Rothley Post (160) May/Jun 2023

THE ROTHLEY POST

Y O U R F R E E C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R Delivered to Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston

Joe’s Jog & Rothley 10k in June

FAMILIES AND young children are once again invited to join a charity mile-long fun run to support the work of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

Joe’s Jog, now in its 8th year, will take place before the Mattioli Woods Rothley 10k running event which takes place in Rothley on Tuesday June 6, at 6.15pm.

The inclusive and family-friendly fun run gives families and children aged seven and over the chance to be part of the Rothley 10k evening. It also raises awareness of the vital work of the JHMT.

Joe was 14 when he collapsed and died suddenly while out jogging near his Rothley home in October 2012.

He was a victim of SADS –sudden arrhythmic death syndrome – an inherited heart condition which can strike anyone at any time, particularly otherwise fit and healthy young people under 35 years of age.

Since Joe’s death, his family and friends have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of SADS and sudden heart deaths. They set up the JHMT to provide free CPR training, help fund community defibrillators and campaign for a better understanding of SADS. The charity also runs the Inspire Awards, a small grants scheme that helps inspire young people to fulfil their potential.

Steve Humphries, chair of the JHMT, said: “It was really uplifting to see so many people of all ages and abilities turn out on masse last year when Joe’s Jog returned following the Covid pandemic. We are really looking forward to

Parish picnic & fete

A PARISH picnic to celebrate the King’s coronation will be held at All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston on Sunday May 7, from 1 – 3pm.

The picnic will be held in the Church Garden, and visitors will be greeted with a celebration peal of bells from the tower from 12.30pm.

This is an event for everyone, so bring your own picnic and join the celebrations for the coronation of our new King.

There will be games for the children and those young at heart, and visitors will be entertained by patriotic music from the handbell ringers.

Hot drinks and cake will be available. If the weather is poor, the event will move into the church. Organisers are determined not to let a drop of rain dampen the celebrations.

Martin Tibbles

another great turnout on Tuesday 6 June 2023.

“The event is perfect for everyone, from babies in buggies to mums and dads and carers taking part with their children and friends. It’s also good to see the fun run is so popular with local scouts and guides' groups, junior sports clubs and schools. You can run, walk or jog but most importantly you just enjoy taking part! This event brings people together in memory of Joe and helps to raise vital funds for JHMT's ongoing work to reduce the incidence of sudden arrhythmic death

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A very special peal will be rung from the Tower on Monday May 8 from 10am. All Saints’ Garden Fete in the Church, Churchyard and Harrison Room will be held on Saturday June 10, from 1 - 4pm.

There will be zip wire teddies, various stalls including tombola, raffle, bric-abrac & books, and a plant stall with annuals, perennials, shrubs and vegetables. Homemade cakes and preserves will be on sale.

Visitors can relax with tea and cake whilst listening to QUO, not Status, but the Quorn Ukulele Orchestra, and the Marydene Guitar Society.

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Followuson Facebook& Instagram

Pic: Children & families running in the Joe’s Jog event

Alpine House Surgery

86 Rothley Rd, Mountsorrel, Loughborough LE12 7JU Tel: 0116 216 9947

Access changes & registrations

Registrations

Our patient list is always open for new registrations. If you are new to the area or want to consider registration with Alpine House, we are here for you. We also welcome previous patients who may have moved from the area and are returning, or perhaps considering a change and want to return. We are continually striving to offer inclusive care and welcome all to our surgery. For our boundary areas, please see our website www.alpinehousesurgery.co.uk

Please contact us if you wish to register or pop into the surgery and speak to one of our reception team.

Access Changes

You may be aware of recent media coverage of expected changes to the way you access your GP surgery. We welcome this news and want to share what the changes mean to you and us.

The purpose of the change is to remove the requirement for patients to call at 8am to secure an appointment

The purpose of the change is to remove the requirement for patients to call at 8am to secure an appointment and

Patient Participation Group

You may also be interested to know that we have a PPG (Patient Participation Group). The purpose of the PPG is to facilitate good relations between the GP Practice and patients by working collaboratively and positively with the practice to improve services and facilities for patients.

GP practices across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are looking for local people to volunteer to join their Patient Participation Group (PPG) to help them to improve the lives of their patients.

Alpine House is currently recruiting Volunteers to join their Patient Participation Group

What is the PPG?

The aim of the PPG is to facilitate good relations between the GP Practice and pa-

remove the instruction to call back the next day at 8am once appointments have been taken.

It has also been recognised that we simply do not have an unlimited resource of appointments available and the focus must always be on patient and staff safety and appropriate use of appointments. In order for us to achieve this, we have been instructed by the government to carry out an “assessment of need” with every patient who contacts the surgery, and offer an appropriate appointment with one of our clinicians: this may be, a paramedic, a pharmacist, a physicians associate, GP or nurse, or we will signpost to an appropriate service. Our target is to get you to the right clinician or signpost you within two weeks.

This means that we need to ask you for a brief description of the problem you are calling with in order to help get

tients by working collaboratively and positively with the practice to improve services and facilities for patients.

Please note the PPG is not a forum for personal or individual complaints. These should be directed via the normal surgery complaints channel.

The group meet on a regular basis (approx. every 4-6 weeks) at Alpine House Surgery in the evening. One of our GP partners also attends each meeting.

We are currently recruiting members who feel they have the qualities to make a positive contribution to the group. Please note the PPG is not a Governing Body.

We welcome volunteers of any age (over 18), ethnicity and community and as a group, we aim to be representative and inclusive.

If you would like to apply, please contact Andrea McGarry (Asst Practice Manager) at andrea.mcgarry@nhs.net or register your interest on our website.

We will then send you a short application

you to the right clinician at the right time or signpost you to the most appropriate service. It must also be noted that if the surgery reaches capacity, then you may be signposted to the nearest walk-in centre or asked to call 111.

Our reception staff are highly trained to help you navigate the system and have access to clinicians for advice should this be needed. You do not have to tell the receptionist why you are calling, but you will be asked for a brief description of your problem. Please refrain from being rude or angry towards our staff as they are following instructions and doing their absolute best to help you.

We are also aware that although these changes are very welcome, it means you may be holding on a call for longer, however, please remember that now you can call any time of the day, and you don’t have to wait in a queue at 8am to secure an appointment.

If the clinician of your choice is not available on the same day you call and your need is routine and not urgent, you can pre-book an appointment, this could be more than two weeks, routine appointments are available up to six weeks in advance. It is also still your choice to call back the following day if you wish, this is your choice.

We thank all of our patients for your support and kindness whilst we implement the access changes, and as always, we welcome comments and suggestions from our patients.

form to complete.

“By joining my PPG, I’m able to help patients who may be struggling to access GP services and talk them through how they can make the most of the GP services” Alan, PPG member at Barwell and Hollycroft Medical Centres.

What’s in it for you?

As well as helping to improve services you’ll make new friends, meet new people from all walks of life, learn new skills and gain new experiences.

To find out more information about the PPG and other volunteering opportunities in the NHS please visit:Website: www.leicesterleicestershireandrutlandhwp. uk/volunteering/

Broadnook’s new junctions

WORK TO construct the new junctions on the A6 north of Birstall to allow access to the 1950 home Broadnook Garden suburb began in January and will be completed by May 2024.

A new roundabout will be constructed on the A6 giving access to the new development. A second access roundabout will be created 100m to the west. Immediately to the south of the ac-

cess will be parcel one of the new development, 725 new homes.

Developers Davidsons will be building the first phase in this parcel, 109 homes, located at the main entrance to the Broadnook Garden Suburb. These new homes will be the first buildings, streets and spaces people will see when they arrive at the garden suburb.

Work to create an access route for developers to begin work on site is expected to be completed by July 2023.

Pics: street scenes of the phase 1 development

Items are needed for all the stalls, so if you are having a spring clear out, please put suitable things to one side ready to bring down to the church or ring Jane on 0116 2352226.

If you are planting at home, please do a few extrao of both flowers and vegetables for the plant stall. Homemade cakes and preserves are very welcome.

The organisers will be setting up on Friday evening June 9, from 5 - 7pm, and are happy to receive items at the church at this time.

Jog continued from page 1

syndrome (SADS) in young people.

“We are also delighted that another dear friend and supporter of JHMT, Anthony Rowe, the former Leicester Riders player and now Sky Sports commentator and wealth management consultant, has accepted an invitation to come along and start the fun run this year.”

The event will start at 6.15pm in Woodgate in Rothley. Advance entry costs £5 for adults and £4 for children. Onthe-day entry costs £10 for adults and £6 for children.

The run is open to people of all ages and abilities, though juniors running without parental supervision need to be at least seven years old. Families are also welcome to run or walk the course with smaller children in buggies.

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

To take part in Joe’s Jog, enter online at: http://jhmt.org.uk/joes-jog

To find out more about the Trust’s work, to get involved as a volunteer, or to learn how to apply for the Inspire Awards or CPR training for your sports club, visit www.jhmt.org.uk

More information about the Mattioli Woods Rothley 10k is available at www.rothley10k.com

Clear Ear Services

Phone 07936 899 855

Mobile ear syringing service (we come to you!)

Professional, Friendly, Experienced & Qualified Nurses, Fiona and Vanessa

£40 all inclusive price

PHASE 1: 109 NEW HOMES

Picnic continued from page 1

Oscar is mum’s pride and joy

A ROTHLEY mother, who describes Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People as the most supportive place she has ever been in her life, is asking people in Leicestershire to support it by giving a donation.

Chelsea Thurman’s five-yearold son, Oscar, was starved of oxygen at birth due to complications. This led to brain damage and Chelsea was told Oscar wasn’t going to survive.

After six days in intensive care at Leicester Royal Infirmary Chelsea was advised to remove his life support as nothing further could be done to save little Oscar.

“I made the decision to turn the life support off and let him go peacefully as I thought that would be

appeared to be doing all the things any baby does. He was feeding fine and didn’t need his oxygen anymore.”

As the weeks went by, and once back at their Rothley home, Chelsea was aware Oscar wasn’t meeting his milestones. He was then diagnosed with West Syndrome, which is a severe infantile

epilepsy syndrome and a consequence of the brain damage at birth.

Chelsea says although he is five, Oscar is like a three-month-old baby. He is unable to move around or talk and he is registered blind. He needs round-theclock care from Chelsea and her fiancé, Tom.

“I guess it isn’t a bad age to be trapped in,” said Chelsea. “He is very happy and loves spending time listening to music,

making noises and kicking. Although he is blind, he will spend ages looking at lights. He has fibre optic lights and disco lights and he loves them.

“Oscar is very happy and always smiling. After years of crying, I never thought he would be able to smile but he can. He just laughs and he is so innocent because he doesn’t understand his pain.”

Like many of the children and young people who go to Rainbows, Oscar’s condition means he is unable to eat. Chelsea and Tom supported Rainbows’ Easter campaign, which encourages people to donate the value of an Easter egg to the hospice, rather than a chocolate egg.

Unfortunately, around 80 per cent of the babies, children and young people who go to Rainbows are unable to eat because of the complex medical conditions they have. This is due to dysphagia which is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Those that access Rainbows with dysphagia will often be tube fed through a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy straight into their stomach, meaning treats such as chocolate are not suitable.

“It is really lovely that people so kindly want to donate Easter treats to Rainbows but it would be so much more beneficial

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The Gardeners’ Nursery

Pics: Oscar in the pool with his mum & (top)in a music therapy session at Rainbows

Dementia project

Celebrating 70 years together

FORGETFUL

FRIENDS, Rothley Dementia Project, will be starting soon, and there is an introductory meet-up on Wednesday, May 24, from 4.30-5.30pm, at Rothley Community Library.

“I have dementia, I’m still me, and I have a meaningful life.” “I want to get rid of the stigma around dementia.” “I want to meet up with other people who have dementia so that we can support each other.”

The group will be part of DEEP, Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project, a UK-wide network which connects groups to each other to magnify the views, hopes and intentions of people with dementia. If any of these apply to you, or if you’d like to support the project, come along or contact rothley.dementia.project@gmail.com.

A THURCASTON couple have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.

John (91) and Janice Garner (90) were married 70 years ago at Saint Peters Church in Belgrave.

They have lived in Thurcaston for more than 40 years.

The couple met at infant school, aged 5, and became friends. They lost touch at secondary school but ran into each other again in their teens at the College of Art & Technology in Leicester, where they were both students. Janice was training to be a shorthand typist, and John was studying engineering.

John spent most of his working life as an engineer at Mountsorrel. For 24 years, Janice was the clerk at Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council, retiring in 2010.

They have two children, Steven and Andrew, five grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren.

Janice said: “We had been together for so long and were so happy together, and John’s national service was coming up – that was why we married.”

John was a keen motorcyclist

and, with Janice on the back, they took holidays all over the country while they were courting.

Their advice for a newly married couple: don’t think of yourself, think of the other one; take it seriously because it’s for life, and plan for the future.

The couple celebrated their anniversary with a get-together for friends and family at the Rothley Court Hotel on March 21, attended by the best man and bridesmaids that were at their wedding 70 years ago.

Continued from page 4

for everyone if people donated the cost of an Easter egg instead,” said Chelsea. “The services provided by Rainbows are incredible and sadly so expensive. Any help towards the costs of running Rainbows would be so much more appreciated by families like ours.”

When Oscar visits Rainbows now, he is joined by his three-year-old sister, Mila and eight-month-old brother, Teddy.

Chelsea added: “As well as Oscar, Mila really loves Rainbows and that is making a difference for us. Their being together is bringing out the best in everyone and we see it as a fun place. For me, it is a break. I love the food, I can relax more and I can enjoy doing the nice things with my children.

“Looking forward, we take every day as it comes. In the past, I have dealt with things badly. I didn’t like people staring at us but now I don’t care. Oscar is my pride and joy and I am happy to show him off.”

To donate to Rainbows, visit rainbows.co.uk/donate

Pics: John & Janice Garner today, and on their wedding day

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on March 20.

It was reported that antisocial behaviour has started again in the village, and incidents have been reported to the police. They are patrolling the areas around the library, sports pavilion, and Fowke Street playing fields.

Borough Councillor Mark Charles reported that he had attended a meeting of the Broadnook Foundation. The first houses will be ready in 2024, and until a separate parish is established for Broadnook, any houses built would fall under the precept of the relevant parish.

The council agreed to a request from Freedom Active for a small plot of land to grow vegetables at the Fowke Street playing field.

It was agreed to increase the rent that Rothley Ivanhoe tennis club pays for the Geoffrey Wood Pavilion by 10%.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on Monday April 17.

It was reported that the police have issued a final warning to a young person in the village in relation to antisocial behaviour and graffiti.

A planning application for the Broadnook Garden Suburb includes a plan to move a bridleway on Rothley golf course. The council agreed to object.

The council agreed to spend £2500 on floral displays in the village.

Council agreed to spend £35,000 on the refurbishment of the toilets at the Village Hall, which will include a new disabled toilet and baby changing facility. The Harry Hames charity has agreed to award a grant of £20,000 towards the costs.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on February 13.

It was reported that one person has been arrested and charged following a burglary in Thurcaston. One theft has been reported in Cropston.

It was reported that 70 people attended the film showing in February at the Memorial Hall.

The council agreed to plant a tree in Jubilee Park together with a plaque, to commemorate the coronation of King Charles.

The council agreed to adopt the NALC civility and respect pledge.

It was agreed to spend £170 replacing the surface of two noticeboards in the village, on Rectory Lane, Thurcaston, and on Station Road, Cropston.

A full meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on Monday, March 13.

It was reported that the overall profit for the financial year of the Parish film night was £1006.

The council agreed to raise interment fees at the cemetery from April 1, 2023.

It was agreed to spend £230 on the oak tree and plaque to commemorate the coronation of King Charles.

It was agreed to spend £90 on the three plaques for wildflower verge signage.

The following report from the parish council’s Open Spaces Committee was

presented at the Parish Meeting on April 17.

Sandham Bridge / Mill Race Bridge

Restoration works have now been completed to Sandham Bridge by James Rowley. This has included replacing the lime mortar in between the stones on the walls, parapets and pedestrian cutwaters. The flagstones forming the floor of the bridge were also cleared of weeds, and repaired or replaced where necessary.

Advice has been sought from James re. the best way to restore the surface of Mill Race Bridge which is now also owned by the Parish Council. A working party successfully removed the vegetation last year which exposed the original stone, but this has made the footpath across the bridge very uneven, necessitating a cautionary sign advising pedestrians to use an alternative route around the bridge.

Ongoing weeding of both bridges is to be arranged by the OS group.

The Willow tree in the pond under Mill Race Bridge needs to be cut back again and the stump treated so that it can eventually be removed in a piecemeal fashion. At present it is too large to remove by tractor or digger and would cause substantial damage to the surrounding area. The use of eco-friendly stump plugs is to be investigated to ensure the protection of the surrounding watercourse.

Wildflower Verge, Leicester Road Cropston

Following a very successful first season in 2022, there will be ongoing maintenance of the verge to ensure optimal growth of wildflowers. This involves just one cut of the grass in the autumn and the removal of the clippings. Yellow Rattle seeds were scattered over the area last year to help prevent vigorous regrowth of grass, thus allowing the wildflowers to grow through more easily. Routine surveys, conducted by local resident Peter Smith have revealed a total of 40 different species of plants and grasses to date, including Lady’s Bedstraw, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Field Woodrush and Germander Speedwell. Nine species of insects have also been identified including Common Blue Butterfly, Birch Catkin Bug and Buff-tailed Bumblebee. Several articles, kindly submitted by Peter, have appeared in the Parish magazine and all results sent to NatureSpot, the recording database website for Leicestershire and Rutland.

Signs have been placed on the verge to alert the public and contractors to the fact that this verge is now part of the Wildflower Verge scheme.

Jubilee Park Biodiversity Project

Further to a successful bid for a SHIRE Environment Grant, the Jubilee Park Biodiversity Project is progressing well. The park received its first mowing at the beginning of April, in which areas were marked out between wide grass paths for tree planting and meadow species.

A working group consisting of councillors Michael Jackson, Matt Green and Sue Graham and community volunteers John Cole and Dave Jones completed the planting of 100 saplings over the course

of three days at the beginning of April 2023. These saplings were kindly donated free of charge by the Woodland Trust's 'Trees for Schools and Communities Project’. Additional trees will be purchased using some of the SHIRE Grant money. The site will be monitored by councillors and community volunteers to help ensure the survival of the trees.

Temporary signage has been put in place to inform visitors of the background of the project. Ultimately, the intention is to install four permanent information boards about the wildlife of the Park, a ‘Welcome to Jubilee Park’ sign and a finger post off Latimer Road directing visitors to Jubilee Park.

Wildlife, community input and public usage of the park will be recorded on a monthly basis over the course of the project (i.e. to end Feb 2024) as part of the conditions of the SHIRE Grant application.

The current recreational areas comprising the children’s play area, football area and basketball post will continue to be maintained in their entirety.

Friends of Jubilee Park

As part of the SHIRE Grant, it is intended to set up a ‘Friends of Jubilee Park’ to help with any tasks going forward, and for general monitoring of the Park / reporting any damage etc. All volunteers are welcome.

Platinum Jubilee Oak

An official commemoration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Oak Tree took place on October 26, with the children of Richard Hill School in attendance, including the two prize winners of the Jubilee Park competition, together with the Deputy Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Margaret Smidowicz, the new Vicar of All Saints Church (Thurcaston with Cropston), the Reverend Matthew Gough, Marianne Lane, Mark Charles, Sylvia Cole, Michael Jackson, Andy Sharp, Sue Graham and the Editor of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Magazine and photographer Richard Bradley. The area was strimmed and tidied beforehand by Contractor Jamie Torrance and a commemorative wooden plaque was installed. Sylvia kindly submitted an article about the commemoration to the Rothley Post and Your Local magazines.

Queen’s Green Canopy

The Platinum Jubilee Oak Tree is now officially recognised and mapped as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme.

King Charles III Coronation Oak Tree

An Oak tree to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III was planted in Jubilee Park in March 2023 by Jamie Torrance and a plaque, similar in format to that produced for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, will be installed shortly.

Jubilee Park Childrens Playground Equipment

This is currently under review to see what can be repaired/renewed with available funding.

Parish Noticeboards

Some noticeboards, including the one near the Bradgate Arms Pub on Station Road, have deteriorated in recent years to the point where it has become difficult to attach notices to the disintegrating cork. Cllr Matt Green has kindly refurbished the boards, by replacing the cork and repainting the frames.

Future Plans for the OS Committee

The aspirations cited below (although not an exhaustive list) will be subject to the availability of funding and/or appropriate grants being obtained:

Street Furniture

A review of dog waste bins, seats and bus shelters will be conducted, and action taken to improve these if deemed necessary.

Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project

A project run by Linda Cook, offering hedgehog gates for urban fencing across the Parish to help this rapidly declining species, will be pursued. An impressive list of 58 PCs have already signed up across the county, including some closer to home, such as Burbage, Cosby, Mountsorrel, Misterton, Thurlaston and Leicester Forest East.

Expansion of Wildflower Verge Scheme

To be considered in future depending upon the success of the pilot scheme verge, Station Rd.

Parish Trail

A booklet produced by the Thurcaston and Cropston History Society some years ago detailed a walk around the two villages, giving some excellent background information on our most familiar areas and buildings. It is hoped that the OS Committee can expand on this in future and produce a number of information boards around the villages to complement this booklet.

Parish Signs

Decorative village signs, helping to reinforce the identity of our parish will be looked into for possible installation at the main entrances to Thurcaston and Cropston.

Ideas from our Parishioners

Thoughts and observations from our local residents on how we can enhance our open spaces are always welcome, and can be reported to the OS Committee via our Parish Clerk Marianne Lane on tel: 0116 2367626, email clerk@thurcastonandcropston.org.uk, address: Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston, Leicester, LE7 7JA.

Wildflower planting

AN ADDITIONAL area for wildflower planting has been ‘adopted’ by the Parish Council.

The site, on Hallfields Lane, has been planted by volunteers with Black Knapweed, Oxeye Daisies, and Lady’s Bed-

Parish council elections

ROTHLEY PARISH Council has one vacancy following the May 2023 local elections.

Local government elections are held every four years, and those wishing to become councillors for the new term of office must be nominated.

There are 10 seats on Rothley Parish council, and 9 people were nominated. This means an election is not required, and the 9 are elected unopposed, becoming councillors on May 9. Elected unopposed to Rothley Parish Council were: Andrew Brettle, Hannah Feeley, Michael Ferguson, Roger Gross, Graham Hall, Percy Hartshorn, Steve Mitchell, Barry Simons and Christine Watts.

THURCASTON & Cropston Parish Council has one vacancy following the May 2023 local elections.

Local government elections are held every four years, and those wishing to become councillors for the new term of office must be nominated.

There are 6 seats on Thurcaston & Cropston Parish council, and 5 people were nominated. This means an election is not required, and the 5 are elected unopposed, becoming councillors on May 9.

Elected unopposed to Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council were: (Cropston ward) Sue Graham, Michael Jackson.

(Thurcaston Ward) Mark Charles, Sylvia Cole, Matthew Green.

The new councils will elect a chair and vice-chair at their first meeting in May.

straw, along with some Foxgloves and Hollyhocks.

The project received advice from Leicestershire County Council and Nature Spot, an environmental support group.

This now brings the areas currently managed by the wildflower volunteers to four: the junction of Town Green St and Hallfields Lane, Hallfields Lane (next to Bunney’s Field), Mountsorrel Lane play area and the area by the wall of the Woodman’s Stroke.

THE CLOCK on Rothley Parish church has been restored.

Many will have noticed that the two clock faces on the church tower have been without hands for several months. This has been while permissions to repair the clock has been given and appropriate new parts manufactured.

On April 26, 2023 Time Assured Ltd –the company which maintains the clock –returned and refixed the clock hands, using ropes to access each of the clock faces.

The clock should now both keep good time and also strike correctly each hour.

Rothley singers in concert

ROTHLEY SINGERS will be joining with the Quorn Singers once again at a free concert at Mountsorrel Memorial Centre on Sunday May 21, at 7pm

With a theme around hopes and dreams, and a varied programme which includes operatic choruses, musical theatre, and popular classics, there’s something for everyone.

This is the third concert by the choir at Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, which has been sponsored by Pauline and Ron Needham, to raise funds Cancer Research UK.

It’s a free concert but you will need a ticket which you can get from Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, from any choir member, by calling 07762 154900 or by

can also

Noticeboard

all details printed free

An Evening of Summer Music

At All Saints’ Church Thurcaston

Friday June 16, 7 for 7.30pm

Sit back, relax and enjoy an evening of entertainment by the singing quartet Cantare and Jude Richardson, a classical and jazz pianist.

Songs will be interspersed with the All Saints’ Handbell ringers

Tickets are £10 for adults, children free. They are available from: Jane Westby mowestby@virginmedia.com or 0116 2352226, Eleanor Lloyd Jones eleanorlj@aol.com or 0116 2362503 and Carolyn Muggleton carolynam62@yahoo.co.uk

Rothley Bowls Club

Open Day

Sunday May 28, 1 - 4pm

Interested in trying bowls? Come along and try for FREE.

Available for all ages

Good fun and good exercise

All you need is flat shoes

This event is part of Bowls England's Big Bowls Weekend

Queen’s Park in Loughborough

Bandstand Concerts

All concerts start at 2pm and are free to attend

Residents of all ages are invited to come down to Queen’s Park and enjoy an afternoon of music on the following dates:

Sunday May 14 - LSU Classical

Concert Band

Sunday June 11 - Loughborough

Salvation Army Band

Sunday June 25 - Loughborough

Concert Band

Sunday July 2 - Melbourne Town

Band

Sunday July 16 - Loughborough

Male Voice Choir

Sunday July 23 - Charnwood Concert Band

Sunday August 6 - The New Orleans Hotshots Jazz Band

Queen’s Park Café, situated next to Charnwood Museum, will be open from 9.30am until 2.30pm so visitors can get some refreshments before each performance

Free IT help!

2.30-4.30pm

Fourth Monday Every Month

Rothley Library

Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PS

No Need To Book – Just Drop In!

Free “Drop In” session from Age UK to help you use a smartphone, tablet, I-Pad or laptop computer.

Never used a computer? No problem!

We can lend one to get you started!

0116 204 5117 digitalchampions@ageukleics.org. uk

Art Exhibition & Sale by local artist Rita Cowham

Saturday 20 May 2023 11am – 5pm at Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, LE4 4DH

Free - optional entry donation to Rainbows Children’s Hospice

The Charnwood Orchestra

End of season concert

June 24, 2023, 7.30pm

Church of St James the Greater, London Road, Leicester LE2 1NE Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien, Glazunov: Violin Concerto - Soloist Seb Wyss –Shostakovich: Symphony No.6 Tickets can be reserved in advance by emailing tickets@chanrnwoodorchestra.org .uk

for more options please visit, www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk

The Arts Society Charnwood

Are you interested in the Arts: Pictures, Architecture, Silver, Furniture, Jewellery, Sculpture and more? Then come along with your friends and hear monthly, evening hour long lectures held in Quorn given by nationally renowned speakers.

Please contact Mervyn Greenhalgh: mervyngreenhalgh@hotmail.com

Friday Night Films in Thurcaston

“Mrs Harris goes to Paris” (May 12, 115 mins)

In our May life-affirming drama comedy, Oscar nominee, Lesley Manville, plays a widowed cleaning lady who, in the course of her duties, falls madly in love with Lady Dant’s Christian Dior dress. With the help of her late husband’s war pension, Ada Harris ventures to Paris to buy the luxurious dress of her dreams. This is a delightful “rags to regalia” tale that you should not miss.

“The Lost King” (June 9, 108 mins)

With Leicester director Stephen Frears, our June UK film is an incredible Leicester story which is nearly all true. Over five hundred years after the last Plantagenet King, Richard III, was slain at the Battle of Bosworth, Phillippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, became convinced that she had discovered his resting place. This is the story of her resourceful and exciting research.

“Operation Mincemeat” will be shown on September 8.

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 buy in advance from:

Richard 0116 2363 066 or Diana 0116 2362 619

Mountsorrel celebrates the Coronation

Free firework display

Saturday May 6, 2023

Memorial playing fields

Cricket pavilion open from 8 pm with bar

Fireworks at 9pm

Children’s Royal fancy dress competition with prizes

Ages 2–11 years

Bring your own table, chairs and refreshments.

Event sponsored, and provided by Mountsorrel Parish Council

Leicester Symphony Orchestra

'Summer Enigma'

Join the Leicester Symphony Orchestra for an afternoon of glorious music!

Sunday May 21, 3pm at De Montfort Hall

Borodin: Prince Igor overture Elgar: Enigma Variations

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4

Tickets £20, £16, £5, family £42 & £35 www.demontforthall.co.uk

Birstall Flower Club

Wednesday May 24, 2023

Birstall Village Hall 7.15pm

Demonstrator: Louisa Rigden

Title: Regal Flowers

Visitors £5

Queries to: Sylvia 0116 267 4206 or Carol 0116 267 1437

Rothley Singers & Quorn singers

Spring Concert

Hopes and Dreams

Sunday, May 21, 7pm

Mountsorrel Memorial Centre

In aid of cancer, research UK

Free concert with retiring collection

Tickets (free) are required and are available from Mountsorrel Memorial Centre

Any choir member www.charnwoodcommunitysingers .com or 0776 215 4900

Bradgate Sewing Circle

Invite you to their Open Morning to be held on Tuesday 16th May 2023 from 10am to 12 noon at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7PR

Display of Patchwork & Quilting, Knitting and Crafts Raffle, Crafts for Sale

Admission £1 to include Tea/Coffee and Biscuits

St Leonard's Church, Swithland invite you to their Red, White & 'Bluebell Service'

News from Rothley library

Rothley Library

Current opening hours

Monday: 2.30 – 4.30pm

Tuesday: 2.30 – 4.30pm

Wednesday: 2.30 – 4.30pm

Thursday: 10am – 12noon, & 2.30 –4.30pm

Saturday: 10am – 2pm

• Coronation closure arrangements.

So that the Library volunteers can watch the Coronation, the building will be closed on Saturday May 6, and will also not be open on Monday May 8 (Bank Holiday)

• Book Group

Weds May 10: 7 – 8pm ‘Dawn’ by Octavia Butler

Weds June 14: 7 – 8pm ‘Black Diamonds: Rise & Fall of an English Dynasty by Catherine Bailey’

• Yarn Craft Group.

This meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Bring your own knitting, crochet or anything else ‘yarny’. Help each other with those tricky bits. Exchange ideas and knowledge. Have a cuppa and chat. £1 per person, payable towards the running costs of the library.

• Chess Club

This meets every Thursday 2.30 –4.30pm. Open to all, beginners to advanced.

on Sunday 7th May at 3pm in Swithland Woods by the Great Pit with the Leicester Cathedral Choir

All donations for the Air Ambulance Charity

The Rothley History Society

You are invited to join our meetings at The Rothley Centre at 7.30pm on the following dates:

Wednesday 17th May

"Charnwood Slate Gravestones &

• LEGO Club

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

• Under 5s sessions

During term time there will be WEEKLY sessions every Tuesday & Friday morning 9.30 – 10.30am. Stories, songs and crafts! All welcome. No need to book. £1 per family. Term-time only. Please note that due to the popularity of these sessions, parents are politely requested to only come to one session each week and not both.

• Real Refills van Saturdays May 6 & June 3.

On the first Saturday of each month, the Real Refills van will be in the Library

There will be a BIG BOOK SALE of adult and children’s fiction books on Saturday June 3. These are books that

opening hours.

People volunteer on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis and we offer training at a time and date to suit you. Over the past eight years since becoming a community library, some of the best things the volunteers have said are that they enjoy their shifts, working with the public and have enjoyed making new friends. Contact us via the email below if you are interested in volunteering or want more information info@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk

A more detailed article on volunteering appears elsewhere in this edition.

have been kindly donated to the library and their sale will raise valuable funds towards library running costs. These will be on sale at 50p each or a bargain 3 for £1!

• Thinking of hiring a space?

Please note that the library can be hired out when it is not open for public use. Already a number of local groups are hiring the space for their activities at very reasonable prices. Why not enquire next time you are in the library?

• Book Boxes.

The white library book boxes which are in many outdoor spaces have been cleaned and will be restocked with children’s books by the beginning of May.

• The Great Big Green Week

This event will be held nationwide between June 10-18. The library will be supporting the local environmental groups to help celebrate and support the event. Check the library website for further details.

BRADGATE SEWING Circle consists of a group of ladies who meet at The Rothley Centre each Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am to sew, knit, cross stitch, embroider and socialise over a cup of coffee and biscuits.

Formed some 36 years ago, we were predominantly a quilting group, but numbers have dwindled over the past three years due to Covid, and we would welcome new members to come along and bring their crafts.

We are a friendly group, and you will find us willing to help each other with our work.

We are holding an Open Morning on Tuesday May 16, 2023, from 10am to 12 noon at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR and invite you to come along and join us for a coffee or tea and see what we

Enjoy a stroll in parish gardens

IS THE CORONATION just a memory?

The flags, bunting and picnic baskets have returned to the back of the cupboard- are you feeling in need of a weekend pick me up? Luckily for you, Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens is returning just in time, on the weekend of June 24 and 25.

Whatever the weather, gardeners in Thurcaston and Cropston will be throwing open their garden gates, pulling out the odd weed or two, topping up the pond, and coaxing their most reluctant blooms into action. All for your delight.

Spend Saturday and Sunday afternoons sharing the trials, challenges, and triumphs of local gardens, and meet the enthusiastic gardeners who are opening their gardens for your pleasure. Come and chat, wander through paths and over lawns, seek inspiration and ideas, or simply relax and enjoy the hidden treasures behind the garden gates.

For more than 10 years, gardeners in Thurcaston and Cropston have opened their gardens on the last weekend in

June. Your £5 entrance fee will go straight to support The Air Ambulance Service. What tremendous value, £5 for two afternoon’s entertainment and interest.

Some gardens will have refreshments to offer: cake, books, and plants to buy, all supporting a range of charitable

Letters of hope

EVERYONE IS invited to the Library on Saturday June 17, to write a ‘Letter to Tomorrow’.

Many people in Rothley are concerned about climate change, and lots of them actively help Rothley be as green as possible. The Sustainable Rothley group supports this, including joining in Great Big Green Week activities.

This year’s theme is to write a letter to a loved one in the future to call for political action on climate change now.

The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. It was first launched in

2021 by The Climate Coalition to demonstrate the fantastic efforts happening in support of action on climate and nature loss. In the library, there will be help there to write a letter, or you may have written your own. You can find out more information at www.greatbiggreenweek.com.

We can upload letters to the Great Big Green Week website, and we can organise sending all the letters to our MP.

Letters to Tomorrow will explain your hopes for future generations if our leaders step up to protect the environment –and your fears about what life could be like if we don’t slow down climate change. Your letter could be to your friend, child or even your future self. Any questions – please contact Alison at alisonjriggall@gmail. com. Hope to see you there - Saturday June 17, 10am –2pm at Rothley Library.

From Sustainable Rothley

interests.

Come and join us, we love to see you all.

For more information about this event, please have a look at our website www.tcog.org.uk or contact Linda on 0116 2363872 or email linda@tcog.org.uk

From the gardeners

Genuine & professional electrician

Paul Lewin

Electrical Services

2 Farmer's Way Rothley Call Paul on 07980923406

All electrical work / upgrade consumer Units - circuit boards additional Sockets / lights garden electrics

Internet camera's supplied and installed To work on smart phones / tablets etc From any location

Intruder alarms installed, Service and Maintain your existing system

Expert electrical fault finding and Testing. Certificates and reports

www.ples.co.uk

Join the team of library volunteers

YOUR COMMUNITY library would love to have you as part of its team of volunteer helpers!

Have you any time to help support Rothley Community Library?

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

New coffee shop

NORTH'S DELI and Patisserie on Station Road, Rothley has opened a coffee shop.

The coffee shop is open MondayFriday from 10am - 4pm and Saturday from 9am - 4pm, we are serving breakfast, brunch, light lunches and afternoon tea.

A spokesperson said: “As you would expect from North's, our food is made fresh, daily and in-house.

We are also proud to be supporting as many local suppliers as possibleour St Martin's coffee has already received rave reviews!

Table reservations can be made by calling 0116 2302263 or just call in.

a number of ways.

We are always looking to increase the numbers of people we have to help in the library during 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 just sign up on a rota to help when it suits you. We offer training at a time and date to suit you also!

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 when you start from the other team members who are already confident with the roles.

We have one-off events too, such as the book sale, where extra pairs of hands to help out are always welcome

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

Please get in touch on:

info@rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk

We would love to hear from you so that this great community asset can continue to run and develop.

From Rothley Community Library

The next issue of THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on July 7. The copy deadline is June 23.

Pics: Visitors enjoying the gardens

History society

AT THE March 2023 meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston local history society, we were privileged to listen to a talk on Conscientious Objectors and the Peace Campaign in Leicestershire given by Jess Jenkins, supported by her husband Robin, both of whom were, until recently, members of the leadership team at the Leicestershire Record Office.

Jess has a particular interest in the history of protest. She is also the author of ‘The Burning Question: the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage in Leicestershire’, and of “Nursing in Serbia with Lady Paget in 1915”, an account of Flora Scott, a Leicester nurse who volunteered overseas during the First World War.

Jess began her talk by referring to the fact some religious leaders headed up the protests to Britain engaging in WWI from 1908, but others encouraged the recruiting of supporters, including a Dr Freeman who ‘demolished with sledgehammer blows’ government members such as Ramsey Macdonald who were opposed to the war. Jess praised Emmeline Pankhurst and others who said that militant women had the right to go out and fight.

Despite public opposition to war, there were anti-German riots across Britain. Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914. The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 was a key factor in American support of Britain’s engagement in World War One. 1915 saw a big recruiting campaign for our army but it wasn’t until 1916 that British men were conscripted into the armed forces, despite opposition. There was a national movement against conscription including Leicestershire locals Joseph Poole, Frederick Floode, Charles Kitchen, Edwin Walker, and many Christians, who insisted that human life was sacred. An anti-war fellowship was set up in Leicester, leading to some mob violence. Many of those who refused to serve were imprisoned, some not being released until 1919. Local Quakers joined the Friends’ Ambulance Unit. The Armistice of November 11, 1918, finally brought the fighting to a close.

Of particular interest were Jess’ stories of local Leicestershire men who were either conscripted or imprisoned because they refused to serve in the armed forces. Her talk engaged us all. Family memories still run deep!

The Society does not meet in April, but we hope you will be able to join us on May 16 for a return visit from Mick Rawle, who will tell us about the history of Melton Mowbray. You will be very welcome to join us at 7.30pm in Thurcaston Memorial Hall. The charge for visitors is £4.

uk

From Thurcaston & Cropston local history society

Thurcaston Brownies’busy spring

THURCASTON BROWNIES have been enjoying spring. Snowy Owl reports:

We began the New Year with a Resolution to earn the Zero Waste badge. We will learn about the Rs: Repair, Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce. An example from nature of recycling is the action of worms as they take dead leaves into their burrows as food and pass it out as nutrients in the soil.

We reused clear plastic pop bottles and put layers of compost, sand and wood shavings inside with leaves and worms. Worms are hermaphrodites, (having both male and female parts), so the Brownies gave them names which could be for a boy or girl, Robin/Frankie etc. We covered the outside with black plastic to simulate the darkness of soil. We left these wormeries for several weeks before removing the covering to see that the worms had mixed the differently coloured layers and dragged the leaves down.

For two weeks, we held our own Repair Shop concentrating at first on sewing, glueing and stapling, followed by using saws, screwdrivers, hammers and nails.

Vicki, our Commissioner, visited to present Snowy Owl (me) with a thirty years service badge and was on hand to help when we were a leader short (Covid) for our session of Reuse. Barn Owl showed us how to cut pretty pictures from old birthday cards and magazines and stick them on white plastic bottles to make lovely containers for pencils etc.

We all need to reduce the amount of water we waste and be aware of what we can and cannot put down the drains. Wet Wipes are a definite no. We learned

Trouble with your figures?

a lot about cleaning our water when Brown Owl brought in fake poo. Brownies squealed. It’s really Weetabix and gravy powder baked into the appropriate shape.

February 22 for the Guide and Scout movement is Thinking Day- the joint birthday of Lord and Lady Baden Powell. This date had fallen in half-term, but we celebrated with our candle ceremony on March 1, St David’s Day. So we also included a Welsh theme with harp music and heard how Lloyd-George persuaded the Welsh to change the emblem for Wales. Smelly leeks in your buttonhole are not as pleasing as daffodils when meeting royalty.

On International Women’s Day, we heard about the teenager Malala Yousafzai shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education. The environmental activist Greta Thunberg also featured in our work. However, I suspect the Brownies mainly remembered that cows and sheep burp and fart the planet-warming gas called methane.

For Mother’s Day, the Brownies made

a plaque and painted bees and flowers made by Pat from modelling clay. More art work as the Brownies coloured in the patterns on printed Easter eggs. Katelynn, our D of E volunteer, glued the background grass and woven paper basket to the board so we could put it all together as an Easter display for the church.

For our final meeting, we kept our fingers crossed that those dark clouds would not rain on us as we climbed up to Old John. The week before we had wrapped and protected hard-boiled eggs. Now it was time to roll them down the hill and hope they did not crack. Prizes for the winners, a small chocolate egg for everyone, and also their Zero Waste badge achieved during the term.

We meet from 6pm until 7,15pm on Wednesday evenings during term time at the Harrison room of All Saints Church on Anstey Lane in Thurcaston. Girls must be age 7 to start. More details from Brown Owl 07711 422350, but please avoid work hours.

Pic: A water waste management session

Monday Club news

Strong Men and Women of Belgrave

Mrs Sandra Moore has captivated us with her talks before, and she appeared in her period costume as the head teacher at Belgrave Church School, Miss Elizabeth Goodwin.

This time she talked about Strong Men and Women of Belgrave, ably assisted by the “man on the magic lantern”, who showed us many interesting photographs of the people, all buried in Belgrave cemetery, and the places involved.

In 1896, aged 27, Miss Goodwin was employed at the elementary school as a teacher. She had come from Nottinghamshire, and industrial Leicester was rather a shock to her system. At that time Belgrave still had a village atmosphere. We saw a large yew tree outside the Talbot Inn, where there was a tram terminus. A popular pastime after Sunday church was going for a stroll along the River Soar, and Mowmacre Hill proved a steep climb when you were wearing corsets! It was possible to walk to Birstall along Green Gate Lane.

In 1911 Miss Goodwin became the Head Teacher at Belgrave School, with a roll call of 104 pupils; later she went to Meadow Street Board School, whose building had a rather forbidding appearance. The pupils tended to be undernourished, with ailments like rickets, nits, squint eyes and runny noses.

Unfortunately, Miss Goodwin became ill in July 1921, and she passed away the following January. She has a grave in a peaceful part of the cemetery.

Some people, Miss Goodwin had concluded, are strong in adversity, and some are strong all the time.

We should respect and admire them.

One man who was also lucky was Percival Keeling, born in 1881 in Derbyshire. He married in 1903 and trained in hosiery, becoming a hosiery sorter around 1911 in Nottinghamshire, and his son was born in Loughborough. In 1912 his talents were recognised by a firm of dyers and finishers in Aberdeen, so the family moved there. During WWI he also did coastguard work in Aberdeen, which could be very dangerous. Later Wolsey offered him a position in the dyeing and finishing department. In 1930 the family managed a holiday in Bournemouth. Two years later, he predicted the first, second and third winners in the Grand National race. The News of the World presented him with a cheque for 500 pounds, and he bought the house next door! He also won prizes with produce from his allotment, although somebody else did the hard manual work, as his own hands needed to be kept smooth to handle the delicate silk stockings in his trade. He died in February 1941 of pneumonia, a man who was clever, brave and lucky.

Another inhabitant of the cemetery is Ivy Beechey, born in 1912, who was married twice, choosing gentle husbands each time. She became a shoe machinist, and her first husband became a master blacksmith who won a Gold Medal for the horseshoes he made. They managed to buy a home with some land, and their horse and trap won prizes too. He was always smiling, but died quite young, having the foresight to

choose both his coffin and a suitable burial plot beforehand. Her second husband was Albert Ernest Beechey.

William Horner was born in 1882. He came from the Rudkin family who were builders, and who converted Old John into a hunting lodge. He became a waiter at the George Hotel in the Haymarket, and we saw a photograph of how smartly he was turned out.

He married and became the Head of Boots at the hotel. Unfortunately, he and the Second Boots were bored one evening just after Christmas 1911 and decided to have what was initially called a wrestling match in an empty room.

William injured his ankle, and his wife called the doctor. Later he was taken to the hospital in great pain. Shortly afterwards he was taken to the asylum suffering from a “delirious mania”, where he died after a sudden fall in his blood pressure. There was an enquiry into his death, which was ruled to be an accident. It was strange, however, that the George Hotel had engaged a solicitor, and there is a

suspicion that the management was keen to avoid speculation about the fighting having been bare-knuckle boxing, which was illegal by then. His poor widow was left with three small children to support.

There were two separate chapels built at the cemetery, as the consecrated ground was only for the Church of England graves, and another non-consecrated area was for the non-conformists, which included the Methodists and Quakers. The chapels were pulled down in the 1960s.

field to tend to his horses kept there. What they did not know was that Bill had actually had a heart attack whilst out that day and that he had died by the time they saw him, so who could the person in the brown smock have been …? We shall probably never know.

After Mrs Moore had answered a few questions and we had enjoyed some refreshments, the meeting closed around 4pm.

In April, Mr Derek Holloway, one of our regular speakers, held our rapt attention as he told us the fascinating story of the UK women (and some men) who fought for more equal rights in areas such as voting, and equal pay for equal work. There were literally thousands of people who helped to bring about changes in the law, which took decades to achieve.

Several people had questions for Mr Holloway at the end. After we had enjoyed our tea or coffee and biscuits, the meeting closed at about 4pm.

One remarkable gravestone features a horse’s head inside a horseshoe. It commemorates William Elliott, known as Bill, whose business relied heavily on horses. One day Bill was out with his trusty horse and cart. By chance, some family members happened to notice these parked in a lay-by, and they remember seeing Bill in his familiar brown smock striding across the nearby

Our meetings start at 2.15pm, usually on the second Monday of each month. However, this year our club outing will be a trip on a Peter Le Marchant canal boat on Friday May 5, just before the Coronation. On June 12, we shall hear about the work of InterCare, which is medical aid for Africa. Membership costs just £13 for the year, with an entrance fee of £2; and it is only £4 for visitors, to include tea / coffee and biscuits or cake. New members and visitors are most welcome to meetings –just turn up on the day.

From the Monday Club Cropston & Thurcaston

Club’s free coaching for juniors

ROTHLEY PARK Golf Club has a thriving junior section with the club’s Assistant Professional, Harry Schiltz, investing a good deal of time and effort into coaching and encouraging its 74 junior members of all ages and abilities to become proficient young golfers.

Going into the 2023/24 season the recruitment and retention levels are excellent, says Harry.

“Part of the pathway we have here at Rothley Park for the juniors is to encourage the beginners and or less experienced golfers to come along and participate in our free coaching sessions which run most Sundays,” he said.

“The take up for this is excellent, and 32 juniors have now achieved a handicap. The free coaching, together with following a national junior coaching programme called 'Golf Access', has seen junior membership increase at the club by a third.”

Part of the programme involves learning the rules, developing technique and the correct etiquette involved in golf. Harry says the juniors also benefit from a great social scene and that golf is beneficial to their physical and mental health, especially with plenty of time spent outdoors. The club has seen many juniors become firm friends for many years, many of whom still enjoy golfing

together.

Harry said: “As a junior golfer, during the school holidays, my mum would drop me at the club and I could guarantee other juniors would be there, and we would spend the day practising our chipping and putting and playing a round of golf. Never once were we bored. It’s great seeing this happening with our current junior members. And it’s important to say kids don’t ever have to worry that they might not be good enough. Everyone starts from scratch and yes, others may grasp it a little easier, but the sole purpose of any sport, golf included, is to have fun, and if you have fun, over time, you will naturally

become better.”

Harry was inspired by Tiger Woods to take up golf. He said: “I saw him on TV, none of my family were golfers, but I thought I’d like to give it a try. My mum signed me up to a Young Masters Golf programme, similar to the one we do at Rothley Park, and that was it, I was hooked. I would practice every day come rain or shine to get me to the appropriate level throughout my GCSEs and College. Then, when the time came, I applied for membership of the PGA organisation as I had all the requirements needed to turn pro. Fast forward to today and by May 2024 I will have graduated and will become a fully qualified PGA professional.”

Pic: Belgrave House

Pic: Juniors at Rothley Park Golf Club

Summer concert

COME, SIT back, relax and enjoy an evening of entertainment by the singing quartet Cantare and Jude Richardson, a classical and jazz pianist.

Songs will be interspersed with the All Saints’ Handbell ringers, playing a range of ‘sky’ songs, including Singing in the Rain, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Catch a Falling Star.

Cantare is a group of friends who simply love singing. Val, John and Roger have all sung in choirs that Carolyn has conducted: Roger in Highcliffe Harmony, John and Roger in Moira Male Voice Choir and all three of them in Yavana. Carolyn is more than happy to get back to singing after many years of conducting. They will be singing songs you know and love including; I Believe, Yesterday, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

Jude joins us all the way from Bermuda via Aylestone to play a couple of pieces. His playing is a delight and so effortless.

During the interval, wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be served, along with a raffle.

Tickets are £10 for adults, children free. They are available from: Jane Westby mowestby@virginmedia.com or 0116 2352226, Eleanor Lloyd Jones eleanorlj@aol.com or 0116 2362503 and Carolyn Muggleton carolynam62@yahoo.co.uk

We look forward to a great evening of good music.

An Evening of Summer Music

RESIDENTS OF Leicester and Leicestershire are being urged to join in a nationwide volunteering project as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of His Majesty the King.

The Big Help Out, taking place on Monday May 8, has been launched by the King and Queen Consort to encourage people across the UK to try out volunteering and join in the work being undertaken to support their local areas, as well as highlighting the positive impact that volunteering has on communities.

Now, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE – who is the King’s representative in Leicestershire –has launched his Big Help Out pledge, and is urging people of all ages across the county to sign up to it.

He is hoping that the Big Help Out will act as a launchpad to increase the

Supercar fundraiser

AFTER THE success of their Supercars Event last year, Mountsorrel based charity Alex’s Wish is set for an even bigger and better event in 2023!

A day full of supercars and hypercars is promised, ranging from Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and McLarens to Aston Martins and Lotuses, plus new for this year, a range of classic supercars.

The event is held in the beautiful grounds of Whatton House on Sunday June 11, 10-3pm.

Whatton House is an English country garden in the heart of Leicestershire, and the stunning garden of Whatton House is open all day for visitors to enjoy.

There will be displays from The Dako Flying Angels, a Leicestershire-based gymnastics display team, an F1 Car Simulator, Porsche Racing cars by Parkers Classics, plus raffle prizes up for grabs.

Street food will be available in the courtyard area, including stone-baked woodfire pizzas, Al’s Hot Dogs, Stacie’s Bubble Pancakes, Tori’s Burgers, ice cream, Project D Donuts, a sweets tent,

RumBa cocktails, The Prosecco Spritzba, a beer tent as well as hot and cold drinks.

Gates open from 10am, with the opportunity to enjoy hot breakfast rolls whilst relaxing in the garden and surrounding areas, ready to see the Supercars, which will arrive at 11am.

Alex’s Wish is a charity dedicated to conquering Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, an aggressive form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects 1 in every 3,500 boys born. The charity's mission is to bring effective treatments to help slow down or even stop devastating muscle wasting. All proceeds from this event will help save the lives of thousands of children and young adults living with Duchenne.

Tickets cost just £10 per adult or £25 for a family ticket and are available to purchase online www.alexswish.co.uk

Alex’s Wish would like to thank Supercars of Birmingham and their headline event sponsors, Lamborghini Bentley, and their event sponsors Berkeley Insurance Group, Janine Edwards Wealth Management and Lumbers Jewellers, for making this event possible.

number of volunteers across Leicestershire, by giving people a taste of volunteering and encouraging them to continue helping their communities after the celebrations are over.

Mr Kapur has made his own pledge to take part in a litter pick on May 8, and is now encouraging people of all ages and from all walks of life in Leicester and Leicestershire to sign up to the pledge.

Anyone who takes the Big Help Out pledge promises to take part in a volunteering activity on Monday May 8, to explore getting involved with volunteering beyond the Coronation weekend and share their volunteering experience with others to inspire them to take part. It is hoped this will bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

Mr Kapur said: “The Big Help Out is an opportunity to celebrate all those brilliant people who already volunteer, who go out of their way and go the extra mile to support their local communities, as well as encouraging as many people as possible to pledge their support to volunteer during the Big Help Out and to

carry on that volunteering afterwards. It is an opportunity for the people of Leicester and Leicestershire to try volunteering for themselves and make a real difference in their own communities.”

Mr Kapur has already recruited some well-known faces and high-profile sports and showbiz stars to sign the pledge to support the Big Help Out.

Mr Kapur called into the Mountsorrel & Rothley Heritage Centre in April to visit the Garden Railway at as part of the “Big Help Out” initiative.

“The centre is looking for new volunteers to join the Garden Railway team, so we are very grateful to Mr Kapur for taking the time to stop by and lend his support!” said a centre spokesman.

Volunteers can sign up for The Big Help Out on the Lord Lieutenant’s Coronation web page at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/coronation, where details of volunteering opportunities in Leicester and Leicestershire can also be found.

Organisations looking for volunteers are also being encouraged to register on the Big Help Out website, as well as businesses and other organisations who would like to co-ordinate volunteering opportunities for a number of employees.

Everyone who signs up is encouraged to share their pledge and their volunteering pictures @LeicsLietenant, using the hashtag #LeicsBigHelpOut Pics: (top) Mr Kapur is pictured with volunteers Oliver and his mum Clare who were operating the Garden Railway; Volunteers at the heritage centre planting a garden

One Stop & Rotary foodbank donation

BIRSTALL’S FOOD Bank has been boosted by a donation from Wreake Valley Rotary Club.

“While shopping at Birstall Hallam Fields One Stop Shop, one of our members noticed a large tub and a table set up, inviting customers to give items to the Soar Valley Food Bank project,” said Rotary spokesman Peter Fox.

“On speaking to staff, we learned that they collected each week, so as a club, we decided to make some purchases

Trust’s 40 years

A LOCAL charity that provides therapeutic narrowboat trips for community groups has celebrated its 40th anniversary and is appealing for new volunteers.

Beedles Lake Golf Club played host to the Baldwin Trust's first social event of the year.

Almost 70 volunteers and their partners came together for an evening of fun to launch the anniversary celebrationsrope throwing, line dancing and a quiz based on the rich history of the Baldwin Trust were all included in the evening's entertainment.

The Baldwin Trust was set up in 1983 to provide respite for patients in the Baldwin ward at the former Leicester Frith Hospital. 40 years later, the trust is still going strong, providing crewed narrowboat cruises for community, friends and family groups in their fully wheelchair-accessible boats.

from them and support this local project. When we told the staff what we intended to do, we received a further lift when the shop also put in a contribution of £50 worth of goods into the collection tub to boost our efforts.”

The club had fundraised over Christmas by taking their Santa sleigh around Birstall, Syston, Thurmaston and Mountsorrel.

Pic: Members of the Rotary Club and Martin from the One Stop Shop in Hallam Fields

The Trust volunteers were addressed by Richard Jayes, acting Chair, who reminded all volunteers of the important role they play. “Without you, our volunteers, we would not be able to provide so many trips to such a wide variety of organisations - from the Ukrainian refugee group to groups of children with additional needs. So many members of our community benefit from time on the water.”

The Baldwin Trust welcomes new volunteers of all backgrounds, skills and abilities. In its 40th anniversary year, the trust is looking to increase the number of volunteers from around 70 to 100 or more. Demand for the service is high,

FacesArts’showtime

quil waters of the local river and canal system. There are volunteer opportunities available in all aspects of the charity, from crewing or skippering the boats to management and trustee roles to assist in the running of the charity. If you have an interest in the waterways, would like to spend time outside, want to meet new people and learn new skills, then the trust would love to hear from you.

www.thebaldwintrust.co.uk

email: secretary@baldwintrust.co.uk

FACES ARTS, the well-established Performing Arts Company in Birstall, have performed a variety of shows over the past few months.

The Commercial Street dance show was a high energy, upbeat and fast-paced show, whilst the Theatre School students performed their all singing, dancing and acting musical productions ‘Sister Act’ & ‘High School Musical’.

For more information on Faces Arts Saturday Theatre School, Commercial Street Dance, Shake Up Parent & Toddler or Summer Schools, contact Jody@facesarts.co.uk, 07971423201 or visit the website www.facesarts.co.uk for further information.

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Art exhibition

THIS YEAR, alongside Thurcaston & Cropston’s ‘Open Gardens’ event, on Saturday June 24 and Sunday June 25, there will be an Art Exhibition and sale of original canvases by local Leicestershire artist John Crewe.

Visitors following the garden trail will be able to pause at Thurcaston Memorial Hall on Anstey Lane to enjoy a soft drink as they view a good number of John’s paintings, both large and small, which will be very reasonably priced. Sale proceeds will help support East

Flower club news

Midlands Air Ambulance and East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme. Please come along and support all those who have worked so hard to prepare their gardens for this special event. The art exhibition will be open from 3pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday, and until 6pm on both days.

Who knows, you might be returning home with a car full of plants and provisions and your very own work of art!

Further details available from Sylvia Cole: 0116 2352873.

Watermead Run

WREAKE VALLEY Rotary Club is holding its annual Watermead Charity Challenge Run on Tuesday, July 4.

There will be a 5K electronic chip-timed run

DO YOU love flowers? Like meeting people with the same interest?

Fancy watching a NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangers Society) trained demonstrator for less than a cup of coffee and a slice of cake?

Then Birstall Flower Club is for you!

Sculpture trail

A POPULAR sculpture trail, named best free event of the year at the 2022 Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards, will return this year.

The renowned ArtSpace sculpture trail will return to Charnwood this June, moving from its previous home of the Outwoods to Beacon Hill country park.

‘Up to the Beacon Sculpture Trail’, formerly ‘Into the Outwoods Sculpture Trail’, organised by Artspace Loughborough, will open on June 10 and stay in place until September 17.

The trail, which was run in 2019 and 2022, won Leicestershire Tourism’s ‘Best Free Event of the Year’ award last year.

Nita Rao, lead artist for the project, said: “We expect there to be over 25 works making up the trail, which will be based on the theme ‘Harmony and Healing for Planet and People.’”

It is free and open to all, from dawn to dusk, at The Beacon Country Park near Loughborough (standard parking charges apply).

and a 3K fun run which will not be an electronic chip-timed event.

The 5K run entry fee for affiliated running club members is £15, and for non-affiliated running club members is £17 until May 31.

After that date, the entry fees will be increased to £18 and £20 respectively.

The 3K fun run entry fee is a flat rate of £10.

Online entry is via the event entry website www.evententry.co.uk. Scroll down for Watermead Challenge Run where full details and how to enter can be found. The event is open for entry from March 1.

Watermead Park currently charges their usual fee of £2.50 per car, which would be payable on the night.

Over the past ten years, our increasingly popular charity run has raised over £30,000.

Rotary International is a truly worldwide charitable organisation, and supports people in need around the world, so when humanitarian situations arise, individual clubs and our central organisation will invariably offer financial and/or practical support where possible.

We look forward to welcoming you to our event and helping us to once again raise as much money as we can to enable us to distribute to various charities so get your running gear out and sign up for what promises to be a great event once again.

If anyone has a close connection with a charity or knows someone who has and would like to enquire as to whether we might be able to offer our support, then please contact us via our club website www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk

Also, if there is a local company that would like to sponsor this annual event, then we would be delighted to talk to you. Again, contact can be made via our website.

From Wreake Valley Rotary Club

Meetings are on the fourth Wednesday of the month, and we meet in Birstall Village Hall at 7.15pm. There is a raffle for one of the beautiful arrangements and a stall selling plants at a very reasonable price.

We have demonstrators who use a wide variety of native and exotic flowers and greenery in unusual eco-friendly containers.

You don’t have to do anything! Just sit back and be entertained by interesting and amusing commentaries from the arrangers as they work their magic.

Throughout the year, we have visits to interesting gardens, social events and raise money for our charity, which this year is Guide Dogs for the Blind, for which we have sponsored two puppies.

Now the nights are drawing out, come and have a look. We hope to see you soon.

Contact details are in the Noticeboard Section of this paper.

From Birstall Flower Club

Free guided walks

FREE GUIDED walks organised by the Canal and River Trust are planned this summer in Mountsorrel.

“If you're looking for an easy and enjoyable way to get active, our guided walks are the perfect solution,” said Kelly Alcock from the Trust.

“Not only will you be able to enjoy the great outdoors and get some exercise, but you'll also have the chance to meet new people who share your interests.

“We go at a gentle pace that's suitable for all, so you can join us whether you're an experienced hiker or just starting out.”

No special equipment or gear is needed for the walks. Kelly said: “All you need is a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a water bottle, and a sense of adventure.

“Our experienced guides will lead you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, pointing out interesting landmarks and sharing their knowledge of the local flora and fauna.”

She added: “Not only is walking a great way to stay active, but it's also a fantastic way to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Being out in nature has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind, and the physical activity of walking can release endorphins that make you feel good.

“So if you're looking for an easy and enjoyable way to get active, why not join one of our guided walks? You'll have the opportunity to meet new people, explore beautiful scenery, and improve your health and well-being.”

The walks in Mountsorrel will take place on June 6 and July 4.

Walkers will meet up outside the library at the bottom of The Green. The walk will leave at 2pm prompt, so arrive in good time to allow for parking. Walks go at a gentle pace suitable for everyone. At the end of the walk, you can choose to join the walk leader for a drink at a local café or pub (please remember to bring money for any purchases).

The walk will cover about 3 miles and will last for around 60-80 minutes.

Ages 18 and over only, and no dogs are allowed.

You must book a place on eventbrite to go on the walk, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and in the Search box put: Lets Walk Mountsorrel

Pics: delighted raffle prize winners

Grass and the gardener

GRASSES – PROBABLY the most important plant in the world.

This was the view of Steve Lovell, the April speaker at the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club.

One of the reasons that grasses are so important is that grasses ‘feed the world’ with wheat, oats, and many other cereal crops. But Steve also suggested that by using ornamental grasses in the garden, they can greatly improve garden design and planting.

Grasses add texture, movement and are very durable. Steve talked about the various groups of grasses and their required growing conditions. Care and pruning were also covered.

There are many groups of ornamental grasses available to gardeners. These include Stipa, Miscanthus, Carex, Molina, Penniseturn, and many others. In addition, there are many cultivars of these

grasses – so the choice is vast.

Throughout the talk, Steve showed photos of the different grasses, which showed their different form and texture.

Steve also provided a very useful plant list so that members could do their own research on grasses that would improve their gardens.

Many of the images in this illustrated talk showed how grasses can be used in planting schemes with other plants.

Steve Lovell is a professionally qualified garden designer and soft landscaper with 30 years experience, specialising in gardens for wildlife. His talk was informative and entertaining, and it created a lot of interest in the audience.

The Gardening Club meets in the Thurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall.

Whether an experienced gardener or

an enthusiastic beginner, we are sure you will find something of interest in this year’s programme. New members are made most welcome. What’s more, it’s excellent value! The membership fee is still only £12 for the year (pro rota) or £3 per meeting. So, if you are interested in gardening - come and give the club a try.

For more information about the club, please contact

Dave Haddon (0116) 235 9758: david.haddon20@ntlwo rld.com

Or Richard Elks (0116) 236 8313: cropston161@hotmail.c o.uk

Wed 14th June: Top 20 Tips from a former Head Gardener, Pip Smith

Top 20 tips from a

former Head Gardener - Pip shares some of his favourite tips from his time as a Head Gardener. It’s an eclectic mix that includes ideas on how to save water in the summer to his favourite plants for those tricky-to-grow spots in your garden. There is something for everyone!

Pip Smith is a landscape designer with over 13 years experience. He trained in horticulture at Pershore College and has an MA in Landscape Architecture from Birmingham City University.

He's held the post of Head Gardener at several private and public gardens, most recently at the highly acclaimed Wollerton Old Hall in Shropshire. In 2020 he set up his own landscape design studio based in Worcestershire and uses his previous experience to create imaginative, sympathetic and long-lasting designs for clients.

This is an illustrated talk.

From Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club

Pic: Miscanthus planted with perennial flowers

Pic: A grass border with a variety of ornamental grasses

Pic: Carex ‘Bowles Golden’