Rothley Post (148) May/Jun 2021

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Delivered to Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston

MAY/JUN 2021

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 148

Rothley off-road cycle track AN OFF-ROAD cycle track in Rothley is being restored by volunteers.

Located near the Fowke Street playing field and on land owned by Rothley Parish Council, a group led by experienced track designer Ben Rafferty is restoring and extending the facility and is applying for grants to pay for the work.

The 1970s saw this area develop from a simple mud circuit into a cycle speedway circuit with regular events held in competition with other venues in the region, including Leicester Cycle Speedway track, still in existence on Abbey Lane.

Size limitations meant that the facility could not develop as the sport of BMX racing required, and although a vibrant club called Rothley Aces had regional and national successes, the track became more of a play facility.

A metal skate ramp was added to offer more variety. Following a period of neglect, the metal ramp was removed and the whole area was overtaken by nature, Advertise in

THE ROTHLEY POST

with silver birches planted.

2018 saw an enthusiastic voluntary group clear back the rampant nettles and brambles, revealing the track in its deteriorated form. This allowed families and riders limited, safe biking.

The area is now being upgraded again to provide a much needed offroad cycling facility for all age groups.

Ben is a keen cyclist and has worked with enthusiasm, encouraging others to join in and lend a hand. He has also spread the word about this developing facility, which is now draw- Pics: (top) Ben Rafferty (right) with volunteers at the track; (left) a rider at ing cyclists from other local villages.

Birstall’s track, designed by Ben

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The 4ft10” figures are supplied by the Royal British Legion and are manufacContinued on page 2

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Rothley shops as lockdown eases

A NUMBER of retail outlets were allowed to fully reopen in April and for business owners, shop workers and customers, Monday April 12 was a red-letter day, when they could return to some of their favourite shops.

In order to get a flavour of their experiences and outlook for the future, a selection of shop managers and owners were approached asking them about how they would assess where they were at present, how they are adapting to the situation and what their views were for the future.

Esther, Manager of the Vista shop on Woodgate, said: “We’ve had a cracking day, one of our best days ever”. She went on to thank her dedicated band of

Continued from page 1 tured by veterans.

A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion industries said: “The overwhelming support the British public has shown to the Tommy, and our veterans, has helped to spread this emblematic image through every town and parish across the country and meant that we were able to keep veterans in meaningful work during what has been one of the hardest years we have ever faced as a charity and as a nation.”

The total cost of the figures is £350.

Pics: (left) Esther, Manager of the Vista shop & Gavin Taylor of Gavin Taylor Hair

volunteers for getting ready for reopening and thanked the community for some fantastic donations and their support.

Gavin from Gavin Taylor Hair on Fowke Street has seen an initial heavy demand for hair treatments at his salon, but clients are realising the need to be

more natural, following months when hair appointments have been unavailable.

So clients are not wanting colour treatContinued on page 3

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Continued from page 2 ments as much preferring to spend on cuts. He said: “The other important aspect of hairdressing, informal conversations with and between clients may take some time to return as people still are acutely aware of social distancing.”

Amy, Lisa and Louise from Deli 1880 on Cross Green were so grateful for the support given by the community during lockdown, with people prepared to sit and eat, drink and chat outdoors in all weathers. They recognised that in future more customers were likely to be requesting take out refreshments.

Yvonne from Latimer Design was looking forward, like all businesses, to “having more personal contact with customers” and feels that during lockdown, people have done more local walks and are now discovering the wonderful local shopping facilities that there are which can be accessed without having to travel by car to shops further away.

Becky from Elan’s Hair Salon has seen a return to normal business, which has coincided with their 10th anniversary of being open.

Sharon from Top Nails echoed the same sentiment but thought that this new opening was so much better than the periods of opening after previous lockdowns, boosted by new customers.

Andreas from Rothley Fisheries had

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positive feelings about the way “local The resounding theme emerging from communities had supported local shops.” the conversations with all retailers is that Although his restaurant has been and is they are all so grateful for support from still closed, he saw the way the wind was the community, before and during lockblowing in the fast-food business and down, and if there is a message of optihas put a huge amount of investment mism it is based on the continuing into his shop to provide food in a better, loyalty offered to shops by the people of faster way Rothley and surrounding areas. for cusThe Shop Safe, Shop Local message to tomers support local high streets is backed by including Charnwood Borough Council. Cllr Shona ordering Rattray, the Council’s lead member for online and business support, said: “Our high streets a home need your support more than ever. I delivery would encourage people to support the service, Shop Safe, Shop Local campaign by which has making the effort to visit their local meant the stores and see what they have to offer. employThe pandemic has helped remind us that ment of we can live life more locally.” more local staff.

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Couple celebrate 70 years together

A ROTHLEY couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 28.

in Bournemouth before going to live in Thurcaston, and after a couple of moves with his job, finally returned to live in Rothley where they have been ever since.

Antonia said: “Unfortunately, Mum

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on March 15.

Police Community Support Officer 6603 Martin Dravien introduced himself as the new PCSO for the area. He reported that it had been a quiet month with very few incidents.

Councillor Hadji-Nikolaou reported that there had been numerous complaints from residents regarding the buffer zone around developments being eroded. Councillor Mark Charles said that Charnwood is looking at enforcing an area of separation between buildings which should be a minimum of 21m.

Councillor Hadji-Nikolaou reported that some small businesses in Rothley have received less in Covid-19 support grants than those in Leicester, and he is taking the matter up with Charnwood.

It was agreed to approve the final version of the Rothley Neighbourhood Plan, which will now go to a referendum among Rothley residents.

It was agreed that the off-road cycle track near the Fowke Street playing field be improved and upgraded, subject to funding raised from outside sources.

It was agreed to approve the proposed refurbishment works at the Rothley Centre and consult with Charnwood Borough Council, owners of the building, about the terms of the lease.

The council has received a Local Restriction Support grant from Charnwood of £2076 A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on April 22.

Councillor Hadji-Nikolaou reported that he had been contacted about speed-

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We believe that we have a pretty special ethos here at Newtown Linford Primary School & are proud of the excellent education we offer to the children in our community.

Due to an exciting new extension to our existing building we now have additional spaces in some of our Key Stage 2 classes. If you would like to hear more about our school and see if it might be the right fit for your family, please get in touch and we will organise a time to discuss this in more detail with you.

Main Street, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire, LE6 0AD Tel: 01530 242370 Headteacher: Mrs V Brooks and Mrs K Kennedy email:office@newtown.bepschools.org www.newtownlinford.leics.sch.uk

was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just before the first lockdown, was admitted to hospital during that first period and we were unable to see her for over 12 weeks. This was the longest time they

had been apart in their married life.”

Barbara is now in a care home, but with the easing of lockdown restrictions, John has been able to go inside to visit his wife.

ing issues in Rothley, on Loughborough Road near the Co-op and near Brooklea Nursery. He said he expected there would be discussions about the expansion of Rothley School in May. Councillor Steve Mitchell proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to County Councillor Peter Osborne, who is not seeking re-election in May, for his service to the community over many years as our county councillor.

It was agreed not to hold the annual parish meeting this year.

It was reported that no progress had been made in discussions with Charnwood regarding the lease and refurbishment of the Rothley Centre, but that a further meeting would take place next week.

It was agreed to accept a quote of £2595 for the decoration of the outside of the Rothley cemetery chapel.

The council says that the local roads are unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles and have a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes.

The vehicles present a danger to pedestrians and cyclists. The community footpath built by volunteers connecting Anstey and Thurcaston is being damaged by HGVs driving on the verge. Anstey Parish Council and several local residents have also objected to the plans. The reference number is P/19/1898/2.

A full meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on March 18.

It was reported that work on a new parish council website is in progress and that the County Council are still working on a consultation on yellow lines in Cropston, which had received 300 responses.

A member of the public reported that an overgrown hedge on Rectory Lane had been cut back.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on February 18.

A member of the public reported that HGV vehicles were using the Thurcaston as a cut through to Anstey.

It was reported that data from the parish speed signs revealed average speed decreasing during January 2021, but that maximum speeds are still high.

Mrs Sue Graham and Mrs Sylvia Cole were co-opted onto the council to fill vacancies.

The council agreed to object to a retrospective planning application at Woodside Business Park, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston, for the operation of a builder's yard and plant hire business.

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Pic: John & Barbara Sambrook on their wedding day in 1951, and pictured today

THE ROTHLEY POST

John (91) and Barbara Sambrook (89) have lived in Rothley since 1964.

They both lived in Birstall and met on the bus to school at the end of the war.

John was 15 and at Loughborough Grammar School, and Barbara was 13 and at Our Lady’s Convent School, now Loughborough Amherst School.

Dad tied her plaits to the bus rail by her ribbons, causing her to miss her stop before being unable to untie them.

Daughter Antonia said: “Mum then had to walk back two stops to home, which was noted by Granddad who wanted to know where she had been and why she was late!

The next day he asked if she loved him yet, to which mum replied: "No, I think you’re horrible.”

She must have forgiven him though, as they were engaged on her 17th birthday and married at Birstall Church when she was 19, in 1951. They honeymooned

Rothley Ladies’ team

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THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2021

ROTHLEY PARK Cricket Club first introduced a senior Ladies’ team in 2019 and in their first year together were crowned ‘East Midlands Women’s Premier League Champions’.

This year the club plan to continue the success for the hardball team with games every other Sunday throughout the season. Due to the popularity of cricket amongst girls and ladies, the club has also established a new softball cricket team. If you would like to know more about getting involved, please email cricket99@rothleyparkcc.co.uk Rothley Park Cricket Club is one of the leading club sides in the County with strong links to Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Rothley won the Everards Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League ECB Premier Division and the Talent Cricket County Cup in 2019 and this season hope to continue the success with a strong squad.

A club spokesperson said: “Having virtually lost the whole of last summer of cricket to the virus, we look forward with a degree of hope that we will all enjoy a full cricket season, even if restricted in terms of controlled activities and continuing social distancing, with its consequent impact on the normal organisation of the club, its matches, and coaching activities.

“Our investment in new artificial nets will also see us expand our junior coaching programme with extended coaching sessions throughout the week supported by volunteer coaches from within the club, whilst organised summer coaching camps for the youngsters are also to be introduced.”

“We remain aware that our recent success could not have been achieved without the cricket club’s local friends in the community. Without your support in sponsoring pitch-side banners, match balls, fixture book adverts, donations and bar takings, the ‘new Clubhouse’ and substantial ground improvements would have remained only ‘a

Trouble with your figures?

Pic: the Ladies Champions at Rothley Park Cricket Club dream’, whilst the escalating costs of running the club, its ground and facilities, match play and coaching provision would always be a struggle.”

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the club is currently unable to allow spectators to watch games, or to enjoy the friendly atmosphere and facilities in the

new pavilion with bar, refreshments and plenty of space for all the family in the ground.

For updates, see the club website at www.rothleyparkcc.co.uk or follow the club on Twitter or Facebook. The website also has all the club’s fixtures, results, tables and averages.

Room for new girls THURCASTON BROWNIES were able to squeeze in their bonfire, fireworks and hot dogs on November 4, 2020, as lockdown came into force on November 5, reports Snowy Owl. Since then, Brownies have kept in touch virtually and been supplied with activities to do at home from Girl Guiding national level.

Midlands Girl Guiding organised the Smile badge on Youtube and Facebook, ‘Sleep somewhere different’, ‘Make music’, ‘Imagine you are an explorer’, ‘Learn a dance from another country', ‘Experience food from another country’ and finally ‘Do a good turn to make someone SMILE’.

This took place over the weekend closest to Thinking Day, February 22

(the birthdays of both Lord and Lady Baden Powell) when we think about Brownies and Guides from all over the world.

But the great news is that we can start meeting again face to face, provided we comply with Covid safety rules.

Wednesday April 14 was our first scheduled meeting, and we have spaces for new Brownies.

1st Thurcaston Brownies Spaces for new girls Activities and fun for Girls aged 7-10 years 6pm – 7.15pm Every term-time Wednesday Harrison Room All Saints Church, Thurcaston To join - call or message Brown Owl: 07711-422350

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Local charity sends ambulance to Africa their home and share an image of their completed challenge. Over £3,000 was raised, and RunForRak took place again this year on April 26.

“This will help Rak’s Trust continue its support of the Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance Service,” said the spokesman.

He added: “Thanks to the hard work, kindness and generosity of its supporters such as the East Scotland University Air Squadron, of which Rakesh was a cadet officer and which has been directing all its fundraising activities this year towards Rak’s Trust, we are still able to continue to raise funds towards projects that will save lives.

“The trust hopes that it will be able to resume its regular fundraising activities when it is safe to do so and still aims to take on the challenge of Kilimanjaro in the not too distant future.” http://rakstrust. org/

A CROPSTON-BASED charity has paid for an off-road ambulance that will be used by an African orphanage.

Pics: (above) Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan, who died on active service in Afghanistan; the ambulance is welcomed in Malawi by healthcare workers

new challenge by the trust, RunForRak. This saw almost 200 people across the UK run, walk or cycle 2.6 miles from

News from Sustainable Rothley Sustainable Rothley Sustainable Rothley held a stall at Rothley Market on April 9, part of Ekojoe’s Refill and Re-use. Thanks to everyone who took part and came along to find out about what the group does.

Wildflower seeds flew off the table, and they will be sown around village gardens soon. A big box of used pens was also collected.

The group will host a stall on Friday May 14, from 9am to 1pm. If you would like to help, let us know. You can also bring along used pens and crisp packets, which will go to Terracycle. If anyone has seedlings to spare, or seeds, please bring them along soon after 9 or let the group know so they can be collected.

Meeting The next group meeting will be on Thursday May 20 at 7pm, on Zoom. You can contact the group at

sustainablerothley@gmail.com, or on the Facebook page.

Plastic Free Rothley The group is into the third year of working locally to support lower use of plastics, especially single-use plastics.

More businesses could take part and become Business Champions, and the businesses who are already signed up as Business Champions might think about new actions to take to support. Voluntary groups and sports clubs can also take part.

Litter picking Are there any grotspots in the village which need a clear-up? Sustainable Rothley is looking at ways of contributing to litter picks, and may run a small event during the Million Mile Cleanup. Let us know!

Climate Coalition Sustainable Rothley is part of the Climate Coalition, who are organizing a Big Green Week, 18 – 26 September, as a major awareness raising activity, preceding COP26 in Glasgow.

Ideas and offers of events and activities which could be held locally during that week are welcome.

Course on carbon literacy Transition Loughborough are offering courses on carbon literacy, online in May and June, and hoping for face to face training in the autumn.

For more information, or to take part, contact sustainablerothley@gmail.com, or go to the Facebook page.

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The Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan Trust (Rak’s Trust) organised fundraising activities in 2018 and 2019 to purchase, equip and send the ambulance to the Tilinanu orphanage in Malawi. It is run by Rothley sisters Alice and Nina Pulford, in conjunction with African Vision.

The ambulance left the UK on December 28 and arrived in Malawi on January 17.

It will be used to take doctors and health workers to hard-to-reach villages, and to bring urgent medical care to people who would not normally be able to get any form of healthcare, especially during the wet season when these villages get cut off.

“This will not only provide much needed medical expertise and equipment but save countless lives,” said a spokesman for Rak’s Trust.

2020 also saw the inauguration of a

THE ROTHLEY POST

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News from Rothley library THE GREAT news is that we can now allow our borrowers into the building to browse and make their selection of books.

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2021

Pic: Club Captains Jenny & Alan

We have an extensive range of new fiction for adults and children, which has now been delivered, and you can order books from the library catalogue.

This service will be free until July 1, so get your orders in before then.

We are committed to making our library a safe environment for users and volunteers, so there have been some changes implemented to make sure that we conform to all the Covid-19 safety guidelines.

There is a quarantine system in place for returned books, plenty of space to allow for social distancing and a copious supply of face masks and hand sanitising stations.

We are offering three sessions at the moment, which will increase as our volunteers come back and can cover more shifts.

Temporary opening hours: Monday 2:30-4:30 Wednesday 2:30-4:30 Thursday 2:30-4-30 Two of our four public computers are available for you to use and photocopier and printing functions are back in action too. We hope to be able to offer a Saturday morning session sometime soon.

We aren’t able to offer any of our other activities yet, but this is under constant review. Keep checking our website and Facebook pages for the latest updates.

Here’s a quick reminder: Under 5s storytime- 2 sessions a month Messy Play Themed craft activities Chess club Lego Club The Book group continue to meet online for now.

Film Club will resume in the Autumn.

The Rothley Centre will be closed for a major refurbishment during the summer, so we will have to wait a little while longer. We are working on the choice of films at the moment though.

We would like to invite you to let us know what new books you’d perhaps like us to buy. We have funds specifically allocated for the purchase of new stock, and we have also received several grants during this very tough year.

Maybe you’d like to be involved with

Captains’ second round THE LAST twelve months have certainly been challenging for everyone, and at Rothley Park Golf Club, it has been a stop and start situation each time a new lockdown was introduced.

our Book Stock group? This is the forum where we decide what extra stock we are going to order- fiction and non-ficThe Club Captains had a difficult year tion for children and adults. in office with all the stops and starts, We aren’t able to take donations of competitions cancelled, charity days books for the moment. Our next book cancelled, and all the social events that sale will coincide with the resumption of had been organised cancelled. With all Film Club. this in mind, the Captains were asked if The Book boxes situated around the they would consider a second year in village will have to stay empty this year office, in the hope a full golfing season as we can’t ensure quarantine or saniticould go ahead. sation of the Over 100 years ago, the very first stock. These Rothley Park Men’s Captain, Mr A.F. were provided Burnby, served two consecutive years in thanks to a office. This has not happened since. grant from the The only time a Lady Captain has served Co-op and more than one year was during the Secwould normally ond World War when the Lady Captain, contain a selec- Mrs F.S. Banks, was in office from 1939 tion of chilto 1945. dren's books to encourage families to Men’s Captain, Alan Dorn, says secread to their children whilst taking adond chances are limited in life, and vantage of the play areas. We will whilst regretting the circumstances that resume this facility by Easter 2022 as we have provided this opportunity there is a know that it is very popular with families. sense of history in being only the second We work with Rothley Primary Acade- Men’s Captain in over a hundred years my to support the Rothley Review- a to have his term extended into a second selection of great reads recommended year.

by Mr McLugash. There’s a dedicated “I am extremely grateful to the Board section in the library for these books. and the members for allowing this to Come and have a look! happen. In a year dominated by Covid, Summer Reading Challenge thanks to the effort of everyone involved in the club we were able to enjoy as The ever-popular Summer Reading much in terms of competitions and Challenge will be launched just before the start of the school summer holidays, but don’t wait until then to join the library. It’s simple and straightforward to do.

Just to remind everyone that there is no need to worry about overdue books or incurring fines. We won’t be charging anyone for some time yet!

Contact us on 0116 237 6162 info@rothleycommunity.co.uk Check our Facebook page or visit our website www.rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk Or just pop in and say hello. We’ll be very pleased to see you!

events as were possible in 2020. The spirit in the club was never diminished by the restrictions and the late start of the season, and we have a lot to look forward to in the 2021 calendar. I am confident that this year will be a memorable year at Rothley Park Golf Club, and I can't wait for the golf to begin!”

Lady Captain, Jenny Piecha, says that after a successful, but brief, start to her 2020 Lady Captain’s year, all her other planned events ground to a halt because of Covid-19.

“I am so delighted to be given another opportunity of fulfilling the exciting calendar of events I had planned for last year. To also go down in history as the Club’s second-longest-serving Lady Captain is something quite unique. Rothley Park has a tremendous ladies’ section, and I intend to finally give them a year to remember."

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Heritage Centre opens on May 17 MOUNTSORREL AND Rothley Community Heritage Centre is set to reopen on May 17 with lots of new additions!

RESIDENTS IN Charnwood are being encouraged to get their free litter picking equipment ahead of the Great British Spring Clean.

Pic: The Peace Garden at the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre

Woodhouse Eaves residents describing village life from the WWII years, including Beaumanor Hall’s role in the war, and the upstairs heritage room has a new display about Swithland church's bells.

As well as Stephenson’s Lift Bridge, the Restoration Team have been working hard and have fully restored a derelict London Midland and Scottish Railway wagon from 1934, which is on display in the quarry heritage area and will soon house a mini-museum inside. New display boards have also been added in the railway museum to give further information about the exhibits, including Mountsorrel's royal train.

“Additional security has been added following on from our burglary last year,” Steve continues. “With all buildings now protected by Fog Bandit systems and additional CCTV cameras covering all areas of the site. We give special thanks to Rossells Security for the free help they have provided.”

He added: “The Eco Team volunteers have been busy in the Nunckley Garden Nursery, lovingly growing plants for visitors to buy for their garden through-

out the summer. The Eco volunteers have been planting many new flowers, trees and shrubs around the site to help make it even more beautiful than ever.”

The popular Crazy Golf and Garden Railway have had a revamp. All the Crazy Golf obstacles have been rebuilt. The Garden Railway has seen additional track added to create a more interesting layout, a new train has been donated which produces smoke from its chimney, and there are additional buildings in the miniature village to see. The Shack has had a makeover and other improvements to better serve visitors.

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to The Heritage Centre Site on the 17th of May to see all our new additions!” Steve says.

The Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre is open seven days a week 10am until 4.45pm. For more information visit their website http://heritage-centre.co.uk . If you are interested in a plaque in the new Peace Garden, email rachaelmbarnett@btinternet.com for more details.

Architectural plans

drawn & submitted for planning permission & building regulations approval

Watermead Challenge WREAKE VALLEY Rotary Club’s 11th Watermead Challenge charity run will take place on Tuesday July 6, 2021 at 7pm at Watermead Country Park.

The largely off-road run follows both a 3-mile and 5-mile route around the lakeside setting of the park.

New Race Director Dave Snutch said: “This is an increasingly popular event with almost 600 entrants last year. The relatively flat terrain permits runners of all abilities to have the opportunity of achieving a personal best time.”

In 2019 over £4,000 was raised and distributed to charitable causes.

You can enter at: www.evententry.co.uk.

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Charnwood Borough Council has purchased additional equipment to help people who want to help give their local communities a spring clean or are planning to get involved in next month’s Great British Spring Clean.

The campaign is organised by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and will be held across the country between Friday May 28 and Sunday June 13, 2021, but residents are being encouraged to get ahead of the game this year and safely start litter picking now if they wish.

The Council has bought an extra 100 hi-vis jackets and litter pickers, and will also be providing colour-coded bags to help identify rubbish that has been collected by litter picking groups.

Equipment will be distributed on a first come first served basis and people are being urged to get in touch with the Council as soon as possible.

There will be a limit of six equipment packs per groups, and the Council will also accept requests from individuals.

A Charnwood Borough Council spokesperson said: “When residents get in touch with the Council to tell us about their litter pick, we will ask them when and where they are litter picking and agree a location for our waste partners Serco to collect the bags of rubbish. As well as providing litter pickers and hi-vis jackets, we will also be providing people with colour coded rubbish bags to help make the bags easier to identify.”

Groups and individuals will be able to keep the equipment for future litter picks.

The Council is being supported by partners Idverde which manages the Council’s parks and green spaces, and Serco, which runs the refuse, recycling, and street cleansing service.

Individuals and groups can also register their litter picking and cleansing events at www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk.

People can request equipment and provide details of their litter pick by emailing cleaner.greener@charnwood.gov.uk

MAY 2021

Although the pandemic has hit the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre hard, their team of dedicated volunteers have used the time to make lots of improvements. Visitors will be able to enjoy all of these new additions when the site reopens on May 17.

Managing director Steve Cramp said: “Three of the really exciting changes and new projects include the new Peace Garden, the new steam locomotive ‘Colin’, who will be ready for shunting demonstrations when they reopen, and ongoing project to restore Stephenson’s historic Lift Bridge.

“The new Peace Garden we have created in the bottom of the old quarry provides a peaceful, beautiful area for visitors to relax. It is also possible to buy granite plaques in memory of loved ones to go onto the sleeper sculptures in the garden. New paths have also been added in the bottom of the quarry, leading to an area we have started to develop into a beautiful garden. The quarry bottom features a new summer house allowing visitors a place to sit and relax whilst they watch the shunting demos, including our new Steam Locomotive at certain weekends”.

During lockdown, the volunteers helped to move the remaining parts of Robert Stephenson's historic 1831 lift bridge to the Heritage Centre, and visitors will be able to see it being restored and rebuilt over the next two years.

Granite’s Coffee Shop, the Heritage Centre building and the patio have also had a spruce up ready for reopening.

The Learning Hub in the downstairs heritage room now has video clips of

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Rothley pre-school opens SCHOOL’S OUT Rothley is opening a pre-school in the grounds of Rothley Primary school from August 2021 and is holding an Open Day (by appointment only) on Saturday May 22.

School’s Out have been running a popular breakfast and after-school club since 2009, and are extending their opening hours to include a preschool from the Autumn term this year, for children who are three and over.

Running alongside their breakfast and after-school club, the pre-school will be open from 9am-3pm and give working parents the flexibility to add a breakfast or after-school club session.

This will also have the advantage of allowing parents to drop different aged children off in one location if siblings are attending school in Rothley, or breakfast club with School’s Out.

Summer open garden event THURCASTON AND Cropston Open Gardens 2021 looks set to return this year.

A spokesperson explains: Yes, that’s right; Thurcaston and Cropston Open Gardens 2021. We are currently planning on having an Open Gardens event on the weekend of June 26/27, 2021.

In the current situation, the plan for coming out of the necessary Covid restrictions makes it possible for us to plan a 2021 Open Gardens event.

Let’s hope that things will be much easier by our Open Garden weekend, and we can take our small part in reintroducing some normality as responsibly as we can.

We will need to consider the concerns and the health of the garden owners and the garden visitors, with perhaps restricted or controlled numbers on the day, maybe using a traffic light system to allow for entry in some circumstances or one-way systems around some gardens.

Entrance fees will be £5 to avoid any

Pics: visitors at the last Open Gardens in 2019

loose change.

At this stage, it is too early to say in any detail. We may even have to cancel at the last minute.

Watch our Thurcaston and Cropston Open Gardens website www.tcog.org.uk

The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on July 9.

The copy deadline is June 25.

MAY 2021

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30 hours of free childcare is available for all qualifying three-year-olds.

For more information, see School’s Out’s website: www.schoolsoutrothley.co.uk or call: 07879 676025

and the local noticeboards for updated information in May and June.

Our chosen charity continues to be Leicestershire Air Ambulance, and we hope to help them raise some muchneeded funds. Like many charities, they have suffered over the last year.

So, as our gardeners plan for those brilliant displays of flowers and vegetables, sowing seeds and banishing those weeds, we hope you will pencil the dates in your diary, and we will all keep our fingers crossed for a successful Open Gardens. www.tcog.org.uk June 26/27, 2021, 2 - 6pm

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Food packages for local people GCR receives grant

STAFF AT Rothley care home, Mountview, are donating stock from their own kitchens alongside generous donations from the local community to provide essential food packages to local people and families who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

the nation that have been heavily impacted by this virus. When we heard the heart-breaking accounts of how some families and their children were not able to obtain the food they needed, it became apparent that we could really help.

Everyone at the home has rallied round

to gather as many donations as possible, and it has been incredibly rewarding to know that we have helped families in the area.”

Pic: The food contributions from the Mountview team will go some way to helping ensure that local families and homeless people do not go without due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police reveal Covid fine data POLICE IN England and Wales have processed a total of 94,368 fixed penalty notices for breaches of Coronavirus restrictions up to 14 March 2021.

The latest provisional figures released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that 25,416 fines were processed in the latest reporting period.

The total processed in England is now 85,975 and 8,393 in Wales.

Fixed penalty notices were processed for the following reasons: Large gatherings (£10,000 fine) 284 FPNs have now been processed relating to holding a gathering of more than thirty people in England and three in Wales.

These include, but are not limited to, unlicensed music events, protests and private parties Participating in a gathering of more than 15 people (£800 fines)

1,647 FPNs have been processed tine list. Three have been processed in under regulations requiring people not Wales. to participate in a gathering of more Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ than 15 people.

Council, Martin Hewitt, said: “Looking Face coverings ahead as restrictions start to ease, we 3,140 FPNs were processed between will be focusing our efforts on these 15 June and 14 March for breaches of types of large indoor gatherings. Any the Face Coverings Regulations in Engperson who organises or attends these land. events clearly doesn’t need the regula547 of these fines were processed for tions explaining to them, and we will not failure to wear a face- hesitate to issue fines where necessary. covering on public “As the rules change in the coming transport. days, weeks and months, we can expect 2,593 fines were crime, including violent crime, to return processed for failure to pre-lockdown levels. All forces have to wear a face-coverrobust plans in place to deal with vioing in a relevant place, lence and clamp down on violent offendsuch as a retail setting. ers.”

Businesses 687 FPNs were Advertise in processed to businesses up to 14 March.

THE ROTHLEY POST The main reasons for the issuance of 47 x 57mm £20 • 47 x 116mm £36 an FPN included: Businesses not enforc98 x 57mm £36 • 98 x 116mm £60 ing face-covering regulations; businesses refusing to close during the emergency 1) Decide what size you want period or refusing to close during re2) Send us a sketch of your ad stricted hours, gatherings of more than 3) We design, publish the restricted number taking place withThis Siz & send in a business; businesses not adhering to e you the the table service only rules.

Wednes International travel regulations bill +VATdays Up until 14 March 508 FPNs have CALL 0116 4422067 for an advertising rate card, been processed in England for those or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk failing to self-isolate after arriving from a The prices above exclude VAT country on the UK Government Quaran-

S£E2X0Y

Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The grant, covering the period from April to June 2021, will support the organisation with the costs it faces as it starts to welcome back visitors and makes the transition towards full reopening Michael Gough, the Great Central Railway PLC’s Managing Director, said: “I cannot emphasise enough how much of a shot in the arm this is for us at such an incredibly difficult time.

“While we have successfully navigated the crisis thus far, the impact of Covid-19 has dealt the Railway a £3 million income-reduction-blow in the last 12 months, and this grant will significantly assist in the funding of actions we need to carry out to reopen Covid-secure, and in-line with government guidance.

“It will support us in the complex process of transitioning from months of lockdown and significant restriction and to return to the previous sustainable business model of welcoming over 110,000 visitors each year through our doors.”

Cycle lanes removed May 24 THE POP-UP cycle lanes on the A6 through Birstall will be removed from May 24.

The County Council say the work will take up to three weeks.

The cycle lanes and the no right turn restrictions will be removed. The central hatched areas will be reinstated as well as the pedestrian islands, which will be widened where possible.

The county intends to make the 30mph speed limit permanent, subject to a consultation.

Whilst the work is carried out, there will be some temporary road closures. The A6 will be closed in both directions, between Redhill Circle roundabout and the Greengate Lane/Sibson Road junction for three consecutive weekends: May 29/30, June 5/6 and June 12/13.

MAY 2021

The care home team partnered with the MBC Foodbank Hub and Christ Of King Church food drive, both committed to caring for the community, to create essential food packages including tinned meat, fish and fruit as well as sweet treats such as biscuits, chocolate and gummy sweets.

The food contributions from the Mountview team will go some way to helping ensure that local families and homeless people do not go without due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Residents at the care home helped staff organise stock and pack bags ready to be delivered to the charity. Resident Barbara Wood, who has lived at the home since April 2020, said: "I think it is excellent that our team wanted to be involved in helping out the community at such an unprecedented time. It is a true testament to their commitment to caring and nurturing for the people around them."

General Manager, Selina Leone said: “There are so many people throughout

THE GREAT Central Railway has received a grant of £515,700 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

THE ROTHLEY POST

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Crime falls in pandemic CRIME FIGURES provided to the National Police Chiefs’ Council from forces in England and Wales show an overall fall of 22 per cent in the four weeks to 14 February 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.

Throughout the pandemic, sustained falls in crime have been recorded throughout periods of national lockdown, with crime only rising close to 2019 levels during the summer months of 2020.

The third national lockdown introduced on 6 January 2021 saw a large reduction in recorded crime as individuals were told to stay at home, allowing criminals fewer opportunities to commit offences.

For the most recent recorded snapshot, for the four weeks to 14 February 2021, serious violent crime, including Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and personal robbery reduced by 36 per cent, shoplifting was down 44 per cent, vehicle crime fell by 36 per cent and residential burglary was down by 36 per cent compared to the same period in 2020.

Reported rape saw a 12 per cent fall, and recorded domestic abuse incidents decreased by five per cent over the snapshot period compared to the same period in 2020. There remains little evidence of the significant increase in reported domestic abuse that was anticipated at the start of lockdown, although police continue to monitor this area closely and work closely in partnership

with relevant organisations. Police figures do not capture hidden domestic abuse that is not reported.

The latest figures also showed a 14 per cent increase in assaults on emergency workers. The rise is thought to be driven by increases in common assaults on police officers, including suspects spitting on officers while claiming to be infected with Covid-19.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt said: “We have seen falls in crime during periods of national lockdown, and we are seeing the same trends again.

“Although overall crime is lower than the comparable time last year, demand on the police remains significant. As well as day-to-day policing, to prevent and tackle crime and keep communities safe, we continue to work alongside our partners both locally and nationally in tackling this pandemic and limiting the spread of the virus.

“Assaults on emergency workers who do crucial work to keep the public safe at any time are deplorable. This is an offence, and those caught will be prosecuted. Police are out in communities, working in very challenging circumstances, and I am grateful for their continued hard work.

“We encourage the public to follow the rules in place to limit the spread of the virus.”

Forces have also continued to observe falls in calls to police. Compared to the same period in 2020, 999 call volumes decreased by 20 per cent and 101 calls by 18 per cent.

Wildlife photos wanted Our planet on show

in cathedral

THE ROTHLEY POST

MAY 2021

PEOPLE in Leicester and beyond are being invited to submit their photographs of the natural world for a new digital exhibition at the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.

Nature on Your Doorstep will feature photos taken during the year-long lockdown when many people rediscovered their local parks and open spaces, and the plants and wildlife that share their environment.

The invitation is open to photographers of all ages and abilities anywhere in the world, with all suitable images being included in the digital display that’s due to go on show in early July.

Those submitting photographs for the digital display should note that images featuring people cannot be included in the display.

All entries should be submitted by midnight on Monday 24 May. More information and a submission form can be found at: www.leicestermuseums.org/NatureOnYou

AN INTERNALLY lit exact scale replica of the Earth will be on display at Leicester Cathedral this month.

rDoorstep Subject to Covid restrictions, all of Leicester’s museums are due to reopen on Monday 21 June.

When it reopens, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery on New Walk will host the Natural History Museum’s stunning Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Featuring more than 100 images taken by photographers from all over the globe, the exhibition is scheduled to run until 30 August.

Nature on Your Doorstep will be a digital display at Leicester Museum, opening on 5 July and running until 30 August.

Pic: Image of a butterfly at Ellis Meadows in Leicester (Picture: Ian Davis)

Artist Luke Jerram's ‘Gaia’ installation was recently presented in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral for River Festival Liverpool and had over 200,000 visitors in just one month.

This new touring artwork presents our planet floating in three dimensions and aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987.

Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the artwork may provide the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet and a sense that societies of the Earth are all

interconnected, and that we have a responsibility toward one another.

This monumental internally-lit sculpture, measuring seven metres in diameter, was created using NASA imagery and is an exact scale replica of our planet.

It is 1.8 million times smaller than Earth, with each centimetre of the sculpture representing 18km of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211 metres away from the slowly rotating artwork, viewers can see the Earth as it appears from the moon while enjoying a specially made surround-sound composition by the composer Dan Jones.

Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.

The exhibition will be open to the public from Monday, May 17 until Sunday, June 6, with online booking required.

Members of the public can book to see Gaia on the Leicester Cathedral Eventbrite page.

AS GARDENING Club members experience their second spring in lockdown, they look back on a year where contact has been by monthly newsletter.

Members have sent photos and stories of their gardening highlights, with spring bulbs and roses being the most popular. Several members are reporting back on their success of using peat-free compost, and others are proudly presenting some fabulous looking or very longlived flowering houseplants.

More time at home has meant that for some, much closer observation of the birds visiting their gardens has become a source of some delight. For

many those often talked about but never completed chores or major tasks have finally been tackled and even completed; the pond cleared out, the perennials split and divided into several smaller plants; even the shed tidied and the greenhouse cleaned.

By now, the spring seed sowing is well underway. Are last year’s experiments turning into well-established favourites? We are growing peppers and aubergines from seed this year after a chance lockdown purchase from a local

hardware store netted a fine harvest of peppers for the first time.

The plan to ease lockdown that the Government set out is still holding up so far, so the Gardening Club is also starting to plan a route out of lockdown as well.

The Gardening Club committee met in April in someone’s garden, socially distanced. This was our first meeting for over a year. Our initial plan is to open some local gardens for Club members to mix outdoors socially in May. A day, hopefully, in everyone’s spring calendar.

From Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club

Council’s cut price compost bins TAKE UP composting this spring with cut-price compost bins, thanks to a Leicestershire County Council scheme.

Residents can buy a discounted compost bin from as little as £12, with a second one offered at half price. The bins are made from 100% recycled plastic and are available in two different sizes and colours to suit individual needs.

When you start cutting the grass and pruning plants ready for new growth, the best way to dispose of garden waste is to compost it at home, says the council.

Anyone can compost if they have an outdoor space and you do not need a large garden.

Compostable items include fruit and vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, coffee grounds, newspaper, and cardboard which will all decompose in around

a year. The resulting compost can then be dug back into the garden next spring to provide nutrient-rich food for the garden.

For more details or to order a compost bin, visit www.getcomposting.com

Crime & punishment in the 19th century AT OUR March meeting we were joined online by Eddie Smallwood who, as a former Leicester policeman and a current guide at Bosworth Battlefield, was well qualified to tell us about crime and punishment in Leicester during the 19th century.

Until the formation of the town’s first police force in 1836, law and order had been largely the responsibility of night watchmen. The new force was based at the Guildhall, and the police cells there can still be seen.

Police officers originally wore top hats and were armed with cutlasses. Subsequently, they were issued with the familiar helmets, the shape of which was intended to deflect a blow to the head, though in Eddie’s experience the helmet falls off as soon as you start to pursue a criminal!

An inspector’s report in 1863 stated that about 4000 crimes were recorded in the county during that year.

The police were aware of 180 known and 277 suspected thieves, and there were nearly 1000 pubs and beer houses. A particular problem was a large immigrant population of “navvies” employed to build the canals and railways. Many of them lived in a lawless community around Belgrave Gate, and in 1848 several officers were injured while suppressing a mob in that area.

Punishments could be severe.

At the start of the period, hanging was possible for a wide range of offences and they were great public spectacles, witnessed by up to 40,000 people. The bodies of the most notorious criminals would be displayed on a gibbet post, of which an example survives in the county at Bilstone. The traditional site for hangings in Leicester was at Red Hill. Later they took place outside the prison on Welford Road, where patients at the Infirmary would be wheeled to the windows to watch or you could pay 2/6 for a prime view from an upstairs room at the Turk’s Head.

As time went on, many more convicts were transported to the colonies than were executed (including 160,000 to Australia alone). Nevertheless, 11 executions did take place in Leicester during Victoria’s reign. As it became clear that public hangings were not a deterrent to crime, they were moved inside the prison, with burial also taking place within the walls so that the grave could not be visited.

Leicester’s most celebrated detective was Francis “Tanky” Smith, whose modus operandi was to adopt various

disguises and visit drinking establishments to eavesdrop on potential offenders. He earned a handsome reward for tracing a missing member of the Winstanley family to Koblenz, which he used to build “Top Hat Terrace” on London Road – so-called because the façade includes sculpted portraits of Tanky in 16 of his different disguises.

Our subject on May 18 will “Inn Signs and Local History”. There is lots of information on our website below, including ways to contact us if you are interested in joining the Society. www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk From Peter Smith, Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society

Pic: the Bilstone gibbet post

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MAY 2021

Club welcomes return of spring

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