Rothley Post (158) Jan 2023

old Margaret Foister and two-and-a-halfyear-old Annabel, with mum Helen.

Ava and Annabel, two of Rothley’s younger residents, were invited to join Rothly’s oldest, Margaret, to celebrate

A ROTHLEY man has been sentenced to more than 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to five counts of rape and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The victim of the offences – an adult female - had initially been afraid to report the crimes but after confiding in close family and friends and seeking support, she gave permission for police to be called.

This led to officers arresting Tobias Lee, 32, of Macaulay Road, Rothley, and an investigation being launched.

Enquiries included accessing a phone recording, which had been made by the victim which showed bullying and controlling behaviour by Lee, as well as

the rebirth of the event following two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parish Councillor Steve Mitchell said: “Rothley Parish Council would like to thank all of the volunteers for their help with the Christmas lights switch on. The return of this popular event

could not have gone on without the help of volunteers, and Rothley is blessed with many people who are only too willing to give up their time for the benefit of others.”

Volunteers were drawn from a variety of community groups: Good Neighbours Scheme, Community Library, Bell Tower Ringers, Wildflower Group, Parish and Baptist Churches, uniformed youth organisations, as well as a number of parish councillors.

Steve said: “With this rich source of voluntary help, it is not surprising that the Parish Council will want to continue to host this event in the future. The Parish Council would also like to thank all the local shops, stall holders and the public for their magnificent support.”

Rothley Lights switch-on continued from page 1

Crowds turn out to pay respects to war dead

A LARGE crowd gathered at Rothley’s War Memorial on Cross Green on Remembrance Sunday.

After the service in Rothley Church, the Legion Standard was paraded up Fowke Street to the War Memorial.

A trumpeter played the last post, a minute’s silence was observed, and wreaths were laid beside the War Memorial.

Junior champions

YOUNG GOLFERS of all ages from 7 to 17 played for a variety of prizes at Rothley Park Golf Club’s Junior Championships.

There are over seventy junior members at Rothley Park, and every player who did not win a prize but who took part in the day, was given a memento. “The camaraderie between the young people was obvious as they enjoyed their early supper and cheered on the prize winners,” said a club spokesperson.

The Club Championship Trophy was won by Archie Gardner, the 9 holes trophy was won by Lorcan Murphy, and the Holiday Cup was won by Archie Illingworth. Sam Leake won the Scratch

Trophy.

This year’s Junior Captain, Ben Brownhill, addressed the players and thanked the parents and club members for all their support before presenting the prizes and trophies. A big thank you also went to Harry Schiltz, Rothley Park’s Assistant Professional, who gives up a lot of his spare time to coach and organise golf for the club’s youngsters throughout the year.

For more information about junior golf for both girls and boys at Rothley Park, contact Harry Schiltz at the club.

Pic: (l-r) New Club Champion Archie Gardner, Junior Captain Ben Brownhill, Scratch Tropy winner Sam Leake and Holiday Trophy winner Archie Illingworth

obtaining statements.

This included statements bravely provided by the victim regarding the rape offences which Lee had committed

against her.

The investigation led to Lee being charged, and at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday October 25, he was sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the offences. He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Support continues to be provided to the victim.

Officer in the case, Police Investigating Officer Anita Vaughan said: “Thanks to the bravery of the victim in reporting these horrendous crimes, we were able to ensure she had the right support available while carrying out a full investigation.

“This led to Lee pleading guilty to the offences and being sentenced.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence or of controlling and coercive behavior please know that support is available to you. It is never too late to report to us and we will ensure that full guidance and advice is provided to you while we investigate.”

You can report offences on the Leicestershire Police website: leics.police.uk

Pic: Jailed for 12 years: Tobias Lee

Continued from page 1

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on November 21.

PCSO Katrina Hallmark reported that two vans had been stolen, and a company car. There has been a theft of a motorbike, and a report of customers leaving a restaurant without paying for their meal. There were no reports of burglary in October. There were three reports of criminal damage and five reports of antisocial behaviour, including a motorbike revving the engine in the

early hours of the morning at the Rothley Centre, problems with young people in the Fowke Street car park, young people, jumping in front of traffic on Fowke Street, a group of youths causing issues at Rothley tennis club on Mountsorrel Lane, and reports of young people knocking and kicking doors on School Street.

The beat team have identified nine young people who have been causing issues in Rothley, half of them have been

Get together to exercise well, says personal trainer

“GROUP FITNESS sessions can really help with motivation,” says fitness instructor and personal trainer Hayley Phillips from Mountsorrel.

Lots of people struggle to find the motivation to exercise regularly; however exercising in a group could be all the motivation you need to commit to your fitness, says Hayley.

“Group fitness sessions can drive you to work harder & get a better workout. When you’re exercising on your own, it can be so easy to take it easy and finish your session early, but exercising with others could encourage you to push on through & keep going.”

She added: “One of the biggest benefits of joining a group fitness session is the social aspect. When you see people regularly, you start to get friendly with those people, chatting and making new friends.

spoken to in the presence of their parents, the other half are yet to be spoken to. The police encourage anyone who witnesses antisocial behaviour, or who is a victim, to report it to the police via 101 or the Leicestershire Police website.

It was agreed that the parish precept for the year 2023/24 will be £204,925, an increase of 2.9%.

Last year, the precept was £199,132.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on December 19.

PCSO Katrina Hallmark reported on the crime figures from December 1 to 19. There have been four burglaries, including one residential where Christmas presents were stolen. One victim of an attempted burglary disturbed the perpetrators in the conservatory, and they fled, with nothing being taken. One business has had its window forced, but nothing was stolen. There has been one theft from a shop.

PCSO Hallmark said that burglaries had increased in neighbouring villages and that the police had got leads on a vehicle that is linked to these offences. She said there have been no reports of antisocial behaviour in December so far.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on October 10.

It was reported that there was a burnt out car on Anstey Lane, and the clerk was asked to enquire as to when it will be removed.

It was agreed to purchase a poppy wreath for £20 for Remembrance Sunday, and to purchase Microsoft Office for the Parish office at a cost of £113.

“My fabulous little community are on the same fitness journey, this can help to support and guide you and keep you motivated. I have an amazing group of ladies & gents of varying fitness levels who come along to train, have fun, switch off and burn some calories.” Message Hayley or call for more information on 07715 642079 https://www.fa cebook.com/hayle yphillipsfitness/

It was agreed to spend £425 on a tablet that will allow cemetery records to be viewed on-site.

Admission charge at Heritage Centre

AN ENTRANCE charge of £2 for adults is planned for the Mountsorrel & Rothley Heritage Centre to help it meet a large rise in its operating costs and to remain open.

The entrance fee will come into effect from February 2023. The exact date will be determined and announced early in the New Year.

The Heritage Centre building itself and Granite's Coffee Shop will remain free to enter.

Spokesman Steve Cramp said: “It has always been our aim for the site to be free for our visitors to enter and enjoy. Over the past almost seven years, we have worked very hard to achieve this, depending entirely on donations from visitors and the income generated through our “Not For Profit” Granite’s Coffee Shop, to pay the running costs of the site. We have no grants to support the running of the site and no income from local councils or other organizations to help with running costs.”

Steve says that over the last 12 months, there have been huge cost rises for operating the site, for things like servicing/repair/replacement of equipment, machinery and legal requirements

such as fire and safety. Electricity costs have increased from £12,500 per year to £42,000.

He said: “There’s also been large increases in the cost of the products we buy to sell in our Granite’s Coffee Shop. For Granite’s to stay affordable for our customers,

we haven’t been able to pass most of these rises on and have had to absorb most of the increases ourselves. This greatly reduces Granite’s ability to support the site.

“The cost of living crisis means that visitors have reduced the donations they make, and have reduced what they spend in Granite’s. For example, in August 78% of visitors didn’t buy anything from us, nor leave a donation.

“So it's a perfect storm of everything mounting against us at the same time, and means that we can no longer afford to cover all the costs of operating the site.”

Pressure on the finances became clear in the summer of 2022. Steve said: “We have spent the past six months trying to find alternatives and, reluctantly, we have been left with no other choice but

to start to charge a small entrance fee for visitors to access the site beyond the Granite’s patio. Visits to Granite’s, the heritage rooms in the main building and the play area will remain free. We’ve set the entrance fee at the very low rate of just £2 for adults and £1 for children aged 2-15. Under 2’s remain free.”

He added: “Introducing an entrance fee has been a difficult decision for us to take as we are very much aware of how the cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, but we simply have no choice if the Heritage Centre is to survive into the future.”

The centre will be opening several new areas for visitors in 2023.

Steve said: “From early 2023 our newly arrived traction engine will be operational, and may be joined by a second working traction engine around Easter. There’s the new King’s Coronation Garden opening in May. Passenger train rides around our narrow gauge railway are targeted to start at the end of May (small additional charge payable) the LMS Wagon Museum with its working vintage Hornby Dublo train set, will open mid to late January. The Great Central Railway will be starting to run passenger trains on the branch line again, possibly as soon as March. The railway has won several awards, including “independent railway of the year”, a gold award for the East Midlands' best visitor experience and is a quality-assured visitor attraction as designated by Enjoy England. Trains can also be hired for private parties and corporate events.

“You’ll also be able to see our volunteers bringing Robert Stephenson’s historic 1834 lift bridge back to life through 2023. So the Heritage Centre site continues to grow and will become even better for next year! Thanks to your support and the dedication of our hardworking and committed volunteers over the past seven years, the Heritage Centre has become a much-loved and valued resource for the people of Leicestershire and beyond to enjoy and learn from. We very much hope that you’ll continue to visit and support the Heritage Centre to allow it to flourish into the future!”

Help Rothley library

ROTHLEY COMMUNITY library is appealing for new volunteers.

The Rothley Community Library runs entirely on voluntary help from a friendly and committed team who offer help in a number of ways.

A spokesperson said: “Your Community Library would love to have you as part of its team of volunteer helpers! Have you any time to help support our village Community Library? We are always looking to increase the numbers of people we have to help in the library during our daytime opening hours.”

You can volunteer on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis – so you don’t have to commit yourself to do anything on a very regular weekly basis if you don’t have the time for that - you can offer to help when it suits you.

Volunteer roles:

For the jobs inside the librarychecking out and issuing books, dealing with users’ (customers’) queries and keeping the library in good running order. There is practical training offered at a time to suit you and then support you when you start.

One-off events, such as the book sale, where extra pairs of hands to help out are always welcome.

Oak tree to remember Queen

You might have a great idea for an activity that would be suitable to be run at the library that you would be interested in starting up!

The spokesperson added: “We would love to hear from you so that this great community asset can continue to run and develop.”

Please get in touch: info@rothleycommunity library.co.uk or 07506133154

AN OAK tree has been planted in Jubilee Park, Cropston, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Davies, who had won prizes for designing a small corner of Jubilee Park in a competition organised by the parish council.

Parish Clerk Marianne Lane said: “A beautifully crafted oak plaque, at the base of the Jubilee Oak, will serve to remind visitors to the park of this special occasion. The latest oak tree, which

was planted a few months ago, is thriving and will, in the future, grow alongside a similar tree, planted in 1977 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.

“We are delighted to announce that Jubilee tree planting has been uploaded to The Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) map.”

In late October, councillors and pupils from Richard Hill Primary School gathered at Jubilee Park for the dedication of the Parish Council's "Jubilee Oak".

The Deputy Mayor of Charnwood, Margaret Smidowicz, cut the ribbon as 17 Year Three pupils looked on.

The two pupils holding the emerald green ribbon were Asa Foster and Lily

Pic: The Deputy Mayor of Charnwood, Margaret Smidowicz, with pupils at the tree planting. The two pupils holding the emerald green ribbon are Asa Foster & Lily Davies, who won prizes for designing a small corner of Jubilee Park

Pic: HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles at the launch of the Green Canopy scheme

Leicestershire

Quilters

meet on the last Monday of the month (except December) at the Braunstone Civic Centre, LE3 2PP, from 7pm to 9pm and has members from across Leicestershire. Our meetings host various speakers, hold a raffle, a sales table, free refreshments, and we also love to see what members have made through our show and tell section. Membership is £30 per year or for visitors it is £5 per meeting.

We also hold workshops and stitching days on various Saturdays throughout the year. Each year we support a charity either through donations of quilts or a monetary donation.

For further information then please email leicestershirequilters40@gmail.c om or call either Jan: 01509 890369 or Carolyn on 07487583614. Find us on Facebook or Instagram

Friday Night Films

“Fisherman’s Friends - One and All ” Jan 13, 111mins

Inspired by the real life Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac in Cornwall, this U.K. comedy melodrama has romance and expectation. Can these singing fishermen overcome fame and grief to find harmony again? The cinematography is spectacular in this uplifting and heart-warming story.

“The Railway Children Return” Feb 10, 98mins

Shot in picturesque West Yorkshire in 1944, February’s film is a “Must see!”. Three young siblings have been transplanted from London after their father was arrested on suspicion of being a spy.

Sheridan Smith’s character is local headmistress who takes in these evacuees. She is helped by her mother, played by Jenny Agutter, but why is an injured American soldier hiding? Is he a spy? This warm U.K. film is uplifting.

“The Phantom of the Open” Mar 10

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost the usual £5, which includes a lucky prize draw and refreshments during the interval.

You can pay for tickets at the door, if there are any left or pay in advance from:

Richard 0116 2363 066 or Diana 0116 2362 619

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust

Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.30pm

Discovery of the Rutland Sea Dragon

Joe Davis, Reserve Manager, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, will talk about finding one of Britain’s most significant Palaeontological finds.

Meetings are held in Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall on the second Wednesday every month from September to May starting at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 for LRWT members, £3 for visitors, children free

Rothley Beat Team

The local policing team hold monthly beat surgeries.

A beat surgery is an opportunity to discuss your neighbourhood concerns, whether that's road safety, a concern for welfare of a neighbour/friend or suspicious activity. This a chance to meet your local policing team in person and even if you don't have any issues to raise, you're more than welcome to come along to say 'hello'.

The beat team will be in Rothley on the following dates:

Saturday 21st January 202312:00pm - 13:00 - at Deli 1880, 1 Mountsorrel Lane.

Saturday 25th February 202310:00am - 11:00am - Rothley Library, Mountsorrel Lane

Thurcaston All Saints Church

The Wednesday Hub –Warm Welcome

Every Wednesday afternoon from 2-4pm the Harrison Room at All Saints Church is open for anyone to come and join us. The Wednesday Hub is run in partnership with the Thurcaston & Cropston Good Neighbours group and is free to

come and listen as a visitor, it's just £3. You will be very welcome

An exciting New Post

has arisen within the admin team at Rothley Parish Council. Full details will be available on our website (www.rothleyparishcouncil.org. uk) w/b 9th January 2023.

Cedar Care Circle

Hi everyone. I hope you've enjoyed a peaceful Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year. Our first meeting for 2023 will be on January 9. Weather permitting we will be at Brunchies Cafe Hallam Fields road Birstall 1pm. The second meeting is on January 23. Don't be a stranger. We are a very welcoming, happy group. Brought together by our need to end the loneliness and isolation we all feel when caring 24/7 for our partners, parents or friend suffering from Dementia. Enjoy a couple of hours with others who are dealing with similar situations. Looking around the group I see what a difference it makes to everyone. Please join us. Barbara. Contact me on 07905760556 if you want to chat

Rothley First Friday Film Club 2023

The films are shown on a large screen & there’s short break for free refreshments and a raffle.

Films start at 2.00pm and cost £5. The films for 2023 were chosen by the audience at the December showing. A full programme for the rest of the season can be found online & leaflets in the Library.

Films are screened at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane

Fisherman’s Friends

Friday 6th January, 2pm

The film is based on a true story about a group of Cornish fishermen from Port Isaac who were signed by Universal Records and achieved a top 10 hit with their debut album of traditional sea shanties

Ticket to Paradise

Friday 3rd February, 2pm

Ticket to Paradise is a 2022 romantic comedy film starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts as a divorced couple who team up to sabotage the impending wedding of their daughter in Bali

News from Rothley library

Rothley Library

Current opening hours

Monday 2.30 – 4.30 Tuesday 2.30 –4.30 Wednesday 2.30 – 4.30 Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 & 2.30 – 4.30 Saturday 10.00 – 2.00

Library Events

Children’s communication and language development & baby massage @ the Cowshed Heather, who has been working in the Library on Mondays, has resumed her sessions. These focus on communication and language development and baby massage. To find out more and book sessions visit Heather’s website www.thecowshed.me

First Friday Film Club

Rothley First Friday Film Club 2023

The films are shown on a large screen and there is a short break for free refreshments and a raffle. The films start at 2pm and cost £5. The films for 2023 were chosen by the audience at the December screening. A full pro-

Open 33: The People’s Exhibition

gramme for the rest of the season can be found online, and there are leaflets in the Library.

All films are screened at The Rothley Centre on Mountsorrel Lane.

Ticket to Paradise is a 2022 romantic comedy film starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts as a divorced couple who team up to sabotage the impending wedding of their daughter in Bali.

The remaining dates for 2023 are Friday 3rd March (‘The Lost King) and then on these dates, all Fridays April 7th, May 5th, June 2nd. Films for these dates will be chosen at the March film. RSPB Bird Watch

During term time there will be WEEKLY sessions EVERY TUESDAY & FRIDAY MORNING 9.30 – 10.15.

LEGO Club**

Lego club is the first Saturday of each month, 2-4pm. Lots of Lego free-play, with like-minded playmates.

**There is no need to book for any of the above sessions but adults that feel able to can make a donation towards library costs via a Gift Aid envelope, placed in the donations box. Thank you. Christmas Table Decorations

The Open is a yearly exhibition, which allows East Midlands residents from any background and ability an opportunity to enter their artwork for display, and if successful, exhibit their work at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. This show celebrates the creative talent of Leicester and the East Midlands and the people who make it.

Saturday 10th December 2022Friday 20th January 2023

At Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, New Walk , Leicester

The Rothley History Society

The Society meets on the 3rd Wednesday evening of each month at 7.30pm at The Rothley Centre. Our speakers are many and varied on both local and country wide historical topics.

We are looking forward to welcoming new members in 2023 as well as seeing current members once again.

Our first meeting of the New Year will be on Wednesday January 18. For further information email: maryselina@hotmail.co.uk

Friday

Friends

6th

The film is based on a true story about a group of Cornish fishermen from Port Isaac who were signed by Universal Records and achieved a top 10 hit with their debut album of traditional sea shanties.

Friday 3rd February: Ticket to Paradise

Saturday 28th January.

Craft activities for young children 10am to 12noon.

Book group**

Wednesday 11th January: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. 7 – 8pm Chess Club **

This meets every Thursday 2.30 –4.30pm.

Under 5s sessions **

The Library was awash with activity on Saturday December 10, with children and parents dropping by to make some starry table decorations. This is one of the activities provided for children by a hard working band of volunteers.

Pics: (top) Lottie entertaining parents and children with a puppet show; (above) Ivy making a Christmas table decoration Pic:

David Preston - 0775 262 3885 www.1-4-all.co.uk

January: Fisherman’s

History society news

WE DO not hold an event in December so this is a good time to tell you a little more about the Society and to look ahead to what we have planned in 2023.

The aims of the Society are “to encourage an interest in the history of the parish by providing research material, to stimulate recollections from villagers, to visit sites of historical note and to invite speakers to meetings for members’ and guests’ edification and enjoyment.” To that end we hold seven indoor meetings per year, on the third Tuesday of the month. They usually feature talks on historical subjects, which we make as relevant to the local area as we can. In June, July and August, we head out for walks or visits.

A particular highlight of last year was our September meeting, where local people shared their memories of life in the two villages. We hope to arrange another event along similar lines in future but meanwhile please do share any information that you think our current or future members might be interested in! We would also love to have more photographs showing how the villages have changed, so please get in touch if you have any old pictures that we could take copies of.

Our indoor meetings take place in Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at

7.30pm. You will be very welcome to come along to any of them as a visitor (£4) or to join the Society as a member (£16 for the year). We serve free tea and coffee at the end of each meeting so you will have a chance to discuss what you have heard or just get to know a few of your neighbours.

Here is our planned programme for 2023. We look forward to seeing you!

17th Jan, Peter Liddle: How to Build a Castle

21st Feb, Peter Smith: Excavating the Rutland Roman Villa

21st Mar, Jess Jenkins: Conscientious Objectors and the Peace Campaign in Leicestershire

16th May, Mick Rawle: The History of Melton Mowbray

20th Jun: Visit to Wigston Framework Knitters’ Museum

18th Jul, Steve Bruce: Tour of Abbey Park

16th Aug (Wed): Visit to Century Theatre, Coalville

19th Sep, Felicity Austin: The History of Syston

17th Oct, Robin Jenkins: The WWI PoW Camp at Donington Park

21st Nov,Tony Marshall: Memories of a Pub Landlord

From Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society

Monday Club news

IN NOVEMBER, Mr Peter Hunt, with his wife Judy, came to speak to us about their holiday to South America in early 2019, when they celebrated their Golden Wedding. First, they flew to Quito in Ecuador, and then on to the Galapagos Islands, 800 miles to the west.

The Club’s final event for 2022 was the annual Christmas lunch, held on Monday December 5, and our venue was a return to Birstall Golf Club.

It had been three years since members and their guests had been able to gather to partake in a pre-Christmas meal, and it was so good to be able to do so again. The catering staff at the Golf Club made us feel very welcome, the food was delicious and plentiful, and the service was prompt and attentive. We held our customary raffle with proceeds going towards Club funds.

Our programme of meetings/events for 2023 has been completed, as follows:

January 9: A musical introduction to the New Year by Tony Scarratt, with singing and guitar accompaniment

February 13: A.G.M. & Speaker: Viv Galloway – Her Working Life in Forensics

March 13: Speaker: Sandra Moore –Strong Men & Women of Belgrave

April 17: Speaker: Derek Holloway –Suffragettes

May 8: Lunch outing – to be arranged

June 12: Speaker on the Work of the Charity Intercare – aid for Africa

July 10: Strawberry Tea – to be arranged

August 14: Demonstration of Indian

Head Massage by one of our Club members

September 11: Harvest Meeting & Speaker from Hannah’s Sugarcraft of Quorn

October 9: Speaker: Felicity Austin –Life in Jane Austen’s Time

November 13: Speaker: Peter Savage –Do You Remember? (Part 2)

December 4: Christmas lunch – to be arranged

Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month unless otherwise notified.

Meetings take place from 2.15pm to 4.15pm and the venue is the Schoolroom at the rear of Cropston Evangelical Free Church, Station Road, Cropston, LE7 7HD

Annual subscriptions are due in January, and this year there is a small increase to £13 per person, to cover an equally small increase in the room hire charge. The members’ monthly entrance fee remains at £2 per person, and the charge for visitors at £4 per meeting. Copies of the 2023 programme will be available.

New members and visitors will be assured of a warm welcome.

From Mrs Jennifer Kennington (Club Leader/Secretary), the Monday Club Cropston and Thurcaston

For further information, please contact Mrs Maja Tompkins on 07709 201881

The next issue of THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on March 10. The copy deadline is Feb 24.

Thurcaston Brownies

OVER THE summer,

Thurcaston Brownies entered Brownie craft items in the Thurcaston and Glenfield garden shows.

We were able to hand out prizes at our first meeting when we played games and also introduced the First Aid badge that would take several weeks to complete.

Thankfully we did not have to put our lesson on how to treat burns in action when the Brownies cooked sausages and melted marshmallows on instant BBQs in the church grounds.

A few Brownies found the Resusci Annie apparatus spooky, but in the end, they all had a go at mouth-to-mouth and sang Nellie the Elephant for the rhythm of heart compressions.

We tried putting our casualties into the recovery position, using an arm sling and bandaging wrists, knees and ankles. We finished the First Aid badge by learning about the treatment for bites, cuts and stings.

Linking in with our First Aid theme, Graham came to give a talk and answer all the girls’ questions about the Air Ambulance and Children’s Air Ambulance Services. Finally, the girls bought pencils, notebooks and teddy bears that were dressed as paramedics.

Halloween approached, and the staff in Tesco did wonder why I needed 17 pumpkins. ‘It's for the Brownies to carve.’ I explained as I struggled to push the heavy trolley.

We held our own Bonfire celebrations on the rainiest of nights and the gazebo shelter was tied to the hedge, shed and a tree to stop it from blowing away. Brave Brownies in their waterproofs enjoyed sparklers, ate hot dogs and toasted marshmallows. Thank you to the Crisswells for the fireworks, and to Ollie for lighting them.

November also means the Remembrance Service, so while the Brownie volunteers were practising their parts,

the rest of the Brownies were learning about homelessness and then designing a poster for the front cover of The Big Issue, the magazine for the homeless charity Shelter.

Sunday, our 7 to 10-year-old Brownies took on the roles of reading ‘big words’ from the Bible to the congregation. Next came parading the flags and laying the poppy wreath at the ceremony by the war memorial. Well done, we were so proud of you.

Marley, the dog, became an expert in sniffing out small pine cones needed for our Christmas wreath. We only needed one hundred and seventy of them. Our craft experts, Pat and Barn Owl, showed us how to turn the cones into reindeer heads with googly eyes, pom pom nose and tiny twig antlers and to arrange ten ‘reindeer’ on a wreath.

‘It's behind you!’ we all shouted as we visited Loughborough Town Hall to see the pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Excellent performances, scenery and special effects as always. Two loud bangs made us all jump.

Finally, it was Christmas party time and the games involved making people into snowmen with toilet rolls and to battle with tissue snowflakes. Amidst the debris, Brown Owl received a badge for 30 years as a leader from our Division Commissioner. (She still had to help tidy up though).

Thanks go to Brownie Grandma Bev and Katelynn, our Duke of Edinburgh volunteer, for their help this term.

From Thurcaston Brownies

We meet on Wednesday evenings 6 until 7.15pm in school term time at the Harrison Room of All Saints Church, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston. Brownies are aged 7 to 10 years Contact Brown Owl 07711 422350 for more details.

Pics: The Brownies and Remembrance Wreath and Brown Owl receiving her award at the Christmas party

WEA courses on offer

THE WEA are delivering face to face classes again, after the Covid 19 pandemic.

MUG AND Mingle is a communi-tea (pardon the pun) social group providing a safe space to anyone who wishes to access it.

FREE.

People who attend can take in a

DOBBIN THE rocking horse has found a new home.

In the last edition of the Rothley Post, we reported that this rocking horse, after much restoration, was being raffled. As a result, £62 was raised for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Dobbin has now found a home with local resident Angela Spink. The raffle organisers wish to thank all those who bought tickets.

There are courses running online too – visit the website wea.org.uk to find out more.

Course fees and support

You may be entitled to a free course if you are in receipt of certain benefits. You could apply for the Learner Discretionary Fund for a fee waiver if your household income is less than £21,000 a year).

For more information, see the website wea.org.uk or speak to our support team on 0300 303 3464.

We are also planning more courses to start in April, plus a new course in Rothley. Details available soon. Please contact the WEA Leicester office (101 Hinckley Road) on 0116 2556614; email leics@wea.org.uk for more details

Inspiring Creative Writing with Deborah Tyler-Bennett

Fri 20/01/23, 9:30 – 11:30, 9 sessions - Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, LE11 3EB - Fee £77.40 Ref: C2348408

A LARGE Santa sack filled the reception at Rothley’s Gavin Taylor Hair this Christmas as the salon collected gifts for terminally ill children and their parents.

Jane Taylor, from the Fowke Street salon, said: “We usually get swamped with boxes of chocolates from clients and thought this year, we would ask them to donate to Rainbow‘s children’s hospice rather than us.”

The salon contacted its customers, inviting them to bring in donations of items, such as craft materials, clothing, or sensory toys.

Dobbin’s new home Salon collects toys Surgery extended

PLANS TO extend the Alpine House Surgery at 86 Rothley Road, Mountsorrel, have been approved.

An additional four consulting rooms will be provided, with a relocation of internal spaces to suit. Solar panels will be installed on the existing and new roof surfaces.

Details of the application can be seen on the planning pages of the Charnwood Borough Council website.

The planning reference is P/22/0949/2.

Do you write and wish to make the most of your creative work? Whether writing for yourself, friends and family, or a wider public, this course will enable you to identify your strengths, weaknesses, and skills as a writer. It will also encourage you to discover new techniques which will help any gaps in your technique to be resolved and improved upon. Taught by published writer and award-winning poet, Deborah Tyler-Bennett, the course passes on skills and techniques she's learned over a long and varied career.

Charles I Loses His Head: The English Civil War with Mark Barnard

Fri 20/01/23, 13:00 – 15:00, 7 sessions - Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, LE11 3EB - Fee £60.20 Ref: C2348414

On a blustery day in 1642, King Charles I raised the royal standard at Nottingham - so signalling the start of the first English Civil War.

Join me, Mark, to discover what led to one of the most turbulent times in England’s history – some of whose repercussions are still with us today.

The Vikings - with Aubrey Newman Mon 16/01/23, 10:30 – 12:00, 9 sessions - Rearsby Village Hall, 1851 Melton Road, Rearsby, LE7 4YS - Fee £58.05 Ref: C2348378

The Vikings – played an important part (both positively and negatively) in reshaping life in Western Europe, in Russia, in the North Atlantic, and in the Mediterranean area.

The course will discuss their impact on these areas and in particular how a small population had such a wide effect.

The WEA is a registered charity.

Mug & Mingle is a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to go and enjoy a hot beverage, chat, take part in activities and if needed get advice and support with any issues they may have.

It was established around eight months ago as we were starting to get back to some normality following Covid.

Organiser Anthony Marvin said: “It was there to help relieve some of the issues people were having around isolation, loneliness and anxiety of mixing with others again.

Since then, it has grown so much with people attending from across Mountsorrel and from neighbouring villages to access the support on offer, or just simply enjoy a lovely cuppa in the company of others.”

He added: “The sessions are a place for people to come and relax, either on their own or join in with others which is normally the case while enjoying one of the beverages on offer, some biscuits

number of activities such as dominos, scrabble, cards, crochet, crafts and much more. There are no age restrictions or mobility restrictions, as the space has disabled access and toilets.

and one of the various activities.”

Mug and Mingle has recently become a warm space in response to the cost of living crisis, which has had a huge impact on many people. A warm space is somewhere that people can go to escape the cost of having to put their heating on, therefore saving money on their energy bills. At mug and mingle, Anthony has provided not only a warm space but a space where people can access, WiFi, beverages, activities, support and information and establish new positive friendships all in a safe and friendly environment and, most importantly, for

Anthony said: “The cost of living crisis is impacting everyone, and I want to do what I can to help. Making mug and mingle a warm space was the first step. I have followed this by extending the opening hours so we now close at 2pm, providing cuppa soups so that those who attend can have something nutritious, free WiFi so that people can access the internet while with us and we provide free sanitary products for those who need them, as I believe period poverty should not be something to be worried about. My goal would be to open up on a more regular basis, so that more people could access Mug and Mingle and get the much-needed support.

“I couldn’t run Mug and Mingle without the amazing support of local volunteers Lisa and Nobby Clarke, my son Cade and of course Mountsorrel Parish Council who rent the Parish Rooms to us.”

Mug and Mingle runs every Wednesday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm at The Parish Rooms, Little Lane, Mountsorrel.

For information or enquiries, contact admin@lryfs.co.uk.

Mug & Mingle group Santa tours Rothley

SANTA AND his sleigh toured Rothley on December 10, raising £510.

The Leicester Round Table and Rothley School PTFA organised the tour, which raised funds for Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project, and the school PTFA.

Gardening club’s highlights

AS 2022 draws to a close, the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club can look back on a hugely successful 12 months.

It has been our first full year back after the pandemic and although there were serious doubts about the Club being able to pick up from the very strong position we had reached in March 2020, we need not have worried.

We had an encouraging end to 2021 and things bode well for this year but the ‘bounce back’ has taken us by surprise. We have seen a return of most of the membership through the year, with the addition of 15 new members.

We can boast a large list of fully paidup members which has given us a marvellous club night average attendance of 60.

Undoubtedly, our strong programme of events is the main ingredient for our

increase in members, but we have also successfully created a warm, friendly, relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel an integral part of the club.

Throughout the year we welcomed our usual array of top-class speakers with their full range of fascinating topics but the ‘icing on the cake’ was our August meeting when Jonathan Moseley, celebrated florist, gardener, broadcaster, and writer came to see us.

With Jonathan’s easy relaxed friendly style and a full house, it was a very special evening. We also ran a successful outing, in July, to the wonderful Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.

We now look forward to the programme of events for 2023.

An eye-catching poster will soon be available. Look out for it on local notice boards and in local garden centres in the New Year or contact: Dave Haddon (0116) 235 9758: david.haddon20@ntlworld.c om

Or Richard Elks (0116) 236 8313: cropston161@hotmail.co.uk Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club 2023 Programme of Events - Visiting Speakers and Trips Wed 11th January The Essentials of Gardening Wed 8th February East Midlands in Bloom

Wed 8th March The 12 Month Garden – Colour All Year Round

Wed 12th April Waving in the Wind - Grasses

Wed 10th May Plants for the Connoisseur

Wed 14th June Top 20 Tips from a former Head Gardener

Wed 12 July Club Outing – RHS Garden Bridgewater

Wed 9th August Herbs Through the Seasons

September: Annual Show; Club Outing: Anglesey Abbey Wed 11th October Trees for the Small Garden Wed 8th November Winter in Bloom

Wed 13th December Festive Evening

New members and visitors are always welcome

Still only £12 annual membership, £3 for visitors Meetings are held at the Thurcaston Memorial Hall, 7.45 pm From Thurcaston & Cropston Gardening Club

Rothley fitness studio

A PERSONAL training studio in Rothley was shortlisted for an award.

MH Studio on Fowke Street was shortlisted in the National Fitness Awards, the UK’s biggest free-to-enter fitness awards.

Matt Hall (pictured above), the founder of MH Studio, says, “Having the opportunity to even be a part of the National Fitness Awards is an absolutely amazing achievement for us and our community, and we are extremely honoured and excited to be one of the shortlisted finalists for the Best Newcomer award.

Rothley care home delivers toys

RESIDENTS AT Mountview care home in Rothley, operated by Ideal Carehomes, visited the Salvation Army recently, to donate a sack full of toys to their Christmas Present Appeal.

Each year, the Salvation Army collect new and unwrapped Christmas presents to distribute to local children who might not otherwise receive one.

This year, staff and residents from Mountview offered their support by asking their neighbours to donate Christmas toys, which they dropped off at the home on Loughborough Road.

A Salvation Army spokesperson said: “We are very grateful to Mountview for supporting our Christmas Present Appeal. It makes such a difference to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford Christmas at all, and to children who wouldn’t have any presents to open at Christmas without it.”

Staff and residents at Mountview took the gifts to donate to the Salvation Army church in Loughborough, where they were gratefully received.

93-year-old resident, Marian Foreman,

said: “It was lovely to meet so many different people, and to be able to give toys to those children in need this Christmas”.

Stacie Weaver, the Home Manager at Mountview, said: “It’s been great being

able to help make a difference.”

For more information, you can contact Mountview on 0116 303 3303, email mountview@idealcarehomes.co.uk or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk.

“After launching the studio during the pandemic, it has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience, especially as we have created a tight-knit and passionate studio community, helping one another to achieve our fitness goals.”

The club was shortlisted in the Best Newcomer category, at the annual event which recognises excellence and achievement in gyms throughout the country.

MH Studio is a specialist 1-2-1 personal training and small group facility providing tailored client-focused training in a boutique studio environment.

www.mhstudio.co.uk

Pic: Mountview residents dropping off toys at the Salvation Army

Pics: Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire