Thousands enjoy Groby Street Fair 2019
AT THE OPENING of the 2019 Groby Street Fair Local MP Edward Argar reminded residents that although the news may seem to be all doom and gloom, life is improved by local community events such as the Street Fair.
He thanked the organisers and all the other volunteers whose hard work who helped make the day a success. And a success it was, with over 60 traders, caterers and charity/ local organisation pitches booked. Throw in some reggae, the Ratby Band, a guitar ensemble and a sprinkling of magic, and all the ingredients were there for an enjoyable day out with the family, and an opportunity to renew friendships. Attendance was high from the time the gate opened and by the early afternoon Markfield Road and the Church lawn were full of residents enjoying a break from the news, just as Edward Argar suggested. More than 2300 enjoyed the nonprofit making event, which included a surprise visit from Radio Leicester’s Sunday morning treasure hunt, Clueless. “I’d like to thank all the volunteers, the Parish Council and all the businesses that gave support and made the Street Fair such a great success,” said a spokesperson for the organisers. Once all the bills have been paid and the accounts completed there will be time to reflect on the feedback about what went well and what could be done differently. Some visitors suggested that the Fair could be once every two years or even be held on a different site to avoid having to close the road. This would, however, not be a change made without a thorough assessment, as it would inevitably affect the character of the event. On the positive side it would avoid hours of form filling, cut costs by over £400, and could provide an opportunity to reduce the inconvenience for traders who currently have to set up and then move their vehicles off Markfield Road to alternative parking areas. In addition to cutting costs, streamlining the organisation has the advantage of reducing the amount of work the organisers and volunteers need to do. Attracting additional volunteers has always proved challenging, and it is remarkable that such a small core group has successfully managed to deliver an event enjoyed by thousands. Having just delivered the 2019 Fair the organisers deserve a well earned break and so no hasty decisions will be made on any future developments. If you would like to be involved in any way, or have a view about any aspect of the Groby Street Fair, you can email the organisers at grobystreetfair@virginmedia.com. They will be pleased to hear from you.
Norman Griffiths
Groby’s Got Talent
Katie Parker is double county champ!
BROOKVALE YEAR 10 STUDENT Katie M Parker competed in the County Championships on the 11th & 12th May. She managed to come away with GOLD in both the 1500m and 3000m, becoming a ‘Double County Champion’ and getting a 10 second PB in the 3000m at this event.
Katie also had success in the London Mini Marathon,her best performance so far representing East Midlands at this event. This is always a favourite of Katie’s and this year was as always very special. At the Livington Relays on 5th May, Katie represented her club Wreake & Soar Valley AC at the Livington Relays. Katie ran in the senior Womens team. Great day for the club and Katie - with their team winning gold and Katie taking the fastest female overall on the day with a time of 17.28 for 3 miles.
WELL DONE KATIE!
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 14TH SEPTEMBER- ARTICLES & ADVERT DEADLINE: 31ST AUGUST
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter
Good news story about ... fly tipping IT MAY seem strange to describe an article with an image of fly tipped waste attached as a good news day. However you will soon see how teamwork and personal responsibility can have a positive impact on the world we live in.
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On a rare Friday afternoon off work towards the end of June, I decided to take our 2 dogs for a walk through Sheethedges Wood and return to Groby via Groby Pool. How fortunate we all are to have such beautiful surrounding on our door step, yet on this occasion the ignorant behaviour of some people did its best to spoil the mood. Adjacent to the kissing gate on Newtown Linford Lane, I came across a pile of cardboard and polystyrene simply dumped and abandoned. What a mood changer and what a disgusting yet all too common thing to find these days. On closer inspection I could clearly see a delivery address in Warrington and courier company details including bar codes and dispatch numbers. Having left my phone at home, I decided this was my opportunity and responsibility to return, get involved and make an effort to do something about it. Ignoring it was simply not an option. I returned a very short time later to take some pictures and do my bit to sort the problem out. My first contact point was the courier company Rico Logistics. I emailed photographs and a brief explanation of the situation to them. Within minutes, I had a reply requesting more details and in turn over the following 30 mins they established various key facts about the delivery. They were clearly very keen to take action and advised me that delivery companies were duty bound to respond to reports of fly tipping even when they had no direct involvement with such activity. Excellent reputations are hard to earn but easily lost. Within 1 hour of reporting the incident to Rico Logistics, they promised to send a courier to recover all the waste and I have included the image they sent me to show it had been done within 2 hours of my initial email. They later sent me a message explaining that after further investigation they had discovered that most of the dumped materials were distributed by other leading companies which suggested that the boxes had been re-used. We can shout and protest all we like when it comes to fly tipping but this will achieve nothing. We need to take action, get involved and stop expecting others to do it for us. Time to walk the walk rather than talk the talk. Reported at 2.00pm removed by 4.00pm. Result. Many thanks to Andrew Collins and Michael Crosby at Rico Logistics for helping to resolve this incident.
Chris Mann, Groby Resident
If you have accomplished all that you have planned for yourself, you have not planned enough.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Ratby’s Art Competition Results THE COMPETITION entitled “An Artists View of Late Victorian and Edwardian Ratby” was sponsored by Michael Ball on behalf of The Ratby History Research Group. Fourteen pictures were entered for judging, each of a high standard of work and with wide varieties in style. The winning picture of a scene of the ford crossing Burroughs Road, Ratby, was painted by John Perridge of Botcheston; second Mary Hollinshead from Kirby Muxloe, third John Perridge with his second entry, and fourth Sidney Jordan from Ratby. Our congratulations go to the winners and to each of the very worthy entrants. Our grateful thanks go to all Ratby Library volunteers for their assistance with the competition both before and during the day, and to Diana Marinari from Groby for helping with the registration and display of paintings.
LITTER LOUTS! IT’S OBVIOUS that the message about plastic and litter is just not getting through to some members of the community. Some people obviously don’t care about the environment and are happy to continue to discard rubbish and in particular plastic in and around the Groby Pool area. The other day we walked from the carpark to the welcome stone and back again with two bags to pick up this rubbish. The amount of just cans and bottles in that short distance was staggering as you can see in the photo. We’d carried out a similar exercise a couple of months ago (and managed to break two litter pickers in the process), so this rubbish has been dropped fairly recently despite the current concerns in the media. On our previous outing not only did we collect bags of rubbish, but we found that a sunbed had been thrown into the pool. This was reported and removed within a couple of days. We would like to think that it isn’t local residents who are spoiling this lovely area, but when we see litter discarded around certain parts of the village itself, it makes us think otherwise.
From two disgruntled Groby residents!
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Letter
Praise for Groby’s hanging baskets SUMMER hanging baskets are now on display throughout the village. I wish to congratulate the Parish Council for making the decision to decorate the lampposts, down our main streets of the village with flower baskets. They are extremely effective. The hanging baskets have been a regular feature of summers in the village of Groby, but this year the baskets were better than I have seen in previous years. I think we all agree that they look magnificent, but of course, they all need maintaining and that is quite a job. Our thanks to the Parish Council and the garden centre for supplying and maintaining these beautiful hanging baskets, for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to the village. Thank you
Mina Rodgers, Groby
I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Pool in early July ... I HAVE lived in Groby for over forty years and I have never seen the Pool so overpopulated. Swan numbers have continued to rise and although Igor, the resident male, continues his attempts to drive the interlopers away – wings raised, head back, steaming through the water – he lacks conviction. Sadly, I have only seen his mate Lucrecia and her four babies once. I hope she is alive, well and keeping a low profile. There are more goslings and ducklings than I can count and they all are insatiably hungry, I took my young friend Maria to the Pool recently and she only escaped being eaten alive by standing on the bench. Her courage in the face of the ravenous hordes was rewarded by seeing my little friend Geraldine -the grey and white duck of no known provenance- perform her characteristic vertical leap- three times! I can only ensure Geraldine is adequately fed now by putting bird seed between my feet and repelling boarders. As Maria and I left the Pool, we were pursued down the steps by Greylags, Mallards and their young. Next time I visited I met a pair of geese and their babies on the road. I slipped effortlessly into my mad old woman persona – brandishing my stick imperiously to stop the traffic and herding the escapees back to the Pool. Thanks to the motorists involved for their patience. This month’s picture shows the Pool in all its serene glory before the mass invasion.
Lindy Hardcastle 2019 NHS Patient survey results – local surgeries (actual results) Groby Glenfield Ratby % of patients who find it easy to get through by phone
81%
72%
94%
% of patients who find the receptionists helpful
92%
88%
96%
% who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times
71%
66%
86%
% who usually get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they would 59% like to
23%
84%
% of patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last tried to make a general practice appointment
68%
59%
77%
% who were satisfied with the type of appointment they were offered
84%
76%
88%
% of patients who took the appointment they were offered
98%
95%
96%
% who describe their experience of making an appointment as good
80%
72%
89%
% who waited 15 minutes or less after their appointment time to be seen 87% at their last general practice appointment
76%
90%
% who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at giving them enough time during their last general practice appointment
82%
85%
94%
% who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at listening to them during their last general practice appointment
82%
86%
94%
% who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at treating them with care and concern during their last appointment
79%
85%
95%
% who were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment during their last general practice appointment
92%
95%
99%
% of patients who had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional 91% they saw or spoke to during their last general practice appointment
94%
99%
% who felt the healthcare professional recognised or understood any mental health needs during their last general practice appointment
91%
72%
98%
% who felt their needs were met during their last appointment
93%
96%
98%
% who say they have had enough support from local services or organisations in the last 12 months to help manage their long-term condition(s)
79%
75%
85%
% who describe their overall experience of this GP practice as good
83%
84%
95%
Grey hair is great. Ask anyone who’s bald.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Jodie Kirby draws the winning Quiz entry
Groby Gatherers are helping to save Hedgehogs! THIS YEAR we are indoors for a change in an effort to defy the British weather, and would like to invite you to our next fundraiser. This will be held at: Groby Village Hall on Saturday September 28th from 11 am – 2 pm in aid of The Leicestershire Hedgehog Rescue Society. Admission is Free as usual and we will be serving tea, coffee and soft drinks, along with some delicious homemade cakes, scones etc. plus our mouth-watering Fudge! There will be quality bric-a-brac and second-hand books for sale, an exciting Raffle + many hedgehog related gifts to tempt you – maybe for an early Christmas gift! Colleen Powell from the Leicestershire Hedgehog Rescue Society will also be there to answer any queries or give information regarding our prickly garden friends. Please come along to support this cause and help save one of Britain’s favourite mammals from extinction.
A5
THE 2019 Street Fair Quiz proved very popular with residents, and thanks go to the sponsorship from Groby Fish Bar and the all the businesses that sold the entry forms, or provided the collection points. This was a useful extra source of income and helped ensure the financial success of the Fair. Although the questions were challenging 14 entrants managed to answer them all correctly. In order to choose the lucky prizewinner a member of the Stamford’s hospitality team drew one entry out from the wine cooler, in the absence of a suitable hat! Thanks go to * the Stamford Arms, Pricegate Hensons, Co-op Laundon Way for selling the quiz and providing a collection box, * Wilsons, Natural Elements, Animal Magic, Chaplins, Groby Fish Bar for selling the quiz And the winner is ... * Lawnwood Food and Wine for providing a collection box and * Jodie Kirby for drawing the winning entry. If you want to see how many of the answers you got right you can check them on www.grobyonline.tk and www. grobystreetfair.tk. They are also displayed on the Groby Community Library noticeboard, which gives you a good excuse to call in for tea or coffee and a slice of cake.
Norman Griffiths
How often do you SOCIALISE with family and friends?
IF YOU MANAGE it only about once a month, you are not alone. Nearly half of us are so busy with work and other commitments, that seeing family and friends has become a rare thing. It is thought that an increase in social media is responsible for the decline in face-to-face interaction. But according to the Sainsbury’s Living Well Index, the lack of human interaction with close associates is causing the nation’s sense of well-being to dwindle. Nearly one in ten of us never meet our friends, relatives or co-workers socially, while 21 per cent of us do so less than once a month. A further 17.5 per cent of us only socialises once a month.
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Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Postman Simon’s at it again!
Raising funds for ADAPT in the Great North Run THIS YEAR to help raise funds for ADAPT (All Dependant and Pre-Term Babies) I have applied and been successful in gaining a place in the Great North Run. I’ll be taking part in what is the world’s largest half marathon, together with 57,000 other runners, on Sunday 8 September. The iconic event starts in Newcastle city centre running across the Tyne Bridge and finishes on the coast in South Shields. Adapt is still very close to our hearts even though Sophie, our eldest daughter who was born very premature, now approaches 24 years – how time flies! The charity, which began at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, still needs funds to carry on its work helping new parents dealing with early arrivals.
Simon in training for the Great North Run
Hopefully, this year’s event will be just as successful as in previous years due to all the fantastic support from family, friends, residents of Groby and the Royal Mail, a very big thank you to everyone. If you would like to sponsor me for the Great North Run please catch me on my post round in Groby, pop into Groby Post office or alternatively via the internet at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonMoore11
Why Lego helps with map reading MEN OF A certain age are better map readers than women of a certain age, because they were given Lego to play with when they were young. Playing Lego and other traditional boys’ toys encouraged their spatial awareness, as opposed to playing with Barbies. Such is the verdict of Gina Rippon, a professor of cognitive neuro-imaging at Aston University. Speaking at this Spring’s Hay Festival, she explained that: “The issue of map reading, which is kind of a manifestation of a spatial skill, is reliant on an ability to understand objects in relation to themselves, allowing them to picture the shape of things as well as proportions and dimensions.” Thus, playing with Lego and other building games gave men years of practice, while they were still young.
Whether you believe you can do a thing or believe you can’t, you are right.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Jenny O’shea AS MANY of you will no doubt know, my wonderful wife Jenny Sadly passed away after a very short illness on Saturday 29th June 2019. Jenny was surrounded by her family and it came as a great shock to all the family. This has left me devastated. However I would like to thank the community on behalf of myself and our 4 children Laurance, Samantha, Mathew and Sabrina for all the kind wishes, offers of support cards and donations to Cancer Research UK Jenny won the hearts of many people across the County and civic heads as a person with a genuine smile. Jenny would listen to people’s concerns always find time to talk to people and offer advice. Jenny was an excellent Mayoress and Consort to me as Chairman of the County Council. Jenny will be a great loss to me and my family as well as to the local community. I am pleased to say that Jenny’s cooking and chat sessions will still continue every Friday morning between 10am and 12 noon during term time at Groby Community Centre on Forest Rise,
Street Lighting Sacheverell Way, Groby ON THE 18th June 2019 I met with Cllr Blake Pain the Executive member of Highways. I handed Blake a petition signed by 824 residents and also 36 signed reply slips of support requesting the replacement of the street lighting along Sacheverell Way, Groby. I fought for these lights to be retained in 2013 as the Council was going to decommission them. The footpath along Sacheverell Way is heavily used by both pedestrians and joggers and is also a main route to school for local children. The road is an extremely busy road with drivers often speeding resulting in my request for the mobile police speed van to monitor the speed along that section of road. I have been informed that there is a serious cabling fault which will require all the cabling to be replaced. The cabling replacement cost alone is £300,000 without adding the replacement lights. The department’s street lighting annual budget for Leicestershire is £800,000. I am waiting for a report
from the Director of Highways. I intend to have further discussions with both the Director of Highways and the Executive member as in my opinion street lighting along this section of road is a priority.
Draft Leicestershire Substance Misuse Strategy 2020-23
Leicestershire for drug and/or alcohol misuse The information from the JSNA identifies unmet needs in relation to drug and/or alcohol misuse and makes recommendations for change. These recommendations alongside engagement with service providers, public sector organisations and voluntary sector organisations have led to the development of a draft Leicestershire Substance Misuse Strategy. The draft strategy identifies five key priorities that support us in our goal of continuing to provide appropriate, accessible and equitable substance misuse services to our population. The priorities identified within the strategy, centre around the themes of: • Prevention • Early identification • Treatment and recovery • Protection/harm reduction • Partnership working Have your say: We are seeking your views on the proposed priorities for Leicestershire and whether you have further comments and suggestions. Please type in the below link or
Comments can be submitted by emailing phdrugsandalcohol@ leics.gov.uk. What happens next? When the consultation closes, we will analyse the feedback and review the proposals. The reviewed proposals and consultation findings will be presented to the council’s cabinet in November where a decision will be made on how to proceed. If you require clarification or assistance on any of the information provided above, please email phdrugsandalcohol@leics.gov.uk.
go to the Leicestershire County Councils Website and type in have your say and click on current consultation then on substancemisuse-strategy https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ have-your-say/current-consultations/ draft-leicestershire-substancemisuse-strategy-2020-23 The consultation is running for 8 weeks, closing at midnight on 1 September 2019.
£200m since 2010 has helped us stay in a good position. But tight funding, combined with increasing demand for services, means the county council has to find another £75m in savings over the next four years. Growing need for social care and special educational needs and disability (SEND) support – plus inflation - is set to drive up costs by £94m over the next four years.
The County Council’s Priorities - Have your say WE ARE asking residents, partner organisations, businesses and other interested parties to help us shape plans and prioritise future services. Read the information below and submit your views by 8 September 2019. Increased demand for our services means we are under pressure to find more savings. Taking tough decisions and saving
ALCOHOL and drug misuse impacts on people’s lives in many ways. Providing treatment and support to people with alcohol and/or drug problems can have a significant beneficial impact not just for the individual, but for their families and for their community. Preventing people from developing alcohol and drug problems and reducing dependence on alcohol and drugs not only improves an individual’s health and wellbeing but also reduces the burden on health and social care services and reduces crime and anti-social behaviour. To understand the size of the problem of alcohol and drug misuse in Leicestershire, a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was completed in March 2019. The two reports: JSNA Substance Misuse in Adults, and JSNA Alcohol Misuse in Adults describe: • the health needs of the people of Leicestershire in relation to drug and/or alcohol misuse • the impact of drug and/or alcohol misuse • relevant policy and guidance relating to drug and/or alcohol misuse • existing service provision across
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk We already have plans in place to make further savings. These include: • recruiting more in-house foster carers to reduce expensive placements • reducing adult social care costs by managing demand and reviewing contracts and personal budget allocations • generating more income from property investment and commercial activity • reducing back office costs through digital technology and simplifying processes Future challenges The council is facing challenges that will lead to further reductions in spending. • 600 Children in the Councils Care Set to Rise 13% each year • Demand for SEND Support set to rise 22% over the next 5 Years • Leicestershires Population set to grow by 107,000 between 2016 and 2041 driving the demand for services and the need for infrastucture such as road and schools. This means it’s time to ask residents, partner organisations, businesses and others to help us shape plans and prioritise future services. You can complete the survey by visiting the County Council’s website and type in have your say
or type in the following link. https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ have-your-say/current-consultations/ councils-priorities/introduction-tothe-consultation
Trading Standards Warning Of A Rise In Scam Websites LEICESTERSHIRE Trading Standards are warning of a rise in scam websites where goods ordered are not delivered or unauthorised amounts are taken from bank accounts. Trading Standards is urging people to check for warning signs such as spelling mistakes on websites or a lack of contact details. Look out for the padlock in the address bar when paying for goods this denotes a secure payment site. Please Stay Safe
Be aware firms overcharging for services LEICESTERSHIRE Trading Standards is warning about firms overcharging for services which can be applied for directly. These firms generally operate online and are known as copy cat websites, they often charge for a
service you can get for free or at a must lower cost on the genuine site. Sometimes they take an exorbitant cut of a refund, but this detail is hidden in small print and you only realise when it is to late. Examples are European Health Insurance Cards, tax refunds, passports, visas & driving licences. All can be accessed legitimately through www.gov.uk To report a copycat website to Trading Standards or for consumer advice contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 • I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away. Due to my recent bereavement my colleague will be helping me out until late August. County Cllr Peter Bedford who covers Markfield will look into any County Council issues his phone number is 01455 824733. However if urgent I will always be on my mobile.
Ozzy O’shea
Always Working for you Cllr Ozzy O’shea Tel 0116 2394336 Mobile 07808585825 Email ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
The Time Is Now!
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally ON WEDNESDAY the 26th July Janet and I travelled down to London for the mass lobby of parliament: The Time is Now. The aim of this lobby was to meet with as many MPs as possible and share our concerns about the Climate Emergency that we face; the state of our oceans and the planet; the state of our natural world and the extinctions that are already happening. It was an educational experience for us both. Our MP – Mr Edward Argar – arranged to meet us in the central lobby within the Houses of Parliament, so we queued for an hour to get in and discussed our concerns with him for a good half hour. Most MPs went to meet their constituents on the banks of the Thames, where the 12,000 people who had travelled from all around the country were organised by region. In total 300 MPs were lobbied by their constituents. This was democracy in action – concerned citizens interacting with their MPS on a mass scale. Despite this there was no coverage of the lobby in the media and, although we had been listened to, there were no promises to act on our concerns. Despite the declared Climate Emergency it seems very difficult to influence the policies of National Government, although this doesn’t mean that we will stop trying! We returned to Leicester energised to work together and do something locally. There is so much that can be done both individually and together here in Groby: we want to work as effectively as we
can, to both campaign and to act, in the hope that we can turn the situation around. This seems like an impossible task: it is much easier to put your head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening or that someone else will sort it out. But we agree with the lobby we attended: the time is now to do something – to take our heads out of the sand and act on the scientific evidence of what is happening. So will you join us? There is so much we can do together: write to our local politicians; meet our
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local politicians; campaign and educate; share ideas of how to reduce our use of plastic; teach each other useful skills for example repairing things; hold a clothes swap; encourage each other in taking decisions to change our lifestyles positively; write to public figures nationally and locally and ask them to speak out; educate each other about the situation; join with others in taking direct action; litter pick etc. What encourages me is the many conversations that I have had with people about what
they are doing to make a difference – everybody can do something to make a change and make a difference. And imagine if we shared our ideas and our energy and started to work together - we can make an impact. We are very fortunate to live in a lovely village where we have enjoyed a comfortable life. People around the world are already suffering as a result of climate change and we are not going to avoid the repercussions. When we come together to do something we are acting in the best interests of the whole planet, including ourselves. So will you become a part of ‘Heads out of the Sand’ (HootS) Groby? We envision a very eclectic group of people - of different ages, genders, backgrounds, political parties, professions – who will come together to support each other, educate each other, use their particular skills, keep their heads out of the sand and do what we can. To quote something I saw recently on Facebook: Not everybody can do everything but everybody can do something. And surely by working together we can gain strength and do more. Our first meeting will take place on Sunday 8th September at 2.30pm. The venue is TBC depending on numbers. Please email us if you would like more information and are thinking of attending HootS-Groby@hotmail. com Please help us spread the word and come if you can!
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Can We Really Make a Difference To The Future of Our Planet? A YEAR AGO I did not really give much thought to Global Warming and my impact on it. So what has grabbed my attention and given me the drive to do something I have never done in my life..... to lobby Parliament! I am not a hippy or an environmentalist. I have never been a member of any kind of party or group (apart from Groby Community Library Group). I am just a middle aged mum of two school age children, who works part time in Education and grew up on a council estate in Manchester. For over twenty years I worked in the fashion industry, I lived in London and travelled to India, China, America and Europe. But from being a small child I had been taught to respect the environment. I remember a big campaign to pick up litter and stop wildlife being harmed, keeping our country clean. I remember hearing about the hole in the ozone layer and the change in aerosols so that CFCs were banned. Paper recycling, the swap from paper bags to plastic carrier bags - if only we knew! As recycling has grown, I have continued to follow the guidelines, understanding the need to evolve and try to reduce my plastic consumption. But Climate Change is something much bigger, something that only politicians, companies and scientists can do anything about. Or so I thought! A couple of years ago a new girlfriend was introduced at a family get together. At that time she was a fitness and lifestyle blogger and trainer. As we have
got to know her more, she has become vegan and her blogs have become more and more about the planet, sustainability and plastic. It intrigued me as to what was making her so passionate about the changes she was making in her life, so I started to follow her on Twitter and Instagram. When she set up a Facebook group about living consciously, it really made me think about my lifestyle choices and how they affect the planet. Earlier this year she recommended a book, saying that
if there was one book you had to read, ‘The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells’, was it! I downloaded the audiobook and I listened to all of it within 12 hours. It made me scared. It made me cry. It made me angry. It made me want to buy a plot of land on a Welsh hillside, where I could become totally self sufficient with my family. But mainly it opened my eyes to the difficult future that my children will have to face. I decided that I would do whatever I can to have an impact on climate change and all the
Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.
horrendous things that will come with it. I have to give my children a future worth living for. I felt paralysed at first, overwhelmed and isolated, but I needed to get past this to be able to have an impact. I wanted to know more about carbon emissions and the Earth’s future so I read - There Is No Planet B and How Bad Are Bananas?, both by Mike Berners-Lee. I wanted to understand more about economics, so listened to ‘ The Growth Delusion’ by David Pilling and this book gave me an insight into why governments and companies have been unmotivated to do anything. Power, money and GDP! The more I have read, the podcasts I have listened to and tv programs I have watched, it has made me more and more determined. I have to try to do something, to give my children hope of a future. If we do something now, and we get it right, future generations could have a better life than what is currently on the horizon. So the answer to the question, ‘can we really make a difference to the future of our planet?’, is yes. The next big question is what do we want the future to be?
Janet Bishop
(Concerned Inhabitant of Planet Earth)
Choir
FROM A PARISH MAGAZINE: “We are delighted to report that the choir raised £120 for the building fund during their recent sponsored sing. “This included £10 for them not to do it again.”
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
National Trust Leicester Association NEWS
THE NEXT TIME that you visit London you might consider visiting one of the twelve “NT London Partner” houses or museums across the capital. The twelve independent heritage attractions and museums have entered into a partnership with the Trust and offer a 50% reduction on entry fees to NT members. This increases the opportunities for NT members to explore other diverse heritage sites within the London area and indirectly expands the Trust’s London portfolio. Five properties are basically in central London, these are:Benjamin Franklin’s House which is the only remaining home of the great man in the world. The Bevis Marks Synagogue, built in 1701, is the oldest surviving synagogue in Britain. Dr Johnson’s House which was his late 17th – century town house. The Florence Nightingale Museum which celebrates the life and work of the world’s most famous nurse and contains her famous lamp and the first ever nurses’ uniform. Two properties are just north of the centre. The Freud Museum is just off Finchley Road and this fully furnished house was the final home of pioneering psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna. Keats House, near Hampstead Heath, is an elegant Regency villa where Romantic poet John Keats wrote his best-loved poems. At Greenwich you will find three attractions. The first of which is not a building but is the Cutty Sark. This nineteenth-century tea clipper was once the fastest ship of her day. She is meticulously preserved and contains detailed stories of life aboard. Secondly, The Queen’s House built in 1616 was a former royal residence designed by Inigo Jones and this architectural masterpiece was the first classical building in the UK. It now houses an internationally renowned art collection. Finally, on a smaller scale, the Fan Museum, housed in a row of elegant Georgian buildings which contains a unique collection of over 4,000 fans from around the world.
nfield Christadelphians Field Head Spotlight ovember 2019
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Two large buildings can be found to the south of London. At Twickenham is Horace Walpole’s beautifully restored Gothic Revival castle (above), built beside the Thames in 1747 as his summer residence. To the south east at Bexley, is Hall Palace and Gardens, built in 1537 for the Lord Mayor of London, a stunning Tudor house full of antique furniture and with magnificent gardens. • THE NT LEICESTER ASSOCIATION commences its winter programme with an evening meeting on Tuesday 10th September at The Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone, at 7.30pm. Richard Adams will present an illustrated talk entitled “A Walk on the Wild Side” Admission is NTLA members £2.50, visitors £4.00 including refreshments. For details of the Leicester Association and its Talks Service for other organisations please call 0116 222 9133.
Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer
AUGUST
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
Bible Talks
Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)
Sep 01 The Promises of God are Conditional Sep 08 The Bible and Archaeology Sep 15 What is the Christian Gospel? Sep 22 Hope for a World in Crisis Sep 29 Jesus, Fig Trees and Vineyards www.lifes-big-questions.org
The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.. 2 Timothy 3:15
www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield
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OCTOBER
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
Bible Talks
Scout Hall, Stamford St. Glenfield Each Sunday at 6pm (God Willing)
Nov 03 What is Sin? - The Bible Answer Nov 10 Middle East Peace - How and When? Nov 17 A Day in the Life of the Apostle Paul Nov 24
The Difference a Belief in God makes to Life
www.lifes-big-questions.org
The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.. 2 Timothy 3:15
www.thisisyourbible.com/glenfield
Glenfield Christadelphians
Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred.
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The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Letter
Snakes alive!
Where shall we hold the wedding?
THERE HAVE been sightings of snakes in some overgrown gardens in the Groby area.
A REVIEW of wedding laws is underway, which could mean that couples are given a much wider choice of where they are allowed to enter into marriage or a civil partnership.
Pet owners are advised to be vigilant as snakes can bite, and some (adders) are poisonous. Please report to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council if you see anything which may cause danger.
Currently, the law requires ceremonies to be held in: places of worship, register offices, or buildings licensed by local authorities. But it may be that changes in the law would allow wedding to be held in anything from marquees, private homes, military sites for service personnel, at sea, or even in the open air, as is already possible in Scotland. The sites would still have to meet the existing test of solemnity and dignity, but they would mean that couples have a wider range of cheaper alternatives to hiring expensive wedding venues. The Law Commission is expected to produce a set of recommendations by 2021 for new legislation. Canon Sandra Millar, head of projects and development at Church House, said: “Our research has shown that being married in a place that has meaning is still important. We continue to believe that a church is the best place for a wedding. You don’t have to be christened or a churchgoer just ask, and you might be surprised at the answer!”
Groby Resident
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Is eating junk food the reason behind food allergies? COULD JUNK food be behind the rise of food allergies? Scientists have found that children who eat more takeaways are more likely to suffer from dangerous intolerances. Researchers at the University of Naples found that children with food allergies also had a large build-up of sugary fatty substances under their skin which develop after eating processed and sugary foods. It is thought that these ‘advanced glycation end’ products (AGEs) may cause the gut to leak. That could trigger an overactive immune response that makes the body more sensitive to food consumed. Two per cent of adults and seven per cent of children suffer from food allergies; a five-fold rise since the Nineties. Recent decades have seen a dramatic rise in highly processed food in the West.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
AT A NATIONAL level most patients who want to see their own GP can no longer get an appointment with them, reports the Daily Telegraph, based on the results of the 2019 NHS Patient’s questionnaires. The survey of 770,000 patients showed that more than half had a preferred GP, but only 48% said they saw or spoke to them always, almost always, or a lot of the time. The national results also showed that since 2012 there has been a rise of 65% in the number of patients finding it difficult to get through to make a GP appointment. Most patients of Groby Surgery who responded said it was easy to get through to the practice by phone. Patients who call in the morning, and are told all morning appointments have been booked, can call again at 2pm when booking opens for afternoon appointments. In addition to phoning appointments can also be booked online. Dr Nikita Kanani, acting Director of Primary Care for NHS England will chair a new review of access to general practice across England this year. She said: “We will look at making improvements to pre-bookable and same day GP appointments, reviewing patient feedback on face-to-face and online consultations, delivering greater choice and access to appropriate care for patients.” Rising numbers of patients are booking online and, from 2021, all patients will also have a new right to access their general practice through video consultations. This national survey undertaken by MORI on behalf of the NHS is quite separate from the annual survey conducted by the Patients Group each October. In the MORI survey questionnaires are sent by post to patients at surgeries from right across the country. The results are then published for each surgery. The MORI results which follow for Groby Surgery are based on the 113 surveys returned, a response rate of 47%. • More than half said they usually get to see or speak to their preferred GP when they would like to, • 80% said it was easy to get through to the practice by phone, and described their experience of making an appointment as good. • 90% find the receptionists helpful, • and 83% describe their overall experience of Groby Surgery as good. Of the 18 questions for which responses have been published : • 8 were more than 5% better than national average
Groby Surgery Patients Group
NHS Patients Survey 2019 results •
7 were within + or – 5% of the national average • 3 were more than 5% worse than national average The full unweighted results are shown on page 4 in this issue of the Spotlight. On the NHS www.gppatient.co.uk website weighted results are also available where the data has been adjusted to show results as if all patients had responded.
Surgery now part of Bosworth Primary Care Network From 1st July, GP practices began working in groups with other GP practices in the local area, as well as other health, social care and voluntary sector organisations. Primary care networks (PCNs) were announced as part of NHS England’s Long Term Plan earlier this year. They have been put in place to improve and extend the range of services that are available in the community and join up the care that is provided from different organisations. Together they decide what services they are going to
provide for their local patients to prevent and manage ill-health. It is expected that by working together, practices will be able to make resources go further and care for patients more creatively. Each PCN will look after between 30,000 and 50,000 patients. Patients are promised access to more convenient and specialist care through their local GP. A much wider team of health professionals is increasingly becoming involved in patients’ care in GP practices. To help family doctors deliver improved care additional funding of £4.5 billion and the recruitment of 20,000 members of staff to provide support is planned. Through primary care networks there will be even more clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, physician associates, community paramedics and social prescribing link workers looking after patients day-to-day. In addition to Groby Surgery, Bosworth primary care network includes Ratby Surgery, Desford Medical Centre, Heath Lane Surgery(Earl Shilton), and Newbold Verdon Medical Practice.
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Sometimes a member of the practice team may work for all of the practices in the network. The NHS Patients Guide to primary care networks says there may be times when patients receive their appointment at one of the other practices in the network – particularly for non-urgent needs or if that practice specialises in a specific area of care. However, a spokesperson for the West Leicestershire CCG said that at present there are no services provided by PCNs which would require a patient to visit another practice.
Collecting your prescription If you have your prescription dispensed by Well Pharmacy on Ratby Road you can request that you are notified by text to your phone when your medicine is ready for collection. This saves you having to phone them if you want to check before you call in, helping both you and the pharmacy. If this is of interest to you ask about the service next time you visit. If you collect your prescription from another pharmacy they may also offer this service, so don’t forget to ask if you think it would help you.
Paying for prescriptions? An investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com reveals that more than a million patients in England paid more than they needed to for NHS prescriptions last year and could have saved an average of over £35 by getting a ‘prescription prepayment certificate’. NHS figures show that 1,042,008 people paid a minimum of £105.60 for at least 12 prescription items in the 2018/19 financial year. This is more than the £104 NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which means you pay once and then get free prescriptions for 12 months. On average those who paid for 12 items or more actually bought about 16 items each – meaning the average saving with a certificate would have been over £35. The prescription charge in England is now £9 per item, so the website recommends that anyone who knows they’ll need to pay for at least 12 prescription items in a year buys an annual certificate. There’s also a three-month certificate for £29.10, which is also good value if you need four or more prescriptions over this period. Follow the link from www. grobyonline.tk for more information.
Norman Griffiths for Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group
Anything that parents have not learned from experience they can now learn from their children.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Robins & Rainbows Local Charity Team to complete a year of events in memory of Kim ON THE 20TH JULY 2018, Kim Pye passed away after a hard fought battle with breast cancer. During her fight, Kim found a lot of support from a local Leicester charity called Together Against Cancer, based in Thurmaston. Kim found visiting the centre a positive and uplifting experience, particularly when medical treatment was no longer an option and she enjoyed taking part in the nutrition workshops and meeting lots of wonderful people going through similar journeys, which provided Kim and her family with such valuable support.
Knowing how amazing Together Against Cancer was for Kim, it made it an easy decision for her family and friends to choose to support them in their quest to raise money in Kim’s memory.
With this in mind, Robins and Rainbows was formed and dedicated to a year of fundraising events to be able to give back to the charity that meant so much to Kim and her family. Robins and Rainbows have been completing challenges and so far, have conquered Scafell Pike, a 26 mile walk around Rutland Water, a 21 mile walk through the Peak District (in continuous rain!) and the X Runner Water Wipeout. The following events are also planned, Rutland Open Water Night Swim, 10K Rutland Night Run, Santa Run in December and a fashion show. September sees the team, hopefully, completing their biggest challenge yet, the Peak District Silver Challenge which covers 75KM in 24 hours, starting at 9pm . On the 4th August the
Kim Pye 26 mile Dovedale Dipper will be completed and on the 27th August there is a Curry Night at Harrison Spice in Ratby, where tickets are just £15 for three courses. £5 from each ticket sold will go to the charity. So far, the team has raised £572.00 of the £3500.00 target. If you would like to donate and would like further information on the ticketed events, please go the their Just Giving Page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robins-rainbows-challenges For more information on Together Against Cancer and the support they can provide, please visit www.togetheragainstcancer.org.uk
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Community Library News Groby Street Fair 23rd June
Poet Laureate WHAT AND who is this you might ask?
THE GROBY Street Fair was a fun day for everyone in the lovely Sunshine. We had a large stall groaning with books, DVDs and CDs. As you can see Paddington came too. We were on the Church green, opposite the Reggae group and in front of the Brass Band, it was a treat to be in the open air hearing great music and selling books ,what a pitch! Definitely a day for the Arts . We sold loads and loads of our collection to both the young and old. All of our Ben Elton stock (6 books) was taken away by one very happy customer. In total we took £130. Thanks to all of you who came and bought from us. We’re pleased to be doing our bit to help the environment in selling pre – loved items.
Summer Reading Challenge - SPACE A FREE activity for all children. This is going from strength to strength, with children from all three primary schools in Groby taking part, Lady Jane Grey, Martinshaw and Elizabeth Woodville. If you haven’t started there’s still plenty of time to join in .You have until the 6th September. Come into the Library and sign up. If you’re feeling peckish after a morning of reading we have some yummy Planet Cakes for you to enjoy at 30p each in the Time Out Café.
The term Laureate is linked to literary awards and the Poet Laureate is a long established post in the UK. The earliest Poet Laureate was John Dryden in the 17th Century. The topic of the summer reading challenge ties in neatly with Simon Armitage the new Poet Laureate ,who has written his first poem in this role “Conquistadors” to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing on 20th July, 1969. As a taster here are the concluding lines referencing Richard Nixon, the then President of the USA and his call to the astronauts from the Oval Office in the White House. “But as Tricky Dicky clears his throat to claim God’s estate as man’s backyard from the Oval Office, and the gap narrows to feet then inches, suddenly stars recoil to the next dimension and heaven flinches.” I bet lots of you can remember staying up all night to watch the Moon landing on TV? Now is it time to reflect and read “Conquistadors” by Simon Armitage?
A Library in every School THIS IS the campaign that Cressida Cowell the new Children’s Laureate had started. She is perhaps best known for her novels “How to Train Your Dragon” which have also been adapted into a series of films. She wants all children to be allowed to explore their creativity for 15 minutes a week outside of normal studies, through writing in a book that will not be assessed. If you want to encourage your children to do this and lack a clear place at home, come into the library where we have room for this and actively encourage this creativity.
Time Out Café IF YOU FANCY a cup of tea or coffee and cake, don’t forget the café is open whenever the Library is Monday, Wednesday , Friday, 2.00-4.30pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 9.30 am -12.30 pm. We’d love to see you alongside all of our regulars! Enjoy the summer rain or shine reading is always here.
Dr. Janet Harrison
Trustee, Groby Community Library.
Groby Juniors
COULD YOU BECOME A FUTURE LIONESS? GROBY JUNIORS Football Club, one of the largest providers of girls football in the County, are now back in full training before the season starts on Sunday September 1st. So why not come along - it’s a chance to learn a new sport, to make friends, to exercise and keep fit and also to have some fun, and who knows, maybe you too could become part of the England set up and be running out at a future World Cup. Whilst we are looking for players at all ages we are particularly interested in next school year 3, year 6 and year 8 to help us create new under 8’s, under 11’s and under 13’s teams. But as I have said, we are looking for players at all ages as years 1 and 2 can join our academy. Over 18’s players are more than welcome to join our new womens team that will play next season for the first time. So what are you waiting for? Here is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something which is growing in popularity all the time. For more information see our advert on the right and give Phil a ring - after all, what have you got to lose, and who knows you just might get to be part of a future World Cup.
John Caswell
Chairman, Groby Juniors FC
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Gardening Society News July Meeting Over 50 members attended a talk by Celia Sanger entitled “Echoes from the past”, giving an insight into the National Trust’s work in maintaining and repairing Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, which was acquired by them in 1984. Celia started out as a physiotherapist in the Army, and has progressed through a variety of careers including a motor racing school, working in the plant centre at Conkers, and running a craft shop in Ashby before becoming a garden guide at Calke Abbey where she is now the archivist. Calke was a medieval religious house which was dissolved as a priory by Henry VIII in 1538. It eventually was sold to Henry Harpur in 1622 (for £5350!) as a Tudor style house. He remodelled it as a grand country house, the grounds covering 600 acres, and it remained in the hands of the Harpur family, passing to increasingly distant relatives as the current owner died childless, until 1984 when it was acquired by the National Trust. Many of the family were interested in Natural History, and became great collectors. Henry Harpur who inherited the estate in 1789 began to extend and improve the house. He began the natural history collection, and took an interest in the technology of the day. On his death, the estate passed to George Crewe, who made great improvements to the living conditions of his tenant workers, and built new schools in the area. Sir Vauncey HarpurCrewe was the last of Calke’s great collectors, sadly some of the collections had to be sold off by his daughter Hilda to pay for death duties. The house was becoming cripplingly expensive to maintain, and Hilda’s family lived in only a small section of the house. Improvements were made only slowly; electricity was only installed to the estate in 1962! With the house falling into decline, the house was acquired by the National Trust in 1984, with photographs taken in 1886 showing that parts of the house had scarcely changed since then. The initial objective was to make the house weatherproof, since many parts had suffered extensive weather deterioration over the years. The majority of the rooms have been left as they were found, unimproved, which has led to Calke Abbey becoming known as the “un-stately” home. Work has been done on restoring the grounds, in particular the four and a half acre vegetable garden. Calke, in keeping with the fashion of the day, had several heated greenhouses to provide tender or exotic fruits throughout the year, and restoration work has revealed several impressive boilers that were installed to heat the growing sheds. There’s a strict dress code for the scarecrows at Calke – no denim, and no baseball caps are allowed! The grounds are home to 25 red deer and 75 fallow deer, and they have inflicted lasting damage to many of the trees, being particularly fond of the tree bark. There is a spectacular avenue of lime trees planted in 1846 to mark the birth of Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe. Celia has a vested interest in the gardens of course, but the house is worthy of a day’s visit in its own right. The gardens, at 600 acres, also
invite a full day’s exploration. You can find out more at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/calkewww.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke which also has details of their ‘HumanKind’ exhibition, marking the 200th anniversary of Henry Harpur.
Evening Visit to Crossfell House, Great Dalby On June 13, approximately 24 members made the trip to Great Dalby to view the gardens at Crossfell House, the home of Jane and Ian West, opened since 2015 as part of the National Open Gardens Scheme which raises significant amounts of money for charity. The weather in early June was very wet, but the skies cleared sufficiently for us to explore the meadow paths above the formal garden, leading up to a very welcoming shepherd’s hut built by the owners themselves. A newly built conservatory gave us the chance for tea and cake (and chat!) under cover before making our ways back to Groby. The Society’s annual three-day trip took place at the end of July, visiting three of London’s major gardens – Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens and RHS Wisley. I’ll provide a full report in next month’s Spotlight. Our monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill, Groby. Entry is £2 for non-members (an annual subscription is just £15), and you’ll be sure of a warm welcome, along with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit! The next meeting on September 8 will be Janette Merillion giving a talk entitled “Tints of Autumn”. By the time this article is published, Groby’s annual Village Show will have been held, a partnership between the Gardening Society and Groby WI. If you enjoyed the show and would like to help it continue to 2020 and beyond, please contact Helen Box on 01530 243686, or email at helen_ box@hotmail.com. All and any help would be very welcome. Planning for next year’s show will start later this year.
Keith Poole
My bed is a magical place where I suddenly remember everything I forgot to do.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Year 8/9 Girls Football Team Crowned Leicestershire County Champions!
BROOKVALE GROBY Learning Campus Year 8/9 Girls Football team were crowned Team Leicestershire County Champions on May 9th to take a futsal and football double for the third time in a row! For some of the team this is the 6th Leicestershire title that they have won since starting on campus in Year 7. A fantastic achievement - WELL DONE GIRLS!
Anyone for Badminton? FRIENDLY Badminton Club requires players at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, Ratby Road, Groby. Wednesday 7pm-9pm Telephone Mrs Stanley on 0116 2675 800.
Groby Village Society Thursday August 22 “A Palace by a River” Mike Ogden Thursday September 26 The Viking Way of Life Sandy Leong
Meetings held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm. unless stated otherwise For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell Tel. 0116 287 9842 e-mail:- pcastell42@gmail.com Non Members are Welcome
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Housing Needs Survey
‘Finding out the housing needs of all local people’ THE STRATEGIC HOUSING TEAM at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, and your Parish Council would like your help to understand more about the type of housing that may be needed by local people in rural areas in order to influence the type and size of homes built in the future. Towards the end of August you will receive a Housing Needs Survey questionnaire through your letterbox. It is important that as many households as possible complete and return the survey so the housing needs of the village can be assessed. There will also be the option to complete the survey online.
Why is this survey happening? District and Borough Councils are duty bound to gather information about the housing needs of their communities so that the requirements of all residents can be understood. The survey is not just looking to find out about affordable housing needs; all kinds of housing needs must be understood, whether the need is to buy on the open market, part rent and part buy (shared ownership), or rent a home (either privately or through a social landlord such as a Housing Association).
Are there plans to build new houses here? Some development is currently underway, but the housing needs still have to be assessed so up to date local needs evidence is understood. The housing needs of all villages need to be assessed every 5 years and the district and borough councils across Leicestershire now have a rolling programme of villages to survey. The last full survey of Groby was in 2013, so it is time for a new one. The new survey wants to find out the needs of local people for open market homes as well as for affordable housing.
The information from this kind of survey is used to ensure that any new homes built reflect what is needed by existing local residents who have a connection to the village.
Why is it important to fill in the survey?
Is the Parish Council aware of the survey?
Rural areas are facing many challenges at the moment. Major threats to shops, pubs, transport, services and local facilities exist. There is an ageing population, jobs are limited, and there can be a loss of ‘community feel’ in a village. Also, the costs of living and housing are causing problems for many. These pressures exist in villages across Leicestershire and beyond. Villages like Groby need to have the right balance of housing to help provide a foundation for a vibrant community. Any new housing should be planned carefully to meet local needs if it is to have a positive impact on the area. This survey is the first step to ensuring this. By identifying the full range of housing needs for local people, future decisions and proactive action can be properly informed.
@midlandsrural
Investigation into Rural Housing Need in Hinckley and Bosworth Borough
What if the survey finds that there is a housing need? Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will work with the Parish Council, the local community and its housing and planning partners to see if there is a desire to meet any open market or affordable housing needs that may result from this survey. If any new homes are planned it is important that they are in keeping with the village and are built to a high standard of design.
What is the survey for?
www.midlandsrural.org.uk
Groby Parish Council has been fully consulted over this survey and has been very helpful throughout the process. The Parish Council hope that as many households as possible complete the survey so a true picture of housing need can be established. The results will help them work with the community and the borough council to ensure that the future of Groby is supported with the right kind of homes, if any are required.
How can I get help with the survey or request a form for someone I know who is in housing need? If you have any queries or concerns, or need any help completing the survey, please do not
GROBY xxx 2019 Please return this survey in the prepaid envelope no later than XXXX 2019
hesitate to contact Midlands Rural Housing on 01530 278 080 or by email at: midlandsrural@ midlandsrh.org.uk. Similarly, if you have another person in your household who is in housing need, or know of someone who has moved away and would like to return, please contact Midlands Rural Housing and request an additional survey form. The survey is being conducted on behalf of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council by Midlands Rural Housing. Please look out for the Housing Needs Survey being delivered to you in September and please complete and return the survey in the pre paid envelope provided by 29th September. Thank you, in advance, for your help with this survey – your views on housing needs help to provide a true reflection of housing in your village.
I’m not shy, I’m holding back my awesomeness so I don’t intimidate you.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Proposed Council Tax changes aim to reduce the number of empty homes NATIONAL POLICY provides that local planning authorities should identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide a minimum of five years’ worth of housing against their local housing need. There are councils all over the country that struggle to meet their ‘land bank’ housing targets and that fail to demonstrate that they have a five year supply of deliverable sites which developers can build on. If they don’t have a five year supply this failure can be used by developers to justify building on land that the Council has refused planning permission, though Planning Inspectors can have regard to other material considerations if the decision goes to appeal. Locally Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council finds it challenging to meet this requirement for a 5 year supply and this means greater pressure on parishes such as Groby to identify acceptable sites for new housing development.
The irony is that at the same time as new sites for new housing are sought there are many homes that stand empty, and have stood empty for extended periods. Bringing these homes into occupation will do nothing to reduce the need for developers to obtain planning permission for new developments, but will ease the problems faced by those seeking somewhere to live independently. In a bid to discourage owners from leaving properties empty and to bring more homes back into use the Borough Council is looking to remove some existing discounts and charge additional council tax to owners of empty properties, particularly those that have been empty for some years. Residents are being urged to have their say on these proposed changes to Council Tax charges. From 1st April 2020, the Borough Council is proposing that the owner of any property that has been empty for 2y ears or longer will be charged double council tax on that property, From April 2021, the council is proposing that the owner any property that has been empty for
5 years or longer will be charged three times the council tax on that property and From April 2022, the council is proposing the owner of any property that has been empty for 10 years or longer will be charged four times the council tax. From April 2020 the council is also proposing to remove the 50% council tax discount it currently offers to owners of properties that are undergoing major structural repairs and to remove the free council tax period on empty properties. In the Borough Council area 473 dwellings were classed as empty on 1 October 2018 and have been for more than 6 months. That’s nearly 500 homes that could be housing families, a figure that’s not lost on Executive Member for Finance at the Borough Council, Councillor Keith Lynch who said: “At a time when we are told that there is a shortage of housing we are concerned that too many houses are just standing empty, some for many years, when they should be occupied. By encouraging the owners of empty homes to keep properties occupied, not only will
it help people who desperately need a home but it can also benefit the community as a whole. Empty properties can have a depressive effect on neighbouring house prices and also reduce pride in the community, as well as having a direct impact on adjoining homes through dampness and structural problems. “However, we would like to hear the views of residents on these proposals so I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say before a decision is made later this year.” You can complete the survey at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ counciltaxsurvey. The survey is open until Monday 26 August. A decision on whether to adopt the proposals will be made by Council during the autumn with any changes coming into effect from April 2020.
Norman Griffiths
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Cat and Kitten report from Leicester and Leicestershire Animal Aid in Huncote WELL, IT’S BEEN an extremely busy few weeks in our Cattery with the patter of lots and lots of tiny paws! With more than 20 adorable kittens either born at the Huncote Centre, or recently brought in under eight weeks old, staff and volunteers have been making sure they all get the love, attention and dedicated care they all deserve. Also, gentle Cici, a 10-month-old stray, is now Mum to 5 beautiful, tiny kittens. Being so young herself, she initially struggled with her new role as a mum. However, with lots of encouragement, love and a helping hand to take over some of the feeds, she has adapted brilliantly. (Details of all kittens are made available once they are old enough, and ready, to be rehomed). CiCi with some of her 5 kittens. You can see the tabby markings even through the black fur. We care for more than 400 cats and dogs each year who have been lost, abandoned, neglected or because their owners find they can no longer care for them. We don’t receive any Government funding and rely on the generosity and kindness of the community to help us to continue to help cats in need like Cici and her kittens. Could you help us care for these animals? Please do come and see us, consider becoming a Member, attend our fundraising events or perhaps you would like to volunteer in our animal-loving family? The Huncote site is not far away, located half-way between Desford and Enderby, only about 20-25 minutes drive from both Markfield and Groby. Call Jane on 01455 888 257.
Cat Rehoming Procedure
Here are just a few of the cats currently being cared for at Leicester & Leicestershire Animal Aid, Huncote, and looking for their forever home. You can come and visit the Centre and view the cats in the Cattery any day, (except Wednesday), between 11.00am and 2.30pm. http://www. leicesteranimalaid.org.uk/re-home-a-pet/rehome-a-pet If you are interested in giving one (or more) of our cats a home, please give us a call on 01455 888 257 or come to the Centre, chat with staff, and fill in an Interested Parties form. You can obtain a hard copy of this form at the Centre or download it from our website and email / send it back to us: info@ leicesteranimalaid.org.uk Please be aware that we are unable to re-home kittens or cats to a home within close proximity to a busy/main road. This is to protect their safety. An exception will be made for cats that have already lived, and are happy to continue to live, as a house cat. Thank you for your understanding.
Jane Walters - Fundraising Assistant The Leicester and Leicestershire Animal Aid Association (‘LAA’), Registered Charity 242560, Forest Road, Huncote, Leics. LE9 3LE Tel No. 01455 888 257
When you are stressed, so is your dog!
A Musical Evening St Peter’s Church Centre Glenfield Friday October 4th 7.30pm Admission by ticket £5 Children £2 Includes light refreshments during the interval To reserve tickets phone 0116 2991868 or 0116 2879705 All profits go towards maintaining Glenfield Millennium Green Glenfield Millennium Green Trust - Charity Registration No. 1075162
THE OLD adage that dogs take after their owners may be more true that we realise. For a new study has found that when dog-owners suffer from on-going anxiety, so do their dogs. Scientists measured the concentration of cortisol, a stress hormone, by taking a few centimetres of hair from a number of dogs and their owners. A direct correlation between the level of stress in any dog and its owner was found. The dog’s character was irrelevant, researchers said. Instead, “we found that the levels of long-term cortisol in dog and owner were synchronized. Owners with high cortisol levels have dogs with high cortisol levels.” In other words, owners’ personalities have a huge effect on their dogs. The study was carried out at a university in Sweden and published in the journal Scientific Reform.
I hate Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and half of Fridays.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Spotlight Small Ads Groby member scoops • ALUMINIUM EXTENDING LADDER 3½ metres long, extending to approx. 6 metres. Good condition. Price: £35.00. Tel: 0116 260 1865 (Groby) • GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL - useful if you’re dieting for your holidays. Price: £15.00 o.n.o. • LARGE BUTTON mainline phone never used. Price: £20.00 o.n.o. Please ring after 6pm: 0116 238 7425 (Ratby) • Hozelock POND VAC - Price: £40.00 • Dimpex DEHUMIDIFIER, 10litre, only used once, as new - Price: £45.00 • Food grade FLAT HOSE on reel, ideal for camping, unused - Price: £15.00 • Elu MFF PLANER, Swiss-made, good working order, new blades fitted Price: £40.00. Tel 07561 816369 (Groby) • Girl’s/Lady’s FOLDING BIKE which will fit in a car boot. Hardly used, good condition. Price: £30.00 o.n.o. Tel 0116 287 1162 (Glenfield) • Office Chair (Operator Chair) does not have castors. High back, height and back rest and tilt adjustment levers. Adjustable arms, padded seat and back rest. Colour - wine/red. Price: £35.00. Tel: 07815 301 425 (Groby) • Quality ladies’ warm ¾-length JACKET - as new. Size 18, plae green and navy. Would suit a tall person. Price: £30.00 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 242107 (Markfield) • Dowdall*LE Vertical WINDOW BLIND - 1138mm wide x 1099mm drop, suitable for window recess 1140 mm wide x 1150mm high. Has 10 white/cream louvres and Lux headrail. Very good condition. Price: £10.00 Tel: 0116 232 2649 (Groby) • Viners rose pattern CUTLERY with WOODEN CANTEEN. Six-place setting, 62 piece set. Perfect condition. Price: £25.00 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 243337 (Stanton under Bardon) • Victorian/Edwardian DRESSING TABLE SET - white china with pale pink flowers, includes tray, 3 pots with lids, and 2 vases with stoppers. Excellent condition. Price: £25.00 • Two-tier extendable GARMENT RAIL - 80cm wide x 95cm-165cm high x 41.5cm deep. Never used. Price: £10.00. Tel: 01530 242054 (Markfield) • CHERISHED TEDDIES (32) - good condition. Price: £100.00 Tel: 01530 245482 (Markfield)
• Ladies ASSORTED CLOTHES for sale - mostly sizes 18-20. Getting rid owing to weight loss. Tel: 01530 244259 (Markfield) • Three PASTE TABLES - £10.00 the lot. • Two small cold/warm BLOW HEATERS - £3.00 each. • Pull-along MEAL TABLE - adjustable height - £8.00 • Four WOODEN FRAMES (no glass) picture size: 10” x 6” - £8.00 the lot. • Quantity of ELECTRIC WIRE, PLUGS & ASSORTED FITTINGS - £5.00 the lot. Tel: 01530 243660 (Markfield) • Johnsons ‘Exeter’ Blue/White DINNER SERVICE comprising 4 tureens, 2 gravy boats, 1 large serving plate, 3 smaller serving plates, 12 dinner plates, 11 side plates. Price: £20.00 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 243778 (Markfield) • QUALITY ROAD/LIGHT TOURER CYCLE BY KONA. Cro-Mo frame 59cm (suit taller rider), Shimano Ultegra/105 components, disc brakes. ZTR Crest 29” wheels. In excellent condition and with detachable mudguards and rear pannier rack. New cost around £1400 – for sale at £250. Tel: 07792 836111 (Thornton)
£100 prize A FORTHCOMING trip to Great Yarmouth for Clive McCullam received a £100 boost after he visited the Groby branch of The Nottingham to talk about home insurance.
After being introduced to RSA and putting a Take Your Pick policy in place that suited his needs, Clive was entered into a draw to win one of over 60 £100 prizes the building society gave away via each of its branches across ten counties. Clive’s name came out of the hat in Groby, swelling his holiday spending money coffers in the process! Pictured above is Clive, left, receiving his prize from Customer Services Consultant Ian Martin.
Friends of Charnwood Forest
• Monday, 16th September. Illustrated talk by Dave Robinson: “Charnwood Forest and its Visitors, 1500 - 1900” • Monday October 14th Illustrated talk by Martin Speight: “The Story of Charnwood Water Supply over the last 150 years”. Talks are held in the Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves, at 7.30 pm. Members are welcome to bring guests – there is a charge of £3 on the door for nonmembers.
Marilyn Palmer, Events Organiser, Friends of Charnwood Forest
• Stainless steel polished LAMP STAND with orange LAMPSHADE. Excellent condition, 4ft 6in high. Price £15.00. Tel: 07754 801217 (Markfield) • Davina McCall MINI EXERCISE BIKE. Price: £15.00 Tel. 07929 473888 (Groby)
IF YOU HAVE any household items which you’d like to advertise FREE in the Spotlight, please SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. Our postal address is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk PLEASE ENSURE that you put ‘Small Ads’ in the subject line, and INCLUDE YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not for publication).
It’s good to share! If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. Thanks!
It may look like I’m doing nothing, but in my head I’m quite busy.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Groby Sings News Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time (The Day We Went To Bangor)? The title of one of our favourite songs says it all! Performing Groby Sings on the Beach during our summer concert weekend was such a delight for both choir and audience. Beginning with the haunting song, Bali Hai from South Pacific, and ending with the rousing Beach Boys number, Surfin’ USA, the whole programme was a celebration of summer. Appropriately for singing about the beach, performances took place on two of the hottest days we’d had this year which made things a little uncomfortable on and off the stage. Our conductor, Helen Hayes, bravely sweltered in her banana costume. She assured us it was in keeping with the South Pacific theme but confessed afterwards that it made conducting a bit tricky! The choir was thrilled to hear that the theme of the next concert is Groby Sings Under The Stars which will include numbers from The Greatest Showman, a 2017 musical film inspired by the story of the creation of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, and ‘other Stellar Hits’. It promises to be another popular selection of songs which both choir and audience are sure to enjoy. If you love singing, do come and join us when our sessions start again on Monday 2nd September at Groby Club: Afternoon choir - 1.153.00pm, Evening choir – 8.00-9.30pm, Children’s choir (from age 7) – 3.40-4.40pm. Groby Sings is a non-profit making, registered charity and fully inclusive choir. No auditions, just enjoy singing for fun, knowing that you will be in good company and warmly welcomed. Please encourage your children and grandchildren to join too. Our older ‘children’ will be graduating to the adult choir shortly so we need to rebuild our young singers’ section. The children’s voices really enrich the sound of the choir so much. Taking part in our twice-yearly concerts is also great fun but entirely optional. There is an added bonus of a delicious (free) cake break during each singing session and the Club has excellent facilities, including a wheelchair ramp and comfortable chairs. Contact us via our website www.grobysings.org if you want to know about parking, afternoon childcare or have any other queries. Why not come along and give it a try, you’ll be so glad you did! Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490.
Letter from Uncle Eustace
On the discovery of a long-lost crypt The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren SINCE YOUR church is a former cinema, I suspect that were the floor to be removed, cigarette ash, sweet wrappings and tickets for the last Charlie Chaplin film would be revealed. Our marble flooring in the chancel was raised last week to try and find the rat that had died on an underfloor heating pipe. It made its presence so un-ignorable last Winter that it gave me the excuse to use incense. But we have made an exciting discovery: the long-lost crypt containing the tombs of the Lords Staveley. He flourished in this area, until a little domestic disagreement with Henry II made the family realise that life in Italy might be pleasanter if they wished to retain their heads. The stone from their manor house soon became our lady chapel; an example of re-cycling as a euphemism for theft. Inevitably, as soon as we had made the discovery, rumours of vast treasure flew round the parish. Long before anyone had descended into it, the treasurer had the fortune earmarked for re-wiring the church, the organist decided it should be spent on enlarging the organ, and Mrs Millington had decided it should keep the flower arrangers in chicken wire until the next millennium-but-one. I confess that even I toyed with the idea of a conservatory with discreet drinks cabinet at the rectory. Sadly, it was not to be. Our ‘treasure’ consisted of rows of coffins in various stages of decay, enough bat droppings to keep our Verger’s vegetable patch enriched for the coming year and long-lost peppermints dropped by generations of choristers sitting above, as they munched their way through the sermons. Later that evening, when the workmen had left, I decided to have one last look. Taking a torch, I descended the stone steps, but lost my footing. The now-broken torch went one way and I another. After floundering round in total darkness and unable to find the stairs to get out, I resigned myself to an uncomfortable night in the crypt until daybreak. In the early hours, I heard steps on the same stairs and in their torchlight, saw it was someone who must have heard the rumours of treasure and decided to liberate some of it. He, too, tripped, fell and lost his torch and in the total darkness I heard him fumbling about at the other end of the crypt among the coffins. Intending to be helpful, I called to him softly, saying that I’d been trying to get out of here myself for a long time and had never made it, so he may as well give up. But do you know, he found his way out in no time. Your loving uncle,
Eustace
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IT WAS probably about £1,000 on either Amazon or eBay, according to a new study. Ofcom’s Online National report, which surveys the UK’s online habits and attitudes, estimates that online retailers made £1,094 per capita in 2018. The media regulator also revealed that, on average, we each spent about 50 whole days a year online in 2018, up from 46 in 2017. The news comes with a warning. One business psychologist says: “Convenience is fantastic for access to products, but it can sabotage our personal finances. You feel like ‘I am doing the comparison thing, I am saving money’, but you end up spending more than you would in a physical store.” Search engines such as Google and Bing made around £101 per person in the UK from advertising in 2018. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter made an estimated £45 per UK customer.
I’ve learned so much from my mistakes, I’m thinking of making a few more.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Glenfield Millennium Green News THE PLANT SALE at the end of May was well supported and we made a record amount of £506. Thank you to everyone who contributed plants, helped on the day and came along to buy. The weather was kind too which wasn’t the case for our Garden Party. After heavy rain the day before and on the morning it was decided that it would have to take place indoors. Thanks to Joan and David Fawkes for opening their doors so willingly. Those who came had a pleasant afternoon and £130 was raised for our funds. Now the school holidays are here the Green is well used most days when the weather is good. Unfortunately we have had to close the willow tunnel as it is full of wasps. Sadly, too, we have to report some instances of unsocial behaviour which has led to an increase in litter and damage to some areas. We are grateful to those users who have reported problems so they can be sorted out. If you use the Green regularly you will be aware that the lower part of the path (often very muddy after rain) is being raised and repaired. We have received a generous donation from a local resident towards this work. Now the news you have all been waiting for! ‘Go Ukulele Crazy’ will be entertaining us on October 4th in St Peter’s Centre, Glenfield, at 7.30pm. Tickets have just been printed and are available by phoning 0116 2991868 or 0116 2879705. Prices remain the same at £5 for adults and £2 for children. We hope to see you there.
Chris Tordoff
Charity Fun Day in Charnwood Forest BRADGATE Rotary’s Family ‘Obstacular’ Big Day Out will take place on Sunday 15th September 10.30 am – 4 pm at Ulverscroft Grange in Whitwick Road. The day includes a family-friendly obstacle course race. Many other attractions will be on offer, including bouncy castle, family challenges, entertainments, games and fun for all ages. A range of food options will be available. Proceeds from the event will help support local charities.
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Last night the Internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family. They seem like good people.
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Borough Councillors’ Report from Martin & Ted Climate Emergency Declared by HBBC AT A FULL council meeting on Tuesday 16 July 2019 Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council declared a ‘Climate Emergency’. Councillors have pledged to take local action to contribute to national carbon neutral targets through the development of practices and policies, with an aim to being carbon neutral in the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth by 2030. The motion - put forward by myself as I am now Executive Member for Climate Change and Environmental Health at the Borough Council outlined that “urgent action” is required to limit the effects of global warming, which not only affects the borough’s residents but people around the globe. Although the full policy has yet to be drawn up, the council membership agreed to: 1. Declare a ‘climate emergency’. 2. Pledge to do what is within our powers, to work towards making Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions. 3. Call on Westminster to provide the powers and resources necessary for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to achieve the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and to implement best practice methods to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 4. Report to Council within six to nine months with an action plan, outlining how the Council will address this emergency. The action plan will detail the leadership role Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council will take in promoting community, public, business and other council partnerships to achieve this carbon neutral 2030 commitment throughout the borough. The action plan will also outline the staff time and resources required to undertake the actions to achieve the targets. 5. Investigate all possible sources of external funding and match funding to support this commitment. As Executive Member I said “Today we achieved real progress on agreeing to take action to tackle climate change. It is vital that all levels of central and local government play their part in tackling the greatest threat to our planet.” “It is wholly appropriate that
Martin Cartwright Call: 0116 2874500 Mobile: 07850 707050
E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk Write to: Maverick House 10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ
Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY
stage in order to satisfy the planning policy at the outset only to renegotiate those figures downward if they actually deliver the site. The Borough Council is starting out from a position of significance disadvantage throughout the whole planning and delivery process. Our County faces tremendous development pressure but what must be taken into account by all involved is that many of us highly appreciate the countryside and all its benefits. It should be there for future generations to enjoy and not simply seen as a massive building site despite all the demands pressed on us.
Fairtrade Award Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council joins the 100 plus other councils around the country in declaring a climate emergency.” Seconding the motion Councillor Scott Gibbens said “Our residents, communities, businesses and partners have a vital role to play and we will look to work in close partnership with them to share resources and best practice. This motion I hope shows to our residents that we do care about the environment we live in.”
Borough Council PCIF Grants IN THIS year’s round of Parish and Community Initiative Fund grants, Groby has been awarded the funding below towards these three projects totalling £12,341.00: • New footpath – Groby Parish Council (Groby) Outline: The creation of a new footpath at Beacon Fields. £2,858.00 • Storage Facility– Groby Allotment Society (Groby) Outline: The installation of a storage facility for garden supplies for plot holders. £2,473.00 • Orchard Close Allotments – Groby Parish Council (Groby) Outline: repairs to the ancient wall around the allotments and resurfacing the allotment car park. £7,010.00
Rural Strategy Review THE RURAL Strategy Review being undertaken is going well with the following Parish Councils having been visited: • Carlton Parish Council • Barlestone Parish Council • Burbage Parish Council • Sutton Cheney Parish Council
• Higham on the Hill Parish Council • Peckleton Parish Council The following Parish Councils are also booked to be visited in due course: • Shakerstone Parish Council • Market Bosworth Parish Council • Groby Parish Council • Stanton under Baerdon • Earl Shilton • Witherley Parish Council
Lack of a 5 Year Housing Supply THE CONSERVATIVE Administration leave office without a 5 year Housing Supply leaving all areas of HBBC vulnerable to inappropriate and speculative development. The lack of infrastructure in all its forms, roads, schools, hospitals, surgeries and community facilities has become an increasing concern in recent years. Emphasis has been put on the need for this infrastructure to support further growth but what is of immediate concern to the people we represent is the congestion on our roads, the difficulties in finding school places and problems with obtaining doctors’ appointments and indeed appointments in hospitals. District Councils are doing their best to meet the 5 year housing land supply challenge, with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council not being able to demonstrate a 5 year housing supply record and housing delivery figures despite not being in control of the actual delivery once permission is granted with no tools in the Councils’ tool box to force developers to deliver the permissions granted. To add further insult developers are agreeing affordable housing numbers at the planning permission
PETITE CHOUETTE cafe bar on Regent Street in Hinckley has been announced as the Hinckley and Bosworth Fairtrade Retailer of the Year.
Mandatory School Keep clear restriction LEICESTERSHIRE County Council are proposing to formalise the school keep clear markings at the schools listed below by making them mandatory. The restriction will apply Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Sketchley Hill Primary School • Elizabeth Woodville Primary School - Glebe Road, Groby • Saint Peter’s Catholic Primary School • St Peter’s Primary Academy • Westfield Infant School • Barlestone Primary School • Redmoor High School • St Margaret’s Primary School • The Market Bosworth School • Barwell Infant School The school keep clear road marking is intended to highlight the key areas that should be kept clear for the safety of school children.
I am here to Help You Should you have any comments or problems you would like us to mention in our articles please get in touch. Please remember if we can ever be of service to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact us, our contact details are listed above.
Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change, Rural Issues & Klondyke Community Hub
I don’t know how to act my age because I’ve never been this old before.
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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July events at Groby WI Trip to Salford Quays DIDN’T WE have a lovely day, the day we went to Salford Quays, we certainly did! A group of WI members and guests set off for Salford Quays in Manchester on a very rainy Saturday morning but by the time we reached our destination, the sun was shining. We had time for a coffee before meeting at MediaCityUK for our tour of the BBC which gave us access into the fascinating world of broadcasting. We were able to stand in the studios which produce Mastermind, The Voice, Blue Peter, Dragons’ Den and many other iconic shows. I think we were all quite shocked at the studio where BBC breakfast is broadcast from in that it is really quite small, the red settee is actually quite shabby on close examination and the floor and walls are black. Cameras and lighting produce their magic and we see a very different view on our television screens each morning. Myself and another lady were lucky enough to take part in a ‘live’ news reading session, with Pat Sturgess doing the weather report and I think we all found it slightly stressful reading from the autocue and trying to be animated! The rest of the day was spent at leisure with the Lowry Centre, the Imperial War Museum and the shopping outlet at our disposal although it was also just pleasant enjoying a drink in the sunshine at the side of the canal watching the world go by.
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‘A Day In The Life Of A Milliner’, a talk by Louise Brooks
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THE SPEAKER at our July meeting was Louise Brooks, the owner and milliner from ‘Hats From The Hall’ which is based in Mountsorrel. After training Louise started her business offering a bespoke service to create a unique piece, whether it be a hat, a fascinator or a tiara. She then decided to share her passion with others and started to offer hat making workshops at her home studio. Louise has also been a tutor at the Women’s Institute’s prestigious Denman College on the art of millinery. These days we do not wear hats as often as in times gone by and the shape and style of hats has changed dramatically over the years, thinking back to the Edwardian ladies and the Sufferagettes who would wear hats that were up to three feet across and two feet high and were totally covered in feathers which did cause a problem for the bird population! Louise creates hats on a very personal level depending on the personality, shape and size of the client and the style of the occasion. She is practical when advising on the style of hat and her mission is for the client to be comfortable and stylish. Louise had some wonderful examples of her work expertly modelled by our President, Angela! There were fabulous felt cloche hats which are made from 100% wool and use only one piece of fabric. The other designs were hats made from two pieces of fabric to create a crown and a brim, the end result being much like our Queen wears, and then free form sculptural hats which allow the imagination to run wild! Apart from felt, the other material used for making hats is sinamay which is a banana leaf fibre and comes from the Philippines and has taken over from the more traditional use of straw and buckram. Louise bought a beautiful selection of feathers which included goose,ostrich and pheasant feathers that had been formed into interesting shapes and can be dyed to compliment the hats. Gems are also widely used as decorations. It was a brilliant talk and we were all able to have a ‘trying on session’ at the end which was great fun. I for one will be attending one of Louise’s workshops in the future! New members and visitors are always welcome.
Ruth Rolinson
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Martinshaw Primary School News WELL, IT’S THAT time of year again. I’m talking, of course, about the end of the school summer term when ‘big kids’ suddenly morph into ‘little kids’ and ‘little kids’ morph into ‘big kids’. Let me explain: the giants of Martinshaw’s year 6 move up to KS 3 and become the minnows of, in most cases, year 7 of Brookvale. Year 5’s are no longer the ‘also rans’ but take on the mantle of the school’s elder statesmen, with such perks as sitting on a bench in school assemblies. If they behave, of course. Year 2’s move out of KS1 up to KS 2, or in the ‘olden days’ junior school and ‘Early Years’ move into KS 1, or in old money, Infants School. Not forgetting our new arrivals into ‘Foundation Stage’ as they begin their 12 years or more learning journey, looking immaculate in their new school uniforms, clutching their blue book bags, which seem the size of suitcases. And our age demographic gets even younger now with the beginning of the new preschool starting at the age of three, but I’m sure there will be more about that in the weeks to come. Good luck to every single one of them.
Year 6/5 End of Year Production
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01530-244069 Email us at: info@ grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Compiled and published in the Parish of Groby & Field Head. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.
Pupils visited Manor Farm learning about where our food comes from, so what better place to visit than Manor Farm. The students handled and, of course, cuddled the small animals as part of the learning experience and still had time to frighten themselves in the ‘Spooky indoor Castle’ and avail themselves of all the various other amenities such as a climbing a wall and dressing up area.
Engineering Competition
THE PLAY chosen this year was the very challenging ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which deals with the efforts of a group of British school children to escape from the bombing in London during WW 2. With its long speeches and thought provoking songs, this was a really wonderful piece to showcase to parents the journey that had been travelled by the students over the last seven years. The story really starts with the children being prepared for war in their classrooms at school with the sounds of sirens and the historic speech from Neville Chamberlain declaring ‘We are at war’, continuing with scenes of the tearful children as evacuees and their various experiences in the country away from their families. The performance brought great credit to the children and the staff who pulled it all together after SAT’s with little time to rehearse
Manor Farm ONE OF EYFS’ themes for this term had been learning about farms, and Year 1
Groby & Field Head Spotlight
Consequently, four pupils from year 5 were chosen to represent the school at an Anti-bullying award ceremony. Prior to the ceremony they tried their hand at poetry writing and took part in team games. They were entertained by ‘Poet Laureate’ Spoz from Birmingham, who later presented the school with a well deserved Silver Certificate for their efforts.
Athletics YEARS 2 AND 5 took part in an engineering project. Year 2’s aim was to produce a model which could travel the furthest in a straight line while year 5’s aim was to produce a model which would not only travel forwards but also backwards. Four children from each year, with their models, attended a competition along with students from five other schools. They acquitted themselves very well, producing winners in each year group.
Anti Bullying THE SCHOOL is justifiably proud of its record on bullying.
THE SCHOOL sent a strong team to a new concept Athletics competition in Rugby. Only seven schools now take part, giving the opportunity for more athletes to compete with a shorter time between events. The school acquitted itself very well with a number of first, second and third individual places and were eventually placed overall second losing out by only two points to another Groby school who were placed first. I’ve said it before, but there must be something in the water in Groby that allows all our schools to succeed in so many sporting competitions.
Owen Lawrence
The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 14TH SEPTEMBER 2019 DEADLINE: 31st August 2019
The most important four words for a successful marriage: ‘I’ll do the dishes.’
Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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Heritage Open Days this September FAMILIES AND HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS will be able to attend a series of Heritage Open Days in Hinckley and throughout the borough this September. Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of culture and history that takes place over two consecutive weekends starting Thursday 12 September until Sunday 15 September and continuing Friday 20 September until Sunday 22 September. The scheme aims to open up access and insight to buildings not generally seen by the general public and includes a wide range of guided walking tours and exhibitions, events and activities that will appeal to families and history enthusiasts alike. The theme of this year’s Heritage Open Days is ‘People Power’; Then, Now, Always in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre and highlights the ways in which local communities have created positive change through the power of people. During the festival, a blue plaque will be unveiled in Baines Lane, Hinckley to commemorate John Sketchley who was a champion of the cause of the framework knitters in Hinckley when they were suffering social distress. The unveiling will take place at 11am
on Saturday 14 September and everyone is welcome to attend. Greg Drozdz, local historian and Vice Chairman of Hinckley & District Museum said: “The Heritage Open days are one of the best opportunities we have to explore, discover and celebrate our local heritage.” Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Town Centres at the Borough Council, Councillor Keith Nichols said: “I am very pleased to see this event return for two weekends this year. Hinckley and Bosworth has so much history and culture to offer and the festival provides an interesting insight to the history of our older buildings.” Events include: • The Atkins Heritage Tour, Saturday 14 September Booking is essential. To book a place email info@atkinsbuilding. co.uk or call 01455 247070 Other opportunities to explore and learn more about historic buildings and sites in the area include: • St James’s Church, Sutton Cheney - Thursday 12 September to Sunday 15 September and Friday 20 September to Sunday 22
September, open 9am until dusk. • St Peter’s Church, Higham on the Hill - Thursday 12 September to Sunday 15 September and Friday 20 September to Sunday 22 September, open during daylight hours. • St Peter’s Church, Witherley Friday 13 September to Sunday 20 September, 10am until 4pm. • St Margaret’s Church, Stoke Golding - Saturday 14 September 10am to 5pm and Sunday 15 September, 1pm until 5pm. • Hansom Cab in the Atkins Gallery Thursday 12 – Friday 13 September and Thursday 19 – Friday 20 September 9am to 4.30pm • Hinckley and District Museum – Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September and Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September • St Mary’s Church, Hinckley Tower Tours - Friday 13 to Saturday 14 September and Friday 20 to Saturday 21 September • The Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel, Baines Lane, Hinckley – Saturday 14 September • Castle Street, Hinckley, Saturdays 14 and 21 September
• Desford, St Martin’s Church – Saturday 14 September • Barton in the Beans Baptist Church – Saturday 21 September • And for those who love motor heritage, Hinckley BID are holding their 9th annual Motor Show throughout Hinckley Town Centre on Sunday September 15 from 10.30am to 4pm which is free to attend. Last year’s event attracted more than 800 vehicles of all shapes and sizes. All events are free to attend, booking required only where stated. A heritage booklet is available to download from the council’s website containing all the dates and locations of Heritage Open Days events at www.hinckleybosworth.gov.uk/heritage2019
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10/08/2019 Word Search Pu Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
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OLD GAMES Wordsearch FIND 12 TRADITIONAL GAMES OR ACTIVITIES in this issue’s Wordsearch puzzle, 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.
B R I T I S H B U L L D O G H T O
Z Q E Y M D Z T J U K L F U I Y F
Q G M U R A Q T Z A X J F A D V V
A S P B C I R P K L F D U K E F R
R K R P J Q P R D J R V B R A R X
S Y I I T K T V B W B Q S F N E S
G E T T A Y V X L U U U N L D N Y
G A L F E H T E R U T P A C S C A
To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - 12 games or activities that children ejoy taking part in. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). IMPORTANT: You must address your entry to: LET’S PLAY A GAME, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 31st August 2019. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out D X Z T R O G H S of the hat will win the prize. Good luck! N M N V E D N O R
U B H F C C U F M X M U E H S
F B R O L L D F K M D B E S N
Y T B A U Y A I N W N K K K O
N R H N M J I C L T I F O I M
K I E W N R B N I L L L L P I
Z S W F Q Y Z Q G S B O Y P S
I N I L O P M A R T U V F I U
P S C O T C H E H V Z M K N O
E K N O C K S Y T E H I J G Q
Here are the 12 GAMES OR ACTIVITIES you have to find:
BLIND MANS BUFF • BRITISH BULLDOG • MARBLES CAPTURE THE FLAG • CONKERS • FRENCH SKIPPING HIDE AND SEEK • HOPSCOTCH • KITE FLYING MUSICAL CHAIRS • SIMON SAYS • TRAMPOLINING Name: ................................................................................................. Address: ................................................................................................ .................................................................Postcode: .............................
CLOSING DATE: SATURDAY 31st August 2019
Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch Competition was:
Mrs Margaret Beer of Highfield Road, Groby
Congratulations! Your prize voucher will be sent to you soon.
Leicester BRITISHBULLDOG Sea Cadets offering more CAPTURETHEFLAG and more to the young people of Leicester CONKERS BLINDMANSBUFF
FRENCHSKIPPING
OVER THE last few months Leicester Sea Cadets has HIDEANDSEEK successfully HOPSCOTCH run a new national youth project through KITEFLYING Youth United Foundation (YUF) by opening its doors to MARBLES nine years olds for the first time ever.
MUSICALCHAIRS This means that anSIMONSAYS extra 30 local TRAMPOLINING children have been able to take advantage of adventures and Created by Puzzlemaker activities outdoors. The group also welcomes parents and other adults in the community to help out and all gain further qualifications together, such as Duke of Edinburgh Award, Royal Yachting Association qualifications, BTECs, and British Canoeing Awards. Richard de la Mare, Eastern Area Officer for Leicester Sea Cadets said: “We are absolutely delighted that with the support of the Youth United Foundation we have been able to extend the access of this project in Leicester. This important project has enabled more young people to be able to experience the adventures and activities outdoors, helping to equip them with the resilience, self-belief and social confidence needed to thrive in modern day life.” In October Leicester Sea Cadets will be running the National Citizen Service (NCS) Programme that welcomes 16- 17 year olds to join a project run in half term to feel challenged and engaged whilst taking part in the four-phase programme. Check Leicester Sea Cadets out on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ seacadetsleicesteruk, or visit them at 140 Ross Walk, Leicester LE4 5HH on a Tuesday or Thursday or call them on: 0116 266 2865 People are welcome to drop in to find out about the opportunities available with Sea Cadets, or contact Jemma Martin (Eastern Area Development Worker) jmartin@ms-sc.org or 07972 152889.
at DiscoveryEducation.com
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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2019 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk
Elizabeth Woodville School News Leavers’ Performance
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Bradgate Park calendar launch
WHAT HAPPENS when you combine blood thirsty pirates, kidnapping, treasure hunting and curry with a bunch of Year 6 children? A wonderful musical production of the Pirates of the Currybean is what you get! An hour long spectacle was put on by year 6 to celebrate the end of their time at Elizabeth Woodville. Crowds of over 300 people have watched the performances and the show has been getting rave reviews. The children thoroughly enjoyed putting the show together, showcasing the confidence and talents that they have gained during their time with us. We wish them all well in their future lives and who knows, maybe we will see some of them on the silver screen in the near future.
Welcome Chengdu Shifan Primary School WE WERE DELIGHTED to welcome Principal Ms. Huang Minjie from Chengdu Shifan Primary School to Elizabeth Woodville on Thursday 20th June. The visit began with a whole school assembly, pupils introduced themselves in Mandarin, sang songs and shared their favourite things about our school. We were overwhelmed by the generous gifts given to our school, which included beautiful embroidered art featuring the famous pandas from Chengdu. A tour of the school provided an insight into our curriculum approach, with pupils in each class sharing their learning from throughout the year with our distinguished visitors. There was also the opportunity for a Virtual Reality demonstration with Mr. McQuade and our Year 5 pupils showing how this has brought our history and geography learning to life! At the end of the tour, our Year 6 pupils presented Principal Minjie with a selection of our favourite story books chosen by every class. We hope the pupils at Chengdu Shifan Primary will enjoy them as much as we do! I would like to thank Mrs Coombes for her expert translation throughout the visit, which made this such an inspirational experience for our pupils. We look forward to a second year of curriculum exchange activities starting in the new academic year.
On Your Bike! ON FRIDAY 5TH JULY, the pupils of Year 6 took to the roads for a much awaited bike ride into the centre of Leicester.
A 2020 CALENDAR celebrating Bradgate Park has been officially launched by Bradgate Rotary. The event took place at the Stamford Arms in Groby on 10th July. Those attending the event included outgoing Bradgate Park Director, Peter Tyldesley; sponsors of the calendar; members of Bradgate Rotary; and members of Leicester Forest Photographic Society, who took the photographs for the calendar. This is the fourth year that Bradgate Rotary has produced a calendar for the Park, sales of which raise vital funds for Bradgate Park Trust. The calendar depicts scenes from the Park - landscapes, events and wildlife - through the different seasons. The calendar is available to purchase from Bradgate Park for £5. A Bradgate Rotary spokesperson said: “We’d like to give a special thanks to members of Leicester Photographic Society who took such great photographs, and to Groby Allotment Society, who supplied recipes inspired by locallygrown produce which are included in the calendar.”
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Around 400 children from across the county took part with Leicester City’s Filbert Fox leading the way to the cathedral. Pupils enjoyed using the skills they had learnt during the ‘Bikeability’ week and were amazed at the city’s cycle tracks that took them on a safe and enjoyable ride. Once in the city, the children were treated to a range of performances. Danny Butler, a mountain bike stunt rider, amazed everyone with Weekly in term time for children for 6’s to 14’s his jaw-dropping tricks. on Mon evenings, at 6.00pm or 7.45pm. We meet Every Saturday morning Comedian, Jay Foreman, had at the United Reformed Church on Chapel Hill. 10.00am—12.30pm everyone giggling and meeting Along with our work in schools, these are run by Filbert Fox is always a delight! the two churches in Groby under the group Alongside the fun and health name EXTEND. benefits of this trip, there was a CATCH meets for play, craft, story & serious climate message about the chat for pre-school children with a climate emergency we are facing. parent or carer 9.30-11.30am every Friday at Groby URC Chapel Hill The day opened our pupils’ eyes further for the needs for different forms of travel that are kinder to For further information please see websites and church magazines the environment. Fair Cuppa for FairTrade St. Philip and St. James Rector – Rev Ed Bampton 01162396520 www.grobychurch.org.uk The trip inspired many of our refreshments in fairly United Reformed Church Phil Holmes (Church Secretary) 0116 225 3335 pupils to encourage their friends traded mugs. www.grobyurc.com and family to take to the many cycle Every Thursday 10.30Youth, Children's & Families Colin Udall 07776 157511 colin.udall@ntlworld.com routes in Leicester for a fun-filled 12am at the Village Hall day.
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