and he invented Carr’s Fever Powder, which was purple and used for all kinds of ailments. A single man, when he died in 1915 he left his fortune to charity including a generous donation to the Royal Infirmary.

Anne Garner, known as ‘Granny Garner’ - who was born in 1850 and began work at nine years old as a maid, equalling slave, for a pittance. She married

Busy spring for Brownies & Guides

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

BROWNIES AND Guides in Thurcaston and Cropston undertook work for the Hobbies badge this spring, as well having fun with celebrating other festivals and an indoor campfire.

Leader Louise Keran explains: As we had welcomed new Brownies to our pack and older girls had moved up to join the Guides, we held our special enrolment ceremonies to make our Promises.

The Brownies were developing a new hobby of cross stitch and at the same time learning camp fire songs. The Guides were sewing more difficult designs and some girls will carry on with this skill towards the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award. We began by learning about the Bayeux tapestry as a the most famous example of stitch craft and were surprised by the funny cartoon- like depictions it contains eg picking up the dogs to carry them onto the boats. The building of Westminster Abbey was only just completed and the tapestry shows a man up a ladder still fixing the weather cock. Did you know that there is a replica Bayeux tapestry in Reading museum?

It is identical to the original except, to avoid Victorian blushes, the nude men were omitted.

We were affected by the bad weather having to cancel one meeting and we also had to manage without Brown Owl for a couple of weeks after an operation on her foot.

The Brownies celebrated Pancake Day learning to toss pancakes and having relay races using pretend pancakes made from carpet underlay. The Guides braved the cold outside and cooked pancakes using camping stoves called Trangias, a useful skill for those older Guides who have enrolled onto the D of E Award.

When the Brownies made posters, we were surprised by the variety of hobbies in which they took part: swimming, dancing, art, computer-gaming etc. The Guides began to make two Chinese lions that ‘chase away evil spirits and welcome

Pic: Girls building a pretend campfire

prosperous times’ to celebrate the Chinese New Year and herald in The Year of the Dog. The lions took several weeks to finish. The task had been divided into painting the enormous colourful cardboard heads and attaching dazzling fabrics to the body frame before fitting heads and bodies together.

February 22 is the joint birth date of Lord and Lady Baden Powell who founded the Scouts and Guides, is also known as Thinking Day and we held a candlelight ceremony to remember Brownies and Guides all over the world.

Very professional looking Mother’s Day cards were made by the girls using techniques of different difficulty; decoupage, stamping and 3D folding.

We attended the Mothering Sunday church service which involved activities for children with drinks and biscuits afterwards.

Melted chocolate and crumbled shredded wheat formed Easter nests in which to put chocolate mini eggs. While these nests were setting in the fridge we sewed more of our cross stitch designs. I’m not sure if many nests arrived home before being eaten.

For the final meeting of the term the girls brought torches and blankets and built a pretend campfire with wood, coloured tissue and a glowing red light source. Time to turn down the room lights, pretend we are outside and sing

those campfire songs we had been learning, followed by hot chocolate and biscuits. The Guides also finished their term with an indoor campfire and a dancing display using their Chinese lions.

Did you lose £20 on the paths behind Waterfield Rd in Cropston?. We found the money and from its location assumed it had been dropped by a dog walker. We donated the £20 to RSPCA’s Woodside animal sanctuary.

We have spaces for new girls to join.

We meet on Wednesdays at the church rooms and sometimes at Richard Hill School both in Thurcaston. 6 until 7.15pm for Brownies (age 7+). 7.15 until 8.30pm for Guides (age 10+).

There is no requirement for girls to attend the church, or Richard Hill school or live in Thurcaston or Cropston.

For more details contact Louise Keran on 07711-422350 but avoid work hours please.

Pic: Sandra Moore as Elizabeth Goodwin

Reuben Garner, and they had 19 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

She worked in inns and later as a housekeeper to the Lord Mayors at the Town Hall, and she said she was determined to work until she was 100 years old. In the election year 1950, (aged 100) she wanted to meet the Prime Minister Clement Atlee, who along with his wife enjoyed a cup of tea at Mrs Garner’s house.

On the day of the election she walked to the polling station, exercising her right as a woman to vote, which had been a hard fought campaign. Eventually she passed away aged 103, after falling down the steps whilst whitewashing the cellar!

There used to be two chapels on site, one for adherents to the Church of England and the other for Nonconformists.

However, these were demolished in 1970 and a public lavatory built instead, a utilitarian but unlovely edifice.

In 1881 a newspaper had referred to ‘the rights of Dissenters’, and the cemetery has consecrated ground on only one side of the path, the unconsecrated ground being available for the Dissenters.

Thomas Billington - born in 1846, he and his son Oliver were publicans and therefore not respectable. Thomas was a framework knitter and married Eliza Greenwood in 1867, who brought her father into the household too. They ran the Bulls Head in Bath Street. Eliza died in 1915. Their son Edward suffered a broken leg at the age of eight when a horse bolted with its carriage and smashed through the glass of the sweetshop window. He recovered well enough to work as a butcher’s boy and later joined the Army, but was killed in the First World War. A granddaughter, Ethel Voss, died in the fever hospital at less than one year old.

Continued on page 14

Tim May Services

Fitted Kitchens, Bathrooms & Bedrooms. Supplied and Fitted or Fit Only Call for a free no obligation quotation

0116 2301324 www.timmayservices.co.uk

Specialist Wedding Gown Cleaning Open: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9-5pm Wed & Sat: 9-1pm

Open gardens in June THIS YEAR’S Open Gardens event in the villages of Thurcaston and Cropston will take place on the weekend of June 23/24, 2 – 6pm. (accompanied children and wheelchair users free) and will be valid for both days. They can be purchased on the day from any of the signposted Open Gardens. Look for the fuchsia coloured balloons!

Tea and cake will be available at various locations as well as ice-creams, and a number of gardens will be selling plants.

For more information about this event please have a look at the web site

pleasure of listening to Rachel Greaves, Continued from page 13 local author and illustrator, assisted by Wilfrid Barry Deacon, known as Barry her husband Alan. (They stood in at Young - in the Nonconformist part of the short notice as our booked speaker was cemetery lies the grave of this entrepreunwell.) Rachel explained how she was neur, who ran places of dancing and inspired by their dog, an Airedale called entertainment and is probably best reHovis, who loved looking out onto the membered for Barry Young’s ‘Stardust’ garden, to begin thinking of adventures venue. which an intelligent dog could possibly Sally Elliott - a daughter of Noah and enjoy, and which she began to write Hannah Smith mentioned above, this down for primary school age children. lady died in 2006 aged 92. Her memoriMany factors contributed to the story al has a beautiful depiction of a horse’s plots; the family lives near the steam head in black inside a gilded horseshoe. railway, and their grown up children The coffin was drawn in a black hearse have worked on the trains. behind four black horses, and the funerRachel was a teacher of English and al procession included limousines and drama, and has had some of her work vintage lorries. Her countless wreaths published in local magazines. As a child included shapes like a broken heart and she loved reading about the adventures the gates of heaven, her empty armchair, of the collie, Black Bob from the weekly her empty shopping basket, and a pack“Dandy”, and she still has her Black Bob et of cigarettes! annual which she passed around (I William Godsall - one of 12 children, loved mine too!). We were all told to he first worked on a farm where he was close our eyes and then “Ruffle” himtreated very badly. He married May self suddenly appeared, as if by magic …

Louisa Dugmore and they had nine chilShe decided to try writing a series of dren. He was determined to better himshort books based on local events, but self, and went to night school to study she does not use real place names, or engineering. Working for Russells Fountie them to a specific time period, which dry, he made the flywheel for the Queen broadens their appeal. Some books Mary liner being built in Scotland. His include stories in verse, or colouring wife May would help anybody in trouble, pages, and others involve exciting events and the person who furnished their such as a teddy bears’ picnic, or the grave paid tribute to her, saying that his arrival of the fair, and a “red suited man” own family would have starved if it (inspired by the Santa Special steam hadn’t been for her help. Their unmartrain) who saves a dog from a frozen ried daughter Gladys was profoundly pond. deaf but apparently a happy person. She In addition to encouraging children worked as a yarn winder, and nursed to read, Rachel and her husband supher brother through his battle with TB port the local Joe Humphries Trust, (tuberculosis), sadly a very common having known his parents and also Joe affliction in former days. himself. One story the parents suggested Joseph Cave - an unconventional involved Ruffle saving a life. Although person to say the least, this gentleman Rachel’s canine hero does not have not only designed his own memorial, but superpowers, he does carry a message insisted that his grave should be dug to ask for help, which reflects the actual during his own lifetime and lined with training of Airedales during the First bricks. Not content with this, he astonWorld War. Mr and Mrs Humphries ished the grave builders by jumping into have donated a large quantity of the the grave on completion, and treated Ruffle books to Leicestershire schools. them to a rendering of a Negro spiritual Monday Club meetings start at called “Poor old Joe”, and then dying …

2.15pm on the second Monday of each nine years later! month. New members and visitors are Anyone interested in visiting should very welcome to future meetings (please contact the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery, see local posters for details). There are or go along on a Sunday morning when still places left for our coach outing on there will usually be somebody to talk to 14th May to the beautiful Trentham and answer questions. Although the Gardens. The next topic, on 11th June, Cemetery lies close to busy roads, some will be all about “Holidays at home and parts are still green and leafy and peaceabroad for the Blind”. ful.

Mrs Maja Tompkins For our April meeting we had the Contact mobile 07709 201881.

Pic: Visitors to one of the gardens opened for the 2017 Open Garden weekend

www.tcog.org.uk or contact Linda on 0116 2363872 or email linda@tcog.org.uk The spokesman said: “It is often said how welcoming our gardeners are and they would love you to come and see all

their hard work. Why not put the date in your diary now, then come along with your family and friends to support this great community event, and help us raise money for very worthwhile causes.

We look forward to seeing you!”

Pic: the Parkers team from 2017

Annual golf day THE LOROS annual golf day 2018 takes place at Rothley Park Golf Club on May 11.

The hugely successful annual Golf Day for LOROS Hospice is now in its 12th year and has raised over £110,000 so far, which could be used to cover the cost of Day Therapy for 55 days, or to cover the cost of a specialist nurse for three years.

The event, which will take place at Rothley Park Golf Club on May 11, will feature the ever-popular sponsored tees element. Businesses are pitching their pun-inspired holes including Parkers the Parts people with The ‘Par-kers Hole’, Swithland Spring Water have ‘The Watering Hole’, and Sturgess of Leicester have ‘The Driving Range’.

During the day, teams will be treated to a welcome buffet, with the event starting at 12pm, and the shotgun start at 12.30pm.

Hospitality will be provided at the 12th hole, sponsored by Mosdorfer CCL and goods kindly supplied by Dominic at David North.

“Our annual Golf Day is always a fabulous event, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone” added Laura.

“And because of the kindness of our sponsors, it raises vital funds for the Hospice enabling us to continue caring for our 2,500 patients each and every year.”

To enter your team for a ‘slice’ of the action, or to find out more about sponsorship please contact the Fundraising Team on (0116) 231 8431 or email fundraising@loros.co.uk

MAY 2018

This year all money raised will be going to The Air Ambulance and our villages’ Good Neighbour Scheme.

A spokesman said: “We have nearly 20 very varied gardens for you to visit across the two villages; some large, some small, some immaculate, some very much less so! Some are new gardens and some have taken part before.

But all for you to enjoy.”

Gardens will be open from 2pm – 6pm on both days. Tickets are £4 each

THE ROTHLEY POST

14

Dementia carers: support & advice IF YOU are caring for someone with dementia a programme of free workshops aims to give you support and advice.

Jeanette Silver, from Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland, said : “Earlier in the practices. year, Local Charity Age UK Leicester To book, please call Jeanette Silver at Shire & Rutland partnered with DemenAge UK (Charnwood) Office on 01509 tia Adventures and Cedar Mews Care 260327, by email on Home in Birstall to hold a very well jeanette.silver@ageukleics.org.uk, by attended, Family Carers Workshop. This calling Ben Dalgetty at Cedar Mews on workshop was particularly aimed at 0116 267 4835 or by email on those Caring for someone living with cedar.haa@cinnamoncc.com Dementia and feedback was that it was Jeanette said: “We look forward to hugely helpful. seeing you then, but do call in the mean“Attendees shared during a break that time if you have any questions.” they felt vulnerable being the main carer on several levels as they hadn’t chosen the role, or indeed been trained for it!

One of the main concerns, among others, was moving and handling the people Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words. they were caring for yet still staying safe 17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment, themselves. post your ad to us or hand it in (inside an “As a result, Age UK Leicester Shire & envelope) at Rothley library.

Rutland have again teamed up with CeTrade/business rates for small ads are 25p a dar Mews Care Home in Hallam Fields, word. You are liable for the trade/business Birstall and will be holding regular work- rate if you are offering a service for which shops to address the various concerns you are asking for payment, or if you are adthat family carers have and provide infor- vertising new goods for sale. All text will be mation, training and advice that will aim printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words. to make them feel more secure in their caring role.”

AMLI DESIGN Architectural ConsulThe first of the free workshops will tancy. Plans drawn and submitted. be held on Wednesday 16 May between Extensions, conversions, new 2 - 3.30pm at Cedar Mews Care Home build. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) and will cover Moving and Handling FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 / 07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk

Revival: roads closed MOUNTSORREL’S POPULAR Revival community event returns this year on Sunday August 12.

Organisers are promising it will be bigger and better than ever this year.

Debbie MacRae, chair of the Mountsorrel Community Team (MCT), organisers of the event, said: “We are all so excited to be putting on our fifth REVIVAL. Of course, the day itself is at the end of a very long process and the work behind the scenes carries on from one event to the next. One of the Teams concerns is always public safety and

G E GAMBLE & SONS INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS —–––––––––– ESTABLISHED 1830 —–––––––––

Small Ads

Traveller sites

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2018

LEICESTER CITY Council is increasing the rent it charges at its traveller sites, including Greengate Nook on Greengate Lane.

The City Council manages 37 plots on its sites at Greengate Nook, Redhill Nook on Thurcaston Road and Meynells Gorse.

Greengate Nook and Redhill Nook opened in 2014.

A council report shows that it will cost £72,000 to run the sites this year, with £127,000 being spent on three staff to oversee them.

The rental income is £183,000 leaving a deficit of £16,000.

The council will be introducing a five per cent rental increase from May 1, 2018, to generate an extra £9000 a year, leaving a deficit of £7000.

The weekly rent at Greengate Nook, which has 6 pitches will rise from £100.79 to £105.83. The increase at the 10 pitch Redhill Nook site will be the same.

At Meynells Gorse the weekly rent will increase from £90.38 to £94.80.

Residents pay for their own water, electricity and council tax charges.

FOR SALE Telescope – National Geographic, cost £70, half price!

Complete & set up, £50 or reasonable offers. Tel: 0787 150 3979

Library closed BIRSTALL LIBRARY will be closed for three weeks from Monday April 23 until Monday May 14.

The closure is needed for the installation of self access technology.

Richard Blunt, cabinet member for libraries at Leicestershire County Council, said: “Installing self-access technology at Birstall Library means library customers are able to use their library card to enter the library in order to borrow, return, renew items and make use of the public computers, wifi and printing / copying facilities during extended selfaccess opening hours.”

Self-access technology is due to roll out across Leicestershire as part of wider plans to save £1.3million. The roll out follows a successful trial at Syston Library which ran from early 2017.

57 HIGH STREET, SYSTON LEICESTER LE7 1GQ TEL: 0116 2607500 A FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS OFFERING A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 24 HOURS A DAY FUNERALS ARRANGED IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME OR AT OUR UNIQUE 17TH CENTURY THATCHED COTTAGE PROPRIETOR MR RICK ASTILL, RESIDENT OF BIRSTALL

www.gamblefunerals.co.uk MEMBERS OF SAIF AND NAFD

LET OUR FAMILY LOOK AFTER YOUR FAMILY FOR FREE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

as the event gets bigger changes are needed to ensure that everyone who visits the village has a safe and happy time. For this reason, the Team has expanded the road closures this year to include the Green and Watling Street, giving greater freedom for people to move around safely.”

The following Mountsorrel roads will be closed for the REVIVAL 12th August 2018 from 10:30 to 17:00: • Sileby Road: will be closed from its junction with the Market Place to the bypass junction for the REVIVAL. Access to affected properties will still be possible. A Diversion will be signposted.

• Watling Street: From its junction with the Market Place for about 35 metres. Access to and from affected properties will be possible via the Navins and Crown Lane.

• The Green: will be closed on both sides from its junctions with Leicester Road to the Navins. Access to affected properties will still be possible. A Diversion will be signposted.

In addition, the main Leicester Road will be closed from 12:00 to 12:30 for safe passage of the Parade & Fun Run. The road will be closed from Bond Lane along the old A6 to the Green (at its junction with Leicester Rd). All these closures have been authorised by Leicestershire County Council.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house.

Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC

15

THE MARCH meeting of the Gardening Club gave everyone a chance to forget about snowy, windy weather and to dream about warm summer months, and visits to National Trusts Gardens.

plants brought back were tender which led to glasshouse building, such as Joseph Paxton’s glasshouse at Tatton Park.

Britain’s parks and gardens are unmatched anywhere in the world, and the National Trust manages a good number of these. The Trust employs 450 gardeners with a head gardener at each major property. In addition, there are over 6000 volunteer gardeners The National Trust has a very high standard of gardening and Alan’s excellent collection of slides gave us a wonderful insight into many of these gardens.

Also in March, the Club held its first day trip to Ashwood Nurseries, Kingswinford, near BirPic: Echium wildpretii, one Echium variety in its mi natural environment ngham. influences on these styles. Some influThe Nursery ences go way back in history. For examhas a world-wide ple, Westbury Court Garden is the only reputation for a surviving 17th Century Dutch water garnumber of speden in the UK. Here is an example of cialist plants but where the National Trust has worked none more dravery hard to restore the gardens to their matic than their original state. cultivation of The famous landscaped gardens at hellebores. The Stowe and Stourhead are influenced by the ‘grand tours’ of Italy and other Euro- trip also included a tour of pean Countries that wealthy gentry were able to take in the seventeenth and eight- ‘John’s Garden’.

Owner John eenth centuries. Biddulph Grange GarMassey has creatden has plants and trees from all over Pic: The wonderful landscaped gardens at Stourhead, Wiltshire ed a beautiful the world. This dates from the time private three acre garden on the banks when Victorian plant hunters risked life of these plants will work hard for you of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and limb to bring back plants never providing interest for more than just one canal which boasts many innovative seen before in the UK. Many of the season. design features.

Wed 13 June, 7.45 pm: A Tale of Two Members and guests found inspiration from the Gardens (RHS Harlow Carr and Hyde Hall), Matthew Wilson. Matthew is the garden visit, and also ec-curator of Harlow Carr and Hyde Hall from the stunning display gardens and greenhouses. and is now a garden design expert, writer and broadcaster.

They were also able to From Thurcaston and Cropston Gardenrelax in the delightful tea ing Club room.

Our April meeting was all about Echium; entitled ‘In the land of the Giants’ Linda and Ray HeyTHE ROTHLEY POST wood hold the National YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Collection of Echium at Unit 109, Greenacres, their nursery in NottingThe Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR ham. Despite the fact that Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson these amazing plants origiEditorial/Advertising nate from Tenerife and Madeira with a warm and moist climate, they have learned how to adapt the Correspondence, news etc plants to a rainy midlands can be handed in at: weather system. They Rothley Library or to our office Unit 109, Greenacres, introduced us to the The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR world of these amazing editor@birstallpost.co.uk plants with a joint presen-

Alan Tyler, a volunteer speaker from the National Trust, gave us a splendid illustrated talk, taking us through some of the glorious gardens that the National Trust owns and opens to the public.

Alan’s talk highlighted some of the many different styles of gardens, and the

0116 4422067

Planning P/18/0869/2: 23 The Rise, Rothley – proposed ground floor side and rear extension.

First storey side extension. Loft conversion with rear facing dormer P/18/0819/2: 89 Swithland Lane, Rothley – Erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 5.3m with a maximum height of 3.7m and height to the eaves of 3.1m P/18/0767/2: 1 Hickling Close, Rothley – erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.5m with a maximum height of 3.65m and height to the eaves of 2.5m P/18/0784/2: Great Central Railway, Westfield Lane, Rothley – single storey extensions to café building (listed building consent) P/18/0734/2: Great Central Railway, Westfield Lane, Rothley – single storey extensions to tea rooms P/18/0752/2: 31 The Ridgeway, Rothley – demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of one detached dwelling on land to rear of existing house, formation of associated vehicular access drive associated landscaping works P/18/0743/2: 28 Templar Way, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to front of dwelling P/18/0720/2: 42 Swithland Lane, Rothley – demolition of existing conservatory and erection of orangery, creation of new secondary access and rendering of existing house P/18/0812/2: Temple Garth, 76 Woodgate, Rothley –removal of 4 Lawson Cypress trees (T1,T2,T3 & T4) and 1 Monterey Cypress (T5) – conservation area notice P/18/0811/2: The Woodman’s Stroke Inn, 1 Church Street, Rothley – removal of 2 groups of Cypress trees and 1 hazel tree – conservation area notice P/18/0768/2: 144A Swithland Lane, Rothley – reduce 1 Robina black locust tree by 30% (T1) and remove 4 lower branches from 1 Oak tree (T2), conservation area notice P/18/0635/2: 30 Howe Lane, Rothley – erection of two single storey rear extensions, installation of dormer loft conversion & render to entire property P/18/0717/2: 54A The Ridgeway, Rothley – tree works to various trees and hedge at front of property, conservation area notice P/18/0683/2: Dental Surgery, 1 Anthony Street, Rothley – tree works to reduce overhanging branches to 1 oak and 1 sycamore, conservation area consent P/18/0598/2: 11A Woodfield Rd, Rothley – erection of single storey rear extension (certificate of lawfulness proposed) P/18/0546/2: Burnaby House, 3 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley – replacement of windows and door on front elevation of building P/18/0469/2: 5 Forge End, Rothley – roof and fenestration alterations to existing conservatory P/18/0814/2: 42A Anstey Lane, Thurcaston – pollarding of 1 beech tree, 1 Norway maple, 1 willow tree and pruning of 1 birch tree – conservation area notice P/18/0834/2: 82 Station Road, Cropston – the proposal is for a single storey extension to the rear in order to provide additional utility space along with a ground floor WC & shower facility. There will also be an extension to the 1st floor within the building footprint which will provide a new bedroom and en-suite facilities. There will be no change of use P/18/0774/2: Brooklyn House, 180 Station Rd, Cropston relocation of vehicular access and provision of associated walls & gates P/18/0773/2: 6 Lychgate Close, Cropston – reduce crown by 2 metres to 1 maple tree (T1), conservation area notice P/18/0544/2: 150 Station Rd, Cropston – erection of double garage to front of dwelling P/18/0474/2: Ashcroft, 247 Station Rd, Cropston – discharge of condition 4 of P/17/2475/2 regarding tree protection P/18/0477/2: 16 Cropston Rd, Cropston – replacement of boundary fence

MAY 2018

Club’s talk on National Trust gardens

tation. Ray took us through the range of Echium to be found in gardens in this country and around the world. Linda described their journey from total amateurs to successful nursery owners with a range of awards gathered at shows around the country and a number of celebrity customers and supporters.

Echium originate in the Canary Isles and come in many different forms from 20 foot giants lasting a few years to smaller, annual plants. They are particularly loved by bees, they are attracted by the constant flow of nectar and the multitude of pink, mauve, and blue flowers.

The Heywoods assured us that there is an Echium for every garden. With 37 different Echium to choose from, there must be one for your garden too.

The gardening club meets in the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall Whether an experienced gardener or an enthusiastic beginner we are sure you will find something of interest in this year’s programme. New members are made most welcome. What’s more, it is excellent value! The membership fee is still only £12 for the year or £3.00 per meeting. And, if you would like to come as a visitor and then you decide to join, your visitor fee will be refunded! So, if you are interested in gardening - come and give the Club a try.

The next club events are: Wed 9 May, 7.45 pm: 101 of my Favourite Plants, Janette Merilion Whether colour, perfume or form, all

THE ROTHLEY POST

16