Lots of news from the Botcheston WI

Sheila Flatt reports

MARCH SEEMS to be the start of the season of meetings and get togethers.

Following our February meeting where we had some visitors, I am pleased that one has now joined and that two more may also join – lovely to see our numbers increasing and a warm welcome to Barbara, we hope you enjoy our meetings and we look forward to you joining in over the coming months.

The weekend before our March meeting, 17 members attended the Annual Council Meeting (ACM) at Leicester Grammar School. The business side of the meeting was carried out with efficiency and then the interesting program of speakers commenced.

Our first speaker was from the Canal and River Trust, which until a couple of years ago was a Government Department but is now a charity. The speaker was interesting and we learned how they are endeavouring to maintain the inland waterways and canals as a facility for every one of us to enjoy, but to also encourage wildlife.

Our second speaker was the renowned antiques expert Eric Knowles, who most of us knew from Antiques Roadshow and Bargain Hunt. Eric spoke eloquently on his journey into antiques, mistaken identities and some of his favourite antiques –Eric kept the audience enthralled until lunchtime.

Waiting patiently for our first speaker at the ACM. Ruth Goodman is a Freelance Historian. Among the TV programmes Ruth has been involved in are Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm. Ruth’s topic for our meeting was Washing Up - who knew anything about the history of washing up. What did the Victorians use to aid washing up – Sand! This fact has been discovered by analysing the accounts books in some of the large stately homes.

• OUR SPEAKER IN MARCH was Elizabeth Scott who is a pharmacist by profession. Elizabeth spoke on Health and Wellbeing and how Natural Oils can play a complementary role in some of our common ailments – stress, anxiety, snoring and many others. There were many sceptics in the audience (myself included) but I think we all came away from the meeting with our minds opened (if only just a little) to some of the benefits natural oils can play in today’s busy lifestyle.

• BEFORE OUR NEXT MEETING we have another Forest Group meeting which is on Monday 17th April at Newbold Verdon Methodist Church, when a fashion show will take place – all the models being brave souls from the WIs that make up the Forest Group.

We have a evening of entertainment and buffet arranged for Saturday 13th May to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III – more information from our secretary.

If you would like more information about Botcheston WI, or WI in general please contact our secretary on 01455 821228. •

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A Polish man goes to the US for an eye check up. The doctor shows an eye chart that reads: CZWNXKY.

The doctor asks: “Can you read this?” The Polish man replies: “Not only can I read it, I know the guy! He’s my cousin”

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The Forest Group Entry into the Brenda Barnett Trophy – the subject matter was a family celebration (a Christening) made up of various different handicrafts. Our entry came a very credible 3rd – thank you to all the ladies who put in so much hard work and time into the entry.

After lunch brought another section of business to be dealt with followed by our main speaker.

On Wednesday 19th April a group of members will be partaking in afternoon tea with Baroness Bolsover (!) where the etiquette of afternoon tea will be the subject.

Then on Thursday 27th April our group meeting is held at Botcheston Village Hall. The subject is The Beastly Beasts (we were advised by our program co-ordinator that nothing scary is involved). The competition is a photograph of a wild animal that you have taken yourself – get those camera phones out and get snapping.

The Budget

THERE WAS some good news in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget for Leicestershire with an additional £3,156,400 awarded for potholes and road maintenance. Roads are the number one issue that residents write to councillors about, so I very much welcome this step in the right direction!

Some other headline measures included: extension of the energy price guarantee to July 2023, fuel and beer duty being frozen, and tax reforms to pensions to better incentivise saving for retirement.

Given the financial impacts of Covid, and the effects of high inflation driven by the situation in Ukraine, the budget was in my view a fair and balanced approach to public finances.

Bardon Hill Community Fund

DURING the month I was pleased to support and obtained approved funding of £650 from the Bardon Hill Community Fund for the Stanton under Bardon Coronation Village Fete.

This money, alongside other funds, will help support Stanton under Bardon celebrate the King’s Coronation. If you know any local community groups that could benefit from the fund do get in touch!

Survey Responses

EARLIER in the year I surveyed residents on a range of issues. To date approximately 100 responses have come back.

Summarising the results, residents were:

1. Keen for further speed reduction measures predominantly along London Road/Forest Road;

2. Split broadly 50-50 on the Parish Council’s precept rise associated with the Community Centre. Although a significant number of comments came back requesting that the Parish Council look at handing over the Centre to a professional charitable trust/organisation to ensure proper governance and that it is run for the whole community.

3. Opposed to further development in Markfield village.

4. Keen for traffic light phasing, and smoother access to the Field Head roundabout.

5. Concerned about crime across the villages, particularly anti-social behaviour.

This feedback is invaluable and helps to steer the direction of local councillors, so a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who responded.

Work & Skills

W&S LEICESTERSHIRE falls within my responsibilities at the County Council, and I am pleased that we have managed to secure funding to extend the scheme for another six months.

Since its launch, the website has had 50,000 hits and the scheme has helped 1,066 people, with 163 individuals being placed in new roles. If you know anyone who would benefit please sign post them to: www. leicestershire.gov.uk/work-and-skills or call 0800 988 0308.

Local Elections - Photo ID now required

I DO LIKE to keep my monthly articles non-party political, but you will have noticed that the Borough Council Elections will take place on Thursday 4th May. If you are voting in-person at a polling station you will need to bring some form of photo identification. This can include a; passport, driving licence, blue badge, bus pass/ travel card, etc. However, if you have none of the above you can obtain a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ free of charge from the Borough Council by calling 01455 238141 by 5pm on Thursday 25th April. However you intend to vote, please take the opportunity to do so.

I continue to collaborate with residents on a range of local issues and if I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes,

Peter

(County Councillor for Markfield, Desford & Thornton)

E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or T: 01455 824733 www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt