Groby Spotlight Mid-April 2022 issue by Michael Wilkinson

Spotligh potlightt Groby & Field Head MID-APRIL 2022

Delivered FREE to Homes & Businesses in Groby, Field Head & The Brantings

Tree planted in memory of Mrs Bell

Community Survey Early Results

N ENORMOUS thank you to everyone of the total of 811 that responded to our community survey and to the 69 people who put their names forward to become more involved in development of our neighbourhood plan. We will be contacting these volunteers very soon to discuss how they can best help. The three winners have been chosen at random from those who wanted to be entered in the prize draw and we look forward to contacting them and awarding the prizes very soon. Most responses were received online, but 190 (23%) were received as paper copies emphasising the continued need to engage with the community using printed media (e.g., this Spotlight magazine) as well as through other methods such as websites and social media (e.g., Facebook). We were delighted to receive responses from all areas of Groby Parish including Groby Village, Field Head, Bradgate Hill Hamlet, and The Brantings. The results are still being analysed, but we would like to share some early results.

ON SATURDAY 2nd April a tree was planted in memory of Mrs D. Bell who ran Groby Nursery School for over fifty years. The Japanese Cherry Tree was planted on the grass verge opposite Mrs Bell’s house on Leicester Road Groby. A lot of Groby residents were keen to have a lasting memorial to Mrs Bell. Mrs Bell was very well known in the village and surrounding areas for her loyalty and devotion to the children of Groby. Mrs Bell loved the village and did all that she could for the community over the years. Mrs Bell never forgot any child that had passed through her care at the Nursery! Many thanks to Leicestershire County Council for providing and planting the tree. Also thanks to Ozzy O’Shea for his help and to Ted Hollick, Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, for his kind words at the planting of the tree. The children were invited to come forward to finish off putting the soil and bark around the tree.

Janet Brooks

The top three issues that most respondents ranked first in importance for the Neighbourhood Plan were the Green Wedge (230 respondents), Local Green Space (99 respondents), and Wildlife Habitats and Biodiversity (58 respondents). Many of the issues listed are interdependent and when the average rankings are considered, most of the issues scores were like each other. Nevertheless, the Green Wedge was the clear priority. Looking closer at these top three issues 98.32% (760 responses) supported the retention of the Rothley Brook Green Wedge. Although all the potential ‘Local Green Spaces’ were popular, the most popular were Groby Pool 94.73% (701 responses), Groby Nature Area 93.11% (689 responses), and Groby Meadow 92.43% (684 responses). Again, there was interdependence between the habitats listed as priorities for habitat improvement. They are not mutually exclusive, but Trees and Woodland was the clear favourite with 69.09% (494 responses) ranking it as most important, followed by Meadows and Grassland 17.26% (122) and Bird Roosting and Nesting Places 5.15% (37). Sometime in May, once the results have been fully analysed, we will publish the results in the Parish Council Offices, Groby Community Library and online at the website shown below.

Help Shape the Future of Groby Parish To have your say, find out more and see how you can help, visit us online at http://www.groby.org.uk/neighbourhood-plan or write to Groby Council Offices, Village Hall, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DQ or call 0116 287 6985 for further information.

Groby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight

GIRLS RUGBY SUCCESS! BROOKVALE students, Year 7 Jess Chodynicki and Year 8 Isabelle Bradford, play for Leicester Forest Rugby Club - their U13 girls team came 2nd in the County Cup.

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What a great way to promote Girls Rugby!Thank you to Jess’s parents for sharing this photo. WELL DONE Jess & Isabelle!

Letter Thank you #1

WE WOULD LIKE to say a big ‘Thank You’ to a very kind couple who helped three elderly ladies in Newtown Linford, after one of us had a nasty fall. After excellent treatment at A&E, she is now recovering.

Cynthia Hunt & Two Friends

Telephone

01530-244069 Email us at: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/ or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 14th May 2022 DEADLINE: 30th April 2022

My wife and I decided we don’t want children. If someone wants them, we’ll drop them off tomorrow.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The loss of countryside might be double what you think

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THE PROBLEM with changing the use of land is that in most cases it is permanent, and the change often has secondary effects. This is something the village of Groby knows all about. Once a small quarrying and farm-based village in open countryside on the outskirts of Leicester, it has grown enormously over the decades. The arrival of the M1 sliced through the parishes of Groby and Ratby, with the ensuing loss of countryside to the motorway, and a legacy of ever increasing road noise and pollution. Then came the A46 Western Bypass, with more traffic and road noise. It ended the popular country walk down to the Branting Hill Hotel, and ultimately the hotel itself, now redeveloped for housing crossing the parish boundary. New highways are land hungry and the intersection of the A46 and the A50 meant an underpass, a new roundabout, and a re-routing of the A50 through the fields, estimated at the time to take 150 acres of open space. At each step development seems to leave pockets of sometimes unsustainable land which are used for housing infill. The Parish Council objected to the published route of the A46 because it passed too close to residential areas. They thought the new interchange would have an unacceptable impact on the residential development of Groby and Branting Hill. With foresight they also argued there

would be pressure on the “Green Wedge” areas. At each stage the open countryside around Groby shrinks, and it is not surprising that most residents oppose the proposal for a trading estate on 140 acres of land which will effectively result in the unification of Anstey and Groby. It may not be immediate, but history suggests that such spaces will ultimately be swallowed up by development of some sort. It could be argued that the loss of these fields is not critical, but who knows, it could be the catalyst for even more development along the Western Bypass corridor. Even if these fields are lost, it might be argued, there is still plenty of countryside to the north and west of the village. Whilst this is true it is also true that the separation and the individual identity of the villages will disappear. But there is another consideration – part of the countryside to the north of Groby had already been committed to development, and this may also be within the Local Plan period to 2039. Because it has been kicked into the long grass for the moment villagers should not forget that at some point in the medium term there will be a new 76 million ton quarry between Groby, Field Head and Newtown Linford. This is not optional; it is a national resource and no-one should think that agreeing to a 140 acre trading estate on our doorstep will enable a hole in the ground of a similar size to be stopped. When quarrying planning permission is eventually applied for it will be a matter of how it happens, not if it happens.

but nearly double that amount, and both will increase pressure on the A50/A46 interchange. Quarrying links Groby’s past to Groby’s future, and, although residents might not like it, sometimes there’s a price to pay for living near a national resource. When the time comes working with the extraction company to secure the best environmental outcome is the best we can hope for. The good news about quarrying for the generations to come is that extraction is followed by restoration and time will heal the scars on the landscape. On the other hand, fields converted to a trading estate are most unlikely to become fields again. Residents will have to decide whether they prefer development to fields, but if they do, they should consider whether development is the start of a process or the end, and what legacy they wish to leave future generations.

Norman Griffiths

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To look at it another way, we are not faced with the loss of 140 acres of countryside in the years to come,

My poor knowledge of Greek mythology has always been my Achilles elbow.

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The Friends of Charnwood Forest ON WEDNESDAY 23rd March the meeting of the Friends of the Charnwood Forest heard a talk given by Mr Richard Bailey on Bawden Lodge Farm.

His grandfather started the family business when he took up farming at Outwoods Farm, and Bawden Lodge was acquired in the course of the following years. Because the prices of farm products are fixed whilst suppliers to the farms do not suffer this restriction, costs rise and incomes do not. Thus there is a need to diversify. Mr Bailey showed slides of the developing Bailey Wood which had been planted in 30 acres of the farm and was centred on an oak tree. Business premises had been created from farm buildings; recently these have tended to be let to businesses that are involved in lifestyles. 220 Solar panels had been installed and were expected to pay for themselves within six years. Events, including weddings, concerts and plays had been put on. Mr Bailey made a point that weddings often involved starting preparations at 8.00 a.m. and finally finishing between 2.00 and 3.00 the next morning. The present author has been to performances of plays in the open air on the farm, and notes that car parking was provided. An old grain store has been converted into a shop cum café, and its turnover in the first four months of operation was greater than the farm’s for the previous two years. As well as all this the farm is still an active business, and one slide depicted a cart of hay destined for a stables. Mr Bailey ended by warning of the dangers of isolation as a farmer. In his younger days he was chairman of the Farmers’ Union, he is a borough councillor and was involved in the planning of the UNESCO geopark, which was the subject of the Friends last meeting. • THE NEXT MEETING will be at the Woodhouse village hall, when the subject will be beekeeping in Botany Bay in Charley. It will take place at 7.30 p.m. on 20th April.

Dr. McNeil

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I didn’t realise how bad a driver I was until my sat nav said: ‘In 400 feet, do a slight right, stop, and let me out.’

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Comedy Festival’s Geoff Rowe visits Groby WI OUR MEETING was held on Thursday 17th March, it was a beautiful sunny evening and the turnout of members was excellent. It felt almost back to normal apart from not singing Jerusalem! The speaker was Geoff Rowe, founding director of The Leicester Comedy Festival, the first of which was held in February 1994 and is now the biggest festival of its kind in Europe. Comedy had been essentially performed by white, middle class men but has diversified over the last 30 years of the Leicester Comedy Festival which is a non profit making, commercial enterprise. Geoff feels that laughter, humour and comedy are so important, and have been especially over the last two years. An amusing anecdote he quoted was that apes, rats, dolphins and dogs laugh like humans whereas chimps and gorillas will also laugh like humans when tickled! His own story is very interesting in that he was a bored, 13-yearold living with his family in Buckinghamshire and he decided, rather randomly, that he was going to put on a concert in the local village hall. This was a sell out and a great success. He continued to promote bands throughout his teenage years as music was his passion. He also toured with a band during this time. In 1991, he went to Leicester Polytechnic (as it was then) and did a course in Arts Management. In his third year, as part of the course and with a small groups of students, they had to do a practical project. In 1992/93 New Musical Express (for those of

you old enough to remember this magazine!) started to write about comedy saying that it was definitely the new rock and roll of the time. Geoff’s lecturers had suggested that their project could be Eastern European Theatre but this (probably understandably) did not appeal to the group. Instead, they chose to put on a comedy festival with absolutely no knowledge of how to go about this mammouth project! The project needed patrons and Geoff wrote to Norman Wisdom’s manager and also to Tony Slattery, surprisingly they both said that they would be delighted to support the project and in 1994 The Leicester Comedy Festival was born. There were fifty events and over 5,000 people attended to see Harry Hill and Nick Park (of Wallace and Gromit fame) to name but a couple, perform. After graduating, the group of students decided to do a second festival in 1995 and received a grant of £25,000 from Intercity Midland Mainline. One of the acts was Willie Rushton and Barry Cryer performing ‘Two Old Farts’ at the Haymarket. The festival has gone from strength to strength and in 2019, 135,000 people attended seventy two different venues in Leicester. There was a festival just prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020 and an online version in 2021. 2023 will see the 30th anniversary of the Leicester Comedy Festival and the 5th anniversary of the Kids Comedy Festival. An awards ceremony is now held approximately one month after the festival and Geoff shared three particular memories with us. Approximately eight years ago Ken Dodd, his wife Ann and their poodle arrived at the Grand Hotel in Leicester prior to

Letter Thank you #2

I WOULD BE grateful if you could print a thank you for me to two Groby residents who helped me when I fell. I was out running on Friday March 25th when I turned my ankle and took a bad fall on the old Anstey Lane just before you cross the A50. I landed badly hurting my elbow, knee, hip, hands and ankle (I did a good footballer impersonation with my groaning). This lovely couple came back to see if I was ok, I wasn’t, I was tearful and in shock. They rang my partner to collect me, stayed with me and kept me talking. I have no idea who they were but I am so grateful to them. I ended with a sprained ankle, deep wound in my elbow, badly bruised knee and multiple cuts to my hands. No running for me for a while!

Anita Kilroy-Findlay

the awards ceremony. Ken had previously warned his entourage not to approach the poodle. Geoff however arrived slightly late and unaware of this advice, went to stroke the dog and had it hanging off his arm, teeth still firmly attached, but ever the consummate performer, went on to compere the awards ceremony! On another occasion, Geoff was meeting Barry Cryer at the Belmont Hotel prior to a show and was aware of a lady staring at Barry. She then came up to him saying ‘Do I know you’ several times before saying ‘Did you live off the Uppingham Road’? Barry politely said no but had a jolly good laugh after the lady had gone, still convinced that she knew him. The third tale was rather more poignant. A posthumous award was being given to the late, great Victoria Wood and her manager, Lucy, was given the task of choosing someone to receive it. Instead of it being one of the many famous people that had known or worked with Victoria, Lucy chose her sister Rosalind. Geoff said it was a very humbling moment. The festival is now well supported by the Phoenix Art Theatre, De Montfort Hall, Age Concern and Leicester Cathedral to name but a few. Geoff achieved one of his personal ambitions three years ago by attending Glastonbury with a back stage pass and interviewing Jo Brand. The photograph is of Geoff, and in the background is a selection of Easter Eggs which will be raffled off at our April meeting. The speaker at the next meeting on Thursday 21st April will be Julie Ede talking about the legendary Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, I’m not able to be at that meeting and it promises to be an interesting and chocolate filled evening!

GEOFF ROWE: His Leicester Polytechnic Project evolved into what is now the Leicester Comedy Festival • DIANE’S CORNER is once again thriving with planned trips to see Billy Elliot, Mama Mia and the Wizard of Oz, all at Curve Theatre. Kate, our President, reminded us that next year will be Groby WI’s 70th birthday and asked for ideas of how we could celebrate this amazing milestone.

Ruth Rolinson

Out and about on the roads?

Remember the NEW Highway Code WHEN DID you last read the Highway Code? Various ‘fundamental’ changes were recently made which will surely affect you.

For example, there is a new hierarchy of road users, where drivers now have new responsibilities to watch out for people who are walking, cycling, or riding a horse. Another example is that cyclists are now advised to cycle in the centre of lanes in slower-moving traffic. Finally, do you even know how best to open your car door? According to the Highway Code, you should use your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening; for example, use your left hand to open a door on your right-hand side. This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder. You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement. Visit: https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Age-proof your hair Hair, like skin, suffers two types of ageing: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic ageing is the effect of everything that your locks are exposed to, like heatstyling, sun damage and colouring. Intrinsic ageing comes from below the scalp and reveals the signs that your hair is past its prime: reduction in melanin, decline in sebum production and a change in hair diameter. What that means is that greys start to appear, the shine starts to disappear and your hair loses its bounce. Either way, there’s plenty you can do to keep your crowning glory looking its best.

Always be aware of your hair Try to limit extrinsic damage. Lay off the heated styling tools, prevent your hair from being frazzled by the sun by applying a deep conditioner to the lengths and ends when you’re on the beach, and cut right back on products that can dry your hair, like hairsprays.

Reconsider your colour Although you might colour your hair to hide greys, choosing the wrong hue can be very ageing. An all-over colour can be hard to wear as you get older, particularly when it’s very dark. Choose a base colour that’s no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural hue and add highlights.

Condition, condition, condition Smother the lengths and ends of your hair with a rich deep-conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Try hair oils and products that are specially formulated for ageing, thinning or dried-out hair.

Try a new hairstyle

Out-of-date, unflattering styles really do make you look a lot older than you are. That’s why it’s important to take a fresh look at yourself every so often. Talk to your stylist or try a new salon. The opinion of someone who doesn’t already know you and your hair can result in a fantastic new look. Any hairdresser worth their salt can advise on what styles work best for thinning or ageing hair, but generally it’s worth considering a couple of points: Long locks look lovely if they’re bouncy, thick and full of life, but if that’s not the case then they really aren’t worth holding on to. Chopping long hair into a flattering, blunt, midi-cut is a quick way to create more youthful-looking hair. Ridding your tresses of dead split ends improves condition and a blunt cutting technique will create the look of fullness. Try a fringe or have some soft layers added to the styling around your face. This lifts your features and makes you look younger.

A professional opinion is best Although it’s normal for your hair to show signs of change such as thinning over the years, it’s worth seeing your GP if you notice any sudden changes. Hair loss can be caused by hormone deficiencies – low thyroid levels, for example – a deficiency in nutrients, stress and the side-effects of various medications. So if you’re in doubt, ask your doctor’s advice.

Glenfield Bowls Arriva 27 (Ratby) Club is seeking service to new members become hourly

THE NEW SEASON has just started and we are looking for new members.

GROBY IS SET to lose one bus an hour on a Leicester route. Arriva has announced that the 27 service between Leicester and Ratby via Laundon Way, Groby, will be reduced from 17 April 2022. There will only be one 27 an hour on weekdays and weekends. Revised timetables are being placed at bus stops.

Lawn bowls is a great sport open to everybody, all ages, ladies, men and youths. It is easy to play and a great way of keeping fit. Coaching is available for beginners and we enjoy social activities throughout the season. GLENFIELD BOWLS CLUB IS HOLDING A BIG BOWLS WEEKEND ON SATURDAY 28th MAY For more information contact :dekkyturner@hotmail.co.uk or call 0116 2876102.

For early birds the first 27 to Leicester through Groby will leave Main Street in Ratby on Mondays to Fridays at 5.47am. On Saturdays the first bus will leave Ratby at 6.51 and on Sunday at 9.20. Although the buses then run hourly at approximately the same times until late afternoon, check the timetable before you travel. From Leicester the last bus to Ratby through Groby leaves Gravel Street at 20.47 on Mondays to Saturdays and 18.04 on Sundays.

Norman Griffiths

Inspecting mirrors is a job I could really see myself doing.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

The All Balls and Glitter Tour

Craig Revel Horwood’s

coming to CURVE CRAIG REVEL Horwood’s longawaited debut solo tour has started and he will be performing in Leicester on 1st May at the Curve Theatre.

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Join Craig as he talks about his life from Australia to the West End to Strictly, reveals a wealth of backstage gossip with his trademark wit and candour, and gives a very special performance of some of the music which has been the soundtrack to his career. Best-known today for being a judge on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, Craig’s professional training began in his home country of Australia where he appeared in productions including West Side Story and La Cage Aux Folles. On arriving in Europe Craig joined the famous company at the Lido Du Paris as a dancer and then as principle singer at the Moulin Rouge, finding himself a year later in the UK tour of Cats. Since then, Craig appeared in the West End in Miss Saigon and was an original cast member of Crazy For You. He crossed over into choreography to huge success, being nominated for an Olivier Award for the West End productions of Spend Spend Spend and My One and Only. Since then he has had numerous credits as director/ choreographer across the world, ranging from the hugely successful UK tour of Sister Act to the movie Paddington 2. Craig continues to perform onstage, with ten years in pantomime and as Miss Hannigan in Annie in the west end and on tour.

Meet Dale Knight

Dale Knight has 29 years’ experience working as a mortgage and protection adviser, covering Groby and surrounding areas. He will be able to discuss and advise your mortgage and protection options in a personal and professional manner to ensure your experience is easy and hassle free. As a mortgage and protection adviser, Dale will be able to provide tailored advice to support you on your property journey, whether you are a firsttime buyer, home mover or simply looking to review your current mortgage options. Dale has lived his entire life in Groby and over the years, has helped hundreds of clients to achieve their property dreams. With access to more than 11,000 products from over 90 lenders, he will be able to offer the right package to suit you and your individual circumstances.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. There will be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Proposed Employment Park

Janet Bishop gives you an update on the ‘Concerned Residents’ attendance at the IM Properties consultations in March.

NYONE NEAR The Groby ExServiceman’s Club on the evening of Thursday 10th March, may have seen a small group of people hanging around on the pavement outside. We had not come along to admire the shiny fleet of expensive cars in the car park, belonging to the various employees of IM Properties, but to find out what people’s thoughts were on the proposal to build on the Rothley Brook Green Wedge between Groby and Anstey. A team of volunteers set up tables, large banners and clipboards so we could catch the attention of those attending the consultation. We introduced ourselves as ‘Concerned Residents,’ to which many replied ‘so are we…’ Our aim was to get an idea of the number of people attending the consultation and to gauge how many are against the development. We believe 160 people attended that Thursday evening and 158 of those signed our statement demanding that Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council take all necessary steps to prevent the IM Properties development. Saturday was a lot trickier as we had to set up outside the pedestrian gate at Brookvale and at the mini roundabout where vehicles turned onto the campus. IM Properties had 114 visitors and we got 163 signatures. Some people heard we were at the school, so came specifically to sign, others signed and decided not to even bother going into the presentation and some people just stopped as they were passing. We talked to many people who came out of the consultation very angry at the lack of information the supposed ‘experts’ had with regard to highways, environment and local wildlife. I had a look around the IM Properties presentation, which consisted of ‘experts’ stood next to banners containing dreamy images and information of what the development may look like. Comment forms were available, asking for input in the form of questions – Do you have any comments on our vision for a new employment park? What are the main priorities that need addressing? Are there any broader issues you think we should be aware of in developing our plans and investing in your area?

The most interesting question was, ‘Our proposals have the potential to enhance public access to green spaces, provide outdoor amenities for community use, and support local aspirations to enhance the environment. What would you most like to see come forward as part of our plans within the main employment park and as any proposals for a new community woodland at the Klondyke?’ I can imagine some interesting replies. The consultation is being headed by a communications company called Camargue, whose aim is to ‘help our clients improve understanding, build bridges and bring communities on side’, according to their website. I was introduced to Dan Knight, an Associate Director at Camargue. He was aware that I was one of the ‘concerned residents’ and was quite keen to point out that ‘we really should have some input on getting a development we will be happy with, otherwise when construction starts we would end up with something we wouldn’t like! The development of a so called business park, which we all know by looking at their other developments, will be 24 hours a day, with light, noise and carbon pollution. It will be an enormous development of warehousing for automated international companies. It will destroy an important area of green space, have a huge impact on the local wildlife as well as completely spoiling the gateway to the national forest. Views from historic Old John would never be the same again. I really do believe that we can win this fight to keep our green wedge and from the angry comments of those who came to see us on their way out, they are determined to fight too.

So what happens next? IM Properties will go away with the information they have gathered from the residents and put together a report as to whether or not they have a strong enough case to take to HBBC, explaining the benefits of the business park being part of its strategy for sustainable growth. If IM Properties get the development included in the Hinckley & Bosworth 2020-2039 local plan

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and the Government signs it off, we will very likely lose. HOWEVER, DO NOT BE DISHEARTENED… HBBC’s recent press release revealed that there had been an overwhelming response to their draft local plan. Anyone who contacted HBBC planning department, wrote to Councillors Stuart Bray, David Bill, Martin Cartwright and Ted Hollick with regards to supporting the draft local plan and its protection of Rothley Brook Green Wedge as farmland not to be developed, will have given weight to the plan. Groby Parish Council are very much against the proposal, have set up a working party and are looking for volunteers. (Contact the Parish Council Secretary if you are interested in helping). Chairman Brian Rigby was by our side at both consultations, collecting signatures and talking to people. We also had a visit from our local MP, Edward Argar, who told us that he is completely against the development and will do everything possible to stop it. I have also heard that some people have had replies to their correspondence with Edward, with a copy of a strongly worded letter opposing the development which he has sent to IM Properties. This is excellent news. It will be a few months until we know what steps IM Properties will take next so we need to keep reminding Councillors that we are not giving up and going away, so keep contacting them. We have set up an email address if you would like to contact us. We would be very interested to hear your stories of replies from IM Properties and your thoughts on the consultation events.

The email address is: concernedgrobyresidents22 @gmail.com A concerned resident sent me a quote from Cllr. David Bill. “We have a responsibility to look after where we live.”

“The man who has a thing to sell, And goes and whispers it down a well, Is not so likely to collar the dollars As he who climbs a tree and hollers!”

Call Mike today on 01530 244069 or email your details to info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

I really want to buy one of those grocery checkout dividers but the lady behind the counter keeps putting it back.

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Futsal Success for Brookvale Girls!

BROOKVALE GROBY Learning Campus KS4 Girls Futsal Team were crowned Hinckley and Bosworth champions and qualified for the County Finals. BGLC KS3 Girls Futsal Team won 3 games, drew 1 and lost 1, which was enough to take BGLC through. Louisa Tarbuck, Katie Lane and Erin Ellis shared the goals. The Year 8/9 team qualified for the final after an unbeaten group stage and were leading 1-0 going into the final minute of the final. Unfortunately, our opponents equalised in the dying seconds and we suffered the heartbreak of a sudden death penalty shootout defeat. All four teams were fantastic!

Observations on life….

Encyclopaedias

• The way to do a great deal is to keep on doing a little. The way to do nothing at all is to be continually resolving that you will do everything. - C H Spurgeon

SORTING OUT books for the local fete, a parishioner came across some well-worn and dusty illustrated encyclopaedias, treasured from his childhood.

• Thinking of going on holiday? Look in the mirror. If you look like your passport photo, you probably need the trip. - Anon • Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how. - Anon • Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups. - Anon • Be different. Conform. - Anon

Unwilling to part with them, he put them on a shelf in the garage where his small grandchildren found them and spent many happy hours looking at the pictures. These books, however, caused him great embarrassment the day the minister came to visit. One of his grandchildren suddenly said: “Grandad, can we go look at those dirty books you keep in the garage?”

• Can atheists get insurance for acts of God? - Anon • A smile is a curve which helps to put things straight. - Anon • If you want to soar with the eagles in the morning, you can’t hoot with the owls all night. Anon • Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again. - Anon • Is a lame duck a politician whose goose has been cooked? - Anon • People have always named their children after expensive things: Mercedes, Chardonnay, Dior. This year, look out for: Electric, Gas, and Petrol. - Anon

Happy New Year from Churches Together in Groby! Please see our on-line links below for up to date information.

!"#$%& ! !"' () *+,-$%. /001234152/ !"# $%"& '%&&"( )**+* ,)--*. !!!"#$%&'(()"%(*+,-.$/0,-1 !!!"$%234%2/&$45(3"%(*+%234%2+6678 Every Wednesday 9.30am Communion Online Compline at 9pm every Monday, Wednesda y and Friday 10th April 9.30am Palm Sunday Praise. 6pm Communion 17th Apr 8am Communion 9.30 am Easter praise with communion. 24th Apr 9.30am Communion 6pm Evensong 1st May 8am Communion, 9.30am all age worship 6pm communion 8th May 8am communion 10am @ Ratby, rev Noel’s retirement. 6pm evensong 15th May, 9.30am joint. service with URC @P&J for Christian Aid 4pm Super Sunday.

!" #$% &''( )&# *+,-,.%)/ *%++$-. $- +-)#'-* +/')*' .'0.12'**)3' #$%- &)2' )&( 4$2' .'/'+4$&' &%25'- .$ !"# !$ !!& #'"#&) !" *+,*+*-./00 ! 1!! 23'' 4#5 6 76'' back. Services in church every Sunday at 10am see below. ===@")>'5$$?@>$213-$5#%->1 !"#$"% &'(%)*%+ &%(,$-%& ./"+)0& during or after live service ! 12##23 /& 2" 4)%5226 12( *2(% $"12(*)'$2" )"+ +)$#0 72&'& '2 &/772(' 8 %"-2/()9% 02/:

Telephone church every Sunday at 11. (Tel 0333 0164 757 Room No 10336316# pin No 1920# call charged at local rate)

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Gardening Society NEWS

St Margaret’s Bus Station Will Be Re-Opening Soon

AT THE TIME of writing, the mild weather of mid to late March - one of the sunniest and driest for many years - has been replaced by a decidedly Arctic blast, with snow flurries and a fierce northerly breeze intermittently disguising the clear blue sky and sunshine. From sunbathing last week, it’s back to an extra sweater and woolly hat for outdoor activities. A meeting took place in early March between the Society and the Groby Allotment Society to discuss the possibility of running a joint Village Show. After much consideration, it was decided that running a show would not be viable, and the decision was made with much regret that there will be no Village Show this year. This was not an easy decision to make, and on behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone from both Societies who volunteered to help. Hopefully the Spring weather will return, and warmer conditions prevail now that the days are longer than the nights.

“After much consideration, it was decided that running a show would not be viable, and the decision was made with much regret that there will be no Village Show this year.”

If any members of the society have any comments, suggestions or observations, please contact Helen Box in the first instance, via email at helen_box@hotmail.com Enjoy your garden when you can. Stay safe.

Keith Poole THE MARKFIELD & THORNTON THEATRE GROUP PROUDLY PRESENTS

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LEICESTER’S St Margaret’s Bus Station was old, but just about serviceable. It did need replacing. I have been told by the City Council that the new, refurbished and basically replaced bus station will open next month, or at the latest in June. This is great news. The new St Margaret’s will mean more arrival and departure bays, as well as reintroducing the national and regional services, as operated before. This element does require negotiations and agreements with the bus and coach opertors, so nothing can be set in stone, yet. I am told that the new structure will look larger, despite it covering the same ground space and frame. National Express will have a shop, as it did, and there will be a new newsagents and café. New toilets are, I am told, being completed within the new building as I write this. Access and egress for buses and coaches was never ideal before but this has been sorted by a redesign that was well underway prior to the closure. It will, I am convinced, be safer and faster for all vehicles. One of my minor grouses has been the lack of seating for the temporary areas given over for the bus services 26, 27, 29 and 29a. The new bus station will solve these, and more. There will be similar seating as in the bays at the Haymarket, plus additional seating around the new café and newsagents. All this is, of course, word of mouth – my journalism days ended nearly 40 years ago – but it is all encouraging. Has it been worth the wait and the inconvenience? Time will tell, but I think the answer will be positive.

Richard Cox

Farce BY GREENWOOD & PARKES DIRECTED BY ANNE DOBROWOLSKA

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WEDNESDAY 27th -SATURDAY 30th April at 7.30 nightly (Doors open at 7.00 p.m.) AVAILABLE ON 07983669689 OR EMAIL:Emilyg.marlow981@gmail.com I used to work in a garage which had a jet wash. It was pointless - there was nowhere for them to land.

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GREEN WASTE customers to be compensated for 2021 collection problems NEW CUSTOMERS to the green waste collection service for 2022/23 will pay £35, but existing customers will pay only £31.40. The discount will be applied automatically to existing customers renewing the service. The difference in charge is to compensate existing customers for the disruption to collections last year as a result of a national shortage of HGV drivers. Last year the renewal date was pushed forward from April to June to take account of collections missed during 2020. Direct Debit customers do not need to do anything, new stickers will be sent automatically. Other customers are advised to renew by 30 April to allow sufficient time for stickers to arrive. Customers are advised to put their new stickers on bins as soon as they are received prior to June. “The decision to increase the charge for garden waste collections is one of many difficult decisions the council has faced this year to help reduce the costs of providing services,” explained Director (Environment and Planning) at the Borough Council, Matthew Bowers. “Like many councils we have a much reduced budget from central Government and our income has reduced substantially, particularly in the last year, while our costs have continued to rise.” The increase generated much discussion at meetings of councillors at the Borough Council. When the charge for the service was introduced the demand was underestimated, but over time increasing costs have meant that the cost of the service has exceeded the amount billed to customers. In 2021/22 Costs of £1.4 million, and income of £990,000, resulted in a shortfall of £466,000. At £35 this reduces to £335,000, but the charge would have to be increased to £45 to reach break-even.

How does this compare with other councils? Charges vary dramatically across the county. In North West Leicester the first green bin is free, but in Melton the service has been contracted out to Biffa until 2028. Melton residents pay £78 a year. In the middle there’s Blaby at £41.70, and Charnwood at £50. When Harborough’s charge was increased the council said that it could no longer subsidise the cost and now charges £55, £10 more than the HBBC break even cost.

Norman Griffiths

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS

Councillor Martin Cartwright reports • Tel: 0116 287 4500 Mob: 07850 707050 E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk I WANT TO make clear to all Groby residents that both I, Cllr Martin Cartwright and my Administration at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council that IM’s scheme is not a scheme that the Borough Council’s administration is supporting in the local plan 2021 - 2036.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Local Plan Hits Major Milestone A key planning document that will guide future development in Hinckley and Bosworth up to 2039 has hit a major milestone. The Local Plan sets out preferred locations for housing and economic growth across the Borough and includes a number of planning policies covering a range of issues such as conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment, sustainable transport, good design and responding to the challenges of climate change. The policies that form the Plan will be used to guide development and respond to economic, environmental and social issues within the Borough of Hinckley & Bosworth. Now that consultation has ended and the responses considered, the Borough Council can progress to formal submission of the Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for Public, Examination. This is the last and final stage in the statutory process that Councils must complete before the Local Plan can form the Council’s future framework for decision making on planning.

Groby’s housing allocation 2021 – 2039 is 45 new homes at Laurel Farm, Groby All of the plots of land that IM Properties wish to develop are currently allocated agriculture land in the draft Local Plan and not business use or housing development. Ever since I was first elected to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council back in 2007 I have always sought to protect the green wedge in Groby as a green area of separation between settlements and will continue to do so. You are almost certainly aware of my track record, so too are Bloors, and IM Properties.

The land that IM Properties have an option to purchase is not allocated as employment land in the Hinckley & Bosworth Council draft local plan 2021 – 2039. IM Properties could seek to challenge this position at the public examination stage of the plan process, likely target date for public examination is November 2022 to early 2023. I will do all I can to resist the IM Properties scheme being included in the Local Plan both now and into the future. My administration at HBBC has designated the site references LPR49A and LPR49B as farmland. This is the two plots of land that IM Properties wish to develop the business park on. Any challenge which is made by anyone, not just the current consultation consultee, to change the two plots designation from farmland will be met with a fight from me as Groby Ward Member as I believe WE HAVE GOT THIS RIGHT and this is the correct designation of use for this land’s use. When the vote was taken at Hinckley & Bosworth Council the administration voted to progress the above housing numbers and farm allocation land for Groby. The opposition parties either voted against or abstained. As we carried the majority vote the plan process progressed. Whilst the Local Plan at Hinckley & Bosworth is Borough wide the significance of the vote above was to secure 45 new homes for Groby between now and 2039 and to designate the land IM Properties seek to turn industrial land as farmland until at least 2039. Voting to delay the process at this point in time is a vote to delay the securing of the outcome that the vast majority of Groby residents support. So IM Properties will potentially challenge the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Local plan at public examination stage, so too as Cllr O’Shea has confirmed will Leicestershire County Council. Others could too such as Bloors who have failed in planning applications in the past. The point is no matter how much we were to delay submission of the plan for examination those challenges will still come forward and we will defend those challenges.

Results of the various consultation Events in Reverse Order • April 5th 2022 7pm – 7.45pm Anstey Parish Council IM Properties Two residents attended the event. Deborah Taylor Leicestershire County Councillor for Bradgate was also present. IM Properties presented their proposals to Anstey Parish Council members. I had thought this was the event for Anstey residents to hear from IM Properties at a meeting in Anstey so was very surprised by such a low turn out of the residents given the amount of Anstey residents that had already been in touch with me on IM Properties proposals. • March 12th Brookvale Campus 10am – 4pm Approximately 114 residents attended the event. Around 25% or these were Anstey Residents. • March 10th Groby Ex Servicemen’s Club 5pm – 8-pm. Approximately 154 residents attended the event. The vast majority on this occasion were Groby Residents. During the two combined events around 268 people engaged in the face to face consultation. There was representation from Groby, Anstey, The Brantings and Glenfield residents within these numbers quoted above. I attended all these events throughout as your Borough Councillor in an observer role because of the planning process. Thank you to everyone that attended these events, it was great to see so many of you there. Question: What is a Local Plan? Answer: The Local Plan is the key document which helps Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to develop the Borough of Hinckley & Bosworth in the right way, over a 20 year period, so that we have the right facilities and infrastructure

in place to support the community and to grow the local economy and tourism. For example Climate Change is a major part of the new plan that in comparison featured much less in the current plan about to expire. The Council, as the local planning authority, is responsible for developing local plans, gathering the necessary evidence base, and consulting with local communities, businesses and interested parties. Local Plan Regulation Consultation process closed on Wednesday 23rd March 2022. The next step in the process is a public examination the timetable is unknown but expected between November 2022 and April 2023. Any challenge which is made by anyone, not just the current consultation consultee, to change the two plots designation from farmland will be met with a fight from me as Groby Ward Member as I believe WE HAVE GOT THIS RIGHT and this is the correct designation of use for this land’s use. Thank you to everyone who submitted comments to the final part of the consultation process on the Draft Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Local Plan, now closed. You may have had issues submitting your comments this would not have been your fault as the e-mail address in Janet Bishop’s Article, Spotlight March 2022 Page 4, and the flyers handed out at both the consultation events contained an incorrect e-mail address. Both publications showed the Hinckley & Bosworth planning policy e-mail address as planningpolicy@hinckleybosworth. gov.uk which should have said planningpolicy@hinckley-bosworth. gov.uk if your e-mail bounced this explains why. Sadly the opportunity to submit comments has now expired.

Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward. Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub

Call: 0116 287 4500 Mobile: 07850 707050

E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ

Cllr Martin Cartwright

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Letter Dear residents,

So what Happens Next? Now that the IM Properties consultation period has closed, this is not a consultation by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council it is entirely up to IM Properties what happens next, outside of your and my control. This will hopefully be based upon the feedback received from the consultation events with the public, we shall have to just wait and see IM Properties next move. It is clear to me, and so it should be to IM Properties that the vast majority of people who engaged with them during their testing of the water with the consultation have fed back that they are against their proposals for many and varied different reasons. Indeed from all the contact I have had with people on this issue by e-mail, text, telephone and in person only one and half people have expressed support for IM Properties proposals. The one person in support by the way was an Anstey resident. IM Properties will be closing their online feedback comment form in the near future if they have not already done so by the time you read this update article. However you can still feedback your views and thoughts to them by emailing info@impgroby.co.uk

As elected member for Groby I too am interested in your views. Whereas IM properties consultation has now closed you can still feedback your views to me on this issue. If you wish to share your views with me please do so by using the dedicated e-mail address rather than my normal Hinckley & Bosworth e-mail address. In respect of IM Properties consultation please e-mail me on grobyproposals@appliancehome. co.uk IM Properties Could Challenge the Hinckley & Bosworth Local Plan at the Public Examination Stage It is important to note that at each stage in this very long process you will be given the opportunity to comment should you choose to do so. Please remember if I can ever be of help to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are listed. Kind regards

Cllr Martin Cartwright

THROUGH THE PAGES of the Groby Spotlight I wanted to thank all the people who have taken the time to write to me about IM Properties proposals for land north of the A50 Groby. As you will appreciate I get 100s of letters every week from right across the Borough and I apologise that I am not able to reply individually to each representation received. I want to make clear to all Groby residents that IM’s scheme is not a scheme that the Council’s administration is supporting in the local plan that has recently been subject to consultation.

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The Borough Council, as the Local Planning Authority, receives 100s of speculative applications from developers seeking approval for their scheme every year. This has been particularly challenging in recent years due to the Government’s “Build Build Build” agenda. Council planning officers legally have to engage with anyone seeking planning permission, from large schemes such as this to small householder applications. This doesn’t mean they ultimately get approved. I have always sought to protect the green wedge to the north of Groby as a green area of separation and will continue to do so. My administration will do all it can to resist this scheme being included in the Local Plan which ultimately has to go to a Government Planning Inspector for sign off. I look forward to working with Groby residents in this fight to protect Groby from inappropriate developments. Kind regards

Cllr Stuart Bray

Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Council

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Lea Meadows: a hidden gem at Ulverscroft

AFTER THE Easter school holiday singing resumes at the Groby Club for adult singers on Wednesdays, 1.30-3.00pm and/or 7.309.00pm. Since we restarted in February, numbers have gradually been creeping up with over 100 singers having joined us again including some new faces, which is good to see. When we resume, the much-loved cake will be part of our breaks again. Do join us, it’s a great way to make new friends.

GROBY IS LUCKY to be located at the southern boundary of the Charnwood Forest area, with access to open fields and woodland on our doorstep. Martinshaw Wood, Sheet Hedges Wood and Groby Pool SSSI are within easy walking distance, with Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill and more a little further afield. The area around Ulverscroft Priory also provides delightful walking opportunities and is home to a hidden gem nearby – Lea Meadows, managed by the Leicestershire Wildlife Trust. There are no facilities or car park, and after periods of heavy rain part of the meadow may be flooded. There may be cattle or even a bull present. So it’s not the place for a barbeque or a family game of soccer, and deviating from the footpaths may result in a lot of shoe cleaning before travelling home in addition to causing damage in a very sensitive area. But for the keen ecologist or environmentalist these considerations will be unimportant compared to the possible rewards - Lea Meadows can be traced back over seven centuries and appears to be part of a medieval assart, Lea Wood being the other part. An assart is an area of cleared woodland. Ridge and furrow underlies some areas, parts which have been ploughed, probably in the 13th or 14th century when grassland had to be sacrificed to meet the immediate demands of a rapidly growing population. To protect the area from grazing animals like wild deer, a substantial bank and ditch was built around the assart and remnants of this can be seen just after entering the meadows from the east.

There are conifer woods all around. and a line of alder trees follows the unpolluted winding stream on the opposite side of the meadow, providing the perfect haven for the brook lamprey. Other fish, like bullhead, minnow, three-spined stickleback and brown trout, have also been recorded, along with white-clawed crayfish. Kingfishers are occasionally seen along the stream and the alders alongside are excellent for wintering flocks of siskin and redpoll. The best time to visit is late spring, when the reserve is at its most beautiful. Then, in early summer pignut attracts chimney sweeper moths, while later in the summer the carpets turn the purple and blue of betony, Betony harebell and devil’s-bit scabious, among numerous species of grasses, sedges and rush. In wetter areas, many hundreds of common and heath spotted-orchids flower, with marsh speedwell and opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage. In drier parts bittervetch, great burnet, pepper-saxifrage and a few plants of saw-wort can be seen. “It’s a lovely area of unimproved neutral/slightly acid grassland and part of the SSSI which covers the Ulverscroft Brook catchment,” explained a local expert. “The meadow flowers are remarkable with over 250 species in 12 hectares and, with all this un-spoilt primary production, these is a wonderful invertebrate population and bird life.”

Visiting TRAVELLING from Newtown Linford, pedestrian access is on on the left hand side of Ulverscroft Lane, 1Km from Sharpley Hill. From Markfield it’s on the right 400 metres past Polly Botts Lane. When visiting remember to • Stay on waymarked paths • Put rubbish in bins or take it home with you • Don’t start fires or barbeques • Be careful of nesting wildlife Google ‘Lea Meadows you tube’ to watch a 7 minute video tour made during the 2020 lockdown.

The Brook Lamprey

This article is based on information from the Leicestershire Wildlife Trust.

Norman Griffiths

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The good news continues as we will be starting our Children’s/ Youth Choir again on Wednesday 27th April from 3.40-4.40pm at the Groby Club. Children and young singers aged 7 and over will be made very welcome whether they’ve attended in the past or not. Most children enjoy singing and, like the adults, there will be a place for everyone who wants to have a go. Please encourage all the young people you know, including teenagers, to come along on 27th April or on any other Wednesday during term time. Our conductor, Simon, is looking forward to teaching songs that will appeal to our young singers (and expand the adults repertoire too!) There will be a short refreshment break when squash, water and a snack will be provided. Parents/carers will need to complete a registration form for safeguarding purposes and are welcome to either leave their child for the hour or to stay and enjoy listening to the singing sessions. Please note that siblings who are not singing must remain in the care of their parents or carers. It will cost the choir about £1.50 per child to run each session. As Groby Sings is a registered charity, we would ask for your support in making a donation, if you are able, when your child attends. For enquiries, please contact us via our website www.grobysings. org. Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490.

Don’t forget to send us your news. Email: info@ grobyspotlight. co.uk

GROBY PARISH COUNCIL

Tel: 0116 287 6985 • Email: parishclerk@groby.com • Website: www.groby.com

THE PARISH OF GROBY Notice of Annual Meeting of the Parish The Annual Meeting of the Parish of Groby will be held on Thursday 21st April 2022 at 7.00 pm in the Dining Hall, Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, LE6 0FP. An agenda has been posted on the Council website and on public notice boards. What is the purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting? All Parish Councils in England are required by law to hold an Annual Parish Meeting between March 1st and June 1st each year. The purpose of the meeting is to allow the Council to explain what it has been doing over the last year and to enable the electors to have their say on anything which they consider to be important to the parish. Who can attend the meeting? Anyone may attend but only registered electors of Groby Parish may speak and vote.

PARISH COUNCILLORS Brian RIGBY (Chairman) brianrigbygpc@icloud.com Carol LINCOLN (Vice Chair) carol@cornerway.co.uk Geoff BAKER ggbaker1@hotmail.com Sylvia BECK 0116 287 6716 Jim COLEY jim.coley@btinternet.com Elizabeth EMMERSON e.emmerson1@sky.com James EVERSON-CRANE crane.james20@gmail.com Katharine GRIFFITHS Ted HOLLICK ted.hollick@outlook.com Natasha JONES natjones222@outlook.com Sandra JONES Helen LINDSAY Colin MULLINS colinmullins@outlook.com Pamela Willis Carole YORK

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS

A ‘Keep Groby’s Green Wedge’ Working Party has been set up by Groby Parish Council and we are in the process of resourcing the skills required to challenge the proposed IM Properties development. We would like to hear from any Planning Consultants, or anyone who feels they have relevant experience or expertise they can offer, and who may be interested in joining the Working Party, to contact us at parishclerk@groby.com. Groby Parish Council is comprised of up to 16 unpaid members. They are supported by a Parish Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Estates Manager, Assistant Estates Manager and two Gate Keepers. Parish Council Office, Village Hall, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicestershire LE6 0DG Tel: 0116 287 6985 • Email: parishclerk@groby.com • Website: www.groby.com

Martin Cartwright boroughcouncil@appliancehome. co.uk 0116 287 4500/ 07850 707050 Ted Hollick ted.hollick@outlook.com 0116 287 5955 COUNTY COUNCILLOR Ozzy O’shea ozzy.oshea@leics.gov.uk 0116 239 4336 / 07808 585825 MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Mr Edward Argar 0116 260 8609

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

The Platinum Jubilee

Knit a corgi for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, marking 70 years of service. As much as anything, an event celebrating good news is very much welcome right now and even nonroyalists will be caught up in the pageantry of the celebrations this year. Although 2022 is the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne, the first street party was held in 1953. King George VI had died on 6 February 1952, but it was considered respectful to allow a longer period of mourning before forging ahead with a formal coronation which was held on the 2 June 1953.

THOUSANDS of people across the country are buying in light brown and white wool just now, in order to knit up a corgi in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The coronation spawned the first of the street parties held during Her Majesty’s reign. Residential streets were closed to traffic – not that there was much in those days – so that local communities could hold street parties. Bunting and Union flags hung from lines strung from upstairs windows on either side of the streets. Makeshift tables sagged under the weight of sandwiches, jelly and custard and bottles of Tizer. BBC coverage of the coronation was a breakthrough for the history of broadcasting. It was the first service to be televised and for most people, it was the first time they had watched an event on television. It is estimated that 27 million people in the UK (out of the 36 million population) watched the ceremony on television and 11 million listened on the radio. Times changed. Britain changed – in some cases beyond recognition. But there has been one constant: a tower of strength whose influence will not be fully appreciated until she is no longer with us. In a speech made in Cape Town on her 21st birthday on 21 April 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth declared “… my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service…” Well, we all know now that it was to be long. How differently history would have read had her would-be assassin, Marcus Sarjeant, succeeded in acquiring a real gun and live ammunition. The mentally disturbed teenager fired six blank shots at the Queen as she rode in the Trooping of the Colour ceremony on 13 June 1981. Fortunate

It is a fun way in which anyone with knitting needles can get involved in the coming celebrations. If you google ‘knitting patterns for corgis’, you will find a wide variety of free patterns on offer. Knitted corgis could help decorate house windows, local shops and churches as the big day approaches.

not to have been shot on the spot, Sarjeant escaped with five years’ imprisonment. Most notable however, was Elizabeth II’s majestic reaction to the incident. As her horse panicked and reared she calmly brought him under control and continued with the scheduled ride to Horseguards Parade, comforting him with a few pats on the neck while turning to smile at the cheering crowd. It was HRH Prince Philip who pointed out that sometimes a position is more important than the person who occupies that position. With typical clarity he had put the concept in a nutshell: if a nation chooses to have a figurehead then there must be a human to give that position substance, but the human is secondary to the position, not vice versa. For the past 70 years we have been fortunate in having a person worthy of that position.

Parking space ANGUS WAS driving down the street worried because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. So, looking up toward heaven, he said “Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up whisky.” A moment later, miraculously, a parking place appeared. Angus looked up again and said, “Never mind. I found one.”

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Groby Allotments News Where is Spring? SPRING HAS SPRUNG, officially anyway, and for a few days in late March we thought it really had come as we even got our Tee shirts out! I found loads of frog spawn in the pond, all the spring flowers were out, and the hedgehog started eating regularly again so had come out of hibernation. However, as I write this in the last few days of March, we have had snow showers interspersed with bouts of sunshine but with some bitterly cold winds, so I won’t be doing a lot of planting out on the plot just yet! All the pretty daffoldils, crocuses, pansies and primroses are looking a bit frosted. I do hope that the bumblebees that I have seen around can still find enough nectar and pollen. Some people have already planted out their potatoes but mine are still ‘chitting’ away nicely on a warm windowsill and I will leave them there a bit longer until the shoots are a decent size. I have lots of vegetable seedlings in the greenhouse and hope we will get some good weather in the middle of the month to plant them all out.

Keep those plants warm! MID-APRIL to mid-May is the usual main start to the planting season, but there are still the odd frosts around. As my mum always used to say, “cast not a clout till May is out” – translated that means don’t get your thin summer clothes out to wear until after the end of May because it can still turn very chilly. Something I always ignored and yet came to regret as I rushed back to school after Easter in my summer uniform! I’m also very aware of mum’s saying when I plant out the seedlings. The hardier crop plants of spinach, carrots, beetroot, brassicas, leeks etc. will be fine planted out now, but tender crops such as beans, peas, tomatoes, squash and sweetcorn like to be kept warm so I’ll be covering those for a while with some fleece or micromesh. I even put some tender plants in a polythene mini tunnel. The problem with these is that the squally winds will blow them off the plants unless you weight them down well. Pegging fleece or mesh down is fairly easy, I even use old bricks or bits of slab or large stones and the polythene mini tunnels are usually hooped so you can make sure that the hoops are pushed hard into the ground. Fleece and micromesh create their own mini-climate and yet allow rain through so you don’t have to water

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the plants whilst also keeping annoying pests like carrot root fly at bay but fleece can make the environment too hot for some plants in the summer, and it can rip and snag quite easily. Mesh is great, sturdy and so should last for several seasons and as there is a greater airflow, doesn’t create too hot an environment. It is also much heavier than fleece and so really needs supporting with hoops or some sort of support, so it doesn’t squash the less sturdy plants. Plants in polythene mini tunnels really need to be monitored as they need watering regularly to make sure they don’t wilt and they can even ‘fry’ in hot sun.

Food for Thought THE WORRYING world events as I write this in late March, make me think it will be even more important for us to grow our food closer to home this year. Food security is becoming a big issue for us and it will surely be more important for our food to come from more local sources where we can guarantee the supply. Supporting local producers and farmers is something we can all do to help and if you have the time to grow a few of your own vegetables and fruit, even in a small space such as in a few pots or on the windowsill or window box, you may find that as well as helping out with the food bill, you will enjoy the taste of really fresh food and the satisfaction that growing your own can bring.

Easter Fun BY THE TIME you read this article, it will be Easter. I hope you all have a lovely time. On the allotments held our monthly ‘Open Shed Sunday’ social event on the 3rd April this year so as not to clash with people visiting their friends and family over the easter weekend. We are having an early Easter Hat/Bonnet competition with an Easter Egg prize for the winners, so I really hope it doesn’t snow! The competition is open to men and women, boys and girls, so it will be interesting to see the results. Hopefully I will be able to show you the photos of the winning entries next month. Some of our male entrants have been talking about making flowerpot hats so I can’t wait to see those! Nostalgic thoughts of Bill & Ben the flowerpot men spring to mind! Don’t mention Weed though, not on the allotments!

Carol Lincoln

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County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Email: ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Raising Concerns Regarding Hinckley and Bosworth Local Plan THE FOLLOWING is the decision from the cabinet meeting held on the 29th March 2020: a) That the County Council’s response to the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (H&BBC) Pre-submission Regulation 19 Local Plan consultation, set out in paragraphs 36 to 67 inclusive and the Appendix to the Cabinet report be noted; b) That the County Council at this stage considers insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the Local Plan meets the tests of soundness as set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework and strongly discourages H&BBC from submitting its Local Plan while relevant significant issues are still to be resolved; c) That it be noted that should H&BBC proceed with the submission of its Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate at this stage without addressing the concerns raised by the County Council, the County Council will object at H&BBC’s Local Plan Examination; d) That it be noted that the County Council will continue to work with H&BBC to try to resolve issues to help develop a Local Plan that is sound (in planning terms) and deliverable. The County Council has set out the following reasons for its decision: H&BBC’s Regulation 19 consultation took place from 9 February to 23 March 2022. The Chief Executive was authorised by the Cabinet at its meeting on 11 February 2022 to submit comments on behalf of the County Council to enable a response to be submitted within the statutory timeframe. HBBC’s new Local Plan will set out the Borough Council’s development strategy to 2039. Given its location close to Leicester and close functional connectivity to communities living and working in Blaby, Charnwood, and North West Leicestershire, the content of the emerging Local Plan is particularly important to this area and the wider Leicester and Leicestershire Housing Market Area (L&L HMA). The planning system requires

that a local planning authority may only submit its Local Plan for examination if it is confident it will meet the tests of soundness. H&BBC has indicated that the Local Plan will be submitted without an accompanying up-to-date Sustainability Appraisal on the PreSubmission Regulation 19 Local Plan, without proper consideration of the transport impacts of the intended growth strategy and without setting out how the impacts of the strategy will be mitigated. The County Council has raised concerns at both Regulation 18 and 19 stage about how the growth strategy impacts upon school places and how new and extended schools will be delivered (and any associated transport impacts). There are also concerns about the lack of information about the viability of the Local Plan. The County Council is therefore concerned that submission of the Local Plan for examination by H&BBC at this stage conflicts with the requirement to only submit a plan that the council believes is sound. This places significant burden on the County Council to try to resolve these issues in an unreasonable timescale before the matter is considered at Local Plan Examination. The approach being taken means that the County Council reluctantly has to advise the Inspector that it believes that the Local Plan is not sound. For the County Council in its role as a key infrastructure provider for transport and education the lack of evidence and certainty (in terms of understanding mitigation, viability and deliverability), presents significant risk to the County Council. The focus needs to be on resolving these issues where

possible and minimising this risk through closer partnership working to prepare a sound Local Plan for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough. The following link will take you to the full cabinet reports. https://politics.leics. gov.uk/ieListDocuments. aspx?CId=135&MId=6774&Ver=4

Flood Alleviation Scheme, Groby I AM PLEASED to report that Severn Trent have confirmed they will start work on the 6th April. The first stage is to dig trial holes to establish the position of underground services, such as gas, water, electricity etc and to confirm the location of the proposed sewers. Please be aware they will be drilling trial holes on Leicester Road and Ratby Road and this may cause some inconvenience. A Security Safety Message From A Genealogist My concern is that many people do not realise how easy it can be to obtain some of their personal information which could be used in a scam. No cost is involved, just a little time. The more unusual the surname, the easier it can be found. An unusual spelling of a forename makes it so much easier to trace, even if someone has a more common surname. Some of the things used for proof of identity online, such as your mother’s maiden name and place of birth are, in the main, easy to find. Your first school can be guessed fairly accurately by finding your parents address when you were young, especially if it was in a village. These details should

England U-15 Badminton singles title won by Lexie Edwards BROOKVALE year 9 student Lexie Edwards, won the girls singles event at the Badminton England u15 Sheffield Gold Tournament. This is more amazing success for Lexie. She’s been dedicated to her training under the Leicestershire Performance Centre Gold programme, and having now recovered from her injuries, is going from strength to strength. WELL DONE - BGLC are so proud of you Lexie!

Ozzy O’shea never be used to confirm your identity with banks or any other organisation. Addresses are most commonly found from Electoral Rolls. There is nothing that can be done about past entries. Electoral Rolls are updated each year in October. There is an option to prevent your details being available in the public domain, which does what it says on the tin. Your previous address would still be a good guess for a scammer, but if you have moved since the last Roll was published, tracing you becomes harder. Shredding documents which include personal information, such as bank account numbers, sort codes etc., surely makes sense and care taken with what is posted on social media. Who knows who will view it? You: I’m off to Spain for two weeks on Monday. Burglar: That’s nice! Finally I would like to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Ozzy O’shea Always Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 Mobile 07808585825 Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

Police are hunting a ‘Knitting Needle Nutter’, who stabbed six people in the backside recently. They believe the attacker could be following some kind of pattern.

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So when Linda and Gerry announce that they’ve decided to separate, the news sends shockwaves through the siblings’ lives, forcing them to confront their own expectations and desires. Hardworking - and hard-drinking - Nicole pursues the ex she unceremoniously dumped six years ago, while people-pleasing Jamie fears he’s sleepwalking into a marriage he doesn’t actually want. But as the siblings grapple with the pressures of thirtysomething life, their parents struggle to protect the fragile façade of their own relationship, and the secrets they’ve both been keeping. Set in 2018, Claire Powell’s beautifully observed debut novel follows each member of the Maguire family over a tumultuous year of lunches, dinners and drinks, as old conflicts arise and relationships are reevaluated. A gripping yet tender depiction of family dynamics, love and disillusionment, At the Table is about what it means to grow up - both as an individual, and as a family.

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Should Groby provide 15% of Leicestershire’s commercial development land to 2031? THE VILLAGE OF GROBY, home to only 1% of the population of Leicestershire, could be asked by a developer to deliver 15% of the land needed for commercial development in the whole of the county area to 2031. How does this sit with the Leicestershire County Council Strategic Plan? The Plan does not discuss individual sites, but sets out ambitions and priorities, examines a whole range of issues facing the County, and sets out strategic outcomes. The Plan says the Council will • work with developers, landowners, and statutory agencies to remove the barriers to development and • will focus development in major strategic locations to reduce the amount that takes place in existing towns, villages, and rural areas. “This will allow us to plan for new housing and employment with new and improved roads, public transport, schools, health services, shops, and open space.” It explains that “since 2010, there has been a transformation of the provision of world class business locations and premises in Leicester and Leicestershire; brand new Grade A office, technology and manufacturing premises accommodate 5,000 high-technology jobs. There is a need to continuously explore how existing employment areas can be supported and where new growth should be directed.” It identified the need for at least an additional 367 hectares of land for employment use by 2031. The proposed Groby trading estate, on countryside between Groby and Anstey, would cover 57 hectares, and is described as offering jobs across manufacturing, light industry and logistics. It would represent 15% of the estimated 367 hectares required for the whole of Leicestershire to 2031 for developments of individual units of less than 9,000 square metres. The draft Hinckley and Bosworth Local Plan (not to be confused with the County’s Strategic Plan) does not favour commercial

Photo showing where the proposed IM trading estate would be located development of these fields, but this could change before the HBBC Local Plan is formally adopted. If a proposal is made for the larger units normally used for warehousing then consideration should be given by the Borough to the latest evidence set out in the strategic warehousing and logistics study. This identifies, in a high-level exercise, general broad areas where new strategic logistics sites should be located. The A50/A46 site falls outside the ‘areas of key opportunity’ identified, though boundaries of key areas are not definitive and are indicative only. The Borough Draft Local Plan says that it “has currently met its current need for large scale distribution, so will not be allocating further sites until the cross-boundary employment work and agreement on distribution of needs has concluded. Further allocations to meet identified needs will be achieved via a review of the Plan. Speculative proposals will be determined in line with the vision and objectives.” Impacts of such proposals will take account of other policies to ensure they do not impact adversely in terms of the borough’s natural environment, heritage, residential amenity, and landscape and character. The County Council says that we have unrivalled assets such as a world-class university with one of the UK’s largest science parks, the UK’s 2nd largest freight airport, and a central location with Magna Park, the largest distribution park in Europe. (The 97 acre Phase 1 of Magna Park, near Lutterworth, was built on a brownfield site,

Bitteswell aerodrome. It has planning consent to grow to 367 acres.) The Strategic Plan says that manufacturing and logistics are the key employment sectors in Leicester and Leicestershire, and the aim is to accelerate growth in these areas. The County Council will engage with the freight and logistics sector, to better understand the needs of the sector and ensure that schemes are developed which support the efficient movement of freight into, around, and out of Leicestershire. Employment in business and financial services, tourism and hospitality and creative design is also a priority, along with life sciences, environmental/low carbon technologies and space and aerospace. The Strategic Plan says Leicestershire is not deprived overall but there are pockets of significant deprivation, particularly within four neighbourhoods in the county. It aims for the benefits of increased prosperity to be distributed fairly and adds that there will be a focus on supporting inclusive economic growth in the disadvantaged areas and groups of Leicestershire. Readers of the Strategic Plan may feel that, given the relative prosperity of Groby, and other factors including planning considerations and the road infrastructure shortcomings, there are more appropriate locations for a new trading estate within Leicestershire, sites which will better fulfil the aspirations of the Plan. Others may disagree. What do you think?

Norman Griffiths

County Council Leader pays tribute to Simon Cole

FOLLOWING the sad news of the death of former Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM, leader of Leicestershire County Council, Nick Rushton, has issued a tribute. He said: “I’m terribly shocked and saddened to learn of this awful news. Simon was the youngest ever Chief Constable appointed for Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as the longest serving. “We have lost an outstanding public servant whose mission in life was dedicated to making our communities stronger and safer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Police colleagues and with his family at this sad time. “I have ordered the County flag to be flown at half-mast as a tribute to the life of Simon Cole QPM.”

Those memorable school reports… WHAT DID your teachers say about your progress at school? The following were sent into the Daily Telegraph some years ago….

• One of my French reports simply said: ‘Sheila attended the lessons’. - Sheila Blow, Surrey • My housemaster wrote: ‘He has an overdeveloped unawareness.’ - Ian Jones, Wirral • A friend’s son’s report said: ‘By the time he has mastered French, he will be too old to cross the Channel.’ – M Knaggs, Dorset • My teacher observed: ‘The improvement in his handwriting has revealed his inability to spell.’ - Colin Sutherland, Switzerland • My teacher was a realist: ‘I am sorry to have to tell you that he is doing his best.’ - Stan Proctor, Surrey

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Bradgate Rotary News Easter Well-Being Friday 22nd April BRADGATE Rotary will again be hosting an Easter wellbeing event at Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club with a ukulele group providing musical entertainment. There will also a bingo session, fun quiz, and a raffle. The event will only cost £1 for entry, which will help towards the cost of refreshments. As well as Groby resident, visitors are expected across the area, including Markfield, Ratby and Anstey. Booking is essential so please contact Adrian on 07446 082910.

Time to rid the world of Polio OVER THE PAST few years Bradgate Rotary have been planting purple crocuses in Groby, Anstey, Newtown Linford and Bradgate. The latest planting was in Markfield creating rings around the Memorial Rock and it is now out in full bloom. Rotary International have lead the way in providing inoculations throughout the world to help protect children and rid the world of Polio.

Recycle Event in September DO YOU sell re-loved or repurposed items, such as crafts, eco-friendly products etc? On 24th September Bradgate Rotary are holding a Re-cycle, Re-use, Reloved event at Groby Village Hall on September 24th and are looking for local stallholders to promote their wares. Rotary are also looking for good quality toys, baby equipment and clothes that people would like to sell or donate for the September event. The Club can store items or organise to see what people have so they can be priced ready to sell. With budgets for families getting tighter, and the need to be more ecologically aware this should be a welcome and much needed event throughout the area. Application forms are available by emailing sallyslap@yahoo.com

Make a difference in your community VISIT A BRADGATE Rotary breakfast meeting to see what can achieve with some help. Email your contact details to Adrian Walker – walk77a@yahoo.com and we’ll be in touch.

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I went on a bus tour yesterday - what a rip-off. £10 just to look round a double-decker.

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Brookvale Cross Country Runners Borough Council Planning Services Represent Leicestershire! hit by staff losses HINCKLEY and Bosworth Borough Council has suffered from staffing problems in the Planning Services Department, with staff losses from the Development Management Team on top of vacancies in the enforcement team.

Despite a number of recruitment campaigns there remained vacant posts, members were told. The Council has had to employ agency staff and consultants to cover the vacancies and to address the backlog of applications that existed due to high numbers of new applications at the start of 2021, which were made worse by staff turnover. These temporary staff are expensive - often twice or three times as expensive as permanent staff. Fortunately an increase of £160,000 in application income has offset the extra estimated £90,000 additional expenditure. Earlier this year, in response to a member’s question, the Executive Member for Planning confirmed that a new planning manager had been appointed and interviews were in hand to fill a further 7 vacancies in the development team. In the enforcement team, although an appointment had been made, there were two further vacancies. No suitable candidates applied during the previous recruitment process. With regards to outstanding workloads he said that 139 planning applications were awaiting verification, and 71 major planning applications were awaiting decision, in addition to 372 minor applications. The number of planning applications approaching, at or passed their target decision date (ie at risk of appeal for nondetermination) was 365.

Make time for your older relatives MANY OF OUR older people are lonely. They lost touch with their families during the pandemic, and it seems that they have still not caught up again.

ON SATURDAY 19th March, BGLC students, Cassie Dodge, Louie Paddison, Joe Matthews and Katie Parker all represented Leicestershire in the English Schools XC at Hop Farm in Kent. The weather was fine and sunny, the course flat and fast, and the atmosphere was amazing! They all ran really well and represented Leicestershire and Brookvale Groby Learning Campus with pride. In the words of one of their coaches “Congratulations to everyone who raced today. Whatever your position and how you thought it went, you have qualified and competed at the highest level in schools’ competition. An achievement in its own right.” Well said, CONGRATULATIONS to Cassie, Louie, Joe and Katie!

DO YOU RUN A LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP OR CLUB? Publicise your activities in The Spotlight! Spread the word! Attract new members! Try it - it works! Send your email to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

A recent survey by Age UK found that as many as 27 percent of people aged 60 and over admit that they speak less to their families now, and 24 per cent of older people say they feel less close to their relatives than before the pandemic. The survey also found that millions of older people have lost the confidence to go out, and suffer more from memory loss, disturbed sleep, and anxiety. The charity is urging people to reach out to their older friends and relatives and encourage them. It warns: “The pandemic has had a big impact on everyone and very few of us are emerging from the last two years completely unscathed.”

Spot the Spot TheDifferences Difference

Norman Griffiths

Planning Apps Single storey front and side extension, rear extension with lower ground level basement - at 3 Grey Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DS Proposed two storey rear extension, first floor front gable extension (adjacent to garage), removal of rear bay window, alterations and extension to front entrance area, new driveway access and associated landscaping - at 320 Leicester Road, Field Head,Leics. LE67 9RG

Can YOU spot the 10 differences in the cartoons above? Answers are on page 26. Good luck!

I don’t understand fast food. I’ve been eating it for years but I seem to be getting slower and slower.

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Groby Table Tennis Club

IF YOU ARE interested in playing table tennis either as a beginner or to improve your skills then why not join an established table tennis club? We are a long established club with a friendly membership and meet weekly to enjoy playing the game. It really does not matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced player or somewhere in between, as we have members of all ability ranges. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 at Elizabeth Woodville School on Glebe Road, Groby. There is no membership fee but players pay £3 for each session they attend. If you are interested please just turn up on a play night or if you want to talk to someone beforehand please call Pat Carter on 0116 287 2730 or Laurie Goldberg on 0116 2876727 for a chat. We play every week with the exception of a short break over the Christmas period and during the school summer holiday period. During our sessions we always aim to comply with Covid rules as laid down by the Table Tennis England.

Laurie Goldberg

Treasurer, Groby Table Tennis Club

National Trust Leicester Association TOGETHER with many other gardens the National Trust will be celebrating Blossom Watch Day on 23rd April in all of its gardens around the country. As part of the celebration the Trust are asking their members to share their pictures of beautiful blossom on social media. This is an extension of the Japanese spring custom of “Hanami”, which means “flower viewing”. Across the country the Trust cares for hundreds of trees that blossom in the spring, many of which are historical varieties. This includes the tree at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire said to have inspired Newton’s theory of gravity. Today the tree is pruned regularly to keep it healthy and it continues to grow and bear fruit. Also of interest is the orchard at Hardy’s Cottage in Dorset where Thomas Hardy loved to play as a child. On the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border at Calke Abbey the peach blossom will be in flower in the Peach House in the walled garden and will be followed by plum and apple blossom. Around the wider estate you will find wild cherry, blackthorn and hawthorn blossom. At Clumber Park, near Worksop, the Trust has recreated a long-lost orchard to connect visitors with nature. Many varieties of trees from Hawthorne to Blackthorne have been in blossom from late January and will continue to midsummer. At Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire there are two very different orchards, the fruiting orchard which is home to more modern fruit trees and the ornamental orchard with its Crab Apple trees and ancient trees like the Norfolk Beefing. At our local NT property, Stoneywell Cottage at Ulverscroft, there is a small walled orchard with trees in flower. Also there is a large collection of trees from around the world many of which are in blossom at this time of the year. Whilst not trees, the garden also contains a spectacular collection of large Rhododendron bushes ensuring that there are flowers throughout the year. The NT Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 27th April when Gill Castle will present an illustrated talk entitled “The Ups and Downs of Doing Good”. The meeting will be held at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester, at 2.30pm. Admission to meetings is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including refreshments. The Association then moves on to its summer programme of Outings and Local Visits. For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 2229133 or visit our web site at www.leicesternt.com New members always welcome.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

Nature threatened by DOG POO THESE DAYS, it is unthinkable to leave your dog’s waste on the pavement when in town. But in the countryside, too many of us still think it is okay to let our pets foul an area of natural countryside.

Now a recent study has found that this can be especially harmful to nature reserves. The problem is that dog waste contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can damage many species of plants. As one scientist explains: “In many nature reserves, the management is specifically directed towards lowering soil nutrients levels, to enhance plant and animal biodiversity. Our findings suggest that the currently neglected inputs of dogs in nature reserves could delay restoration goals.” The findings were published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence.

If it weren’t for marriage, men would spend their lives thinking they had no faults at all.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Do it with your eyes closed Sleep is supposedly involuntary, so we take it for granted when we can sleep, and often ignore it when we can’t. But we shouldn’t.

My husband and I were returning from a long walk and upon turning into Laundon Way there was a dog walker with a dog which had a retractable lead attached to it.

So what stops us getting the sleep we need and how can we improve the quantity and quality of our sleep?

What’s the cure? • Eliminate physical factors: cure snoring with nasal strips, sprays or minor surgery. See your doctor about physical or mental health issues and sleep disorders – they may recommend cognitive behaviour therapy or sleeping tablets. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) treatments may help if you sleep badly before a period. • Drink warm milk: eat a carbohydrate-rich snack beforehand to improve the efficacy of the milk’s tryptophan (a raw material for the sleep hormone melatonin). Milk may help by making you feel warm and full too. • Don’t go to bed hungry: avoid large, late meals but have a light snack if you’re hungry. • Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening and stop smoking – caffeine is a stimulant and will keep you awake. Alcohol makes you sleepy, but impairs sleep quality – as does nicotine. • Get enough sunlight and exercise: light and exercise help regulate our body clock and mood, so try to spend time outside and get regular exercise.

Retractable dog leads can be dangerous I WAS WONDERING if you could print an article in the Spotlight regarding my recent incident with a dog walker to warn other people.

Research has proved that sleep is as important to our health as diet and exercise. Lack of sleep affects memory, mood, concentration and reaction times, and long-term it can affect language processing, planning abilities and our sense of time. Some sleep disorders can contribute to serious health problems.

Sweet dreams aren’t made of this Enemies of good sleep include pain, the need to urinate, stress or depression, the menstrual cycle (hormonal changes affect temperature and melatonin production), the menopause and snoring. There are also sleep disorders, including night terrors, sleep walking, talking and paralysis, teeth grinding, restless limb syndrome and the more serious sleep apnoea (which can starve the brain of oxygen).

Letter

• Avoid light in the evening: bright light before bedtime will suppress melatonin secretion, so dim the lights. Either avoid TVs, laptops, tablets and smart phones within two hours of bedtime, or turn down their brightness settings (some screens have a night mode). • Establish a routine: establish a relaxing routine before bed and avoid watching TV in the bedroom or reading anything too emotionally charged or terrifying. • Make your bedroom a haven: avoid using your bedroom as a work or dump space – clutter will nag to be cleared up. Ensure your bedroom is well ventilated, dark and not too hot or cold. Consider earplugs to eliminate noise and invest in a really comfy mattress (try before you buy). • Declutter your brain: download your brain by jotting down tomorrow’s jobs and any worries (particularly therapeutic if you write a positive action beside them). • Have a warm bath before bed: add relaxing bath oils, too. • Try not to worry about it: worrying about lack of sleep can start a vicious circle. If you can’t sleep, leave the bedroom and do something absorbing but calm – read a magazine or do a jigsaw until you feel sleepy.

Just before we got by the side of the walker the dog extended the lead to 10/15 foot in front and as we started to pass by, the dog then came to my husband’s feet (I was to the left of him). I assume the walker then shortened the lead which was metal and this trapped both of us within the lead. Luckily my husband had long trousers on but unfortunately I had cropped ones on and the metal lead has left my shin in quite a mess, as it was cut and is now bruised and swollen as well. The walker did apologise but I would like to bring it to everyone’s attention that these leads are dangerous if you are not aware of your surroundings. Many thanks.

Resident of Groby

Did you spot all 10 differences? 1. Pan on wall, 2. Knife disappeared, 3. Steak and beet swapped places, 4. Utensils turned around, 5. Moustache, 6. One parsnip missing, 7. Top buttons missing, 8. Bottle tops, 9. Pepper shaker, 10. Crease in hat.

The bank says this is my final notice. Isn’t it fantastic that they’re not going to bother me anymore?

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

Letter Shop Local

WHAT A SHAME it was to read about Chaplin’s Butchers decision to close their long established shop. I would like to wish them a long and healthy retirement. This led me to think about the other small retail outlets in the village. Just how well are they doing in these changed times. How disappointing would it be if the Post Office,the Deli or the Newsagents/Convenience store were to follow suit. It was very noticeable how well used these businesses were during the pandemic. How sad would it be if they were not around to help with any future crises. With so many people reading their news on line it must be a challenge for Wilsons the Newsagents. How many youngsters in the village started there working lives with a paper round at this shop? Likewise with so many Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons delivery vans seen everyday in the village, life cannot be easy for the Fruit Shop/Delicatessen. We should of course not forget Pricegate, who without doubt is Groby’s answer to Amazon. If they haven’t got it they will certainly do everything possible to find it for you. With rising fuel costs and growing environmental concerns, wouldn’t it be a good idea to give greater support to these long established village shops?Just a short walk into the heart of the village, once or twice a week to pick up a few essentials would I am sure make a considerable difference to these businesses. After paying a short visit into the village you may even have time for a swift half,a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in our excellent hostelry. Again an excellent local business that many villages are no longer fortunate enough to have. You may even find yourself meeting up with friends and neighbours and having a chat with them.

From a Resident of Many Years

IDC Home Maintenance Painter and Decorator NO JOB TOO SMALL From papering one wall to a complete house re-decoration

For a Free Quotation Call Ian on 07885 541428

E-mail: i.crowhurst@btinternet.com Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

The Couple At Table Six By Daniel Hurst

IT WAS impossible not to notice them. The perfect couple at Table Six...

Max and Nadine Murphy have a tradition. Friday night is date night and it’s always at their favourite restaurant. But that regular routine means somebody at the restaurant has become fond of them... Hannah is the waitress who has found herself drawn to the couple at Table Six and the more she observes them, the more she wants to know everything about them. What is their home life like? What do they do for work? Why does Mrs Murphy look agitated? And could Mr Murphy ever be interested in becoming romantically involved with his waitress? As Hannah begins to intricate herself into their lives, she learns they have been keeping secrets from each other. The couple aren’t as perfect as they seem. But Hannah has secrets of her own, and the closer she gets to the couple, the more she is putting everything in her fragile life at risk... She should have stayed away from the couple at Table Six. Now their lives will never be the same again...

The condition of the patient who complained about the hospital food, the bed, the ward and the nurses was described last night as ‘highly critical’. Did you hear about the bloke who got drunk and collapsed in a heap next to the bar? It caused a major delay in the gymnastics competition. It’s hard to explain how good I am at describing things.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Spotlight Small Ads • SETTEE, CHAIR AND FOOTSTOOL - bought about a year ago - still like new. Reason for sale - wrong colour. Cost £1,100 from Wayfair for all three items. Will accept £550. Tel: 07843 290665 (Markfield). • Dark Oak DINING TABLE with barley twist legs. 3 foot by 3 foot and extends to 3 foot by 5 foot. Circa 1920s. In very good condition with just the odd mark. Price: £70. • Terracotta coloured fully lined VELVET CURTAINS. Each curtain is 43” wide by 82” drop. In good condition with a small amount of fading down one side. Price: £20. • HTC Hero MOBILE PHONE. Boxed with original earphones and quick start guide in good condition. Also has original battery and upgraded battery. Unlocked to all networks and is in working order. Price: £45. • Art Deco Silver plated fluted SERVING BOWL. Elkington and Co.early 1920s.In good vintage condition overall, with a bit of rubbing to the silver plate in one place and small amount of stubborn tarnish. Fluted effect with three small ball feet. Measures 27cm in diameter. Price: £25. Tel: 01530 242421 (Markfield)

• GIANT DEFY 4 ROAD BIKE - M/L Frame. This bike is in immaculate condition, unfortunately due to injury has only been ridden six times from new, sale includes Shimano shoes with cleats and are as new condition. Price: £275. Tel: 07738 484051 (Markfield) Free to a good home. • HP LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGE ref Q3961A for HP Laserjet 2550 2820 or 2840 Box opened but still in internal sealed packaging • HP LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGE ref C4096A for HP Laserjet 2100-2200 Box unopened. Tel 01530 231241 (Groby) • MOTORCYCLE JACKET, black leather/yellow stripe. Top Quality, Frank Thomas size 42, as new and yours for £25.00 • METAL ARC WELDING ELECTRODES, full boxes size 2.5mm, 3.25mm, 4.0mm. All dry stored £20 per box. • ELECTRIC SHOWER, RedRing Selectronic, 8.4kW in full working order, £20 Tel: 0116 2876715 (Groby)

• BOYS CLOTHING, aged 10 – 14yrs – all as new/some unworn. Photos can be sent. • John Rocha Leather look black BIKER JACKET – fur lined - £15. • John Rocha – Smart BOYS JACKET – navy/woven – silk lining - £15. • Ralph Lauren – light PADDED JACKET – blue - £15. • Nike Black & white TRACKSUIT - £8. • Champion TRACKSUIT - Black £12. • Various FOOTBALL SHIRTS (Man U; Liverpool; Leicester; Chelsea etc) - £5. • Various boots/indoor FOOTIE BOOTS – size 3 ½ (Addidas; Nike Air; Levi) - £5 - £8. Tel: 07843 290665 (Markfield).

• Stressless LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA and matching RECLINER ARMCHAIR buttermilk colour. Excellent condition. £650 for quick sale. • Beautiful antique dark wood ROCKING CHAIR with green faux leather upholstery. £50. • Original retro LLOYD LOOM ARMCHAIR, white with grey velour upholstered cushion. £35. • Retro G PLAN TEAK EXTENDABLE TABLE. Seats 4 - 8. £50. • Small wood upholstered FOOT STOOL - as new. £20. • Oak high back DINING CHAIRS x4 £10 each. • 8 piece Wedgewood Mirabelle DINNER SERVICE never used. £250. All reasonable offers considered. Photos available. Tel: 07961 463080 (Thornton)

• Titleist 714 AP2 Forged GOLF IRONS. 3-PW. Steel stiff shafts. Full cord lamkin grips. Excellent condition. Price: £350. Collection only. Tel: 07518 081783 (Markfield)

• PROJECTOR Hanimex Loadmatic 924 - 8 & Super 8mm Auto Threading, new drive belt fitted. Price: £25. Tel: 07743 610 173 (Leicester)

• Carlsbro CSD120 ultra compact ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT bundle with drumsticks stool and headphones POP can be viewed Sept 2020 Amazon £269 currently £285. I have set it up and used it once for 10 mins. Price: £90 (sorry no offers). • APPLE IPAD 4 - 64GB, very good condition and full working order reset to factory settings with protective case. Price: £75 Tel: 0771 3327639 (Bagworth)

• 25pint professional stainless steel MASLIN(PRESERVING) PAN. Price: £20. Tel: 01530 242793 (Markfield)

• SLIMLINE FRIDGE - Fridgemaster under counter slimline larder fridge, vgc, 19” wide, 32”high, 17” deep. Price: £45.00 Tel: 07590 764010 (Groby)

• Panasonic TV - 32 inch Flat Screen ( model TX-32LXD85) Price £30.00 • LEGO - Contained in a substantial Box 15”W x 10”H. Contents - several Technic sets plus instructions and much more. Price £30. Tel: 0116 2870079 or 07743911357 (Groby)

• HOTPOINT WASHING MACHINE - (NSWM743UWUK 7KG - 1400 Spin Washing Machine - White), was £289 when bought 26/07/20. Hardly used. Being sold as part of parents’ house clearance. Excellent condition. Watch it working before sale. Price: £100. • CONSERVATORY CANE & FABRIC FURNITURE - 4 arm chairs, one large seating stool, one glass topped round table. Being sold as part of parents’ house clearance. Good condition. Price: £50. Tel: 0116 287 7786 (Groby) or 07770 702 999.

• TROPICAL FISH TANK and stand with approx. 20 fish. Tank measurements: 80cm x 38cm x 36cm.

• BATHROOM CABINET - cream, high gloss, large bathroom cabinet with front mirror door. Size: 600mm x 450mm x 200mm. Excellent condition. Price: £35. Tel: 07546 427771 (Groby) • GARDEN WATER FEATUREConcrete waterfall and cascade- 4 pieces - Price: £25.00. Tel: 07885 808207 (Glenfield) • KITCHEN UNITS - cream, two double and two single wall units, two with glass doors. Two double and three single floor units, plus one corner unit with carousel, and one tall oven unit. Very good condition. Price: £200. • DOUBLE OVEN - Hotpoint double oven with grill. Built-in. 88 cm high by 60 cm. Very good condition. Price: £50. • Double panel RADIATOR - 120 cm x 60 cm. Price: £10. Tel: 0116 319 2662 (Groby) • Red SHOPPING TROLLEY with seat. Price: £15. Tel: 01530 243891 (Markfield) • BINOCULARS, Swift Saratoga 8X40 with carrying case and instruction booklet. Good working order. £25 Ono. Tel. 01530 242025. • Pair of wrought iron GATES - width 3’6” by height 3’0”. Price: £35 o.n.o. • UPRIGHT LAMP - 4’6” tall. Price: £6 Tel: 01530 244253 (Markfield) • Marble SOLITAIRE GAME - light wood base with blue glass marbles. Price: £5. • Disney hardback LADYBIRD BOOKS. Approx. 25. Price: £20 o.n.o. Will split. • Winnie the Pooh FRAMED PICTURES - various sizes. Price: £12 - will split. Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield) • YORK T500 TREADMILL, good condition, Price £10, purchaser collects. Tel: 07305 234044 (Groby) • Large copper COAL SCUTTLE and large copper LOG BUCKET. Price: Sensible donation to Mail Ukraine Appeal. Tel: 01530 245 328 (Stanton under Bardon)

For sale due to bereavement. Price: £180. Tel: 07711 044160 (Groby)

SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. Our postal address is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight. co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are).

INTERESTING FOOTBALL PROGRAMME SPOTLIGHT READER Linda has recently come across an interesting football programme from Sunday 4th May 1986 - for a match between LEICESTER CITY VETERANS and GROBY MF. The match - which was for charity - took place at Groby Community College. Can you remember anything about it? Did you play in the game? If so, get in touch. More details will be included in next month’s Spotlight, including Birch’s amusing programme notes.

My girlfriend left me because I ‘take things too far’. So I called the police.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 12/04/2022, 16:15

FRESHWATER

WORDSEARCH This is your Word Search!

BGLC KS3 GIRLS BADMINTON TEAM QUALIFY FOR THE FINALS

IF YOU can find the 16 FRESHWATER FISH in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Stamford Arms in Groby. BARBEL All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line BROWNTROUT through - 16 FRESHWATER FISH. These can overlap and run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). DACE Send your marked entry forms to: DON’T TELL HIM YOUR NAME PIKE, Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 PERCH 9ZT to arrive by SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2022. Please remember toRUDD fill in your name and address. (Some people don’t!) The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win TENCH the voucher for a Meal for Two and a Bottle of House Wine at The Stamford Arms, Groby. Good luck!

Find these 16 FRESHWATER FISH:

Find the word in the puzzle.

BARBEL • BLEAK • BREAM • BROWN TROUT CARP • CHUB • DACE • GRAYLING Words can share letters as they cross over each othe GUDGEON • PERCH • PIKE • ROACH RUDD • RUFFE • STONE LOACH • TENCH Words can go in any direction.

16 of 16 words placed.

Name: ..............................................................................................................

BOSWORTH Academy host the HBSSPAN badminton competitions recently. Brookvale’s KS3 girls team qualified for the County finals and were joined by our KS4 girls who didn’t drop a game during the tournament. WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK GIRLS!

Address: ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................Postcode: ............................. Last Issue’s Winner was:

If I had a billion pounds for every time I underestimated, I’d be a millionaire.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-APRIL 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Groby Village Society would appreciate your help

SINCE THIS ARTICLE was written in December 2021 the need for the work of the Groby Village Society is still very much needed as we all know with the major IM warehousing proposal. Groby Village Society (GVS) is 52 years old. We wanted to celebrate this in 2020 but then covid came along. The village of Groby began to grow in size and population after the bypass was built in the early 1960s. New residents wanted to preserve the character of the village and valued its long history and its rich and varied green environment. So Groby Village Society was setup.

Social contact The Objects of GVS were to encourage social contact in the village, engage speakers on subjects of interest and discussion, and to support practical initiatives which recognise the history of the village and maintain its integrity. GVS has worked hard over the decades but building pressures have been very high. Groby has grown from a few streets beside the A50 from Leicester to Coalville. Now it has a population of over 7,000 so it falls within the category of a small town! And Groby is still growing. Planners are currently looking at adding another 600 hundred houses, which means an increase in the population of over 1,000 new inhabitants. But we have barely enough facilities already, being short of enough doctors, school places, dentists, parking and we really need to improve all these areas and others too. GVS were instigators of Groby’s Conservation Area, in the centre of the village, to help keep the

old buildings and ensure that newer ones keep true to the village style. To do this GVS have been reviewing and commenting on planning applications from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) for the last 50 years and continues to do so. From Groby Village Society sprang many other village clubs: the Garden Society, Allotment Society, drama club, wine tasters, art club and others, not all of which have survived. The village became a warm and friendly place until it grew so big that knowing everyone became impossible.

Christmas presents For many years GVS made sure that Santa on this sleigh, toured the village each December to listen to the children’s Christmas present requests but his elves got too old which is one reason why he stopped touring. Then for some years he spent a December morning outside Chaplin’s with his sleigh. Now he can be found only in other places. For many years GVS also visited and gave Christmas parcels, with little extra food items to single pensioners, so that they should not feel forgotten. GVS continued to exist with its monthly talks on a wide variety of subjects. Our aims still stand and are just as urgent, to get the best possible for Groby and its residents. More articles about Groby’s history and green spaces are planned for future issues of the

Spotlight. Our second meeting since covid regulations appeared, was in February when members contributed about their memories of twentieth century Groby. Our committee members are getting on in years so more help is needed. Sadly we aren’t currently offering tea and biscuits but you will be very welcome. So please come along and join in. Groby needs our GVS so we can all look after our village.

Alison Coates, Chairperson of Groby Village Society

Groby Village Society Meetings April 28th: A.G.M. The usual 7.30 start in the Village Hall Meetings held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. unless stated otherwise For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- pcastell42@ gmail.com Non Members are Welcome

Charity urges people in energy crisis to seek free debt help THE NATIONAL debt help charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), is busy responding to people hit by the recent energy price cap rise, which will see households paying around 50% more for their energy bills.

Low-income households, says CAP, “are already struggling to afford the basics they need to live with dignity.” In just the first two months of this year, the charity saw requests for emergency fuel vouchers double, compared to the first two months of 2021. The charity has also delivered over £23,000 worth of crisis support, which includes emergency fuel vouchers, food shops and essential items. CAP is in regular contact with suppliers, Ofgem and the Government to help them understand the impact these increases are having on the people it supports. It is also wants to hear from people in need: “With the expected increases in energy costs running into October and beyond, it’s more important than ever that people who are struggling don’t wait until their debts get out of hand.” If you are struggling with debt and need free help, get in contact with CAP today on 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org

From dancing on ice to walking on fire! LIBBY CLEGG, Paralympic Champion has officially joined the team at Vista and is the local charity’s newly appointed Community Fundraiser. Libby has a deteriorating eye condition known as Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy disease giving her only slight peripheral vision in her left eye – she is registered blind.

Libby’s first challenge is to walk on fire for the charity on Saturday 28th May at Loughborough University. Libby is organising the firewalk and is seeking likeminded daredevils to join her. Libby said: “If you’re looking for a fundraising challenge that will push your boundaries please join me - whether it’s solo, with friends, colleagues or family members, everyone over the age of 18 is welcome”. Libby goes onto say: “I’m really excited to be working for Vista, supporting local people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with sight loss and to be able to witness the

direct impact the charity has in the community. The pandemic has really hit our fundraising and local support is vital to the charity in helping us to deliver our sight loss services.”

If you think you can handle the heat, please visit www.vistablind.org.uk to sign up today. We have limited spaces available so be quick! Led by the experts at UK Firewalk, this is a great chance to conquer the coals and raise money to help support local people affected by sight loss.

In my career as a lumberjack, I cut down exactly 82,546 trees. I know, because I kept a log.

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS Councillor Ted Hollick reports

Tree Planting Hinckley ON FRIDAY 11th March I was invited to plant a tree in Argents Mead Hinckley with the help of children from St Mary’s school Hinckley . The tree is dedicated to be part of her Majesty the Queen’s Green Canopy to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. Photographs of all trees planted across the country will be featured in a commemorative album which will be presented to the Queen.

Tree Planting Groby SATURDAY APRIL 2ND was another occasion when a Japanese Cherry provided by Leicestershire County Council was planted to commemorate the work of Mrs Dot Bell in running her children’s Nursery School for more than 50 years. Her staff and parents of children past and present who attended the event organised by Mrs Janet Brooks all agreed it was a wonderful tribute to a lady who did so much for the village. It was a pleasure to see many children adding soil to the base and small children with trowels full of soil adding it to the tree.

GLENFIELD COUNTRY MARKET

Craft Fair Saturday 30th April 2022 10am – 4pm Groby Village Hall LE6 0DQ Featuring many local crafters

* FREE ENTRY *

Refreshments served all day Stalls include: • HOME MADE BAKING AND PRESERVES • • PLANTS AND LOCAL PRODUCE • • HAND MADE CRAFTS • JEWELLERY • • CARDS • GIFTS • AND MUCH MORE!

Induction Service ON THE AFTERNOON of April 2nd I was invited to be present at the Ordination and Induction Service for the new minister of the Hinckley Unitarian Great Meeting House. Robin Hanford has now been Inducted as the new minister for the church which is his first ministry.

School’s Ukraine Relief THURSDAY APRIL 7TH I was particularly pleased to be invited to the Redmoor School in Hinckley to witness the departure of a van full of essential supplies bound for Ukraine.

including songs from

The contents included Torches with batteries, first aid kits, toothpaste and brushes, disposable bowls and plastic cutlery. It also included sanitary items and nappies. All of this was donated by the School staff, pupils and their parents. We wish it well and a safe journey.

Ted Hollick

Rehearsals at Groby Club

and other travelling hits

Wednesday afternoon choir: 1.30pm - 3pm

Councillor Ted Hollick

Children’s choir 3.40pm - 4.40pm

Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983

Wednesday evening choir: 7.30pm - 9.00pm

E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com

Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY

www.grobysings.org for more information Registered Charity no. 1180490

Yesterday I was washing the car with my son. He goes “Dad, why can’t you just use a sponge?”

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