AUGUST 2022 GROBY & FIELD HEAD SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight AUGUSTMID2022

Making DifferenceA

LOCAL RESIDENTS have a created a Crowdfunder.com page and by the 25th July had raised £2,290 towards the funds needed to oppose the development. Follow this link to donatedevelopmentswww.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/say-no-to-field-head-

Norman GriffithsThe Crowdfunder Page Image Rose Blayney (left) receiving her ‘Making a Difference’ Award from HBBC Mayor Dawn Glenville

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THE THREE PARISH COUNCILS affected by the proposal to build new homes between Markfield Lane and Leicester Road in Field Head have all had the opportunity to listen to residents and consider what to do next. Residents opposed to the planning application for 150 houses feel that professional help is essential, and Groby Parish Council has set aside £3,000 to help fund any payments to an appropriate planningNewtownexpert.Linford has also discussed similar funding, following an approach from Groby to share any legal costs. Around 20 residents attended their Council meeting on 13 July. Councillors agreed in principle to consider sharing the cost of a Planning Lawyer should it be felt necessary, but the amount involved would need agreeing by Council at a later date. The developers would like to have the Draft Charnwood Local plan amended to enable development of this site. Charnwood Councillor David Snarrt told the meeting that if the site was added to the Local Plan, planning permission would be more likely to be granted, however, as Charnwood cannot currently demonstrate a 5 year housing supply, they are left open to more piecemeal development. He said previous historic applications on adjacent land had been refused. Markfield Parish Council has asked for guidance before it considers the shared funding request from Groby, so it could be September before a decision is made.

Next Issue Out On 17th September • Advert & Article Deadline Is 3rd September DELIVERED FREE TO HOMES & BUSINESSES IN GROBY, FIELD HEAD & THE BRANTINGS GROBY & FIELD HEAD

Wendy Lemmon Liz Jarvis is a Groby Platinum Champion!

Award for Rose Blayney

WE ARE PROUD of our dear neighbour Elizabeth Jarvis who was nominated for and has received a Platinum Champions Award. This prestigious award recognises her dedication and outstanding voluntary service to the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and our community. Well done Liz; thoroughly deserved!

MY MUM, Rose Blayney, was nominated for HBBC’s “Making a Difference” Award. There were different categories on the day and Mum’s was Creating a Sense of Community. Mum was surprised to be nominated as she does things daily for people as well as running her Help for Heroes fundraising. Speaking of which she is about at the £2,000 mark. The Making a Difference event was held at Hinckley Rugby Ground where a light buffet lunch was served and all nominated people received an award with a personal inscription inside the presentation case. Mum is thrilled with her award and at the same time she says “she does it because it keeps her busy, she gets to see the lovely people of Groby and it keeps her out of trouble!” I love my Mum, her love of life and the pleasure she brings to others. She truly is one in a million!

Dawn Walker & Residents of Flaxfield Close, Groby £3,000 set aside to help opposition to Field Head housing proposal

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Premises search moves forward

THERE ARE MANY ways to describe how the NHS is structured. If you want one word then ‘complicated’ probably sums it up. If you prefer four words try ‘complicated and always evolving’. And because of the evolution Googling doesn’t always help as Google can sometimes appear like a confusing digital timeline, with many articles out of date. If you’d like a simple explanation and have 9 minutes to spare this You Tube video aimed at potential medics might be helpful - Googling PBR2NXodGhA seems to work. The video bridges the recent changes and the demise of Clinical Commissioning Groups. But watch it soon, before everything changes again.

THE 2022 NATIONAL Patient Customer Satisfaction Survey of 6,418 surgeries across England has been completed and Groby surgery should be pleased with the findings. Despite the handicap of an 18th century listed building it has actually performed better than nearly 4,000 other surgeries, coming in at number 2,725 in the ‘league table’. There were 18 questions for patients to answer, and the surgery scored above the national average in 13, and the same as the national average in 1.

From Norman Griffiths Groby Surgery

‘No mow May’ encourages gardeners not to mow their lawn during that month, in order to let wildflowers bloom and provide a nectar feast for pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies, moths and beetles. As a family we’ve been finding lots of ways to become more environmentally positive, reduce waste and plastic, recycle, save energy, grow our own veg and buy green. So, the idea of extending our mission into the garden really appealed. At first, we didn’t see much difference, but by the end of the month I noticed there were more visitors to the garden, bees, beetles, hedgehogs and more. Excited by this, we let the grass continue to grow on into June. Eventually it reached two feet high and produced seed heads, that’s when we saw the birds, lots of birds, some who’d not visited the garden before, goldfinches, families of sparrows all kinds of tit and even some birds I couldn’t identify. The strange thing is, our garden is not that big, so it made me think, what if we all did ‘No mow May’ what sort of difference would that make? This little experiment inspired us, we went on to build bee hides, insect houses, a hog house, bird boxes and even a bat box. It just goes to show we can all do our bit, give it a try next year, even if you just want an excuse for a few weeks, not to mow the grass! Roxanne Dinsdale Do you know of anyone living in Groby who might benefit from FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

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THEN consider the Thomas Herbert Smith’s Trust Fund. The Fund provides and supports with the object of improving the conditions of life for inhabitants of Groby. It has interests in social welfare by providing facilities for the aged and poor or those who are sick or in distress. It also considers applications involving recreation and other leisure-time activities. So who was Thomas Herbert Smith? Well, he was a Groby businessman, who died in 1961 after which a charitable trust was set up from his Estate with Waims interpreted to assist individuals or groups who are experiencing hardship in one or more of the ways listed above. So if you know of a Groby resident or group who might benefit from the Trust please let the Clerk to the Trustees, who administers the fund on a day-to-day basis, know by telephoning 01162 835345 or by e mailing andrew_york@sky.com or by post at 6 Magnolia Close, Leicester, LE2 8PS and he will help with making the application.

Meeting disappointment head-on. Or as I like to call it, waking up.

Druck Limited – 50th year celebrations Supporting Action Homeless and LOROS

Good result in the National Survey

Understanding the NHS structure

Where the GRASS grows I HEARD on the radio in April this year, about ‘No mow May.’ If like me you don’t know what that is, it’s a campaign first launched in 2019 by the botanical charity Plant life.

DRUCK IS CELEBRATING its 50th birthday this year and the company wants to continue its support to chosen local charities, Action Homeless and LOROS. Action Homeless are also celebrating their 50th year, so a fundraising push has been the focus. LOROS has also been supported by Druck for many years and they will be onsite raising funds on a celebration day in September. Druck hopes to raise lots of money for two very worthwhile charities. Druck is organising a raffle to support Action Homeless and is appealing to local businesses to donate raffle prizes. The raffle will be drawn in early September, therefore if any donations could be coordinated with Druck’s representative Debra.Farmer@ bakerhughes.com they will be gratefully received.

THE PARTNERS AT Groby surgery haven’t given up the search for a suitable site for a modern heathcare facility, and have approached the Parish Council for help. At the August Parish Council meeting members agreed to meet with Dr Chotai to discuss the problem.

QUESTION: Want to know the difference between the Bermuda Triangle and the Golden Triangle? Then Google Grobylinx triangle, follow the link to Grobyonline and then the link to the I M Properties Employment Park proposal.

GROBY POSTAL WORKER SIMON TO WALK 50KM FOR ADAPT CHARITY

Chris Davies and Mary Pringle Churches Together in Groby

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON: 17th September 2022 3rd September

THIS YEAR to help raise funds for Adapt, the hospital based charity which supports premature and poorly babies at the LRI and General hospital, I am undertaking a 50 km walk in London. With the easing of restrictions it seems the best option to join an organised event which will be held over the weekend 10th to 11th September 2022.

Sue Williams, ADAPT Development Co-ordinator, said “When the COVID pandemic hit the Midlands all our events and activities had to be cancelled. Sponsored walks organised by parents, local tombolas, cake sales, local shows where we could sell new and nearly new items were stopped and whilst we were no different to other local charities this made a huge huge difference to our funds. As a local charity, ADAPT Prembabies rely solely on donations and grants as we get no funding from the Government or the NHS. The COVID pandemic also had a profound effect on the neonatal units where only one person was allowed on the neonatal units to visit their new baby. This was a very difficult time for not only the parents but also the grandparents, siblings and friends of the family. This made the support we gave to parents even more needed and we did whatever we could to try and help parents and families through this very rough time but also being very conscious of the fact that the more we were needed the more we had to watch our finances with applyingthrough,ourmuchnothingcomingway.Butwebattledfor every COVID grant going and delightedwere to be awarded two small grants to help keep us afloat. Now that COVID is settling and organisations and charities like us can start and move forward again, we are absolutely delighted that Simon is able to continue fundraising for Adapt. All my fund raising events have always received fantastic support during the last 15 years from family, friends, residents of Groby and Royal Mail for which I am extremely grateful. Hopefully, this year’s challenge will be just as successful. If you would like to sponsor me then please catch me on my post round in Groby or pop into Groby Post Office. For more information to donate to Adapt call Sue Williams, Trustee, on 01455 459523 / 07739 504783 or visit www.prembabies.co.uk. Simon Moore LOROS Singers looking for new members LOROS Singers are recruiting new members. Come and join our choir - no previous experience required - you need just to enjoy singing. We are a ladies’ choir comprised of staff, former staff, volunteers and friends. We perform in and around Leicester & Leicestershire at fundraising concerts for LOROS and other events. We meet most Wednesdays at 5.00pm—6.15pm at St Anne’s Church Hall. Letchworth Road, LE3 6FN. If you are interested, please contact Judy Dodd, musical director on 0116 285 6217.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk4 If time is money, then how come someone like me who has all the time in the world is still broke? Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 Email01530-244069Telephone9ZTusat: grobyspotlight.co.ukinfo@ Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings. Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press releases, events, general items of interest and news items submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs and local authorities. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/ or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

Christian Aid Week

DEADLINE:

Thank you everyone for helping in this way, it makes a real difference to some of world’s poorest people who are suffering from the effects of climate change. Money raised will help provide better water supplies, seeds and training in how to cultivate drought resistant crops.

THANK YOU Groby for your generosity and support for Christian Aid Week 2022. A massive £4,270.49 was raised with a further £777.67 being raised through gift aid. Of this total £780 was donated via our Justgiving page and the rest via the red envelopes which were delivered to every home in the village.Over30 homes in the village were drop off points for postersdisplayingdonations,intheir windows. Also local businesses Classic Cuts Hairdressers, Chaplin’s Butchers and Laundon Way Co-op were drop off points again, and Groby Library was a first time drop off point too.

JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR, one of the most famous people 25th talk He will be the latest in famous from the gardening world who have been to the village in recent years. Most people will recognise James from his appearances on television, presenting on Gardeners’ World and the Chelsea Flower Show. Wearing his iconic hat, he is instantly recognisable to those of us who love gardening. He first made his reputation as a garden designer and his work can be seen all over the country and overseas. He is especially known in the USA and regularly appears at events over there. He has written articles in gardening publications for many years and is a published author. He is often seen at shows such as Gardeners’ World Live presenting on a variety of gardening topics, often accompanying Monty Don. We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious person in the gardening world to our Gardening Club. We are opening up this event to members of other gardening clubs and to people who love gardening and would wish to hear him speak, There are a limited number of tickets available to nonmembers of our club for only £15 and they can be obtained from the club secretary at 32couling@gmail.com or by phoning 01530 242452. Tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis and are available now. We are sure this will be a splendid evening and we are all looking forward to it. David Couling

called ‘Dancing with Borders.’

in modern horticulture will be visiting Newtown Linford on October

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The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA are proud to host the 13th annual Cllr Awards honouring the achievements of individual councillors who go above and beyond for their communities. This year’s categories showcase the vital work of councillors including the coveted Community Champion, Leader of the Year and Young Councillor of the Year awards.Nominations can be made by anyone (members of the public, councillors and council officers) who would like to recognise a at Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester. Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use for single storey side extension car port - at 7 White House Close, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GW

immythefamilybusinessleicester PIERCINGSBODY • Private & Sterile Studio • Fully trained & Qualified • Best prices outside of the city centre Book in for your appointment today! Studio based at: 188A Groby Road, LE3 9EB, Leicester Find me on your socials Facebook: immythefamilybusinessleicester Instagram: immythefamilybusinessleicester@ Too much to fit in this month - but look online for a SURPRISE! WITH A TWO month gap since the last issue, the amount of content sent to me is far too much to include in this issue. BUT ... fear not. The extra information has been put together in my online-only magazine called SURPRISE.Ifyou’dlike to view it, there will be a link to it on the Spotlight website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

A KNITTING MACHINE is a device used to create knitted fabrics in a semi or fully automated fashion. Leicestershire Machine Knitters are a group of ladies - and Bob - who meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month 10 am to 1 pm at Lcil West End Neighbourhood Centre, Andrewes Street (off Hinckley Road) Leicester, LE3 5PA. We have a planned programme where tuition and support are given. Perhaps you have a knitting machine in your ‘loft‘ and feel that it needs to be used again. This is an opportunity to dig it out and regain your skills from many years ago. Or perhaps it is a new hobby that you wish to explore; we can give advice about different types of machine and try the clubs machines before you buy. For further information, please contact Club secretary Susan Marlow on 0116 2365789, or email: susanmarlow47@btinternet.com or visit our website www.leicestershiremk.org.uk

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk6 I’m always astounded by the things my wife thinks I want to hear about. VINYLWANTEDRECORDS ALBUMS & SINGLES IN GOOD CONDITION ALL GENRES CONSIDERED WHOLEPURCHASEDCOLLECTIONS RING JOHNNY ON 07941 237223 or strawdog33@hotmail.comemail: Planning Apps Leicestershire Machine Knitters

your leading

Mike Wilkinson

Machine knitting saves a considerable amount of time but does require learning to operate the machines correctly. Most if not all hand knitting patterns can be worked up on a machine, either identically or in a similar design, but some are simpler to do by hand, whilst others are easier on a machine. Hand knitting patterns are designed to flip the fabric on every row so that the knitter consistently uses the dominant hand. However, machine knitting is consistently knit with the fabric facing the same way. Flat bed machines knit back and forth and circular machines knit continuously in the round.

“Councillors and councils are key to keeping the machinery of everyday life going, ensuring the most vulnerable in the community are looked after and making sure the places where we live and work are thriving, safe and inclusive. “Much of the work done by elected members is behind the scenes, which is why we created the Cllr Awards back in 2010. Our local democracy and our local democratic structures are stronger because of our councillors. We look forward to seeing a record number of nominations this year and getting to know the many inspiring stories behind them.”

Who

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THE ONLY NATIONAL awards ceremony celebrating the work of councillors across England and Wales has officially launched its call for nominations.

and

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU, said: “From how our towns look to the home care we receive and the funding of much valued community projects, the work of councillors is felt across all of our lives on a daily basis.

councillor who has made a real difference to their area over the last year. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday 7 September with the shortlist due to be unveiled at the end of September. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges made up of senior councillors and officers and leading stakeholders from across the sector. On Thursday 20 October the winner will be revealed at the annual awards ceremony taking place at the Roman Baths and Guildhall with 2022 hosts Bath & North East Somerset Council. It will be held as a hybrid event with virtual link ups to the live ceremony.

Nominations officially open for Cllr Awards 2022 are councillors?

7ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE Enjoy reading the Spotlight? If so, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. It’s great to share! Women are smarter than men, but men have the advantage of not knowing this. There’s no need to replace the whole windowwe will replace the glass unit forJustyou.callour small, friendly firm - whether it’s one window or a full house - with approximate sizes, and we’ll give you a price OVER THE PHONE or a free call out if you prefer. Window Services Repair & Replacement Specialists: Est. 1982 167a Dominion Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8JB 0116Telephone/Fax:2875395 Are your double glazed windows STEAMED UP or MISTY? WindowsAluminiumPVCuRepairstoALLand&Doors FREEandPersonalDELIVERYwithService“AskAboutourSameDay/NextDayInstallationRemovalService”We are pleased to announce that we are now agents for A.W.E Kitchens and Bedrooms Who specialise in Bespoke made to measure kitchen & bedroom furniture Please call in for further details ANSTEY ZWF845B4PWZANUSSI Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 8kg Load Capacity E Rated 2yr Guarantee 14 Programmes LWF174310WBlomberg Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7Kg Load Capacity 28 Min Fast Full Load 16 Programmes D Rated WAJ28008GBBOSCH Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7kg Load Capacity D ExpressRated Wash 15 Programmes WEC84P64E2WBEKO Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 8kg Load Capacity A Rated Fast WhiteWashes NSWE743UWSHOTPOINT Washing Machine 1400rpm Spin Speed 7kg Load Capacity D Rated 45min Rapid Wash White FAST FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Fitted KitchensBEKOCIFY81X Built-In Single Oven 5 AStainlessFan66FunctionsLtrOvenAssistedSteelRated Hard floor cleaning On site curtain cleaning Rugs, including oriental and antique All types of upholstery, especially leather RUGS - we are CLEANING SPECIALISTS traditional Persian or Chinese, Gabbeh or Kilim, we even love Wiltons and Shaggy ones! 01530 244900 ■ 07825 795558 wwstuart@theprofessionalcarpetcleaner.co.ukw.sjscarpetcleaners.co.uk CHECK OUT QUALITY OF OUR SERVICE ON SJS GOOGLE REVIEWS FOR BOTH LEICESTER AND LOUGHBOROUGH DREAMING AHEAD OF TIME: Experiences with Precognitive Dreams, Synchronicity and Coincidence

By Gary writerRENOWNEDLachmanesotericGaryLachman has been recording his own precognitive dreams for forty years. In this unique and intriguing book, Lachman recounts the discovery that he dreams ‘ahead of time’, and argues convincingly that this extraordinary ability is, in fact, shared by all of us. Dreaming Ahead of Time is a personal exploration of precognition, synchronicity and coincidence drawing on the work of thinkers including J.W. Dunne, J.B. Priestly and C.G. Jung. Lachman’s description and analysis of his own experience introduces readers to the uncanny power of our dreaming minds, and reveals the illusion of our careful distinctions between past, present and future.

It is National Allotments Week from 8th to 14th August and apart from promoting the benefits of having allotments with regard to good fresh food, lots of free exercise and the benefit of making some new friends and having a new hobby, there is also the opportunity to encourage wildlife and biodiversity, by helping the good beasties keep the bad beasties at bay! We will also be holding a mini version of the Produce Show, with some interesting categories and for the children there will be a nature trail, a compost safari to see how many beasties they can find, as well as a colouring competition, face painting and a kids bran tub! Check out the flyers around the allotments for timings. Hope to see you there!

GROBY SCARECROW FESTIVAL on September 24th and 25th September will have a theme of “Films” Readers of Spotlight voted overwhelmingly for this year’s theme, “Films”. Over 70 scarecrows were entered in last year’s competition and organisers are hoping to attract over 100 entries this September. Main organiser, Brian Rigby said “With this being the second year of the competition we would love to break over the 100 mark to make the Scarecrow Trail bigger and better. At a cost of only £5 households and organisations in Groby can join in the fun and possibly win a prize. Free straw will be again available at the Stamford Arms from September 10th, to make it even easier to build your scarecrows and enter.” For all information and entry details follow Bradgate Rotary on the website, Facebook and Twitter. Pic Scarecrow.JPG ReLoved Sale and Craft Fair on September 24th in Groby Village Hall

Allotments Open Day ON TO MORE optimistic things – we are holding our Allotments Open Day on Sunday 14th August from 10am to 4pm. I realise that by the time many of you read this article, our Open Day may well be over, but if not, do come along and see what we have toWeoffer!will have our usual stalls, with refreshments and food offerings, but we will also be having guided tours around the Ratby Road site, giving you a historypottedofallotmentsingeneralandoursinparticular.Wewillalso have a Master composter with us who will be holding a Compost Help Desk and also demonstrating how to make a plant liquid feed. If you bring along a bottle, you may be able to take some home with you! You can also find out about renting a plot if you are keen to grow some of your own fruit and vegetables – they really do taste amazing when they are eaten really fresh!

My wife treats me like a god. She barely notices I exist until she wants something.

When you next take a walk through Bradgate Park look out for the six new benches just off the main thoroughfare through the Park. The benches have been strategically placed following feedback from park visitors that they needed more places to rest. The seats have been funded by money you donated when purchasing your yearly Bradgate Park Calendar. The 2023 Calendars should be available from September. Pic BR Benches.JPG Bringing colour to School

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk8

A small team of Bradgate Rotarians helped apply a much-needed lick of paint to the picket fence around Martinshaw School, in preparation of pupils returning at the end of the summer holidays. Pic Paint.jpg Making a difference in your community – new members are welcome! We are a Breakfast Club that take a keen interest in the community, the environment, and local causes. Visit a Bradgate Rotary breakfast meeting to see what can achieve with some help. Email your contact details to Adrian Walker –walk77a@yahoo.com and we’ll be in touch. Adrian Walker

Will we have a drought? WE ALWAYS complain about the weather don’t we, and it has been very hot recently but what worries all gardeners is that is has been so dry for such a long time. We had a dry Winter, followed by a dry Spring and now a dry Summer. On the allotments many of us collect rainwater to water our plants because we don’t want to waste precious resources but also because rainwater is very good for plants. However, this year, most of us have found that our water butts have either run dry or are almost empty and so our plants and the harvest is suffering. I have lost a few plants altogether with this heat and lack of rainfall. I’ve had some lovely, tasty butfromraspberriesmyplot,they have been very small this year, and most of my plants are not as tall as they usually are as I don’t water them once they have become established. Perhaps the government needs to officially declare a drought and appoint a minister for drought? Last time I recall that happening was in 1976 and a few weeks later we had such torrential rain that the minister had to be renamed as the minister for floods! Here’s hoping! Loss of produce THIS IS VERY sad to relate but quite a lot of our allotmenteers have reported that they have had produce stolen from their plots over the last few weeks. This ranges from beetroot, spring onions and beans to courgettes. It is so depressing that someone thinks it is okay to steal produce that a person has been carefully tending as soon as it is ready to harvest. Especially this year, when prices are so high in the shops, many of us are more reliant than ever on the crops that we grow to help us through. I think it is very mean-spirited to act in this way. We often have excess vegetables and fruit on offer at our Open Shed Sunday events, and if someone is severely hard-up, they could always approach us to see if we can send out a general request for any excess harvest produce, or they could come and rent a plot and grow their own fruit and vegetables - we deliberately keep our rental prices low so that they are affordable for everyone.

Carol Lincoln

Allotments NewsBradgate Rotary News

With money so tight for everyone, especially families, it makes so much sense to recycle and reuse children’s toys, clothes, and equipment. The Reloved Event being held in Groby Village Hall will come as a great relief to parents’ pockets as we start to head into autumn and on to the Festive EachPeriod.room in Groby Village Hall will be packed with stalls selling Children’s unused or unwanted clothes, toys, as well as local stallholders and crafters selling eco-friendly crafts, gadgets, and re-claimed items. Bradgate Rotary are also looking for good quality toys, baby equipment and clothes that people would like to sell or donate for the September event. The Club can store items or organise to see what people have so they can be priced ready to sell. Refreshments will be available and with entry for adults only £1, with accompanied children being free this eagerly awaited event shouldn’t be missed. Opening will be at 10.00am and finish at 4.00pm. Funds raised will be donated to Baby Basics and other Rotary charities. For further details contact 07813 623873 Pic -ReLoved.jpg

Bradgate Benches

All the filming was carried out in the grounds at Stoneywell and there was not any filming inside the cottage. Also some of the filming was carried out by overhead drone and the drone operator made a point of telling the Stoneywell staff that the results were some of the best sequences he had ever filmed.

BBC ONE Daytime has announced a new programme, “Make it at Market”, to be presented by The Repair Shop’s Dom Chinea. It will be broadcast in 15 x 45 minute episodes and should be on our screens this autumn, during the afternoon.

• THE NATIONAL TRUST Leicester Association has a guided walking tour of Desford and a private visit to the Romany Museum in Stamford in early September before moving onto its winter programme of afternoon and evening meetings with a speaker and its lecture lunches.

The series features a wide mix of approximately 80 amateurs, ranging from potters, blacksmiths and weavers to woodworkers, jewellers and furniture makers, from across the UK. The head of BBC Daytime said that the programme reveals the extraordinary skills that, with a helping hand, people can use to change the course of their lives. Do watch the programme schedules to see when the programme will be screened.

Alan Tyler, Publicity Officer

er valid for openings up to

Stoneywell Cottage is now open again to the general public every Friday to Monday, until the end of October. All visits still have to be pre booked either on line at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell or by telephoning 0344 2491895

wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manual override.

For details of the NT Leicester Association please call 0116 222 9133 or visit our web site at www.leicesternt.com New members are always welcome.

The whole series has now been filmed in a very busy five days at our local NT property, Stoneywell Cottage, at Ulverscroft. In fact, after the initial editing, the team returned to Stoneywell for another two days for some extra filming.

9ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE Honey, do you have anything you’d like to say before the football season starts? FROM JUST PER MONTH* *Based on 5 annual treatments with a lawn size up to 40m2 when paying by Direct Debit £7.50 HELP YOUR LAWN TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE Over the last 35 years our love for lawns has continued to grow. We combine our passion and enthusiasm with innovative technology and dedicated customer service as we continue to revolutionise UK Lawn Care. Our ground-breaking Lawn Treatment Programmes keep your grass looking its best all year round, ensuring your lawn receives the love and attention it deserves. Email: leicestershirewest@greenthumb.co.uk Call: 0116 269 4019 Visit: greenthumb.co.uk Joi n our natio n of Law n Lovers Get an instant free quote at STARTgreenthumb.co.uk/measureYOURLAWNCAREJOURNEY TODAY Contact us today to discuss our innovative Lawn Treatment Programmes National Trust Leicester Association Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge. CALL US TODAY ON: 0116 340 0225 MOBILE: 07537 149 128 WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS garagefifor£895£895From*afullyttedelectricdoor.

*O 2.4m

The programme sees Dom Chinea working with a team of business and craft experts to help a group of budding entrepreneurs make a living from their crafting hobby. The team set challenges to assess if the amateurs had what it takes to make a living from their talents and to work out what kind of business model might work best for them in the real world.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk10 I may not be the only egomaniac in the world, but I am the only one who matters.

produce more in-depth analysis that will be released periodically online and in the Spotlight magazine. Groby NeighbourhoodParish Plan Steering Group PAINTERPROFESSIONAL&DECORATOR • All types of work undertaken • No job too big or small • Specialist in preparing all types of surfaces • Indoor and outdoor painting undertaken • Painting contracts undertaken Tel: 07377 505071 Email:@outlook.comrobertrowlett2020 All COVID Guidelines Adhered To. 20 Years Experience All Work Guaranteed FREE No-Obligation Quote & Advice PAINTERPROFESSIONAL&DECORATOR • All types of work undertaken •

Everything is wonderful My face in the mirror isn‘t wrinkled or drawn. My house isn‘t dirty, the cobwebs are gone. My garden looks lovely and so does my lawn. I think I might never put my glasses back on.

• Increased value through scarcity

from

Some Important Views

of

Group are

Quote & Advice Unique Walnuts A

• Appreciation of separation between settlements Feeling of nostalgia • Connection with the past Connection with nature

•

• Contrast with heavy traffic on the three main roads Neighbourhood Plan Neighbourhood Plans can identify important views to be protected. Responses to the survey confirmed that the ability to view significant green space around them, in the form of the green wedge, is important for health and happiness.

your

The Groby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will use the views nominated by respondents to the community survey as the basis of further investigation for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan. Survey

•

THE VIEW of Bradgate Park is the view most enjoyed by Groby Parish residents based on the responses we received to the recent community survey. We asked residents to identify any important local views and to explain why they were special. We received 635 responses to this question and not surprisingly for such an open question, the results proved to be a diverse and rich resource. Bradgate Park received 285 mentions including references to ‘Bradgate Hills’ and ‘Old John’ (in fact it is the War Memorial in Bradgate Park that is most easily seen from Groby village with Old John Wood obscuring Old John Tower). Groby Pool was the second most popular view with 179 mentions. Because Groby village and Bradgate Park are both elevated, the view of Bradgate Park was identified from many parts of the village and from The Brantings, Groby Lodge, the A50 and the A46. Groby Pool can only really be viewed close up. Many respondents identified views from their bedroom window or from their garden and while these are important to those individuals, the neighbourhood plan must concern itself with public views. Other views of note included ‘Anstey’ (93 mentions), ‘Rothley Brook Meadow Green Wedge’ (66 mentions) and ‘Fields with Wind Turbines’ (42 mentions). These, as well as some other views, may have received increased nominations due to the threat posed by the ‘Groby Employment Park’ proposal. With no local common name, it was easiest for respondents to refer to the fields between Sheet Hedges Wood and Anstey as the ‘Fields with Wind Turbines’ although some respondents thought that the wind turbines were iconic of Groby and added to the quality of the view. Groby parish residents appear to value views and vistas of the countryside (typified by fields and woodland) wherever it might be. Why are Important?they Perhaps the majority of respondents appeared to be identifying places they valued or liked to visit rather than views they liked to see and understandably, it is difficult to separate the two. Common themes when explaining the importance of views:

• Beauty • Sense of calm, peace, and space • Benefit to mental health and wellbeing

Community

Full results from the community survey are available to download uk/neighbourhood-planhttp://www.groby.org.or in the Parish Council in Groby Community Library. The Steering working to No No-Obligation HANDFUL of walnuts may help reduce feelings hunger. Walnuts are unique among nuts in that they are mainly comprised of polyunsaturated fats, which help decrease ghrelin, a hormone that increases hunger. They also seem to increase peptide YY (PYY), a hormone that increases fullness or satiety.Asappetite hormones play an important part in regulating how much you eat, this could be good news. As one scientist says, walnuts “may favourably change appetite hormones so that we can feel fuller for longer.”

job too big or small • Specialist in preparing all types of surfaces • Indoor and outdoor painting undertaken • Painting contracts undertaken Tel: 07377 505071 Email:@outlook.comrobertrowlett2020 All COVID Guidelines Adhered To. 20 Years Experience All Work Guaranteed FREE

for reference as paper copies

Offices and

• the person is rushing to get to the toilet during the day or at night

• home maintenance work is being carried out balancing on a ladder. Many everyday tasks are done on ‘autopilot’ but as we get older the time comes to switch the autopilot off and take extra care as we move around the home.

Norman Griffiths to Move is first its kind UK,

• the lighting in the room is dim

Apparently a fall is more likely to happen if:

the

• rugs or carpets are not properly secured

Info:ForWhere?When?more Love

Laura Dodds, the Prescriber at Groby and Glenfield surgeries, explained that it’s “taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing It’s help which doesn’t come in a tube or a bottle, to help manage people’s needs in a way which suits them. I have helped people through a host of life’s challenges such as carer strain, bereavement, loneliness & isolation, help navigating adult social care, unemployment and benefit help or just help to join a new group or activity.”

• floors are wet, such as in the bathroom, or recently polished

cognitive enhancement exercise programme of

If these sessions can reduce the risk of falling, they’ll be well worth the time spent at the Community Centre. Although most falls don’t result in serious injury there’s always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones and attendance at A&E. A fall can also result in a loss of confidence and feeling that you have lost your independence.

in the

based on scientific research. Groby Community Centre Forest Rise Groby LE6 0BD An engaging seated exercise programme designed to improve balance, co ordination, strength, cognition and wellbeing. Physical and emotional benefits designed to get you moving more. Hazel 07817303018 Wednesdayhappyhome07@hotmail.co.uk11.1512.15 LOVE TO MOVE Landscape Design & Build Local Professional Experienced and Trusted Contact us for a free Quote 0116 2313043 – 07383 844161 If you are looking for a complete new design or just in need of some hard landscaping. Patios, Decking, Sleeper work, Brick or Stone walls Planting, Turfing, Water features, Fencing And much more... Friendly Badminton Club Requires Players at Brookvale Groby Learning Trust, Ratby Road, Groby. Wednesdays 7pm-9pm Tel: 0116 267 5800

• the person reaches for storage areas, such as a cupboard or is going down stairs

11ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE It takes 43 muscles to frown, and yet it’s still not an Olympic event. Ridiculous. Make a date: Saturday 23rd July, 2022 - The GREAT GROBY LITTER PICK - SEE PAGE 15 FOR DETAILS Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com We can take care of every detail, advise and help you on each and every step of the way. Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of your own home if preferred. 0116 234 0548 • Qualified Funeral Directors • Floral Tributes arranged • Hearse, Limousines and alternatives available • Monumental Service • Car parking available • Online tribute and donation profile • Catering suite • Chapels of rest • Funeral plans available • 24 hour service Community Centre sessions aimed at helping the elderly avoid falls WITH ALL the pressures on the NHS, the last place people want to be is stuck in a queue at A&E at the Royal Infirmary. Falls are infuriating, partly because a proportion of them are avoidable. Elderly people are more likely to fall : over the course of a year half of those over 80 will have at least one fall. It’s a little less if you include those between 65 and 80, but it’s still So it’s sensible to think about the risks and consider what you can do to keep you on your feet and off the floor. And that should include considering joining one of the two new groups that have started at the Groby Community Centre on Forest Rise on Wednesdays by Hazel Adcock to help improve peoples wellbeing. Steady Steps is to improve balance and strength for over 65’s, for those who have had a fall or have fear of falling. The group meets on On Wednesday mornings, at 11.30am, Love to Move is an age and dementia friendly seated movement programme unlike any other. The programme has its roots taken from gymnastics and uses specially designed coordination and bilaterally asymmetrical movement patterns( BAMP) which are thought to have the effect of increasing a person’s cognitive reserve. If you are trying to work out what exactly that means, this explanation of BAMP was found on the internet : “You will be aware that the right side of your brain controls the left side of your body and vice versa. When you make a movement that is not symmetrical i.e. one movement on one side and something completely different on the other, the brain hemispheres are forced to work independently. When challenged like this, the neural pathways fire up and your brain’s cognitive function is getting a workout.” It’s a serious business, but no doubt there are some laughs along the way to lighten things up. Patients at Groby, Glenfield and Ratby surgeries are welcome to attend, if you are interested just contact the surgery you normally attend and ask for a referral. Promoting activities like this is one part of the role of the Social Prescriber at your surgery.

IM ProposalsProperties WORK WILL continue over the coming months on the two sites by IM Properties to carry out the requirements needed in order to be able to submit a planning application only the landowner can stop these works. The fact that these works and surveys are happening does mean that it looks more likely than not that IM Properties are working up a planning application as per the consultation events they held despite Groby and surrounding villages residents expressing a very clear view that they were not supportive of their proposals.

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS FROM COUNCILLOR MARTIN CARTWRIGHT Tel: 0116 287 4500 Mob: 07850 707050 E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk

Hello Homes –Highway Close Groby

Congratulations to Award winners from Groby:

Hinckley & Bosworth Making a Difference Awards

Each year

I want to make clear to all Groby residents that both I, Cllr Martin Cartwright and my Administration at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, that the IM Properties proposals scheme is not a scheme that the Borough Council’s administration is supporting in the local plan 2021 - 2036. I do not support the change of use of this land from farming, agriculture to industrial units. Much more information than I can publish here is available in my IM Properties E-Mail updates. The latest of which has just been released, Update 4 - August 2022Ifyou wish to be kept updated by being added to the communication list please: co.uk.grobyproposals@appliancehome.E-Mail:

Company:thenetworksGrobymast15.0mTelecommunicationsPhase8monopoleatRatbyRoad,byCKHutchinsononbehalfofTelecommunicationThree.

The proposed site is the corner of the entrance to the lay-by opposite Brookvale Campus directly across the road from 192 Ratby Road, Groby. The mast will be located across the road to the right of Woodbank Road when looking out of the entrance to Woodbank Road. As you exit Groby on Ratby road as you enter the first of the road humps the mast will be to your left at that point. As ward member I have tried to engage with the consultants but as I write this article they have not returned my calls or e-mails.

HBBC Mayor Dawn Glenville presented the awards.

DURING CERTAIN times of the year the overgrown area in front of the site causes a risk to the safety of pedestrians and road users. Why? The land overgrown in the picture above that creates the health and safety issue by way of the removal of visibility splay for pedestrians and vehicles. This land is owned by Leicestershire County Council Highways but was used by the developer Hello Homes during the construction stage of the homes.

Cllr Martin Cartwright Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward. Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, Climate Change & Rural Issues Call: 0116 287 4500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk

• ROSE BLAYNEY (right) – CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY Award

again the issue arose this year, as it did last year, it was only with the efforts of the residents and myself that the overgrowth has been removed, thereby again removing the hazard, for now!

Potential 5G Mobile Phone Mast – Ratby Road, Groby STAKEHOLDERS have been advised that a planning application is in preparation for submission to the planning authority for the installation of a 5G

More details will become available once a planning application is submitted to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council in the meantime it would be good to receive your views on this. E-mail mast@ appliancehome.co.uk

The part you see cut in the photograph was cut out of good will by EMH homes contractors for free, as they too were concerned that someone could potentially be seriously hurt. We can’t, and should not have to rely upon their goodwill to keep people safe, still we are very grateful for their efforts.

Also - please see the article about ROSE BLAYNEY on page 1.

Leicestershire County Council claim that the developer, Hello Homes has failed to reinstate the land to its previous state, prior to construction taking place, so are refusing to take back the maintenance of it as a result despite still being the owner. Should Hello Homes carry out the works, not that complicated, or expensive, one off to clear the area of debris in order to reinstate this land then it is my understanding from communications that I have had with the two parties that Leicestershire County Council will take back the responsibility to maintain it adding it to the contract already in place with Groby Parish Council to maintain the Highway Land in Groby. The land in question would then be maintained in perpetuity as is all the other Highway Land to the same standard conditions, please look directly opposite the site to see the difference for yourself. Whilst the current situation remains, in law, it is the landowners who hold the legal responsibility if it creates a Highway hazard so Leicestershire County Council would not be able to pass the responsibility should anything happen as a result just because it is in dispute with a third party. The Solution: It is only the developer and Leicestershire County Council Highways Department who can resolve this issue. The blame seems to pass back and forwards between the two parties leaving the residents of Highway Close and the wider road and pavement network users atOncerisk.

• CHRISTINE DAVIES (centre) – INSPIRATIONAL VOLUNTEERS Award

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council hold a MAKING A DIFFERENCE ceremony.

AWARDS

• SANDRA JONES (left)– KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND WELL Award

12

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

Time is well overdue for EMH and Leicestershire County Council Highways department to resolve this issue once and for all. Please remember if I can ever be of help to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are listed. Martin

Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ Cllr Martin Cartwright @CllrCartwright cllr.martincartwright I used to like the mirror that I had in 2002 much more than the one I have now.

For more information and to access an application pack, please visit their website via this link: https://www.stwcharity.co.uk/business-loans/

It’s a truly unique opportunity, open to people aged over 18 and under the age of 45 within Blaby and across the county. Application forms are available via the charity’s website and must be submitted alongside a business plan, for which a template is provided. Guarantors are required, although a small sum is allocated for exceptional and business plans where guarantors aren’t available.

Across the nine-year term of any loan the charity awards, not a penny is required to be paid back in interest, and borrowers can enjoy three years before equal monthly repayments commence! That gives successful applicants three whole years to put the funding into action and to reap the rewards.

13ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE If a man said he’ll fix it, he will. There is no need to remind him every six months about it. Tel: 01530 230072 / 07908131538 CaSSOA Approved Linton Farm Caravan and Motor Home storage Located just outside of Thornton village LE67 Linton Farm Brand new storage facility • New Guttering • Wood Staining • Repointing • Ridge Tiles • Chimney Stacks • Roof Valley • Dry Verge • Flat Roofing • Dry Ridge • Lead Flashing • Moss Removal • Slate/Tile Roofing • UPVC Fascia, Soffits & Gutters FREE QUOTATION AND FREE EMERGENCY CALL OUT Proprietor: Elias Bell 1 Maynard Close, Bagworth, LE67 1BU Mobile: 07494820600 - Telephone: 01530 231 631 Email: eandlmaintenanceltd@outlook.com Interest-free loans for new and existing business owners THE SIR THOMAS WHITE Loan Charity, based in the heart of Leicester city centre, provides new and existing businesses across Leicestershire and Rutland with unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000. Founded in 1542, the charity’s funding is delivered by a trust established when a wealthy benefactor, Sir Thomas White, left a sum of money to be delivered as interest-free loans. His figure features on the Clock Tower in Leicester! Over the years, that trust fund has grown – with a substantial sum today available to business owners in the county.

applications

MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG Richard Coles ESCAPE James Patterson and David Ellis APPLES NEVER FALL Liane Moriarty A SLOW FIRE BURNING Paula Hawkins WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING Delia Owens THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE Richard Osman IT ENDS WITH US Colleen Hoover HOW TO KILL YOUR FAMILY Bella Mackie NEVER Ken Follett UGLY LOVE Colleen Hoover Wow! That’s what I call a literary treasure trove! See you in the library! Dave Robinson

Library News Coffee, cake, and a trip back to Groby in 1954

IF YOU’VE BEEN on holiday on a desert island, you may not have noticed that this year’s Summer Reading Challenge has started at Groby Library. Everyone aged 4-12 can join in – just ask at the library counter for your passport, stickers and other prizes, and all you have to do is read six books and visit the library three times over the summer! More details are on the Leicestershire Libraries Website. Another thing you can put in your diary is our book and cake sale on August 27th, featuring Lisa’s Luscious Lumps of Cake and a whole lot of second-hand books at amazingly low prices! Come and have a look – you might find a title that’s just your sort of thing, accompanied by a slab of cake that is very much your sort of thing! All proceeds will go towards meeting the library’s running costs. Library (and café!) users will be pleased to know that, from September 7th, we will be open for an extra hour on Wednesday mornings, from 10am1pm. You may also be pleased to know that our monthly Cuppa and Chat mornings, where we meet from 10.30-11.30 to enjoy a free cup of coffee and a chat with our neighbours, is becoming well-established now, so if you don’t get out to meet people very often, you’ll find a warm welcome at the library. Cuppas are served on the second Friday, every month. We’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Bradgate Rotary for donating the two lovely new easy chairs in the children’s area. The Rotary have supported us financially since we opened and I know they’d like you to come and sit on their chairs as you read a book with your significant youngsters. We rely a lot of the generosity of donors like Bradgate Rotary and the local Co-ops. Finally, some statistics. No, come back, they aren’t boring! Did you know that Groby Library has consistently had some of the most active users in the county of Leicestershire this year? That’s you! And you’ve been coming in for some of the most popular books currently available. At the time of writing, we have eight of the top ten The Sunday Times Bestsellers fiction paperbacks and two of the hardbacks! So you can come in and borrow, or request, any of these:

A VISIT TO Groby Community Library can be even more enjoyable if you can make time for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. But there are other reasons to linger, especially if you are interested in old Groby.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk14

My mother was so overprotective we were only allowed to play rock, paper.

In 1954/5 Catherine Aston was a young woman studying to become a teacher, and she decided to write a profile of Groby as one of her projects. This was before the days of word processors or digital cameras, so she included a number of line drawings and added a number of her own watercolours of local buildings.Thepaintings were for illustrative purposes and not intended to be great works of art, but that doesn’t matter. They capture a moment in time in the life of Groby, have a certain charm, and are delightful. She included text describing each of the scenes, and recorded views of Groby that have gone and many that have survived. She also painted a village map which shows how much the village has grown in the subsequent 68 years.Shewent on to become a teacher and met Groby resident Sylvia Beck at St Mary de Castro church, where Catherine was active and included providing illustrations for articles in the church magazine. She wanted her project to remain in the village and gave it to Sylvia, who subsequently arranged for it to be made available at the reference section of Groby Library. If you’ve wondered how Groby looked when it was still a small village nearly 70 years ago, just call in at the library and take a look at Catherine’s project. Coffee and cake are optional. But nice! Norman Griffiths

We can search 1,000s of mortgages for you Contact your exper t adviser today Local experts for local people The Fantastic Four Mortgage and Protection Teamcovering Groby and the surrounding area. 61MAB323 04.22 Award-winning mortgage advice Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed. 07508 619 279 We can search 1,000s of mortgages for you Contact your exper t adviser today Local experts for local people The Fantastic Four Mortgage and Protection Teamcovering Quorn and the surrounding area. 61AMB323 04.22 Award-winning mortgage advice Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed. 01509 413 692

The Holiday Activity Fund provides free places at holiday clubs over the summer for children eligible for free school meals. The County Council is able to offer these as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, backed by footballer Marcus Rashford. The free sessions include sports, music, arts, and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.

• HOLIDAY ACTIVITY FUND

• CRISIS SUPPORT

• HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND

There are six community kitchens in Leicestershire helping people to not only reduce food waste but also save money. Learn more about the Love Food, Hate Waste programme.

WARM HOMES

Supporting communitiesour

Helping people to lead safe and fulfilling lives is part of the County Council’s job – and this includes support with rising prices.

Local area co-ordinators and community recovery workers provide direct support on a range of issues including food, finances and fuel.

The council’s children and family workers help people with cooking on a budget, budgeting, priority debts, and signpost families to the sources of support. If you’re already receiving support from adult social care or children and family services, please talk to your worker about what help is available.

The Household Support Fund runs until the end of September and offers vouchers to vulnerable pensioners and families to help with fuel and food costs. The £3.6 million fund will also pay for food vouchers for around 14,000 children who are eligible for free school meals, during the six-week summer holiday. From August, the county council is planning oneoff £100 payments for people in receipt of pension credit - you can find out more soon.

• GREEN LEICESTERSHIRELIVING

•

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk16 County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea Email: ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com Tel 0116 239 4336 Mobile 07808 585825 Being married is like having a best friend who doesn’t remember anything you say. From £5From £5From From CRB Checked Tel: 07934 686692 Email: Julie.petcareservice@gmail.com SERVICES Dog Julie’sWalking Pet Care Pet Minding Email: juliedu.petcare@gmail.com Help with cost of living Leicestershire County Council are doing everything they can to support families as cost of living rises Therebite.are funds, programmes, and services to help you and your family get through this difficult time. To access any of these services type the following link into your computer. cost-of-livinghttp://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ Help with food and fuel

From grants and funding to supplying low-cost items, the Warm Homes Fund supports people to stay warm in their homes. Energy advice and switching support is also offered to residents to help them make informed decisions in the future.

Ozzy O’shea ALWAYS WORKING FOR YOU Cllr Ozzy O’shea (Contact details at top of page.) Karen Silverwood naturopath & herbalist DHNM (Unani Tibb) 10%offyour ÞrstQuoteconsultation‘Spotlight’ Nutritional advice tailored for you Achievable lifestyle balance Whole person healing Herbal remedies Appointments in MarkÞeld www.karensilverwood.co.uk 07739 555015

Field Head, Groby ReviewGovernanceCommunity

• SUPPORTING PEOPLE County Council teams help adults who need additional support because of increasing fuel and food prices - including older people where in many situations their care workers are the only people that they will see and interact with.

• LOVE FOOD, HATE WASTE

By teaming up with district councils, the County Council is securing money to install energy efficiency measures in those homes most in need of support. This means that over the next year, more than £3 million will be spent making Leicestershire’s homes warmer, and tackling the crucial issue of rising energy prices. Find out more about the Green Living Leicestershire home energy grant.

The County Council supports The Signposting and Community Support Service which helps people in hardship with furniture and electrical goods, as well as emergency short-term food and fuel support to people in crisis. Help with home energy

• FIRST CONTACT PLUS Our First Contact Plus service is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place. Information and resources on housing, health, living independently, money advice, work, security, and other topics that assist the county’s residents can be found. To access any of these services type the following link into your computer. Or go to the County Councils website. cost-of-livinghttp://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/

Groby Wombles I WOULD like to put on record, my sincere thanks to the Groby Womblesalso known as litter pickers. I noticed you all out on Saturday 23rd July keeping Groby tidy, from Sacheverell Way to Leicester Road filling numerous black plastic bags. Thank you.

• LOCAL CO-ORDINATORSAREA

THE PROPOSAL is for the boundary be redrawn between Groby and Markfield parishes to result in Field Head becoming part of Markfield Parish. The number of Councillors for Groby Parish Council be set at 13 with no warding. Currently Field Head is represented by 3 Parish Councillors on Groby Parish Council. The proposal would leave Field Head with only one Parish Councillor representing their interests on Markfield Parish Council. I would urge residents to have your say by using the following https://myaccount.hinckley-link. bosworth.gov.uk/service/ Draft_recommendations_ consultation?form=Groby The consultation runs for 8 weeks from the 13th July to the 7th September. Finally I would like to thank you all for your continued support and remind you that should you need my help or advice, I always pride myself on making myself available to residents. Remember I am only a phone call or email away.

Norman Griffiths

THE SPEAKERS at our July meeting were Bob Neal and his assistant whose name I didn’t note, so apologies to her! The subject was ‘Bits and Bobs from Granny’s Kitchen’. Bob’s interest in collecting these obscure items began when he came across his Grandfather’s shop ledger from 1928. A lamp chimney was 9d, one length of wick was 1d, cycles were also repaired and petrol was sold at 4s 10d for four gallons. I’m sure we all wish we could go back to those ‘old money’ petrol prices! For this meeting we were in small groups sat on individual tables, various numbered items were passed round and we had to guess what they were. It proved to be a fascinating exercise and I think guesswork from Ruth Rolinson played a big part in identifying the twenty items in the quiz! It isn’t easy to see the individual items on the photographs but they included a codswalloper for knocking a marble into a cod bottle, a skirt hem lifter, a tablet counter, a stair carpet clip, a pen nib cleaner, a small wooden darning implement for mending gloves, a dolly for making pork pies, a glove stretcher and a wine tasting cup (which I guessed correctly, having seen it recently on Bargain Hunt)! Bob had a book published by Dalesman titled ‘What On Earth Is It’ for anyone wishing to look up these items from the past. I had taken in an item which sits on my hearth, a cast iron trivet which belonged to my great grandmother, which was used to rest her hot iron on. Bob was quite keen to take it for his collection but I’m afraid it has great sentimental value to me and remains on my hearth!.

17ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE I taught my dog to beg. Today he came back with £12.50. � Intruder Alarms � Door-Gate Intercoms � Network � Audio Visual

Initially, when we resumed our WI meetings after Covid, we wore our masks and sat at the required distance apart and did not sing ‘Jerusalem’. Gradually the rules relaxed but we did not resume singing. Lyn Mellor suggested at this meeting that the singing of ‘Jerusalem’ should be resumed as it is very much a part of the WI and it was unanimously agreed that we would do this at our next meeting.

First speed sign data available RESIDENTS have always said that many vehicles exceed the speed limits on Groby’s roads. The first data available from the new speed activated electronic signs have confirmed that they are right. Sacheverall Way is where most of the data has been collected so far, with signs recording how many vehicles passed, and their speeds. They are moved to a different location after 3 weeks. The number of motorists exceeding the 40mph limit varied between 11% and 25%, indicating that many are over the limit. More number crunching is sure to follow.

Groby WI News

The speaker at the meeting on Thursday 18th August is Kath Reynolds - ‘Goose Grease and Brown Paper’ which sounds very interesting! If you lined up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and pass them. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. But so was yesterday, and look how you messed that up.

In the business part of the meeting, we discussed our 70th birthday anniversary next year and how we could celebrate it. Various venues were suggested and the Committee will make a decision where we will celebrate this momentous milestone. Diane’s Corner is going strong with trips to see Billy Elliott, Mama Mia and The Wizard of Oz planned.

The latest information about waste and recycling is available on the county council website. Anyone planning a trip to recycle or dispose of rubbish is urged to check before setting off. Winter hours (open 9 am to 4pm) at the site will run from 1 October to 31 March.

Name

Letter RogueBewareRoofers

Dial A Ride is looking for drivers - can you help?

Extended opening hours at Coalville waste site NEW EXTENDED summer opening hours for Coalville’s recycling and household waste site are now in force.

PLEASE ADVISE your readers that rogue roofers are back in the area, this time in Groby. On this occasion they cold called an elderly widow offering to put mesh around her solar panels to stop pigeons and other birds nesting under them, for £60.00. They added that they had done similar work on a nearby property. Since this had been a problem causing mess and a blockage to guttering, the householder agreed to the work being done. Four men then arrived in a new black pick-up truck which advertised roofing repairs and maintenance and gave a mobile phone number but no obvious trading name and no business address. They set about their work and, surprise surprise, they announced they had discovered loose brickwork on the chimney and said they would return the next day with an estimate to repair it. They duly returned and the quote to replace three bricks and re-bed the capping slab and two chimney pots was £2,000! There had been nothing obviously wrong before their visit on the previous day and whilst no one actually saw the men on the roof “create” the problem, it is highly likely that they purposely did disturb the brickwork with a view to charging a pensioner an exorbitant amount to put it right.

The Linden Way site, off Ashby Road, is now open for an extra two hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, now closing at 7pm. The site remains open on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am – 5pm.

Needless to say, they became both aggressive and offensive when their quote was rejected and they left without completing the work originally agreed leaving the householder with a costly problem they had most likely caused. & SuppliedAddress

The contacts are; Jenny Dowling (Membership Secretary) on 0116 429 1458 or Irene Scott (Committee Member) on 01455 823056.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk18

Volunteers will need to use their own vehicles, be over 25 years and agree to a DBS Check. We pay for the mileage so it only costs your time. Our volunteers say how rewarding the role is as they are helping others whilst also keeping themselves busy and staying in touch with others. If you are interested in helping your community, please give Lindsey Short a ring on 01455 250462 or email dialaride21@hotmail.com.

The man who created the design for deckchairs died last week. It took four attempts before they got him in the coffin.

The Groby Litter Pick HAVE YOU noticed that the village is looking a little tidier? The Groby Litter Pick last month was a great success and collected twenty six bags of rubbish.“Wehad 22 people take part,” said Parish Clerk Sue Hackett. “In addition to 6 Councillors, myself & the deputy clerk, there were 14 volunteers.”There’sbeen positive feedback from the event, and another community litter pick is planned for the Autumn. Norman Griffiths

HINCKLEY & Bosworth Community Transport (Dial a Ride) has been running for over 30 years. Our volunteer drivers use their own cars to take elderly and disabled people to health and hospital appointments, social events, lunch clubs, visiting relatives & friends, shopping etc. We are looking for friendly drivers to join us! You will meet some amazing people, whilst making a positive impact to their lives by helping them get to the activities and appointments that are important to them help alleviate social isolation, supporting their physical/mental wellbeing.

Newtown Linford Luncheon Club NEWTOWN LINFORD LUNCHEON club is looking to increase its membership and welcome new members into the club. We are a ladies’ group who meet monthly at Lingdale Golf Club, Woodhouse Eaves, to enjoy excellent food, good company and entertaining after dinner speakers. Our membership is made up from ladies across Leicester and Leicestershire.Theyearlymembership fee is £20.00, lunches are £19.00 monthly and consists of a 3-course set meal plus tea or coffee. Dietary requirements or special requests are catered for. Our year starts in September and runs until June, with two months off during the summer period. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who wishes to join us or require any further information.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: “We’re pleased that our current staffing levels mean we’re in a position to extend the hours at Coalville for two days for residents to use over the summer period.”

BOBBIN LACE is a craft that is slowly seeing a revival along with other crafts such as knitting and dressmaking. As with most crafts, having someone to help you with the basics is a big help. Bobbin lace classes are being held at Groby Village Hall, Leicester Road , Groby, LE6 0DQ on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. They are suitable for beginners and those with some knowledge. Equipment can be borrowed for a short period to see if bobbin lace is for them and the first week is free as a taster session.

Come and join us!

Performing in a concert is entirely voluntary and singers who choose not to be on stage will be very welcome in the audience. There is no fee to attend but as it costs approximately £2 per adult and £1.50 per young singer per session, members who are able to contribute something can do so by voluntary donation at the door or by a lump sum on which the charity may be able to claim Gift Aid, increasing donations by up to 25%. Where and When?

A beginner’s bobbin lace kit is available for purchase from the tutor as it is difficult to purchase from Leicester shops. The cost of each session works out at £3 approx per week for 34 weeks. For further information, email susanmarlow47@ btinternet.com or phone 0116 236 5789. A beginners bobbin lace kit is available for purchase from the tutor as it is difficult to purchase from Leicester shops. The cost of each session works out at £3 approx per week for 34 weeks. For further information, email susanmarlow47@btinternet.com or phone 0116 2365789 Photos that may be suitable to accompany the article. Leicester shops. The cost of each session works out at £3 approx per week for 34 weeks. For further information, email susanmarlow47@btinternet.com or phone 0116 2365789 Photos that may be suitable to accompany the article.

• WEDNESDAYS, term time only, beginning 7th September 2022 until the end of November. There is a choice of sessions for adult singers: 1.30pm – 3.00pm (pre-school children welcome in the care of their adult with a crèche area available) or 7.30pm – 9.00pm. The Youth and Children’s Choir (7 years and over) is from 3.40-4.40pm. There is a ‘cake break’ in each session for a drink, a chat and ...cake! For enquiries, please contact us via our website www.grobysings.org

Bobbin Lace classes at Groby Village Hall

CALLING ALL SINGERS everywhere - Groby Sings needs YOU to help us go from strength to strength. After a long 2 years when we couldn’t meet to sing in person, Groby Sings resumed sessions at The Groby Club in the spring and early summer this year, culminating in a wonderful singing party where singers past and present got together to sing a selection of songs celebrating this much-loved community choir being On The Road Again. Now we are ready to grow our numbers from the 100+ who came back this spring to the wellover 250 singers who enjoyed the music, the socialising and, of course, a cuppa and a cake before we were all blighted by Covid. Anyone and everyone who loves to sing is invited to come along on Wednesdays during school term times beginning on 7th September. This autumn’s theme is Groby Sings Through the Seasons (‘from tulip time to winter snows’ – guess the songs!). Pre-pandemic and twice a year since it was formed in 2013, Groby Sings has entertained audiences from far and wide with a variety of music from the shows and films together with classic favourites from all eras and we’re really hoping to finish at the end of November 2022 with another concert.GrobySings is a registered charity (no. 1180490) and is a fully-inclusive choir. Our members come from all parts of Leicestershire, not just Groby, and everyone, young and not so young, is welcome however they enjoy singing. Experience varies from crooning in the shower, accompanying the karaoke machine, singing with children and grandchildren or even more formal choral singing. There is a place for everyone and there are no auditions or a requirement to attend every week, though once you start you won’t want to miss a single Wednesday!

THROUGH THE SEASONS - from tulip time to winter snowsRehearsals at Groby Club from 7th September Wednesday afternoon choir: 1.30pm - 3pm Creche area available Children’s choir 3.40pm - 4.40pm for children aged 7 years old and over Wednesday evening choir: 7.30pm - 9.00pm Performances take place in November www.grobysings.org for more info Coming Up THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS ADVERTISERS!

• AT THE GROBY CLUB, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ (ramps and disabled facilities available)

19ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE A guy just yelled at me for texting and driving. I told him to get off my bonnet and mind his own business. Please see our on-line links below for up to date information. !!! #$%&'(() %(*+,-.$/0,-1 !!! $%234%2/&$45(3 %(*+%234%2+6678 1! 23'' 4#5 6 !76'' !" #$% &''( )&# *+,-,.%)/ *%++$-. $- +-)#'-* +/')*' .'0.12'**)3' #$%- &)2' )&( 4$2' .'/'+4$&' &%25'- .$ back.!"# !$ !!& #'"#&) !" *+,*+*-./00 !"#$"% &'(%)*%+ &%( ,$-%& ./"+)0& or after live service 12##23 /& 2 4) %5226 12( *2(% $"12(*)'$2" )"+ +) 0 72&'& '2 &/772(' 8 %"-2/()9% 02/ during "$# === ")>'5$$? >$213-$5#%->1 Services in church every Sunday at 10am see below. Telephone church every Sunday at 11 !"#$%& !"' () *+,-$%. 0116 2396520 On line Compline every Tuesday 9pm via Facebook page Every Wednesday at 930am Communion 19th June 8am Communion, 9.30am Morning Worship, 4pm Super Sunday 26th June 9.30am Communion, 6pm Evensong 3rd July 9.30am All Age Worship. 6pm Communion 10th July9.30am Welcome service with communion for Rev’d Riffat 6pm Evensong 17th July 8am Communion, 9.30am Morning Worship. 4pm Super Sunday (Tel 0333 0164 757 Room No 10336316# pin No 1920# call charged at local rate) Except 10th July for Riffat’s welcome service.

ADVERTISING

Proposed Markfield Parish GAA HBA HBB HBC HAB HAC HAAHAD ¯ Scale: 1:20,000 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council LA100018489 Published 2022

IF YOU LIVE in Field Head you’ll probably be particularly interested in the latest consultation launched by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, as the outcome could determine whether your home stays within Groby Parish or becomes part of Markfield. It’s called a Community Governance Review and it includes such things as • creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes • the ordinary year of election • the number of councillors to be elected to the council

“The blue line is the proposed outer boundary of the parishes. The purple lines show the internal borders, which are polling districts on the electoral register. So the proposed map for Groby shows the Groby outer parish boundary, now excluding polling district HAD (which is equivalent to the entirety of Field Head parish ward), and the map for Markfield shows the Markfield outer parish boundary including HAD.”

Governance consultation

Do you want Field Head to be transferred from Groby Parish to Markfield?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk20

Your view on whether the boundary should be redrawn between Groby and Markfield parishes to result in Field Head becoming part of Markfield Parish is important, and it would result in these changesWhen looking at the maps, a spokesperson for the Borough Council has provided this guidance :

A boundary change would affect some residents in the Leicester Road, Jacqueline Road, Charnwood Drive and Ratby Lane area. Although geographically the homes are on the edge of the Markfield urban area, some residents may rather identify with Groby, and prefer the status quo. The consultation is an opportunity to express your view, either to favour change or the current arrangements. Even if most Field Head residents say they agree with the proposal, it takes two to tango and, as Markfield Parish Council seem happy with the existing arrangements, it would be sheer speculation to try to forecast the final decision.

My local grocery store uses four checkouts. Unless it’s really busy - then they use one.

How to comment If you have internet access, you can read the full consultation online on the Borough website. It’s a long address to type in so just Google ‘Grobylinx’ instead. This will take you to GrobyOnline, where you can click on a direct link to the consultation. If you don’t have internet access, you can request a paper copy a paper copy of the questionnaire by calling Rebecca Owen on 01455 255 879 or Mollie Brooks-Crowley on 01455 255 835. The consultation closes on Wednesday 7th September 2022. Norman Griffiths

~ RATES IN GROBY SPOTLIGHT ~ Call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 to book or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Advert Size (Portion of the A4 page) Advert Dimensions in Millimetres Width x Height Price per Insertion (EACH MONTH) Sixteenth of a Page 45mm wide x 65mm high £20.00 plus VAT Twelfth of a Page 95mm wide x 41mm high £28.00 plus VAT Eighth of a Page 95mm wide x 65mm high £40.00 plus VAT Sixth of a Page 95mm wide by 87mm high £50.00 plus VAT Quarter of a Page 95mm wide x 130mm high £65.00 plus VAT Half of a Page 194mm wide x 130mm high £120.00 plus VAT Full Page (A4) 194m wide x 268mm high £190.00 plus VAT Double Page Spread (A3) 404mm wide x 268mm high £249.00 plus VAT

Proposed Groby Parish HBB HACHAB HAA IAB ¯ Scale: 1:20,000 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council LA100018489 Published 2022

The Borough Council has analysed the responses to a public consultation which commenced in February and approved draft recommendations for further consultation. Changes are recommended in a number of parishes, including Groby and Markfield, but a final decision won’t be taken until the comments of residents have been considered.

Field

channels. HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS Councillor

21ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE

When I was young, I had to walk all the way to the TV to change the Ted Ted Hollick Call: 0116 287 5955 Mobile: 07962 373983 E-mail: ted.hollick@outlook.com Write: 7 Shaw Wood Close, Groby, LE6 0FY Parish Councillors CONGRATULATIONS to the successful candidates in the recent parish elections, Groby residents Janet Bishop and Gary Richardson, and in an uncontested election David Hyde from Field Head. Head FORTY TWO years ago the Markfield Parish Council looked at the possibility of including the area of Field Head into the parish of Markfield.

Hollick reports Councillor

The result of this met with considerable opposition from the residents, who it was reported at the time were almost unanimous in wanting to remain in the parish of Groby. It is now time again for the residents to decide which Parish they want to belong to Markfield or Groby.

New

This has come about due to the publication of a document called ‘Community governance have your say ‘ to which there were only four respondents who suggested it might be a good idea logistically, the Consultation is now under way for the RESIDENTS of Field Head to respond with their own comments. This particularly important consultation the result of which would result in a number of major changes affecting residents of Groby but more specifically all the residents of Field Head. Two important aspects of this would mean that Field Head residents would lose their right to be buried in Groby Cemetery and secondly it would mean a rehash of both parishes neighbourhood development plans. The consultation can be accessed on the HBBC website and ends on September 7th, please don’t miss the chance to make your views known, it really is that important. A number of Field Head residents who recently attended the Groby Parish Council monthly meeting have already stated their wish to remain as part of Groby. A hot topic AT THE LAST Planning committee meeting of HBBC on the 2nd of August the members of that committee were faced with making a difficult decision regarding a proposed huge Solar farm covering 20 fields between Nailstone and Barlestone. The Borough Council has already declared a climate emergency. The recent uncharacteristic hot spell provides ample proof that we do indeed have to take steps to mitigate this. It was voted to approve the plan which will provide electricity using Solar Panels for the next 40 years after which it will revert to agricultural land. Cllr. Ted Hollick

ICN Computer Services • PC Maintenance, Configuration and Repairs • New PC’s and Laptops, including set up. • 17 years of providing Local IT Services icn computer services Please Note our new Telephone Number 0116 2393455 or 07708 support@icncomputers.co.uk437674

No Excuses: Turning around one of Britain’s toughest schools by Alison Colwell NO EXCUSES charts an extraordinary principal’s journey in diary form from the moment she took over at a failing secondary school in a deprived area of the country, where less than a quarter of children attained five or more A*–C GCSEs, and how she set about the gruelling task of transforming its reputation using her zero-tolerance, tough-love approach.

Armed only with a wicked sense of humour, fearless energy and a powerful vision, Alison Colwell put in place a stringent set of rules, including a strict uniform policy and a complete ban on mobile phones, provoking resistance and hostility from some parents, the wider community and on social media. This is the darkly funny, moving story of how, together, teachers and their –often troubled – pupils rebuilt a school and community, with an inspirational head at the helm. Charming, touching and full of brilliant leadership advice, this is the diary of the woman the Daily Mail labelled Britain’s strictest head teacher.

“Ash dieback is a highly destructive fungal disease that shuts down the tree’s vascular system and progressively kills it,” said Leicester City Council’s trees & woodlands manager Dave Jones.

“As the ash dieback fungus infects the tree, its branches gradually ‘die back’, become brittle and break apart – with falling branches representing a significant risk to the public. “We’re systematically monitoring the 25,120 ash trees in our ownership but there’s nothing we can do to stop the disease from spreading, other than by removing infected and dangerous trees.

• Fujifilm Finepix F10 DIGITAL CAMERA - 6.3 megapixels, 18.5x total zoom, 2.5” large bright LCD. Complete with box & charger as new. Any sensible offer accepted. Tel: 0116 260 1865 (Groby)

• BATHROOM CABINET - large, cream gloss with front mirror door. H 600 x W 450 x D 200mm. Very good condition. Pics available on WhatsApp Price: £25.00. Tel: 07546 427771 (Groby)

• HARDBACK BOOKS (As new): David Baldacci, Wilbur Smith, Clive Cussler and others - £2.00 each.

Ash dieback arrived in Europe from Asia in the 1990s and rapidly spread, devastating the European ash that had no natural defence against it. The fungus releases spores that can be blown tens of miles away, penetrating a tree’s leaves and eventually blocking its water transport systems and killing it.

• FREE to good home: Large RUNNING MACHINE. Needs some attention to the electrics, if someone is prepared to do it. Tel: 0116 287 2536 (Glenfield)

• One large MEAT PLATE and two square SANDWICH PLATES - £3 the Sixset.ornate brass DOOR HANDLES - still boxed - £5 each box. Tel: 01530 242054 (Markfield) Marble SOLITAIRE GAME - light wood base, blue glass marbles - £5.00. Light blue wooden IKEA STORAGE BOX with six drawers. 11” square by 8” deep. - £5.00 Seven framed WINNIE THE POOH PICTURES, various sizes - £12.00 (will •split).Disney HB LADYBIRD BOOKSapprox.

• Official Arsenal SIGNED FOOTBALL 1988/1989 Barclays League Champions. Price: £50.00 o.n.o.

• Cane THREE-PIECE SUITE - all new cushions. Good condition. Price: £100.00. Tel: 01530 485614 (Markfield)

• Slazenger full size SIGNED CRICKET BAT. England, India, Leicestershire, Derbyshire 1974. Price: £50.00. Tel: 01530 242793 (Markfield)

Thousands of trees may be lost to ash dieback

• Vintage Olivetti ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER - Price: £20.00.

•

In Britain, ash is the second most abundant tree species in small woodland patches after the native oak, the third most abundant in larger areas of forest, and the most common hedgerow tree species. Ash dieback will therefore have a devastating impact on the British landscape and the biodiversity of the nation’s woodlands.

• Vintage Pantium Deluxe 35mm CAMERA with CARRY CASE and boxed. Price: £10.00 Tel: 07742 596064 (Markfield)

•

• LAWN MOWER - HAYTER Spirit 41 (Petrol Unleaded) - Push or it pulls. VGC. Always Garaged. Circa 2016. Lightly used. Owners Handbook. Offers over £100.00. Tel: 0116 2290542 (Groby)

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-AUGUST 2022 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk22 Spotlight Small Ads A lie is a very poor substitute for the truth, but it’s the only one discovered so far. SEND DETAILS by post or email - sorry, we can’t take them over the phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. No business ads. Our postal address is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or you can email details to: info@ subjectPLEASEgrobyspotlight.co.ukENSUREthatyouput‘SMALLADS’intheline,andINCLUDEYOURFULLPOSTALADDRESS (not for publication, just to know where you are). • CAR TOP BOX. Price: £80.00 • TENTS - various sizes. All used but in good condition. Fair prices. Tel: 07799 045541 (Markfield) • Women’s All Saints BLACK LEATHER JACKET - size 12. Price: £80. Tel: 07557 507083 (Glenfield) • Assorted 500 & 1000 piece “Corner Piece” & “Ravensburger” JIGSAWS for sale from £2:00 -£3:50 each Tel: 07812 527935 (Glenfield) • Two charcoal grey men’s Arco OUTDOOR WATERPROOF MENS COATS - large, brand new. Price: £15 •each.Carbon Steel GARDEN SPADE AND FORK. Price: £10 both. • Two sets SCREWDRIVERS - brand new. Price: £5. Tel: 0116 233 0212 (Glenfield) • FREE: Black GARDEN COMPOST BIN Square Shaped - Size L60.7 x W60. 5 x H82.5cm. Free for collection. Tel. 01530 245944 (Markfield) • Enduro ROWING MACHINE. Price: £20.00. Tel: 07941 997289 (Groby) • Two stainless steel and canvas DIRECTORS CAMPING CHAIRS with attached SIDE TABLE. Twelve months old, used once. Price: £25.00 each or £40.00 the pair. • Beach shelter BUBBLE TENT used once. Price: £5.00 • Three black sturdy CAMPING CHAIRS - hardly used. Price: £9 each or £25 the three. All in good condition. Tel: 01530 589369 or 07908 505037 (Stanton under Bardon)

• One FRUIT SET (Glass) - £3.00

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• New Eurohike double flock AIRBED. Price: £5.00. Tel: 0116 232 1922 (Groby)

• Small brass ORNAMENTS - £1 each.

“Over the coming months and years, my team – like everyone else who’s responsible for ash trees across Europe and the UK – will have the heart-breaking task of felling hundreds of ash trees that have succumbed to this disease.”

Ash dieback can affect ash trees of all ages. Younger trees will succumb to the disease more quickly but, in general, an affected tree will show symptoms including discoloured leaves, diamond-shaped lesions (see photo) where its branches meet its trunk, and the characteristic ‘dieback’ that leaves the tree with a severely reduced canopy.

• Crystal GLASS BOWLS of various sizes: £3.00 each.

25 - £20.00 (will split) Tel: 07511 552857 (Markfield) • Ladies Windsmoor FULL-LENGTH GREY COAT WITH FUR COLLAR. Size 16. VGC. Price: £100.00 o.n.o. • Ladies ¾-LENGTH PALE BLUE WOOL COAT. Size 16. VGC. Price: £50.00 o.n.o. • Halford AXLE STANDS, safe working load 1.5 tonne per stand. Boxed, unused. Price: £20.00 the pair. Tel 01530 230933 (Thornton) • 22 inch DIA kettle BBQ - good, clean condition - only used twice plus large box of charcoal. Price: £50 o.n.o. • Long reach electric hedge trimmergood condition. Price: £40 o.n.o. Tel: 01530 245323 (Markfield)

Although relatively slow in reaching the East Midlands, the fungal disease has now taken hold in Leicester – and the council’s trees & woodlands team will soon begin the task of removing a significant number of dying ash trees that are so badly affected that they represent a serious risk to the public. A recent inspection of the trees at Gorse Hill Spinney off Anstey Lane established that around 250 ash trees were in such poor condition that they represented an imminent risk to public safety, having already lost more than 50% of their canopy to the disease.

THOUSANDS of ash trees may have to be felled in Leicester over the next 10 years as a result of a disease that has killed millions of trees across Europe. Ash dieback – which was first detected in the UK in 2012 – will decimate the country’s ash population, with 75–95% of the UK’s ash trees expected to be lost to the disease in the next 20 to 30 years.

• OFFICE DESK with side drawers. With swivel office chair. Good condition. Price: £30.00.

• LIVERPOOL MEMORABILIA1990’s - reasonable offers.

Tasty treats for humans will be available to buy including cakes, baked goods and gelati. And of course, visitors can find out more about, and support, the Charity where every year we care for around 400 dogs and cats who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer look after them. Our Dog Show starts at 12pm and visitors will be able to book their dog in from 11am. The Dog Show rounds are: best male dog, best female dog, golden oldie (8 and above), best puppy (1 year and under), waggiest tail, best rescue, most appealing eyes, best in show. Entries into the show cost £2.50 per round and rosettes will be awarded to winners and runners up. Prizes will also be awarded. There is plenty of parking at Pingles, and please pop into their store while you are there. There will be a small entry fee into the event and all monies raised will go towards helping cats and dogs (like Nala pictured below) in need of a second chance. We are looking forward to seeing you on the day! More information is available at leicesteranimalaid.org.uk

FILMS STARRING I’d love to make money at home in my spare time. But counterfeiting is harder than you’d think.

COCKTAIL EYESWIDESHUT JACKREACHER KNIGHTANDDAY MINORITYREPOR OBLIVION RAINMAN THEFIRM TOPGUN WAROFTHEWORLDS

TOM CRUISE 06/08/2022, 10:18 This is your Word Search! Find the word in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction. Words can share letters as they cross over each other 16 of 16 words

Last Issue’s Winner was: Mrs Annette Toone of Carmen Grove, Groby. Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you in the next few weeks.

AFEWGOODMENplaced.

Copyright © 2022

COME ALONG to Pingles Pet Store, Barwell, LE9 8HW, on Saturday, 20th August from 11am-3pm for our Family Fun Day and Dog Show. Leicester Animal Aid (registered charity no 242560) is thrilled to re-introduce this event after what has felt like a very long time under the restrictions. It’s going to be fun for all the family – and that includes your dogs! We already have many great stalls confirmed, including jewellery, books, hook-a-duck, cakes, a mini waltzer, macrame, gifts and hand-made linens. There will also be a dog portrait artist and dog photographer in attendance. Activities for your canine friends to enjoy includes a full dog show, agility events and demonstrations.

23ADVERTISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FULL LIST ADVERTISING RATES IS ON PAGE 20 OF THIS ISSUE Name: .............................................................................Postcode:Address:........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Please find the following 16 Tom Cruise films: A FEW GOOD MEN • COCKTAIL • COLLATERAL EYES WIDE SHUT • JACK REACHER • JERRY MAGUIRE KNIGHT AND DAY • MINORITY REPORT • MISSION IMPOSSIBLE OBLIVION • RAINMAN • THE COLOR OF MONEY THE FIRM • TOP GUN • VANILLA SKY • WAR OF THE WORLDS IF YOU can find 16 TOM CRUISE FILMS in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Stamford Arms in Groby. All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - 16 TOM CRUISE FILMS. These can overlap and run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your marked entry forms to: SHOW ME THE MONEY, Groby Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2022. Please remember to fill in your name and address. (Some people don’t!) The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the voucher for a Meal for Two and a Bottle of House Wine at The Stamford Arms, Groby. Good luck! WORDSEARCH

The Leicester Animal Aid Family Fun Day is back!

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