New attractions at heritage centre

THE LMS Wagon Local History Museum at the Mountsorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre was formally opened in May.

Baroness Nicky Morgan, and her husband, County Councillor Jonathan Morgan, were invited to open the museum and the King Charles III Coronation Garden.

They also named the centre’s narrow gauge loco “Malcolm” in honour of the long-time volunteer and supporter who

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Alsion showed us slides of examples of patients in some countries they supply. One lady called Olivia, aged 24, walked about 22 km to a hospital. She had malaria. There were no beds available on the ward, so she had to wait hours for treatment. Around 93% of people living in sub-Saharan Africa have absolutely no health care available to them at all. If patients do manage to get a bed (often with little bedding) they still rely on their families to pay for any medicines required, and to provide food for them, which is cooked on the floor at the side of the bed. Sometimes there is a toilet available of a reasonable standard. Mothers about to give birth tend to have only very basic delivery rooms.

We saw several pictures of health centres trying to cater for populations of up to 10,000 but with their few shelves almost empty. Centres which had just received a delivery from Inter Care were obviously relieved and proud of their supplies, as they could now help their patients. The shortage of medicines even leads to people desperately buying unlabelled tablets on the street in small plastic bags, which might contain anything the seller claims, hopefully nothing worse than chalk. Counterfeit drugs are also offered, and could be harmful. Not all the aid sent to other countries gets to the intended people, which is why Inter Care has to make sure that their delivery system is efficient. Some of the things they can use include Stethoscopes, Blood Pressure Monitors, Bandages, Plasters, Aprons and Hand Wash, and copies of the reference books like MIMS used by our doctors, which are revised annually. Many medical personnel here now use items only once and then throw them away, instead of everything being sterilised and re-used. In one year, Inter Care managed to send out 464 boxes with aid and equipment, which weighed around 11,250 kg. They can now send items in containers, so large items like wheelchairs and crutches can also be transported.

One way that Inter Care manages to raise funds is by recycling such things as printer cartridges, mobile phones or foreign coins brought back from holidays. Last year they raised about £3,000 from recycling. Sixty pounds can help about 400 people. Healthcare units are often run by nuns, but the help given from the UK is not restricted to any specific religion. In addition to adults and children suffering many illnesses, there is always the danger from malaria, and debilitating conditions such as diarrhoea, which is often present in malnourished babies. There is a very high infant mortality rate in some countries. The last Big Give Online raised over £22,000 for the charity, and the money raised was matched by a generous benefactor.

At the end of the talk, Alsion invited people to come and look at the handmade jewellery and cards she had brought along, and some information leaflets. Several people had questions for her as well. After we had enjoyed our tea or coffee and biscuits, the meeting closed just before 4pm. Please look at the Inter Care website, if you wish to learn more.

Our meetings start at 2.15pm, on the second Monday of each month. On July 10, we look forward to another Strawberry Cream Tea, at the Blue Bell at Rothley. Then on August 14, one of our members will give a demonstration of Indian head massage. Our Harvest Meeting will be on September 11, including a speaker from “Hannah’s Sugar Craft of Quorn”. Membership for a year costs only £13, 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 at the Church Room – just turn up on the day.

Mrs Jenny Kennington: 0116 2365402

Mrs Maja Tompkins:07709 201881

From the Monday Club Cropston & Thurcaston died last year.

The narrow gauge passenger railway opens to the public in July,