Groby skipper keeps his nerve in sudden-death penalty shoot-out
Groby Juniors U-10s are Champions of England!
Groby Street Fair finances get a boost Norman Griffiths reports the good news but more volunteers are needed
With just over a month to go plans for the 2013 Groby Street Fair, to be held on September 21st, are well advanced. The organisers have had some good news regarding their finances but are still hoping for good news on the volunteers front.
In a remarkable season that has seen Groby Juniors Under 10’s crowned the Champions Of Leicestershire with a perfect record of 14 wins from 14 games, as well as victory in the County Cup in a final played at The King Power Stadium, it was difficult to imagine how things could get any better for them. But following an invitation to represent Leicestershire in a National Tournament they eclipsed all their previous achievements when they defeated champions from all over the Country to be crowned the ACES National Champions of England. The Tournament was invitation only and to qualify to play in it teams had to have won their County’s Premier Division. Teams from all over England travelled to this event in the hope of finding what the Leicester Mercury described as “the Holy Grail of Junior Football” so just to be invited to play in it was a huge honour. TURN TO PAGE 3 ...>
The decision by Leicestershire County Council not to charge for road closures for non-profit making groups is great news as it will save the group of volunteers who run the event around £600. “We still have to pay for signage etc, but this could make the difference of us making a loss or profit this year,” explained Christine Sturgess-Smith. “We were thinking of having to put the entrance fee up, but now can keep it the same.” The organisers reluctantly introduced an admission charge of £1 in 2012 because of the substantial costs in running the Fair. This unexpected news could help the fair to becomes an annual event, as long as there are sufficient volunteers to help on the day.
Appeal for volunteers The organisers have just about managed but anyone who helped, for example, with assembling and dismantling the tables will have noticed the predominance of bus pass holders doing the work. The younger volunteers were greatly appreciated. It may defy the laws of physics but TURN TO PAGE 4 ...>
Vintage bus rides prove popular at Elizabeth Woodville school fete The highlight for many at the Elizabeth Woodville School Fete on the 29th June was a ride on this 1950 AEC Double Decker. Passengers were taken on a trip around the village of Groby by driver Mr Andrew Gamble. The bus is decorated with authentic 1950s advertising and the familiar Brown’s Blue Livery which many Groby residents will remember.
Ted Hollick
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Miners’ Gala Hermitage FM Free admission to the Snibston Museum Snibston Co-Op brass band Colliery tours Coalville male voice choir Miner’s first aid display Horticultural show Local history displays Train rides Mining memorabilia Pet’s Corner Food and gift stalls Dance expressions show Miners’ hymn Treasure exhibition Children’s activities and much much more....
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Martinshaw Rewarded for Anti-Bullying Initiative
On Tuesday 2nd July 2013, Martinshaw Primary School, along with other Primary Schools from throughout Leicesterhire, were invited to attend Snibston Discovery Museum to receive an Anti-Bullying Award. The School now has a fantastic anti-bullying charter offering advice on how to tackle bullying with input from the pupils, teaching staff, support staff, lunchtime supervisors, governors and parents, under the direction of Mrs Clare Hammond.
Groby Juniors are Champs of England From front page
The School Council, aged between 7 and 11, produced information leaflets for both parents and pupils and encouraged the whole school to design anti-bullying posters which were displayed throughout the school. The school council represented the school at the awards ceremony which started with a very poignant performance by the ‘Gripping Yarns’ Company using giant size puppets to get over the message as to the impact bullying has on individuals and groups. The children then went up onto the stage, firstly to meet the puppets and then along with teacher Mrs Bandi to be presented with their award by the head of Leicester County Councils Children’s Services, Lesley Hagger. George and Sophie then acquitted themselves brilliantly when they were interviewed for local radio.
Owen Lawrence
Can you be nifty with a fifty? Groups and companies are being challenged to get nifty with a fifty to raise funds an East Midland’s children’s hospice. Organisations across the county are being encouraged to sign up to the Accumulator Challenge and support Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, which provides specialist care and support to children from across the East Midlands with
life-limited illnesses. Teams that take part will be given £50 and encouraged to turn it in to as much cash as possible over three months. Katie Baxter, community and events manager at Rainbows, said: “We give you £50 and during three months we ask you to raise as much as you can for Rainbows by whatever means you like, as long as it is safe and legal. Rainbows is looking for teams to
register before the Accumulator Challenge launches on Monday 2 September. The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday 22 January 2014 at The Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth, where the awards for the most money raised, the most innovative idea and the Judge’s Choice will be handed out. For more information, contact 07876 500 632, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/ accumulatorchallenge or email fundraising@rainbows.co.uk
Groby started slowly, drawing 0-0 against the champions of Liverpool despite dominating the match and coming up against a goalkeeper who was nothing short of inspired. They then managed to win their 3 other group games to finish group winners with a record only equalled by the Champions of Derbyshire in another group. The Quarter Final Draw didn’t appear to have favoured Groby as they were drawn against the champions of Worcester, one of the pre-tournament favourites. However, Groby dominated the match and ran out worthy 2-0 winners. Groby were growing in confidence and getting better with each game now and continued their good form with a 3-0 win in the semi-finals against the Champions of Norwich. All the way through the tournament there were two teams that looked to be a class above the rest: Spondon Dynamo, the champions of Derbyshire and our very own Groby so it was no surprise that it was Derby that Groby faced in the final. Groby dominated the final and Derby were restricted to trying to hit them on the break but 11 minutes each half wasn’t long enough to split the two teams and it finished 0-0 and went to penalties. Hans Bhimji-Walker, Joe Kerins, Ryan Clark, Harry Bates and James Sneddon all scored from the spot for Groby, as did Derby’s first 5 players, and it went to sudden death. Local boy, and team captain, Matt Hollingworth scored for Groby and Derby’s player shot wide to hand Groby the crown amongst jubilant celebrations.
When your children are teenagers you should have a dog, so at least someone in the house is happy to see you.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Street fair finances Continued from page 1
it is indisputable that for some reason the tables get heavier as one gets older. “So strong volunteers are wanted for the Friday evening and Saturday first thing (from 7am) to put up the stage and move stuff about,” said Jim Coley. In addition to help with setting up there’s the clearing up after 6pm. When there are many willing hands it doesn’t take long. Then there’s help taking money both on the entrances and at the climbing wall, selling raffle tickets, and what has been described as general ‘goffering’. If you want to know more you can email grobystreetfair@viginmedia.com or call Christine on 07866123151.
Provisional entertainments programme announced Following their successful concerts at Groby Community College the Groby Sings Choir have now been confirmed as the closing act of the 2013 Street Fair entertainment. Karen Silverwood will be conducting as Helen Hayes is otherwise engaged in a concert. The choral theme will be reflected throughout the rest of the programme with all three primary schools participating. Lovers of big band music will be pleased to see the return of the Soar Valley Music Centre Big Band. In addition to providing the public address system for the 2012 Groby Street Fair Parish Council Chairman Jim Coley also entertained the audience. He’s going to be back on stage this year, but this time he’ll be on stage for an hour fronting Wreckless Venture, the Classic Rock band in which he’s both vocalist and guitarist. Ursula Darker will also be re-united with Jim on stage in her own set. They both played in a band called “Out of the Woodwork” which also featured a very young Aynsley Lister. The climbing wall will be back and other confirmed acts include local folk duo On the Fence, who will play for 30 minutes and a church youth act. Will it be mime, dance, puppets or all of them? There’s only one way to find out so keep your diary clear for September 21st. And Kevin Burke? Yes he’ll be back on his stilts but will no doubt come down to earth for his magic act! You can keep up to date with the latest news at www.grobystreetfair.tk.
C
Football
New Players Needed After a successful 2012/2013 season Groby Juniors Football Club are looking to go even better in the 2013/2014 season. New players are required for the following teams :• Girls – Years 1,2,3 and 4 (school year starting September 2013) • Boys – Year 1 and 2 • Boys - Year 4 If your Son or Daughter fancies being the next Joe Hart or Wayne Rooney then please contact Mark Bond on 07817 661050
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My mate’s girlfriend is mute, so communicates by embroidery. It’s her version of sign language, sew to speak.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Allotments Society News From John Thornton Speak to anyone on the plots about strawberries and you will get the same answer, it is the best year in memory for quality and quantity. They just keep coming and coming with very little slug damage but there is a price to pay, weeds! The wet start then dry and hot weather just right for germination, turn your back and they notice, up they come, you would not think there were so many inedible plants. Or are they? Have we always believed that we cannot eat weeds? Rabbits like sow-thistles and dandelions. Butterflies like stinging nettles-which we can also eat. In circa 1300 there was a famine when crops failed. It was cold and wet all through the year, to live the poor folks ate weeds and they survived long enough until the weather turned. However we have our plots which, with good management, we can get a wonderful return for our labours and leave the weeds to our friend Richard’s suggestion below.
Billy – please be a hero WANTED: One goat must be well trained and obedient, and answer to the name ‘Billy’ – Bunter or Piper ... gender is not important. We have a very well rewarded position that will bring immense satisfaction to the right candidate. The chosen applicant must prove an ability to tell the difference about what is a weed and what is a lovingly nurtured flower of vegetable. And, of course, choose the right one to devour. This is an ‘all you can eat and more’ position and, if successful, the chosen Billy will be invited to take up the position on an all-year-round, rolling contract. There is even a nice warm dwelling available – except for one Sunday morning each month when the allotment Committee take it over for drinks, bacon butties and interminable gossip. Looking back 12 months it’s difficult not to smile. Last year I managed to harvest two punnets of strawberries. This year, during the hot July, I picked two large punnets every day for weeks. The raspberries went ballistic, broad beans looked more like surface to air missiles, and runner beans could have done the marathon. What a difference a year makes. However some things do not change. This year we have had big, ear to ear grins on our faces, and fruit and veg to give away, after stocking the freezer until the lid would not shut. The conversations have been about bigger, better and more, with few negatives. Last year those conversations were about shared misery, battling through hardship, monsoon and
floods. There is a common factor, and it is in that word ‘conversations’. Allotment holders like nothing better than to give – fruit, veg, obviously, but also advice, encouragement and general gossip. I was talking to a new 2013 tenant and he stated that, after living in Groby for more than 20 years – and he’s no shrinking violet – he’d spoken to more people after starting his allotment than he’d ever done. He also stated that, having taken on his allotment, he’d found that the previous tenant had spent a lot of time getting the very best from the fertile soil, so it was in prime condition. That is not an unusual story. Last year was a sorry tale of floods and pre-mashed potatoes, of grim determination, and muddy wellies: this year it has been, at times, the absolute opposite. But the camaraderie is still there, along with the shared problems, which brings me back to those pesky weeds. So come on Billy – an agreed single name is essential as we do not want to confuse the poor fella/lass – show us what you can do, and we’ll happily applaud as you munch away the more back-breaking work of the dedicated allotmenteers.
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I really need to confront my phobia of German sausages, but I fear the wurst.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Jottings
News in Brief with Norman Griffiths
Concerns over evening functions at Forest Rise Residents who live near the Community Centre on Forest Rise have expressed their concern about the evening use of the premises during the hot weather. Neighbours report having to close their windows because of the noise during the first hot spell of the summer. The centre only has 5 parking spaces and advertises availability from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday or 7pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Councillor Peter Batty approached the Borough Council’s Sheltered Housing Team last month with the concerns of residents. The council says that those local residents who have access to the council’s 24hr Control Centre via an alarm system in their properties should use the system if they have any concerns about anyone using the community centre. There are staff on call at all times to respond immediately. “Until recently a community room was available to hire for private parties up until 9pm,” explained a spokesperson for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The council was unaware of the noise problem but undertook an immediate review of the booking restrictions for the Centre. It is now proposed that the Centre will only be available to hire up until 7pm and only then for meetings and young children’s parties (children of up to ten years). Alcohol is prohibited on site. “We will be asking local residents for their views on the new booking restrictions and we welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Please contact Clive Taylor, Shared Older Persons Service Manager at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council on 01455 255890 or email clive.taylor@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk,” the spokesperson added.
I‘ve been seeing a weather girl. Thought it’d make a change to date a woman that wasn’t right all the time.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Beacon Field task force Both residents and employees of GE Sensing who commute to the village get frustrated by the lack of adequate off street parking in the village and from time to time this leads to friction. So it’s good news that comes from Steve Chalmers about an opportunity for villagers to work side by side with GE staff for the benefit of a local school. On 10 and 11 September, for the first time in its history, the GE site in Groby is hosting the Annual General Meeting for the leaders of GE Volunteering activities for both the UK and Ireland. “A Volunteering meeting without some volunteering action would be a missed opportunity therefore a group of the 50 attendees will participate in a local community volunteering project on the evening of Tuesday 10 September,” explained Steve. “They will be undertaking the task of clearing the edges of Beacon Field in Groby and this will include clearing litter and tidying the undergrowth with a view to the field being used by the Lady Jane Grey School as it develops to become an Academy.” It’s a project proposed to Groby Parish Council at the August council meeting and is open for all to join. “Just turn up on the day, wearing suitable clothing,” says Steve. “We would love to see you there on the 10th Sept at 6.15pm” If you are interested remember to check on www.groby. com or call the clerk closer to the date to confirm the arrangements. Over the years GE has encouraged its employees to get involved in local community activities and during 2012 across GE in the UK and Ireland over 6000 employees worked on 756 different projects accumulating 61,179 volunteering hours.
Bacon sandwiches for all Allotment tenants will be well aware that in the summer the first Sunday morning each month is a chance to meet for a tea or coffee and a biscuit at the Allotment shed on Ratby Road. Those who fancy something more substantial than a biscuit or cannot resist the smell of bacon cooking can watch their own bacon sandwich being lovingly and hygienically prepared. What many nontenants don’t realise is that they are welcome to turn up as well. There’s usually some fresh produce or plants available and lots of chatter. Of course there’s some talk about gardening but all the world’s other woes are put right as well as clubroot. It’s a chance to see if you fancy allotment gardening or just to get out and meet people in a relaxed situation.
Parking meter at Stamford Arms By the time this edition of the Spotlight is delivered parking charges will have been introduced at the Stamford Arms overflow car park next to Pricegate. This is sure to be a controversial move as it has been used as short term parking for many years by shoppers. Although the issue of parking control
and charges has come up now and again the management has taken a fairly relaxed view, although at one point it was closed off until mid morning on weekdays to discourage all day parking. Pressure on parking in the village centre has increased in recent years and the imminent introduction of parking restrictions may have an impact, despite the creation of new short term parking spaces in the area. The car park will still be available for shoppers for up to four hours but an hourly fee of £1 will be charged between the hours of 6am and 9pm daily. Blue badge holders will be exempt from charges and pub customers will have the fee refunded on the day of purchase. The parking meter will be monitored by a local company. “The car park is owned by Everards Brewery and thus the Stamford Arms, with its sole purpose of use in provide parking for customers of your local village pub” explained landlord Brian Rigby. “As we are all aware local parking restrictions are planned which will put more pressure on the car parks within the village and the surrounding roads. We want to ensure our customers have the availability to park when driving, therefore we have introduced a car parking meter. Over the years many tenants’ owners of the Stamford Arms have used various methods to restrict the use of the car park with varied responses from locals and local businesses of which none have worked and in best practice a parking meter is the obvious answer.” Brian welcomes feedback about the change and can be emailed at stamfordarms@icloud.com.
Appeal for 1984 photos of Groby Pick Your Own Farm Did you live in Groby in 1984? Do you remember the reconstruction of an Iron Age farm on the Pick-YourOwn? I was a HIstory teacher living in Ratby at the time and took photos of it when I visited to use at school. Unfortunately they have gone missing. Recently I worked on the archaeological dig at Burrough-on-the-Hill. I wanted to use those photos, along with my finds, at the Primary School in Markfield, to make local history more interesting. If anyone has any photos of the reconstruction that I could copy I would be very grateful.
You can contact me, e-mail carolrid@tiscali.co.uk or on 01530 242870. I know it is a long time ago, but I hope somebody hoards old photos.
Carol Riddington
Council Approved
Apparently diet books are popular because they appeal to a wide audience.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Gardening Society News June Meeting Malcolm Beerman, Chairman of The Leicestershire Fuchsia Society, gave a most interesting and instructional talk on the cultivation and propagation of these gorgeous plants. He started on a sombre note by warning of the impending arrival of the Fuchsia gall Mite. This is an untreatable, ravaging pest that has spread from Canada. At the moment it is on a relentless march north in the U.K. and at the moment is in Cambridge. Unlike previous conventional advice, it is now recommended to cut to ground level all outdoor fuchsias in the Autumn. This restricts the chance of this pest surviving the winter. Malcolm was an enthusiast for sprays of one kind or another, perhaps fuelled by his passion for the showing of fuchsias. Pests and diseases he would not tolerate! He thought that “Rose Clear” was the best cure for aphids. His medium for growing rooted cuttings was Petersfield no. 2 compost mixed with grit or perlite in a 6: 1 ratio and he gave demonstrations of various methods he uses for rooting cuttings. At the heart of these was the use of coir discs and not any sort of compost. He brought many young plants of Encliandra fuchsias and told how these can be used for topiary work. At £1 per plant these were quickly snaffled up at the end.
On July 10th forty six members embarked for the, by now, traditional two day trip. Once again our trip was blessed with superb summer weather. This year, day one consisted of a ride north to The Great Yorkshire Show which proved to be absolutely enormous. It was impossible to see all the displays in one day and choices had to be made between livestock shows, craft stalls, retail outlets, flower exhibits and numerous events in several arenas. A once-in-a year chance to see the final of “Pig of The Year” competition was not to be missed! Our stay at The Crowne Plaza in Leeds proved to be just as good as previously used hotels. Spacious rooms, restful beds and plentiful excellent food ended our first day. After a sumptuous breakfast, the second day saw us arrive at Brodsworth House and Gardens. This is an English Heritage property and was a wonderful place. The house was full of interest, especially as it figured in the two World wars. The gardens were manicured and had a mixture of mature trees and ornamental shrubs. Although herbaceous planting was not a feature, a magnificent rose garden made up for this. Overall the trip was a resounding and many said they now anticipate 2014.
Gardening at Martinshaw Two Society members are engaged in a gardening project at Martinshaw Primary School. Whilst some pupils spend curriculum time doing their gardening, others have joined an after-school club to pursue the same objectives. The Recycling of suitable refuse for compost, improving the appearance of the approach to the school buildings and using existing raised beds to produce vegetables and colourful displays of flowers are all part of the goals set for the children. Already their enthusiasm in preparing the soil, sowing seeds and transplanting more mature plants have secured level 1 and 2 in The Royal Horticultural Society’s Campaign for School Gardening. People approaching the school cannot miss the improvements which the children’s efforts have already produced. The children were presented with certificates at their end of term assembly.
Outings June 21st saw a full coach of members set off for their day’s outing. A pleasant stop at Evesham Country park was a precurser for a memorable visit to Cotswold Flower Nursery. Tucked away down a narrow track, the nursery would be a delight to all plant lovers. There were no gimmicks on sale, no furniture, no outdoor clothing, no food, no ornaments or household goods, just loads of wonderful cottage garden plants set out in an attractive garden with seven propagating tunnels. Needless to report, the boot of the bus carried many, mny plants back to Groby. Refreshments here were welcomed and consumed in the nursery’s quaint reception area. Next stop was Coughton Court and by now a rather grey start to the day had changed to lovely sunshine. The house, garden and lakeside walks were thoroughly enjoyed. Their rose display, like the season generally, was a week or so late, but there were beautiful roses in bloom and the burgeoning herbaceous borders were impressive, promising a summer of dazzling displays. A very plesasant outside eating area enabled all to finish their day with well-earned cakes or ices.
After a hearty breakfast
Brodsworth House
Saturday 17th August This is when the Annual Village Show takes place and it is hoped that many readers will enter exhibits to make the show a success. This success depends not upon the entries that win, but all the others that make the spectacle. A schedule with classes to enter is available at the Spotlight website or at the village library. Often it is only on the day that exhibitors can decide exactly what to enter and there are classes that almost guarantee that everyone would be able to take part. Classes such as “A Rose” or “One clematis flower” or “A single hosta leaf ” are included with this aim in mind. There are many others for the perhaps first time entrant. If you decide not to enter, you will still be very welcome to visit at 2.30 p.m. The W.I. will produce their usual excellent café services.
Forth coming events • • •
August 17th The Annual Village Show September 12th Growing and Showing Daffodils October 10th Any Questions? A panel of local “experts” attempt suitable answers! Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net
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I was so disappointed after travelling all that way to see the Great Wall of China,it wasn’t made of china at all.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Simon’s on his bike again ...
Fundraising event for ADAPT ... on the Isle of Wight At this time of year it’s time to take stock of the charity events we have undertaken so far over the years, the Isle of Man TT circuit being the first.
This event was followed by the adventure around Anglesey, The Three Peaks Challenge, Ilex walk around Jersey, Coast to Coast and the Battlefields of Belgium. Perhaps a run was in order, so I applied for the Great North but this is almost as difficult to get a place as the London Marathon and needless to say I failed on this attempt. However, I may attempt the Leicester Half Marathon later in the year and will keep you updated. Back to the task in hand and as cycling seems to feature so heavily, another event seems a good idea. After some research I have stumbled on the Isle of Wight Randonnee which was established by the ‘Wayfarers’ (Island Cycling club) in 1985. The Randonnee attracts approximately 2000 riders each year who take to the saddle tackling either the 55 km or the full 100 km route around the island in a day. The route begins at Bembridge heading to Wootton and then onto East Cowes, Yarmouth, Whitwell and Alverstone, keeping the sea on your right, and then back to Bembridge. With the sea spray in our faces and hopefully the wind on our backs, I am being asked if the route is hilly? Well, the last time we were on the island, many moons ago, it was pushing a buggy with everything but the kitchen sink on the back, so everywhere was hilly! It should be a good weekend, travelling down on Friday, attacking the full route on Saturday and then driving back on the Sunday. What could be simpler……. Watch this space! We are hoping to raise funds for Adapt, which is a small charity who provides support to families with premature and poorly babies on the Neonatal units of the Leicester Royal Infirmary and General Hospital. Adapt relies solely on donations and fund raising events to continue to support families even after the babies go home. It was established in 1995 around the same time as our eldest daughter Sophie was born who arrived 14 weeks early topping the scales at 780 grams (1Ib 11 oz). She has just celebrated her Eighteenth birthday and we, like many other families, received immense support from Adapt in her early years. All my fund raising events have always received fantastic support over the past few years, raising well over a total of £6,500. This is all down to the generous support of family, friends, the residents of Groby and the Royal Mail, a very big thank you to everyone. I hope this year will be just as successful and if you would like to sponsor me please catch me on my post round in and around Groby or pop into Groby Post Office.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Race for Life Children, along with parents and staff from Foundation Stage to Year 6 of Martinshaw Primary School, took part in Leicester’s Race for Life during June.
It was particularly poignant for Jane Dance, a lunchtime supervisor who, along with her daughter Isabella aged 6 and friend Carey, ran 5k and raised £350. Jane ran in memory of her best friend Kate who died because of cancer over 2 years ago. She would like to send a massive heartfelt thank you to all those who supported and sponsored them.
Owen Lawrence
Occasionally I question my sanity - sometimes, worryingly, it replies.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Groby Village Society
Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
Telephone
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Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests
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.
Jurassic Park comes to Martinshaw School
Saturday 7th Sept
TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069
Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Thursday September 26 Chris & Ken The Railway Men (Part 2) Mr Ken Issitt & Mr Chris Bates
Thursday December 19 - History of Loughborough Carillon Caroline Sharpe (Carillonneur)
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.
Advert/Copy Deadline: Saturday 24th August
Thursday August 22 Awaiting Details
Thursday November 28 The Museum of Childhood Mr Trevor Parr
Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.
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Thursday October 24 Nell Gwyn - Mrs Sally Henshaw
Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head.
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.
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During the mid-term break of the School’s Winter term, Foundation Stage Children, aged 4 and 5, were tasked to produce models of dinosaurs to complement what they had been learning about them earlier in the term. Imagine their teacher, Mrs. Euden’s delight and surprise when they arrived with models, in some cases so real looking that you expected them to bite. The models were put on display for parents and the whole school to see and then the children stood in front of the school with parents looking on and confidently spoke about the habitat and life of those long dead creatures. I have to say, I’m not sure, but maybe, just maybe there may have been a tiny bit of parental input into some of the models !
Owen Lawrence
Joseph Earl Wins Triple Jump Silver Medal Congratulations goes to Joseph Earl - year 10 student at Groby Community College - who won a silver medal in the intermediate boys triple jump at the Leicestershire Schools Athletics Championships at Saffron Lane on Saturday 8th June. Joseph, who lives in Ratby is pictured above receiving his medal, recorded a personal best of 11.79m with his opening jump. A huge well done from Groby Community College!
Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 Email: groby.villagesociety@ tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome
DON’T MISS
The Open Day & Dog Show at Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary Shaw Lane/Billa Barra Lane (off the A511, between Markfield and Coalville.
Sunday 11th August 10.30am-3.30pm FREE PARKING (Entrance off Billa Barra Lane) Entrance: Adults: £2 Senior Citizen: £1.50 Child (4-15): 50p
Craft Marquees Animals Bouncy Castle Games Delicious Food Phone 01530 243 925 for more information
My friend keeps setting fire to Belgian Detectives. He’s a Poirotmaniac.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
12
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Thank you, ladies, for a splendid response to our recruitment event. We are proud to show off last year’s new members, who have all given positive comments, rehearsing with choir master Geoff Hurd and pianist Mary Starrie. Can you see yourself as one of us? If so, we meet at Glenfield Methodist Church on Monday evenings at 7.15 for 7.30. Our next recruitment event will be on Monday 9th September at 7:30. There are no auditions, so come along and see what you think. For more information, contact Carol on 07813 44983.
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Just saw a box of After Eights for sale on ebay - mint condition.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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The local couple with a vision Norman Griffiths hears that there’s a new record label with a local link Locally based blues/rock star Aynsley Lister and his fiancée/manager Steph Wildey have reason to be excited. What started as a personal relationship is blossoming into a wider partnership with the launch of their own record label, Straight Talkin’ Records. Steph, who has a background in both business and marketing, enjoyed going along with Aynsley on his gigs and this developed into helping with simple things like the flyer designing and t shirt designs. Doing the accounts and the tour budgets followed and eventually, when threatened with yet another round of redundancies in her day job they decided to take the management in-house. “It certainly shocked a few people and there were people out there who had their reservations but we held a straight bat, put a lot of hard work into it, got organised and it worked out really well,” said Steph. It was the right decision and over the last 18 months the management has really taken off, the marketing has stepped up several gears and the gigs are all consistently doing great. Last year had some of the highest attendances Aynsley has seen in his career to date.
Artwork and other services Their artwork offer is an in-house, professional design service for a range of different projects. This includes tour flyers, leaflets and t-shirt design to album covers and full promotional campaign work. They are also able to put clients in touch with reliable photographers and suppliers should they need it. Using the latest Adobe Creative Suite software they are generally able to have initial proofs of smaller projects (such as tour flyers and leaflets) completed within 24 hours. They use a reliable top quality printing company who offer fantastic prices enabling short notice projects to be turned around within 3-4 days without breaking the bank. They also offer a website design service, catering for many different styles and provide ecommerce solutions so clients can start selling their products and merchandise. They now also have the experience to offer Artist Management services and can help with booking full tours to providing advice on professional matters, long-term plans and personal decisions. They currently book venues within the blues-rock genre in the UK, Netherlands and parts of Germany and are no strangers to the venues overseas where Aynsley has a strong following.
Then came the record label With the management side doing so well the idea came of starting their own record label. “The labels he’s had previously have been fantastic and have really taught us a lot in terms of ‘best practice’. Thomas Ruf (Ruf Records) got him going and built him a solid reputation and then Alan Robinson (Manhaton Records) came in and really pushed it to a new level, raising the bar and releasing Aynsley’s two most successful CD’s to date (Tower Sessions and Equilibrium),” she explained. Steph had always wanted to own her own company and it was meeting Aynsley and the desire to see him fully realise his potential that was the catalyst that made it happen. “I’ve always been very driven and determined but it was the passion for music and the will to see Aynsley
succeed and really go somewhere that pointed us in this direction. We decided we’d make a really good team : I’d take over the business side and Aynsley would carry on producing his top quality, absolutely rockin’ brand of British blues and we’ll see where we end up!” Aynsley’s latest album, Home, has been released on their new label, Straight Talkin’ Records. The album has been dedicated to their late friend Rod Thomson, whose sudden death led to the couple making a cross country fund raising cycle ride with friends for Cancer Research. It includes Free, a poignant track inspired by Rod. If you listen to the previews of the tracks online at http://www.aynsleylister.co.uk/index.php/ music/home you’ll find out why it’s receiving such good reviews. There’s also a direct link from the version of this article on www.grobyonline.tk. “If there’s any justice in the world this fantastic album from British blues-rocker Aynsley Lister will be rewarded with the kind of mainstream recognition usually reserved for artists with considerably less talent,” writes Simon Ramsay in his www.stereoboard.com review. “The album is a laidback, maturely-delivered treasure trove of blues, rock, Americana, pop and jazz, bound together by gorgeous melodies, sophisticated compositions and exquisite soloing.” Listeners to Jazz FM had a treat last month when Aynsley appeared, chatting and playing live on air. And the audience at the De Montfort Hall Simon Says Festival on July 28th gave Aynsley an enthusiastic welcome back for one of his rare Leicester performances. Later this year the band is off on yet another European tour with only 2 nights without a gig in nearly four weeks. Then with just a few days respite he’s on the road again in the UK. It all sounds very demanding but the band are of one mind – they love it. “Music is a release for me. When I play I get lost in it and it’s a very happy place to go,” said Aynsley.
The older you get, the better you delude yourself you were.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Pensioners – well off or not? Norman Griffiths asks what you think
“We’re all in this together,” we are told. But routinely one now hears on TV and radio and reads in the papers that pensioners have been over protected in the recent cost cutting exercise undertaken to reduce the country’s debt pile. Winter fuel allowance, bus passes and the inflation protection of the state pension are all areas that some feel should be re-examined, it seems. The stereotypical image of a pensioner is becoming one of someone who has an index linked final salary pension in addition to the State pension and has also benefited from the disproportionate rise in house prices. Someone who is not doing too badly, whilst those lucky enough to have kept their jobs are faced with a falling real income, jargon for an annual pay cut. There are no doubt many pensioners who do match the stereotype, just as there are some younger people in work who have managed to hold on to their income whilst enjoying record low mortgage rates, whilst other unfortunate families have to resort to charity food banks. Savers, on the other hand, are finding that their income is shrinking as the interest they receive is less than they need to keep up with inflation. Those coming up to retirement are depressed by the forecasts of the size of any annuity their defined benefit pension lump might produce, if they are lucky enough to have one. The over 65’s are the only age group where the number of bankruptcies is increasing. Meanwhile many younger people are starting to wonder whether they will be required to work until they drop as the retirement age goalposts seem to have been fitted with wheels so that they can be easily moved. Local entrepreneur John Timpson, Chairman of Timpson’s cobblers and keys, recently reflected on life in the 1970’s. He recalls inflation at 26%, a stock market slump, a fuel crisis, a three day working week, and shoe repair prices that had to change four times a year too keep up with increases in cost. “These memories are important,” he wrote in the Daily telegraph, “because it will almost certainly happen again.”
So what do you think? It seems that across every age group some are doing better than their peers and some are doing disproportionately worse. So what about pensioners? Let us know whether you think today’s pensioners have had it easy. But, before you do, consider what one reader (name and address supplied) has told us. He’s entitled his thoughts ‘Austerity’...
AUSTERITY
They say that pensioners must share in the current austerity. We can take our fair share. But have they not heard of the towns, like the one where I was born in the 1930s, which had unemployment rates of 80 or 90%? Pretty austere times. In the early 1940s, sitting in the dark communal air raid shelter with an inch of water on the floor, or squatting with my younger brother beneath the kitchen table, listening to the falling bombs whistling or screaming as they fell down on the docks and steelworks and houses like ours. It was a time of shortages, barely enough to eat, certainly no luxuries, almost everything was rationed. Rationing continued through the 1940s and even into the 50s for some things but the situation improved gradually. We started to rebuild our nation but we were exhorted to “Export or Die!”, so many things were still unavailable or restricted. Is it true that Purchase Tax on cars was 100% at one stage? We needed the exports. Things did get better steadily through the 60s and 70s, though our currency was devalued, to aid exports perhaps.(with an adverse effect on the pound in my pocket regardless of the politician’s claim to the contrary) And even into the 70s the amount of currency we were allowed to take abroad was restricted. The 80s, 90s and 00s were better for a while until the collapse that we have now. So what is my current situation? After a lifetime in engineering design, helping to produce the exports that are the lifeblood of our nation, I find that I am paying tax at 20% on part of my modest pension in spite of being below the poverty threshold. I cannot afford to travel by train, a theatre ticket is beyond my reach and even the multiplex cinema is a rare treat. When I take my wife out of an evening we might have a half pint of cider each. Beer is so expensive these days and cider was once a cheap drink. Not any more. And the ISA, into which I invested my modest life savings, has not given me an income for several years, whilst the value of my savings has drastically reduced because of the difference between the interest earned and inflation. And let’s not talk about the high cost of central heating oil and electricity. I could go on but you get the picture. It seems to me that putting this country back on its feet after the war, hard work, thrift and a community spirit are not getting the recognition they deserve. Pensioners must share the austerity, they say. They don’t know the meaning of the word, But all those pensioners like me, we wrote the book!
Be a messy gardener This autumn, don’t clean up your garden too much for the winter – leave some messy bits. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds fears that ‘sterile’ gardens where nature cannot survive are contributing to the decline in wildlife. Instead, build ‘homes for nature’, urges the RSPB: leave some weeds and garden debris, let the grass stay long, don’t cut all the nettles, leave the odd log to rot, and cut a hole in your fence for the hedgehogs. You can also fill a bucket with woodchips, soil and rotten branches for insects. Or fill up an old washing bowl with water and gravel to create a ‘mini pond’. Many celebrity gardeners applaud this approach. Monty Don of the BBC’s Gardener’s World recently tweeted: ‘Do not strive after tidiness’. The RSPB campaign is in response to a report that 60 per cent of species in the UK have suffered declines in the past few decades. Our sparrows, starlings, grass snakes, frogs, voles and badgers need our help to breed, move around and survive. Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, says: “Nature in the UK is in trouble. Gardens provide a valuable lifeline for species like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and butterflies, which are struggling to find homes in the wider countryside. Although the overall problem is huge, the solution can start on a small scale....Our aim is to provide one million homes for nature across the UK, because if there is no home for nature, then there’s no nature – it really is that serious.”
Take a Walk on the Wildside for LOROS in 2013! Registrations are open for family and friends to get active while supporting their local Hospice, LOROS, at the Walk on the Wildside. On Sunday 8th September 2013 it will be time to dig out your walking boots and join the annual sponsored ‘Walk on the Wildside’ event. Come along and enjoy the walk, passing through the beautiful Bradgate Park and enchanting Swithland Wood. Starting and finishing at The Severn Trent Water Visitor Centre, Cropston, this year there are two routes to choose from. A new 7 mile walk commencing at 10.30am, and the 13 mile walk starting a little earlier at 9.30am. Everyone participating will receive a goody bag and certificate on the day. Julia Bradbury, LOROS Patron and TV Presenter said “Bring the whole family and come join LOROS on a sponsored walk that leads you through the historic Deer Park, past the ruins of Bradgate House to the ancient, atmospheric woodland of Swithland Woods.” Food will also be available along with lively warm-up sessions, stalls, children’s activity area, outdoor activity trail for the children and much more!! Register online at www.loros. co.uk/fundraising for your FREE sponsorship pack. Last chance to register is Monday 2nd September 2013! All money raised will ensure LOROS continues to provide care and support to terminally-ill patients and their families living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
I went to a military barracks canteen recently. It was a mess.
Adult Learning Courses Autumn 2013 in and around the Groby Area Course Title Venue Start Date End Date CREATIVE ARTS & MUSIC Art and Craft Award - Drawing & Painting Groby Community College 18/09/2013 25/06/2014 Guitar - Advanced Level Groby Community College 18/09/2013 27/11/2013 Guitar - Advanced Level Groby Community College 15/01/2014 26/03/2014 Jewellery Making - Fun With Wire And Beads Groby Community College 18/09/2013 27/11/2013 Pottery Workshop Groby Community College 18/09/2013 29/01/2014 Pottery Workshop Groby Community College 05/02/2014 11/06/2014 Sugarcraft - Christmas Decorations Workshop Groby Community College 07/12/2013 07/12/2013 Watercolour Painting - Beginners Level Kirby Muxloe Library 16/09/2013 25/11/2013 Watercolour Painting - Beginners Level Kirby Muxloe Library 13/01/2014 24/03/2014 COMPUTING AND ICT Absolute Beginners Guide to IT Glenfield Park House 04/11/2013 18/11/2013 Get Into IT Glenfield Park House 25/11/2013 31/03/2014 Get Into IT Groby Community College 04/11/2013 10/03/2014 Get Into IT @ Your Library Newbold Verdon Library 04/12/2013 02/04/2014 Get Webwise - Make the Most of Being Online Glenfield Park House 30/09/2013 03/02/2014 IT Skills for Employment - Level 1 (Certificate) Groby Community College 02/10/2013 26/03/2014 IT Skills for Employment - Level 2 Groby Community College 02/10/2013 26/03/2014 HEALTH AND WELLBEING Cooking - Baking Made Easy Groby Community College 23/09/2013 14/10/2013 Cooking - Cakes Bake and Decorate Groby Community College 07/12/2013 07/12/2013 Cooking - Caribbean Cookery Groby Community College 06/05/2014 10/06/2014 Cooking - Indian Groby Community College 14/01/2014 25/03/2014 Cooking - Indian Savouries & Snacks Groby Community College 16/11/2013 16/11/2013 Cooking - Winter Warmers Groby Community College 05/11/2013 03/12/2013 Pilates Based Body Conditioning - Mixed Ability Groby Community College 24/09/2013 04/02/2014 Pilates Based Body Conditioning - Mixed Ability Groby Community College 24/09/2013 04/02/2014 LANGUAGES French Beginners - A Starter Course Groby Community College 24/09/2013 05/11/2013 French Beginners - Moving On Groby Community College 12/11/2013 21/01/2014 French Beginners - Part 2 Groby Community College 28/01/2014 01/04/2014 German Beginners - A Starter Course Groby Community College 24/09/2013 05/11/2013 German Beginners - Moving On Groby Community College 12/11/2013 21/01/2014 German Beginners - Part 2 Groby Community College 28/01/2014 01/04/2014 Italian Year 5+ Advanced Groby Community College 30/09/2013 09/12/2013 Italian Year 5+ Advanced Groby Community College 13/01/2014 24/03/2014 Spanish Year 2 Groby Community College 23/09/2013 10/03/2014 Spanish Year 3 Groby Community College 23/09/2013 10/03/2014 SKILLS FOR LIFE (ENGLISH AND MATHS) English - Functional Skills Groby Community College 30/09/2013 23/06/2014 English - Functional Skills Kirby Muxloe Library 30/09/2013 23/06/2014 English - GCSE Groby Community College 17/09/2013 20/05/2014 English - GCSE Newbold Verdon Library 18/09/2013 21/05/2014 Maths - Functional Skills Groby Community College 02/10/2013 18/06/2014 Maths - Functional Skills Kirby Muxloe Library 04/10/2013 20/06/2014 Maths - Functional Skills Newbold Verdon Library 03/10/2013 19/06/2014 Maths - GCSE Groby Community College 17/09/2013 20/05/2014 Maths - GCSE Newbold Verdon Library 17/09/2013 20/05/2014 * We reserve the right to charge the full fee to learners who withdraw – please see full terms and conditions on website
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Lady Jane Grey Primary School Academy Needs Your Help ! Lady Jane Grey Primary School opened in 1988 and in September will be celebrating its silver jubilee!
The School will be having a year of celebrations organised by the Home School Association (HSA), staff and pupils to celebrate 25 years of educating local children. Were you a pupil, a parent or involved with Lady Jane Grey over the last 25 years? We would love to hear from you so that we can capture your memories, memorabilia or photographs. Please email the Headteacher, Michael Fitzgerald at headteacher@ljg.leics.sch.uk if you can help or contribute items or photographs to this great event. Any items, memorabilia or photographs will be returned to you after the celebrations. Items will be displayed at our exhibition which is open to the community on Wednesday 25th September from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00pm. The exhibition will be of the past, present and future of Lady Jane Grey Primary School. Throughout the year, the HSA will be organising the following events: • Launch of the new Jubilee Library • 80s dress up day • Time capsule • Church Celebration • A commemorative Sculpture and planting the jubilee garden • Whole school garden party Please get in touch – we need your help !
Housebuilding Lesson For School Children In Glenfield Children from The Hall Primary School in Glenfield recently took their lessons out of the classroom to gain some hands on experience when they visited a new homes development on Kirby Road in Glenfield. The development, named Glenfield Park, is currently being developed by Barratt Homes in partnership with its sister company David Wilson Homes and when complete will provide 250 new homes. The children, aged seven and eight, toured the Glenfield Park development with their teachers and the site construction team. They learned about technical processes such as laying foundations, the machinery used on sites and put their construction skills to the test by having a go at bricklaying. Dressed in high-visibility jackets and hard hats, the children also enjoyed a lesson in site safety and learned that whilst building sites may look like an exciting place to play, they also pose serious dangers. The visit was coordinated by the housing developers in conjunction with Construction Futures, an award winning initiative that secures training opportunities on construction sites. Glenfield Park is the first development Construction Futures has supported in Leicestershire, with a range of further educational site visits, apprenticeships and training placements set for the site.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
National Trust Leicester Association News This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trust opening 5 Blythe Grove, Worksop – better known as Mr Straw’s House – to the public. Mr Straw was a local well-to-do grocer, who purchased the house in 1923 and lived there until his death in 1932. But there were two other Mr Straws, his sons Walter and William, who lived in the house for much longer periods than their father. They both attended the local grammar school. From here, William (1898-1990) went on to study at Cambridge before becoming a teacher in London (although he moved home after their father died in 1932). Walter (1899-1976) stayed in Worksop and, having gained his Grocers Certificate, worked in the family business, a grocers shop in the town, which he took over on their father’s death. Every weekday, Walter would cycle to open up. Taught by his father to become a qualified tea blender, he would make up 30 blends, (restricted to three during WWII). A generous employer, during the war, he’d give the shop staff extra rations of butter or eggs to keep up morale – a serious offence at the time. Walter was an active member of the Institute of Grocers Association and elected president twice. Both brothers were keen gardeners; Walter’s speciality was cacti and succulents and his greenhouse, stocked with weird and wonderful cacti, can be visited in the gardens at Blythe Grove today. Walter also enjoyed archaeology, attending many lectures and taking part in local including Scratta Wood dig, near Shireoaks, which uncovered an Iron Age / Roman settlement. Information on both Walter’s and William’s lives is now on display in the house. The National Trust Leicester Association has an evening meeting on Tuesday 10th September when Claire Reeves (NT) will present an illustrated talk on Sunnycroft. The meeting will be held at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone at 7.30 pm Admission is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00, including refreshments. For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 222 9133.
Alan Tyler, Chairman
Double Success For Hannah Cox Hannah Cox, year 10 student at Groby Community College was victorious in the intermediate girls 3000m in the Leicestershire Schools Athletics Championships at Saffron Lane on Saturday 8th June. She is waiting to hear if she will be selected to represent Leicestershire at the England Schools Athletics Championships later this summer after running the English Schools qualification time in a meet at Loughborough University . This is not Hannah’s only success, she is also ranked number 2 in the county in the official British Orienteering rankings for her age group. She has just missed out on a place from the British Orienteering Federation Talent Development Coaching Camp which is being held at Badaguish Outdoor Centre, Aviemore, from Saturday 20th to Saturday 27th July 2013. Well done Hannah!
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• ECCO 1 pair of mens smart black lace up SHOES, size 8. Cost £85.00. Will sell for £60.00 • Twin pack of two SHIRTS, long sleeved, one blue, one striped with tie. Size 16” collar. Price: £20.00 • One checked, long sleeved SHIRT. Size 16½” collar. Price: £10.00 • Mens CAP, water and stain repellent, large size: 7¼”. Price: £10.00 • One pair of mens BROWN GLOVES. Price: £5.00 All of the above items have never been worn. Tel: 0116 287 0729 (Groby). • Singer SEWING MACHINE model EC568428. Price: £10.00 • TEACH YOURSELF FRENCH - box set of CSs and books. Price: £10.00 • Reclining SUN LOUNGER and CUSHION. Price: £10.00 Tel: 01530 245482 (Markfield). • Philips JUICER HR1858/00, 650W, 2 speed. Price: £20.00 • Wormery for sale. Turn your kitchen waste into fertilizer. Price: £20.00 Tel: 0116 2291903 (Groby) Send us the details in writing - BY POST OR EMAIL - with the cost of the item and your contact phone number for the display box, together with your home address for our purposes only (not for publication). Max price: £300.
Groby students reach final of music showcase Huge congratulations to Groby Community College students Geno Ayre-Lynch, Josh Grant and Harry Robertson of ‘Stop that Train’ who made it into the finals of the Original Bands Showcase at the Musician in Leicester on the 18th May 2013. With their ska/ reggae influenced original sound they cruised through 7 heats and call backs to beat off 394 other acts and make it through to the final. They didn’t win but got down the last 6 bands! The band has only been performing together for one year and is swiftly becoming a band to be reckoned with. They have recently performed on BBC Radio Leicester and Take Over Radio and after winning a previous “unplugged showcase” they bagged themselves the prize of appearing at Strawberry Fields Festival this summer! Well done to the band ‘Stop that Train’ and best of luck for the future.
I remember when yoga was called Twister.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
County Councillor’s Report Sacheverell Way Street Lights Groby Firstly let me say this is a great day for democracy and for the residents of both Groby and Ratby who have spoken out in their hundreds to support my petition to get the street lighting switched back on along Sacheverell Way. I had been contacted by numerous residents from both villages raising concerns over the safety aspects of walking along Sacheverell way in the dark. I was scorned by the Liberal Democrat’s as using this issue as an election gimmick nothing could have been further from the truth. I presented the residents’ petition to the Deputy cabinet member for Highways prior to the election; I then represented the petition again on the 5th June to the Highways Forum of the County Council where I put forward the residents’ case as their County Councillor. I am pleased to inform you the County Council has had a rethink and moved forward with my suggestion. The lights on Sacheverell Way, Groby, have been re-introduced as part night lighting and are now back on. The lights will operate from dusk until midnight and then 05.30 until dawn. I would like to thank both Groby and Ratby Parish Councils for their support in helping the residents’ petition succeed but most of all I want to thank the residents for their support. I would also like to thank the officers and the members of the cabinet at the County Council for listening to the community’s concerns and taking on board the residents’ genuine concerns. This is a great result for local residents, this is localism at its best considering in February this year the street lights were going to be removed.
Budget Consultation Have Your Say On Public Services Due to reductions in government grant and rising demand for key services, the County Council will have to save £100 million over the next 5 years and that equates to one third of our entire budget. Much as we’d like to, we cannot avoid making difficult decisions. Our priority is to protect services for vulnerable people. We will have to look at all of our services and consider ways to reduce spending on them, run them differently and efficiently or stop delivering some of them, as well as identify further efficiency savings. Therefore, Leicestershire County Council wants the public to help it decide its priorities, in the face of reducing Government grant and rising demand for services. An online survey is taking place from July 22nd till September 15th, at www.leics.gov.uk/future and I would urge everyone to complete the online survey or write in and give the County Council their views before the closing date of the 15th September 2013.
Work to begin on A46 / A50 junction scheme Work on a £1.9m scheme to reduce congestion and improve safety at a busy junction started on Monday July 29. Leicestershire County Council is making improvements to the A46 / A50 roundabout near Glenfield / Groby. The work will provide new traffic signals and additional traffic lanes approaching the roundabout which together will help to improve traffic flow through the junction. Initially there may
Some things are best left unsaid. If only I could determine which things.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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from Ozzy O’Shea The scheme is being brought forward by an estimated three years, thanks to money from the Growing Places Fund, a central government fund intended to unlock new infrastructure and boost the local economy by accelerating new developments.
Groby Parking Restrictions Update The County Council were originally working to bring the TRO (traffic regulation order) into force on 5th August. be very little activity on site as the contractor moves equipment and resources into the area. Work has been programmed to start in the school holidays when traffic levels are traditionally lower and weather conditions tend to be improved. However, some disruption to traffic is expected particularly at peak times and drivers who use the junction are being encouraged to plan ahead and give themselves a little more time for their journeys, or seek an alternative route if possible, while work takes place. I would ask motorists to please bear with us during this time as in the long-run they should see an improvement in congestion levels at the site. Work is planned for completion in early 2014. Traffic restrictions will be minimised during December to ensure the junction is available during the Christmas shopping and holiday period. The roundabout will remain open to traffic during the day throughout the scheme but there will be temporary traffic lights in operation to allow lane closures whilst work is carried out.
However, there is a scheme planned for sections of Groby village, particularly The Rookery/ Rookery Lane where areas of patching (road repairs) are going to be done which would be in areas where new lines will be installed. The last thing the council wants is to lay lines for them to be dug up a week later. A road closure will be required for this work, which is planned to last about 3 days and has tentatively been scheduled for the 19th August, the actual date/s are going to be confirmed 2 weeks before the work will get done. This will unfortunately impact on our plans which basically mean the County Council will have to delay the Order date to coincide with this work. I would both like to thank you all for your continued support and to remind you all that I am are only a phone call or email away.
Ozzy O’Shea Cllr Ozzy O’Shea Tel 0116 239 4336 or 07808 585825 Email: ozzyoshea@hotmail.com
ALEX IS PHYSICIST OF THE YEAR 2013! Alex Bradley of Groby Community College has been presented with Groby’s Physicist of the Year Award, 2013. Alex joined 20 other outstanding year 12 Physics students from across the county at Leicester University (pictured above) for a presentation organised by the Ogden Trust. The students, their families and teachers enjoyed experiments and refreshments before an excellent lecture from Professor Emma Bunce about the Cassini Mission to Saturn. They were then presented with their certificates by Professor Mark Lester, the Head of Physics and Astronomy at Leicester University. It was a great insight into university Physics for Alex who is looking forward to studying for a Physics or Engineering degree at next year.
Alex Bradley pictured right with Professor Mark Lester
I’m all for gaining an hour on the weekend, but why can’t we lose the hour at 2pm on a Monday?
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Standing ovation for Groby Sings Norman Griffiths finds out what the choir will do next
With a successful debut performance, a sell-out souvenir CD and a post performance party held early in July, local community choir Groby Sings is looking forward to two further performances in September. Once they are out of the way rehearsals begin for the Groby Sings Christmas concert to be held at the end of the year. Around 400 residents packed the sports hall at Groby Community College and gave the choir an enthusiastic response and a for their first public performance on Saturday June 29th. Because of the demand for tickets a second performance was added on Sunday afternoon. The concert, which included a selection of popular songs from Les Miserables and Oliver, was recorded. A souvenir CD is available for a donation of £5. The initial run of 180 didn’t last long and a further 100 had to be produced. “The profits from sales will help towards the financial cost of the next event,” explained Revd. Louise Corke. The choir was only formed by local curate Helen Hayes three months ago and before rehearsals began she was concerned that there may not be enough singers. But the response was so great that the choir had to be split into 3 groups for rehearsals and as a result they didn’t sing together until a few hours before the performance. As previously reported in the Spotlight for Helen Hayes it’s about more than just the music as she understands the difference that participation in a project like this can have on people’s lives, and she sees it as a way of bringing the village community together. “The incredible thing is how this is meeting the needs of many people who have been ill, are bereaved, lonely or just finding life difficult at the moment. There is no doubt that singing does put a smile on your face and we all need that.” Jim Coley, Chairman of Groby Parish Council, sang in the choir and agrees that it has been important community building exercise. “From a personal point of view, taking part in the rehearsals leading up to the Groby Sings concerts was a great experience, meeting new people and making new friends. As a Groby Parish Councillor I feel that the idea, initially dreamt up by the Revd. Louise Corke and developed and brought to fruition by the brilliant Animateur, Helen Hayes, has achieved something that in the past has rarely been achieved by other than negative occurrences such as large building developments etc. But on this occasion the celebration of music has brought a massive number of the people of the Groby and its surrounds together for one very positive cause. “The choir consisted of over 200 people from younger children and teenagers all the way up to old fogies like myself and included people who knew that they could sing, people who thought they might be able to sing and more importantly people who had been told that they couldn’t sing. But everyone did sing and even if I say so myself, brilliantly too. The Choir excelled over the weekend with pinpoint timing, pitch and volume. With audiences of around 400 on each of the two days when you tot up the numbers of people involved, that’s around 1,000 people over one weekend. That is a very large part of the population of Groby who have been involved I one way or another. “As an experiment in community relationship building it has worked really well, but as it now seems to be developing as a great musical experience
and we all hope that Groby Sings will continue from strength to strength in the village.” Amongst those singled out for thanks at the concerts was Cliff Ashby, who attended every rehearsal for 9 weeks. “It’s been a great pleasure to accompany the choir on the keyboard,” said Cliff. “I’ve been amazed by how quickly they’ve grown, not just in numbers, but also in confidence and in the quality of their singing. Being on stage with Helen, with so many women, men and children singing their hearts out in front of us, has been an awesome experience.”
More appearances soon The village choir is now looking ahead to their appearance at the Big Event at Groby College on 1st Sept 1.30pm - 4pm which is organised by the Churches Together in Groby. This is followed on 21st September by Groby Street Fair. The choir have been told to gather at 5.15pm outside St Philip and St James church. Rehearsals for Groby Sings Christmas begin on Monday 30th Sept from 1.15pm - 3pm and 8pm -9.30pm for adults and Friday 4th October 3.30pm - 4.45pm for children. Members are already expressing their enthusiasm on the new Groby Sings facebook page, “Can’t wait to start again - Mondays are too quiet now really missing it,” said one, whilst another added “Same here, roll on September.” “The Christmas performances are on Saturday 30th Nov 7.30pm and Sunday 1st Dec 3pm at Groby Community College Sports Hall,”said Helen. “We are looking forward to welcoming back all those who were involved in the last project and hope there will be many new faces who would like to join us.” If you haven’t heard the choir there’s a video of them on You Tube. You can also watch it on www.grobyonline.tk, where you’ll also find photos taken at the concert.
Do you sing in the choir? If you have a story about what singing in the choir means to you and would like to share it with readers why not write to the Spotlight or email mychoirstory@grobyonline.tk.
People who sleep in socks must be very, very small.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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25th August 2013
My bike. My weekend. Ride together on traffic free streets. Join us for a 30 minute ‘show me the way ride’ to Rally Park, off Soar Lane, to join the Leicester city centre Sky Ride. ‘Welcome hub’ at County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA from 9.30am For more information contact choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 7178.
My bed is a magical place where I can suddenly remember everything I was supposed to do.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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My doctor says he thinks I’m having a mid-life crisis. I was so surprised, I nearly fell off my skateboard.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
K-9 social networking
Two dogs were walking down the street when one dog said to the other dog, “Wait here a minute, I’ll be right back.” He walked across the street and sniffed a lamp post up and down for about a minute, then walked back to his friend. His friend asked: “What was that about?” The first dog replied: “Oh, I was just checking my messages.”
Anyone for Badminton? Friendly Badminton Club requires players at Groby Community College on Wednesdays 8pm-10pm.
For more information, telephone: 0116 267 5800.
LeicesterSHARE
New online car sharing service launched Feeling the effects of rising petrol prices? Stuck for affordable travel options? Stressed out by finding parking spaces? Car sharing could be the answer. There are many benefits to car sharing, such as splitting fuel and parking costs, decreasing the stress of driving and parking, making your trip more sociable and contributing to reduced congestion and pollution. You can car share anytime, anywhere and on any journey that you make, whether it’s a regular commute, a trip to the shops or a journey to the airport. Arrangements can be as flexible as you need them to be, and you don’t have to make a regular commitment. You don’t even need a car to car share, you can share lifts with other drivers. LeicesterSHARE.com is a free online car sharing service provided by Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council using the Liftshare network. It is quick and easy to use and allows you to search for car share partners in Leicestershire and across the UK. To register simply go to www. leicesterSHARE.com to enter your details and search for a match.
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Hoodwinked Year 6 children from Lady Jane Grey Primary School dazzled all with their performance of Robin Hood’s ‘Hoodwinked’. The children impressed with their acting, dancing and singing. The mean Sherriff of Nottingham (James Webster) had the crowd booing whilst the hero Robin Hood (Lilli James/Bhavini Mistry) had them cheering in their seats. There were sensational solo singing performances from the Sherriff, Robin Hood and Maid Marian (Alyssa Stanley). The children really excelled, employing immense amounts of effort into making it a real success.
Miss Williams (Y6 teacher)
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Martinshaw retain County Orienteering Title
Martinshaw Primary School Orienteering Club took along their strongest ever team to compete in the Leicestershire County Orienteering Championship held at Bradgate Park.
Twenty youngsters took part representing all four of our Key Stage 2 classes with ages ranging from 7 to 11 years and, with some truly excellent performances, managed to retain the County title for the third successive year. Running in pairs with a map and compass the children had to visit a series of control points round the course, in the shortest possible time. Ben Shaw and Elliot Purdie won the year 6 boys competition, with a number of 2nd and 3rd places from the rest of our competitors. Our fastest couple being George Brown and Ngaia Herd with a very quick course time of 15 mins. 29 secs. Mrs Richter-Wilson an ex school parent, who has kindly continued to run the Orienteering Club, came into school to present all the children who had participated with a Certificate of Achievement for their sterling efforts on the day. They have all now been invited to join the local Orienteering Club which meets at Groby College on a Monday evening.
Owen Lawrence
CHAMPIONS: Martinshaw Primary School Orienteering Club looking pretty relaxed about their recent success in the County Championship.
I look forward to paying off all my debt and finally getting back to just being broke.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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W
e began June’s events with our own special 60th birthday. A coach load of us plus guests arrived at Beaumanor Hall for a lovely meal. Afterwards, our special guest of honour, Lynda Page, the writer regaled us with her history and how she got into writing. A friendly and down to earth lady, born and raised in various parts of Leicester. She began writing her first novel during her lunch hours whilst working as a secretary for Land Rover in Desford. Lynda didn’t think she was good enough to get published but her friend sent a copy to a literary agent who passed it onto a publishing house which gave her a contract. It was lovely having someone to whom you can relate both in her ambitions and personal history. Our 60th birthday night is one we shall remember for a long time, in fact I still remember our 50th.
Shalom Shalom everyone, guess where one of our visits has been. Correct, along with members from all over the County we had a visit to the Leicester Synagogue. It turned out to be a most interesting and enjoyable one. We, being ladies were not asked to wear a kippah (hat) but as the gentleman giving the talk said it was the only religion where men were required to don a cap as most have to remove them. He spoke from the bimah, which is what I would call a pulpit in the middle of the building. The building itself has a gallery where the ladies sit. The bimah is the only place where ladies are not allowed. He joked, well I think he was joking, that apart from this, they take control of everything else! Always facing east is the Ark where the Torah scrolls are kept. The Torah is the most important part of the Jewish Scriptures. It contains the Five Books of Moses (they being the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures and also of the Christian Bible). It teaches Jews about God and gives rules on how they should live their lives. For reading in the synagogue, the Torah is written on a scroll having a baton each end. The scrolls are written in Hebrew and are read from right to left. There is hardly any mention of Jews in Leicester until about l849. Many of them were shopkeepers, often associated with various clothing or tailoring manufacturing trades. It was the coming of the partnership between Israel Hart and Joseph Levy which brought together the community and the company known as Hart and Levy. Hart was very prominent in the life of Leicester and amongst the many donations to made to the City is the fountain in Town Hall Square. During the War families flooded into Leicester to escape the bombs. Some returned to London afterwards but mostly remained in Leicester where they had a very lively community.
Sadly, as of late, there are very few practising Jews as most young people seek a different life in the likes of London etc. We really learned a lot but our speaker’s talk also included the lovely Jewish humour, which I personally really like. If I have got anything wrong with the above, please forgive me. By the way, needless to say we finished up in the Belmont Hotel for bagels, of course and a cuppa, very nice too.
Trip to Ashbourne For the first time I organised a trip and I must admit I was a bag of nerves. I couldn’t stop thinking of what could go wrong. Luckily nothing did and we had a smashing day in Ashbourne. It was very hot when we arrived in Ashbourne. I arranged for a tour (which was free by the way and can recommend it) of around the town. It was obvious that there was something special going on as there were hundreds of flags, it was Art Week. Anyway as the very lovely gentleman who took us around said, Ashbourne celebrates “every dog hanging going” so out comes the bunting, he thought there must be about a couple of miles of them. (I must point out here that my editor (husband) said that he had never heard of that saying but I have, so I am leaving it in). It’s a lovely town of lots of individual shops, mostly around the Market Place, which incidentally is a triangle. Georgian buildings line the streets and we found ourselves going down little jitties which opened up into lovely courtyards with these lovely houses. They were very picturesque, very well hidden and there are quite a few of them. The only snag about living in one is parking, there isn’t any. It’s a shame that all the time the traffic rumbled through the town but it didn’t stop us enjoying the tour. Back to the coach and on to Alstonefield, a village about l5 minutes outside the town. We were visiting Notty Hornblower’s Hope Costume Museum. As arranged we were to have lunch there and what a lovely surprise we had. The stone house was just outside the village in beautiful Derbyshire countryside with a lovely garden etc. There were two or three delightful cottage type rooms just full of everything old you could think of but best of all were the tables set with gorgeous china cups, plates, jugs, cutlery etc on lovely table cloths, just as I remember in the dim and distant past Sunday afternoon tea was. Then we had a smashing lunch followed by tea and coffee all served in china of course. It was delightful, everyone thought it wonderful. This was followed by a trip into her barn which is now the costume museum where she gave her talk. This year’s theme was TV dramas. We entered into Downton Abbey, and then onto Call the Midwives, The Paradise etc. Along side all these wonderful costumes which she had acquired from sales, donations by Lady This and That there were loads of hats, shoes,
Mega Groby WI News boas, feathers etc everywhere. Notty said she had hundreds of costumes and jewellery and we could well believe it. It was a fantastic day, well I thought so, though I am rather prejudiced.
My Fair Lady Another outing was to Kilworth House to see My Fair Lady.Some took a picnic together with husbands and friends, some just went to see to see the show. Again, for a change we had great weather. As usual the Show was brilliant, all the cast played their hearts out but I especially fancied Professor Higgins, he could tutor me anytime. I didn’t hear one bad word about it except for one husband who obviously had been dragged along and thought it was two hours too long. I don’t think he was a musical comedy fan.
Groby Sings Of course most people in Groby either joined or had heard of Groby Sings. Quite a few WI members joined, practically all saying they couldn’t sing including yours truly but with over 200 in the choir I thought we all sounded wonderful. We really enjoyed our practice sessions and everyone thought the actual concerts were unbelievable. The “Choir” were more than pleased that the audience really entered into the spirit of the evening, albeit most were shanghaied. Even my husband who went just to please me, said how great the show was. All this is down to Helen Hayes, ably assisted by Cliff, Jane, Paul and several others who really worked hard and had the patience of saints. We cannot wait to start our next session in October, the theme being, of course, Christmas.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Then we had a magical evening when a few members went along to the ruins in Bradgate Park to see “A Midsummer’s Dream”. It couldn’t have been a better setting with just the right weather. I counted eight in all players who took all the parts between them. They acted their hearts out. It was very funny, as always, but every now and then we had a really good laugh as it seemed when any of the actors raised their voice the peacocks in the park answered. They must have attended rehearsals.
Murder at Denman Seven of us went to Denman College for an overnight stay. This is because we were on a Murder Mystery weekend. It was fun, a bit mad but very enjoyable and we had a laugh. As usual the College and its grounds were lovely and the weather wonderful, a bit too hot for me, though some lapped it up. Just in case you haven’t heard of
Denman College it is the WI’s own college situated near Oxford in beautiful grounds, a lovely old house. You can go on loads of various courses covering a multitude of things, from one to five days, with excellent tutors, all expert and of a very high standard.
Ascot librarian Our Speaker at our July meeting, Penny Hodgson, gave us a fascinating insight into her life as a librarian in the village of Ascot during the 1970s. Because of the famous racecourse, local residents and visitors tended to be quite upper crust. One of the perks of the job was occupancy of a very large flat (later turned into three flats) the peppercorn rent included the services of a cleaner every day and a laundry basket. The library was founded by Jemina Gurning Smith in 1844 and was housed in a building formerly the first Post Office in Britain, situated in Wingfield Road. The present building was designed by R.H.Smith, who also designed Tate Britain. When founded the library held 6,600 books and was a great asset to the 7,000 inhabitants. Originally it was solely for the use of gentlemen and included a smoking room complete with spittoon. Ladies were finally admitted in 1898 but restricted to Tuesday and Friday evenings. Local well-to-do employers sent their gardeners and cooks to take advantage of the books and improve their minds. Electricity was installed in 1933 and by 1935 the shelves were stacked with 10,000 books. Penny’s daughter, Dorelia, was born in Ascot and so named from a portrait of Augustus John with his gypsy mistress, Dorelia, which hung in the flat. Due to unforeseen problems mother and baby had to the spend six weeks in the hospital. The enforced stay was enlivened by the actors and crew shooting “Carry On Matron” there; Barbara Windsor providing great entertainment. Heathdown Prep School nearby boarded the sons of famous and aristocratic families, including Royals; Prince Andrew was educated there. On one occasion two ‘hippies’ arrived at the library in a white Lambourgini to borrow books. The signatures read ‘Rod Stewart’ and ‘Dee Harington’. The books were never returned. A Mrs Flores, who lived in a local mansion, was a regular borrower. Her claim to fame was the amazing work she had done into researching the source of the Amazon and the fact that her drawing room was very striking, the decor and all the furnishings were white, including the grand piano. Dorothea Duff was an eccentric and much travelled visitor,
I Googled - ‘Missing medieval servant’, and it came up with ‘Page not found’.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
from Evelyn & Margaret accompanied by her butler, Temple. She wore grubby and stained clothes with lots of valuable jewellery and smoked garlic flavoured cigarettes. Her favourite books were cowboy novels. As a crossword fanatic, the library was a mecca when the answers to tricky clues eluded her. Dorothea booked a cruise on a ship to Adelaide but scorned this luxury for the return journey, travelling back on a wheat ship taking on full duties as a crew member. She was once invited to see the Tutankhamen relics but proudly pointed out she was in the party when Howard Carter discovered the tomb. David Shilling, creator of many of the fabulous hats worn by ladies in the Royal enclosure during Ascot week, was often seen around and about. Penny passed round photos of some of his remarkable ‘titfers’. Wellknown owners, horses and jockeys were a frequent sight passing by on the famous Wingfield Road but a herd of elephants and flying acrobats created quite a sensation as the local Wingfield Circus took their animals to their winter quarters. Pamela, Lady Vestey was also a keen book borrower, she was the mother of the 3rd Lord Vestey and granddaughter of the Australian operatic soprano Dame Nellie Melba.
Quiz Night Finally our last event this month was a Federation Quiz night held at Groby Club. There were l6 members from Groby making 4 tables. We had to pick team names, we were the Blankety Blanks, next door were the Dumbbells, some tables even called themselves names that were very non-WI, what are we coming to! None of us were winners but we had a great evening, even though we had a few blanks on our sheets. I surprised myself by actually knowing a few, mostly the easier ones but what the heck, I enjoyed it.
Next Meeting Next month’s meeting is a change to our previously advertised programme. We are lucky enough to have Ken Goddard speaking on an Introduction to Classical Music. I hope it will improve my knowledge of the subject, we have heard good reports of him. As usual it will be at the Village Hall on Thursday l5th August at 7.30, sounds good fun. All welcome, see you there. P.S. It’s our Pink Walk on Saturday, so I shall have to look out something fetching in pink, which will match my face.
Evelyn and Margaret
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Chernobyl Children Return To County Local charity Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leics) will be welcoming back a group of youngsters living with the after effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to the county this summer.
The charity, which is a part of a national organisation that helps around 500 children each year, has been providing recuperative holidays in Leicestershire for the past 4 years. Essential healthcare, a healthy diet, lots of fresh air, plenty of TLC and a fun-packed timetable of activities are all essential ingredients of the charity’s respite package aimed at boosting the children’s depleted immune systems and enabling them to enjoy some of the simple pleasures of childhood that our own children take for granted. The children will be arriving on Saturday 3rd August and will be staying with local volunteer host families for the duration of their holiday. John Buckby who runs the charity said “The children’s visits are always magical for everyone involved, however this year will be particularly poignant as some of our original group of kids will be completing their final year on the program. It will be very sad to say goodbye children we have grown to know and love over the past 4 years; however we can take pride in the knowledge that we have made a real difference to these youngsters and their families back home in Belarus. We hope to have a new intake of children next summer and would love to hear from families interested in volunteering to host a child in their own home in 2014”. • An Open Day showcasing the work the charity does will be held on Thursday 22nd August (1pm to 4pm) at The Scout Hut, Main Street, Markfield. Everyone is welcome. For further details about the charity, visit www.focc-westleics.webs.com or contact John Buckby on 01455 285799. E-mail john.evolution@btinternet.com
If I ever get arrested and I’m allowed one phone call ... I’m calling a locksmith.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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County Council spending consultation ends September 15th Norman Griffiths wonders who will end up running Groby library county council is talking to parish councils about alternative ways of providing library services and points out that in Warwickshire 12 libraries are run by communities, whilst all Suffolk libraries are run independently. In Warwickshire Community managed libraries are run by local community groups with support from the County Council’s Library and Information Service. They also have one community run honesty library located at a Community Centre. Local volunteers manage book loans which are not issued to the County library ticket.
Declining use? When you receive the next edition of the County Council’s magazine Leicestershire Matters don’t put it straight in the recycling bin, even if that’s what you normally do with it. The latest edition will include a questionnaire about future expenditure and will be asking you about what you see as the priorities. The Council needs to save £100 million over the next 5 years. So far £35 million of savings have been identified and the consultation is about the remaining £65 million savings. The decisions to be made will be difficult and could result in radical changes in the way the Council delivers services.
The dilemma When you see the questionnaire you will realise the size of the dilemma. How keen are you to reduce funding care in residential and nursing homes for frail older people or to reduce services such as homecare and day services? Or how do you feel about reducing the investing in prevention and early help which enables older people to live independently? If you can’t face a reduction in these services what about cutting the funding of care in residential and nursing homes for people with complex learning disabilities or reducing services for vulnerable people and their carers/families? If you feel unable to cut what we spend on these vulnerable groups what about reducing the number of places available for children in local authority care or the provision of residential and community based services to people with physical
disabilities with substantial and critical needs? The list goes on, and this is just a taste of the potential impact of the cuts. The consultation document is unequivocal. Some things will stop whilst others will be delivered in different ways and the council believes it will need to work with services and organisations and the people of Leicestershire. Examples that the Council is already working on or thinking about include working with the Health Service and local doctors, working with district councils and Police, working with local people, community groups and voluntary organisations to plan and run services.
Who will run our library? As the questionnaire continues one eventually arrives at such issues as reducing the number of libraries, reductions in opening hours, or replacing fewer books. Fewer museums, shorter opening hours and reducing access to collections and historical records, and reduced service and maintenance work at country Parks. Your views on a number of alternative ways of doing things are considered including handing over the running of specific services (e.g. libraries, museums, community centres) to residents, community groups and voluntary organisations where the alternative is to close or severely reduce a service. Locally there is no museum, just the library on Leicester Road. Although it pre-judges the outcome of the consultation it is reasonable to assume that a review of the local library service will follow in due course. The document says the
Libraries nationwide have generally suffered a fall in use. In Groby the number of visits to the library has increased over the last few years to a record 26,000 for 2012/13. Book issues for the year, however, declined by 19% to 30,362. The public’s use of computers has declined more dramatically – by 42% year on year, but it is not clear whether this is the result of increased home broadband or the one hour a day restriction introduced last year.
Staff salaries account for around 70% of the modest running costs of the library, so it is clear where any savings may have to be made. If you are concerned about the future of library services locally and want to know more about the possibility of community involvement take a look at http:// locality.org.uk/projects/communitymanaged-libraries-2/ or follow the link from this article on www. grobyonline.tk.. Locality is one of those organisations that most of us never knew existed. Formed in 2011 by the merger of bassac and the DTA, two organisations with a rich history. Amongst it’s activities it describes itself as “supporting a national network of community organisations and local authorities exploring the transfer of library services and assets.” This County Council consultation is challenging and illustrates the difficult decisions to be made. Many readers may find the choices too difficult to make. You can complete the questionnaire in the magazine or online by following the link from http://www.leics.gov.uk/future or from www.grobyonline.tk. The consultation ends on September
Charity Bike Ride to Skegness My son and daughter-in-law, Jane and Peter Ward, together with Julie and Barry Coleman, recently embarked on a charity cycle ride to Skegness. The ladies are not normally cyclists ,having done just a few training runs around Leicestershire. The chaps are more proficient but they rode together as a team. Jane and Peter, on the outside of the attached photo, now live in Ratby but were born and raised in Groby. Julie and Barry centre, are resident in Groby. Perhaps I should mention they are not youngsters being well into their fifties. Jane has sent the following report to friends: ‘Thanks to everyone who sponsored us on our bike ride on Saturday, June 8 by donating to Diabetes U.K. We set off from Ratby at 6.15 a.m. and arrived at the Clock Tower in Skegness at 3.45 p.m. after travelling 93 miles. We had a great day, stopping at McDonalds in Grantham for a 1 hour breakfast stop (not a pleasant experience!) and a 1 hour lunch break in Boston. It was cold with a strong wind against us but, luckily, no rain. Skegness looked the most inviting place in the world as we arrived. Several other friends from neighbouring villages had taken part in the ride and we had a lovely evening meal together at an Italian restaurant in the town, washed down with several drinks to celebrate. Your support is really appreciated, up to date we have more than doubled our target of £200.’
Evelyn Ward
If I look tired at the end of the day, it’s because I just spent eight solid hours looking busy.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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Some lads tried to get into my car last night so I attacked them with a baseball bat. I’m not cut out to be a taxi driver.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
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5 YEAR Before and After The English Civil War An East Midlands Focus
WARRANTY
Groby Village Hall, Tuesdays starting 17 September, 10.00am—11.30 for 10 weeks. Tutor: Dave Taylor. Fee: £52.50 (free to some benefit claimants.) In 1642 religious and political conflicts finally exploded into the English Civil War. The course will be looking at how these events affected local people from the later Tudor years to the aftermath of the conflict, including the involvement of the local Grey and Hastings families in those momentous times. To enrol post cheque payable to:
Workers’ Educational Association’ with your details to:
WEA, Quest House, Woodgate Chambers, 70, Woodgate, Loughborough, LE11 2TZ. To enrol online: https://enrolonlinewea.org.uk/online. By phone: 01509-268636 or for informal chat about course phone Dave on 0116– 2871895.
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13 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicestershire LE6 0DQ
Fair Cuppa:
an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00
Urban Saints is held during term time, at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions. - for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s on Fri at 7.30pm
A family Fun Day for the whole village on Sunday 1st Sept. For details please see the separate article in this magazine or the invitation which will be posted through your door.
More details on the church websites More details on the church websites
Youth Worker Ruth Cross 07759 087804
For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733
Catch meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-
school children with a parent or carer. Every Friday in term time, 9.30-11.30am, at the URC.
Sure I’m willing to put in longer hours at work. As long as they’re lunch hours.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
A funny thing happened at the Forum Norman Griffiths reports on a successful bid for funding for the Meadow The bid made for £3,454 at the Markfield, Ratby and Groby Community Forum held in Ratby on 27th June was successful, despite the disappointing attendance by local residents and shareholders in the project. The Meadow project was the third most popular and with 37% of the votes must have been supported by a large number of residents from other parishes, given the low Groby turnout. The funding bid was to cover such things as the cost of providing an entrance gate height barrier, a kissing gate, a bridge over the stream, land clearance and a fence repair on the boundary. The gaps that have been created in the undergrowth indicate that people are using the meadow to make short cuts, so establishing proper paths will help promote its’ use. The money is needed to facilitate the management of the site and realise the benefits of the land being properly secured and developed as a natural meadow. Happily there is no long wait for the cash. “The funds have already been received into the Parish Council account and we are looking to have the first phase of the security work completed at the beginning of September,” explained Alistair Cooper. “We are in discussions with various groups regarding some of the other work and would hope to move this forward in early Autumn, after an AGM of the CIC shareholders.” In an unexpected twist to the process of creating the Community Interest Company(CIC), Companies House would not allow the Parish Council to be the Asset Locked Body required for such projects. “We have continued with the CIC registration without one,” Alistair added. “This will be addressed once the CIC is formally established. All the signed paperwork has gone off and I would like to think that we should be up and running by the time the Spotlight goes to print.” An agreement has been reached with a local farmer and he is cutting the grass and hedges in return for the hay. It’s felt that has worked out well for this summer and it’s hoped this will continue for the next few years or more. Some fence repairs and more rubbish clearance is planned for the next few months.
The Wolf came to Lady Jane Grey; no pupils were harmed in the making of this theatre.... “Mothers place is safe and sound” “Yes” thought little Red “but sometimes very boring too!” Granny’s house deep in the middle of the woods seemed far more enticing - but what about the dangers that lurked there? The darkness? The creatures of the night? And the famous wolf? Did he really exist? Hood in the Wood by Tangere Arts, a Derbyshire based Theatre Company, came to Lady Jane Grey Primary School on Friday 7th June 2013 as part of the Spark Children’s Arts Festival and what an incredible adventure pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 went on! With nothing more than an empty school hall, a few strange handmade percussion instruments, 4 chairs, 1 musician and 1 actor (Gary Lagden) the children were thrilled, scared and laughing along with the adventures of Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf; retold in an incredible physical and musical performance. Noel Greig’s retelling of Little Red Riding Hood took the audience deep into the woods to grab their attention and imagination. It had the balance of nasty and nice, scary and safe, just right. It was a show about fear and stereotyping, the path we all have to take to get through the woods and how sometimes we have to find the wild side of our nature in order to survive! Gary Lagden gave a magical performance, playing mother, child, granny and wolf! This was a first-rate piece of storytelling that made the children squeal with terrified delight and laugh out loudly (even the teachers jumped out of their seats on occasions!). Carmen in Year 5 said afterwards “It was excellent, I loved watching it! It was hard to believe he could be all those characters. I’d love to see more shows like this”. Thank you to Tangere Arts and the Spark Children’s Arts Festival; we’re already looking forward to next year!
Lost diary returned anonymously
A big ‘Thank You’ from George GEORGE HASTIE of Whitwick contacted the Spotlight last month and asked us to pass on a message of thanks. In early July, George visited friends in Carmen Grove, Groby and accidentally dropped his diary somewhere in the street. ‘That’s the last I’ll see of that,’ thought George, but he was wrong. Someone found the diary, and posted it to George’s house in Whitwick (after presumably looking inside for his address). George was so grateful for this thoughtful act of kindness that he would like to say a big thank you - via the Spotlight - to the person who did this good deed. We’re happy to oblige!
I hate being left out almost as much as I hate being included.
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Letter from Uncle Eustace The Rectory The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Try our new menus! www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Sat 10th Aug - Charity Evening with Elvis, Dave The Rock Band and Chequered Mate Fri 16th Aug - An Evening With Rob And Eve - Raising Funds For Elliott’s Vest Sat 17th Aug - Cern - Local Heavy / Modern, Rock Covers Band Fri 23rd Aug - Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll Evening Fri 6th Sept - Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll Evening Sat 7th Sept - The Retro Rockets - Classic To Modern Day Rock Covers Band Sat 14th Sept - The Boneyard Blues Band Fri 20th Sept - Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll Evening Sat 21st Sept - Dave The Rock Band Sat 28th Sept - The Silver Threetles - Beatles Tribute Band With A Few Very Interesting Twists Sky Sports Are Back - Bingo Every Tuesday - No Membership Required - www.facebook.com/The Club Thornton The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK - search Bagworth WMC New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Sat 10th August - Social Sequence Dance - 8pm start - £1.50 on the door. Sat 24th August - Bagworth Open Show - Vegetables, Fruit & Flowers sections - open 8am10.30am until judging, then after judging completed at approx. 2pm. Sat 31st August - Live entertainment with RISKY BUSINESS (duo) in the lounge - FREE entry. Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions.
The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 30th August: 60s ROCK & ROLL TRIBUTE NIGHT Sunday 8th September: WEDDING FAYRE - 11am to 3pm See ad on page 34 The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc. POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 7th Aug & 31st Aug with ‘King of the Road’. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Fri Aug 16th - Works Duo - Very Good Male Duo Sat Aug 17th - Faye Horne Excellent Vocalist Sun Aug 18th - Super Sunday ‘50’ - Bingo And Quiz Fri Aug 23rd - Alan Jones And The Martins - Excellent 60’s Sounds Sat Aug 24th - Rachel Paul Quality Female Vocalist Sun Aug 25th - Super Sunday ‘50’ - Bingo And Quiz Fri Aug 30th - T.b.a. Sat Aug 31st - Dave.b - Very Good Vocalist Sun Sept 1st - Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri Sept 6th - Zodiac - Excellent Male/Female Duo Sat Sept 7th - Johnny Panic - Quality Male Singer Sun Sept 8th - Super Sunday ‘50’ -Bingo And Quiz Fri Sept 13th - Abba A - Tribute To Abba - Brilliant Performers Sat Sept 14th - Lauren Rose Excellent Young Lady Singer Sun Sept 15th - Super Sunday ‘50’ - Bingo And Quiz
Send details of your local live entertainment and we’ll give you a free mention here. Tremendous!
St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Beware of being invited by bishops to drop round for a chat. My first mistake was to answer the phone when he rang; what are answerphones for, but to avoid having to talk to anyone – ever. My second mistake was not to be able to think of a meeting I had to attend – preferably on another planet – on the day he suggested. I therefore found myself in his study, waiting for the point of the meeting while we negotiated the obligatory five minutes discussing the weather and his summer holiday in France. I made it quite clear that I had been far too busy to swan off to foreign parts – although I suspect the implication of what I said passed him by. We then got to the point. He was toying with the thought of my retirement and linking us with the adjoining parish of St. Agatha’s. I patiently explained, using simple words and speaking slowly for his benefit, that at 85 and with 40 years at St. James the Least, I was just getting into my stride and that the vicar of St. Agatha’s, a stripling at 63, had nowhere near enough experience to organise the hymn list, let alone two parishes. This, too, seemed to drift somewhere above his head. He had clearly done his homework. There were already plans for my Queen Anne rectory to be sold and the 5 acres of garden be turned into a housing estate. This news would be received by our parishioners with as much equanimity as if they were told that Buckingham Palace was to be converted into a sports centre. The matter, I was told, was confidential – which meant that I only relayed the news to one parishioner at a time. By the end of the day everyone in the village knew and a counter attack was being planned. Inevitably, the most outraged were those who never attend church. People do so love having a church not to go to. Congregations have soared, gardeners are being brought in to tidy the rectory grounds and the church council is now well attended. The latter is a mixed blessing, as I always think that the time to get worried is when people start to turn up to meetings. It may surprise our bishop, but the threat of a merger has been the greatest impetus to mission we’ve had in years. Retirement indeed; I’m sure Zadok was never asked about his pension plans. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
I know what you meant, but it’s not what you said ... These are classics - real life extracts from church bulletins and announcements that didn’t come out quite in the way intended! * From a pew-sheet: Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine. Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa. * Announcement in an Episcopalian pew-sheet: Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8pm in the church recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King. * Report in a church magazine: Miss Charlene Mason sang I will not pass this way again, giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. * From a pew-sheet: Ladies, don’t forget the jumble sale. Now’s your chance to get rid of all those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands. * From an announcement: The sermon this morning is entitled ‘Jesus Walks on the Water’. The sermon tonight will be: ‘Searching for Jesus’. * From a pew-sheet: Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. Do go along if you can sing at all. They need all the help they can get. * From an announcement: Sadly, Barbara remains in the hospital awaiting more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping, and has requested tapes of the minister’s sermons.
If women really want to be treated as equals, they need to stop being so much smarter than men.
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Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary News
Lots of lovely cats and kittens require homes - can you help? This year we have been quite successful with re-homing dogs and rabbits from the Sanctuary, but for some reason, re-homing of cats (and kittens) has become quite slow. We have about 28 cats, and now new kittens, looking forward to being noticed by our visitors and to becoming a part of a new family in their forever home. Come and visit them, including: Billy, Chandler, Esme, Fluffy, Garfield, Ginger, Lola, Oscar, Tabs, Tigger and Tilly. We are currently updating our website with all our new feline arrivals, you can read about some of them now – their photos will appear shortly. Please do visit the Sanctuary, open daily 10am – 4pm Telephone: 01530 243 925 Email: redgate@mail.org Web: http://redgatefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk/
Local hockey club is seeking new members for the 2013-2014 season Have you ever played, or thought of playing, hockey?
The Mummy test I was out walking with my then four year old daughter. She picked up a sweet wrapper from the ground and was about to sniff it. I told her not to do that, and she demanded why. “Because it’s been lying outside and is dirty and has germs that will upset your tummy,” I replied. She looked at the wrapper and then at me. “Wow! How do you know that?” “Um,” I was thinking quickly, “Um, it’s on the Mummy test. You have to know it, or they don’t let you be a Mummy.” My daughter digested this reply in wondering silence, and we continued walking. Suddenly she stopped. “I get it! If you fail, then you have to be the Daddy.”
Whatever your age or standard you are invited to join our fun and friendly hockey club. Home games played at Groby College. For more information contact; Hannah at: derbyshireh@ hotmail.co.uk Duncan at: duncan9863@ yahoo.co.uk or, call Duncan on 07877 282637
Deliver us... I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter, Cathy, the Lord’s Prayer. Then one evening at bedtime she attempted it solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. “Lead us not into temptation,” she prayed, “but deliver us some e-mail. Amen”
The last time someone wanted me for my body I was filling out an organ donor card.
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Georgina dances for Prince Edward!
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, came to Leicester on Friday 7th June 2013. One part of the visit was to officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre – an £8million sports facility at the heart of Leicester De Montfort University’s campus. The Prince was shown a short video about the work of dance company Moving Together, which is an arts awards scheme for 12 to 17 year olds. They run degree-level dance courses, fully funded by Mile2. Georgina Payne, 15, from Groby Community College, was one of the dancer’s who performed for Prince Edward. Georgina (far right in the picture above) said: “The dance was partly a routine we had learned and then we changed and came up with our own moves too. The Prince said he had enjoyed watching it. He was asking how long we had been dancing.”
BRADGATE LIONS CLUB NEWS
Over £148k raised by Bradgate Lions since 1989 We have just completed our 24th. year during which we raised £4,600 to support mainly local charities and good causes. This brings the total funds raised since our foundation in 1989 to just over £148,000.00 most of which has gone to help charities in our local community. On July 1st. We are starting our 25th. year as a Lions Club, and our President Jill Townsend continues for a second term in office. This is unusual, as we usually change the President every twelve months. But Lion Jill feels that with one year in office already under her belt, she can provide us with the strong leadership needed to continue supporting our community!! And she hopes that under her guidance we can continue, as we have done in the past, to provide the help and service as we have done for the previous 24 years. With these aims in mind, and to help us achieve them, we should like to invite new members to join us. We are not just fund raisers, but as club members we enjoy an active social life as well, with pub meals, skittle matches, theatre visits etc: We meet twice a month, on the second Thursday evening, at Forest Hill Golf Club, Botcheston to discuss our business, and on the fourth at various venues for our social gatherings. For further information about us, and about Lions clubs in general, give me, Roger, a call on 01530 242912. I will be pleased to help!
Roger Gamble
Glenfield U3A News The Glenfield branch of the U3A continues to thrive with 199 current members. With success comes the problem of finding suitable, affordable accommodation in the village. Some of the smaller groups have to meet in a member’s home which naturally limits the numbers able to attend. The luncheon group and the walking group have had to split into two groups but we will always accommodate new members wherever we can. We are looking for a leader to co-ordinate the second walking group. Any volunteers out there?? We will back at St Peter’s Church Centre for the August monthly meeting on the 22nd when there will be a strawberry cream tea for the members. Cost just £2 per person. Tickets are available from Carol Knill on 0116 291 9464 or email her at wfbycarolanne@ yahoo.co.uk. At long last the walking group and the strollers group have enjoyed some sunshine. The strollers visited the wonderful Thornton reservoir early in July and the walking group enjoyed a 2 hour walk through Swithland Wood, Bradgate and Woodhouse Eaves on one of the hottest days of the year. After the walk they enjoyed a well-earned picnic in the shade of the woods, to the envy of passers-by. Some members sat on rugs on the ground and even after walking and climbing stiles for 2 hours were still sprightly enough to get up unaided! The gardening group visited Easton Wall Gardens near Grantham to see their wonderful display of sweet peas, after which some of the group visited the nearby Boundary Mill for some retail therapy. The Days Out group have organised a second visit to the Houses of Parliament on Monday 30th September such was the popularity of the first visit. The Committee are busy trying to come up with new ideas for social events as they are proving so popular with members and are looking for volunteers to form a catering team. Could you help?? Details of the planned event in November have yet to be decided, there is another barn dance in the village that month and we don’t want to tread on any toes if you’ll pardon the pun so will organise one at a later date. Many members have asked for another night with ‘60’s Sound’ - so watch this space. Dates for your diary It is hoped that the very popular Singing for Fun Choir will be our guests at the Memorial Hall in Glenfield at 3pm on Sunday 8th December, for an hour of Christmas Carols and cakes. They are raising money for their chosen charity VISTA and asked if we would host an event for them. Details are yet to be finalised. The Craft Fair we held this year is to be repeated in 2014 on Saturday 29th March. If you are interested in any of our activities then why not join? Membership is only £1 per month + an annual fee to head office for insurance of £3.50. Please take a look at our website it is full of information and membership forms are available on line. www.u3asites.org.uk/glenfield Gill Tapping, Publicity Officer, Website & Newsletter Editor.
Are you a ‘positive’ parent? Oh dear....
How do you parent your children? Beware of the current government advice that tells parents to practise ‘positive parenting’, an approach which avoids punishment or even criticism, while constantly accentuating the positive. It can do more harm than good. So says Helen Reece, an expert in family law at the London School of Economics. She stresses that the official obsession these days with being ‘nice’ to children all of the time is “arduous, if not impossible” and can destroy the normal spontaneity of the parent-child relationship. The Department of Health’s handbook ‘Birth to Five’ advises that even if their children’s undisciplined behaviour comes to “dominate everything”, parents must react by talking about something “good” and encourage the children to “be themselves”. Helen Reece argues: “Its serious consequence is that any shortfall in a child’s behaviour can always be explained by the fact that the parent’s treatment of the child was not positive enough.”
My wife is driving me to drink. I hope she remembers to pick me up when I’m done.
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Are YOU a Drama Queen?
Local amateur dramatics society is looking for new members The Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group is an awardwinning amateur dramatics society based at Thornton Community Centre. With over 150 productions to our credit, we are a friendly group of likeminded people who enjoy participating in all kinds of drama. If you’re interested, come along to a rehearsal at the Centre on any Wednesday evening at 7.30 p.m. We need new members to participate both onstage and off .. lighting, scenery, props, acting, singing, costumes, makeup...the list goes on! Whatever your talent—we can use it! Why not give it a try?
Our Next Production is a Mystery Thriller ... Our next mttg production will be staged at Thornton Community Centre from Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th September at 7.30pm. nightly It’s a nightmare scenario. Tomorrow Kent and Cali will be married. Tonight, the wedding guests are isolated in Keeper’s Lodge by a storm which cuts off all means of communication. A series of strange happenings seems to indicate that someone is trying to preventAthe service for the whole benefice wedding from taking and Churches Together in Markfield place . Is Keeper’s Lodge haunted by the ghost of Speaker: John Fisher a jilted bride? Everyone Misplaced loyalties and the revelationwelcome of long-guarded secrets threaten the future of the happy couple. Chairs provided Danger lurks in the shadows and death reaches out his greedy fingers. Someone will stop at nothing to seek revenge. Coffee and tea TICKETS (£5 & £4 Concessions) are available on 01455 822148 or from after theMain service “Norm’s” - Thornton’s Corner Store, Street, Thornton.
Annual Ulverscroft Priory Service Sunday 18th August at 3.00 pm
Muriel Walker
CAR BOOT SALE
Saturday 7th September - 9am to 12noon Copt Oak Memorial Hall Field – LE67 9QB next to Copt Oak Pub
Cakes and refreshments available ~ Entrance 50p ~ children free ~ ~ STALLS set up 7.30am ~ PUBLIC admission 8.30am ~ ~ CARS £5 ~ ALL OTHER VEHICLES £8 ~ Booking advisable @ 0116 267 4746 Proceeds in aid of St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Well, that was awkward. I was just about to hug someone extremely attractive and I walked right into the mirror.
d Search Puzzle
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http://puzzlemak
TV Detectives Wordsearch “We’re the Sweeney, son, and we haven’t had any dinner.”
M U N G A M S A M O H T F W R L
J I M B E R G E R A C J V E I Q
M T C Y R S S H A E T A H J T T
T G O M M E N S D K R C M A J H
J S L R J M X K Z J T K O N E E
O I O V I L O U Q E O R S E K N
COLUMBO GILGRISSOM HERCULEPOIROT JACKFROST JACKREGAN JANETENNISON JESSICAFLETCHER JIMBERGERAC JIMROCKFORD SHERLOCKHOLMES THEOKOJAK THOMASMAGNUM
T L M R L O P T L L B E S T P A
Find 12 television detectives in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a tasty prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel. To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 well-known television detectives. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).
F Y M R F H P F C F M G I E M V
P L V D O K A E N H U A R N Y T
Z L G I B C C M L Q L N G N B D
F P U H I O K A K U O A L I F I
S V E S S L Z F J A C X I S M V
J E S A O R F R O Y E R G O X L
C E Q Z J E O J V R L I E N O P
J I K V X H Y J G H D I L H V V
F B A Y W S K A J O K O E H T B
Send your entry to: YOU’RE NICKED, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 24th August 2013. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Evidence Bag will win the Meal for Two at The Fieldhead Hotel. Good luck! Here are the 12 TV Detectives you have to find:
COLUMBO • GIL GRISSOM • HERCULE POIROT JACK FROST • JACK REGAN • JANE TENNISON JESSICA FLETCHER • JIM BERGERAC • JIM ROCKFORD SHERLOCK HOLMES • THEO KOJAK • THOMAS MAGNUM Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................
Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: Mrs Helen Herbert of Flaxfield Close, Groby You win a Main Course for Two plus a Bottle of House Wine at The Fieldhead Hotel. Congratulations!
COLLEGE QUESTION TIME FOR LOCAL MP Stephen Dorrell MP paid a visit the Groby Community College. Mr Dorrell is the MP for Charnwood and therefore for the college. He was invited in to discuss a variety of issues with the Principal, including national levels of funding Post-16 courses and the impact that the age changes in Leicestershire schools are having on other schools and colleges in the area. The second part of Mr Dorrell’s visit was a Question and Answer session with 22 Post-16 students. The students were drawn primarily from the college Debating Society run by Helen Brown, and from Ana Hall’s A Level History class. Questions to Mr Dorrell were posed by the students, and the opportunity was given to engage in a limited amount of debate if Mr Dorrell’s answers were unclear or needed further explanation. Questions were asked on the coalition government’s energy policy; the rapid spread of new housing with limited infrastructure to support it; the so-called “bedroom tax” and “mansion tax”; health provision within Leicestershire; whether the country’s overseas aid budget is too high; the sale of council housing, etc. Many of the students felt invigorated by the opportunity to question their MP, and have since asked if similar sessions could be run again with a range of political opinions represented. At the end of the session, Mr Dorrell was very complimentary about the range of questions and the detailed knowledge and understanding that was demonstrated by our students. Our thanks go both to Mr Dorrell and to all of the students involved – well done!
Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com
I just knew I was going to get thrown out of the optimism society.
Su
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-August 2013 • Tel: 01530 244069
Join the debate Leicestershire County Council has had to make savings over the last few years. It now needs to cut costs by 1/3.
The council faces reductions in government funding, and rising demand for services such as care for older people. This leaves a gap of £100 million. The council needs to work out what it should offer and how it should change.
Read more and complete the survey online
Have your say
www.leics.gov.uk/future Call 0116 305 0002 for information in printed or alternative formats, such as large print.
M0309_HAVE YOUR SAY ADVERT_GROBY SPOTLIGHT_130X95MM.indd 1
11/07/2013 13:52
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free of charge. Come and enjoy performances, singing and hear people tell something of their Christian story. As well as some new activities and workshops we welcome back the ridiculously good Steve Price for a fantastic afternoon of tricks and magic. Don’t miss it! People say 60 is the new 40 ... the cop that pulled me over this morning disagreed.
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I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere.