Rothley Post Nov/Dec 2010 (85)

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Delivered FREE to Rothley, Thurcaston & Cropston

NOV/DEC 2010

ISSUE No. 85

Anger at developer’s plans OVER 200 people attended a public meeting at the Rothley Centre to hear about plans to build 170 homes on Hallfields Lane.

Developers Charles Church and landowners Rothley Temple Estates want to build 170 houses on the Brookfield Farm site, next to their development of 149 homes which are already under construction.

Hundreds of local people and Rothley Parish Council are objecting to the plans, worried about the impact the development will have on roads, services, drainage, local facilities and the village character.

The public meeting was organised by Rothley Parish Council. Speaking at the meeting Borough Councillor Diane Wise said: “I feel angry at these proposals. It is immoral to take away good farm land and build housing. Charnwood does need housing, but it needs to be put in service centres like Barrow or Syston, not here, we do not have the infrastructure to support this development.”

Duck race fundraiser

Pic: Nancy Souley (6) & Harry Jagger (7)

HUNDREDS OF people enjoyed the entertainment on offer at Rothley Scouts’ Duck Race in September.

The event, on Bunney’s Field, raised over £2,600, most of which will go towards the group’s new headquarters building. Group Scout Leader Ron Bromley explains: “Our existing headquarters building, on North Street next to the Baptist Church, known to all as “the hut”, is now beyond all reasonable repair.

After years of wear and tear, patching and Continued on page 2

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Continued on page 2

Duck race continued from page 1

some neglect no doubt caused by a scarcity of funds, this building has become decidedly tatty.

So the design for a new building has been produced and permission for its construction has been granted by the local planning authority. This new building will not only provide the Scout Group with improved facilities but will also be a definite enhancement to the centre of the village when compared with the existing vandalised ‘hut’.

“Unlike some other youth activities, scouting does not rely on regular Government funding but on self help and recognition by other bodies of what it seeks to do for young people, Rothley Scout Group is a registered charity,

and its members have been part of the local community for more years than anybody seems able to remember.

“Obviously the new building will cost a considerable sum of money and although a start has been made to raise the necessary finance there is still a very long way to go towards finding the whole amount. And so we ask everybody to help whenever they can as this rebuilding project progresses. About 60 local children, boys and girls, benefit from our activities, and this number might be increased if more adult leaders could be found. As part of the community we know we can rely on local support, just as we did with the duck race. Our immediate supporters did all the hard work but all of their efforts would have been wasted without public interest and participation. All the members of the Rothley Scout Group, both young and not so young, wish to thank those good folk who supported the duck race. Not only did you benefit us financially but you gave encouragement to those adults who give their time voluntarily to ensure that scouting is available to Rothley children.”

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Development continued from page 1 Kevin Walters from action group Keep Rothley Rural said that the proposal would result in a 21 per cent increase in the size of the village. He spoke about the impact on local roads and services and highlighted the risk of flooding, saying that the proposed measures to deal with surface water run-off were inadequate. He urged anyone who opposed the plans to write a letter of objection to Charnwood before the deadline of November 1.

Steve Lewis-Roberts from Charnwood Borough Council’s Planning Department said that developers had identified a window of opportunity for submitting plans, as the Borough Council has a shortfall in its five year housing supply.

In answer to a question from the floor he said it was “inconceivable” that the planning application is already a “done deal”.

Further comment was made from the floor that the developers had deceived the village by splitting the development into two phases and that the building style did not suit the character of the village.

Rev Rob Gladstone spoke about the pressure the development would have on Rothley School, even after the four extra classrooms that are already planned are finished. He also posed the question: “What is the long term vision for Rothley for the next 40 years, is it just a gradual increase in development? Where is the vision for what kind of community we will be?” He also commented that the landowners should have been present at the meeting to answer for their profiteering.

Continued on page 3

For more details about the planning application P/10/1886/2 go to www.charnwood.gov.uk or visit www.ruralrothley.co.uk The planning application is likely to be determined in mid December.

Keep fit over 50s KEEP FIT fans over the age of 50 can stay active and healthy at special exercise classes in the borough.

The Charnwood Borough Council-run classes include gentle aerobic exercises and a seated section and are run by a qualified instructor with experience of working with people with health issues.

Sessions run at Sileby Community Centre on Tuesdays from 12noon-1pm and at Birstall Village Hall on Tuesdays from 23pm. Sessions finish for the Christmas break on December 14 and restart on January 4.

Classes cost £2.60 for people referred by a health practitioner and £3.50 for people who have not been referred.

For more information contact Nita Pearson, Active Lifestyle Development Officer on 01509 534594 or email: nita.pearson@charnwood.gov.uk

Karate gold medal A KARATE champion from Thurcaston represented England and won a gold medal at a competition in Italy this September.

Matthew Ball (12), a student at Anstey Martin High School, first started the sport four years ago and was part of the English team at the Kumite WKF European Championships in Venice where he won an individual silver medal and a team gold.

Matthew said: “I really want to get my black belt, I currently have two more gradings to go. The World Championships are in Dallas next year and I’d like to represent England and get another medal.”

Matthew, who trains at the Simon Coope Karate School in Loughborough, achieved first place in the English Wado Federation National Champion-

Pic: Karate Champion Matthew Ball ships in Worcester in September.

“Karate helps build my confidence” said Matthew.

“The people I train with are really nice and competitions are fun, but can be frightening.”

St Clements Day Nursery 16 Church Hill, Woodhouse Eaves, LE12 8RT

Children aged 3 months to 5 years 01509 891131 Also holiday club for children age 4-11 years

www.stclementsdaynursery.co.uk enq-stclements@btconnect.com

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Dog waste in trees

Investment in play THE NEW play equipment on Rothley’s Fowke Street playing field was officially opened in October.

A FOOTPATH in Rothley that had more than 50 bags of dog waste hanging from trees beside the path featured in a BBC television documentary in September.

The path, near the Rothley Lodge paper factory, was shown in an episode of ‘Filthy, Rotten Scoundrels’, a BBC one daytime programme about flytipping.

Rothley’s Heritage Warden Marion Vincent and Charnwood Borough Council’s senior enviro-crime officer Chris Carey featured in the programme.

Responding to a tip-off from the public, the film crew captures the moment Chris discovers more than 50 bags of dog faeces hanging from trees and lying on the ground near a public footpath at a rural beauty spot.

Chris said: “When we investigated the area I was shocked at what I found. There were literally dozens of bags, full of dog waste, hanging from the trees and lying in the grass. It was absolutely disgusting.

“One bag was hanging just centimetres away from a bird nest. It was just utterly disgusting. It was easily one of the worst cases I’ve ever dealt with.”

The documentary, produced by Leopard Films, then follows the council’s efforts to track down a suspect. A man will appear before Loughborough magistrates on November 8 charged with fly-tipping.

County Council Chairman Peter Osborne cut the ribbon on Rothley Parish Council’s £50,000 scheme which has seen old swings replaced with more challenging equipment including a scramble net, monkey bars and large granite boulders donated from Lafarge’s nearby Mountsorrel quarry. Ideas for the pieces came from local children.

The play project is one of a number completed under the former Labour Government’s £234m Playbuilder scheme to build or refurbish play areas across the country.

Rothley parish councillors, Olwen Jones and Shona Greenwood-Brown who submitted the Playbuilder funding bid said they were delighted with the outcome. “The idea was to create a play area for eight to 13 year olds which would really challenge the traditional concept of play, embrace social cohesion and offer opportunities for both the Pic: Chairman of Leicestershire County Council Peter Osborne opened the equipment

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Pic: Fraser Greenwood-Brown, Henri Greenwood-Brown, Jack Vaitha and Harvey Brown

able bodied and those who are less mobile or sensory impaired” said Olwen.

“We already had provision for the under eights and teenagers in the park but for the children in between there was really only the swings which were 40 years old and bit tired. So we went to primary schools and local youth groups and we were very much influenced by that consultation.

“Now we have items such as granite boulders for the children to climb or sit on, a scramble net, monkey bars, a 4-metre slide, vertical railway sleepers and a large bird’s nest swing.”

Olwen said the youngsters had given the equipment a big thumbs-up and the area was fast becoming a firm favourite with families and groups of friends.

Under the new Coalition Government the idea has fallen victim to public spending cuts but initiatives, such as Rothley’s, which were already under construction escaped the axe.

The play equipment was supplied by Monster Play Systems and the landscaping, with paths, planting, stepping stones and tree circles, was designed and installed by local company Goscote Design Practice.

Olwen said: “We hope the play area will bring pleasure to children in Rothley for many years to come.”

Remembrance Sunday in Rothley EVERY YEAR for over 90 years people from the community of Rothley have met in the Parish Church on Remembrance Sunday.

The setting is particularly poignant as the church is the site of the board given by the families from the Leicestershire Regiment who lost their lives in the First World War. This year young and old from Rothley will gather on Sunday November 14 for the Remembrance Sunday Service. In order to accommodate everybody, the service for the youth and children will begin at 10.45am at the Rothley Centre on Mountsorrel Lane, led by Dave Warnock, the new minister attached to Rothley Methodist Church.

The more traditional service will begin in the Parish Church at 10.30am. Churchwarden Steve Thomason said: “These are both public gatherings to which we invite all who feel it is important to mark this day in continuity with the way this has been remembered in Rothley for 90 years.

“At 11.45am we will all gather at Cross Green for a joint Act of Remembrance. If people have been unable to mark the two minutes silence at 11am in the services, this is an opportunity for them to join us, after which tea and coffee will be served in the Baptist Church.”

On Thursday November 11 some of the children from Rothley Primary School will gather from 10.45am at Cross Green ready for the Royal British Legion to lead a short Act of Remembrance at 11am. Two minutes silence will be observed and the Last Post sounded.

Cropston postman retires THE FRIENDLINESS of the people and the beauty of the setting are what Cropston’s postman says he will miss most when he retires at the end of the year.

David Beazeley (64) has been a postman for 12 years, 10 of them in Cropston. He said: “I’ve enjoyed the job, its nice to be outside, but tiring being on your feet all the time.

“I started the job two weeks before Christmas and was dreading it, but right from the start I was made very welcome.”

David, who lives in Rothley, has spent the last 12 weeks recuperating from a knee replacement operation but expects to get back on his round before retiring on New Year’s Eve. “Cropston is such a beautiful place with Bradgate Park in the background and the people are really nice and welcoming, I feel like one of the family” he said.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their friendship and their helpfulness. Special mention to the lady who formed a petition to have me

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Pic: Cropston postman David Beazeley

reinstated at Cropston after reorganisation within the Anstey office. The petition helped and I was back on my round within two weeks.”

He added: “I shall try and keep in touch through my cycling in the months and years ahead. In my retirement I will be able to spend more time gardening, fishing and cycling and trying to keep fit after my recent knee operation.”

Promotion after a successful season ROTHLEY PARK’S second eleven enjoyed a win over Shepshed Messengers in the last match of the season to gain a well earned promotion from Division 7.

The club are now celebrating a highly successful season after the first eleven were promoted from Div 2 the previous week.

Helped by senior players J Gallagher and R Williams (70), Rothley, having been put into bat, amassed a total of 254-3 to present a formidable challenge. J Cook and M Soars bowled extremely well at the start of the innings, being unlucky not to have dismissed Gallagher early he eventually going on to score 115 no.

Shepshed batted with great fortitude on a good wicket, but were undermined by the

excellent bowling of Rothley’s young opening bowler J Hesketh who took 4-21 in his allowed 7 overs spell. With only a draw really then to play for, Shepshed dug in through L Mitchell and A Myers with some dogged resistance, eventually succumbing to the off spin of J Simpson’s three wickets to give Rothley the hard earned promotion that the long season deserved.

Pics:(top) Rothley Park Cricket Club’s second eleven & the first eleven

Skateboard park removed ROTHLEY’S SKATEBOARD park near the Fowke Street playing field has been removed.

Rothley Parish Council, who provided the facility, took the decision after receiving estimates for its repair.

A Parish Council spokesman said: “Rothley skateboard park has been much enjoyed by young people over the past seven years, and regularly maintained by the Parish Council. After a particularly busy summer the ramps once again needed resurfacing as they had become dangerous. Professional quotes put the cost at a minimum of £10,000 and £25 £30,000 to completely refurbish the existing steel frame. The Parish Council has already spent over £30,000 on the park, but being unable to afford even the basic resurfacing it took the difficult decision to remove the ramps to prevent serious injury. It is hoped that if funds become available an alternative park might be constructed in the future and ideas from young people about design or funding would be welcomed.”

Rothley’s Parish Council Chairman Percy Hartshorn and Cllr Olwen Jones met with young people at the Rothley Youth Project to explain the decision, and sources of funding for providing a replacement will be investigated.

Flood wardens needed AN APPEAL has been launched to sign up Community Flood Wardens to warn and help deluged neighbourhoods in Charnwood.

Wardens are needed to pass on flood warnings when they are issued, help prepare neighbourhoods for flooding and help the vulnerable during and after incidents.

The Community Flood Warden scheme is completely voluntary and can consist of a single person or several people acting to help raise awareness of any flood risks in their community. There are currently 22 wardens in Charnwood.

To find out more visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/emerg encyplanning or call 01509 634911

More2Life Is there more to life for the people of Rothley?

A series of events throughout the village during March 13th - 20th 2011 Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 6

NHW news & crime report THERE WERE no burglaries in Rothley during made to a premises on Town Green St Rothley.

Also on Town Green St sometime overnight August.

Sunday September 5 vehicle paintwork was damHowever 3 outbuildings were broken into aged when liquid was poured onto it. A second where items have been stolen, including a classic vehicle parked adjacent to the first BSA C12 burgundy motorbike. The moalso suffered damage to it’s paintwork tor bike has a chrome petrol tank and from splashes from the liquid poured at the time of being stolen was missing onto the first vehicle. its back wheel. The bike was stolen from Finally there have been two thefts a garage on Hallfields Lane sometime this month. A quantity of metal items between Sunday July 25& Wednesday was stolen from the Great Central August 25. There was also an unsuccessRailway Sidings on The Ridings, Rothful attempt to gain entry to another ley sometime between Saturday 4 and garage nearby between August 1-15. Also Sunday 5 September. A business on on Hallfields Lane on Saturday August 28 Woodgate Rothley had lettering stolen a third garage was found broken into from their signage between Wednesand property stolen. On Swithland Lane, day 1 and Monday 6 September.

Rothley, a lawn mower was stolen from Rothley, Thurcaston & Good News a garden shed between Tuesday August Cropston’s PC Steve Rhodes One of the two people arrested in July 17 and Monday August 23. in connection with theft of metal from the A quantity of lead was stolen from the Great Central Railway, has been given a four Sacred Heart Church on Mountsorrel Lane bemonth custodial sentence. All the stolen property tween Sunday August 8 & Wednesday August 11. has been returned. After complaints from resiOn Woodgate in Rothley overnight on Monday dents in Fowke Street regarding nuisance motor August 23 part of an illuminated shop sign was vehicles the owners of two vehicles have been stolen & a shop window opposite was also issued with written warnings about the use of damaged. On Badgers Bank the rear window of their vehicles & warned that if they repeat this a car was smashed overnight on Friday August 27. behaviour we could seize their vehicles. There There were three burglaries during September. has been a notable reduction in incidents reportOn Friday September 10 two persons were seen ed to the Police with only one incident during leaving an address on Mountsorrel Lane Rothley September. On Kinchley Lane young drivers were in suspicious circumstances carrying a lawn advised by Police and moved on. mower & petrol strimmer. Police were called and two people were arrested nearby shortly afterwards and the property recovered. In the early hours of Tuesday September 21 the occupants of an address on Main St Swithland were woken when entry was gained to the property by smashing a front window. A handbag, briefcase & small electrical items were stolen. A similar method was used in an attempt to gain entry to a property on Swithland Lane Rothley around 2am Wednesday September 22. Although the outer panel of patio door was smashed no entry was gained.

Sometime during the day on Thursday September 23 a rear ground floor window was forced open at an address on Howe Lane Rothley. Entry was gained to the property & small electrical items and sunglasses stolen.

There have also been two non dwelling burglaries this month. Sometime between Friday 17 and Sunday 19 September a battery charger was stolen from a small holding on Mountsorrel Lane Rothley. In the early hours of Saturday September 18 an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry was

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If anyone has any information about crimes being committed in the area, please telephone Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222.

You may also contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.

How to contact us You can contact your local neighbourhood policing team – PC 544 Rhodes and PCSO 6647 Ritchie – by telephoning 0116 222 2222, selecting option 2 and when prompted, tap in identification numbers 0544 or 6647, to leave us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also send us an email by logging onto the website at www.leics.police.uk and clicking on the ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ icon.

Crime Report Thurcaston & Cropston, July and August 2010 Theft of vehicle 2, burglary non-dwelling 3, theft 2, damage to motor vehicle 1, theft of motor vehicle 1, damage 1 Current Police Priorities • to improve road safety and reduce speeding on Swithland Lane between 8am-10pm • to tackle antisocial vehicle use on Kinchley Lane and the Bradgate Park and Swithland Woods car parks between the hours of midnight-noon • To tackle the issues of theft from the allotments on Loughborough Road between 6pm-8am From PC Steve Rhodes

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

PC Steve Rhodes reported on the disturbances at the Old Crown public house on North Street. The Police are likely to object to the current hours of business and the entertainment licence. The Parish Council have received a number of letters of complaint about the pub and it was agreed that the Council would support both the local residents and the Police in restricting the hours to try to address the problems which had been ongoing for some time.

It was agreed to ask Charnwood to cut the grass on the plot of land opposite Babington Court more frequently than annually and to remove the fencing, as it is an eyesore.

The Council agreed to donate up to £80 towards bulbs for planting on Cross Green, if sponsorship from Wyevale Garden Centre could not be obtained.

It was reported that Charnwood’s decision to refuse a planning application for a wind turbine in Wanlip has been appealed by the applicant, Severn Trent.

The Council agreed to spend £2000 per annum to have Charnwood Borough Council clean litter from the Fowke Street playing field, for an initial 12 month trial period. The

existing litter picker will clean other areas.

It was agreed to spend £200 on seeding the newly created area on the Fowke Street playing field, and £4089 on the Christmas lights.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on October 18.

Comment was made on the use of The Ridgeway as a race track for car drivers, a location for drug dealing and a recent incident when a vehicle turned over and an ambulance was called.

Borough Councillor Diane Wise reported that an application for 200 dwellings in Sileby had recently been approved.

The council agreed the details of its objection to the planning application from Charles Church for development on the Brookfield Farm site.

Following a consultation with Charnwood and the Rural Community Council it has agreed that the Parish Council work together with volunteers to prepare a Parish Plan and a Village Design Statement in tandem.

Cllr Olwen Hughes reported on a meeting with Leicestershire County Council’s Andy Hitchcock from Youth Services. The department is being restructured and its budget is expected to fall from £4million to £2million.

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Youth services are provided in priority areas and Rothley is not so designated. It is likely that the youth workers currently working in the village will be withdrawn after April 2011.

Rothley Youth Project are reviewing the various options for continuing provision.

Rothley Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on Thursday November 25.

Following an approach from Mountsorrel Parish Council it was agreed to meet to discuss matters of mutual interest, such as objecting to development proposals and the siting of new community facilities.

A FULL MEETING of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on August 19.

PC Steve Rhodes presented the crime figures. He reported that speed checks have been carried out on Station Road, Cropston, resulting in eight fixed penalty notices being issued and 85 advice notices. He said it was difficult to carry out speed checks on Mill Road, Thurcaston, but he has put in an appearance to deter speeders.

The council approved an initiative by the Rural Housing Enabler Mr Richard Windley to conduct a survey in the parish to establish the need for affordable housing.

A full meeting of Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council was held on September 16.

The clerk was requested to obtain details/brochures of suitable plant containers for locating in Cropston.

Golf club champion THE LADIES’ Club Championship at Rothley Park Golf Club has been won this year by local business woman, Carol Duncumb.

Pic: Carol Duncumb

Scouts’ special day FOR THE first time in nearly four and a half years, seven new scouts were invested into the 77th Bradgate Scout Troop during a visit to the RAF Museum at Hendon, North London.

Special permission was granted by the museum keepers on Saturday October 16 for the scouts to make their promise under the wing of the AVRO Lancaster Bomber, which is on display in the Bomber Hall of the museum.

Steve Baker, Scout Leader said: “The guys who have come up through Beavers and Cubs would have made their promise during the

Carol (48) joined Rothley Park five years ago and says she is thrilled to win the title as she was diagnosed last year with psioratic arthritis and didn’t think her golf would ever be up to such a challenge.

She said: “I’ve played golf since I was 10 years old. For many years my golf took third place behind career and family but I found the time to play again when I changed career and my son grew up. In our family everyone plays golf, my sister is currently an LPGA professional golfer in Arizona. Never a week goes by that I don’t thank my father for teaching me how to play golf!

“Rothley Park is without doubt the best club of which I’ve been a member. Golf is one of the rare sports that you can take up and enjoy at any time in life. Many ladies I know who have taken it up later in life wish they’d started years before!

Golf is losing the stigma that it’s a game for older ladies, we have a thriving younger ladies section at Rothley Park and more and more young women are playing – and may I say looking fabulous in their golf outfits!”

Resistant Elms ELM TREES resistant to Dutch Elm disease have been planted in Watermead Country Park.

Forestry experts at Leicestershire County Council are looking to re-introduce the species with saplings that have been grown to be resistant to the fatal tree blight. It wiped out nearly all of the county’s 80,000 elms in the 1980s.

The County Council has been planting elms in its country parks and is now expanding the scheme to schools, as none of the saplings planted so far have any trace of Dutch Elm disease.

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meetings held at Richard Hill School, Thurcaston on Monday evenings. We thought that it would be good for the scouts to have their investiture somewhere unique so that they will always remember where they were invested rather than at the school. On this occasion, we contacted the staff at the museum during our planning and they were only too happy to oblige, for which we thank them enormously.”

Pic: (l-r) James Gilmour, Luis Garcia, Chelsie Newton, Matthew Baker, Alexander Riding, William Davis and Thomas Christian proudly holding their certificate of investiture under the wing of the Lancaster Bomber.

Mums buy business Latimer AFTER SUCCESSFULLY operating a children’s party franchise for the last three years, two local working mums have taken the next step and bought the whole company.

Verity Graham from Rothley and Jackie Johnstone from Quorn are now the proud directors of Jabberjacks Franchising Limited.

Seeing the opportunities for growth in their own franchise, the two entrepreneurs decided to take over the nationwide company and give other budding self starters the chance to take a piece of the cake. The company, established for over 10 years, offers fun-filled children’s parties and classes, designed to take all the stress away for parents. Now they are looking for other like minded people to become Jabberjacks franchisees and take the company to the next stage.

Pic: Jackie (left) and Verity at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC in December.

Monday Club OUR MEETING on September 13 was a huge success when members brought their harvest contributions to raise money for this year’s charity the Royal British Legion.

The free draw prizes were won by Kathleen Elliott and Elizabeth Chittenden, but there was some amusement when there was no claimant for one of the two numbers called out, so another ticket was drawn. By the time the member who owned the original ticket found it, the two prizes had been won! There is a moral to this somewhere!

Jean Payne read a hilarious piece from a magazine, called ‘A-Z Guide to what life’s like in your pensionable years’!

For our October meeting we had invited Brenda Featherstone to come along with a ‘Cookery for Autumn and Christmas’ demonstration. Despite a demo recently given to the Thurcaston and Cropston WI, Brenda produced a mixture of old and new recipes for us to learn and taste.

Do come along and join us. For further details ring Ann on 0116 2363467.

From Ann Farndon, The Monday Club, Anstey, Cropston, Thurcaston & Rothley

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Players’ anniversary

THE LATIMER Players are marking their 60th birthday with an anniversary celebration.

‘Turning Sixty’, a variety show, will be performed from November 24-27 at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. See the Noticeboard page for details.

Below, Norman Harrington explains how the group started: Sixty years active as a drama society is a rare achievement well worthy of celebration. The Latimer Players who perform in Thurcaston Memorial Hall, grew from a thought in the brain of Marjorie Sedgwick who lived opposite the village hall with her brother and sister. She said: “we could do a Nativity play in the church”. Gerry Sedgwick was on the bus when he spotted a profile that he thought would be ideal as Joseph.

After the play, the cast decided to put on a play in the village hall. They searched the area for more players and then ambitiously performed ‘She Stoops to Conquer’. It was a sufficient success for the group to continue. Gerry and Marjorie with their steadiness and gentleness gave the society a solidarity which bound members together in creating for the stage rather than drama off the stage.

Since starting in 1950 the society has waxed and waned. 1980 was the peak year when a farce was produced, a children’s play, a mystery, a poetical fable (in churches) and a music hall.

But in a typical year audiences have seen a comedy and a mystery. Sometimes an outsider has been invited in to direct. From time to time three members have directed their own short plays.

The group have gone beyond the village to perform plays, entertainments and play readings and have attended drama workshops. Moderate success has been attained in county competitions and much has been learnt from adjudicators and from mistakes such as when programme/tickets were distributed only two weeks before the play, resulting in meagre audiences.

After years of storing ‘flats’ in Gerry’s smithy, the society erected a store place for costumes, flats and props at the back of the hall.

On the social side there have been skittle evenings, visits, walks and dinner dances. Whether members have been engaged in acting, set constructions, lighting, costumes, music, administration, make-up or catering, they have found all co-operating in the excitement of putting on a play is an excellent way of quickly making friends. Newcomers are always made most welcome.

Latimer Players continue to make a considerable contribution to the community. Bishop Latimer said: “we shall light such a candle as never shall be put out”. Latimer Players are not about to be burnt at the stake but may their candle continue to shine.

Kids’ harvest CHILDREN FROM Thurcaston school’s gardening club have produced a bumper crop for Harvest Festival this year.

The garden was started two years ago at the Richard Hill school, with funding from various sources. The PTA and local companies donated seeds, plants and gardening tools to help get it going. Rachael Boyall from the school said: “A lot of hard work was put in by children, staff, family and friends to ensure its future flourishes.”

The garden also has seating areas, picnic benches and a small pond to enjoy on sunny days.

Not only does Richard Hill Gardening Club meet once a week with the support of staff and parents but each class has its own planting bed to tend to on a regular basis. Head Gardener, Jake Watson (year 6), said: “Gardening Club is fun! I like digging, getting muddy and planting things.”

Rachael added: “Children are able to see first hand seeds grow into plants and vegetables, supporting the science curriculum and the cycle of life. Crops the children have enjoyed range from carrots, potatoes and runners beans to marrows and pumpkins.

“Some crops have been cooked in school for the children to try, while others were taken home. At this time of the year, however, the needs of others are prevalent in our minds and our bumper crops have been donated to the local church ready for Harvest Festival and to be distributed to those who need them most.”

The beds are now clear and ready to plant the new crops in the spring ready for a new bumper harvest.

Club’s new driveway ROTHLEY PARK Cricket Club officially opened their new driveway at the recent Tigers charity cricket match in aid of local charities.

Leicester Tigers captain and renowned Irish International Geordan Murphy helped by club chairman Wayne Richardson, officially opened the cricket clubs new entrance and access route to the Park.

Martin Williams, Rothley Park Cricket Club secretary, said: “The new entrance will greatly help the road safety, access difficulties and dangers of the previous parking arrangements. We believe the opening up of the new entrance has substantially improved the club’s offering to the village whilst hopefully not damaging the environment and ambience of the Park. Over the coming winter months we aim to finish the final stage by getting the trackway fully grassed over. The club wishes to express its thanks for the support it has received from the village, the

neighbouring residents, our landlord, all those who have helped support this improvement and Lafarge who donated the granite entry stone.”

Pic: Geordan Murphy, with Club Chairman Wayne Richardson, opens Rothley Cricket club’s new entrance

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Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 11

History society WHAT A fascinating talk we had at our September meeting: our speaker, Peter Edwards, told us about his gypsy family and their lives.

His father was an Irish travelling Romany, and his mother was true Welsh, and it was in Wales that his family settled. The Romany have their own Royal Families. In Wales it is the Woods family, who are much respected.

New book LOCAL HISTORIAN Brenda Cooper has published a new book.

Hard on the heels of the ‘All Saints’ Church Guide’ comes the fifth publication in the Village History Series, ‘The Richard Hill School’. It describes the foundation of Thurcaston’s first school built in 1715 through to the second, built in 1875, to its closure as a school in 1979 when a modern replacement was built.

‘The Richard Hill School’ is available from Brenda Hooper, tel: 2350826, price £2.50

For many years we have known them as gypsies and that name came from the fact that it was believed that they came from Egypt. One could equally assume that Romany gypsies came from Romania, that too is incorrect, although there are many gypsies in Romania, who do have rather a poor reputation. But no! As Peter told us, their true origin was in the North of India and possibly Persia (nowadays Iran). This is borne out by the fact that their language is from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Iranian language.

The Romanies have a tribal system, as, of course, does the Middle East. Amongst the many tribal names are the Straws and the Fiddlers. Peter's tribal name is Sugar. One of the Sugar's was a well-known bare knuckle boxer who moved around the country performing at village fairs. But he would never take on a non-Gypsy, as he knew that he would just slaughter them.

Join us on January 19, 2011 when we continue along the same theme, with the Canal People who are linked, in their own way, to the Romany: travelling by boat through the British canals. It should be interesting to compare their culture, the similarities and the differences.

For our October meeting we were pleased to welcome Angus Shedden, the Operations Manager, and Mike Stevens: the man responsible for the 12.30 Blast, from our local granite quarry at Mountsorrel.

Most of our audience probably knew that the history of granite quarrying in Mountsorrel went back to Roman times, and that Mountsorrel Castle was built in 1080 using our pink tinged granite. But the talk told us so many things that we may not have known – the whys and the wherefores.

1811 was the date of the First Franchaise from the Earl of Lanesborough when kerbs and setts were produced. 1854 saw the formation of the Mountsorrel Granite Company, which was, in 1960 taken over by Redland and then in 1997 it was the turn of Lafarge.

We were shown photographs of the old quarry and the quarrymen of the past and the dreadful conditions in which they worked. Now Lafarge can claim to be the safest operator in the industry, with their extremely expensive, very modern and large equipment costing many thousands of pounds.

A member of the audience told us of her uncle who worked in the quarry. His name was Willie Smith and in 1934 he was awarded the 1st Prize for his Kerb Dressing.

She had his certificate to show us. What we found most surprising was that Willie was only 14 years of age. What a dreadful thought – that he must have been working there for some time, and still only 14. It was not all that long ago, was it?

Mountsorrel Quarry is the largest in Europe, whose biggest customer is Network Rail. We should also feel proud that we are supplying the country, particularly the South East of England with, virtually all the aggregate they require for roads, houses, and all that is essential to the nation's quality of life that we expect in the modern world.

Even though the present state of the A.46 is a real bugbear to we who travel along it, it is a very welcome customer for Lafarge and Mountsorrel.

The Managing Director of Lafarge has two sayings which we will surely remember: “ No Job Is Worth Doing If You Get Hurt” and “If It Can't Be Grown, Then It Has To Be Mined”.

We were pleased that we were joined by so many visitors for this most interesting and informative talk followed by many questions being asked and answered. We do hope that Lafarge will have an open day next year, 2011, which will be the 200th Anniversary of the First Franchaise.

In November we have our A.G.M, and for our December meeting on the 15th, we look forward to our speaker, Graham Fortey with his Collection of Memorabilia.

As usual all our meetings take place at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. The doors will be open at 7 pm. and the talk starts at 7.30 pm.

From Noreen Wilson, Rothley History Society

Job losses JOB LOSSES at Charnwood Borough Council will amount to 80-100 posts being axed because of Government spending costs.

The Council says it will need to reduce its number of employees from the current level of 440 because it has to save £2.5million over the next four years.

Home Carers Required

Are you a caring person?

Like varied work & job satisfaction?

Join our team of carers in the Mountsorrel, Cropston, Quorn, Sileby, Syston, Birstall & Wymeswold areas.

Flexible shifts, 10-40 hrs per week, & mornings, evenings and weekends available.

No experience required as all training will be provided.

Up to £7.25hr, plus travel expenses. Telephone essential. Ring Debbie between 8.30am & 4.30pm for more information on

0116 2696247 (quoting reference BP) Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 12

WI news

Planning

AT THE September meeting of Thurcaston and Cropston WI members were treated to a cookery demonstration given by Mrs Brenda Featherstone.

She was ably assisted by her daughters Alice and Corrie. Brenda runs a small farm in Markfield and cookery is one of her passions.

Before they began we were given copies of the recipes that were going to be prepared. These had been taken from the Farmers Guardian. Once the food was cooked, an appreciative audience was duly invited to sample some very delicious food!

It was a most entertaining and informative evening.

From Benita Gettings

Heritage open day THURCASTON AND Cropston Local History Society marked its tenth anniversary with a Heritage Open day event on September 11.

The event was part of the national Heritage Open Day scheme, which sees properties that are usually closed to the public opened to provide free access.

Buildings in the parish that were open included All Saints Church, Thurcaston’s Methodist Chapel and Cropston Evangelical Free Church.

P/10/2274/2: 6 Walkers Lane, Rothley – reduction of crown by 30% to 4 trees (conservation area notice) P/10/2227/2: 33 Montsorrel Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling P/10/2223/2: 9 Cross Green, Rothley – remove 1 x Cypress tree (conservation area notice) P/10/2192/2: 18 Homefield Lane, Rothley – erection of single storey extension to rear, loft accommodation with dormer to rear of dwelling P/10/2141/2: 16 Thurcaston Lane, Thurcaston – retention of Units 1-11 for use as B8 storage/workshop/stables (cert of existing lawful use) P/10/2039/2: 76 Swithland Lane, Rothley – remove overhanging branches from 5 beech and sycamore trees (conservation area notice) P/10/2023/2:Land at 215 and rear of 217 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley – erection of 8 dwellings and associated works. Garage to No.217 and demolition of No.215 P/10/2016/2: 25 Wellsic Lane, Rothley – various tree works (conservation area notice) P/10/2011/2: 22 Grangefields Drive, Rothley –insertion of roof lights, dormer roof and single storey extension rear of dwelling P/10/1912/2: Land adj.42 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley – erection of two detached dwellings P/10/1902/2: 127 Swithland Lane, Rothley – erection of first floor extension to rear of dwelling P/10/1860/2: 38 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley – erection of first

Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 13

floor extension to front, two-storey extension to rear, single storey extension to side and raising the roof height of dwelling P/10/1886/2: land at Brookfield Farm, 5 Hallfields Lane, Rothley – site for residential development with associated access, landscaping and open space.

P/10/1881/2: Land off Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel – installation of 1 x 300mm dish at 13m high on existing mast P/10/2246/2: 56 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston – felling of 1 poplar tree and reduction in crown by 33% of 1 ash tree (conservation area notice) P/10/2111/2: 53 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston – erection of single storey extension and juliet balcony to first floor to rear of dwelling P/10/2044/2: 14 Cropston Road, Cropston – erection of rear dormer extension P/10/2038/2: 25 Causeway Lane, Cropston – felling of 1 crab apple tree (conservation area notice) P/10/2019/2: 11 Hunters Green, Thurcaston – works to various trees (conservation area notice) P/10/1934/2: Land off Leicester Road, Thurcaston – change of use of land to equestian use including the formation of manege and erection of stable and shelter P/10/1870/2: 130 Leicester Road, Thurcaston – erection of detached garage to front of dwelling

Small Ads Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words. 17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us or hand it in (inside an envelope) at Rothley library or Rothley Post Office on Woodgate.

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word.

You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words.

AIRPORT CARS Birstall. Airports, Seaports, Long Distance, Courier. Tel: 0777 1984806 AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy. Plans drawn and submitted. Extensions, conversions, new build.

David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 / 07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk

Annual show THURCASTON & Cropston Horticultural Society held its annual show in September.

The Memorial Hall on Anstey Lane was packed with visitors enjoying the spectacular display of garden produce, cakes and flower arrangements.

Flower club AT THE August meeting of Birstall Flower Club, Marylyn Ottewell gave a demonstration entitled ‘Notable Flowers’.

A spokesman said: “We were very impressed by the magnificent floral displays, all of which were raffled off at the end of the evening.”

The next meeting will be our Open Meeting with Patti Dawson and Kate Russell ‘A Tudor Christmas’ on November 24. All meetings start at 7.15pm and take place at the Birstall Village Hall, School Lane.

The spokesman added: “If you wish to join us on these occasions please phone, either our

chairman, Carole Cottam 2674339 or our secretary Sylvia Simes 2674206. They will be delighted to give you more details of our friendly club.”

Noticeboard all details printed free Charity Bridge Drive Organised by Loughborough Lions At the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley On Wed Nov 10 at 1.30pm with afternoon tea provided Cost £6 per person To book a table please contact Jackie on 0116 2303317 or Ann on 01509 232422 •••

Coffee Morning At Rothley Methodist Church, Howe Lane Every Tues morning, 10-11.30am come rain or shine Friendly atmosphere, everyone welcome Tea & Coffee and biscuits or toasted tea cake Proceeds for the Methodist Church ••• The Loughborough Phoenix

Divorced Separated & Widowed Group We meet every Monday from 8-11pm at the Garendon Social Club, Thorpe Hill LE11 4SQ where we have a friendly chat and dance We have Saturday dances at other venues and weekends away www.ncds.org.uk ••• Mountsorrel WI

Fashion Show and Sale

Pic: Jill Derrick from Rothley who won one of the arrangements

Friday November 26, 7.30pm Mountsorrel Memorial Hall A fashion show presented by S.O.S. Clothing Followed by refreshments and the chance to try on and buy clothes from many major high street stores at greatly reduced prices. All ages and sizes catered for.

Admission £5 •••

Table Top Sale Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Sat November 13, 10am to 1pm Admission 50p. Cost per table £10 To book a table call 0116 266 1342 Proceeds to Leicestershire & Rutland Federation of Wis ••• Highcliffe Amateur Theatrical Society Presents

1001 Arabian Nights and a Matinee A pantomime by Damian Trasler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark Thursday, Friday, Saturday, November 25, 26 and 27 at 7.15pm With an additional matinee on Sat 27 at 2.30pm Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane, Birstall Tickets available now Adults £5, concessions £4 Discount for group bookings Tel: 0116 2128757 or 07757 854719 ••• St Theresa’s Social Group are pleased to announce a return visit of

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PETROLS • DIESELS MOTORCYCLES CROPSTON GARAGE 37 - 39 Station Road Cropston, Leicester 0116 2362363 Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 14

The Ibstock Brick Brass Band St James Church, Birstall Sunday November 21, 7.30pm Pay on the door Everyone welcome to come along and enjoy this award winning local brass band Enjoy a music filled evening of new and old songs to warm you up on a winter night •••

In The Mood a performance of Jazz, Swing and Big Band Music The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Friday November 12, 7.30pm Tickets £9, from the Mercury News Shop, Rothley or call 01582 766801 or visit www.fivestarswing.co.uk •••

Step Into Dance Is brought to you by Charnwood Active Together as a fun, active and great way to try something new. All sessions are led by a team of experienced and qualified instructors. Make a change and move more with Step into Dance …

Belly Dance Thursdays, 6.30-7.30pm Nov 18 to Dec 16 (session on Dec 9 is 6.15-7.15pm) Birstall Village Hall £2.50 per session or £10 for 5!

Adults 16+ Booking advised, call 01509 632534 For full details of Step into Dance sessions available across Leicestershire & Rutland visit www.lrsport.org.uk/dance •••

WI Country Market Anstey Methodist Church, the Nook 1st Friday of the month, 9-11am Home made cakes, savouries, jams, chutneys, marmalade, plants, fruit & veg handmade cards, crafts, jewellery Tea/coffee, free admission ••• Syston & District Operatic Society (SADOS) presents

Jack and the Beanstalk Wreake Valley Community College, Parkstone Road, Syston Thursday/Friday December 9/10 at 7pm and Saturday/Sunday December 11/12 at 2pm Adults £7.50; Child/Concessions £5 (discount available for group bookings 10+) Ticket bookings & enquiries contact Rachel 01455 230150 ••• Birstall Methodist Thursday Group The Ratcliffe Chorale

Christmas Concert Thursday December 16 at 7.30pm Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall Tickets £5 (inc tea, coffee, mince pies) from 2675615, 2673158 or 2675128 (or pay at the door) in aid of our project fund the Richard Engelgardt Trust •••

Friends of Birstall Swimming Pool needs swimmers to join them on Fridays 12.301.30pm at Birstall swimming pool We are a friendly group and we run to December 17.

We need more people to keep this going through to next year.

First session £2 ••• Charnwood Conservative Association

1pm.

Stalls include: plants, cakes, tombola, raffle, bric-abrac and books Light refreshments available (including soup). Entrance is free. Proceeds towards refurbishment of the hall.

••• Rothley Parish Church

Christmas Market Saturday November 27 10am to 12noon at the Rothley Centre Raffle, toys, gifts, bric-a-brac, cakes, preserves Coffee & mince pies, hot dogs Children’s activities. Rothley School Choir Proceeds to Missing People & Rothley Parish Church All welcome ••• The next in the series of

Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr will be held in the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley on Thursdays, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 6 at 7.30pm Admission £1.50 ••• Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall

Christmas Festival “Christmas Celebration” Decorated trees & displays Friday Nov 26, 10am-7pm Saturday Nov 27, 10am-2pm Admission to the Church £1 (accompanied children free) Outdoor Christmas Market Friday Nov 26, 3-7pm Home made cookery & preserves Christmas gifts & decorations, Hot-dogs, punch & pancakes, Games, tombola & raffles Santa’s Grotto, Table Top Sale Saturday Nov 27, 10am-2pm Tables @ £10, 2671181 Refreshments throughout (Light lunches Fri/Sat 12 until 1.30pm) •••

NSPCC ‘Speak Out’ Campaign I am a volunteer speaker for the NSPCC ‘Speak Out’ campaign. I deliver a short talk designed to raise awareness of the NSPCC childline service and work in Leicestershire. My talk is free of charge, and donations are welcome. If this is of interest to your group,

Christmas Fair

please do get in touch.

Beverley 07876 380184 •••

Film Presentations from Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council ‘The Proposal’ Friday November 12 (107 mins) Sandra Bullock was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in this romantic comedy which demonstrates that the path to true love can sometimes begin with good old-fashioned blackmail. The Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Jill Vincent, will honour us with her presence!

‘Amelia’ will be shown on Friday December 10 (111 mins) Amelia Earhart was the first woman aviator to fly solo round the world. She inspired millions. Hilary Swank is the double Oscar winner who conveyed the wonder of Amelia in every venture that she tackled. This awe inspiring film includes beautiful aerial photography, excellent period costume and vintage aircraft including the Lockhead in which Amelia mysteriously disappeared.

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £4. Concessions £3.50. Price includes refreshments and a lucky prize draw.

Advance tickets can be purchased via the parish office, 0116 2367626 or at the door ••• The Latimer Players Drama Society presents

‘Turning Sixty’ A variety celebration for their 60th anniversary Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, November 24, 25, 26 & 27 at 7.30pm The Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston Tickets £7.50, 121 Leicester Rd, Thurcaston tel: 0116 2362692 ••• The Bark Foundation In support of Cameroon Orphanage

Jewellery Sale Items donated, newly made or reworked and Arbon cosmetics Tuesday November 9 at 7.30pm in the Function Room at The Royal Oak, Cross Green, Rothley (Tuesday is also ‘Pie Night’!)

Come along and find yourself some bargains at the same time as helping us to complete the New Baby Unit that is desperately needed Continued on page 16

Saturday December 4 The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley 10am till noon, 50p admission Rt Hon S Dorrell MP will be attending Raffle, tombola, books, produce stalls, games, cakes & bric-a-brac •••

Toy & Gift Christmas Bazaar Age Concern, Birstall, 105 Sibson Road Friday and Saturday Nov 26 & 27 9am-5pm Lots of goodies and tombola Please come and support us Tel: 2672090 ••• Wanlip Church and Community Centre

A Christmas Fair is being held on Saturday December 4 at the Wanlip Hall, between 10am and

Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 15

Continued from page 15 ••• The Charnwood Orchestra

Concert Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough Sat November 20 starting at 7.45pm The Variations on the St Antoni Chorale by Brahms; the Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano by Beethoven and The Enigma Variations by Elgar The concert will be conducted by Neil Aston and soloists are members of the Trio Eluard, violin: Adrian Adlam, cello: Lionel Hardy and piano: Roger Owens.

Tickets £10 (£8 concessions) and £3 for accompanied children under 16. They are available from the orchestral secretary: rodgers_david@hotmail.com or 07718153117, from members and at the door.

There will be an interval with a real ale, wine and soft drinks bar •••

Starting Sept 14 and every two weeks thereafter Come and enjoy a cup of tea and biscuit in a friendly atmosphere and sit back and enjoy speakers, flower arrangements, and more Further info contact Mrs Joan Lovett 0116 237 4848 •••

Rothley Parish Church Christmas Services All welcome, but do come early, most of these services are well attended Sunday December 5: 10.30am Toy Service Sunday December 19: 10.30am Children’s Service, 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve: 4pm Christingle Service, 11.15am Service of Holy Communion Christmas Day: 9am Service of Holy Communion,

Woodlands Christmas Extravaganza Sunday November 21, 12noon-4pm Woodlands Day Nursery, 1 Park Road, Birstall Charity Fundraising Event Traditional games, bouncy castle, living Nativity scene, family portraits, craft stalls, Santa’s grotto, hot food and drinks….and lots more If you would like to hold a stall please contact Leonie on 2675427 or alternatively email:woodlandsdaynursery@live.co.uk •••

It’s Panto Time Once Again “Oh Yes It Is” Leicester’s award winning 11th Hour Productions bring their thrilling, fun packed show ‘Babes in the Wood’ to Stonehill High School, Birstall on December 10 & 11 Join Silly Billy and Lucy Lastic on this daring adventure to rescue Hansel and Gretel from the Sheriff of Nottingham! Fun for all ages in a show filled to the brim with songs, jokes and spectacle, a must see for all the family.

Tickets and further info available from 0116 2831646 or book online at www.11hr-productions.co.uk •••

Thurcaston Toddler Group We are open every Tuesday morning during school term times from 9am to 11am at The Memorial Hall (close to Richard Hill School) Anstey Lane, Thurcaston LE7 7JA Just drop in to our friendly parent run gathering from Thurcaston and surrounding villages, and for the admission cost of £2 your child get to play with different toys, do a craft activity and have a drink and a snack (tea and coffee for the adults too!)

•••

Ladies Circle Rothley Methodist Church Hall, Howe Lane, Rothley

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213 Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Rothley Library, Rothley Post Office or to our office in the Youth Centre, Longslade College, Birstall editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Rothley Post NOV/DEC 2010 (85), page 16

10.30am Family Service Boxing Day: 10.30am Family Service •••

Rothley Christmas Lights Switch on & Late Night Shopping Thursday Nov 25 Lights switched on at 6pm by Surprise Guest Gospel Choir, Santa’s Grotto, Steam Engine, Puppet Show, Fairground Rides, Christmas Nibbles